Lancefield cricketers cap dominant seasons

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March 23, 2021

Lancefield cricketers cap dominant seasons

By Colin MacGillivray

LANCEFIELD Cricket Club’s men’s and women’s senior teams capped dominant seasons with Gisborne and District Cricket Association grand final victories.

Playing in division two, Lancefield’s men only dropped one game all year and marched to a 67-run win against Bacchus Marsh at home on Saturday.

The undefeated women played a finals double-header on the same day at Gisborne, defeating Bacchus Marsh in a semi-final before backing it up to beat Sunbury by 39 runs in the grand final.

Men’s captain Matt Bowden said he was thrilled with his side, which held its nerve after losing opening batsmen Mark Caton and Andrew Richardt cheaply.

“During the week I had a chat with all the boys seeing what they wanted to do if we won the toss – bat or bowl first,” he said.

“We decided to bat first and get the runs on the board, but being 2/7 early on was a bit worrying and we thought we might’ve made the wrong choice.

“The top order struggled a bit and couldn’t get going, and it wasn’t until the back end of the innings where Luke Harrison and Glenn Caton starting ticking over the runs for us, and before we knew it we’d gotten to triple figures.”

Harrison, who would go on to be named man of the match, scored an unbeaten 31 and Caton added 26 to salvage Lancefield’s innings.

“We haven’t had a lot of chances to bat all the way through our order for the year, because our top order has usually performed,” Bowden said.

“It was a bit hard to know what they were going to do, but Glenn hit a couple of boundaries, which upped the score a bit. There were only two or three boundaries in the 60-odd that they put on together and they did really well picking the gaps and running hard.

“Luke was saying that at one point he nearly spewed in his helmet he was running that hard. They were both very sore on Sunday. It was a lot of hard gut running and smart batting.”

With a score of 8/155 after 35 overs, Bowden said he knew his team would be hard to catch.

Bacchus Marsh made a good start to its innings, but a key breakthrough by Sam Taylor before the drinks break changed the momentum.

“We knew if bowled tight it would build pressure and we would get wickets,” Bowden said.

“We bowled two maidens after drinks and then got a couple of wickets, which got the momentum going our way, and we knew from there that if we bowled to our abilities we would be able to restrict them to well under 150.”

Lancefield had the Bulls all out for 89 in 30 overs, putting the final touches on a dominant season.

Bowden praised Harrison’s performance with both bat and ball.

“He’s been sensational all year. He gets a lot of dot balls and builds a lot of pressure, so he might not always get the wickets but he builds a lot of pressure from the other end,” he said.

“It was a good season only losing the one game, and all of the boys did their part to get us to the grand final. We’re hoping to keep all the blokes we had there, and I’m guessing we’re going to go up a grade or two next year. Hopefully we can build on this and have some more success in a higher grade.”

Women on top

Lancefield Cricket Club womens premiers — Lancefield Cricket Club’s women’s premiership team for 2020-21.

Women’s captain Emily Consiglio was equally thrilled with her team after seeing off Sunbury in the grand final.

After being sent in, Lancefield opener Brianna Woodburn scored 29 runs to get the ladder-leaders off to a strong start.

Woodburn was eventually run out for 29, but Sharon White (24 retired), Carolyn Cusack (15) and Consiglio (14 retired) helped the team reach 6/135 from its 20 overs.

Consiglio said a strong bowling performance won the match for her side.

“[We made] a decent score, but it wasn’t our highest score and we knew we were going to have to play a strong game all the way through. Twenty overs isn’t a lot of time, so you’ve got to be switched on,” she said.

“We’re a team of tight bowlers, so it was very tactical as to who bowled when. We wanted to try to dry up those overs in the middle where you would normally look to score your runs and they send in their bigger hitters.”

Wooburn backed up her strong batting with 1/4 in three overs to be named woman of the match.

“Bri Woodburn definitely deserved woman of the match. We’ve played together for years and she’s an absolute asset to have in the team,” Consiglio said.

