On Friday 19 November, the annual Ballarat Cycle Classic was launched, and the community challenged to get on board and support cancer research in Ballarat in 2022.
Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute announced that the Ballarat Cycle Classic will go ahead next year as a two-day event on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 February 2022.
Professor George Kannourakis, Institute Director, encouraged the community “join us on the gravel, in the bush and on the road and help raise important funds for cancer research. We are excited to bring the community together and deliver the 15th Ballarat Cycle Classic.”
“This is an important fundraising event for the Institute. The 2021 Ballarat Cycle Classic raised $250,000 for our cancer research program in a year of pandemic uncertainty, imagine what we can do next year! We’re all looking forward to being able to go to events and meet up with family and friends again.” he said
Community members are urged to take up the challenge for cancer research with events on and off the bike for all ages. Event line-up includes distance road rides, mountain bike rides, adventure and fun rides for the family, a family lake walk and for the first time a much-anticipated gravel grind has been added to the offerings to be held on Saturday 19 February 2022.
Gravel grinding is a worldwide trend amongst all disciplines and readily available to all bike enthusiasts as it embraces mixed surfaces. Road ride participants simply swap thin road tires for a thicker, sturdier type allowing them to enjoy an assortment of environments and companionship with less concern for road traffic.
The 2022 Ballarat Cycle Classic will see the third year of the SPUD100 (160km) distance road ride named after long term Ambassador, local boy and AFL legend, Danny Frawley. A fitting way to pay tribute to a man that had been a supporter of this community event since the start.
The 160km SPUD100 mile ride is a true test of grit and determination, and participants are encouraged to challenge themselves.
Ballarat Cycle Classic Ambassador Jessica Douglas, three times World Solo 24hr and three times Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Champion, says “Joining the Ballarat Cycle Classic as an Ambassador again is an opportunity for me to encourage people to support cancer research. I have personal experience with cancer treatment, albeit 30 plus years ago. We need investment in research to find improvements for people. Cancer treatments are changing for the better with facilities such as the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.” “One of my mantras is You will not always be the BEST, You will not always be Your BEST, however…YOU can always DO YOUR BEST. I encourage everyone to get out and do your best while supporting this worthy cause” she said.
Generous support from our sponsors ensure 100% of registrations and donations go to cancer research.
Ballarat Cycle Classic Events include:
• NEW Gravel Grind – Saturday 19 February
• Distance Road Rides
− Eclipse Ford 160km SPUD 100mile ride
− Protect 100km, 85km, 60km and 50km road rides
• BJT Legal Mountain Bike Challenge
− 30km, 40km and 50km
• Eclipse Ford Fun Rides
− 6km Lake Ride around beautiful Lake Wendouree
− 28km Adventure ride
• PetStock 6km Family Lake Walk
Registrations will open at 10:00am on Friday 19 November 2021 at www.ballaratcycleclassic.com.au
About the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute The Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute is a world class cancer research facility based in Ballarat, Victoria. As Australia’s only regionally based cancer research centre, we are non-government, and rely on the generous support of the community to continue research into more effective ways to diagnose and treat cancer. Opened in 1998, the Institute was inspired by Ballarat teenager, Fiona Elsey who lost her fight with cancer in 1991. Today, led by Professor George Kannourakis, the Institute is making a world class contribution to cancer research, with recent recognition for achievements into immunotherapy targets for ovarian cancer and histiocytic disorders.
The research is focused on the role of the immune system and how it relates and can be used to treat cancer. It is hoped that by identifying these proteins on the surface of cancer cells, druggable targets can be developed to allow the immune system to attack the cancer, without chemotherapy and radiation.
The research aims to help patients with a broad range of cancers – from Leukemia, Bowel, Ovarian, Breast, Renal, Lung, Melanoma and Pancreato-Biliary cancers, as well as haematological cancers.
Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute currently has 8 PhD students from Federation University and 13 senior scientific staff.
Recent achievements of FECRI have included:
• Identification of potential new immunotherapy targets for ovarian cancer
• Discovered that immune cells in the walls of the bowel can misbehave and release chemical messengers promoting Bowel cancer
• Identification of a new immune cell subset in histiocytic disorders
• Further immune studies in various cancer and leukaemias
• Identification of a new method for isolating new viruses

Nine outstanding Victorian teachers have been chosen to lead the State Government’s Teaching Excellence Program – an Australian-first professional learning program at the new Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership.

