There’s been plenty of drama on The Block so far.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 to see what happens when The Rex Cinema Challenge is announced on Monday, September 8 and then the winner of the challenge is announced on the Tuesday, September 9 episode. Above, contestants Mat and Robby

Clunes Hit & Giggle Pickleball has celebrated its first year of fun and fitness.
Maxine Hardinge said pickleball was a fun and easy way to stay active and meet new people.
“Anyone can join us for Hit & Giggle Pickleball every Wednesday at 1pm at the Clunes Sports Centre. We’ve just celebrated our one-year anniversary, and what a fantastic year it’s been.”

Maxine said what started with a small but enthusiastic group had grown into a friendly, social hub of regulars who had improved their skills while enjoying plenty of laughs and light-hearted competition.
“Pickleball is a fun and dynamic paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court. It combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and is easy to learn and quick to master.
“We welcome all ages, genders, and skill levels – no experience is needed! You’ll learn the rules and scoring as you play, with friendly guidance from more experienced players.
“Come when you can, pay when you come – it’s just $10, which covers court hire and all equipment. Just bring your sandshoes and a sense of fun.”
Details: Wendy Vorstenbosch on 0458 372 906 or check the Clunes online noticeboard, Creswick Community Page, or All Together Pickleball, Ballarat & Surrounds Facebook groups.

When the late Betty Rea, a former shire president and councillor, bequeathed a parcel of land in Raglan Street, Daylesford, her wording was that “it be bequeathed to the mayor, councillors and citizens of the Shire of Daylesford for the use and benefit of the citizens of Daylesford and for it to be named Rea-Lands Park”.
Betty’s son Stefan, a former police officer at Daylesford, also says he clearly remembered his mother expressing her desire that it be made available as a park for the citizens of Daylesford and for visitors to the area for future generations,
A decision last month by Hepburn Shire Council to look into the potential sale of the park has raised the ire of the community, and Betty Rea’s only child Stefan.
Cr Lesley Hewitt moved a motion at the July meeting saying she wanted an investigation into whether the land could be sold. Cr Hewitt later told The Local it was clear Mrs Rea thought community was at the heart of everything she did. “And then the question is, what’s community benefit?”

Stefan said his mother would definitely not have been in favour of selling the land to fund other projects. “She wanted it to remain as a parkland. Obviously, it’s been developed by the Daylesford Community Food Gardeners. They’ve done a superb job with where they’ve got it to today with further tree plantings and other facilities that are there.
“I think she would have been very proud and impressed when they took over the role. She would have been more than satisfied that it was being used for a community park and community purpose here. The suggestion for it to be sold off and the funds used by council for any other event, she would have been totally against, as I am and I’m sure quite a lot of other locals are as well.”
Stefan said the council tried to sell the land in 2011. “We fought them then. At one stage they even offered to swap the land with us so that they could dispose of it. There was a site of land down at the corner of Bleakley Street and King Street, directly over the road from where the BP petrol station is now. They wanted to swap the land over basically and call that Rea-Lands Park. We said no for a couple of reasons, one because it had nothing to do with the Rea name and secondly because I knew it was built on top of a mullock heap and a mine shaft. It wouldn’t have been stable.”
Stefan said 2011 was when the Daylesford Community Food Gardeners were given a lease on the land, and the council had agreed to mow the park and pay for water. “We thought that was the end of it. It would be good to know it will remain as a park in perpetuity.”

Who was Betty Rea?

Betty Rea was born in Fremantle, Western Australia on January 17, 1921 to Phillip and Virginia Guest-Sanderson.
Phillip had served in the British Army in the Royal Engineers during World War I and worked alongside Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab insurrection. He later emigrated to Australia where he met Virginia, and then served in the Catering Corp of the Australian Army in World War II.
After the war the couple started up their own catering company and even catered for Queen Elizabeth when she came out after the coronation. Phillip was also awarded a MBE for his extended service to both Britain and Australia during the war.
After Betty grew up she went into nursing, helping with the war efforts at home, and then an opportunity came up to move to Bonegilla, near Benalla in Victoria to help new Australians arriving at migrant camps.
“Mum was one of the nurses or matrons who assisted them with settling in to Australia at those migrant camps. Sometime after that she met my father, Henry John, known as Jack, and they got married and settled in Daylesford. My father was the fourth generation of the Rea family living there.
“They ran a general store-cum-hardware shop in Howe Street next to where the Daylesford Central Motor Inn is. They worked there for many, many years.”
Meanwhile, Jack and Betty bought a house in the late 50s/early 60s at 25 Hill Street with land from Hill Street down through to Raglan Street.
Betty also continued her nursing duties at both Daylesford and Trentham hospitals – at times working with Dr Gweneth Wisewould – and also taking on duties as a midwife.
Betty was also a local reporter for the Daylesford Advocate, The Ballarat Courier and also did some filming for BTV6 in Ballarat and BCV8 in Bendigo.
“Mum also kept a scrapbook and any media articles that appeared in The Advocate or the Ballarat Courier, were pasted into them. She had a lot of history from the Daylesford area from the 60s and 70s and part of her bequeathment was that those scrapbooks got donated to the Daylesford Museum and they’re still there.”

