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WANTED: MORE POLICE

The North Central Review
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WANTED: MORE POLICE

More than 1000 residents have signed two petitions for more police after hours in Romsey and surroundings towns.

Romsey resident Kristi Gilbert started one petition last year for a 24-hour police station, or atleast more police officers, after a string of thefts and damages in the area.

“The police were called and they were great but the criminals knew they could get away with it at night time. It was only that people had CCTV footage that they were caught,” Ms Gilbert said.

“We got to about 250 signatures last year but then people said ‘why bother? It’s not going to do anything’.”

Since then, there have been several incidents including a Gisborne murder where a man allegedly tried to turn himself into Gisborne Police Station, only to find it closed.

Romsey’s Thrifty Link hardware store has also been broken into five times in the past eight months.

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Romsey residents are connected through intercom to Kyneton Police Station when the station is unattended.

“Now there is a lot more car thefts, they are actually entering people’s properties,” Ms Gilbert said.

“I had another member of the community contact me last week to get the petition going again. Within three days we have received over 1000 signatures.

“Do we have to wait for a crime wave before we get a response and get another police officer?”

Romsey resident Danniel Jones started the second petition – aligned with the first – to make the community aware of what was happening.

“I was totally unaware about the hardware store. My wife was a little taken aback by the lack of police presence and times the station was shut,” Mr Jones said.

“I just moved here with my family and it’s such a lovely town, I just think there should be a station manned within 10 minutes of where we live.”

An elderly man in the community – who did not wish to be named – attempted to enter the station three times last week but found it closed everytime.

He said he would have to drive to Kyneton or Kilmore Police Station.

“I have seen a single responder in a police vehicle in the area. Can you have one officer on duty? Would you want to be a police officer if there was a single person on duty?” Ms Gilbert said.

“When we first moved here I wouldn’t worry about walking in the dark, now it just has a different feel.”

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt told The Free Press last month that there had been a shortage of police in the Macedon Ranges for years.

Victoria Police spokesperson Chris Large said the organisation was constantly reviewing police numbers, levels of offending and peak times when police are required to keep the community safe.

3000 trees face axe

The North Central Review
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3000 trees face axe

THREE thousand gumtrees, some of which are up to 500 years old, face clearing as part of next stage of duplicating Yan Yean Road.

With stage two of the duplication of Yan Yean Road nearing, Indigenous people and professional arborists assessed and estimated the age of the trees.

Doreen property owners John and Christine Yeoman could witness two of their beloved 500 year old red gums cleared to make way for increasing traffic congestion.

“We’re not against the duplication of Yan Yean Road,” Mr Yeoman said.

“I’ve seen the congestion issues in the area, particularly with Doreen Primary School population increasing and other schools starting up in the area – the traffic is really heavy.

“We just hope there’s a way that Major Road Projects Victoria can preserve them.”

The Yeoman’s have been on their property for 41 years and are the largest landowners in Doreen, with 260 acres of farming land to breed cattle and train horses.

“We’ve been defending not just our trees, but the 3000 other gumtrees to preserve the rural feel in Doreen,” Mr Yeoman said.

Mr Yeoman is on a committee panel with VicRoads and many concerned residents who are focused on preserving the environment – the group have gathered about 8000 signatures to petition against the clearing.

“These trees were here before white settlement – we’re going to try our hardest to preserve them but in the end it’s going to be up to the government,” he said.

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne said an Environmental Effects Statement would be required for the next stage of the Yan Yean project.

Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green has responded to residents’ concerns on environmental impacts and met with the Yeomans to hear their concerns.

“We know locals have expressed a strong desire for this vital upgrade to retain two significant trees on Doctors Gully Road corner – the Environmental Effects Statement is yet another opportunity to consult with the community to explore options as we finalise the design,” Ms Green said.

“The Environmental Effects Statement will make sure we minimise impacts on the local environment including species such as the powerful owl.”

“Danielle has been helpful and really supportive on trying to preserve these trees,” Mr Yeoman said.

“As much as the odds are against us, you just can’t replace a 500-year-old gumtree.”

Mr Wynne will release draft scoping requirements for public comment in coming weeks.

People are encouraged to visit your.roadprojects.vic.gov.au to learn about the process and sign up for project updates.

Interchange promise

The North Central Review
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Interchange promise

The Labor Party has committed a $23 million promise to construct a Hume Freeway-Watson Street interchange in Wallan should it be elected at the federal election on May 18.

The funding will go towards an estimated $47.5 million stage one project to construct a full diamond interchange at Watson Street and a path linking the town centre to the train station.

The interchange is one of Mitchell Shire Council’s priority projects as part of an federal election advocacy campaign as it will relieve traffic congestion entering and exiting between the Hume Freeway and Northern Highway.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell joined Mitchell Shire Council and the community at Wallan Town Heart on Thursday to make the announcement.

