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EXTRA LOCAL NEWS SECTION
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2021
Local News Art Show Winners
■ The Rotary Club of Kinglake last night (Fri.) officially opened the online Kinglake Art Show. Winners were announced: Paintings Black and White ■ 1st Place – Terri MacDonald “Platform 8” Exhibit 287 ■ 2nd Place – Monica Tieu “Fleeting Birds” Exhibit 458 Paintings General ■ 1st Place – Sharon Wootton “Still Life with Pineapple” Exhibit 512 ■ 2nd Place (equal) – Pauline Bailey “Temple Town Abbotsford” Exhibit 42 and Chris White “Into the Light Walwa” Exhibit 499 Encouragement Awards ■ Rhonda Owen “Emus Ollie and Elmo” Exhibit 361 ■ Lindsay Hussey “Within” Exhibit 231 Best in Show ■ Do Noble “Tranquility Space” Exhibit 341 Photography ■ 1st Place – John Rapley “Alone” Exhibit 377 ■ 2nd Place – Judi McDonald “Life is a Highway” Exhibit 306 Sculpture ■ 1st Place – Ilona Herreiner “Separation and Consolidation 1” Exhibit 193 ■ 2nd Place – Aukje Van Vark “Drinking Giraffe” Exhibit 482 ■ Commended – Chris Anderson “Hilarious” Exhibit 28 Single and Mixed Media ■ 1st Place – Julie Van der Eynden “Mirror” Exhibit 478 ■ 2nd Place – Cassandra Lane “From A Quiet Place” Item 265 ■ Commended – Steven Cole “Kangaroo Paw” Exhibit 118 Textiles ■ 1st Place – Pauline Dewar “Spring Flowers” Exhibit 144 ■ 2nd Place – Nikki Collie “Jack’s Dinosaurs” Exhibit 132 Commended General Paintings ■ Carole Lees “Early Morning Shadows Mansfield” Exhibit 276 ■ Jacinta Payne “Fire and Flood” Exhibit 370 ■ Joan Denner “Quince Study” Exhibit 143 Joanne Coleman “Daffodils” Exhibit 120 ■ Julian Bruere “Snowgums Mt Torbreck” Exhibit 84 ■ Julie Collette “Spring” Exhibit 127 ■ June Orr “Twelve Apostles” Exhibit 356 ■ Justin Byrne “White Faced Heron” Exhibit 96 ■ Lisa Tomlinson “Australian Totem” Exhibit #462 ■ Lynda Robinson “Burbling Waters Jamieson” Exhibit 385 ■ Mark Bagally “Yackandandah” Exhibit 32 ■ Maureen Runge “View to Mt Disappointment” Exhibit 411 ■ Mike Kowalski “I’ve Got the Low Down Brunswick Blues” Exhibit 258 ■ Philip Vercoe “Early Morning Swim” Exhibit 491 ■ Robert Diss “Eagles Nest Inverloch” Exhibit 149 ■ Waqeea Chaudhry “Tea in the Sun” Exhibit 117 ■ Youjia Xu “The East Young Girl” Exhibit 520 ■ Ying Huang “Hearts Shadow” Exhibit 225 Commended Black and White ■ Adrian Neill “Helena” Exhibit 333 ■ Bindi-lee Byrne “Mr Shaggy” Exhibit 91 Elena Kolotusah “Hutan the Sumatran Tiger” Exhibit 251 ■ Phil Suter “Palais Hall of Fame” Exhibit 436
K’LAKE PEST JAILED FOR 12 MONTHS ‘A snivelling wreck dragged out from behind his keyboard with nothing to say’
- POLICE
■ Ashley Geelan, 43-year-old university student, formerly of Kinglake, was yesterday (Fri.) jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to charges associated with stalking, breach of Court orders, and breaches of bail conditions. Over a four-year period, Geelan created havoc with an ongoing online campaign against identities particularly those in the Kinglake area and wider Murrindindi region. People harassed included former Murrindindi Shire Mayor Leigh Dunscombe, police hero Cameron Caine, businessman Mark Beacham, locals BlakeAllen and Lee Lawrence, and Editor Ash Long. Geelan’s targets included a former Kinglake publican, prominent local business people, even a Kinglake volunteer historian aged in her eighties. Geelan created many hundreds of online and social media posts attacking his targets. Police were told that Geelan made written threats against the personal safety and well-being of a number of people including then-Cr Dunscombe, Mr Beacham, Mr Allen and Mr Long. Geelan wrote to one victim that he had met with ‘enforcers’: "I met some of these men at around 3am this morning. I gave them, your, Leigh Dunscombe's, Ash Long's and Blake Allen's home address. “What they - whomever they are - do with it ain't up to me ... I advise you as a friend to walk from the lot real f---ing fast. That is if you'd like to have a home to return to!" Geelan issued multiple death threats to one of his victims. Geelan used his Kinglake Ranges News website to disparage local people, including community volunteers. Many of his reports were based on total fiction. The Court was told that Geelan