Water shortage hits

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March 12, 2019

By Jackson Russell

KILMORE, Wandong and Heathcote Junction residents are being urged to conserve water, with the Sunday Creek reservoir at 18 per cent capacity.

On the back of a hot summer, a warm start to autumn has resulted in higher water usage and continuing low inflows into the system, meaning storage levels have dropped significantly.

Kilmore, Wandong and Heathcote Junction are supplied by Kilmore Water Treatment Plant, which sources raw water from Sunday Creek and the nearby Hollowback Dam.

Goulburn Valley Water service delivery general manager Daniel Flanagan said the water authority’s modelling for Sunday Creek and Hollowback reservoirs suggested it might consider introducing water restrictions or options to supplement the water supply.

“We are sourcing water from the Goulburn River to supplement supply and we believe that encouraging people to follow the Permanent Water Saving Rules and encouraging water wise habits can reduce system demand in the short term while we monitor the capacity of the storages and how they respond to future inflows and demand predictions,” he said.

“We are continually assessing the situation and will work with the community if restrictions are required.”

The Broadford Water Treatment Plant, which also supplies Waterford Park, is supplied by the Broadford No.3 Reservoir and is at 94 per cent capacity.

Mr Flanagan said residents were being urged to be water wise and reduce their water consumption where possible.

“We’re asking people to take action now to reduce their water usage, to help avoid the introduction of formal water restrictions,” Mr Flanagan said.

“Following the Permanent Water Saving Rules is critical – this can help reduce the demand on the water supply especially if conditions remain dry.

“Think about reducing how often you water your garden, or take a shorter shower – it’s everyone’s responsibility to use water wisely.”

Permanent water saving rules include only using sprinklers after 6pm and before 10am; handheld sprinklers can be used at any time if a trigger nozzle is attached; water should be used to clean hard surfaces.

Refugee plight in spotlight

The North Central Review

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March 12, 2019

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By Eden Hynninen

TWO Macedon Ranges community organisations are banding together to lead community awareness on refugees.

Romsey Neighbourhood House and Lancefield Neighbourhood House are hosting a ‘Refugee awareness movie night’ at Romsey Hub on March 22.

The movie ‘Human Flow’ is a film led by international artist Ai Weiwei through powerful visual expression on human migration.

The neighbour houses’ initiative follows the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s approval of the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) at a meeting in February.

The visa allows refugees to live, work and study in Australia for up to five years. It provides temporary protection and encourages full-time study and employment in regional areas.

Council are considering a process to support a settlement network, cultural competency training and community awareness programs.

Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees volunteer Jane Frazer said the movie was received well in Woodend.

“We showed the same film there recently with about 70 or 80 people – it was excellent,” Ms Frazer said.

“Sue Kirkegard, also a volunteer, and I are from Romsey so we wanted to see if people here would be interested in it.”

Ms Frazer believes the visa approval will help refugees integrate into the community.
“It will help build their independence and I hope the community can get behind them,” Ms Frazer said.

“It’s what we aim for in life isn’t it? To have a home for your family and to be able to work and be educated.”

Ms Kirkegard believes movie nights will answer many questions that the community have about refugees.

“Some people have questions about refugees like how do you know they are genuine? Where do they come from? What difference is it going to make with our life?” Ms Kirkegard said.

“I found this story just tracked what was happening to people. It didn’t tell you what to believe.

“It just tells you the stories of the people and what it’s like to live in an environment like that.

“I thought about the things we’ve been enriched by like spaghetti, cappuccinos, Vietnamese food – all of this is part of Australia.

“I think people always want to help, they just don’t know how. Hopefully movie nights like this can help.”

The movie night starts at 6.30pm. Family and friends are invited to learn about personal stories in the current global refugee crisis.

New hospital a step closer

The North Central Review

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March 12, 2019

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By Evelyn Leckie

A NEW community hospital in Whittlesea is progressing, with Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green chairing a community consultation committee process in coming weeks.

The ‘expression of interest’ process will soon open to appoint a committee of 15 representatives from the community and key organisations will form to ensure the hospital meets particular needs of locals.

Construction on the hospital is expected to start in 2022 and finish by 2024.
The State Government last week announced a $75 million investment to build or upgrade 10 new community hospitals close to major growth areas such as the City of Whittlesea, Craigieburn, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Phillip Island, Sunbury, Torquay, Eltham, Point Cook and Fishermans Bend.

Northern Health will manage the hospital in the City of Whittlesea, offering services including general practice, pathology and imaging, family and early childhood, family safety, community mental health and alcohol and drug assessment.

The hospital will improve access to specialist services like day surgery, chemotherapy, community-based palliative care, chronic disease management and public dental.

