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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020
In Our Schools Bikes at Dixons Ck
■ Students at Dixons Creek Primary School were permitted to take their bicycles to school last Wednesday (Mar. 4) to ride at recess and lunchtime. Scooters were not allowed as they damage the synthetic grass.
BLACK SPUR CLOSURES Local News Deb Ball on Mar. 28
Athletics Carnival
■ Alexandra secondary College has its Debutante Ball scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at Marysville. The Parents and Friends Committee is requesting donations of food for supper. Donations will need to be dropped off at the College on Friday, March 27, or at the hall in Marysville on Saturday, March 28.
■ The annual Athletics Carnival for Whittlesea Secondary College was scheduled for last Wednesday (Mar. 4). Student Parent Teacher interviews have been set down for Wednesday next week (Mar. 18).
First aid training
■ Staff at St Mary’s Primary School Whittlesea were involved in a full day of first aid training on Monday last week (Mar. 2). Emma Pendlebry, from Club Mandalay, helped coach the St Mary’s swimming squad as they prepared for the Division Swimming Competition.
Susan performed
■ Assumption College Kilmore Parents and Friends arranged a Parents Night Out on Wednesday last week (Mar. 4). Susan O'Neill performed. She is a singer/ songwriter who has had top 10 debut on the official Irish charts with her collaboration with Mick Flannery.
Mystery readers
■ Seymour College has enlisted the assistance of ‘mystery readers’ to present stories to students. Foundation students donned CFA helmets when Mr and Mrs Watson read the story Firetruck to the students. A CFA vehicle came to the College to assist with the experience.
Science classes
■ Yea Primary School Grade 3/4 students worked in teams to test the tensile strength of various materials, as part of their science learnings. Grade 1/2 students used torches to investigate the transparency of various materials to decide which ones would be best to use as a brim on a sunhat. Prep students investigated what happens to different materials when they get wet. They discovered that crepe paper became transparent and plastic didn't change.
Landcare meets
■ Further works are planned for the Maroondah Highway over the Black Spur which will involve a series of closures of the road. Fiona Simpson of VicRoads advises: "We are getting in touch to let you know of an upcoming program of tree removal on the Black Spur. "Following a series of serious incidents, the Department of Transport engaged an independent arborist to asses trees on the Spur and this assessment identified 98 trees need to be removed, while a further 28 have been identified as needing to have large limbs pruned to maintain public safety. "To remove these trees, we need to close the Spur intermittently during March, April and May. “We will need to monitor the progress of the works and advise the community if further stages of tree removal are required. "In coming days we will be distributing [a] flyer to residents and businesses along the Spur and in Marysville, Narbethong and Healesville. “We will also host two community open house events – to answer questions and provide information.
“We understand how important this road is to locals and visitors, and have developed a works program to keep the Spur open Friday – Sunday, in morning and afternoon peaks and during school holidays". Stage one works: The Spur is planned to be closed between 9:30am to 3:30pm on ■ Monday, March 16 to Thursday, March 19 and ■ Monday, March 23 to Thurs., March 26. Stage two works: The Spur is planned to be closed again between 9:30am to 3:30pm on ■ Monday, April 20 to Thursday, April 23 ■ Monday, April 27 to Thursday, April 30 ■ Monday, May 4 to Thursday, May 7 and ■ Monday, May 11 to Thursday, May 14. VicRoads advise that the flyer provides information about environmental care, detours and the upcoming community sessions. For more information, visit www.vicroads. vic.gov.au or call their hotline on 13 11 70. For live traffic updates across the state, follow @VicTraffic on Facebook or Twitter. Local CFA brigades will have response arrangements in place during the closures to deal with increased travel times.
Rail car park works begin
Eildon Book Fair
■ A Book Fair is being held this week at Eildon Primary School. There are hundreds of books from which to choose, and the books can make gifts for any child. The Fair helps pupils discover a love of books and ignite a passion for reading.
SRC at Alexandra
■ Alexandra Secondary College held its first Students’ Representative Council meeting for the year. More than 40 members attended. All members are charged with the role of seeking ideas from and listening to their peers and bringing this to SRC, to aid the continual improvement of the College. There are Year Level meetings every week and these are forums members to report back.
■ Home Creek Spring Creek Landcare Group is conducting an afternoon session on the value of trees. The gathering will be held at the Fawcett Hall, Spring Creek Rd, at 3pm on Sunday, March 22. Two speakers are : ■ Ken Deacon from the Rubicon Forest Protection Group on caring for the Upper Catchment and the implications of Victoria’s logging Industry demise. ■ John Woodley from Farm Forestry Services on planting trees for profit and pleasure. allison.spratt@bigpond.com
Insurance forum
■ A Bushfire Insurance Forum will be held at the Panton Hill Hall, 580 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd, from 7pm-9pm on Thursday, March 26. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies will be Malcolm Hackett, Chair of Valley Community Financial Services, which manages local Bendigo Bank branches. Panel members will include Justin Leonard, Denis Nelthorpe, Rose Zozoulas and Renae Ahern. This is an opportunity for rural and periurban landowners to gain advice from experts in relation to house and property insurance.
Eildon certificates
■ Eildon Fire Brigade last week presented Eildon Community Op Shop’s Faye Cremeen and Veronica Barhand with a Certificate of Appreciation for their ongoing support to the brigade and the community. They generously donated the January takings from the Eildon Community Op Shop, which will go towards the replacement of the Forward Command Vehicle.
