Moorabool News 13 December

LOCAL ID22 GLORY

By Tim O'Connor (HRV)

Myrniong husband-and-wife team of Greg Sugars and Jess Tubbs have celebrated the biggest moment of their careers, when a horse that only set foot in their Myrniong stables this year won the SENTrack Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final.

Just Believe completed a clean sweep of the heats and decider with a gutsy, gritty performance last Saturday night’s $250,000 showdown at Tabcorp Park Melton, lunging at long-time leader Majestuoso in the shadows of the post to claim victory.

The half-neck success bettered the horse’s third placing in last year’s Inter Dominion decider at Menangle when he was trained by Michael Hughes, who called time on his involvement in the sport and sent the six-year-old gelding to the Tubbs-Sugars barn.

“I just can’t believe it – this is not a trophy I ever expected to be holding,” Tubbs, the official trainer of the horse, said.

“To do it with Greg is just amazing. It’s such a family effort at our stables, we’ve got such a great group of owners and this horse is just a little legend.

“And he just tried his guts out. For him to earn that title and for us to have done this as a family is just incredible.”

Just Believe progressed through the ID22 heats unbeaten after frontrunning wins from favourable barriers at Ballarat, Shepparton and Geelong, but some had gone cold on his chances after landing gate 12 for the final.

But a brilliant Sugars drive helped secure the champion reinsman a second-successive Inter Dominion trotting crown after prevailing aboard Maori Law in 2021.

Sugars rolled to a spot outside surprise early leader Majestuoso at the 1500m mark and remained there until the closing stages of the marathon 2760m event. Andy Gath’s charge skipped clear in the straight and looked the winner, but Just Believe dug deep to reel him in just before the post and snatch a thrilling victory.

“I didn’t have a lot of options from the draw. I had to put him in the hunt when I could, so it worked out great,” Sugars said.

“It was just a matter of doing enough without doing too much.

“This is something special.”

The Orlando Vici gelding won eight races for former trainer Hughes and has now triumphed in seven of 10 starts since joining Tubbs and Sugars.

He has a record of 15 wins from 51 starts with prizemoney earnings now up over $390,000.

Upgrades to ovals required

Settling into new role

By Lachlan Ellis

A newly re-elected MP is rising up the political ranks with a new role in Parliament, but says her local community will always be her main priority.

Michaela Settle was elected the inaugural Member for Eureka at the recent state election, and last week accepted the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Regional Development.

The role is essentially a Junior Ministry assisting Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney and Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing, but will allow Ms Settle the chance to put forward her own ideas and advocate on behalf of her constituents. She said she was thrilled to be appointed to the new position.

will help her fit into the role.

Bungaree

Council is eager to help organise the upgrades, and is advocating for the two other levels of government to provide financial assistance to bring the plans to fruition.

Outgoing Bungaree Football Netball Club President, Andrew Mahar, said the club had missed out on playing football finals at home because of the condition of its ground.

“We currently field five football sides and seven netball sides, and it’s a big part of our community. Our playing surface over the last two years, many years actually, hasn’t been up to scratch. We need to secure funding to get that oval upgraded,” Mr Mahar said.

“We missed out on three finals, not only last year but in previous years, because of our playing surface. It wasn’t up to speed, it was too wet, it wasn’t suitable to play finals. We missed out on a lot of crowds, and a lot of regional funding that would’ve been a part of our community, because of our surface.”

Gordon Football Netball Club President, Peter Clifford, said players often had to train elsewhere to avoid tearing up the ground.

“With the Auskick program here in Gordon, we have really good numbers. But with that, if it’s a wet night, we have to transfer it away from here, so that it doesn’t destroy the ground. That many kids and parents on the oval, they destroy it in one night,” Mr Clifford said.

“The biggest problem with the ground is, while it does have some underground drainage, it’s basically an old paddock that’s had the top side of it levelled a bit. It just doesn’t drain very well. The ground can’t handle it being wet when there’s anyone using the ground.”

Mr Clifford said the club hopes to expand into female Auskick and perhaps a female football side as well, but “we can’t grow it with the ground the way it is”.

Council has contributed funds to both the Bungaree and Gordon ovals, and the Ballan Community Bank has provided $150,000 for an upgrade at Bungaree.

However, the two projects need funding from the State and Federal Governments to get off the ground, and help the two proud community clubs grow.

For more information on the Bungaree and Gordon oval upgrades, and other projects Moorabool Shire Council is advocating for, visit www.moorabool.vic.gov.au/advocacy.

