Author talk at Nagambie Library Kylie Ladd

Author Kylie Ladd will share her new book I’ll Leave You With This. The book is a heartbreaking, funny, thought-provoking and honest novel about a brother’s legacy and the tangled bonds of sisterhood.

About the book:

The O’Shea sisters couldn’t be more different.

Allison, an obstetrician, has always put others before herself and is torn between her job and young family.

Prizewinning film director Bridie hasn’t had work in over a decade, though her actor husband is on the brink of stardom.

Clare, desperate for a baby, is bereft when her wife leaves her after their latest IVF failure.

And Emma, the youngest, has turned to God to fill the aching loneliness in her life.

When their only brother Daniel is killed the four women drift even further apart…

Then, on the third anniversary of Daniel's death, Clare proposes an idea: they should trace the many recipients saved by his donated organs. Perhaps their brother's gift of life can bring them back together again?

About the author

Kylie Ladd is a novelist, psychologist and freelance writer. Her five previous novels have been published in Australia and overseas, and her latest, The Way

Back, has been optioned for film. She has also co-edited and co-authored two non-fiction books, and her essays and articles have been published in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Griffith Review, Meanjin, O Magazine, Good Medicine, Kill Your Darlings and Reader's Digest, amongst others. Kylie holds a PhD in neuropsychology and lives in Melbourne with her husband and two children.

When: 27 Apr 2023 at 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Where: Nagambie Library 352 High Street

Cost: FREE

Contact: 1300 374 765 nagambie@gvlibraries.com.au.

Listening To You

Regional Victoria, have a say on our infrastructure future

The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, is encouraging regional Victorians to have their say on Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy.

Infrastructure Victoria is an independent body which advises the state government how and where infrastructure is needed to support fair access for all.

Ms Cleeland said Infrastructure Victoria has opened public consultation to help identify infrastructure needs across the state from 2025 -2055.

“Given the city centric nature of the Andrews Government, it’s vitally important for regional Victorians to be aware of this consultation process and provide input,” said Ms Cleeland.

“Under the Andrews Government, the infrastructure needs of regional Victoria has been relegated to the back of the queue – our roads, hospitals, public transport, housing and community facilities have failed to keep pace with demand resulting in social inequity in our country areas.

“In the last state budget, regional Victoria only received 13 per cent of infrastructure funding despite representing 25 per cent of the population – the city bias must be addressed in future budgets.

“The pandemic has exacerbated the need for improved infrastructure in regional Victoria after many people made the decision to move from Melbourne into the regions.

Seymour Races Resume

Seymour Racing Club saw a return to racing on Friday the 14th April following turf repairs caused by floodwater damage from the October 2022 flood event

A full reconstruction of the track was undertaken last year with racing successfully returning to the venue in November 2022. The return however was short-lived with parts of the course becoming contaminated as a result of floodwater which covered parts of the grass surface during floods.

The track received the tick of approval after having plenty of time to recover and racing has returned. Go Seymour sponsored race 3 on the program, the Go Seymour Maiden Plate. Toronado Rouge took the win.

Entry to the course was free, with hundreds of racing enthusiasts enjoying perfect weather conditions.

“The ongoing economic uncertainly and rising cost of living in Victoria, combined with benefits of space, lower house prices and a higher quality of life has all placed pressure on regional infrastructure.”

Ms Cleeland said given Infrastructure Victoria’s consultation is looking at the needs of the state up until 2055, it was vital for young people to have their say and not just those living in Melbourne.

“Ultimately any infrastructure decisions made for the coming 30 years in regional Victoria is going to impact the lives and livelihoods of young people and their future families.

“While infrastructure Victoria is holding a youth forum, it’s metropolitan based – youth forums should also be held in all regional centres to provide balance.

“The future needs of all Victorians must be the focus of state government decision making, and regional Victoria deserves its fair share of infrastructure spending to address inequalities.

“Our local communities want tangible action delivered in a timely manner - not a headline when it comes to important regional infrastructure projects.

“I’m encouraging locals to have their say so the needs of regional Victorians are firmly put on the state government’s agenda.”

Infrastructure Victoria’s consultation process remains open until 28th May. Feedback can be completed online at https://engage.vic.gov.au/ victorias30yearinfrastructurestrategy

Nagambie Senior Citizens

The Queen Victoria Market excursion is planned for Thursday 27th April. The cost will be $20 to cover the bus. We plan to leave the hall at 8.30am and free time will be given to wander the market and the surrounding city shops. Time to head home will be negotiated, but it will be around 3pm. If you are interested, please put your name on the list at the hall, email or phone me if you are unable to get to the hall and you would like to come along.

Movie Day is usually the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 1pm, but due to Anzac Day on Tuesday 25th it will be on Monday 24th April, showing The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Hope you can come along and support Abe who does a lot of work to ensure we get some classic movies and of course lots of great interval treats.

Our Bunnings BBQ at Seymour on Saturday 8th April, was a huge success. It was so busy, we had to go for further supplies twice. We want to gratefully acknowledge the generosity of Woolworths who donated all our first supply of sausages, bread and ice as a goodwill gesture. This of course made a huge difference to our profit margin and outcome for the day. Thanks also to the two teams that worked there and to Bunnings for giving us the opportunity.

We are planning another bus trip for 15th May, to go to Rivers Restaurant and Nursery in Yarrambat. Please add your name or advise me if you are interested. Further details to come.

Our newsletter was sent out on 7th April with the usual updates and news around the club. Happy to email any interested people who would like to receive the newsletter monthly. Just email nagambieseniors@gmail.com to go on the list. Or phone Jill on 0419 567 580 https://www.gonagambie.com.au/live/community-groupsand-clubs/nagambie-seniors

We also wish to thank Go Nagambie for including our Club details on their website, check it out.

It was fantastic to meet with locals recently in Longwood, Nagambie and Avenel, as part of my “Sam on the Street” Listening Tour. The public sessions were an opportunity for me to hear directly what matters to you and your community.

I’m looking forward to hosting more listening posts again soon. Keep up to date with my listening post tour dates and locations by following my social media or by signing up to my newsletter at sambirrell.com.au

We Will Remember Them

Anzac Day is just around the corner. This is a day for us all to come together and commemorate our heroes. You will soon receive an information brochure, designed in partnership with The Australian War Memorial, from me in your letterbox. This includes details of local services as well as a trusty biscuit recipe.

Kirwans Bridge Meeting

I understand the struggle many people across the region are facing with the closure of Kirwans Bridge. I attended the recent community meeting and committed to doing what I can to help make sure there’s Federal funding towards connectivity of the bridge – whatever the community and stakeholders decide is the best way forward.

Blowing The Whistle For Our Sporting Clubs

Regional funding continues to be one of my top priorities. Grants previously delivered to our region by The Nationals were scrapped in Labor’s Budget. I’m demanding grants for the regions open, and I won’t stop until I see money back on the table.

This advocacy continued recently when I spoke in Parliament about the need for the Government to provide support for community sporting organisations to upgrade their facilities. Sporting clubs bring communities together and drive physical and social participation, no matter if you are a player, volunteer or spectator.

I’ve been training with local football and netball clubs, and I’ve seen the poor state of several sporting facilities. How can we encourage participation without providing support to clubs to upgrade their facilities?