CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has released new research that’s expected to help Australians start healthy weight loss in 2023 by tackling one of the biggest obstacles to successful dieting: cravings.

Off the back of the findings, CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet has launched its new Fast Start program. It’s an alternative way for Australians that are overweight or obese to make sustainable, safe and healthy diet changes.

A recent survey of 330 Australians revealed that 66 per cent of respondents reported a constant struggle to resist higher levels of cravings, while 82 per cent said it would be easier to lose weight without cravings.

With one in five of this group also reporting more than 25 attempts to actively manage their weight, CSIRO conducted a follow up study to explore alternative ways they could better curb their cravings and avoid derailing their weight loss.

The follow up study asked participants to engage in three weeks of partial meal replacement, before making a fully supported transition into the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet’s high protein, low-GI wholefoods program. Evidence shows that people who start strong in the first three weeks of a weight loss program go on to lose 3.5 times more weight after 12 weeks, than those who struggle to get started.

On average, participants that completed the study lost 4.1kg in the first three weeks of using meal replacement shakes within their diet, and 80 per cent of people reported feeling better at controlling their cravings. By week six, participants lost an average of 5.9 kg, two-thirds achieved a clinically significant weight loss, and confidence in their ability to resist cravings increased by 19 per cent.

CSIRO Research Scientist and report author, Dr Gilly Hendrie said the findings were a welcome development in providing an alternative start to weight loss for some Australians, that better suits their needs and lifestyle.

“With 67 per cent of Australians overweight or obese it’s more important than ever that scientists continue to find new ways to help people lose weight.

“There is no one-size-fits all approach to healthy weight loss. We know that people who experience higher than average cravings not only have more weight to lose, but also lose less weight than others,” Dr Hendrie said.

“The evidence from our study shows that a supported transition using meal replacements to a wholefoods diet can help people lose weight, learn to eat well and adopt healthy practices.”

Through this new alternative approach, the Fast Start program offers members the option of using meal replacement shakes (taken two times a day for three weeks), before transitioning to the standard high protein, low GI wholefoods program.

The Hepburn Shire Council has confirmed it’s secured a handy $300,000 from the state government to help local businesses provide outdoor furniture and inject mre life into its streetscapes.

The state’s COVID Safe Outdoor Activation Fund aims to support businesses in their recovery from COVID.

The council undertook an expression of interest process for eligible local businesses across the shire to participate in the program to receive outdoor furniture as part of the program and received 42 eligible applications.

Businesses were able to choose from a range of outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas, umbrella covers and lights, heaters and displays racks.

Furniture was ordered, sorted, and delivered directly to each of the participating businesses, including 99 tables, 190 chairs, 17 umbrellas/bases, 58 heaters and other items.

As part of the program the council also purchased 24 new locally made single rubbish bins and installed 43 planter pots and plants across the main town streetscapes, with a further 58 locally made Corten steel planter boxes and plants to be installed.

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said that the funding also provided an opportunity to support our local businesses by waiving the street furniture and A-frame permits.

“We are also pleased that the funding has also allowed us to bring some vibrancy to the town streetscapes providing planter pots and boxes, bringing some colour and life to our streets while also significantly reducing permit fees paid by local businesses,” said Cr Hood.

One participating business made the following statement:

“Hepburn Shire thank you very much for the hard work you put into arranging for the outdoor furniture for my shop under the program. Thank you for the delivery of them also.”

In 2023, Council will be engaging with the community and business owners in a separate project to develop a policy on outdoor dining and other temporary and permanent fixtures on road reserves.

Residents throughout the length and bredth of Hepburn Shire are being invited to attend an upcoming free community event to congratulate the shire’s community award winner for 2023 – and welcome its newest citizens.

Hepburn Shire Council is encouraging locals to lock the date in their diaries and be sure and get along.

The free event will be held from 2pm on Wednesday 25 January at Daylesford Town Hall.
Refreshments will be provided.

“At the event we will be announcing our Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year
and Community Event of the Year,” said Mayor, Cr Brian Hood.

