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30/09/2026

NEW HEALTHY AGEING HUBS OFFER FREE CHECKS

Two new Healthy Ageing Hubs delivered by Grampians Community Health are bringing free health checks to local communities.
The two Healthy Ageing Hubs are now operating across Horsham, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack shires.
Program Leader Ruby Klemm said the hubs provide free, confidential health checks and support to help people stay healthy, independent and connected to their community as they age.
“Small checks can help prevent big health problems,” Ms Klemm said.
The Hubs have started in Horsham, Natimuk, Dimboola, Goroke, Nhill and Minyip and are expected to extend to more regional centres within the local government areas in coming months.
Healthy Ageing Hubs are community-based drop-in sessions delivered by Grampians Community Health, with free health checks provided by community paramedics.
The hubs provide information, support and referral pathways for people who may benefit from additional services. They are available for free to people aged 50 years and over and First Nations people aged 45 years and over.
Ms Klemm said the Healthy Ageing Hubs benefit people who may not regularly access health services and want a better understanding of their health and wellbeing.
Health checks available include blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels, blood sugar, heart rhythm (ECG), temperature, body measurements and cholesterol and blood fats when available.
Beyond physical health, the hubs also support overall wellbeing and help people to remain socially connected in the regional communities.
“Participants may be asked a few simple questions about their health, daily life and social connections,” Ms Klemm said. “The aim is to identify opportunities to improve wellbeing and connect people with support before issues become larger concerns.”
The community paramedics will guide people on the next steps they need to take following their health checks.
“Healthy Ageing Hubs are an important community resource,” Ms Klemm said. “They support healthy ageing close to home, overcome barriers faced by rural people and assist in early identification of health concerns, potentially helping to prevent big health problems.”
The drop-in consultations are free and no appointments are needed.
The Healthy Ageing Hubs are supported by funding from Western Victoria Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.
For more information and to check upcoming dates and locations, visit: Healthy Ageing Hubs – Grampians Community Health.

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30/09/2026

Open Dialogue to strengthen community response to mental health
A meeting in Warrnambool on October 23 could change how the local community responds to mental health, particularly for young people.
The Exploration of Open Dialogue meeting will bring together individuals, service teams and organisational leaders to learn about how implementing the evidence-based approach can strengthen professional practice.
The Warrnambool meeting is being supported by WRAD Health, CEO Alister Stevic said that as a growing community health organisation, WRAD Health was committed to integrated models of care that meet people where they are.
“This is an exciting opportunity as it connects with WRAD Health’s vision of a developing community health care with access to affordable health care,” Mr Stevic said.
“We are continually looking for opportunities to strengthen and expand our therapeutic approaches, and we are excited to be co-hosting this workshop as an opportunity to learn more about the Open Dialogue model and explore how elements of this approach could be adapted to further benefit the Warrnambool community we serve,” Mr Stevic said.
“We are inviting health professionals and practitioners who work in mental health, primary care, youth and community services to discover an approach that improves workforce capability, reduces hospitalisation and diminishes crises response. It also enables our services in the community to work more collaboratively, with possible support to do so.”
The Open Dialogue approach includes network meetings where instead of treating an individual alone, professionals invite family, friends, and anyone else the person trusts into the same room from day one.
It also includes non-expert facilitators where healthcare professionals step down from traditional "expert" roles to act as neutral facilitators who listen and encourage open conversation rather than enforcing top-down diagnoses. No treatment choices—including medications or other therapies—are made behind closed doors; everything is decided transparently as a group.
Mr Stevic thanked the Fletcher Jones Family Foundation which is also supporting the Warrnambool event.
Open Dialogue Centre CEO, Keith Bryant said the approach was changing how communities respond to mental health — starting with connection, not crisis.
“Open Dialogue shifts the focus from crisis-driven care by enabling people to shape their recovery journey with support from family, friends, lived experience peers and local services,” Mr Bryant said.
Mr Bryant said the approach was already working well in other regional areas. “In Shepparton, an entire region is already reshaping its response through Goulburn Region Open Dialogue Connect,” he said. “Now it’s Warrnambool’s turn to explore what this could mean locally.”
Open Dialogue is an evidence-based approach to mental health that centres people in their own care — connected to family, friends, peers and local services in a grounded community network. It becomes core to the mental health response within services or across a whole community where multiple services coordinate this way of working.
The Warrnambool event will be facilitated by Mark Hopfenbeck, Senior Trainer in Open Dialogue who has 20 years of experience training mental health teams internationally and has been closely involved in Goulburn Region Open Dialogue Connect (GRODC), and Anita McCurdy, a Senior Manager of Open Dialogue & Youth Foyer at Berry Street Yooralla, a key community partner in GRODC.
People can register for the Warrnambool meeting by visiting Warrnambool – Open Dialogue Centre.

