New bridge for Cloverton at Kalkallo

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November 8, 2022

Stockland last month announced the start of construction for the Cloverton Boulevard Bridge, connecting Klandy Drive and Donnybrook Road in the Cloverton development at Kalkallo.

The bridge, expected to cost around $16 million, is being funded by Stockland in partnership with the Whittlesea and Hume city councils and comes after the State Government’s announcement of $6 million in funding to upgrade the Mitchell Street roundabout in Kalkallo.

The Cloverton Boulevard Bridge will span 390 metres and cross the Merri Creek conservation reserve, with the bridge designed to minimise impact on the reserve to acknowledge and respect its cultural heritage and environmental significance.

Stockland project director James Westh said the bridge would be a key piece of road infrastructure that will meet the needs of the growing community.

“Together with the State Government’s recent announcement to upgrade the Mitchell Street roundabout, these projects will help to alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow for around 7000 residents travelling to and from work, schools and nearby shops,” he said.

“The design of the bridge – with clear space between bridge piers and culverts every 50 metres – ensures minimal disturbance and prioritises the protection of the Merri Creek conservation reserve.”

The bridge will feature two-way car access, paths for pedestrian and cyclist access, as well as future bus connections.

Its architectural detailing has been planned to remain consistent with existing Cloverton design, aimed at celebrating the natural values, colours, and textures of the environment of the adjoining waterway.

Cloverton Boulevard Bridge is expected to be complete in mid-2024, subject to weather conditions.

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Pharmacies offer Movember support for men’s health

The North Central Review

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November 8, 2022

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Pharmacies offer Movember support for men’s health

If you see more facial hair than average for the next few weeks, don’t be alarmed.

Throughout the month of November, men across Australia participate in a fun charity event called Movember, in which they are encouraged to grow moustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s suicide.

While it is a fun event, it highlights that men’s health is often an under-serviced area of community health.

A major policy initiative is the Federal Government’s National Men’s Health Strategy 2020-30, which identified five priority health issues: mental health; chronic conditions; sexual and reproductive health and conditions where men are over-represented; injuries and risk taking; and healthy ageing.

The strategy recognises that men are often reluctant to seek help with health issues – and mental health issues in particular.

Community pharmacies can play a pivotal role, providing advice and confidential counselling for health issues that a man may need help with.

Among the 10 most common causes of death among men are heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancers and mental health issues.

Mental health is an area of growing concern for many men, and community pharmacies are playing an increasing role in addressing it.

Community pharmacists are in a position to identify the first signs of mental health deteriorations and start a confidential conversation as they are among the most trusted health professionals in a community.

Pharmacies represent the most accessible healthcare in Australia, so men feeling anxiety, depression, loneliness and other mental health issues can feel at ease speaking to pharmacists for advice and help.

With 6000 community pharmacies across Australia, many open late and on weekends, they can also be accessed when and where men need them.

Community pharmacy staff are often trained in mental health first-aid as part of their employment.

Depression is the most common presentation at pharmacies, affecting about one in eight men at some stage during their lives.

Depression is a leading cause of suicide, which claims nine lives on average every day in Australia.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, males are between three and four times more likely to take their own lives than females.

Men aged 40-49 and over the age of 85 have the highest rates. These are alarming figures and community pharmacy is determined to help lower them.

People can support the Movember charity by visiting au.movember.com.

Free support is available for people experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm at Lifeline by calling 13 11 14 or visiting lifeline.org.au; Suicide Call Back Service by calling 1300 659 467 or visiting suicidecallbackservice.org.au; Beyond Blue by calling 1300 224 636 or visiting beyondblue.org.au; and MensLine Australia by calling 1300 789 978 or visiting mensline.org.au.

Netball short season rounds kick off in Kilmore

Pam Kiriakidis

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November 8, 2022

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Netball short season rounds kick off in Kilmore

By Pam Kiriakidis

KILMORE Junior Netball Club launched its first spring-summer short season on four new outdoor courts with full lights at JJ Clancy Reserve on October 24.

Approximately 180 boys and girls were sorted into teams ranging from under nine to under 16 age groups on the first Monday of the competition, which will pause in December before resuming in February.

Treasurer Jodie Schultz was overwhelmed at the response after working hard to put together the short season at Kilmore Junior Netball Club.

“We had our first session the other Monday night – it was raining but the smiles and giggles and the excitement were really rewarding and made all the hard work in the previous few weeks worthwhile,” Ms Schultz said.

