Broadford backs Blake Inness’ cross country campaign

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April 18, 2023

Broadford backs Blake Inness’ cross country campaign

By Colin MacGillivray

Broadford Secondary College school captain Blake Inness is eagerly anticipating a once-in-a-lifetime trip to compete in cross country running races in the USA later this year – all he needs is the money to get there.

Blake was offered a place on an athletics tour of the south-western United States by Sports Travel Australia after running a qualifying time at last year’s School Sport Victoria cross country state finals.

Sports Travel Australia offers qualifying athletes a chance to compete against high school students in North America, but team members must pay for the full cost of their tour.

Facing a bill of about $8000, not including spending money, Blake knew he would need help to achieve his dream, and the Broadford Secondary College community was eager to come to his aid.

Fellow school captain Danielle Spratling and pathways manager Deb Hubbard have spearheaded a fundraising campaign in support of Blake, using a bake sale at recent parent-teacher interviews to raise more than $900.

Danielle said plans for a crazy hair day – inspired by Blake’s flowing locks – and an ice cream sale were also in the works.

She also created a sponsorship proposal for local businesses who wanted to support Blake.

“I don’t mind putting in the time. Blake’s a great guy and he deserves it,” she said.

“It’s all worth it and I hope the community chips in and gets around him.”

Ms Hubbard said the school’s teachers were determined to help Blake raise the money he needed.

“We’re extremely proud of this young man and what he’s capable of,” she said.

“He’s one of those kids who is exceptionally humble and never asks for anything, and I think that’s why everyone wants to support him.

“He’s always the first to ask if anyone needs help or support and he’s always the last one to leave when something needs to be done.

“We’ll get him there. There’s no way he’s going to miss it.”

A9207605 — Fellow captain Danielle Spratling, left, and school pathways manager Deb Hubbard have spearheaded a fundraising campaign to allow Blake to compete.

Blake said it was ‘absolutely amazing’ to have the support of his school community and that he would be thrilled to represent Broadford internationally.

“To be able to go over there to run and represent the school, and to have the school back me up is a great feeling. I’m super excited,” he said.

“I’ve never been [to the United States] before, so that’s going to be a fun experience.”

Blake said his parents were both strong runners but that he did not begin to take cross country seriously until recently.

“I love running. I can’t explain why I like it, it’s just fun to do,” he said.

“I’ve got a running program where I do three good runs a week, and I play a lot of basketball so I’m getting a lot of training in.

“I just run around town most of the time. I’ve also got a half marathon coming up on the Great Ocean Road.”

Ms Hubbard encouraged local businesses and residents to sponsor Blake.

She said the school had set up a bank account and could provide receipts for tax-deductible donations.

“We’re hoping to organise a T-shirt where, if he gets sponsors, we can put their logos on it and he can represent Broadford over there,” she said.

“We’re hoping there will be a few local businesses willing to jump on board.

“We’ve got one of the best communities around. Mitchell Shire is always supportive.”

People interested in sponsoring Blake or donating to his fundraising campaign can contact Ms Hubbard by emailing deborah.hubbard@education.vic.gov.au or calling the school on 5784 1200.

Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: April 17, 2023

Lauren Duffy

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April 18, 2023

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Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: April 17, 2023

Theft of motor vehicle

Between 8pm on April 11 and 7.30am on April 12 unknown offenders stole a grey 2008 Volkswagen Passat parked out the front of an address on Butler Street, Seymour.

Graffiti damage

On April 9 at 3.45pm unknown offenders gained access into vacant premises located on King Street, Wallan. Once access was gained the offenders graffitied the walls inside.

Theft from motor vehicle

Between 7pm on April 6 and 07.30am on April 11 unknown offenders approached a vehicle parked on Lyons Way, Wallan and gained access, stealing black Armani prescription sunglasses.

Theft of a parcel

On April 4 at approximately 1pm, unknown offenders approached a house on Highlands Road, Seymour and stole a parcel that was delivered to the premises.

