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Sustainability in the spotlight at Seymour expo

The North Central Review
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Sustainability in the spotlight at Seymour expo

The Seymour Alternative Farming Expo is set to begin later this month, with its learning hub aiming to share information on living sustainability, managing livestock and even keeping bees.

The expo has a long history in Seymour and showcases current and future farming practices for both small and medium farm enterprises.

Learning hub sessions have been an important part of the event in previous years and are set to run across all three days of the expo for 2023.

Topics for the sessions include introductions to keeping goats, bee-keeping and camel farming, vertical gardens, going off-grid, hemp farming, microbes in farming, keeping poultry, and working dog training.

To accompany the learning hub sessions a range of demonstrations and workshops will be on offer including a cooking demonstration across the weekend at the country kitchen and butcher shop marquee, as well as multiple exhibitions in the livestock and arts and crafts pavilions.

The Seymour Alternative Farming Expo will be from 9am to 4pm on March 31 to April 2 at Kings Park, with the event layout adapted and moved to the rear oval as flood recovery continues.

Sustainability guides new Mitchell waste strategy

The North Central Review
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Sustainability guides new Mitchell waste strategy

A circular economy that reduces landfill waste and improved service delivery are two concepts at the heart of a new Mitchell Shire Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 adopted by council last month.

Councillors voted unanimously to adopt the document, which was released as a draft at the end of 2022, during a meeting on February 20.

The strategy will guide council on a range of issues including the provision of waste and resource-recovery infrastructure and services, including the impending transition to a four-bin system that will see food and organic waste and glass recycling bins added to the existing mixed recycling and general rubbish bins.

The strategy also provides a framework for creating a circular economy, which aims to divert as much waste away from landfill as possible through sustainable principles – designing items to create less waste, producing them sustainably, keeping materials in use for as long as possible by reusing and repairing them, and recovering maximum value from materials used by recycling.

Cr Louise Bannister said improving council’s waste-collection services was another focus of the document.

“It addresses the concerns our community has raised in the past regarding green waste collection as well as investigating the viability of hard waste collection,” she said.

“It also acknowledges that it’s not all on our shire to make this difference and makes a strong point of advocating to the State Government for better outcomes and partnering with other councils to work on waste issues together.

“This strategy looks at exploring opportunities in the area for waste management in construction.

“A large amount of our waste comes from construction sites … and we have a lot of construction going on in our shire, so it’s looking … [at] how we can support those industries to better recycle and use leftover materials.”

Cr Nathan Clark said the strategy would bring council into line with state-wide waste management policies.

“The community has been quite excited about [the four-bin system],” he said.

“Overwhelmingly the community is interested in waste management and wants to make a difference, and this certainly helps us achieve that.”

Cr Rob Eldridge said while he approved of the strategy, the four-bin system had potential to alienate some residents.

“This has been a great initiative from the government, but it’s missing one vital component – that is the legislation to ensure that the things that are produced are recyclable,” he said.

“If you look at what is necessary now to separate out your waste … I’m going to struggle.

“We have so many standards on what is recyclable that it is going to be a little bit fraught in terms of implementation.”

Cr David Lowe described the document as ‘an important piece of work’ but predicted the strategy would need to be updated several times before its expiry in 2030.

“Without wishing any more work on our team, I can guarantee there will be a number of developments and amendments needed to this before 2030,” he said.

“This is a very volatile area and things are changing rapidly. I think we as a council need to keep our eye on those changes and keep across them in terms of their economic impact, both on council and on the residents, and also the impact on the environment.”

Cr Rhonda Sanderson encouraged people to read the strategy, which is available online at engagingmitchellshire.com/waste-strategy-2030.

“A lot of people are interested in waste – here’s the thing for you if you love waste,” she said.

“This is what we’re planning to do as far as our resource recovery centres and reuse shops.

“It gives you all the stats on how many garbage bins we’ve got … the tons of garbage we collect, the recycling tonnage – all those lovely stats in their murky, disgusting detail are in this report.”

