Valuable raffle prize on offer at Kilmore Art Expo

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April 9, 2024

Valuable raffle prize on offer at Kilmore Art Expo

The 2024 Kilmore Art Expo will host its popular annual event for the 16th year at the Memorial Hall in Kilmore from April 12 to 14 with close to 380 artworks on show and available for purchase.

Doors open at 6.30pm on Friday, April 12 for the Preview and Award night with live music, food and drinks, artists roaming and winners will be presented their awards at 7.30pm.

Expert judges will be at the expo and will assess close to 380 exhibits.

The total value of the awards and prizes at the expo is close to $9000 and includes 10 major cash prizes, commendations, achievement awards and prizes of picture framing from local businesses.

TALENTED: Renowned artist Herman Pekel, painter of this year’s raffle prize.

The Youth section has a total of $850 in cash prizes and Art Pack prizes for both paintings and photography.

Expo exhibition hours are 10am to 4pm on Saturday, April 13 and 10am to 3.30pm on Sunday, April 14 with admission $8 or $4 for concession.

This year the Kilmore Art Expo raffle prize is a watercolour painting titled ‘Gumtrees at Eltham’ by renowned artist Herman Pekel. It is a striking 91cm x 74cm landscape, full framed painting valued at $3500.

“Profits from the event are distributed back to the community by both organising groups – the Kilmore Art Society and Southern Mitchell Rotary Club.”

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Lancefield man still making it count

Pam Kiriakidis

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April 9, 2024

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A Lancefield resident is still making time for his community at the incredible age of 80.

Born but not raised in Kilmore, Sydney Green celebrated his 80th birthday in February among community members at Lancefield’s Mechanic Hall – a place Mr Green associates with his most cherished moments, considering it’s where he first met his late wife Anne at a dance.

Most people would know Mr Green during his 62 years at Lancefield Fire Brigade, following in the footsteps of his father as captain to support his community in crisis, including during the 1982 Ash Wednesday bushfires.

The brigade was non-stop during Ash Wednesday, with members constantly working, and Mr Green sleeping on the brigade’s floor, not coming home for one or two nights to save what was left of Mount Macedon in the hottest circumstances.

Mr Green said the situation could have been a lot worse.

“There were two fires in Macedon, and if it hadn’t been for the first one, there would have been a lot more people burned to death with the second as simple as that,” he said.

“The streets of Lancefield and Romsey were choked with cars and people from Macedon left their homes and came somewhere you could barely find any room to park a vehicle in.”

There were good times at the brigade for Mr Green as well, earning national medals at presentations, but the one he appreciated the most was the Australian Fire Service Medal at Parliament House on January 26, 2006.

Mr Green’s brigade work would even come home at times, with his six children answering the fire phone while he was out on the farm.

His children knew what to do if the fire phone buzzed, and then it meant business for Mr Green when he was not at home or working for himself.

Prior to his adult life, Mr Green grew up in a family of four next door to the house he bought once he was older.

Mr Green knew the house was meant to be at 14-years-old.

“I was about 14 and [the owner] was going to sell it,” he said.

“The bloke that came to buy it was trying to knock him down in price considerably, and I was there, and I said to him … ‘if I had the money, I’d buy it off’.

“A few years later, probably six or even years later, I was working under a truck, and he came in and he said, ‘You’re the boy who wanted to buy my place, do you still want to buy it?’, and I said yes, I do.

“And that’s how I bought the place.”

Still living in the house, Mr Green continues helping his community as much as he can, taking calls from the Lancefield Park Committee of Management as a member now after he was once president.

Apply for remembrance grants for veterans and families

The North Central Review

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April 9, 2024

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Apply for remembrance grants for veterans and families

Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, has welcomed the announcement of Federal Funding available to local organisations to support projects which remember veterans and their families.

Mr Birrell said the funding will assist local people to create meaningful projects that honour our heroic service men and women.

“I want to thank and acknowledge these groups for their time and efforts which have gone into making many important projects a reality,” Mr Birrell said.

