VICTORIA Police has confirmed they are investigating an incident that occurred on Monday at a school in Wallan.
It is believed the Wallan Secondary College was allegedly visited by police following a fight with students.
A spokesperson from Victoria Police said an investigation was underway.
“Victoria Police is aware of an incident that occurred at a school on Duke Street, Wallan and we are making a number of enquiries in relation to it,” they said.
The school has been contacted but is currently unavailable.
RESIDENTS from the Mernda Retirement Village are taking on the City of Whittlesea in a bid for a fairer valuation process and fairer rates.
Members of the Mernda Retirement Village Action Group, Bain Simpson and Emilio Moreno told the Whittlesea Review that there is an application before VCAT on March 28 challenging the valuation process.
The VCAT application is the next step in the process for the group following a council meeting earlier this month where council moved to write to the Minister for Local Government requesting that differential rating for retirement villages be allowed under Net Annual Value (NAV) rating.
The original recommendation put forward by officers was to maintain the status quo until the proposed new local government bill is enacted which forces all the councils currently under NAV to more to Capital Improved Value (CIV) system which allows for differential rating.
However, this change is not expected to come in force until 2020/21.
During a high tension council meeting, councillors Ricky Kirkham and Mary Lalios moved amendments to the recommendation for a 25 per cent rate concession for residents.
“Here at the City of Whittlesea we have an opportunity to set a precedent moving forward that anyone living at a retirement village will have a 25 per cent discount,” Cr Kirkham said.
Cr Lalios moved to refer a 25 per cent concession on retirement village rates to the 2018/19 budget process. And, offer this concession until the rating methodology is changed.
Some of the councillors opposed the amendment, with Cr Lawrie Cox calling it a ‘simplistic solution’ that does not solve problems.
After a lengthy debate that saw Cr Kirkham removed from chambers, council passed a resolution to send a letter to the Minister of Local Government.
Cr Tom Joseph told the Whittlesea Review that he is hopeful the Minister will favourably consider the request.
“Looking at all the available evidence I am convinced that the way the retirement village residents are rated is unfair. It is unfair because the lease value of their property is rated, which is substantially more than a similar sized property across the road,” Cr Joseph said.
“City of Whittlesea currently follows the NAV system of rating and unfortunately under that system the council is not allowed differential rating for retirement villages which is essentially what the residents of the retirement villages were seeking with their petition.”
Mr Simpson and Mr Moreno said the group was encouraged by council’s conversation regarding their plight, but pointed out that many councils including Maribyrnong, Glen Eira, Yarra City, City of Monash and East Gippsland offer pension concession for rates.
“Clearly the fact that it’s gone through in these other councils means it’s an option that clearly can’t be illegal,” Mr Simpson said.
“However, even if the special amendment was put through, and there was that discount, if the valuation is wrong the discount’s going to mean nothing because if the valuation’s go up we’re back to where we started,” Mr Moreno added.
Mr Simpson said until the group receives a response back from the Minister he will still pursue the VCAT application.
“What we’re talking about is the change from NAV to CIV. CIV enables them to provide us with a differential rate but it doesn’t mandate a differential rate. So you’ve got to win that argument again,” Mr Simpson explained.
Council were contacted for a comment but as the matter is before VCAT were unable to provide a response.
WAS it a gold mine blast, fighter jet, asteroid, an earthquake or a volcanic explosion?
Residents across the Macedon Ranges Shire experienced an unexplained sonic boom at 10am on Wednesday morning, with Macedon Weather still unsure quite what it was.
Reports from Melton, Pyalong, Romsey and various other places poured into experts who were hard at work to determine what caused the sonic boom.
Macedon Weather’s Anna said the group began using their weather networks and tools to pull together data, public theories and even solar phenomenon, but have only been able to come to one logical conclusion.
“There was no logical explanation and we had reports flooding into us… over the next 24 hours we examined all reports and posts which uncovered at least a dozen theories. Many were easily dismissed but two theories in particular had merit,” she said.
“After mapping the reports that came in, ground zero of the blast wave was around Yandoit, just south of Castlemaine.
“We then followed up a meteor theory by checking across the globe for sightings as three separate sky streaks sighting were seen in the Macedon Ranges around this time. At this point we found significant evidence of meteors burning up in the earth’s atmosphere over Oklahoma City only four hours before the central highlands sonic boom.
“Based on the earth’s rotation and going through the densest portion of the meteor stream, late arriving fragments of the same minor meteor shower could not be ruled out. This theory became the leader but is still not confirmed at this point.”
