Sports hub funding snub

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September 22, 2020

By Jackson Russell

Funding for the $41.4 million Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct has been thrown a curve ball with the Federal Government delaying a commitment.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell has called on the government to commit $10 million to fund the completion.

The project has been jointly funded by Macedon Ranges Shire Council, $10.7 million; the State Government $11.6 million; and AFL Victoria $100,000; but has had to progress in stages due to lack of federal funding.

The precinct’s concept design was released by council last month and work on the first stage of construction will be able to proceed with the current funding.

After writing to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Mr Mitchell said he received a response saying ‘not now’.

“The minister says he understands the significance of the project to the local community, but in the next breath says the council should just apply again later because there are no grants programs now open in his department,” Mr Mitchell said.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow when the minister tells us his government ‘is committed to fast-tracking projects’ but then ignores this project. All the support it’s garnered and all the work that has already been done to get it up.”

Mr Mitchell said the government had already rejected the project for funding through the Building Better Regions Fund.

“It’s the biggest kick in the guts to all those who’ve already put their heart and soul into getting this project for our community,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Deputy Prime Minister said federal grants programs were highly competitive and 163 projects received funding through the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund, which focused on drought-affected communities.

“Building Better Regions round four elicited 544 applications seeking more than $886 million; well in excess of the available round funding of $207 million. Unfortunately, this means not all projects could be funded,” the spokesperson said.

“Detailed feedback is offered to unsuccessful organisations on their applications, which may assist them to prepare for any future grant applications.

“While no regional grant programs are currently open for applications, proponents are encouraged to monitor the GrantConnect website for future opportunities.”

Council’s director of assets and operations Shane Walden said council unsuccessfully applied for funding through the third round of the Building Better Regions Fund and was ineligible for the latest round.

“Council understands there are always many more requests for federal funding for projects throughout the country than there is funding available,” he said.

“However, council continues to advocate strongly for funding for this important project and we continue to have conversations with various federal ministers and senators to ensure that our project is front of mind when the correct funding opportunity becomes available.

“Council officers are also continuing to monitor grant funding streams to ensure that all funding opportunities are identified.”

Select sports enjoy eased restrictions

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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By Jackson Russell

With regional Victoria now in step three COVID-19 restrictions, selected Mitchell Shire clubs and associations will return to play in a way never before experienced.

Tennis, bowls and golf are able to resume play as outdoor non-contact sports, while basketball is more heavily restricted as it is considered an indoor contact sport.

Tennis Australia updated its community tennis guidelines on Thursday, allowing singles and doubles play, competition tennis and group coaching for up to 10 participants with restrictions on spectators and the use of facilities.

While bowls clubs were allowed to have 10 players on their greens for social play throughout stage-three restrictions, competitive play is now allowed with as many players as it takes to play a game.

Broadford Bowling Club president Jim Hinchcliffe said the club hoped to start competitive pennant play around November, but wanted to get more members to play social bowls after receiving permission from council for its return to play plan.

“That’s tentative and we’ve got to rely on what restrictions are at the time. Hopefully we can get two rounds in before Christmas,” he said.

“What we do want to do is we have club games and state championship games that need to be played by a certain time.

“It will take a month to get it organised so we wouldn’t look at playing any competitions until November.”

Golf courses have had their restrictions eased, with club competitions now allowed and groups increased from two to four, but face coverings must still be worn unless puffing or breathing heavily.

Golf clubs are also allowed to reopen their practice facilities and hire out buggies, carts and range balls, provided all equipment is thoroughly cleaned .

Kilmore Golf Club president Bea Lay said the changes helped a lot of members, but about one-fifth of the club’s members were not allowed to leave Melbourne to play.

“We’ve had short-term members join and many decided to stay on and become full members until the end of the March so we’ve got a lot of young members now which is good,” she said.

“Now with where we are, we can also start the junior golf program again.”
Wallan Basketball is unfortunately one of the few organisations to not benefit from the move to step three, with basketball limited to only outdoor training for adults and children.

With no basketball able to be played at present, both domestic and representative, the club has started preparations for the 2021 representative season.

President Gary O’Brien said there was a degree of frustration with not being able to play, but he could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

“There’s two dimensions to me: we’ve taken a year of fun from kids and a year of development from elite pathways,” he said.

“It’s going to take a long time to recover.

“On the positive, there was a small window where country associations started to open up and take registrations for 2021 and were only seeing a 10 per cent drop off and some even saw a rise so the love of the sport is still there.”

