Moorabool News April 25

INSIDE THIS WEEK...

Great debut goal

Recycling scheme on the way

Parish has new minister

Remember them, always

By Lachlan Ellis

Moorabool residents have turned out to Dawn Services across the Shire in big numbers again this year, honouring those who have fought and died for Australia in all wars. While everyday life has its ups and downs, particularly in difficult economic times like now, ANZAC Day serves as a sobering reminder that there is no hell like war.

At Bacchus Marsh, the Dawn Service and wreath laying began at 5.45 am, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast, and the March down Grant Street to the Village Green, beginning at 10.15.

Current serving and ex-serving military personnel, as well as their partners, were then invited to the RSL’s Dugout for refreshments and finger food, alongside the traditional game of ‘two up’.

In Ballan, the Dawn Service began at 6 o’clock, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast held by the CFA, then a March at 11 o’clock from the RSL along Inglis Street to the cenotaph. The March included local school children and scouts, with music played by the Daylesford Community Brass Band. Ballan RSL President Pippa Morris said ANZAC Day was always an important time for reflection on not just the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers, but how armed conflicts have affected families and communities as a whole.

“It’s really special to see so many people turn up. It validates everything that ADF personnel do really, not just the loss of life – we’ve had over 103,000 military personnel killed over the last 130 years – but it’s also the numbers that came back, many returned to their communities with horrendous psychological and physical injuries,” she told the Moorabool News.

“ANZAC Day has always been an opportunity not just for people who have a shared experience in the military to get together and support each other, but also to engage with the community, and for the community to recognise the sacrifices made and say thank you.”

ANZAC Day services were also held in other towns across Moorabool Shire, including Balliang, Lal Lal, Yendon, Myrniong and Bungaree, as well as what Ms Morris believes was the first Dawn Service to be held in Blackwood.

Shazam Lamb Shanks $7ea

Shazam Lamb Grilling Chops $21 .99k g Chuck Steak $19.99kg

RSL members across the Shire, including Ballan RSL

Secretary Justin Johnston, have been hard at work raising funds for the ANZAC Appeal. Photo – The Moorabool News

Inkwork raises big figure

By Lachlan Ellis

Grow West turns 20

Community driven collaboration Grow West turns 20 this year, and the group is celebrating by planting 20,000 new indig- enous plants across the Moorabool and Melton areas, and holding a celebration event in October. Key to the celebration event will be an exhibition of artworks representing the unique landscapes of the upper Werribee, which have been collected by Grow West over the last 19 years through acquisitions via the annual Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh art prize, held on the King’s Birth- day weekend. This year, Grow West will acquire anoth- er artwork to add to the collection, and the prize on offer has increased to $700. Given

A local tattoo parlour has raised close to $10,000 for the RCH Good Friday Appeal, with hopes high that another fundraiser next year can crack the five figures.

Bacchus Marsh’s Disciples of Ink ran its second ‘Flash Day Fundraiser’ for this year’s Good Friday Appeal, raising a total of $9,730.85 – smashing last year’s tally of $6,846.

Around 70 people booked in for tattoos, with four tattooists working from 9 am to 8 pm to get the job done, with all proceeds going to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Disciples of Ink owner Kieran Tyrrell said it was a bit of a surprise just how many people got involved with the Flash Day, and he hopes to expand the fundraiser next year.

“We were pretty stoked. We changed things up a little bit in regards to how we ran the event, and it was crappy weather, but we had some people camping out from about 4.30 in the morning. I thought the crappy weather might have put a dampener on the day, but it turned out that people kept coming through, some even came back for seconds,” Mr Tyrrell told the Moorabool News.

“I was a little bit surprised, I didn’t know if people would be able to give as generously as they did this year. But at the

same time, it seems that people really do want to get involved with helping the Good Friday Appeal out. They get something out of it, but they’re also putting their money in for the Appeal.” Organising the Flash Day this year was a little hurried, but Mr Tyrrell hopes to get the ball rolling on organising a Flash Day for 2024 a bit earlier, and hopefully get more tattoo parlours involved.

this is the 20th anniversary, the committee are encouraging as many entries from es- tablished and emerging artists as possible. Entries close on 22 May 2023. Grow West officially started in 2003, and is an ambitious landscape restoration pro- gram that works with local communities to create a sustainable future. Grow West’s vision is to rejuvenate 10,000 hectares of land by connecting the Bris- bane Ranges National Park, Werribee Gorge State Park, and Lerderderg Gorge State Park through a mosaic of restoration works on private and public property. For more information, visit growwest. com.au/artprize2023 and marshrotary.org.au/art-show-2023.www.bacchus-

“I reckon we will run a Flash Day again, we’ll try and do it every year. I wouldn’t mind trying to get other shops involved, maybe spread the load a bit and see what we can do in regards to raising more money. There’s only so much we can do as one shop,” he said.

“If we can get a few more involved, maybe get the Tattooist Guild involved, we could raise more money and get some shops involved in different areas.”

Mr Tyrrell thanked the community and volunteers for supporting Disciples of Ink’s Flash Day Fundraiser, and the Moorabool News for helping promote the event.

Take two for fundraisertattoo

By Lachlan Ellis

After a successful event in 2022, a local tattoo parlour is again running a ‘Flash Day’ this Good Friday, with all proceeds going to the Good Friday Appeal.

told the Moorabool News.

Disciples of Ink in Bacchus Marsh ran its first Flash Day in 2022, with owner and operator Kieran Tyrrell hopeful of raising “$2,000 or more”.

But the event raised close to $7,000, which Mr Tyrrell is hopeful of surpassing on 7 April this year.

Victoria will join the rest of the country in adopting a Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) this November, as part of landmark waste and recycling reforms.

“We’ll have set designs people can choose from priced between $100 and $200, and what we’ll be tattooing will be what’s shown on the wall. All the money raised and all our time, is donated to the kids,” he

Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt announced the start date for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, CDS Vic, on Friday 14 April, and named the organisations that will be responsible for delivering the scheme.

“We were stoked to get to where we got to last year, and we’re hoping to do the same this year, maybe even raise more. We’ve got three artists this year. It’ll be first come first served, with a limited number of tickets. We’ll be cutting it off once we reach around 60, from there we’ll see how we go, but that’s our target.” If you’ve been considering getting a tattoo, this Good Friday is the perfect opportunity. Designs for the Flash Day are still in the works, but will be put up on Disciples of Ink’s wall closer to Good Friday. For updates and more information on the Flash Day, head to the Disciples of Ink Facebook page.

Recycling scheme on the way

their used drink cans, bottles, and cartons for a 10-cent refund. This will reduce Victoria’s litter by up to half, create new economic opportunities, generate 645 jobs, and turn drink containers into new recycled products.

Moorabool Shire?

se Sam Rae, Federal Member relevant to your community?

“Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme will maximise the number of cans, bottles and cartons being recycled into new products, put extra cash in Victorian pockets and will reduce the amount of litter in our environment by half,” Ms Stitt said.

“CDS Vic will be Australia’s most accessible and convenient container deposit scheme, with more than 600 refund collection points across the state.”

VicReturn will be the Scheme Coordinator and Visy, TOMRA Cleanaway, and ReturnIt will be Network Operators.

CDS Vic will allow Victorians to return

The scheme will also offer charities, community groups, environmental groups, sporting clubs and educational organisations new ways to raise funds, by allowing them to receive container donations, run a refund collection point, or host a container collection drive.

Within 12 months of the scheme starting, the network operators will be required to have a minimum of one collection point per 14,500 people in metropolitan areas, at least one per town of 750 people in regional areas, and at least one per town of 350 people in remote areas.

The scheme is one part of the State Government’s $515 million investment to reform Victoria’s waste and recycling sector. For more information, visit www.vic.gov. au/container-deposit-scheme.

