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Uplifting, tragic, emotional. These simple adjectives sum up this week across the south-west.
The birth of little baby Frances on Monday, four months after her father Andy and grandfather Ross Powell died while trying to rescue a tourist at Port Campbell, warmed the cockles of hearts. Mum Amber Griffiths had worked in the family's dairy right up until the birth as she, friends and relatives maintained their farm.
The events of Friday in New Zealand stunned not only the south-west but the world when Nirranda's Sean McKinnon was killed by a gunman while sleeping in a campervan. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, who like all of us, cannot make sense of what happened.
Emotions ran high a couple of hours later when Warrnambool's Manikam family won its battle for residency, avoiding deportation next month. The tears of joy from VCE student Vanisre when her father broke the news to her at Brauer College evoked a similar response from those present. Her decision to start a petition, which attracted more than 90,000 signatures and united a community, was courageous and rewarding.
The uncomplicated nature of children was highlighted when Noorat youngster Shelby Byrne wrote to PM Scott Morrison and gained national attention.
The state's planning umpire created headlines this week when it approved The Lookout alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation centre at Dennington.
Residents had objected on amenity and environmental grounds. They ran an emotive campaign that struck a chord with Warrnambool City councillors, who in April voted against the centre.
The arguments put forward by councillors at the time were bizarre, including the site was "too windy" and lacking top soil.
Councillors were swayed by an invested minority. They chose to vote against the wider community's views and more importantly the council's own planning professionals, who recommended they support the planning application before they deferred it.
The councillors who voted against the centre - mayor Tony Herbert, Michael Neoh, Peter Hulin and David Owen - cost ratepayers dearly. The council's bill for planning experts, legal experts and the like for the six-day Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing will run into tens of thousands of dollars.
Councillors need to be held to account. They voted in favour of a rate rise above the state government-regulated cap yet threw away tens of thousands with the raising of their hands on this issue. Town planning is complex and most councillors are not experts, that's why the city employs professionals, who should be listened to.
Councillors and objectors will take me to task for this view because I am a member of The Lookout steering committee but planning decisions are made on planning grounds not emotions.
Andrew Atkinson's book Copper! A Life in Law Enforcement is sought after, judging by the response to our giveaway last week. The lucky winners were Denise Borton and Leanne Dixon. Don't miss the third episode in our podcast series.
Here's a selection of stories that also made headlines this week.
Until next week,