Vic

With the Latrobe Valley a possible site for a nuclear power station, the federal Opposition has upped the argument for nuclear as a possible way for the nation to lower greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a reliable and cheaper energy supply.

About 40 salaried jobs at the Maryvale Mill will be gone by June as Opal moves to slash further positions across the company in a bid to stabilise its financial performance. The 40 are believed to be among about 220 salaried company-wide employees who will be made redundant, adding to the more than 300 workers who lost their jobs when Maryvale's white paper production plant was closed late last year.

Monique Dawson. Recent public commentary about the closure of VicForests has included numerous false and misleading claims.  VicForests knows there are individuals and organisations who are opposed to native timber harvesting who will be celebrating VicForests’ closure ... The most offensive category of false claims being made is the suggestion VicForests is “rogue” or a “cowboy agency”.

The Pacific Belles will perform at the Nhill Airshow on April 13. Swing to their dulcet tones as they sing these war-time classics. Their vintage repertoire includes songs like "Don't sit under the Apple Tree" and "We'll Meet Again." The Pacific Belles are Australia’s hottest retro-style singing trio, inspired by the music of the 1940‘s and have been referred to as "Melbourne's very own Andrew Sisters'.

Grain growers across Australia are being urged to check paddocks for mouse numbers and record mouse activity as part of a national campaign aimed at early detection and effective control ahead of this year’s winter crop. Concerns about mouse numbers were front of mind at the latest meeting of the National Mouse Group (NMG).

Saturday 16 March 2023 was an exciting day for the Nhill community with the official opening of the Nhill Cane Ball court by Dr Anne Webster MP, Member for Mallee, and Cr Brett Ireland, Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor. Approximately 100 people attended the official opening ... Karen community members provided a demonstration of Cane Ball ...

Out now! Subscribe here!

The Quambatook Tractor Pull will be back in the Home of Tractor Pulling on Easter Saturday, March 30. This will be its 46th time putting the pedal to the metal and strain on the chain in the Mallee town of Quambatook.

Sheep and cropping farmer Jack Armstrong knows that in agriculture it pays to be proactive with safety, particularly when it comes to managing the risks of fatigue during peak periods ... WorkSafe data shows March and November are peak months for workplace fatalities in agriculture, corresponding with the busy sowing and harvest seasons.

VicForests, the Victorian Government’s own forestry agency, is being treated deplorably as it braces for a June 30 shutdown ... Peter Walsh, Leader of The Nationals, said it seemed the government was intent on wiping VicForests from the history books.

Some of Sunraysia’s most successful motorsport exports will take centre stage for the official launch of the Mildura Regional Motorsport Strategy this month ... featuring a panel of home-grown motorsport champions including, world ski race champion Chelsea Blight, V8 Supercars champion Rick Kelly, multiple Australian Top Fuel drag racing champion Phil Lamattina...

Out now! Buy here!

The Ovens River Challenge at Myrtleford Victoria is again on for young and old ... Widely renowned wildlife artist and fly fisher, Trevor Hawkins, will be present to show some of his fantastic works of fish and bird art ... we are researching the abundance of the endangered Macquarie Perch and Trout Cod.

Over the long weekend, the Donald Lawn Tennis Club held its 70th Labour Day Tournament in some of the hottest weather conditions the tournament has experienced for many years. In what was a cool summer in the Mallee, heat wave was timed to perfection for the three-day weekend! Thankfully the pool was open at the end of day’s play for everyone to cool off.

Effective from 14 March, the dingo unprotection order will conclude in north west Victoria - this decision follows new research, strong advice and the effectiveness of non-lethal dingo control methods to protect livestock. Farmers in this area will be  supported by a  $550,000 investment to adopt alternate non-lethal control methods via a  pilot of measures ...

Kerry Cain. Last Saturday, the Newstead Fire Brigade impressed attendees at the Newstead Pool Party by showcasing its latest addition, the Field Command Vehicle (FCV).  With this specially equipped vehicle, the brigade can now respond more effectively and decisively to emergencies of all kinds and direct and deploy its appliances and personnel, as well as those of other services, as required.

The VFF says the Victorian Government’s fast-tracking of renewable energy projects by accelerating planning approvals is a slap in the face after years of sham consultation with farming communities. VFF President Emma Germano said the green-lighting of major renewable projects adds to a poor-track record of consulting landholders set to be impacted and risks further alienating already frustrated farmers across Victoria.

Victorian Renee Henry and Kollage MI have taken out the Snake Valley Dash Endurance ride’s perpetual line honours trophy ... There were 80 horse and rider combinations competing across four distance levels - 20km, 40km and 80km distances as well as a 5km course to accommodate younger riders and newcomers to the sport.

From the Australian Street Art Awards – an Australia-wide organisation established in 2018 – comes the following message: "We have a surprise! Making good on our promise that size really does matter, we are announcing three extra awards this evening – for Best Small Town Street Art Festival or Event.

After the MaldON WalkON booklet was launched mid last year, all printed copies ran out the door. Friends of Maldon Historic Reserve Group Spokesperson Lee Mead said, “Due to the booklet’s popularity and value to Maldon, we have been successful in gaining a community grant from Mount Alexander Shire Council to reprint lots more copies.”

Mark Blythe. Everybody has probably driven past that imposing front entrance along the Maldon- Bendigo Road at some stage, and wondered what goes on in there. Last week, the [Tarrangower] Times got to poke around inside and have a long chat with Dylan Morgan, the Processing Manager at the Kaiser Reef gold treatment plant on the edge of town.