By The People, For The People
EXTRA LOCAL NEWS SECTION
Local People FREE Phone: 5797 2656 or 1800 231 311.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021
Thanks to these local contributors Local contributors include: ■ Ann Argent, Central Bowls Division. ■ Stephen Baker, Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. ■ Julie Blyth, Y Water Discovery Centre. ■ Liz Bower, Nanna’s Makers Market. ■ Laura Caine, Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House. ■ Beth Caldow, Shepparton Festival. ■ Meagan Callander, Middle Kinglake Primary School. ■ Bonnie Cavanagh, Broadford Football Netball Club. ■ Viv Cavanagh, Yea Bowls Club. ■ Gayle Cole, Kinglake Friends of the Forest. ■ Stuart Dale, Albert Edward Lodge, Alexandra Masonic Centre. ■ Paul Denham, Buxton CFA. ■ Holly Ditchfield, Eltham Jazz Festival. ■ Andrew Embling, Alexandra Truck Show. ■ Chrissy Eustace, Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges. ■ Patrick Evans, Yea Football Netball Club. ■ Hannah Graham, Green Wedge. ■ Sam Hicks, Fawcett Hall, Alexandra Indoor Pool. ■ Ryan Hurst, Kinglake Football Netball Club. ■ Alison Huth, YAPPERS, and Yea Arts. ■ Bev Johns, Kinglake. ■ Ross Malcolm, sports photographs. ■ Rhyll McCormack, Mountain Cattlemen. ■ Kelly McLeish, Yea CFA. ■ Shannon Mittrow, Alexandra SES. ■ Sara Murray, Alexandra Show. ■ Eden Elizabeth Nicholls, St Luke’s Anglican Church, Yea and Molesworth. ■ Alan Pell, Yea Golf Club. ■ Pam Petersen, Alexandra Christmas Tree Festival. ■ Brian Phillips, Yea Football Netball Club. ■ David Purcell, Healesville Amateur Race Club. ■ Peter Rice, UGFM - Radio Murrindindi. ■ Clinton Robinson, Kinglake Football Netball Club. ■ Sacred Heart Primary School, Yea. ■ Michaela Sargeant, Goulburn Valley Water. ■ Denis Smith, Yea St Pats Race Club. ■ Megan Smithwick, Whittlesea activities. ■ Ian Staff, Whittlesea Table Tennis, agricultural items. ■ Steels Creek Grapevine, newsletter. ■ Sarah Stevenson, Thornton Eildon District Football Netball Club. ■ Ray Steyger, Alexandra Football Netball Club. ■ Jeffrey Swain, Yea-Kinglake RSL, Alexandra-Mansfield-Yea Legacy. ■ Cat Thomas, Upper Goulburn Landcare Network. ■ Heidi Twining, Victoria Police. ■ Nikki Vanderwerf, Alexandra District Health. ■ Iris Vrzovski, Bollygum Community Market. ■ Ash Walsh, Yea Football Netball Club. ■ Caroline Weeks, Murrindindi Beanie and Fibre Festival. ■ Peter Weeks, Alexandra SES. ■ Glenda Woods, Rotary Club of Yea.
