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Local author’s book worth a read

Jo Kubeil
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Local author’s book worth a read

Author Claire McGregor resides in Upper Plenty, and over the last 10 years an idea for a story has made its way onto the pages of her recently published book, The Missionary’s Wife.

The novel is based on a true story about the lives of two missionaries in Vanuatu, and the events that happened to them there in the late 19th century.

Ms McGregor said the story was inspired by a family holiday to Vanuatu, where an adventure in a canoe led to a tiny island, and there she came across some hidden gravestones, which she later researched.

“I looked them up and saw that they were missionaries. I was just struck with the thought, ‘what made them leave their homes in Canada … to travel all the way to Vanuatu and live on this tiny island in the Pacific?’” she said.

“Once I started looking into these people’s stories, I found that, mainly from Australia, ships would go out to Vanuatu and steal islanders to work in the cane fields of Queensland.”

Ms McGregor writes from the viewpoint of a young heroine named Annetta, who has recently married a man who has chosen to serve God as a missionary. Her purpose is to help her husband, but she is unaware of the ordeals that await her, and how her faith and moral compass will be tested.

“It’s a dark chapter of Australian history and quite a fascinating subject. I can’t write this story and not include this slave trade, because it deeply affected the islanders and the missionaries too. It was a curse to their lives and what they were trying to do there,” Ms McGregor said.

There are four parts to the book, 45 chapters to enjoy, and in the afterword, there are additional pages to show the history of the island, the missionaries, and the labour trade the book is based on.

Look for an idyllic island watercolour scene on its cover, with palm trees, soft waves, and a pink bougainvillea vine, and then the suspicious sailing ship near the shore, being met by two canoes. It really does make you wonder, ‘what happened to the missionary’s wife?’

The book is available to buy as a hardback, paperback, or a large print edition from all good bookstores, and it is also available as an eBook.

Ms McGregor is an editor and book designer, and this is her first work of fiction.

Direct sales are available at www.clairemcgregor.com.au.

Waste water set to be released

Emily Waite
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Waste water set to be released

Fully treated recycled water from Goulburn Valley Water’s (GVW) Broadford Wastewater Management Facility will be released into Sunday Creek over the next couple of weeks.

High levels of rainfall have limited the facility’s ability to reuse the wastewater, and as a result, storage lagoons are nearing capacity.

The water release will be operated under GVW’s EPA licence, with the facility to carefully monitor the activity. All water released is fully treated, meeting a minimum of Class C standards. It is expected that up to 4ml per day will be released into Sunday Creek.

For more information, call GVW’s 24/7 Customer Service Centre on 1800 454 500.

Mowing in style at Kings Park

The North Central Review
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Mowing in style at Kings Park

The Kings Park Committee of Management (CoM) is celebrating its 25th year managing the precinct with a new and essential piece of equipment, thanks to the support of two local organisations.

The Kings Park mower recently broke down and with a significant cost looming for the CoM, the Seymour Club and the Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn stepped in and funded a substantial portion of a new mower.

Kings Park is well known as one of the most lovingly maintained recreation spaces in the region, and the new mower will ensure the playing surfaces and surrounding areas will be kept in top-notch condition for all user groups and community members.

Seymour Club President Regina Schaefer said the Club was thrilled to support the work of the fantastic group of volunteers that maintain Kings Park.

“The Kings Park Committee of Management has done a magnificent job over the years in establishing a beautiful precinct, renowned across the state,” she said.

“Ken Hall and the crew are here all year round, rain, hail or shine in what can often be a thankless role.

“The amount of volunteer hours they put in to have Kings Park looking pristine is incredibly commendable, and we were only too happy to contribute to their new mower.”

The Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn also provided funding towards the new mower, showing a commitment across the community to support the work of the Kings Park CoM.

“It’s fantastic to partner with local charitable organisations and deliver a tangible benefit for some great volunteers,” Ms Schaefer said.

“A big thank you to the Lions Club for all the work they do in the community and what they give back to our town.

“We’re all looking forward to seeing Kings Park looking a treat for upcoming events, like the return of the Seymour Gift on December 14.”

Blooming gardens in Kilmore’s Community Centre

The North Central Review
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Blooming gardens in Kilmore’s Community Centre

Kilmore Community Centre has a new gardening program which will take the novice gardener to the next level.

The sessions are presented by Whittlesea local and qualified horticulturalist Kathleen Tants, and to guarantee a spot, locals are urged to book now.