“Some are teams from outside our local area. Even people from Whittlesea have joined us, Pyalong, Seymour – the whole area.”

Kilmore Junior Netball Club received their new courts with feature lights through a State Government grant and funding from Mitchell Shire Council last year.

Ms Schultz said it helped diversify sporting competitions in Mitchell Shire.

“Netball in the Mitchell Shire has only ever been on a Saturday morning. Now that we have all the night lights and daylight savings, we can offer something where kids can go from playing on a Saturday to during the week,” Ms Schultz said.

“They’re playing all year round, which provides a better standard of sport, and kids who are playing all year round are active and involved.”

Ms Schultz said the short season was an opportunity for locals to bond over sport, and to make up time lost to COVID-19 lockdowns.

“It was a great way of children and families meeting other families in our community. It was very overwhelming, and we’ve been able to get people out and enjoying sport again after two years of lockdown,” she said.

Mitchell Shire showdown beckons after Blasters defend home court

Lauren Duffy

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November 8, 2022

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Mitchell Shire showdown beckons after Blasters defend home court

SEYMOUR Blasters’ men staged a triumphant return to their home court at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre with a pair of dominant wins in round six of the Country Basketball League.

The Blasters made short work of their north-east division opponents, dispatching Myrtleford Saints 116-69 on Saturday night and the Benalla Breakers 95-63 on Sunday.

Forward Keenan Gorski was the star the show on Saturday, scoring 46 points to singlehandedly prove the difference between the two sides.
Gorski showcased an ability to score from all levels of the court, while Abraham Solano, Tyler Best and Jack Murphy chomed in with 32 points between them.

While Saints captain Tyler Barker was a standout for the visitors with 25 points of his own, Myrtleford was unable to match Seymour’s firepower.

Gorski sat out Sunday’s game against Benalla, but it did little to slow Seymour’s offence.

Jordan Hockley led the team with 22 points, hitting four three-pointers, while Best notched 21 of his own.

Jack Murphy, 12 points, Harry Stornes, 10, and Robbie Sartori, 11, were the other Blasters to reach double figures, while centre Tom O’Connor came close with eight.

Eric Miraflores, 23, Sam Beks, 18, and Lachlan Kego, 15, provided the bulk of Benalla’s offence.

Seymour’s women also played host to Myrtleford on Saturday, beating the Saints 85-63.

Young gun Maddison Ford led the team with 30 points, hitting three three-pointers and a team high five free-throws.

Olivia Pearce’s 14 points were handy, with Tayha Watkins notching 11.

Abbey and Paige Zamperoni combined to score 37 of Myrtleford’s 63 points for the game.

While Wallan’s women had a round six bye, the Panthers’ men had an impressive home win of their own, downing the Mansfield Eagles 89-47.

A strong defensive effort in the first quarter set the tone for Saturday night’s game at RB Robson Stadium, with the Panthers restricting the Eagles to just six points for the term.

Riley McLay led a balanced scoring attack with 17 points, just ahead of Jayden O’Brien, 16, Ryan Philippe, 12, and Dion Stacey, 12.

Cam Anderson’s 15 points were the sole double-digit scoring total for Mansfield.

This weekend will see a Mitchell Shire showdown between Wallan and Seymour at Wallan’s RB Robson Stadium, with the women playing a 6pm and the men squaring off at 8pm.

Seymour, the reigning champion in both men’s and women’s competition, is guarding top spot on the ladder in both games.

Community the focus at Bendigo Bank forum in Wallan

Max Davies

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November 8, 2022

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Community the focus at Bendigo Bank forum in Wallan

By Max Davies

Bendigo Bank last week held a Grants Night and Community Forum in Wallan, bringing together a wide range of community groups to celebrate grants and identify key priorities.

Facilitated by NorCen Financial Services at The Grove in Hidden Valley, the event marked the first community forum held by Bendigo Bank’s Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford branches and was aimed at bringing light to issues and areas that would benefit from funding.

The night was also an opportunity for people to celebrate grants awarded throughout the year and show appreciation for the work of different community groups.

NorCen community engagement and marketing officer Lee Day said the idea for the forum came from a desire to support projects and groups that the community needed.

“We wanted to know how we’re going to be able to contribute to the community in a more beneficial way and how we can benefit the community as much as we can,” she said.

