South-bound lanes of the Hume Freeway between Seymour and Broadford were closed for many hours on Wednesday following a truck rollover at about 2am.
Motorists were directed to leave the freeway at Seymour, take Seymour-Tooborac Road through Tooborac, and the Northern Highway through Kilmore to return to the Hume Freeway.
Emergency services put the truck back on its wheels, however an extensive clean-up required a forklift to clear the truck’s lost load of steel.
The freeway reopened about 12.30pm.
Burglary
On July 28 at about 8pm, an unknown man broke into Good Start Early Learning Centre in Seymour by smashing the front window. The man stolen a portable lane line phone.
Vehicle theft
A 1999 Holden Commodore Belina parked at a carpark in Robert Street, Seymour, near The Prince Hotel was stolen at about 4.30pm on July 29. The owner returned at about 10am the next morning to find his vehicle, which was locked, had been stolen.
Burglary at Broadford
Unknown offenders broke into a home in Broadford between 9am and 2pm on August 2.
The offenders gained entry via a back window of the residence where they stole a set of trailer keys, but the trailer was not broken into.
Theft from vehicle
A vehicle parked on a property in Hunts Road, Kilmore, was broken into between 1.30am and 11am on July 30. Several items were stolen including a prescription, tools, head unit and front number plate.
Police advise people to prevent themselves becoming a target by removing all valuables, locking all doors and windows and parking in a well-lit area. People need to always keep their keys in their possession and do not leave them in an unsecured motor vehicle.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or their local police station.
Wallan Panthers’ men’s team clawed its way to a four-point victory in the final seconds of Saturday’s Big V division two elimination final against Mildura Heat.
Starting off strong, the Heat secured a seven-point lead as Wallan tried to find its feet before captain Keenan Gorski hit five points.
Mildura maintained a comfortable lead in the first quarter heading into the break with a 24-11 lead.
The Heat kicked off the scoring in the second quarter with a layup before Wallan’s Dominic Bruno hit two free throws, backed up with a basket from centre Tom O’Connor.
A tough period saw Wallan struggling to score with back-to-back fouls, turnovers and missed baskets.
Mildura was getting second and third offensive efforts and punishing Wallan at the foul line.
Panther Lincoln Stewart’s three-pointer triggered a scoring run with a block from O’Connor and a shot clock violation, putting the ball back in the Panthers’ hands.
Mildura maintained its lead with a seven-point run before Wallan shifted gears in the final minutes of the quarter.
A technical foul to Mildura’s bench sent Bruno to the line, making both free throws before Leigh Dean made a layup, drawing the foul and hitting the free throw for a three-point play.
Bruno had a steal before drawing an unsportsmanlike foul, heading to the line to make both with 45 seconds remaining.
Wallan went into halftime trailing 34 to 45.
A three-pointer from Bruno opened the third quarter, followed by a layup from Lallemand, which brought the game within six points, before a steal and layup from Bruno set off another scoring run.
Tyler Best hit a two-point jumper before a foul sent Bruno to the foul line, prompting a Mildura timeout, before Bruno hit both free throws.
Best drew a foul, sending him to the line where he hit both free throws to tie the game.
Mildura’s seven-point margin was brought back after a Lallemand layup and a three-pointer by Stewart, reducing it to a two-point ball game.
Making two free throws with 30 seconds remaining, Mildura took a four-point lead heading into the final quarter.
It was anybody’s game in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.
With just over two minutes remaining, a two-point jump shot from Lallemand tied the game. At 46 seconds to go Lallemand made two free throws to put Wallan in front for the first time.
Mildura called a timeout, advancing the ball but missing a three-pointer before a Wallan timeout.
Out of the timeout, Lallemand missed his shot attempts but a steal by Best with 17 seconds remaining saw him draw the foul heading to the line, where he made both free throws to give Wallan a four-point lead.
Another Heat timeout saw them miss a three-pointer, rebound, and then miss again before the buzzer went with Wallan ahead on the scoreboard 70-66.
Wallan head coach Tim Annett said it was the ‘best win of the season’.
“It was a fairly close contest in the end. It was a big win for us,” he said.
“Obviously we were down quite large a couple of times and had to fight our way back into it.
“There was no panic at halftime. In the last few minutes of the second quarter, we got some momentum and got it back to within 11 points.
“We worked out a couple of things that were working for us and managed to get over the line.”
Wallan had the two highest scorers of the game with Dominic Bruno hitting 23 points and Arcaim Lallemand backing him up with 18 but it was a strong effort all round.
“I think it was a team effort. The job we did offensively to bring it back in the second half was definitely a team effort,” Annett said.
This Saturday, Wallan head to Mill Park to face Whittlesea Pacers with the winner advancing to the grand final.
“We’ll have a big focus on worrying about ourselves first and foremost,” Annett said.