The Teaching Excellence Program will provide advanced professional learning for highly-skilled teachers at government, Catholic, and Independent schools – working with academics, international experts and partners from across various sectors to deliver an innovative training program for Victoria’s best and brightest educators.
The one-year program will support up to 500 teachers each year to advance their professional practice, with access to the best research in the science of learning and discipline-based content knowledge at academies in Melbourne, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Moe and Shepparton from the beginning of 2022.
The nine exemplary teachers were selected from around Victoria to lead eight disciplinary streams including arts, English, humanities, languages, technologies, science, mathematics and health and physical education.
Each Master Teacher was selected based on being recognised as an exceptional teacher in their field, having knowledge and skills for curriculum and professional learning design and contributing to the teaching culture in their school, raising student achievement and learning confidence and participation in their learning.
The Master Teachers for each subject discipline are:
• Adam Brodie-McKenzie – University High School (Humanities)
• Dr. Andrea Truckenbrodt – McKinnon Primary School (Languages)
• Christopher Wines – Ballarat High School (Science)
• Clare Mackie – Haileybury College (English)
• Colin Chapman – Caroline Chisolm Catholic College (Technologies)
• Hayley Dureau – Mount Waverley Secondary College (Mathematics)
• Johanna Simmons – Altona P-12 College (English)
• Paul Seery – Bendigo Senior Secondary College (Health and PE)
• Tobias Wilkins – Box Hill High School (the Arts)
For further information about the Teaching Excellence Program, visit academy.vic.gov.au.
Minister for Education James Merlino said “I welcome and congratulate our inaugural Master Teachers – I can’t wait to see the work they do in inspiring and building the skills of Victoria’s best and brightest teachers.”
“We’ve established the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership not just to invest in our amazing teaching workforce, but to deliver better outcomes for every Victorian child for many years to come.”

Macedon Ranges Shire Council invites residents to join Dr Rob Gordon for a lunchtime webinar reflecting on the six months since the 9 June storm, and the reactions that people may still be experiencing.

Dr Gordon will unpack some of the typical reactions to expect after such an event, and share advice on how to make sure residents and their families establish a successful recovery process.
Dr Gordon is a clinical psychologist who has been working in the field of disaster recovery since Ash Wednesday in 1983. He is a consultant to Red Cross and the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Dr Gordon has worked with people and communities after Black Saturday and Black Summer, the Christchurch Earthquake, as well as numerous floods, fires, cyclones and other events throughout Australia and New Zealand.
The session will run from 1pm to 2.30 pm on Thursday 2 December. Register your attendance at mrsc.vic.gov.au/storm-recovery
Macedon Ranges Shire Council CEO Mr Bernie O’Sullivan encouraged residents to attend the webinar:
“The clean-up continues as we approach the six month anniversary of the June 9 storm. But it’s not just the physical and environmental impacts that is going to take time for the community to recover from. We’re delighted to have Dr Rob Gordon share his expertise and advice with affected landowners in the Macedon Ranges,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
The session will be recorded and shared after the webinar via our mrsc.vic.gov.au/storm-recovery
Council thanks Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) for funding this webinar.

New economic modelling shows most regions across Victoria will experience higher economic and jobs growth if Australia transitions to a net-zero economy.

The modelling report from the highly respected Centre of Policy Studies at Victoria University, compares two scenarios: business–as-usual and a transition to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Under both scenarios, all areas of Victoria will experience economic and jobs growth. However, if Australia takes action to transition to net-zero emissions more jobs will be created and economic growth will be higher. Hume, Ballarat region and the South West will experience to most economic benefit. (see map here)

La Trobe Valley/Gippsland will see 36,100 new jobs in a net-zero economy by 2050, however jobs growth is lower compared to business-as-usual scenario and it is the only Victorian region seeing slower growth in a net-zero economy.

The report shows that even with a commitment to net-zero emissions the Australian economy will continue to grow strongly at an average of 2.56% per annum, just 0.03 below a business-as-usual approach.

“The cost of Australia transitioning to net-zero emissions by 2050 has plummeted by 80% in just eight years thanks to a rapid decline in the cost of renewable energy and electric vehicles, and the emergence of new green technologies,” report author Professor Philip Adams said.

