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Wooly good friends at Seymour Expo

The North Central Review
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Wooly good friends at Seymour Expo

The Seymour Alternative Farming Expo will host a range of livestock to ride, pat and learn about.

The livestock on show will include the universally loved Poll Highland cattle, which is unique in that unlike the standard highland cow, the Poll Highland cattle are hornless.

They also have a double coat, making them extra fluffy and winning them the title of cattle with the longest fur.

Although they are built for the harsh Scottish weather, the cattle shed their fur in the summer, making it easier for them to cope with the heat.

The breed even has royal ties as Queen Elizabeth II was gifted some of the breed, and the livestock now roam the grounds around Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The Mayfield Poll Highland Cattle will be at the Seymour Expo to educate attendees on the breed. Another fan favourite will be returning to the event – the Eden Rise Alpacas.

Three young alpacas and two miniature goats will make their expo debut, and the team will be there to answer any questions attendees may have.

Although you can’t go into the animals’ pen, the miniature goats, Milo and Toffee, are known to accept snacks and treats from passersby.

“It’s a great day for us and you know, alpacas have been in Australia since the 80s but they are still seen as a bit of a niche pet, so we come along and dispel any myths and pass on our knowledge,” stud owner Samantha Schwebach said.

Other livestock that will be trotting into the Seymour Expo include Australian white sheep, miniature donkeys and many more hooved friends.

Whether you want to ask questions or feel the soft fur of livestock, there’s plenty to see and do at the Seymour Expo this year.

Seymour Alternative Farming Expo runs from Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14, from 9am to 4pm each day at Kings Park Reserve, Tallarook St, Seymour.

Historic truck convoy gearing up for Crawlin’ the Hume

The North Central Review
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Historic truck convoy gearing up for Crawlin’ the Hume

Truck drivers are preparing their rigs for the return of the Crawlin’ the Hume event for 2024.

Crawlin’ the Hume is a biannual event that takes place in Victoria for the truck drivers of Australia to display their classic trucks and celebrate the history and relive the memories in a convoy up the Old Hume Highway.

Set for this Saturday, the event plays a part in reliving and retracing as much of the old Hume Highway as possible from Campbellfield to Albury.

The run is currently capped at 300 vintage and classic trucks, which will leave Campbellfield by 8.30am on the morning of April 6.

The convoy will then travel up the Hume through Beveridge, Wallan, Kilmore, Broadford, Tallarook, Seymour, up to Winton and then onto Albury.

Trucks are coming from as far as Queensland and New South Wales to participate alongside many locals of the Mitchell Shire and surrounds.

Organisers suggest the rest area atop Pretty Sally as a prime viewing location as the trucks travel north from Wallan to Kilmore.

New Donnybrook kindergarten

The North Central Review
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New Donnybrook kindergarten

A new Donnybrook kindergarten opened last month at Donnybrook Primary School.

The kindergarten opened its doors in term one this year, providing 33 approved kindergarten places for the growing community under its Aboriginal name Murnong – meaning ‘yum daisy’ in the Woi Wurrung lnaugage of the Wurundjeri people.

Managed under Sparkways, the service employs a diverse teaching team, with special interests in different areas such as STEM, positive education, cooking, the arts, and language.

The educational programs are developed on children’s lived experiences, individual capabilities, strengths, and interests.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn joined Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage to officially open the Murnong Kindergarten in Donnybrook. Ms Kathage said she was pleased to have the Donnybrook based kindergarten.

“Our Donnybrook community is growing fast and so are our little ones,” she said.

“I am so happy that now we have a Donnybrook based kindergarten that can help our youngest residents learn and play close to home.

“Even better, when they finish their time here, they can jump the fence and get a first-rate education at Donnybrook Primary School, next door, which we opened last year.”

The centre was completed ahead of the construction of the Murnong Community Centre – a Donnybrook based community centre also being built by the State Government and City of Whittlesea.

This community centre will host a further two modern kindergarten rooms and a whole suite of services and amenities such as a Maternal and Child Health Service, a community hall, kitchen, two meeting rooms, community lounge and a mini-branch library.

Construction for the Murnong Community Centre is set to commence mid-2024 and estimated to open late 2025.

For more information on Murnong Kindergarten, visit sparkways.org.au/ centres/murnong-kindergarten

Seymour-Avenel bridge works continue

The North Central Review
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Seymour-Avenel bridge works continue

Inland Rail is continuing the works on the Seymour-Avenel Road bridge that will see detours in place for some time yet.