“This wonderful event is an opportunity to celebrate people who make a real difference
in our community. We would love community members to come along, welcome our
new citizens and congratulate the award winners,” said Cr Hood.

“Thank you to those who made a nomination and we extend our congratulations to the shortlisted nominees.”

The 2022 Community Award winners were Danny Moynihan – Citizen of the Year, Katie Topp – Young Citizen of the Year, and Feast on Fraser Street – Christmas in Clunes.

2023 short listed nominees include Citizen of the Year nominees: Terry Bolton, Gayle Chappell, Michelle Clifford, John Drife, Margaret Giles, Natasha Hall and Jennifer Hind.

Young Citizen of the Year nominees: Flossy Haughie, Lucinda Lowe, Atticus Punt-Trethewey and Sasha Taylor.

Event of the Year: AltWave Youth Music Event, CresFest, Reconciliation Walks and Wombat Trees Community Project.

Melbourne Embona Taskforce officers are appealing for assistance from the public following a robbery in Southbank last month.

Investigators have been told a woman was walking to her car in a multi-level car park on Whiteman Street when she was approached by a man on 3 December about 1am.

The man, who came up behind the woman, attempted to pull the woman’s bag from her shoulder.

A short struggle occurred and ended when the chain on the bag broke and it fell to the ground.

The thief swooped in and grabbed the woman’s purse before running away.

He is perceived to be Caucasian, aged 25-30-years old and was wearing a white ‘Levi’s’ t-shirt and blue shorts with a white stripe.

Investigators have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquires.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via Crime Stoppers online.

Detectives from Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team are appealing for public assistance as part of their investigation into a report of a sexual assault in Elwood which occurred in 1981.

Investigators have been told a 23-year-old St Kilda woman was in Grey Street, St Kilda sometime in February when she got into a car with an unknown man about 10-11pm.

The man then drove to Horry Lane in Elwood where he sexually assaulted her.

She left the car and made her way to a nearby house and asked for assistance.

The residents offered to drive the victim back to her hotel and on the trip back she told the residents what had occurred.

Investigators are keen to speak to the residents who assisted the woman on the day.

The matter was not reported to police until recently and a number of enquires have been made but have so far been unsuccessful.

Detectives have released a computer generated image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

The offender at the time was perceived to be Caucasian, in his 20s with a round face, medium build and brown hair in a short “pageboy” style haircut.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report via Crime Stoppers online.

Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a burglary at a business in Sydenham in November.

Investigators have been told two men attended a hairdressers on Overton Lea Boulevard about 10.45pm on 14 November.

They broke into the premises, armed with storage crates, and removed hair products worth $25,000 from the shelves.

The men then left the store.

Detectives have been told there was another burglary at the same premises on 27 October where hair products were also stolen.

Officers are investigating if the incidents are linked.

Investigators have released CCTV footage of two men they believe may be able to assist with their enquires.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via Crime Stoppers online.

Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the theft of a trailer and go-kart in Kew East last month.

It’s believed three offenders parked a vehicle on Wright Street just after midnight on 1 December.

Two males and a female got out of the car and walked to a nearby property where they pushed a trailer, containing the go-kart, toward their parked vehicle.

One of the males reversed the car up to the trailer where they connected it and drove off toward High Street.

The car is believed to be a dark-coloured 2004-2007 Volkswagen Touareg.

The first male was smoking and is described as 180cm tall with a medium build wearing a light-coloured cap, light-coloured pants, light coloured shoes/ sneakers with a dark strip on the side.

The second male was smoking and is described as about 170cm tall with a medium build and was wearing a head torch, light coloured hooded jumper with large non-descript logo on the front, dark coloured pants and light-coloured lace up shoes/ sneakers.

The female is described as having a thin build and was wearing a light-coloured hooded jumper, light coloured puffer vest, light coloured leggings.

The stolen trailer is a white custom-made box trailer bearing the registration Z40364.

The trailer contained a Kosmic go-kart and associated equipment to the total value of approximately $30,000.

