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Five arrested after early morning northern suburbs high-speed pursuit

The North Central Review
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Five arrested after early morning northern suburbs high-speed pursuit

Police arrested five people following alleged high-risk driving through Melbourne’s north-western suburbs in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Police initially observed a white Toyota sedan driving erratically and at high speed with a faulty headlight through Roxburgh Park about 2.45am.

The Toyota was followed by police on the ground and the police air wing through multiple council areas, including Hume, Whittlesea, Moreland, and Brimbank.

Police recovered a firearm that was allegedly dumped from the vehicle in Wildwood.

The allegedly stolen Toyota was dumped on Elscott Boulevard, Mickleham, where another vehicle picked up its three occupants.

Three men exited the vehicle at a nearby Mickleham address before police intercepted the vehicle and arrested two female occupants.

Police returned to the address where the three men were arrested hiding inside the house.

A Mickleham man, 20, has been charged with prohibited person possess firearm, theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life and obtaining property by deception.

He appeared at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

A Roxburgh Park man, 23, has been charged with possess, carry and use an unregistered longarm, theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endanger life and obtain property by deception.

He has been bailed to be appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on May 2, 2022.

A Roxburgh Park man, 20, has been charged with prohibited person possessing a firearm, theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life, obtaining property by deception, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He appeared at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Two women, a 20-year-old and a 19-year-old, both from Craigieburn, were released without charge.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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Upgrades to Wallan’s Avenue of Honour paused due to restrictions as site turns 103

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Upgrades to Wallan’s Avenue of Honour paused due to restrictions as site turns 103

Mitchell Shire Council and the custodians of the Avenue of Honour on High Street in Wallan have acknowledged the 103rd anniversary of the site’s planting.

A joint project between the custodians, council, and the State Government to install brand new name plaques is now on hold due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

A grant was obtained through the government’s Veterans Affairs Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Grant Program to renew the plaques by replacng exiting damaged nameplates and ensuring the survival of the plaques into the future.

All 53 of the plaques will be updated to be robust, vandal-proof, and avoid decay over time to ensure the military history of Mitchell Shire is maintained for generations to come.

They will be made from stainless steel and mounted in a small concrete footing at the base of the trees, one metre from the tree to minimise root damage. The original plaques will be removed from the tree trunks to avoid any future damage to the trees.

The project is fully supported after extensive consultation with the Wallan Commemorative Committee, the custodians of the Avenue of Honour.

The plaques were set to be in place for the 103-year anniversary of the original tree planting on August 31, but timelines will be reviewed after restrictions are lifted.

Custodian retired Major Tony Gill has been involved with the Mitchell Shire restoration and enhancement of the Wallan Memorial, Memorial Square and the Avenue of Honour as part of the Wallan Town Heart Enhancement Project.

“The latest sub-project includes the replacement of name plaques for each of the 53 World War One Veterans named on the memorial to each of the Avenue of Honour Trees,” he said.

“This was to coincide with the 103rd anniversary of the original planting of the Avenue of Honour by the community of Wallan on Saturday August 31, 1918.

“It has been a pleasure to have been given the opportunity to be involved in such an important community project that commemorates our veterans.

“On behalf of the veterans and community of Wallan and district, I extend an appreciation and thanks to the Victorian Government and Mitchell Shire for acknowledging our call for the replacement of our Avenue of Honour Tree name plaques. I hope to see this completed soon.”

Three men with connections to Seymour, Broadford and Wallan wanted for alleged carjacking

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Three men with connections to Seymour, Broadford and Wallan wanted for alleged carjacking

Three men known to frequent the Mitchell Shire are wanted by police in relation to an assault and theft involved in an alleged carjacking in the Melbourne CBD.

Officers from Melbourne Embona Taskforce have issued three warrants for the arrest of 33-year-old Jarrod Grossman, 32-year-old Daniel Austin and 32-year-old Jake Biddlestone.

