Seymour prepares for parkrun

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May 23, 2023

SEYMOUR is soon set to host a new weekly exercise activity group and organisers are calling for volunteers to help.

Already established in a range of locations including Shepparton and Puckapunyal, parkrun is a free weekly five-kilometre walk, run or jog that is timed and open to people of all ages and abilities.

Sessions will run from 8am every Saturday and are currently planned for the Goulburn Trail, with a main goal being to promote active living and create opportunities for families and individuals to be active in their community.

While a set date for the launch of parkrun in Seymour is yet to be decided, organisers including parkrun Co-Event Directors, community group Healthy Kids Mitchell and Nexus Primary Health are calling out for volunteers to gauge interest and prepare to get parkrun underway.

Nexus health promotion officer Lucy Linton, who is also a member of Healthy Kids Mitchell, said there had been strong community interest in parkrun since the idea was first proposed earlier this year.

“Recently we’ve been going through the steps involved [in getting parkrun up and running]. We have received a lot of support from the community, which has been great to see,” she said.

“The community have been telling us they want to see parkrun up and running in Seymour and we have already had some volunteers sign up to be involved. It’s great to see the community backing this project.”

Healthy Kids Mitchell originally proposed the idea of bringing parkrun to Seymour earlier this year, with the event aligning with the group’s aim to promote health and wellbeing for children.

There are a range of volunteering opportunities available for those interested, including main roles such as run director, event day course check, timekeeper, and tail walker among others, with each responsible for ensuring the efficient running of the event and participant safety.

“We’re always happy to have new volunteers involved. You can sign up for a particular role that might interest you, or you can sign up to try them all,” Ms Linton said.

“They usually go week-by-week and operate off a roster system, but if we have a list of people that are interested then we can develop a really strong volunteer base.”

Rewards are available for both participants and volunteers in parkrun that recognise the achievements of those involved, with rewards given out based on certain milestones or number of events completed, as well as a range of others for personal achievements and contributions.

For more information on volunteering with parkrun, people can contact healthykidsmitchell@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at .

For more information on parkrun, visit www.parkrun.com.au.

Mitchell Shire Council advocates for level crossing removal

Jordyn Grubisic

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May 23, 2023

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Mitchell Shire Council advocates for level crossing removal

Mitchell Shire Council voted unanimously to advocate for the removal of a level crossing at Watson Street, Wallan at last week’s council meeting.

With promised south-facing on and off ramps expected to be located near the level crossing, Cr David Lowe said the level crossing would be a ‘major hold up’ for road users as train use increases.

In 2021-22, 63,350 people used the train station, making it the 26th busiest regional station.

“This seems like the perfect time to me to remove that level crossing and work out the planning to get traffic in and out of the station once that level crossing has been removed and the bridge placed in its place,” Cr Lowe said.

Mayor Fiona Stevens said the council would call on the Department of Transport and Planning to prioritise the crossing’s removal.

“Wallan is one of Victoria’s fastest-growing suburbs and we need action to remove this level crossing now to ensure timely traffic flow on our road network,” she said.

“Removing this crossing will improve safety, minimise congestion and allow for more trains as Wallan and surrounding areas welcome significant growth.”

Cr Rob Elridge said the level crossing removal was a ‘pivotal piece of the jigsaw’ of Wallan’s structural planning.

“We already have traffic banking up before we get any reasonable population growth,” he said.

“It is important we get the planning done to at least give some certainty.”

The motion noted that the level crossing removal would also support the long-term initiatives of Inland Rail and the recently announced Northern Intermodal Beveridge.

Inland Rail is a 1700km freight rail project connecting Melbourne to Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

The project will enable use of double stacked 1800-meter-long trains, which will pass the Watson Street crossing on their way to Melbourne.

National Intermodal Corporation has secured land for the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal, which could be under construction by 2024-25 and is intended to be fully operational by 2028-29.

Once operational, the terminal will enable freight to be transferred from Victoria’s two largest ports of Melbourne and Geelong to the rest of Australia.

Broadford Primary students enjoy benefits of walking to school

Max Davies

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May 23, 2023

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Broadford Primary students enjoy benefits of walking to school

By Max Davies

PRIMARY schools across Australia last week banded together in encouraging their students to walk to school to celebrate National Walk Safely to School Day.

