A LOCAL swim club has been pushed in the deep end following a confidential decision by council to close the Mill Park Leisure Centre for two years.
The Mill Park Orcas were forced into a two year hiatus with the announcement the Whittlesea Council would close the leisure centre during a $25 million upgrade – a decision which was made in a closed meeting earlier this year.
Now families from Kinglake, Whittlesea, Mernda and Mill Park have been left out in the cold.
For 18 months the club liaised with council regarding a staged approach, with discussions still taking place in December.
The first the club heard about the full closure was earlier this year, which was a shock to the club who had provided input on the facilities and written two letters of support for funding.
Orcas president Simon Dowsett told the Whittlesea Review that the decision to close the facility was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for the club.
“Everyone has been disappointed. And, disappointed probably because we’ve known that the redevelopment’s coming and we’ve been planning for it… we thought it was going to be a staged approach and we were saying we’ll be able to ride that out,” Mr Dowsett said.
The club approached council about extending the opening months at the Whittlesea Pool as well as limited upgrades however were told it was not an option.
As a result of the club going into hiatus, many families from the Kinglake and Whittlesea area will have to travel further south to enrol their children in swim club.
Natalie Watson from Kinglake has two daughters, Taylah and Elly, in the Orcas swim club and she said training in Whittlesea was a drawcard.
“We’re a close friendly club and it’s disappointing for everyone to have to move on and start again,” Ms Watson said.
South East Ward Cr Mary Lalios joined the many community voices asking where local families will swim when Whittlesea is closed in the cooler months.
“A few years ago, council awarded the Mill Park Swim club a small grant to help them rebuild, as they were struggling. Just as the club has rebuilt,” she said.
“The council has slammed the door shut in their face. The club will struggle and worst case scenario – the club may not exist. What a slap in the face.”
Whittlesea Council’s Director Community Service Russell Hopkins said that it was the Mill Park Swim Club who opted to suspend operations from March 2018 due to existing circumstances, including not having a senior swimming coach.
He also said there are planned renovations at the Whittlesea Swim Centre in the middle of the year, making earlier access impossible. At the time of print, council had been unable to confirm what the renovations are.
THE transformation of the old Romsey Primary School site into a community health centre and all-abilities park has begun.
Council, Cobaw Community Health and the Greater Romsey All- Abilities Park committee (GRAAP Inc.) are working on the project, which will see the former school turned into a Cobaw Community Health centre and deliver stage one of the community-initiated Romsey All-Abilities Park that has been given the working title of Ecotherapy Park.
Construction and landscaping crews are on site setting out work areas, establishing tree protection zones, upgrading underground services, demolishing redundant external and internal fixtures and constructing the frame and subfloor for a building extension.
Works will take place throughout the coming months and are expected to be complete by late April.
A grant from the federal government’s National Stronger Regions Fund has assisted in enabling the site to be redeveloped together with a grant to Cobaw Community Health from the state government’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson said Council was excited to see the project underway:
“This is a much anticipated and exciting time in the Romsey region as we see this site transform into a space where the community’s health and wellbeing are central and where people can meet, engage in healthy activities, develop stronger connections and celebrate together,” Cr Anderson said.
GRAAP President Raelene Mottram added that her group can’t wait to share the committee’s vision for the space with Romsey residents and visitors and give everyone a taste of the park’s many exciting features.
“Stage One of the park includes an extra-long flying fox, a raised cubby hidden under the beautiful oak tree, pathways, a basket swing, and log climbing features. All of these features are just the beginning of the realisation of the community’s full vision for the park,” Ms Mottram said.
Once completed works on the old school building will provide the full suite of Cobaw’s health and wellbeing services in early childhood, youth, families, adults, and aged and disability through the repurposing, fit out and extension of the historic old school building.
Cobaw CEO Margaret McDonald said that delivering local place-based services to the east of the shire has been a long held vision of the Cobaw Board and staff.
“We are excited to see the build well underway and are progressing our planning internally to ensure responsive, integrated health and wellbeing services for Romsey and surrounding communities,” Ms McDonald said.
