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Pyalong netball and tennis ace new courts

May 16, 2023

Pyalong Netball Club and Pyalong Tennis Club members can take their game to the next level with the installation of two new courts and lighting at Pyalong Recreation Reserve.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence joined Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Fiona Stevens on Thursday last week to officially launch the new $750,000 court and lighting upgrade project.

The upgrades have provided two shared-use multi-lined netball/tennis courts lit to competition standards, a hard-court warmup area, rebound wall for practice, netball player and official shelters, spectator seating, storage sheds, and active recreation area that includes a half-court basketball/netball court.

The courts are an important precinct for Pyalong locals and district communities, including Toobora, Glenaroua and Moranding, with the nearest alternative courts 50 kilometers away.

“It is particularly important and really special to have this lighting here because not only do we have more people able to participate on the courts, but people are able to participate longer,” Ms Spence said.

“With the lights … we can get more use, more participation and it’s a real value. I want to say a huge congratulations to everyone who has been involved in advocating for these works for quite a while.”

Pyalong Netball Club also received new uniforms on Wednesday, and president Narelle Robertson said it was a fantastic way to commemorate the 20th year of the club.

“Our little club started with humble beginnings in a makeshift court painted over a tennis court. Essentially, we had four tennis courts and netball was never played here so our community and our club have grown and thrived,” she said.

“Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers and families we’re now comping with five teams and a NetSetGo this year.

“Hopefully we’ll get tennis up and running here and keeping growing the club.”

The upgrades were made possible by a $500,000 grant from the Female Friendly Facilities Stream of the State Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund and $250,000 from Mitchell Shire Council.

“Since 2014 the State Government has invested over $1.6 billion in community sport infrastructure. We do that because we’re really interested in making sure that the health and wellbeing of Victorians is looked after through community sport. We understand the benefits of that. We do that because of the interests of jobs and the economy through community sport infrastructure,” Ms Spence said.

“But we also do that because we’re fair dinkum about making sure that all Victorians, regardless of where they live across the state, have got access to quality infrastructure that’s appropriate for them to participate in community sport regardless of where they live and regardless of what sports they want to participate in.”

Cr Stevens said council want to create opportunities for the community to engage in local sport.

“We know female participation in community sports is growing and we’re working closely with the clubs and the committee of managements right throughout the shire to encourage participation,” she said.

“The reserve and its facilities are a vital part of a small town like Pyalong. It’s a sense of community belonging, and it gives that opportunity for outdoor recreation and energy burning.

“We don’t have the bowling alleys, we don’t have the movie theatres, we don’t have all of that but we have our sport and we love our sport. It’s so important to us. That’s why we’re very grateful for the Victorian Government for partnering with council to deliver these incredible upgrades.”

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Panthers take ladder-leaders down to wire

Lauren Duffy

May 16, 2023

Panthers take ladder-leaders down to wire

WHILE Wallan’s Big V division two women’s side did not emerge from Saturday night’s top-of-the-ladder showdown with Gippsland United victorious, the Panthers pushed the undefeated United closer than any team has this season.

A late Wallan surge nearly stole victory from the jaws of defeat, but the Panthers, who had trailed all game, came up just short in a 79-82 loss.

Star import Kylah Collins played one of her best games in the teal and black of Wallan, scoring a season-high 43 points, swiping seven steals and hauling down 16 rebounds – 11 of them offensive.

Collins’ steals, along with five by Olivia Dalmau and four from Sarah Scott, helped the Panthers win the turnover battle convincingly as they committed only 12 against United’s 27.

But despite taking better care of the ball, Wallan had trouble finding the bottom of the net, shooting only 31 per cent from the field and 13 per cent from three-point range compared to 51 per cent and 33 per cent respectively for United.

Dalmau was the only Panther other than Collins to score in double figures, but needed 22 shots to score her 15 points.

Gippsland’s MaKenzie Miller was her team’s best player, scoring 28 points and adding 11 rebounds.

Wallan trailed by 11 points with less than two minutes left in the game, but four straight free throws from Collins narrowed the gap to seven.

A Miller jump shot restored Gippsland’s lead to nine points, but back-to-back three-pointers from Dalmau and Collins trimmed the margin to three with 29 seconds left.

Only a pair of clutch free throws by United’s Shanara Notman gave the home side a winning buffer, with a final trip to the line by Collins only serving to narrow the margin in the dying seconds.

The Panthers dropped to third place on the ladder with a 7-2 record after the loss, and has a bye this weekend before playing Gippsland United again in round 10.

