Seymour District cricket: Tallarook ties Tigers

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November 30, 2021

Seymour District cricket: Tallarook ties Tigers

TALLAROOK is still in search of its first Seymour District Cricket Association A Grade win of the season after a rare tie against reigning premier Yea Tigers on Saturday.

Playing at home at Tallarook Recreation Reserve, the ‘Rook were eager to atone for a subpar batting display in their first match against Kilmore.

The Tigers elected to bat after winning the toss and despite batting out their 45 overs, were held to a reasonable total by the Tallarook attack.

Fill-in player Simon D’Elia took 3/30 in his nine overs, while skipper Lachlan Watts also picked up three wickets.

Youngster Xavier Arandt impressed with 1/19 in an economical display, and Ben Tarran chipped in with two wickets of his own.

Four Tigers got starts, but none surpassed 27 as the team was all out for 139 on the final ball of the innings.

Tallarook set about building a diligent run chase, with openers Tarran and Luke Marshall putting on 51 runs before Marshall was dismissed for 24 off the bowling of Cam Armstrong.

Watts stepped in to forge an 86-run partnership with Tarran, putting Tallarook in a commanding position with only a few overs to go.

But just when victory seemed within the Rookers’ grasp, things began to go wrong.

The batsmen misplayed several shots in the waning overs, leading to Watts’ dismissal for 38 in the final over.

Leigh Irving made one run and Tarran finished unbeaten on 63, sealing a tie.

Watts said the result was unsatisfying, but still represented an improvement on Tallarook’s first game of the season.

“[Ties don’t] happen too often. I don’t think I’ve been involved in too many in my time,” he said.

“We thought we were in a good position, but just didn’t execute in the last couple of overs – we lost our way a little bit and missed a few we shouldn’t have missed.

“I think because of the position we were in, it felt at the end of the game like we’d lost in a sense.

“In saying that to come out and bowl pretty well and bat well to the extent that we were in a position to win with a couple of overs left was good.”

Tallarook will now face Eastern Hill, which is a surprise ladder leader early in the season after defeating Kilmore by eight wickets.

The Kilmore bats struggled to make noise against the Seymour attack, with only Ryan Cumberland (15), Jacob Walton (10), Kevin Craddock (12) and Mitch Van De Duim (12*) reaching double figures in a team total of 67.

Eastern Hill had little trouble reaching the total, taking less than 24 overs as Ben Bryant finished unbeaten on 35.

Broadford also had an easy win, chasing Seymour’s total of 102 in only 15.4 overs as Riley Mason (53) and Ash Wood (41*) led the way.

Kilmore will host Broadford in round four on Saturday, while Seymour will take on Yea Tigers at Yea Recreation Reserve.

Wallan Community Services Hub officially opened

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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Wallan Community Services Hub officially opened

THE official opening of Wallan Community Services Hub on Thursday was hailed by health services and politicians as a big step towards combating and preventing family violence in the region.

The $1.284 million hub repurposed a former childcare centre at 42-80 Bentinck Street, Wallan, and will now serve as an access point for family violence support service The Orange Door.

The Orange Door network is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence, as well as families requiring extra support caring for children.

The Orange Door will have 17 locations across Victoria by the end of 2022.

The access point will also host several other community service organisations that specifically respond to family violence issues, including Nexus Primary Health, FamilyCare, Primary Care Connections, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative and Family Safety Victoria.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said the facility would help address the high rates of family violence in Mitchell Shire, with statistics showing the municipality has the 11th-highest rate of family violence incidents of any in Victoria.

“Our figures on family violence are far too high. Behind every figure is a person and a family member needing support,” he said.

“This building brings together a number of services to help people in our community to access services and programs that focus on intervention and prevention.

“Council has worked in partnership with these services to create a new space with consulting rooms, conference rooms and meeting rooms.

“The location provides strong links to the multi-purpose centre next door … which also includes the Wallan Youth Room and Wallan Neighbourhood House.”

Cr Chisholm said services like The Orange Door were important to help break a cycle of harm in growing communities.

“We’re at the heart of the Melbourne growth corridor and it’s vital that we have services that people can access,” he said.

