Position vacant: Cadet Journalist
The North Central Review is an award-winning newspaper based in Kilmore and has a position available for a cadet journalist – year 1, 2 or 3 – depending on skills and experience.
The role would suit a person who has completed their VCE and is interested in pursuing a career in journalism, or is studying journalism at university (part-time position, flexible hours available for the right candidate).
Applicants should possess a genuine interest in people, an ease with talking to people, and an enquiring mind.
Main duties and responsibilities:
This position will allow the right applicant to develop skills in journalism, creating content that is both engaging and relevant to our local community. You will be mentored by the editor and other journalists in the process of writing general news and sport stories, taking photographs, proof reading and creating other content for our print and digital products.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake a Community Journalism course through Deakin University.
Your background:
• Successful completion of VCE – strong understanding of the English language and its correct use.
• Self-motivation, punctuality, commitment to a task.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer skills – Word, Outlook.
• Willingness to learn and follow newspaper style.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
- Current driver’s licence.
Key selection criteria:
1. Successful completion of VCE
2. Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and to work with a diverse range of customers and stakeholders.
3. Good organisational skills to manage priorities and meet deadlines.
How to apply:
To be considered for this position, send your resumé, a 1-page cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and examples of any published work to: lauren.duffy@ncreview.com.au
Only applicants who are an Australian resident or hold a relevant visa are eligible to apply (NO VISA sponsorship).
Mitchell Shire Council divided on draft budget
By Colin MacGillivray
MITCHELL Shire councillors have urged the community to have its say after last week debating a divisive 2021-22 draft budget.
Council resolved to release the draft budget for public consultation at a meeting on March 29, but councillors Bill Chisholm and Louise Bannister spoke against the document.
Cr Chisholm said too little money was allocated for road maintenance in the draft budget, while Cr Bannister said she had concerns about its transparency.
In all, the $125 million budget allocated $21.29 million for new capital works in the 2021-22 financial year, with an additional $16.51 million in carry-forward works from the current year.
Included in the capital works program is $4.26 million for waste management; $2.73 million for recreation, leisure and community facilities; $1.51 million for information technology; $1.43 million for footpaths and cycleways; $1.07 million for buildings; $1.06 million for parks, open spaces and streetscapes; $350,000 for strategic land acquisition; and $180,000 for library book renewal.
But it was the $5.94 million allocated to council’s road and bridge upgrade and renewal program that Cr Chisholm said was lacking.
Cr Chisholm said the shire’s unsealed roads had been underfunded in the draft budget.
“We currently have 689 kilometres of bitumen road, 720 kilometres approximately of gravel road, and 148 kilometres of fire access track that council has to pay money to maintain,” he said.
“As you go further through the figures, we’ve got the astronomical figure of $200,000 that we’re going to spend on upgrading [unsealed] roads.
“Anyone who lives out in rural areas or fronts a gravel road – which there are still a lot of gravel roads in some of the towns – would have to be absolutely horrified at this.
“There is no way known I’ll support this, and it’s good that this draft budget goes out for public consultation because it’s about time the public started to stand up and have a say.
“All the community satisfaction surveys … highlight the need for adequate road funding and this budget, in my opinion, definitely doesn’t deliver.”
Cr Bannister also expressed concerns about the budget’s clarity and a 1.5 per cent rate rise.
“I am concerned about our community being able to get a full picture of council’s spending. Those who are time-poor or not familiar with accounting may find this document daunting and unclear,” she said.
“A [rate] increase of 1.5 per cent might not seem much to some, but this will be on top of revaluations.
“Many people are suffering financially from the [COVID-19] pandemic, and with house prices only going up, I imagine so will valuations, resulting in the possibility of significant rate rises for some.
“I do acknowledge that the budget is a balancing act, and a hard one at that … but without further clarity and transparency in this document, considering the rates will increase to the maximum rate cap and service fees will be raised, I cannot in good conscience allow this document to go out for community consultation.”
Cr Annie Goble said while she understood Cr Bannister and Cr Chisholm’s concerns, the budget remained a draft document and could be altered significantly after the community had its say.
