Local People FREE By The People, For The People
EXTRA LOCAL NEWS SECTION
Phone: 5797 2656 or 1800 231 311.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 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.
MORE LOCAL COVID CASES
‘Positives’ in Alex., Yea, Flowerdale
■ Positive Coronavirus testing of people in Alexandra, Yea and Flowerdale has been reported by local health authorities. These cases came as Victoria was notified of 1220 new cases of COVID-19. All were locally acquired. This comes as Mitchell Shire remains in lockdown for a third week, and the City of Greater Shepparton entered restrictions late on Friday (Oct. 1). “If you’re in the City of Greater Shepparton, please follow the lockdown restrictions, get tested if you have symptoms, and get vaccinated if you haven’t already,” said Professor Ben Cowie, Acting Chief Health Officer. Some 36,248 vaccine doses were administered by Victoria’s state-commissioned services on Saturday (Oct. 2). Total number of doses administered through state-run services is 3,641,164. 82.3 per cent of Victorians aged 16 and over have now had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 51.9 per cent have had two doses. Victorians are encouraged to book their COVID-19 vaccination through their local GP or community pharmacy, community health service or state vaccination centre. To find a GP or pharmacy provider and make a booking, visit www.health.gov.au. Ten vaccination centres across Melbourne will begin administering the Moderna vaccine from today (Mon., Oct. 4) until Sunday (Oct. 10) with 100,000 doses available to anyone aged 12 to 59 years at hubs including Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre at South Morang and Latrobe University Bundoora. There were 52 cases announced in regional Victoria yesterday (Sunday): ■ 4 cases in Ararat ■ 4 cases in Ballarat ■ 1 case in Bass Coast ■ 3 cases in Baw Baw ■ 1 case in Corangamite ■ 5 cases in Greater Geelong ■ 8 cases in Greater Shepparton ■ 7 cases in Latrobe ■ 2 cases in Macedon Ranges ■ 1 case in Mildura ■ 9 cases in Mitchell ■ 2 cases in Moorabool ■ 1 case in Moyne ■ 2 cases in South Gippsland ■ 1 case in Wangaratta ■ 1 case in Warrnambool Of the COVID-19 cases in hospital on Saturday (Oct. 2), 5 per cent were fully vaccinated. There are currently more than 33,000 active primary close contacts in isolation in Victoria. At 12 Noon Sunday (Oct. 3), there were 620 published exposure sites in Victoria. People who have been tested for COVID-19 on or after Day 13 of their quarantine period and who receive a negative result can stop quarantining. They will not be contacted by the Department of Health and can use their negative test result as proof that they have completed their quarantine period. People who have not been tested for COVID19 on or after Day 13 should get tested as soon as possible and stay in quarantine until they have received a negative result. If they do not get tested, their quarantine period might be extended. - Local health professionals
● Jeroen Weimar, Victorian COVID Commander
Yea PO latest
