US-born blues and soul singer Oscar LaDell brings his band The Earth Tones for their first appearance at Palais-Hepburn later this month.

Drawing influence from the greats of 20th Century American Roots Music, LaDell and The Earth Tones play The Palais on Friday September 29 in what promises a night to remember, filled to the brim with grooves and ballads.

LaDell (pictured above) is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who brings a timeless vulnerability and passionate approach to his original blend of Soul, Blues & Roots. Hailing originally from Denver Colorado, LaDell grew up in Purakaunui in the South of Aotearoa.

Drawing from the moody and poignant scenes of his home, LaDell writes, plays and sings with incisiveness and depth. With his band The Earth Tones, Oscar’s live shows are incendiary sermons of soul, blending swaying grooves with dynamic storms of guitar and organ, all tied together by Oscar’s magnetic voice.

This month’s September 29 Palais gig gets going from 6.30pm.

Up to 700 participating Victorian and interstate emergency services members climbed the stairs of Crown Metropol in Melbourne earlier this month, to raise money and awareness for mental health and cancer research.

The 10^th annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, organised by the 000Foundation took place on September 2 and raised a total of more than $605,000.

This year’s beneficiaries are Lifeline, Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and 000Foundation.

The challenge saw firefighters get into 25kg of protective gear and race up 28 floors of the tower one-by-one.

CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook said it’s positive to see emergency services personnel come together in person to support such a worthwhile cause.

“Our members are enthusiastic participants of this event and it’s great to see their contributions make a difference by raising money and awareness for mental health programs and cancer research,” he said.

Firefighters and emergency personnel from all over Australia flocked to Melbourne to be part of the stair climb.

CFA firefighters climbed alongside members from FRV, FFMVic, Victoria Police, VICSES, Ambulance Victoria and members from Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and New Zealand.

Since the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb Challenge began in 2014, the event has raised more than $3.5 million, benefitting charities and organisations such as Alfred Hospital Burns Unit, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Lifeline, Black Dog Institute, Emergency Services Foundation and 000Foundation.

The CFA proudly achieved third place overall in this year’s Emergency Services Blood Challenge, behind NSW and Victoria Police.

Team CFA saved around 3000 lives by making more than 1000 donations.

The overall contribution by CFA members included around 600 plasma, 390 whole blood and 15 platelet donations between 1 June to 31 August.

The drive encouraged emergency service members to make a significant contribution to those in need by donating blood and plasma.

Greenvale firefighter Simon White made his first-ever blood donation during this year’s challenge.

“I’ve been wanting to do it for a while and being from the UK during the outbreak of mad cow disease prevented me for many years,” he said.

“This year, they lifted the restriction and I was excited to help out.

“If you’ve got an opportunity to help someone else, such as donating blood, then for me it’s a no-brainer.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, who personally made a donation this year, said members should be proud of the contribution they’ve made and the positive impact it’s had on those in need of blood.

“Our members really get behind initiatives that benefit the community and this is no exception,” he said.

“While the blood drive has concluded this year, I hope many of our members can keep up these good habits and continue donating blood, if they can.”

For more information about the Emergency Services Blood Challenge and how to make a blood donation yourself, visit the Lifeblood website at www.lifeblood.com.au.

Victoria Police is urging the community to recognise the signs of elder abuse with the number of people subjected to the crime on the rise.

Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show the number of elder abuse victims over the age of 65 has increased by more than 40 per cent in the last five years.

In the year to March, there’s been a total of 5739 reports. Two thirds of victims are women and a third are male.

Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is often carried out by someone they know and trust, such as family, friends or carers.

It’s a complex, hidden crime – which can occur regardless of a person’s gender, sexuality, culture, ethnicity, religious or socio-economic background.

Elder abuse also takes many forms and usually doesn’t occur in isolation. Examples can include financial, physical, emotional or psychological, social, or neglect.

• Financial abuse: using someone’s money, property or other assets illegally or improperly or forcing someone to change their will or sign documents. Police are seeing cost of living pressures contribute to an increase in reports of financial abuse.

• Physical abuse: includes assaulting or causing personal injury to a family member or threatening to assault or cause personal injury

• Emotional or psychological abuse: behaviour by one person towards another person that torments, intimidates, harasses or is offensive to the other person. May include threats to pets or to withhold access to loved ones such as grandchildren

• Social abuse: Stopping the older person from participating in usual forms of enjoyment

• Neglect: failing to provide the basic necessities of life, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Victims of elder abuse are typically reluctant to report this type of crime as they do not want to get their family member into trouble or because they are dependent on the perpetrator for care or company.

Victoria Police is committed to responding to all forms of family violence and is calling on senior Victorians to report any form of abuse they might receive from family members, carers or friends and if they need help.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing elder abuse or in any case of emergency, contact Triple Zero (000).

