AS this massive year draws to a close, I want to wish everyone across McEwen a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.
This time of year is about coming together – reflecting on what we have shared, supporting one another and looking ahead to the new year. McEwen is a diverse and resilient community and I am always inspired by the generosity and community spirit I see across our towns and suburbs. I know, for many families this year has not been easy.
Cost of living concerns are always a priority and that is why the Government has been focused on delivering practical help while strengthening the economy and investing in our communities.
Over the past year, we have acted to ease cost of living pressures by cutting student debt by 20 per cent, making medicines cheaper and protecting workers penalty rates.
We have delivered the biggest investment in bulk billing in Australian history so you can see a GP for free and we are opening 50 new Urgent Care Clinics.
We have made it easier to buy a home with five per cent deposits for first home buyers, we are building more homes right across the country and have increased support for renters.
We have made child care more affordable and ensured aged care workers and early childhood educators are paid what they deserve. Importantly, we have done all this while keeping inflation moving in the right direction and delivering responsible economic management to secure our future. Labor is committed to strengthening communities. We have invested in community infrastructure, local roads, sporting clubs and schools across McEwen.
We have supported multicultural communities, strengthened local services and worked to ensure everyone feels respected, included and valued, no matter where they live or where they come from. Strong communities are built on fairness, opportunity and having each other’s backs. That is the spirit I see in McEwen and that is the spirit our Government is supporting at a national level.
Heading into 2026, we will keep our focus on helping you and your family with the cost of living.
I hope that you get the chance to rest and relax with friends and family, share some great meals and enjoy some well-deserved downtime.
I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who is working through the festive period, the people giving up time with their families to keep us safe and keep our vital services running.
Thank you for the support you give me as your local Member. I am looking forward to getting straight back to work in the new year, delivering on our commitments and building Australia’s future.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who decorates their house at Christmas time to make it such a joyful time of year for my family and I. We took a night drive around Mannagum Estate in Kilmore and it was wonderful, as always. So many people have put in a lot of effort to their displays all over the shire and it adds to the Christmas feel so much.
I’m sure it is a mostly thankless task to put in so many hours so I wanted to try to give a thank you to as many people as possible. Thanks for the huge displays and thanks too for the small displays that still take time, effort, and love to display.
Christmas has a way of magnifying everything. Joy feels louder. Absence feels sharper. Old arguments, carefully folded away for most of the year, can suddenly reappear between the entrée and dessert. For all its tinsel and goodwill slogans, Christmas is not always easy. But that is precisely why it matters.
At its core, Christmas is a family story. In the Christian tradition, it begins not with grandeur but with vulnerability, a child born into uncertainty, welcomed by imperfect people doing their best. Whether one approaches Christmas as a sacred celebration or a cultural ritual, that idea still resonates: family is not about perfection, but presence.
Modern families rarely fit a single mould. They are blended, fractured, chosen, or stretched across continents. Some gather around a crowded table; others hold a phone in one hand and memory in the other. Christmas reminds us that family is not defined solely by blood, but by commitment.
Tolerance is not the same as agreement. It does not require us to abandon our values, our beliefs, or our sense of right and wrong. What it asks instead is restraint, the willingness to let others be themselves without turning difference into conflict. At Christmas, this can be harder than it sounds. Political opinions clash. Generational views collide. Lifestyle choices are quietly judged or loudly debated.
Yet the season offers a rare opportunity to practise something increasingly scarce in public life: listening without rehearsing a rebuttal.
In a year marked by polarisation and outrage, the Christmas table can become a small but powerful counterpoint. Choosing not to escalate an argument. Allowing silence to do some of the work. Remembering that the person across from you is more than their most annoying opinion. These are not grand gestures, but they are meaningful ones.
Christmas also asks us to extend tolerance inward. To accept that not every gathering will be joyful, not every relationship will heal, and not every tradition will feel the same. Loss, change, and distance all leave their mark. Making space for grief alongside gratitude is not a failure of the season, it is an honest response to it.
In the end, the value of Christmas is not measured by gifts exchanged or tables perfectly set. It is measured in the quieter moments: a conversation softened rather than sharpened, a relative included rather than avoided, a family held together not by sameness, but by care.
In a world that often rewards outrage, choosing family and tolerance at Christmas is a quiet act of defiance, and a deeply human one.
