UGFM - Radio Murrindindi

12/10/2025

Saturday 11th October 2025
Cracking Down On Illegal Dumping
The Victorian Government is cracking down on illegal dumping across Victoria – cleaning up our parks and reserves, and holding illegal dumpers accountable for the mess they leave behind.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos today announced $21.5 million to bolster the Illegal Dumping Taskforce and deliver extra financial support for councils and public land managers to clean-up illegally dumped waste.

We’ve heard from councils and land managers who are facing an increase in dumping. That’s why we’re delivering $8.5 million to help ease the burden of clean-up costs for illegally dumped and toxic waste in public spaces.

This will help public land managers clean up priority waste – like public health hazards – and will cover up to 50 per cent of the clean-up costs in situations where all avenues to trace the perpetrator and recover costs have been exhausted or are not feasible.

To catch more people flouting the law and hold them to account, $13 million will help the Illegal Dumping Taskforce ramp up surveillance, enforcement and clean-up efforts across Victoria.

The taskforce will be led by the EPA, who will work with Conservation Regulator and undertake enforcement activities using expanded intelligence and monitoring to detect and respond to waste crimes in key locations.

The taskforce will also review fines and cost recovery for illegal dumping, hold offenders to account through the courts and step up naming and shaming of those who do the wrong thing.

Rubbish dumping and littering on public land is illegal with a maximum penalty of $3,951,800 for businesses and $800,000 for individuals or five years imprisonment, or both.

All Victorians have a part to play in preventing waste dumping. To report illegal dumping contact the EPA on 1300 372 842.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said:
“We helping keep our parks and suburbs clean and healthy and we’re cracking down on polluters.”

“There’s no excuse for illegal dumping and anyone who thinks they can get away with it should think again.”

Member for Clarinda Meng Heang Tak said:
“We’re making sure illegal dumpers will be caught and held to account through increased surveillance and stronger enforcement.”

11/10/2025

11/10/2025

Alexandra District Health is proud to support the Katalyst Foundation, an organisation dedicated to improving health and wellbeing in Fiji through the donation of medical supplies and equipment.
Recently, ADH donated two baby cribs that were no longer needed within our service. Rather than going to landfill, these items will now be put to good use where they are most needed.
A big thank you to our own Marg, who plays a key role in identifying equipment that can be repurposed and ensuring it finds its way to communities in need. Her efforts help us reduce waste and extend the life of valuable resources, while supporting better health outcomes overseas. ♻️🌏💙

11/10/2025

Thirteen times a day, Kids Helpline acts to protect young lives

On World Mental Health Day (10 October), Kids Helpline shone a light on the scale of crisis support the service provides to young people across Australia.

Every day, counsellors at the 24/7 service step in to protect children and young people in immediate danger, an average of 13 times a day.

yourtown CEO Tracy Adams said these figures are a sobering reflection on the pressures young people face and the lasting impact these experiences have on their health and wellbeing.
“Behind every number is a young person in distress,” Ms Adams said.
“Our counsellors act with compassion and urgency when young people contact in crisis and connect them with the right supports to ensure they are safe. Every one of these interventions is a reminder that having someone available to respond when a young person reaches out can save a life.”

In 2024, Kids Helpline undertook 4,632 crisis escalations to child protection and emergency services to keep young people safe, more than double the number made five years ago.

The top five reasons were:
• Su***de risk: 1,803, occurring an average of five times every day
• Child abuse: 1,389, around three times each day
• Acute mental health concerns: 444, averaging once every day
• Self-injury or self-harm: 277
• Sexual assault: 270

“Young people are showing enormous courage by reaching out when they are afraid or unsafe. This increase tells us they trust Kids Helpline to be there for them, and that continued investment in mental health services is critical,” she said.

In total, Kids Helpline responded to more than 133,000 contacts from children and young people aged 5-25 years in 2024. Thousands of these were related to mental health, su***de and self-harm:
• 20,009 contacts were about emotional wellbeing, representing one in four counselling contacts
• 17,175 were regarding mental health, around one in four
• 11,682 related to su***de concerns, or one in six
• 6,288 were about self-injury or self-harm, about one in thirteen

Ms Adams said that on World Mental Health Day, it is important to remember that equity in mental health support is critical, as is the provision of services that are accessible, ongoing, and responsive to young people's changing needs.