Victorians can also contact Seniors’ Rights Victoria on the organisation’s free confidential helpline: 1300 368 821 or visit seniorsrights.org.au for further advice.

Family Violence Command Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway: “Elder abuse can happen in a number of settings and can often be at the hands of a family member or even a paid carer.”

“Some abuse involves psychological manipulation and intimidation – the threat that if you don’t do this or that, we will put you in an aged care home.”

“There could also be adult children trying to sell the house without consent, or maybe the older family member is forced into childcare or other work against their will.”

“All of these forms of abuse fall under the umbrella of family violence and should be reported to police because any attack on an elderly person or any other vulnerable person within our community is unacceptable.”

“We encourage senior Victorians to contact police if they are being abused, as well as any community members who have concerns about possible elder abuse.”

Now is the time for Ballarat residents to provide feedback as to how the city should grow towards 2041.

Consultation has officially opened on the city’s Draft Ballarat Housing Strategy 2023-2041.  

As Ballarat continues to grow and change it is important that there is a plan in place to guide population growth and residential development in line with community needs and values, while also helping the city and townships evolve in a sustainable manner.

The City of Ballarat wants to ensure that the Draft Ballarat Housing Strategy protects the valued natural and built form assets of the municipality now and for future generations.

The Draft Ballarat Housing Strategy has been informed by a broad range of strategic background studies and reports, the strategic vision from the Ballarat Strategy 2040, the City of Ballarat Council Plan 2021-2025 and State Government policy and guidance.

Community feedback is welcomed on a range of issues the draft strategy addresses, including neighbourhood character, the targeted split of greenfield and infill development, and how accessibility is measured.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said hearing from Ballarat residents is the next stage of helping shape how the city will grow.  

“We know that we are continuing to grow” he said.  

“This is one of the most significant pieces of work this Council will undertake. Strategic Planning is incredibly complex and a lot of valuable work has been done to get to this stage.

“We have now reached the point in the process where it is time for our community to be engaged, so please give us your thoughts on the draft strategy.  

“Have we got it right? What should we change? What do you like?”

Drop-in sessions to ask questions in person are being held at a range of locations across the municipality during September 2023. The sessions are all between the hours of 2pm and 7pm.  

Locals are being invited to drop in for a chat with the City of Ballarat Strategic Planners over a cup of coffee and refreshments:

• 12 September, at Sebastopol Library
• 14 September, at the Buninyong Town Hall
• 18 September, at the Ballarat Bowling Club, Havelock Street
• 19 September, at the Brown Hill Community Hall
• 21 September, at Sebastopol Library
• 26 September, at Ballarat Bowling Club, Havelock Street

Those interested can also review the documents, have your say, or ask a question online at the City of Ballarat’s Mysay page.  

Frank and Luke Commisso are just one of the many wonderful family pairs within CFA.

The father and son, Frank, 72, and Luke, 38, are 1st Lieutenant and Captain, respectively, of North West Mooroopna Fire Brigade. 

Inspired by Frank’s brother Mario to join, the pair have been on more than 100 strike teams between them in their 20-year span, including the 2009 fires, the Hazelwood coal mine fire and the 2022 floods, which heavily impacted their local area. 

Luke recounts a funny moment from his time on a strike team to the Hazelwood fire. 

“We’re known to squabble a little bit here and there, being father and son,” Luke said. 

“I was about to step on the bus and the bus driver stood up, stepped in front of the door, looked at us and said, ‘any squabbling, any jokes, anything from you two and you’re off the bus’, and everyone just laughed because they know exactly what we’re like.” 

Frank said both him and Luke like to keep morale up on strike teams – situations they acknowledge can often be quite difficult. 

“If morale is up, you’ve got good firefighting – so that’s really important to both Luke and me,” Frank said. 

Luke said that his favourite part about volunteering with his dad was having someone to support him at all times. 

“I think just knowing that I’ve got good support beside me, it’s good knowing that I’ve got him by my side,” Luke said. 

Frank echoed Luke’s statement. 

“We know each other’s strengths and we know what the other one is capable of, which helps us on the fireground,” Frank said. 

Both Frank and Luke say the best part of volunteering as a whole is knowing that, at the end of the day, you’ve helped someone. 

“It’s a great feeling, giving back and knowing you’ve helped someone – and it encourages you to keep going and get out there and do more. It gives you that motivation to keep going,” Luke said. 

“As well as that, the leadership skills I’ve developed through the CFA are absolutely incredible.” 

A community guide to renewable energy has just been released to facilitate ongoing community energy projects across the central and western Victoria.

