Agriculture Victoria is working closely with both the pig and horse industries in response to Japanese encephalitis.

There are now a total of 23 properties with pigs confirmed with Japanese encephalitis in Victoria.

These are located across the Wangaratta, Moira, Greater Shepparton, Campaspe, Gannawarra, Loddon, Greater Bendigo and Northern Grampians local government areas.

Agriculture Victoria is working closely with industry, conducting surveillance activities and providing advice and information to farmers, livestock and horse owners.

Infection is not spread directly from pigs to people, and there is no risk to humans from eating pig meat. Pork is safe to eat.

Only infected mosquitoes can spread infection. 

Victorians are being reminded to protect themselves from mosquito bites particularly when spending time outdoors.

Japanese encephalitis vaccines are recommended for people at a higher risk of exposure to the virus, such as those working with pigs. All people should undertake measures to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

More information about Japanese encephalitis virus and animals is available online through Agriculture Victoria’s website. For more information about Japanese encephalitis virus and human health contact your GP or phone NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 606 024, or go to www.health.vic.gov.au/jev

If a vehicle has travelled off your property there is now a useful vehicle biosecurity risk assessment checklist available to help you decide if it requires a clean down before re-entering to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases on farm.

Agriculture Victoria Grains Biosecurity Officer Jim Moran said the checklist was produced for grain growers by the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program.

“The Vehicle Biosecurity Risk Assessment Tool is a quick reference guide for assessing a vehicle that has travelled off a property or is not stationed on a property,” Mr Moran said.

He said the checklist gave grain growers a quick assessment strategy to help them determine if a vehicle requires a clean down before re-entering their property.

“For example, the checklist suggests key questions to consider when a vehicle either arrives or re-enters, such as: Where has the vehicle been and what is the likelihood it has come into contact with weeds or other pests?

“What were the road conditions it came on? Dry, damp, muddy or flooding? – these will all have an impact on the level of risk the vehicle represents to your farm.”

Mr Moran said the checklist was comprehensive but still simple and easy to use and included prompts about road surfaces travelled (including paddocks) and their corresponding biosecurity risk level ratings.

He said depending on the level of risk assessed the checklist then provided practical solutions for treating the vehicle.

“But remember if it’s wet conditions forget it. Vehicles shouldn’t be entering the productive areas of your property when it is wet or flooded unless there is an urgent need,” Mr Moran said.

“Mud sticks to tyres and is flicked up into the hard to see and clean components, giving weeds, pests and diseases, a ride to the next paddock or property.

“Flood water behaves similarly, washing muddy water over vehicles and machinery but also can provide a means of transport for weeds, pests and diseases, spreading around the property or district as it moves.

“The best tactic is not drive onto muddy or flooded paddocks and protect your farm’s production zones from the introduction and spread of pests, weeds and diseases,” he said. For more information on farm biosecurity or help in developing your Vehicle Biosecurity Risk Plan contact Jim Moran jim.moran@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The National Horse Traceability Working Group (NHTWG) is seeking feedback regarding design and introduction of a traceability system for horses, donkeys and mules in Australia.

The NHTWG has agreed that the establishment of a base level traceability system as a starting point would best suit the needs of stakeholders and help ensure the industry can respond quickly to a biosecurity incident or emergency animal disease outbreak.

The NHTWG is proposing a National Horse Traceability System (NHTS) using the existing framework and incorporating incremental improvements, such as:  

• Refreshing and maturing the PIC system, managed by states and territories.
• Introducing uniform national PIC Business Rules.
• Enabling enforcement of PIC legislation.
• Requiring base level movement information to be recorded by all sectors of the horse industry.

All sectors of the horse industry are invited to provide feedback on the proposed Business Rules.

• Download the full consultation document
• Complete the consultation survey
• Find out more about the National Horse Traceability Working Group

The four-week consultation period closes on Wednesday 25 May 2022.