Mr Mitchell said the interchange would be the single biggest roads infrastructure project in Mitchell Shire since the Hume Freeway was built.

“It’s probably one of the biggest announcements we’ll make across the election and it’s here for Wallan and for Kilmore and for the people of Mitchell Shire to make life easier in emergency times and just day to day living, whether it’s going to work or going out of town,” he said.

Mr Mitchell said he was well aware of the traffic issues on the Hume Freeway, Northern Highway and Watson Street.

“The thing that always gets raised to me is, to use a quote, ‘the bloody traffic’. Everyone complains about the issues we have on the Northern Highway,” he said.

“Why are we forced to come into the intersection here on Watson Street, it’s the only way in and only way out.

“We know quite regularly, you come off the freeway at 110km/h and you have to hit the brakes because traffic is banked up.”

Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said the funding announcement was a game-changer for Wallan, the shire and anyone who used the freeway.

“It will unlock Wallan’s economic potential even further, it will help our community go about their lives more easily and it will help keep our national freeway moving,” he said.

“It is wonderful that we have two Federal election commitments on the board so far. I would like to thank federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell for listening to our community and understanding our priorities.

“We have met with many of the candidates and look forward to any further announcements they may have in relation to these two important projects.

”When asked by the North Central Review if the Liberal Party would match the commitment, candidate Philip Fusco said his party wasn’t “in the business for tit for tat”.

“I’m concerned Labor has committed the small amount of money they have. I know Mitchell Shire’s budget for those projects are quite higher than what Labor has committed,” he said.

“Don’t start a project and leave it half finished, either you complete it or you don’t. I’m interested in delivering 100 per cent and that takes place over the course of a relationship in government.”

Mr Fusco said the Liberal Party had made their policy commitments clear, including the Urban Congestion Fund.

“Mitchell Shire is equally entitled to apply as the other McEwen shires and the government has made this fund specifically to contribute to these roads,” he said.

“It will be my job to keep allocating for the rest of what’s required. It won’t happen over two weeks before the election.”

Candidates named for federal election

The North Central Review
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Candidates named for federal election

Eight candidates have been officially named to contest the seat of McEwen in the upcoming federal election on May 18.

Candidates’ names were drawn at a declaration of nominations in Seymour on Wednesday, with The Greens’ Neil Barker drawing the top spot on the ballot paper.

He will be followed by Ruth Parramore of the Animal Justice Party, sitting Labor member Rob Mitchell, Liberal candidate Phillip Fusco, Deb Butler from Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, independent Robert Hyndman, One Nation’s Ronnie Graham and United Australia Party’s Chris Hayman.

In the re-named seat of Nicholls, eight candidates will contest for the seat with Damien Drum from the Nationals appearing first on the ballot paper.

He will be followed by Independent Jeremy Parker, Independent Andrew Bock, Stewart John Hine from the United Australia Party, Labor’s Bill Lodwick, Nickee Freeman from the Greens, Tyrrell Rikkie-Lee representing Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, and Independent Nigel Hicks.

The two electorates have been affected by a redistribution initiated by the need to introduce a 38th seat in parliament.

Areas north of Kilmore including Broadford and Seymour have been moved from McEwen to the renamed Nicholls, formerly Murray.

McEwen also loses Mickleham and Craigieburn to Calwell and parts of Mernda to Scullin while gaining parts of Hurstbridge and Yarrambat.

Nicholls gains the aforementioned towns of Broadford and Seymour from McEwen but loses Loddon Shire to Mallee and Euroa and Violet Town to Indi.

Fire restrictions end May 1

The North Central Review
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Fire restrictions end May 1

Fire restrictions end for Mitchell and Macedon Ranges shires and the City of Whittlesea at midnight on May 1.

However, the CFA is urging residents to still be extremely cautious when burning off.

While in previous years fire restrictions have finished early, this year has been much dryer resulting in the fire danger period running for its scheduled duration.

CFA District 12 commander Justin Dally said just because the fire danger period had lifted, doesn’t mean it’s safe to burn off at any time.

“As people are well aware, it’s still very dry with rain deficiencies seen across the district, certainly with dry, dead grass and the bush being extremely dry,” he said.

“The main things are to watch the weather, particularly the winds. If the winds are getting up, my recommendation is with winds above 15-20km/h, fire will travel very quickly in grassland and the bush and run up trees and can potentially get away on people really quickly.

“The last thing people want when doing a burn off of any size is to damage fences or damage their neighbours’ property.

“In years gone by, burns have gotten away from people, burning fences and trees and threatening not only their property but their neighbours. Any damage that their fire does do is back on the person that lit the fire.”

