MITCHELL Shire Council last week welcomed an announcement from Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell confirming the commitment of local roads funding.
The Federal Government will provide a total of $11 million to the Mitchell and Macedon Ranges shires to fund road upgrades, with each council to receive $5.5 million.
The funds will go towards the construction of Wallan’s Wellington Street between Watson Street and Duke Street, as well as upgrades along Darraweit Road.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said the commitment would enable housing, jobs and industrial growth for the region’s future prosperity.
“Mitchell Shire greatly appreciates the announcement and commitment of this funding from the Federal Government,” she said.
“Government funding like this is crucial and important in helping us maintain the 1400km of council-managed local roads in our shire.
“Every extra dollar we get in any area of our responsibility helps us to deliver more projects, services and initiatives to support our community.”
Mr Mitchell said the funding would help bring Wallan’s roads up to standard.
“Thanks to a decade of neglect from the [Liberal-Nationals] coalition government, our local roads have not seen the investment they have needed,” he said.
“For a decade, local roads were neglected in McEwen with potholes, dangerous shoulders and substandard surfaces becoming the norm with Federal investment non-existent.
“We will continue to work with the community to deliver projects that matter to them. Fixing local roads will ensure people can get to work safely and back home to their loved ones at night.”
MITCHELL Shire author Sara Czerny is excited to help teach children practical money skills through the launch of a new book series.
The series, titled ‘Strewth Possum!’ is aimed at children between the ages of three and seven and offers parents a chance to impart simple and easy-to-learn lessons.
Ms Czerny, who will officially launch the series in Upper Plenty on Sunday, said financial literacy was an important but often overlooked aspect of childhood learning.
“It all started last year when interest rates started to rise as well as the cost of everyday household items,” she said.
“With little kids of my own, I couldn’t help but think about the cost of living they would face when they were older, so I wanted to get on the front foot and start gently educating them about money so they were better prepared later on.
“I spoke to my toddler’s day care to see if they taught anything about financial literacy, discovering that this was an area yet to be focused on.
“So I organised a walk to raise funds for early childhood financial literacy, where I supplied ten day cares in the shire with a donated set of four books by a British author on the topic. Not being able to find any books from Australian authors, I decided to write my own series.”
Ms Czerny said Mandalay Early Learning Centre supported her idea for the Strewth Possum! series, dedicating a week to focusing on financial literacy using the books.
“We are proud to support a local mum,” Mandalay Early Learning Centre manager Katie Ethemi said.
“We hope that our financial week will provide the children attending our day care with activities and experiences that will help them to develop lifelong practical money skills.”
The first book in the Strewth Possum! series is titled ‘Hunting for Specials’ and follows the adventure of Cooper and his mother as they go grocery shopping, saving money by purchasing items at special prices.
The second book in the series ‘Secondhand Adventures’ explores the benefits of buying secondhand.
The official book launch of Strewth Possum! will be at The Shack in Upper Plenty on Sunday from 11am to 2pm.
People can purchase books in the series at www.strewthpossum.com.au.
IT was a Hope family victory on their home track at Seymour Racing Club’s eight-race program on Thursday.
Trained in partnership with the father-son duo of Lee and Shannon Hope and strapped by the latter’s wife, Dee Hope, the New Zealand-bred Doctor Robert, paying $26, was ridden by Shannon’s daughter Tahlia getting the judge’s nod in the 1600-metre Avenel Equine Hospital Maiden Plate.
The three-year-old Proisir gelding got up in the last stride to defeat the $2.35 favourite Anarya by a short-half-head with Tenace, $2.80, a long neck away third.
“In his races and jumpouts he’d been settling at the rear of the field so we told Tahlia to ride him more forward and it worked,” Lee Hope said.
“Tahlia followed the path where he gallops of a morning and he did the rest for her.”
Formerly trained in Sydney by Annabel Neasham, Shannon purchased the gelding online for longtime stable client Tony Buckley. Doctor Robert was having his third race start.
Mixed feelings after win
Later on the Seymour card, Kilmore-trained Matao Ma, a $3.80 favourit, impressively made it back-to-back wins in taking out the Anco Turf BM58 Handicap, over 1200 metres.
The Hanna Powell-trained and part-ownedwith her husband Ian, four-year-old was eased down approaching the winning post by promising apprentice Hannah Le Blanc.
Hannah Le Blanc with Matao Ma (NZ) after winning the Anco Turf BM58 Handicap at Seymour Racecourse on April 27, 2023 in Seymour, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos)
The Brazen Beau gelding defeated the David ‘Butch’ Bourne-trained In Due Time by six lengths with Changing Tracks, $31, a further one and a half lengths away in third spot.
