Broadford Amateur Theatrical Society, BATS, is set to hit the stage with its latest production ‘Nunsense’, with the five leading ladies ready to leave their audience in stitches.
Nunsense narrates the farce of five Little Sisters of Hoboken, who discover that their cook, Sister Julia, accidentally poisoned 52 of the congregation’s nuns.
The five remaining sisters embark on a mission to raise funds to bury the nuns, which sees the team put on a variety show.
The ‘heavenly musical comedy’ features tap numbers, kick lines, an audience quiz, comic surprises and more than 200 lighting cues.
Theatre director Shaun Greelings-Parker is making his BATS debut with Nunsense, working with Julie Wallis to see the production come to life.
Janice Kemp is set to play Mother Superior, Julie Tennant is Sister Mary Hubert, Sherie Mills is Sister Robert Anne, Alicia Biancon is Sister Mary Amnesia and Faith Anderson is Sister Mary Leo.
There will be will five performances of Nunsense from July 13 to July 22, with four evening shows and one matinee.
Tickets are $20 for concession and $25 for adults, with seating arranged on tables.
Two new schools in the Kalkallo electorate will begin construction this year following funding allocations in the State Budget.
Construction is planned to be completed for both Lockerbie Central Primary School, interim name, and Merrifield South Primary School, interim name, in time for both schools to open on day one of term one 2024.
“It’s terrific to see the ongoing works at Lockerbie Central Primary on Koeks Vista and Merrifield South Primary School on Ellscott Boulevard,” Minister for Kalkallo Ros Spence said.
“Both schools will open with their first students next year and like all our new school openings, I know they will be hubs of excitement for students and their families.”
Lockerbie Central Primary School will be located at 2 Koeks Vista, Kalkallo. Up to 525 students will be able to enrol across prep to grade six. For enrolment enquiries email vsba@education.vic.gov.au.
Anthony Potesta has been appointed principal of Lockerbie Central Primary School. Most recently he was principal at Meadows Primary School.
Mr Potesta said he was committed to building strong relationships with the school community to improve educational and wellbeing outcomes for all learners.
Merrifield South Primary School will be located at 120 Ellscott Boulevard, Mickleham.
It will accommodate 650 students across prep to grade six at completion of the first stage. For enrolment enquiries email principal Maree Moyle at Maree.Moyle@education.vic.gov.au.
Ms Moyle has been a principal for 10 years and said she was excited to be the foundation principal at this school.
She said she was passionate about school culture and excellence in teaching and learning, and looked forward to developing strong community connections to create an innovative and supportive learning environment for all students.
“Foundation principals Anthony Potesta and Maree Moyle bring a wealth of experience and I look forward to them sharing their passion at our newest schools,” Ms Spence said.
Once open both schools will include an administration and library building, two learning neighbourhoods, a community hub with indoor multi-use court, canteen and arts/music spaces, hard courts, a sports field, and a car park.
Learning areas will have airconditioning and heating, and outside there will be shade sails for sun protection. The schools are designed to be environmentally sustainable and easily managed.
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Submissions close Friday and following consultation, names will be announced in term three, 2023.
Wallan’s A Grade netballers lost at home to Riddell on Saturday in a competitive match, going down 36 to 39.
The game was intense with fast transition and many intercepts for both sides.
Magpies goal keeper Georgia Stevenson showing grit against Riddell.
Wallan’s centre Gemma Grimmond had to come off early in the game because of the blood rule, after falling and scraping her elbow. Lauren Parkinson came on court in the centre position and had some great ball movement around the court.
Magpies goalkeeper Georgia Stevenson had her work cut out for her with Riddell’s Shelby Holter – the second highest average goal scorer in the league.
Holter dominated the Bomber’s scoring with 26 goals and just six misses on Saturday.
Wallan goalers also carried their own with Maeve Donegan, the league’s equal best average goal scorer, scoring 19 goals as goal shooter.
Rebekah Konstantopoulos in goal attack supported Donegan in goals shooting 17 of her own.