The men are known to frequent Seymour, Broadford, Wallan,Nagambie and occasionally Melbourne CBD.

Police have been told a Numurkah man, 27, and an Echuca man, 40, had driven their cars to Caravel Lane, Docklands about 2am on July 29.

They were approached by a group of five men who allegedly assaulted the pair and threatened them with a firearm.

The offenders stole wallets, jewellery and other property from the victims before driving off in one of the victim’s cars.

Investigators do not believe the meeting between the groups was random.

Officers have arrested and charged a 31-year-old man in relation to the matter but require public assistance in locating the other three men.

Anyone who sees the men or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

MORE CRIME NEWS HERE.

Prepaid postcards to be delivered to regional households to help keep people connected

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Prepaid postcards to be delivered to regional households to help keep people connected

FOUR million specially-designed prepaid postcards will be delivered to regional and remote households across Australia, thanks to Australia Post’s continued focus on mental health and keeping people connected.

The postcards were designed in collaboration with Australia Post’s mental health partner Beyond Blue.

The postcards are divided into two sections, with a part for the sender to keep including helpful tips on how to maintain mental health, and a second part to write on and send to friends or loved ones in Australia free of charge.

Australia Post head of community Nicky Tracey said the idea would have a positive impact on people’s mental health, particularly for those who were currently unable to visit friends and family.

“We know that when we connect, we feel better and sometimes a small message can be all it takes to make a big difference to someone you care about,” she said.

“These postcards make it really easy to connect with a message of love, hope and support by simply putting a message on the card, addressing it and dropping it in a red post box.”

Beyond Blue chief executive officer Georgie Harman said the partnership with Australia Post helps to share important messages about mental health with communities across the country and reach people who continued to grapple with the impacts of bushfires, floods and droughts, on top of the pandemic.

“This postcard campaign will help us reach into rural and remote areas, where social and geographic isolation, weather impacts and difficulty accessing services can present mental health challenges,” she said.

“I really hope people will join in the spirit of this initiative, read the tips and send a card to a loved one. If we keep talking about mental health, we can smash the stigma and remove the barriers that hold people back from seeking support.”

The postcard delivery is part of a broader campaign from Australia Post to support mental health, which includes in-store fundraising for Beyond Blue and staff wellbeing initiatives.

The free postcards became available on September 6, and can be collected at participating post offices, while stocks last, and from next week will start to arrive in regional letterboxes across the country.

Regional Victoria lockdown to lift this week, except Greater Shepparton

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Regional Victoria lockdown to lift this week, except Greater Shepparton

Lockdown restrictions will be lifted in regional Victoria from tomorrow night, following advice from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.

From 11.59pm on Thursday 9 September, the five reasons to leave the home will be removed in regional Victoria, except for Greater Shepparton. There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home – other than restrictions on entry to metropolitan Melbourne.

The Authorised Worker list will no longer apply in the regions, meaning most businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits. Regional Victorians will return to the rule ‘if you can work from home, you should work from home’ but office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.

Private gatherings remain not permitted, but public gatherings are allowed with groups of up to 10.

Outdoor playgrounds, communal gym equipment and skateparks will open. Outdoor personal training is allowed with up to 10 people and a trainer, while community sport is permitted to host outdoor training only with the minimum number required to train. Spectators are prohibited except one parent permitted to supervise children.

Outdoor-only community recreation facilities may open with up to 20 people per facility. Outdoor pools may open with up to 50 people.

Regional schools will reopen for onsite learning for Prep to Grade 2 and Year 12 students who live in regional Victoria, while remote learning will remain for all other levels. Onsite supervision at schools remains available for vulnerable children and children of essential workers in all year levels, including for students from metropolitan Melbourne.

Early learning centres, kindergarten, childcare, family day care will open for regional Victorian children, and children of metropolitan Melbourne authorised workers, single parents and vulnerable children. Childcareworkers moving between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria will be subject to twice weekly PCR testing.

Funerals will be permitted for up to 20 people and weddings will be permitted for up to 10 people, plus those required to conduct the service. Stricter limits will be in place for both weddings and funerals with people from Melbourne in attendance.

Restaurants and cafes can reopen for seated service with patron caps. Retail, hairdressing, entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits and patron caps. Masks will continue to be required indoors and outdoors, apart from private residences, unless an exception applies.

Religious gatherings and ceremonies are permitted with up to 20 persons per venue (and those workers necessary to conduct the ceremony).

All beauty and personal care may open with a cap of 10, and masks must remain on for duration of service.

While restrictions remain in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria Police will significantly expand their operation along the metropolitan border. Police will also be out in force in regional areas conducting spot checks to ensure people from metropolitan Melbourne are not in the regionals are not unless for authorised reasons. The fine for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directions is $5,452.

Travel and accommodation are open to people who live in regional area, but bookings only permitted for single households, intimate partners or single bubbles.

Travel to regional Victorian Alpine Resorts is permitted provided visitors have had a negative COVID test within the previous 72 hours. Children under 12 years not included.

Premier Daniel Andrews did not signal when Greater Shepparton’s lockdown would lift, and thanked the community for getting tested and vaccinated.

“We thank every member of the Shepparton community who has worked so hard to bring the outbreak there under control. If everyone keeps getting tested and supporting their friends and family to isolate when needed, then we hope Shepparton will soon be able to join the rest of regional Victoria in easing restrictions.”

The state recorded 221 new locally acquired cases today, while 61.6 per cent of the eligible Victorian population has now received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 38.3 per cent are fully vaccinated.

“Advocate for your own body”: 33-year-old Doreen breast cancer survivor turns ambassador

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“Advocate for your own body”: 33-year-old Doreen breast cancer survivor turns ambassador

By Aleksandra Bliszczyk

Doreen resident and mother Georgina Huan, 33, has joined the National Breast Cancer Foundation as a community ambassador to share her story of recovering from stage-three breast cancer.

Now in remission, she hopes to encourage more awareness among young people.

Ms Huan, a bladder cancer research scientist, first noticed a lump in her breast in 2018 when she was 29.

Her GP said it was simply hormone changes, but several months, later when she noticed the lump was getting harder and bigger, she pushed for an ultrasound.

“The ultrasound said it came down to blocked ducts,” Ms Huan said.

“They put it down to me having breast fed, and I said ‘my child’s almost four, I was breast-feeding three years ago’.”

When her nipple began to leek milky and eventually bloody discharge, she insisted on seeing a specialist, who similarly told her he was ‘99 per cent sure’ she didn’t have cancer.

“But I did push for a mammogram [something usually only given to people over 50] and he reluctantly signed off,” Ms Huan said.

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Doreen mother Georgina Huan, pictured with her husband and son, has joined the National Breast Cancer Foundation as a community ambassador to share her story of recovering from stage-three breast cancer.

It was then – six months after her first GP visit – she was diagnosed with an early stage of breast cancer, which came with several treatment options.

When she reported pain in her armpits, doctors followed up with an MRI and CT scan, and her category was upgraded to stage three as the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

Ms Huan underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation before a bilateral mastectomy.

“My entire breast was covered in cancer, it wasn’t just that one lump,” she said.

“[My doctor said] ‘if we waited another six months you would probably be terminal, stage four, we don’t even know if you’d be alive’.

“Because by the time the caught it, they were scanning it every week and they realised my tumour was already growing one centimetre a week.”

Joining the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ms Huan wants to raise awareness, in both health professionals and patients, that young people can get cancer too.

“I felt like I was just being ignored and put down just because of my age and the reason I want to share now is because I want younger people to realise it can happen to them too,” she said.

“If something is wrong, keep pushing. If one doctor doesn’t want to listen to you, go to a second. It took me the fourth and the fifth opinions before I even got heard.

