By The People, For The People
EXTRA LOCAL NEWS SECTION
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
Local News New Aussies
■ Mitchell Shire Council has welcomed 22 new citizens to Mitchell Shire via its first online citizenship ceremony. The group ranged in age from five to 85 with people from Nigeria, UK, India, Britain, Belarus, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Columbia, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. All citizens will receive a commemorative citizenship coin as congratulations. They will receive their certificates directly from Department of Home Affairs within the next few weeks. - Mitchell Shire Council
Black Dog moves
■ Black Dog Institute is asking local people to unite in a time of lockdown and separation and put One Foot Forward for mental health. The mental health organisation is asking people to walk 20, 40, 60 or 100kms over the month of October in a bid to raise money for medical research. “We know people cannot get together with friends, loved ones or colleagues right now,” says Tasman Cassim, One Foot Forward Manager at the Black Dog Institute. “But by all agreeing to the same challenge we can spur each other on, check in on how each other are doing and continue that sense of camaraderie. And what better cause to do it for than mental health research?” “Last year over $5m was raised by 30,000 Australians who joined in the fun and got active in doing so. “This year the team are hoping to top that amount. Research shows one in five people in Australia experience symptoms of mental illness each year, which equates to more than five million people. “Less than half of those people seek professional help. Research from the Black Dog Institute aims to develop support services available for everyone, everywhere around the country. “Participants are asked to take photos of their walks throughout the month and share them on their favourite platforms to #onefootforward. “This year the Black Dog Institute is focusing on the workforce and what we can do to check in on colleagues. Well, there is no better team building exercise than this challenge in 2021,” Ms Cassim said. - Lisa Harmer
Pollen season
■ Grass pollen season brings an increase in asthma and hay fever. During the season, a high grass pollen count and a certain type of thunderstorm can also trigger thunderstorm asthma. For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening. In Victoria, the grass pollen season runs from October through December. Take action to prepare and protect yourself and people in your care this grass pollen season. - Mitchell Shire Council
Council meets
■ Murrindindi Shire Council will hold a meeting of Councillors by Zoom videoconferencing at 6pm on Wednesday (Sept. 22). - Murrindindi Shire Council
FAREWELL DOT Alexandra says its last goodbye ■ A funeral service yesterday (Mon., Sep. 20), followed by a corteged through the township, gave Alexandra to say its last goodbye to Dot Jackson, who passed away on Friday, September 10. Rachael Maxwell Dean has given permission for her tribute to be published in the Local People section. (Our thanks to Ann McCormack): On behalf of the Maxwell family, Dot's adopted family, as she so affectionately referred to us, we thank everyone who is here today either in person or remotely to celebrate the life of Dot, Hot Dot to some, Dorothy the Dinosaur to others. Whoever she was to you, there is no denying that our Dottie was one in a billion, a true diamond in the rough. Dorothy Jean McColl was born on March 21, 1943 in Armadale to parents Wilfred and Beatrice McColl. Dot was the middle one of three girls, her sisters Robyn and Heather. Dot and the McColl family lived at Burnside in Connelly's Creek Road, Acheron between Heatherly and Craggan from when Dot was two, almost three years old. It comes as no surprise that Dot had always been a little bit mischievous and adventurous. When Dot was a young girl and unbeknownst to her mum and sister Heather, who were getting into the family car to head into town, Dot had decided to climb on the roof of the car, just as she had seen some local boys do. Unfortunately for Dottie she quickly learnt that it wasn't her most brilliant idea. Her finger got slammed in the car door accidentally by Heather, leaving Dot with a stubby left middle finger. Dot, as always, chose to see the bright side, loving the fact that she had a missing finger just like her dad, who lost his in the war. And, well Dot being Dot, also liked that it gave her an excuse to stick her middle finger up at people. Dot attended the Acheron State School between 1948 and 1953. During this time the girls outnumbered the boys, there being about nine girls and only three boys. Although outnumbered, according to Dot, boys' sports such as football and cricket still dominated in the school yard. As such, Dot grew up playing football and cricket. This may have been one of the reasons Dot developed a love for AFL and later in life the Collingwood Football Club. One of Dot's proudest days was meeting Nathan Buckley at the Alexandra Football Club. Poor Bucks thought he was taking a photo with a sweet old lady, instead he was given a cheeky pinch on the bum and lectured about his football career as only Dot would. From a young age it was evident that chatterbox Dottie had the gift of the gab, she began finessing her wheeling and dealing, negotiating behind her parents’ back with her neighbours, the Motts, to be given a pet goat. Dot's negotiating unsurprisingly proved effective, and the McColl family reluctantly welcomed Herman the goat into their lives. Dot's love for goats continued later in life, with her home at Vickery St housing a few goat residents. From 1954 to 1962 Dot attended her beloved Alexandra Secondary College. For those of you who are quick at maths, yes Dot
