Moorabool News 4 October 2022

Celebrating 20 years of play

By Lachlan Ellis

It’s hard to believe, but Maddingley Park’s Adventure Playground will be 20 years old this month, and the original committee are arranging a celebration for the whole Moorabool community.

After about two years of planning and fundraising, construction on the Adventure Playground began on Wednesday 9 October 2002, with a mammoth effort from over 2,000 volunteers getting the playground done by Sunday 13 October.

Former Moorabool Mayor, Michael Tudball, was one of around 20 members of the original community committee that organised the building of the playground, and said the

project was the best community project he’d ever taken part in.

“It was the best thing I’ve been involved with. We were very organised, we had two general coordinators, myself and Michael White, we were both in the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade. We sat around probably in 2000 and said, ‘Geez we’ve got crap playgrounds around Bacchus Marsh, what can our kids do?’,” Mr Tudball told the Moorabool News.

“It sort of started from there, with about half a dozen fire brigade members and their families, then we put the call out. We had fundraisers in St Bernard’s Hall and the Public Hall to raise money, and put in for a grant from Sport and Rec Victoria and got $125,000. We basically had to match that…in

EUREKA

theory the project cost $250,000, but in actual cash it probably cost $150,000. The rest was donated time.

“We had people from Melton come up, and we had a lot of people come from Ballan and a lot of support from Ballan [in building the Adventure Playground]. So it certainly wasn’t just a Bacchus Marsh thing, it was right across Moorabool Shire.”

The community celebration of the Adventure Playground’s 20th birthday will be a fairly low-key affair, but Mr Tudball said it was important to recognise the anniversary, and the outpouring of community support that made it possible.

“It’ll be pretty laid back. We want the community to come down and play on the

playground, we’re hoping to have a coffee cart there too. I’ve got two kids that are 30 and 31 now, that were playing on it when we built it,” he said.

“It’ll be sort of a reunion, to look back and see what the community was able to do 20 years ago. It’s a pretty significant structure, to be all put together by volunteers and last 20 years, with the great help of the Lions Club of Bacchus Marsh and Moorabool Shire Council.

“We really want to thank the community. The committee did a lot of work, but we couldn’t have done it without all those volunteers.”

The event will be a casual, drop-in affair, beginning at 10.30 am on Sunday 9 October.

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Original committee members Michael Tudball (left), Bob Levy (back, centre) and Allison Hetherington (right) are excited to mark the occasion with family, friends, and the Moorabool community. Photo – Lachlan Ellis

New candidate says “we matter”

A new name on the political scene has put his hand up to contest the seat of Eureka in November’s state election –Independent Michael Ray from Bacchus Marsh.

Mr Ray is a family man and local business owner, moving to Bacchus Marsh from the east of Melbourne four years ago, to run Pumpt Personal Training Consultants.

He is also an international speaker addressing outdated gender and societal roles, and the host of TheInformer, an online news and current affairs broadcaster.

Through running TheInformer, Mr Ray has interviewed some of the big names in Australian politics, and says he has found the answers to his questions were “nothing but political spin and empty promises”.

In his four years in western Victoria, he says it’s also become apparent that despite the West being responsible for a large portion of the state’s revenue, it gets little back for its businesses, infrastructure, or communities.

Mr Ray said he was stepping up as a candidate for Eureka to challenge the Labor Government’s slogan ‘Doing What Matters’.

“Our suburbs are exploding with rapid population growth that has led to poor basic transportation infrastructure and poorly designed, car-dependent suburbs, resulting in ridiculous commutes. Finding a variety of opportunities to improve work, life and play in Eureka, is vital and these

opportunities lie within the community, no one knows what our community needs more than the community,” Mr Ray said.

“We mattered in Bacchus Marsh when they tried to dump toxic soil in our Shire. We mattered when the Victorian Ombudsman found the EPA failed to engage with communities when approving locations to dump that contaminated soil. We mattered in the West in 2018 when Labor promised us a viable, reliable train line that still hasn't happened. We matter when AusNet want to destroy our farmland, increase fire risk, and inflict environmental vandalism and damage by running transmission lines and towers through our communities rather than underground.”

As a candidate for Eureka, Mr Ray’s priorities are supporting start-up businesses, protecting natural assets, and “encouraging an influx of industries that will create local sustainable jobs”.

“Hopefully this Victorian election will be significantly different because of a raft of independent candidates whose loyalties, commitment, and accountability are to their communities, rather than to parties or political partisan point scoring,” Mr Ray said.

For more information on Michael Ray and to get in touch, visit www.michaelray.au, or visit ‘Michael Ray – Independent Candidate for Eureka’ on Facebook.

Queen delivers best wishes

By Jane Gardner

Millbrook resident Bruce Cullen recently scored a century, and not with a cricket bat, he celebrated his 100th birthday.

With such a milestone achieved, there was one very special card that arrived in the mail all the way from Buckingham Palace.

Hanging on a string in his loungeroom are birthday cards from family and friends and also from Federal MPs, the Premier and the Governor of Victoria, the Governor General of Australia, the Prime Minister of Australia and, most importantly, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, who sadly passed away recently on 8 September.

Bruce was born on the 22 September 1922 in the small NSW town of Murrumburrah where, in nearby Jugiong, his father was a farm hand, “cutting trees and getting rid of rabbits.” Bruce’s family lived in a one-room tin shack. He was the eldest of six children, with three brothers and two sisters. As was often the way in those days, Bruce never went to school, but at the age of 14, went to work as a roustabout. At 19, with WWII underway, Bruce enlisted in the army, also getting engaged on the same day.

Bruce trained as an engineer before being posted to Darwin, where he worked as a ‘wharfie’, winch driving, loading and unloading ship supplies for men fighting on the front. He was also trained in deep sea diving, in the event he was needed for

salvage work on sunken ships. He was eventually sent to Port Moresby, then on to an island off Borneo called Labuan (part of Indonesia).

According to Bruce, the soldiers thought the swamp on the island would keep the Japanese out. However, they managed to get through, raiding Bruce’s camp in the early hours one morning and a short battle occurred. There was one Australian casualty (“He didn’t get out of bed quick enough” Bruce says) and a lot of Japanese casualties. After the war, Bruce returned to his then wife and first son where, together with his growing family of (eventually) three boys, he worked variously in farming, as a linesman for the Murrumburrah Shire and then in the local flour mill where he eventually became a miller. During this time, despite not being able to read music, Bruce also enjoyed playing piano accordion in local pubs and at private parties where, in return, he received “plenty of free beer”. In 1960, Bruce was transferred to Ballarat where he continued working as a miller for a company called Bunge.

Bruce eventually moved to Millbrook with his partner Bev, of 34-years, where he devoted himself to his impressive garden, growing flowers, fruit trees and veggies and keeping up to date with the lives of his extended family, including his 3 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Bruce celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family at the Wallace Hotel.

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Michael Ray is running in the state election for the new seat of Eureka, on the platform ‘We Matter in the West’. Photo – Submitted

Millbrook centenarian Bruce Cullen with his birthday card from Queen Elizabeth II.