“We hear time and time again that people can’t access services outside our area because they can’t get to them. Having these services close to home is absolutely critical.

“We’ve advocated for these services over many years, and in recent times we have started to see results.”

The Orange Door Goulburn area manager Mary D’Elia said the Wallan hub was the first Orange Door site in Victoria to be hosted directly by a council.

“We had clients walk in the door the first day Orange Door in Goulburn opened in Shepparton in April, and within the first few days of us having staff on site here the same thing happened. It tells us this is needed,” she said.

“In the Mitchell and Murrindindi shires there are more than 1200 people who have been directly supported by the Orange Door network since April this year.”

Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green said the new hub was a fantastic result for relatively little expenditure.

“Mitchell Shire is really good at setting that example,” she said.

“For $850,000 from the Victorian Government and $434,000 from council, that’s it’s a great outcome.

“Places like this are about bringing families together and making them feel safe. It’s about building community.”

Wynne: Wallan quarry not ‘done deal’

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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PLANNING Minister Richard Wynne’s office has denied the terms of reference guiding a ministerial advisory committee decision on a planned quarry south of Wallan preclude the committee from deciding not to proceed with the quarry.

Mitchell Shire Council has expressed concerns the quarry was a ‘done deal’ from the government’s perspective and the terms of reference limited the committee’s ability to consider excluding the quarry from the new Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan, PSP. But a spokesperson for Mr Wynne’s office said that was not the case.

“The terms of reference for the ministerial advisory committee do not remove the committee’s ability to recommend that the quarry not proceed,” the spokesperson said.

“The planning permit application will be considered on its merits by the committee having regard to the revised Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan and all submissions received during public consultation.”

Council officials said they would seek an ‘urgent crisis meeting’ with Mr Wynne.

The government spokesperson confirmed the Victorian Planning Authority, VPA, chief executive and other senior executives met with Mitchell Shire councillors on November 17, but did not say whether Mr Wynne planned to meet with council officials.

The VPA began public consultation on the proposed quarry in early November with two online consultation sessions and more than 4500 letters sent to landowners, previous submitters to the Beveridge North West PSP and all parties to the VCAT proceeding for the quarry permit.

Meanwhile, council officials said they would not back off advocacy against the quarry despite apologising for using religious terminology to oppose the quarry at a Catholic school event. A council-run stall at an Assumption College festival contained a community feedback box with the words ‘tell Minister Wynne this quarry is a sin’.

Cr Rob Eldridge apologised to anybody offended by the use of religious terminology in opposition to the quarry, but did not back down from council’s stance of opposing the project.

“Mitchell Shire Council’s campaign to stop plans for a quarry in the Beveridge Northwest Precinct Structure Plan is aimed squarely at the State Government and those who will make the final decision including Mr Wynne,” he said.

“Council is not anti-quarry, just anti-quarry in the middle of a master planned community of more than 100,000 residents.”

Quarry permit applicant Conundrum Holdings managing director Ron Kerr said the group was yet to receive a formal apology and accused the council of being ‘vindictive’.

“We are amazed, incredibly offended and disappointed the concept of using religion as a part of a planning process was even considered suitable by councillors and executives,” he said.

Mr Kerr said the ‘shameful shire’ continued to promote the religious material on its digital media and at events at the weekend.

“We are incredibly saddened that our own shire is spreading misinformation, half-truths and falsehoods around the application, manipulating future resident numbers within PSP, and wanting to deny jobs, opportunity and choice to local workers and families.”

People can make submissions by visiting engage.vic.gov.au/beveridgenorthwest.

• Wally Mott, the owner of the land on which the quarry is proposed, is also the owner of the Review.

St Patrick’s Primary School, Kilmore, unveils veterans project

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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St Patrick’s Primary School, Kilmore, unveils veterans project

ST PATRICK’S Primary School’s veteran project was unveiled last week, with students commemorating and remembering the service of veterans.

The science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics, STEAM, project started earlier this year at the Kilmore school, with the school calling out for veterans from the region to be part of its creation of a ‘unique’ memorial space to honour people who fought in war.

The students have been involved in workshops to learn key skills required at each stage of the project, including interviewing, portrait photography, and recording, with a total of 28 veterans taking part.