“You advocate for your own body, you know your body best – no one else can tell you how you feel, only you know that.”

Ms Huan will also use her ambassadorship to promote new breast cancer prevention research, which she said was crucial as new data showed breast cancer incidence had consistently increased over time, now outpacing population growth for the first time in Australia.

As part of the foundation’s research, her blood, which did not contain any known genetic predispositions to breast cancer, will be examined for other mutations that could be linked to increased cancer risk.

The organisation is now pushing a powerful ambition to end deaths from breast cancer by 2030.

“We want to make breast cancer a chronic disease and not a death sentence,” Ms Huan said.

To find out more, visit www.nbcf.org.au.

Parents under pressure as childcare rules change and lockdowns drag on

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Parents under pressure as childcare rules change and lockdowns drag on

By Aleksandra Bliszczyk

With childcare restrictions changing three times in the last fortnight, and after more than 150 days of remote schooling since the pandemic began, City of Whittlesea parents of young children have been left confused, concerned and exhausted.

A shining light was the re-opening of playgrounds on Friday after two weeks of lockdown closures.

“This lockdown’s been more difficult and not knowing how long it will be has been really tricky, a lot of long nights, a lot of uncertainty,” mother of two Shagun said.

Shagun is a secondary school teacher working remotely and has two children aged two and six.

While she and her partner work, their two-year-old son needs to be looked after during the day. He has been in childcare during the pandemic, until Victoria’s restrictions changed on August 21, when a public health order stated all parents had to be authorised workers to send their child to childcare.

The following day it was amended to just one parent, and on Friday last week, authorised worker families were also allowed to access in-home childcare, including babysitters.

But as health authorities warn of the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant among children, Shagun felt childcare was no longer safe, and her son now spends his weekdays with Shagun’s parents – a luxury she said not all her friends with children had.

One single mother described to the Review the challenges of working full-time and raising a nine-year-old with her family overseas during the pandemic.

As a full-time disability care worker, she has been stood down during every lockdown, and has been relying on grocery deliveries from Sikh Community Connections, an Epping-based food relief charity, especially when she fell unwell last year.

“I had no one to look to or ask for help. It was a struggle to get up, cook and feed my son, help him with his online studies et cetera. I reached out to our local community organisation [and] I’m very thankful to Sikh Community Connections,” she said.

For Wollert resident Sudha, mother of two and part-time student, lockdowns have meant a better family dynamic – but only, she stresses, because she is currently not working.

Sudha said her husband was able to focus on work at home while she could commit to caring for their children, in particular helping with remote learning, which has kept them happy and ‘thriving’.

But for many working families, childcare is the only option.

“There aren’t enough hours in the day to keep kids amused and do anything [else],” one anonymous Doreen mother of three and childcare worker told the Review.

But even with the amended public health order, her facility has shrunk from about 30 kids daily to six this lockdown.

She said the pattern of families withdrawing their children over healthcare concerns had left the sector on the brink.

“If you withdraw your child … you lose your spot, educators lose their jobs. If 100,000 people do that because they can’t afford the $200 a week for nothing, the whole system will fold,” she said.

About 150 childcare providers nationwide have already furloughed staff and closed their doors during this year’s Delta outbreak.

The Federal Government stepped in mid-August and announced a short-term scheme to waive childcare gap fees – the difference between the subsidised amount and the remainder of the enrolment fee to be paid by the family – in hotspot areas, but it doesn’t cover all income for childcare providers, leaving some with difficult choices to make about staff retention.

The Doreen resident said stringent hygiene regulations, work uncertainty and a lack of financial support could see more childcare workers turning to other careers, leaving more parents who need the service in the lurch.

“A lot of people have left the sector, so that’s kind of scary because, what do you do if you don’t have enough educators?,” she said.

Leadership program opens to Macedon Ranges residents

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Leadership program opens to Macedon Ranges residents

Applications are now open for the 2022 Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program to inspire and challenge participants while supporting the development of confidence, skills, and a deeper understanding of leadership.

