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January 27, 2023

Police investigate fatality near Broadford

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash near Broadford this afternoon.

It is understood an eldery man was driving along Broadford-Glenaroua Road, north of Broadford, when he left the roadway and crashed into a tree about 12.10pm.

The man died at the scene.

Paramedics attended the singe-vehicle crash, treating the single occupant.

Broadford and Kilmore fire brigades, Kilmore State Emergency Service, and police also attended the crash, closing the Broadford-Glenaroua Road for a period of time.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam or information is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Outstanding citizens recognised for community work in Mitchell Shire

Lauren Duffy

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January 26, 2023

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Outstanding citizens recognised for community work in Mitchell Shire

THE selflessness, compassion and positivity of the community was on display during the Mitchell Shire Council Australia Day awards ceremony in Seymour today.

The annual ceremony recognises the outstanding efforts of community leaders in several categories, including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Community Group of the Year and and Access and Inclusion Champion Award.

Ambulance Victoria paramedic Brian Moffat was named Citizen of the Year for going beyond the call of duty and saving the lives of multiple people while off duty.

Mr Moffat responded to an alert on Ambulance Victoria’s GoodSAM app after a man collapsed in Pyalong and went into cardiac arrest.

Paramedic Brian Moffat, right, with *Pyalong resident Lloyd Robinson*, who he saved the life of when he used a defibrillator from Pyalong CFA.

Mr Moffat instructed bystanders to use his phone in order to alert CFA members that he needed assistance and a defibrillator while he attended to the man.

He then used the defibrillator to restart the man’s heart after it stopped, saving his life.

Following the incident Mr Moffat initiated a fundraising campaign to purchase and install another defibrillator in Pyalong that could be easily accessed by the public.

He also organises community information sessions to demonstrate CPR and the use of a defibrillator to the public.

Ethan Running Bins for Farmers 2 — Hidden Valley teenager Ethan Liddy is Mitchell Shire’s Young Citizen of the Year.

Young Citizen of the Year was Hidden Valley teenager Ethan Liddy, who rides the length of his street each week to put out bins for several neighbours, collecting money in exchange, which he donates to the Buy a Bale campaign supporting rural farmers.

Ethan was inspired to raise money for farmers after a Hay Mate fundraising concert in 2018, and his parents agreed to match every $100 he raised.

A9207215 scaled e1667192912483 — Seymour Football Netball Club officials led the way, along with local tradespeople and volunteers, to spearhead a huge community clean-up effort in the wake of the October floods.

Community Group of the Year went to Seymour Football Netball Club for its outstanding community leadership during October’s flood.

Club members quickly mobilised in the hours after the waters rose to lend their tools, machinery, time, experience and labour at no cost, helping remove sodden carpets, fittings, furniture, whitegoods, food, clothing and plaster from inundated buildings.

Members also knocked on people’s doors to conduct welfare checks and offer assistance as needed.

Broadford Secondary College principal Tania Pearson, left, and Department of Education regional director for north eastern Victoria Karen Money unveil the school’s new logo launched at the school’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Broadford Secondary College’s 60-year reunion was named Community Event of the Year after bringing together many past staff and students of the college.

Detailed displays of the school’s history including sports memorabilia, class photos and academic achievements gave visitors the opportunity to explore the college’s past and relive their part in it.

Guest speakers included former teacher Jennifer Gardner and ABC radio presenter Warwick Long, a former student at the school.

suicide prevention network book e1656914806175 — Mitchell Suicide Prevention Network’ members *Roslyn Stewart, left, and Nikki Simos* with the group’s book Helping Me to Help You.

Mitchell Suicide Prevention Network picked up the Access and Inclusion Champion Award for its unique approach to raising awareness and funds with a book.

Chair Nikki Simos and the late Roger Fletcher included personal stories from 12 Mitchell Shire writers in the book ‘Helping Me to Help You’.

The authors described their lived experience with mental health and offered advice for readers on issues such as domestic violence, anorexia, LGBTIQ+ identity matters, multiculturalism and isolation.

The book is available at the Kilmore Bookstore and the proceeds from sales go directly to Mitchell Suicide Prevention Network.

David Turnbull 1 — Former Mitchell Shire Council and City of Whittlesea chief executive David Turnbull was posthumously awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Also recognised today was the late David Turnbull, a former chief executive of both Mitchell Shire Council and the City of Whittlesea.

Mr Turnbull was awarded a posthumous Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to local government administration, which included stints as chief executive at the City of Whittlesea from 2007 to 2015 and Mitchell Shire Council from 2016 to 2020, as well as various roles at Bulla Shire Council from 1983 to 1995, roles with local government organisations and as a member of the Northern Metropolitan Partnership and the Hume Regional Partnership.

