TWO new reuse shops will open this Saturday, March 14, at the Wallan and Seymour Resource Recovery Centres.
Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) is partnering with Resource Recovery Australia (RRA), a national not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity, to launch two Reviva Reuse Shops in the community.
According to the RRA website, the shops will offer quality second-hand goods rescued before reaching landfill. Items may include furniture, homewares, books, toys, tools, garden equipment and more. All electrical products will be tested and tagged to ensure they meet safety standards.
MSC Mayor John Dougall said these shops will help residents reduce waste, choose more sustainable shopping options and keep valuable materials circulating within the community.
“These shops will deliver real environmental and social benefits for our community,” Cr Dougall said.
“We’re excited to see locals discover some great treasures while supporting a more sustainable future for our shire.”
The Seymour Resource Recovery Centre will host its first Reviva Reuse Shop, while the Wallan reuse shop will reopen and increase its operating hours. Both locations will welcome customers Thursday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.
RRA General Manager Matt Curtis said the partnership with MSC reflects a shared commitment to practical sustainability and community development.
“Every item we rescue and resell is one less thing going to landfill, and one more opportunity to support local jobs,” Mr Curtis said.
“We’re excited to work with Mitchell Shire Council to create welcoming Reviva Reuse Shops that deliver environmental and social benefits to residents in Wallan and Seymour.”
The council also said the project will deliver important social benefits. Through RRA’s #WASTE2WAGES model, up to nine new jobs will be created across the two sites, with a strong focus on supporting people who experience barriers to employment.
RRA currently operates Reviva Reuse Shops in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, making the two Mitchell Shire locations the first in Victoria.
BEING accommodating, considerate and respectful of each other’s wishes have been the guiding principles for well-known Broadford residents Brian and Catherine O’Dwyer.
These are the key factors embedded in their long and happy years together and they readily shared these with family members as they proudly celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last Friday.
Going down memory lane, they recall meeting on a blind date, having been introduced by mutual friends. That was when Catherine (née Keating) was training to be a nurse at St Vincent’s and Brian was an apprentice builder. They got married at Nar Nar Goon Catholic Church in 1976. Their friends also got married in the same year, and they remains friends to this day.
MOMENTS TO CHERISH: Broadford residents Brian and Catherine O’Dwyer mark a milestone.
Broadford has been the couple’s home since 1978.
Brian grew up in the town, and taught at St Mary’s Catholic College, Seymour, for more than 30 years.
Though retired, he has a deep commitment to serve the community, and he remains involved in various local organisations.
Brian is president of the Broadford Residents Action Group. He is also active with the Broadford Men’s Shed and the Broadford Cemetery Trust.
Catherine has spent her working life in the health services field, a link she continues even now. She worked for more than 30 years as a district nurse and post-acute care manager at Seymour Hospital. She continues to volunteer with St Vincent de Paul, supporting older residents in the Broadford and Kilmore areas.
Detailing the secret of their long married life, Brian said: “(It’s) allowing each other to develop our own full potential. Also, having separate interests but common goals. For example, Catherine has travelled more often, while I enjoy woodturning and renovating. In terms of common goals, we are both involved in different ways in our local community and the Catholic church.
“We both enjoy travelling interstate in our caravan, and we love to travel and visit our friends. However, family is the most important thing. In particular, spending time with our large extended families on both sides has been crucial – and this has also had a significant influence on our children and hopefully their views and values.”
Catherine said: “Life was hectic and at times quite chaotic with five children – especially when they were all teenagers, and this presented all sorts of issues and difficulties which we always tried to work out together. We are now retired. Children and grandchildren are all well settled, and life is still busy, but we would not have it any other way.”
The couple’s Catholic faith has been central to their marriage and family life. They have five children — Monica, Bernard, Christopher, Thomas and Erin — and four grandchildren, Oliver, Curtis, Rory and Bridie.
They celebrated the milestone with a quiet family weekend.
MITCHELL Shire Council (MSC) is inviting community feedback on its draft Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2031, now available for public consultation.
Earlier this year, residents, road users and key stakeholders shared their experiences and concerns to help shape the direction of the strategy.
That feedback has informed the development of a draft plan, which is now back out for further community input.