“I think it’s a great suggestion that the community make a submission to the budget,” she said.
“The council will consider all the submissions and will offer those requesting it the opportunity to present at a hearings committee meeting in support of their submission, so they can present verbally and speak to us about it.
“The hearings committee is scheduled to be held on May 24 in the council chambers [in Broadford].
“There is no reason why people can’t ask questions and make a submission in relation to the layout and content of this budget. It’s the community’s budget and they have the opportunity to influence many areas of it … I assure you your submissions will be considered.”
Cr Nathan Clark said residents should consider potential additional income sources for council, such as community batteries, when making their submissions.
Cr Fiona Stevens said the draft budget would be exhibited for a slightly longer period than usual to compensate for the Easter holidays.
The draft budget will be displayed at council service centres, libraries and on the council website until May 4.
Cr Rob Eldridge said council was committed to making changes to the budget based on public feedback.
“It’s not a final document, and even amongst the councillors we have some areas where we are still toing and froing, but we need to get it out to the community to have their input,” he said.
“It’s not a final document, it’s a draft. You have the ability to influence the outcome of this budget, and the more people who have input, the better the budget will get.”
People can view the draft budget and provide input at engagingmitchellshire.com/budget-2122.
COVID-19 vaccine administered in Kilmore
By Colin MacGillivray
KILMORE District Health’s aged-care residents were inoculated against COVID-19 after receiving doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday last week.
Residents of both the Dianella Hostel and Caladenia Nursing Home received the vaccines in one day, and Kilmore District Health authorities said the program had gone smoothly.
Dianella nurse unit manager Bernadette Lavars said the hostel’s residents had been ‘a bit anxious’ the night before receiving the vaccine but that everything had gone according to plan on the day.
She praised the organisation of Goulburn Valley [GV] Health, which is in charge of overseeing phase 1a of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the Mitchell Shire region.
“It’s all been very smooth and well organised. GV Health have done a good job,” she said.
“It’s been in the works for a few months now, and so far it has gone very well. [The residents are] all glad to have it, which is the main thing.”
Ms Lavars said a few leftover doses of the vaccine were used to inoculate staff so that none were wasted.
Dianella’s nurse in charge of the vaccination program Caroline Walters said anticipation had been running high among residents as the vaccination date approached.
“Everyone went to bed early [the night before] because they were expecting a carnival atmosphere,” she said.
“Everybody has got a smile on their face, so that’s good.”
Dianella resident Betty Winnell joked that she was expecting more pomp and ceremony during the vaccination process.
“I thought there’d have been bells ringing and people singing and balloons and streamers,” she said.
Fellow resident Valda Andrew said she was ‘surprised’ to be one of the first people in Mitchell Shire to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
“I was the youngest of eight kids, so I’m used to waiting my turn,” she said.
“It wasn’t too bad. I used to have to run down to the paddock and bring up some cows to give them a shot, so once you know what it’s about you don’t have to get worked up about it.”
Ms Lavars said residents would receive a booster for the AstraZeneca vaccine in three months.
“We’re happy they’ve had the chance to be vaccinated – it’s a really good thing,” she said.
“Now we hope everybody else in Australia gets to have this soon too.”
A vaccination clinic is planned to open at the health service as phases 1b, 2a and 2b of the vaccine rollout commence.
Kilmore District Health chief executive David Naughton said he expected to announce more details soon.
Epping set for social housing boost
MORE than 150 new social housing dwellings have been earmarked for Epping under the State Government’s Big Housing Build.
Housing Minister Richard Wynne last week turned the first sod at the New Epping development.
The project will include 79 one-bedroom and 72 two-bedroom social housing homes for people on Victoria’s housing wait list.
The new houses will be funded through the government’s $1 bullion Victorian Social Housing Growth Fund, which supports partnerships between the government and community housing, private, not-for-profit and local government sectors.
Mr Wynne said in total the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build would deliver more than 12,000 new homes and was the singles larges investment in affordable housing in Australia’s history.