29/09/2026

A new award is being introduced to recognise farming excellence and pay tribute to a Toowoomba man who has made a big contribution to the hay and fodder industry nationally.

Feed Central and Feed Standards Australia have announced the establishment of the Cieran Maxwell Award for Excellence. The award will be presented as part of the annual Feed Central and Feed Standards Australia National Hay Quality Awards.

Coming out of the 5-star hospitality industry, Mr Maxwell joined Feed Central in 2013 and rose to the position of General Manager, a role he held for several years before leaving the business in 2022 following a bowel cancer diagnosis.

Managing director Tim Ford said that throughout his time with Feed Central, Mr Maxwell had a major influence on the business, customers and the industry.

“He had a genuine commitment to customer service, built strong relationships across the fodder industry and was closely involved with the Hay Quality Awards. Above all, Cieran believed in setting a standard and not allowing that standard to be compromised. He expected hay to be accurately represented, customers to be treated well and commitments to be honoured.”

The Cieran Maxwell Award for Excellence will recognise a farmer who has demonstrated these same qualities.

The existing hay awards recognise outstanding lots through visual assessment and feed analysis, but the new award goes further and also recognises the standard of the person behind it. Through this award, we hope to honour Cieran’s contribution and encourage the values he championed to continue across our business and the wider hay and fodder industry.

“The recipient will consistently produce or supply high-quality hay, they will be straightforward and reliable to deal with, maintain strong relationships and support the standards, culture and processes that help build confidence across the fodder industry.”

Mr Ford said Mr Maxwell was respected across the industry and he became an integral part of the fabric of the Feed Central business. “Naming this award in his honour is deeply personal to me and to our team.”

Mr Maxwell left Feed Central after his diagnosis to spend more time with his family and to fight the cancer.

At the time, he encouraged anyone with pains or symptoms to act quickly. “I did the typical male thing and put up with a bit of pain here and there before it got so bad, I had to go to hospital,” he said. “It’s vitally important that you get diagnosed as soon as possible if you have any issues.”

Before taking on leadership roles with Feed Central, Mr Maxwell worked in hospitality and managed four and five-star hotels from Brisbane to Sydney, and had previous agricultural connections, spending every opportunity and holidays with his wife and children at her family’s cattle property.

His connection with Feed Central started after a meeting with Mr Ford. “It was an opportunity to get into the ag business and learn from the bottom up something I was very passionate about,” he said.

“It was extremely rewarding because at Feed Central, we’re not just traders, we’re about quality assurance and feed testing and the ability for me to learn over that time means I got a lot out of it.”
The awards will next be announced in July 2027.

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22/09/2026

South West TAFE has confirmed its status as one of Victoria’s most respected vocational education and training providers by winning the state’s major training award for the second time in six years.

South West TAFE (SWTAFE) was on Friday night announced as 2026 Large Training Provider of the Year in the 2026 Victorian Training Awards. It will now compete for the national award which will be announced in Sydney on November 20.

This follows similar success in 2020 and being one of three finalists for the same award in 2024. SWTAFE went on to be crowned national winner in 2020.

CEO Mark Fidge said the win was a reflection of the team’s commitment to students, industry and the community.

