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Wildlife collisions rise across the region

September 26, 2023

By Grace Frost

Wildlife Victoria data has revealed wildlife injuries and fatalities have exceeded pre-pandemic figures in the region.

The rate of wildlife death and injury is at its highest in the region in the Macedon Ranges, followed by Hume City, City of Whittlesea and Mitchell Shire.

Wildlife death and injury increased by an average of 41 per cent from 2019 to 2022 across the region.

In the first seven months of 2023, there were more fatalities and injuries caused to wildlife in the Macedon Ranges, Hume City, City of Whittlesea and Mitchell Shire than in the entirety of 2019.

Vehicle collisions remain the leading cause of wildlife casualties throughout the region, contributing to 43 per cent of all cases between January 2019 and August 2023.

In the Macedon Ranges last year, 759 animals were hit by vehicles, compared to 604 pre-pandemic.

Last year, 347 animals were hit by vehicles and suffered injury or death in the Mitchell Shire – 40 per cent more than in 2019.

This year, until August, more than one animal was killed or injured per day due to a vehicle collision in the Mitchell Shire.

Three out of four were Eastern Kangaroos.

AAMI insurance recorded the average cost of an insurance claim involving wildlife to be between $5500 and $6400 as of May this year.

One in seven claims involving wildlife in 2022 recorded such severe damage to the vehicle that the car was written-off.

Wildlife rescuer Mary-Anne Johnson encouraged drivers to take note of regular wildlife hit spots in the Mitchell Shire to remain vigilant.

Spots include the Northern Highway, from Wallan to Kilmore, and Kilmore to Pyalong, O’Gradys Road in Kilmore East, Broadford-Kilmore Road and Hidden Valley Boulevard.

“The speed factor is the biggest thing in Mitchell Shire,” she said.

“It would be nice if everyone could just be mindful, slow down, be considerate of others and well as looking out for their own safety.

“We want to get to our destination safely.

“If you can leave a little bit earlier to accommodate getting to work earlier, that would be good.

“Be mindful of the top times, dusk and dawn, that our wildlife are active.”

Mitchell Shire Council acting chief executive officer Mary Agostino said although council addressed high-risk areas with signs, it was not possible to respond to every incident or location.

“We strongly urge individuals to drive cautiously and remain vigilant about the native wildlife that shares our environment,” she said.

“Dawn and dusk are periods when wildlife activity peaks, making it crucial for drivers to be extra cautious during these times and drive to the road conditions, especially in rural or semi-rural areas.”

Wildlife Victoria can be contacted on 03 8400 7300.

Wildlife ‘carnage’ at new Edgars Road extension in Epping

Golf club tournament success in Kilmore

Grace Frost

September 26, 2023

THE weekend of September 16 brought perfect weather and bright sunshine to Kilmore Golf Club, KGC, for its big golfing tournament.

Saturday featured both the men’s and mixed 4BBB Stableford competitions, followed on Sunday by the men’s open tournament.

The majority of players were Kilmore Golf Club members, however there were many from the surrounding area and from neighbouring clubs.

Saturday’s competitions had 10 men’s teams and 12 mixed teams take to the course, with the KGC pairing of Nick Wogan and Tony McGregor taking out the men’s division win on 43 points,

Shane Culpin and Rob McDonald, of Broadford Golf Club, were second on 40 points.

Cyril Anderson and Helen Clancy, left, with Rod Williams after winning the mixed competition.

The mixed event was a much closer contest, with five teams separated by just one point.

On 42 points were the teams of Jill Banon and Merv Schadendorff, and Cheryle Andersen and Ron Campbell.

Men’s open tournament A Grade winner Chris Biffin.

With three teams left tied on 43 points, the winners were Helen Clancy and Cyril Anderson in first, Sophie Banon and Rob McFadden in second, and Andrea and Mark Boland third.

There were nearest the pin markers on all par three holes, along with drive and pitch on the first and eighth holes.

On Sunday, the men’s open was populated by a field of 32 players and had both A Grade and B Grade competitions decided on a countback.

A Grade winner was Chris Biffin, from Justin Ryan – both with nett 72, while B Grade winner was Mick Roberts on countback from James Boland, both nett 67.

The KGC committee thanked all involved, particularly the people who helped during the event to ensure the success of the weekend.

Extensive volunteer work went into getting the course into the best possible condition for the weekend.

The committee also thanked all other volunteers for their work in administration and in the kitchen on the day.

Kilmore Golf Club welcomes all players, male and female, of all ages and experience, as well as both competitive players and social players.

For more information, visit the club website at kilmoregolfclub.com.au or email info@kilmoregolfclub.com.au and leave contact details, including a phone number.

