New bins for organic waste and glass recycling are set to appear on Mitchell Shire kerbs by 2025, meaning council’s general rubbish collection will be fortnightly.
Council announced the changes to its waste collection services last week, in line with State Government legislation requiring Victorian councils to provide a four-bin system for all households by 2030.
The four bins will be for mixed recycling, glass recycling, food and organic waste, and general rubbish.
The introduction of a weekly food and garden organics kerbside collection will see council scale back its general rubbish collection to a fortnightly service.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said the model was successful in diverting waste from landfill after being adopted by municipalities across Victoria including the Strathbogie, Greater Shepparton, Macedon Ranges, Nillumbik, Monash, Knox, Bass Coast and Banyule councils.
“Our community have told us they want an organics kerbside service and this is a key part of council’s efforts to address the broader issue of climate change,” he said.
“We’re fortunate to be able to learn from other councils to provide the system that is likely to have the best outcomes for our environment and the best financial benefit for our community.
“Based on other councils’ experiences, a weekly food and garden organics and a fortnightly household rubbish kerbside service has the best environmental outcomes as it diverts more waste from landfill.
“We need to take action to meet our zero net emissions target.”
Cr Chisholm said landfill waste accounted for 75 per cent of Mitchell Shire Council’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The breakdown of food in landfill creates methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
A recent council audit found more than 65 per cent of kerbside waste going to landfill in Mitchell Shire could be recycled or composted, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Cr Chisholm said a separate glass recycling bin would streamline the recycling process, as broken glass could make other items like cardboard, paper and plastic difficult to recycle.
Mitchell Shire residents can submit feedback on what they want incorporated in the new four-bin system.
For more information, people can visit www.engagingmitchellshire.com.
Broadford Lions Club has donated $25,500 to Kilmore District Health to upgrade the cardiac monitors in their urgent care centre.
Club president Ian Harvey presented the cheque to hospital representatives at Broadford Bowls Club earlier this month.
Mr Harvey said the fund originated from the Karen Lonsdale Trust – named for a Broadford resident who was planning to have a heart transplant.
Mr Harvey said since Ms Lonsdale had passed away, the club thought about dedicating money raised to heart-related organisations.
“That was what the trust was set up for – to be heart related, that’s where it came from,” he said.
“That’s what it means with the Lions, we like to serve the community and put into the community and help them out. There’s a lot of people out there that are doing it hard at the moment.”
Kilmore District Health chief executive officer Arish Naresh thanked the club.
“Kilmore District Health has seen one of the largest increases in presentations to our urgent care centre in the Hume region between 2019-2022 due to the rapid population growth and the number one reason for presentations is cardiac,” he said.
“This vital equipment that has been funded by the Lions will be put to very good use.”
The upgraded monitors enable the hospital to print heart electrical activity and to monitor oxygen levels when a patient is unwell or unconscious.
Kilmore District Health urgent care centre nurse unit manager Lisa Carlyon said the ability to print from the monitor was time-saving to initiating treatment.
“It’s important if you have somebody that’s come in with chest pain and if they are having a cardiac event, we can recognise then what is a not good rhythm that needs immediate treatment,” she said.
“There’s so many cardiac conditions that rely on the picture and that snapshot on what’s happening.”
Ms Carlyon said the donation was much-needed.
“I think that’s one thing about Kilmore and Kilmore District Health and the hospital here, is that it very much is relied upon from a community perspective,” she said.
“This is something that we have been looking to upgrade for a period of time and we just haven’t been able to get across the line, so this makes a huge difference.”
SEYMOUR Basketball Association will celebrate 50 years of excellence with a season launch featuring high-profile guest speakers this Saturday.
Recently retired AFL player and Seymour product David Mundy will headline the list of speakers at the celebration, which will be at St Marys College Hall on McIntyre Street, Seymour.
Mundy will speak alongside Gabrielle Richards, another Seymour player who attended Kilmore’s Assumption College before playing for the Bendigo Spirit of the Women’s National Basketball League, WNBL, representing Australia internationally at the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, FIBA, World Cup in 2014.
Rounding out the group of guest speakers is Warrick Giddey, a basketball coach and former NBL player for the Melbourne Tigers, whose son Josh currently plays in the United States’ National Basketball Association for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Seymour vice-president Marc Sartori said all three speakers had close links with the association.