“It was unexpected but really pleasing,” Mr Fidge said. “One of the things that sets us apart is having one team across the whole organisation working closely together. We understand what our students and industry partners are looking for and make sure we have a good staff experience. As a result of that, the culture of the organisation is positive and supportive.”

Mr Fidge said SWTAFE had been consistently at or near the top in the state’s staff, student and employer rankings.

“That consistency helps,” he said. “We feel like we are more than just a TAFE; that we are an important part of the community and how we support and represent the community stands out as a point of difference for us.”

Mr Fidge said SWTAFE was continuing to innovate and introduce new facilities to improve the student experience and get better outcomes for employers and the community.

SWTAFE won ahead of finalists Chisholm Institute and NECA Education & Careers.

In the awards announcement, SWTAFE was described as delivering accessible, high-quality education aligned to the Victorian Skills Plan.

“SWTAFE works closely with more than 300 employers and 26 schools to address workforce shortages in aged care, disability, early childhood education, agriculture, First Nations communities and skilled trades,” the awards announcement states.

“Continuous improvement is embedded across the organisation, driving innovation and stronger outcomes for students, industry and staff. This commitment has contributed to SWTAFE consistently ranking among Victoria’s highest-performing TAFEs for student and employer satisfaction. Current results include Victoria’s second-highest student satisfaction rate, a completion rate of 63.2% compared with the state average of 50.2%, and 88.3% of graduates employed or undertaking further study.

“Equity, access and inclusion are central to SWTAFE’s approach, with wrap-around support delivering strong outcomes for priority learner cohorts. More than just a TAFE, SWTAFE provides a lifetime of opportunity, strengthening communities and regional prosperity for all.”

The award is based on South West TAFE’s 2025 performance where 430 staff supported more than 7,000 students, resulting in about 4,600 job outcomes that deliver on the region's skills needs. South West TAFE is the number one VET provider in the region, with 67 per cent market share.
The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards that showcase best practice in vocational education and training (VET). The Awards recognise and celebrate excellence and are an important mechanism for promoting the benefits of VET and respect for skill-cased careers and skills excellence.