Investigators have released images of what is believed to be the offending vehicle and a likeness of that vehicle.

They have also released images of the stolen trailer and kart.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report via Crime Stoppers online.

Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Team detectives are appealing for public assistance following an indecent exposure at Half Moon Bay in Black Rock in December.

Investigators have been told a man entered the water and approached two teenage girls who were swimming on Wednesday 21 December 2pm.

The man pulled down his black coloured swimwear and exposed his genitals to the girls who swam away.

The male exited the water, collecting his belongings from a rock before walking in the direction of the local lifesaving club.

Investigators have released a computer-generated facial image and two images taken at the time of a man who may be able to assist with their enquiries.

The man was wearing a white hat, sunglasses, dark blue t-shirt, black shorts and pull-on work boots and has a tattoo on his upper right arm.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at Crime Stoppers online.

Wangaratta Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a woman following an alleged hit-run in the early hours of New Years Day, last Sunday, January 1.

A car allegedly struck a pedestrian following an altercation on Acacia Street about 12.40am on Sunday, 1 January.

The female pedestrian was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the car allegedly fled the scene, then later handed herself in to police.

The 21-year-old Cobram woman has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and recklessly causing serious injury.

She had been bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 6.

Gisborne Library and the Gisborne Gazette are calling for entries into the Gisborne Writing and Illustration Challenge.

It’s a chance for locals to flex their creative talents, take inspiration from the theme ‘summer’ and possibly end up taking home one of five appealing prizes.

• Poetry (adult)
  Max. 40 lines
  Prize: $100
• Short story (adult)
  Max. 1000 words
  Prize: $100
• Short story/creative writing (13-17 years)
  Max. 1000 words
  Prize: $80
• Cartoon or manga strip (9-12 years)
  Max. 5 frames
  Prize: $50 book voucher
• Book cover design (5-8 years)
  Title: Gisborne’s Greatest Day!
  Prize: $50 book voucher

Entries open: Monday, 19 December 2022
Entries close: Monday, 27 February 2023

Entries can be submitted in person at Gisborne Library, or via the library’s online link.

Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man following a fatal stabbing in St Albans in recent days and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via Crime Stoppers online.

A 26-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested in Mernda last Monday.

He has been charged with murder, intentionally cause injury and bail offences.

He has been remanded in custody to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

The charges follow an incident on 30 December where a man was found injured in the vicinity of St Albans Road, between Princess and Percy Streets, about 10.50pm.

It’s alleged the 32-year-old St Albans man was stabbed following an altercation with several males.

He was taken to hospital where he later died.

Investigators are not looking for any other persons in relation to this incident.

The Goldfields Libraries and Eaglehawk Festivals Inc. are calling for entries from writers all over Australia for the annual Mulga Bill Writing Award. 

Writers are encouraged to take inspiration from the theme ‘gold’, and submit a poem (max. 25 lines) or short story (max. 2000 words).

Writers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to apply. Entry fee is $5.

Entries opened Thursday 1 December, 2022.
Entries close Friday 3 March, 2023.

• Short story: $500 first prize, $150 second prize
  Selected by local author and writer, Lauren Mitchell
• Poetry: $200 first prize, $50 second prize
  Selected by award-winning poet and writer, Lorraine Marwood

Winners will be announced at at the Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival in March 2023.

Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit detectives charged four men following an alleged serious assault outside a nightclub in Toorak in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

A 23-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman left a licensed premise on Jackson Road and got into their parked car which had several men leaning against it about 3am.

It’s alleged that when the 23-year-old man got out of the vehicle and asked the group to move so they could leave, he was assaulted by the four men.

The Footscray man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Endeavour Hills woman sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Detectives have charged four men in relation to the incident.

Two Dandenong men, aged 22 and 19, have both been charged with recklessly cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, affray and assault.

A 20-year-old from Dandenong North and 19-year-old from Dandenong have been charged with recklessly cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, affray, assault and commit indictable offence while on bail.

All four men were remanded and were listed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last Monday.