Local tattoo artists Kieran and Timmy are keen to raise as much money as possible for the Good Friday Appeal Photo – Lachlan Ellis

Past winners of the Grow West art prize from 2018 and 2019. Photos – Submitted

Photo – Nick Fewings, Unsplash

International honour for Moorabool woman

By Lachlan Ellis

A 19-year-old Ballan woman has added another award to her trophy cabinet, being named the Young Woman of the Year at a British award ceremony for her charity work last week.

Keeley Johnson founded Keeley’s Cause with her mum Sharon Murphy in 2017, with the goal of helping other kids with intellectual disabilities access iPads to enhance their learning.

On Wednesday 19 April, Keeley was named Young Woman of the Year at the Women Changing the World Awards, her fourth award for her charity work in four years.

Ms Murphy said she was beyond proud of Keeley, and inspired by how she’d grown and responded to the adversity she faced at school.

“She was a bit shocked and overwhelmed, but grateful and excited when I rang her to tell her. When I told her she’d won, she went ‘What? Me, I won it?’, then after a while it kind of sunk in,” Ms Murphy told the Moorabool News.

“I’m very proud. When you have a child with a disability, they come with limitations and health conditions, she has a few health conditions on top of her autism and intellectual disability that really impact on her life. I’ve always tried to teach her to be the best version of herself, and she’s kicking goals. I’m so proud of her for the charity she created and the success it’s having, it’s phenomenal.

“I’m biased because she’s my daughter, so I think what she’s doing is amazing and I’ll support her 100 per cent to the hilltops…but when people recognise her for awards like this,

Ms Johnson also received a Moorabool Shire Access & Inclusion Award in 2020, was one of two Australians awarded with a Diana Award in 2020, and won a Stevie Award in 2021.

Parish has new minister

Farmers, lease your land for passive income

Lease your land for a solar farm and receive an additional passive income for 30 years and up to $50,000 upon construction, all the while diversifying your income and increasing revenue.

Call Jesse: (03) 4420 9661 jesse@bnrgleeson.com.au

https://www.bnrgleeson.com.au/

New Vicar-in-Charge at the Bacchus Marsh Anglican Church Parish, Andrew Gifford, is embracing the mix of rural and urban life Moorabool offers. Photo –

Second theft at BMX club

Home goes up in flames

By Lachlan Ellis

A fire has destroyed a home in Gordon, with close to 20 CFA units required to get the blaze under control.

By Lachlan Ellis

Being stolen from once is bad enough, but a volunteer-run BMX club has been targeted by heartless thieves for a second time in around six months.

The Bacchus Marsh BMX Club had its track car ‘The Zook’ stolen in October last year, but the Northern BMX Club, Casey BMX Club, and others in the BMX community chipped in to buy a blue Toyota RAV4 to replace it.

But this month, that RAV4 has now been stolen, leaving the club frustrated and inconvenienced right before the AusCycling VIC State Series.

Co-President of the Bacchus Marsh BMX Club, Simon Antonello, asked for the community to keep an eye out for the missing track car.

“We finally had a win and got some material from the Council that got delivered on Friday [14 April], and on the Friday night, the car went. I got down and thought ‘why is there a

new padlock on the container’…I cut it off and the car was gone. It looks like they’ve jumped in there and changed the padlock,” Mr Antonello told the Moorabool News.

“We asked Sunbury if we could borrow their track car to fix the second berm ahead of the State Titles, so it worked out alright. It’s not kept at the track, it’s pretty inconvenient to move around. The car isn’t roadworthy, so we have to load it on a trailer whenever we have to work on the track.

“This is a major setback for our club.”

If you have any information on the whereabouts of the missing track car, contact the Bacchus Marsh BMX Club on Facebook, or call the Bacchus Marsh Police Station on 5366 4500.

If you’re interested in supporting the Bacchus Marsh BMX Club and helping them put on a great show for riders and the community, sponsorship packages are also available for the upcoming State Series, starting at $150. More information can be found on the Bacchus Marsh BMX Club Facebook page.

The house fire erupted at a Sharrocks Road address on the night of Monday 17 April, requiring more than two hours of work from firefighters to put out.

“CFA responded to a house fire on Sharrocks Road in Gordon at around 7.25pm on 17 April. 18 CFA units responded to the scene,” a CFA spokesperson told the Moorabool News.

“The house was fully involved. The fire impacted the home, carport, and a car. Crews got on top of the fire and declared it under control by 9.58 pm. The scene was declared safe by 5.39 am.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics were called to the scene at around 9.45 pm, taking a woman to Ballarat Base Public Hospital in a stable condition.

Victoria Police are investigating the incident.

High Tea for King and Queen

Off to VCAT before councillors vote

By Lachlan Ellis

Council has voted not to support an application for a multi-unit development in Maddingley, with the applicant taking the matter to VCAT.

Most devoted royalists won’t be able to make the trip up to London to soak in King Charles III and Camilla’s coronation, but the good news is a local celebration will be held too.

The Bacchus Marsh RSL is holding a High Tea on Saturday 6 May to commemorate the historic event, which will see Charles and Camilla coronated as King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms, including Australia.

While the real Charles and Camilla of course can’t be there in person, they will be there in cut-out form, for attendees to take photos with.

Tickets are $25, and the bar will be open, with a raffle and door prizes also on offer.

The High Tea will be held from 2.00 – 4.00 pm. For tickets, contact Noelene on 0422 617 164, Iris on 0437 985 151, or Sheila on 0418 542 621. You can also get in touch via email at secretary@bacchusmarshrsl.com.au.

Unfortunately the RSL is unable to meet any dietary requirements.

Applicant Joseph Du Rieu, addressed Council at the 19 April Development Assessment Committee, telling Councillors that planners had “tried our best to accommodate existing neighbourhood character in the plans”, which suggest 20 dwellings at 24 Griffith Street, Maddingley.

“I note that officers have raised some concerns regarding overdevelopment...the zone does note up to a 70 per cent site coverage, our design currently sits at a 46 per cent site coverage, and is above the 35 per cent landscaped area, so we feel we’re not really overdeveloping the site when we’re well inside the zoning requirements of 70 per cent,” Mr Du Rieu said.

“We felt given we control the site next door where the childcare centre is going, and effectively the whole frontage of Griffith Street between Inglis and Powlett, the 60 metres in front of the childcare centre on Griffith Street service lane would adequately provide for any visitor spaces, I think you could easily fit 6 to 8 visitor car parks there that wouldn’t be used by the childcare centre because it wouldn’t be operating at the same time we’d be expecting those visitors.”

Councillors raised concerns about a VCAT session being scheduled regarding the application, before Council had had a chance to vote on the proposal.

“In our report it notes that this is set for an appeal at VCAT on the 14th and 15th of August this year, with a compulsory conference on the 5th of June. It also notes the applicant for review has indicated they intend to substitute plans… what do you intend to substitute?” Cr Tom Sullivan said.

“We have created some plans without prejudice…we would be open to a reduction in some of the dwellings, a small reduction. We’ve also taken into consideration some feedback around the garages on Inglis Street, and how we can perhaps make them a little less prominent,” Mr Du Rieu said.

He said the substituted plans had not yet been provided to Council.

“Why are you asking us to approve this application tonight, when you already have revised plans you intend to present to VCAT? To me, that’s ridiculous. Why are you going to VCAT before you’ve even given us a chance to consider your plans?” Cr Tonia Dudzik asked.

Mr Du Rieu said they’d made revised plans on the basis of the feedback they’ve received from Council, which says “they’re not going to approve the plans...we want to see an outcome.”

With a VCAT session scheduled, the decision before Council was not to reject or approve the plans, but to put a position to VCAT before the VCAT session takes place.

