Put simply it was great! "Hairspray" was thoroughly enjoyable and a major credit to the Year Nine kids and the College staff who did the job so well.

Thank you for an unforgettable experience. 

The Ulumbarra Theatre is excellent and worthy of the highest praise for those who designed an built it around the histroric Old Gaol.  It has retained the principal features of the old building whilst brilliantly inserting a modern theatre within. Bendigo can be proud of it. 

One criticism however, and a serious one; where on earth are you supposed to park the car? Attention to this flaw must be a priority.

The Shooters and Fishers Party of Victoria has welcomed the Andrews Government plan to establish an Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund.

The $200 million dollar fund will drive economic growth, boost exports and support Victorian farmers from paddock to port.

Regional farmers and local communities have done it hard the past decade, overcoming drought conditions and market pressures. It’s time their hard work is recognised as an important part of Victoria’s economy.

Also, the Victorian agricultural industry has seen a renewed interest in farming, with an uptake in small-volume farming practices – some of which have become world-renowned for their product. This fund will ensure we’re investing in the infrastructure we need to help our farmers and producers get their goods to market faster so they can take advantage of new local and international opportunities.

The Victorian Agriculture Industry contributes more than $11 billion to our economy and employs more than 87,00 people. This fund will help see increased growth in rural sections such as beef, wool and dairy production.

The Shooters and Fishers Party of Victoria congratulates the Andrews Government on this vital fund, however believes that it should also increase funding in regional health and law and order. And any additional regional funding should not be dependent on one policy. 

Victorians should talk about organ and tissue donation with their loved ones during DonateLife Week.

DonateLife Week, which continues until Sunday 9 August, is a national annual awareness campaign that encourages more discussion about organ and tissue donation. 

This year’s theme is to ensure loved ones wishes are shared and known. A new survey released today has found 73 per cent of Victorians would say ‘yes’ to receiving a life-saving transplant if they needed one, with 69 per cent saying they would willing to become an organ and tissue donor. 

However, despite this broad community support for organ and tissue donation, only 49 per cent of Victorians surveyed have made a decision on becoming a donor and just 55 per cent have discussed the subject with their family.

Talking about organ donation with loved ones ensures they understand the donor’s wishes when there is a potential opportunity for organ and tissue donation.

In 2014, 117 generous Victorians donated 369 organs last year – 202 kidneys, 64 livers, 53 lungs, 31 hearts, 13 pancreases, 1 heart-lung and 5 pancreas islets.

These donations helped 352 Australians to receive a life-changing organ transplant last year, an increase of 23 per cent on 2013.  To register to be an organ and tissue donor visit www.donorregister.gov.au. For information about organ and tissue donation, visit www.donatelife.gov.au.