Even a small vegetable garden can produce healthy food options, and with all those trips to the shed, even generate extra aerobic exercise!

At the next session, participants will learn how to plant produce in small spaces. The class is held at the Kilmore Community Centre at 38 Victoria Parade, Kilmore, on Saturday September 21, from 11am to 12.30pm.

A small fee applies, and bookings and prepayments are essential.

For more information, call Rose on 5782 2319.

Goulburn Valley Water sewages blocked up

The North Central Review
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Goulburn Valley Water sewages blocked up

Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) regularly promotes its ‘Three Ps: Don’t Flush It’ messaging – a campaign designed to educate customers about what should and should not be disposed of in the toilet or sink.

Within the last 12 months, there have been 391 blockages across the region, with GVW Water and Sewer staff required to remove things such as wet wipes, tissues, paper towels, and even phones, a snake, and a pedestal fan at one point.

GVW Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said the company needed customers’ help in maintaining a healthy sewer network.

“We need customers’ help to keep our sewers healthy and limit the number of blockages and overflows,” he said.

Dr Capewell said the sewer system was designed to transport sewage from toilets and drains to a Wastewater Management Facility, and foreign objects created issues with this process.

Items that should be disposed of in a bin rather than flushed down the toilet include tissues, flushable wipes, paper towel, nappies, tampons, sanitary pads, medication, clothing, rubbish, toys, kitty litter, cotton wool balls, cotton buds, and other related items.

Kitchen waste should be scraped into the bin or compost, with remaining fats and oils mopped up with paper towel or tissues, and disposed of in the same way.

Items such as fats, oil, grease, food scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, medication, paint, thinners, chemicals, motor oil, petrol, pesticides, and herbicides should not be disposed of in drains.

If you are experiencing water not draining away in your sinks and the toilet as it normally would, there may be a blockage in the sewerage system, and residents are urged to contact a plumber or GVW 1800 454 500 to rectify the issue.

WR (2024-09-03)

ncreview.com.au
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WR (2024-09-03)

NCR (2024-09-03)

ncreview.com.au
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NCR (2024-09-03)

Code one

Emily Waite
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Code one

As concerns for Victoria’s emergency healthcare system continue to grow with Ambulance Victoria’s (AV)Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) yet to be finalised, Mitchell Shire paramedics have come forward to share their story and the reality facing first responders.  

Prior to the most recent EBA’s expiration in February this year, paramedics were unable to express their concerns to the media and in public forums freely, limited to raising issues with higher management only.

However, when the EBA expired, negotiations and Protected Industrial Action began, along with an onslaught of media coverage and campaigns highlighting the unfair working conditions paramedics are facing.

Ambulance windows have been chalked to call for action: ‘Save 000 for emergencies’, to raise awareness: ‘We can’t turn out if we burn out’, to highlight the crisis: ‘Learn CPR … we might be a while,’ and to underscore the urgency: ‘1 in 5 of us are looking to leave.’

Ambo 1 1068w WebRdy

Yet despite over eight months of hundreds of meetings and AV Chief Executive Jane Miller’s recent resignation, the conversation between the State Government and AV remains ongoing.

With incidental overtime and other conditions a growing concern, paramedics have called for negotiations to be finalised quickly in favour of those who dedicate their lives to saving others.

“[Our] main concern … is end-of-shift management and … incidental overtime,” a local paramedic stated.

“It is not uncommon for our shifts to extend two to three hours overtime due to a lack of appropriate end-of-shift management protocols being in place.

Speaking to staff retention, local paramedics highlighted the high turnover rates of the industry, and the difficulty in maintaining a work-life balance.

“[Recently], there was a shift that was due to finish at 11pm, it finished at 2am. That is a 15-hour shift.”

“Staff retention is a massive issue, with a recent poll stating that one in five paramedics are planning to leave in the next 12 months,” they said.

“When you are consistently working overtime and unable to commit to things outside of work such as social events, or more importantly, the smaller, everyday things like school assemblies or even picking your kids up from childcare – this has a massive impact on you and your family.”

The number of available resources across the Mitchell Shire are also of concern, where despite a 49,000 strong and growing population, only one additional resource had been added to the local area.

“Since 2014, we have only had an increase of one resource for the Mitchell Shire, and it is the Broadford resource that runs 8am-8pm, so no further resource at night. We only have three permanent ambulances available overnight covering Wallan, Kilmore, Broadford, and Seymour,” a local paramedic stated.

