The Local Paper Vallence laments Hub axe

■ Evelyn MLA

Bridget Vallence has spoken in State Parliament about the closure of the Lilydale Youth Hub.

“ Sadly, our local youth mental health service, the Lilydale Youth Hub , which serviced right across the Yarra Ranges, was forced to close in December at the hands of the Labor Government ,” Ms Vallence told the Legislative Assembly.

“This vital early intervention youth mental health service closed because the new federal Albanese Labor Government stripped it of funding and the Andrews Labor Government refused to support it.

Yea Golf Club

■ Wednesday saw the Men play 18 holes (the Ladies 9) followed by a lovely meal for the Gender Lunch.

Our Team

“The hub’s closure is devastating and poses a significant clinical risk to the clients, who will unfortunately lose those valuable connections.

“They will be discharged into the general mental health system, which is already at capacity.

“Over 100 young people in my community that were clients of this service are now in the mental health service and are not being all. They are devastated. Our community is devastated.

“I have listened to many local teenagers and young adults about how important and helpful this service was and how it saved lives.

“We rallied, we fought, we wrote to the Prime Minister , we wrote to the Premier and I raised it personally with our Minister for Mental Health in this place.

“It is an absolute shame. But I do thank those staff who are dedicated to our youth, the amazing

Long Shots

team at the hub for their dedication and their resilience and their commitment to Yarra Ranges youth, and those at Inspiro community health, Anchor, Cire Services, Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation, and the Eastern Community Legal Centre,” Ms Vallence said.

Kathage thanks

■ New Yan Yean MLA Lauren Kathage has expressed appreciation in State Parliament to her Labor colleagues.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my caucus colleagues for so warmly welcoming me to this place, especially my neighbouring MPs: the member for Kalkallo Ros Spence, the member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio , the member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny, the member for Bundoora Colin Brooks , the member for Eltham Vicki Ward and member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

There was also plenty of action at the reserve where the fire helicopters were refuelling on the old cricket ground (practice fairway).

Winner of the Men’s Stableford was Neil Ross (36) with 38 points. Second was the consistent Phil Armstrong (20) with 36 from third Anthony Coleman (4) 35 and Graeme Bryant (27) fourth on 34. There was no NTP on the 18th and Norm McCallum won the Club Award.

★ Corporate Day

Friday saw the first Corporate Day for several years due to COVID and wet conditions.

With about 60 players a fine day was had by all with an excellent lunch and huge raffle for prizes conducted after the Ambrose Event.

Many thanks go to Gary Pollard, Vicki and Greg Clements and to the many club volunteers who either prepared the course or worked in the kitchen or the bar.

★

Saturday Stableford

Saturday saw 15 men and 6 ladies play seperate stableford competitions at Yea. It was a big week with the Gender Lunch Wednesday, Corporate Day Friday and finally a club comp on Saturday.

Jeff Aurisch (22) was the outstanding winner on Saturday with 44 points (84 off the stick – nett 62), his best score ever.

Second was Phil Armstrong(20) with 38 from third Mick Spagnolo (7) with 37. NTP on the 18th was Alan Pell and the lucky Club Award winner $10 was Brendan Chenhall.

In the Ladies Judy Newman (43) with 37 points won from Margie Wright (23) second with 31 points.

Sam Wright won Chooklotto $100.

- Alan Pell

Tennis Annual Day

with Ash Long, Editor

Celebrating 54 years in local media

Winner, Best Local Reporting Award Victoria-wide Westpac Award

Direct: 0450 399 932 E: editor@LocalPaper.com.au Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au

Personal: www.AshLong.com.au

“For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”

“The north is well served by hard-working MPs who know their communities inside out, who have become part of the fabric of their communities and who use each day to make life better for others, bringing fairness and opportunity to the communities they serve.

“I look forward to working with the member for Kalkallo on the priorities of our shared communities of Wallan and Beveridge and the shared needs and goals of those in Donnybrook and Kalkallo

■ Healesville Tennis Ladies Annual Ladies Round Robin Tennis Fun Day will be held on Monday March 27, commencing 9.30 am.

This event is suitable for all standards of lady players – trophies for highest scorer and another trophy for highest scorer aged 70 Plus.

Play is three sets of Ladies Doubles with a socially mixing format with Morning Tea taken on the run, lunch is served at the conclusion of play about 1 pm – chicken and salads, desserts. Raffle too.

Bookings essential Contact Kathy, phone 59623639 or email: toolinga@bigpond. net.au

- Kathy Cameron

Grey spot focus

■ Peri Urban Councils Victoria is calling on the Federal Government to include the region’s grey spots in the national audit of mobile coverage that is currently underway.