● Yea Post Office Photo: yea.com.au ■ The Callander family at Yea Post Office received the good news that their COVID19 tests had returned ‘negative’. They had been at the Yea Medical Centre on Saturday, September 25, at a time when a positive case had attended the clinic. This means that the popular family are in lockdown, and that alternate postal arrangements have had to be made. A phone call from the Public Health Unit advised the family that they are all ‘Primary Close Contacts’ of the COVID positive person, and that the Callanders needed to continue with the 14 day isolation. Yea Post Office will remain closed for all of this week. Australia Post was working on measures for parcel collection from another site in Yea. People with a numbered card from their PO Box are being invited to go to the Post Office green shed today to collect their parcels. This is only for PO Box holders Other parcels, street and roadside have another arrangement. Wait for you card for details. POBox mail is being sorted and POBox parcels will be available for collection from the green shed beside the Post Office on Monday 8am -11am, Tuesday - Friday 8am - 10am. - Ash Long
Coronavirus Latest Latest sites listed
■ The Department of Health has listed latest COVID-19 public exposure sites. These are some of the sites in the readership area announced over the past week. ■ Bundoora. VicRoads - Bundoora Call Centre. 8 Graduate Rd. Tier 2. ■ Bundoora. We Meat Again - Uni Hill Centre. Shop 15/5 Janefield Drive. Tier 2. ■ Epping. Bunnings Epping. 310 Cooper St. Tier 2. ■ Epping. Costco Wholesale Epping. 60 Deveny Rd. Tier 1. ■ Epping. McDonald's Epping Plaza. Shop F006/583 High St. Tier 2. ■ Epping. Melbourne Marketplace. 55 Produce Drive. Tier 2. ■ Epping. Millers Cafe. Cnr Miller St and Wedge St. Tier 2. ■ Epping. Sacca's Fine Foods - Pacific Epping Shopping Centre. 571-583 High St. Tier 2. ■ Epping. Woolworths Epping. 571-583 High St. Tier 2. ■ Epping. Yes Optus - Epping Plaza Shopping Centre. Unit 37/571 - 583 High St. Tier 2. ■ Kilmore. Kilmore Bakery. 54 Sydney St. Tier 2. ■ Kilmore. Woolworths Kilmore. Shop 1, Kilmore Village Shopping Centre, 109 Northern Hwy. Tier 2. ■ Lalor. Arabic Assembly of God. 33-37 Williams St. Tier 1. ■ Lower Plenty. Goodstart Lower Plenty. 412 Main Rd. Tier 1. ■ Public Transport. Bus Shepparton Line (Broadmeadows to Nagambie). Tier 1. ■ Seymour. ALDI Seymour. 32-34 Tallarook St. Tier 2. ■ South Morang. My Chemist - Westfield Plenty Valley. 415 McDonalds Rd. Tier 1. ■ Thomastown. Harvey Norman Thomastown. 308-320 Settlement Rd. Tier 2. ■ Watsonia. Da Vinci Pizza & Pasta Gallery Watsonia. 361 Greensborough Rd. Tier 1. - Department of Health and local health professionals
Shepp. lockdown
■ Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer declared the City of Greater Shepparton to enter a seven-day lockdown commencing at 11.59 pm last Friday Friday (Oct. 1). The restrictions are the same as those in metropolitan Melbourne (excluding the curfew). Caseloads in Greater Shepparton increased late last week, with 24 active cases in this Local Government Area as of Friday. The public health teams have significant concerns about onward transmission and have determined that the seven-day lockdown is needed to limit growth in cases, as it did in City of Ballarat, Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire. Under lockdown restrictions, people can only leave home for limited reasons: necessary goods and services, caregiving or compassionate reasons (including medical care and getting a COVID-19 test), authorised work or permitted education, exercise and outdoor social interaction in limited groups, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine locally. People can also leave home to visit their intimate partner or single social-bubble buddy. No other visitors are allowed in the home. Shopping, exercise and outdoor social interaction will be limited to 15 km from your home. Masks will be mandatory indoors and outdoors. - Local health professionals
Page 2 - The Local Paper - Monday, October 4, 2021
Local Briefs Function at Alex.
