Show ambassador shines

Jo-Hanna with Kyneton Agricultural Society president, Michael O'Sullian (second from right), and judges, Garry and Faye Kerr.

Angela Crawford

Jo-Hanna Kelson has been named this year's Kyneton Agricultural Society Junior Show Ambassador.

The 18-year-old year 12 student from Kyneton Secondary College has been involved with the Kyneton Agricultural Society for about three years now, assisting with secretarial work and publicity.

The Show Ambassador Program encourages and supports young people living in rural and regional Victoria, with a particular emphasis on candidates who are involved with their local show. The awards seek to draw attention to the talent, creativity and ingenuity of young rural Victorians and in doing so encourage the candidates to become engaged citizens across local communities.

Following being announced as the Kyneton Junior Show Ambassador, Jo-Hanna recently competed at regional level. 

At the Upper Goulburn Group Final Dinner in Seymour last Friday week, Jo-Hanna competed against a number of other junior show ambassadors and was announced the regional winner. She will now compete at state level in Myrtleford on June 1.

Jo-Hanna beat out Whittlesea and Alexandra show ambassadors at Seymour, where an interviewing panel was impressed with her enthusiasm.

"The interviewing panel asks questions relating to the agricultural industry, and what you think about related issues," Jo-Hanna explains.

"They want to know your vision as a a junior ambassador - how you would get other young members involved, and fresh ideas to promote the show it as well.

"Hopefully we can get a lot more of the younger generation involved and see what younger people would like to see happening, and evolve the show."

Jo-Hanna has showed sheep at Kyneton for about five years.

She has stud Angus cattle and stud Romney Marsh sheep at her grandmother's farm at Greenhill, Craigiemore Farm.

"I usually take in a trio - one ram and two ewes - and if they've got lambs afoot I often take in the lambs as well.

"This year I will be showing cattle on the day," she said.

Richard's irrestible role - Woodend resident lands dream job in the UK

Richard Barley has been appointed director of horticulture for the renowned Kew Gardens in England.

Open Gardens Australia CEO and Woodend resident, Richard Barley, has been appointed to a prestigious role at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, in England.

Richard, who was previously director of Melbourne Gardens for the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, will leave Australia in early July to take up the newly created position of director of horticulture for the renowned Kew Gardens.

"RBG Kew is widely regarded as the world's pre-eminent botanic garden, with a rich history of over 250 years of being centrally involved in the discovery, classification, documentation, growing, distribution and conservation of the world's flora," Richard said. "Within a UNESCO World Heritage site of around 300 acres it holds extraordinarily diverse plant collections, stunning glasshouse structures and other significant landscape features. 

"The opportunity presented in the new role of director of horticulture at Kew is irresistible."

The appointment continues a strong link between Australian and British botanic gardens, with Professor Tim Entwisle recently returning from RBG Kew to lead the RBG Melbourne, and the retirement last year of Professor Stephen Hopper as executive director of RBG Kew to return to Western Australia.

Richard said he is very proud of what Open Gardens Australia has achieved over the past three years, and that it is well-equipped to move forward into a new era of success, and support for Australia's gardening community.

"It has given me great pleasure to play a role in writing the new chapter of the OGA story," he said.

"Establishing our National Office in Woodend has been a significant step forward, and we have a great team of enthusiastic, talented staff working in there now."

Richard said that while he has loved his work with OGA, he had no hesitation about accepting this new appointment, which is open-ended.

"It is really a position almost without parallel in the world, so there really was no hesitation on my part, notwithstanding all the upheaval, but it is the dream job."

Richard's wife Anita, a highly regarded botanical artist, and daughter, Georgina, will make the move with him to Kew, and are equally excited about the opportunities it presents.

"Kew has an incredibly rich tradition and history of botanical art and is really seen as a centre for those disciplines. Anita is also particularly looking forward to the whole diversity of artistic influences and opportunity in the UK as well.

"Georgie is also very excited about the prospect of studying in an English university and experiencing new perspectives.

"We look forward to friends and acquaintances from Australia calling in to visit over in Kew," he added.

Budget fails our schools

Kylie Kitchen

High priority education projects have been overlooked in the Victorian budget, to the detriment of schooling in the Macedon Ranges. 

The budget, released on Tuesday night, has failed to fund the K-12 Kyneton Education Plan, failed to commit to the Federal Government's National Plan for School Improvement (Gonski reform), and failed to reinstate TAFE funding. 

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch president, Meredith Peace, said this government has cut public education funding in real terms by at least $155 million over the next 12 months.