Ms Green said she was looking forward to working with passionate people interested in being part of the Whittlesea Community Hospital advisory group.
“When a loved one gets sick, people want to know that the very best care is nearby. A Whittlesea community hospital will improve access to the care our local growing community needs,” Ms Green said.

Panthers prepare for Big V

The North Central Review

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March 6, 2019

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By Jackson Russell

WALLAN Panthers’ Big V basketball teams are in preparation for the upcoming season, with a raft of changes for its three teams in the offseason.

After finishing 10th in a 12-team competition, the men’s side has retained most of its squad with hopes a year to mesh as a team will be able to help them make the jump.

Last year’s import Kojo Afari was let go after a disappointing season and replaced by American swingman Trace Cureton.

Coach Carey Papanicolaou said Cureton, a 193cm player who played for Division I school Utah State, gave the team more scoring and rebounding.

Leigh Saffin has returned to the club from a stint playing for Division II school Chadron State, guard Hayden Annett has recommitted and the club hopes Leo Viitala will commit to his junior club.

Papanicolaou said he was looking to improve the team’s defence and teamwork.

“It’s looking good so far, they’re training well. I’m pretty happy with where we are. I think we’re in a better position now than we were last year,” he said.

“I’m not changing my game plan. I’m just going to run it which we didn’t do last year, that’s running the floor and playing uptempo defence.”

Fresh look for women

Massive changes has the Panthers’ women’s team looking drastically different to the side that went to the preliminary final last year.

Tessa Ramsay has moved to division one club Hawthorn, Nikita McDonald and Che Williams were both unable to return and Emmie O’Nial was released.

Joining the Panthers are forward Carly Simons from Whittlesea, 182cm centre Maddison Delbridge from Coburg and athletic forward Rebecca Romeo from Hume City.

Coach Warren Taylor said the team had replaced size with athleticism and the game plan would change accordingly.

“When you lose a few six-footers, we were a pretty half-court based team last year, we’ll be much more full-court this year. We’ve already started building in more of a transition focus and these sort of players help immensely,” he said.

Taylor said his side let the pressure and expectations get to them last season and doesn’t want to let that happen again.

“There were some expectations and I think we let that drive us internally and it wasn’t healthy. The big push from me is, good, bad or indifferent, our focus is on week by week, it’s on development,” he said.

“We’re deep and we have a lot of weapons. We’ve still got a lot of good outside shooters, good defenders and we can play half-court if we need to.”

Youth league reinvigorated

Wallan’s Youth League program has also undergone mass changes, with about two-thirds of the roster different from last season.

Matt Funston has joined Wallan from Diamond Valley Basketball Association, after time away from representative coaching to take the helm as head coach.

“We’ve had two seasons where we’ve finished second bottom on the ladder so it’s probably time to start reinvigorating things,” he said.

“We’ve attracted a few really good players to the club. We’re working a lot closer with the senior side as well, which is really cool.”

After strong recruiting in the offseason and a solid practice game against Altona, Funston said there was excitement at the club.

“We’re pretty excited about this season, quietly excited,” he said.

Players to keep an eye on this season include Jonas Busano, Seb Villegas, Lachie Rae and Campbell Walker.

With an extended roster of 18 players, Funston has put an emphasis on making players take training seriously.

“We wanted to make it so there’s a lot of competition for spots, like people had to make sure they’re at training, they’re there early, they’re working hard – we’re really changing the way we do things,” he said.

Tallarook to meet Yea in grand final

The North Central Review

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March 6, 2019

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By Jackson Russell

TALLAROOK will play Yea in this weekend’s Seymour District Cricket Association A Grade grand final after a convincing 127-run win over Broadford in the semi-final.

Playing at home, Tallarook made 9/282 from their 80 overs, with Jac Smith-Williams stepping up to make 118.

In a sign of things to come, opener Lachlan Watts (23) hooked one for four to open proceedings on Saturday before he fell at 2/47.

Smith-Williams and captain Leigh Irving (59) put together a 109-run fourth-wicket partnership before Irving was caught and bowled by Cameron Berry. Smith-Williams fell shortly afterwards at 5/221.

By then, the damage was done and a solid contribution from the tailenders padded the scoreboard before stumps was called at 9/282.

Broadford came into Sunday with a big task on their hands, which was only made bigger after losing early wickets.

Opener Ashley Wood was bowled out for 5 by William Dundon at 1/16.

Opening partner Blair Hobba made 28 before he fell at 3/73 while Evan Mills led the side with 37 before he was caught at 6/117.

It was all but over by that point, as Broadford was bowled out for 155 after 53.2 overs to end their season and send Tallarook to the big dance.