Kilmore harness meeting moves to Melton

Grace Frost

September 26, 2023

The Kilmore harness program scheduled for Thursday was transferred to Melton due to ongoing lighting problems at Kilmore.

A 10-event card took place with Kilmore duo Rita Burnett and daughter Monique winners when four-year-old Well Said-Mitzi M Hanover mare Mitzi Said was successful.

The raging $1.40 favourite, driven by Monique, won in the 1690-metre MC Security Pace.

Starting from gate three on the second line, Mitzi Said settled at the tail of the field as Direct Command led from gate four.

Going forward three-wide solo in the last lap, Mitzi Said sustained a long run to nose out the pacemaker right on the wire, with Lancefield hope Im Territorial using the sprint lane off the back of the leader to run third, 1.3 metres away. The mile rate 1-55.6.

The duo made it a double when six-year-old Shadow Play-Dancingwithjodi mare Shania Tee, raced by Patrick Mifsud, scored in the Jet Roofing Pace over 2180 metres.

Starting from the extreme draw, Shania Tee went forward three wide from three back in the last lap, similar to her stablemate, to lead on the final bend and register a strong nine-metre victory.

She ran home in advance of Emrites and Choose Reactor, which raced exposed finishing a nose away, third. The mile rate 1-58.1.

The Hip Pocket Workwear Maiden Trotters Mobile opened the program with Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley and neighbour Chis Alford victorious aboard four-year-old PegasusSpur-Happy Maori mare Maori Duchess – much to the delight of high profile owner/breeder Fred Crews.

She was taken back from outside the front line to possie one out, four back, as Tara Tuff led.

Trailing Heza Gunslinger three wide ahead of her in the last lap, Maori Duchess just got there by a half head to defeat Velvetnlace, which trailed the pacemaker easing three wide on the final bend.

Brookies Babe, after racing in the open and hitting the front on the home turn, was third 2.1 metres away. The mile rate 2-02.1.

Veteran octogenarian Graeme Whittle, trainer/driver of Amunet, an honest six-year-old daughter of Majestic Son and Melpark Sunrise, landed the Buds and Branches Florist Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres in a rate of 2-02.8.

Amunet led throughout to register a neck margin over stablemates Reigning Lillies, off a three-wide trail from three back last lap, with Whats The Tea flying home out wide for third a half neck back after trailing the stablemate home. It was Amunet’s sixth success in 64 outings.

Myrniong’s team Sugars – Jess and Greg – were successful with Darcys Fireball in the Carlton and United Breweries 3Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Other winners on the night were Carisbrook trainer Brett Shipway’s mare Black And Gold, having start number 145, and snaring an exciting 2180-metre C and M Build Group Trotters Mobile; short-priced favourite Sydneysider Tardelli, trained by Rickie Alchin at Menangle and driven by Abbey Sanderson, taking out the 2180-metre TAB Pace; and American Ideal-Indigenous filly Ynobe Dakota who easily won the 2180-metre Broadstead Kilmore 3Y0 Fillies Pace in 2-00.7.

Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham, who had been in the money during the night with numerous placings, finally cracked it for a win when Used To Me-Pink Or Purple colt At The Distance was impressive in taking the O’Brien Electrical 3Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile.

With Alford in the sulky, At The Distance, bred by Ross’ brother Leigh and raced by Emily Holmes, raced to the front on straightening to win by 2.5 metres from first starter That’s Dudley, with Southwind Chloe third 2.6 metres back. The rate 2-04.7.

The Georgina and Co Maiden Pace over 2180 metres closed the night out, with victory going to Nagambie trainer Danny Ferris’ four-year-old Art Major-Village Spy gelding Major Suspect, driven by Heathcote’s Sean O’Sullivan.

All roads lead to Kilmore on Friday for the long-standing $75,000 Kilmore Pacing Cup.

City of Whittlesea’s Youth Council seeks members

Grace Frost

September 26, 2023

City of Whittlesea’s Youth Council seeks members

The City of Whittlesea’s Youth Advisory Committee will formally become a youth council next year, following council’s decision at its September meeting.

The Youth Council is open to individuals between the ages of 12 to 22 who work, live or study in the municipality.

Responsibilities include providing advice to council on matters affecting youth, creating opportunities for young people to participate with council and have voices heard, advocating for the interests, challenges and opportunities faced by young people, and offering input and feedback on relevant matters referred from council before formal decisions.

Each youth council term is for two years, allowing youth councillors the flexibility needed towards work, study or personal commitments.

The City of Whittlesea is dedicated to providing First Nations representation and has reserved a dedication position for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander young person.

Administrator Peita Duncan said the transition to an official youth council would provide young community members with an opportunity to shape the municipality’s future.