But with lack of resources a statewide issue, regional units are often unable to support their local communities, being dispatched to serve metropolitan areas instead.

“When a case comes in, the closest car is dispatched,” the paramedic stated.

“As an example, [recently, the Kilmore crew] were closest to a Code 1 in Gisborne, 51km away. Wallan will often be closest to … Code 1s in metro, and as Seymour covers a very large area, they will regularly travel 40-50km on a Code 1 response.

“Members from the Kilmore branch are regularly used to cover Yea and Alexandra, as well as Nagambie and Murchison and branches in the Loddon Mallee Region.

“It is not uncommon for the whole of Mitchell [based crews] to be out at jobs and ramped at hospital, and the service needing to call paramedics … to come in on their days off.”

Speaking to the Review, an AV spokesperson stated that the organisation was working to address the concerns raised by paramedics.

“Our paramedics are working under enormous pressure, and we continue to prioritise work to address high levels of incidental overtime, fatigue and rostering challenges, improve call-taking and dispatch, and help our people finish their shifts on time,” they said.

And easing this pressure is exactly what local paramedics are hoping for.

“The main issue with forced overtime comes from the inappropriate coding of cases from the Ambulance Triage System, which means crews are being sent Lights and Sirens to cases that do not warrant it, as well as hospital ramping times due to our failing health system,” they said.

“We are in this job to help our community and those in need of emergency services. [But these issues] mean that we are not available for those who need us the most and having our area uncovered and unable to respond to the community for significant periods of time.

“The conditions of the job at this point in time definitely have paramedics considering resignation, however at the heart of it all we still love our job and being there for the community – we just need our conditions met by AV to make this job sustainable.”

Sue Marstaeller – a community’s loss

Emily Waite
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Sue Marstaeller – a community’s loss

The Mitchell Shire community and more so the Wandong-Heathcote Junction community lost a valued member, contributor, and leader with the passing of Sue Marstaeller last week.

Those who knew her will remember Sue’s contributions to the local charities and community groups, and her years as a long serving Councillor and Mayor of Mitchell Shire.

Beyond her community work, Sue will also be remembered by her family with whom her love knew no bounds, and with this in mind our thoughts are with Ian, Kim, Guy, Ali, and their families at this time.

Sue’s daughter, Kim, remembers her mother as a very welcoming person who opened her door to all family and friends, as well as the entire community.

“She taught us values such as strength, kindness, determination, financial responsibility, along with commitment and community values from a young age,” she said.

She added that her mother’s passions and activities in her younger years were swimming and tennis, activities she took up when she moved to Wandong in 1989.

“Later in life, mum began to enjoy embroidery, various crafts, and her beloved scrapbooking. Her passion for community involvement grew the more she got involved in various organisations and groups. We remember her as generous, dedicated, relentless, stubborn, polarising, stalwart, resilient, and kind,” she said. 

Sue was a valued Wandong Fire Brigade member for almost 30 years, and along with other members was awarded the National Emergency Medal for service during the Victorian 2009 Black Saturday fires.

Local resident Peter Gannon said that he was one of many people privileged to serve with Sue on local community groups.

“The legacy that she leaves is one that many will envy, and few will ever emulate. Her passing is a sad loss to family and community,” he said.

On Australia Day 2017, Sue was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to local government and to the community of the Mitchell Shire.

The Award recognised her service to Mitchell Shire as Mayor over four terms and as a Councillor for 13 years.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor Louise Bannister said Sue’s loss was felt deeply by Council.

“Mitchell Shire Council is deeply saddened by the passing of former Councillor Sue Marstaeller, who served our community with distinction from 2003 to 2016,” she said.

“Sue’s dedication to the Shire and her tireless work across various community organisations left a lasting impact. This continued post her role as Councillor, getting involved in community led initiatives and committees.

“She served three terms as Mayor, during which she played a pivotal role in numerous initiatives, including emergency management during the Black Saturday Bushfires. Her contributions were widely recognised, including receiving an OAM in 2017. She was a mentor to many and leaves behind a legacy of service that will be remembered for years to come. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sue’s family and friends.”

Sue was also one of the team that brought the better big bank to the local community as a member of the original steering committee of the NorCen Community Bank Board, which later operated the Wallan, Kilmore, and Broadford Community Banks, of which Sue was a former Chair and Company Secretary of.

Wally Mott, who served with Sue on the original steering committee, said Sue’s passing was a great loss.

