The median house price in Moonambel has jumped 61 percent in five years - from $347,500 to $560,000 - as part of a price surge across the Pyrenees driven by out-of-state investors and buyers priced out of Ballarat. 

❓What happened: The Pyrenees is a region known for a rich wine production sector, located approximately two hours west of Melbourne. 

Prominent townships include Avoca, Beaufort, Moonambel and Lexton, and each one has seen a price increase at the top end of the spectrum since 2021. 

Why is it increasing? A West Vic-based real estate agent told the Brolga that only two agencies operate out of the Pyrenees region, and many of the sales go through Ballarat agencies instead. 

🗣️: “I think one of the reasons [prices are increasing] is because of events in Ballarat,” he said. “If Ballarat is up, the surrounding regions are up. So many people are pushing up from Ballarat or even Melbourne who are priced out, but they can afford to buy in those smaller areas.” 

• New developments were also flagged as a factor changing the composition of the market. 

🗣️: “Ten years ago, agencies in Ballarat would be carrying 2000 properties, with 1800 ready to move in”, he said. “With new developments, you have 1750 on the market but only a third of those are move-in ready. The rest of the blocks of land to build, but they’re still listed online and linked to a display home.” 

Incoming: Out-of-state investors are also entering the market, with reports of investors often making offers before properties even enter the market. 

• “There’s a huge influx of investors, especially interstate, that are looking in that $400,000 to $650,000 area and driving competition.” Damian Shackell, Residential Sales Consultant at PRD Ballarat, told the Brolga in March.

In Avoca: Five years ago, the average price for a home was $299,000. Now, it’s closer to $415,000. That’s an increase close to 39 percent. 

56 Bridport Street is currently for sale in this bracket. It’s a four-bedroom home with gas cooking, open plan dining and living and a garage on 1,200 square metres of land. It’s on the market with a price guide between $385,000 and $415,000. 

In Beaufort: Five years ago, the median house price in Beaufort sat at $348,000. In 2026, the number is closer to $450,000 according to PropTrack. That’s an increase of 29.3 percent. 

32 Olinda Street is on the market with three bedrooms, built-in wardrobes and a lot of white walls to serve as a blank canvas. The listed price is $449,000. 

In Moonambel: Moonambel has seen the largest increase. Five years ago, the median house price was $347,500 but in 2026, it sits at $560,000. That’s an increase of 61 percent. 

The market in Moonambel is mostly open lots, or established million-dollar homes. 32 Brooke Street is on the market for $447,500, below the median price. It’s a restored 1800s miner’s cottage, with two bedrooms and a few chandeliers. 

In Lexton: In Lexton, properties were looking at a median price of $380,000 five years ago. In 2026, the median house price is $460,000 which indicates an increase of 21 percent. 

32 Waldy Street is listed between $449,500 to $494,450 and sits on six acres of land. It’s a three bedroom home with an updated kitchen. The home is walking distance from the local general store.

Sixteen new dementia care beds are a step closer for Camperdown, with Corangamite Shire Council voting unanimously to negotiate a lease over part of Jaycee Park to allow Sunnyside House to expand its aged care facility.

What happened: At last Tuesday’s council meeting, councillors authorised chief executive David Rae, or a delegate, to negotiate the terms of a potential long-term lease for a portion of the 1.32-hectare reserve on Manifold Street. Any final lease agreement will return to councillors for approval.

• Sunnyside House, which has operated in Camperdown since 2001, plans to add 16 dementia care beds and a dedicated wellness centre to meet growing demand. 

• The proposal also requires additional car parking and upgraded fire services infrastructure, with part of Jaycee Park identified as the preferred location.

Why it matters: The decision comes as access to aged care remains a growing challenge nationally, particularly in regional areas.

• A 2024-25 federal government report found 58.9 percent of aged care residents waited up to nine months before being allocated a place. 

• Between November and March this year, Australia’s average wait time between applying for aged care services and receiving care was 294 days, while Victoria recorded the nation's shortest median wait time at 273 days.

Local shortages: In neighbouring town Terang, the 2023 closure of the town’s main aged care facility, May Noonan, left a sizable shortage of available aged care beds between Warrnambool and Colac. 

• The loss of May Noonan’s 40 beds means the town now has 15 aged care places, forcing older residents to move away from their families and support networks.

• A local Terang aged care nurse who had been in the industry for 10 years previously told the Brolga the remaining facilities had turned to agency nurses and foreign nurses to address staff shortages.

A need for the shire: Councillor Geraldine Conheady said demand for aged care services in Corangamite was growing.

🗣️ “The 16 dementia care beds and a dedicated wellness centre are solidly needed, not just in Camperdown but across the whole shire,” she told the meeting.

• Councillor Conheady acknowledged residents had raised concerns during community consultation but believed many could be addressed through the project's design.

• Councillor Ruth Gstrein acknowledged the proposal would reduce green space but said Corangamite Shire was “somewhat blessed with the amount of green space we do have”.

Locals weigh in: Consultation held between April 15 and May 7 attracted 21 submissions and a community drop-in session. 

• Residents raised concerns about the loss of parkland, impacts on native flora and fauna and the proximity of a proposed car park to the playground. Others said the park was underused and supported additional dementia care services.

Now what? Council said community feedback would be considered during the design phase, with measures such as minimising vegetation loss, installing safety fencing and reducing the development footprint among the options to address community concerns.

⏱️ This edition of the West Vic Brolga newsletter is a five-minute read.

🎉 It’s Friday again, welcome back to the Brolga newsletter. Zara here to take you through.

This edition, I spoke to Dave Meadows, the brains behind Smoke & Soul, a project partnering with charities across Australia to bring free American-style barbecue to regional communities experiencing homelessness or food insecurity.

He stopped in Hamilton recently with his family as part of a national food drive.

Meanwhile, Darcie took a deep dive on the current H5N1 bird flu and what measures local wildlife veterinary experts and the state government are taking to minimise the impact of the disease should it spread south.

Headlines from Southern Grampians and Glenelg 🗞️

🥘 “More people living in cars than ever”: The national barbecue food drive offering a warm meal to vulnerable locals

Before most of Hamilton had stirred on a freezing June morning, Dave Meadows was already tending the charcoal. Soon after, the smoke from his barbecue drew more than 100 people to the Salvation Army centre for a free meal.

What happened: Meadows, his wife Cara and daughters Charlotte and Sofia brought their Smoke & Soul national food drive to the Salvation Army church on Kennedy Street on June 18, serving free slow-cooked pulled pork rolls to local residents in need.

• The family is travelling Australia with custom-built barbecue trailers, partnering with charities to provide meals while raising awareness of homelessness and food insecurity.

Local impact: Meadows said Hamilton left a lasting impression on the family.

🗣️ “That was a day we'll never, ever forget,” he said.“They told us the same thing we were hearing from other local charities - that the numbers of people needing a hand had doubled in the past two years, with more people living in cars than ever”.

• He told the Brolga while some of the locals who came to the barbecue were experiencing homelessness or housing stress, others were “just not able to make ends meet”.

🗣️ “The demographic in Hamilton was people that are a bit older and who are on the pension, so not necessarily homeless, but the pension is just not paying them enough to live, once they pay their bills, they just can't afford to eat,” he said.

Helping hand: Hamilton Salvation Army helped prepare rolls, organise the crowd and pack takeaway meals for people unable to attend.

🗣️ “The volunteers at the Hamilton Salvo’s were absolutely incredible. Everyone was just so friendly and so enthusiastic,” he said.

Homelessness in Southern Grampians: According to the Barwon South West Homelessness Network, 311 people received support for homelessness in the Southern Grampians Shire in the 2024-25 financial year. 

• 188 households were on the Victorian Housing Register’s priority access housing waitlist.

Full story below.

“More people living in cars than ever”: The national barbecue food drive offering a warm meal to vulnerable locals

Dave and Cara Meadows stopped in Hamilton on their national drive to provide a free American-style barbecue and raise awareness of homelessness and food insecurity.

🔋 Glenelg Shire has three operating wind farms and two approved battery projects. It says its ready for more

Glenelg Shire wants to be a larger player in Victoria’s renewable energy future, arguing the region is ready for more projects despite not being included in one of the state’s Renewable Energy Zones.

What happened: Councillors adopted a submission to VicGrid’s Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines at last month’s meeting, calling for Renewable Energy Zones to be expanded into Glenelg as the state’s electricity network grows over the coming decades.

Putting the hand up: Acting council CEO Aaron Moyne told the Brolga Glenelg has been involved in renewable planning with the state government and VicGrid for a “long period of time”.

🗣️ “We’ve provided a number of submissions to the government on the development of renewable energy zones, the role and the opportunity for Glenelg Shire,” he said.

“The council’s not included in a Renewable Energy Zone yet. We have existing operational projects and approved projects … we see that there’s potentially an opportunity for future expansion of the renewable zones into the shire.”

Why would you want to be in a REZ? Moyne said being in a REZ could create more opportunities for local investment, jobs and supporting local industries, but that growth needed to be carefully planned.

