A CFA volunteer firefighter and breast cancer survivor has shared her story and the support she received with the hope she can help others in a similar situation.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, last month, Dandenong volunteer Rachel Rendall wanted her fellow CFA firefighters to be aware of the financial support available to them through the State Government’s presumptive rights compensation scheme, which assisted her during the fight for her life.

Rachel Rendall has been a CFA volunteer firefighter since 2004. She discovered her devastating cancer diagnosis in June 2022 which turned her world upside down.

“It was a shock to hear the news. There is no family history of cancer. I was worried about how I would cope during treatment and what my prognosis would be,” Rachel said.

“My treatment began in July 2022 and I completed active treatment last month. I’m now considered ‘cancer free’ and I’m currently celebrating this milestone in Scotland with family.”

Prior to Rachel’s diagnosis, she was aware of the presumptive rights available for a list of cancers, but she assumed it was mostly applicable to men. It was her 1^st Lieutenant who encouraged her to investigate, and they found that breast cancer was one of the listed cancers.

She promptly applied for compensation by submitting her medical records and her case was successful.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how simple and quick the process was,” Rachel said.

“I believe I’m one of the first female CFA volunteers to receive compensation through the presumptive rights scheme and I began to wonder if, like me, other women weren’t aware they could qualify.

“I really want to encourage other women to apply, as it has made a huge difference to the financial and personal stresses that go with treatment.

“I really hope my story helps other women with their cancer journey and I hope the process is as smooth as it was for me.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the presumptive rights scheme is important legislation for our members who are suffering a firefighting-related cancer or may be impacted by cancer in the future.

“I’m really pleased to hear how successful this process was for Rachel and other firefighters who have also benefited from the scheme,” CO Heffernan said.

“The State Government recently announced the addition of three more cancers which means 15 types of cancer are now on the list, further supporting the lives of our firefighters.”

Presumptive compensation means an eligible firefighter doesn’t have to prove that firefighting is the cause of their cancer when they make a claim.

The City of Ballarat says it is on track to meet almost all of its goals outlined in its 2019 Creative City Strategy.

Ballarat City Council at its recent Octber scheduled meeting endorsed the results of the 2022/23 Creative City Strategy Report Card, noting the progress that has been made towards achieving the seven targets outlined in the strategy.

The Strategy includes ambitious targets for the City of Ballarat’s Creative City unit to reach by 2030, which seeks to make Ballarat a city that nurtures the creative spark, builds sustainability within the creative industries, and actively grows the creative economy and practitioners.

Some of the targets designed to deliver positive effects for the sector have already been met and most are on track for completion well in advance of 2030.

The targets that are performing well are based around increasing community participation in creative programs, increasing the numbers of employed artists, tripling attendances at events, increasing cultural tourism and foot traffic in the creative precinct and attracting more qualified professionals to Ballarat’s labour force.

However, there was a downward trend in the target to achieve 3000 jobs in creative industries by 2030.

In line with a national downward trend in creative job losses, there has been a 15 per cent drop in full-time creative jobs, however more positively there has been an 18 per cent increase in self-employed creative jobs, bringing the overall total to 2427 creative jobs in Ballarat.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said there was incredible progress being made towards making Ballarat “the home of the sustainable practitioner”.  

“Every year we are seeing Ballarat become increasingly creative as the city establishes itself as a city with creativity at its heart,” he said.

“It’s extremely promising to see the goals that were set back in 2019 coming to fruition and while we acknowledge there is still plenty of work ahead of us, the positive signs are there.

“There are still a number of challenges facing the creative industry, including economic downturns, dramatic changes in audience behaviour, and continued recovery from the pandemic, but it is crucial the work we have started continues.”

The CFA’s Oscar 1 took out the Overall Safety and Fire Exercise awards at the 30th Victorian Mine Rescue Competition held in Stawell in recent days. 

VMRC is an annual safety training exercise, which pits mine rescue and emergency response teams from Victoria and New South Wales against each other in a series of simulated emergency situations.      

Organised by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), it also provides an event for mine rescue teams and emergency services to share knowledge and experience.  

James Sorahan, Executive Director of the MCA (Victorian branch), said teams were tested across six different scenarios, including road crash rescue, rope rescue and search and rescue underground.   

