A Wonder win for Seymour’s Brown

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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By ‘Pegs’

SEYMOUR trainer Stephen Brown’s Egyptian Wonder found conditions to his liking at Ballarat on Sunday.

Racing on a heavy nine surface, the five-year-old gelded son of Desert Kink and Celtic Reign was a $4.80-$3.30 favourite, and ran out a comfortable winner of the Ingenia Lyfestyle Parkside Lucas BM64 over 2600 metres.

Ridden again by Harry Coffey, the gelding defeated the $3.70 Guido by one and three quarter lengths with the Kilmore-trained Ambalac, $9, in third place.

“The wetter and the longer, the better,” Brown told Racing.com’s Bella Anderson after the win.

“It was a pretty good win. He looked beautiful and he just outstayed them I suppose.

“We’ve missed out on a heap of runs every time its long we need a heavy 15 to win but every time they cancel the race so we were very lucky today. Very happy,” he said

The gelding is a three-quarter brother to the triple Melbourne Cup-mare Makybe Diva.

Egyptian Wonder has now won two races with seven minor placings from his 24 starts.

Big weekend for Shinn

Former Kilmore apprentice and Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Blake Shinn capped off a successful weekend riding five winners from only nine mounts.

On the first day of the Caulfield Cup Carnival, the former Scobie Breasley medallist rode three of the first four winners on the program and was a luckless runner-up aboard Elliptical, $15, in the $3M Group 1 Neds Caulfield Guineas over 1600 metres. The Dundeel colt, having only his fourth start was beaten by a half-head.

Shinn will base himself in Melbourne until the end of the Spring Carnival and then return to his home in Sydney.

Blake English Riviera — Blake Shinn returns to the mounting yard aboard English Riviera after winning the Manhari Metals Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse on October 08, 2022 in Caulfield, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)

Clubs hope for drying weather

Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club along with Kilmore Racing Club are hoping for drying weather for their turf meetings this week.

The former, who has lost its first two meetings for this season due to bad weather, will race this Thursday.

Kilmore, after losing its first turf meeting for the season last month, hopes the weather gods will be shining down on them for its big fundraising meeting on Sunday.

The annual day – the Northern Health Foundation Charity Day – is to raise money for purchasing much-needed life-saving equipment at Northern Health.

Long-time Kilmore resident Bev Carman has been the backbone of the event for many, many years.

For dining booking or further enquiries, ring 5783 0777.

All Souls’ Day marked in Broadford

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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Broadford Cemetery Trust has invited Broadford Christian Churches ministers to host a gathering to mark All Souls’ Day on November 2.

A short service at 5.30pm at Broadford Cemetery in Piper Street will honour people who died in the past year.

The service will include a reading of the names of those who have been interred in the cemetery in the past year, and blessing of the graves will be followed by light refreshments.

All people are welcome, regardless of faith or if they are atheist or agnostic.

Father Andre Du Plooy from the Anglican Church, Father Prakash Cutinha of the Catholic Church, and Reverend Len Sherratt of the Uniting Church will join together to host the service.

“We held this service last year and invited all Christian ministers this year as it was a lovely way of remembering our dead and for people to come visit their loved ones,” Fr Prakash said.

“The blessing is a lovely opportunity for us to come together to remember our Broadford residents who are buried here,” Rev Len said.

“Reading the names out aloud is a very meaningful way to remember as we light a candle each,” Fr Andre said.

Updated changes to electoral boundaries for state election

The North Central Review

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October 11, 2022

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Updated changes to electoral boundaries for state election

Voters are being reminded that new electoral boundaries will be in effect for the 2022 state election.

The boundaries were revised as part of a state redivision conducted in 2021 by the Electoral Boundaries Commission in a consultation process that featured submissions from the public, political parties and other interested groups.

In the Lower House, Wandong and Heathcote Junction has moved from the seat of Euroa to Yan Yean.

Wallan has moved out of Yan Yean into Kalkallo, a new seat which extends South along the Hume Freeway corridor to Mickleham and Craigieburn.

However Wallan East remains in Yan Yean, meaning residents east of the Hume Highway will continue voting for candidates in that seat.

In the Upper House, the seat of Kalkallo are considered part of the Northern Metropolitan Region, meaning Wallan and Beveridge residents will vote for candidates nominated in that region.

All residents in the seat of Yan Yean will remain voting the Northern Victoria Region.

The changes to the electoral boundaries will come into effect on November 1. To vote in the state election, people must be correctly enrolled by 8pm on November 8.