“I’m really excited with the appointment. The Premier rang me on Monday [5 December] and offered me the positions, and I was really delighted. Obviously, my most important role is as the representative for people in Eureka, and that will always be my main focus,” Ms Settle told the Moorabool News. “These roles really offer me the opportunity to bring my own personal experience to the table. I know how important agriculture is, and also how complex it is – it’s a really complex policy space. People sometimes think it’s just a farmer at a farm gate, but it’s much more in terms of international trade, biosecurity, and all of those things.”

Ms Settle did her Master’s thesis on regional development, and managed her family’s farm in Ararat for 10 years, which she hopes

When asked about her position on the Western Renewables Link – a project that has many in agriculture and regional Victorians as a whole concerned – Ms Settle said she would continue to advocate for the community of Eureka.

“I’ve been really strong on this. I’m going to do everything I can to support people, however, it’s important to understand what I can and can’t change. What I think people really want is some frank responses and frank answers,” she said

“The bottom line is, as it stands, the Western Renewables Link is an AEMO project, not a State Government project – it won’t be voted on the floor of Parliament. There isn’t a space for me to change that substantially.

“Having said that, if the question is around advocacy, absolutely I’m here to advocate for people locally, and will continue to do that.”

Mosquito health warning

particularly around inland waterways and coastal regions.

Symptoms can include headache, fever, rash, joint pain and stiffness, muscle pain

fatigue.

The most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting Ross River virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases, is by avoiding mosquito bites and removing any mosquito breeding sites around your home.

Preventative measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes include covering up, using mosquito repellents containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin, using mosquito coils in small outdoor gathering areas, and removing stagnant water around your home or campsite.

For more information, visit www.health.vic. gov.au/health-advisories/health-warningon-mosquitoes-and-ross-river-virus.

Michaela Settle says her constituents, including those in Ballan, “will always be my main focus”. Photo – Lachlan Ellis

Mosquito numbers are high at the moment thanks to the humidity and heavy rains, and the Department of Health has issued a warning for mosquito-borne diseases. Ross River virus is of particular concern, and is endemic to most areas across Victoria,

and

and Gordon locals have shared what an upgrade to their ovals would mean for their growing communities, calling on the State and Federal Government to come to the table.

Welcome signs to remain

By Lachlan Ellis

Council has admitted that the wording of a draft plan for gateway signage in Moorabool didn’t reflect its true intentions, and it plans to keep the signs.

The ‘Draft Moorabool Shire Gateways Strategy’, which closed for feedback on 31 October, and drew concern from many locals who feared their signs would be removed.

The ‘Draft Moorabool Shire Gateways Strategy’, which closed for feedback on 31 October, and drew concern from many locals who feared their signs would be removed.

The signs referenced within the document include Ballan’s autumn leaves sign, Bacchus Marsh’s wine and strawberries sign, and Gordon’s wedge-tailed eagle sign.

Last month in Blackwood, close to 100 residents gathered at the town’s wombat sign, affectionately known as ‘Wombie’, to protest its potential removal.

But in Public Question Time at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday 7 December, Council’s General Manager of Community Assets and Infrastructure, Phil Jeffrey, said Council intended to keep the signs.

The statement came in response to a question from John Kowarsky.

“Does Council plan to retain the iconic artworks, for example the wine glass, autumn leaves, and wedge-tailed eagle, presently gracing the entrance of some of our townships?”

Mr Kowarsky asked.

“The Draft Gateways Strategy was recently placed on public

exhibition, which generated a lot of feedback that we’re currently working through. Some of the feedback received highlighted the desire to retain the existing gateway signs,” Mr Jeffrey responded.

“The intent of the Draft Strategy was to retain these signs, and it’s acknowledged that the Draft Strategy didn’t necessarily reflect this accurately. I can confirm that the final version will recommend retention of these signs.”

Opposition to the signs’ potential replacement concerned not only the removal of existing signs, but the alternative design options proposed in the Draft Strategy, which Blackwood resident Sue Donnelly told the Moorabool News in November “are so generic…they say nothing about the region or the attributes of our towns”.

Maddingley, coming soon

The Blackwood community made it clear their sign was to stay. Photo – Helen Tatchell One of the two concepts for alternative signage proposed in the Draft Moorabool Gateways Strategy.

