'Infrastructure for the future'

Labor's fibre-to-the-premises National Broadband Network scheme, promised to deliver to Kyneton and central Victoria within three years, will be the answer for rural homes, says Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters said.

Rachel Wattie

The Federal Coalition's fibre-to-the-node broadband plan, relying on a decaying copper network, has been branded inadequate.

Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, says Tony Abbott's scheme, which promises to deliver earlier and cheaper broadband to Australia, is "like building the Calder highway with dirt roads for off ramps", and Kyneton NBN Action leader, Andrew Hedge, says the copper network is "not up to the task".

The fibre-to-the-node plan has failed to address central Victorian residents' problems with internet access, Ms Chesters said.

But Labor's fibre-to-the-premises scheme, which is currently being rolled out, promising to deliver to Kyneton and central Victoria within three years, will be the answer for rural homes, Ms Chesters said.

"It means that more people can move into Kyneton and central Victoria, and bring their small business with them."

Kyneton residents would be able to 'telecommute' (work from home), or from a local 'hotspot', rather than having to commute all the way to Melbourne.

The Coalition's promised download speed of between 25 and 100 megabits per second by the end of 2016, and 50 to 100 megabits per second by 2019 is not fast enough, Ms Chesters said.

Labor's NBN, promising 100 meg this year and 1000 meg next year, is essential for healthcare, business and education opportunities.

"The future of our economy depends on homes and businesses being able to connect to the world in a faster way," she said.

"It's infrastructure for the future."

Kyneton NBN Action leader, Andrew Hedge, said the most important thing people in Kyneton want is to feel that they are on an equivalent service to people in the major cities.

Kyneton's current internet connection, ADSL2+, doesn't get half the top speed the technology should be able to get, he said.

"The copper is clearly not up to the task."

Meanwhile, Kosmac & Clemens Optometrists' senior optometrist Ed Kosmac, residing just eight kilometres out of Kyneton, doesn't have a copper line at all for internet, and has to rely on mobile broadband to access the internet - paying $59 for only 10 gigabytes per month.

"That's pretty much the maximum we can get," Mr Kosmac said.

The 10 gigabytes usually only lasts about two weeks, he said.

"So we are constantly going two weeks without internet."

"It certainly isn't adequate living on a mobile broadband service."

What is the National Broadband Network?

- Labor is currently rolling out the National Broadband Network (NBN) to Australia, promising construction will have started for 48855,500 homes and businesses by June 30, 2016.

- Labor has recently expanded its plan to include NBN availability to 4,900 homes and businesses in Castlemaine; 2,400 in Kyneton; 2300 in Romsey and Lancefield; and 1,000 in Maldon by June 30, 2016.

- The NBN provides speeds up to 100 megabytes this year, and up to 1000 megabytes next year.

- NBN replaces the copper network, which wasn't originally built with the internet in mind.

- With NBN, 93 per cent of Australian homes and businesses will have access to broadband with speeds reaching one gigabyte per second via fibre-to-the-premises scheme. The remaining seven per cent will have access to broadband speeds up to 12 megabits per second via fixed wireless and satellite technologies.

- Fibre-to-the-premises delivers broadband to Australians via an optic fibre, which is a thin glass or plastic strand that carries light along its length, and is capable of providing faster speeds than copper or wireless technologies.

- There is an increasing trend across countries such as Japan, South Korea, Denmark and Sweden to roll out fibre-to-the-premises as the preferred technology.

- According to a survey done by Australian-based marketing solutions provider, ExactTarget, 13 million Australians spend over 18 hours a day online, suggesting the government's investment into broadband services is appropriate.

Finally funded

State Education Minister Martin Dixon visited Macedon Ranges schools including Woodend Primary School to announce maintenance funding on Wednesday. Mr Dixon met school vice-captain Jack Hansford, school captain Emily Hoey, and student representative Maggie Clune. Photo: Chris Fleming

School maintenance has finally hit the State Government's priority list in a funding announcement this week.

Education Minister, Martin Dixon, toured local schools on Wednesday as he revealed funding allocations with Member for Northern Victoria, Donna Petrovich and Federal candidate for Bendigo, Greg Bickley.

The minister announced $51.5 million to be shared across the state for school maintenance needs identified in an audit last year.

"The independent maintenance audit of schools across the state has been an essential part of understanding what schools had not received maintenance funding under the previous Labor Government," Ms Petrovich said. 

Kyneton Secondary College (KSC) will receive this shire's most significant amount, an allocation of $627,726. 

The college has been calling for desperately needed maintenance for years, while also enduring years of State Government knock backs for the K12 (kinder to year 12) Kyneton Education Plan. Without either solution, parents, teachers and committee members resorted to undertaking their own maintenance works in late 2010.