repeatedly breached Personal Safety Intervention Orders taken out against him. On two occasions, Geelan applied for Personal Safety Intervention Orders against Mr Long but did not attend Court. Geelan’s applications were struck out. Magistrate Jennifer Tregent, sitting at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court, imposed a 12 month term of imprisonment with a non-parole period of six months. Having previously served one month on remand, Geelan must serve five months before becoming eligible for parole. Geelan was told that he will find it extremely difficult to be granted parole given the circumstances of his offending and the current attitude of the Adult Parole Board. Geelan’s solicitor did not indicate that an appeal against the sentence is likely.
● Ashley Geelan Geelan has a criminal history of dishonesty in regard to matters including theft, and impersonating a Police officer. Police are likely to apply to have property seized from Geelan’s address at Winter Cres, Reservoir, forfeited and destroyed. This includes computer hardware. On a number of occasions, Police exercised warrants on Geelan’s home. He had been arrested, questioned and remanded. Geelan had been under Court orders that prohibited him from using the internet, except for his La Trobe University studies. At one stage, a Magistrate issued a ‘Cease and Desist’ letter against Geelan after he made unsubstantiated claims against a district policeman. Geelan was the promoter of The Victorian News, which he promised to launch at the start of both 2020 and 2021. He pledged a hard copy newspaper format with advertisements, but the publication never eventuated. At another time, Geelan posted repeatedly online the false claims that a number of Kinglake citizens had been placed on the 'Sexual Offenders Register'. He published the fictional allegation that one of his victims had been involved in a rape in Thailand. The citizen had never been involved in rape or any misconduct, or ever been to Thailand. Geelan went on to register business names using the names of other people including Rupert Murdoch, Keith Murdoch, Liberal politician Tim Smith and various Kinglake identities. He purports to own ‘The Sun News-Pictorial’. According to the Australian Business Register ‘lookup’ service, Geelan Media Pty Ltd still has some of these names registered to his Reservoir address. - Special Writer
Local News Latest sites listed
■ Health authorities have revealed latest local venues to be added to the COVID-19 public exposure sites: ■ Bundoora. Australia Post Bundoora LPO - Bundoora Square Shopping Centre 39 Plenty Rd. Tier 1. ■ Mooroolbark. KingKids Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten Mooroolbark. 101103 Manchester Rd. Tier 1. ■ Whittlesea. Journey Early Learning. 2 Egret Place. Tier 1. - Department of Health and local health professionals
Planning at Eildon
■ Murrindindi Shire Council is set to launch its Community Planning Project in Eildon from early next year and we’re looking for people to help us get ready for it. The Council is inviting all community members – that’s residents, business owners, visitors, service providers and people from surrounding areas - to pop-in to the Eildon Visitor Information Centre from 10 am to 12 Noon on Friday, October 22 or from 12 Noon to 2 pm on Monday, October 25, to have a chat and learn how to get involved. Eildon Ward Councillor Karine Haslam said it is exciting that Community Planning is coming to Eildon. “During 2019 and 2020, Council trialled its Community Planning Pilot Project in the townships of Yea, Marysville and ToolangiCastellla, which was very successful. Now, it’s Eildon’s turn – and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve. “With a little support from Council, we’ll put you in the driver’s seat to identify opportunities and priorities for Eildon’s future and work with you to develop your own Community Plan. “We’re looking for people to help us plan how this Project will work in Eildon. So, if you live or work in the area, enjoy visiting or feel connected to Eildon in some way, drop in for a chat and learn more about community planning and how you can make a difference. “If you can’t make it this time around, we’ll be hosting more sessions in the coming months so keep an eye out on Council’s Facebook page and on The Loop as we announce more dates,” Cr Haslam said. For more information about the Council’s Community Planning Project in Eildon, please visit theloop.murrindindi.vic.gov.au or give a call on 5772 0333. - Murrindindi Shire Council