“Our unprecedented investment in safe, secure housing will change lives – not only putting a roof over people’s heads but creating thousands of jobs as we rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
“The private sector has an important role to play in the development of more social housing for Victorians – this is an example of that partnership delivering real benefits for the community.”
The New Epping project is being delivered by the government in partnership with developer Riverlee, the City of Whittlesea, Ramsay Health and Haven Home Safe, which will own and manage the social housing dwellings.
Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny said the New Epping development was planned as a ‘20-minute neighbourhood’, meaning most daily needs would be within a 20-minute return walk from home for each resident, with access to safe and transport options.
“This exciting development is delivering homes for people and families who need them in places close to services hospitals shops and jobs,” she said.
“Having a safe and affordable place to live has never been more important, which is why we’re so proud to partner in projects like this.”
Progressive dinner to bring life to Romsey
A PROGRESSIVE dinner involving three restaurants, poets, artists and producers will take over Romsey’s main street as part of the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival later this month.
Taking inspiration from the progressive dinner trend of the 1970s and 80s, where dinner party guests would move between homes for different courses, the event on April 24 will take diners to three restaurants – Soltan Pepper, Evan’s Wine Bar and Bistro, and Verdure, on High Street.
Event organiser Jenny Stillman said the event ‘could be bigger than Ben Hur’.
“There’ll be three groups of 50 diners, they will rotate between three courses at three restaurants. the exciting part is they won’t know when they buy their ticket which restaurant they’ll be having mains in, which restaurant they’ll be having entree or dessert,” she said.
“There will be what we’re calling creatives zones, so there’s a transition period between each course of about 40 minutes, and in those creative zones we will have buskers, we will have artisans with their artwork, creative work.”
Businesses along the strip will also open late on the night for guests to wander into, while other restaurants will have marquees set up on the street offering canapés.
The theme of the night is ‘poetry in motion’, so there will be different poets at each restaurant, reading to diners throughout their meals.
The idea came from wanting to celebrate and highlight a famous 20th century Romsey-born poet, Vincent Buckley, who went on to write prolifically, and had a long career teaching at the University of Melbourne.
“What we’re hoping for is that this event may well be a launchpad into something bigger next time … we’d like to expand the poetry element perhaps, this year if all goes well, into an autumn poetry festival,” Ms Stillman said. “It’s a bit of a toe in the water.”
As president of Romsey Region Business and Tourism Association, Ms Stillman said she hoped the event and the autumn festival, which runs from March 27 to April 26, would draw tourists from across Victoria to the ‘sometimes overlooked towns’ in the Macedon Ranges Shire when the autumn leaves bring in many onlookers.
“The Romsey main street has an amazing boulevard of autumn trees, and in addition to that we’re always wanting to build extra ‘visitor product’ on the eastern side of the shire. That’s very important. The eastern side gets a very small percentage of visitation relative to the other side,” she said.
“This is a bit of a post-COVID celebration. It’s an event designed to get people excited, let them have some fun, but at the same time it’s important for us in the eastern corridor that our businesses and our product get a little bit of coverage.”
As of the end of March, a third of tickets had already sold. Bookings can be made in groups of up to eight, at $88 each for the meal and entertainment. Drinks will be available to purchase. .
Umpiring bodies call for recruits
By Colin MacGillivray
A CALL for umpiring recruits has gone out on the eve of the 2021 football season amid a statewide shortage.
Umpiring bodies associated with the Riddell Football Netball League, Northern Football Netball League and AFL Outer East are all on the lookout for recruits.
Riddell Umpires president Addam Icely said there was a shortage of umpires in many regions of Victoria after the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the 2020 football season.
“At the end of 2019 we had a touch over 100 members, and at this point in time we’ve got 70 umpires on our books. We’re hoping to find the other 30 who haven’t come back this year after a year off,” he said.
“COVID has caused havoc with umpire numbers. What we’ve found is that people have lost motivation, some have found weekend work and umpiring is no longer a priority, and you always get a small handful who are at the end of their umpiring careers.
“We’re still trying to recruit. We’re trying to hit up clubs to see if there are any players who want to help out, especially on a Sunday with our junior competition.”