DINDI LOCALS HAVE THEIR SAY
● At last Wednesday’s Murrindindi Shire Council ‘Zoom’ meeting. Top row, from left: Marilyn Kennedy, Cr Karine Haslam, Michael Chesworth, Vito Albicini. Middle row: Chief Executive Officer Livia Bonazzi, Mayor Cr Sandice McAulay, Cr Eric Lording, Cr Damien Gallagher. Bottom row: Deputy Mayor Cr Sue Carpenter, Cr John Walsh, Cr Ilona Gerencser, Robbert Veerman. ■ Murrindindi Shire Council held an unscheduled meeting last Wednesday (June 9) to enable local residents to make submissions about the annual budget. Speakers included Ruth Selover, Robbert Veerman, Tony Richardson, Nick Legge, David Webb Ware and Bev Dick. Ruth Selover asked Murrindindi Council to begin tree planting in Bayley St, Alexandra. ■ In summer it is an aesthetically and environmentally unpleasant significant street ■ Concrete curbing channels water away from trees ■ Requests Council saves the money it spends on curbing and spend it on trees. Robyn Hill, Marysville and Triangle Community Foundation, questioned why there is no allocation for community development in the 2021-22 draft budget. ■ Murrindindi Shire Council lists ‘Our People’ as its first strategic directive, and yet there are no funds allocated to carry out actual community development work ■ Community development is a vital framework for building social capital, sustainable communities, and community networking ■ Community development empowers community members and creates stronger and more connected communities. ■ How is Council's commitment to 'Our People' actually demonstrated without any budget allocation for vital community development work? Robyn Schrader asked that Council considers the development of a secure off lead dog park in Alexandra. Robbert Veerman requested Council to revise its planning and building approvals practice to reduce the direct CO2 emissions of all new buildings in particular by setting defaults for orientation of boundaries on subdivisions, and building envelopes within individual blocks to enable optimum harvesting of natural solar heat and light in winter, and shading in summer. ■ That revision should include the addition of supporting literature and advice to applicant planners, builders and owners ■ Orientation is just one of several critical factors but it is the only one that comes into play at the subdivision and planning stages and lasts forever. The others are glass, mass, insulation, shading, and layout which are in the ● This photo of the Maroondah Hwy on the Black Spur hands of customer, designer and builder. was published by Nomes Booker on Facebook. ● Continued on next page
Spur of the moment
Page 14 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Local Briefs Prideaux Cup
■ After the welcome rain during the week, conditions were a little wet but playable on Saturday at Yea Golf Club for the first round of two of the Prideaux Cup. Winner of the day with 34 stableford points was Jonathan Fisher (13) from second Greg Clements (13) with 32 points. Third was Bill Dredge (18) with 30 points from Chris Smith on CB with Michael Spagnolo (6) fifth on 29. Michael was NTP on the 11th and Mark Mullaly won the Club Award. Some 22 men and two ladies were on course after the enforced competition lockdown. - Alan Pell ● From previous page
Dindi locals have their say
■ Tony Richardson, Murrindindi Climate Network Inc., asked that Murrindindi Council use part of the funds allocated for the development of programs which relate to the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change to conduct a feasibility study of the establishment of a Farm Forestry (AgroForestry) plantation on land controlled by Council. ■ Study would demonstrate the feasibility of Council (and other private land owners) developing an Agroforestry plantation on marginal agricultural land which would have three main outputs: production of high-quality timber at the end of the 25-year rotation, creation of jobs in the Agroforestry sector and creation of Australian Carbon Credit Units which could be used to partially offset Council emissions and assist in achieving a net-zero-emissions target by 2050 ■ Project would also include part-sponsorship of a Master Tree Grower workshop series, ■ using the Council land as a case study, whereby council officers and Murrindindi residents could learn more about the establishment and management of a Farm Forestry plantation ■ The anticipated cost of such a study would be $40,000. Mr Richardson asked that Council conduct an investigation into the feasibility of creating a Virtual Microgrid in Marysville using the Enosi Energy Powertracer software, with Energy Locals as the retailer. ■ This study would require the co-operation of approximately 10 Marysville households and one larger property with a significant solar and battery installation ■ The study will also examine the potential for delivering FCAS (Frequency Control Ancillary Service) financial benefits ■ This installation could be a pilot project for the more comprehensive SENSE project proposed by MCN ■ The proposed feasibility study would require no additional hardware, and the anticipated cost of such a study would be $10,000. David Webb Ware asked to speak to Council about how to address the inequity with the Rural 1 differential rate for larger farming properties ■ Inequity exists between Rural 1 and Residential and Commercial in that larger Rural 1 properties individually pay a disproportional amount of rates ■ Rates calculated principally by valuation changes between the rate categories can be biased against the larger rural properties ■ Strongly supports council in their attempts to solve the inequities by maintaining the Rural 1 discount and reintroducing the 25 per cent commercial premium ■ Future consideration may be to introduce another tier of Rural rating with large properties of 250 Ha or more (for example) having a larger discount on the general rate ■ Seeking clarification in the budget document where a 2.52 per cent increase in the total amount to be raised by general rates is more than the State Governments cap of 1.5 per cent. Rubicon Forest Protection said there were two budget suggestions arise from the submitter’s ongoing promotion of native forest values other than logging, these being: ■ Indigenous cultural significance and values of this mountain landscape (for all people, not just indigenous users), and ■ Enabling safe and secure visitation by tourists and locals alike into the forest for their wellbeing and recreation.
