Jayden still a Seymour hero

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November 21, 2023

Seymour’s ‘king of the kids’ Jayden Sheridan has just fallen short of being crowned Young Victorian of the Year.

Mr Sheridan was named a finalist for the award in recognition of his work to found the not-for-profit youth group Gnarly Neighbours, which he started in 2021.

Gnarly Neighbours offers free skateboarding lessons to children and youth in Seymour and surrounding areas, providing positive mentorship to many who would otherwise go without.

Mr Sheridan told the Review when he was nominated for the award that he didn’t need the win, maintaining the initial recognition was enough to drive more support for the organisation so it could further expand.

Taking home the title of 2024 Young Victorian of the Year was nurse and founder of Albury Wodonga Multicultural Community Events Inc Bhakta Bahadur Bhattarai.

Mr Bhattarai was acknowledged for his work in advocating and showcasing multicultural communities and providing community assistance during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Gisborne’s Janine Mohamed was named the 2024 Australian of the Year for Victoria.

The eight state and territory winners will now progress to the next round of judging for the title of Young Australian of the Year.

To see the full list of state and territory winners, visit bit.ly/3ujZV2c.

For more information on Gnarly Neighbours, visit gnarlyneighbours.com.au.

Fencing causes kangaroo bone-deep injury

Grace Frost

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November 21, 2023

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A kangaroo’s horrific bone-deep injury has highlighted the importance of community members refraining from cutting wildlife free from entanglement in wire fences.

Wildlife rescuer Krysti Severi was called to a property in Eden Park last week when a member of the public spotted a female kangaroo with a wire wrapped around its leg.

Rescuers believe somone attempted to set the kangaroo free from entanglement in a fence in an act of goodwill but, by cutting the fence, let the kangaroo escape with wire wrapped around its leg.

Ms Severi said the damage was ‘catastrophic’.

“Her Achilles tendon, severed in half. Necrotic tissue and her wounds thick in maggots,” she said.

“On her paw, her two middle digits broken. This poor little girl had suffered terribly.”

The wire was likely to have been etched into the kangaroo’s leg for up to two weeks.

Ms Severi said the person called a wildlife organisation about the kangaroo when it was initially trapped or soon after it was cut free, there was a chance it could have been saved.

“If we had of gotten to it sooner, we probably would have been able to save that sort of injury,” Ms Severi said.

“That injury was just way too far gone.”

If people spot a kangaroo trapped in fencing, Ms Severi encouraged them to keep their distance to reduce stress to the animal and immediately call a wildlife organisation.

Wildlife Victoria, which facilitates rescues for native animals across the state, can be contacted at 8400 7300.

“I know it’s very hard to see the animal in the fence and it is extremely distressing, but you actually cause more harm than good by cutting them out of the fence,” Ms Severi said.

“Please never cut a kangaroo out of a fence and let them go. The injuries under the skin are much bigger than what’s on the surface.

“It’s always better that a rescuer is on hand to attend.”

Entanglement in fencing was among the top four causes of death and injury to wildlife in the Macedon Ranges, Mitchell Shire and City of Whittlesea last year, according to Wildlife Victoria data.

Entanglement in fences resulted in nearly 90 eastern grey kangaroo casualties in 2022.

Ms Severi said entanglement in fences was a regular reason for rescues, though injuries weren’t usually as extensive as last week’s incident.

Ms Severi recommended that if homeowners could afford to remove the bottom wire of their fencing, they should do so for the sake of wildlife.

“Roos prefer to go under than over,” she said.

“There’s also wildlife-friendly gates that people can use – if you can find the kangaroos’ crossing, put a wildlife-friendly gate in, and they will start to use that gate.”

Mitchell’s trees to be ‘yarn bombed’

The North Central Review

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November 21, 2023

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The Zonta Club of Mitchell is gearing up to ‘yarn bomb’ the region as part of its activism efforts against family violence.

Trees in Wallan, Broadford, Kilmore and Seymour will be wrapped in orange woollen blankets as a symbol of Zonta’s support for victims of gender-based and family violence.

Zonta members, their friends and community members have been knitting up an orange storm in preparation for the yarn bomb, each making woollen squares in their own time before stitching them together at meetings.

The yarn bomb is one of the many activities taking place throughout the region as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which calls to eliminate violence against women and girls.

The campaign commences on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on December 10, Human Rights Day.

Zonta Club of Mitchell president Robin Audehm said the Zonta network would wrap trees in each town on November 24 and 25, in line with the commencement of the campaign.

