Whittlesea Secondary College will work with Tandem Design Studios to undertake master planning of the school’s upgrade.
The appointment marks a significant step towards the college’s multi-million dollar upgrade.
Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said the appointment of architects was a welcome and exciting development for Whittlesea and the surrounding community.
“I made it clear during the last election that upgrading this school was a top priority. We secured the planning funds, and now, with an architect appointed, the process is officially underway,” she said.
“Our commitment to Whittlesea Secondary College reflects our dedication to providing our students with the best possible education and learning environment.”
“This is an opportunity for the school to shape their school facilities to best suit their students and set them up for success.”
College principal Kathy Mourkakos said the college’s administration would work closely with Tandem Design Studios to ensure the upgrade aligned with the school’s vision.
“Through this building project we are looking forward to the future in providing our staff and students with the best resources, facilities, and environment for them to continue to learn and be successful in their educational pathway,” she said.
THE Whittlesea Show is just days away, with a wide range of entertainment and activities set for one of Victoria’s premier agricultural shows.
The show is returning to its usual November date after years of difficulties due to poor weather and the COVID-19 pandemic, with organisers from Whittlesea Agricultural Society ready and excited for the weekend.
Society president Erica Hawke said the show was a staple for the Whittlesea township.
“We’re a true agricultural show, we still have the animals and a range of heritage vintage attractions,” she said.
“[Preparation] is going really well at the moment, we’ve got entries continually coming in, the grounds are all mown and looking beautiful, the sheds have been cleaned, everything’s coming together really well and the buzz is really starting.”
Returning this year is Eroni’s Circus with free entry once a show ticket has been purchased, as well as stagecoach rides, a Royal Flying Doctors Service flight simulator, mounted games, home crafts, hobby livestock, a photo booth, and the grand parade on both days of the show.
Cattle competitions were among many livestock displays at the Whittlesea Show.
A new activity for children this year is the junior pedal tractor challenge, which upon successful completion will allow participants to receive their pedal tractor licence.
A range of artists will provide live music, and there will be multiple roving entertainers.
“We’ve got the stilt divas and a range of roving entertainment, we’ve got a jam-packed weekend on both the Oak Stage and the Village Green with performances from local artists, and we’re trying to support local as much as we can,” Ms Hawke said.
“It’s great to be back to our November date over the long weekend.
“It’s wonderful to give families an opportunity to come out and do something without spending a huge amount of money so it really is a family-friendly event, it doesn’t cost you the world and you can come and spend the whole day.”
The Whittlesea Show will be at the Whittlesea Showgrounds on Saturday and Sunday. Gates are open from 9am to 5pm with accessible parking readily available.
Online tickets cost $25 for adults and $5 for children, while purchasing at the gate is $28 for adults and $8 for children, with adult and student concession also available.
Whittlesea Voice Interests and Education of Women, VIEW, club had its official inauguration Thursday, with 31 members joining to raise money for and volunteering with The Smith Family.
Whittlesea club members gathered with other clubs including Bairnsdale and Plenty Valley at Whittlesea Bowls Club to launch the club – the second VIEW club to open in Victoria this year.
VIEW is a national women’s volunteer organisation with 3000 Victorian members who support 419 students through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. They raised more than $445,000 last year.
Whittlesea VIEW president Ann Balharrie said she returned to Whittlesea and noticed a need for the VIEW club.
“It’s been quite a journey but a good one and an exciting one at Whittlesea, and I’m sure Whittlesea is going to be a really good club – I can already feel it,” she said.
“I feel so fortunate, I really do. I feel fortunate because I grew up in a farming family in Whittlesea that could afford my education and they really encouraged and supported me right through primary, secondary and then tertiary education.
“Because I grew up in Whittlesea, I was involved with locals and I thought ‘Whittlesea really needs a VIEW club – it would really benefit from a VIEW club’. The ladies seemed enthusiastic and that’s where we started.
“I’m so proud and excited to be the inaugural president here. I’m delighted to be reacquainted with old friends and I’m excited to meet all the new ladies who I’m sure will become my new friends. I can’t wait to get started – it’s going to be so much fun.
