Works begin on new amenity block for Doreen

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February 20, 2024

Works begin on new amenity block for Doreen

Visitors to Doreen’s popular Laurimar Town Centre will soon be able to stay and shop longer thanks to State Government support.

Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage, representing Minister for the Suburbs Sonya Kilkenny, joined local representatives and community members on Friday, February 16 to officially launch works on a new public amenity block.

The much-needed project was a 2022 election commitment backed by $200,000 from the State Government’s Living Local Fund.

Laurimar Town Centre is a vibrant shopping precinct servicing the growing Doreen community and is home to a range of specialty stores, restaurants, medical and wellbeing services, as well as banking and grocery outlets.

The project will see the installation of a fully automated and accessible single-cubicle public toilet, as well as landscaping of pathways surrounding the amenity block.

It will mean people of all ages and abilities can feel more comfortable and welcome in the town centre, extending visits and exploration of the area.

This will help boost the town centre’s role as an economic and social destination, where people can spend time with friends and family while perusing local stores to their heart’s content.

The amenity block also promises to be a big win for local traders, who can look forward to welcoming even more people for longer visits to their stores.

Ms Kathage was joined by City of Whittlesea chief executive Craig Lloyd for the event and acknowledged City of Whittlesea for its commitment to the project and matching financial contribution of $200,000.

“Doreen is a vibrant, growing community and Laurimar Town Centre is its beating heart for social and economic activity,” Ms Kathage said.

“This amenities block will encourage more people to stay longer and enjoy the best of our local traders.

“Investing in projects like this is about helping to create more connected and equitable communities, where all Victorians are supported to thrive.

“I know how much these toilets will mean to the community. From mums with kids who are suddenly busting, to people with a disability who avoid the shops.”

The $15 million Living Local Fund is designed to ensure local community organisations have the infrastructure and equipment needed to continue to thrive.

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Whittlesea pet expo on display next month

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Whittlesea pet expo on display next month

City of Whittlesea is hosting its second annual Pet Expo for animal lovers as part of the vibrant Community Festival on March 17.

The pet expo features stalls and performances tailored to all of the community’s pet-related needs, within a 50-meter fenced area of the Community Festival.

Within the hub there will be a range of pet activities and information including dog obedience and training demonstrations, booths supporting pet adoption and connecting residents with local rescue groups, the Pony Pals Playland for children, and an assortment of stallholders.

City of Whittlesea’s Animal Management team will also be on-site to answer inquiries including guidance on pet registration, microchipping, and checks, and strategies for cat management and innovative cat enclosure solutions.

City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said pets had a crucial role in the lives of the community’s residents, improving wellbeing and taking their place as important members of the family,” she said.

“Our pets are a beloved part of our family, and we know from the positive feedback we received after last year’s inaugural Pet Expo that this feature of our Community Festival is sure to be a popular place for pet lovers.

“In addition to the jam-packed Pet Expo, there is so much to see and do at the Community Festival, from performers live on stage, free family activities and the announcement of the recipients of our Community Awards.”

The Community Festival will be on March 17 from 11am to 5pm at the Civic Centre, South Morang.

For more details and the complete event program, visit arts.whittlesea.vic.gov.au or follow the City of Whittlesea’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Study early childhood education locally at Beveridge

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Study early childhood education locally at Beveridge

GOTAFE is partnering with the Greater Beveridge Community Centre to deliver education to community members.

The partnership will increase access to education opportunities in the area amid high growth and demand for qualified carers and educators, as the Greater Beveridge Community Centre will provide a classroom, while GOTAFE will deliver Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Australia’s early childhood education and care sector has grown by more than 14,000 workers since May 2022, with a further 123,000 additional educators and teachers in the training pipeline.

GOTAFE’s coordinator of education Fiona Corish said they were pleased to be partnering with the Greater Beveridge Community Centre.

“Early childhood education has seen a steady rise in demand over the last few years,” she said.

“Education and care play a crucial role in a child’s development.

“Research has shown that quality early years education is the foundation for establishing self-esteem, resilience, healthy growth and the capacity to learn.

“It is essential for ensuring the wellbeing and future success of children, as well as for promoting positive outcomes for society.

“We are encouraging the Beveridge community to make the most of this opportunity.”

Three information sessions are scheduled for March 5 at the Greater Beveridge Community Centre.

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Avoiding a cat-astrophe with new City of Whittlesea rules

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Avoiding a cat-astrophe with new City of Whittlesea rules

Since the introduction of new cat confinement regulations last August, the City of Whittlesea has seen positive benefits for cats, the community and wildlife.

In just the first six months of the new regulations coming into effect, the number of complaints relating to cats received by council has decreased by 70 per cent from 2022 totals.

