A national hunt is on to find at least 60 growers who use a range of farming practices to assist in a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) research investment exploring cropping methods, with a focus on regenerative agriculture.

Regenerative agriculture has become a topical issue in Australia in recent years, however, there is no regulatory or widely accepted definition of the practice.

GRDC’s investment aims to gain a better understanding of the relevant objectives and how they might be changing soil, land and business management.

Using this knowledge, the project team will establish ways to monitor the potential benefits or disadvantages of regenerative agriculture in Australian cropping systems across a range of agronomic, soil health, ecological, social and economic indicators.

GRDC manager sustainable cropping systems – south Dr Giacomo Betti says a balance of viewpoints is essential for the project’s success.

“It is very important for us to have a broad range of growers involved, whether they see the type of farming they are doing as regenerative, sustainable or something in between,” he says.

“Studying a comprehensive range of practices is needed to develop a balanced dataset and draw meaningful conclusions.”

GRDC has appointed a multi-disciplinary team from the Southern Cross University (SCU) Faculty of Science and Engineering to provide independent scientific rigour.

“GRDC aims to develop properly validated resources, so growers can make an informed decision for their cropping system,” Dr Betti says.

“The project team at Southern Cross University will engage the participants, record their farming practices and results, and report on the outcomes.”

The Southern Cross University team includes experts in soil health, agronomy, ecology, cultural geography and natural capital accounting, ensuring the project delivers balanced, evidence-based outcomes.

Southern Cross University lecturer and researcher Dr Adam Canning, who is leading the project, says the university will work with participating growers to agree on key metrics for the research.

“These are expected to include profitability, natural capital accounting, soil health, biodiversity and social factors,” Dr Canning says.

“We will identify and trial indicators that demonstrate the extent to which grain growers are reaching defined goals. Trialling the indicators will let us identify any farm-specific factors that could influence the results.

“Participants will also have input on how regenerative agricultural systems are understood and defined.”

Along with helping to define the terms of the project, growers must be willing to provide some access to their land so measurements can be taken and share relevant economic data. GRDC will establish privacy protocols to protect the participants and ensure data is de-identified before publication.

Dr Hanabeth Luke, the project’s socioeconomic research lead and coordinator for Southern Cross University’s Regenerative Agriculture program, says participation in the research will generate clarity and scientifically validated guidelines for grain growers.

“This research will help establish the what, as well as the why or why not, of regenerative agriculture in Australian grain production,” Dr Luke says.

“Whatever your current thoughts on regenerative agriculture, participating in this project will help you and other growers make more informed decisions about the practices you choose to invest in, based on best-evidence.”

Regenerative Agriculture: Understanding the intent, practices, benefits and disbenefits is planned to cover the 2024, 2025 and 2026 growing seasons, concluding in 2027.

Interested growers can contact Dr Adam Canning on adam.canning@scu.edu.au.

If you’re a CFA volunteer on holiday in Mallacoota this summer, the local brigade wants to hear from you.  

“Vols on Hols” is a pilot program that will be trialled this summer in an effort to have more boots on the ground in far east Gippsland.   

Mallacoota was chosen as the trial site because the small and remote coastal destination significantly increases in population over summer with an influx of up to 10,000 visitors during peak season. It was also severely impacted during the 2019 and 2020 bushfires.   

South East Region Deputy Chief Officer (DCO) Trevor Owen said many people return to the Mallacoota region with family and friends as an annual tradition at the same time every year, some spanning decades.  

“CFA members are among the many visitors to Mallacoota each year and we are seeking their assistance while enjoying their stay,” DCO Owen said.

“Because of Mallacoota’s isolation and the increased risk over the summer period, we’re interested in CFA volunteers who can respond supporting members of the Mallacoota Fire Brigade. We completely understand that volunteers are on holidays to spend valuable time with their families, fishing, boating or other recreational activities, but we also know some members may be willing and able to assist in the event of emergency.  

“The nature of our members is they want to help if they can and Mallacoota Fire Brigade would appreciate the extra hands during this busy part of the year.”   

The pilot program is for operational responders and members who have skills in community education and engagement. Interested members are requested to provide an Expression of Interest. The application is then reviewed, and the member is sent a welcome letter and contacted by the Brigade Captain who will inform the next steps to introduce and induct the visiting member into the brigade. 

Mallacoota Captain Tracey Johnston said she welcomed the pilot program in Mallacoota to bolster the available resources of the Brigade. 