Fire-risk remains through autumn according to Bushfire Outlook

The North Central Review
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Fire-risk remains through autumn according to Bushfire Outlook

Victoria’s drier than average conditions are expected to continue into autumn, with significant grass growth presenting a potential risk for fast-running grassfires.

An Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Autumn, released on Thursday, outlined below average rainfall across much of the west and central areas of Victoria, and in parts of south and west Gippsland.

Central and southern parts of Victoria have recorded the most significant grass growth.

The outlook forecasts below average rainfall in the north and west, along with average to warmer than average maximum temperatures.

A lack of rainfall coupled with warm and dry conditions could see the potential for bushfires in some forests.

Emergency services management will keep a mix of water bombing aircraft, air supervision and air intelligence gathering aircraft positioned across the state to support volunteers and career firefighters on the ground.

Emergency services are keeping an eye on any changes in conditions, however the outlook of normal fire potential across most of Victoria is what we can expect in the autumn season.

Authorities urge communities to understand their local risks, with flood guides available on the VicEmergency website.

People can also keep up to date with the fire danger ratings on the VicEmergency app and VicEmergency website.

Broadford Secondary College students shine

Max Davies
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Broadford Secondary College students shine

By Max Davies

Three students from Broadford Secondary College, BSC, have excelled and been rewarded for their efforts through scholarships and awards.

Sam McGhie and Mackenzie Poole, in years 10 and nine respectively, have both been awarded the Gordon Hastie Bursary by the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell, which includes $500 each to put towards their education.

Both students were required to fill out an application and answer multiple questions on topics such as their future aspirations, leadership skills, and personal values, as well as give a small speech to Rotary members after being awarded the bursary.

The bursary is named in honour of late Broadford resident Gordon Hastie, who served as youth chair for Rotary District 9790 and was highly regarded in the community.

Mr McGhie said it would have a positive impact on his education.

“It’ll make a massive difference, it’ll mean I can save up on other things and put my money towards things other than just school,” he said.

“I’m just going to use it for schooling expenses.”

Ms Poole said the bursary would give her greater options for tertiary education, as well as a higher chance of securing a spot at a top university.

“I got the email and burst into my mother’s room yelling at her about it, she didn’t know what it was for and then I explained it once I cooled down,” she said.

“I’m going to use it for university, it’s going to give me a higher chance at a ticket into the University of Melbourne.”

The students recommended other people consider applying for the bursary, as even if they are unsuccessful they can still improve on skills such as public speaking, social connections, and resilience.

Meanwhile, year 10’s Cooper Sirianni, who last year undertook a vocational education and training, VET, course in electrical at Kangan Institute, was awarded student of the year for 2022 and given a framed certificate, a tool bag, and $500 to go towards future tool purchases.

BSC assistant principal Reno Lia said the school was proud of Cooper’s award and his dedication to improving his work.

“Every Wednesday or Thursday, he would go off and do his course, and that kept him really engaged with his focus of getting an apprenticeship,” he said.

The award was one of 76 at the 2023 Industry Awards ceremony, at which Mr Sirianni had a chance to meet a wide range of different people, each with their own experiences.

“I was privileged to be part of the [awards night] experience, and over the holidays [Mr Sirianni] approached a number of businesses and was able to get an apprenticeship with an electrical business,” Mr Lia said.

“What it also does is it builds our profile as a school so that Kangan Institute will see we’ve got kids who want to excel in their fields that work really well and are consistent in their approach, and then take in more of our students – so that’s a great thing.”

BSC Cooper Sirianni
Cooper Sirianni was a student of the year 2022 recipient and has now started an apprenticeship at an electrical business. He is pictured right with Broadford Secondary College assistant principal Reno Lia. ​

Community health push for better funding model

Pam Kiriakidis
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Community health push for better funding model

By Pam Kiriakidis

Nexus Primary Health was among 24 health services to launch a cohesive advocacy initiative for greater funding and acknowledgement in state parliament last month.

The health services launched the Community Health First Initiative at parliament, campaigning for more secure funding to deliver services and provide employment.