“Dave Mundy played here as a junior right up until he got drafted. He won an under 18 championship with us and was coached by our current coach,” he said.
“He’s a local Seymour boy and was a pretty handy basketballer before he was drafted to the AFL, and he’s still mates with some of the boys who play here.
“Gabe Richards is another local who has gone on to play for Australia and in WNBL with the Bendigo Spirit, where she won a number of titles … [and] Warwick Giddey has coached a few of our boys at the Melbourne Tigers in their younger days.”
Sartori said the event would celebrate the history of the association, which began in 1973.
“In the early 1980s basketball was booming and we had no stadium here, so we put together a committee that lobbied the shire to build it for a long time.
“They raised $40,000 as a group to get the ball rolling on a stadium, which was a great effort for a small club.
“Seymour has been very strong since about 2005. We haven’t missed a finals series in 20 years and we’ve played in 14 grand finals, so we’ve got a strong and rich history.”
During the evening the club will unfurl men’s and women’s championship banners from the 2021-22 Country Basketball League season, as well as special 50th anniversary uniforms.
Doors for the function open at 5.30pm on Saturday for a 6pm start. Tickets are $75 each and cover entry and a two-course meal, with drinks at bar prices.
People can visit sba50thanniversary.eventbee.com to purchase tickets online or Sartori’s Panel Works at 19 Emily Street, Seymour to buy them in person.
Volunteer wildlife rescuers are calling for increased awareness of the treatment of wildlife in the local area, after non-fatal shootings left numerous kangaroos injured and suffering.
Macedon-based volunteer wildlife rescuer Debbie Gwyther-Jones was one of four volunteers involved in rescuing a large male kangaroo in Hidden Valley last month.
The kangaroo had been spotted on Lookout Rise with half its mouth missing, after being shot in the face.
Rescuers said the kangaroo couldn’t even drink from a puddle of water.
“The bullet penetrated his jaw, almost severing his tongue. He was left unable to eat or drink but fully mobile. His tongue, swollen and black, [was] hanging loosely from his mouth,” Ms Gwyther-Jones said.
She said although shooters were trained to not shoot uphill towards a ridgeline, rescuers believe the kangaroo had been shot from below.
Ms Gwyther-Jones was joined by fellow rescue volunteers, Sue Anderson, Lauren Torzillo and Glen Cottier, who spent days alternating to search for the kangaroo in Hidden Valley after it was first reported on September 16.
The rescuers knocked on residents’ doors, passing on their phone numbers in case it was spotted.
After a call from a resident on September 20, Ms Anderson was able to safely euthanise him.
Ms Gwyther-Jones said the kangaroo was one of four kangaroos shot and left unattended over a 10-day period, with photos and details of other injuries ‘too gory to share’.
Despite the details being ‘uncomfortable’, the rescue team said it was important for people to be aware of the prevalence of shootings and road accidents that were leaving kangaroos to suffer.
Ms Gwyther-Jones said shooters were expected to stop shooting if they did not kill an animal, locate the wounded animal and end its suffering before continuing on.
The rescue volunteers said some shooters and harvesters had not followed regulations, particularly shooting at night when it was hard to locate kangaroos who had not been shot humanely.
The volunteers worry that without serious consequences for perpetrators, wildlife will continue to fall victim.
“I’m left feeling so disheartened and useless. We do so much for these sentient beings yet government keep giving out permits to murder them, fighting an endless battle and it’s exhausting,” Ms Torzillo said.
Ms Gwyther-Jones shared a similar sentiment, saying the constant rescues taken their toll on volunteers.
“Volunteer rescuers are self-funded,” she said.
“We are exhausted emotionally, physically and financially.”
The Office of Conservation Regulator, issues authorities to control wildlife, ATCWs, with conditions for shooting to ensure wildlife are shot humanely in accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-commercial Purposes.
However, Ms Gwyther-Jones questioned if the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning should be responsible for issuing the permits.
Volunteer rescuers advise people who spot injured wildlife to call Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300.
Whittlesea Agricultural Society is calling for people to sign up as members to help boost financial support ahead of its show next month.
The society is considered one of the oldest agricultural societies in Victoria, and members are the support network behind the Whittlesea Show – the largest two-day show in the state.
