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Rail trail artworks officially opened at Trawool Estate

May 30, 2023

By Max Davies

THE Art on the Great Victorian Rail Trail Project was officially opened on Friday at Trawool Estate ahead of a major tourism campaign planned for spring.

Several large-scale artworks and a series of smaller works have been installed along the 134-kilometre trail in a joint initiative between the Mitchell, Murrindindi and Mansfield shire councils, aimed at improving the rail trail experience with innovative and instantly recognisable art.

Rail Trail 2 — Yu-Fang Chi’s ‘Traces’ sculpture features prominently on the trail, exploring the forms of native plants and their impact on the land. The sculpture is located a few hundred metres from the Trawool Estate.

The works all serve to reflect the natural environment or cultural history of the area in some way, with a range of different styles employed by seven artists.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said the art along the trail would give people another reason to come and explore the region.

“It’s been interesting to see the artworks come to life and to witness the artists’ interpretation and how their works were inspired by the wonderful surrounds. It will now also be interesting to hear how visitors interpret these works,” she said.

“This has been a great partnership between the three councils with funding support from the Victorian Government.”

Among the artists was Taungurung elder Uncle Mick Harding, who worked to create a series of 20 scar trees in various locations along the trail.

Uncle Harding and his sons created the artwork by removing the bark from eucalyptus trees and carving symbols into them to articulate the story of their relationship with ancestors and the country.

Rail Trail 1 — Taungurung artist Uncle Mick Harding talks with Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes about his scar tree artwork. Pictured is ‘Inanimate Objects’, one of 20 scarred trees along the Great Victorian Rail Trail.

The work draws on traditional tree scarring practiced by many First Nations peoples from across south-east Australia.

“We’ve got the longest living connection in Australia and if not the world culturally, and I was fortunate enough to win one of the grants to be able to [create the art], which was really just continuing cultural practice,” Mr Harding said.

“It’s something that I think is really important in the landscape to demonstrate to everybody that we’re still here and think about how we might share who we are with everyone else.

“It’s really about weaving our old stories together with whatever’s happening today. Even during the point of contact and beyond there are lots of bad stories to tell, but there’s good stories to tell as well and I think it’s important to tell all of those.”

Wallan Magpie women continue to soar

Jordyn Grubisic

May 30, 2023

Wallan’s women football side remain undefeated, winning seven games this season after keeping a competitive Diamond Creek scoreless on Sunday in a 27-0 victory.

Despite facing a significantly bigger opponent in the middle, but the side didn’t let it intimidate them demonstrating excellent ruckwork in the middle.

“It’s the first time the ruckman played, and it wasn’t something we were prepared for. She [Diamond Creek ruck] really bodied our ruckman well,” Wallan head coach Leigh Senior said.

“We had to utilise that fact if she’s going to win in the ruck contest – we’ve got to get the clearances so we can rove off her. Strategy should’ve been to come out wide, which we didn’t do because they set up great structure.”

Nicole Evans kicked the opening goal for the quarter putting the Magpies ahead early. Wallan took advantage of Diamond Creek’s inaccurate kicking with many intercept marks.

At the end of first quarter Wallan were up 1.2 (8) against a scoreless Diamond Creek.

Most of the play remained in Wallan’s forward 50 but the side struggled to convert its efforts into goals. The Mapgies went into half time up 2.7 (19) with Diamond Creek yet to trouble the scorer.

Both sides had difficulty getting movement around the ground in the third term, with constant intercept marks and inaccurate kicking keeping the ball in the midfield for much of the game.

But Shazi Cappello dominated the period of play, constantly diving on lose balls, hitting hard tackles and marking crucial intercepts.

The fourth quarter again saw play mostly in Wallan’s forward 50. Great efforts by fullbacks on both sides prevented several goal attempts, but Wallan managed to snag one final major with a tough kick into their goal square.

“They fought hard against us but we did get the win. We’ve still got a lot of work to do but it’s a good result,” Senior said.

“We’ve put a bloody heap of work in since October. It means a lot because last year we had one victory.

“This year we’ve worked hard but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We’ve still got several games to win on the road to a premiership but we’re on the right track.”

Wallan captain Kelly Lennox said the undermanned Diamond Creek took it right up to the Mapgies.

“They were tough. We’re going to find out every week going forward that teams are going to come out wanting to beat us, but it was a hard fought win. At the end of the day we’ve done our job and come away with another win,” she said.

