The awards dinner was an inspiring evening showcasing a large number of local businesses that are thriving and achieving great success.

The 2016 Business of the Year, Australian Wildflowers, is an outstanding local business based at Laharum producing over 13,000 posies a week and exporting to China and Japan. 

Australian Wildflowers is also a great supporter of our local Karen community and often go above and beyond to ensure successful settlement in the Wimmera by assisting to secure housing and integration opportunities in the local community.

It was inspiring to see Australian Wildflowers donate their prize package to the recently opened Paw Po Products in Nhill. This is an initiative of the Nhill Learning Centre and local Karen community to provide a training centre that builds job ready skills in business and retail, and a great little gift shop.

Congratulations to all finalists and particularly award winners Gariwerd Motel (Halls Gap), Pick a Posie (Horsham), Dimboola Guardian Pharmacy, Border Inn Hotel (Apsley), Laser Electrical (Horsham), Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative, Grampians Helicopters (Stawell), Wheaton’s Store (Broughton), Solace Beauty lounge and Wellness Spa (Stawell), Young Leader in Business Cobie McQueen of Priceline, Horsham and Apprentice of the Year Chris Gulvin of Laser Electrical, Horsham. 

- Emma Kealy, Lowan MP

VICTORIA Walks commissioned the report Safer Road Design for Older Pedestrians with the support of a TAC Community Road Safety Grant and VicHealth.

It found 39 per cent of people who die as pedestrians are aged 65 and over, yet they are only 15  per cent of the population. 

The research showed drivers should have given way in at least 72 per cent of crashes involving older pedestrians at traffic lights and 42 per cent of crashes at other intersections.  Very disturbing is the number of older walkers being hit on footpaths, precisely where they should feel safest. At least 16 per cent of crashes involving older pedestrians occur while they cross over driveways or entrances to car parks. 

Victoria Walks is appealing to all drivers and riders to take greater care and watch out for elderly walkers in particular. We ask drivers to go slowly in and out of driveways so they can give way to people on the footpath and to give way to people crossing the road when they are turning. It’s not only the considerate thing to do, it is a legal requirement. 

- Dr Ben Rossiter, Victoria Walks executive

WILD dogs destroy our livestock and native animals and take an emotional toll on our farmers.

This is not new, so it beggars belief that our city-centric Labor Government have spent two years dismantling Victoria’s Wild Dog Control program.

Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford wasted two years playing politics with a program that was developed with heavy community input and was proving worthwhile.

The Liberal-Nationals will always stand side-by-side with regional Victorians to fight for their best interests, and there is more to be done to get the Wild Dog Program back on track.

The Andrews Government must address the red tape issues that force wild dog controllers to apply to the Environment Department to do their important work.

- Peter Walsh, The Nationals leader and opposition agriculture spokesman