The state government is ensuring injured, sick and orphaned wildlife get the help they need, with a funding boost to support wildlife rescue volunteers.

Labor Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford, has announced that applications for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants are now open, with $230,000 available to support wildlife rehabilitators in Victoria.

Wildlife shelter operators and foster carers can apply for grants of up to $3,000 for equipment, infrastructure, consumables, education and training.

There are more than 700 registered volunteer wildlife rehabilitators in Victoria, playing an important role in rescuing and caring for injured, sick or displaced wildlife and releasing them back into the wild. 

Last year the grants were provided to 120 wildlife carers and shelters, funding a range of expenses from new enclosures, nesting boxes and temperature control systems to medication, feed and rescue equipment.

Applications close on Tuesday 6 September 2022, to apply for a grant go to: wildlife.vic.gov.au/grants/wildlife-rehabilitator-grants/

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Locals and visitors will be welcomed by Aboriginal art celebrating a sense of Wadawurrung Country when they visit the new Portarlington Pier on the Bellarine Peninsula – which is now officially open.

Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville has announced the original artwork and works to upgrade the pier have been completed, with a ceremony to be held next month to mark the occasion.

The artwork – which spans over 120 metres – has been created by the Traditional Owners, the Wadawurrung people, and displayed along a new covered walkway constructed from the foreshore to the ferry terminal.

More than 100 Wadawurrung families contributed to the artwork – with hand-drawn illustrations etched into the structure’s specialised marine glass and metal panels to tell the stories of place, water and journey.

The artwork complements the coastal landscape and culturally significant local marine species including sea snails, fish, molluscs, and crustaceans, imparting valuable knowledge of the area’s traditional use over tens of thousands of years.

Portarlington Harbour is an important focal point for the Bellarine Peninsula, providing significant economic and recreational benefits.

The $9.6 million upgrade to the pier saw major improvements take place – including a new, strengthened pier head to enable vehicle access for the aquaculture industry and emergency response crews. A new accessible low landing and rock groyne has also been installed to improve access to the water and protect harbour berths.

More information about the upgrade can be found online at: www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects.

Independent creatives have been invited to apply for the new Creative Projects Fund, which will support them to develop, present or launch new creative content, products and experiences.
Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 are available to individual creatives, and creative collectives or micro-businesses at all stages of their careers.
The Creative Projects Fund is open to a wide range of creative disciplines – from visual art, writing, theatre, designing, dancing, game development, music or crafts.
Eligible projects could include presenting a performance or exhibition to new audiences, launching a new video game or fashion label to international markets, writing a manuscript, developing virtual reality experiences or new creative products, and much more.
Designed to ensure what is seen on Victoria’s stages, screens and gallery walls reflects the diversity of the community, the fund includes dedicated streams for First Peoples and Deaf and Disabled creatives. Applications are also encouraged from culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTIQ+ and regionally based creatives.
Applications for the Creative Projects Fund close at 3pm on Thursday, 11 August. The Deaf and Disabled stream will remain open until 3pm on 18 August.
For more information or to apply, visit creative.vic.gov.au/grants-and-support.

The state government is celebrating and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians with funding for events throughout the state.
The government is investing $220,000 into this year’s Pride Events and Festivals Fund to help create safe, strong, and sustainable communities across Victoria.
LGBTIQ+ organisations and community groups can apply for grants of up to $10,000 for the planning and delivery of events that promote queer arts and culture, celebrate the diversity in rainbow communities and raise awareness to combat discrimination.
The Fund is underpinned by a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring all activities are welcoming and accessible to all communities, including LGBTIQ+ people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those based in regional and rural areas.
The strategy aims to strengthen the LGBTIQ+ sector and create safe, strong, and sustainable communities, including through programs such as the Pride Events and Festivals Fund.
Applications are open until Wednesday 28 August 2022. For further information and to apply visit: vic.gov.au/pride-events-and-festivals-fund.

The state government is ensuring injured, sick and orphaned wildlife get the help they need, with a funding boost to support wildlife rescue volunteers.

Labor Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford, has announced that applications for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants are now open, with $230,000 available to support wildlife rehabilitators in Victoria.

Wildlife shelter operators and foster carers can apply for grants of up to $3000 for equipment, infrastructure, consumables, education and training.

There are more than 700 registered volunteer wildlife rehabilitators in Victoria, playing an important role in rescuing and caring for injured, sick or displaced wildlife and releasing them back into the wild. 