“The wool will represent a warm and supportive environment for people who have been victims of family violence,” she said.

“It raises awareness that family violence is all around us and people who are facing family violence [can access] support within the community in a number of different places.”

Zonta supports victims of family violence throughout the year with small service projects, including the distribution of ‘dignity bags’, which are filled with toiletries to give to those who left their residence quickly in search of refuge from violence.

The club will also host its Art Show and Craft Market at Broadford Gavan Hall on December 2 and 3 to fundraise for future projects.

The exhibit ‘Walk in My Shoes’ will feature once again at this year’s show and in libraries, sharing stories of women who have survived family violence.

Ms Audehm assured that Zonta had received permits for the Yarn Bomb activity and the material would not harm the trees.

The woollen blankets will be taken down at the end of the 16 Days campaign to be recycled on either December 11 or 12.

The trees set to be blanketed in orange include one at the median strip near Wilson Partners in Wallan; outside Kilmore library; at Goulburn Park in Seymour; at the pedestrian crossing on High Street in Broadford; and potentially near the historical society in Broadford. The Seymour yarn bomb will form part of Mitchell Shire Council’s annual Step Towards Change Walk on November 29.

Celebrating 50 years at Whittlesea Community Connections

The North Central Review

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November 21, 2023

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Not-for-profit organisation Whittlesea Community Connections, WCC, is inviting all former staff, volunteers, and partners to celebrate 50 years of giving back to the community.

A celebration will be at Epping Memorial Hall to recognise the ongoing work of its staff and volunteers who dedicate themselves to the Whittlesea community.

A reunion will start at 2pm, with food, children activities, and commemoration of the organisation’s history and achievements – including documents and awards since the organisation first started in 1973.

WWC first began as the Citizens Advisory Bureau – an initiative of a local inter-church council – with members of churches across the municipality recognising there was a need for a service that would support residents to access services.

Over time WCC expanded its services and now has more than 300 volunteers to deliver critical support services, including food relief and legal services, and collaborates with businesses, organisations and the City of Whittlesea.

WWC president Emmanuel Gauci said there was a strong emphasis on building a city and supporting people at WCC.

“We started as community information, we expanded into settlement services for migrants and then refugees – that program has continued to this very day – and through that work, we’ve identified other issues of concern, like family violence – we’ve built skills and expertise in that space,” he said.

“We’ve gotten deeper in the range of services we offer and we build stronger connections with our community.

“It’s been a lot of hard work by members of the community supported over the years by a really committed group of professional staff.

“It’s working together, everyone having a common goal to make Whittlesea a better place to live in.”

All while making meaningful connections with the wider community, Mr Gauci said WCC was ‘very strong’ when it came to its partnerships.

“We don’t pretend to be the source of all knowledge, wisdom, and we work with other agencies and other groups,” he said.

“In the emergency relief area, we’re part of the Whittlesea emergency relief network, so we work with the church groups and other groups in the community.

“We do that across all of the fields of work that we do – whether its employment, or settlement services, young people, accumulate information or food.”

Mr Gauci said the reunion was for people to catch up, as well as celebrate the success of the organisation.

The WCC 50th year celebration will be on December 3, between 2pm and 5pm, at Epping Memorial Hall.

To RSVP, by November 24, contact jmathew@whittleseacc.org.au or call on 9401 6666.

Equipment upgrade for men’s shed

Jordyn Grubisic

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November 21, 2023

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Kilmore District Men’s Shed was the beneficiary of a recent Bendigo Bank grant, which has been put towards the installation of a new dust extraction system in their workshop.

NorCen Financial Services, which auspices Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford community banks, has provided more than $45,000 in funding to the men’s shed over the course of its history, with the new extractors installed to improve the health and safety of its members while supporting its growing membership.

The bank agreed to cover half the cost of the system, while shed members worked to install the ducting throughout the workshop.

Shed president Paul Harvey said the new system was a welcome upgrade to the previous setup.

“The old system we had, we put it in when we moved in here and it was pretty rough. It was put together in a bit of a rush,” he said.

“We had the money and we went to the Bendigo Bank and they agreed to pay for half of it, so we went ahead and it’s been a really good system for us, taking away a lot of the dust troubles we had in there.”

The shed has a consistent group of between 40 and 50 men attend sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as the recently added Monday sessions, with work taking place in a wide range of areas including woodworking, welding, gardening, and three-dimensional printing.

The shed aims to provide a place for men in the community, improving health and wellbeing while developing useful skills.

Mr Harvey said the shed was grateful to have received the grant, as it was one of the main sources of funding received.

