MITCHELL-STRATHBOGIE EDITION
48 PAGES
AVENEL • BEVERIDGE • BROADFORD • CLONBINANE • DONNYBROOK • EUROA • HEATHCOTE JUNCTION • KILMORE • LONGWOOD NAGAMBIE • PUCKAPUNYAL • SEYMOUR • TALLAROOK • TRAWOOL • VIOLET TOWN • WALLAN • WANDONG
Beveridge to be home for Cobras
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026
ILLNESS FELLS INDI MP HAINES
■ An undisclosed illness has prevented Indi MHR Helen Haines from attending Federal Parliament in Canberra. Dr Haines says that she will need several weeks to recuperate from an illness that she has been managing over the past month. Dr Haines says that she has acted on medical advice to not attend Parliament. “Over the past month I’ve been managing an illness which has interrupted my usually busy schedule,” Dr Haines said in a ‘Personal Update’. “On medical advice, I'm not attending Parliament this week - the first sitting week I’ve missed since being elected,” Dr Haines said on Thursday (Mar. 12). “Every day countless people face similar challenges and like me need to 'take their medicine' and recover.’ Dr Haines said that she will be personally out of action for several weeks. “I love working for the people of Indi but for the next couple of weeks I know I need to recuperate. “I appreciate your understanding as I work with my extraordinary office of Indi team to manage my diary and prioritise recovery. “Anyone needing assistance with Commonwealth matters, or wishing to share their views, please contact my office in the usual way. “My condition isn’t life threatening, and I’m hoping to be back on deck by the end of March. “While my social media may be a little quieter than usual, the work of representing Indi never stops,” Dr Haines said in her statemengt shared on social media.
● Dr Helen Haines, Indi MHR
WOLLERT CRASH DRIVER BLOWS .25: POLICE
■ A man allegedly blew five times over the limit after he fled the scene of a collision in Epping on Wednesday afternoon (Mar. 11). Officers were called to reports of a two-vehicle collision on Harvest Home Rd on about 3.40pm. A black Holden allegedly fled from the scene before police arrived. The driver of the other vehicle was treated by paramedics for minor injuries. Police located the damaged Holden outside a property in Wollert and allegedly found the male driver asleep inside. An evidentiary breath test conducted on the man returned an alleged reading of 0.25. The 49-year-old Wollert man’s licence was immediately suspended, and he is expected to be charged on summons.
Weather causes delay
● Photo: Victoria Police File Image
■ Artbox’s move to Euroa has been temporarily delayed due to wet weathe. This exhibition opening is being delayed by a week. Artbox is returning to Euroa with a new exhibition: Strathbogie Forest and Stream by photographer Michael Flatt This is Artbox’s third visit and a return to its popular main-street location, bringing high-quality, accessible arts experiences directly to the community. At 25 Binney Street, Euroa, until March 31. Gallery open most days.
● Indian dancers at Beveridge
■ Beveridge will soon be home to Victoria’s newest high-performance hockey program, with the launch of the Melbourne Cobras hockey franchise. The launch event for the team last Wednesday (Mar. 11) brought together local people, sporting representatives and government leaders to celebrate the establishment of the franchise and its future home in Mitchell Shire. Among those attending the launch was Consul General of India, Anish Rajan, alongside representatives from Hockey Victoria, Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr John Dougall and Mitchell Shire Council CEO Mary Agostino and representatives from other partner organisations. The Melbourne Cobras will play a key role in developing elite hockey talent in Victoria and will be based in Mitchell Shire. The initiative builds on the partnership previously announced between Mitchell Shire Council and Hockey Victoria to explore the development of a new multipurpose sporting facility in Beveridge. The proposed facility would support both community participation and high-performance sport, creating opportunities for local players to connect with elite pathways while also providing infrastructure to support the region’s rapid growth. McEwen MHR Rob Mitchell’s commitment of $500,000 to support the Cobras program through Hockey Victoria has helped make the initiative possible. Mitchell Council says that it is continuing to work alongside partner organisations to progress planning for the future multipurpose sporting facility in Beveridge. The project is identified within the Lockerbie Precinct Structure Plan and is proposed to be located near the Shire’s southern boundary, east of the Hume Fwy. Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr John Dougall said that the Council was pleased to see Mitchell Shire become the home base for the Cobras. “Mitchell Shire is one of Victoria’s fastest growing regions, and it’s fantastic to see initiatives like this helping expand opportunities for sport and recreation in our community,” he said.