Veteran Graeme McSolvin said he was impressed with the project as a whole.

“When I was invited, I didn’t think it’d be anything as big as it is, it’s huge,” he said.

“The kids had a very deep understanding of what war is all about. It’s not about glorifying war, it’s about thanking those who served, and that’s what got me the most.”

The unveiling of the mural was attended by RSL state president Rob Webster and vice president Des Callaghan, as well as Kilmore Wallan RSL president Rod Dally.

The students were given the opportunity to broaden their skills in interviewing and photography, working together to create a project that appropriately reflected the service of veterans.

The photographs of 28 war veterans adorn a wall at St Patrick’s Primary School, Kilmore.

Veteran Peter Dore said the experience of working with the children was memorable and encouraging.

“Right from the start, we’ve been delighted with the way the kids have treated us with a huge amount of respect and professionalism,” he said.

“As a kid, I don’t think I was anywhere near where the kids are at today, but to us as veterans it’s a fantastic feeling to be able to mix with the kids and share our story.”

Information and communication technology leader Shelly Michalke said the students were able to learn about remembrance, Anzac Day and the stories of veterans to gain a better understanding of the meaning of war.

“Students have gained an incredible insight into the meaning of mateship, remembrance and Anzac Day, along with the many deployments the Australian Defence Force does to help communities such as peacekeeping and disaster relief,” she said.

“We have learnt that the sacrifices made have had a significant, ongoing impact on those who served, and the important role the RSL continues to play in the lives of so many.”

The mural is on display at St Patrick’s Primary School in Kilmore, with a duplicate having been created by the Kilmore RSL to display at Memorial Hall, subject to council approval.

Broadford Christmas tree damaged: police seek information

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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BROADFORD police and Mitchell Shire Council are appealing to the public for information to come forward regarding the vandalism of the town’s Christmas tree, which had only been erected days prior to the incident.

On November 21 at 6.23am, an unknown male offender snapped the trunk of the Christmas tree at Broadford Memorial Park, bringing it to the ground.

The man also stole the gold star from the top before running away.

Council has temporality fixed the tree, although the potential to be able to use it again in the future looks unlikely.

Estimated damaged caused is about $5000.

Sergeant-in-charge at Broadford police Rhonda Coates said the vandalism had saddened many of the town’s residents, especially as Christmas this year was a time many have been looking forward to.

“Broadford police, as are many of our community are extremely saddened by the senseless vandalism done to the Christmas tree, which had been erected by Mitchell Shire Council only days earlier,” she said.

“This vandalism has impacted heavily on many members in the community, especially considering the recent hardships we have all had to endure during the COVID pandemic and restrictions.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Broadford police on 5784 1404 or can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Transition Village Wallan opens Kilmore op shop

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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Transition Village Wallan opens Kilmore op shop

TRANSITION Village Wallan, TVW, has moved to a new permanent premises in Kilmore, expanding the successful recycled and upcycled op shop project.

The group is a community-managed charity aimed at developing an eco-friendly village for people who are or are at risk of homelessness.

The new op shop, located at 6/84-86 Sydney Street, next to Burson Auto Parts, will be known as the TVW Community Hub and home to a range of groups and spaces for people to visit and be involved in.

TVW chief executive Judy Clarke said the space allowed for more people to have a dedicated place to visit and feel welcome.

“People can come when they’re a bit alone, a bit angry, or whatever and sit and we’ll just chat in a calm space,” she said.

“We think it’s really important for people to have a space to come to if they’ve got nowhere else to go, or if they just want to be around people.”

The store will be home to a large op shop, space for the menders and makers group and a small ‘cuppa and chat’ space with a children’s activity area.

The new Transition Village Wallan hub at 6/84-86 Sydney Street Kilmore is much larger than the original store n the corner of Finch’s Supermarket.

Ms Clarke said more facilities would be added for people who wished to be involved in a community-based project.

TVW encourages donations of toys, equipment, appliances and clothes to support the motive of sustainability.

“I like the fact that our donations are coming locally, sales are local, and the money goes back to a local project,” Ms Clarke said.