Photo – supplied

Theft from volunteers

By Lachlan Ellis

A volunteer-run BMX club has had its track car, bikes, and equipment stolen, and is urging anyone with useful information to come forward.

The Bacchus Marsh BMX Club is located at the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Reserve, and was recently the victim of a callous theft which has left the club out of pocket, and without the equipment it needs to operate.

Bacchus Marsh BMX Club Co-President, Simon Antonello, said the theft was “incredibly frustrating”.

“They took the car, four club bikes, start gate equipment, and some other bits and pieces. The car’s a Suzuki Vitara. The bikes will be no good to keep on the street, they’re race bikes…we think the theft was Sunday night [25 September],” Mr Antonello told the Moorabool News.

“They’ve used a rebar cutter to cut the safety lock on the container, then used oxyacetylene to cut the actual padlock itself…so they’ve gone to a real effort to break in. It’s really

frustrating, and now we’ve got to try and find the money to buy a car, which we don’t have. The club’s only four years old, and we’re struggling as it is. I work full-time, most people at the club do.”

The theft comes at a particularly unfortunate time for the club, with the State Titles coming up this month.

“The car is suited to the track, it’s used to make the track smooth for the kids. We’ll have to get the same model of car and put another two-inch lift on it and all the rest of it, to get it to work. The kids have the Victorian State Championships coming up this week. We can’t do any training to get ready for the State Series now,” Mr Antonello said.

“We had that much training lined up for the next couple of weeks…now none of that can happen.”

If you have any information that could help the club recover the stolen items, contact Bacchus Marsh Police on 5366 4500.

The club is also always looking for new members – get in touch via social media if joining the club interests you.

Parkrun - a walk in the park

It might be called ‘parkrun’, but you can take it at an easy pace at any of the local parkrun events running each week.

Parkruns are free, weekly community events run all around the world – including every Saturday from 8 am at Peppertree Park, Toolern Creek, and Wallaby Track, and Sundays at the Eynesbury Heritage Trail.

Walkers have always been welcome at the 450 parkruns held every Saturday around Australia, but this month a focus will be put on encouraging more walkers to take part.

The campaign will see parkrun change its name to ‘parkwalk’ for the month of October, with bright pink branding designed to capture the attention of people who might not think that parkrun is for them.

More than 10 per cent of people taking part in the fivekilometre courses do so as walkers, and parkrun are eager to increase that number.

Volunteer Event Director of the Peppertree parkrun, Adrian Hillyer, said parkruns were for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level.

“Parkruns are social events where there is no time limit, and people of all ages and abilities take part, including people pushing prams or with their dog on a short handheld lead. It’s all about getting involved in a way that is fun and comfortable for you,” Mr Hillyer said.

“Walking is a great way of soaking up the parkrun atmosphere and chatting with people while being active. It’s one of the best entry points into parkrun, especially for those who may be taking their first steps towards healthier and happier lifestyles. Walking at parkrun is a great way to meet new people too, or you can walk with your family or friendship group.

“One of the great things about parkrun is that you can never come last. Each week we have people who volunteer as tail walkers, who provide support and encouragement for walkers and are the last people to finish.”

In addition to tail walkers, ‘palkwalkers’ are being introduced from the first Saturday in October. Easily identifiable by their blue vests, their role will be to mix with other walkers and have a chat during the walk.

Parkrun Asia Pacific’s Communications and Health & Wellbeing Manager, Glen Turner, said the campaign builds

on the fantastic work parkrun events do to create a positive experience for walkers.

“Walking can help you manage or prevent health conditions, enhance your mood, boost fitness, and bring you into contact with some amazing people and places. By actively encouraging people who don’t currently do parkrun to walk at our events, we can expand the incredible impact that parkrun has on a wider range of people,” Mr Turner said.

When parkrun started in Australia in 2011, the average finish time was 27 minutes, and now it’s 33 minutes — a statistic the organisation is actually proud of, as it shows that parkrun now appeals to a broader range of people, and not just competitive runners.

Registration is free at www.parkrun.com.au/register. For further information on your nearest parkrun event, head to www.parkrun.com.au/events.

Shed plans will have to wait

By Lachlan Ellis

A Hopetoun Park man will have to wait a little longer to hear whether he’ll be allowed to build a shed on his property, as his application to vary a covenant has been deferred.

The applicant, Mr Quigley, addressed Council at its 21 September Development Assessment Committee, asking for a shed permit and comparing his application to larger sheds in the area.

“We’ve been in the process for about a year

and half now. We’ve gone through all the procedure, done everything. We moved here to have the big shed and the space, I’m sure you hear that a lot at the moment. I’ve got a lot of cars and recreational stuff I’d love to store in there for security, tidiness, that kind of thing,” Mr Quigley said.

“I need the height because I’m restoring an old truck. I’d like to put a mezzanine for storage and a hobby space. Right behind me is a shed that’s bigger than what I’m wanting.

Across the road is one that’s just as long, if not longer. I’ve got some machinery, a boat,

cars, stuff like that. We haven’t been able to move forward on the size I’ve wanted.”

Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan asked Councillors if they wished to move the recommendation to refuse Mr Quigley’s application, by Cr Ally Munari instead moved to defer it, to facilitate “more discussions with Planning, instead of just losing it”.

The motion to defer was seconded by Cr Tonia Dudzik, and Crs Moira Berry and Paul Tatchell voted in favour, meaning the motion will be deferred to a future Development Assessment Committee meeting.

The Bacchus Marsh BMX Club is seeking any information about the whereabouts of this stolen Suzuki Vitara. Photo – Bacchus Marsh BMX Club

Photo Peppertree parkrun facebook page

News

Transmission line fight broadens

By Lachlan Ellis

Under the current plans for the Western Renewables Link, 70 kilometres of overhead high voltage transmission lines would go through Moorabool Shire, but the local community isn’t the only one concerned. Moorabool’s neighbours in the Melton area have also organised to protest and question the plans, with their most recent meeting at MacPherson Park in September.

Grant Harrison is a Coimadai resident and also a member of Melton’s Stop AusNet’s Towers, and said AusNet’s plans put the safety and amenity of the park, and the area as a whole, at risk.

“MacPherson Park is a brand-new complex that Melton City Council funded along with AFL Victoria and Melton Football & Netball Club, and costings were in vicinity of $12 million. Now the Labor Government wants to put overhead transmission lines up adjacent to the boundary and entrance of the magnificent sporting and family complex, and in fact, the tower lines will be going right over the entrance,” Mr Harrison said.

“The club met with AusNet weeks ago, and they only then told the club for the first time any firsthand news that it was [along] the

preferred route, and that it wouldn’t affect the club as it was not on their boundary, that the towers would blend in the background, and they would only make them 45 metres high not 85 metres high.

“They forgot to say that the power tower would then be side by side towers, so now twice as wide and twice as many.”

Chairperson of Melton’s Stop AusNet’s Towers, Barbara Ford, said AusNet had

“played down” the community’s concerns over the powerlines.

“They’re going to come right over the top of the main entrance of the sports ground… AusNet said the council were going to move the main entrance anyway, but the council had no plans to move the main entrance,” Ms Ford told the Moorabool News.