Reach out for help
■ There are a variety of financial support packages for people and businesses impacted by COVID-19 including financial, job and business support. If you or a loved one needs wellbeing or mental health support, help is available online, or contact: ■ Lifeline: 13 11 14 ■ Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 ■ SANE 1800 18 SANE (7263) ■ Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 - Mitchell Shire Council
Emergency time
■ Mitchell Shire Council voted at last month’s Council meeting. to acknowledge a Climate Emergency. “By acknowledging a climate emergency, Council publicly recognises the urgent need for action at a scale and speed that will restore a safe climate, with the least possible loss and damage to ecosystems, the economy and society,” the Council said. - Mitchell Shire Council
Page 2 - The Local Paper - Saturday, October 9, 2021
Local Briefs $9.2mil for NE
■ The Federal Government is investing in the future of North East Victoria with more than $9.2 million in funding for five local projects under Round 5 of the successful Building Better Regions Fund. Projects to receive funding in the electorate of Indi include: ■ Mansfield autism operation gamechanger project retreat. ■ Rutherglen wine walk cycle trail. ■ Mt Hotham alpine gateway - accessibility augmentation. ■ Finding Our Voice: Media and messaging for volunteers. ■ Growing emerging extension leadership in regional Australia. Senator Bridget McKenzie said the Government’s investment will deliver better facilities and economic opportunities for the region. “We are backing these projects so local residents have the facilities for the future, while creating jobs to boost economic recovery,” said Senator McKenzie. “These projects are important for our community. Under the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund, thisregion will benefit from the construction of an early intervention facility for neurodivergent children in Mansfield, a 48-kilometre walk and cycle trail, improved disabled access, a series of workshops, group mentoring and a workbook for environment and sustainability groups, as well as a leadership program to emerging rural leaders. “I have worked closely with local councils and community groups. It’s great to be part of a Government that will listen to and deliver for our community.” Under Round 5 of the BBRF, the Government has committed almost $300 million to support 295 projects across regional Australia, which will create an estimated 9900 jobs during the project period. This latest funding round takes our total support through the BBRFto $1.38 billion across nearly 1300 projects. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government is focused on ensuring our regions remain strong. “The Liberal and Nationals Government is continuing to work hard on behalf of Australians living in regional and remote communities,” Mr Joyce said. “That’s why we’ve committed an additional $100 million under this latest round to take total funding to almost $300 million. “This extra funding will support more projects, more jobs and create more economic opportunities in our regions to boost their recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Funding for these projects in North East Victoria is a testament to the dedication of Senator McKenzie. “Funding under the Building Better Regions Fund supports economic and social infrastructure for the long-term benefit of regional communities. “Infrastructure upgrades funded in this latest round will ensure our regions remain great places to live and visit, while helping support important regional industries which create jobs. “Our Government is committed to delivering the best outcomes for regional and remote Australia, which is why we are providing local businesses, industries and families with opportunities to get ahead.” - Blair Arnold ● Indi wins big, says Haines see Page 3
Mandatory vax?
