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Payment scheme extended for building victims

The North Central Review
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Payment scheme extended for building victims

The State Government will extend the Liquidated Builders Customer Support Payment Scheme to support Victorians whose builders became insolvent without taking out insurance on their behalf – as required by law.

Around 100 extra Victorians may be eligible for payments, joining former customers of Porter Davis Homes who were left without Domestic Building Insurance, DBI.

The expanded scheme will be for customers of builders that entered liquidation this financial year – from July 1 2023 up until February 20 2024 – including Montego Homes customers.

All builders should understand the extension is occurring under special circumstances and will be funded through the previously announced $13.55 million support package.

The Building Legislation Amendment (Domestic Building Insurance New Offences) Bill 2023 ensures consumers are covered by insurance before providing any money to a builder under a contract for domestic building work costing more than $16,000.

Under new offences introduced last month into the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 – if a builder receives money under a Major Domestic Building Contract without holding the required domestic building insurance, a penalty of up to $96,000 for an individual or $480,000 for a company.

The new offences are the first in a suite of reforms the State Government will deliver to ensure Victorians can build or renovate with confidence.

Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson urged all customers to check their builder had taken out insurance – as all builders are obliged to – through the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, VMIA, policy checker.

“We are supporting families who have been left stranded through no fault of their own – and putting builders on notice: new penalties apply to individuals and companies who fail to take out Domestic Building Insurance,” he said.

The Review reported on the Montego Homes collapse before the announcement, recording more than 60 homeowners in Melbourne’s growing corridors facing financial distress when its buyers failed to take out DBI’s.

Customer victim Jessica Rodriguez organised a petition, requesting the State Government to extend the payment scheme for Montego Homes and Chatham Homes customers after Montego Homes fell into voluntary administration on January 15, 2024. 

The payment scheme was launched in July 2023 to extend the existing scheme – Porter Davis Homes Customer Support Payment Scheme – but it meant Montego Homes customers were not eligible as it was after the financial year.

The Opposition leadership team were also calling on the State Government on behalf of the victims, some who they had met in Doreen last month while hearing from City of Whittlesea council and groups on growth challenges in the region.

Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability Evan Mulholland said the expansion was a ‘welcome albeit move’ by the State Government, however the scheme shouldn’t cease until Victorians can have confidence that DBI compliance would be reinforced.

“Homebuyers looking to purchase shouldn’t face uncertainty, and families already impacted must have their claims processed as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Applications for the extended scheme are expected to open in coming weeks.

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A creative new look for NBN boxes

The North Central Review
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A creative new look for NBN boxes

A sequence of NBN broadband roadside infrastructure boxes across the City of Whittlesea have been given a makeover.

Council partnered with local First Nations artists and NBN Australia to transform the ordinarily grey boxes into decorated Aboriginal artwork as part of a project ot help promote the municipality’s soon-to-be-built Aboriginal Gathering Place.

The artwork of four First Nations artists was officially unveiled on February 27 2024, at prominent locations in Mernda, South Morang and Mill Park.

City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the project, which was developed and delivered in partnership with NBN Co, was a creative approach to improve otherwise uninteresting but important roadside infrastructure. 

“These artworks provide the community an opportunity to connect and learn not only about the stories behind these beautiful artworks and contributing artists, but also about the Aboriginal Gathering Place that is being built in the heart of Quarry Hills Parkland,” she said.

“The Aboriginal Gathering Place is a key part of council’s commitment to reconciliation and self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and will provide a culturally safe and inclusive space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to come together to feel socially and culturally connected.”

“We are grateful to the artists who have created such captivating artworks that can be showcased and shared with the local community.”

For more information on the Aboriginal Gathering Place or to find out more about the artwork or artists, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/aboriginalgatheringplace.

Immigration difficulties exposed in new research

The North Central Review
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Immigration difficulties exposed in new research

As populations in the area continue booming, awareness is being drawn to difficulties immigrants face when trying to adjust to life in Australia.

More than 1000 immigrants shared their experiences as part of research commissioned by remittance company Ria Money Transfer, with issues adjusting to Australian culture and cost-of-living among the most common difficulties faced when assimilating.

