A “spring carnival of a different kind” is set to take off in the Loddon River system during October, according to the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

While punters look to find the best bets on racecourses across the state, the perfect trifecta could be within the banks of three northern Victorian waterways, the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) reckons.

Water for the environment will flow down the Loddon River, Serpentine Creek, and Pyramid Creek this month, to provide local native fish with “a party of their own” the CMA said in a recent media statement.

Environmental water releases from Laanecoorie Reservoir will begin in early October, targeting flows of 400 megalitres a day.

These flows will continue downstream and will combine with environmental flows from Ghow Swamp down Pyramid Creek which is targeting a flow rate of 650 ML a day at Kerang Loddon Weir.

At the same time, a smaller flow of up to 120 ML a day will head down Serpentine Creek for two days.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Environmental Water Project Officer Peter O’Toole said the flows are designed to improve water quality and get local fish on the move.

“For native fish, spring is their time to shine. It’s when they move around the system, searching for food andfor breeding partners,” he said.

“It does sound like a big party, but it’s really important to ensure they get access to new areas.“

These flows will help them do that, by connecting the Murray River with hundreds of kilometres of the Loddon River, as well as some of the best feeding spots in the country at Ghow Swamp.

”The flows will also help improve water quality in Serpentine Creek by refreshing any stagnant pools.

“If you’re a Murray cod, silver perch, or golden perch, this is celebration time,” he said.

“Monitoring has shown us that almost three-times as many fish move up the Loddon when flows such as these are on.

“That movement allows for a greater diversity of fish and healthier populations. It will also make for great fishing in the future.

”The flows are authorised by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan2024-25.

The Plan is available for download from www.vewh.vic.gov.au, with regular watering updatesposted on the North Central CMA website www.nccma.vic.gov.au

Three local councillors walked out of the regular Hepburn Council meeting on September 16, effectively preventing a decision being made on a confidential planning matter, just prior to the council entering caretaker mode.

The meeting, the last for the current council prior to this month’s council elections, was closed to the public at 9:10 pm for councillors to consider the planning matter.

However, minutes of the meeting show that the meeting was abandoned at 9:21 pm due to a failure to make a quorum as required for the vote to proceed.

With the current six councillors – following the July resignation of Councillor Juliet Simpson due to personal reasons – the required quorum was four councillors, indicating that at least three councillors left the meeting.

Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas has subsequently publicly confirmed that the abandonment will not cause any planning delays or trigger an application to VCAT.

Sixteen local council election candidates across the state have been retired after being found ineligible to nominate.  

Many of these are a result of routine checking by the Department of Government Services and Local Government Victoria crosschecking the VEC’s list of candidates with the register of local government candidate training.

This process identified that as of Monday 30 September, 12 candidates did not complete their training as declared in their nominations.   

It is a legislative requirement for candidates to complete this training in the two years before election day, in order to be able to nominate. As part of the nomination process, candidates are required to declare they have completed the training and specify a completion date for the training. Over 99% of candidates successfully completed the training.  

Before retiring each candidate, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) provided them with an opportunity to respond to the intention to retire them, as required by the Local Government (Electoral) Regulations 2020.

As a result, some candidates were subsequently matched against the register of local government candidate training and were not retired. 

This brings the total number of retired candidates to 16, after 4 candidates were retired just after the close of nominations after being found ineligible to nominate. This brings the current total number of candidates running in the elections to 2,215. 

The VEC website is regularly updated to reflect the latest retired candidates.  

A man who scammed the grieving family of Clunes woman Hannah McGuire out of many thousands of dollars in community GoFundMe donations following her alleged murder has avoided a jail term after appearing before the Ballarat Magistrate’s Court earlier this week.

Appearing before the court last Tuesday after pleading guilty to theft, Lachlan Morganti, 26, has been placed on a two-year community corrections order.

The court has heard that Morganti had been heavily drinking on the night he transferred more than $64,000 into his bank account from an online GoFundMe fundraiser that he had established following the alleged murder of Ms McGuire on April 5.

Morganti knew the family through the Clunes cricket and football clubs, and from Clunes’ local pub, the National Hotel, which Ms McGuire’s family runs, and he had established the GoFundMe fundraiser in order to help her grief-stricken family with funeral expenses and paying for a holiday.

