By Jackson Russell
Whittlesea Pacers split their Big V games over the weekend with the men scoring a 73-61 road win over Coburg Giants while the women suffered a 55-37 loss at home to Southern Peninsula Sharks.
A back and forth first half saw the Pacers men take a two-point lead into half-time.
Whittlesea coach Brian Vaughns said the team’s defence finally improved.
“We came up with stops when we needed stops and that was better. Our defence has been letting us down and I think we played better defence this game,” he said.
“Our opponents have been shooting above 50 per cent all season but we were able to hold Coburg under 30 per cent. If we can stop giving up high percentage shots, we give ourselves a chance.”
Whittlesea controlled the game in the second half but couldn’t quite run away with it as the Giants would come back every time the Pacers started to get a bit of momentum.
A 19-13 third term pushed the Pacers’ lead out to as much as 10.
Coburg was able to fight back at the beginning of the fourth period, closing the gap to four before three quick buckets pushed the Pacers lead back out to 11.
Another quick run late had the Pacers up 14 as the pace quickened as the Giants attempted to come back again but to no avail.
Bradley Hassall shot the lights out, making seven of his eight three-point attempts for 21 points while Hakeem Simon was a monster in the paint with 15 points and a massive 18 rebounds.
“I told Hakeem before the last game that he has to step up. I made no bones about it, he has to be a dominant force,” Vaughns said.
The Pacers women’s struggles continued in their wire-to-wire loss to Southern Peninsula Sharks.
A poor shooting night was costly for the Pacers, shooting just 16-74 (.216) from the field and missing all 10 of their three-point attempts.
Dani Reinwald led the Pacers with 15 points and 11 rebounds while fellow American Rachel Bell struggled with just five points on 2-16 shooting.
Jamilla Georgi chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Pacers defence steps up
A picture story for children
Romsey mother Cheryl Slade didn’t know how to explain to her two-year-old son that she had cancer.
Ms Slade and her husband tried to find picture books, which her son Carson loves, to explain the situation, but could only find books for four or five-year-old children.
“We were devastated that we couldn’t explain what was happening and to say that everything will be okay,” Ms Slade said.
“I ended up in isolation twice for five days each – one time was over Christmas – and my husband encouraged me to write down what I wanted to say to Carson.
“It was very difficult to be away from my son like that for the first time.”
During that period in hospital in 2017, she wrote down all of the things she would like her son to hear.
“I sent my notes to a couple of friends afterwards who really encouraged me to get it published,” she said.
“I titled it ‘Mummy Is Sick but I Love You’ and my family and friends raised $3500 for an illustrator and a publisher, which was wonderful.”
She said she cherished the moment when she shared the story with her son.
“The first time I read it to Carson it was an amazing, he just got it,” she said.
“I said things like ‘Mummy can’t always make your favourite food’ or ‘Mummy is sad and angry sometimes so she needs kisses and cuddles’. He then would give me them.”
A third of the illustrations in the book are of Ms Slade and her son – the front cover was during her chemotherapy.
“The public have really loved it and appreciated the book. I have given it to childcare centres who have loved reading it to kids,” she said.
“Parents and grandparents have ordered them. It’s not just about cancer, a little boy said his mum was really sick during her pregnancy.”
Ms Slade reached remission in January 2019 and is thinking about her next step in writing.
“We’ve thought about lots of different things, maybe another book about depression,” she said.
Hidden Valley mum finds her feet
Eight years ago Hidden Valley resident Lee Bova was stressed, tired and struggling to keep up with life’s demands.
A mother of four children and a policewoman of 13 years, she couldn’t find the time or energy to look after herself as well.
“I was always stressed getting out of bed looking after the children. I was overweight and drank quite a bit – I also loved sweets,” Ms Bova said.
“I thought to myself one day, there’s got to be a better way to do this.”
Her family had three cattle dogs, who before the children were born, went everywhere with her and her husband.
“Since I had kids, they hung around more so I thought I’m going to get up and walk them every day,” she said.
“I had no idea about what that was going to lead into.”
Since that first walk in 2010, she has lost 15 kilograms, completed an ironman race and last weekend completed a long course involving a four-kilometre swim, 204-kilometre bike ride along the Great Ocean Road and a 50-kilometre trail run.
“My own mind has gotten me there. Our minds are so strong and we don’t really give them a chance to work,” she said.
“It all started from walking that led to running a six-kilometre loop. I couldn’t believe I started running – I would (normally) run away from running!
“When I got injured, my husband suggested I get into bike riding then one day a friend said ‘why don’t you do a triathlon?’. I didn’t even know what a triathlon was.”
In 2018 she qualified for the Ironman World Championships at Kona, Hawaii in October and completed the course.
“You get the highs, the lows – people told me to hang in there and it will pass. I made sure that I got up every single day and trained,” she said.
