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We’re the winners: Locals raise over $500 for Christmas

Jo Kubeil
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We’re the winners: Locals raise over $500 for Christmas

The community has been declared the winner after a local opportunity shop raised over $500 for their annual Christmas raffle, drawn last month.

The Southern Mitchell Rotary Recycle Op Shop began selling tickets in early November and initially offered more than 24 prizes.

However, with more prizes donated from local businesses and generous benefactors throughout December, there were eventually 41 prizes up for grabs.

Southern Mitchell Rotary Recycle Op Shop Manager Lisa Walker said the community was the ultimate winner, with all proceeds raised to be donated to local organisation Love In Action (LIA) to further support people in crisis over the holidays.

“The money will go directly to helping locals this Christmas through LIA,” she said.

“We raised $628. We also donate to the schools’ breakfasts, lunch, and dinners program—depending on the school—and from time to time we assist LIA to provide vouchers for school shoes.”

The opportunity shop also shared $300 with the Wallan Neighbourhood House, with manager Pauline Cornish urging those in need to reach out, stating that food relief was just a phone call away.

“We are [also] a Centrelink agent and can help with payment and service information for Medicare, Centrelink, and Child Support,” she said.

To contact Wallan Neighbourhood House, call Pauline Cornish on 0409 941 553.

The Southern Mitchell Rotary Recycle Op Shop is located at Shop 6/84-86 Sydney Street, Kilmore, and is once again open following a short Christmas closure,.

Opening hours are 9.30am–3pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am–12.30pm Saturday, and closed Sunday.

Prevention is better than cure: Appointed Wallan Constable

The North Central Review
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Prevention is better than cure: Appointed Wallan Constable

Wallan Police would like to welcome recently appointed First Constable Rose Halse to the team.

As Community Crime Prevention Officer (CCPO), Constable Halse will engage with local stakeholders to prevent crimes and share preventable crime strategies such as Fortify, Lock, Hangout, Bike Heist, and Safe Plate, and engage with local schools, youth services, and local health care providers.

Constable Halse said she was excited to work collaboratively and positively with Mitchell Shire Council, and local businesses and community groups such as the South Mitchell Neighbourhood Watch.

Barbie doll collectors unite after theft

Emily Waite
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Barbie doll collectors unite after theft

Australian Barbie collectors are supporting the victim of a $15,000 theft in true Barbie style—by donating dolls to those in need.

Between Thursday, December 5 and Wednesday, December 11, unknown offenders forced entry into a Greater Shepparton home, where they stole the resident’s entire 12-year collection of dolls, among other items.

The collection comprised of 150 never removed from box (NRFB) dolls, spanning the 1970s to late 2020s, and included prized possessions such as the 2003 Happy Family Neighbourhood Grandma Barbie, several 1998 Harley-Davidson Collector’s Edition dolls and bike, and a 1997 Portrait in Blue Wal-Mart exclusive doll.

The Tatura local had been collecting the dolls for her daughter.

Generous collectors were quick to offer replacements of those stolen to the victim, graciously offering to part ways with their own dolls.

However, the victim refused to accept the offers, selflessly encouraging dolls to instead be donated to children’s hospitals in the hope that they could ‘make a child smile’.

“I am generally overwhelmed and humbled by your generosity, but if anyone is wanting to donate them I’d love if they were donated to a children’s hospital,” she shared online.

“Who knows, maybe [the donations will] create a new generation of collectors.”

The Australian Barbie Club (ABC Doll Club) stated the news of the theft had ‘rocked the Barbie community’, and urged members to be on the lookout for the dolls.

Barbie theft3
A prized possession for many, Barbie’s Happy Family ‘Grandma’ now fetches prices of up to $250. The entire line was pulled from shelves after Mattel received backlash for releasing a pregnant version of character Midge, which is now valued between $400 and $600.

“It’s unusual for a doll heist to occur. Toys are big business … but Barbie is not that easy to dismantle and disseminate.

“The community is fairly tight-knit, we know each other by name or reputation, and scams, sales, and rarities are shared frequently.

“Everyone is already on the lookout for these stolen dolls— they won’t be easy to get rid of. The sheer size of 150 boxed dolls requires hefty transport.

“Values fluctuate wildly and … the thieves will not be making a quick turnover, as anyone who has sold a collection will attest to.

“At the ABC Doll Club, we remind our members to ensure they have accurate lists of their collections, and seek out suitable insurance. And please be careful when you share information about your dolls … and your vacation plans.”

