MIND Australia and the Haven Foundation will build eight new residences for people living with significant mental health and wellbeing challenges throughout Victoria including one in Kilmore.
The eight new houses, part of the Homes Victoria $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, will create more than 106 homes and provide high quality, long-term housing with support so that residents can work on their mental health recovery.
The new Haven residences will be in Kilmore, Colac, Frankston, Corio, Sunbury, Wodonga, Wonthaggi and Traralgon.
Haven Kilmore will be ready for occupancy in May, 2024.
Minister for Housing Colin Brooks announced the funding last month.
Haven residences feature one bedroom self-contained homes with a main bedroom, built-in wardrobe, bathroom, kitchen and eating area, European laundry, loungeroom and outdoor courtyard or balcony within a multi-unit property.
The developments will also feature shared indoor and outdoor community living and lounge areas, kitchen, meeting spaces and overnight facilities on-site for Mind Australia’s around-the-clock specialist mental health support staff.
There are currently six Haven residences in Victoria located in Epping, South Yarra, Highton, Frankston, Laverton and Mooroopna.
A further five are being built in Seymour, Drouin, Ballarat, North Bendigo and Pakenham.
Applications for the residences are now open.
Haven residents receive housing with support services for assistance with activities of daily living, which are funded by their NDIS packages, with Mind Australia’s staff providing support for residents.
Mind Australia staff include peer practitioners who use their own lived experience of mental health and wellbeing concerns to connect with clients and inspire their recovery journey.
Kilmore Toy Library is inviting all families to become involved in its ‘Volunteer at your Toy Library this July’ and beyond.
Kilmore Toy Library president Simone Griffith said the group might have to close if it couldn’t attract new committee members.
“Most of our committee members have been on for quite a few years and we’re just really trying to create a new committee and get new members in,” she said.
“A few months ago we realised we’re going to have to close if we don’t get new committee members to join.
“We’ve had four families step up saying they want to join the committee. We’re hoping we can get a few more to join. We find about seven committee members allows the load to [be] spread.
“The committee members are the ones opening the library, and then a volunteer comes help count and clean the toys and that sort of thing.”
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell volunteered at Kilmore Toy Library on Thursday for ‘Volunteer at your Toy Library this July’.
He said it was important to acknowledge the work of the committee.
“They’ve not only built the toy library up, but they’ve maintained it. That’s always the hard part of things – to keep them going,” he said.
“I think it’s exciting there’s going to be a change of faces, but the work will still be as good as it’s always been.”
Toy libraries allow families to engage with others in the community, and help ease increasing cost of living pressures by providing children access to different toys year round with minimal expense.
Members can borrow four toys fortnightly and the library has toys for babies through to children aged up to six, including dress ups, puzzles and Legos.
Ms Griffith said families access toys children might use only once or twice.
“You can keep things fresh and new. The whole idea of the library is sustainability, reducing waste and creating play opportunities for children here and at home [that] they may not get otherwise,” she said.
Mr Mitchell said toy libraries were important for children to access a range of toys but also to encourage children to play together and have fun.
“If you’ve got some time to help the kids it’s a great thing and it’s a bit of fun. You can see the kids have an absolute ball and it’s a pretty great way to spend the day,” he said.
The Kilmore Toy Library primarily relies on money raised at a yearly Bunnings barbecue fundraiser to purchase new toys.
Membership fees go to general day-to-day costings as well as purchasing new toys.
“We ask our members what they’re interested in and we try and purchase toys that could be a big expense for families to purchase themselves,” Ms Griffith said.
“We also purchase toys that can be used in a variety of ways and not just one dimensional to facilitate creative play.”
People interested in joining the toy library are invited to the annual general meeting on Tuesday, July 18 or visit the group on a Saturday morning at the Kilmore library.
Memberships are available online via kilmore.mibase.com.au or email kilmoretoylibrary@hotmail.com.
Goulburn Valley Water, GVW, has unveiled a new five-year plan that includes a major upgrade to the Broadford Water Treatment Plant.