🗣️ “We’ll continue to work with VicGrid and the state government around obtaining community feedback, understanding what the priorities are and looking at areas across the shire that might be suited to renewable development,” he said.

• He said Glenelg’s deep-water port and established industries could help attract businesses involved in building and maintaining renewable energy projects.

Consultation and benefits: In its submission, Glenelg called for stronger community consultation and better planning for future transmission lines.

🗣️ “Something that we’re really cognisant of as a council is trying to derive maximum community benefits from some of these projects,” Moyne said.

Projects a-plenty: There are currently three wind farms operating in the Glenelg Shire, near Codrington and Portland, two approved large-scale battery energy storage projects at Portland and Heywood, and the approved Kentbruck Green Power Hub between Portland and Nelson.

Rules are rules: Before adopting the submission, councillors removed wording that suggested the existing wind farms at Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater could be repowered without going through a full planning process.

• Instead, they agreed any future development at those sites should face the same environmental and planning assessments as any new renewable energy project.

Full story below.

Glenelg Shire has three operating wind farms and two approved battery projects. It says its ready for more

A regional advocate says councils should help communities to set clear expectations about what they want from renewable projects.

Latest stories from Ballarat and Hepburn 🗞️

🐦‍⬛ Bird flu could wipe out Ballarat’s black swans, but experts say preparedness offers hope

Black swans die every time they're infected with bird flu due to an immune system deficiency - and the highly infectious H5N1 strain has now been detected in three Australian states, putting Ballarat's iconic Lake Wendouree population at risk.

But local wildlife veterinary experts and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action of Victoria (DEECA) say a coordinated effort could remove some of the risk. 

❓What happened: The black swan is a well-known emblem in Australia, particularly across Western Australia. In Victoria, the bird has become synonymous with Ballarat due to their prevalence in Wadawurrung culture, and the highly visible population at Lake Wendouree. 

• Concerns have been raised after bird flu was detected in Western Australia in mid-June. It’s now additionally been detected in New South Wales and South Australia. 

• The virus has killed hundreds of millions of birds across the globe since 2021, with some species projected to take decades to recover. 

• Black swans are particularly susceptible to bird flu.

• A 2023 study found an immune system deficiency causes bird flu to kill every black swan it infects. It cited the isolation of the species to a concentrated geographic area causing a “limited immune repertoire”, which essentially means the species has an increased vulnerability to infectious diseases that originate outside of Australia. 

Why it matters: Should the virus arrive in Victoria, it could cause a mass mortality event for black swans. 

What can be done? Nikki Shanahan, Hospital Director at Ballarat Wildlife Hospital, said that while the arrival of the virus in Australia is creating anxiety and uncertainty, there is help available. 

🗣️: “Our message is simple: if you find injured, sick or orphaned wildlife, please do not assume there is nowhere to take it. Contact Ballarat Wildlife Hospital or Wildlife Victoria for advice.” 

Shanahan also told the Brolga that local rescuers and carers have begun attending training sessions to ensure their Personal Protective Equipment is in order and their hygiene, transport and carrier protocols are suitable. 

Full story below.

Bird flu could wipe out Ballarat’s black swans, but experts say preparedness offers hope

“Our message is simple: if you find injured, sick or orphaned wildlife, please do not assume there is nowhere to take it”.

☀️Hepburn Shire has awarded $20,000 to help cool the regional towns that once never needed air conditioning

Chrissy’s house in Clunes once had no air conditioning - until recently. After 30 years of living in the typically cool region, rising temperatures have meant Chrissy and her neighbours see it as becoming a necessity. 

The change in temperature has also confronted regional communities with the challenge of improving heat resilience. 

❓What happened: Last month, Hepburn Shire Council awarded both Creswick Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) and Clunes Neighbourhood House (CNH) $10,000 each to prepare the towns for extreme heat.

The funding came through the Sustainable Hepburn Grants Program, to expand heat resilience work that has been piloting in the community since 2023. They were chosen against 17 other applicants. 

🌳 From Creswick: Chrissy Austin, manager of CNC, said neighbourhood centres and libraries are where residents seek refuge during extreme heat. 

• The new funding will contribute to the installation of more cooling systems in their community hall and neighbourhood house. It will also help the organisation purchase a battery to protect their fridges, freezers and power sources should power outages occur during heatwaves.

Austin said for the community of Creswick, having a comfortable community space during extended heat waves was crucial, especially for older residents. 

“It makes sense for people to come together. It’s more cost-efficient,” Austin said. “Having a chat is better than sitting at home day after day.” 

Full story below.

Hepburn Shire has awarded $20,000 to help cool the regional towns that once never needed air conditioning.

Creswick Neighbourhood Centre and Clunes Neighbourhood House have been given funding to continue work on the ground preparing their communities for extreme heat.

That’s a wrap for today’s newsletter, thanks for sticking around.

Darcie will be back in your inbox on Wednesday, but you can check us out on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook any time.

Stay warm this weekend and fingers crossed the Cats win against the Giants tomorrow.

👋🏻 Until next Friday,
Zara

Glenelg Shire wants to be a larger player in Victoria’s renewable energy future, arguing the region is ready for more projects despite not being included in one of the state’s Renewable Energy Zones.

What happened: Councillors adopted a submission to VicGrid’s Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines at last month’s meeting, calling for Renewable Energy Zones to be expanded into Glenelg as the state’s electricity network grows over the coming decades.

Putting the hand up: Acting council CEO Aaron Moyne told the Brolga Glenelg has been involved in renewable planning with the state government and VicGrid for a “long period of time”.

🗣️ “We’ve provided a number of submissions to the government on the development of renewable energy zones, the role and the opportunity for Glenelg Shire,” he said.

“The council’s not included in a Renewable Energy Zone yet. We have existing operational projects and approved projects … we see that there’s potentially an opportunity for future expansion of the renewable zones into the shire.”

Why would you want to be in a REZ? Moyne said being in a REZ could create more opportunities for local investment, jobs and supporting local industries, but that growth needed to be carefully planned.

🗣️ “We’ll continue to work with VicGrid and the state government around obtaining community feedback, understanding what the priorities are and looking at areas across the shire that might be suited to renewable development,” he said.

• He said Glenelg’s deep-water port and established industries could help attract businesses involved in building and maintaining renewable energy projects.

Consultation and benefits: In its submission, Glenelg called for stronger community consultation and better planning for future transmission lines.

🗣️ “Something that we’re really cognisant of as a council is trying to derive maximum community benefits from some of these projects,” Moyne said.

Projects a-plenty: There are currently three wind farms operating in the Glenelg Shire, near Codrington and Portland, two approved large-scale battery energy storage projects at Portland and Heywood, and the approved Kentbruck Green Power Hub between Portland and Nelson.

Rules are rules: Before adopting the submission, councillors removed wording that suggested the existing wind farms at Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater could be repowered without going through a full planning process.

• Instead, they agreed any future development at those sites should face the same environmental and planning assessments as any new renewable energy project.

Representing Glenelg: Moyne said Glenelg did not make the final decision on renewable energy developments.

🗣️“We’ve got that interplay between council representing community views, whilst working through a state government planning process for renewable infrastructure and approvals,” he said.

“We’ll play a role, so our planning team and staff here at council work through that ... but we don't lead or manage the planning process ourselves.”

The role of councils: RE-Alliance national director Andrew Bray said councils played an important role in helping communities shape renewable energy projects.

🗣️ “The best outcomes happen when councils work closely with their communities to help them move from simply reacting to projects, to setting clear expectations about what they want from the shift to renewable energy,” he said. “That might include local jobs, housing, roads, training, cheaper energy, community facilities or long-term investment funds.”

“The missing piece that isn’t yet happening is conversations with communities that centre on what communities want for the place they live in. For example, how will new energy projects make our places better places to live?”

What is good engagement? Bray said “high-quality engagement is not a glossy brochure or a one-off town hall” and should be a long-term, respectful and transparent relationship.

🗣️ “A good benefit-sharing model looks beyond individual payments and asks: what will this leave behind for the broader district in 10, 20 or 30 years?” he said.

“That could include community-led funds, energy bill relief, housing, training, local procurement, shared ownership models, or investment in services the region has been asking for,” he said. “The point is not just to compensate for change, but to turn renewable energy investment into long-term regional strength.”

Chrissy’s house in Creswick once had no air conditioning - until recently. After 30 years of living in the typically cool region, rising temperatures have meant Chrissy and her neighbours see it as becoming a necessity. 

The change in temperature has also confronted regional communities with the challenge of improving heat resilience. 

❓What happened: Last month, Hepburn Shire Council awarded both Creswick Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) and Clunes Neighbourhood House (CNH) $10,000 each to prepare the towns for extreme heat.

The funding came through the Sustainable Hepburn Grants Program, to expand heat resilience work that has been piloting in the community since 2023. They were chosen against 17 other applicants. 

🌳 From Creswick: Chrissy Austin, manager of CNC, said neighbourhood centres and libraries are where residents seek refuge during extreme heat. 

• The new funding will contribute to the installation of more cooling systems in their community hall and neighbourhood house. It will also help the organisation purchase a battery to protect their fridges, freezers and power sources should power outages occur during heatwaves.