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Local People: 2
New officers at Yea Garden Club ■ Yea Garden Club is hoping that their program for 2021-22 can proceed without interference from COVID. Meeting on the second Thursday each month, the Club enjoys a mix of presentations on gardening related topics at the RSL Hall, Yea, interspersed with visits to beautiful gardens in the area, and further beyond. Christmas in July is planned for the next meeting in July, followed in August by a seminar with guest speaker Stephen Ryan (Dicksonia Rare Plants), former Gardening Australia host, at the Country Club Hotel Yea. As the weather improves and gardens emerge from winter slumber, excursions to Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, and other interesting show gardens are planned. For those who enjoy getting their hands dirty, members of the club have over many years held a winter working bee at Yea Lawn Cemetery to prune the roses. The annual plant stall held in conjunction with Yea Rotary Open Gardens weekend in November is a great opportunity to purchase plants propagated by club member (not always available commercially) at very reasonable prices.
● Yea Garden Club Secretary Elaine White, President Judi Newman and Treasurer Melinda Jackson after the Annual General Meeting. New members are most welcome. Annual White or treasurer Melinda Jackson for more membership is $15/single, $20/family. Please information. contact president Judi Newman, secretary Elaine - Melinda Jackson
History project underway at Toolangi ■ The Toolangi Castella Local History Project was initiated in 2020 through the Community Planning Scheme, thanks to the Toolangi-Castella Community House and the Shire of Murrindindi. We have a group of local residents involved from Toolangi and Castella, some with a long family and community history of several generations, some with a long term residence and some newer to the area. Additionally there are Taungurung representatives, including Taungurung Land and Waters Council representative Brad Letman. We outlined a project and were invited to apply for funding for the Toolangi Castella Local History Action Plan. This became part of the Toolangi-Castella Community Plan. Our initial application for funding to the Shire of Murrindindi, under the Community Planning Scheme was successful- we were notified later 2020 of this. This grant covers filming and editing, by a professional community film maker (Videocentric), of interviews with some of the oldest residents in the area, to record a permanent oral history of their stories. A Community History exhibition will be held at the C.J. Dennis Hall in October, with oral presentations and visual displays by locals, supported by technology, on a variety of local history topics: ■ indigenous history; ■ gold mining; ■ paling; logging; ■ the extensive timber tramway networks; bushfires and the birth and history of our local CFA; ■ the guest houses and tourism; ■ agriculture and horticulture; ■ environmental history; the schools’ histories - there were three in Toolangi/Castella; ■ the Scientific history - the Seismic Station and the Magnetic Resonance Station; ■ the Potato Research Station and its history; ■ the Strawberry Runner Certification Scheme and its importance to Australian horticulture; ■ C.J. Dennis, Australia’s most prolific author; ■ the artists of Toolangi, including history of the Sculpture Trail; ■ the history of the Church; ■ the social organisations including our Community House. It is an amazing community’s history. There will be a take-away booklet on the exhibition, with photos and major features of the history in summary form. The grant will cover audio-visual equipment hire, including large screens The cost to administer and auspice the grant
● The view from Toolangi House. Source: Rose Stereograph Series, 1920-1954. money by the Community House. This money from 'Way Back When', a Victorian based has now been transferred to the Community professional historians' group, guiding us right House ($7490 in total). There is lots of vol- through to the exhibition. unteer work in the project. They will oversee the website construction A further funding application was submit- and are running a series of Zoom workshops ted, on the advice of the Shire of Murrinidindi for the History Group and interested locals, staff to the Foundation for Rural and Re- to guide us with such matter as the interviews, gional Renewal in September, under the preparing material for the web site, researchCommunity