Detectives from Taskforce Lunar have charged four teenagers in recent days as part of their investigation into a number of incidents linked to the ongoing tobacco dispute.

With assistance from the Gang Crime Squad, the VIPER Taskforce and the Eastern and Southern Metro Regional Crime Squads, warrants were executed simultaneously at three residential addresses in Springvale, Mulgrave and Pakenham about 7am on Friday March 1.

Two boys and two girls were arrested and charged early this morning by investigators:

• A 16-year-old Pakenham girl has been charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire, conduct endangering life, conduct endangering serious injury and theft of motor vehicle. She was remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date

• A 15-year-old Springvale boy has been charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of handle stolen goods, car theft and possess prohibited weapon,

• A 14-year-old Mulgrave boy has been charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle, and

• A 16-year-old Mulgrave girl has been charged with theft of motor vehicle

The three other teens were all bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

The charges relate to an aggravated burglary in Wonga Park, as well as two arson attacks at a Mill Park restaurant and a tobacconist in Ballarat last week.

A white Isuzu D Max and a silver Ford Ranger were stolen during an aggravated burglary in Wonga Park between 10pm on Monday 19 and 7am on Tuesday, 20 February.

The Ford Ranger was then utilised in an arson attack at a reception centre in Thomastown on Thursday, 22 February.

It was later located burnt out in Bundoora.

A 20-year-old St Albans man was charged on Thursday in relation to that incident.

On Tuesday, 27 February about 3.40am, the Isuzu D Max was allegedly involved in an attempted arson at a Mill Park restaurant on The Link.

The D Max reverses towards the front door of the premises and a number of offenders exit the vehicle, with one reaching back in to remove a jerry can.

A witness observes the vehicle and runs towards the scene, causing the offenders to flee.

The same vehicle is then allegedly used the following day in an arson attack at a tobacconist on Sturt Street in Ballarat about 3.35am.

The store was significantly damaged during the incident. A short time later, the vehicle was located burnt out on Eureka Street.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information on any organised crime activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website.

Air Wing and Search and Rescue Squad officers have rescued two men from Mount Bogong over the weekend.

It is believed the experienced hikers misjudged the difficult terrain and called emergency services for a welfare check on Saturday evening.

Search and Rescue Squad officers contacted the men and after speaking with them, it was deemed they had enough supplies and experience to safely stay for the evening.

A plan was made for Air Wing officers to attend and winch the pair to safety on Sunday morning.

The 63-year-old and 71-year-old men were winched to safety by Air Wing officers about 9.30am.

Both men were checked over by paramedics but did not require treatment.

Australia’s overlooked bulbous beauties

In all the countless years that we Aussie gardeners have chosen to adorn our home landscape with true blue Aussie trees and shrubs, we seem to have overlooked the beauty and colour our own bulbous plants can bring to the garden.

And sadly I feel that not all who have planted and enjoyed them have fully realised their real heritage. Besides, being native they obviously have long been acclimatised to our soils and cranky climate and are sure to be a blooming success.

Unfortunately, the locals don’t even run in second place in the bulbous stakes to those long-loved, mass produced and mass marketed, foreigners – daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and co.

They’ve had a great head start. Ever since the first Europeans came and started their home gardens, and adventurous botanists such as Baron von Mueller and Ernst Heyne (my great-grandfather) established Melbourne Botanic Gardens and Arboretum, there was a move to include Australian flora into home gardens.

Led firstly by the great standbys including acacia, eucalyptus and grevilleas but at that time bulbs weren’t even thought of.

Over the years, particularly since the mid 1950s, the nursery industry in general awoke to the fact that gardeners were keen to grow a burgeoning collection of flowering native shrubs and trees to decorate their gardens, other than just the drought-resistant eucalypts and acacias purchased by country people for sheltering stock and farm buildings.

So for quite some time we have planted an ever-widening selection of Australian trees, shrubs and climbers. So why not our bulbs? Obviously, the answer is yes, but not always in any recognisable form such as that of tulips or daffodils.