The former Romsey School site works have been funded by the Commonwealth Government, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, $997,478; the Victorian Government, Department of Health and Human Services, $733,000; Macedon Ranges Shire Council, $215,000 and • Cobaw Community Health Services Ltd, $50,000.
CFA concerns regarding the placement of wire rope barriers recently became a reality when local firefighters were unable to access a fire on the Hume Freeway.
The North Central Review can reveal that on Sunday, February 18 the Wallan Fire Brigade was unable to gain vehicle access to a fire on the Hume Freeway due to an apparent failure by VicRoads to listen to CFA recommendations.
Brigade Captain Nathan Anderson confirmed he contacted VicRoads and requested a representative to attend the fire and cut the wire rope barrier.
Mr Anderson said no advice was provided by VicRoads as to what the brigade could have done to access the fire sooner. Knowing the representative was at least an hour away, the brigade parked next to the barrier and climbed over.
“We haven’t actually been trained by VicRoads or the CFA to pull them (the barriers) down,” Mr Anderson explained.
“I myself am not going to put any members in that situation including cutting tensioned wire… We can’t get in there and there’s not any way of forcing our way in there.
“The fire hadn’t spread; we were lucky in that respect.”
This is not the first report of a CFA brigade being unable to gain access. Last week in Parliament, Member for Euroa Steph Ryan questioned Roads Minister Luke Donnellan over reports from the Broadford brigade who said a fire had spread much further than it should have due to poorly placed wire rope barriers preventing them from gaining access.
Broadford Fire Brigade Captain Jamie Atkins raised his concerns with Ms Ryan following a car fire on the Hume Freeway. Mr Atkins said the fire should have been no more than a quarter acre fire but quickly spread to 10 acres after the brigade struggled to gain access.
Local brigade captains including Mr Anderson, Mr Atkins and Yorin Miller (Wandong CFA) told the North Central Review that there needed to be a standard maintained with the barriers. At times the gaps have not been large enough for a person to walk through let alone a vehicle or fire engine.
“Honestly, I’m happy we do have the wire rope barriers in the area, they’re there to save lives and prevent serious injury and that’s what we’re all about. But I’m not quite at ease with the design and how they’ve been implemented,” Mr Anderson said.
“It leaves very little room for us to park on the side of the road safely.”
Mr Miller also reiterated the safety concerns for road users and emergency services.
“We definitely have concerns. They (the barriers) impede our access in terms of accessing fires and also preventing us doing U-turns and getting away,” Mr Miller said.
“The space between roadside edge and safety barrier – there’s not enough space for us to pull over safely.
“There’s also no real egress point for people to get out safely, to turn around and get out if required. The potential to get trapped is quite high.”
WALLAN Cricket Club smashed East Sunbury Cricket Club at Greenhill Reserve on Saturday with another huge score to move them along.
This week it was Scott O’Donnell in the B Grade side who hit 150 runs – including 16 boundaries and one maximum – as he saw the ball like watermelons.
The home side raced out to 361 runs from 73.3 overs – a touch ask for East Sunbury.
Despite their best efforts they were unable to compete and were bowled all out for 195 runs.
KILMORE female thoroughbred trainers enjoyed success at the weekend.
At Benalla on Friday, Lesia Masnyj and Jody Thompson saddled-up winners in Full Reward ($12) and Snake Cavern ($5.50) respectively.
For the former it was a special thrill as it was her first winner since obtaining her licence mid-last year.
Happy connections with First Watch and Alicia Macpherson doing strapper’s duties after the gelding’s win at Yarra Valley on Saturday. Photos: Racing Photos. Photo: Ross Holburt
The four-year-old daughter of Reward For Effort and Pinpante was most impressive in an all-the-way win in the $22,000 Benalla Waste and Recycling Maiden Plate (1206m) defeating Shadow Looms ($8.50) by 4-1/4 lengths with Hurry Up Harry ($11) a further ¾-length away third.
On waiting for the mare, with Stan Tsaikos aboard, to return to the winner’s stall, the excited Masnyj when interviewed by Racing.com’s Kevin Casey wanted to thank everyone – even down to the stewards.