“Anyone that’s aware of the plans around here just can’t believe that in this day and

age, they’re proposing these overhead, ugly, monstrous high voltage towers, when other countries are developing greener technology – high voltage direct current underground.”

An AusNet Services spokesperson denied the claims that sporting grounds at MacPherson Park would be directly impacted by the powerline route.

“The decision to update the proposed route at Melton was made after intensive investigations into the visual, environmental and cultural heritage impacts of the project, along with consultation with landholders, businesses and local council. Residents and local sporting groups were also invited to give their input,” AusNet’s spokesperson said.

“The updated route along the northern boundary of MacPherson Park is designed to minimise impacts to Melton Aerodrome and landholders - by following residential property boundaries. The route will also minimise impacts to patches of threatened grasslands and plants.

“At MacPherson Park, sporting grounds are not directly impacted, and tree planting will partially screen views of the transmission line,” the spokesperson said.

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(L-R): Barbara Ford, Joel Mitchener, Tony Mitchener, Alex Kerr, David Hibbert, Kyle Borg, James Taylor, Amy Hibbert, Conrad Farrugia, Brian McNabb, Ryan Carter, Lochlan Ericson, Graham Watt, Matt Kerr & Grant Harrison at the protest at MacPherson Park.

Photo – Melton Stop AusNet’s Towers

Moorabool Shire Council has named its ‘Critter of the Month’ for September – the eye-catching, aptly named diamond firetail.

Fiery finch a striking critter Committee needs more hands

The diamond firetail is named for its striking red tail feathers, and is sometimes described as one of the most stunningly coloured finches. Diamond firetails are easy to recognise, with both males and females having red tail feathers and white spotty sides.

A native bird, it is endemic to south-eastern Australia, ranging from the Carnarvon Ranges in Queensland to the Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

It can also be seen in Moorabool – if you’re travelling through the Brisbane Ranges National Park and catch a glimpse of bright red, you might have spotted a diamond firetail.

Diamond firetails favour the drier forests of Moorabool Shire, feeding primarily on seeds. They also occasionally eat insects and their larvae, as well as worms.

To safeguard their eggs and nestlings, diamond firetails often build their nests into the base of larger birds’ nests such as wedgetailed eagles, nankeen kestrels, and brown falcons.

If you’ve got some fresh ideas, want to polish your skills, or just want to help out a local sporting club, the Bacchus Marsh Football Netball Club needs you.

A number of volunteer roles on the Cobras’ committee are being vacated at the club’s upcoming AGM, and the Cobras are eager to get fresh faces on-board.

Everyone has a talent that can help, and all kinds of skills are needed, from trainers to social media management, bar work, handywork, function organising, and more.

If a role on the BMFNC committee interests you, head to www.bmfnc.com.au/committeeroles for more information and to submit an expression of interest.

A diamond firetail sits on a branch in Lithgow, New South Wales. Photo – JJ Harrison (www.jjharrison.com.au)

New electorates this November Dob in a dealer

With the state election coming up on Saturday 26 November, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is reminding Victorians of some new electoral boundaries – including one that affects Moorabool.

Around 21 per cent of voters will be affected by changes to the electoral districts at the 2022 state election, which are the result of a state redivision conducted in 2021 by the Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC).

The main change impacting Moorabool is the creation of the District of Eureka – the seat replaces the District of Buninyong and includes most of Moorabool Shire, including Ballan and Bacchus Marsh, Golden Plains Shire, as well as parts of east Ballarat.

It will not include Coimadai, Blackwood, Dales Creek, or Korweinguboora, which remain in the District of Macedon.

The 2021 redivision was the first redivision of both Houses of the Victorian Parliament since 2013.

“The VEC has updated the register of electors with the new district and region boundary changes,” Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately AM said.

“Voters are now able to check whether their electorates are changing using ‘Check my enrolment’ on the VEC website, at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment/check-my-enrolment.”

The changes to Victoria’s state electorates will officially come into effect when the writs for the election are issued on Tuesday 1 November.

You can compare the new and existing boundaries on the EBC’s interactive map at maps. ebc.vic.gov.au.

Crime Stoppers Victoria is asking the community to speak up and keep dangerous drugs off the streets, launching the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.

In collaboration with Victoria Police, Crime Stoppers’ campaign will target those who profit from illicit drugs, focusing on drug manufacturing and supply.

The illicit drug trade has devastating impacts on all communities, but hits regional communities particularly hard – and Crime Stoppers wants to encourage Victorians to securely share any information they know.

Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive, Stella Smith, said there were several signs Victorians could be on the lookout for to alert police to drug activity.

“It may be a house with cars visiting at unusual times or an individual with unexplained expensive items,” Ms Smith said.

“Everyone has a part to play in making their community safe by sharing what they know about crime. This is regardless of how small your tip is. Your information could be the missing piece that assists with an investigation.

“We understand the concern people may feel when coming forward with information. We want to remind the community that Crime Stoppers is a confidential crime reporting service that does not require any personal details.”

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Langdon said police wanted to “empower the public to help us target those who profit from this activity”.

“Working with Crime Stoppers Victoria allows us to do just that. We have zero tolerance for drug traffickers, especially those who prey on the vulnerable,” he said.

“Drug dealers are hiding in plain sight. Often people in the community know who they are but choose not to report it. We need you to speak up.”

If you have seen visible signs or have suspicions of drug trafficking in your local area, you can make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au, or on 1800 333 000.

COMMUNITY UPDATE - October 2022

APPLY NOW: Moorabool Wind Farm Community Fund Round Four

Moorabool Wind Farm is pleased to support projects and organisations that will provide lasting benefits to the local community neighbouring the wind farm through our Community Fund.

A portion of the Fund is dedicated to scholarships - applications are welcome from local community members undertaking studies from any age, for any level of education (e.g. primary, secondary, tertiary).

Fund guidelines and the application link can be found at the QR code or: mooraboolwindfarm.com/community/community-fund

COMMUNITY FUND & SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS CLOSE 5:00PM, SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER

Landscape and Visual Screening Program

Owners of residential dwellings within 4km of the Moorabool Wind Farm are invited to participate in a landscape and visual screening program.

This program is designed to reduce the potential visual impacts of the project for our closest neighbours. All agreed works are undertaken by Moorabool Wind Farm at no cost to dwelling owners.

Get in touch with the team for more details.

The existing District of Buninyong (blue), compared to the new District of Eureka to be contested in the upcoming state election (red). Photo – EBC

Tee-riffic turnout for anniversary

By Lachlan Ellis

A Moorabool golf club recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, with members gathering at the club to commemorate the occasion.

Around 140 members of the Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club attended the 50th anniversary celebrations on Sunday 18 September, with the day beginning with an ambrose competition at 8 am, followed by lunch at midday, as well as afternoon tea and of course, a few games of golf.

Committee member Dean Cowan said it was fantastic to celebrate the milestone with so many club members, and look back at the history of the club.

“Of the 140 people there on the day, about 96 played golf in the morning. It was a pretty busy day, it was really good to commemorate the day with the members,” Mr Cowan told the Moorabool News.

“The millennium drought as they called it, about 15 odd years ago…the club nearly didn’t survive that, so it was a big turnaround for us to get where we are today. The people that hadn’t come to the course for a long time

were really impressed with the way we ran the day, and the way the course is presented at the moment.”

