TO quote a family member bereaved “if only they felt they could talk to someone, that it’s OK to be struggling and help is here…” This thought resonates with so many of families and friends who have lost someone to suicide.

GATHERED together are the staff of the Hamilton Spectator, outside the historic building in Gray St where the paper has been produced for 165 years. With a change of ownership, the masthead is taking a break and is planned to return as a weekly in 2025.

I’VE been very privileged to have a run as editor of this newspaper and to add to its 165-year history, albeit in just a small way; 12 months is hardly a drop in the bucket of the many decades of news reported at the Hamilton Spectator, but my name will be on that list all the same.

A look back at previous editions of the paper 50 and 25 years ago

THE Victorian Farmers Federation Making our Farms Safer Project (VFF MOFS) is aiming to tackle the scourge of mental health in rural communities by launching the new ‘Harvesting Change’ handbook for farmers.

DAIRY farmers from across Victoria’s south-west recently gathered at the Warrnambool Golf Club to celebrate the industry whilst raising money for the local charity, Neil Porter Legacy Foundation.

VICTORIAN farmer sentiment edged down this quarter – the third consecutive reading in “negative territory”.

THE Orford Vintage Rally is on again on the weekend of January 18-19, 2025, at the little township of Orford.

THE Hamilton Kangaroos will open their 2025 Hampden Football Netball League campaign with a return to Melville Oval on April 5.

FOLLOWING the success of the first ‘Music in the Gardens’ session with the Evergreens, entertainment in the Hamilton Botanic Gardens will be back on January 5, 2025, from 2-4pm.