“Sue has been a fantastic member of the community, especially the Wandong-Heathcote Junction community. She was involved in all sorts of organisations; a councillor for many years, a valuable member of the board that was formed in 2007 to run NorCen, and her passing will be a great loss,” he said.

Community Bank Chairperson Kit Holland said that Sue leaves behind a lasting legacy in the local community.

“Her impact on the Community Bank from the initial steering committee to establishing three branches in Wallan, Kilmore, and Broadford and serving continuously on the Board of Directors for 18 years is a contribution that has been extremely valued,” she said.

“Sue has inspired countless lives that she has touched as advocate, mentor, and friend, and these impacts will never be forgotten. Sue’s absence will be felt deeply by the entire Board, all of our staff and many community members, in fact all those who had the privilege of knowing her.”

Sue was also a tireless worker for the legendary Wandong Country Music Festival and a major contributor to sport in Wandong. As a lasting recognition, the sports pavilion at the Wandong at LB Davern Reserve was named some years ago as the Sue Marstaeller Sports Pavilion.

Perhaps the final comment in this obituary should be left to Sue Marstaeller herself, with an old post on her LinkedIn page that summed up her attitude to life, family, and community when she wrote, “To leave this world a better place than when I came, and to leave a legacy of good planning for my children, grand and great grandchildren to enjoy into the future.”

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Sue’s life this Friday at 1pm at The Grove, 189 Hidden Valley Blvd, Wallan.

All smoke and mirrors

Pam Kiriakidis
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All smoke and mirrors

The first half of 2024 marked a challenging period for Broadford-raised arborist Brendon Clark and his young family, when the State Government made a shocking decision to close the timber industry six years before its projected 2030 closure.

The announcement was made in last year’s State Budget after the Supreme Court released a Landmark decision stating that logging agency VicForests had broken the law by failing to protect endangered species.

For some workers, the closure was a sign off to their business. But for Mr Clark, the date was a reminder of the Government’s disregard for his line of work, and the environmental benefits delivered by the industry.

Mr Clark has been in the field for more than 20 years, working as a seed collector.

In his years of work, Mr Clark asserted he had never felled a tree for VicForests for timber production. His focus was on preserving one of the key species he worked with—the Alpine Ash—through one of Victoria’s largest conservation efforts.

A few years prior to the closure, Mr Clark and other workers were encouraged to participate in the State Government’s Forestry Transition Program, a program designed to support communities and employees affected by changes in the timber industry.

However, midway through the program, the decline of the timber industry left Mr Clark’s transition shrouded in uncertainty, and with minimal support from the Government and no strong union to fall back on, his small family-run business faced a dire and uncertain financial future.

After making several calls to the Premier’s office and Members of Parliament to voice his concerns on behalf of the industry, Mr Clark was informed to check the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) website for compensation packages.

But what appeared to be a straightforward solution quickly became a series of hurdles.

Mr Clark found himself facing ‘nothing but obstacles’ in accessing the compensation. His contracts were claimed to not be covered under Government guidelines, despite being reliant on VicForests contracts that he had maintained since 2007.

“We’ve taken about $80,000 worth of equity out of my home to keep my business afloat,” he said.

“The main issue is that the State Government kept insisting, ‘you’re entitled to the transition program.’ I was halfway through, but they weren’t providing the necessary funds, which left me unable to apply for grants due to my business being insolvent.”

But after months of advocacy, in July this year, Mr Clark finally received promising news that he could now apply for the Forestry Business Support Package, which had expanded to include businesses affected by the native transition.

While the approval was a highlight for Mr Clark, the stress of nearly losing his home and business lingered, and he urged the State Government to improve their processes and reconsider their perspective on the industry as it faced its closing chapter.

“The package means I can nearly complete my program now, but it’s disheartening that I had to take such significant risks to save my business,” he said.

“The only reason we saw any changes was that workers began to voice their desperation. Before shutting down an industry, they should consider the broader consequences.”

Mr Clark expressed concern for the environment in a future without a timber industry, envisioning a scenario where the city relies on desalinated seawater as bushfire ash contaminates Melbourne’s water supply. 

“As we approach the new year, we must contemplate the future of Victoria’s magnificent Alpine national parks without the timber industry,” he said.

“Our government officials may stand on the steps of Parliament, ash falling around them, attributing it all to climate change, but they must realise this is only part of the narrative regarding why our Alpine forests are burning.”

To read Mr Clark’s full statement, visit www.clarkgen.com.au.

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