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July 17, 2018

THE first stage of the old Romsey Primary School site redevelopment has completed, with a community health centre and adjoining park almost ready to open to the public.

Cobaw Community Health and Romsey Ecotherapy Park (formerly the Greater Romsey All-Abilities Park committee) worked with Macedon Ranges Shire Council to transform the 150-year-old property, while funding also came from the federal and state governments.

The federal government provided nearly $1 million for the combined project, the state also chipped in with $733,000, council contributed $215,000 and Cobaw Community Health contributed $50,000.

The new community health centre will provide the full suite of Cobaw’s health and wellbeing services in early childhood, youth, families, adults, aged and disability.

With the opening of the Cobaw facility, residents in Romsey and Lancefield will no longer have to travel to Woodend or Kyneton.

The Romsey Ecotherapy Park is the result of a community-led initiative to build an inviting and accessible passive recreation open space for local people and visitors.

The design placed an emphasis on engaging people of all ages and abilities with nature to provide a unique sensory and therapeutic experience.

The active nature play space along the Main Street frontage of the site forms the first stage of the park and includes landscaped areas, seating, paths and nature-based play elements.

Romsey Ecotherapy Park president Raelene Mottram said this first stage is directed at the younger demographic while later stages will attract the wider community.

“At the moment, it’s what we call the active nature space and within that there are elements like a flying fox, climbing logs and a basket swing. All of these things are probably directed at a younger demographic but anyone can get on it,” she said.

Only the beginning for Romsey Ecotherapy Park

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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July 17, 2018

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Only the beginning for Romsey Ecotherapy Park

by Jackson Russell

THE Romsey Ecotherapy Park committee is celebrating the first stage of the park’s completion, but said there is much more work to do.

The committee met with Liberal candidate for Macedon Amanda Millar and Shadow Minister for Environment Nick Wakeling at the park on Friday to take them through their progress and plans for future development.

Romsey Ecotherapy Park president Raelene Mottram said they haven’t yet been successful in receiving funding to complete the rest of the park.

“We’re not done yet. We’re trying to secure funding to get it done. We’re looking at lobbying politicians. We’ve not had any funding from the state government,” she said.

“Our funding has only come from federal government and Macedon Ranges Shire Council. Council had to purchase building from the state government at a reduced price of $353,000.”

Approximately $1.9 million is required to complete the project according to estimates made by Romsey Ecotherapy Park, with three spaces still to be completed in the Sensory Therapeutic Space, Arts and Culture Space and Woodland Ramble.

The Sensory Therapeutic Space is what the committee calls the ‘hero piece’ of the park. It requires around $900,000 to build and includes running water features and an Ephemeral Billabong.

Mr Wakeling said the project is a “great example of how government investment can actually provide important community infrastructure”.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about the footpaths, it’s not about the new infrastructure, it’s about what it does for a community and this is going to prove to be a community hub,” he said.

“I pay tribute to the work of the active volunteers in the community who have been pushing to see this and clearly they’ve got more they would like to see in the future with future constructions.”

Ms Millar echoed Mr Wakeling’s sentiments.

“It’s great to see this project coming together. This was an exciting investment by the federal government. I know there are a lot of new young families moving to Romsey and they’re excited about coming to see this site opened in the next few months,” she said.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said she was thrilled that the first stage of the Romsey Ecotherapy Park is complete.

“It’s a fantastic initiative and one that will be a great asset to Romsey and the broader community,” she said.

“In May, Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford joined me on a tour of the park and was really impressed with its design and the professionalism of the team behind it. I will continue to advocate for this wonderful project.”

Jaws dropping affair

The North Central Review

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July 17, 2018

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by Joshua Wells

WITH the advent of the internet, urban myths are quickly debunked and corrected almost instantly but despite this, the ‘Mernda Back Beach’ has gained considerable traction on social media.

After taking a ‘stroll’ along the now-famous back beach, David Czerny allegedly noticed a shark had been attacked (pictured) by something bigger, next to the fictitious lifesaving club – according to a widely shared post on Mernda Residents Notice Board.

This post prompted a feeding frenzy of comments from the local region with a host of people questioning the legitimacy of the post.

Resident Steve Booth even suggested the back beach had always been there.