The society also host other events throughout the year including an open day and Whittlesea Community Christmas Tree Extravaganza in December.
President Erica Hawke said memberships cost $60 and were valid for 12 months.
“Our members are the lifeblood of our organisation, without their backing we would achieve little,” she said.
“Members receive the opportunity to join Whittlesea Agricultural Society Council and become part of the think-tank behind the society.
“They have voting rights at the annual AGM, and receive newsletters and updates and are involved in organising our community, social and educational events throughout the year.”
Ms Hawke said members also benefited from hands-on experience and sharing knowledge and information; learning new skills; engaging with a diverse range of people, and through volunteering gain a sense of achievement.
“You don’t have to be a farmer to join the society and there are a wide variety of areas you can choose to be involved with,” she said.
Areas include administration; animal nursery; art; catering; cattle; commercial beef herd; education; farm and garden; finance; food expo; heritage; homecrafts; horticulture; horses; photography; poultry; PR and attractions; rural and junior ambassador; sheep; woodchop; young person’s competition; and works and maintenance.
Members receive a show membership ticket and guest ticket for both days; free show entry for accompanied children under 14 years of age; access to members carpark at the show, 1/3 discount on show entry fees for livestock except show entries on the day for horses; voting rights at annual general and special meetings; a copy of the show schedule, are eligible for nomination to a position on the council and executive council committees and invitations to attend other society events with special discounts.
Hidden Valley’s Deanne Marchant is kicking goals from the footy sidelines, with her photograph named as a top 10 entry in the AFL’s #FootyFocus22 photography competition.
The competition offers photographers a platform to showcase their photographs that ‘capture the essence of Australian football at a grassroots level’.
The major prize offered this year was an opportunity to shadow the AFL’s chief photographer while shooting an AFL match at the MCG during round one of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Ms Marchant’s photograph was selected as one of 10 top entries from almost 10,000 images, earning itself a feature on the AFL’s official Instagram page and website.
Ms Marchant said she did not expect such high praise, having only just begun a photography course this year, hoping to better her camera abilities and take higher quality images of her son’s football teams.
Ms Marchant’s son Bobby Marchant plays for Kilmore under 14s, Assumption College under 14s and was a Northern Football Netball League development squad representative, most recently recognised with two best and fairest awards.
Ms Marchant committed to photographing the action in all three of her son’s teams, as well as the under 13 Kilmore Junior Football Club grand final, racking up a total of more than 60,000 photos throughout the 2022 season.
She worked to edit about 4400 shots for the boys and their opposing teams to access by the end of the season.
Ms Marchant said her husband, who played semi-professional rugby in England, had only about five photos from his sporting career, so it was important to her to capture more for her son to hold onto in years to come.
“I wanted it to be different for Bobby and his mates. I want these photos to be precious memories for the boys, doing what they love,” she said.
“The boys really love having action shots of themselves: taking a hanger, a powerful tackle, a brilliant contested mark or booting a goal.”
Ms Marchant was required by her photography course to post her images to Instagram, which is where she first heard of the AFL’s #FootyFocus22 competition.
“I began tagging my photo posts and to my great surprise and delight, the producer of the competition Sarah Morton, invited me to officially enter my image of the boys,” she said.
Entitled ‘Pregame Focus’, the awarded photograph captures the under 14 Kilmore footballers deep in thought pre-game in the change rooms at Whittlesea, preparing themselves for ‘the most important game of the season’ – one that would win them a place in the finals.
Ms Marchant said when she downloaded the images from the game, she knew right away she had captured a special moment.
“Each of the boys was listening intently to coach and was fully focused on their task ahead, full of concentration and emotion,” she said.
In the photo, Hudson Farley is seen staring, stoic, down the barrel of the lens.
However, Ms Marchant said Hudson had no idea he was being photographed.
“I asked Hudson Farley afterwards why he didn’t smile at the camera. He said he didn’t actually see me there, he was picturing himself kicking the winning goal,” she said.
Hudson did in fact go on to kick the winning goal for Kilmore in that game, earning the team their place in the finals.
AFL photographer Dylan Burns praised Ms Marchant’s photograph, saying the composition was ‘fantastic’, and that ‘it truly encapsulates mateship and connection’.
“Deanne’s image is a powerful image showing a group of young players who are about to take to the field,” he said.