Wallan’s division two men will be back in action this weekend after a bye, taking on Maccabi in a road game at Bialik College at 12pm on Sunday.

The youth league division two men played two games at the weekend, downing the Bellarine Storm 79-76 on Saturday before going down to Sunbury 57-90 on Sunday.

Jayden O’Brien’s 23 points off the bench led the Panthers in their win, with Dion Stacey adding 17 and James Bonnici scoring 10.

The team struggled to generate scores in the loss to Sunbury, with only Bonnici, 12 points, and Dylan Lombardo, 11, registering double figures.

The team will play a home game against Melbourne University this Sunday at 1pm.

Budget to benefit healthcare and ‘people who need it most’

The North Central Review

May 16, 2023

Budget to benefit healthcare and ‘people who need it most’

By Colin MacGillivray

Labor has touted cost-of-living and healthcare relief as the centrepieces of last week’s federal budget, while the opposition has argued it does not do enough to help rural residents.

The Federal Government handed down its 2023-24 budget on Tuesday night – the second since Labor formed government at last year’s election.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the budget would lay a foundation for economic growth by returning to a surplus and reducing debt, while easing cost-of-living pressures through measures including energy bill relief, reduced medicine costs and higher Jobseeker payments.

Among the health-related budget commitments are $5.7 billion across five years to strengthen Medicare, including $3.5 billion to triple the bulk billing incentive for general practitioner consultations for children under 16, pensioners and concession card holders.

It also commits $2.2 billion across five years to increase access to medicine via the national Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, allowing patients to buy two-month supplies of medicine for chronic conditions.

The government will also pay pensioners, veterans and concession card holders up to $500 in energy bill relief, while small businesses will be eligible for energy bill payments of up to $650 through a $1.5 billion package.

A separate $1.3 billion fund will offer low-interest loans for homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient.

The maximum rate of rent assistance will increase by 15 per cent, benefitting an estimated 1.1 million households.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell described the budget as a no-frills document that put downward pressure on inflation and ‘delivered on [Labor’s] promises’.

“Labor’s Energy Price Relief Plan will provide local residents and businesses with a rebate of up to $250,” he said.

“I know that this will make a real difference in household budgets – helping families in our community to get ahead.

“It’s about helping people right now while also keeping an eye on the longer term, which is why the surplus is important.

“It’s not a flash handout budget full of lollies, it’s about common sense, providing security and setting us up for the future.”

Mr Mitchell said about 12,500 people in McEwen would receive a $40 increase to their Jobseeker payments through the budget, with about 500 Jobseekers aged 55 to 59 to see an increase of $92.10 a fortnight to their payments.

He said about 12,000 households across the electorate would be eligible for a 15 per cent boost in rent assistance, with bulk billing incentives to set benefit an estimated 70,000 people.

“When people turn 55 it’s very difficult to find work, so we’re supporting them through a higher rate of JobSeeker,” he said.

“Increasing the single parent payment cut-off age from eight to 14 is going to affect quite a few families in McEwen as well.

“They are sensible things we can do to help people who need it the most.”

While Mr Mitchell spruiked the budget’s benefits, Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said not enough money was being spent in his electorate.

He said a six per cent rise in the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge would add 5.2 cents per litre to fuel costs and that farmers would pay extra for biosecurity controls.

“Add in rising energy costs and it is clear this budget fails hard-working Australians right at a time when they needed a plan to address inflation and reduce cost-of-living crisis,” he said.

“This budget doesn’t do anything to ease the pressure on families in Nicholls.”

Mr Birrell said the government had pushed regional spending into the future, with a regional grants program announced in October not opening for expressions of interest until July.

“That is code for cuts, and money being stripped from critical projects like the Shepparton bypass to be redirected to capital city projects,” he said.

“After two wet years and major flooding, our road network is a mess, you can’t drive anywhere without dodging potholes and dangerously deformed surfaces.

“We deserve better.”

Nexus Primary Health chief executive Amanda Mullins said she was ‘pleased’ with the early health measures in the budget.

“An extension on the Commonwealth Home Support Program is welcomed as we really have not had enough information to work with in modelling the supposed changes,” she said.

“Hopefully the extension will mean both providers and the community recipients get more chances to contribute to what it needs to look like.”

Nexus clinical services manager Daniel Ciccosillo said the budget had plenty of scope to benefit patients.

