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Edgar’s Mission rescues 600 roosters

The North Central Review
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Edgar’s Mission rescues 600 roosters

Lancefield animal sanctuary Edgar’s Mission rescued 600 Silkie roosters on a farm based in northern Victoria this month after a business failure.

The roosters, left abandoned in wire cages, were kept in an ‘ammonia-riddled shed’.

Edgar’s Mission founder Pam Ahern said she ‘could not believe her ears’ when she first learned about the situation.

“If the tiny, barren wire cages weren’t cruel enough, the number of dead bodies, either in cages or littering the floor, most certainly was. There was filth and rodents everywhere,” she said.

“I challenge even the hardest of hearts to witness what we have seen and not be moved.

“One thing that struck us most when rescuing the birds was their sheer vulnerability. Yet we cannot relay what joy it brings to us today, seeing them all free.”

The last rooster that was rescued from its cage was finally freed on January 11.

“He must have watched us for days coming into the shed, removing his buddies one by one and never knowing what their fate was,” she said.

“Carrying him out of the shed and closing that door behind us for the last time was one of the greatest feelings I think I will ever have. Kindness honestly never felt so good.”

Edgar’s Mission has put the call out to people who can provide a home, noting that due to restrictions of many councils, roosters cannot be kept in suburban areas.

Edgar’s Mission can be contacted on 0408 397 301 or info@edgarsmission.org.au for those interested.

CFA warns against driving through dry grass

The North Central Review
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CFA warns against driving through dry grass

The Country Fire Authority, CFA, has warned Victorians to avoid driving vehicles, farm machinery, mowers and motorbikes through dry grass in coming weeks as conditions heat up and vegetation dries out.

Following a string of hot weather in the past month, grassland areas have completely dried out in the northern areas of the state and fuels in the south west region are curing quickly.

CFA has responded to several significant grass and stubble fires started by mowers, vehicles or machinery over the past fortnight.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the recent fires across the state served as a timely reminder for people to be aware of the fire risks associated with using vehicles and other machinery in and around dry grass.

“Victoria is expected to experience a grassfire dominated fire season once again but we’re asking the community to do all it can to prevent these fires from starting,” he said.

“In many areas across the state, the risk of starting a fire from hot exhaust system or other hot parts from farm machinery is high.

“Even pulling over onto tall, dry grass on the side of the road during your travels could start a significant grassfire.

“Awareness is key to preventing grass and crop fires. We also want farmers to ensure their machinery and equipment are regularly inspected, maintained and cleaned.”

High risk and agricultural activities such as harvesting, grinding, welding, slashing or mowing can quickly ignite fires in hot, dry and windy conditions.

In the right conditions, grassfires can move at speeds of up to 25km an hour and spread across roads and highways.

Mr Heffernan said Victorians should stay prepared and informed during fire season, which includes downloading the VicEmergency app and familiarising themselves with the new Fire Danger Rating System by checking the rating in your area.

“For your safety, you need to understand your risk and plan ahead. Know what to do on hot, dry, windy days and plan for all situations,” he said.

To learn more about the risk of grassfires on the CFA website at cfa.vic.gov.au/planprepare/am-i-at-risk/grassfires-rural.

Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: January 24, 2023

Lauren Duffy
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Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: January 24, 2023

Cyclist hit

Kilmore police are seeking any witnesses to a collision at the Coles carpark on Wednesday, January 18.

The incident occurred at the driveway to the Coles loading dock, in Clarke Street, Kilmore, between 5pm and 5.15pm.

A vehicle, described as a silver station wagon, possibly a Holden Commodore, with yellow learner plates, was involved in the collision where a young cyclist was stuck and knocked off his bicycle.

The cyclist sustained only minor injuries.

The vehicle, driven by a female with an accompanying woman in the passenger seat, was last seen driving north onto the Northern Highway.

Police are requesting the assistance of the public to identify the offending vehicle and provide any dash cam footage that may be available.

Anyone with information can contact Constable Pippa McGeachie at Kilmore police on 5782 1211.

Impounds

Wallan police impounded three vehicles last week, all during night shifts.

The first, on January 12, was a black Audi intercepted on Old Sydney Road, Mickleham. The driver was driving unlicensed.

The following evening, on January 13, police intercepted an unregistered Ford Escape on the Northern Highway at Bylands.

The driver was found driving disqualified and on bail with a condition not to drive. Police remanded the driver.

On January 14, police intercepted a Nissan X-trail on Holly Drive, Wallan. The driver was unlicenced.

All three vehicles were impounded at the owner’s expense.

Criminal damage

Offenders attempted multiple times to break a window at a business at High Street, Wallan on January 17.

