Panthers maintain perfect start in Big V

-

March 28, 2023

Panthers maintain perfect start in Big V

WALLAN maintained its unbeaten start to the Big V basketball season at the weekend, winning across the board to top the men’s and women’s division two ladders.

The Panthers’ division two men emerged from Mornington with a thrilling three-point victory against the Breakers on Sunday afternoon, coming from seven points down at three-quarter time to force overtime on the back of six straight points from import Arcaim Lallemand in the final minute and 20 seconds.

Lallemand added two more points in the extra frame to give him 30 for the night, while guard Lincoln Stewart nailed a big three-pointer and Tyler Best split a pair of free throws with two seconds left to give the Panthers a memorable 92-89 win.

Lallemand collected 11 rebounds – four of them offensive – and three assists against zero turnovers to go with his 30 points, while Best was a handy foil with 21, and Tom O’Connor narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds.

Starting guards Stewart and Dom Bruno each contributed across the board, scoring 12 points apiece and combining for 11 rebounds and 10 assists on a night where Wallan’s bench struggled to generate much scoring punch.

The men will make their home debut at RB Robson Stadium this weekend when they host Craigieburn at 8pm on Saturday night.

The Panthers’ women have already opened their home account with a pair of wins after downing Coburg and Collingwood in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday.

Wallan broke open what had been a tough contest against Coburg in the third quarter and extended their lead in the last to win 68-55, with star import Kylah Collins leading the way with 22 points and eight rebounds.

Olivia Dalmau produced a typically well-rounded game, scoring eight points, grabbing nine rebounds, dishing eight assists and swiping five steals, while Kaitlyn Bickerton was a handy secondary scoring option with 11 points.

The team then dominated an overmatched Collingwood on Sunday, riding another 20-point outing from Collins to a 105-44 victory.

Bickerton came off the bench to score 16 in the contest, with Olivia Dalmau, 15, Abby Dalmau, 12, and Sarah Scott, 11, each adding punch.

The team will play a road game against Blackburn in round three, at Mullum Mullum Stadium at 6pm on Saturday.

Wallan’s youth league division two men rounded off a perfect weekend for the association with a 90-77 win on the road against Western Port.

Led by Dylan Lombardo’s 25 points and James Bonnici’s 21-point double-double, the Panthers dominated the third quarter to take an unassailable lead after an up-and-down first half.

They will play a curtain raiser to the men’s match at RB Robson Stadium on Saturday, hosting the Chelsea Gulls at 6pm.

City of Whittlesea’s draft budget open for feedback

Lauren Duffy

-

March 28, 2023

0

THE rising cost of living and current economic climate were among key considerations in the City of Whittlesea’s draft budget and draft community action plan 2023-24.

The plans aim to strike a balance between delivering essential services and projects and a financially sustainable future were endorsed for community consultation at a council meeting on March 21.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the draft budget had been carefully considered to best address the current economic climate.

“The past few years have been challenging for our community with the pandemic and now cost of living pressure,” she said.

“In light of this we have developed this draft budget with a focus on delivering on the ground funding that can make an immediate impact including boosts to grants and more funds for seniors groups.

“We’ve also prioritised spending on open space in response to community feedback on maintenance of parks and local streets.”

The $372.69 million draft budget includes an operating budget of $294.85 million and a focused capital works program of $77.83 million, with a proposal that council continues to subsidise waste charges, specifically the State Government Landfill Levy.

The budget also proposes an average rate increase of 3.5 per cent in 2023-24, in line with the rate cap set by the State Government despite inflation rising by 7.8 per cent in the past 12 months.

Other highlights of the draft budget include opening libraries in Mernda and Wollert, increased community grant funding, launching a

Whittlesea Services Hub in Whittlesea, and introducing a customer portal to streamline online interactions with council.

“We have been subsidising the cost of providing the kerbside waste collection for many years and despite adding a new service, glass recycling, our waste charges continue to remain significantly less than other councils who are facing similar cost pressures,” Ms Wilson said.

“To continue to be financially responsible and to ensure we can continue to meet the growing demands of our community for infrastructure and services, the City of Whittlesea is aiming to move towards a zero-subsidy model by 2025-26; subject to the easing of economic pressures on our community.”

