The North Central Review | Local community newspapers for North Central Victoria & surrounds

NOT A CRICKETER

This young cricketer pictured is shown playing for the first XI at Haileybury College. He showed plenty of promise at the game but has well and truly moved on. It’s none other than Oscar Piastri. Now 24, he is the latest superstar of Formula One. It was not the Melbourne college he attended from age 14-18 but the famous Haileybury in England. In 2016, Oscar left family and friends in Melbourne to go to England. The UK school is only an hours drive from Silverstone the hallowed English motor racing venue. Oscar was a model pupil at the school and a senior master described him thus:

lf you don’t know the poem. If you’ve skipped those classes in high school, it illuminates the value of a stiff upper lip to the inevitable what-ifs of life. To the doubters, to the liars, to the hatters, to the knaves and the fools, to the kings and the commoners. All the challenges crossing your path from birth to grave.

The champion British racing driver was a pupil at the North London school. Possibly its most illustrious alumni was the author Rudyard Kipling. A verse of one of Kipling’s famous poems was carried in his pocked by Muhammed Ali. It is part of a brilliant work of poetry.

“Oscar was a terrific student in and out of the classroom,” says Searson. “He never demonstrated anything other than exemplary humility and remarkable composure. A charming young man and a passionate cricket fan, he was a dedicated member of the third XI cricket team, he himself capable of bowling a heavy ball with an intimidating run-up!

As well as playing cricket, he would relish such opportunities granted in the boarding school environment as gathering with his peers around the television to watch Ashes cricket battles in the winter months.”

Humility, composure, passion, and dedication rings true. Piastri boarded at Haileybury from the age of l4 to 18. “He was meticulous with his time management, coping admirably with his impressive academic work whilst simultaneously excelling on the global go-karting and Formula 4 circuits, and regularly training at Silverstone,” Searson says.

“He was, and is, quite the role model. We are very proud of him.”

YOUNG FRIENDS MARRY

The couple pictured married recently. Sam and Maddie Connop were schooldays sweethearts. Both families are highly respected Sam’s dad Michael was at ACK in the mid seventies and a key player in the 1^st XVIII and 1STXI. He still plays masters cricket and is a team manager for Carlton Cricket Club. Sam and his brother Liam are very good cricketers also Maddie is a popular teacher at Parade College. Michael and Rhonda Connop have been friends of mine of many years

FOOTBALLER FAMILY

Jack and Darcy at football

Pictured are two strapping members of the Stewart family, Jack and Darcy. Both were fine players for Assumption College and their two younger brothers Charlie and Ethan are following in their footsteps. As well as turning out for ACK the four lads all play for Hurstbridge in the Northern Football Netball League first division. Ages of the four Stewart boys range from 15 to 25, thus parents and grandmother have covered many miles this past decade following ACK games. Jack, 25, is an underground cable joiner; Darcy, 22, is an electrician, Charlie, 18, is in year 12 and Ethan, 15, is in year 10. All four are really fine young people, highly respected as is their family. Nan Wendy is an avid follower of the boys. Parents Mel and Peter reside with the lads on a small property at Arthurs Creek, just east of Doreen.

***

SON OF A GUN

Good to see young Liam Monaghan playing well for Kilmore FC. He is following in dad Nick’s footsteps. A fine player for the local club for many seasons. Nick can probably be termed a local footy legend. Son Liam played 1^ST XVIII and 1^st XI for ACK and captained the cricket side.

MICK MARRETT

Great that the “GoFundMe” response is going well for popular Kilmore footy captain Mick Marrett. The details of Mick’s accident whilst playing against Fitzroy Stars – and subsequent revelation of a tumour has been well documented in the Herald Sun. In a tough time Mick, his partner and their two young children are really deserving of support.

Grants deliver the competitive edge

-

June 3, 2025

The Kilmore Swimming Club has an advantage in the pool since they received grants to purchase state-of-the-art training aids last month.

This is thanks to two generous grants from the Bendigo Bank and the State Government Sporting Club Grants Program.

The Bendigo Community Bank Kilmore and District donated $1250 to the Koutas to purchase four backstroke start ledgers.

The ledgers will help the swimmers to shave vital seconds off their times on race days. The roughened surface is designed to increase traction and prevent slips.

With $1000 from the State Government Sporting Club Grants Program, the club purchased swimming parachutes.

The swimming parachutes will increase strength and power in the water, and although these are a real drag, they force swimmers to focus on technique.

The Koutas compete in country championships regularly in Bendigo and Shepparton. They train at the Kilmore Leisure Centre in White Street, and the grants help them to keep memberships affordable.

