Gisborne and Kyneton Soccer reports

Gisborne Women's Soccer

Jessica Larsen

Round three was played entirely at home this week for the two Gisborne senior women's soccer teams. It was the first time this season that both teams hosted matches on the same day and that brought about a healthy atmosphere and support system. The State Four team began the day playing against a strong Western Suburbs Women. The opposition sported quite a few young players who provided a lot of run and fast ball movement throughout the game, making it a challenge to keep the ball out of Gisborne's defensive half. Despite a few good saves from the keeper, four goals were conceded in the first half. Gisborne improved during the second half, however the game ended as a 5-0 loss, pushing the side to seventh place on the ladder. 
The State Three team added a little light to the day as it played against the Darebin Falcons. The Falcons are an experienced side, particularly skilful with their passing. This didn't stop the Gisborne women as they kicked the first two goals through Gill McDermott and Makala Poole. The two-nil scored remained at the break. The second half was met with plenty of scoring opportunities for both teams, and despite Darebin hitting the net once, Gisborne went on to storm to victory. The game ended in a 8-1 win going the home side's way. Gill McDermott finished with four goals, Kat Katatsoris with two and Chloe Smith and Makala Poole both scored one goal. The State Three team now sits at third place on the ladder with six points.

Kyneton Soccer

Kyneton District Soccer Club took to the pitch last weekend. The Rangers were in sublime form in the Under 13A and Under 16A matches. The Under 16B went down by one goal in a thrilling game.
Under 13A
Golden City v Kyneton
Kyneton opened its season with a solid 4-1 win against a good Golden City team. Rangers started the game brightly and were rewarded within 15 minutes by two well-taken goals from midfielder Tom Clough. With both teams playing some excellent football, Kyneton continued to create good chances, but at half-time the score remained 2-0. Golden City pressed hard for the opening 20 minutes of the second half and despite solid Kyneton defending their pressure was eventually rewarded with a goal from a corner. Kyneton continued to push for further goals and Tyler Simpson finished off a nice move with a well-taken goal from outside the box. This was quickly followed by a sharp finish from Sam De Groot to finish the scoring. Overall, it was an excellent all-round performance from Rangers who in the end were deserved winners.
Under 16A
Castlemaine v Kyneton 
Kyneton travelled to Castlemaine on Saturday to play the first game of the championship season. 
Castlemaine started well and opened the scoring after 10 minutes, shortly following with another goal to have the Rangers down two-nil after 15 minutes. Kyneton answered immediately through Shaun Dukic. There were goals to Ben Plant, Lachlan McKenzie and Koshin Mohamed with Castlemaine adding another to its total to see the scoreline 4-3 in favour of Kyneton at half-time.
The Kyneton boys came out firing in the second half with goals to Luke Knight, James Kennedy and Mitch Lee all within the first 10 minutes of the restart. Midway through the half, Saige Gostelow netted one with Koshin adding two more within minutes to complete his hat-trick. With five minutes remaining in the match, Luke added another two to give him a hat-trick as the Rangers ended the game 12-3 victors.
Under 16B
Spring Gully Blue v Kyneton
The Under 16Bs travelled to Spring Gully to play Spring Gully Blue at 12pm. It was an exciting game in the first half with Rangers having numerous chances to score but not being able to find the back of the net. It was nil-all at half-time. 
In the second half, Rangers dominated the game but were inaccurate with kicking at goal. Spring Gully took advantage of some poor defending in the last minute of the game and scored. This was shattering for Kyneton as it was the better side all day. The game ended up 1-0 to Spring Gully. The best players for Kyneton were Rhys Sartori, John O'Sullivan and Mitchell Smith. This week Rangers play Golden City and if they can improve their accuracy in front of goal and play with the same effort as they did last week, there will be a big win around the corner. Go Rangers!
This week
Under 12A versus Castlemaine-home-9.30am
Under 12B versus Colts Unites-home-11am
Under 13A versus Colts United-home-12.30pm
Under 16A versus Golden City-home-11.10am
Under 16B versus Golden City-home-9.30am.