Run by LEAD Loddon Murray, the program is a process that has been delivered annually since 1998 to support participants’ personal and professional development in a community context.

Many of the program’s graduates have progressed to serve in positions such as local government councillors and executives, and as board members and volunteers on key community and government groups across the region.

LEAD Loddon Murray executive officer Keith MacQueen said the program was a good opportunity to access quality leadership development.

“With recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic being paramount for communities across our region, now more than ever access to high quality community leadership development is vital for smaller rural communities and growing towns in our region,” he said.

Participant from 2021, Andrew Smyth from Riddell’s Creek, said he had found the leadership program life changing.

“As I uncover more about my leadership capabilities and gaps it also fuels me to learn more, so I can give more,” he said.

“Reflecting on the structure of the program and the opportunities it creates, my goal intensifies to be a committed community leader.”

Past participant and program director Jude Hannah said she was proud to be able to support the leadership journey of new participants.

“The [program] is a truly unique experience in that it challenges participants to implement their learning immediately, through reflective practice and by implementing a community project,” she said.

“The quality of education, the ideas we explore, speakers we learn from and places we visit in the [program] leaves a lasting impact with our graduates.”

Several scholarship places are on offer to allow community-minded people to participate in the program at a heavily subsidised cost.

Scholarships are available for various groups, including dairy industry, natural resource management sector, indigenous people, those with an interest in the arts or the environment, and residents of local government areas across the region.

Residents can also call Ms Hannah on 0499 171 663 or email jude@leadlm.org.au.

Macedon Ranges council pursues protection of 147-year-old bridge under threat

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Macedon Ranges council pursues protection of 147-year-old bridge under threat

Macedon Ranges Shire councillors have voted to pursue a fight to protect five trees and the 147-year-old Bunjil Creek bluestone bridge and channel in Gisborne.

The introduced-species trees and bluestone assets are under threat by works to the intersection of Melbourne Road and Kilmore Road.

Following an announcement by the State Government in 2018, Regional Roads Victoria received several submissions from the community concerned about the detrimental impact of the proposed works on the historic gateway entry into Gisborne township.

RRV said at the time that works would not impact existing heritage listed sites and impacts would be minimised for local tree and flora species.

It had planned to build a bridge over the bluestone bridge but will now pursue its original design proposal to use a culvert solution that will not enable the retention of the bluestone bridge and channel.

RRV intends to reuse the bluestone from the historic bridge in the project, which will most likely feature a roundabout at the intersection.

However in June this year RRV updated to council to say that, due to more recent flood modelling, it is unable to retain the core heritage fabric of the bluestone bridge and channel.

The roads authority now intends to regress the work on the intersection upgrade with the aim to have works underway in early 2022.

Neither the bridge and channel nor the introduced plantings of elms and oaks were listed in the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme and therefore had no statutory protection.

Independent consultants identified in April last year the 1874 bluestone bridge and channel met the local level of heritage significance, and two very mature English Elms were also of historical significance to the municipality and warrant protection in the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme.

However, in June this year, the Minister for Planning Richard Wynne determined that he had determine to decline the two requests for interim heritage overlays.

Mr Wynne wrote in a letter to council: “These requests are not considered necessary, considering the agreement reached between the council and the Department of Transport/Regional Roads Victoria which will support the implementation of the intersection upgrade project and the retention of locally significant heritage features.”

At the August council meeting Cr Rob Guthrie moved that council continues to advocate for the protection of the heritage fabric of the bluestone bridge and channel, and trees, and request the chief executive officer to resolve the conditions of authorisation and progress planning scheme amendment C143 to exhibition as soon as practical.

“The Gisborne community wants to see this area maintained as in tact as possible and we need to be telling them that we are advocating on their behalf. We’re not going to just give in to what the regional roads corporation is telling us, we want to maintain it,” Cr Guthrie said.

