Broadford Football Netball Club’s football department will go into recess in 2024.
BFNC financial members voted at a special general meeting last night, Wednesday, that the football will go into recess next year, while the Roos’ netballers will explore their options to play in a winter competition in 2024.
It is believed to be the first time the football club has gone into recess, other than during times of war.
BFNC had applied in August to join the Kyabram District Football Netball League, KDFNL, seeking to leave the Outer East Football Netball League, OEFNL, where it has played since 2020.
The reasons for wanting to move away from the OEFNL were following OEFNL league structural review, which resulted in:
Combining division one and division two, which meant BFNC players, members and volunteers would need to travel even greater distances;
Senior football salary cap being increased from $75,000 in 2023 to $100,000 in 2024;
All clubs needing to field both football and netball teams in 2024 – no stand-alone netball or just one football side would be allowed.
After the KDFNL rejected the Roos’ application to join their league on October 18, AFL Victoria advised that an appeal of the KDFNL decision was not available to BFNC due to the club wanting to move from a metropolitan-based league (OEFNL) to a country-based league (KDFNL).
The BFNC committee then sought alternative options for their immediate playing future. A BFNC sub-committee formed earlier this year to investigate league options had determined if the KDFNL bid was rejected, the club would explore its next best options, including the Northern Football Netball League.
The Roos lost several senior players from its ranks once the decision was made by the KDFNL not to accept BFNC.
BFNC president Bonnie Welch said the club would now re-assess all viable options for finding a league to best suit BFNC’s long-term future.
“Every decision that we have made throughout this journey has been open, transparent and informed, and most importantly, led by our members in the best interests for our club – for future sustainability on all levels,” she said.
“While there isn’t a league that is a perfect fit for us, what we would like is somewhere that sees the value our community club would bring to their competition.
“The advocacy and engagement we undertook to enter the KDFNL clearly demonstrates a gap within the system where no matter what you present as a club, your future can be determined by other clubs with varying interests.
“There is a clear need for an overall AFL Victoria structural review to ensure that viable clubs aren’t forced into an untenable situation. We are not the first club and certainly won’t be the last to be put in this position.”
Ms Welch said the club’s committee and senior coach Alwin Neilson had consulted closely with senior players, and were determined and confident for the return of senior football in 2025.
“Even though the football program itself on field is on pause, our off field is just ramping up. An elected working group, with support from the executive committee, will ensure our action plan is implemented now,” she said.
“We hope to have announcements as early as possible with regards to where we will be playing in 2025. We continue to be proactive.
“We are also working closer than ever with our junior club and are working towards some great initiatives to build stable and strong pathways for immediate and future generations.”
Ms Welch said the club acknowledged the contributions of the club’s players, volunteers and sponsors in the journey.
“We urge you all to get behind us and see the incredible work we’ve been doing and will continue to do to create something really meaningful for our club,” she said.
“Anyone who is interested in supporting this process, particularly those who live in Broadford or surrounding communities, as well as life members, past players and sponsors, would be more than welcome to assist.
“While next season will look very different with no football, we will continue to have social functions and support our netball program, as well as fundraising for the future of the club.”
Ms Welch said club would work hard to ensure it had netball teams play in 2024.
“Our netball department has always been very united, competitive and we will ensure the netball program continues in 2024 with preseason and trials to start early next year,” she said.
Ms Welch thanked the OEFNL board and chief executive Brett Connell, as well as OEFNL division two clubs for their support over the past four years and wish them every success into the future.
Concerns about increased traffic, public transport and the conditions of roads were key issues raised at a Mitchell Shire Council growth planning community information session at Beveridge last week.
Mitchell Shire Council hosted two community information sessions in Wallan and Beveridge last week to share the community infrastructure plans and advocacy priorities for the shire’s growth areas.
The Mitchell Shire population, currently at about 57,000, is forecast to grow to 176,261 by 2041 – most of which will occur in the shire’s south.
About 70 residents attended the sessions in which council laid out its blueprint for the region’s growth areas, providing reassurance about its readiness and strategic planning for the essential community infrastructure.