“We recognise the importance of their voices and celebrate the unique perspective they bring to the table,” she said.

“I’d like to thank the enthusiastic and very impressive young people who have been a part of our committee over recent years.

“We’re looking forward to recruiting for our new youth council and continuing to support and empower our young people.”

Recruitment for City of Whittlesea’s Youth Council will begin in October. For more information, visit engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Mandalay hosts Melbourne Cup tour

Jordyn Grubisic

September 26, 2023

Club Mandalay in Beveridge hosted the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup tour on Thursday, giving people the chance to hold the $600,000 dollar cup.

The cup has 1.65 kilograms of 18-carat gold and totals 3.8 kilograms including all elements of the cup, down to the screws made in Australia.

Club Mandalay was one of 41 locations selected to host the tour, which travels Australia-wide and internationally to countries including Ireland, New Zealand, France and Japan.

Club Mandalay general manager Peter Mitchell said it was a great opportunity to bring the community together.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to work with a quality brand like the Victorian Racing Club and bring the cup out for our community and our residents to enjoy,” he said.

“It’s a very rare opportunity to get up close to something that is prized on a global stage, so for us to be able to facilitate that and have our community members come in and enjoy the opportunity is great.

“That’s what we’re trying to do – engage our community with this facility and this opportunity is a perfect way to do that.”

Club Mandalay hosted activities for children to enjoy including face painting, jumping castles and pony rides as part of the Melbourne Cup visit.

Facepainting, a jumping castle and pony rides were also available for children to enjoy on the day while their caregivers enjoyed viewing the cup.

Victorian Racing Club, VRC, representative Stewart Cook said the tours had great engagement.

“For me personally, it’s a great opportunity to see what the VRC actually means to people and for the VRC itself it is an opportunity to share the cup,” he said.

“It’s called ‘the People’s Cup’ and we want to take it out to people and get this sort of exposure we have happening right now where people that may not ever get to go to the actual races can feel like they have a connection to it and be part of it.

“Absolutely we have seen community engagement. Obviously, we’re close to Melbourne so you get a lot of engagement but even more remotely – sometimes families drive a couple of hours to see the cup and, the community themselves, they go to a lot of effort for it.

“We were at a retirement village earlier today and they were all dressed up, had a band playing and they all really get behind it.”

New Landcare group for Hidden Valley

Grace Frost

September 26, 2023

UPPER Merri Landcare will host a community meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, for Hidden Valley residents interested in being part of a new environmental volunteer group.

The meeting is designed to gauge interest in forming an environmental volunteer group, what environmental activities interest residents, and what environmental and land management issues raise concerns.

Activities that could be organised include wildflower walks, night walk spotlighting, and community tree planting, while environmental issues that raise concerns could include illegal firewood collection and dumping of rubbish.

While the group will focus on the public land areas and other reserves in Hidden Valley, private landholders can also be involved to help better manage their land.

The name and the focus of the new group will also be decided by the residents of Hidden Valley who want to be involved.

The meeting is planned for 6.30pm Wednesday, October 4, at the Hidden Valley Resort.

For more information and to confirm attendance, contact Upper Merri Landcare facilitator Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or chriscobern@mcmc.org.au.

Students’ work flourishes at Kilmore Community Garden

Max Davies

September 26, 2023

Students’ work flourishes at Kilmore Community Garden

Kilmore Community Garden committee members supervised Wallan Secondary College students this month, with the students helping to set up a garden as part of their Vocational Education and Training, VET.

Ten students working towards their Certificate Two in Active Volunteering were required to complete a 20-hour community project as part of the Project Ready program, which provides students with vital work readiness and personal development skills.

The students adopted new skills through setting up small wooden garden beds and kits for wicking beds, propagating plants, creating artworks and a new worm farm, and participating in garden upkeep such as watering and weeding.

Kilmore Community Garden president Fiona McGettigan said the student’s work made a big difference for the garden’s use ahead of summer.

“An important part of our community garden in Kilmore is skill sharing so we were really happy to host students and to have an opportunity to share some skills with young people,” she said.

“It’s been massively helpful. I keep going back to the wicking beds but there’s so much work in setting those up … and it just really gave that project a kick along with wanting those beds set up before summer, so that we don’t have to be hand-watering so much.

“Our aim is to get things set-up and running really well … and then take a back-step and let the next younger lot takeover.”

community garden — Wallan Secondary College students Riley and Asees help prepare the wicking beds at Kilmore Community Garden, as part of their studies.

Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network Project Ready facilitator and VET trainer Hope Hamilton, who organised the volunteer placement and worked alongside the projects, said the students were enthusiastic about the positive changes they could assist with in the garden.

