The Horsham Times

Did your family welcome a new addition on New Year's Day? We'd love to feature you in our paper. Message our page or email [email protected]

Firefighting effort minimises losses on challenging day Firefighters and emergency services personnel have minimised losses across the state in what were some of the worst fire conditions Victoria has seen since the 2019/20 Black Summer fires. On what was predicted to be a disastrous Boxing Day, the tireless efforts of Victorian firefighters and the proactive action of communities, meant many homes and other assets were able to be protected. Tragically, three residential homes were lost in Moyston along with 11 sheds and outbuildings at Moyston and Pomonal, with impact assessments continuing. There have also been reports of stock losses, as well as bee hive, fencing, pasture and hay losses from the Grampians fire. However, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman, stressed the damages could have been a lot worse if it weren’t for the efforts of firefighting crews. “Without their hard work, we would have had much bigger fires causing much bigger damage,” CFO Hardman said. “On behalf of all Victorians I would like to thank them because what they did on Boxing Day in extreme fire danger saved a lot more anguish and pain that Victorians now don’t have to suffer.” Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent echoed sentiments of thanks to personnel. “Thank you to our amazing volunteers and professional firefighters, they have done an amazing job right across the state,” EMC Nugent said. “Most of our volunteers missed out on Christmas Day with family and friends, as they continue to work day and night around the clock to keep our communities safe and support our community members in this time of need.” Thousands of firefighters worked across the state on Boxing Day to ensure communities were kept safe, supported by emergency sector partners including Fire Rescue Victoria, VICSES, local government and our interstate counterparts. More than 1,000 firefighters were specifically focused on the Grampians fire which is expe

Crews work to contain Grampians fire ahead of Boxing Day risk Firefighters are continuing to battle three main fires across the state at the Grampians National Park, The Gurdies and Bullengarook. Despite more settled weather yesterday and overnight, the fire at the Grampians National Park increased to over 34,000 hectares and remains out of control as it moves from the southern section of the park to the north towards Halls Gap. People in Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek, Grampians Junction and Halls Gap were advised to evacuate from the area and travel to friends and family or Emergency Relief Centres established in Stawell and Ararat. The Grampians National Park remains closed as fire crews continue to battle the blaze and secure containment lines ahead of expected increased fire danger on Thursday, December 26. Horsham Incident Controller (IC), Aaron Kennedy said two years of rainfall deficiencies across western Victoria means all new ignitions are taking, making controlling the blaze a real challenge. “We’ve seen significant movement in this fire over the last couple of days with the fire traveling up to 16 kilometres on Friday,” IC Kennedy said. “The fire is in steep and difficult terrain, and our firefighting operations have been hampered by quite significant winds and underlying fuel dryness.” State Response Controller (SRC), Garry Cook said both ground and air crews were continuing to work hard to reduce the spread of the Yarram-Gap Road fire ahead of next Thursday’s elevated fire conditions. “As we look toward Boxing Day, firefighters are currently conducting back-burning operations to protect nearby towns and establish fire breaks,” SRC Cook said. “Boxing Day is a big travel day right across the state, so we urge those travelling to download the VicEmergeny App before you go, and to continue listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring the conditions and warnings of your destination throughout your h

Aussie Hay Runners

The Aussie Hay Runners convoy is making its way through our region today, on their way to South Australia to deliver much needed donated hay to 52 desperate farmers. 26 trucks, carrying 832 bales of top quality hay valued at $164k, will first journey to Tailem Bend where they’ll be welcomed for a feed by the local Lions Club before spreading far and wide to make their deliveries. Aussie Hay Runners

The Goverment in Victoria have announced they are slashing stamp duty on off the plan apartments, town houses and units, to cut upfront costs, speed up building and make it more affordable yo buy off the plan. Does this mean you are now able to build your dream home more quickly? Let us know either by commenting, or messaging us. We would love to hear from our readers!

Nhill Airshow 2024

Spectators from the Wimmera and beyond were treated to a day of fantastic aerial displays at today’s Nhill Airshow, the event well supported by families, young people and also those with their own memories of the older aircraft on display. On the ground, food vendors were run off their feet, while static displays and musical performances were also popular with the many who spent their Saturday at the Nhill Aerodrome. Pick up a copy of any of the newspapers from the Wimmera Mallee News stable this week (The Horsham Times, Warrack Herald, Dimboola Banner & Rainbow Argus) for a full report.

Happy Australia Day to all our readers.

Happy New Year to all our readers and followers. We look forward to all of your continued support in 2024. We hope you have a safe, wonderful and happy 2024.

Thank you for all your continued support in 2023 and we wish you all A Very Merry Christmas and A Safe and Happy 2024

White Christmas

Talk about a white Christmas. This is currently in Dimboola

Christmas Eve

How’s is your Christmas Eve looking. This is what it is currently looking like in Dimboola right now.