Cr Paul Tatchell moved for Council to not support the plans, a motion which was seconded by Cr Sullivan and unanimously approved.

Iris and Sheila from the Bacchus Marsh RSL are looking forward to celebrating the big occasion. Photo – Submitted

Life-changing medicine approved

By Lachlan Ellis

A treatment for those with cystic fibrosis dubbed a ‘miracle medication’ will be subsidised starting next week, saving families hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Federal Government announced earlier this month that the drug Trikafta would be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for eligible children aged 6 to 11 years from 1 May – cutting the cost from up to $250,000 a year, to just $30 per script.

Eight-year-old Ben McLean from Bacchus Marsh has the condition, and his parents Angus and Ginnie are two of the many Australians who have backed the campaign to get Trikafta subsidised.

Last year the medication was approved for the PBS, but only for those aged 12 and older – leaving younger people like Ben still unable to access it.

Angus McLean said the announcement was something that his family, and families across the country, have been eagerly awaiting.

“Early prevention for cystic fibrosis is the key factor in keeping kids out of hospitals, and reducing damage to their lungs. This new drug is the best one that’s been conceived yet for the majority of people with CF, and it’ll do exactly that – reduce lung damage, and keep them in the best possible condition they can be in,” Mr McLean told the Moorabool News.

“We’ve been anxiously waiting, there’s 33 countries that have already added this to their government-funded medication list, including New Zealand – so Australia was pretty slow to jump on it, but we have now,

which is fantastic. I think there’s about half a dozen eligible kids between Ballan up to Ballarat.”

Peak patient body for people with cystic fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Australia, says 530 children have been waiting for the PBS listing, with the private cost of Trikafta making it inaccessible for the majority of families.

Cystic Fibrosis Australia CEO Jo Armstrong said they can celebrate as more people can access transformational therapies and as a result will have longer, healthier lives.

“This is a huge win for the cystic fibrosis community. There are over 500 children that will benefit from this decision,” she said.

“We have been advocating for this all year and I am so grateful that all stakeholders have accelerated the process. I had grave fears it could take 6 months or longer for the PBS listing and I sincerely thank the Minister for Health, Mark Butler, MP, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the PBAC, our Federation members, and everyone in the community who has been advocating.”

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections, and is caused by genetic defects limiting the flow of chloride and water through cell membranes, creating a build-up of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs.

Trikafta combats this by improving chloride and water flow in patients with a certain genetic defect, helping improve lung function and breathing.

There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, and over one million Australians carry the cystic fibrosis gene. Every four days a baby is born in Australia with cystic fibrosis – 1 in every 2500 babies.

Now hiring: Care Workers

Care is a chain reaction - because when you’re cared for, you can care more.

At Silverchain you have the flexibility to balance your work and home life. Our care means investing in your professional growth so together we can find new ways to provide best care, while putting more tax-free money into your pocket.

As a nationally accredited home care provider we take our reputation seriously. We know what we do makes a difference for our clients and you.

We’re now offering exciting Domestic Assistant and Personal Care Worker roles across metropolitan Melbourne, Moorabool, and Golden Plains areas for people with and without a qualification.

Join our chain of care today.

silverchain.org.au/viccareers

recruitment@silverchain.org.au

1300 650 803

Letters to the Editor

Writing letters to the Editor

Each letter must be accompanied with the writer’s full name, address and phone number (name and suburb for publication only) and limited to 300 words. Letters to be received via post or email (preferred option). The Editor has the right to limit the amount of words in each letter received and published letters are at the discretion of the Editor. Send your letters to news@themooraboolnews.com.au

Dear Editor,

According to a 118-page report by Victoria Energy Policy Centre’s Professor Bruce Mountain and former Powerlink COO Simon Bartlett, the need for new mega towers to convey additional energy from renewables to Melbourne via VNI West (formerly Ausnet) is not only redundant, but a “monumental mistake” and a “natural disaster magnet”. They explain that the existing infrastructure can be upgraded for a much cheaper price.

They also allege that the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) analysis has “not accounted for natural disasters causing electrical faults at any of the 1,500 transmission towers along the VNI- West, despite known instances of severe lightning, destructive winds and fierce wildfires in the vicinity.” (From a report by Amalyah Hart and Rachel Williamson published in https://reneweconomy.com.au/

“A monumental mistake:” Energy experts slam VNI West transmission plans.”

Is the current push for above ground megatowers simply a land grab?

Is it an unnecessary build for which we and future generations will all be paying?

The business case does not stand up…nor does the security aspect.

Independent MP visits forest

A federal MP toured the Wombat Forest this month, speaking with local environmental advocates.

Dr Monique Ryan, the Independent Member for Kooyong, took part in a tour of the forest organised by the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) and Wombat Forestcare on Friday 14 April.

The latter group has campaigned for the last few years for the Wombat Forest to be included in a Wombat-Lerderderg National Park, and against logging in the forest which it calls “environmentally destructive salvage logging”.

The State Government has consistently denied that claim, stating the logging is being done to remove fallen and hazardous trees following the June 2021 storms.

Dr Ryan thanked the VNPA and Wombat Forestcare for the opportunity.

“I’m committed to working with conservation groups and the government to preserve environmental biodiversity and our beautiful native forests. I was grateful to Gayle Osborne from Wombat Forestcare and the representatives from the VNPA for generously showing me the Wombat Forest today,”

she said.

“It's a really important site with a number of threatened flora and fauna species.”

Despite the storm damage, much of the Wombat Forest was unscathed, and the tour took in a fern gully on Nolans Creek with tall gums and musk daisy bushes, where Greater Gliders thrive, and birds migrate to breed in spring.

A highlight of the tour was a visit to a location where another population of endangered Mountain Skinks was recently discovered by Wombat Forestcare citizen scientists.

Gayle Osborne, convenor of Wombat Forestcare, said it was wonderful to have the backing of a Federal MP.

“It is fantastic that Monique has shown so much interest and support. We were able to show them the habitat of two federally listed endangered species and talk about measures for their conservation,” Ms Osborne said.

“The number of endangered species in the Wombat Forest highlights the need for the State Government to hurry up and legislate the promised Wombat-Lerderderg National Park, and give them the protection they deserve.”

Linden & Christine Hall Greendale

Monique Ryan and Sophie Torney discuss threatened species with environmentalists in the Wombat Forest. Photo – Gayle Osborne

Calling out for community help

Moorabool Shire Council

By Lachlan Ellis

Caleb Ross is a lively, energetic kid, but a rare genetic disease has his family in need of a wheelchair accessible vehicle, which the NDIS won’t yet fund.

The six-year-old from Bacchus Marsh is one of just eight known cases of NEUROD2, a condition which causes epileptic seizures and leaves Caleb in terrible pain after walking for just a few minutes.

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

Caleb’s mum Michelle says having a wheelchair-accessible car would improve Caleb’s quality of life dramatically – but the NDIS won’t fund the electric wheelchair also needed, until the family buys a new car.

“We’ve spent a fair bit of time in hospital this year; Caleb spent a week in the Royal Children’s a couple of weeks ago, then had surgery on the 26th of March. We’re just in and out constantly unfortunately, it’s been an absolute nightmare…he has to take eight different medications a day now,” Ms Ross told the Moorabool News.

“Having the wheelchair and the accessible vehicle would improve Caleb’s life so much. He’ll be able to be more independent and happy – he just so frustrated now, because he can’t be independent and wants to be. Lifting his manual wheelchair in and out of my car, I keep slipping discs…it weighs about 25 kilos.”

The new car will cost just over $50,000 – a significant obstacle that has forced Ms Ross to reach out to the community for assistance, as a workplace injury means she’s unable to get a loan.