“It feels exciting but nervewracking because we don’t want to let this slip. Being undefeated is a big step for a footy [team] that’s probably won two games in the last four years. It’s so amazing and it’s an awesome feeling.”

A competitive game awaits Wallan as it faces North Heidelberg this weekend.

Wallan Panthers score double header victory

Jordyn Grubisic

May 30, 2023

Wallan Panthers score double header victory

Wallan Panthers’ division two men had back-to-back wins in their double header at the weekend.

Saturday’s game saw Wallan head down the road to Craigieburn for a competitive and close match.

Wallan took advantage of Craigieburn’s inability to score in the opening minutes, hitting 13. Wallan maintained a comfortable lead closing the first quarter 8-23.

The second quarter started with the same energy as the first, with Craigieburn unable to finish on two turnover opportunities by the Panthers.

Tom O’Connor continued his impressive shooting with the first three points on the board.

Craigieburn began to find its feet, scoring on forced turnovers.

The Panthers found themselves in a bit of a dry spell, missing baskets that Craigieburn were converting down their end.

Wallan continued its struggle to score, with Craigieburn shrinking the margin to one point heading into halftime.

Out of the half, Craigieburn hit the first two points off a defensive rebound, putting the Eagles in front for the first time. After some scoreless transitions by Wallan, Craigieburn extended the lead further 42 to 37.

With under six minutes remaining, Tyler Best hit a jump shot to shift the momentum for the Panthers and, combined with some excellent free throw shooting from Dominic Bruno, brought Wallan back into the lead.

The Eagles hit the lead with three minutes remaining after a three-point play from Willian Tankard, followed by two free throws made from a tech foul against Wallan’s coach.

The game remained tight, but Craigieburn pulled ahead 57 to 51 heading into the fourth.

It remained close in the fourth until Bruno hit a three, putting Wallan ahead but the Eagles were back in front with six minutes to go.

Crucial free-throw makes from the Panthers again put them in front as they drew their lead out 74 to 66, but Craigieburn continued to claw its way back.

A three-pointer from Tyler Loats put Craigieburn back within one point with a minute left in the game.

Craigieburn tied the game 75 apiece with 46 seconds to go before O’Connor hit a two-point jumper.

Wallan remained ahead until Craigieburn’s Guy Dupuy drew the foul and, in a lucky break for Wallan, only made one of his free throws, shrinking the gap to just one point with 10 seconds to go.

Best came in clutch for Wallan in the final moments of the game, drawing the foul and hitting one free throw with seven seconds to go. Best then got the rebound off his second, drew another foul and hit the next two free throws.

Craigieburn called a timeout with six seconds left but nothing could eventuate and Wallan won 80-76.

The Panthers backed up its efforts on Sunday with a home game against Mornington. Wallan secured another victory with Bruno having an outstanding game, hitting 31 points with three rebounds and four assists.

Much like the opening of the Craigieburn game, Wallan punished Mornington for every missed opportunity, scoring on every transition in the opening minutes, while Mornington struggled to find its feet after an initial three.

Bruno closed out the quarter with a three-point play, comfortably setting the side up 28-9 heading into the second.

Lachlan King had a great second quarter for Mornington, who began to come back 21-38 before Wallan called a timeout with six minutes left.

It was again another tough second quarter for Wallan with Mornington outscoring them. Luckily for the Panthers, their early lead had them sitting ahead – but the margin shrunk to 13 heading into the half.

The third quarter saw Wallan pick up the momentum and baskets began to drop, pushing their lead back out to 23 points to close the quarter 73 to 50.

The fourth quarter was comfortable for Wallan with the side maintaining its lead and winning the game by 22 points.

Fourth-placed Wallan will travel to play Surf Coast on Saturday in a fourth versus five clash.

Panthers narrow loss

Wallan women’s team fell short, going down 80 to 87 against Gippsland on the road on Saturday.

Even with an impressive scoring game from Olivia Dalmau with 24 and import Kylah Collins, who had a double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds, Gippsland managed to secure the lead early and never let up.

Both teams struggled to score in the opening minutes until Collins hit two with a nice tip in, drawing the foul but missing the free throw for a three-point play.

Gippsland answered instantly with a successful three-point play of their own putting them one ahead.

The game remained evenly matched with Wallan always on the heels of Gippsland, until it was unable to score for the remaining three minutes of the quarter. Gippsland took advantage and extended their lead, heading into the second 26 to 13.

