Volunteer emergency services organisations in the state electorate of Macedon have received a funding boost as part of the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants.

The state’s Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes has announced the 2024-25 VESEP grant
recipients that will share in more than $15 million to purchase new equipment, improve emergency response capability and support community safety.

Eight grants, with a total value of $491,913 were awarded to volunteer emergency services organisations in Macedon including:

CFA Franklinford Thermal Imaging Camera $2,340
CFA Benloch Thermal Imaging Camera $2,340
CFA Bullengarook Ultra Light Tanker $140,833
CFA Malmsbury Field Command Vehicle – XLT $71,000
CFA Porcupine Ridge Station Extension $125,000
CFA Romsey External Station Renovations & Generator Upgrade $46,900
CFA Romsey Marquee & Table Clothes $2,000
VICSES Gisborne Toyota Hilux – Gisborne Support 2 (2014 Ford Ranger) Replacement $101,500

VESEP is an annual grants program that provides funding to Victorian emergency services
volunteer groups to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and
undertake minor facility improvements.

Through this round of grants, Country Fire Authority brigades have received more than $11
million, Victoria State Emergency Service units received more than $2.5 million, Life Saving
Victoria’s surf lifesaving clubs received more than $879,000 and Marine Search and Rescue
crews received more than $368,000.

There are 268 projects to receive a grant as part of the 2024-25 program.

Australia’s federal government has announced a $15 million relief fund to support regional and community news organisations.

The announcement in recent days comes in the wake of extensive lobbying from Country Press Australia (CPA) and other stakeholders.

The News Media Relief Program (NMRP) will open this month and will provide grants to eligible regional, independent suburban, multicultural, and First Nations news publishers.

Country Press Australia President Andrew Schreyer welcomed the funding, crediting CPA’s persistent efforts in pushing for urgent support.

“The announcement is a direct result of an extended and consistent lobbying effort by a Country Press Australia delegation,” Mr Schreyer said.

“The CPA board would like to thank members for their own lobbying efforts, whether it was by sending newspapers to politicians in Canberra or writing letters and speaking with their local federal members.

“It has been a challenging year for the industry, increased printing and operational costs, a tough advertising market, and Meta’s decision to not renew agreements with Australian publishers have all weighed heavily,” he said.

Federal communications minister Michelle Rowland said local and community news outlets play a huge role in supporting a diverse and inclusive news media sector vital to the healthy functioning of Australian society and democracy.

“This funding will provide the urgent assistance local news outlets need as we continue our work on News MAP, an ongoing program that will enable us to deliver effective support to the Australian news sector into the future,” Ms Rowland said.

“We want to see more local journalists and publishers reporting on the issues that matter to their communities.”

The $15 million fund will be distributed through a demand-driven process, offering grants of $13,000 per full-time journalist producing core news content. The funding must be used within the 2024-25 financial year.

More details of the News Media Relief Program are expected to be announced over coming weeks, and Mr Schreyer urged eligible publishers to act quickly once applications open.

“CPA will continue advocating for more sustainable support to ensure our members can maintain their role as a fundamental piece of democratic infrastructure,” he said.

Horse safety during bushfire events will be in the spotlight with the CFA recently announced as EQUITANA’s 2024 official community partner.

The four-day equine showcase takes place from November 14 to 17 at the Melbourne Showgrounds and includes a mix of competition, education, entertainment and exhibition.

It is regarded as the largest equine showcase in the Southern Hemisphere.

As EQUITANA’s official community Partner, the CFA says it will focus on helping horse owners prepare and plan for the bushfire season.

In the lead-up, the CFA says every Victorian who lives near dense forest, bush, grassland or the coast needs to prepare their property for bushfire – and this includes considering what to do with animals.

CFA members from Wingeel, Macclesfield and Arthurs Creek brigades, a fire truck and a mobile education unit will attend the event to engage with visitors about property maintenance, making the decision to relocate horses, preparing horse for survival and actions to take after a fire.

This information is also relevant to those running agistment properties, trail ride centres and riding schools.

Local horse lovers interested in attending the event can find more on the EQUITANA website.

