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Whittlesea Agricultural Society full steam ahead on events despite Whittlesea Show cancellation

The North Central Review
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Whittlesea Agricultural Society full steam ahead on events despite Whittlesea Show cancellation

Whittlesea Agricultural Society members are working towards its Irwin Stockfeeds Hoof and Hook Competition and the Education Competition after the annual Whittlesea Show was cancelled for a second year in a row.

The society is now inviting beef breeders to participate in the Hoof and Hook Competition on Sunday November 7. Applications close Saturday.

“This competition, usually part of the annual Whittlesea Show, provides an opportunity to beef breeders to benchmark their cattle against other local breeders,” president Erica Hawke said.

“While this year the competition will again be run with a very different platform due to COVID-19 restrictions, the society believes that due to the important annual feedback that this competition provides for the entrants, we should not fall victim this year.

“Thank you to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, stewards and all who enabled this competition to go ahead. Pending COVID restrictions we again hope to run a presentation dinner or afternoon on November 19.”

To enter visit https://showday.online/show/whittlesea.

Organisers are also working towards a street parade in the Whittlesea township as part of the preparations for the 2022 Whittlesea Show, as well as its inaugural Christmas Tree Festival at the society’s administration building.

“It would be wonderful to have the shopkeepers decorate their windows and sell Whittlesea Show inspired produce in celebration of the upcoming show. Let’s hope we get enough support to bring this idea to life,” Ms Hawke said.

The Christmas Tree Festival will greet visitors with a decorated display of trees, open daily from 12pm to 9pm, Friday December 10 to 23.

Ms Hawke said the events would not be possible without members and thanked all those who have joined this year, particularly the 14 new members who have joined this month, and newly elected member to WAS council, John Osky.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society can learn more at www.whittleseashow.org.au/society-membership/, or email info@whittleseashow.org.au or leave a phone message at the office on 9716 2835.

Broadford Fire Brigade calls for more volunteers

The North Central Review
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Broadford Fire Brigade calls for more volunteers

Broadford Fire Brigade is now recruiting new members to help not only with fighting fires but a multitude of roles to serve the community.

Captain Shaun Bastow said Broadford Fire Brigade was made up of 100 per cent volunteers.

“There is more to the fire brigade then just fighting fires,” he said.

“Community involvement is a big part of Broadford and this is where the non-operational members can also contribute to the community.

“Community education, social media, the station and grounds maintenance, is just a few things that need to be looked after.”

Mr Bastow said it was a busy time of year for the CFA.

“Operational members are getting ready for the  bushfire season, you will see an increase activity of CFA trucks around town and surrounding areas, as members prepared to do their annual pre-season drills,” he said.

“It’s just not our members who will have a pre-season check, for our trucks will go through various checks as well.”

Mr Bastow said the brigade would focus on memberships and recruitment in the next couple of months.

“With COVID-19, like many other industries, member numbers have dropped. So we need new members to join our brigade,” he said.

“We recently had two structural fires turn outs, two days in a row.

“For the first turn out, it is with thanks to the quick thinking residents who used their fire blanket, that disaster was averted.

“For the second turn out, the house sustained a lot of damage to the front rooms, but it was our volunteers and those of surrounding brigades that stopped this house being totally destroyed.”

Mr Bastow said emergency calls could happen any time during the day – and Broadford CFA must be prepared all year around.

“Our focus 24-7 is keeping our community safe,” he said.

“A majority of our turnout are false alarms. As captain I always think a false alarm call with good intent is better than a call when it’s too late.

“As volunteers we do everything possible to protect the lives and property around us but we can’t be everywhere all the time.”

Mr Bastow encouraged those people interested in finding out more about becoming a CFA volunteer, and who have the commitment and time to dedicate, to drop into the station at 47 Hamilton Street, Broadford, or call Laiton on 0439 313 657 or email chris.skala@members.cfa.vic.gov.au.

Southern Mitchell Rotary Club’s ‘unevent’ fundraiser proves to be a success

The North Central Review
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Southern Mitchell Rotary Club’s ‘unevent’ fundraiser proves to be a success

The Southern Mitchell Rotary Club has for several years supported the Prey Dong School in Kandall Province, Cambodia.

Money is raised for specific building projects, vital recreation areas and to support the school’s teachers, pupils and families with much-needed assistance.

Due to the pandemic, the Rotary club’s usual fundraiser, an international dinner, had to be cancelled in 2020.