To check if your electorate is changing, visit vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment/check-my-enrolment.

To view an interactive map of current electoral boundaries, visit maps.vec.vic.gov.au.

Kilmore trainer’s shock win

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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By Len Baker

Kilmore trainer George Schembri scored a shock win at Kilmore harness races’ big 10-event program on Monday last week.

Schembri who snared the Buds & Branches Florist Pace, over 1690 metres, with five-year-old Artistic Fella-Tiny Treasure mare Jasperine, paying odds of $23-00.

Trained and driven by Schembri, Jasperine was restrained to near last along the markers from outside the front line as polemarker Officially Shady retained the front running from the pole.

Momentarily one-one in the back straight following Cantseeme, which had moved to race exposed from three pegs, Jasperine after angling four wide on the final bend finished her race off in style to record a 1.9 metre victory over Are You With Me, paying $1.45, which extricated off the back of the leader on turning. Officially Shady held third 1.6 metres back. The mile rate 2-00.8.

Ex-Tasmanian trainer/driver Connor Crook snared the Hanson Cleaning Services Pace over 2180 metres with four-year-old Grinfromeartoear-Artistic Balance gelding Lifeinthebalance raced by members of the Chibnall family.

Going forward from gate two on the second line shortly after to start to cross the heavily supported favourite, Playful Miss was well rated, scoring by a half head.

Lifeinthebalance wouldn’t give in for those cheering, and So She Said (three pegs) was third, 19.5 metres away. The mile rate 1-59.2.
Ten-year-old Stonebridge Regal-Lotasilkari gelding Lotakevi has recorded 11 wins from 160 outings, the last four at Kilmore including the Grays Bendigo Pace over 1690 metres.

Driven by Romsey based Ross Payne, Lotasilkari trained by John McGillivray at Croydon, settled on the back of the leader from gave five with pokemarker Moreartsthanclass kicking up to hold him out at the start.

Shuffled back to three pegs after Pinnacle Hope crossed to take over at the bell, Lotasilkari used the sprint lane as he has done in the past to prevail by a half neck from Ringer Russ along the sprint lane from the rear. Pinnacle Hope was third 2.9 metres away. The mile rate 1-58.8.

Dunnstown trainer/driver David Murphy’s four-year-old Angus Hall-Lilian Grey gelding Rioterra was a strong victor of the 2180-metre Beraldo Coffee Maiden Trotters Mobile returning a mile rate of 2-03.8.

Galloping shortly after the start from inside the second line, Rioterra gave away a tidy start to his rivals as Imasocialbutterfly led from gate four with the favourite Benny The Gun after going back at the start moving forward when the speed was slow to cruise to the front.

Running along, Benny The Gun still had a handy lead prior to the home turn before shortening stride in the straight and Rioterra going three wide in the last lap.

Sustaining the run, Rioterra raced clear to score by 5.5 metres from Get Up Early, which ran home nicely from four pegs at the bell, with Benny The Gun weakening to finish third 3.8 metres away.

Leading trainer Emma Stewart snared a treble with three short priced favourites saluting – Tempting Tigress, $1.09, in the New Life Laser Therapy 2Y0 Pace, So Art I, $1.50, in the TAB Pace and Beach Villa, $1.09, in the Carlton and United Breweries Pace.

Tempting Tigress virtually led throughout from the pole to defeat Tin Tin Jo owned in the same interests, which trailed in 1-55.9.

So Art I led from the bell to account for Jo Rocks in 1-58.7 and Beach Villa led most of the way to defeat El Boston in a slashing 1-53.2. All three were driven by Mark Pitt.

Another Ballarat winner was Highview Tommy-Five Star Bell filly Flowertop Mountain in the MC Security 3Y0 Pace, over 2180 metres.

Raced and trained by Wayne Watson who assists at the Stewart stable, Flowertop Mountain driven by Allan McDonough extricated six wide from well back on turning to register a 5.5 metre margin in advance of Rocknfury in 1-59.9. Sapphire Gambler ran home nicely from the tail for third a head away.

Frenchbred Traders-Saorse, a four-year-old entire trained at Cardigan by Anton Golino with Nathan Jack in the sulky, eased from three pegs after starting from gate two to lead for most of the trip in the Jet Roofing Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Traders-Saorse proved too strong for the favourite Aldebaran Dino, which raced outside him, with Downunder Barkers third from the tail. The margins 2.3 X 2.7 metres in a mile rate of 1-59.7.