Wallan will host Romsey on Saturday in another home game, facing each other for the first time since round one.
Romsey
In another close A Grade game, Romsey and Macedon drew with both sides 40-apiece on Saturday at Macedon.
Emma Grech had an impressive game in goal shooter with 33 goals. Averaging 31 goals this season she currently sits equal first as the league’s highest average goal scorer.
The Redbacks’ defence contained Macedon’s Chloe Williams to 29 goals, an impressive feat after Williams’ 36 goal game last week.
Lancefield
Lancefield suffered a 17-goal loss against Western Rams, going down 47 to 64.
Darcee Ellard and Amanda Bruce both had great shooting games for the Tigers, with 21 and 22 goals respectively.
However, Western Rams’ Malia Seumanutafa dominated in goal shooter with 55 goals, shooting at 84 per cent accuracy, making it a tough day on court for Lancefield defenders Ella Stoward and Kira Baldwin.
The Tigers will travel to Melton to play Melton Central this weekend. Last time the two sides faced each other was in round four with Lancefield losing by five goals.
IN typical Wallan fashion, windy conditions prevailed for the Wallan versus Riddell match on Saturday, as the two sides competed against not just themselves, but strong, goal post-shaking winds.
In a low-scoring, tough contest of Riddell District Football Netball League senior action, Wallan fell short, losing 3.10 (28) to 5.7(37).
Wallan’s assistant coach Spencer Mathieson described it as a ‘very hard day in the office’.
In the opening quarter, Wallan had the advantage of kicking with the wind at the southern end of the oval and led the game by 11 points to a scoreless Riddell at the quarter-time break.
As the ends switched so did the scoreboard with the Bombers taking full advantage of the wind, coming from behind to take a nine-point lead over the Magpies, 1.6 (12) to 3.3 (21).
Riddell had another scoreless quarter in the third as Wallan took a six-point lead into three quarter time but, with the wind on their side in the final quarter, the Bombers took full advantage and kicked two goals to give them the win.
“It was fairly scrappy and made it crucial when you had the opportunity for a set shot at goal,” Mathieson said.
“Riddell were probably better than us when they went in their forward line. They were a bit cleaner when they had the wind and they nailed their set shots, whereas we didn’t and that was probably the difference in the game.”
The wind had a clear impact on the game with only two points scored, both by Wallan, at the northern end as sides went against it.
“When we were against the wind, we played very well but we just didn’t get an opportunity to score,” Mathieson said.
“We had enough of the footy, but when Riddell got the ball back on turnovers, they just nailed the opportunities when they had the wind and we were against it.”
Mathieson said Corey Viani and Steven Boyall had a great game in the midfield for the Magpies, with Angus Love shining in the backline.
Jordan Roberts dominated in the ruck while Sean Morris was strong around the contests.
“Our midfielders did very well but it was a very hard day,” Mathieson said.
On Saturday Wallan will play Romsey in another home game.
Mathieson said the side was hoping to play four quarters of good footy against the Redbacks.
“We played Romsey in round one and they are a pretty good side. We’ve just got to bounce back,” he said.
Wallan’s under 18s play a Friday night home game against Yarraville Seddon and Mathleson encouraged supporters to attend.
Lancefield
Tigers fans experienced an incredible show at home on Saturday as Lancefield dominated against Western Rams in an 89-point victory.
Lancefield came out strong in the first quarter securing a 46-point lead early, kicking seven goals as the Rams managed only two points for the quarter.
In a significant shift in play both sides were left scoreless in the second quarter as Lancefield took in a 7.6 (48) to 0.2 (2) lead at half time.
Lancefield continued to control the field in the third quarter extending its lead to 63 points and then closed out the game with an impressive 14 goals to the Rams’ one.
Benjamin Bryant and Jack Radford both scored three goals for Lancefield, while Lachlan Mitchell, Daniel Reynolds, Luke Malone and Nicholas Simpson were among the best on ground.
Lancefield will travel to Melton on Saturday to play Melton Centrals.
