Daniher’s Drive Wallan visit cancelled

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October 13, 2022

THE Fight MND fundraiser Daniher’s Drive will no longer visit Wallan today after organisers last night changed the route due to flooding concerns.

A 100-car convoy had been due to stop at Wallan’s Greenhill Recreation Reserve at 10.50 this morning as art of the first leg of the drive, which raises money and awareness to combat motor neurone disease, MND, in regional communities.

Daniher’s Drive organiser Bec Daniher, the daughter of Fight MND co-founder and former AFL coach and player Neale Daniher, said the decision was disappointing but necessary.

“Given the challenging weather conditions predicted for Thursday, we’ve had to make the tough decision to change the route of this year’s Daniher’s Drive,” she said.

“We’re incredibly disappointed that our Drive convoy won’t be able to visit the communities in Victoria’s north-east this year, but the safety of our Drive family remains our number one priority.

“We also wanted to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on emergency services in impacted areas.

“But as Neale says, we must play on and I have no doubt the Drive will be a celebration to remember as we rally together to raise awareness and funds for the fight against MND.”

In a post on the Fight MND website, organisers said it was no longer safe for participants to follow the original planned route to Myrtleford today.

“Unfortunately, the launch breakfast will not go ahead tomorrow as planned and we won’t be able to take our Drive convoy to Wallan, Euroa or Myrtleford,” the post said.

“At the moment, sections of the route remain closed or at risk of landslips and flooding, with high winds and rain forecast for Victoria’s north-east.

“Instead, we’ll be hosting an event in Melbourne on Thursday evening to bring our Drive family together. Details are being confirmed as we speak and we will notify you once a location has been finalised.”

Union members stop work in Macedon Ranges

The North Central Review

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October 12, 2022

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Union members stop work in Macedon Ranges

AUSTRALIAN Services Union members stopped work for three hours on Tuesday morning as part of industrial action in a campaign for better wages and conditions from Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

The industrial action included workers abstaining from street sweeping, picking up litter around council buildings and mowing grass near the entrances to towns across the shire.

Workers also put campaign signs on council vehicles and wore union badges instead of their usual council-issued name badges.

Sticking points in negotiations between the workers and council include what the union called a low pay offer, as well as a claim for extending a phone allowance to casual workers.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council management offered a pay increase that Australian Services Union secretary Lisa Darmanin said fell below changes in the cost of living at two per cent in the first year of the agreement and 1.85 per cent in the second.

During the last 12 months the cost of living has increased by 6.1 per cent in Australia according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ consumer price index.

Ms Darmanin said union members took industrial action when council rejected their claims.

“Members of the Australian Services Union want to finalise enterprise agreement negotiations, but they are determined to get a fair pay rise and better treatment for casual workers,” she said.

“Workers at Macedon Ranges Shire are struggling with the increased cost of living like everyone else, and the current pay offer from Macedon Ranges management isn’t good enough.

“Workers at Macedon Ranges Shire are just looking for a fair day’s pay to accompany the fair day’s work they put in collecting bins, looking after parks, and the hundreds of other jobs that keep the shire running.

“Macedon Ranges management can avoid highly disruptive industrial action by making a fair pay offer and recognising the cost for casuals of using their personal phones for work.”

Council corporate director Adele Drage-Stevens said the rapidly inflating consumer price index, CPI, and a State Government cap on rates made negotiating a pay raise with union members difficult.

“CPI is over six per cent, which council recognises is a significant challenge for cost of living for our staff as well as for council’s service delivery costs, which are increasing rapidly, placing further pressure across the entire council budget,” she said.

“The current offer to staff is a two per cent increase or $27 per week in year one, followed by 1.85 per cent or $26 per week in the remaining three years, or 80 per cent of the rate cap.

“It should be noted that the current council rate cap is 1.75%, as set by the Victorian Government for 2022/23. If the rate cap was increased or removed by the State Government, it would provide more flexibility to council to negotiate the offer with staff.

“It is important to recognise that council is still at the table negotiating in good faith and has sought a response from the unions and staff representatives on this offer.”

The measures taken by the Australian Services Union members are part of protected industrial action under the Fair Work Act 2009.

Wallan and Mickleham men charged with murder

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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Wallan and Mickleham men charged with murder

VICTORIA Police homicide squad detectives have this morning charged two men with murder following a fatal shooting in Kalkallo last month.

A 31-year-old Wallan man who was arrested yesterday was interviewed by police this morning and subsequently charged with one count of murder and home invasion.

A 24-year-old Mickleham man who was yesterday charged with murder has also been charged with home invasion.