Burglaries

Between 5pm the April 3 and 11.45am April 4 unknown offenders attended a vacant display house on Budd Avenue Wallan. The offenders gained access to the property by breaking the lock on the front door. The offenders took a couch, chairs bedside table, wine, and a gift basket.

At 10.14am on April 1, unknown offenders gained access into a school on Pinniger Street. Broadford. The offenders gained access through a window that seemed to be altered to be kept unlocked. Police believe the offenders were inside no longer than five minutes before being spooked by an alarm. Nothing was stolen.

Theft from shop

On April 3 at approximately 4.20pm an offender walked into a supermarket on High Street, Broadford. The offender asked for one packet of Capstan tobacco, two packets of Tally Ho filters and had a block of Cadbury chocolate. The offender swiped their card, which declined. The offender was advised the payment was unsuccessful, after which he stated he would not pay and walked out, taking the items.

Theft of motor vehicle

On April 6, unknown offenders attended a property at Dry Creek Crescent, Wandong and stole a black 2004 Holden Commodore VY

Theft of puppies

Wallan Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a theft of two puppies that occurred in Alcantara Avenue, Wallan on March 21 at approximately 3.15pm. The puppies were safety located later that day, although police are still seeking the offender.

Burglary

On April 11 an unknown offender gained entry to a business on Sydney Street, Kilmore. The offender smashed the front door with an unknown object and reached inside to open the door. The offender has then used another object to purposely damage three computer monitors.

Sureway break in A9209245 — Police investigate a break-in at Sureway on Kilmore’s Sydney Street.

Whittlesea students embrace Anzac Day

Lauren Duffy

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April 18, 2023

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By Colin MacGillivray

RETURNED and Services League, RSL, leaders are thrilled that younger generations are engaging with the history of Anzac Day as they prepare for dawn services across the Whittlesea region next week.

Whittlesea and Doreen RSL sub-branches will each host dawn services on Tuesday, and Doreen RSL secretary Sarah Evers said the services were rapidly growing in popularity.

With the Doreen Cenotaph located on the grounds of Laurimar Primary School, Ms Evers said it presented a unique chance for the sub-branch to get young people involved in Anzac Day commemorations.

“The school donated a portion of their land for the cenotaph, which is very unique,” she said.

“Jason McBean, the principal at Laurimar Primary School, is fundamental to our services. He works in conjunction with our committee, so we’re very lucky.

“This year for the first time we’ve got Mernda Central College and Gilsons College both laying wreaths. That brings in more young people as well.

“The kids love it. We go right down to the local day-care, where the kids make paper wreaths and do craft activities leading up to it. They’re all so proud.

“We try to keep the service relevant for a younger audience bearing in mind we’ve got all the kids there.”

Ms Evers said the influx of new attendees to the dawn services had been wonderful to see.

“Each year it is growing and growing. It’s getting quite large,” she said.

“This year we’re putting up additional viewing screens further down towards the post office.

“It’s excellent considering that when we started, we had maybe 70-odd people attending. Now it reaches all the way down to the post office and whole car park and both neighbouring streets are full.”

Attendees to Doreen RSL’s dawn services are advised to congregate at the cenotaph on the corner of Painted Hills Road and Armidale Road, Doreen, from 5.15am for a 5.50am ceremony.

Refreshments will be available at Doreen RSL, located at the Laurimar Sporting Complex on Montville Street, following the service.

Whittlesea RSL will host a dawn service at the Arch Memorial on the corner of Forest and Walnut streets, Whittlesea, starting at 5.45am.

An Anzac Day march will step off at the intersection of Church and Fir streets in Whittlesea at 2.30pm.

Refreshments will be available at Whittlesea Bowls Club, Church Street, on the day.

For more information about the Whittlesea dawn service or march, people can call 9716 1361. People can call Ms Evers for more information about the Doreen service on 0487 384 963.