■ Dementia Australia supports mandatory vaccinations across the aged care sector and urges people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment, and their loved ones, to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. CEO Maree McCabe said people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment are more vulnerable to contracting severe COVID-19 and once infected, have a high risk of disease-related morbidity and mortality. - Gabrielle Prabhu
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Local People: 2
‘Bad taste in the mouth’ ■ The Andrews Labor Government has short changed Victorian wineries by altering the eligibility criteria for producer’s licence holders funding, according to Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish. Ms McLeish said this change will cause wineries to miss out on tens of thousands of dollars of desperately-needed financial support. Future payments through the Licenced Hospitality Venue Fund will now be determined by patron caps on liquor licences, restricting larger cellar doors with bars, cafes and restaurants to the lowest form of financial support. “Wineries that can seat hundreds of patrons in their restaurant and cellar door are only eligible to receive $5000 per week. In comparison, other licenced venues of a similar size can access $20,000 funding per week.” Ms McLeish said. Most wineries that hold a producer’s licence do not have patron caps identified, meaning larger cellar doors that can seat more than 500 people are eligible for just $5000 per week (for premises with capacity of 0-99 patrons or ‘patrons not specified’). Leading industry body, Wine Victoria, is concerned the revised criteria will create disparity
‘Wineries that can seat hundreds of patrons in their restaurant and cellar door are only eligible to receive $5000 per week.’
● Cindy McLeish, Eildon MLA
amongst membership and other Victorian hospitality providers, particularly those in regional Victoria. “City centric Daniel Andrews continues to implement a one-size-fits-all approach, blatantly ignoring the unique requirements on Victorian hospitality venues,” said Ms McLeish. “The past two years have put the Victorian wine industry through the wringer, which is facing significant hardship after the Summer Bushfires, Chinese tariffs on Victorian wine and being plunged in and out of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.” “Hospitality, including wineries, need a plan form Daniel Andrews to reopen, rebuild and recover after Labor’s yo-yo lockdowns and restrictions. The industry needs support to ensure they are ready for when Victoria finally opens,” Ms McLeish said. - Talin Hadlow
Push for KLW fire station
■ Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell has renewed calls for the Andrews Labor Government to fund the construction of a new fire station for the Kinglake West Fire Brigade. Speaking during the adjournment debate in State Parliament , Ms Lovell again sought a commitment from Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes to replace the existing building, which is nearing 50 years of age and no longer meets the requirements of a modern fire service. Ms Lovell raised the need for a new station with the then Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville in August 2019, detailing the many hazards for volunteers caused by the station’s infrastructure, including members regularly at risk of being hit by arriving and departing vehicles due to the small engine room. Ms Lovell this month said it was sad that more than two years later, the station remained in the same condition and the Kinglake volunteers, who played a crucial role in the Black Saturday bushfires, have been left to wonder when they will receive the new station they need and deserve. Ms Lovell said she had been informed that the Kinglake West brigade currently sat at 10th or 12h on the priority list for a new station and
called on Ms Symes to prioritise funding to build a new station. “The Kinglake West Fire Brigade, whose members played such a heroic role during the Black Saturday bushfires have been completely ignored by the Andrews Labor Government,” Ms Lovell said. “It is unacceptable that the current condition of the Kinglake West Fire Station is putting volunteers at risk whilst they work to protect their community and I call on Ms Symes to step up and prioritise funding to deliver them the new station they deserve.” - Jason Kelly
At Steels Creek
● Wendy Lovell MLC
■ Membership fees at Steels Creek Tennis Club are due for the coming membership year starting July 1. Family memberships will be $90, Senior memberships will be $35, Junior memberships $20 and Social memberships still $10. Please contact club Secretary, Graham Lloyd for updates and detailed information about Tennis Club activity or Lindy Montell for Ladies Tennis. - Steels Creek Grapevine
● Tania Maxwell MLC
