Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a burglary in Dandenong North earlier this month.

An unknown male has approached a property on Bellbird Drive at 2.44am on 3 December and has immediately tried to tamper with the CCTV cameras.

The male is then believed to have broken into a shed on the property, removed items and placed them in a nearby street to come back and collect.

The stolen property was never collected by the offender, but a stolen vehicle was recovered nearby which may have been used in the burglary.

The male is described as having a thin build with a beard and was wearing a Nike beanie, light-coloured t-shirt, shorts and shoes and a short-sleeved vest.

Investigators have released footage and images of a male they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Victoria Police’s Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have recently charged a man following a crash in Licola over the weekend of December 10-11.

It is alleged a Holden utility was travelling along Tamboritha Road when the driver lost control and crashed down an embankment before landing on a boulder about 3.30pm on Saturday 10 December.

The male driver managed to get out of the car and raised the alarm.

His passenger, a 23-year-old Leongatha man, was airlifted to hospital where he was earlier reported to be in a life-threatening condition.

A 26-year-old Leongatha man has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury.

Victoria Police say they’ll be doing their best to drive down road trauma during the high-risk Christmas period as Operation Roadwise commenced last week.

The statewide road policing operation, which kicked off on Friday, comes as the number of lives lost in Victoria reaches 236, already surpassing last year’s total of 234 and sitting well above the five-year average of 221.

The operation will see police provide highly visible enforcement on Victoria’s major arterial roads and highways in an effort to reduce road trauma and detect dangerous drivers before someone is hurt.

Police intelligence shows there is an increased risk of impaired driving associated with end-of-year work and social functions, with vulnerable road users like pedestrians also deemed at risk, particularly around busy shopping centre precincts.

Last year almost 130,000 motorists were tested for alcohol and drugs during Operation Roadwise, with police anticipating the increase to a 12-day operation this year from 10 days will likely see even more motorists undergoing tests.

With 40 per cent of last year’s Operation Roadwise infringements issued for speeding, police are reminding motorists to keep the foot off the accelerator to avoid a costly Christmas – the penalty for speeding by more than 10km/h but less than 15km/h is $370 and three demerit points, with those exceeding the speed limit by more than 25km/h facing even more significant penalties and a suspended licence.

Mobile phone use continues to be a major contributor to road trauma, with 536 mobile phone infringements issued to drivers during last year’s operation. The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving is $555 and four demerits.

Police are urging motorists not to ignore the warnings around road trauma, with 25 lives lost during December last year.

The operation commences at 12:01am on Friday 16 December and concludes at 23:59pm on Tuesday 27 December.

Police enforcement will continue throughout the New Year period, particularly in coastal locations and holiday hotspots.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads during the festive period, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.

Quotes attributable to Acting Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Justin Goldsmith:

“The level of road trauma we’re experiencing this year is quite alarming – we’ve already surpassed last year’s total lives lost, and concerningly there are still a few weeks remaining in the year. We’re also trending well above the five-year average.

“Nobody is immune from road trauma – it is something that impacts all of us, and it’s up to every road user to do their bit to keep themselves and other road users safe. We don’t want to see anybody else succumb to road trauma this year, particularly at Christmas.

“For those who simply choose to ignore the road rules – your Christmas will be costly. The penalties for speeding, drink and drug driving and using your mobile phone are significant, and we make no apologies for enforcing these rules – it could save someone’s life.”

It’s a great last minute Christmas gift idea for the person who has everything – and packs some timeless food for thought to boot.

Renown Aussie actor David Wenham has been lured back to the stage by the role of cantankerous Scrooge in an adaptation of Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella, written by Jack Thorne and directed by Matthew Warchus.

A Christmas Carol, which is playing at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre through to December 29, is taking Wenham back to his first love: theatre and the timeless classic holds messages which seem just as relevant today as when Dickens penned his Yuletide classic.

In this production, Wenham says, he is revelling in the language of both Dickens and Thorne, who adapted the novella for London’s Old Vic Theatre, where it premiered in 2017 starring Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill).

Wenham aims to be faithful to Dickens’s description of Scrooge: “He’s ‘scraping’, he’s ‘wretched’, he’s ‘solitary as an oyster’. They’re delicious words to work with as an actor.”

“[He’s] a wonderful character to sink my teeth into,” Wenham says.

“Characters that were at the extreme ends of society or the personality spectrum have always appealed to me.”