“My husband has even gotten into fitness now as well. He said I had motivated him.”
Ms Bova hopes her message will empower mothers to also feel strong and powerful.
“It’s amazing what we can do with our own bodies and just for ourselves, not just for being someone’s mother or partner or work colleague,” she said.
“I remember having a panic attack when I first got into the open water of my first triathlon, but I pushed myself and said to not give up.
“I can now see photos of myself and actually feel happy.”
Wandong community honours the Anzacs
More than 300 Wandong and Heathcote Junction residents attended the town’s Anzac Day service on April 25.
In an event involving the community and primary school, people in attendance heard about the challenges and bravery of those at the front and at home during wartime.
For the first time a tribute to a local soldier was introduced into the service with Wandong Primary School vice-captains Nikayla Harrison and Blake Henderson telling the story of Private Otto Siefken, who was born in Wandong in 1894 and served in the 11th Battalion and 3rd Machine Gun company in World War One before dying of pneumonia in 1918 as a prisoner of war.
Earlier, school captains Xander Fearn and Aurora Sheehy provided a moving account of prisoners of war in World War Two.
Wandong resident Ian Blyth delivered the Anzac Address. Mr Blyth told of the importance of words – those by war correspondents and in letters from families – in recording the history of Australia at war.
The Clonbinane CFA provides the Catafalque Party, veteran Peter Dore was master of ceremonies and Rev Ruwan Palpathwala delivered the prayers for remembrance and for peace.
As in previous years, the Field of Remembrance displayed small white crosses bearing the names of veterans from the Wandong Heathcote Junction area. People placed poppies on the crosses after the service.
Wandong Heathcote Junction War Memorial Commemorative committee chairman Allen Hall said the service exceeded the expectations of the committee.
“We always have a large turnout for both Anzac and Remembrance Day and this year with well over 300 in attendance it shows that the spirit of Anzac is well and truly alive in our town. Those involved in this year’s service did their community proud,” Mr Hall said.
Postal voting problematic
By Eden Hynninen
The elderly and less mobile residents in Kilmore are struggling to do their civic duty in the coming election because of the difficulty in accessing a postal vote.
Famie Boyd Coff, 96, has lived in Kilmore for most of her life and at election time has stood in line to vote or visited the town’s post office to submit a postal application – something that has now ceased.
Her daughter and carer Marlene Coff said the post office no longer provided voting applications and she had trouble accessing a postal vote for her mother.
“Mum is nearly 97 and we rely on getting this form – they [post office] said they don’t do them anymore,” Ms Coff said.
“I’ve rang the electoral office six times and it would always cut out with the number of options. I was so wild that I couldn’t speak to anyone, I rang a political party in Melbourne and they sent out postal votes the next day.
“A lot of older people without full-time carers don’t have the internet or the ability to drive to Seymour or Wallan at the early voting centres.”
She said elderly voters or their carers should not have to run around in order to vote.
“If this is the best they can do, then voting here should not be compulsory,” she said.
“I stopped taking mum to Assumption College where the voting booths are because mum can’t stand in the line for half an hour.”
Kilmore resident Dulcie Hellwege, 88, said her and her husband were still waiting for their postal votes to arrive from the Australian Electoral Commission.
“It all started about three weeks ago with a letter in the mail from Labor – we filled in a form to receive a postal vote but since then nothing has happened,” Ms Hellwege said.
“We’ve been told that it’s still being processed, but we’re getting a little anxious as the time is ticking.”
A spokesperson from the VEC said they were currently processing a high volume of applications.
Teacher brings children’s literature to life
By Eden Hynninen
Bernadette Joiner – who has been a teacher for over three decades – has spent the past six years introducing children into an interactive world of literature.
Owner of renowned children’s hub Dromkeen in Riddells Creek, Ms Joiner aims to make it known for exhibiting the works of contemporary Australian children’s book authors and illustrators.
Sitting in her office armchair by the crackling fire, she spoke to the North Central Review about how it all began.
“This estate has had a 50-year history as a centre for children’s literature – it’s famous all over the world,” Ms Joiner said.
“It closed about eight years ago, but I relaunched in the hope of getting this generation loving books and the arts in forms of illustrations.”
She hopes to make Dromkeen a place where children can learn about the importance of tangible books.
“I want children to be able to smell the books and run their fingers down the spine,” she said.
“This place has nooks and crannies everywhere – family members can interact and sit in different parts of the room to read or do arts and crafts.”
Built in 1889, Dromkeen estate is now home to an author in residence, literary festivals, arts and crafts rooms and exhibitions of famous Australian children’s book authors.
“At the moment we’re exhibiting Mark Wilson – he’s our most successful children’s book creator in Australia. He has books published in nine countries in five different languages,” she said.
“He has a host of genres – endangered animals, the environment, Australian and art history.