Cricket’s back, but restricted

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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By Jackson Russell

Cricket is set to return to regional Victoria after Cricket Victoria released its return to train and play plan on Friday.

Cricket Victoria has provided clubs with a 25-page document that spells out the necessary protocols for clubs to adhere to when training and playing with the slogan ‘Get in. Play. Get out.’.

Protocols include no sharing of equipment, including bats and helmets; and sanitising balls every 10 overs and when touched by someone other than a player, and leaving them at the base of the stumps between overs or after a wicket.

Players will also not be permitted to come together on the field and must observe the 1.5 metre social distancing rule where possible.

Gisborne and District Cricket Association has set Saturday, October 17 as its start date while Seymour District Cricket Association is hoping to commence before the end of October as it waits on clubs to receive council approval on COVID-safe plans.

With clubs split between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne, the GDCA will begin its season with four rounds of one-day friendly matches between regional clubs, before teams from Hume and Melton councils are permitted to play when Melbourne moves to step three restrictions.

GDCA president Rob McIntyre said it was important the association had some form of competition while waiting for eased restrictions in Melbourne.

“Players are desperate to play sport after being starved of community competition for the past six months,” he said.

“Our clubs have already seen increased interest in people wanting to play cricket and this is reflected in the 73 senior teams nominated for this season, up from 66 last season”.

McIntyre said the association reduced its affiliation fees to help clubs struggling financially.

“The current guidelines restrict players from using change rooms and limit access to social facilities which will impact heavily on club revenue,” he said.

“Clubs will also see a potential loss of sponsorship as local businesses struggle financially. With this in mind, the association has significantly reduced its club affiliation fees to ensure clubs can survive during this period.”

The SDCA is taking a more careful approach, waiting on clubs to receive council permission to begin training and playing, as per Cricket Victoria’s plan, before setting a definitive date for the season to start.

SDCA president Ben Trezise said the association wanted to start as soon as possible and it would do all it could to assist clubs.

“With our competitions, we’ve got clubs in three different councils, Mitchell, Murrindindi and Strathbogie,” he said.

“I don’t see any problems with the council side of it but clubs will have to comply with all those measures.

“We’d like to think we could give clubs four or five weeks to get the plans in place and then they have to start preparing wickets and getting numbers.”

Trezise said two aspects of the guidelines which most restricted clubs were not allowing players from metropolitan Melbourne to play in regional Victoria and a ban on the use of ovals on school grounds.

“Because our clubs are so close to Melbourne, we’re the closest regional competition, a lot of our clubs rely on players that live in Melbourne so those guys can’t travel outside the ring of steel,” he said.

“Poor Broadford, their president lives in Melbourne and one of the parameters is we can’t use school grounds so they can’t use the high school oval.

“A couple years ago, they re-did their wicket and didn’t have a ground but got around it so they’re pretty resourceful but with them having two C Grade teams it does make it a bit hard.”

Pubs welcome back patrons

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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By Jackson Russell

Mitchell Shire’s pubs, clubs and cafes reopened their doors for the first time last week, since being forced to close when stage three COVID-19 restrictions were reintroduced on July 8.

The re-opening comes after regional Victoria moved to the third step on the roadmap out of restrictions on Thursday.

Under the third step, hospitality businesses can have up to 50 patrons seated outdoors and 20 seated indoors across a maximum of two spaces.

Hogan’s Hotel in Wallan was one of the shire’s busiest venues, opening for lunch and dinner all weekend.

General manager Darren Freestone said the pub was overwhelmed with the amount of people trying to book a table.

“It was good, people were coming through the doors all day all weekend. We’ve got limited spots inside, we can seat 20 inside, but it was really good,” he said.

“I think that face-to-face is what people have enjoyed and being able to catch up and have a chat with each other. It was definitely a nice start to the trade again really, just seeing people happy.

“It was a sigh of relief for myself but [it was great] just to get that trade through and for the staff to feel as though we’re moving in the right direction.”

Mr Freestone estimated Hogan’s Hotel would have served up to 100 people each dinner service and only slightly less at each lunch service.

“Hopefully things keep going in the right direction and not too long we’ll be able to get customers in the door like we were in stage two,” he said.

Kilmore Trackside was also completely booked, with the venue full for dinner on Friday and Saturday night and for lunch on Sunday, each with two sittings.

Venue manager Emily Milwain said the venue would have served close to 140 people each night.

“The minute we knew we were allowed to open up when we could, the phone started ringing about 8.30 the next morning,” she said.

