PETE Risstrom is one of those Daylesford locals who make up the essential character of the town. His story, like many of those who have moved to the region over the years, is a circuitous route.
He grew up on a dairy farm in West Gippsland, took on a horticultural turf management apprenticeship at the local bowls club, and later began a career in the community sector working with people with disabilities.

Eventually he moved to Daylesford back in 1990 with his then partner and now wife, Beverly, where he bought a house and raised two children.
“I didn’t have a job when I came but I soon moved back into community agency work in Castlemaine and Kyneton and also got the opportunity to work in an unpaid position as a casual ambulance officer, helping the one station here with the driving, carrying equipment and so on,” Pete said.
This role, still in place today, is known as an ambulance community officer. Officers generally act as volunteer first responders to emergencies in more remote places around the state where there is no permanently staffed station close by.
They attend, do the basics, and get backed up by the closest permanent branch for transport. Daylesford, while not as isolated as some towns in the state, did not yet have a 24-hour station with the minimum two officers on call. So Pete in his ACO role would pair up with a full-time officer to make the numbers required for a callout.
“That was my community work,” Pete said. “But I started to move away from disability work in the early 2000s and decided to link my ACO experience to a degree in health sciences-paramedicine (a prerequisite for anyone wanting a career as a paid paramedic) and I’ve been a full-time ambo ever since.
After graduation he worked at the Ballarat station and in 2010, when there was a branch upgrade and three extra paramedic officer positions created, Pete transferred to Daylesford. Just last year the station became a 24-hour operation, a status indicative of demand, reflecting just how much the town has grown in the years since Pete first worked as an ACO nearly 30 years ago.
And talking of growth, another place in Daylesford ready to grow and evolve into the future is the iconic Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club.
Outside of work, Pete is head groundskeeper maintaining its 10 grass courts. A role that harks back to his first proper job, maintaining the greens of the Warragul Bowls Club, but like everything associated with the tennis club it is a volunteer position. He has also been a keen tennis player since childhood and by 2005, as his own children grew up, Pete found he had more time for tennis which soon led to working on the upkeep of the grounds.
“The grass courts are in operation from October to late April. The rest of the time it can get too wet so we just leave them to rest, do some restoration work if need be and just mow them occasionally. Over the warmer months we keep them looking good with plenty of water and reseeding. Though it can be difficult if it is a hot summer or drought year. We try to keep as much leaf on as we can but it’s really up to the elements. We are not Royal South Yarra or Kooyong. We all have finite time as volunteers and there is only so much we can do.”
Sitting on just under two hectares, the club, while owning the land, is effectively a civic institution with generations of players passing through its gates. But like the ambulance station before it, the club is drawing closer to a form of modernisation reflecting the changing character of the game.
“The committee is basically looking at bringing it into this century and the way the game has changed in respect to participation. It is still set up for association tennis but we are not an association now.
“It’s more private and social tennis. The plan is to sell off some of the property we have in order to build some long overdue new club rooms and upgrade half the courts to all-weather surfaces. People love the feel of grass, the challenges it offers and it is supposed to be better on the knees and joints, but the upgrades being planned will allow a longer playing season.”
With all these changes on the cards you can be sure that one institution will remain for the time being. That will be Pete Risstrom, line-marking paint at the ready, but always free for a chat and ready to welcome the next generation of Ash Bartys and Alex de Minaurs onto the hallowed turf of the Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club.

Words & image: Tony Sawrey

HOW many people have thought to themselves: “I’ve got a great idea”, “I can do that”, “how hard can it be?”
Ask CresFest convenor Judy Turner for her thoughts on pulling together the inaugural CresFest, which runs from April 1-3, and you might be surprised at some of her responses.
It takes guts, ambition, hours of hard work, an ability to cajole and to beg, to be visionary and creative, to be open to other people’s ideas, to nag and to charm, to be organised and however difficult it may be, maintain a sense of humour.
With a lifetime’s experience of coordinating festivals, fundraisers and cultural events for a broad range of audiences Judy Turner is no stranger to being involved in and putting on musical and theatrical events.
Her love of shared participatory music making and performance for people of all ages began in the 1970s when she performed at folk festivals. Playing a variety of instruments Judy has enjoyed performing and encouraging others to perform ever since.

