Mitchell Shire Weekly Police News: March 21, 2023

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March 21, 2023

Crackdown on speeding vehicles

Police have received multiple reports from residents about vehicles speeding past schools on Newbridge Boulevard, Wallan East, during school drop-off and pick-up.

Between 8am and 9am on Thursday, Wallan police set up a laser along Newbridge Boulevard to assess the manner of driving being reported.

Police stopped and spoke to about 25 drivers, including cars and trucks, regarding their speed.

Police say the number of drivers stopped is a concern, but what surprises officers more was that a majority of the speeding drivers had young children in the back of their vehicles.

Police are urging drivers to slow down and obey speed limits and school zones.

Trespass on land

Between 7am and 4.30PM on Thursday, unknown offenders are believed to have trespassed onto a property located on Moody Court, Seymour. The property’s gate cannot be opened from the outside, leading the property owners to believe the offender possibly jumped over and opened the gate. There was no access to the premises, and nothing appears to be stolen.

Theft

A Stihl Ms201 chainsaw, valued at $2000, was stolen from a property in Allen Street, Kilmore, between 1pm and 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Accidental fire

A vehicle caught fire after possibly overheating on the Hume Freeway near Broadford on Tuesday evening.

Broadford CFA successfully extinguishing the fire, and no one was injured or any further vehicles or properties damaged.

Theft and criminal damage

An unknown offender damaged a diesel tank, and proceeded to steal about 400-600 litres of fuel from a business in East Street, Kilmore last week.

The theft occurred between 11pm opn March 10 and 10.30am on March 11.

Creating art in harmony at Whittlesea Secondary College

Pam Kiriakidis

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March 21, 2023

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Creating art in harmony at Whittlesea Secondary College

By Pam Kiriakidis

Promoting diversity was in the spotlight at Whittlesea Secondary College, as students from year eight to 10 created a cultural banner for Harmony Day.

Students and art teacher Ms Katelyn Peschel used a drawing and print-making class to mark Harmony Week with a mural, which on display on a large rock wall at the corner of Church and Lime streets.

Harmony Week is a celebration that recognises Australia’s diversity and brings together people from all different backgrounds to promote inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Starting her first community project with the school, Ms Peschel said it was incredible to find students drawing images that symbolised diversity.

“It’s been really great as a graduate teacher to work on a community project and give back to Whittlesea,” she said.

“The concept of Harmony Day is incredibly important to promote, and it has been a wonderful experience to show the students the value of visual arts in the wider community and watch them be so engaged in the project.”

Whittlesea Secondary College lead teacher in community, engagement and partnerships Kristin Jean, who was involved in setting up the activity, said the banner opened doors for students to connect with the wider community, including the City of Whittlesea who supported the display.

“I’ve already had community members contact me and say ‘wow what a great banner that the kids have produced, it looks fantastic’,” she said.

“For anyone that doesn’t know what Harmony Day is, it’s a great discussion point, and they can ask the kids and the kids have the knowledge to discuss it.”

Ms Jean said with her new role, the school was on board to create more community projects to tie in with important messages such as Harmony Day.

“From a community engagement role, it’s a priority for us and for me in my role … to work with organisations like Whittlesea council and with the kids, and the community” she said.

“It’s great for me in this role, to be able to give the teacher raised capacity to do these type of projects, anything that sits outside the classroom.

“It was a great project to build relationships with a new class.”

Racing: Great day for the Irish

Lauren Duffy

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March 21, 2023

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By ‘Pegs’

FORMER Irish jockey Robbie Downey celebrated St Patrick’s Day a day early, winning the last two races at Kyneton on Thursday.

Downey was aboard Firm As A Rock, paying $26, for Bendigo trainer Graham Donaldson and Handful, $6, for Coral and David Feek in the last race, the Bet365 Protest Promise Handicap over 2837 metres.

Downey also finished in second place aboard the Feek-trained Estrapaz, $5, in the 1469-metre Bendigo Service Centre Handicap.

Former fellow Irishman John Allen also rode a winning double for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace training duo aboard $2.80 favourite Frose and Lady Of Light, $3.80, giving the Irish riders four winners for the day.

