- Teresa and Peter Gemmola, Cathcart

TO me, there’s nothing more important than making sure our kids, our parents, the people we love, get home safely.

Because after nearly two years in this job, I know that every time we lose a life on our roads, another family is left heartbroken.

It’s why, since we came to government, we’ve set to work – making sure our roads are up to scratch, tackling congestion and doing everything we can to reduce death and injuries on our road.

It’s a serious issue, and it deserves our genuine commitment.

It’s why I was so disappointed to see that the Liberal-Nationals continue to make false claims about regional road funding.

The truth is, the former Liberal Government cut $100 million from the VicRoads maintenance budget.

I could be here all day describing all the times they let our roads and bridges fall into disrepair.

But I won’t. I understand when something is this important, people don’t care about political point scoring. Not when their safety and livelihoods are on the line.

So, let’s talk facts – we are spending $130 million on road surface replacement and repairs across Victoria, with the majority of this work taking place on regional roads.

We’re also getting on with planning and preconstruction works on the Western Highway between Ararat and Stawell, allocating $10 million so far, while we work with the federal government to move to the next stage.

We are not waiting – the upgrade to this highway is too important. We also promised that we would lease the Port of Melbourne, while ensuring our regional and rural communities get the support and funding they need.

Which is why more than $970 million will flow to regional and rural Victoria following the lease, in addition to a $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund that will wholly benefit the agriculture sector – allowing for quicker access from paddock to port.

We’ll invest in projects and programs that create local jobs and provide the best value for money, and value for the community. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. 

For farmers who rely on these roads for their livelihood, for parents who use them to take their kids to school, and for every local driver, it’ll make all the difference.

- Luke Donnellan, Roads and Road Safety Minister

ARARAT Legacy wishes to acknowledge the generosity of the communities across our Legacy region to the recent annual Badge Week.

The generous support from the Ararat, Stawell, Avoca, Beaufort, Willaura and Lake Bolac communities has helped raise vital funds that will allow Legatees to continue assisting war widows in our care.

Badge Week proceeds were achieved through the hard work of our Legatees, their wives and Legacy widows, and from the Stawell College VCAL students who gave their time to sell badges as part of their community service unit. Also to the Ararat RSL sub branch for allowing us to sell bears and pens in the club.

Legacy’s role, as it was in 1929 when the club was formed, is still the same today; the care, guidance and encouragement of the families of those servicemen and servicewomen, who through death because of their service, are no longer there to give those benefits.

Ararat Legacy today has 30 Legatees looking after 150 war widows across the Legacy region. A huge thank you to all involved.

- Peter Dohnt President – Ararat Legacy