Hundreds sign waste collection petition
By Colin MacGillivray
AN online petition calling for Mitchell Shire Council to implement hard rubbish and green waste collection services has attracted more than 740 signatures in a week.
Kilmore resident Vijay Kumar started the petition on the website change.org urging council to collect hard rubbish twice a year and green waste fortnightly.
Currently, council offers five $35 vouchers for residents to dispose of larger household waste at resource recovery centres.
Mr Kumar said he could not believe council did not collect hard rubbish or green waste when he first moved to the area nearly a decade ago.
He said the area’s residents paid a waste disposal charge, on top of what he described as some of the highest rates in Victoria, but were not receiving value for money.
“We are paying rates higher than many other councils and when it comes to the service, it’s not there,” he said.
“I’ve lived in other areas before, and I’ve never had an issue with rubbish collection before.
“I was looking at council’s annual report, and there was an increase in the amount of money that goes towards waste collection.
“I don’t know where that money is going. We’re already paying so much in taxes and in rates, and these are basic, basic things that every household needs.”
Mr Kumar said council vouchers were useless to residents who had no means of transporting their waste.
“We don’t have a trailer to take the bins to other places like the tip,” he said.
“The council gives four or five vouchers to people and expect them to take their rubbish to the tip and throw it away, but there are people in Kilmore and the rest of Mitchell Shire who can’t drive or don’t have the means to do all the work to get waste to the tip.
“A lot of people end up throwing away their household rubbish on the side of the road or on someone else’s property and it’s not getting recycled or disposed of properly.”
A council spokesperson said Mitchell Shire’s annual waste service charge was currently $440, which was comparable to the charges of other similar-sized councils. They said the service charge was calculated to cover the cost of waste infrastructure and waste recycling services, and factored in increases in the State Government’s landfill levy fees and recycling processing charges.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said a feasibility study into the introduction of a hard rubbish collection service was due to be completed in 2021-22.
“Waste service costs in rural and regional councils like Mitchell Shire are generally quite different to those in metropolitan areas due to a range of factors,” she said.
“Some of these include the longer distances we have to transport waste, limited local disposal options, smaller communities and lower population densities than our city counterparts, and higher waste infrastructure costs.
“Often, councils who do not have any local drop-off facilities available, such as resource recovery centres, provide a hard waste collection service to accommodate disposal of larger items.”
Cr Sanderson said the current system of offering vouchers to ratepayers was a more cost-effective method than kerbside collection.
She said council expected to implement a green waste and glass collection service when the current kerbside collection contract expired in 2025.
“Council’s waste charges are based on cost recovery, that is, we charge what it costs to run the whole waste and recycling service,” she said.
“Any extra kerbside collection services for green waste or hard waste would have an impact on the waste service charges and on how many vouchers we can provide to our ratepayers annually.
“Council has looked at a number of options for future green waste kerbside collection and hard waste kerbside collection services in Mitchell Shire.
“In line with the Victorian Government’s kerbside transition planning framework, in August 2020, the previous Council endorsed the introduction of a food organics, garden organics (FOGO) kerbside bin.
“Staff have considered a number of options regarding service provision, delivery and costing that will allow council to bring in a FOGO service and a separate glass kerbside collection service.
“They have recommended that the most cost-effective timing for the implementation of FOGO and glass kerbside collection services would be as part of the new kerbside collection contract scheduled to commence on March 1, 2025.”
People can view Mr Kumar’s petition by visiting website bit.ly/3c7Nk77.
Kilmore Toy Library back in play
KILMORE Toy Library will reopen its doors on Saturday after what was a long wait for community connections and relationships the group had hoped to build in 2020.
The pandemic may have put a temporary stop to the library’s plans, but thanks to a grant by the Bendigo Bank’s Kilmore Community Branch, the group was able to rebrand the toy library from what was an ‘outdated’ look.
Kilmore Toy Library secretary Louise Jarvie said organising the library’s opening times was made difficult by the pandemic.
