Tania Maxwell calls for ambulance support
By Colin MacGillivray
MEMBER for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell has welcomed a $40 million State Government boost for Ambulance Victoria but warned the service remains under significant pressure.
Ms Maxwell, an MP for Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, has advocated for better ambulance following the 2019 death of Seymour resident Gayl Hubbard, who waited nearly 45 minutes for an ambulance despite living near Seymour ambulance station.
Gayl’s husband Tony and Ms Maxwell tabled a petition in Victoria’s Parliament calling for on-call ambulance services to be restored in Seymour.
The government announced on Friday a $307 million package to free up capacity for Victorian hospitals and ambulance services, including $40 million to hire additional paramedics and expand Ambulance Victoria’s call triage service.
Ambulance Victoria said the funding would double the capacity of its triple zero call triage service to free up emergency ambulances, so the sickest patients could receive critical care faster amid rising demand driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paramedics across Victoria were called to 80,459 life-threatening – or code one – cases between July and September, a 17.2 per cent increase on the same time in 2020.
In Mitchell Shire, there was a 9.7 per cent increase in code one cases from the same time last year.
Paramedics attended 60.2. per cent of code one patients within 15 minutes, compared with 66 per cent for the same period in 2020.
Ms Maxwell said the figures showed paramedics were not adequately resourced.
“In Whittlesea local government area, it takes on average almost three minutes more, at 14:20 minutes, to get an ambulance to a code one emergency than it did 12 months ago,” she said.
“In the same quarter last year it responded to code one call-outs in less than 15 minutes 83.1 per cent of the time. But that’s dropped to 68.4 per cent in the last quarter.
“In Mitchell Shire, at 16:03 minutes, it takes 2:19 minutes more than it did a year ago.
“And in Macedon Ranges, at 15:22 minutes, it takes 1:23 minutes more than a year ago, with a response within 15 minutes falling six per cent to 62 per cent.”
Ms Maxwell said the announcement was a step in the right direction, but criticised the government’s lack of urgency on the issue after it allocated extra money to Ambulance Victoria in the State Budget in May.
“This is a systemic problem that’s still to be fixed and I’m worried that it will cost lives unless the government gets to grips with it right now,” she said.
Ambulance Victoria Hume acting regional director Narelle Capp said the performance data showed the entire health system faced significant pressure and increasing demand.
“Here in Hume, we are dealing with an extraordinary workload, which is also being experienced by crews right across the state,” she said.
Across Victoria, more than 35,000 callers to triple zero between July and September did not need an emergency ambulance and were instead connected with paramedics and nurses in the state’s secondary triage service to find more appropriate care pathways to meet their needs.
“We’ve expanded our secondary triage service with an additional 97 paramedics and nurses – effectively doubling the size of the referral service for less-urgent Triple Zero calls,” Ms Capp said.
“This vital service frees up ambulances for the sickest patients by connecting patients who do not need an emergency ambulance with alternative care.
“That results in 500 or more cases every day that are being matched to services that better suit their needs while also avoiding emergency dispatch. This means more emergency ambulances available on the road during this incredibility challenging time.”
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Tony Walker said the performance data were not surprising given the level of demand experienced across Australia during as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof Walker said he expected the health crisis to continue for several months.
“The entire healthcare system across Australia is under sustained pressure and our paramedics and first responders are experiencing this first-hand,” he said.
“We are asking every Victorian to work with us by saving triple zero for emergencies by calling Nurse-On-Call, 1300 60 60 24, for immediate health advice or seeing your GP or pharmacist early for advice or treatment.”
Seymour District Cricket Association back in action for 2021-22
By Colin MacGillivray
SEYMOUR District Cricket Association teams are raring to play their first games of the 2021-22 season this weekend after a COVID-induced delay to the start of play.
The opening round SDCA season was pushed back as Victorians waited to for vaccinations to reach State Government-mandated levels.
Lockdown restrictions ended in Mitchell Shire last month and sports will recommence this weekend after Victoria surpassed an 80 per cent double vaccination level.
SDCA president Ben Trezise said the association was thrilled to be back.
“We’ve been sitting on our hands for so long just waiting to start,” he said.
“We potentially could have started last weekend, but it was always Cricket Victoria’s preference that we start it this weekend just because of vaccinations.
