MARCH 3, 2015 \ MACEDONRANGES.STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
XAVIER QUINN, DANIEL LIVERMORE, NATHAN MAISANO AND NATHAN SHOESMITH
(Joe Mastroianni)
Ashes to smashes A group of Salesian College students hope a re-enactment of the original Ashes battle will be a smash hit. Members of the school’s year 11 VCAL class have organised a Twenty20 match between Salesian College and a combined Rupertswood Sports Club team at the birthplace of cricket’s famous urn. Teacher Gerald Carland said 15 students had been learning about Rupertswood’s claim to fame. ‘‘We’ve never played a game of cricket on that top oval, which is where the Ashes were created . . . for years it’s just been used by students at recess and lunchtime,” he said. “There’s so much history at Rupertswood, so much for students to learn and be proud of. This is a great way for them to tap into that.” Mr Carland said the project had been a boon for students’ organisation, literacy and numeracy skills. Organisers hope the match will become an annual event. The public is being encouraged to attend the clash, at Rupertswood’s top oval, from 4pm this Friday. A barbecue and soft drinks will be available. For more details, phone 9744 0000. Matt Crossman
Red tape stifles park bid By Matt Crossman The group behind a long-running campaign for an all-abilities park in Romsey is urging Macedon Ranges council to stick with plans to build it on a former school site. The president of Greater Romsey All Abilities Park (GRAAP), Raelene Mottram, said the council’s decision not to debate a motion that could have ended talks over the $352,000 sale of the former Romsey Primary School site meant the project’s future remained uncertain. Cr Russell Mowatt last week foreshadowed a motion to rescind the council’s May 2013 decision to buy the historic site, on the corner
of Main Road and Palmer Street, from the state government. But he successfully moved for the motion to lie on the table, meaning it could be brought back to council at a later date. Ms Mottram said that after seven years working closely with council officers, the group wanted a quick resolution. ‘‘GRAAP’s disappointment with what appears to be a lack of support from some councillors for this important site and the proposed project is intense,’’ she said. ‘‘We find it difficult to understand what has motivated this motion.’’ Completion of the sale has been held up by
a special condition requiring the council to release the government from claims relating to any contamination. This was despite the government’s insurance authority recommending that such a clause was not required. The government solicitors office also advised that, to the best of the Education Department’s knowledge, there had been no known contamination of the property. Romsey Primary School moved to its current site in Station Street in 1994. Cr Mowatt’s foreshadowed motion said the government’s insistence on the condition was unacceptable. He told Wednesday’s council meeting that
talks with the government and Macedon Labor MP Mary-Anne Thomas were continuing. East ward’s Cr Henry McLaughlin was among four councillors who voted against the push to leave open the possibility of the sale being abandoned. ‘‘This leaves a cloud of uncertainty over a hard-working community group,’’ Cr McLaughlin said. Ms Thomas said the case was complex but she was hopeful a suitable conclusion could be reached. ‘‘It’s exactly the type of recreational facility and open space the growing community of Romsey community needs,’’ she said.