Jack died in 1972 leaving Betty, at 51, a single parent with a 10-year-old boy to look after.
It was at that time Betty decided to run for council and was elected. “I think it was just that she wanted to help give back to the community more from there. She felt it was the right thing to do. She’d always been very community involved with organising committees and other bits and pieces.”
She was the second female councillor for the shire and then became the first female shire president since the municipality was formed back in 1858. Just some of her achievements and involvement included being instrumental in establishing the community housing, Harper Court, in Hospital Street, Daylesford, being on the Business and Professional Women’s Association in Daylesford, on the board for the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, helping with the Leonards Hill Baby Show, and the entire family was involved with the Daylesford Highland Gathering – there was even a Betty Rea Trophy for the best window display for the event.
Betty was also a Justice of the Peace and regularly called into the Daylesford Police Station in Camp Street, or people’s homes, to sign documents.
Stefan said another volunteer role was organising billeting for people who were being flown out of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy hit on Christmas Eve 1974.
“They had to evacuate a lot of people around so they could do the clean-up and Mum was instrumental in setting up a spot in Daylesford for the refugees to come and stay.”
Betty, who spent her life helping others, died in 1982 while having open heart surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. She had bequeathed Rea-Lands Park to the people of, and visitors to, the shire. In perpetuity.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

Cate Graceson was living in her car with her dog in March, 2023. She was 70 years old.
Cate contacted every agency and support service in Ballarat and Daylesford and was continually asked if she was homeless because of domestic violence. She wasn’t, and so there was no place for her.
After a month, a friend said to try the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society. She looked them up on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website and got a phone number. “Initially I was turned down as I was not on the waiting list (but) some days later I received the offer of a flat at 59 West Street, the Centennial Flats. There were two verbal conditions. Pay $6000 up-front and non-refundable and be ready to move in immediately. I got the money from my brother.”
Cate says the flat was below the standard for residential rental properties with no safety switch and no exhaust fans in the kitchen or the bathroom – but it was a home. Her rent when she moved in was $100 per week, but on July 1 the rent was raised to $110 per week.
“I was forewarned of this and accepted it as an administrative increase to cover costs. However, as I continued to put pressure on the Benevolent Ladies to bring the flats up to standard I received a notice from (real estate agent) BigginScott. Out of the blue, the Benevolent Ladies had made my flat a domestic rental on the Daylesford rental market.
“I received maps, showing how my flat had been carved out of the Centennial Flats. In 60 days my rent was going to become $295 a week, consistent with other one-bedroom flats on the Daylesford rental market.
“I could not pay the $295. My mental health is an ongoing management issue for me and this pressure pushed me into a deep depression. I did not understand how this victimisation was possible. I thought a charity would be looking out for its beneficiaries, not pushing me off a cliff.
“The registered purpose of the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society, as published by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission is to provide 12 low cost rental flats for low income pensioners.”
Cate says with no increase in her pension there is no way she will be able to continue living in her unit. “I was homeless before moving into my flat. I am afraid of being homeless again. I am happy and settled in my flat where I have been for two and a half years. I was assured that I could rely on having this accommodation until my health prevented me from living independently.
“As a charity, Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society has a responsibility to protect my welfare and human rights. This is part of their primary duty of care towards me.
“Under the Residential Tenancies Act Victoria (1997) a residential tenancy can be assessed and have a rental increase every 12 months. The maximum rent to be charged must be consistent with the cost of similar rental properties in the immediate area in which the tenancy is located. This is called comparative market analysis.
“The 12 flats rented by the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society were constructed between 1965 and 1990. These flats were funded by state and federal governments, local donations and a bequest. At all times during the construction and up until 2023 the flats were considered community housing and were rented at low cost.
“Other charities in Central Victoria who rent out accommodation charge $123 a week to $130 a week. Where did the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society go wrong?”
Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society secretary, Lyn Kinghorn, when asked for comment on Cate’s story emailed: “Our units are now administered by real estate agents.”
Asked who the real estate agents were Ms Kinghorn emailed back with: “Ask the resident who she deals with?”
BigginScott director Tom Shaw thanked The Local for reaching out but said he was not able to provide any comments regarding the units.
In November last year, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the state government planned to “expand the list of factors” considered by Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal when conducting a rent review, designed to “put the breaks on excessive rent increases”.
“We’re building more homes for renters to live in, and we’re legislating more rights so renters get more respect,” Ms Allan said.
“It’s not fair that a renter can cop a 200 per cent rent increase just because they’ve asked for a basic issue to be fixed.
“New tenants should be able to focus on where they put their couch, not worrying about if they need to go to VCAT because the mould in the bathroom that was supposed to be removed after the inspection is still there.”
A leader in the low income housing field who asked not to be identified, said the housing situation was dire. The person also said with Hepburn Shire Council changes to Local Laws, agencies were no longer able to place clients in local caravan parks. Camping was also out.
“There is a woman living in her car at present in Creswick who has a cat. All we can do is offer to put her cats up. Most homeless agencies only have the capacity of one night if that. It’s a dire situation. I usually refer to Uniting, Anglicare or Cafs. Basically there is no housing.”
On the ACNC register the Society states: “We have 12 units at low rental for low income pensioners.” Under financials it had $121,140 in revenue and another $8145 from investments, with expenses of $90,742 giving surplus of $38,543. Total assets are $3,520,045.

