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A City with a plan

The North Central Review
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A City with a plan

THE City of Whittlesea has formally adopted its 2018/19 budget following a special council meeting on Tuesday, June 3 after a failed rescission motion.

The motion was submitted by Cr Ricky Kirkham citing concerns with the implementation of a multi-cultural officer position and splitting rates from waste charges.

Cr Kirkham said to the chambers he wished it hadn’t come to a rescission.

“I want to say it is disappointing to put a rescission motion in to discuss the budget,” he said.

“I have some major concerns which I have outlined, I believe the council has overstepped its mark… it is not the role of council [to create jobs].

“We need to be clear and honest [about waste charges]. We need to be resilient to rising costs but taxing residents isn’t the right thing to do.”

Cr Norm Kelly agreed with Cr Kirkham, outlining concerns he had with the budget centred around ‘pet projects’ and the waste charges.

Cr Caz Monteleone labelled the waste decision a ‘policy by peace charge’ as Australia continues to grapple with the rising concerns of waste charges.

No other councillor rose to speak on the matter with the rescission notice voted down 6-3.

Cr Kelly, Cr Monteleone and Cr Kirkham all voted to accept the recession.

Ballads against bullying

The North Central Review
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Ballads against bullying

A NIGHT of jazz and musical theatre in Kyneton is raising money to implement anti-bullying and cyberbullying programs in schools.

Thomas Currie’s show, The Curtain Rises, features the 19-year-old and pianist Geoffrey Scarlett performing music from the golden age of jazz and musical theatre and will play for one night only at Kyneton’s Bluestone Theatre on Saturday, August 18.

The proceeds of the show will support the charity Bully Zero which is Australia’s leading charitable organisation to tackle bullying in our communities.

“The cause itself if something that’s so prevalent now because there are more platforms that kids in that age group can get bullied on,” Mr Currie said.

“Now we have cyberbullying, which is hard because parents don’t know it’s happening, particularly on things like Snapchat because it disappears.”

Mr Currie said the idea for donating proceeds to Bully Zero came from while he was an artist in residence at primary schools, directing their musicals.

“What came out of that was I built a good report with students so I went back and talked to Grade 6 students and talked about transitioning to Year 7,” he said.

“I ran workshops because I found that transition difficult, I personally got bullied in Year 7. What came out was an overwhelming positive response from parents and staff saying how I really affected the kids in positive way.”

Through the workshops, Mr Currie identified bullying as a massive issue so he teamed up with Bully Zero to make a difference for many kids and teens around the country.

Mr Currie is debuting the show in Kyneton before taking it to Melbourne in December, as he has a personal connection to the town after attending family reunions in the Botanical Gardens in his youth.

Tickets for The Curtain Rises are $23.50 or $17.50 for concession and can be purchased at www.thomascurrie.com.au

Going straight to the youth

The North Central Review
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Going straight to the youth

The community is being asked to have their say on a draft youth strategy that has been developed in partnership with young people from the Macedon Ranges Shire.

These young people have given the strategy the name Elevate as it aims to actively elevate the voices and desires of young people within the community.

Elevate is a game plan for what Macedon Ranges Shire Council will aim to provide for the diverse needs of young people in the shire over the coming years.

The strategy outlines how council will work with young people as well as parents, schools, workplaces, service providers and other levels of government to improve the health and wellbeing of young people.

Mayor Jennifer Anderson said Elevate was not your usual Council strategy, as it was co-directed, co-developed and co-written by 12 young people from across the community.

“We’re so proud of the work of our young co-designers in putting this strategy together,” Cr Anderson said.

“Close to 1000 people shared their experiences through a range of activities, and all were facilitated by young people.”

The community can view the draft strategy on Council’s website at mrsc.vic.gov.au/yoursay, which also includes an online feedback form.

Young people and service providers will also be invited to review the draft strategy at two workshops in July.

Feedback – particularly from young people – is welcome by emailing mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au, calling (03) 5422 0333 or via the Youth Facebook page facebook.com/MacedonRangesYouth

Printed copies of the draft strategy are also available to view at Council offices in Kyneton, Gisborne, Romsey and Woodend.