If you take the broad definition of bulbous to mean swollen or distended, detachable root segments, then you can only imagine the multitude of plant varieties at your disposal and our sunburnt plains, where it seldom rains, is no place for any sensible plant to throw out seeds – and expect them to germinate and thrive.

Unfortunately, it’s taken quite some time for native bulbous plants to compete with the massive European ones, so even now it’s probably specialist nurseries and ardent fan clubs who can supply advice and plant stock.

This is a pity, because many of these plants are not only spectacular but certainly as easy to grow as many of the introduced species.

Whilst Australia has no native true lilies such as hippeastrums and freesias, it has a variety of other genera which make very attractive garden plants. The chocolate lilies, thysanotus, weather vane, hypoxis, milk maids and burchardia come into this category.

There are others, such as crinums and calostemma, which develop if they are thoroughly saturated at planting. This starts them into growth and a couple of months later they commence to flower, provided they receive additional water to enable them to do so.

One of the most spectacular of our groups are thysanotus or fringe lilies, so named because the petals are heavily fringed. They are either tufted perennials or produce a scrambling stem.

There are probably 18 to 20 species, all with flowers of pale yellow or pale blue through to purple, or very rarely, white. In some instances the fringe of hairs is of a similar colour to the flower.

Another group is the flax lilies dianella, a genus containing about 24 species with thick, lanceolate-shaped leaves mostly varying in length from 15cm-50cm.

However one species, dianella tasmanica, pictured above, forms a tight clump of foliage up to 150cm and produces masses of glossy deep blue, cherry-sized, berries.

Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is inviting the community to join a special free lunch event and shared storytelling at the Kyneton Town Hall on Friday 22 March to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week.

Cultural Diversity Week is an annual state-wide celebration held in March that recognises the value cultural diversity brings to our community.  Its timing coincides with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March.

In partnership with Regional Victorians of Colour, Kyneton Community House and The Kindness Collective, the council will bring together culturally diverse people living in the community to share their stories along with information from the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health.  

The event will also feature a lunch lovingly prepared by community chef Valme, who will bring a taste of the Philippines to the town hall.

The council’s community director, Maria Weiss, said the event reflects this year’s theme of Our Shared Stories – Celebrating Together and will be the first since the council adopted its inaugural Cultural Diversity Statement in 2023.

“Council is committed to promoting an inclusive community ensuring that people of all faiths, cultures, languages, genders and abilities are welcome and connected,” she said.

“We warmly welcome everyone to join us in this inclusive event to celebrate and reflect on the value what cultural diversity brings to our community.”

According to the latest 2021 Census data, overseas-born residents living in the Macedon Ranges form about 13 per cent of the population, with non-English speakers representing about 4.5 per cent.

The free event will be held from 11am-2pm.

Easter is just around the corner, which means CFA volunteers are about to hit Victorian streets and rattle tins to fundraise for the annual Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal.

For 73 years, CFA has been a proud major fundraising partner of the Good Friday Appeal, raising over $37 million since 1951.  

Last year, CFA brigades helped raise a massive $1,606,287 for the appeal by volunteers shaking tins on fire trucks, standing at traffic lights, in camping grounds and at clubs. 

Today, CFA Deputy Chief Officer Alen Slijepcevic was joined by Caroline Springs brigade members 1st Lieutenant David Topp plus firefighters Jake Busutill and Stephanie Robson to help launch the appeal. 

They were joined by faces of the appeal Emily and Finley and their families.  

Caroline Springs brigade has raised $96,434.47 in total for the Good Friday Appeal, edging closer to the $100,000 milestone. 

Captain Anthony Jenkins is the new Collection Group Manager for the brigade.   

The father-of-five also has a strong connection with the hospital, one of his daughters helped by the team there.  

“My daughter, just 18 months then, had her finger cut off and reattached by the plastics team at the Royal Childrens after an accident with a door. She is 13 now and you’d barely know it’s been reattached,” he said.  

“I am so grateful for the appeal and the hospital especially after seeing first-hand the good work they do. They make you feel so comfortable as a parent too.” 

DCO Slijepcevic said he was extremely proud of CFA’s long-standing relationship with the Good Friday Appeal.  