The research findings reflect the cultural exchange occurring within Australia and give insight to the cultural enrichment the international-born population provides to Australia’s own landscape through their connections to home.

Part of this exchange is through the sharing of resources and remittances, with a third of immigrants sending money overseas an average of 14 times a year.

Ria Australia and New Zealand country manager Simon Wilding said the survey exposed the voices of the nation, even if they were not born here.

“While it was a surprise to see from these results that our unique Australianisms cause massive culture shock, unfortunately it’s not a surprise to hear that the cost-of-living crisis we’re all facing in this country is confronting to migrants,” he said.

“Australia is a popular country to migrate to, … so we really wanted to understand both the challenges and opportunities that people face when they move here.

“A lot of [immigrants’] experiences and struggles when they first moved to Australia are typically overlooked, so we wanted to shed some light on their stories and see their main challenges.”

According to the research, it takes an average expat 10 years to have a confident grasp on Australian slang, while 88 per cent of expats will experience an Australian custom like attending an AFL match in their first year of living here.

Two thirds of expats said cost-of-living concerns had impacted their ability to send money home, with almost half of remittances sent to support family with living expenses, followed closely by remittances serving as gifts.

An estimated $6.6 billion left Australia last year in a 24 per cent increase on the year before, however these figures are expected to balloon to $14.5 billion by 2028.

Mr Wilding said a key part of Ria’s operations was trust, helping give expats certainty in sending money overseas while living in Australia.

“Australia is one of the most diverse countries in the world, which makes remittances and money transfers a staple tool for Aussies to support extended families across the world financially,” he said.

“We don’t want customers to stress about sending money back to home because their families depend on it, so every day we’re brainstorming and talking about how we can make it faster, simpler and cheaper.”

Autumn Festival returns to the Macedon Ranges

The North Central Review
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Autumn Festival returns to the Macedon Ranges

The Autumn Festival returns from April 5 to 28, showcasing towns across the Macedon Ranges through new and returning trails, events, activities and participating business specials.

The Live and Local in Community Halls series, and the Treasure Trail join regulars Autumn Pie and Tart Trail, the Food and Drink Passport, Tipple Trails and the Edgy Veg Trail return, with the Woodend Visitor Information Centre the festival hub.

Mayor Annette Death said the festival was a growing celebration of the region’s natural beauty mixed with some of the best local, seasonal produce and performers.

“I’m unashamedly biased but proud in saying that the Macedon Ranges has so much to offer all year round, but there’s definitely something extra special in the area during autumn,” she said.

“Whether you’re a first-time visitor to our shire, a regular visitor or a resident, we encourage you to plan your trip in advance and enjoy all of what our beautiful towns have to offer.”

Limited temporary measurers will be reinstated along Honour Avenue and surrounds.

From late March to May temporary signage will be installed along Honour Avenue and other council-managed roads highlighting and enabling council officers to enforce no parking zones.

From March 29 to Sunday, April 28, on weekends and public holidays traffic management personnel will enforce a full road closure along the same section of road from 8am to 6pm.

Extra toilet and waste facilities will be provided, while residents/guests within the closure area will receive exemption passes and multilingual signage to display.

“The Autumn Festival helps to disperse visitors and economic benefits across the shire, but we acknowledge that people continue to be drawn to Honour Avenue and council is working to proactively communicate expectations with visitors before they arrive,” Mayor Death said.

“We are committed to supporting residents and this year’s core safety measures reflect that, but it became clear that pursuing extended measures over the longer term would not be financially sustainable or responsible without external support.

for details.

Wallan para-athlete almost at nationals dream

Pam Kiriakidis
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Wallan para-athlete almost at nationals dream

Para-athlete Kirra Wright is halfway to reaching her goal of competing at the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships in Adelaide next month.

Wright competed at state championships to qualify for nationals, consistently exceeding the standards in several track and field events, especially breaking her own record in 100m with a time of 15.31 seconds.

Wright suffers from cerebral palsy among other medical conditions and is still undergoing rehabilitation at the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital.

“I was really excited, I didn’t think I was actually going to qualify because I had six tonic-clonic seizures before the event. It’s been a hard week,” Wright said.