Shannon’s Bridge, Creswick’s volunteer-driven charity, which supports people with end-of-life issues including the delivery of hospital equipment to their homes, has been thrown a lifeline by Hino Australia.
With their truck vandalised beyond repair, the volunteers at Shannon’s Bridge were being forced to use their own cars to deliver hospital equipment to homes around Victoria and New South Wales.
Hino Australia president and CEO Richard Emery said as soon as they heard about the amazing work that Shannon’s Bridge does, they wanted to provide assistance in the form of an immediate loan of a Hino 300 Series truck.
Shannon’s Bridge founder Jeremy McKnight said the organisation received around five requests for assistance daily and the majority were people needing equipment urgently.
“Shannon’s Bridge delivers equipment to these families, usually within 24 hours, every day of the year,” Mr McKnight said. “The families we help don’t have time to wait for support and timely delivery of equipment is essential to help families remain at home for their last days.
“Having a safe and reliable way to deliver equipment is vital to our charitable purpose of reducing suffering in palliative care. Our volunteers have been incredible in helping us move equipment quickly since our truck has been off the road, however, the sheer volume of requests meant a replacement truck is essential.
“We are extremely grateful to Hino Australia’s support which will enable us to catch up on requests and do battle with the upswing in requests that happens every year in the run up to Christmas when everyone wants to be home but funded services are winding back.”
Mr Emery urged the public to get behind Shannon’s Bridge fundraising efforts for a new truck. “The work that Shannon’s Bridge does in the community cannot be overestimated, and we are pleased to partner with them to support and advance their fundraising efforts,” Mr Emery said.
Donations to Shannon’s Bridge can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/replacement-truck-for-shannons-bridge

Little or virtually no under-age drinking happens in Daylesford. That is the conclusion of “discreet surveillance” by private investigators hundreds of times late last year and early this year.
Two undercover agents were contracted by the liquor giant Endeavour Group as part of its effort to get a licence for Dan Murphy’s.
In a landmark ruling in August last year the Liquor Commission rejected Murphy’s application after 240 objections because it could pose a public risk and encourage harm, especially to minors.
Endeavour hired a top barrister to take its case to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Commission (VCAT). This led to 1000 pages of evidence seen by The Local, including a highly detailed report by the private eyes, submitted during a three-week hearing.
RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions sent principal investigator Richard James and senior investigator Geoff Fagan to turn over four sites and report weekly to the leading international law firm King & Wood Mallesons.
Chosen were Vincent Street, between Albert Street and Central Springs Road, Lake Daylesford, Daylesford Skate Park & Community Park Playground and Cornish Hill Nature Reserve. Each was studied 117 times between 5.30pm and 10.30pm for 12 weeks.
No minors were seen with or consuming alcohol. Each time during the first visit of the evening, however, an empty alcohol container was found at Thomas’ Lookout at Cornish Hill. Discarded alcohol containers found sporadically in small numbers at Lake Daylesford and Cornish Hill suggested occasional consumption outside the observation periods, the investigators say.