“We’ve got the wheelchair, but we need the

wheelchair-accessible vehicle for NDIS to pay for the wheelchair. They’re not willing to pay for it until we’ve got the wheelchairaccessible vehicle, and my car can’t be modified unfortunately, it’s too small. NDIS said they’ll pay for the modifications for a Kia Carnival…but they’ll only do it for cars that are under three years old, under a certain number of kilometres, or brand new,” she said.

“I went to apply for loans for the car, but unfortunately because I’m on WorkCover, no-one’s legally allowed to lend me money. It’s just ridiculous, I feel like I’m hitting brick walls everywhere I turn. We’re at our last resort…I’ve checked with every organisation in Australia, I’ve contacted MPs, to see if there’s anywhere we can get help with wheelchair-accessible vehicles, but nowhere helps unfortunately.”

Regent Cinemas in Ballarat has gotten onboard to help raise funds, with a screening of The Little Mermaid at 4 pm on 27 May arranged to raise some money for the new car.

“It’s been amazing to have someone actually respond to us, we’ve been trying to get anyone to help us and any ideas for fundraising.

They actually contacted us and said they’d happily throw a fundraising movie event… we’re hoping to sell as many tickets possible, and do a raffle on the day. They’ve been really supportive,” Ms Ross said.

Tickets to the movie screening are just $20 each. For enquiries, email calebneurod2@ outlook.com.

You can also donate to Caleb’s GoFundMe page at gofund.me/dbdc7ffa.

Council Mee�ng

Moorabool Shire Council

Council Mee�ng

Commi�ee Mee�ng

Navigators Community Centre Incorporated

Commi�ee Mee�ng

Navigators Community Centre Incorporated Public Mee�ng

Council Mee�ng

Public Mee�ng

The next Ordinary Mee�ng of Council will be held Wednesday 3 May, at 6pm.

Employment

Commi�ee Mee�ng

For details on mee�ng loca�on and a�endance, visit: moorabool.vic.gov.au/mee�ngs

Tenders

Navigators Community Centre Incorporated

Public Mee�ng

Have Your Say: Female Friendly Strategy

Employment

Council invites applica�ons for the exis�ng vacancies:

• Customer Service Officer – Casual

Employment Tenders

Based across all offices Applica�ons close on Sunday 30 April 2023

Have Your Say: Female Friendly Strategy

• Flood Recovery Officer – Full-Time Fixed-Term

Have Your Say

Keep up to date with all our community consulta�ons and opportuni�es to have your say: moorabool.engagementhub.com.au

Planning Permit

Employment Tenders

Order made pursuant to sec�on 25 of the domes�c animals act 1994

Have Your Say: Female Friendly Strategy

Based at Ballan Applica�ons close on Sunday 7 May 2023

Planning Permit

For more details, visit moorabool.vic.gov.au/careers

Order made pursuant to sec�on 25 of the domes�c animals act 1994

Changes to Waste Service - Easter

Planning Permit

Changes to Waste Service - Easter Western Zone – Northern Collec�on - North of Old Melbourne Road

Order made pursuant to sec�on 25 of the domes�c animals act 1994

Western Zone – Northern Collec�on - North of Old Melbourne Road

Community Grants

Six-year-old Caleb Ross is the only Australian with NEUROD2, and just wants to do activities other kids his age can do. Photo – Lachlan Ellis

Apply to help curb tussock

Shanahan reunion

They’re a family with members across the world, but the Shanahans are particularly well-known here in Moorabool, where they’ve held a family get together.

On Sunday 19 March, the Shanahan clan had a reunion at Greendale’s Egans Reserve, attended by a good number of members considering how many Shanahans there are around the globe, and the event was an impromptu decision, with little time to contact members of the clan.

Picnic lunches were enjoyed by all. Some of the clan later in the day enjoyed a visit to the local Greendale cemetery

where many of their ancestors are buried – this was conducted by Pat and Gabrielle Shanahan.

The family are hoping to make the reunion an annual event with increased numbers, and will ensure the date doesn’t clash with the Ballan Autumn Festival.

A statement made by one attendee sums up the sentiments of those who attended: “It is not always about numbers but the fun we have had today, and the sharing of wonderful memories”.

The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) is providing community groups and organisations with the opportunity to apply for grants to manage serrated tussock. The grants aim to support community groups and organisations to build their capacity to achieve long-term voluntary management of serrated tussock.

Grants of up to $5,000 (GST excluded) are available to deliver a project which meets the priorities and criteria outlined in these guidelines.

The grants promote collaboration between community groups, local municipalities and the VSTWP in the best practice management of serrated tussock.

A key objective of the grants is to support community groups and organisations that have been actively controlling serrated tussock over a number of years.

Grants are currently open for application.

Application forms can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website, search VSTWP Community Grant Application form.

What do you want to know about Technology?

1 hr free Digital Literacy Sessions for Seniors

Learn the skills you need to live in a society where communication and access to information is increasingly through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices

Who are these sessions for?

Moorabool Shire Council and Moorabool Libraries are inviting members of our community aged 60+ to book a one-on-one, 1 hr free digital literacy session Small group sessions can also be organised

Learn:

How to use your mobile phone more effectively

How to use your laptop/tablet/ipad

How to use the internet

What is data, access and why do I need to update?

How to download your photos; create a photo slideshow or save your photos

Email and social media

How to use eLibrary resources

Lerderderg Library

Tuesday by appointment

Outreach

Thursday by appointment

Ballan Library

Friday by appointment

Other times negotiated by appointment

Members of the Shanahan family at Egans Reserve in Greendale. Photo – Submitted

Great debut goal

By Tim Saultry

Darley’s Number 1 AFL draft pick, Aaron Cadman, made his much-anticipated debut for Greater Western Sydney on Sunday 16 April at Norwood Oval in Adelaide.

In a debut that didn’t disappoint, Cadman goaled in the first quarter after receiving a hand pass over the top and showed his class by cooly slotting the ball through the big sticks, much to the celebration of his GWS team mates.

Cadman looked every inch a league footballer as he roamed the forward line as part of a three-pronged GWS forward structure with players Jesse Hogan and Harry Himmelberg. Starting on the bench Cadman was introduced after 10 minutes and soon had a strong contested mark and kick on the back flank. Not long after Cadman was celebrating his first goal in league football with his second kick and a huge smile. Tall and mobile, Cadman rotated through the forward line and off the bench. Finishing the game with 4 kicks, 2 marks and 2 handpasses, Cadman moved well and was not over awed by expectations of being the number one draft pick. He was keen to engage with Giants supporters pre and postgame, which will enamour Cadman with fans.

Scoring a goal on debut echoed Cadman’s senior debut for Darley two years prior where after a strong pack mark, he goaled at City Oval against Redan. Cadman had managed both junior and senior games with Darley amongst his GWV Rebels commitments in 2021.

Cadman had friends and family in the stands including his parents and elder brothers Joel and Duncan who had been part of Darley’s strong win over Ballarat the previous day. The celebration of Darley football had started the prior evening when Darley premiership player Zak Butters had starred for Port Adelaide in a Best on Ground performance against Western Bulldogs. Butters scored the sealing goal after an awesome display of wet weather football, which in a postmatch interview he attributed to having grown up playing junior football in worse conditions in Ballarat. When Cadman made his senior debut for Darley he also scored a goal. He also kicked a goal against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday 22 April.

Vale Marie Gosnold

Tributes have flowed in for Marie Gosnold, a former Moorabool Shire Councillor who passed away on 30 March, aged 65.

Ms Gosnold served as a Councillor for the East Moorabool Ward for six years, and is being remembered for her kindness and strong community spirit.

Cr Tom Sullivan made note of her passing at Moorabool Shire Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 5 April.