Health services from metropolitan, rural and regional areas have formed a steering committee, which met with Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas on February 23.

Ms Thomas has committed to regularly meet with the steering committee in the future.

The body features several leading healthcare voices, including parliamentary secretary for health infrastructure Tim Richardson and Dr Norman Swan, who highlighted the collaboration of community health services and their ability to perform exceptional clinical care while addressing the social determinants of health.

Nexus Primary Health chief executive officer Amanda Mullins said the launch was a stepping stone for the health service, and an opportunity to speak to fellow health chief executives, board members, and parliamentarians on the cost of delivering services and employment issues.

“That’s exactly the response and the engagement that we’re looking for – we don’t expect an overnight response, but we want to be considered and we want to engage with the department when decisions are made around health and health funding,” she said.   

“It was just a meet and greet and a presentation by consumers, lived-experienced support workers and other community leaders, so we didn’t have a significant role but we’re very proud to be part of the alliance for better community health engagement.

“Dr Swan did quite an extensive take on community health, which was great, and we had some individuals who are consumers of different services across Victoria.”  

Ms Mullins said the meeting was an opportunity to showcase Nexus’ services, specifically through COVID-19 when it was able to provide testing and vaccination clinics until March this year.  

“It was a really great showcase about services that we deliver that make sure or help us to ensure that people receive place-based care [so] they don’t have to travel to the hospital,” she said.

“There was lots of talk around locally based services and activities that community health undertake that is different to the acute sector because we can be agile and responsive.  

“COVID was a really great example of that – we could step up testing and vaccination clinics right throughout COVID and maintained those … that’s huge that’ve been able to make space for that.”

After the impact of COVID-19, and a cessation of some government funding, Ms Mullins said the intiative was the start of strong advocacy for better health care across the Mitchell, Strathbogie and Murrindindi shires to strengthen the community’s future.  

“That was just the launch of the initiative. As an alliance, we will continue to work with our local members, but also our local departments, around funding for better community health initiative,” she said.  

“We’re putting together the Nexus organisational strategy at the moment for the next three years … greater funding would allow us to enhance our workforce and provide more of the services that we do currently.”

Sharing inspiring stories for Women of Whittlesea

The North Central Review
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Sharing inspiring stories for Women of Whittlesea

Two inspiring women will share their leadership stories as part of an International Women’s Day panel, Women of Whittlesea – Inspiring stories and candid conversations, on Wednesday.

Host Kim Stadtmiller, from the Hume Whittlesea Local Learning and Employment Network, will introduce panellists Bobby Lama and Özge Sevindik-Alkan to speak on how they became leaders to other women in their communities.

After arriving in Australia from Nepal in 2007, followed by an abusive relationship, Ms Lama, along with a group of friends, created the Band of Women in Action group to support young mothers and women with a Nepalese background in the northern suburbs.

Ms Sevindik-Alkan is a librarian, writer and director of the Australian Muslim Writers Festival who co-founded The Right Pen Collective for Muslim Australian Writers in 2021, and co-authored two Hijabi Girl junior fiction book series.

Administrator Peita Duncan said the free event highlighted female leadership within the community, telling stories of two remarkable women.

“International Women’s Day is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of women, and I am very excited to hear Bobby and Özge’s stories, two local women who have taken it upon themselves to build a community that provides support and empowerment to others by following their passions,” she said.

“The event will also include a traditional dance performance by Wurundjeri women’s dance group Djirri Djirri.”

The panel will be at 10am, in the Great Hall at the City of Whittlesea Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, in South Morang.

The one hour event will be followed by a light morning tea.

For more information and to register, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/events.

RedFeb: Wear red this February for someone close to your heart

Lauren Duffy
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RedFeb: Wear red this February for someone close to your heart

RedFeb is an annual Heart Research Australia event where people are encouraged to wear red and donate on behalf of someone they care about who has been impacted by heart disease.

RedFeb aims to raise awareness and much needed funds for research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, including coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, valve disease and arrhythmias.

