Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke's chief of staff Graham Evans will kick off the event and provide his insight into the Australian government. The former senior federal public servant and diplomat had more than 40 years experience in the public and private sectors before retiring in 2010. It's on at 3pm at the Port Fairy Community Services Centre, Atkinson Street. A small number of places are available. For more information call Maggie on 0419 290 232.

Repurposed: The Decoding the Sea art exhibition will be launched on Friday from 6pm to 8pm and features works made from items collected along Warrnambool beaches. Rachel Peters and Shelly Knoll-Miller have collaborated to bring the exhibition, showcasing beach debris that they have transformed into colourful pieces, to life. It's on at the F Project, 224 Timor Street, Warrnambool.

Reel in a barrel: The Hooked on Tuna fishing competition begins on Saturday in Portland and continues on Sunday. It's on across four weekends until Sunday, April 28 from the Portland Yacht Club with winners sharing in a $5000 cash prize pool. 

Horse trials: Riders will converge on the south-west for this weekend's Camperdown Horse Trials. It begins from 8am Saturday and runs until Sunday. The trials, at the Lakes Sporting Complex, Sadlers Road, includes classes ranging from CCI4*L to EvA80 with riders coming from Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and across Victoria to compete. It is also a qualifying event for the Victorian interschool competition with the finals to be held in Sydney.

Treat: Head to Baker's Delight's East Warrnambool store to purchase a six pack of hot cross buns on Saturday. Two dollars from every pack sold will be donated to Warrnambool's Dowie family to help them and son Noah, 4, who has an incredibly rare blood disorder - Diamond Blackfan Anemia, attend a specialist US medical camp.

Game on: The Hampden Football Netball League starts its 2019 season on Saturday with matches at Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Bushfield, Camperdown and Hamilton. Netball starts at 1.15pm with football from 2pm.

The rematch: The Warrnambool and District league grand final rematch between premier Nirranda and runner-up Old Collegians is the pick of its round one football games. Bouncedown is from 2.20pm at Nirranda.

Music: The Symphony of the Passion, composed by Warrnambool's Dr Ken Stott, will be performed by the Warrnambool and Hamilton symphony orchestras this weekend. The symphony will be performed at Hamilton Lutheran Church on Saturday at 7pm, and Warrnambool's Anglican Church at 2.30pm on Sunday. Adults $30, concession $25.

Dance party: The Dart and Marlin in Warrnambool will host a dance party featuring DJs including Prequel, Nice Girl and Downtempo and more on Saturday night. Limited tickets available - $15 dollars from Eventbrite or $20 at the door. Go to the Dart and Marlin Facebook page for more information.

Cycling: Cheer on the hundreds of Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay riders as they cross the finish line in Port Fairy on Sunday morning. Teams ride to raise money for health services and hospitals in their areas. They set off from three locations, Mildura, Swan Hill and Echuca, on Saturday morning and have an overnight stopover in Hamilton before the final leg to Port Fairy.

Races ready: Check out the latest fashions ahead of Warrnambool's biggest social event of the year - the May Races. The Rotary Club of Warrnambool will host a fashion parade at the City Memorial Bowls Club, Cramer Street, Warrnambool featuring race fashions from Gazman and Daizy Boutique, as well as some casual, everyday attire. It's on at 2pm. Tickets are $20 per person and are available from Gazman and Daizy Boutique or at the door.

New era: The Warrnambool Community Garden, in Grieve Street, will celebrate the start of quarry site works with a range of activities from 10am. There will be a turning of the soil, a smoking ceremony with Rob Lowe Senior, a discovery trail and a chance for attendees photograph their favourite spot at the site. The photos will be displayed and a people's choice winner picked.

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