MSC Mayor John Dougall said the draft strategy reflects what the community told council matters most when it comes to road safety.
“We heard clearly from our community that road safety is a shared responsibility,” he said.
“This draft strategy outlines practical actions to improve safety across our road network, from infrastructure upgrades and speed awareness to education and stronger partnerships.
“Our shire is growing and so is the number of people using our roads, footpaths and shared paths. It’s critical that we plan carefully and take a long-term approach to reducing injuries and working towards zero fatalities.”
The draft Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2031 is locked on four priority areas, with safer roads, speeds, people, shared paths and footpaths all identified as priorities.
Cr Dougall encouraged residents to review the draft and provide feedback before it is finalised.
“This is our first dedicated Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, so it’s important we get it right,” he said.
“I encourage everyone, whether you drive, walk, cycle or ride, to take a few minutes to read the draft and tell us if we are on the right track.”
VICTORIANS have been given the green light to collect free firewood for personal use from designated state forest firewood collection areas in the Hume region.
The autumn firewood season began on March 1 and ends on June 30.
Forest Fire Management Victoria Director Forest and Fire Operations Hume region Aaron Kennedy urged collectors to be aware of the fire risk created by chainsaws.
“We understand collectors will use chainsaws but we urge them to do responsibly. One spark from your chainsaw can start a fire, putting yourself and others at risk,” he said.
“It is also essential that you bring additional items such as water or a means to extinguish a fire quickly.”
Mr Kennedy said this included not using the chainsaw on a Total Fire Ban Day and making sure the chainsaw has an effective exhaust and spark arrester.
He encouraged collectors to wear protective gear and to only use equipment they’re trained in, including chainsaws.
“Be aware of the environment around you for the safety of yourself and others,” he said.
”Trees can fall or drop limbs without warning.”
Mr Kennedy said firewood collection areas in fire-affected areas would be opened progressively as crews worked to clear tree hazards.
He urged Victorians to check road closures before travelling to collection areas, and drive only on formed roads.
Rules and penalties
”Within designated collection areas, collectors can collect and cut wood that is on the ground due to natural fall or forest and fire management works. Heavy penalties apply to anyone who cuts down a tree, living or dead.”
Mr Kennedy said wood would be of varying sizes and may not be the same quality as the firewood sold by a commercial cutter.
He said people could only collect a limit of two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.
“Most people do the right thing, collect wood that is already on the ground, take only what they need, and stick to limits and rules,” he said.
Authorised officers patrol state forests and can issue fines of more than $814 to those caught breaking the firewood collection rules. If prosecuted in court more serious offending can result in maximum penalties of $10,175 and/or 12 months in prison.
Officers can also seize chainsaws, trailers, vehicles, and equipment that’s used in the commission of offending.
Information and updates, including maps of collection areas, are available on www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood
Community members can find out more about collecting firewood by calling 136 186. Suspected illegal firewood collection can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
ROMSEY’S growing skate community is set to take the sport to the next level with the completion of the Romsey Lions Park Reserve skate park transformation.
The new skate park comes complete with a bowl, quarter pipe, mini ramp and various hips and corners as well as shade shelters, seating, lighting, landscaping and pathways.
Local skateboarders, scooter riders, BMXers, and others now have a great new base to test their skills at a venue that caters for beginners right up to those with advanced skills.
State Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas joined the local community open day on Sunday, March 2, to celebrate the official opening of the revamped venue, backed by a $950,000 Victorian Government investment.
Ms Thomas said that improved facilities like this make it easier for locals to live active and healthy lifestyles and will breathe new life into youth culture in the town.
“The community asked for this and it’s fantastic for them to have the skate park they deserve. Skaters in Romsey of all ages and abilities now have a place to keep active and enjoy the outdoors,” she said.
“Romsey is home to a passionate community of skaters, and it’s wonderful to see they now have a skate park that meets the needs of people of all ages and abilities.”
Ms Thomas acknowledged Macedon Ranges Shire for its support of the project, the Community Bank for its $225,000 financial contribution, the Romsey Lancefield Lions Club for its $200,000 financial contribution, Newearth Constructions for its more than $31,000 in-kind contribution, and the local community for its involvement in the design and delivery consultation phases.