Local News Thanks for paper
■ Readers are enjoying the Local People section being produced during COVID: ■ Thanks Ash, looking forward to getting back on track as soon as possible. Keep up the good work. - Jim Thomson ■ Thank you very much with the updates you are sending us. Restrictions etc. can get really confusing sometimes, so we really appreciate it. Kind regards - Phil and Patrice Larkin Grand Central Hotel Yea ■ Hi Ash. Hope you are well and Corona free. - John Prinzi GV Hoists and Cranes ■ Thank you very much for the emails and keep us updated. - Antonella Celi
New Cr on deck
● Dot Jackson attended high school for eight years. Some may say she was kept back but if you asked Dottie, she would probably tell you that she chose to stay a little longer. After all school is for socialising and there is nothing, our Dottie loved more than socialising. During her time at Alex Secondary College, Dot, the born leader that she was, was appointed Cumming House Captain in 1960. In the same year she tried her hand at softball, making the girls’ team and the following year in 1961 she further explored her athleticism, playing basketball for the school team. Dot's love of the Alexandra Secondary College and her involvement continued well after her departure as a student. Dot continued to volunteer her time each year for the Debutante Ball where she would fuss over all her kids as she would call them, fixing their ties, handing out gloves and her favourite part, clipping the boys over the ear if they were misbehaving and keeping them in line. After finally completing her eight years at Alex High, Dottie ventured away from her beloved hometown to pursue her career as a nurse. Dot, like her sister Heather, spent some time working at the Children's Hospital and later she moved on to the Alfred Hospital where she was to meet and fall in love with Telford Jackson. As Dot would tell you, she had many boyfriends, in fact according to Dottie you could never have too many. However, one tall, dark, and handsome man by the name of Telford Jackson won her heart and the pair married in 1976 before later returning to her home roots. Dot and Telford settled down in Alexandra to raise their son David whom they adopted at two years of age. Dot was a very proud and devoted mother to David, who was the apple of her eye. Tragically however, at 18 years young, David lost his life in a car accident. Turn To Page 4
■ David Andrews has been elected as a councillor for Lake Nagambie Ward within Strathbogie Shire Council, after the Victorian Electoral Commission conducted a countback of votes at 10am on Wednesday (Sept. 15). The Election Manager, Charmaine Morel, declared the result after a countback of votes from the general election held in October 2020. Only those candidates who were unsuccessful at the general election and who were still eligible to be elected were included in the countback process. The extraordinary vacancy arose due to the resignation of Councillor Melanie Likos. - Strathbogie Shire Council
Yea’s chance
■ Like many other sporting bodies in the district, the Yea & St Pats Racing Club had been awaiting the Premier’s announcement on the path out of COVID restrictions. Based on Sunday’s announcement it appears that there is a strong chance that picnic racing at Yea should be able to go ahead with crowds of around 1000 people for the meetings on Saturday, November 13 and Saturday, December 18. In anticipation of racing, the Club VicePresident John Quinlan and his track committee are well advanced in preparing a safe track. The track will have its annual inspection on October 14. A particular highlight for the Club this year is the running of the Foodworks Sister Olive Handicap, the longest race on the picnic circuit over 3000 metres on December 18. The race is named for Sister Olive who won the Melbourne Cup in 1921 as a three- year-old filly, running the same time as Phar Lap did in his 1930 victory. As Sister Olive was bred in the Yea district, the club is looking forward to commemorating the 100th anniversary of her feat this year. The club hopes to announce the opening of bookings for the two pre Christmas meetings by the end of next week . There will also be an announcement on Club Memberships at that time. - Denis Smith, President Yea & St Pats Racing Club
To your in-box
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Page 2 - The Local Paper - Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Local News Puppies, pingers
