Romsey and Lancefield netballers defeated in up-hill battle

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May 9, 2023

Romsey and Lancefield netballers defeated in up-hill battle

While the region’s senior football teams were each successful at the weekend, it was tougher going for their A Grade netball counterparts, who each suffered losses.

Romsey and Lancefield are still in search of their first wins of the season after dropping games to Riddell and Melton Centrals respectively.

The Tigers battled hard in their 45-50 loss, but 27 goals to Blues goal attack Emma Winzar, at an excellent 82 per cent conversion rate, was too much to overcome.

Darcee Ellard was Lancefield’s top scorer, netting 25 goals of her own at goal attack, with support from Jordan Furness who added 15.

Romsey was no match for the high-scoring Riddell, losing 48-68 as Riddell goaler Shelby Holter scored 44 goals.

Macedon showed why it sits atop the A Grade ladder, dismantling the previously unbeaten Wallan 60-19.

Despite the best efforts of Wallan players Gemma Grimmond, Georgia Stevenson and Genevieve Carboon, the Magpies were overrun as Cat goaler Henrietta Donoghue scored 47 goals.

The Magpies will regroup with a bye this week, while Lancefield will host Macedon and Romsey will travel to play the Western Rams.

Art societies join forces for Mother’s Day market

Lauren Duffy

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May 9, 2023

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Art societies join forces for Mother’s Day market

SEYMOUR and District Art Society joined with Kilmore Art Society to host a Mother’s Day Art Market on Saturday, showcasing a range of original artworks and handmade crafts.

Located at the Mill Street Mall in Kilmore, the market was an opportunity for people to browse a range of art and craft created by members of both art societies and purchase a gift ahead of Mother’s Day this weekend.

Seymour and District Art Society president Terri MacDonald said it was the first time the society had hosted a Mother’s Day Market in Kilmore and looked to use the event as a launching pad for other markets and shows.

“It’s been quite interesting, we’ve had a few people come through and as the sun’s come out we’ve had more people which is good,” she said.

“We’re just sort of experimenting with new things to see what will work. As far as we’re aware this is the first time this [Mill Street] Mall area has been used for this, so it’s just a matter of trying things and seeing what happens.”

Kilmore’s Michelle Dixon with a selection of her creations at an arts and craft market in Kilmore on Saturday.

Ms MacDonald said Seymour Art Society wanted to give people a chance to purchase handmade goods that were unique, unusual or different for their loved ones and support the local creative arts community.

“We came up with the idea late last year and it was originally going to be a Christmas market, but that didn’t quite work out so we thought we’d move it to Mother’s Day,” she said.

“We thought the idea of getting something handmade and a little bit special was good, and everything here has been made by people from either the Seymour Art Society or the Kilmore Art Society.”

The Seymour and District Art Society is still without their gallery on Emily Street, Seymour, as it was damaged by last year’s floods, however the group is still in the process of organising alternative spaces to host workshops, meetings and pop-up gallery shows.

Preparations for the Art Beyond the Divide show will soon be underway, which is set for November this year.

Cry for HELP as student loan indexation rates skyrocket

Grace Frost

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May 9, 2023

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Cry for HELP as student loan indexation rates skyrocket

By Grace Frost

University students in the City of Whittlesea are set for a steep rise in student loans following confirmation of the Australian Taxation Office’s increase of 7.1 per cent on June 1 – the highest indexation recorded since 1990.

Though no interest is charged on Higher Education Loan Program, HELP, loans, indexation is added to debts once a year in line with inflation and cost of living to ensure the debt ‘maintains its real value’.

Indexation rates remained within 0.6 and 3.9 per cent between 2002 and 2022.

This year, rates are set to spike above five per cent for the first time in two decades.

The 7.1 per cent indexation will mean the average student loan in Australia will increase by more than $1600.

The average HELP loan debt across Australia has increased by more than 55 per cent between 2012 and 2021, from $15,191 to $23,685.

As of 2020, there were 8928 taxpayers in the City of Whittlesea with a HELP loan repayment, compared to 3214 in 2015.

Surrounding municipalities had significantly lower figures, with 1814 taxpayers in the Macedon Ranges, and 1546 in the Mitchell Shire having a HELP loan.

Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said the issue of high indexation had stemmed from inflation and Labor was ‘doing everything they can’ in the Federal Budget 2023 to look at cost of living relief.

“One of our key focuses is trying to get inflation down without […] just injecting cash into the economy, which then drives interest rates up,” he said.

“[Indexation might be] seven per cent this year, but our goal is to get it back to two to three per cent.”

The Higher Education Contribution Scheme, HECS, HELP loans remain income-contingent, with people earning below $48,361 this year not required to make a repayment.

People earning above the threshold will have to make a repayment between one and 10 per cent of their total income, depending on how much they earn.