RESIDENTS were treated to a spectacular lunar eclipse last Tuesday, the last for more than two years.
A partial eclipse began just before 9pm before entering a total eclipse at 10.05pm, lasting for an hour. Locals were still able to observe the event well past midnight as the moon reappeared from earth’s shadow.
Persistent clouds which frustrated some inner-city skygazers threatened to spoil the show but mostly held off until the eclipse was over.
A lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon, occurs when the moon is positioned within the earth’s shadow, blocking most of the sunlight from the surface of the moon.
According to NASA, the red hue that accompanies a lunar eclipse occurs because the colours with shorter wavelengths emitted from the sun such as blues and violets are absorbed more easily when they hit the earth’s atmosphere.
The colours with longer wavelengths like red and orange are the only ones that reach the moon’s surface, hence the distinctive colour.
This will be the last total eclipse until December 31, 2028.
THE old Short Street bridge at Broadford is no more.
From Wandong to Benalla, Inland Rail and construction partner, John Holland, carried out a range of around-the-clock works during a 40-hour shutdown of the Albury line enabling large-scale works, including the demolition of the bridge.
The old Short Street bridge, which crossed the ARTC and V/Line tracks at Broadford, was dismantled and has been replaced with a new higher bridge to provide clearance for double-stacked freight trains.
Using excavators with specialised attachments, 400 tonnes of bridge rubble was removed and recycled.
GONE: The old Short Street bridge at Broadford has been dismantled and replaced with a new higher bridge to provide clearance for double-stacked freight trains.
Piling works continued at Tallarook and drainage and vegetation removal works took place at Seymour as both sites are prepared for track lowers under the Hume Freeway later this year.
Piling pads were constructed at the Marchbanks Road site, batter protection was installed at Hamilton Street in Broadford and detailed survey works were undertaken at Wandong.
Signalling cables were installed and electrical trenching took place at Benalla and work on the new rail bridge over the future Anderson Street underpass continued at Euroa.
Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury Delivery Director, David McGranaghan said: “Another safe and successful track possession has been delivered as planned and the line handed back on time.
“The removal of the Short Street bridge was an important milestone for the team and exciting for Broadford residents as we move closer to fully opening the new bridge.
“We thank the local communities for their patience and understanding while these important works are being completed.
“Track possessions are important for the team to safely complete a large volume of work while trains are suspended.”
THE Kilmore Art Expo is one of the most highly regarded art shows in regional Victoria and this year will be held on April 18 and 19. Importantly for artists, submissions for entry to the Expo close at midnight on Sunday, March 15.
The Expo is well known for exhibiting quality artwork and for having a wide and generous range of awards across many categories. There is $8500 in total prizes and awards in various categories, including paintings, digital art, sculpture and photography.
Adult artists need to apply through the new administration group, Gallery 247, which can be found on www.gallery247.com.au. Just log in and check out Kilmore Art Expo in the ‘Artist Alerts’ section to see the key dates, conditions of entry and sale, as well as when and how to submit your work. Whilst you are there, you will be able to submit your entry on line, but if you need help, please contact Kilmore Art Society by email kilmoreartsocietyinc@gmail.com
As an artist, you might be just starting out, be an established artist, or somewhere in between, but if you are over six years of age and working in painting, photography, sculpture or digital art, you are encouraged to exhibit at the Kilmore Art Expo.
The Kilmore Art Expo offers a unique opportunity for young talent to gain exposure and encouragement, to build confidence, and have a possible sale of your creation as an added bonus.
Total Youth Prizes are in excess of $850, sponsored by Metro Freight Lines. Also the opportunity is there to win the People’s Choice Award, valued at $400 and other prizes including Developing Youth Artist and Youth Encouragement awards. A special Youth Awards Presentation will be held on Sunday, April 19 at 11am.
The show is dedicating valued space in the show to exhibit artworks from young artists. If you are 6–18 years, you can download an entry form from the Kilmore Art Expo website on http://www.kilmoreartexpo.com.au
This is a conventional paper entry form which you can scan and return. Any queries phone Denise Daday 0400 685 144 or email kilmoreartsocietyinc@gmail.com
This is the 18th Kilmore Art Expo, a joint venture between the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell and the Kilmore Art Society Inc. We encourage involvement by the whole community to view, enjoy and purchase the artwork over the weekend.
