Community Festival thrills

-

March 17, 2026

A PACKED Whittlesea Community Festival brought a crowd to the City of Whittlesea’s Council greens on Sunday afternoon.

The festival showcased the best of the City of Whittlesea’s various groups, while also keeping the crowd entertained through multiple performances throughout the day.

The festival was brought to life through various electrifying performances, which included local favourites Horns of Leroy performing later in the afternoon, as well as various cultural performances which showcased the City of Whittlesea’s diverse community.

Energy was provided through the music show Junkyard Beats, which promoted the positive messaging of being able to recycle and create instruments from unlikely materials, which brought the show to life.

The crowd was wowed out the front of the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC) by Bloom! It showcased a unique aerial performance on sway poles which allowed for creative ideas based around flowers and nature.

Inside PRACC, the BUNKTOPIA show utilised shadow-puppetry to entertain the crowd, which brought to life ordinary items to prove they can also be creative.

Multiple community groups also attended the day, which included the SES, CFA and Victoria Police.

Kids were kept entertained through arts and crafts activities, while there was also a pet display which allowed people to get in touch with their furry friends.

Be part of a cultural student exchange program

News

Jo Kubeil

-

March 17, 2026

0

Be part of a cultural student exchange program

Next generation leaders

Josh Squire

-

March 17, 2026

0

KINDNESS and compassion sit at the top of the school captains’ goals for the rest of the school year at Romsey Primary School (RPS).

The newly elected captains are part of a big leadership group alongside many of their fellow Year Six classmates and are enjoying their new job as senior figures at the school.

“When I got the role of school captain, I was really proud of myself and I was really grateful to be given the opportunity,” Millie Hulett said.

Honey DiPietro said: “I want to be a leader who is kind and that is open to everyone’s ideas and supports them.”

Chase Rowstron said: “I’d like to be a positive role model that the kids would look up to.”

The captains will attend community events such as Anzac Day on behalf of the school and serve community lunches at the Romsey Neighbourhood House later in the year.

They will also get a chance to work on their public speaking during school assemblies alongside the STEAM, art and sport captains.

“I feel like doing the assemblies each week will help my confidence a lot,” Casey Kuhl said.

Pride spread across school principal Melanie Stewart’s face as the students spoke about their goals for the upcoming year, which focused mostly on what they could do for the younger students.

“I really like the kids to be happy and supportive of each other,” Mrs Stewart said.

“Whether they’re leaders or not, we say to all of the kids ‘you’re all leaders, you’re all role models’.”

The new leaders at Romsey Primary School are taking on their roles with a bit of help from the school’s support dog Ollie.

The black labrador belongs to Mrs Melanie Stewart and has been with her throughout her tenure as principal of RPS after a medical condition prevented him from becoming a guide dog.

Mrs Stewart said he now provides great support for kids who just need a little bit of time to reset during the day.

“He’s very in tune with the kids and he helps them regulate (their emotions),” Mrs Stewart said.

“He just tends to know who needs him and when.”

Gaining plenty of experience, the students agreed that the captaincy would be beneficial when they head off to high school. But Casey already has eyes even further into the future.

“I feel like the public speaking will help with a lot of jobs,” he said.

“But I’m still kind of juggling between them, trying to choose something that’d be fun for a long time.”

Coles and Aldi up for sale

The North Central Review

-

March 17, 2026

0

PROSPECTIVE buyers in Kilmore will look to compete for the rights to the Coles and Aldi supermarket complex.

The complex gives a buyer an opportunity to join in a landholding consortium which includes McDonald’s, Shell, Amplifon and Bakers Delight, with expressions of interest closing in early April.

According to property group Stonebridge, who are advertising the site as the exclusive selling agents, there are a number of key opportunities.

