DONALD BIRCHIP Phone: 5497 1222 Phone: 5492 2735 Email: The Buloke Times Fax: 5492 2863 [email protected] Email: [email protected] birchipblc@ Est. 1875 bigpond.com Published Tuesdays and Fridays PRICE (inc. G.S.T.) $2 PP331336/0000 1 Friday, May 7, 2021 For the Shire of Buloke, and the districts of Birchip, Charlton, Donald, St. Arnaud, Watchem and Wycheproof Taking a Stand Against Family Violence • Charlton Football, Hockey and Netball Club members will demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the prevention of family violence at the Respect Round on June 5. Pictured are hockey president Tessa Fitzpatrick, football president Shane Fitzpatrick, and netball president Shelley Nelson. Photo: Jenny Pollard. Showing Respect By Averyll Loft The football, netball and hockey clubs of Wycheproof and Charlton will play the annual A Mount of Prevention Respect Cup Round on Saturday, June 5. Demonstrating the enor- “This Cup Round is for mous influence sporting everyone in the Buloke clubs can have on the whole Shire, and reflects the values community, the Respect Cup and principles of clubs and Round advocates for respect, local residents who have ac- fair play and non-violence tively supported this project, on and off the field. and who reject sexism, dis- It’s an initiative of Wyche- crimination and violence,” proof Community Resource WCRC chairperson Ann Centre’s (WCRC) family Durie said. • The 2021 A Mount of Prevention Respect Cup Round will be played in Wycheproof on June 5. Pictured are Wyche- violence prevention project proof-Narraport football vice-president Jake Bish, netball president Jessica Turner and hockey president Corey Harrison. “A Mount of Prevention”. • Continued on page 2. — Photo: Suzi Thompson. Driving Change on the Way to a Healthier Future Buloke Teams Up with VicHealth Buloke Shire Council is putting young Victorians in the driver's seat healthy future, as part of the outcomes for our community, excited to involve young peo- to help create a healthier future as part of a new VicHealth initiative. VicHealth Local Government including those who face bar- ple in this project to ensure Partnership – young people riers to reaching their full their voices are heard in cre- The project will see Bu- communities through the de- development of youth-based leading healthier communities health potential, because of ating a happier and healthier loke join 16 other “fast-track” sign of their Municipal Public partnerships across the Shire. project. circumstances such as their future for all.” local government areas in Health and Wellbeing Plans. Council is looking forward income, cultural background, VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro giving children and young Through this funding, Coun- to working closely with chil- Outcomes gender, age or where they live,” Demaio said this new partner- people a seat at the decision- cil will be employing a part- dren and young people to en- “The VicHealth Local Mayor Cr Daryl Warren said. ship aims to help children making table, as councils cre- time Youth Partnerships Officer sure they are heard and Government Partnership will “Buloke is a vibrant and ate connected and supportive to facilitate the planning and included in planning for a see strong and long-lasting diverse community. We’re • Continued on page 2. On Target The “Times” joins with the Birchip Rifle Club and the Wimmera-Mallee community in congratulating Alister Larmour on his outstanding performance at the FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021 Queen’s Prize shoot. The region has a proud history in the sport. We re- As in rifle shooting, to hit the targets requires the member that, in its golden age, Laurie Hair of Horsham right ammunition and equipment, a planned approach, won the Queen’s, while G. G. Barratt, of Traynor’s sound judgement and expert advice. Loud background Lagoon, was a state champion. noises and attempts to score political points are not The North-west is a good training ground. There very helpful. are extreme weather variations, from glaring summer The difficult situation of Australians stranded in sunlight and blustery hot winds to freezing wintry India has aroused strong emotions. For some groups blasts. Rifle clubs were seen as useful educational aids, and individuals, the government has become the target. teaching responsible firearm use and safety. There has been pressure, fuelled by the media, for com- Once upon a time, targets were things to aim at on passion rather than expert advice, to take over on rifle and archery ranges. Success came with quality am- policy. munition and gear, keen eyesight and the good judge- ment of the shooter. Fast forward to AD 2021. Now If rules were relaxed and the virus was transmitted targets are everywhere. to families at home, could compassion compensate for loss of life? The word has become flavour of the year. Politi- cians and activists talk about targets