Over the course of the play, set on Christmas Eve, the wealthy miser Scrooge is visited first by the ghost of his late business partner, Marley, and then by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future, who confront him with his behaviour and encourage him to make amends. By the end of the show, he’s a changed man.

Wenham says: “We see him at the beginning with seemingly no redeemable qualities whatsoever. He is selfish, he’s insular, he is secretive, he is unremorseful … By the end of the play, he is exactly the opposite: he’s benevolent, he is open, you couldn’t find somebody who is more joyful than Scrooge.

Damo is headed to the Woodend library in the new year to help keep local kids entertained with a free gig during the summer school holidays.

The Damo: Music for Kids free gig is part of the Goldfields Library Corporations free events program and will feature the much loved Melbourne singer-songwriter dispensing plenty of positive musical vibes.

The interactive performance is suitable for kids aged three-seven and is all about having fun, celebrating diversity and being true to yourself.

Damo’s debut album is Find Your Feet, as heard on the ABC Kids Listen app.

The upcoming free gig happens Thursday, January 19 2023, 2pm – 3pm with bookings online via the Goldfields Library Corporation website and eventbrite.

Talbot Farmers’ Market is expected to draw a bumper pre-Christmas crowd this Sunday, December 18.

Organisers say this Sunday’s market is a great opportunity to grab some quality Christmas gifts for loved ones with all the fresh and artisan produce that for which the local monthly event has become famed – from fresh bakery goods, plants stalls and organic produce to homemade conserves.

The Talbot farmers Market market began in 2004 as one of the earliest farmers’ markets in regional Victoria, supporting local and regional farmers, growers and artisan food producers.

The dog-friendly market that also features live music happens 9am-1pm on the third Sunday of each month.

Junior exhibits at the Kingston Agricultural Show are only open for 6-15 year olds. So things were not looking good for five-year-old Lyra and her Elizabeth duck. That’s the breed, not the name.

But big sister Ivy jumped in to show it for her, and the ribbons and shy smile of pride tell the story.

Kingston Agricultural Society president Fraser Hutchinson said the 153rd show, held on December 10 and 11, attracted more than 600 visitors to the family day on Saturday, including 217 children.

The following day, the show was focused on Kingston’s renowned horse show which is a state qualifier with over 100 classes. There were a large number of horses entered, keeping judges and organisers very busy. 

“There were many first time visitors to the family day who took the chance to escape the city to enjoy a day in the countryside. It was great to see so many local families and visitors to the district chatting and enjoying the hands-on activities and events,” Fraser said.

“The heritage-listed grandstand provides a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the surroundings and the grounds were in perfect condition.”

In the marquee on family day, the crowd enjoyed live music presented by the Creswick Kids Choir, the Creswick Brass Band and Creswick’s Swingalong Ukestra.

One of the highlights was the Rural Schools Challenge, a new event designed to give local kids an opportunity to participate in the show.

Teams of five children competed in a series of theory, problem solving and obstacle challenges. The winning team was from St Mary’s Primary School, Clarkes Hill.

Another highlight was the Haymarket Dog High Jump which had nine entrants and attracted a large crowd to cheer them on. The winner was Champ owned by  Shane Nairn who jumped an impressive  1.72 metres without any fuss, pictured.

Shane ran working yard dog demonstrations throughout the day with mock trials showing how to tap into a working dog’s natural instinct and personality. This event was presented by the Ballarat and District Working Stock Dog Group.

The Kingston Rural Fire Brigade won the team event in the annual Tug of War.The men’s team winners were Shane Nairn and David Swain. The women’s team winners were Anna Thompson and Grace Calder. The mixed team winners were Anna Thompson and Fraser Hutchinson.

Poultry returned to the show this year with the Ballarat Poultry Society organising over 100 exhibits in the Selwyn Geddes Poultry Pavilion offering competitors a chance to connect with other breeders and to showcase their poultry. Champion Bird in Show was the Modern Game Partridge Hen exhibited by Paul Milne.

Words & images: Contributed.

Agribusinesses throughout Hepburn Shire who are looking to build or improve their supply chain are among others across the state being invited to register for this Friday’s launch of Agriculture Victoria’s new Traceability Information Hub.

Where: Online

When: Friday, December 16.

Time: 10 – 11am

The Hub is a new resource for industry to access traceability information. It aims to provide a central, online place to inform, educate and connect businesses along the supply chain.