Plan ahead if you’re travelling to Melbourne this summer

Victoria’s Big Build is building a better road and rail network in December and January while there are fewer people on our trains and less cars on the road.

This includes major works on the Metro Tunnel with crews working around the clock to upgrade tracks and install new high-tech signalling. Significant delays are expected as vital maintenance takes place on the West Gate Bridge from Boxing Day. We’re also upgrading the City Loop and continuing to build the West Gate Tunnel, and its connections into the city and CityLink.

Summer disruptions

City Loop closed

Freeway disruptions: Changed traffic conditions or closed lanes and ramps

West Gate Bridge 9pm 26 Dec to 6am 4 Jan Four outbound lanes closed

Monash Freeway Some nights in Jan Closed between Warrigal Road and EastLink

Princes Freeway Some nights in Jan Closed between Princes Highway and Cardinia Road

Road disruptions: Closed roads, lanes and ramps

Dynon Road, West Melbourne Until 21 Dec Between Dryburgh Street and Dynon Road inbound exit ramp from CityLink

Greensborough Road, Watsonia

Narre WarrenCranbourne Road and Thompsons Road, Cranbourne

Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn

Lancefield Road, Sunbury

Until 22 Dec Lanes closed and speeds reduced

Jan to Feb Intersection closed

Jan to Feb Between Hume Highway and Hanson Road

Jan to Feb At Sunbury Road

The first 200 days in office News

By Lachlan Ellis

Believe it or not, it’s been over 200 days since the federal election, and a local MP has shared his thoughts on his time representing most of Moorabool so far.

Sam Rae was elected the inaugural Member for Hawke following the election on 21 May, and said it had been “a very busy 200 days”.

“We’ve wasted no time in delivering on our promises. $10 million was secured in the October budget to kickstart the Western Highway Upgrade with a detailed business case. This is the critical first step in ensuring our community can get to work efficiently and home to their families safely,” Mr Rae told the Moorabool News.

“We’ve also secured funding for upgrades to local schools and community infrastructure such as $400,000 for Federation Park in Darley.”

Mr Rae said it had also been a significant period in Canberra, with “some very important legislation passing”.

“The Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill was passed just a couple of weeks ago, which will see a much-needed lift in wages. This follows the 5.2 per cent increase to the minimum wage shortly after the election,” he said.

“Since coming to government, we have also been delivering cost of living relief by slashing the cost of medicines at our local pharmacies and delivering cheaper childcare – something I was particularly proud of.”

On two local projects of note in Moorabool – the Bacchus Marsh indoor pool (or lack of one), and the Western Renewables Link – Mr Rae said he was working hard to advocate for the community’s needs and concerns.

“Since being elected, I have been fighting continuously to have the [Western Renewables Link] project reviewed. I don’t support the proposal in its current form. AEMO have recently commenced a process

of review for components of the project, and I will be fighting for a better outcome for our community in Hawke,” he said.

“I strongly support the Bacchus Marsh pool and I’ll continue to work across all stakeholders to get it built. My local priority for our community this year has been to kickstart the Western Highway upgrade with the $10 million commitment secured in October’s budget.”

Unfortunately for Moorabool, the Bacchus Marsh indoor pool didn’t receive the $15 million needed from this year’s Federal Budget, which would complement $15 million from Council and $10 million from the State Government and get the project fully funded.

History - back in the day

Bacchus Marsh & District Historical Society Inc.

The Osage Orange Avenue and Windbreak at 22 Taverner Street, Maddingley are of local historical significance as rare surviving examples of the use of Osage Orange trees for landscaping purposes. The long private driveway avenue and boundary windbreak of at least 50 Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) trees planted from seeds imported by A. C. Simon from the United States circa 1870s, probably originally intended as hedges. The

landscape features are also of historical significance for their associations with local pioneering orchardist, A. C. Simon. Mr Arthur Charles Simon was one of the earliest orchardists in Bacchus Marsh. With seeds sent to him by his brother in America, Simon planted the Osage Orange Avenue. Timber from the tree was good for wood turning & the shavings were used for fabric dye, but the fruit was inedible.

Sam at a Keeley’s Cause charity event presenting iPads to kids with autism or intellectual disabilities. Photo – Submitted

BACCHUS MARSH

Wrapping up Christmas for charity

By Lachlan Ellis

Moorabool Shire Council

A Darley woman is embracing the spirit of giving this Christmas, wrapping gifts for a donation for local food relief.