“While we are pleased with the indexation boost to [Medicare Benefits Schedule] patient rebates from November, meaning patients will receive a higher rebate if they pay for a visit, we want to be clear – it doesn’t mean Nexus Wallan will return to a bulk billing service,” he said.

“We will continue to bulk bill healthcare card holders, pensioners and under 16 patients, but the co-payment system will continue. We will continue our bulk billing services at Broadford and Kinglake.

“Additionally, the government has committed more funds to support the clinic workforce, meaning we can put more resources into a multidisciplinary care team, helping our patients and clients navigate their health challenges with funding to support the strengthening and streamlining of chronic illness management.

“This is the first time since 2005 that we will see such a significant and important change to these plans, ensuring patients and doctors can better collaborate on manage chronic illnesses.”

Mr Mitchell said while funding for the Beveridge International Freight Terminal did not appear in this year’s budget, the project’s future was secure after the government-owned National Intermodal Corporation exercised an option to acquire 1100 hectares of land in Beveridge.

“We’ve made a series of changes to get it back on track and we’re committed to getting it done,” he said.

“In the next couple of years there will be a lot of planning done on the Northern Freight Terminal, but you won’t see a shovel in the ground.

“Industry has said it needs to happen, and it will happen now that the option has been exercised.”

Kilmore Golf Club men’s pennant success

Lauren Duffy

May 16, 2023

Three Kilmore Golf Club teams have battled it out in the Dalhousie District men’s pennant competition over the past two months.

All three teams finished first or second in their divisions to qualify for the finals at Euroa Golf Club on Sunday, May 7.

The Division Two Restricted Handicap team of Adam Gardner, Jim Ioannidis, Matt Murray, John O’Neil and Dave Trimboli maintained their undefeated season with a convincing four matches to one victory over Hidden Valley in the final.

thumbnail Div 2 Restricted Handicap — Kilmore Golf Club’s Division Two Restricted Handicap side of John O’Neil, Jim Ioannidis, Dave Trimboli, Matt Murray and Adam Gardner.

They were undefeated for the whole season and scored another pennant victory for a number of these golfers.

The Division One Handicap team also played Hidden Valley in their final. In a tight division, Kilmore made the final after losing only one match throughout the season, which was against Hidden Valley.

In a close game, Kilmore turned the tables from their earlier meeting to win the final 3 1/2 matches to 1 1/2.

The Kilmore team was made up of James Boland, Mark Boland, Ray Falla, Duncan Griffiths and Gordon ‘Lucky’ Otene. It was sweet revenge for most members of this team as they lost in the final last year.

Kilmore also fielded a Division Four Handicap Team, who, after only one loss throughout the season, lost their final four matches to one, against a strong Whittlesea combination.

Members of the team were John Roberts, Michael Roberts, Andrew Young, Shaun Kool and Steve Maurer.

Becoming a CFA volunteer: Burning questions answered

The North Central Review

May 16, 2023

Becoming a CFA volunteer: Burning questions answered

The Country Fire Authority, CFA, is an iconic Victorian organisation, represented and recognised in communities across the state.

Becoming a CFA volunteer can be exciting as it connects people with their community and equips them with new skills that they could apply to many aspects of their life.

During National Volunteer Week, CFA is asking people to ‘Give Us a Hand’.

CFA has compiled a list of common questions for potential volunteers. .

Who can join CFA?

CFA welcomes all members of the community over the age of 16. Some brigades also run a Junior Volunteer Development Program for 11 to 15 year olds.

What will I get out of being part of CFA?

Training in a broad range of skills, leadership opportunities, unique experiences, new friends and the opportunity to give back to your community.

What do CFA volunteers do?

CFA firefighters respond to a range of incidents including wildfire, structural fires, road accidents, rescues, hazardous material incidents, floods and other emergencies.

But there are a range of other volunteer roles that involve building local relationships, engagement and education activities, fundraising, events, brigade publicity, administration, logistical and financial support, health and safety, training, junior program leaders, and more.

Can I still volunteer if I have a full-time job or children at home?

Yes, you can. For firefighters, most training and meetings are conducted on weeknights or weekends, and you can discuss your availability with your local brigade.

The time you volunteer is often very flexible, and will depend on your role, brigade and the time of year.

How close do I have to live or work to a CFA brigade to be a member?

Generally, you need to live or work reasonably close to your local brigade.

As a firefighter, you must live or work close enough to your brigade to be able to get to the brigade and then the incident location.

Brigades have requirements for how quickly they should get to an incident. There is more flexibility for support volunteers, who can live further away but are often preferred to be local to attend meetings and events.

