thousands fox scalps have been handed in over 11 weeks in Victoria.
At $10-a-fox and $50-a-wild-dog, hunters have been paid more than $100,000 already.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh, who visited Colac last week, gave the bounty update and said the uptake showed how farmers needed the bounty as a long-term control of wild dogs and foxes.
"The Victorian Coalition Government's fox bounty has quickly surpassed the former Labor Government's flawed FoxStop program, which only claimed about 6000 foxes per year," he said.
Hunters need to submit an entire fox scalp, including both ears and the skin surrounding the eyes and the nose in an air-dried, fresh or frozen condition.
High calibre of volunteers
FEWER people may be giving their time to community service but the calibre of those who do is exceptional, APEX Foundation chairman Jim Hughes says.
Past and present members of APEX will converge on Warrnambool next month to share memories.
Mr Hughes said the reunion for western Victoria would reunite old friends with an APEX connection.
The Warrnambool APEX Club is organising the February 4 reunion at the Warrnambool Bowls Club.
"They are all volunteers and traditionally you will find a good calibre of people in these groups," he said.
The reunion costs $26 a person. RSVP by January 26.
To book phone Stu Bethune on 0417 156 659.
Rattler rescue
INTERESTED in restoring a train?
Baw Baw Shire is calling for expressions of interest to relocate a J550 Locomotive from Rotary Park in Warragul.
Shire mayor Diane Blackwood said the train was a vital link to the area's history, but council could not afford to maintain it.
"We hope that a suitable group or individual will restore, relocate and maintain our J550 Locomotive as a community asset for all to enjoy . . . ," Cr Blackwood said.
Submissions to council should include the locomotive's proposed future use, location and time frame for removal.
The closing date for submissions is February 10.
Restoring glory
WARRACKNABEAL Town Hall will receive $94,000 to conserve the building, said Planning Minister Matthew Guy.
Mr Guy said the Warracknabeal Town Hall, including the Regent Theatre, was built in a moderne style in 1939-40.
The project will include rewiring the building, re- glazing the dominant front windows in the council chamber and painting the council chamber interior.
Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay said a shire grant had been used to replace the roof and insurance money for flood damage had been used for other works.
"I look forward to seeing the further community use of this building," he said.
Scholarships
SHEPPARTON council is offering nurses scholarships to help them complete maternal and child health nursing training in a bid to attract professionals to the region.
Greater Shepparton is offering three $3000 scholarships to Division One nurses.
Council's maternal and child health team leader Chris Widdicombe said the nurses needed to also be registered midwives.
"Council is offering these scholarships as maternal and child health nursing is a highly specialised area," Ms Widdicombe said.
"It is hoped that once nurses have completed the training, they will consider working in Greater Shepparton."