The day aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular active transport such as walking or cycling can provide for the long-term wellbeing of children.

Broadford Primary School was one of multiple schools in the area to encourage students to walk to school last Friday, with families and staff meeting at the island in Lions Park before walking along Sunday Creek to the school.

School captain Lyla McMahon said Walk Safely to School Day provided the school community a chance to connect and socialise while walking.

“Walking to school is a great opportunity to become fit and healthy. Parents can teach their children about school crossings while also showing them the road rules,” she said.

“To help with pollution, we can encourage parents to use public transport like school buses or carpool, which would help with traffic jams. It might be a difficult change for parents because of work, and not everybody lives close to public transport.”

This year’s walk saw school students meet on the school grounds for a breakfast provided by staff, while members of the Seymour Highway Patrol were on hand to direct traffic as participants crossed Murchison Street outside the Broadford cemetery.

Broadford PS Walk 1 — This year’s walk was supported by the Seymour Highway Patrol, who helped students cross Murchison Street on their way to school.

Broadford Primary School walk organiser Carly Simons said the school was able to build on the success of last year’s walk and make changes to improve the event.

“We had more staff placed around the path, obviously having the Seymour Highway Patrol help was absolutely brilliant, and we had more of an idea of how to best get the breakfast out quickly,” she said.

“The safety on the island was better this year, the weather is beautiful and we all had our special Walk to School tattoos from the organisers, which was great too.”

Lancefield Football Netball Club’s 150-year history documented

Max Davies

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May 23, 2023

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Lancefield Football Netball Club’s 150-year history documented

By Max Davies

LANCEFIELD Football Netball Club is launching its 150th anniversary book this weekend and is inviting the community along to the celebrations.

The 248-page book, created through a collaboration between the club and the Romsey and Lancefield Districts Historical Society, documents the club’s history since 1873 through a range of newspaper extracts from the Romsey Examiner and Lancefield Mercury, photographs, and even footballers’ letters from the trenches of Gallipoli.

Well known authors John Marsden and Rod Gillett were brought onboard to assist in compiling the historical research, which was coordinated by co-contributors Denis Graham, Shirley Kishere and past club president John Chisholm.

Recorded are various premierships and victory celebrations, as well as the sometimes heated 150-year rivalry between the Tigers and neighbouring Romsey who they face again in round seven this weekend.

Mr Chisholm, who also played reserves for Lancefield, said the club had wanted to prepare a comprehensive collection of its history for some time.

“There’s a lot of history in the town with [club family] names still going through, so it just came up that we should do a book,” he said.

“We really extensively researched those early years and got a lot of information and historical facts and photos, and where we didn’t have photos we had some sketches put together going right up to the last year.”

To commemorate the book’s launch, the Tigers will don replicas of the jumpers worn in Lancefield’s first premiership year in 1888, which feature maroon and light blue – a far cry from the club’s current yellow and black uniform.

Lancefield’s netballers will also be wearing similar uniforms to those worn in the team’s first years during the 1960s, with the senior games for both sports to begin following a short ceremony acknowledging the histories of both the Lancefield and Romsey clubs.

“[The netballers] started off in the 60s, and apparently the very first team to do it were helped by the policeman’s wife at the time, who cut all the patterns out and each girl had to take them home and sew their own dress,” Mr Chisholm said.

“I don’t think our current lot of girls will be doing that, but they’ll be wearing something very similar to those original dresses.”

The launch will be hosted by The Age sports editor Chloe Saltau and will begin at 12.30pm on Saturday at the Lancefield clubrooms, with the book to be available for purchase for $80 following the official ceremony.

To purchase a copy of the book, people can visit .

Kilmore midwife awarded for dedication

Lauren Duffy

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May 23, 2023

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KILMORE District Health’s annual Dr Sarwat Shenouda Midwife Award was awarded to associate nurse unit manager Lauren McMahon for her outstanding work as a midwife.

Awarded each year as part of the celebration for International Day of the Midwife, the award has become a tradition by which the midwives of Kilmore District Hospital, KDH, are honoured for their dedication and skill, as nominated by their peers.

