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Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: May 9, 2023

Lauren Duffy
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Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: May 9, 2023

Theft of fuel

A Caterpillar road grader parked overnight on Kilmore-Lancefield Road had about 100 litres of fuel siphoned out between 3.30pm on May 2 and 7.30am on May 4.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria 1800 333 000.

Cyberscams

The Australian Cyber Security Centre, ACSC, leads the Federal Government’s efforts to improve cyber security.

The ACSC’s role is to help make Australia the most secure place to connect online.

ACSC monitor cyber threats across the globe 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so they can alert Australians early on what to do.

ACSC provides advice and information about how to protect people and businesses online.

When there is a cyber security incident, ACSC provides clear and timely advice to individuals, businesses and critical infrastructure operators.

ACSC work with businesses, government and academic partners and experts in Australia and overseas to investigate and develop solutions to cyber security threats.

ACSC have a national footprint of Joint Cyber Security Centres where they collaborate with nearly 2000 businesses, government and academic partners on current cyber security issues. ACSC also work with law enforcement authorities to fight cybercrime.

ACSC are part of the Australian Signals Directorate, ASD, which has a long history of cyber security excellence. 

Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility. People need to work together to make Australia the most secure place to connect online.

For more information, vist www.cyber.gov.au/report-and-recover/report.

Coolheads

The Coolheads Young Driver Program returns to Wallan on Wednesday, May 31.

Coolheads aims to remove the devastating impact caused by fatal and serious injury collisions on roads.

Tickets are free but limited. People can book at www.eventbrite.com/e/cool-heads-young-driver-education-seminar-tickets-598219228817.

Police call-out

Police want to hear from people who have seen something suspicious or know information about an incident or crime.

Anyone with any information can contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Secrets unveiled at Freemason open night in Broadford

Grace Frost
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Secrets unveiled at Freemason open night in Broadford

By Grace Frost

Members of the Mitchell Masonic Lodge confirmed a plethora of Freemasonry folklore at its open night last month, hosted to inspire a greater rate of involvement with the affiliation.

The occasion marked the first of its kind in nearly 17 years since the formation of the Mitchell Lodge 929 in 2006.

Hosted at the Broadford Masonic Hall, the open night saw the lodge room – or temple – unveiled to attendees, which was decked out in cerulean blue carpet, bordered with wooden pews, and sat throne like chairs at each quadrant.

Grand superintendent of membership Neville Wiggins showed attendees a range of objects including ‘wands’ carried by deakins of the lodge during ceremonies, the square and compass designed to keep Freemasons ‘within bounds with each other’, the Freemason ritual book filled with redacted words that required memorisation, and detailed the symbolism in the room’s patterned rug.

He explained the room was divided by cardinal directions to mirror King Solomon’s temple and pointed out the huge silver letter ‘G’ that hung from the centre of the ceiling.

“Because we are not a religion, we accept all religious faiths in Freemasonry,” Mr Wiggins said.

“A lot of us are Christians, Hindus, Muslims, so for us, we use the term ‘Great overseer of the universe’.

“[Within ceremonies], we’re taking the journey where we theoretically build King Solomon’s temple – King Solomon is the guy that walks through the door, and he becomes a Freemason. We build that person to be a better person.”

Mr Wiggins confirmed Freemasons used a secret handshake – which mimicked a standard handshake to the untrained eye – and a secret password to ensure no ‘intruders’ entered the lodge room.

Although much of Freemasonry practice was laid bare, when an attendee asked the coveted question of ‘what do you do?’, details about ceremony structures, rituals and what happens behind the closed lodge room door were not explicitly stated.

Freemasons 2 1
Freemasons from the Mitchell Masonic Lodge and surrounding branches hosted an open night at Broadford last month.

The Freemasons believe giving back to the community was ‘a really important part of Freemasonry’, particularly in reflection of their three principles – brotherly love, relief and truth.

Freemason Jim Hinchcliffe, who joined Freemasonry 49 years ago, added that Freemasonry was about serving the community’s needs with humility.

“In the old days, […] if anyone was in trouble, […] if members died and their wives were left with a house that needed painting and all that sort of stuff, Freemasons would go and do those jobs,” he said.

“But they never told anyone about it – they just went and did it. We weren’t after any accolades.”

Mr Hinchcliffe credited Freemasonry with building his confidence, his leadership skills and diligence, and said members ‘come out better men‘.