Yarra Glen PS Fair
■ Works are beginning to build up to 120 new and upgraded commuter car parks at Hurstbridge Station. Successful builder, Ace Infrastructure, has started construction on the $2.8 million project. The project is jointly funded, with the Federal Government’s contribution including a $395 million investment to increase carpark capacity across Melbourne. Alan Tudge, Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, said Hurstbridge was the first of 30 carpark upgrades in Melbourne that will strip up to 13,000 cars off the road. Melissa Horne, Victorian Minister for Pub-
lic Transport, said the upgrade is part of the State Government’s work to build extra carparks at stations across Victoria. The project will include new and upgraded car park spaces along Graysharps Rd west of Hurstbridge Station. State Member for Yan Yean, Danielle Green, said the car park’s features will help more commuters get to the station and get on the train safely. Other improvements coming on the Hurstbridge line include a new station at Greensborough and the duplication of three kilometres of track between Greensborough and Eltham, and 1.5 kilometres between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen.
■ The Yarra Glen Primary School Fair is being held from 10am-3pm on Sunday, March 22. Sponsors include Savoy Real Estate, Yarra Glen Bake House, Yarra Glen Automotive, Sign Point, Imagination Play and Yarra Glen Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Howe Scholarship
■ Seymour Performers Workshop says applications are now open for the Howe Family Scholarship, established to provide access to professional training in the performance arts for young people within the Mitchell Shire. https://spworkshop.org.au/hfs/
Page 2 - Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Join The Team Thanks to these local contributors
■ The Local Paper is grateful to a network of volunteer contributors who regularly supply reports of local organisations. (You too can join the team. Simply email your organisation’s news, and event details. There is no charge. Send your report to editor@LocalPaper.com.au) Local contributors include: ■ Ann Argent, Central Bowls Division. ■ Stephen Baker, Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. ■ Julie Blyth, Y Water Discovery Centre. ■ Liz Bower, Nanna’s Makers Market. ■ Laura Caine, Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House. ■ Beth Caldow, Shepparton Festival. ■ Meagan Callander, Middle Kinglake Primary School. ■ Bonnie Cavanagh, Broadford Football Netball Club. ■ Viv Cavanagh, Yea Bowls Club. ■ Robert Chaffe, East Central District Rifle Association, and Rotary Club of Alexandra. ■ Gayle Cole, Kinglake Friends of the Forest. ■ Stuart Dale, Albert Edward Lodge, Alexandra Masonic Centre. ■ Paul Denham, Buxton CFA. ■ Holly Ditchfield, Eltham Jazz Festival. ■ Andrew Embling, Alexandra Truck Show. ■ Chrissy Eustace, Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges. ■ Patrick Evans, Yea Football Netball Club. ■ Hannah Graham, Green Wedge. ■ Sam Hicks, Fawcett Hall, Alexandra Indoor Pool. ■ Ryan Hurst, Kinglake Football Netball Club. ■ Alison Huth, YAPPERS, and Yea Arts. ■ Bev Johns, Kinglake. ■ Ross Malcolm, sports photographs. ■ Rhyll McCormack, Mountain Cattlemen. ■ Kelly McLeish, Yea CFA. ■ Shannon Mittrow, Alexandra SES. ■ Sara Murray, Alexandra Show. ■ Eden Elizabeth Nicholls, St Luke’s Anglican Church, Yea and Molesworth. ■ Alan Pell, Yea Golf Club. ■ Pam Petersen, Alexandra Christmas Tree Festival. ■ Brian Phillips, Yea Football Netball Club. ■ David Purcell, Healesville Amateur Race Club. ■ Peter Rice, UGFM - Radio Murrindindi. ■ Clinton Robinson, Kinglake Football Netball Club. ■ Sacred Heart Primary School, Yea. ■ Michaela Sargeant, Goulburn Valley Water. ■ Denis Smith, Yea St Pats Race Club. ■ Megan Smithwick, Whittlesea activities. ■ Ian Staff, Whittlesea Table Tennis, agricultural items. ■ Steels Creek Grapevine, newsletter. ■ Sarah Stevenson, Thornton Eildon District Football Netball Club. ■ Ray Steyger, Alexandra Football Netball Club. ■ Jeffrey Swain, Yea-Kinglake RSL, Alexandra-Mansfield-Yea Legacy. ■ Cat Thomas, Upper Goulburn Landcare Network. ■ Heidi Twining, Victoria Police. ■ Nikki Vanderwerf, Alexandra District Health. ■ Iris Vrzovski, Bollygum Community Market. ■ Ash Walsh, Yea Football Netball Club. ■ Caroline Weeks, Murrindindi Beanie and Fibre Festival. ■ Peter Weeks, Alexandra SES. ■ Glenda Woods, Rotary Club of Yea.
