Victorians access power saving bonus

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August 2, 2022

Victorians are applying for more immediate bill relief to cut their energy costs through the State Government’s $250 Power Saving Bonus.

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio said a $205 million increase to the program allowed more Victorian households to receive $250 just by exploring a better energy situation on Victoria’s Energy Compare website.

All Victorians are permitted to apply, including concession card holders who previously claimed the payment through an earlier time of the program.

Ms D’Ambrosio said she was pleased to see many Victorians access the power saving bonus.

“Three weeks after launching this bill busting bonus, we are proud to have supported one million Victorian households with their energy bills while helping them find the cheapest deal available,” she said.

“We know Victorian families are doing it tough, so we’re topping up the $250 Power Saving Bonus program to make sure no one misses out.”

Since July 1, the program has had more than one million Victorians apply for the one-off payment. The $250 payment will be accessible until June 30, 2023, including no caps on the number of households receiving the payment.

The following number of residents in towns across the region have acccessed the bonus so far:

Wollert 4336; Mernda 4121; South Morang 4060; Wallan 2416; Kilmore 1549; Seymour 1155; Whittlesea 909; Beveridge 790; Donnybrook 718; Romsey 716; Broadford 704; Riddells Creek 557; Lancefield 343; Wandong 174; Puckapunyal 104; Pyalong 90; Tallarook 84.To apply and for more information visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au.

Commonwealth Games an opportunity to showcase regions

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Commonwealth Games an opportunity to showcase regions

Mitchell and Macedon Ranges shire councils are calling for the community’s best ideas in a bid to attract Commonwealth Games events in 2026.

With Victoria committed to hosting the games across four regional hubs in Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Gippsland, council officials said there would be plenty of opportunity for nearby regions to get involved.

The State Government launched a campaign for communities to submit their ideas last month, and Mitchell Shire Council chief executive Brett Luxford said it presented a chance to showcase the region.

“For Mitchell Shire, it’s an opportunity to highlight our picturesque landscapes, welcoming community and growing economy,” he said.

“From rivers and mountains to cafes and wineries, from rail trails to boutique shops, Mitchell has it all.

“Situated in the heart of Victoria, with an abundance of attractions and hidden gems, we’re the perfect destination for day trips or short stays during the Commonwealth Games.

“With the Victorian Government’s call for ideas campaign, I encourage anyone with a big idea that could support the Commonweath Games and celebrate our region to put their suggestion forward.”

Macedon Ranges Shire Council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan said suggestions could go beyond hosting sports and could fall under the umbrellas of culture, education, business innovation, live sites, legacy, and partnerships and collaboration.

“We encourage our community to think of events or activities that could support the Commonwealth Games and associated celebrations, and that could be hosted right here in the Macedon Ranges,” he said.

“Whether it be sporting, training or cultural events, or ideas that utilise our facilities and natural assets, this could really give an economic and tourism boost to the region, not only during the games but for a long time to come.”

Mr O’Sullivan said council would make its own submission to the government with ideas including hosting sporting and cultural events and using Macedon Ranges landmarks as backdrops.

“Our stunning natural scenery and vibrant villages make the Macedon Ranges an ideal location for supporting and augmenting the Commonwealth Games experience,” he said.

“We are really excited to see what we can contribute to this world-class event.”

Outer East football: Broadford-Yea outgunned in Alexandra loss

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Outer East football: Broadford-Yea outgunned in Alexandra loss

WHILE Broadford-Yea’s 2022 Outer East football season has been one of growth, the combined side showed it still has plenty of ground to make up in a loss to Alexandra on Saturday.

The combination was spirited in the first quarter, recording four scoring shots to the Saints’ five, but dropped away in the second to trail by 56 at the main break.

A four-goal effort in the third quarter was not enough to salvage the game, as the Saints ran away to a 20.11 (131) to 7.7 (49) win on their home ground.

Captain Liam Lucas again showed the way for Broadford-Yea, with onballers Shanyn Kearney and Braydon Hardstaff, centre half-forward William Schwab and defender James Edwards also turning in creditable efforts.

Tom Knight was the sole multiple-goal kicker for the visitors, booting two.

