Tuesday, July 2
A Lake Charm farmer was fined and found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty after dead sheep were found in a water trough at his property two years ago.
Bruce Cook pleaded guilty in Kerang Magistrates’ Court to three charges of aggravated cruelty and one charge of breaching an adjourned undertaking imposed in 2021, and was found guilty of transporting a livestock animal not able to walk on its own.
A Cohuna business was targeted in a ram raid in which access to the store was gained by driving a car into its metal shutters.
Local police and crime investigation unit officers attended the scene at the store on King George Street on Thursday morning.
Tuesday, July 9
Just five days after a Cohuna tobacconist business was targeted in a ram-raid, the store was destroyed by a fire Victoria Police called suspicious.
CFA units from Cohuna and Kerang responded to the scene in King George Street about 2.53am on Sunday to find a utility vehicle had crashed into the front of the store.
Gannawarra Council would fly the rainbow flag annually on International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex discrimination, and Transphobia after hearing a moving letter from a local resident who struggled with their identity.
The flag, which is a symbol of queer pride, will be flown on the council’s community flagpoles annually on IDAHOBIT from May 2025 following approved changes to the flags policy at the June ordinary meeting.
Tuesday, July 16
Mallee District Aboriginal Services in Kerang held its annual family fun day last Tuesday as a part of NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Designed to bring families, children and the community together, the four staff members from MDAS Kerang were supported from colleagues from Swan Hill and Mildura, and Northern District Community Health.
Gannawarra Council doubled down on its support of the VNI West project, despite an attempt by Cr Garner Smith to unplug its commitment.
The council has been supportive of the controversial project since it was announced about six years ago
Tuesday, July 23
Detectives from Victoria Police’s Taskforce Lunar arrested two men in relation to an arson attack on a Cohuna tobacconist earlier this month.
Police last Tuesday executed a search warrant at a home in Tarneit.
A 37-year-old Tarneit man was charged and remanded to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on October 9.
He was charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle, possession of cannabis, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Kerang Country Fire Authority captain Ramon Steel received an unexpected honour on July 12 when he was presented with the Chief Officer’s Commendation Certificate.
The award acknowledges outstanding service and leadership skills within the community, recognising the role Mr Steel took in the major flood events of 2011 and 2022 in co-ordinating the community effort to support the Victoria State Emergency Service and other emergency services.
Tuesday, July 30
The new Koorangie Energy Storage System west of Kerang was well on track, with construction ahead of schedule.
The large-scale rechargeable lithium-ion batteries project is set to house 100 Tesla Megapacks capable of storing 185 megawatts of energy.
Popular destination Koondrook claimed a bronze gong in the competitive Tiny Tourism Town category at the Victoria Tourism Industry Council awards.
The town beat a competitive 17-strong field for the award, with the presentation held at Cleveland Estate at Lancefield in the Macedon Ranges last Thursday.
The awards recognise and celebrate towns that provide an outstanding visitor experience.
