City of Whittlesea’s glass bin deliveries begin

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August 2, 2022

City of Whittlesea’s glass bin deliveries begin

City of Whittlesea residents will soon receive new purple-lidded bins in readiness for the new glass recycling service due to begin later this year.

Close to 90,000 bins will soon make their way to all households that currently have a council-provided rubbish and recycling bin, in line with the State Government’s requirement of a standardised four-bin waste and recycling system for all councils.

Bins will be delivered across August and September and residents are encouraged to start using the bin as soon as they receive it, ready for the first collection, which is expected to begin in early October.

Glass recycling bins will be collected once every four weeks, on the same day of the week as the regular bin collection. Information will be sent to all households detailing collection days ahead of the first pick up.

Administrator Peita Duncan said the addition of glass recycling bins would improve the overall quality of all the recycling that was collected, meaning more of it could be recycled and kept out of landfill.

“Glass often breaks during collection and can get lodged into other recyclables, such as paper and cardboard, making it difficult to recycle,” she said.

“By separating glass in a different bin, we can remove this contaminant and turn your old glass bottles and jars into new bottles, or even road base.

“The new glass recycling bins are also made with 80 per cent recycled content, which is just one example of how we are supporting a circular economy.”

The following items can be placed into the glass recycling bin: glass soft drink, juice, water and milk bottles; beer, wine and spirit bottles; sauce, condiments and oil bottles and jars; medicine bottles; vitamin and supplement bottles and jars; and bottles and jars from toiletries and cosmetics, such as lotions, gels and creams.

For more information visit whittlesea.vic.gov.au/glassrecycling.

Historic films of Kilmore to be revitalised by historical society

Pam Kiriakidis

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August 2, 2022

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Historic films of Kilmore to be revitalised by historical society

By Pam Kiriakidis

Kilmore Historical Society is in the works of editing archive footage, presenting Kilmore’s oldest events captured on film.

The films are films that were recorded by Kilmore’s Catholic parish priest Father James McHugh who was a keen photographer who captured many churches and events from 1937 to 1939.

Some of the events in the films are Kilmore’s most treasured memories, including the visit of the State Governor Lord Huntington, a procession through Kilmore’s main street and horse races at the racecourse when the grandstand was on the east side.

The original films went missing after Father McHugh left Kilmore and were discovered when Monsignor Morrison resigned from his parishioner duties, cleaning out the cupboards during the 1980s.

Kilmore Historical Society member Pat Hoban stitched them together and hosted screenings of the films, however it was found the films would deteriorate if shown too often with strong projection light.

The films were then taken to a Melbourne laboratory to be digitised.

After many years, Kilmore Historical Society president Brian Clancy said he decided to revitalise the films – writing a script, adding subtitles and music to give back to the community.

“It’s just making those films more complete, because if we don’t do anything now, it’s going to get harder and harder, and that’s what I’m discovering now,” he said.

“There’s one or two people that were only five or six years old in the films that are alive today.”

Adding music and subtitles also means identifying the local people featured in the original films.

The society has put forward an appeal for help identify the ‘film star’ identities.

Mr Clancy said the response so far has been significant, allowing the process of the new upgraded film to proceed ‘full steam ahead’ with its next stage.

“We’re trying to get as much detail as we can to get a script, and we’re going quite well with that,” he said.

“We will keep the original old films, but we will have a new edited version, which will have a soundtrack, some musical background, subtitles, and we’ll make that freely available.”

Through funding, the society managed to identify most of the names of the men in Kilmore’s militia, hopping on a train to a camp in Puckapunyal before World War Two broke out in 1939.

Mr Clancy said the society has dug deep to identify residents in the original films, searching through Assumption Colleges magazines, historical society records and Kilmore’s Free Press, but were still searching for names.

The new updated film is expected to be completed in about October. Further details regarding screenings and accessibility to the film will be published in the Review.

To watch a trailer of the McHugh films, people can visit the North Central Review Facebook page.

People interested in providing monetary support to the project can contact Kilmore Historical Society via its Facebook page or website.

Whittlesea downs Northcote Park in bid to avoid Northern Football relegation

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Whittlesea downs Northcote Park in bid to avoid Northern Football relegation

By Colin MacGillivray

WHITTLESEA went a long way towards avoiding relegation from the Northern Football Netball League’s top division on Saturday, handily defeating Northcote Park to vault to eighth on the ladder.