Austin said for the community of Creswick, having a comfortable community space during extended heat waves was crucial, especially for older residents. 

“It makes sense for people to come together. It’s more cost-efficient,” Austin said. “Having a chat is better than sitting at home day after day.” 

📚 From Clunes: Lana de Kort, the manager at CNH, said Hepburn Shire had an increasingly ageing population, but any resident could be overheated and not even know. 

• “It’s like a car engine, revving and revving. You haven't slept well the night before, you’re dehydrated.” 

She told the Brolga small communities depend on their connection during extreme weather events like heat waves. 

• “They know someone that knows someone, can tell if someone is falling between the cracks, [they’re] aware of the local barriers and local issues that someone else may not be aware of,” she told the Brolga. 

🗣️: “In country towns, when you when you walk through the street on a hot day there is no shade, no public water taps, and you can’t walk long distances. And if you’re in a town that doesn’t have public transport, that can become an issue.” 

Change on the horizon: Hepburn Shire Councillor, and current Greens candidate for Ripon, Tim Drylie said the project was a key example of council and community coming together to collaborate on heat resilience. 

• “They don’t need a lot of convincing because it’s their lived experience. We probably needed it 10 years ago. There’s been major delays from all levels of government in rolling out mitigation measures.” 

🌏 The bigger picture: Data from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCEEW) shows that Australia has warmed by 1.51 degrees since 1910, and extreme heat events are becoming more common on both a national and global scale. 

Doctor Annette Stellemma, a Research Scientist at CSIRO said that in the coming decades, a changing climate will cause temperatures to continue rising. 

⌚What next: Councillor Drylie said with recent fires, livestock loss and biodiversity loss across the region, regional councils are increasingly supporting their ratepayers through extreme events. 

• “The future is partly about better funding models, both at council level and a federal level, like the councils coming together to advocate for a polluter’s pay model.” 

Both de Kort and Austin said temperatures are not going down, and it’s important communities are given the new information they need to adapt.

Before most of Hamilton had stirred on a freezing June morning, Dave Meadows was already tending the charcoal. Soon after, the smoke from his barbecue drew more than 100 people to the Salvation Army centre for a free meal.

What happened: Meadows, his wife Cara and daughters Charlotte and Sofia brought their Smoke & Soul national food drive to the Salvation Army church on Kennedy Street on June 18, serving free slow-cooked pulled pork rolls to local residents in need.

• The family is travelling Australia with custom-built barbecue trailers, partnering with charities to provide meals while raising awareness of homelessness and food insecurity.

Local impact: Meadows said Hamilton left a lasting impression on the family.

🗣️ “That was a day we'll never, ever forget,” he said.“They told us the same thing we were hearing from other local charities - that the numbers of people needing a hand had doubled in the past two years, with more people living in cars than ever”.

• He told the Brolga while some of the locals who came to the barbecue were experiencing homelessness or housing stress, others were “just not able to make ends meet”.

🗣️ “The demographic in Hamilton was people that are a bit older and who are on the pension, so not necessarily homeless, but the pension is just not paying them enough to live, once they pay their bills, they just can't afford to eat,” he said.

Helping hand: Hamilton Salvation Army helped prepare rolls, organise the crowd and pack takeaway meals for people unable to attend.

🗣️ “The volunteers at the Hamilton Salvo’s were absolutely incredible. Everyone was just so friendly and so enthusiastic,” he said.

Homelessness in Southern Grampians: According to the Barwon South West Homelessness Network, 311 people received support for homelessness in the Southern Grampians Shire in the 2024-25 financial year. 

• 188 households were on the Victorian Housing Register’s priority access housing waitlist.

The background: Smoke & Soul grew from Meadows' experience volunteering with charity meal services in Adelaide, where he saw firsthand the impact a hot meal could have on people experiencing homelessness.

🗣️ “We did a big feed on this freezing cold night. I mean really cold - we were all rugged up, everyone was in hats and coats and after the service a guy came up to me to have a word,” he said.

“The people we were working with were able to kit him out with shoes, clothes, pants, a jacket, anything we could do. I remember thinking that this problem, homelessness, people living so close to the line, it’s not going away.”

National food drive: The Hamilton barbecue was the second stop on the family's national tour after Adelaide, with the group aiming to host a community barbecue every three days as they continue travelling around Australia.

Black swans die every time they're infected with bird flu due to an immune system deficiency - and the highly infectious H5N1 strain has now been detected in three Australian states, putting Ballarat's iconic Lake Wendouree population at risk.

But local wildlife veterinary experts and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action of Victoria (DEECA) say a coordinated effort could remove some of the risk. 

❓What happened: The black swan is a well-known emblem in Australia, particularly across Western Australia. In Victoria, the bird has become synonymous with Ballarat due to their prevalence in Wadawurrung culture, and the highly visible population at Lake Wendouree. 

• Concerns have been raised after bird flu was detected in Western Australia in mid-June. It’s now additionally been detected in New South Wales and South Australia. 

• The virus has killed hundreds of millions of birds across the globe since 2021, with some species projected to take decades to recover. 

• Black swans are particularly susceptible to bird flu.

• A 2023 study found an immune system deficiency causes bird flu to kill every black swan it infects. It cited the isolation of the species to a concentrated geographic area causing a “limited immune repertoire”, which essentially means the species has an increased vulnerability to infectious diseases that originate outside of Australia. 

Why it matters: Should the virus arrive in Victoria, it could cause a mass mortality event for black swans. 

What can be done? Nikki Shanahan, Hospital Director at Ballarat Wildlife Hospital, said that while the arrival of the virus in Australia is creating anxiety and uncertainty, there is help available. 

🗣️: “Our message is simple: if you find injured, sick or orphaned wildlife, please do not assume there is nowhere to take it. Contact Ballarat Wildlife Hospital or Wildlife Victoria for advice.” 

Shanahan also told the Brolga that local rescuers and carers have begun attending training sessions to ensure their Personal Protective Equipment is in order and their hygiene, transport and carrier protocols are suitable. 

DEECA told the Brolga it’s been engaged with the National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance program for many years, and they have begun internal planning for priority locations in Victoria. 

🗣️: “Victoria has been preparing for a potential bird flu outbreak,” the spokesperson said. “This includes being engaged heavily with industry and stakeholders on the importance of good biosecurity and how to report to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline.” 

“The Victorian Government has invested more than $130 million to boost our preparedness to respond to biosecurity threats, including emergency animal diseases.” 

What next: DEECA said the key is to record and report any ill wildlife directly using the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888, especially clusters of five or more sick and dead wild birds. 

🗣️: “While there is no current evidence of H5 bird flu in Victoria, the interstate detections reinforce the need for prompt reporting.”

For more information on bird flu, head here. 

⏱️ This edition of the West Vic Brolga newsletter is a five-minute read.

👋🏻 Hello Brolga readers, Darcie with you today. It was 0 degrees this morning in the ‘Rat and I could see my own breath indoors. Winter has arrived.

Let’s get into the news 👉️ 

In the last week, I did the gruelling work of investigating the best spots for a sweet treat in West Vic, and spoke to a Ballarat author about the trials and tribulations of writing the A-Z of Ballarat’s history: Ballaralphabet.

I also reported on farmers redesigning their wind breaks to incorporate extra layers made up of native plants - it not only helps biodiversity, but also protects the soil from extreme weather ⛈️ 

Zara looked into the 500+ local governments (including Golden Plains) pushing for a billion dollar national fund to cover the cost of climate-change damage, paid for by coal, oil and gas companies in Australia.

Just quickly: Do you remember Blockbuster? Last week, I was reminded of the beauty of DVD (and VHS) rental while covering the best galleries in the region. If you didn’t know, Backspace Gallery on Mair Street was formally a Blockbuster, and the sign was up all the way until last year.

Shout at editor@westvicbrolga.com.au with your best 2000s memories renting movies, and let’s all indulge in a warm cup of nostalgia ☕️ 

From Golden Plains and the Southwest 🗞️

💰️ Golden Plains among 500+ councils urging $1.3 billion fossil fuel levy to fund disaster repairs

Golden Plains Shire Council is among more than 500 local governments backing a push for a new $1.3 billion national fund to deal with the escalating cost of climate-related damage.

Locally, that pressure is being felt through more frequent and intense rainfall, flash flooding and strain on drainage systems.

What’s going on: A motion on the proposal was passed at last week’s Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) national conference in Canberra. It calls for the creation of a “Climate Compensation Fund” sourced from levies on coal, oil and gas companies.

• For councils like Golden Plains in western Victoria, local governments are on the frontline of repairing and rebuilding roads, community infrastructure and public assets after extreme weather events.

• While the scale and type of impacts vary between municipalities, councils argue they are consistently absorbing long-term costs linked to bushfire, flooding and storm damage, without a rise in revenue to meet those pressures.

• In its 2026-27 budget, Golden Plains Shire allocated $1.57 million – alongside a $2.54 million federal grant – to resealing and improving local roads, as well as $600,000 for a drainage program. 

Read the full story here.

Golden Plains among 500+ councils urging $1.3 billion fossil fuel levy to fund disaster repairs

Councils say they are increasingly carrying the financial burden of repairing roads, drainage and public assets after extreme weather events.