“We’d love to have more volunteers and welcome them with open arms, but you don’t have to turn up every time the pager goes off,” Tracey said.  

“We know that visiting CFA members want to help during an emergency and we welcome their skills to assist when they are available. The more hands, the better result all round.” 

Anyone interested in taking part in the Vols on Hols program would certainly be welcomed. For more information go to volsonhols.d11@cfa.vic.gov.au or call D11 Headquarters on 03 5153 7400.   

More than 160 South East CFA volunteers gathered at Crib Point Refinery recently to take part in a group exercise training day to boost their skills ahead of what’s shaping as a challenging summer.

Over the recent weekend of November 11-12 the volunteers from over 20 brigades across Peninsula and Westernport groups worked through a vegetation fire simulation which saw the crews use over 30 vehicles and roaming aircraft to control the incident.

Deputy Chief Officer South East Trevor Owen said the brigade groups meet annually to run through the mock scenario that stems as an important skills maintenance exercise in preparation for the bushfire season.

“We’re getting ready for the fast-moving intense grassfires that will come as a result of the abundance of grass we are now seeing across the state,” DCO Owen said.

“The crews engaged in a range of activities, from grassfire techniques to operating bushland firefighting and asset protection, while aircraft was overhead doing suppression.

“We’re working with safety at the forefront but also enlisting our strike teams to work through fuel management, identifying what type of fuel was involved and how much fuel is nearby.  

“An important aspect of the day was practising the teamwork between aircraft and ground crews. Following direction from the air attack observers, we had water bombing assistance from a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter to assist teams below.

“Others worked on our staging techniques and the deployment of our resources, making sure our operational plans on the ground were fit and safe and they’re going to do what we need them to do when we need it.

“The crews also ran through entrapment drills and hazardous trees assessments, which are also both really important safety functions.”

DCO Owen said days like this bring firefighters together, allowing for collaboration, camaraderie and learning experiences that foster confidence and trust for the fireground.  

“CFA is a people-based organisation, our volunteers give so much, and they do it so willingly. They’re revisiting techniques to ensure everybody comes home safe to their families,” he said.

“To see them come together, operate together, and build those relationships, gives me great confidence as we head into the bushfire season that our people are prepared and more importantly that our people are safe.

“They’re putting their life on the line in many cases over the summer and going into dangerous situations but knowing that they’re safe and they’ve done everything they need to do practically means we’re prepared as an organisation and ready for the warmer conditions.” 

Bendigo is hosting the Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference with a gala dinner this Friday November 24 followed by the main event on Saturday.

Among them CEO Farmers for Climate Action, Natalie Collard (pictured above) will be special guest at Friday evening’s dinner.

Natalie is a highly-regarded advocate for regional Australia, agriculture, renewable energy, innovation and women’s leadership. Her extraordinary cross-sectoral adventure ranges from defence and arms control, foreign affairs, telecommunications, energy, transport and – her great love – agriculture.

The conference provides a platform for women on the land to connect, learn and grow, and features a variety of special guest speakers.

The program also features workshops and networking opportunities and aims to foster a sense of community and support among women in agriculture.

It addresses important topics such as leadership, sustainable farming practices, and personal growth.

Xylouris White live are compelling. Drummer, Jim White, with a style that can sound like a full band one minute and something stark and beautiful the next and George Xylouris, a self-taught master of the lute with a background in traditional Greek folk – weddings, parties, anything; master musicians both with a supernatural power to express themselves as one.

The Melbourne-born duo are headed to Hepburn to play the Palais live this Saturday, November 25.

“Two seemingly unconnected musical traditions could appear, on paper at least, as somewhat contrived, but Xylouris and White’s never less than compelling chemistry was as symbiotic as calm and storm, and rang as true as the dawn chorus. As timeless too.” – The Thin Air

After recent appearances at the Tomorrow Festival in Shenzhen China and Big Ears in Knoxville USA, they’re tackling Australia next with a debut appearance at the Queenscliff Music Festival and a run of east coast dates. The dynamic duo; lute player George Xylouris and drummer Jim White, will also include Meeniyan, Hepburn, Hobart, Wollongong and Canberra alongside big city plays in Sydney and Melbourne.

The tour comes off the back of 2023’s release The Forest in Me an instrumental album drawn from multiple sessions spawned across two continents; Jim in New York City and George in Crete and pulled together by non-performing band member Guy Picciotto. If previous albums drew critical appraise the response for this, their fifth album, has been exultant.

