Sponsorship a key focus for inaugural Big Group Hug chief executive

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February 8, 2022

Sponsorship a key focus for inaugural Big Group Hug chief executive

By Tricia Mifsud

Big Group Hug has appointed its inaugural chief executive Bernadene Voss to lead the not-for-profit organisation into a new era.

Big Group Hug, an organisation that responds to the needs of vulnerable children in the northern suburbs, including the City of Whittlesea, have successfully run for eight years by a sole volunteer team.

But with the need for the group’s services ever-growing, volunteers decided to appoint a chief executive, with securing sponsorship a key priority.

Ms Voss is an experienced business leader with a passion for helping the community. Her previous roles included councillor and mayor for the City of Port Phillip.

She said she was grateful for the opportunity to be the group’s inaugural chief executive and would draw from her previous roles to thrive in her new position.

“I’ve seen everything and been able to support people in their best and worst times and I love that. Helping people is just what I love to do – it’s in my DNA,” Ms Voss said.

“I’ve been an entrepreneur, set up my own business and developed technology for loyalty programs. I have been a councillor and the mayor at the City of Port Phillip and also been on a lot of boards and during that time, I have worked with a lot of children.

“I have a lot of skills that I can help wrap around the business to amplify the impact of what we do.”

Ms Voss first stumbled across Big Group Hug serendipitously, as her maiden name was Hug, but after learning more about the organisation and its mission, she knew it was a group she would like to be a part of.

“The reason why I came across Big Group Hug is because my maiden name is Hug and honestly, that’s what attracted me to the organisation at first but I looked deeper and I couldn’t look away,” she said.

“There are so many things I can do with the group and it really tugged at my heart, and listening to the stories about people who love working with the organisation, it was just so inspiring.

“I’m really taken by the group’s goal that ultimately no child goes without. I really want to make sure that goal is achieved but to do that, we have to look after our own before we look after the rest of Australia.”

Ms Voss said she felt mixed emotions about starting the new role, but was thankful for the opportunity to lead the team.

She said there were several goals she would like to start working on to achieve, but singled out gaining more sponsors to ensure all the children and their families received the help they need.

“I feel quite nervous and excited at the same time. I feel like there is a lot of trust in me and I have to deliver and I’m going to do my very best not just for the organisation but for the whole community,” she said.

“The big goal is looking for sponsors to really help deliver on some of the projects we have on.

“We have a second warehouse opening up in order to reach the families and their children who need help and we need to make sure we can accommodate for them.

“Children deserve the best start in life, and we’re there to assist every family that asks for help and I want to make sure we keep delivering on that and stay true to our goal.”

Seymour Health appoints new medical services director

The North Central Review

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February 8, 2022

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Seymour Health appoints new medical services director

Experienced clinician Dean Pritchard is Seymour Health’s new medical services director.

Prior to starting at Seymour Health, Dr Pritchard was previously deputy director of emergency department at Northern Health for seven years.

He brings a wealth of experience through other roles including chairman of Senior Medical Staff Association; clinical advisor at Safer Care Victoria; and emergency physician at Northern Health.

Dr Pritchard has also been the chairman of Seymour Health’s clinical governance committee since 2018.

As the new director and member of the Seymour Health executive team, Dr Pritchard is responsible for providing medical leadership and effective clinical governance.

The role involves ensuring a high standard of medical care is provided to all inpatients and outpatients treated by the health service.

Dr Pritchard will engage with visiting medical officers, VMOs, nurse practitioners and nursing staff to ensure a high level of care is provided and maintained.

“I am really looking forward to getting out in the first few weeks to meet the local doctors, VMOs and nurse practitioners to see what is here and how we can use what is here to make things better and figure out where the gaps are,” he said.

“My initial focus will involve forming these relationships, which are important in strengthening the connection between the hospital and the local GP clinics.”

Dr Pritchard has a passion for addressing the inequity of healthcare across Victoria.