“It seems to have been forever. It was just waiting and waiting, first for Mitchell Shire to come out of lockdown so all the teams could start training again, and then waiting for the start date.”
Mr Trezise said the association would abide by Cricket Victoria’s return-to-play guidelines.
According to the current guidelines, all spectators, players and officials must check in on arrival to a ground, and spectators and scorers must maintain 1.5-metre distancing at all times.
Only players should touch the match ball, which will be cleaned with an antibacterial wipe every 20 overs. No saliva can be used to shine the ball, although sweat from the arms or back is allowed.
Personal equipment such as pads or gloves is discouraged from being shared and no communal food or drinks can be provided by clubs, with players required to bring their own.
Mr Trezise said he was sure the guidelines would be updated throughout the season in line with government health advice.
“Cricket Victoria have said at this stage unvaccinated people are still allowed to play cricket because it’s an outdoor sport, but they cannot use the change rooms or go into clubrooms,” he said.
“That might change once we get above 90 per cent.”
On field, the A Grade competition will return to six teams, after Alexandra and Pyalong dropped back to B Grade.
The remaining A Grade teams are 2020-21 premier Yea Tigers, runner-up Kilmore, Broadford, Tallarook, Seymour and Eastern Hill.
Mr Trezise said it would result in a smaller, but more competitive A Grade tournament.
“Alexandra and Pyalong stood up last year and had a crack at A Grade, but due to people leaving and numbers, they feel that B Grade is a better fit for them,” he said.
“I think any team can make the finals and once they make the finals, any team can win it. It will be nice and open this year, which will be good.”
This season’s truncated fixture means that, as with the 2020-21 season, only one-day matches will be played.
“We would have loved to be able to do the two-dayers this year, but on the recommendation of Cricket Victoria I think every association is only doing one-dayers this season,” Mr Trezise said.
The season will commence on Saturday with Broadford hosting Tallarook at Harley Hammond Reserve, Eastern Hill playing host to Yea Tigers at Kings Park, and Seymour travelling to play Kilmore.
Kilmore captain Josh Buttler said the club would field largely the same A Grade side, making up for the departures of Matt Rose and Hayden Smith with the inclusions of former Wallan batsman Ryan Cumberland and pace bowler Mitch Van De Duim.
“I think we’ll have a very strong side again this year, possibly even a little bit stronger than last year. Hopefully we go one better – we should be thereabouts again,” Buttler said.
Mr Trezise said the league was now simply hoping for good weather.
“I don’t know if the season had started on time that we’d have actually played a game yet to be quite honest with the weather being the way it has been,” he said.
“But hopefully now all the games can go ahead and we’re looking forward to it.”
The SDCA is searching for a secretary and a junior development officer to organise junior country week matches. People interested in either role can contact Mr Trezise on 0432 789 100.
Gisborne District cricket: Wallan embraces McIntyre Cup challenge
By Tricia Mifsud
WALLAN Cricket Club will play among the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s best competition, after being elevated to the McIntyre Cup for the 2021-22 season.
Stepping up from the Johnstone Shield, Wallan coach and captain Steve Bell said with the change of the finals structure, from a top four to a top six, there was the possibility of his side taking one of those spots.
“Going up into the McIntyre Cup, it’s going to have it challenges for us but I think the league going to a top six finals – we’re a chance maybe for one of those lower final spots,” he said.
“There’s a few clubs that will have its challenges going up but we’re keen to give it as crack, it’s all exciting and we’re happy to be back out there.”
Bell said Wallan would field a mix of experienced players, along with some younger cricketers that the club was excited to put some game experience into in such as Campbell Fowler, Bailey Fowler, Hamish Mullavey-Clark and Archie Moore.
As for the experienced players, Wallan welcome some familiar names to its side.
“Kieran Atkin has come back to the club, he played for us a few seasons ago and was part of Bacchus Marsh last season, which won the McIntyre Cup grand final,” he said.
“Bryan Vance, who played his first season of the club last year, is also helping out the younger kids with both batting and bowling.”
Wallan president Sam Mahony said the upcoming season looked to provide an exciting challenge for all teams representing the club across various divisions.
“We are looking forward to the challenge of playing in the McIntyre Cup this season. Overall, we have four senior men’s sides, five junior boys’ sides and three junior girls’ sides,” he said.
