General News
29 December, 2022
A year of change and growth for our community
For the last edition of The Advertiser for 2022, it seems fitting to take a look back at the highlights and challenges that made for a memorable year in the Central Goldfields Shire and surrounds. January The year began in what was familiar...
For the last edition of The Advertiser for 2022, it seems fitting to take a look back at the highlights and challenges that made for a memorable year in the Central Goldfields Shire and surrounds.
January
The year began in what was familiar territory for the community, with the impact of the pandemic noticeable in the region on New Year’s Day. The 2022 iteration of one of Maryborough’s largest and most historic events, the Highland Gathering wss cancelled — leaving the streets of Maryborough without the sounds of bagpipes and starting guns for the second year running.
COVID-19 also took a toll on local businesses early in the year, with many experiencing reduced staff and others closing entirely due to isolation requirements.
Children and their families queued along High Street outside Maryborough’s Priceline Pharmacy for the coronavirus vaccine which had just become available for children aged five to 11.
Towards the end of the month, locals Brian O’Connor (Citizen of the Year), Jackson Barby (Young Citizen of the Year) and Atrel Turner (Community Award for the Supreme 1000 Lap Challenge) were all awarded as part of Australia Day celebrations in the shire.
February
Life started to return to normal, as students headed back to the classroom after a disjointed two years of remote learning.
Maryborough local Mitch Fenton, who suffered a stroke at the age of just 16, became one of 12 Australians to join a national stroke advisory group, with the hope of sharing his story to empower and encourage others.
Specialist cadaver dogs searched the area where missing boy Terry Floyd was last seen almost 50 years ago in February, reacting strongly to the mine shaft believed to be the 12-year-old boy’s final resting place.
The Maryborough Rotary Club initiated its efforts to return the Bristol Hill Tower to its former glory, while Premier Daniel Andrews visited the local health service’s new student accommodation site to kick off construction.
March
Maryborough’s first Health & Fitness Expo got underway, showcasing local sporting clubs and groups and how residents can get involved, while attempting to raise $100,000 for the Maryborough District Health Service’s oncology unit.
A plaque bearing the name of former Catholic Bishop Ronald Mulkearns was removed from a group of units in Kars Street, Maryborough in mid-March in a symbolic step for victims of child sex abuse.
April
Expansion was in the air in April, with Maryborough’s Sonac facility marking its 10th anniversary in Maryborough and a $15 million investment set to quadruple the local businesses size by 2025.
Local SES volunteers were recognised for a combined 110 years of service during a special awards night at the Maryborough Railway Station.
Resident Ken Gower looked back at his time sheltering in an underground tunnel during the Nazi bombings of England in WWII ahead of Anzac Day, after a chance Google search led him to find a photo of him and his mother hiding underground.
Hundreds of residents again turned out to McLandress Square to mark Anzac Day this year, the first time the commemoration had been untouched by COVID-19 in two years.
In April this year, Maryborough’s Ken Gower reflected on his time sheltering underground during the Nazi bombings of England in WWII.
May
After years of pushing for new netball courts, Maryborough Rovers’ dreams came true when treasurer Tim Pallas announced $400,000 for new synthetic courts.
Concerns over the Napier and Nolan streets intersection in Maryborough came to a head in May, with police and residents alike frustrated by the lack of action at the notorious crossroad despite continued collisions.
Residents headed to the polls to cast their votes, with The Nationals’ Anne Webster retaining the seat of Mallee, while a Labor Government was elected to the federal stage.
It was a busy month for the local health service, with MDHS launching its four-year strategic plan with a focus on changing the community’s healthcare story and improving health outcomes for residents.
June
Across the shire boundary in Avoca, the outlook was not so good for the Tristar Medical Clinic which closed its doors permanently after its parent company went into voluntary administration.
Things weren’t all peachy in Maryborough either, with local businesses targeted by fake tradies, with one local business charged $22,000 for dodgy bitumen work in their driveway.