Romsey
Romsey lost to Macedon by 17 points on Saturday.
Playing at Macedon, an even first quarter gave the Redbacks a narrow one-point lead at the first break.
But Romsey trailed for the rest of the game, as Macedon kicked five goals in the second quarter to Romsey’s three goals establishing a comfortable 19-point lead.
The Redbacks upped the pressure in the third quarter, outscoring Macedon four goals to two.
But the Cats lifted the momentum in the fourth quarter and overran the Redbacks, coming out victorious.
Matthew Hoy and Samuel Wilson were multiple goal kickers for Romsey, while Callum Sankey, Wilson, Jaxson Kinnear and William Di Pietro were named in the best.
Due to Victoria’s Big Build works, coaches will replace some Seymour Line trains from tomorrow, Tuesday June 20, to Sunday July 9.
See below the planned disruptions and replacement services.
Tuesday June 20 to Friday June 23
From Southern Cross Station: From 9pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Southern Cross to Seymour for the entire journey.
From Seymour: From 7.30pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Seymour to Southern Cross for the entire journey.
Saturday June 24
Coaches replace Seymour Line trains between Southern Cross and Seymour for the entire journey.
Shepparton Line trains will also be under disruption on Saturday June 24. Find more information here.
Albury Line trains will continue to run as normal.
View the temporary coach replacement timetable for Seymour on June 24 here.
On Saturday 24 June, coach replacement services will be a mix of express, semi-express and stopping all stations.
V/Line replacement coaches will not be stopping at Essendon Station.
Commuters should take a Metro Trains service to and from Broadmeadows to connect with V/Line coaches.
Sunday June 25
From Southern Cross Station: The 9.45pm service will be replaced by coaches from Southern Cross to Seymour for the entire journey.
From Seymour: From 8pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Seymour to Southern Cross for the entire journey.
Monday June 26 to Friday June 30
From Southern Cross Station: From 9pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Southern Cross to Seymour for the entire journey.
From Seymour: From 7.30pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Seymour to Southern Cross for the entire journey.
Saturday July 1 and Sunday July 2
From Southern Cross Station: From 9pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Southern Cross to Seymour for the entire journey.
From Seymour: From 8pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Seymour to Southern Cross for the entire journey.
Monday July 3 to Friday July 7
From Southern Cross Station: From 9pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Southern Cross to Seymour for the entire journey.
From Seymour: From 7.30pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Seymour to Southern Cross for the entire journey.
Saturday July 8 and Sunday July 9
From Southern Cross Station: From 9pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Southern Cross to Seymour for the entire journey.
From Seymour: From 8pm to last service – coaches replace trains from Seymour to Southern Cross for the entire journey.
Commuters should allow an additional 50 minutes for your journey.
All train services will be replaced by a mix of express and stopping all stations coach services, for more information, please see a V/Line staff member.
General Information
There is limited space for bikes on V/Line trains and coach replacement services.
No pets or hot food/liquids allowed on replacement coaches.
Customers require a valid myki or paper ticket to travel on all V/Line replacement coach services. Please touch on and touch off your myki to ensure you pay the correct fare.
In Melbourne, coaches will arrive and depart from the Southern Cross Station coach terminal located on Spencer Street, opposite Little Bourke Street.
Customers with accessibility needs please call 1800 800 007 before travelling.
The magnitude of electronic gaming machines expenditure in the City of Whittlesea has caused ‘deep concern’ for council, with post-pandemic losses dwarfing pre-lockdown statistics.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, VGCCC, found $34.7 million in electronic gaming expenditure in the City of Whittlesea and Shire of Nillumbik between January and the end of March – the municipality’s highest first-quarter spending on record.
VGCCC data showed an increase in expenditure on electronic gaming every financial year from 2012-13 until the COVID-19 pandemic, rising from $101 million to $120.7 million in 2018-19.
The closure of gaming venues during lockdowns resulted in a sharp decline in expenditure, dropping to $91 million in 2019-20 and $72 million in 2020-21.