“I would like to say thank-you, if I could, to all the trainers at Kilmore because they have been really supportive because I’m only new at doing things, and also the strappers, and the jockeys and the track riders and again the stewards for being supportive in helping me understand a lot of the things when it comes to racing,” she said.
“Today the horse really performed well and fingers crossed we are looking upward and forward to many more first placings.”
Masnyj said her mare was injured in the tie-up stalls in her first prep with her and had to be spelled.
“She just loves to get out and run, run, run and I love her and I love working with her, and thanks everybody,” a thrilled Masnyj said.
Formerly trained at Mornington by David Brideoake, the mare, now part-owned by Masnyj along with family and friends, has had two minor placings prior to her win from nine starts.
Consistent Snake
Thompson’s Snake Cavern was equally impressive in taking out the bet365 BM58 Handicap (2046m) later on the Benalla program.
The Golden Snake 6-year-old gelding was still eligible for a maiden race, was well ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, in defeating Arthurian ($4.80) by ¾-length with the $2.70 favourite a further 1-3/4 lengths third.
Thompson said the gelding has drawn really bad gates probably in five out of the last six he has been entered.
“I’m just glad for the horse as he deserved to win a race.
“The Norton Bit helped, but Daniel gave him a 11 out of 10 ride,” Thompson told Kevin Casey.
Thompson said she’ll keep the gelding as “he’s pulled up super”.
“He’ll tell us when he’s had enough,” she said.
Raced by long-time stable client, Craigieburn resident Ian Forsyth, the gelding has had four minor placings prior to his win from 14 starts.
First up for First Watch
At Yarra Valley the following day, fellow Kilmore trainer, Alicia Macpherson had First Watch ($10) cherry ripe for a first-up win.
Having his first run since September last year, the four-year-old gelded son of Bel Esprit and Belle Ball stormed down the outside from the rear of the field to take out the Direct Connect 0-58 Handicap (1009m).
The gelding, giving apprentice Jack Martin his first winner since returning from a bad fall, defeated Waterford Sound ($6) by a head with Jack Henry ($8) a half-neck away third.
Part-owned by the Macpherson family along with stable clients, Snake Cavern has now won two races with the same number of second placings from 13 starts.
Border-hop win for Laws
Fellow Kilmore trainer saddled-up Equitation ($2.40 favourite for an effortless win at Balranald (NSW) on Saturday.
The Equiano 4-y-o gelding was a six-length winner of the B R & C Agents Maiden Plate (1400m).
The gelding, part-owned by Laws, was having his 16th start. He has had four minor placings.
Come home to your own slice of paradise in Kilmore’s most sought location. Set in the picture perfect Mannagum Estate, this ideal three bedroom home boasts many features with the highlight being the tropical pool area complimented by a large paved outdoor area.
For the boys the 7 x 9m garage (under roofline) is perfect for those toys or a home workshop. Inside the home offers a large lounge with adjoining dining room, functional kitchen and meals area, large master bedroom fitted with ensuite and walk in wardrobe plus a family bathroom. All of this on a large corner allotment will make for your perfect slice of paradise.
IT IS time to draw a line in the sand and ask why local footballing talent is walking away to other leagues, according to one club president.
As sides struggle to fill their teams full of resident talent, often heading off for financial carrots dangled in front of them from country leagues, Kilmore Football Netball Club President Paul Maher said he was ‘sick’ of it.
He wants local players to earn their spot in history.
“There is no doubt there is a wane of young men wanting to play football, it isn’t just our problem as other sides struggle,” he said.
“I am sick of hearing the excuse of playing in a higher league, it is time to draw a line in the sand and ask why can’t we play at that high level?
“I would like to throw down the challenge to the players who want to be part of history and the club’s first Northern Football League premiership and move through the ranks… they don’t need to leave to play at a high level.”
The junior football club has been through some success over the past few years.
Last year’s under 17s side won the flag, competed in the grand final the year before and has consistently finished thereabouts.