Central Highlands Water says the installation of a new Choose Tap water fountain at the Ballarat Wildlife Park earlier this month aims to help promote more sustainable practices.

Marty the Water Monitor and his keeper Jarrod were joined by CHW Natural Resource Advisor Sonia and Catchment Management Officer Tom to launch the water fountain.

The installation is now providing easy access to drinking water at the park, so visitors can make a sustainable choice by choosing to refill a reusable water bottle instead of using a single use plastic bottle.

A single use plastic bottle is estimated to take 450 years to decompose and by 2040, there’s expected to be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

“We are excited to continue working with the Ballarat Wildlife Park to promote the benefits that Choose Tap can have on the environment,” said Central Highlands Water (CHW) managing director Jeff Haydon.

“By eliminating single-use plastic water bottles and refilling a reusable water bottle, we can all make a difference to protect our wildlife.”

“The introduction of the Choose Tap water fountain will not only provide easy access to drinking water at the park for visitors but enable the park to continue providing sustainable choices,” said Ballarat Wildlife Park Interim CEO, Adrian Hart.

“By choosing to use a reusable water bottle, we can minimise single-use water bottles that take over 450 years to decompose.”

This year’s Victorian fire season has already officially begun with fire restrictions coming into force in some parts of the state this week.

The CFA declared the first Fire Danger Period (FDP) for the 2024-25 fire season, commencing on Monday, 28 October for the following municipalities in the west and northwest of the state:

• Mildura Rural City Council
• Yarriambiack Shire Council
• Hindmarsh Shire Council
• West Wimmera Shire Council
• Horsham Rural City Council

Victorians can expect a hotter and drier summer and communities should be preparing their properties and creating a Bushfire Survival Plan.

CFA will be introducing further FDPs for Victorian municipalities in the coming weeks and months based on assessments of the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and local conditions.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said with an increased fire risk expected in the west and southwest of the state, now is the time to take action and be ready for what’s ahead.

“Fire safety is a shared responsibility and we ask Victorians to be prepared and stay informed,” Jason said.

“Take this opportunity ahead of the FDP to clean up your property but also be cautious when burning off and ensure it’s properly extinguished.

“Now is also the time to sit down with your household and prepare your bushfire plan.”

CFA West Region Acting Deputy Chief Officer Mark Gunning said as a result of reduced rainfall this year, we’re concerned about the dry conditions we’re already seeing in the far west of the state.

“Following from a devastating fire season in the Wimmera earlier this year, we saw many people who had prepared their properties for fire, survive the passage of the bushfires in the Grampians and southern Wimmera.”

Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website (www.firepermits.vic.gov.au), or by calling 1800 668 511.

By registering your burn-off online, you allow emergency call takers to allocate more of their time taking calls from people who need emergency assistance immediately.

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website.

Fire Danger Period information:

• A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au.
• Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/can
• Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/farms
• More information about FDPs is available online at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod
• To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

Applications have now opened for the Victorian state government’s local history grants program.

The program supports community groups to preserve and showcase records and it has been running for 23 years.

Projects previously supported include newspaper and photograph digitisation works, memorial websites, anniversary projects, digital histories, oral histories, archiving projects, community signage, exhibitions and walking tours.

Historical societies, museums, schools and other community groups are encouraged to apply with up to $15,000 available per grant.

“Community groups across the state work tirelessly to preserve Victoria’s rich and fascinating history – it’s a pleasure to be able to support their work with these grants,” minister for government services, Gabrielle Williams says.

“We encourage all local historians and community groups to go online and apply for a grant – I can’t wait to see some of the history projects that we’ll be able to support.”

Last year more than 40 organisations received a grant including Deafblind Victoria which was awarded $13,465 for an interview project, and the Taungurung Land and Waters Council received $13,545 to catalogue Aboriginal heritage artefacts.

Applications are open until Monday December 9 at prov.vic.gov.au.

As part of Positive Ageing Month, the Hepburn Shire Council hosted a suite of events to remind residents of the creative and diverse ways they can stay connected socially.  

The month was off to a successful start with the Positive Ageing Expo on 10 October 2024, at the RACV Goldfields resort.

The event was attended by over 150 people and provided the opportunity for older people in the region to connect and network with other community members, community groups and service providers.  

