More than 30 representatives from Seymour and district businesses attended the Australian Rail Track Corporation, ARTC, Inland Rail Skills Academy event on May 16 to explore workforce opportunities on the Inland Rail Project.
Attendees received an overview of the Inland Rail Project, explanation of potential supply opportunities, a snapshot of the local labour market and information about support available for businesses that take on apprentices and trainees.
Personnel Group employment consultant Patricia Cochrane, from Kilmore, said the information provided was informative and relevant with speakers being well informed.
“The meet and greet opportunity with other business representatives was invaluable and we appreciate being a part of this event,” she said.
ARTC Victoria and South Australia Projects general manager Ed Walker said the events helped ensure ARTC delivered real and lasting opportunities for regional communities.
“Our workforce development events are just part of Inland Rail’s commitment to communities where Australia’s largest freight project is being built and operated,” he said.
“With Inland Rail already delivering business uplift and jobs confidence in communities along the rail corridor, workforce events such as these will help ensure Inland Rail’s positive impacts go beyond the construction period for the project.”
Residents in the Mitchell and Macedon Ranges Shire and greater north-west fringe of Melbourne were awoken by a magnitude 3.8 earthquake originating in Sunbury just before midnight on Sunday.
Geoscience Australia recorded the earthquake three-kilometres in depth at 11.41pm, with some individuals experiencing a second tremor a few minutes later.
More than 24,000 reports of the quake were made to Geoscience Australia by Monday morning from individuals spanning the distance from Bendigo to Hobart.
Chief scientist of Seismology Research Centre Adam Pascale, who recorded the magnitude slightly higher, said the earthquake was the largest earthquake to hit within 40 kilometres of the Melbourne’s Central Business District in more than a century.
“Last night’s magnitude 4.0 was the largest earthquake within 40km of Melbourne in over 120 years, the last being a magnitude 4.5 in 1902,” he said in a Tweet early Monday morning.
The tremor measured smaller than the magnitude 5.9 quake that hit near Mansfield in September 2021, but Victoria State Emergency Service, Vic SES, still warned ‘it’s not uncommon for aftershocks to occur after an earthquake’, and that those affected should ‘drop, cover and hold on’.
Vic SES confirmed no injuries or damage had yet been recorded in the hours following the earthquake.
MAJOR Road Projects Victoria, MRPV, last week announced it would present a business case for south-facing Hume Freeway entry and exit ramps at Wallan’s Watson Street in 2024, paving the way for the completion of a diamond interchange.
Wallan residents and Mitchell Shire Council leaders have advocated for a Watson Street diamond interchange for years, arguing it would alleviate peak-hour traffic on the Northern Highway that, on some evenings, backs onto the freeway.
The project secured bipartisan support ahead of last year’s state election, with both Labor and the Liberal-Nationals coalition pledging $130 million for its completion.
The project is also contingent on federal funding, with the Federal Government pledging $50 million in 2020.
The project was plagued by inaction following the 2020 announcement, with the State Government arguing the former federal coalition government provided less than one per cent of its promised funding, while the coalition said the funding was contingent on benchmarks the State Government never achieved.
MRPV said it was investigating options for creating a full diamond interchange while upgrading Watson Street to improve road capacity and safety.
The government body said it would undertake community consultation and engagement this year and would finalise its business case in 2024.
Labor Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence said it was exciting to finally see progress on the project.
“Prior to the 2022 election, the Andrews Labor government made a commitment to deliver an upgrade to the Watson Street interchange and we’re getting on with it,” she said.
“Planning is now underway and I encourage all interested residents to sign up for updates at roadprojects.vic.gov.au/subscribe.”
Liberal Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Evan Mulholland said the project was progressing at a ‘snail pace’.
“It is great that the State Government has been dragged kicking and screaming to finally investing in the Wallan diamond,” he said.
“Planning and a business case will only be completed sometime next year, with no clear answer on when the first sod will be turned.”
Mr Mulholland said he was concerned the $50 million pledged for the diamond interchange by the former Federal Government could be rescinded as part of a review announced by federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King.
“Of course that money went nowhere because the Andrews government hadn’t even begun a business case,” he said.
Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell called Mr Mulholland’s words ‘absolute lies’.
“It’s a scare campaign. The status of [the ramps] is that they’re going ahead and that’s how it is,” he said.
“I might remind him that the only people who have promised funding for roads and never delivered are the Liberal Party. We have to go in and clean up the mess they left behind.
