Kilmore harness trainer secures popular win

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February 15, 2022

Kilmore harness trainer secures popular win

By Len Baker

One of the most popular victories of the night at Kilmore harness races on Friday was Kilmore trainer Rita Burnett with Im The Mightygramps.

The meeting included most classes with well-supported runners winning most races including many from the Macedon Ranges.

A disappointing factor on the night, particularly for off-course punters, that Sky showed no betting graphics for most of the night, plus false dividends on several occasions.

Im The Mightygramps saluted the judge in 2-00.3 the OKR 98.3FM Pace over 1690 metres.

Im The Mightygramps, the speedy five-year-old gelded son of Western Terror and Cracker Three, enjoyed a cosy passage from gate five one-one trailing the heavily supported Prima Donna, which raced outside the pacemaker American Tiger from gate four.

Easing three wide on the final bend, Im The Mightygramps got there in the last stride to register a half head margin over a game Prima Donna, with American Tiger, 2.8 metres away third.

Local reinsman Ross Payne was successful in the opening race – the Momentum Gaming Pace over 2180 metres – aboard Croydon part-owner/trainer John McGillivray’s honest 10-year-old Stonebridge Regal-Lotasilkare gelding Lotakevi in a mile rate of 2-02.4.

Having start number 131, Lotakevi led out from the pole before allowing Ears Ponder, trained by Monegeeta’s Wally Toczynski, outside him to assume control with around a mile to travel.

Using the sprint lane, Lotakevi scored by two metres, with Rolling Along, three back the markers – three wide home turn, third a half head away.

Riddell trainer/driver Chris Lang led throughout aboard six-year-old Muscle Hill-Cinders gelding Dontouch The Duco to land the MC Security Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Travelling well at the head of affairs from gate two, Dontouch The Duco had 1.3 metres to spare at the finish over Patched, four back the markers – one/two last lap, and Flash Kyvallet, three back the markers. The mile rate 2-05.7.

Monegeetta owners Marty and Laurel Miles were winners when Sunshine Beach-Rockin In Eden filly Cocora, trained by Marty and driven by son David, easily captured the 1690-metre Jet Roofing 3Y0 Pace in a rate of 1-58.7.

Once balanced Cocora let rip to effortlessly take over with a circuit to travel before coasting to the wire 9.1 metres in advance of Thug Rose, with Lollipop third a half head away along the sprint lane.

Melton part-owner/trainer Danny Mullan combined with Greg Sugars to land the Carlton and United Breweries Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres with Hes Themightyspin, a seven-year-old gelded son of Majestic Son and Sunelle.

Sugars brought up a double after leading throughout from gate two with wife Jess’ four-year-old For A Reason-Regaltive gelding Cherokee Joe, in the 1690-metre Beraldo Coffee Pace.

Bendigo duo Alex Ashwood and Tayla French snared the C and M Build Group Pace over 2180 metres with Beach Wreck, a seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Golden Slippa gelding.

Trainer/driver Sam Barker, of Mitchell Park near Ballarat, has enjoyed a profitable week and added another winner to the tally when five-year-old Western Terror-I Wantano gelding Touch Of Terror ran his rivals ragged in the 2180-metre Hanson Cleaning Services Pace.

Adopting ‘catch me if you can’ tactics, Touch Of Terror never looked in any danger, greeting the judge 22.5 metres clear of Rocks Arnt Pets along the sprint lane, in a rate of 2-00.5. Rank outsider Favouritehighlight was third 1.2 metres back.

The next Kilmore harness races are on Tuesday, March 11.

Kilmore’s Bill Milner calls time on horse’s career

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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Kilmore’s Bill Milner calls time on horse’s career

After nearly 300 starts across almost nine years, much-loved squaregaiter Opia has run his last race.

Kilmore horseman Bill Milner has decided to call time on his old mate’s career and is now in the process of finding him a new home to live out retirement.

Opia’s longevity was quite remarkable, with the son of Lawman winning his maiden as a two-year-old in 2013 and scoring at least one victory every year until 2022.