“We’ve had two close games against them this season so we’re definitely going into the contest very confident we can make it through to the final leg.”
MEMBER for McEwen Rob Mitchell hosted recipients of the Local Sporting Champions grants at his office last month, congratulating them on their continued efforts.
Lancefield resident Samuel Haslett recently returned from Western Australia for the under-16 National Basketball Championships, where he represented Vic Country, finishing fifth in the tournament.
He was a recipient of a grant that assisted with his travel costs.
“Thanks to Mr Mitchell for this assistance, and also to Mum and Dad for all their help and support,” Samuel said.
“I would also like to thank all the people who have helped along the way with my basketball.”
Samuel also plays for Sunbury Jets in the Victorian Junior Basketball League, VJBL, representative competition.
He trains four nights a week for both Vic Country and Sunbury, travelling across Melbourne for VJBL games once a week. Playing basketball in the NBA is Samuel’s dream.
“It was a pleasure to host a few of McEwen’s local sporting champions and congratulate them on their dedication,” Mr Mitchell said.
“These young people deserve all the recognition they can get and, from all the applicants, really stood out for their commitment, especially in sports that don’t always get a lot of recognition.”
Other recipients of the Local Sporting Champions grants included Alex, from Wooded, and Sonny, from Gisborne, who also represented Vic Country in the 2023 under 16 National Basketball Championships; Carsten, from Diamond Creek, who is the 2023 Asian Cup champion for judo; and Bailey from Doreen who represented Victoria in 2023 under 19 Nox Bailey Shield national competition for softball.
Three Mitchell Shire-based health practitioners last month hosted the Pregnancy and Post Birth Expo in Kilmore, connecting women with specialist services.
The free event on July 15 welcomed 200 attendees, mostly women pre-conception, during their pregnancy or post-birth, to the Kilmore Memorial Hall.
Facilitators Kasey Chalmers, Shea Vincent and Sally Freeman organised 20 stall holders to showcase their products and services to attendees, including a sleep specialist, lactation consultant, newborn photographer, pregnancy massage and toy library.
“Something we’ve certainly noticed, which has been highlighted since COVID, is women aren’t really getting adequate postpartum care, and they’re discharged from hospital really early postpartum,” Ms Vincent said.
“In terms of support with breastfeeding and sleep, they’re just not getting it. It’s a really isolating time, and they are struggling to find their village.
“Essentially, we wanted to bring their village to them.”
The expo acted as a one-stop-shop for women and families, emphasising not only newborn care but physical and mental maternal health.
“Women are discharged home a day or two after having their baby, and you really see with any postpartum care, the emphasis turns to the bub – which is completely understandable – but there’s very little follow up with the mother,” Ms Vincent said.
“We are all so passionate about improving physical and mental health outcomes for pregnant and post-partum women.” Event organisers hope the expo will become an annual event and are looking to branch into the Macedon Ranges Shire and City of Whittlesea.
People who would like more information or to be involved with the expo can email organisers at pregnancybirthexpo@gmail.com or visit @pregnancypostbirthexpo on Instagram.
Find specialists and other businesses who attended the expo:
Wallan Panthers women defeated Blackburn Vikings 67 to 53 in the first Big V division two final on Saturday.
Another solid game from Kylah Collins saw her with a huge double-double of 29 points and 19 rebounds, supported by Olivia Dalmau with 17 points and five steals.
Both teams struggled to score early, but the Vikings led initially before a three-point play by Collins put the Panthers ahead, where they remained comfortably for the rest of the game.
Wallan got on a 10-point scoring run as Blackburn was unable to buy a basket in the first quarter.
Dominating down the offensive end, Wallan took a comfortable lead heading into the second quarter, leading 20 to 11.
The second quarter remained difficult offensively for the Vikings with a shot clock violation in their first play.
Even with second and third offensive efforts Blackburn couldn’t find the basket, with many scoreless transitions leaving the side unable to catch the Panthers who were finishing on most offensive plays.
Collins proved to be a nightmare on the court for Blackburn.
With six minutes to go, Collins grabbed an offensive rebound off her missed layup, drew the foul from Rebecca Cunningham before heading to the line to make two free throws.
Not content with just the foul, Collins forced a turnover from Cunningham finishing with a two-point jump shot down the other end.
Intense play by Wallan forced a Blackburn timeout with the side hoping a change of lineup would be the answer.
The Vikings were finally able to sink some shots, but the Panthers remained in control.
Wallan captain Sarah Scott and Dalmau were a dynamic duo with just under three minutes remaining as Dalmau hit back-to-back three-pointers off assists from Scott.
A two-point jump shot by Melissa Buckley with one second to go sent Wallan into halftime with a 44-28 lead.
Dalmau hit a three-pointer off a steal to kick off the third quarter.
It was proving tough for both sides to score with Blackburn still unable to finish off multiple scoring efforts.