However pokie players in the City of Whittlesea and Shire of Nillumbik were quick to uptake electronic gaming post-pandemic, causing expenditure to rise again.
In 2022, losses stacked up at $149.1 million – a 21.85 per cent increase from the $122.3 million lost in 2019.
Gamblers in the City of Whittlesea alone spent $267,752 on pokies daily in the 2021-22 financial year – the sixth highest expenditure in Victoria.
As the cost of living continues to rise, community leaders are concerned about the increase of gambling and its impact on both mental health and financial security.
City of Whittlesea chief executive officer Craig Lloyd said council was ‘deeply concerned’ about the annual expenditure on electronic gaming in their area, but said regulations on gaming machines fell to the State Government.
Mr Lloyd said council had been advocating to the government for funding to extend the Libraries After Dark program, which ‘provides a safe and welcoming alternative for community at risk of social isolation, gambling harm and family violence’.
“Council has a longstanding position on advocating for gambling harm minimisation measures including reducing the operating hours of gaming venues and capping gaming machine numbers,” he said.
“We know with the increase in the cost of living, gambling losses add to the financial pressure and stress on households.
“We have also created and promoted a range of free or low-cost events, programs and activities such as our community festival and our positive ageing program.
“We are exploring next steps to support our community on gambling as part of developing our Connected Communities Strategy.”
More than $112 million was raked out in the City of Whittlesea and Shire of Nillumbik between July 2022 and the conclusion of March 2023 – only three quarters of the 2022-23 financial year but already an 6.7 per cent increase on the entirety of 2021-22 losses.
With an average of $12.3 million lost every month in the 2022-23 financial year tallied so far, projected losses are expected to bypass $148 million in the City of Whittlesea and Nillumbik Shire once data for May and June is collected – the highest expenditure during a financial year ever recorded in the municipality.
There were 10 operating gaming venues in the City of Whittlesea as of April this year, compared with 14 in Hume and six in the Mitchell Shire.
People in the City of Whittlesea spent $97.7 million in 2021-22, compared to $15 million in the Mitchell Shire.
The City of Hume recorded higher expenditure in 2021-22, with nearly $104.6 million lost across its 14 venues at $286,440 spent per day – the third highest expenditure in Victoria.
Victoria saw an overall 12.45 per cent increase in electronic gaming expenditure from 2019 to post-lockdowns in 2022, with losses totalling $3 billion.
READ MORE:
WALLAN GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: THERE’S NO SHAME IN SEEKING HELP
GAMING MACHINE EXPENDITURE SOARS ABOVE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS IN MITCHELL SHIRE
Collingwood’s Victorian Wheelchair Football League captain Ben Jankovski has called for greater wheelchair accessibility and specialist services in Wallan.
The Chintin resident faced difficulty accessing nearby specialist services during rehabilitation, and still struggles to obtain disabled parking and manoeuvre the state of the shire’s footpaths.
“I wouldn’t say Wallan is very accommodating at this stage for people with disabilities, but I’m really hoping that in the future with more light shed on this space we can make a difference,” Mr Jankovski said.
After becoming permanently paralysed from the chest down as a result of a car accident in late 2017. Mr Jankovski said it took time to adjust to a new way of life.
“I think it took probably a good three years for me to really come to terms with not only my situation but just learning my body, how it reacts to different things and learning how to deal with day-to-day life,” he said.
A long-held passion for football led him to be selected by Collingwood in the wheelchair football draft in 2020, and he is now the club’s disability inclusion officer. His side won the premiership in 2021 and he was elected captain in 2022.
Ben Jankovski, 22, at the wheelchair AFL season launch for Collingwood Football Club.
Mr Jankovski said unfinished footpaths in Wallan’s residential areas and in High Street still caused himself and other wheelchair users mobility difficulties.
“Someone like me who can push in a manual chair can sort of manipulate around [the cracks], but those that that have an electric wheelchair, they’re 120 kilograms, and one little crack or crevice can tip them over, cause damage to the person and the machine itself,” he said.
“We would just like to see a little bit more attention in that space.”
Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Fiona Stevens said council knew how important footpaths were to the everyday lives of people in the shire and acknowledged safety was an important requirement.
She said council officers regularly inspected footpaths across the shire to identify areas where new footpaths were needed, and existing footpaths needed repairs.
“Unfortunately, some footpaths from days gone by will need remedial works,” she said.
“That’s why our recently adopted budget allocated $500,000 for the Footpath Renewal Program and $740,000 for the Missing Links Footpath Program.”
Footpaths connecting to pedestrian crossings on High Street remain unevenly surfaced.
Mr Jankovski also called for stricter fining systems for those using disabled parking spots without a permit.
Cr Stevens said council’s authorised officers had a ‘zero tolerance approach’ when it came to fining people using disabled parking without a permit, with officers conducting ‘proactive, targeted and complaint focused patrols’.
But Mr Jankovski said a fining system had not been aptly implemented, often leaving him without a parking space available.
“When my limited accessibility gets taken away from me, it can be quite frustrating,” he said.
Mr Jankovski said generally there were a lack of specialist services in Wallan, and he had struggled to find nearby healthcare during rehabilitation.
“The only thing I had available to me was your local [general practitioner] in Wallan. Everything else in terms of physio[therapists] and other specialists had to be elsewhere,” he said.
“I wasn’t too comfortable driving somewhere further north.”
He called himself ‘very lucky’ to have had a ‘strong, supportive family and partner’ while recovering, but worried for those without those support systems.
“There weren’t really any [counsellors] available to deal with disability or trauma accidents in Wallan,” he said.
“I’m not asking for 10 clinics, one clinic would be amazing.”
Cr Stevens said council was aware the community did not have ‘all the services they deserve’.
“[Council] are constantly advocating for service providers to base themselves within our shire,” she said.
“When looking at all our services, we are consciously considering the needs of those with special mobility needs in our communities and are always trying to improve.”
But limited commercial rentals available in the shire’s central precincts hampered practitioners attempting to relocate.
Cr Stevens noted services at Kilmore Leisure Centre and Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre were accessible to people with disabilities, and that new accessible hoists would be installed at Seymour War Memorial Outdoor Pool and Broadford Outdoor Pool for the 2023-24 season.
Cr Stevens said residents could report footpaths needing attention via the Report It Tool on council’s website or by calling 5734 6200.
It was a busy afternoon for the region’s fire brigades on Sunday, attending multiple callouts in various locations across a few hours.
At about 2.30pm on Sunday crews from Wandong, Wallan, Whittlesea, Clonbinane, Kalkallo and Wollert were called to the Wallan-Whittlesea Road as a truckload of hay had caught fire.
The section of road near the intersection with Epping-Kilmore Road was cleared at about 9.30pm, with no injuries and minimal damage to the truck.
Wandong CFA captain Yorin Miller said the main priority for crews was to bring the fire under control and make sure the hay would not reignite.
“When we arrived on scene the hay was well alight and it was just basically a case of extinguishing the flames. After we got the bulk of it out, we just had to wait a fair bit for an excavator to arrive,” he said.
“It was just a case of getting it all off, making sure it was all put out properly and then pushing it all off the side of the road and clearing it all up. It was a pretty good effort from everybody.”
The truck driver left the scene and returned with an excavator on the back of another truck, while a nearby resident also assisted firefighters with a tractor.
Mr Miller said the fire was likely caused by the heat from the truck’s exhaust, a situation that ‘was not unheard of’ but uncommon for firefighters in the area.
Wandong Fire Brigade attended three other separate incidents in the space of four hours on Sunday, as firefighters were called to a burn-off on the outskirts of Wandong, a car accident on the Northern Highway, and a smoking underground electrical pit.
Mr Miller said crews returned to the scene of the hay truck fire yesterday morning to put out anything still smoldering to ensure it was safe.
A truck carrying a load of hay caught fire near the intersection of the Wallan-Whittlesea and Epping-Kilmore roads among a slew of other incidents in the region on Sunday afternoon.
