PASSENGERS in Victoria’s north-east will need to prepare extra travel time during October and November as works take place as part of the Shepparton Line Upgrade.
Replacement coach services will replace trains on sections of the Seymour and Shepparton lines, at the following times:
Between Seymour and Shepparton from October 1 and 6;
Between Southern Cross, Seymour and Shepparton on October 7 and 8;
Between Seymour and Shepparton from October 9 to 29;
Between Southern Cross, Seymour and Shepparton from October 30 to November 23;
Between Seymour and Shepparton on November 24.
Replacement coach services will be a mix of express, semi-express, stopping at all stations services, excluding Essendon and a temporary timetable will be available from the V/Line and PTV websites.
Shepparton Line Upgrade crews will work to deliver upgrades along more than 25 kilometres of track between Mangalore and Murchison East.
While trains aren’t operating, V/Line crews will also continue to upgrade the signalling system along the Seymour line.
Passengers are encouraged to visit ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions for more information and to plan their journey.
Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au. The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.
Seymour Football Netball Club had its presentation night at Kings Park on Thursday night, celebrating achievements across the 2023 Goulburn Valley League, GVL, season.
Morrison Medal winner Jack O’Sullivan won the club’s seniors best and fairest and best finals player, Ben Rigoni was runner-up best and fairest, followed by leading goal kicker, with 34 goals, and third best and fairest Riley Mason.
Ben Cooney won most improved and Huw Jones received the coaches award.
Jones also took home the Eamonn O’Connor award voted by teammates as the player most consistently displaying the values ‘tough, hard and honest’.
Tayte Lewis was the Reserves best and fairest and best finals player with Lucas Cannizzo runner-up and Chayse Thomson third.
Alex Elliott won most improved and Gus Garner won the coach’s award, while Ben Tarran was leading goal kicker with 43 goals.
In the netball, GVL board chair Jacqui Hudgson and league operations manager Jo Spencer were in attendance alongside Tatura’s Elsie Boyer to present the 2023 Wellman Medal to Sarah Szczykulski.
An error in the league vote count saw Boyer presented as the winner of the A Grade medal, but Szczykulski was later deemed the rightful winner.
Szczykulski also won the club’s A Grade netball best and fairest, with Casey Adamson runner-up. Olivia Barry won the coach’s award.
Lucy Zotti was the B Grade netball best and fairest, best finals player and won the coach’s award, while Ashlyn Webster was runner-up best and fairest.
B Reserve best and fairest was Madison Albers with Sarah Waite runner-up.
Casey Drummond was best finals player and Mia Allen won the coach’s award.
Club president Gerard O’Sullivan congratulated players on their on-field achievements during the season.
“We had a really great season across all grades and while we didn’t bring home any premierships, everyone involved at the club should be immensely proud of their efforts,” he said.
“There are some really talented young players coming up through both the football and netball and we can’t wait to watch their progress over the coming years.
“It’s also a fantastic achievement to have the Morrison Medal for the third year in a row and the Wellman Medal being bestowed on some of our club’s champions.
“On behalf of the club, I would like to thank the GVL, Tatura and Elsie Boyer in particular for not only their attendance on Thursday night but the professional manner in which they have all conducted themselves over the past week.”
Mr O’Sullivan also thanked volunteers who made every training session, matchday and season possible.
“While we are incredibly proud of our players, in many ways presentation night is also about the amazing volunteers who keep our club running,” he said.
“We were fortunate enough to induct two qualified life members in Sarah Brown and Dylan Scopel as well as Doug McLarty for his selfless service over decades to the club.
“Doug is incredibly deserving of this honour and we can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for the Lions.
“We are lucky to have a great team behind the scenes that put in countless hours to allow our players to enjoy their games and keep the club running smoothly.
“Presentation night puts a bit of a full stop on the 2023 season but preparations are well underway for next year. We can’t wait to get back into things and achieve even more together in 2024.”
Among other club awards Veronica Hager won the Lenny Brown best netball club person award and Ben Davey won best club person.
With all five senior netball and football sides playing finals, the Lions also finished second in the GVL club championship award.
Raising funds and awareness for the fight against Motor Neurone Disease, MND, is the aim of FightMND’s annual regional road trip, planned to set off on October 12.
Driven over four days, Daniher’s Drive is an opportunity to gather friends and family together to form a team with a fundraising car and contribute to the fight against MND.
Travelling through Swan Hill, Shepparton, Lancefield, Romsey, and Creswick, the drive will feature about 60 cars and more than 250 people contributing to the significant money raised for MND research and care so far.
FightMND co-founder Neale Daniher said the drive was designed to put the ‘fun’ into fundraising.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the wonderful support from all the regional communities in the build-up to this year’s event,” he said.