🐌 Meet the French expat starting an escargot farm from scratch in West Vic

The rain that blankets the Otways might send most people running for shelter, but for Coralie Schaff it’s the type of weather that could offer a sustainable future for the next generation of Australian escargot producers.

A snail’s race: Drawing on childhood memories of collecting snails with her father in rural France, Schaff is building Otway Escargot from the ground up. She told the Brolga she hopes her small farm will make western Victoria a new frontier for a very niche industry.

🗣️ “We would cook them with my mum, so I'm a big escargot eater”, she said. “I love it, with the main recipe of garlic, butter and parsley”.

Read the full story here.

Meet the French expat starting an escargot farm from scratch in West Vic

Starting with fewer than 1,000 snails, Beech Forest farmer Coralie Schaff hopes to prove the food has a future in the region.

From The Central Highlands 🗞️

🌳 Weather whiplash sees farmers turning to native plantings for protection

Verena Doyle has been fielding orders from cropping and livestock farmers at markets who want her to grow native shrubs for windbreaks - a shift from the traditional single-row tree plantings that lined agricultural properties for generations. The reason is the weather is changing. 

❓What happened: Verena and Tony Doyle have run Allendale Native and Habitat Plants since 2018. 

The couple previously worked as educators, delivering programs for children about the importance of native plants and revegetation projects under The Lord of the Rings-inspired name “Entmoot”. 

During this period Verena realised it was more sustainable to grow her own plants than buy them, and Allendale Native and Habitat Plants was born. Today, the couple work with local farmers, scout camps and gardeners, providing native plants for revegetation projects. 

Gone with the wind: Verena told the Brolga that nature-inspired designs for agricultural systems and gardens have become more popular. This includes wind breaks on West Vic farms. 

Just quickly: A windbreak is defined as rows of trees planted to protect crops, shelter livestock and redirect wind velocity. 

🗣️: “You have your trees, shrubs in front of that, and smaller shrubs and ground cover in front of that again,” Verena said. “The wind is pushed up over the top of the shrubs instead of just slamming into the trees themselves.” 

This layered planting technique offers greater protection to agricultural land. Thickened windbreaks help reduce evaporation and increase moisture retention in the soil. 

Read the full story here.

Weather whiplash sees farmers turning to native plantings for protection

“The wind is coming from the north, and you want to stop [it] from taking the moisture out of our soil.”

📚️ This travel writer traded the globe for Ballarat, and she’s spelling it out for kids one letter at a time

In nailing down the ideal A-Z of Ballarat history for a kids book, it was the letter J that gave author Tamara Sheward the greatest pause for thought.

🗣️: “I couldn't have jousting twice, because obviously K is for Kryal Castle,” she told the Brolga. “I started listing adjectives upon adjectives, and then I thought that there has to be some ye olde type from Ballarat with a name starting with J.”

And so it was that she stumbled upon James Oddie, “who is apparently the father of Ballarat”.

Oddie left quite the footprint in the town - founding the Art Gallery of Ballarat, procuring the original Eureka flag for public ownership and commissioning a statue of key rebel Peter Lalor that remains on Sturt Street today. 

❓What happened: Sheward was once a globetrotter writing and researching for Lonely Planet, but her latest read is the A-Z through Ballarat history: Ballaralphabet. 

Read the full story here.

This travel writer traded the globe for Ballarat, and she’s spelling it out for kids one letter at a time

“I went looking for a child friendly book on Ballarat… I thought, "it doesn't exist, I guess I’ll just have to write one".

🍰 Let them eat cake: The best spots for a sugar hit in West Vic

The siren song of the sweet treat can be irresistible. We’ve listed some of the best places in West Vic when you’re in need of a pick-me-up only something dusted in icing can provide. 

Did we miss your favourite? Shout out at editor@westvicbrolga.com.au 

🧁 Kittelty’s 

Kittelty’s has transitioned from home-kitchen to fully-functioning cafe in the old Apollo’s Fish & Chips building on the corner of Victoria Street. It’s the classics with a creative edge, like cinnamon scrolls with fresh leaves decorating the icing, or lemon cakes covered in nasturtiums. 

Where: 134 Victoria Street, Ballarat East 

🧁 Sisko Chocolate 

Sisko Chocolate is an artisan chocolate store where you can watch the magic happen, get involved through a range of family-friendly workshops or browse the shelves stocking things like a nine-piece “French orb” collection. 

Where: 5 Albert Street, Trentham 

🧁 Le Comptoir Bakehouse

A simple dessert executed perfectly can be as luxurious as a complex three-tier cake. 

Le Comptoir cooks up a range of gourmet foods, including French pastries like pain au chocolat and croissants. 

Where: 85 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet 

🧁 Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company

Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company provides the comfort of a hot cup of cocoa, hand in hand with the character of Daylesford. The shop is in a small heritage cottage on the edge of town. 

Their beverages often involve spices from around the world, freshly melted for each mug. 

Where: 22 Raglan Street, Daylesford 

Read the full story here.

Let them eat cake: The best spots for a sugar hit in West Vic

These local makers are serving delectable goods around the region, whether you’re obsessed with chocolate, buttercream, or both.

✍️ That’s a wrap on the news this Wednesday! Zara will be with you in a few days for another round of West Vic happenings.

As always, please get in touch with any thoughts, comments, feedback or news tips you have for us - you just have to reply to this email 💌 .

If you want to stay up to date between editions, you can follow us on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook 🫶 

Cheers,
Darcie

Warrnambool residents lost more than $25.5 million through poker machines in the 2025-26 financial year, but the council has decided to scrap the policy it introduced to limit the harm of electronic gaming machines in the city.

What happened: Councillors voted 5-1 on Monday night to revoke the Warrnambool Gaming Policy after determining it had become “ineffective”, citing the fact decisions about electronic gaming machines are controlled by the state-run Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, leaving council with little influence.

What was it meant to do? The council’s policy, adopted in 2011, was intended to outline its position on gambling and limit the impacts of poker machines in the community.

• However, an internal report found it had delivered little practical benefit because regulation sits with the state.

• While the council's planning scheme and public health strategies now provide more effective ways to address gambling harm, the policy could not directly impact the amount of gaming machines.

• Council chief executive Andrew Mason said the council would continue addressing gambling harm through its Healthy Warrnambool Plan 2026-29 as well as broader public health initiatives.

Warrnambool’s losses: Councillor Debbie Arnott described the city’s gambling losses as “horrendous”, noting all 234 gaming machines across Warrnambool's eight venues were currently operating.

“The losses are on track for $25.56 million this year, up 5.5 percent from the previous year,” said Arnott. “If you break it down it's nearly $500,000 a week that goes through gaming machines.”

Not doing enough: Councillor Willy Benter was the lone dissenting voice opposing the recommendation, arguing the policy should have been reviewed rather than abandoned.

“We have direct policies for a lot of other things in this town, but not for this. We’re going to revoke it now,” he told the meeting.

• Benter said the Healthy Warrnambool plan didn’t “go far enough” to address the city’s issues of gambling harm.

“Yes it’s in our health and wellbeing plan, but there’s no clear 100 percent direction.”

The rain that blankets the Otways might send most people running for shelter, but for Coralie Schaff it’s the type of weather that could offer a sustainable future for the next generation of Australian escargot producers.

A snail’s race: Drawing on childhood memories of collecting snails with her father in rural France, Schaff is building Otway Escargot from the ground up. She told the Brolga she hopes her small farm will make western Victoria a new frontier for a very niche industry.

🗣️ “We would cook them with my mum, so I'm a big escargot eater”, she said. “I love it, with the main recipe of garlic, butter and parsley”.

From France to the Otways: Schaff and her husband Duncan purchased their 50-hectare block of land at Beech Forest in 2021. 

🗣️ “We were thinking, what can we do with the block of land? Do we just keep our jobs and just try to make something work, or do we just use it for the cattle?” she said. “And then I was like, why not snails?”

Before committing to the venture, Schaff travelled back to France to visit several snail farms and completed specialist training with an Irish producer.

• One farm in particular demonstrated how snail farming could fit into a sustainable agricultural system.

• Using rabbits to clear the grass in the snail pens, the farm would host community lunches and dinners using their escargot and rabbit meat. 

• The farm also used fruit trees as wind shelter for the snails, which were also picked and included in the menu.

🗣️ “Everything fit together."

Untapped potential: Unlike Europe, Australia has virtually no established commercial breeding industry for edible snails.

• Snail farms in European countries can purchase baby snails in bags of 10,000 to kickstart their businesses. 

• In Australia, biosecurity restricts farmers from importing live snails, which means farmers must breed their own baby snails.

• Snail farms in Australia are few and far between, meaning purchasing infant snails from other farmers is no easy feat.

Starting from scratch: What does a woman determined to build her own farm of 30,000 snails do when the easy options are taken out of the equation? She goes hunting.

Growing up in the French countryside, Schaff would collect snails with her father and her dog in the fields near their house after it had rained - they called it snail hunting.

Schaff currently has fewer than 1,000 snails, but each one was collected from her property or from neighbours.