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22/09/2026

Statistics show that 2021 was a pivotal year in the journey of Chloe and Rodney Brown’s Jersey herd at Kirkstall in south-west Victoria.
Before that year, their herd’s Balanced Performance Index (BPI) was consistently below breed average but since that time it has consistently bettered the national average. The BPI is a measure of genetic merit for the key traits that affect dairy farm profitability.
Two major changes in 2021 have been instrumental in turning around their herd’s genetics - moving from a Jersey-Holstein mix to concentrate solely on Jerseys and starting genomic testing.
Their herd now ranks 63 in Australia for BPI with an average of 45. It consistently tracks above national average for genetic progress for longevity and has made significant improvements in genetic merit for fertility and mastitis.
Chloe says that concentrating on one breed and genomic testing all calves have been significant contributors to their success, with data playing a big role in their decision making.
“We’ve got history going back multi-generations and then genomics builds the story for what we do,” she said. “It gives us really good data to be able to make good decisions.”
Chloe and Rodney have been leasing his parents’ farm since 2016. They started with a five-year plan to go straight Jerseys, but it took a clearance sale to push them into action. “In 2021, Jamie Drury’s herd of cows was up for dispersal at Tamworth,” Chloe said. “It was a great herd so we bought 50 and sold about 80 Holsteins and also bought some local Jerseys.
“We had the five-year plan but hadn’t done anything about it, then with great dispersals, we could do it.”
Rodney had the Jersey portion of his family’s herd and continues to prefer the breed for its smaller stature, good feed conversion and high components.
“Our farm has a heavy clay base and can pug easily so the Holsteins did way more damage,” he said. “We also thought it would be easier to manage one herd, especially when it came to feeding. Concentrating on one breed has definitely improved the quality of the herd.”
They now milk about 200 cows on a compact 133 hectares, which also has to maintain young stock.
As part of their changes, Chloe and Rodney moved away from “just joining cows”.
“We have a clear vision of the type of cow we want,” Chloe said. “She needs to be strong in stature, milk really well, especially in terms of components, convert really well and do better on less, and she must get in calf. We focus on fertility, components and strength.”
They use selective mating, with genomics data becoming a more important cornerstone of their plans. At least 80 per cent of the herd has been genomically tested.
“We probably didn’t use the data as well as we should have at the start but now you realise you can’t do anything without data,” Rodney said.
“Now we look at the genomic data and every cow is visually assessed in the paddock and we have so much breeding and classification history to look back on. It becomes part of the jigsaw puzzle to figure out what we want.”
With their breeding consultant, Chloe and Rodney go through DataGene’s Good Bulls Guide to look at their best options.
“We look at who is at the top, what can we use, and what suits our herd. A bull might be number one in the country, but we ask ourselves will he actually suit our cows and can we achieve what we want to achieve with that bull.”
Nearly 80 per cent of their cows are bred from bulls that meet DataGene’s Good Bulls criteria. The bulls they have chosen over the past 10 years have improved their cows for BPI, HWI overall type, protein, fat, fertility, mastitis resistance and longevity.
While the vast majority of these improvements fit their goals and breeding choices, Chloe describes the improved longevity as a “happy accident”…not that she’s complaining. “It’s not a main focus but we always love having cows productive for as long as possible.”
They use a mix of sexed semen on cows along with conventional semen and a small percentage of beef semen.
While Jerseys are now their focus with cross-breeds exiting the herd, eldest daughter Charlotte, 11, decided to start her own herd this year, so a sprinkle of Holstein Reds have been added to the mix.
The herd calves in March-April and all heifer calves are genomically tested.
“We rear all the heifers to avoid the bobby calf market,” Chloe said. “That means we rear more heifers than we need, genomically test them, and then export the tail end. This year I reared 50, all genomically tested, but we only need to bring 35 in so we keep the best. The first line of defence is the genomics. “
Exports are a good source of extra income for the business. “Jerseys are never going to get as much as Holsteins but there is still a good market for them,” Rodney said. “We take out from the bottom and they’re ready to go. We’ve got history going back multi-generations for everything and then genomics builds the story for what we do.”

16/09/2026

Broken arm leads Warrnambool teenager to launch skate brand

A broken arm kept Warrnambool teenager Charlie Miller away from skateboarding for months but it inspired him to combine his two life passions – skating and design – into a new business with a message.
On Monday September 21, Charlie will officially launch his own skateboarding apparel and accessories brand, SKOCKZ, with support from WRAD Health.
“My message is all about bringing youth together through skateboarding,” Charlie said. “WRAD Health’s message aligns to my values – improving youth mental health through skateboarding.”
SKOCKZ currently has about 10 products, including hoodies, T-shirts, collectable keychains, and Charlie plans to grow the store.
A year 12 student at Warrnambool College, Charlie’s enforced time away from the sport had an unexpected consequence. “I broke my arm while I was on a trip about six months ago so I couldn’t skateboard for a couple of months,” he said.
“I felt completely isolated, stuck at home. Filming my mates at the skatepark and slowly building back got me through it. I realised how great the environment was — and that's the spirit this brand is built on.”
SKOCKZ started as a school project making skateboard socks but soon grew into an expanded enterprise. He’s already made some sales online and has 100 pairs of socks on the way.
Charlie uses illustrator and Canva to make his designs, which now includes Polymer Clay Skocksters.
“I’d love to continue doing my business and take a gap year next year and then go to uni to study design to make my skills even better,” he said.
Charlie has been skateboarding passionately for two years. “It sounds corny but it gives me a free feeling,” he said. “All the people at the skatepark are really nice. It’s not teenagers on their phones. It’s like a community and the skaters want to get everyone involved in skating, no matter what their age.
“I started SKOCKZ because the skatepark is where mates are made, tricks are learned, and everything else disappears for a while.”
Charlie’s website can be found here: SKOCKZ.