Grants for Resilience and ing State, Federal, Local Government Wellness. FRR was interested in our project and in- records and other sites to support the collavites us to apply. We were also successful tion of our history, mounting the exhibition and with this further application and the grant of supporting the curator. We would love to see people at the Exhibiapproximately $14,500 which will cover: ■ Construction of a Community local history tion in October, from the wider communities. The exhibition will start with a Taungurung web site, up in Spetember , to permanently capture all this history for the community and Welcome to Country and we have many exas an ongoing resource, which can be added citing presentations and displays planned. We to over time also want to invite interested people from the ■ The auspice and overseeing of funding by wider surrounding districts, who may have phothe Toolangi-Castella Community House tos, newspaper clippings or other contributions ■ Professional curating of the exhibition days, related to the history of Toolangi and Castella, October 16-17 to come to the Community Collection Days or ■ The running of three community mornings contact the Group through Bernie, 0409 313 for Capturing Recorded History Mo- 877 . ments. The first of these was held on the last The local Toolangi School is combining Sunday morning of March 25, , where we in- with us to have a history week leading up to vited the community by letter drop, to bring the exhibition and an open day two days beany historical photos and documents. We copied these on site at the Commu- fore, to celebrate its 125 year celebration. We are also linking with the C. J. Dennis nity House and returned them that morning. Poetry competition Sunday, October 17, and These collected photos and documents will be we will be sending people between the exhibiused for the website and exhibition. Our second Community Collection Day in tion and the Toolangi Singing Gardens for May was cancelled due to lockdown. The sec- their special day. We have 'found' the lost Toolangi Football ond and third sessions will be held at the Toolangi-Castella Community House, Club (1952/53), complete with great photo 10am-12pmon, Sunday, June 27, and Sun- and funny story from an early 1950s newspaper report. day, July 25. Professional support throughout the process - Bernadette Miller
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The Local Paper - Wednesday, June 16, 2021 - Page 15
Local People: 3
Township plan for Whittlesea ■ Whittlesea City Council has adopted a plan that will preserve the unique, rural character of Whittlesea township. The Whittlesea Township Plan was adopted at the June 1 Council meeting. It reflects the community's aspirations for the Whittlesea Township and details how this vision can be achieved over the next 15-20 years. Administrator Peita Duncan said the final plan was developed after extensive community consultation over many years. "I would like to thank all those who took the time to share detailed feedback with Council during the consultation on the draft Whittlesea Township Plan. “Your input has helped shape service delivery in the Whittlesea Township along with the management of land, built areas and public spaces," Ms Duncan said. Council considered the 48 submissions received as part of feedback on the draft plan from residents and business owners. "I feel confident that the final plan has captured the community's desire to preserve the unique, rural character of Whittlesea Township," Ms Duncan said. One of the key themes from the community consultation was around the uncertainty of land use on the periphery of the township. "We know that certainty on containing any growth up to the existing Township is important to the community, and Council will continue to advocate to the Victorian Government for a permanent boundary," Ms Duncan said. Whittlesea Council acknowledged that not all ideas from the community could be incorporated into the Whittlesea Township Plan, however, said it would consider them as other future guiding documents are developed such as the Investment Attraction Plan, Destination Plan and Strong Local Economy Strategy. "We will work with the local community to see how Council can further support business growth and further promote Whittlesea Township as a visitor destination," Ms Duncan said. The Whittlesea Township Plan will be reviewed every two years to ensure it continues to address evolving challenges and opportunities for the community.
