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Grant for rural landowners to plant trees

The North Central Review
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Grant for rural landowners to plant trees

Rural landowners looking to undertake work on their land to help improve the native environment and extend habitat for wildlife can now apply for a City of Whittlesea environmental works grant.

The program, now into its 21st year, provides a financial incentive for property owners on two hectares or more to create sustainable land management practices that protect and enhance the land and wildlife.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said a large proportion of the city’s native vegetation was found on private land and the grants provided support to landowners to manage and care for the vegetation.

“Our annual environmental works grants are a fantastic opportunity for rural landowners to do some work on their property that will not only enhance their property, but also provide environmental benefits,” she said.

“This might include fencing off areas to protect the vegetation from livestock or other animals, planting new trees and shrubs or creating nest boxes for the local wildlife.”

Eden Park resident Norm Dinnage has successfully used grant funding over recent years to replant native vegetation along the creek easement on his property.

“The grant has helped us to carry out work along the creek bed, planting trees, reeds and shrubs to help slow down erosion, increase the amount of natural habitat for wildlife and generally improve the landscape and environment around here,” Mr Dinnage said.

“We’ve since noticed an increase in wildlife on the property, including more frogs in the creek, wombats and even an echidna. We’re hoping to add some nest boxes this year to attract more birdlife.

“The process to apply for the grant is really easy and the help you get from the council staff has been great.

“It really is a great initiative to help anyone wanting to do some revegetation or environmental work on their property.”

Landowners on two hectares or more can apply for a grant of up to $1500 and can apply in consecutive years, provided that previous projects are completed prior to a new application being submitted.

Applications for the 2022 Environmental Works Grant Program will close on November 30. To apply for a grant visit whittlesea.vic.gov.au/grants.

New mental health satellite service for ages 12 to 25

The North Central Review
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New mental health satellite service for ages 12 to 25

A new mental health service run by Headspace has opened at Plenty Valley Westfield.

Funded by the Federal Government via the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network and set up by Headspace’s lead agency, Mind Australia, the service provides free mental health and wellbeing support to City of Whittlesea residents aged 12 to 25 years, three days a week.

Research shows that more than 75 per cent of mental health issues develop before a person turns 25, yet young people in the area can face wait times of up to eight months for access to ongoing counselling.

City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said ensuring appropriate services were available locally to support young people’s mental health had long been a concern for council and the municipality’s health service providers.

“We are so pleased to announce the opening of this crucial service to support our young people,” she said.

“As our population continues to grow, the number of young people in the 15 to 24 year-old age group is forecast to double by 2041, to 48,000 so the need for these services is likely to grow too.”

A trial of Headspace services at council’s Baseline Youth Services space in 2018-19 demonstrated the significant demand for mental health services that not only met the unique needs of young people but were centrally located and easy to access.

“Local need has only increased due to the impacts of the COVID pandemic, with the effects felt especially by our young people whose worlds have been turned upside down in many ways, and at crucial and potentially vulnerable stages in their lives,” Ms Wilson said.

“One third of headspace Greensborough’s clientele are City of Whittlesea residents, which shows you that the demand for this service locally is substantial.”

Headspace Plenty Valley, operating out of council’s The Edge Baseline Youth Services, is designed to be inclusive and allow for young people to seek support for challenges related to their mental and physical health, work, school or study, alcohol and other drugs, and gender or sexuality.

The launch of headspace Plenty Valley coincides with Mental Health Week from October 9 to 17.

Mind Australia chief executive Gill Callister acknowledged the opportune timing of the launch.

“I am delighted to see the expansion of headspace services in the north east, with the opening of the new satellite centre in Plenty Valley,” she said

“The timing of this is critical – we know that the successive lockdowns are taking a heavy toll on the mental health of young people, and Plenty Valley is no exception.”

Hume works at Beveridge to close lanes for three weeks

The North Central Review
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Hume works at Beveridge to close lanes for three weeks

The Hume Freeway Melbourne-bound will be reduced to one lane through Beveridge for three weeks from Sunday 17 October while upgrade works take place.

Motorists can detour by leaving the Hume Freeway at the Wandong or Wallan exit ramps and using Epping-Kilmore Road, Merriang Road and Donnybrook Road to return to the freeway, allowing up to 20 minutes extra for their journey.

Heavy vehicles are advised to remain on the Hume Freeway and allow extra time to travel through the work site.

Works are weather-dependent, so dates and times may change.

Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or via the VicTraffic mobile app. The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.

Broadford resident and reigning timbersports world champion forced to hand over title due to border closures

The North Central Review
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Broadford resident and reigning timbersports world champion forced to hand over title due to border closures

For the first time in the Stihl Timbersports World Championship 36-year history, no Australian athletes were able to compete in the pinnacle event of the original extreme sport.