“The remarkable thing about our volunteers is that not only do they give up their time to volunteer with CFA, they also happily give their time to fundraise for causes like the Appeal,” he said. 

“It’s a cause close to the hearts of many of our members – whether they were former patients at the hospital or have family who have been touched by the RCH’s world-class service. 

“We’re incredibly proud of our members’ continued fundraising efforts and pleased to once again support the Good Friday Appeal in 2024.” 

Hussy Hicks, the dynamic duo of Leesa Gentz and Julz Parker, have conquered the last decade of the Australian music industry with their unique blend of folk, blues, country, and roots.

With their innovative approach and relentless drive to stretch themselves creatively, Hussy Hicks have continued to innovate and push boundaries with their music and projects, captivating audiences all over the world.

They are set to perform at The Palais, Hepburn on Saturday, March 16.

This will be a special night with the full band and special guest Kelly Brouhaha, an accomplished acoustic guitarist with a vocal so powerful the audience is sometimes left in tears.

Brouhaha has racked a string of major festivals in 2023 including Gympie Music Muster, Woodford Folk Festival & Groundwater Music Festival.

Folk, blues & country audiences alike are discovering a modern day Brandi Carlile / Chris Stapleton and it’s easy to see why audiences across Australia are banding together at her infectious live shows.

Grants of up to $150,000 are available to eligible producers of commercial horticulture crops, excluding wine grapes, to purchase and install new netting over established production areas.

The program now includes a self-installation allowance for growers who wish to self-install netting.

Applications close 8 April with more information about the program available by visiting the Horticultural Netting Grants for Victorian Horticulturalists on the Agriculture Victoria website.

The program is delivered by the Victorian Government on behalf of the Australian Government and is likely to be of interest to quite a few commercial horticultural producers in the wider Hepburn shire area.

The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting the community to comment on a draft O’Keefe Rail Trail Plan to guide the ongoing development, management and promotion of the 49 kilometre trail, which runs from Bendigo to Heathcote.

The trail is one of Greater Bendigo’s primary nature-based attractions for both local residents, and visitors to the region for walking, cycling, trail running and horse riding in some sections. 
 
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said significant infrastructure and investment to develop the O’Keefe Rail Trail into what it is today, has already taken place and the draft plan aims to build on this to ensure that the trail can achieve its full potential as a sustainable recreational and tourist trail into the future.

“The draft plan outlines some key actions to improve the way the rail trail is governed, managed, maintained, promoted, funded, activated and evaluated,” said Cr Metcalf.

“The recommendations and content of the draft plan will help create clarity with the City and the O’Keefe Rail Trail’s key stakeholders, and reaffirm the City’s commitment to working with the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail group.

“Having a plan will ensure that a clear, proactive and planned approach is taken to the ongoing development and management of the O’Keefe Rail Trail to help promote increased usage by local residents and visitors to the region.” 

Key actions and elements of the draft Plan include: 

• Improving amenities along the Rail Trail (toilets, drinking fountains, wayfinding signage and seating) 
• Improving safety along the Rail Trail (improved road crossings at high traffic areas, reviewing areas of shared use with motor vehicles)
• Ongoing management including detailing how the City will manage and maintain the Rail Trail along with confirming a commitment to continued working with the Friends of the Bendigo Kilmore Rail Trail (FBKRT) 
• Ongoing marketing and promotion of the Rail Trail 
• Defining level of infrastructure and maintenance service standards to help clearly define the expectations for the Rail Trail.

Residents and other interested parties are able to inspect and make comment on the plan by visiting the City’s Let’s Talk website and providing feedback by Friday March 22, 2024.

Greater Bendigo residents are invited to have their say on the potential sale of a number of City of Greater Bendigo owned properties.

The properties potentially for sale are located at:

• 53 Eaglehawk Road, Ironbark
• 10 Sibley Place, Strathdale
• 101 Alder Street, Kangaroo Flat
• 3-4 Lindsay Court, Strathfieldsaye
• 5 St Johns Close, Kangaroo Flat
• 17 Edwin Street, North Bendigo
• 11 Carolyn Way, Maiden Gully
• 27 Hamelin Street, White Hills 

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf (pictured above) said following an ongoing review of council owned property holdings, a number of properties have been identified that are not planned for future use, in line with any City strategies or plans. 

