THE next chapter of the Review’s history series features 69 Sydney Street, which has had a transformation over the last 40 years into the Kilmore Palace Chinese Restaurant.
For a large part of Kilmore’s history, this building, located just outside the intersection of Sydney Street and Union Street, was a blacksmith’s building. However, the building was then demolished and subsequently transformed.
Many blacksmiths have called the business home in the history of the building, which lasted 124 years from 1860 to 1984.
The history of the building was captured by the Kilmore Historical Society, with a plaque attached to the front of the building to help tourists and historians understand the history of the town’s buildings.
The plaque at 69 Sydney Street reads:
Former Blacksmith’s Shop c1860
The building was constructed c1860 with façade changes made c1925.
The site was originally owned by James Tanswell, who is believed to be a former convict.
No history is available between 1849-1872, after which it was successively occupied by a number of blacksmiths, including Edward Weaver, Thomas Phillips, and Charles Stray (c1931-38).
Patrick “Toc” Maher had his blacksmith’s shop here from c1938-1976.
The blacksmith’s shop was demolished in 1984 and rebuilt to house a restaurant, using bricks from the former building.”
DOCTOR Cate Sinclair says she has seen firsthand how cost-of-living pressures, insecure housing and underfunded services have affected families across Victoria. Those experiences have motivated her to enter politics, standing as the Greens’ lead upper house candidate for Northern Victoria.
A former occupational therapist and researcher at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Dr Sinclair worked with young people living with chronic illnesses and said she observed that many of their difficulties extended beyond medical issues.
“I was seeing kids in distress, but often it was the whole family that was struggling,” she said. “Many were dealing with housing insecurity, rising living costs or mental health concerns. While clinical care helped, it was clear the broader issues needed to be addressed at a policy level,” Dr Sinclair said.
Dr Sinclair said her decision to join the Greens stemmed from wanting to see greater attention given to housing affordability, community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
“Northern Victoria’s resilience and resourcefulness can lead the way,” she said.
Among her key priorities are improving access to affordable housing and strengthening local services. She said housing costs were increasingly pricing out regional families.
“Families in regional Victoria that historically could afford to live near their relatives suddenly can’t anymore,” she said. “People moving from the city see the benefits of country life, but locals are finding it harder to stay.”
Her background in children’s health research, she said, revealed how financial pressures can affect family wellbeing. “The number of kids with chronic pain, anxiety and mental health issues has grown,” she said. “Parents are under huge pressure coping with mortgages and everyday costs.”
Dr Sinclair also argues that health, the environment and the economy are interconnected, and that more investment in early intervention services, such as counselling and parental support programs, could prevent greater costs later.
On environmental issues, she supports renewable energy and climate adaptation projects, such as community batteries and local solar initiatives. “Energy security and climate resilience go hand-in-hand,” she said.
Dr Sinclair said she hopes to bring a practical and community-focused voice to state parliament if elected. “Our communities deserve to be heard,” she said.
MITCHELL Shire Council is once again standing united alongside its community and Lower Hume Collaborative Group for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign that begins on Monday, November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on Tuesday, December 10, Human Rights Day.
Council, as part of the Lower Hume Collaborative Group, is partnering with Murrindindi Shire Council and more than 25 local organisations to make it clear that family violence is not tolerated or accepted within our communities.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall said Council is proud to stand with community partners to raise awareness and promote action.
“Every person deserves to feel safe, respected and valued- at home, at work, and in our community,” Cr Dougall said.
“The 16 Days of Activism is a powerful reminder that change starts with us. By standing together, we can challenge harmful behaviours, support victim-survivors, and build a future where equality and safety are the norm.”
“Respect is shown in many forms, through healthy relationships, calling out harmful language, and making it clear that violence in any form is unacceptable.”
“We invite all members of our community to participate in events during the campaign. Together, we can take meaningful steps toward change and show that we stand united in our commitment to ending violence.”
Mitchell Shire continues to face high rates of family violence. In 2023–24, there were 1,327 reported incidents – an increase from the previous year – placing our community 13th highest in the state.