“When people did turn up to dine in, you could feel this warm buzz and atmosphere in the dining room where people were happy to be out. It was so beautiful. It was a really lovely feeling.”

Ms Milwain said one of the more challenging aspects of reopening was having to turn customers away.

“Keeping bookings to the restriction numbers has also been difficult and making sure the seating is appropriately distanced is something that we’re really cautious of,” she said.

“We’re ensuring people are compliant by wearing their face masks and making sure that we’re socially distancing as patrons and staff… that’s been difficult because you just want to give them all a hug and welcome them back.

“I think people know that we’re really across the restrictions and we take all that stuff seriously. Their safety and the safety of my staff is my highest priority and I think the community knowing that has helped ease their concerns when it comes to choosing our venue to dine out.”

Community assets a focus for Neal

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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Former Wallan Football Netball Club president Neal Langborne believes he will provide a fresh voice if his bid to join Mitchell Shire Council is successful.

Mr Langborne, a Wallan resident for more than 30 years, will stand as a candidate in the south ward in the October local government election.

As a small business owner and having raised his family of four daughters in Wallan, he is a familiar face to many in the town.

Mr Langborne is keen to help businesses prosper across the south ward.

“In 1991, I started N and K Electrical and since then have provided apprenticeships to more than 15 young men in our community,” he said.

“I would like to encourage businesses to set up in the area to create jobs for our youth.

“I hope to bring a fresh voice for the south ward to negotiate with other councillors to improve local infrastructure, parks and amenities for all south ward residents to enjoy.”

Mr Langborne said council rates and the services council provided to residents were a priority.

“I hear a lot of residents complaining about what they get for their rates, and that Mitchell Shire rates are among the highest in the state, based on valuations. Some residents’ rates have gone up by up to 30 per cent in the past five years,” he said.

“While our country lifestyle is great, some people can’t afford to live here, especially with the economic effects of COVID-19.”

Mr Langborne said community facilities and infrastructure in Wallan and Beveridge were key issues.

He said funding for an outdoor pool, streetscapes and footpaths were a priority.
This is the second time Mr Langborne has stood as a candidate in the council elections.

“I ran at the last election four years ago. I nominated with limited marketing budget to see if there were like-minded people and I was pleasantly surprised with the support I received,” he said.

“I received approximately 15 per cent of the vote, missing out by less than 200 votes with two other candidates.

“I have developed great people skills and I care what we will look like in 10 years. The once small towns of Wallan and Beveridge need somebody to put us first.”

Mr Langborne’s association with Wallan began in 1980, when he joined his uncle John to play football for Wallan.

His love for the area grew, and in 1986, he and his wife Kay moved to Wallan, joining the committee of the football club soon after, and then becoming involved in various sports.

Mr Langborne has been board member of the Greenhill Social Club since 1991, becoming president in 2010 – a role he is still serving in.

The Wallan Football Netball Club life member was also involved in the Greenhill Committee of Management.

“I have watched our town grow from a small village to a thriving community of nearly 15,000 in the south ward,” he said.

“I have worked alongside the member clubs and council to improve the facilities in Wallan.

“If elected to represent the south ward of the Mitchell Shire, I will fight hard to obtain a more equitable share of funding to provide infrastructure and amenities for all.

“Your concerns will be my concerns.”

SES urges people to be flood ready

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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By Colin MacGillivray

THE Victoria State Emergency Service, VICSES, has called for people to be flood ready as a potentially wet spring arrives.

The Bureau of Meteorology recently released data indicating La Niña weather was likely to bring heavy spring rains and a higher risk of floods in parts of Victoria.

VICSES officials said the service’s north east region, which encompasses Mitchell Shire and stretches east and north to the Murray River, was particularly susceptible to flooding.

Mr Payn said people could find simple steps for getting flood ready on the VICSES website.

“Flood risk from late September into October gives us some time to get flood ready, to find out the flood risk for our homes, farms and businesses right across the North East region,” he said.

“Some areas are prone to less predictable and very dangerous flash flooding, which can happen quickly and with little warning, like homes on high ground and freeways.

“Flash floods can be very deep, rise quickly and move fast, so you need to keep away from trees, drains, culverts and stay off the road during flash flooding to keep you and your family safe.

“Leaving early is always the safest flood option, so planning to move people, animals and equipment to that safer place needs to be worked out now – not when floodwater is already rising.”

VICSES Seymour Unit controller Christine Welsh said her unit was collaborating with Mitchell Shire Council to disseminate flood information.