Allendale owner/trainer Adam Stephens always turns his horses out looking a treat and honest nine-year-old I Am The Way-Alberts Belle gelding Iamawingate was successful in the 1690 metre Worlds Best Hoof Oil Pace.

Driven by Michael Bellman, Iamawingate after starting from the extreme draw, ran home strongly to record a 2.6 metre margin from Havana along the sprint lane in 1-59.7.

Dennstown, which trailed the pacemaker Good Feelings, also used the sprint lane for third a head back. It was Iamawingate’s 10th victory at start number 87.

The next Kilmore harness races are on Thursday night.

Plant expo and sale returns to Wallan

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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The Australian Plant Society Mitchell Group’s annual native flower and plant sale is back, with an event in Wallan on Saturday after a three-year hiatus.

The Australian Plant Society Victoria is selling all sorts of native plants along with other sellers including Joan and Peter Broughton, Mike’s Plants, Ironstone Park – Unusual native plants, La Trobe indigenous plant nursery – Indigenous tube stock and Goldfields Revegetation, Russell Wait Eremophilas and his book.

Secretary Ian Julian said the expo would feature a range of native plants and native flowers for guests to consider for their own home-grown gardens.

“Every flower that will be on the show will be growing in a local garden and whether it’s from Queensland, or Western Australia, people think you can’t grow some of those lands because they are a different environment,” he said.

Mr Julian highlighted the productivity that native plants gave to the land, especially in developing areas.

“It’s really important to have native plants, especially to the area and especially in developing areas, because it might have a better opportunity of providing something that’s more appropriate and more likely to survive,” he said.

The last show in 2019 presented 160 Grevillia species with hakeas, eremophila and a long range of local native species.

At this year’s sale, the group’s Gardens for Wildlife Program will have a stall for people to consider applying, providing people the opportunity to educate themselves on what plants attracts local species.

“[It’s] really about what you need to have wildlife in your garden, whether it be little lizards and skinks and a few birds popping in to provide water,” Mr Julian said.

The plant expo will be at Wallan Community Centre, located Bentick Street Wallan, from 9am to 3pm on Saturday.

Entry is $2 with children free when accompanied by a parent, and refreshments will be available along with many door prizes.

Wollert hydrogen trial a ‘game changer’

The North Central Review

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October 11, 2022

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Wollert could be home to a multi-million dollar renewable hydrogen energy facility if a pilot program run by Yarra Valley Water is successful.

The State Government last week announced it would fund $11.9 million through its Energy Innovation Fund to build a permanent renewable hydrogen facility at Yarra Valley Water’s Aurora treatment plant in Wollert if a pilot project to test technology runs smoothly.

Trials will test the performance of a Victorian-made electrolyser before developing a State Government-funded large-scale facility.

The government expects to create 10 full-time-equivalent construction jobs and four ongoing jobs from the project, titled Hydro Gen-1.

Hydrogen can be produced using only renewable energy, with no carbon emissions.

Renewable energy is used to separate oxygen and hydrogen molecules from water to create hydrogen gas, which has several uses including generating electricity in fuel cells to power vehicles, as well as in natural gas heating.

Yarra Valley Water managing director Pat McCafferty said the trials at the Aurora treatment plant would test the feasibility of developing a commercially viable renewable hydrogen facility.

“This is an exciting development in our journey towards a carbon-free future and delivering our purpose to create a brighter future for communities and the natural environment,” he said.

“The water industry is significantly impacted by climate change and we’re committed to doing what we can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of our climate resilience planning.

“Australia’s goal is to be a major supplier of clean hydrogen by 2030 and the water industry has a critical role in providing a commercially viable renewable hydrogen future.

“Recycled water and renewable energy are needed to make sustainable hydrogen and we’re producing both at Aurora, which is powered by green energy from our onsite food waste to energy facility. And the by-product from hydrogen production – oxygen – can potentially be used to make our sewage treatment processes more efficient.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the hydrogen facility, along with grants for energy storage also announced last week, would make the state’s energy the greenest in Australia.

“We’ve cut emissions by more than any other state, tripled the amount of renewable energy and created thousands of jobs. We’re not just talking about climate action – we’re getting on with it,” he said.

Victoria’s water sector is the first of any state in Australia to commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.

“This pilot is an extension of our work to go beyond zero carbon and play our part to help Australia decarbonise its fuel sources and decrease greenhouse gases – we’re proud to be at the forefront of this important shift,” Mr McCafferty said.

Yarra Valley Water will collaborate with the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group, AGIG, to deliver the program.

