Students at St Mary’s Primary School in Lancefield have started their new school year by welcoming a new pedestrian crossing to keep them safe on their way to school.
The $70,000 Chauncey Street crossing was finished in time for term one, making sure children are safe from day one, while minimising disruptions during pick-ups and drop-offs.
The project included a new crossing, kerb, channel, drainage, safety signage and fresh line marking near the intersection of Raglan Street.
The Victorian Government worked closely with the community including St Mary’s Primary School, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Regional Roads Victoria to ensure the crossing is in the best location for increased connectivity, visibility and safety.
The crossing also opens up a job opportunity for a crossing supervisor to attend before and after school.
St Mary’s Primary School principal Julie McDougall said the crossing has been a project of hers since joining the school in May 2017.
“It’s amazing. It’s been a long time in the making and for our community to know they can safely cross a busy road is just peace of mind for parents and school community,” she said.
“It was dangerous. We have lots of trucks that use this road so although there are 40km/h signs, they tend to just fly through it so it’s a lot safer and the crossing supervisor is visible as well.”
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said it was a great way to start the 2019 school year.
“Congratulations to Julie and the whole school community for the way they campaigned,” she said.
“The safety of our littlest community members is absolutely paramount and I can see this morning just how much this is appreciated by the local community and it’s all about children’s safety.”
Regional Roads Victoria Acting Regional Director Northern Seamus Haugh said the crossings were an important part of the regional road network across the state.
“This vital project is giving the 1,600 drivers travelling on Chauncey Street every single day some peace of mind by making pedestrians more visible during school pick up and drop off,” he said.
“We’re proud to have worked with the Lancefield community, particularly St Mary’s, and alongside council to deliver this school crossing in a much-needed area for the Lancefield community.”
Drivers across the region are being urged to help keep children safe as the back to school rush returns.
On school days, speed limits drop to either 40km/h or 60km/h in the mornings between 8am and 9.30am and in the afternoons from 2.30-4pm, Monday to Friday.
Drivers must obey reduced speed limits outside all schools on weekdays even if an individual school is closed.
Lancefield students cross safely
Generous community support remains with couple
by Evelyn Leckie
The community’s generous spirit stands out in the minds of Wandong’s Carol and Gary Roberts when they reflect on the Black Saturday bushfires.
The couple were at their Wandong home when the disastrous fire began five kilometres from their rural property.
“It was an eerie week, we had a string of 40 degree days and on that Saturday morning – for some strange reason we knew it was going to happen,” Ms Roberts said.
Mr Roberts went to get the paper that morning and when he returned, he noticed smoke nearby.
“The wind was horrendous that day – the sound of it– you’ll never forget. It’s been 10 years but the sound is still so raw,” Ms Roberts said.
The Roberts watched the fire edge closer to their home as they listened to the radio, car packed and ready to go.
“Our electricity went out, our water pumps weren’t working, we couldn’t fight,” Ms Roberts said.
At 1.30pm the couple decided to leave.
As they drove separately down the driveway, the fire brigade were at the foot of their rural property.
“The CFA were saying ‘quick get out, get out there’s no one left around here – you’re the last ones here,” Ms Roberts said.
“By this time the flames were so far up above the power lines – it was horrible, we pulled out of the driveway and saw the house next door was on fire.
“We knew we had to get out because the fire was moving as quickly as we were driving.”
Ms Roberts drove into the Wandong township, wondering where she was going to go. She was soon separated from her husband.
“Gary came to look for me but the police directed him in a different direction,” she said.
“It wasn’t pleasant – we didn’t know if the other was okay.”
Gary headed to Kilmore thinking Carol might have gone there. He then checked on their daughters who weren’t home.
“The hotel in Wandong opened their doors and said come in,” Ms Roberts said.
“By that stage, dogs were running around everywhere out of their minds, the smoke and fire was just horrendous.”
Mr and Ms Roberts eventually made contact and were able to return to their home on Sunday afternoon.