After becoming a midwife nearly a decade ago, Ms McMahon said she knew exactly what she was supposed to be doing.

“The most magical feeling I’ll never forget is the first delivery that I was a part of,” she said.

“It’s such an honour to be part of such a special time in the new life that parents embark upon. I love the difference that every day brings.”

Ms McMahon was described by her colleagues as a significant leader in midwifery.

“In 2022, Lauren became a strong advocate and driver for change within the public health system,” one award submission said.

“Part of this change was the introduction of a trial at Kilmore District Health to offer maternal assisted caesarean – the process of a birthing mother lifting her baby from her own womb and onto her chest. The trial has been successful at KDH, met with positivity from both consumers and their partners, and the staffing team as a whole. It will now progress to an ongoing service option at KDH, a unique service that is limited within Victoria.”

Another submission detailed Ms McMahon’s high level of experience, contribution and professionalism in the maternity services space.

“Lauren often works over and above her rostered hours to support our women as well as supporting her colleagues,” the submission said.

Another colleague identified Ms McMahon’s ‘dedication to her patients to have the best outcome and best experience possible’ and willingness to ‘go above and beyond to ensure the unit is functioning well, while communicating at a high standard to all departments’.

Receiving the award had an extra personal touch for Ms McMahon.

“Dr Shenouda was a key educator in my initial years at Kilmore. I’m grateful for the time he spent educating me as a very new midwife,” she said.

“He was a great support to all the midwives. He remains a great loss to us and the community.”

The award honours Dr Shenouda, who was the cornerstone of KDH’s obstetric service for more than 20 years. He was highly regarded by peers and the community before his death in 2019.

Romsey falls short in Riddell District league

Lauren Duffy

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May 23, 2023

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Romsey falls short in Riddell District league

A tight contest between Romsey and Woodend-Hesket at Romsey Park saw the Redbacks fall short, going down 51-68 on their home ground.

Consistency was a key issue for Romsey, with the Redbacks always within reach but unable to edge in front.

Romsey were down by five points at the first break, and another tight contest in the second term saw the Redbacks trailing by just three points at half time.

It was a similar story in the third term, with spectators experiencing a gripping match as the margin on the scoreboard didn’t alter much.

With just four points the difference at the last break, the Redbacks fell away in the final term, going down by 17 points.

“It was a pretty tight contest all day but we felt on the weekend that we probably only played two quarters of footy. We didn’t take it as deeply as we would’ve liked but there’s some really good learning to come out of it,” Romsey’s coach Justin Sherman said.

“We definitely didn’t play bad but we just didn’t play as consistently as we would’ve liked.

“Going forward that’s going to be our challenge, for the whole group to bring that standard of effort every single week.

“That’s what we’re going to look at Tuesday and ensure our boys are nice and set for some big games that are coming up and we look forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”

Sherman said the side had set some high standards and although they didn’t meet them on Saturday, they were going to continue to improve throughout the season.

“I think it’s really hard. You set pretty high standards as a group and sometimes when you don’t hit those standards, you’ve just got to look at things that didn’t go so well on that day and that’s what we’ll do Tuesday,” he said.

“We’ll look at the things we can improve on with our structures whether that be individual structures, and then we’ll ensure we put a better consistent effort out there this week.”

Romsey will play to Lancefield next Saturday to face the seventh placed Tigers.

Romsey senior women

In a club first, Romsey’s senior womens side played Woodend-Hesket after the senior men’s match on Saturday, giving supporters a chance to watch the women’s game.

Romsey lost 2-77 in a tough contest after being held scoreless in the opening term.

Undeterred by a 16-point lead at quarter time, the Redbacks fought hard in the second quarter and outscored the Hawks, managing to kick two points while keeping the Hawks to only one.

However Woodend-Hesket came back out on top after half time, again keeping Romsey scoreless and extending their lead.

Another scoreless quarter for the Romsey side in the final quarter made the challenge too great, as the visitors extended their lead to win by 75-points. Sarah Galea was Romsey’s best player for the match.

Romsey will face Mount Alexander under lights on Friday.

With Mount Alexander currently sitting above the Redbacks just on percentage, it will be a good chance for Romsey to make some movement in the ladder.

