Call to drive safe in finals season

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September 12, 2023

Police are warning people about drink-driving dangers and miscalculating alcohol intake during local football finals celebrations.

As end-of-season celebrations are in full swing, police are engaging with local football clubs and leagues to ensure precautions are in place for players and supports to safely enjoy celebrations.

Club officials and parents are encouraged to arrange alternative transport so players can celebrate with teammates and make it home safely.

Road policing assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said end of season celebrations were commonly associated with social events and alcohol consumption.

“If you’re planning to drink, just leave the car at home and arrange a designated driver or utilise alternative transport methods,” he said.

“We’re also appealing to parents to speak with their kids about planning safe ways to get home before going out so they’re not tempted to drink and drive.”

Twenty-five per cent of drink drivers detected in Victoria are aged under 25.

Miscalculation of alcohol consumption has been identified as one of the most common reasons young drivers give police when caught over the limit.

“Far too often we hear from drivers who thought they’d be okay to drive after one or two drinks. The safest option is – if you’re going to drink, don’t drive,” Mr Weir said.

“We’ll be out conducting testing and focusing on areas where we know events and celebrations are taking place so don’t take the risk.”

Police also remind young drivers that penalties for drink-driving are significant with drivers aged under 26 or with zero blood alcohol content conditions receiving on-the-spot fines of $577 and six month licence disqualification for first offences.

Drink and drug driving continues to be targeted in the lead up to Operation Scoreboard, a statewide road policing effort over the AFL grand final long weekend.

Bowlathon a success in Broadford

Grace Frost

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September 12, 2023

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BROADFORD’S 24-hour bowlathon went off with a bang as the community came together to raise money for cerebral palsy.

More than $8000 was raised for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, with Broadford Bowling Club welcoming a significant number of bowlers across Friday and Saturday, who took part in raffles and enjoyed entertainment and refreshments from event sponsors like Shearasun Brewing Company.

Club champion Dave Ellis said the event was a great success and welcomed people to bowl all day and night.

“The turnout was absolutely amazing. People from the town that popped in, all the people that sponsored us, the bowls members that came – it was just awesome,” he said.

“On Friday night, there were 14 of us bowling and when we came out to the green on Saturday it was absolutely full.

“It was a glorious day and people turned out in their hundreds … Katie had an absolute ball.”

The event, dubbed ‘Katie’s Cause’, was inspired by Katie, a woman with cerebral palsy who attended a barefoot bowls event in Broadford and caught the attention of club members after ‘coming out of her shell’ to play.

Katie put down the first bowl of the bowlathon event to kick off the activities, with some people even bowling for the full 24 hours – albeit with breaks in between.

On-site on day two were also former bowls number one Steven Glasson and AFL All-Australian Lance Whitnall, who shared stories while participants took a lunch break and took part in the raffle.

“I was absolutely overwhelmed with the turnout and how much was raised for cerebral palsy,” Mr Ellis said.

“I’d like to thank every sponsor that we had and everyone that turned up has spoken to me about it, and said they had an absolute ball and it was the best thing they’d done.

Mr Ellis also thanked everyone who was involved in preparing lunch, organising and assisting throughout the event.

Art society springs into action

Grace Frost

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September 12, 2023

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Kilmore Art Society is in the midst of a busy spring calendar of events to showcase their works.

Society president Jeannette Jain said the society was invited by Kyneton Daffodil and Arts committee to participate in its annual festival for 2023.

“We happily accepted and eight members represented the society at the festival held in the showgrounds pavilion at Kyneton,” she said.

“There was a steady stream of visitors through the venue and they responded positively to the exhibition of floral arrangements and to the pop-up tables, selling art and handmade crafts all depicting nature, flora, fauna and spring themes.

“The show was colourful, with many quirky items on show and for sale.

“The happiness displayed by those coming by our tables was evidence enough that art and nature create positive vibes and made us feel very good about our participation.”

The art society was also at Wandong Hall on Sunday as sponsors of a youth art section, where they presented awards to students in the Three Brushes Studio art competition.

It will then host its Colour Splash Day on Saturday, October 23 at Oddfellows Cafe Gallery, starting at 10am, with admission free.

The society extends an open invitation for people to attend and try art in watercolour, pastel and other mediums. There will also be demonstrations in digital art and more.

The current spring exhibition is also showcasing art at the gallery, with Maureen Runge as the feature artist of the month.

The society is also planning a pre-Christmas gift sale at the gallery in December.

Current opening hours for the gallery are Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm. Admission is free to browse during those times. Other times can be arranged by appointment.

Art applications open for City of Whittlesea’s Annual Art Exhibition

Grace Frost

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September 12, 2023

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Art applications open for City of Whittlesea’s Annual Art Exhibition

Artists are encouraged to use webs as a metaphor to explore the connections that shape communities, as part of the City of Whittlesea’s Annual Art Exhibition.

Carrying the theme of ‘The Webs We Weave’, the exhibition will feature artists of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds using diverse mediums such as painting, sculpture, literature, new media and digital art.