This funding allocation has come as relief to KSC, principal Mark Ridgeway said.

"We were very, very happy and very excited. It's great news," he said.

"It's going towards major maintenance of a number of our buildings; the English wing, the woodwork wing, food technology wing and the arts/textile/music wing." 

Mr Ridgeway said the K12 project was discussed at the minister's visit.

"What we've been campaigning for is the Kyneton Education Plan. The minister indicated that that would be separate to this main funding," he said.

"What he was saying was that they support our plans for the Kyneton K12 plan and it was not a question of if, but more of when."

Woodend Primary School, another school that has led a strong campaign for maintenance, will benefit from $308,384.

In 2011 and 2012 the school lobbied for state funds.

"While we all worked and waited for a response, the school's fabric continued to decay and the associated safety risks increased," Woodend Primary School parent, Rebecca Colless said. 

Ms Colless, a former school council member, attended the announcement on Wednesday. 

"This isn't a special gift or new grant, it's the money owed to the school for a long time," she said.

"It is the government's responsibility to maintain our public schools in a safe and presentable condition, in a timely fashion. I can't congratulate the government for doing their job: (a) when we have had to nag them to do it; and (b) late."

Other local schools to benefit from the funds are Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist Schools ($416,055), Gisborne Secondary College ($73,134), Romsey Primary School ($22,148), Bolinda Primary School ($55,876), and Clarkefield Primary ($3,824).

Macedon Ranges Blue

Macedon Ranges Blue is the local autism awareness campaign, part of the national, Autism Speaks Light it up Blue initiative. See article, Light on autism awareness (Guardian, 28/03/13), for more information.
Local Events during Autism Awareness Month:

April 2 
World Autism day 
Landmarks will be lit up blue 
Romsey - tree, fountain and shops
Woodend- clock tower Gisborne- fountain
Lancefield - businesses and shops

April 1 - 7
Blue autism awareness displays
Visual displays and information in business windows in Romsey 

April 4
Fundraising dinner for Playconnect autism spectrum disorder playgroup 
Sicilian Vespers Restaurant, Main Road, Romsey
Tino Fichera, 5429 3909

April 6
* Barbecue at Romsey Skate Park 
Short walk and balloon release
Kids activities
Romsey Lions Reserve/Romsey Skate Park 
12 - 2.30pm
* Lions Club visit with Righteous pup (autism spectrum disorder trained companion dog)
Romsey Lions Reserve/Romsey Skate Park 
* Romsey Football Club 
Blue practice match players run through blue banner and wear blue arm bands

Each Friday
* Playconnect, ASD playgroup for children from diagnoses to school (2-6 years) 
Romsey Community Hub 
* All Abilities kids health and fitness programs
Kids come and try day
Romsey Community Stadium
Mel Traynor, 0430 370 361

April 10
Macedon Ranges support group 
Morning tea 
Ethic Cafe, Woodend
Fiona Le Nepveu, 5421 1693

April 20
Pie eating competition
Fundraiser for the Macedon Ranges Autism Specturn Disorder Support Group 
Giveaways and prizes
Country Cob Bakery, Mollison Street, Kyneton 
10.30am 
Kate Neale, 0427 226 645

April 24
Macedon Ranges support group lunch 
Country Cob Bakery, Mollison Street, Kyneton 
12.30pm
Kate Neale, 0427 226 645

April 22
Question and answer session
Professor Tonge
Autism and adolescence
For parents, school staff, youth workers
Cobaw Community Health Woodend, 47 Forest Street 
6 - 8pm
Supper provided
Cobaw 5421 1680

April 29
May 6
May 13
Autism spectrum disorder in preschool years
Three professional development sessions for kinder and childcare staff
Cobaw Community Health Woodend, 47 Forest Street 
6 - 8pm
Fiona Le Nepveu 5421 1693

Month of April 
* Primary and secondary schools awareness activities
Cobaw staff will provide talks to schools in Macedon Ranges
* Macedon Ranges schools get on board to fundraise and raise awareness and acceptance of difference
Blue activities
For Amaze (Autism Victoria)
* Amaze will offer the Supporting Differences program to schools in the Macedon Ranges
To raise awareness of differences in the classroom and understanding students with an autism spectrum disorder

End of April 
Raffle drawn 
Fundraiser for Macedon Ranges Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Group


For more information on these events, please contact Macedon Ranges Blue organiser, Shantelle Grant on 0411 444 447. 

