New-look Melbourne festival for dog lovers

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September 26, 2023

New-look Melbourne festival for dog lovers

The Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival returns next month with an all-new festival look, continuing the tradition of entertaining, educating and inspiring dog owners.

At Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 13 to 15, the three-day festival will attract more than 30,000 visitors and about 1000 dogs of 100 breeds.

The festival will feature live performances from talented canines, engaging talks by dog and animal experts, dozens of breed clubs and adoption groups, dedicated petting zones, pool diving pups, and all the latest and greatest products and services to spoil pooches.

“The event was an idea sparked from the joy of playing with our three beautiful dogs in the backyard one night,” festival founder and chief executive Jason Humphris said.

“We wanted to create an event that encapsulated the unique bond we share with our best friends.

“A place where people could leave planet Earth for a few hours to see the world through their dog’s eyes.

“And to leave with a greater respect and understanding for their dog so they can make their lives better in the short time we have with them.”

52481916037 439b88628f o — Plenty of entertainment, education and pooch pats will be on offer at Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival, at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 13 to 15.

A combination of education and entertainment from some of Australia’s top trainers and vets on the ADVANCE Stage will help visitors to raise healthier, happier dogs.

In a festival first, Bluey and Bingo from the beloved Australian animated series ‘Bluey’ will headline the program with daily performances featuring singing, dancing and plenty of surprises for the whole family to enjoy.

Returning for another year is the esteemed Doctor Karl Kruszelnicki, who will present the next instalment of his Science of Dogs talk, as well renowned film and TV animal trainer Luke Hura, who worked on the sets of Red Dog, Oddball, and The Saddle Club.

Rounding out the jam-packed program is crowd-favourites Kelly Gill and Dr Katrina Warren who will share essential tips for surviving puppyhood with live demonstrations from the talented Wonderdogs.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to get in the Splash Zone as the Antinol DockDogs team launch themselves into a 100,000 litre pool in the Big Air, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve competitions.

There will also be a range of dog shows with farmer Dave Graham and his Extreme High Jumping Dogs, as well as Lucy Karbowiak, Emily Lyons and The High Flying team presenting a showcase of agility and disc through the sport of Frizgility, which combines tunnels, jumps and a frisbee.

And it wouldn’t be a dog lovers festival without soaking up as many pats as possible – with attendees having the opportunity to get up close and personal with litters of dogs from a myriad of unique and loving breeds in the new Lyka Pat-A-Pooch zone.

For those looking to welcome a new dog into their home, there will be plenty of information on selecting the right breed by asking questions to presenters from leading DOGS VIC Breed Clubs, as well as visiting the Pedigree Adoption Zone for access to dozens of adoption groups and rescue shelters.

Tickets are available at dogloversfestival.com.au.

Tough end to strong Mitchell Rangers season

Max Davies

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September 26, 2023

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Tough end to strong Mitchell Rangers season

By Max Davies

MITCHELL Rangers’ under 18 side gave it their all in Sunday’s Football Victoria grand final but came up short in a close finish to an encouraging season.

Facing Epping City in the Boys’ Metropolitan 18C division final, the Rangers went down three to one in a penalty shootout after neither side had scored a goal at full time, with overtime ending in a one-one tie.

Mitchell Rangers 3 1 — Mitchell Rangers warm up for the final against Epping.

After more than 90 minutes played with no goals scored, it was Mitchell Rangers’ leading goalscorer Zach Kennedy who found the net to put his side into the lead in overtime.

Epping was able to equalise by the final whistle of overtime, leaving the two teams to battle it out in a tense penalty shootout that left the Broadford side runners-up for the 2023 season.

Rangers coach Jason Gatt said the side had a strong season and were well-prepared for finals.

“We had a fantastic season … we were very well prepared for the game and had a strong build-up. We played exceptionally well on the day … we just didn’t score enough to win the game,” he said.

“I’m extremely proud of the boys, just the way that they’ve conducted themselves during the course of the year, the respect they’ve shown for each other, and the work ethic that they’ve demonstrated. They’ve been an excellent representation of young men in this community.”

The Rangers had put together a strong home and away season with the support of their senior counterparts to secure their spot in the finals series, finishing second on the ladder with nine wins, one loss and two draws.

Epping earned their grand final ticket in a three-nil victory over Watsonia Heights in the September 17 semi-final, while the Rangers worked hard to come out on top against Knox City in a close one-nil contest – their only goal scored by Jayden Bennett in the 48th minute.