The court at Ballarat has heard Morganti was afflicted by a severe gambling addiction when he took the GoFundMe money – having previous taken $10,000 from his own superannuation in a bid to fund his addiction.

After all the money was spent, the 26-year-old had confessed to Ms McGuire’s family who had reported him to the police.

Now left to serve out his community corrections order, Morganti had since registered with Bet Stop, a national gambling self-exclusion register, the court in Ballarat has heard.

The Biktober bike challange is back with the City of Ballarat and Love to Ride offering a month of free and friendly biking challenges for the wider region’s community to join.

Returning to Ballarat for its second year, Biketober is the state’s biggest bike challenge.

Riders who hop on their bikes, and encourage others to do the same throughout October, have the chance of winning amazing prizes. 

To take part, cyclists of all ages and abilities can register at www.lovetoride.net and get riding.

The initiative is for everyone, especially non-riders. It’s a great chance to try it out and join up with an experienced rider to enjoy an active mode of transport. 

Last year 177 people from the Ballarat area joined the challenge, which included 49 new riders. Ballarat totalled 120,837 kilometres over 4,910 rides which reduced carbon emissions in the city by 1,073 kilograms.

Registration is simple and free. Follow the instructions at www.lovetoride.net to fill in your details and link your profile to your workplace or club, for some friendly competition.

The state government says it’s supporting older Victorians to explore everything Seniors Festival has to offer, with eight days of free public transport for Seniors Card holders.  

Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams  visited Flinders Street Station last week to encourage more than a million Seniors Card holders to  take advantage of the free travel to explore Victoria, visit attractions and participate in  Victorian Seniors Festival events.  

Running from tomorrow Sunday, 6 October to 13 October and delivered in partnership with Public  Transport Victoria and V/Line, the free travel applies to all forms of public transport including  trams, trains, buses and coach services in metro, regional and rural areas.  

Cardholders will need to carry their Seniors Card while travelling and touch on and off with  their myki as usual – but myki cards won’t be charged.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:  “I encourage all of our local Seniors Card holders to take this opportunity to travel across our  state to visit friends and family or enjoy a day trip at their favourite destination.”

Now in its 42nd year, the Labor Government’s Victorian Seniors Festival runs for the month  of October with a huge program full of free or low-cost events and activities right across the  state.  

The theme this year is – “Explore. Engage. Evolve.” – encouraging older Victorians to maintain  their curiosity and connect by exploring new activities, meet new people and change how  Australians think of ageing.  

Over 2,000 events celebrating older Victorians will be delivered by the Labor Government,  local councils, community and cultural organisations, and festival partners.  

Seniors can explore a wide variety of events including experiencing the magic of musical theatre at Club Broadway, weaving through the tracks and trails of Geelong with the On Ya  Bike 2024 Seniors Festival Series or traveling to Maryborough for a day trip to uncover history  about the Goldfields town.  

For more information about the eight days of free public transport, visit  seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/free-travel.

To explore the full range of Victorian Seniors Festival  events, visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival-calendar.   

Applications for the Bob Hawke Landcare Award are now open with nominations accepted up until December 31 this year.

For the first time, this prestigious $30K national award is now accepting nominations from groups and organisations, in addition to individuals.

Do you know an individual, group, or organisation that is a sustainable farm practice innovator, demonstrated leadership in Landcare and inspired others to take land conservation practices in their community?

Now is their chance to be recognised!

This award honours the significant role of former Prime Minister, the Hon. Bob Hawke AC, in transforming Landcare from a grassroots community initiative into a national movement with enduring bipartisan government support.

It celebrates exceptional dedication to sustainable land management and efforts to share valuable knowledge with others.

To find out more or to nominate a Landcare legend click here

One of Victoria’s favourite events for all women in agriculture returns this month.

After a 10-year hiatus, Chicks in the Sticks is back on October 23 at Grampians Park Station, Moyston.

Low emissions farming is the focus, featuring guest speakers Fiona Conroy, who farms at the Bellarine Peninsula, and Dr Cassandra Schefe, principal scientist for The Cool Soil Initiative.

The free event starts at 9:15 am and finishes at 3pm. It includes morning tea and lunch.

Chicks keen to attend can book here or email bronwyn.bant@wcma.vic.gov.au.

