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February 13, 2024

Leading farm dog judge accepts life membership

Kilmore regular Norm Severs was awarded Life Membership for his service to the Victorian Yard Utility Farm Dog Association, VYUFDA, at its annual general meeting.

Presented at Darraweit Guim Memorial Hall earlier this month, the Life Membership is a plaque that is not awarded lightly, handed to VYUFDA members who have contributed to the association that affiliates in competing, judging and organising yard dog and utility trials across Australia.

Mr Severs said he was ‘honoured’ to receive the life membership.

The championship judge has been part of the association for almost 20 years, making the most of his time judging trials across Australia, such as utility trials – the best type of trials for Mr Severs as it’s a combination of paddock and yard work.

Mr Severs said he still enjoyed every trial like it was his first.

“Judging has been a passion for a while now,” he said.

“I like seeing competitors and their dogs doing well and showing how great they are.

“It’s great to judge all the big championship’s where you judge the best in the country, but it’s also great to judge the smaller trials at Heathcote, Seymour, Mia Mia.”

VYUFDA has the authority to accept, maintain and promote judges to its list of judges and their level of accreditation that includes novice, open and championship.

Mr Severs said it took a lot of judging over the years to be a championship judge.

“A lot of judging – so what happens is you do X amount of time and there’s a board that looks at you and may grade you and elevate you in from novice, open, championships … ,” he said.

While judging is his passion, Mr Severs first started in the agricultural sport through trialling his own sheep dogs during the 1990s but then decided to judge to stay in contact with the VYUFDA.

“It’s like referees, there’s not a lot of them … I was backing off from trialling, so I thought to stay with the group and to be able to help out, I’d judge – that’s why I started judging,” he said.

Mr Severs said he would keep at it with judging and was searching for land in Kilmore to be more central to his passion when travelling.

Heritage Care benefits from laughter care program

Pam Kiriakidis

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February 13, 2024

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Heritage Care benefits from laughter care program

Residents at Heritage Care in Epping have made use of Humour Foundation’s Laughter Care program since the aged care launched the initiative in December last year.

The aged care has a unique partnership with the Humour Foundation who has for the last 20 years provided humour to sick children in hospitals with trained performers, but now through the Laughter Care program improves the quality of life for residents with laughter care specialists.

Each week Laughter care specialist Lauren – or ‘Penny’ as known to residents at Epping – bonds with 14 residents currently part of the program which includes two residents from the aged care’s recent state-of-the-art Memory Support Unit that is tailored to supporting residents with dementia.

Head of group operations Kathy Warren said the program had a positive response from residents.

“It’s been amazing the residents have reacted to it in a very positive way and so has the staff,” she said.

Besides singing songs and dancing, part of Laura’s program is called binary travel where she gives the residents options as to where they enjoy travelling and is guided by their responses.

Ms Warren said this part of the program helped residents to use their imagination, especially residents living with dementia.

“It helps them connect through storytelling and imagination by building a story together and that brings back beautiful memories for them … and then they can share them together in a positive way,” she said.

Staff and families have also benefited from the program, making the most of the positive interactions.

Ms Warren said Heritage Care would continue the program and hopefully roll it out to other homes later in the year.

Heritage Northcote is a co-sponsor of the Northcote Rise Festival and will have a representation at the festival this Sunday on High Street, Northcote, for any aged care inquiries.

The festival features a host of entertainment events on four stages. The main stage features 10 acts commenting at 11am, while local schools and folk groups entertain on the community stage – also from 11am.

The social club stage and family stage are also packed with entertainment through to 7pm when the event wraps up.

Ms Warren said that Heritage Care was pleased to be part of Northcote Rise Festival adding that Heritage staff were looking forward to meeting visitors to their stall.

Rotating to Probus in Whittlesea meeting

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 13, 2024

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Rotating to Probus in Whittlesea meeting

The overarching link between Rotary and Probus was the topic of the first Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea meeting for 2024.

Michael Hall, Whittlesea Rotary president, was guest speaker at the meeting and recounted the formation of Probus in the United Kingdom in 1965, by members of Rotary.

A Probus Club needs to be nominated by Rotary and Mr Hall as President of Whittlesea Rotary had no hesitation putting the seal of approval on the Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea when it was formed.

A Probus club is a local association of retired and semi-retired professional and business people, and others who have had some measure of responsibility in any field of worthy endeavour, who are of character and respected in their communities.

Mr Hall is the director of Halls Funeral Service located in Diamond Creek and Whittlesea and the company offices in Whittlesea provide accommodation for Whittlesea Rotary and a knitting group.