No entry was gained into premises.

Thefts

Between January 14 and 26, unknown offenders entered the front of a house in Goulburn Street, Seymour, and stole a silver Marlon Trek bicycle, valued at $580.

An unknown man entered a property under construction in Melaleuca Boulevard, Beveridge, at 3.50pm on January 17 and stole copper pipes and wrapping, valued at about $1500.

The offender is believed to have returned to the site multiple times that day to explore the lot.

Burglaries

Unknown offenders forced their way into a business on Watson Street, Wallan, between January 14 and 18.

They forced their way into the building through kicking in the back door and are believed to have rummaged through numerous laptop bags.

Another burglary occurred at a residential premises in O’Sullivan Road, Seymour, between 12pm on January 14, and 3pm on January 16.

The offenders searched the lounge room, kitchen and three bedrooms, and stole belongings valued at about $3000.

Attempted burglary

A business located in Tristan Street, Seymour, was broken into between 5pm on January 14 and 9am on January 15.

The offenders approached the back door of the business and attempted to gain access using a screwdriver or crowbar. No entry was gained.

Theft of vehicle

A 2012 Mitsubishi Tritium utility parked at a supermarket in Wallis Street, Seymour, was stolen at about 8.10pm on January 21.

The keys were left inside the utility, and the offender stole the vehicle and left in an unknown direction.

JUST IN: A former Seymour man, 22, was arrested and charged following an armed burglary at a Wallis Street business on Tuesday. Read the full report here.

Wandong History Group goes online

The North Central Review
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Wandong History Group goes online

The Wandong History Group launched its new website earlier this month, giving visitors a streamlined way to access historical material and keep up to date with upcoming events.

The website features snippets of Wandong’s settlement and industrial history and provides access to many images that were previously unseen.

The group’s publications can also be purchased through the website shop, and new memberships can now be processed online.

People can access the website at wandongheathcotejunctionhistory.com.au.

The launch of the group’s website was supported by the Ross Trust through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal’s Strengthening Rural Communities Program and a grant as part of National Volunteers Community Week.

Wandong History Group is open to the public from 10am to 4pm every Tuesday at St Michael’s Catholic Church, located at 11 Dry Creek Crescent.

For more information, people can email wandonghistorygroup4@gmail.com or make contact through the website.

Buddy Holly to come to life in Broadford

Grace Frost
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Buddy Holly to come to life in Broadford

By Grace Frost

Broadford Amateur Theatrical Society, BATS, are on the lookout for cast and crew members for its upcoming production of ‘Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story’.

BATS is a not-for-profit theatre group based in Broadford, who most recently showcased their performance of ‘Mamma Mia’ to seven fully-packed audiences, featuring an all-Mitchell Shire-based cast and crew.

The group’s upcoming musical ‘Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story’, chronicles the life and brief career of rock ‘n’ roll star Buddy Holly, a central figure of mid-1950’s popular music.

The show is set to feature performances of some of the era’s biggest hits including ‘Peggy Sue’, ‘Rave On’, ‘That’ll Be The Day’ and more.

The BATS’ performance of Buddy will be directed by Shaun Geerlings-Parker, marking his first production with the group.

Mr Geerlings-Parker has years of experience in theatre, having directed multiple musicals across Australia and New Zealand including two previous runs of Buddy.

BATS are on the lookout for an ‘energetic and musical cast’ to bring the show to life, including performers who can play instruments live on stage.

Auditions begin on Wednesday, February 1 and continue on Saturday, February 5 at Broadford Shire Hall.

“There’s roles in this show from age 16 right up to 75, so I encourage anyone to come along and audition for the show,” Mr Geerlings-Parker said.

“If you are new, and haven’t done anything before and keen to give it a go, [being part of] the ensemble gives you some really good opportunity.”

Mr Geerlings-Parker said BATS were yet to find someone to play Buddy, and were after an all-rounder aged in their late teens to mid 30’s to play the part.

“We’re looking for our Buddy and our Crickets – people that can play an instrument … Buddy and the Crickets actually perform a lot of the songs live on stage,” he said.

BATS is also on the lookout for crew members to assist in the show, set to feature about 300 lighting cues and a range of technical equipment and period pieces including old-style rock n roll microphones.

Mr Geerlings-Parker said those interested in being a crew member – working with costumes, hair and makeup, lighting or sound – were encouraged to send a message to BATS Facebook page.

‘Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story’ is scheduled to hit the stage for opening night on June 9, with seven performances scheduled throughout the month.

Audition, rehearsal and show information can be found at .