“The key highlights of the opportunity include a dominant dual-supermarket configuration anchored by Coles (new 10-year net lease) and ALDI (20-year lease), representing approximately 69 per cent of total gross income; secure income profile underpinned by 100 per cent national and blue-chip tenants including McDonald’s, Viva Energy, Amplifon and Bakers Delight; significant 18,600 sqm Commercial 1 Zoned corner landholding with dual frontage to Northern Highway and Clarke Street and four access points; located approximately 60 km north of Melbourne CBD within Mitchell Shire, forecast to accommodate an additional 171,941 residents by 2046; highly efficient 5264 sqm centre GLA with 248 on-title car spaces and minimal landlord complexity via freestanding and pad-site configuration; potential 50 per cent stamp duty savings, subject to purchaser circumstances and an estimated fully leased net operating income of $1.96 million p.a,” they wrote.

National Partner at Stonebridge Property Group, Justin Dowers, said the opportunity was a unique one for buyers.

“Dual-supermarket investments are exceptionally tightly held, particularly within rapidly expanding growth corridors. These assets are becoming increasingly attractive as replacement costs continue to escalate. Coles and Aldi Kilmore effectively provides investors with two full-line supermarkets and complementary pad sites at a price point below the cost of delivering a single new supermarket in today’s construction environment, which is highly compelling,” he said.

Partner at Stonebridge Property Group Kevin Tong recognised the Mitchell Shire’s growth as a key for buyers.

“Coles and Aldi Kilmore offers secure, supermarket-led income with embedded rental growth, long-dated lease expiries and minimal ownership complexity. With Mitchell Shire recognised as one of Victoria’s fastest growing municipalities, the asset is uniquely positioned to capture the benefits of sustained population expansion across Melbourne’s northern corridor,” he said.

Pucka invites the community

The North Central Review

-

March 17, 2026

0

THE Puckapunyal base opened its doors to the public on Saturday to celebrate the 125^th anniversary of the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy.

Joining Army bases across Australia marking the historic occasion, Puckapunyal’s military servicemen displayed M777 Howitzer drills, an assault bridge deployment, M1A2 Abrams tanks, and uncrewed aerial systems to more than 4000 visitors.

Also on display was the National Servicemen’s Association annual march, and the unveiling of a plaque honouring the national servicemen trained at the 2^nd Recruit Training Battalion at Puckapunyal between 1965 and 1972.

Pucka army museum pic17 — LOCAL HISTORY: The newly reopened museum featured relics from Puckapunyal and from the Australian Army.

Visitors poured through the newly reopened Army Museum where tanks, guns and remnants of Puckapunyal’s history were on display, as well as captured weaponry from World War Two.

The Acting Senior Australian Defence Force Officer at Puckapunyal Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ozols said it was an important day for the base, giving the soldiers a chance to engage with the community.

“Soldiers are really proud to be able to show people what they do,” Lt-Col Ozols said. “It’s a great experience to be able to explain to someone the work that goes on, particularly when someone goes out of their way to come on the base for the day.

“On a day-to-day basis, for a range of reasons, we can’t necessarily share that work with the community, but this is an opportunity for people who are interested to come and have a look at what we do so that they have a better understanding of how the army prepares for war and the role that we play for government.”

A highlight of the day was the opportunity to check out the Payne of Valour art exhibition in the Memorial Chapel. Focusing on the contributions that Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne VC AM, and his wife Florence Payne OAM made to the Australian Army, the work displayed a snapshot of what comes after the war, after returning home, and after public recognition.

Designed by a team led by Associate Professor Jola Stewart and photographer Rebecca Fagan, the room was covered in images of key figures in Keith’s life before and after his service years, along with some of his original memorabilia. This was the only display of the Payne of Valour available at Puckapunyal, but the Army Museum will remain open to the public by appointment three days a week between 10am and 4pm. Visitors must book their visit online through Eventbrite.

Government denies claims

The North Central Review

-

March 17, 2026

0

CLAIMS that only a small percentage of the bushfire recovery package have reached those impacted by January’s fires have been denied by the State Government.

In a statement from March 5, Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said new reporting showed just $12 million of the $370 million bushfire recovery package announced by the State and Federal governments had so far reached Victorians directly impacted by the January fires.

“Communities were told hundreds of millions of dollars would help them recover,” Ms Cleeland said.

“But the reality is that only about $12 million has reached Victorians directly, while farmers and families are still waiting for meaningful support.”

But in response, the State Government said the reports were untrue.