The pair will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

Police executed six search warrants in Mickleham, Keilor, Craigieburn and Wallan yesterday.

Police seized property from a Wallan home on Tuesday as part of an investigation into a murder at Kalkallo in September.

Detectives charged a 25-year-old Wallan man and a 19-year-old Craigieburn with home invasion and both were remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

Police released a 22-year-old Keilor woman and a 22-year-old Wallan man pending further enquiries.

The charges follow an incident in Kalkallo on September 21 where a 22-year-old Kalkallo man was fatally shot.

Emergency services were called to an address on Oodgeroo Road shortly after 4.15am following reports a man had been injured during an altercation at the address.

Police located the 22-year-old Kalkallo man deceased at the property.

Investigators believe the shooting was a targeted incident and the parties involved were known to each other.

500 Stars for Mitchell

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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Mitchell Shire Council is inviting residents to come together for a community craft project to support 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls, from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to December 10, Human Rights Day.

The One Billion Stars Project is a community project devised by Maryann Talia Pau, a weaver artist living on Quandamooka Country in Queensland.

The purpose of weaving stars is to continue nurturing global conversations of how to end violence using the joy and healing power of arts and crafts.

The initiative had an original goal of one million woven stars for the 2018 Commonwealth Games but received more than 2.4 million stars from more than 15 countries.

In 2021 the group aimed higher with the One Billion Stars Project bringing thousands of people together to weave one billion stars for violence-free communities by 2032.

Mitchell Shire Council is inviting everyone to contribute to 500 Stars for Mitchell.

The finished installation of 500 stars will be displayed during the 16 Days of Activism.

Mitchell Shire experiences high levels of family violence, with police crime statistics showing a family violence incident rate of 2515 incidents per 100,000 people for the year ending June 2021.

By comparison, the incident rate for Victoria in the same period was 1399.

The incident rate in Mitchell Shire was 180 per cent higher than the state-wide rate.

For Mitchell’s geography and demographics, its rate is unusually high and has been consistently high for a long period of time.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said the woven stars symbolised hope, courage and solidarity across the world.

“Across the shire, council is hoping to gather all members of community, including children and young people, to experience the joy of working together on a community craftivism project,” she said.

“We hope that these gatherings start conversations around the issue of violence against women and how we can work together to prevent this violence.

“This project is an outstanding example of teamwork and thinking of others, and we all should be part of it.”

A video with instructions on how to make the stars is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNc_RYPPfbM.

To be included in the display, stars need to be delivered by November 8 to one of the following locations: Broadford Living and Learning Centre; Broadford Library and Customer Service Centre; Kilmore Library and Customer Service Centre; Seymour Library and Customer Service Centre; Wallan Library and Customer Service Centre; or Greater Beveridge Community Centre.

Broadford Secondary College celebrates 60 years

Max Davies

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October 11, 2022

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Broadford Secondary College celebrates 60 years

By Max Davies

BROADFORD Secondary College celebrated its 60th anniversary on Saturday, bringing the community together to remember and reflect on the school’s history.

The celebration was attended by past principals, students and staff from across the school’s history, with Broadford and District Historical Society assisting in collecting memorabilia to put on display across the school grounds.

Master of ceremonies for the day was ABC Radio presenter and former student Warwick Long, who attended Broadford Secondary College from 1997 to 2002.

He said the school played a significant role in shaping him and helping him grow into who he was today.

“I absolutely loved my time at the college, I think [high school is] that time where we all come of age and I certainly did so here,” he said.

“The time here and the students and the teachers probably did more to mould me than anyone would realise, and you don’t even realise yourself until you come back and start reflecting on the journey. It was a huge part of my life.”

Mr Long said ‘just about everything’ at Broadford Secondary College had changed since his time as a student.

“I’m told the library is still the same building, but everything around it is completely different,” he said.

“Everything is in a completely different space and it’s almost a little disorienting, but it’s really cool to see because it means the school hasn’t stopped and it’s continually trying to offer the best for a lot of kids, and that’s really exciting.”

Broadford Secondary College opened at its current site on October 5, 1962 after two years of operation as Broadford Higher Elementary School in the town’s Masonic Hall.

During the course of its 60-year history, the school has seen significant changes and improvements – from the construction of new buildings and facilities to advancements made in school technology and online connections in the late 20th century.

The school has had nine principals during its time, with five of them present at the anniversary to share their experiences and reflect on the changes the school had seen.

Current principal Tania Pearson said she was proud to be part of the college and to celebrate its history and people.

“I’m so proud to be the principal here at Broadford Secondary College, and to have past principals as well as past students and parents here. They’re all exceptionally excited to be able to come along and share their stories about their journey,” she said.