Last year the grants were provided to 120 wildlife carers and shelters, funding a range of expenses from new enclosures, nesting boxes and temperature control systems to medication, feed and rescue equipment.

Applications close on Tuesday 6 September 2022, to apply for a grant go to: wildlife.vic.gov.au/grants/wildlife-rehabilitator-grants/

Macedon Ranges Shire Council invites parents and teachers in the Macedon Ranges to participate in an upcoming focus groups to help shape a new holistic mental health education program to support the wellbeing of grade five and six students across the shire.

The focus groups follow on from recent community consultation, which resulted in over 200 surveys completed by parents, teachers and the broader community. Results highlighted the need for a whole-of-community response to building resilience and positive mental health for children in grades five and six.

The focus groups will be facilitated by the Jeder Institute, a not-for-profit organisation with expertise in consulting with a strong community focus and will explore themes identified in the survey such as childhood development, mental health literacy, behaviours, risk and protective factors for mental health and what constitutes a good mental health education program.

A focus group for teachers in primary schools in the Macedon Ranges will be held online on Monday 15 August from 4pm–5.30pm. This will be followed by a focus group for parents of primary school aged children in the shire, being held online on Tuesday 16 August from 6.30pm–8.30pm.

The council would also like to acknowledge all of the primary schools that applied to have the pilot program delivered in their school. Woodend Primary School and Kyneton Primary School have been selected to take part in the pilot program.

The aim of the pilot program is to establish an evidence base in order to extend the program to additional primary schools in the shire.

Council’s Director Community Maria Weiss said the education program is aimed at building resilience, mental health awareness and a community of support for children during these transitional years.

“The primary school years are such a pivotal stage in a child’s development and many have faced the challenges of uncertainty and fear over the last couple of years. We know that for some this has affected their confidence and their overall mental health. This program allows us to work closely with the schools, parents and children to provide a relevant mental health education program that will promote positive mental health for children,” she said.

To register for the focus groups or find out more information about the program visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/PSMH

Clayton-based Sally Higgs led Alykan Electrical Solutions to victory at the State and National level across three categories at the Master Electrician Awards.

Alykan Electrical Solutions won the prestigious Victoria Master Electrician of the Year Award for their commitment to delivering quality and servicing the needs of commercial builders. Co-founder and General Manager Sally Higgs also took home the State and National award for Women on Contracting for her effective leadership and the skilled team she has built over the years.

Alykan Electrical Solution’s Josh Gilbee also won Victoria’s Electrician ‘Tradie’ of the Year Award for his outstanding trade skills.One of his biggest career achievements to date was being the lead on a major project for the company in 2020, with the project also going on to be a finalist in the Excellence Awards that year.

The MEA Victoria Excellence Awards also recognised a range of other industry achievements. 

Luke Mitchell Electrical Pty Ltd (LME) was awarded the Helmast Park Equestrian Centre project in 2020. Their infrastructure power reticulation won them the Commercial Project of the Year Award.

Industrial Project of the Year was awarded to Britton Electrical Solutions for their Blow Moulding Production Victoria project. They also won the Victoria Residential Project of the Year Award for their effective work on the rustic Stubbs Avenue Manor. 

Venergy Australia won the Energy Efficiency Project of the Year Award for Walker Corporation Collins Square Towers 223kW Solar System Project. The latest landmark commercial project was based 145 meters high in the heart of the Melbourne CBD skyline.

Ezekiel Traczyk from Crawford Electrical & Solar earned the Victoria Apprentice of the Year Award, topping the class in the theory and skills challenge. Making clients happy is always top of his list, plus the opportunity to learn about new technologies and find better ways to improve workplace safety and efficiency.

MEA CEO Malcolm Richards said that the Excellence Awards recognise the tremendous talent that exists across the industry, while also demonstrating the core MEA values such as quality, safety, and high standard of service.

“Master Electricians Australia has some incredible members across Victoria and the purpose of the Excellence Awards is to highlight and celebrate the innovative and professional work being undertaken by sparkies that contributes to the enhancement and development of their communities,” Mr Richards said.

“I’d like to congratulate all of Victoria’s winners for their resilience and dedication. The standard of entries for each award could not have been higher.