“You need to be able to see into an alternative dimension to get there. It’s right next to ‘Woolies’,” he wrote.

While tongue-in-cheek, the back beach was seen again a few days later and it was Donna Chaase who took her family went to the beach.

“Sand-sliding at back beach today; the kids loved it. Great to be outdoors during the school holidays,” she wrote.

While the idea of a Mernda Back Beach may seem strange to some, Mr Czerny revealed to the North Central Review his motivations harked back to now forgotten past time in Mernda.

“The idea of Mernda Back Beach goes back years. When I was a 14-year-old kid playing cricket for Mernda, a bloke named ‘Megs’ would drive all over the northern suburbs picking us kids up just to make a side,” he said.

“There was an old quarry behind the mushroom farm and it had been filed up with water and you could swim in it.

“[I posted because] I sort of got sick of all the whinging going on in that group, and was absolutely rapt no one actually had a crack at anyone else on it… it just goes to show people still do have a sense of humour.”

While the Mernda Back Beach saga is over for now, no one is sure when it might reappear with a new scandal.

Slow Down!

The North Central Review

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July 17, 2018

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by Joshua Wells

A WOMAN and her kids were almost hit by a car that was overtaking another vehicle while both were driving through a pedestrian crossing right next to a children’s park in Mernda.

The shocking incident occurred recently when Zelda Levay, and her two children Scarlett, 10, and Coco-Bloom, 5, crossed the pedestrian crossing next to Mernda Village Adventure Park on Mernda Village Drive.

The rattled mother retold her story on Thursday, July 12. During this interview, the Whittlesea Review saw vehicles failing to give way on three separate occasions.

Ms Levay said someone could die.

“So many cars drive past and don’t stop for the pedestrians who are crossing on the road, we need traffic lights here,” she said.

“If you are a parent, you are always anxious about your kids crossing the road, it so dangerous. Parents with prams have nearly been hit.

“The crossing is on a sweeping bend without lights or signage, something needs to change.

“The kids and I were on the park side waiting to cross when a car, who seemed to be slowing to let us cross, began to roll towards us. Then the car behind her decided to overtake the driver and we had to get out of the way.”

Other residents have also spoken of their experiences on the road.

Hayley Collins said she thought the crossing was dangerous.

“I’ve almost had my pram hit here. And my poor doggo has been frightened numerous times trying to cross from the dog park. It’s dangerous,” she said.

While there were general concerns about the crossing, one resident, Russell Rowley, believed the incidents highlighted a bigger issue.

“I’m just sick of people speeding through Mernda Villages Estate in general; going to start setting up my own spike strips,” he said.

The Whittlesea Review understands councillors will be contacted about the next step the residents can take.

Wallan Student Wins Scholarship

The North Central Review

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July 17, 2018

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ONE of four Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Give Them wings’ scholarships has been awarded to Wallan occupational therapy student Chelsea Mussett.

The $2500 scholarship is offered by the service’s Victorian branch to support first year students studying allied health with university living and studying expenses.

It also offers recipients the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Flying Doctor – on the road with service teams, with road patient-transport staff or in the air with a flight crew.

As Ms Mussett studies at Monash University’s Peninsula campus in Frankston, she decided to move on-campus rather than deal with the two-hour commute.

Like most first year students, the idea moving away from home is daunting but Ms Mussett said the scholarship will greatly assist with her living expenses.

“Moving has been a roller-coaster ride of countless notes and essays, studying hard, making new friends, remembering I have to cook for myself and do my own washing but I am absolutely loving it all,” she said.

“I chose to study Occupational Therapy because I wanted to assist people regain function physically, mentally and emotionally and allow them to continue to lead healthy and purposeful lives.

“I’m looking forward to the chance to spending ‘a day in the life of a Flying Doctor’ which will allow me to experience first-hand how the RFDS supports the community.”

RFDS Victoria Chief Executive Scott Chapman said the Flying Doctor is proud to support young regional and rural Victorians who aspire to provide health care in rural areas through the ‘Give Them Wings’ scholarship.

“These scholarships are another way we can work to improve health outcomes in Victoria,” he said.

“The bush needs more health workers of all kinds. These scholarships encourage young people to return to regional and rural areas once they graduate.”