■ What do dogs and psychedelic drugs have in common, asks Fiona Patten, MLC. She says both can have extraordinary benefits for people experiencing mental health disorders. Ms Patten says: Mental illness is increasingly in focus as the pandemic drags on. Community awareness of anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) is growing, helping reduce stigma. “That awareness should be accompanied by a readiness to trial treatments that work. The Royal Commission in Victoria said that the mental health system has failed, causing untold harm to many. “The Legislative Council in recent days heard of the spectacular success of specially trained dogs in alleviating the suffering of those experiencing mental illness. A disproportionate number of our frontline workers are experiencing PTSI. “There needs to be an assessment of the new and emerging treatments and services, particularly drug therapies based on substances long ago designed to alleviate mental-health disorders. “This includes LSD and MDMA, which are both showing encouraging results in tests elsewhere. “A growing number of Australian mental-health professionals want to access such treatments. “WorkSafe Victoria would potentially be able to better support people experiencing PTSI and other challenges including depression and anxiety were these therapies not blocked by the government. “Pharmaceutical-grade MDMA should be trialed in a controlled, clinical setting with a therapist. This bears no relation to recreational use of MDMA, otherwise known as ecstasy and commonly referred to as pingers). “There’s evidence it can be spectacularly effective, yet it has been refused by WorkSafe and many other organisations. “WorkSafe is also reportedly denying clients access to medically prescribed cannabis, a proven effective treatment for a number of physical and psychological conditions. “MDMA therapy is in stage three trials, for example, in the US. It is showing extraordinary results, single-treatment results. “I implore the government that we do look at these non-established, new or emerging treatments and services. “There are limited trials underway in Australia, but far more extensive ones in other jurisdictions. “The evidence is that it would be sensible to expand and accelerate trials here. Indeed, the evidence is that failure to do this would be irresponsible and even negligent. “When a system is broken, it requires open minds to fix it. And puppies and pingers can form part of an evidence-based armoury of health measures,” Ms Patten said. - Michael Short
Ryan urges return
■ The Andrews Government’s staggered return to school plan for students in regional Victoria puts local primary schools at a significant disadvantage, according to Euroa MLA Steph Ryan. Speaking in Parliament, Ms Ryan said the decision to allow only some year levels to return to onsite learning did not go far enough. Research released last week by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found lockdowns and school closures - not COVID-19 - are the main risks to children and adolescents’ health in this pandemic. “The government must urgently outline a plan to return all year levels to school,” Ms Ryan said. Ms Ryan said the one-size-fits-all approach adopted by Labor was nonsensical in country communities. “The return of year 12s, for example, means Seymour College has more than 100 students on site. - Steph Ryan
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Local People: 2
Lockdown begins in Mitchell ■ Yesterday (Mon.) saw the beginning of a seven-day lockdown across Mitchell Shire Council. Mitchell Shire includes the Seymour township which is a major commercial shopping point for residents of the Murrindindi and Strath-bogie municipalities. Victoria was notified of 567 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. All were locally acquired. There are 5675 active cases in Victoria – 5673 locally acquired and two overseas-acquired cases. There are 209 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria. 59 of those cases are in intensive care, with 40 cases on a ventilator. The following Local Government Areas recorded more than one newly diagnosed case on Sunday: 7 cases in Banyule, 12 cases in Darebin, 229 cases in Hume, 59 cases in Whittlesea, one case in Yarra Ranges. There were 12 cases notified in regional Victoria on Sunday – 5 in Ballarat, 2 in Moorabool, 1 in Mitchell, 1 in Macedon Ranges, 1 in Moira and 1 in South Gippsland. Two cases earlier on Monday reported in
● Seymour Kmart has been named as a public exposure site. Mitchell Shire are in Whittlesea, located close to the municipal border. Data on Victorian Coronavirus cases is available at www.coronavirus.vic. gov.au/victorian-coronavirus-covid-19data.
Around 63 per cent of cases identified in Victoria on Sunday are in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, with about 24 per cent in Melbourne’s western suburbs. - Dpartment of Health and local health professionals
Local newspapers hurting ■ Euroa MLA Steph Ryan has urged the Andrews Labor Government to reverse its decision to exclude country newspaper publishers for COVID-19 support. Speaking in Parliament this month, Ms Ryan said country newspapers were not eligible to apply for business support because the Andrews Government had excluded them from its narrow eligibility criteria. “Local news organisations have been smashed by COVID. While country journalists continue their tireless work to report on the news that matters to our communities, advertising revenues have declined dramatically,” Ms Ryan said. “This is putting newsrooms under even greater pressure, eroding the already slim margins of the print media. “Last year, the State Government committed to at least one page of advertising in all local newspapers each week. “When that commitment expired, many local papers found themselves with less government advertising revenue coming in and they were not eligible for any business support grants. “Some regional news outlets have had to stand down staff and others forced to fold. “Meanwhile, the government continues to pour millions upon millions of dollars into self-
‘This is putting newsrooms under even greater pressure, eroding the already slim margins of the print media.’