“There is a positive vibe around the club, and people are finally looking forward to a post-COVID world, and playing sports again.”
Mahony added that if people hadn’t already signed up, and were considering a summer of cricket with Wallan, it was not too late to express their interest.
“Our numbers are good, but anyone is more than welcome to come and join; for both boys and girls,” he said.
Wallan will come up against Diggers Rest Bulla in a home match at Greenhill Reserve from 12.30pm on Saturday in the league’s opening round.
Bell said he hoped the community came along to support Wallan in what the club was anticipating was a ‘winnable’ game.
“Hopefully people come down, there’s no doubt that playing at home and having a crowd helps,” he said.
“It’s a winnable game for us.
“The way the fixture had been released for us, we’ve got some winnable games early on before the middle period where we play the top four teams from last season in consecutive weeks, so that will be challenging.”
Riddells Creek CFA to receive field command vehicle
RIDDELLS Creek Fire Brigade will receive a new field command vehicle thanks to a $56,667 State Government grant.
Seven fire CFA brigades in the Macedon electorate will receive grants to the total value of $599,696 to provide operational equipment, vehicles, appliances and minor facility improvements.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas announced last week the following brigades would receive funding: Elphinstone, laptop and accessories; Langley-Barfold, station extension; Malmsbury Lithium-Ion positive pressure fan; Spring Hill, ultra-light tanker; Sutton Grange and Myrtle Ck, medium tanker; Trentham, generator; Hepburn Shire SES, chainsaw.
The projects are among 303 grants sharing in more than $14.3 million in funding under the government’s 2020-21 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program.
The annual grants program gives volunteer emergency service groups the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $150,000 to purchase equipment, including vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft and trailers, and for minor improvements including refurbishments and amenities, such as kitchens and change rooms. Other operational equipment that can be funded includes chainsaws, generators, quick-fill pumps and inflatable rescue boats and engines.
Ms Thomas said the government matched every $1 paid by volunteer groups with a $2 co-contribution up to $150,000 for each project.
“These grants will give our fantastic hard working volunteers the equipment, vehicles and amenities needed to effectively carry out their duties and keep us safe,” she said
“The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program is an important annual program providing a critical boost to local volunteer units to ensure their equipment, vehicles and facilities are up-to-date.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said it was going to be another busy summer season for emergency service volunteers.
“That’s why we’re helping to give them the equipment they need to continue doing what they do best – keeping Victorians safe,” she said.
“These grants have been going strong since they were first set up twenty years ago – communities will continue to proudly contribute to local fundraising efforts, but we want to help reduce that task and demonstrate that we’ll always support our selfless volunteers.”
Crusader Caravans manufacturing boon for City of Whittlesea
A NEW State Government initiative will boost caravan manufacturing in Victoria and create new jobs and training opportunities in the City of Whittlesea.
Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford last week announced 150 new jobs for caravan manufacturing as people spend more time touring the state after lockdowns.
In partnership with North Link and Caravan Industry Victoria, the government is providing on-the-job training at caravan manufacturers in the City of Whittlesea, including at Crusader Caravans in Epping.
The caravan and boating industry is the fourth largest manufacturing industry in the City of Whittlesea with 41 businesses already employing 450 people.
Under the ‘earn and learn’ initiative, another 150 workers will receive support and skill development in areas including assembly, service and repairs, warehousing and logistics, administration and sales to kickstart their new careers.
The jobs will go to those from priority groups that have been hardest hit by the pandemic including from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, long-term unemployed and young people under 25 years.
Ten manufacturers have been engaged, with Crusader Caravans taking on two new staff members as part of the program. It will soon increase its factory size to meet soaring demand from long-time caravanners and recent converts to mobile holidays.
The Whittlesea and Hume municipalities are the capital of the nation’s caravan manufacturing industry, with about 20,000 caravans – 90 per cent of the Australian total – completed each year.
The sector is worth $2.3 billion to the Victorian economy annually, with about 7500 caravan industry workers drawing $600 million in wages every year.
“The caravan industry is booming and this provides a great opportunity for Victorians to build a career in an industry that is really going places,” Ms Pulford said.
“Being able to earn a wage while learning new skills and building knowledge on the job is a winning combination.”