The Victorian Government kickstarted works on the Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail with a $120,000 investment, with hopes the trail would become a boost for tourism and economic development in the region.
July
July brought with it the results from the 2021 Census, with the Central Goldfields Shire’s population growing, but also growing older, with the census revealing insights into local health outcomes, weekly income, average family size and more.
Locals reflected on the 92-year-old former Baby Health Centre as it was demolished to pave the way for the $100 million expansion of the Maryborough Hospital.
A grave discovery was made at the Maryborough Cemetery in July, when staff unearthed human remains while uprooting a tree stump in an open section of the cemetery. Not believed to be suspicious, the historic remains were reburied with the cemetery trust now pursuing further mapping works to locate any other unmarked graves.
It was also in July that the Central Goldfields Shire Council initiated the Welcome to Central Goldfields project, which has brought skilled migrants into the community to address staff shortages experienced by businesses — a process currently being filmed as part of a documentary.
August
The Maryborough Outdoor Pool officially closed for restoration works expected to cost several million dollars, with no set timeline to reopen.
Tragedy struck the community with a fatal collision just outside Talbot on the Maryborough-Ballarat Road, where resident Ian Hoyland sadly lost his life.
The 50th anniversary celebrations of the V8 HQ SS Holden took place in Avoca in August, with Holden enthusiasts also gathering to farewell local identity Hayden Pilgrim.
Local business, the Maryland Diner caught alight, destroying large portions of the building’s interior, much to the owner’s dismay.
Marg Pilgrim in front of her late husband Hayden’s V8 HQ SS Holden, one of many to partake in this year’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Avoca in August.
September
In September, works began on upgrading safety features at Maryborough’s Napier and Nolan streets intersection, with improved signage and clear parking spaces marked out.
Queen Elizabeth II died this month, with locals including Joan Watts reflecting on the legacy of the late monarch’s reign and her brief visit to Maryborough.
A heartfelt loss in the community this month was the passing of Dianne Mullins, a true community champion who spear headed the Maryborough Aeromedical Transfer Station, who sadly died on September 10 at the age of 71.
Parkview Bakery proved it’s ahead of the game in what it does, bringing home eight gold and silver awards from the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition.
September was the month Parkview Bakery brought home a swag of national awards, thanks to the efforts of Mason Tranter and Tyson Pomeroy.
October
October was the month of flooding across the state.
Emergency services worked to rescue several people who became trapped in their vehicles after entering local flood water, while the town of Carisbrook was evacuated due to rising water levels which thankfully, did not inundate the town but impacted several properties.
The Loddon House Holiday Park at Baringhup was a casualty of the floods, with whole caravans and cabins being washed down stream, impacting over 90 percent of the park’s residents and holidayers.
Fire Rescue Victoria crews were on-hand to help rescue a truck driver who became trapped in their vehicle on the Dunolly-Timor Road in October.
November
Talbot’s historic Avenue of Honour was restored more than 100 years after it was first planted thanks to the hard work of the Talbot RSL sub branch and Talbot Soldiers Memorial park Committee of Management.
Central Goldfields Shire councillor Grace La Vella was elected mayor.
The Energy Breakthrough returned to Maryborough for the first time in two years, bringing hundreds of participating schools and thousands of onlookers.
Daniel Andrews’ Labor Government was returned to office following the State Election, with Labor’s candidate for Ripon Martha Haylett elected to the seat, replacing Liberal member Louise Staley.
December
Maryborough’s Skate and Scooter Park opened to the public, several years after council received a petition from young people calling for updated facilities.
The Maryborough Aeromedical Transfer Station opened at the local airport after an enormous community fundraising effort and pledges of support from local businesses, with the facility to provide safe and comfortable working conditions for paramedics and patients awaiting air ambulance.
In the Maryborough Magistrates’ Court, prospector Neville Perry was found not guilty of intentionally damaging a heritage site by conducting mining works on his own land, after a legal battle spanning several years.
The community now heads into 2023 — which will be marked on Sunday with the highly anticipated return of the Highland Gathering.