■ The Alexandra Junior and Senior Presentation functions for Alexandra Football Netball Club are still being organised within the current restrictions. “We will look to complete these functions by the end of October, details to be confirmed and announced soon,” said Club President Ray Steyger. The Club is also seeking expressions of interest for Saturday and Sunday football and netball coaches for the 2022 season. Information is being advertised in the media, any enquiries to Ray Steyger on 5772 2627. - Ray Steyger
Impact survey
■ Yarra Ranges Council is encouraging community members to take part in its Pandemic and Storm Impact Survey, to collect their views and experiences and help shape Council’s recovery programs now and into the future. Information gathered in the confidential, 15-minute survey will ensure that the committed funds that Council puts towards recovery will be directed to activities and programs that support those most impacted by the pandemic and storm event. To ensure that Council receives updated and regular feedback as the recovery continues, the survey will be conducted three times a year. Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Fiona McAllister, said that the ongoing surveying of the community will play a key role in where Council prioritises its recovery-focused efforts over the next few years. “The last 18 months has tested all of us, and we know that the impacts of both COVID and the storm will be felt for some time yet,” Cr McAllister said. “The people best placed to tell us how our community are really faring, are the community themselves, so I encourage everyone in the Yarra Ranges, if you have a spare 15 minutes, to please fill out this survey. “Not only will the data help us direct our recovery funds to the most needed areas, but it will also direct us in terms of advocacy to the higher tiers of government, depending on where the community’s needs lie most.” Community members are reminded that the survey will contain sensitive issues around mental health and wellbeing, so if any of the questions raise any issues, they can visit Council’s website for a list of support agencies https://www.yarraranges. vic.gov.au/Council/Coronavirus-Updates/ Community-relief-and-support-agencies For more information or to take part in the survey, head to https://shaping. yarraranges.vic.gov.au/pandemic-stormimpact-survey - Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Hotel re-opens
■ Yea’s Country Club Hotel The Country is looking forward to opening this Thursday afternoon (Oct. 7). For now the hotel will open: ■ Thursday from 5pm, dinner from 5.30pm ■ Friday lunch from 11.30am, dinner 5.30pm ■ Saturday lunch 11.30am, dinner 5.30pm ■ Sunday lunch from 11.30am The hotel will be closed for the rest of the week. - John Drysdale
Glenburn limit
■ A review of the speed limit along West Bridge Rd and a section of KinglakeGlenburn Rd (from the West Bridge Rd intersection to the The Gums camping area) was undertaken by Murrindindi Council in December 2020. The Council also engaged with the community to seek people’s views about the speed limit. The Council submitted a proposal to Regional Roads Victoria to reduce the speed limit from 100 kmh to 80 kmh. The speed limit reduction has now been approved and new signage will be installed to reflect this change before the end of the year. - Murrindindi Shire Council
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Local People: 2
Upskirting at South Morang Special charges
■ Police are appealing for public assistance following two up-skirting incidents in South Morang. Investigators have been told a man entered the change room at two clothing stores at a shopping centre sometime between 2pm and 3pm on August 1. Whilst in the change room, he placed his phone on the ground with the camera pointed toward the victim in the adjoining change room. Investigators have released an image and CCTV of a man who may be able to assist with their enquiries. He is perceived to be Middle Eastern in appearance, aged late 30s to 40s, with a shaved head and a solid build. He was wearing a black jacket, dark top, dark jeans, black face mask and beige boots. ■ Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crime stoppers.com.au - Victoria Police
● Police want to speak with this man.
■ Community members on several roads in Millgrove and Lilydale will be notified of Yarra Ranges Council’s intention to levy a Special Charge to seal their roads, as part of the Federal Government-funded Roads for the Community Program. Councillors discussed a proposal to levy a special charge to construct these roads as part of Roads for the Community: ■ Hearse Road, Millgrove ■ Adrienne Court and Maxwell Court, Millgrove ■ Black Street and Robert Street, Lilydale ■ Morna Street and Oaks Street, Lilydale The Roads for the Community Program is a $150m Federal Government-funded program to seal roads across Yarra Ranges. Traditionally, sealing of unsealed roads is done via a Special Charge Scheme, where Council and property owners on the affected roads both contribute to the construction cost, with property owners repaying their contribution through the property rates over 10 years. - Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Rescue at Ghin Ghin
● Yea CGA reports: “Around 11pm Friday night Yea and Homewood brigades were paged to assist Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police for a 4ED which had rolled multiple times in very steep and slippery terrain on a property along Switzerland Rd in Ghin Ghin. Crews had split up into multiple search parties in attempt to find two injured patients. With one patient being located within an hour and being treated to by on scene paramedics, we could then dedicate more resources to assist locate the second patient. Once the second patient was located and with paramedics stabilising them our attention turned to getting the patient out of the paddock. A huge effort was made by crews, walking the patient out whilst we had High Angle Rescue teams from Monbulk Fire and Rescue (CFA) and SES Alexandra Unit on standby to assist with rope rescue if it happened to be needed. Thank you to Limestone who arrived on scene to assist with the walk out and crew transportation. After nearly six hours on the job crews were able to return home and get some well needed rest.”