There was a touch of sadness when Powell greeted Matao Ma back to the winner’s stall, as Dean Holland who died in a race fall at Donald last Monday, rode the gelding in his previous win at Kilmore a fortnight earlier and was booked to ride the gelding at Seymour.
“He was a bit of a wind sucker when I first got him and he has lessened that to hardly anything. He’s just a happy horse,” Powell said.
Formerly trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the gelding was having only his third run for the Powells.
Matao Ma had seven placings prior to his two wins from 12 starts.
In his first ever decathlon, Plenty Valley Christian College student Asher Andrews achieved fourth place in the under 17 division of the Australian Junior Track and Field Championships late last month.
Andrews, 15, competed in 10 events across April 13 and 14 in Brisbane, battling it out in the 100-metre sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 metres, 110-metre hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500 metres.
Neck-and-neck with his competition to the final run, Andrews finished with a total 6069 points, just 50 points from a bronze medal and 80 from a silver.
But it wasn’t all easy running for the athlete, who suffered a sudden bout of sickness while recovering from an ongoing back issue just days out from competition, leaving him reliant on his training, adrenaline and ‘a few prayers’.
Andrews’ mother Kathy said there was a ‘ginormous jump’ from his previous division structure that also proved an adjustment.
“You go from seven events – a heptathlon – to the decathlon, but it’s more than just adding three events,” she said.
“The shotput weight goes up from four to five kilograms, the discus goes up from one to 1.5 kilograms, which is a significant increase, the hurdles go up in height.”
The competition was fierce, with seven athletes achieving better scores than the silver medal in the same division last year.
But Andrews didn’t back down, walking away not only with fourth place in the national competition, but also smashing four of his own personal bests, PBs, including the 100-metre sprint (11.31 seconds), 400 metres (53.63 seconds), javelin (53.81 metres) and pole vault (3.00 metres).
Andrews additionally equaled his previous high jump personal best at 1.72m, and set a benchmark for himself in the 110-metre hurdles – 16.75 seconds – after competing in the event for the first time.
“The guy who beat me had done 10 PBs [in the competition]. He was a good kid, and I don’t mind being beaten by a good kid. I also knew I’d been sick and had a bad back, and that might’ve changed my results,” Andrews said.
“Second, third and fourth were so close, so [fourth] doesn’t feel too bad.”
Andrews’ score of 6069 points will qualify him for the Target Talent Program for the Decathlon, which will see Andrews receive high level coaching, technical and talent development over a winter program.
Ms Andrews said the Diamond Valley Athletic Club had been ‘a village’ for her son, providing incredible support, with some members even giving him free hurdles to train with and new shoes.
In the lead up to the national competition, Andrews trained five days a week under the guidance of Matt Hall, Chris Boyne, Paul Schofield and Bill Georgantis.
“The coaches are amazing, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to get to Brisbane without them,” Andrews said.
Andrews now has his heart set on the Victorian State Championships and Under 18 decathlon set for next year, which he would begin training for after a six-week break.
THE Wallan Secondary College student leadership team is gearing up to host a Positive Week this term, aimed at creating activities to entertain, educate or engage students.
Positive Week is a recurring event each term, with this term’s activities to be centered around the theme of homelessness.
The theme will shine a light on the more than 122,000 people across Australia who do not have a safe place to call home on any given night.
Wallan Secondary College executive assistant to the principal Lauren Mozina said the aim of the week was to spread awareness of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.
“The students are hoping to make a difference by not only raising funds to support the services combating homelessness, but to educate the school community to better understand homelessness, poverty and the challenges faced by some of the most vulnerable in our community,” she said.
“This will include how they can help and just as importantly where they can source help if they need it.”
During Positive Week, the Wallan Secondary College community will host a fundraiser lunchtime soup kitchen, with all money raised to be donated to Vinnies Victoria.
Students will be asked to donate winter coats to help those in need during winter, as well as undertake activities that promote values of compassion and empathy and hear from guest speakers.
In addition, students in years 11 and 12 will be invited to participate in an overnight fundraising event called the ‘School Sleepout’, which will see students spend the night away from home to learn about the challenges people experiencing homelessness face daily.
“Fundraising is an important part of the impact our students will make through the School Sleepout, with students raising funds through donations made online which will directly support people experiencing homelessness and poverty through Vinnies Victoria,” Ms Mozina said.
Assumption College’s new First XVIII coach Stephen Bellis is looking forward to the 2023 season. Practice games against powerhouse sides Parade and St Bernard’s were encouraging.
The Blues’ title defence gets under way on May 5 against PEGS at Keilor following a clash with Wesley College a week earlier.
