THE southwest Victorian dairy industry is well placed to take advantage of steady milk prices, the ANZ says.

ANZ regional commercial banking head Keiran Evans said the region had the largest herd size and farm production in Victoria.

"Southwest Victoria's dairy industry is starting to see strong international demand for its produce going across to Asia. For example, skim milk powder exports to China increased by 68 per cent during the period January to November 2011," Mr Evans said.

Say it with music

LAKE Mountain Alpine Resort will hold a festival on March 11 to thank Victorians for helping the mountain's recovery from the 2009 Black Saturday fires.

The Thank You Victoria Music Festival will feature Deb Conway and Willy Zygier. Marketing manager Trudi Ackerman said that tickets for families of four cost $99.

Have basin say

PUBLIC meetings to gauge reaction to the draft Murray- Darling Basin Plan are being held in Echuca, Kyabram, and Rochester this week.

Campaspe Shire and NSW's Murray Shire are holding the meetings to help them form submissions to the plan.

They'll be held today at 7pm at Kyabram Plaza Theatre and tomorrow at the Port of Echuca Motor Inn at 7pm. 

Easter volunteers

VOLUNTEERS are being sought for the Bendigo Easter Festival.

Festival chairman and councillor Rod Fyffe said the city's big celebration relied on volunteers.

Volunteers must be 16 or older and able to work at various times on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday.