AFTER more than two decades of safely shepherding Assumption College students across Kilmore’s Sutherland Street, crossing supervisor Liz Ryan has finally hung up her stop sign.
Ms Ryan served as a crossing supervisor at the school for 23 years, forging close relationships with staff, students and parents in her time.
“I love the job and I’m really going to miss the kids. They are just fantastic,” she said.
“I’ve seen the majority of them through primary school, then come here, leave school and have children of their own.”
Ms Ryan said she first became a crossing supervisor in Melbourne before moving to Willowmavin with her late husband, who returned to the area to run his family’s farm.
When she heard crossing supervisors were needed in Kilmore, she applied and was given the job.
Ms Ryan said a friendly personality was an essential part of the job.
“I think you need someone who can talk to the kids. I think you definitely have to have the respect of the kids,” she said.
Ms Ryan said she would miss the job but was looking forward to having more relaxation time.
“The only reason I’m going is because my back is killing me. I think after 23 years I’ve earned a break,” she said.
KILMORE Village will celebrate its second birthday on Saturday with a range of fun activities for families.
The shopping centre, which opened its doors for the first time in April 2021, will host face painting from 10am to 12pm, an animal farm from 1pm to 4pm and children’s mascots including Minions and Batman will feature from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm respectively.
A giant game of pass the parcel will kick off at 10am, with a chance to win a two-hour face painting package.
The event will be hosted at Kilmore Village at 109 Northern Highway, Kilmore.
For more information people can visit kilmorevillage.com.au or search for Kilmore Village on Facebook.
WHITTLESEA’S first ever pride festival will be celebrated on May 7, with a range of family-friendly activities available to help raise awareness.
Whittlesea Community Connections is hosting the event with the City of Whittlesea and partnering with organisations including Banyule Community Health, DPV Health, Kids First and Bi Alliance Victoria.
Kicking off at 11am, the family-friendly event will feature a range of stalls offering interactive activities such as arts and crafts, food trucks and live drag performances to celebrate all identities, backgrounds, and orientations.
The festival will also accomodate for accessibility needs, providing gender-neutral toilets, changing rooms, a quite space, wheelchair accessibility and safety officers and youth workers available on-site.
Whittlesea Community Connections youth worker Sarah Wassouf said the event was to bring lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and the broader LGBTQIA+, community members together, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of the main reasons is thinking about how isolating the COVID-19 lockdowns and pandemic was, especially for young LGBTQIA+ community members, so we are trying to create opportunities for people to come together, increase social participation and to support each other,” she said.
As more pride festivals are offered in Melbourne, Ms Wassouf said it was crucial to give similar opportunities and safe spaces to young LGBTQIA+ members in the City of Whittlesea.
“We saw that as you know presenting a major accessibility issue, we felt it was important to finally bring some of the festivities to the City of Whittlesea,” she said.
“The event is just there to celebrate all things pride, diversity, and we hope that it’s a pathway into reducing social isolation, and just working towards positive wellbeing outcomes for everyone, specifically for those who identify as LGBTQIA+.”
Outside the festival, Ms Wassouf works with LGBTQIA+ youth and facilitates a rainbow group at Epping Secondary College that comes together once a month.
“It’s creating a safe space for them where they can talk about how they’re navigating different spaces of their life, whether it’s their sexuality or cultural, also planning activities and events in the school, giving purpose and a safe space,” she said.
Ms Wassouf said the festival would provide information on different services around wellbeing, and hoped the festival would become a once-a-year event.
The Whittlesea Pride Festival will be at Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium, located at 146-156 McDonalds Road, Epping, from 11am to 4pm.
More than one million Victorian households have benefited from $250 directly into their pockets through the fourth round of the Power Saving Bonus, including more than 11,500 residents in Yan Yean.
The latest round of the program has seen 40 per cent of applicants find a better energy deal, with thousands of people across the state choosing to save by changing their energy deal through the Victorian Energy Compare website.
Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage last week ran a booth at the Mernda Junction Shopping Centre to help residents who may struggle with online technology or speak a language other than English to claim their Power Saving Bonus.
She said it was an opportunity to connect with members of the community and to help as many people as possible to claim their bonus.
“We know around 11,500 people from this area have claimed the Power Saving Bonus already and around 40 per cent of those people now have a cheaper energy deal,” she said.
“That’s what makes us so passionate about getting out and making sure as many people as possible are claiming the power saving bonus, that’s why we’ve been at these community centres helping people to get the best deal and get the $250 back in their pocket.”
In addition, more than 500 applicants have received assistance to navigate the energy market, apply for eligible grants and concessions, find and switch to better offers and address billing errors through the Energy Assistance Program, which provides consumers experiencing hardship with one-on-one assistance.
To access the $250 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.
KILMORE’S senior footballers got a taste of the unknown in their first meeting with Northern Football Netball League division three newcomer Kinglake on Saturday, but the unknown proved unpalatable in a 7.8 (50) to 10.15 (75) loss for the Blues.
Playing in front of a home crowd for the first time in 2023, Kilmore made a strong start to lead by a point at quarter time.
In the second quarter the Lakers began to assert themselves, although an inaccurate 1.5 from the visitors kept Kilmore within striking distance at the main break.
It was the third term where most of the damage was done, with the red-hot Lakers piling on six goals to two to take a nearly unassailable 31-point lead into the final quarter.
Kilmore made some belated inroads, kicking three goals to one in the fourth, but could not reel the Lakers in.
Kilmore co-captains Leigh Irons and Mick Marrett were among the best for Kilmore, as was key defender Mitch Portoglou for a second straight week.
Aaron Speak was the side’s sole multiple-goal kicker, slotting two for the afternoon, while Bailey Derrick, Mick McCulloch, Grant Paxton, Cole Isbister and Riley McLaughlin registered singles.
The Blues will have time to regroup with a bye in round three before hosting perennial cellar dweller Reservoir on May 6.
Whittlesea
Whittlesea was also left licking its wounds after a loss to reigning division one premier Heidelberg, going down 8.7 (55) to 20.17 (137).
The Eagles were outclassed in the first half, trailing by nearly 12 goals at the long break, but put in a much improved showing to win the second half by a kick.
Whittlesea midfielder Riley Carter contests a loose ball during the Eagles’ division one clash with Heidelberg.
Christian Prestopino’s five-goal haul gave the supporters at Whittlesea Showgrounds something to cheer about, while wingman Mitch Andrews, centre half forward Riley Powell, ruckman Thomas Flood and onballer Taidhg Bland impressed.
The winless Eagles face another challenge in round three as they travel to Yulong Reserve to play Bundoora, which is coming off a 54-point win against North Heidelberg.
THIS year’s Good Friday Appeal efforts have resulted in a record-breaking day for the Kilmore Fire Brigade, with $16,951.65 raised by volunteers during the day.
The brigade’s efforts were supported by more than 50 volunteers who travelled around Kilmore to collect donations, which included people of all ages from the Kilmore Scouts.
Kilmore CFA member Garry Callinan said the strong turnout helped make the day a great success.
“We had members of the public who saw the Facebook post come down and help, and because of that we had people in the petrol stations getting donations from people passing through for the long weekend which contributed,” he said.
“It was a long day, I thought with the numbers it would shorten the day but we still ended up working similar hours to the previous year which just shows you how much the town’s growing.”
The fundraising efforts for the day concluded around 3pm, with volunteers also helping for any amount of time that suited them.
Mr Callinan thanked everyone who supported this year’s Good Friday Appeal, including the Kilmore Scouts, SES and CFA, as well as Seymour Bus Lines, Kemp’s Bakery, Kilmore Pizza House, Kilmore Kebabs and Chicken, OKR FM, and the Review.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has outlined the issue of overweight trucks using the single-lane bridge on Darraweit Valley Road is still a priority following the floods in October last year.
Darraweit Guim was among the communities hardest hit in the Macedon Ranges Shire, following the flooding of the Deep Creek in October last year.
Major flooding in the Deep Creek caused extensive inundation in the rural areas and towns, which disrupted traffic and isolated some properties.
The level of the Deep Creek at Darraweit Guim peaked at a major flood level of 7.68 metres
Following the floods council enforced a 15-tonne weight limit to safeguard the Darraweit Valley Road bridge on the north side of town.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council director of assets and operations Shane Walden said council had received reports of heavy vehicles continuing to use the bridge, however a ‘high level of compliance’ was reported during recent monitoring.
“We reported this to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, who attended the site last month,” he said.
“Multiple vehicles were checked and a high level of compliance was recorded. The regulator will endeavour to continue monitoring the location as resources permit.”
Mr Walden said council was looking to install extra signage in advance of the bridge in addition to the current 15-tonne limit signs.
SEYMOUR trainer Lesia Masnyj was presented with her biggest thrill in five years of racing at Ladbrokes Park Sandown last Wednesday when her mare Mothereens dead-heated with The Maggstar.
Judges couldn’t split the mares, with both trainers of Ukranian heritage thrilled with saddling-up their first city winners in the Metcap Finance National Apprentice Race Series over 1300 metres.
Mothereens, $26, is a five-year-old daughter of Squamosa and the good race mare, Marwina Lass.
The mare gave the star apprentice Celine Gaudray the second of four winners on the eight-race program.
The $3 race favourite Extreme Ally finished third, three quarters of a length behind the dead-heaters.
Mothereens had four minor placings prior to her maiden win from her 17 starts.
HOOFNOTE: The Tryzub – the Ukranian coat of arms – was adorned on both sets of colours while the set carried to victory by Gaudrey also included the country’s national flower, the sunflower.
Father and son combine
Fellow Seymour trainer Stephen Brown got a double thrill out of saddling-up My Brothers Keeper, $26, at Sportsbet-Pakenham last Thursday night.
Brown’s son, Stephen Jr, was aboard the three-year-old gelded son of Fiorent and Any Dane Now, giving the comeback jockey his second win since a long recovery from life-threatening injuries incurred in a jumpout fall at Wangaratta in November 2018.
Stephen M Brown returns to the mounting yard on My Brothers Keeper after winning the Sportsbet Bet With Mates BM64 Handicap, at Sportsbet Pakenham on April 20, 2023 in Pakenham, Australia. (Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos)
The Browns combined to take out the $40,000 Sportsbet Bet With Mates BM64 Handicap over 1600 metres defeating the $2.60 favourite Whakamana by a short half-head with Philadelphia Storm ($4.40) a further three-and-a-half lengths away third.
“It was a big thrill to see Stephen aboard,” Brown Sr said.
“That was a handy field and he had no luck last start. He’s a nice horse.”
Brown said there was a nice race for him at Sandown over 1800 metres on May 6, worth $150,000.
Bred at Gleneagles Stud, Yarra Valley by Kevan and Lyn Waycey and raced by them in partnership, has now won two races with a minor placing from only five starts.
Wodonga winners
District stables shared success at bet365 Park Wodonga last Friday.
Kyneton trainer Liam Howley who is in the process of relocating to Macedon Lodge was successful in taking out the first – the Public Safety Training and Response Group Maiden Plate over 1590 metres with the $2 favourite Rhythmic Dragon.
Ridden by Mitch Aitken, the consistent Alpine Eagle four-year-old gelding, raced by Howley and other stable clients, had three minor placings prior to his win from 12 starts.
Later on the border-town program, Kilmore trainer Tony Chibnall was most impressive in an all-the-way win with Storm’s Colours ($4.40) in the Boss Better Living Systems Handicap over 1590 metres.
Storm’s Colours after winning the Boss Better Living Systems Handicap at bet365 Park Wodonga on April 21, 2023 in Wodonga, Australia. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)
Ridden by Jack Hill, the Fighting Sun five-year-old gelding defeated Rapid Ruby ($8) by three-and-a-half lengths, with Miss Athena, $6.50, a further three quarters of a length away third.
Storm’s Colours has now won six races with 15 minor placings from his 42 starts earning $167,628 in prizemoney.
Grand Final win
The Don Dwyer-trained Dishy’s, $10, was an all-the-way winner in the $25,000 Designer Coolroom The Victorian Picnic 22/23 Grand Final over 1600 metres at Cranbourne last Friday night.
Beautifully rated by premier picnic hoop, Shaun Cooper, the ultra-consistent Duporth seven-year-old gelding hung on to defeat the Tyson Barton mount Femme Americain, a $3 favourite, by one-and-a-quarter lengths, with Continuation, $11, third.
Dishy’s has now won 10 races with 18 minor placings from his 65 starts.
The Dwyer/Cooper combo travelled to Grenfell (NSW) the previous Saturday and were successful with Kulina, a $1.70 favourite, in the 1000-metre maiden.
Local takes the last
The Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club hosted a seven-race meeting at Bet365 Park Kyneton on Saturday and local trainer Neil Dyer saddled-up Svaneke, $11, for a comfortable win.
The Magnus six-year-old mare took out the bet365 Protest Promise 0-58 Handicap over 1850 metres.
Giving promising apprentice Tom Prebble the second leg of a riding treble, the mare defeated the $101 pop Unanchored by three quarters of a length, with Landgrave, $12, third.
THE Broadford Cemetery Trust last week passed on its gratitude to retiring members Alan and Lorraine Cook following a combined 48 years of dedicated service.
Alan joined the Broadford Cemetery Trust in 1991 and became a familiar face at the cemetery, spending numerous hours during his 31 years with the trust quietly attending to maintenance and capital works.
Lorraine took responsibility for hosting trust meetings and was the go-to person for any cemetery visitors looking for a particular grave, enquiring about a proposed burial or commenting on the cemetery itself, while also managing the phones and dealing with issues as they arose since joining the trust in 2001.