The draft will be open for comment until 29 July 2018.

Big Blokes Brunch to hang around for another year

The North Central Review
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Big Blokes Brunch to hang around for another year

WHITTLESEA’S Big Blokes Brunch will remain for 12 months after organisers came to an agreement recently.

Whittlesea Community House and Corrections Victoria saw the success of the Big Blokes Brunch during an initial 10-week pilot program, prompting them to renegotiate a deal for continued growth.

The lunch – which brings together men and provides members of the community a different avenue of serving community orders – will now bring delight to the blokes who attend into 2019.

Whittlesea Community House manager Mary-Lynn Griffith said the initiative was a great one for all involved.

“At the Brunch various groups and individuals have displayed their hobbies and interests. Last week the Whittlesea Men’s Shed displayed a collection of handmade ukes and instruments whilst members of the Bundy Ukes demonstrated tunes on their own ukuleles,” she said.

“We have also had Expresso Legal with free coffee and free legal advice, a local collection of miniature tractors, a Bunnings demonstration, and a Lost Trades exhibit.

“We regularly have 25-30 blokes catching up, enjoying items of interest and devouring a delicious multi-course feast… brunch Ingredients are provided free by Second Bite. Leftovers go to our local Food share.”

AFL chips in

The North Central Review
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AFL chips in

SPORT in the Gisborne area is set to receive a significant boost with funding for multiple projects announced on Thursday.

AFL Victoria representatives visited the town to announce a $100,000 funding commitment to the two sports fields that make up part of New Gisborne’s Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct.

Mayor Jennifer Anderson said the funding commitment is the first to come from outside council for the project.

“This fantastic commitment will help council and our community in our advocacy to federal and state governments and other sporting organisations for funding,” Cr Anderson said.

“It’s great to see the AFL shares our excitement about this project because we need broad support to be able to deliver it and the great benefits it will bring to the region.”

The project combines the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub and the New Gisborne Regional Sports Fields projects and will provide the community with two new sports fields, including one all-weather synthetic oval, six indoor courts and the associated infrastructure.

AFL Victoria CEO Steven Reaper said that the AFL had provided funding to allow AFL Victoria to assist councils and clubs in the development of well-located, accessible and welcoming football facilities to support the growth of the sport throughout Victoria.

“The New Gisborne Regional Sports Fields project is listed as a key priority in both the AFL Goldfields and AFL Central Victoria Regional Facilities Strategies that were recently completed,” Mr Reaper said.

“This project connects strongly to two of our 2017-2022 Football Facilities Development Strategy priorities, namely to plan and develop new facilities in key growth areas across the state, along with ensuring facilities are catering for the diversity of participants, particularly female participants, attracted to our game.”

Female participants could also potentially benefit from state government funding, as council resolved to submit an application to Female Friendly Facilities Funding Program 2018/19 for the Gardiner Reserve Female Friendly Facilities Precinct project at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday night.

While council funding of $630,000 from the 2017/18 and 2018/19 budgets has already been allocated for netball change rooms ($80,000) and football change rooms ($550,000), additional government funding is likely needed to complete the project.

Police ask for help after road rage incident

The North Central Review
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Police ask for help after road rage incident

Police are appealing for information following a road rage incident in Mernda on June 14.

Investigators have been told a 53-year-old woman driving a white Honda CRV was tailgated by a white Toyota Hilux along Plenty Road between Mernda and Mill Park about 2.30pm.

It is understood the driver of the ute exited the vehicle a number of times while stopped at various intersections and assaulted the victim, throwing her mobile phone, breaking her side mirror and spitting on her.

Police have been told the man also got into the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle while she was retrieving her mobile phone and reversed it a short distance along Plenty Road.

The car was then returned to the victim.

It is believed a female passenger was inside the ute at the time and also yelled abuse at the victim.

Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

On the beat

The North Central Review
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On the beat

A SON of Pyalong has returned home to take up the post as the town’s police officer. Senior Constable Daniel Sowden’s appointment sees the Pyalong Police Station is once again open for business.

Last week the North Central Review spoke with Senior Constable Sowden and Mitchell Police Service Area Commander, Inspector Peter Koger.

“A careful and thorough selection process was conducted by local management, seeking the most suitable police member to meet the Pyalong community’s specific needs,” Inspector Koger said.

“Senior Constable Sowden is no stranger to the area, having grown up in Pyalong. Since graduating from the police academy in 2008, Senior Constable Sowden has worked in some of the busiest metropolitan areas in the State.

“Daniel’s work ethic has been formally recognised and commended by the community and managers at Mill Park and Eltham Police Stations, as well as his unit commander at the State highway Patrol which was his last post,” Inspector Koger added.

Senior Constable Sowden said the he was ‘very keen and eager’ to get involved with the community to provide a high quality service.

“Growing up in the town was an amazing experience and I see my appointment he as a way of me giving back to the community,” Senior Constable Sowden said.

Senior Constable Sowden, lived in Pyalong for 12 years, attending Pyalong Primary School. He was school captain in his final year. He is a second generation police officer following in the footsteps of his father who was a policeman for 34 years.

He then moved to Kilmore to attend Assumption College. He played both football and cricket for ACK, captaining the First XI for one season.

He also played cricket for Kilmore and was also a member of the SES is Kilmore and Broadford.

Based in Pyalong, Senior Constable Sowden’s area covers Tooborac, Mia Mia Mona Vale and Glenaroua and all areas in between.

Funding hopes hiJJacked

The North Central Review
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Funding hopes hiJJacked

THE Kilmore Football Club’s drive for new social club rooms at the JJ Clancy Reserve saw a setback on several fronts – a miss of significant funding in this year’s budget and a lack of councillor support to have the project listed in an application to a major government grant fund.

Despite petitions supporting the project and containing close to 600 signatures councillors chose not to support an alternative motion by Cr Bob Humm to have the project included in council’s pending application to the 2018 Growing Suburbs Fund.

“This project ticks a lot of boxes and in my view is a worthy candidate for funding through this government program,” Cr Humm told the June meeting of Mitchell Shire Council.
However, other councillors did not see it that way with Cr Bill Chisholm suggesting that there should be ‘no queue jumping’ as far as the fund applications were concerned.

“We should be careful not to present the government with a Christmas wish list,” Cr Eldridge added.

Defending his motion, Cr Humm described the 60 year-old rooms as ‘well past their use by date.’

Cr Humm’s motion was put to the vote with councillors Humm, Stevens, Atkinson and Chisholm voting for and councillors Eldridge, Sanderson, Lowe and Cornish voting against. Cr Annie Goble was not at the meeting, the casting vote fell to the mayor and the alternative motion was lost.

“It is vital that the Kilmore community gets new rooms. There are 293 kids registered with the Kilmore junior clubs and they deserve better than huddling under a temporary gazebo on match days,” Cr Humm later told the North Central Review.

On the budget front – residents attending the Kilmore community pre-budget meeting observed that the then draft budget contained expenditure for the reconstruction of four tennis courts at the JJ Clancy Reserve. Some in attendance suggested that the priority should be for the football club rooms or a sharing across both.

In a submission to the budget, Kilmore Football Club representative, Paul Maher, presented a request for funding for the new club rooms. The officer’s recommendation in response was that Mr Maher be advised that council had allocated $40,000 for planning and design of the new pavilion.

A note to the recommendation also suggested that council plans to make a submission to Sport and Recreation Victoria’s 2019/20 grant funding to undertake planning and feasibility work for the project.

It is unclear if the $40,000 allocation in the current budget is in addition to or actually grant funds that council hopes to receive. Either way this puts actual construction of the new pavilion well beyond 2020.

An officer’s report states that the highest priority for pavilions is the Harley Hammond netball/tennis facility in Broadford. That, along with the $600,000 allocated for the tennis court works in Kilmore shows a convincing win by the round ball (of differing sizes) over the Sherrin.