"The AEU has repeatedly called on the State Government to invest in public education, which is critical to the state's economic and social future," Ms Peace said.

Local Labor members of parliament have criticised the budget and its impacts on education in the Macedon Ranges. 

Labor State MP for Ballarat East, Geoff Howard said the budget is a huge letdown for the region.

"I am very disappointed that the K-12 Kyneton Education Plan did not receive any funding. For the third year in a row no school in the entire Ballarat East electorate has been listed to receive any major upgrade funding," he said.

"Our education system deserves better."

Mr Howard raised concern about the overall $69 million cut to education which is declared as 'savings' or 'reprioritisation and adjustments'.

Federal Labor Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, said the state's reduction in education spending proves the urgent need to reform school funding.

That is the aim under the National Plan for School Improvement. It is the Federal Government's response to the Gonski Review of Funding for Schooling.

The plan is a partnership project in which the Federal Government is awaiting state governments across the country to sign up to. So far only NSW has signed up. 

This budget was Victoria's opportunity to be part of the Gonski plan, with the agreement time closing on June 30.

Under the plan, schools across the country (in states that are signed up) would benefit from an extra $14.5 billion in public investment over the next six years along with better funding indexation. The NPSI would provide $9,271 per primary school student and $12,193 for high school students.

"If Premier Napthine will only act and sign up to our plan for better schools then there will be $4 billion more flowing to Victoria schools over the next six years, and the targeted funding available under national partnerships will be permanently locked in," Mr Mitchell said.

"But if we don't change the current school funding system, then our schools will miss out on $1.2 billion over the coming years due to expiring national partnerships and lower indexation rates."

Federal Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters said the state's decision not to invest in education is devastating for central Victorian schools, parents and children.

"(On Wednesday), I was in Kyneton meeting with school principals, teachers and students about the urgent needs of their schools. To be frank, their urgent needs list is just too long."

"This is on top of the $555 million the State Government has already ripped from our schools since coming to power."

Ms Chesters said if Mr Napthine refuses to sign up to the Labor Government's National Plan School Improvement, Victorian schools and students will be hit twice as hard.

"The Federal Government has put a fair deal on the table for Mr Napthine - offering to invest two dollars for every extra one dollar they put in."

State Liberal Member for the Northern Victoria, Donna Petrovich is yet to comment on the issues with education funding, but said the government is committed to improving Victorian lifestyle by investing in education, infrastructure, health, transport, environment and the economy.

"The Victorian Coalition Government's 2013-14 Victorian State Budget invests in major infrastructure and high-quality services for all Victorians, while ensuring Victoria's finances remain the strongest in the nation," Ms Petrovich said.

Overcoming disadvantage

Sacred Heart principal Craig Holmes, student Mitchell Cole, Parliamentary Secretary for School Education, Senator Jacinta Collins, Federal Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, school captain John-Joe Wilson, student Rhys Morton, and school captain Rauri Barker met this week as part of Ms Collin's Kyneton visit.

Kylie Kitchen

Better disability assistance was promised by the Parliamentary Secretary for School Education when she visited Kyneton schools on Wednesday.

Senator Jacinta Collins and Federal Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, met with teachers and students at Sacred Heart College, Kyneton Secondary College and Kyneton Primary School.

Ms Collins discussed how the schools will benefit from a nationwide share in $100 million extra into the More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative in 2014. 

"You'll see some good examples here - better support for students with disabilities to make transitions into employment and further education, and assisted technology," she said.

"The new funding means teachers at Sacred Heart will be able to continue providing additional support for students with disabilities to transition effectively between stages of school and from school into further education, training or employment. 

"While school principals and school leaders at Kyneton Primary and Kyneton Secondary will receive more professional development to build on the excellent work they have already been doing in supporting students with autism."

Sacred Heart students, Mitchell Cole (year 11) and Rhys Morton (year 9), shared their personal experiences with Ms Collins and Ms Chesters. They asked how the Government will improve disability access and services to students at school and in employment and further education prospects. 

Sacred Heart principal, Craig Holmes, welcomed the extra support for students with physical, mental and learning disabilities. 

"Certainly we want to have more disability access for those with mobility issues and also for students with auditory processing issues to be catered for," he said.

"That means providing the technologies they require to assist them in their learning so they are not disadvantaged from their peers.

"And certainly as a school we want to see students' ability rather than their disability."

Mr Holmes said disability funding will affect not only physically disabled students but those with social/emotional issues, autism spectrum disorder, and hearing impairment.