Shire showdown set for CBL’s final round

Lauren Duffy
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Shire showdown set for CBL’s final round

WHILE the penultimate round of Country Basketball League action saw success for Wallan and Seymour’s men’s teams, both clubs’ female counterparts suffered rare slip-ups.

Seymour’s men affirmed their premiership favourite status with a pair of wins, one at home and one on the road, in round 15.

The Blasters took to their home court on Saturday night to trounce Wodonga Wolves 92-59, with forwards Keenan Gorski and Tyler Best and guard Abraham Solano combining for 46 points.

On Sunday, the Blasters took to the road to face the Benalla Breakers and their dangerous point guard Eric Miraflores, who leads the north-east division in scoring with 308 points in 14 games.

While Miraflores scored 21 points to lead the Breakers, the home side was powerless to stop Best, who poured in a season-high 33 points for Seymour.

Jack Murphy played a handy support role, scoring 13 points including four three-pointers, to help the Blasters wrap up another minor premiership.

Wallan’s men also impressed in their lone game on Sunday, riding the momentum of a 28-point first quarter to a 90-76 win at home against Albury Cougars.

Panther Ryan Philippe sits second on the individual scoring table behind Miraflores with 294 points in 12 games, and showcased his ability to score at all levels with 31 including five three-pointers against the Cougars.

Luke Liesegang was a more-than-handy foil with 21 points, and Riley Mclay scored 18.

The Panthers guaranteed themselves a top-four berth with the win and will play Seymour in a Mitchell Shire showdown to end the season at 7.30pm on Saturday at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre.

The Blasters are guaranteed to finish atop the ladder no matter the result, while Wallan could finish as high as second with a win.

Women

The playoff hopes of Wallan and Seymour’s women are less clear after both suffered losses at the weekend – the Blasters going down 55-78 to Wodonga Lady Wolves and Wallan losing 66-74 to Albury Cougars.

Seymour was on the back foot from the opening tip against the visiting Lady Wolves, trailing 10-29 after one quarter and never truly threatening to retake the lead.

While Tayha Watkins continued her outstanding season with 20 points and Alex Martorella had 11, the Blasters struggled to keep pace with a balanced Lady Wolves outfit led by Elizabeth Murphy, 17, Rachel Jeffrey, 16, Casey Ardern, 13, Stacey Brown, 12, and Amy Hutchinson, 10.

Wallan was similarly wrong-footed by the Cougars in the first quarter of their game on Sunday, trailing 8-17 after the first frame.

While a 29-9 third quarter for the Panthers showed promise, it was too little, too late for the home team.

Nicola Stewart had a team-high 20 points for Wallan and Carley Cranston turned in 16, but it was not enough to overcome a combined 44 points from Albury’s Kijana and Jade McCowan.

Seymour and Wallan’s women will play in Seymour at 5.30pm Saturday to conclude the season.

Either side could finish second on the ladder with a win, depending on the outcome of a game between the Lady Wolves and Cougars. Both Seymour and Wallan are assured of a finals berth.

Council commits to character studies amid VCAT conflict

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Council commits to character studies amid VCAT conflict

Mitchell Shire councillors have lashed out at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, VCAT, blaming the body for a series of ‘disastrous’ rulings that prompted council to commit to spending more than $500,000 on neighbourhood character studies.

At last month’s council meeting, Cr Louise Bannister said council had rejected a string of ‘inappropriate development applications’ in the past year, many of which were overturned by VCAT on appeal from developers.

Cr Bannister said a common theme in VCAT’s findings was the neighbourhood character of towns like Kilmore and Broadford was not adequately documented.

She said it led to VCAT dismissing ‘council’s legitimate concerns regarding these [high-density] developments’, claiming they had potential to negatively affect the physical and mental health of nearby residents, as well as the environment.

“Community [members] have loudly voiced their dissatisfaction with poor developments that impede the character and liveability of their neighbourhoods,” she said.

“Most people live here because of the country feel and close community, so we have to do our best to [protect] what we love about our shire.

“It is imperative that we have these neighbourhood character studies to ensure our towns are protected from bad developments.

“It is disappointing that we have to spend money on these neighbourhood character studies to prove our rejections of bad planning and developments are justified.”

Cr Bill Chisholm said the necessity of neighbourhood character plans was ‘bureaucracy gone mad’.

“We’re having to spend in excess of half a million dollars – and it’s probably well north of that once you employ two specialist planners – to achieve what we’re after,” he said.

“We’re appointed as councillors to understand and know the local area, so it abrogates our responsibility by giving people sitting in Melbourne the power to wipe out our decisions.

