13 AUGUST, 2024
Red Cross milestone While the trenches of France and Belgium are now nothing but scars on the land, the Ballan Red Cross is still going strong following its inception during World War I. On August 20, the second oldest Red Cross branch in Victoria will celebrate its 110th anniversary by having brunch at the Ballan Mechanic’s Institute – the very site where members of yesteryear used to meet. Branch chair Anne Eskadale said Red Cross roots run deep in Ballan. “We even have families who have been part of the branch from grandmothers through to great-granddaughters,” she said. Ms Eskadale, whose aunties were also Red Cross volunteers in the Mallee, said it was an “honour” to be involved in an organisation so steeped in history. Red Cross Australia was formed in 1914 when war broke out in Europe, raising money for parcels and knitting garments to send to the soldiers. When the conflict was over, most branches went into abeyance – a temporary pause – but Ballan kept going, sending “oranges and cigarettes” to soldiers in hospital and their families. These tireless efforts are a big source of pride for both members and locals, Ms Eskadale said. Tickets for the 110th anniversary brunch are $20. Tickets: 5368 1128
Anne Eskdale, Mary Williams and Gail Binks from Red Cross Ballan. (Damjan Janevski) 423916_10
A bulky Moorabool issue By Eddie Russell Moorabool council has sensationally deferred the Moorabool Retail Strategy to a future meeting after spending 50 minutes debating the establishment of a bulky goods centre. Updates were made to the strategy following feedback, including on the identification of a bulky goods location for both immediate and long-term needs to be met in Bacchus Marsh. Bulky goods premises are large areas for the handling, display, and storage of goods such as household appliances, furniture, carpets, tires, and mattresses. Speaking to councillors, Maddingley
landowner Ross Closter said the current site nominated, a 3.7 hectare block of land at 30 Fisken Street, would fall short of the 10-12 hectares needed. “One large Bunnings will take up 100 per cent of that site,” he said. “If we want to entice national retailers and grow jobs in Bacchus Marsh then sufficient land for bulky goods development is absolutely critical. “If that site is the only one then there’s no opportunity for any other retailer to come … we aren’t looking very far in advance.” Mr Closter said there was no room for hesitation and that a new site needed to be
found soon. “We need to start the bulky goods process now … we’ve done enough strategies, it’s time to actually take some action,” he said. However, community planning and development executive manager Henry Bezuidenhout said rushing the process would be a waste of time. “We can start the process now but it’s unlikely to align with the strategy and projected growth,” he said. “Fisken Street provides an adequate response to the short-to-medium term needs and any future development will be tied into future growth.”
Following the back-and-forth discussion, councillor Rod Ward suggested moving the recommendation with an amendment. “Based on the feedback from what I’ve heard I’d like to include the capacity to investigate the ability to rezone the land and plan now,” he said. However, the absence of two councillors and lack of clarification on next steps led to the agreement that a deferral would allow council to pursue a measured outcome and better understand the issue. The time spent on this one item was almost as long as the entire length of the last council meeting on July 3, which went for 62 minutes.
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