Ms Pearson said she was confident in the school’s future direction, with new initiatives being introduced to focus on current issues such as student wellbeing.

“We’re just going from strength to strength and we’re getting back from being in lockdown, so we’re focusing a lot on wellbeing and looking at students from a holistic perspective,” she said.

“It’s not just their academics, it’s their whole person and catering for their individual needs so they can pursue their own career pathways.”

Broadford Secondary College also unveiled a new logo as part of the anniversary celebrations, featuring changes to better reflect the school in the current day.

The new logo features a ‘B’ for Broadford, with the school’s four house colours depicted under a gum leaf, representing the natural environment of the Broadford area.

“It was just time for a change – the old logo was probably a little outdated and represented pine trees that no longer exist here at the school ground, so we felt it was time for a new era,” Ms Pearson said.

Bathurst race complete for Lancefield driver

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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Bathurst race complete for Lancefield driver

LANCEFIELD teenager Jaylyn Robotham finished in 18th position in his debut Bathurst 1000 race on Sunday.

The 19-year-old made his V8 Supercars debut, driving as part of Matt Chahda Motorsport, MCM, a team that received a wildcard entry into the race.

Robotham races against Chahda in Super2 season – a stepping-stone series before V8 Supercars.

The Mount Panorama race presented plenty of challenges for drivers this year, with rain in previous days and a wet track causing headaches across the 161 laps.

The Caltex young start drivers qualified 26th, with Chahda at 15th after his first stint but dropped to 23rd after sliding off the track.

Robotham took over on lap 31 and made his way up to 10th position, but a brake issue in one of the pit stops set the team back, putting the number 118 Holden back to 22nd place.

“We were sitting just outside the top 10 before the brakes seized. We lost two laps there so it was good to get back on the lead lap,” Robotham told The Race Torque.

After many cars had completed their final pit stop, the MCM team made a strategic call to wait it out. A safety car occurred, allowing them to pit for the final time and gain the laps back they lost earlier.

“Once it came out we were all pretty happy, we all knew that’s what we needed to get back on the lead lap,” Robotham said.

Robotham said he struggled in the last stint of the day due to fatigue in the six-hour race.

“It’s a long day, we were in our suits for 12 hours, it was hot out there and we didn’t have our drink bottle,” he said.

“It went very fast, it was good to make my debut in the main game … Beat a few cars and just stayed out of trouble, we’re all really happy.”

311167977 652558696229760 5541487353188697707 n — Photo: Jay Robotham, Facebook

Question mark over the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal

Roads & Transport

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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Question mark over the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal

By Colin MacGillivray

The future timeline of a Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal, BIFT, will hinge on an independent review of the Inland Rail project announced by the Federal Government last week.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King revealed on Friday that former Energy Security Board chair and investment banker Kerry Schott would head an independent review of the Inland Rail project, which aims to create a rail link between Melbourne to Brisbane to enable faster and more efficient freight movement between the cities.

The BIFT is proposed as one of two Victorian hubs capable of processing the double-stacked freight trains enabled by Inland Rail. The other proposed hub is the Western Interstate Freight Terminal, WIFT, located in the Melbourne suburb of Truganina.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell welcomed the review, which Labor promised during the lead-up to May’s federal election.
Mr Mitchell said the 1700-kilometre Inland Rail was ‘miles over budget and miles behind’.

“There’s more than 1000 kilometres of rail yet to be laid and bridges to be done,” he said.

“This is why we committed to having this review. It’s a nation-building project that needs to be done properly the first time.

“Properly means the proper use of taxpayer funds, making sure everything is done on time and making sure everything that needs to be done gets done.”

Mr Mitchell said the review would show an election pledge by the former Liberal-Nationals government and its candidate for McEwen Richard Welch to build the BIFT were ‘a sham’.

During the federal election campaign, Mr Welch and the Liberal Party pledged $1.9 billion to build the BIFT by 2027.

“After the election there was an Infrastructure Australia report that showed that the BIFT was embryonic – it wasn’t in a ready-to-go state, which shows once again that the Liberal candidate and the Morrison government were being misleading,” he said.

“They were using BIFT versus WIFT as a political wedge. The fact is that it wasn’t ready to go, and was nowhere near ready to go.”

Mitchell Shire Council has advocated for the BIFT, arguing it could support up to 20,000 jobs in the fast-growing Beveridge area.

Despite council concerns that Labor would abandon the BIFT, Mr Mitchell said the government remained committed to the project in the long term.

“My view is that the BIFT will have to go ahead, absolutely, but the WIFT has to go ahead as well,” he said.