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Local People
King Parrot footy history discovered ■ The Purvis family has uncovered a century-old Minute Book that reveals history of the long-forgotten King Parrot Football Association. The Minute Book, written in the hand of Hon. Secretary W.G. Purvis, commenced from the first days of the Association in May 1913. A meeting was held with representatives from Homewood (W. Purvis, G. Forbes), Strath Creek (G. McLeish, S. Doherty), Kerrisdale and Yea. Mr C. Hillear presided. Later, Mr D.L. Doolette was made President, and Mr Gordon Lang became VicePresident. Mr Doolette had recently purchased the Kerrisdale Estate, started to make a large number of improvements, and had employed a big number of men. Mr Doolette was described in a local press report as a keen racing man: “his stock of horses is very valuable”. The first-ever game, between Kerrisdale and Homewood, was played at the Yea Recreation Reserve. (Strath Creek played Flowerdale at the ‘Dale.) Horwood umpired the game, and spectators had to pay sixpence to gain admission. The newspaper said: “At a meeting of the delegates of the Yea, Alexandra Association, on Monday. it was decided to play with three teams - Alexandra, Thornton, and Yarck. Yea Club was "passed out”.” A Yea newspaper clipping from July 1913 notes: “A meeting of delegates to the King Parrot Creek Football Association was held in the Homewood Hall last evening. “Mr Stanley presided and all the Clubs were represented. Messrs Davoren and Dinner were present on behalf of the Yea Club and asked to be allowed to join the Association. “After over an hour's discussion, it was unanimously agreed to admit Yea, and a fresh draw was made. “Six applications for the position of umpires were received, and W. McLeish of Yea, and R.A.Ross of Broadford were selected; the secretary'of the Association to appoint a third if necessary “Owing to the short notice of Yea's admission to the Association, it has been found impossible to call a meeting of the Club to pick a team, etc, but all players are requested to meet at The Chronicle Office on Saturday at 12 30 to go by drag to Strath Creek. “It has also been found necessary to change the colors. The Trades' Club has come to the rescue, and will lend their uniforms for Saturday's match. Players are requested to be be punctual.” Soon, however, times were not good for the Kerrisdale club: they had to forfeit a match against Flowerdale, and were fined £1/1/-. The July meeting saw Kerrisdale being asked to resign from the Association. The resignation was handed in on the same night and Kerrisdale players were given permission to transfer with the other clubs in the Association. But the troubles did not stop there. The meeting moved that the Yea Football Club’s Dave Curtain be severly reprimanded for his conduct in the Yea-Homewood match. Strath Creek’s protest against Yea was upheld. Association officials ruled that players must register with their nearest clubs. The team colours were described as: ■ Flowerdale, red and black, ■ Homewood, blue and white, ■ Strath Creek, red stockings, blue jerseys, white trousers, ■ Kerrisdale, red and white, ■ Yea, black and gold, or yellow and black. The first season’s fixture was: ■ June 14. Kerrisdale v Homewood, Flowerdale v Strath Creek, Yea - Bye. ■ June 21. Strath Creek v Yea, Homewood v Flowerdale, Kerrisdale - Bye. ■ June 28. Yea v Homewood, Flowerdale v Kerrisdale. Strath Creek - bye. ■ July 5. Homewood 9.13 (67) d Strath Creek 1.1 (7).
● Barry Purvis with the recently discovered King Parrot Football Minute book. ■ July 12. Flowerdale 5.12 (42) were de- for a conviction, “but wiser counsel prevailed”. feated by Yea 6.4 (40). Parnett refused to sign the document. ■ July 19. Homewood 4.10 (34) d Flowerdale Strath Creek was asked to forfeit the match, 1.7 (13). and the matter was “referred to the League”. ■ July 26. Homewood v Strath Creek, Yea v Two players were reprimanded for using “foul Flowerdale. language” in the same match. The final was set down for August 9. The Association’s financial statements for R. Ross and W. McLeish carried out the 1913 showed receipts totalling £3/0/6, with umpiring assignments in that first season, al- £1/11/0 in hand after expenses. though sometimes there was debate and split It was agreed that Homewood be allowed votes about which matches each should con- to use these funds to buy a pennant flag. duct. May 1914 saw the first meeting of the By Final time in August 1913, umpire Association for that year held at the KerrisMcLeish submitted his resignation. dale Station. Ross was prposed a payment of five shilA vote to disband the Association for 1914 lings for expenses to attend Association was lost 4-3. The competition now comprised meetings regarding umpiring, however the three clubs: Flowerdale, Strath Creek and motion was overturned. Homewood. Hand-writing is often hard to make out, howMatches were fixed with six contests in the ever the team lists include some familiar first round from June 13-July 18, three games names. (Apologies for those names which could from July 25-August 8. not be deciphered.)_ A meeting held at the hotel at Flowerdalei Amongst the Yea list are surnames includ- n August 1914 heard protests from Strath ing Johnson, Steuart, Redwood, Frazer, Creek (upheld) and Flowerdale (held over for Coles, Willis, Gow, Lacey, McCormack, “further evidence”. Simmons, Curtain, Edwards, Sheppard, The ‘Dale protests were later dismissed Drysdale, Oliver, Clark, McLeish, Phayer, “unanimously”. Kidd, Jameson, Forbes, Stephens, One of the final entries in the Minute Book George, Burke, Hickingbotham, Petch, recorded that the Semi-Final was to be played Borrie, O’Connor, Nicholls, Carter and at Homewood. Murray. Final registrations for players at Flowerdale included: Stewart, Bates, Warnock, Moore, Doherty, Bainbridge, Hatty, Grant, Hall, Kaye, Embling, Collins, ■ Homewood won the 1913 flag of the Carver, Franklin, Peel, Yorston, Coonan, King Parrot Creek Football AssociaMcFarland, Forbes, Grant, Gilligan, tion. Higgins, Cunningham and Parker. Homewood played Yea on the RecreThe Homewood list comprised McCarthy, ation Ground. Purvis, Johnson, Drysdale, Stanley, “A good number of spectators put in an Williamson, Hamilton, Slavin, Francis, appearance of a good game, but they were Bett, Johnston, Woodhouse, Borrie, sadly disappointed, as the locals only Oliver, Redmond, Edwards, Ball, Gilbert, falttered their supporters during the first 10 Weekes, Quinlan, Davies, Bell, Gardiner minutes, after which Homewood was the and Kennedy. only team in the hunt. Strath Creek players included Neil, “The visitors were minus Davern, Green, Doherty, Reid, Forbes, McLeish, Johnston, Drysdale (2) ad Bett while