Fire restrictions remain in force in districts seven, 15 and 22, which take in Geelong, Ballarat and Shepparton and neighbouring municipalities, until May 13.

Mr Dally said safety precautions when burning off included making sure someone was attending to the fire at all times, having a means of extinguishing, having a bare earth break with nothing touching the fire three metres above and around, and notifying the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority and register the burn on 1800 668 511.

“That will help to make sure the fire brigade is only turned out to fires. Instead of people seeing smoke on the horizon and calling it, if that burn off is registered, it may help us not turn out and keep our volunteers at home or at work without turning out to their burn off,” he said.

Kilmore community pay their respects

The North Central Review
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Kilmore community pay their respects

THE clouds cleared for the Anzac Day parade in Kilmore on Thursday with Puckapunyal’s School of Artillery, Assumption College, The Kilmore International School, Kilmore Scouts and Girl Guides leading the march on Sydney Road.

The procession led the community to gather at Kilmore War Memorial where Kilmore Wallan RSL president Rod Dally welcomed guests and speakers.

“We conduct this ceremony in remembrance of our history and our heritage as we know it now and we express our gratitude to those who made it,” Mr Dally said.

“We respect them, we honour them because they wear the Australian uniform – they wear it with pride and I know we all wore it with pride.

“When we first came back from Vietnam we didn’t get that sort of reception that our World War One and World War Two veterans received, but that’s in the past.

“We’re now all one again and we’re all comfortable in our skins being a Vietnam veteran.

“We respect the memory of those who fell in the wars we have taken part in the past years – it’s essential we keep that going through our children and their children to honour their memory of those people who gave us what we have today.”

Captain Holmes from the Royal Australian Regiment also addressed the large crowd.

“The men who originally forged the Anzac spirit understood the values of independence, freedom and fairness, and they possess the willingness to defend these with their lives – because freedom only survives if there are those willing to defend it – and that is the spirit handed down to us,” Cpt Holmes said.

The Kilmore International School choir sung several hymns throughout the ceremony, accompanied by the Mitchell Shire Concert Band.

Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell and Mitchell Shire Deputy Mayor David Atkinson also paid their respects to the fallen Anzacs.

After the ceremony Mr Dally told the North Central Review that he’d never seen a larger turn out for Anzac Day in Kilmore.

“It was an honour to be part of it. It’s an honour marching up the street in Kilmore and people are clapping and quite a few of them thank you. It really gets to you – it makes you feel you were worthwhile,” Mr Dally said.

Moving ceremony for Broadford

The North Central Review
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Moving ceremony for Broadford

By Evelyn Leckie

Broadford’s secondary and primary schools came together for a moving Anzac ceremony last week with Puckapunyal School of Artillery leading the procession.

Principal David Mills welcomed teachers, parents, students and guests to the ceremony.

“For an individual to enlist into armed forced, wear the uniform, pledge allegiance to our nation so that they can protect the values of democracy is a pivotal moment in our life, and one that will never leave them,” Mr Mills said.

“One hundred and four years ago men and women took that oath and they were not much older than our senior students here today.

“We’re here to remember all service men and women who have served our nation and who are currently serving our nation at home and overseas.”

College captain Alexandra Battistin read the Anzac Requiem and primary school captain Abby Robinson spoke of her family’s service to the Vietnam war.

“In 1966 my great uncle got called up to serve in Vietnam but was deployed and then transferred to Malaysia – where he was employed with the US Airforce,” Abby said.

“He went to the border areas including Vietnam and he was over there for 12 months.

“It makes me sad to think about how young some soldiers were when they served and fought at war – lest we forget.”

Primary school captain Ted Fraser also spoke about his family’s previous and current service.

“My great-great grandfather served in Europe during WWI and all my great grandparents served in WW2,” Ted said.

“I am also very proud to have family serving in the Australian Defence force today.

“My great grandfather was in the Royal Airforce Coastal Command during World War Two as a navigator and radio operator in a Wellington bomber Aircraft.

“During their missions they were regularly attacked by enemy fighters in the sky and also by shells from enemy ships that were in the water as they were flying by.

“Every night he and his crew would fly over the Atlantic Ocean as far as their fuel would allow – defending the convoy ships bringing food and medical supplies to allied forces including Australians in Europe.

“During one mission they were shot down and had to crash the aircraft into the sea near Spain on another mission they were lost in thick fog and couldn’t find their home base.

“My great grandfather felt guilty about his part in the war and was only able to start to feel proud of this service when he was called a hero 65 years after the war had ended.

“I ask that you stop and take a minute to remember the brave people and everything they’ve done for us – lest we forget.”

Anzac spirit shines

The North Central Review
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Anzac spirit shines

Residents from all walks of life gathered throughout the Macedon Ranges to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Romsey Lancefield RSL sub branch held two Anzac Day services – at the Romsey and Lancefield Cenotaph – in support of veterans and their families during the Anzac and Poppy Appeals.