The pair lived next to the cemetery in Mollison Street until earlier this month and will now spend their retirement together at Willowmeade in Kilmore.
Lorraine Cook, left, with son Peter and husband Alan.
Broadford Cemetery Trust secretary Brian O’Dwyer said Alan and Lorraine’s time with the trust had left a memorable mark on the other members and the families of Broadford Cemetery.
“The Broadford community is very appreciative of Alan as he really was the ‘face of the cemetery’, who met most of the visitors, showed them around and was able to assist with their enquiries,” he said.
“Alan was particularly passionate in restoring the very old graves that had fallen into disrepair, underpinning them and making dangerous graves safe. He spent many hours cleaning the old marble headstones and repairing the engraving.”
The farewell was also an opportunity for people close to the Cooks and the cemetery to share memories and extend thanks to the pair, including Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens and cemetery gravedigger Archie Baines, who worked alongside Alan and Lorraine for many years.
Broadford Cemetery Trust chairman Paul Fleming reflected on memories with the pair and said Alan’s experience with other groups in Broadford helped to shape his approach to the cemetery.
“I have known Alan and Lorraine for most of my life and have admired them as they quietly and humbly ran a successful motor repair business in the town while also participating in sporting and community activities,” he said.
“[Alan] was often exposed to conflict, criticism and dispute from mostly emotionally driven families. He was so often the daily face of the cemetery – good days and bad days – and understood the emotion of dispute which he quietly absorbed and patiently, in most cases, resolved.”
The trust prepared a collection of historical images and accounts as additional certificates of appreciation, which was gifted to Alan and Lorraine at the farewell event.
WALLAN’S senior footballers avoided a week-two let-down against Melton Centrals, while Lancefield showed it will no longer be a Riddell District Football Netball League easybeat in an entertaining match against Woodend-Hesket.
The Magpies followed up their 13-point round one win over Romsey with a convincing 12.9 (81) to 7.4 (46) triumph against the Blues in a contest that was all but over by half time.
Wallan led by three goals at the first change and used hard running and precision ball use in the second term to build a 39-point advantage.
While Melton Centrals rebounded to slightly outscore the visitors in the second half, they were unable to find their way back into the game.
Wallan assistant coach Spencer Mathieson credited the Magpies for taking care of business against a tricky opponent.
“They surprised us and beat us a couple of years ago, so we knew we had to play well to win, which we did,” he said.
“Our second half probably wasn’t as good as our first half, but you have to give Melton some credit for that.
“We won the first quarter by three goals and we were pretty good with our ball use in the second quarter. We made the ground big and spread and ran, which is our asset.”
Mathieson said ruckman Patrick Mahoney was best afield, with Sean Morris, Jacob Langborne, Corey Viani, Steve Boyall and Hayden Gill also producing strong showings.
Langborne slotted three goals, while Jake Layley, Mason Bowden and Michael Baccari had two apiece.
Debutant Riley Evans set the tone for the win with a courageous piece of play that drew praise from Mathieson.
“Playing his first game, he went back with the flight, took an intercept mark and there was a clash of heads,” Mathieson said.
“He ended up with a slight fracture to his eye socket and went to hospital, but he really set the standard for how we want to go about it. It was just an unfortunate accident.
Wallan will play its first home game this weekend against the Western Rams, who look to have improved after a winless wooden spoon campaign in 2022.
Tigers show claws
Lancefield is another team that appears improved from last season, notching 31-point loss to Woodend-Hesket in its first game of the year.
The Tigers led by three goals at half time but faded after the long break, but should still take plenty of confidence from the result against a team that was in the finals mix last year.
Joel Regan was a target for the Tigers with three goals, while half forwards Lachlan Giles and Ben Bryant kicked two each in the 13.8 (86) to 18.9 (117) loss.
Onballer Zach Webb was Lancefield’s best performer, with backman Lukas Fellows also impressing.
Lancefield’s next test will be against 2022 grand finalist Diggers Rest at Bloomdale Oval on Saturday, while Romsey will return from a bye to play Melton Centrals.
Netball
Wallan’s A Grade netballers posted their second win from as many games on Saturday, seeing off a challenge from Melton Centrals.
Goal attack Rebekah Konstantopoulos was on target, missing only twice in 24 shot attempts, while shooter Maeve Donegan led the side with 27 goals.
Magpie goal defence Amanda Rothwell-Hiscock harassed her opponent into a much less efficient outing as the home side shot a collective 67 per cent.
Wallan will host the winless Western Rams in round three.
Lancefield, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a 27-53 loss at the hands of 2022 grand finalist Woodend-Hesket when they play Melton Central on the road.
The Tigers were able to try several combinations in the loss, with three players registering goals.