Smith, Walters, Bruce, McPharland, McLeish was absent from Yea. Shirley Keays, Sutter, Morrison, Lowe, Plummer, captained the visitors, and Stewart the Lane, Hillear, Hay, Peel, Musgrave, Hatty, locals. Borlean, Hoskins, Weekes, Smedley, Homewood 4.3 (27) d Yea 0.7 (7). Baird, Hamilton, Brace, Wentworth, Finn Press correspondent ‘Goal Post’ wrote: and White. “Homewood were best served by Shirley, Mr A. Doherty chaired the meeting held Purvis (2), Francis, Quinlan, Kennedy on July 18, 1913 at the ‘Glenfern Hotel, and McCann, in fact all played well and Flowerdale’. deserve their win, and ‘Goal Post’ takes Yea player Coles was disqualified for “two this opportunity of congratulating them on Saturdays” for foul play. securing the first premiership under the new There was argument about a goal umpire’s Association. decision in the Strath Creek-Flowerdale “Yea’s best were Kean, McConville, match but the Association’s representatives Wentworth and stewart, but the team voted to affirm the official’s call. on the whole appeared to lose heart. Strath Creek player Parnett was asked “Vernon, a league umpire, controlled to sign an affadavit confirming that he lived in the game, and his decisions gave general satisfaction. Albert Franklin officiated as the area. boundary uimpire.” A press report says McLeish fought hard
Homewood won the first flag
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Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - Page 00
Local People
Horses help family violence victims
■ Gabrielle Williams, State Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, has visited Yea to see the Horses Assisting You program in action and hear first-hand from those who have benefited from equine therapy. Delivered by Nexus Primary Health, Primary Care Connect and Family Care, equine therapy is a relatively new form of psychological treatment in which clients spend time in a paddock in the presence of a horse. The horse helps relax participants and encourages them to work through past trauma and help them begin to feel safe once again – taking psychology sessions out of the office and into the paddock. The HAY program is shown to decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress and has helped clients understand safety boundaries, identify emotions and reconnect after the trauma of family violence. The State Government has invested more than $1 million in funding for family violence therapeutic services, including dedicated Aboriginal services, in the Goulburn region – an increase of more than 220 per cent. The Royal Commission into Family Vio-
● Gabrielle Williams, Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
lence highlighted the need for therapeutic interventions that are tailored to the diverse identities and experiences of Victorians, and the importance of strengthening the delivery of therapeutic services that focus on the needs of children and young people. The state-wide funding follows the completion of 26 demonstration projects to trial new ways of providing intensive therapeutic support to Victorians experiencing or recovering from family violence. “This program is all about helping young people recover from family violence in a safe and supportive environment – using equine therapy to reduce their symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress,” Ms Williams said. “Spending time with these animals can have a calming effect, helping people who have suffered trauma build trust and overcome their fears.” “Horses Assisting You has shown to be a great success, which is why we’re investing in more therapeutic services like this and ensuring these programs are available to all Victorians across the state,” Ms Williams told The Local Paper.
Waiting for deer strategy
■ Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish says she is exasperated at the lack of response and action taken by the State Government to release the deer management strategy, now a year overdue. Ms McLeish put a question to the Minister for Agriculture in August last year, wanting answers to the flailing deer management strategy release date, after residents expressed growing concerns about escalating deer numbers and the damage they are causing. "It has taken six months to receive a response from the Minister,” Ms McLeish told The Local Paper. “It will take another six months for the government to release the strategy management report. I “t will then take another six months to put plans into action and see results. This is beyond ridiculous." The Minister reported the final deer management strategy won't be released until later this year. I have complaints constantly from locals who are fed up with their crops, vineyards and gardens being destroyed. “Even worse, is reports of illegal hunting. Residents can hear gun shots close by, spot light torches being shone into their homes and often find headless carcasses left by the road,"
● Barry Howlett of the Australian Deer Association.
Ms McLeish said. Something needs to be done and should have been done over six months ago." The deer management strategy has been in the works since 2018 and are no closer to announcing solutions to the deer crisis, Ms McLeish claims. Barry Howlett, Executive Officer of the Australian Deer Association, says, "Increasing deer numbers in Victoria are impacting agriculture and biodiversity in the region. "We need a well-considered plan that takes into consideration the views of everyone in the community. The Australian Deer Association website says: “We have actively participated in the process of developing the strategy. We have appreciated from the outset that the strategy would fail if it was purely aimed at appeasing hunters, just as it would fail if it aimed simply to appease any other sectional interest.” The draft strategy requires a partnership between all levels of Government, traditional owners, conservation and community groups, Landcare, water authorities, Catchment Management Authorities, the deer farming industry, the commercial deer harvest industry, the broader community and deer hunters and their hunting organisations.
Maxwell calls out State Govt.
■ Tania Maxwell , Northern Victoria MLC, has called out the State Government on its comments about performance of rail on the North East corridor. Melissa Horne, Minister for Public Transport, responding to Ms Maxwell’s question last year, wrote: “There has been a significant improvement in performance on the North East corridor due to additional investment by the Victorian Government.” Ms Maxwell had expressed concern for the continued safety of passengers and staff as a result of accidents, near misses and derailments and suggested the Government should consider putting all rail services on hold until safety can be fully guaranteed.