“Thanks to our awesome teams and sponsors, and everyone who has contributed along the way since our first drive back in 2015.
“I’m proud to say that since that first tyre rolled, we’ve raised over $12 million that FightMND has been able to direct towards research to find a cure and care for those people like me, living with MND.”
Registration fees are $600 per person and include a polo shirt and cap, and car decals, as well as access to exclusive day and night events with all meals and beverages.
Each four-person team must fundraise a minimum of $5000 and can be assisted by the FightMND team in setting up shareable online fundraising pages, ideas, posters and social media graphics.
For $50 per ticket, participants can also enter the Daniher’s Drive Jayco raffle for the chance to win a brand-new caravan. .
“We look forward to seeing as many people as we can on the road, at our community and night events and please help us ‘beat the beast’ by purchasing a ticket in our Daniher’s Drive Jayco caravan raffle,” Mr Daniher said.
A highlight of Broadford Football Netball Club’s presentation night was the announcement of club life member Alwin Neilson as the 2024 senior coach.
Neilson will take the step up from Reserves coach to lead the Kangaroos’ football department.
The club awaits a vote at a special general meeting on Wednesday night on whether it will be accepted into the Kyabram District Football Netball League next season.
The Kangaroos welcomed about 100 people at its presentation night at Craigieburn Sporting Club on September 23.
Three life members were officially inducted after playing 200 senior games this season – Jenny Neilson, Bonnie Welch and Jai Heers.
Newly-inducted life members Bonnie Welch, Jenny Neilson and Jai Heers.
Ms Welch, also president, also took home her first best club person award.
She said the night was about celebrating the achievements of the club this year, as well as looking forward to the future.
“The appointment of Alwin Neilson is extremely exciting,” she said.
“He is a life member, played 264 senior games and just a genuine, knowledgeable, respected person that is very passionate about seeing the club grow stronger into the future. It also gives stability for the football department.
“The club also thanks outgoing senior football coach Jayden Welch for his incredible contributions these past three years.
“The football department saw some dramatic improvements due to a major change in their game plan and structures that saw a rapid and positive uplift in scores and statistics across the board.”
A Grade netball best and fairest Ally Black and runners-up Megan Berger. New senior football coach Alwin Neilson, right, with his sister Jenny, middle, and fellow life member Brooke Currell, left.
Broadford celebrated the success of what might be its last season in the Outer East Football Netball League, where it had five out of six teams across football and netball in the finals, with a premiership in B Grade netball.
“We also had league award winners including a leading goal shooter, teams of the year representatives and a best and fairest; we hosted an amazing preliminary final thanks to all of the hard-working committee and volunteers, we received great feedback from the broader community from running BABBA, we took on the Auskick program again when no one would as we know how important it is to support pathways for future generations, and now we embark on the next phase at the club moving into what we hope is the best sustainable model for our future,” Ms Welch said.
“Our sponsors are also so highly valued as without them, we simply cannot operate so we thank them sincerely for their loyalty, belief and support.
“For everything we have achieved in season 2023, the entire club and all associated should be extremely proud and excited for what’s to come next.”
The club is now seeking coaching expressions of interest for Reserves and U18s football, along with all netball grades A, B, C and U17s.
“It’s a great opportunity to be involved in a family-orientated, rising community club and make a positive impact doing something you love. We welcome all applications,” Ms Welch said.
“Our strength, passion and resilience is something to be celebrated and no matter what we come up against, we always give it 100 per cent wearing our hearts of our sleeve and having plenty of fun along the way. It’s truly great to be part of.”
This is the perfect lifestyle property with a beautiful home, excellent equine facilities and a huge shed.
With an abundance of country charm the home includes an impressive main bedroom suite with newly renovated ensuite, walk-in robe, lounge/retreat, French doors to the back garden and a sliding door to a sun-lit deck – the ideal spot to enjoy your morning coffee.
There are also a further three robed bedrooms plus a study. A larger room could serve as a substantial home office or second lounge.
The main living area is spacious and welcoming and includes a wood fire, reverse-cycle split system, sunroom with French doors to the veranda and attractive solid-timber floors.
The living space adjoins a meals area and a stylish kitchen with 900mm Smeg cooker and delightful garden views.
Outside is just as impressive with a huge 30-metre x 15-metre shed with concrete floor, power connected, tack room, wash bay, laundry, toilet and shower and an impressive bar providing the perfect venue for entertaining family and friends.
There is also an eight-metre x 15-metre shed with power connected, two stalls and day yards, a 60-metre x 30-metre arena, round yard, dog run, chook shed, dog-proof rear yard, three paddocks with shelters, foaling yard and dam. All fencing is electrified and in good condition.