Features Editor: Peter Mac

Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Mike McColl Jones, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, Jim Sherlock, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, Gavin Wood, John O’Keefe

Honorary Reviewers: Juliet Charles, Sherryn Danaher, Mary Downie, Peter Green, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, David McLean, Graeme McCoubrie, Maggie Morrison, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel

Logistics: Graeme Hawke, Susan Karolyi, Gary McQuade

Credit Manager: Michael Conway OAM, Fast Action Debt Recovery, 0402 142 866

Chair of Peri Urban Councils Victoria, Cr Michael Leaney, said “People living in the fast-growing fringe region around Melbourne and Geelong are struggling with patchy mobile data coverage, because outdated telecommunications infrastructure has not kept pace with smartphone technology or population growth.”

Grey spots have been defined by the Peri Urban Councils as areas where mobile connectivity is poor or unavailable during peak periods or during certain weather conditions.

Goulburn Pk opens

■ The reopening of Seymour’s riverfront Goulburn Park occurred on Saturday (Feb. 25).

The park has been closed for several months to ensure the safety of the public and to allow for necessary repairs following the October 2022 flood.

“We're pleased we're in a position to open Goulburn Park at last.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we worked to clean-up the park over the last few months," said Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr Fiona Stevens. Some facilities within the park still remain off-limits.

Local Briefs

Residents will be able to register a pet, meet with Council’s planning team or find out more about local support for business.

Council Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said residents in the northern part of the municipality would not have to drive from South Morang for much of their Council business.

“This hub will bring more of our services out to the farthest region of our municipality,” Ms Wilson said.

“We’re committed to making things easier for our residents to conduct business with us in-person as well as improving our digital offerings.”

The hub will house Council customer service staff who will be able to take cashless payments and conduct other services.

“We’re working through the detail of the range of services that we can offer from the centre and will update the community closer to the opening,” Ms Wilson said.

Daily Grind course

■ The Daily Grind, a hospitality course for young people aged 16-24, is on again in April.

Nillumbik Youth and Living & Learning Nillumbik are partnering to deliver the 10session program to help young people upskill and find employment in the hospitality industry.

Each participant will undertake a placement at a local cafe to give them valuable, real-life experience in a practical hospitality setting.

“Gaining hands-on training in a workplace is invaluable for younger people,” said Nillumbik Mayor Cr Ben Ramcharan.

“It’s a chance to build skills and learn from others. Participants will gain confidence in a workplace setting and most importantly, have fun!”

Classes start Friday, April 1`4, and will be held twice a week for five weeks at the Eltham Training site, 907 Main Rd, Eltham. Fully-funded places are available for eligible participants.

Business awards

■ Local business will be the focus of a new awards night being hosted by the City of Whittlesea.

The inaugural Business Network Awards will recognise businesses who have demonstrated core values of excellence, sustainability and responsibility.

City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the awards were an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of businesses large and small.

“Council is committed to supporting local economic development and to attracting new business to our growing economy,” Ms Wilson said.

The awards are open to members of the Business Network who can nominate their own achievements in any of the six categories.

“The awards are open to all key industry sectors and provides a unique opportunity for businesses of all types and sizes to be recognised for their efforts, commitment and successes,” Ms Wilson said.

The Business Network Awards ceremony and dinner is on May 18 at the Mantra Hotel in Epping.

Awards will be presented in categories: Start Up, Customer Service, Innovation and Enterprise, Sustainability and Environment , and Community Contribution, and Workplace Diversity. Nominations are now open and close on March 24. Finalists will be announced on April 5.

Kinglake’s first game

■ Kinglake will play at home against Reservoir in the first round of the Northern Football Netball League Division 3 to be held on Saturday, April 15.

Other Division 3 Seniors games are Old Eltham Collegians v Mernda, Laurimar v Kilmore, Fitzroy Stars v Lalor.

■ Nominations for the Murrindindi Shire Citizen of the Year Awards are open from now until Sunday, April 2.

Murrindindi Council encourages all Shire residents to think about an individual or community group that inspires and to consider nominating them for one of the four categories:

■ Murrindindi Shire Citizen of the Year

■ Murrindindi Shire Senior Citizen of the Year

■ Murrindindi Shire Young Citizen of the Year

■ Murrindindi Shire Community Group of the Year (seeks to recognise not-for-profit community groups and organisations who demonstrate outstanding achievements)

The Awards will acknowledge the outstanding contributions of residents and community groups who demonstrate exceptional community spirit and a willingness to help others.

Entries will be judged from April 11, with winners of the Awards announced and presented at Council-led events during National Volunteer Week (May 15-21).

Mayor Cr John Walsh said: “The Murrindindi Shire Citizen of the Year Awards provide us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the people and groups in our communities who make our Shire such a great place in