City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson sad the announcement was a ‘most welcome boost for local jobs’.
“Our community has been hard hit by the pandemic and this program will boost the local economy and help local jobseekers kick start careers in the booming caravan industry,” she said.
“Earlier this year council launched an innovative plan to attract new business ventures to the City of Whittlesea and support existing businesses to grow to create more jobs for local people.”
Ms Wilson said the City of Whittlesea was a great place to do business with important competitive advantages such as proximity to major transport links.
“We are one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities, welcoming around 8000 new residents every 12 months but the number of new local jobs isn’t keeping up, at only 1800 a year,” she said.
“We are working to attract more medium and large sized businesses to the City of Whittlesea, particularly in the key sectors of healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing and wholesale trade.
“Council is continuing to advocate to the federal and state governments and work with partner agencies including NorthLink, Northern Councils Alliance and National Growth Areas Alliance, to attract investment that will benefit our wider region.”
Caravan Industry Victoria chief executive Rob Lucas said the initiative was a win-win for the industry and for local travellers.
“People are travelling again and want more of our industry’s products and this program comes at a time when our employer members need it the most,” he said.
Kilmore’s Red Lion Brewery owner to face court
THE Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the former operators of Kilmore’s Red Lion Brewery.
Facing court is Red Lion Brewery Pty Ltd, which formerly operated the Red Lion Brewery bistro and is no longer trading.
Also facing court is company director Paul Kenneth Hendrie.
The ombudsman commenced an investigation after receiving a request for assistance from a worker employed at Red Lion Brewery as an adult apprentice chef from October 2019 to March 2020, when he was aged 24.
A Fair Work inspector issued a compliance notice to Red Lion Brewery in March 2021 after forming a belief the worker had not been paid entitlements owed under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010.
The inspector formed a belief the worker was underpaid minimum rates for ordinary hours, weekend and public holiday penalty rates, and annual leave entitlements.
The ombudsman alleges the company, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the compliance notice, which required it to calculate and back-pay the worker’s outstanding entitlements. It is alleged that Mr Hendrie was involved in the contravention.
Fair Work ombudsman Sandra Parker said the regulator would continue to enforce workplace laws and take businesses to court where lawful requests were not complied with.
“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees. A court can order a business to pay penalties in addition to back-paying workers,” she said.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance.”
The ombudsman is seeking penalties against Red Lion Brewery Pty Ltd and Mr Hendrie. The company faces a maximum penalty of $33,300 and Mr Hendrie faces a maximum penalty of $6660.
The regulator is also seeking an order for the company to comply with the compliance notice, which includes rectifying any underpayment in full, plus interest and superannuation.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne on November 9.
Employers and employees can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50. Small businesses can find targeted resources at the smallbusiness.fairwork.gov.au.
Assumption College to host RURBAN festival
ASSUMPTION College’s three-day community event, RURBAN, will go ahead on November 19, 20 and 21.
The event was established in 2019, and organisers are hoping the 2021 festival will be an occasion the whole community and visitors can enjoy after the past year of cancelled events.
RURBAN features a huge pop-up theme park with rides for all ages and tastes, showbags, animals, fireworks, roving entertainment, live music, a farmers market and loads more.
The name RURBAN is a combination of the words rural and urban. It reflects the country roots of the region and its increasing proximity to the urban fringe as Melbourne expands.
The college’s dream is to develop RURBAN into one of the largest events of its kind in regional Victoria – one that will draw tourism and interest from across the state to Mitchell Shire and surrounding municipalities.
It is hoped RURBAN will become a much-anticipated annual event and provide a conduit that will encourage non-residents to visit Kilmore, and its businesses.
This year, large crowds are expected to RURBAN following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Ticket sales have already shown strong interest for all three days but numbers have been capped to ensure the health and safety of those attending while adhering to State Government COVID guidelines. Entry is free though tickets must be pre-booked.
“After the couple of years we have had due to the pandemic, we are thrilled to be able to be offering our community an amazing fun-filled event,” principal Kate Fogarty said
“The RURBAN festival will be an opportunity for us all to laugh again. It is a time we can catch up with family and friends, enjoy the company of each other whilst listening to talented musicians, see roving characters and support local business.
“RURBAN has been difficult and challenging to organise this year with the varying restrictions, but we knew the hard work would be worth it as it is an event our community needs currently.