Kaz Pinder previously made and gave away around 6,000 face masks through the COVID-19 pandemic, and now she’s wrapping Christmas presents, with all proceeds going to the Soul Food program.

Ms Pinder said food relief organisations are pushed to their limits at this time of year, and she wanted to help with their crucial work.

“I thought it’d be nice if I could help them in some way, and I don’t mind wrapping presents, I actually enjoy it,” she told the Moorabool News.

“Over the last two years they’ve gone and grabbed face masks

off me. Speaking to the lady who comes to pick them up, especially in the lead-up to last Christmas…she told me how hard it was. I thought, well that’s where I’m going, plenty of other people step in and help other organisations, so I thought I’d help a local one out.”

As for the donations, Ms Pinder says people are free to choose how much they want to donate, and “it doesn’t even have to be money”.

“There’s no set fee, just whatever you want to give. It can be anything at all, it doesn’t have to be cash,” she said.

If you’d like your Christmas presents wrapped, just bring your own wrapping paper, and contact Ms Pinder on her Facebook page.

The next Ordinary Mee�ng of Council will be held on Wednesday 7 July 2021 in the Council Chambers, 15 Stead St Ballan, star�ng at 6.00 pm For details on a�endance or to the view the agenda, go to www.moorabool.vic.gov.au

Moorabool Shire Council

No�ce is hereby given that an Unscheduled Mee�ng of Moorabool Shire Council will be held in Council Chambers, Ballan and online on Wednesday 21 December 2022 commencing at 6pm

business to be conducted at the mee�ng is as follows:

Bacchus Marsh Racecourse & Recrea�on Reserve Lease and Licence Agreement Update

3 Australia Day Award Selec�on Panel Recommenda�ons

4 C09-2022/2023 Taverner Street, Bacchus Marsh Road Reconstruc�on Contract

5 C15-2022/2023 Bacchus Marsh Shared Use Path (Aqualink) Landscaping and Signage Contract

6 C20-2022/2023 Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recrea�on Reserve Stage 2 – Play Space Construc�on Contract

7 C23-2022/2023 West Maddingley Early Years & Community Hub Construc�on Services Contract

C08-2022/2023 Collec�on and Transporta�on of Kerbside Garbage, Recyclables and Greenwaste Services Contract

Council Mee�ng

Council Office Hours:

Friday 23 December, 2022

Open: 8.30am to 12.30pm

Closed: 12.30pm to 5pm

Closed: Monday 26 December, 2022 to Monday 2 January, 2023

All offices re-open 8.30am to 5pm: Tuesday 3 January, 2023

Emergency Services

Please telephone 000 for all Fire, Police and Ambulance emergencies. Important Emergency Contact informa�on includes:

• CFA Fire Emergency 000

• Police Emergency 000

• SES 132 500

• Ambulance 000

• Victorian Bushfire Informa�on Line 1800 240 667

• Bacchus Marsh Hospital – Western Health 5367 2000

• Ballan Health & Care Services - Mecwacare 5366 7999

Further Council a�er hours informa�on will be published in the week prior to Christmas.

Please contact Customer Service on 5366 7100 for further informa�on.

Waste and recycling

All kerbside garbage, recycling and green waste collec�ons will occur on their scheduled day.

All transfer sta�ons will be closed on Sunday 25 December, Monday 26 December and Tuesday 27 December as well as Sunday 1 January and Monday 2 January.

next Ordinary Mee�ng of Council will be held in the Council Chambers, Ballan, Wednesday 1 February 2023, at 6pm

Kaz Pinder says she’ll accept non-financial donations too for her gift-wrapping service, such as food donations. Photo – Lachlan Ellis

Macca’s run

By Lachlan Ellis

A local athlete has been hitting her stride this past month, being named in both the Junior Development Squad (JDS) and in the Victorian squad for the Australian Little Athletics Combined Championships.

Mackenzie Estlick’s strong performance in the State Combined Events, placing fourth overall in the Under 15s, has seen her selected as an emergency for Victoria’s Combined Championships squad.

The 14-year-old said she was thrilled to be a part of the squad and take part in training in the lead-up to the event next year.

“I’m really excited about being named in both the Junior Development Squad and the Australian Combined Events Championships because I have worked so hard over the last 10 years to get this far and this is the first time that I have had this opportunity,” she told the Moorabool News.

“This year was the first time that I qualified for the JDS based on the times I ran at the State Track and Field carnival at the start of the year. The squad involves five training sessions with professional coaches in my nominated events, which were Triple Jump and Middle Distance running.