Hepburn Shire Council has awarded a contract to construct the 60-kilometre Creswick
Trails Network to Australian company Dirt Art, a world leader in mountain bike trail
construction.
Dirt Art has constructed mountain bike trails overseas and around Australia, including at
Harcourt, the Grampians, Gold Coast, Thredbo and Tasmania.
“The 60 kilometres of mountain bike and shared trails will be an enormous drawcard for
Creswick and our Shire, bringing with it a host of economic, tourism and employment
opportunities,” said Mayor, Cr Brian Hood.
“As the venue for mountain biking at the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games, the trails
will put Creswick and Hepburn Shire in the global spotlight,” he said.
“The trails will contain a variety of ride experiences and difficulty levels. We know there
are plenty of people looking forward to trying out the trails once they are completed.”
The network’s planning and design occurred throughout 2019-2021 in consultation with
the community, multiple land managers, stakeholders and Traditional Owners, and
received a planning permit in early 2022.
The Network’s trails are mostly Green/Beginner (20%), Blue/Intermediate (42%),
Black/Very Challenging (13%) and forest road (5%). Approximately 30% of these trails are
designed and constructed to be adaptive and are suitable for use by hand cycles. Hammon
Park on Water Street in Creswick serves as the trailhead for the Creswick Trails.
Works are expected to begin on the trail network in early 2023. Construction will take around 18 months.

Landholders in flood affected areas including those throughout the Hepburn Shire may face a range of issues related to the storage and use of chemicals.

Weed, pest and fungicide spraying may increase after floods. There may also be increased need for chemicals used on livestock, for diseases such as flystrike. Follow the label and ensure you don’t use chemicals past their expiry date.

Floodwaters may result in different pests or diseases to those you usually manage. To minimise risks please only use chemicals according to the label instructions.

Comply with any “DO NOT” statements, including those relating to spraying near waterways or on saturated ground.

Be cautious when using spraying equipment on flood affected areas as it may be less stable than normal.

As large areas are saturated there may be an increased need for aerial spraying. 

If chemicals are contaminated or damaged due to flood waters dispose of them appropriately, for example via subsidised programs like ChemClear..

For more information on dealing with floods visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

With the recent flooding and significant rain events across the state, landholders throughout the Hepburn shire and surrounding rural areas, are among those who may now be worried about bogged machinery on their property.

The state’s Agriculture department has issued some advice to help. It includes:

Have a plan for recovery before starting work in the paddock:

• check conditions before entering areas where the ground could be boggy
• assess the situation:

1. can you wait for drier conditions?
2. can you dig out the farm machinery?

• think about maps to show boggy areas to contractors and employees
• reduce or remove weight from the machinery
• use suitable recovery equipment – check the ratings of straps and shackles so you know the working load limit (WLL) and break strength, and how to interpret for recovery
• minimise people in the recovery area
• check the communication between machinery operators, for example, use a phone or UHF radio
• use appropriate anchor points
• consider where (if any) weight can be added to the recovery vehicle
• consider which direction to tow the bogged machinery
• consider how the recovery vehicle will be positioned
• place a dampener onto the recovery equipment.

For more information visit  Worksafe’s agriculture page.

Police have been investigating a fatal house fire which occurred in Kyabram last Tuesday morning.

Emergency services were called to a fire at a premises on Unitt Street about 2.30am.

Fire crews extinguished the blaze and a deceased person was located inside.

A crime scene had been set up and detectives were attending on site last Tuesday, but at that stage, when Victoria Police issued a media release, the fire was not thought to be suspicious.

Anyone with information or CCTV/dashcam was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via Crime Stoppers online.

A Werribee woman won’t be driving home for Christmas this year after losing her licence following a crash last Monday evening.

It is alleged the female driver crashed into a parked car on Shaws Road in Werribee about 5.30pm on Monday, December 5, Police said.

Police were told the 28-year-old had spent the afternoon at a work function before deciding to get behind the wheel.

She underwent a preliminary breath test at the scene, then returned a reading of .288, police said.

Her licence was immediately suspended, and she is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving.

No one was injured during the incident.

Escape

by Jan Price

What is that
out there in the night
this side of that far field’s fence
where searchlight-lightning strikes
like a tossing military helicopter
over and down the backdrop mountain
stressing tall grasses whip whip whip
to strobe damp-yellow to dance
demented unable to flee their roots?
A chain of many follow
at single-minded pace
without detectable rush or debate
as if Gladys Aylward leads
a hundred orphaned children
through cutting chill over land into hills
covertly escaping the roaring enemy
ploughing trees down like a madman’s army
pounding earth rising water
mid-air out of a paddle pond
tearing snatches of moon to shreds
out there in the night
out there on this war-wild night.
Machine-gun wind rattles this roof
as a lightning fist assaults the earth
sets fire to gumtrees daylights the sky
trembles this glass out of its frame.
There they are! There they are!
A line of black-maned wood ducks!
Oh! How instinctively clever not to fly
not to fly out there in the night
out there on this ravenous night!

