With the warmer weather bringing more road trips, holidays, and travel, it’s important for drivers to stay vigilant and ensure they yield to emergency vehicles.
Residents should remain alert when they see flashing lights, as this typically indicates an approaching emergency vehicle.
When an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, it’s crucial to take immediate action to ensure the safety of all road users. Drivers must safely move out of the way and yield — stopping if necessary—even if their traffic light is green.
If approaching an intersection and an emergency vehicle is coming, drivers are allowed to enter the intersection even if the light is red, but only if it is safe to do so, and it is the only way to clear the path for the emergency vehicle.
Additionally, if road users encounter twin red lights flashing on a road, such as outside a fire station or ambulance station, they must stop.
Staying aware of emergency alerts and information is essential for everyone’s safety, so make sure to stay informed by visiting the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au.
Families and individuals are invited to a morning of activities in Romsey this week.
Not-for-profit organisation Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health will be opening the doors to its Romsey site on Thursday, January 23, to all those interested in finding out more about the clinic’s offerings.
There will be children’s activities and free refreshments, and staff will be on hand to talk about the wide range of child and adult health and community services on offer at the recently re-opened site.
The building was first opened as a community health facility in 2018 following a redevelopment of the 150-year-old former school building, but had to close during the pandemic.
Renovations were funded by the Federal Government, the State Department of Health and Human Services, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, and Cobaw Community Health.
An NDIS registered and Home Care Package provider, the building will open every Wednesday and Thursday to offer services such as counselling, podiatry, dietetics, physiotherapy, speech pathology, and occupational therapy.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health also provides community-based services to Lancefield and Romsey residents through home and school visits, as well as the popular Parent-Child Mother Goose program and Rainbow Coffee Club.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health Chief Executive David Wild expressed his enthusiasm at opening the clinic’s doors once again.
“We look forward to welcoming back the local community to this historic and beautiful building, allowing people the opportunity to receive high-quality services without having to travel,” he said.
The event will run from 10am–12pm at 142 Main Street, Romsey.
For more information, call 5421 6000 or email admin@scchc.org.au.
While many people were celebrating Christmas with family and friends, Intereach team member Lesley Read was on the frontlines of the Grampians bushfires, bringing vital emotional and psychological support to firefighters battling the destructive blaze.
Deployed as part of the CFA Peer Support Team, Ms Read spent four days in Horsham, visiting fire stations, checking in with exhausted crews, and spreading much-needed festive cheer.
Her efforts offered a lifeline to emergency responders who faced enormous challenges as more than 76,000 hectares of land burned, along with homes, outbuildings, and livestock.
Ms Read’s days began with morning briefings at the Incident Control Centre before travelling to fire stations in the most affected areas. Her role as a peer involved checking in with firefighters, offering supplies, and ensuring their mental wellbeing.
“These fires would have brought back memories of Ash Wednesday, Black Saturday, and the 2019–20 north-east fires for some … while for the newer firefighters, it may have been their first significant fire,” she said.
“Even though they train for this and think they are prepared, often it is very confronting.”
Ms Read joined the Hildene Fire Brigade in 2001, and became a Peer Support Team member in 2008 after recognising its value in helping emergency responders navigate the emotional toll of their work.
“The CFA Peer Support Program began after Ash Wednesday when it became clear there was a need for emotional support for members and their families,” she said.
“It’s important for responders to be able to speak with someone who understands their experiences.”
Intereach has six offices across Victoria, and boasts more than 500 staff and 100 volunteers.
The organisation supports children and families, older people, those living with disability or mental health concerns, and carers.
If you, or someone you know needs support, call 1300 488 226, or visit www.intereach.com.au.
Local environment group Friends of Merri Creek is accelerating its restoration of Merri Creek with Yarra Valley Water’s support.
One of 14 successful recipients of the Yarra Valley Water Community Grants Program, the funding will be used for professional weed removal and the planting of 2000 grasses and herbs, 1000 shrubs, and 50 trees.
Stretching more than 50km from north of Wallan through Melbourne’s northern suburbs and into the Yarra River in Abbotsford, Friends of Merri Creek secretary David Gifford said the impacts of the restoration would be felt by many.
“Our volunteers have successfully delivered revegetation and ecological restoration projects along Merri Creek and its tributaries for more than 30 years,” he said.
“The grant allows us to continue this vital work and encourage more community members to play an active part in restoring and protecting this important urban waterway.”
Friends of Merri Creek committee member Claire Weekley said the funding was a huge boost for the volunteers who cared for the creek.
“Our weekday working bees are all done by volunteers, so resources and financial support have always been tight,” she said.
“With this funding, we’ll be able to host additional planting events and engage even more community members in the care of the creek.
“The work will also activate the space for greater appreciation by the local community.
“It will help educate the local and wider community about water health and waste reduction, and build greater recognition of the creek and habitat.”
A school holiday program that was held this summer has inspired the imaginations of children through their mini-Olympics activity.
The Mitchell Christian Fellowship established their Kidz Klub program over eight years ago and earlier this month, they ran their annual holiday program at the Kilmore Soldier’s Memorial Hall.
Inside, their volunteer coaches decorated the walls with countries’ flags, and adorned the stage with an Olympic podium.
Around 37 children enrolled in the program, and under the leadership of 15 volunteer coaches, four teams competed for gold in games like poison ball, soccer, puzzles, and tag.
During the week, in preparation for the closing ceremony, the children also learnt Christian songs, accompanied by a volunteer coach playing on an electronic piano.