The combination side will play a home game at Yea this weekend, with Warburton-Millgrove set to take them on.

Netball

Broadford’s A Grade netballers continued a march towards the finals, knocking off the third-placed Saints to guarantee themselves an elimination final berth.

The Roos trailed by two goals at quarter time but rode the momentum of an outstanding 14-7 second term to a 48-36 win.

Renee Sari and Caitlin Hinrichsen shared the load in attack, netting 28 and 20 goals respectively.

Broadford will take plenty of confidence from the result given the team is likely to play Alexandra in the first week of finals.

The Roos’ B and C Grade teams followed the lead of their A Grade counterparts, winning 39-21 and 43-18 respectively.

The B Grade side sits second on the ladder and the C Grade team is third, with both assured of playing finals.

Neighbourhood houses get Lancefield, Romsey communities moving through transport initiative

Roads & Transport

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Neighbourhood houses get Lancefield, Romsey communities moving through transport initiative

By Colin MacGillivray

Lancefield and Romsey neighbourhood houses celebrated with the community last week as they launched ShareRide, the latest project of their transport initiative Community Driven.

The neighbourhood houses collaborated to establish Community Driven in 2019, with volunteer drivers ferrying people unable to drive themselves to and from health appointments on weekdays.

The ShareRide program will extend the service by using a people-mover vehicle, transporting users from Lancefield and Romsey to towns such as Kilmore, Kyneton and Sunbury on a set weekly schedule.

Bendigo Bank supported the program, providing $16,500 a year for three years to lease the vehicle. The State Government, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Zonta Club of Kyneton also supported the project.

Lancefield Neighbourhood House coordinator Vivien Philpotts said she was thrilled the project was up and running after community surveys showed a need for increased transport options.

“It came out of a study that Romsey and Lancefield neighbourhood houses were part of, because we already did some community transport for people on an ad hoc basis,” she said.

“We had our health transport service, but with this you can go to Kilmore and get your shopping done and also do a water aerobics class or go for a swim – things you can’t do in Romsey or Lancefield.

“It might be that you can’t drive or your car is out of action, but if you don’t have transport here, you’re very isolated.

“It supports people’s physical and mental health to get out and about. Even if it’s just a temporary thing and you’re without a car for a month, it can be really debilitating. This will allow people to still be able to at least go shopping, do an activity or visit a friend.”

A9207741 — About 70 people attended a Feed It Forward community meal in Lancefield last Tuesday, run by Lancefield and Romsey neighbourhood houses across both towns on a monthly basis.

The neighbourhood houses launched the service during their Feed It Forward community lunch in Lancefield on Tuesday.

Ms Philpotts said it was an excellent way to let people know about the service.

“We do the lunches once a month to bring the community together for a meal. Hopefully some of the people here might end up using the service,” she said.

Bendigo Bank Romsey and Lancefield branch manager Angela Dickins said she was relatively new to the area but excited to help support a vital community initiative.

“When I came into town I thought this was something we really needed, so it was exciting to hear that it was already in the works,” she said.

“I had a phone call the other day from a customer who was upset because she couldn’t get to the bank. In the end I picked her up and took her into town, but something like this is a great initiative.

“This is what we’re here for – 50 per cent of our profits go back into the community and to be able to do something like this when there is such a need is unreal. We’re providing just under $50,000 in total, which is pretty exciting.”

People can visit www.communitydriven.org.au or call Lancefield Neighbourhood House on 5429 6724 or Romsey Neighbourhood House on 5429 1214 to learn more about the health transport and ShareRide services and make bookings. People can also email info.communitydriven@gmail.com.

Payment can be made online or over the phone via credit card. The health transport service operates on a suggested dollar contribution based on distance driven, while the ShareRide service will have set prices.

Late winter open garden coming soon at Macedon

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Late winter open garden coming soon at Macedon

Open Gardens Victoria is delighted to present a late winter open garden event, opening Tugurium, a fascinating private garden at Macedon on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28.

Tugurium is the private garden of renowned garden expert, radio personality and nurseryman Stephen Ryan.