Tallarook 9/282(cc) (J Smith-Williams 118, L Irving 59, S Herring 29; N Woods 5/59) def Broadford 155 (EW Mills 37, BG Hobba 28; W Dundon 5/47, L Watts 2/18)

Avenel 88 (H Jones 40; A Chisholm 3/13, M Steiner 3/22, C Armstrong 2/5) def by Yea Tigers 3/109 (C Armstrong 63, D Pell 30)

Walking to Canberra for climate change

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The North Central Review

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March 5, 2019

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By Evelyn Leckie

A MELBOURNE student walking from Melbourne to Canberra will make his first stop in Whittlesea as he takes a stand on climate change.

Shannon Loughnane is fed up with the continued exploitation of fossil fuels and inaction on climate change within Australia, and is walking to Parliament House to deliver a petition to declare a climate emergency.

“I made it my new year’s resolution to stop ignoring those pangs of panic every time I was reading about climate change in the news,” Mr Loughnane said.

“It got to a stage where I couldn’t do nothing.”

Mr Loughnane will be leaving Coburg North on April 20 and is expected to arrive in Whittlesea that day for his first stop.

From Whittlesea he will walk to Hazeldene, Yea, Yarck, Merton, Euroa, Violet Town and many other towns until he reaches Canberra on May 14.

Mr Loughnane said his walk will be low-carbon and community-powered, which means he’ll be conscious of personal behaviour and will be leaning on the hospitality of communities across Victoria and NSW who are mitigating the effects of climate change.

“I’ll be collecting signatures along the way at each town and Member for Wills Peter Khalil will be tabling my petition pending the election,” he said.

Mr Loughnane will take a petition asking the House of Representatives to declare a climate emergency, mobilise resources, lift emission reductions, pursue renewable energy, ban Carmichael coal mine and other large scale fossil fuel exploitation projects, incentivise energy conservation, discourage hyper-consumption and fund state and local sustainability projects.

“None of us can afford to sit on our hands and knees when it comes to climate change,” Mr Loughnane said.

“As time wears on, the challenges in averting catastrophic climate change become more entrenched and the consequences, potentially more dire.

“The only acceptable form of action on climate change is immediate and direct – and so I will walk to Canberra to let our leaders know the type of climate action that is required by its citizens, and by the world.”

Mr Loughnane said people who were able to host him on his way through Whittlesea, or help collect signatures for the petition could email him at info@myextremelylongwalk.com.

Community speaks up about NDIS issues

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The North Central Review

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March 5, 2019

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People with a disability and their families spoke about their grievances with the National Disability Insurance Scheme at a forum in Sunbury last week.

The Make It Work forums, hosted by grassroots campaigners Every Australian Counts, were in capital cities and regional towns across Australia aiming to help fix those falling through the gaps of the system.

NDIS participants, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services Linda Burney and Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell attended the event, along with a large number of those in the region affected by the scheme.

Many spoke about the delays in the planning process that involves a ‘planning meeting’ to identify what supports and services people need to receive adequate support – this could include equipment, assistive technologies, home modifications, cleaning and housing.

Planning approval can take months or years for participants, with some never receiving a response.

One woman in the audience spoke on the expense of respite care for her son who has a disability.

“We have many problems with the NDIS. One of them is respite. He [my son] loves to go to respite but now it’s over $3000 for a weekend. We can’t afford that!” she said.

“The council are pulling money from disability. Where are we going to get the services from, he gets council support four days a week.”

Another woman discussed the difficulty in submitting and receiving feedback on her application.

“Communicating with the NDIS, is like writing your wishes on a piece of paper, screwing it up, throwing it over a brick wall and just wishing for someone to pick it up and do something with it.”

There were also solutions offered by a woman on the lengthy processes.

“Why can’t there be timelines for the decision making process? Why can’t there be a checklist?”

Campaign director for Every Australian Counts Kirsten Deane said people were waiting too long to receive their plans.

“When it works well, it does change people’s lives. But what we’ve got to do is get it working for everyone,” Ms Deane said.

“We absolutely believe that the problems can be resolved, it’s just a matter of the people who have been elected to represent us, to get their butts into gear.”

Ms Burney said she attended the event to hear first-hand from the carers to find out about the problems.

“The biggest priority is driving enormous cultural change in across the organisation, and to put people with disabilities and their families back into the centre of all decisions,” Ms Burney said.

“In a practical sense that means having people who administer the program coming to forums like this and to sit down and talk to people to hear firsthand of the issues.

“Labor has a very strong view of employing people with a disability and we want to make sure that it’s not just the case with taxation and environment, but with the NDIA also.”