Riding proud

The North Central Review

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July 17, 2018

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BROADFORD Paralympian, Joann Formosa OAM has been honoured by the Broadford Lions Club with a sign at the entrance to the town she grew up in.

The sign was designed and produced by Lion Bill Doherty as part of the Lions’ Centenary Project.

Lion members and Joann braved the wintery conditions last Monday (July 16) to unveil the sign that recognises Ms Formosa’s gold Medal she won at the 2012 London Paralympics.

“This is fantastic, I am so honoured to be recognised by the Lions Club and the town I love,” Ms Formosa said at the unveiling.

Broadford Lions President, Lyn Overend, commended Bill Doherty on managing and delivering the project.

“Bill has done a great job and Joann is a person worthy of recognition. Her achievements are an inspiration to us all,” Ms Overend said.

Ms Formosa suffered spinal cord and nerve damage, caused by a riding accident. She has gone on to represent Australia is a host of equestrian events, peaking with Gold at the 2012 London games.

She started competing in equestrian in 1980. Before her accident, she competed in dressage and show jumping events. She helped found Kilmore Adult Riding Club and is a member of Riding for the Disabled Victoria.

She has also competed in the 2006 World Equestrian Games, where she made her national team debut and competed in her first competition outside Australia.

In November 2013, Joann Formosa was awarded the Federation Equestre Internationale – Against All Odds award. She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2014 Australia Day Honours for service to sport as a Gold Medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

As for the future, Ms Formosa is not one to rest on her laurels – she already has the Tokyo Games in her sights.

“I plan on competing at the Tokyo Paralympics. We are well on track for that. Once that is over, I think it is time for retirement. A nice little two acre property in Broadford would be nice,” she said.

If you build it, they will come

The North Central Review

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July 10, 2018

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by Jackson Russell

MITCHELL Shire’s own field of dreams is celebrating its 20th anniversary this weekend.

Mitchell Majors Baseball Club started in 1998 after president Phil Minnitt’s children decided they didn’t want to play football anymore.

With the closest team down in Mill Park, Mr Minnitt and Baseball Victoria development manager Grant Weir decided to have a come and try day in Kilmore.

Nearly 30 kids showed up to the first day on just two days’ notice. The second come and try day was had an even better turn out with 100 people showing their interest.

While the club had players, it didn’t have a home. With most fields in Kilmore taken, Broadford Secondary College let the club use their oval for its inaugural season.

Just one year later, thanks to some help from baseball fans within Mitchell Shire Council, the club found a home with a purpose-built diamond on Mollison Street.

“The council was really good to us. The field now was just a swamp and they said you could lease the land if you want to do something so we started building the ground in 1999 and they helped with grants to get the nets,” Mr Minnitt said.

Twenty years later, the club is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a Past Players Day on Saturday, June 14 as the club takes on Footscray.

Mr Minnitt said everyone’s invited, event those who haven’t had anything to do with the club before.

“It’s great because my kids started when they were 10 and I’ve played with my two boys and there aren’t many games where you can play with your kids,” he said.

“We had Troy pitching to my son Cam while I was on first base and it was just grouse.”

The club’s come a long way since those early days, moving into the Melbourne league after spending the first ten years in the Shepparton league, winning three premierships since the move.

“We’ve had players from Japan come and play for us, three Australian women’s baseballers have played with us, and we’ve had a good association with Footscray as a sister club,” Mr Minnitt said.

“We’ve probably had thousands of people come through the door. We had a grand final here in 2007 and there were 250 people here.”

Bringing people together with food

The North Central Review

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July 10, 2018

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by Jackson Russell

ROMSEY and Lancefield Neighbourhood Houses are joining forces to help provide a place for people to get around the community but also help those who struggle to meet their food needs.

The Feed It Forward project aims to take advantage of some of the extra fresh produce that’s available in the area and use it to bring people together through cooking and sharing food.

The project also is aimed towards people who might feel isolated, want to meet people and be a part of the community.

Volunteer coordinator Bev Laing said the project will setup at the Lancefield Farmers Market on the fourth Saturday of each month from September and take donated produce from local gardeners, as well as from the market’s stallholders.

On the following Wednesday, they will host a big cook-up where everyone can come together to cook and eat the meals.

“We’ve got some pretty fantastic recipes already worked out that would take the kind of produce that people would likely be growing in this neighbourhood in winter,” Ms Laing said.