“One of the special parts about the competition is that we do have several scenarios at an operating mine site and underground. Lots of teams say it’s the best training they get all year,” he said.  

Oscar 1 is a volunteer technical rescue team with underground mine and tunnel rescue capability.  

Making his fourth appearance in the competition, Trent Dempster was CFA’s Oscar 1 team captain for the weekend.  

“For us it’s the closest thing to real-life training you can possibly get,” he said.   

Mr Dempster said the team, made up of seven members, was ecstatic to finally take out the fire safety award.  

“The fire award is one that we chase. We get told we should win it every year and we don’t. This year we came out on top, which is fantastic,” he said.  

Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville Gold Mine won best overall at the event, followed by Mandalay’s Costerfield Operations in second place and CSA Cobar in third. CFA’s Oscar 1 came in fourth.  

CFA Oscar 1 Captain Daniel McMahon said he was proud to have the team compete, they showed tremendous dedication and teamwork. 

“Thank you to everyone who has supported Oscar 1 and congratulations to the team on their excellent performance.” 

CFA’s Stawell Fire Brigade assisted by setting up a car fire scenario and also took the opportunity to set up the community engagement van at North Park for the duration of the competition. District 16 also provided a new heavy tanker to display during the event that was held last month. 

A big summer of cricket awaits at Ballarat’s Victoria Park following the completion of a project to construct four cricket nets.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson and CEO Evan King were joined by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison in recent days to officially open the Victoria Park Community Cricket Nets project.

As part of the $5.8 million Victoria Park Sport and Community Facility, the project worth almost $500,000 will provide three new nets for the Lucas Cricket Club and another net for community use.

The City of Ballarat contributed $397,808 to the project, while the State Government contributed $100,000 via its 2022 Community Cricket Program – Community Facilities stream.

The project replaced existing cricket nets which were no longer fit for purpose.

The completion of the nets follows the recent opening of the adjacent pavilion on Military Drive and the completion of two soccer pitches that double as a cricket oval in summer.

Three of the nets will be dedicated for use by the Lucas Cricket Club, with the fourth being accessible to the entire community. The Ballarat Cricket Association will also hold female representative team trials and training sessions at the site.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the new nets were part of a suite of new facilities being rolled out in the municipality.

The City of Ballarat has also completed the Russell Square and Doug Dean Reserve cricket nets in the last 12 months and is currently constructing nets at Mt Clear Recreation Reserve.

“Seeing these projects come to life makes me incredibly proud because I know just how much benefit they will bring,” Cr Hudson said.

“The Lucas Cricket Club has more than 100 active players, but I’m sure those numbers will grow even further when people see facilities like this.

“The Victoria Park Community Cricket Nets project is another sign of our commitment to delivering a better Ballarat.”

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said the project would benefit both the Lucas Cricket Club and the broader community.

“This is great news for the Lucas Cricket Club who now have a fantastic new facility to practice their batting and bowling and for the wider community who will benefit from access to the dedicated publicly accessible lane,” she said.

“I am proud that the Allan Labor Government’s Community Cricket Program – Community Facilities stream is supporting local cricket clubs and players in Ballarat.”

Lucas Cricket Club president Dave Horwood said the nets had already had a massive impact on the club.

“The new cricket nets at Victoria Park have given our club a massive boost of enthusiasm and morale,” he said.

“Player numbers are up, training participation numbers have doubled and junior participation has increased three-fold, including an increase in our girls cricket program.” 

The Ballarat City Council has endorsed several changes to its kerbside waste and recycling services.

Endorsed at the council’s recent scheduled October meeting, the changes include:  

• The introduction of a weekly food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collection.  
• Household waste collection frequency to change from weekly to fortnightly.
• The introduction of a monthly residential glass bin collection.

The collection of comingled recycling will continue on a fortnightly basis.  

The City of Ballarat will implement the FOGO and household waste service changes at a date to be determined. The exact timing will be dependent on a range of factors, including the City of Ballarat being able to engage a suitable FOGO processor in the region as well as procuring bins and caddies, and the development and implementation of a comprehensive community education campaign.

Meanwhile, council officers will assess the impact of the State Government’s Container Deposit Scheme that was due to have commenced as of Wednesday, November 1, 2023, before implementing the kerbside glass collection service.  

The changes to kerbside waste and recycling services follow the introduction of new State Government policy, which require councils to transition to separate glass and FOGO collection services.  