Shepparton Police are investigating the theft, and urge anyone with information that can assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

NGV on tour

The North Central Review
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NGV on tour

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is holding its largest NGV Kids on Tour event this year, with 150 community venues across the state playing host to the free sessions, providing fun and inspiring art experiences to both children and teenagers.

The event will take place across several dates this month, with locations including the Wallan Library, Kilmore Library, Broadford Customer and Library Service Centre, Seymour Customer and Library Service Centre, Kalkallo Community Centre, Mernda Library, Lalor Library, Mill Park Library, and Thomastown Library.

Run alongside the NGV’s summer exhibitions Yayoi Kusama and Cats & Dogs, NGV Kids on Tour celebrates the work of local and international artists and designers.

Children can look forward to plenty of art activities in celebration of the Cats & Dogs exhibition, including the chance to design a Furry Friend Headband and a set of cat or dog ears inspired by their own beloved pets or animals.

Children will also be able to get involved in the work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in the Lots of dots with Yayoi Kusama activity and children’s book.

Inspired by Ms Kusama’s lifelong involvement with pumpkins, which have featured in her art since her childhood on a seed and plant farm, the drawing activity invites children to add their own colours and designs to a pumpkin, alongside a short poem about the humble fruit.

Younger children can also enjoy story time sessions with the Lots of dots reading sessions, where they will encounter big dots, little dots, and shiny dots.

In other explorations of art, Melbourne-based fashion designers and sisters Fatuma and Laurinda Ndenzako from slow fashion label Collective Closets have developed the Fashion, Culture & Creativity with Collective Closets activity, where families can create paper dolls and design their own vibrant clothing for the dolls to wear.

Diving into all things nature, children can also learn about bogong moths in a drawing activity developed by Dr Deanne Gilson, a proud Wadawurrung woman living on her ancestral Country of Ballarat.

NGV Kids on Tour also invites teenagers to learn about the creative practices of emerging artists, and build skills for their own art portfolios through an activity developed with Gamilaroi Yinarr weaver and textile artist Sophie Honess.

The Make a Pompom with Sophie Honess activity invites teenagers to create a bush flower-inspired pompom using yarn, embroidery thread, and colourful felts to use as accessories on bags or key chains.

The tour will visit Kilmore Library on January 14 (today) and 23 and Wallan Library on January 15, 17, and 21.

The Broadford Customer and Library Service Centre will be busy with the program on January 16 and 22, while the Seymour Customer and Library Service Centre will host their sessions on January 15, 17, and 21.

For more information on the program, visit www.ngv.vic.gov.au/kids-on-tour.

Turning pages with a new Mitchell Shire Council partnership

Emily Waite
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Turning pages with a new Mitchell Shire Council partnership

Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Level Playground, a collaboration that will see the development of a Customer and Library Service project titled Turning Pages: Inspiring Minds: Libraries Leading Respect.

Aimed to help libraries create more inclusive and respectful environments for children and families, the project will see a Libraries Leading Respect Kit made available to all council libraries and utilised by council’s Customer and Library Services Team during Baby Time, Rhyme Time, and Story Time sessions.

The kit contains a variety of resources and activities, including books and a booklist, posters, activities, factsheets, and new parent and caregiver guides.

The project is set to launch early this year. For more information, call MSC’s Community Development Team on 5734 6200.

Tuning into teens at FamilyCare

The North Central Review
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Tuning into teens at FamilyCare

FamilyCare are offering free workshops as part of their Regional Parenting Services program.

With registrations free and now open for Term One, the not-for-profit organisation has child safety and wellbeing at its heart.

Their programs can provide families and individuals in regional local government areas such as the Mitchell, Murrindindi, and Strathbogie Shires with resources for parenting.

The 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching-Inclusive Adaption workshop aims to support parents and caregivers of children aged 2–18 years.

Across two evenings, participants will learn strategies to encourage positive behaviour in their neurodiverse child or teenager, and even learn how to discipline them without arguing or yelling.

The first workshop will take place on Monday, February 24, with the second to be held on Monday, March 3. Both will be held at Assumption College from 6pm–8pm.

For parents and caregivers interested in partaking in the Tune in to Teens session, two sessions are currently available and taking registrations, with the first workshop taking place on Monday, March 17, and the second on Monday, May 12.

Both will begin at 8pm and once again be held at Assumption College.

The program will help teach attendees how to help teenagers cope with and understand their emotions, and even share tips on how to prevent problem behaviours.

To register, scan the QR code below, or call Central intake on 1800 161 306.

An un-Australian theft: Highlands-Caveat fire tanker stolen

Emily Waite
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An un-Australian theft: Highlands-Caveat fire tanker stolen

Last Wednesday night, the Highlands-Caveat Fire Brigade was broken into, and a firefighting slip-on was stolen.