Preview Night is on Friday, April 17 from 6.30pm and opens the exhibition. See the award-winning art, meet the artists and enjoy live music, food, drinks and enjoyable company. Exhibition hours are 10am–4pm on Saturday, April 18 and 10am–3.30pm on Sunday, April 19.
A variety of delicious light food is on offer for lunch, or just buy a glass of wine to drink while you peruse the displays.
THE first senior premierships have been handed out in the Gisborne District Cricket Association for 2026, with Broadford in the thick of things.
Broadford took on warm favourite Malmsbury Green in the final of the Club Grade North competition, but made a mockery of that status by taking a comfortable 62 run win at the Malmsbury Sports Ground.
It was a day to remember for Broadford captain Aaron Culpin, who scored an unbeaten 52 to help guide Broadford to 6/154, before cutting his way through the Malmsbury middle order to take 4/36 in a clear best on ground performance, with Malmsbury Green bowled out for 92.
Martin Egan also contributed heavily with 3/15.
McINTYRE CUP
Meantime, in McIntyre Cup, Broadford and Wallan’s status in the competition is on the line next week, with Wallan needing a further 139 runs to stay up, while Broadford need six wickets.
RUN HUNTING: Jake Zerella looks to give Broadford a platform in its match against Wallan.
Sikander Sharma picked a handy time to score 43, while Joshua Nolan added 30 as Broadford made 168.
Joshua Mullavey-Clark and Scott O’Donnell took three wickets each, while Hamish Mullavey-Clark and Steven Bell took two wickets apiece.
Matthew Clayton was aggressive early for Wallan as he made 15, but Taylor Shell changed the game with 2/1 off four overs to help leave Wallan 4/30 at the end of the day.
BIG WICKET: Wallan celebrates a wicket in the early stages of its match against Broadford.
Romsey will need to chase 291 next week against Woodend.
Aaron Paterson and Louis Moor took three wickets apiece, but could not stop Marcus Stewart from scoring 100 as Woodend finished on 290.
JOHNSTONE SHIELD
Despite losing in Johnstone Shield, Kilmore will make the finals courtesy of Harkness’ 35-run win over East Sunbury.
Kilmore, for its part, lost by four wickets to Sunbury Kangaroos.
Dale Tassone scored 46 and Rhys Quinert 42 as the Blues made 143, but despite four bowlers taking wickets for the Blues, the Kangaroos were too strong in scoring 6/146 to finish third.
The Blues take on the undefeated Eastern Hill next week, who have its tails up after winning by 131 runs over Eynesbury.
Dean Fulco’s 89 single-handedly guided the Eagles to 8/198, before Benjamin Bryant took 4/13, Tim Rudd-Schmidt 3/3 and Nathan Fowler 3/35 as Eynesbury’s efforts was done in 24 overs, bowled for 67.
Lancefield’s first season in Johnstone Shield ended with a five-wicket defeat to Diggers Rest Bulla Village.
Lachlan Mitchell scored 44 and Mitch McLean scored 25 to help the Tigers score 149, but despite Andrew Richardt’s 3/30, Diggers Rest chased down the target to score 5/150.
LOWER GRADES
In McIntyre Cup Seconds, Wallan utilised a hattrick from Darby Bishop and a big innings from Bradley Regan to end its season on a positive note, defeating Broadford by eight wickets.
Broadford started strongly through good innings’ from Connor Stute (24), Cody Ball (27) and Samraat Sharma (66) but were reeled back in through Ben Funnell, who took 3/24, before Bishop’s hattrick late in the piece ensured Broadford would score 9/160 as part of his 3/25.
Regan then played a whirlwind innings, scoring 92 off 63 deliveries, combining with Troy Jeffs, who scored 32, to win easily, with Wallan scoring 2/164.
Romsey was no match for Woodend, losing by 63 runs.
Set 171 for victory, Matthew Hoyt performed strongly in scoring 56 runs, but he had no one else go with him as Romsey was bowled out for 107.
Earlier, Hoyt also took 2/27, while Chris Marienfeld took 2/29.