Some adults were seen at the lake drinking alcohol while seated around picnic tables or on the grass engaging in conversation, but none showed signs of intoxication and no minors were seen being provided alcohol by adults, or with alcohol.
Just a single discarded empty can, or bottle of alcohol, was spotted four times around the lake on the first night prowl.
With the public hearing now completed, a decision is expected to take some time.
In February this year, responding to an enquiry by The Local, Endeavour said it believed the Commission erred in its decision and did not appropriately consider the positive community benefits of having a Dan Murphy’s in Daylesford, particularly in relation to the community’s concerns about underage drinking.
“Like the community, we were concerned about the claimed levels of underage drinking and the alleged provision of alcohol to minors in Daylesford.
“If these claims are true, we believe that there are a number of opportunities for existing licensees and the community to work together to address this issue.”

History
The decision to overturn the liquor licence for a Daylesford Dan Murphy’s in August 2024 was the first time the new definition of “harm” under the Liquor Control Reform Act had been used to refuse a licence. The packaged liquor licence was for proposed premises located at 63 Central Springs Road, Daylesford.
On July 26, 2022, Victoria Police advised that it did not object while on August 12 Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas advised that the council objected.
Another 204 objections were lodged to the original application.
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: File

All.Can Australia is calling on Australians to back a newly launched national survey to bring the lived experiences of people impacted by cancer to the forefront of national cancer care decision-making.

All.Can Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that is part of a global initiative that exists to mobilise people with cancer, healthcare professionals, industry partners and other key stakeholders across health services and the broader health system to improve outcomes in cancer care.

This new survey, made possible by funding from the Medicines Australia Oncology Industry Taskforce (OIT) seeks to collect perspectives of Australians who have experienced any type and stage of cancer, as well as their caregivers, to identify key gaps in cancer care treatment and support to shape the future of cancer care in Australia.

Professor Christobel Saunders, Co-Chair of All.Can Australia and President-elect of All.Can International, emphasised the significance of this survey in advancing cancer care policy and delivery that is based on lived experience insights.

“In 2018, we supported the All.Can Global patient survey, with around 800 Australians sharing their views on opportunities to improve efficiencies in cancer care. This provided invaluable insights that helped shape the direction of All.Can Australia’s work and supported conversations with policy makers and the health industry, ultimately contributing to the launch of Australian National Cancer Plan,” said Professor Saunders.

“This new research will build on the insights we have and capture the needs and aspirations that would have inevitably changed over time. We want to hear from more people impacted by cancer on what has and hasn’t worked for them recently, so we are guided by the most current insights.”

In line with All.Can Australia’s mission to improve the accessibility, delivery, and quality of cancer care for patients, the survey aims to gain insight into:

• the cancer diagnosis process
• treatment experiences and outcomes
• the impact of cancer on daily life (including financial and psychological implications)
• accessibility and awareness of existing resources and services
• experiences of inefficiencies in cancer care and services.

Dr Susannah Morris, Consumer Health Advocate and All.Can Australia Member, emphasised the importance of giving people with lived experience and caregivers a voice to direct industry and government attention to areas that matter the most.

“As someone who has navigated the complexities of cancer care firsthand, I know that the voice of lived experience is crucial in shaping person-centred, value-based health policies that truly address people’s needs in ways that help them live well with and beyond their diagnoses. By participating in this survey, patients and caregivers can help ensure that cancer care becomes more compassionate, accessible, and equitable for all,” said Dr Morris.

All.Can Australia has long been at the forefront of advocating for efficiencies and patient-centricity in cancer care. A big focus for the organisation has been on cancer care navigation to improve patient experiences along the cancer care continuum. The principles and approach captured in All.Can Australia’s Cancer Care Navigator Analysis Report have also been reflected in the Australian Cancer Plan.

Bill Petch, Co-Chair of All.Can Australia and Chief Executive Officer of Crohn’s Colitis Cure, highlighted the importance of evidence-based approach in addressing systemic inefficiencies in cancer care.