“This is deliberate misinformation and fearmongering,” a government spokesperson told the North Central Review.

“The money we announced for bushfire recovery is being spent on supporting affected Victorians as quickly as possible.

“There are no quick fixes, and these recovery programs are designed to support people for the long haul.”

Ms Cleeland said she would continue pressing the Victorian Government to provide clear public reporting on how much recovery funding was reaching affected individuals, farmers and businesses.

Seymour trainers on track

Mary Hackshaw

-

March 17, 2026

0

THE well-named Slippery Thinker scored a win for Seymour trainer Jamie Gibbons on Saturday at Alexandra at only his fourth raceday start.

The three-year-old by So You Think out of Slippery Rose held a 1.5 length margin at the finish in the hands of Leigh Taylor. Slippery Thinker was originally sold at the 2024 Inglis Classic yearling sale for $90,000 with Jamie Gibbons purchasing the horse in an online sale last year for $1500.

Seymour’s Ron Hockley took out the last race on the card with the eight-year-old Some Eclipse.

It was the fourth career win for Some Eclipse, which has been in the care of Hockley his entire career, having been purchased unraced for $700. The horse appears to prefer racing locally as all of his wins have been at local tracks – three at Alexandra and one at Yea. Rider Dani Walker gave Some Eclipse a textbook ride, having the horse up handy on the rails throughout the running before clearing out to win by half a length on the line.

Sulky Snippets with Len Baker – March 17, 2026

Len Baker

-

March 17, 2026

0

KILMORE trots last Thursday (12/3) presented an interesting night of racing with mixed results throughout the evening.

Four-year-old American Ideal-Beach Garden entire Keayang Renegade trained at Ecklin South (Terang) by Marg and Paddy Lee landed the VHRC/Rich River Golf Club Vicbred Voucher Pace over 2180 metres to open the meeting.

Driven by Jason Lee, Keayang Renegade starting inside the second line settled five back along the markers, coming away from the inside in the first lap to lead up the outside division as Alta Bayamo beginning best from gate two piloted the field.

Cruising to the front in the back straight on the final occasion with the hot favourite Quatro Moth (gate three second line – one/four – three wide from the bell) giving chase, Keayang Renegade kicked away on turning to win in a breeze 20 metres in advance of Quatro Moth in a 1.58.9 mile rate.

Always A Showgirl (four back the markers after being restrained from outside the front line) used inside runs for third 10.1 metres back.

Kialla trainer/driver Cameron Maggs was successful in the VHRC/Mazzetti Painting Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with 5YO Peak-Parallel Lines mare Straight To The Top which did exactly that by leading throughout from gate three to record a metre margin in a 2.01.2 mile rate over Kennywould (extreme draw – one/two – three wide trail last lap), with old timer Fling It Rainbow third 2.5 metres away after trailing the winner from the pole.

Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley combined with the stable’s Trent Larsen to capture the 2180 metre VHRC/Benstud Standardbreds Trotters Mobile with 5YO Love You-Missandel entire Kyvalley Michael.

Starting outside the front line, Kyvalley Michael was sent forward out wide on the track to take over from polemarker Just Abit Dusty and held too many guns at the finish (18.7 metres) in advance of a death-seating Distant Sun (gate six). Noble Count (gate five – one/one) ran his usual honest race for third 3.8 metres away. The mile rate was 2.01.9.

Modewarre trainer Ron Comben loves his harness racing (especially the trotters) and landed the VHRC/Benstud Standardbreds Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with Acool Investment, a 7YO daughter of Father Patrick and Social Fireball.

With champion reinsman James Herbertson in the sulky, Acool Investment was trapped exposed from gate outside Kyvalley Jenny (gate three) before pressing forward to leadand defied all challengers to register a 11.1 metre victory over Kyvalley Jenny which used the sprint lane to no avail.

Tipple Time (one/three from outside the front line) was third 6 metres back after racing wide in the last lap. The mile rate was 2.01.1.

Local Kilmore trainer/driver Corey Bell trained and reined 8YO Western Terror-Sunday Rose gelding Northern Terror to victory in the VHRC/Renown Silverware Pace over 2180 metres much to the delight of owner Gaye Logie.

