Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
23 JUNE, 2026
Ready, set, let’s boule Now’s your chance to try and learn all about petanque. Mt Macedon Petanque Club will be hosting a come and try day for the community to discover more about the sport. Petanque is a popular French outdoor game where players throw metal boules to get as close as possible to a small wooden target ball. Club president Paul Fox said it’s a fun sport for all ages. “Everything will be supplied … you just need to turn up,” he said. Club member Caroliza Job said the social sport is fun, easy to play and learn. “We hope it’ll end up in the Olympic Games in the not too distant future because it is becoming extremely popular, due to its social camaraderie and getting you out in the great outdoors,” she said. The Mt Macedon Petanque Club’s come and try day will be held on Saturday 27 June from 10am at 2 Station Road, Gisborne. Equipment and light refreshments will be provided, and fully enclosed footwear is required. Details: mtmacedonpetanque.org
Mt Macedon Petanque Club president Paul Fox and member Caroliza Job. (Damjan Janevski) 559668_03
Fence fight for wildlife By Georgia Tacey Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network (MRWN) has called for change to fencing across the shire after an increasing number of animals have become entangled. The network is calling out the use of exclusion fencing in the Macedon Ranges, which is a type of fencing that restricts animal movement. It can be six feet or higher, and is typically constructed from ringlock mesh and designed to exclude wildlife from entering a property. MRWN committee member Meaghan Willis said while fencing is necessary for livestock management, asset protection and property boundaries, it is important to make sure fencing is designed with wildlife in mind.
Ms Willis said exclusion fencing is especially harmful in established wildlife corridors, affecting the daily movements of kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, koalas and other native species across the shire. “Volunteer wildlife rescuers are attending an increasing number of fence entanglement incidents across the region,” she said. “Kangaroos and wallabies are among the most common victims, often becoming caught by a single leg while attempting to clear a fence. Th is can result in severe injuries including hip dislocations, fractures and spinal trauma. “Unfortunately, many of these animals suffer for extended periods before being found and, in most cases, require euthanasia.” The use of skirts underneath the fence,
as well as barbed wire at the top are increasingly harmful to native wildlife, Ms Willis said, with the fencing causing wildlife to become displaced. “The solution is not to stop people fencing their properties. The solution is to encourage wildlife-friendly fencing design that balances the needs of landholders with the protection of native wildlife,” she said. The network is currently working with Macedon Ranges council on the issue to improve education, strengthen compliance and explore planning mechanisms that ensure responsible fencing practices across the shire. Mayor Kate Kendall said there are currently minimal planning restrictions for wildlife-friendly fencing, and said council officers are available for property
owners to talk with prior to fencing being erected. “The rise of exclusion fencing is something we are receiving community concerns about across our shire,” she said. “Whilst it may be allowed in the planning scheme, council is keen to explore future educational and advocacy opportunities to showcase the harm to wildlife it can cause.” MRWN said using highly visible white sighting wire or plain high tensile double twist wire instead of barbed wire can significantly reduce the risk of entanglement while still providing effective stock control. If you fi nd an animal entangled in a fence, MRWN said to contact Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300 and do not attempt to release the animal yourself.
Enrolments Closing Soon Enrolments for Year 7, 2028 close on 24 July, 2026 (students currently in Grade 5).
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