Well-designed for truck and machinery parking, and with sealed road access, this is an ideally located property with a long list of features.
DARRAWEIT Guim resident Kellie Petersen last week carried the torch for the Shepparton leg of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023.
Organised in celebration of Legacy Australia’s 100th anniversary, the relay began in Pozieres, France in the lead up to Anzac Day this year and has travelled around the world – including a visit to King Charles in London before landing in Perth in May.
Legacy is a non-profit organisation serving to support the families of fallen or injured servicemen and was founded five years after the conclusion of World War One.
Kellie Petersen marched wearing her husband’s medals, which he received for his service in the infantry before being medically discharged for injuries sustained during his service.
Ms Petersen, whose husband Noel is a veteran who was medically discharged from the army due to injuries sustained during service, successfully applied to participate in the Shepparton leg as part of the relay’s final stages.
“It makes me really proud and I told my husband I was doing this for him and all the younger veterans,” she said.
“It’s raising funds for Legacy and I think it’s very important to raise as much as we can for them, because they support the families and wives of veterans.”
The relay is set to conclude in Melbourne in October following its sixth-month journey, with multiple participants taking turns to walk the torch south from Shepparton.
Ms Petersen said she walked with her two children Charly and Toby, who are also Legatees.
“I’m pretty excited to do it, pretty proud to just be involved in Legacy,” she said.
“[Legacy supports] myself and my children … it’s great that they can be involved in it too.”
For more information on the relay, visit legacytorchrelay.com.au.
Children and families in Seymour made the most of the AFL grand final eve public holiday on Friday, flocking to Seymour Aquatic Centre for the first-ever Seymour Fun Day.
The sun was shining for children to enjoy AFL activities on the Chittick Oval, with small-scale goalposts and handball targets set up for attendees to practice their skills.
The main event was inside the aquatic centre, where children couldn’t contain their excitement at the sight of the inflatable wipeout challenge that doubled as a jumping castle, the laser tag arena and the archery station.
A giant snakes and ladders and other quieter activities were also well used.
Cobee has a kick of the footy at Seymour Fun Day.
Jackson and Alex enjoy the inflatable wipeout challenge.
Small-scale goalposts and handball targets were set up for attendees to practice their skills.
Jackson has a blast in the laser tag area, eager to get a win with his team mates.
Sophie practices her archery skills at the first-ever Seymour Fun Day.
Vivian and Ollie have lots of fun on the bouncing castle.
Ish Cafe set-up shop to serve parents coffees while they watched their children play at the Seymour Fun Day.
Forty early arrivals enjoyed a scavenger hunt as teams set off to the tennis complex, cricket club and Chittick Park on the search for clues to win family tickets to the upcoming Seymour Show.
The 149 attendees were well fed with food vans, including Ish Cafe’s coffee van, an ice cream truck, and a sausage sizzle proving popular.
There are hopes the Seymour Fun Day will become a permanent fixture on the community calendar for families to look forward to each year.
The event was supported by a Christian volunteer movement, SU Victoria, which hosts camps, holiday, and school programs for children, youth and families to enjoy.
SU Victoria trained and equipped the volunteers for the day.
Mitchell Shire Council also supported the event and Seymour Girl Guides, Cricket Club, Junior Football Club and Tennis Complex also helped out on the day.
Organisers said the success of the day greatly encouraged them to explore the next steps for creating a permanent community-owned and operated fun centre in Seymour.
The centre would provide young people and families in town access to fun activities such as mini golf, rock climbing and a cafe.
A proposal has been put to the Chittick Park Redevelopment Plan for a fun centre to be considered.
If people are interested in helping to implement a permanent fun centre in Seymour, they can contact Michael Easton on 0458 742 362 or dustyministry@gmail.com.
Mitchell Shire Council, Hume City Council and City of Whittlesea will meet on Tuesday to discuss the strategic importance of Cloverton Metropolitan Activity Centre, MAC.
The Cloverton MAC is in the Lockerbie Precinct Structure Plan, PSP, and straddles the boundaries of Hume, Whittlesea and Mitchell councils.
The meeting will be chaired by Hume City councillor Joseph Haweil while Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Fiona Stevens will be deputy chair.
Launched in March 2015, Cloverton is a Stockland property development and is Victoria’s largest master-planned community.
When completed, more than 30,000 residents are expected to live in Cloverton, with a proposed train station, eight schools and the city centre.
Mitchell Cr Rob Eldridge said if planned strategically, the Cloverton MAC would be the new capital of the northern growth corridor, servicing a regional catchment of about 380,000 residents across the three council areas and sustaining an estimated 7500 jobs within the MAC and about 50,000 jobs more broadly.