Moving forward in her sporting career, Wright has been nominated to compete in the Para Championships in Fiji – her first international competition – but to do this, she must compete in Adelaide between April 11 and 19.

Wright’s competing efforts have taken her to international competitions, but unfortunately competing in events such as Adelaide, para-athletes in Australia can only fund themselves without sponsorships or funding.

To secure her spot in the national competition, Wright and her family are seeking help through their community with an Australian Sports Foundation fund page as well as a GoFundMe page to ‘live the dream’.

Wright currently holds Australian records for the T38 for the 100m, 200m, 400m and long jump for the under 15 and 17 years olds.

Wright thanked her community and businesses such as Hotondo Homes in Wallan, LJ Hooker Wallan, Kilmore Toyota, including the Wandong-Wallan Lions Club for ongoing support.

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Mitchell Majors bring home premiership flag

The North Central Review
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Mitchell Majors bring home premiership flag

Broadford’s Mitchell Majors Baseball Club took on the Diamond Creek Devils in the Victorian Summer Baseball League Grand Final on Sunday.

The Majors put the pressure on from the first pitch and did not falter, committing zero errors on the field and backed up with precision batting that led them to victory.

At the end of the day the final scores sat at 12 to one and the Broadford club brought home the Regional Metro North premiership flag.

The club said the excitement, nerves and enthusiasm were off the charts for everyone involved, with Sunday’s game a testament to the hard work, training and dedication of the players, coach and committee throughout the season.

The Mitchell Majors Women’s Baseball team was unfortunate to not share the success as the men’s team, however the ladies doubled their win percentage in comparison to their debut season last year, which is a great achievement and should also be celebrated.

The Majors now look forward to commencing their 2024 winter season in April.

Celebrating women at Findon Primary

Pam Kiriakidis
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Celebrating women at Findon Primary

Findon Primary School in Mill Park honoured International Women’s Day, IWD, last Friday at a special school assembly. 

IWD is a national day on March 8, recognising all women in their achievements, with this year’s campaign theme is Inspire Inclusion. 

The entire school gathered to hear from school captains Lena, Carter and Hamish who commenced the assembly, followed by an address from the school principal’s Anita Osavkovska.

Lena said raising awareness in the school would help inspire students to do the same within their own communities. 

“It helps individuals to realise that even if they’re female, they have equal rights as all the men and I find it very important that everyone has an equal right, no matter whether they’re male or female,” she said. 

Carter and Hamish both said they had discussions about IWD with their teachers, acknowledging the importance of the national day.

“Our teacher today and yesterday, we talked about how we’re trying to improve gender equality in the world, because everyone should be treated the same,” Carter said. 

“I think it’s really important to just celebrate everyone being equal to everyone, because no matter where you’re from or who you are, you have the same rights and the same equals to everyone,” Hamish said. 

Ms Osavkovska said the special assembly was to recognise women in the community.

“It is our way of trying to bring awareness to a day that acknowledges the females within our society and how overtime we work to provide opportunities for students, and we’re lucky enough to have, this is actually the first year where we had three school captains,” she said. 

“I suppose for us as a school, it’s also an opportunity for us to thank people within our community, our females within our community.”

Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio was the assembly’s special guest, speaking to the students about the importance of the national day.

Ms D’Ambrosio commended the school on its fantastic leadership, wellbeing officers and staff on making IWD a fun learning experience. 

“I’m just blown away to see Findon Primary School actually celebrate this day because the more we spread the message about why it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day, we start to really break down the barriers of discrimination that we still live with,” she said. 

The assembly concluded with the school’s wellbeing ambassadors IWD video.

Free nursing and teaching degrees increasing applications

The North Central Review
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Free nursing and teaching degrees increasing applications

As the academic year begins the State Government is boosting Victoria’s pipeline of future nurses and teachers with free degrees delivering significant increases in applications for courses.

The degree scholarships are part of a $270 million boost to the health system and a $229.8 million package to grow the workforce.

Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said infrastructure being built in the area provided ample opportunity for students completing these courses.

