GDCA celebrates big season

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April 7, 2026

CRICKETERS across the Gisborne District Cricket Association celebrated the best of the best on April 1 as it handed out the Kevin Sullivan Medal and Women’s MVP.

Sunbury United’s Upul Fernando was a clear winner of the Kevin Sullivan Medal, taking out the award by five votes, polling 18 to be well clear of Woodend’s Marcus Stewart and Macedon’s Cameron Clayton.

Woodend’s Joshua Eastley and Rupertswood’s Matthew Twentyman polled 12 votes to finish equal third, while Wallan’s Bryan Vance and Gisborne’s Jarryd Vernon polled 11 votes apiece to finish equal fourth.

Hamish Mullavey-Clark also polled strongly for the Magpies, polling nine votes.

In the Women’s MVP count, Gisborne’s Brianna Woodburn completed the sweep, winning with 23 votes, while Wallan’s Megan Farrell celebrated her fantastic season with 19 votes and selection in the team of the year.

Bacchus Marsh duo Sarah Bamford and Kim Bessell were third and fourth respectively, while Kia Montgomery had a share in fourth with nine votes, as well as also earning selection to the team of the year.

Final chance to warm up

The North Central Review

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April 7, 2026

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TEAMS across the Mitchell Shire had one last chance to warm up before their season gets under way, with Saturday marking the start of the season for all clubs across the Northern Football Netball League and Riddell District Football Netball League.

Wallan warmed up for its first-round clash against Melton Centrals with a practice match against Epping at Epping Recreation Reserve, where the Magpies picked up the pace after quarter time with a comfortable 113-point win, kicking 18 goals to one after quarter time.

Shaun Stewart 1068w WebRdy — DOWN THE LINE: Shaun Stewart looks for options for Wallan.

Lancefield took on Avenel in a six-quarter game at Avenel Recreation Reserve, while Romsey had a practice game the week before against Hadfield at Martin Reserve. Both teams meet at Romsey Park in a blockbuster round one matchup between the traditional rivals.

Kilmore finished its pre-season with a solid 99-point win over Longwood, with the Blues restricting Longwood to one behind. The Blues will make the trip to Kinglake this weekend in a rematch of the two teams’ elimination final from last year, won by Kilmore.

Both the Northern Football Netball League and Riddell District Football Netball League kicked off on Good Friday, with a pair of matches in both competitions.

In the Northern Football Netball League, division 1 saw Greensborough account for Eltham by 27 points, while Reservoir made a major statement of intent in division 3, playing all over Lalor to win by 102 points.

In the division 2 women’s season opener, Reservoir came from behind to defeat 2025 grand finalist Fitzroy Stars with a goal in the final minute.

Meantime, the Riddell District Football Netball League had two matches, with 2025 grand finalist Macedon looking to start its season on the right note after taking a comfortable 41-point victory over Gisborne Giants, while preliminary finalists Kyneton also made a big move to start its season, defeating Woodend-Hesket by 62 points.

Broadford return to action this weekend after having the bye for round one, which was played on Good Friday. They’ll take on Sandhurst at Queen Elizabeth Oval in the heart of Bendigo this Saturday.

Students off to market

Jo Kubeil

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April 7, 2026

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WILLOWMAVIN Primary School students ran a retail goods and services market for its students, teachers and school community to make purchases from all in the name of early learning last Wednesday.

Locum Principal Stuart McLean and first-time teacher Brenda Edwards said they facilitated the market as part of their social humanities ‘inquires’ curriculum and students began planning in early March.

Planning consisted of researching what its community might like to buy and at what price. Next, they created pricing schedules, advertising, and finally arranged stock and petty cash for the event.

Mr McLean said: “This gives the students a little taste of earning money and being a small school, we have been able to include Grades 3 and 4 students [into the Grades 5-6 curriculum].”

The market day featured a milkshake bar, portrait-drawing station, indoor archery range side show ally style, face painting, sweet foods, a car wash, and a cinema.

Along the way the students running the cinema demonstrated resilience for plans that go awry as they applied critical thinking and determination to continue to support their fellow students in raising money for school ground equipment.

