Get an Italian chef to host ‘Parma Wants a Wife

Abrupt end for 132-year-old press network

■ A 132-year tradition came to a close last week when the Leader Newspapers group announced that it had stopped printing all its publications.

In Melbourne’s north, Leader has permanently closed all printing and online newspapers for: ■ Northcote Leader ■ Preston Leader ■ Diamond Valley Leader ■ Heidelberg Leader.

The print and online cessation also applies to: ■ Sunbury Leader/Macedon

Ranges Leader

■ Manningham Leader ■ Progress Leader. Newspaper printing has concluded, to be replaced by digital-only reporting for the Whittlesea Leader.

The following community titles in Melbourne will become digital only:

Stonnington, Mornington Peninsula, Knox, Whitehorse, Monash, Northern, (Hume), Whittlesea, Maroondah, Moorabbin, Mordialloc Chelsea, Moreland, Lilydale and Yarra Valley, Frankston, Bayside, Caulfield Port Phillip, Cranbourne, Greater Dandenong, Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong, Wyndham.

New weekly newspapers - in press and online - to replace the Leader titles have already been announced by Local Media Pty Ltd, publishers of this newspaper. The new newspapers will all appear under The Local Paper masthead, with a localised banner using familiar heritage titles.

The Leader dynasty began in January 1888 when the Rev. A.H. Richardson and R. Lemon from offices in Bay St, Brighton. Northcote content was minimal.

Twins Robert and John Whalley purchase the Leader in 1890.

The two brothers immersed themselves in the Northcote community. After briefly squabbling with the Northcote Council over council advertising (with the Council preferring to use the Collingwood Fitzroy Mercury) the Northcote Leader became a thriving local newspaper with

Decimus Mott: headed a family which ran the Leader

newspaper group from 1924 to 1986 a readership spreading as far as Whittlesea.

By the early 1900s the Whalley brothers had become strong members of the community.

In 1911 Robert Whalley made a significant contribution when as the Secretary of the Northcote Library Committee he approached American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and asked for a donation to build a new library.

Carnegie agreed to contribution 50 per cent of the cost of construction if the Northcote Council agreed to pay the remaining sum and offer the library service free of charge.

The Council were reluctant to agree to these terms but even more reluctant to let Carnegie’s money slip Robert Whalley out of their reach and the terms were accepted.

John Scott Whalley also made considerable contributions to Northcote and Preston, including serving 30 years as the editor of the Northcote Leader, a position which ended when the brothers sold the newspaper to Decimus Mott in 1924.

In November of that year the Preston Council presented an illuminated address to John for his service to the community.

● John Whalley

Decimus Mott and his brother Hamilton had started the Border Morning Mail in 1903.

He and sons - George, Walter and Robert- expanded their company to include The Advertiser (Diamond Valley and Whittlesea) and expanded into northern suburbs including Brunswick and Coburg.

They expanded into Heidelberg,

East Yarra (Doncaster-Templestowe) and Diamond Valley.

A joint venture had titles at

Essendon, Broadmeadows, Keilor and Sunbury-Melton.

Then came the eastern suburbs including Box Hill, Nunawading, Ringwood-Croydon, Lilydale and Knox-Sherbrooke.

A merger with Progress Press also included the Waverley Gazette and Chadstone Progress.

Standard Newspapers and Westernport Publishing titles also came into the group.

The Mott family sold the entire chain of more than 40 newspapers in 1986 to The Herald & Weekly Times for $23 million in cash and $32 million in shares. to The shares were sold within hours

Sir Ron Brierley who made a princely profit a few months later when the H&WT was embroiled in a takeover battle.

Rupert Murdoch’s $55 million Leader group grew through the 1980s and 90s. Digital disruption and COVID-19 combined to bring about the permanent closure of more than 100 newspapers across Australia.

News Corp Australia confirmed that the local and regional newspapers will become digital only or disappear entirely.

Estimates are that between 600- 1000 jobs will be lost as a consequence of the closures.

And a new tradition takes over ■ New weekly community printed newspapers - with familiar names - replace the Leader titles which were closed by Rupert Murdoch’s Newscorp last week.

Newscorp announced that it has permanently closed the print and digital newspapers in

Northcote, Preston, Diamond Valley and Heidelberg.

Local Media Pty Ltd, headed by veteran Victorian publisher Ash Long, has commenced a stable of publications, available free each week in print and online. Northern

Division

The Local Paper has the following titles in its Northern Division: ■ Northcote Budget ■ Preston Post ■ Reservoir Times ■ Whittlesea Post ■ Diamond Valley News ■ Heidelberger First editions commenced on Wednesday, May 20. This is the third edition. There has been a widespread welcome to The Local Paper’s energetic approach to responsible local journalism. The Local Paper has been a familiar weekly newspaper in the Diamond Valley and Whittlesea areas since February 2016. The Local Paper editions are being distributed through a network of more than 100 outlets including newsagencies, Tatts shops, milk bars, convenience stores and service stations.