From left, Neil Adam, Judy Turner and hotelier Brendan Smith – Judy is playing a soprano ukulele which will be raffled at the festival
The exciting line up for CresFest has grown to include 360 performers, including Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Eric Bogle Trio, The Maes, Lucy Wise, Fiona Ross, Kee’ahn, other musicians of local and international renown, actor Marg Dobson with her investigative show about a Ballarat artist and myriad other performances at the iconic Court House, Town Hall and public spaces. It takes a lot of organisation, from applying for grants, raising funds, booking artists to engaging teams of volunteers.
“I’ve had to have nerves of steel as this really has been a journey through uncharted waters. What’s kept me going is my belief in this amazing Creswick community. People drive through on their way to more well-known towns and villages. Yet stop a while and there is so much to discover here in this exciting, diverse community. Music, visual and performing arts, historic buildings, good food, wonderful walks.
“CresFest will bring it all together over the first three days in April. I certainly haven’t gone on this journey alone. I am lucky to have an excellent committee and volunteers who have supported the concept, the desire and execution of CresFest.”
And yet Judy knows you can stretch friendships when you take on something as big as this. Perhaps referring to her music and life partner, CresFest volunteer co-ordinator Neil Adam.
“From experience I know that sometimes people say yes because it seems like a good idea at the time. Then they realise that although it’s only three days, in the end something like this can ride over you like a Mack truck.”
CresFest is a true celebration of the freedom to express the joy of living through music, the spoken and written word. There will be opportunities for visitors to sing with the Creswick Chorus led by notable musician Stella Savy, move to the rhythm of a Bollywood Dance ensemble with lessons by Indian Australian singer Parvyn Singh or sing at the open mic program. The power of music is global and perhaps this has never been so relevant than at this present time.
Link: www.cresfest.com.au Words & image: Supplied

TRACTORS rumbled through Melbourne last Tuesday, March 8, as hundreds gathered to protest at Parliament House against 85-metre high towers planned to cross valuable farmland and destroy pristine vistas in Hepburn Shire and beyond.

AusNet’s proposed Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP). will run 190 kilometres from Bulgana, north of Ararat, to Melbourne.
Actor Stephen Curry, who was the face of the protest, which included farmers, residents and landowners cheered along by a 1km-long convoy of tractors, fire trucks, farm vehicles and a team of horses, said his home in Gordon was in the corridor of the project.
Mr Curry told reporters that AusNet and the state government would knock down his property, including the house and 3000 native trees.
“And that’s all in the name of sustainability, which is rubbish — it’s all in the name of saving money.”

Meanwhile, earlier on March 6, about 200 concerned members from Kingston and surrounding districts gathered at the local showgrounds, pictured above, in support of the Stop AusNet’s Towers campaign.
Numerous speakers addressed the many aspects of both the proposal and its ongoing effects including federal Labor MP Catherine King, State Liberal MP Louise Staley, Daylesford Macedon Tourism CEO Steve Wroe and Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Cr Tim Drylie.
Kain Richardson, a fifth generation farmer and chair of the Kingston and District Power Alliance, organisers of the session, was heartened by the turnout.
“We are really grateful for the community support and not just the farming community but the lifestylers, hobby farmers and retirees that have shifted to the area for the visual amenity and relaxation.
“We were also quite impressed with the tourism industry interest and Steve Wroe coming out to speak. We need every bit of that support, as they are an essential industry for the district.”
The meeting offered the chance to inform and assist all those attendees who wanted to contribute to the ongoing struggle through activities such as publicity, campaign contributions, letter writing and preparing all important responses to AusNet’s environmental effects statement.
“The paper was going to be released in June,” says Mr Richardson, “but AusNet have asked for an extension to January 2023 after the Victorian state election. The KDPA will continue working with Hepburn Shire Council to get more sessions up and running where people can get the information required to make effective responses to the EES and get the whole thing sent back to the drawing board.”
By pushing the release of the EES back to January it certainly gives the KDPA and other activist groups under the umbrella of the Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance (MCHPA) more time to gain additional support.
“We need to make sure we get the settings right for the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project because every other region in the state is going to be impacted by the further nine transmission projects that are coming,” Mr Richardson said.
“We believe some serious thought ought to be put into the social and economic impacts and all alternatives should be explored (specifically, underground options). Premier Daniel Andrews is trying not to let this become an election problem but this community will fight tooth and nail to make sure he knows about it.”