“We cannot design and deliver efficient cancer care that is attuned to our nation’s needs without reliable data that reflects patients and caregivers’ real challenges. That’s why we’re urging the health industry and community to support and share this survey. It is an opportunity to have your say and share your experiences. These insights are not just valuable for All.Can Australia, but everyone, as they will shape cancer care policies that help people better navigate cancer care,” said Mr Petch.

Heather Cahill, co-chair of the Oncology Industry Taskforce and Business Unit Director, Oncology at AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand, pointed out that the need for collaboration between stakeholders around cancer care is greater than ever.

“With the rapid innovation of the oncology field, it is only through working together — with patients, clinicians, government, and industry — that we can ensure that these innovative solutions are backed by real-world evidence and are designed to drive improved outcomes for people affected by cancer,” said Ms Cahill.

Co-chair Dr Katrina Vanin, Business Unit Director Oncology at GSK, said that the Taskforce is eager to understand the results of this unique survey.

“The better we understand the experience of patients in the health care system, the better we can act and advocate to ensure Australians are able to access the treatments and care they need throughout their cancer journey,” said Dr Vanin.

The survey will remain open until Wednesday 17 September 2025 and is accessible via https://redcap.unimelb.edu.au/surveys/?s=AK3X498RJXNPRX8Y

To stay up-to-date with All.Can Australia, check out the website for updates and join the conversations on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

The state government is helping Victorians cut the cost of living by providing real energy bill relief to Victorians in need, with another Power Saving Bonus available now.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio has opened applications for $100 Power Saving Bonus for eligible concession card households – providing real and immediate help for vulnerable families.

The new $100 Power Saving Bonus will ease cost-of-living pressures, make everyday expenses more manageable and support financial security for families and individuals across the state.

Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre in Flemington is one of more than 230 participating Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria that are delivering in-person support for Victorians without internet or require extra help to apply.

Eligible Victorian households can apply for the Power Saving Bonus through the Victorian Energy Compare (VEC) website.

When applying, eligible households need a recent residential electricity bill and must hold a health care, pensioner concession, veterans’ affairs pensioner concession or veterans’ affairs gold card.

The $100 Power Saving Bonus is in addition to the $150 Energy Bill Relief Fund all households will automatically receive from the Commonwealth Government.

Any Victorian who is struggling with their energy bills can also access the Energy Assistance Program – a free over-the-phone or in-person support service delivered in partnership with Anglicare Victoria and cohealth for Victorians who are having trouble paying their energy bills.

All Victorians are encouraged to check they’re on the best deal possible by using the free and independent Energy Compare website to shop around for a lower price – last year, users typically saved $240 per year on their energy bills by switching providers.

Since the first round of the Power Saving Bonus was launched in 2018, more than 4.5 million applications have been paid across four rounds of the program, totalling over $1 billion in energy bill relief to Victorian households.

For more information or to apply for the Power Saving Bonus, visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au or call 1800 000 832. The Energy Assistance Program is available on 1800 161 215.

Chelsea Australian Garden Talk
Thursday 28 August

Please join us to hear about the extraordinary story of the Chelsea Australian Garden created by Landscape Designer Phillip Johnson, Horticulturalist Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders Team. It was designed in 2013 and was the first Australian entry to win Gold and Best in Show at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Ten years later, Phillip Johnson re-created his award-winning Australian Garden in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda. This talk will focus on the creation of this garden.

The new garden is over 20 times the size of the original build, converting a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation in the area.

Phillip Johnson Landscapes is maintaining this public garden for a minimum of 10 years at their own cost and is generously donating some of the proceeds from this event towards the maintenance of the Chelsea Australian Garden.

Where: Melbourne University Burnley Campus 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond Vic 3121
Times: 6.15pm – 8pm (arrive 6pm)
Entry: Adults: $40, Students: $20 via Trybooking only.

The state government’s investment in new Free TAFE short courses is making it easier and faster for plumbers to get the licences they need to join Victoria’s construction workforce.

The TAFE Network, the Victorian Skills Authority and our next generation of plumbers have today launched National Skills Week at the refurbished Plumbing and Mechanical Services Training Facility at the Holmesglen TAFE Chadstone campus.

Now in its 15th year, National Skills Week highlights the importance of vocational training in Australia and how it leads to quality jobs.