“We wanted to know from the community what other areas aren’t we contributing to that we’re not aware of.”

The bank asked three questions of the community groups that attended: What does our community need? How can we strengthen relationships? How can the Community Banks help?

Members from different community groups worked in teams to brainstorm ideas for projects and improvements that they felt the community needed, such as a wider variety of recreational activities for elderly residents and the establishment of a neighbourhood house for Kilmore.

The ideas are expected to be used by NorCen to guide future investment.

“It was us just sitting back and thinking, ‘we’ve got some significant funds coming up, what are we missing?’,” Ms Day said.

“The community is changing as well. Wallan’s changed a lot and so has Kilmore, and it all rolls on so we wanted to ask about things that we may not be aware of.”

Grant recipients for 2022 were also celebrated, including community groups such as Kilmore Men’s Shed, Mitchell Rangers Soccer Club, Camp4Cancer, Love in Action and the Variety Children’s Foundation.

Attendees also had the opportunity to learn about other community groups and their work, with building relationships and making connections a key focus for the night.

Ms Day said NorCen would look to continue hosting community forums in the future as the needs of the community change.

“We want to work on building the connection and the relationship between these community groups and the bank, and also connecting other community groups together as well,” she said.

“There’s areas like domestic violence that we want to help with, but also things like the arts are areas we’ve identified as things we’d like to contribute more to moving forward.”

bendigo bank night 2 — Camp4Cancer’s Kaz Candy, left, and founder Ben Roarty, right, accept the cheque for a $3000 grant.

bendigo bank night 3 — Camp4Cancer’s Kaz Candy, left, and founder Ben Roarty, right, accept the cheque for a $3000 grant.

Industrial action ramps up in Macedon Ranges pay disupute

The North Central Review

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November 8, 2022

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Industrial action ramps up in Macedon Ranges pay disupute

Industrial action between Australian Services Union workers and Macedon Ranges Shire Council intensified last week, with union members stopping work on internal council operations and grass cutting across the shire.

Workers voted to enact bans on internal meetings, including briefings from the chief executive, as well as a ban on reading or responding to emails from the chief executive and group managers and refraining from responding to non-urgent requests from councillors.

Last month union members stopped work for three hours as part of a pay dispute with council, arguing the pay raise offered was far below the rising consumer price index.

Australian Services Union secretary Lisa Darmanin said the latest bans were a proportionate escalation by union members to demonstrate their resolve to get a fair pay increase.

“Management is yet to make a wage offer that is acceptable to union members to keep up with the cost of living at Macedon Ranges Shire [Council],” she said.

“This escalation in industrial action would have been unnecessary if Macedon Ranges Shire management had taken the demand for a fair deal seriously.

“As well as disrupting internal council operations, union members at Macedon Ranges Shire will be more public in their campaign for a fair deal.

“Handing out flyers and speaking to service users and residents about the enterprise agreement campaign are just some of the extra actions members of the union will take.

“Management can avoid highly disruptive industrial action that has a greater impact on residents of the shire by making a wage offer that’s acceptable to union members.”

Council last month offered staff a two per cent pay increase, amounting to $27 per week in the first year of the new agreement, followed by 1.85 per cent increases or $26 per week for the following three years.

Council corporate director Adele Drago-Stevens said council remained confident of coming to an agreement with the union.

“Negotiations with staff and the unions have been progressing as expected. The negotiations are ongoing and all parties are bargaining in good faith,” she said.

“Many claims have already been agreed and council is confident we will be able to reach agreement with staff without the need for ongoing protected industrial action.

“Council is working to ensure the impact on the community is minimised and that our services are maintained to expected levels.”

Grant success for Wallan Environment Group

The North Central Review

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November 8, 2022

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Grant success for Wallan Environment Group

The Wallan Environment Group, WEG, has received a $19,785 Victorian Landcare Grant for the removal of woody weeds from within a section of the former Wandong, Heathcote, Bendigo Railway’s reserve, which adjoins Hidden Valley and Wallan.

While the last train went through the area 54 years ago in 1968, the remaining 1.2km section of the railway has been locked away since 1888 from being cleared and developed for other purposes.

WEG president Claudia James said the group’s aim was to conserve the high biodiversity values of the Hidden Valley Rail Reserve understorey.

“One of the attractions of many railway reserves is that they are often the last preserves of locally indigenous flora,” she said.