Council’s draft community action plan includes 56 priority actions in addition to the ongoing service delivery across the sub-headings of Connected Community, Strong Local Economy, Sustainable Environment, Liveable Neighbourhoods and a High Performing Organisation – all supporting the Whittlesea 2040 vision of A Place of All.

Ms Wilson said the draft budget and draft action plan were shaped by significant community feedback gathered last year.

“In August and September last year we asked the community to help identify their priorities,” she said.

“We’ve used this and feedback from our ongoing conversations with the community to help us shape these important documents.

“Now we are inviting further feedback on the draft documents.”

Feedback or submissions can be made from tomorrow via the Engage Whittlesea website at engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au or by emailing engagement@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or calling 9217 2170. Submissions close at 5pm on April 25.

An Advisory Committee of Council will meet to consider community feedback on June 1 before the final budget 2023-24, and community action plan 2023-24 will be considered for endorsement at a council meeting on June 27.

Lancefield calls for local football sleuths

Lauren Duffy

-

March 28, 2023

0

Lancefield calls for local football sleuths

Lancefield Football Netball Club is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a reunion on Saturday, and wants help to identify players and officials in a district-wide team from more than a century ago.

Organisers have identified the two Lancefield players in the Gisborne Association combined team from 1909, but are calling on descendants or amateur footy sleuths and historians to put names to the faces of the other people in the photo.

The photo was taken outside the old members’ stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the finest from the Gisborne district took on the Victoria Police team.

The two Lancefield players sitting in the front row were Frank ‘Silver’ Caine, third from left, and Alexander ‘Ike’ Johnston, fourth from right, who both played VFL football for Carlton.

The photo, along with many more unearthed treasures, will be on display at the reunion, at Lancefield Mechanics Hall on Saturday.

The reunion is an opportunity for all players and supporters from Lancefield’s 150-year history to attend – or anyone who has played against the Tigers over the years and respected the never-say-die attitude.

Inquiries about the event can be made via lancefieldfnc@gmail.com or 0447 364 497.

Anyone who can identify any of the faces in the photo can contact Romsey-Lancefield and District Historical Society on 0402 248 540.

Historian and author Denis Graham has co-authored a book to be launched in May that details Lancefield’s football origins and its success through the ages.

The book details footballers’ letters from the trenches of Gallipoli, those that died on the Western Front, and those like ‘Ike’ Johnston who returned to captain Lancefield’s premierships, play with Carlton and other VFL clubs.

Lancefield’s rivalry with Romsey of the past 150 years has formed a key part of the Tigers’ history, including matches which once required mounted police to chase spectators off the ground.

The book also covers premierships that were celebrated with brass bands greeting the victorious teams’ return to the railway station, steam trains covered in club streamers and reports of street parties from 1910, through to victories of the modern era.

Blues embrace youth movement: 2023 FOOTY & NETBALL PREVIEW

The North Central Review

-

March 28, 2023

0

Blues embrace youth movement: 2023 FOOTY & NETBALL PREVIEW

“We think we’re still right in the finals race.
We’re still aiming for third or fourth spot – we think that’s a realistic goal.”
– Ben Egan, president

While Kilmore will feature fresh faces on and off the football field in 2023, it hopes to retain the competitive spirit that has made it a Northern Football Netball League division three finals regular in recent seasons.

A new era of Blues football seems at hand, with new president Ben Egan and new senior coach Paul Derrick replacing long-term incumbents Paul Maher and Nathan Phillips.

That change has been reflected on the field with the retirements of experienced players such as defenders Steve McIntyre, Pete de Sousa and Kieran Moran, and wing Ciaran Barton.

Also departing is two-time division three league best-and-fairest winner Chris Ryall, who has joined division one side West Preston-Lakeside as part of a bid to secure a spot with Coburg’s VFL squad.

Tall utility Jaxson Kinnear has joined Romsey, while forward Matt Swindells will join Chiltern in the Tallangatta and District league and Luke Chapman will depart for Longwood in the Kyabram District league.

While admitting the side’s depth would be tested, Egan said the Blues were well placed to cover the losses by embracing a youth movement.