During the men’s meeting at the open night, the door to the lodge room was shut, and member’s wives and all guests were not allowed to enter while they prepared a ceremony of the vacant chair to show guests.

Women remain unable to become members at the lodge, but many were present at the meeting, preparing supper for the Freemasons and attendees.

Ann White, whose husband became a Freemason when he was 21, explained that women took the head role of catering when their husbands became master of the lodge.

Ms White said she had found support and a sense of family within the organisation.

“Once you have a friend in [the Freemasons], you’ll have them for life,” she said.

Mr Wiggins explained that attendees meetings occur once a month, with a couple rehearsals prior.

For more information on Freemasonry, people can call David Atkinson on 5781 0728 or 0402 457 810 or email davidakko@hotmail.com.

WR (2023-05-09)

The North Central Review
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WR (2023-05-09)

NCR (2023-05-09)

The North Central Review
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NCR (2023-05-09)

Magpies retain top spot despite sloppy start

Lauren Duffy
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Magpies retain top spot despite sloppy start

Wallan retained its spot atop the ladder with a 9.12 (66) to 3.5 (23) win against Macedon, overcoming greasy conditions and a sloppy start to strangle the Cats after quarter time.

The Magpies trailed by 11 points at the first break after failing to capitalise on early opportunities, but did not allow their opponents to kick a goal thereafter, outscoring Macedon 57-3 for the rest of the match.

Assistant coach Spencer Mathieson said Wallan adapted well to the wet conditions and worked hard to apply midfield pressure.

“After quarter time we were a lot better at working without the footy and our forward line clicked a bit better. We got more reward for our effort,” he said.

“In the first quarter they transitioned the ball from their back 50 with not a lot of pressure, and we had to work a bit harder.”

Mathieson praised midfield-forward Mason Bowden, who was best on ground in the win.

“He did really well to get clearances and worked back to win the footy deep in our backline,” he said.

“He’s a really good decision-maker and good at setting up other players. He’s a Wallan junior who has come back to the club and we’ve been rapt with how he’s going about it.”

Also outstanding were Sean Morris, Corey Viani, Jake Layley and Patrick Mahoney.

Captain Michael Mannix, a defensive stalwart for the Magpies, was another key contributor and will play his 300th senior game in round six in a home game against Lancefield on May 20 after a bye this week.

“It’s a pretty big milestone so we’re looking forward to that,” Mathieson said.

“Hopefully we get a big crowd along and the top ground is open again after the renovations.”

Concussions in spotlight as young gun steps away from football

Lauren Duffy
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Concussions in spotlight as young gun steps away from football

By Colin MacGillivray

WHILE concussions have been prominent in the public discourse about Australian professional football in recent years, they are less often discussed at a local level.

But Kilmore Football Netball Club centre half forward Bailey Taylor-Egan shone a spotlight on the issue last week when the club announced he would step away from football indefinitely to deal with the fallout of a pre-existing head injury.

Club president Ben Egan, who is the brother of Taylor-Egan, said bad migraines that Taylor-Egan suffered after games led to the discovery of brain lesions.

“It was found that he had a brain bleed at some stage and the lesions would flare up after a game and cause significant pain in his head,” Egan said.

“He was medicated for it and he’s been managing that for the past couple of years, but it’s been quite difficult for him.

“A lot of times after a game the boys would walk off celebrating a win and he’d almost have to be helped off the ground. He’d sometimes sit in the corner with his head in his hands, not being able to join in with the celebrations because he was so sick.”

Taylor-Egan suffered a concussion during one of Kilmore’s final pre-season training sessions – one of an estimated four or five concussions that Egan said Taylor-Egan had sustained throughout his time playing for Kilmore’s Assumption College and the Blues.

Taylor-Egan told Kilmore coaches and officials he would play the season on a week-by-week basis after his latest concussion, but struggled to walk from the field after the Blues’ round one loss to Laurimar.

The following week the club advised Taylor-Egan to step away from the game and prioritise his health.

The Kilmore president said news stories about former AFL footballers who suffered from repeated concussions were concerning.

“Concussions are a big deal in the news at the moment. You look at case studies of players struggling post-footy and having significant brain injuries – people like Shane Tuck and Max Rooke,” he said.

Tuck, a former Richmond player, took his own life in 2020, with a post-mortem examination uncovering evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, CTE – a brain condition associated with repeated head trauma and medically linked to negative mental health, cognition and memory outcomes.