Mr Turnbull received the Paul Jerome Award for Outstanding Public Service from the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association in 2006, and had a memorial prize named in his honour by RMIT University.

He died in March 2020 following a battle with cancer.

Kemp’s Bakery Kilmore hit by car, will reopen tomorrow

The North Central Review

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January 24, 2023

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Kemp’s Bakery Kilmore hit by car, will reopen tomorrow

KILMORE’S Kemp’s Bakery will reopen on Wednesday after closing temporarily when a car inadvertently reversed into the building on Tuesday.

Bakery owner Greg Stevenson said a woman accidentally hit the accelerator of her car instead of the break while exiting the car park, backing into the front of the Sydney Street building.

“She was upset and in a bit of shock, but she wasn’t hurt and nobody else was hurt,” he said.

“We’ve shut for this afternoon, but we’ll be open again tomorrow.

“[Mitchell Shire] Council have been on it very fast. They came out to structurally check the building and it’s structurally fine, so we can open again tomorrow morning.”

Mr Stevenson said the minor damage to the exterior of the building would be repaired in the coming weeks.

“The driver was insured, so it’s all good news for everyone,” he said.

kemps bakery damage — The car caused damage to brick exterior at Kemps Bakery, Kilmore. Photo: Kemps Bakery Facebook

Wallan singer set for Australian Idol

Max Davies

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January 24, 2023

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By Max Davies

WALLAN’S Kaitlyn Thomas will join a wide range of up-and-coming Australian musicians that will feature in this year’s Australian Idol, set to premiere on Channel 7 next week after a 14-year hiatus.

Last aired in 2009, Australian Idol provides an opportunity for musicians from across Australia to perform on national television.

There has been seven different winners during the show’s history, including Guy Sebastian in season one.

Ms Thomas said it was her dream to take part in Australian Idol and had the encouragement and support of friends and family throughout the process.

“I always watched Idol when it was on the TV here in Australia, and I used to watch it with my grandmother all the time along with The Voice, Australia’s Got Talent, X Factor, all of them,” she said.

“I get a lot of people who always say to me ‘Kaitlyn why don’t you audition for these shows?’ and I would say ‘it’s not really for me, but if Idol ever came back that would probably be the one I would do’.

“It was one of my favourite singing competitions that I’ve ever watched on television, and I never though it would come back but lo and behold – it came back.”

The 22-year-old has been performing on stage since the age of four and picked up singing and guitar at eight and nine years old respectively.

She wrote her first song when she was nine, and has since performed across Australia and internationally.

Ms Thomas also uses her music to support organisations such as the You Are My Sunshine Foundation for childhood cancer, as well as being an ambassador for the Bully Zero Australia Foundation.

Her first song, titled ‘I Wish’, was dedicated to a childhood friend who was diagnosed with cancer, with all the earnings from the song donated to the You Are My Sunshine Foundation.

“I remember being the same age as [my friend], she couldn’t do the same things that I could do so I wanted to give back in a way,” Ms Thomas said.

“I remember receiving a $100 cheque from iTunes back in the day and I got to donate that to the foundation, which was really lovely for me.

“My music has led me to become an ambassador for Bully Zero Australia, and it’s close to my heart personally having experienced bullying as a kid, and I know a lot of kids go through it as well. It’s led me to some really great places, which is really exciting.”

Ms Thomas said her interest in singing and playing music was sparked by a visit to Whittlesea Country Music Festival, where she saw artists including Beccy Cole perform before beginning to write her own music and learn what styles suited her voice.

Influences on her music and singing include artists such as Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, and previous Australian Idol contestant Hayley Jensen.

“I just love music in general, I think a world without music isn’t a good world at all,” she said.

“I’ve always loved new and upcoming artists and female artists in any genre, and I like to pick different parts from different genres and take those musical elements and then bring them back into my sound, which I think makes my sound a little bit different and more unique to me as a person.”

Ms Thomas also runs her own music school, which has now grown to 25 students from ages five to 17 for both singing and guitar since it began in 2020.

Students at the school have the opportunity to perform in twice-yearly concerts, allowing them to achieve their musical goals and overcome personal challenges to perform on their own in front of friends and family.

Ms Thomas said it was important for people to be able to follow their dreams, and was proud to be able to use her experiences to inspire young musicians.

“[Being on Idol] is a very ‘pinch myself’ kind of moment. It’s definitely something that I will cherish for the rest of my life and it will be a highlight in my career personally,” she said.