to arrest climate It’s a hard question, but the answer is probably change, for vaccination, bringing Australians back pretty clear. And we don’t believe a former Australian home, migration and so on. test cricketer is a qualified epidemiologist. • Alister Larmour Kooka’s Showing Respect • Continued from page 1. “It’s also important to con- Celebrates sider the ongoing effects on “The North Central Foot- the children that witness this ball League and local sport- behaviour. ing clubs have consistently 30 Years shown leadership and com- Huge Effort mitment to learning about a “We know sporting clubs Kooka’s Country Cookies, one of the success serious issue we know affects have a huge effect on the stories of manufacturing in regional Victoria, women, children and men.” quality of life for many Aus- celebrated the 30th. anniversary production tralians. Sporting clubs that of what has become one of Australia’s most Prevalent Issue promote and embed respect Data from the Crime and leadership initiatives such popular biscuits. Statistics Agency shows that as this Cup Round on June 5.” Thirty years ago, a small meet a growing demand for violence against women is a All participating juniors leading to the next very excit- factory was established in the its products. prevalent issue in the Buloke will be awarded a medallion ing stage in the biscuit’s long canteen building of the former Kooka’s Country Cookies Shire, with total family on June 5, and senior football, history. Countryside Meats, off the are still produced from the violence incidents in the year hockey and netball cups will Sunraysia Highway, at the factory, with the business cur- Kooka’s Country Cookies’ ending 2020 increasing by be presented at the club southern end of Donald. rently employing a staff of 22 new purpose-built factory is 49% on the previous year. rooms following the day’s To mark the significant and operating two shifts a in the process of being con- matches, which will be milestone, a celebratory lunch day, five days a week. structed on Donald’s Indus- Furthermore, there were played at the Wycheproof was held with staff members Winter is traditionally the trial Estate, and once 157 offences recorded by Recreation Reserve. on Friday last, April 30, as a factory’s busy time, with pro- complerted, will provide local police of breaching fam- means of saying “thank you” duction about to be ramped up. greater opportunity for ex- the business’s staple ily violence orders, 19 of The Wycheproof-Narra- for the dedication that enables The old factory has well pansion in production, to products and associated lines, those criminal incidents. port Demons will be defend- the business to continue to and truly served its purpose, meet a growing demand for including confectionery. ing their claim on the football “This issue isn’t going to and netball cups, while the end until we take a serious Charlton Navies will be look- look at how our culture pro- ing to hold on to the hockey Letter to the Editor Recognising duces some men who think cup. it’s acceptable to use The evening will include a Master Plan for • Separation of services violence, abuse and harass- guest speaker and dinner – all St. Arnaud Campus that elsewhere would be co-lo- ment against women,” Ann members of the community (The Editor, “Buloke Times”) cated and complementary for Early Years said. are welcome to attend. consumer benefit. Dear Sir.— East Wimmera Health Services Board is ex- • Difficulty and extra cost implementing upgrades or Buloke Teams cited to announce the comple- Professionals tion of master plans for the St. retrofitting modern technolog- ical infrastructure due to aged Victorians can nominate an individual, early Up with Arnaud Campus. The Board building fabric, wiring, plumb - is now seeking funds from childhood service or organisation for a Victorian ing and so on. VicHealth Treasury in the upcoming Early Years Award to recognise the outstanding budget for a long overdue up- • Lack of natural light for work of early years professionals to improve the • Continued from page 1. which shows 4 in every 10 grade to facilities at the St. both consumers and staff. lives of children and their families. young Victorians aged 18 to Arnaud Campus. Like all small rural facilities, grow up active, connected modern local services are a Member for Northern Vic- access and participation, sup- and healthy. 24 had difficulties staying St. Arnaud health services key contributor to the health toria, Mark Gepp announced porting parents and promot- “Local governments have connected to others in 2020 currently operate from a clus- and wellbeing of people across nominations are open for this ing children’s health and said they want to work with (up from 3 in 10 before coro- ter of very old buildings that the care continuum and in a year’s awards, and called on wellbeing, as well as the pres- us in a way that is tailored to navirus restrictions began).