Hepburn Shire Council has released its $58.06M draft budget for 2022/2023, which has a total
revenue increase of $15.24M or 37 percent on the current budget due to a considerable
injection of State and Federal capital grants and stimulus project funding, along with
reimbursement of the high costs related to storm recovery.
Mayor, Cr Tim Drylie said this budget is the result of an extensive process by Councillors and
staff to develop and deliver a fiscally responsible budget.
“The draft budget aims to achieve actions identified in our Council Plan, whilst balancing
community expectations and the physical and financial resources available to Council,” said Cr
Drylie.
“The past two years have been particularly challenging for our community and Council
acknowledges the significant social and economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and
severe weather events in our Shire,” he said.
“Along with allocating funding for the provision of more than 100 services to our community,
this budget includes considerable investment in asset renewal and construction, all of which will
support the social and economic recovery of our Shire.”
The $58.06M budget includes $21.25M of capital works.
“This record investment of capital works will improve, renew and create new infrastructure for
our community. This is the largest capital works budget that has ever been delivered by the Shire
and is supported by an unprecedented $15.22M stimulus grant funding from State and Federal
Government for which we are very grateful. Without Government support, all these projects
would not be possible,” said Cr Drylie.
“We look forward to delivering some important projects in 2022/2023, and we know many in
the community are keen to see these underway,” he said.
New funding allocated in this budget will build on significant allocations for key projects in the
current financial year. Major projects in the draft budget include renewal of the iconic Creswick
Town Hall ($681,000), construction of the Trentham Community Hub ($4.4M, including $2.5M in
grants), works to upgrade the Bullarto Railway Station ($277,000), and investment in Council
buildings ($220,000) and the Creswick Mechanics Institute ($170,000).
Council has allocated $3.4M towards recreational, leisure and community facilities, including
construction of the Hammon Park trailhead ($1.4M) to complement the Creswick Trails
development, building renewal and repair works for the Lee Medlyn Bottle Museum in Clunes
($458,000), a playground for Jubilee Lake ($144,000), floor renewal at Hepburn Pavilion Café
($120,000), and works to enhance the visitor experience at Wombat Hill Botanic Garden in
Daylesford ($188,000).
“We’re also allocating $263,000 towards implementation of the Aquatics Strategy, which
includes initial work to develop a feasibility study for an indoor aquatics facility for the Shire,
building on our commitment to deliver the strategy was only adopted in April this year,” said Cr
Drylie.
“We’re investing $3.80M on roads, which will benefit all community members. This includes
$2.06M for pavement rehabilitation, $1.05M for road renewal, $200,000 on road upgrades, and
$570,000 for our gravel road re-sheet program,” said Cr Drylie.
Council is allocating $3.2M for bridge renewal works on Creswick-Lawrence Road (subject to
grant funding).
“We are also allocating $414,000 for drainage and kerbing projects across the Shire, including
several projects in Creswick,” said Cr Drylie.
In order to support active lifestyles, Council is investing $648,000 on footpath and cycleways
improvement, renewal and extension. Projects are earmarked include Falls Road in Trentham,
Ligar Street in Clunes, Williams Street in Creswick and East Street in Daylesford, and more.
While the capital works spend is supplemented by $1.50M in new borrowings from Council,
Council’s debt position is low.
“Council is committed to our community and will be exploring what services we can deliver to
support people who need assistance, particularly older people, people living with a disability and
vulnerable members of the community. We will work closely and constructively with the new
aged care and disability service provider and will continue our advocacy support on behalf of our
community,” said Cr Drylie.
Council will also fund and deliver a range of programs and services as part of the Positive Ageing
Strategy, Disability Action and Inclusion Plan, Reconciliation and Gender Equality Action Plan.
“This is of course in addition to our existing programs such as libraries, community grants,
tourism, reconciliation, youth and many more,” said Cr Drylie.
The budget has a strong focus on the environment, with Council allocating additional, new
funding of $225,000 for initiatives relating to actions from the Sustainable Hepburn strategy
across areas of climate change, natural environment and biodiversity, climate and water
resilience, and low waste. This builds on funding already allocated and includes funding for a
Circular Economy Officer to investigate and drive investment in circular economy initiatives
relevant to the Shire.
Rates will increase at 1.75% in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System.
Council has not applied to the Essential Services Commission for a rate cap variation.
“We recognise that many households are experiencing ongoing financial challenges, particularly
due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cr Drylie.
Council will continue to fund an additional rates rebate of $21 for pensioners who qualify under
the State Government’s Pensioner Rebate Remission scheme.
Waste charges will increase on average by approximately 12%, or $56 per property per year, to
meet increased service costs to users of the service. The standard annual fee for a residential
property (weekly garbage collection and fortnightly recycling) will be $535 or the equivalent of
$10.28 per week.
This increase allows for rising costs of waste management, global recycling challenges and
payment of the State Government landfill levy. Additionally, Council has also had to factor in a
significant increase in waste volume generated (approximately 20%).
“Council has been and continues to be in a tight financial position. This budget will return
Council to a positive unrestricted cash balance and the waste reserve will again be in surplus
following being in deficit over the past couple of years,” said Cr Drylie.
“Our budget is balanced and financially sustainable and allows Council to fund the programs and
projects that align to our Community Vision and Council Plan, whilst continuing the repair of our
financial position,” he said.
Council will consider adoption at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday 28 June 2022.
Get involved
An important part of the budget process is the community’s opportunity to provide feedback.
Feedback: Read the draft budget via the Participate Hepburn website at
https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au and make a submission. Submissions will be accepted
until 5pm on Tuesday 31 May 2022.
Budget webinar: Join Mayor Drylie and Council Chief Executive Officer Bradley Thomas as they
outline major highlights and answer questions about the draft budget. The webinar will be held
live on Council’s Facebook page from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday May 18. Questions can
be emailed to shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au by 5pm on Tuesday 17 May.
The draft budget is available on the Participate Hepburn website and from Council hubs and
libraries around the Shire.