“While some people are expecting us to drop off because of all the experience we’ve lost, we’ve actually gained a lot because we’ve become younger, quicker, more enthusiastic and we can play a game style that better suits Northern Football Netball League division three,” he said.

“Our old game style had to be slower and more methodical because we had older legs in our team, whereas now with so many kids and quick runners, we can put pressure on and be hard to play against.

“The best part about it is we’ve got a lot of kids who have now played 40 or 50 senior games and are ready to step up and go to the next level. People like Bailey Taylor-Egan, the Derrick brothers and Caden Fitzpatrick, who is going to be our main ruckman this year.”

Fitzpatrick will serve as a virtual recruit for the Blues after not playing in 2022, while the club has also added the likes of Ben Schraven from Wallan, key position player Aaron Speak from Ballarat Football Netball League side Melton and centre half back Mitchell Portoglou from Riddell district league’s Western Rams.

Caden’s brother Ethan Fitzpatrick has been listed as a 19-year-old by Talent League side Calder Cannons, and will play when available.

Midfielder Leigh Irons will continue to captain the side along with new co-captain Mick Marrett.

New Kilmore senior football coach Paul Derrick.

Kilmore footy 2 1 — New Kilmore senior football coach Paul Derrick.

Egan said he was confident the Blues would be in the finals mix this season.

“We might cop a bigger beating than we have in the past couple of years when we play against the bigger more experienced teams, but it’s a benefit for us going forward,” he said.

“We think we’re still right in the finals race. We’re still aiming for third or fourth spot – we think that’s a realistic goal.”

Kilmore has also continued to develop its reputation as a netball powerhouse, with the potential to field up to 10 sides in the Friday night compeition in 2023 – a club record.

“That’s massive. We’ll have at least eight, and if we get to nine or 10 that would make us the biggest or equal biggest club in all of the Northern Football Netball League,” Egan said.

Egan encouraged sponsors eager to support the club in 2023 to email kilmorefncsponsorship@gmail.com for more information. Supporters can buy Blues merchandise online via its new website kilmorefnc.com.au.

CONTINUE READING THE 2023 LOCAL FOOTBALL & NETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Picnic a success for Sri Lankan Association

Lauren Duffy

-

March 28, 2023

0

Picnic a success for Sri Lankan Association

THE Sri Lankan Association of Mitchell Shire last week hosted its Harmony Week Picnic, aimed at bringing the community together and spreading the word about the association.

The picnic, at Wallara Waters’ Merri Creek Park, was organised with the support of a grant from Mitchell Shire Council, given to help organise Harmony Week events between March 20 and 26.

Sri Lankan Association president Panchani Jayatilake said the picnic was a success and a chance to help people become aware of the association and its events.

“It’s a great opportunity for us because a lot of people just didn’t know that there was this association running inside Mitchell Shire,” she said.

“It’s good for us to let [people] know, and also to gather all of the other communities because I don’t think there are many associations like this in [Wallara Waters].”

Based in Wallan East, the Sri Lankan Association of Mitchell Shire was formed in July last year and has since expanded to be able to receive support from Mitchell Shire Council, with visitors at the picnic travelling from Craigieburn and neighbouring suburbs to attend.

Ms Jayatilake said she was thankful to receive the council grant, which helped make the picnic a reality for the newly established group.

“Council has given us great support with the grant. We thought opening the event for all the communities and gathering everybody together in one place and having a picnic was the best way for everybody to gather around,” she said.

“I was actually very pleased that [Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell] was able to come and support us on very short notice. As a newcomer, they’re really helping other nationalities a lot and making these events happen.”

Ms Jayatilake thanked the group’s committee for its dedication, along with everyone who contributed to and attended the picnic.

The Sri Lankan Association of Mitchell Shire has multiple events planned for the coming months and people can keep up to date by visiting the Mitchell Shire Lankans Facebook page.

Volunteers needed for Good Friday

Lauren Duffy

-

March 28, 2023

0

KILMORE Fire Brigade is calling out for volunteers to assist with fundraising efforts ahead of this year’s Good Friday Appeal.