Determined open for Wallan in RDFNL

Lauren Duffy

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April 18, 2023

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By Colin MacGillivray

DESPITE heavy player turnover, Wallan showed its determination to remain among the Riddell District Football Netball League’s upper echelon sides with a tough 13-point win against Romsey on Saturday.

The Magpies lost about a dozen players from last year’s side that came within one win of a grand final appearance, fielding a staggering 10 debutants against the Redbacks on Saturday.

But while Wallan assistant coach Spencer Mathieson said the side was still finding its footing, the Magpies were able to pull together to turn a first-half deficit into a 7.12 (54) to 5.11 (41) win amid windy and rainy conditions.

Romsey kicked with the breeze at its back in the first term and got three goals on the board to earn the ascendency.

Wallan was able to create chances of its own in the second quarter but kicked an errant 1.5 to trail by four points at the long break.

Mathieson said the team came out with renewed focus in the third quarter.

“We had to make sure we came out after half time with the same intent we had in the first quarter. We had a very good quarter in the first quarter going into the wind,” he said.

“I thought our third quarter was the best for the game. I think we won the quarter by 11 points kicking into the breeze.”

Of the 10 new faces in the Wallan side, Carlton VFL-listed big man Hayden Gill was a standout, dominating ruck contests and collecting plenty of possessions.

Gill meshed well with Wallan’s returning senior players, with reigning Bowen medalist Steve Boyall, half forward Sean Morris, emerging youngster Brodie Gilchrist and captain Michael Mannix all named among the team’s best.

Mathieson said the Magpies had plenty of scope for improvement after the encouraging win, while also paying tribute to their Romsey opponents.

“We’ve played a couple of practice matches and the more time we play together the better we’re getting. It will take time, but there were positive signs for sure,” he said.

“Romsey have improved. They’ve recruited some good players over the off-season, so they’re going to be in the mix for the top four as well.”

New Romsey coach Justin Sherman said a loss of composure in the third quarter that saw Romsey give away three 50-metre penalties cost the Redbacks.

“We felt like we probably had the upper hand in the first half and then a few undisciplined acts in the third quarter really cost us,” he said.

“When they got their tails up, we couldn’t stop the rot. It was unfortunate, but like I said to the boys after the game, it’s an easy fix.

“It’s not like we have to change anything within our game plan, it’s just about being disciplined and staying in the moment when things are going against you.”

Sherman said he was pleased with the effort from all of his players but singled out the performance of young defender Kane Brinkhuis, who held Wallan spearhead Matt Perri goalless.

“[Perri has] been a terrific forward in our competition for a long period of time and it was a really big match-up for Kane being an up-and-coming star for our team,” Sherman said.

“I thought he was sensational and he was certainly our best player. He killed every contest and gave us a lot of rebound out of the back 50, so all in all I thought he was terrific.”

Wallan will now turn its attention to a round two match against Melton Centrals, while Romsey has a bye. Lancefield will play its first match of the season this weekend in a road game against Woodend-Hesket.

Plenty of lessons in loss for Kilmore Blues

Lauren Duffy

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April 18, 2023

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Plenty of lessons in loss for Kilmore Blues

By Colin MacGillivray

A SLOPPY second quarter set the stage for Kilmore’s 70-point loss to Laurimar in the first round of Northern Football Netball League division three action, but Blues coach Paul Derrick saw reason for optimism in the performance.

Kilmore fielded a younger side than in previous seasons after losing experienced players including two-time league best-and-fairest Chris Ryall over the summer, and were handed a tough first-up game against the 2022 runners-up.

Kicking into a breeze at Laurimar Recreation Reserve, the Blues failed to register a score in the first quarter but restricted the home side to only three goals of their own.

It was the second quarter where Derrick said his charges lost their way, kicking only three behinds and allowing the Power to score 4.4 to trail by 49 points at the long break.