He has a specific interest in developing knowledge and skills to influence the system on a different level, not just clinically, but also helping to redesign it to improve public access to quality healthcare.

Seymour Health chief executive Ward Steet said the appointment provided a great opportunity for the health service to be expertly guided in new directions.

“Our health service considers it an absolute coup to secure a clinician of the calibre of Dr Pritchard who has the necessary experience from both a clinical and governance perspective that is pivotal to successful service planning and medical workforce planning,” he said.

Dr Pritchard will be on site once a week at Seymour Health and available by phone for the remainder of the time.

New primary school in Kalkallo opens its doors

The North Central Review

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February 8, 2022

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New primary school in Kalkallo opens its doors

EXCITED students passed through the doors of the new Gilgai Plains Primary School at Kalkallo for the first time last week, while a contract to build another new school at Donnybrook has been awarded.

With large population growth forecast for areas across Melbourne’s north, Gilgai Plains Primary School is one of several school building projects either recently completed or in development according to the Victorian School Building Authority.

The school is one of 14 Victoria-wide to open in 2022, part of a 2018 pledge by the State Government to build 100 new schools by 2026.

Minister for Education James Merlino visited to officially open Gilgai Plains Primary School, which will provide places for up to 550 students from prep to grade six.

“It’s so exciting to see this new school open to make sure families in Kalkallo have access to a fantastic school education,” he said.

“This beautiful new school will be a fantastic place for hundreds of students to start their school years – and I can’t wait to see their ongoing success.”

Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green also turned the first sod for the provisionally named Hayes Hill Primary School in Donnybrook, which is expected to open to students in in 2023.

Kane Constructions was awarded a contract to build the new school, which will cater for 525 children from prep to grade six.

“It’s great to see the progress on Hayes Hill Primary School – giving kids and families in Donnybrook the best access to world-class education as well as community sport facilities in their own backyard,” Ms Green said.

Gilgai Plains Primary School includes two outdoor hardcourts, a sports field, bike shelter and playgrounds.

Kalkallo families can also access kindergarten and maternal child health services nearby at Kalkallo Community Centre on Toyon Road and Kalkallo Interim Preschool and Maternal and Child Health, adjacent to the new primary school.

When the Hayes Hill Primary School opens next year it will include an administration building with a library, staff offices and amenities, specialist teaching areas for science and food technology, flexible and collaborative teaching spaces, a community hub building with a competition-grade gymnasium, canteen, music and drama space, two outdoor hardcourts and a sports field.

Campaign announced to support Macedon Ranges producers

The North Central Review

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February 8, 2022

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Campaign announced to support Macedon Ranges producers

Central Victorians are being encouraged to buy their fresh produce direct from its source by visiting one of the many farm gates in the region.

With COVID-related staff shortages affecting the availability of food on supermarket shelves, the ‘Get to know your grower’ website is helping people find local growers and makers and allowing them to buy produce that is in season and fresh from the farm.

Romsey growers Jo Corrigan and Matt Donnelly, from Mushrooms Anonymous, supply restaurants across Australia, but hope the website can help educate people about what is available in the local area.

“I really hope to see consumers develop a greater awareness of seasonal produce,” Ms Corrigan said.

“If consumers recognise what grows when, this may encourage people to purchase food only when it is in season and consequently is more nutritious than buying it out of season at a much higher expense.”

Mushrooms Anonymous produce 35 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, heirloom pumpkin, capsicum, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, chilies, herbs, as well as forage for wild fungi.

People can find their produce at the Lancefield Farmers’ Market or by contacting them directly and can visit mushroomsanonymous.com.au for more information.

The ‘Get to know your grower’ website is an initiative of the Veg Action Group of the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group, with support from Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the Healthy Heart of Victoria project.

For more information, visit veg.mrsg.org.au.

Veterans grants announced in Seymour

The North Central Review

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February 8, 2022

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By Colin MacGillivray

FEDERAL Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Andrew Gee visited Seymour on Tuesday last week to announce a $27 million grants program to support Australian Defence Force, ADF, veterans.

The Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program combines two former federal grants programs – the Veteran and Community Grants Program and the Supporting Younger Veterans Grants Program – under one umbrella, beefing them up with an extra $20 million of funding.

The grants will be open to all ex-service organisations, as well as community groups and health organisations that support veterans and their families.

Mr Gee said there was scope for a wide variety of projects to be funded under the program.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the exciting and innovative projects and programs that are going to come forward as we roll out this program in the weeks ahead,” he said.

“I think you’re going to get ex-service organisations who are very interested in the program, but you’re also going to get other community groups who work with veterans or have ideas that are able to help and support our veterans and the veteran community.”

Mr Gee said groups with ideas to develop apps aimed at supporting veteran employment and mental health could benefit from the grants.

“I’ve heard a range of ideas as I’ve moved around the nation, so I think you’re going to see many and varied projects come through,” he said.

“One of the things I’m hoping this grants program will be able to address is projects that improve the transition process for veterans. It’s vitally important [that veterans and families are better supported when they leave the service].

“Our veterans and their families give our country their best, and Australia needs to give them its best in return.”

Mr Gee said the government would relax guidelines on applying for grants, including raising the maximum grant limit to $1.5 million.

“There are some great organisations out there that haven’t had funding for whatever reason, so we’ve tried to ease up the guidelines,” he said.

“Some groups haven’t been able to get funding in successive years because the grant guidelines say if you’ve had funding the year before you can’t get it in a current year. We’ve removed caps like that to make it easier for those groups.

“We want to get as much help to veterans as fast and effectively as possible.”

Seymour RSL sub-branch president Andrew Cox, an Afghanistan veteran, said while extra funding for veteran support initiatives was welcome, he believed a more structured program would be appropriate.

“You’ve got 3500 ex-service organisations and … if you want to start an ex-service organisation, all you need to do is get an ABN. There are a few of them where it’s just one or two people,” he said.

“I think there needs to be some governance … and not just saying, ‘here’s the money, fight amongst yourselves’.

“I believe they need some sort of governance structure, whether it’s the RSL or it’s an independent [body], but 3500 [organisations] playing free-for-all is probably not the best management strategy, especially when it comes to complex issues like transitioning veterans and mental health and suicide.”

Mr Cox said Seymour RSL would ‘definitely be applying’ for grants under the program.

“We don’t have disabled access to the hall and we don’t have disabled toilets, which is a massive issue for guys with two prosthetic hips and a prosthetic knee. Two of our members are in wheelchairs. It’s an issue because those guys can’t come,” he said.

“Even if you do have that physical bricks-and-mortar presence, it has to be all access.

“[We’re] paying $1500 a quarter in power bills. If we had solar, that $1500 could be going to [the members]. So we’ll be applying for a few things.

“Hopefully [the money] gets to the organisations that are legitimately putting in the hard yards.”

Mr Cox said an app called Swiss 8, started by fellow Australian Afghanistan veterans, was a good example of an innovative project that could benefit from government funding.

The app aims to decrease suicide in the veteran community by promoting physical and mental wellbeing and a sense of purpose and connectedness.

People can find the Swiss 8 app by visiting swiss8.org.

Free, 24-hour confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families is available by calling Open Arms on 1800 001 046.

Lifeline Australia provides free, 24-hour crisis support and can be reached by calling 13 11 14.

People can call HeadtoHelp on 1800 595 212 or visit in person at 54 Tallarook Street, Seymour to learn more about support services.

Push to stamp out illegal firearms

The North Central Review

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February 8, 2022

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Removing illegal guns from the community will be a focus of this year’s National Illicit Firearms Campaign, led by Crime Stoppers.

During the three-month campaign, a range of community engagement and promotional events in regional and metropolitan communities across Australia will encourage people to share what they know about illegal guns, and to safely surrender any they may have in their possession.

