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Moderna COVID-19 vaccines now readily available in pharmacies

The North Central Review
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Moderna COVID-19 vaccines now readily available in pharmacies

A number of pharmacies across Victoria are now offering Moderna vaccines to anyone aged 12 to 59, as well as AstraZeneca to anyone over 18.

In the City of Whittlesea, among the first to open appointments are: Whittlesea Amcal Pharmacy, Chemist Discount Centre Laurimar, Chemist Warehouse Mernda Junction, Terry White Chemmart South Morang, Chemist Warehouse Westfield Plenty Valley and Greenbrook Pharmacy in Epping.

The rollout in the municipality is in response to low vaccination rates and rising case numbers. There are currently 893 active cases in the City of Whittlesea, up by 88 today. Mitchell Shire recorded two new cases, and Macedon Ranges Shire recorded four.

The first shipments of one million Moderna doses arrived last weekend, with more expected in the coming weeks.

It is an mRNA vaccine that works similarly to the Pfizer vaccine.

Messenger-RNA vaccines use ribonucleic acid, RNA, a messenger between DNA and protein synthesis through complexes known as ribosomes, to spark the production of the coronavirus’ specific spike protein.

Once the mRNA enters the body’s cells, the cells use the instructions contained in the RNA to make the spike protein. Immune cells then recognise the spike protein as foreign and begin building an immune response against it. RNA from the vaccine does not change or interact with DNA in any way.

While it is still possible to be infected and transmit the virus if you are fully vaccinated, the health effects and symptoms will be greatly reduced.

All vaccines available in Australia are more than 90 per cent effective against hospitalisation or death from COVID-19.

Terry White chief pharmacist Brenton Hart said the announcement of Moderna vaccines was exciting and a new tool for nurses and pharmacists administering the vaccines statewide.

“This safe and effective vaccine joins that other safe and effective vaccine, AstraZeneca, which is also available in our pharmacies to provide a vaccine solution for all Australian families,” he said.

“[We] have plenty of appointments available and it is so easy to book online, and I can assure you at Terry White Chemmart you will receive a safe and professional vaccination experience. So what are you waiting for?

“Let’s all work together towards hugging our extended families again and celebrating with our friends this Christmas.”

To find your nearest pharmacy offering COVID-19 vaccines, visit .

Earthquake rocks Victoria

The North Central Review
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Earthquake rocks Victoria

A MAGNITUDE 5.8 earthquake left most of Victorian shaken up Wednesday morning as it hit the state at about 9.15am.

According to Geoscience Australia, the first earthquake was detected in Mansfield at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Approximately 15 minutes later, a magnitude 4.0 aftershock was recorded, its epicentre in Rawson, three hours south of Mansfield.

The effects of the aftershock were far less felt, with fewer than 300 felt reports filed to Geoscience Australia, compared to the more than 26,000 felt reports of the initial quake.

A warning was issued by VicEmergency this morning at 10.46am for all Victorians to expect aftershocks, and to avoid damaged buildings and other hazards and to also avoid driving if possible unless for an emergency.

If an aftershock occurs, stay safe by covering yourself under a sturdy table or piece of furniture and hold on. Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped.

If outdoors, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights and powerlines then drop, cover if possible, and find something sturdy to hold onto.

If driving, pull over to a location clear of trees, buildings, and powerlines if possible and stay seated with your seatbelt on.

The next update is expected to be announced today at 4.50pm, or as the situation changes.

While damage to buildings have been recorded, no serious injuries or fatalities have been sustained.

The first earthquake was felt up to 190 kilometres away in Melbourne’s CBD, where images have been posted to social media of building damage on Chapel Street as well as on the roads.

There are also reports that Sydney, regional New South Wales, the ACT, Adelaide, and Launceston were all left feeling this morning’s quake.

There is no tsunami threat to Victoria after the earthquake according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

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For earthquake-related emergency assistance call the SES on 132 600, or for life-threatening emergenciges call 000.

Parks Victoria seeks to make parks more accessible

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Parks Victoria seeks to make parks more accessible

Parks Victoria will continue to connect people with nature and create a more inclusive environment by developing a new disability action plan.