“The biggest winners though are the clientele across Victoria, who have been the beneficiaries of the incredible levels of professionalism shown by all the finalists. These awards are important for us as an industry and a state to come together and acknowledge the key players that literally help us keep the lights on and are continuously devising new and conscientious ways of achieving this.”

Support through community organisations is being delivered to ensure that everyone can apply for the $250 Power Saving Bonus and access immediate bill relief.
Funding for a new phase of the Community Outreach Program will support households who may not have access to a computer or the internet, or who otherwise may struggle to apply for the $250 payment.
As part of the program, the state government is partnering with community health organisation, Cohealth, to provide on-the-ground support at 17 public housing high rise estates. Residents will receive help to apply for the $250 payment, but also advice on accessing energy concessions and a better energy deal.
Since 1 July, more than 1.2 million households have had their applications for the one-off payment approved and paid, providing $259 million in immediate cost of living support at a time many Victorians need it the most.
Over 24,000 applications have already been received through community outreach partners and the VEC helpline on 1800 000 832.
Community organisations participating under the new phase of the Community Outreach Program include Brotherhood of St Laurence, Consumer Action Law Centre, Ethnic Community Council Victoria, Good Shepherd, Neighbourhood House and State Trustees.
All Victorian households are eligible for the $250 payment, including the more than 410,000 concession card holders who previously claimed under an earlier phase of the program. The payment is available through the Victorian Energy Compare website – the only independent tool to help find the best energy deal.

Strengthened laws to protect forestry workers from illegal protest activity have passed the Victorian Parliament.

The Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Bill 2022, brings stronger penalties to deter dangerous protest activities that puts the safety of both forestry workers and people who illegally enter dangerous work sites at risk.
The new legislation introduces offences and updates existing penalties to deter dangerous protest activities in Timber Harvesting Safety Zones and prevent harm.
Timber Harvesting Safety Zones are small and restricted worksites where forestry activities are undertaken. It is illegal for anyone who is not authorised to be in those areas.
To prevent repeated safety risks across multiple Timber Harvesting Safety Zones, Authorised Officers will be able to issue Banning Notices when there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed or will commit a specified offence. The notices will aim to stop individuals from repeatedly engaging in dangerous activities in Timber Harvesting Safety Zones and other forestry coupe areas.
Authorised Officers will be given additional powers to search containers, bags and vehicles for prohibited items.
These changes are focused on illegal and dangerous behaviour occurring within THSZs and do not limit normal recreation in forests, or peaceful demonstration in areas where it is safe and legal to do so.

Eight new homes in Daylesford and Clunes will be built as part of the State Government’s Big Housing Build. More than 12,000 will be built across Victoria for those on the Victorian Housing Register.
Local community groups across the Hepburn Shire estimate there are currently at least 40 people homeless, at risk of homelessness or sleeping rough – people of all ages including children and the elderly.
Hepburn Shire missed out on temporary modular homes that the State Government started delivering last month (also part of the Big Housing Build) to at-risk community members across the state.
When asked why, Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas said the council wasn’t “approached to participate in the program”. However a state government spokesperson confirmed the program was not by invite and all councils had the opportunity to apply for the modular homes.
The Local will commence a series in the coming weeks and months looking at the groups desperate to make a difference to vulnerable community members, share stories from locals caught in the crossfire of the housing shortage nightmare and how the community can come together to make a difference.
If you have a story you’d like to share please contact news@tlnews.com.au