“The support from the club, the boys, the committee and the families was awesome even though we weren’t at home. I think it turned us up a few notches just because everyone was there.”

Wallan Panthers celebrate Big V women’s youth league home debut

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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Wallan Panthers celebrate Big V women’s youth league home debut

By Colin MacGillivray

WHILE the result was a loss, there were plenty of reasons to smile after Wallan Basketball’s first Big V women’s youth league home game against Collingwood on Sunday.

The Panthers were defeated 72-58 in a tough, physical game, but a large and vocal crowd backed the home side until the final buzzer.

Coach Ben Whyte said it was fantastic to see many of the Panthers’ younger representative players supporting the team.

“We had a great crowd. I coached youth league a couple of years ago in our inaugural boys’ season and we struggled to have people turn up to watch,” he said.

“To have a lot of young girls from our rep program and their parents come to watch us is fantastic to see. We hope for the whole season that’s what we get each and every week.

“It’s good that we now have that [pathway between the junior and senior programs]. Initially we thought it could be a couple of years away, but to have it here and now is fantastic.”

Wallan’s Katarina Kekez makes an athletic move to the basket during the Panthers’ Big V women’s youth league loss to Collingwood.

The Panthers trailed for most of the game but made a run to cut the deficit to five points late in the last quarter, with Oliva Dalmau providing timely outside shooting and Edyn Grubisic harassing on the defensive end.

Whyte said there were good signs for the team’s future.

“Full credit [to Collingwood], they were able to play a consistent four quarters. We were able to get the last quarter back on our terms, but it was definitely another one of those physical games,” he said.

“This competition is going to push teams, and it’s about who is going to be strongest on the floor and who is going to be the strongest going to the hoop. We have the talent to really show the competition that we’re here not just to make up numbers.

“On Saturday night we’re the only game at home, so hopefully the crowd can come out again and support us.”

The youth league women will play at 6pm at Wallan’s RB Robson Stadium on Saturday night.

Panthers men fire up

Wallan Panthers v Mornington Breakers. Pictures: MattyJ Sports Photography
Wallan Panthers v Mornington Breakers. Pictures: MattyJ Sports Photography
Wallan Panthers v Mornington Breakers. Pictures: MattyJ Sports Photography
Wallan Panthers v Mornington Breakers. Pictures: MattyJ Sports Photography
Wallan Panthers v Mornington Breakers. Pictures: MattyJ Sports Photography
Wallan Panthers v Mornington Breakers. Pictures: MattyJ Sports Photography
Wallan Panthers v Mornington Breakers. Pictures: MattyJ Sports Photography
Wallan Panthers v Mornington Breakers. Pictures: MattyJ Sports Photography

The hot start to the season continued for the Panthers’ division two men’s team with another scoring outburst from star import Sharif Black.

Black recorded 37 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in an excellent all-around performance, and Leigh Saffin showed why coach

Tim Annett has given him a green light from deep, hitting seven of a staggering 19 three-point attempts on his way to 25 points.

The Panthers easily handled the Mornington Breakers 95-78, and will travel to take on Wangaratta at Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre in their first road game of the season on Sunday at 2pm.

Wallan’s division two women were equally dominant in a 74-47 win against Mornington on Sunday.

Behind a 25-point outing from Rebecca Romeo, the Panthers controlled the game from the opening tip and were never headed.

The team stifled Mornington, with only one visiting player recording double figures.

Wallan’s women will also travel to play Wangaratta at 12pm on Sunday.

The youth league division two men narrowly missed out on a chance to make it three wins from three games against Mornington, going down 79-76.

Ryan Philippe led the team with 21 points but a final-quarter shooting slump saw the Breakers come from behind for a nail-biting victory.

The youth league men will play Western Port at Somerville Recreation Centre on Saturday from 7pm.

Wallan East Family and Children’s Centre opens its doors

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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Wallan East Family and Children’s Centre opens its doors

MORE than 60 children have embarked on their educational journey at the newly opened $2.4 million Wallan East Family and Children’s Centre.