Harry is soaring to greatness

This week's Macedon Ranges Guardian Sport Star of the week is eight-year-old Harry Luxmoore of Gisborne. The Grade three New Gisborne Primary School student is shaping up as a very handy sports all rounder in the fields of swimming, equestrian and football.
Harry is a proud member of the Gisborne Thunder Swimming Club. He started swimming with Gisborne when he started in the 'Learn to Swim' program. He began taking swimming lessons when he was just one. He has grown up with a love of water and loves going for a swim when he can. He progressed to the Gisborne Thunder swimming team when he was just six years old and had a great level of confidence from the outset. He followed his sister Isabelle into the squad and competition area. After six months of training in the squad, he progressed through to competition level.
"Harry loves all sports and puts in 100 per cent whatever the competition arena," proud mum Kate said.
Harry's improvement in the pool has been remarkable. He was the winner of the Gisborne club championship Under 8 boys division in 2012 and 2013. He has represented the Macedon Ranges at the Primary School Sports Divisional Championships this year, he was a finalist in the Victorian Junior Championships to start the year and was a member of the Central District team that battled it out in the age seven to 10 Vic Country Championships in 2012. 
When Harry dives into the pool, he seems to glide beautifully with each stroke. He has a great action for all strokes and showcases a great level of fitness, speed and endurance.
"Harry is very determined and never gives up in the pool, no matter how exhausted," Kate said.
Outside his love for the pool, Harry enjoys equestrian events with the Riddells Creek Pony Club. He has enjoyed a lot of success when he competes in equestrian. He has had numerous wins and placings at the Victorian Interschool Equestrian Championships and was the winner of the Gisborne Pony Club horse trials earlier this year. When he is not swimming or riding horses, he is kicking goals with the Gisborne Rookies. He is a proud member of the Under 9s team and while that level of football isn't competitive, he has developed many great skills to give him the edge of competing in the Under 10s next year. He recently took home the coaches award for the best player in the first round of the season against the Melton Centrals. He showed some brilliant pace and ability that will lay the foundations for a great football career.
As a young star, Harry loves all of his sports. He is very active and always manages to find something sporty to do. It is no surprise that when he finishes school that he wants to take one of his sports to the highest level and there is no doubt that he will.
For being featured as our Macedon Ranges Guardian Sport Star of the week, Harry wins a $40 gift voucher for Toys, Toes and Treasure in Gisborne and may call in to our Market Street office in Kyneton to collect her prize.
If you would like to nominate any youngster doing their best in their chosen sport or sports, contact our sports desk by calling 5422 1488 or email - sport@elliottmidnews.com.au
The award seeks to recognise sporting achievements and is as much as for those doing their best as it is for those who reach great heights.

Facility to close

Kyneton District Health Service board president, Graham Jasper, and CEO, Jennifer Gale, this week announced the impending closure of the hospital's Thomas Hogan Aged Care wing.

Angela Crawford

Kyneton District Health Service has announced the impending closure of its Thomas Hogan Residential Aged Care wing.

The facility's 35 staff were notified on Wednesday morning, and the families of its 15 high-care residents were informed later that day.

It will cease operating as soon as July 1.

KDHS chief executive officer, Jennifer Gale, said the health service is hoping the move will free up about $150,000 operationally a year. These funds would enable the hospital to provide additional services aimed at keeping residents in their homes as long as possible, before they need to enter residential aged care.

"There will also be additional in-hospital services," she said.

"This change is part of an Australia-wide trend for public hospitals to move away from operating nursing homes to instead providing a range of services available to all elderly members of the community."

Ms Gale said that in recent years the facility had seen a steady decline in the number of residents, as people chose to stay at home for longer, or entered residential aged care at low-care stage, moving through to high care at the one facility. 