The gelding’s 25th and last triumph came at Maryborough in October last year, with his final race fittingly at his home track of Kilmore on January 23.

“I just feel he’s had enough,” Milner said.

“The last couple of runs haven’t been up to scratch. He’s had nearly 300 starts and that’s enough for him.”

Milner, who bred, owned and trained the bay gelding, said it was a hard decision to retire the 11-year-old.

“I love the old bloke and he loves being at home more to the point,” he said.

“Whenever I put him out in the paddock, he runs up and down the fence until he comes home.”

Opia raced a handful of times at the elite level as a younger horse, but was never gifted with top-end talent.

However, that didn’t stop him regularly finding the winner’s stall, with his 295 starts returning 25 victories and another 62 placings for earnings just shy of $180,000.

The best of those triumphs, at least from a stakes perspective, came on a Saturday night during 2015 at Tabcorp Park Melton when he led all the way to win the $8,275 University Meat Trot.

“He’s always been mediocre, from when he was two-year-old,” said Milner, who bred Opia using his mare Auravale.

“He wasn’t on the bottom, he wasn’t on the top. He’s always been thereabouts.”

New plan to improve walking and cycling options in the City of Whittlesea

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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New plan to improve walking and cycling options in the City of Whittlesea

The City of Whittlesea is keen to hear from residents who walk, ride or run on paths across the municipality.

A draft walking and cycling plan has been developed to help increase the levels of walking and cycling participation in the City of Whittlesea.

Administrator Chris Eddy said encouraging residents to walk or cycle to places locally, rather than drive, would bring with it a range of health, economic, environmental and social benefits.

“Our research indicates that the majority of walking and cycling currently undertaken is for recreational and fitness purposes,” Mr Eddy said.

“However, with more than 80 per cent of residential properties in the municipality within 500 metres of public transport, there is a greater opportunity to support the increase of active travel options such as walking and cycling for our community when travelling to and from school and work or to shops and activity centres.”

The draft plan sets out four directions and a list of actions to increase walking and cycling participation in the community. Improving connectivity, safety and support are some of the actions identified.

Multitude of programs on offer at Whittlesea Community House

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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Multitude of programs on offer at Whittlesea Community House

WHITTLESEA Community House is offering a variety of programs in 2022, aimed at teaching members of the community new skills and promoting connections through shared interests.

Fix it Friday is being held to help the community with a range of issues including legal, financial, mental health and Centrelink among many others.

‘Fixers’ will be available either on the phone or in face to face discussions, with the first session running from 10am to 1pm on February 25. For more information and to register, call 9716 3361.

A craft group called Crafternoons will be from 1pm to 3pm on Mondays, with a range of different crafts featuring each week.

All materials will be supplied unless otherwise advised, and there is a fee of $2 per session or $40 per semester. To register, call 9716 3361.

Ukulele lessons have also returned, aimed at beginners who are interested in learning the instrument. Classes are on Mondays from 10am to 11am, with a cost of $50 per term.

More experienced players are encouraged to enquire about the intermediate ukulele group.

A seven-week Welding for Beginners course will be running at the Central Trades Training Centre from 6pm to 9pm on Wednesdays, beginning February 23.

The course includes TIG, MIG, ARC, and sheet metal riveting. The cost for the seven weeks is $50 with $40 for materials and attendees will need to supply their own work boots. To book, call 9716 3361 or email wchi@whittleseach.com.au.

A walking group run by the Heart Foundation is also being held at the Whittlesea Community House. Sessions will run from 9am to 10am on Wednesdays and from 9.30am to 10am on Fridays.

All walkers are welcomed, with the group suited to beginners and intermediate. Walking distance will depend on participants pace and fitness, and well-behaved dogs and prams are welcome.

The Whittlesea Community Garden is also returning for 2022 and will be open from 8.30am to 11.30am on Mondays and from 8.30am to 12.30pm on Thursdays.