The Eagles, who have endured a turbulent season, were staring down the barrel of a likely wooden spoon finish if they failed to beat the Cougars and responded with one of their best performances in a 10.10 (70) to 6.3 (39) win.

Despite blustery conditions at Northcote’s Bill Lawry Oval, Whittlesea was able to move the ball effectively, with Mitch Andrews providing run and precision ball use on a wing and Taidhg Bland winning on the inside.

Jake Wild was undersized in the ruck but used his mobility around the ground to cut off numerous Northcote Park kicks, while Matthew Atta was rock solid in the back line.

Jaron Murphy looked dangerous in the air and at ground level for Whittlesea, finishing with a game-high three goals, and Keidan Treacy’s sealer in the last quarter saw him named among the best on ground.

Whittlesea now sits a game clear of Northcote Park and ninth-placed Hurstbridge, although with lower percentage than both.

The Eagles will return home to Whittlesea Showgrounds this Saturday in a game against North Heidelberg.

22 07 30 14 25 34 A9208647 Jaron Murphy W scaled — Jaron Murphy leads hard at the ball in the Whittlesea forward line.

22 07 30 14 29 39 A9208817 Mitchell Andrews W scaled — Jaron Murphy leads hard at the ball in the Whittlesea forward line.

Broadford’s upgraded tennis and netball facilities officially open

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Broadford’s upgraded tennis and netball facilities officially open

The new $2.5-million pavilion and tennis and netball courts at Harley Hammond Reserve in Broadford were officially opened last week, updating the facilities for increased sporting opportunities.

Two new competition standard shared-use tennis and netball courts and a new pavilion with female-friendly change rooms featured in the upgrade, as well as the installment of 350 lux lighting and the resurfacing of another two courts.

The Broadford tennis and netball clubs currently have more than 280 members between them, with the new facilities now able to cope with the increasing numbers.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the project would be a much-needed improvement for the Broadford community.

“As a Broadford local I am very proud to see this investment into our local sporting clubs. New facilities complete with female-friendly changerooms are an important addition to support the growth of community sport in our town,” she said.

“The new pavilion and courts are a great way for our community to connect and bring them together for the big games.”

The project was completed with the help of a $500,000 State Government investment, provided through the Community Support Fund in conjunction with a contribution of $2 million from Mitchell Shire Council and $14,000 from the Harley Hammond Reserve Committee of Management.

Committee of Management president Peter Duncan said the project was a community effort that will improve the reserve.

“This is a great new building because both of the club rooms were outdated, they’d been put there by the members 40 years ago or more, so this is a breath of fresh air,” he said.

“As a community id like to thank the council and the government for the money that they’ve put into it.”

The project took about four years to complete, with the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors with different groups involved drawing out the process.

Broadford Tennis Club president and coach Melissa Douglas said the new pavilion would allow for more opportunities for different events at the club.

“I think it’ll be fantastic just to be able to hold a few functions with great facilities, change rooms and toilets,” she said.

“Broadford’s growing so it’s quite a big clubhouse that will hopefully get utilised the netball and the tennis club and we’re very grateful for what’s happened.

“There was a bit of history [in the old building], but things change and the new building will hopefully last us for many years to come.”

Mayor Bill Chisholm thanked the tireless efforts of the Harley Hammond Reserve Committee of Management and the committee and organisers who manage the local sports clubs.

“Without the State Government, council and these dedicated people working in unison, these types of projects just do not happen,” he said.

“These ongoing partnerships provide the best possible outcomes for those living in our communities and those that will call Mitchell home in years to come.

“We want to see more women and girls getting involved in local sport and these upgrades make Harley Hammond Reserve much more accessible and welcoming.”

Dreams to come true for Wallan singer

Pam Kiriakidis

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August 2, 2022

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By Pam Kiriakidis

For one night only, Wallan’s Dylan Marguccio is taking on Kilmore’s Trackside on August 20 to fulfil his singing dreams.

The wheelchair-bound teenager’s debut show has come true, thanks to BGGROUPAU, a creative agency that specialises in events, music and digital media.

