Community
22 November, 2025
In brief: add time for bus replacements, band's new leader and support for tiny towns
Here's some brief bits of news we still want you to know about.
Buses replacing trains
PASSENGERS travelling on the Maryborough line are urged to allow extra time as V/Line carrys out its annual maintenance and infrastructure works.
Replacement coaches will operate between Maryborough, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat and Ararat stations from Tuesday, November 18 until the last service on Friday, November 28.
All train services will be replaced by a mix of express and stopping all stations coach services, and some coaches will depart earlier than usual train times to connect with trains at Bacchus Marsh.
Works include track maintenance and ballast replacement, and signalling upgrades at Maryborough, Clunes and Creswick plus civil construction works at selected pedestrian crossings in Creswick and Ballarat.
A temporary timetable is on the V/Line website.
Leader of the band
PETER Battersby has been elected president of St Arnaud Citizens’ Brass Band. He succeeds Bruce Sutherland who led the band during its 150th year of brass band music in St Arnaud. Elected vice-president at the annual general meeting was Peter Hamilton, secretary Helen Burns and treasurer Joanne Wiseman. Bob Wooley is again bandmaster with Jane Battersby his deputy and drum major is Luke Lovegrove.
Big boost for tiny towns
THE next round of funding is open to Ripon towns wishing to make themselves small but mighty places to be.
The Tiny Towns Fund offers grants of up to $50,000 to towns with fewer than 5,000 residents – for projects that attract visitors to the town or celebrates the local community.
More than 50 community halls have been upgraded or renovated, alongside dozens of new and improved playgrounds and outdoor spaces through the fund.
Local projects that have been successful in round two of the funding include $38,090 for expansion and integration in Stuart Mill, and $31,702 for the Bealiba Hall History Room refurbishment and exterior painting project.
Read More: Local