The state government is giving even more kids and their families the best start in life, with access to
funded kindergarten for every Victorian family in 2023.
Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt visited The Range Children’s Centre in Williamstown with AFLW star Daisy Pearce to announce that kindergarten enrolments are now open for 2023 – supporting two critical years of early play-based learning before school with both three- and four-year-old kindergarten.
Ms Pearce’s children Sylvie and Roy will be starting Three-Year-Old Kindergarten next year – joining tens of thousands of Victorian families already benefitting from the Labor Government’s $5 billion investment in universal funded kinder services right across Victoria.
As the rollout continues in every corner of the state, families will have access to between five and 15 hours of funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in 2023, as well as 15 hours of funded Four-Year-Old Kinder – providing the best start to early education at low or no cost to families, dependent on income.
Families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities – including newly arrived Victorians and refugees – are particularly encouraged to make sure their children are enrolled in kindergarten programs, giving the whole family better connection to support services when they need it.
To explore enrolment options, families can find a great local kindergarten and long day care service by visiting www.findakinder.vic.gov.au or www.vic.gov.au/kinder-tick

More vouchers for sporting equipment, uniforms and memberships are being made available as state government reduces the cost of getting in the game for thousands of Victorian families.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced $12.3 million for the continuation of the popular Get Active Kids Voucher Program through to June 2023.
The vital program reduces out-of-pocket expenses associated with participation in community sport by providing eligible parents and guardians with a $200 voucher to help defray the costs of membership, registration, uniforms and equipment.
Data from the first three rounds shows almost 30 per cent of children who received a voucherjoined a local sporting club for the first time and about 45 per cent also indicated they would not have been able to take part without the financial support.
So far, the program has issued more than 55,000 vouchers, providing more opportunities for kids to get active, try new things and learn more skills.
Parents now only need to apply for the vouchers online before redeeming them at a registered Get Active Kids Voucher Activity Provider – such as a local sporting club or organisation.
Registered activity providers must be affiliated with a recognised State Sporting Association or equivalent governing body and can lodge voucher codes with the government to be credited the costs.
The program is open to Victorian children aged up to 18 who are named on a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and named on a valid Medicare Card at the time of application.
A special consideration stream is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants and international students up to 18 years at the time of application.
Applications for the current round are now open and close at 5pm on 31 May. For this current round, families can also continue to claim reimbursement for expenses already incurred. Further information on future rounds of the program will be available soon at getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said every Victorian deserved the chance to be active.