The numbers represent a call to action to the community from Mitchell Shire, setting up a number of workshops throughout the 16 days.
Council will set up a Community Bystander Action workshop.
In partnership with Women’s Health Goulburn Northeast, the Community Bystander Action Workshop is a free event designed to build knowledge and confidence to safely challenge disrespect and promote equality.
It’s open to all community members, including volunteers, sporting clubs and peer educators who want to know what they can do when they see something that doesn’t promote a just and safe world.
You’ll learn how to recognise harmful behaviour, explore how gender inequality impacts everyday experiences, and understand the role each of us plays in creating a respectful community.
There is a session taking place from 5pm to 7.30pm, Thursday, November 27 at the John Taylor Room, Kilmore Library. Light dinner provided.
The Steps Towards Change Walk is also a key event that will take place.
In collaboration with Goulburn River Trail Park Run and Seymour Rotary Club’s ‘Say No to Domestic and Family Violence’ campaign, the Steps Towards Change Walk invites the community to take part in a two km or five km walk/run to show support for respectful relationships and safer communities.
The event includes support service stalls, coffee van and more.
The walk will take place from 7.45 am to 10.30 am, Saturday, November 29 in Lions Park along the Goulburn River Trail in Seymour.
Council will also hold its traditional Coffee with a Cop through its continued partnership with Victoria Police.
Coffee with a Cop provides an opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee while engaging in informal and safe conversations with local police officers.
It’s a chance to ask questions and encourage meaningful conversations. There is a session taking place from 9.30am to 11am, Thursday December 4 at Kings Perk Café in Seymour. Free coffee provided.
In collaboration with Murrindindi Shire Council, Mitchell Shire has also created a Community Resource Guide to help provide access to local support services, as well as guidance on what to do when you identify and respond to family violence, while providing advice on what happens when it is reported.
These guides will be available on Council’s website, Customer and Library Service Centres, community centres and support services.
A FASCINATING day in the Gisborne District Cricket Association saw plenty of big scoring, as well as terrific individual performances.
McIntyre Cup
Wallan will need a further 228 runs to defeat Gisborne on a day where the Magpies, for a large portion of the day, took it right up to one of the pacesetters of the competition at Gisborne’s home deck.
Steven Bell, Scott O’Donnell and Hamish Mullavey-Clark combined excellently with the ball, taking two wickets apiece in the opening stages to have Gisborne wobbling at 6/133 at one stage.
While an 86-run eighth-wicket stand helped Gisborne get to 9/249, the Magpies took enough confidence throughout the remainder of the day to go into the second day’s play with all 10 wickets remaining.
Bell took 4/28, while O’Donnell (3/75) and Mullavey-Clark (2/58) also got in among the wickets.
Matthew Clayton will start day two on 19, while Jack Mifsud is unbeaten on two.
Some late hitting in Broadford’s bottom order has allowed it to set a defendable total of 186 against Sunbury United away.
It looked as though Broadford was in great trouble when it fell to 6/71, but the tail wagged significantly, with Dilsher Pal Singh and Riley Nolan both contributing 24, Samraat Sharma 20, Jeremy Bradshaw 25 and Nathan Woods an unbeaten 22 to help get it to 186 by the close of play.
Other progressive scores around the league saw Romsey score first innings’ points against Rupertswood, with Romsey 6/83 after rolling Rupertswood for 65, while Woodend are 1/7 chasing Macedon’s 194.
Johnstone Shield
Dale Tassone’s excellent form continued at the Kilmore Cricket Ground, with Kilmore setting Lancefield 269 runs to chase next week.
Tassone was terrific again at the top of the order, making 74 before departing just before tea, maintaining an average of 119 in the early part of the season.
Ben Dawson’s late hitting saw him score 52 as Kilmore looked to keep pace with the competition frontrunners.
Billy Cox fell just short of 100 but gave Eastern Hill a great platform in its game against Sunbury.
Cox scored 88 runs, while Benjamin Bryant added 54, Ollie Bryant 39 and Michael Brown similarly scored 39 as the Eagles swept aside anything Sunbury threw at them throughout the day to set 8/309.