Your local news
■ You can publicise your organisation’s events, without charge, in the Local People section of The Local Paper. Email details of your news to: editor@LocalPaper.com.au
● Tania Maxwell, Northern Vic. MLC
Ms Maxwell said that she conceded that halting rail services will be a massive inconvenience to passengers, but that the Federal and State governments could no longer ‘paper over’ neglect of the line and without immediate intervention it was only a matter of time before another accident and more fatalities. The Government said it would provide Ms Maxwell with a written response, which she hopes will include evidence of genuine collaboration with the ARTC and Federal Government to resolve the rail issues that have plagued the line for a decade. “Rail issues in the north east have plagued our region for a decade and its time the political hand-balling stopped,” said Ms Maxwell. “I will continue to ask questions and hold the government to account until there is sufficient investment to bring the line up to the standard afforded to other regions. “Our region is fed up with the constant inconvenience and poor performance, year after year, and it is jeopardising the safety of workers and passengers,” Ms Maxwell said.
Local Briefs VCAT decision
■ The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has affirmed a Whittlesea City Council decision to refuse a planning permit sought by Peter Baltovski to construct a dwelling on land yet to be restructured. The property is alongside Fifth Avenue and the Sunnyside Drive road reserve at Eden Park. It is described by VCAT Senior Member Geoffrey Code as an “old and inappropriate subdivision”, - austlii.edu.au
W’sea social tennis
■ Whittlesea Tennis Club is offering social tennis every Thursday night from 7.30pm onwards. No experience is required and everyone is welcome. Members have free entry, and non-members pay $5. This is a great opportunity to try your hand at tennis, learn from others and enjoy some fitness and fun. - Megan Smithwick
Northern Pride
■ The Northern Pride Netball Association isoffering a school holiday netball clinic from 10am-1pm on Tuesday, April 7, at Mernda Central College (indoors) for children aged 7 to 12 years. All skill levels are welcome. $20 per person, BYO snack and drink. contact@npna.com.au - Megan Smithwick
Tolls on NE Link
■ Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas last week foreshadowed tolls on North East Link. “The bill will facilitate tolling on the North East Link and it will establish the necessary toll enforcement regime. The government is introducing a new structure where a state tolling corporation will be responsible for fixing and collecting toll revenues for the North East Link. “This provides the state with flexibility to financially benefit from the toll revenue and accommodate a range of potential toll revenue monetisation strategies should the state wish to realise value this way in the future. “The legislation is required to establish the STC as a statutory corporation and to confer the relevant tolling powers and responsibilities.” - Hansard
Fires fundraiser
■ Warm, sunny conditions greeted a field of 70 golfers on Sunday, March 1 for the Bushfire Relief Fundraiser held at Marysville Community Golf and Bowls Club. Players from Commonwealth, National, Woodlands, Ringwood, Rosebud Country Club, Mandalay, Healesville RACV, Gardner’s Run, Eildon, Alexandra, Yering, Warburton, Beacon Hills, Long Island, Seymour, Strathbogie and Euroa golf clubs joined local members for a shotgun start of a stableford round. Overall winner for the day was Dylan Jack (24) from Alexandra with 45 points. Men’s winner was Adam Littlejohn (19) with 42 points and the ladies winner was Mim Page (22) with 35 points. - Marysville Triangle News
Grants open soon
■ Marysville and Triangle Community Foundation is announcing that its 2020 grants program opens on March 16. This year, unlike previous grant rounds offered by the Foundation, the grant round will be open for a period of nine weeks, closing on May 18. Grant applications are submitted through www.marysvilletriangle foundation.org.au The program was established with the vision of building a legacy for a vibrant, healthy and resilient future across the communities of Murrindindi Shire. Recent grants have gone to Taggerty, Flowerdale and Marysville. - Marysville Triangle News
Page 4 - Wednesday, March 11, 2020
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Local People
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DiamondValley News
Better bushfire relief required Valley Latest Cleaning Up
■ Danielle Green, Yan Yean MLA, spoke in State Parliament last week about local Clean Up Australia activities: “On Sunday I was privileged to host again the annual Clean Up Australia Day at Laurimar Wetlands. We have been doing this for more than a decade. Thank you to local families, including the Doreen Scouts, Girl Guides and Cubs as well as representatives from the Yan Yean Youth Advisory Council and Young Labor, who turned up to help clean up, fix up and conserve these great wetlands in Laurimar. “It was the largest turnout, and it saw the least amount of rubbish collected in over a decade, which means the Doreen community are caring for their neighbourhood every day of the year. “The Diamond Creek Clean Up Australia Day event held its first clean-up, and it was huge in numbers and supported by all community groups in Diamond Creek: the men’s shed, Rotary, Lions, the CFA, Parkrun, Scouts, many more sporting clubs and more, all pulled together by our fabulous traders association,” Ms Green said.
Kangaroo killings ■ Greg Johnson on behalf of Friends of Nillumbik asked Council if it would seek a more active role in kangaroo management and the illegal use of firearms last July. “Council reported the matter immediately to DELWP. They advised they were aware that Wildlife Victoria volunteers had euthanised the kangaroos due to sickness.”