You can find your nearest brigade by entering your address in the Expression of Interest form on the CFA website.

How many hours a week will I have to commit to?

The time commitment will depend on your brigade and the type of role that you choose, so it’s best to talk with your brigade for more information.

CFA encourages flexibility for its volunteers, and your level of involvement will depend on your personal availability, together with brigade and community needs.

What does it cost to become a CFA volunteer?

There is no monetary cost to become a CFA volunteer. However, volunteering means you are supporting your brigade by travelling to and from the station, meetings, events, and attending incidents.

All training, equipment and protective clothing is provided by CFA as needed.

How do I balance volunteering with work or business commitments?

Many employers across Victoria take a socially responsible approach to volunteering by allowing their employees to commit time to their CFA role during business hours if required.

People thinking of becoming a CFA volunteer should discuss with their employer what sort of leave or flexible working arrangements can be put in place to allow you to balance any work and CFA duties.

Employers and self-employed volunteers are so important to CFA, for without their understanding and support, CFA would not be able to function as effectively as it does.

If I want to be a firefighter, how long will training take?

If you want to become a firefighter, essential training must be completed before you are able to respond to an incident. This is to ensure that you have the right skills and safety knowledge to be an active firefighter.

The length of time this will take will depend on your brigade training schedules and your own availability. You can discuss with your brigade.

As a CFA volunteer you’ll learn many different skills, some of which are specific to your chosen role and many of which are applicable to other parts of your life.

Are there any fitness or skill requirements to join CFA?

Operational firefighting roles can involve physically challenging activities, so an appropriate level of fitness is required to undertake these roles. However this can be discussed with your local brigade to determine your suitability for this role.

For support volunteers, there are no specific prior skill requirements, but your life experience will be valued within the brigade. Depending on the role, there may be some training expectations that can all be completed through CFA’s training programs.

I’m interested, how do I apply to volunteer?

. Once you’ve submitted your application, your local brigade will contact you regarding the next steps.

VOLUNTEERS: Fire brigades ask for a hand

The North Central Review

May 16, 2023

VOLUNTEERS: Fire brigades ask for a hand

The Country Fire Authority, CFA, is asking regional Victorians to ‘Give Us a Hand’ in an effort to recruit new volunteers to join its 52,000 community-minded members in protecting lives and property across the state.

The call-out is part of a new volunteer recruitment campaign, which aims to encourage selfless Victorians to take up a firefighting or support role with their local CFA brigade.

Volunteers could be people looking to make the most of their spare time, are new to their community, or just want to be part of a group made up of like-minded people.

CFA brigades have flexible volunteering arrangements and diverse roles to suit anyone’s skills and needs.

There are more than 1200 CFA brigades across Victoria, responding to a range of emergency incidents and serving communities every day.

From high angle rescues, structure, grass and scrub fires to hazmat and road crash rescues, no two days are the same.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said CFA was a great place to volunteer, meet new people and learn new skills.

“Volunteers are the backbone of the firefighting and emergency response network across Victoria,” he said.

“We are calling on all community-minded individuals who are looking for a new challenge to consider joining their local brigade and apply their expertise and knowledge to CFA.

“Whether you want to jump on the truck and respond to incidents, or take up a brigade support position, we’ll find a role that suits you and your brigade.”

Brigades are most commonly looking for people from all backgrounds who have the capacity to take up roles as daytime responders. CFA is particularly interested in hearing from young people who want to make a difference in their community.

“The rewards of being a CFA volunteer are immeasurable and our members make a real difference in their communities,” Mr Heffernan said.

Wandong, Seymour and Broadford brigades are particularly keen to recruit new members to increase volunteers at their brigades.

Broadford Fire Brigade hosted an open day and a recruitment night in February in a bid to boost membership.

Broadford captain Jamie Duffy said volunteers were needed not just for firefighting roles, but for brigade support and administration.

“We are actively recruiting for more members to join us, and welcome anyone to join us to see if being a CFA volunteer is the right fit,” he said.

“We are particularly keen to attract people who can be firefighting responders during the day as many of our existing members are not always available, and we’re also keen to attract young people.”

Once an expression of interest form is submitted online, the local brigade will contact those people interested regarding the next steps.

Read Becoming a CFA volunteer: Burning questions answered

Regional sitting of Parliament to proceed

The North Central Review

May 16, 2023

Regional sitting of Parliament to proceed

A motion has been successful in securing a regional sitting of the Legislative Council to be in a community impacted by the October 2022 floods.