“Local project help educate locals and visitors for decades to come about the service and sacrifices of local war heroes and their families. It’s important these groups are supported to ensure veterans have a lasting legacy in our regional communities.”

Mr Birrell added that he looked forward to seeing local projects develop and encouraged other community groups wanting support for similar projects to apply for the next round of grant funding.

“Two grant opportunities are available and include up to $10,000 for local community projects and activities and up to $150,000 for major commemorative projects,” Mr Birrell said.

The funding supports groups and individuals to promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service, the roles that those who served have played and to preserve or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage.

For more information visit www.grants.gov.au. Applications for the next round of grants close June 20.

Seymour Lions leaders named

The North Central Review

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April 9, 2024

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The Seymour Football Netball Club, SFNC, accounted its on-field leaders for the 2024 Goulburn Valley League, GVL, season.

Lachlan Waite and Dylan Scopel will remain co-captains of the senior side, joined in the leadership group by Jack Murphy, Huw Jones, James Wooster, Nick Dundon, Ben Cooney and Seamus Feery.

The leadership group brings a strong mix of experience and youth, providing different leadership styles to benefit the entirety of the playing group.

Seymour Lions senior coach Ben Davey said the group placed the young talent of the club in good hands.

“We’re delighted to have a group of incredibly well-respected men leading our club again in 2024,” he said.

“Lachlan Waite stepped up last year and did a great job alongside Dylan Scopel and has taken on the extra responsibility as our under 18s seniors coach.

“Dylan hit the 200-game mark of the club, has been a great player over a long period of time and is now a Lions and GVL Life Member.

“We’re incredibly lucky to have two fantastic leaders to support our whole playing group in their on and off-field development.”

Wooster and Cooney are the new faces in the leadership group.

“Both James and Ben play crucial roles in our backline and have a high level of senior football experience despite their young ages,” Davey said.

“Their elevation gives us not just a great spread in terms of styles and age but also covers all areas of the ground.

“We do have quite a young group so we’ll be looking to keep elevating future leaders of the club in the season ahead.

“Everyone is raring to go for 2024. We can’t wait for next weekend.”

Alarming rise in unsolved crime across Mitchell

The North Central Review

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April 9, 2024

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Alarming rise in unsolved crime across Mitchell

Crime Statistics Agency, CSA, data for the year ending December 31, 2023 revealed alarming increases in criminal incidents in Mitchell Shire.

In the shire, there has been an 11.6 per cent rise in criminal incidents with 39.2 per cent of cases being unsolved – up from 30 per cent.

Family violence breaches continue to be the leading criminal incident in the Mitchell Shire.

Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said her office was dealing with regular community concerns over crime across the region, with the most recent data from the CSA demonstrating a clear spike in criminal behaviour locally.

She said the rise in unsolved cases was a consequence of the State Government’s failure to keep its promises over police numbers.

“Labor’s continual under-resourcing of Victoria Police has seen criminal incidents in our region rise to outrageous levels and, alarmingly, most of them unsolved,” she said.

“Police numbers are going backwards – that is an objective fact.

“This lack of support threatens to leave rural communities without a police presence and send a signal that the safety and protection of our rural communities doesn’t matter.

“Police are doing the best they can, but they are just not being given the tools they need.

“Victims of crime in our regional communities have again been badly let down by the Allan Labor Government.”

Broadford Lions Club helping the hospital appeal

The North Central Review

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April 9, 2024

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Broadford Lions Club helping the hospital appeal

Broadford Lions Club has continued its support for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.

The club conducted a street raffle leading up to the appeal with prizes donated by local traders and business houses.

The First Broadford Scout Group and CFA members assisted the club with doorknock collections on Good Friday morning, raising $3615.80. This along with the Lions’ activities saw a total of $7175 raised for the Appeal.

Broadford Lions have thanked all who supported their efforts the wider community was also thanked for their continued support.