“The properties are potentially surplus to the city’s needs and the city may sell them by private treaty, public auction or other arrangement with the proceeds of any sale to be set aside and used for future strategic land purchases,” Cr Metcalf said.

“The city has a commitment to consult with the community in line with its community engagement policy and the Local Government Act 2020 and residents are invited to make any comments on the potential sales by Monday April 1, 2024.

“All comments and submissions we receive will be considered and a report will be prepared and presented to the council to inform them of all feedback.

“Council will not make any decision on the potential sales until all community comments have been considered.” 

Comments and written submissions can be submitted by 4pm Wednesday April 3.

Scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have achieved a breakthrough in molecular plant pathology, marking a technological leap forward for breeding durable disease-resistant crops.  

Plant pathogens – organisms which cause plant diseases – greatly reduce agricultural productivity and are a persistent threat to global food security.  

Annually, rust pathogens lead to crop losses of US$1 billion worldwide.  

The scientists developed a novel rapid gene-screening platform which can identify new avirulence (Avr) effector genes in plant pathogens, building on decades of CSIRO research in synthetic biology, genetics and molecular plant pathology. 

CSIRO’s Dr Peter Dodds, co-lead of the project, said the new method will have a huge impact on future pathogen-resistant crop development. 

“Our advanced screening technology represents a technological leap forward in our ability to study the processes that give plants enduring resistance to disease, enabling new genetic strategies to safeguard crop production and disease management in Australia and abroad,” Dr Dodds said. 

“This method enables high-throughput screening of complex genetic libraries in a plant’s cellular environment at an unprecedented speed. This enhances the ability to select more disease-resistant crops and aids efforts in pathogen surveillance. 

“This technology positions CSIRO to tackle important biosecurity challenges as climate change increases risks for disease outbreaks.

“We have been able to identify several new fungal Avr effector genes in the wheat stem rust pathogen, reducing the time from years or even decades to mere months.”

Words and Image: CSIRO

Skills and achievements of younger Victorians will be on show right across the state later this year at a month-long festival supported by the state government.

Grants of $2000 are now available for youth organisations, local government and schools in
Macedon to partner with Victorians aged 12 to 25 in creating youth-specific events. But the chance to secure one will close soon.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said funding of $220,000 would be available for
up to 110 events that will be designed for and by young Victorians.

Youth Fest kicks off in September, with the investment aimed at supporting young people to organise
and deliver events, showcase their skills, share ideas, build social connections, and expand their networks.

In 2023, the Youth Fest program funded 111 activities including those focused on art, music,
sport and theatre, as well as recreational and community festivals, giving young Victorians
the chance to have their voices heard.

Applications are open until 15 March. To apply and to find out more about the grant program,
visit https://www.vic.gov.au/youth-fest-grants.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “Victorian Youth Fest gives local young people the chance to forge connections not only with their peers but also their community, as well as to lead positive change.

Go out and visit a wine region. A leading wine CEO is pleading with Australians to buy local red wine in support of grape growers facing tough years ahead.

“The best thing that consumers here in Australia can do is to get out and go to a region and visit a cellar door,” said Lee McLean, chief executive officer of Australian Grape & Wine, Australia’s national association of winegrape and wine producers.

Many larger producers and their army of growers are suffering. They once relied upon the Chinese export market worth $1.2 billion, but those days are over.

There is now a wine glut and red grapes will not be picked this vintage. You might not have noticed this glut in our local regions. The majority of these are populated with small, boutique wineries and it is not these that are suffering.

McLean is talking about larger areas such as the Murray-Darling which covers areas in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

A petition entitled “Save Riverland Wine” has begun, requesting government to cover the cost of harvesting shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. Not to be made into wine, but to be picked and dropped on the ground. Such is their plight.