During this initial transition period, the City of Whittlesea has supported pet owners to transition to the new regulations, which are designed to create a safer and more harmonious environment for cats, wildlife, and their owners.

Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said council was pleased to see how pet owners have embraced the new regulations.

“Our goal is to find the right balance between our community’s wellbeing, wildlife protection, and responsible pet ownership, and we’re already starting to see the positive benefits of these new regulations,” Ms Wilson said.

While educating the community on cat confinement is still a priority, from February 1, owners who are not complying with the new regulations may face penalties.

Owners of cats found not confined to their property or under effective control when outside, are at risk of being reported and fined $96. All newly registered cats will also need to be desexed, with owners of cats that have not been desexed facing a fine of $384.

“Council will continue to support cat owners with information and resources to ensure residents are able to comply with the new regulations, with infringements only issued as a last resort,” Ms Wilson added

For further information on the new regulations and tips on how you can confine your cat to your property, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/cats.

Kilmore Art Society enjoys acrylic workshop

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Kilmore Art Society enjoys acrylic workshop

Members of Kilmore Art Society and several visitors attended an acrylic art workshop at Christchurch Kilmore last Tuesday evening.

With 13 participants, the group enjoyed tutor David Kerr’s talk and demonstration of his own interesting and colourful style.

Society vice president Jeannette Jain said it was interesting to see different interpretations of unique patterns and colours.

“David Kerr gave an enlightening talk on the patterns formed all around us and different ways to capture their shapes and colours,” she said.

The group set to work with respectful silence for the venue and the need for concentration on the job at hand, while the music of Philip Glass and then David Bowie played softly in the background.

“All members of the group were happy with their results and the extraordinary diversity of subjects that we all produced,” Ms Jain said.

Light supper concluded the evening and left the group with hopes of more similar artistic experiences in the coming months.

Community lessons on overcoming adversity

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Community lessons on overcoming adversity

Preparing for the unpredictable was the message from the Building Inclusive Disaster Resilience Communities evening held in Wandong last week.

Keynote speakers Anne Leadbeater OAM and Jason McCartney OAM presented unique views on the importance of reducing disaster risk and building community resilience.

Former AFL footballer Jason McCartney became a national hero in the wake of the Bali Bombings in 2002 and his story was one of humanity overcoming adversity. He recounted the night at Paddy’s Bar in Bali that changed his life forever.

“I was in a dark place after being unable to play in that grand final due to being suspended but I was soon to learn that you need to put everything in its place to gain perspective and get your life back in order,” he said.

He described how being one of the victims of the bombings put him on the long road to personal recovery after adversity.

“The time after the bombings made me learn that it’s not what things are in life but how you deal with it and we can apply this to so many situations that we find ourselves in,” he said.

Anne Leadbeater is a specialist in disaster recovery and community resilience. She recounted her work with communities recovering from drought, fire, flood and cyclones throughout Australia.

“In 2009, many communities were impacted by the Victorian ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires. and the days and weeks after the fires were an incredibly challenging time for everyone, but what stands out most in my memory of that time was the remarkable courage, wisdom and resilience of the community,” Ms Leadbeater said.

“In the face of the most profoundly sad and distressing circumstances and with a great deal of uncertainty about the future, people were still able to come together to support each other and to try to advocate for recovery outcomes that would work for the community.

“My experiences from that time have set me on a bit of a quest these last eight years to advocate for the role of social capital and resilience in disasters and for the rights of the community to have their local knowledge recognised and to be active contributors in driving their own recovery.”

Following the presentations, attendees had the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Community Emergency Management Plans and meet with members of the Mitchell Shire disaster recovery team.

Public input sought on animal production regulations

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Public input sought on animal production regulations

Public input is invited on proposed changes to the state’s planning regulations for animal production.

The changes will see a new clause in the Victoria Planning Provisions and apply to all planning schemes in Victoria.

The clause provides guidelines for the location, design and management of new and expanded animal production facilities such as pig and poultry farms, intensive dairy farms and feedlots, but does not apply to grazing animal production.

Agriculture Victoria Executive Director Sarah-Jane McCormack said the proposal aims to provide primary producers with clearer and more consistent planning requirements.

“The proposed changes have been designed to provide a transparent and enforceable clause that sets best-practice benchmarks for developments and provides certainty for investment in the animal production industry,” Ms McCormack said.

“The clause aims to reduce the regulatory burden for animal production, while continuing to protect the health of communities and the environment.”

The amendment will consolidate planning requirements for all animal production into a single location within the Victoria Planning Provisions and the Engage Victoria public consultation will give community and industry the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft clause and its application.

