By Jackson Russell
Wallan suffered its first loss of the RDFNL season, going down to reigning premiers Diggers Rest by 25 points at home on Saturday in a preliminary final rematch.
A close start saw the two sides trade goals early before Diggers kicked away to a 3.5.23 to 1.4.10 lead at quarter time.
Wallan was able to slow the Burras down in the second term as both sides kicked two goals apiece to keep the half-time margin to 15 points.
Coming out of sheds, Diggers Rest was able to pull away and opened up a six-goal lead with a 4.4.28 to 1.1.7 third term.
The Magpies were able to close the margin, kicking five goals in the final term but it wasn’t enough as the Burras kicked four of their own to hold off the hosts.
Wallan assistant coach Spencer Mathieson said Diggers Rest posed the Magpies biggest challenge so far this season.
“The Diggers forward line was just a bit more efficient than ours in the first half despite both sides being inaccurate in front of the sticks,” he said.
“Diggers Rest had the better of third term and set up their win, we went onto win the last quarter but the damage was done in the third quarter, Saturday just wasn’t our day.
“Our better players were Andrew Saladino, Shaun Stewart and Ricky Schraven in the middle, Matt Perri was lively up forward while Tim Robertson and Brenton Cox did a good job down back.”
Wallan’s reserves had a win over Diggers Rest’s seconds who are also reigning premiers and Mathieson said several two’s players were putting pressure on some of the club’s senior players to a call-up to the firsts.
Wallan takes on Rupertswood next week in another test for the Magpies.
Wallan 9.14.68 def by Diggers Rest 13.15.93
WALLAN
Goal Kickers: M. Perri 3, M. Mannix 3, T. Robertson 2, R. Schraven
Best Players: A. Saladino, B. Cox, M. Perri, S. Stewart, T. Robertson, R. Schraven
DIGGERS REST
Goal Kickers: T. Taylor 2, T. Delahey 2, C. Laurie 2, C. Wright, M. Krul, J. Lobb, C. Morton, J. Wallace, D. Morrice, D. Costigan
Best Players: A. Tyquin, L. Delahey, J. McMahon, T. Hine, M. Krul, D. Morrice
Magpies fall for the first time
Wallan netballers continue winning streak
Wallan extended its undefeated streak in the Riddell District Football League’s A Grade competition after a 37-32 win against Diggers Rest at home on Saturday.
Once again goal shooter Chloe Meulenmeesters had another cracking game scoring 31 of the total 37 goals for the game.
Coach Chris Cameron said the girls played really well defensively.
“Georgia, Izzy, Liv and Gemma played a really strong defensive game and created a lot of intercepts,” he said.
“We were missing two players, but we’ve still got a bit of work to do in our offense.”
Romsey defeated Woodend 48-35 at home, Lancefield lost to Riddell 55-32, Rupertswood narrowly defeated Macedon 41-40 and Rockbank defeated Broadford 44-26.
Broadford Football Netball Club co-ordinator Naomi Slade said that no under 19s games meant that a few girls stepped up the fill gaps in the higher grades.
“C Grade won 29-14, B Grade lost 27-40 and A Grade lost 26-44,” she said.
Northern Football Netball League continued grading games on Friday evening.
Romsey romps to win
By Jackson Russell
Romsey has evened out its record to 1-1 with a 116-point thrashing over Woodend-Hesket in the Redbacks’ home opener on Saturday.
A close start saw Romsey take a 13-point lead into quarter time before the Redbacks pulled away with a six goal to one second term to take a 48-point half-time lead.
Smelling blood in the water, Romsey ran over the top of the Hawks in the third term, booting ten goals to one to blow the lead out to 103 points at three-quarter time.
The blow-out third term saw some frustrations vented by both teams with a couple of spot fires and melees leading to a Romsey goal.
With the game all but wrapped up, the Redbacks cruised home with a 5.5.35 final term for the win.