“This will be the highest I have made it so far in my athletics career. I’m really looking forward to taking part in the three training days prior to the event, as it will give me an opportunity to meet the Management Team and get to know my fellow athletes.”

Ms Estlick said being a member of Bacchus Marsh Little Aths was about more than just enjoying sports themselves. “Athletics has been such an incredible experience for me

and a major part of my life. I have loved making so many friends along my journey, not just at BMLAC but at all the clubs around Victoria. I would encourage all young athletes to enrol in their local club as it teaches you so many basic fundamentals,” she said.

Fellow Bacchus Marsh Little Athletes Nicholas Ide, Bridie Shanahan, and Nicholas Mai were also named in the JDS.

The Australian Little Athletics Combined Events Championships will be held at Lakeside Stadium at Albert Park from 21 to 23 April 2023.

Fire Danger Period announced

The CFA has announced this summer’s Fire Danger Period for Moorabool and surrounding areas, and it begins next week.

Moorabool Shire, Ararat, Pyrenees Shire, Hepburn Shire, and Ballarat will all enter the Fire Danger Period at 1 am on Monday 19 December.

Several restrictions apply during the Fire Danger Period –for example, barbeques and campfires can’t be lit unless they follow five conditions including wind under 10 km/h, and burning off can only be done with a permit from CFA or a Fire Prevention Officer.

For more information on what you can and can’t do during the Fire Danger Period, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

This election has shown that regional Victorians are looking for a strong, local voice to represent them in Parliament.

Someone who knows what makes our smaller communities tick, and who will hold the Government to account as it continues to overlook our rural and regional communities.

The voters of Shepparton, Morwell and Mildura sent a clear message to the independents that previously represented them, that it was time for a change.

-

And the communities of our incumbent MPs once again renewed their support of a party prioritising people living outside of the city.

The Nationals have deep roots in our country communities and a long history of strong advocacy for all regional Victorians.

Our grassroots campaigns, led by candidates who are fierce advocates for their regions, brought the issues regional Victoria faces to the fore.

And regional Victorians chose to support a party that would lower their cost of living,

address our crumbling roads, fix Victoria’s health crisis and deliver agricultural innovation for Victoria, among myriad other things.

Labor said they’re doing what matters, and we’re here to ensure they’re doing it for all Victorians, and not just the inner-city.

The Nationals now cover Victoria from border to border.

We will ensure the Labor Government knows it must do more for regional Victoria.

The Nationals is the only party solely representing regional Victoria, it is our core focus and it should be a focus for the Labor Government.

We have a great team that will work together to make sure regional Victoria has a very loud, very proud, very strong voice in Parliament.

Peter Walsh, Member for Murray Plain, Leader of The Nationals

Mackenzie Estlick with her fourth place ribbon at the State Combined Events in November. Photo - BMLAC

lub

Ballan Cricket Club Ballan CCricket

Under 11s

Every player has been working hard at training, making as many runs than than first game and took more wickets. All players contributed to the run score, Henry Cairns top scored with 9, Jamie Jarvis made 7 and Jack Leckie made 5, while Oscar Phillips, Isaac Kettle , Angus Muldeary, Hudson Squires and Jack Mullane all made 4 runs each. The bowling was also a great team effort: Henry, Jack Leckie, Angus , and Jamie all hit the stumps with some accurate bowling. Jamie and Jack M kept wicket and both did a good job. Hudson and Isaac were impressive with their bowling, neither of them bowled an extra. The fielding is also improving with a run out - fielded by Jamie and taken by Jack M.

Under 13s

Bye

Under 15s

Ballan/Brown Hill 164 lost Buninyong 211 (Day 2)

Bowling -James Bayard 1/21, Riley Storer 0/23, Charlotte Wallace 0/17, J Singh 0/12

Batting - J Singh 7

Under 17s

Ballan 2/138 v Wendouree White 4/76 (Day 1/Day 2 match)

Batting - Ryan Lister 75*, Jack Jarvis 45

Bowling - Ryan Lister 4/2/3/2, Clancy Mathieson 4/0/1/12, Eli Muir 4/1/0/10

2nd XI (BCA 4th Grade)

Ballan 8-83 lost Brown Hill 3-87

Batting - S Dehnert 22 no, J Somers 10

Bowling - K Heafield 4-1-11-1, P Singh 5-0-16-1, J Somers 1-0-10-1 1st XI (BCA 2nd Grade)

Ballan v Wendouree (Day 1/Day 2 match) Wendouree all out 232

Bowling - E Muir 6-1-10-2, L Snaith 14-3-39-2, B Loughnane 30-4-85-2 Ballan to bat this week

Ballan Golf Club

RESULTS - W/E SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER

Wednesday – Stableford

Winner - Bill Bob Arklay (11) 37 points.