Kilmore trots were held last Thursday when a nine-event race card presented some interesting racing throughout the evening.
The J & A Mazzetti Pace over 1690 metres opened the program with Mitchell Park (Ballarat) owner/trainer Sam Barker’s 7YO Union Guy-Shees Magnifique mare Bond Girl victorious in a mile rate of 1.58.7.
Driven by Bendigo’s Ellen Tormey, Bond Girl starting from gate four on the second line settled five back in the running line as Fake Collection led from outside the front line.
Going forward three-wide on the final bend, Bond Girl ran home best out wide to gain the day by 4.1 metres from local hope The Majors Girl (gate four – one/two) which trailed the winner home, with Enable Me (mid-field from outside the front line) third a neck away in a race that changed complexion on straightening.
Romsey trainer/driver Chris Svanosio landed the 2180 metre Hip Pocket Castlemaine Vicbred Voucher 2YO Maiden Pace with Tall Dark Stranger-Broadway Play filly Broadway Obsession who was making her second appearance at the races following an eye catching first up performance at Melton a week earlier.
Bred and raced by Gisborne’s McLean family, Broadway Obsession led throughout from gate four and well rated couldn’t be caught, scoring by 2.5 metres from Wee Georgie Wood (gate two) which trailed in a 2.01 mile rate. La Smooch (gate two second line – one/one – outside winner at the bell) was third three metres back.
It was a great night for the Svanosio stable who provided three winners on the night – three year old Skyvalley-Golden Wahine filly Golden Skies taking the 1690 metre JC Windows 2YO & 3YO Maiden Trotters Mobile and 3YO Sebastian K-Waiting Room gelding Sebastians Waiting the 2180 metre Coulter Legal Trotters Mobile.
LOCAL DRIVER: Monique Burnett warming up for Race 3 at Kilmore Racing Club on Thursday evening.
Golden Skies, a half-sister to Inter Dominion heat winner Golden Sunset (Skyvalley) ran home strongly off a three wide trail last lap after starting from the extreme draw to register a 1.9 metre margin in advance of Calders Revenge (inside the second line) which trailed the winner home.
Moonshine Louie (gate three – outside leader Thelmabella (gate six) – one/one – three wide home turn) was third 2.7 metres away. The mile rate was 2.01.8.
Sebastians Waiting, driven by stable foreman Ross Payne trailed the poleline leader Tas Suffarell from inside the second line before moving outside her on the home turn and racing clear on turning to greet the judge by 6.5 metres from Kiss At Midnight (gate two second line – one/one home turn). Van Nostrand after racing exposed from gate six held on gamely for third a neck away. The mile rate was 2.03.3.
Parwan duo Taylor Ford (trainer) and Jodi Quinlan (driver) were successful with 6YO Bettors Delight-Precious Rose mare Precious Belle in the Kilmore Ford Pace over 2180 metres.
Enjoying a cosy passage from gate three trailing the poleline leader Archaa, Precious Belle used the sprint lane to record a 1.9 metre victory over Home And Dry (extreme draw – one/four – four wide last lap), with Favourite Highlight (one/three) third a nose back. The mile rate was 1.59.1.
The pair brought up a double when Captain Crunch-Quick Jet filly Quick Crunch using the sprint lane from three pegs after starting from the pole rushed home to blouse Binalong Night (gate two) which followed the leader Daughter Ofdarkness (gate three) in the 2180 metre Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Pace. The margins a neck by 4.2 metres in a mile rate of 2.00.2.
The MC Labour Pace over 1690 metres saw Derrinal trainer Glenn Bull quinella the race after 7YO Western Terror-Pagan Love mare Miss Piggy Wiggy (gate five) driven by Sean O’Sullivan crossed her stablemate Alcatraz Girl (gate two) with Glenn aboard at the bell.
In a punishing finish, Miss Piggy Wiggy refused to give in scoring by 1.2 metres. Delta Starz (inside the second line) was third 2.3 metres away after following the pair. The mile rate was 1.57.8.
Nine-year-old Fling It-Rainbow Reflection gelding Fling It Rainbow trained and raced by Rockbank’s Albert Cefai notched up his 20th victory (37 placings) when leading throughout from gate five with Mick Bellman aboard in the 1690 metre C&M Build Group Trotters Mobile.