However, this year, the club’s international coordinator Marie Gerrard decided to do something to honour Rotary’s commitment to the Cambodians, and host an ‘unevent’ with great success.

The ‘UNternational LUNcheon’ was held via Zoom on October 17, along with a silent auction. Those attending shared a meal, eaten separately in their own homes.

Surprisingly almost twice as much money was raised compared to the club’s usual dinner. Donations of money and items were made by members, and their family and friends.

Rotary Club president Steve Ansell said the club particularly appreciated the financial and in-kind donations made by local businesses and community members.

“Your generosity will make a profound difference to the lives and futures of these cherished children, their families, and to their education which we all know really is ‘the silver bullet’, which helps us rise above our circumstances and build a better future,” he said.

The Prey Dong school accommodates about 200 students.

Several Australian Rotary Clubs work together to provide ongoing support for the students to learn English and IT skills, aimed at providing a real advantage when seeking employment.

School buildings are now complete, and soon Rotary hope to install solar in the school, redirecting electricity costs toward education.

The school was functioning well until the pandemic and Cambodia continues to suffer gravely from the human and economic impact.

In Kandall Province, where the school is situated, pollution has caused their soil and water to reach near-lethal toxicity, therefore food staples and water must be purchased, rather than crops grown.

In addition, the pandemic prevents families from earning even a small income to meet basic food needs, adding further difficulty.

To learn more about the project or Rotary, contact Steve at stephen.ansell1@bigpond.com or Marie on 0419 194 872 or mariegrrrd@gmail.com.

To make a donation, with 100 per cent going to the Cambodian school, via electronic banking, the details are: Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell; BSB: 633000; Account number: 155 316 169; description: Cambodia.

Three Brushes Studio’s Wandong art show showcases young talent

The North Central Review
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Three Brushes Studio’s Wandong art show showcases young talent

AN art show at Wandong Hall on the weekend showcased more than 100 works made by young artists from Wallan, Kilmore, Wandong and surrounds.

Hosted by Wandong’s Three Brushes Studio, the show featured works by children between the ages of six and 15, recognising them with awards for their art while supporting their interests and talents.

Three Brushes owner and teacher Sharon Delaney said the show was a good opportunity for the studio’s students to show off their talent.

“I thought, well, let’s showcase some of this stuff, let’s do an art show,” she said.

“Some of these kids don’t play sport so they never get to win or a trophy or a ribbon, but they are great at art so why not show it off?”

Cole Sharplin
Cole Sharplin, from Wandong Primary School, won Most Creative Art Piece in the 7-8 age group.

The show was independently judged by the Kilmore Art Society, with multiple judges from various artistic backgrounds coming together to award students in several different categories.

The judges included Cheryl Eve from the Kilmore Art Society, artist Amanda Russell and Wandong Primary School art teacher Robyn Beer.

Ms Delaney said organising an art show was a new experience but drew inspiration and support from other art shows and businesses.

“I was looking through what the Kilmore art show and the Whittlesea art show had done and got ideas from them,” she said.

“We got the ribbons all made locally from a lady in Clonbinane, encouraging that local feel.”

Tiffany Horin
Tiffany Horin, from Our Lady of the Way in Wallan, won Best Landscape Painting in the 9-10 age group.

Ms Delaney said the studio was run with the wants and interests of the students in mind and the show allowed them to choose which of their own works to enter, how they were presented and what categories they would be placed in.

“We had 126 pieces entered, so I think that’s a pretty good first show,” she said.

“I think from now on we’ll do one a year, maybe some of the categories will change, maybe we’ll invite others, who knows?”

NCR (2021-10-26)

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NCR (2021-10-26)

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Now’s the time to get fire ready, here’s a checklist for steps to take at home

The North Central Review
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Now’s the time to get fire ready, here’s a checklist for steps to take at home

MITCHELL Shire residents are being urged to prepare their properties and survival plans for fire season, with particular emphasis on the shire’s label as a high bushfire and grassfire risk area.

Above average rainfall has been predicted for spring and summer, causing unprecedented grass growth and an increased risk of bushfires.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said it was important for residents to take the necessary steps to prepare for a bushfire.

“Preparing early is the key. Now is the time to identify your fire risk, clean up your property and make a survival plan that includes what you will do if your plan fails,” she said.

“Wherever you live in the shire, you need to prepare for fire. Residential developments that back onto bush or grassland are still at risk and even urban areas face some risk.”

Some measures residents can take are removing leaves, twigs and loose bark from around their homes, cutting back overhanging tree branches, keeping grass short and preparing emergency kits for the possibility of urgent evacuation.