“We got funding in 2019, so it was a long time ago, and we sort of felt bad that we hadn’t done anything yet. We were a bit slow getting going because we are all volunteers,” she said.
“Two thousand dollars came from Bendigo Bank to allow us to rebrand, because we had a very scary clown logo that was more than 20 years old.
“We changed our logo and bought new promotional stuff, and we had a stall at the show with lots of Bendigo Bank money boxes.”
Ms Jarvie said it had been a slow reopening process, but the group was excited to welcome new families on Saturday.
“We reopened in November with click and collect. Normally people could’ve come in and the toys were all out, people would come in with their kids and it was quite busy.
“We’re giving our current members a year’s free membership, and we’re giving half-price memberships for new members.”
While the library will reopen, operations will not return to what was once normal for the group, as president Louise Dwyer said restrictions were still in place for COVID-19.
“The issue with being open for browsing is there are people touching things. Toy Libraries Australia worked closely with DHHS to develop the guidelines for cleaning and the dos and don’ts, it was very well organised,” Ms Dwyer said.
“We want to engage with the community again and get memberships going again – get that year in of new mums that we’ve missed.”
Bendigo Bank Kilmore relationships consultant Casey Smith said the community bank was happy to help out with the rebranding of Kilmore Toy Library.
“We’re very excited to see it out and about now in the community, and the local kids benefit,” she said.
“We’re glad to see the community coming back together, and you can see [the children] are so excited to see each other and get back to normality.”
Kilmore Toy Library will open on Saturday from 10am until 11.30am for click and collect, and at the same times on Thursdays following.
For more information about Kilmore Toy Library or membership prices, contact Louise Jarvie via kilmoretoylibrary@hotmail.com, via Facebook at Kilmore Toy Library, or visit the Kilmore Toy Library website.
Nillumbik businesses unite for ‘Back in Business’ summer season at Yarrambat Park Golf Course
ADVERTORIAL
Yarrambat Park Golf Course, Golden Hills Brewery, and Yield Specialty Coffee Roasters are uniting to celebrate the summer season and being back in business, following a tumultuous year of COVID-19 related restrictions and closures.
The special two-week long ‘Back in Business’ summer launch, from January 15 to 29, will coincide with the official launch of Yarrambat Golf Course’s new, multi-million-dollar upgrade, which includes Belgravia Leisure’s signature Goanna Golf mini-golf course and Grasslands restaurant.
The golf course, a Nillumbik Shire Council leisure facility, is operated and managed by Belgravia Leisure.
The exciting new 18-hole mini-golf course is part of the premium hospitality offering that includes upgrades to the traditional course and Grasslands, a premium new cafe and bar offering that transforms Yarrambat Golf Course into a family destination.
Grasslands will launch with a tap takeover by Golden Hills Brewery featuring a range of craft beers, brewed in Diamond Creek by their onsite expert and head brewer Steven Matthews.
Patrons can also enjoy Yield Specialty Coffee’s seasonal blend, from local roasters Piccolo Meccanico.
For younger members of the Nillumbik community, the new mini golf course will entertain.
The course complements the local landscape, encouraging an appreciation of the wildlife and vegetation of Nillumbik.
There is an educational component to the game with each mini golf hole themed around a native animal, with information and facts about the species. The course has trick holes and secret passageways to challenge players.
Nillumbik Mayor Peter Perkins said it was great to see the new Grasslands restaurant partner with other local businesses to further showcase local produce.
“This is a wonderful example of our business community working together,” Cr Perkins said.
“The new mini-golf course will complement the upgraded restaurant well and introduce more families to the world of golf.
“Getting outdoors, being active and supporting local businesses has never been more important after the year we have just had.”
The newly-opened Grasslands bar and restaurant has two liquor licenses, allowing patrons to consume alcoholic beverages at the bar or takeaway to enjoy on the golf course.
Belgravia Leisure chief executive Nick Cox said changes to Yarrambat Golf Course would provide new opportunities for the Nillumbik Shire community to connect and engage in the great game.