“It’s a key piece of infrastructure and the combined strategic direction from all three councils will ensure the best outcome for all our communities, and this will probably be an area that a lot of our southern ward people will go to for their employment and most definitely their shopping and the like,” he said.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us to come together and come up with an outstanding outcome.”
Under a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between the three councils, officers have been working collaboratively as a regional partnership on the planning for the Cloverton MAC.
Crs Louise Bannister and Rob Eldridge – one councillor from each ward – will participate in the meeting alongside Mayor Fiona Stevens.
Cr Bannister said it is the first time the three councils would have a joint meeting.
“A lot of our communities are on the borderlines of our municipalities, so anytime we can work together to ensure those communities are functioning well and, hopefully in the future, we can work more together so that we can share infrastructure and other things to ensure all our communities are getting the most that they can from their council or councils,” she said.
“I’m pretty excited for it.”
Cr Bill Chisholm said the idea of jointly working together would create better outcomes for everyone.
“It’s extremely important that we try to get the best out of this area of Cloverton,” he said.
“This is really critical and we’ve got other infrastructure in the south that’s going to be very important as well. I think the idea of jointly working together will create better outcomes all round.”
MITCHELL Shire Concert Band, MSCB, will perform its first concert on Sunday since pre-COVID, following years of not being able to host an official recital during lockdown restrictions.
Reviving its spring concert, the community band is preparing for its show, with a program that offers some familiar tunes, using instruments of percussion, brass, woodwind and string, at Seymour College Arts Centre.
The community band, which has been based in the Seymour region prior to World War One, currently has 22 members from across the Mitchell and Strathbogie shires and metropolitan Melbourne, ageing from mid-teens to seniors.
MSCB supports community events such as Australia Day citizenship ceremonies, ANZAC Day ceremonies, and Christmas carols, but has not performed its own formal concert prior to COVID.
Secretary Elizabeth Bedggood said members were thrilled to perform a concert again.
“Performing in public again, that’s really going to be really great for the musicians because they normally just play for themselves, so it’s terrific to be able to get out and play,” she said.
“Some will be approaching with trepidation because it’s their very first time, but the more established musicians know what it’s like and it’s great to get the applause – I think that’s lovely, some recognition of all their hard work.
“This is an audience who really wants to be there … we’re looking forward to hopefully encouraging new members, both existing performers also some that might have played in their youth … and new members.”
Supported by the Bendigo Bank Kilmore, Wallan and Broadford branches, proceeds from the concert will be used to continue the band’s learner program, where new learners of all ages can discover playing in a large ensemble.
MSCB can accept beginner members aged over 10 years old and introduce students to the band.
“We’ve got a music teacher and so they learn to listen to others and learn to play in a band right from the start, but they also get individual Zoom lessons as well – that was one good thing out of the pandemic is the Zoom lessons,” Ms Bedggood said.
MSCB operates out of the Band Hall, at the entrance of Chittick Park in Pollard Street, and loans musical instruments for a small deposit to encourage people to join.
MSCB’s ‘Spring Blooms Again’ concert is at Seymour College Arts Centre, from 2pm till 4pm on Sunday.
KILMORE Racing Club’s 2023 Pacing Cup went off without a hitch, welcoming a large number of visitors to both its day market and night events.
More than 300 people ate in the bistro for dinner, while an estimated 1000 people visited between 2pm and 7pm to sample some of the items on offer at the market.
Musicians invited attendees to pick up instruments and join in the live performance.
Kilmore Racing Club marketing and partnership manager Lindsey Melis said the day was a great success with sunny weather.
“I’ve spoken to a few people in the community who said they came up for the market and then hung around and watched the races. Some people said they had never seen the races before,” she said.
“Some people just came to the market and then went home and enjoyed the day out, so overall it was a really successful event from our perspective, and we’ve had nothing but great feedback.”
Accessories and headpieces were popular purchases for young visitors to the market. An estimated 100 stalls featured at the Bulla Bohemian market at the John Kelly pavilion before the races commenced. Pictured is the Will-O Wicks stall, with special canine helper.
The nine-race card kicked off at 6pm and featured multiple cup events – especially the Jet Roofing Pacing Cup at race seven.
Rock N Roll Doo attempted to defend his title, however the Cup was taken out by Better Eclipse driven by Greg Sugars for Lara Jay Farm.
“This year was quite a bit busier, I think that’s largely due to the fact we had such great weather whereas last year we had flooding and rain,” Ms Melis said.
“It was really beautiful to have the community come out and support us in that sort of way and hopefully we put on a good show for them, and everyone enjoyed themselves.”
The next major event on Kilmore Racing Club’s calendar is the October 17 turf race day, which Ms Melis expects to be ‘another very busy one’ for the club.
The Kilmore Cup, the club’s feature race of the year, is planned for November 26.