The Moorabool Shire Council says it’s received state government confirmation that construction has begun on an energy back-up system at Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park.

The new energy back-up system is expected to be able to be used during an emergency event, such as a fire or storms.

The system has been funded under the government’s Energy Resilience Systems program, which will fund solar panels, batteries and back-up generators to 23 community buildings located in areas at high risk of bushfire or storm activity.

Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Ally Munari said it was pleasing Blackwood was one of the 23 areas, as the town could benefit from the energy back-up hub if an emergency situation was to arise.

“Blackwood was identified as a priority town as it was without power for seven days during the June 2021 storms,” Cr Munari said.

“This energy back-up system would have been invaluable then, and if we’re ever in the unfortunate situation that Blackwood experiences a similar event again, having a power source if power goes out will make a big difference to Blackwood residents.

“There was quite a long process to go through between the government, power companies, council, committees of management, landowners and the CFA to get to the stage of construction, so I thank everyone involved in the process for making this happen.”   

The Fire Danger Period will come into effect from 1am tomorrow, Monday, November 20 for Hepburn Shire Council and other municipalities in CFA’s District 15.

Besides Hepburn these include the City of Ballarat and the Moorabool Shire Council.

The El Nino weather pattern means Victorians can expect a hotter and drier summer than recent years, and communities should begin preparing their properties and creating a Bushfire Survival Plan. 

The latest Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring predicts the fire risk in the coming months to be normal across the state, as well as strong drying patterns in Gippsland’s forested areas. 

CFA District 15 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lachlan Redman said local conditions were showing a rapid rate of grassland curing.  

“The recent spell of increased temperatures and days of higher than average windy conditions have seen a drying of grassland areas including parts of the forested areas. This means in preparing for the upcoming fire danger period, the community should be clearing up around their properties and have a fire plan prepared and practised,” he said.   

“Careful attention should be given when people are mowing or slashing their properties. It’s always a good idea to do these activities in cooler conditions which will assist in preventing the potential risk of a fire occurring. When burning off, people must always be in attendance when the fire is a light and monitor current and forecasted weather conditions.” 

While CFA’s 52,000 members are poised to respond and support communities this bushfire season, they’re urging people to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires. 

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website. 

There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.   

Fire Danger Period information: 

• A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au. It can also be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office.  
• Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/can. 
• Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/farms. 
• More information about FDPs is available online at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod. 
• To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit  www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. 

The redevelopment of the iconic Maryborough Railway Station is now complete and was officially opened with a celebratory event earlier this month.

Over the past year, the historic station has been transformed in many ways and now includes a visitor hub.

The new-look Visitor Centre welcomes visitors and introduces them to the region’s attractions.

A highlight of the experience at the new Visitors’ Centre is the theatrette with its digital animation “The Welcome Stranger”. This is a video for all ages, telling the story of gold and how its discovery shaped the region. A replica of the famous original Welcome Stranger gold nugget can also be viewed on entry to the theatrette.

The Worth its Weight in Gold interactive installation invites visitors to place whatever they have in their pocket on the unit to find out its worth in today’s gold prices.

The Central Goldfields Visitor Centre and the historic Maryborough Station also provide information about the history of the area’s Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners.

The Visitor Centre is now accessible from both the station platform and via the station café restaurant bar. Accessibility improvements have also been made to the platform entry.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said she was delighted with outcome and response to this significant project for the Central Goldfields.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to be home to the iconic Maryborough Railway Station and to have such a rich goldfields history in our region.

“Maryborough is located at the centre of the unique Victorian Goldfields region and is pivotal to the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.

“The redevelopment celebrates this and has transformed the Station into a local and visitor hub. Visitation is growing daily and the Station, already an iconic attraction now has so much more to offer to our many visitors as well as our local community.

“It’s a really exciting time for us in the Central Goldfields. With our redeveloped Central Goldfields Art Gallery and the Indigenous Interpretive Garden still to come – together with the Station project – we now have two fantastic major attractions bookending the town and showcasing the community’s story in creative ways by drawing visitors and locals through town.”

Diversity has emerged as a significant strength for one of the state’s local CFA brigades.

“Our community is one of Australia’s most diverse and we strive really hard to reflect the community in our brigade. Diversity is our success,” Noble Park Fire Brigade Captain Matt Pond said.

More than 15 languages are spoken by brigade members and this has benefitted the brigade on many occasions.

“Having brigade members who speak different languages has paid dividends in many ways,” Matt said.