The report highlights under a net-zero emissions transition, every region in Australia will continue to grow, and in 42 out of 88 regions economic growth will be above the business-as-usual scenario. The report identifies 9 out of 88 regions where production and employment growth is more constrained because of a net-zero emissions policy. Growth is still expected in these regions, but at a lower rate compared to the business-as-usual scenario.

The modelling takes a conservative approach and is based on today’s technology and industries, but does require government policy intervention.

Importantly, the modelling does not include the possible effects of slowing climate change such as savings from less frequent extreme weather events and fires.

Professor Philip Adams said transitioning to net-zero represents value for money for Australia.

“Cutting greenhouse gas emissions is like buying an insurance policy. We incur a small decline in the growth in GDP in order to limit the potential impact of catastrophic climate change,” he said.

Some sectors will experience economic and jobs growth as a result of net-zero such as the forestry and renewable energy generation sectors. Forestry will grow at 93% with a commitment to net-zero compared to business as usual, largely due to bio-sequestration (removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by plants).

The modelling uses a price on carbon to incentivise transition to net-zero emissions.

“It will be very difficult for Australia to achieve net-zero without some price on carbon, whether that is explicitly through a carbon tax, or implicitly through costs imposed by regulation, subsidies for new technology or the removal of existing fossil fuel subsidies.” Professor Adams said. “But the task is getting much easier. Eight years ago, our modelling showed the effective price on carbon needed to be $285 a tonne to achieve net-zero – now it is at $151 per tonne.”

Professor Adams said that while the modelling showed net-zero would have an economic benefit or neutral effect on most of Australia, government support and transition strategies were needed for some regions.

“Governments need to properly plan, resource and invest in regions like the LaTrobe Valley to attract renewable energy industries, new green industries and invest in retraining and upskilling the workforce,” he said. “Not having these strategies or delaying the transition means the pain will be felt greatest in these regions with large coal, gas and petroleum industries.”

If the pledges made at the COPS26 conference are delivered, the world will warm by an average 1.9 degrees by the end of the century.

The Federal Government has said it will reach net zero emissions by 2050, but how it plans to get there is unclear.

Economic growth by region, map: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Nu3fK/6/

Jobs growth by region, map: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/m1f6y/4/

World-leading synthetic biology company Ginkgo Bioworks will establish an office in Melbourne, bolstering Victoria’s position as the national leader in mRNA research and manufacturing.

Cafs CEO, Wendy Sturgess, this week joined leaders from Women’s Health Grampians and White Ribbon Victoria to re-affirm Cafs commitment to the Communities of Respect and Equality (CoRE) Alliance Partner.

CoRE Alliance is a partnership of organisations, businesses, clubs and groups who share a vision for safe, equal and respectful communities in the Grampians region and it was introduced in 2016 by Women’s Health Grampians.

Recently Cafs have commenced the journey towards re-accreditation with the national White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation program and felt that this was an opportune time to also recommit to the Women’s Health Grampians CoRE Commitment Charter, and Strategic Plan.

Wendy Sturgess, CEO, Cafs said:

“In the lead to White Ribbon Day (Fri, Nov 15^th) and the United Nations 16 Days of Activism, Cafs felt it was important to, again, commit ourselves to the CoRE Regional Plan.
Cafs believes that the responsibility for family violence always rests with the person using violence and our Men’s Behaviour Change Program is our unwavering commitment to eliminating family violence and supporting the safety of families.”

Jade Hately, Chair, White Ribbon Victoria said:

“We stand in solidarity with every woman victim of family violence and are very grateful to align our support with Cafs who continue to provide tremendous support and resources to the prevention of violence against women.”

Marianne Hendron, CEO, Women’s Health Grampians said:

“CoRE members commit to the CoRE Regional Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and their Children and take proactive and meaningful steps to promote gender equality. Cafs (Child and Family Services, Ballarat) have been a proud CoRE member since its inception in 2016 and WHG is delighted Cafs have recommitted to CoRE. This demonstrates Cafs ongoing and continued prioritisation for these issues are WHG looks forward to continuing to support Cafs on their journey for equality and inclusion.”

“We also acknowledge the timing of this recommitment in the lead up to the United Nations international campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence – which takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). This initiative engages the community in conversation, encourages change, and mobilises action to work towards a future where everyone is safe, equal and respected.”