16/09/2026

Farming turns full circle for young farm manager
Farming has turned full circle for Kiarna Murfett who got a head start on her career with a DemoDAIRY Foundation scholarship and now manages the former DemoDAIRY farm.
At just 21, Kiarna has two staff and 280 cows under her control and she’s thriving with the position.
Terang farmers Paul and Christine Moloney bought the old DemoDAIRY farm in 2018, and appointed Kiarna as manager late last year.
As she comes up to her 12-month anniversary in the role, Kiarna says she’s enjoying the challenges that come with it.
As farm manager, Kiarna has responsibility for staff management, paddock rotations, ensuring the cows are well fed, organising summer crops and fertiliser programs, and organising the milking roster.
“It has been good; it’s definitely more responsibility trying to manage staff which is a new thing for me,” she said.
The cross-bred herd is milked in a new 55-unit rotary, which replaced the old herringbone used during the DemoDAIRY years.
Kiarna used the DemoDAIRY Foundation scholarship to help her complete her Certificate III and Diploma in Agriculture and to buy tools and work clothes.
She says her study put her in good stead for a management role. “It’s definitely helped having more knowledge to mix with my hands-on experience.”
“I wanted to progress and do something like this. When I was offered the position, I didn’t know if I was ready but thought I’d give it a go and I’m pleased I did.”
The season is shaping up well for the business. “We’re struggling for grass at the moment but hopefully it takes off in the next few weeks,” Kiarna said.
Kiarna’s sister Taleah Murfett also received a DemoDAIRY Foundation scholarship and works on a district dairy farm. The sisters along with younger sister Nikaiah grew up on their parents’ dairy farm at Framingham.
Last year Kiarna was sponsored by DemoDAIRY Foundation to join a New Zealand Dairy Study Tour, supported by the Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC).
In 2015, the Board of the former research and demonstration DemoDAIRY farm on the Princes Highway announced it wouldn’t operate as a milk production business from April 2016. They planned to lease the farm but that didn’t work out and in 2017 they began the process of winding up the cooperative and removing cows after exhausting all options to remain open. The property was sold via expressions of interest in February 2018.
DemoDAIRY Foundation will wind up in 2027. It is no longer offering scholarships but will consider study tour grants for farmer groups or individuals to learn about dairying and farm business management in other areas.

14/09/2026

Australia’s hay season is looking promising but farmers are being warned they’re going to need every bale with a strong El Nino coming.

Feed Central’s and LocalAg’s latest Australian Hay Market Outlook report has confirmed that current hay stocks are relatively high and the market is set to enter a significant production period.

However, Feed Central and LocalAg founder Tim Ford said that while the season was looking promising with strong crop prospects, “history shows that supply can fall quickly when seasonal demand increases”.

Mr Ford warned there was the potential for a serious feed shortfall like in 2016.

“Less than 12 months ago, within our system we were down to about 20,000 tonnes and bringing hay in from Western Australia by road and rail. This shows just how fast these carryover seasons can disappear.

“Our key recommendation is to make the hay—and focus on quality.”

Mr Ford said there while the main hay regions were having a great season, there were very strong indications that the El Nino is starting to make an impact.

“The big hay belt across northern Victoria, southern New South Wales and into South Australia is having an exceptional season at the moment,” Mr Ford said. “Some southern areas are dealing with waterlogging, but there is a very significant hay crop developing.”

However, conditions are considerably drier in southern and central Queensland, where pastures and winter crops are under pressure and hay production is being affected, and it appears that the drought regions are growing and spreading south. “I have been in this game for a long time now and to me this is shaping up like 2016, where there was an oversupply and a big carry over, but by June 2017 stocks were significantly depleted,” Mr Ford said.

Mr Ford said the forecast conditions meant farmers needed to be proactive with making hay.

“Everyone needs to be aware that the long-term forecast is for a very strong El Nino, and that has been a very consistent forecast for some time. Many regions are already experiencing it.

“We expect supply to increase as we move into the new season, so prices may come back in the short term, but longer-term demand could increase if dry conditions persist across eastern Australia,” he added.