A small fire tanker consisting of a standard one tonne four-wheel drive with a firefighting module containing a 400 litre tank, pump, and other fire suppression tools, the slip-on is an essential resource used for rapid responses to rural fires.

It is often crewed by two firefighters to perform first attack on spot sized, remote, or difficult-to-access fires.

CFA District 12 shared the news about the incident via social media, with many locals sharing their disdain for those responsible behind the theft.

“Anyone found interfering with emergency service vehicles and equipment should have the maximum possible charges and sentence with no early release,” one user commented.

“Seriously. CFA is sacred. One purpose is to help people. Do not steal from those that exist to help others,” commented another.

Residents are urged to be on the lookout for the vehicle, which is a white 2006 Toyota Landcruiser Ute with registration plates UGJ-945, and aerial ID 62Q.

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to file a confidential report with Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime.

If spotted, residents can notify police on Triple Zero (000).

What about the water?

The North Central Review
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What about the water?

Emergencies and natural disasters can occur at any time, so it is important to be prepared for their impacts and the likelihood that water supply and sewerage services may be compromised.

Unfortunately, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) staff cannot guarantee that town water supplies will not be affected during a major fire, and caution that the demand during such an event is likely to exceed the capacity of the supply system.

GVW Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said only residents who are fully prepared should consider staying to protect their property—otherwise, the safest option is to leave early.

He encouraged individuals to add any nearby water sources to their bushfire plan, such as a large dam, irrigation channel, or creek.

“Alternate water supplies could include water tanks, dams, swimming pools, rubbish or wheelie bins, even bathtubs or laundry tubs,” he said.

“To be even better prepared, people could consider having an independent pump in case they lose power.”

Attention to drinking water is a crucial element to factor into the individual fire plan.

Dr Capewell suggested filling up several large containers and placing them in the fridge or a cool place.

“When the fire risk is severe, extreme, or catastrophic, we encourage people to have at least 10 litres per person (one bucket) available, at a minimum,” he said.

In an emergency, GVW also works with the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) to provide firefighters with quick access to hydrants and water supplies.

For more information, visit bit.ly/40a9yMO.

Code one failure in ambulance wait times

The North Central Review
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Code one failure in ambulance wait times

Ambulance wait times across regional Victoria continue to fall well below Ambulance Victoria standards to respond to 85 per cent of Code One incidents within 15 minutes.

In the Mitchell Shire, only 51.9 per cent of incidents were attended to within this time frame, with the figure sitting at an alarming 36.6 per cent in neighbouring Strathbogie Shire.

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health Annabelle Cleeland stated the issue stemmed from a lack of support and investment in regional health by the government.

“The issues within our ambulance services and response times are a symptom of a government that has neglected our healthcare system for too long,” she said.

“The stark reality is that our regional health services are really struggling, and this is particularly prominent when looking at our ambulance system.”

A parliamentary inquiry into the performance, workplace culture, and procurement practices of Ambulance Victoria is currently seeking submissions from the public, with both employees and patients encouraged to contribute to the findings.

The Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee (LCLASIC) will inquire about the general workplace culture within Ambulance Victoria, allegations of fraud and embezzlement, governance, accountability practices, and more importantly, issues around call-taking, dispatch, ambulance ramping, working conditions, and the workloads of paramedics.

Ms Cleeland encouraged anyone that has experience with Ambulance Victoria to go online and have their say.

“Having heard from both paramedics and patients in our region, it has been made abundantly clear that something has to change,” she said.

Submissions will close on Friday, February 28, with public hearings scheduled soon afterwards.

For more information and to make a submission, visit www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/inquiry-into-ambulance-victoria/submissions.

Preparing for an Ausnet power outage

The North Central Review
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Preparing for an Ausnet power outage

AusNet services have advised customers of an upcoming planned electricity outage to allow for essential maintenance on the network.

The works will be carried out at half hour intervals across two times on Saturday, January 18, with the first outage occurring between 7.30am until 8.00am, and the second at 4pm until 4.30pm.

Gas ducted heating and cooling systems will not work during a power outage, and cooking systems will need to be lit using a match or a lighter.

Residents should also consider organising alternative water sources, such as filling bathtubs and buckets with water, as electric pumps will not operate. If your property has electric doors or gates, check to make sure they can be operated manually or check to see if they have a battery backup.

Ensure mobile phones and tablets are fully charged, and consider switching off and even unplugging sensitive electrical equipment such as computers. Leave one light switch turned on so you know when the power comes back on.

To view power outage details, visit www.outagetracker.com.au.

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