Set on a peaceful country lane at Macedon, the garden showcases Mr Ryan’s decades-long dedication to collecting and curating rare and unusual plants.

After a COVID-19 cancellation last year, it will be the first time Tugurium has opened in winter with Open Gardens Victoria.

Mr Ryan’s private woodland-style garden shines in late winter with textured foliage and the forms of various plantings working harmoniously together with small pops of floral plumes to adorn the bare bones of the garden.

Winter flowering hellebores, brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpets), cyclamen coum and various winter flowering bulbs will be highlights.

The garden includes species on the Plant Trust National Plant Collections Register including acanthus, sambucus and osmanthus.

It is a wonderful garden for exploring, with winding paths meandering through woodland plantings, a restful pond and circular lawn with a small orchard and neighbouring vegetable garden.

Children will love discovering unexpected garden curiosities such as a clipped topiary ‘spider’ and the happy ducks and chickens in the chook house dubbed ‘Cluckingham Palace’.

Visitors can enjoy morning and afternoon tea, view and purchase Craig Lidgerwood’s botanic artwork and peruse the rare plants for sale from Mr Ryan’s nearby nursery Dicksonia Rare Plants.

The garden is located at 8-10 Centenary Avenue, Macedon, with parking available in Marshall Avenue.

The garden is open 10am to 4.30pm on August 27 and 28, with tickets costing adults $10, students $6, while under 18’s are free.

Tickets will be available at the gate or via TryBooking.For more information about open gardens and events, visit www.opengardensvictoria.org.au.

New campaign to encourage organ donation

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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New campaign to encourage organ donation

New data has revealed an urgent need for more Australians to register as organ and tissue donors.

As part of DonateLife Week, from July 24 to 31, Australian Organ Donor Register, AODR, has released data showing the percent of donors in each local government area.

It shows the top five to be Queenscliffe, 48 per cent; Indigo, 35 per cent; Surf Coast, 35 per cent; Murrindindi, 31 per cent, and Nillumbik, 31 per cent.

Close behind was Macedon Ranges Shire, with a total of 13,157 registered donors at the end of 2021, which is 30 per cent of its then 44,162 population.

Mitchell lags behind with 9238 registered donors, 22 per cent of its 41,177 population.

Nearing the bottom of the list was the City of Whittlesea, with 23,137 – 11 per cent of its 203,839 population.

While 2021 was a record-breaking year for new registrations with about 350,000 Australians joining the register, an increase of 87 per cent on 2020, AODR believes there is still more to be done to lift registration rates.

About 22 per cent of Victorians are registered to be organ donors, a figure below the national average of 36 per cent.

DonateLife Victoria medical director Dr Rohit D’Costa said the problem wasn’t that Victorians didn’t support organ donation, it was that either they didn’t know how to, didn’t think they were healthy enough or simply hadn’t got around to it.

“We know the biggest barrier to families saying ‘yes’ to donation is not knowing their family member wanted to be a donor,” he said.

“In hospital, discussing organ and tissue donation comes at an intensely emotional time for families – usually when faced with the unexpected death of their loved one.

“When donation is possible, it helps when families know what their loved one wanted.

“Across Australia, 9 in 10 families say yes to donation when their loved one was a registered donor, and this number is halved when a person is not registered and has not shared their wishes with their family.”

Any Australian aged 16 and over can sign up online for organ donation.

It doesn’t matter about age, medical history or lifestyle – people can register as an organ and tissue donor.

Dr D’Costa said AODR was aiming to for 100,000 more Australians to sign on as organ and tissue donors and to give hope to the 1750 Australians currently on the waitlist for an organ transplant.

The Great Registration Race for DonateLife Week is on now to encourage 100,000 more Australians to register.

One organ donor can save up to seven lives and help many more through eye and tissue donation.

It takes one minute to register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au or three taps in your Express Plus Medicare app. People can also check they’re registered via the same channels.

St Pat’s preps celebrate 100 days of school

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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St Pat’s preps celebrate 100 days of school

St Patrick’s Primary School’s prep students celebrated 100 days of prep on Wednesday.