Other issues raised by community members at the Beveridge information session were light and noise pollution, the closure of roads to complete upgrades and the safety of school students whose bus stop is located near a proposed roundabout.
Council spoke about plans for schools, kindergartens, health services, recreational facilities and more including its advocacy priorities such as the Camerons Lane Hume Freeway interchange, the timely provision of state schools and improved public transport connections.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Louise Bannister said council was working with the other two tiers of government to complete the projects.
“We are fully aware of what is required to support our expanding community and are working with our state and federal partners on the timely delivery of crucial infrastructure like schools, roads and health services,” she said.
National Intermodal Corporation was also part of the information sessions as presenters outlined the phased development of the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct.
Presenters showed attendees plans for the Beveridge terminal and explained how the work would be staged to ensure completion with minimal disruptions and impacts.
Stage 1A of the precinct is expected to be operational by 2025 with upgrades to local roads to support initial truck movements.
However, the National Intermodal Corporation spokesperson said the full precinct could not be realised without the construction of the Camerons Lane Interchange.
“The Beveridge Intermodal Precinct is a game-changer for the region, promising 20,000 jobs once fully operational and acting as a catalyst for economic growth,” Cr Bannister said.
“We hear our community’s concerns loud and clear.
“Advocacy for the Camerons Lane and Hume Freeway interchange is a top priority, as its construction is pivotal for the full development of Beveridge Intermodal and to serve our existing and growing population effectively.”
Other issues raised included health and retail services, particularly in the new Cloverton estate.
In response to concerns, council has slated another information session for February, 2024.
More than 2700 hectares of land in Melbourne’s north is set to be handed back to traditional owners for the development of the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands.
The parklands are expected to stretch from Campbellfield to Beveridge along 34 kilometres of Upper Merri Creek, with 2778 hectares of public and private land traversing the Hume and Whittlesea municipalities to be handed back to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung community.
The project is expected to be completed in 2050, marking the largest return to Aboriginal custodianship in greater Melbourne.
The project most recently completed ecological restoration works at the Galada Tamboore reserve in Campbellfield, with the next stage to be a final future directions plan, due to be completed late this year.
City of Whittlesea administrators endorsed the marram baba Merri Creek Future Directions Plan at its November 21 meeting, and chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the project was a positive step forward for the communities involved.
“The City of Whittlesea was delighted to endorse the marram baba Merri Creek Future Directions Plan,” she said.
“This includes planning for connected open space that communities can enjoy, and enhanced biodiversity and habitat protection of local wildlife.”
The plan was developed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, DEECA, and traditional owners over four years – a process that included multiple stakeholders and two rounds of community consultation.
Groups involved include the City of Whittlesea, Hume City Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Yarra Valley Water, the Merri Creek Management Committee, and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, WWCHAC, the latter of which will be responsible for land management when the project concludes.
To create a broader regional open space network, the parklands will also connect existing City of Whittlesea parklands including the Whittlesea Public Gardens in Thomastown and the conservation land on Cooper Street.
“The co-managed parklands include some existing park land owned by council along the Merri Creek corridor,” Ms Wilson said.
“They also include provision for new open space in growth areas which will be added to the regional park when new subdivisions are approved.”
Merri Creek Management Committee member and Upper Merri Landcare facilitator Chris Cobern said there were many advantages to the marram baba project.
“The marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands will be a great recreational resource for our growing community in the Upper Merri Creek catchment, creating valuable open spaces with walking and cycling trails,” he said.
“It will provide opportunities for local landcarers as a group and with their families to undertake nature study, photography and just to explore and enjoy the natural features and wildlife that the area supports.”
Mr Cobern said there would also be significant benefits for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung community, with which he anticipated a strong relationship with Landcare volunteers.
“The park will support Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung cultural heritage, and significantly the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung’s Narrap Team is going to be managing sites in the Upper Merri Creek,” he said.
“I believe that this is a very welcome recognition of traditional owners as custodians of the parklands country.
“It would be great for local landcarers to be able work with and learn from the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung’s Narrap Team about the ways they manage grasslands and grassy woodlands.”