“He’s in the state party that promised a Kilmore bypass but never put money aside for it.”
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens welcomed MRPV’s announcement.
“The sooner this interchange can be delivered the sooner it can unlock our community and enhance people’s wellbeing,” she said.
“This project has been a priority for council and we have tirelessly advocated to see works begin. This interchange will significantly improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance the safety of all road users.
“The Victorian Government made a $130 million election commitment for the Hume Freeway diamond interchange at Watson Street and council expects this project will begin once funding is confirmed in the state budget on May 23.”
Despite a competitive opening quarter against West Preston Lakeside on Saturday, Whittlesea couldn’t maintain the intensity and went down 29-75 to remain winless in season 2023.
Closing out the first quarter to lead by three points, the Eagles looked in good shape to score a homeground win.
But Whittlesea couldn’t keep up in the second term, not making any movement on the scoreboard to remain at 1.2 (8) while West Preston found their stride and charged out to 4.10 (34).
Coming out of the halftime break, the Eagles managed one goal in the third term but West Preston were unrelenting, extending its score to 7.14 (56).
The Roosters continued to dominate the game, and ran out 49-point winners.
Christian Prestopino kicked two goals for the Eagles, with Harry Beatie and Riley Carter each kicked one.
The game sees the winless Whittlesea remain at the bottom of the ladder as it heads into round seven’s away game against Banyule, who sit just above them in ninth position on the ladder.
Tough trip for Kilmore
Kilmore made the trek down to Mernda to face the third placed side.
A strong start from Mernda and a goalless quarter from Kilmore set the tone for the game, as the home side scored a convincing 14.14 (98) to 3.3 (21) win.
Mernda controlled the game from the jump, and the Blues found it tough going to stop the Demons’ run in the second quarter.
The Blues were contained to two goals in the second term, while Mernda added another 4.9 to take a 38-point lead into the main break.
Kilmore was kept scoreless in the third team and were no match for the Demons, who went on to win by 77 points.
Aaron Speak, Jaden Smith and Michael McCulloch all kicked one goal a piece for Kilmore, while Jake Beattie, Ethan Derrick and Chris Barton were the Blues’ best.
Kilmore host Lalor, who are currently winless at the bottom of the ladder, on Saturday.
Celebrating Wallan captain Michael Mannix’s 300th game, the Magpies recorded a strong 59-point win over Lancefield on Saturday.
The home side’s 13.10 (88) to 4.5 (29) victory put them on top of the Riddell District Football League ladder.
It was a heavily-contested, high-stoppage match in the first quarter, which reflected on the scoreboard, with Wallan pulling away by two just points at quarter time.
Wallan’s assistant coach Spencer Mathleson said the side didn’t efficiently convert from clearances in the first quarter.
“When we won a clearance, we weren’t as effective in the first quarter as they were after that. Our clearances were more effective after quarter time and we cashed in,” he said.
“The longer the game got, the better we got.”
The change in play by the Magpies helped the side find their momentum, shift gears and pull away from the Tigers.
With good movement of the football and better results off won clearances, Wallan grew the margin to a 16-point lead.
And the Magpies didn’t slow down coming out of the half, continuing to extend their lead as they added another three goals to the scoreboard to take them to 9.8 (62).
Wallan were effective across the field preventing Lancefield from scoring any goals in the third quarter.
In fact the Magpies kept the Tigers to just four goals for the game, with Lancefield scoreless in the final term.
The unstoppable Magpies continued to effectively use the ball, winning contests and putting pressure on the scoreboard, kicking 13 goals for the game.
Mathleson said it was a good performance from the Wallan side.
“We know Lancefield have improved this season. I know they’ve only won one game, but they’ve been in front against everyone they’ve played this year at some stage,” he said.
“Even with us on the weekend, they were a goal up early in the first quarter. It was a good result to beat them. We’re pretty happy.
“Michael Mannix played his 300th senior game and he was great. Steven Boyle and Corey Viani were great on ball and Hayden Gill was strong in the ruck. Josh Vilinskis and Brayden Bryne were rather good too but we had plenty of good players.”
Wallan senior captain Michael Mannix prepares to run through a guard of honour and banner for this 300th match.
Senior coach Daniel Nolan was full of praise ahead of Mannix’s milestone match.
“He has been my senior captain since day one and continues to be an outstanding leader of the club. He is well respected by team mates and opposition players,” he said.
“He made multiple team of the year awards and is a regular in the top five in club best and fairests.