The City of Ballarat had conducted several rounds of community engagement on the kerbside transition, which garnered high levels of participation from residents.  

Members from VIPER taskforce executed 16 warrants across regional Victoria, including Ballarat, last week as part of the ongoing Taskforce Lunar investigation into organised crime syndicates linked to illicit tobacco.

Members of the taskforce were joined at the warrants by police from the Shepparton, Seymour, Yarrawonga and Ballarat Crime Investigation Units, along with representatives from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and the Australian Border Force’s Illicit Tobacco Taskforce.

Police attended 16 stores in Ballarat (8), Shepparton (6) and Seymour, Yarrawonga last Thursday, 26 October.

As a result, the following was seized:

• 39,184 e-cigarettes (vapes) with a street value of over $1.1M;

• 611,833 cigarettes with duty excise evaded totalling over $760,000;

• 153kg of loose tobacco with duty excise evaded totalling over $280,000; and

• Over $16,000 cash, which police will allege to be the proceeds of crime.

An additional thirty six warrants had been executed on Wednesday (18 October) and Thursday (19 October) of last week at 34 retail outlets and two residential properties across Melbourne.

Six people were arrested over the two-day period, with a 40-year-old Northcote man charged in relation to drug trafficking offences.

The other five people were released pending further enquiries.

The combined seizures of the four day operation include;

• 92,331 e-cigarettes (vapes), with a street value of over $2.7M;

• 1,324,268 cigarettes with duty excise evaded totalling over $1.6M;

• Approximately 901kg loose-leaf tobacco – with duty excise evaded totalling $1.6M;

• 2kg of cannabis;

• 1kg of cocaine;

• $42,901 proceeds of crime;

• 2 x ASP batons; and

• industrial tobacco manufacturing equipment.

The warrants form part of the Taskforce Lunar investigation into organised crime syndicates believed to be heavily involved in the illicit tobacco trade and an ongoing dispute for profit.

These warrants were executed with the support of the Australian Border Force’s Illicit Tobacco Taskforce and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who has information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward.

Anyone with information about these incidents or with further information about illicit tobacco is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report via the Crime Stoppers website.

Central Highlands Water earlier this week announced that Megan Collins has been appointed as its new Head of Water Supply Services.

Megan brings significant leadership and expertise, with in-depth knowledge of our business, having worked in various roles within CHW’s Laboratory team for 25 years.

As Head of Water Supply Services, Megan will now be responsible for leading and supporting the delivery of outstanding Water Supply Service outcomes to CHW customers and communities, through collaborative relationships, technological innovation and investment in water quality and security.

Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad seized 14 firearms and a range of drugs following a search of a property in Gordon, just out of Ballarat, last week as part of an investigation into firearms trafficking and manufacture.

A warrant was executed at the Portland Flat Road address on Thursday, 26 October after information was received from the ABF.

During the search of the property, police located seven handguns including four home-made weapons, four longarms, three imitation firearms, a home-made flame thrower, firearm parts, ammunition, a 3D printer and equipment.

Police also located more than 70 mature cannabis plants, cannabis saplings and a small quantity of methylamphetamine.

A 47-year-old Gordon man was arrested and interviewed by police. He was subsequently charged with the following:

• Possess a traffickable quantity of firearms

• Prohibited person possess a firearm

• Manufacture a firearm

• Possess parts for manufacturing a firearm

• Prohibited person possess an imitation firearm

• Prohibited person possess a prohibited weapon

• Possess cartridge ammunition

• Cultivate cannabis

• Possess cannabis

• Possess methylamphetamine

The man has been bailed to appear at the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court on 15 December, 2023. The investigation remained ongoing.

The Illicit Firearms Squad is based within Victoria Police’s Crime Command and targets the manufacture, trafficking and use of illicit firearms across Victoria.

Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report via the crimestoppers website.

Central Highlands Water says it’s thrilled to have been named as a finalist across three categories at the AWA Victoria Gala Dinner & Awards held last week, Thursday 26 October.

CHW’s Ballarat Sewer Build Project was recognised for delivering prosperity and sustainability as an Infrastructure Project Innovation Award finalist.

Building essential community infrastructure for the future, the Ballarat Sewer Build is the duplication of the Ballarat East and Ballarat South sewer lines. Throughout this project, we are working alongside community interest groups to closely focus on environmental and heritage values.  