Help for women’s health at new clinic

The North Central Review

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April 9, 2024

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More local women will have access to free and comprehensive care and support under the one roof, with a women’s health clinic opening in June.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas has advised that the first comprehensive women’s health clinic will open at the Northern Hospital.

The clinic will remove the barriers women face when trying to access specialist care and deliver more services closer to home. Services will be delivered by gynaecologists, urologists, specialist nursing and allied health support under the one roof, making it easier for women to access specialist care for conditions including endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.

The announcement coincides with the opening of the Women’s Pain Survey, which is seeking the views of women and girls who have experiences with pain and accessing related services.

Seeking a wide range of views, the survey is also calling on clinicians and healthcare workers to help identify areas where the health system and services can be improved.

The findings will contribute to the ongoing Inquiry into Women’s Pain, adding to the insights from Victoria’s recent nation-leading health report, Listening to Women’s Voices. This confirmed what women already know: their health and pain are real and regularly overlooked, with 40 per cent of Victorian women living with chronic pain.

Ms Thomas said that the new clinic will make a huge difference, delivering affordable and comprehensive healthcare for every woman, no matter her postcode.

“With the new clinic at the Northern Hospital, women across our community will soon be able to access the specialist care they need, closer to home,” Ms Thomas said.

Macedon Ranges council meeting updates

The North Central Review

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April 9, 2024

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A range of items were endorsed for community consultation at the March meeting of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

At the top of the list was a new borrowing policy that will help address a current gap in financial governance, formalising existing practices and principles that have been used to guide borrowing to date in accordance with Australian accounting standards and relevant legislation.

It recognises the importance of sound financial management and fiscal responsibility, enabling Council to undertake borrowings that ensure flexibility and risk mitigation in financial decisions.

Council also revised its neighbourhood house policy that was last adopted in 2018. The revised policy aims to provide clear guidelines and support positive working relationships with neighbourhood houses across the shire, of which there are currently seven.

Reviewed in consultation with the neighbourhood houses, the revised policy proposes a number of practical changes including better clarity of protocols and responsibilities, and an increase to annual Council funding ($5,000 each) available through a non-competitive application process.

The management of unsealed roads within township boundaries highlighted council’s renewed focus on the ongoing management of unsealed roads within township boundaries including dust suppression trial results and ongoing work to review the special charge scheme policy.

An extension of time was granted to September 20 to present a final report on this topic, in consideration of additional due diligence underway to support more informed recommendations.

Notice of Motion was presented to address wildlife trauma and fatalities. Council will submit a motion at the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly in July, calling on the Australian Government to include wildlife trauma and fatalities metrics in Federal road safety funding models.

This push aligns with Council considering wildlife in its recently endorsed Mobility and Road Safety Strategy, and collaborative discussions at Council’s reducing the wildlife road toll forum last month. Council will also write to a number of relevant Federal and State Ministers advocating this point.

Great opener for Whittlesea Eagles

The North Central Review

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April 9, 2024

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Whittlesea had a great start to the 2024 football season on Saturday with a win in all three divisions.

The seniors convincingly defeated Laurimar 15.8-108 to Laurimar’s 5.10-14. Goals came from Jaron Murphy (4), Blake Watson and Taldhg Bland three each, Curtis Taplin (2), Lucas Hobbs, Mitchell Andrews and Riley Powell one each.

Laurimar’s goals came from Hayden Trim, Joel Lawson, Luke Wilson, Mathew Gersch, and Noah Mooney.

Playing their first game for Whittlesea were Matthew Coen, Lucas Hobbs and Matthew Langford.
Laurimar saw Oisin Irvine and Hayden Trim joining the side.

The reserves returned a similar result, defeating Laurimar 118 to 40. The under 19s in the opening match of the day at the Whittlesea Showgrounds defeated Laurimar 113 to 42.

Ray Carroll’s ‘From the Boundary’: April 9, 2024

The North Central Review

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April 9, 2024

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The boys club

Denis Warner was a brilliant war correspondent for Australian newspapers. His work took place in World War II.