“Every day we see the difference that listening, care, and early intervention can make,” she said.
“Our focus is to ensure no young person feels alone when they need help the most.”

Kids Helpline continues to expand its reach through schools, community partnerships and digital innovation to ensure that young people have access to support when they need it, through the ways they want to receive it.

Fast facts
• A contact is made to Kids Helpline every 90 seconds
• In 2024, counsellors responded to 133,386 phone and webchat contacts
• More than 23,500 of these were from young people from First Nations or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds
• 75% occurred outside standard business hours
• One quarter came from regional and remote areas
• The most common age groups contacting the service were 10–14 and 15–18 years

Since 1991, Kids Helpline has responded to more than 9 million contacts from children and young people across Australia.

Kids Helpline counsellors provide free, confidential, 24/7 support to children and young people aged 5–25 on 1800 55 1800 and via webchat at kidshelpline.com.au.

11/10/2025

Flowerdale Community House AGM

A reminder to members, we wish to invite you to join us at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 29th October 2025, at 7pm, at Flowerdale Community House.

This is an opportunity to vote in your new committee and set membership fees for next year. Tea, coffee, and light refreshments provided.

If you were at last years meeting and wish to pass the minutes in this meeting, we will have printed copies on the night for you to pre-read or please contact the House Tues – Thurs 9am-3pm and we can email them to you.

We hope to see you there.

Flowerdale Community House

Ph: 0490941247

Website: www.flowerdalecommunityhouse.com.au

Tues-Thurs 9am-3pm

11/10/2025

11/10/2025

Alexandra Whole Town Garage Sales - Saturday 18th October - It’s going to be a busy day with 43 locations around town.

11/10/2025

Drunk hoon P-plater nabbed in Eildon
Saturday 11 October 2025 at 12:01 pm
A 20-year-old man’s car has been impounded after he was caught allegedly doing burnouts while over the alcohol limit in Eildon last night.

Eildon police came across a Ford XR6 doing donuts in the local swimming pool car park about 5pm.

They quickly intercepted the vehicle, performing a breath-test on the Cranbourne driver who returned an alleged reading of .084.

He is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving, improper use of a motor vehicle, use unregistered motor vehicle and making unnecessary noise and smoke.

Officers also impounded the man’s car, which will cost him $1775 to have released in 30 days time.

10/10/2025

A big congratulations this week goes to local young gun cricketer Edison Waghorn. Edi has been selected to make his debut for Fitzroy Doncaster this week. Edi has risen up through the junior ranks at Yea Tigers Cricket Club and last season was named in the Seymour District Cricket Association team of the season. We wish Edi all the best this week.

10/10/2025

Murrindindi community invited to count the birds in our backyard

Murrindindi Shire Council hosted a Birds in the Backyard webinar with shared viewing events in Alexandra, Kinglake and Yea on Tuesday 7 October.

Presented by wildlife expert Dr Gráinne Cleary, the webinar “What Are Birds Telling Us?” explored how bird behaviour reflects the health of our environment, and what their songs, movements and silences can tell us about changes in local ecosystems.

Almost 30 participants joined the live broadcast online or gathered at Council’s viewing venues at the Alexandra Council Chambers, Kinglake Library and Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre, to take part in the interactive presentation and Q&A session followed with a light supper enjoyed by those who attended in person.

Council is also supporting the annual Aussie Bird Count, a national citizen science project running from 20 to 26 October that encourages people to observe and record the birds in their local area. There’ll be local events happening across the shire where you can get involved. The information collected helps BirdLife Australia better understand how bird populations are tracking across the country. To find out more or to register, visit aussiebirdcount.org.au

Murrindindi Shire Council Sustainability and Assets portfolio Councillor Sue Carpenter said the webinar was a great way to inspire people to connect with nature and take practical steps to support local wildlife.

“Birds are vital messengers of environmental change, and events like this help us understand and protect the ecosystems we share. I encourage everyone to take part in the Aussie Bird Count, it’s a simple, fun way to contribute to conservation science right from your backyard.”

For more information about upcoming events including the Aussie Bird Count in October, visit murrindindi.vic.gov.au/events

Pictured: Attendees at the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre event.