Australian Taxation Office data shows the average length of time to repay student loans in full had increased from 8.2 years in the 2011-12 financial year to 9.5 years a decade later in 2021-22.

The average length of time to make a first voluntary repayment has also increased in recent years, rising from 7.1 years in 2011-12 to 7.7 years in 2021-22.

Mr Mitchell encouraged people who had the ability to pay some or all of their student loans to do so before June 1 to save money in the long-term.

On the average debt of $23,685, a voluntary repayment of $1000 prior to June 1 would see a saving of approximately $70 in long-term repayments.

“To me, it’s like a lot of loans, whether it’s a mortgage, car loans – the quicker you pay it off, the less interest you pay, the better off you are,” Mr Mitchell said.

“If people can [make voluntary repayments], that’s great. There are people that won’t be able to do that at the moment, and that’s why we’re doing everything we can to try and reduce the cost of living in a way that doesn’t push more pressure on inflation.”

The indexation will apply to HELP loans, VET student loans, student financial supplement scheme loans, student start-up loans, ABSTUDY student start-up loans, ABSTUDY SSL and trade support loans.

People can view their student loans and make repayments via the Australian Taxation Office.

Government pledges millions for region’s roads

Lauren Duffy

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May 9, 2023

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Government pledges millions for region’s roads

MITCHELL, Macedon Ranges and Whittlesea councils are set to receive a cumulative total of more than $6 million in Federal Government funding though phase four of the government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said the government allocated an extra $250 million to phase four of the program, which had already earmarked $500 million for councils classified as rural, regional or outer-urban.

Mitchell Shire was awarded $1,174,256 of the initial $500 million through stage four, receiving $677,337 of the additional $250 million for a total of $1,851,593.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council received an initial $1,441,216 and an additional $831,325 for a total of $2,272,541, and the City of Whittlesea was allocated $1,417,408 and $817,592 for a $2,235,000 total.

Mr Mitchell said the funding would allow the municipalities to complete local road projects.

He said councils had struggled to maintain and improve their road networks, especially after flooding and other natural disasters.

“We have listened to councils and are standing side-by-side with local governments to support them in their vital work of delivering critical infrastructure for their communities,” he said.

“I am proud to be part of a government that works alongside local governments to make a positive difference for their communities.”

Mr Mitchell said the government drew on the Australian Classification of Local Governments to determine which councils would be eligible for the additional $250 million in funding.

Riddells Creek CFA on the lookout for new site

Lauren Duffy

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May 9, 2023

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Riddells Creek CFA on the lookout for new site

A PROPOSAL to relocate the Riddells Creek fire station to Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve was not endorsed at the last Macedon Ranges Shire council meeting.

Council voted to support a recommendation not to proceed with the Country Fire Authority, CFA, proposal for a new station, which argued the current site was no longer suitable for brigade members.

Over the past year, CFA reviewed several locations and recognised the recreation reserve as compatible with its operational requirements.

Based on a report presented to council in September 2022 outlining the steps CFA used to find a suitable location, council proceeded with community consultation.

While acknowledging the demand for upgraded facilities, the council officers’ recommendation found that the proposal did not satisfy the concerns of council and community.

Concerns about access, parking and the impact on existing user groups were identified, as well as the fact that the area was designed for recreational purposes, possibly preventing future expansions of facilities within the reserve.

Cr Jennifer Anderson, who supported the motion, said further work was required to locate a space that would accommodate the CFA.

“It’s obvious through submissions that everybody wants to support the CFA but there is a passion for open space in our Riddells Creek community,” she said.

“It’s a growing community, and so the risk of placing the CFA this current proposed location [is] to be having that loss of open space.

“Everyone has said yes, they’re willing to truly support the CFA and their endeavours … but this site does not appear to be the best location. Everyone will continue to work together to find an appropriate location in the future.”

Mayor Annette Death thanked the community for its input and said council would work towards finding a new location.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback on this proposal. Council will continue to work closely with the CFA, Victorian Government and Riddells Creek community to find a suitable outcome for the proposed relocation,” she said.

New Darebin Creek Lookout embraces Aboriginal culture

The North Central Review

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May 9, 2023

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New Darebin Creek Lookout embraces Aboriginal culture

A new rest area on the southern side of the Darebin Creek Bridge as part of the Childs Road upgrade now incorporates Aboriginal art to share stories of its Indigenous ancestors.

Linked with the new walking paths and the Darebin Creek Trail, the Wurundjeri Willum traditional owners co-designed the Darebin Creek Lookout in partnership with the Childs Road upgrade team.

The finished space, entitled ‘Meeting Place’, is an Aboriginal mosaic pavement designed by local Wurundjeri artist Ashley Firebrace, who embodied the ancient movement and campsites of the Wurundjeri-balluk and Wurundjeri-willam clans.