In the early weeks, the papers will appear as a consolidated Northern Edition of The Local Paper, whilst local publishing arrangements are finalised. Eastern

Division

From June 10, The Local Paper will have the following additional titles in its Eastern Division: ■ Progress News ■ Manningham News (incorporating the Doncaster-Templestowe News) ■ Whitehorse Gazette (incorporating the Box Hill Gazette and Nunawading Gazette) ■ Maroondah Mail (incorporating the Ringwood Mail and Croydon Mail) ■ Knox News ■ Monash Gazette (incorporating the Waverley Gazette and Oakleigh Times)

In the early weeks, the papers will appear as a consolidated Eastern Edition of The Local Paper, whilst local publishing arrangements are finalised. Regional

Division

The Local Paper already appears in three local editions in the north-east: ■ Dindi Local ■ Yarra Valley Express ■ Mitchell Shire Edition Local Media also publishes the Melbourne Observer newspaper.

Publishing arrangements ■ The Local Paper will be published as normal next week (June 10). However, the Queen’s Birthday Weekend means there are earlier deadlines for advertising and editorial content.

Display advertising bookings and copy should be lodged by 5pm Friday (June 5). Classified advertising will be accepted until 5pm Monday (June 8).

Sports copy should be lodged by 10am Monday, but earlier submission on Sunday night would be appreciated.

Ticks & Crosses

✔Shane Patton, present Deputy

Victoria Police Commissioner, has been announced by the State Government as the new Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. He will succeed the current Commissioner Graham Ashton , who is retiring, late this month. Mr Patton has a keen understanding of the northern suburbs.

Bill Price’s photo of an

El Azar potato cake ✔ Flowerdale good bloke Billy Price sent us an email after he saw Whittlesea’s El Azar Take Away food business featured in last week’s Local Paper. Bill’s exact text was: “"Best potato cakes and chicken nuggets in the world. I'll meet you there. Your shout." ✖ Nillumbik Council has delayed its

date to set its 2020-21 budget. The decision has been put off until the special Council meeting to be held on Tuesday (June 9). The delay was moved by Crs Bruce Ranken and Peter Clarke.

✖Nillumbik Councillors were split when it came to putting the Shire’s Housing Strategy on display to the public. A vote at the May 26 meeting saw Councillors endorse the strategy. Cr Peter Perkins called for a division. For: Cr Bruce Ranken, Cr Jane Ashton, Cr Karen Egan and Cr Peter Clarke. Against: Cr Peter Perkins, Cr John Dumaresq and Cr Grant Brooker.

✔Emma Samuel of Ivanhoe has expressed her concerne that part of Darebin Parklands near Curzon St, Ivanhoe, has been rezoned and sold by Council to a private citizen. The Council responded that an area of 38m2 and is part of a larger parcel of land at 1 Liberty Pde, Ivanhoe (Darebin Creek Reserve). is currently occupied by and licensed to the neighbouring property. “Council is yet to consider and make a decision on the potential sale of land.”

?Why the secrecy at Nillumbik Coun

cil? The Shire has executed a contract of sale with the CFA - for part of the land at 109-115 Yan Yean Rd, and the Deed of Surrender of Lease for the existing Plenty Fire Station site - be made public, but financial details be released in conjunction with and after consultation with the CFA. A confidential report contained a recommendation that the decision to execute the contract with the CFA be made public, but financial details concerning the negotiations and the final sale price be kept confidential.

Green rules under review

■ Nillumbik Councillors want local politicians Vicki Ward (Eltham) and Danielle Green (Yan Yean) to encourage a review of the controversial 10/30 and 10/50 rules relating to removal of vegetation.

“Council [was] presented with a briefing on April 21 which outlined an advocacy position for consideration to be put to the Minister for Planning, in regard to the need for review of bushfire protection provisions that exempt vegetation clearance for the need for a planning permit within the Nillumbik Planning Scheme,” Councillors were told at last week’s meeting.

“Councillors and the community have acknowledged the impacts that exemptions to clear vegetation are having (anecdotally) on neighbourhood character. Known as the 10/30 and 10/50 rules –these ‘rules’ allow vegetation removal to occur without the need for a planning permit.

“There is ongoing concern that these exemptions are having a detrimental impact on local vegetation, biodiversity and neighbourhood character on the Nillumbik Shire.