● Steph Ryan, Euroa MLA
promotion in the city. “Country newspapers cannot apply for any business support because the Andrews Labor Government has excluded them from its narrow eligibility criteria.” Ms Ryan said support for regional newsrooms was more important now than ever, in a time where COVID-19 and vaccination misinformation is rampant online. “Our local journalists are trusted, credible sources of information, relied on by our communities in times of uncertainty,” Ms Ryan said. “Our local newspapers have done an outstanding job, providing rolling coverage on local COVID outbreaks. “Given the enormous pressure facing country journalists, I am calling on the government to immediately reverse their decision and expand COVID-19 business support to include country newspapers.” - Steph Ryan
No name for stadium ■ Mansfield Council’s proposal to name the new Dual Court Stadium at Mansfield Secondary College the ‘Alex Pullin Stadium’ has been overruled. The name Alex Pullin was put to the community in memory of Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin, World Champion and Olympic snowboarder from Mansfield Shire, who died tragically in a holiday accident on the Gold Coast in July 2020. More than 2500 people voted ‘yes’ in support of naming of the stadium after the local sporting hero. The community engagement was highly public and widespread. The decision to name the stadium was reported widely in local news. The stadium is governed by a Joint Use Agreement between the Secondary College that ensures community access after school hours and Council has a great deal of responsibility in relation to the stadium’s construction and many aspects of the stadium maintenance and management. The stadium itself sits on land owned by the Department of Education and Training Victoria. It has now come to light that Coun-
● Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin
cil did not have naming rights to the stadium and the School has declined to name the stadium after Alex Pullin. Mayor Cr Mark Holcombe said the assumption that Council had naming rights had been a mistake but that it still stood behind the preference to name the stadium after Alex. “This is a large, complex project and although we have worked very closely with the Secondary College on the project we didn’t realise that Council didn’t have naming rights to the stadium.” said Cr Holcombe. “We’re sorry for our mistake and extremely disappointed that we can’t honour our commitment to the community and the Pullin family. “We have apologised to Mansfield Secondary College and have advocated for the stadium to be named in Alex Pullin’s honour in line with the community’s overwhelming support. However, Mansfield Secondary College has the right to make the final decision on the name of the stadium. We have also apologised to the Pullin family who are understandably very upset.” - Mansfield Shire Council
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The Local Paper - Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - Page 3
Local People: 3
Mansfield Council fined ■ Mansfield Council has received a fine from Environmental Protection Authority Victoria for breaches of its Post Closure Pollution Abatement Notice relating to the ongoing management of the closed Monkey Gully Rd landfill site. The $8261 fine was issued because Council did not meet all of the compliance conditions associated with the PCPAN, in particular the reporting conditions. General Manager Infrastructure & Planning, Kirsten Alexander, said Council recognised operational issues that had the potential to impact on its ability to meet reporting requirements late last year. “We initiated a plan to rectify these issues as soon as they came to light. We engaged a specialist consultant to improve Council’s reporting and analysis, started the process of an external audit and we are working closely with the EPA to ensure we fulfil our obligations.” In April 2021 Council provided information to the EPA on the actions Council had taken to improve its processes, including the new contracts in place for ongoing monitoring and auditing that would assist with complying
$8261 PENALTY
● Kirsten Alexander
with the PCPAN requirements and the Aftercare Management Plan. Council reached out again to the EPA this month to ask for information about how we could best meet its requirements as caretakers of the closed landfill site. “We take our environmental management responsibilities very seriously. We look forward to working with the EPA to support our commitment to protecting Mansfield Shire’s environment,” said Ms Alexander. “We actively support the community’s vision for clean air, water and land. Our prioritisation of the environment is reflected in our commitment to enhancing our operation of the landfill. “We will continue to ensure the safety of the community and our environment at this location and are confident in our ability to manage our requirements into the future,” Ms Alexander said. - Mansfield Shire Council
Kobe takes on arts job ■ Strathbogie Shire Council has appointed a new Arts and Culture Officer, an exciting step towards enhancing, developing and showcasing the community’s creative and cultural aspects. Violet Town’s Kobe Pallis joined Council in the new role which was a key goal set out in Council’s Arts & Culture Strategy 2019 – 2023. Kobe’s focus will be to enhance what our community already offers in this space and will develop a platform for creatives and cultural