Attendees included more than a dozen past club champions – including the first ever club champion – and the son of the first President of the Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club.

“The first President’s son told us some stories about how the club was formed, and when the two golf clubs had a vote in 1972 to divide. It was originally just the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club, then there was a vote to travel out to Swans Road, or stay on the current site,” Mr Cowan said.

“The President at the time canvassed a lot of the members and asked if the vote went in favour of the other site, would the members like to stay with him and form another golf club. His son told us he still remembered vividly helping his dad and all the members who decided to stay get the club started.

“It was a good look at the history, I didn’t realise the vote was that close.”

The Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club is run solely by volunteers.

Ladies to strut their stuff

An annual Fashion Parade is back, and all proceeds will go towards a not-for-profit charitable organisation.

In partnership with the Steptoes Op Shop and mecwacare Op Shop, the Ballan Ladies Auxiliary Fashion Parade will be held at the Ballan Medical Centre on Friday 7 October, with doors opening at 6 pm.

Featuring a selection of clothing from the two op shops, tickets can be purchased at the door for just $10, which includes a free drink on arrival.

Ballan Aged Care Home residents can attend free of charge, with the show kicking off at 6.30pm.

All funds raised on the night will go towards mecwacare, a not-for-profit, non-denominational charitable organisation that has been supporting Victorians with aged care, respite care, and disability services for more than 60 years.

Ballan Ladies Auxiliary

Fashion Show

Friday7 October

Where: Ballan Medical Clinic

Doors open: 6.00pm Show time: 6.30pm

Ticket prices: $10 (Ballan Aged Care Home residents free of charge)

Tickets available at the door | Free glass of sparkling on arrival

All funds raised go towards mecwacare, a proudly a not-for-profit, non-denominational charitable organisation that has been supporting Victorians for more than 60 years.

Caring. Accountable. Respectful. Ethical.

The winning Ambrose team from the 50th Anniversary day. Photo Bacchus Marsh West GC

Page 8 The Moorabool News – 4 October, 2022 Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.auNews Featuring garments from Ballan’s op shops

Guitar man’s ‘Wall of Fame’

By Jane Gardner

The little town of Gordon has recently welcomed a big name in the music world –Croatian-born Drago Trojkovic, who’s put his signed guitars on display.

Mr Trojkovic began his music career as a keyboard player in the 1970s Geelongbased band, ‘Samantha’, and he recently made a tree change to Gordon with his wife Mary-Louise.

As a boy, Drago emigrated from Croatia to Australia with his parents and two brothers. A few years after arriving, his father tragically died of meningitis, leaving the young boys to support the family.

During his years playing music in and around Geelong and Melbourne (at the same time working in accounting), Drago developed a keen interest in the music industry and began building and repairing sound systems. Eventually, as Drago’s hobby grew, as well as his knowledge of sound and lighting, he and his brothers decided to open a store, ‘Troy House of Music.’

That grew to become four stores across Geelong and Greater Melbourne, where the brothers offered equipment rental, teaching, and sales. Eventually, the brothers expanded their talents to develop a new division called ‘Troy Balance’, which evolved into a major supplier to national and international acts.

This included the hiring out of concert production equipment and sound systems to acts such as the Little River Band, John Farnham, Cindy Lauper, Joe Cocker, and Paul Simon. Troy Music became the second largest sound production company in Australia.

One thing led to another, and before they knew it, Drago and his brothers had branched out into three separate businesses: retail, wholesale, and concert production. In Drago’s words, “Troy Music in South Yarra became the watering hole for international artists.”

The likes of John Fogerty, Santana, The Eagles, and Billy Joel all came through their doors. By this time, Drago was also travelling the world sourcing vintage guitars to help fill a niche market back in Australia.

During his travels to the USA, Drago began attending trade shows where he became a popular and highly respected distributor for

guitar brands such as Fender, ESP, JBL and Adamson.

He was twice interviewed by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM, USA) and was one of the first in the music industry to work with the Chinese to develop his own guitar label, Monterey.

Drago’s wholesale business – CMI Music & Audio – became one of the largest distributors in Australia.

The good news for Moorabool residents, is that having recently sold his business and retired, Drago needed a local space to display his impressive guitar collection –

Booster approved for kids

Children 5-years old and over can now be vaccinated against COVID-19, providing protection from the most severe COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalisation and death.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccination was provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for people aged 5 years and older on 3 December 2021, and approved as a booster on 20 September this year.

The vaccine for children is made in the same way as the vaccine for older people, but containers a lower amount of active ingredient (3 micrograms).

many personally signed by music A-Listers such as Metallica, Joe Walsh from The Eagles, and Dave Mustaine from Megadeth. Drago approached Gordons at Gordon Café, where an empty wall was soon converted into a music wall of fame.

If you’re lucky enough to cross paths with Drago, or happen to see him sitting in the café alongside his ‘guitar wall’, he’d no doubt happily stop for a chat and a reminisce about his extraordinary life, travelling the world making guitars, and rubbing shoulders with the best of the best. He is the ultimate Guitar Man.

According to the TGA, “children aged 5 to 11 years report fewer side effects than older Australians following a second dose” of a COVID-19 vaccine.

While children who contract COVID-19 usually experience mild symptoms, some do get very sick, which vaccination reduces the likelihood of.

One million Australian kids aged 5 to 11 years have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.

To make an appointment for your child to get vaccinated, visit covidvaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking.

Where it all began. Drago Trojkovic in his 1970s band, ‘Samantha’ (L-R) Ken Hirst, Phill Kirby, Drago Trojkovic, Luke Trojkovic.

Drago Trojkovic views his impressive guitar collection now hanging on the wall at Gordons at Gordon café. Photo – Submitted

Campaign on track to save lives

Not stopping at ‘Stop’ signs at railway crossings is not only illegal, it can also be fatal – a fact being hammered home by a new safety campaign.

The State Government launched the ‘Obey the Stop Signs’ campaign last month, targeting drivers in regional Victoria who fail to stop and look for trains at crossings with ‘Stop’ signs.

The campaign will run across radio, print, online, and in cinemas, encouraging safe behaviour near railway crossings to prevent avoidable collisions between cars and trains.

The Victorian rail network has almost 1,700 public road level crossings on passenger and freight lines. Almost 20 per cent are Stop sign crossings, without lights, bells, or boom gates.

Drivers who come to a ‘Give Way’ sign at railway crossings should come to a complete stop, unless they’ve checked it’s clear to cross.

In the past five years, there have been three collisions and 30 near hits at Stop sign crossings on the regional passenger and freight networks.

These incidents not only kill or injure the drivers and passengers involved, they often put train passengers and staff at risk, both in terms of physical safety, and long-term mental health issues.

Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll, said taking risks at railway crossings doesn’t just affect car drivers.

“Road rules at railway crossings are there to keep our roads safe for everyone including train drivers and the hundreds of passengers that might be on their train heading towards you at over 100 kilometres an hour,” Mr Carroll said.

“Trains can’t stop quickly, so drivers must always obey the Stop signs at regional railway crossings to avoid putting your life, and the lives of others, at risk.”

