Lock up your cars - police plea

Sen-Constable Kate Marjoram and Sen-Constable Jay Harrison check out cars during a routine patrol in a Castlemaine car park. Police have been leaving warning stickers on cars where the doors have been left open or where valuables have been left inside.

Jeff Jones

The latest police statistics show an alarming increase in certain categories of property crime in Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shires. 

In particular, there has been a rise in the number of motor vehicles being stolen and a hike in the amount of property being stolen from motor cars. 

The number of cars stolen across the area increased from 69 in 2011 to 80 during the 2012 calendar year representing a 16 per cent increase. 

The trend is even more concerning when it comes to property being stolen from cars with a 21 per cent increase observed, up from 116 to 140. 

Local Area Commander, Inspector Ryan Irwin, said there were a number of simple steps people could take to help police curb the trend. 

"Inadequate security is often a factor in these offences," Inspector Ryan said.

"When reviewing property crimes committed in recent months, it is apparent that complacency is a common factor with many of these offences involving vehicles that had been left unlocked or with valuables left unsecured and in easy reach of thieves. 

"A number of offences involved tools and other valuables being stolen from the rear of utes and trailers."

Inspector Irwin said thieves often pursued soft targets.

"Leaving your car unlocked is making life easy for a thief," he said.

"On a number of occasions vehicles had property stolen while parked in the driveway at home with doors left unlocked. "Unfortunately many people still think 'it wont happen to me' and fail to take adequate security measures. Similarly there is a level of complacency involved when people park at shopping centres and leave vehicles unlocked while attending retail outlets.

"It only takes a matter of seconds to become a victim in these circumstances and we are urging locals to be more vigilant and more security conscious."

Inspector Irwin said people often think that because they are leaving the car for a short period of time there is less need to lock it. "This is not the case," he said. "Unfortunately many people have returned to their unlocked vehicle after an absence of a few minutes only to find that their mobile phone, purse or other valuables have been stolen. People need to be security conscious at all times including when at home or visiting shopping centres." 

As well as always locking unattended vehicles, people should remember not to leave any valuables in sight. 

"Leaving your mobile phone or wallet on the seat or on the dashboard can be like a beacon to a passing thief.

"Always take valuables with you when you leave your car unattended or at least have them secured away out of sight." 

Police are also urging people to report any suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Creative partnership

Daylesford Macedon Ranges Open Studios will partner with Woodend Winter Arts Festival this year.

The local arts trail event, which premiered last November, has announced the first of several new initiatives for its 2013 program. Well known artists Robyn Clarke, Tim Jones, Petrus Spronk and Anita von Bibra will discuss: 'How relevant is landscape today for artists?' in a panel moderated by Mary Lou Jelbart, artistic director of popular fortyfivedownstairs gallery and performance space, former Radio National commentator on the Visual Arts, on Saturday, June 8, during the Woodend Winter Arts Festival. 

Mary Lou Jelbart, artistic director, fortyfivedownstairs, will moderate a panel discussion 

on 'How relevant is landscape today for artists?' as part of the 

Woodend Winter Arts Festival in June. photo: Jeff Busby

Robyn Clarke is a Woodend-based painter, printmaker and art teacher who has written on art for The Age and The Encyclopaedia of Australian Art. She will be guest artist at the Woodend Winter Arts Festival. 

Anita von Bibra is a well-known artist who represents a wide range of metropolitan and regional artists at Woodbine - her Malmsbury gallery.

Tim Jones is a sculptor and wood engraver whose work is inspired by local landscape and childhood memory. He is represented in most of Australia's public collections and the British Museum.

Petrus Spronk lives in a clearing in the forest near Daylesford. He walks in the forest daily and considers it his studio and gallery.

DMROS at WWAF will take place at The Chamber Art and Coffee House, 90 High Street, Woodend on Saturday, June 8, from 5.15 - 6.30pm. The event will be the media launch of DMROS 2013 - and include a celebratory glass of wine and refreshments, along with a copy of the guidebook for the November program. 