“You can see the players are focused on their task and this image displays their emotion and determination.”
Mr Burns said it was Ms Marchant’s use of space, shooting tight on the players, which allowed her to avoid unnecessary distraction, earning her a top 10 position.
“We like that Deanne has decided to retain the players on the left in the photo and the fact they are out of focus, which gives the image some foreground interest,” he said.
“This creates depth which then leads the viewers eye to the player in focus on the right who is staring down the lens.”
Ms Marchant said she was ‘honoured’ to have been selected, though nervous and hesitant to be at the centre of attention.
“The competition was fierce and to be included amongst some amazing professional photographers is next level,” she said.
She added that being involved in the competition itself had been ‘brilliant’, bringing her opportunities to get to know other photographers of all levels, build a network and improve her skills.
“I wouldn’t have this [network] without the competition – I’m very grateful,” she said.
“It’s actually helped me with my own photography, I’ve worked that bit harder to try and capture the perfect image.”
Despite not taking out first place, Ms Marchant’s image was a fan-favourite and deserving of its place as a finalist, with many people commenting on the AFL’s Instagram post that it was their preferred winner.
Melbourne-based photographer Bernie Wright took out the overall win, photographing Lee Munungurr engulfed in a team huddle, the AFL commenting it encapsulated mateship, camaraderie, community, and connection.
The seat of Liberal and Nationals candidates have pledged $3.2 million to rebuild clubrooms at Seymour’s Kings Park if the Coalition forms government at next month’s state election.
Liberal candidate Brad Hearn and the Nationals’ Annabelle Cleeland said the clubrooms, which currently house Seymour Football Netball Club as well as junior football and netball clubs, would benefit more user groups and create a function centre at Kings Park.
Ms Cleeland said the upgrade could pave the way for Seymour to host AFL practice matches and other major events.
“With no town hall, this venue is one of the only places in our community where we can hold major gatherings,” she said.
“It’s also the staging ground for emergency services in the event of a natural disaster.
“Whether weddings, funerals, show day, the Seymour [farming] expo or the many functions the Lions hold during the season, new clubrooms will be a great space for functions and entertainment.”
Mr Hearn said he fought for the project for four years after committing to it as an upper house candidate in 2018.
“It still hasn’t been delivered and that demonstrates the need for stronger advocacy for our community,” he said.
“There are a lot of tired clubrooms across our region that need funding to bring them up to date. We have been ignored for too long in this seat and our facilities demonstrate this.
“Sporting clubs are the great meeting places in our communities and this investment will make sure Kings Park continues to be a busy hub for all people well into the future. Sporting facilities save lives.”
More students in the City of Whittlesea will be able to catch a bus to school from 2024, with two new and improved school bus services to be introduced next year.
The two new services to be introduced in the City of Whittlesea will be Wollert to Wollert Secondary College, and Donnybrook via Kalkallo, Mickleham and Craigieburn to Mount Ridley College.
The additional services will target new schools in growth areas where student demand is high and where school bus services can be introduced, expanded or rerouted to cater for increasing demand.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said the introduction of new school bus services would help support growing populations across Victoria.
“We’re giving Victorian parents and students better access to school bus services in the regional and metropolitan growth areas where there is high demand, and they are needed most,” he said.
“Through Victoria’s Bus Plan we’re delivering a modern, productive, environmentally sustainable bus network that increases the number of people choosing to take the bus.”
The four-year program is part of the State Government’s $109 million investment announced in the Victorian Budget 2022-23 to improve bus services in growing areas.
The funding also supports Victoria’s Bus Plan to meet demand, enhance accessibility and performance, and deliver better value for money for all passengers.
New services part of the program are expected to be introduced over the next 24 months, with most services to start in time for the 2024 school year.
The State Government has announced upcoming changes to COVID-19 requirements in alignment with decisions agreed to by all states and territories at the National Cabinet.
Starting Thursday, the pandemic declaration will end, and Victorians will no longer be required to isolate after testing positive to COVID-19, with isolation for positive cases now strongly recommended.
Requirements for close contacts, such as continually testing negative on a rapid antigen test, will become strong recommendations – joining the strong recommendation to wear a mask indoors, which will remain in place.
Targeted financial support will continue for eligible healthcare workers, including in Aboriginal, hospital, aged care and disability care work, including those providing in-home care.