Gippsland opened the second with a layup while Wallan continued struggling to score. After two more baskets Wallan’s Kaitlyn Bickerton hit a three pointer for the basket of the quarter.

Wallan found its feet and scoring became consistent for both sides with a comeback looking good for Wallan. However, Gippsland’s lead was too big with Wallan heading into the half trailing 47-34.

Consistent scoring efforts in the third saw the teams maintain the margin until Wallan made a few baskets to Gippsland’s misses, bringing the Panthers to within six points.

Gippsland got on another run, scoring off its transitions with Wallan unable to respond and the quarter ended with Wallan down 54 to 67.

Wallan managed to come back to within three baskets with five minutes remaining in the fourth.

Gippsland again pulled ahead but Wallan refused to give in, getting within four points with 30 seconds remaining. Wallan couldn’t hit shot attempts in the final seconds and Gippsland took the win 87 to 80. Wallan sit third with Gippsland remaining undefeated on top.

This weekend Wallan face Surf Coast on the road in a competitive second versus third match, looking for revenge after losing by two points in round six.

Betty celebrates her 103rd birthday

Grace Frost

May 30, 2023

By Grace Frost

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Sorraghan celebrated her 103rd birthday over morning tea with friends, family and staff at Dianella Village Hostel on Friday.

The residents enthusiastically sang Happy Birthday before Ms Sorraghan, wearing her birthday tiara, blew out her candles on the cake that her daughter Anne Hibberd had made specially for the occasion.

It was hard for her fellow residents to believe that Ms Sorraghan, who was chatting away, smiling for photographs and enjoying her birthday feast, was truly 103.

Born in 1920, Ms Sorraghan, then Ms Franklin, was raised in Beveridge alongside older sister Alice, brother David and twin sister Bedelia, known as ‘Biddy’, whom she remembered and spoke fondly of on what was both of their birthdays.

Ms Sorraghan married her husband Matthew Sorraghan at the Beveridge Church in the mid 1940s, and the couple moved to a farm at Bylands where they were surrounded by a close-knit community and instantly formed long-lasting friendships.

The couple stayed at the farm until their move to a unit in Kilmore, where Ms Sorraghan remained until 2020 after her husband’s death in 2015.

Up until the age of 99 and nine months, Ms Sorraghan was living independently at her home.

She moved to Dianella Village Hostel just in time to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Ms Sorraghan has two children, Anne and Pat, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She said family was the most important thing to cherish in life as ‘the years go by very quickly’.

“If you’ve got good friends, good family, what more can you ask for?” she said.

“Anne is a good daughter, and I’ve got a good son. I grew up in a good family and I’ve been very lucky.”

Ms Hibberd said her mother had always been community minded, involved with groups including the Catholic Women’s League, Meals on Wheels and Senior Citz.

She spoke of her mother’s past creative hobbies including embroidering, crocheting and knitting, and said Ms Sorraghan used to knit jumpers for local children.

Ms Sorraghan spoke highly of the region, saying she always knew of and felt connected to the people in it, which made the transition to Dianella at Kilmore District Health more simple.

She thanked those people present on Friday for helping her celebrate the special occasion.

“Thankyou all, I’m at home here,” she said.

“You’re all so nice and I’m very lucky to have you all here today.”

Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: May 30, 2023

Lauren Duffy

May 30, 2023

Theft in Seymour

Between May 22 and 24, a woman realised her handbag was missing from her car in Mitchell Court, Seymour. It is unknown how the offender gained access to the vehicle. Police highly recommend not leaving valuable items within sight from the exterior of a vehicle.

Attempted theft

Between 9pm on May 24 and 7.30am on May 25, unknown offenders entered a vehicle parked on a victim’s front lawn in Oak Street, Seymour, and searched through the vehicle.

No items were stolen. The vehicle may have been left unlocked.

Police highly recommend ensuring your vehicle is locked before leaving it unattended.

Burglary at Tallarook

Unknown offenders forced entry via a front door of a house in Ennis Road, Tallarook, between May 7 and 19, and stole two polar powered refrigerators.

Fail to stop on police direction

On May 24, at about 12.16am, police were patrolling Kilmore’s shopping complex and observed a white and black motorised scooter, without registration plates, stationary at the McDonald’s drive-thru, with two males wearing no helmets or protective gear.

Police then put their lights and sirens on and the men on the scooters took off down Clarke Street, failing to stop.

Anyone with information or CCTV footage of any of the incidents is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or contact their local police station.