“I served three terms with Cr Gosnold, she was a very compassionate and a very good Councillor representing the East Moorabool Ward. She had a great sense of community, and it was in sadness that I found out she had

Letters to the Editor

Writing

letters to the Editor

Each letter must be accompanied with the writer’s full name, address and phone number (name and suburb for publication only) and limited to 300 words. Letters to be received via post or email (preferred option). The Editor has the right to limit the amount of words and published letters are at the discretion of the Editor.

Send your letters to news@themooraboolnews.com.au

Dear Editor,

Bev McArthur MP (Member for Western Victoria Region) wrote in the Hamilton Spectator (14 April 2023), and reposted on social media sites, about her opposition to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, because ‘we are all indigenous somewhere’. She says we should not look to colour but to each individual’s best, and that cementing the Voice in the Constitution is a retrograde step.

I am glad that McArthur is open about her views, as she should be as our elected representative. But I was saddened to read her account.

That is because her account is based at best on misunderstanding, and at its worst on deliberate misinformation. She claims the Voice will demand a ‘multibillion-dollar bureaucracy’, that it is undemocratic, and she repeats the outright lie that it ‘will hold sway over every decision of elected legislators’.

We deserve to be represented by our elected members, and for our elected members not to feed us lies. And so it is necessary to respond to her points.

First, we are all indigenous somewhere. Yes. But English people have a voice in English government. Dutch people (my own heritage) have a voice in Dutch government. And so on. But our indigenous people do not have a voice in Australian government. That is the difference. And the further difference is that despite not having a voice, legislation has been made and continues to be made that is specific to Aboriginal peoples alone.

Second, our ability to be ‘our individual best’ is highly contextual. Our lives are not lived divorced from the consequences of historic wrongs. Aboriginal peoples have been subject to intense deprivation at the hands of white colonialism and continue to suffer the consequences to this day.

Third, the Voice will not require ‘a multi-billion-dollar bureaucracy’. McArthur seems to have made this up on the spot. No costing is currently available. Rather, a budget has been allocated of $52.6m over two years for the Australian Electoral Commission, the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Attorney-General’s Department to begin preparatory work for the national vote.

passed away,” Cr Sullivan said.

“I think it’s personally hit me really hard, because I’ve served three terms with Marie, and I think everyone at Council, our thoughts and prayers would be with Marie at this particular time.”

“Certainly Marie Gosnold was a very popular and hardworking Councillor who did much for our community, and certainly will be missed,” Mayor Cr Rod Ward added.

Ms Gosnold’s funeral was held in Bacchus Marsh on Wednesday 12 April, with over 100 people attending the service at Michael Crawford Funerals on Main Street.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, her funeral included both an Australian and Scottish flag at the front of the room near her coffin, and bagpipe music before the service began. She was remembered as an energetic, positive, and patient woman who “always had time for everybody”.

Fourth, the Voice proposal is not undemocratic. The proposal goes to a full referendum, it does not get more democratic than that. The Voice itself, if established, will not make decisions, its only function is to provide advice so that our elected representative are well-informed (something that is clearly needed). In so far as the membership of the Voice goes, this is set out in detail in the Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Final Report to the Australian Government, July 2021. In short, the Voice will be supported by regional voices, who will select 24 members to form the National Voice for four-year terms.

Finally, the lie that the Voice will overrule Parliament has been debunked so many times already it is hardly worth responding to. What is proposed is a Voice to Parliament, not a Voice in Parliament.

Kasper Maat, Darley

She’s a top Sheila

By Jane Gardner

Sheila White will turn 100 years old on 29 April and she’s still going strong.

She lives at home, still drives to Ballan for her weekly shop and in addition to the ongoing deliveries of food from, “wonderful friends and neighbours,” still manages to cook the occasional corned beef.

“But I’ve gone off meat a bit these days,” Sheila says.

Born in Ballarat in 1923, Sheila grew up in Dunnstown with her parents Gertrude (a dress maker) and Benjamin Young (an engineer at the Dunnstown Distillery) and her siblings Geoff and Essie. Sheila was educated at Sacred Heart, Ballarat and after some years working at the Wallaby Box Company in Ballarat, met her future husband Tom at a Dunnstown dance. The couple married in 1949 and settled in Ballarat. They later built and moved into the house in Millbrook where Sheila still lives today. Tom worked at the Butter Factory in Ballarat, while Sheila was employed at the Queen Elizabeth Home as a pay clerk.

Throughout her married life, Sheila was an active member of her community, playing bowls and tennis.

“But I had a fall on the court when I was 70 and decided it was time to give up,” she said.

She was also secretary at the Millbrook School where her two children John and Glenda attended. In the 1970s she was offered a job running the Ballan TAB – or the ‘Tote’ as Sheila calls it – where she worked for 6 ½ years.

“I used to close up at 4pm, race home to get the tea on and get back in time to open again at 6pm.”

After an impressive 72 years of marriage, Sheila lost her beloved husband Tom, aged 93, in 2021. While she doesn’t suggest there’s any particular secret to her longevity, Sheila says she doesn’t drink alcohol, tea or coffee and (children block your ears) confesses that she doesn’t eat vegetables.

Aside from her “wobbly knees,” for the most part, Sheila enjoys good health.

“I can’t get to church anymore; but my neighbour kindly brings me communion here.”

Sheila’s walls and mantlepiece are covered in family photos. From a softly tinted oval portrait of her mother Gertrude hanging in the hallway, through to pictures of her children,

BALLAN & DISTRICT

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Meet the Chamber

grandchildren and great-grandchildren, memories surround her. Some recent additions to her collection, include birthday cards and letters from The King, the Prime Minister, the Governor General, the Premier and the local Federal Member. It’s a who’s-who of dignitaries. But anyone who knows Sheila will tell you she’s the real dignitary. As strong and proud and clever as the best of them, Sheila White has earned the love and respect of all.

Sheila celebrated her 100th birthday with family, friends and her extended community at an afternoon tea in Millbrook last weekend and will have another party with her family on the 29th of April.

Business Networking Dinner with Kathryn Mackenzie

OAM

Date: Tuesday 16 May, 2023

Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm approx Location: St Anne's Winery, Myrniong

Tickets: $25 including dinner Bookings: bit.ly/Chamber16May

With a career dedicated to tourism over the past 25 years, Kathryn is a driving force in growing destinations, and embracing the symbiotic relationship between tourism and community. By popular demand, Kathryn returns to Moorabool Shire to share insights on tourism and the potential for Ballan & surrounds, along with the power of digital. Existing members, and non-member local businesses/business professionals encouraged to attend.

Photo courtesy of the Riverine Herald

Sheila and Tom White married in 1949.

Sheila White with her 100th birthday card from The King. Photos – submitted

YOUR COMMUNITY MARKETS

Ballan Lions

Dates: May 6, June 3

Inglis Street (Main Street), Ballan

A monthly community market with homemade, home grown goods and wares, with the Lions BBQ to boot!

Ballan

Dates: May 13 9am - 1pm • 73 Inglis st, Ballan

Fresh local produce, wine, bread, homemade products and plants. The gold coin entry donations going back into our community.

Darley

Dates:

Bacchus Marsh

Dates: May 13 9am - 2pm • Maddingley Pk, Station St, Bacchus Marsh

A lovely variety of quality stallholders and food trucks. Bring a picnic blanket and invite your friends/family for a lovely market day out.

Eynesbury

Dates: May 28 9am - 2pm • 487 Eynesbury Road, Eynesbury

Relaxed surroundings with a wide range of stalls from produce growers & makers, food vendors & artisan crafts.

Your Market here!

