The Horsham Times

24/12/2024

Horsham Skate Park received a fresh coat of colour last weekend, with the help of artists from award-winning Blender Studios in Melbourne.

23/12/2024

It's no secret that the Victorian Police Force is doing it tough with the government unwilling to negotiate a fair pay and conditions deal for their next EBA (enterprise bargaining agreement) with writing on vehicles on display for all to see.

23/12/2024

Horsham Rural City Council's first Summer Series event by the river kicked off last weekend, December 14, with crowds flocking to the venue to celebrate the festive season.

23/12/2024

It's often a time of family and friends, but in the lead up to this Christmas, spare a thought for those children living in foster or residential care.

22/12/2024

The Horsham Times extends warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Our office is now closed and will reopen on Monday, January 13, as we prepare for our first edition of the new year, coming out on Friday, January 17, 2025.
Thank you for your continued support throughout 2024!

22/12/2024

A transformative 10-year Regional Participation Action Plan has been developed by the Community Drivers Group, with support by the Centre of Participation, which reimagines the ways individuals can contribute to strengthen social connections and foster inclusion.

22/12/2024

Wimmera Mallee News has released its 2025 iteration of the popuar large Yearly Planner, which is now available to collect from the Warracknabeal Herald, The Horsham Times and Dimboola Banner offices alongside participating businesses, while Rainbow's yearly planner is available at the Post Office.

22/12/2024

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 holiday.”
Victorians are reminded to never rely on one channel for emergency information. Connect to official sources of emergency information, including:
•VicEmergency app
• www.emergency.vic.gov.au
• Tune in to local emergency broadcasters such as ABC local radio, commercial and select
community radio stations, or SkyNews TV
• Phone the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
• Follow VicEmergency on Facebook and Twitter
Video supplied by SCC.

21/12/2024

Year 12 students have finished their final year on a high after their VCE results were released last Thursday.

21/12/2024

Since this will be my last letter to you before Christmas, I thought I might begin with a little trivia quiz.

21/12/2024

Kurranjong Lodge resident Hazel Exell is set to celebrate her 100th Christmas next week, a heartwarming milestone as she approaches her centenary birthday in February, 2025.

21/12/2024

20/12/2024

The Crossley brothers - Joseph Ralf, John Eric Best and Oliver Edward - were all born in Cavendish.

20/12/2024

Horsham Rural City Council has announced a six month suspension of parking fees across the city, effective immediately.

20/12/2024

Due to the current bushfire, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is closed.

Firefighters, supported with machinery and aircraft, are responding to the fire at the Grampians National Park, which started in the south of the park and is now travelling north.

The bushfire is producing a significant amount of smoke and can reduce air quality.

If you had plans to travel to the Grampians National Park this holiday period, you will need to reconsider your plans.

Have the VicEmergency app on your phone and or check for the latest warnings:
https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

More information can be found here: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/grampians-national-park -of-conditions

20/12/2024

Once harvest finishers for the season, there might be a chance to take a break for a day or so and this could be used by getting to know the birds. No big equipment is needed to make this happen just a bit of time, bird book and a set of binoculars.

20/12/2024

While Christmas can be a joyful time to be spent with family and friends, for some community members it can also be a lonely time, with family members living far away or when friends are busy.

19/12/2024

Affordability, the lifestyle and access to mine sites like Donald Mineral Sands keep the housing market stable and ticking along nicely in towns like Minyip and Warracknabeal, according to those who know the local market.