“I think by giving back we’re going to support more and more children in Learning for Life programs and see if we can make a difference. It’s time for us to give back.”
Whittlesea Voice Interests and Education of Women, VIEW, club had its official inauguration Thursday at Whittlesea Bowls Club.
Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage attended the event and commended the group for its formation.
“It’s absolutely amazing. I walked into this room and I just felt the love of industrious and passionate women,” she said.
“I’m so proud we have a new VIEW club in Whittlesea and that I get to represent this club in Parliament.
“We know how precious each dollar is – that somebody has given that dollar and the supreme responsibility to make sure the money is spent in the way that has the best impact on the people who we’re seeking to care for.
“I think of the women in this community, the people in this community who, whether rich or poor, will look into their hearts and write their cheque, bring a coin and bring their notes.
“They won’t do it for themselves, they’ll do it for the children and how fabulous that is, how precious that is, and that speaks to much about our community.”
Whittlesea VIEW club have begun their work organising monthly lunches, a jar for donations and trade tables.
The club now seeks to participate in the council bike count.
VIEW is open to women of all ages with members meeting regularly to provide a social outlet, help others and to establish lasting friends while supporting the education of disadvantaged children.
Whittlesea VIEW club’s next meeting is November 16 at Whittlesea Bowls Club.
A COMMUNITY meeting has been planned to discuss the establishment of an independent Beveridge Fire Brigade to service the growing community.
Beveridge is currently serviced by Kalkallo Fire Brigade, which has established a satellite station at Beveridge to tackle incidents within the township through the work of Kalkallo volunteers.
The proposal would mean that Beveridge has its own brigade, able to be staffed by a more permanent force leading to reduced response times to local incidents.
CFA District 12 assistant chief fire officer Charles Cleary said the proposal had been in the works for several years.
“We’ve been trying to line up the appropriate ducks, so to speak, to create Beveridge as a standalone fire brigade instead of a satellite fire station of the Kalkallo Fire Brigade, because we’re aware that there’s substantial developing population growth within the area,” he said.
“We’ve been working to try to improve the service delivery in that area to be prepared and match the growth that will occur.”
The current satellite station is populated with ‘rudimentary facilities’, made up of a portable office with a shed that houses a fire truck.
As Kalkallo is situated across the Hume, Whittlesea and Mitchell municipalities, the current service in Beveridge is managed under the District 14 headquarters in Melton, as it is an extension of the fire brigade further south.
The establishment of a Beveridge Fire Brigade would be more closely aligned with the Mitchell Shire, and by extension, fall under the jurisdiction of the District 12 headquarters in Seymour.
Mr Cleary said there was already work underway in Beveridge to improve the facilities at the satellite station, upgrading them to be able to provide a more permanent service.
“We’re building on the facilities there with some more permanent-type facilities, so we’re actually building some dedicated meeting facilities and support infrastructure to support the current fire appliance there,” he said.
“It’s all to cater for any development or expansion of resources into the future.”
The community meeting to discuss the brigade is planned for 7pm on November 10 at the Greater Beveridge Community Centre, located at the corner of Lithgow Street and Mandalay Circuit.
Ladies and gentlemen are preparing their finest outfits for the highly-anticipated Oaks Day Luncheon, set to make its grand return to Kilmore next week.
The day at Kilmore Trackside on November 9 will feature a three-course luncheon, a silent auction, and live music by Whittlesea’s Shanae Watson, who most recently appeared on television program The Voice.
The keenly-awaited raffle will leave attendees crossing their fingers to win this year’s major prize – a stocked wine fridge.
With awards up for grabs for the best-dressed lady and gentleman, the event provides an excuse for residents to dress up in their finest and feel part of ladies’ day at Flemington without having to travel to Melbourne.
Tracy Crane, Heather Hawkins and Marlene Drummond enjoy a past iteration of Oaks Day at Kilmore Trackside in 2019.
