Toodyay Herald

 

By Rashelle Predovnik

FARMER Tony Maddox is bracing for another round in his ongoing legal fight against what he says is a dangerous new law buried in the Aboriginal Heritage Act that needs to be changed.
He’s taking his fight all the way to the Supreme Court after being found guilty last year for breaching the Act when he built a concrete creek crossing on his property.

 

A long legal battle

The work was deemed to have altered a registered Aboriginal site without approval,
breaching a recently added amendment to Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
That amendment was added in November 2023 and Mr Maddox said it was a change no one could reasonably know about – because the department didn’t tell anyone about it.
Mr Maddox sought refuge under Section 62 of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage’s own legislation that protects people if they can clearly prove they had no knowledge of the amendment to the Act.
Yet despite this being a defence, it was not applied to Mr Maddox’s case and he is now appealing the magistrates ruling in the Supreme Court.

An appeal to the supreme court

The appeal is an expensive road to take after being granted a spent conviction and fined $2,000, plus $5,000 in costs, back in February 2025.
But Mr Maddox said it was a matter of principle.
He said the department won the case in the Magistrates Court but if he rolled over and let them have that win it would allow a precedent to be set.
“It means, they can walk onto anyone’s farm and now say ‘you’re guilty too,” he said.
The Supreme Court case will be heard later this month, on February 20, and Mr Maddox’s hopes are heavily pinned onto the expertise of his newly appointed King’s Counsel Mark Trowell.
But Mr Maddox told The Herald it was hard to predict what the verdict will be.
“If I lose this case, my faith in the West Australian justice system is gone – there is no justice,” he said.
“You can’t be found guilty of something you have no knowledge of – that’s just crazy
stuff.”

Support to keep fighting

If Mr Maddox wins his appeal he will turn his attention to fighting to have the law changed and he has his supporters.
The WA Farmers Federation and Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA are vocal supporters of his appeal, saying his case sets a dangerous legal precedent for every land owner in WA.
Farmers and other supporters have stumped up over $50,000 to help with his legal fees.
Tony said he appreciated the number of Toodyay locals following his case, with some even attending court to show their support.
“They’ve been terrific – they really have.”
Supporters can also donate to Mr Maddox’s ‘fight for common sense’ online at: https://
tonymaddox.info

 

 

By Rashelle Predovnik

A DAMNING shire audit has uncovered a $242,521 duplicate payment, missing financial records, weak cyber security, years of unresolved control failures and serious fraud risks at the Shire of Toodyay, the current administration says it is taking steps to fix.

The 2024-25 audit’s financial management report was formally sent to Local Government Minister Hannah Beasley and it identified some significant governance failures, that auditors say have been recurring since 2021.

Significant findings:

One serious finding revealed the shire paid the same suppliers twice in July 2025.
The second payment was not even recorded in its accounting system and not yet fully recovered at the time of the auditor’s report.
The report said the combination of a high-value duplicate payment, the absence of system records for the second payment, and lack of detection or reporting represented a serious deficiency in the shire’s internal controls over expenditure, financial reporting, and fraud prevention.

Historical errors continued:

Another finding that concerned auditors was the fact the shire still could not verify its opening balances or historical financial figures – a problem their report said had persisted across four audits.
Auditors also found no monthly bank reconciliations were performed for almost the entire financial year (for July 2024 to May 2025) with errors discovered.
Including the shire’s bank reconciliation as at 30 June 2025 included an unreconciled balance of $22,991.
The Shire’s asset register system was also outdated and the lack of a formal grants register was also flagged by the auditor.
The report warned the failures significantly increased the risk of fraud, financial misstatement, cyber breaches and governance breakdowns, undermining public confidence in the shire’s operations.

The shire’s response to the audit’s findings:

Shire chief executive officer Aaron Bowman told The Herald the overpayment comprised of multiple payments which had been outlined to council in a report this month.
He confirmed 95 percent of the funds had been repaid and the remaining five per cent wasn’t refunded in cash but was credited to accounts and taken off future payments.
The shire’s response to a number of issues raised in the audit was also outlined in a letter to the Local Government Minister.
“The shire is working towards addressing all the issues by either completing the actions required, preparing the necessary registers and by council adopting the appropriate policies.”
“These will be completed by the timeframes specified in the completion dates detailed against each action in the management report.”

 

By Rashelle Predovnik

THE tireless efforts of local volunteer bushfire brigades this fire season has drawn heartfelt thanks from the shire president and high praise from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
There have been six large bushfires in the Shire of Toodyay since 1 November, 2025.
Two were sparked by lightning, one was caused by mechanical failure and another was considered suspicious.
About 1,000 hectares were impacted by these fires in a number of locations, including Dumbarton, Morangup, Coondle, Julimar and West Toodyay.