Romsey coach Corey O’Sullivan said it was a good way to bounce back from last week’s loss.
“We were disappointed to lose last week after playing good footy and the boys wanted to make amends for that and the horrible game we played against Woodend last year when they knocked us off,” he said.
“We played good footy all day. Right from the get-go we tackled really well and that continued throughout the game.
“On the back of pressure and work rate, we were able to hit the board hard in the third but we were consistent over the four quarters which was pleasing.”
The Redbacks travel to Macedon next week for a game O’Sullivan knows will be a challenge.
“It’s a tough game, it’s hard to win in Macedon. They’ve got some injuries, we’ve got a few out too but it’s certainly going to be a cracking game,” he said.
Romsey 25.15.165 def Woodend Hesket 7.7.49
ROMSEY
Goals: M. Jensen 7, J. Caruana 4, M. Burkett 4, B. Way 3, J. Mills 2, R. Stott 2, N. Rayment 2, J. Naylor
Best: J. Caruana, C. Whelan, M. Jensen, M. Burkett, M. Goodwin, J. O”Sullivan
WOODEND HESKET
Goals: T. Chapman 2, T. O”Loughlin, J. O’Sullivan, F. Urie, S. Adams, D. Toman
Best: B. Toman, S. Adams, T. Carland, M. Stapleton, J. Hunt, F. Urie.
Lancefield suffered a 185-point loss to Riddell at home on Saturday. Riddell remain undefeated for the season.
Chris Collins kicked the Tigers’ lone goal for the game in the third term.
Lancefield 1.2.8 def by Riddell 29.19.193
LANCEFIELD
Goal: C. Collins
Best: J. Badger, C. Collins, L. Clement, N. Malone, T. Page, J. Dalgleish
RIDDELL
Goals: D. Tarczon 8, H. Ross 3, M. Panuccio 3, N. Croft 3, C. Millward 2, L. Tarczon 2, E. Foreman 2, M. Sahlberg 2, T. Alkemade, R. Paterson, T. Cassidy, R. Miller
Best: D. Tarczon, H. Ross, M. Panuccio, M. Sahlberg, E. Foreman, L. Fleming
Back-to-back wins for Blues
Kilmore notched up another victory in Northern Football Netball League division three to record a 13-point win over Old Eltham Collegians on the road on Saturday.
The Blues started well on the road, kicking 3.1.19 to two straight to take a seven point lead into quarter time.
The Turtles came back in the second term, replying with a 2.4.16 to 1.1.7 quarter to be up by two points at half-time.
Kilmore replied with two more goals in the third term while holding Old Eltham to one to take a nine point lead into the final break.
The Blues had enough of the back and forth in the fourth quarter, slowing the Turtles down to a crawl, holding them goalless and kicking two goals to seal the win.
Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said the Blues did what they had to do to win.
“We didn’t play as well as we would’ve like and there are a lot of things we need to rectify but it’s a good sign because good sides find a way to win when they’re not at their best,” he said.
Jaxson Kinnear was on fire, kicking a bag of six goals for the Blues while Jeremy Topham and Luke Chapman also made an impact on the scoreboard.
Phillips said injuries caused Kinnear to move up forward.
“He normally plays off half back but we needed a key forward so we made the decision early in the week to swing him to centre half-forward and he relished the opportunity and had eight shots on goal so it’s a pretty good return for him,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to a week off and taking on Reservoir at home in two weeks. Our reserves are doing well, they’re undefeated and I’d like to see everyone to get behind the club as much as they can.”
Old Eltham Collegians 5.12.42 def by Kilmore 8.7.55
OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS
Goals: D. Lymberatos, N. Snowdon, J. Smith, C. Ray, T. Grindal
Best: C. Ray, N. Snowdon, L. Booth, M. Quinton, D. Lymberatos, J. Fitzgerald
KILMORE
Goals: J. Kinnear 6, L. Chapman, J. Topham
Best: J. Kinnear, J. Topham, L. Irons, P. de Sousa, A. Milne, M. Swindells
Good start for Mitchell Magpies
By Jackson Russell
Wallan’s first women’s football team has started successfully despite just having four players with any football experience.