“That’s why we’re boosting our efforts to remove the financial barrier facing many families keen to get their kids involved in community sport. “More vouchers mean more families can get their kids playing the sports they love.”

The Bendigo Tramways expansion is another step closer, with the project now out to tender.
The $10.7 million project is being delivered by the state government in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo Heritage Attractions, to create additional storage space and deliver upgraded workshop equipment to restore heritage rolling stock.
The release of the tender follows a period of community consultation and design work for the project, with a high-level concept design for the expansion presented to the community last year.
This feedback led to the design being further refined, with locals given another chance to provide their comments and input, particularly on the new storage facilities and how construction impacts can be minimised.
The feedback received was then taken into account when putting together the detailed development plan and informed the planning approvals process.
Contractors interested in the tender can apply online at the City of Greater Bendigo’s e-procure site:
eprocure.com.au/Bendigo
Works on the project are scheduled to get underway later this year.
Minister for Regional Development Mary Anne Thomas said the expansion of Bendigo Tramways would support skilled jobs in the Bendigo area and give more people the opportunity to learn unique skills that will help to preserve Victoria’s transport history.

The Board of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has elected respected real estate agent Richard Simpson as its President, through to October 2022. 

Mr Simpson’s election follows Adam Docking’s resignation as President in late-April.  

A partner of W. B. Simpson & Son, a North Melbourne-based residential, commercial and property business, Mr Simpson has served as a director of REIV since 2015. He has previously been elected REIV President (2017/18) and has served two terms as Senior Vice President. Mr Simpson was also Chair of the REIV Commercial & Industrial Chapter Committee. 

Other REIV leadership appointments made at this week’s board meeting include Mornington Peninsula agent Andrew Meehan as Senior Vice President and former president Leah Calnan as Vice President. 

Speaking about his appointment this week, Mr Simpson said:  

“I’m committed to continuing the hard work of past President Adam Docking as our organisation continues to build a strong and sustainable property sector in Victoria.  

“We have a lot of work to do to effect sound public policy during a year that brings Federal and State Government elections.  

“I look forward to working with REIV CEO Quentin Kilian and his team, as well as liaising closely with our national entity the REIA, as, together, we seek to serve the best interests of our members and promote fairness and transparency for all participants in the sector.” 

About Richard Simpson 

Richard Simpson is a partner in W. B. Simpson & Son, a family real estate business situated in North Melbourne which is celebrating its 150^th year of service in 2022. As a Principal in a business that sells and leases both residential & commercial property, Richard has developed an excellent understanding of the major issues facing the real estate industry today. 

Richard provides extensive input into the REIV and has previously served as Chair of the REIV Commercial & Industrial Chapter Committee. 

Prior to joining the family business, Richard was a Chartered Accountant with a major firm where he worked in the banking and finance and property development sectors. 

The state government is delivering $11.5 million from the Victorian Budget 2022/23 for a new purpose-built animal shelter in Ballarat.
The new shelter will replace the existing shelter managed by the City of Ballarat – a repurposed abattoir – which will no longer meet the growing demands on its services as the Ballarat population and pet ownership have increased.

Ballarat is one of the fastest growing cities in regional Victoria. Between August 2020 and August 2021, the shelter cared for 2136 animals including dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, birds and rabbits, and has been often operating at capacity.
The new building will have all the facilities needed to deliver high quality domestic animal management services.
This includes better holding pens, capacity to hold an additional 100 animals and improved infection control with newer housing facilities.
The investment will transform animal welfare services in this region and adds to the Labor Government’s long record of improving the welfare of Victorian animals.
It will mean better care for the hundreds of animals that stay in the shelter each year and ensure it can meet the needs of the growing numbers of animals in the region for years to come.
The broader region will also benefit from the new animal shelter which will service pets in Hepburn, Moorabool, Golden Plains, Pyrenees, Ararat and Central Goldfields local government areas.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas: “This new facility will ensure the increasing number of pets in Ballarat can continue to be reunited with their owners as fast as possible and allow more animals to get the best care while they find their forever home.”