Now open for community engagement, Parks Victoria is seeking ideas and feedback on the first stage of the plan, to help guide priorities and actions needed to welcome all people to Victoria’s precious landscapes.

Parks Victoria is committed to enabling visitors living with a disability to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits from being in nature with their families and friends.

Encompassing park access and experiences, volunteering and employment opportunities with Parks Victoria, the plan will also align with the priorities of the State Government’s new state disability plan when released.

Once final, the plan will set priorities and actions for the next four years and continue the work already being done to provide parks for everyone, including improving and creating more accessible environments for visitors with a disability.

In the past few years Parks Victoria has launched or expanded a range of initiatives for disabled people, including online resources for children with autism, the TrailRider program to enable better access for wheelchair users and a developing partnership with Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria to deliver the ‘walk in the park program’ for blind or vision impaired people.

Parks Victoria will host a series of online focus groups and a survey for community feedback.

Supports are available for all participants throughout the consultation process, including Auslan interpreters and live closed captioning.

Since the previous Disability Action Plan 2017-20, Parks Victoria has enhanced consultation with communities, improved access to parks and provided more volunteering and educational opportunities for all Victorians.

Parks Victoria accessibility and inclusion coordinator John Kenwright said Victoria’s parks were places for connecting with nature and each other.

“Parks Victoria plays an integral role in enabling everyone to connect with our wonderful natural environment to ensure they gain many health and wellbeing benefits,” he said.

“Parks Victoria has engaged with people of all abilities to provide more inclusive opportunities for them to explore and enjoy Victoria’s precious natural and cultural landscapes.”

For more information, to register for a focus group or to complete a survey, please visit engage.vic.gov.au/parks-disability-action-plan or call 13 19 63.

Lancefield Agricultural Show cancelled in 2021, but some events to go ahead

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Lancefield Agricultural Show cancelled in 2021, but some events to go ahead

LANCEFIELD Agricultural Show has been officially cancelled in 2021 – but parts of the show will go in a different format this year.

Lancefield Agricultural Society will still host three key components of the show circuit – the homecrafts, horse and poultry competitions.

Competitions involved in the three sections will go ahead, and depending on the restrictions at the time, will be either be online or in-person, with smaller groups at a time viewing the displays.

The reduced homecrafts schedule includes sections where the winners will go onto the regional and state finals and a large junior selection of craft, cooking and photograph – perfect timing for younger people now on school holidays.

Judy Stammers has been the Lancefield Show homecrafts steward for 15 years, and prior to that assisted with the event when it was a combined Lancefield Riddells Creek Show in the 1990s.

Poultry steward Julia Goodard said she felt it was really important for people to be part of something in the community, especially the children, in a year with very few opportunities to do things together.

“People’s entries will be dropped off at allotted times and the judges will come on the Saturday before show day as usual,” she said.

Organisers said pandemic restrictions on show day, Sunday October 17, would determine if anyone was able to view the crafts and poultry.

“It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t run all the fun parts of the show that the children really enjoy, with the rides and animals, this way they can still be involved,” show secretary Nikki Reeves said.

For schedules and entries, visit lancefieldshow.org.au, email lancefieldshow@live.com.au or phone 0409 386 875.

People can also keep updated on events or follow the Lancefield Agricultural Society Facebook page for more information.

Online vaccine info session tonight with Northern Health’s head of infectious diseases

The North Central Review
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Online vaccine info session tonight with Northern Health’s head of infectious diseases

THE City of Whittlesea will host a free online community vaccine information session at 6.30pm tonight with a health expert to answer residents’ questions about COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, safety and importance.

Northern Health’s head of infectious diseases, associate professor Craig Aboltins, will host the session, facilitated by council chief executive Craig Lloyd, and will share facts about the vaccines and how they work. He will answer all questions to help residents better understand how vaccines protect themselves and their community.

The session comes in response to the municipality’s alarmingly low COVID-19 vaccine uptake, despite its high case numbers.

On Monday 67 new cases were announced in the City of Whittlesea, but it remains the third-least vaccinated local government area in Victoria.