The show allows his full support system of family and friends to attend and watch Dylan shine near his home town of Wallan.

Dylan said nerves did not affect him when singing to a crowd.

“I am very excited, I don’t get nervous in front of people, I am really looking forward to it,” he said.

The concert will be filled with loads of talent, as 17-year-old Dylan is performing about 10 songs, with a few favourites including Coldplay, his inspiration Michael Jackson and his newly-released single Man in The Mirror, which he recorded this year with music artists Kaitlyn Thomas and Paul Ray.

Growing up, Dylan has battled with the rare genetic disorder Duchenne Genetic Muscular Dystrophy, which causes his muscles to weaken and deteriorate over time.

At the early stages of adulthood, his muscles will gradually weaken, affecting his breathing and eventually heart function without sufficient dystrophin.

In dedication to boys who had lost their lives to muscular dystrophy, Dylan will perform a surprise number on the night to show his support.

From the moment Dylan received his first karaoke machine at age nine, he enjoyed singing Michael Jackson and Queen tunes, performing in front of his family on caravan trips, making a statement wherever he finds a stage.

Whether it is a microphone, a stage, or a birthday party, Dylan is ready to perform, as singing allows him to release his frustations and worries.

“Singing makes me feel free and happy when I’m feeling down and frustrated,” Dylan said.

In 2020, he auditioned on The Voice, and has appeared on televised platforms including Monash Carols where he performed to an audience of more than 20,000 people.

Throughout school, he had also been part of productions and Schools Spectacular.

He said he hoped to keep singing as a hobby, entertaining people with his main message that even with a disability, people could do anything they put their heart to.

Dylan continues to inspire others with his music; however, he hopes to achieve his goals in becoming an AFL commentator in the field of sports media.

To book tickets for Dylan’s debut show at Trackside on Saturday, August 20, people can visit events.humanitix.com/dylan-one-night-only. To hear his forthcoming single, people can visit https://musible.lnk.to/ManInTheMirror.

Kyneton’s Marita Lawson takes Echuca win

The North Central Review

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August 2, 2022

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Kyneton’s Marita Lawson takes Echuca win

By ‘Pegs’

KYNETON trainer Marita Lawson looks like she has a smart one in Hoff To Sea judging by its win at Echuca on Friday.

Having only his fourth start, the then four-year-old gelded son of Bon Hoffa and Sailor Sam came from the rear of the 12-horse field to narrowly take out the Border Inn Hotel Maiden Plate over 1200 metres.

Sent out a $2.70 favourite on the strength of two minor placings, Hoff To Sea was patiently ridden by Neil Farley in defeating Gobbo’s Mate, $14, by a short-half-head with Breadcrumbs, $4.60, a further one and three quarter lengths away third.

Lawson said she purchased the mare, Sailor Sam, with foal at foot on line ‘about three years ago’.

Sailor Sam, a winner of four races, was raced by the late Nick Moraitis.

“We have taken time with him as he is a big heavy horse and he needed time to mature to cope with racing,” Lawson said.

“We will look for a race soon for him and find a track with a bit of give in it.”

Hopes relocate

The father-son training duo of Lee and Shannon Hope made the move back to the Kobyboyn Road, Seymour, stables on Saturday.

The Burgess Road, Kilmore, stables and residence, occupied by Lee Hope and his long-time partner Carol Shinn for more than 30 years, has been sold and will have to be vacated late this year.

The training duo will be ably assisted by Shannon’s wife Deidre Hope and Carol Shinn.

Hope Racing is looking to build on its team of 13 in work at present.

Wallan man arrested in Melbourne joint taskforce drug raid

The North Central Review

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July 28, 2022

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Wallan man arrested in Melbourne joint taskforce drug raid

A WALLAN man is among three people arrested in Melbourne yesterday, charged with importing methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine into Australia.

The Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce, JOCTF, arrested the three men following an investigation into an international organised crime syndicate allegedly attempting to smuggle commercial quantities of controlled drugs and precursors into Victoria.

Precursors, such as pseudoephedrine, are substances known to be used in the illegal manufacture of illicit drugs.

The JOCTF consists of members of the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Department of Home Affairs.