Ballarat and Grampians patients will have better treatment closer to home for cancer therapy, surgery and mental health as part of the major expansion of health care announced in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.
Patients at Ballarat Base Hospital will benefit from a $6.5 million investment in robot-assisted surgery that will deliver the best possible surgery outcomes and reduce recovery time.
The innovative technology sees surgeons control the movements of robotic arms for some procedures, which is less invasive and can result in less scarring and blood loss, and lower risk of infection.
The Ballarat Austin Radiation Oncology Centre will receive $3.5 million for a replacement radiotherapy linear accelerator (Linac) to treat cancer patients and reduce the need for Ballarat patients to travel to Melbourne for treatment.
The machine, which uses high-energy radiation beams to treat many types of cancer with pinpoint accuracy, can treat more patients than other standard radiation treatments.
The investment is part of an $11.1 million investment in three new and replacement radiotherapy linear
accelerators in regional Victoria.
The Grampians Public Health Unit will share in a $40 million statewide boost, allowing them to provide community care and guidance as part of the ongoing COVID-19 response and deliver local responses to other public health issues.
Staffing at regional hospitals and healthcare services, including Ballarat, will also be bolstered as part of the statewide initiative to help 1,125 registered undergraduate nursing students enter the workforce earlier, as well as the recruitment of a further 2,000 ex-pat and international healthcare workers.

A new live music event known as ‘The Gig’ will take place in Woodend on Saturday 21 May.
Hosted by Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Music in the Sticks crew, and open to all ages, the event will feature four local bands including Sack of Flour, Junkyard Wizards, The Seventh Circle and Miles Brennan.
Pizza and drinks will be on sale on the night so attendees can relax and enjoy the live music and company of others, for the entire evening.
Director Community, Ms Maria Weiss encouraged young people to make the most of the Music in the Sticks event.
“Young people who engage with our Youth Services programs have told us how isolated they have been feeling.”
“Events such as ‘The Gig’ reinvigorate our community spaces and promote the fun of live events, all while encouraging young people to socialise and reconnect with others in a safe environment.” Ms Weiss said.
The Music in the Sticks program has been running for over 15 years providing valuable music and event industry skills and experience to young people aged 12 to 25. The Music in the Sticks crew are responsible for facilitating live music and cultural events, such as ‘The Gig’ around the Macedon Ranges.
‘The Gig’ is a drug, alcohol and smoke free event. Details are:
 Saturday 21 May, Woodend Community Hall, Cnr High and Forest Streets.
 Doors open at 6pm and event concludes 10pm – no pass-outs.
 Tickets cost $2 and can be purchased at the door or from: mrsc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/53801
If you are interested in joining Music in the Sticks, or you would like to find out more, please email Macedon Ranges Youth Services mits@mrsc.vic.gov.au or call 5422 0333.

The state government is putting Victoria on the map as a leader of alternative proteins by fast-tracking research and innovation to target new markets and consumers while supporting more local jobs at the Grains Innovation Precinct at Horsham SmartFarm.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas has announced $12 million from the Victorian Budget 2022/23 to fund a state-of-the-art glasshouse and incubation hub – supporting grain crop industries to diversify into the plant-based protein market.
The new glasshouse will help to advance research and innovation in plant varieties that are climate resilient, have higher protein content and support the growing demand for plant-based foods including those made from lentils, chickpeas, field peas and almonds.
The SmartFarm is already home to two new glasshouses which were recently completed, supported by an
additional $10 million co-investment partnership with the Grains Research & Development Corporation.
The project replaced six 50-year-old glasshouses with world-class facilities to accelerate the delivery of more profitable lentil and field pea varieties for Victorian growers.
Western Victoria is a state leader in producing crops that can be used in plant-based protein products such as lentils, faba bean, field peas and canola. Once complete, the glasshouse complex will help maximise the region’s capabilities and opportunities to tap into new markets, support jobs and boost future investment.
The glasshouse will also support innovation at a new Science and Business Incubation Hub — a space where Agriculture Victoria, entrepreneurs and industry can come together to collaborate and explore product opportunities for plant-based proteins.
The hub will include a collaboration space to house commercial start ups and attract and secure postgraduate students, as well as offering facilities such as a test kitchen and analytic equipment to explore opportunities for alternative proteins.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas: “As demand for plant-based proteins continues to increase we are helping our scientists fast-track research into breeds that can be targeted to new markets and consumers, while boosting more jobs in regional Victoria.”

