Historic launch for SDCA

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December 2, 2025

THE Seymour District Cricket Association (SDCA) is thrilled to announce the launch of its first-ever All Girls Cricket League, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at inspiring more female participation in cricket across the region.

The competition will kick off at Puckapunyal on Wednesday, December 3, with six action-packed rounds scheduled over the first three Wednesdays of December and February.

The league will feature four teams: Puckapunyal, Tallarook, Yea, and a composite SDCA All Stars team.

In an exciting twist, all games will be played simultaneously, ensuring a fast-paced and engaging experience for players and spectators alike.

Matches will follow the popular Master Blaster format, using a soft ball to keep the focus on fun, inclusivity and skill development. The 12 over a side games will see every player bat in a pair for four overs and bowl two overs each. Double runs are on offer in a Power Play Zone and players hit the ball of a tee following a wide or no ball.

This format emphasizes teamwork, fast scoring and continuous action, making it perfect for introducing new players to the game while keeping the intensity high.

“This is a historic moment for the SDCA,” SDCA President Mitch Itter said.

“Our All Girls League is just the beginning of our commitment to growing female participation in cricket.

“We’re incredibly excited to see these young athletes take to the field, develop their skills, and build a lifelong love for the game.”

“It’s all about having fun while learning the fundamentals.

“Master Blaster cricket allows everyone to be involved, and the energy around this league is already electric.

“We can’t wait to see the competition unfold over December and February.”

The SDCA is encouraging any girls interested in playing to contact their local cricket club or SDCA president Mitch Itter directly at pres.sdca@gmail.com.

With this inaugural season, the association hopes to lay the foundation for a vibrant, long-term pathway for girls in cricket across the region.

Big wet slows down cricket

Michael Thompson

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December 2, 2025

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ONLY a handful of games could be completed across the Gisborne District Cricket Association on the weekend.

McIntyre Cup

Broadford was unable to take advantage on the field, rolled for 110 against Romsey, and will return on Saturday leading by 28 runs, but needing seven wickets.

After losing a wicket with the third ball of the day through Samraat Sharma, Riley Nolan helped steady the innings with 33, while Jake Zerella scored 35, but it was not enough as Romsey opening bowler Louis Moore did the damage by taking 4/11 off nine overs.

In response, Broadford got off to a good start with the ball, with Matthew Hoyt and Benjamin Way falling quickly to leave Romsey 2/11, but Thomas Boyer’s 20, Corey Day’s 29 and Jed Richardson’s 21 helped Romsey settle, and they will begin day two on 3/82.

Wallan’s match with Sunbury United will be converted into a one-dayer, with no action on day one.

Johnstone Shield

In Johnstone Shield, some late hitting allowed Kilmore to make 190 against East Sunbury.

Five batsmen scored above 20 runs, led by Rhys Quinert who made a fighting 34, while Josh Squire provided valuable lower order hitting with 32.

Meantime, Eastern Hill quickly dispatched of Lancefield to score first innings points.

Save for Mitch McLean’s 46, the Tigers were no match for the Eagles in their first innings, with Oscar Newell taking 4/7 off six overs, Benjamin Bryant 3/20 off 15 overs and Fraser Lewis 2/20.

Eastern Hill will return next week seeking an outright victory, sitting on 3/104 with Oscar Newell 33 not out and Ollie Bryant unbeaten on 30.

Kookaburra Women’s

Only Lancefield took part across the weekend, with Kilmore forfeiting against Wallan in A grade, while Broadford’s match against Melton Centrals was abandoned.

Lancefield Black fell to Bacchus Marsh by 42 runs, with Bacchus Marsh batting first and scoring 2/135.

In response, Ebony Penny led the Tigers with 32 runs to leave them 4/93.

In B grade, Lancefield Yellow held on for a four-run victory.

Batting first, Emily Consiglio’s 53 helped the Tigers make 4/120, before a tense run chase saw the Thunder give it a good run, but eventually finish on 4/116, with Olivia Goodes leading the way for the Tigers with 2/21.

McIntyre Cup Seconds

Wallan’s McIntyre Cup seconds’ team will begin day two on 6/121 against Sunbury United at home, with Zac Bell an anchor at the top of the order after falling to 2/0, scoring 51, while Bradley Regan will begin unbeaten on 39.

Broadford and Romsey’s match at Harley Hammond Reserve was washed out on day one.

Johnstone Shield Seconds

Brayden Speechley’s unbeaten 103 was a highlight of Eastern Hill’s 5/374 against Lancefield, while Richard Grant scored 89 off just 49 balls in a whirlwind innings, and Peter Speechley 72 off 57 as the Eagles ran riot across the first 62 overs.

After declaring, Riley Graham took two quick wickets to leave Lancefield sitting on 2/22 at the end of the day’s play.

Kilmore’s seconds match with East Sunbury was washed out.

Lower Grades

Wallan’s Jensen Shield game was washed out with the Magpies sitting on 5/197, with Bhupraj Pangeni earlier making a terrific 97 off just 80 balls.

A number of Jensen Shield games were washed out, including Kilmore and Romsey’s, while Kilmore’s Club Grade game with Eastern Hill was also washed out.