Only two favourites saluted on the eight-race card with local stables shy of the winning post.

Geelong double

Seymour trainer Kate Goodrich and Kyneton horseman Mick Sell saddled up winners at Geelong’s traditional St Pat’s Cup meeting on Saturday.

The former was successful with Too Hard To Handle, $9.50, in the Wilma Kelly Archibald 0-58 Handicap over 1321 metres.

Ridden by Lewis German, the eight-year-old Hard Spun gelding led all the way to defeat Headsmart, $15, by a length, with My Prince Charming, $7, a further half-length away third.

too hard to handle geelong — Too Hard To Handle with Lewis German in the saddle a comfortable winner at Geelong on Saturday. Photo: Racing Photos

It has been three years to the week since the gelding’s last win, having now won three races with nine minor placings from his 35 starts, with winnings worth $114,300.

The following race, Sell was successful with the well-backed Mobamba, which shortened from $3.70 to $3.20.

Coming off a half-head defeat at Kilmore eight days earlier, the Stryker four-year-old gelding was patiently ridden by Rhys McLeod to get up in the 1121-metre Ballan Cup – 11th Nov 2023 0-58 Handicap.

The gelding defeated The Turffinator, $17, by a half-head with Hawkestone, $41, a further one and a half lengths away third.

Mobamba has now won two races with three minor placings from his 18 starts.

Coming up

Kilmore Racing Club will host its next turf meeting on Thursday, March 30. For Trackside Bistro or alfresco dining ring the club on 5783 0777.
The next meeting at bet365 Park Kyneton will be on Tuesday, April 4.

Kilmore Tennis Club celebrates

Lauren Duffy

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March 21, 2023

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Kilmore Tennis 2 — Tennis Victoria’s Sam Condon, left, with Kilmore Tennis Club life member Marg Elliott.

KILMORE Tennis Club hosted its open day on Saturday, bringing together the community for a day of presentations and celebrations.

Life member Marg Elliot received a Tennis Victoria service award, presented to her by Tennis Victoria club development officer Sam Condon in recognition of her service to tennis.

Also recognised was the late Eric Salter, whose wife Jeannette and family were presented with a sign to name one of the club’s courts the ‘Eric Salter Court’.

The club also celebrated the completion of its major redevelopment that was completed at the beginning of COVID, including four new synthetic courts, new lighting, a new spectator area, and improved access to the court, including new stairs and a ramp.

More greenery across City of Whittlesea

Lauren Duffy

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March 21, 2023

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MORE than 1250 new trees will be planted over the next fourth months, providing more shade and green cover through the City of Whittlesea’s tree planting program.

New trees will be planted along main roads and residential streets, and in parks, including a range of evergreen tree species suited to the area’s needs and local conditions.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said council was on board with growing more trees, in line with its Greening Whittlesea target of planting 500,000 more trees in five years.

“We know that trees are an important element of our natural environment, providing a range of benefits, including much needed shade in urban areas, habitat for native wildlife and making our neighbourhoods look and feel more inviting,” she said.

“We’ve set an ambitious target to increase the number of trees in the City of Whittlesea and every tree planted brings us closer to achieving this.

“The new trees that will be planted as part of this program include a range of indigenous trees, as well as other species such as the Flowering Plum and Chinese Elm. Each tree is picked to complement the surrounding environment and provide maximum long-term benefits for our residents.”

As part of the planting program, few existing trees will need to be moved due to poor health or deterioration.

“While we will need to remove some trees, we will be replanting in those locations and filling any gaps, ensuring that we continue to increase our overall green cover,” Ms Wilson said.

“Our aim is to achieve a 20 per cent increase on the city’s existing green cover by 2040, providing additional shade and cooling and helping make our neighbourhoods even better places to live.”

The tree planting program has begun and will continue until the end of June.

Big Group Hug calls for underwear and socks donations

Lauren Duffy

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March 21, 2023

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Big Group Hug calls for underwear and socks donations

Pyjamas, jocks and socks are the focus of Big Group Hug’s March campaign, aimed at providing new children’s sleepwear and underwear to kids who are going without.

