NOVEMBER 1, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
A vote for change By Esther Lauaki The Macedon Ranges community has been successful in its campaign for a tree-change, with six new faces elected to council. Councillors elect were declared yesterday and will be sworn in on November 7. Most of the new council will be women, with five females voted in for three wards. Two new faces, Bill West and Natasha Gayfer, have been elected to the East ward while Henry Bleeck, who was last a councillor in 2005, has been re-elected. Former mayor Graham Hackett and former councillor Ian Ellis were unsuccessful in their bids for re-election. Mr West, a former journalist, received more than 18 per cent of first preference votes in the East, putting his poll success down to the “recognition factor”. “I’ve lived in this area for most of my life,” he said. “I have been part of the Riddells Creek community for many years. I know the people and they know me whether it’s through sports clubs or community groups. “There were a lot of people looking for change and I’m pleased to be representing them.” An all new line-up for the South ward includes Mandi Mees, Andrew Twaits and Helen Radnedge. Mandi Mees dominated the polls in South ward, finishing with 23 per cent of first votes. Ms Radnedge, Friends of Daly Nature Reserve president, said she’s excited by the opportunity to serve for the first time on council. “I’m very happy with the result,” she said. “My aim is to see our council make sensible decisions that care for our community and our environment.” Ms Radnedge said her priorities are meaningful consultation, safer roads, improved planning, environmental protection and healthy waterways. Former councillors Russell Mowatt and John Letchford were unsuccessful in regaining their seats in the South ward. Former councillors Jennifer Anderson and Roger Jukes are back in for the West ward, and will be joined by newcomer Janet Pearce. Ms Anderson was the favourite in the West ward taking 21 per cent of first preference votes. The new mayor of Macedon Ranges council will be elected on November 17. Meanwhile in Hume’s Jackson’s Creek ward, veteran councillors Jack Medcraft and Anne Potter have been re-elected, while Leigh Johnson replaces outgoing Sunbury councillor Jack Ogilvie.
Chips off the old block
Blake, Brad and Kyle Meyer. (Shawn Smits) Inset: The Meyer family, who won the state woodchopping championships. (Supplied)
The Meyer family is made of tough stuff. The Romsey clan has produced four generations of woodchop champions, and recently notched up another win, taking home an impressive tally of 23 ribbons from this year’s Royal Melbourne Show. For almost 70 years, the Meyers have been competing in woodchop events around Australia, and the world – starting in 1948 when Les Meyer first competed. Les passed on his skills and passion to his sons, grandsons and great grandsons. Seven of the Meyers travelled from Romsey and Broadford to compete at this year’s show, including Les’s grandson Brad, who said that woodchopping had become a proud family tradition. “When I was younger, I saw woodchopping as a way that I could really bond with my dad, and I grew to love the sport,” Brad said. “I think my boys now see it the same way … My sons, Blake and Kyle, and nephews Brayden and Luke have been competing for about eight to 10 years.” Brayden, a fourth generation woodchopper, has clinched the Stihl Timbersports Champions Trophy in Austria and a number of world titles at shows around Australia. But it is not just Mayer men who compete in woodchopping competitions. “This year my sister-in-law Janet competed in the inaugural women’s cross-cut sawing at the Melbourne Show,” Brad said. “There were many women’s events this year, and it was great to see so many talented women showing off their skills at such an important event for the sport.” Brad has worked in the timber industry for almost 30 years and currently contracts for VicForests, along with his two sons. VicForests’ general manager Nathan Trushell said the department places a lot of importance on supporting the communities they work in throughout Victoria. “Many timber industry workers, like the Meyers, are the fourth, fifth or sixth generation of forestry industry workers in their family.” Esther Lauaki