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Aunty Julieanne Axford said she was proud to see Aboriginal culture of its area brought to life.

“Modern Aboriginal art can play a profound role in connecting to communities with distinctive colours and patterns, designs that speak to our Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people’s understanding and connection to the land,” she said.

Designs incorporated the wishes of residents, includig a preference of native trees, and wanting more than 40,000 years of Aboriginal History in Epping and Mill Park to be represented.

The new gathering space was formally opened at a community event in March, where hundreds of people joined the Childs Road upgrade project team to celebrate the area, officially opened by Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny.

Community members and visitors can now use the space, which features a drinking fountain, seating and native trees – the Red Ironbark – which were identifed in collobration with the City of Whittlesea and the Darebin Creek Management committee.

Major Road Projects Victoria acting chief executive Andrew Williams said the team would continue to work towards higlighting the area’s cultural and natural heritage.

“We are constantly growing our understanding about the role we can play to build better connections with Aboriginal communities,” he said.

“We’re digging deeper beyond the roads we build, celebrating the history and culture of traditional owners, on whose land we work on throughout the state of Victoria.”

The Childs Road upgrade is set to be completed in 2023, funded in partnership with the federal and state governments.

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Blues romp against Reservoir for first win

Lauren Duffy

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May 9, 2023

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Blues romp against Reservoir for first win

KILMORE registered its first win of the Northern Football Netball League, NFNL, division three season in emphatic style, knocking off Reservoir by 116 points in front of a home crowd on Saturday.

The Blues dropped their first two contests against top-three sides Laurimar and Kinglake, but emerged from a round three bye reinvigorated, putting Reservoir to the sword in the 20.17 (137) to 2.9 (21) rout.

Kilmore’s seven-goal last quarter was its best of the season and nearly surpassed the Blues’ point totals from each of their first two games.
Jake Beattie ran riot on the wing, while Ethan Derrick was outstanding with five goals.

Derrick was far from a lone hand in the Kilmore forward line as Michael Fenech, three goals, Grant Paxton, three, and Liam Salter, two, each kicked multiple goals, while Ethan Fitzpatrick, Bailey Derrick, Jaden Smith, Liam Monaghan, Hayden Phillips, Chris Barton and Beattie all had singles.

Kilmore president Ben Egan said the benefits of Kilmore’s youth movement were becoming evident on the field.

“My takeaway from it was the impact of our young players, which has been the big push for us,” he said.

“The best three or four players on the ground were under 21.

“It’s setting us up in really good stead for the future. We’re not relying on ‘Barto’ [Chris Barton], Leigh [Irons] and Mick [Marrett] to drive everything for us. The young players were all our best players on the day.”

On Saturday Kilmore fielded only two players worth more than one point under the NFNL’s player points system, which Egan said was the lowest across all three of the league’s divisions.

Players are designated one point if they have played at least 40 games at an aligned junior club at under 17 level or younger.

“There were 18 ex-Kilmore juniors who played and we had 17-year-old Josh Hart make his debut in the ruck,” Egan said.

“Those are the signs we’re aiming for.”

Kilmore will play away this week, taking on Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park.

Whittlesea

Whittlesea came close to notching its first win of the NFNL division one season, falling eight points short of Hurstbridge in a low-scoring affair.

Despite the efforts of hard-running wingman Mitch Andrews, key defender Matthew Atta and captain Xavier Dimasi in the centre, the Eagles were unable to capitalise on a strong start.

Whittlesea led by 13 points at quarter time and five at the long break, but kicked only one goal in the second half as Hurstbridge overran them for a 6.6 (42) to 5.4 (34) win.

A positive for the Eagles was the senior debuts of Kane Johnson and Alek D’Arro, the latter of whom kicked a goal and was named among the side’s best.

Whittlesea will aim for its first win of the year when it travels to take on Macleod on Saturday, with the Roos sitting only one spot higher than the Eagles on the ladder.

Cool Heads Young Driver program returns to Wallan

Lauren Duffy

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May 9, 2023

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Cool Heads Young Driver program returns to Wallan

THE Cool Heads Young Driver program is set to return to Wallan Secondary College at the end of this month, helping to address the devastating impact of fatal and serious injury collisions on Victorian roads.

The program is not about teaching young people how to drive, but instead highlights the consequences of distraction and risk-taking while driving to improve the attitude of young drivers.

To date, almost 8000 young drivers have attended a Cool Heads Young Driver program since it began in 2008, with the program recognised at the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards in Canberra last year.

A parent of a Cool Heads participant said it was important to highlight to young drivers the dangers of driving while distracted or taking unnecessary risks.

“It was factual, raw, real, emotionally sensitive and a real true indication of what we all should be aware of whilst on the road,” they said.