Though they may be in hibernation now, allowing Schaff to continue building the back end of her business, by spring the numbers will begin to increase as mating starts.

How do they mate? Snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they can be both male and female at once, and mate three times a year. It usually takes between 10 and 15 hours for snails to mate.

• Both snails can get pregnant, and typically lay between 50 and 150 eggs, hatching in two to four weeks. It then takes roughly 6 months for a snail to mature. 

• The snail eggs themselves are also edible and considered a delicacy.

• Over the coming months, Schaff plans to build dedicated breeding and purging facilities after breeding snails in a trial pen last year.

How are snails harvested? Snails are harvested once fully mature, before being purged, or starved, for up to 10 days to clean the insides.

They can then be frozen to be sold to restaurants, then thawed and boiled similar to crayfish, or pre-cooked then frozen for restaurants to re-heat.

What makes a good snail? The more mature and larger the snail, the more tender the meat.

🗣️ “The snail itself is really nutritious, it's full of iron, low carbs, no fats, and full of minerals,” Schaff said. “I had some snails that were not produced in France in a tin … it was chewy and rubbery, like really bad, it's like if you have a not-good piece of steak.”

Growing an industry: Long-term, Schaff has no ambition to build an empire, but hopes to supply local restaurants while encouraging more small-scale producers to enter the industry.

🗣️  “I really want to see the snail farming industry in Australia become a real farming opportunity in terms of selling. I'd like to see more of the French business model,” she explained. “In order to supply restaurants, if you want to supply a lot of restaurants, you have to have a lot of numbers, so you need to become a very, very big enterprise.”

🗣️  “I’d like to go back to this kind of agriculture where it was not one big farm, but like it used to be... lots of small farms who can supply the local markets. It creates jobs, it creates opportunities, and it's healthy food.”

The siren song of the sweet treat can be irresistible. We’ve listed some of the best places in West Vic when you’re in need of a pick-me-up only something dusted in icing can provide. 

Did we miss your favourite? Shout out at editor@westvicbrolga.com.au 

Kittelty’s 

Image: Kittelty’s

Kittelty’s has transitioned from home-kitchen to fully-functioning cafe in the old Apollo’s Fish & Chips building on the corner of Victoria Street. It’s the classics with a creative edge, like cinnamon scrolls with fresh leaves decorating the icing, or lemon cakes covered in nasturtiums. 

Where: 134 Victoria Street, Ballarat East 

Sisko Chocolate 

Image: Sisko Chocolate

Sisko Chocolate is an artisan chocolate store where you can watch the magic happen, get involved through a range of family-friendly workshops or browse the shelves stocking things like a nine-piece “French orb” collection. 

Where: 5 Albert Street, Trentham 

Le Comptoir Bakehouse

Image: Le Comptoir Bakehouse

A simple dessert executed perfectly can be as luxurious as a complex three-tier cake. 

Le Comptoir cooks up a range of gourmet foods, including French pastries like pain au chocolat and croissants. 

Where: 85 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet 

Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company

Image: Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company

Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company provides the comfort of a hot cup of cocoa, hand in hand with the character of Daylesford. The shop is in a small heritage cottage on the edge of town. 

Their beverages often involve spices from around the world, freshly melted for each mug. 

Where: 22 Raglan Street, Daylesford 

The Little Cupcake

Image: The Little Cupcake

It’s indulgence made mini at this Ballarat store, tucked away on the leafy streets of Eureka with a cabinet that is always stocked with, as the name suggests, little cupcakes. 

They can be ordered in bulk, or selected at random in-store, with flavour selections ranging from a “floral mix” to standard vanilla, chocolate, red velvet and more. 

Where: 223 Eureka Street, Ballarat East 

Sweet Decadence at Locantro 

Image: Sweet Decadence at Locantro

Sweet Decadence at Locantro offers a range of chocolates flavoured by the likes of chilli,  lemon and lavender. There’s also a range of freshly baked cakes and a delightful ceiling dotted with cupid chandeliers. 

Where: 87 Vincent Street, Daylesford 

Header Image: The Little Cupcake

In nailing down the ideal A-Z of Ballarat history for a kids book, it was the letter J that gave author Tamara Sheward the greatest pause for thought.

🗣️: “I couldn't have jousting twice, because obviously K is for Kryal Castle,” she told the Brolga. “I started listing adjectives upon adjectives, and then I thought that there has to be some ye olde type from Ballarat with a name starting with J.”

And so it was that she stumbled upon James Oddie, “who is apparently the father of Ballarat”.

Oddie left quite the footprint in the town - founding the Art Gallery of Ballarat, procuring the original Eureka flag for public ownership and commissioning a statue of key rebel Peter Lalor that remains on Sturt Street today. 

❓What happened: Sheward was once a globetrotter writing and researching for Lonely Planet, but her latest read is the A-Z through Ballarat history: Ballaralphabet. 

Image: Ballaralphabet, artwork by Annie Walter

Sheward had a pre-launch of the book at Clunes Booktown before an official launch at Collins Booksellers in May. 

After moving to the Ballarat region from Cairns, she searched “for a child friendly book on Ballarat, to learn about our new home. I thought there’s got to be one, it’s such a historic town. We went to the library, and it didn’t exist”. 

The best solution was to write her own.

The research taught her that Lake Wendouree actually caught on fire in 2009 during a period of drought, and that the first recorded Chinese restaurant in Australia opened in Ballarat in 1854, now known as Johnny Alloo. 

She also discovered Ballarat is considered one of Australia’s most spookiest towns - so H is for haunted. 

Image: Ballaralphabet

🏆 The greatest hits: A few letters were obvious picks, Sheward said. 

🗣️: “G was always going to be gold, E was always going to be Eureka, W was always going to be Wathaurong.” 

She said locals had been impressed by the book’s colourful artwork, with illustrations provided by Melbourne-based artist Annie Walter. 

• "There's an expectation that a book about a historical town should be sepia or dull or old-timey. But it’s a vibrant town, so it had to be vibrant.” 

The book is available at Hattie and the Wolf, Collins Booksellers, Sovereign Hill and via Sheward’s website for $25. 

Image: Ballaralphabet, illustration by Annie Walter

Header Image: Author Tamara Sheward

Golden Plains Shire Council is among more than 500 local governments backing a push for a new $1.3 billion national fund to deal with the escalating cost of climate-related damage.

Locally, that pressure is being felt through more frequent and intense rainfall, flash flooding and strain on drainage systems.

What’s going on: A motion on the proposal was passed at last week’s Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) national conference in Canberra. It calls for the creation of a “Climate Compensation Fund” sourced from levies on coal, oil and gas companies.

• For councils like Golden Plains in western Victoria, local governments are on the frontline of repairing and rebuilding roads, community infrastructure and public assets after extreme weather events.

• While the scale and type of impacts vary between municipalities, councils argue they are consistently absorbing long-term costs linked to bushfire, flooding and storm damage, without a rise in revenue to meet those pressures.

• In its 2026-27 budget, Golden Plains Shire allocated $1.57 million – alongside a $2.54 million federal grant – to resealing and improving local roads, as well as $600,000 for a drainage program. 

What they want: At the centre of the motion is a call for federal action to establish a dedicated funding stream worth $1.3 billion annually. 

• Under the proposal, $400 million a year would be directed to climate adaptation projects, with a further $900 million allocated to disaster response and recovery support for local governments.

How they want it: ALGA, which represents 537 councils nationwide, said the funding should be raised through targeted levies on fossil fuel producers because they are responsible for the majority of Australia’s climate pollution.

It argued communities and ratepayers are currently carrying a disproportionate share of the financial burden spent on recovering from this pollution.

Golden Plains’ case: A spokesperson for Golden Plains Shire Council said its support for the proposal stemmed from “on-going and increasing impact that climate-driven weather events are having on rural local governments”.

🗣️ “As a result of climate impacts we are increasingly seeing more concentrated rainfall events. This can lead to flash flooding,” a council spokesperson told the Brolga.

🗣️ “Councils need to provide and maintain many services and assets and the cumulative impacts of a changing climate are placing significant pressure on this.”

Look further: Golden Plains Council wants governments to place a greater emphasis on funding long-term adaptation projects that mitigate events and the impact created, rather than focusing primarily on repairing infrastructure following disasters.

🗣️ “This will save money in the long term by reducing the need for expensive rectification works,” it said. “A proactive fund that Councils could access would allow for planning and funding of improved drainage networks that cater for these events and not the rainfall patterns that were planned for historically.”

Growing costs: Natural disasters cost Australia an estimated $38 billion annually - about $3,800 per household - and are projected to rise to $73 billion by 2060, according to Deloitte Access Economics.

• ALGA said local governments bear a disproportionate share of those costs because councils maintain a third of the nation’s infrastructure, including 75 percent of roads, forcing more spending on repairs and recovery.

• Research from the Australia Institute found the cost of insurance from climate-related disasters is now 12 times higher than 20 years ago, while local government revenue has only tripled.

⏱️ This edition of the West Vic Brolga newsletter is a five-minute read.

👋🏻 Welcome to the Friday newsletter West Vic, Zara here.