Whittlesea and other Rotary clubs are self-funded and all is reinvested into the community either in kind or basic support. Some funds come from donations, but the majority are from the hard graft of volunteering members.

The sources of monies at Whittlesea have been a Christmas raffle, provision of BBQ at events such as the Garden Expo, annual golf day and the sausage sizzle at Bunnings Store.

During the past year, the Club has supported the local Men’s Shed and provided scholarships to the local schools. These scholarships culminate with a $3000.00 tertiary fund.

The “outsider” supported is Cottage by the Sea Australian charity for children which states its mission is to enhance the lives of more children by providing inspiration, fun and opportunity within a holiday environment.

Members of both Probus and Rotary will get together again on July 16 at the combined emergency service and service club dinner. This year it will be held at the Agricultural Society rooms in Whittlesea.

Second Wallan-Whittlesea road fatality

The North Central Review

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February 13, 2024

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Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal collision that occurred in Upper Plenty on Monday evening.

Investigators were called to Whittlesea-Wallan Road about 5.30pm after reports of a collision between a Hyundai sedan and a Toyota utility.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 19-yer-old man from Upper Plenty, died at the scene.

The driver of the Ute, a 52-year-old man from Springfield, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

This is the second fatality on Wallan-Whittlesea Road recently with an 89-year-old man dying on Sunday, January 28 after crashing into a tree.

Investigation of the two incidents is ongoing and anyone who witnessed either incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Celebrating 30 years of ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 13, 2024

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Celebrating 30 years of ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’

As students head back to school, the Allan Labor Government is bringing attention to students and families across Victoria about the importance of being sun smart in the schoolyard as UV levels reach record highs.

The warning comes after the release of new research that showed the huge impact exposure to UV radiation during childhood can have on skin cancer risk.

Skin cancers including melanoma are preventable by using sun protection and informing children at a young age about the dangers of UV exposure.

Parents can follow a few basic guidelines on how to keep their children safe:

Teach them to apply their own sunscreen to know how to do it independently before and during school

Attach sunscreen to their backpack, so it can be an easy reminder to reapply at school

Label their child’s hat in order for them to grab it before heading outdoors

Encourage their child to search for shady spaces while outdoors.

The timely guidance comes as the Labor Government celebrates a major milestone, marking 30 years of supporting the Cancer Council’s SunSmart Victoria School Program that was established in 1994, with 90 per cent of primary schools now participating in the program.

Over the past three decades, Victoria’s teachers and educators have taken part in reducing the risk of melanoma and skin cancer, by using SunSmart policies that teach sun protection habits from an early age and reduce students’ UV exposure at school.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the program had kept children safe.

“Victoria’s lifesaving SunSmart program has been keeping children safe for 30 years – as the UV radiation increases, it is now more important than ever for kids to be taught and practice Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide,” she said.

Ray Carroll’s ‘From the Boundary’: February 13, 2024

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 13, 2024

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Dramatic rise

From the very humble beginnings women’s cricket has come a long way.

It is now a popular and highly skilled game in many countries. Australia has been a dominant force but the gap is closing with England, New Zealand and South Africa on the rise.

The Aussies have played in front of some huge crowds, the top was an 86,000 MCG crowd at a World Cup final in 2020.

The number of girls and teams participating in Australia has tripled in the past decade.

Vale Kevin Cooper

ROVER 2024 02 13 Kevin Cooper — Kevin Cooper.

A celebration of life function at Kilmore R.S.L paid tribute to Kevin Coooper.

He had spent many years in Kilmore, his final decade at Dianella where he was very grateful to the dedicated staff.

Born in West Australia, Kevins great loves in life were his family, football, cricket, and the Australian Labor Party. R.S.L President Rod Dally welcomed family and friends of Kevin.

Among the gathering were federal member for McEwen Rob Mitchell and state member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage. Kevins daughters Camilla, Renata, and Jacqueline were in attendance and Camilla spoke beautifully, about a much loved dad.

A very good sportsman in his younger years Kevin had a great knowledge of sport in general and his beloved “Bombers” in particular.

For more than a decade he acted as an official for Assumption 1st XVIII where he was very popular with the students. He loved the trips to the various venues of the A.G.S.V and especially a trip to Adelaide in 2008.

He also really enjoyed the various premiership celebrations he was involved with. Farewell to a good man.

Star from the jungle

ROVER 2024 02 13 West Indies — Shamar Joseph.

Young West Indian express Shamar Joseph rocked the Aussies with his devastating spell in searing heat in the Brisbane Test.

He bowled for nearly two hours straight despite a broken toe. The Australian team management would not have allowed him to take the field let alone bowl such a long spell in the 42 degrees scorcher.