The Essential Service Commission, an independent regulator, issued its final decision on GVW’s Price Submission 2023-28 late last month, which came into effect from July 1.
GVW managing director Steve Capewell said changes in the price submission would mean average annual bills for owner-occupiers would increase by $63 for 2023-24 in line with inflation rates. This will be followed by an increase of an average 0.6 per cent in 2024-25 and then one per cent for the three years after – excluding inflation costs.
“The impacts of inflation are affecting the costs of delivering water and wastewater services, like many other industries, but we’re working hard to find efficiencies to keep bill costs as low as possible,” Dr Capewell said.
The plan outlines a capital expenditure program that will help renew and improve critical infrastructure, as well as adapt to a changing climate.
A range of projects will get underway, including a significant upgrade to the Broadford Water Treatment Plant to support continuing high growth in GVW’s southern corridor around Kilmore, as well as improving the response to increasing risks of blue-green algae blooms.
Dr Capewell said the upgrade was expected to double the capacity of the Broadford Water Treatment Plant, in line with the forecast increase in water demand expectations.
“Major works for the first stage of the upgrade are planned to be carried out in the second half of our five-year plan period, which will involve constructing a new 4.5 megalitre high efficiency filtration system, followed by a second stage to replace the plant’s existing 4.5 megalitre treatment system with a second new filtration system,” he said.
“We’re currently completing pre-works at the plant to upgrade all of our electrical infrastructure, before we start construction on the first of our new 4.5 megalitre Dissolved Air Floatation and Filtration treatment plants.”
Mr Capewell said the five-year plan had been significantly shaped by what customers identified as important.
“At the heart of our plan is the voice of our customers – we engaged heavily with them over the past two years to create a plan that genuinely reflected what they wanted to see, at the lowest possible prices,” he said.
“We heard from more than 3200 people during the plan’s development, and I’d like to thank everyone, including our customer panel participating in our first ever deliberative forum, for their commitment, input and involvement.”
The new plan is centered on four key promises, which are to provide reliable water and wastewater services; lead action and partner with communities to grow; care for the environment and prepare for climate variability; and deliver respectful and responsive customer service.
Dr Capewell said a big part of the new plan was sustainability and was proud to have developed a plan that is set to cater for future generations.
“In the next five years, we also plan to start construction on a large-scale solar project, which will help us meet our goals to source all of our energy from renewable sources by 2025,” he said.
“We’ll also continue to build on the work we’re doing in creating more opportunities to use treated, recycled water in more spaces to help create a more sustainable water future.”
For more information, including price details for 2023-24, visit www.gvwater.vic.gov.au.
RSPCA Victoria’s major investigations team seized several animals living in poor conditions from a Macedon Ranges property last week.
Inspectors attended the property with assistance from Macedon Ranges Shire Council officers after a tip-off, and seized 29 dogs for animal welfare concerns under a Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 warrant.
The warrant was executed as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged illegal puppy breeding operation with serious animal welfare concerns and is suspected to be connected with two similar seizures in other areas.
Senior inspector Shannon Walsh said the animals were housed in unsanitary and unsafe conditions.
“The animals were found in horrible conditions at the property and we’re now providing care and treatment to the animals while we investigate further,” he said.
“RSPCA Victoria remains committed to ending the practice of illegal animal breeding, rearing, and selling in Victoria.”
Among the seized breeds were Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Corgis, Poodles, Poodle crosses, and Schnauzers. Charges have not yet been laid while investigations are ongoing.
More than 100 dogs have been brought into RSPCA’s Burwood Shelter in the past two weeks through seizures or surrenders, with more expected over the coming weeks.
In Victoria, dogs and cats must be sold from a registered domestic animal business, a private residence, or a place where an animal sale permit is in place.
It is an offence under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to sell animals in public places such as parks, roadsides, and car parks in Victoria.
Offences under the Domestic Animals Act carry a penalty of 164 units for individuals, totalling $31,538.84, while offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act carry a penalty of 250 units, equating to $48,077.50 or 12-month imprisonment.