Best and fairest winners
■ The AFL Outer East has announced its League football and netball best and fairest awards across all grades with the following results in Division 2: ■ The Seniors football award was a three-way tie between Alexandra’s Dean Galea with Benjamin Wratten and Michael Fowkes both of Powelltown. ■ The Reserves football award was a two-way tie between Alexandra’s Jordan Rice with Terry Walker of Powelltown. A three-way tie for runners-up one vote behind was Alexandra’s Orlando Reweti with Jack Bishop of Warburton Millgrove and Steven Sanders of Powelltown. ■ The Under 17s award was won by Kinglake’s Thomas McErlain on 16 votes, runner-up Aidan McErlain on 14 votes with Alexandra’s Bowen McCarthy third on 5 votes, Harry Correa wasequal fourth on 4 votes. ■ The A-Grade netball was won by Nikki Watts of Yea, Caitlan Haggis was the leading Alexandra player. ■ The B-Grade award was won by Jessica Coffey of Powelltown, Louise Chapple was the leading Alexandra player. ■ The C-Grade award was won by
● Ray Steyger
Alexandra Woods of Warburton Millgrove, Louise Chapple the leading Alexandra player; ■ D grade was won Rhiannon Brown of Broadford and Eden Duff-Smith of Powelltown, Michelle Jack the leading Alexandra player; The Seymour District Junior Football Netball also announced its League football and netball awards recently with the following Alexandra highlights: ■ Under 15 netball coach Penny Van Lierop was named Junior Netball Coach of the Year; ■ Under 13 football coach Rebecca Clark was named Youth Football Coach of the Year; ■ Under 11 netball was won by a Euroa player; ■ Under 13 netball was won by a St Marys player with Alexandra’s Reese Stewart runner up, one vote behind; ■ Under 15 netball was won by Alexandra’s Danielle Nadj; ■ Under 13 football was won by Josh Porter of Yea, George Sotiropoulos the leading Alexandra player; ■ there was no under 15 football vote count; Congratulations to those recognised at Junior and Senior League level and well done to everyone on their efforts in another difficult year. - Ray Steyger
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The Local Paper - Monday, October 4, 2021 - Page 3
Local People: 3
Hunt for Research man
People Profile Dave takes a seat
Two charged
■ Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing Research man Tobias. The 46-year-old was last seen on Main Rd about 12 Noon on Saturday (Oct, 2). Family and police are concerned as the behaviour is out of character. Police have released an image of Tobias in the hope that someone will recognise him. He is described as 175cm tall, thin build, grey/blond hair and blue eyes and was wearing black sneakers, blue jeans, a black denim jacket and a white baseball cap. Tobias is known to frequent the Research, Eltham and Templestowe areas. ■ Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Eltham Police Station on 9430 4500. - Victoria Police
● Tobias, missing from Research.