Initially moved by Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell, the motion was passed unanimously by the Legislative Council last month.

Ms Lovell said the challenges of flood recovery would continue for some time and it was important those challenges were brought to the attention of all Members of Parliament.

“The regional sitting will be an effective way for Members of the Legislative Council to hear directly from victims of the October 2022 floods on what further support is needed on the ground,” she said.

“A regional sitting of the council in a flood-affected local government area will also provide an economic boost for local communities as they recover and rebuild from the devastating flood event and educational opportunities for schools and community members.”

The motion seeks the Upper House acknowledges the serious impact of recent floods in Victoria; and meets and sits in a flood-affected community in central Victoria. It also requires the president and the clerk of the Legislative Council consult with regional councils, including Mitchell Shire Council; and authorises the president to do all things necessary to facilitate a sitting in north central Victoria.

Wear Orange Wednesday to commemorate SES volunteers

The North Central Review

May 16, 2023

Wear Orange Wednesday to commemorate SES volunteers

Tomorrow, Wednesday, is Wear Orange Wednesday, WOW, a national day of thanks dedicated to State Emergency Service, SES, volunteers.

Held annually during National Volunteer Week, WOW Day encourages people to thank and acknowledge SES volunteers, for the invaluable contribution and commitment they make to local communities.

VICSES volunteers responded to 13,700 requests for assistance in October last year – VICSES’ busiest calendar month on record.

As part of a statewide response, about 372 emergency warnings were issued and there were more than 900 flood rescues by VICSES crews.

In the past 12 months, VICSES volunteers have responded to more than 35,000 requests for assistance.

While SES volunteers are well known for their response during flood and storm emergencies, VICSES volunteers also respond to an average of between 900 and 1000 ‘assist police’ jobs every year.

The police jobs include helping search for missing people, searching for evidence at crime scenes as well as scene preservation and assistance with lighting towers and marquees.

VICSES volunteers also responded to on average about 1300 road crash rescues each year.

To help celebrate WOW Day 2023 and to thank volunteers for their hard work, Victorian landmarks will be ‘flooded’ in orange, including metropolitan locations like the Melbourne Town Hall; AAMI Park; and the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre.

Across the Mitchell Shire, township entrance signs will feature special signs acknowledging the SES.

To see what landmarks are lighting up in your area, visit, www.ses.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/campaigns/wear-orange-wednesday.

The public can share a message of thanks to SES volunteers this WOW Day by posting on Facebook or Twitter and using the hashtag #ThankYouSES.

Ray Carroll’s ‘From the Boundary’: May 15, 2023

Ray Carroll

May 15, 2023

Mal’s kind gift

Mal Cater is principal of Mentone Grammar. He is a fine person and a really good ‘boss’. His school has just released a splendid book to mark its centenary. It contains 100 stories of or by distinguished students or staff.

Among its alumni, of course, was the legendary Shane Warne. I remember Shane well, playing cricket and footy against ACK. I was in charge of combined AGSV teams he played in.

Over the years I got to know some great Mentone principals including Mal Cater, Neville Clark and Keith Jones. All were very kind to me.

Also I fondly recall some of the fine sports coaches, parents and students I met. Mal Cater was a student at Mentone and loved his happy schooldays there.

He has been at the helm since 2007 and has worked hard to ensure students in these changing times are able to enjoy similar happy years. Neville Clark, OAM, was at the helm from 1988-2003.

A Vietnam war hero, Neville has been a really good friend. He and Mal Cater share many values. Both great men, as was Keith Jones who succumbed to cancer after eight years as headmaster.

It was a privilege to get to know staff, students and families from many schools in AGSV and APS and quite a number still keep in touch today.

Two good men

Two good menMates Mark Carboon and Brad Ryan, pictured below, have worked at Assumption College Kilmore for just over 30 years.

Both have given loyal and faithful service in their respective areas across that span of time.

Mark, from Broadford, has been a fine curator-groundsman.

His ovals and wicket preparation would not be out of place at even major venues like the MCG.

The college has been fortunate to have his expert services.

Brad Ryan, of Kilmore, has been with maintenance, so often doing the most menial of tasks cheerfully.

In his late teens a near fatal accident left him in a coma for eight weeks followed by a long recovery.

The injuries cut short a very promising footy and cricket career.

To this day, Brad remains very grateful to the Marist Brothers of the time who gave him employment and literally ‘saved’ him.

McEvoys come home

Ben McEvoy played for St Kilda, then led Hawthorn. A tough, rugged player, he was admired by friend and foe.