The Associated Grammar Schools Victoria, AGSV, fixtures are as follows:
May 5 v PEGS, at ACK
May 13 v Peninsula, at ACK
May 19 v Ivanhoe, at Ivanhoe
May 27 v Marcellin, at ACK
June 2 v Yarra Valley, at Ringwood
June 17 v Camberwell, at ACK
July 15 v Trinity, at Bulleen
July 22 v Mentone, at ACK
July 29, August 5 (finals)
Help Blake
Blake Inness, pictured, is college captain at Broadford Secondary College. People I have spoken to say he is a fine young person, excellent school leader and a caring and humble lad.
Blake has been invited to run in cross country events in USA but must pay the costs. I was happy to make a contribution and I’m sure there are many Broadford and district folk who will be pleased to assist.
Inness is a well known and highly-respected name in Broadford. Matthew Inness, who played cricket for Victoria was recently inducted into
Essendon Cricket Club Hall of Honour.
Blake Inness, college captain of Broadford Secondary College.
Keeping up tradition
Review Journalist Colin MacGillivray pens some great stuff each week. His work is well said on front and back pages.
Colin’s reporting of the area’s summer and winter sports is widely appreciated. He follows in the footsteps of a long line of good journos who have written for The Free Press and Review down the years.
Indigenous Test legend
The Australian cricket community had paid tribute to the legacy left by Aunty Faith Thomas after the first Indigenous player to represent her country last weekend at the age of 95.
A fearsome fast bowler, Thomas played her groundbreaking Test match for Australia against England at Melbourne’s Junction Oval in
February 1958, when she became the first Aboriginal woman to play for any Australian sports team.
Thomas, a survivor of the Stolen Generations, was training as a nurse in South Australia when she began to play organised cricket. As a child she had played cricket on dirt roads using homemade bats and a rock if there was no ball.
Thomas as invited by a colleague to participate in a club game in Adelaide and after just three games she was selected to represent South Australia, and the following year played Test cricket for Australia.
Christ Church farewell
The Anglican community of the area farewelled their Pastor Rev Andre Duplooy with a luncheon and presentation after the Kilmore Christ Church service recently.
Andre and his wife Patty move to a new posting in Euroa after five years in Kilmore. Both were thanked sincerely for faithful service.
Also, in a nice gesture, Andre and his wife were invited to Saturday mass at St Patrick’s where Fr Prakash paid tribute.
The Anglican and Catholic pastors have high regard for each other’s work, which is dedicated service to the people of God.
Varia
Politics should not intrude in this column but here are a few thoughts. South Australian Labor Premier Peter Malinauskis is the most impressive state leader by miles.
He is a fine person, considerate and caring, highly respected, and honest. He was a good footballer in the SANFL. In footy, players are traded. Any chance Victoria’s Dan Andrews could be traded for the SA Premier?
Penny Wong (ALP) and Jacinta Price (Coalition) stand out as possibly the brightest pollies in Canberra. Wong in proving a fine Foreign Minister while Price, new to parliament, is an outstanding appointment.
Four teenagers were arrested and charged following an incident in Wallan early on the morning of April 20.
Police were told a group of youths in masks had attempted to stop vehicles on High Street at about 1am.
Two boys, aged 13 and 14, were first arrested and charged with affray and other related offences.
Police then arrested and charged an additional two teenagers in relation to the incident.
Police continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Theft and drugs
At about 11.13pm on April 26, Kilmore police received information in regard to a suspicious vehicle. Police attended the vehicle, a Nissan Navara, and discovered it was stolen.
A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in drugs of dependence being found in the vehicle. A Carlton woman, 42, was arrested at the scene in relation for theft and drug charges and will face court at a later date.
Theft at construction site
Between the afternoon of April 21 and 7am on April 24, unknown persons entered a building site in Beveridge via temporary fencing and stole 15 beams, possibly loading the beams onto a truck.
Anyone with any information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
Aggravated burglary
Detectives are investigating after two cars were stolen during an aggravated burglary in Wallan on April 22.
It is understood an unknown offender gained access to a residential property on Charles Street, Wallan, at about 6pm, and stole a red Volkswagen Jetta sedan.
It is alleged another offender threatened the victim at the property, armed with a knife before stealing another vehicle, a gold Mazda hatchback, which was parked outside the Charles Street residence.
The armed offender is described as being in his late teens, Aboriginal in appearance with short curly hair and wearing a black baseball cap.
Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit detectives said there were no injuries in relation to the incident.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Coolheads
The Coolheads Young Driver Program will return to Wallan on Wednesday, May 31.
Tickets are free but limited. People can search Eyewatch-Mitchell Police Service Area on Facebook and click on the link on the Coolheads post for your ticket or visit Eventbrite.com.au and search Coolheads in the search bar.