■ Police, with the assistance from the Air Wing, tracked avehicle through Mill Park, Epping and South Morang, before charging two men with a home invasion this morning. Police laid the charges following a home invasion in Craigieburn early this morning. Police were initially called to a Second Avenue home in Craigieburn following reports two males broke into the property about 1.40am (Mon., Oct. 4). It is alleged they threatened the 19-yearold female occupant with a knife before stealing her Mercedes station wagon. The victim was not physically injured. Officers responded and observed the car travelling on Hothlyn Drive. Police deployed tyre-deflation tactics in Doreen with the vehicle coming to a stop on Cooks Rd. The two occupants fled on foot, but Police quickly arrested the pair nearby. - Victoria Police
Dindi firewood: ‘do right thing’
■ Murrindindi Shire Council is urging the community to do the right thing when it comes to firewood collection, following recent reports of illegal activity. Resource Recovery and Environment Portfolio Councillor Karine Haslam said that while the current COVID-19 restrictions allow firewood collection for those of in regional Victoria, there are rules governing where and when this can happen. “Firewood collection is not permitted in national parks, natural catchment areas, conservation reserves or on roadsides managed by VicRoads,” Cr Haslam said. “In fact, there are heavy penalties for people found cutting down trees, cutting up fallen trees or even just collecting firewood in unauthorised areas, or without a permit. “When collecting firewood from a Councilmanaged roadside a permit is required. If you receive a permit from Council, it will stipulate roadsides of significant conservation value where it is illegal to collect firewood. These roadsides are also listed on our website. “We are concerned about the number of people who persist in taking wood from conservation areas. We’d encourage anyone who lives
● Cr Karine Haslam
along a significant roadside, or anyone who is driving by, who notices illegal firewood collection to get in touch with Council to let us know. “In this situation, it is best to take a photo (if safe to do so) or note down vehicle registration details, rather than approach people directly. This information can assist our Community Safety officers to take action against those engaging in these unlawful activities. “Council will also be actively monitoring roadsides which have significant conservation value where illegal firewood collection is occurring. “Council is considering installing CCTV cameras on protected roadsides to catch those who ignore the rules designed to protect these fragile areas. We’d prefer that everyone simply did the right thing, but we are prepared to take more serious action against offenders if this isn’t the case. “The rules around firewood collection are in place to protect our native vegetation and wildlife, which provide us with essential services like clean water, fresh air, and crop pollination. Fallen logs in particular provide much-needed habitat for native critters, many of which are threatened with extinction,” Cr Haslam said. - Trudi Elkington
● Cr Peter Perkins
■ A downsizing and decluttering workshop to help you feel more confident and in control. About 20 per cent of Nillumbik residents are aged 60 and over and a significantly high proportion of residents are pre-retiree or older workers aged 50-59. Cr Perkins said Nillumbik was a wonderful place to live and age well in with its natural environment, parkland and reserves, its caring community and neighbours, and opportunities to connect and join social groups and volunteer. “We are living longer, healthier lives – and we are celebrating this with an exciting program of activities over the coming months,” Cr Perkins said. “The festival is an opportunity for people over 55 to find out what activities and community groups are available to them, try something new, make new friends and have fun.” Online events will require an internet-enabled computer or device such as a smart phone to download Zoom, an online video conferencing platform. Should you need transport to attend an event, contact Community Transport on 9433 3723 or community.transport@nillumbik.vic.gov.au - Kate Shannon
Nillumbik seniors celebrate
■ The 2021 Nillumbik Seniors Festival throughout October, November and December - celebrates positive and healthy ageing, and runs in conjunction with the statewide fesival. Nillumbik Mayor Cr Peter Perkins says this is an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the importance and value of our older residents. Theme of this year’s festival is ‘keepin on’, reflecting on the resilience of older adults, and encouraging everyone to get involved and reconnect with the community. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions many of the programs will run online, with face-toface events only going ahead if and when it is safe to do so, and some may convert to online. Most of the events in this year’s program are free or low cost and include an array of activities. Highlights include: ■ Free online exercises to encourage people to stay active and healthy ■ A poetry reading exploring issues around ageing ■ An intergenerational story time and seed planting ■ Forest bathing, a mindful meditation for all senses
