Pretty Sally Garden Club Kilmore presented a $1000 cheque to Rochester Community House last month to help with flood relief.
The garden group raised more than $600 through a plant sale at Kilmore Scout Market in October and added more donations to put towards Rochester’s community garden and food service.
President Glenys Crome said the cheque was ‘well-received’ by Rochester Community House.
“They were so grateful because they’re trying to get the community garden up and going and feeding 100 people – they’re cooking for 100 people once a week,” she said.
“We just felt we couldn’t really help in any other way and because we’re a garden club, we’ve got all plants, and we thought well these people are establishing their gardens.”
With about 20 members at the club, Ms Crome said it was always looking for new members.
“Like everything, a lot of our members are getting older and retiring from the club – there are so many people moving into Kilmore that may know nothing about gardening and we’re always happy to give advice,” she said.
“It’s just a very friendly social group as well, we have lots of outings during the year.”
The group is taking a break and will resume in February.
People interested can contact Glenys on 0409 145 455, or join its Facebook group, Pretty Sally Garden Club Group.
People are encouraged to mark December 15 on their calendars for the City of Whittlesea’s Carols by Candlelight, which will include a special visit from Santa Claus.
This year’s event is jam-packed with activities and performances, starring the sounds of the Diamond Valley Brass Band and the Community Carols Choir that is composed of 60 members.
Family members can bring their picnic blankets and singing voices to enjoy family activities and a twilight market for those last-minute Christmas gift needs.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said it was a special time for residents to gather in community spirit.
“Christmas is a special time for many in our community. Coming together for festivities like this not only unites family and friends but also strengthens community connections and spirit,” she said.
The event will include many family activities, a twilight market and singing.
The free event is on December 15, from 6pm to 9pm, at City of Whittlesea’s Civic Centre Lawns, located 25 Ferres Boulevard, at South Morang.
For more information and updates visit www.arts.whittlesea.vic.gov.au.
The City of Whittlesea is uniting with its community for this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.
An annual international campaign, 16 Days of Activism starts on November 25 – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and continues until December 10 on Human Rights Day.
On average, a woman in Australia is killed by a man they know every 10 days.
City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson encouraged people to get involved in conversations about respect, to foster healthy relationships between family members, friends and colleagues, as well as to challenge gender-based assumptions.
“The City of Whittlesea is committed to preventing violence against women and to creating a future where all women are safe, equal and respected,” she said.
“Violence against women is preventable and this 16 Days of Activism and beyond, we have an opportunity to change the story.
“That’s why we’re inviting everyone to start a conversation and challenge gender-based assumptions – this could mean talking to your partner about sharing housework fairly, dividing parenting responsibilities equally or teaching children that it’s okay to express their emotions, no matter their gender.
“It’s a good time to start asking: What types of relationships do we want children to experience throughout their lives? What sort of world do we want children to grow up in, where gender equity is normal, expected, and experienced by everyone?
“By discussing topics about equality and respect, we can contribute to preventing violence against women.”
For more information about how to get involved, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/genderequity.
Whittlesea Lions Club donated $4250 to Boomerang Bags Whittlesea group last month to purchase new accessible sewing machines.
The new machines do not require a foot pedal, which allows people with a disability or limited mobility the opportunity to sew with the group.
Boomerang Bags Whittlesea branch facilitator Ursula Jenkins said she was appreciative of the donation.
“They’re a little bit more expensive but because they’re special machines but it means we can utilise the volunteers who want to volunteer but may be unable. There’s lots of people of who want to sew and there’s not enough machines for them,” she said.
“The machines are going to get a lot of use. We’ve made 8000 bags so far over eight years and we’re making more and more.
“We’re rapidly growing hence the need for the request, and we really appreciate it.
“Boomerang Bags owns the machines but we feel they are a valuable resource and strongly believe should be used by other community members and groups in the future.
Ms Jenkins said the group appreciated the Lions Club helping a service within their own community.
“A lot of groups will send money overseas or to disaster areas, but we’re a group that needs help right in their own community,” she said.
“We’re really grateful that community are helping community.”
Whittlesea Lions Club members visited the Whittlesea Library – where the group sews – to hand over the donation.
Club president Eric Gordon said they were happy to donate the money to a community group.
“We had a bit of an excess of money, and we were looking for things to do,” he said.
“Ursula sent us a letter requesting the purchase of some new machines because they have more volunteers than machines. It is a good cause, so we thought ‘why not?’”
Throughout the year, Whittlesea Lions Club raises money through ventures including sausage sizzles, barbecues and a golf day.