The Mitchell Magpies won their first practice match and followed up with a win over Reservoir in their first grading game before going down to an experienced St Mary’s by 40 points on Sunday.
Coach Danny Parry said the team had gone from having just 13 players when he arrived to 28 now fighting for selection.
“I helped West Preston set up their women’s team two years ago so I know that numbers do come along. I also coached La Trobe University’s women’s side so I know numbers slowly increase as you go on so I wasn’t too worried about it,” he said.
“For most it’s their first time playing footy ever and skills-wise, we’re just doing basic skills. What I focus on is playing for each other and helping each other out, that’s what I concentrate on. The skills will come over the next couple of years.”
Parry said wins were good, but they were not the main focus this season.
“As long as the girls are learning and having fun, that’s what I look at. It’s always good to have a win but as long as they can say they’ve learned a lot this year, I’ll be happy as a coach,” he said.
“They want to learn, that’s the thing between males and females at the moment, these women have never played before and they want to learn and they listen and they do learn quickly.”
Parry has seen the introduction of women’s football create a culture shift at previous clubs and hopes it will do the same at Wallan.
“I’ve noticed being at other clubs, once the women get involved, the whole dynamic of the club and culture changes so it’s really good for the club as well,” he said.
Laurimar pips rivals on Anzac Day
LAURIMAR hosted the first of what is hoped to be an annual Anzac Day match against local rivals Mernda and managed to escape with a four-point win after a strong Mernda comeback.
The day got underway with an Anzac Day service conducted by Doreen RSL president Wes Wridgway before Sergeant Lee Martin tossed the coin.
The day had a special atmosphere with strong support coming out for both clubs.
Laurimar president Alasdair Walker said the day went off without a hitch and feedback had been overwhelming.
“Everyone thought it did the day justice. We had all the things we were expected to have, the Ode to Remembrance, the national anthem and the RSL involved,” he said.
“Overall, I couldn’t be more proud of our guys for putting it together and for the community for supporting it.”
The club sold out of commemorative stubby holders on the day, with all proceeds going to the RSL.
Walker estimated a least a few hundred dollars were raised from the stubby holders alone while RSL volunteers were also rattling tins and selling pins.
“We were amazed by the support we got from the community, our supporters, Mernda’s supporters and the community in general,” he said.
“They showed a tremendous amount of respect for the day and what it means for Australians. Both clubs did an extreme amount of justice for the day so it was a credit to everybody.”
Once the opening siren blew, it was game on.
Mernda started well, kicking three goals to one in the first term to take an 11-point lead into quarter time.
Laurimar fought back hard in the middle two quarters to take a 12.9.81 to 8.11.59 lead into three-quarter time.
A six-goal to three fourth quarter saw the Demons close the gap to four points but it wasn’t enough as the Power was able to hold on for the win at home.
David King kicked three goals for Laurimar and the Power spread the scoring with nine more goalkickers making the scoresheet while Joshua Delaney kicked five goals for the Demons.
The win extends Laurimar’s undefeated streak to three wins while Mernda remain winless at 0-3.
Laurimar 15.13.103 def Mernda 14.15.99
LAURIMAR
Goals: D. King 3, J. Williamson 2, J. Sherman 2, J. Wilkins 2, N. Murray, J. McKinnon, J. Cecil, B. McDonald , A. Dennis, L. Wilson
Best: J. Richards, D. King, W. Ratje, J. Williamson, J. Wilkins, L. Wilson
MERNDA
Goals: J. Delaney 5, M. Campbell 2, N. Aleksovski, N. Miszczyk, J. Inzillo, T. Sparkes, D. Smith, K. Keane, D. Rigby
Best: B. Dimech, J. Delaney, D. Smith, R. Black, T. Sparkes, J. Duclos
Hume Freeway access needs funding
MITCHELL Shire Council is calling on a commitment from federal election candidates to relieve the pressure on Wallan’s roads and fund a diamond interchange on the Hume Freeway at Watson Street.
