By The People, For The People
EXTRA LOCAL NEWS SECTION
Local People Phone: 5797 2656 or 1800 231 311.
FREE
www.LocalPaper.com.au
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
■ Readers can subscribe to have free copies of the Local People section emailed direct to their email address. Go to ‘subscribe’ at www.LocalPaper.com.au