The government is supporting the training sector and industry to work together to develop nationally recognised, flexible short courses called ‘skill sets’, which rapidly respond to emerging or evolving skills needs.

In 2025, seven plumbing skill sets were added to the list of Victoria’s Free TAFE courses to help qualified workers meet the licensing or regulatory requirements they need for their job, without doing another full qualification. The courses are available across Victoria, including in Warrnambool, Morwell, Geelong and Bendigo.

Each skill set contains units from the Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services and is aligned to the Victorian Building Authority’s plumbing licensing requirements. They are designed for people who have completed the Certificate III in Plumbing apprenticeship and who want to become licensed plumbers.

From January to June this year, there were almost 350 commencements in the plumbing skill sets.

More than 212,600 students have benefitted from Victoria’s Free TAFE since it began in 2019, saving them on average $3,000 per course.

The state government is delivering new accommodation so more healthcare workers will soon be able to call the Mallee home, with construction underway on three new units for staff at Kerang District Health.

Minister for Regional Development, Jaclyn Symes, today announced construction has commenced on the new units which are being delivered through the Labor Government’s Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.

The investment is a boost to the community and key local industries, with the new houses to help attract and retain healthcare workers. Kerang District Health has been a vital part of the region since 1952, providing a range of essential hospital and healthcare services.

In another win for the area, the two and three-bedroom units have been designed by Kerang-based McKnight & Bray Building Design and are being built by Cavalier Homes, with the project using only local trades and suppliers.

The Regional Worker Accommodation Fund aims to increase prosperity, opportunity, and liveability for communities in regional Victoria, which accounts for approximately one-quarter of the state’s economic output, population, small businesses, and employment.  

Elsewhere in the Mallee, the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund is supporting similar community-building projects. This includes at Irymple and Robinvale, where 10 units will be built in both towns to support key workers.

Across the state, even more worker accommodation is being built to help regional communities attract the key workers they need to thrive.

For more information, visit rdv.vic.gov.au.

Geelong’s next generation of construction workers are getting job-ready, connecting with employers, and prepared to start their apprenticeships with confidence—thanks to support from the state government.

Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant, representing the Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney, recently visited a showcase hosted by Apprenticeships Victoria and The Gordon in East Geelong, where construction apprentices demonstrated their skills and connected with employers.

The showcase is for students and graduates from pre-apprenticeship courses in carpentry, electrotech and plumbing.

Some apprentices can struggle to find the right employer or make the right connection to start their apprenticeship. 

Apprenticeship pathway courses – commonly known as pre-apprenticeships – give students the opportunity to experience hands-on training. This helps students to find out what it’s like to work in a particular industry before going on to an apprenticeship or further training.

A recent NCVER report shows that pre-apprenticeship programs significantly boost the chances of a student successfully completing an apprenticeship.

Students who complete a pre-apprenticeship and then go on to do an apprenticeship in the same field as their training are 16 per cent more likely to finish their apprenticeship than apprentices who did not enrol in a pre-apprenticeship program.

During a pre-apprenticeship, students gain essential industry knowledge along with basic on-the-job skills. Students can also access support to improve their literacy and numeracy skills so they can get the most out of their training and are prepared to enter the workforce.

Apprentices can also access free support through the Apprenticeships Victoria Helpdesk, part of a $9m package to improve support, safety and fairness for apprentices and trainees.

To find out more about apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, visit apprenticeships.vic.gov.au

Weld Australia is proud to announce its support for the transformative Buddy Up Program, developed by Future Shapers (Committee for Ballarat’s leadership program) and HM Prison Langi Kal Kal. The program is designed to break down barriers to education by improving literacy among people in prison through peer-led learning – and now, Weld Australia is calling on more organisations to get involved.

 The Buddy Up Program was born out of an empathy mapping session conducted at HM Prison Langi Kal Kal, a minimum-security men’s prison in Victoria’s Grampians region. The session revealed that many people in prison can struggle with basic literacy skills. Offering a variety of educational programs in prison is critical to upskilling and leads to potential employment pathways and real job opportunities.

 The empathy mapping session was part of the Future Shapers initiative facilitated by the Committee of Ballarat. Future Shapers draws together a cohort of emerging leaders from all sectors across Ballarat and the region, to think, question, build connections, broaden understanding of community leadership and effect positive change.