The Review contacted Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and the State Government for a comment, but both failed to respond before deadline.
While the on-track action at this year’s Kilmore Cup was cut short, the Fashions on the Field event featured some of the closest and highest quality competition in the cup’s history.
Sponsored by Georgina and Co, competitors took part in six different categories for a shot at quality prizes including vouchers and gift packages that could be used at the sponsor’s Broadford day spa and hairdressing salon.
Georgina and Co founder and event sponsor Georgina Clydesdale said this year’s Fashions on the Field was a great success for all involved.
“We had women competing in the same dresses that they competed with in Flemington, and that’s unheard of for that to happen at Kilmore,” she said.
“Our calibre was probably the highest we’ve had in the last seven years that we’ve done Fashions on the Field, so it was overwhelming what went through on Sunday.”
This year’s focus was on having the competitors create their own unique style, something the judges were keeping an eye on as they each had their own specific flair from a versatile range of backgrounds.
Kilmore Cup Fashions on the Field best dressed lady winner Karlie Owen, and runner-up Elise Crewes.
The judges for this year’s Fashions on the Field were Ms Clydesdale, Ally Heenan, Kaylene Cruise, Emma Scodellaro and Jo Benifer, while longstanding host Casey Bruce led the way once again.
“It was really interesting having everyone create their own unique style for the criteria because the judges all had their own different flair that they were looking for,” Ms Clydesdale said.
“It meant any age could compete. It didn’t matter if they were 19 or 60, they all would still be in the running on the same competitive platform.”
Ms Clydesdale said a focus for next year would be increasing the number of participants in the Best Dressed Local Lady category – this year won by Jeanette Laffan with Vicki Rogan runner-up.
In a Kilmore Fashions on the Field first, the Lady of the Day category featured a four-way tied heat, a testament to the close competition on show at this year’s event.
Karlie Owen was eventually crowned best dressed lady, with the runner-up Elise Crewes.
Ms Clydesdale said she had also been pushing to do a Grand Mitchell Shire Lady of the Day competition, a category that would bring country clubs together to determine the best dressed lady for the region.
“Maxine, the ex-president of Kilmore Racing Club, said ‘this is the opportunity now to bring all the country clubs together and push to get the Mitchell Shire Lady of the Day’,” she said.
“The winners of each will compete against each other … we’ll work out the criteria as we get closer, but I have been pushing for that for five years, and I finally have got that happening.
“That’s definitely a highlight – I want to get a Victorian Lady of the Day in country racing.”
The best dressed man was awarded to Micheal McAlpine.
Featured image: Gender-based violence survivor and guest speaker Angela Barker with Mitchell Shire Mayor Louise Bannister.
“Remember that without respect, there is no relationship.”
– Angela Barker
A special guest and victim-survivor of abuse captivated and incentivised the crowd at the Mitchell Community Walk Against Gender-based Violence with her address on Wednesday.
Order of Australia Medal recipient Angela Barker was 16-years-old when she suffered a brush with death at the hands of her ex-boyfriend Dale Lepoidevin.
Lepoidevin, who was 20 at the time, brutally attacked Ms Barker in 2002, rendering her in a near-vegetative state.
Ms Barker had met with Lepoidevin to end their on-and-off two-year relationship for good.
After refusing his requests to get back together, Lepoidevin repeatedly belted Ms Barker’s head against a steel bench, leaving the back of her skull ‘like jelly’.
While Ms Barker was unconscious, he jumped on her face and snapped her jaw.
It was expected Ms Barker would remain in a vegetative state forever and live a short life due to the severity of the injuries inflicted upon her.
The Age reported that Lepoidevin was jailed in 2003 for a maximum of 10-and-a-half years with a minimum of seven-and-a-half after his original sentence was increased.
Ms Barker, who used an electronic aid to deliver her speech last week, shared an insight into recovery and her life post-assault.
She described the difficulties of accessing rehabilitation 20 years ago, forced to undergo therapy to walk and talk again at aged care nursing homes.