“For some students, this is their first encounter working with and engaging in conversations outside of their family and friendship circles, so there are many aspects to the learning that takes place,” she said.

The Commonwealth Bank Kilmore branch manager Denise D’Amato visited the Community Garden this month to present a cheque for $500.

The Community Garden was one of two local organisations involved in a recent local Community Donations campaign and gained votes from the community to be successful for the award.

Kilmore Community Garden thanked everyone who voted and were grateful to the Commonwealth Bank.

Open day experience at Puckapunyal

Max Davies

September 26, 2023

Puckapunyal was a sea of orange vests earlier this month as more than 1300 school students from across Victoria attended an open day at the military area.

Hosted as part of the Defence Work Experience Program, the day was an opportunity for students from years seven to 12 to experience and learn about military equipment while taking a glimpse into the lives of military personnel.

The students got up close with Army vehicles and equipment, including Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, Australian light armoured vehicles, artillery, tanks, G-Wagons, as well as military working dogs.

Pucka 1 — Corporal Nicholas Jagger introduces his military working dog to Defence Work Experience Program participants Aidan Young, of Nathalia Secondary College, and Roaa Nashashibi, of Sirius College in Shepparton.

Lieutenant Colonel James McGann said the response from students was overwhelmingly positive.

“Across the day, I was impressed with the positive attitudes of the students and their willingness to learn,” he said.

“This was a real hands-on experience, and one I hope they remember for a long time to come.”

Pucka 3 — Hazel Glen College student Sarra Sadiq is shown a thermal imaging system by Sergeant Christopher Lang.

Defence Work Experience Program Victoria manager Navi Kaur said the students’ enthusiasm was impressive.

“The personnel were so engaged and happy to talk to the students, and help them understand what life in the military is like,” she said.

“The feedback we received from the schools involved was so positive.”

The Defence Work Experience Program is designed to expose students to corps, trades and daily routines they would expect should they pursue a career in the Australian Defence Force.

Burn-off exemption planned for Macedon Ranges Shire

Max Davies

September 26, 2023

Burn-off exemption planned for Macedon Ranges Shire

A temporary burn-off exemption is set to be introduced throughout the Macedon Ranges in October to help landowners prepare their properties ahead of fire season.

In consultation with Macedon Ranges fire brigades, Macedon Ranges Shire Council will allow registered open-air burns on land 4000 square metres or less without a permit for the month of October.

Council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan encouraged landowners and residents to take advantage of the exemption.

“It is vital that we all work together to avoid complacency and prepare as best we can amid an often unpredictable ever-changing climate,” he said.

“Council officers will be continuing our annual program of targeted mowing, slashing and roadside weed management as the weather starts to warm up.”

Property preparations ahead of fire season should include slashing grass, removing any fine fuels, rubbish or materials likely to cause, maintain or promote a fire, storing flammable liquids and materials away from the house, cleaning gutters and removing noxious weeds.

To assist with clean-ups, green waste disposal is free at council resource recovery facilities for ratepayers and tenants in the shire, while residents are encouraged to make use of their Food Organics Garden Organics bin.

If burning off, people must monitor weather conditions before starting any fire, and register their burn by calling 1800 668 511.

From November 1, burning-off restrictions will revert back to people being prohibited to burn in the open air on land 2000 square metres or less. A permit will be required for burning off on land more than 2000 square metres and equal to or less than 4000 square metres.

or call 5422 0333.

Historic Tallarook property on show

Max Davies

September 26, 2023

The garden at Rokeby, Tallarook, is set to open next month as part of the Open Gardens Victoria scheme.

Set at the base of the dramatic Tallarook Ranges near the Goulburn River, Rokeby’s five-acre garden incorporates a formal rose garden, citrus grove, ‘Avenue of Honour’, luxurious secret garden, sculptures and a central water feature.

The garden style is ‘Gardenesque’ with paths meandering through diverse plantings of more than 1500 different species and wonderful vistas to the countryside.

Rokeby is a historic property that was first settled in 1836 as part of the 27,000-acre Tallarook Run, with its current homestead dating back to the 1870s.

The original shingled cottage – which predates the homestead – still stands in the garden.

The open day will feature coffee, a lunch box, local wines and plants propagated from the garden available for purchase, and visitors are welcome to stay as long as they like.

Visitors can also visit nearby Seasonal Concepts for free, which offers a wide range of freshly cut roses and old wares displayed in a purpose-built pavilion.

The garden will be open from 10am to 4.30pm on October 21 and 22, with entry $10 for adults, $6 for students and free for under 18s.

or at the gate, with catering proceeds to go towards Tallarook Tarts and the Tallarook community arts group.

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