Student Ryder Morgan said: “At first, we were going to hold a kids vs parents basketball game, but the court was being used for the market. We tried to make it smaller, a half-court game. But it got too hard, so we chose a cinema.”

The show featured two very popular programs complete with a snack bar and bean bags for seating at multiple screenings across the event, and tickets were a steal at $1.50 each.

The cinema crew said they chose Little Lunch because there are a lot of funny jokes in it made by kids, and Bluey because it’s popular, it’s also funny and a lot of adults like it too, they said.

Teachers were kept busy throughout the market trouble shooting, shopping, and meeting students’ parents and guardians, aka beneficiaries.

Meantime, students were in their element setting up their customer counters, for greeting and serving customers with good old-fashioned currency and selling their wares.

The jewellery shop, Golden Aura, sold bargain-priced bracelets and earrings embellished with beads and shells and also make-your-own bracelet kits.

Mrs Edwards said the project is not complete: “At the end of the day, we’ll sit down as a group, and students will vote on where they want the money spent.”

Big hunt for Easter eggs

The North Central Review

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April 7, 2026

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IT was a memorable day for families on Saturday at Funfields Theme Park, with the popular attraction turning into a giant Easter egg hunt.

The Easter egg hunt on April 4 was one of Australia’s biggest, with more than 50,000 eggs dropped and families of all ages invited to participate, with around 800 kids taking part in the hunt.

Funfields 2 1068w WebRdy — THE HUNT WAS ON: Families hunted far and wide on Saturday afternoon to look for Easter eggs.

The idea was concocted among the struggles families are facing at the fuel pump and the cost of Easter treats at supermarkets this year, with families scrambling to fill baskets with as many eggs as possible.

Four timed sessions saw four age groups, from ages 0-3 to 10-12, all take part throughout the afternoon.

Mayor on state advisory panel

The North Central Review

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April 7, 2026

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CITY of Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Lawrie Cox, has been appointed to the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel, providing council an opportunity to discuss key issues affecting the local government sector.

Chaired by Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos, the advisory panel, which is made up of 11 Mayors from across Victorian Councils, will provide high-level advice on legislative, regulatory, strategic and policy issues that affect local governments.

Mayors from Baw Baw, Casey, Melbourne, Darebin, Frankston, Hepburn, Macedon Ranges, Mitchell, Murrundindi and Stonnington are all part of the panel alongside Cr Cox.

The panel held its first meeting last week.

Cr Cox said he was honoured to be a part of the panel.

“I am honoured to have been selected to join the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel, and proud to be able to represent the City of Whittlesea at State level discussions,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity for the City of Whittlesea to bring key issues to the table and I am looking forward to working with my fellow Mayors to plan for the future of local government.”

Lalor to have 25 new homes

The North Central Review

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April 7, 2026

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LALOR will have a new residential neighbourhood called Garden View Estate that will deliver 25 homes.

Previously known as Downs Road Residential Development, the project will transform an unused parcel of Whittlesea Council-owned land next to Whittlesea Public Gardens.

The residential development is a key action of the Whittlesea Public Gardens Master Plan that council adopted in 2018.

A planning permit application was approved last year to subdivide the former road reserve on the eastern edge of Whittlesea Public Gardens into 25 lots.

Twenty-two lots will be sold on the open market, with buyers benefiting from the option to select their house design from a range of architecturally designed homes provided by council, which responds to community feedback received in 2024.

Three lots will be allocated for affordable housing, providing much-needed support to people experiencing housing stress, which could include young families, older people, women, key workers and people with disabilities.

Demand for housing is increasing as the City of Whittlesea’s population grows, and Council is exploring opportunities to turn under-utilised land into good-quality, fit-for-purpose housing in line with Council’s endorsed Strategic Property and Land Plan.

Council will soon be commencing the design of the road, drainage, utilities and landscaping components of the development.

Mayor Lawrie Cox said Garden View Estate Lalor will be a fantastic example of how surplus council land can be turned into valuable homes for the benefit of the community.

“The location of this land – adjacent to Whittlesea Public Gardens and close to existing infrastructure and health and education services – is ideal for housing” Cr Cox said.

“Guided by the Whittlesea Public Gardens Master Plan, council has invested heavily in recent years to make the park a go-to destination for people of all ages and abilities.