R/up - Denis Conroy (18) 32 points. Magpie - 14th Jimmy Walsh.

NTPs - 12th Kev Lockman, 15th Don Wickson.

Saturday – Stroke - Monthly & Gold Medal

A GRADE

Winner - Frank Raffaele 73-11-61.

R/up - Chris Tudor 77-13-64.

B GRADE

Winner - Monthly & Gold Medals Jimmy Walsh 78-20-58.

R/up - Vic Buttigieg 100-39-61.

NTPs - 12th Chris Dunn, 15th Andrew Carton. Magpie - 14th Chris Dunn.

Balls 4, Cut-off 62

Jimmy Walsh, Les Martin, Frank Raffaele, Vic Buttigieg.

Darley Cricket Club

RESULTS – W/E SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER

BCA 1st GRADE - (R 9) Bye

BCA 2nd GRADE - (R7 - Day 1)

Darley 123, Overs 45. Dr Locke 57, J. Murphy 21. Coronet City 6/152, Overs 32. Da Locke 3/33, W. Kilmartin 1/8.

Darley trail by 32 runs

BCA 3rd GRADE - (R 7)

Darley 8/229, Overs 40. J. Spence 50, DJ Hynes 28. Buninyong 109, Overs 33.3. A. Kannar 5/10, M. Singh 2/21.

Darley won by 120 runs.

PHONE (03) 5368 1966 EMAIL

EDITOR Helen Tatchell

GRAPHIC DESIGN Ruth Comey

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.

BCA 4th GRADE - (R 7)

Darley 52. Overs 24.1. B. Densley 19, P. Jarvinen 16. BFB 1/54, Overs 4.5. P. Jarvinen 1/32. Darley lost by 9 wickets.

BCA 5th GRADE - (R 10)

Darley 8/180, Overs 40. R. Barnes 90, M. Beck 36* Golden Point 109, Overs 30.5. J. Hunt 3/8, A. Clarke 48. Darley won by 71 runs

WOMEN'S LEAGUE - (R 7)

Darley 62, Overs 22.3. A. Cameron 16. Macedon 0/65, Overs 12. Darley lost by 10 wickets.

Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics

The Centre held their rescheduled Combined Event last Saturday morning at Masons Lane Reserve. After two previous washouts, the weather was perfect for the third attempt at completing the annual event.

All athletes competed in five events (hurdles, sprint, distance, discus & long jump) gaining points in each event. Trophies will be awarded to the age group winners with medals presented to second and third placegettters. All participants will receive a certificate of participation with complete results.

Jude Brody-Wall, Harvey Whitney, Jackson Briggs, Mackenzie Estlick, Mitchell Tung and Lily Norman all achieved PBs in every event.

This Friday night the Centre will conduct their final meet for the year with a modified program commencing at 5pm. Combined Events awards will be presented prior to competition commencing. A special visit from Santa during the meet will take place.

Little Aths will return in the New Year on Saturday 21 January.

Hudson Squires bowling for the U11 Juniors.

Sam White claims victory in the Boys Open 800m event.

Photo - BMLAC

Ballan Renegades and Ballan Stars together after a fun junior Christmas breakup match on Friday night. Photos - Chris Thom

Sport

Ballan Brumbies Basketball

Ballan Brumbies 12 Boys E and Saints Suns matched up on the weekend, both looking to maintain their top four spots on the Ballarat Basketball Association ladder.

Ballan were without a number of influential players, though coach Max Farrell still had a solid rotation to call upon.

The game was tight early, Tommy Sims scoring the opening basket of the game after strong work on the offensive glass, before feeding Hugh Blair for an easy two points.

Saints were able to respond through Ari Krawczuk and the impressive Reuben Bassett-Zwar. The speed of Sims and Ned Conroy in the open floor was causing all sorts of issues for Saints, though Ballan were unable to capitalise as their shooting left lots to be desired.