“It took me five months to poke my tongue out past my teeth, nine months to move my arm for the first time and five years to get my voice back,” she said.
Ms Barker surpassed medical professionals’ expectations in her recovery, though she suffers from speech difficulties and utilises an electronic wheelchair.
Before her assault, Ms Barker was an active year 11 student who loved high jump, netball and basketball, and was aiming for a career in psychology.
Despite having suffered verbal and physical abuse before the assault, the love she had for her partner, the belief she could change him, the fear of repercussions to herself and her family for leaving him, and the belief that she wouldn’t find another partner were among the reasons she listed as to why she stayed.
“No one wants to think that the person they like and have feelings for wants to hurt them,” she said.
“These bad guys and girls can be the fun, funny, witty, charming, smart people – the popular people.
“There is no shame in falling for this. There is no shame in getting help either.”
In a plea for courage among victims, Ms Barker stressed the importance of not allowing the feeling of being wanted to be justification for abuse.
“If your partner starts to control and manipulate you, he is overly jealous and possessive, if they put you down, if their temper is becoming unpredictable, if they force or pressure you into doing things you do not want to do, if they scare you and start to keep you away from your family and friends, if your gut tells you something is wrong – these are all signs that the relationship won’t work,” she said.
Trusting the opinions of family, friends and loved ones and reporting abuse were Ms Barker’s principal pleas.
“They are not as blinded by the idea of love and can see that you are being harmed, controlled and manipulated,” she said.
“Make sure you [report to police] at an appropriate time outside of your abuser’s vision and knowledge.
“I know this is difficult and can add to your risk, but you really need to watch what they say and do before the relationship turns abusive so you can leave before it even gets to this life-changing, risky stage.”
During her time at the nursing home, the Federal Government made a DVD about Ms Barker’s assault as part of the Violence Against Women – Australia Says No campaign. Hundreds of Australian public and private schools nationwide have screened the film, ‘Loves Me Loves Me Not: The Angela Barker Story’, released in 2004.
Angela Barker’s film, ‘Loves Me Loves Me Not: The Angela Barker Story’, beginning at 12 minutes.
Over the past 19 years, Ms Barker has spoken to more than 50,000 people about her story.
“This is my contribution to the national fight against violence against women and girls – to make the world a better place,” she said.
Ms Barker reassured the crowd that she continued living her life to the fullest – meeting Queen Elizabeth in 2011, sky diving, abseiling and recently becoming enagaged were among her highlights.
“I sit here in front of you now, an independent adult woman who has taken control of my life,” she said.
Mitchell Shire Council chief executive officer Brett Luxford recognised Ms Barker’s activism efforts as shaping the next generation and thanked her for attending the community walk.
“Anj is a courageous woman who, against formidable odds, has emerged as a powerful advocate for change,” he said.
People can learn more about Ms Barker’s story by watching the film Loves Me Loves Me Not: The Angela Barker Story on YouTube at .
Laurimar Primary School continued its winning streak with another successful year at the Energy Breakthrough, EB, competition at Maryborough last month.
EB is a three-day competition that invites teams of primary and secondary students to customise a vehicle within specifications to race against other schools.
Laurimar Primary School has participated in the Human Powered Vehicle, HPV, primary division for a decade, in which teams of grade five and six students contend a 14-hour race in pedal-powered carts.
The students must also present a 20-minute scripted presentation to judges in teams about the development of their HPV, its specifications and impact on the environment, and how the students fundraised to participate in the event, among other factors.
Teams are also queried by a judging panel on the students’ role in the HPV specifications such as tyre pressure, as well as how the HPV represents an ‘energy breakthrough’.
Grade six teacher and EB co-ordinator Mark Brown said EB was an extension and support program for Laurimar students.
“We love the fact that it takes you down to their comfort zones and shows them what they can do when they push themselves,” Mr Brown said.
“We’ve got kids in it that are high-fliers that we can give big roles to in the presentation, that they can really lead it and extend themselves.
“When they’ve got a real purpose and a script to read, lines to learn and they’re part of a team, we find that really helps those kids that need it.”