Settling three back in the running line from gate six as Bond Girl (gate five) crossed Midnite Desire (gate four), Northern Terror after easing three wide in the last lap kept on giving in the straight to come again and defeat a determined Theroux (one/three – five wide home turn) which took a narrow lead approaching the finish, with Midnite Desire using the sprint lane for third. The margins being a head by 3.3 metres in a mile rate of 2.01.8.

Allendale trainer Basil Dooley combined with very talented reinswoman Ewa Justice aboard in-form 10YO Live Or Die-Ayr Affair gelding Breathe Easy to score in the 1690 metre VHRC/Australian Pacing Gold Pace.

Given a sweet trip from the pole trailing the pacemaker Regal Rock (gate two), Ewa didn’t bother to wait for the sprint lane to come into play angling outside him on the final bend and drawing clear shortly after to greet the judge by 6.3 metres in 1.57.6. Regal Rock held second, with The Golden Hook third a half neck back after trailing the pair and using the sprint lane.

The VHRC/GBL Properties Pace over 1690 metres saw 3YO Always B Miki-Im Justforyou gelding Tappy an impressive winner.

Trained at Myrniong by Jess Tubbs, Tappy owned in Western Australia was first up since October last year and with ‘Herbie’ in the sulky was taken back to the rear from outside the front line as Flying Sparks (gate four) crossed the poleline pacemaker Hez Harrywho.

Latching to the back of Wingate Guy (gate six – one/two) three wide in the last lap for a nice ride home, Tappy strode clear effortlessly in the straight to register a four metre margin in a rate of 1.57.9 over Midnite Mojo (gate two) which switched down to the sprint lane on turning, with Flying Sparks holding third 1.4 metres away.

The VHRC/Black Horse Naturals Maiden Pace over 1690 metres went the way of Toolern Vale trainer Andy Gath’s Tall Dark Stranger-Sugarland filly Frosty Drop returning a 1.59.3 mile rate.

Driven by wife Kate, Frosty Drop led throughout from gate two recording a 2.4 metre margin from Keayang Alabama (gate three – four pegs) which raced outside her from the bell, with Looking From Above (gate four) third five metres back third after following the runner up home.

Kilmore races again on Thursday, March 26.

From the Boundary with Ray Carroll – March 17, 2026

Ray Carroll

-

March 17, 2026

0

A WORTHY SEVEN

Years ago, there was a popular movie, “Seven brides for seven brothers”. Here is a photo of seven brothers (with their sister, not their brides) from Yarrawonga. In the late seventies to early nineties came seven Dowling brothers to board at ACK and each contributed well to the life and times of Assumption.

Pictured from left are John, Chris, Jamie (Mary-Ann), Edward, Terry, Tony, and Danny. They had great parents who like many of earlier times came to visit on Sundays to enjoy picnics or barbeques in the plantation alongside the Main Oval. There were over 300 boarders in those days and it was a vibrant scene at weekends. Nearly all the Dowling lads have raised their families from working the land and all have been pillars of their communities. Danny’s wife Hannah (nee Cummins) called in with the photo the other day. She and her sister Lauren gave me wonderful assistance with the sports program in the early 2000’s. There will be many former students of this area who will remember being school mates of the Dowling boys.

***

ANGE’S VISIT

It was great to spend some time with Angela Ryan at the weekend. She flew from her home in Northern NSW to be with the family of a young relative, only 15 and seriously ill. Formally a Johnson, Ange and a sister Imelda, and three brothers were day students at ACK in the seventies. The family homestead was on the highway next to the Wandong turn-off. Parents and children were highly respected and the mum (Bernie) worked as Principal’s secretary for quite a few years. Angela, a nurse, returned for a period to fill that role at ACK. Her husband Greg Ryan, from a fine Wandong family, was a very good First XVIII player in 1976 and twenty of that year’s footballers and cricketers travelled considerable distances to attend the special function at the MCG on November 29 last year. Many in the area will remember Greg Ryan’s brother Barry. The latter, wheelchair bound since a lad was very popular with many friends especially from the footy and cricket clubs of this area. Barry moved North some years ago to be near Greg and Ange and he found a happy relationship with a care nurse. The couple now reside near Bowral in NSW. Meanwhile, Angela and Greg’s large family has all progressed well in life and reflected the fine values of great parents and grandparents.