Bradley Thomas, Hepburn Shire Council CEO, said the day was a fun-filled event that focused on providing support to some of the region’s older and more vulnerable residents. 

“Positive Ageing Month provides the platform to illustrate ways in which our residents can remain engaged in the community.” 

“It’s important to not just financially plan for our later life stages, but to look after our bodies and minds to keep us healthy and happy for as long as possible. Staying connected and spending time with loved ones and others in the community can positively impact us physically and mentally as we age.” 

Forty-six percent of Hepburn Shire’s population is aged over 55, 18 per cent, higher than Victoria’s average of 28 per cent. 

Last week the events closed out with a Healthy Eating, Healthy Conversations workshop where local Central Highlands Rural Health dietitian, nutritionist and Allied Health assistant hosted an interactive session on healthy eating. 

Other events included Friendship and Fun at the Men’s Shed (55+ men and women sessions) and Movement and Fun. 

These events support the implementation of Councils ‘No Barrier’ Positive Ageing Strategy 2022-2030. 

Daylesford and the wider community are preparing to come together to mark the anniversary of last November’s tragic car crash that claimed the lives of five people.

The upcoming commemoration, marking one year since the tragic incident, is being held at 9am next Tuesday, November 5, outside Dayleford’s Royal Hotel, near the site of last November’s tragedy.

On November 5 last year, just after 6pm, a car driven by diabetic William Swale crashed into the then beer garden area, killing Point Cook lawyer and volunteer, 44-year-old Pratibha Sharma, her 9-year-old daughter Anvi and 30-year-old husband Jatin Kumar, and also Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his 11-year-old son Vihaan.

Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas says that next Tuesday the community is gathering not only to remember those lost but to support one another through the healing process. 

“This tragedy has forever changed our community, but it has also brought us closer, showing the power of unity, compassion, and resilience,” he said.  

The tragedy deeply shook the community and region, leaving a lasting impact. Next Tuesday’s commemoration will be a solemn occasion to acknowledge the profound loss felt by families and friends while also recognising the strength and compassion that the community has displayed over the past year.  

“This gathering serves as a reminder that the bonds of community can provide comfort and support even in times of immense tragedy,” Mr Thomas said. 

The commemoration will take place outside the Royal Hotel Daylesford at 9am. Members of the public are welcome to attend.  

The town’s Albert Street will be blocked to traffic between Howe Street and Duke Street from 8am to 10am, during the commemorative community event.

Special zones where buyers and sellers can more safely exchange items that have been purchased online have been established outside 35 24-hour police stations across Victoria.

The exchange sites provide people transacting items listed on online marketplaces with a safer alternative than meeting unknown people at locations such as their homes, parks, or carparks.

While many of the 35 sites are located in metropolitan areas, regional 24-hour police stations with Safer Exchange Sites in the central Victrian region include: Maryborough, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Bendigo and Castlemaine.

Each Safer Exchange Site has clear signage outside the 24-hour police station, as well as CCTV coverage and lighting.

The roll-out of these sites follows a successful trial which commenced at a small number of 24-hour police stations across Melbourne’s northeast in mid-2022.

During the trial’s six-month evaluation period, thefts and robberies in the area stemming from online sales decreased, while police officers at these stations also observed people exchanging items on a regular basis.

This concept was originally developed following an increase in robberies, thefts and assaults linked to online trading, which peaked in 2020 before COVID lockdowns. Smartphones are the most common high value item stolen in these incidents.

While this offending slowed during the pandemic, Victoria Police did not want to see this trend return and Safer Exchange Sites were introduced as a result.

Exchange zones have been popular in the United States as online marketplaces continue to gain in popularity, with feedback indicating people feel safer meeting in designated sites with good lighting and CCTV.

His Majesty King Charles III visited CSIRO’s National Bushfire Behaviour Research Laboratory in Canberra last week, fueled by his passion for the environment and interest in climate change impacts. 

As the increasing impact of wildfires are being felt around the globe, The King gained insight into how Australian scientists work collaboratively to understand and predict bushfire behaviour, as well as help protect communities and fire crews during outbreaks. 

