Magic music is coming to Watchem: Mark the calendar, January 11
On Saturday, January 11, Watchem Church will have its proverbial roof lifted by the musical stylings of Taylor Sheridan and Brooke Taylor. Doors open at 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. start at the “old church on the hill” and is bound to be an impressive night of country music for all.
Forget socks – put history under the tree!
Jackie Noonan. Standing proudly at the heart of the Wycheproof community is a remarkable former school building which has been beautifully restored to honour academic heritage while offering new life inspiration as the home to an impressive local history museum collection ... One could say there was no better place to host the recent book launch of “Wycheproof and District – The Way it Was”, as here it felt especially fitting; the space embodied the very heritage and pride that Prof’s work captures.
“Cool carols beat the heat”
A large gathering of community members appreciated the late change in venue for Carols on Sunday, December 14; and organisers were grateful to the Buloke Shire for providing the alternate location ... A two-hour program was prepared for the community, with Jane and Kieran Lamos leading the audience with “Aussie Jingle Bells” to get everyone started.
CFA rip-off confirmed by Minister
In an extraordinary admission by the Emergency Services Minister on Wednesday, all Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers across Victoria now know what a raw deal they are getting. Despite increasing the Fire Service Levy by an estimated $186 million dollars this year, the Minister has admitted that only nine per cent of the increased revenue will flow through to struggling volunteer CFA brigades.
Transmission lines – “Don’t think, do!” – More on the landholders’ fight
Peter Hobbs. This article which is intended to be a follow-up and one motivated by Charltonian Glenda Watts’s Letter to the Buloke Times Editor ... Glenda’s message is simple but significant in the process developed by the Victorian Government underpinning the construction of transmission lines in rural Victoria ... What follows is a dissection of these seven steps outlining [TCV's] shortcomings...
Anniversary marks a bitter-sweet milestone
Jenny Pollard. A half century of international support was celebrated by the Charlton Action for World Development (AWD) Group last Friday night with the milestone occasion also bringing a bitter-sweet end to the small, but passionate entourage ... Including former guest speakers, foundation members and many supporters, the evening was a testament to the desire to create tangible benefits and build understanding about places and people whose lives, cultures and situations were so different to the Charlton locale.
Call for review of Victorian- approved mineral sands mines
“The Victorian Government’s approval of two mineral sands mines yesterday through Environment Effects Statements isn’t the end of the matter,” Member for Mallee Dr Webster said on Wednesday. As farmers learned of the two Mallee mines, the Member for Mallee lamented that Victoria’s prime agricultural land and the health of farming communities are not considered as significant as environmental grounds when assessing mining projects.
Flight to Cambodia
On November 29, twenty students and four staff flew to Cambodia to immerse themselves in a cultural experience and to participate in community service ... The group spent three days at a school in Siem Reap renovating and painting both the classrooms and the outside of the school.