“With the large number of families that already enjoy the precinct for picnics and recreation, there is a huge opportunity to engage new users to get into golf through an inclusive family destination,” Mr Cox said.
For more information about Yarrambat Park Golf Course, visit www.yarrambatgolf.com.au.
Broadford back on top
By Colin MacGillivray
BROADFORD reclaimed top spot on the Seymour and District Cricket Association A Grade ladder by avenging its round four loss to Kilmore with an 18-run win on Saturday.
The showdown between the association’s top two sides did not disappoint, with a tight tussle playing out at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve.
Visiting captain Josh Buttler elected to send Broadford in to bat after winning the toss, but a strong opening stand between Riley Mason and skipper Ash Wood had the home side off to a good start.
Mason was caught for 19 off the bowling of Brett Buttler, but Wood kept the scoreboard ticking with first-drop batsman Mitch Collier to have Broadford 1/84.
Wood’s dismissal for 52, stumped by Kilmore keeper Matt Rose off the bowling of Daniel Tassone, triggered a middle-order collapse, with four wickets falling for 13 runs.
Wood was soon joined in the sheds by Jake Martin, caught and bowled by Jayme Lowe for 10; Mitch Collier, dismissed after a brilliant diving catch by Brett Buttler off Tassone for 10; and Liam Collier, run out for one.
With Broadford suddenly 5/97, the visitors seemed to have all the momentum, but a 42-run partnership between Evan Mills and Jeremy Bradshaw steadied the ship.
Mills finished unbeaten on 48 and built a nice eighth-wicket partnership with James Jones, controlling the strike to guide the home team to 7/177 from its 45 overs.
Tassone was the pick of the Kilmore bowlers with 2-24 from seven overs.
Wood said Mills had played a pivotal role in rescuing Broadford’s innings.
“Evan came in a little bit later in the order than he has for most of the year,” he said.
“He’s a pretty strong hitter of the ball, but had to adapt his game to make sure we got to a tough little period, and then he was able to cash in at the end and put some runs on the board.”
Wood said while 177 was not ‘an astronomical score’, his side knew it was a defendable total.
In reply, Kilmore started well with a 31-run partnership between Tassone and Josh Buttler before Buttler was brought undone by Jack Connell for 14.
Tassone was caught shortly after for 17 off the bowling of Bradshaw to put Kilmore on the back foot at 2/33.
While runs kept coming for Kilmore, they did not come quickly enough. Bradshaw and spinner James Jones tightened the screws, surrendering only 23 runs apiece from their respective nine overs.
Knocks of 22 from Marcus Davern, 24 from Shane Topham and an unbeaten 38 by Matt Rose in the Kilmore middle order gave the visitors life, but as the required run rate crept above seven an over, their task became too difficult.
Kilmore finished its 45 overs at 9-159, Connell finishing as the chief Broadford wicket-taker with 3-37.
Wood said the victory would give Broadford a boost with only three rounds remaining before finals.
“It was no doubt our best win of the season so far. Kilmore have been the benchmark for the first three quarters of the year, so it was nice to get one back on them,” he said.
“It gives us a lot of confidence. I think it’s very even among the top four, and anyone on their day can beat any other side in the top four, which is a good thing.”
Elsewhere, Tallarook recorded a strong 38-run win against Seymour to stake its claim for a top-four spot.
Playing at home, Tallarook elected to bat after winning the toss and was guided to a strong score of 6/217 by a fourth-wicket partnership of 53 from Leigh Irving (66) and Luke Marshall (44).
Seymour was dismissed for 179 in reply, with Irving backing up his heroics with the bat by taking 4/19 from 8.1 overs.
Skipper Simon Van Duinen did all he could for the visitors, scoring 59 runs with eight boundaries.
Pyalong got its second win of the season with an impressive performance against struggling Alexandra, chasing down a target of 141 with six wickets in hand.
Sean Walsh (45) and Jamie Pryor (41) each shone with the bat for Pyalong, while bowlers Damien Zoch, Joseph Ryan, Jason Ryan and Connor McLeod recorded two wickets each.