Now in its seventh year, ‘PJs, Jocks and Socks’ is a goods drive that collects new pyjamas, underwear, socks and singlets for children aged two to 16 through community donations.

Last year’s campaign received 6400 items that have all been handed out to families in need, with this year’s goal to collect 10,000 items.

Big Group Hug marketing coordinator Emina Mesinovic said while a significant part of the charity’s work was to collect and re-distribute used items, the campaign placed the focus on brand new children’s clothes.

“We are so grateful to our community for passing on their pre-loved children’s items, enabling us to help families in need whilst keeping tons out of landfill,” she said.

“Underwear and sleepwear we like to be able to provide new, and the need is great. Every child deserves love and dignity.”

The community is invited to host their own goods drives to collect underwear and socks on their own, while anyone willing to donate new items is encouraged to give what they can regardless of price.

People can also donate by ordering clothes through online retailers and addressing them as ‘PJs Jocks & Socks – Big Group Hug’ directly to the charity’s warehouse at 5/19 Enterprise Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3083.

There are currently 16 donation locations across Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and anyone can register to set up a collection point.

For more information on the campaign, including other ways to donate, visit pjjs.biggrouphug.org.

Lifting staff morale in a ‘pawsative’ way

Lauren Duffy

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March 21, 2023

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Lifting staff morale in a ‘pawsative’ way

NORTHERN Health staff last week received a visit from therapy dogs Scout, Leo and Larry as part of an initiative started by the service in September.

Health services were provided with funding from the State Government in 2021 to implement programs aimed at improving the psychological and physical wellbeing of employees.

Northern Health launched the ‘All About You’ initiative, which recognises there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to improved wellbeing, and tailors priorities and daily challenges to each team or individual.

A Northern Health staff request for dog therapy led to a collaboration with Delta Therapy Dogs’ ‘Paws the Pressure’ program.

Northern Health Wellbeing Team senior psychologist Casey O’Brien said the aim of the collaboration was to empower staff to have open conversations about what wellbeing meant to them in a fun and relaxing environment.

“As soon as the dogs and volunteers walked in, you could feel the energy shift in such a positive way – people’s eyes really lit up and you could see how happy they were,” she said.

“Everyone involved really appreciated the experience and it was great seeing the teams get together and connect in such a positive and uplifting way.”

Whittlesea wakeboarders shine

Max Davies

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March 21, 2023

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By Max Davies

Two Whittlesea youngsters are making waves in a sport their town is not best known for – wakeboarding.

Madi and Nate McDonald, aged nine and 12 respectively, have been wakeboarding for only a few years, but finished first and fourth in the Victorian State Titles last month – just one example of both their natural skill and rapid improvement.

Father Cameron said the family had never been the boating type, however when an opportunity presented itself at Moama they were keen to give it a go.

“We’ve never been boat or water people, but the kids said one day that they wanted to try [wakeboarding] out so we found a place in Moama with a boat and gave it a go,” he said.

“After a bit, people came up to us saying ‘do you know how good your kids are? You should try doing competition’ so we looked into it. It’s been such a short amount of time, so seeing their talent is really special.”

Madi last year took part in the Australian National titles in Canberra where she finished second, and the siblings are now part of the Wakeboard Victoria team and compete in seasonal championships within the group.

In addition to their sponsorships with Skin Ski Surf Yarrawonga and Ronix Wakeboards, the family has also been working with successful wakeboarder Chloe Mills to coach both Madi and Nate.

The coaching process has taken the brother and sister duo back to the basics of wakeboarding, helping them to build a strong foundation for their skills and knowledge of the sport, making it easier for them to learn tricks for competition.

Growing up in Whittlesea, Mills said she was proud to have the opportunity to coach the McDonalds and help them reach their goals.

“We have a special bond and work really well as a team. Madi has put in the hard yards this season and it has shown through her results,” she said.

“Growing up in Whittlesea myself and now coaching Madi and Nate is something pretty special. There must be something in the Whittlesea water – pardon the pun.”