On top of the serious safety risk those breaking the road rules put themselves and others in, not stopping at Stop signed railway crossings can also carry a fine of up to $3,698, and the loss of three demerit points.

The State Government’s Regional Rail Revival program is also aimed at enhancing railway crossing safety, by improving train detection technology at more than 150 regional level crossings, including upgrading 70 of them to full boom barrier protection with flashing lights and bells.

For more information about the campaign and road rules around railway crossings, visit the VicRoads website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au.

Earthquake advice, one year on

It’s been a year since one of Victoria’s strongest earthquakes on record hit, and VicEmergency has put out a safety reminder on what to do if another earthquake hits.

The most basic advice is to ‘drop, cover, and hold on’ – in other words, drop to the floor, get cover under something sturdy such as a table, and hold onto it until the shaking stops.

If you are indoors when an earthquake starts, it’s safer to stay where you are until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops you should exit the building, as the building could potentially be damaged, putting your life at risk.

If you can’t find something sturdy to get cover under, you should avoid exterior walls, windows, anything with glass or that is likely to fall, and protect your head and neck with a pillow, book, or whatever is available.

If you’re outdoors when an earthquake starts, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires, and once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.

For more information on earthquake safety, head to www.ses. vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/emergencies/earthquake, and follow Victoria State Emergency Service on social media.

For emergency assistance during an earthquake, you can call VICSES on 132 500, or if in a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000).

News

Brigades honour members’ service

Two Moorabool fire brigades have thanked long-serving members for their commitment to the CFA and their community, with one brigade celebrating 75 years.

The Parwan and Coimadai Fire Brigades had their Awards Presentations in April, with Parwan celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Brigade’s founding.

The Parwan Fire Brigade was founded by a small group of local farmers on 1 April 1947, with their equipment back then consisting mainly of private water trucks, knap sacks, and hand beaters.

A working bee of Brigade members built the original fire shed which still stands today.

In 1957, Parwan firefighters fought a difficult fire that started in the local coal mine; the fire

PARWAN FIRE BRIGADE

5 Year Certificate of Service

Dave Lewis

10 Year Certificate of Service

Lisa Cruickshank

Paul Lakey

15 Year Certificate of Service

Lorraine Jolly

Simon Jolly

20 Year Certificate of Service

Geoffrey Badenhope

30 Year Certificate of Service

David Marnie

Life Members

Mark Humphrey (35 years)

Phillip Bath (40 years)

Graham Miles (45 years)

breached the lip of the open cut mine wall and spread across the Parwan grasslands.

Local community members arrived to assist with private water tankers, and were able to stop the fire before it crossed the highway, saving nearby houses.

The coal mine owner was so grateful that he donated the first fire truck to the Parwan Fire Brigade.

As part of the Pentland Group, the Parwan Fire Brigade has fought alongside other brigades in Strike Teams at many significant fires over the years, including, but not limited to: the 1969 Lara Fire, 1983 Ash Wednesday Fire at Mt Macedon, 1985 Melton Fire, 1997 Dandenong Fire, 2006 Anakie Fire, and 2009 Kinglake Complex Black Saturday fires.

COIMADAI FIRE BRIGADE

5 Year Certificate of Service

Paul Kendrick

John Petersen

Mel Petersen

10 Year Certificate of Service

Greg Balnaves

John Symons

Cam McNaughton

30 Year Certificate of Service

Greg Hodges

Don Journet

Life Member

Jim Ross (35 years)

Wayne Saliba earned a National Medal, having responded to 678 incidents since 1999 and devoting much of his time to recruitment and training.

Members back left to right: Geoffrey Badenhope, David Marnie, Graham Miles, Dave Lewis, Mark Humphrey. Front row left to right: Lorraine Jolly, Paul Lakey, Lisa Cruickshank, Commander Chris Bigham, Phillip Bath, and Simon Jolly. Photos – Submitted

Captain Greg Hodges (centre) Mel Petersen (left) and John Petersen

Commander Chris Bigham presented Wayne Saliba with National Medal and 20 year Medal

Commander Chris Bigham and Chris Long

Commander Chris Bigham and Greg Balnaves (10 year medal)

Commander Chris Bigham and Paul Kendrick

Commander Chris Bigham and John Symons

New homes for local wildlife

Three local Landcare groups have joined forces to build and install nesting boxes around the Brisbane Ranges National Park, with a range of birds and other animals set to benefit.

Construction workshops run by the Brisbane Ranges Landcare Group, Rowsley Landcare Group, and Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group have resulted in 59 nesting boxes being installed on private property around the eastern flank of the Brisbane Ranges.

The nesting boxes will support breeding for several species living in the Brisbane Ranges, including barking owls, powerful owls, parrots, sugar gliders, phascogales, microbats, grey shrikethrush, southern boobook owls, greater gliders, and kookaburras.

Research has shown that suitably sized tree hollows for large birds and animals require more than 100 years, perhaps even 200 years, to develop naturally.

The Brisbane Ranges and surrounding landscape are an example of how scarce this makes suitable tree hollows – within the

National Park, many trees, including older specimens, were destroyed or damaged in the 2006 bushfires.

Older trees, especially dead ones, have also been seen as attractive sources of firewood on private land adjacent to the Park.

While efforts have been made to revegetate the area, particularly in the Rowsley Valley through program such as Grow West, these new trees are not yet old enough to form suitable hollows.

The groups hope that the nesting boxes serve as

effective substitutes, and encourage breeding of birds and animals in the area.

“It’s exciting to see birds and animals investigating our nesting boxes as potential breeding sites. They are easy to construct, and I encourage anyone with a backyard tree to consider making it a home for wildlife,” Brisbane Ranges Landcare Group President, Robert Hall, said. For more information on nesting boxes, visit www. wildlifenestboxes.com.au.

The nesting box program was supported by a grant from the State Government.

Welfare groups unite for animals in need

Nine Victorian animal welfare groups, including the RSPCA and Animal Aid, are joining forces to find loving homes for animals in an initiative running this month.

From Saturday 1 October to Sunday 9 October, Animal Aid, the Australian Animal Protection Society, Bendigo Animal Relief Centre, Cat Protection Society, Geelong Animal Welfare Society, Greyhound Adoption Program, Lort Smith Animal Hospital, RSPCA Victoria and Second Chance Animal Rescue are all taking part in ‘Mission Adoptable’.

With animal shelters currently housing high numbers of animals, the nine groups are calling on Victorians looking for a pet to adopt, giving their new pet a chance at a happy life, and easing the pressure on shelters.

Dogs, cats, and a variety of small animals are currently seeking new homes in Victoria, with Mission Adoptable helping potential adopters find the closest adoption centre to them in one convenient place.

“When we have more animals coming into our care than being adopted, it makes our work extremely difficult. We will continue to help our community by taking lost and abandoned animals, but we need our community to open their hearts and homes and consider bringing one (or two) of our shelter animals into their family,” Animal Aid CEO, Mark Menze, said.