The centre, which was funded jointly by the State Government and Mitchell Shire Council, was officially opened by Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green and Mayor Rhonda Sanderson this month.

The facility includes a kindergarten operated by Kids First, as well as council-operated maternal and child health and immunisation services.

Kids First has 22 children in three-year-old kinder and 44 children in four-year-old kinder enrolled at the centre this year.

With the capacity to accommodate nearly 200 children and the rollout of funded three-year-old kinder from 2022, the centre will aim to have 99 children enrolled in three-year-old kinder who will move into the four-year-old kinder program the following year.

Cr Sanderson said the centre would help bind the Wallan East community together.

“I’m sure the many young families in Wallan East will appreciate being able to access early years services so close to home,” she said.

“This new centre will play a key role in servicing the immediate needs of the growing local community by offering local, accessible maternal and child health and early learning services.

“With our kinders in Wallan already nearing capacity and the projected population of three and four-year-olds expected to grow by 161 per cent in the next 20 years, it’s vital we work with our partners to invest in early education infrastructure now.

“I’d like to sincerely thank the State Government, especially our local members Jaclyn Symes and Danielle Green. We simply couldn’t fund a centre of this scale on our own at this stage in our population growth cycle.”

The population of three and four-year-olds living in Wallan is projected to grow by 161 per cent in the next 20 years, from 584 in 2021 to 1522 in 2041.

Maternal and child health appointments will be available on Mondays and Thursdays at the centre, with plans to offer immunisations in the future.

First-time parent groups, young parent groups and supported playgroups will also be at the centre, along with breastfeeding clinics and health promotion sessions.

The centre was built with $2.3 million from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and a council contribution of $164,000.

This facility is a relocatable building, the first of its kind in Mitchell Shire.

The centre was delivered by developer Newbridge Estate and Resimax Group, who fast-tracked the delivery of community land for the project.

Great Victorian Rail Trail Seymour alignment debate

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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Great Victorian Rail Trail Seymour alignment debate

A POTENTIAL connection of the Great Victorian Rail Trail to Seymour is a step closer after Mitchell Shire councillors voted on a preferred alignment at last week’s council meeting.

After seeking community feedback on four proposed alignments for the trail connection, councillors endorsed option two, which follows Dysart Road south of Seymour before crossing east over the rail corridor and then continuing south along Schoolhouse Lane to join the current rail trail near Tallarook.

Option one, which would have followed the Goulburn River south of Seymour, was discarded after 15 people objected to it, raising concerns about its potential impact on the local environment and adjacent landholders.

Objectors also argued against option four, which would have followed the western side of the train line south towards Tallarook, on the grounds that it would pose an increased security risk.

Council voted to accept option two, but Cr Bill Chisholm amended the motion to stipulate council retain plans for option three in case council was unable to negotiate a crossing of the rail corridor with relevant authorities.

Option three would see the trail continue south along the Hume Freeway at the end of Dysart Road rather than turning east along Schoolhouse Lane.

“I think it’s important to keep this option when discussing the whole setup of this rail trial,” Cr Chisholm said.

“We’ve got an opportunity here to put the rail trail down the Hume Freeway, which is a very wide easement and is not getting close to the road. All of that is in the public realm so we’re not infringing on private landowners.

“The alignment to the east, which we currently have, is east of the rail corridor, and from what I can gather in dealings with any rail authorities that I’ve had or heard about, they would definitely be opposed to the rail trail infringing on the rail corridor.

“If we can’t gain access to the rail corridor, with the initial two alignments you’d need an additional crossing of the Goulburn River.

Currently we’re talking about spending $2.9 million on doing up the Old Goulburn River Bridge, so if we can’t cross the railway line we’ll need an additional bridge over the Goulburn on the eastern side of the railway corridor, and I’m definitely opposed to that.”

Cr Fiona Stevens said she was in favour of having a contingency if the preferred alignment proved unviable.