This major project is an investment of more than $25 million and will service the Ballarat community for another 100 years. Ballarat’s population has grown from 22,000 to 117,000, since the original sewer pipe was constructed, nearly a century ago. 

Improving outcomes for our communities, Yarrowee River Rehabilitation Project was shortlisted as an Organisation Excellence Award finalist.And, after more than 30 years of service to the water industry, Jason McGregor, CHW’s Emergency Management Specialist, was named as a Water Professional of the Year finalist.

 

The state government says it’s delivering on its promise to improve access to health care for
more Victorians, with community pharmacists across Macedon able to provide treatment
and advice for a range of common conditions as of earlier this week.
Premier Jacinta Allan and health minister Mary-Anne Thomas marked the start of a 12-
month pilot to give Victorians more choice in accessing basic primary care, especially for people struggling to access an affordable or bulk billing GP close to home.
Services include advice or treatment for women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections
(UTIs) or a resupply of their existing contraceptive pill without needing a prescription – with
a broader public health vaccination offering, travel health consultations and treatment for
mild skin conditions to roll out in coming weeks and months.
Part of a $20 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2023/24, around 400 pharmacies
across the state have signed up for the pilot, with another 200 set to join the program in
coming weeks. Pharmacies who have not yet joined are encouraged to still sign up, even as
the pilot gets under way.
Importantly, Victorians won’t be charged for a pharmacy consultation for UTIs, mild skin
conditions or a resupply of the contraceptive pill – pharmacies may charge a fee for a travel
health consultation and vaccinations, while the cost of medication will remain the same as a
prescription from a GP.
To be eligible to participate, all pharmacists are required to successfully complete
mandatory training in the piloted services and demonstrate they are well equipped to know
if someone should be referred to a GP or hospital. They must also prove they have the
appropriate facilities within the pharmacy, like a private consulting room.
The pilot is being guided by expert advisory and clinical groups representing Victorians and
the pharmacy and medical professions, including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia,
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
At its conclusion, the pilot will be evaluated, and any recommendations will help inform
longer-term decision making around the role of community pharmacists.
Following a decade of inaction in primary care from successive Federal Liberal governments,
it is harder than it has ever been to access a GP – let alone one who bulk bills.

The Kyneton community came together in recent days for a celebration of First Peoples’ culture, and to launch a new series of ongoing creative community events at the Old Kyneton Primary School site.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas attended the event which was the first in a
series of community focused activities aiming to open up the much-loved site to the
community while construction works continue on the heritage bluestone building.
The free event featured a performance of Ngarrandjeri/ Djab Wurrung/Gunditj Mara
musican and dancer Amos Roach in collaboration with Kulin Nations dance troupe
Murrundaya Yepengna Dancers.
Future activations will nw take place on two Saturdays each month through until March 2024
and local creative and community groups werre encouraged to submit proposals for activities.
The early Early Activation Program is being delivered by prospective site managers, Working
Heritage and is supported by the state government through Creative Victoria.
November and December dates are now confirmed with events today and 18 November
focusing on activities for young people and families and events on 2 and 16 December
celebrating the theme ’Radio GaGa’ including radio workshops, choir singalongs and a
Christmas-themed “crafternoon”.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas: “This Old Kyneton Primary School project is about revitilising the site for the people of Kyneton and creating a vibrant new creative drawcard for the region.
“This event is the first of many as part of the activation program which will bring the site to
life and provide opportunities for local creatives to showcase their talents.”

Hepburn Shire councillors have met with local community groups to acknowledge their ‘outstanding work and commitment’, after the council awarded them a share of $38,900 in Biodiversity and Landcare Grants.