Seymour’s Light Horse Memorial Park set for upgrade

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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Seymour’s Light Horse Memorial Park set for upgrade

The State Government has allocated $405,000 for upgrades to Seymour’s Australian Light Horse Memorial Park through its Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the the money would help upgrade the historically significant park, with a goal of attracting more tourists and day trippers to the region.

“This is a fantastic outcome for Seymour. It will not only encourage more visitors to the park but it will also drive more tourists to the beautiful towns in the Goulburn region,” she said.

The park, formerly known as Seymour Camp, has a long military history.

From a light horse training ground pre-Federation to a base camp in World War Two, thousands of Australian soldiers have trained and rested on the park’s lands.

The project will improve accessibility and public amenities, with upgrades to Waler Paddock Lake access and a public walking trail. Road access and the car park will also be upgraded and extended so more people can visit.

Park trust chairman Scott McKay said the park had a ‘long and proud military history’.

“With the new upgrades future generations of Australians can continue to learn and enjoy what the park has to offer. We would like to thank the Victorian Government for their support,” he said.

The park covers 150 hectares of countryside east of Seymour’s town centre and is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, putting it within range of urban families on a day trip.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said he expected the project to provide significant flow-on economic benefits for local businesses through increased tourism and construction works, which will generate up to three jobs.

Works are expected to start in February 2023 and be finished in September 2023.

“Tourism is a major employer in the region, and we’re supporting projects that encourage more people to see more and do more – boosting local businesses and creating local jobs,” Mr Dimipolous said.

Dazzling magic on show at Tallarook

Lauren Duffy

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October 11, 2022

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Tallarook Mechanics Institute is welcoming families for an evening of magic and wonder through The Quizzical Mr Jeff on Sunday.

In his all-ages show, Mr Jeff is known to circulate happiness as he combines magic and humour for the children and their parents to be left speechless.

Venue coordinator and secretary Alan Wright said the dazzling event was a chance for families to gather and to make use of the afternoon’s entertainment.

“We’re hoping that people will make an afternoon of it before settling into their Sunday evening routines for the week ahead,” Mr Wright said.

Volunteers from the Tallarook community will staff the kitchen and bar, providing food and beverages for families to access before the show.

A raffle will also feature at the event, giving away donations from local business supporters, as well as two free tickets to the next upcoming event at the institute.

Mr Wright described the businesses that offered their goods as ‘friends of TMI’, as many businesses were from the shire or the farmer’s market that operated once a month.

“One of the things we do is at all the events, whether it is theatre or live music, we always take the opportunity to have a raffle, so the volunteers are selling raffle tickets to everyone on the day,” he said.

“The monthly farmers market that is hosted at the Tallarook Hall on the first Sunday of every month, we’ve got wonderful creators and producers who sell their products for the market, and so they donate some of their offerings to us as well, so we’re able to raffle that off.”

After losing the original hall to a fire in 2018, Tallarook Mechanics Institute received a State Government grant of $200,000 for the hall’s acts and events.

Mr Wright said through the rebuild, the committee have been more effective in their preparations, especially when it came to larger acts from Melbourne.

“We, the volunteers, we feel really privileged, very lucky to have such a wonderful asset in which we are custodians of,” he said.

He said owning a state-of-art-facility with updated technology, staging and equipment benefited the Tallarook community as it could offer larger acts for regional families and friends.

“When we approach headline acts, and really good quality Australian artists that are used to performing in Melbourne’s theatres or at the arts centre or somewhere like that, what we’re offering is smaller but is not less in that sense, and that’s really significant cause that’s a huge tool for us,” Mr Wright said.

The Quizzical Mr Jeff starts at 3pm, with the kitchen and bar opening at 2pm, at Tallarook Mechanics Institute, located 44 Main Road, Tallarook.

www.tallarook.org.au/whatson/mrjeff.

Kilmore fundraising queen continues on for hospital charity

Pam Kiriakidis

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October 11, 2022

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Kilmore fundraising queen continues on for hospital charity

By Pam Kiriakidis

‘Once a fighter, always a fighter’ is the well-deserved description of Kilmore resident and philanthropist Bev Carman, who continues to fundraise for the Northern Health Foundation after 16 years.

On Sunday, Ms Carman is once again hosting an annual race day at Kilmore Trackside to purchase lifesaving equipment and charity for the Northern Hospital.

This year, her goal is to purchase at least two chemotherapy chairs for the Northern Health Foundation charity.