“RSPCA’s shelters are currently operating close to capacity due to a number of factors that are impacting our ability to move animals into forever homes, and we are calling on the community for help. By joining forces with likeminded organisations, we hope our message to encourage adoptions will be heard, resulting in more animals in happy homes and more space for the animals that will come into our care in the coming months,” RSPCA Victoria Rehabilitations and Adoption Manager, Rupert Baker, added.

There are a wide range of benefits associated with adopting a pet, with researching showing significant physical and psychological boosts through encouragement of exercise, enhancing social connectedness, and companionship.

All animals adopted from animal welfare organisations are behaviour checked, microchipped, vaccinated and desexed. Potential adopters are matched with pets based on a set of criteria including lifestyle suitability, and physical requirements –ensuring they get the best pet for them.

For anyone not in a position to take a new pet into their home permanently, foster carers are also needed to help care for animals in need.

To find your nearest adoption centre, visit www.missionadoptable.com.au.

One of the nesting boxes installed in the Brisbane Ranges, which has become home to a family of sugar gliders. Photo – Submitted

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be finalizing a move this week. Your cheerful nature helps a friend out of a rut, but it’s up to you to take the initiative.

LEO—July 23-August 22

Stars & Puzzles

QUICK PUZZLE

ACROSS

6.Bird (11)

7.Bathing place (4)

8.Novice (8)

9.Tell (6)

10.Admittance (6)

12.Support (6)

15.Stop (6)

17.Purloin (8)

19.Mineral (4)

20.Anticipation

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

ACROSS

6. Would one not feature in a science fiction story for adults? (5,6). 7. She’s said to be flaming! (4). 8. Denied making the profit spoken of (8). 9. Hurled form the seat, we hear (6). 10. Tom is a timber worker (6). 12. Dismisses as. “The remnants of some trees” (6). 15. It’s not often you can depend on an artist (6). 17. Being a demolition worker is wonderful (8). 19. The horse trotted round the ring (4). 20. Are there swarms of competitors in it? (8-3).

DOWN

1. Part of a gambling house? (8). 2. Put on a tatty old dress inside, but the result is just fabulous! (6). 3. It’s surprising that such terrain should cause a spinal fracture (6). 4. Some giant strides in the field of entomology (4). 5. Do clocks often go slow before they do so? (6). 6. Part of a river - or of a babbling brool, perhaps? (5). 11. Garment the nurse wears when working or where she keeps it? (8). 13. The morning match is about the least exciting (6). 14. To this day, old Bob has the pictures (6). 15. Furious when they tease one about drink (6). 16. The rest of the soldiers (5). 18. Going back, adds liquid to the dish (4).

ARIES—March 21-April 20

You may become involved in a volunteer activity. You join forces with someone you have a long admired and you are ready to make a decision regarding your romantic situation.

TAURUS—April 21-May 22

Stay clear of friends offering unsolicited advice. Your judgement is unusually strong and through a combination of logic and instinct you answer your own questions on love and career directions.

GEMINI—May 23-June 21

Your partner is reliable and generous. This is a good time to make an important request. An older relative provides you with useful information. Don’t hesitate to sing your own praises.

CANCER—June 22-July 22

Real estate dealings are generally favourable. You may be finalizing a move this week. Your cheerful nature helps a friend out of a rut, but it’s up to you to take the initiative.

LEO—July 23-August 22

The week may see you rubbing shoulders with a wealthy admirer. Travel planning is favoured, but explore further possibilities before making a firm decision. A delayed project is given the go-ahead.

VIRGO—August 23-September 22

Creative writing is a current strength. Spend time starting or completing a story or poem. A loved one may have important news - be there to share it in an intimate way.

LIBRA—September 23-October 22

You are given the go-ahead on a plan that has been in the works since the end of last year. A platonic friendship is highlighted. The weekend is an opportune time for embarking on a commonsense diet.

SUDOKU

SCORPIO—October 23-November 21

NUMBER GAME

The week may see you rubbing shoulders with a wealthy admirer. Travel planning is favoured, but explore further possibilities before making a firm decision. A delayed project is given the go-ahead.

VIRGO—August 23-September 22

Creative writing is a current strength. Spend time starting or completing a story or poem. A loved one may have important news - be there to share it in an intimate way.

LIBRA—September 23-October 22

You are given the go-ahead on a plan that has been in the works since the end of last year. A platonic friendship is highlighted. The weekend is an opportune time for embarking on a commonsense diet.

SCORPIO—October 23-November 21

This week includes visits from long lost acquaintances and perhaps a trip to a new destination. Learning from recent experiences can lead to brighter horizons in the romance department.

SAGITTARIUS—November 22-December 22

Relatives offer you opportunities, but some small strings may be attached. Surprise expenses may mean the postponement of a luxury purchase. This week highlights cultural activities.

CAPRICORN—December 23-January 20

Avoid taking on challenges for their own sake. Examine your goals before assuming new responsibilities. A loved one is unexpectedly dramatic so prepare for fast changing moods.

AQUARIUS—January 21-February 19

You can strengthen your commitment to your work now that some domestic obstacles are behind you. A public speaking engagement is spotlighted on the weekend. An Aries steps into the friendship picture.

PISCES—February 20-March 20

Up in the air plans are settling and you may be taking a trip or making a key business decision this week. An important caution: Don’t make announcements prematurely.

BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK

You are liked by all but you are utterly stubborn and blessed with a combination of gentleness, warmth and creativity. Creatively you shine throughout the next three months, winning applause for the special touches you add to the interesting projects you take on.

ANSWER BELOW

This week includes visits from long lost acquaintances and perhaps a trip to a new destination. Learning from recent experiences can lead to brighter horizons in the romance department.

SAGITTARIUS—November 22-December 22

Relatives offer you opportunities, but some small strings may be attached. Surprise expenses may mean the postponement of a luxury purchase. This week highlights cultural activities.

CAPRICORN—December 23-January 20

Avoid taking on challenges for their own sake. Examine your goals before assuming new responsibilities. A loved one is unexpectedly dramatic so prepare for fast changing moods.

AQUARIUS—January 21-February 19

You can strengthen your commitment to your work now that some domestic obstacles are behind you. A public speaking engagement is spotlighted on the weekend. An Aries steps into the friendship picture.

PISCES—February 20-March 20

Up in the air plans are settling and you may be taking a trip or making a key business decision this week. An important caution: Don’t make announcements prematurely.

BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK

You are liked by all but you are utterly stubborn and blessed with a combination of gentleness, warmth and creativity. Creatively you shine throughout the next three months, winning applause for the special touches you add to the interesting projects you take on.

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS

PUBLIC NOTICE

As covid stopped the Family of Valda (Val) Thiele

Celebrating our Beautiful Mum's Life we invite you to the RSL Hall 203 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh for a cuppa and nibbles Saturday 22nd October between 1.30pm to 3.30pm *If you can attend please text Carrol 0409 958 990 for catering numbers.

DEATH NOTICE

DAVEY – Ina ‘Margaret’

17.08.1925 – 25.09.2022

Dearly loved wife of Jack (dec).

Loving mother to Warne, Russell, Glenn, Steven and Philip. Mother-in-law to Kate, De, Sue (dec), Tracy and Kate. Cherished Grandma & Great Grandma. Forever In Our Hearts.

The Service for Margaret was held yesterday at Michael Crawford Funeral’s Chapel.