On the back of appearances at Tamworth Country Music Festival last week, Ms Thomas will next week appear on Australian Idol, singing a Gretchen Wilson song.

Australian Idol will premiere on Channel 7 and 7Plus on Monday.

For more information on Ms Thomas, people can visit kaitlynthomasofficial.com or her school’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kaitlynthomasschoolofsinging.

Whittlesea Show makes triumphant return

Max Davies

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January 24, 2023

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By Max Davies

THE Whittlesea Show made its long-awaited return at the weekend, with a wide range of exhibits and optimal weather, making for a memorable event for showgoers and organisers.

With many returning attractions and some new exhibits like the Eroni’s Circus, the show welcomed a significant number of people across the weekend, including more than 8000 visitors on Saturday alone.

The woodchopping event continued its long-held tradition of being popular with spectators at the Whittlesea Show on the weekend.

The show was postponed from its usual November date due to flooding at the Whittlesea Showgrounds last year.

Whittlesea Agricultural Society president Erica Hawke said there was a sense of relief in being able to host the show and was pleased with its reception.

“It’s gone absolutely fantastic, we’re really happy. Lots of people are coming through, all the exhibits look fantastic, and it’s perfect weather. Everyone’s just out enjoying themselves and it’s really great to see,” she said.

“We’re definitely relieved that we’ve actually got to run the show now, and we’re excited that it’s happened and we’re here.”

Cameron holds a snake at Snake Safe Victoria’s booth at the show.

Visitors had the opportunity to take part in a range of free activities, including stagecoach rides, wood carving demonstrations, and rides in a steam truck from 1927, as well as enjoy various roving entertainment and live music.

The Whittlesea Showgrounds’ main arena also played host to entertainment including show jumping and horse events, mounted games, dog shows and a grand parade.

Young dirtbike riders had a chance to spin some laps of the Whittlesea Show’s main arena.

Ms Hawke said the agricultural society was already looking ahead to the next show planned for later this year and hoped it would build on the show’s successful return.

“Now we’ve had this show, we’re really looking forward to the November show as well, so it’s onwards and upwards,” she said.

“Generally, everyone’s really happy with how everything’s gone. The organisers are happy, the crowds and the people are out, it’s all looked really good.”

For more information, videos and photos from the show, people can visit www.whittleseashow.org.au

WR (2023-01-24)

Whittlesea Review

The North Central Review

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January 24, 2023

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NCR (2023-01-24)

North Central Review

The North Central Review

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January 24, 2023

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Grant lag snag for Seymour: Flood Recovery

Lauren Duffy

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January 24, 2023

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Grant lag snag for Seymour: Flood Recovery

By Colin MacGillivray

SEYMOUR businesses, clubs and community groups are still grappling with the fallout of October’s record flooding, with some struggling to access much-needed government grants amid predictions the clean-up effort will last at least another year.

The State Government is offering one-off $5000 grants for small businesses and not-for-profit community sport organisations affected by the floods through its Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program and its Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program.

Groups that are successful in obtaining a grant through either program are then eligible to apply for further grants of up to $50,000 through the government’s Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants.

But while many Seymour businesses have obtained initial $5000 grants, Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said many were having difficulty accessing larger grants.

She said some businesses would be unable to reopen unless they received financial assistance in the next few weeks.

“I’ve spoken to business owners right across our region and there is considerable uncertainty and anxiety around flood payments,” she said.

“It was great to see the initial $5000 payment out the door promptly, but businesses now need further support dealing with such substantial damage and loss of income.

“The sad reality is that if many businesses don’t see financial assistance in their account soon their doors may not open again.”

Ms Cleeland said she had been in contact with Small Business Minister Natalie Suleyman in the hope of expediting financial assistance for groups and businesses.

“People are finding it incredibly difficult to negotiate the bureaucracy so anything that can be done to simplify and speed up the process is incredibly welcome,” she said.

Some community groups have been entirely unable to access grant money, including the Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society.

Secretary Pam Beerens said because the society was not registered for goods and services tax, GST, it was ineligible for grant payments.

“With the various criteria that exist, the main grants that businesses and sporting bodies can apply for, we don’t fall under. If you’re not registered for GST – it’s hard,” she said.

“We’ve spoken with Mitchell Shire Council about it. They were hoping to turn it around and get grants, and I think they are one of only a couple of councils that are trying to get groups that are not GST registered to be eligible for grants.

“We’re not the only ag society that has been affected by this. A lot of them have been impacted.”

Ms Beerens said the society lost much of its equipment, including all of its trestle tables, during the floods.