Not-for-profit groups set to benefit as Broadstead grants open

Lauren Duffy

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May 23, 2023

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Not-for-profit groups set to benefit as Broadstead grants open

PROPERTY developer Jinding is offering Kilmore region not-for-profit groups a chance to secure up to $2000 as part of its new Broadstead Community Grants program.

Jinding, which is behind the Broadstead Kilmore development, said sporting groups, charities and other not-for-profit organisations could apply for one of five grants available to assist with projects and initiatives in the Kilmore area.

Jinding head of development communities Chris Ravat said the grants program was part of an effort to create connected communities.

“We are dedicated to working closely with residents and local organisations to support the vital work of not-for-profit groups, with their tireless efforts benefiting the community and bringing residents together,” he said.

“The grants are a way of recognising these dedicated groups and the benefits their services bring to the local area, along with the role they play in creating connected communities.”

Mr Ravat said the grants program was one of several initiatives Jinding had underway in Kilmore.

“We are working closely with local sporting organisations and not-for-profit groups on annual sponsorships, and recently supported a prize in the Kilmore Regional Busking Championships, which is a fantastic family-friendly event,” he said.

“Our focus is on ensuring our new Broadstead community becomes part of the wider social fabric of Kilmore. It is such a wonderful area, and we know our residents – whether upgrading to a new home within the community or moving here – will love being part of it.”

Broadstead Kilmore will develop 60 hectares of land on Quinns Road and, once complete, will feature 11 hectares of green space alongside about 500 homes. The first stage of land is now selling.

Applications for the Broadstead Community Grants will close on Friday, June 30, with a panel of judges to decide on the successful applicants, which will be announced in early July.

Terms and conditions will apply.

New transport pay system on the way

Roads & Transport

Lauren Duffy

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May 23, 2023

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PUBLIC transport users will be able to pay their fares with a smartphone or credit card under the State Government’s new 15-year contract with Conduet Business Solutions.

The new system will incorporate all modes of transport including V/Line and school bus services.

The contract will begin December 1, 2023, with trials in 2024.

Customers will still be able to purchase and top-up myki cards during the two-year transition to the new system.

Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said it was a ‘game changer’ for regional Victoria whose transport will be a priority during trials.

“Regional Victoria has been left behind when it comes to smart ticketing. We’ve done the regional fares cap, which is wonderful, but this is a steep change when it comes to regional Victoria,” he said.

“In the future you don’t have to go get a paper ticket, you’ll be able to use the convenience of your phone.

“If you still choose to use a physical card, that’ll still be an option, but we do know the more modern-day transport systems everyone wants to see has ease of access, and is simple and seamless.”

It will be a transition from a card-based system with all data located on the myki card, to an account-based system where information is downloaded from the internet.

“Privacy is of upmost importance. We as a government take cybersecurity seriously and will continue to monitor it. We know through this system’s trials and rollouts, we’ve chosen the right provider that’ll provide the security and ease,” Mr Carroll said.

“The state will have control of the data through the Privacy Act, but naturally in back of house that’ll continue to be managed through the cloud and a range of data security measures.”

The new system will prevent unused transport credit being lost with $80 million worth of unused myki credit currently sitting idle. When a myki card is lost or expired the current system doesn’t allow remaining funds on that card to be transferred, and refunds are only for registered cards.

Mr Carroll said current transport prices would not change under the new system and a platform would be developed to enable the upgraded ticketing system to confirm concession entitlements with various concession entitlement management authorities in real-time to allow concession cardholders to access the new system.

Kilmore solicitor Ian Still remembered

Jordyn Grubisic

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May 23, 2023

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For those who have lived and worked in Kilmore over the years, Ian Still was a familiar face.

Mr Still was a solicitor and active volunteer for many organisations in the community, right up until his death on May 14, aged 80.

Born and raised in Kilmore, Mr Still’s father Francis Still ran a local bacon factory with his brother James Still.

He had an older brother Robert ‘Beau’ Still.

Mr Still attended Kilmore Primary School then Assumption College for about three days before moving to Seymour High School for the rest of his schooling years.