Kilmore CFA has been involved with the appeal since the 1980s.

The brigade organises teams of volunteers to door-knock homes in Kilmore to collect donations for The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

CFA member Garry Callinan, who organises the day at Kilmore, said the fundraising was a community effort.

“The aim is to get more people to volunteer some time for door knocking on Good Friday this year,” he said.

“We don’t have enough of our own people to cover all the town, especially as the population continues to grow. The more we cover, the more money we raise.”

Kilmore CFA will act as a base camp on the day, where a morning tea and lunch will be provided for volunteers.

Seymour Coaches will provide a bus to help transport volunteers around town and members from Kilmore Scout Group will assist on the day.

Volunteers will aim to have the fundraising wrapped up by lunchtime, depending on volunteer numbers.

This year’s Good Friday will be on April 7, with volunteers required to arrive at Kilmore CFA by 8am.

Anyone interested is welcome to volunteer, however children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information and to express interest in volunteering, people can contact the brigade at admin@kilmorefirebrigade.org.au.

Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: March 28, 2023

Lauren Duffy

-

March 28, 2023

0

Burglary and theft in Wandong

A trailer was stolen from a property in Stotts Road, Wandong, between 4pm on March 18 and 7am on March 19.

Unknown offenders are believed to have gained access to the property by using an angle grinder on a locked gate. They then broke into a shed, but it is believed nothing was stolen.

Attempted burglary in Wallan

Between 11pm on March 18 and 11am on March 19, an unknown offender attended an address at 19 Mt Eliza Avenue, Wallan, jumped the fence and attempted to break into the property but was unsuccessful.

Burglary at Seymour servo

About $9400 in cash from a till and four cartons of cigarettes were stolen after a burglary at a service station on the Goulburn Valley Highway, Seymour.

The offenders are believed to have gained access by breaking a rear window at about 12.30am on March 25.

Thefts in Beveridge

Between 1am and 1.05am on March 25, unknown offenders broke into a vehicle parked briefly at the Beveridge rest area on the northbound land of the Hume Freeway. A black backpack,containing a wallet, logbook and food items was stolen.

Grey temporary fencing, valued at about $600, was stolen from a property under construction on Oleander Circuit, Beveridge, between 3pm on March 22 and 9am on March 23.

Kilmore golf day a success

Lauren Duffy

-

March 27, 2023

0

KILMORE Golf Club earlier this month hosted its seventh annual Par Three Day, with a large attendance taking advantage of the autumn weather for a day of golf and entertainment.

Hosted as an event open to players with or without a Golf Australia handicap, the day saw more than 110 players take part from Kilmore and other clubs in the surrounding area.

Players competed to win not only the main competition prizes but also $200 on each hole for nearest the pin, a car from sponsors Kilmore Toyota for a hole-in-one on the second hole, and $1000 from Kingsgate Retirement Village for a hole-in-one on the seventh.

Kilmore Golf Club president Bea Lay said the day was an opportunity for all players to socialise while having fun with the sport.

“This annual par three event demonstrates just what the Kilmore Golf Club is about,” she said.

“A local club which welcomes all sorts of players, male and female golfers, experienced golfers who regularly play competitive golf, as well as social golfers who don’t have a handicap but enjoy playing golf when it fits in with their commitments to work and family life.”

Major prize winners on the day were Duncan Griffiths in A Grade, Andrew Young in B Grade, Jill Banon for Ladies, and Barry Kemp for non-handicap.

Par 3 Day Andrew Young Rod Williams — B Grade winner Andrew Young, left, with club captain Rod Williams.

Par 3 Day Barry Kemp Rod Williams — B Grade winner Andrew Young, left, with club captain Rod Williams.

The group were also treated to a sausage sizzle and afternoon tea, and took part in the $150 ‘hit the keg’ challenge on the course, organised by club member Molly Bell to provide a change of pace for the players during their game.

For more information or to contact Kilmore Golf Club, people can visit kilmoregolfclub.com.au or email info@kilmoregolfclub.com.au and leave contact details and a phone number.