“It is recommended that Council do not advocate to make a specific change to the current provisions, rather that Council support a review of the impacts of current exemptions for clearance of vegetation,” said the recommendation.

Crs Peter Clarke and Peter Perkins were successful with the motion. Fitzsimons Lane works nod

● The Fitzsimons Lane roundabout. Image: Eltham Community Action Group Parking fines for hospital workers? ■ Kevin Biaggini of Ivanhoe asked a question of Banyule City Councillors at their May 18 meeting about hospital workers being issued with parking infringement notices.

And the official reply may have come as a s surprise to Council critics.

Mr Biaggini asked:

“Are Council traffic officers issuing parking infringement notices to hospital workers for parking in streets near the Austin Hospital during the COVID-19 crisis?

The response from Scott Walker, Director City Development, Banyule City Council, was:

“The current focus of parking enforcement is on restrictions that ensure roads are kept safe and that prioritise access to services.

“This has meant that longer term timed parking around the hospitals are not currently being enforced. ■ The State Government has given conditional approval to works at the Fitzsimons Lane roundabout.

“The revised reference design reduces the footprint of the proposed intersection from 11 to eight lanes to respond to [Nillumbik] Council’s and the community concerns regarding the width of the original proposal, the associated vegetation removal and the impacts on the character of the Eltham Gateway,” last week’s Nillumbik Shire Council meeting was told.

“Council has been provided with limited information on the revised design and will need to rely on consultation during the detailed design phase to advocate for further refinement. Unanimous vote

“Furthermore, the conditions on the planning approval applied by the Minister for Planning fall short of those requested by Council in its resolutions in August and October 2019, particularly that requesting for improved consultation with Council and the community.”

Mayor Cr Karen Egan has been empow

“As such parking infringement notices are not being issued to hospital workers parking in these timed parking areas near the Austin.

“However, our expectation is that all moered by unanimous vote of Councillors to write to Major Road Projects Victoria, with copies to the Minister for Major Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Roads and MP for Eltham torists comply with all parking restrictions where possible.

“We also note that the Austin has a process for their staff to park in their carparks.

“It is expected that there will be a return to regular enforcement in line with the return to school and reopening of businesses,” Mr Walker said. requesting a meeting to discuss the establishment of a community and stakeholder advisory committee to guide the project through the detailed design and delivery stages. ■ Cr Jane Ashton temporarily left the meeting during discussion of the above item at 9:09pm and returned at 9:10pm at the May 26 meeting of Council.

Comment closes ■ Public comment about Mayer Park, Thornbury, closes on Monday (June 8).

Mayer Park is one of the open spaces of the City of Darebin, and the Council has been working with the local community to look at ways the park could be improved for the future.

The draft Future Mayer Park master plan was released for community consultation, and Council has been keen to hear feedback from residents on the plan. The master pla dentifies elements of the park that require improvements.

Preston Post

Grant applications ■ The first round of grant applications faced at deadline of last Sunday (May 31). Some $500,000 in funds is being made available by the City of Darebin: ■ Individual Business grant. Up to $5,000 for investing in online development, e-commerce, upskilling, or business adaptation ■ Collective Business grant ■ Social Enterprise grant ■ Placemaking activities grant

The grants are available for local businesses in the City of Darebin to provide immediate financial relief, while supporting their resilience against the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whittlesea Post

Assistance for pets ■ A program to provide temporary accommodation for much-loved pets is supporting people experiencing family violence to leave unsafe situations. Family violence services, community services and Victoria Police can access temporary accommodation and care for pets on behalf of people who need to leave a domestic violent situation.

This initiative falls within the Domestic Animal Welfare Policy – a joint initiative between the RSPCA and the Cities of Whittlesea Darebin and Moreland – to support residents impacted by family violence.

Heidelberger

Resilience workshop ■ Banyule City Council is holding a Resil

ience Workshop with Psychology for a Safe

Climate online workshop from 6.30pm8.30pm on Wednesday, July 15.

Participants will increase their understanding of the psychology behind the challenges and difficulties of climate change engagement, and foster tools for support and self-care.

Some of the responses to the problem of climate change can manifest in anxiety and burn out: this workshop will ensure people are resilient in the face of compassion fatigue.

Diamond Valley News

Banyule meeting ■ The next City of Banyule Council meeting is due to be held at 7pm on Monday, June 15. The meeting agenda will be available at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 9. The meeting is due to take place in the Olympia, Ibbott and Hawdon community meeting rooms. Quarterly payments ■ Nillumbik Shire Council is looking to detremine the dates for quarterly payment of rates in stalments. Suggested dates are: ■ September 30, 2020 ■ November 30, 2020 ■ February 28, 2021 ■ May 31, 2021