"At the same time there has been a growth in the number of beds provided locally by both private and not-for-profit operators, to the point where there is really no need for us to provide a nursing home," she said.

"We believe aged care is a service that we should provide to the whole community, and this will be a much better way for us to deliver that service.

"It is more rewarding for people to stay in their own homes, with appropriate support, for as long as possible, and we aim to ensure that is delivered in our region."

A daughter of one of the residents, however, pointed out that the hospital's idea to provide care that will enable more people to stay at home for longer, would actually mean that a higher number would end up going straight into high care.

"My mum doesn't want to move, she's settled in now," the daughter said. "She had the choice of going to three (facilities) and she picked Thomas Hogan because she knew people there and it was attached to the hospital.

"I think it's a shame that this well-equipped facility is not going to be utilised."

Ms Gale said the hospital will work closely with residents and families to enable a smooth transition of its residents to a new home.

"We've been discussing with them the future of our service for the last year, because we've been operating at 60 per cent occupancy with no waiting list (for the past three years)," she said.

"At 15 residents, it was approximately $50,000 a month that we were losing, about half a million a year at our current occupancy levels.

"Commonwealth and state subsidies still left a funding shortfall of about $250,000 a year, even when the facility was full."

Ms Gale said no determination has yet been made about the number of staff who will be made redundant. 

"That will be worked out with them individually over the next two weeks. At this stage, they all have positions until the 30th of June at least," she said. 

"Where we have vacancies within our service we'll look to redeploy them and we're talking to other facilities in our shire and within the Loddon Mallee to see where they may have vacancies so we'll be assisting the staff with transfers if that's what they want."

Kyneton Hospital's executive is currently undertaking a site masterplan which will determine how the Thomas Hogan wing will be used.

Rates to rise

A 6.9 per cent residential rate increase is proposed in the Macedon Ranges Council 2013/14 Draft Budget.
The rate increase will cover $2 million extra investment in public land, infrastructure and facilities, the draft report explains.
It is the first time in six years council has increased its rates above five per cent. The last budget increased rates by 4.8 per cent (average of about $81).
A ratepayer living in a median valued property will pay $1,691 this year compared to $1,582 last year - a difference of $109.
"Once again, this budget is a balanced one. Our recurrent operating income is $63 million and our recurrent operating expenditure is $57.36 million, this means we generate an operating surplus of $5.4 million of which $4.5 million will be invested in capital works and $0.9 million will be spent on new initiatives," mayor, Cr Roger Jukes said.
Council adopted the draft budget, council plan, strategic resource plan, and mayoral and councillor allowances at its special meeting on Wednesday night.
The documents are now open for public comment until Friday May 31.
Cr Jukes said the proposed budget will strengthen livability in the Macedon Ranges.
"The budget includes a $16.6 million capital works program and a range of new initiatives to improve the natural environment and enhance services for families, children, young people and older persons.
"Over $6.2 million has been allocated for the construction and improvement of our road network. It also includes continued investment in our walking and cycling network, with over $400,000 allocated for footpath upgrades across the shire.
"We are also proposing to inject over $2.8 million for the construction of playgrounds, netball courts and sports ovals, plus a further $1.6 million for infrastructure at Hanging Rock-although this is dependent on attracting a government grant to assist."
The council plan 2013-2017 sets out council's vision, goals and objectives over the next four years and for the first time it also incorporates council's public health and wellbeing plan.
The draft budget includes 26 new initiatives including climate change ($40,000), a Trust for Nature covenant for UL Daly Reserve Gisborne ($23,000), community awareness in relation to waste reduction ($20,000), and improving service for planning applications and permits ($85,000).
The capital works program includes roads and bridges construction works ($6.2 million), footpath upgrades ($430,000), developing infrastructure at land to the east of Hanging Rock ($1.55 million) and purchasing land for an early years centre in Gisborne ($700,000).
"We recognise there is a fine balance to be achieved in addressing the environmental, infrastructure and social needs against the economic constraints within the community. I think this draft budget does this and I am pleased with it," Cr Jukes said.
"Although our debt will increase, it is still below prudential levels and it will enable us to invest in some important projects that will provide benefits to the community for many years to come.
"This draft budget is the result of a team effort from all councillors and I'm looking forward to receiving comments and discussing it with the community over the next four weeks."
These documents will be on public display in council offices and at the council website.
Written submissions will be accepted until Friday May 31, and will be considered at a meeting in June.