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging farmers to take up ongoing support and assistance to help manage current difficult seasonal conditions.

Agriculture Victoria’s Aimee McCutcheon said Agriculture Victoria continues to monitor conditions across the state.

‘We know there’s been below average rainfall across most of Victoria during autumn and winter and that it’s a critical time for cropping, livestock and dairy production,” she says.

‘It’s important that farmers know that support is available to them to help make early and informed decisions.

Ms McCutcheon said the Agriculture Victoria website explains what support is available to farmers, including financial support and assistance, mental health and wellbeing support.

‘One example is the Australian Government’s Farm Household Allowance which is a fortnightly payment for eligible farmers.

‘Our website also provides access to other organisations that can help, such as the free services from the Rural Financial Counselling Services and the National Centre for Farmer Health.’

Ms McCutcheon said Agriculture Victoria offers extensive practical information, resources, tools and calculators to help farmers with forward planning, feed budgeting and livestock management.

‘All these free resources are available online 24 hours a day, or you can speak with staff at your local office.’

Farmers are being invited to visit the Agriculture Victoria website – agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information plus details of events coming up in their local region or online.

For information on technical support farmers can also contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The state government says it is helping young Victorians navigate important aspects of life with an online platform that is fun to use and includes information about a range of topics. 

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman in recent days has launched the new YouthNav website which has been collaboratively developed with younger Victorians.

The Labor Government has invested $750,000 to deliver the life skills resource designed to help younger Victorians aged from 12 to 25. 

YouthNav asks users about their skills using interactive prompts and provides guidance on life topics using clickable information presented in an engaging way. 

The platform teaches users skills to plan for and succeed in getting a job, moving out of home, travelling, having their say and managing money. 

Over 160 people aged from 13 to 25 were consulted during development of the platform and provided feedback that has shaped the information and topics it covers. 

Financial counsellors and youth practitioners, including South East Community Links, also provided insights. 

The platform was co-designed and tested with members of the Victorian Youth Congress, an advisory group made up of 20 young people aged 12 to 25, who work with the Labor Government to make sure a youth perspective is embedded in policies and decisions that affect Victoria’s young people. 

Victorian Youth Congress members were involved in concept and prototype testing of the online platform over a 12-month period, helping to create a resource that meets the needs and interests of young people. 

For more information, or to try YouthNav, visit youthcentral.vic.gov.au/youthnav. 

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman: “Young people have been involved in the design of this online platform every step of the way – the outcome is fantastic and this new resource will make a difference for young people across our State.” 

Trentham Primary School is receiving a boost to essential maintenance projects, after it was allocated more than $405,000 under a state government program.

The Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas last week announced that Trentham Primary is among 59 to share in over $20 million in funding for 62 maintenance projects under the Planned Maintenance Program (PMP). 

Trentham Primary School was allocated $405,141.80 for upgrades to their Shelter-in-Place building including revarnishing works, roof works and switchboard works. 

The PMP provides funding to address high-priority maintenance issues across Victoria’s government schools. 

The program ensures schools can undertake essential work in classrooms and other school buildings such as fixing roofs and replacing windows, painting, and resurfacing floors, as well as some external works like improving pathways. 

Works are determined by a rolling facilities evaluation process, which provides up-to-date information on the condition of schools in an attempt to create a faster and more targeted allocation of funding. 

For a list of schools receiving funding under the Planned Maintenance Program, those interested to know more can visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/planned-maintenance-program. 

Minister for Education Ben Carroll: “This program is about ensuring that every Victorian school is kept up-to-date, so that every child can access a high-quality education in a high-quality environment.

“We are constantly evaluating our schools and making sure every single classroom is safe, engaging, and will complement the top-class education we are committed to providing.”

The state government is supporting Victoria’s vibrant calendar of multicultural festivals and events, with more funding now available through the Multicultural Festivals and Events Program (MFE).

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt in recent days announced that grants of up to $50,000 are available through a new round of the MFE Program and Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund to host festivals and events that promote and celebrate cultural diversity.

Applications in this round will support festivals and events held between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2025.

Previous recipients include Africare Community Services for the AfriVibes in Wodonga Festival 2024, a celebration of art, craft, food and performance held in August.

The Australia Mission of Sai Inc. received funding for the inaugural Kingston Diwali, and the Chinese Alliance of Australia also received funding for the Moon Festival 2024 Celebration.