Are you looking to take your swimming to the next level?

Try outs are held every Thursday from 7pm. To make enquiries, email secretary@kilmoreswimmingclub.org.au or visit facebook.com/kilmoreswimmingclub.org.au

Letters to the editor—June 2, 2025

-

June 3, 2025

Marginalised and forgotten

Dear Editor,

The farmers and CFA volunteers of Victoria have been insulted by this treacherous Labor government and its accomplices in the Upper House. The passing of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Tax in the early hours of May 23 will decimate the farmers, families and communities of rural Victoria. All homeowners and businesses will be burdened with this tax.

Dan and Jacinta have systematically set out to dismantle a world-renowned firefighting service operated by volunteers. Imposing a 189% tax increase on farmers, who make up the bulk of CFA volunteers is morally wrong.

On Tuesday, May 20th I and others from Pyalong, stood on the steps of Parliament in Spring Street. We were honoured and humbled to stand in a crowd of about 8000 Victorians, many of whom had left their homes and farms in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Volunteers who have given 40/50 and 60 years of selfless service to their communities and this state. Time poor farmers who left their drought ravaged farms to travel hours to Melbourne and then home again. Country people and residents of Melbourne who recognise the deceit of this tax stood with us.

At a time when most of the state is suffering from drought, this government has deliberately been slow to declare further municipalities drought affected, thereby denying vital assistance to these communities. This morning (May 30), VFF Board Member and Western District dairy farmer, Bernie Free called it a natural disaster. Victorian farmers are having to look at sourcing fodder from Western Australia and Queensland.

Our CFA volunteers and farmers are born resilient, but sadly they are not invincible. I hope and pray that every farmer, volunteer, family, rural small business and community can support each other and stand strong together. We all need to get behind rural Victoria now and right up to November 2026 when we have our only democratic chance to oust this appalling government.

After more than 45 years of farming and volunteering, I have never felt more marginalised and forgotten, but thankfully I am not alone.

Therese Ryan

Pyalong

Distressed and upset with cemetary condition

Dear Editor,

I am a grieving daughter and to have seen Wallan Cemetery to go visit my mum, dad and nephew who are at rest, l couldn’t even sit on my mum and dad’s grave.

It has been vandalised yet again along with other graves. l am very distressed and very upset.

Kim Baker

Words of wisdom—June 2, 2025

-

June 3, 2025

What is one thing everyone should do?

Abi, age 7: Be a good friend.

Vicky, age 7: Be kind.

Hugo, age 7: Follow the school rules.

Julian, age 8: Play.

What is most important?

Charlotte, age 11: Lifting people up.

Penny, age 7: My family.

Adelaide, age 6: For everyone to have fun.

Zoe, age 7: Being kind.

Pet Of The Week—June 2, 2025

-

June 3, 2025

This week’s VIP’s are Betty the Bulldog and Tiki, a retired guide dog from Wallan! Don’t they look snug in their matching outfits?

Update for Seymour Hub

-

June 3, 2025

AN update on the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub will be provided at the Annual General Meeting for The Seymour We Want.

With an opening date expected in 2027, plenty of updates are expected to be provided, as well as an update from The Centre in Seymour. Guest speakers will be The Centre’s Barbara Walker, and Mitchell Shire Council Manager Community Projects Greg Drake.

The Annual General Meeting will be held from 7 to 8 pm on Tuesday, June 10 at The Centre on 3 Wallis Street, Seymour.

All positions have been filled.

Wicked stitches at Lancefield

-

June 3, 2025

A crafty bunch of talented quilters held an exhibition last month at the Lancefield Mechanics Institute Hall with the wow factor on display.

The bi-annual event gives the quilters time in between to produce their finest creations.

The esteemed Triz Barnett perpetual trophy is for the best hand-pieced quilt. Elizabeth Christine Barnett founded the Patch of Lancefield quilting group in 1995.

Sadly, Mrs Barnett passed away in 2006, and the trophy is to honour her commitment and long-standing involvement with the group.

Over nine quilters competed for the trophy at The Wicked Stitches exhibition.

Christine Treseder, with help from her husband, won first prize this year with ‘Joans Joy.’

The quilting style is known as Broderie Perse, and she commenced stitching in June 2023 and finished in February this year.

Mrs Treseder said the quilt is an original.

“I had a friend who was cutting up her mother’s outdoor furnishing coverings for bags,” she said.

“I said it’s too good for that, so she gave it to me and that’s why it’s called Joan’s Joy. Her Mother was Joan and she’d be overjoyed to see it in a quilt.”