“We survive on grants, we’ve got a very good grants person who’s very good at getting grants for the men’s shed and we’ve done very well,” he said.

“We do a lot around the community and we’re mainly here for men’s health … we try to cater for everyone. The blokes love it here.”

The Kilmore District Men’s Shed is located at 2 Hunts Road, Kilmore.

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Engineering students tour Bridge Inn Road

The North Central Review

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November 21, 2023

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Engineering students gained career insight by touring Bridge Inn Road earlier this month while the road was still under construction.

Arranged through Major Road Projects Victoria, MRPV, and upgrade construction partner Laing O’Rourke, 20 students from the city campus visited the site and engaged with the upgrade team who led four hours of activities.

As a first for MRPV, tertiary students watched crews building the new bridge over Plenty River and attended a presentation on its construction process.

The team also conducted a presentation on careers in engineering along with a question and answer panel featuring representatives of MRPV and Laing O’Rourke working on the project.

Big Build Roads Program director Adrian Furner said the tour was a ‘great opportunity’ to introduce the students to the work of MRPV, while providing valuable insights on civil engineering careers.

“We were pleased to work with RMIT to show the engineering students how the Bridge Inn Road upgrade will help people get home sooner and safer,” he said.

“Encouraging budding engineers and providing them with career information and opportunities is an important part of our work.”

RMIT industry experiences coordinator Yoshiko Yamada thanked MRPV and Laing O’Rourke for working with them to arrange the tour, which all participating students appreciated and gained experience.

“The Bridge Inn Road Upgrade site tour was an excellent initiative to help our students better understand the critical work of civil engineers, gain real-world experience, and learn about the career opportunities available to them in road construction,” she said.

The Bridge Inn Road Upgrade is adding extra lanes in both directions between Plenty and Yan Yean roads to help people reach home safer and sooner.

Other improvements include upgrades to key intersections, the construction of safety barriers and shared walking and cycling paths to enhance safety and connectivity.

The project will repurpose the existing 155-year-old heritage bridge as a walking and cycling path.

The upgrade aims to reduce congestion and improve travel times while boosting safety and connecting communities across Melbourne’s growing outer-northern suburbs.

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Family violence on the rise

Jordyn Grubisic

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November 21, 2023

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Victoria Police is urging the community to dispel commonly-held beliefs about family violence and understand the realities, as the number of incidents related to the crime increases.

Family violence is a crime that affects all communities and doesn’t discriminate, with police continuing to respond to a high volume of family violence incidents every year across the state.

Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show the number of family violence incidents has increaesd by 2.8 per cent in the year to June 2023.

There were 93,115 family violence incidents recorded in Victoria.

On average, police respond to one family violence incident every six minutes.

Family violence takes many forms and is not just about physical violence. It includes coercive and controlling behaviour, threats, intimation, isolation, financial control and psychological and sexual abuse.

Family violence occurs among all types of families, regardless of gender, sexuality, income, profession, culture, ethnicity, religious or socio-economic background.

Family Violence Command Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway urged the community to dispel commonly-held beliefs about family violence and understand the realities – because it was a crime that didn’t discriminate and took many forms.

“If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence, please seek help from police or a support service,” she said.

“At Victoria Police, we believe you and we will take action to protect you and your loved ones.”

Ms Callaway said some myths suggested if a person was in danger and hadn’t left the situation then it wasn’t that bad, but there were many reasons that made it hard for people to leave, including the risk of harm to the victim and their children.

Family violence also affects children in many different ways.

Seeing violent behaviour can have significant impacts on children, including potential consequences for friendships and relationships, as well as participation in social and community life.

Victoria Police has progressively specialised its response to family violence – in recognition of the risk and complexity that incidents pose – and is calling on the community to understand the seriousness of the crime to help prevent it from occurring.

Police have established an enhanced investigative approach to family violence with the creation of 31 Family Violence Investigation Units, as well as enforce intervention orders to ensure victim safety and hold perpetrators to account.

Police not only provide safety for victims who make a report, they also refer them to support services, so they get the assistance they need.

If someone discloses that they are a victim of family violence, believe them and encourage them to contact police or a support service.

Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au.

In an emergency, people need to call triple zero. If people can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to help make the call.

Mixed night for punters at Kilmore trots

The North Central Review

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November 21, 2023

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Mixed night for punters at Kilmore trots

By Len Baker

A variance of winners at different odds saw punters likely come out winning at Kilmore trots on Thursday as favourites won only half of the program.