A noted quick beginner, Fling It Rainbow was given an easy time at the head of affairs to hold on by a head from polemarker Gunsen Rosie which used the sprint lane after trailing, with Montana Muscle (one/three from gate six – three wide last lap solo) third a neck away in a thrilling finish. The mile rate was 2.01.2.
Elphinstone part-owner/trainer Rob Brown’s very honest 6YO Hurrikane Kingcole-Art For Art Sake gelding Hurrikane Dusty first up since September led throughout from gate four in the OKRFM Pace over 2180 metres.
Driven by Dunnstown’s Brent Murphy, Hurrikane Dusty had 2.1 metres to spare on the wire from Tuesday nights Swan Hill winner Lord Verde which used the sprint lane after trailing. Feel The Reigh (gate five – three pegs) after being slightly held up after easing wide in the straight was third a half neck back. The mile rate was 2.00.4.
Kilmore’s next meeting will be Thursday, January 15.
Kilmore racing extends to all patrons best wishes for Christmas and a most happy 2026.
People from India make up a sizable proportion of the population of Australia. Over the decades they have become a notable presence in cities and towns across this vast land. On the whole they are very fine people who have fitted well into the life and times of our nation. In the main they are gentle people, very family orientated and with a fine work ethic. Cricket loving people, they are passionate in support of their homeland team but get behind Australia when we are playing any other country.
In general, the Indian folk deeply appreciate what this country offers. Australia’s population of some twenty-seven million is dwarfed by Indias 1.4 billion which translates into there being 60 people in India for every single person in this country.
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A CHRISTMAS FAR AWAY
I’ve only spent one Christmas abroad and that was many years ago in a sleepy Dorset village on the vast (by English standards) Lulworth Castle Estate of some twelve thousand acres. I had met the Weld family through cricket and on several occasions whilst on leave from Assumption and have enjoyed their wonderful hospitality. On the estate, which reaches to the heritage listed Jurassic Coast, there are six villages- each picture postcard. It was a memorable Christmas. On the eve villagers came together in large numbers for traditional carol singing followed by services in the East Lulworth Anglican and Catholic chapels. Christmas day morning saw the gift giving ritual as the Lord and Lady of the castle along with the estate farmers handing out presents to a hundred or so children. Christmas dinner was held in the castle dining hall and was a feast like no other I’ve known.
TEST OVER RATES
It’s about time cricket bosses actually did something about over rates in tests. It’s hard to believe now that from the games beginnings in 1877 via the Golden Age until the early 1950’s the going rate was on average 115-120 balls an hour – today it is a pathetic 75. The current Ashes series is the worst in history in this country for the paucity of overs bowled in a day. It is plainly a form of cheating- not just the game itself but also the fans who pay top dollars at the gate. I just looked up the scorecards of Don Bradman’s “Invincibles” in England in 1948. The Aussies had four fast bowlers- Lindwall, Miller, Johnston, Toshack but never bowled less than 115 overs in a day’s play. It is way beyond time for authorities to call in captains, coaches, umpires and match officials and read the riot act. There is blatant time wasting that is a blight on the game. If the working-class cricketers of bygone eras could bowl at a vastly superior rate why can’t the multi-millionaire “moderns” with their back up of physios, wellness experts and the rest? If interest in test cricket is to wane in Australia it will purely and simply due to the shoddy over rates.
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LILLIANA THRIVING
Kilmore lass and 2023 Assumption graduate Lilliana Amoroso is progressing well on two fronts. She has successfully completed her specialised nursing course (2nd year) at La Trobe Uni in Bendigo and also continues to display her dancing prowess, most recently in Sydney. She is also very happy that her siblings Francesco and Emelia have leadership roles at ACK in 2026.
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ACK GIRLS WIN
Assumption girls cricket team celebrated its historic win in the inaugural Marist Carnival played at ACK a week ago. The national carnival is a fine step forward for female cricketers in Marist Colleges across Australia. A girls XI first played at Assumption in 1976 led by Angela McCarthy and including Angela Johnson and the late Maria Hempenstall, a much-loved teenager who lost her life in a tragic horse-riding accident.