Elsewhere, Diggers Rest Bulla Village took first innings points against East Sunbury, 2/83 after bowling the Thunder out for 56, while Eynesbury are 3/52 chasing Harkness’ 138.
Lower grades
In the McIntyre Cup seconds’ competition, a late wicket gave Broadford good confidence ahead of the second day’s play.
Broadford set 210, largely thanks to some good hitting from Ashley Wood (44), Tyrell Dunne (32) and Taylor Shell (35), but it was James Hibbins trapping David Falzon in front in the last over of the day which gave Broadford great confidence, leaving Sunbury United 1/8 at the close of play.
Wallan need seven wickets to defend 131, with Gisborne 3/74 at the close.
Russell Whittingham’s 51 saved the Magpies, who were in dire straits at 5/35, but Whittingham and Adam Reginato Junior combined for a 67-run partnership to give the Magpies something to defend.
Andrew Barber has taken all three wickets in response and will start day two with figures of 3/22.
Kilmore’s Johnstone Shield seconds team has taken first innings points comfortably against Lancefield and will look for an outright victory on day two.
Harley Austin and Rhys Ferraro combined to take three wickets apiece, with Noah Fairweather taking two as Kilmore bowled Lancefield out for 76.
In response, Harrison Purcell’s 36 and Rohan Audehm’s 43 allowed Kilmore to pass the target with ease and will start day two on 4/134.
Peter Speechley’s 77 off just 65 balls has allowed Eastern Hill to set 8/323, with Harvey Hager’s 63 and Josh Speechley’s 60 also giving the Eagles a terrific platform.
Wallan’s Jensen Shield team was no match for Hanging Rock, rolled for 91 and losing by 10 wickets, while Romsey took a thrilling one-run victory over Malmsbury, 166 to 8/165.
Some late hitting almost got Kilmore over the line against Riddell after sitting 4/20, but it wasn’t quite enough as Kilmore got bowled out for 117 chasing 8/124.
In the club grade north competition, Kilmore had a comfortable eight-wicket win over Hanging Rock, scoring 2/110 after bowling Hanging Rock out for 108.
Broadford similarly had a good win over Lancefield, scoring 4/121 and chasing down the Tigers’ 7/117.
Wallan was no match for Gisborne, with the Magpies’ 8/118 chased down comfortably, with Gisborne scoring 3/119.
SOME good scoring lit up the Seymour District Cricket Association throughout the weekend.
Tallarook continued its dominance of the competition by putting Avenel to the sword, scoring a 142-run victory.
Lachlan Watts was the hero, scoring the competition’s second century of the season, with his 123 runs coming off just 103 balls, which included 11 fours and two sixes.
Watts’ heroics allowed Tallarook to recover from 5/74 to set 7/204, and it was Kalon Winnell who did the rest, taking 6/19 off 9.5 overs to overwhelm Avenel’s batting lineup. Along with Tarkyn Dundon’s 3/5 off six overs, Avenel was all out for 62.
Seymour took a tense game against Yea, doing just enough to defend 149.
After a slow start, Luke Woolan’s 48 and Jack Hesse’s 44 allowed Seymour to set something it could defend, eventually making 8/149 off its 45 overs.
In response, Yea started slowly, but good middle-order hitting from Andrew Butterworth allowed the Tigers to get back into the game.
However, Seymour was able to bowl well in the clutch, especially with Lachlan Drummond taking 3/16 off nine overs, holding Yea to 7/144 and, as a result, has scored a break over the competition in third.
Pyalong continue to emerge as one of the main contenders in the competition, but had to survive a thriller against Puckapunyal, winning by just one run.
Pyalong batted first, and thanks to Mitchell Ryan’s 39 and Jamie Pryor’s 50, managed to make 5/183 off its 45 overs.
Danny Fountain led the way with the ball for Pucka with 2/31 off nine overs.
Pucka, in response, looked to be well on the way to scoring victory, especially with Nicholas Bennetts scoring at will in making 59 runs.