The children celebrated by dressing up as a 100-year-old person, complete with grey hair, glasses and walking sticks. They also enjoyed a fun-filled day with hot chips for lunch, a Lego incursion, and decorated classrooms at the Kilmore school.

Students made fairy bread to have for afternoon tea when their grandparents or special person visited the school.

The children wrote the following about the day:

“Yesterday I celebrated 100 days of prep. I liked the hot chips. I liked the fairy bread,” – Charlotte.

“Yesterday I celebrated 100 days of prep. I liked the hot chips and balloons,” – Tamara.

‘’Yesterday I celebrated 100 days of prep. I liked when I saw my grandparents and I liked when we had the lego incursion,” – Owen.

“Yesterday I celebrated 100 days of Prep. I liked the dress-ups,” – Lachlan.

Wallan Panthers ready for Big V finals action

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Wallan Panthers ready for Big V finals action

By Colin MacGillivray

THE call is out for all basketball fans from Wallan and beyond to cheer on Wallan Panthers as three of their four Big V teams kick off finals campaigns this weekend.

Wallan’s senior division two men’s and women’s teams, as well as its youth league division two women, will play elimination finals after finishing in the top six, while the youth league division two men failed to qualify despite an impressive 107-102 overtime win against Chelsea on Saturday.

The Panthers’ men will play an away final against Sherbrooke, while the women and youth league women will be at home to Gippsland United and Whittlesea respectively on Saturday night.

Wallan president Tracy Connors commended the effort of all teams and encouraged residents to create a strong home-court atmosphere for the women’s teams.

“All four of our teams should be commended. They’ve done really well coming out of COVID into their first full season back together,” she said.

“Just being able to live and breathe a full competition again is really important. It’s great that we can bring two finals games home to our fans to see our women’s teams perform at home.

“It’s encouraging that all four teams have put in a good show, some having challenges along the way with player injuries and player numbers. It’s just been a great result for the year.

“We want all of our fans to come along and support our women at their home game. We wish them all the success as we push into the finals.”

The division two men enter the finals on a high after a tough 76-72 road win against Mildura in round 18.

Coach Tim Annett said it was a good tune-up before facing Sherbrooke.

“It was frustrating that we got up early and allowed them to get back into the game, but to the guys’ credit we knuckled down in the fourth and made sure we got the win to take some momentum into next week,” he said.

Encouragingly, captain Jordan Hockley played his best game of the season with 26 points after sitting out the bulk of the year with a hip injury.

With import Arcaim Lallemand finishing in the division’s top five in points and rebounds per game and guard Abraham Solano emerging as one of the premier three-point marksmen of the competition, Hockley could represent a secret weapon.

Annett said the team was feeling good about a third meeting with Sherbrooke after losing narrowly to the Suns twice this season.

“We’ve had two really close games with them. We lost by six in round one and then took them to double overtime the second time we played them. I think they suit the way we play, so it’s probably the best match-up we could get,” he said.

Women’s coach optimistic

Women’s coach Carey Papanicolaou was also optimistic about his team’s chances after dispatching Coburg 75-62 in the final round of the season.

Papanicolaou said the season had been difficult at times as the Panthers endured injuries and player unavailability, but said the players’ commitment never wavered.

“It’s been a good effort by the girls to make it this far. We’ve had interruptions and injuries, so they’ve done really well to get a finals spot, and it’s nice for them to get rewarded for their effort,” he said.

Sarah Scott led the Panthers with 23 points against Coburg but Papanicolaou said it had been a team effort – one which they would need to replicate in the finals.

Youth league women’s coach Ben Whyte was delighted for his side, which will make its finals debut in only its second Big V season.

The Panthers lost 49-62 against minor premier Bellarine at the weekend but showed glimpses of play that Whyte said could stack up against any side.

“We started off really well and brought the energy and intensity that we knew we needed to play with to beat them.

“In the second and third quarters we allowed them to dictate the game and the tempo and we were unable to wrestle that back off them until the fourth quarter, which we won.

“It gave us a lot of positives to take away from the game, and we know that they’re not unbeatable if we play our brand for 40 minutes.”

Whyte said he hoped Saturday’s final against Whittlesea was the start of something special for the Panthers.