Cameron said he and his wife Jess were happy to be involved with wakeboarding and had high hopes for their children’s futures in the sport.

“It’s a very proud thing, it’s sort of an outside sport where you either have it or you don’t,” he said.

“It makes them happy – they love being on water and wakeboarding so if it’s what they love doing then we love it too.

“We hope Madi will go international, and Nate will do well in Australia but there’s a lot more competition for boys his age.”

Madi and Nate are preparing to compete in this year’s national titles in Mildura, starting on March 29.

The family encouraged anyone interested in trying wakeboarding to give it a go, either by joining them on the water or by taking part in a try-out day hosted by Wakeboard Victoria and its community.

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Nate McDonald, on the water, has taken to wakeboarding after giving it a go on the Murray River.

Wollert’s Aurora estate lights up

Lauren Duffy

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March 21, 2023

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The Aurora community in Wollert is excited to invite the broader Whittlesea district to enjoy its Light and Fire Music Celebration on Friday.

The free event will celebrate the completion of Aurora’s Seven Sisters Park and Playground with a spectacle of lights, fire and live music.

The park was designed in consultation with Wurundjeri people to see elements of the park merge design and education to tell the Wurundjeri dreamtime story of the Karatgurk seven sisters, who alone possessed the secret of fire.

The playground features a slide and climbing wall, swing hammocks and baskets, as well as greenery and seating.

Attendees at The Light and Fire Music Celebration can expect light projections, neon light installations, faux fire pits, face painting, hot coffee and donuts, a live DJ, an illustrated story trail, and a neighbour day activity.

Prizes will also be awarded for best light or fire inspired dress up.

The event will be at the Seven Sisters Park at Gem Parade, Wollert from 4pm to 6pm.

Dysphagia awareness: a silent condition

The North Central Review

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March 21, 2023

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The average Australian swallows 500 to 700 times a day, three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake and more during meals.

It is estimated about one million Australians deal with dysphagia – the medical term used for swallowing difficulties with foods or liquids – while others may not swallow at all.

For speech pathologists across Australia, Swallowing Awareness Day on March 16 allows them to create more awareness and to connect people with speech pathologists and professionals.

Soaring Health speech pathologist and team manager for speech pathology Olga Birchall, said dysphagia was commonly a ‘silent condition’ affecting people of any age – from birth and across the lifespan, with many people suffering alone.

“It can be quite a debilitating condition that can significantly impair quality of life and can compromise people’s health and development in children,” she said.

“More than half of people who have had a stroke will experience swallowing difficulties.

“[People] knowing about dysphagia can help in preventing unnecessary, avoidable hospital admissions, avoidable medical complications, so we can help people to thrive with good nutrition, good hydration and make the most of their functional capacity.”

Mrs Birchall, who recently completed her PhD in dysphagia studies, said speech pathologists were in the position to help people through tests, offering compensatory strategies, and exercises to improve function and quality of life.

“Our role is more expansive because we learn about the brain … and we learn about the muscles and nerves that are responsible for communication, we use the same muscles for talking as we do for swallowing,” she said.

“We conduct assessments, and we assess the muscles and nerves that control swallowing, we assess oral hygiene, which is the health of the mouth and then we try different foods and drinks to see which consistencies works best for the person.

“There might be behavioural strategies, we can teach them special swallow techniques like holding your breath as you swallow or putting your chin down on your chest or turning your head to a particular side.”

Besides managing the physical aspects, Mrs Birchall said her role required helping the social impacts of dysphagia.

“Eating and drinking are cultural [and] and social activities, we catch up with our friends, young people will catch up with their friends for dinner, and it’s something that usually is seamlessly done,” she said.

“To have difficulties with swallowing can be visible sometimes, and people do shy away from social situations if they feel embarrassed, some people end up withdrawing from society.

Under the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, dysphagia was identified as one of the leading preventable causes of death of people in aged care homes and younger children who are with the National Disability Insurance Scheme, NDIS.

Mrs Birchall said dysphagia care needed to be prioritised higher and funded by the Federal Government to help people have greater access to speech pathology swallowing assessments.

For more information, visit soaringhealth.com.au.