“Although option two was the preferred option, if something goes awry with that we don’t want to be wasting any more time and coming back with unnecessary considerations,” she said.

“Depending on the outcome of the crossing of the railway line, we have a plan B without having to go back to the community, because they have actually been consulted on that particular section.

“I want to stress that I’m not supporting going onto the private land that would front this particular stretch of the trail, I’m talking about using the significant road reserve, and the adjoining properties could be protected accordingly with an appropriate fence on their side.”

Cr Annie Goble said she believed a crossing of the rail corridor would be granted, but that it was prudent to have backup plans in place.

“I think we need to finalise the routes and at least have the unlikely situation where we cannot cross the railway line [accounted for],” she said.

“They may not allow an at-ground crossing of the railway line because of frequent train use, but I’m sure they would allow a suitable tunnel in an appropriate area. I think we’ll get away with it, but the funding will be another matter. It will almost certainly have to be external funding.”

$1.2 million for Great Victorian Rail Trail art

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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$1.2 million for Great Victorian Rail Trail art

THE Great Victorian Rail Trail will receive $1.2 million in State Government money for standout art installations and signs.

The trail is one of 30 regional Victorian projects announced last week to receive funding through the $46 million Regional Tourism Investment Fund – Stimulus Round.

Mitchell, Murrindindi and Mansfield councils, in conjunction with Regional Development Victoria, are behind the rail trail project.

The funding will go towards creating large scale ‘x-factor’ art installations along the trail, which aims to boost new and repeat visitors.

Sign upgrades from Tallarook to Mansfield and Alexandra will provide interpretation along the route and also guide users into town centres to support economic activity and business.

Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said the trail funding was a fantastic outcome for the shire and partners at Murrindindi and Mansfield shires.

“The Great Victorian Rail Trail is a standout tourism asset for both Tallarook and the Mitchell Shire region as evidence by record numbers of visitors in the past year,” she said.

“Residents and visitors alike are seeking to discover the natural beauty of Tallarook and the Trawool Valley.”
Cr Sanderson thanked Regional Development Victoria for the investment into the community.

“This announcement builds on the work that council, together with Murrindindi and Mansfield, to set out a three-year strategic development plan to enhance and elevate the rail trail to the next level,” she said.

“These pieces of ‘x-factor’ large scale sculptural art installations and wayfinding signage will improve and innovate the trail experience to provide a premium visitor experience.

“We’re very excited to see what comes of the artwork as I am sure they too will become tourist attractions in no time. It is expected that the art installations have the potential to become as iconic as the silo art trails in regional Victoria.”

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said the fund was part of the $465 million Victorian Tourism Recovery Package.

“Victoria has many natural appeals but the main reason we lead the country in tourism is because we invest in our attractions and its people,” he said.

Mill Park Basketball Stadium works to commence

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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Mill Park Basketball Stadium works to commence

THE City of Whittlesea will commence upgrade works on the Mill Park Basketball Stadium this month.

The $2.9 million redevelopment of the sports hub will include new gender-neutral and family change rooms, accessible public toilets, shower and change facilities, an updated kitchen and canteen, as well as fit-for-purpose spaces to help clubs grow.

City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the upgrade would transform the outdated facility and exceed accessibility standards.

“The addition of female-friendly and accessible facilities will provide a safer and more user-friendly environment for both players and spectators,” she said.

“The new facilities will go a long way towards creating a place for girls and women to participate in sport and gain lifelong skills that come with playing team sports.”

Eliana Lumani, 15, plays for Whittlesea Pacers basketball team and welcomed the gender-neutral upgrades.

“It will make us feel more comfortable,” she said.

Eliana’s mother Freda Lumani agreed the upgrade was significant for women in sport and would benefit everyone involved in the club.

“We’re spending not just an hour or two, we’re spending weekends there, so to have those facilities upgraded and accommodating will make a world of difference,” she said.

“It highlights that [women] are important people within the club and that they are valued.”

The State Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program contributed $1 million towards the redevelopment, in addition to council’s $1.9 million.