Bigger fish to fry for Howley

Lauren Duffy

-

March 27, 2023

0

By ‘Pegs’

KYNETON trainer Liam Howley saddled up $3.30 favourite Fiftysevenyears for an impressive win at Geelong on Friday.

The New Zealand-bred three-year-old gelded son of Street Boss and Belle Chantecler, having only his third race start, was a comfortable winner of the Cement Australia Maiden Plate over 1540 metres.

Starting from the outside barrier, the in-form hoop Harry Coffey had the gelding sitting behind the leader until the 300 metres when going to the lead to easy account for the 50-1 emergency Blacklit Beauty by two and a half lengths with Tenace, $9, a half-head away third.

“He’s a good horse,” Howley said.

“He did exactly what I thought he would do.

“We’ll let the dust settle for the next few days and perhaps the Port Adelaide Guineas over 1800 metres might be an option.”

The listed $100,000 Guineas will be run at Morphettville on April 8.

Fiftysevenyears Geelong — Fiftysevenyears (NZ) ridden by Harry Coffey wins the Cement Australia Maiden Plate at Geelong Racecourse on March 24, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Raced by Liam Howley Racing for family and friends, Fiftysevenyears had a minor placing prior to his win.

Hooftnote: Howley’s stable star Virtuous Circle ran a creditable race in the $3-million Group 1 Australian Cup. He was slow to begin and was held up for clear running approaching the 300 metres before being steadied and tightened for room at the 300-metre mark.

Back-to-back for Jody’s Pill Box

Coming off a debut win for the Kilmore stable at Broken Hill a fortnight earlier, the Jody Thompson-trained Pill Box, $6, led virtually from go to whoa in taking out the bet365 Odds Drift 0-58 Handicap over 1200 metres on at Donald on Sunday.

Ridden by Jack Hill, the Fighting Sun six-year-old gelding, starting from the outside barrier, was allowed to get his feet and went to the lead and was never headed.

The gelding defeated Guaranteed, $5, by one and a quarter lengths, with Sanctimonious, $21, third.

Formerly trained by Neville Kennedy, the gelding is now raced by the Thompson Family, former Kilmore trainer Angie Barton, and other stable clients headed by Pat Mifsud.

Pill Box has now won 10 races with seven minor placings from his 54 starts.

Picnic dead-heats

Kilmore picnic rider Tyson Barton had to share the spoils in the first race at Healesville picnic races on Saturday.

Barton was aboard the Tony Carter-Smith-trained Rider’s Delight, $11, with the judge failing to split the Barry Goodwin-trained More Than Involved, $4.20.

Having only his second start for Barton, the Your Song four year-old gelding was purchased online by the Kilmore trackrider.

“It was my first ever dead heat. The horse went well,” Barton said.

Rider’s Delight was having his 14th start.

Later on the program in the Healesville On Course Bookmakers’ Healesville Cup, the judges failed to split the first two placegetters.

Kilmore Thursday

Kilmore Racing Club will host its next turf meeting at bet365 Park Kilmore this Thursday. For Trackside Bistro or alfresco dining, call the club on 5783 0777.

Art fundraiser set for Glenaroua CFA

The North Central Review

-

March 27, 2023

0

Members of Glenaroua Country Fire Authority and a group of 17 artists are banding together again over Easter to host the Art4CFA fundraising event.

Glenaroua Fire Station will host the event, which aims to raise money for the brigade while also providing an opportunity for the public to see the inner workings of a fire station. People will also be able to view artworks created by artists from across the region.

All artists have an affiliation with or are members of the CFA.

A popular aspect of the show is the Artists’ Challenge, where each artist is given the same reference photo to work from and interpret in any way they choose.

This year’s challenge features the memorial avenue of cypress pine trees beside the fire station, which were planted by the citizens of Glenaroua in 1918 to honour the men and women of the area who had volunteered for service in World War One.

There will be about 100 artworks on display in various mediums including sculpture as well as paintings using oil, watercolour, pastel and mixed media, with 15 per cent of commission on sales to be donated to the brigade.

Opening night will be at 6.30pm on April 6, with catering provided by the brigade.

The show will be open daily from Friday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm, and Monday until 1pm. Entry is by gold coin donation.

For more information, visit the Art4CFA Facebook page.