Commercial Print Sales Representative 12 month + Maternity Position

The North Central Review
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Commercial Print Sales Representative 12 month + Maternity Position

NHP is a commercial print company located in Kilmore. We are seeking an experienced sales representative, ideally with a background of selling commercial printing services, to join our team from July/August for a 12 month + maternity position (possibility of extension after the 12 months for right person). Based from our office, this role is full-time from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

About You

You will be providing printing solutions to our customers and prospects through a consultative approach. You are passionate about maintaining and growing our customer base to increase revenue. In addition to commercial print, you will be selling advertising into our annual magazines – our Wedding Magazine and Country Lifestyle Guide, being responsible for the preparation and management of additional events. You put customers at the heart of everything you do. Being organised is important to you along with your planning skills, with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to develop rapport quickly. You are adaptable, a fast learner that can think on your feet. The type of person that would thrive in this environment is someone who has tenacity and likes to be busy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Prospecting, establishing and maintaining value-based relationships with customers
  • Act as a liaison between customer and the organisation to communicate job specifications and ensure high product quality
  • Manage customer expectations in relation to final product and delivery of goods
  • Exceed sales targets by face to face and phone selling
  • Maintain regular contact with customers to answer questions and guide customers through product choices and options
  • Cold Calling and phone appointment setting involved
  • Meeting all deadlines – able to work in a fast paced environment
  • Maintain integrity and daily update of client information into CRM system

Key Selection Citeria

  • Strong customer service and problem solving skills
  • Minimum 1 year related experience with B2B, Marketing or Commercial Print highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated ability of outside sales
  • Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and listening
  • Ability to work independently with a high degree of integrity
  • Energetic and self-driven  with ability to meet goals
  • Detail oriented with excellent follow through
  • General knowledge of basic software programs such as MS Office and CRM database systems.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position submit your resumé and cover letter to: gm@newspaperhouse.com.au (in your cover letter, list 5 reasons why you are the best candidate for this position). Only applicants who are Australian residents or hold a relevant visa are eligible to apply. No VISA sponsorship available.

NHP Logo 2017

Mernda’s train test

The North Central Review
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Mernda’s train test

FOR the first time in six decades, a train will arrive in Mernda.

While only some residents may remember back to when train’s arrived in the township, entire generations will see something they have never seen before.

On Thursday, June 21, the government announced test trains would be running along the new Mernda Railway in July to collect date and inform the new timetables created.

South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance spokesman Darren Peters said the announcement was music to his ears.

“It is six years to the day since we led the community campaign to block [member for Yan Yean]Danielle Green’s Mernda Busway policy in favour of a railway with 5185 signatures, so it’s a great day to hear the first test trains start in July,” he said.

“Our community fought our local MP’s for years to get rail to Mernda; it’s time for us to celebrate our victory.”

The Mernda Railway is six months ahead of schedule, according to the government, which allowed the testing to be approved for next month.

Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green said it was a credit to those working on the line.

“Reaching this landmark moment is testament to the hard work of our engineers and construction workers. Being 6 months ahead of schedule will delight Mernda and Doreen locals,” she said.

Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said the project had been a huge success.

“Mernda Rail has created thousands of local jobs and will give people in Melbourne’s north the world-class transport they deserve,” she said.

“This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects ever undertaken here in South Morang and Mernda and we’re getting it done, months ahead of schedule.”

The three new stations are expected to cater for up to 8000 commuters a day, helping to ease congestion along Plenty Road.

An additional 40 car spaces will also be built at the new Hawkstowe Station, increasing the number of car parks at this station to 397, and the total number of car spaces to 2,000.

When the Mernda Rail Extension opens later this year passengers will have access to 982 services every week, with details of dates and timetables to be finalised in coming months.

To get ready for test trains to safely run on the new line, buses will replace trains between Clifton Hill and South Morang from the evening of Friday 29 June to the last service on Sunday 1 July.

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