Minister visits to talk planning

Planning Minister Matthew Guy met with Macedon Ranges councillors and Member for Northern Victoria Donna Petrovich in Gisborne on Wednesday.
West ward councillor John Connor said a number of key planning matters were discussed in the minister's visit.
"We were basically discussing C84 (planning policy review), the Loddon Mallee Regional Plan, res codes, and township zones. Just general conversation about what would be right for our area in containing growth," Cr Connor said.
"(Minister Guy) basically was saying it is up to us to make decisions, he's given us the tools to decide what the community wants."
Mr Guy and Ms Petrovich (centre) are pictured with councillors John Letchford, Roger Jukes, Graham Hackett, Sally Piper, Jennifer Anderson and John Connor. Photo: Chris Fleming

Institute revived - KMI back in good working order

The Kyneton Mechanics Institute was reopened in 2012 after extensive restoration works and has been well supported by the community over the past 12 months.

Since reopening almost 12 months ago, more than 8000 people have attended a range of community functions, events and meetings at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute.
The building was reopened in 2012 after extensive restoration works that were jointly funded by council and the Victorian Government.
It features heritage décor, beautifully restored meeting rooms of various sizes and the main hall which seats approximately 200.
Mayor, Roger Jukes, said the community has embraced the venue.
"Kyneton Connections have sourced cutlery and crockery for the kitchen through council's Community Funding Scheme and the Friends of the KMI are raising funds for curtains, he said.
"Local community groups have also made good use of the free meeting space, which is available for not-for-profit groups up to six times a year, free of charge."
Over the past 12 months:
· 8087 people have attended a function, event or meeting in the Kyneton Mechanics Institute
· 24 private and public events or activities have used the space
· 95 public and community meetings
· 37 youth drama classes run by private operator
· Three months block hire by the Victorian Electoral Commission as offices.

