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October 3, 2017

There are so many things to make for The Great Seymour Show Off, which will be held on October 7. Check out the schedule on line at www.seymouragshow.org.au or pick up a schedule around town.

After all that making and baking comes rewards.

This year we have spent many thousands of dollars on getting the best entertainment for your $15 entry fee.

Besides all the fun usual show stuff such as the carnival rides and animals and the great stuff in the pavilions, we have some fantastic attractions for everyone.

Daryl The Farmer runs the best animal nursery with stacks of pattable babies.

By popular demand we have the return of Whip Industries which is the daredevil motor bike display.

They were a huge success a couple of years ago and we are thrilled they are back. Evidently this is for the blokes, but I thought they were amazing too.

From a family point of view everyone will love The Wild Action Travelling Zoo.

Not only will there be snakes, but all sorts of other Australian animals.

This is our big ticket item and a first for The Show Off and we really hope you all make sure to have a look.

Also back again is Stewart Bryant who brings his amazing whip cracking skills along with his beautifully trained horses.

Stewart is from Yea and is just the kind of act we like to sponsor at a country show.

The Lego people will be doing their usual extraordinary display and Anna the stilt walker will be cruising around the showgrounds.

Those talented operators of chainsaws will be demonstrating their sculpture which is always a crowd pleaser.

Last but definitely not least will be Friday night where there’ll be lots of local music and the best fireworks outside Moomba.

Seniors celebrate

The North Central Review

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October 3, 2017

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HAVING a cuppa with the Mayor or delving into the world of online shopping are just some of the diverse activities on offer, in addition to the Annual Seniors Concert featuring Honey B and the Stingers.

All council events, including an active aqua gentle exercise classes, senior strength classes and an introduction to online shopping course, are outlined in the Mitchell Shire Seniors Festival Program.

Council’s leisure centres are also getting in on the action, with free membership offers for new and existing members (conditions apply).

A Senior Fun Day, including bowls and a free barbecue, will also be held from 11am-2pm on Friday, October 20 at Kingsgate Village in Kilmore. Mitchell Shire Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said the festival was an important way to promote active and healthy living.

“Our seniors are so important to us and promoting a healthy, active and age friendly community is a priority for council. The Seniors Festival activities are a great way for our older residents to get out and about, socialise, keep their minds active, and participate in their community. It’s great to see so many community groups getting on board with the Victorian Seniors Festival and council would like to thank them for hosting these important events for our seniors.” Cr Sanderson said.

Copies of the Mitchell Shire Seniors Festival Program can be downloaded from www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.au or hard copies can be collected from Council’s Customer and Library Service Centres or Leisure Centres.

For more information on the festival, please contact council on 5734 6200.

Swap Meet success

The North Central Review

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October 3, 2017

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WALLAN Scouts and Greenhill Committee members were all smiles on Sunday, September 24 as thousands of people flocked to the annual swap meet at Greenhill Reserve.

The weather was almost perfect for such an occasion and the sun was shining on gleaming chrome and polished paintwork as an array of beautiful old cars and vehicles lined up on the lower oval for all to see.

Scout Treasurer David James said the day had exceeded all expectations. He said the 7th annual swap meet and classic car show attracted over 200 stall holders as well as several thousand visitors from across Victoria, NSW and South Australia to buy, swap and sell vehicle parts, collectables and all sorts of old items .

“The lovely old cars were very popular. Nearly half the sites have already been booked for next year,” Mr James said.

The Wallan Scouts and Greenhill Committee would like to thank John Sparks for his steam engine display, Rusty from TV programme Bumper to Bumper for filming the car show and local rock band Rockit for keeping people entertained.

Works for court house

The North Central Review

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October 2, 2017

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THE Kilmore Court House will undergo urgent conservation works thanks to a Heritage Grant of $130,000.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes met with members of the Kilmore Court House committee of management last Monday, September 18 to announce the Living Heritage Program grant.

“The Kilmore Court House is among our community’s most cherished assets and it is vital that these refurbishment works are carried out. The Kilmore Court House reflects our history and provides the stories of who we are and where we have come from. We invest in our heritage to ensure it remains for future generations.” Ms Symes said.

The Kilmore Court House is a local and iconic landmark that serves as the headquarters for four local community user groups, including the Kilmore Historical Society, the Kilmore Art Society, the Mechanics Institute and the Kilmore Celtic Festival.

The grant will fund urgent conservation works that are needed at the Kilmore Court House, including the works to the roof and façade of the building.

Kilmore Committee of Management Chair, Dianne Le Quiniat thanked Ms Symes for her assistance in helping them obtain the grant.

“It’s (the Kilmore Court House) is a beautiful building and we’re so grateful to Jaclyn Symes for her help – she’s been wonderful. It’s the only heritage building left in community hands in the town and we want to preserve it for the community. Jaclyn Symes is so lovely and approachable and her staff are just lovely. It makes it easier for community groups to have someone they can talk to.” Ms Le Quiniat said.

Ms Symes added that it was wonderful to see the hard work of the committee recognised by Heritage Victoria and that it was lovely to see the iconic building being maintained and used by the community.

Poetry champs

Kids & Youth

The North Central Review

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October 2, 2017

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THE poetry talents of district students were put under the spotlight when students from St Patricks Primary School, Kilmore Primary School and The Kilmore International School came together to celebrate poetry in all its forms on Wednesday, September 20.

The Poetry Slam event held at St Patrick’s Primary School was the culmination of weeks of work by the three schools that aimed to promote poetry and the development of oral language and writing skills.