After finishing year 12, known as matriculation at the time, Mr Still was accepted into the University of Melbourne where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws.

He became a sole practitioner in Kilmore in about 1968 and was still operating Still and Co laywers until he died.

A few years ago, Mr Still clocked up 50 years of service recognised by the Law Institute of Victoria.

In 1968 he marreid Lyn and they had five children together – Debbie, Tracy, David, Fiona (deceased) and Geoffrey.

Ms Still died in 1997, and Mr Still remarried in the early 2000s to his wife Ann.

“Dad’s whole life was about helping the community. He was able to do this in a professional capacity and as an active community member,” daughter Debbie Rowe said.

Mr Still was involved in many committees and sporting groups over the years.

He was a board member at The Kilmore District Hospital, Kilmore Shire president and councillor in the 1980s, Broadford High School president and committee person for many years, and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Mr Still earnt life membership at Kilmore Football Netball Club, after years of serving as president, secretary and treasurer at various times, sometimes holding two positions.

He also held many positions over the years at the Riddell District Football Netball League, and was awarded life membership at Kilmore Tennis Club after years of service.

He was also a member of the VFU, a group that provided insurance to sporting players.

“Dad was also a football umpire and many may not know he was selected to be a field umpire in the VFL under 19s many, many years ago,” Ms Rowe said.

“When we were kids, he would pack us up in the car and we would head up to the Kilmore Football Club where he would help with marking out the lines on the oval. He would also, if needed, spend the day as a goal umpire or just cheering on the Blues.”

Being such an active member throughout the community, there will be many who have shared moments and memories with Mr Still.

“I think that Dad will be remembered as an honest, hardworking, reliable man who lived for his family and friends,” Ms Rowe said.

“Away from work, dad used to enjoy football, supporting the Essendon Football Club. In the 80s and 90s, he would go to every game, and he would take us kids to training at Windy Hill on a Thursday night.

“He made lifelong friends through football and he was given the honour of even going on a few of the end-of-season trips with the team.

“As he got older he enjoyed his garden. He spent many hours pottering around outside and it was his release.

“He was a really wonderful man and we are all going to miss him terribly.”

Mr Still was a much-loved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and stepfather to his family.

His funeral will be at 11am on Friday at Christ Church, Anglican Church, in Union Street, Kilmore. A burial at the Kilmore Public Cemetery will follow.

Lancefield’s quilt exhibition on display

Lauren Duffy

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May 23, 2023

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Lancefield’s quilt exhibition on display

DIFFERENT styles and skills will be on display at Lancefield Liberty quilt exhibition at Lancefield Mechanics Institute this weekend.

Quilting group A Patch of Lancefield Inc is hosting the event to feature quilts that have either been made by using a sowing machine or by hand.

The group currently has 25 members who meet from 10am to 12pm on Thursdays.

About 50 quilts will be on display, with two pop-up shops from local businesses – Black Forest Quilting and These Clever Hands – who will award a quilt for the Triz Barnett Memorial trophy, dedicated to the late Triz Barnett who was the group’s former president.

Community members will also be involved in the voting process, choosing their favourite small and large quilts at the exhibit, including a chance to win a raffle that will be announced on Sunday afternoon.

The exhbition will feature the 1896 Lancefield quilt, which is embroided with autographs of 465 local people, who donated money towards making the fundrasing quilt to improve the manse of the Presbyterian Church.

President Joanne Marsh said this year’s funds would be donated to a community group similar to past years – previously it was given to community groups or schools.

“Our exhibition every two years give us the chance to donate money to different local groups,” she said.

The group is known to help community organisations, with members making quilts for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Ms Marsh said the event welcomed everyone to visit the exhibit.

“It’s inspiring to see what other people have created … it’s a nice group of ladies, we all talk about different things, we all help set up and do that sort of thing together,” she said.

“Sometimes if you need to learn something, you can ask somebody, and somebody will help you.

“Everyone’s got different ways of doing things, but the bottom line is that we always say as long as you’re happy with what you’ve made, that’s all that matters.”

The exhibition has a $5 entry fee, and raffle tickets are $2.

The exhibition, at Lancefield Mechanics Institute, will be open 10am to 4pm, on Saturday and Sunday.