The councillors congratulated the following groups who have all received biodiversity grants for 2022/23:

• Blampied-Kooroocheang Landcare Victoria Group Inc. for their project Saving Private Banksia – “Clohsey-Banksia SPA” Stage 2 – $4,803.36
• Daylesford College in partnership with Central Highlands Rural Health for their project Mow 2 Grow Outdoor Classroom – $4,803.36
• Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group for their project Glenlyon Pollinator Corridor Project – $4,788.95
• Bald Hills – Creswick Landcare Group Inc. for their project Food and Fibre forest, incorporating a Yarning Circle at Creswick – $4,803.36
• Eco Warriors for their project Planting the Seed – Helping School children Create a Living Classroom – $4,800.96

The following groups received $1,000 Landcare grants:

• Bald Hills – Creswick Landcare Group Inc.
• Blampied – Kooroocheang Landcare Group Inc.
• Cornish Hill Committee of Management
• Friends of Cornish Hill
• Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group
• Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare Group
• LVI – Mt. Bolton/Beckworth Landcare Group
• Rocky Lead Landcare group
• Shepherds Flat Landcare
• Trentham Public Purpose Reserves Committee of Management
• Ullina Landcare Group Inc.
• Wattle Flat-Pootilla Landcare Group
• Wombat Forestcare Inc.

The Great Dividing Trail Association also received a community grant of $1,953.50 for their project to improve signage and the visitor experience along the Lerderderg Track.

Police earlier this week arrested a man in Harcourt North following the death of a 46-year-old woman in Kangaroo Flat over last Sunday night.

The 44-year-old Junortoun man was arrested by police at a reservoir near Hardcourt North Road, with the assistance of Air Wing about 5.00am on Monday.

Emergency services were called to a home in High Street following reports a woman had been injured about 11.50pm.

Local police attended the scene and found the Kangaroo Flat woman unresponsive.

The woman was taken to hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Two primary school aged children found in the home at the time weren’t injured.

The area has been cordoned off and a crime scene has been established.

Detectives along with Major Crime Scene Unit officers will process the scene.

The Junortoun man is currently assisting police with their enquiries. It is believed that the parties were known to each other.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Fifteen different local landcare, friends groups or networks will benefit from close to $60,000 worth of funding that’s just been awarded through the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s annual Environment Group Support Grants.

Alongside recipients of Landcare and Environmental Friends Group Support Funding (up to $800) and the Strategic Weed Partnership Program(up to $1,500), nine unique community projects will become a reality through the new Biolink Boost Grant (up to $5,000), co-funded with Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Limited and Bendigo Bank.

The newly awarded grants were announced last week at the council’s scheduled October meeting.

Also tabled was the Annual Environment Report 2022-23, which outlines the council’s progress towards achieving the vision and the objectives of its environment strategy.

Some of the key highlights include the adoption of the Counting Down to Zeroplan, more than 22,000 natives planted along priority waterways and a reduction of 7.5 per cent to the total amount of kerbside general waste.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s flagship storm waste facility now has a trio of awards to its name, after picking up another accolade at the recent 2023 Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Tidy Towns & Cities Sustainability Awards.

Taking out the EPA Waste Prevention and Reduction category, it’s the facility’s third award following recognition in the Health & Safety Excellence (Small to Medium Enterprise) category at the 2022 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards (in partnership with Tree Mason and Action OHS Consulting) and the Special Projects Initiative category at the 2023 LGPro Awards for Excellence.

Located near Romsey, the council-managed facility was developed out of the need to respond quickly to the severe destruction caused by storms in June 2021, with a focus on eliminating green waste by creating repurposed products for impacted councils and communities.

CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said the council was thrilled that the storm waste facility had been recognised for another award and that it again highlighted the benefits of regional scale, upcycling products back to affected landowners and a strong partnership between local and state government.

“This invaluable project was made possible through a strong collaboration between Council and a number of hard-working Council staff, Emergency Recovery Victoria and the community,” he said.  

“We were not only able to act swiftly to solve a major problem in a very practical and cost-effective way, but the most pleasing thing is to have been able to give back to affected communities.”

Since its implementation, the facility has processed over 65,000 tonnes of tree and storm debris, while returning recycled or repurposed products back to impacted communities with a total market value of over $35 million, including:

• timber for community projects
• fencing supplies and retaining wall sleepers
• stakes for Council tree planting programs
• free firewood for nearly 2,000 Macedon Ranges residents
• 90 truckloads of root balls to enhance fish breeding habitat within rivers and water systems
• hundreds of cubic metres of sawdust for local pig farmers
• ·over 180,000 cubic meters of mulch.

“The facility sets a new standard for post-disaster clean up and is a model that could be easily replicated anywhere, so hopefully our learnings will also help give other councils an idea for a practical solution for emergency recovery, should they ever need it,” Mr O’Sullivan said.