■ Better co-ordination of bushfire relief is needed, Banyule-based Parliamentarian, Anthony Carbines, told State Parliament last week. Mr Carbines, MLA for Ivanhoe, said: “Neighbourhood houses are the heart and soul of local communities—the go-to people connecting residents to services and support,” Mr Carbines told the Legislative Assembly. “My thanks to Evelyn and the Buchan Neighbourhood House team, plus Nico and the staff at Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House for meeting the Speaker and me last week so we could better understand their work in response to bushfire-affected communities in Gippsland and the support they are providing. “A key takeaway, which I have flagged with the Premier and responsible ministers, is the need to better co-ordinate and help generous community service organisations and the general public focus their generosity where it is needed most and on priority items. “Community halls in Gippsland are packed to the gunwales with more cans of chickpeas than they really need and a pallet of anchovies even - perhaps not meeting real community needs. “Local businesses perhaps cannot sell items because everyone in town has got about 30 toothbrushes, and that affects local economies and local businesses. “What we need to be making sure of is how to develop community shopping lists so we can direct community generosity and prioritise where people want it to be driven. “We need to manage the challenge of the public service and that generosity that people desire to provide communities in bushfire-affected areas. “There will be other disasters, and what we also want to make sure of is, as winter approaches, how we deal with the increasing demand that is going to come in those communities in the coming months”
● Anthony Carbines, Ivanhoe MLA
Who is who?
■ Nillumbik resident Anthony Collum asked Mayor Cr Karen Egan which Councillors were being described when she reportedly described the Council as ‘two blues, two reds and three basically in the middle’. Cr Egan replied: “I actually addressed the panel as an individual Councillor, not on behalf of Council. I specifically stated my view on the matter and I have nothing further to add, except that it was in relation to development.”
Time to halt illegal motorbikes Mitchell Matters Primary Care
Tallarook tale ■ The future re-building of the Tallarook Hall has been recognised in State Parliament by Euroa MLA Steph Ryan. “ It is absolutely delightful to see that Tallarook hall is about to be rebuilt after being destroyed by fire, and I congratulate that community,” Ms Ryan said.
SRHC Explorer ■ Seymour Railway Heritage Centre is hosting its Gippsland Explorer train on Saturday, April 18. The rain will be hauled by former Victorian Railways locomotives. www.srhc.org.au
■ Yan Yean MP Danielle Green last week told State Parliament that use of the word ‘buggered” was offensive. “On a point of order, Acting Speaker, I raised at the beginning of this [Matter of Public Interest] with the Speaker the offensive use of the word buggered,” Ms Green said. “It should not be used in this place because of its reference to the now-defunct crime of buggery, which is completely hostile and offensive to the gay community. “I would ask that it should stop being used by the member for Sandringham, the pottymouthed member for Ripon and any other Liberal that thinks it is appropriate to use that term. “I take offence at being identified as having raised a frivolous point of order. I have two sons: one gay, one straight. “The use of the term buggered is completely offensive to me and my family. I would say: do not cast aspersions on me and say that I raised a frivolous point of order. It was not frivolous. It is heartfelt by me,” Ms Green said.
Vacant place
Mitchell Shire News
■ Euroa MLA Steph Ryan has spoken in State Parliament about Primary Care Partnerships. “This month the primary care partnerships celebrate their 20th anniversary. The Andrews government has refused to fund the PCPs beyond June 20 this year despite the very important role that they play in our communities both in improving health and wellbeing and in avoiding unnecessary hospital presentations and admissions,” Ms Ryan said. “Bec and her team at the Lower Hume PCP are doing great work to improve access to mental health services across the southern end of my electorate, particularly in Mitchell. “Their service is vitally important, and I urge the government to provide ongoing funding for them,” Ms Ryan said.
Regional Briefs Offensive words
● Allen Hall, Steph Ryan, David Moran and Robert Jensen ■ Wandong residents are calling on the State has been taken to address their concerns,” Ms Government to appropriately manage the im- Ryan said. pact illegal recreational motorbike riding is hav“Dirt bikes being ridden in Affleck St and ing on the local community. Dry Creek Rd in Wandong create significant Euroa MLA Steph Ryan joined local resi- noise for nearby residents with some arriving as dent Robert Jensen to officially launch the peti- early as 8am. tion, which urges to government to work with “Residents have asked council to work with Mitchell Shire Council to minimise the envi- Victoria Police to enforce a 50-60kmh sign to ronmental destruction of dirt bikes frequenting deter regular bike users frequenting the area Affleck St and Dry Creek Rd. however, these changes would mean substanMs Ryan said the petition comes in response tial infrastructure improvements to comply with to the government’s failure to resolve the VicRoads’ requirements.” community’s concerns, leaving nearby land“Instead of suggesting long term improveholders completely frustrated. ments, the Minister has deflected the issue back “For several years, residents living near the to local council even though her own departMt Disappointment State Forest have lobbied ment holds jurisdiction of the Mount Disappointboth local and state governments to address the ment State Forest.” ongoing environmental destruction caused by ■ Copies of the petition can be posted by phonillegal dirt bikes in the area however, no action ing Ms Ryan’s office on 5762 1600.
■ A selection has taken place following the resignation of Mary Wooldridge from the Victorian Legislative Council. “Dr Matthew Bach has been duly chosen to hold the vacant place,” State Parliament was advised by Colin Brooks, Speaker.
Question to Cl.