Victorians are being urged to never leave kids or pets in hot cars and to follow simple steps to stay safe from the heat this summer, as new data reveals there has been 113 callouts to locked cars in November alone.

Ahead of this summer’s first run of extreme heat, Minister for Ambulance Services Gabrielle Williams in recent days has launched the Survive the Heat and Never Leave Kids in Cars campaigns.

Last summer, Ambulance Victoria paramedics were called to 410 reports of people locked in cars across the state and children below the age of 13 made up 92.5 per cent of cases.

A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult, and the temperature inside a parked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than it is outside. That’s why parents should always take their kids and pets with them whenever they get out of their car – just as they do with their valuables.

Parents – and pet owners – should also be aware that leaving the windows down has little effect on the inside temperature, with tests showing that when windows are left open 10 centimetres, the inside temperature will only reduce by five degrees.

Extreme heat kills more Victorians than any other natural disaster with heatwaves particularly dangerous when coupled with high overnight temperatures as they can interfere with our body’s natural ability to cool down and cause heat illness.

Heat illness can include heat cramps and heat exhaustion – which, if left untreated, can lead to heatstroke. Heatstroke is fatal in up to 80 per cent of cases, but it is preventable.

There are simple steps we can all take to reduce the chance of heat illness like staying hydrated, spending time in cool, air-conditioned buildings, planning ahead and keeping up to date with weather forecasts and checking in on those most at risk in the heat like older people or young children.

Call triple zero (000) if you or someone you know is showing signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. You can also speak to NURSE-ON-CALL (1300 606 024) or your doctor for general medical advice during extreme heat.

Minister for Ambulance Services Gabrielle Williams: “All Victorians can stay safe this summer by following simple steps to beat the heat – drink plenty of water, stay somewhere cool, and plan ahead.”

“It’s simple: never leave your kids alone in a car – the consequences can be deadly.”

It’s quite literally at the root of all agriculture. Soil and its intrinsic value has prompted a new push to make funding for a soils education and competition program available for every agricultural show in Australia. 

The Grains, Oilseeds, Pulses and Soils Learning Program uses competitions to give young people aged up to 25 the opportunity to learn about soil quality and its importance to the entire agricultural sector. 

The program has been developed by Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA), the peak body overseeing 572 agricultural shows in Australia, which attract six million visitors annually and contribute nearly $1billion to the national economy. It is encouraging local shows to host the competitions within the newly developed guidelines and “how to guides”; and helping the royal shows and state bodies host finals.

A grant of $3000 is available from ASA to royal shows and state entities to kick-start state-wide competitions relating to grains, oilseeds, pulses and soils. The project is jointly funded through Agricultural Shows Australia, and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. The Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia is partnering with the initiative as it is rolled out across Australia. 

After a successful trial at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2022, the competition will again be trialled in ASA’s National Young Judges finals to be held at the 2023 Royal Launceston Show. Big plans are in place for the program’s long-term future. 

“It went really well at the Royal Adelaide Show and the national group has committed to a national young judges competition in 2024 focussing on grains,” Katie Stanley, ASA’s executive officer, said. 

“We have a lot of resources now available that are there to help young people understand what we’re trying to achieve with these competitions and how they can participate in a really easy manner.”

“It’s very easy for a local show to run, so we’re hoping all local shows run one in 2023.”

Instructional videos, online guides, handbooks and factsheets developed by ASA also equip show organisers with all the information they need to run a successful competition. From the regulations and checklists to judge’s markups, it’s all covered. 

Over 40 minutes competitors use a variety of techniques to determine a soil type and its key features. They deliver their verdict during two minute presentations, with the winner’s title being presented to the competitor who comes the closest to the official soil classification. 

ASA has also partnered with Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) to deliver a host of educational resources. From soil statistics – just one teaspoon boasts more living organisms than there are people in the world – to recipes and quizzes via QR codes, PIEFA delivers the goods on the grains, pulse and oilseeds that grow to produce the foods we love to eat. 

To learn more about the grains and soils competition, and the funding opportunities, head to agshowsaustralia.org.au