Eastern Hill’s bowling attack spurred it to a surprising upset of third-placed Yea Tigers, at Yea.
Ben Bryant starred with the bat in an innings of 80 for the visitors, but it was the likes of Daniel O’Sullivan (3/39) and Matthew Collard (2/11) who were instrumental in bowling the Tigers all out for 123, giving Eastern Hill a huge 68-run victory.
Romsey continues winning run
ROMSEY continued its run of success in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup competition, blasting its way to a 42-run win against Diggers Rest Bulla at the weekend.
The Redbacks were in no mood to waste time on the road, electing to bat after winning the toss and scoring at nearly six runs an over throughout their innings.
Opener Chris Burkett fell just short of what would have been a richly deserved century, caught for 90 by Nathan Crosland off the bowling of Jordon McDonald in an innings that included six fours and a whopping eight sixes.
Burkett’s blasting innings set the tone for Romsey, with an innings of 48 not out from Ben Way featuring another four sixes and bringing the visitors to 5/235 from their 40 overs.
Faced with a daunting target, Diggers Rest Bulla got off to a bad start when opener Crosland (12) and keeper Ryan Peters (four) were removed in rapid succession, leaving the home team at 2/29.
McDonald battled gamely for 35 before being run out, and Warren Berry made 32 before being stumped, but Romsey’s bowlers had all the answers.
Darin Jewell (3/30 with a maiden from seven overs) was a standout, ably supported by the likes of Matthew Milne (2/37) and Sean Day (1/16).
The win leaves Romsey in third place on the ladder, only three points behind leader Sunbury United and trailing second-placed Bacchus Marsh only on percentage.
The Redbacks will host East Sunbury this weekend hoping to record their fourth win on the trot.
Wallan was shown it still has a way to go after a loss to fellow top-four side Rupertswood on Saturday.
A potent Rupertswood attack, led by Joel Muir’s 4/42, put Wallan on the back foot after captain Steve Bell won the toss and elected to bat.
Muir and Nathan Crott (3/30) ripped through the Wallan lineup as only Spencer Whittingham (42) and Bryan Vance (30) were able to make sizeable totals.
Bowled out for 166, Wallan defended its total as best it could, helped by early wickets from Reuben Rode and Chris Vecchie to have Rupertswood 2/12.
From there however, the home side was able to steady and chase the target methodically, reaching 6/170 within 36 overs.
Rode’s 3/15 was the best return of any Wallan bowler, while Vecchie contributed 2/54.
Wallan remains comfortably inside the top four, but now trails third-placed Rupertswood by nine points, with a home showdown against Gisborne to come this weekend.
Big win for Whittlesea
WHITTLESEA kept its hopes of a top-four finish alive with a rout of Greensborough in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Mash Shield competition on Saturday.
The Eagles applied pressure from the opening overs after being sent in to bat by Greensborough.
Paceman Braydon Avola applied plenty of pressure and contributed in the field, taking three catches, while Nathan Somerville’s 3/20 from eight overs was a standout performance.
No Greensborough batsman scored more than 16 runs as the side was starved of opportunities, limping its way to 105 from 40 overs.
Whittlesea wasted no time in reply, with opener Brody Bell belting an unbeaten half century that included two sixes.
Keeper Rajitha Ratnayake contributed 23, while Suresh Fernando made a rapid-fire 24 not out to help the Eagles reach their target in only 23.2 overs and with seven wickets remaining.
Matthew Crawford was the best of the Greensborough bowlers on what was a dismal day, taking 2/29 from eight overs.
The results were not as good for Laurimar, which lost a heartbreaking encounter with Lower Plenty in the final over of the day.
Blasting its way to 5-234 on the back of 59 from James Ingham and scores in the 30s by skipper Jake Zerella, Luke Richardson, Rian Boddy and Daniel Roberts, the Power had reason to feel good about its chances.
But a mammoth opening stand of 147 by Lower Plenty openers Bill Jenkin (82) and Brad Wright (78) brought the home side back in the game.