Anyone with concerns for the welfare of an animal is encouraged to contact RSPCA Victoria on 9224 2222 or submit a report at rspca.org/cruelty-report.
VICTORIANS are being urged to prioritise road safety and remain cautious of changing conditions when driving during the winter season.
Following a tragic beginning to school holidays on Victorian roads, the Transport Accident Commission, TAC, is reminding motorists to remain vigilant as the winter months can bring unpredictable road conditions.
With 161 lives lost on Victorian roads so far this year, authorities are calling for caution on the roads, with winter weather bringing potential hazards like black ice, fog, rain and landslides.
TAC acting chief executive Tony Dudley warned of the challenging driving conditions and urged road users to keep safety in mind at all times.
“We encourage motorists to stay alert and plan their journeys ahead of time – in bad weather or unfamiliar surroundings, sticking to main roads and highways can be a safe option,” he said.
“It’s always best to try and avoid driving in severe weather, but if we find ourselves in difficult conditions, it is safest to slow down, be patient, be visible and look out for others on the roads.”
In the Mitchell Shire, there has been one fatality recorded on the roads for 2023 to date, after a pedestrian died in Seymour last month.
There has been two fatalities in the Macedon Ranges Shire this year, while four have been recorded in the City of Whittlesea across driver, passenger and pedestrian categories.
TAC data suggests the most dangerous times for Victorian road users this year were from 6am to 10am and 2pm to 6pm, with 87 fatalities recorded during those times from across the state.
Ninety fatalities have occurred in rural Victoria, with the most common crash type listed as ‘run off a straight road’ with 46 incidents, followed by ‘adjacent direction’ with 32.
“It’s been a tragic year on our roads, and regardless of weather conditions, our message is to always put safety first when behind the wheel – the choices we make could be the reason we and others get home safely,” Mr Dudley said.
The TAC has also reminded people about the importance of using headlights in low light and being vigilant of other road users.
Cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to be visible through safe road positioning, wearing bright or reflective clothing when riding, and always crossing at the safest point.
Drivers are also encouraged to regularly inspect tyres, brakes, lights and wipers, and consider snow tyres or chains for especially slippery surfaces.
The TAC has launched the ‘Anywhere, Anytime, Anyone’ campaign to encourage road safety. .
BROADFORD’S Zane Kilroy has been selected for the Victorian state team to take on other Australian states in the National Junior Darts Championships next year.
Zane Kilroy
The National Junior Darts Championships require states to send a team of four boys and a team of four girls to face off against the top players from across the country.
Next year’s competition will take place at Murray Bridge Darts Club in South Australia in January.
Geelong Darts Club Victoria hosted the junior state team tryouts on July 2, with players travelling from across Victoria – some from as far as Mildura – to compete to represent their state at the national championships.
Scores were tallied to decide which players would be selected, with 13 boys and six girls registering to play each other in a best of three games of 501.
Kilroy, who usually plays in Seymour District Darts Association, took top spot with a 11-1 win-loss record and topped the averages with 20.6 across the day.
The scoring system meant players accrued points for games won, with a 2-0 win awarded one point and a 2-1 win awarded half a point.
Players also recorded their three-dart average across the entire day, which was calculated and put into a leaderboard with players earning points from their standing on the leaderboard. The highest average earnt the most points and the lowest average earnt the least.
The Broadford Returned Services League, RSL, invite all to the unveiling of a Battle of Fromelles Memorial Mosaic Wall in Broadford at 11am on Saturday.
The mosaic, at Memorial Park opposite Broadford Post Office, was designed by artist Donna Meyer and largely organised by Broadford RSL’s former secretary Peter Coutts and vice president Tim Whitford.
It features two sides representing the battle. One side includes a rising sun symbolising the Australian Army and hope at the end of the war, a mother praying, soldiers disappearing into battle, poppies and cornflowers – the French symbol of remembrance.
The other side shows images including silhouettes of the modern Fromelles village, figures representing memories, Brigadier Tivey, colour patches of the main units at Fromelles, headstones and the DNA symbol.