Organiser Bev Carman, who is a Northern Health Foundation patron, has hosted Oaks Day at Kilmore Trackside since 2010 to raise money for Northern Health in Epping, providing the hospital with funding to support its cancer patients.
Past instalments have raised funds for specialty medical equipment, chemotherapy chairs, wig libraries, storage cabinets and freezer caps for patients to keep their hair, among other items.
The money raised this year will potentially support the implementation of a wellness centre at the hospital.
Bev Carman, left, is once again hosting Oaks Day at Kilmore Trackside on November 9 to raise funds for Northern Health.
Ms Carman most recently hosted the annual race day at Kilmore Trackside, which raised $11,000 that went towards upgrading a section of the outdoor garden area in the palliative care unit at Northern Health, to be dubbed ‘Kilmore’s corner’.
Ms Carman is hopeful the day will be a success, with tickets still available to fill the room.
“Some of the girls have been coming ever since I started and I’m very grateful to them, but it is lovely to see new people starting to come as well,” she said.
“You don’t have to buy a table – you can just buy a seat.”
Tickets are $80 per person, including sparkling wine on arrival and a three-course luncheon.
People can purchase a seat by calling Kilmore Trackside on 5783 0700.
THE Department of Transport and Planning, DTP, will consider closing Seymour’s Chittick Place at the Oak Street and Anzac Avenue intersection for a traffic diversion experiment.
Mitchell Shire Council unanimously voted to write to the DTP seeking a report on the closure of the intersection at this month’s meeting.
In a meeting regarding the Anzac Avenue Masterplan in September, there was discussion regarding pedestrian cycling and vehicular traffic with a focus on safety mitigation.
Due to the high risk, the recommendation identified closing Chittick Place at the Oak Street and Anzac Avenue intersection with the public still having vehicular access into Chittick Place through Pollard Street.
Access would be maintained for council services, such as garbage collection, and public parking.
The closure would be initially temporary, evaluating the benefit or otherwise of the closure and upon completion of a review a further recommendation would be put forward for council’s consideration.
A community consultation process would need to be undertaken prior to council deciding to implement the closure or not.
Cr Rhonda Sanderson said the area had been identified as a risk area.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the report from the Department of Transport and Planning on this area,” she said.
Cr David Lowe said dealing with the high-risk intersection was good.
“It’s a very strange junction and the idea of rationalising it somewhat is intrinsically good,” he said.
“It is to be noted that the community consultation process will need to be undertaken prior to making a decision to affect this or not and this motion should set all this in motion.”
SENIORS across Mitchell Shire bonded over morning tea with Nexus Primary Health staff on Tuesday, celebrating this month’s Victorian Seniors Festival.
The morning tea at Nexus GP Superclinic Wallan included a great turnout of seniors, some of whom attended through arranged transport at Nexus Primary Health.
This year’s Victorian Senior Festival theme was ‘Learn, Love, Live’ – a motto embraced at the morning tea with cards and posters made by Little Steps Early Education and Care in Kilmore.
Community engagement coordinator Alice Linklater said it was the first time Nexus had celebrated the Victorian Seniors Festival.
“It’s to get everybody together – a lot of people have reduced their social connection with many members of the community and also many groups,” she said.
“We’re bringing people back, getting people connected, making sure that they’re active – which is great for their bodies, heart and mind.
“I think many people here didn’t know each other and you have different people talking to one another and finding new friends, finding new peers, having this connection.
“It’s just the most beautiful, heartwarming morning and lovely to give back to these people that have given so much to us.”
Anne Johnson, left, Marlene Owsianny and Helen Smith enjoying each other’s company at the morning tea as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.
Seniors had the chance to learn about services dedicated to improving the lives of older vulnerable residents within and outside their homes.
Nexus Primary Health care finder Paul Clark informed seniors about the care finder program, which links older people to My Aged Care or other services in the community that arranges homecare.
Mr Clark said there were many people unaware of care finders.
“We find that there’s a lot of people out there aren’t aware that there’s people like me, and other care finders out there to help support them to navigate the My Aged Care system,” he said.