● Cr Dave Andrews ■ Strathbogie Shire’s new Councillor Dave Andrews has spoken of his first Council meeting. On September 21, Cr Andrews took the Oath of Office to represent the Lake Nagambie Ward after the recent resignation of Melanie Likos resulted in his eligibility on a countback by the Victorian Electoral Commission. Cr Andrews said he was pleased to accept the vacancy and wished Ms Likos all the best. “I nominated for Council because I think it is important not to sit back in your armchair and complain about things, you have to keep active and get involved in your community,” Cr Andrews said. “Also, in my capacity as a resident I was pleased with the efficiency and positivity of Council staff in actioning my issues.” Cr Andrews said people wanted to know their rates were well spent, improving everyday life for residents, and attracting visitors to the Shire. “I am not an activist, I don’t have an agenda - I am an advocate for the people,” he said. “I have a few ideas that have been put to me by the community. I am keen for people to have facilities that are comfortable, to have outdoor activity spaces that give healthy family time and ‘me time’ for individuals.” Cr Andrews said he was told by locals before last year’s election that he would enjoy the experience of running for Council – and he did. He also did a lot of walking across three days, hand delivering campaign flyers because he “was slow off the mark” to meet the postage deadline. “I got sore feet, but I met a lot of lovely people and that was really encouraging,” Cr Andrews said. That is not to say Cr Andrews, 63, is short on fitness – he and wife Suzan are medalwinning masters rowers who moved to Nagambie in 2017. Following Cr Andrews’s retirement from a 36-year career with Victoria Police in metropolitan Melbourne, the Andrews were attracted to Strathbogie Shire’s lifestyle and Lake Nagambie’s premier rowing and canoeing course. As well as operational policing, Cr Andrews spent a lot of his career as a trainer at the Victorian Police Academy. He spent his first year in Nagambie “pulling beers at the pub”, and the second year as a Gamblers Help trainer, teaching responsible of gambling service to bar staff in gambling venues within the region. Cr Andrews, now retired, has also been a regular contributor to Go Nagambie’s , writing gardening columns and rowing articles. A father of one, he has three grandchildren and is a hobby picture framer who also enjoys framing military and sports medals. He joins Cr Reg Dickinson as the two representatives to the Lake Nagambie Ward. - Strathbogie Shire Council
Page 4 - The Local Paper - Monday, October 4, 2021
Local Briefs Centre closed
■ The Seymour Resource Recovery Centre will be temporarily closed today, (Mon., Oct. 4), due to staff shortages. It is hope dto reopen the centre as normal at 10am on Thursday (Oct. 7). A Council representative: “If you need to utilise our waste services today, our other Resource Recovery centres remain open. ■ Pyalong: 9am to 1pm ■ Wallan: 10am to 4pm All Resource Recovery Centres are open for essential visits from Mitchell Shire residents only. Essential visits are for those who: ■ do not receive a kerbside collection ■ who need to dispose of waste that has a strong odour ■ are cleaning up for fire season - Mitchell Shire Council
At Mansfield
■ After 20 years, the concept of an indoor aquatic facility for Mansfield is back on the radar but this time with a new approach. Mansfield Council will support Year Round Aquatic Facility for Mansfield Inc. to lead the charge. The Council has given YAFM the green light to come up with a community-led solution on Council-owned land. The land earmarked as a site sits alongside the Mansfield Secondary College and is on the intersection of Reynolds St and Malcolm St. It will work with YAFM on whether there is the need and demand for an indoor pool and how to make it feasible. This is the first step in planning for an indoor aquatic facility. Mayor Cr Mark Holcombe said community interest in an aquatic facility had been evident for many years. - Mansfield Shire Council
Kilmore fresh look
■ Kilmore’s main street will soon be transformed with a new Prussian Blue heritage colour scheme, banners celebrating the year 1841, historic stories, new street trees and pedestrian crossing refuges as part of a $3.37 million rejuvenation. In addition to the streetscape works, the approach endorsed at the September Mitchell Shire Council meeting also includes designs for new town entry signs and re-iterates plans for future off-street car park development and the importance of the bypass in opening up Kilmore’s retail potential. Tenders will now be called for the streetscape works between Clarke St and Bourke St with construction hoped to start in the first half of next year. Works include: ■ new colourful street trees including Tupelo Black Forums, Jerilderie Reds, Urbanite Ash and Crepe Myrtles. ■ pedestrian islands ■ upgraded heritage style streetlights, street furniture and pavement to complement the history of bluestone use in the area ■ light pole promotional banners celebrating the year 1841 which marks Kilmore’s creation as a town settlement ■ improved disabled parking and new bus stops ■ better access to nearby off-street and onstreet parking including directional signage The streetscape work is possible thanks to funding from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund ($2.423 million), Regional Infrastructure Fund ($500,000) and Mitchell Shire Council ($445,173). Mayor Cr Rhonda Sanderson said: “ The Kilmore community has been asking for many years to have Sydney St beautified and improved - they want to be proud of their main street and proud of where they live. “This is the largest streetscape project we have undertaken. I’m excited to see how this project transforms Kilmore’s main street, celebrates the rich history of the area and provides a much-needed recovery boost for our local businesses. - Mitchell Shire Council