“It’s always going to hurt you when you have a four-goal breeze and you don’t score with it,” he said.

“The second half was a lot better. There will still mistakes, but there was much better effort.”

23 04 15 16 11 24 A9200314 — Kilmore co-captain Leigh Irons applies pressure.

Kilmore finally began to hit the scoreboard in the second half, with Riley Mclaughlin, Liam Salter, Bailey Taylor-Egan and Mick McCulloch all managing single goals to add some respectability to the 4.12 (36) to 15.16 (106) loss.

While the Blues were soundly beaten, Derrick was encouraged by the play of Kilmore’s backline.

“I thought the backline was actually pretty good for most of the day. I think [Laurimar] kicked five goals from free kicks and another three from 50-metre penalties, so the backline actually held up alright,” he said.

“There were great signs from Mitch Portoglou at full back who did really well all day. Grant Paxton also did a great job on [Jacson] Cecil. He’s one of the best forwards in the comp and I think he got two goals from free kicks and didn’t get a touch the rest of the day.”

Also impressive were brothers Marcus and Max Lacorcia, while 16-year-old Ben Doyle showed positive signs in his senior debut.

23 04 15 15 12 08 A9209508 — Max Lacorcia outpoints his Laurimar opponent in a marking contest.

Derrick said with more than half the Kilmore side under the age of 25, development and consistency would be key.

“Some of the efforts of the young guys were fantastic. Maintaining that for four quarters is going to be the challenge,” he said.

“We’ve got a bunch of blokes who haven’t played 20 games, but that’s up to our older heads too to set the standard and make sure they understand how to go about it.”

23 04 15 16 21 14 A9200526 — Blues co-captain Mick Marrett pivots away from a defender.

Kilmore will host competition newcomer Kinglake this Saturday in a game Derrick said was ‘huge’ for his side.

“There’s two teams in this league that play for a town and not just a team. We’re a town and they’re a town, so it will be a big challenge that we really want to win,” he said.

Whittlesea

For one half of Whittlesea’s division one clash with Montmorency, Eagles supporters dared to dream of an upset.

The visitors led by 10 points at quarter time and trailed by only a goal at the main break – a surprising result for a Whittlesea team that narrowly avoided relegation to division two last year against a powerhouse Magpies side.

With Riley Carter playing a superb game on the wing and Luke Jeffs looking threatening around goals, the Eagles matched the Magpies’ four goals in the first half, but could not sustain the effort after the long break.

The home side kicked away with 11.8 to 2.2 in the second half to win 15.17 (107) to 6.5 (41).

Jeffs was the sole multiple-goal kicker for Whittlesea with two, while Carter, Jaron Murphy, Riley Powell and Christian Prestopino registered singles.

Tom Falls, Matthew Atta, Harley Fraumano and Deaking Tenant joined Carter and Jeffs among Whittlesea’s best players.

The Eagles will host Heidelberg this weekend in their first home game of the season.

Northern Health and DPV collaboration renewed

Lauren Duffy

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April 18, 2023

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Northern Health and DPV collaboration renewed

NORTHERN Health and DPV Health have re-signed a collaborative memorandum of understanding, MOU, to support initiatives in shared service planning and delivery to help the growing communities.

The MOU allows the initiatives to explore opportunities to collaborate and deliver priority and wellbeing issues, including advocating for the northern corridor for better resources and enhancing primary and secondary prevention activity to reduce the impact of chronic disease in Melbourne’s north.

DPV Health chief executive Don Tidbury said he was delighted to renew a collaboration that had achieved remarkable outcomes for the communities of outer-north Melbourne.

“A connected health system is vital to ensuring our community is able to access high quality and inclusive health services,” he said.

“DPV Health and Northern Health will work together to empower people to keep healthy and safe in the community through pursuing innovation in service planning, codesign and delivery.”

Northern Health chief executive Siva Sivarajah said with a list of objectives, Northern Health was on board to contributing to essential health.