“These improvements include a new playground, skate park, picnic and barbecue facilities, an upgraded dog park and a soon-to-be-completed expanded car park.

“The Garden View Estate Lalor project builds on this work to help create liveable neighbourhoods across the City of Whittlesea.”

A majority of the new homes in the estate will face Whittlesea Public Gardens, improving safety by providing passive surveillance from homes, drivers and pedestrians to the park.

A new local street, connecting Barry Road and Benaroon Drive, will be lined with trees and feature indented car parking bays along the western side to provide additional parking options for visitors.

Construction of the new road and civil infrastructure is expected to start next year and be completed in 2028, subject to funding.

Once the civil infrastructure is in place and landowners have secured the relevant permits, construction of the new homes will commence.

For more information about the residential development, visit whittlesea.vic.gov.au/gardenviewestatelalor

Probus surfs the coast

The North Central Review

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April 7, 2026

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MEMBERS of the Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea embarked on a visit to South Gippsland and Phillip Island for the first extended retreat of 2026. They had arrived at Wilsons Promontory National Park and were commencing a short walk along the banks of Tidal River when it was announced that two members Rae and Ray Cordell had married 65 years ago to the day.

This momentous Blue Sapphire occasion was noted at the time and more formally at the evening dinner venue.

Tidal River rises below Mount Latrobe and flows into Bass Strait. The river descends 367 metres over its six-kilometre course and is an unusually short river.

The flat beach was a contrast to the Strzelecki Ranges where we were the day before at Tarra-Bulga National Park. Known for its giant Mountain Ash trees, beautiful fern gullies and ancient myrtle beeches, Tarra Bulga has some of the best examples of original cool temperate rainforests.

Port Albert was our first encampment and soon the relaxed atmosphere overtook the visitors.

Wilson Promontory was the morning’s exploratory with luncheon at Inverloch before visiting the State Coal Mine at Wonthaggi.

There of the adventure was in the Visitor’s Centre, watching a short film on the history of Wonthaggi and the State Coal Mine.

There is a village of restored buildings which give visitors indications of times gone by such as those in the old miner’s cottage to learn more about the mining days in the museum. The well-known canary in the mine is brought to life as passing by the resident canaries to gain an insight into how creatures, both large and small, were vital to the running of the mine.

A number of other attractions were visited but none were more heart wrenching than the National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM) founded by Vietnam Veterans to help other veterans cope better with their experiences both during the war and after their return to Australia.

Some of our members have very personal memories of the War and were acknowledged by our guide as we spent almost an hour in the facility. Our members are of the age that the Vietnam Conflict was part of their everyday lives between 1955 and 1975. It truly was an afternoon of reflection.

Where to watch this weekend

The North Central Review

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April 7, 2026

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WINTER sports are well and truly firing up across the Shire, with plenty of options to watch games this weekend.

In football and netball Wallan, Romsey and Lancefield will get its Riddell District Football Netball League season underway, with Romsey and Lancefield, the traditional rivals, meeting at Romsey Park, while Wallan will look to get its season off on the right note against 2025 wooden spooner Melton Centrals at Greenhill Reserve.

For road trips, Seymour will make the trip to Deakin Reserve to take on Shepparton, while Broadford travels to the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo to play Sandhurst. Kilmore and Kinglake meet at Kinglake’s Memorial Oval.

In the Big V basketball competition, Wallan’s men will host Warrnambool on Saturday night, while the women travel to Chelsea. The youth league men will make the short trip to RMIT University in Bundoora on Saturday, and the women make the trip to Sherbrooke.

Mitchell Rangers’ men’s will make its first away trip of the season when it takes on FC Birrarung on Saturday afternoon, while the Mitchell Majors will have to wait two more weeks for its first game of the season, with a bye scheduled for round one on April 18, before travelling to South East Warriors on ANZAC Day.

Easter weekend races to the finish line

Mary Hackshaw

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April 7, 2026

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SEYMOUR trainer Tim Eurell’s stable cheered when galloper Wondering Spirit capped off a good run of recent form when he stepped up to a 2050 metre trip at Mornington on Sunday.