Parwan trainer Craig Demmler was victorious in the opening race on the program – the Broadstead Kilmore 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1690 metres – with Art Major-Nothing Else Matters filly She Really Matters having her second start.

Driven by Melton’s Josh Dickie, who only returned from his homeland a day earlier after attending the New Zealand Cup fixture on Tuesday, She Really Matters was given an easy time from the pole, trailing the pacemaker On A Night, which led from gate four.

Angling away from the inside approaching the final bend, She Really Matters gained a split on turning and finished best to prevail by 1.2 metres from Aberdene, with Riveera 1.9 metres away third. The mile rate 1-58.8.

Stawell part-owner/trainer Ray Harvey loves the trotters and Skyvalley-Earl Bella gelding Maoris Return, driven by Michael Bellman, landed the Hip Pocket Workwear 3Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

The 2180-metre Hanson’s Cleaning Service Trotters Mobile saw Kilmore’s Julie Mifsud in the winners’ stall after ex-Kiwi five-year-old Father Patrick-Cyclone Dani gelding Cyclone Lebron greeted the judge in a rate of 2-05.5.

Driven by husband Aussie, Cyclone Lebron began speedily from outside the front line to cross Ivar, which began quickly but was content to hand over to Cyclone Lebron shortly after the start.

Given an easy time, Cyclone Lebron defied all challengers to record a 9.2-metre margin over Zesta La Go Go wide on the home turn from four pegs, with Ivar 4.9 metres back in third place.

Julie and Aussie made it two for the night when Kiwi-bred five-year-old Sweet Lou-Stella Franco mare Luella snared the 2180-metre O’Brian Electrical Pace.

Coming away from an inside second line draw to possie four back in the moving line as Spun Silver flew across from outside the front line to lead, Luella sprinted to the wire brilliantly.

She won by a half neck from the Mifsud’s sister Rita Burnett’s Alistair Lavros, with honest gelding Icanmotor using the sprint lane off the weakening leader third 1.7 metres away. The mile rate 2-04.1.

Longlea trainer Glenn Sharp has a phenomenal record in square trotting races and added another to the list when in-form six-year-old Imperial Count-Aladen Star mare Bellmac Bambi led throughout from gate four in the 2180-metre MC Security Trotters Mobile.

Driven by Jack Laugher, Bellmac Bambi ran out a big 16-metre victor over Master Combatant, which trailed, and Sheza Chocolatier, who was 6.8 metres away third. The mile rate 2-06.8.

Laugher brought up a double after ex-Kiwi Rakero Slammer led all of the way in the 2180-metre Jet Roofing Pace.

Trained at Strathfieldsaye by Julie Douglas, Rakero Slammer ran out an easy 6.6-metre victor in advance of a death-seating Over The Odds, which battled on gamely.

After trailing the winner, Ruby Wingate was third 3 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.5.

Trainer Tony Xiriha, from Pipers Creek near Kyneton, is having a well-deserved hot run at present and eight-year-old Red Samurai-Spinster Clare mare Buslin Brody made it four wins in succession by taking the C and M Build Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Coming away from the inside shortly after to again take control, Buslin Brody was never headed, running out a 3.9-metre winner in a rate of 2-03.7 over Aldebaran Boyd and Twixton, which ran on late after being held up at a crucial stage.

Bolinda’s Brent Lilley combined with Chris Alford to capture the 2180-metre Georgina and Co Trotters Mobile aboard five-year-old Skyvalley-Kyvalley Café mare Kyvalleyhoneybunny, raced by long-time stable client Jim Connelly.

Beginning safely from gate three. Kyvalleyhoneybunny was given an easy time to run out a 2.9-metre victor in a mile rate of 2-03.9, over Champagne Charlie and polemarker Chinski third a neck away.

The Garrard’s Horse and Hound Pace over 2180 metres provided the most exciting finish to the night going to Junortoun trainer Tayla Fellows’ Betterthancheddar-My Classical Belle four-year-old entire Classically Smooth.

The win gave Laugher three wins on the program.

Classically Smooth travelled sweetly all of the way before easing three wide on the final bend.

With several runners spread across the track halfway up the running and Hair Razor galloping under pressure, Classically Smooth did best to score by a head from Keepcrackingjokes after being extricated from four pegs in the back straight.

Shawami Lass was third, a half head away after using the sprint lane. The mile rate 2-03.9.

It was the last Kilmore meeting for some time as a new barn area is to be constructed, curtailing racing at the venue.