The visit to Australia’s national science agency was part of The King’s sustainability-themed visit to Australia and his second visit to a CSIRO Canberra site. In February 1966, a young Prince Charles visited the CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research Division at Gungahlin. 

CSIRO chief executive, Doug Hilton, said he was proud to show how CSIRO’s bushfire research was not just helping Australians solve a significant national challenge but aiding an international community who are sharing learnings and building resilience to these extreme events. 

“The rising threat of extraordinary landscape fires has shown that uncontrollable and devastating wildfires are becoming an expected part of our seasonal calendars. Not just in Australia, but across the globe,” Dr Hilton said. 

Under climate change, countries are likely to see a greater frequency of conditions conducive to the outbreak of wildfires, even in places that haven’t historically experienced the impacts of these unplanned large fire events. 

This has been exemplified by events such as the Wennington wildfire that took place in east London, on 19 July 2022, during the 2022 United Kingdom heatwave. This luckily did not cause loss of life but still destroyed close to 20 houses.  

During his visit to the CSIRO bushfire lab, The King witnessed two bushfire demonstrations.

The first involved him igniting an experimental fire in the ‘Pyrotron’ – a 29-metre-long combustion wind tunnel that enables the study of fires in a safe and controlled environment.

He then met with CSIRO researchers, ACT Rural Fire Service Chief, Rohan Scott, and members of the Tidbinbilla volunteer brigade, to witness a ‘burnover‘ drill using an ACT Rural Fire Service heavy tanker.  

CSIRO Senior Research Scientist, Dr Matt Plucinski, who conducted the Pyrotron demonstration, said the apparatus was used to better understand bushfire behaviour and the factors that influence bushfires, such as wind and fuel types.

It is also used to improve understanding of suppression effectiveness and bushfire emissions. 

“Understanding changing weather patterns due to climate change and the likelihood and behaviour of bushfire outbreaks helps to increase resilience in Australia and overseas, especially in regions that previously haven’t been that prone to bushfires,” Dr Plucinski said. 

“This research and the predictive models of bushfire spread we develop are used by fire agencies for planning suppression strategies and warning communities in the likely path of the fire.”  

CSIRO’s research into understanding bushfire behaviour and the weather that impacts the fires – as demonstrated by the Pyrotron – in turn helps scientists and fire agencies work out what protection firefighters may need in the field.  

CSIRO helped develop the world-leading burnover protection systems for crew-cabins in fire trucks with fire agencies including the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).  

In the ’burnover’ drill, The King was shown how these systems feature spray nozzles over the cabin, heat shields for windows and fire-resistant covers for electrical components, pumps and air hoses.  

The effectiveness of these crew protection systems was first put to the test in a major way during the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria.  

Eight fire trucks were impacted by fire and all their crews emerged safely with no loss of life. 

These protection systems continued to provide crews with increased safety in subsequent fires including the more recent Black Summer 2019–2020 bushfires. 

CSIRO Bushfire Adaptation Research Leader, Justin Leonard, said the burnover protection system has now been rolled out in nearly every state and territory in Australia and his team is now sharing their knowledge with fire agencies in France and America. 

“We are sharing the research, both in terms of the designs for trucks and the way we validate and test the systems through the use of a purpose-built bushfire burnover simulator situated in Mogo NSW,” Mr Leonard said. 

Words & Image: CSIRO

Annual fire prevention activities in areas managed by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council are ramping up in coming weeks, aiming to keep grass low and trees a safe distance away from powerlines. 

The council last week issued a media release confirming that its roadside grass slashing program was already underway, while an electric line vegetation clearance program was set to begin this week.

Additionally, private property inspections targeting potential fire risks will commence in early November. 

CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said contractors started roadside grass slashing in Malmsbury and would be gradually working their way south, to provide initial coverage of the shire. 

“This program prioritises high-use council-managed roads and our contractors work within strict guidelines to complete these works safely,” he said. 

“Cutting grass on these roadsides, combined with other activities such as the powerline clearance works and property inspections, is all part of our efforts to proactively protect our townships and residents ahead of the higher-risk fire season.” 