End Release

Further Information: Serena Eldridge, Manager – Brand Development, Cafs, 0438 545 521

Scouting groups across the Macedon Ranges will soon enjoy new buildings and facilities thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government to help young Victorians come together and learn new skills.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the 1st New Gisborne Scout Group to announce funding for upgrades at three Scout Halls in the Macedon Ranges Shire – 1st New Gisborne Scout Hall, Rowallan Recreation and Adventure Camp and 1st Macedon Scout Hall.
The Labor Government will provide a total of $150,000 to upgrade facilities at 1st New Gisborne Scout Hall and the Rowallan Recreation and Adventure Camp, with $40,000 for the 1st Macedon Scout Hall. This funding will be matched by Scouts Victoria.
The works include the construction of a new shed space for 1st New Gisborne, construction of a new building with a kitchen and dining room at the Rowallan Recreation and Adventure Camp and upgrades to the toilets, flooring, car park and kitchen at the 1st Macedon Scout Hall.
The funding is part of a 2018 election commitment of $5.5 million over four years to build, upgrade or refurbish Scout Halls across Victoria.
Scouts Victoria is one of the state’s biggest youth organisations and has a membership base of over 20,000 young people and 5,000 adult volunteers. The number of young people involved in scouting has grown by 30 per cent in the last 10 years.
Scouts Victoria has rich history of fostering teamwork, care for community and leadership skills among young Victorians aged 11 to 14. Scouting supports young people’s development and growth and creates opportunities to lead by example in their communities.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said
“This will provide young people in the Macedon Ranges with safe, accessible spaces to connect and build community.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Youth Ros Spence
“An investment in scouting is an investment in our future young leaders – we’re proud to be supporting young people to develop their skills and make friends for life.”

In a Victorian first, global rugby union eyes will be on Melbourne in February for round two of the Super Rugby Pacific competition, when teams from Australia (including the Melbourne Rebels), New Zealand and the Pacific converge for a three-day spectacular.

Fans will have the opportunity to watch all 12 teams in the new-look elite rugby competition play at AAMI Park in a blockbuster carnival made possible by support from the Andrews Labor Government’s Major Events Fund.
“Super Round Melbourne” is part of the launch of the revamped trans-Tasman Super Rugby Pacific competition. With six matches to be played as double-headers across a weekend, Victoria’s newest major event will be a celebration of the sport of rugby.
Rugby fans from around Australia and potentially beyond are expected to flock to Melbourne to cheer on their team and enjoy the thrill of a live international sporting event – “Super Round Melbourne” is expected to inject more than $20 million into the Victorian economy.
Reinforcing Melbourne’s reputation as a global leader in major sporting events, the matches will be broadcast on free to air and subscription television around Australia and New Zealand.
The Labor Government is a major supporter of rugby union and its growing band of local players, providing $101.1 million funding for the development of a major sporting hub at La Trobe University’s Bundoora Sports Park, which will include the Victorian State Rugby Centre as well a home base for soccer’s Matildas national team.
“Super Round Melbourne” will kick off at AAMI Park on Friday, 25 February 2022.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
“Super Round Melbourne will draw the best rugby players from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to a terrific stadium for a feast of elite sports action.”
“We are thrilled to be bringing a new blockbuster event to Victoria for fans and to support workers in pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels in the CBD and beyond. It will create a real buzz for the city and the state.”
Quote attributable to Visit Victoria Chief Executive Brendan McClements
“Victoria is the proud home of an enviable year-round calendar of world-class events and we’re thrilled to add the Super Round Melbourne to our offering in 2022.”
Quote attributable to Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos
“Super Rugby Pacific is fresh and exciting as we look to provide fans with a new game-day experience every time they go to a match, all at family friendly kick-off times.”
TEG Chief Executive Geoff Jones said:
“We can’t wait to see games of this quality live once again, and we are excited to have the support of the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria in bringing big events, crowds and tourists back into the heart of Melbourne.”

As we mark the start of Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, the Morrison Government is ensuring all people eligible for a cervical screening test will be able to collect their own sample from 1 July 2022.

Senator for Victoria Sara Henderson said the change would offer Australian women more control and choice over their cervical screenings.

“Currently, self-collection is only available to women aged 30 years or over, who have never screened, or are two or more years overdue,” Senator Henderson said.   

“From 1 July, Australia will be one of the first countries in the world to offer the ‘game-changing’ self-collect option through our National Cervical Screening Program.”

“By giving women the choice of how their screening is done, we are making the process easier, more comfortable and less invasive.”