“We all have the same goal – we want to build and have a winning culture, not only in the youth league team but the women’s program as a whole,” he said.

“We want to continue to get better each and every week, as well as each and every year. For people coming into our program, we want to build that expectation that we’re going to be successful and going to push for titles.”

The youth league women will host Whittlesea at RB Robson Stadium at 6pm on Saturday, with the women playing Gippsland United at 8pm.

The men’s game against Sherbrooke will be at 6pm on Saturday at Upwey High School.

National Tree Day inspires Kilmore students to plant for future growth

Pam Kiriakidis

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August 2, 2022

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National Tree Day inspires Kilmore students to plant for future growth

By Pam Kiriakidis

Kilmore Primary School students participated in National Tree Day on Friday to improve the new walking track at Kilmore Racecourse and Recreational Reserve.

A joint initiative between NorCen Financial Services – the company behind the Bendigo Bank branches at Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford, Kilmore Toyota and Kilmore Racecourse Reserve Trustees supported students from foundation to grade six to plant 250 native trees behind the track.

NorCen provided a grant of $100,000 to Kilmore Racecourse Reserve Trustees in June.

The three-kilometre track provides runners, athletes and other users a place to exercise and enjoy the green scenery.

Kilmore Racecourse and Recreation Reserve Trustees chairman Danny Laws said students planting trees was another exciting step for the track, considering it had been a work in progress.

“I am hoping one day that those kids will walk their kids on that track, and they can go past and say we planted these trees – that’s what we hope our reserve will get to,” he said.

Bendigo Bank chairman David Wheeler said starting two days earlier than the annual day was jump-starting the planting process, allowing students to be involved and learn about nature.

“We are getting national tree day two days early, the main reason for that is because we want to involve the kids in the actual tree planting process,” Mr Wheeler said.

He said the recent trees planted would support the area’s future and help maintain wildlife.

“The reason for the tree planting is to encourage wildlife in the area, obviously the trees are fairly small at this stage, but over future years we hope they will grow up and provide a pristine environment for local wildlife,” he said.

Kilmore Toyota, a promoter of National Tree Day, invited primary school students, and sponsored the event to provide the necessary plants and tools to help the environment progress.

Kimore Toyota dealer principal Adam Dove said watching the community come together was incredible, and hoped they would be able to watch the trees grow over the next 10 years.

“It’s really good to have the five communities and businesses here planting some trees to help the reserve moving forward, and hopefully it will be here in 10 years’ time. It would be really cool to see everything that we did today,” he said.

Kilmore Primary School well-being program worker Richie Boyer saw how excited the students were to be involved and plant the trees for the track.

“It’s a great opportunity to get the children outside the classroom, learning in a different environment, giving back to nature and the environment,” he said.

“Giving back to the community is such an amazing thing, once these plants grow and get bigger, they can walk down this part and be able to see that.”

Kilmore trots’ Memorial Night honours past

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Kilmore trots’ Memorial Night honours past

By Len Baker

Kilmore Racing Club celebrated the second 2022 Memorial Night on Thursday, remembering many local trainers and drivers who have enjoyed success on the track over the years.

The Allan Knight Memorial Pace, over 1690 metres, was a semi-local victory with Wallan trainer Ruth Shinn’s seven-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven-Awesomely mare Righteously registering her ninth success in 134 outings (28 placings).

Driven as usual by son Chris, Righteously, bred and raced by longtime clients Justin and Stephanie O’Brien, was eased at the start to settle four back in the moving line as polemarker Border Cross led.

Following Officially Shady forward three wide in the last lap, Righteously swooped on the leaders at the straight entrance before shifting right to the outside fence in the straight to score easily by nine metres in advance of Ringer Russ from last, with Tipofthetongue 3.2 metres away third after trailing the pacemaker. The mile rate two minutes even.

The Reg Shinn Memorial Pace over the same trip saw Cardigan trainer Emma Stewart’s four-year-old Bettors Delight-Libertybelle Lombo gelding Keayang Kamikaze victorious in a rate of 2:00.6.