● Church Street, Whittlesea. Photo: Commercial Property Guide
Council News Shape future of Green Wedge ■ The City of Whittlesea is calling on residents to have their say and help shape the future use of Green Wedge areas. About 60 per cent of land in the municipality is protected by the Victorian Government from further urban development - an area three times the size of Phillip Island. Known as the Green Wedge, these areas include much-loved national parks, forests, reservoirs and nationally significant plants and animals as well as farms. Whittlesea Council is reviewing its 10-year plan for how the area is managed and wants to hear from the community. Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said Council wanted to hear first-hand what people most value and love about the Green Wedge areas. "We know these spaces are not just environmentally significant but provide our community with opportunities to enjoy recreation and leisure time," she said. "Council is committed to protecting our Green Wedge but also updating our plan to ensure we best represent what our community values." engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/green-wedge
Rethinking waste ■ Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill by 68,000 tonnes each year and the amount of waste generated per person by 20 per cent are just some of the targets set out in the City of Whittlesea's Rethinking Waste Plan 20212030. The plan features 34 actions to be implemented over the next 10 years and will be used as a guide to Council's waste management and resource recovery services for the community. Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson described the new approach to managing waste across the City of Whittlesea as visionary. "The Rethinking Waste Plan 2021-2030 responds to changes in community expectations, the waste and recycling industry, and government policy directions," she said. "It also looks at the big picture in terms of international best practice and trends in waste and resource recovery. "Written and presented in a clear and simplified way that is easy to understand, this plan considers our demographics and growth projections and sets clear targets that we can measure and report against." In developing the Rethinking Waste Plan, Council engaged extensively with community and industry via surveys, face to face discussions, focus groups and discussions with emerging leaders and school children. "Our breadth of engagement generated some amazing ideas and feedback and I would like to thank everyone who contributed," Ms Wilson said. "While the plan does set out some ambitious targets, we are confident that by working together with our community we will be able to implement new and innovative approaches to minimise the impact of waste on our environment." www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/wasteenvironment/bins-and-waste/rethinking-waste-plan-2021-2030/
30 June 2021
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Page 16 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Sport Briefs Pennant Final ■ Sunday saw an exciting and nail biting win to Yea boys pennant final at Seymour versus Eildon GC. In five close matches the last 30 minutes saw fortunes ebb and flow. Number 5 for Yea lost on the 18th to go down by 2. Number 4, Captain Greg Clements went to the 19th where he sank a 10 foot putt to win 1 up. Number three missed a putt on the 17th to continue the match and lost 2/1. Number 2 Lachie Wischer had a dogfight with his opponent but prevailed with two excellent pars to win 2/1, With the final 2-2, Wayne Rowe Number 1 held a hole lead going down the 18th only to lose posting a 7 to his opponent’s 5. Things getting pretty tight. Wayne on the 19th a par 3 hit the back of the green while his opponent was short right 15 metres off the green. The Eildon player chipped up to 8 feet and Wayne chipped up just missing the hole but going by four feet. The Eildon player left his putt just short and Wayne stood tall sinking the par putt to win one up. - Alan Pell
Local People: 4
Holiday matches for Rebels juniors SUNDAY Round 2 of the SDJFNL 2021 season was originally fixtured for ANZAC Day but these matches between Alexandra and Tabilk were played last Sunday. The Alexandra Football Netball Club junior teams hosted Tabilk for three games of football and three games of netball with the Under 15s football hosting Broadford. UNDER 13s FOOTBALL Alexandra 2.1 (13) defeated by Tabilk 7.6 (48) Essence Coffee Lounge - Cameron Sloan; Reddrops Foodworks - Kayden Lovett; Alexandra Bakery and Café - Ryan Te Giffel; Bundalaguah Engineering - Mitchell Rowntree; ITEC Clifford Brady Earthworks - Lachlan Williams; Hadfield Contractors - Tom Clark; Coach's award - Bradyn Stewart. UNDER 15s FOOTBALL Alexandra 5.2 (32) d by Broadford 11.11(77)
Miljkovic Family - Noah Campbell; Essence Coffee Lounge - Drew Coller; Reddrops Foodworks - Callan Howell; Alexandra Bakery and Café - Ryan Sproles; Hadfield Contractors - Mitchell Coutts; Coach's award - Fynn Nicholls and Ben Weeks. UNDER 11s NETBALL Alexandra 5 defeated Tabilk 2 Reddrops Foodworks award Rachelle Chenhall; Alexandra Bakery and Café award Chloe Woehl; Sponsor award Emma Simpson. UNDER 13s NETBALL Alexandra 31 defeated Tabilk 5 Reddrops Foodworks award Darcy Kidd; Alexandra Bakery and Café award Brianna Golland; Sponsor award Jamie Nash. UNDER 15s NETBALL Alexandra 60 defeated Tabilk 11 Reddrops Foodworks award Caeley Palmer; Alexandra Bakery and Café award Daisy Sheehan; Sponsor award Emily Van Lierop.