Words & Kingston image: Tony Sawrey Melbourne image: Nathan Lidgett

INSPIRATIONAL Bullarto Primary School principal Joanne Pegg has been inducted onto Hepburn Shire’s Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

Above, a moment to shine: Jo Pegg, her son, Jack Pegg, and her mother, Elaine Morrison, at the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll celebration last week

At last week’s event celebrating International Women’s Day, Jo was surrounded by family and friends, colleagues, past and present students and their families.
Her work in the school system, a system that often sees children fall through the cracks of mainstream education, her advocacy, her tenacity and determination was recognised through her inclusion on the honour roll.
Jo was featured in The Local last February at the height of Covid. She had moved to the little school on the edge of the forest from the Grampians. While it was assumed she was there to create an exit strategy for the school with four students, Jo had other plans and with the help of a passionate community, the school now has 22 students, and a menagerie of animals.
In the Victorian public school system teachers and principals can no longer freely speak to the media without going through the bureaucratic hoops. Jo will always be the advocate, willing to share her thoughts, fight for the wellbeing of her students, her son and children of all ages, if it means voices are heard.
On the night, Jo spoke about the influence her parents had on her life. Being born with a hand anomaly her parents raised her believing she could do and be anything.
Growing up she witnessed her parents advocate for her every step of the way. When she was stopped from using scissors in kindergarten, and when her Year 9 teacher refusing to teach her typing, Jo’s parents intervened and instilled the power of advocacy. They fought for her when she was too young to have her own voice. Now she’s the voice for many children and their families.
“My parents are the reason I am here. My colleagues, my school community and my parents. If you are a student of mine, I’ll have your back forever.”

BreaktheBias

One of the themes for this year’s International Women’s Day was Break the Bias. Hepburn Shire Mayor, Tim Drylie, broke the bias in his own way – not only delivering a powerful speech – but actually delivering the speech when it was suggested by a few that it wasn’t his place.
“I take full responsibility for my own biases and recognise the privileges that come my way as a white, able-bodied, heterosexual, Anglo-Saxon middle-aged man,” he said.
“When I asked my daughters what they thought about me giving a speech at an International Women’s Day event they said I shouldn’t do it and I am sure there are some people who would agree with them.
“However, after speaking with several other men and women, I realised that I could be an ally by speaking in solidarity with women and to continue to take proactive and preventative measures to help ‘Break the Bias’ associated with this toxic masculinity.”
Cr Drylie spoke about recently formed group, Safety, Respect, Equity and the work sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame and parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins are doing. He called on men to stand up in solidarity.
“Call out and break our own biases and refuse to be a part of this toxic masculine identity that pervades the top tiers of government and filters down, and to be better for others,” he said.
“In our own relationships as men we need to look in the mirror and acknowledge our biases, to be honest with ourselves and begin breaking repeated patterns of abuse and control, be it of a physical or emotional nature. We need to understand that healthy relationships are based on respect, good communication, trust, honesty and equality.”

Above, Daylesford College students, from left, Lucy Muscat, Lily Austin and Alice Dennis

Young leaders shine
Lucy Muscat joined fellow Daylesford College students Lily Austin and Alice Dennis at the International Women’s Day celebration last week. Alice and Lucy proudly, passionately and with conviction, made moving speeches of what it means to be able to live in a world where women are celebrated and heard without bias, while Lily sang and played guitar. It was a proud moment for everyone in the audience knowing these three young women are future female leaders.

Words & images: Narelle Groenhout

ChillOut was back with a bang with the Sunday Street Parade.

Crowds lined the streets to cheer on myriad floats and people.

Citizen of the Year and ChillOut volunteer for 21 years, Danny Moynihan, caught a lift in The Local’s ute.