“This COVID-friendly and family-friendly event might be just the ticket for those looking to get out into the big wide world over the coming weeks.”
Ms Fogarty said the event attracted thousands of people from the surrounding suburbs of Kilmore and was tailored for a wide variety of people of various backgrounds and age ranges.
“For those with little kids, there’s a special ride ticket option for under 120cm and for the bigger kids, there are plenty of extreme rides across the various sessions,” she said.
“We know people in our community will be excited to hear ‘The Beast’ is back at RURBAN. If you have a taste for extreme rides, then this pendulum-style ride reaches speeds of 120kms per hour and swings 38 metres high while doing a 360 degree spin. This is the type of ride you would normally see at the Royal Melbourne Show.”
Ms Fogarty said the festival’s main stage would be jam-packed with a range of talented artists, some including DJ Nussy, Isaac McKenzie, Grace Frost, Angelina Patto, CircaNICA, Bradley Beaton, Rachel Comte, John Sharp, Adeline Hunter and Holly Purnell.
“Away from the main stage and in the kids’ zone, the grounds will feature kids’ activities, many for free, including craft, face painting, a balloon artist, a reptile display, colouring station and much more. There are also special guests like the Minions and Paw Patrol,” she said.
“Alternatively you can visit the food zone where you can take a pick from an array of food trucks, or enjoy the market zone where you can pick up some local goods from a farmers market stall. On Friday and Saturday night, there will also be a 15-minute spectacular colourful fireworks display.”
Ms Fogarty said there was also opportunities for businesses and families to book a marquee for $80 at RURBAN, which could be used as a home base for employees to get out and enjoy the carnival. Discount ride ticket packages are also on offer for those businesses looking to buy in bulk.
“There are also volunteer opportunities for those who might be interested. If you are keen to give a few hours of your time, this would be very welcome,” she said.
For more information or to book tickets, visit rurban.com.au.
McEwen Liberal candidate Richard Welch outlines election agenda
By Colin MacGillivray
LIBERAL candidate for McEwen Richard Welch has labelled infrastructure and mental health services as his two biggest priorities ahead of the upcoming federal election.
Mr Welch won Liberal preselection earlier this year and will challenge long-term incumbent Labor member Rob Mitchell at the election, which is likely to be called in early 2022.
Mr Welch said an entrepreneurial background and a passion for helping communities prosper made him an ideal candidate for the seat.
He is the founder and former chief executive of sports technology company PitchVision, and said the lessons he had learned in the corporate world would serve him well in politics.
“I invented and developed a new form of motion-tracking technology … that I patented and then raised capital to found a business on the basis of it,” he said.
“That was a most life-changing experience, because I suddenly became the manager of a small start-up.
“I had to go to India to build a factory to make it … and I had to navigate the Indian bureaucracy and approval systems, I had to buy land, I had to keep my stakeholders happy, I had to hire staff and I had to deal with importing all the components into India and exporting them out.
“In the process, what I saw firsthand was – because we built the factory in an impoverished area of India – how economic development can change the life of a community, and especially the women of this particular community because we employed about 180 local women.”
Mr Welch returned to Australia in 2019 with his wife Mandy and their two children, and said he began to think of how to apply the lessons he had learned running his business.
“I wanted to figure out how to put that to use and do something constructive for Australia because Australia gave me the launching pad and I wanted to pay something back,” he said.
“By happenstance the opportunity to run for [the Federal Division of] Jagajaga arose, and I thought maybe I could contribute back that way.
“At that point I had a blank slate where I could have joined any party, but it seemed to me that the Liberal Party is less prescriptive about what you must believe and it is more progressive in the sense that they believe in the potential of the individual and that technology is the way forward.
“It was a more natural fit for me, so that’s how I got involved.”
Mr Welch was defeated by Labor member Kate Thwaites in Jagajaga at the 2019 federal election but said he had learned valuable lessons from the experience.
“The big thing I learned is that in some regards the candidate is the least important part,” he said.
“The main [agenda is] set nationally, but your success is really determined by local volunteers and the local community and their ability to support or get on board with what you’re doing.
“When you run locally you can’t run some sort of presidential campaign where it’s all about the candidate – it’s actually all about the community and getting to know the community groups and getting involved and understanding the issues.