The guide has been commissioned by BREAZE Inc. and produced by Hepburn Energy as part of its work for the Grampians Community Power Hub. The purpose of the guide is to inform local people and groups in the regions about community energy, appropriate technologies, models and processes for delivery.
The guide provides:
–  Context and background information on the energy system
–  Information on technology and models
–  Examples and case studies of community energy projects
–  Advice on how to deliver a project
–  Links to other resources.
 
You can download a pdf of the Guide here.

There has been a significant rise in visitor numbers to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, showing a positive trend in audiences returning post COVID.

Newly released figures show that during the 2022/23 financial year, the Art Gallery of Ballarat had 113,734 visitors, averaging 9,479 visitors per month.

The annual visitation represented a 33 percent increase on the previous year and indicates the gallery is well on the way to getting back to pre-COVID visitation levels, when almost 190,000 visitors were recorded in 2018/19.  

The Art Gallery of Ballarat Shop also achieved a significant increase in revenue in 2022/23, recording a 32 per cent increase in revenue on the previous financial year.

City of Ballarat Councillor, Cr Mark Harris praised Gallery Director Louise Tegart and the entire team of staff for their hard work and outstanding results.

“The Art Gallery of Ballarat is such an incredible asset for the entire city and to see it performing so well is a justification of all the crucial background work over many years,” he said.

“The programming that we saw in 2022/23, most notably our collection exhibition Beating about the Bush showcasing Australian impressionist paintings and contemporary photography and the paired exhibitions Pre-Raphaelites: Drawings & Watercolours and In the Company of Morris, were both an outstanding success.

“It’s an exciting time for the gallery and the future is looking very bright with a new strategic plan also underway.

“I’ve been told that what is motivating the gallery team now is how much more can be done with this work already completed. There are exciting plans for the years to come.”

Highlights from the 2022/23 financial year included:

• Pre-Raphaelites: Drawings & Watercolours and In the Company of Morris: The Pre-Raphaelites was a touring exhibition from the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. It was presented in Australia exclusively by the Art Gallery of Ballarat. In the Company of Morris showcased an exhibition of historical and contemporary Australian artworks demonstrating the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites and in particular William Morris. Both exhibitions were run concurrently.
• Partnership with multiple City of Ballarat events: including the Skywhales launch at the Eastern Oval for the 2022 Ballarat Winter Festival; an Art Gallery of Ballarat outreach activity in the Botanical Gardens for the Ballarat Begonia Festival; hosting the launch of the Be Hear Now music festival and presenting a series of events for the Ballarat Heritage Festival. The Art Gallery of Ballarat also partnered with the City of Ballarat Early Years team to present an outdoor Family Day and Ballarat’s Biggest Playgroup 2023.
• A $50,000 grant through the Department of Transport’s Flexible Local Transport Program: The grant program helped address issues preventing those in regional and remote areas from attending the Art Gallery of Ballarat. The funding enables the gallery to host students from schools that don’t usually have the resources to travel for a gallery visit. During 2022/23, the scheme brought in 527 participants from 21 schools from Western Victoria, who travelled a total of 2,648km with an average cost of $1,151.09 per trip and program continues into the current financial year.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is currently a key venue for the Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2023, presenting the high-profile international exhibitions People Power – Platon and Instant Warhol exhibitions as well as five other exhibitions, including of works by local Ballarat artists.  

Results of two projects funded under the Hepburn Shire’s 2022 Biodiversity Grant program and completed in June are in.

Daylesford Primary School developed a biodiversity education program including the design and planting of a wildlife garden featuring local native plants.

“The area has been transformed from an empty space into a lush garden and continues to grow successfully,” a school spokesperson resports.

“As you can see, the students are super proud of the impact their work has had on biodiversity at our school! Their involvement with this project is something that they will take with them throughout their lives.”

Wattle Flat Pootilla Landcare used their grant to co-fund replacement of an ageing activities trailer. The organisers commented:

“Having all of our items in the trailer takes some of the pressure off the committee when planning, and on event days as everything is organised and in the one place.”

The next Community Biodiversity grant round will open early in 2024 and fund up to $5000 per group for biodiversity-related works.

The Distant South plays The Daylesford Hotel next Saturday September 16.

It’s a free gig featuring two sets by the group which has a limied edition album pressed on beautiful 180g vinyl and featuring the single“Forgive & Forget” and 10 other original songs, including the sensual “Black Smoke Rise” and brooding “All Our Kin”.

Combining the earthiness of folk, the lament of country and the authenticity of stories that you just know are true, The Distant South have been sweating it out in some of Victoria’s best venues over the last two years – honing their sound and their songs to the delight of a growing audience.

The Distant South play stories in song – covering the many elements of the human condition. Love, loss, depression, hope and hopelessness. Childhood and adulthood and the fear and accomplishment of reaching middle age. Songs are written with an authentic voice and brought to life with acoustic guitar, banjo, double bass, drums, violin and soaring harmonies. 