“Michael is also a wonderful family man and loved by everyone. He is smart, loyal, dedicated and a role model for the younger players.”
Michael Mannix
Wallan will host another home game on Saturday – this time against second-placed Diggers Rest. Both sides are undefeated for the season and the match will decide who will sit clear at the top of the ladder.
Lancefield will host a important home game against fourth-placed Romsey, with celebrations for their 150-year milestone planned throughout the day. In other games, Macedon host Woodend-Hesket and Melton Centrals play Riddell.
The life and times of Jim Smith, former owner and editor of The Free Press, are being recounted this week following the death of the long-time newspaper man.
Born in Kilmore in 1933, Leslie James ‘Jim’ Smith lived in the town his entire life, until his death on May 13.
Being born in the Great Depression, Mr Smith had recalled that life was far from easy – his family never owned a car and finances were always tight.
But he said he and sister were always clothed and loved.
Mr Smith was educated at Kilmore Primary School and Seymour High School where he gained his merit certificate with honours in English.
He left school at the aged of 14 and entered the world of newspapers as an apprentice printer in 1948 under former editor John MacDonnell. His starting wage was 25 shillings a week, which equals about $2.55 in today’s money.
Mr Smith’s apprenticeship was interrupted by six months of national service with the Royal Australia Air Force at Laverton, where he made lifelong friends.
To supplement his low wage at The FreePress he worked as a night switchboard operator at Kilmore’s manual telephone exchange. He also had another part-time job as an usher at the Astor Theatre, now Oddfellows café – it was not a paid job but allowed him free entry to the movies.
Jim Smith, right, congratulates long-time employee Greg Hanson on reaching 25 years of employment at The Free Press. Mr Hanson spent his entire working life at the newspaper, starting as an apprentice linotype operator and progressing to production manager.
Mr Smith worked at The Free Press until 1954, when his employer decided there was not enough business for a qualified tradesperson.
So, he worked as a salesman at a local butter factory and produce store, where he learnt a lot about business.
During this time he also met a nurse Lois who had been caring for his father in The Kilmore and District Hospital – they later married in 1959 and made their home in Kilmore, where they welcomed five children.
With retirement pending for his former boss, Mr Smith returned to The Free Press in 1968, when he and his wife Lois bought the business. Mr Smith became the fifth editor of The Free Press.
The Free Press staff in 1996 feature in their own masthead. Pictured are Bill West, Greg Hanson, Peter Smith, Dianne Holloway, Bianca Forssman, Marg Wilson, Alan McDonald, Jim Smith, Bronwyn Wheatley, Bruce Smith, Annette Fisher and Debbie Callandar.
His ownership of the newspaper soon saw new headlines and layout for The Kilmore Free Press, which, as editor, Mr Smith outlined in a heartfelt thanks in the February 22, 1968, edition of the newspaper.
‘To our readers, contributors of news items, and advertisers, also the clients of our commercial printing division, we thank you for your support.
‘We are very much appreciative of the valued service rendered by these local tradesmen’, and particularly thanked James Simpson for the new layout and Philip Skehan for the new masthead design.
This change was followed by a change of typefaces in 1970.
In November 1970, an advertisement appeared in The Free Press with the announcement of the typefaces due to the replacement of an early model linotype with a modern typesetting machine used to produce the newspaper: ‘We can proudly say that our new machine is the only one of its kind between Melbourne and the cities of Benalla, Shepparton and Bendigo’.
The business moved offices to 62-64 Sydney Street, Kilmore, in January 1973, and over the years underwent many renovations and extensions to cater for the changing needs of a newspaper.
In 1975, Mr Smith purchased a Goss Cox-o-Type newspaper printing press, making the printing of newspaper much quicker than the old Stonemetz machine, which was later sold to the Broadford Courier.
In a 1991 article in The Free Press, it stated Mr Smith had two choices when changing to offset printing – either to carry out the whole process on the premises, or send the paper out of town for platemaking and printing. He chose the first option, allowing the employment of many local people.
A major change occurred in 1988 when The Free Press moved from being produced from hot metal composition and letterpress printing to photo composition typesetting, and the introduction of a five-unit web offset rotary press.
Mr Smith oversaw many changes in the newspaper industry – none more so than the introduction of computers in the 1990s. His time at The Free Press saw the circulation of the paid newspaper increase significantly as it expanded into towns across the Mitchell Shire.
