Strathbogie Shire Council

Thursday, 1 June, 2017

Karen Mizzi is a hidden treasure in the Strathbogie Shire.

Tucked away in Longwood with an amazing collection of authentic vintage dresses and her sewing machine, Karen works her magic in repairing, restoring and recreating authentic vintage dresses.

Karen started her business Divine Vintage Dressesin Sydney six years ago, selling garments out of her friend’s store The Vintage Drawer in Newtown, Sydney.

After working in the corporate space for 20 years, Karen decided she needed a change of direction.

She did an online marketing course where she was encouraged to explore her interests and creativity and this set the stage for a career in vintage fashion.

“I can draw and sew and I have a really creative side, so it is actually really ironic that I was stuck in a corporate job for 20 years,”

After reconnecting and falling in love with her highschool sweetheart Sean, whom she had lost contact with for 30 years, the couple decided they wanted to move to the country and have been living in Longwood for the last 12 months.

“It has always been my dream to live in this area, I think it is just the most beautiful part of Victoria,” she said.

Leaving the buzz of Sydney behind, Karen packed up her vintage collection and headed south to set up her business in Longwood.

“Longwood has such great character and history and it’s close to the Hume Freeway so we can get a city fix when we need one.”

The process of sourcing vintage dresses is an art in itself and often Karen doesn’t even know what she is looking for until she finds it.

She searches many online vintage communities she is a part of, as well as stalls and op shops until something catches her eye.

“The exploration is the most exciting part. I love being able to see that hidden potential in a dress and then nurture it back to its original beauty,” she said.

Once Karen purchases a garment, she works to bring the garment back to life.

In the six years that Karen has been working with vintage she has made quite a name for herself in the industry, selling her pieces to some big names, including a vintage robe to model and journalist Tara Moss and a black velvet gown to Australian actress Odessa Young.

Karen has settled into the Longwood community and saw no better way to share her love for vintage and promote her business than to host an exhibition.

The Divine Vintage Dresses Exhibition is happening at Maygars Hill Winery on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

The event will kick off with the exhibition launch on Friday, 9 June and the cellar doors will be open from 10am-4pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday for free entry to Karen’s personal collection.

“The collection will include 11 outfits, displaying a combination of high end, factory made and homemade garments, which will take people through a journey of the 1950s,” she said.

Karen is very excited to share her art with the community and has put a lot of hard work and love into the dresses.

“My favourite dress in this collection is one I spent three years restoring. It is a pale pink silk Estelle Allardale cocktail gown.

“The dress has glass bugle beads on the front of it and I transferred that original motif from the old damaged material onto the new fabric by hand.”

The evening will be a promising launch to Karen’s collection, complemented by quality wine, delicious canapes and great company.

Karen hopes the exhibition will mark the beginning of a change in direction for her business, as she hopes to venture into more vintage exhibitions, dressmaking and styled shoots in the region.

Bookings for the opening night can be made by contacting 0402 136 448 and tickets for the opening night are $15.

Wednesday, 31 May, 2017

Do you have a complaint about public transport in your town?

If so, Strathbogie Shire residents are invited to file their complaint with the Public Transport Ombudsman (PTO), which is a free, independent dispute resolution service for people with complaints about any kind of public transport in Victoria.

It is no secret that Shire residents who utilise the North East Line to get to Melbourne (or Sydney) are regularly plagued with delays, mechanical failures and are forced to travel via a V/Line bus to get to their destination.

Despite this, the State Government’s 2017-18 State Budget investment in regional public transport, announced earlier this month, will include a $1.45 billion Regional Rail Revival plan to deliver more train services and infrastructure for Victorians.

The State Government has also committed $43.5 million to the Seymour and Shepparton lines for additional coach services and infrastructure to increase train services.

Strathbogie Shire Mayor Amanda McClaren said the region would not get better services if residents weren’t utilising the service.

"If there are any complaints you have about ticketing, lack of disability access, Myki or buses not stopping, please lodge your complaint to the PTO," she said.