“We’ve spent millions of dollars doing proper planning for all the towns in Mitchell Shire since I’ve been on council. It is well in excess of $3 million at least, and this is another $500,000-plus on top of that so that the VCAT representative can understand the difference between … small country towns and inner suburban high-density development.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous and it’s bureaucracy that shouldn’t exist in the first place.”

Cr Rob Eldridge said the neighbourhood character requirements placed an unacceptable financial burden on council and called on the State Government to examine the way VCAT made its decisions.

“VCAT has totally lost its way,” he said.

“We are a regional council, and it’s all very well for inner suburban councils to have neighbourhood character studies, because … they would spill [$500,000] over their lunch.

“To put this sort of impost on a council like us, which is having trouble meeting budget commitments, just because somebody doesn’t want to come out and have a look at what the real situation is here is beyond the pale.

“I think it’s about time the State Government pulled its finger out and did something about VCAT and its impact on the growth area councils.”

Cr Nathan Clark said some VCAT decisions had led to radical shifts in local neighbourhoods.

“A couple of properties, like at 44 Tootle Street, go from having four bins out the front of two blocks on recycling night to 36 bins on the street, which is ludicrous.

“It doesn’t make sense how they came to those decisions.

“We are compelled to come up with these neighbourhood character studies. They are absolutely essential when VCAT can’t show any common sense or even bother to come and visit the neighbourhoods that they make these massive, impactful decisions upon.

“I’m hoping … VCAT can see we’re quire serious about preserving our neighbourhood character and in the meantime, before they’re produced, they take that into consideration.”

Seymour financial wellbeing hub showcased to government committee

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Seymour financial wellbeing hub showcased to government committee

The Brotherhood of St Laurence showcased its successful Women’s Financial Wellbeing Hub to members of the Federal Government’s Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services in Seymour last week.

The SEED project, which stands for sustaining, economic empowerment and dignity for women, is a voluntary initiative that launched in November last year to tackle financial barriers and employment for women in the Seymour region.

Select committee chair Julian Hill and deputy chair Russell Broadbent sat with program participants to review how the workshops and one-on-one support have improved financial wellbeing and employment.

Brotherhood of St Laurence executive director Travers McLeod, who hosted the meeting with staff, said the visit highlighted the positive results of the ‘one-of-a-kind’ program, which the organisation hoped to expand across Victoria and nationally in the future.

“The SEED Project gives women in the Seymour area access to tailored advice, assistance and resources, empowering them to take ownership of their finances and build pathways for economic and social participation,” he said.

“It’s great to be able to see first-hand how much it has enriched the lives of those have participated.”

The Women’s Financial Wellbeing Hub is located at 47A Anglesey Street, Seymour and is open on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9am to 5pm for members to join.

Shire process under scrutiny in Hidden Valley shed stoush

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Shire process under scrutiny in Hidden Valley shed stoush

By Colin MacGillivray

A Hidden Valley resident has accused Mitchell Shire Council of mismanagement after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, VCAT, gave a green light for a 6.4-metre-high outbuilding at a property in Dolomite Rise.

Hidden Valley Association secretary Julie Robinson said plans for the outbuilding were opposed by neighbouring residents, with some lodging objections on several grounds after council advertised the plans in 2021.

“There are no drainage schematics or landscaping schematics, and two nearby properties sit significantly lower in the landscape [than the proposed building],” she said.

“We’ve already got erosion issues for my next-door neighbour because of the [water coming off the] hill. This isn’t connected to stormwater drains and it’s a huge building, so inevitably our properties are going to be swamped and we will be left dealing with the issue of erosion.”

Ms Robinson said she believed the 185-square-metre building would constitute a second dwelling on the block.

“As [proposed] it contained everything that made it a dwelling. There are four items in law that constitute a dwelling – it must have a toilet, it must have a shower, it must have a food preparation area and it must have a kitchen sink,” she said.

“This building had all of these elements, albeit the kitchen sink was on the plans as a fully planned workbench. You can call it by any other name, but water has to fall into a receptacle and that receptacle, inevitably, is a sink.”

The Hidden Valley Design Review Panel approved the plans, which were debated at a council meeting in March last year.

Councillors voted to approve the building but with a condition that its height be reduced from 6.4 metres to 4.2 metres.

Cr Fiona Stevens said the compromise meant the building would ‘fit in better with the character and amenity of the area and [would not] be as prominent on the landscape’.

But the property owner challenged council’s ruling at VCAT, with tribunal member Sarah McDonald overturning the decision and reinstating the height of the building at 6.4 metres.

Ms Robinson was dismayed at the decision and said she believed council mistakes had paved the way for the VCAT decision.

She said the building was made possible because the property had two building envelopes on its title instead of one – a fact she put down to a council mistake.

“We have been able to find historic adverts, which state ‘a choice of two generous-sized building envelopes’, with the preferred site being Dolomite Rise, which is where the person who ended up buying the block put his house,” she said.

“The second [envelope] was left extant on the title. We were able, under freedom of information … to read the draft delegate notes for that block when it was subdivided in 2003. Even council’s own notes mark it as a choice, but someone, somewhere did not put that down on the title.”

Ms Robinson said she believed council also erred in advertising the plans initially.

“Council’s legal team spotted the fact that because the overlay of Hidden Valley is a comprehensive development zone schedule one, there legislation that says if a proposal is generally in accordance with the Hidden Valley Comprehensive Development Plan, it is exempt from notification,” she said.

“Technically they shouldn’t have advertised this. We were told if it got to VCAT and the member spotted it, they could throw the case out.”

In her ruling, Ms McDonald found the building did not contravene the Hidden Valley Design Guidelines.

“There is no requirement under the Hidden Valley Design Guidelines or the Comprehensive Development Plan … that require an outbuilding to be small or modestly scaled,” she said.

Council chief executive Brett Luxford said council voted to reduce the height of the building because it sat high in the landscape and there were no other outbuildings in the vicinity that matched its height, but said council was satisfied it did not constitute a second dwelling on the property.

“The outbuilding was proposed within the second envelope, and there is no section within the title restrictions that states that it cannot be built on both building envelopes,” he said.

“The only restriction is that more than one dwelling on a lot is prohibited, as well as further subdivision.

“The outbuilding does not have all the characteristics required to be defined as a dwelling on the planning scheme.”

Mr Luxford said drainage and sewerage would need to be controlled around the limits of the building.

Northern suburbs a priority for new member Evan Mulholland

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Northern suburbs a priority for new member Evan Mulholland

By Colin MacGillivray

New Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Evan Mulholland believes the Liberal Party’s path to government ‘runs through the northern suburbs’, vowing to advocate for jobs, housing and roads.

Mr Mulholland was elected to Victoria’s upper house in November as one of five representatives for the Northern Metropolitan Region, which stretches from the Melbourne Central Business District to Wallan, incorporating Beveridge, Kalkallo, Mickleham and Wollert.

He said the outer suburban areas of his electorate, including the southern fringes of Mitchell Shire, would be a priority for the Liberal Party during the current term of government.

Mr Mulholland said the fact new opposition leader John Pesutto’s first press conference outside of Parliament was at Donnybrook showed commitment to the region.

“As someone who has lived in the northern suburbs my entire life, I recognise the need for strong local advocacy on issues, particularly roads and public transport,” he said.

“We’ve seen a lot of neglect on those issues and often it’s because of a lack of advocacy.

“I’m keen to fight for locals for a greater share of funding. We’re taxpayers as well in the outer suburbs, but under the current State Government we’re seeing a lot of money spent in the eastern suburbs and not a lot in the outer north.”

Mr Mulholland said he would advocate for cheaper housing, the extension of Melbourne’s electrified rail network to Wallan and plans for a Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal, BIFT.

He said he would also push the government to keep its pledge to complete a diamond interchange on the Hume Freeway at Watson Street in Wallan’s east.

“We’re seeing the State Government being too slow to the mark on road and traffic issues when people move in,” he said.

“People are left waiting, sometimes for hours, in their cars, particularly around Kalkallo, because of a lack of planning by the State Government.”

The State Government has voiced its intention to build a Western Interstate Freight Terminal, WIFT, in Truganina before the BIFT, citing the preference of industry leaders to construct the WIFT first.

But Mr Mulholland said he viewed the move as a mistake.

“You can do both [WIFT and BIFT] and the government has clearly prioritised the western suburbs over the northern suburbs,” he said.

“I worry about employment in this region. Labor considers themselves the party of the worker and they’ve turned around and abandoned employment opportunities in the north.

“There’s a big priority in housing economics about having one job per household, and I worry there won’t be enough jobs for the amount of growth that’s happening here. Not everyone wants to go into inner Melbourne to find a job.”

Mr Mulholland said that, along with lower house Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, the opposition had two fresh faces that it hoped would appeal to a younger demographic of voters.

He said double-digit swings towards the Coalition in seats including Yan Yean at the state election showed many northern suburbs electorates could no longer be taken for granted by Labor.

“Wallan has been considered a one-party town and what has this area got to show for it? When there is a genuine two-party political contest, that’s when you’ll often see outcomes for the community,” he said.

“The electoral map has changed in Victoria. The pathway to government for the Liberal Party is not through the eastern suburbs – that’s clearly a priority for the Labor Party – but through the northern suburbs.”

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