Under his ownership, The Free Press was at the forefront of many campaigns to improve services in the area, and won numerous industry awards.
The Free Press name stood for ‘freedom of the press’, and that was a long-held and ongoing belief of Mr Smith which he upheld – the freedom of people to express their views.
This was evidenced through the column published by Mr Smith, written under the byline of ‘Dingo Dan’ – a regular, at times controversial article, which at one stage featured on national television.
During Country Newspaper Week in 1994, The Free Press light-heartedly profiled their staff at the time, describing Mr Smith as ‘wielder of the mighty red pen when to come to editing long-winded copy or too many capital letters’.
In his early days of journalism, ‘he covered all the news events, council meeting and chook raffles, and used to send the Wallan and Pyalong papers out on the school bus and the rest by train’.
‘He’s often found working at the office seven days a week, but hasn’t quite found the time yet to tidy his original desk.’
In fact, the title for the most untidy desk was battled out between Mr Smith and senior journalist Bill West – the pair working together for more than 30 years.
When speaking to the Review last week, Mr West described his former boss as a generous man.
“Jim was a great believer in the freedom of the press,” he said.
“He was a great employer of local people and provided an important service to the community, as a publisher for many years.”
Mr Smith handed over ownership of the company, Central Highlands Newspapers, to his children in 2002, and The Free Press was sold in 2006 to Wally Mott, owner of the North Central Review.
In the last front page of The Free Press under the Smith family’s ownership, Mr Smith said:
“The newspaper and printing trade has changed completely. The district has changed as well, and The Free Press has been a part of this, recording what has happened and providing people with their own local newspaper.”
Central Highlands Newspapers was a true family affair with all family member working at the newspaper from time to time.
Away from work, Mr Smith served on the Kilmore Football Club committee, which at the time helped establish a junior team. He was also on the committee that fundraised to build a swimming pool in Kilmore.
He retired in Kilmore, enjoying many years at his family home in Church Street until moving into BlueCross Willowmeade nursing home.
Mr Smith was father to Robert, Bruce, Peter, Grace and Marguerite, as well as a cherished father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather.
His funeral is at 10.30am on Wednesday, at Christ Church, Anglican Church, Kilmore, followed by a burial at Kilmore Public Cemetery.
DURING the Easter break, Jason and Rebecca Schemmerling were told their youngest daughter Bronte Mae had a brain tumour known as ependymoma – a common brain cancer identified in children.
Bronte Mae, 5, underwent a marathon 16-hour surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital to remove the tumor, which was first noticed by staff at Epping’s Northern Hospital.
“We were just staying in the ward room. Me and my wife were just sitting there on a couch waiting for the result of that surgery,” Mr Schemmerling said.
“We both had the blinkers on at that moment, still getting over the shock of the results from the scans at the Northern Hospital.”
Mr Schemmerling said the first surgery was not enough to remove the entire tumour and Bronte Mae required a second surgery.
“It was such a long surgery but still that wasn’t enough time to get all of it out. But [it was] enough to eliminate the immediate danger … it alleviated a lot of pressure around the brain,” he said.
“They did their [second] surgery and at the end they told us ‘you wouldn’t believe it but we’ve got everything out’.”
Following the removal of the tumor, Bronte Mae now has to undergo radiation treatment at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Mr Schemmerling said Bronte Mae was a fighter, known by the family as the ‘warrior princess’ in recognition of how quickly she got back on her feet to brighten up the room with her ‘old soul.’
“Right to the last hurrah she would fight … after the surgery she was able to quickly recover because … [of] that sort of stubborn, resilient spirit that she’s got,” he said.
“It was quite quick and she surprised everyone in the hospital that she recovered from a major brain surgery.”
Jason Schemmerling
Throughout the process, the family’s friend Rebecca Latimer, a nurse at the Northern Hospital, was quick to assist, organising transport for the family to go to surgeries along with a GoFundMe page to assist with financial hardship while Bronte Mae receives treatment.
Ms Latimer set up a ‘Schemmerling support crew’ through Red Kite – an app that coordinates a crew of helpers to take care of daily tasks that can be left behind when caring for a child with cancer.
Mr Schemmerling said Ms Latimer and the Whittlesea township made it possible to take care of his family.
“Since we’re going in and out each day to the Royal Children’s Hospital, and we’ve got two other kids, I’m not getting home until 6 or 7pm,” he said.
“It’s hard to do your normal everyday tasks such as preparing dinner [and] doing lunch boxes.”