A big thank you to the above award sponsors for their continued support of our junior footballers and netballers in 2021. Next Sunday (June 20), all junior teams are at Rebel Park again for the third of three weeks of home games, hosting Yea for three games of netball and all four games of football. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy junior sport. If anyone can assist with the canteen on home games during the season please speak to Melissa Crane and Shona Miljkovic to go on the roster. - Ray Steyger
Golf: bowl stays at home ■ The Yea Pennant Team wandered off to Seymour for another round. An enjoyable day, the weather behaved and lunch was good. The golf was not so good. Once again only one winning their game, another battling it out to the 18th still not able to score a victory others back in the club house a little earlier licking their wounds. Oh well another round next week on home soil so shall see how we go. On Wednesday there was a social day as all were in preparation for the Challenge Bowl the next day and what an exciting day it was. The morning had arrived, all geared up to go, keeping fingers crossed that the heavens didn’t open up. Some 54 players all lined up in anticipation hoping to take home some fame for the day. The course looked in top shape thank you to all the volunteers you do a fantastic job. Judging by the scores many struggled to keep it together. When all had completed their 18 holes it was back to the Club House for Presentations, food and shopping. A big thanks to those who helped in the office without you it would not have happened so smoothly. One of our teams managed to secure the points to win our own Bowl. Team Di Elliott, Vicki Clements and Vicky Butler. The winners did not finish there. Di Holdsworth took the B Grade win. Also another top effort :three out of the four NTP were won by the local girls Margie Wright, Meryl Connell and Vicki Clements. A pappy crew and another successful day much to the delight of a weary Captain Miranda Gill. - Karen Sangster ★ Wednesday saw six teams of three contest an Irish Stableford Event at Yea. For the first six holes the best stableford score per team counts. On the second six holes, the best two scores count and on the last six holes all scores count. Winners with a team score of 69 were Neil Ross (33), Bill Dredge (18) and new member Paul Clayton (8). Runners-up were Ken Whitfort (3), Mick Spagnolo (6) and Russell Wealands (18) with 68. Mick Spagnolo was NTP on the 14th and the team of Graeme Bryant, Norm McCallum and David Ngo were the lucky Club Award winners receiving $4 each. - Alan Pell ★ Individual Winnner with a timely return to form was Lachie Wischer (10) with 35 points. Ken Whitfort (3) was second with 34 and Rob O’Halloran (18) was third with 33. Saturday sees the first round of the N.J. Murray being played as a result of the postponement from last Saturday. Yea Golf Club has received generous sponsorship of our Monthly Medals for the next two years through one of our members Adrianne Anglin. Her support and contribution is warmly received by the club. Adrianne presented the new hat pins to February Men’s Winner – Neil Ross and to May’s Men’s Winner John Phillips at golf on Wednesday. - Alan Pell