Last call for artist applications for DMROS 2013 is Friday, March 22. Download the guidelines and application form at www.dmropenstudios.com.au, email info@dmropenstudios.com.au or call creative producer Jill Rivers on 0418 389 189. 

Bookings for the Queen's Birthday Panel Event are through www.woodendwinterfestival.org.au or WWAF enquiries 0447 570 327.

Dust won't settle

Dust from an unsealed Macedon street is so bad a resident says he is unable to sit outside on his deck. 

Unsealed Heath Street is becoming an increasingly popular alternative route to Victoria Street as an access to and from town facilities such as the train station, shops and cafes. 

Resident, Barry Southall, believes the traffic increase warrants sealing of the dirt road.

"This blasted dust is chocking the wife and I, especially in this hot, dry summer," Mr Southall said.

Heath Street, Macedon resident, Barry Southall, believes increased 

traffic warrants sealing of the dust producing dirt road.

"We can't even sit out on the front deck and enjoy a coffee.

"This little road of ours used to be a track, now it's a major road. We loved out little dirt track going back 40 odd years ago, but now it's an increase two fold of traffic."

In summer, Mr Southall hoses the road down to reduce the amount of dust.

In winter, he said rain washes away the surface and the road becomes littered with potholes.

Mr Southall has complained to Macedon Ranges Council about the matter over a number of years.

"They keep telling me, 'you must contribute', but I'm a pensioner and this is what our rates should pay for," Mr Southall said.

"Every couple of years they grade the road downhill. You're left with just a lot of dust."

Councillor Russell Mowatt visited the site to understand Mr Southall's concerns.

"His concern is warranted and I've spoken to the unit regarding those concerns," Cr Mowatt said.

"We did explain that there is a special charge scheme if you want to get it sealed.

"The traffic movements at this stage don't justify going down that track (of sealing the road at council cost).

"It would be nice to seal everything in the shire but we're not in a position to do that."

Too tight for toys

Bridget (centre) and friends Laura and Clara play with educational toys from Kyneton Toy Library.

Kylie Kitchen 

Kyneton Toy Library's location has been reduced from a room to a cupboard, leaving it significantly short of space to store its collection.

A room at the Kyneton Maternal Child Health Centre had housed the toy library for more than 20 years.

Recent Macedon Ranges Council renovations at the centre have seen that room become an access way for a new disabled toilet.

A wall-to-wall cupboard was installed for the toy library to replace the room, but volunteers say the alternative space is insufficient to store the collection of more than 350 toys.

Kyneton Toy Library volunteer, Lisa Ohlmus, is frustrated at council's actions. 

"In the last two months since council notified us about the works, we've repeatedly told staff the renovated space would be woefully inadequate and we require an outdoor shed to store excess toys elsewhere on the site. But our pleas have fallen on deaf ears," Ms Ohlmus said. 

"We've basically been told the storage issues are our problem and we'll have to store our excess toys somewhere else because they don't have the budget.

"For obvious reasons, storing our toys in two locations just isn't practical but council just doesn't seem to care. We're being completely steamrolled."

Ms Ohlmus is said an access ladder provided for the high cupboard is a risk to families.

"We're concerned about the risk of injury for members using this ladder, not to mention the risks for adventurous children and toddlers who will no doubt try to climb it," she said.

Volunteers and user families are concerned council is disregarding the value of the toy library.

"We feel strongly about this community resource because toy libraries can play such an important role in children's development," Ms Ohlmus said.

"Play is an essential party of early childhood development and toy libraries enable children access to a far greater range of toys and learning experiences."

Council community wellbeing director, Karen Stevens, said council supports the toy library as an important service.

The renovation was designed to allow use of the space when the toy library is not operating, Ms Stevens said.

"The toy library operates for 3.5 hours per week, two of which are on a Saturday when the kindergarten and maternal and child health centre do not operate.

"We have tried to meet the needs of all potential users of this multipurpose space.