Victorians are also encouraged to download the VicEmergency app for updates on changing fire conditions.

Mitchell Shire Council will be beginning their annual roadside slashing program and fire prevention property inspections, as well as preparing through their parks and open space maintenance program.

www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare.

Tips for fire preparedness

Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls.

Replace mulch near the house with less flammable alternatives like pebbles.

Keep grass shorter than 10cm. Regularly remove leaves and twigs from around the house.

Don’t have large shrubs in front of windows or glass doors.

Before leaving early, make sure you remove all flammable items from around your home – including the doormat!

Check that your home and contents insurance is current and includes a level of cover in line with current building standards and regulations.

Keeping burn-offs safe and legal:Check fire restrictions with your local council, and register your burn at firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 668 511.

Check and monitor weather conditions – particularly wind – on the day of your burn and the few days after it as fires can flare up several days after a burn-off in windy conditions.

To avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services, notify your neighbours beforehand.

Leave a three-metre fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn.

Have sufficient equipment and water to stop the fire spreading and to extinguish it.

Never leave a burn-off unattended – stay for its entire duration.

If your burn-off gets out of control, call triple zero immediately.

Normal life by November: Everything you can do from this weekend and beyond

The North Central Review
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Normal life by November: Everything you can do from this weekend and beyond

Victoria is expected to reach its vaccination targets early, resulting in a further easing of restrictions, starting Friday.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Sunday that, after 20 months of restrictions, life in Victoria will return to ‘normal’ on November 24.

From 6pm Friday, travel restrictions between regional and metropolitan Victoria will lift for the first time in months, ahead of the Cup Day weekend.

Metropolitan and regional areas will also unite under the same restrictions.

Changes to the roadmap are based on Victoria reaching its 80 per cent double dose vaccination milestone for the population aged 16 and over, estimated almost a week ahead of schedule, on Friday.

When the state reaches the 90 per cent double dose milestone for the population aged 12 and over – predicted to be November 24 – a significant easing of all major restrictions will occur.

Other restrictions to change on Friday include masks no longer required outdoors, but remain mandatory indoors; restaurants, pubs, gyms and hairdressers will also be able to open with no caps subject to a density limit of one person per four square metres, if all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.

People may also return to their place of work if fully vaccinated, though masks must be worn indoors. Children in all year levels will return to school on Monday November 1.

Most outdoor settings will remain at one person per two square metres up to 500, where staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.

Indoor and outdoor settings will also apply to weddings, funerals and religious gatherings if all attendees are fully vaccinated. Caps of 30 people will apply for weddings, funerals and religious gatherings if vaccination status is unknown.

Indoor entertainment venues and cinemas will also be able to reopen at 75 per cent capacity for seated events only.

Outdoor seated and non-seated entertainment venues including stadiums, zoos and tourism attractions will be open with a density limit and up to 5000 where staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.

Larger events – such as music festivals – will be able to host up to 5,000 attendees, subject to any restrictions related to the venue.

With high vaccination rates between the ages of 12 and 15, the next milestone will be 90 per cent double doses of the Victoria population aged 12 and up.

At that point, predicted for November 24, all restrictions on density limits and caps will lift, meaning venues can operate at their full capacity to vaccinated patrons, and there will be no limit to the number of visitors permitted in the home.

Masks will only be mandatory indoors in some high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care, public transport and justice and correctional facilities. Masks will not be required in any other setting.

Events with significant numbers of children may not be able to operate at full capacity while vaccines remain unavailable for children. There will be some caps for religious ceremonies, weddings and funerals where vaccination status is unknown.

From Monday, full-vaccinated Australians will be permitted to arrive in Victoria from interstate and overseas without having to complete any home or hotel quarantine.

Victoria recorded 1461 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with more than 24,000 cases now active statewide. The City of Whittlesea recorded 106 new cases yesterday, while Mitchell Shire recorded 13 and Macedon Ranges Shire recorded 12.

Federal MP Rob Mitchell asks State Government to reassess lockdown approach

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Federal MP Rob Mitchell asks State Government to reassess lockdown approach

Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell has asked the State Government to rethink its approach to lockdowns for rural and semi-rural areas moving forward, particularly in the City of Whittlesea.

Mr Mitchell said while it was a relief for the community that restrictions were now starting to lift, the rules for future lockdowns should offer greater consideration of rural and semi-rural communities.