“We’re looking at how we’re going to replace stuff,” she said.

“Yes, we’ve got until October [for the Seymour Show], but it’s going to take that whole length of time to prepare, and that’s without the other activities we run in the meantime with the [Seymour Alternative Faming] Expo and our sheep dog trials in March.

“For [last year’s] show everyone had spent the 12 months after COVID preparing. That takes a lot out of everyone. Then two weeks later the floods happened, and we’ve been dealing with that ever since. There hasn’t been a lot of respite in the past year for our members.”

Despite the society’s challenges, Ms Beerens guaranteed the Seymour Show would run as usual on October 6 and 7, and predicted it would be well attended by the community.

“Last year after we’d cancelled for the previous two years because of COVID, it was really well supported because everybody put their heart into it. We’ll do it again this year. We’ll bounce back,” she said.

Kings Park committee of management chair Ken Hall said the group had also struggled to access the second round of grant funding due to a GST-related technicality.

With fresh turf laid on the park’s oval last week and work to refurbish a toilet block imminent, Mr Hall said the committee was hopeful the ground would reopen to the public at the start of February.

But he warned the clean-up was far from over.

“We desperately need [the grant money] here because we’re going to have ongoing costs for the next 12 months at least,” he said.

Ms Cleeland encouraged any community groups and businesses requiring grant assistance to contact Business Victoria or call her office.

“If anyone in concerned about the progress of their application I encourage them to follow up with Business Victoria on 13 22 15 and check the status of their application on the Business Victoria Grants Portal,” she said.

“If you or someone you know if struggling to navigate the emergency flood payments, please get in touch. My office is always open to anyone who needs assistance. My team and I will help wherever we can.”

Governor makes Seymour visit as clean-up continues

Lauren Duffy

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January 24, 2023

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Governor makes Seymour visit as clean-up continues

By Colin MacGillivray

GOVERNOR of Victoria Linda Dessau and Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp visited Seymour on Friday to meet with council officials and community organisations dealing with the continuing clean-up effort following October’s floods.

Ms Dessau and Mr Crisp toured several Seymour locations after a briefing with Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Fiona Stevens, chief executive Brett Luxford and several other council officials, visiting the flood recovery hub at Seymour Customer and Library Service Centre, Kings Park and the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk.

Affected community groups and businesses discussed their concerns with Ms Dessau, outlining the ways in which the disaster had affected the town.

Ms Dessau said she deliberately waited until the immediate recovery efforts had subsided to gain a better understanding of the flood’s long-term effects.

“Natural disasters have a long tail, and everybody outside the particular affected region is very conscious of them when they’re occurring, but in my role I’m particularly conscious of how long a community takes after the event to rebuild and recover,” she said.

“I particularly wanted to come now rather than earlier when everyone was hard at it doing the immediate work, just to listen and understand better what’s needed to get the community back to where it was – and even better than where it was – before the flooding.”

While the governor is appointed by the British monarch and serves a largely ceremonial and constitutional role without direct political power, Ms Dessau said it was still important for her to understand the concerns of the Seymour community.

“It has been a very informative visit,” she said.

“It has been interesting to see a community in Seymour where people are really working together and pulling together. It’s great to see how the council is working with the community and the community is working with the council.”

A9202718 3 — Victorian Governor Linda Dessau visited on Seymour to be updated on the town’s flood recovery. Ms Dessau, accompanied by emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp, met with community group representatives and Mitchell Shire Council leaders at Seymour’s Kings Park. Right, turf has been laid on the main oval at Kings Park, with hopes that it will be ready for the Seymour Lions’ football season.

A9202575 3 — Victorian Governor Linda Dessau visited on Seymour to be updated on the town’s flood recovery. Ms Dessau, accompanied by emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp, met with community group representatives and Mitchell Shire Council leaders at Seymour’s Kings Park. Right, turf has been laid on the main oval at Kings Park, with hopes that it will be ready for the Seymour Lions’ football season.

Ms Dessau spoke with several user groups during her visit to Kings Park, which remains closed to the public following the floods.

Riding for the Disabled Association Seymour’s Dania Ahern said the not-for-profit group faced significant setbacks after the floods.

She expressed her gratitude for Ms Dessau and Mr Crisp’s visit.

“[This] organisation has been running for 43 years,” she said.

“In the floods we have lost all the resources we have built up over that time, such as specialised equipment; teaching resources; games; all our tack including bridles, lead ropes and 22 saddles; as well as our kitchen and other facilities necessary for running the program.

“We’ve had to relocate our horses to a volunteer’s farm. To continue to serve our participants after the flood damage, we’ve worked hard to be accredited by RDA safety standards at this temporary location.