Seen anything suspicious?
Seen something? Know something? Anyone with any information can contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
People can have their say on road user behaviours with public submissions now open for the State Government’s Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee inquiry.
The inquiry investigates the impact of road safety behaviors on road users such as pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists.
The parliamentary inquiry will look at how road users’ behavior changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and how its impacted the safety of people at most risk on roads.
According to the Transport Accident Commission, TAC, 241 lives were lost on Victorian roads in 2022 – with regional roads accounting for more than two thirds.
In 2023 so far, Victoria has recorded 90 road-related with 55 being regional areas.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland is encouraging residents to have their say towards the inquiry that will also consider the safety of children, older people and people using mobility devices.
“We need to do better to protect road users, particularly pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders who are less protected in the event of a road crash,” she said.
“I’m encouraging residents across our region to share their observations about the behaviour of road users in the region as well as their suggestions on what can be done to improve safety.”
Submissions are open until May 19 and will be followed by public hearings later this year with a final report back to parliament expected in March 2024.
Mitchell Shire Council is providing the region’s best artists an opportunity to showcase their creative talent at the hArt23 exhibition.
The exhibition aims to showcase and celebrate the work of youth and adult artists who live, work or are connected to Mitchell Shire.
The exhibition is open everyday 10am to 4pm from June 9 to 18, except June 13, at the Broadford Hall, 113 High Street, Broadford.
This year, in addition to the open category, there will be two new categories for hArt23, the climate solutions prize and the youth artist prize for artists aged 12 to 24.
The theme for the climate solutions prize is ‘Nurturing Hope Through Creativity’, which ties in with the work council is doing with community to create a Climate Emergency Action Plan.
First prize for climate solutions category is $500 along with two highly commended prizes of $300 each.
Prizes will be judged on elements that help people understand climate risks, innovation or inspire hope and meaningful change.
Prize winners will also receive the book ‘Retrosuburbia’ by David Holmgren, valued at $85.
In the youth category, participants are also eligible for one of three art supplies gift vouchers valued at $300.
Prizes will be announced at the opening night event on June 9, from 6pm to 8pm.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said it was obvious there were many creative and talented people who lived in the region.
“You see this through displays at markets, galleries, public exhibitions and competitions and on walls in local cafes and gathering spaces,” she said.
“I’m pleased to see Mitchell Shre Council is expanding the opportunities to showcase this talent and these works and I look forward to seeing what’s on offer.”
Works in hArt23 can be two or three dimensional in any medium, including digital, projections, painting, drawing, mixed media, ceramics, small sculptures, photography, textiles and jewellery.
HISTORY has resurfaced with the reissuing of the book Broadford: A Regional History, which June Fletcher first published and edited 48 years ago.
Ms Fletcher, who passed away last year, was a longtime Broadford resident and compiled a detailed book about the history of the town and the families who were a key part of the community.
In collaboration with Broadford Historical Society members, led by president Rod Mackenzie, the new edition was coordinated through Lowden Publisher Co with Bronwyn Lowden who scanned the original text and photos.
The new edition now has an added chapter on the Indigenous Taungurung presence at Broadford, written by Martin Williams, as well as an updated listing of all known Broadford Shire councillors up until 1994, compiled by former councillors Alan Stute and Kath Mackenzie.
There are also new photos. researched and copied by John Brissett, giving full names, and a greater, expanded index, adding known birth and death dates, and maiden names in the case of female listings.
Lowden Publisher Co founder Jim Lowden said the current book highlighted a new generation of printing where automated technology was used to copy from an electronically supplied file and digitally printed images.
“It is publication number 82 from Lowden Publishing Co, a publisher which was established in Kilmore in 1968 and carries the distinguishing logo of the rearing horse,” he said.
“The original edition of the first set was in linotype, paged up with footnotes, and hand set headings in monotype.
“It was then printed eight pages at a time on the Heidelberg SBG flatbed printing machine on the Lowden property ‘Lyndhurst’, Kilmore West.
“The 16-page sections were next folded and intermittent pages of plates were wrapped around the required sections. The ordered sections were subsequently collated and they were sent to bookbinders Irwin and McLaren in Richmond where they were sewn into individual books.
“The preprinted endpapers were pasted on, and the books were then glued by hand into gold blocked, cloth covered board covers and placed into a screw-down press until dry.”
The newly-published book is available from the Broadford and District Historical Society; Victoria Heritage Survey Museum Bookshop, Court House, Kilmore; Red Door Books, Lancefield; and Royal Historical Society of Victoria Bookshop in Melbourne.