Gatt praised the passionate Rangers fans who made the trip to Monbulk to support the team on Sunday, as well as the work of assistant coaches Tom McLoughlin and Cemal Hakki throughout the season.

“We had people in mass that travelled an hour and a half down the road minimum. There were heaps of our club supporting the boys,” he said.

“The senior team have built a real community around these young blokes … so in terms of club and community, it’s just been fantastic and I’m really proud to have that sort of influence happening within the club.”

The club will now gear up for the 2024 season where it will field multiple teams across junior, men’s, and women’s divisions. For more information, visit the Mitchell Rangers Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mitchellrangerssoccerclub.

School holidays fishing fun at Macedon Ranges

Max Davies

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September 25, 2023

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School holidays fishing fun at Macedon Ranges

More successful fishing trips can be expected during the school holidays, with more than 35,000 rainbow trout stocked into lakes across Victoria provided by the State Government.

Funded by the government’s school holiday stocking program to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture – supported by recreational fishing licence fees – Hanging Rock Lake in Woodend and Walter J Smith Reserve in Riddells Creek were both stocked with 200 more trout.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said fish stocked into local lakes would encourage families to create memories in the great outdoors.

“It’s easier than ever to get kids making memories in the great outdoors, with lakes across the region stocked with catchable fish,” she said.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority, VFA, has stocked more than 26 million fish in the past three years to ensure fishing is provided all year round.

Budding anglers can begin their fishing journey at family-friendly waters, many of which boast access for fishers of all abilities including platform or pontoons, walking tracks, playgrounds, and other facilities such as barbecues.

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or via the Vic Fishing app.

City of Whittlesea residents urged to be fire ready

Max Davies

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September 25, 2023

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City of Whittlesea residents urged to be fire ready

City of Whittlesea residents are being urged to prepare for fire season now.

Emergency services and local government representatives will present information to residents at Whittlesea Community Activity Centre on October 10 in a bid to prepare the municipality for fire season.

Organised by the Country Fire Authority, CFA, Whittlesea and Surrounds Fireguard Group, City of Whittlesea and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the event aims to prepare the community for fire season.

The CFA will facilitate a bushfire scenario presentation, with a chance for residents to speak about their current emergency plans and ask questions to a panel of experts including Victoria Police, Victoria State Emergency Service, council representatives, and the Department of Education.

Topics such as school and aged care facility responses, evacuation plans and caring for animals during emergencies will be discussed.

The City of Whittlesea Resilience and Emergency Management team will also be present, providing information about emergency planning and offering sample home emergency kits and giveaways to promote preparedness.

City of Whittlesea chief executive Craig Lloyd urged people in the Whittlesea township and surrounds to attend to ensure they have the information and support they needed.

“Ensuring our community is equipped to stay safe in an emergency is vitally important, that’s why we are proud to be supporting this event in partnership with other agencies,” he said.

“We want our community to feel confident that they know how to stay safe, particularly ahead of the summer fire season.”

The event will be at Whittlesea Community Activity Centre, located 57-61 Laurel Street, from 6.30pm till 8.30pm on October 10.

Registration is free, which will include light refreshments at the event. People can register at .

City of Whittlesea library partnership renewed

Max Davies

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September 25, 2023

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City of Whittlesea library partnership renewed

A review of libraries in the City of Whittlesea has confirmed that council will continue to partner with Yarra Plenty Regional Library and neighbouring councils in delivering library services.

The review, presented at the September council meeting, looked at the delivery of a future-focused service that would continue to meet the needs of the growing community.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the review had confirmed that libraries were still highly valued, not just for books but also as places of community connection.

“We know libraries are places where our communities go to meet up with friends, to enjoy programs and activities and of course to read and borrow books,” she said

“We have reviewed our current service delivery model with our rapidly growing community in mind.”

During 2022-2023 there were more than 259,000 visits to a library within the City of Whittlesea, which is expected to grow to 489,350 in 2023-2024.

“We need to look at innovative ways we can deliver timely library services to our developing and newer communities,” she said.

“Our long-term community infrastructure plan has considered when and how we will roll out future library services and branches.

“We are delighted to be delivering libraries in different ways.

“We will be delivering library services from a shop front in the Mernda Town Centre and we’re planning for a library hub at the Kirrip Community Centre in Wollert like the already popular model at Galada Community Centre in Epping North, and of course we have our successful mobile library service.”

Traffic switch milestone for Bridge Inn Road

Max Davies

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September 25, 2023

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Traffic switch milestone for Bridge Inn Road

Motorists can now drive on a new section of Bridge Inn Road, as the upgrade takes a step towards widening from two to four lanes.