The Panthers weren’t getting many offensive rebounds, meaning it was one-and-done off their score attempts, proving a tough finish to the quarter.
Wallan’s pressure forced turnovers by Blackburn, with steals from Kaitlyn Bickerton and Dalmau finishing with a layup.
Up by 20 points, Wallan was comfortably in front heading into the final quarter.
Drawing a fourth foul early on Blackburn’s key player Isabella Nolen, Collins headed to the line to make both while Nolen headed to the bench in the first 15 seconds of the fourth quarter.
The game continued much like it had in the previous three quarters with Wallan continuously picking the ball off with steals, including two by Bickerton, and finishing down the other end.
Nolen stepped back onto the court with seven and a half minutes left bringing some intensity to the Vikings, securing rebounds and finishing on second efforts.
But Blackburn’s fire was too little too late as Wallan held on to a comfortable 14-point victory.
Wallan will now play at home against Blackburn on Saturday in the second game of the finals series.
BROADFORD Primary School, BPS, students last week took part in celebrations to commemorate their school’s 150th anniversary.
Students dressed up as children or teachers from the school’s past, with a range of activities including old-fashioned, multi-year level games such as hopscotch, marbles, elastics and Skittles featuring along with a 150-shaped cake and a barbecue lunch.
There was also an assembly where the student leaders spoke about the history of the school, and long-time teacher De Henry spoke about her days as a student at the school. Each class then placed an item into a time capsule.
BPS principal Jennene Cooney said the day was a great success and thoroughly enjoyable for students and staff.
“The students’ response was fantastic, there were lots of comments saying it was ‘the best day ever’ and ‘can we do that every day?’,” she said.
“We have such a good community here in Broadford, so it was really great to celebrate 150 years of education and all the great things that have happened at Broadford Primary School and within our community.”
The activities on August 1 were a precursor to the upcoming celebrations planned for November 11, at which the community will be invited to attend a public event, from 10am to 2pm, at the school.
There will be an opportunity to view past school memorabilia and celebrate the history of education in the town.
“There will be lots of fun activities on that day for the community to get involved, so everybody can get involved and celebrate Broadford Primary School,” Ms Cooney said.
IMPROVED early years services are a step closer for Lancefield with planning progressing on a new kindergarten and maternal and child health, MCH, building opening in 2024.
Funded and led by the State Government’s Victorian School Building Authority, VSBA, the purpose-built three-room kindergarten and MCH facility will be largely built offsite through modular construction and later transported to its home at 76A High Street, Lancefield.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council community director Maria Weiss said the new centre was one of council’s priority projects resulting from the Municipal Early Year plan, which identified a need for additional contemporary, fit-for-purpose early years infrastructure in Lancefield.
“There has been increased demand in Lancefield and surrounding areas due to population growth, the roll-out of 15 hours of funded kindergarten for three-year-olds, and the recently announced increase to 30 hours of pre-prep for four-year-olds,” she said.
“This new centre will provide more room to allow for future kinder participants and alleviate some of the pressure on surrounding areas of the shire.
“It will also see the return of a maternal and child health service to the town, which we know something residents are very much looking forward to.”
The project is supported by a $3 million VSBA Building Blocks Capacity Grant and once complete, council will manage the new kindergarten and MCH services.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has allocated $16,000 in the 2023-24 Budget to ensure the new centre is fully furnished, and $100,000 to ensure the building has improved environmental and sustainable design elements to make it more comfortable for children and staff, and more efficient and cost-effective to run in the long term.
For more information and updates as the project progresses visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/lancefieldkinder.
Kilmore’s Kingsgate Village social club last month hosted a Christmas in July function, serving as both a social event and a fundraiser for those impacted by a fire on July 26.
A Kingsgate resident was killed in the fire that affected three homes.
The fundraiser featured a range of activities including a raffle, however instead of the money generated through raffle sales and donations going to the social club, it was divided and donated to the people directly affected by the fire.
A total of $3300 was raised at the event, with the number to be matched by Kingsgate Village management.
Social club vice president Graham Lainchbury said the event was a great example of community spirit.
“It just shows what the whole community here is like, there were people who did not come to the lunch but they still sent donations in. I was really impressed with it,” he said.
“It was quite impressive to see the community get together so to see this sort of thing here is just phenomenal.”
Mr Lainchbury said the woman who lost her husband in the fire was staying with her daughter elsewhere, however it was possible she could return to live at the village.
“Her daughter came and picked her up, but she was here at the lunch and there is talk of her coming back to the village when everything’s ready,” he said.
“The other affected party, the management relocated them into a brand new unit in the village, they took all the future they had in a display home and put it in for them.
“The people around here have also offered them blankets and everything they actually need to be able to carry on with their life, so they’re set up in there quite happily.”
The third and final night of Kilmore Racing Club’s harness memorial nights on Thursday featured another big 10-race card.