“There has been a distinct rise in anxiety in my communities, such as Whittlesea township, Eden Park and parts of Beveridge and Kinglake West, which have been incorporated in Greater Melbourne lockdowns when, for all intents and purposes, they should be considered as regional,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We know there will always be problems no matter where you draw the line, but it causes enormous anxiety and stress as well as logistical nightmares when communities that straddle different council boundaries are split and face different rules.

Mr Mitchell said the Whittlesea township and the surrounding 3757 postcode was distinctly separated from the urban end of the City of Whittlesea, and residents in areas split over multiple local government areas had expressed to him their concern.

“It’s caused terrible concern and confusion for people in Kinglake West, which is split between the City of Whittlesea and Murrindindi and Nillumbik shires,” he said.

“In Beveridge, which is split between Mitchell Shire and the City of Whittlesea, residents on one side are treated as part of greater Melbourne so face different rules to the other side.

“By designating specific postcodes, which are separate rural communities, this would alleviate some of the issues which arose from the suburban postcode exemptions tried in the past.

In a letter to the State Government officials last year, Mr Mitchell asked that each postcode be assessed based on whether it aligned more with metropolitan or rural areas.

He has continued to lobby the State Government during this outbreak and has suggested several postcodes be reclassified as ‘regional’ for the purposes of COVID-19 restrictions, including 3757 (Whittlesea, Eden Park, Humevale and Kinglake West); 3753 (Beveridge); 3099 (Arthurs Creek, Cottles Bridge, Hurstbridge, Nutfield, Strathewen); 3761 (St Andrews); and 3759 Panton Hill, Kangaroo Ground, Watsons Creek and Bend of Islands.

Mr Mitchell said the changes would also limit movement into densely urbanised areas where risk of transmission is higher.

“Under current boundary restrictions, people in Whittlesea township cannot travel to Wallan for shopping and other essential services but are expected to travel to Mernda, which at times has had more actual hotspots,” he said.

“It is clear that many people in postcode 3757 would rather keep their connection with 3756 for shopping another essential services.”

Attempt to rescue platypuses entangled in rubbish in Kilmore Creek unsuccessful

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Attempt to rescue platypuses entangled in rubbish in Kilmore Creek unsuccessful

While an attempt to rescue two platypuses entangled in litter in Kilmore Creek on October 8 proved unsuccessful by the Australian Platypus Conservancy, it did provide good news about how the area’s platypus population is faring.

Conservancy biologist Dr Melody Serena said one platypus had been spotted in the pools near the Kilmore Leisure Centre with a plastic ring stuck around its head.

Another had been observed near Bourke Street with what appeared to be a length of thin string or line with a tag of some sort caught around its body.

Dr Serena said a platypus had great difficulty in removing anything that was caught around its body, and its larged webbed front feet were designed to paddle water, and not remove the entangled rubbish.

“These simply aren’t designed for manipulating items of litter such as fishing line or plastic bands that get stuck around the body,” she said.

Dr Melody said it was difficult to catch a platypus, and took special equipment and long hours to capture the animal and attend to it.

“Trying to trap a specific individual is even harder, especially at it is usually impossible to pinpoint exactly where it might be,” she said.

“In this case, thanks to information provided by local residents Mark Edwards and Kerry De Gabrielle, we at least had a good idea of where the animals had been seen and so decided it was worth a try.

“It was a long-shot and unfortunately we didn’t succeed.”

But she said the trapping session at least yielded good news about the general health of Kilmore Creek’s platypus population.

Three platypus were encountered during the night; two adult males and one female – a high number for the relatively short section of creek that was investigated and showed that a substantial population was present right in the centre of Kilmore.

Two rakali (commonly, water-rats) were also caught during the night, and the native rodent was recorded at all four sites where nets were set.

Dr Serena said a large proportion of platypus encounter problems with litter, as high as 30 per cent of the animals in some suburban waterways.

She praised the recent community clean-up effort along Kilmore Creek and encouraged residents to support further action to protect their area’s platypus.

She also asked people to consider participating in the Australian Platypus Monitoring Network, a new citizen science program, which used dedicated volunteers to scan for platypus in waterways.

“We’re still extremely disappointed that we didn’t find the entangled animals,” she said.

“But we’ve clearly demonstrated that this creek has a good number of platypus and so we hope that everyone will really get the message that great care should be taken to avoid any litter entering our rivers and creeks.”

To participate in the Australian Platypus Monitory Network, visit www.platypusnetwork.org.au.

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