With 6.4 kilometres of new westbound lanes now open to traffic, one of the final pieces of the puzzle was placed in mid-September when motorists were moved onto a large section of new lanes.

The newly-upgraded Windermere Parade intersection with Bridge Inn Road was also reopened to traffic during these works.

Major Road Projects Victoria program director Adrian Furner said the project was progressing well.

“Crews are making significant progress on the Bridge Inn Road Upgrade as we as we introduce new traffic arrangements to allow for the next stages of construction,” he said.

“Thank you to the entire community for their continued patience. We’re urging all road users to familiarise themselves with the local access changes and observe changed traffic conditions in the area.”

As works progress on the upgrade, crews will be moving traffic onto sections of the new lanes until the end of the year, to set up new work areas and upgrade the existing eastbound traffic lanes.

Traffic on Bridge Inn Road was recently shifted to newly-built sections of road, between Plenty Road and Plenty River, which will enable crews to set up new work areas on the opposite side of Bridge Inn Road to upgrade the eastbound lanes.

One lane in each direction will be open along Bridge Inn Road while work continues to build extra lanes and upgrade intersections.

Traffic arrangements will be in place until early 2024.

Access will be maintained for emergency services in the area, including Doreen Country Fire Authority.

The Bridge Inn Road Upgrade is jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

For up-to-date upgrade information, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions.

pro YFAkg5Ut — Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan, left, and Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage inspect the Bridge Inn Road upgrades.

A night of supporting cancer services at Northern Health

Max Davies

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September 25, 2023

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A night of supporting cancer services at Northern Health

Fundraising champion Josie Minniti invites the community to the 26th Annual Dinner Dance Cancer Fundraiser to support cancer services at Northern Health on October 28.

The 26th Annual Dinner Dance Cancer Fundraiser at Ferraro Reception Centre Campbellfield on Thursday promises a night of live music, food, and a live and silent auction, with exciting prizes donated by local businesses and supporters, all while supporting cancer services.

A long-time supporter and patron of the Northern Health Foundation, Ms Minniti has been fundraising for cancer services in Melbourne’s north for more than two decades.

“This event means the world to me. We’ve come a long way in the fight against cancer, but there is still much work to be done,” Ms Minniti said.

“Together, we can make a difference and ensure that those facing cancer receive the best possible care and support.”

Northern Health Foundation director Melissa Grenville praised the fundraising efforts of Ms Minniti and the Fun Group over the past 26 years.

“We are always incredibly grateful to our community supporters, and one of those supporters is our Northern Health Foundation patron Josie Minniti,” she said.

“Josie fundraises tirelessly to support Cancer Services at Northern Health to ensure patients can receive the best possible treatment during a difficult time.

“She has made a huge contribution to our hospital over the many years she has fundraised for us, and we look forward to this upcoming event.”

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Seymour Flood Hearing: Everything you need to know

News

Jordyn Grubisic

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September 19, 2023

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Seymour Flood Hearing: Everything you need to know

Seymour flood hearing reports by Jordyn Grubisic

Criticism of the emergency response and a lack of sufficient resources in the recovery process formed a major part of the Seymour hearing of the Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria on Thursday.

Insufficient emergency warnings, an incident control centre being established in Shepparton instead of on the ground in Seymour, and volunteers being overwhelmed in dealing with the Seymour flood in October last year were key points raised in Mitchell Shire Council’s submission.

The inquiry’s committee heard from representatives from Mitchell, Murrindindi and Strathbogies shires, as well as business, community, sporting and environmental groups.

Mitchell council also levelled criticism at the State Government’s response in the flood recovery process – focusing on a lack of local housing support for displaced residents and under-resourcing of services for the mental health trauma suffered by people affected by the flood.

Residents and business owners who spoke at the hearing also referenced the ongoing mental health issues caused by the floods, and the lack of support services available.

Business owner Shelley Hamilton told the hearing of the emotional and financial effects the flood had on her and her children, with the family needing to move away from Seymour before returning to rebuild their business and re-establish their lives.

Business owners also spoke of ongoing issues with insurance companies, difficulties in accessing government grants, and the ongoing ripple effect caused to the business and tourism industries.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano and farmers from the region were among the most critical of the government’s response to the flood and assisting those affected in the recovery process.

The hearing, at Seymour Presbyterian Church, had a strong security presence with photo identification required to attend, as well as attendees required to be scanned by metal detectors before entering.

Featured image: Seymour resident waids through floodwaters last year.

Read more from the hearing: