Rock Up Netball launches in Broadford

-

March 7, 2018

A NEW way of playing netball has taken Broadford by storm, with an eight week tournament kicking off recently.

Rock Up Netball, an initiative between VicHealth and Netball Victoria, allows people of all ages, sizes and skill levels to join a social netball competition where no scores are kept.

Netball Victoria’s Product Development coordinator Vanessa Abela said the aim was to increase fun for all.

“Rock Up Netball is aiming to increase participation for women, creating a fun and social way to play the game,” she said.

“It is relaxed with no uniforms and we want to be able to provide the community with a chance to have fun.

“We have made sure the environment is one people want to be part of and we want individuals to come register as well as teams… it is about fun.”

Joining the competition at Broadford Leisure Centre is Kilmore resident Shae Green.

She described herself as a passionate netballer and said she loved the relaxed experience in Rock Up Netball.

“The good thing about Rock Up Netball is that you can come down and not know the people you are playing with, it makes for a fun environment,” she said.

“It is interesting to play with people of all different skill levels and it is a very diverse group… I love it.”

Trains on track for election debate

The North Central Review

-

March 7, 2018

3

THE state of the region’s train network has been thrust into the election spotlight after Member for Euroa Steph Ryan announced The Nationals would replace old trains if they were elected to government later this year.

Ms Ryan has promised the N and Z class trains on the Shepparton and Albury lines would be upgraded, affecting up to three services from Seymour to Melbourne each week.

While it was not an overhaul of the entire network for residents, The Nationals’ Deputy Leader said some peak hour services would benefit from the replacements.

“There are old trains on the lines which service Kilmore, Wandong, Broadford and Wallan and those would be replaced with new trains,” Ms Ryan said.

“The really key service to fix is the 4.31pm train which leaves Melbourne during peak hour.
“If we want more people to move to our region and feel like they can commute to and from Melbourne, we need a train service which is reliable and runs on time.”

However, Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the track needs to come before the trains.

“I’ve asked for new trains every budget since I got elected. .. I’ve not been successful because the reality is you can’t run new trains on the dodgy track we have,” she said.

“The fix for the fault plagued line is two-fold – track then trains.

“The track can only be fixed by the federal government; the trains are the state’s responsibility.”

In May last year, Ms Symes announced $43.5 million for new train stabling and a new crossing loop near Murchison East to allow for more services on the Shepparton line.

Kilmore’s role in emoji revolution

The North Central Review

-

March 7, 2018

1

By Joshua Wells

IN 2013, Kilmore’s Jeremy Burge noticed a bunch of new emojis were about to be released and he wanted to know more about them, but the information wasn’t written down and released to the public.

So on his way home after a night out with friends, the former Assumption College student decided to check if Emojipedia had been registered as a website.

When he found it had not been registered, he decided to create his own e-dictionary.

Fast forward to 2018 and the website has now attracted 23 million views with up to six million users every week – Mr Burge has helped place the icons we all use into a communications revolution.

The 33-year-old said he never thought his simple idea would employ him full-time from his base in London.

“Sometimes I lose track of how many people are reading my writing, I feel I am writing it into the ether sometimes but, no, millions are reading it,” he said.

“I had been toying with emojis on my phone for about six months, this was before they were installed on phones, so I downloaded the app and one day apple released some new ones.

“I wanted to know what they meant but I couldn’t find out the information… so I started writing them onto a website and a few months later it went viral.”

After about a year of writing serious descriptions of the playful icons, Mr Burge’s site was shared to a small website – which he cannot identify – which led to major organisations sharing the Emojipedia etching its place in popular culture folklore.

Now, companies like Google and Apple release emoji information at the top of their update announcements and in 2017 an emoji movie was released.

In just five years, Emojis have become common place to the extent where five billion of them are sent on Facebook Messenger every day.