Having originally been purchased by Mick Price at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run sale, the well-bred four-year-old looks to have a future racing over longer distances. His dam Tully Thunder won the SAJC Australasian Oaks and she is the dam of Levendi, winner of the ATC Australian Derby.

Wondering Spirit’s half sister sold at the Magic Millions broodmare sale for $1,600,000. In the meantime Eurell plans to take the four-year-old through the grades and to see where it takes him.

At the Balnarring picnic races on Saturday, Kilmore’s Tyson Barton achieved success when his galloper Sir Lazarus made haste over a longer trip to score a maiden victory over 2000 metres. The six-year-old scored comfortably by 2.25 lengths in the hands of leading picnic jockey Shaun Cooper.

All the talk at the weekend was the incredible win by three-year-old filly Sheza Alibi by 4.29 lengths in the $4,000,000 Doncaster Mile at Randwick in the hands of Jamie Melham. The filly was purchased by farmer Fred Noffke in an online sale for just $10,000. Spare a thought for the vendor, who sold Sheza Alibi’s dam for $1,250 and another of her offspring for $800.

Council endorses financial report

The North Central Review

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April 7, 2026

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KEY items considered and endorsed at the Macedon Ranges Council Meeting held on March 25 included its Draft Open Space Strategy.

Council adopted the Draft Open Space Strategy 2026, with minor updates, will guide the planning, management, and delivery of public open space across the Macedon Ranges for the next 10 years to strengthen policy direction on biodiversity, connectivity and equitable access to open space, while improving clarity, maps and implementation plans.

On its Quarterly Financial Report and Mid-Year Budget Review (December 2025), Council endorsed the Quarterly Financial Report for October-December 2025 and adopted the Mid-Year Budget Review to update Council’s financial position and performance.

Council also adopted a revised Procurement Policy to ensure legislative requirements are met reflecting best practice, supporting continued transparent, efficient, and value-for-money purchasing across Council.

Innovation Working Group: Council endorsed creating an Innovation Working Group. The group is a low-cost model that will help drive new ideas, continuous improvement, and strategic problem-solving across Council services as part of the ongoing program of regular briefings.

On Riddells Creek Men’s Shed Land and Facility Requests, Council supported requests from the committee regarding land and facility needs, including providing in-principle support
for direct negotiation of a lease for the site known as the ‘Police Paddock’ with an intention to resolve negotiations by November 2026 to ultimately help the group to continue providing valuable community services and social connection opportunities.

Council endorsed its Community Satisfaction Survey Action Plan.

Council adopted the Macedon Ranges Community Equestrian Facilities Plan, informed by initial community consultation in May 2023 with key stakeholders, and feedback on the draft plan in July-August 2024 in which 83 submissions were received.

The plan guides future planning, investment, and management of equestrian facilities
across the shire.

Council also adopted the Woodend Racecourse Reserve Master Plan. The master plan – informed by extensive community consultation, including 220 survey responses to the draft in September 2025 – sets a long-term vision for the reserve, balancing recreation, environmental values, and community needs.

Planning permits

Council considered and decided on several planning matters including:

• 38-40 High Street, 42 High Street, and 21 Dundas Street, Lancefield – Issuing a Notice of Decision to Refuse to Grant a Permit for the use of the land for dwellings; development of the land for a mixed use development (residential and retail) comprising nine new dwellings (10 total dwellings), four new retail tenancies, and alterations (including demolition) and additions to existing shop; and reduction in car parking requirements.

Additionally, Council also received and noted two community petitions, including:

A request to replace the lift at Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre

A request seeking for Macedon Ranges to be excluded from the Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan.

Two notices of motion were also carried recommending that Council write to the Minister for Creative Industries supporting the Kyneton RSL’s proposal to establish
a Memorial Reserve, which will incorporate the existing World War I Memorial on part of the former Kyneton State School grounds;

request the CEO to prepare a report within 3 months for Council consideration, outlining a
framework and process for Council to assume the ongoing management of the Lancefield Park Precinct, which is currently managed by a Committee of Management appointed by the relevant Victorian Government department.

The reasonings and discussions behind these decisions can be found in the meeting agenda, and via the meeting recording on Council’s website: http://mrsc.vic.gov.au/meetings