The family met Ms Latimer in 2020, when Ms Schemmerling was completing a gym challenge online and came across Ms Latimer who lived a block away, with children attending the same primary school.
“Funnily enough both of our names are Bec, and we’ve become like sisters,” Ms Schemmerling said.
Ms Schemmerling said Ms Latmier was like a mother figure to Bronte Mae, especially in the days leading up to her second surgery.
“She did a little makeover for Bronte the day before she went into her second surgery … she bought us really cool clothes and did her make-up and hair, and she felt super special,” she said.
The Wallan Panthers Division Two Men secured a victory on Sunday, beating the Maccabi Warriors 89 to 61.
Wallan opened the scoring in the first quarter with two free throws.
Maccabi struggled to convert, missing shot attempts throughout the game.
Wallan took advantage, grabbing rebounds and dominating in offence with consistent scoring to take a 23-10 lead in the first quarter.
Jayden O’Brien opened the second quarter with a three-pointer for Wallan who continued to have a comfortable lead.
The Panthers halted Maccabi’s offensive run, restricting their score for the remaining five minutes of the second quarter. Heading into the half the Panthers were comfortably ahead 49 to 20.
“We went into the game knowing if we got a good start, it’d be a good opportunity for us to have a solid win,” coach Tim Annett said.
“We haven’t played four quarters all season so that was our aim going into the game. Obviously we started the first quarter well and everything flowed on from there.”
Maccabi opened the third with Klas hitting another jump shot before Keenan Gorski got Wallan’s first two points for the quarter. Scoring efforts were evenly matched, with consistent play from Wallan who remained up 75 to 49.
Tom O’Connor hit a pullup jump shot for the Panthers, which was followed by some quick baskets. But then scoring went quiet for Wallan who hit 85 with four and a half minutes to go.
The side didn’t score again until both O’Brien and Tyler Best ended the game with floaters.
O’Brien had a standout performance with 30 points off the bench, adding four rebounds and one assist.
“Jayden’s just sort of come to our team full-time now from youth league. He’s obviously showed some form early on in the season for us and I think going forward we’ll get good development out of him and he’ll have a consistent year,” Arnett said.
“It was one of those games where, obviously Jayden had a standout game and Keenan was very solid at both ends of the floor, but every other guy played their role and did their job, which is sort of the style we’re trying to play where we don’t have to rely on one or two people every game.
“It was just good to finally play four quarters and we’re hoping we can carry that momentum into next weekend.”
Wallan sit fourth on the ladder and have a double header next weekend facing Craigieburn away on Saturday and Mornington at home on Sunday.
Youth league
Wallan Division Two Youth League also had a win on the weekend, beating Melbourne University in a close home game 94 to 88 after trailing until the final two minutes.
In an evenly matched first quarter, Melbourne University pulled ahead 16 to 11.
The game remained close in the second but Wallan drew the game 28-all with just under two minutes to go before Melbourne once again pulled ahead.
The Panthers drew the game for a second time with 37 seconds remaining but a three-point jump-shot from Charlie Cumberlidge put Melbourne three points before the final quarter siren.
The Panthers were never far behind but Melbourne headed into the final quarter with a 60-57 lead.
Melbourne continued to lead in the fourth quarter until Luke Cairns shot a three pointer with five minutes remaining, drawing the game at 79-all.
Melbourne hit a two point jumper, but a three point shot in response from Sebastian Villegas put the Panthers in front for the first time.
The lead see-sawed, with the Panthers ahead 89-85 with just under a minute remaining.
A three-pointer for Melbourne brought them back within one point, but consistent scoring from Wallan and solid defence secured the win in the final two minutes of the game.
“I felt like the guys really stuck together through all the ups and downs and managed to find a way to come out of it with a win. That’s always a really big positive,” Wallan coach Jarrod Bridge said.
Wallan was able to contain Joshua McNally from Melbourne, who had 37 points the week prior, and was averaging 18 a game, to 12 points.
“Josh McNally was a big part of the game play to reduce his impact in the game which we did,” Bridge said.
“I guess our other major goal was to play a little more physically. Quite a lot of the time the guys struggle where it gets a little too physical for them.
“We’ve been working on it with our men’s team to get a little more durable.”
Bridge said finals were the aim for the youth team, and developing each player individually.
Sebastian Villegas had an impressive game with 23 off the bench and Luke Carins added 20 to the sides win.
The side will face Mornington in an away game next Sunday.