More than 240 industry, local government and community stakeholders provided input into the content and development of the proposed clause and technical guidelines.

“This consultation will allow interested parties the opportunity to have their say on the draft clause. Agriculture Victoria has been working with local government, the community and the agriculture sector to improve planning processes for animal industries,’ Ms McCormack added.

“We hope to hear from a broad range of Victorians to ensure this proposal provides the best possible outcome for industry and the wider community.”

Consultation is now open for submissions on the new land use planning regulations for animal production on www.engage.vic.gov.au until April 22

Kinder goes bush in Seymour and Kilmore

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Local children will have the chance to learn and play in the great outdoors, thanks to an expansion of bush kinder programs.

Seymour Family and Children’s Centre and Little Steps Early Education and Care in Kilmore will both benefit from the program announced by Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes. Both centres will receive one-off grants of $6000 to offer a bush kinder program in 2024.

Bush kinder programs are delivered outdoors at places including parks, bushland and beaches – giving children a unique opportunity and freedom to learn through play with natural materials outdoors.

The $6000 grants will help kindergartens buy the equipment they need to run programs that focus on getting outside, playing with natural materials, and learning through activities such as climbing trees and watching wildlife.

Kindergartens without access to a suitable off-site location can use their grant funding to enhance the biodiversity of their existing outdoor environment.

Bush kinder programs funded in this grant round start at the beginning of Term 3, 2024.

Applications for the 2025 round of another 150 bush kinder grants will open in the second half of 2024.

Ray Carroll’s ‘From the Boundary’: February 20, 2024

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Barista since 13

Since she was a young girl aged 13, Sam has worked as a barista and was well prepared for her busy role at Kilmore’s Old Gaol Café.

Hardworking and conscientious, she loves meeting people and making friends. She enjoys the really busy times especially market days- mostly the last Sunday of a month.

She has high praise for her work colleagues Dianne Holloway and Heidi Walton. Dianne was formerly a valued member of the Free Pree team.

I asked Sam about her trip “home” in January. She said it was a quite mild season for those parts; but the day after she, Darren and the boys left the temperature reached 49 degrees.

A good story

Menindee is a small village of 500 people situated an hour’s drive east of Broken Hill.

It is nestled between lakes and the Darling River. Famous for its birdlife and fishing it is an historic spot. The great explorers Burke and Wills camped there on their trek to the gulf country.

Wallan resident Samantha, Sam, Brennan has for years spent summer holidays there with partner Darren and two sons, aged 16 and 21. Sam was born in Broken Hill. Her dad Kevin(dec) and mum Susan were well respected in the area.

People who have most influenced her life are her parents and grandparents whom she dearly loved. Sports she enjoyed growing up were netball and softball.

She played both at Menindee Central and Broken Hill Central schools. Sam enjoys living in Wallan. Some aspects of the town and people remind her of Broken Hill.

Varia

Good to see the enthusiastic spectators in good numbers at the Kilmore v Broadford cricket clash.

The inter-town rivalry meant there was always a good crowd when the two clubs were in the Seymour and District competitions and the continues with both clubs now in the Gisborne comp.

I spoke briefly to Kilmore CC legend Laurie Boyd the other day. He remains a vital part of the local club he has served for well over half a century as player, captain, coach, groundman, president, treasurer.

He speaks highly of secretary Cath Mogridge’s work with the club. A large crowd attended the Silver Circle and Family Day last Sunday.

ACK tops 300

Assumption First XI stayed well in finals contention with its big win over Yarra Valley.

The dark and light blues posted a massive 5/305 in fifty overs, the highest ACK total for a long time (versus Ivanhoe in 1968, when Peter Ryan hit an unbeaten 188).

Skipper Lucas Signposted a half-century and received strong support from teammates.

Welcome visitors

It was nice to receive a visit from Joseph and Margaret Brida the other day.

They came with daughter Tara who attended ACK with her two sisters Danielle and Natalie. Longtime residents at Tatra Park between Upper Plenty and Whittlesea, they are good and loyal people.

To retain the friendship of such families is one of the bonuses from my five decades at Assumption.

Food truck festival on the way for Beveridge

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 20, 2024

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Food truck festival on the way for Beveridge

Beveridge will host a free family-friendly weekend event titled Global Flavours from April 26 to 28.

Organised by Club Mandalay, the event’s goal is to bring the community together for one weekend and to show off local talent around the Mitchell Shire.

Plans so far are to have an outdoor cinema on Friday night showing two movies. Local entertainment on Saturday and Sunday includes roving, stage shows and a flash mob from a local dance school.

The weekend will be a totally free event with the only cost being and this will be collected by three different non-profits, including local schools and local sporting clubs.

More details will be available closer to the date.