Sisters and coaches Hannah and Emily have been involved in the Kidz Club since its foundation.
“We build strong relationships with [the children], and they love the attention and the encouragement. They trust and respect us,” they said.
Along with decorating caps with felt tip pens, creating a running track board game, and even Olympic torches, the children also created their own A5 sized booklets.
Assistant coach Will Donoghue said the learning task activated creativity and expression.
“We taught them how to say and write down warm and fuzzy things to encourage each other,” he said.
The program wrapped up on a Friday afternoon, and later in the evening, families enjoyed an enthusiastic performance by the children and a BBQ dinner.
An evaporative cooler that burst into flames has resulted in the devastating loss of a Hidden Valley family home.
Seeking refuge from the searing temperatures during the early afternoon on January 4, Anushka Bandaralage, her husband Indika Udagedara, and their two daughters, aged 10 and 11, were relaxing inside their home when the smell of burning plastic alerted them to the fire.
Before long, white smoke began billowing inside.
“We smelled burning plastic and then saw white smoke inside the house,” Ms Bandaralage said.
“Around the same time, [the] fire alarm started beeping … I took our kids out of the house immediately.
“My husband started to put out the fire in the roof.”
Unfortunately, Mr Udagedara’s attempts to extinguish the fire proved futile, and the fire spread quickly, engulfing the house within minutes.
The couple were forced to evacuated before firefighters could attend the scene, only managing to seize their passports, certificates, and a work laptop. Sadly, the family lost all other possessions in the fire.
Anushka Bandaralage has urged residents to check their appliances regularly after an evaporative cooler caught fire earlier this month, destroying her family’s home.
In response to the devastating loss, the community rallied almost instantly with an overwhelming wave of support, offering food, shelter, and items to the family of four.
“We got [an] outpouring of support from community and friends,” Ms Bandaralage said.
“All our neighbours offered accommodation and food. St [Patrick’s Primary School] and [Assumption College] offered school uniforms, books, and tuition fee relief.
“Ellie, our neighbour, organised a fundraiser and many in the neighbourhood and elsewhere have made donations.
“[Woolworths] Wallan and Kilmore offered us shopping as well. Honestly, we are humbled by the incredible support we’ve been getting.
“We can’t thank the community enough for their support.
“The efforts from the CFA was also incredible. About 30 firefighters joined the effort and fought the fire for three hours to put it under control and [prevent it from] spreading.”
Wallan Fire Brigade thanked the community for their support during the incident, highlighting the significant assistance that many residents provided in their firefighting efforts.
“We are extremely thankful for our volunteers and those of neighbouring brigades, along with our emergency service partner agencies who supported this incident,” they said.
“We’d also like to thank the community members who lent a hand … directing us into the fire, assisting us to run hoses down the road, and especially to the young girl providing refreshments to the crews!”.
Looking to the future, Ms Bandaralage stated that the family was determined to rebuild, and would not let the tragedy keep them from having a joyful new year.
To donate to the MyCause fundraiser to further assist the family, visit https://bit.ly/4aaWyLx.
City of Whittlesea has opposed Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd’s proposed waste-to-energy facility in Wollert.
Cleanaway has already lodged two applications for the facility—a planning permit application with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) in May 2023, and a development licence application with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in February 2024.
The last council meeting for 2024 saw councillors resolve to endorse the officer submission to the DTP and the EPA, urging the Victorian Government reject the proposal in its role as decision maker.
The chief executive will also write to the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Environment to advocate against the proposal.
The proposed facility, which will be known as the Melbourne Energy and Resource Centre (MERC), will be located on 510 Summerhill Road, Wollert, operating to process more than 380,000 tonnes of waste material, which otherwise would be sent to landfill, into energy.
While the project seeks to reduce landfill dependence and generate energy, council raised significant concerns regarding its potential impacts, including traffic congestion, odour and air emissions, visual disruption, and wider community and environmental effects.
Community consultation conducted by the DTP and the EPA has revealed concerns from residents regarding air quality, odour emissions, and potential health impacts.
Council will seek to collaborate with key stakeholders, including the EPA, Cleanaway, and residents to create a sustainable waste management solution that prioritises environmental excellence and aligns with community expectations.
City of Whittlesea Mayor Councillor Aidan McLindon expressed the project continued to boast ‘unresolved concerns.’
“While the City of Whittlesea supports innovative waste solutions, we cannot endorse a project that raises unresolved concerns about its impact on residents and the environment,” he said.
“We owe it to our community to advocate for sustainable practices that align with their needs and expectations.”
Roll up to the annual Mitchell Shire Community Awards ceremony this Australia Day, Sunday, January 26, for a fun, family day out with market stalls, free activities, and live music.
Once again, the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell (RCSM) will be organising the entertainment, while the Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) will be honouring resolute volunteers across seven categories for behind-the-scenes work in the community over the past year.
The much-anticipated 2025 categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Community Group of the Year, Access and Inclusion, Sports Person of the Year, and Arts Person of the Year.
The MSC Community Awards ceremony will commence at 11am and will be followed by a public Citizenship Ceremony at the Island Reserve, High Street, Broadford.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall stated that the awards offered a chance to celebrate the often-overlooked individuals who worked tirelessly to make the region a better place for all.
“This event also provides an opportunity to welcome new residents who will make Mitchell Shire their home,” he said.
“I am excited for the day and look forward to seeing everyone there.”
Towns across Mitchell Shire will also be holding their own events. For more information, visit www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.au/discovermitchell/awards-ceremonies-and-events/events.