The program was implemented as a multi-month curriculum activity for children who proved themselves as willing contenders at Laurimar.
Of the 120 grade five and six students that applied to participate, 39 students were selected in three teams of 13, based on their fitness test, attitude toward schoolwork, behaviour and a speech to their classmates.
The students spent three hours each week undergoing theory sessions on environmental and health topics; boot camp with UBX Doreen gym to get students ‘super fit’ to power the carts on race day; and HPV customisation to tailor the carts.
“We have stacks of parents that tell us at the end of the year that their child is just a different child – they’re fitter, healthier, sleeping better, eating better,” Mr Brown said.
The school’s teams of Dragons, Phoenixes, and Griffins adapted their presentations on their HPVs to the themes of Elvis, Gogglebox and the Logies – dubbed the Laurimogies – scoring highly against their rivals.
The 14-hour race, counting for 50 per cent of the final score, involved eight drivers from each team rotating over two days of racing with the help of pit crews via walkie-talkies.
Battling the heat and restricted space in the HPV, students pedalled the track until they lost stamina.
For the first time in Laurimar’s history, three grade six students – Riley, Noah and Andy – completed 100-minute stints.
“We’d never had that happen until this year. That was incredible from those three,” Mr Brown said.
Laurimar Phoenix claimed the gold medal with an overall score of 96.2/100; Laurimar Dragons won silver with 91.6/100; and Laurimar Griffins took fourth with 90.1/100, against 53 other primary school competitors.
“[We preach] we’ve got three teams and you will officially be competing against each other, but we are Laurimar – if one of us wins all of us win,” Mr Brown said.
The scores continued last year’s winning streak when the three teams won first, second and third place.
“We’ll have a big target on our back next year, which I love,” Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown said Laurimar Primary School was grateful for its parent support and supporting partners, including major sponsor Chwyla Real Estate, Slices Doreen and Ghost Burgers and Grill Doreen restaurants, which provided food for the three days of competition, and Rach from UBX Boxing Gym Doreen, who trained the students throughout the program.
The highly-anticipated Whittlesea Christmas Festival will make its grand return to the Whittlesea Showgrounds this month for an evening of music, family fun and festive joy.
The festival attracted 3500 to the showgrounds last year, with even more fun in store for this year’s instalment.
Set for Saturday, December 16, the event will start at 4pm with a twilight market featuring food vans, children’s craft activities and face painting, classic car display, animal nursery, and the Christmas Tree extravaganza.
Early arrivals will be treated to the pre-show, which will star local artists, band ‘Just for Fun’, who will play an array of songs from artists such as Queen, The Monkeys and The Beatles, the Greensborough Salvation Army Band and Keynote Jazz Band featuring some of Melbourne’s highly sought-after jazz performers.
The community Christmas Carols will commence at 7pm, featuring local artists as well as school and township choirs, the Salvation Army Band, New Horizons Church Band, the Key Note Jazz Band and special guest Santa.
The event is hosted by New Horizons Church on behalf of the Churches of Whittlesea Township, together with the Whittlesea Agricultural Society and is sponsored by the City of Whittlesea.
This year’s festival theme is ‘the hunt for the greatest gift’, which will see special guest Where’s Wally and his friends guide the entertainment.
“The best gifts are often seen as material things – but the greatest gift of all is the love, hope and joy that is the foundation of Christmas,” New Horizons Church pastor Rohan Bujis said.
Mr Bujis said the festival was founded to bring the Whittlesea community together to ‘connect, contribute and celebrate’.
“People of all ages will come together to celebrate the joy of Christmas in an event that showcases local artists, community groups and businesses while providing an opportunity for residents in Whittlesea to connect and celebrate life, make memories and deepen ongoing relationships,” he said.
The event will go ahead no matter what the weather conditions, with numerous undercover facilities available at the showgrounds.
With overwhelming support last year, event organisers have made sure to provide additional and cheaper food options at this year’s event, though they still encourage families to bring a picnic and to pick a spot in front of the stage.
The Whittlesea Christmas Festival is an alcohol-free event.