“So, there’s that one and that one”, the waitress declares. She is, of course, talking about the two menus as she handed me a non-Covid-friendly, sticky laminated glimpse into the hygiene of the kitchen.
In the old days the wait staff fronting the punters were a fantastic way to up-sell the menu and drinks, and create a relationship with the diners so the last question of the day is “Would you like dessert?”. That then becomes a solid “yes”, based on the punter’s experience. The result is an up-tick in the bottom line of the eatery and a possible hefty tip to the staff and return business and recommendations from the diners.
I guess it is the language that has changed. The same staffer presented our meals saying the exact same thing, “so, there’s that one and that one” as the plates were spun onto the table. When I said “thanks”, she proclaimed “that’s OK”, not the warming “you’re welcome” from the old language.
But things are indeed rapidly changing. The earth has literally shifted off its axis. It turns out that if you melt the two big icecaps on either end, and that water shifts towards the equator, the tilt of the earth shifts. WTH? As if we haven’t got enough to worry about – thanks space.com
We are all overrun with so many things to worry about – solar storms, monkeypox, Covid, the cost of living, and foot and mouth – so I have started to turn my attention to rainbows. There have been a number of these things over the Central Highlands lately and I recently drove into one on my way back to TL HQ.
Apparently, it is impossible to get to the end of a rainbow because viewing a rainbow is different for everybody. According to Dr Karl each person sees it from a slightly different angle and the beauty is literally in the eye of the beholder, however I swear it happened.
It might have been a glass diffusion of light or a momentary lapse of reason, but that was my reality, there was no pot of gold at the end of the thing or leprechauns leaping out of the way as I roared down the road at 80km – it was just a peaceful experience.
It was Isaac Newton who first understood rainbows and decided there were seven colours – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. There is also a theory around (well, actually mine) that blue is so close to indigo that he simply chucked it in there to make up the magic number seven.
Seven is such an enchanted number as in seven Spanish angels, seven deadly sins, seventh heaven, seven spirits of God and don’t forget “at sixes and sevens”, which is to be at a state of confusion and disorder.
Anyway, that’s how I am navigating the world right now, with small peaceful reasonings.
And I did drive through the end of that rainbow, rant over…

Rolling Stones, Hyde Park , London June 25, 2022

A self-indulgent, bucket list trip to the other side of the world to see a (The) rock band. I guess you could absolutely argue that point.
I did with myself for a couple of minutes before I bought the tickets in March and then I came to my senses. Of course, I’m going! So, to London, via New York City no less in the Northern Hemisphere summer, to see a band which may not be playing to the absolute height of their powers, but are still playing pretty darn close.

To set the scene, Hyde Park hosts a mind-blowing array of acts (Adele, Elton John etc) over a two-week period at the height of London summer – very warm and daylight abounds until after 10pm.
The whole gig has a festival vibe with over 80,000 people in attendance. There are at least four stages to choose from until the main warm-up acts Phoebe Bridgers, an understandably angry US citizen at the very current Roe vs Wade reversal, beginning proceedings on the main stage followed by a killer, very welcome set from another favourite The War on Drugs.
The Stones hit the stage at just after 8pm, a prologue photography/video montage tribute to Charlie Watts opening proceedings. Following the setlist online over preceding gigs has revealed a core structure of hits, usually about 19 songs, with five to six variations on any given night.
This is where we hit the jackpot (yes, teenage son, we really did, he was to be fair blown away) with a blistering version of Midnight Rambler complete with mid-song segue to Robert Johnson’s Come On, in My Kitchen.
And wait for it – I know only Stones heads are still reading – for the first time since 2016, the unmistakable open tuned killer Keith riff to Can’t You Hear Me Knocking.
I did hoot and it was all I needed. Of course, I still had the sheer thrill of Gimme Shelter et al, guaranteed and the privilege of seeing Michael Philip Jagger strut his stuff as if time stood still.
There was the Covid scare which caused the cancellation of two European gigs prior, I thanked my lucky stars it wasn’t our gig and they cancelled Hanging Rock in 2014, but now I’ve had my turn.
I joined the chant of “woo hoo, pleased to meet you” down Pall Mall with the exiting throng. Bliss!

Words & images: Darren Lowe

Garden expert, radio personality and nurseryman Stephen Ryan will open his private garden, Tugurium, Macedon as part of Open Gardens Victoria on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28.
Set on a peaceful country lane at Macedon, the garden showcases Stephen’s decades-long dedication to collecting and curating rare and unusual plants. The woodland-style garden shines in late winter with textured foliage. Details: www.opengardensvictoria.org.au

A Tylden man who dropped a parking receipt after using it to open a boom gate, wound up dropping $1100 in a fine and costs, after being reported for littering.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria fined the man for littering after he was spotted dropping the receipt out of his car window in Malcolm Street, South Yarra, and making no attempt to pick it up. Another driver reported the littering offence and offered to provide evidence in court if necessary. The accused man challenged the EPA fine in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, but the court found the charge proven and fined him $300 with $800 in costs.

Two staff members from Daylesford College have been recognised for their long-serving dedication to students and families through the Recognition of Service to Victorian Education program.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated Bronwyn Barlow for her 45 years of service and Peter Geddes for his 50 years.

Around Victoria, a total of 219 teachers and staff are being recognised for 40 years of service, 104 staff for 45 years of service, 50 staff for 50 years of service, six staff for 55 years of service and five staff for 60 years of service.