 The Buddy Up Program pairs learners with peer coaches and uses the Toe-by-Toe structured literacy model to provide individualised support in a judgment-free, peer-driven environment. Ten people in prison successfully completed the pilot program in 2024, with more participants enrolled in 2025.

“This is about more than just learning to read. It’s about restoring dignity, confidence, and hope,” said Ben Mitchell, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Weld Australia.

 Mitchell recently visited Langi Kal Kal to meet participants and witness the program in action. “It was incredibly moving to see first-hand the impact Buddy Up is having,” said Mitchell. “You can see the change in the way participants carry themselves. It’s giving them not just a new skill, but a belief in themselves and their future. By supporting Buddy Up, we’re helping to remove a fundamental barrier to rehabilitation. Literacy is a critical enabler of education, employment and reintegration.”

 Weld Australia provided funding for the learning resources used in the program. Now, the organisation is seeking more partners to help expand Buddy Up and ensure its long-term success. Organisations interested in supporting inmate literacy and rehabilitation – whether through funding, promotion or collaboration – are encouraged to contact Ben Mitchell directly.

“Literacy is the foundation for education, employment and reintegration,” said Mitchell. “We’re calling on other organisations to get involved. With more support, we can expand Buddy Up to other facilities and give more people in prison the opportunity to turn their lives around.”

 “Weld Australia has a long history of advocating for training, skills development and opportunity—especially in marginalised communities,” said Mitchell. “The prison system must be more than a place of punishment—it must also be a place of growth. Programs like Buddy Up prove that with the right support, change is possible.”

 Participant feedback from the 2024 cohort has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing increased confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.

 One participant noted, “I feel so much more confident in reading and writing. This is not the end of my literacy journey, but has reinforced my pathway to literacy freedom.”

 Weld Australia’s involvement in Buddy Up builds on its broader commitment to social impact. In 2022, the organisation partnered with Corrections Victoria and Federation University to support the Vocational and Educational Training (VET) Centre of Excellence at Langi Kal Kal. This program gives people in prison the opportunity to train to ISO 9606 international welding standards using augmented reality technology and practical workshop projects, linking participants with employers and support services post-release.

 Together, Buddy Up and the VET Welding Centre of Excellence program reflect a shared commitment between Federation University, industry and Corrections Victoria  to build a future where every individual, regardless of circumstance, has access to meaningful opportunity.

 To learn more or get involved in the Buddy Up program, contact Ben Mitchell at Weld Australia via ben.mitchell@weldaustralia.com.au

As the name Central Goldfields so proudly proclaims gold has played a key part in our history and its impact is still felt today.

In this wide ranging illustrated lecture cultural historian and curator, Kenneth Park explores the subject of gold and its allure from its enduring symbolism of wealth, beauty, and prestige, as well as its practical applications and historical significance.

Gold’s scarcity, unique properties, and ability to evoke emotions contribute to its timeless appeal. The lecture will reference stories and art (and objects) associated with gold. It is presented as part of the public program for the Central Goldfields
Art Gallery exhibition The Art of Gold – Treasures from the National Gallery of Australia.

12:30–1:30pm Thursday, 25 September 2025
Tickets: $25.00 concession, $30 full price
Ticket includes a light lunch and a glass of sparkling wine.
To book: call 03 5461 6600 or email cgsc.art@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS ART GALLERY
Old Fire Station, 1 Neill Street, Maryborough,

The state government is creating jobs for the future with a new training course that will give automotive technicians the skills to safely service and maintain hydrogen powered vehicles.

Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney today visited the Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence, which will deliver the training supported by the government’s Skills Solutions Partnerships program.

The Skills Solutions Partnerships program brings industry, TAFEs and dual sector universities together to co-design and pilot new short courses and on-the-job training to quickly address skills gaps in priority sectors.

Co-designed by Kangan Institute and Foton Mobility Distribution, this will be the first accredited training course in Australia equipping workers with the skills and knowledge required to safely work with, service and maintain hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy vehicles.

With more than 27,000 automotive technicians in Victoria, the training will be scaled up to meet the growing demand for upskilling in the emerging hydrogen vehicles market. Already 30 students have enrolled in the program which kicks off at the end of August. 

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use hydrogen fuel to power an electric motor. Producing only water vapour emissions, hydrogen trucks, buses and cars offer a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels with benefits for the community and the economy.

Hydrogen technology is increasingly seen as part of the solution to decarbonise Australia’s long-haul freight sector.