Mr Ford said bale weights would be very important due to the current high fuel prices.
“It is a win for the seller, the buyer and the transport company when we can load trucks to capacity. Bale weight, density, location and truck access are key considerations. Feedlots, dairies and other volume buyers are active, but remain highly conscious of pricing and freight.”

Mr Ford advised growers to keep engaged with the market and keep their listings up to date.

The report can be viewed at https://youtu.be/a6rER11216A. Feed Central has also published the 2026/27 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 booklet, available as a digital download or print copy at https://lnkd.in/gzWsqaZT

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09/09/2026

Webinar to outline research on impact of break crops on northern Vic farms

A webinar on Tuesday September 22 will detail recent research into growing quality crops for forage and how using break crops in a continuous fodder growing system can benefit farmers.

Research and innovation coordinator with Murray Dairy, Yvette Williams, will outline findings from two research projects into forage agronomy and crop rotation during the Grassland Society of Southern Australia webinar.

The Break Crops and Forage Production: Practical Insights for Farmers meeting starts at 7pm on September 22.

Register in advance for this meeting at
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_8AFNn4zQgakxmI1YVzV3g.

Ms Williams said the research aimed to develop information that helps farmers transitioning from a perennial pasture base to more annual and cereal crops to maintain a sustainable forage production system.

“Farmers in northern Victoria are looking at feeding cows differently and we’re trying to find ways to support them,” she said.

There are a number of reasons farmers change from perennials to annuals, including climate change, seasonal volatility, and changes to water availability in the region.

“Some dairy farmers are transitioning to more intensive, contained dairy systems, including keeping cows in sheds full time which means they feed them differently. The cows don’t have to graze so farmers can grow different types of crops to use for mixed rations.

“Changes are happening and we’ve got to support farmers as they change.”

The first project, which started in 2020, brought together research expertise and farmer networks across the Murray region to answer practical questions such as which crops give the best yield and quality, what management practices make the most impact on end result and how farmers can reduce risk when seasonal conditions turn.

The project was a collaboration between Murray Dairy, Agriculture Victoria, Birchip Cropping Group (BCG), Irrigated Cropping Council (ICC), The University of Melbourne, Riverine Plains and Southern Growers, funded by the Australian Government through the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program.

Ms Williams will focus on winter cereal trials and outline what the results say about levers farmers have for impacting forge quality.

The second project is investigating the importance of break crops in continuous dairy fodder growing systems. Ms Williams said farmers moving to annual cropping usually chose crops good for dairy cow nutrition and producing high amounts of high-quality feed.

“The problem is it usually ends up being heavy on cereals, wheats, barley and maize with not much from other plant families included, such as legumes and brassicas. We want to make sure farms are going to be sustainable into the future and not be susceptible to a build-up of disease or pests and to understand the changes from nutrition and soil health points of view.”

Crop rotation trials are being conducted at two sites near Kerang, one under irrigation and one on a dryland system. “Most farmers in the region have irrigation but dryland blocks are an important asset on dairy farms for growing fodder,” Ms Williams said.

The webinar will focus on the results over the past two years from break crop treatments applied on the dryland site.

Ms Williams said break crops, usually using non-cereals such as legumes and canola, were an important option for farmers. “The evidence from the grain industry is that you can’t continuously grow the same high-value cereal crops because you will end up with issues such as nutrient depletion, disease, pests and weeds. Adding a completely different crop and completely different plant family can benefit your overall grain-growing system.”

The research aims to understand if the benefits are the same in forage growing systems where crops are harvested earlier and not taken through to grain.

“So far, we have seen differences in soil nitrogen with the break crops, in line with what would be expected with legume-type break crops, while the yields are quite variable and maybe not as expected.”

The research will continue for a further two years.

The webinar is the first in a series of four planned over the next 12 months by the Grassland Society of Southern Australia.

People interested in joining the GSSA can visit https://www.grasslands.org.au. Students can become members for free. GSSA has successfully promoted the business of grass, science and farming since 1959 and has branches in Victoria, South Australia and southern NSW.

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