JOCTF officers arrested the 27-year-old Wallan man along with a Strathtulloh man, 41, and a Truganina man, 23, in Melbourne, seizing several electronic devices and a large quantity of what investigators believe is 1,4-butanediol, a controlled substance in Victoria.

The men faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with several offences including importing a commercial quantity of border controlled pre-cursor chemicals, importing a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs, and dealing with money that would become an instrument of crime.

The maximum penalty for the importation offences is 25 years’ imprisonment while the maximum penalty for the proceeds of crime offence is 10 years’ imprisonment.

Investigators said the expected to lay further charges.

Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Jacqueline Curran said the arrests highlighted cooperation between law enforcement agencies to limit the harm caused by drug trafficking.

“We’ve made no secret of the fact that Victoria Police is determined to make Victoria a hostile place for organised crime and in particular, those who are engaged in the importation and trafficking of drugs,” she said.

“Alongside our partner agencies, we will continue to target criminal syndicates and hold them to account. If you commit an offence, there is nowhere to hide, we will track you down.”

Kilmore’s Colmont School families gather after announcement of school’s impending closure

Lauren Duffy

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July 27, 2022

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Kilmore’s Colmont School families gather after announcement of school’s impending closure

Administrators of Colmont School will meet with families tonight to discuss the Kilmore school’s impending closure.

Administrators will give a statement on the school being placed into administration and families will have an opportunity to ask general questions.

Fellow Kilmore schools Assumption College and St Patrick’s Primary School have opened their doors today to families left scrambling to find their children a school, after it was announced year levels three to 10 would finish on Friday.

Assumption College will remain open until 8pm tonight for families to meet senior staff and receive information about enrolment. Online applications are available at www.assumption.vic.edu.au.

St Patrick’s Primary School will have staff available at their front office area until 6pm tonight and during school hours in the coming weeks for families looking to enrol. Information on enrolment is available at www.spkilmore.catholic.edu.au.

Former chairman of Colmont’s board of directors Rod Dally told the Review today the school, which housed international boarders, had been unable to recover financially from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Review understand there is currently about 30 boarders at the school.

“The root cause of this is the locked borders and losing a substantial number of students who couldn’t come back because of COVID-19,” he said.

“Although we’ve been working hard to recoup the finances, we weren’t able to this year. About 50 of our students went home and didn’t come back, and that killed our finances.

“We’ve been working actively to try and correct that. A lot has happened in the past 12 months, but the critical factor by a long shot was COVID-19.”

Voluntary administrators Ian Grant and Paul Langdon, from corporate insolvency firm Vince and Associates, will oversee the day-to-day operation of the school while it is under administration.

Mr Grant said the administrators would examine the finances of the school more thoroughly in coming days.

“The school was running out of funds and sought additional funding from the commonwealth and state governments, as well as finance from banking institutions and private lending,” he said.

“As additional government funding and finance was not forthcoming, the board of directors could not continue because the school was insolvent, or likely to become insolvent.

“Paul Langdon and myself were appointed voluntary administrators of Colmont School on July 26. Upon reviewing the funds the school has available to it, we have made the decision for year three to year 10 to finish their schooling this Friday and to prioritise years 11 and 12 to continue at the school until we can transition them to other schools.”

Mr Grant said his first focus was supporting Colmont’s year 11 and 12 students.

“We’re not sure [how long it will take for year 11 and 12 students to transition to other schools]. You can’t force a parent and a student to go to a particular institution, but there will certainly be a period of time that we’ll keep their education going here,” he said.

Earlier

Colmont School, formerly The Kilmore International School, has been placed into administration.

Students in years three to 10 will finish this Friday. Years 11 and 12 are expected to continue for a short time, while arrangements are made for students to transition to other schools.

Some parents attended a meeting on Wednesday evening about the school going into administration, but many families were not notified about the meeting.

Teachers and staff were told about the plans on Wednesday afternoon.

Families were notified that the school was placed in administration late on Wednesday by an email from the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, a State Government body that regulates Victoria’s education and training.

“The administrators will decide about how long the school and school boarding premises will continue to operate. When they have made this decision, they will tell you,” the email said.

“We understand that this will be unexpected and distressing news for your family.”

An attachment to the email included vague information about next steps, options, and help available.