Last year saw The Distant South finish recording their debut, self-titled album with Myles Mumford at Rolling Stock Studios with mastering taken care of by Adam Dempsey at Deluxe.

Influences on the band include artists such as Sierra Ferrell, liz Stringer, Jason Isbell, Kerryn Fields & Gillian Welch. Acoustic by nature – but never shy to rock out with a Telecaster and a solid backbeat – melody, harmony and emotive lyrics are the artefacts that define the sound of The Distant South.

Next Saturday’s gig at The Daylesford happens in the front bar and it gets started from 5pm.

A father who suffered a cardiac arrest while driving home from work a few months ago has in recent days reunited with the emergency services responders who saved his life.

On 18 June, Bryde McNamara was only a few hundred metres away from his home when he suffered a cardiac arrest and veered off the road, down a three-metre embankment and into a building at Healesville High School.

His family heard the crash and rushed to help, with his son Kayden calling Triple Zero (000).

Bryde’s wife Jess and a bystander started CPR before paramedics arrived on scene.

Healesville Fire Brigade volunteer Graeme Bates said the CFA crew arrived on scene shortly after Ambulance Victoria and they assisted paramedics with CPR and the medical response.

“The school oval was a great resource for the Ambulance Victoria helicopters. They were delivering blood and I was assisting pumping the blood into Bryde,” Graeme said.

“SES and CFA worked together to secure the wall of the building so the bricks wouldn’t collapse.

“There was a lot happening and it was a great multi-agency effort.

“It’s rare for someone in this situation to survive so he was lucky to have age on his side and a quick response by family and emergency services.”

Bryde and his family met with his first responders last Sunday on Father’s Day which was an emotional reunion. The whole family expressed their heartfelt gratitude.

The Hepburn Shire Council says it’s working to help local families with babies make the shift to using cloth nappies in order to help reduce waste to landfill.

In recent days it’s been publicising some of ways that local residents can make the switch. 

Cloth nappy workshops have been offered to provide an overview of the benefits of modern cloth nappies, reusable wipes and swim nappies. Those interested in attending future workshops are being invited to email bins@hepburn.vic.gov.au.

The council has partnered with the Good for the Hood @Home online program which has recorded online talks on cloth nappies and sanitary items that residents can catch up on, as well as opportunities to continue the conversation with the experts and local community members.

The council says it’s now keen to hear where residents are at on their nappy journey and how it can support them. The council is urging locals to complete its survey on Good for the hood @Home platform  for a chance to win one of three modern cloth nappy starter packs.

The Hepburn Shire Council says it’s now offering free access to a circular economy platform called ASPIRE for all organisations and businesses with 20 employees or less.

The online platform facilitates business-to-business trades in resources that would otherwise end up in landfill, demonstrating that one business’ trash may be another’s treasure.

With ASPIRE’s successes in saving businesses money and avoiding thousands of tons of materials going to landfill, the council is reporting that it is “excited to see what we might be able to achieve in our shire to close the resource loop in the food, agriculture, construction and tourism sectors”. 

Local businesses with more than 20 employees can still gain access to the platform, but at a small cost, the council says. To learn more or to join your organisation or business to the platform contact the council’s Circular Economy Officer, Jodi Newcombe.

A multi-agency rescue effort has saved a puppy from a mine shaft at Maldon in recent days.

The CFA was called to a dog trapped down a mine shaft located off the South-Parkins Reef Road at Maldon on Father’s Day, Sunday September 3, just after 4.20pm.

​Firefighters found the dog ‘Marah’, a 12 month old Labrador, had fallen around 25 metres down the mine shaft.

Marah went missing during a Father’s Day bush walk and was found around 300 metres away from where the family were walking.

CFA’s specialist mine rescue team, Oscar One, was called to the scene.

​Atmospheric monitoring was undertaken while crews prepared to enter the mine.

​CFA, SES and FRV crews worked together to safely rescue Marah from the mine shaft.

The excited puppy was glad to be reunited with family and was lucky to have no injuries.

In the last financial year, 165 kilometres of environmental weed control was carried out on approximately 2,500 km of Hepburn Shire-managed roadsides, the council is reporting.

It says these works contributed to agricultural biosecurity, biodiversity protection, reduction of bushfire hazard and increase in amenity.

Contractors conducted mechanical grooming and/or chemical application according to the weed level and native vegetation.

Works are overseen by the shire’s Environmental Works and Biodiversity officers with the shire’s Infrastructure Team and funded by a combination of the shire’s budget and the state-funded Roadside Weed and Pest Program.

The shire aims to grow the proportion of roads that are patrolled and maintained, ultimately reducing the need for expensive intensive treatments. This goal will be developed through the Roadside Conservation Plan from the Council’s 2021-2026 action plan.