"In order for us to advocate for far better public transport services, we need to show there is a demand for the service.

"This is an ideal opportunity to tell the PTO, and State Government, about your poor experiences and ensure it gets acknowledged."

She said public transport was one of the key areas of advocacy highlighted in the 2017-2021 Draft Council Plan, and with two train lines running through our Shire, it is now time for the community members who utilise V/Line services to make their voices heard.

To lodge your complaint, visit their website at www.ptovic.com.au, connect with them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PublicTransportOmbudsman or call 1800 466 865.

Tuesday, 30 May, 2017

Work has begun on the 100-year-old Avenel Memorial Hall.

Part of the 2016-17 Budget, the historic building is undergoing major works with the construction of three new meeting rooms, as well as a new kitchen, renewal of the main toilets and new ceiling to the main hall.

The meeting rooms, which are currently in the timber framing stage, will be located at the rear of the renovated hall.

The $400,000 project consists of $300,000 of funding from the State Government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund and $100,000 from Strathbogie Shire Council.

Council has also separately funded the indent of footpath and carpark sealing in front of the hall in the 2016-17 Capital Works Program, worth $36,000.

The successful contractor undertaking the building works is Daniel Duna Constructions of Seymour, who has previously completed work at the new Violet Town Library.

Hughes Creek Ward Councillor Malcolm Little said the project was an exciting development for Avenel.

"Along with the completed first stage of the Avenel Recreation Reserve and improved walking tracks, the Avenel Hall upgrade is certainly part of an over-arching plan for the town," he said.

"It’s a very exciting time for Avenel."

The Avenel Hall project is expected to be complete by November this year.

Monday, 29 May, 2017

Strathbogie Shire Council recently held its largest citizenship ceremony in the Council’s history, welcoming 16 new Australian residents into the region.

It was a momentous ceremony, led by Mayor Amanda McClaren, who was very moved by the sense of community and national pride that was exhibited at the occasion.

"Strathbogie Shire is an inclusive community and our new Australian citizens all contribute to the local economy by living and working in the Shire," she said.

The citizens were from a variety of countries including Ireland, the United Kingdom, Thailand, India and the Philippines.

Originally from the suburbs of Dublin, Claire Barclay has been living in Australia since February 2012 after marrying her Aussie husband.

Claire has embraced the local community and is a CFA volunteer, which she enjoys.

"I really love living in the country. We have beautiful neighbours and there’s such a huge community spirit in this area."

Claire finds living in Moorilim really convenient as it allows the family to live on the farm, but is close enough to the city to travel to her husband’s show jumping competitions.

"We were drawn to the Strathbogie Shire because we wanted to find somewhere we could buy a large amount of good quality land to cut hay," she said.

Junior Richards was also drawn to the country setting. He moved to Australia in July 2011 from the U.K and hasn’t looked back.

"I just love the countryside so much more than the city. This area is so relaxed and friendly which suits me well."

Junior moved to Longwood and works for David Hayes at the distinguished Lindsay Park horse stud, following his passion for track riding and horse breaking.

"I’ve been working at Lindsay Park since 2012 and I love it. David is a great trainer and I really enjoy being a part of the Lindsay Park community."

It has been a great week for the Strathbogie Shire, also taking part in the rising of the rainbow flag at the Violet Town Police Station.

"In the same week we welcomed 16 new citizens to our Shire and our country, we witnessed the rainbow flag get flown, permanently, in recognition of the L.G.B.T.I community at the Violet Town Police Station," Cr McClaren said.

"It shows that we are an inclusive, welcoming community and it was heart-warming to see the smiles and genuine pride of each new citizen as they undertook the Oath or Affirmation.

"Australian citizenship is much more than a legal status. It requires an understanding and appreciation of how our society functions, the democratic principles underpinning our community, an understanding of the place of government and an understanding of how we, as responsible citizens, can fully participate an contribute to Australian society."