✍️ In today’s newsletter, I spoke to Victorian Farmers Federation livestock president Scott Young about what’s driving the strong prices in Australia’s wool market.

The main reason? Limited supply and high demand — thanks to the country having its lowest sheep flock numbers in decades.

I also made the trip to Warrnambool on Wednesday to take a look at the Warrnambool Community Garden’s new “pocket forest” project.

Darcie shares the heartbreaking story of a woman living in western Victoria. She bravely told Darcie about her experience with domestic violence.

After leaving the relationship, support services were so stretched that she found herself homeless for weeks and without adequate crisis assistance. 

Content warning: Darcie’s story contains descriptions of violence. Helplines are listed at the bottom of the story.

✉️ Quick hits: Southern Grampians Council has received $780,000 to upgrade dangerous intersections across the municipality.

Latest headlines in Warrnambool and West Vic 🗞️

🐑 Shrinking sheep, booming market: What’s causing the surge in Australia’s wool prices?

West Vic wool producers are seeing the strongest returns in eight years, with prices hitting $19 a kilogram as historically low sheep numbers and strong international demand drive a welcome turnaround for farmers.

The price jump: Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock president Scott Young told the Brolga while prices had eased slightly after peaking earlier this month: “the general trend has been really positive. Which is fantastic for the industry and fantastic for wool producers”.

• The Australian Wool Exchange's Eastern Market Indicator was sitting at $19.43 a kilogram on June 24 after reaching $19.89 a kilogram a week earlier. At the same time last year, the benchmark price was just $12.07 a kilogram.

A simple equation: Young, a sheep and crop farmer in Ballan, said the rally has been driven by basic supply and demand.

🗣️ “We’ve got a really low sheep flock, which means tighter supply, and we’ve got some good demand out there, which means that the processors are having to pay a bit more for it, which is great for Australian producers”. 

The numbers: According to Meat & Livestock Australia, Australia’s sheep flock is forecast to fall to 67.1 million head this year, continuing a long-term decline driven by “ongoing seasonal pressures”, such as the recent drought. 

• The national flock peaked at about 180 million head in 1970.

Expanding operations: Young said stronger returns for both wool and livestock were encouraging some farmers to expand their flocks after years of growth in the cropping sector.

🗣️ “Farmers are all running businesses, and if they’re not making profit, they’ll look to other enterprises or other commodities,” he said. “If they’ve still got that ability, they’re looking at getting back into sheep or increasing their flock numbers.”

Other side of the fence: As processors purchase wool at higher cost, this could result in more expensive price tags hanging from garments in stores. 

• While some specialty brands may have wool contracts in place, where they arrange to buy a certain amount at a set price ahead of time, about 90 percent of Australia’s wool is auctioned.

Full story below.

Shrinking sheep, booming market: What’s causing the surge in Australia’s wool prices?

Historic lows in the national flock and renewed overseas demand are pushing wool prices to their strongest levels in years, offering producers a welcome boost.

🌳 Exploring Warrnambool’s first “pocket forest”

On the weekend, 36 local volunteers pitched in to help plant 500 native trees, plants and shrubs at Warrnambool Community Garden.

The project, known as a “pocket forest”, uses a gardening technique known as the Miyawaki method, where plants are placed close to each other, causing them to compete for light and grow at a faster rate. Watch the video below for the full story.

Instagram post

Latest stories in Ballarat 🗞️

This domestic violence survivor escaped. She had nowhere to go

Mia’s partner beat her for two hours in an attack so vicious she lost some of her vision and sense of taste and smell. She is undergoing further testing to see if the damage is permanent. 

After leaving the relationship, support services were so stretched that she found herself homeless for weeks and without adequate crisis assistance. 

❓What happened: West Vic woman Mia - not her real name - was in a relationship with a man for two years. She told the Brolga she’d never experienced family violence before, that it wasn’t “even part of her world”.

🗣️: “I’m an educated person who has been previously very strong, outgoing, spoke her mind,” Mia told the Brolga. “He broke me down to nothing.” 

After love-bombing and coercive control techniques that forced Mia to cut off her friends and family, she was isolated and vulnerable. 

• “It felt safer to stay, because I thought he would follow me and kill me. All my phone calls, he made me answer on speaker. He made me cut off my parents.” 

Earlier this year, matters escalated to a point Mia feared for her life. 

🗣️: “He punched me so hard I could only crawl,” she said. “I was terrified if I tried to run out the front door, he’d chase me and he’d kill me.” 

The attack began in a rideshare vehicle, before continuing indoors and involving a knife, power cords and a towel rack. The neighbours had heard her screaming and called the police.  

• “I remember being on the floor with a knife to my throat and him saying, ‘I’m going to kill you’ and ‘I know where your ex-husband lives and I’m going to kill him so your kids have no parents’.”

Mia drifted in and out of consciousness in her bedroom, and the last thing she remembered was thinking she had to find whatever pills she could to end her own life. 

She was terrified to go to police and make a statement, for fear of repercussions that could impact her family. 

• “I was petrified of something happening to my kids. I was so overwhelmed and confused.” 

Mia says one of the police officers who interviewed her following the attack broke down in tears at the sight of her injuries. 

Cries unheard: In the aftermath, Mia says she encountered well-meaning police officers and support services, but they simply did not have the funding or staff to adequately protect her. 

Mia was forced to relocate for her safety, and says a promise of funds from a DV support service to help move and pay a bond was not fulfilled. 

She said she was “blessed” to have her family and friends to act as a support network, but was aware many women are not as fortunate. 

• “I have the backing of my family, and I'm older. I have years behind me knowing how I should be treated,” she said. “There are so many young women who don’t know and have no support. They don’t have a floor to stay on for four weeks.” 

A national crisis: Australia-wide, one in four women have experienced partner violence since the age of 15. In 2025, family and domestic violence accounted for two in five homicides in the country. 

In Ballarat, the most populous hub in West Vic, a report from charity and community group the Ballarat Foundation showed family violence in Ballarat had increased by 28.8% in 2025, against a state-wide increase of 8.86%

The aftermath: Following the attack, Mia said she has struggled with substance abuse for the first time in her life to cope with the trauma. 

She’s also undergone various surgeries to fix injuries and infection sustained during the attack. 

After reaching breaking point, she attempted self-harm and was subsequently hospitalised in a psychiatric ward for two weeks. 

Mia said it had taken months for her to get access to a support group for survivors. She said that although there were services helping people leave violent relationships, there were gaps in what was available in the immediate aftermath.

Mia says her ex-partner was charged with offences related to the attack and that the matter is still before the court.

If you are in an unsafe situation and experiencing family violence, help is available through 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). 

In Western Victoria, Meli, Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre, Emma House, Orange Door and Child and Family Services Ballarat are also available to provide resources and support.

If this story has raised mental health concerns, you can also contact Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) and Lifeline (13 11 14) 

This domestic violence survivor escaped. She had nowhere to go

“All my phone calls, he made me answer on speaker. He made me cut off my parents.”

👻 Tracking down West Vic’s most haunted buildings

Did you know that beneath the Ballarat Mechanics Institute (BMI), there are century-old witch marks warding off evil?

Darice took a tour of the BMI basement on the hunt for the most haunted spots in West Vic. Check out the video below for the full story.

Instagram post

Hope you have a great weekend and keep warm. It’s cold out there these days.

If you have a story or an event you think we should cover, please reply to this email. We’re always eager to hear from locals on what’s happening across the patch.

If you’re missing Darcie and I between newsletters, you can always head to our TikTok, Instagram and Facebook pages to keep an eye on what we’re up to.

Cheers,
Zara

Verena Doyle has been fielding orders from cropping and livestock farmers at markets who want her to grow native shrubs for windbreaks - a shift from the traditional single-row tree plantings that lined agricultural properties for generations. The reason is the weather is changing. 

❓What happened: Verena and Tony Doyle have run Allendale Native and Habitat Plants since 2018. 

The couple previously worked as educators, delivering programs for children about the importance of native plants and revegetation projects under The Lord of the Rings-inspired name “Entmoot”. 

During this period Verena realised it was more sustainable to grow her own plants than buy them, and Allendale Native and Habitat Plants was born. Today, the couple work with local farmers, scout camps and gardeners, providing native plants for revegetation projects. 

Gone with the wind: Verena told the Brolga that nature-inspired designs for agricultural systems and gardens have become more popular. This includes wind breaks on West Vic farms. 

Just quickly: A windbreak is defined as rows of trees planted to protect crops, shelter livestock and redirect wind velocity. 

🗣️: “You have your trees, shrubs in front of that, and smaller shrubs and ground cover in front of that again,” Verena said. “The wind is pushed up over the top of the shrubs instead of just slamming into the trees themselves.” 

This layered planting technique offers greater protection to agricultural land. Thickened windbreaks help reduce evaporation and increase moisture retention in the soil. 

• “It also helps stop land erosion,” Verena said. “Shrubs will soften how hard the rain and wind hit the soil, and it helps to stop the rain from washing away the soil. The wind is coming from the north, and you want to stop the wind from actually taking the moisture out of our soil, you need to get the wind over the trees rather than face on.” 

