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16 February, 2026

Holding Halls Gap together after the fires

NICKI Van Veen was overseas when Northern Grampians Shire’s Australia Day Awards named her a Local Hero. In a small community, absence at a ceremony matters — not for applause, but for the chance to look people in the eye and say thank you. When we meet weeks later at Halls Gap’s Adventure Cafe, Nicki does something more revealing anyway. She moves the spotlight off herself before it can settle.

By Henry Dalkin

Local Hero award recipient Nicki Van Veen reflects on the recovery work that helped steady the Halls Gap community following devastating bushfires.
Local Hero award recipient Nicki Van Veen reflects on the recovery work that helped steady the Halls Gap community following devastating bushfires.

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