Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Melton and Moorabool
14 DECEMBER, 2021
12496404-AV22-21
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
SIG N U P N O W!
Hellelujah for carols Bacchus Marsh residents can look forward to in-person carols by candlelight this year. Event organiser Daniel Webb, from Webb’s Event Group, said they are looking forward to bringing “some cheer and excitement back to the community and families”. “Having the Carols live is what all the kids deserve after the last 20 months,” he said. “[It] doesn’t matter if you’re one or 90 years old, being at the atmosphere of a live carols event is what Christmas tradition should be about.” The 2020 event was cancelled due to COVID which Mr Webb said “left families without that special atmosphere”. This year, Mr Webb said the audience can expect a traditional carols with “great talented artists and, of course, the ‘big man’ himself is making his own special arrival”. The event will kick off at 3.30pm on December 17, with performances starting at 7.30pm and a grand finale of “an amazing fireworks display”. Details: https://bit.ly/3yaB92o Victoria, 9, Hannah, 11, Noah,10, and Levi, 4, are excited to welcome back carols by candlelight.
(Damjan Janevski) 260962_02
Summer grass fire fears By Sarah Oliver Melton and Moorabool residents are being encouraged to begin preparing their properties for the upcoming fire season. Fire restrictions are already in force in areas across Victoria, with Moorabool’s official fire danger period having started on December 13, while restrictions for Melton are yet to be announced. Bacchus Marsh fire brigade First Lieutenant Ryan O’Shannessy said it was important residents prepared their properties but also took care of any overgrown grass. “Noticing the tremendous grass growth … is of some concern to us,” he said. The unusually wet weather has caused a
lot of grass and vegetation growth, which Mr O’Shannessy said will become dangerous once dry. “Land conditions and soil conditions are still quite saturated, which makes it a challenge for the brigade to begin preparations. “Once the grass starts to dry off, that will be a big risk.” Mr O’Shannessy also encouraged residents to log any planned burn-offs with the council and warned residents that action will be taken if they are found to be burning off illegally. “If they don’t log [a burn-off ] … it does create a lot of time and energy and resources that have been dispatched which could be dispatched elsewhere.
“The Bacchus Marsh area of brigades has a zero tolerance policy for any illegal burns during the fire danger period, and this will result in the police being notified and further police investigations being taken.” The seasonal outlook for December to February, released by the AFAC – Australian and New Zealand national council for fire and emergency services – showed the potential for an average to lower-than average bushfire season in Victoria. However, Mr O’Shannessy said the Bureau of Meteorology predicts the fire season will go well into the early parts of 2022. CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan urged residents not to become complacent. “We know it only takes one bad day to have
a bad fire season so we need to stay vigilant this summer,” he said. “If you haven’t prepared your property, it is definitely high time to do so.” Mr Heffernan also said the start of summer was a good reminder to make a bushfire safety plan if you don’t already have one in place. “Before you get too busy with festive season celebration and Christmas shopping, spend some time to make a plan to keep your family safe,” he said. “Your plan should include things like which fire danger rating will be your trigger to leave, where you will go, and what route you will take – and it should always contain different scenarios and back-up plans.”
If you’ve been injured in a road accident or at work. We can help. We offer ‘No Win No Fee’ agreements for TAC and WorkCover claims. Call (03) 5303 0250 for a free, no obligation first appointment. Located at 105 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh 12523817-HC48-21