Lauren Henry

4 days ago | theweeklyadvertiser.com.au | Lauren Henry

By Lauren HenryMore than 100 people marked National Reconciliation Week in Horsham on Wednesday last week, participating in a community walk and ceremony atRiverfront Meeting Place. Horsham Rural City Council hosted the event, while Indigenous people and several teams from Horsham organisations joined to acknowledge the nationwide initiative. Local organisations, groups and community partners also contributed to the Horsham Reconciliation Display Board.

4 days ago | theweeklyadvertiser.com.au | Lauren Henry

By Lauren HenryBy Five Early Years Initiative is looking at alternative models of funding to secure its future after confirmation it missed out on State Government funding. Establishing a foundation to privately fund the children’s development service is one option being explored, as is seeking funding from the Federal Government or philanthropic organisations.

4 days ago | theweeklyadvertiser.com.au | Lauren Henry

By Lauren HenryThe State Government’s pausing of the new Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund tax for all Victorian farmers for the 2025-26 financial year has not gone far enough, says farmers, industry bodies and councils. As part of a new drought package announced on Friday, Premier Jacinta Allan said all Victorian primary producers would not have to pay the ESVF levy in the next financial year, rather paying the previous Fire Services Property Levy – at the same amount they paid in 2024-25.

1 week ago | theweeklyadvertiser.com.au | Lauren Henry

By Lauren HenryArarat co-coach and last year’s Wimmera league best and fairest winner Tom Williamson has nominated for the AFL midseason draft today. The draft, scheduled to start at 6.30pm, will allow eight clubs to select 13 players from the 338 hopefuls nominated. Players from across Australia – mostly playing in state leagues such as the VFL – will get their chance to join AFL lists where clubs have available spots due to retirement and long-term injury.

1 week ago | theweeklyadvertiser.com.au | Lauren Henry

By Lauren Henry Ararat farmer Rob Armstrong told a heart-wrenching story to the thousands of people who descended in front of Parliament House in Melbourne last week to protest the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. While farmers in the drought-declared local government areas of Ararat, West Wimmera, Northern Grampians and Horsham will get a reprieve on the new fund in the next financial year, all other farmers face a 150 per cent increase from the previous Fire Services Property Levy.