Light on autism awareness

Romsey sisters, Alice, 10, Abbie (back) 13, and Libby Quigley, 8, are supporters of the Macedon Ranges Blue autism awareness campaign. Photo: Shantelle Images

Kylie Kitchen 

One in 100 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

It's a high statistic, yet many people misunderstand the condition because it presents in such different ways in different people and is often mistaken for naughty or anti-social behaviour. 

Anyone who has ever judged a parent with a tantrum-throwing child in tow could be guilty of judging a mum or dad with an autistic child.

Romsey mother and integration aide, Shantelle Grant, is working to create awareness and understanding for autistic children and their families with the month-long Macedon Ranges Blue event. 

Shantelle's eight-year-old daughter was diagnosed with ASD when she was three-and-a-half.

"I still remember the first day I had to say to a parent, 'my child has autism, please give her some space'. I still remember that day because you do feel so lost and not as good because your child's not doing what's expected," Shantelle said.

Shantelle said parents of autistic children are often alienated in society. 

While accepting the diagnosis and taking their children to the many medical appointments, they are also dealing with judgement from strangers and rejection from friends. 

"It's really hard for parents, especially in society when they're made to feel that they're not good enough parents or they've done something wrong," she said.

Shantelle's daughter is a happy, bubbly girl, with a wicked sense of humour. Her ASD presents in strong drawing skills and an incredible memory for the details of her passions such as movies and dinosaurs. ASD is also evident in her social and emotional struggles. 

"She wants to play with her peers but doesn't know how. She always wants to be around her friends but sometimes it doesn't go quite right, so you have to gauge a lot of her social activity," Shantelle said.

Shantelle works with many ASD children and families as facilitator of the Play Connect ASD playgroup.

She said although all the children experience ASD differently, they share a sensitivity to the world around them - whether it be a reaction to loud noise, bright lights, certain smells, tastes or textures. 

"Their world is so different to ours," Shantelle said.

"They find things very overwhelming. They're very sensory-based children. All their senses are heightened, that's why their reactions are more extreme."

People with ASD have difficulty with communication, change, and flexible thinking. 

"They don't use the emotions they're feeling, they don't pick up on social cues, they suffer a lot of anxiety, and they don't cope well when they're not prepared for change, that's why they love routine," Shantelle said.

"I say to people put your hand on their heart and you'll feel how fast it beats and that gives you an insight into the anxiety they feel and what might be going on in their head."

There is no cure for ASD, it is a lifelong disability. 

Autism affects just as many adults as children, and many are undiagnosed. 

The message of Macedon Ranges Blue, part of the national Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue campaign, is awareness and understanding for all people and their differences.

Throughout April, events will be held in Kyneton, Woodend and Romsey to educate, advocate and fundraise for ASD. 

"It's about teaching people to understand and accept people who are different, without them being considered not good enough or teased," Shantelle said.

"My dream would be for people to be aware and have empathy and understanding for all children and adults, not just those with autism."

On Tuesday, World Autism Day, Romsey will light up blue. Landmarks will be illuminated to symbolise the launch of the Macedon Ranges Blue events. See the full events listing in next week's Midland Express or in Macedon Ranges Blue.

High action sport

As horses and vehicles weave their way around an obstacle course at high speed, it's hold-your-breath time, as you will discover on the long weekend when The Australian Carriage Driving Society's Victorian Branch hosts this year's state championships at Romsey.

Forget the Queen and Phil waving from their carriage as they enter Ascot races. Horse drawn vehicles are exciting - a high action adventure sport, great not only for the participants, but spectators as well.
As horses and vehicles weave their way around an obstacle course at high speed, it's hold-your-breath time, as you will discover on the long weekend when The Australian Carriage Driving Society's Victorian Branch hosts this year's state championships at Romsey.
This event is the direct equivalent in the riding world of a three-day event, only it is driven and obstacles are driven around not ridden over.
On the first day, Saturday, March 9, beginning at 8.30am, it's the driven dressage phase judged by three judges looking for correct paces, accuracy and obedience in a pre-set test.
Sunday, March 10, will see the marathon phase of the event. Horses and drivers will all be revved up and ready to take on what is considered to be the most exciting phase of the competition. Driven over approximately 18 kilometres and divided into three timed sections, it will incorporate the host property and extend through some of the local area.
On Monday, March 11, horses, drivers and vehicles will take on the the cones section which is a timed course through cones similar to witches hates with balls on top and will be rated on precision and speed.
It will all take place on a private property, Greenvale Equestrian Centreat 53 Sheehan's Road in Romsey and is free for everyone wanting to go have a look.
Enquiries welcome to event secretary, Cheryl Dowling, on 0414 772 806 catara23@live.com.au