While the boom has a logical explanation, that did not stop the rumour mill from going into overdrive on social media.
People clambered to get their stories and versions heard by Macedon Weather, but Anna said they always try to ‘keep it real’.
“Many theories were posted into the page including Fighter jets, quarry blasts, Blackwood phone tower issue, [drug related] explosions, Alien landing, Chinese satellite falling to earth, Smeaton and Mt Franklin volcanoes awakening, hypersonic weapons off the east coast… the list could go on but all could be ruled out fairly quickly and some gave us a good laugh,” she said.
“Without more evidence, it will go into the X files as the unsolved ‘Yandoit incident’ but the meteor theory is probable the most plausible at this stage.”
COMMUTERS along the Seymour line have been given reason to celebrate following the announcement of $235 million of funding on Friday for the North East rail line.
The federal government joined the state government to announce the boost at Seymour Railway Station last week, with new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormick agreeing to pour in additional funding for the Regional Rail Revival.
Last year, the federal government announced a $100 million upgrade for the North East rail line, which connects to the Seymour line, with the additional $135 million coming on Friday.
The funding will also help fix the Wallan and Donnybrook Railway Stations, as well as upgrade the track to a class 2 standard which could allow upgraded trains to run.
During the announcement, Ms Allan said hoped to put new trains on the line.
“I am also pleased that in addition to the $1.57 billion Regional Rail Revival package, the commonwealth will increase its contribution by $135 million to upgrade the North East Rail Line to a class 2 standard to allow faster, modern trains and give communities along the North East line the services they expect and deserve,” she said.
A steering committee formed between the state and federal governments found the original $100 million fund would not be enough, prompting calls for an extra $135 million which was funded last week.
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said in the past the state government had been hamstrung by the slow movements at a federal level but was excited to see the upgrades coming.
“The issue is not new. There are problems with some of the old stations which are not long enough for upgraded trains so now we can finally put new trains on,” he said.
“We have seen thousands of people moving to the area and using the service so now the state has to try catch up.
“There are track works further than Seymour which creates monster problems on the line and there are issues around capacity and speed.”
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, who was at the announcement in Seymour, said the upgrade would benefit region and its rail network.
Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan said the investment was welcome news for many rail users in the north east.
“With proper oversight and planning, it will go a very long way to getting our train service back on track,” Ms Ryan said.
“At a state level, The Nationals have promised to replace all the trains on both the north east line and Shepparton lines with a new, long haul variation on the VLocitys within our first term of government, if we are elected to government later this year.”
Alongside the Regional Rail Revival agreement, the Inland Rail deal will allow works to support the development of Inland Rail to create a freight link between Brisbane and Melbourne.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation spent $3 million to begin upgrading seven bridges around the line last week.
WORKS at Wallan and Donnybrook stations can finally begin following a $235 million agreement for the North East rail line.
The two stations are set for a revamp alongside the track they run along.
New Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormick and Victorian Minister for Public Transport and Major Projects Jacinta Allan signed an agreement on Friday in relation to inland rail.
As part of the Regional Rail Revival program, a joint Victorian government and federal government steering committee was established to look at the work needed to upgrade the North East Line.
The steering committee resolved the $100 million committed was not enough to upgrade the track to run new modern trains prompting the federal government to contribute an additional $135 million to upgrade the track to at least a class 2 standard.
THE Kilmore and District Hospital (TKDH) has just finished its Wellness and Life After Cancer (WALAC) program, providing support to local residents in need.
In collaboration with the Cancer Council, the program, across a two-week period, provided free education and support to people who have completed active treatment.
Going one step further in its role to help residents, the program wasn’t just limited to those who had gone through treatment but was also available to those living with cancer, carers, partners and family members.
The program, which was dubbed ‘living well’ by one group of participants, offered residents the opportunity to partake in sessions such as recovery exercise, fatigue and cancer treatment, health and wellness plans, eating well, wellbeing and relationship advice, finances and work, GP and local health services.
Program facilitator Margaret Redmond knows more than most the importance of having a program or group that can offer support locally.
For the past 30 years Ms Redmond has worked as a nurse and she delivered accurate care at the Kilmore Hospital for more than a decade.
Ms Redmond has also experienced her own cancer journey which inspired her to lead the new health service.
“I’ve had my own cancer journey. I saw a gap. I know what it’s like to be in intensive intensive intensive intensive (treatment) and it dropped… and then asking what now,” she said.