Self-collection allows women to use a simple swab, similar to a COVID swab, to take a screening sample themselves instead of having a traditional cervical screening test completed by a clinician.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, said the move was expected to improve overall screening participation rates, especially in under-screened populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, as well as culturally and linguistically diverse women.

“The self-collect tests will be accessed through health care providers, including GPs, ensuring these experts continue to play a critical role in supporting patients with cervical screening,” Minister Hunt said.

“Our Government is expanding the eligibility for cervical screening self-collection through a $3.8 million investment in the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).”

“Self-collected samples are as safe, effective and as accurate as clinician-collected tests.”

Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, from 8 to 14 November, continues the theme ‘time to catch up’; a reminder to Australian women to do the screening test they may have been putting off. 

The National Cervical Screening Program promotes routine screening with cervical screening tests covered by Medicare every five years for women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 74 years.

Halls Gap Botanic Gardens is set to get an energy boost thanks to new off-grid solar power, including solar panels, an inverter and battery storage.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today toured the gardens to hear about plans for the off-grid system that will provide power to the visitor shelter, volunteer’s office and workshop.
The project will be delivered by the Grampians Community Power Hub, one of seven across the state. Each hub is supporting community groups to develop renewable energy projects by providing energy audits, feasibility testing, system specifications and implementation funding options.
The Grampians Community Power Hub is also working with other communities across the region, including investigating the feasibility of a micro grid for the Pomonal community, which would provide a reliable power supply for the local community in the event of power outages.
The Andrews Labor Government announced $1.6 billion for clean energy in the 2020/21 State Budget – the largest investment in clean energy of any state government, ever. As part of this, $5.94 million was provided to expand the Community Power Hubs Program and provide new grants for community organisations.
The program is funding seven organisations to work with their communities to offer trusted advice and support, develop and deliver locally owned, cost-effective renewable energy projects that save communities money and deliver local jobs.
This Community Power Hub Program follows the success of a pilot program in 2017-2020, which boosted Victoria’s community energy capacity and saved thousands of dollars in annual energy costs with solar arrays, bulk buy solar panels and solar streetlight installed across Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley.
Collectively, the pilot program’s 15 projects added 1.35 megawatts of renewable energy capacity back to their communities, annually reduced their carbon emissions by more than 1,800 tonnes and saved $346,000 in electricity costs. Now, the expanded CPH program will bring similarly positive results for Victorians state-wide.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said:
“It’s wonderful to see the Grampians Community Power Hub helping organisations across the broader Grampians region.”
“The hub will support local community groups to develop and deliver community energy projects and be a part of the renewables revolution. This is all a part of our plan to halve emissions by 2030.”
“We’re investing in the Grampians Community Power Hub because we know that community energy plays such an important role in building local support for renewable energy.”

Professor James Angus AO has today been sworn in as the 15th Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria by Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria.

Professor Angus’ appointment follows a distinguished career as an academic and biomedical researcher, particularly in the fields of pharmacology and cardiovascular disease.
His professional achievements include working with the Baker Medical Institute for 15 years in a variety of roles, serving as the Chair of Pharmacology at the University of Melbourne, and 10 years as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne.
In recent years, Professor Angus has been an Honorary Professorial Fellow and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
He has significant experience as a contributor to a range of advisory boards and professional organisations, and currently sits as the Chair of the Australian Advisory Council on Medicinal Use of Cannabis, Director of the Jack Brockhoff Foundation, and Chair of the Campus Council at the Melbourne Children’s Campus.
He is also a Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Director of Science in Australia Gender Equity Ltd, and a Director of the National Stem Cell Australia Foundation.
As Lieutenant-Governor, Professor Angus will deputise for the Governor when required, most commonly when the Governor is out of Victoria.
Professor Angus replaces retiring Lieutenant-Governor Ken Lay AO APM, who has been in the role since November 2017.
Premier Daniel Andrews said: “Professor James Angus is a highly respected and valued leader in Victoria’s medical community, with a deep commitment to improving people’s lives – a commitment he will bring to his new role as Lieutenant-Governor.” “I congratulate Professor Angus on his appointment and thank retiring Lieutenant-Governor Ken Lay for his distinguished service to Victoria over the past four years.”