“The people who use it the most, industry, have said they prefer the western option because of the freight volumes heading to South Australia and Western Australia.”

Mr Mitchell said Dr Schott’s review was unlikely to make mention of a timeline for the BIFT’s completion.

“This [review] is going to be more focused on how Inland Rail is going to get on track and get certainty. When we’ve got that certainty we’ll have a better idea of whether the BIFT goes first or the WIFT goes first,” he said.

“We need to know where [the rail is] going so we can make the decisions that will mean more for jobs, more for investment and a better freight system that takes trucks off our roads.

“We’re not cancelling it – we support it and we want it to happen. We want it done properly though.”

WR (2022-10-11)

Whittlesea Review

The North Central Review

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October 11, 2022

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NCR (2022-10-11)

North Central Review

The North Central Review

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October 11, 2022

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A century celebrated in Kilmore

Grace Frost

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October 11, 2022

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By Grace Frost

Famie ‘Fay’ Boyd Coff celebrated her 100th birthday last Tuesday, surrounded by friends, family, residents and staff at Kilmore’s Caladenia Nursing Home.

The special birthday was marked by a celebratory afternoon tea, the table adorned in high-tea decor, a gift table piled with bunches of flowers and homemade presents, while pink and purple balloons surrounded Ms Coff at the head of the table.

The nursing home was filled to the brim with emotions, many holding back tears as they spoke of Ms Coff’s character, while others chuckled as she exclaimed ‘cheese’ while smiling for photos with family.

Family and staff spoke highly of Ms Coff’s joy and quick wit, which were evident in her birthday speech.

“Some I have known a long time, some I have known a very long time and I would like to say thank you very much for coming,” she said.

“I really feel thrilled to death,” she added, to which the room erupted in laughter.

Staff chuckled as they remarked back, saying ‘don’t do that’, and ‘I hope you’re not going to be thrilled to death’.

Ms Coff stood, showing off her new jumper embroidered with her birthdate and ‘100’, as she continued her speech.

“I hope you enjoyed yourselves and meet up with your friends as well,” she said.

“The food has been just lovely, and all I can say is … I can’t eat anymore.”

One of Ms Coff’s closest friends in the nursing home, Sheila Page, shared her deep love for her friend, with whom she was thankful to have grown closer since moving to a neighbouring room last year.

“Everybody’s so quiet and fine, I’m one of 12 kids so you had to be loud to be heard and that’s the way I am,” Ms Page said.

“Her and I just clicked.

“I get out of bed and I go in and say hello to her.

“We’re always together … She’s just like a sister, and I look after her. If she’s down, I’m down.”

When asked for one word to describe Ms Coff, Ms Page struggled to pick, and instead shared something more heartfelt.

“I love her. I love her to death,” she said with teary eyes.

Caladenia nurse Steph Elliott described the pair as ‘the naughty school kids’, always laughing and enjoying each other’s company, regularly playing card games, of which their favourite was poker.

Ms Coff was joined by her son, Andrew Coff, and daughter, Marlene Coff in celebration, her daughter helping her unwrap presents, holding up gifted knitted blankets and nightgowns for her mother to admire.

Marlene Coff spoke of her mother’s life with deep admiration.

Born October 4, 1922, she grew up on a farm in Oxley. Marlene described her as ‘a horse whisperer’ in her young age.

Ms Coff later moved to Melbourne where she worked for an American colonel at the Army barracks in St Kilda, and later at David Jones in accounting.

Ms Coff married and moved to Kilmore after living in Lilydale, when she and her husband purchased the green grocer and newsagency mixed business 70 years ago.

Marlene spoke in high regard of her parents, who worked hard to raise their children.

“Dad worked a permanent afternoon shift, he was an engineer at the Ford factory,” she said.

“Mum did the shop and paper round and all that sort of stuff until they sold it and they bought a house in … Powlett Street, Kilmore,

“[We] looked after dad at home. He was lucky enough to die at home in his own bed, and we were hoping that for mum, but the staff up here have been really wonderful so I’m very happy about that.

“As you can see, she’s always had a good sense of humour, even if she doesn’t know now because she does have some dementia, which is sad.”

Staff at the home wished Ms Coff the ‘biggest, safest, most amazing 100th birthday’ and thanked her for being part of their lives.

Ms Elliott beamed as she spoke of the joy Ms Coff brought to the nursing home, and said it was hard to believe she was 100.

“She joins in everything … you’d never ever hear her complain … she’s fit as a fiddle,” she said.

Ms Coff is one of the first 100-year-olds to celebrate the milestone without a letter from the Queen, but was hoping to receive a birthday letter from the new King.