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the Federal Government was committed to keeping Australians safe by stamping out gun violence in communities.

“Illegal guns are more likely to be used in crime, more likely to be defective or insecurely stored, and more likely to be involved in accidents,” she said.

“There is no excuse – indeed no legitimate reason – for anyone in Australia to have an illicit firearm.

“Our message today is simple – if you have an illicit firearm, do the right thing. Do the right thing by your friends, family, and community, do the right thing by yourself – hand it in.”

Families and friends of illegal gun owners and anyone else who may have information have been encouraged to speak up and share what they know with Crime Stoppers before it was too late.

“If you surrender it, you can do so without penalty. The alternative is a knock on your door from the police and the potential for serious criminal penalties, including imprisonment,” Ms Andrews said.

Owners of illegal guns have not been subject to background checks and may not be on the radar of police, meaning they could be of danger to friends and family.

Crime Stoppers Australia chair Dr Vince Hughes said all Australians should consider how they would feel if they had information about an illegal gun, which was then used to harm someone.

“Criminals often go to great lengths to obtain a firearm illegally and then conceal it from authorities, and it’s unlikely they would go to that effort unless they are prepared to use it,” he said.

“Australia is certainly not immune from the devastating impacts that come with having illegal firearms in the hands of criminals.

“We have seen the tragic loss of life and severe injuries that occur when people turn a blind eye and allow illegal firearms to remain in the community.”

To share information about an unregistered or illegal gun, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au/illegalguns.

Community leaders calling to fund Seymour wellbeing hub

The North Central Review

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February 8, 2022

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Community leaders calling to fund Seymour wellbeing hub

By Colin MacGillivray

HEALTH and community leaders have urged the state and federal governments to come together to fund a proposed $27 million Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub.

Described as a ‘critical piece of infrastructure’ in Mitchell Shire’s north, the hub would house multidisciplinary health and wellbeing services, as well as community services including a public library.

A particular focus of the hub would be on veteran mental health, given Seymour’s proximity to the Puckapunyal Military Area and large Australian Defence Force veteran population.

Seymour Health chief executive Ward Steet said the hub would help combat intergenerational disadvantage in the Seymour community.

“With people who are disadvantaged, we’ve got high youth unemployment, low education rates and low access to healthcare,” he said.

“This hub in Anzac Avenue is seeking funding to address that through a no-wrong-door policy where you can go in and access the library and internet café, [and then later] get mental health counselling.

“It’s got a focus on veterans’ mental health, which is logical being that we’ve got a huge number of veterans locally.”

Seymour is home to many veterans due to its close proximity to the Puckapunyal Military Area.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said the project was ‘hugely important’ for Seymour and the surrounding region.

“Seymour has a big cohort of low-socio-economic residents, and it’s really important that we look after everyone in the shire,” he said.

Cr Chisholm called for a bipartisan approach from the state and federal governments to funding the hub.

“For a lot of things you need that bipartisan approach,” he said.

“You want an outcome, and in some ways it’s just like COVID. The Australian people expect all levels of government to work as a team and get a result. Infrastructure is exactly the same.”

Council and Seymour Health leaders have raised the hub as a priority with government leaders, including federal cabinet member Dan Tehan who visited Seymour last month.

Council has also discussed the project with candidates for the federal seat of Nicholls, including Nationals candidate Sam Birrell, Liberal candidate Stephen Brooks and independent candidate Rob Priestly.

Council advocacy and community services director Mary Agostino said council was seeking $14 million from the Federal Government and $9 million from the State Government to fund the project.

“For us, the Seymour Hub is a critical piece of infrastructure. There is no community centre for those communities,” Ms Agostino said.

“We’re working with Seymour Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Nexus and FamilyCare to deliver something very special to include mental health services on the back of the Royal Commission, improved library facilities, and community facilities.

“It’s going to be an amazing hub that the community has said is a priority for them.

“The centre will have an element of job creation as well. This is an absolute game changer for the north.”

