STUDENTS at Hamilton Parklands School had plenty of reasons to smile on Monday morning when they were finally able to move into their new school building as part of $13 million capital works.

SATISFACTION amongst residents of the Southern Grampians Shire with Council’s performance would appear to be going down if the results of a survey tabled at last week’s scheduled August meeting are to be believed.

THE Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet has responded to recent concerns surrounding a secret deal with 10 Victorian local government councils including Southern Grampians Shire with an Indigenous council, saying it would have “no impact on current council laws and regulations”.

A TOTAL of 64 rams sold for an average of $3515 and grossed almost $225,000 at the annual Sheepvention ram sales.

JUST after midday on Sunday, with a great sense of expectation, the opening of this year’s Sheepvention was held to a sizeable crowd in the Ram Shed at the showgrounds.

BEING crowned the new ‘Wool and Rural Monarch’ for Sheepvention for the next two years was a great surprise for legendary local dog trainer, Ian O’Connell, who’s still coming to terms with even being considered for the title.

RAPID response to fires in south-west Victoria is critical to keeping them small and to limiting the impact on industry and the community.

THE long-standing overall intent of developing the Hamilton Coleraine Rail Reserve as a viable walking and cycling track appears to have recently raised a considerable level of antagonism and exasperation to some in the community, with matters including soil testing for chemicals and missing property only adding to the acrimony in the last few weeks.

LATE last month Hamilton Soccer Club treasurer, Tanya McLachlan, wrote a letter to the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) expressing her deep concern regarding the current state of the club’s car park at Pedrina Park and the road leading to the grounds.

SLADE’S Hamilton Newsagency & Lotto at 150 Gray Street, Hamilton, is V/Line’s new ticket agent and has already begun operating.