You can view the service here: michaelcrawfordfunerals.com.au (Select – Funeral Notices)

DEATH NOTICE

DAHLER – Kim Marree

03/01/1972 – 24/09/2022

Passed away peacefully at 10.24 pm.

Much loved partner of Neil.

Loving and Loved mum of Leah, Josh, Taylor & Kade.

Proud and Adored Nan to Patrick, Taya, Rydah & Hunter.

You had a smile for everyone you had a heart of gold you left behind the memories that we will always hold.

DEATH NOTICE

Organ – Francis Graeme ‘Frank’ 18/10/1938 – 23/09/2022

In Loving Memory of a Gentle Giant. Loving Husband to May.

Loving Father to David, Graeme, Paul & Scott. Caring Father-in-law.

Adored Pop & Pop-Pop to many.

“Love Ya”

Frank was farewelled today, surrounded by his loving family & friends

PUBLIC NOTICE

Ballan Racecourse & Recreation Reserve Inc.

Notice is given of a Public Meeting and AGM to be held at Ballan Racecourse at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11/10/2022

Enquiries phone

Anne Mullane 5368 1138

EMPLOYMENT

Gardener –Darley area

Required to help with large established garden.

Duties include: Planting out, weeding and light pruning. (No lawn mowing is required).

Approximately three hours per fortnight @ $30 p/hr

Contact Merv –0414 836 296

SITUATIONS VACANT

Classified ad bookings close 12PM Friday.

Bookings on (03) 5368 1966 or by email — news@themooraboolnews.com.au

Email must include full contact details or advertisement cannot be placed.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Hepburn House Aged Care facility. Casual PCW shifts available. Please contact Dianne Jones reception@hepburnhouse.com.au or call 5348 8100

Sales / Advertising

FULL TIME / PART TIME

A position is available for a Sales person to join the team at the Moorabool News. Must be self-motivated, dedicated, strong will to succeed. Experience preferred.

Please forward your cover letter and resume to: editor@themooraboolnews.com.au Successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.

The Moorabool News

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OFFICE HOURS Tuesday to Friday, 9am – 5pm (Mondays by appointment)

PHONE (03) 5368 1966

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DEADLINES

Early General News - 5pm Friday

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Display Advertising - Noon Thursday

Classifieds - Noon Friday

EDITOR Helen Tatchell

GRAPHIC DESIGN Glen Martin

PUBLISHED BY The Ballan News Pty Ltd

PRINTED BY Latrobe Valley Express

Published by Helen Tatchell, of 15 Haddon Drive, Ballan, 3342 for The Ballan News Pty Ltd, 15 Haddon Drive, Ballan, 3342. Printed by Latrobe Valley Express. Responsibility for electoral material is accepted by the editor, Helen Tatchell, of 15 Haddon Drive, Ballan 3342. ABN 84 115 355 461.

Ballan Golf Club

Results -Week ending Saturday 1 October.

Saturday - Stroke – Monthly Medal

A GRADE

Winner - Anthony Moore 69-6-63.

R/up - Chris Tudor 78-13-65.

B GRADE

Winner of Medal - Bill Pickering 80-19-61.

R/up - Andrew Germon 86-21-65.

NTPs - 12th Bob Arklay, 15th Anthony Moore.

Magpies - 14th Anthony Moore, 18th Don Wickson. Balls 4, Cut-off 65 on c/b

Bill Pickering, Anthony Moore, Chris Tudor, Frank Raffaele.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Members of the community are hereby advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Darley Junior Football Netball Club Incorporated will be held at The Hub General Meeting area (next to the canteen) on Wednesday 26th October 2022 at 7pm. Please contact the Secretary for a 2022/2023 Committee Nomination Form if you are interested in joining the Committee by email secretary@darleyjnrfnc.com.au or SMS 0404499406.

All positions will be declared vacant at this meeting.

4x4 Toyota Steel Tub Trailer Bedding Rack, Water Storage, Canvas Cover, Storage Box 500 x 500 x 1500, 2 x Spare Wheels, $2,700 – Phone: 5368 2339 (after 6pm)

Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics

The 2022/23 Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Track and Field season commenced last Saturday morning at Masons Lane Reserve.

Close to 200 excited athletes participated, with almost 60 of these trying out for the very first time. The buzz around the track was electric, as we welcomed back some normality to our sporting program after two seasons of regulations due to the covid pandemic.

This season saw the introduction of the Under 17 age group allowing several athletes to return for another year of athletics.

Registrations are still available for children aged 5-16. Little Athletics offers a free 2-week trial offer for new athletes. See the Bacchus Marsh website for details – www. bacchusmarshlittleathletics.org.au

Training commences this Thursday from 4.30-5.15pm for the Under 6-9 athletes and 5.15-6pm for the Under 10-17 age groups.

This Saturday will be program 2 commencing at 8.30am. The Centre will announce their 2022/23 Centre Captains. Due to the delay with the renovations of the Centre pavilion, the official opening has been delayed until its completion.

The Under 8 girls were all smiles and happy to be back at Little Aths. Photo – BMLAC

Lions lose season opener

Darley Cricket Club – By Todd Whelan

East Ballarat has cruised to a comfortable nine wicket win on the road over Darley in the opening round of the new BCA 2022/23 season last weekend.

While the Lions looked vulnerable without 'soon to arrive' big guns Danza Hyatt and Harry Killoran, it was their inability to break through with the ball that gave greater cause for concern. Defending 180 on the hard wicket of Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve was always going to be a tougher ask than on the slow turf wicket and outfield of Darley Park, that is currently in maintenance and recovery mode, on the back of consistent wet weather and recently completed football program. Of the four BCA First Grade games at the weekend, all eight teams with the exception of Darley manufactured six wickets or more with the ball. Strike bowler Madushanka Ekanayake (1/27) was the only Lions wicket taker removing Rory Low 68 (93) with the game seemingly beyond reach at 1/130. Only Ekanayake and left arm seamer Mitch Ward (0/39) went for less than four runs an over on a perfect spring day for cricket, made ideal for batting. Ironically it was Ward who took the catch to give Ekanayake and the Lions their only breakthrough.

There were some encouraging signs for the Lions looking forward with the bat. Reigning EJ Cleary Medalist Dilon Chandima 38 (41) looked in ominous touch before he was bowled as he and 17-year-old debutant Rocky Hoey put on 52 runs in good time to lay the foundations of the innings.

Hoey gave every indication his knock of 27 was a merely a small step en route to a mountain of runs for his beloved club where he played all his junior cricket. Unfortunately, his dream start was cut shorter than expected after he was tragically run out. Cricket sure can fill you with the greatest joy one minute and leave you shattered the next. But, as his namesake would suggest, 'Rocky' will surely bounce back for the sequel and beyond.

Former Captain Brad Barnes 23 (27) tried to elevate the nature of the innings with a cameo half hour knock before he was caught with the innings now on tenterhooks at 4/118 but still eyeing a 200 run total with Hasi Wickramasinghe looking set at the crease. In true 'Hasi' style the Lions General tried to see out the innings while losing Ekanayake 2 (10) and Mitch Ward 12 (17) along the way before he was eventually dismissed for 42(72). There was just no time for any further accumulation as the Lions finished 8/180 - not nearly enough given wickets in hand.