Artists are being are urged to draw inspiration from different sources of connections, ranging from physical spider webs to social networks and emotional ties.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said council was looking forward to supporting artistic talent through this year’s exhibition.

“We are proud to support artists with this annual exhibition. The Webs We Weave theme offers possibilities for artistic exploration, fostering creativity and self-expression. We hope the exhibition will create conversations in our community,” she said.

Selected artworks will be showcased in The Great Hall, Civic Centre Office, at 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang, from November 17 until December 15.

To participate, artists are invited to submit an application by 5pm on September 18. Successful applicants will be notified on October 2.

For more information and to submit applications, visit www.arts.whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Seymour flood hearing on Thursday

Grace Frost

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September 12, 2023

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Seymour will host a public hearing on Thursday as part of the State Government’s Inquiry into the 2022 flood event in Victoria.

Seymour and other parts of Mitchell Shire were inundated during flooding in October last year, with many residents and businesses still recovering from the disaster.

Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland was joined by Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath, Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad and Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell to tour Seymour ahead of the hearing and meet with the people and groups that have suffered due to the floods.

Ms Cleeland emphasised the importance of understanding the challenges faced in Seymour during its recovery, and the need for reforms in warning systems, response, and mitigation measures.

“Together, we can work towards meaningful changes and better preparedness for future flood events,” she said.

Ms Cleeland said the area was one of the worst-affected regions in the state and the hearings would help understand the challenges facing Seymour’s recovery.

“Hosting a public hearing is a massive win for the Seymour community who have been pushing hard for this,” she said.

“This is an opportunity to give our region the best chance possible at having local recommendations included in the final report.”

Residents can attend the hearing at Seymour Presbyterian Church, 2-4 Guild St, Seymour, on Thursday.

The schedule is as follows:

9.30am: Mitchell Shire Council Mayor and chief executive; Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor and acting director; Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor and chief executive.

12.00pm: Break

12.30pm: Kings Park Committee of Management; Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society.

1pm: Go Seymour: Business and Tourism group

2pm: VFF president Emma Germano with local farmers

3pm: Community recovery committee

4pm: Finish

Historic headstone restoration at Tyaak Cemetery

Grace Frost

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September 12, 2023

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Historic headstone restoration at Tyaak Cemetery

A $1820 Bendigo Community Bank grant and a donation from Richard Dalmau, a friend of the Tyaak Cemetery, has resulted in the restoration of a historic headstone.

The Tyaak Cemetery headstone belonged to Ralph Lowes Walton, a miner and shop owner, who was buried on land belonging to Squatter Alexander MacKenzie on January 23, 1869.

According to his headstone, Walton was aged 47 years at his time of death.

Tyaak Cemetery Trust secretary Beverley Bullen said research showed that with Mr MacKenzie’s brief insolvency, the area around the Walton grave was designated as the burial ground.

Further land was donated and the Tyaak Cemetery was gazetted in 1906.

“The burial of Ralph Walton, became a significant part of Reedy Creek history,” Ms Bullen said.

“The grant and donation has significantly extended the life of this historic grave in a community with a gold mining history.

“Knowing local history is important. The work has supported the efforts of the cemetery volunteers and allows visitors to investigate local history.”

Ms Bullen said the Trust was also grateful to the work of local stonemason Steve Baker, who not only restored the three broken pieces and stood the headstone in position, but sympathetically worked to keep all the original engraving.

“We could not have done all this, without the Bendigo Bank grant donation,” she said.

Swooping season starts: Tips to stay safe

Grace Frost

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September 12, 2023

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Swooping season starts: Tips to stay safe

WITH spring comes the potential for native birds, such as magpies, and plovers, to swoop during breeding season.

A Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, DEECA, spokesperson said during spring, some native birds swoop to defend their eggs and young.

“While swooping is unsettling, it’s normal behaviour for a range of native birds. Swooping is a warning to people and animals not to come near their young. It’s rate for birds to make contact,” they said.

“Not all birds swoop during breeding season, so don’t be concerned simply because there are magpies or other common swooping birds in the area.

“Remember, the swooping behaviour will only last for a few weeks, normally stopping soon after the young leave the nest.”

Protective precautions include knowing local swooping hotspots to avoid, moving quickly but not running, wearing protective head and eye coverings, not harassing birds, and not feeding the birds or destroying their nests.

Victoria’s interactive swooping bird map at https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds lists known swooping hotspots and allows reports of swooping incidents.

Locations in Broadford, near the memorial park in High Street; Kilmore, at Brewery Hill; Wallan, at Watson Street, are listed on the map.

All Victorian native wildlife is protected by law and reports of harassing, harming or disturbing wildlife should be reported to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.

New Seymour facility offers recycling opportunity

Jordyn Grubisic

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September 12, 2023

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New Seymour facility offers recycling opportunity

With a focus on sustainability and education, Seymour Resource Recovery Centre is more than a tip.

The $8 million centre at 470 Seymour-Tooborac Road, Hilldene, is designed to encourage recycling, reducing landfill and helping achieve council’s target of diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.

The two 88-metre-long structures create a 2450m2 undercover area offering a drive-through experience spanning two levels.