Other speakers included social support coordinator Nicole Carmody, who discussed opportunities of social support groups offering a range of outings that residents can book.
Chief executive Amanda Mullins also spoke at the event, acknowledging the services to Mitchell, Murrindindi and Strathbogie shires and welcoming residents to submit feedback.
The morning tea concluded with several seniors winning vouchers from Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses in Wallan and a free gym swim pass at Kilmore Leisure Centre.
Nexus Primary Health is recruiting volunteers for the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme and Clients transport program.
If interested, people can contact Nexus and ask to speak to volunteer coordinator Kevin Twan.
A ROMSEY waste facility and a youth leader in the City of Whittlesea are winners in their categories at this year’s Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Tidy Towns and Cities Sustainability Awards.
The awards, which celebrate environmental achievements and community spirit of individuals, community groups and councils across Victoria, announced its recipients at Zinc, Federation Square, on October 23.
Kettlewell’s Green Waste Site, a Macedon Ranges Shire Council initiative, was acknowledged for its recycling efforts in the EPA Waste Prevention and Reduction category.
The council-managed facility in Romsey was first developed to respond to the severe destruction caused by storms in June 2021, focusing on reducing green waste by creating repurposed products for impacted communities and councils.
Since then, the facility has processed more than 65,000 tonnes of tree and storm debris and has returned recycled or repurposed products back to impacted communities, with a total market value of more than $35 million.
It is the facility’s third award, following recognition in the Australian Workplace Health and Safety Awards and the 2023 LGPro Awards for Excellence.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan said council was excited to receive another award that highlighted the benefits on a regional scale.
“This invaluable project was made possible through a strong collaboration between council and a number of hard-working council staff, Emergency Recovery Victoria and the community,” he said.
“We were not only able to act swiftly to solve a major problem in a very practical and cost-effective way, but the most pleasing thing is to have been able to give back to affected communities.
“The facility sets a new standard for post-disaster clean up and is a model that could be easily replicated anywhere, so hopefully our learnings will also help give other councils an idea for a practical solution for emergency recovery, should they ever need it.”
In the Young Legends category, City of Whittlesea resident Tanya Sharma was awarded for her dedication to protecting the planet.
The young leader initiated a project acknowledging the environmental impact of cigarette butt litter in the community and created a petition gathering community support to request council’s action on education and installing specialised bins in schools and parks.
Ms Sharma also interacted with other councils and reached out to the Prime Minister, joining a United Nations environment program to support her cause.
Determined to make an impact, her environmental commitments went further in tackling palm oil usage and tree planting in her hometown in India, receiving acknowledgement as a semi-finalist for an environmental award.
To find out more about the Tidy Towns winners, people can visit www.kabvic.org.au/2023-winners.
THE artistic talents of students from St Mary’s Primary School in Lancefield took centre stage at the annual Visual Arts Showcase that unfolded earlier in term four.
Last month’s event celebrated the artistic journey of students from prep to grade six, highlighting their creativity, dedication and the vibrant display of their imaginative works that were created during terms one to three.
Art teacher Brenda Sammut said the event left a lasting impression on all who attended.
The youngest artists in the school, the prep students, displayed a wide range of creativity that included ripped paper bears and parable lamps, inspired by literature, and showed their connection to Australian Indigenous culture by crafting textiles and dot-painted boomerangs.
Ms Sammut said grade one and two students engaged in mixed media collages, which included their Easter collages that featured lit crosses.
“Additionally, the students also explored shape and emotions through lines and colours in their paintings and demonstrated their hand-sewing prowess by crafting pillow friends using felt and wadding,” she said.
Taking a different route, the grade three and four students created textile wall art inspired by the works of prominent textile artist Sheila Hicks.
Ms Sammut said the grade three and four students created captivating bush medicine paintings, while the grade five and six students embarked on a journey through the world of candy artist and sculptor Peter Anton, crafting large candy sculptures out of clay, adding a sweet twist to their art.
The exploration for the older students did not just stop at expressing their personal stories through Indigenous symbols and traditional dot paintings, the students also had the opportunity to create textured art on canvas.
