Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
15 FEBRUARY, 2022
12496404-AV22-21
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
SIG N U P N O W!
Strike up the chorus The Kyneton Municipal Band is on the lookout for new members to fill out its ensemble. The historic brass band, which was established in 1854, has been a mainstay at many of the shire’s most well-known events. Kyneton Municipal Band bandmaster Hugh Davies said it had been a difficult past couple years, with the group unable to practice or perform because of COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re always trying to look for new members and publicise the fact there’s actually a band in town, and anyone who would like to join is welcome,” he said. “We currently have 20 or so [members] playing brass instruments like cornets, horns, trombones, plus we’re after percussion players. The band welcomes people of all ages and abilities, with a current age range of eight to 80 years among playing members. The band rehearses every Friday night from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Red Brick Hall on Yaldwyn Street. Details: 0418 519 398. Kyneton Municipal Band member Colin Randall and the bandmaster Hugh Davies.
(Damjan Janevski) 267549_02
West Gate funding snub By Oliver Lees The West Gate Tunnel Project team has recognised the need to support Sunbury and Bulla, after members of the community were left frustrated by their exclusion from a community funding program. On February 2, the West Gate Tunnel Project team announced the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund Grants, with close to $500,000 in funding for community organisations in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay. The grants ranged less than $10,000 to organisations with one-off ideas –such as the
Brooklyn Tennis Club’s allocation for a new court, posts and nets – and more substantial grants between $20,000 to $100,000 for major facilities. The East African Women’s Foundation received the largest possible grant allocation of $100,000 to upgrade its premises. According to the state government’s Big Build website, the program has been designed with the aim of “prioritising those who are most affected by the construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project”. Sunbury Against Toxic Soil Facebook group administrator Chris O’Neill said he was outraged that Sunbury and Bulla had not been
included in the scheme, given the current works to construct a processing facility that will receive hundreds of trucks worth of contaminated soil. Mr O’Neil said he had met with state government representatives and local politicians to advocate on the communities behalf for things such as improved safety measures along Sunbury Road. “Last I looked we were really affected by the tunnel being its huge toxic wasteland,” Mr O’Neil said. “We’ve submitted many ideas and many more to come but are continually ignored, we just get told they’ve listened, they sent a
memo … but until they act they’ve all done nothing.” According to a West Gate Tunnel spokesperson, the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund was set up in 2017 as the project team established its environmental performance requirements, prior to a decision being made regarding the soil relocation. The spokesperson said they acknowledge Sunbury and Bulla’s interest in a similar funding scheme. “The project parties are looking forward to working with the local community and Hume City Council to explore suitable opportunities,” the spokesperson said.
Mary-Anne Thomas MP LABOR MEMBER FOR MACEDON DELIVERING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
EDUCATION 12532306-SG07-22
TRANSPORT
A: Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne, VIC 3437 MaryAnneMacedon
JOBS
HEALTH
P: 5428 2138 E: mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au maryannethomasmp ADVERTISEMENT