"The space now available to the toy library is wall-to-wall (4.5m) and floor to ceiling (2.85m) with a 900mm depth."

Ms Stevens said a majority of the toys should be out on loan, rather than in storage.

"Council is also investigating locations for a 12-month temporary offsite storage arrangement for larger toys, while the library considers ongoing storage options and reassesses their stock requirements," Ms Stevens said.

"The toy library also accepted an offer by council to provide funding for an iPad to support the setup of a 'virtual' toy library, where families could browse the library online and book larger toys that will need to be stored off-site."

To find out more about the toy library and become a member, email lohlmus@hotmail.com

Shock as junior league disbands

The Midlands Junior Football League has disbanded on the eve of the upcoming 2013 home and away season. The league and clubs met with representatives from WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country on Tuesday night and has accepted its recommendations. The decision was made to assist and to define better pathways and transitions for young players into senior football at their local clubs.
The league comprised of 12 teams from Castlemaine and Kyneton regions. A key recommendation was that players without senior club affiliation already, including West End, Winters Flat and Wesley Hill, send their junior players to play for Castlemaine, and North Kyneton, South Kyneton and Malmsbury to play for Kyneton. Both senior clubs will enter junior teams in the Under 10s and 12s competition in the Bendigo Junior Football League while an official Under 12 competition will be formed in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League.
"The acceptance of the recommendations should assist local clubs with retention of their junior players as they progress through to senior football," WorkSafe AFL Vic Country area manager, Bruce Petering, said.
The aftermath
The decision has shocked the Castlemaine and Kyneton communities. Clubs including Malmsbury, Tylden, South Kyneton, North Kyneton, West End, Winters Flat and Wesley Hill have been forced to decide between the option of joining another league or to end their club history and send their junior players to senior clubs. The reactions have been mixed as clubs work with parents to determine what is the best option for their children.
The MDJFL formed last year, combining the Castlemaine and Kyneton District junior football leagues. The competition went through some teething problems but overall, was a success. Numbers were down in several teams heading towards this season but the majority of the clubs appeared to be happy with the direction of the competition. Several clubs held a meeting two to three weeks ago to voice their concerns and this was the first sign of instability in the league. The general consensus from the board and clubs was that the competition could not run at full capacity if it were to continue this season and it would be inevitable that the league would have to disband at the end of the season. It was a tough time for club and league members to reach a compromise.
"Friends were lost and made through this but the thing that has been forgotten is having a football competition for the kids," current Midlands Junior Football League president, Paul Tobin said.
"It is a disappointing decision but now we have to work hard to have a game of footy for our kids."
Tobin said that one positive from Tuesday night's meeting was that plans were immediately put in place by AFL Vic Country to assist clubs in assessing their short-term future. The MDJFL has backed the decision made by the AFL. For more about how your club will be affected, see Tuesday's Midland Express.

Ready, set, splash!

Team Kirk: Bruce and Kirsty Kirk, with sons, James, Tim and Campbell, are in training for the upcoming Kyneton Aquathon. The Kirks are familiar faces at the aquathon each year.

 

Tie up those laces and slip on your speedos, the 2013 Kyneton Aquathon is almost upon us.

The two-stage swimming and running race will be held at the Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre on Sunday, March 17.

"Whether you're looking to get fit or knock out the competition, now is the perfect time to begin training for the big day," said Jon Ground, manager of the Kyneton Toyota Sports & Aquatic Centre.

Sport and fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate in either a mini, short or long course option.

"Don't forget that if you're a runner but not a great swimmer or vice-versa, you can enter as part of a team to tackle the swim and run sections of the race," Mr Ground said.

The mini-course is friendly to any age group, especially designed for first timers. The run is 400m with a 50m swim (two-pool lap). The short course includes a 4km run and 400m swim (16 laps). Feistier participants can enjoy the long course, consisting of an 8km run and 800m swim (32 laps).

Both short and long courses are completed in age categories. Team entries are for these courses only.