It will also be selling Christmas cakes at Mill Park Bunnings this year.
Boomerang Bags make reusable items including bags given out for free at the supermarket to help shoppers avoid using plastic bags.
“They make great gifts, and they recycle waste fabric because Australia has a huge waste fabric textile problem,” Ms Jenkins said.
“We’re also collaborating with the Country Women’s Association in Kinglake. They’ve got an established network – the whole Diamond Valley CWA has a network of contacts with hospitals.
“When people have surgery they sometimes get a big drainage bag and lots of medical cables and things that and they like to hide them within a nice bag so they can get on with their life and not feel like such a patient. So we’ll work together to make those to give out.”
Both Whittlesea Lions Club and Boomerang Bags are on the hunt for more volunteers.
“We’re always looking for new members and with new members hopefully we get new ideas of ways that we can spend the money that we raise,” Mr Gordon said.
The Lions Club meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Whittlesea Bowls Club from 7pm – people interested can contact the bowls club or email lionsclubofwhittlesea@hotmail.com.
Boomerang Bags currently has 33 volunteers and anyone interested can contact Ms Jenkins on 0431 312 647 or plasticfreewhittlesea@gmail.com.
Donations of fabric that an op shop cannot use – but are still clean – are also welcome at Whittlesea Library for the group to use for their projects.
Community groups have been awarded funding through the new City of Whittlesea Community Grants Program that came into effect from August.
The new program provides grants across six categories, with applications assessed monthly and quarterly for groups to access grants all year round.
More than $95,000 were allocated in the first round of funding to the following groups:
Valley Presbyterian Church for Doreen Community Carols
New Horizons Assembly of God Church for Whittlesea Christmas Festival
Thomastown Neighbourhood House for Promisetown Picnic and Markets
Rotary Club of Whittlesea for Whittlesea Garden Expo 2024
Olivine Community Group for International Expo 2024
Lalor Neighbourhood House for art, permaculture and creative programs.
Council also developed four-year funding agreements with Whittlesea Agricultural Society’s Whittlesea Show, Mission Smiles’ Northern Diwali Festival and Mernda and District Residents Association’s Whittlesea Cruise Night, to help its Whittlesea 2040 vision of creating a place for all.
City of Whittlesea administrator Christian Zahra said council was thrilled to support the efforts of groups who worked hard to organise events that gathered people together.
“Council recently endorsed a 33 per cent increase in total community grants funding in response to community need, and we are so pleased to start to see the benefits of this funding for the community,” he said.
The City of Whittlesea also awarded $100,000 in emergency grants to 12 local food share organisations as a result of cost-of-living expenses.
“We’re so pleased that this emergency grant funding will be able to help these local organisations continue to support those in our community who are doing it tough at the moment,” Mr Zahra said.
Applications for the next round of grants for medium and large groups are now open and close on December 31.
For more information on the Community Grants Program, or to sign up to the grant writing workshop, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/grants.
The Federal Government has announced increases in funding and changes to road safety programs to reduce the administrative burden on councils.
Roads to Recovery funding will gradually rise from $500 million to $1 billion per year, and Black Spot funding will increase from the current annual commitment of $110 million to $150 million per year.
The government expects the additional investment to its two key local roads investment programs to lead to safer and more productive roads across Australia.
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said regional road networks had been battered by severe weather events over the past few years.
“This has been of great concern to the many people in our communities who have raised road conditions with me over the past few years,” he said.
“The Albanese Government has listened to our calls and this funding will help our local councils to fix and maintain our roads.”
Mr Mitchell said the funding increase would give councils certainty and the ability to plan, along with a reduction in the administrative burden.
“We are doing this in a responsible way, to give councils the funding they need while also ensuring the increase doesn’t put pressure on inflation,” he said.
By merging the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, HVSPP, and the Bridges Renewal Program, BRP, into a new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, councils will receive the funding they need to improve road safety in a way that reduces the burden on them, allowing more money to be spent on projects.
The amount of funding for the new program will also gradually increase such that $200 million will be available per year, up from the current $150 million total annual investment in the HVSPP and the BRP.
The Independent Strategic Review of the Infrastructure Investment Program recommended the changes and the increases in funding will be phased in over the forward estimates to avoid putting pressure on inflation, supply costs and the construction labour market.
“When all levels of government work together, we get better results in our communities, which is why we’ll continue to work on getting better results with our local councils – Macedon Ranges Shire, Mitchell Shire, Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea – as we roll out this additional financial support,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Our local governments are central to delivering road safety improvements across the road networks in our communities.”