However, Anthony Pratt and Alexander Ryan took three wickets apiece to help Pyalong hold Pucka when it needed to right at the end and stole victory by one run in a tense finish, with Pucka scoring 9/182.
In the B grade competition, Tallarook needed all of its reserves to eventually take victory over Avenel by two wickets in a low-scoring game.
Russell Downie took three wickets, and Finn Melville and Braeden Dundon two apiece in rolling Avenel for 79, but Tallarook had great difficulty getting to the target.
Kieran Minter’s 20 and Brendan O’Donnell’s 17 allowed Tallarook to hang on, scoring 8/81 to win.
Brett Gordon’s 55 allowed Seymour to make an impressive 8/186, the highest score of the round, before Janak Abeywardane and Damian Murphy took three wickets apiece to hold Yea to 9/98.
Puckapunyal and Pyalong had a game equally as its A grade counterparts.
Batting first, Pyalong looked to have a good footing with Matthew Wilkins scoring 47 and Daniel Sowden 28, but collapsed from 4/106 to be all out for 118.
Jacob Nipperess did the damage with 4/25.
In response, Pucka did just enough, with Nipperess scoring 35 and Vaughan Agnew adding 26, but needed all its reserves to get the job done, scoring 8/121.
Jaxon Hill took four wickets for Pyalong in a losing effort.
CRICKET truly runs in the veins of the McNicholas family, and on Saturday it was on full display as father Tony and sons Kyle, Darcy and Joel took to the field together for Kilmore Club North. The rare four-member family line-up became the story of the day as Kilmore claimed a strong win over Hanging Rock.
For the McNicholas clan, cricket is more than a sport, it’s a shared lifelong passion. Kyle’s connection to the game began early, attending his first match at just six months old at the MCG. Years later, he and his brothers now stand beside their father in the same team, carrying forward a family tradition that grows stronger every season.
Saturday’s clash with Hanging Rock highlighted that bond, with both Kyle and Darcy making major contributions with the ball. Kyle struck early, dismissing Hanging Rock openers Peter Connor and Peter Walsh for ducks, putting Kilmore firmly in control.
Darcy followed with an equally decisive spell, taking three wickets, two more ducks plus a sharp caught-and-bowled that lifted team spirits. Hanging Rock eventually fell for 108, giving Kilmore a clear target.
When it was Kilmore’s turn to bat, Darcy again set the tone. His confident and composed 42 runs anchored the innings and ensured the run chase never wavered. Kilmore powered past the 108 target with ease, finishing at 2/110.
Such was the dominance of the top order that Tony and Joel didn’t need to pick up the bat — but their presence on the field completed a memorable family moment.
Kilmore walked away 2/110 to Hanging Rock’s 10/108, but for the McNicholas family, the score was only part of the story. Sharing the field together was the real victory, proving once again that for this family, cricket isn’t just a game, it’s who they are.
SEYMOUR has all-but locked in finals berths in both men’s and women’s Country Basketball League competitions with a strong showing on the weekend.
The Blasters hosted Wallan in a clash between the Mitchell Shire rivals on Saturday night, with the Blasters taking two close wins.
Wallan gave it everything in the women’s game as it sought its first win of the year, but Seymour had just enough in reserve to take a 68-52 win.
It was the last quarter where Seymour flexed its muscles, scoring 24 points to 16 to ensure it took the points.
Caitlyn Kennedy led all scorers with 17 points, as did Kasey Lennox, while Matilda Skora added 10 points.
Carley Cranston did everything to keep Wallan in the game, scoring 16 points, while Melissa Buckley added nine points.
In a low-scoring game on Sunday, Seymour was overrun by Myrtleford in the final three quarters, losing 43-57.
Lennox and Kennedy again led the scoring, with Lennox scoring 12 points and Kennedy providing 11.
Wallan pushed Albury for three quarters, but it was the second quarter that was the difference as the Cougars outscored the Panthers by 10 points to take a 72-60 win.
Cranston erupted for 21 points, while Buckley added 12.
Seymour’s men had a perfect weekend.
A tense game in front of a big crowd saw the Blasters overrun the Panthers in the final term on Saturday night.