Former Geelong premiership player Rooke is currently leading a class action lawsuit against the AFL after suffering an estimated 30 to 40 concussions during his playing career, alleging he had self-harmed and suffered from depression following his retirement.

“We didn’t want [Bailey] getting into that phase, particularly at such a young age,” Egan said.

“From the committee down to the coaching staff and players, nobody has tried to talk him out of it. He’s absolutely doing what’s right because we’ve seen the impact concussions can have on you.”

Egan said players who had suffered similar side effects from head injuries had reached out to Taylor-Egan and the 22-year-old had been referred to a neurologist.

He said the club would continue to support Taylor-Egan off field as he recovered.

“We’ll get him involved where we can. He’s probably not one who’s into coaching, but he’ll still help out,” Egan said.

“He was at our function on Saturday and comes to all our events.”

Taylor-Egan was named in the Northern Football Netball League 2022 division three team of the year, and was one of Kilmore’s best young players in recent seasons.

Egan said Taylor-Egan had not ruled out a return to football but stressed the forward’s health would be the foremost priority.

“He hasn’t even ruled out playing again this year, but we’re not going to push him into it at all,” Egan said.

“We’re putting his health over anything else. We’re not interested in pushing him back into playing.”

  • If this article has raised issues for you or someone you know, help is available by contacting Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us/contact-us.

Charlie to come to life in ACK production

Lauren Duffy
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Charlie to come to life in ACK production

ASSUMPTION College is preparing to bring a cherished childhood story to life, with the senior production of ‘Charlie’ set to hit the stages later this month.

Scheduled for May 25, 26 and 27 at the Plenty Valley Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, the show will fill the stage with colour and imagination as more than 60 Assumption College students perform original songs and new hits in their rendition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Production coordinator Jo Porch said the school was proud of the progress made by everyone involved in the preparation of the production.

“The production crew are in an intense preparation phase, and we could not be any more in awe of the skill and artistry of the performers,” she said.

“Behind the scenes we are busy ensuring all elements of the show are in place and I have no doubt that at curtain call, the students will shine.”

Year nine student Francesco will make his production debut in the role of Charlie, while Willy Wonka will be played by year 12 student Elizabeth in her final appearance with the production team.

Family, friends and community members are invited to book tickets to the show, which can be purchased for $30 at www.pracc.com.au.

Panthers blow out cobwebs in Redbacks win

Lauren Duffy
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Panthers blow out cobwebs in Redbacks win

WALLAN Panthers’ Big V division two women shrugged off a two-point loss to Surf Coast in round six to come roaring back with a 43-point demolition of RMIT at the weekend.

The Panthers started strongly and only improved as the match progressed, restricting the Redbacks to only 13 second-half points in the 80-37 victory.

Import Kylah Collins showed why she was named the division’s player of the month for both March and April, controlling all facets of the game to finish with 32 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and four steals in 34 minutes of playing time.

Nearly every Wallan player scored in the game, with Amber Ross chiming in with 13 points and nine rebounds and Sarah Scott burying two three-pointers.

Kaitlyn Bickerton scored eight points off the bench to lead the Wallan reserves, while Olivia Connors’ seven rebounds contributed to a staggering 81-44 rebounding edge for the home side.

While the victory boosted Wallan’s percentage, the team will face a sterner test this weekend when it visits Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Centre for a showdown with the ladder-leading Gippsland United.

United is yet to lose this season, but a Wallan victory could see the Panthers take top spot on the ladder depending on percentage.

The Panthers’ division two men will have a week off after a hard-fought 88-92 loss to Altona on Saturday night.

While Wallan was unable to pull off a fourth-quarter comeback after trailing the Gators by eight points at the final break, the Panthers trimmed the margin to three points with less than three minutes remaining and two points with 37 second left.

Only some clutch shot-making from big man Tyson Burton, who scored five of his 14 points in the final two minutes, was enough to stave off the Panthers.

Wallan received an encouraging performance from forward Keenan Gorski, who started for the first time this season as he recovers from a knee injury.

Gorski scored a team-high 25 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots, while guard Dom Bruno showed excellent outside shooting touch with five three-pointers, finishing with 21 points and seven assists.

The difference in the contest was bench scoring, with Altona’s reserves contributing a combined 33 points while Wallan’s bench was unable to score.

Wallan’s men will return to action with a round nine away game against Maccabi on May 21.