Laws rammed
■ Eildon MLA iondy McLeish is calling on the Andrews Labor Government to immediately withdraw its Forests Legislation Amendment (Compliance and Enforcement) Bill and allow proper consultation to take place on the new proposed Code of Practice. The proposed new laws will make it a criminal offence if timber harvesters fail to comply with allocation orders made under the Code of Practice for Timber Production. Ms McLeish said Mr Andrews is ramming through new laws . - Talin Hadlow
● Kobe Pallis
groups to engage effectively with each other and the broader community. Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Chris Raeburn said Council recognised the importance of supporting local arts and culture. “There are so many benefits to the community if we can enhance our arts and culture scene such as increased tourism opportunities as well as promoting general wellbeing,” Cr Raeburn said. “We are very pleased to welcome Kobe who has brought an incredible amount of enthusiasm and knowledge to this new position.” Kobe has worked extensively within the professional creative arts over her career, having run both a professional photography and branding business. Working regularly with large scale arts and culture events such as the Sydney Fringe Festival and various theatre groups, Kobe has gained incredible knowledge and connections within the arts industry. Kobe is also studying a Diploma of Community Services. Strathbogie Council is seeking registrations and feedback for its Arts and Culture database through a survey on Council’s online engagement platform Share Strathbogie. - Strathbogie Shire Council
Low vax rate in the Ranges ■ Evelyn MLA Bridget Vallence last week spoke in State Parliament about low vaccination rates in Yarra Ranges Shire. “Alarmingly, vaccination rates in some of the local government areas are severely lagging, and coming from the Yarra Ranges myself - I represent an electorate in the Yarra Ranges - it is extremely frustrating that Yarra Ranges is one of the 20 local government areas that has a fully vaccinated rate of less than 40 per cent. “That can be fairly and squarely put down to the fact that there has been a lack of availability, that there has not been much availability in terms of state-run hubs out our way and that GPs and community pharmacies have struggled to try and get any supply out there from the Andrews Labor Government, who came late to the party in supporting GPs and community pharmacies to be able to deliver jabs into arms. “It is an indictment on this government that 20 local government areas, a couple of which are in the hotspot areas, are less than 40 per cent fully vaccinated. “You have got to wonder, 19 months into this pandemic, what on earth this government
● Bridgat Vallence, Evelyn MLA
has been doing. Their response to this COVID19 pandemic has been dismal time after time after time after time, from the hotel quarantine program - the flawed and botched hotel quarantine program - through to locking up public housing tower residents, in breach of their human rights, to right now not getting vaccination programs right. “What we have been calling is for priority cohorts; teachers, for example. Why isn’t this government making it easier for teachers to get vaccinated so we can get our kids back into the classroom? “Construction workers—a third of COVID cases are on construction sites, and now the CFMEU, your mates, have come out and said they are not backing a mandatory program. You have got a problem on your hands, don’t you? You have got an absolute problem on your hands. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rates of vaccination—you got that data wrong. You got it wrong. It is absolutely botched—day after day after day, botched, botched, botched—and all this MPI is about is spin and misdirection from this Labor government, who just cannot get a thing right. - Bridget Vallence
Local News Position lost
■ Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish is no longer Deputy Leader of the State Opposition. With Matthew Guy taking over the position as Leader from Michael O’Brien, David Southwick was selected as Deputy. - Ash Long
Drought Fund builds
■ Second round applications have opened for a share of up to $2.9 million under the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program. The program will continue to support the community organisations, networks and infrastructure that help people and communities prepare for drought. Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program was a key part of the Australian Government’s forward-thinking $5 billion Future Drought Fund. “When Australian agriculture thrives, we all thrive. This program will increase the presence, reach and effectiveness of community networks, with a focus on boosting community collaboration. This will help us all better prepare for future droughts. “This is part of a total investment of $19.2 million to 2023-24 in leadership, mentoring, community capacity building and small community infrastructure to help build drought resilience, supporting farmers and their communities.” The Networks to Build Drought Resilience program is being delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), with grant applications opening today. Interested organisations and individuals are encouraged to apply directly to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. Applications close November 15. For more information on the Future Drought Fund and the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/ drought/future-drought-fund/networksbuild-drought-resilience - David Littleproud