His dad John and three uncles were at ACK in the 1970’s. The McEvoy family hailed from the small farming community of Colbinabbin.

The footy club, the Grasshoppers, has been for many years successful in the Heathcote and district league.

There was much excitement a couple of weeks ago when Ben and his three brothers returned for the day to play a game for the club. A big crowd turned up and it was a great day for the proud club.

The only downside was the team lost narrowly. Ben’s dad John was a fine footballer at ACK and has been a school teacher in northern Victoria.

Maurie 97

Maurie Wood played 97 very good games for North Melbourne half a century ago, then returned to home town St Arnaud, where he ran a sports store and became an area legend for his coaching and playing.

He still coaches junior teams, however he is a bit sad about the state of much of country football, and it showed in yesterday’s letter he sent me.

Part of it read: “I am assisting the St Arnaud under 14 footy team, teaching them the basic skills of the game. I still really enjoy helping the young players. We were the only St Arnaud footy team to reach finals last season but got beaten in the grand final by a bigger stronger team.

“Senior football teams in St Arnaud are struggling badly. Last Saturday we played Sea Lake Nandaly, who beat St Arnaud by 20 goals to 1, and St. Arnaud scored their only goal in the last two minutes of the game.

“Our seconds team failed to score a goal going down 18.18 to 0.6. We are the biggest town in the North Central League. I am very concerned about the bad state of country football.”

Especially in northern and western Victoria, and Riverina, many clubs have fallen over in the past few decades. Strong clubs such as Corowa – Rutherglen and Yea are among this year’s clubs unable to field teams.

Maurie and his wife Pat sent two fine lads to Assumption a generation ago.

Pat is a Uniting Church minister also involved in two choirs, a book club, school breakfasts, meals on wheels, helping disabled people and folk with family problems.

The Coronation

Despite the rain and cold, huge crowds assembled in London and across the country to witness the crowning of King Charles III.

The Brits do pageantry brilliantly and this was true to tradition. The music, ancient and modern inside the great cathedral was inspirational as were the massed bands, the cavalry, and magnificent horses. The service itself was truly multicultural and inclusive. Overall, an event for the ages.

Records

As it contests its 65th season in the AGSV football competition, Assumption can look back on a brilliant record since being admitted to the prestigious metropolitan competition.

Thirty nine titles and more than 90 boys to the ranks of VFL and AFL.

Since the college began playing football well over a century ago, some 148 lads have progressed to the big league – a number of them among the games immortals such as the likes of the famous Francis Bourke, Brendan Edwards, Peter Cummins, Shane Crawford, Michael Green, etc.

Edwards still holds the record for the most possessions in a grand final at the MCG – 42 for Hawthorn versus Footscray in 1961 and that was when it was one-on-one, no easy ball gets.

Editor’s note: The writer, Mr Carroll, was part of the story for four decades. He coached Assumption’s football and cricket teams to 50 premierships. Media sports guru John Anderson described him as the most successful college sports coach in Assumption history.

Varia

I hope mothers everywhere had a great Mother’s Day. They sure deserve to.

What would the world be without loving mums? Lives of sacrifice, love and devotion down the generations are their hallmark.

Weekly sessions on inland rail held in Broadford

The North Central Review

May 15, 2023

Weekly sessions on inland rail held in Broadford

The Australian Rail Track Corporation, ARTC, staff will host weekly drop-in sessions at Broadford for people to ask questions and gather information about the Inland Rail project in the Mitchell Shire.

Starting last week, ARTC Inland Rail staff will be available every Wednesday between 10am and 1pm at the Country Soul Café, at 1/70 High Street, Broadford.

The major topic of discussion will centre on the bridge replacements planned for the Short Street, Hamilton Street and Marchbanks Road sites.

Inland Rail is Australia’s largest freight rail infrastructure project and will better connect businesses, manufacturers and producers to national and global markets and create new opportunities for Australian industries and regional communities.

Three Broadford bridges will be replaced to allow trains carrying double-stacked containers to pass underneath.

ARTC Victoria and South Australia projects general manager Ed Walker said Inland Rail staff looked forward to providing information about the project to the community.

“Our team will be available every week for the community to find out more and provide feedback about the Inland Rail project,” he said.

“The community have already told us safety, connectivity and amenity are important to them and this will be reflected in the designs required to allow double-stacked freight trains to safely travel through Michell Shire.

“When the designs are released, the community will have further opportunity to provide feedback and input into the look and feel of the sites, including urban design elements.”

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