Dates:

PAINTING

TOPLINE COATINGS

Master Painter & Decorator

• General Domestic & Commercial Painting

• Wallpapering, Faux & Specialised finishes

BCD40106

• Complete Handyman & property maintenance service

• Plastering & General building repairs

• Free Quotes

Contact Neil Harty Ph: 5367 1776

Mob: 0418 312 288 Email: neilharty1@gmail.com

ANDY UNDY’S ROOFING

FULLY QUALIFIED ROOF TILER

For all

✔

Lachlan

SEPTIC

FIREWOOD

FIREWOOD & CHIMNEY SWEEP

Good Quality dry firewood Boxwood Sugar Gum

Delivery and pick-up available 0427 095 048 53689 066

FUNERALS

EMPLOYMENT

SENIOR PARAPLANNER

Full time Role ($80k plus Super) based on experience

Minimum 2-3 years’ experience required

Sign Up Bonus, Work from Home Option Available

Ability to prepare Statements of Advice and Record of Advice

Competent in MS Excel, XPlan & Preferably Class Software

Ability to Undertake Financial Modelling & Cash Flow

Longevity Scenarios

Applications to: vik@balancedfinancial.com.au

Balanced Financial: (03) 4310 8000

66 Grant Street, Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340

PUBLIC NOTICE

EMPLOYMENT

GRADUATE/INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTANT & SMSF ADMIN

Full time Role ($55k plus Super) based on experience

Minimum 1 year experience required

Process SMSF Clients Accounts & BASs

Prepare Year End Financial Statements & Tax Returns

Experience with Class Super Software desired but not essential Administration Tasks associated with SMSF clients

Applications to: vik@balancedfinancial.com.au

Balanced Financial: (03) 4310 8000

66 Grant Street, Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340

HOUSE LEASE

HEPBURN SPRINGS

HOUSE FOR LEASE

2 bedroom and study

Peaceful walks and serene views

lawn maintenance incl. $370 p/w ph. owner 0417 510 564

*Ads must be emailed by Friday 12 noon. Ads by phone must

ANGLE GRINDER RYOBI new older model, skin only $60- 9747

3571

BARBIE 2011 Cruise ship VGC still in box $40 – 0423 252 922

BBQ 6 burner with gas bottle & cover. $100 - 0417 478 593

BLENDER Mistral new in box $25 - 0417 110 261

BIKE 26” GC $35 – 0415 295 139

BIKE Ladies Mountain Bike Huffy Tundra $50 - 0417 478 593

BIRDCAGES x 2 on stand with castors VGC $80 ea 0407 920 648

BRICKS 2nd hand (mixed colours) approx. 100 FREE Pick up

Bacchus Marsh - 0481 744 011

COLORADO (Ute tray bullbar)

GMH brand $90 - 0414 691 891

CAT CARRIER, portable, EC $15 –0412 869 304

CHESS SET, Pieces 4” high, Asian made in case $70: 0458 644 633

CHAINSAW RYOBI, charger, battery and oil, $75 – 9747 3571

COMPRESSION TIGHTS, women’s 2XU size XS black/silver and size S black/red. As new, EC. $60 pair – 0421 831 432.

COMPRESSION TIGHTS, women’s 2XU size S blue print. Brand new $70 – 0421 831 432.

COMPRESSION TIGHTS, women’s skins size XS, black. EC, $50 – 0421 831 432

CONCRETE MIXER, Electric Lightburn 1 3/4 cubic feet $1000408 998 700

COUCH 2 Seater, fabric FREE –0450 784 308

DRESSING GOWN, white, micro plush, Hotel Living brand, new, $15 – 0412 869 304

DRILL & TECH BITS, combination wood, metal & masonry drills.

Full Kit. $40 - 0428 671 116

ELK FERNS on boards x 5, all healthy $50 ea - 0401 828 629

EXERCISE BIKE Everlast Brand

GC $50 – 0488 521 323

FRIDGE Westinghouse. Man's Cave fridge $30 - 0427 417 690

FRIDGE, LG, two-door side-byside, GC. $50 – 0406 513 089

HEATER OUTDOOR, Patio

Heater $30 - 0423 252 922

HEDGE TRIMMER Ryobi Electric 63cm bar EC $50 - 0407 229 990

LP Records, Toys, Signs, Vintage items, Tools, Rusty stuff

$$ CASH PAID $$

Prompt & polite service

Ian 0418 539 736

INCONTINANCE BRIEFS 8 pairs size 12 $90 – 0417 110 261

JASON RECLINER CHAIR, beige EC $40 – 0407 148 184

JEWELLERY stands (2) $5 each 0423 252 922

MOBILITY WALKER GC, light weight, brakes & bag $85 - 0409 942 224

MOBILITY WHEELCHAIR GC, Foldable $85 - 0409 942 224

MY LITTLE PONIES Princess Twilight Sparkle & 2 soft ponies

$15 – 0423 252 922

PETTICOAT Rock & roll or square dance Light blue tuille & lace $20 – 0423 252 822

PIANO upright wooden FREE 0458 644 633

PICNIC set canvas cooler bag $25 (new) - 0419 161 063

PJ Mask scooter with suitcase $20 – 0423 252 922

PLANTS, Hydrangeas, Lion’s Tail, Impatients, Beefsteak Plant, Fuschsias $5ea – 0408 058 986

PORCELAIN DOLLS (11), GC

$100 lot - 0418 302 463

PORTACOT, Child Care $50 –0401 828 629

CWA ART-CRAFT EXHIBITION

BACCHUS MARSH 2023

CWA Ballarat District Group comprising the 8 branches from Melton to Daylesford, Ballarat and west to Scarsdale, will stage its Art and Craft Exhibition at the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall on Friday 5th May from 10am – 5pm and Saturday 6th May from 10am – 3pm.

Tickets – Adults $5 Students $2 A tearoom with our ever-popular scones, cakes and slices will be open on both days along with local craft trader tables. Our hope is to attract other country and metropolitan women to join us in our support of local, national, and international women and children.

Over 100 categories will be staged and judged on the Thursday, highlighting the interests and skills of the almost 200 Group members. Categories including Art, Crafts, Multimedia textiles, felting, Quilting, embroidery, Cookery, Photography, Preserves and Floral Art to name but a few.

Competition will be keen as members aspire for the individual trophies and Branch aggregates.

Group Exhibitions held around the State culminate with entries as part of the 2023 State Exhibition in St Arnaud on the 28th 29th July 2023.

POWER SCRUBBER, handheld, cordless, waterproof, brand new in box $30 – 5310 6662 QUEEN

BEDROOM SUITE, Parker 5 pieces, $100: 0450 784 308

ROUTER ARLEC new $60 – 9747

3571

ROLL-TOP DESK VGO 123cm. wide, 110cm high, 10 drawers, very heavy $100 - 0408 998 700

ANGLE GRINDER RYOBI new older model, skin only $60- 9747

3571

SCREWDRIVER set, Stanley, 14 piece, new, $20. Ph: 0418 318 164

SINK Art Deco sink free standing $50 – 0423 252 922

STEEL CABINET 12 drawers, 360w x 650h x 650d $50 ONO –0400 579 124

STEEL GRATES 2 grates 1100 x 670 $25 ea - 0448 737 854

TERRACOTTA Tiles Eureka floor) New 305x295x15mm 150 approx. $100 - 0439 637 294

TILE CUTTER extra wide, used once $100 – 0419 523 670

T-SHIRT Grinch size small, $12 –0423 252 922

TVS 50” panasonic plasma, 42” Samsung plasma, no stands with remotes. FREE-0412 069 484.