"We hope that with funding we can identify more resources that will overcome disadvantage," he said. 

"Their future prospects for employment and on going study are important.

"In the end, we want students to have full access to the education opportunities we offer."

Hawks relive glory days

Woodend/Hesket's Senior captain Jesse Sheppard and Under 18.5s star Darcy Lupson showcase the jumpers to be worn on Saturday against the Sunbury Kangaroos.

Woodend/Hesket Football Netball Club will celebrate the joint reunion of the 1983 Senior premiership and 2003 Under 18 premiership teams tomorrow at the Gilbert Gordon Oval as the current day Hawks face the Sunbury Kangaroos. The club will celebrate the day by unveiling a special jumper to commemorate both teams and inspire the players. The Hawks take great pride in their premiership heroes. 
"They say you make lifelong friends through sport, and the bonds and memories that you form with premiership teammates is something special, and something you will never lose," Woodend/Hesket Football Netball Club president Jock Allan said.
The club will be hold some ceremonial duties at 1.30pm at the social rooms and will present the original premiership flags to the coaches, captains and former presidents. After the matches, they will screen both Grand Final DVDs. Roast beef rolls and salads will be on offer for dinner, so there is no need to leave the venue. 
Tune in to the Sports Wrap tonight from 6pm on 100.7 Highlands FM as the team chats with club representatives about the big day.

Saints bold at home

Troy Adams

Football
What a day it was at Trentham last week for the Trentham Football Netball Club. The Under 12 game started off in brilliant sunshine as the newest edition to our club and the league took to the ground full of energy and enthusiasm. The boys started well scoring an early goal with some quick ball movement and were aided by a strong breeze. The game was a tight tussle all day and went right down to the wire with the Newstead boys getting up by three points. Best players were Mitch Peeler, Tim Brown, Stephan Lendrec and Maurice Nind. 
The Under 15 boys had a good win again. The backline was solid and our ruckman provided the onballers with plenty of opportunities from which they generated lots of run to move the ball forward. The forward pressure was also very good. The best players were Jake Keogh, Callan Wellings, Darcy Meade-Sweet, Robbie Byrne, Ryan Bourke and James Turvey. 
The Under 17.5 boys started well against the breeze with the boys running and using the ball well in what was a fast moving game of footy. Unfortunately the Saints suffered a couple of injuries to their already depleted numbers, and although they battled on well, the boys weren't able to keep up with their opponents. The Reserves featured return of Bob Beare to the fray, and the inclusion of some new players who all got better as the game went on showing some promising signs of things to come. Best were Dan Reeves, Peter Connors and Kevin Hall. 
Netball
The 15 and Under girls were first on court with Zoe Bruton playing well in the centre, working hard to get the ball to the shooters. The girls continued to play well working together to move the ball from end to end increasing their output and improving their teamwork as the game progressed. Best players were Zoe Bruton, Mynette Sundblom and Emma Marples.
The 17 and Under girls started strongly with the defence holding well and applying great pressure. The GS and GA worked really well together. The girls were all talking and passing the ball confidently. Kelly Matheson-Miller was strong in the centre and passing the ball quickly around the court. The girls got close to a win and should be proud of their efforts.
The C Grade girls all put in 100 per cent as the team continued to show signs of improvement against the well-drilled Newstead side. Madelene Sutton played well in defence in a solid team effort.
The B Grade girls played really well and kept their heads up all game. Sophie Forgo and Sophie Darwin were strong in defence. The girls are improving with every outing but the Newstead girls were too good on the day. Best players were Sophie Forgo and Emma Wheeldon.
The A Grade girls were slow out of the blocks but to their credit, fought back into the game. They played a solid second quarter against the strong Newstead outfit. The girls continued to improve and had a stronger third quarter playing well across the court. The fourth quarter was more of the same as the girls fought the game out to the end applied themselves in every contest. In a good team effort.