People are encouraged to get involved in gardening, art, conversations and coffee, and members to receive their own keys to visit the garden at any time.

All attendees of Whittlesea Community House programs must be fully vaccinated.

For more information on any of the programs and courses on offer, visit wchi.com.au or call 9716 3361.

Epping ambulance station moves a step closer

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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Epping ambulance station moves a step closer

A NEW multi-million-dollar ambulance station on McDonald’s Road, Epping is one step closer to being built after Bowden Corporation was announced last week as the construction company to lead the project.

Minister for Health Martin Foley and Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio made the joint announcement, sharing that construction should commence in the near future.

“With shovels expected to be in the ground shortly, even better emergency care for Epping families is just around the corner,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“This modern and advanced ambulance station will help ensure families living in the booming northern suburbs receive the best lifesaving emergency care, now and into the future.”

The new 24-hour, two-storey ambulance station will feature a five-bay garage for ambulances, six rest and recline areas for paramedics to recuperate, training facilities, a fully-equipped kitchen and improved security and car parking to make sure paramedics are safe.

The project will involve knocking down and rebuilding the existing ambulance station on McDonald’s Road to provide new, modern amenities.

Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, construction is expected to get underway shortly once paramedics from the Epping are relocated to a temporary accommodation.

The State Government is investing approximately $249 million to upgrade and rebuild ambulance stations and provide better working conditions for paramedics.

Gisborne and District cricket: Wallan slumps against Diggers Rest Bulla

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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Gisborne and District cricket: Wallan slumps against Diggers Rest Bulla

By Tricia Mifsud

A HORRID start to Wallan Cricket Club’s batting innings led to the side’s defeat to last-placed Diggers Rest Bulla in Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup competition.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Wallan captain Steve Bell said the decision came to try something different, and proved to be the right move, bowling the home side out for 116 in the 44th over.

Taking three wickets for Wallan was Chris Vecchie, all in which resulted in duck dismissals of Warren Berry, Dillon Norton and Stephen Morris.

Bryan Vance, who seldom bowls for Wallan, also impressed his captain, taking the wicket of Jacob Grant for one and bowling three maiden overs.

Jayden Schwarze and Lincoln Grant were Diggers’ best with the bat, making 37 and 40 respectively.

“Our bowling was one of the positives to come out of the game, to get them out of low score,” Bell said.

“Bryan generally doesn’t bowl but he bowled well and will probably get another opportunity to bowl again and Chris bowled very well too to get the bottom order out quick.

“Bowling first was something we’d thought we’d try. I think the last three or four weeks, our bowling hadn’t been as good as it was before Christmas.”

Wallan’s opening partnership of Ryan Bonner and Bailey Fowler were unable to perform as well as they have done in previous weeks for the Magpies, both leaving the crease for ducks to the hands of Rhys Berry and Marcus Ciunik respectively.

Dismissing Fowler was one of four wickets taken by Ciunik, later dismissing Jarrod Jones, two, Bradley Bishop for a duck and Kieran Atkin, 27.

Despite the fall of the first five batsmen, Wallan’s middle order pulled together to attempt the comeback, with Vecchie making 27 and Matthew Clayton 25.

With only nine further runs to be made from the final three batsmen, Wallan were handed defeat in the 41st over, going all out for 108.

Bell said he was disappointed in the batting efforts, but made note of Clayton’s performance after coming up from the seconds.

“It was a disappointing result, and it was our batting in general that let us down,” he said.

“To be 5/16 was obviously disappointing, we had a good middle period, but even at end, it was four quick wickets that we lost.

“A special mention to Matty Clayton though who we brought up for the reason to help us out with the middle order. The kid has been good all season and I was very pleased with his performance, and he’ll definitely get more games.”

A win against Diggers Rest Bulla would have almost confirmed Wallan’s position in the finals, but Bell said even with the loss, he was not particularly worried where his team currently sat.

“At the start of season, we had no expectations on how we’d go. I’m not concerned where we finish but one more win and we should makes finals,” he said.