A good time was had by all!

Grant assistance is now available under joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding to assist primary producers directly affected by the Victorian Floods and Storms which occurred from 9-11 June 2021 with costs associated with clean-up and recovery activities needed to reinstate their primary production enterprise.

The maximum grant amount available under this program is $25,000 (GST exclusive). Applications for grant assistance close on 31 May 2022. To apply for a grant or to see if you are eligible, visit www.ruralfinance.com.au
To be eligible for the grant, Macedon Ranges applicants must:
 be a primary producer earning more than 50% of your income from the farming business;*
 hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the disaster;
 have been engaged in carrying on the primary production enterprise when affected by the eligible disaster; and
 intend to re-establish the primary production enterprise.
Grants are provided to help pay for the costs of clean up and recovery activities associated with the reinstatement of primary production enterprises. Eligible claims may cover:
 Hiring or leasing of equipment and materials to undertake clean-up.
 Additional labour costs for clean-up (above and beyond normal wage expenditure).
 Removing or disposing of debris or damaged goods and materials.
 Repairing or replacing fencing or essential property infrastructure essential for resuming operation of the business.
 Reconditioning/repairing or replacing essential plant and equipment.
 Repairing, and/or restoring farmland and pasture eg. due to erosion, landslips, silting or severe inundation caused by the eligible disaster
 Purchase and transport of fodder, grain, or feeds for livestock, including poultry, and/or stock agistment costs that were essential to supplement lost pasture and fodder in the two months following the eligible disaster.
 Purchase or hire/lease costs for equipment essential to the immediate resumption of the business.
 Payment for technical and specialist advice to support remediation of landslips, erosion or pasture or for safety inspections of damaged property or equipment, and to clean-up or remove fallen trees or dangerous debris.
Compensation for lost income is not an eligible item for grant assistance. This grant is intended for restoration activities only.

COVID-19 vaccines are coming to more than 20 Bunnings stores across Victoria from next week, as part of a partnership with the iconic hardware chain to make vaccination more convenient for families.
The pop-ups will focus on a range of outer metropolitan and regional locations, increasing points of access to the vaccine in key Local Government Areas.

Starting Wednesday 16 March, the first vaccination pop-ups will open at the following Bunnings locations in Melbourne and regional Victoria, with each operating between 8:00am and 1:00pm:
• Anzac Parade, Wodonga (16 to 19 March)
• Cnr Cheltenham Rd and Springvale Rd, Keysborough (16 to 20 March)
• High St, Melton East (16 to 20 March)
Approximately 53 per cent of residents aged 16 and over in the City of Melton, 52.3 per cent of residents in the City of Greater Dandenong, and 65.6 per cent of residents in the City of Wodonga have had three doses of the vaccine.
In subsequent weeks, further pop-ups are planned to open in a number of other locations around Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Eligible people of any age will be able to attend without a booking to receive their first, second or third dose – and the paediatric Pfizer vaccine will also be on offer for children aged 5 to 11.
The rollout of Bunnings vaccine pop-ups will build on Victoria’s success at the former Bunnings Warehouse in Melton, which has delivered more than 150,000 doses in arms.
Over the next week, Victoria’s health services will also continue delivering vaccinations at pop-ups for support outer-suburban, regional and culturally and linguistically diverse populations, including:
• shopping areas such as Queen Victoria Market, Highpoint and The Mall in West Heidelberg
• regional events such as the Cohuna Show the Elmore Tractor Pull and the Swan Hill Food and Wine Festival
• community houses, centres and sporting facilities in Moreland, Melton, Mildura and more
You can book the next dose of your vaccine today at a GP or pharmacy, or book or walk-in at a vaccination centre. For more information visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine.
Minister for Health Martin Foley: “The vaccine is the most important tool in the COVIDSafe toolkit and now you can get it at Bunnings. We’re proud to work with this iconic Australian business to get more jabs in arms. These pop-ups will be opening across Victoria, but they will focus particularly on areas with fewer GP and less pharmacy access.”