“For example, we ran a large-scale ‘safer homes smoke alarm installation’ strike team in our community and there were several residents who only spoke Cambodian (Khmer) or Vietnamese. At the time, we had seven brigade members supporting the event who were able to speak Khmer or Vietnamese, so we were able to chat to the residents about smoke alarms and residential fire safety while we installed new smoke alarms to make the homes safer.

“Thirty-one brigade members took part. It was an extremely successful event. The brigade inspected over 170 properties and where a home didn’t have them, or they were non-compliant, new 10-year lithium smoke alarms were supplied and installed free of charge including in recommended areas such as every bedroom.

“Also, at emergency calls we often need to talk to local residents in languages other than English,” Matt explained.

Matt has been a CFA member for 19 years and Noble Park captain for the past two-and-a-half years.

Talking to residents in their preferred language has also helped the brigade recruit more members.

“Through these community connections using languages other than English we’ve been able to recruit many people who don’t speak English as a first language. These people thought they wouldn’t be able to join the brigade because their English wasn’t good enough.”

The brigade also wanted to recruit more women, and Matt did this by making sure the brigade had the right culture where everyone felt valued and welcome.

“We’ve worked really hard to build the right environment in the brigade. Everyone feels they have a role and it’s a safe place,” Matt said.

“In the past year, the brigade has had two recruit courses and we’ve had incredible success recruiting women. We recruited 16 women and nine men. And our women volunteers reach out to women they know, which also leads to new members.

“I’m proud of the brigade’s environment and its gender and ethnic diversity.”

Largely thanks to the demographic and Matt’s desire to rebuild the brigade with a younger base, Noble Park’s member age profile is quite different to many brigades.

“I’m in my mid-thirties and one of the oldest operational members,” Matt said.

The brigade has strong connections with its community and spends a lot of time reaching out to them.

“Every week we engage with our community. Our level of activity is much higher than the average brigade. We want to ensure our community members are as safe as possible,” he said.

Members of the public are being invited to have input after the Romsey Football Netball Club revealed it’s trying to get 50 gaming machines installed in the small regional community.

But already some residents are gearing up to fight the Romsey Football Netball Club’s bid to redevelop and reopen the shuttered Romsey Hotel, with the 50 proposed pokies machines.

Meanwhile, the Macedon Ranges Shire Council has issued a statement acknowledging that it was “recently notified of Romsey Football Netball Club’s intention to apply to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC ) for 50 gaming machines at 90 Main Street in Romsey”.

While the application is not directly with the council, the council can make a submission to the VGCCC in response, however, within tight timeframes.

And the council had agreed to an urgent business item at its October meeting to provide authorisation for its officers to notify the VGCCC of its intention to prepare and submit a submission.

Members of the public can also provide their own submissions directly to the VGCCC and can also request to attend and speak at an upcoming hearing through the VGCCC.

The council is also welcoming members of the public who don’t have access to email or internet, to provide feedback to help inform the council’s submission.

British India emerged from the underbelly of the Melbourne indie rock scene with a love for music and a driving determination that transformed four high school friends into a fierce garage band.

They quickly gained a reputation for explosive live shows and the ability to write great pop songs.

Over a 10-year period, British India notched up eight entries into the Hottest 100, released six albums, achieved ARIA Gold & Platinum Record status, and played at every major festival in the country.

They have headlined over 800 shows and, pleasing local fans and out-of-towners alike they will finally make their debut performance at the Palais-Hepburn on Friday evening November 24th.

The countdown is on until major redevelopment works at the Ballarat Library are complete.

In what will be a significant milestone for the $7.48 million project, it is expected that contractors H Troon will hand the facility over to the City of Ballarat in December 2023.  

Once this occurs, work will begin to start moving all necessary equipment and approximately 75,000 library resources back into the Doveton Street facility.

It is expected the central library will reopen to the public in March 2024.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was an exciting time for one of the city’s most eagerly awaited projects.

“In just a few months now we will be able to open the doors to the community and have people flooding back to the Ballarat Library,” he said.

“This is an incredibly exciting project, one at the heart of our commitment to delivering a better Ballarat, that will transform the old building into a contemporary library and community facility.

“You can really get a sense now of how everything is going to come together and what the finished product will be.”

The entirety of the structural work has now been complete at the library, with only the final additions remaining before the facility is handed back to the City of Ballarat.

The final remaining works to be carried out include minor flooring and painting.

The project is the library’s first major redevelopment and expansion since 1993.