Waste collection suspended

The North Central Review

-

March 7, 2018

0

MACEDON Ranges Shire Council has been advised by contractors, Wheelie Waste, that it has suspended its collection of waste, recycling and garden waste services for the shire.

The statement said council staff are working with Wheelie Waste and the government to work out arrangements going forward.

“Residents should continue to use and put out their bins,” the statement said.

“We are working to ensure services resume as soon as possible and we will provide another update later today.”

Wallan goes international

The North Central Review

-

March 6, 2018

0

By Brooke Haffenden

WALLAN Secondary College will soon be accepting international students as part of a new program.

The North Central Review can reveal that the college has been accredited by the Department of Education and Training for the International Student Program.

On March 15, Wallan Secondary College Principal Sally Lasslett will depart for China as part of the first Victorian Government roadshow to promote the college to Chinese education services with the possibility of meeting potential families who will participate in the program.

Ms Lasslett confirmed the program is in the early stages of development and should be up and running at the college by 2019.

Ms Lasslett said the program was a department initiative to bring students from overseas “into our schools so our students have global connections”.

“It’s important to our students as it brings our students a global perspective on life and a global experience. It enhances the second language abilities of our students and provides positive high performing peers to work with in the classroom,” she said.

“(We) look forward to allowing our students access to a variety of different cultural experiences and the opportunity to make links with people in other countries to improve employment pathways for our students.”

Ms Lasslett told the North Central Review that students who enrol in the program will come from countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. They will attend the school in years 11 and 12 and complete their VCE over a three year period.

The aim of the program is for international students to then go to university in Australia.
At the maximum, the school will accept 20 students into the program which will have no impact on current enrolments.

Having opened the new VCE Learning Centre at the college last week, Ms Lasslett said the program will allow full use of the facility.

“We also get further funding to the college which will allow future school improvement, including an additional court at the gym which can then be available to the community as well,” she continued.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education and Training said more than 250 Victorian government schools have been welcoming international students for more than 20 years, providing students from abroad an exciting opportunity to study in our local schools while experiencing Australia’s culture and lifestyle.

“Both international and local students benefit from Victoria’s international education program by developing a better understanding of the world and an appreciation of different views, cultures and languages,” she said.

“The jobs of the future are increasingly global, so it is essential that Victorian students have exposure to the wider world outside their own neighbourhood.

“Developing intercultural capabilities is an important part of the Victorian Curriculum and having our students sit side-by-side in class with students from other countries and cultural backgrounds is a great way of doing that – while at the same time building global friendships.”

Wallan Secondary College will also be looking for suitable homestay options. Homestays will be paid $250 a week.

For more information regarding homestays or the program, contact the International Student Program coordinator Lauren Mozzina on 5783 0300.

Historic club challenging stereotypes

Sport

The North Central Review

-

March 6, 2018

0

WOMEN across the Macedon Ranges Shire Council are being offered the chance to learn and practice their skills with a chainsaw.

The Women’s Chainsaw Club will see 10 women in the Lancefield, Benloch and Cobaw townships given the chance to build their skills in using the machines.
They will even carve sculptures.

Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson said the program was an opportunity for women to build confidence and self-reliance while learning new skills in the process.

“Knowing how to handle a chainsaw has historically been a skill associated with men, so it’s great to be able to challenge this stereotype,” she said.

“The program is open to all women in the areas of Lancefield, Benloch and Cobaw, with preference given to women in higher fire risk areas, single parent families, women in isolation and those experiencing financial hardship.

“I’m proud that council’s part of this initiative, and I look forward to seeing expressions of interest from many women in the region.”

The program has been backed by the CFA alongside course facilitator Angie Polglaze – a chainsaw championship competitor – who said she was excited to bring the event to the region.

“This art form has taken me all over the world, literally,” she said.

“It keeps you strong, it keeps you fit … and there’s always something new to make.
“You’ll walk away from the course with a chainsaw certificate under your belt, skills with carving and a chainsaw, so get involved.”

