50 years ago

GLENELG Regional Committee leaders say they fear for the future of the Western District’s regional representation and planning. The committee may ask the Premier, Mr Hamer, to review plans for Town and Country Planning Board regional authorities, which are now forcing long-established regional committees out of existence. The planning board authorities will include municipal council representatives and will have power to set revenue-raising rates. Under the board scheme, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Portland and the south-western area are in a region with Geelong as its base. Glenelg committee secretary, Mr. Neville Baldy (Ararat City), says he is amazed Western District municipalities failed to protest over being placed in a Geelong-based region.

THE Hamilton Golf Club is set for three big days in its Easter tournament, which starts on Saturday. The weekend’s golf will comprise a men’s and women’s four ball best ball event, Canadian mixed foursomes, a 27-hole stroke, scratch and handicap for men and an 18-hole scratch and handicap for women on Monday. The men’s four ball event has so far achieved the best response, with the Balkin brothers, Frank and Kevin, teaming up, and also town clerk Tim Neville and David Cock, who has been playing successfully in Portland. On present numbers, ross Kick seems certain to take out the men’s 27-hole event on Monday. Lonel Treloar and David Cock will possibly give him the most competition. The event at present is fairly open.

25 years ago

HAMILTON has been proposed as a home for war-torn refugees from Kosovo. Southern Grampians Mayor, Howard Templeton is enthusiastic about the idea after premier Jeff Kennett indicated he was keen to see some of the 4000 refugees housed in regional areas. Cr Templeton will raise the issue at next Wednesday’s council meeting. Penshurst artist, Victor Bisquolm and his manager, Willi Horne, have already offered accommodation, saying they were heartened by support from other Penshurst residents. “Despite being pensioners, we would like to offer help to at least two families, sharing our house and learning them English.” They said in a letter to the Prime Minister, John Howard and Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer.

SIX new Hamilton players will appear today when the Magpies start the Western Border Football League season with a testing home encounter against North Gambier at Melville Oval. Former Lake Wendouree player, Troy Harman, will line up at fullback, while David Ardlie (Deakin Uni Sharks) is named on the interchange bench. Hamilton’s half-forward line consists entirely of new players, the returning Jon Huf being joined by former College-Magpies under-16 footballers, Michael Watt and Lachlan Crawford. Another player up from under-16 level, Monivae’s Jason Bethune, has also been selected in the senior side. North Gambier’s team has a familiar look to its 1998 combination, with only two of its 10 clearances being selected in the senior side.