“Mitchell Shire and our unit are getting together very shortly to start putting out some information for people,” she said.

“SES has already got a heap of information and we’re looking at posting something at least once a week to let people know to clean out their gutters and things like that.”

Ms Welsh said the Seymour area was particularly at risk of flooding, and said people needed to be aware of areas where roads could flood.

“Places like Deltite Road, Sugarloaf Creek and Ashes Bridge Road are all at risk of flooding,” she said.

“We’ve got the Goulburn River, we’ve got Sunday Creek, we’ve got Whiteheads Creek – we’ve got quite a few creeks and rivers that meet around the Seymour area.

“If one floods it’s not too bad, but if they all come up at the same time that’s when we tend to have the majority of our issues.”

Ms Welsh said there were several simple steps people could take to get flood ready.

“It’s also important to be aware that with a potential La Niña alert and the Indian Ocean dipole being in negative, the last time that happened was 2010-11, and we got a lot of flooding in that time,” she said.

“With rain and storms, make sure your gutters are cleaned out so the water doesn’t build up in your gutters and go inside your house – that’s a big one.

“Make sure things are tied down in storms, and don’t drive through flood water – that’s always bad.

“Just be ready. Know the numbers to call if you need to. Call 132 500 if you need assistance.”

Ms Welsh said the group would also advise Seymour residents of sandbag collection points when severe weather warnings were in effect.

No luck for gyms

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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By Jackson Russell

Gym owners have been left confused after being suddenly told they were unable to reopen when regional Victoria moved to the third step of the State Government’s roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions.

When the roadmap was first announced, gyms and other indoor physical recreation facilities were able to open in the third step but were ‘heavily restricted’.

However, when Premier Daniel Andrews announced the move to step three, he revealed gyms would remain closed due to data that showed a higher risk of transmission in gyms.

While indoor gyms are shut, the businesses are still able to host outdoor classes for up to 10 people or have staff on-site to record to stream online classes.

Totally Fit Gym in Wallan and OzzFit 24/7 in Kilmore are two Mitchell Shire facilities heavily affected by the announcement.

Totally Fit Gym owner Kieran Atkin said gyms were one of the most hygienic workplaces possible and used by people for the benefit of their mental health, as well as physical.

“I would question where that data came from because there hasn’t been a single cluster Australia-wide in gyms,” he said.

“We have a COVID safe plan we implemented after the first lockdown and it’s really cruel for the government to tell us we’re able to open then tell us that we can’t again without warning.

“Gyms aren’t just for people who are extremely fit, people do their rehab after accidents and injuries, and it’s a stress relief, and now it’s been taken away from people without explanation.”

OzzFit 24/7 owner Shannon Downey, who is also a founding member of fitness industry lobby group VicActive, said the announcement was a ‘significant dagger into the heart of gym owners’.

“We’re heartbroken but we’re not surprised because during the whole period the rules have changed on a whim,” he said.

“We’ve asked and requested from [Chief health officer Brett] Sutton the referenced data that gave them the thought to give the directive that gyms are a highly-transmissible space.”

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there has been one outbreak in Victorian gyms, which has 27 cases linked to it.

A DHHS spokesperson said gyms remained closed because the nature of working out carried a high risk of transmission, due to sweat and heavy breathing as well as shared equipment, and gyms were scheduled to open in the ‘last step’ which would not happen before November 23.

“We understand everyone is making huge sacrifices and the closure of gyms have been difficult, but this strategy is working and we are driving cases down,” the spokesperson said.

“The mental health and wellbeing of Victorians has always been our priority – we know how tough 2020 has been for the community and recognise that the mental health effects could long outlast the global pandemic.

“This is why we’ve invested nearly $200 million in additional mental health support to help meet demand and ensure Victorians get the care they need, during and well beyond the coronavirus pandemic.”

Minister for Business Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said the ‘heavily restricted’ conditions on gyms were still to be determined when he met with industry association Fitness Australia prior to the announcement.

“Ultimately, the public health advice defined heavily restricted in step three for regional Victoria as outdoor operations only,” he said.

“The Premier has made it clear that step three restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne may not necessarily be the same as those that apply currently to regional Victoria – this will depend on our level of success in reducing the rate of infection in the community.

“We will continue to consult with the industry and have facilitated a meeting between Fitness Australia and deputy chief health officer Allen Cheng for next week.”