Broadford’s Brayden Meyer was the reigning world champion, winning in 2019, while Laurence O’Toole won back in 2018.

Meyer was granted a travel exemption to compete in the event, however the uncertainty of securing a seat home on one of the limited flights meant that he wouldn’t have been able to return home this year.

Taking placing on October 2 in Munich, Germany, athletes from Europe, the United States and Canada competed in the championships, as the USA’s Jason Lentz was crowned the new world champion.

Meyer watched the championship slip away via a live stream he watched at home but was one of the first to congratulate Lentz on winning the event.

“I was gutted having been unable to travel to Europe this year for the Stihl Timbersports World Championships,” he said.

“Congratulations to Jason Lentz on a big win today. I’m sure we’ll be back next year to reclaim the title.

“Don’t get too comfortable with it because we’re coming for you.”

The roots of the international extreme sports competition series lie in Australia and New Zealand, and today, the world’s best athletes compete in events featuring three axe disciplines and three sawing disciplines.

The 2022 Stihl Timbersports World Championships will be on October 28-29 in Gothenburg Sweden, where it will also welcome the return of the team event, which has been on a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Victorian Governor visits Assumption

The North Central Review
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Victorian Governor visits Assumption

Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau made a ‘virtual visit’ to Assumption College Kilmore and Nexus Primary Health on October 4.

Ms Dessau was joined by her husband Anthony Howard to continue her commitment to maintain important links with regional Victoria.

During the virtual visit, Ms Dessau and Mr Howard spoke with the college’s principal Kate Fogarty and 2022 college captains Sophie Beveridge and Oliver Nuttall.

Ms Fogarty said she was extremely honoured for the time Ms Dessau and Mr Howard spent virtually at Assumption College.

“The virtual visit was a chance to discuss with Her Excellency how we have dealt with the most challenging of years and circumstances, and how the college and its staff and students have fared throughout the pandemic,” Ms Fogarty said.

“It was also a time to highlight the onsite pop-up vaccination centre and the actions our college and the community have been doing to look after each other.

“During these physical restrictions, we were appreciative that The Governor and Mr Howard made full use of technology to engage with our college, student leaders and Nexus Primary Health. It was evident Her Excellency wanted to stay connected with our community during COVID-19.”

In sharing the difficulties that Assumption College have endured over the past 18 months during the pandemic, Ms Dessau and Mr Howard praised the Mitchell Shire community for their actions undertaken and the Assumption College teachers for remaining resilient.

Ms Dessau also spoke with frontline medical staff from Nexus Primary Health, who have so far provded more than 1400 vaccines to students and teachers at Assumption College, Wallan Secondary College, The Kilmore International School and Broadford Secondary College.

“Over the past 18 months, like many other schools, Assumption College has had to change the way we have delivered education due to the pandemic. The Governor was very knowledgeable and showed genuine interest and understanding this may have caused in our region,” Ms Fogarty said.

“Assumption College have also had the added pressure of being a school on a metro-rural border local government area. This has made the delivery of education more complex and trickier to manage. Some of our boarding students are also from interstate.”

Mitchell Shire Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said Mitchell Shire was grateful for the virtual visit to find out more about how the community was responding to the pandemic.

“Congratulations to Assumption College, the school community and to Nexus Primary Health for taking such proactive and quick measures to look after the wellness of our community and to help move us towards getting out of lockdown,” she said.

“This community spirit is what makes Mitchell such a great place. It is encouraging to see that spirit shine so brightly in the next generation of community leaders and we look forward to a time when we can invite Her Excellency and Mr Howard to Mitchell Shire to showcase this in person.”

Lockdown lifted in Mitchell Shire

Lauren Duffy
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Lockdown lifted in Mitchell Shire

The State Government will lift lockdown restrictions on Mitchell Shire residents from 11:59pm tonight.

While there are still new cases in Mitchell, public health officials are confident that both the lockdown – and the commitment of the community – have slowed the potential growth of COVID-19.

Today the Mitchell Shire recorded six new cases, two in Kilmore, two in Wallan and two in Beveridge, taking the total active cases in the shire to 122.

Thousands of Mitchell Shire residents were tested since the lockdown was imposed on September 19, and first and second dose vaccination rates in the area have continued to grow.

The latest figures show that 91 per cent of Mitchell Shire residents aged over 16 have had their first vaccination, and 52.7 per cent are fully vaccinated.

While lockdown is lifting, the Department of Health says there are important restrictions still in effect, including masks must be worn indoors and outdoors and people can’t socialise inside a home.

People can’t leave the Mitchell Shire area and travel to Melbourne or any other area in regional Victoria that’s in lockdown other than for limited reasons, such as authorised work and permitted education, care and compassionate reasons, visiting an intimate partner, and necessary goods and services.