50 years of Wandong-Wallan Lions

Lauren Duffy

May 30, 2023

Wandong-Wallan Lions Club this month celebrated 50 years of helping to make a difference in the community through a range of volunteer efforts.

Lions 50th 3 — Lions members Daniel Rossignoli, left, Brian Dove, Peter van de Paverd and Bill Forbe.

Chartered in 1973 with an initial membership of 19 members, the club has grown and has a range of different projects in the works that align with the club’s ethic of being humanitarian, fun and manageable.

The 50th anniversary celebrations, at Kilmore Trackside, attracted more than 40 people involved with the club, while meals, a live band and lucky door prizes featured in the festivities.

The Wandong-Wallan Lions Club is always welcoming of new members who have some spare time and are interested in helping the community, with meetings every month at the Wallan Neighbourhood House. The public is welcome to attend as a guest of a Lions member.

For more information, people can write to PO Box 225, Wandong 3758, email lionsclubww@outlook.

Ballkids begin Australian Open trials

Max Davies

May 30, 2023

By Max Davies

KILMORE Tennis Club played host to level one of ballkid trials on May 21, with about 30 youngsters from across Victoria attending for a chance to be selected for next year’s Australian Open.

More than 1000 children aged 12 to 15 are set to participate in level one of the trials at 18 tennis clubs across Victoria over the coming weeks.

Kilmore Tennis Club coach Gavin Moreira said the club had seen a positive turnout for this year’s trials.

“It was a very cold day here in Kilmore, a little bit slippery as well but the kids did a great job,” he said.

“We accommodated for the weather to make sure the kids are all safe out there, but we had a good cross range of kids that are brand new doing a trial for the first time and others that have returned for a second and third time.”

About 1500 children are estimated to have applied for level one trials, from which 750 will progress to level two trials in Melbourne in July, before about 430 are selected for either the Australian Open, AO, squad or a train-on squad.

Those selected in the final 430 will then take part in extensive training from August through to November ahead of the major Australian tournaments early next year.

“The kids that are in the AO squad get four or five months of training and the kids that are in the train-on squad will go and ballkid the Kooyong tournament, which happens in January, as well as a couple of wheelchair tournaments and disability tournaments, which are usually held Craigieburn,” Mr Moreira said.

“Those kids will then often go and do level one trials again, so they’ve come from doing five months of training last year, they’ve been ballkids for the Kooyong and Craigieburn tournaments and now they’re trying out again – fingers crossed they’ll get through.”

Results will be announced at the end of June to let participants know if they were successful in progressing to level two.

Kilmore Tennis Club junior Lisa Gallagher, who took part in the trials on the weekend, said being a ballkid at major tournaments was a worthwhile experience.

Ms Gallagher made it to the train-on squad last year and took part in a range of tournaments.

“It was really good at the Kooyong tournament. I got to be right up close with the players and it was a lot of fun meeting a lot of new people,” she said.

“When I was a little bit younger, I’d always thought about it but I’d never really pushed myself to do it. Then one of my friends was talking about it and she was a ballkid at the Australian Open, so we just decided to do it together.

“Hopefully I’ll make it through this trial and into level two, and then make it into the AO squad for 2024.”

City of Whittlesea businesses soak up accolades

Lauren Duffy

May 30, 2023

City of Whittlesea businesses soak up accolades

The City of Whittlesea’s business community joined together for a night of celebration at the Business Network Awards earlier this month.

The awards, at Mantra Hotel in Epping, recognises local businesses for excellence, responsibility, and sustainability, and were open to members of the Business Network who were nominated across the six categories.

Awards were presented to the following categories: Business of the Year – Repurpose It; Start up – Brewer Sisters; Customer Service – Ristic Real Estate; Innovation and Enterprise – Whittlesea Community Connections; Sustainability and Environment – Repurpose It; Community Contribution – LINK Community and Transport; Workplace Diversity – Costa Mushroom Exchange.

Resource company Repurpose It received two awards for its commitment to promoting a circular economy and environmental sustainability.

Started six years ago, the company makes significant contributions by recovering resources and preventing them from going to landfill.

Repurpose It launched a new state-of-the-art organic processing facility last year, which takes food organics and garden organics, FOGO, and produces quality soil amendments for supply back to local facilities.

Founder and chief executive George Hatzimanolis said the company was proud to claim awards that acknowledged their sustainability goals.