Driven by Ballarat’s Connor Clarke, Keayang Kamikaze led virtually throughout to defeat polemarker Lottie Moon, which trailed using the sprint lane to no avail. Wingate Guy was third. The margins 1.9 by 3.2 metres.

Bill Harding Mem. 2022 — The Bill Harding Memorial Pace went the way of Melton trainer Tayla Nicholson’s gelding Conspirator.

The Bill Harding Memorial Pace over 2180 metres went the way of Melton trainer Tayla Nicholson’s Kiwi-bred Art Major-Ceebee gelding Conspirator in a mile rate of 2:01.9. He was ahead of Good Feelings and Treacheroustimes was third.

The 2180-metre Barry Alford Memorial Pace was taken out by 10-year-old Stonebridge Regal-Lotasilkari gelding Lotakevi who has become somewhat of a Kilmore specialist, winning three of his last four starts on the track.

Trained at Croydon by part-owner John McGillivray and once again driven by Ross Payne, Lotakevi from the extreme draw followed the heavily backed odds-on favourite Fly By Eden throughout as Bettathanapokeindeye led from gate two.

When Fly Bye Eden took a narrow lead on the home turn, Lotakevi was poised to pounce and did so, blousing the favourite by 1.6 metres at TAB odds of $61. Regality rushed home late from the rear for third. The mile rate 2:03.3.

The Charles Bell Memorial over 1690 metres saw Emma Stewart’s Majestic Son-Aleppo Midas six-year-old entire Alpha Male victorious in 2-00.5.

Driven by Mark Pitt, Alpha Male received a smooth passage one-one from the extreme draw and always looked the winner.

Joining the leader Imperial Whiz which had flown away from outside the front line on the final bend, Alpha Male scored by 2.4 metres in 2-00.5 from Imperial Whiz and Chinski who was third 2.7 metres away after trailing the front runner from the pole.

reg Shinn Mem 2022 — Keayang Kamikaze, trained by Emma Stewart, won the Reg Shinn Memorial Pace.

Norong trainer/driver Mark Buckingham, a regular competitor at Kilmore, snared the MC Security Maiden Pace over 1690 metres with Shady Jess, a five-year-old daughter of Shadyshark Hanover and Jessica Jasper.

Enjoying a sweet passage one/one from gate two, Shady Jess after easing three wide on the final bend raced clear shortly after to register an easy 10 metre margin in advance of Wichita Kansas. Giglio ran on late from the rear for third. The mile rate 1:59.5.

Meredith co-trainers Emmett and Richard Brosnan’s five-year-old Peak-Foreign Interest gelding In Ardua Tendit went one better than his previous second at Geelong a week earlier by taking the $10,000 Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Leading out from gate four, In Ardua Tendit had to pull out all stops to score by a metre from Romsey hope Bundalong Bruiser, which raced exposed from the extreme draw before dropping to the back of the winner on the home turn and using the sprint lane.

Watchingidaontv ran on late three wide last lap to be third a half head back. The rate 2:06.2.

Avenel trainer Wayne Potter produced a nice type in beautifully bred Somebeachsomewhere-Serenity Franco filly Take It Down to land the 2180-metre Jet Roofing 3Y0 Maiden Pace.

With Mark Pitt in the sulky, Take It Down moved forward three wide solo in the last lap from three back in the running line to join the heavily-supported pacemaker Interpretation on the final bend and kept on coming to blouse the leader by a half head only in a rate of 2:01.4. Lochinvar Charm after trailing the leader was third 8.3 metres back.

Heathcote’s Glenn Bull rarely misses a Kilmore meeting and five-year-old Million Dollar Cam-Here I Stand mare Waiting For Love landed a hefty plunge in the TAB Long May We Play Pace over 1690 metres.

Beginning fast from outside the front line, Waiting For Love was unable to head off Elzboy and had to race exposed for most of the trip.

Surging to the front in the back straight on the final occasion, Waiting For Love bounded away with a commanding lead to score comfortably by 2.5 metres over Atlantis from the tail, with Skedaddle Shannon third 10.1 metres back. The mile rate 2:00.7.

The next Kilmore harness meeting is on Wednesday, August 10.