Broadford Golf Club has undergone some much-needed upgrades thanks to a Bendigo Bank grant and the efforts of club personnel.
A grant of almost $9000 was put towards the purchase and installation of a new septic system for the club, while members capitalised on an opportunity to purchase a new tractor to help maintain the course’s greens.
Club president Martin Leahy said he was thankful for the ongoing support and strong relationship with the Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank.
“It’s not the first time they’ve supported us, so we’re really glad to have that relationship with them,” he said.
“These improvements help keep the club running smoothly and just make it a nicer place to be.”
The new tractor is also expected to greatly improve the efficiency of work of the club’s greenkeeper operations.
“We’ve got some ageing equipment as many clubs do, and we were lucky enough to have some local members find a really great opportunity for us with the tractor,” Mr Leahy said.
“It’s going to make our club much more efficient to run, you could imagine the type of work we used to do with sweeping sand into the greens, spreading out fertiliser and pesticides so we’re really pleased to get that.”
Mr Leahy, who has been club president since April this year, said it was an ‘absolute privilege’ to be part of the club and help to make a difference.
“I’m coming off the back of a very successful committee, and I’ve got a committee around me now and we’re very optimistic about the future,” he said.
“We’ve got our junior program coming together, the course has realistically never been better than it is now.
“We’re very thankful for the previous committee for all their work in setting us up for the future.”
Regional Victorian workers will benefit from a huge boost to affordable housing and accommodation, part of the State Government’s investment in supporting local businesses to retain and attract workers.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney were at Ararat on Friday to announce the opening of the $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund for workers in key industries where staff are in demand like agriculture, hospitality and teaching.
Building and construction companies are amongst the wide range of eligible groups that can now apply for grants between $150,000 and $5 million to develop projects that support local businesses to retain and attract workers by delivering affordable housing and accommodation.
The government is also delivering $1 billion through the Regional Housing Fund – building more than 1300 new homes with a mix of social and affordable housing, on top of the Big Housing Build, which includes $1.25 billion to build new homes in communities across rural and regional Victoria.
The $25 million Regional Council Support Package is also now open, supporting local projects that will bring long-lasting benefits to rural and regional communities – empowering local volunteers, strengthening businesses and communities and promoting traditional owner culture, participation and leadership.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the announcement followed extensive consultation with councils, industry bodies, traditional owner groups and communities about what they needed most to ensure they thrived into the future.
“Regional Victorians have told us that more places to live, work and stay across the state is what really matters to them – and that’s exactly what we will deliver,” she said.
“The investment will mean Victorians can live close to where they work, towns and communities can build the local projects that matter to them, and that our fantastic regional towns are attracting the visitors they need to keep their local economies booming.”
Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney said an expression of interest process for the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund will run until February 25.
“We know one of the biggest barriers for regional businesses and employers to find the workers they need is affordable housing and accommodation that is close by – so we are creating solutions to boost that supply,” she said.
Sleigh bells will soon be ringing at Kilmore’s Hudson Park with this year’s community Christmas carols, set for the evening of December 16.
Mitchell Shire Council had previously funded the carols, but this year’s sponsorship has been taken over by the Bendigo Bank of Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford, who will deliver the show with BGCaptivate, formerly known as BGGROUPAU.
Wallan Chamber of Commerce and NVC Precast are also supporting the event, which starts at 6pm.
Mitchell Shire primary schools and dancers will be featured as some of the pre-show entertainment, while residents can also enjoy food trucks, market stalls, petting zoos and pony rides.
Several artists from within and outside the shire, including Wallan’s Kaitlyn Thomas, Swimstate band member Beaumont Farrell, Shanae Watson and Briannah Borg will perform Christmas tunes at 7.30pm.
Santa will also visit the park to make the evening a joyful celebration.
BGCaptivate founder Benjamin Gregory, who will em cee the carols, said he looked forward to celebrating his favourite time of year with the rest of the community.
“With the current cost-of-living, it’s important to provide opportunities to local community members that are free and that they come and gather with their family and friends and celebrate the festive season,” he said.
“Christmas is the season of giving, building communities and coming together and we thought this is a beautiful opportunity for all the residents of Mitchell Shire and beyond to come, to celebrate, and support local market stalls and local businesses.”
Mr Gregory said large crowd of attendees were expected at the carols and encouraged residents to arrive early to mark a spot for their small marquees, umbrellas and picnic mats.
He also encouraged residents to organise transport in advance due to limited parking around the park.
The carols will be from 6pm on Saturday, December 16 at Hudson Park.