“It’s testament to our team of almost 200 people and their commitment to both sustainability and building an organisation that is making a substantial contribution to the circular economy,” he said.

“We are proud of our long-term partnership with the City of Whittlesea and thank them for this recognition.”

Recognised for the Innovation and Enterprise award, Whittlesea Community Connections claimed the title for its multicultural driving school DriverEd, which helps residents, many of refugee backgrounds, to access their licence.

Since 2019, DriverEd has provided language specific instructors to residents who are looking to gain experience with their driving skills.

Whittlesea Business Awards — Whittlesea Community Connections road safety team leader Edmond Babatunde and road safety coordinator Harpreet Singh accepting the Innovation and Enterprise Award at the City of Whittlesea’s Business Network Awards.

Besides creating access to driving, Whittlesea Community Connections road safety team leader Edmond Babatunde said DriveEd also cared for the instructors.

“We’re also creating employment pathway for the driving instructors, who we employ. Some of them started their own driving school … we supported them in adminstration, helping them to design their own invoices and scheduling,” he said.

“It’s a win win for the clients and the driving instructors.”

Mr Babatunde said the team was ‘over the moon’ to be given an award that reflected their values in helping the wider community.

“We saw that we’ve had an impact on the community, we’ve felt that our work was recognised,” he said.

“Since we started the program, our clients, some of them come to the office … we run into them and they say to us: Without us, they wouldn’t be working, without us, they wouldn’t have a mortgage,” he said.

City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the awards were a chance to celebrate small and large businesses.

“The gala enabled us to shine a spotlight on our thriving local business community and to celebrate the many talented business people in the City of Whittlesea.” she said.

“Every business should be commended for their efforts, commitment and successes, particularly in this tough economic climate.”

To view more information and images from the awards visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/BusinessAwards.

Wallan group’s Biggest Morning Tea success

The North Central Review

May 30, 2023

Wallan group’s Biggest Morning Tea success

Wallan Circle of Friendship hosted its Biggest Morning Tea last Monday at Neighbourhood House in Wallan.

Now in its 22nd year, the fundraiser has grown to cater for more than 100 people, who enjoyed great food and fellowship.

Many handmade items made by the members and were purchased to raise money for the Cancer Council.

Co ordinator Lorraine Alcock said the event raised $2400, with a huge increase in local businesses donating goods and money for raffles.

Businesses who supported the event were BP Laffans Garage, Wallan; Bunnings, Craigieburn; Chemist Discount Centre Wallan; Dench Meat and Chicken, Wallan; Direct Chemist Outlet, Wallan; Hogans Hotel, Wallan; LJ Hooker, Wallan; Nestlé Confectionery, Broadford; Pretty Sally Home Timber and Hardware, Wallan; Vento Cafe Bar Restaurant, Wallan; Wallan Fish and Chips; Woolworths, Wallan; and Mitchell Shire Council for donating hire of the venue.

Testing day for Broadford Roos

Lauren Duffy

May 30, 2023

Broadford seniors suffered a 146-point loss to Warburton-Millgrove on Saturday, in a challenging day for all Kangaroo football and netball teams.

Broadford’s senior footballers were right with the home side for the first quarter, having only one less scoring shot than the home side.

Errant kicking for goal proved costly for the Kangaroos, scoring just one goal from five shots at goal in the opening term left them to chase Warburton-Millgrove all day.

A Broadford point was often matched with a goal from Warburton-Millgrove.

The home side found their feet in the second quarter, winning more of the ball in the second quarter and setting up more avenues to goal.

Broadford showed some fight after half time and were more accurate in front of goals, kicking three in the third term.

But Warburton-Millgrove also put their foot on the accelerator, with a 10-goal third quarter, followed by six goals in the final term.

With six goals each to Bailey Humphrey and Luke Westlake, Warburton-Millgrove was superior in its forward power.

For the Kangaroos, vice captain Josh Delaney had an impressive first half, including a goal, while Brayden Hardstaff and Liam Lucas also impressed.

The win puts Warburton-Millgrove on top of the Outer East division two ladder.

In the A Grade netball, Broadford, missing several key players, lost to Warburton-Millgrove 23-62.

Broadford under 17 players Shayla White, Grace Lauder and Cassie Zolnierczyk made their A Grade debut, in what was a tough match against quality opposition.

Best for the Kangaroos were Kate Berger, Alyssah Chibnall and Shayla White.

Broadford has a bye this weekend, followed by an away game at Alexandra on June 10.

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