10/10/2025

Friday 10th Oct 2025
Key Route Reopens Ahead Of Schedule
The Victorian Government has reopened the Maroondah Aqueduct Bridge on Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, making journeys smoother for the more than 5,400 vehicles each day.

Crews have worked around the clock to undertake essential maintenance and structural improvements, with reinforced steel, new concrete abutments and a new bridge deck installed to strengthen the bridge.

These maintenance works will future-proof the structure and make sure heavy vehicles – which make up 12 per cent of vehicles using this route can continue to use it for years to come.
Built between the late 1800’s and early 1900s, Transport Victoria worked closely with Heritage Victoria to plan this maintenance to ensure the protection of the heritage listed bridge and aqueduct.

To reduce the impact to locals during these works, particularly for those living on the western side of the bridge, a free shuttle bus service was provided to offer a safe journey between the Maroondah Aqueduct bridge and the Yarra Glen township.

A temporary pedestrian crossing was also installed over the Maroondah Aqueduct to allow safe access for locals heading to and from Yarra Glen throughout the bridge closure.

Now that the bridge has been reopened, final works including road resurfacing, barrier installation and signage works will continue throughout October.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said:
“We know how crucial this link is for locals in the Yarra Glen, Eltham and Diamond Creek region, which is why it was so important that we coukd reopen the bridge ahead of schedule so we can keep freight moving and ensure locals can get where they need to go.””
“We want to thank the local community for their patience while we undertook these crucial works to future-proof the Maroondah Aqueduct Bridge.”

Member for Eltham Vicki Ward said:
“These important works were vital to ensure an ongoing connection for locals, tourists and freight operators travelling between Yarra Glen and the Eltham/Diamond Creek region every day.”

10/10/2025

Water Week has something for everyone
Friday 10th October 2025
Whether you’re a green-thumbed gardener, a curious student, a busy tradie, or someone who just loves a long shower – Goulburn Valley Water wants you to know that National Water Week has something for you.

Running from October 20-26, this year is packed with events that are fun, thought-provoking and designed to get us all thinking about how we use water – and how we can use it better.

“Water Week is a powerful reminder of how essential water is to our daily lives, and how easy it is to take it for granted,” said Goulburn Valley Water Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell.

“We’ve created a program that offers something for everyone – whether you’re six or ninety-six – and we hope people take the opportunity to get involved, learn something new, and make water-saving habits stick.

“Everyone can do something to conserve water, from something as simple as limiting showers to four minutes, to choosing the right plants for your garden, it can all make a difference,” Dr Capewell said.

Kicking off Water Week in the Goulburn Valley is the free Let’s Grow Waterwise Gardens event Wednesday, October 22.

If you love your garden but hate a high-water bill, this one’s for you. It will be held at Riverlinks Eastbank, Shepparton, at 7pm– an evening of inspiration and practical advice.

Landscape architect Louise Costa, and Cathy Olive, Euroa Arboretum Development Manager, will share tips on creating beautiful, resilient gardens that thrive with less water.

Even if you can’t make it in person, the event will be livestreamed at gvwater.vic.gov.au/community/water-week/lets-grow
Water Night is Thursday, October 23, when participating households will be asked to make a five-hour commitment, from 5pm to 10pm, to turn off all non-essential taps.

The theme this year is “From Habit to Hero” – because real change happens when good intentions become everyday actions. There are great prizes up for grabs – both nationally and locally – for those who register. Schools, sporting clubs, families and community groups are all encouraged to take part.

People can sign up to both Water Night, or as a Tap Guardian (a highly interactive program designed for the young, and young at heart), at gvwater.vic.gov.au/community/national-water-week
There is also our annual school competition, this year with a Don’t Flush It theme.

Our region’s students are getting creative – and a little cheeky – with the Don’t Flush It toilet paper wrapper design competition.

Bold drawings and heartfelt messages that remind us to only flush p*e, paper and poo, adorn the wrappers and several students will be recognised with prizes for sharing their thoughts on how to keep our sewers healthy and reliable.

National Water Week is a celebration of the water that sustains us – and a call to action to protect it. Whether you’re planting a garden, switching off the tap, or cheering on your local school, Goulburn Valley Water invites you to be part of the movement.