Finalists from individual school poetry events came together at Poetry Slam to share their love of poetry and put on show the various talents they have developed through the program.

A panel of judges, made up of Angela Gower, an English teacher and debating coach at TKIS, Tanya Begley, community and programs librarian at Mitchell Shire and Rosa Nix, local drama and performing arts teacher and actor were astounded by the breadth of talent shown by the students and congratulated all participants on their confidence, delivery and the inspiring way they shared their thoughts and emotions, especially those who wrote original pieces.

Huge thanks were given to Ms Claire Kelly, the organising teacher at St Patrick’s for all her work and Jennene Cooney at KPS and Julie Daniels at TKIS for their support and assistance.

Seymour to host trials

The North Central Review

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October 2, 2017

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Seymour will be the at the centre of the working sheep dog world when it holds the 2017 Supreme Australian Working Sheep Dog Championship this October.

Held over nine days at Kings Park in Seymour, the event is free for spectators with catering available in the Ken Hall Pavilion, provided by the Seymour A and P Society.

On Saturday, October 14 to Sunday, October 15 more than 100 dogs will contest the Novice Championship. Commencing Monday, October 16 more than 200 excellent entries from across the country will ensure exciting competition for the title of Supreme Champion.

Top dogs and triallers from every state will vie for the title of Supreme Champion and the states competing for the Ted Gaby Interstate Challenge Trophy.

The Interstate Challenge will take place over three rounds with the first round on Thursday, October 19, the second round on Friday, October 20 and the Final will be held on Sunday, October 22.

Victoria will be represented by David Hines and ‘Tarcoola Scooter’ from St Arnaud and John Tuddenham with ‘Waramara Paddy’ from Ross Creek.

Local farmers Brendan Kelly from Pyalong and Ross and Sarah Thomson from Glenaroua are kindly providing the considerable number sheep required for the conduct for the Supreme.

Trialling will commence from 7.30 am daily and run through to early evening. Highlights will be the Novice Final held under lights on Sunday, October 15 and two rounds of the State Teams Competition under lights on Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20.

No to recorded council meetings

The North Central Review

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October 2, 2017

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Recordings of Mitchell Shire Council meetings will not happen – even on a trial basis following a decision at last week’s council meeting.

Councillors were discussing a report prepared subsequent to a Notice of Motion presented at the March 2017 meeting asking for an officer’s report into the feasibility and costs of placing ordinary and special council meeting recordings on the Mitchell Shire Council website.

In Victoria, 43 Councils make audio recordings and 16 of those make them available as public recordings on their website. In addition, 10 out of 79 Councils indicated they were livestreaming council meetings and making video recordings available afterwards. Meanwhile in Mitchell Shire – silence (for now) is golden.

Wallan’s big win

The North Central Review

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October 2, 2017

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WALLAN received a $5 million boost to develop better roads and enhance the town centre for small businesses and residents, creating over 60 jobs.

$3.8 million will be provided to develop road projects including providing southern ramps at the Hume Freeway and Watson Street interchange and improvements to Watson Street between the Northern Highway and Station Street as well as exploring intersection upgrades and duplication of the Northern Highway from the Hume Freeway to Wallan Secondary College.

The upgrades will improve access to the developing residential areas east of Wallan as well as Wallan train station, while also providing a vital alternative Hume Highway access point.

Northern Highway duplication would significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve travel times and make it safer for drivers to access Wallan during peak periods. PLUS THE Community Bank Adventure Playground in Wallan is the toast of the state after taking out a major award, and will now vie for a national title later this year. The playground won the prestigious Major Playspace Award at the Parks and Leisure Australia (Victoria/Tasmania) 2017 Regional Awards of Excellence last week. The award celebrates play spaces in Victoria and Tasmania over $500,000 that create a sense of ‘place’ in the community, and exhibit innovative designs that aid childhood development.

Cuts concern council

The North Central Review

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October 2, 2017

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Recent cuts to the Growing Suburbs Fund in the 2017/18 State Budget will have a negative impact on the social strength and resilience of more than 1.3 million residents, and is likely to cost Victoria in the long-term.

The Victorian Government has halved the annual community infrastructure fund for Melbourne’s outer suburbs from $50 million to $25 million.

As a result, the dedicated funding stream which helps Interface Councils like

Mitchell to deliver essential social infrastructure will be less effective in preventing social isolation and fragile families.

Mitchell Shire Council is one of 10 Interface Councils. The fund has contributed over $8.5 million to projects in Mitchell Shire over the last two years including new sports facilities, playgrounds and community hubs.

Sister act

The North Central Review

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October 2, 2017

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IT is no wonder newly sworn in Mitchell Youth councillor Vivien Flannery is as passionate about community work as she is, when you consider the example she has been set.

Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Audrey, the current Mitchell Shire Youth Mayor, Vivien is keen to get started putting back into the community.

“My sister Audrey has set me an awesome example of what you can achieve when you set your mind to it. She has done a lot to help those less fortunate and the youth in our community and I am really looking forward to getting involved in certain projects with her,” Vivien said.

The committed 12 year old Assumption College student has a clear idea of how she can apply her strengths to the role.

“I hope I can offer a different perspective and put my own ideas into action. I hope to help the youth in our community explore physical and musical pursuits which are passions of mine and also hope to help the Youth Council promote the needs and abilities of our community’s younger generation,” she said.

Mitchell Youth Council is an advisory committee of Mitchell Shire Council and a youth development program. It provides an important opportunity for young people to have input into Council decisions and develops initiative and projects for young people.

Vivien is already very excited about projects the Youth Council has in the pipeline for 2017.