The redevelopment includes refurbishing the second level of the building for library and community program use, a new entrance, purpose-built teaching areas, quiet areas, open space for socialisation, and specialised children’s and family areas.

One particular highlight will be the story dome in the children’s library. With tiered seating, this area will make story time a real event. A dedicated parents’ room adjoining the children’s library will make this a comfortable place for families and carers.

The upstairs maker space is a new addition to the library. Dedicated to learning through experimentation and play, the community will be able to use equipment including 3D printers, sewing machines and digitisation equipment – all designed to enhance learning for life.

A dedicated Youth and Community Space is also a new addition to the refurbished library. Located on the first floor, this includes a community kitchen for cookery and life skills classes, gaming consoles and plenty of flexible space for study and recreation.

The temporary Ballarat Library at Town Hall will continue to operate until the Doveton Street facility is opened to the public and continues to average approximately 1100 visits per week.

The City of Ballarat is contributing $6.98 million to the project, with the State Government contributing $500,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program. 

An earlier hay season has Victorian farmers and the CFA wary of the dangers of high moisture content in hay as producers begin baling and storing it in warmer conditions.

Just last week we saw the repercussions of hot northerly winds, when seven hay sheds, each with 800 bales of hay, caught on fire in Kerang following a damaging ember attack.

Kerang Captain Ramon Steel said crews arrived on scene to just one hay shed engulfed in fire, before an unexpected wind change initiated an uncontrollable firestorm.

“Several hours later we were hit with an ember attack and the fire spread to a further six sheds,” Ramon said.

“We had 26 CFA units on scene and were able to utilise the appliances and volunteers available to save the other 13 sheds.

“Multiple grass fires broke out but were easily contained. However, nothing could be done to stop the shower of sparks that headed straight for the sheds in line of fire due to the direction and strength of the wind.”

Hailing it as one of the worst fires he has witnessed in his 39 years as a firefighter, Ramon said crews will remain on scene patrolling the burning sheds as they continue to self-extinguish.

Unfortunately, a haystack fire is not unusual to CFA, having responded to almost 52 haystack related fires between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernansaid if hay is baled with high moisture content and is green, it can heat up like compost, which can lead to spontaneous combustion weeks or months later.

“Farmers who have decided to carry on with hay production need to be extra vigilant this year to make sure conditions are right for making hay and for the future storage and transport as well,” CO Heffernan said.

“Hay fires are a real threat to properties and stock in primary production areas.

“Whether you’re a seasoned hay grower or switching to hay this year, it’s imperative to take care of your hay and crops this fire season.

“Consider the storage of your hay to avoid spontaneous combustion which can lead to ignition. “

When hay is either not properly cured and dried out before baling, or not stored to protect it from rain or damp conditions, moisture content in the bales is then higher than the recommended level. If stored in environments with high temperatures and little airflow, a biological reaction could lead to a fire.

Haystack fires can also start easily from lightning strikes or sparks from equipment.

“You should regularly monitor your haystacks by using a temperature probe or a crowbar to detect heating hay,” CO Heffernan said.

“Signs of heating hay can include steam rising from the stack or unusual odours like burning, must, pipe tobacco smell or a caramel smell.

“By being vigilant, you’re protecting yourself from the financial impact of losing valuable fodder and protecting your property and family from the potential danger of hay fires.”

Haystack Tips           

• Ensure hay is well cured before baling. 
• Know the history of the hay you purchase.
• Keep haystacks to a limited size and separate your haystacks.
• Monitor moisture and temperature of your hay regularly.
• Watch for unusual odours such as pipe tobacco, caramel, burning or musty smells.
• Store hay in separate stacks or sheds away from farm equipment and other buildings.
• Keep your hay dry. Protect it from rain, leaking rooves or spouts, and runoff. Cover stacks with tarps or hay caps.
• Don’t stack hay right to the top of a hay shed. Allow some air to circulate at the top – this helps to carry away moisture.

Temperature Guide (degree celsius) – what to do when your hay is overheating
Use a thermometer in a probe or insert a crowbar into the middle of the stack for 2 hours.

• Less than 50 Can handle the crowbar without discomfort
  Check temperature daily.
• 50 – 60 Can only handle crowbar for short time
  Check temperature twice daily.
• 60 – 70 Can touch bar only briefly
  Check temperature every 2 – 4 hours. Move hay to improve air flow.
• Over 70 Bar is too hot to hold
  Potential for fire. Call 000 immediately. Avoid walking on top of haystack. At this stage pulling apart the hay may provide the oxygen it needs to ignite.