“It’s wonderful to donate through some of the bigger op shops, but to know that your money is actually making a difference in your community I think is really quite rewarding.”

Ms Clarke said the aim of the project was to be as sustainable as possible to reduce the volume of waste going to landfill.

TVW is also hoping to construct its village in 2022, providing a place for people to live and exist in a community when they may not have any other option.

Ms Clarke said the hub would also support future village residents by offering work experience and training programs.

She welcomed volunteers to join the hub, with people encouraged to visit if they wish to assist with the project or if they want to spend time in a safe environment.

Kilmore Senior Citizens Club welcoming new members

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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Kilmore Senior Citizens Club welcoming new members

By Tricia Mifsud

KILMORE Senior Citizens Club is opening its doors and inviting the senior community of Kilmore and surrounds to join the group, with something to offer for all its members.

As the state transitions back to normality following the pandemic, the club is hoping more residents are comfortable to head out into the community, and consider joining to meet new people and to make up for lost time socialising.

“The more the merrier,” vice president Jenny Preston said.

“It’s nice meeting with other people, being able to talk to people and form friendships.”

At last week’s bingo session, the club welcomed about 20 members, and they hope all activities will begin to attract the same amount of attendees.

A fixed calendar of events includes bingo on Tuesdays, Hoy on Thursdays, line dancing on Mondays and Thursdays and art classes on Fridays, with other activities scheduled across the month as well.

The group goes on monthly day trips on the first Wednesday of each month where the club joins with Lancefield Senior Citizens Club. The club also schedules short-stay trips away usually of a duration of two nights.

Activities in December include the annual Christmas luncheon on December 13, and a trash and treasure event on December 11, also at the hall.

For those concerned about being able to make their way down to the hall, club president Ray Peterson makes sure that no one misses out on attending activities.

“I always enjoy my two days here, I come on a Tuesday and Thursday and I go and pick people up and take them home,” he said.

“There are a couple of ladies who live on the back end of Kilmore, but we make sure that everyone can get here.”

All gatherings are at the Kilmore Senior Citizens Club Hall, at 7 Sydney Street, Kilmore.

An annual membership cost of $5 goes towards purchases for the club.

People who would like to find out more about the club or to sign up, call Mr Peterson on 5782 2317, Ms Preston on 0438 225 756 or email nelsonjan@gmail.com.

Lancefield Christmas decorations light up town

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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Lancefield Christmas decorations light up town

By Colin MacGillivray

A GROUP of more than a dozen Lancefield residents dubbing themselves the ‘Christmas elf workshop’ is brightening High Street businesses with festive rooftop art.

For three years the group has created giant Christmas decorations to place on Lancefield businesses that wish to take part in the campaign, and the volunteers agreed this year’s decorations were bigger and better than ever.

People walking along the main street can observe anything from a turkey adorning to the butcher to a sack of toys on the bank or a reindeer and Santa on the milk bar.

A life-sized cut out of the Grinch is also lurking along the street, while Christmas elves hide among the trees on the High Street median strip.

Even Lancefield’s black panther statue has been incorporated into the celebrations, donning some reindeer antlers and being hitched to a sleigh that is big enough for children to sit in.

Group member Linda Davies said the decorations were spawned out of a friendly rivalry with neighbouring town Romsey.

“Romsey put trees up, and we were a bit jealous because as most people would know there’s a bit of competition between Lancefield and Romsey,” she said.

“We thought, ‘we can’t have Romsey looking better than Lancefield’, so it kind of started that way.

“Our team got together and thought about how we could make things differently. We didn’t want to just copy Romsey with the trees.

“We decided we would create rooftop art, so if a shop wanted it, we created it.”

Ms Davies said the group had made this year’s decorations in a shed at the rear of the Townhouse, operated by Lancefield Neighbourhood House.

“It was good that we had it [the decoration making] in town this year in the shed, because people would walk by and say ‘what are they doing down there?’ They could see who was doing it,” she said.

“Some people came and volunteered to help out.

“There’s been some nice comments. Somebody said they had just moved into town and they were really feeling the Christmas spirit.”

Ms Davies thanked builder Bruce Ferguson for helping put the decorations up.

She said the group intended to make the decorations bigger and better each year.