Northern Health Heart Failure Nurse Practitioner Vikki Hannah says many people may not be aware of their risk factors for heart disease, as some risk-factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, have no symptoms.

“It’s never too late to manage your risk of heart disease and improve your heart health. Some risk factors for heart disease are beyond your control, such as age, gender, ethnicity, and family history, but there is no one cause for heart disease. Most heart attacks and strokes can be prevented with healthy choices,” she said.

“Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight are a few of the ways you can reduce your changes of having heart disease. I encourage anyone 45 years and over, or 30 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to have a regular heart health check with their GP.”

Ms Hannah also highlighted that research shows women are much less likely to undergo treatment for a heart attack or angina in hospital compared to men.

“Almost every hour of every day an Australian woman dies of heart disease. Chest pain is a common heart attack symptom in both men and women, but women are more likely to experience non-chest pain symptoms, such as back pain, vomiting and indigestion,” she said.

“Also, in addition to traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, the risk of a heart attack or stroke can also be affected by women-specific risk factors, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, premature menopause and pregnancy complications.”

WR (2023-02-28)

The North Central Review
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WR (2023-02-28)

NCR (2023-02-28)

The North Central Review
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NCR (2023-02-28)

$9 million boost for Kilmore Racing Club

Max Davies
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$9 million boost for Kilmore Racing Club

By Max Davies

Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines announced funding on Friday for projects worth more than $9 million at Kilmore Racing Club.

The two major projects are the $4.55 million Kilmore Water Sustainability Project, and the $4.48 million Kilmore Barn and Tie Up Stalls project.

The club, which holds 44 race meetings and 32 trial meetings a year, currently provides a venue for about 35 trainers and 105 horses to train regularly.

Both projects are aimed at improving the club’s facilities to better cater for patrons and staff.

The water sustainability project is aimed at providing recycled irrigation water to maintain the club’s facilities, incorporating a three-kilometre greywater pipeline that will transfer recycled raw water from the Goulburn Water Waste Management facility to be stored in the club’s upgraded dam for use during periods of low rainfall.

Works are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

The government’s Victorian Racing Industry Fund, VRIF, contributed $450,000, building on a $1 million investment previously provided as part of the Integrated Water Management Scheme.

Kilmore Racing Club is tipping in $300,000 and Racing Victoria $550,000, while Goulburn Valley Water also contributed $2.25 million to both stage one and two of the project.

The Kilmore Barn and Tie-Up Stalls project will feature a large barn with 114 indoor tie-up stalls, wash bays and a veterinary area, as well as nine-metre-wide internal pathways to allow two sulkies to safely pass side-by-side.

The project is funded by $2.2 million from the VRIF, in addition to more than $1.6 million from Kilmore Racing Club, $400,000 from Racing Victoria and $200,000 from Harness Racing Victoria.

The club’s jockey rooms will also be upgraded, including the ladies’ rooms which will be expanded to accommodate the growing number of female jockeys at the club.

Mr Carbines, who visited the racecourse to announce the State Government funding, said the government was proud to support the club and build its future.

“The racing industry plays a vital role in the state’s economy and our investment helps ensure that racing in Kilmore has a bright future,” he said.

“It’s been a few years in the making, but the work has been done and the club deserves it.”

Kilmore Racing Club chairman Ian Wood said the water project would provide greater flexibility for the club all year round.

“It means we can run right through summer, we’ve had trouble in the past with the hard tracks and warm weather is a bit of a nuisance,” he said.

“We have been able to get water [in the past] but it’s sometimes too salty and it kills the grass, so having the greywater from Goulburn Valley Water means it’ll be very good quality and we won’t have any trouble there.”

Mr Wood said the club was excited to see the projects come to fruition.

“What it means is hopefully we’ll get more people here, more people interested in racing,” he said.

“The good thing about having the minister here is that we’ve got representatives from all parts the [racing] industry here as well, so it makes us feel a bit more important I suppose.

“I’m just glad it’s putting Kilmore on the map.”

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