Those remembered were Gianni Mifsud, Barry Alford, Bill Harding and Graeme Wilson – all well-known district names in the harness industry.
The Gianni Mifsud Memorial Trotters Mobile opened the program with Marong co-trainers Terry and wife Jacinta-Allan Gange’s smart five-year-old Changeover-Jomeka gelding Bullapark Beno bringing up two wins in succession.
Driven by James Herbertson, Bullapark Beno was much too strong over the concluding stages to account for Stick With Me, and Kyvalley Helen was their in a mile rate of 2-03.4.
The 2180-metre Barry Alford Memorial Pace saw trainer/driver Glenn Bull’s keep up his great Kilmore record when eight-year-old American Ideal-Rocky Bay Lass gelding Regal Rock led throughout in a mile rate of 1-56.8.
Raced by the Bull family of Derrinal, near Heathcote, Bull adopted ‘catch me if you can’ tactics with the result never in doubt, scoring by 5.2 metres in advance of Nothingbutwaves, which trailed from the pole after leading out momentarily. Blue Gannon was third 4.9 metres back.
Kilmore listed trainer Ben Yole and stable reinswoman Taylor Youl snared the Bill Harding Memorial Pace over 1690 metres with Major Assassin, an eight-year-old gelded son of Art Major and Princess Cassi.
Going forward three wide in the last lap, Major Assassin outstayed his rival to record a half neck margin over Montana Pride off a three wide trail last lap from midfield, with track specialist Lotakevi third. The mile rate was 1-56.9.
The 2180-metre Graeme Wilson Memorial Trotters Mobile went the way of Congupna breeder/owner/trainer/driver Eddie Tappe’s four-year-old Majestic Son-Aldebaran Poppy gelding Im Bobby.
At start 45, Im Bobby recorded his fifth success and his second win in succession.
Heats of the Haras Des Trotteurs Nutrien Equine Classic over 2180 metres for three-year-olds and two-year-olds highlighted the program – the first of the 3Y0 fillies heats going to Emma Stewart’s Tradie Lady, a daughter of Trixton and Glenferrie Unixa and driven by Mark Pitt in a rate of 2-01.9.
Heat two, also for fillies, saw the Sugars team – Jess and Greg – victorious with Shes Ruby Roo in 2-02.6.
Vici Bloom flew away from outside the front line and raced to the front with Shes Ruby Roo, who issued a strong challenge to gain the day by a nose in a mile rate of 2-02.6.
Heat three for Colts and Geldings went to Great Western trainer Daryl Crone’s Wishing Stone-Yankee Princess colt Prince Of Rock who brought up a hat-trick of wins in a mile rate of 2-00.5.
Heat for two-year-old fillies went the way of Avenel trainer/driver David Aiken’s Maoris Mac, a daughter of Volstead and Maori Daunou, who won after a sweet passage from gate two.
In the C and G heat, Sydneysider Valtino, a colt by Love You from Aspiring Eve, trained by Blake Fitzpatrick and driven by Greg Sugars, led throughout from the pole to easily account for Val Thorens and Aldebaran Marcus. The mile rate was 2-12.5.
To the cheers of the locals, Alannah Logie’s four-year-old Sportswriter-Macray Amore gelding Scrittore was successful in the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Maiden Pace over 2180 metres.
With Corey Bell in the sulky, Scrittore settled handy three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line before going forward three wide approaching the bell to park outside the poleline pacemaker Sounds Like Fun.
Gaining cover for the last lap after Helen Bet Mary was set alight to join the leader, Scrittore angled wide on turning and ran home best to prevail by 3.3 metres from Cherokee Jack. The mile rate was 2-00.4.
Kilmore’s next harness racing meeting is on Sunday.
• I was saddened to hear the passing of Kilmore committeeman and Review journalist Paul Egan. I used to always enjoy having a chat with Paul whenever attending Kilmore trots. Sincere condolences are extended to his family.
The City of Whittlesea is seeking feedback for a drafted proposal of new nature strip garden guidelines.
The proposed changes have been open for community input since late June.
The draft guidelines aim to support the creation of more liveable neighbourhoods while taking safety into account.
With the aim of empowering residents to actively shape their surroundings, the updated guidelines offer greater opportunities to modify nature strips adjacent to homes.
The guidelines provide clarity on what modifications can be made striking a balance between greenery and the safety of road users and pedestrians.
Under the proposed changes, residents would be able to plant shrubs and edible crops, while limiting the use of materials that can have detrimental environmental impacts such as artificial turf.
Feedback from previous consultations with the community and benchmarking with other councils across Victoria has been used to develop the draft of the new guidelines.
with consultation continuing until August 13.
All feedback will be considered before the guidelines are finalised and it is anticipated that the new guidelines will come into effect on October 1, 2023.