Major sponsor Kleenheat Gas is throwing in an 86-litre Waeco Cool-Ice icebox each for the male and female champions of the long course. Kyneton RSL and iSeekBlinds will also be sponsoring the event. Spot prizes will be awarded on the day.

To enter, download an application form from www.mrsc.vic.gov.au

For more information about training and participation, contact Karyn Aumont at the Kyneton Toyota Sports & Aquatic Centre on 5421 1477.

Million dollar relay! Teams walk, run and dance to fight cancer

 2013 Macedon Ranges Young Citizen of the Year Award, Indigo Nicholson, together with family members, supported her mother Laverne, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011, in the first lap for Survivors and Carers at the 2013 Lancefield Macedon Ranges Relay for Life last weekend.

 The weekend ended emotionally with the traditional release of white balloons into the blue sky.

Lyn & Wendy's Walkers raised the highest amount with more than $8500.

It's official! The Lancefield/Macedon Ranges Relay For Life has raised more than $1 million for the Cancer Council Victoria.
In near perfect weather, 23 teams relayed overnight and were rewarded by the news on Sunday morning that by raising $58,000 they had pushed the event's 11-year tally to $1.04 million.
"Thanks are due to so many people who have supported the Relay since its inception," says organising committee chairmanager, Ken Wiltshire.
"The inspiration of that first group of volunteers who formed a committee to run a Relay For Life because they wanted to do something meaningful that would make a long-term contribution to the fight against cancer, a disease that had taken friends and family from them, is something that has sustained us all along the way."
Raising on average nearly $100,000 a year, teams from across the Macedon Ranges and beyond have rallied with courage and determination to support cancer research, education, advocacy and support services.
This year's event included the involvement of Sacred Heart College year nine student Indigo Nicholson, who won the 2013 Macedon Ranges Young Citizen of the Year Award.
Indigo read the Relay For Life Oath at the opening ceremony, and a winning video she made last year for the Live 4 Life Program conducted in Macedon Ranges secondary schools was screened throughout Saturday night.
Indigo was accompanied by her extended family including her tremendously spirited mother Laverne, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011, and participated in the first relay lap for Survivors and Carers.
Relay For Life unites hundreds of people touched by cancer, and offers empathy and hope. Among the survivors at Lancefield Park were several people who had overcome one or more forms of cancer and others still having treatment. They were given afternoon tea with music entertainment, pampering and an opportunity to add their handprint to a commemorative banner.
One of the most inspiring efforts was made by Anthony Traynor, who ran more than 100 kilometres in recognition of his wife Melanie's successful battle with breast cancer. Melanie and the couple's son Layne lit symbolic candles as part of the evening ceremony. The family entered a team under the name of their Romsey business, You Can Fitness.
The Lyn & Wendy's Walkers team raised the highest amount with more than $8500. Romsey IGA accepted the Georgette Watkins/Spirit of the Relay Award.
Fun and outright hilarious highlights included Slip, Slop, Slap, Shade and Slide races, tug-of-war in the moonlight and an energetically contested dancing competition.
Romsey and Lancefield Community Banks donated $2000, while the Foley family of Romsey presented the Carol Ladgrove Award and $500 to The Amigos who were judged best dancers.
Eleven teams responded to an incentive prize for registering for the 2014 Relay For Life. Lyn & Wendy's Walkers scored a daily double by being picked from a ballot to win $500 to kick start their next year of fundraising.
Mr Wiltshire says that while survival rates have improved for many cancers and there have been many medical advances, there is still much to do in terms of research and the provision of support services for those with cancer.
"The Cancer Council is at the forefront of that work. By its advocacy campaigns it is arguing for the enhancement of screening programs and other innovations that will improve the fight against cancer. Knowing all this gives the teams and the event organisers the resolve to be a part of the Lancefield/Macedon Ranges Relay For Life."
Donations for 2013 can still be made to teams or the Lancefield/Macedon Ranges Relay For Life event itself at www.relayforlife.org.au. For more information visit the website or ring 1300 656 585.