NEWS
$4.4m in fire wake The wellbeing of people in communities affected by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, and the emergency service and others involved, will be a priority as government bodies and communities plan to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the life-changing event. The Victorian government today (Monday, 3 September) announced $4.4 million dollars in funding to support anniversary activities in the more than 78 Victorian communities directly impacted saying communities would have a voice in how that anniversary is observed. The funding will support a state memorial service and a grants program for local community commemoration and creative arts projects. A range of mental health and psychological services and support will also be provided throughout the commemoration period. "These catastrophic events still impact on many of our communities today and it is important we allow those communities to commemorate this anniversary in their own way," Minister for Emergency Services, James Merlino said. "Remembering these tragic events is important so we can honour those who died, those who lost their homes and were displaced, and the people who prevented further loss and destruction." The CFA joined the government and other key stakeholders at the launch and welcomed the focus on the wellbeing of communities and emergency services personnel who were directly impacted. CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington said the CFA had commenced discussions with impacted brigades and communities to provide support as they prepare for what he described as a significant anniversary.
Former Premier John Brumby will head the Advisory Group. He spoke with students and bushfire survivors at Healesville High School in the week after the fires. 184847 "As we approach 10 years since those deadly bushfires, CFA has our people and the communities we serve at the core of our commemoration planning. "Our priority is to ensure CFA people have the support they need," Chief Officer Warrington said. He said while it was important to note that while the 2019 anniversary was a significant date of remembrance for the entire state, it will be challenging for those involved both on Black Saturday, and in the aftermath. The Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, has been appointed as the Patron for the state's commemorations of the anniversary and in that role will visit bushfireaffected communities to hear about their challenges and help mark their achievements in recovery. An advisory panel, chaired by former Premier John Brumby and including former
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and emergency Services Pat McNamara, Ms Susan Pascoe AM and Mr Ben Hubbard has been created. The panel will provide advice to the Government on anniversary planning to ensure the needs of impacted communities, as well as the broader Victorian public, are met. Additional resources have been made available for support throughout the anniversary period, including for schools and emergency personnel. "We look forward to working closely with bushfire-affected communities and local government over the next six months to ensure the commemoration of this time reflects the community's wishes," Mr Merlino said. Visit vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires for more information about the ten-year anniversary including grants programs, and details of the State Memorial Service.
Olympic athlete calls Don Valley home By Lindy Schneider Cross country skier Casey Wright, from Don Valley, has taken a short break from her training and studies in Alaska to visit family and friends in the Yarra Valley. She competed in her first Winter Olympics in two events as part of the Australian ski team in PyeongChang, South Korea, in February. At 23 years of age, she is completing a degree in sports science at the University of Alaska in Anchorage and anticipates graduating in May next year. Casey spends more than 700 hours a year in training and completes many four-hour plus training sessions to build a solid fitness base. She enjoys cross training and whether at home in Don Valley or in Alaska, she can be found outdoors mountain biking, trail running, mountain running and road cycling. “I grew up training in these mountains and love being back among the gum trees,” she said. “My parents are both outdoor education teachers so I’ve skied and enjoyed the out-
Casey Wright. doors since I was a child.” While on her break in the Yarra Valley she has taken time to speak to children at Don Valley, Yarra Junction and Woori Yallock primary schools. She shared stories of life as an Olympic cross country skier and encouraged children
to chase their dreams. “Cross country skiing is not a high profile sport in Australia,” she said. “There’s not a huge amount of support for the sport, so reaching a top level is an achievement in itself.” Casey will return to Alaska to prepare for the northern hemisphere winter and competitive season. She will compete with the University of Alaska Ski team in the Rocky Mountains Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA), which allows her to develop at “the front end of the pack as a competitive skier” against high-end teams from Denver, Colorado and Utah. “It’s a great step toward racing full time in Europe one day,” she said. Her sights are now firmly set on Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Casey finished 63rd in the Ladies’ Sprint Classic and 81st in the 10km Free in PyeongChang. “I’m determined. I’ve found what I love to do and I give 110 per cent,” she said.
IN BRIEF Bike theft investigation Healesville Police are investigating thefts from rural properties, including the theft of two mountain bikes. Between 1 and 29 August thieves broke into a locked shed at the rear of property in Chalet Road, Badger Creek, and made off with an Apollo Shoreline worth $500 and a specialised grey and green Rockhopper mountain bike worth $1500. The Apollo has been found, but police are still keen to locate the other bike. In another theft at a property on Healesville-Kooweerup Road, between 4.15pm on 29 August and 6.50am on 30 August, thieves forced entry into a shed and stole a brushcutter. Sergeant Stewart Thomson said investigations were also continuing into recent burglaries in Healesville where thieves broke into two businesses and stole cigarettes. “These were between 3.55am and 4.05am in the morning, a time that there are a few cars about, but early enough not to be noticed,” he said. “We’re asking people to be vigilant if they are around at that time of the morning and see anything - cars or people - that seems suspicious, to get details and pass them on to police." Anyone with information about any of the above thefts should call Healesville Police on 5962 4422 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make a confidential crime report at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Speedsters caught Yarra Glen police caught two speedsters within 15 minutes of one another. On 25 August, a 46-year-old Pakenham man had his license suspended for six months after he was allegedly caught doing 102kmh in a 60 zone. Police allegedly detected the man speeding along Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Yarra Glen. They issued him with six demerit points and a $604 fine. Only 15 minutes later, police detected yet another speedster travelling along the same stretch of road at 95kmh. The 41-year-old Sunbury man had his license suspended for one month and received four demerit points and a $524 fine.
Excavator stolen Police said thieves stole a five-tonne Hitachi excavator valued at $60,000 between 3am and noon on 24 August from a home in Hutchinson’s Road, Yarra Glen. Yarra Glen Sergeant Richard Coulson said that "given the weight of the excavator, a truck or large heavy-duty trailer would have been used in the theft". He urged anyone with information to contact Yarra Glen Police on 9730 1296.
A sad swagman Warburton Police are seeking the rightful owner of two swags that were located in Gladysdale on 27 August. Call Warburton Police on 5966 2006.
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