Riddell District Junior Football League scoreboard

UNDER 10A
Gisborne Rookies 3.2, 3.3, 7.5, 10.5 (65) defeated Rupertswood 1.0, 2.2, 2.2, 3.4 (22)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies) M Dean, M Merrett 2, N Slater, S Paton, T Hartley, M Ramsay, D McGrath, J Sanderson 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies) N Slater, S Paton, M Dean, M Merrett, D McGrath, B McGee.
UNDER 10B
Romsey 2.1, 5.2, 6.4, 8.4 (52) defeated Riddells Creek 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 4.1 (25)
Goals: (Romsey) J Squire 2, T O'Sullivan, C Carter, F Durston, C Jedwab, E Daw, D Bush 1. (Riddells Creek) M Garbett 2, J Poyser, J Brown 1.
Best: (Romsey) E Daw, L Muir, T O'Sullivan, F Durston, J Squire, D Bush. (Riddells Creek) O Besanko, M Garbett, J Brown, B Hagan, L Mills, T Vincent.
Woodend 1.4, 6.7, 8.8, 12.16 (88) Macedon 0.0 (0)
Goals: (Woodend) D Scerri-Johnstone 4, B Cameron, A Binos 2, H Lawson, H Yunghanns, M Simpson, B Brown 1.
Best: (Woodend) D Scerri-Johnstone, A Binos, H Lawson, B Cameron, D Simmonds, M Simpson. (Macedon) L Webb, A Monaghan, W Thomas, R Blizzard, J Rowland, O Barry.
UNDER 10C
Rupertswood 1.0, 2.3, 6.8, 7.10 (52) defeated Gisborne Rookies 1.1, 3.1, 3.1, 6.1 (37)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies) J Salathiel 3, H Sloss, J Feist, S Grainger 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies) J Salathiel, R Penny, A Wagstaff, K Whitefield, M Torkington, J Feist.
UNDER 12A
Gisborne Rookies 2.2, 4.6, 5.9, 6.10 (46) defeated Rupertswood 1.1, 1.1, 3.1, 6.1 (37)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies) H Jones 3, S Merrett, M Cassidy, R Vernon 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies) F Lakey, S Bell-Bartels, S Ramsay, C Boschen, C Noll, R Vernon.
UNDER 12B
Riddells Creek 2.1, 4.3, 9.6, 12.10 (82) defeated Romsey 1.1, 2.1,3.1, 3.1(19)
Goals: (Riddells Creek) B Doolan 3, B Radford 2, J Shanahan, J Radford, J Bowden, R Miller, L Rainford, B Poyser, J De Haas 1. (Romsey) C Johnston 2, T Maslen 1.
Best: (Riddells Creek) J Bowden, J Ryan, J Shanahan, J Radford, W Henson, B Whiting. (Romsey) J Henson, T Durston, C Johnston, C Day, T Maslen, M Rees.
Woodend 1.0, 2.3, 4.5, 5.5 (35) defeated Macedon 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.1 (7)
Goals: (Woodend) H Bucki 3, T Nicholls, B Hocking 1. (Macedon) S Wagstaff 1.
Best: (Woodend) J Hansford, T Nicholls, H Bucki, L Tunn, S Beckett, L Michalczak. (Macedon) S Doherty, O Monaghan, N Floreani, D Neylon, W McCamley, B Noden.
UNDER 12C
Gisborne Rookies 4.3, 6.5, 8.9, 10.11 (71) defeated Diggers Rest 0.0, 2.1, 4.2, 5.2 (32)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies) D Manago, L Shore 2, J Maiuolo, D de Ruiter, J Bannan, B Joiner, C Luxford, B Zarb 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies) J McDonald, H Fitt, L Stiedl, L Shore, C Luxford, D de Ruiter.
UNDER 12D
Rupertswood Gold 0.0, 2.1, 3.3, 5.6 (36) defeated Gisborne Rookies Blue 3.4, 3.4, 3.4, 4.6 (30)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies Blue) P Lupson 2, A McKenzie, L Jorgensen 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies Blue) M Burnell, R Conolan, R Nicol, W Price, W Pendlebury, T Zarb.
Gisborne Rookies Red 2.0, 3.4, 5.6, 7.8 (50) defeated Tylden 1.1, 1.1, 1.1, 2.2 (14)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies Red) N Crosby 3, R Seymour 2, O Hare, M Lord 1. (Tylden) C Pritchard, K Knight-Hills 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies Red) N Crosby, R Seymour, B Galea, B Piper, T McCormick, M Lord. (Tylden) C Pritchard, L Hale, L Dudley, N Kirley, L Jackson, M Kirley.