Ashley Park Primary School students host Ride2School Day

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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Ashley Park Primary School students host Ride2School Day

STUDENTS rode, scooted and walked to class at Ashley Park Primary School in Doreen last week as part of Bicycle Network’s national Ride2School Day on Friday.

The day saw 158 of the school’s 261 students come to campus actively, and principal Keren Barro said the school hoped to increase those numbers in future events.

“For the first one we thought it was really good,” she said.

“We had kids walk, ride or scoot to school, as long as it was active travel. The bike shed was exploding – there was no room left.”

Ms Barro said grade six students took charge of the day, handing out stickers to all students as they entered the school and giving tickets to any students who walked, scooted or rode.

“The tickets went into a box, and then at lunch time the student leaders counted the tickets and worked out the percentages [of which groups had participated the most],” she said.

“We made the announcement at assembly and we’ve got a little trophy that the Bicycle Network had given to us last year. We presented the trophy and that went to our senior community for the second year.”

Nearly three quarters of the school’s senior students took part in the day, with 66 per cent of foundation students, 60 per cent of middle school students and 47 per cent of junior students also joining in.

Ms Barro said there were many benefits to getting to school actively.

“When [the students] arrive they’ve expended a bit of energy and gotten some fresh air, so they’re better placed to be ready to learn,” she said.

“It also has a huge impact on the local environment and roads, because there are fewer cars and less traffic that you have to manage in your local streets. When you’ve got the infrastructure that we have in Whittlesea where there are bike paths everywhere, there really should be no reason why the kids aren’t riding or scooting or walking to school.

“It has had a huge impact on the local neighbourhood, and it’s good for teaching kids independence. We also had a number of families who rode with their children or walked with their children.”

Ms Barro said the school’s student leaders were already planning to host Ride2School days every term.

City of Whittlesea plans Wollert land acquisition

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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THE City of Whittlesea will adopt a planning scheme amendment to apply public acquisition overlays on land required to facilitate the ‘long-planned’ upgrade of an existing intersection in Wollert.

Council will apply overlays on two parcels of land on two corners of the intersection that are crucial to construction at Boundary and Epping Road, which will alleviate growing traffic congestion.

Council will also write to the Department of Transport and state members of Parliament to request the timely acquisition of a third parcel of land, which is also necessary for this development.

“It’s an identified key piece of infrastructure required to support growth and development in this area,” City of Whittlesea director planning and development Justin O’Meara said at the March Whittlesea council meeting.

At the meeting, a report was presented that asserted the current intersection at Epping Road and Boundary Road, including the Bridge Inn Road, did not have the capacity to safely cater for significant new growth.

It stated the intersection was critical both in terms of servicing the precinct but also to the transport network for the broader Northern Growth Corridor.

The report stated the intersection at Boundary Road and Epping Road was already at capacity and will continue to be impacted as further development occurs.

“It’s definitely very much needed and the traffic volumes in the area are getting to a point where it’s definitely needed in the very near future,” Mr O’Meara said.

“The proposed public acquisition overlay for these two parcels of land are within council’s control to acquire if this amendment goes through and the overlays are put in place. However we really require the Department of Transport to acquire the third parcel.”

Landowners were first notified of the overlays in October 2020. One landowners’ submission made to council asked for more information, but the submission has since been resolved.

Given the critical nature of the land acquisition in order to deliver the upgraded intersections, it was recommended that council commence the process to acquire the land as a matter of priority. The motion was passed unanimously.

Subject to the adoption of the amendment, the next steps are for council to lodge the adopted amendment with the Minister for

Planning with a request to approve the amendment; to notify the submitter of council’s decision; and upon approval of the amendment and application of the public acquisition overlay on the land, council can commence the process of acquiring the land.

Man airlifted after Hanging Rock fall

Community Groups

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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By Steph McNicol

A 79-YEAR-OLD man was taken by air ambulance to The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, after a fall at Hanging Rock, which saw him immobilised and left out in the cold for more than 24 hours.