• Jan Price
  Jan lives in Ballarat and her poetry and cover-artwork continues to be published
  in Australia and the US. ‘Escape’ won first place in the Port Writers Open
  Literary Competition in Port Macquarie this year.
  

• Local Lines comes mainly from a group of local poets but other submissions
  are always welcome. To have a poem considered for publication contact Bill
  Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.co

If you plan to go bush this summer season, then filling out a trip intentions form might just save your life, Victoria Police say.

They’re advising that a trip intentions form should be completed and left with a reliable friend, family member or responsible authority. The contact person you nominate can raise the alarm if you haven’t returned and/or contacted them by the time indicated on the form.

More information about filling in a trip intentions form to help ensure you come back if you go bush – and things don’t quite go as planned – is available from the Victoria Police website.

This includes ensuring you research your trip using a current map and advice from experienced walkers and local authorities and that you understand the environment you are entering and risks associated with it.

“Plan for the unexpected,” Victoria Police say.

They also say that more useful advice on how to safely plan a wilderness our great outdoors adventure is available from:

Parks Victoria13 19 63

Bushwalking Victoria

Victoria Tourism

Four Wheel Drive Victoria

Other areas to check off include:

Water

• always carry sufficient water for trip – day and overnight trips
• carry more water than you will need, plan for emergencies
• stay hydrated and do not rely on creeks unless you have reliable information

Food

• carry sufficient for trip and pack extra in case of emergencies

Clothing

• dress for conditions, bring extra and have wet weather clothing available
• always have enough to cover you for the worst-case scenario
• weather conditions in wilderness environments are sometime unpredictable

Equipment

Always have a map and compass. GPS and mobile phones help but they do not replace experience.

Bushwalking clubs are a good way to advance your experience and knowledge.

Weather

Always check a current weather report but do not rely on it, plan for worst-case scenario by carrying extra food, water, clothing and equipment.

Suggested equipment list

1. suitable backpack
2. map (current) and compass – GPS (extra batteries) learn how to use before leaving on trip
3. headlamp, spare batteries and bulb
4. whistle
5. correct clothing – seek advice outdoor stores, bushwalking clubs
6. extra clothing
7. extra food and water
8. have correct footwear – wear in before long bushwalks
9. waterproof matches and container
10. candle/fire starter
11. pocketknife
12. first aid kit – individual and group
13. tent or bivvy bag
14. large rubbish bag for emergency shelter and keeping equipment dry in you pack
15. Note book and pencil
16. sunglasses/sun hat/sunscreen
17. mobile phone – Be aware it will not always have coverage
18. Emergency Position Indicating Beacon EPIRB 406

Common factors which contribute to persons being lost

1. planning, lack of planning or no planning of trip
2. terrain, hazards such as cliffs, rivers which may delay or cause injury
3. weather, poor weather in area of search, hypothermia or hyperthermia
4. equipment, poor equipment – failure of or inappropriate for area
5. ability, over confidant – skill ability not proven for particular terrain
6. decision-making, lack of leadership within party – leading to poor decisions. Once lost walking in one direction believing they will come across civilization eventually
7. fatigue, leading to poor decisions or injury
8. physical ability, poor physical condition
9. lack of food or water, contributing to fatigue and poor decision making
10. medical, preexisting or accident during trip
11. technology, over reliance in technology EG GPS flat batteries / mobile phones – no coverage
12. underestimating route, causing delay and/or unable to identify terrain hazards
13. no map / compass, contributing to disorientation of person/s

What to do if you become lost

• stop and think
• stay calm
• recheck navigation and map
• re-track steps a short distance may assist. Locate your last known point if possible
• gain some height may assist in orientation
• if above does not help STAY WHERE YOU ARE
• find shelter stay warm and dry
• attempt to make your position visible to searchers land and air. For example, fire or bright clothing in open area that can be seen by air searchers
• if you are in a group stay together, never separate
• be aware it can take a considerable time for rescuers to reach you so your priority is to remain warm and dry, ration your food and water if necessary.