Ongoing works involve piling and concrete formwork for the new bridge abutments along with deep drilling to strengthen the new bridge foundations.

Work will also start on the approach roads either side of the bridge.

A test train will run along the rail line near the Seymour-Avenel Road bridge site to assess the track performance.

This is required following the completion of track slew works to shift the track horizontally and must be undertaken prior to passenger services returning to the line.

Work will run from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and on some weekends between 7am and 5pm.

Business and local traffic access to Granville Drive will be maintained. However road users are advised that trucks and other vehicles entering and exiting the construction site, may cause minor traffic delays.

While the Seymour-Avenel Road bridge remains closed, detours are in place via Avenel Road. Traffic management is in place to ensure safe access for all road users.

Weeding out the issue

The North Central Review
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Weeding out the issue

Weed control came under the microscope at the March meeting of Mitchell Shire Council following the tabling of a report on weed management activities in the Shire.

The report was prepared following a request at the December 2023 Council meeting that Council officers provide a detailed report and evaluation on current weed control practices across the Shire, identifying areas of most concern and methods in use to improve the situation and the level of success achieved.

However not all councillors were happy with the report.

Cr Chisholm said that he was disappointed with the report, saying that he was looking for innovative ways on implementing weed control in the future.

“The report does not do this. I am disappointed with this report, we need to identify ways of engaging landowners,” he said.

While the report outlined future plans to improve weed control across the shire and the level of success residents should expect, councillors expressed concerns that it did not go far enough.

Cr Eldridge added to Cr Chisholm’s comments saying that very little is done for the environment in Mitchell Shire.

Since the Mitchell Shire weed local law was introduced in September 2022 there have been 57 weed reports referred to Council’s Community Amenity Department for investigation.

For the same time period Council’s Environment and Sustainability Department received 141 customer requests relating to weeds.

Almost one third of these were requests for weed information such as identification and control techniques, other enquiries included reports of weeds on council managed land, crown land and privately owned land.

Harmony Day celebrations in Kilmore

Jordyn Grubisic
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Harmony Day celebrations in Kilmore

Harmony Week 2024 took place last week from March 18 to 24 with events throughout the Mitchell Shire including the Kilmore Community Centre’s cultural celebration on Thursday, March 21.

March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Harmony Day is a government program celebrated annually designed to foster inclusiveness, respect and understand that people of all different cultures make a valuable contribution to society.

Kilmore Community Centre’s event asking the public to bring a dish from their cultural background with a list of ingredients to share.

It also had food passports to purchase some delicious dishes including pork Bahn Mi, spring rolls and Japanese Okonoiyaki.

Local organisations including the Kilmore Bakery, Three Seven Six Four and Kilmore Pizza Shop got involved by providing a dish to share.

There were lots of discussions with new and old friendships formed and strengthened.

The U3A ukulele band also came along and played joyous tunes and their own Kilmore rendition of ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver.

To be aware of the Kilmore Community Centre’s upcoming events and programs follow the Kilmore Community Centre Facebook page.

Childcare in focus for regional communities

The North Central Review
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Childcare in focus for regional communities

Childcare was back on the agenda in Parliament recently, with Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland discussing the ongoing struggle regional communities are having due to a lack of staffing, availability, and accessibility.

Speaking on a Bill relating to the State Government’s rollout of new childcare centres, Ms Cleeland said that communities across regional Victoria were suffering due to these issues.

“As things currently stand, regional Victoria is in dire need of more childcare,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Sadly, so many communities across our state, including many in my electorate of Euroa, are set to remain without childcare despite desperately needing them.

“Towns throughout the region are struggling with outrageous waitlists caused by a lack of childcare and early learning facilities. Not having facilities will have a massive impact on the town’s future.”

The Seymour region, Kilmore, and Broadford were areas pinpointed as struggling the most, while smaller towns such as, Tooborac had no childcare at all.

Ms Cleeland said this lack of childcare was perpetuating generational disadvantage, something that is disproportionately impacting regional towns.

“The Allan Labor Government’s inability to manage money, or manage a project, is now impacting the education opportunities of our children,” Ms Cleeland said.

“We already have extreme cost of living pressures, as well as a labour crisis –making more accessible childcare so important to ensure parents can return to work and alleviate these issues.”

Ms Cleeland also said Labor had failed to demonstrate how they would address staffing challenges as part of their plan to build early learning centres across the state.

