MARCH 20, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
(Marco De Luca)
Time to get egg-cited Children are eagerly awaiting the third annual Easter egg hunt in Malmsbury Botanical Gardens. More than 180 children are expected to gather in the gardens on Good Friday to search for the colourful chocolates, and enjoy the face-painting, pass the parcel and craft activities on offer. The event is run by local couple Tiffany Speight and David Harrod, who also organise Malmsbury’s Christmas carols. Ms Speight said the pair began the two festive events three years ago to create something positive in the town following negative news surrounding Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre. This year they are working with Malmsbury Cricket Club to help fundraise for the club, which is in need of female changerooms. Last year’s Easter egg hunt, which was attended by more than 250 children, raised funds for Malmsbury CFA. Ms Speight said most of the eggs for this year’s hunt had been donated by local businesses, including Malmsbury General Store and Malmsbury Woolworths. To book tickets to the event visit: bit.ly/2FDPmgc Serena Seyfort
IZZY, 9
Crime on the decline Crime in the Macedon Ranges has decreased for the first time since 2011 amid Victoria’s biggest drop in crime in a decade. The number of recorded incidents has fallen by eight per cent, according to new Crime Statistics Agency data, in line with Victoria’s overall 9.9 per cent decrease. The data also shows Sunbury’s crime rate has remained steady after having consistently increased throughout the past six years. In the Macedon Ranges, a total of 2462 incidents were recorded in the year to December
31, 2017, down from 2678 in the same period in 2016. A drop in recorded drug offences, justice procedures offences and sexual offences is behind the region’s overall decrease in crime. While the number of sexual offences has risen by 16 per cent statewide, the number of offences recorded in the Macedon Ranges dropped from 99 to 68. The area has experienced an increase in non-family violence common assault, up from 180 to 241, and a rise in family violence harassment, from 8 to 29. Motor vehicle theft is at an all-time high for
infocus T U R N T O
the Macedon Ranges, with 83 vehicles stolen in 2017, compared to 62 in 2016. Earlier this month, Macedon Ranges local area commander Inspector Chris Large told Star Weekly local police planned to begin a campaign to encourage residents to lock their vehicles. He said a common theme among car thefts was people leaving their vehicles unlocked. Sunbury’s crime rate has remained fairly steady, with 3032 incidents in the year to December 31, 2017, compared to 3038 incidents in 2016. The suburb has experienced an increase in the
number of recorded assaults, both related and unrelated to family violence. Family-violence common assault has risen from 61 incidents in 2016 to 93 incidents in 2017. Hume Inspector Anthony Brown said local police had been striving to increase the number of family violence incident reports. “Family violence is an area that Hume police have been paying close attention to,” the Inspector said. He said the history of people previously not reporting family violence made it difficult to determine whether there had been a rise in the actual number of incidents.
PA G E 1 3
FORMAL HAIR & FORMAL MAKEUP SPECIAL $165 BEAU SPECIALS $22 CUT & FREE STYLE ON DAY! *Longer/Thicker hair and complexity of style may cost extra **False eyelashes - Extra $15
12382800-LB13-18 10064588-01
By Serena Seyfort