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Local People: 4
Boost for local sports clubs ■ The State Government is boosting support for thousands of sports clubs, leagues and associations affected by public health restrictions to curb the spread of the highly infectious Delta strain of Coronavirus. Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport has announced the opening of a $10 million fourth round of the Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package – taking the package to support these key grassroots organisations to $50 million. The Package has to date provided a lifeline for more than 6300 clubs, with a further 430 leagues and associations and 75 state sporting associations, organisations and regional academies also supported. All Victorian clubs that have suffered losses due to the current lockdown will be eligible to apply, including clubs that have been awarded grants in earlier rounds of the program. Clubs and associations are doing it tough with restrictions on training and competitions and the new support will allow thousands of local clubs to move to a secure footing to return to play under the Victorian roadmap released late last month. In the fourth round, clubs can apply for a
$1500 GRANTS AVAILABLE
● Ros Spence
grant of $1500 and local leagues and associations $2500 to cover costs and lost revenue associated with the cancellation of training, development programs and competition. Previous recipients will be asked to respond to an email from Sport and Recreation Victoria by October 29 to receive their top-up grant. For further information and a list of all recipients of the Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Survival Package, visit sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding. “Community sporting clubs are the backbone of many local communities and this will help support them through very tough times,” said Ms Spence. “These clubs are a second home to many people and the support they receive is in effect support for the hundreds of thousands of players, volunteers and supporters who make these organisations so valuable.” - Ros Spence
● Peita Duncan
munity is a welcoming place for everyone.” The Access Keys are also accompanied by Social Stories, which have been developed for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, specific language disorders, social communication difficulties and cognitive delays and disability. The Meadowglen Social Story is based on a school athletics carnival, and is designed to help prepare individuals for social interaction by providing clear information about specific social situations, outlining why they happen and what typical responses might be. AAA co-founders Judy O’Connor and Maxine Parker created Access Keys after discovering a void while working in the education sector with children with a disability. “Every time we would prepare our students to go somewhere new or unfamiliar, we found there weren't resources available at our fingertips,” Mrs Parker said. She said Access Keys gave users the “gift of time and the gift of confidence”. PE teacher Hayley Northridge, from Bundoora’s Concord School, said the Access Key would allow students and teachers to plan ahead before visiting Meadowglen for an athletics carnival. - Peita Duncan
Help for Whittlesea disabled
■ The often-daunting task of visiting a new venue for the first time has been made easier for people with a disability, with the release of detailed written guides for two major City of Whittlesea venues. Whittlesea Council has engaged Access Ability Australia to produce two Access Keys, for Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium and the All Abilities Playspace in Mill Park, with another being prepared for Mill Park Leisure. The keys, which are free to download, are customised, full-colour documents which contain supportive text, maps and sensory guides, and cover prediction, orientation, structure, sensory integration and accessibility and safety features. Whittlesea Council Administrator Peita Duncan said the keys would allow visitors to familiarise themselves with the athletics stadium and playground before a visit and were a useful tool for anyone using local facilities, including parents and seniors. “Reading Access Keys before a visit allows users to navigate themselves around venues with clear instructions on where things such as toilets or change tables are located,” Ms Duncan said. “This initiative helps to make sure the com-
● Pictured: Magenta Connolly, Rod Falconer, Tiffinie Reeves, Marg Rouse, Jason Krijt and Sam Hicks celebrate the opening of the Alexandra Indoor Heated Pool on Friday (Oct. 1). Photo: Facebook