The Women’s Chainsaw Club Program is an initiative of Macedon Ranges Shire Council, in partnership with the Lancefield Neighbourhood House and Benloch CFA following funding from the CFA Summer Local Initiatives Grants Program.

Meanwhile, a fire track will be constructed in Benloch in an attempt to improve safety for those throughout the region.

The state government’s annual Fire Access Road Subsidy Scheme (FARSS) was accessed to provide the funds for the development of the track which will grant CFA access to small and large fires.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council township was one of several places in the North West CFA region to be given funding.

CFA Manager Community Safety North West Region David Allen said the scheme supported local initiatives developed between brigades and councils and over the years has seen significant investment across the region in numerous projects.

“The program relies on joint partnership funding between the local municipality and government via CFA,” he said. “It further enhances the strong partnerships between local government and CFA.

“I welcome the successful program work to be implemented within Macedon Ranges and I’m sure it will greatly assist our local brigades and Benloch community.”

Scouts without a home

The North Central Review

-

March 6, 2018

0

By Brooke Haffenden

THE 1st Doreen Scouts Group needs your help.

Living by the Scout Promise to do their best and contribute to the community, the young group of Joeys, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers are not only without a home but have no place to store their equipment, and now they are turning to the community for assistance.

Assistant Group Leader Dinnae Galloway told the Whittlesea Review that currently there are four sections split across three different locations.

As a result of the Laurimar Community Centre fire in January this year, the Joeys and Cubs have had to move locations and are based out of the new Orchard Road Community and Early Learning Centre.

Whittlesea Council confirmed repairs have begun on the Laurimar Community Centre, with groups expected to return by Term 2.

Although, the Joeys and Cubs will return to the facility, the group will still be split across different locations as the centre is not big enough to host the other groups.

Currently the Scout troop operates out of the Mernda Uniting Church and the Venturers out of the Eltham Scout Hall, which affects preparing for events and impacts on equipment storage.

“We are really, really spread out because we do not have a home of our own,” Ms Galloway said.

“It’s difficult to organise for events.

“When I was helping our scout leader get ready for camp in October she was running all around. She had to go to three different parents’ homes to collect equipment just to be prepared for the camp.”

At the moment, the 1st Doreen Scout Group is storing equipment in eight different garages, as well as a carport. As a result of their relocation, they are also borrowing equipment from other groups.

Ms Galloway said while the group doubled their membership numbers from 42 to 80 within a six month period, the split locations can affect membership.

“It’s a lot more difficult to have parents of youth that are trialling and to encourage them to stick around. They’re not going to stick around if they don’t feel welcome and they don’t feel comfortable, and they don’t feel like they have found a home,” she said.

“So, when you have this really disjointed organisation it’s very hard to get to know all the different leaders.”

Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Kris Pavlidis said council has been attempting to find a more suitable location for the group.

“Council understands that the Doreen Scout Club is growing which is wonderful for our community. We have been working with the club to try and find more suitable locations for them to meet but at this stage we have been unable to identify a building that would suit their needs,” Cr Pavlidis said.

“We recognise the value to our community of organisations like the Scouts and will continue to work with the Doreen club to support them.”

Ms Galloway said council has been fantastic, however while they wait they need to look at temporary solutions, including storage facilities.

The group has put a call out for anybody with a storage container that can be stored in Doreen or Mernda.

Ms Galloway also reiterated while they don’t have their own hall, the 1st Doreen Scout Group is “still an amazing environment for children to learn skills they don’t learn in school.”

For more information or to help the group please contact
Group Leader Malcom Noyle on 0499 549 337,
or Assistant Group Leader Dinnae Galloway 0436 122 993.

Alternatively you can visit the website at
www.1stdoreenscouts.com.au

No Money for punters!

The North Central Review

-

March 6, 2018

0

By “Pegs”

KILMORE trainer Karyn Brewster wasn’t popular with punters after the last race at Wangaratta on Saturday.