“Re-signing Northern Health’s collaboration with DPV ensures that together we can continue to deliver the best possible health outcomes for our community,” he said.

“This MOU has proven to be extremely successful, and we’re excited to see the positive impact it will continue to have on our growing catchment.”

Freemasons to tell-all at upcoming open night

Grace Frost

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April 18, 2023

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Freemasons to tell-all at upcoming open night

By Grace Frost

MEMBERS of the Mitchell Masonic Lodge are reminding the Mitchell community to attend their public open night on Wednesday, April 26.

The Freemasons are hoping the open night will inspire new memberships and involvement in Freemasonry, as well as provide those taking part an opportunity to learn more about the mission and vision of the foundation.

Attendees can expect a tour of the lodge room and temple, an in-depth description of the 10 Freemasonry roles, and to hear personal testimony about the organisation from experienced Freemasons, including lodge secretary and previous master David Atkinson.

The occasion will mark the first of its kind in nearly 17 years since the merger of Broadford Masonic Lodge 174, and Kilmore Masonic Lodge 32, which formed Mitchell Lodge 929 in 2006.

The Freemasons encourage families and descendants of existing members, community groups, sporting clubs, businesses and local RSL sub-branches to attend.

Despite being a men-only organisation, the Mitchell Freemasons are also inviting women to attend the open night for a better understanding of Freemasonry, and to support their partners.

The open night will commence at 5.30pm at 23 Murchison Street, Broadford, with information and time for questions from visitors, followed by a supper.

Attendees are asked to dress neat casual.

The Freemasons also invited the public to attend a ‘ceremony of the vacant chair’ at 7.30pm, which the organisation presents in commemoration of Anzac Day to pay tribute to soldiers who left for war but did not return home.

To book or to find more information, people can call David Atkinson on 5781 0728 or 0402 457 810 or email davidakko@hotmail.com or contact Laurie Stelfox on 5784 2577 or 0407 802 237.

Home-track medicine for Hanna

Lauren Duffy

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April 18, 2023

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By ‘Pegs’

KILMORE trainer Hanna Powell and her husband, former Fitzroy (VFL) footballer, Ian Powell, didn’t have to wait long for a return on their new acquisition, Matao Ma ($3.30-$3) at bet365 Park Kilmore last Thursday.

The Powells purchased the four-year-old gelded son of Brazen Beau and Fortune’s Choice online late last year for $19,000 after the previous training partnership of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr sacked the gelding after a $1.40 beaten favourite at Hamilton in September.

Taken to the lead from an outside barrier, the gelding was beautifully rated by the Group 1-winning hoop, Dean Holland, and held on for an impressive win in the $27,000 bet365 Top Tote Plus Maiden Plate over 1112 metres.

matao mia kilmore — Matao Ma with Dean Holland aboard an all-the-way winner over Kessler (Rhys McLeod) at bet365 Park Kilmore last Thursday. Photo: Racing Photos

The gelding defeated the debutant Kessler ($21) by a length with River Frost ($5.50) a further four lengths away third.

Matao Ma’s win was a pick-me-up for the trainer who hasn’t enjoyed the best of good health of late having been hospitalised for eight days recently.

“I could not have got this far without ‘Chappy’ (longtime stable assistant Robert Chapman) and track rider Tyson Barton – they have been absolute fantastic,” Hanna said.

Powell said depending on his rating, the gelding will have his next start back at Kilmore in a ‘58’ on May 11.

The New Zealand-bred Matao Ma, who cost $220,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale had seven minor placings prior to his win from 11 starts.

hanna and tyson kilmore — Part-owner/trainer Hanna Powell and strapper and trackrider Tyson Barton with Matao Ma after the gelding’s win. Photo: Racing Photos

Impressive winner

Another impressive winner on the Kilmore’s eight-race card was the Vincent Nolan owned and trained Prooinga ($3.10) in the Grays Bendigo BM58 Handicap over 1612 metres.