The man, alone at the time of the fall, was forced to spend the night at Hanging Rock after his disappearance was not reported until the next day.

Constable Zac Henderson, of Kyneton police, said it was reported the man was walking with a friend on Wednesday, March 10, before the incident occurred.

“He was initially with a friend, and about three-quarters of the way up, the friend could not walk any further up and they’ve gone back to the bottom,” Const Henderson said.

“The friend must have left after a certain amount of time, and the next day they were unable to get hold of the man, so they contacted police.”

Police believe the man and his friend do not live together and it was unlikely they travelled in the same car.

According to a Facebook post by Newham Fire Brigade, Hanging Rock park rangers noticed the man’s car was still in the car park, but were unable to locate him.

When the car was still there the next morning, and the man’s friend was unable to contact him, police were called.

Other emergency workers including State Emergency Services, Ambulance Victoria and the Victoria Police Air Wing attended the search.

Newham Fire Brigade member David Bachelor said CFA played a support role in the rescue.

“There is an automatic callout to the brigade … when we got there, we heard an elderly man was up on the north face of the rock and police search and rescue were there and had found him,” Mr Bachelor said.

“From my understanding, no one knew how far he had fallen at that stage. We were there in case we were needed, when police attended, they didn’t know what they would need until they got up there.

“Altogether we would’ve had had close to 30 people, including from SES, CFA, ambulance and police. It was hard to know what was going on because the radio network we have wasn’t working … the rocks block the signal.

“We were hearing messages third hand … our role was a support role.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said the man was located at 6pm in a serious but stable condition, with injuries to the upper and lower body, before being taken by helicopter to The Alfred Hospital.

Wandong-Wallan Lions celebrate outdoor gym opening

The North Central Review

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March 23, 2021

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Wandong-Wallan Lions celebrate outdoor gym opening

WANDONG-Wallan Lions Club members joined Mitchell Shire Council representatives and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes to celebrate the official opening of outdoor exercise equipment in Kilmore this month.

The $196,872 project to build outdoor gyms at Kilmore’s Hudson Park and Wallan’s Hadfield Park was funded with $142,301 from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund in 2018-19, $29,571 from Mitchell Shire Council and $25,000 from Wandong-Wallan Lions Club.

The project saw both towns receive all-ability outdoor fitness equipment, with an aim of promoting physical activity and fostering social connection.

The Kilmore equipment features three pods with multiple exercise stations, including a leg press, chest press, box press, pull down and pull up bars, Roman rings, leg raises and body dips. It also includes a soft rubber surface surrounded by a concrete apron.

Wandong-Wallan Lions Club secretary Tania Hall said the club was thrilled the equipment was open to the public.

“We wanted something for the local community and local area to get active,” she said.

“You see outdoor gyms around in a lot of other places, and we thought it would be good to have one here as well, which it has been.

“When people see us out doing the barbecues or other fundraisers, this gives us something to show what the funds go towards.”

Ms Symes said the project was a ‘great collaboration’ between the government, council and Lions club.

“To have $25,000 from the Wandong-Wallan Lions Club is a big amount of money from a small community group,” she said.

“It’s obviously a big priority that they identified. I live in Broadford, but every time I happen to be down here with my kids I see someone on it, and Lions members have told me that they see it really being used.

“In terms of community benefit, ensuring people are out and about and keeping healthy and active, I think it’s a great outcome.”
Wandong-Wallan Lions Club member Clyde Riley encouraged people to get involved with Lions.

“There’s more to Lions than just doing barbecues. The philosophy of Lions is that you raise money for the community,” he said.

“This will be our 47th year and we’re a bit short of members at the moment. We’re open to community-minded people who would like to come and have a go.”

Club president Marilyn Moore said joining Lions was a fulfilling experience.

“It’s a good way of making friends in the area, and you learn what’s going on in the area as well,” she said.

“With any major disasters, Lions International will actually step in and help. When we had the bushfires we got grants to help people who were affected. It goes a long way.”