Australia’s great World Cup win over India at Ahmedabad was one for the ages.
Spearheaded by a wonderful run-a-ball century (137) from Travis Head, the Aussies sent the massive world record crowd of 132,000 jammed into Modi stadium into stunned silence.
Unbeaten in all 10 games prior to the final, India was strongly favored to claim the trophy.
When the chanting, noisy crowd realised India would not win, an eerie silence descended on the vast audience.
Head’s brilliant display would have won approval from the legendary Victor Trumper whose century in a session at Old Trafford in the 1902 Ashes Test on a rain damaged wicket was a similar stunning display.
Victor Trumper is regarded by historians as Australia’s finest ever batsman – even greater than Bradman.
Top cricket week
Five colleges are competing at Assumption College Kilmore each day this week for the Australian Marist Championship – the Stan McCabe Shield.
McCabe attended St Joseph’s College in Sydney – a large boarding school that has produced a long line of rugby and cricket stars.
Three of the greatest Test innings for the country were played by McCabe-187 v England in the bodyline test at Sydney in 1932, 187 v South Africa at Johannesburg in 1936 and 232 v England at Trent Bridge in 1938.
Don Bradman described the latter innings as the finest he had seen.
Teams competing at Kilmore this week are ACK; St Joseph’s Sydney; Marist College Canberra; Sale College and Traralgon College.
There are two games each day from Monday to Friday on the college’s turf ovals, with play from 10am to 6pm each day. Assumption won the carnival in Perth in 1909 and Kilmore in 1910.
Schoolboy hero
Neale Daniher was a schoolboy sporting hero long before he became a national hero for his courageous fight against MND and the wonderful fundraising campaign thus generated.
A brilliant young cricketer and footballer, he was the stuff of youthful sporting legends portrayed in former times by the authors of schooldays classics.
There are plenty of memories of Neale’s time at ACK and his deeds on the fields of summer and winter. A stand-out was the AGSV clash for the 1978 football premiership.
A balmy August afternoon saw a huge crowd of some 3000 assemble at Bulleen for the clash.
Both sides were strong with a number of boys in the Marcellin College and Assumption ranks destined for the ‘big time’.
A three-goal breeze favoured the packed pavilion end of the oval. A gripping tussle ensured of high school standard with the Eagles slightly in front at half time.
Neale was playing well in defence, repelling many thrusts.
Marcellin took control in the third term to open up a 20 points break at the last change.
The wind had suddenly strengthened and the odds were against Assumption.
I suggested Naele go on the ball but he insisted he go to centre half forward.
A rousing war cry from the huddle led to a brilliant response from the Kilmore boys, inspired by their captain.
Neale produced an amazing final term kicking four great goals, while his team mates played ‘out of their skins’ to keep Marcellin goalless.
It was a stirring victory celebrated that night in a packed pavilion back home.
The then Herald described the game as a schoolboys’ classic with Neale a hero.
The three-quarter-time huddle on that now distant day.
Young woman in the west
The young lady pictured below is a successful sheep and cattle breeder in south-west Victoria. She is part of a dynasty.
The Mann family has farmed near Glenthompson since the early 1930s.
The branches of the Mann family tree spread wide, encompassing many individuals and enterprises that are part of Glenthompson Pastoral Company in Victoria’s Western District.
At the heart of the family operation is Louise Mann: a mother, ex-commercial pilot, and now a manager of the family’s Angus cattle herd and Merino sheep flock on their 3200-hectare property, Brie-Brie.
The area is part of the great grazing estates to the north, south and east of Hamilton.
It was from these farm fields that Australia’s first touring cricket team came a century and a half ago.
It was an all-Aboriginal side that played all over England including at Lords, the spiritual home of cricket.
The small town of Harrow has a museum dedicated to the team and a statue of the captain Johnny Mullagh overlooks the oval.
When I was a kid, I knew a bit about the Mann family because dad shore sheep at one of their stations. Jimmy Mann was an area legend and fine cricketer.
I played against him when I was a teenager and he was nearing the end of his career.
Jimmy was a lovely guy, as was a brother who died in a light plane crash.
Jimmy had some good stories such as this one:
He was travelling by train from Edinburgh to Inverness and took a flask of whisky out of his coat pocket to have a nip. He produced a second glass and offered the gentlemen sitting opposite a drink. The reply was ‘no thank-you but I admire your taste’.
It was the renowned Teacher’s Whiskey and the person was John Teacher, boss of the well-known distillery.
Reading recently about Louise and her dad Ted, it is obvious the family spirit lives on.