In Club Grade North, Broadford took a five-wicket win over Woodend.

Martin Egan was chief destroyer in claiming 4/12 off seven overs, holding Woodend to 148. Blake Jones scored 43 in getting Broadford home.

Despite a strong top order performance, Wallan fell to Malmsbury by five wickets.

Andrew Bingham and Jason Dodd scored 39 and 34 respectively, but Malmsbury would soon close the gap and restricted Wallan to 5/137, before chasing down the target.

Grants Road closed indefinitely

The North Central Review

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December 2, 2025

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THE City of Whittlesea has temporarily closed Grants Road at the Plenty Road end after significant damage was identified on Thursday, November 20.

Large sections of the road surface have begun to break up, creating a clear safety risk for the community.

The deterioration is the direct result of heavy haul trucks travelling to and from a privately owned property where a large dam is being constructed under a permit issued by Melbourne Water.

Council has already been forced to close other damaged sections of Grants Road, and trucks diverting along the detour route have now caused further deterioration on those areas as well. Residents have reported hundreds of truck movements each day to and from the site.

Under the conditions of the approved Traffic Management Plan, any damage to the road must be repaired. Council is working with the property owner and their contractor to ensure urgent repairs are carried out so the road can be reopened as soon as it is safe.

Council is working closely with Melbourne Water to ensure the responsible parties meet their obligations and that disruptions to residents and local traffic are minimised.

While current laws do not allow Council to prevent trucks from using Grants Road, they are holding those responsible to account and ensuring they undertake the necessary repairs.

Doreen makes a splash

The North Central Review

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December 2, 2025

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CLOUDY skies did nothing to dull the joyous mood as dozens of local families showed up to celebrate the water being turned on at the revamped Hill Top Splash Park and Playground in Doreen.

The City of Whittlesea held the community event on Monday, November 10 to mark the official opening of the park’s new 150 square metre splash pad, which will be the perfect way to beat the heat this summer.

While free ice cream and coffee sweetened the deal, it was the new splash pad and expansive playground delivered as part of the $2.6 million upgrade of the Landano Way Park that proved the main attraction.

Informed by more than 700 individual submissions across two phases of community consultation, the park’s design includes a 150 square metre splash pad featuring jets, misters and water channels.

The playground, which opened to the public in August, includes among its features slides, swings, climbing nets and a trampoline, as well as a dedicated area for younger children to play.

The park also has a strong emphasis on nature play, with logs, boulders and winding paths for children to explore, while there are large picnic shelters and barbecues for family gatherings.

An upgraded car park, new public toilets, accessible paths and surfaces for people with impaired mobility and a Changing Places facility for people with higher needs ensure the park is welcoming to people of all ages and abilities.

The water to the splash pad, which is treated and recycled, will remain on during the warmer months before being switched off over winter.

City of Whittlesea Mayor Councillor Lawrie Cox said it was a great inclusion for the town just in time for summer.

“The upgraded Hill Top Splash Park and Playground in Doreen is a fantastic place where the whole family can go and enjoy quality time together,” he said.

“Visitors to the park have been enjoying the new playground since it opened earlier in the year and now the splash pad is sure to be a hit as the weather warms up.

“This is a wonderful example of how different levels of government can work together to deliver something that will benefit the community for many years to come.

“We thank both the Federal and State Government in helping make this park a success. The local members Rob Mitchell MP and Lauren Kathage MP have been critical to the successful outcome to this project.”

From the Boundary with Ray Carroll – December 2, 2025

Ray Carroll

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December 2, 2025

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ONCE UPON A TIME

A postcard recently of fox hunting near Camperdown in Southwest Victoria was a reminder of times when it was very popular in this area, especially in the Willowmavin area. There used to be quite a few hunt clubs in the region and meetings were regular during winter time. An Irish priest at St Patricks, Father Tim O’Callaghan was one of the key figures involved. The former Carlton football “great” was very keen on the pastime and was a regular participant for many years.

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WHEN IS THE NEXT?

Australia is strongly tipped by most pundits to win the Ashes series now underway. But there are worrying signs for the Australian game. The current side is an ageing one, dubbed “Dad’s Army”, once the name given to England’s teams. The selectors have let the game down in this country by ignoring the fact that there always needs to be transition. Across Australian cricket history each generation has thrown up fine players, some of them truly great. Think of the enormous impact the following names have had – Victor Trumper, Bill Pnsford, Stan McCabe, Don Bradman, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall, Ian and Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Steve Smith.

Cricket in this county desperately needs another champion to emerge. It also requires selectors with some vision.

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Meanwhile Merv Hughes and many former Aussie players have slammed the authorities for selling all the iconic “Bay 13” seats to England’s Barmy Army. This area of the MCG has almost forever been the area filled with passionate Aussie fans. Ian Chappell has called it “despicable”.

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Cigarette sponsorship and advertising has long been banned from sport. Cricket here and in England enjoyed much financial support from the tobacco companies.