The health Department are advising Mitchell Shire residents to stay on high alert for symptoms and get tested if any develop.

In addition to Victoria’s state-run vaccinations clinics, GP clinics and pharmacies are offering COVID-19 vaccinations.

Chief health officer Brett Sutton thanked everyone in the Mitchell Shire for staying safe, staying apart, and doing the right thing.

“This lockdown has worked to stabilise case numbers and reduce the number of unlinked cases in Mitchell Shire, and has given locals more time to get vaccinated,” he said.

“If you have symptoms in the coming days, make sure you still get a COVID-19 test – and if you haven’t already, then getting vaccinated is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family.”

Whittlesea cafe writes thousands of positive messages on coffee cups in lockdown

The North Central Review
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Whittlesea cafe writes thousands of positive messages on coffee cups in lockdown

A Whittlesea cafe has shared thousands of messages of hope and gratitude to customers via coffee cup lids.

During each lockdown this year, the staff at Whittlesea Deli Cafe on Church Street have written short, positive messages on every takeaway coffee cup to help lift sippers’ spirits, which has become a hit in the township.

Owner David Cordell said one of his baristas Rose Edward came up with the idea during 2020’s big lockdown and since then it had taken off, with all staff pitching in.

“[She] wrote on a lid for one of our customers because they were feeling a bit down,” Mr Cordell said.

“Now Rose actually takes them home at night and does them and brings them back in the morning.”

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Making between 100 and 200 takeaway drinks per day, the team has written more than 100 different messages on thousands of cups this year, and Mr Cordell said he had seen an increase in business because of it.

“The word got out there and every morning everyone looks forward to what’s going to be on their cups. They come in all excited,” he said.

“It just cheers everyone up and makes them all chat outside [about the messages they received] and feel happy again before they all go off to work.”

Some customers have told him it’s the best part of their days, especially those who live alone. They’re also handing out free treats to dogs and lollies to children just to see them smile.

“We’re just trying to make everyone feel happy and enjoy their day because it’s pretty tough out there,” Mr Cordell said.

Mr Cordell said the messages have also been helping his staff, as well as him and his wife Amanda, who spends her weekends writing messages on ‘piles’ of lids at home.

He acknowledged his staff had been doing it tough in lockdown – though none had lost their jobs, their hours have been reduced – and that he was incredibly grateful.

“They all work hard and I’ve got a lot of respect for them. All of them are great but Rose has gone beyond,” he said.

“We couldn’t do what we’re doing at the moment without her.”

Whittlesea Deli Cafe will continue to share messages on coffee lids as long as they’re restricted to takeaway and not accepting keep cups for the sake of their staff’s safety.

Whittlesea teenager heads to US on basketball scholarship

The North Central Review
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Whittlesea teenager heads to US on basketball scholarship

WHITTLESEA teenager Riley Parkinson is excited for the experience of a lifetime in August next year as he prepares to move to the United States on a college basketball scholarship.

Parkinson was this year offered a scholarship to play for Bethel College in Kansas in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics competition.

The 18-year-old said he was inspired to follow in the footsteps of fellow Whittlesea native and current Wallan Panthers player Keenan Gorski, who also played basketball at collegiate level in the US.

“I was working out with Keenan Gorski and he was telling me how he went about it, so I did my research and set up a player profile,” Parkinson said.

“I would just follow all the coaches I could find and then I would reach out and send them my film.

“The coach at Bethel got back to me and said that they were really interested and wanted to offer me a scholarship.

“I’ve always wanted to play basketball and I’ve always wanted to go to the States, but I never really put those two together.

“After talking to Keenan and finding out how he went about college, from that moment I was set on it.”

Parkinson said he had set himself ambitious targets while in the US.

“My first goal when I go over there is to play varsity. Usually a lot of freshmen go straight to the development team, but I’m trying to work my way onto the varsity team and hopefully then start on the varsity team,” he said.

“My overall goal is to take it as far as I can, so if I can get NCAA offers from bigger schools then I’ll just have to assess at the time.”

The 183-centimetre guard said he had fallen in love with basketball quickly after taking up the sport four years ago, crediting his friends, family and Whittlesea City Basketball Association for his rapid development.

“In year eight all my friends were playing it, so I started playing for fun but then developed a passion for it and just started playing,” he said.

“I used to write down lists of who was in my class and who I had to be better than. Then I started playing domestic in Whittlesea and after two years of that I wanted to play rep basketball.

“I had a season of that before it was cancelled because of COVID, so since then I’ve just been working out every day trying to be better.

“Everyone at Whittlesea has been happy for me. They want to see me shine over there and see how far I can take it. And my parents are really excited too.”