Verena said cropping and livestock farmers were approaching them at farmer’s markets, hoping to order plants for the next growing season. 

Between the trees: Verena said wind breaks layered with native shrubs and plants also help biodiversity. 

🗣️: “It’s not just about trees; we need to go beyond that into shrubs, like bottlebrushes, because all these things are where wildlife live. [The wildlife is] going to be there to look after the soil.” 

🌏 The bigger picture: Victorian farmers are increasingly dealing with a whiplash weather environment intensified by climate change, switching from drought one year, to flooding impacts the next. 

Victoria’s Climate Science Report states that West Vic daily rainfall extremes could increase by eight percent for every degree of global warming. The Victorian Water and Climate Initiative found that while overall rainfall has declined since the Millennium Drought, heavy rainfall events - leading to negative land impacts like flash flooding - are on the rise. 

With El Niño declared in June, the likelihood of drought in the next 12 months has increased for the entire country. Farmers are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of this extreme weather.

Southern Grampians council will receive $781,000 from the Victorian Government to upgrade several dangerous intersections in the shire and introduce lower speed limits at a number of high-risk locations.

What’s it for? The funding, announced through the Safe Local Roads and Streets Program, will pay for an intersection realignment at Mill Road and Tarrington-Strathkellar Road, upgrades along Hamilton-Chatsworth Road and additional safety improvements in Tarrington.

• Works are expected to be completed by the end of May 2027.

Why it matters: Mayor Dennis Heslin said in a statement the upgrades were designed to reduce the risk of serious crashes on local roads.

🗣️ "The reality is we have a huge number of roads to maintain, so receiving funding supports us to improve safety within the region," Heslin said. "This new infrastructure will make it safer and easier to travel around our community by reducing the risk for serious crashes at these locations."

The projects were selected after the council audited its main road network in 2023 and identified intersections requiring safety improvements.

The background: The latest funding builds on previous investment in the shire's road network. Council secured $2 million through the same program in early 2025 to upgrade seven pedestrian crossings across Hamilton, with most works now completed.

• Council previously received $9.6 million in road funding over four years, followed by a further $1.145 million for road infrastructure between 2024 and 2026.

At its April 2025 meeting, council also committed $100,000 to upgrade the Blackwood-Dunkeld Road intersection, another priority identified through the 2023 road safety audits, and allocated a further $200,000 in its 2025-26 budget to plan future road safety projects across the shire.

Content warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence. Helplines are listed at the bottom of the story.

Mia’s partner beat her for two hours in an attack so vicious she lost some of her vision and sense of taste and smell. She is undergoing further testing to see if the damage is permanent. 

After leaving the relationship, support services were so stretched that she found herself homeless for weeks and without adequate crisis assistance. 

❓What happened: West Vic woman Mia - not her real name - was in a relationship with a man for two years. She told the Brolga she’d never experienced family violence before, that it wasn’t “even part of her world”.

🗣️: “I’m an educated person who has been previously very strong, outgoing, spoke her mind,” Mia told the Brolga. “He broke me down to nothing.” 

After love-bombing and coercive control techniques that forced Mia to cut off her friends and family, she was isolated and vulnerable. 

• “It felt safer to stay, because I thought he would follow me and kill me. All my phone calls, he made me answer on speaker. He made me cut off my parents.” 

Earlier this year, matters escalated to a point Mia feared for her life. 

🗣️: “He punched me so hard I could only crawl,” she said. “I was terrified if I tried to run out the front door, he’d chase me and he’d kill me.” 

The attack began in a rideshare vehicle, before continuing indoors and involving a knife, power cords and a towel rack. The neighbours had heard her screaming and called the police.  

• “I remember being on the floor with a knife to my throat and him saying, ‘I’m going to kill you’ and ‘I know where your ex-husband lives and I’m going to kill him so your kids have no parents’.”

Mia drifted in and out of consciousness in her bedroom, and the last thing she remembered was thinking she had to find whatever pills she could to end her own life. 

She was terrified to go to police and make a statement, for fear of repercussions that could impact her family. 

• “I was petrified of something happening to my kids. I was so overwhelmed and confused.” 

Mia says one of the police officers who interviewed her following the attack broke down in tears at the sight of her injuries. 

Cries unheard: In the aftermath, Mia says she encountered well-meaning police officers and support services, but they simply did not have the funding or staff to adequately protect her. 

Mia was forced to relocate for her safety, and says a promise of funds from a DV support service to help move and pay a bond was not fulfilled. 

She said she was “blessed” to have her family and friends to act as a support network, but was aware many women are not as fortunate. 

• “I have the backing of my family, and I'm older. I have years behind me knowing how I should be treated,” she said. “There are so many young women who don’t know and have no support. They don’t have a floor to stay on for four weeks.” 

A national crisis: Australia-wide, one in four women have experienced partner violence since the age of 15. In 2025, family and domestic violence accounted for two in five homicides in the country. 

In Ballarat, the most populous hub in West Vic, a report from charity and community group the Ballarat Foundation showed family violence in Ballarat had increased by 28.8% in 2025, against a state-wide increase of 8.86%

The aftermath: Following the attack, Mia said she has struggled with substance abuse for the first time in her life to cope with the trauma. 

She’s also undergone various surgeries to fix injuries and infection sustained during the attack. 

After reaching breaking point, she attempted self-harm and was subsequently hospitalised in a psychiatric ward for two weeks. 

Mia said it had taken months for her to get access to a support group for survivors. She said that although there were services helping people leave violent relationships, there were gaps in what was available in the immediate aftermath.

Mia says her ex-partner was charged with offences related to the attack and that the matter is still before the court.

If you are in an unsafe situation and experiencing family violence, help is available through 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). 

In Western Victoria, Meli, Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre, Emma House, Orange Door and Child and Family Services Ballarat are also available to provide resources and support.

If this story has raised mental health concerns, you can also contact Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) and Lifeline (13 11 14) 

⏱️ This edition of the West Vic Brolga newsletter is a five-minute read.

👋🏻 Hello Brolga readers, Darcie here today. I’ve quite literally surfaced from spending the afternoon filming underground to bring you this newsletter. It’s for a new video series, so stay tuned.

For now, the news.

✍️ In today’s newsletter, I examined changes to the planning system in Hepburn Shire and listed a couple of the best galleries around the region to visit this winter.

Zara has been busy covering controversial budget calls and “accounting anomalies”. She also spoke to Diane Coates, who is retiring from her business Mack’s Snacks, after working there for 40 years 🥙 .

From the south-west 🗞️

💢 “Snuck in immorally”: Glenelg council adopts budget, but not without questions over four-year-old $3.5m rate change

“Sticking to my principles, and with my moral compass, I cannot vote for this budget tonight.”

Those were the words of Glenelg Shire councillor John Pepper as he cast the lone vote against the council's 2026-27 budget, capping off a tense meeting dominated by long-running disputes over rates and an unprecedented wave of community feedback.

What happened: Glenelg Shire council ultimately adopted the budget last Tuesday with a 2.75 percent rate rise – in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap – but not before hearing questions from residents on everything from farm rates and FOGO charges to a controversial rates decision made four years ago.

• The level of public interest prompted councillors to move question time to the beginning of the meeting after receiving almost 500 submissions on the draft budget.

Read the full story here.

“Snuck in immorally”: Glenelg council adopts budget, but not without questions over four-year-old $3.5m rate change

One councillor has branded the adjustment “immoral” while another said she found no evidence ratepayers are owed a cent.

🥖 Mack’s Snacks owner Diane Coates hanging up the apron after more than 40 years

When Diane Coates first walked through the doors of Mack’s Snacks as a teenager in the 80s, she never imagined she would one day own one of Warrnambool's best-known cafes.

Saying goodbye: After four decades working at the Liebig Street institution, first as a waitress, then a chef and finally owner, Coates is hanging up her apron as she hands the business to a new custodian and prepares for retirement.

A brief history: Coates began working at the cafe straight out of school. After starting a family, she later returned part-time, completed her chef's apprenticeship under then-owner Paul McLeod, grandson of the original owner Aubrey, and eventually bought the business in 2010.

Read the full story here.

Mack’s Snacks owner Diane Coates hanging up the apron after more than 40 years

"It could be someone’s first date, it could be a marriage proposal, who knows what goes on in those booths.”

💰️ Colac Otway Shire’s budget looks $5.73 million in the red, but the CEO says don't panic

A $5.73 million deficit in Colac Otway Shire Council's newly adopted budget has been described as an “accounting anomaly”, with the shortfall caused by an early payment of $8 million in federal grants.

What happened: Councillors unanimously adopted the 2026-27 budget last Tuesday, which included a rate rise of 2.75 percent, as well as $1.5 million included to fund a new bike track and upgrades to the Deans Creek-Pound Road intersection.

Read the full story here.

Colac Otway Shire’s budget looks $5.73 million in the red, but the CEO says don't panic

A change to the timing of the majority of a $9.8 million funding allocation has reshaped the budget's bottom line on paper from an original forecasted surplus of over $700,000.