The City of Ballarat this week began grass slashing works as part of its annual fire hazard reduction program.

Conditions across the municipality have been monitored closely by the City of Ballarat’s Emergency Management team, who have determined the appropriate time to begin the program.

The fire hazard reduction program involves preparing the community by undertaking inspections of council and private land to mitigate the fire risk during the Fire Danger Period.  

The City of Ballarat’s fire prevention program includes reducing fire fuels such as long grass, supporting the community during emergencies and working with fire agencies and other emergency services to prepare for the fire season.  

It also includes education and supporting the community before, during and after an emergency event.

As part of the program, slashing on City of Ballarat-owned properties will begin on 14 November in the north-western area of the municipality, which traditionally dries out first.

Grassland curing information, which is available on the CFA website is used to determine the best time to begin slashing.

Timing grass slashing in the lead-up to summer is vital. Although fire safety and prevention are the number one priority, if grass is slashed too early it can grow back quickly and require repeated slashing throughout summer.

The City of Ballarat is also encouraging people to start preparing their own properties for summer and making them as fire safe as possible.

Pre-season advice letters have been sent to vacant landholders with advice relating to property preparation, with further inspections to be carried out.  

Properties that are considered hazardous may be issued with a Fire Prevention Notice, which requires fire risks to be removed. These notices are issued in accordance with the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said with a hot and dry summer expected, it was crucial people kept fire safety front of mind.

“Preparation is the key when it comes to fire prevention and as a community, we have a shared responsibility to keep ourselves and each other safe,” he said.

PROPERTY PREPARATION TIPS (Courtesy of CFA)

• Move your winter woodpile away from the house or sheds
• Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls
• Clear your gutters
• Keep grass shorter than 10cm
• Remove leaves and twigs from around your property
• Prune back plants and garden beds near doors and windows
• Test any systems that are part of your fire plan such as sprinklers, pumps and generators
• Check that your home and contents insurance is current and includes a level of cover in line with increased building standards and regulations in bushfire risk areas
• If you are burning off to remove green waste, check if a permit is required and register your burn-off via the Fire Permits Victoria online site.
• Make sure your household has a Bushfire Survival Plan

A historic rotunda in Ballarat’s Arch of Victory precinct has been expertly restored.

The Memorial Wall Rotunda at the Arch of Victory has undergone extensive conservation works in recent months, including cleaning, repairing render, applying waterproofing and repainting.

The works, which were approved by Heritage Victoria under a heritage permit exemption, were funded by a $20,000 contribution by the City of Ballarat and a further $20,000 from the Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee Inc, generously supported by the Haymes Foundation.

The rotunda was officially rededicated by City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson on Saturday 11 November, as a prelude to this year’s recent Remembrance Day service at the site.

Cr Hudson said the project was a great example of the City of Ballarat partnering with a deserving community group to deliver something of significance.

“Monuments such as this are so important to Ballarat and it is vital that we continue to maintain them to ensure they last for many more generations to come,” he said.

This rotunda now contains a granite column that has an alphabetical listing of the names of the City of Ballarat World War I service personnel whose names are commemorated with a tree in the Avenue of Honour.  

It was originally located across the road on the northern side of the Avenue of Honour, immediately adjacent to the former Ballarat Golf Club building.

It was relocated to its current position in 1993 as part of the major redevelopment of the Arch of Victory precinct that took place at that time. The alphabetical listing was added with the generous donation from Irene Lillingston in memory of her late husband. Illumination was added later by Ballarat electrician WM McKnight & Sons.  

The dome of the rotunda was originally constructed by the same bricklayer that worked on the Arch of Victory, George Brookes, using bricks sourced from the Ballarat firm, Selkirk Bricks. When it was relocated in 1993, Ballarat building firm H Troon carried out that detailed task.

The recent refurbishment work was designed by Quadratum Architecture & Conservation and carried out by Ballarat builder and preservation heritage specialists, PFB Building. The work was completed in time for the recent annual Remembrance Day formalities that were held on Saturday November 11.

This year’s Remembrance Day service specifically remembered 20 Ballarat men who attended local schools and lost their lives in World War I with no known graves.

Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee President, Garry Snowden said honouring men and women by name was an important part of every service.

“While experiencing the grief of losing a loved one, the families of this year’s group were also denied the very small consolation of at least knowing that their son, husband, father or brother was buried under a headstone bearing their name,” he said.