This weekend, Wallan will host Woodend at Greenhill Reserve, which is only one win behind Wallan on the ladder.

Seymour District cricket: Kilmore win sets up furious finish

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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Seymour District cricket: Kilmore win sets up furious finish

KILMORE’S chances of a top-two finish in the Seymour District Cricket Association A Grade competition are alive after a big win and a surprise Broadford loss on Saturday.

The Blues got a confidence-boosting victory against Tallarook, batting out their full 45 overs after winning the toss and then restricting the home side well enough in a hard-fought 17-run victory.

Kilmore had solid starts from opening batsmen Dale Tassone and Kevin Craddock, who each reached 21 before being dismissed.

While Marcus Davern, caught off the bowling of Ben Tarran for a duck, was the only Kilmore batsman not to reach double figures, few Kilmore batsmen were able to stick around at the crease.

It was only when captain Josh Buttler, batting at number six, and Robert Hanson reached the crease that a solid partnership formed.

Buttler batted patiently in an innings of 40 not out, while at the other end Hanson blasted boundaries in an innings of 52.

Hanson was caught on the boundary in the final over, but the visitors felt good about their total of 7/183 when walking off the field.

Young Tallarook bowler Xavier Arandt, with mullet flowing, delivers to Kilmore’s Josh Buttler.
Kilmore batsman Robert Hanson hit several boundaries in an innings of 52.
The umpire signals leg byes after a failed Tallarook leg-before-wicket appeal.

Ben Tarran and his uncle Jason were the best of the Tallarook attack, with Jason claiming 3/18 from eight overs, while Ben picked up 2/39 from seven. Leigh Irving was economical with 1/16 from seven overs, including two maidens.

Tallarook’s run chase was off to a promising start, with openers Ben Tarran and Kalon Winnell reaching 20 without loss before Winnell was run out.

Winnell’s departure brought Rookers skipper Lachie Watts to the crease, setting up a battle between him and the Kilmore bowlers.

Watts turned in one of his finest performances of the season, batting through the afternoon in an innings of 94 not out, but partners kept falling around him.

After Tarran’s dismissal for 29, no other Tallarook player reached double figures.

With spinner Jayme Lowe and Brett Buttler refusing to surrender easy runs, the required run-rate kept rising for Tallarook.

Tallarook finished their 45 overs seven down, but could only muster a total of 166 runs despite Watts’ best efforts.

Lowe, 2/29, Josh Buttler, 2/52, Brett Buttler, 1/13, and Hanson, 1/29, led the Kilmore attack.

Broadford retained its place in the top two but now sits only one win in front of Kilmore after a surprise loss to reigning premier Yea Tigers, who looked to be finding some belated form in their nail-biting one-wicket victory at Yea.

Broadford elected to bat after winning the toss but struggled to score, with only Ash Wood, 19, and Evan Mills, 18 not out, reaching double figures.

Broadford was all out for 88 inside the 35th over, but nearly pulled off a win thanks to a sharp display of bowling.

Jeremy Bradshaw, 3/17, Jack Connell, 3/31, and James Jones, 2/16, nearly did enough to bowl the Tigers out short of the target.

Yea’s Andrew Chisholm fell to Connell with the home side still four runs short of victory, but Yea’s Austen Ross and Andrew Butterworth survived long enough to hit the winning runs.

With Eastern Hill defeating Seymour in the final match of the round, a minor premiership now looks unlikely for Broadford.

In round 13 Kilmore will be tested in a road game against Eastern Hill, Tallarook will be at home to host the reinvigorated Tigers, and Broadford will welcome Seymour as it attempts to get back on track.

Community hub on the way for Donnybrook

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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Donnybrook residents will enjoy a new community centre thanks to $2.7 million in State Government grants.

Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green announced last week, on behalf of Local Government Minister Shaun Leane, funding for the Patterson Drive Community Centre from the government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.