The little advertisement shown was from the Daily Mail in England in 1930, the year Don Bradman strode like a colossus through England. Such was his dominance that the top brass at Lord’s over several meetings devised the “bodyline” plan to take Bradman down in Australia in 1932-33. The plan worked in a drama filled series watched by enormous crowds. But Aussie fans were hostile and at Adelaide Oval when captain Bill Woodfull and keeper Bert Oldfield were filled by blows to the heart and head. Things turned really nasty and mounted police ringed the oval to stop angry fans from invading the pitch.

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However, in a recent story renowned sports journo Robert Craddock writes that England captain Douglas Jardine was a “genius” playing by the rules of the time. Jardine (pictured) was revelled by our crowds. Jardine’s Bodyline attack was led by two of the greatest fast bowlers ever, in Nottingham coalminers Harold Larwood and Bill Voce. Herewith is Craddock’s take on Jardine.

Enough is enough – it’s time to stop the sooking.

Australia calls England the land of the whingeing Porns, yet Australia has been whingeing about England’s Bodyline captain for 93 years.

Here are the facts. Jardine was ruthless, uncompromising and contrary, but he also orchestrated the greatest single plan in the history of cricket when he cut in half the greatest force the game had seen – Don Bradman.

Bradman’s career average was 99.94. In Bodyline, where England shamelessly aimed at the batsmen·s bodies with leg-side fields, he averaged just 56.57 as England won the series 4-l.

Brutal? Absolutely. Illegal? No. Not every Australian loathes Jardine. Allan Border called him a “tactical genius”, while Ian Chappell found him “fascinating” and wrote “it wasn’t Jardine’s fault the laws allowed for an exploitation of field placement he made use of’.

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BLOWN AWAY

Australia blew England away in the Perth test in two days. More than 100,000 watched the short and sharp encounter. Travis Head’s blazing century sent the crowd into a frenzy and the Poms packing. At lunch on day 2 England was in control – five hours later they were out – Bazballed.

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R.I.P TWO FINE LADIES

Kilmore residents Maureen Murphy and Jana Harding passed from this life a fortnight ago. Both were fine people, well loved.

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Maureen Murphy was farewelled by a large crowd of family and friends including many former teaching colleagues. She had been a highly regarded teacher at Rosanna and St Patricks Kilmore. Eulogies paid tribute to a much-loved mother and colleague. Maureen was proud of her two sons Greg and Bernard. Greg has for years been a leading figure in Kilmore Fire Brigade. Maureen was laid to rest at Eldorado in Northern Victoria.

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Jana Harding was married to well known identity Bill Harding who predeceased her some years ago. Jana worked for years at Kilmore veterinary clinic. She is survived by daughter Alex and the latter’s several children. Alex was a popular college girls captain at Assumption and during her college time Jana and Bill often hosted ACK sports teams for much appreciated BBQ’s. Jana will be much missed by family and all who knew her.

Just My Opinion with Ian Blyth – December 2, 2025

Ian Blyth

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December 2, 2025

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ON December 10, Victoria’s under-16 social media ban officially begins, hailed by the Federal Government as a bold step to protect young people from the well-documented harms of online platforms. The intentions are good, even overdue. But let’s be honest: a law alone won’t outsmart the most digitally fluent generation this country has ever raised.

Today’s teenagers navigate technology with the ease previous generations reserved for riding a bike. Blocking access on paper is one thing; stopping a determined 14-year-old who can set up a VPN, create a burner account, or borrow an older sibling’s phone is quite another. These kids aren’t just tech-comfortable, they’re tech-creative. If the ban becomes a game of cat and mouse between regulators and teenagers, we already know who’s quickest on their feet.

That’s not to dismiss the policy outright. Any step that slows the flood of harmful content, online bullying, addictive algorithms or predatory behaviour is worth exploring. The psychological toll social media takes on young people is real, measurable and deeply troubling. We can’t shrug and say “that’s just the modern world” while rates of anxiety, body image issues and cyberbullying continue to climb.

But the ban risks becoming a symbolic gesture unless paired with serious, sustained work in the real world, work that involves parents, schools, tech companies and, crucially, the young people themselves.

Parents, for a start, need support. Many feel overwhelmed by a digital landscape they never grew up with, unsure how to monitor, moderate or even understand the platforms their kids are using. Education programs and simple, practical tools will matter far more than another layer of regulation. A parent who knows how to check a device’s privacy settings is more effective than a blanket rule any day.

Schools also have a role: not as digital police, but as digital educators. We teach road safety long before a child sits behind a wheel; we need the same approach to online life. Digital literacy should be as fundamental as English and maths, teaching kids not just how to use technology, but how to navigate risk, think critically and understand the stakes of their online choices.

And tech companies, flush with billions in profit, cannot keep shrugging off responsibility. Age verification that actually works, algorithm transparency, and platforms designed with child safety in mind should be the baseline, not the exception.

The December 10 ban may slow some kids down. But it won’t stop them. The real solution lies not in pretending we can fence off the digital world, but in equipping young people to walk through it safely. Because the truth is simple: if we don’t outsmart the platforms, the platforms will outsmart us, and our kids will be the ones paying the price.

But then, that’s just my opinion.