■ Nillumbik resident Bill Lord had a question for the Council at its February meeting: “ Given that at last election Federal Labor offered Nillumbik Council $4m should they win the election to complete the Diamond Creek Regional Trail, why is Council now only asking for a grant from the State Government for a grant to now finish the trail, but not the Liberal Federal Government? The Council responded: “The advocacy document endorsed by Council at the February 2020 Future Nillumbik meeting is an open request for funding to all political parties and all levels of government.”
Elevation College
■ Ros Spence, MLA for Yuroke, has spoken of the opening of the new Elevation Secondary College in Craigieburn , with a welcome to the inaugural 140 students, as well as their parents, teachers and school staff. “Elevation Secondary is the second of six new schools that will open across this term of government in the Yuroke electorate,” Ms Spence said. “Importantly, it is the first supported inclusion secondary school in the Yuroke electorate, catering to a diverse range of students of all abilities. “I joined the Premier for a further visit and it was great to see how well the students and staff are settling in. We had the opportunity to tour the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, which include a learning community, an administrative building, hard courts and a specialist subject building. “There is also plenty of space for Elevation Secondary to grow in the years to come, with future plans including a performing arts and physical education space. “Congratulations to the Elevation Secondary school community on a great start to the school year. I wish all students, staff and families all the very best for an exciting school year ahead,” Ms Spence said.
Wallan rail crash
■ Parliamentarian Danielle Green last week told the Legislative Assembly that she would like to make special mention of the first responders who worked onsite at the Wallan train derailment. “I witnessed firsthand how professional, methodical and compassionate they were. Thank you to police, paramedics, firefighters, SES, the Salvation Army and fast food staff at Wallan Southbound who worked seamlessly to support passengers and rail staff. My condolences go out to the loved ones of the deceased rail workers,” Ms Green said.
Page 4 - Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Regional Briefs Expert member
■ The City of Whittlesea is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified independent person with local government expertise to be a member of Council’s CEO Employment Matters Advisory Committee. CEMAC is an Advisory Committee charged with assisting Council in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in managing the performance of the Chief Executive Officer. Further details about how to lodge an Expression of Interest can be found on Council’s website www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au Enquiries and EOIs, in strict confidence, can be directed to Michael Tonta, Manager Governance by email cemac@ whittlesea.vic.gov.au or phone 9217 2207. Expressions of interest will be accepted only via email and close 2pm on Monday (March 16).
Kaufland latest ■ The German supermarket giant Kaufland had wanted to set up in High St, Epping. Whittlesea Council was against the idea, but the State Government wanted to support the development. Now that Kaufland has announced that it has abandoned plans for the Epping store, the Council is asking the State Government to reverse planning permissions that it gave.
$26 mil. project ■ The $26 million redevelopment of the Mill Park Leisure Centre is nearing completion, last week’s Whittlesea City Council meeting was advised. "The centre represents a significant capital investment for Council and the return of a highly valued community facility,” said a report to Councillors. “A membership pre-sales campaign prior to the re-opening is crucial to meet the projected membership targets and ensure the centre’s on-going financial viability.”
Tourism agreement ■ Yarra Ranges Council was due last night (Tues.) to consider partnering agreements relating to tourism. A 12-month extension of the agreement to hJune 30, 2021, of Yarra Valley Tourism was recommended. Thisx would increase the funding agreement by 2.5 per cent to $489,016.
Lilydale proposal
■ Last night's meeting of Yarra Ranges Shire Council was due to hear a proposal by applicant Mr S. Toghyani to construct four dwellings and create a four-lot subdivision at 26 Albert Hill Rd, Lilydale. Owner of the property, currently with a single dwelling, is Mr S. Azari.
Contract details ■ Appointment of a debt collection firm was due to be considered by Yarra Ranges Shire Council last night (Tues.). Results of the Council’s decision were unknown when The Local Paper went to press. A recommendation was being made that Credit Solutions Pty Ltd win a contract for an initial period of two years commencing April 22, 2020, at an agreed schedule of rates, kept confidential for commercial reasons.
Plans considered
■ Yarra Ranges Shire Council endorsement of the Yarra Junction Recreation Reserve Master Plan was due to be decided by Councillors, meeting last night (Tues.) at Lilydale. ■ Documents for the Seville Recreation Reserve Master Plan and Montrose Recreation Reserve Master Plan are likely to be released for community consultation.
$1.9m for pavilion? ■ Proposals are underway for Yarra Ranges Shire to spend $1.9 million on the Mount Evelyn Pavilion Redevelopment from two sources.
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City of Whittlesea News
Countback to replace Ricky ■ A countback of votes cast 3½-years ago will decide the replacement for ex-Mayor Ricky Kirkham on Whittlesea City Council. An extraordinary vacancy has occurred in North Ward within due to Mr Kirkham’s resignation on February 17. Returning Officer Katrina Collins, of the Victorian Electoral Commission, says the vacancy will be filled through a countback of the vacating councillor's votes from the October 2016 general election. Only candidates who were unsuccessful at the general election, and remain eligible, can be included. The countback will take place at 10.30 am on Wednesday, March 25, in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang. Interested parties may attend and observe the countback. The result will be published online at vec.vic.gov.au following the countback.