His grandson Michael is an award-winning journalist for the “Herald Sun” and “Australian”.

His acclaimed book titled “The Boys Club” published in 2022 told the story of power and politics behind the AFL, the nation’s biggest and most financial sport.

The story was brutal – it exposed misconduct, jobs for mates, racism, cover-ups and scandal, emanating from the highly staffed and highly paid occupants at AFL house.

The game’s powerbroker tried without success to have the book banned. This only made sales soar.

Michael Warner was banned from press boxes of all AFL venues. He must be now smiling wryly at the latest drugs scandal to really rock the game’s controlling body.

The head honchos of the AFL pull out all stops to protect the “brand”. Maybe it’s time they concentrated on the game and its players and gave the virtue signaling and special rounds for anything and everything a spell.

Michael Warner played First XI and XVIII for Peninsula Grammer against Assumption. I’ve known him since those times.

High class

Princess of Wales Kate Middleton is a classy lady – a genuine role model.

Obviously a wonderful mother and support for the future king, she is a tireless charity worker and champion of very many worthy causes.

Kate has for years been the most popular “royal”. Diagnosed with cancer, she made a brave and heartfelt speech to a global audience in which she highlighted the fact that so many worldwide are suffering from this affliction.

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Kate (Catherine) Middleton grew up in the small Berkshire village of Bucklebury.

Her secondary schooling was at Marlborough College where she excelled in studied and was a hockey player.

It says much about her that her closest friends are from her schooldays and from the village where she grew up.

She met William while both were studying at St Andrews University in Scotland.

Kilmore FC set

Kilmore footballers are well prepared to really impact in the Northern League this season.

It would be nice if a successful season coincided with the opening of the splendid new facilities at JJ Clancy Reserve.

Coach Paul Derrick has overseen a strong pre-season preparation with excellent numbers participating. Mick Marrett is a popular choice as captain.

Good luck for the 2024 season to all the area football and netball clubs.

ACK football

Assumption footballers are setting themselves up for another strong year in the AGSV.

Beaten by two points in last year’s semi final by premiers Ivanhoe the 2024 Dark and Light Blues are desperate to add to ACK’s record list of grammar titles – 39 since being admitted to the prestigious competition in 1959.

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Many former players from across the years still follow their old “colours” avidly as evidenced by this note from Geelong’s Billy Brownless.

Last words

Although 40 years have passed since I was a boarder at Kilmore, I recall my days there with much affection- especially my time in the First XVIII and First XI.

I’ve been fortunate to play many games with Geelong including a Grand Final at the MCG before nearly a hundred thousand people, and to play in the USA and in London.

But there was-and is-something special about playing for the Dark and Light Blues. The spirit, mateship and support has to be experienced to be believed.

In the rooms before games I even got to like Irish songs and battle hymns that Ray(Mr Carroll) has used for so long as part of the pre-game build up.

I was made well aware of the tradition behind ACK teams over a century and I felt it was a privilege to play for the Assumption side.

I’m sure every one of the 2000 or more boys who have represented the “Two Blues” have felt the same way.

When the chance arises I like to get back to see my old school in action. It still gives me a thrill and I will always be grateful to all who helped me in my years at Kilmore.

My brothers, Blair and Anson, followed me to ACK and both have represented the XVIII and XI there. I hope the unique “Spirit of Assumption” survives long past the year of 2024.

Another ex-student who keeps in touch is Jason Smith.

From the farm fields of northern Victoria he played 1st XVIII and 1st XI for three years and led the 1993 footballers to AGSV and Herald-Sun Shield titles.

In the shield ACK beat St Bernards at the MCG and at seasons end defeated West Australia’s top college XVIII for the All-Australian championship in front of a capacity crowd at Kardinia Park.

Jason played briefly in the VFL and AFL. He was also a fine cricketer – a punishing left hand bat who broke several AGSV records.