The ‘rebuild’ side of the mosaic piece, featuring a mother praying, soldiers disappearing into battle, poppies and cornflowers – the French symbol of remembrance.
“It’s in hardstone like a headstone – something a lot of the soldiers never got. We hope that one day the families will see this as a place outside of France to come and visit to spend a moment thinking about the horrible battle,” Mr Whitford said.
“As far as we know there’s no town that has a specific memorial to this battle and it should be marked. That’s where the idea was born.”
Broadford is connected to the battle through Brigadier Tivey conducting the final peacetime training camp at Fromelles.
“His whole unit was utterly destroyed in the battle and it destroyed him,” Mr Whitford said.
“There wasn’t a family anywhere in this country that wasn’t affected, no towns certainly, and so we thought what a great place to put a memorial to this battle.”
The Battle of Fromelles, on July 19 and 20, 1916, had more than 5500 Australian casualties – almost 2000 were killed and about 400 captured.
It is believed to be the greatest loss by a single division in 24 hours during the First World War.
“It left a scar in Australia. It was not a famous battle but it was never forgotten in the loungerooms of these families,” Mr Whitford said.
In 2006, Mr Whitford and three others began uncovering remains of 250 Australian soldiers in six mass burial pits in Fromelles – the biggest non-genocide mass graves in western Europe in 100 years.
They theorised Germans cleaned up the battlefield.
“Through a lot of detective work, we found a likely location for a mass burial site and we took that to the Australian Army. We were met with a lot of scepticism and resistance, so we took it to the media,” he said.
The men featured on television current affair programs such as 60 Minutes and The 7.30 Report, while author Patrick Lindsay wrote a book on their story.
Following public support, the Federal Government conducted a non-invasive survey of the site in 2007 and found two artefacts including a good luck medallion belonging to Mr Whitford’s uncle.
The group advocated for a new cemetery and DNA testing to match soldiers to their families – all had viable DNA and 166 out of 255 were identified.
The Broadford RSL was approached by Ms Meyer after she heard Mr Whitford’s story.
“We started raising funds for it slowly but surely and there seemed to be a big groundswell of support for it from the community and the shire,” Mr Whitford said.
“We got sponsorship from the Bendigo Bank and Victorian Government. We also raised our own funds so it’s been a project that’s brought a lot of people together.
“It’s been a long time coming but it took us 96 years to find the missing of Fromelles so a little bit late to the party is better than not at all.”
The unveiling will be followed by Mr Whitford and Mr Lindsay presenting the story of finding the missing soldiers with an audio-visual presentation, nibblies and some drinks at Broadford RSL at 1.30pm.
Presentation tickets are $20 with funds going to the RSL.
“The unveiling is free but we’re only a tiny little RSL subbranch, so we need to raise the funds to look after the young veterans,” Mr Whitford said.
“Our RSL is a bit of a haven for them and we want to raise funds so that we can continue to do that, like our breakfast every month to facilitate community connection.”
To purchase tickets email broadfordrsl@gmail.com or call Broadford RSL president James Evans on 0417 938 241.
Epping Road, between Epping and Wollert, is undergoing a major upgrade, with extra lanes, intersections and walking paths expected to be completed by 2025.
Major Road Projects Victoria is adding extra lanes on Epping Road between Craigieburn Road East and Memorial Avenue, new traffic lights at Park Street, and building better walking and cycling connections.
Night works on Epping Road and High Street will take place between July 11 and late July, from 8pm to 5am, to reposition safety barriers, repair potholes and repaint line markings.
As part of the upgrade, the repairs between Craigieburn Road East and Memorial Avenue will have changed traffic conditions at times during the works, including reduced speed limits, lane closures and minor holds in traffic.
Electronic message boards and traffic controllers will be installed to inform drivers of changes to traffic conditions, and access will be maintained to homes and businesses at all times.
The works began this year to upgrade the box culverts at Findon Creek and drainage network in the creek to protect the road from flooding.