Property of the week: A statement of quality

Grace Frost

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November 21, 2023

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Property of the week: A statement of quality

38 Harrington Drive, Kilmore

Land Size: 1206 m2

For sale $998,000 to $1,050,000

Boasting enviable street appeal and quality from top to toe, this magnificent home on a 1206m2 corner allotment is ideally located amidst other quality homes within walking distance to all of Kilmore’s amenities.

NUTRIEN 38 Harrington Drive Kilmore Backyard

The property has been thoughtfully designed to make the most of the allotment, with an oversized double garage and adjacent access off Science Way for an additional vehicle or trailer and a nine metre x six metre, approximately, shed with side access from Harrington Drive for a caravan or motorhome.

NUTRIEN 38 Harrington Drive Kilmore Living

The open-plan kitchen with stone benchtops and quality appliances adjoins a spacious family room with wood fire and Tasmanian Oak flooring. This space is light-filled and offers many beautiful vistas of the garden beyond. There is also a separate carpeted lounge, which captures the morning light.

NUTRIEN 38 Harrington Drive Kilmore Dining

The main bedroom includes a bay window, ensuite with double vanity and corner spa plus a walk-in robe. There are a further two bedrooms with built-in robes and a fourth bedroom or study.

Additional features include nine-foot ceilings throughout, evaporative cooling and gas ducted heating.

The features continue outside with decked verandahs front and rear, outdoor blinds, a gorgeous pergola with wood fire nestled amidst the gardens, two water tanks, a bore for garden use and a fully automated watering system.

NUTRIEN 38 Harrington Drive Kilmore Alfrsco

Start enjoying the good life in quiet and spacious surrounds.

We invite your inspection of this truly magnificent home.

NUTRIEN 38 Harrington Drive Kilmore Hedge

Agent: Jeanette Laffan
Mobile: 0438 452 641
Email: jeanette.laffan@nutrien.com.au

116 Powlett Street, Kilmore 3764
T: 03 5782 0400
www.kilmore.nutrienharcourts.com.au

Lancefield artist showcases first exhibition

Grace Frost

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November 21, 2023

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A Lancefield artist who has found her calling will host her first solo art exhibition this weekend, displaying oil paintings at Double Oaks Estate and Cellar Door in Lancefield.

Artist Sharon Pappas will showcase her collection ‘New Perspectives’ that presents a female figure with no face, merged in different landscapes.

About 25 paintings are available to be viewed and purchased at the exhibition.

Ms Pappas said it was up to the audience to create their own connection to the images.

“My story that I am painting, when somebody looks at it, they feel what they’re feeling at the time,” she said.

“I love that people can interpret these and I feel like when you put a face on them, you’re giving people more information about what they really need.”

The landscapes in the paintings are places that Ms Pappas has seen and travelled to.

“The idea of that for me is my connection to the land, I grew up on a farm [in Queensland] and we were living in Melbourne when COVID happened, and we moved out to Lancefield, and I reconnected with the countryside, its just been profound for me,” Ms Pappas said.

“I just love being here, and I think it’s about me and my connection to the country.”

Ms Pappas was a pastel artist when she was in her 20s but stopped due to personal reasons, and picked it up again when she moved to Lancefield in 2020 with her family.

The year after, Ms Pappas re-discovered her love for art and said she had finally found what she wanted to be when she grew up, in her late 40s.

“When we moved out to Lancefield, there’s just this beautiful countryside and COVID gave us a bit of time to ourselves, I just started doing the pastels again,” she said.

“My grandad was an oil painter, he passed away when I was in my teens and I didn’t get a lot of time with him, but he did teach me the basics, and so I thought ‘right I’m going to start with oil because that’s what he did’.

“I think I’ve changed as a person since I moved and I’ve become a lot more aware of myself, and I feel like this collection is the very first time that I’ve actually produced something that’s in my soul, art wise.”

Ms Pappas said she worked ‘extremely hard’ to get to where she is with her art.

“I’ve painted every day since I picked up my first oil tube and I watch YouTube videos, read books and am basically self-taught,” she said.

“I’ve just been putting in the hours at my easel and keep pushing myself to get better and I’m certainly not through the journey yet.

“This idea of the women blending in with the scenes, it really speaks to me, I love it, I’m going to continue exploring that.”

Ms Pappas welcomed art or wine lovers to attend the exhibition, with opening night to include lucky door prizes, and a demonstration to be presented throughout the weekend.

The exhibition will start on November 24, from 6pm until 9pm, and continue on Saturday and Sunday, from 10am until 3pm, at Double Oaks Estate and Cellar Door, at 104 Ashworths Road, Lancefield.

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