Stories that are short, but no less important
Woman of influence
Woodend Winter Arts Festival founder Jacqueline Ogeil has been recognised in the regional category of the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence awards. Dr Ogeil, who has also been director of Mount Macedon mansion Duneira since 2010, said the award acknowledged the quality of work provided by those who supported the two organisations.
Willow cull on Campaspe
Willow trees are being removed along a kilometre section of the Campaspe River at Kyneton to improve the health of the waterway. Work is taking place at four private properties upstream of the Piper Street bridge to fence off livestock and revegetate the banks with native plants.
Crossing works disrupt trains
Buses will replace trains between Sunshine and Sunbury from 9pm this Saturday until the first service on Monday as part of works to remove a level crossing in St Albans. Buses will replace V/Line trains between Melbourne and Bendigo on Saturday, and Melbourne and Sunbury on Sunday. Further disruptions are scheduled for October 23-26. www.ptv.vic.gov.au
Choose drinking fountain, not plastic
Drinking fountains have been installed at the southern end of O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury, as part of a Western Water program designed to stop use of plastic bottles. Fountains will also go in at O’Shanassy Street and the Village Green.
Elm leaf beetle blitz
Almost 3000 elm trees across the Macedon Ranges will be treated over the next three months as part of a program designed to limit damage caused by beetles. Trees will be sprayed and soil around the root zone injected with a low toxicity insecticide. People with elm trees on their properties can register with Friends of the Elms Inc by phoning 0409 870 860.
Charity tin arrest
A Coburg North woman has been arrested over the alleged theft of a charity tin from Sunbury’s Royal Hotel on September 23. The woman, 34, was charged with theft and bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 18. Sunbury police viewed CCTV footage showing a woman moving the large pink pig money box across a counter, throwing a jacket over it, lifting it up and walking away. The Very Special Kids charity tin collects donations for terminally ill children.
Strangles alert
People who have attended equine competitions in Melbourne’s south-east are being urged to ensure their horses’ vaccinations are up-to-date after a strangles outbreak in Tooradin. A Gisborne Veterinary Clinic spokeswoman said the highly contagious respiratory disease can be fatal if left untreated.