The Lions will aim to bounce back on the road this week when they meet Brown Hill (2nd).

BCA FIRST GRADE - (ROUND 1)

Darley 8/180, Overs 50. H. Wickramasinghe 42, D. Chandima 38, R. Hoey 27. East Ballarat 1/182, Overs 42. M. Ekanayake 1/27 (off 10 ov). Darley lost by 9 wickets - (Darley now 8th)

Three stables share in heat success

By Tim O'Connor (HRV)

The all-conquering Emma Stewart stable had 12 runners in Saturday night’s Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Oaks heats, but it was fillies from rival camps that stole the show.

Russell Jack’s top pacer Just Hope and Sebastian Steenhuis’ Relentless Me led all the way to claim victory in their respective qualifiers before Geoff Webster’s Elegant darted through along the sprint lane to win the third and final heat.

Jack’s son and driver Nathan was full of praise for Just Hope after she held the lead from barrier one and clung on in a desperate finish to prevail by a short half head on the line.

She defeated Stewart-trained Petillante and Encipher, with stablemate Star Celebrity fourth to claim the other qualifying spot for the Group 1 final on October 8.

“She'll always have a special place in my heart,” Nathan Jack said.

“I thought she fought it out really well because the Tonkin (Stewarttrained) ones there are impossible to hold out late, and I knew that they'd be fitter than us and we just had to try and out-sprint them.”

Just Hope won in a mile rate of 1:59:6, the same time Relentless Me recorded in winning heat two.

Driver Jack Laugher rolled straight to the front from barrier two and the daughter of Restrepo was never headed on her way to a commanding two-and-a-half metre victory.

She had it all her own way in front and defeated Stewarttrained Jo An Jo - who had the

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trail - with Wendys Wish (Russell Jack/Nathan Jack) and Amore Vita (Nathan Purdon/Chris Alford) getting through to the final by running third and fourth respectively.

“She deserved, probably, to win a race like that,” Laugher said.

“The circumstances of the race, she probably had to win it with the run she had. Nonetheless, she’s still been going really good and she’s a super little filly.

“I’m glad she has a heat of the Oaks win beside her name…”

A masterful Anthony Butt drive helped Elegant score in the third heat and end the winning streak of Stewart’s star filly Soho Historia.

Butt speared to the lead from barrier five and then handed up to Stewart-trained rival Beach Life before awaiting his chance along the sprint lane.

It came in the home straight and Elegant slipped home quick enough to beat Soho Historia, who peeled three-wide with cover down the back straight but couldn't sustain the run long

enough and fell short by just over a metre.

“I've said the last two or three months when I've started driving her that the Oaks will really suit her - the 2700m,” Butt said.

“Just remember, she won that race that was eventually a no-race. She beat Soho Historia fair and square that night in a pretty good field, so she probably had more form than it looked on paper.

“When you get the run like that, she's always going to be a big chance.”

Ellen Bartley-trained Miss Chantilly was close-up behind the top two in third, while Beach Life clung on to make the final in fourth.

The third heat was clearly the quickest of the three, with the field running a mile rate of 1:57.2 for the 2760m trip.

The Group 1 Victoria Oaks Final barrier draw will be conducted during a live broadcast at SEN studios from 7pm on Monday night. You can catch all the action at www.TrotsVision.com.au

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DOLL Reborn Doll, Cloth vinyl blue eyes, open mouth, 22” lifelike GC $100 – 0427 033 391

DOWNLIGHTS (11) Osram LED, 5w, 300 lumens, large dia., indoor use, $50. 0414 691 891

DVD player. Palsonic model 2040 GC $20 - 0414 691 891

FLY REEL , with 6 weight line, Blackridge, $70 Ph 0447 672 218

FRAMED PICTURES (9) pictures of the Joker (Heath Ledger) $60 lot – 0423 252 922

FRIDGE/FREEZER Hisense 230Lt capacity, 1456 x 550 x 605mm in good condition $1000403 300037

FUJITSU split system air con, cooling only, good working order, free, need electrician to remove, Ph 5368 1844

GIRLS CLOTHING, Variety of girls clothes and shoes $30 the lot 0423252922

GOBLET, Pirates of the black skull goblet, still in box $40 – 0423 252 922

HANDMOWERS 1 x Flymo model H33, Like new. 1 x vintage heavy duty Pope mower, Works well $20 each. Ph: 0437 220 048

HOT AIR GUN, Powercraft, 2000 watt, $25 Ph: 0447 672 218

JACKET, light, Ladies Joseph Ribkoff label, Viscose Rayon & Polyester, size 10, brand new, $40 - 0428 671 116

LADIES, Black top, brand new, small $10 0423252922

LED Heritage candle bulbs, x4, 3.3 watt, warm white, brand new in box, all for $40 Ph: 0421 372 438

MAGIC 8 BALL , Brand new, still in box $10. Ph: 0423252922

ORGAN, Yamaha Upright Model CN - 70 Perfect condition. $100 Ph: 0437 220 048

ORBITAL SANDER GMC 220 watt, $25 Ph: 0447 672 218

OUTDOOR CHAIR , made from horse haymes & plough seat. Used, $85 - 0428 671 116

OUTDOOR SETTING Garden glass table 6 chairs cushions & umbrella $100 ONO 0447 754 664

PRINTER and copier, HP Lazer Jet Pro MFP M521dn in working condition. $100 Ph 0407 444 444

RECLINERS, 2 x single seat, colour taupe, $100 each, excellent condition Ph 0400 383899

ROCKING CHAIR , Jason Roger, floral fabric, very good condition, $75. Ph: 0407 148 184

SADDLE GC $99 - 0433 828 194

SCREWDRIVER SET, Stanley, 14 piece, new, $20 Ph 0418 318 164

SEE NO EVIL , speak no evil, hear no evil skull, black, $20. Ph: 0423252922

SHOE RACK , with cover, 20 grid, new in box, $20 Ph 0417 110 261

SHOWER BASE, Mondella Cadenza, 900x900x100, in box, $80. Ph: 0402 059 142"

SHREDDER Electric Paper shredder Small office type $100433 828 194

SMART BLENDER , Smith & Noble, 120 watt, brand new, $60 Ph: 0421 372 438

SPOTLIGHTS, 3 on stainless steel bar, for ceiling, LED globes, $40 Ph 0418 318 164

STAR POST DRIVER $100 ONO Ph 0447754664

STAR WARS Trilogy VHS Special Edition, Perfect Condition $50, Phone 0433 828 194

STEEL CAPPED SAFETY BOOTS, Women’s Size 8, Black with laces, no side zip, only worn once EC $20 Ph: 0432973539

TABLE , Garden, glass, 6 chairs cushions and umbrella $100 ONO Ph 0447754664

TABLE , Retro and six black chairs $80 0423252922

TOTEM Tennis set EC $15 - 0433 828 194

WORK BOOTS, Black Cougar steel cap brand new size 12, $50. Ph: 0423252922

Just Hope (1) winning Victoria Oaks 1st Heat. Photo Stuart McCormick