Cr Geoff Neill was the sole opposer of the motion, saying he believed pursuing amendment C143 would be a waste of money to save three trees, as the two trees and the bridge and channel already had proposed interim heritage overlay protection.

“I’ve no problem with pursuing our advocacy and I’ve really got no problem with those trees being included, they’re magnificent trees, but I do have an issue with pursuing a planning scheme amendment for three trees only,” he said.

But Cr Jennifer Anderson responded to Cr Neill, saying that since they negotiated a potential solution to build a new bridge over the bluestone bridge, the minister for planning said that solution would not preserve the bridge and declined the requests for interim heritage overlays.

“We’re in a different position than when we were [negotiating],” Cr Anderson said.

“The minister has said that if things have heritage protection, they are more likely to be protected, so we need to tell our community that we believe this is worthy of heritage protection and the sooner we do that, the better, because the more likely it is that we’ll get feedback from the community that they support us, because they’ve already told us they do support us in this decision,” she said.

The motion was carried eight to one.

Phillips back on board to coach Kilmore Blues in 2022

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Phillips back on board to coach Kilmore Blues in 2022

By Colin MacGillivray

Kilmore Football Netball Club has already turned an eye to the future by re-signing senior football coach Nathan Phillips for 2022.

Prior to the Northern Football Netball League season being officially abandoned last week, the club announced Phillips’ reappointment.

Kilmore president Paul Maher said the club had prepared for the future by re-signing Phillips.

“We certainly wanted to get him locked away for next season,” Maher said.

“We were confident we had the list to take out the flag this year, and that’s why it was so important to get Nathan locked away early – so that we can start preparing and planning for next year and keeping the list together.

“We’re confident with the current playing list and also some young players coming through from the under 19s that we have the talent there to win the premiership.”

Phillips has been at the helm of the senior side since 2017, including the 2020 season, which was abandoned entirely due to the pandemic.

He said he had no hesitation when the club approached him about re-signing.

“I wouldn’t coach anywhere else,” he said.

“It’s two minutes from home, which makes it easy on me and my family.

“A couple of times I wondered whether I wanted to go again or not, but I think we’ve got unfinished business, especially if we don’t get the chance to play a finals series this year.

“The club, the playing group and myself have definitely got some unfinished business and we want to prove to ourselves that we can achieve what we set out to achieve.”

Kilmore has steadily improved under Phillips’ leadership, from a 2-16 record the year before he joined to a 9-3 record and percentage of 191.8 so far this year.

Phillips said he and Maher had striven to create a culture that supported local footballers.

“It’s about creating an environment where the guys love the club and want to play for the club and stay there because it’s a great place to be and has a good culture,” he said.

“As much as you’re chuffed if blokes want to play under you, you want to make sure that they love the club and even if you did leave they would stay there. That’s what we’re trying to create there, and I think we have.”

“We started at the bottom when myself and ‘Mahery’ as president jumped on board. We came on at the same time and everyone has been able to build, from the players to the committee to even the supporters and sponsors.

“Everyone who has been involved in the club has helped to slowly build us up to where we are now where we’re in the top two or three sides in the comp.”

Maher said he was confident the majority of the senior playing list would be back in 2021 for a tilt at a premiership.

He also paid tribute to the club’s junior development program and said good times were on the horizon if the competition avoided any more COVID-19 lockdowns.

“The great thing about having Nathan there as the head coach for five years is that we have that consistency,” he said.

“He gets on well with the playing group and he’s a great communicator with them, so we’re confident we should be able to retain the majority if not all of the current playing group.

“We want to acknowledge the great effort that Paul Derrick has done as the thirds coach. He’s also an assistant coach for the seniors.

“Craig Micallef has been assisting Nathan, and those three have identified some really good junior talent coming through.

“We certainly hope we’ll continue to nurture local young talent in the under 19s next year because that’s our goal. We want to give local young footballers an opportunity to play senior football at their local club.”

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