According to the latest data from yesterday, September 20, 63.5 per cent of the eligible Whittlesea population had received a first dose and 34.7 per cent had been fully vaccinated.

As of yesterday the state had reached 72 per cent first dose and 43.9 per cent second dose.

This week’s figures showed a promising 7.3 per cent increase on first dose uptake, but chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the numbers were still too low given the rapidly worsening outbreak in the area.

“Increasing vaccination rates in the City of Whittlesea will help us combat the spread of coronavirus in our local community so we want to support our community in any way we can to help them get vaccinated,” she said.

“This session will provide the opportunity for people to have their questions answered by a medical expert so they can make an informed decision about vaccination to protect themselves and their local community.”

Last week, postcodes in the City of Whittlesea were listed as priority areas that would be targeted by new pop-up vaccines clinics, including at Hazel Glen College in Doreen.

Opening hours were also extended and more appointments added at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre state vaccine hub in South Morang.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced Victoria’s roadmap out of lockdowns on Sunday, which showed an easing of restrictions at each vaccination milestone.

When the state reaches 80 per cent single dose coverage, expected by Sunday, more outdoor recreation, including golf, basketball, tennis and lawn bowls, will be permitted in metropolitan Melbourne in the same group numbers as are currently permitted for picnics: five fully vaccinated adults, or two regardless of vaccination status.

Once Victoria reaches 70 per cent double dose, expected around October 26, Melbourne’s lockdown will end, but a 25km travel radius will remain.

Fully vaccinated people will be able to gather outdoors in groups of 10, or five regardless of status, and only fully vaccinated people will be permitted into hospitality venues, hairdressers and personal care settings, places of worship, outdoor funerals and weddings, outdoor community sport and entertainment venues.

Restrictions will ease further when the state reaches 80 per cent double dose, which is expected around November 5, but unvaccinated people will remain restricted from many public settings.

To book in for tonight’s information session, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/vax-chat-live-qa-vaccination-information-session-tickets-173178289927.

Northern League announces award winners for cancelled season

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Northern League announces award winners for cancelled season

By Tricia Mifsud

THE Northern Football Netball League, NFNL, board has determined how it will recognise the achievement of clubs who have finished on top of its home and away ladder, stating that it was necessary in some way to reward division leaders.

All seniors, reserves and under 19 sides in men and women’s football, and all netball competitions will award minor premiership cups and flags to the teams who finished first on the home and away ladder.

Kilmore Netball Club’s Kilmore Five team has been awarded minor premiers for 2021.

Junior football will be the only division that will award a premiership cup, flag and medallions to its club and players who finished first.

Runners-up medallions will also be presented to the club that finished second on the ladder.

The NFNL Board said in a statement published on September 9, it approached circumstances differently when deciding how to recognise the clubs that finished on top of the ladder.

“The NFNL Board adopted a different approach when making its determination on the junior football competitions, with encouraging participation and enjoyment the overriding priority in all junior sport,” the statement read.

“As such, it was the NFNL Board’s view that there was not the same requirement for a finals series to determine the outcome of the season.”

Following the cancellation of the 2021 season, a decision was also made on promotion and relegation of teams for the 2022 competition.

In the same statement, the NFNL board said: “Promotion and relegation will not be applied due to the shortened home and away season and cancellation of the finals series.”

The decision to not apply relegation to the 2021 season was made earlier in July, however, the board added that promotion would not occur and all teams in men’s senior and reserve competitions will compete in the same competition in 2022 as all did this season.

As promotion and relegation is only applied to the senior’s men competition, the divisional structure for the 2022 season has confirmed to be: division one, 10 teams, division two, 10 teams and division three, eight teams.

The NFNL also confirmed the dates for all 2021 awards ceremonies.

The junior football awards were last held on September 13, and the netball awards were held on September 16. The men’s football awards will be held tomorrow night from 7pm.

Wallan’s juniors was awarded Junior Club of the Year.

For the junior girls best and fairest awards, Laurimar’s Mia Caruso and Olivia Curavic finished equal second and Whittlesea’s Tahlia Pyle finished third in the under 16s girls red.