Forests Bill
■ Mill Park MLA Lily D’Ambrosio last week introduced a bill for an act to amend the Forests Act 1958 to provide a rebuttable presumption for forest firefighters suffering from specified forms of cancer that the cancer is presumed to be due to the nature of their employment for the purposes of claiming compensation under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 and for other purposes. - State Parliament ‘Hansard’
Landcare thrust
■ Interested parties are invited to provide feedback on the National Landcare Program as part of its second five-year review. Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud and Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the review is an important opportunity for anyone interested in Landcare to help shape the future of the program “When it comes to delivering on-ground activities that help improve our soil, water and biodiversity, Landcare is one of the best tools we have,” Mr Littleproud said. “The National Landcare Program has been pivotal in improving how farmers and other land managers look after their land, and this review provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to tell us what works, what doesn’t and where it can be improved. “Stewardship of the land is a key pillar of the Morrison-Joyce Government’s commitment to supporting agriculture reach its goal of $100 billion by 2030, and Landcare is a major component of this. “Going forward, we want the program to be effective as possible to ensure our farmers have the right skills and knowledge to drive sustainable agriculture production.” - David Littleproud
Page 4 - The Local Paper - Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Local News 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.
Cash for Councils
■ Senator Bridget McKenzie has announced local funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program. This includes Mansfield Shire Council - $591,593, and Murrindindi Shire Council - $72,728. - Blair Arnold
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Local People: 4
Rebels consider presentations ■ AFL Goulburn Murray, based in Shepparton, which co-ordinates Alexandra junior football and netball competitions in the Seymour District Junior Football Netball League, has advised that the Advisory Committee met on Tuesday (Sept. 14) to make a determination on the season and has released the following statement from the Operations Manager, Michael Dann: "Hi all, last night we made the very tough decision to cancel the 2021 season. Amongst other factors, the determination was ultimately reached with community safety in mind. “The League had been really lucky to not have any cases in the current outbreak within our footprint up until recently. However, with cases and exposure sites starting to popup, the risk was deemed too high. “I want to give a massive thank you to all your efforts this year. It hasn't been easy with the stop-start nature of what we've faced through the pandemic, and your commitment to junior sport needs to be recognised. “Again, thank you for a trying year. We planned for 14 rounds and officially missed two
plus the finals. As much as this isn't the way we envisioned the season coming to a close, I believe we made the best of the situation." Due to current restrictions, the social rooms are closed until further notice. In coming weeks, decisions will be made re the Alexandra Football Netball Club Junior Presentation function and the Alexandra Football Netball Club Senior Presentation function which is scheduled for Saturday, October 2, at the Club rooms. - Ray Steyger
Businesses shut
● Ray Steyger
■ Thousands of regional hospitality businesses will remain shut and their staff out of work as a result of the unworkable rules imposed by Premier Daniel Andrews, says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish. There was small hope for country businesses with the announcement it will 'ease' regional restrictions, only to slap them with capacity limits so low that it's not viable to reopen, Ms McLeish said. - Talin Hadlow
Vale Dorothy ‘Dot’ Jackson From Page One ■ Despite the massive loss, Dottie always managed to surround herself with plenty of kids to love and adore and was the resident babysitter for countless Alexandra families. Fortunately for my brother Steven and I, we were two of the luckiest kids to have had Dottie as our adopted Nana. In Dot's words,she received a 'double delight' - an adopted grandson and granddaughter to love and cherish. For as long as I can remember, Dot was front and centre at every school performance, sporting event, birthday, easter, Christmas, you name it she was there. If there was one person Steven and I could always rely on other than our Mum and Dad, it was our Nana Dottie. We learnt a lot from Dot, amongst so many things we learnt about community spirit, selflessness, unconditional love, how to stand up for ourselves and, much to Mum and Dad's disgust, we learnt some very colourful language, which, as Dot would argue, someone's got to teach kids