Drop-off areas are clearly labelled and colour coordinated to match bins at home, with customers disposing different recycling items along the circular route before reaching general waste bins.

Customers who sort their load into recyclables and non-recyclables could also save money, only paying to dispose waste and cover any extra charge on items that may be imposed on the facility to dispose of, such as mattresses.

The facility does not make money on the charges.

A not-for-profit group will operate the resale shop separate from the facility. Items available for sale have been collected by centre staff and will be available at low prices to minimise items going to landfill.

Landfill and resource recovery centre operations coordinator Paul Newcombe said the facility had moved away from old transfer stations with rough sorting to a recovery centre.

“It’s a much larger focus on recovery and recycling where available. We’re trying to encourage more people to come in and separate and recycle as much as we can,” he said.

“A lot of people come in here with the mindset ‘I don’t want what I’ve got but I have to pay to get rid of it’ so they’re angry when they get here.

“Now when you talk to people to say when you separate your load it’s going to be $40 not $80, for example, that whole mindset changes.

“When you’ve got nice facilities people treat the experience happily – that’s how I see it.

“Staff are always cleaning, always making sure they’ve got good customer service skills and they know their jobs so hopefully people come in.

“I think the big thing we’re just trying to get is a mindset change.”

An education centre is available at Seymour Resource Recovery Centre, where groups and schools can learn what happens at the centre and about recycling.

An education centre is available where groups and schools can learn what happens at the centre and about recycling.

There is also resale shop were saleable are available at a low price.

The store is designed so a not-for-profit group can run the shop separate to operations at the facility.

“It just gets items out of the waste stream so it doesn’t end up in landfill, which is our ultimate aim,” Mr Newcombe said.

Council owns the landfill near the facility and are building two new cells with space remaining for one additional cell.

“My view is we extend that use by minimising waste going into it. A new landfill will be $60 million if you can get one,” Mr Newcombe said.

“Council is not going to spend $60 million they don’t have. The problem we’re trying to change is the negative attitude.”

Seymour Resource Recovery Centre is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.

It is closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Good Friday, and Total Fire Ban and Code Red days.

Showcasing student art at Our Lady of the Way Wallan

Grace Frost

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September 12, 2023

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Showcasing student art at Our Lady of the Way Wallan

OUR LADY of the Way Catholic Primary School at Wallan East presented its first art show last week, showcasing artwork that integrated different skills and took influence from some of the world’s most inspirational artists.

Displayed in the school’s new building, students from year levels one, four, five and six, presented artwork that incorporated seven areas of visual arts – drawing, painting, collage, modelling, constructing and threads and textiles.

Visual arts specialist Erica Van Rhine said art and visual arts was a key part of student learning.

“I think art is really important in children’s lives and the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that have come through so far, and having a look at the artwork, they’ve been absolutely amazed by what the children produced, and this help put some of the artwork into context for them,” she said.

“I try and build their skills up, but I also try and acknowledge the attempts that they have made, and I’m happy as long as they try and they’re happy with what they’ve produced.”

Grade one student Banjo points to his artwork.

Each year level adapted to different visual art styles and teachings of artists including Claude Monet, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.

“I’ve also put artwork in that the children have used as their design, not just the end product, so that the parents can see this is where we started, and this is the steps we went through to get to the end,” Ms Van Rhine said.

She said she hoped the school would host an annual art show.

“I’m hoping every year, so this is what I’ve called a mini art show because it’s only showcasing half the school,” she said.

“Next term, we’ll have another and then hopefully next year we’ll have two mini art shows again, so parents can come through.”

Yarrambat Lake restocked with fish

Grace Frost

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September 12, 2023

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The State Government has officially opened the Stronger Fishing Clubs Grant Program, welcoming Victorian angling clubs and associations to apply for grants of up to $10,000.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny and Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage visited the Northern Suburbs Fly Fishing Club, on the shores of Yarrambat Lake last week to announce the new $1.2 million grants program.

Grants will be available to help strengthen and increase club membership and promote participation in recreational fishing.

Clubs from across Victoria can get a helping hand to boost participation in their patch. Applications for round one of the program open and close on December 6.

Projects eligible for funding include events providing recreational fishing tuition for women, multicultural groups, Indigenous people and all-abilities, alongside open days, training and events, and guest speaker nights.

Projects involving information technology upgrades, website development, clubroom improvements, and equipment that will benefit all members are also eligible for funding.

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“We want to help fishing clubs grow because they support newcomers to the pastime of fishing and share generations of knowledge amongst members,” Ms Kilkenny said.

“Our Stronger Fishing Clubs Grant Program will ensure local clubs can attract local members and support them to enjoy all the benefits that come with spending time on the water with family and friends.”

Ms Kilkenny and Ms Kathage also took the opportunity to oversee and participate in the restocking of rainbow trout in Yarrambat Lake, in time for the September school holidays.

“Fishing club members have vast knowledge and experience to share, so new anglers who get involved in a club can learn tips and tricks from those who have spent countless hours wetting a line,” Ms Kathage said.