A man in the audience summarised his experience with the scheme.

“If you take a thirsty man in the desert and show him an oasis but he can’t drink the water, that’s what the NDIS is doing to us,” he said.

“We [people with disabilities] are also humans and we are suffering.”

Riddells Creek pre-school celebrates unity

News

The North Central Review

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March 5, 2019

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Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek is celebrating four staff members working together for more than a decade.

Montessori schools provide parents with an alternative option of education involving a holistic approach to learning – nurturing children’s self-respect.

It is specifically designed to encourage children to be independent, inquisitive and self-motivated.

The Riddells Creek pre-school has been operating for almost 34 years but has never had staff working together for this amount of time.

Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School centre director Maria Cope said all four women – herself, Janette Patterson, Cathy Sherlock and Michelle Kelly – have provided consistency for the children over the past 10 years.

“We’ve been working together as a team for quite some time now. It’s great continuity for the children and they have had a stable environment,” Ms Cope said.

“The children can start coming here from when they’re two up until five or six. So we see them grow from babes.

“We can see the progression. You can see huge change between a two year old and a five year old – it’s an enormous area for development.”

Macedon Ranges Montessori educator Cathy Sherlock has been working at the school for nearly 16 years.

“My son came here 16 years ago – I was disappointed when I thought I would be leaving when my child left so when they asked me to join the team I was really happy,” Ms Sherlock said.

“This is like a community school. It’s more one-on-one with the children.”

Bush learning for little ones

News

The North Central Review

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March 5, 2019

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Young children engaging their senses by climbing, exploring, digging, playing in mud or puddles and creating nature-inspired art is prevalent for all to see at a new free program called The Bush Bus.

The program aims to create a relaxed environment where children, aged zero to six, can play and parents can connect with other parents in the community.

Georgina Dymock is the founder of ‘Kidding Around Australia’, a website about the places she has travelled with her husband Tim, daughter Alegría and son Isaac.

“We’ve been living this life forever, playing outside and doing crafts, and I wanted to share that with everyone else,” Ms Dymock said.

She said that every time she had posted about being out in nature, the comments she received proved that there was an audience for her mobile playgroup idea.

The Bush Bus concept was realised after a $200,000 grant through the State Government’s Pick My Project program last year, allowing families to participate for free.

“If you look around, the parents are actually interacting with their children,” Ms Dymock said.

“The benefits of being connected to our local community and natural environment have been well documented and acknowledged as a vital components of the physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of children and adults alike.”

Feedback from parents has been positive, with some parents saying there was ‘nothing like this’ and it was exactly what they needed.

“My kids have really enjoyed doing the different activities and all the things they can touch and experience,” mother Kat Stokes said.

Ms Dymock hopes to organise holiday programs in the coming weeks, as well as after-school programs for primary school aged kids.

“The Mitchell Shire is over represented in homelessness, children being removed from their families and domestic violence. So if this can be some sort of sunshine in that world, then how amazing is that?” she said.

During term one, The Bush Bus visits Broadford, Seymour, Wallan, Kilmore and Beveridge.

Bookings are not required.

To find out more about The Bush Bus, visit kiddingaroundaustralia.com/the-bush-bus or visit its Facebook page.

First challenger for McEwen

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The North Central Review

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March 5, 2019

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WHITTLESEA resident Robert Hyndman is throwing his hat into the ring and plans to contest the seat of McEwen at the next Federal Election, expected to be in May.

Mr Hyndman retired from a career as a veterinary surgeon in 2016 and said the time off has made him more aware of today’s political sphere.

Mr Hyndman identifies his political beliefs as liberal conservative and while he once had great passion for the Australian Labor Party, he said he suspected the ALP has lost its way.

“It [Labor] doesn’t quite know what its doing and how it’s going about it and you could probably say the same for the Liberal Party too,” he said.

Mr Hyndman said he thinks the past decade of politics had been a personality issue rather than a policy issue.

“We’ve gone from Prime Minister to Prime Minister, they’ve gone through the place like a revolving door and all our current politicians seem intent still on jockeying for position which doesn’t seem to me to be installing a great deal of governance in the country,” he said.

“We went through 12 months where the entire country was besotted by the same sex marriage issue and it hasn’t created anything in terms of making sure my grandchildren will have future education prospects that are improved.”

While Mr Hyndman hasn’t officially entered yet, he plans to stand as an independent and do it all by himself.

“I haven’t got a campaign manager and I don’t intend to have one,” he said.

“I don’t intend to go on the streets begging for money because that means I would be obligated to somebody if they wanted to make a donation. I just want to see government go back to being government of common sense.”