“Previously, we were unable to fundraise due to COVID, and now the effects of the flood mean we have additional costs of fencing and purchasing equipment.”

Ms Dessau said while she was ‘optimistic about the long-term result’ in Seymour, a challenging process remained for groups dealing with the aftermath of the flooding.

“As governor I don’t have a political role and I’m not involved in policy, but it’s important that I understand what’s happening all around our state,” she said.

“This is a beautiful part of Victoria with terrific people, and it was essential for me to understand more about what has happened, what they are going through and what their needs are.

“There are so many community organisations that are affected, and that means so many people in the community are affected as well.”

Mr Crisp thanked everyone who had attended the Seymour gathering.

“It’s been so important to listen to those experiences. I look forward to keeping in contact with this great community,” he said.

Cr Stevens said the council was delighted and appreciative of Ms Dessau and Mr Crisp taking time from their schedules to visit.

“It’s very reassuring that they want to personally see the ongoing challenges and hear from those directly impacted,” she said.

“We know we still have a long road ahead and we welcome their interest, advocacy and support as we move forward.”

Hometown victory lands third win

Lauren Duffy

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January 24, 2023

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By Len Baker

Kilmore’s Maryanne Laffan and partner Steven ‘Bluey’ Matson scored a win at Kilmore harness races on Thursday, with their five-year-old Keepcrackingjokes chalking up her third success in 53 outings.

The Heston Blue Chip-Acaptivatingeagle mare landed the O’Brien Electrical Pace, over 2180 metres.

Driven by Matson, Keepcrackingjokes was trapped wide from gate six but was able to angle into the running line midfield as 13-year-old local Wonderforce led from gate two.

Trailing Im Jollygood forward three wide in the last lap, Keepcrackingjokes ran home best to register a 3.7-metres victory over Im Jollygood, with Go George Go coming from the rear for third a head away. The mile rate 2:03.9.

Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley was victorious with five-year-old Muscle Hill-Aldebaran Revenue mare Kyvalley Helen in the Momentum Gaming Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres.

Driven by Chris Alford, Kyvalley Helen was fast away from gate four to lead all of the way, easily accounting for Aldebaran Tanisha and Ragna Thor who was third. The mile rate was 2:04.5.

Kilmore-based Ben Yole and caretaker trainer Robbie Walters combined with James Herbertson to capture the Carlton and United Breweries Pace over 1690 metres with Coveffe Hustler at odds of $23.

Leading out from gate three before surrendering to stablemate Princess Chilla, Coveffe Hustler used the sprint lane to win by 1.4 metres from My Sweet Sabrina from the tail in a mile rate of 1:59.6. Digyourheelsin was third, 2.4 metres back.

Bolinda’s Kari Males landed the Buds and Branches Florist Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with speedy eight-year-old Danny Bouchea-Shania Court gelding Whizzbang Dan, much to the delight of part-owner Ronnie Kelly and partners.

With Chris Alford in the sulky, Whizzbang Dan led throughout from gate four, accounting for the raging hot favourite Rakero Blaze by 6.1 metres after racing outside him after galloping in the score up.

Well-known breeder/owner Kevin Clark snared the quinella in the Georgina and Co Pace over 2180 metres when four-year-old gelding Modern Jive defeated Shaq in a rate of 2:02.2.

Bulla part-owner/trainer James Elliot was successful with seven-year-old gelding Illawong Jovial in the 1690 metre Jet Roofing Pace.

Dabyminga looked the winner when coming away from the inside to challenge on the final bend, but Illawong Jovial, with James Herbertson in the sulky, made full use of the sprint lane to come home best. Sweet Creation held third 1.8 metres back. The mile rate was 1:57.7.

Wildwood trainer Sergio Lenardi’s honest seven-year-old mare Trembita loves racing at Kilmore and registered her third win there, with Annalise Scott in the sulky, when greeting the judge in the Beraldo Coffee Pace over 1690 metres.

In what was described as the ‘drive of the night’, Herbertson brought up win number three when Final Bow took out the 2180-metre Worlds Best Hoof Oil Pace.

Final Bow, trained by Sutton Grange’s Ross Graham, proved too strong in the end over leader Raffas Ace in a mile rate of 2:04.3.

Other winners were La Perriere in the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Trotting Mares Sprint Championship, heat three; Stir Me Up in the 1690-metre Tellurian Wines Pace; Quake Proof in the C and M Build Group Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres; and Paris Jamilla landed the 2180-metre MC Security Trotters Mobile.

Kilmore harness races return on Wednesday.