WALKER for Elderly, New, $60 –0421 745 262

SHEETS (2 packs) black satin sheets. Incl fitted, flat & 2 pillow cases. $20 each - 0423 252 922

STANLEY screwdriver set in case. $25 - 0428 671 116

STEEL PANELS, mostly Colorbond, numerous sheets, $50 for the lot – 0406 513 089

STROLLER Steelcraft Agile, EC$95 - 0448 519 552

UNIVERSAL Webster Dictiobary books. Approx 15. FREE 0458 644 633

WASHING Machine Hoover, 5kg, Good working cond. FREE 0458 644 633

WHEELCHAIR black folding new, ExCond $100 - 0431 301 521

WOOD LATHE 100cm bed $1000408 998 700

WHEELCHAIR black, folding as new, $100 - 0431 301 521

Ballarat Football/Netball League

Central Highlands Football League

Dunnstown Netball

RESULTS – ROUND 1

13 & Under B

Buninyong 12 def Dunnstown 0

Awards - Lakayla Douglas, Milla Richardson, Isla Bergman

13 & Under A

Buninyong 25 def Dunnstown 2

Awards - Neve Taylor, Isaac Morris & Sophie Howard

15 & Under

Buninyong 39 def Dunnstown 20

Awards - Lynda Begbie, Teirney Leonard & Anna Jones

17 & Under

Buninyong 22 lost Dunnstown 25

Awards - Tess Walsh, Enna Rinaldi & Isla McKay

C Grade

Buninyong 45 def Dunnstown 20

Awards - Ashlen Gloury, Sarah

State Athletics Championships

They are grass roots athletes from the Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Centre and last weekend, they also represented Victoria

Mackenzie Estlick and Nicholas Ide competed at the National Little Athletics Championships over the weekend at Lakeside Stadium.

A spokesperson for BMLAC, said they are all “very proud of the two teenagers competing at this level of competition.”

Mackenzie topped off a fantastic Championships with 5PBs and a National Bronze medal in the 4x100 MS relay.

Mackenzie competed in the Combined Event (9th overall) - Long Jump 5th with a jump of 5.07m, 90m Hurdles, Shot Put, High Jump, Javelin 14th, 200m and 800m placing fifth. Three chosen athletes from each state compete against each other gaining points, and then at the end are all added up. Mackenzie was also chosen to represent Victoria in the mix sex 4 x 100 m relay, winning a bronze medal.

Nicholas competed in the Under 14 90m hurdles, finishing fifth in Heat 1 with a time of 14.90.

Burns & Charlie Cahir

B Grade

Buninyong 36 def Dunnstown 16

Awards - Holly Keating, Holly Learmonth & Amy O’Loughlan

A Grade

Buninyong 58 def Dunnstown 34

Awards - Liz Carson, Maddi Peterkin & Abbey Britt

Next week - Dunnstown v Gordon

Central Highlands Netball League

Photo – Redan Football Netball Club

Mackenzie Estlick runs hard in the relay for a State bronze medal.

Devils retain bragging rights

By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh v Darley

Darley simply 'did enough' to hold out a spirited Bacchus Marsh in last Saturday's local derby at Maddingley Park. Dan Jordan's men won all four quarters going on to win comfortably by 50 points.

The Devils started warm favorites and looked every bit the superior team at quarter time leading by 28 points. But the Cobras dug in after the break denying the Devils a game entirely on their own terms.

While the skill execution of both sides was below par for a glorious sun kissed autumn day, one couldn't doubt the commitment on display in front of the typically large crowd in attendance.

Both sides welcomed notable inclusions with varying degrees of impact. For the Devils, now Geelong VFL-listed player Mace Cousins won the Greg Light Medal, debutant ruckman Lucas Impey impressed shading his more experienced opponent Luke Goetz while experienced duo Billy Myers and Matty Brett will be better for the run.

The Cobras were buoyed with the return of a handful of Western Jets / GW Rebels Under 18 talent with each having their moments to show off their progress. Joshua Huxtable was arguably the Cobras’ best player behind new recruit Jake McReery while Joel Freeman (two goals), Isaac Nixon, Jack Kovacevic and Callum Smith performed admirably.

The Devils remain one of four undefeated BFNL teams after two rounds and are on the road again this week for a meeting with East Point (1-0). The Cobras (0-2) face North Ballarat (1-1) at Maddingley Park in Apple

98.5FM's Match of the Round. All the action LIVE from 2pm.

How the coaches rated their performance

Backs - Williams (B/Marsh): "Finding the right mix of players behind the ball remains a challenge although we are learning every time we pick a side and play."

Jordan (Darley): "Solid game defensively where we threw a few different players through."

Mids - Williams (B/Marsh): "Our transition from defence to offence was solid. Our growth will come in transition from offence to defence."

Jordan (Darley): "Competed hard but lost structure at times. Good first game from Lucas Impey."

Forwards - Williams (B/Marsh): (Our) energy and effort to create a contest was great, adding front and centre crumbing will be our improvement."

Jordan (Darley): "Good aerially but a bit sloppy on the deck. Some better conversion from both our forwards and mids would've seen us apply more scoreboard pressure."

Final scores

Bacchus Marsh 6.8-44 lost Darley 13.16-94 BEST

B/Marsh - J. McReery, J. Huxtable, T. Shea, E. Ogden, K. Tyrell, S. LaFranchi. Darley - B. Bewley, L. Impey, B. Young, M. Cousins, S. Page, S. Ancrum. GOALS

B/Marsh - J. Freeman 2, J. McReery 2, J. Owen, J. Huxtable, Darley - B. Bewley 3, T. Angwin 2, L. Spiteri, B. Myers, M. Brett, D. Bishop, R. Matricardi, W. Johnson, S. Page, L. Impey.

Roughie claims Cup

By Michael Howard (HRV)

“Awesome” and “special” were but a few of the superlatives that spilled forward after Sahara Tiger stunned in the Tasco Petroleum Mildura Pacing Cup last Saturday night. A track specialist, the seven-year-old delivered the biggest win of reinsman Ryan Sanderson’s promising career, and deservedly so after an outstanding drive when he turned a tricky back row draw into the best seat in the house. When favourite Cant Top This failed to handle the final bend, opportunity knocked and Sahara Tiger responded, overrunning leader Serg Blanco to score in the $60,000 classic.

For proud dad and trainer Shane Sanderson, the win at $126 was “a special victory”.

“Mildura’s been good to us since we’ve been here, and with Ryan driving and a great bunch of owners, it’s a special night,” Shane said.

“(Sahara Tiger’s) a track specialist and we thought he’d be a bit outclassed but he just got a good run.”

And that run came when favourite Cant Top This, starting inside the back row, eased off the gates to quickly get into the running line and avoid being boxed in. That enabled Ryan Sanderson, drawn next to him in gate eight, to slide straight to the pegs and on the back of Serg Blanco, who held the lead from inside the front row.

“We thought we’d be a slim chance of being behind the leader,” Shane Sanderson said. “I thought top five if we were behind the leader, and he was just in the right spot and put his best foot forward and was Johnny on the spot.”

Serg Blanco carried Sahara Tiger

all the way to the home turn, with only modest pressure in the race despite Cant Top This sitting in the breeze for much of the running.

Ryan Duffy released Serg Blanco in a 28.2-second third quarter to gain separation from Cant Top This, who further struggled at the final turn.

The leader was then swamped late, with Sahara Tiger and fellow roughie Western Sonador finishing the strongest and Cant Top This recovering for third.

“That was awesome,” Ryan Sanderson said. “We were always pretty happy with him, he’s a very honest horse, but just in recent times he hasn’t been proven over this distance and in a quality field like this it was a bit of the unknown, but credit to dad and the horse, and me and Abby qualified him and it’s a great win.”

It was also a special moment for a big group of owners who gladly accepted the prized cup.

Ballan Golf Club

Results - W/e Saturday 22 April Wednesday – Stableford

Winner - Don Wickson (12) 36 points. R/up - Bill Pickering (19) 35 points on c/b from Barry Sims (10).

NTPs - 12th Hugh Miller, 15th Bob Arklay. Magpie - 14th Chris Tudor.