So, plan a road trip along the Murray and call into some cellar doors. Grabbing a bargain is often hard to achieve these days.

Sadly, wines are often cheaper at the big wine retailers than direct from the winery, but at least you get to taste them before buying. At the cellar door it is worth asking the question – “is this exclusive to cellar door or is it available in retail and, if so, why should I buy direct?”

Maybe weigh up the benefits of joining a cellar door club. Often you are rewarded with discounts or special offers. One of the best clubs in Victoria is run by Tahbilk at Nagambie.

Trentham Estate on the Murray has a range of wines including a good varietal example of sauvignon blanc and nebbiolo. Or simply delicious on a hot day is their Frizzante Maestri, a sweet red that is served chilled.

Andrew Peace Wines in the Swan Hill region produce a quaffable range of well made wines under the Masterpeace brand priced at $15 a bottle. Some other brands in their portfolio are sold as low as $75 a case through the website.

Alternatively, look further afield at McLaren Vale wines. With the next vintage upon them they are moving the 2022 and 2023 vintage reds out.

Clive Hartley is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant. His Australian Wine Guide (7th ed) is available for purchase from Paradise Books in Daylesford or via his website – www.australianwineguide.com.au

Visitors to this year’s Ballarat Begonia Festival are being encouraged to be a “super sorter” and put their waste in the right place.

A dedicated Sustainable Environment Ballarat stall at the festival, run by the City of Ballarat, will feature a fun, educational and interactive game that challenges participants to correctly sort their waste into the four waste streams – general waste, recycling, garden organics and glass.

Placing items into the correct bin prevents contamination including general recyclables, garden organics and glass. Contamination contributes to more waste going to landfill.

At last year’s Begonia Festival, 2.1 tonnes of general waste and 5.3 tonnes of recyclables were collected, highlighting the importance of effective waste management.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson (pictured above) tested out the new interactive game with local children recently.

Cr Hudson said the game, set to be featured at the Sustainable Environment Ballarat stall, is a fun way for both kids and adults to test their super sorting skills to win prizes and be a champion for the environment.

“I encourage everyone to come along, test out their sorting powers and be a super sorter who is working to help save the environment,” he said.

“The better we sort our waste, the more we can recycle and that means less waste that goes into landfill – and more waste being reused and repurposed.

“It’s never been more important to reduce and reuse our waste and this game is one out of a range of fantastic sustainability initiatives taking place at this year’s Begonia Festival.”

Sustainability initiatives at the Begonia Festival include:

• Six waste stations located across the festival site with staff available to help guide patrons to dispose of their waste into the correct bin – including general waste, recycling, garden organics and glass.
• All packaging sold from food vendors and stallholders will be recyclable or compostable.
• Local company ‘GroundUp Coffee Recyclers’ will collect the used coffee grounds from the coffee vendors, which will then be delivered to regenerative and small-scale farmers in the Ballarat region.

Trentham’s Cosmopolitan Hotel is holding an inaugural International Women’s Day Charity Lunch in Trentham on Friday, March 8.

The hotel will host a three-course lunch and the event will feature guest speakers and music from the Castlemaine Chamber Orchestra.

The historic hotel will host a delicious three-course lunch with free-flowing drinks from event partner Shadowfax Wines and the debut fundraiser includes a cocktail on arrival from the drink sponsor Big Tree Distillery.

Proceeds will go to Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Family Services and Housing Support programs which provide support to women and children experiencing family violence.

Tickets are available through www.humanitix.com

Media professional and transgender legend Julie Peters will share her story at the first Birds of a Feather event for 2024at the Victoria Hotel, Woodend this Thursday, March 7 from noon.

Julie worked at the ABC for 50 years and in her late 30s became the first employee there to openly transition.

She is also a doctoral researcher in public health and the anthropology of gender/transgender, a teacher, sessional academic, cabaret performer, writer, parliamentary candidate and environmentalist.

The event is organised by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Country LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Program. Entry is free with meals and drinks at bar prices.

RSVPs are essential and may be made via www.trybooking.com/CPDVW with any queries to Belinda at belinda.brain@scchc.org.au or call 5421 1666.