“What you come back to, you can’t believe it,” Ms Roberts said.
The Roberts’ luckily still had their house, but everything surrounding their property was gone. Their cattle and horse had miraculously survived too.
“We felt very guilty because people around us lost everything,”
Ms Roberts said.
The support the Roberts family received from the community was overwhelming.
“We had a very supportive government at the time, caseworkers, the Salvation Army, Centrelink, our insurance company, Red Cross, the SES, it goes on,” Mr Roberts said.
Ms Roberts said they had no water supply for nine months.
“The council supplied us with water and would refill our containers every couple of weeks,” she said.
“When we went down to Wallan on the Monday – we registered with the Red Cross so that worried family members would know we were okay.
“People would come up to us asking, ‘What do you need? What can we do?’”
“The Wallan stadium was absolutely choc-a-bloc with people helping and donating. I’ll never forget the time I was in line to get help and I said we need feed for our animals – and a lady behind us said, ‘I can help, I can help’.
“I realised we didn’t have any trailers to pick up the feed as they’d melted in the fires, the lady said ‘that’s alright I’ll get my father-in-law to come and help and they can deliver it this afternoon’.
“We just burst into tears – people were so generous.”
The generosity continued for months after Black Saturday.
“We had groceries delivered for 12 months – I just felt so guilty – I said to the volunteer ‘the people who have lost their homes – give it to them.’
“She replied saying ‘yes I know love – but we’ve had so many donations we’d like you to accept it.’”
Ten years on, Mr and Ms Roberts have slowly rebuilt their lives with the support of the community and each other.
They are dedicated community members and spend time volunteering at The Kilmore District Hospital – assisting the elderly.
“The support was wonderful – we can’t thank people enough for what they did.”
The twists of fate
by Eden Hynninen
TEN years on, former Kilmore East resident Carol Pullar reflects on the morning of February 7, 2009.
At home with her elderly parents on Saunders Road, Ms Pullar received a phone call shortly after 11.30am from her neighbours to alert her of a fire 500 metres from her property.
“They [neighbours] were the very first triple zero call that day,” Ms Pullar said.
“My parents and I packed everything up in case we needed to go and then I went outside to get the hoses and water organised.”
The Pullar family had a 20,000 gallon tank of water on their property that by chance [or fate] failed to work.
“When we opened it up nothing came out – we don’t know what went wrong,” Ms Pullar said.
“We went to the generator and pulled the rope that then broke. At that point I looked at Mum and Dad and said ‘we can’t stay here’ – it was like the universe was telling us to go.”
Ms Pullar packed up the cars and with her two parents, two dogs and cat drove down to the Evacuation Centre in in Kilmore.
Later in the afternoon, Ms Pullar assumed the fire had moved on to Kinglake and wanted to return home.
“We decided we’d try and get back home. It wasn’t until we got closer to home that we realised the extent of the fire,” Ms Pullar said.
Along Saunders Road, homes were completely destroyed but Ms Pullar’s stood intact thanks to firefighters working right on her doorstep.
“We met the fire brigade who had just left our house at the bottom of the driveway,” she said.
“When I got out of the car it was like walking into a furnace – everything was still burning.”
When Ms Pullar finally returned to her home the next day, she was surprised to find a handwritten note from Diamond Creek Fire Brigade on the kitchen bench.
A CFA member wrote: “Diamond Creek Tanker Two and its composite crew were able to protect your home and at times fire was at your door step.”
The note continued to apologise for using her tank water before they had to move on to other properties in further danger.
The note ended with a “P.S Back door was open, we had ran dry of drinking water – $5.00 for orange juice under circumstances hope you don’t mind.”
Ms Pullar remembers her absolute bewilderment at the note and letter left behind.
“I couldn’t believe it. I still have the note and letter framed in my new home,” she said.
Five months after the fire, Ms Pullar continued to search for her cat that had escaped that day.