In the lead up to summer, and during summer when safe, the council slashes roadsides to reduce the likelihood of fires starting from hot vehicle exhausts, mechanical failures and collisions.

Transport Victoria manages the roadside maintenance of state-managed roadsides. The council is responsible for keeping powerlines clear of vegetation on nature strips and council-owned properties within declared areas of Gisborne and Kyneton.

Powercor is responsible for most other non-declared areas of the shire, with Jemena responsible for Gisborne South. 

As part of the program, qualified arborists inspect street trees and powerlines to identify potential breaches of clearance guidelines and organise trimming where appropriate, adhering to the council’s Electric Line Clearance Management Plan 2024-25. 

The council’s municipal fire prevention officers will also soon be conducting private property inspections to check for fire hazards such as unmaintained long grass, excessive woodpiles or other debris. 

Officers may issue fire prevention notices where necessary. If a property owner does not comply, they may face an infringement of nearly $2,000, plus any costs associated with completing the required works. 

“Our officers don’t seek to fine people – we would prefer to work collaboratively with property owners and help safeguard their property,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“However, we also have a broader responsibility to protect our towns and support residents who are doing the right thing.” 

Visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/fire-heat to find out more about how you can prepare ahead of summer.  

If you’ve ever thought of keeping your own small flock of backyard chickens, an afternoon workshop coming up at the Trentham Neighbourhood Centre next month may just be for you.

As part of the Hepburn Shire’s An ABC of Rural Living Workshop series, the Keeping Chickens workshop will take place on Saturday November 9, from 1-3pm.

Also suited to those who already have chickens of their own, the course will explore how to keep chickens safe and healthy, housing and feed options and common health issues of which to be aware.

The workshop costs $10 to attend and those keen to participate can register now at https://ow.ly/riLy50TGp53 online.

The Container Deposit Scheme machine in Creswick will be now open both Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm (for a three-month trial) giving locals who are keen to recycle more time to bring their eligible drink containers.

The Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is a Victorian Government initiative that provides a 10-cent refund for every eligible drink container returned.

Before anyone who wants to recycle visits the machine they can download the CDS Vic West app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for a seamless experience, however this is not necessary in order to use the machine.

It’s worth nothing, though, that the machine needs to read the barcode on each container that is returned for recycling, so it’s important not to crush any containers.

Current locations for the machines in the Hepburn Shire region are:

Clunes IGA, 1 Service St, Clunes

Creswick – The Hub, 68 Albert Street, Creswick

Pig & Whistle, 705 James Lane, Trentham East

Daylesford Industrial Estate, 37-39 East Street, Daylesford

More details regarding locations, opening hours, eligible containers and how the scheme works can be found at www.cdsvic.org.au online.

Hepburn Shire residents and property  owners can dispose of green waste for free at transfer stations in Daylesford,  Creswick and Trentham during November.

The council has issued a statement reminding locals that as the upcoming fire season approaches it’s important to take steps to prepare their property and stay safe, with more information at: www.cfa.vic.gov.au  online. 

For those planning to make use of the council’s free green waste disposal month this November, things to remember include:   

• Bring along some proof of residency.   

• Separate your load – green material should be separated from other items being brought in.   

• Noxious weeds should not be transported or brought to the transfer stations.   

• Excludes commercial quantities of waste.   

It is illegal to transport noxious weeds in Victoria and for the council’s transfer stations to accept them.

Those with noxious weeds to dispose of can check out the council’s Noxious Weed Guide at its local transfer stations, libraries, customer service centres, or visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/trees-vegetation.   

The Hepburn Shire Council is calling for nominations from the community to acknowledge the people and groups working to make the Hepburn Shire a great place to live, work and play.   

Nominations can be made in the following categories:   

• Citizen of the Year   

• Young Citizen of the Year   

• Event of the Year   

• Hepburn Together.   

The council’s community awards provide a chance to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements by individuals and groups that work hard to better the local community.

A new award category, the Hepburn Together Award, is commencing from 2025 and is designed to celebrate the contribution of groups to Hepburn Shire.   

If you know of someone giving their all to our Hepburn Shire community, you can recognise their contribution by submitting a nomination online at Community Awards before Friday 1 November 2024.   

Visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Community-awards