SUMMER swimming lessons are back across the south-west, with the government funded VICSWIM program now in full swing.

MEMBER for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora recently toured Portland South Primary School, after it was announced as the site of a new 57 place childcare and kindergarten.

THE annual summer Australia Lamb advertisement has returned for 2024 highlighting that nothing bridges the “generation gap” and brings people together quite like Aussie lamb.

HAMILTON is well-known for its impressive annual Western District Weaner Sales which generally brings farmers from all over the country to buy and sell some of the best cattle, and this year was no different.

NEEDING to run a quick errand at the Hamilton Post Office from Croxton East on her way to get a loader on a tractor, farmhand Tillee Huf first had to find a suitable parking spot - and managed to snag a handy space nearby outside The Spectator office, making for a great rural-themed photo opportunity.

A DRIVER incurred minor injuries after his New South Wales plated ute came off the Glenelg Highway and tipped on an embankment just after 8pm on Thursday night.

PORTLAND’s Ploughed Field is set to explode Saturday January 20 with dogs of all shapes and sizes, dressed in all manner of sartorial finery as the field becomes the site for the city’s inaugural Dog Dress Prom.

DESPITE a changing national discourse around Australia Day with more than 80 local government authorities not proceeding with traditional citizenship ceremonies, and some commercial entities pulling Australia Day merchandise from their shelves, Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) will continue to host a series of traditional community celebrations.

MUSIC will bring the magnificent Hamilton Botanic Gardens to life again on Sunday, January 14, at 2pm, with The Evergreens Jazz Band the guest performers for the second Music in the Gardens session.

THE Baimbridge Class of 2013 all got back together for one last hurrah a couple of days before Christmas last year.