“I searched everywhere for months. Finally I was walking in Wallan when I saw a photo of my cat on a window at the Wallan Recovery Centre,” she said.
“She had travelled 50 kilometres the day of the fire from Kilmore and we think she tried to return to our old home in Kinglake – she must have been petrified.
“I couldn’t believe that five months later I found her in a cattery. As soon as she saw me she wouldn’t let go.”
Tiffany the cat was 16 at the time of Black Saturday, she went to live on for another seven years.
Looking back on Black Saturday, Ms Pullar reflects on the events that happened that day.
“On the day it seemed like the universe was conspiring against us, but in hindsight it knew better.
Mitchell puts Children First
by Jackson Russell
MEMBER for McEwen Rob Mitchell visited the Children First Foundation’s Miracle sMiles Retreat in Kilmore East on Friday to experience a firsthand look at the foundation’s efforts.
Mr Mitchell spent time with some of the Retreat’s residents, including Bhutanese twins Nima and Dawa, and spoke to staff about some of the issues they’re having with things like internet access.
He said the work the foundation and Rotary have done to improve the Retreat had been sensational.
“It’s an important part of their community and anyone who knows anything about Children First knows about the great work they do, the humanitarian work is sensational,” Mr Mitchell said.
“It’s a great asset to the community and really it’s a great asset to Australia.”
Children First Foundation chief executive Elizabeth Lodge said the support the foundation received from all three levels of government was vital.
“We are hugely supported by all the local communities, shops, Rotary, the Men’s Shed, and it’s an extension of that wonderful community support,” she said.
Mr Mitchell agreed, saying it was easy to see how passionate the foundation was about what it did.
“It’s important all three levels do what they can to help organisations like this grow and support them throughout because most of the time they’re running on the smell of an oily rag,” he said.
“You just have to spend 10 minutes here and talk to the staff to see these people are just absolutely stunning.”
Support from local politicians has allowed the foundation to explore options for support they might not have had otherwise.
“Being in Kilmore East, we don’t have access to the NBN but through Rob’s staff, we’ve been able to look at different options for us, which will make life a lot easier for us here,” Ms Lodge said.
“Even community grants, Rob just mentioned to me about a grant that we could apply for because we have to install a sprinkler system. That’s an avenue that wasn’t available to us before.”
Bookworm boost at Riddells
NEW prep students across the state will soon receive free books as part of Labor’s election commitment to lift literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas visited Riddells Creek Primary School’s preps on their very first day to deliver the books and bags.
The bags include a range of expert-selected books and a copy of the new booklet Literacy and Numeracy Tips to Help Your Child Every Day.
Riddells Creek PS principal Emma Brooksby said the books will help with the extension and consolidation of students’ reading skills.
“I think it’s important children have quality books at home so for us, the fact that every child in Victoria gets it and we know they have access to quality literature they can engage with at home with an adult for free, that’s amazing,” she said.
“We haven’t handed them out yet and parents have already asked when they’re getting their packs.
“There’s an Andy Griffiths book in there, it’s not just the $2 rainbow books from the supermarket.”
Ms Thomas said providing quality literature is about engaging both children and adults.
“Quality literature, quality picture books that will really engage children and their parents because parents are partners in children learning to read,” she said.
“The thing about books is there are so many ways to engage with them. It’s not just about reading the books. It could be talking about the drawings, using the illustrations as inspiration for children’s own drawing and creativity.”
Motivated mum brings floral joy to Doreen
TALENTED florist and hardworking single mum Melanie Woodyard always knew she wanted to own her own florist business one day.
It was late last year when that dream came true.
Growing up in Wattle Glen, she started a colourful career as an apprentice in Melbourne CBD, to working in country NSW to moving to Doreen – Ms Woodyard had seen it all.
“I remember picking lilacs at 4am in country NSW with my boss at the time. I would be under the ladder catching the flowers and bundling them up for market,” she said.
