Bacchus Marsh News

Not for the first time, the tight-knit Bacchus Marsh Cobras will rally around one of its own when Liam Duggan steps out for West Coast in the AFL grand final against Collingwood.

Ten of Duggan’s family will cheer in the stands and hundreds of Bacchus Marsh locals are expected to gather around a big screen to watch the game at the local footy club’s oval where their hero grew up playing from the age of 10.

The club are already winners — a reserves side captained by Chris Suban, the cousin of former Fremantle Docker and Cobra Nick Suban, won the premiership last weekend.

Residents can have their say on designs for the Bacchus Marsh train station upgrade this weekend.

Rail Projects Victoria staff will be at the Lerderderg Library from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday (September 22) and from 5.30pm to 7.30pm next Wednesday (September 26).

You can also have your say online here: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4559797/Bacchus-Marsh-Station-upgrade

Designs for the upgrade were released earlier this month and feature a new overhead walkway, second platform, lifts, a 100-space carpark, new bus bay layout, and bike facilities.

Read the full article at the 3BA Website

The design for a revamped Bacchus Marsh train station has been released, with construction expected to start later this year.

Plans for the station include a new carpark with 100 spaces, a second platform, pedestrian overpass, improved bus bay layout and bicycle hoops.

The new platform, and an extra three kilometres of track, will allow two trains to stop at the station at the same time, and are aimed at improving service reliability.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Victorian Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan launched the design plans on Monday morning.

Ms Allan said community feedback about the need to improve accessibility, parking and security formed a major part of the design works.

Read the full article at Star Weekly

Police in Bacchus Marsh and Ballan will soon be wearing body cameras in a bid to improve police safety and accountability.

Following a “successful” six-week pilot in Ballarat and Epping – during which four early guilty pleas were secured, helping expedite the court process – the cameras will be rolled out to 59 stations across the state, including Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.

General duties and highway patrol officers of the rank of sergeant and below will wear the small, battery-operated cameras to capture interactions between police and the public.

Moorabool’s local area commander Brendon McCrory said the feedback from Ballarat officers had been overwhelmingly positive.

“Domestic violence is one of the main thrusts for the body-worn cameras,” Inspector McCrory said. “It gives us an opportunity to produce evidence in its rawest form.

Read the entire article at Star Weekly

On an average Wednesday in September last year, Faith Brewer complained of a headache.

She didn’t think much of it.

But later that night, Ms Brewer, 42, had a “really big” seizure and was rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in an ambulance.

Following scans, doctors identified two brain tumours sitting on the primary motor area in her brain.

Attempts to remove the tumours have been unsuccessful.

“I have really bad epilepsy [as a result], so I can’t drive,” Ms Brewer said. “I’ve got a big limp, my right side is shaky, my leg is shaky and I feel horrible.

“I’ve had seizures often since Christmas. I might go a week without any, but then have three in a day.”

Ms Brewer has been unable to work since her diagnosis and with two primary school-aged daughters, life has been turned upside down for the family.

Medical bills, including the weekly specialists visits and expensive medicines, are starting to take a toll on the Newport family.

When Bacchus Marsh man Brett Williams heard of Faith’s story, he was touched. It spurred him to take action and raise money for this “beautiful” family.

Although he can’t imagine walking in the shoes of someone diagnosed with brain cancer, he’s decided to walk 340 kilometres to raise awareness of the insidious disease and funds for the Brewer family.

Mr Williams will walk from Wodonga to Bacchus Marsh from September 20-29.

Read the Original Article at Star Weekly

Bacchus Marsh remembered its fallen fathers and sons as its marked the 100th anniversary of the planting of its world-famous Avenue of Honour.

With 281 majestic elm trees towering overhead, dignitaries, descendants and locals gathered for a ceremony and a march along the avenue to the RSL club where stories were swapped over tea and Anzac biscuits.

Bacchus Marsh RSL president Cherrison Lawton said the commemoration was in part the fulfilment of an oft-recited promise: “we will remember them”.

“They were all volunteers. They were not conscripted and it was an honour for them to sign on the line to be volunteers and they made the ultimate sacrifice,” she said.

”I think for society it’s really good to reflect … it’s a special milestone.”

In researching the history of the 281 men named along the avenue, it was found that one had actually died on August 10, 1918 – the day the avenue was planted.

Read the full article at The Courier

Another reminder for motorists travelling between Bacchus Marsh and Darley this week to allow for extra time.

From Monday 9th until Wednesday 11th July Halletts Way, between Holts Lane and Burbidge Drive, will be closed from 7.00am to 5.00pm for pavement resurfacing works.

Detours will be in place via Gisborne Road or Bacchus Marsh Road.

It is part of a series of works to provide the Bacchus Marsh community with new entry and exit ramps to the Western Freeway at Halletts Way, and a new shared-user path bridge over the freeway.

VicRoads says the upgrade is on schedule, with the new on and off ramps expected to be operational by the end of August, and all construction works completed by November.

Full details at the MRPA Halletts Way website.

Bacchus Marsh could find itself at the end of the Metro rail line if a push from advocacy group Ballarat Rail Action Committee is successful.

Read the full post on thecourier.com.au