“If the school closes, you will need to choose an alternative school for your child and enrol your child at that school. Your child is able to attend their designated neighbourhood government school (local school) or another government school of their choice, provided that school has sufficient space to accommodate them.”

The Review understands other schools in the shire were not warned about Colmont’s impending closure.

Colmont’s year 12 students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, IBDP, course.

Fewer than 25 schools in Victoria offer the IBDP – the closest in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs.

The school announced in May it would change its name as it did not own The Kilmore International School naming rights.

It also announced the intention to move from the current White Street Kilmore premises, which it does not own.

The land on which the school sits was sold in 2019, bought by a Chinese company from the school’s founder Ray Wittmer.

Weapons, drugs, cash found at Doreen property

Lauren Duffy

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July 27, 2022

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Weapons, drugs, cash found at Doreen property

Police have seized more than 60 weapons and a man has been charged after a Doreen property was searched on Sunday.

Mill Park Serious Crime Taskforce detectives executed the search warrant following an investigation into illegal weapon and drug possession.

Detectives seized nine imitation firearms (gel blasters); 30 throwing knives; two samurai swords; four swords; two knuckle dusters; three flick knives; two extendable batons; one imitation firearm and magazine; nine assorted knives; one tactical dart shooter with darts; and ammunition.

More than $11,000 in cash and a large quantity of cannabis was also found at the property.

The 37-year-old Doreen man was charged with possessing prohibited weapons, trafficking and possession of cannabis, possessing proceeds of crime and possessing ammunition without a licence.

He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on November 10.

Detective Acting Sergeant Matt McKenzie said the information police received from the community was crucial to their ability to apprehend criminals and seize dangerous items.

He urged anyone with information about crime to report it to police to investigate.

“Any form of weapon, including an imitation firearm or a gel blaster, can cause significant public alarm and we know they are often used to commit serious criminal offences,” he said.

“These weapons are not harmless toys – we regularly see these items used in serious and violent crimes which can terrify victims.”

Anyone with information about criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

New social housing for Seymour, Wallan

The North Central Review

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July 26, 2022

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MITCHELL Shire will welcome 71 new social housing properties, following the State Government’s announcement it will invest more than $26 million to projects in Wallan and Seymour.

Minister for Housing Danny Pearson visited Seymour last week to examine new social housing properties as part of the government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build.

Among the projects under construction is a $5.5 million, 16-home development in Seymour the government is building in partnership with community housing provider the Haven Foundation.

The homes will cater for people with mental illness, in line with a recommendation from the final report of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Mr Pearson said he expected social housing projects in Mitchell Shire to create at least 230 jobs for builders, electricians, plumbers and other tradespeople.

He said the developments would provide safe, stable and secure housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, older women, Aboriginal Victorians and people with a disability or mental illness.

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and these new developments provide just that, allowing people to live a life of stability,” he said.

“The social housing developments across Mitchell Shire are proof of our government’s commitment to tackling homelessness and investing in real and tangible solutions.”

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the government’s Big Housing Build was the largest single investment in social and affordable housing in Australia’s history.

She said it would result in more than 12,000 new homes and create an average of 10,000 jobs per year during the next four years.

“This investment will make a real difference, providing people with the safety and security of social and affordable housing and helping build a strong local community,” she said.

The Big Housing Build has earmarked $1.25 billion for regional areas.

The government’s minimum investment guarantee of $25 million for Mitchell Shire has already been met – something Ms Symes said would ensure economic and social benefits in the region.

Data from Everybody’s Home, the national campaign for real housing solutions, has revealed most of regional Victoria is being impacted by the state’s rental crisis.

Everybody’s Home spokesperson Kate Colvin said as mortgage interest rates doubled, many landlords would seek to pass the cost on to tenants.

“Renters are in for a seriously difficult time as landlords capitalise on historically low vacancy rates to shift the rising cost of interest rates on to their tenants,” she said.

“While the Victorian state government has invested in social housing, we will only start to see significant change once we see a significant promise from the Federal Government as well.

“After a decade of inaction on social and affordable housing from the previous Commonwealth Government we really are in a perfect storm. There are limited options for people who can’t afford to buy but want to stay in their local community.

“The bitter fruit of a decade of housing neglect is with us now and is being unfairly forced on low income renters. This problem will only get worse if we fail to act.”