The Andrews Labor Government is backing a dedicated concierge service to allow Victorian businesses to access appropriate support and advice so they can recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane today announced an additional $3.5 million for the extension of the local government Business Concierge Program into the new year.
Since March, the Business Concierge Program has enabled 71 participating councils to support hospitality businesses, community venues and other businesses to operate under COVIDSafe settings as the state transitions to a vaccinated economy.
The program means councils have been able to employ more than 200 COVID Business Support Officers. These experts visit local businesses and help them understand and meet COVIDSafe requirements and respond to the challenges created by the global pandemic.
An important part of the work of the COVID Business Support Officers is to engage with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to assess and address issues within specific communities.
All councils outside the City of Melbourne are being offered additional funding to employ COVID Business Support Officers to February 2022. The extended support will provide for up to four officers in each metropolitan and regional city council, and up to two officers in each rural council.
The announcement builds on $7.1 million allocated through the COVIDSafe Business Fund earlier this year.
Businesses and communities within the City of Melbourne are being supported separately through the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund and the Melbourne City Recovery Fund.
The Labor Government on Sunday announced $3.6 million to provide City of Melbourne businesses with an enhanced Business Concierge service to provide support for new businesses and help existing city traders adapt to the post-COVID economy.
Minister for Suburban Development and Local Government Shaun Leane said:
“Councils are working directly with their communities to enable businesses to reopen in a safe way, ensuring our economy can rebound and stay open.”
“If you are a sole trader or a bigger business, this concierge service is here to help and will assist people to understand what support is available.”
“We know that sometimes it can be difficult to navigate information online. Our dedicated team of business support officers are making a difference so we are extending our funding to continue this support.”

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is conducting a six month soft plastics recycling trial with local recycling company, Victorian Regional Recyclers.

To recycle your soft plastics simply drop them off at Council’s transfer stations in Kyneton, Woodend or Romsey. This service will be free for all Macedon Ranges Shire residents and businesses. Soft plastics are plastics that can be scrunched in your hand and bounce back to their original shape, or flexible films such as bubble wrap or cling wrap. These plastics cannot be recycled through the co-mingled kerbside recycling bin as they get stuck in the trucks and sorting machinery, and can cause costly damage.
Council’s Director Assets and Operations, Shane Walden said that up to 70 per cent of the contents in household general waste bins is made up of soft plastics.
“The more resources we can keep out of landfill, the better for our environment.
“Council is pleased to be able to trial soft plastics recycling for our community who have told us this is an important concern of theirs,” he said.
What can be recycled as part of the soft plastics recycling trial:
 Plastic bags including reusable shopping bags (polypropylene), bulk bags, for example rice bags, dry pet food and stock feed bags and bulka bags.
 Plastic films including bubble wrap, cling wrap and plastic film from grocery items, pallet wrap and shrink wrap.
 Other plastic items including bread bag tags (collected separately in a clear plastic bag) and plastic bottle caps (collected separately in a clear plastic bag).
Plastics must be completely dry and free of food and other products. There are some common household items, such as silver lined snack wrappers and bread bags, which are not yet able to be accepted in the soft plastic trial. Council is committed to finding solutions for these items and hopes to add to the list of accepted items as the trial progresses. Visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/soft-plastics for a comprehensive list of what can and cannot be recycled as part of the soft plastics recycling trial.
Items that cannot be recycled through this service may be recycled through the RedCycle supermarket drop-off program or placed in the general waste bin.
For more information contact Council on (03)5422 0333, visit the MRSC Waste app or our website mrsc.vic.gov.au/soft-plastics

THERE is a real vibe happening at Guildford. And driving around you get the feeling it’s about to boom.