Applications are now open and close on 25 October 2024, with submissions from rural and regional communities, and new and emerging communities with recent humanitarian needs prioritised.

Mary-Anne Thomas, Member for Macedon: “I encourage all local multicultural groups, who hold festivals to celebrate their culture and traditions, to apply.

“Diversity is what makes regional Victoria such a thriving place to live and visit.”

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt: “We’re continuing to back our diverse communities with funding for multicultural events and festivals – bringing Victorians together to share their traditions and celebrations across the state.”

For more information or to submit an application, visit vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivals-and-events-program.

The days are growing warmer and the time has once again arrived to start keeping a watch out for snakes the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) says.

As temperatures rise, snakes are emerging from a period of reduced activity during winter
seeking food and mates.

Snakes may be more visible during the warmer months, but it’s important to remember that they will generally avoid people.

Abby Smith, Senior Wildlife Projects Officer, from the Department of Energy, Environment
and Climate Action (DEECA) said: “Most snake bites occur when people try to capture or kill them. Snakes may defend themselves if they feel threatened. It’s best to leave them alone and keep dogs on leads when out walking.”

DEECA advises that adults need to supervise pets and children closely in areas where snakes are known to occur.

Abby Smith: “Talk to kids about snake safety; what to wear, staying on the path and not putting your hands in long grass, under rocks or tin.”

Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, and capturing, harming, or killing them is illegal. You can report wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000. For more information contact DEECA on 136 186.

For essential snake bite first aid information those interested can visit www.stjohnvic.com.au/news/snake-bite-first-aid-tips/

Being snake-smart also means remembering the following potentially life-saving information:

• Snakes present little or no danger to people when left alone
• Wear long pants and proper shoes, carry your mobile and snake bandages when in
  the bush
• Keep your pets away from areas with snakes
• If you suspect your pet has been bitten, seek veterinary attention immediately
• Maintain lawns and clean up around your house – snakes are attracted to shelter such
  as piles of rocks and timber, sheets of metal, and building materials
• Untidy bird aviaries may attract rodents, which snakes eat; clean up after your birds
• Don’t attempt to capture or harm snakes; instead call a licensed snake catcher
• If someone is bitten, call 000 immediately
  

The CFA’s District 15 recently held a successful showcase of its resources and capabilities at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) in Ballan on Friday 13 September.

Organised by the District 15 (D15) Women’s Development Group, with support from Will Hodgson and the VEMTC team, the event allowed CFA members and their families to explore the equipment and services they may need in the future.

Despite the threat of snow, rain, and hail, the weather held, making for a smooth day of activities and demonstrations.

Highlights included VEMTC’s hot fire display, which drew attention in the blustery conditions, and flare-off demonstrations from the Sebastopol LPG Support Unit.

Pad staff led interactive training sessions on safe working at heights and low-voltage fuse removal, offering hands-on experiences that gave families a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by their loved ones during emergencies.

Firebird 07, piloted by Amy Millar and Kelly Krajnc, was a popular photo attraction, while those curious about air observation were introduced to the training required for the role.

District Mechanical Officer Garry Drabsch proudly presented his new vehicle, and the Bacchus Marsh Brigade displayed their new Breathing Apparatus (BA) support unit, which has already been used multiple times by Daylesford. Smythesdale’s Rehab Unit also demonstrated its capabilities.

The event featured further displays, including Headquarters Fire Brigade’s toilet trailers, food setups, and staging resources, along with Ballarat City Fire Brigade’s Field Command Vehicle (FCV) and Ultra Heavy Tanker.

Ararat’s Mobile Education Unit was also showcased, with recognition given to the volunteers supporting these essential resources.

Overall, the showcase provided valuable insight for CFA members, their families, and friends into the wide range of resources available and the dedicated individuals behind them.

Ballarat Highway Patrol officers remain keen to hear from witnesses as they continue investigating the critical injury collision that occurred in Burrumbeet last Wednesday afternoon.

Police have been told a white four-wheel drive, travelling east towards Ballarat, crashed into a tree on Remembrance Drive about 4.30pm on Wednesday, 25 September.

The male driver of the car was airlifted to hospital with critical injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing and officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the vehicle travelling along Remembrance Drive prior to the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au