The Castlemaine Junior Sports Star of the Week is keen soccer player, Omoikiri Kai Karate student and keen all-round sportsman Tanmay Ballalbagh.
Name: Tanmay Ballalbagh
Age: 10 years old
School: Winters Flat Primary School
Sport: Karate and soccer
How long have you been training? 1 Year
Can you tell us about some of your sporting highlights? I am a good team player, good at goalkeeping in soccer.
Who is an athlete you admire? Lionel Messi
What are your sporting goals? To be a good team player. To be recognised in any sporting events.
Do you play any other sports? Cricket, swimming, tennis, table tennis, badminton and chess.
Any highlights from those? Being selected to play in the state finals of the chess competition.
Tanmay wins $50 cash from our new Sports Star sponsors Dominos and can pick up his certificate and prize money from our office at 13 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine.
Do you know a sports star Under 16 deserving of recognition? Nominate them by emailing ldennis@midnews.com.au or calling 5472 1788.
The Castlemaine Cannons Country Basketball League side continued their winning streak last Saturday October 28 with a five point victory over Bacchus Marsh Lions 83-78 at Castlemaine. Top scorers were Trent Leech 24, Josiah Pattinson 20 and Jack White 12.
The Cannons have now won five on the trot and are set to tackle another double header this weekend, playing the Maryborough Blazers at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre tomorrow, Saturday November 4 at 7pm, and a home fixture against the Melton Thoroughbreds at the War Memorial Stadium in Castlemaine this Sunday November 5 at 1pm.
Be sure to get along and show the Cannons your support. Entry to the stadium is just $5 for adults and kids Under 16 are free. Onsite catering is available. Go Cannons!
One of Victoria’s largest trees, a majestic River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) located near Guildford on the Midland Highway, has been awarded the prestigious title of 2023 Victorian Tree of the Year by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
Known affectionately as The Big Tree, the tree is estimated to be more than 530 years old and stands at an impressive 32 meters.
Simon Ambrose, CEO of the National Trust of Australia, said the River Red Gum was a clear winner with more than 40 per cent of all votes cast.“Our winner is a well-respected landmark within the Guildford community, and voters have shown the significant contribution the River Red Gum has made to the local landscape with outstanding size and curious fusion of branches.
“This year the competition featured nine remarkable trees from the National Trust Significant Tree Register that were shortlisted for the coveted award, with three of the finalists hailing from metro Melbourne and six from regional Victoria,” Mr Ambrose said.
The contest aims to raise awareness of the conservation of the state’s natural heritage and highlight the many benefits trees provide to our culture and way of life, and seeing thousands of people get involved has been very exciting for us.
“These trees provide their local communities with serenity and respite and represent the diverse and incredible beauty of Victoria’s natural environment,” said Mr Ambrose.“We encourage Victorians to nominate their favourite tree each year. Keep an eye out for the 2024 competition, and details on how to get involved can be found on our website.”
The National Trust of Australia is the state’s leading advocate for the protection of trees. Since 1982, the Trust has classified over 1,400 trees across Victoria on the National Trust Significant Tree Register.
The Container Deposit Scheme rolled out across Victoria on Wednesday and kicked off to an incredible start in Mount Alexander Shire with Chewton Service Station receiving over 2,300 cans, bottles and cartons in the first day!
The scheme, funded by contributions from the beverage industry, rewards Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every eligible can, carton and bottle they return. Participants can then choose to keep or donate the funds to a community donation partner.
Hundreds of refund points have opened up across Victoria including; SP Machinery in Maldon and the independently, locally-run service station in Chewton.
Chewton Service Station owner Julie Leach said they are expecting more than 1000s containers each day.
“I’m really passionate about the scheme,” Julie said.
“Knowing that rubbish will be sorted and recycled properly is fantastic. Plus, community groups can use the scheme to raise much-needed funds and the people recycling their containers are able to nominate different groups or clubs to help.
“Each week we will nominate a different community group to benefit from the funds from additional containers we recycle. This week Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation & Wildlife Education Centre has been chosen.”
With more than three billion drink containers used by Victorians every year, most ending up as landfill and litter, the scheme will form an important way to transform the state’s waste and recycling system, diverting 80 per cent of material from landfill by 2030.
So, how do you go about using the scheme?
1. Download the app called ‘CDS Vic North’ and set up an account – this will enable refunds to be transferred within minutes.
2. Gather your aluminum, glass (no wine or spirits), plastic, steel and paper cartons (prima, milk cartons etc) with a 10c mark on the back. Sort them into four groups – plastic bottles, aluminum, glass and cartons. Keep the lids on and don’t crush containers.
3. Head down to the service station in Chewton or SP Machinery in Maldon and hey presto your cans turn into cash!
If any community groups or clubs are interested in taking part visit cdsvic.org.au to register your interest.
