VICTORIA’S population numbers have recorded a significant decline, and this has been attributed to the mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic by the State Government.

AFTER the success of the Coleraine Christmas Festival last Friday night, the evening took a dark turn when two of the 14 animal statues that line the main street were vandalised.

CATCH up with the local updates from the Hamilton Croquet Club and Hamilton Bowling Club, including the singles championship final results.

FOOTBALLERS from around the region were put through their paces on Monday night at Monivae College by Rebels head coach, David Loader, as they smashed out some pre-season work which included a 2km time trial.

Argyle Shop on Gray Street has donated $3000 to the MRI for U&I Appeal - which has been raising funds for an MRI machine for The Hamilton Base Hospital.

THIS year’s Mullagh Medal has been on display for the past few days at the Hamilton Gallery before it goes to Melbourne in preparation for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England.

The medal recognises indigenous pioneer, Johnny Mullagh, and the first All-Aboriginal team that toured in England in 1868 – it was the first ever foreign tour.

RESIDENTS in the Grampians have won a battle against a State Government plan that proposed re-introducing dingoes into the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.

THE drift of players to festive season commitments have seen declining numbers at events this past week.

WESTERN District Health Service (WDHS) and Dorevitch Pathology have joined forces to support families to re-unite over the holiday season, establishing a walk-in testing clinic for interstate travellers at Hamilton Base Hospital.

THE Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) adopted updated version of its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) at the last ordinary meeting, which included a cat curfew to be introduced by the end of 2022 (sunset to sunrise trial proposed) as well as investigating mandatory desexing.