“People think picture books are just for kids, but they’re not. Every time I pick one up I learn something new.”
As a teacher, Ms Joiner has used children’s literature to make links to any areas in a curriculum.
“If you think about science, when children are developing their concepts of the world, they see the moon in a book that has a part missing – you can talk to them how it scientifically works,” she said.
With links to the Children’s Book Council of Australia, one of the main aims for Dromkeen is to have story time on the first Saturday of the month.
“Here we can have readings, songs and craft activities all in the aim of providing rich family interaction and staying away from technology,” she said.
“I’ve also added a tea room here where we are now becoming famous for our vanilla slice.”
Upcoming events involve travel sketching, writing and illustration classes, blacksmithing classes and holiday cartooning.
Dromkeen Storytime is on the first Saturday of every month at 2pm in the main gallery – this weekend’s theme is ‘Mother’s Day’.
For more information visit www.dromkeen.com.au or call 5428 6799.
Community learn about oldest water supply
MELBOURNE Water hosted yet another successful tour of Yan Yean Reservoir on April 27 educating locals and history buffs on Melbourne’s oldest water supply.
At the time of its completion in 1857, Yan Yean Reservoir was the largest artificial reservoir in the world.
Principal of Cultural Heritage at Melbourne Water Paul Balassone led the tour, titled ‘Going Against the Flow’ – a bus tour that follows the water system upstream.
“We start at the historic caretaker’s cottage at Yan Yean Reservoir and follow the system upstream heading north to the closed protected catchment of Wallaby Creek,” Mr Balassone said.
“It’s quite a privilege seeing behind the scenes of nature’s water factory, particularly accessing areas ordinarily out of bounds to the public and to experience the unique biodiversity of natural forest.”
The tour, in partnership with the City of Whittlesea, showcased the breadth and depth of Melbourne’s water supply operations.
“We take people to key parts of the system,” Mr Balassone said.
“Yan Yean water supply system was completed in 1857 and remains the oldest surviving and functional water supply system in Australia.
“Expansion of the system took place in the 1880s to the north of the Great Dividing Range, harnessing the waters of the Wallaby and Silver Creeks through a system of weirs and aqueducts, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of our forbearers – it’s very much a part of Melbourne’s history.”
“People on the tour are usually overwhelmed at the artisanship of bluestone and granite structures carved with such precision and care.
“The process of dealing with Traditional Owners and other stakeholders, conservation issues and finding a balance is also a great learning experience for people – at times it can be challenging maintaining conservation whilst managing critical infrastructure to ensure service delivery.
“Really in some way it’s a legacy that continues on – Melbourne is one of a handful of cities in the world that enjoys water from protected water supply catchments.
“That’s why our water quality is of premium standard, and that’s one reason why Melbourne is one of the most liveable cities in the world.”
“The process of dealing with Traditional Owners and other stakeholders, conservation issues and finding a balance is also a great learning experience for people – at times it can be challenging maintaining conservation whilst managing critical infrastructure to ensure service delivery.
“Really in some way it’s a legacy that continues on – Melbourne is one of a handful of cities in the world that enjoys water from protected water supply catchments.
“That’s why our water quality is of premium standard, and that’s one reason why Melbourne is one of the most liveable cities in the world.”
Forum focus on key issues
By Jackson Russell
Young people from the Mitchell Shire had a chance to hear directly from federal election candidates at a Youth Candidates Forum in Wallan last week.
Sitting Labor member Rob Mitchell, Animal Justice Party’s Ruth Parramore, independent Robert Hyndman and United Australia Party’s Chris Hayman attended while Greens candidate Neil Barker, currently overseas, was represented by former Macedon candidate Ralf Thesing.
Liberal candidate Phillip Fusco, One Nation candidate Ronnie Graham and Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party candidate Deb Butler did not attend.
Questions about issues facing youth in the electorate were workshopped by the community before the forum and posed to all candidates.
Topics included waste management and recycling, climate change, mental health services and funding, youth allowance, the Watson Street interchange, vaping and drug policies, home ownership and affordable housing.
Only one candidate, Rob Mitchell, was aware of Wallan’s Watson Street interchange project, despite Mitchell Shire Council prioritising it on its federal election wishlist.
Mr Thesing said the Greens have a target of achieving 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
“We want to create 180,000 new jobs in renewables, we want to support coal workers in the transition to retrain them and we want to look beyond renewable energy, that’s the first step, the easiest step, we should’ve solved this 10 years ago,” he said.
Ms Parramore agreed with the Greens but went a step further.
“Unlike any other party, the AJP believes that we have to address the significant impact on climate change that animal agriculture presents,” she said.
Mr Mitchell said bringing a second headspace centre to McEwen is part of Labor’s focus on mental health.