The financial support will continue supporting these workers to isolate if they test positive to COVID-19, protecting their patients.
On advice from the commonwealth chief medical officer, the decision to end mandatory isolation periods was unanimously agreed to by first ministers at a meeting of National Cabinet last week, with each jurisdiction to implement the change via their relevant public health legislation.
The Department of Health will put in place secretary directions to ensure there is no disruption to vaccination requirements in health service settings.
The directions – which are already used each year to require healthcare staff to be vaccinated against the flu – will allow for vaccination requirements in public, denominational and private hospitals, as well as public sector aged care facilities, day procedure centres and throughout ambulance service.
“We’re making sure there are still requirements in place to protect our dedicated healthcare workers and vulnerable Victorians in high-risk settings like aged care, disability settings and hospitals,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Powers also exist under occupational health and safety laws and departmental secretary directions to require vaccinations for people in workplaces, including in the public service – allowing employers to decide which measures are most appropriate to keep their workplaces protected against COVID-19.
Every Victorian business or organisation with on-site operations must still keep a COVIDSafe Plan at their workplace and workplaces should regularly review and update their COVIDSafe Plan.
WANDONG Primary School teachers were overwhelmed after Labor candidate for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage last week pledged $10.1 million to overhaul the school’s ageing infrastructure.
The funding, which is contingent on Labor retaining government at next month’s state election, would enable the school to complete a master plan to improve its grounds, replace portable classrooms with permanent buildings and refurbish existing buildings.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes joined Ms Kathage to announce the school would also receive $200,000 from the State Government’s Inclusive Schools Fund to build an inclusive play area, regardless of the election outcome.
Principal Kelly Morrow was in tears after the announcement after advocating for improvements at the school since taking over in late 2019.
“I was looking at how we could possibly get all the work and projects done to the level they needed to be done. With a basic maintenance money fund it was impossible, so my advocacy started early,” she said.
“Knowing that [$10.1 million] figure, you reimagine the world. Often when figures for rebuilding come in, you have to take away from one area to give [money] to another area or cull and cut in places, but this has given us an unimaginable prospect on the horizon.
“The tears when it was announced were of relief that all the hard work of advocating for our school has come to fruition.”
Ms Morrow said the funding would allow the school to keep pace with rapid growth.
“We’re at 460 [students] this year and we are growing again to around 480 students next year,” she said.
“We’ve had enrolments for next year beyond our capacity and unfortunately we’ve had to say no to some families who live outside our area.”
Student leaders were excited after the announcement, voicing ideas for projects on which to spend the money including new buildings, upgrading sports areas and equipment, and even a reptile enclosure.
Ms Kathage said she had worked with Ms Morrow and the school for months to secure a funding commitment from the government.
“I wanted to add my voice to her voice and the rest of the school,” Ms Kathage said.
“This is a school of excellence and its facilities should match the standard of its teachers and students.
“I have four sisters who are teachers, so I’ve got some insight into what teachers need to provide the best education for our students.”
Ms Symes said the Inclusive Schools Fund grant would benefit children of all abilities.
“A $200,000 inclusive playground was something [the school] identified that would allow some of their students to have better opportunities for leisure activities,” she said.
“It’s about being accessible to kids with sensory issues, and, if you look at the topography of the school, it’s got quite a gradient in places, so it’s also about making sure kids with mobility issues aren’t locked out from accessing the playground.
“It’s about identifying the needs of the students and responding appropriately.”
Ms Symes said the $10.1 million election pledge would enable a whole-school upgrade without the need for piecemeal funding.
“Since I was elected in 2014 … we [allocated money to buy] the neighbour’s land so the school had room to expand, we’ve had to install portable classrooms as the school has grown, we’ve had money for drainage issues and we’ve had money to upgrade the library, so to finally have a commitment for such a significant amount means that we won’t have to keep coming back with small-scale projects,” she said.
Ms Morrow said the funding would give a big boost to the Wandong-Heathcote Junction community.
“I live locally, just 10 minutes from the school, and to think that I’m able to give back to my own local community is so rewarding and so exciting,” she said.
“The possibilities of what this funding can achieve for this school are amazing, and we are so grateful.
“We are a school of choice and we’ll continue to be into the future, because our academic rigour will match our school environment.”