“More and more elves will pop up. We hide them everywhere and kids have fun going through the trees looking for them. We have a competition to see if they can count them all,” she said.

Jennifer Anderson elected Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor for fifth term

Council

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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Jennifer Anderson elected Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor for fifth term

MACEDON Ranges Shire Council Mayor Jennifer Anderson was re-elected for her fifth term in the leadership role.

The mayor and deputy mayor were elected for the upcoming 12 months, with councillors voting in favour of Cr Anderson at a meeting last week.

Cr Mark Ridgeway was also nominated to be mayor but Cr Anderson won in a 5-4 vote.

Cr Anderson has served as a representative for the west ward of the shire since 2012, with stints as mayor in 2014-15, 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2020-21.

She said she was honoured to be re-elected and looked forward to a year ahead hopefully filled with increased ability to interact in person with the community.

“I would like to thank my fellow councillors for the faith they have shown by giving me the opportunity to lead the Macedon Ranges Shire Council for the next 12 months,” Cr Anderson said.

“While the past year has very been challenging, I’m very proud of our resilience and how we have responded to this time of great change and uncertainty, both as a council and a community.

“There are exciting times ahead. I look forward to building on what has already been achieved and ensuring Macedon Ranges Shire continues to be an outstanding place in which to live, work and visit.”

Cr Anderson said the Macedon Ranges Shire community and the many great aspects of the area was the reason for wanting to serve as the shire’s mayor.

“The biggest thing that motivates me is the community,” she said.

“I love living here and I think we have a very special place, with an amazing township and people that really go out of their way to help out, great not-for-profits and volunteers and we live in an amazing environment.

“It’s important that we can protect all that and I first got onto council way back and I’ve just learnt so much. The more you learn, the more you can give back and try and work … our decisions are for the long term.

“Good planning of what goes on the land, what services you can or can’t provide and communication with the community is all important to keep these things going.”

Cr Rob Guthrie will step in the position of deputy mayor, also elected by councillors on a one-year term, taking over from Cr Ridgeway.

“I’d like to say thank you to Mark Ridgeway, it was great to work with him and he was a great support to me,” Cr Anderson said.

“Cr Guthrie has been on council before, so he’ll have some wisdom from days gone by and it’s a really important role because knowing there is someone to have that support from and to just ring up and talk to and run things by.

“He’s a south ward councillor, which is one of our fastest-growing areas, so to have that perspective from someone from that ward is great.”

16 Days of Activism: Whittlesea

The North Central Review

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November 30, 2021

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THE City of Whittlesea has partnered with Whittlesea Community Connections and DPV Health to host community events in support of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Victoria Police data shows 3329 reports of family violence incidents to police in 2019-20 – an increase from 3139 the year before.

Compared to other growth area councils, the City of Whittlesea sits fifth highest in terms of incidents reported in the year up to March 2021, behind Mitchell, Melton, Hume and Casey.

Council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the 16 Days of Activism campaign was dedicated to addressing gender inequalities and ending gender-based violence.

“This issue is so very important in our community,” she said.

“We have the highest rate of family violence in the north-east region and through this campaign we want to shine a spotlight on the underlying cause as we work to create a future where all people are safe, equal and respected.

“We know that gender inequality is a key driver of violence against women, and some of the priority actions council is taking include developing the leadership capacity of underrepresented women and advocating for increased access to specialist family violence services.”

People can take a walk around one of three trails across Epping-Lalor, Mernda and Thomastown between November 25 and December 10 and are encouraged to wear something orange to show their support of the campaign.

Young people aged 13 to 25 have submitted pieces of art interpreting the themes of the 16 Days of Activism and what it means to them. An online showcase of the artworks will be on December 8.

People can also follow the City of Whittlesea Baseline Facebook page, which will share the City of Whittlesea Youth Advisory Committee’s 16-day campaign and podcast to encourage community conversation and action on preventing family violence and violence against women.

To find out more about the 16 Days of Activism and the events in the City of Whittlesea, visit whittlesea.vic.gov.au/genderequity.

People who are or know someone who is experiencing family violence, can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800respect.org.au. In an emergency call triple zero and ask for police.