From the Central Highlands ⛰️ 

🖼️ From coastal glass to historical textile collections: Seven West Vic galleries worth visiting this winter

When the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, things can slow down around West Vic. Why not take the time to stroll through a local gallery? 

Think we missed something? Reach out to editor@westvicbrolga.com.au with your suggestions. 

Eagles Nest Fine Art Gallery

Eagles Nest Fine Art Gallery has bi-monthly exhibitions. A current exhibition sees 19 artists employ various mediums - ceramics, charcoal, watercolour, oil, mixed media - to contribute to a portion of a “collective cultural weaving” tapestry. 

Where: 48 Great Ocean Rd, Aireys Inlet 

Ararat Gallery TAMA

The permanent collection of textiles has been curated since the 1970s. There are also  visiting exhibitions. 

Currently, the work of First Nations artist Lisa Waup is on display. Waup specialises in blending printmaking, sculpture, textiles and weaving. 

Where: 82 Vincent Street, Ararat 

Bromley & Co

David Bromley is a well-known name across the country, and on Daylesford’s main street paintings, multimedia and sculpture showcase different phases of his 20-year career. 

Where: Shop 8/47 Vincent Street, Daylesford  

Hamilton Gallery

Hamilton Gallery opened in 1961, and currently hosts a permanent collection of 10,000 artworks from Europe, East Asia and Australia. 

Some of this collection is currently part of the Forces of Nature exhibition, highlighting Chinese and Japanese pieces that centre around the natural world through seasons and elements. 

Where: 107 Brown Street, Hamilton 

The Convent Daylesford

From 19th-century nunnery to multi-level art gallery. The Convent displays a variety of visiting and local artists on an eight-week rotation. Each level features artwork, alongside museum-like displays of the building’s history. 

It’s surrounded by lush gardens and panoramic views of the surrounding Daylesford and Wombat Forest. 

Where: 7 Daly Street, Daylesford 

Read the full story here.

From coastal glass to historical textile collections: Seven West Vic galleries worth visiting this winter

One of the best ways to beat the cold is an adventure in art.

🛠️ Hepburn Shire permanently hands greater planning power to staff

Hepburn Shire Council receives more than 300 planning applications each year and, following a council meeting, has voted to change the process in an effort to cut backlogs and speed up decisions. 

❓What happened: This week’s June council meeting saw Hepburn Shire vote to give staff greater decision-making power for planning applications without a councillor vote. 

• This change will mean a planning application will be dealt with by council staff.

• To reach councillors, a threshold of five objections must be reached for farming-zone applications, or 10 objections for general applications before it requires a council vote to go ahead. 

• This process has been implemented through an 18-month trial that began in December 2024. 

What evidence? An 18-month trial implementation of the process showed increased efficiency and reduced wait times. 

Dissent in the ranks: Councillor Tim Drylie was the only member of council to vote against the change. 

🗣️: “Council has only been able to determined one application in the last 18 months… there’s actually been quite a reduction in local democratic oversight,” Councillor Drylie told the chamber. 

Director of Development and Community Ron Torres said the trial report showed how the rights of constituents were being protected through the change. 

• “Applicants have been able to share feedback on conduct, the processing and the decisions,” Mr Torres said. “Part of that feedback also includes their ability to challenge an officer’s decisions at VCAT [Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal]. It shows that applicants are exercising their rights appropriately.”  

Council CEO Bradley Thomas stated the councillors had been regularly updated in detailed briefings throughout the trial period that have ensured they are well-informed. 

Councillor Brian Hood told the Brolga he welcomes the improvement in processing times. 

Hepburn Shire permanently hands greater planning power to staff

The change comes after an 18-month trial that showed reduced wait times, but one councillor expressed concern about an erosion of “democratic oversight”.

And that’s a wrap on West Vic this Wednesday 📰 .

As always, please get in touch with any thoughts, comments, feedback or news tips you have for us. Just reply to this email 💌 .

If you want to stay up to date between editions, you can follow us on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. Stay warm folks!

Cheers,
Darcie

West Vic wool producers are seeing the strongest returns in eight years, with prices hitting $19 a kilogram as historically low sheep numbers and strong international demand drive a welcome turnaround for farmers.

The price jump: Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock president Scott Young told the Brolga while prices had eased slightly after peaking earlier this month: “the general trend has been really positive. Which is fantastic for the industry and fantastic for wool producers”.

• The Australian Wool Exchange's Eastern Market Indicator was sitting at $19.43 a kilogram on June 24 after reaching $19.89 a kilogram a week earlier. At the same time last year, the benchmark price was just $12.07 a kilogram.

A simple equation: Young, a sheep and crop farmer in Ballan, said the rally has been driven by basic supply and demand.

🗣️ “We’ve got a really low sheep flock, which means tighter supply, and we’ve got some good demand out there, which means that the processors are having to pay a bit more for it, which is great for Australian producers”. 

The numbers: According to Meat & Livestock Australia, Australia’s sheep flock is forecast to fall to 67.1 million head this year, continuing a long-term decline driven by “ongoing seasonal pressures”, such as the recent drought. 

• The national flock peaked at about 180 million head in 1970.

Expanding operations: Young said stronger returns for both wool and livestock were encouraging some farmers to expand their flocks after years of growth in the cropping sector.

🗣️ “Farmers are all running businesses, and if they’re not making profit, they’ll look to other enterprises or other commodities,” he said. “If they’ve still got that ability, they’re looking at getting back into sheep or increasing their flock numbers.”

Other side of the fence: As processors purchase wool at higher cost, this could result in more expensive price tags hanging from garments in stores. 

• While some specialty brands may have wool contracts in place, where they arrange to buy a certain amount at a set price ahead of time, about 90 percent of Australia’s wool is auctioned.

🗣️ “There's always a limit to how much they're going to be able to pay before it affects the consumer at the other end, but they're developing better techniques, better use of wool blends,” Young said.

🗣️ “That is helping to minimise that increase in price, or blending different microns of wool to be able to achieve the end product they want at a lower base price.” 

Looking ahead: Young said it was too early to declare the recent prices a permanent shift but hoped the market could establish a stronger long-term base.

🗣️ “I don’t like saying the new normal, but I would hope that we can find a floor in the market somewhere that’s in the higher end,” he said.

“Sticking to my principles, and with my moral compass, I cannot vote for this budget tonight.”

Those were the words of Glenelg Shire councillor John Pepper as he cast the lone vote against the council's 2026-27 budget, capping off a tense meeting dominated by long-running disputes over rates and an unprecedented wave of community feedback.

What happened: Glenelg Shire council ultimately adopted the budget last Tuesday with a 2.75 percent rate rise – in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap – but not before hearing questions from residents on everything from farm rates and FOGO charges to a controversial rates decision made four years ago.

• The level of public interest prompted councillors to move question time to the beginning of the meeting after receiving almost 500 submissions on the draft budget.

What’s the issue? At the heart of the debate is a 2022-23 decision that changed how rates were structured. 

In 2022, Glenelg Shire replaced a rebate for primary producers with a differential rating system, under which different categories of land are charged at different rates. 

• The change effectively removed a longstanding rebate for farmers and increased the council's annual rate revenue by about $3.5 million.

“Snuck in immorally”: Pepper has long argued the decision unfairly inflated the council’s rate base and said that extra revenue continues to be built into every budget since.

🗣️ “I believe that it was snuck in immorally,” he said. “It wasn't illegal, but technically it was close to it, in my opinion, but it was immoral.”

• While Pepper praised projects including the Dartmoor footpath and upgrades to the Casterton saleyards, he told council chambers he could not support a budget built on what he considered an inflated level of rate revenue.

🗣️ “I don't disagree with the rate cap, but I want a 2.75 rate cap put on what I consider to be the correct amount of rates collected, not the inflated amount,” he said.

Nothing to see here: Newly elected councillor Mary Picard reached the opposite conclusion after reviewing the issue herself.

🗣️ “I have honestly reached a different conclusion on what the facts are in this situation, and I don't think there is such a debt to ratepayers,” she said.

• Picard said the budget delivered a responsible financial plan while maintaining important community services.

What’s in the budget: The adopted budget includes a $16 million capital works program, including $8.5 million for asset renewals and $5.6 million for local roads. It also includes 2.5 percent reductions in both employee and materials costs.

• Mayor Karen Stephens said the average rate increase would be about $60 per assessment but warned the capped increase would not keep pace with rising costs for amenities such as power, water and wages.

🗣️“$770,000 ain't going to cut it,” she said.

• Mayor Stephens also rejected calls to release a report into the disputed 2022-23 rate changes, saying it was “background information” to assist councillors with decision making, rather than a confidential report, and was “not listed for discussion on the matter”.

Why now? Councillor Matt Jowett questioned why the 2022 rates issue had resurfaced after receiving little public attention in recent years.

🗣️ “I've been attending these council meetings for the last four years, every single month, two-and-a-half years as a member of the gallery and 18 months as a councillor,” he said. 

🗣️ “There were quite a few of these responses that referred back to the things that happened back in 2022 as an issue, which is strange because, as I said, I've been here for four years. Almost no one mentioned it in 2023, no one mentioned it in 2024 or 2025, but this year they do.”