“Anyone can come, anyone can cook, anyone can just come and eat or anyone can grow stuff for it.”

Each month the community harvest will be set up at the Lancefield Farmers Market but the cooking will alternate between Romsey and Lancefield each month.

Numerous community groups have gotten behind the project, from the CWA to churches to Lancefield Primary School, which wants to expand its gardening program.

Ms Laing said at the first meeting for the project, organisers realised how much surplus produce there is and the generosity to go with it.

“I’m a gardener and I love to grow vegetables. Lots of people have enough space around here that they could easily grow an extra row of vegetables and what I’m hoping is that in spring, we can find gardeners who can put in a row of lettuces or spring onions or carrots and give those to us too,” she said.

Ms Laing also hopes that once the project is up and running, in warmer months when there’s more produce, they will be able to portion and freeze some of the meals and give it to local food banks.

The first Feed It Forward community cook-up will take place at the Lancefield Mechanics Hall on Wednesday, September 26.

For more information, contact the Romsey and Lancefield Neighbourhood Houses.

Kilmore’s huge cheerleading win

The North Central Review

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July 10, 2018

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By Joshua Wells

JUST moments before the Kilmore Arctics Cheer and Dance squad took to the stage for their first ever competition, head coach Ashley White tinkered with their learned routine to change it up.

The young squad, following all the changes, took to the stage and managed to take a win for their stunt, while placing seventh overall at the AASCF Winterfest in Melbourne recently – despite all the nerves.

Courtney Abela, 14, said she was proud of her teammates and was excited to compete again with the group.

“It was great getting back into competing and was so much fun… the highlight was winning because it was our first competition and being able to do that was great,” she said.

“We were pretty stressed out, but once we got on the floor there was lots of fun. The goal is now to just get better.”

While Courtney has experience in competing, some of her teammates, like young Jessica Riolo, 12, have only been competing for about a year.

This fact made the win all the more special, and Jessica said she could not wait to go back out on the stage.

“It was an amazing time, we have put a lot of effort into this and I can’t believe how amazing it went,” she said.

“I didn’t dream of winning a competition this early but it was a good surprise to see us place first.

“There was a lot of practice that went into it. The most exciting thing was getting on the floor and hitting the stunts.”

Head coach Ashley White said she was proud of each one of the competitors.

“These girls are all original students and they have worked so hard, and really well, and I could not be prouder of them,” she said.

“It was amazing to be part of. To be able to coach them there was incredible; we only put the chorography together two weeks before hand… then changed it in the warm up.

Kilmore Arctics Cheer and Dance owner Lauren Mamalis said she was overwhelmed at how good the team went.

“We have only been cheering for 12 months so it was fantastic.”

Wallan falls to third place

The North Central Review

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July 10, 2018

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By Joshua Wells

WALLAN Magpies Football has fallen to third place on the ladder following their second loss of the year.

At Greenhill Reserve, the Macedon Cats, who are the reigning champions, came with clear intent to win and to stop the Magpies’ run to the top.

And they did by two points.

Both sides came out of the gates hot, but it was the home side who found form early with three goals, one behind in the first term.

With a 12-pont lead at the first quarter break, half-time saw the Cats ahead by 10 points as the Magpies didn’t kick a single score in the second quarter.

Out of the break, the Magpies bagged two majors and seven behinds, allowing the Cats to stay in the match.

The inaccurate kicking was compounded when they let the Cats kick a goal, two behinds in tough conditions, opening the door for a thrilling final term.

The Cats would go on to win the match with two goals, three behinds, to the Magpies’ two goals straight.

The two-point win meant the champions will soar to the top of the ladder, while Wallan crash down to their lowest point so far.

Magpies assistant coach Spencer Mathieson said it was a hard game of footy.

“It was a very windy difficult day. We played our better footy into the breeze but could not make the most of it when we had the breeze. In a very tight game Macedon got up by two points,” he said.

“Some of the better players Ricky Schraven, Andrew Saladino, Jake Layley [played well] on ball. Michael Mannix, Shaun Stewart, played well down back, and Nathan Fowler had a great game forward in the conditions, and marked everything.

“The challenges don’t get any easier; we have Sunbury Kangaroos away, who play well at home.”