Northern Football Netball League head of umpiring Cameron Nash said the league was also keen to entice new members.
He said some umpires could earn more than $300 a weekend tax free.
“Many parents volunteer as goal and boundary umpires in our matches – here’s the perfect opportunity to get paid for it,” he said.
Mr Icely said there were social as well as financial benefits to umpiring.
“At the end of the day we’re just like another footy team, except we’re not all at the same place on the one day,” he said.
“With our camaraderie, our social gatherings and training, we do come together and have a bit of fun. We’re not popular with fans and players alike, but we’ve got a job to do and without us the game is going to struggle.”
Mr Icely said clubs might be forced to supply their own boundary and goal umpires if there were not enough recruits.
“If there are no umpires, the clubs have then got to find volunteers willing to step up on a wet and muddy Saturday afternoon,” he said.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on filling all our panels for every game every week, and we’ve been able to do that up until this year.
“I know in some instances in the past there has been an honesty system, where if the ball goes out of bounds the field umpire comes 10 or 15 metres in from the boundary and just throws the ball up. That’s reasonably effective, but then you get those iffy ones that might be on the full and there is dispute involved.
“That’s not something we’ve had to consider for a very long time … probably since the late 90s.”
People interested in joining Riddell Umpires can email recruitment@riddellumpires.com.au.
People interested in joining Northern Football Netball League Umpiring can contact Cameron Nash on 9435 8228 or cnash@nfnl.org.au.
Prospective AFL Outer East umpires can email Sebastian Mueller-Schmuki at umpires@afloutereast.com or Peter Dixon at president@yarrarangesumpires.com.au.
Jess Kennedy leads Kilmore Junior Football Club girls’ training
By Colin MacGillivray
KILMORE Junior Football Club’s young female footballers learned from one of the town’s best at a special training session last month.
Jess Kennedy, a former Carlton AFLW player and Assumption College student, took the club’s under-12, under-14 and under-16 girls through their paces in a pre-season training session.
Kennedy said it was heartening to see so many young girls taking up the sport.
“The girls were good. They were all switched on and keen to learn, which is unreal. They’ve got some really good talent there,” she said.
“With the under-12s we were going through the basics of trying to watch the footy as often as they possibly could. With the older girls there was a bit more structure and I joined in a little bit. It was good to see girls in the area getting involved.
“I feel pretty passionate about exercise at all levels, so to see the girls running around was awesome.”
Kennedy said elite women’s football would continue to grow and improve as junior talent pathways became firmly established.
“I played netball and I went to Assumption and played softball there as well. When I went through there wouldn’t have been too many girls playing [football] after their Auskick years. I joined a football club in my second year of uni,” she said.
“I was a kid who would have played any sport given the opportunity, so I’m pretty envious of the opportunities that girls have now, but incredibly grateful for where we’re at.
“For them to not have to miss any footy from when they first start playing to going through to a senior level means that their development is never impeded. That ultimately means women’s footy as a whole grows and the calibre of players and teams continues to improve.”
Kilmore under-14 and under-16 girls coach Andrew Stewart said his players were thrilled to learn from a former AFLW player who also captained Richmond in its inaugural VFLW season in 2019 and won the club’s best and fairest.
“She was really good. It was probably the best training night we’ve had just with her being here,” he said.
“The girls were up, the talk was up and they were putting in the effort to do the things they don’t normally do, which was really good.
“They’re getting better and better, and that’s what they’re here for – to have fun and improve their skills generally.
“They’re all loving it. They all turn up Mondays and Wednesdays and they all encourage each other.”
Stewart said the club was still on the lookout for girls to join its under-14 and under-16 age groups.
People can call Jenni Peggy on 0424 205 932 for more information.
Romsey cricketers in GDCA team of the year
By Tricia Mifsud
GISBORNE and District Cricket Association concluded its 2020-21 season by holding an annual awards presentation night on Wednesday, March 31.
The night also celebrated the award winners from the 2019-20 season, as last year’s presentation was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Romsey batsmen Ben Way and Chris Burkett were selected in the team of the year at number four and five in the line-up respectively. Way also finished equal fifth in the Sullivan Medal count, receiving 13 votes – six shy of overall winner Sunbury Dilan Chandima of Sunbury United.