Roads are already at capacity and a booming population means traffic will double in the next 10 years, making the diamond interchange one of council’s top advocacy priorities for the upcoming federal election.
With only one way in and out of Wallan, the entrance to the Northern Highway from the Hume is regularly banked up well before the freeway’s off-ramp.
Mitchell Shire’s population is set to expand to more than 270,000 people, with 50,000 of those based in Wallan, and council estimates more than 50,000 cars will use the Northern Highway daily by 2030, making the interchange an urgent priority.
Mayor Bill Chisholm said Wallan’s roads were already struggling to cope with traffic congestion.
“The freeway and major roads are unable to cope with current traffic volumes, let alone projected population growth in the next few years,” he said.
“Traffic is regularly banking up on Hume Freeway around a blind corner at 110km/h creating a serious safety concern,” he said.
Council is asking for a commitment from the federal candidates to accelerate and fund the urgent construction of the interchange to the Hume Freeway.
A council statement said a federal commitment will open up State Government funding for the interchange, and also duplicate and upgrade Watson Street and improve the capacity of the Northern Highway.
A clay quarry approved in Wallan is set to put further pressure on roads, with an estimated 140 extra vehicles each day, or 14 large trucks per hour.
Cr Chisholm said council had heard from many people concerned about the safety of the road entering Wallan.
“We’ve heard from people who have had accidents and many more near misses. It is only a matter of time before something more serious occurs there,” he said.
“Once off the freeway, people then need to deal with long commute times just to get into Wallan or home. This adds to an already long day and leads to frustrations and social isolation with impacts on participation in work, leisure and family activities.
“These issues will only get worse once a new clay quarry in Wallan opens to serve Melbourne’s residential construction industry. We just can’t absorb the increase in the volume of heavy vehicle trucks.
“The freeway interchange is ready to progress to the next stage. It requires federal funding, so it can be brought forward as a priority and we can keep our national freeway and local roads moving.”
The freeway interchange is one of two key priorities that Mitchell Shire Council is campaigning for this federal election – the other being with rimproved mental health services.
Community members can visit www.fightformitchellshire.com.au to send an email to election candidates to inform them of the priorities.
ACK student dazzles Melbourne
By Steph McNicol
Assumption College graduate Adeline Hunter is off to a huge career start in 2019.
Ms Hunter is studying Design at The University of Melbourne and hoping to major in graphic design.
“Visual Communication and Design at Assumption helped me to realise my creative aspirations and provided me with a lot of basic skills needed for my degree,” Ms Hunter said.
Even though she would love to continue a career of design, Ms Hunter said she also wanted to pursue her love for the theatre.
“I have recently taken on the role of choreographer for the Seymour Performers Workshop’s production of ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’, as well as performing in the Young Australian Broadway Chorus’ production of ‘Les Miserables’ at the National Theatre,” she said.
“I also am a member of Flare Dance Ensemble at Melbourne University.”
She said that in an ideal world, she would perform onstage in Melbourne during the evenings while running her own graphic design business during the day.
Besides her schooling aspirations, Ms Hunter is also interning at NBC Universal in Melbourne in the Design and Consumer Products and Brand Development sector.
“I also work at the boutique retailer Princess Highway in Melbourne and at a wedding and high tea venue at Flowerdale Estate locally,” she said.
Ms Hunter said that it had been a busy year so far, but that she was enjoying ‘every bit of it’.
* Do you know any former students from the Mitchell, Macedon or Whittlesea areas who have gone on to successful careers? Email Steph McNicol at journo4@newspaperhouse.com.au with your suggestion.