Kilmore Fire Brigade captain says fires a ‘no drone zone’

The North Central Review

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February 7, 2022

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Kilmore Fire Brigade captain says fires a ‘no drone zone’

KILMORE Fire Brigade captain Hayden Dally has called for people to think before flying a drone near a fire after an incident on Sunday evening.

Country Fire Authority, CFA, fire fighters responded to a grass fire that started in a reserve between the Kingsgate and Willowmavin housing estates in Kilmore at about 6.15pm on Sunday, threatening a Rose Court property.

The fire burned an area of about 100 metres by 50 metres but was quickly brought under control by fire fighters.

The cause of the blaze is unknown, and a CFA fire investigator was due to examine the site yesterday.

Mr Dally said the biggest issue had been the presence of a drone hovering over the fire site.

He said people flying private drones had become more of an issue for the CFA in recent years.

“It’s a problem in itself,” he said.

“We know there are recreational drones out there, but if there is a fire we don’t want people flying them over it.

“We want to get the message out there that people shouldn’t fly over a fire scene because our aircraft then can’t fly.

“People don’t always think before they do something like that. It’s a constant problem, and the more awareness that comes out, the better off we are.”

Kilmore Fire Brigade yesterday shared a post on its Facebook page urging people not to fly drones in a fire zone.

New school for Wollert students

The North Central Review

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February 7, 2022

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WOLLERT Primary School students have started the 2022 school year in a brand new campus.

The school has an administration building including a library, and art, food and science learning spaces, a performing arts and physical education building, two learning neighbourhoods, two outdoor hardcourts, a sports field, a bike shed and playgrounds.

The school has a capacity of about 525 students and is a Supported Inclusion School – a mainstream school with additional professional capabilities and facilities designed to cater for a higher than usual proportion of students with disability.

New staff and students were welcomed at the completed school on January 28 by Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny and Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio.

“Wollert families deserve to have access to a great local school, and we are delivering that with Wollert Primary to ensure children receive a world-class education close to home,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

Wollert Primary School is one of 14 new schools and campuses opening its doors in 2022.

“We’re not wasting a moment delivering the biggest education construction boom in Australia and I can’t wait to see students learning and playing at our 14 new schools and campuses in 2022,” Ms Halfpenny said.

Wollert PS 2 — The new campus features a range of facilities including art, science and food classrooms and modern outdoor spaces and playgrounds.

Focus on youth vaccinations at Kilmore District Health

The North Central Review

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February 7, 2022

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Focus on youth vaccinations at Kilmore District Health

WITH several changes being made to mandatory COVID-19 booster vaccinations, Kilmore District Health, KDH, has provided an update for its services at the vaccination clinic.

The clinic will now be accepting walk-in appointments for both adult boosters and paediatric clinics, subject to availability.

The adult booster clinic will open Monday to Friday, from 1pm to 8.30pm.

From February 12, booster vaccinations will be mandatory for residential aged care workers, healthcare workers, disability workers, custodial workers, emergency services, meat and seafood processing workers, quarantine accommodation workers, and food distribution workers.

From February 25, boosters will also be mandatory for all teachers and Kilmore’s vaccination clinic will prioritise teacher walk-ins between 3.30pm and 5pm.

The paediatric clinic will open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 12.30pm and weekends from 8am to 2.30pm.

The Enchanted Forest of Protection – KDH’s paediatric vaccination clinic – takes children on a journey from the moment they enter the door.

They are given the ability to join the hundreds of other children who have added their name onto a leaf on the vaccination tree.

As they move through the building they can read and enjoy several fun animal facts and imagery throughout the corridors.

Starting last week, children aged 16 and 17-years-old are eligible for their third vaccine and can receive them at all Victorian state-run vaccination clinics, including Kilmore District Health.

The third dose will be one dose of the adult Pfizer vaccine given three months after their second dose, as recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

From when 16 and 17 year olds became eligible for the booster on Thursday, 114,000 Victorians were immediately entitled for the booster.