“Working closely with Mitchell Shire Suicide Prevention Network, working as an ambassador for Bully Zero, knowing families in this region that have lost children to bullying and suicide, mental health is a very key part of what we’re doing,” he said.
Most candidates were in favour of removing fees on tertiary education. Mr Hyndman said he was able to directly benefit from a free education.
“I wasn’t a HECS student so I didn’t have the trauma of what today’s youth have. I feel very sorry, I can’t understand how we took away free university education or free TAFE education and I can’t see any reason why it can’t be reinstituted,” he said.
Mr Hayman suggested decentralisation to push people into regional centres as a fix for housing affordability.
“We want to work with all parties to force decentralisation back on the agenda. We have a policy of fast rail in all capital cities to develop regional centres like Ballarat or Bendigo,” he said.
Nicholls candidates attempt to win over Seymour
By Evelyn Leckie
FOUR out of the eight candidates standing in the newly-named seat of Nicholls turned up to the Seymour Community Forum last week.
Absent was Nationals candidate Damian Drum, who has held the seat formerly known as the seat of Murray for the past three years.
Seymour resident Herma Duthie said she was offended that Mr Drum didn’t show, especially to address issues relating to the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Also absent from the discussion was Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Greens candidate Nickee Freeman and Independent Jeremy Parker.
Australian Labor Party member Bill Lodwick, United Australia Party Stewart Hine, Independent Nigel Hicks and Independent Andrew Bock however faced tough questions on water management, climate change, mandatary offshore detention, Indigenous issues, preference voting and superannuation.
Water management and climate change seemed to be the most pressing issues that residents were eager to hear about.
Independent Nigel Hicks, a dairy farmer, said he was concerned about the fate of the Hume Dam and that he would fight to scrap the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
“By the time the Murray Darling Basin Plan is completed – the extra 450 GL of water which is being taken despite what our Nationals friends tell us – that will be the whole capacity of the Hume Dam,” he said.
“Without that water which is a major driver of the economy of this whole region – the flow on effects to health, education – we can’t do it on a crooked foundation.”
Mr Lodwick, Mr Hine and Mr Bock also agreed they would support a Royal Commission into the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
On climate change, Mr Lodwick said Labor was the only party that had a comprehensive plan on tackling the issue, including plans to make half the cars being sold on the market electric by 2030.
“There’s also investment in new technology like hydrogen and there’s investment in helping lower income people access roof solar panels,” Mr Lodwick said.
Mr Bock said 84 per cent of people wanted action on climate change and renewable energy would be the next industrial revolution.
Mr Hicks said he sat in the middle of the road on the issue, saying the opportunities were huge particularly in the area for renewable energy – hydro and irrigation.
“I personally think we don’t need to wave the big fear stick with carbon taxes – it galvanises people one way or the other,” he said.
Mr Hine said he also wanted to find some middle ground on the issue and that renewables made much more sense to him.
He said the target for electric cars was also flawed due to coal power stations having to power electric cars.
Possibly the most divisive issue of the night was the candidates’ stance on mandatory offshore detention.|
Mr Hicks said he did not support immigration for the next five to ten years.
“We should get our own house in order before we look overseas,” he said.
Mr Hine spoke of his personal views saying people who were held offshore were not asylum seekers but people who attempted to enter Australia illegally using the paid services of people smugglers.
Mr Lodwick said he thought it was shameful that Australia has allowed mandatory offshore detention to continue for such a long time.
“Men, children and women languish overseas with no hope of going anywhere,” he said.
“If people are asylum seekers and refugees – they have rights and they need to be taken care of – I’ll fight against it.”
Licensed venues band together
By Jackson Russell
The Mitchell Southern Cluster Liquor Accord are considering banning its first person from multiple venues in the southern part of Mitchell Shire.
The accord is assessing whether to ban the man for six months from the 12 venues that are signed up to the accord, following assaults and threats.
After initially starting in 2013, Mitchell Shire police are reforming the accord.
Sergeant Jimmy Harvey said the accord developed a collaborative approach between police and venues.
“The licensees know what’s going on and with individuals, they can tell each other and tell us and they can also raise issues with us,” he said.
“If we get an individual that’s causing problems at a particular venue, it allows us to ban them from all the venues and allows us to forewarn the other venues and constrain what that individual is able to do and where they can go to try to influence their behaviour to not do what they were doing previously.”
Any bans to venues who are part of the accord are issued on top of barring notices issued by individual venues and criminal charges to be heard in court.
“As well as taking someone to court for criminal charges, this is trying to influence their behaviour in terms of constraining poor behaviour due to drinking and increase the safety for the general public and staff at these venues as well,” Sgt Harvey said.
“Ninety-five per cent of people are doing the right thing and we’re appreciative of all the good work of many licensed venues.
“This is a method where we’re trying to work with them to eliminate and constrain the behaviour of the few that are doing the wrong thing.”