“The issue to be addressed in this reserve is woody weed control, mainly gorse and blackberry, because currently these are endangering the biodiversity and environmental values of the reserve.

“The hiring of contractors to spray those weeds will initially address this issue, then comes the removal of dead weed material and further work.”

Other community groups including Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail-Trail, Mitchell Bicycle Users Group and the Mitchell Australian Plant Society have taken part in working bees at the site.

Support has also been provided by the Merri Creek Management Committee and the Upper Merri Landcare coordinator, by mapping the weeds in the reserve.

“The current status of this land remains under the jurisdiction of VicTrack, and our group has been communicating with VicTrack in regard to this project,” Ms James said.

Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail-Trail planning team chair Lindsay Clay, who has been involved in the project to return the former railway reserve for community use, welcomed the news of the grant.

“Our group has been working with the Wallan Environmental Group and the Mitchell Shire community, to plan for a safe off-road trail between Wallan and Kilmore,” Mr Clay said

“While all the community groups involved have slightly different objectives, the obtaining of this grant is a great example of what can be achieved when community groups come together to achieve a common goal.”

Love In Action in need of support in lead-up to Christmas

The North Central Review

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November 8, 2022

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Love In Action in need of support in lead-up to Christmas

Wallan Charity Love In Action is desperate for donations in preparation for the Christmas season, and is calling on community members and local businesses for support.

The team is planning to supply Christmas hampers filled with groceries and children’s presents to between 150 and 200 Mitchell Shire families.

President Sarah Brewer said it was more than double the number the group supplied in past years.

“We need you. As desperate and dramatic as that sounds, it’s the truth,” she said.

“We are facing the hardest Christmas we have ever had. Extreme interest rate rises, COVID fall out, inflation and cost of living has seen a very sharp rise in the requests coming through on our service and we are inundated.

“It has also put pressure on local community families who in the past have been able to donate. This year these families who dig deep every year will also struggle and money left to give to Love in Action just won’t be there.”

Ms Brewer listed multiple ways in which individuals could support the Christmas cause, including donating new toys to give to children, as well as Christmas items such as bon bons, shortbread, chocolate stockings, chocolate advent calendars, candy canes, napkins and other Christmas-themed items.

love in action 2 — Love In Action team members preparing for the busy Christmas season.

Donation trolleys can be found at Vento Cafe in Wallan, Coles’ Wallan and Kilmore branches and LJ Hooker in Wallan.

Christmas trees are also in Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford Bendigo Bank branches and Casual Cuts in Wallan.

Community members can take a label off these trees with the age and gender of a child in the community to inform a gift purchase.

Other ways to support Love In Action include running a casual clothes day at workplaces to raise donations, spreading the word or offering to sponsor an element of Christmas Day such as food, which Love In Action will credit via social media.

Ms Brewer said for those too busy to shop for gifts, Love In Action would welcome a donation into their bank account: Bendigo Bank Wallan, BSB: 633 000, account number: 16052 9418.

In addition to the hampers, Love In Action is hosting a free Christmas event ‘Don’t Spend Christmas Alone’ at the Wallan Cricket Club for the second year, which Ms Brewer said was open to families and individuals who might otherwise spend Christmas Day alone.

“There will be activities for the kids, Santa will be attending, there will be gifts for the children and it’ll just be a really nice time for community to come together,” she said.

“[There are] people last year that came to the event, who [became] friends at that event and still catch up now throughout the year.”

The event will run on Christmas Day, December 25, from 4pm- to 7pm at Wallan Cricket Club.

To book, people can call Sarah Brewer on 0419 838 966 or visit www.trybooking.com/events/landing/953590.

Ms Brewer thanked the community for their consistent support.

“Please join us in making this a super special Christmas for our families. From the bottom of our heart we say thanks,” she said.

Victorian Floods 2022: Sport grants available

Lauren Duffy

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November 8, 2022

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Victorian Floods 2022: Sport grants available

Grants available for flood impacted sports

A PROGRAM has been launched to assist Victorian sport and active recreation organisations directly affected by the October 2022 Victorian floods.

$5,000 one-off grants will be available to assist in the replacement of items that have been lost, damaged or destroyed.

The Program is now open for applications and will stay open until 5pm on January 13, 2023 or until funding is exhausted.

Last week the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments announced further funding for community sport and active recreation organisations directly affected by the Victorian floods.

The Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants will help businesses, not-for-profit and community sport and active recreation organisations rebuild as quickly as possible.