A unique opportunity has arisen to repair damage to the Campaspe River caused by the Millennium Drought and the 2010-11 floods, in what could be a Victorian first.

The combined impacts of regulation, drought, and floods has severely damaged vegetation on the lower banks and benches of the river. And while the river health has improved in recent years due to water for the environment, it has never fully recovered.

“What little vegetation that grew back after the drought was scoured away during the floods,” North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Water for the Environmental Project Manager Darren White said.

“While the vegetation is recovering well in places, it hasn’t got back to the levels it was before the drought.

“With irrigation water deliveries at certain times of the year, there hasn’t been an opportunity to focus on rebuilding those sections of the river, but there is now.”

The recent wet weather has caused irrigation demand to drop off at the right time of the year, creating a rare opportunity for action.

“We have a unique opportunity here, given the Campaspe is a highly regulated river, to make some big inroads into re-establishing that vegetation,” Mr White said.

“Without irrigation water, we can keep water flows at about 20ML a day from Eppalock Reservoir to Rochester, to expose those lower benches and banks.”

Mr White said that exposure to air and sunlight at this time of year may help the vegetation re-establish itself on those key parts of the river.

“The low flow aims to replicate the natural drawdown of river levels at the end of summer that is important for plant recruitment but no longer occur due to river regulation,” he said.

“Then we’ll ramp the flows up slowly to 50ML a day giving any vegetation that has established the opportunity to adapt to slightly deeper water.

“Healthy vegetation means better filtration and more waterbugs, which means more food for fish and platypus.

“We’re working closely with the Arthur Rylah Institute on this plan, and if successful it will help inform river management across Victoria.

“This could be the first time anyone in Victoria has had an opportunity to do this with extensive monitoring. We don’t get many chances like this to re-stablish vegetation and improve the health of a river this way.”

The flow alterations will begin from about May 9.

“From Eppalock to Rochester the water will look a bit low for a couple of weeks, but from Rochester to Echuca there will be no change,” Mr White said.

“Water will remain high in existing pools, and the lower flow will still connect them, so it’s unlikely there’ll be any negative impact on fish or platypus.

“This event shows improving the health of a river is more than just about adding water for the environment.”

The North Central CMA manages environmental flows on behalf of the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH). The flows are authorised by VEWH in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2021-22.

The Plan is available for download from www.vewh.vic.gov.au, with regular watering updates posted on the North Central CMA website www.nccma.vic.gov.au.

The research project will be delivered by scientists at the Arthur Rylah Institute and is funded through Stage 7 of the Victorian Environmental Flows Monitoring and Assessment Program (VEFMAP).

A concurrent nursery based experiment will replicate the low flow treatment under controlled conditions in a collaboration with researchers at the University of Melbourne (Burnley).

Food bank OzHarvest has been chosen as the official Victorian Budget charity for 2022.

Since establishing its Victorian operation in 2014, OzHarvest has delivered around 22 million meals to people in need across the state.
Created by Ronni Kahn in 2004, OzHarvest has established itself as Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, diverting surplus food from a landfill fate to charities that feed people in need.
After noticing how much food was going to waste from her own events business, Ms Kahn took action and with just one van, began delivering food to local charities.
Today, OzHarvest operates nationally with 200 staff and more than 2,500 volunteers in offices across Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Canberra, Newcastle and Perth, as well as in regional communities.
Almost 20 years since its inception, OzHarvest’s goal remains the same – to create a sustainable food culture that can be shared by all. The charity’s model has been shared in countries including New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has announced it is donating a portion of ticket proceeds from Wednesday’s VCCI/Melbourne Press Club Budget Lunch to OzHarvest.
Treasurer Tim Pallas: “OzHarvest is an incredible Australian success story that prevents good food from going to waste every day and puts it on the tables of families across our community. No one should have to worry about feeding their family and I’m fortunate to be in a position to be able to support the charity’s great work.”