Wallan cleans up at Riddell League football and netball awards

The North Central Review
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Wallan cleans up at Riddell League football and netball awards

By Tricia Mifsud

WALLAN Football Netball Club’s impressive season this year has been backed up at the Riddell District Football Netball League awards, with the highlight midfielder Ricky Schraven winning the Bowen Medal.

Schraven finished the senior football best and fairest count to win the Bowen Medal on 11 votes, just one clear of Romsey’s Aaron Paterson and Nathan Hoy who finished equal second with 10 votes.

Schraven’s coach Daniel Nolan, who was named RDFNL’s coach of the year at the awards night, said Schraven always had the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the competition and the award recognised his hard work over the past 12 to 16 months.

“Ricky and I had a pretty honest conversation about 12 to 16 months ago about where he was at with his ambitions and what he wanted to achieve,” Nolan said.

“He openly said that he wanted to get better, and he trained extremely hard over the preseason and put in the effort and the results were clear.

“Ricky did step up over the last 12 months as a vice captains so he really did put more time and effort on and off the field for his preparation.

“I was really excited he was awarded the Bowen Medal because he truly deserved it.”

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Wallan senior football coach Daniel Nolan.

Nolan commended Schraven for his ability to step up when his side needed it most this year.

“I think he stood up against the good teams and that’s what great players and leaders do, is that they step up when it counts,” he said.

“I can always trust him and lead the way but he is in the presence of some other great midfielders and they feed off each other.”

In response to his own award, Nolan said he was humbled to be recognised as coach of the year among many other worthy coaches in the RDFNL.

“It’s been one of the great joys of coaching and getting to know the other coaches on the personal level,” he said.

“After a game, we’ll have a quick drink together and analyse the game together. I also know how much they put into planning and preparation for their own games.”

Nolan thanked Wallan’s committee for its hard work once again this year, and acknowledged his award was a testament to the work they did, as well as the assistant coaches of the senior side.

“Thank you to the committee, Steve Sheppard, Neal Langbourne, Helen Mahoney and Jenni Wood. It was pleasing that on the league presentation night we were able to achieve so much as a club, across both football and netball and all the divisions and it’s a credit to the work they put in,” he said.

“As for the coaches award, I’m nothing without my assistants Spence Mathieson, Matty Huy, Damian Bonner and runner Stevie Bell – the award is just as much theirs as mine.”

Wallan had eight footballers named in the team of the year including Schraven, Brenton Cox, Michael Mannix, Jesse Davies, Shaun Stewart, Corey Grindlay, Steven Boyall, Matthew Perri and  Corey Viani. Romsey’s Matthew Burkett, Jack Jedwab and Nathan Hoy and Lancefield’s Thomas Waters were also named in the side.

Meanwhile, Wallan’s Chloe Gray, Tahnysha Salanoa, and Gemma Grimmond were named in the netball team of the year.

Wallan’s Liam Birch and Damien Korp finished first and equal second respectively in the reserves count, and Brian Lawrence, Brodie Gilchrist and Callum Birch tied in second in the under 19.5 count.

Wallan’s Eve Gregor and Shannon McLean finished second and third respectively in the netball B grade count, and Angelique Ross finished second in the 19 and under count.

Broadford digs deep for family of cafe owner, 43, who died suddenly

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Broadford digs deep for family of cafe owner, 43, who died suddenly

The Broadford community is digging deep for the family of a cafe owner who died suddenly in her sleep last month.

Belinda Merton, owner of Sugar n Spice cafe on Broadford’s High Street, died on September 16 at age 43, with the cause of her death still unknown.

She lived in Broadford with her two daughters Brielle, 16, and Monique, 14.

A GoFundMe page, set up by her friends, has raised more than $5000 to go towards Brielle and Monique’s futures.

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Belinda Merton.

Ms Merton’s friend Sherrene Martin described her as the ‘sugar’ in Sugar n Spice – hardworking, straightforward, fun-loving, and well-known and loved in Broadford and across the Mitchell Shire.

“[The community was] absolutely devastated, because she’d built up relationships over the past 20 years she been working in pharmacies in the area, so she got to know a lot of her customers,” Ms Martin said.

As funerals are limited to 10 guests under lockdown restrictions, a public guard of honour was organised at the cafe for residents to farewell Ms Merton, where several dozen people joined the procession.

“Normally with processions like that they slow and don’t stop but they actually stopped – because it was such an overwhelming response – and gave everyone some time to say goodbye,” Ms Martin said.

“The cafe was her dream and she did live her dream by having the cafe. Even though COVID hit them hard, she was living her dream so she would’ve been thrilled that her customers all came.”

People also wrote messages on the cafe window and left flowers and notes.

“The community support has been really great and that’s what’s going to get [her family] through,” Ms Martin said.

Sugar n Spice will now close. A garage sale will be organised to sell any furniture and appliances, all the money from which will go to Brielle and Monique.

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