Ms Woodyard said that the best thing about her job is making people smile.
“The best thing is helping people who can’t be there for a certain event – it makes people so happy seeing a bunch of beautiful flowers from their loved ones.”
The creative florist also loves sourcing new materials and ideas.
“I love going to the Melbourne Markets in Epping – I like to see what’s in season, bringing it to the store and sharing it with my customers.
“I really believe in shopping local and supporting business in our area, my gift cards are hand made by a Mum and Neighbour duo in Doreen, Coda Creations”
Ms Woodyard wanted her own store after 15 years of working for other florists.
“I saw a shop open on Hazelglen Drive next to the Flair Lounge Hairdressers – and all of a sudden things fell into place.”
Ms Woodyard said she now has more time for her kids, as she can work her hours around school drop off and pick up.
“It’s been going well so far – I just need to keep it going,” she said.
“With Valentine’s Day around the corner as well – I just have no idea what to expect.”
After a difficult separation in 2016 Ms Woodyard has found her feet again.
She bought herself a vintage caravan to take her kids camping.
“The kids love it, I do it all by myself now – towing the caravan, setting up camp and packing everything away.”
Ms Woodyard is looking forward to what the future holds and helping her community spread the love this Valentines Day and everyday after that.
New year, new scam
THE Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is warning taxpayers to be alert for scammers impersonating the ATO, as scammers change tactics in 2019.
Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat said scammers have been developing new ways to get taxpayers’ money and personal information over the summer break.
“We are seeing new scam, where scammers are using an ATO number to send fraudulent SMS messages to taxpayers asking them to click on a link and hand over their personal details in order to obtain a refund,” she said.
The ATO received many reports in 2018 of scammers maliciously manipulating the calling line identification so the phone number that appears is different to the number from which the call originated. This is known as “spoofing” and is a common technique used by scammers in an attempt to make their interactions with taxpayers appear legitimate.
Ms Foat is warning the community to be aware that legitimate email domains and SMS origins can also be ‘spoofed’ by scammers.
“This scam is not just targeting your money, but is after your personal information in an attempt to steal your identity.
“Taxpayers should be wary of any phone call, text message, email or letter about a tax refund or debt, especially if you weren’t expecting it,” she said.
While the ATO regularly contacts taxpayers by phone, email and SMS, there are some tell-tale signs that it isn’t the ATO. The ATO will not send an email or SMS asking the recipient to click on a link to provide login, personal or financial information, or to download a file or open an attachment.
The ATO also will not use aggressive or rude behaviour, or threaten you with arrest, jail or deportation or request payment of a debt via iTunes or Google Play cards, pre-paid Visa cards, cryptocurrency or direct credit to a personal bank account or request a fee in order to release a refund.
“If you are unsure about a call, text message or email that you have received, don’t reply. It’s OK to slow down and phone us on 1800 008 540 to check if the contact was legitimate or to report a scam,” Ms Foat said.
The ATO’s dedicated scam reporting line is 1800 008 540. To see the latest alerts and for more information visit ato.gov.au/scams.
Doreen woman prompts discussion on rare condition
by Evelyn Leckie
GROWING up, Nola Young was confused by her recurring health symptoms that doctors couldn’t explain.
Even though she was active and had a healthy diet, her legs continued to swell and increase in size while her upper body remained slim.
“It started off with tiny pea sized shapes forming on my legs. As time went on it felt like there were walnuts underneath my skin,” Ms Young said.
Doctors told Ms Young that she was simply overweight and needed to diet and exercise.
“It was humiliating and frustrating hearing that for many years before I finally was diagnosed,” she said.
“I was very self-conscious and always felt I had to cover my legs.”
After 33 years of searching, Ms Young finally received an answer – she had Lipoedema.
Lipoedema is a poorly-understood condition characterised by abnormal accumulation of fat cells under the skin.
The condition mainly affects women and symptoms include painful swelling of the legs and thighs.