ROMANCE

There has long been a romantic view around lighthouses. They dot the coastline of all seaboard countries around Australia with their grand and historic “lights”. Today though they are not manned by keepers and their families instead being controlled remotely. There is one located on the southern tip of Tassie I believe that still has a keeper. There are countless tales down the ages of the stoic men and women who spent lonely years living in the lighthouse in remote locations.

STAR OF TWO TRADES

A Pyalong lady has been a star of contrasting occupations. Leonie Hennessy (nee Ryan) was for years a fine sculptor, and her work of the art adorns many mantelpieces across Victoria and beyond. She closed that chapter and took on working the generational family farm a few kilometers to the south of Pyalong. She has battled through good years and bad- such as recent droughts – with a great love of the land and the animals . Married to John, formally a schoolteacher and well known country “bookie”. Their son Tom, who graduated with honours from ACK in 2009 has been a valued part of the Ernst Young group. A keen cricketer he played in Assumptions 08 and 09 titles. On long service late last year he and friend Monique, a Whittlesea lass of horse-riding prowess, spent some adventure time in Africa where they climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. Sadly, very poor health has troubled John for some years now but Leonie soldiers on a true throwback in every way to the legendary pioneer “women of the west”.

***

BLUEBAGGERS

Carlton’s opening round heavy defeat in Sydney must have saddened its army of faithful followers who are awaiting a return to the famous club’s halcyon days. It is an easy cop-out to keep blaming coaches but there must be internal deep seated issue that continue to plague the once mighty dark navy blues.

***

THE KIWIS

New Zealand’s cricketers are about to play India in the World T20 final in front of a record 135,000 crowd in Ahmedabad. The cricket nation has punched above its weight for years on finances and resources way short of Australia’s. I believe the game in this country could learn much from the “Black Caps” who are flightless to the last ditch. More about this in next week’s column.

Letters to the Editor, March 17, 2026

The North Central Review

-

March 17, 2026

0

A big thank you

I’d like to say a huge public thank you to the delivery driver and owner of Cheesy As Mate. On Friday March 6, I had an unexpected guest arrive at my home. It was the owner of Cheesy As Mate with my wallet. We were heading into the long weekend so I’d just withdrawn a lot of cash and there was also my bank card and lots of other things such as my licence in it. He said the delivery driver had picked it up outside where I had been an hour or two earlier.

The people of Broadford should know the quality and honesty of the people running and working at our local businesses and that the people at Cheesy As Mate are first class!

Michael Bourke,
Broadford.

Question over power line easements

The Allan Labor Government has shown contempt for regional Victorians, the environment, and our vital agricultural sector, by bulldozing through new compulsory acquisition laws for power line easements.

These powers allow the government, transmission firms, and energy distributors to seize farmland for power line easements that ‘may’ be required in the future, without the need for an EES to have even commenced.

This trashes good planning and environmental processes and shows utter disregard for the prime agricultural land we need to grow our food and fibre.

It should alarm every landholder – Labor doesn’t care about your property rights, your business, or your home.

The Nationals fought this legislation and will repeal it if elected to government.

We will also repeal Labor’s land access laws, scrap their emergency services tax, restore farmers’ right to appeal projects, and introduce buffer zones between renewable projects and homes.

We will overhaul the planning process. Agricultural land will be assessed at the outset of any major project. If prime farmland is at risk, the project will be stopped.

Independent agricultural and economic impact assessments will be mandatory upfront for renewables and transmission lines, just like environmental and cultural ones.

Projects like VNI West are tearing communities apart. We will halt them, reassess, and choose routes that do not divide regional Victorians, or sacrifice prime land.

We will keep fighting for real consultation, protection of prime agricultural land, and a planning system that respects regional communities.

Only The Nationals stand up for farmers and ensure they get their fair share.

Emma Kealy,
Deputy Leader of The Nationals