Every stitch was made by hand, as per the entry requirements (excluding the quilts binding.) Mrs Treseder said she listened to 14 audio books and numerous TV shows while quilting.

A highlight of the show was the groups enchanting wild life challenge— inspired by nature.

A Patch of Lancefield members voted for the winner with entries received across any artistic medium.

Dawn Hudd winner of the inhouse nature challenge 1068w WebRdy 1

Quilter, Dawn Hudd, won first prize for her quilted stag on a large canvas decorated with calligraphy and autumn tones and Maxine West was the runner up.

Maxine West runner up of the inhouse nature challenge 1068w WebRdy 3

The Patch Cafe was a scone connoisseurs dream, and they also served soup and sausage rolls.

On Sunday afternoon, the raffle prize winner of Happy Days was drawn.

The coveted medium sized quilt featured a disappearing nine patch pattern and it was created by the group with members donating their own fabric and time to each complete a section.

The lucky winner was a resident from Bunbartha who had purchased a raffle ticket earlier in the year at the Lancefield Truck Show.

All profits raised at the event will be shared between the Lancefield Mens Shed, The Wildlings Woodend wildlife shelter and the Lancefield Mechanics Hall institute.

For those wishing to learn the ageless art of quilting, A Patch of Lancefield meet every Thursday at the Annex to the Mechanics Hall, in Lancefield from 10am.

For more information, email patchoflancefield@gmail.com or call Jo Marsh on 0407 362 789.

Blinded by the signs

-

June 3, 2025

RESIDENTS in Wandong are fed up with unsafe sections of the Epping-Kilmore Road approaching Heathcote Junction.

It is the only sealed southern arterial into the Heathcote Junction and Wandong townships, and reduced speed limits will make it much safer.

Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group Inc. have written to the Honourable Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (DTP) Danny Pearson, MP for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage and Mitchell Shire Council Chief Executives twice.

They first wrote in December 2024, before writing again this year in May.

Their letters bring attention to the anomalies of the Epping-Kilmore Road.

Firstly, the series of speed limits between the Wallan-Whittlesea Road turning north towards their townships do not do enough to accommodate the dangerous driving surfaces—potholes, sharp bends and worn to slippery surfaces.

On the seven kilometre stretch of road alone there is a variance between 100 km/h and 40 km/h with illuminated signage for the slippery driving conditions.

At peak hours, twice a day, traffic is banking up at the Heathcote Junction boom gates, sometimes queuing on a 100 km/h road.

Another startling concern raised by the group is that school children are crossing the same road to access their school bus stop in Rail Street, Heathcote Junction.

Residents claim the road immediately south of Heathcote Junction is in ruin, and that when Inland Rail, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) project team behind the bridge works, commences work, Heathcote Junction traffic will be mayhem.

Secretary Allen Hall has heard from Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) Traffic and Transport Team Leader of Engineering, Transport and Subdivision to say that they have raised the matter a number of times, verbally and in writing with the DTP Manager of Movement and Safety, Loddon Mallee Hume Region.

In a media release on February 27, The Minister for Roads, and Road Safety Space Melissa Horne said over $250 million is now allocated to Victorian road safety projects.

This boost in funding will ensure greater levels of safety by targeting notorious crossing, intersections, and thoroughfares across Victoria, further reducing the risk of crashes that cause fatal or serious injuries.

“We’ve been asking them [DTP] for ten years now to put turning lanes at Heathcote Junction,” Mr Hall said.

“Have you ever heard of a 100 km/h road going through a town?

“We had a response from our second letter to say it was addressed to the wrong minister, but they would forward it onto the right minister.

“We heard nothing back from our first letter.”

A Wandong builder, Matthew Maugueret, is developing an estate on Epping-Kilmore Road which is on the right-hand side heading south—flanked by Caladenia Court and Wallan-Whittlesea Road.

The DTP will not approve the 16-lot development until significant intersection and infrastructure upgrades are made at the developers expense.

Mr Maugueret is baffled as to why the upgrades are triggered by a 100 km/h zone when the current signage is 80 km/h.

“It’s not even a 100 km/h road, the locals want it to be reduced to 80 km/h,” he said.

“They want me to build an intersection for a 100 km/h zone, it’s way over the top.

“I’m trying to build houses, you know there is a housing crisis.

“The Mitchell Shire Development Team are A1, they are about helping this community about getting housing.”

The DTP replied on May 19 with a clarification and basis for their new demands.

Mr Maugueret has requested the DTP to make time for a site visit and the DTP Director of Regional Operations and Development will attend this week.

Local limelight with Bruno Leti

-

June 3, 2025