And Mr Maher wants this success to translate into the 2018 under 19.5s side.
“We are attempting to field that side this year… I am calling upon the players in the premiership sides to follow the path to the senior club,” he said.
“It is a goal to move to division 1 but we won’t put a time frame on it.
“We have an extremely successful junior club so if we can retain the young talent we can put a successful team on the park comprised of Kilmore boys.
CANADIAN basketballer Kojo Afari has joined the Wallan Panthers, describing them as ‘the luckiest team’ because of how excited he is to play ball.
The former Canadian Basketball League star – who tried out for a spot on a Toronto Raptors development roster in late 2017 – moved here with his wife Danae to help the Panthers rise in Big V.
Not only will he play for his new hometown, the 24-year-old will train anyone and everyone in a bid to turn Wallan into a Victorian basketball hub.
Mr Afari told North Central Review he was extremely impressed with the love for the game down under.
“The willingness to learn and the skill level is better than I realised coming in,” he said.
“It is a fun environment and I get chills being here on Saturdays at training, the energy is great.”
The husband and wife moved from Canada to join the club and have not looked back since.
When debating which team he would play for, Mr Afari said to Mrs Afari how much it would mean to him.
“I was talking to Danae when I was looking for a new team and I said to her whichever team I end up with will be the luckiest team because I just want to play and give everything,” he said.
“The talent here is good and I just want to fit in, improve and enjoy it… I pinch myself sometimes to be here in Australia and not have to shovel snow.”
Mrs Afari said she was proud of her husband and grateful to the community for all their help.
“It has been a really good experience, it is the best scenario coming here,” she said.
“When you move internationally, you don’t know what to expect. There is a lot you have to give up and see how it plays out.
“Overall, everyone is so welcoming and friendly… it has been a big encouragement for us to come so far and for everyone to be so nice and accommodating… they really believe in Kojo and the growth in him is amazing.”
While Mr Afari will star during the Big V season, Mrs Afari said she wouldn’t play for the Wallan Panthers’ Women’s side – but left the door slightly open for a domestic side.
“[I will play] only for fun, nothing competitive,” she said laughing.
Mr Afari began playing basketball when he was 15 years old, relatively late, but has picked up the game quickly.
Farewell social evening to Mr. and Mrs. John Ledwidge
The supper room of the Kilmore Memorial Hall was well filled on the night of February 4 when friends of Mr and Mrs J. T. Ledwidge from the town and district gathered to bid them farewell.
After nearly 10 years as Engineer to the Kilmore Shire, Mr. Ledwidge resigned at the end of January to take up an appointment as Deputy Engineer to the Flinders Shire.
Cr. J. F. Butler (President Kilmore Shire) was the chairman for the function and the early part of the evening was devoted to dancing, with vocal – by Mr. W. Griffiths – and musical items with Miss P. Northby at the piano.
The Kilmore Free Press Wednesday, February 20, 1985
Trix sets a record for her country
Fifteen-year-old Damien Mionogue and his dog Trix combined their talents to establish an Australian record for a dog high jump on Sunday.
The many, many hours of training on the family’s “rocklands” property beside the Northern Highway between Kilmore and Pyalong paid off as Trix excelled in the special dog high jump series held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.
It was one of the highlights of the three day International Saddlery Horse Festival and Damien and Trix were presented with a championship ribbon and silver tray trophy, $400 in cash and a bag of Pal dog food as a result of the victory.
Trix, an 18-month-old kelpie-collie bred by Damien, is the current dog high jump champion at the Seymour and Kilmore Agricultural shows.
The Free Press Wednesday, February 18, 1998
Group pushes for secondary school
Minister for education Phil Gude is being urged to give consideration to an early start on a new secondary school for Wallan.
Wallan Resident’s Association has written to Mr Gude, indicating representatives would be pleased to meet with him to discuss the proposed school.
An eight-acre site located between the police station and Greenhill Reserve was purchased by the Department of Education and set aside for a secondary college some years ago.
Mitchell Shire Council is currently trying to discover what plans the department may have for the land.