The Macedon Ranges is an epicentre for low-lying Snow Gums in Victoria (Eucalyptus pauciflora) and they occur across several ecosystems and geology types throughout the shire.
There has been recent community concern of dieback identified in Snow Gum populations on Mount Macedon and surrounds and climate modelling indicates this vegetation type is the most vulnerable to climate change.

Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson said the Snow Gum has been identified as a target species to monitor and Council wants to develop a better understanding of where they occur, and their population health.
“Council is working with ecologists, Landcare Groups and the Arthur Rylah Institute to record and monitor the health of Snow Gum populations across the shire and potential local climate change impacts.”
“Snow Gums have excellent readily identifiable features, which mean they are a great plant species for citizen science, where the public is actively involved in the research activity.”
“Council is inviting landholders across the shire to be part of a community project to help us understand and monitor the local ecology of an iconic Eucalyptus species and the local impacts of climate change, while building community awareness and knowledge,” she said.
In the Macedon Ranges, populations of Snow Gum, occur in Montane Grassy Woodland and Plains Grassy Woodland across the peaks and plains of the shire.
Using a citizen science approach Council and its community partners are looking to map and monitor population health on private land on Mount Macedon, in the Cobaw Biolink and across the Riddells Creek, Ashbourne and Baynton-Sidonia areas, where Snow Gums are known to occur.
Get involved by visiting Council’s Snow Gum Monitoring webpage (www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Biodiversity) where a printable brochure is available to explain how to identify a Snow Gum tree and how to share your records.
If you are having trouble identifying the trees or need help, one of the project team may be able to visit your property and help with identification and measurements.
For more information contact Council’s Environment Team on 5422 0333, or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au.
All records must be received by 17 April 2022.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to fostering respect, understanding and trust between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Macedon Ranges communities.

Council recognises the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the region – the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples. The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), being launched at the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, is an integral part of Council’s commitment to encouraging a deeper understanding of the cultures and traditions of First Nation’s peoples and creating opportunities and partnerships to promote knowledge and skills. Three unique events will open the Autumn Festival on Country, over one big weekend (26-27 March), each celebrating the region’s rich Indigenous heritage and offering a unique opportunity to learn from Traditional Owners’ and Custodians’ connection to Country.
Saturday 26 March
Celebrating Dja Dja Wurrung Country
10am, Dja Dja Wurrung country – Malmsbury Common, Malmsbury This is a free event, but places are limited. To register visit – visitmacedonranges.com/events/celebrating-dja-dja-wurrung-country/
Malmsbury Common is a highly valued conservation reserve containing significant native grasslands, wetlands and stream bank vegetation.
Event will include:
 Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with Dja Dja Wurrung Elder
 Launch of the RAP with Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson
 Djaara cultural food and fibre plants tour
 Introduction to new trail network and Indigenous signage
 A bushfood inspired morning tea by Murnong Mammas
 Coffee truck onsite
Celebrating Taungurung Country
2pm, Taungurung Country – Bald Hill Reserve
This is a free event, but places are limited. To register visit – visitmacedonranges.com/events/celebrating-taungurung-country/
Located on the outskirts of Kyneton, this woodland and grassland reserve is an ecologically, geologically and culturally significant location.
Event will include:
 Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with Taungurung elder Aunty Joanne Honeysett
 Launch of the RAP with Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson
 A short group walk to celebrate the unique natural environment of Bald Hill (NB sturdy shoes are required – will involve some off-track and rocky sections).
Sunday 27 March
Celebrating Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
11am, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country – Jacksons Creek Reserve, Gisborne
This is a free event.
Picnic in Gisborne’s beautiful Jacksons Creek Reserve and experience a wonderful afternoon of live music and fun in the sun among the autumn leaves.
Event will include:
 Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung elder Mandy Nicholson
 Launch of the RAP and Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival with Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson
 Special guest performance
Stay on for the Ultimate Autumn Picnic and an afternoon of vibrant, family-friendly live music performed by vocal superstars ‘Cassidy La Crème’ and ‘Tash York’ playing the hottest Top-40 hits from the 90s to today. Bring your own picnic lunch, or treat yourself to something tasty from the selection of food trucks standing by.
Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson said that while she is excited to be opening the Autumn Festival and welcoming visitors to explore our Shire, she is equally delighted to launch the Reconcilliation Action Plan (RAP) and to have three very special First Nations cultural heritage events on this year’s festival program.
“I would encourage both those who are able to join in the celebrations on the day, and anyone attending the rest of the Autumn festival to take the opportunity to learn more about reconciliation and improve awareness of Aboriginal history and culture in the context of our beautiful region.”
“While Council has a key leadership role to play in the reconciliation process, fostering a future of healing, acknowledging our true history and righting the wrongs is an ongoing journey that involves everyone in our community.”
“Our history is a shared history but importantly we also have the opportunity to create a shared future, where Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples’ histories, cultures and rights are respected, learned from and celebrated.”
“Events such as these are small but important steps, they continue to move us forward for a better future together,” she said.