Leading by four points at the final change, Wallan turned for home with confidence, but it was Seymour which landed the big blows in scoring 29 points to 10 in the final term to take home a 72-57 win.
Tyler Best was too strong for the Panthers, scoring 30 points in a winning effort, while for Wallan, Ryan Philippe had a good outing in scoring 17 points.
Seymour took its final quarter form into its Sunday game against Myrtleford, taking a 116-69 victory.
Six Blasters scored in double-figures, led by Rhylee Leighton with 26 points and William Stewart with 25.
Wallan rebounded admirably on Sunday to take a 13-point win over Albury at RB Robson Stadium.
The Panthers performed strongly in the final three quarters to overwhelm the Cougars, led by Philippe’s 26 points and Brody Thrum scoring 23 in the win.
EPA VICTORIA says it could take legal action against companies allegedly using a Glenaroua property as a dumping site as the site does not have the necessary permissions to accept waste.
Notices prohibiting the site at 530 Kilmore-Glenaroua Road accepting waste and to those identified dumping waste have been issued, and those responsible could also face prosecution.
The site came to EPA’s attention from concerned community members. On inspection of the site, EPA officers found significant volumes of co-mingled waste.
The combustible waste is stockpiled under canopy cover in bushland with a bushfire overlay. The site is also lacking fire water access or fire controls and consists of combustible material mixed with native vegetation.
EPA has identified companies using the site to deposit waste and contacted them. A formal investigation is now under way with both the site owner and those using the site for allegedly unlawful purposes facing potential prosecution and significant fines under the Environmental Act 2017.
Waste must be disposed of only at a site authorised to accept it.
There are significantly increased fire and environmental risks created by unlawful disposal of waste and EPA has the power to act against anyone in the disposal chain; those that create it, transport it and accept it.
MACEDON Ranges Shire Council has reaffirmed its strong commitment to fostering a supportive and thriving environment for local small businesses by re-signing the Small Business Friendly Councils Charter with Victorian Small Business Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith.
The re-signing ceremony took place on Friday October 31 at the Kyneton Town Hall, attended by Commissioner McAlary-Smith, Council CEO Bernie O’Sullivan, Mayor Cr Dom Bonanno, Deputy Mayor Cr Kate Kendall, Councillors, and members of Council’s Business Friendly Councils Working Group. Representatives from the Victorian Government’s Business Friendly Councils (DJSIR) program were also in attendance.
The Charter, a formal partnership between local government and the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC), outlines a shared commitment to making it easier for small businesses to operate, grow and thrive.
“Re-signing the Small Business Friendly Councils Charter demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the local business community,” said Mayor Dom Bonanno. “By working closely with the Victorian Small Business Commissioner, we’re making it easier for businesses to grow, innovate and thrive, creating more opportunities for jobs and economic growth across the Macedon Ranges.”
By re-signing the Charter, Council has renewed its pledge to collaborate with the VSBC to pay small businesses promptly for goods and services, streamline approval and permit processes, support and engage with local business networks and proactively manage disruptions caused by infrastructure and capital works projects
Following the ceremony, Commissioner McAlary-Smith joined local business operators and HR professionals for a Hybrid Working Workshop facilitated by Swinburne University and hosted by Council’s Economic Development team at Social Foundry, Kyneton.
The workshop explored the challenges and opportunities of the evolving world of work, featuring insights from Swinburne University’s latest research into hybrid work practices. Participants from sectors including retail, accommodation, hospitality, home-based enterprises and food services shared their own experiences and ideas.
Commissioner McAlary-Smith said the event highlighted the importance of collaboration between councils, researchers and business owners in shaping the future of work.
THE Wallan-Kilmore RSL Sub Branch and members of the community paused to pay tribute on Tuesday to soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in honour of Remembrance Day at Hudson Park.
Rain did not stop many community members from paying their respects, with the ceremony one of many held across the country in honour of our soldiers.
Members from local primary schools, kindergardens, businesses and sporting clubs laid wreaths at the cenotaph, while the crowd was also addressed by Wallan-Kilmore RSL Sub Branch president Graeme McSolvin.