Song to raise money for mental health

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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ELECTRONIC music producer Corey Courts, better known as Justflow Music, was inspired to raise money for mental health awareness through his music.

Mr Courts, who grew up in Kilmore and currently resides in Albury, NSW, released a song called ‘Seems Like Forever’, dedicated solely to raise funds and support people suffering mental health problems.

“After having times in my life where I suffered myself from this illness and understanding how it affects one,” he said.

“I wanted to use my platforms to show everyone else suffering from this illness that there are people that care and want to help.”

For every 100 views his song gets, Mr Courts will donate $1 to the Black Dog Institute.

The Black Dog Institute is a medical research institute focused on investigating mental health across the lifespan and aims to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.

“The track is currently sitting at 33,000 plays in within 10 days of release,” he said.

“The total views will be calculated on October 19, which will then be followed with my donation with my own money.

“I will also be using my platforms on that day to raise any extra money people want to add before I make my final donation.

“I cannot put a number on what I think will be raised because each day could surprise me with anything, but I won’t be taking any breaks until October 19 so we can raise as much as possible.”

The music producer said he was inspired to create the song after he realised how much people were struggling with 2020.

“This whole project started a few months ago. I began to realise a lot of people around me were feeling extremely down, not their normal selves because of the situations we are facing in 2020,” he said.

“Any moment in my life that leads to good or bad emotions goes into my music. This song started based around these times, where mental health is affecting a lot of people – not only in this country but around the world.

“I’m hoping that this can lead to greater things…other music producers and influencers using their platforms to make a change. This is me doing my part to help mental health.”

Follow the links to listen to ‘Seems Like Forever’ on YouTube or soundcloud, and to donate to The Black Dog Institute, visit www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Charges laid over Whittlesea kidnapping

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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A DOREEN woman and two men from Warburton and Lilydale will face court in December charged with kidnapping a Whittlesea woman in July.

The trio allegedly kidnapped the woman from a Whittlesea property at about 10.30pm on July 29.

Police allege they forced open the door of the property and overpowered the woman before tying her, blindfolding her and forcing her into the boot of a car.

Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Liam O’Connor said the woman was later able to untie herself and escape the vehicle after it had left the property.

Det Sgt O’Connor said the crime was serious and unusual for the Whittlesea area.

“It is a disturbing type of crime. It’s a high-level crime. Under the Bail Act, it is a schedule one crime,” he said.

“It’s absolutely unusual for the area. This is the first case like this I can think of in the two years I’ve been here. They’re not common crimes.”

The two men, a 24-year-old from Warburton and an 18-year-old from Lilydale, were remanded in custody, while the Doreen woman, 36, was bailed.

The trio is set to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with aggravated home invasion and kidnapping on December 8.

JobKeeper cuts set to hurt McEwen

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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NEW data reveals about 19,000 workers in McEwen could be worse off and almost $17 million will be taken out of the electorate’s economy each fortnight if the Federal Government proceeds with its cuts to JobKeeper at the end this month.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said with nearly one million Australians unemployed and unemployment expected to increase, it made no sense for the government to withdraw support without a comprehensive jobs plan to replace it.

Mr Mitchell said an estimated 5000 businesses in McEwen would be impacted by the cuts, planned to start on September 28.

JobKeeper will introduce a two-tiered system, with full-time workers to receive $1200 and part-time employees $750 a fortnight. It was previously $1500 a fortnight for all workers whose employers were eligible.

He warned the cuts would make the recession worse.

“Scott Morrison should reconsider his cuts to JobKeeper which are coming at the worst possible time for many workers, businesses and communities who are relying on it,” Mr Mitchell said.

“From next Monday, cuts and changes to the JobKeeper scheme will see local businesses and workers lose access completely, while others will have their payments slashed by between $300 and $750 per fortnight,” he said.

“The premature withdrawal of JobKeeper support follows the Morrison Government’s decision to exclude millions of workers from the program, including over one million casual workers.

“In recent days, concerns around compliance with JobKeeper’s rules by some businesses have surfaced, with 8000 tip-offs reported to the Australian Tax Office – many concerning deliberate underpayments of the wage subsidies.

“JobKeeper’s potential to do so much good and help protect Australians in the depths of this recession is being cruelled by Scott Morrison’s botched implantation, poor compliance enforcement, and premature cuts.

“The recession will be deeper and the unemployment queues will be longer because Scott Morrison is pulling support from the economy too soon and because he doesn’t have a plan for jobs.

“Our community needs and deserves a comprehensive jobs plan to set us up for the recovery and the future.”