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.

HAMILTON residents were treated to the rare sight of a passenger train on the local tracks last weekend, with many people braving the wintry conditions to see a special Seymour Railway Heritage Centre (SRHC) service visit the area.

THE Casterton Memorial Hospital (CMH) and Western District Health Service (WDHS) Boards have agreed to appoint a permanent dual chief executive to further strengthen collaboration and build closer ties.

TENSIONS and speculations about the destination for funds raised following the May 27 Bochara car accident which killed four people have prompted one of the parents of the deceased to defend her actions.

DUE to a rapid decline in locally available foster parents, Brophy Family Services have launched their new foster care program.