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GAVIN CLANCY
I’ve received around a hundred cards and messages since the MCG celebration and one from Gavin Clancy was a standout. Son of highly respected Kilmore couple Dan and Mary Clancy (both dec) Gavin was in my English class in the early seventies. He fondly recalls those times and to this day remembers the range of topics discussed and written about-even recalling the novels read.
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HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Best Wishes to all for a happy Christmas and a good year in 2026. Maybe there will be some better news around the globes than in the past year and the peacemakers will prevail over the warmongers. And perhaps we all can make a simple resolution for the New Year- treat everyone you meet kindly for we never know what inward battles people are facing in their lives.
HEMINGWAY said: “Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name. In some ways men can be immortal”.
I was searching for someone in my mobile phone, and came across the name of a man I cared very much about who passed away some five years ago.
His smile and voice came into my mind instantly, the memory of him, flamboyant, charming and so talented. He was one of the very few that got away with calling me “Frannie” without getting his ears boxed.
Memories from a very long friendship with him drifted through my head, made me smile, and I spoke his name.
What I discovered was although I can no longer call him, there is no way I can take his name from the phone list. It is impossible.
No doubt some wondrous psychologist will give me chapter and verse, but it will stay there.
I thought more on this, and began a search for others gone, and there they were, each bringing their own special memories, and in every case their face and voice drifted so clearly through my mind.
The little silver haired hurricane who lived across the road and through her vibrant personality and determination she dragged us out of the trauma we suffered after the Mickleham bushfires, and also the name of the dear sweet gentleman who came to the races with me and was shocked as I screamed and yelled as Lonhro made his famous run to win the Australia Cup in 2004.
“Leave it with me,” he’d say if I presented a problem.
And off he’d go to sort it out.
There is another that still leaves me bewildered, as our dear and long-time friendship ended so abruptly.
I am still at a loss as to what I supposedly did to cause it. It really hurt that I could not say goodbye to her when she became ill.
Still, I cannot bring myself to take her name from the list on the phone.
There are two very precious names on the list, both young, and both chose to end their lives. Reading their names makes me cry and scream; Why! I still hear her infectious laughter and see his big smile and beautiful bright blue eyes.
I find, going through the long list of names that there are more that will stay, even though I have no logical reason to keep them.
Am I alone in this? I wish they were all here, laughing and chatting in a happy group.
TOMOYA Matsusaka arrived in Kilmore on Tuesday, December 16 on route from Cairns to Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne to raise funds for children in need.
As a solo pedestrian with an aluminium cart packed with the barest of essentials, Mr Matsusaka took his first steps late in Autumn on Tuesday, May 27 on the Bruce Highway to raise funds for children in need.
The fundraising goal, $60K is within reach as with days to go, generous Australian’s have donated 95 per cent of its target already.
Tomoya Matsusaka on his Gofundme page wrote: “I have been able to walk to this day is not because of my own strength, but because of the support of many people”.
One of those people is a Euroa publican.
Mitul Ahir responded to a call for help from Tomoya Matsusaka after he incurred a tyre puncture on the Hume Highway between Seymour and Broadford yesterday.
Mr Ahir arranged to drive him to Kilmore and phoned ahead to ask Wheel House Bikes if they could help free of charge.
Proprietor Rob Jackson said: “I gave him my number and said look if you have any more troubles give me a buzz”.
“Literally that afternoon we got a call from him and he said he got another puncture and he was at the servo across from Hudsons Park. So, we came back here grabbed another tube and another spare tube and replaced another one for him,” he said.
Mel Sveticic said: “I called Ah Raffaele and asked Kitty if she could give him some breaky that I could post pay for later and some lunch for on his way home”.
Mr Matsusaka told the Review that he was born in Japan as he posed for a picture as he leaving Kilmore around 10am this morning.
On his Gofundme page, he said: “Traveling by foot has taught me the importance of having food and drink … I originally worked in education, and I love children”.
“In Australia, the distances between towns are long, so it’s difficult to secure food and water. I travel on foot, so the distance I cover each day is short, and I drink a lot of water, so it runs out quickly. But the people living in Australia are really kind and give me lots of food and drinks.”
The finish line is days away, Saturday, December 20 when Mr Matsusaka plans to arrive at The Conservatory Fitzroy Gardens at 5pm.
“I want as many children as possible to have food and drink and live today, so I want to donate to UNICEF Australia,” he said.