The simplest and quickest way to have a Flood Recovery Grant application processed and receive support is to first apply for the $5000 one-off Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program.

Once approved for the $5,000 one-off grant, applicants can apply for up to $50,000 through the Flood Recovery Fund. Funds can be used to cover expenses arising from significant direct damage to the organisation’s facility and its equipment.

Funding received under the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program will be included in the total grant amount.

Applications will be administered by Business Victoria.

Sports travel grants

THE Victorian Government is backing home-grown athletes with travel grants to help them compete at the top level.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced 109 grants worth more than $250,000 to assist athletes, teams, coaches and officials to accelerate their careers and take the next big step on the national stage.

The Victorian Government’s Athlete Pathway Travel Grants Program helps athletes, teams, coaches and officials with travel and accommodation costs associated with competing at regional, state and national levels.

Grants of up to $6000 are available for recognised state sporting associations, regional academies of sport and state sport bodies. Victorian sports clubs can apply for grants of up to $2000.

“We are helping our athletes and future champions by removing the barriers associated with travel and accommodation costs so they can focus on realising their sporting dreams,” Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said.

“Travelling around Australia to compete at the highest level is a great achievement and this is about helping our rising athletes focus on competition and take the next big step.”

This round’s recipients include Baseball Victoria, which will use its $6000 grant to help the Victorian Aces travel and compete at the 2023 Australian Women’s Baseball Championship in South Australia next April.

The Athlete Pathway Travel Grants Program has awarded more than 1500 grants totalling more than $2.9 million to help teams and athletes reach their goals since 2015.

The program helps support the next generation of Victorian athletes to develop from community to national level.

For further information about the program visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Mitchell Shire facilities to benefit from state government funding

The North Central Review

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November 8, 2022

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Mitchell Shire facilities to benefit from state government funding

Three Mitchell Shire facilities will share in $1.75 million worth in funding for improvements, updates and upgrades to better cater to the community’s changing needs.

The Wandong Community Centre, Kilmore Senior Citizens Centre and the Kings Park Play Space in Seymour are set to share in the funding, delivered through the state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.

Mitchell Shire Council chief executive Brett Luxford said the funding would help bring the facilities up to scratch for the community’s current and future needs.

“We’re very thankful to receive this funding from the Victorian Government and look forward to getting started on these important projects,” he said.

“They are a mix of projects that are preparing for future growth and ones that are needed now.”

Wandong Community Centre will benefit from $800,000 in funding to revitalise the centre by reconfiguring and upgrading the internal floor plan to create a more versatile multi-purpose centre for shared community use.

The LB Davern Reserve facility upgrade has been funded by $720,000 through the Growing Suburbs Fund, $60,000 from Mitchell Shire Council and $20,000 from the Wandong and Heathcote Junction Sports and Community Committee of Management.

Kilmore Senior Citizens Centre will receive an $830,000 grant and a $70,000 council contribution to address accessibility, safety and programming spaces issues and provide a modern and accessible community facility to promote and support inter-generational and shared use activity in Kilmore.

Both the Wandong Community Centre and Kilmore Senior Citizens Centre upgrades are expected to be completed in November 2023.

Seymour’s Kings Park Play Space will receive a total of $220,000 to provide improved value and shade for visitors, as well as to assist in flood recovery. $200,000 has been provided by the state government with a $20,000 council contribution.

“Council would not be able to fund these projects without support from the state government,” Mr Luxford said.

“Council is committed to providing for the needs of our current community and those who will call Mitchell home in the future. This funding supports us to do that.”

Four projects will also benefit from a total of around $1.5 million through the 2022 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Pyalong Recreation Reserve will receive $750,000 to reconstruct the outdoor sports courts, as well as upgrade to dual purpose netball and tennis courts by installing competition standard lighting and a warm-up area.

Wallan Tennis Complex will receive $300,000 to replace the existing synthetic surface, base works and drainage for the four courts within enclosure one, allowing for improved scheduling opportunities and a more modern facility.

Mitchell Majors Baseball Club at Broadford will also benefit from $350,000 to install a training standard lighting upgrade to improve scheduling opportunities and encourage greater participation.

The three sporting projects are expected to be completed in April next year.

$100,000 has been put towards the installation of a safe and compliant slide at Tallarook Outdoor Pool, as the slide was not accessible in the last two years due to safety concerns. The slide is expected to be complete by November 2023.