For the junior boys best and fairest awards, Laurimar’s Archer Fenton was awarded best and fairest for under 15s boys blue. Whittlesea’s Harvey Hempenstall finished third in the under 15s boys red. Laurimar’s Jack Stone finished third in the under 14s boys blue.

Kilmore’s Jackson Mansfield and Matthew Repic finished first and third respectively in the under 14s boys red. Kilmore’s Luke Hillard finished third in the under 13s boys blue, Wallan’s Max Lehner finished third in the under 13s boys red and Laurimar’s Harley Liversidge finished third in the under 13s boys green.

In the netball best and fairest, Kilmore’s Ella Stoward finished first in section 10, with Whittlesea’s Shanae Watson tied in third place. Also Whittlesea’s Daina Peet and Rachel Kemp finished second and third respectively in section three and Tahlia Brander finished third in section six.

You can tune in live on the NFNL Facebook page at each of the ceremony times to watch the award winning players and umpires be announced.

Junior leagues in Mitchell Shire call off finals

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Junior leagues in Mitchell Shire call off finals

By Colin MacGillivray

JUNIOR sporting associations across the Mitchell Shire have followed their senior counterparts in abandoning their 2021 seasons.

Kilmore Broadford Netball Association and Seymour District Junior Football Netball League both announced they would pull the plug on their seasons after earlier electing to extend them in the hopes of playing finals.

KBNA president Karen Sullivan said the association had decided to award minor premierships to the clubs topping the ladders in their respective age groups but that grand finals would not be played.

“It was very disappointing that the season had to be called off right at the end,” she said.

“We ended up trying to cancel our finals to try to give the kids an opportunity to play until the end and our plan was we were just going to play first and second in the grand finals, but as it turned out it wasn’t to be.

“We’re just like everyone else. It’s disappointing, but at least we got part of a season in.”

St Pats Green was awarded the minor premiership for the under 16 age group, with Kilmore Navy and St Pats Blue taking out the under 13 and under 11 age groups respectively.

The association also awarded best and fairests in each of the age groups.

Jayla Laffan-Zoch was the under 16 best and fairest, with Cassie Zolnierczyk finishing runner-up.

The under 13 best and fairest went to Bridget Stute, with Ella Rodgers finishing in second place, and the under 11 award was taken by Olivia Fitzpatrick, with runner-up Isaac Briggs also recognised for a great season.

Ms Sullivan said despite the disappointment of the season, it had been a great effort by all clubs and players.

“We’re pretty happy with how it went and how the clubs managed to pivot every time there was a new change in requirements from council or the State Government,” she said.

“All the clubs maintained pretty good focus on the fact that we just wanted the kids to have the opportunity to play netball.

“We just hope the kids have had a good enough year that they all come back and have another crack at it next year.

“We want to say thanks to all the clubs and the families for all their effort this year. We really appreciate it.”

The SDJFNL announced it would forego the rest of its planned 2021 season in a post on Facebook last week.

“The determination was made to cancel the remainder of the 2021 Seymour DJFNL season to keep our communities safe. We also currently don’t have a clear indication of when we will be permitted to return to playing games,” the post read.

“Congratulations to everyone involved this season from players, to coaches, to volunteers, to parents. It has been a tough year with the stop-start nature, and this isn’t the way we saw it finishing.

“Stay safe, everyone. We’ll be back better than ever in 2022!”

1400-home development planned for Beveridge, town’s largest yet

The North Central Review
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1400-home development planned for Beveridge, town’s largest yet

STOCKLAND has announced it has acquired sites at 75 Stewart Street and 261 Beveridge Road, Beveridge. 

The 140-hectare site will see Stockland build around 1400 homes in a future community.

The site is the largest permit-approved project within the Beveridge area and allows for development of housing, a town centre and other mixed-use precincts, schools and open space, all anchored via a proposed train station.

Stockland Communities CEO Andrew Whitson said the outlook for the market was positive, supported by low mortgage rates, access to credit and an ongoing preference for low density living, bolstered by more time spent at home as a result of greater workplace flexibility.