“There are so many things doctors can’t answer and you need a support group.
“There’s really a need for an ongoing support group out here.”
THE North Central Review spent some time with Ms Redmond and some of the participants during their last session, all of whom acknowledged the need for an ongoing support base locally.
“It’s a local community of cancer support and carers together,” resident Shirley Carrington said.
“The letter ‘C’ puts the fear of God in people and they don’t know how to communicate their feelings.
“There is a life after cancer.”
“It’s been lovely. We’ve been here with everyone and the discussions with everyone have been good,” participant Margaret Mendoza added.
With the first program a success, The Kilmore and District Hospital Director of Clinical Services Kate Pryde confirmed it will be on offer twice a year.
“The WALAC program is offered throughout the region biannually and TKDH will look to hosting a repeat event in the second half of this year,” Ms Pryde said.
“A number of the WALAC participants have suggested that we look to developing a locally based cancer support group that provides professional information and support to our community that are impacted by cancer whether they are currently undertaking treatment, are recovering from treatment or are cancer survivors.
“TKDH is very interested in supporting this in association with Hume Regional Integrated Cancer Services and the Cancer Council of Victoria.”
Interested community members are encouraged to contact the WALAC facilitator for more information about the next program and/or the community based support group at redmondm@humehealth.org.au
QUESTIONS about one of Melbourne’s most secretive councils have once again risen after the governance and transparency of the City of Whittlesea was called in to question.
The City of Whittlesea Council was last year named one of the most secretive councils – for the second year in a row – with more than one quarter of its decisions made behind closed doors. And again the organisation is in the spotlight for what some councillors are calling a “cover up”.
At last week’s Ordinary Council Meeting, North Ward Cr Ricky Kirkham questioned the accuracy of council’s minutes from the February 6 meeting.
Cr Kirkham asked for a note to be attached to the minutes stating there was no suspension of standing orders to close the meeting to confidential business.
While Cr Kirkham alleged the meeting was “closed illegally in contravention of the Local Government Act”, other councillors around the table recalled a different version of events.
Councillors such as Alahna Desiato and Mary Lalios proposed the issue could be clarified by listening to the council’s ‘taped’ recording of the event, but were knocked back with councillors Kris Pavlidis, Sam Alessi, Stevan Kozmevski, Lawrie Cox, Emilia Lisa Sterjova and Tom Joseph voting the amendment down.
Concerned councillors questioned Manager Governance Michael Tonta and CEO Simon Overland about whether council officers had listened to the tape when producing the minutes.
Mr Tonta said he didn’t believe officers needed to listen to the tape while Mr Overland said it was role of officers to prepare the minutes for councillors to determine if they are accurate.
Cr Cox called the request “another exercise in deferrals” and “another exercise of a filibuster”.
Cr Alessi said his recollection of the event was clear and not only did Mayor Pavlidis have the right to close the meeting but members of staff also advised the public that the meeting was suspended.
The Whittlesea Review was in attendance at the February 6 meeting where Cr Pavlidis closed the meeting just after 9pm when members of the public gallery became vocally irate.
Mayhem ensued when members of the public, including journalists, were told to leave.
On multiple occasions the media were told by council staff that councillors were debating public agenda items in confidential business and no one was allowed back in.
However, council later advised the Whittlesea Review that councillors had closed the meeting to debate confidential items before reopening it at 10.40pm.
The Whittlesea Review can reveal that Cr Lalios listened to the tape last Friday and she alleges that no suspension of standing orders was given by the mayor.
“The minutes on page 119 are a fabrication. I am shocked that council would be given minutes that are incorrect,” Cr Lalios said.
“This appears to be a cover up at the highest level.
“The process of producing and adopting the minutes has been corrupted and this needs to be fixed immediately.
“I will be taking steps to ensure that the minutes reflect the accurate happenings of council meetings and seeking advice from the Minister’s office and Local Government Victoria.”
Cr Kirkham also said he is considering referring the matter for investigation.
The Whittlesea Review was denied access to the tape with a council spokesperson commenting there is no provision for members of the public to listen to the tape as the recording is for staff to produce the minutes.
A Freedom of Information request has been submitted by the Whittlesea Review in an attempt to obtain the tapes.
On film: Penny farthing maker Dan Bolwell with the team from Better Homes and Gardens –
Johanna Griggs, Tara Dennis and Jason Hodges.
Lost trades: Trentham armourer Sam Bloomfield.
FUN EVENT: Printmaker Sam Fray with Johanna Griggs and Jason Hodges.