Saturday: Stableford & Jack Papworth 4BBB Semi Finals

A Grade

Winner - Bob Arklay (9) 35 points on c/b

R/Up - Don Wickson (12)

B Grade

Winner - Hugh Miller (15) 35 points. R/up - Athol Love (22) 34 points on c/b from Denis Conroy (15).

NTPs - 12th Bob Arklay, 15th Frank Raffaele. Magpies - 14th Hugh Miller, 18th Frank Raffaele. Ball Comp – 5 Balls c/off 34 Bob Arklay, Hugh Miller, Don Wickson, Athol Love, Denis Conroy.

Papworth Semi Final Results

Frank Raffaele & Thomas Paarhammer 44 Points def

Peter Clifford & Stuart Miller 40 points. Kev Lockman & Les Martin 35 points def

Greg McAloon & Vic Buttigieg 34 points.

Papworth Final - to be played on 20 May 2023

Frank Raffaele & Thomas Paarhammer v Kev Lockman & Les Martin.

Photo – Tim Saultry / sportingherald.com.au

Sahara Tiger won the Mildura Cup for father and son trainer/drive, Shane and Ryan Sanderson. Photos – Mildura Harness Racing Club Inc.

DEVILS DEN 18 APRIL 2023

ROUND 1 DARLEY V BALLARAT FOOTBALL

In the local derby on Saturday, the Devils played at Maddingley Park in perfect conditions. The U19s started the day off well with a hard-fought 7 point win.

Our Reserves side recorded a huge 148 point win over an undermanned Marsh team.

In a scrappy game of senior football, Darley was able to grind out a 50 point win over a young opposition side. Mace Cousins was awarded the medal for best on ground and Brett Bewley, Bailey Young and 18 year old Lucas Impey, in his first senior game for the club, were also named best on ground. The win brought the Light/Whelahan Shield back to the Pigeon Shed.

Under 19’s Darley 8.2.50 d Bacchus Marsh 5.13.43

GOALS: Cooper Parsons-Jones 3, Nick Cadman 1, Keenan Chapman, Koby Churchill, Mitchell Gardiner, Cooper Murley

BEST: Lachlan Ingham, Jarrod White, Cooper Parsons-Jones, Cohan Edwards, Cooper Murley, Jack Wilson

NETBALL

Reserves: Darley 22.22.154 d Bacchus Marsh 1.0.6

GOALS: Alex Sweet 4, Adam Azzopardi 3, Jyson Fawcett 2, Daniel Lalor, Brayden Wood, Ben Crawford 1, Jett Fuller, James McNair, Dale Peacock, Justin Runge, Ayden Tanner, Tim Tyler, Luke Vassallo, Brodie Ward

Seniors

Darley 13.16.94 d Bacchus Marsh 6.8.44

GOALS: Brett Bewley 3, Trent Angwin 2, Dylon Bishop 1, Matthew Brett, Lucas Impey, Will Johnson, Riley Matricardi, Billy Myers, Shane Page, Leigh Spiteri

BEST: Brett Bewley, Lucas Impey, Bailey Young, Mace Cousins, Shane Page, Jake Ancrum

It was another successful day on the court for the Devils and they almost came away with a “clean sweep” of the court.

The U19’s opened the day with a huge 64 goal win. E grade won by 12 goals and unfortunately, D’s fought hard but lost by 1 goal.

C, B, and A grade sides all played outstanding matches collectively and the scoreboard reflected this.

19’s & Under

Darley 71 d Bacchus Marsh 7

BEST: Sophia Andreula, Lucy Taylor

GOAL SCORERS: Sarah Mason, Greta Gorman-Jacobs, Ella Closter

E-Grade

Darley 23 d Bacchus Marsh 11

BEST: Charlotte Ogsten, Takeya Tanner

GOAL SCORERS: Isabella Dimieri, Takeya Tanner

D-Grade

Bacchus Marsh 31 d Darley 30

BEST: Lauren Martin, Macey O’Hehir

GOAL SCORERS: Macey O’Hehir, Jessica Blake

C-Grade

Darley 51 d Bacchus Marsh 10

BEST: Renee Hulls, Addison Wright

SENIOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

ROUND 2 - Darley vs Bacchus Marsh

B-Grade

Darley 80 d Bacchus Marsh 24

BEST: Sophia Andreula, Holly Barrett

GOAL SCORERS: Ella Closter, Greta Gorman-Jacobs

A-Grade

Darley 95 d Bacchus Marsh 9

BEST: Shannon Blackman, Matilda Elliot

GOAL SCORERS: Becca Hicks, Aleisha Tainui

All girls played tremendously and the opposition had little chance of scoring against a strong Devils side who played with passion and well as a team.

Darley 16.14.110 d Bacchus Marsh 0.0.0

GOALS: Kim Bessell 10, Madison Lister 3, Matilda Rawlings 1, Lilli Condon, Emmerson Hitch

BEST: Katie McAloon, Kim Bessell, Maddy Lister, Matilda Rawlings, Lilli Condon

NEXT ROUND

Round 3 men’s footy and netball matches will be played Saturday at Eastern Oval against East Point.

Women’s footy play on Sunday against Carisbrook at the Darley Hub.

COBRA NEWS – APRIL 25, 2023

WOMENS

FOOTBALL AT MADDINGLEY PARK

Sunday April 16 saw the first round of Bacchus Marsh womens football, with U14, 16 and 19 against Ballarat and seniors against Carisbrook. All players and spectators were thrilled with the crowd and facilities provided. BBQ, coffee van, drinks available and heaps of cheering spectators. A first for many women’s players who have been traditionally isolated with no services and just family and friends. Scores matched the interest with The Cobras taking the chocolates in the Seniors, U19’s and U16’s. Go Cobras!

SENIOR FOOTBALL AND NETBALL

A tough day all round for the senior mens football and netball on Saturday April 15 in the 1st round clash against Sebastopol. The weather was reminiscent of July/August with gusty winds leading into rain later in the day. No excuse though as it was the same for both clubs. B Grade netball got within 3 goals of Sebas. which was the highlight of the day. Well done ladies!

ANZAC WEEKEND

Last weekend saw the now traditional Bacchus Marsh Derby Anzac Games between Bacchus Marsh and Darley. Senior football and netball, and Senior Womens football were played on the Saturday. Juniors and U19, U16 and U14 Womens on Sunday. Anzac ceremonies were conducted at all venues. A great tribute to the efforts of the two clubs and the Bacchus Marsh RSL for the effort which goes into this event each year.

Lest We Forget

THURSDAY FAMILY DINNER NIGHTS

Jules and her band of volunteers are really turning it on at the Clubrooms of a Thursday night. We have been spoiled so far with the great meals. The club welcomes all members and friends to come down and enjoy the fellowship from 6.00PM every Thursday. Membership and Volunteers

All supporters are urged to buy a membership to support the club. The club relies on memberships to enable the club to provide the football entertainment and development to see us into the future. Buy on-line, at Thursday Dinner or at the gate on home games. Volunteers are the backbone of any grass roots community sporting club. There are all sorts of jobs, big and small, for all sorts of people. Put your hand up. Talk to one of the volunteers at club events and let them know when, where and how you can help.

FOOTBALL

SENIORS

Bacchus Marsh 6.8 44 lost Darley 13.16 94

RESERVES

Bacchus Marsh 1.0 6 lost Darley 8.2 50

UNDER 19s

Bacchus Marsh 5.13 43 lost Darley 13.16 94

NETBALL

A GRADE

Bacchus Marsh 9 lost Darley 95

B GRADE

Bacchus Marsh 24 lost Darley 80

C GRADE

Bacchus Marsh 10 lost Darley 51

D GRADE

Bacchus Marsh 31 def Darley 30

19 & UNDER

Bacchus Marsh 7 lost Darley 71

E GRADE

Bacchus Marsh 11 lost Darley 23