“News media organisations are not included in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification codes that define hardship and determine eligibility for the business costs assistance program grants. Newsagents are, but not the media organisations that produce the publications they distribute. “By remaining open, regional media have continued to deliver news at a time when timely and quality information is extremely important in keeping residents up to date. At the same time, they report a sustained reduction in advertising revenue. “Regional media rely on local businesses for their advertising revenue and this revenue has been significantly curtailed due to continued lockdowns and border controls. “Many clients who would usually advertise across regional TV, newspapers and radio have been unable to trade and they are heavily restricted or they have ceased to advertise because of the uncertainty and their own financial hardship. “Similarly, the advertising that would support promotion of local events has also vanished,” Ms Maxwell said. - Jamie Kronborg
Regional publishers need aid
■ Northern Victoria MLC Tania Maxwell has joined the call for the Victorian Government to boost its support for regional publishers. Ms Maxwell, a representative of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, told the Legislative Council that regional media publishers and broadcasters should be eligible for COVID hardship and recovery funding. “My adjournment is to the Minister for Small Business (Jaala Pulford), and I ask this on behalf of regional media, who continue to experience difficulty accessing financial support. “Regional media outlets in my electorate are concerned that their sustainability is at risk. “The requirements of the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund are not reflective of the hardship experienced by regional media outlets. “News media organisations incur high weekly costs in wages, printing, distribution and overheads. “They have experienced reductions of 60 per cent in revenue over months and months, which is a serious threat to their sustainability, but because it is not quite 70 per cent it has left them ineligible for the COVID hardship fund.
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The Local Paper - Saturday, October 9, 2021 - Page 3
Local People: 3
Boost for tourism businesses
■ Murrindindi Shire Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from local tourism businesses that would like to be involved in collaborative marketing activities to encourage visitation to our region. The Council’s Tourism, Events and Business Support Cr Ilona Gerencser said Victoria - and the rest of Australia - is planning for a staged reopening in the coming months and Council is excited to, once again, welcome visitors from both Melbourne and inter-state. “We’re going to encourage visitors to stay longer and support our local businesses through a range of targeted marketing activities, including promotion via our Discover Dindi social media platforms, advertising and editorial content in print media, opportunities afforded by visiting journalists and involvement in television programs. “As part of these marketing activities, we’re really keen to showcase the many amazing tourism businesses across our Shire and what they have to offer. If you’d like to be involved – we want to hear from you. “We’re also putting the call out to businesses to partner with each other to create some amazing accommodation and experience packages,
● Cr Ilona Gerencser
which will help entice visitors to plan a holiday in our region’, Cr Gerencser said. “Packages create a real point-of-difference which can elevate what we offer to tourists. Packages can also help increase visitor spend and length of stay in our Shire. “As a suggestion, accommodation businesses might look at partnering with other local businesses which provide complementary services, including a decadent dining experience, cooking classes, winery trips or luxury pamper sessions. “If you create the packages, we can help promote them via our Discover Dindi channels and networks. And if you need a little help developing packages, please let us know – we’d be happy to help. “Let’s work together to get visitors back to Murrindindi Shire and get you back on your feet after another tough year of COVID-19 restrictions. “And don’t forget, Council is here to support you and your business with access to industry training and development programs through our partnership with Tourism North East.” murrindindi.vic.gov.au/tourismsupport - Murrindindi Shire Council
Indi wins big, says Haines