The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, Ballan leading 11-10 on the back of a late Conroy free throw. Ballan attempted to stretch the game further in the second half, using their superior speed to run Saints off of their legs. The plan worked well: Toby Rewuk scored an easy open court layup from a Conroy dish, Eddie Tranter converting on the break after good work by Lachlan Grech. When Blair scored from an offensive board and Conroy connected on a jump shot, Ballan suddenly led 21-12 and looked good value for that lead.

Saints, though, were not done. A basket by Eddie Ryall was followed quickly by baskets to Krawczuk and Noah

Sheehan. When Bassett-Zwar made a free throw, Saints comeback was complete, the team in navy tying the score at 23 apiece with just over three minutes to play.

Conroy, whose sheer athleticism was a thorn in Saints side all game, was everywhere on defense. At the other end of the floor, Saints were crowding him though and the rest of the Brumbies couldn't make use of that space. Blair, Rewuk, then Grech all missed gettable chances.

Finally, Conroy found a slither of space at the free throw line, confidently draining his jump shot to give Ballan the lead with two minutes on the clock.

The game got scrappy as Saints pushed for a late equaliser as the Brumbies held firm for a riveting 25-23 victory.

RESULTS

Under 10 Boys

Ballan D 23 def Phoenix Falcons 15

Under 12 Boys

Ballan E 77 def Saints Suns 23

Ballan C 77 def Drummo Dragons 11

Under 12 Girls

Ballan 20 def Wildcats 12

Under 14 Boys

Ballan F White 34 def Phoenix Razorbacks 19

Ballan F Blue 27 lost Saints Taipans 42

Ballan D 67 def Celtic Tigers 17

Ballan C 48 def Saints Bucks 47

Under 14 Girls

Ballan D 60 def Phoenix Thunder 6

Ballan B 11 lost Celtic Tigers 48

Under 16 Boys

Ballan G White 32 def Phoenix Rush 17

Ballan G Blue 21 lost Sovereign Knights 69 Ballan E 46 def Wildcats 28

Ballan C 52 def Celtic Tigers 29

Under 19 Boys

Ballan H 46 def Wildcats 32

Ballan E 46 def Phoenix Chargers 36

Ballan D 37 def Drummo Dragons 27

Under 19 Girls

Ballan 39 lost Drummo Dragons 47

Out of the shadows, into the limelight

By Michael Howard (HRV)

ID22 Pacing Grand Final

“Unbelievable” was the fitting first word of a rapt Jason Grimson after he captured the SENTrack Inter Dominion Pacing Championship last Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Melton, a second successive series triumph for the stable.

I Cast No Shadow rattled to the line, mowing down brilliant leader Act Now amid a 54-second last half, to emulate Boncel Benjamin’s stunning win last year and again gift Grimson Australasia’s most prized harness racing silverware, albeit this year without the controversy of a protest.

“I actually thought he would win,” the New South Wales trainer told TrotsVision. “I was confident.”

Grimson attributed the thrilling final burst in part to a gear change during the week, having for the first time since I Cast No Shadow joined the camp a year ago sent him out minus head gear. Reinsman Cam Hart said it appeared to make all the difference.

“(Jason’s) just such a great horseman,” Hart said. “He’s just unbelievable. He made a gear change to this horse, he’s worn pull down sliding blocks since he’s had him the whole time and he didn’t wear them tonight and he was so sharp on the way home.”

The race was book ended by thrills but with only modest movement in the middle. Spirit Of St Louis burst from the gates but Act Now was able to hold him on his outside while Honolua Bay elected not to engage.

I Cast No Shadow tagged on to the back of Act Now and, as expected, Expensive Ego was soon on his outside and that was how they settled until the sprint to the line.

A 26.4-second third quarter had them running and it seemed Act Now’s ID22, but I Cast No Shadow wore him down in the straight and then bolted clear, with Torrid Saint – who only gained a run Friday after Beyond Delight withdrew – also savaging the line to finish a close second and relegate Act Now to third.

“When I first got him he had a few niggling problems. We did the right thing by the horse, tipping him out straight away. When he came back he got his confidence back, which was what he really needed,” Grimson said.

Reinsman Cam Hart said it felt unbelievable.

“You dream of these things as a kid. Coming from a little town in Junee (NSW), I know there was a lot of people watching. It’s special to do it with Jase as well,

“Once we drew barrier one. I knew he was as good as any if he gets a trip like that and he’s so fast.”

I Cast No Shadow earned a thrilling comeback win against brilliant leader Act Now. Photos – Stuart McCormick