“This is a program I feel should be shared with every teenager who receives their licence and is learning to become a driver on the roads and I would highly advocate for that to occur.”

The two-hour sessions incorporate road trauma visuals and messages, while speakers also share their road trauma experience as either emergency service workers, offending drivers, magistrates or road trauma victims.

Cool Heads aims to provide a sustainable program addressing general road safety issues, prioritising giving young drivers the information required to make informed decisions about their driving behaviour and attitude before an accident occurs.

The Cool Heads program at Wallan Secondary College will be from 7pm on May 31.

Macedon Ranges draft budget released publicly

The North Central Review

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May 9, 2023

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Macedon Ranges draft budget released publicly

Upgrades to sporting facilities and $10.3 million in capital infrastructure work to roads are highlights of a $110-million Macedon Ranges Shire Council draft budget.

To account for rising service costs, council is proposing increases to rates – in line with the state-wide rate cap of 3.5 per cent – charges for kerbside collection, and fees at resource recovery facilities and transfer stations.

In a bid to soften cost pressures where practical, council is inviting feedback on a potential alternative user-pays model for green waste at transfer stations to introduce a charge of about $5 per cubic metre, reducing the proposed kerbside collection charge for those with a four-bin service.

Residents are invited to suggest feedback on both the budget and updated council plan, which were approved by councillors at their April meeting.

The 2023-24 budget will involve the council continuing nearly 100 services and include almost 40 new initiatives to enhance the growing shire.

In partnership with the state and federal government, almost $730,000 will be allocated to key sporting upgrades including lighting upgrades at the Riddell’s Creek Recreation Reserve and New Gisborne tennis courts, and netball facilities at Kyneton Showgrounds Reserve.

Council will also dedicate $20,000 to Lancefield Kindergarten and Maternal Child Service, which will attract up to $3 million of State Government funding with an aim to open by early 2024.

Roads set for improvements include Murphy Street in Romsey and the Darraweit-Bolinda Road intersection in Darraweit Guim.

The updated council plan focuses on the development of an updated Reconciliation Action Plan, Climate Emergency Response Plan – Cool-ER Changes, and a new Waste Education Action Plan.

Mayor Annette Death encouraged residents to read the draft documents to better understand council’s reasoning, which would allow them to give informed feedback.

“Everyone – council included – is facing cost pressures at the moment, but our focus continues to be on delivering our priority projects and various services to a high standard for the benefit of our residents and visitors to the shire,” she said.

“From the regular services such as road maintenance and waste collection, to longer-term strategic initiatives, council delivers so many important services to the community and we value hearing what matters most to you.”

Chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan said council was mindful on the impacts of nation-wide challenges and how to best navigate effects on services delivered.

“These draft documents are the result of hours upon hours of hard work and consideration by our council staff and councillors, whose goal is to balance the needs of the community with a sustainable budget,” he said.

“Alongside current priorities, council will continue to advocate for funding to support priority projects and tourism opportunities that make the Macedon Ranges a special place to live, work and visit.”

Submissions on the draft documents are accepted until May 19, with council to make its final decision at its May 28 meeting.

People who provide a formal submission will also be invited to present on their feedback in person to council at a submitters delegated committee meeting at 7pm on May 31.

For more information and to have a say, visit a customer service centre to view a printed copy of the draft documents, or online at .

Written submissions on the draft documents can be sent to PO Box, Kyneton VIC 3444 or emailed to mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au.

Power Saving Bonus results encouraging

The North Central Review

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May 9, 2023

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The latest round of the State Government’s Power Saving Bonus has resulted in 40 per cent of applicants finding a better energy deal, while more than one million Victorians have received $250 directly into their pockets.

The bonus aims to help ease the cost of living across the state by providing financial support to help people pay their power bills, while the Energy Compare website has also helped Victorians compare energy deals and find a cheaper offer.

Almost 28,000 people have claimed their Power Saving Bonus in the electorates of Kalkallo and Yan Yean, with 16,266 and 11,593 dwellings having already applied respectively.

In the Euroa electorate, 9533 applications for the Power Saving Bonus have been received, while there has been 8047 dwellings apply in Macedon.

Premier Daniel Andrews said now was the time for people to secure a better energy offer and get on top of their power bills.

“The best way to lower energy bills is to look for a better offer,” he said.

“That’s why we’re encouraging Victorians to take advantage of another round of the Power Saving Bonus to make sure they are on the best deal ahead of winter.”

Other ways people can save on their energy bills include applying for solar water and hot water rebates through the Solar Homes Program, which has helped residents save up to $1500 on their annual energy bill. To access the Power Saving Bonus, people can visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au or call 1800 000 832.

To talk to an Energy Assistance Program advocate, call 1800 161 215.