■ Life-changing projects championed by Indi MHR Helen Haines have been funded in the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund, including Mansfield Autism Statewide Service’s Operation Gamechanger and a 48 kilometre Rutherglen wine walk cycle trail. More than $9.2 million has been committed to five projects in Indi in round five of the Building Better Regions Fund. Dr Haines made strong representations to the Federal Government on many of the projects. Mansfield Autism Statewide Service has been granted $3.8 million for the Operation Gamechanger project, which will provide new facilities and expanded services for children with autism and their families. “I am thrilled the Federal Government has decided to invest in Mansfield with a $3.9 million contribution to construct a new early intervention facility as part of Mansfield Autism’s Project Gamechanger,” Dr Haines said. “MASS is an world-leading centre for children with autism and demand far exceeds current capacity. This funding will ensure MASS can continue to support children with autism and their families through retreats in the Mansfield region, which will also create local jobs and
● Helen Haines, Indi MHR
boost the tourism sector as part of our COVID recovery.” The MASS Gamechanger project has been included in Dr Haines’s budget submission in 2021 and 2020, and Dr Haines has met with former education minister Dan Tehan and current Education Minister Alan Tudge, and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to lay out the case for supporting the project. Indigo Shire Council has been awarded $5.13 million for the Rutherglen Wine Walk Cycle Trail, which was also included in Dr Haines’s budget submissions in 2020 and 2021. “I’m also pleased to welcome $5.13 million in funding for this project, which I put to the Treasurer as part of a broader call on the Government to establish a new regional tourism infrastructure fund to make sure regions like the North East had the best chance of bouncing back from COVID, bushfires and border issues,” Dr Haines said. The Rutherglen Wine, Walk, Cycle Trail is a 48km network of multi-use trails with many ride or walk options to suit one-hour to threeday visitor experiences, aligned to the current and future visitor markets. - Sally Whyte
● Cr Karine Haslam
“That’s why each October, people in our communities count how many birds they see within 20-minutes in their backyard or local park. “This provides a snapshot at the same time each year, allowing us to look at trends in our bird communities, and enabling you to make an important contribution to citizen science from your own home. “Last year, 217 Murrindindi Shire residents participated in the Bird Count. More than 13,000 birds of 134 different species were observed and recorded locally - what a fantastic effort. “And you don’t have to be an expert to get involved. You can use the ‘bird finder’ tool on the ABBC app and website to help you identify any birds you don’t recognise. “This is Council’s sixth year supporting the ABBC. Counting birds isn’t just a fun activity for you and the environment – spending time observing nature has been proven to provide benefits to mental health and well-being. “We know this is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cr Haslam said. ■ For more information and to register to be part of the nation’s largest annual citizen science event, please visit aussiebirdcount.org.au - Murrindindi Shire Council
Bird Count in Dindi this month
■ The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is on from October 18-24. Murrindindi Shire Council is urging all community members to get involved in this year’s ABBC to help Bird Life Australia gather valuable data on the birds in the local environment. The Council’s Environment Portfolio Councillor Karine Haslam said the ABBC is a fun and interesting activity that can be enjoyed no matter the COVID-19 restrictions in place in our area. “The movement and behaviour of our common backyard bird species give us an indication of the health of our natural environment – think of birds as a barometer for nature,” Cr Haslam said.
Local Briefs Marysville Market
■ Marysville Community Market will be held from 9am-1pm tomorrow (Sunday). Crafts, gifts, Outback Western clothing and Accessories, Christmas Gifts, plants, soap, preserves, jams, chutneys and olive oil
Local Briefs Preparing for farms
■ Agriculture Victoria is hosting a Prepare Your Property, Top tips to get your farm ready for the coming fire season webinar. The webinar will feature CFA representatives who will provide timely reminders on how to get your property ready for the fire season, while local landholders will discuss their first-hand experience of bushfire and preparing their farms. The free webinar is from 7.30pm-8.30pm on Tuesday (Oct. 12). - Mitchell Shire Council
Slashers listed
■ Do you have a mowing or slashing business in Mitchell Shire? The Mitchell Shire Council has a list of local contractors on its website to help residents prepare their properties for the fire season if they need works to be undertaken on their behalf. If your company is local to Mitchell Shire and you'd like to be included on this list, fill out the form on the Council website. - Mitchell Shire Council
Seniors’ Festival