Around the Clubs

KYNETON
Wednesday April 24 was a stableford event. The winner was Karel Turang with 38 points from Tom May of Trentham with 37 points. The scores then dropped away with Bernie Frith from Hepburn Springs, Adrian Hanks and Col Cooney all having 33 points. Jim Dwyer from Castlemaine, Hans Herdel, Wally Stys, D Barker from Gisborne and visitor Barb Corkwell each had 32 points. The last ball went to Noel Alldis with 31 points. NTPs were Karel Turang on the fourth and visitor N Bruce on the ninth. A smaller field of players contested the 'Kokoda Trail' stableford event on Thursday, April 25. Len Fouracre was the winner with 34 points, winning on a count-back from Rob Power who also had 34 points. NTPs was Jason McClure on the ninth and Norm Cue on the 11th. Saturday April 27 was the semi-finals of the Singles Knock-out. The first contest was between Jason McClure and Col O'Sullivan. Col advanced to the final with a 3 and 1 win. Brad Cue is the other finalist after defeating Peter Walsh 4 and 3. A stableford was played for the others. A Grade winner was Adrian Hanks with 38 points from Peter Cameron who had 35 points. The best scores again came from B Grade with Chris Kanaris winning with an impressive 42 points. Paul Kristian was the runner-up with 39 points. Other good scores included Damien Summers with 37 points, Arthur Pope and Jim Kavanagh had 36 points, Len Fouracre had 34 points while Neil Ford, Graham Hackett, Karel Turang, Paul Law, R Burge and Tony Dibella all collected a ball with 33 points. NTPs were Adrian Hanks on the fourth, Hans Herdel on the ninth and Mark Sciberras on the 17th. 
The Division Two ladies travelled to Eaglehawk on Monday April 29 where they played Neagar Park and came away with a pleasing 3 and 2 win against a renowned competitive team. Division Three played Heathcote at Bendigo and was again denied an overall win. The side had one win, two squares and two losses to go down 3 and 2. Tuesday April 30 was a stableford. Grace Parkinson was the winner of A Grade with 39 points. During her round, she was on track for a hat-trick of three birdies but she had to settle for a miserly par instead. She was pleased with her round anyway. B Grade winner was Vicki Nettleton with 36 points. Vicki also won NTP on the fourth and Robyn MacRae on the ninth. The ball winners were Maxine Martin with 34 points, Bronwyn Dwyer, Deidre Dawes, Shirley Magnusson, Vicki Hardwick and Joan Eudey all had 33 points. Saturday will be a stroke for the medal. The ladies will play for medal on Tuesday with both days being inclusive of other events.
TRENTHAM
George Osborne had a good win in the midweek stableford with 39. Geoff Varley was closest to him with 37 from Alan Hopkins with 36. Darrin McLean won B Grade with 37 on a count-back from James Hannan. Jim Bradley proved too good in C Grade and showed them up with his modest 33. NTPs were G Osborne, C Wilson, M Walker and K Sheedy. On Saturday, Geoff Varley got serious to score 43 and win from Kevin Wheeler with 39. Mark Fisher survived a count-back to win B Grade with 38 from Ron Dunbar while Allan Schroder needed a count-back before winning C Grade with 39 from Chris Milne. NTPs were C Milne, J Bramwell, B Hawkins and K. Sheedy. Eileen Dutton won the women's A Grade with 34. Lee Nugent needed 35 to win a count-back from Jenny Thomas in B Grade. NTPs were Jenny and Di Hynes. The pennant teams, scratch, division three and four all finished up losing 5/2. The club can all look forward to next year. This Saturday is stroke for the monthly medal. By Dogleg
ROMSEY
Saturday April 27 was the monthly medal for stroke and putts The medal was played under very tough conditions, gusting northerly and north-westerly winds played havoc with all players' shots and made club selection on some holes extremely difficult. Under these conditions, the par threes were vastly more challenging than usual. The strong field featured a number of players in contention late in the round, however, the wind picked up making the final few groups really work for their score. The day's results featured Pat Chisholm being the winner and the April monthly medallist with 85-18-67. Other good rounds came from Daren Freestone with 77-5-72 and Ron Walker with 87-15-72. NTP was John Freestone on the 15th. The least putts was Darren Freestone with 28. - Anthony Lakey
MT MACEDON
Saturday April 13 was a par bisque featuring a field of 27. The winner was G Moore with (15) + 7 and D Hudson was runner-up with (13)+6. Je Langmaid defeated J Edwards 2/1 to take out the 2012/13 match play final. NTPs were P Berkley on the first and 10th, R Windlow on the third and 12th, D Bubeck on the eighth and M Willist on the 16th. Ball competition winners were G Moore, D Hudson, P Berkeley, P Semmens, B Walsh and R Jephson. Saturday April 13 was also the Gisborne Gazette Golf Gala. A field of 27 took to the course in the 4BBB stableford. The winners were K Van Donk and J Wills on a count-back with 46 points from R Jephson and M Langmaid. NTPs were M Willis on the first and 10th, K Van Donk on the third and 12th, M Burrag on the eighth and G Stevens on the 16th. Ball competition winners were K Van Donk, J Wills, R Jephson, M Langmaid, B Close and S Close.