The highlight of the final round of Johnstone Shield was a dramatic tie between Eastern Hill and Eynesbury which allowed the minor premiership to go Eastern Hill’s way.
Batting first, it was Peter Speechley’s 46 which allowed Eastern Hill to set 6/164, before looking in great shape to have Eynesbury 4/22.
However, some good middle order hitting brought Eynesbury back into the game, and Eynesbury needed a two off the last ball to win, and one to tie.
Eynesbury scored a single, meaning it missed out on the minor premiership by just one point.
Kilmore finished its season on a positive note, defeating Sunbury Kangaroos by seven wickets.
Zac Osmond and Mathew Isles took two wickets apiece to help restrict Sunbury to 8/129, before Rohan Audehm scored 43 runs, and Travis Hede 31, to set the foundation for Kilmore to chase down the target easily, doing so in just 24.2 overs, scoring 3/131.
A tough season for Lancefield ended with a seven-wicket loss to Diggers Rest Bulla Village.
The Tigers had few winners batting first, with Josef Moro top-scoring with 17 in their 70, but despite Samuel Taylor’s 2/17, couldn’t make inroads with the ball, with Diggers’ finishing on 3/76.
Meantime, the Jensen Shield premierships went to Riddell and Melton South respectively.
THE final round of the Seymour District Cricket Association delivered plenty of drama, giving punters a tasty curtain-call before finals.
Alexandra took a dramatic smash-and-grab victory over Seymour to knock Pyalong out of the finals, who were powerless to do anything with the final-round bye.
It looked as though Seymour would have a comfortable afternoon early on as Brodey Pointon was chief destroyer in the early overs, taking three wickets to leave Alexandra on 3/24.
But Alex’s middle order was able to come to the fore, and from there, piled on the runs as they made 7/200 in 45 overs.
Pointon took 3/39, while Lachlan Drummond took 2/16.
Seymour was looking for good form ahead of the finals, but while Cameron Evans hit 59 runs, the rest of the Seymour batting lineup could not go with him.
The Mores were eventually bowled out for 139, losing by 61 runs.
Tallarook warmed up for finals by comfortably accounting for third-placed Yea.
As ever, it was an even bowling performance from the Tallarook bowlers which helped get it on top, with Tarkyn Dundon taking 3/19, Lachlan Watts 3/30 and Blake Munari-O’Dwyer 2/27 to bowl Yea out for 100.
Watts did it all as he then went on to score 53 off 37 deliveries, helped out by Hamish Melville’s 27 to get the job done easily, scoring 1/101.
Puckapunyal ended its season with an eight-wicket loss to Avenel, condemned to the wooden spoon.
An exceptional performance from Jackson Say kept Puckapunyal in the game, scoring 81 off 96 deliveries to help Pucka score 136, before taking 2/29.
However, Avenel got it done easily, scoring 2/137 off just 27 overs.
In B grade, Puckapunyal missed out on a shot at the minor premiership with a 100-run loss to Avenel.
Pucka could not stop Avenel, who was determined to try to make the finals in an ultimately futile bid, from scoring 7/166 batting first. Benjamin Kingston led the way with 2/23 off seven overs.
Kingston top scored with 16, but Pucka was overwhelmed by the Swans’ bowling attack to be bowled out for 66 in a wake-up call before finals.
Despite getting bowled out for 80, Tallarook recorded a 58-run win over Yea.
It was a bowlers’ paradise at Yea, with David McCullough top-scoring for Tallarook with 13, while the 22 extras provided the most runs for Tallarook.
However, the men in red and blue had a strong bowling attack, with Finn Melville taking 4/7 and Samuel Manchester a remarkable 3/0 off six overs to bowl Yea out for 22.
Seymour’s season ended with a seven-wicket loss to Alexandra.
Batting first, Seymour made 9/87 off 35 overs, with Harvey Smith top scoring with 21.
Smith also bowled strongly to lead the way for the Maroons, taking 2/31 off five overs, but Alexandra did it comfortably to finish with 3/91.
The first round of finals in A grade sees Tallarook host Alexandra, while Seymour will host Yea. In B grade, Tallarook and Pyalong will play at Yea, while Puckapunyal will host Alexandra.
