General News
31 December, 2024
Looking back at 2024: our most memorable news photos from the past year
There was rarely a dull moment in 2024, a year of powerful images.
There was rarely a dull moment in 2024; it was a year full of triumphs to tragedies.
After the blur of recent years, 2024 stood out as a year of vivid memories and powerful images.
We've collated the data and ranked the top Wimmera Mail-Times' stories for the past 12 months.
#1 Two seriously injured in Western Highway crash at Ledcourt.
Two men were taken to hospital with serious injuries following an accident at about 3.40pm on Thursday, July 11. One person was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital, while the other was airlifted to The Alfred in a serious but stable condition.
#2 Mt Stapylton blaze: Dadswell Bridge bushfire spreads to Glenorchy
The February 13 bushfire was heartbreaking.
Several dry lightning strikes ignited bushland in the Grampians National Park at Mt Stapylton and Bellfield, with wind changes pushing the blaze towards the communities.
More than 50 CFA crews battled fires across Pomonal and Dadswells Bridge; 45 homes were lost in the blaze.
#3 Hold your horses: escapee trotter causes two-car collision on Natimuk Road
Motorists and residents were shocked to see a horse charging down Natimuk Road, just kilometres from its typical racing track.
A witness said they heard a car crash when they spied the runaway.
"When I went outside and saw a black horse racing down the service road with another horse and jockey chasing after it."
#4 Overnight devastation: Farmhouse Providore and Cafe' gutted by fire
Farmhouse Provadre, one of Horsham's popular go-to places, was gutted by fire.
Emergency services were called to the incident on Wednesday morning, October 9, at about 2am.
The recovery process for the cafe and neighbouring businesses is well underway.
#5 Halls Gap, Pomonal, Lake Fyans residents told to leave as bushfire moves north
If one bushfire in the Grampians was not enough, more dry lightning strikes ignited bushland north of Dunkeld.
Eleven days later it has burnt more than 75,000 hectares, roughly the size of Singapore.
#6 Midnight fire devastates Horsham City Meats, second strike in weeks
Horsham City Meats owner John Olston was awoken in the early hours of Monday, February 19, to learn his Darlot Street business was on fire.
He praised the swift work of the Horsham Rural City Council, who provided generator power to keep the fridges working during the clean-up process.
#7 Pair arrested: Clear Lake shooting ends in Horsham siege
Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad arrested two men in Horsham on May 13 following an aggravated home invasion where a man was shot in Clear Lake.
During the arrests, a Horsham man initially refused to leave during negotiations with police.
After an hour, he exited the premises and surrendered before attempting to flee. He was subsequently arrested, and a taser was deployed during the arrest.
#8 Visa bungle sends Wimmera family back to Zimbabwe after five years
The Borlase family was forced to leave the country and return to Zimbabwe after their visa application was delayed for lengthy periods.
The family's issues began when an agent engaged with them to make an application for residency status and lodged the wrong forms.
As soon as they realised the error, they applied again, but the delays were costly.
#9 Police bust Wimmera drug syndicate, seize $500M worth of chemicals for meth
Police dismantled a significant drug trafficking operation in the Wimmera, seizing half a billion dollars worth of chemicals capable of producing up to five tonnes of methylamphetamines.
Allegedly, more than 50 drums of precursor chemicals, weighing in at more than 10 tonnes, were located on the outskirts of Horsham.
#10 Family's caravan destroyed in morning blaze, but Horsham home spared
A family's summer holiday plans were ruined when their caravan caught fire on October 15.
Owners Monique and Steven Castleman were thankful the damage wasn't worse.
"If the caravan was only a metre closer to the house we could have lost everything," Mrs Castleman said.
Memorable mentions:
Shine Hairdressing named state's best at L'Oreal's Salon Business Awards
Former Horsham student loses life in multi-vehicle crash in NSW
Longerenong College student grabs Australian Idol golden ticket
What was your biggest story of 2024?