Woodend 0.2, 1.6, 2.6, 5.10 (40) defeated Kilmore 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 4.4 (28)
UNDER 14A
Rupertswood 2.2, 6.5, 9.10, 11.12 (78) defeated Gisborne Rookies 0.2, 1.2, 2.3, 3.3 (21)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies) S Graham 2, L Thiner 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies) A Cerone, S Richardson, B Lakey, T Fraser, W Hay, J O'Keefe.
UNDER 14B
Romsey 4.3, 4.6, 9.10, 13.12 (90) defeated Riddells Creek 0.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 (6)
Goals: (Romsey) S Day 6, B Wood 3, M Prespakis, J Barrett, J Coburn, T Vale 1. (Riddells Creek) B Forge 1.
Best: (Romsey) J Coburn, J Barrett, A Smith, M Doherty, B Wood, S Day. (Riddells Creek) B Forge, D Hagan, J Taggart, H Power, T Ford, J Taylor.
Woodend 3.0, 7.2, 7.5, 11.9 (75) defeated Macedon 1.1, 1.2, 3.2, 3.3 (21)
Goals: (Woodend) B Crowhurst 6, J Thompson, H Giddings, N Sullivan, C Mathieson, C Strahan 1. (Macedon) J McNicol, J Harrison, H Gibson 1.
Best: (Woodend) O Ziolkowski, J Wolfli, N Sullivan, F Urie, J Colcott, B Crowhurst. (Macedon) J Reeves, H Gibson, J Morrissey, S Cremasco, J McNicol, J Watkins.
UNDER 14C
Gisborne Rookies 4.2, 8.4, 10.9, 12.11 (83) defeated Diggers Rest 1.0, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2 (20)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies) R Chaston, L Docherty 3, S McCaskill, M McDonald, D Pemberton, M Rowles, B Pemberton, P De Ruiter 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies) B Galea, R Chaston, L Docherty, M Rowles, K Sadler, J Manago.
UNDER 14D
Woodend 3.2, 4.2, 6.3, 8.6 (54) defeated Romsey 0.2, 0.5, 2.6, 4.11 (35)
Goals: (Woodend) H Dean, O Kranjcec 2, R Mahon, J Agnelli, J Hicks, J Holgate 1. (Romsey) D Jordon, B Stewart 2.
Best: (Woodend) R Mahon, H Dean, O Kranjcec, C Little, K Sewell, F Galbally.
Rupertswood 2.0, 4.6, 5.6, 8.7 (55) defeated Gisborne Rookies 0.0, 0.0, 1.1, 1.2 (8)
Goal: (Gisborne Rookies) E Corbell 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies) B Stewart, R Hemphill, N Smith, C Watson, H Ryan, E Corbell.
UNDER 16A
Rupertswood 1.8, 4.11, 4.15, 8.18 (66) defeated Gisborne Rookies 2.3, 3.6, 6.7, 8.9 (57)
Goals: (Gisborne Rookies) J Reaper 3, N Mills 2, N Doolan, R Paterson, J Grabham 1.
Best: (Gisborne Rookies) B Hoyne, Z Borg, J Suselj, M Wilson, D Evans, N Doolan.
UNDER 16B
Romsey 5.3, 12.6, 15.8, 18.13 (121) defeated Riddells Creek 2.0, 2.1, 3.2, 4.5 (29)
Goals: (Romsey) T Green 6, J O'Brien 4, F Miceli 3, J Jedwab 2, P Durston, J Patton, N Hoy 1. (Riddells Creek) N Bovezza, L Henson, A Smith, J Morganti 1.
Best: (Romsey) J Patton, J O'Sullivan, F Miceli, T Lever, J Day, J O'Brien. (Riddells Creek) J Braybrook, L Henson, J Morganti, N Bovezza, T Alkemade, M Dullard.
Woodend 3.3, 8.8, 11.9, 18.12 (120) defeated Macedon 2.1, 3.2, 3.5, 4.5 (29)
Goals: (Woodend) A Mathieson, B Nicholls 4, D Kelly 3, C Athorn, B Thompson 2, J Bullard, L Barton, J Owen 1. (Macedon) Z Paul, R Fischer, J Prime, C Manniche 1.
Best: (Woodend) J Owen, A Mathieson, L Barton, B Nicholls, T Macklin, J Larsen. (Macedon) B Blake, J Bramucci, T Dunphy, Z Paul, R Fischer, J Prime.
UNDER 16C
Sunbury Lions Blue 5.3, 10.9, 14.14, 19.15 (129) defeated Woodend 0.2, 0.2, 0.5, 0.7 (7)
Best: (Woodend) A Ward, D Reynolds, J Skipper, C Barton, M Miranda, C Bucki.

Woodend took the game on against Macedon on Sunday in the Under 16s. Photo: Chris Fleming