The Windies team their 2nd XI debuted several exciting young players who could return Caribbean cricket to the glory days.

Joseph grew up in a tiny village in the Guyana (South America) jungles which did not even have phone connection until 2008. His parents were so poor they could not provide him with shoes.

From his village It is a five hour boat ride to the nearest town. Many millions around the world tuned in to watch him wreck the Aussies.

To the Antarctic

Kelly Wilsmore hails from the farmfields of the Glenburn Flowerdale region of lush valleys and wooded hills.

She is an intrepid adventurer who regularly goes riding in the High Country and camping with friends.

Last year she swam with the whales off the coast near Broome and in January with her husband Greg and her mum.

The two pictures, with Kelly on the right, are near the lighthouse on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Kelly described it as a wonderful adventure. She and Greg have two fine children a son and a daughter in their early twenties.

Beyond work and study both are keen AFL footballers. Meanwhile Kelly is a highly regarded optometrist in High Street, Yea.

Energy efficiency grants open soon

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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February 13, 2024

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Round two of the Energy Efficiency Grants, EEG, for Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, to improve energy efficiency, save on energy bills and lower emissions will open on Thursday 22 February.

Grants between $10,000 and $25,000 can be used to upgrade to more efficient equipment. This includes replacing air conditioners with high-efficiency units or gas heating boilers with heat pumps, helping SMEs lower power bills and emissions.

The first round of grants awarded $15.5 million to 674 businesses for energy savings from upgrades to heat pumps, air conditioners, and efficient hot water pumps.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until each jurisdiction’s allocation is exhausted.

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Kindergarten applications now open in the City of Whittlesea

The North Central Review

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February 13, 2024

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Kindergarten applications now open in the City of Whittlesea

Applications are now open for the 3-year-old program in 2025 and the four-year-old kindergarten program in 2026.

As there are 43 kindergartens in the City of Whittlesea, including the new Murnong Kindergarten in Donnybrook, families can now have two years of kindergarten at no cost.

Council is waiving the application fee, saving families up to $46 thanks to funding received from the Department of Education.

This initiative aims to enable families to enrol their children in these essential early education programs.

Families are welcome to drop in during the specified times – February 29 from 5.30pm till 7.30pm and March 2 from 9.30am till 11.30am – with no bookings required.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson encouraged parents, carers, and children to make the most of the upcoming kindergarten days.

“Kindergarten lays the foundation for a child’s lifelong love of learning. It is a place where young minds are nurtured, curiosity is sparked, and social skills are developed,” she said.

The experiences gained during these formative years are instrumental in shaping confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals.

“We invite parents, carers, and children to come along and chat to the kindergarten teachers and explore all that’s on offer at your local kindergarten.”

Council is also providing free ‘help’ sessions this month and June to help families with completing the kindergarten applications that will include support in filling out the applications, understanding immunisation requirements, Early Start Kinder information and more.

Translators will also be available to support families from non-English speaking backgrounds.

To find your closest participating kinder or to apply online visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/kinder and to view more about the information sessions, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/kinderhelp.

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For additional information call 9217 2170 and ask to speak to the Children and Families department or email keo@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Sawn-off rifle leads to Coburg North arrests

The North Central Review

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February 13, 2024

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Sawn-off rifle leads to Coburg North arrests

A Broadmeadows man and a Wollert man have been charged after an intercept in Coburg North uncovered a sawn-off rifle.

Fawkner police observed a white Hyundai i30 containing two males leaving an address on Arthur Street, Coburg North about 5pm on February 7.

Police searched the vehicle and it’s alleged they located a sawn-off Stirling .22 rimfire rifle.

The rifle was not loaded at the time and was sawn down on the stock and barrel to become a handgun.

The two men were subsequently arrested.

A 22-year-old Broadmeadows man has been charged with multiple offences including possess a drug of dependence and drive while disqualified.

He was bailed to appear in Broadmeadows Magistrate’s Court on July 5.

A 25-year-old Wollert man has been charged with multiple offences including unlicensed person possess a handgun.

He was bailed to appear in the Broadmeadows Magistrate’s Court on July 5.

Warrant issued for Stephanie Lykopanagos

The North Central Review

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February 13, 2024

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Warrant issued for Stephanie Lykopanagos

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Stephanie Lykopanagos wanted on a warrant in relation to possessing a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.

The 32-year-old is Caucasian in appearance, of slim build and has light brown hair.

She is known to frequent the Preston, Reservoir, Mill Park and Wallan areas.

Investigators have released an image of Lykopanagos in the hope someone may be able to provide information on her current whereabouts.

Anyone with other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.