Lancefield RSL member Graham Knell said he had attended the Lancefield service for 22 years.

“I’m getting older now, I’m 71 and it’s more important to me now than it ever was,” Mr Knell said.

“I served in Vietnam and in 1997 I was diagnosed with PTSD because I worked in theatre triage and I had to get away from Melbourne – I would recommend it to all servicemen.”

He said the Lancefield community had helped him get through his hardest times.

“I had great neighbours that really helped me because I was going through a bad time, a real bad time, and they helped me as well as the CFA – it’s a fantastic community,” he said.

“Just to see the amount of people here today is staggering and children putting poppies in the garden is wonderful.”

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Romsey resident Luke Kilduff attended the Romsey service with his two sons to teach them about the importance of Anzac Day.

Romsey resident Luke Kilduff brought his two sons down to the Romsey service to educate them on the significance of Anzac Day.

“It’s important for them to understand the sacrifices that they made for us and our country,” Mr Kilduff said.

The Lancefield service included a parade march, a song from the school’s choir, a wreath laying ceremony and the last post with a minute’s silence.

Once the service ended, hundreds moved into Lancefield Mechanics Hall for morning tea provided by Lancefield Neighbourhood House.

Lancefield Neighbourhood House co-ordinator Vivien Philpotts said the morning was a success.

“I always think it’s a great opportunity for the community to catch up and for people to be able to talk to some of the returned servicemen about their experiences,” Ms Philpotts said.

“The Neighbourhood House committee along with other volunteers provided a great morning tea with lovely cakes, quiches and sandwiches – they’re great cooks and organisers.”

A day for old friends

The North Central Review
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A day for old friends

A group of veterans from the 110th Signal Squadron visited Kilmore to march in the town’s Anzac Day march, along with resident Chris Yates.

The group all served in Vietnam and many choose a different Victorian town to visit each Anzac Day.

Mr Yates moved to Kilmore in 2016 and has marched in Kilmore every Anzac Day since.

The original plan of his good friend Graham Cunningham, from Alexandra, who Mr Yates met on his second tour, joining him at the Kilmore march soon escalated into a dozen veterans from the 110th squadron descending on the Mitchell Shire.

“Because we’re far flung, from various places in Victoria and two couples are from South Australia – some we’re in regular contact with and others it’s just once a year and it’s great,” he said.

Veterans of the squadron from as far away as Adelaide, Korumburra and Albury also joined Mr Yates.

While he didn’t serve with all of the veterans, Mr Yates said he considered them all brothers in arms.

“I got to meet most of these guys on my second tour, there are a couple who were between my tours but because we all served in the same squadron, we’re brothers in arms,” he said.

“You know, blood’s thicker than water. We’re all family and this is a regular occurrence every year. The Victorian map is hit with a dart and there’s a town and that town is visited by this group but because we’re here, they decided to come here to Kilmore this year.

“It’s a tradition of ours to do the dawn service and march and retire to a place of hospitality where we’ll have an occasional frothy and tell tall tales.”

The veterans started their day with a traditional gunfire breakfast of coffee and rum, which Mr Yates said was only because it’s tradition and not because they enjoy it, followed by the dawn service and breakfast before they marched.

Pigeons released in Beveridge

The North Central Review
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Pigeons released in Beveridge

Beveridge commemorated Anzac Day a little differently this year, closing its service with the release of 10 homing pigeons.

The release of the birds commemorated the significance pigeons played in communications during World War One and World War Two.

Before radio and other more modern technology, pigeons were used to relay messages from the front to bases and camps.

Beveridge resident Bernie Keenan and Kilmore Racing Pigeon Club member Charlie Grech put their heads together and designed and printed a banner for the day telling the story of how pigeons helped our diggers.

Mr Keenan said he had been coming to the Beveridge service since it began in 2001 and wanted to something different this year.

“We got together and put a banner together with a little story to fill people in with what’s going on, Charlie contacted one of his members who brought 10 birds along and we released them at the end of the service,” he said.

“Pigeons played a big part in the wars with communications because of their homing ability. There’s no way they had radio in those days, so therefore, they had to have some form of communication.

“They would put a coded message into a canister on the bird’s leg and release the bird it would fly back to its point of origin.

“They would take the message, decode it and find out what was going on in the front and what was required for the armed forces to do.”

Mr Keenan said people had shown interest in the story behind the pigeons.

“So many people have come up and read the banner to get the background on why we released the pigeons,” he said.

Mr Grech said it was great to be able to contribute to the Beveridge Anzac Day service.

“It’s great because it lets everyone know how important the pigeons were. The pigeons are also supporting the people in Beveridge here today because they were part of the war along with the veterans,” he said.

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