“In my electorate we are building a new school in Wallan East and a new community hospital in Mernda. So incentives like these scholarships are more relevant and important than ever and will make a big difference in our ability to recruit staff for both,” Ms Kathage said.

All new domestic students enrolled in a professional-entry nursing or midwifery course in 2024 will receive a scholarship of up to $16,500 to cover course costs – $9000 while they study and the remaining $7500 if they go on to work in Victorian public health services for two years.

Scholarships are also available for thousands more experienced nurses who complete postgraduate studies in areas of need including intensive care, cancer care, paediatrics, and nurse practitioner specialities – or for enrolled nurses who want to upskill and become registered nurses.

Already the program – which ran for nursing and midwifery degrees throughout 2023 and will continue this year – has delivered more than 2500 fire payments to future nurses and midwives.

The scholarship for teaching students is in its first year in 2024, but has already seen a nine per cent increase in university offers made for teaching degrees compared to last year, with more than 3285 teaching students completing an expression of interest for a scholarship.

For more information about nursing scholarships, visit health.vic.gov.au/nursing-and-midwifery/free-nursing-andmidwifery-study.

Seymour Kings Park Play Space opens with upgrades

The North Central Review
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Seymour Kings Park Play Space opens with upgrades

Mitchell Shire Council mayor Louise Bannister opened the Kings Park Play Space upgrade on Tuesday, March 12.

The project boasts a comprehensive scope of improved designed to provide an enriching and inclusive recreational environment for all ages.

New play equipment was installed, carefully selected to stimulate imagination, promote physical activity and foster social interaction.

Additionally, incorporated nature play elements connect visitors with the natural environment encouraging exploration and appreciation.

A shade sail providing a shaded area for comfort and sun protection was also installed, and enhancements to connecting path works ensure accessibility throughout the play space.

The $245,000 investment in the Kings Park Play Space Upgrade project reflects a shared commitment to community well-being and recreational infrastructure development with $200,000 contributed by the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and an additional $45,000 provided by Mitchell Shire Council.

Cr Bannister said the official opening represented a significant achievement for the community.

“By investing in recreational infrastructure and promoting active lifestyles, we are not only enhancing the quality of life for current residents but also laying the foundation for a healthier and more vibrant community for generations to come,” she said.

Children’s wellbeing in focus at Nexus workshops

Max Davies
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Children’s wellbeing in focus at Nexus workshops

The first in a series of three workshops took place last week with multiple health professionals and community leaders in attendance to share their opinions on children’s health and wellbeing.

With a focus on the southern Mitchell Shire, the Reflexive Evidence and Systems Interventions to Prevent Obesity and Non-communicable Disease, RESPOND, workshops are designed to improve healthy eating and active living opportunities for children in the region.

The workshops have been organised by Nexus Primary Health and aided by collaborative health organisations and Deakin University researchers, with multiple similar workshops already having taken place across Victoria in recent years.

Nexus health promotion officer Lucy Linton said the first workshop featured a lot of encouraging discussions.

“There were contributions from a wide range of health professionals and key stakeholders in our community, which provided a fantastic opportunity to understand different experiences and perspectives,” she said.

“Understanding our community’s strengths, challenges, and barriers for children’s health and wellbeing is a key aspect of moving forward with the RESPOND Project in the southern Mitchell Shire.”

Representatives from organisations including Victoria Police, Northern Health, Love in Action Wallan, and Berry Street all pitched in to provide their opinions, which will go towards informing programs and initiatives that will be made available for children through Nexus and other groups like Healthy Kids Mitchell.

Key concerns raised included screen time, nutritional education, sense of community and safety, availability of foods with low nutritional quality, local employment opportunities, residential planning, transport opportunities, parental time availability, and mental health.

Ms Linton said the idea of the first two workshops was to collate ideas, while the final workshop will be open to the community.

“The third workshop is designed to support the community to brainstorm ideas, initiatives, and projects that may contribute to improvements in areas of children’s health and wellbeing that are relevant to the southern Mitchell Shire,” she said.

“Following the third workshop, we can then support the community to work collaboratively to plan, implement and evaluate these ideas and programs, to increase local opportunities that promote positive health outcomes.”

Details of the final workshop will be made available in the coming weeks.

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