That is despite the population at the 2016 census being recorded at just 333. And Wikipedia listing the town’s facilities as a post office, hotel, community hall, cricket ground and a general store.
That may be physically true, but it is leaving out the iron will of the townspeople intent on keeping their little village alive and pumping.
For example, if you head just a few hundred metres up one of the side roads you pass two old churches and a school. The primary school had closed but locals have lobbied long and hard for it to re-open. And, sure enough, parked on the street are a number of construction vehicles with plenty of tradespeople working towards it re-opening as a campus of Campbells Creek Primary School for the start of the first school term next year.
Then there’s the pub. The Guilly. Outgoing publican Alan Joyce had called time after seven years and there were concerns that no-one was keen to take on the 165-year-old hotel, the heart of the small community.
Step up hospitality stalwart Megan Evans and her partner, music industry long-timer Tom Allen. The perfect pair for a hospitality and music venue. And they live seven minutes up the road at Campbells Creek. Megan’s mum is even a Guildford local!
The couple have spent the past month or so working on a small renovation of the hotel and are looking forward to seeing locals and visitors back at the bar, beer garden and dining room from Friday, December 3.
Megan, who is well known to Daylesford locals after working at a number of hospitality venues in the town, is excited at the prospect of running her own pub and “getting the old girl back to life”.
“I have loved hotels and pubs my whole life, in fact I have spent pretty much my 26 years in hospitality working in country pubs, and I just love the locals. I have a very genuine smile when anyone walks in and that is what country pubs are all about.
“Tom and I are getting overwhelmingly positive responses to the few small changes we are making – bringing back beer on tap, a bit of a facelift, just returning the old girl to a country pub hotel. I feel like we are really doing what the locals want us to do.”
Megan said there would be meals on offer five days a week with “good pub food” providing something for everyone – with lighter meals for the summer months.
The Guilly also has quite a reputation for live music, something Tom will be working on, using his 22 years in the music industry to get some great bands and entertainment happening, eventually adding a few dinner and show events. Some of those are bound to be held at the town’s former music hall, next to the pub and part of its footprint, an amazing venue full of atmosphere and history.
Then there’s the beer garden to enjoy, but maybe keep away from the authentic lockup from the goldrush days. Tom reckons many people feel a bit of something coming out when the door is open, and no-one wants to venture inside.
Meanwhile, Megan and Tom are just excited to be running their own show and turning an under-utilised pub into a really enjoyable place for the community.
“The old girl has so much to give. We want to bring back the music, bring back the tap beer, bring back the food, bring back the bar. A pub is such a community asset and we lost too many during Covid. It would be a real shame not to see the Guilly back on its feet.”
Megan said while it was a local asset, visitors would always be welcome. “We want to see people from Daylesford and Castlemaine and Newstead, and further afield. A town like Guildford deserves to be a destination. It is a really beautiful place and we want people to come and have a look. And we will have a courtesy bus up and running soon on Friday and Saturday nights.”
Megan said the hardest part of having the pub closed while renovations took place was having to ask locals to wait just a little longer.
“We have had such great support and everyone wants to see what we are doing but we have had to say ‘just hold on a little bit longer – we are nearly there’.
“I am so excited about getting to know the community and for them to get to know me. Tom and I are owner/operators so will be here every day. I enjoy working too much to have someone else come in and do it. I will be behind the bar every day and look forward to that.
“Pubs are the real heart of the community. It is a place to meet friends, a place to make friends. A community hub. We are going to provide a good old-fashioned bar for people to make friends with other people. We are looking forward to that.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes

Victorians are being called on to take the lead in strengthening their state’s biosecurity system by nominating to join Victoria’s Biosecurity Reference Group.

The Biosecurity Reference Group is being established as part of a Victorian Government $28 million change program to strengthen Victoria’s biosecurity system and better protect Victoria’s economy, environment and people from biosecurity threats such as exotic pests and diseases.
Reference Group members will play an important role, providing feedback to Agriculture Victoria on proposed investments and activities to help ensure they are practical and relevant to industry and community.
Agriculture Victoria’s Biosecurity Services Executive Director Katherine Clift encouraged representatives from industries and communities to submit an expression of interest to become a member of the Biosecurity Reference Group.
“A stronger biosecurity system delivers better outcomes for all Victorians,” she said.
“Biosecurity is key to not only protecting our agriculture sector, but it also our environment, biodiversity, cultural heritage, economy and way of life.”
Dr Clift said while Victoria is lucky to be free from many of the world’s most significant pest and disease threats, as the movement of people and goods from around the globe increased, pressure on Victoria’s existing biosecurity system was increasing.
“The system needs to continue to evolve to ensure we can prevent, respond to, and manage increasing biosecurity risks,” she said.
“And we need to work with community, industry and our government partners to achieve this.”
As part of Victoria’s Agriculture Strategy, the Victorian Government is committed to ensuring Victorian agriculture is well-placed to respond to pests, weeds and disease, protecting and enhancing the future of the sector.
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging industry and community representatives with experience and skills in biosecurity operations, strategy, agricultural policy, engagement and communications to apply to become a Biosecurity Reference Group member.
To get involved, submit an expression of interest in becoming a reference group member. For information, or to apply, visit https://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/brg by Friday, 3 December.