“So far, there are very few details or a clear plan to overcome the very probable staffing challenges that will arise in the new locations,” Ms Cleeland said.

“We know that additional resources will be required at these centres, we can learn from the experience of trying to attract teachers to primary and secondary schools in regional communities.”

Big plans in budget for City of Whittlesea

The North Central Review
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Big plans in budget for City of Whittlesea

WITH the return of an elected council just months way, the City of Whittlesea’s Proposed Budget 2024-25 aims to ensure council’s financial sustainability in the long term, along with service, facilities and program delivery.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the $315.21 million operating budget will enable council to continue to deliver 147 services to a growing population including kerbside waste collection, home support services for people in need, maternal and child health services as well as managing parks and open spaces, playgrounds and sports fields.

The budget also proposes a $107.5 million capital works program to deliver new facilities and upgrades to infrastructure.

Key projects include the next stages for the Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda, the Aboriginal Gathering Place, Granite Hills Major Community Park, Patterson Drive Community Centre in Donnybrook, West Wollert Community Centre, Peter Hopper Lake in Mill Park and commencing construction of the Doreen Splash Park and Playground.

The budget also proposes an average rate increase of 2.75 per cent in line with the rate cap set by the Victorian Government under the Fair Go Rating system.

Transforming lives at Heritage Care

The North Central Review
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Transforming lives at Heritage Care

Heritage Epping’s Memory Support Unit (MSU) and Laughter CareTM program are transforming the lives of residents like Ursula, while strengthening their relationships with others.

Ursula, 91, was the first resident at Heritage Epping to move into the MSU when it opened in December last year (having originally entered the home in early 2020). In just a few months she has experienced a marked transformation, with significantly reduced levels of anxiety and a corresponding increase in her sense of calm.

It’s a transformation noted by her daughter Linda, carers, and management alike. According to Kate Kaur, Clinical Care Manager at Heritage Epping: “Ursula’s newfound tranquillity is really shining through lately, showing the care team a happier community member that is connecting with other residents, staff and loved ones.”

Ursula’s move into the smaller 14-resident MSU community has also helped her to relax with other dementia residents and trust in new forms of care therapy – including the Laughter Care program. Ursula looks forward to the weekly visits of our Laughter Care Specialist, Penny, who engages with residents in the program through connection, play, and music.

Julie, Lifestyle Coordinator, is a supportive figure for Ursula within the MSU.

“I’m pleased we’ve been able to break down the walls with Ursula. It’s about fostering a sense of trust and connection, being patient, while helping Ursula adjust and feel comfortable in her new surroundings. We want Ursula to feel safe, valued, and heard,” Julie said.

Many families struggle to meet the needs of a loved one living with dementia. At Heritage Care, we support people living with low-dementia, as well as high- dementia care needs through our dedicated Memory Support Units.

To find out more about the Heritage Epping Memory Support Unit and Laughter Care program – please visit the website www.heritagecare.com.au

Support from Big Mac for 2024 Goulburn Valley League

The North Central Review
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Support from Big Mac for 2024 Goulburn Valley League

McDonald’s Seymour is again throwing its support behind the Seymour Football Netball Club (SFNC) in a big way, continuing as major sponsors of the club for the 2024 Goulburn Valley League season.

The relationship between the SFNC and McDonald’s Seymour has been a lasting one, crucial to the recent success of the club both on and off the field.

McDonald’s Seymour is owned and operated by Licensees, Tully and Michelle Lyster, who are committed to supporting local communities.

SFNC President Gerard O’Sullivan thanked McDonald’s for its ongoing support of the club.

“We’re delighted to be able to add another chapter to our long-lasting relationship with Macca’s Seymour,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“They’ve been major backers of our club, allowing us to look after our players, members and supporters with great experiences.

“We know Macca’s Seymour plays a huge role in the community through their support of so many local organisations and we’re immensely grateful for their ongoing support.

“We’re looking forward to a great partnership this season and thank the Macca’s Seymour team for their generous support.”

Tully Lyster, Licensee for McDonald’s Seymour welcomed the opportunity to continue giving back to the Seymour community.

“We are proud to partner with the Seymour Lions and play our part in helping the Club continue to have a positive impact on people and communities across the Goulburn Valley.

“The Macca’s Seymour team is looking forward to getting behind the Lions this season and we wish them every success for the year ahead.”

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