“This acquisition builds on our strong track record of delivering affordable housing to meet the needs of tomorrow’s homebuyers. The future community will be complementary to our vision for the nearby Cloverton community with a focus on liveability and community,” Mr Whitson said.

Mr Whitson said Stockland had over $2.6 billion invested in Victoria. This deal is understood to be valued at about $125 million.

The growing area is currently served by the Hume Freeway and upgraded Donnybrook Train Station and Wallan Train Station with a train station at Beveridge proposed in the Victorian Government’s approved Lockerbie Precinct Structure Plan.

Stockland will commence sales and initial site works for Beveridge in mid-2022.

Pop-up mental health clinics coming to Mitchell Shire and City of Whittlesea

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Pop-up mental health clinics coming to Mitchell Shire and City of Whittlesea

The State Government has announced a further $22 million for mental health support during lockdown as the pandemic takes its toll.

The government has allocated $13 million to deliver pop-up community mental health clinics catering to residents in the Mitchell, Macedon Ranges and Whittlesea municipalities.

The 20 clinics statewide – with 90 dedicated clinicians – will provide 93,000 additional hours of wellbeing checks and counselling, aiming to alleviate pressure from hospitals and other mental health service providers.

The pop-up centres, based in hospitals across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, will be operated by community health providers, including Mind, cohealth and EACH, will open progressively from the end of September.

Locations have not yet been confirmed, but for Mitchell Shire residents the clinic will be delivered in partnership with Goulburn Valley Health; for Macedon Ranges residents, Bendigo Health; and for City of Whittlesea residents, Melbourne Health.

Dedicated support and funding will also be extended to high risk groups, including parenting programs for children experiencing mental health issues, LGBTQIA+ organisations, and to culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island, through Aboriginal community controlled organisations.

The funding is on top of the $225 million the State Government has already allocated to pandemic-related mental health.

The last state budget included $3.8 billion in broader mental health funding.

The latest Coroner’s Court report showed that suicides had declined this year compared to 2020.

Data shows that 439 Victorians died by suicide between January 1 2021 and August 31 2021, a reduction from the same period last year when the toll was 493.

There has been a slight increase in suicides in people aged under 18, with eight taking their own lives so far this year, but the report cautions it could be a short-term fluctuation.

Minister for Mental Health James Merlino said some Victorians had been really struggling with isolation, financial stress, illness or loss of a loved one during lockdowns.

“We’re not wasting a moment delivering the huge reforms the Royal Commission recommended for our state’s mental health services – but we know the pandemic has increased immediate demand, so we’re investing to make sure more Victorians have access to the support they need right now,” he said.

“Our local communities have been so vital in supporting us over the past 18 months – and these innovative local pop-up mental health services will deliver the support people need, close to home.”

Anyone seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25).

Wallan Primary School receives funding for accessibility ramps

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Wallan Primary School receives funding for accessibility ramps

WALLAN Primary School is among 207 schools to share in more than $17 million in State Government funding under its planned maintenance program in term three.

Several schools across northern Victoria will receive money for essential maintenance projects, such as essential work to grounds and classrooms, fixing roofs and windows, painting, resurfacing floors, replacing windows and external landscaping works such as pathways and lighting.

Wallan Primary School will receive $275,000 to carry out rectification works on accessibility ramps.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said essential maintenance works were decided by using up-to-date information on the condition of schools to create a faster and more targeted allocation of investment.

“This investment ensures students in Wallan can learn in safe settings that complement the top-class education we are committed to providing,” she said.

“I’m delighted to see Wallan Primary School share in funding to get these much-needed maintenance projects off the ground.”

More than $2.8 million of the funding will go towards maintenance of shelter-in-place buildings at 22 schools, which serve as a temporary shelter for staff and students during a bushfire until emergency services arrive, or as a shelter of last resort.

More than $22 million has already been allocated to schools through the PMP in terms one and two.

Education Minister James Merlino said the government had invested more than $10.9 billion in building new schools and completing more than 1700 school upgrades during the past seven years, creating an estimated 13,500 jobs in construction and associated industries.

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