Help deliver democracy Halletts Way crash

By Lachlan Ellis

A two-vehicle collision in Bacchus Marsh required the attendance of emergency services and saw a road closed, but those involved have thankfully escaped major injury.

A local resident warned others to avoid the area on social media late last Monday night at around 11pm, though another reported the area was clear about 15 minutes later.

Would-be election managers keen to work at the 2024 local government elections can apply now to join the Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC’s) pool of senior election officials.

Senior election officials are responsible for coordinating elections for entire council areas and will work for almost four months during the local council election period leading into and following October 2024.

A beef farmer, business owner, mum and senior election official, features in a video promoting the campaign, reflecting on her own experience in the fast-paced environment of an election office.

“You need to be able to give directions to other staff because things change within moments and you have to think on the spot and change your plans,” Janine Taylor said.

The recruitment campaign is target- ing the Western Victorian region as well as both North-western Melbourne metropolitan and the Northern Victorian area, where the greatest shortages are, but the VEC encourages applicants from across Victoria.

Acting Electoral Commissioner Dana Fleming said that while managing elections could be challenging and unpredictable, it was also a rewarding experience, with many current senior election officials sticking with the job for over 20 years.

“You don’t need previous election experience. It’s all about the skills and life experience you can bring to the role – if you’re a strong communicator, organised, and bring a positive attitude, we want to hear from you,’ Ms Fleming said.

Applications are open until Friday 14 July, with more information available at vec.vic.gov.au/jobs

What do senior election officials do?

SEOs work as election managers and assistant election managers at each major election event. These roles are more complex and involved than other casual election roles. We appoint SEOs to these temporary roles in the lead-up to each election, for a period of around 15 weeks.

Being an SEO involves

• being available for short-term contracts every 2 years working in a dynamic environment that is challenging but supportive

• using your leadership skills to support teams of local staff making a meaningful contribution to democracy in your community

What’s on offer competitive pay rates full training

• positions across Victoria

More information available at vec.vic.gov.au/ jobs

Police, FRV, SES, CFA, and Ambulance Victoria were all in attendance, but the latter services were both pleased to report passengers of the two vehicles were safe.

“Four CFA units responded to vehicle incident on Halletts Way in Bacchus Marsh at around 9.39pm 12 June. FRV and SES were on scene in support. Crews discovered two motor vehicles involved in the incident. Passengers were safe,” a CFA spokesperson told the Moorabool News.

“Victoria Police were [also] on scene. The incident was deemed safe at 10.24pm.”

The CFA spokesperson said crews remained on scene for 20 minutes to clean up.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics were called to the accident “at around 9.40 pm” on the night.

“A man believed to be in his 40s was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital with a lower body injury in a stable condition. A man believed to be in his 20s was taken to Sunshine Hospital with minor injuries in a stable condition,” the spokesperson said.