■ The Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined has returned with a bang – with some big-name stars from Victoria’s arts and entertainment world. “We are delighted to bring you some fantastic online performances - presenting a diverse and rich mix of programming for our online and radio audience from now until the end of the year,” said a Festival representative. “There are also some great online events to participate in. Learn something new, check out an online art exhibition or take in a film. “And for regional Victorians - check out live events in your area, and for everyone else – from the end of October there’s some fun live activities planned. “The Festival Reimagined starts by acknowledging the First Nations peoples. These broadcasts have been produced on the lands of the Bunurong, the Boon Wurrung and the Wurundjeri and the Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. “We pay our respects to First Nations Elders, past, present and emerging and welcome all First Nations peoples watching and listening to our programming. “With new performances added every month we have curated some very special programs for you to enjoy. “Featuring programs from a range of cultures in our diverse society, bringing cultural leaders and emerging artists together in conversation, and meeting artists and cultural practitioners in their studios and workplace – the 2021 Festival Reimagined will surprise and delight you. “Think of the classic old English rhyme: Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. We have been inspired to produce creative programming that expresses continuity, optimism for the future and learnings from generation to generation. “The popular Radio Plays series has grown to encompass three wonderful contemporary works, a new production of an Australian classic, and a dialogues and monologues two-episode series presented by U3A Melbourne City. “We have an 18-episode series with Golden Days Radio presenter Peter Thomas interviewing the Commissioner for Senior Victorians, Gerard Mansour on ageing well and other topics of interest to older Victorians. “Radio 88FM’s Ian Braybrook presents a four-episode documentary series on Australian music icons across a range of genres. - Mitchell Shire Council
Local news first
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Page 4 - The Local Paper - Saturday, October 9, 2021
Eagles sign Curtis
■ Whittlesea Football Netball Club has signed Curtis Brown from North Heidelberg Football Club. Curtis is a former Calder Cannon who was invited to the 2019 draft combine. Curtis is currently VFL listed at North Melbourne Football Club. Curtis is a 184cm (6’0) 80kgs hard running, classy, penetrating left footer. Curtis can play HalfForward, Half-Back and Wing. - Whittlesea Football Netball Club
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.
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Local People: 4
Support for bush hospitals
■ Euroa MLA Steph Ryan agitated in State Parliament this week about the role of bush nursing hospitals. “Will the minister finally acknowledge the vital role bush nursing hospitals, such as Euroa, play in regional communities by creating a dedicated funding stream to ensure their ongoing survival?” Ms Ryan asked in the Legislative Assembly. “Euroa is one of a handful of bush nursing hospitals left around the state, all of which continue to be neglected by the government. “Without prompt and proper funding these longstanding institutions will be forced to close subacute services, leaving a huge hole in regional communities that will have to be filled by public health services. “Euroa Health provides a fantastic service for the community. It accommodates 24 beds plus two urgent care beds. “The hospital supports a wide range of clinical conditions including palliative care, diabetes management, rehabilitation, general medical patients and those awaiting aged-care placement. “Euroa Health also accepts patients from Goulburn Valley Health so that residents can
be cared for closer to home. The Ballan community recently lost its hospital after the board deemed it ‘unviable’ to continue. “Ballan approached the government many times with concerns that a lack of support from the state government would end in its demise. “I am in frequent contact with Euroa’s bush nursing hospital CEO and she has repeatedly expressed her concerns about the future challenges they are face. “Static funding for the hospital and decreased turnover has left the institution in a difficult position as costs continuing to skyrocket. “Bush nursing hospitals like Euroa Health deserve the government’s recognition and support, as do the communities they serve. “Without support they will be forced to shut the doors on services desperately needed by the community.” - Steph Ryan
● Steph Ryan, Euroa MLA
● State Parliamentarians are due back at Spring St this coming week. Both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council are due to have sitting days on October 12-13-14.
