Little ray of Sunshine
A LITTLE ray of sunshine is coming to the Wimmera on Saturday, October 8 in the form of a 30-member brass band from the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine.
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Band members plan to shop up a storm in Donald and St Arnaud as part of the Empty Suitcase initiative as well as provide free entertainment at the Donald Agricultural Show and St Arnaud Orchid Show.
After reading about the plight of Wimmera communities after successive drought years, I phoned a Donald local and asked ‘what could I do to help?’
The reply was ‘come and visit, but bring an empty suitcase’.
As a Salvation Army chaplain, the Empty Suitcase concept really struck a chord with me on many levels, addressing issues of sustainability and wellbeing.
I talked to other members of the band about it at our weekly practice and we decided to bring the whole band.
The Empty Suitcase encourages visitors, family and friends to rural communities to spend money in local towns, delivering a cash injection right to the heart of the community and helping to sustain essential town businesses during times of hardship until surrounding farm businesses recover.
When we planned to come up in October, we hoped that the drought would have ended and we’d be celebrating a good season, or helping raise spirits of locals if the drought continued, but we never imagined there would be floods.
The band has strong historical links to farming. Employees of HV McKay’s Braybrook Implement Works (makers of the Sunshine Harvester) established the band in the early 1900s. They practiced in the factory core room, played at lunchtimes on the foundry floor and entertained in the community to raise money for charity.
The band has achieved great success in competitions, winning two national titles, and was runner-up four times. The band is a regular participant at the Bendigo Eisteddfod and has also won two state championships at the Royal South Street Competition at Ballarat.
The band’s current music director is Wayne Bowden, a highly decorated international soloist, who has represented Australia twice at the Errol Mason Brass Musician of the Year.
After the performance at the Donald Agricultural Show on Saturday at 12.30pm, the Sunshine Community Brass Band will travel to St Arnaud to entertain patrons at the St Arnaud Orchid Show from 3pm to 5pm. The band will then combine with the St Arnaud Citizens Band in the evening. On Sunday, the band will perform traditional hymns at an ecumenical service at the St Arnaud Uniting Church from 10.30pm.
ANDREW WILSON
President, Sunshine Community Brass Band
Report illegal hunting
THE Game Management Authority has introduced a new online form people can use to report incidents of suspected illegal game hunting activity.
The new form makes reporting illegal hunting quick and easy for people to report the time, date, location, nature of the suspected offence and descriptions of any people or vehicles involved. It is important land owners, hunters and the general public continue to assist the authority combat illegal game hunting in Victoria.
Anyone who witnesses suspected illegal hunting activity should report it.
It is critical that hunters maintain the highest behavioural standards, comply with the law and continue to meet the community’s expectations concerning their conduct when hunting. Creating a culture of reporting and not tolerating illegal behaviour is a key pillar of the RESPECT: Hunt Responsibly program, which is supported by government agencies, hunting organisations and the hunting industry.
If officers cannot respond immediately, the information is not wasted and is entered into a database which helps to identify crime hotspots and suspected offenders. The information will be used for targeted surveillance and enforcement efforts.
Game hunting is worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Victorian economy each year and supports thousands of jobs. Much of this benefits regional towns and economies. Be our eyes and ears and help the authority and Victoria Police respond to suspected illegal hunting by reporting it. This will help to ensure hunting is conducted safely, sustainably and responsibly.
The new form can be found at www.gma.vic.gov.au
GREG HYAMS
CEO, Game Management Authority
Ride2Work Day
NATIONAL Ride2Work Day on Wednesday, October 12 is the largest celebration of bike riding in Australia.
National Ride2Work Day is a great tool for Aussies to get in the routine of active travel.
National Ride2Work Day is the perfect way to get back on the bike – you’ll be with thousands of other riders helping build a healthier Australia.
Riding a bike to and from work is one of the best ways to get fit and active, reduce stress, beat the traffic, save money and you’ll even have a bit of fun along the way.
Bicycle Network’s Ride2Work program prides itself on its success in getting more people out of cars and onto bikes by providing the tools, support and advice that new riders and workplaces need. Nearly half of all people who rode to work for the first time on National Ride2Work Day 2015 told us that they are now riding every week.
Community breakfasts will be held across Australia as part of the event. To find your local community breakfast or add your event to the interactive map visit www.ride2work.com.au
TESS ALLAWAY
Bicycle Network