Ms Carman began fundraising after realising what cancer patients faced when her daughter had to travel into the city for cancer treatment many years ago.

“You had to go on a waiting list to Peter McCallum or to the Austin Hospital, and I think it took 70 days to get through the Austin. Even though that’s not a lot further on the Northern, when you live in Kilmore – it’s a lot further,” she said.

Ms Carman began writing letters, meeting with former Member for McEwen Fran Bailey and campaigning the Federal Government.

“Fran helped me along the way, pestering, writing letters [to] John Howard, and [when] there was election on and he came around to give the Wallan Golf Club a new green, while he was there, he said ‘I’d like to announce something else’ and he gave me a $200,000 cheque,” Ms Carman said.

Nine months after receiving the grant, Ms Carman watched the doors open for a new chemotherapy hub at the Northern Hospital where patients were able to consult with their usual doctors.

“The opening was really for the doctors, directors, some of my friends, my daughter and Fran Bailey – all the people that got it up and running – so that was a very nice night,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful thing because if you’ve had your treatment in one hospital, it’s nice to stay there because you’ve gotten used to the doctors and the whole atmosphere of the place.”

Before organising race day functions, Ms Carman ran other events to fundraise, including an annual charity golf day and Oaks Day function, raising money for crucial items for patients to be purchased.

“Every year that I get this money, it doesn’t just go into the funding, I buy something they need,” Ms Carman said.

“The beginning I did just to get the chemotherapy ward but now it’s to always giving them things they need.”

Ms Carman has raised close to $1 million in total and, in return, has received love from the patients and workers at the hospital.

“I had to unveil a plaque, and I looked at one lady and she just pointed to my picture on the wall and touched my heart and that was the end of me,” she said.

Ms Carman now makes the most of the events she hosts through socialising with people she has met during years of organising functions and activities.

“I love it because I do it for the enjoyment of doing it, it’s my social life,” she said.

“It’s given me a social life because I am a patron. You get invited to everything but if the hospital itself is having a big function, I’ll be invited.”

Ms Carman plans to keep active in her fundraising events, and to expand her knowledge, as she said the events had made her more aware of what happens behind the scenes at the hospital.

“Until you get right into it, you have no idea what’s behind everything,” she said.

“Hopefully I can do it till I’m 80, and if I’m still okay I will keep going but it is time for someone younger to take over.”

Northern Health Foundation Charity Race Day is at Kilmore Trackside on Sunday.

To purchase tickets, people can visit .

Seymour’s Taste of the Goulburn postponed

The North Central Review

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October 11, 2022

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Seymour’s Taste of the Goulburn postponed

The organising committee of Tastes of the Goulburn has decided to postpone the event, originally scheduled for Saturday, due to the flooding in Seymour.

“The committee is deeply disappointed, but felt in the circumstances it [was] necessary for all involved and for the safety of the community to make this difficult decision,” the statement read.

“Another date will be announced in coming days.”

EARLIER:

The event was set to return on Saturday after a brief hiatus, bringing foodies and wine lovers together for the event’s 23th anniversary.

The event, at Seymour’s Station Street, will showcase winemakers, brewers, restauranteurs, producers, distillers, growers, chefs, musicians and entertainers from the Mitchell Shire, Goulburn Valley, Upper Goulburn, Nagambie Lakes and Strathbogie regions.

Tastes committee spokesperson Nina Stocker said it was exciting to be able to showcase the region’s produce on Seymour’s streets again.

“With temperate weather, diverse soil profiles and access to water, the Goulburn region really is spoilt with the best local conditions for producing high-quality food and wine,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to once again having locals and friends from further afield come along to experience out finest and celebrate 20 years of this iconic event.”

Visitors will have the opportunity to travel to the event on a vintage steam train from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station, arriving on the doorstep of the event at Seymour’s historic railway station.

Event ambassador Mitch Wallis said he was excited to have the opportunity to share his passion for the produce of the Goulburn Valley region.

A Western Bulldogs player, Mr Wallis and his family run a farm in Tallarook where he enjoys spending time when he gets a break from AFL football.

“I’m very fortunate to have such a strong connection to the Goulburn Valley region,” he said.

“Given my passion and love of good food and wine, I’m delighted and grateful to become an ambassador for Tastes of the Goulburn.”

Entry is $35 and includes a tasting glass for visitors to sample local wines. The first 1000 tickets purchased will also receive a Tastes of the Goulburn tote bag.

Tastes of the Goulburn is from 10am to 5pm on Saturday.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tastesofthegoulburn.org.au.