‘Protection racket for FRV’
■ Gembrook MLA Brad Battin says Fire Rescue Victoria needs to be immediately directed to start following its legislative requirements under the Freedom of Information Act. Mr Battin asked that FRV’s acting FOI unit manager, Sarah McKellar-White, be directed to follow her legislated duty and to assist applicants with their requests rather than running a “protection racket for FRV and the Andrews Labor Government”. “In my time as a shadow minister across numerous portfolios, FRV are, without any shadow of a doubt, the most difficult department to deal with regarding FOI requests and one has to ask the question: why are they not being transparent? “Why are they trying to hide information from becoming public and who is instructing them to take this course of action? “Over the course of the last 18 months, I have lodged dozens of requests for information with Ms McKellarWhite of FRV, who for some reason has been the acting manager for the entire time. “Very, very few of these requests have been resolved within the legislated 30-day time frame, and quite often Ms McKellar-White will wait until day 28 or 29 to request an extension or to
● Brad Battin, Gembrook MLA
make some sort of other inquiry. Further, very few of my requests have been resolved without some sort of intervention from Ms McKellarWhite. “My requests are very carefully crafted and worded so that they comply with the act as a valid request from the time of submission. But somehow, even for the most specific and abundantly clear requests, Ms McKellar-White can usually find a reason to seek clarification. “The frivolous and disingenuous requests for clarification often come, like requests for extension, on day 28 or 29 of the 30-day period, which then resets the legislated response time frame and therefore makes FRV’s response time record look better than it actually is—which is abysmal. “If an FOI officer can genuinely not understand what even the most basic and clearly written questions are asking, I put it to you, Minister, that they are not capable of performing this important role and should be immediately replaced. “If, however, Ms McKellar-White well understands the questions and is simply running interference for FRV for obvious reasons, that is an obscene use of taxpayer funds and IBAC should immediately be asked to investigate.” - Brad Battin
■ Sir, I am 73. I have been active in public life since I was 18. Ash Long from the Local Paper has been the first person in the media to identify me for what I am, a political activist. This seems to have set alarm bells ringing within the management of the Commonwealth Bank as a result of the paranoia created by the recently concluded Royal Commission into banking misconduct because it has become clear to them that the funds my business, Brisan Enterprises Pty Ltd generates I use to fund my political activities. Nothing subversive about that. I think the bank came to believe that I was using the money I made from my Comsec online banking account to fund subversive activities. Their response to that apprehension has been to cut off all business contacts with me. I came to Australia with my family at the age of 7. My family’s first home was in Northcote at the top of Rucker’s Hill, 179 High Street Northcote.There was a spectacular view of the Melbourne City skyline from the back door. It shaped my life. My father was a coal miner. My mother was a WWII war hero. My father was a member of the national min
ers union and a political activist in the British Labor Party. In Australia my father was an activist in the Democratic Labor Party . He was a staunch member of the Australian coal miners union whose slogan was “United for Socialism” for those readers who remember socialism. He was a committed Catholic. He was attracted to the DLP from his first encounter with the Australian political culture. At that time there was no party in Scotland remotely like the DLP. His hero was the great Irish politician Melbourne Archbishop Daniel Mannix. Mannix was committed to the education of the Catholic working class in Melbourne. When later I graduated as a geophysicist from Melbourne University my dad credited Mannix. So do I, with one caveat. My parents contribution to my education was at once selfless and absolute. My father, although a man of the Left was a staunch believer in democracy. It was his belief that the best way to shape a nation was to get good men and later women elected to the nations assemblies. Of course he was right and it is what I have worked for throughout my political life.
Later I met some hostility from some of my fellow comrades on the Australian political left who were committed revolutionaries and who rejected my insistence on pursuing representative democracy. Having said that the heroes of my youth were all the great revolutionaries of the latter part of the 20th century: Mao Zedong and his comrades, Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and their comrades, Nelson Mandela and Josip Broz in Yugoslavia. My father was a particular fan of Tito. I will write more of this at another time. I write it only to inform the Commonwealth Bank that I have never spent any of the money I have accumulated in my long association with the Commonwealth Bank on subversive or terrorist activities as they appear to believe. I have spent it on bona fide political activities. Any suggestion to the contrary is defamatory. As I have said before, a just settlement of my complaint to AFCA is an apology from the bank for closing my accounts and their prompt reinstatement. In addition I require compensation from the bank of $500,000 for the damage they have done to my reputation. - Brian Sanaghan
Activist fights Comm Bank