The Panthers’ youth league division two men showed fight late in the game but were unable to overcome a large deficit in a 78-93 loss to Pakenham on Sunday.

An efficient 17 points from James Bonnici was a highlight for the team, while Sebastian Villegas, Luke Cairns and Dylan Lombardo each scored in double figures, but the Panthers were unable to stymie the red-hot Pakenham offence – led by Deakin Pereira’s 23 points – until the final quarter.

The youth league team will play Bellarine in front of a home crowd at RB Robson Stadium at 6pm on Saturday before playing an away game against Sunbury on Sunday.

Selfless Wallan mother showered in love amidst hardship: MOTHER’S DAY

Pam Kiriakidis
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Selfless Wallan mother showered in love amidst hardship: MOTHER’S DAY

By Pam Kiriakidis

WALLAN mother Kristy Degiorgio expects nothing but warmth from her four young children – aged seven to 19 – for Mother’s Day this year.

Soon after the family was robbed earlier this year, leaving their home damaged and unbearable, her children banded together to ensure their mother was supported through the next few months ahead.

Eldest daughter Charli was eager to step in to help after her mother had to break the news to her children about having to move out of their home.

“I’ve been looking after the kids and obviously school holidays as well while mum is at work or trying to keep up with the housework,” Charli said.

The family settled in with their uncle Patrick for about six weeks – in a three-bedroom house that was crowded with other family members.

While it was comforting to be with family, the Degiorgio’s puppies that were found alive but severely injured following the robbery added more challenges for the family.

Soon after they moved into a new home thanks to the support of family and friends but still faced challenges.

“Probably the main stress for mum is when she gets home especially [since] there’s [not much] furniture … and she felt like she’s letting us down but really she’s not because we know what she’s going through,” Charli said.

“We have a little couch for our tiny loungeroom that mum brought … but we don’t have a kitchen table or anything, it doesn’t feel like home without that sort of stuff.”

In the midst of it all, Ms Degiorgio still kept thinking about others and dedicated her time outside of work to raise money for the Isabella and Marcus Foundation, which fundraises for brain cancer research.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, 14-year-old daughter Madison decided to organise a GoFundMe page to help her mother and ease the family’s living situation.

Charli said her mother’s actions were setting a good example for the rest of the family.

“It shows us that we can help as well, even if we’re going a tough time, we can help other people,” she said.

“I think it’s a good thing and bad thing at the same time because she puts everyone else before herself and she ends up being the one that loses everything.

“When you need something she’s always there, she will help anyone even if she has no money, she will still give you her last $50 that you need.”

To help support Kristy Degiorgio and her children, visit .

Mitchell Shire Council joins Goulburn tourism alliance

Lauren Duffy
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Mitchell Shire Council joins Goulburn tourism alliance

MITCHELL Shire Council has banded with Greater Shepparton and Strathbogie councils to create a Goulburn Region Tourism Partnership, supported by the State Government.

The collaborative project is aimed at strengthening and growing the region’s visitor economy, with regional tourism recognised as an important contributor to the economic and social development of regional areas.

The Goulburn region draws in more than two million visitors annually through a range of attractions and events.

The partnership will develop a collaborative approach and strategic framework to the region’s visitor economy through the completion of a series of projects, including engaging the community in the creation of a regional destination management plan, as well as the delivery of an industry skills building program.

Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Fiona Stevens said the region had much to offer tourists.

“The Goulburn region begins only an hour from Melbourne and offers some exceptional attractions and events for visitors to enjoy as day trippers as well as for those who want to explore and experience more with longer stays,” she said.

“The partnership will allow our region to lead the strategic direction of tourism within the Goulburn region and will supply us the recognition and support we need to highlight and share our exceptional offerings.

“We look forward to working with industry, partner councils and State Government on this key project for our region.”

The project will be co-designed by the partner councils and the State Government, and will investigate the region’s place within a state-wide regional tourism network.

Across other regions in Victoria, regional tourism boards act as peak bodies supporting a destination’s local tourism businesses, delivering tourism initiatives and driving visitation to a region.

The Goulburn region is currently not serviced by a regional tourism partnership and the recent pandemic and flood events highlighted the need for a united voice and coordinated approach to support the visitor economy of the region.

Ms Stevens encouraged the tourism industry, local businesses and community members to be involved in the project and provide their local knowledge and expertise of tourism within the region.

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