Left in the dark
By Evelyn Leckie
A battle over portable classrooms at Wandong Primary School being placed close to a neighbouring fence is causing privacy issues for resident Karen Fishchmann.
Ms Fischmann has resorted to shutting out natural light in her home due to her privacy concerns.
In 2017 and 2018, four demountable classrooms were installed across from Ms Fischmann’s fence line, with classroom windows overlooking her property.
Ms Fischmann said she was particularly concerned with views that allow students to look into two bedrooms and over her washing line.
Both bedrooms have their blinds and awnings constantly closed for fear of students looking inside – leaving her and her stepdaughter in the dark quite literally.
“I’d like to be able to open my awning, I’d like my stepdaughter to be able to come out of her bedroom and not feel like students are looking in and I’d like to be able to hang out my washing without feeling peering eyes,” Ms Fischmann said.
Since the demountable buildings have been installed, Ms Fischmann contacted the school’s principal several times and did not receive a reply.
Ms Fischmann said she would like to co-operate with the school and has asked them to place shutters or blinds on the classroom windows so the school could still control the amount of light that enters the classrooms.
She said shutters or blinds would reassure her that students couldn’t look over her property.
Member for Euroa Steph Ryan contacted the Minister for Education in December last year about the privacy concerns, but had not heard back from either the Minister or the Department of Education.
The Victorian School Building Authority responded to Ms Fischmann and offered to plant trees on her property.
“They suggested planting trees on our side of the fence. They were going to be tiny little trees which take 15 years to grow,” she said.
The Victorian School Building Authority rejected Ms Fischmann’s suggestion of adding shutters to the classroom windows saying the maintenance would be too costly.
“Everything I’ve suggested they’ve canned,” Ms Fischmann said.
Since hearing no reply from the school principal or the Department of Education and Training, Ms Fischmann said she was disappointed with the lack of support.
“It feels like the Education Department don’t care one iota about our privacy – we can’t even open our shutters – I like to have them open and have fresh air come into the room,” she said.
Following the North Central Review interviewing Ms Fischmann on April 22 and seeking a response from the Department of Education and Training, a spokesperson yesterday said, in a statement on behalf of the school and the authority, that it was aware of Ms Fischmann’s concerns.
“We have worked proactively with her to address her concerns. We have installed frosting on the classroom windows to ensure students and teachers are not able to see into her property,” a spokesperson said.
“Shade cloth is scheduled to be installed along the boundary fence to further ensure her privacy is maintained.”
National title for young rider
Willowmavin resident Seren McKeever has taken out the under 12 national title at the Australian Mounted Games Individual Championships in Wentworth over Easter.
The 11-year-old has been riding in the games for five years and after leading all weekend, the final came down to a run-off between her and her best friend.
Seren’s mother Renae McKeever said the close finish made everyone nervous.
“She was up all weekend but then it was back to zero and race hard, then it came down to the run-off which was very nerve wracking,” she said.
Mounted games are a series of races on ponies that combine different games with balls, cones, drums and flags to test the agility, strength, stamina, speed and skill of both riders and ponies.
Seren eats, sleeps and breathes riding ponies and was drawn to the games by her aunt Niree Weybury, who represented Victoria, and family friend Andrew Rodaugham, who is a international referee and coach.
While Seren’s pony Bam Bam isn’t the fastest, Ms McKeever said Seren made up for it with her skill.
“He’s really not that fast but he knows what he’s doing and Seren’s skill also makes up time at drums, cones and turns so he doesn’t have to be the fastest pony when you’ve got the skill combined,” she said.
Seren said she had a lot of fun racing all weekend.
“It was fun. I’m very proud. I worked very hard. There was heaps of training and all the other comps that I’ve done to get the skill to go to nationals,” Seren said.
Mounted games is an international sport with more than 30 countries participating and winning an Australian championship could lead to Seren competing in world championships down the line.
The whole family’s joined in on the fun too with Seren competing against two of her cousins while Ms McKeever and her sister Niree also competed in the over 25s.