A BUMPER crowd turned out for the Lost Trades Fair in Kyneton at the weekend.
The fair aimed to showcase all sorts of different trades and talents of days gone by, with plenty of people transfixed on the displays.
With everything from print makers to armourers, the event was a weekend out for young and old.
THE Lost Trades Fair in Kyneton was a hit, with thousands of people pouring through the gates at the Kyneton Racecourse.
Oragnisers Lisa and Glen Rundell were at the helm of the event on Saturday, March 10, aiming to celebrate the lost trades, arts and skills of days gone by.
Mrs Rundell told The Free Press she was thrilled to see so many people want to experience the unique event.
“This was our fifth one and it was a fantastic to event,” she said.
“To see everyone come out and enjoy the arts and crafts, and for our artists to have their work acknowledged, it was fantastic.
“I am beyond proud of the event.”
The Lost Trades Fair was established to remind people of the trades, artisans and makers who continue to pursue their trade as a career.
The fair acts as a platform to showcase skills, craftsmanship and share knowledge.
A MATCH-WINNING 83 from captain Braden Hickey set the foundations on day one for what turned out to be a fairytale finish to Broadford’s 2017/18 season.
The Red and Blacks sat near the top of the table all season, and when challenged by both bat and ball over the weekend they managed to find ways to keep in the contest, eventually claiming the premiership by three runs.
Club President Lee McKenzie was understandably thrilled with the result.
“It’s an amazing achievement and something we are super proud of as a club,” Mr McKenzie said.
“So much hardwork and effort goes into each and every season so to come away with the win is a credit to all involved.”
Mr McKenzie was full of praise for Captain Braden Hickey who was named man of the match.
“Braden has led from the front all season, but the leadership he showed this game in particular and the way he batted under difficult circumstances was first class and I couldn’t be prouder of his efforts,” Mr Mckenzie said.
A ‘nail biter’ match, Mr McKenzie said it was a testament to the clubs to have the best sides in the competition play in the Grand Final.
“Full credit must go to Avenel and their efforts this season, they’ve had a great year and it’s fitting that the two best teams played off in the Grand Final,” he said.
“Genuinely thrilled for our club, so much time and effort goes into each season and to come away victorious is an amazing result.
“It was a nail biter for the best part of two days, so to come away with the win was extremely satisfying.”
For the majority of the SDCA’s top division decider, it was the bowling that held sway, but Hickey’s 98-ball (nine boundaries) knock helped his side post what proved to be a defendable score of 176.
With Avenel’s bowlers Burke and Tingay on song, Broadford found themselves at a shaky 5-78 at the tea interval, before some staunch batting by the middle to late order gave their bowlers something to bowl at.
Hickey enjoyed strong partnerships with Evan Mills (30), Paul Withers (16) before number 11 batsman Nathan Woods (9 not out) stuck around with his skipper for a 34-run last wicket stand.
Avenel were then required to face an interesting 13 overs before stumps, in which openers Kasey Duncan and Max Jones negated without loss.
Day two began slowly before Woods dismissed Jones, shortly followed by Swans’ skipper Harry Wheeler for 0.
Duncan and Tom Burke then dug in for a 60-run stand that was broken on the cusp of tea when Burke fell LBW to Jeremey Bradshaw for 21.
An amazing leg side stumping by Ash Wood from the bowling of Jack Connell moments later had the game precariously placed at tea. Avenel needing 91 for victory, Broadford six wickets.
Moments after the re-start, Duncan (50 off 178), who had been the mainstay for Avenel, chopped on off the bowling of Connell to have the visitors 5-92.
A 52-run stand by Willie Wheeler (32) and Huw Jones appeared to be claiming the ascendency back in the visitors favour until Wheeler fell to Woods.
When Steve Donovan (12) was dismissed by Berry the game got interesting.
Avenel needed 13 runs for victory, Broadford 3 wickets.
When teenager Jones fell after an impressive knock of 29, it initiated a collapse of 3-0 and handed Broadford the premiership.
Cam Berry and Jack Connell collected 3 scalps apiece, Nathan Woods and Jeremy Bradshaw two in a true team bowling performance by Broadford.
Whilst Hickey deservedly claimed man of the match honours for his 83, he was quick to deflect the attention and praise not just to his team mates, but also to those behind the scenes that contribute to the club – a gesture not lost on anyone when the medal for the 12th-man was presented to long-time club scorer Scott McDougall.
Premiers: the 2018 SDCA A-Grade Grand Final Broadford team.