Choose Tap drinking water fountains located around Lake Wendouree, and in the surrounding Botanical Gardens, have taken on a new look in time for this year’s Ballarat Begonia Festival.
The fountains, a collaboration between the City of Ballarat and Central Highlands Water (CHW) showcase the artwork of proud Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, Billy-Jay O’Toole, and will be the first of many to be updated with this stunning reconciliation focused piece across the Central Highlands region.
The featured artwork, Managing Country Together, represents the relationship between CHW and the four registered Aboriginal Parties on which CHW’s catchment extends, being Wadawurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wurundjeri and Barenji Gadjin.
The centrepiece of the artwork is the sun, and the Wadawurrung’s totem, Bunjil. The artwork also features symbology, representing CHW and Traditional Owner corporations. Other elements of the local landscape formations are included along with Eucalyptus leaves, which represent cleansing.
CHW Managing Director, Paul O’Donohue, said the installation is part of CHW’s 2022 Begonia Festival focus of caring for water and Country.
“We’re excited to again be the Community Partner of the Ballarat Begonia Festival and, with the support of the City of Ballarat and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, take the opportunity to raise awareness and build relationships, partnerships and collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in our community to achieve positive outcomes.
“The new Managing Country Together Choose Tap drinking water fountains provide an impactful visual reminder of the many elements of our region, through the eyes of a Traditional Owner,” Mr O’Donohue said.
Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and artist, Billy-Jay O’Toole said it was a real honour to showcase his artwork on the new drinking water fountain design.
“I appreciate Central Highlands Water for providing this opportunity for people to look at, and connect with, the artwork and the Country around them, and to recognise that the land they are on Wadawurrung Country,” Mr O’Toole said.
Paul Davis, Chief Executive Office of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, highlighted that there are many talented Wadawurrung artists around, including some very well established and renowned, but also some newer and emerging ones.
“It is great to see key organisations like Central Highlands Water promoting the works of Wadawurrung artists, such as Billy-Jay O’Toole in this case,” Mr Davis said.
City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Amy Johnson said the water fountain artworks were a unique way of recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the region.
“These beautiful artworks not only convey the significant reconciliation efforts that have been taking place across Ballarat, but also the stunning visual aspects that have deep meaning for our Traditional Owners,” Cr Johnson said.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is asking all landowners to take the necessary steps to protect paddock trees when burning stubble on their properties.

With fire restrictions in place until May, whether applying for a permit or waiting until restrictions ease, there may be an increase in this activity in the coming months.

Grampians Regional Manager Natural Environment Programs, Michelle Butler said: “Paddock trees have huge biodiversity benefits and good preparation before burning on your property is important and will avoid impacts to paddock trees.

“Paddock trees shelter important pollinators, provide habitat for native wildlife, including birds that feed on pests, store carbon, reduce wind impacts to crops and shade stock,” Ms Butler said.

Australian National University research has found that paddock trees will often flower more heavily than other trees, providing important food source for wildlife, such as honeyeaters, sugar gliders and other animals that depend on nectar and pollen.

“Higher rainfall in many areas over the last year, coupled with reports of rising mice numbers, means stubble burning might be utilised more this season.

“Native trees are protected by law and there are ways to avoid damaging them because once lost, these trees are impossible to replace in a person’s lifetime. Good planning and management are crucial to ensure they are protected in the long term.