Plenty Paragraphs Sunday Festival
● Ricky Kirkham. Photo: Ash Long
Awards for Whittlesea ■ An easy-to-access web portal which is helping councils be more environmentally sustainable has won the City of Whittlesea an award at the 2020 LGPro Awards for Excellence. Known as the Supply Chain Sustainability School Local Government Portal, it is a joint pilot program in partnership with the cities of Port Phillip and Wyndham, the Support Chain Sustainability School and EY ECO-Buy. The free portal helps councils and their suppliers to reduce their environmental impacts, achieve sustainability targets and be more efficient. The City of Whittlesea also won the Institute of Public Administration Australia Leading Employer award for its four-year People
Plan at the Leadership in the Public Sector Awards last month. The plan set the direction for how the organisation needed to grow, change and improve across five key areas (culture, leadership, capability, enabling organisation and wellbeing) to ensure it could meet the challenges ahead and deliver on the community's Whittlesea 2040 vision. Council's building and planning team were also named finalists in the Service Delivery Initiative category at the LGPro Awards for Excellence. The team was recognised for its Priority Development Assessment Process and Fast Lane Planning Assessment Process which aims to streamline the planning process.
■ The City of Whittlesea Community Festival will be held at the Whittlesea Public Gardens, Lalor, from 11am-5pmon Sunday (Mar. 15). Location is 157 Barry Rd, Lalor. Theme this year is Our Backyard, which will celebrate the gatherings, games and gardens that are part of life in both private backyards and community parks. With the development of apartments and denser living, the traditional image of the Australian backyard is changing. ‘Our Backyard’ will celebrate the many cultures that make up the community and the different ways we use and look after our recreational, social and restful spaces. There will be food, live music, dance, art, free kid’s activities, backyard games, roving entertainers, chillout area and rides. A free bus will run to and from Thomastown station, via Pacific Epping.
Apps for kinder
■ Kindergarten applications for 2022 in Whittlesea municipality opened on March 1. To be eligible your child must turn 4 by April 30 in the year of attendance. If your child was born between January and April, you can choose which year to enrol your child - the year they are eligible or the year after. You can apply online or download an application form and email, fax, mail it or drop it off during business hours to the council offices in South Morang. A parent web portal is now available for you to view and modify your child's kindergarten application.
Yarra Ranges Shire News
Bridge needed at McMahons Ck ■ The need for a new pedestrian bridge at McMahons Creek, just south of the iconic Reefton Hotel, was raised in State Parliament last week by Cindy McLeish, MLA for Eildon. “The local community want to see this project prioritised for funding,” Ms McLeish told the Legislative Assembly. “In 2017 the bridge was demolished by VicRoads, citing safety concerns and risk to pedestrians. It has never been replaced. “This has left the community divided. They are certainly not divided on the issue of the reinstatement of the bridge, but they are now physically divided from each other by a river with no bridge. “To get from one side to the other pedestrians or cyclists need to venture onto Woods Point Road. This involves walking around a blind corner in an 80-kilometre-an-hour zone, and this is simply not acceptable. “Woods Point Road is really busy, all the more so with the considerable work being done to upgrade the Upper Yarra dam. “I am pleased that the Minister for Water is at the table because she will be able to confirm to the Minister for Roads the increased busyness of this section of road. “The number of truck movements per day along this road has increased dramatically—an extra two trucks per hour for 18 months or so, significantly increasing the risk to locals. “The minister needs to recognise, understand and respect the needs of small communities. “Connectedness is so important. It should be easy for children and adults to move around safely. “The pedestrian bridge allowed this to happen. The small communities of McMahons Creek and Reefton have rallied to continue to push for the bridge to be replaced. “They have formed the Reefton and McMahons Creek Action Group. I am so impressed by this group. They are so organised and very focused on a number of community
Up Hill, Down Dale Fun run praise
● Reefton Hotel. projects, and this is one of their key priorities. “They meet regularly, and I have been to a number of their meetings. Now, some 15 months or so ago in this place I called for the immediate reinstatement of the bridge. “The community have written to the Department of Transport and to the minister requesting meetings and pleading for the bridge to be replaced. They believe the government is failing to keep their community safe. “The Yarra Ranges Shire Council as recently as last week and local councillor Jim Child continue to be supportive. “They have moved a motion again to write to the Department of Transport and to the relevant ministers. Now, this should not be the case, because this is a safety matter. “There had been costs bandied around—that it could be $2 million, which is absolutely outrageous because there seems to be no understanding of how this figure has been arrived at, with costs actually “being closer to $200 000. “I think that is a lot more reasonable. It is something that should be done and needs to be done, and it needs to be done with some urgency,” Ms McLeish said.
■ Last month’s Warburton Up and Running fun run committee and volunteers have been praised in State Parliament by local MLA, Cindy McLeish. “It is always good to see both local runners and others coming some distance to compete in the events,” Ms McLeish informed the Lower House. “I was delighted to enter a team in the teams event, and although Barry was the only winner from my team, we all had a bit of fun. “It is not easy to put on an event like this year on year. I commend the efforts put into organising, promoting, securing sponsorship and making it all happen on the day. “Again, Bendigo Bank was one of the main sponsors; 2020 is a special year for the bank as it was on February 25, 2000 that they opened their first community bank branch in Warburton. “Eight years later they opened a second branch in Yarra Junction and really established themselves as a key bank in the Upper Yarra. Like so many other areas in regional Victoria, Warburton was indirectly impacted by the bushfires. “Numbers at the Warburton tourist information centre indicated January 2020 numbers were 1500 less than January of the previous three years. This has had a real impact on local economies. “There are some very exciting projects in the Yarra Valley at the moment, all of which are relying on support from the state government. The Warburton mountain bike destination, the next stage of the Yarra Valley trail and the historic Yarra Valley Railway can help shape tourism and secure local economies into the future”