Whittlesea City Council will receive $2 million to help construct the first community centre in Donnybrook.

The centre will include three kindergarten rooms, maternal and child health consultation suites, community kitchen and community hall.

The project will also receive $709,500 from the latest round of the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program to include a lounge and multipurpose activity spaces providing a library service and a range of community programs.

The Growing Suburbs Fund has invested more than $39.9 million to help make 41 projects possible across the Whittlesea municipality.

Minister for Local Government, Shaun Leane said the government had invested more than $42.6 million into 109 Living Libraries projects.

“We’re making huge investments in libraries and community facilities across the state through the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program and the Growing Suburbs Fund – creating local jobs and ensuring Victorians have access to the resources they need in their own backyards,” he said.

Ms Green said it was great to see the government investing in Donnybrook’s first community centre and library.

“The Patterson Drive Community Centre project will be an incredible asset for this growing area,” she said.

“Thanks to this funding, Donnybrook families, children and community members will be able to access the services they need, close to where they live.”

For more information on this year’s successful applications visit www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/grants.

To find out more about the projects helping communities and businesses, visit www.delivering.vic.gov.au.

Cat rescued by Doreen CFA

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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DOREEN Country Fire Authority, CFA, attended to a family home on February 6 to rescue five-month-old kitten, Prince, who found himself stuck in a wire basket.

Unsure on how to rescue Prince safely as it was his head caught between the wire, his family called the brigade, which attended to the home at approximately 7.30am and conducted the swift recovery.

“Within a few minutes fire fighters from Doreen freed Prince by carefully snipping the wires around his head preventing him from getting out,” Dave Slattery, Doreen CFA said.

“The Doreen family were relived and very happy with the outcome and response by CFA.”

272705468 283997600492842 7507153215492342065 n — Prince found himself stuck in a basket, with his owners calling the Doreen CFA for assistance.

Mernda resident celebrates milestone birthday

The North Central Review

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February 15, 2022

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Mernda resident celebrates milestone birthday

To say Mernda resident Olive Robinson has seen a raft of changes to the Australia way of life in her lifetime is an understatement.

The 100-year-old celebrated her milestone birthday on Thursday, with all the usual centenarian fanfare – congratulatory messages from the Queen, the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Premier and the Victorian Governor.

It was a far cry from growing up in Corryong alongside eight siblings, where she rode her horse to school each day.

Ms Robinson, ironiclly, was born in Olive Street, Albury, but was actually named after one of her mother’s best friends.

As Ms Robinson described it, she has lived ‘all over the place’ in her 100 years, following her late husband whose job was to connect electricity to homes.

Together, they had 10 children, before he passed away at the age of 54.

Ms Robinson is is now surrounded by 26 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren and who were all in attendance at their loved one’s big birthday celebration on Sunday.

“I couldn’t have had a party if my 100th birthday was last year, so I’m glad we are able to all get together,” she said.

“I haven’t seen one of my sons in almost two years, and I am happy to see him, he’s staying with me while he’s in town.”

Ms Robinson has lived in Mernda since 1981, when it was a rural area, and previously lived in Kinglake.

One of her daughters lives close by if she needs anything but Ms Robinson said she was fit and still able to enjoy living at home, where she often had family visit.

“All of my children are so good, they look after me really well,” she said.

“They help with the house cleaning every week, and one of my daughters calls every morning at 9.15 to make sure I’ve made it out of bed.”

When she is not with her family, Ms Robinson enjoys spending time with the Mernda Senior Citizen Club, attending bingo in Epping, having a bet on the horses and keeping her mind active with regular reading and crosswords.

“I am one of the founding members of the Mernda Senior Citizen group, and now am the last founding member that’s still alive,” she said.

“I love going to bingo on Saturday night. Last Saturday, they even had a bunch of flowers waiting for me where I sit each week for my birthday.”

Ms Robinson said although she had enjoyed all the celebrations with her family, she was looking forward to the conclusion of the party on Sunday evening, when she would be able to relax for a little while.