The winning runs came on the final ball of the game, with Alexander Homer (39 not out) guiding his team to a memorable victory.
Mernda had a forgettable day in the Money Shield competition, falling 45 runs short of Research Eltham Collegians’ 6/195.
Opener Dushantha Ranatunga’s 46 was not enough to spur the Mernda run chase, with only two of his teammates reaching double figures in an innings of 9/150.
Thomas Hall was the only multiple wicket taker for Mernda, finishing with 2/29 from seven overs.
Wallan church goes on its way
By Steph McNicol
WALLAN has waved goodbye to its original Our Lady of the Way church, after the building spent more than five decades at its home on Bentinck Street, Wallan.
The church settled in town in 1969 after the Kilmore priest at the time, Monsignor Morrison, suggested Wallan have its own church.
The idea came after many years of struggle for the town, including dangerous travel to its closest neighbouring church – St Patrick’s Church, and the deterioration of its Wallan East site in 1955.
At this time, the Graytown Catholic Church, near Heathcote, was for sale, and made its way to what would be its new home for decades as Our Lady of the Way.
Now settled at its new home after being removed earlier this month, the church resides in Newstead, near Maldon.
While the building has moved on to its next life, people of Wallan hold onto its memory dearly.
One resident in particular, Barbara Laffan, married her husband Des in the church, and was a regular attendee of the church for decades.
Married in 1970, Ms Laffan celebrated her 50th anniversary in November last year.
“She’s full of history, she has had a few weddings, a few baptisms, and one funeral. My daughter had her first holy communion here,” she said.
“[The wedding] was beautiful, just lovely. We had Monsignor Morrison; he was a chaplain during the World War Two for anyone that needed it. There’s so much history here I love it.
“Graytown was an old mining town; it even had a camp for the soldiers.”
For Ms Laffan it was a bitter-sweet send off to the Wallan church.
“There have been tears, but I’m glad it’s going and not being pushed into a heap of rubble, that would’ve been terrible – at least the history will live on,” she said.
The Catholic Church built a new church in Wallan East, next to Our Lady of the Way Catholic Primary School, with the new, modern church officially opening in August 2019.
At the church’s opening mass, parishioners paid tribute to the history of their original Wallan church, with photographic displays detailing significant moments such as when a chalice was damaged during a break-in of the church.
Parish priest at the time, Father Peter Rankin, organised to have the chalice repaired and presented back to the Wallan church at a mass on August 19, 2012.
Another moment depicted when the church closed for 11 months in 2008, forcing mass to be at Wallan Public Hall, where it had been held before 1969.
The church reopened on February 15 2009, but it closed again in 2018 for repairs.
A ‘leaving mass’ gave parishioners an opportunity to say goodbye on July 28, 2019.
Horse event to fundraise for breast cancer
STANDARDBREDS for Breast Cancer Trials organisers Maree Lund and Lesley McAliece have weathered the storm that was COVID-19 to host their second show since 2019.
The organisers did not let the pandemic stop them from fundraising for their cause, and they were able to gather $1040 through raffles.
With restrictions eased, the 2021 Standardbreds for Breast Cancer Trials will go ahead on Sunday, with more than 30 entries set to dazzle the crowd at Kilmore Racing Club.
“With many shows having difficulty running this season, Lesley and I have been fortunate to have everything fall into place to allow our show to proceed,” Ms Lund said.
“Sponsorships have been coming in, with many continuing their relationship with our show, from 2019.”
Ms McAliece praised the generosity of individuals and companies who supported the show.
“Our major sponsor is the Kilmore Race Club, they have paid for the ribbons and sashes presented at this show; Kilmore Ford covered the cost of venue hire; Mz Sparkles, EQ Saddlery, Southside Stock Feeds, Tree Tactics and SSS Bargain Build – all from the local area continued to support us,” she said.
“Of course, there is a long list of generous people and companies from across Victoria and some from interstate as well.”
The event is set to start at 8.30am Sunday, with gates opening at 6.30am.