Andrew Kelso

Horsham

Producer at ABC Western Victoria

Writer at Freelance

Breakfast Radio Producer for ABC Wimmera; comedian and writer.

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Articles

Victorian farmers' last ditch effort to halt increase to emergency services tax

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Angus Verley |Andrew Kelso

Victorian farmers have launched a last-ditch effort to block a tax hike that could cost them tens of thousands of dollars. Last year, the Victorian government announced its Fire Services Levy would be expanded and rebranded to become the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. All property holders will pay significantly more, not just for fire services, but for seven other agencies like Triple Zero Victoria.
Malleefowl survive summer bushfires through ingenious nests, but danger remains

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Andrew Kelso

When bushfires tore through the Little Desert National Park in January, conservationists were concerned. It was one of the few areas in Western Victoria where malleefowl, considered vulnerable, remained in the state. DEECA and the Malleefowl Recovery Group will continue checking on the burnt nests and releasing newly hatched chicks in protected areas.
Esoteric Festival cancellation leaves thousands in the lurch in tiny town

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Kellie Lazzaro |Gillian Aeria |Andrew Kelso

Thousands of people have been left stranded in the tiny Victorian town of Donald after the Esoteric Festival was called off at the 11th hour. At least 8,000 tickets were sold for the annual "doof" event, which brings in an estimated $15 million to the community and is its main annual source of income.
Victorian music festival gets green light despite health, safety fears

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Andrew Kelso |Gillian Aeria

A Victorian music festival has been given the green light to go ahead this weekend despite council officers recommending it be shut down. A permit for the Esoteric Festival, held near Donald in Western Victoria, was approved at a Buloke Shire Council meeting on Monday evening. The organisers had applied for a 10-year permit that would see the event through to 2034, but the councillors granted approval for this year only.
Watch and act message as Strathbogie Ranges fire burns through bushland

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Andrew Kelso |Gaye Pattison

Firefighters continue to battle a bushfire in the Strathbogie Ranges in Victoria's north east. A watch and act message remains in place for the communities of Baddaginnie, Boho, Boho South, Marraweeney and Warrenbayne. An advice message has also been issued for Balmattum, Benalla, Creek Junction, Lima, Lima East, Swanpool and Violet Town. Authorities said the fire has burnt through 550 hectares of bushland, with smoke visible from the Hume Freeway and Euroa.
Residents near Grampians vow to stay after two bushfires in 12 months

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Laura Mayers |Rebekah Lowe |Steve Martin |Andrew Kelso

As the sun rises over the Grampians town of Pomonal, population 300, all is still. Birds sing, wallabies feed on the grass of a local recreation reserve, and somewhere in the distance a rooster crows. It's a stark contrast to 12 months ago when a dry lightning strike started a fire that ripped through the town, destroying 45 homes. This summer fire again threatened the town, reigniting the fears and realities that come with living in the shadow of a national park.
A haven for the Master's snake

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Andrew Kelso |Louise Miolin

Across the country, more and more private land owners are realising their properties could be key to conserving Australian plants and animals. In regional Victoria, private farmland has become an important haven for a very rare little snake.
Zoos Victoria and Mallee farmers discover population of rare Masters' snake

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Andrew Kelso

At Telopea Downs in western Victoria, farmers are working alongside zoologists to identify and preserve a small rare snake that has been lost to science for more than 30 years. The critically endangered, mildly venomous Masters' snake looks a bit like a miniature eastern brown at just 30 centimetres long. It has distinctive copper patches just behind the head, and was once common in Victoria's Big Desert Wilderness Park.
Climbing veteran 'won't forget' woman who died on Mount Arapiles, after scaling 80m with no rope to help

Nov 20, 2024 | abc.net.au | Gillian Aeria |Julia Bergin |Andrew Kelso

Recreational climbers were the first to respond after a 69-year-old rock climber died in a fall at Mount Arapiles in western Victoria. The New Zealand woman fell as she scaled the final section of a climb called Eskimo Nell. Mount Arapiles is a renowned rock climbing destination attracting outdoor climbers from across the world. Emergency services were called around 3:30pm on Tuesday afternoon to Centenary Park Access Road. Climbing veteran Zorba Parer heard a cry and went to help.
A sanctuary for one of Australia's rarest birds was a 98yo farmer's 'last gift'

Oct 4, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rebekah Lowe |Andrew Kelso

It was 10 years ago that George Cullinan first noticed an odd-looking bird on his farm in the Victorian Mallee. "The first one I found was dead in a water trough," he said. Intrigued by his morbid find, Mr Cullinan reached out to his friend and conservationist Greg Ogle, and described to him in detail the peculiar bird's yellow beak and yellow legs. The bird turned out to be a plains-wanderer, one of Australia's rarest birds, with an estimated population of between just 250 and 1,000.