Way scored four half-centuries in 12 innings during the season and totalled 472 runs at an average of 52.44. His highest score was against Gisborne in round six where he scored 81*.
His teammate Burkett scored two half-centuries in his 13 innings at the crease, and totalled 380 with an average of 31.67. Burkett’s highest score was 90 against Diggers Rest Bulla in round eight.
Other award winners included Wallan Cricket Club’s Ryan Cumberland, who received the Johnstone Shield batting award for his 671 runs scored at an average of 55.92. Cumberland also was awarded the aggregate award with 741 points.
Cumberland made three centuries, and four half-centuries in his 13 innings with the bat. His highest score of 112 against Sunbury United in round four was the highest run total scored by any player in the competition during the 2020-21 season.
Romsey’s Jake East took home the Jensen Shield bowling award for the 30 wickets he took across the season at an average of 10.80.
East took double the amount of equal second-place Nathan Aikman (Macedon), Zac Micallef (Eynesbury) and Lachlan Crean (Kyneton). In his games against Sunbury in round five and 12 and Kyneton in round six, East took at five wickets and, in total, bowled eight maiden overs across the season.
Whittlesea Eagles ready to soar in NFNL division one
By Colin MacGillivray
OPTIMISM is running high at Whittlesea Football Netball Club as the team prepares to re-enter the Northern Football Netball League’s (NFNL) top-flight competition on its home ground this weekend.
The Eagles were promoted to division one prior to the cancellation of the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and new club president Cameron Powell said the young side was raring to go.
“It’s all really positive. The vibe around the place is one of excitement and expectation,” he said.
“The best thing [coach] Blair Harvey has brought is a younger age demographic of 18 to 25-year-olds, and he’s done that with his recruiting.
“A lot of the older guys from 28 to 33 or 34 are still playing as well, and a lot of their kids have just been born, so it’s a really positive place to be around.
“There’s a lot of families there on a Thursday night whether the kids are at junior training or their dads are training in the seniors.
It’s really hard to get a seat on Thursday nights since we’ve been able to get meals up and running again.”
Among the young recruits picked up by the Eagles are brothers Cam, Mitch and Jake Wild, as well as Daniel Ferronato, Cam Barrett and big man Sam Peet.
Powell said Saturday’s round one match at Whittlesea Showgrounds against Greensborough, which finished runner-up in the NFNL division one grand final in 2019, would be a good test for the young side.
“It will absolutely be a measuring stick for where our team is at. I know the playing group is keen to embrace that and take it on,” he said.
“The guys are really confident in the game plan and they think they can go out and beat anyone – that’s the message coming from the coaching group. Blair has been really positive. He knows the young blokes are going to make some mistakes, but he wants them to keep taking it on.
“The practice match form has been fairly solid and they feel they can go out and have a red hot crack against any team in division one.”
Powell said the outlook was positive off the field as well as on it.
“We’ve had a lot of sponsors who have jumped back on board after they couldn’t because of COVID in 2020,” he said.
“We had a major fundraiser a couple of weeks ago called All In with the Eagles where we had Dane Swan, Brendan Fevola, Merv Hughes, Chris Johnson and Campbell Brown come along. They did a talk and we had a three-course meal, then cleared the room and played poker.
“It’s something Whittlesea had never seen before, that sort of calibre of celebrity coming into the club.
“We’ve put together membership packages and the response has been absolutely fantastic. We’ve been able to make up a bit of the money shortfall we had in 2020.”
Powell said women’s sport was on the rise at Whittlesea as well.
“On the netball side of things we’ve grown to three teams from two in 2019,” he said.
“Our women’s football team was supposed to have its inaugural season last year, but that didn’t happen because of COVID. This year the numbers have actually increased, so that’s been really positive for the club.
“The girls have been fantastic, and the coach Jarrod Kendall has been really good and positive. Their practice match form has been fantastic and they’ve won both their practice games, so that’s really positive heading into the first round this Sunday.”