“We recommend that you slash around the base of the tree to establish an adequate fire break, remove any woody debris from the base of the tree or wet the area around the tree before beginning your burn.

“Ensuring that you have adequate water on hand and the right equipment to extinguish the fire is also essential,” Ms Butler said.

Find out more about stubble burning and protecting paddock trees.

While the state government is getting on with building the schools of the future, 2022 marks a massive milestone – the 150th anniversary of the Victoria’s world-class public education system.
Minister for Education James Merlino visited Essendon Primary School, Melbourne’s oldest continuously-operating government school, to mark the anniversary of the Education Act 1872 and announce the next milestone in the state’s schools of the future – with all builders appointed to construct the 13 new Victorian schools opening in 2023.

Victoria was the first state in Australia – and one of the first in the world – to make education free, secular and compulsory to all children aged 6-15. Around 600 schools opened across the state in the five years following the passing of the Education Act – setting Victoria up for its future as the Education State.
The milestone will be marked with a range of activities across the year designed to commemorate the past, celebrate the present and imagine the future of education.
A dedicated Victorian Government website will feature the 483 original government schools from 1872 alongside every other government school established since, displaying a selection of digitally preserved historical records from the past 150 years including school history summaries, enrolment registers and photos.
There are undoubtedly thousands more historical gems yet to be uncovered to tell Victoria’s long and proud education history – and anyone with photos, documents or other vintage school treasures is encouraged to email them to 150years@education.vic.gov.au to help build this digital time capsule.
More than 6,500 archive boxes have already been collected and digitised from schools around Victoria, including Essendon Primary School, Bacchus Marsh Primary School and Wallan Primary School, which are all still open – as well as Carlton Primary School and Sutton Grange Primary School which have now closed.
Essendon Primary School was founded as Pascoevale National School No. 483 in July 1850, with the school originally situated on the banks of the Moonee Ponds Creek near the junction of Five Mile Creek. The original school bell still stands in the grounds, having been presented to the school in 1933.
The Labor Government is delivering on the state’s 150-year record of being a leader in education, having invested more than $10.9 billion in building new schools and more than 1,700 school upgrades in just seven years – creating around 13,500 jobs in construction and associated industries.
Work to open 100 new schools by 2026 is ahead of schedule, with 62 new schools opening between 2019 and 2024.
For more information on the 150 Years of Public Education milestone, visit www.vic.gov.au/150years.
Minister for Education James Merlino: “This is a really special milestone for Victorian education – celebrating 150 years of our pioneering education system, while looking towards the future to continue giving our students the very best opportunities in life.
“While many aspects of Victoria’s education may have changed, the idea that every child should have access to a free, secular, high-quality education, regardless of their background, will never change.
“I encourage all Victorians and Victorian schools to share their educational history via the 150 Years website, and help commemorate the integral role government schools have played in the educational fabric of our state.”

Three creative organisations based in the Ballarat and Corio electorates will share in $558,000 under the seventh batch of grants from the federal government’s $200 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund, which has created more than 200,000 jobs across Australia since 2020.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the latest round of $20 million will begin to flow immediately to 91 organisations across Australia to support a resilient creative and cultural sector.

“Today’s announcement takes to $200 million the funding that has been committed under RISE. It has gone to 541 projects, creating more than 213,000 jobs across Australia, to be seen by a total audience of 55 million people,” Minister Fletcher said.

“The purpose of RISE is to back the arts and entertainment sector to recover from the devastating impact of COVID-19 shutdowns. We want to see venue doors thrown open to audiences; we want to see the curtains going up; and we want to see performers coming on stage to a welcoming roar of applause.

“This unprecedented injection of arts stimulus funding is producing an extraordinary cultural and creative dividend; with a two-year pipeline of supported events rolling out across Australia.”

Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the funding will provide critical support for local arts organisations and assist local communities and economies to restart from the pandemic.

“I am pleased to announce the following successful projects have been awarded funding through Batch Seven of the RISE Fund:

Corio electorate:

• The internationally acclaimed Back to Back Theatre Inc in Geelong received $394,500 to create a series of cultural events in Geelong’s Northern Suburbs, including the installation of a public artwork, created in consultation with members of its community.