Receiving the diagnosis at age 48, Ms Young said she felt relieved but also sad.
“I felt relief because I finally had an answer, but I was disappointed that there was no cure for my condition,” she said.
At the time Ms Young was diagnosed, there was hardly any information available online about lipoedema.
“I joined a Facebook group for women with the same condition and seven years later we became the Lipoedema Australia Support Society.”
Ms Young is president of the society which raises awareness of the condition and provides support to other women living with lipoedema.
“I’ve had a lady cry on my shoulder who has the same illness. It can be so tough on young women as their confidence is affected and it can prevent women from reaching their full potential.”
The society has inspired many other groups to form around the world including Lipoedema Ladies (UK), Lipedema Sisters (USA) and a Canadian Lipoedema group.
Ms Young’s husband Alan Young told the Whittlesea Review that he was extremely proud of his wife.
“The bravest thing Nola has done was have her portrait taken as part of the ‘A wish for lipoedema’ project’,” he said.
Posing for the the portrait, above, was nerve wracking for Ms Young, but it set an example to other women with lipoedema.
“I had to do it, as president of the society, I couldn’t hide, I had to be brave for other women,” she said.
“I didn’t feel good about showing my legs, but once I received supportive comments online, I knew it was the right thing to do.”
Despite Ms Young’s health struggles she still persists by giving back to the community.
Ms Young and her husband have donated countless hours to the Love Thy Neighbour charity which provides a food bank for financially challenged families and sometimes, families experiencing domestic violence.
Ms Young said that the charity has been a huge community effort with local businesses, banks and schools all helping out.
“When some people ask us for help, it’s the end of the road for them, it takes a lot of guts to ask,” Ms Young said.
Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green nominated Ms Young for the Whittlesea Australia Day awards over the weekend.
“Nola thought it was me who nominated her, I said – don’t look at me!” laughed Mr Young.
Ms Young said she was surprised by the thoughtful nomination.
“I don’t expect any recognition for my work, I just get on with it.”
Exhibition brings crowds to Hanging Rock
by Eden Hynninen
Art in the Vines, a sculpture exhibition and trail at Hanging Rock Winery has continued to attract crowds from all over since its opening in November, 2018.
Overlooking the vineyard, Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon are 25 outdoor sculptures that have been installed to create an interactive experience with art and wine.
Hanging Rock Winery Manager Direct to Consumer Shane Caruana said it’s the first of its kind in the Macedon Ranges.
“It’s something that has always been on the Ellis family’s (owners) mind and something they’ve wanted to introduce to the region,” Mr Caruana said.
“We got introduced to a local guy Malcolm Thompson who became our exhibition curator. He’s got the know how in that industry and engaged all the artists that exhibit here.”
Among the 25 local and international sculptors are many that have been nationally recognised for their work.
“James Parrett won the major Sculpture by the Sea prize last year – it’s one the most well-known sculpture exhibitions in Australia. His M-thirsty sculpture is here,” he said.
“We also have Geoffrey Bartlett’s work. His sculpture ‘Messenger’ was displayed in the moat at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) for about 20 years. He’s got other pieces all around Australia and the world.”
Mr Caruana said the concept is for people to come into the cellar door, do a wine tasting and then a tour around the property to view the exhibition.
“It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon. We’ve also got some picnic blankets and baskets for you to enjoy on the lawn,” he said.
“You can’t beat this view. I think the Macedon Ranges is still undiscovered, there are elements here that you won’t get elsewhere.”
New owner of the Hanging Rock Cafe (located at the base of Hanging Rock) Briony Duff-Tytler said exhibitions like Art in the Vines really help bring people to the area.
“It’s great to see new faces. We like to recommend events like this in the region,” Mrs Duff-Tytler said.
The Art in the Vines Sculpture Exhibition & Trail is on until 31 March 2019 and is open 7 days a week (except Christmas day) from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free. For more information call (03) 5427 0542 or visit www.hangingrock.com.au