Two new culverts on the east side of Epping will be constructed and extend the existing culvert under Lehmanns Road – both installed under the new Epping Road southbound lanes and Lehmanns Road eastbound lanes.
Service relocation on the east side of Epping Road is expected to be complete towards the end of this year, but relocating utility services on the west side of Epping Road will go into 2024.
Mitchell Shire Council unanimously approved a request for an additional $169,125 to deliver a new customer service system, already costing $490,160.
Councillors were required to approve the additional funding for the Customer Request Management, CRM, project because it was beyond the council chief executive Brett Luxford’s delegation.
Council is implementing a system with standardised processes, reporting and technology across the organisation to manage customer enquiries.
A variation to the current contract was proposed for an additional 75 days, costing $169,125 to support the project to September 30, plus two weeks contingency.
Officers recommended council approve an additional spend of up to $169,125 beyond the chief executive delegation to ensure the entire council operations is trained to use the system.
All customer-facing teams were expected to be inducted into the system by June 30, with teams providing internal services scheduled to be active by September 30.
Cr Nathan Clark said the system was important to council’s customer service operations.
“It is key IT infrastructure and will allow us to have consistent and uniform customer service across the organisation,” he said.
“I can’t emphasis how critical I think this is.”
Cr Bill Chisholm agreed the infrastructure was key to an efficient customer service system.
“This is a really critical system for council where we can follow through on customer requests or issues that the general public have,” he said.
“It follows the system right through so it’s really important we get this right and I’m really looking forward to it coming on board.”
Cr Rob Eldridge said it was a ‘really important system’ that staff needed to understand.
“As with all systems its success is very much dictated by the ability of the staff to actually utilise and optimise its use, so this is very important that it is rolled out,” he said.
“[The request] is a little bit of an operational thing to just entitle the CEO to go over his delegated authority but this is such an important thing it goes without saying it is necessary.”
Support for the project has been provided by LanLuas Consulting, and Mr Luxford said the system would provide people with tracking numbers and updates in regards to their requests.
Phases of the CRM Project in the future will be funded by the 2023-24 capital budget allocation of $150,000.
Bylands’ Tramway Heritage Centre last month added a W8 from the late 1930s to its collection of W-class trams, with the aim to attract more visitors to the museum.
The W8 tram was retired after the State Government upgraded a few archaic Melbourne W-class trams in the early 1990s, previously used for the city circle lines.
Heritage centre secretary Graham Jordan said the tram, numbered 922, was the latest piece in the museum’s collection.
“By having this tram, even though it’s a prototype, and incomplete, this means … we have one of every version of W-class trams that was ever built, so that means 15 versions of them,” he said.
“Now we’ve got at least one of each of these versions.”
Positioned at the front of the Bylands museum, the tram will be installed as a picnic tram for visitors, with decking and a roof added, and ramps levelled to the floor. The centre also hopes to add headlights in the next few years to complete the tram.
Mr Jordan said the project was a community piece for local people to be part of, and he encouraged more people to join as active volunteers at the centre.
“We’ve only got a very small core membership, [who are] participating members,” he said.
“We’ve got to try and build up members and get people interested in this type of thing – handymen and people like that [who] are looking for something to do.”
Mr Jordan said government and community donations would be appreciated to help rebuild and restore the trams.
“It would be helpful because we’re a volunteer, not-for-profit organisation, so any money we raise by people coming and visiting the site, that’s what we would channel the money into,” he said.
The museum is in the process of a rejuvenation, starting works inside the main museum to attract more visitors.
The centre does not currently operate trams, but chairman William Fedor said the newest piece was a ‘drawcard’ for the rest of the museum.
“The most amazing thing you notice is that we now have an attraction for the front gate,” he said.
“It’s a sense of belonging … because it’s been so many years where we’ve been trying to find some other way out to re-connect with the community.
“We’ve had so many people from the local community visit and realised ‘oh you’re still here’.”
For more information or to help the Tramway Heritage Centre, email graleenj@optusnet.com.au or call 9798 6035.