Ballarat electorate:

• British India partnership: $140,000 for their 32-date national tour with a focus on playing at regional towns from the end of April.
• Creswick Amateur Theatre Group Inc: $24,300 towards their upcoming festival Cresfest which will showcase artistic talent, community ingenuity and the natural beauty of the town.

The full list of Batch Seven RISE recipients can be found at: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update  

There have been further detections of Japanese encephalitis virus across the state, with cases now confirmed at six piggeries in Victoria.
The six cases have been located in the shires of Loddon, Campaspe, Wangaratta, Gannawarra, Greater Shepparton and Greater Bendigo.

The detections in Gannawarra, Greater Shepparton and Greater Bendigo were confirmed by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness on the weekend.
Agriculture Victoria staff are continuing surveillance activities and providing information and advice to farmers.
Japanese encephalitis occurs most commonly in pigs and horses and can cause reproductive losses for susceptible animal species.
Humans can be impacted by the disease if they are bitten by an infected mosquito.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke is urging anyone who owns pigs or horses to take steps to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
“We encourage pig farmers and horse owners to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds near their animals, such as stagnant water, to reduce the chances of them being bitten”.
Mosquito control is very important at this time and the Chief Health Officer has issued advice for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
This includes wearing long, loose fitting clothes outdoors and using effective mosquito repellents containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin and trying to limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are around.
People cannot be infected by eating pig meat. Pork meat or pork products are safe to consume.
Nationally agreed movement restrictions have been applied to infected pig properties to reduce the spread of the disease in pigs.
Japanese encephalitis is a notifiable disease under the Livestock Disease Control Act.
Report any cases of unexplained pig deaths, especially piglets, or unexplained horse illnesses, to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, to your local vet or to Agriculture Victoria animal health staff. For more information visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/je

The state government is helping single parents get back to work and provide for their families, with an expanded wage subsidy scheme also designed to address workforce shortages across Victoria.
Through the Jobs Victoria Fund wage subsidy scheme, the Labor Government is supporting parents doing it on their own by giving eligible businesses up to $20,000 if they hire an unemployed or underemployed single parent.
There are more than 250,000 single parents in Victoria – around 80 per cent of those are women. They all face more challenges than most heading back to work or increasing their hours, often carrying the lion’s share of caregiving.
Single-mum Chelsea Hind, 29, was one of those parents who lost her job as an apprentice carpenter in December 2020 because her boss could no longer afford to keep her on the books when the pandemic hit.
While Chelsea continued to look for work, she kept up the theoretical side of her apprenticeship and in November of last year through the wage subsidy scheme, she was offered an Apprentice Joiner position with Kubale Constructions based in Warragul.
Chelsea is now on track to complete her carpentry and joiner apprenticeships and pursue a long-term career in the construction industry.
The Jobs Victoria Fund wage subsidy scheme has already helped create almost 4,000 jobs for people disadvantaged by the pandemic and looking for work, including women over 45, young people under 25, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, long-term unemployed, and veterans.
More than 62 per cent of these jobs have been taken up by women.
The Fund is available to support eligible businesses with an annual payroll of under $40 million that are offering secure full-time or part-time roles. Positions must run for at least 12 months and pay fair wages at or above the award or site rate.
Other Jobs Victoria services include a 600-person-strong workforce of advocates, mentors and career counsellors who have helped over 7,000 people with personalised support to help them access opportunities, get back on their feet and into work.
Employers interested in accessing support through the wage subsidy scheme and people looking for work can register on the Jobs Victoria Online Hub or call the Jobs Victoria Hotline on 1300 208 575. Information on other employment support services is also available at jobs.vic.gov.au.
Premier Daniel Andrews” “A job means more than just a pay cheque – it also means security, stability and a chance to build a life with those you love – and this pandemic has robbed too many single parents of that opportunity.
“Single parents work incredibly hard to provide for their families, and that’s why we’re doing what we can to help make things like finding a job that little bit easier.”