bad habits. A saying, mind you, that she reiterated just days before her passing. Dot did counteract this by also teaching us some valuable manners with her infamous saying: 'Please Dottie Darling and, what's the magic word?' to teach us to say please. It was a common occurrence to see Dot sauntering the main street of Alex with us two kids in tow and a feisty fluffy dog, Polly, in her handbag. Like Dot, Polly's bark was worse than her bite. Our many trips up the street involved stopping for a cuppa, a fag or 10 and of course stopping to chat to every Tom, Dick, and Harry we saw along the way. Dot was renowned for bailing people up in the main street either by calling out 'Hello Darling' or by pointing and wagging her finger saying, 'I need to have a word with you'. If you were greeted by the latter, you were either in for a hell of an earful or she was going to rope you into something. Dottie was a true icon of this great town and was the most generous, charitable woman. She devoted all her spare time giving back to the community that she loved so dearly. Dot spent many years volunteering as a crossing lady, volunteering with the CFA for whom she was Deputy Communications Officer for a time, the SES, working at the Information Centre, selling poppies for the RSL and of course her years of service with the Red Cross as part of the Red Cross Transport Service. You could always rely on Dot to lend a helping hand for just about any fundraiser or charity event. In particular, Dot loved to be the
● Dot Jackson frontwoman of a sausage sizzle. In fact, as Ray Steyger could tell you, Dot often came back with more money for the football club than anticipated would be raised. One year it was expected that Dot should raise $100 if all the sausages were sold, well good old Dottie wouldn't settle for $100, she came back with $300. When Ray questioned if Dot perhaps missed the part where he said $1 per sausage Dot simply said she got some extra donations. After many years of being Dot's sidekick at sausage sizzles, I can tell you, Dot simply wouldn't take no for an answer. If someone tried to politely decline saying they did not want a sausage, Dot would quip back 'I don't give a stuff if you want a sausage or not, I just want a donation, open up your wallet.' Dottie was always busy either volunteering or often picking up extra jobs like ironing and babysitting both children and alpacas apparently, as only Dot would. Dot was a very proud member of the Alexandra community, and I am sure it came as a shock to many, as it did to us that Dot decided a couple of months ago that she wanted to leave Alexandra and head to Ocean Grove for a sea change. I'd like to take a moment to thank Kath Hedger and Yvonne Miller for all your help organising Dot's move with Mum and Dad and for looking out for Dottie when she was unwell. We are also incredibly grateful to the staff and residents at Sea Views Manor who made
sure Dot was happy and comfortable in her home away from home, or the palace as she liked to call it. Especially Joan, Thelma, Nola and Marg who dined with Dottie every day. Despite lockdown restrictions, Dot was always surrounded by her adopted family, with my mum, Tricia, able to see Dot every weekday during lockdown while working at Sea Views - and that is exactly what Dottie wanted. No matter the location, Dot was always her charismatic, mischievous self. Upon her arrival at Sea Views Manor, Dot's first words were 'You could have rolled out the red carpet for me'. Well Dottie today is your day, and you deserve nothing less than the royal treatment, so here is your red carpet. Dot, being the wheeler and dealer that she was, found someone, within 24 hours of being in Ocean Grove, who could get her cheap chop-chop so she wouldn't go without her smokes and of course there was more bang for her buck that way. She also managed to con the staff on several occasions that she was allowed more smokes/fags than what the doctor advised. While Dot's body may have begun to fail her, there is one thing that has never and would never fail her, her mind. Dot was sharp, witty, and maintained her wicked sense of humour until the end. Just days before her passing, when Mum and Dad went to visit, Dot woke up and looked at Dad's visitor sticker stuck on his shirt, to which she smirked and said, 'I always knew you had tickets on yourself'. We had our suspicions in Dot's final days that she didn't have long left because her voice started to go, and, let's face it, the Dot Jackson we all know and love, the town gossip, was never going to stick around if she couldn't gasbag. Dottie, we are glad you are no longer in pain and that you went peacefully. It has been the greatest honour being your adopted granddaughter. Although we are heartbroken that you are no longer with us, it is time for you to join Telford, but please, for goodness' sake, try to not give him too much of a hard time up there. But most importantly it's time for you to be reunited with your cheeky, beautiful boy David. You've waited a long time to be with your boy again and we can all find some comfort in the fact that you are now at peace with him. Thank you for being unapologetically you, larger than life, with a heart of pure gold. You are simply unforgettable and will be so greatly missed by so many. Rest easy Dottie, we love you. - Rachael Maxwell Dean, with Ann McCormack