Brewster saddled-up Darci’s Money to win the Financial Momentum 0-58 Handicap (1170m) after failing to beat a runner home at his past two starts.

The nine-year-old Darci Brahma gelding, paying $113.10 on Supertab, stormed down the outside to run down the $2.90 favourite Our Cashier to win by ¾-length with Pacific Tycoon ($18) a similar distance away third.

The gelding was ridden by apprentice Jessica Eaton.

Brewster said the reason for the form turnaround was the Good 3 track.

“He’s hopeless on anything softer. He just needs conditions to suit.

“Track rider Chris Doherty and Ray Sonogan have been a great assistance to me,” Brewster, who works at the Kilmore District Hospital said.

Darci’s Money was a $100,000 purchase by the former Sydney trainer, the late Bede Murray, at the 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale and later in the gelding’s career he was trained in Adelaide by David Jolley.

Brewster has won three races with the gelding.

Bendigo winners

Seymour trainers Alan Diggins and the father/son partnership of Lee & Shannon Hope bookended the Bendigo program last Wednesday.

The two stables were successful with Hegemon ($4.40) and Balcazar ($4.20) respectively.
The latter, luckless at his previous start, was ridden by Group 1-winning jockey Jordan Childs.

Van crashes through Kilmore business

The North Central Review

-

February 28, 2018

0

By Joshua Wells
Picture: Ian Blyth

UPDATE: OWNERS of the Wallder’s Cafe have taken to Facebook to thank neighbouring businesses and family for their help during yesterday’s ordeal.

They also paid tribute to the builders who came to secure the shop before dark.

“Also, the boys from builders team who came to secure the place in such short notice, who came to assist with the incident that occurred,” the post said.

“Thank god it all happened after hours and everyone is safe.

“We are sad to inform our customers that we will be closing until the cafe can be properly repaired.”

EARLIER: A PEDESTRIAN near a business in Kilmore has avoided a collision with a runaway vehicle only to watch it crash into a shop front at about 4pm on Wednesday.

A white vehicle parked across the road allegedly was left to rest without its hand break which has caused it to roll down across two lanes, up a gutter and into a shop.

No one has been reported as injured.

A witness exclusively told the North Central Review she herself had a near miss with the vehicle before watching it crash into the business in her rear view.

“It came rolling across the road, and I had to try avoid it,” she said to a reporter at the scene.

Police had been called at time of publication.

Riddells Creek remembers Lily

The North Central Review

-

February 28, 2018

0

RIDDELLS Creek Primary School paid tribute last Friday to student Lily De Haas who passed away from a brain tumour.

Opening a new outdoor inclusive learning space and sensory garden, the school community made a garden entrance in memory of Lily.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas visited the primary school alongside Catherine Andrews, wife of Premier Daniel Andrews, to celebrate the opening with the students and pay tribute to Lily.

Lily’s family, including parents Simone and Chris and siblings Brianna and Joel, were also present for the occasion and cut the ribbon to formally open the garden.

Riddells Creek Primary School Principal Kim Ryan said the development of the garden was in parallel with Lily’s illness and, as the completion of the garden coincided with her death and funeral, the school community wanted to do something special in memory of Lily.

Ms Ryan also thanked Ms Thomas for advocating for the project, the Happy Gardeners led by Adrian Strano and Romsey Engineering.

“We also wish to thank Romsey Engineering for making and donating the sign for Lily’s Gate, which we think is a perfect reflection of her whimsical and wonderful spirit,” she said.

The recently completed space includes a wheelchair- accessible edible garden, a music garden, sensory play areas, quiet alcoves, a purpose built shed and veranda that provides a specific place for classes to gather.

The $240,000 outdoor learning space was funded from the state government’s $20 million Inclusive Schools Fund.

The primary school also held its purple day on Friday to support Relay For Life, raising close to $500. Last year Relay For Life generously donated all the funds towards Lily’s treatment and care.