“I’m grateful that it has been a relatively early preselection because it has given me an opportunity to do that.”
Mr Welch and his family have relocated to Wallan as part of his bid to represent McEwen, which also includes the towns of Kilmore, Whittlesea, Lancefield, Romsey, Beveridge and Doreen.
He said he had enjoyed connecting with the community and getting a sense of the issues the electorate faced.
Mr Welch said his top priority would be improving the infrastructure of the region, which he described as lagging behind neighbouring electorates.
“When we say infrastructure, it’s predominantly roads and thoroughfares, but it’s also proper social infrastructure in terms of sporting facilities, community centres and other things of that nature,” he said.
“Married to that is mental health, which is a really big issue, particularly amongst youth. I think we’ve got an acute crisis in mental health and I think we’ve yet to see the worst of that.
“I don’t see these as disparate issues, I think they interrelate, and as we get more and more people in our community we’re going to exacerbate all of that. We need to address all of them.
“With some of them the plans are there or the money is there or the business case has been set. These things are there to be executed upon, we just need the impetus to push them through. Then we can build on that.”
Mr Welch acknowledged it would be difficult to unseat Mr Mitchell, who has represented McEwen since 2010, but said he would bring fresh energy and perspectives to local challenges if elected.
“If you’ve been incumbent for 10 years that gives you a great position of strength, and due credit [to Rob Mitchell], but that also gives you an obligation to follow through and get things done,” he said.
“Incumbency also means accountability. You can’t hide behind anything because you’ve got a Labor State Government and you’ve got Labor-leaning councils in a lot of cases.
“What I can bring is energy and hunger. I come from a quite different background where it’s all about the potential of things and the possibilities of things.
“McEwen is a place that’s got talent, it’s got economic resources, it’s got people and it’s got potential.”
Mr Welch described his philosophy as ‘moderate and forward-thinking’.
He said he supported a business-led approach to federal issues such as a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.
“I think it’s fantastic, and I think the approach we’re taking is absolutely the right approach, and that is technology, not taxes,” he said.
“You can’t tax your way to prosperity and you certainly can’t tax your way to a clean environment. If you don’t allow businesses and companies to innovate and give them the room to develop economically, you’re not going to get technological advances.
“There is a great example in Beveridge where they’re trying to do geothermal [energy] on a scale never done before in Australia.
“It’s new technology and … with the policy we’ve adopted, it creates an impetus for us to set better conditions in energy policy and innovation. I’m excited and I think it’s absolutely terrific.”
Macedon Ranges Shire Youth Awards recognise outstanding contributions
THE excellence of Macedon Ranges Shire’s youth have been recognised at the 2021 Youth Awards.
Thirty-three nominations were received across six categories: willpower; nicely played; good deeds; skilling it; well aware; and pure imagination.
Winners were announced via an online presentation on October 28.
Hugo Lobb, a barebow recurve archer from Riddles Creek, was awarded the nicely played award for possessing exceptional technical and field-craft skills.
At 17, he currently holds 11 Australian records. He made his international debut in at the 2020 World Archery Indoor Series and achieved first in Sydney, seventh in Rome, and eighth in Las Vegas.
The well aware award winner went to Molly Consiglio from Lancefield, who is a leader and player in the successful Lancefield Cricket Club’s woman’s team.
She has encouraged other young women to become involved and break down the barriers associated with women in sport. She also helps others through her involvement with the Camp4Cancer and she has assisted in raising $50,000 for the Peter McCallum Hospital and Research Centre.
The other award winners included Lara Vicente (willpower award); Siena Payne (good deeds); Gisborne Family Dental trainee dental nurses (skilling it); and Mount Players Youth Theatre leadership group (pure imagination).
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Jennifer Anderson congratulated all the nominees and winners in the award categories.
“These past 18 months have been tough with almost everything having to be done differently and I know that young people in the Macedon Ranges are really leading the way in adapting to all these changes,” she said.
“You’ve missed out on so much that would be normal rites of passage and other things you would do but instead of just sitting there, you’ve innovated, you’ve done different things, you’ve supported one another.
“That’s why it’s just so great that council can support these awards and we get to see and hear about all the wonderful achievements of young people in the shire. It’s really, really impressive.”
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