The Seymour-trained Wandjina five-year-old gelding dawdled out of the stalls, missing the start by three lengths.

Rider Jake Duffy didn’t panic and railed up getting a beautiful passage on the turn and came away to win by three lengths.

The gelding has been a model of consistency winning two races with five minor placings from his 12 starts.

All clear for Seymour

The Seymour surface was given the tick of approval by all after its eight-race program last Friday.

The meeting was the first since November 11 last year after a long break and then had to contend with grass contamination due to flooding.

Favourite punters got off to a good start with the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained stablemates, Count Nicholas ($1.50) and Punch Line ($2.20) taking out the first two races respectively. Both were ridden by the in-form Ben Allen.

Former Seymour apprentice Tahlia Hope, aboard the Dan McCarthy-trained Ferlaxing ($5), got up in a blanket finish to eclipse her father Shannon and Pa Lee-trained Syrup ($10) in the Yarran Thoroughbreds BM58 Handicap over 1400 metres.

The next Seymour meeting is on Thursday, April 27.

Upgrades for new social hub in Bundoora

Lauren Duffy

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April 18, 2023

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TRANSFORMING the western end of Norris Bank Reserve in Bundoora into a social hub will soon commence after mid-April.

The City of Whittlesea’s redevelopment of the reserve off McLeans Road will appeal to a younger audience, with the creation of a performance space, social space with wi-fi access, multi-use basketball court and grass embankment in the reserve.

Picture1 1 — Norris Bank Reserve upgrade concept plan provided by City of Whittlesea

Installation will also be made along the upgraded paths with LED lighting to improve access to the reserve and public transport.

Made possible through the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, the previous stage of the Norris Bank Reserve gained a dedicated off-leash dog area and playground featuring a player tower with slides, water play area and upgraded picnic facilities.

The works for the third stage will start in mid-April and are expected to continue until October.

A temporary fence will be formed around the construction site and signs will direct visitors to other pedestrian pathways.

Meanwhile, the off-leash dog park at Norris Bank Reserve will be closed on April 26 and 27 for upgrade works including expanding the concrete footing around the drinking fountain and earthworks to improve drainage.

The upgrade will include expanding the concrete footing around the drinking fountain and earthworks to improve drainage.

For more information, contact the Capital Delivery department on 9217 2006 or email parks@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Assistant dog talks for Probus in Whittlesea

Lauren Duffy

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April 18, 2023

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Assistant dog talks for Probus in Whittlesea

ASSISTANCE dogs were the topic at the last April meeting at The Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea that introduced a black English Labrador named Lola, with her companion Andrew Hall who is a retired army warrant officer that served for 27 years.

Mr Hall, who is the Montmorency Eltham RSL Sub-Branch senior vice president and welfare officer, acted as Lola’s interpreter while the club learnt about assistant dogs.

Most attendees at the meeting were known to Guide Dogs that help the visually impaired or hearing dogs, but service dogs like Lola are trained for people with stress related illnesses, specifically veterans like Mr Hall who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD.

At the meeting, Mr Hall briefly went into details of his service in combat service and how he was not aware of his PTSD that caused him to medically retire.

Lola and Mr Hall met at the Dogs for Life training, which is one of the dog training providers contracted to help the Department of Veteran Affairs assist veterans nationally.

After years of training from the Department of Veteran Affairs Psychiatric Assistance Dog program, Lola has helped Mr Hall become more active and can detect when he is stressed while sleeping.

It was discovered at the meeting that eight to ten years is the anticipated active life, and the retired dog remains with the family.

Mr Hall explained that he does not know whether he will need a companion after Lola retires but was keen that her assistance has changed his life, including the quality of his wife’s life who was previously his carer.

Towards the end of the meeting, the speaker coordinator Teresa Carlin gave Lola and Mr Hall a gift each.