The community response

Local brigades in Bejoording, Coondle-Nunile, Julimar, Morangup, Toodyay and Toodyay Central were some of many who took up the fight to keep homes safe.
Generous food donations from The Toodyay Bakery and the Salvation Army kept the volunteers going.
Local farmers and water carters also mobilised to help.
DFES superintendent Garth Civil said that level of practical, local help was vital because firefighting relies on reliable food, hydration and resupply.
He said their support helped crews respond faster, fight fires more effectively and, most
importantly, stay safe.
Local businesses Fire Mitigation Services, Avon Earthworks, Goodes Machinery and Toodyay Tyres also pitched in.
Supt Civil said heavy machinery helps fire crews build a control line that fire can’t easily cross so they can work more safely.
As an added bonus, he said that local operators knew the land which reduced risk.

Local fire brigades “outstanding”

The fire high threat period runs from December to April and last month, 20 fires were lit by 2,000 lightning strikes.
Superintendent Civil said the high threat period was marked by fast moving fire weather and multiple significant incidents in quick succession.
He said major fires sparked the need for everyone to work together across the state.
“Rotating crews help our teams fight a fire for longer and it allows local brigades to rest and be ready for the next flare-up.”
Supt Civil said that from an operational perspective the outstanding performance of local volunteer brigades, under repeated and sustained pressure, really stood out.
“Particularly around the Toodyay and Moondyne fires in December,” he said.
People might not realise how much we rely across the state, not just on our local volunteers, but on volunteers who go out and help across the state.
“We’ve got 30,000 volunteers across Western Australia and all those people give up their time willingly to help the community.
“And while some don’t get as busy as others sometimes people spend thousands of hours a year helping out the community.”

Recognising the help of so many

Supt Civil also thanked residents who made an effort to be bushfire ready because their vigilance makes a real difference.
He said there was early, decisive action from local brigades and incoming crews (supported by six aircrafts) on the Moondyne blaze.
The fact that many residents kept their properties maintained so fire crews could easily get access was a game changer.
He said timely alerts via the Emergency WA website or app and the ABC’s emergency broadcasts helped residents enact their plans at the right time.
However, information and warnings can become silenced by power outages and Supt Civil stressed the importance of keeping a battery-operated transistor radio at home.
Toodyay shire president Mick McKeown issued a statement to thank those who helped so much.
“Following an incredibly demanding period for our region, I would like to extend grateful thanks to all the fire brigades, agencies, businesses, and individuals who supported our community during the recent fire incidents,” he said.
“While we regret to report the loss of two structures and several outbuildings, we are thankful that no primary residences were destroyed.”
Supt Civil also thanked the volunteers and businesses who rallied together during the recent spate of fires.
“Our volunteers did an outstanding job under challenging conditions, and the community’s cooperation makes a big difference.”

 

Sean Hefferon
TOODYAY faces a growing infrastructure crisis as the Shire Council struggles to maintain and replace ageing bridges, impacting residents and straining the local budget.

The closure of Slaughterhouse Bridge last month at short notice has highlighted the urgent need for action, while concerns mount over the condition of Dumbarton Bridge and the recent vandalism-related closure of the Newcastle Park footbridge.

Slaughterhouse Bridge, built in 1937 and spanning Toodyay Brook, was the subject of a Main Roads WA report in 2021.

The report revealed the “significant deterioration in the timber elements of the support structure,” and emergency repairs, including acrow props and steel bands, were undertaken in 2023, but the bridge’s condition continued to decline.

Council acknowledged the need to replace Slaughterhouse Bridge as far back as May 2024, however, new funding guidelines from July 2024 require the shire to cover 20% of the bridge replacement costs, with the remaining 80% sourced from State or Federal government grants.

THE TOWN of Toodyay has become an unlikely haven for Christmas enthusiasts, thanks to a unique store dedicated to festive decorations and items almost year-round.
Christmas 360, an enchanted wonderland of lights and colour, has become a major tourist drawcard for the town.

Founded in 2013 by Sean Byron, a former electrician with a lifelong passion for Christmas, the store occupies the space of a former supermarket and has since transformed Toodyay’s retail landscape.

Byron, a long-time resident of Toodyay, initially conceived the idea as a passion project.

However, a turning point came with his partner, Dr Richard Walkey OAM, receiving a diagnosis of gallbladder cancer in November 2012.

Dr Walkey, a beloved local GP for many years, encouraged Byron to pursue his dream.

Although Dr Walkey sadly passed away before witnessing the full extent of the store’s success, his legacy remains a significant part of the shop’s story and Mr Byron named the shop in his honour, “Richard’s Christmas 360” – symbolising Richard’s spirit and the idea of “Christmas all around”.

The name was later shortened to “Christmas 360” as the business grew and developed a broader brand identity, especially once it began attracting statewide visitors and launched its online store.

“Richard’s encouragement was the push I needed,” Mr Byron said.

“He believed in the idea, and I wanted to make it a reality, not just for myself, but for him and for Toodyay.”

Today, “A Toodyay Christmas” offers an extensive array of Christmas decorations, from traditional ornaments and twinkling lights to unique, handcrafted pieces.

The store’s commitment to the festive season extends beyond retail as it actively participates in local events, including Toodyay’s annual Christmas Street party.

More recently, Mr Byron’s partner, Simon Kohler, has become involved in the business, focusing on the wholesale side of the operation.

Together, they are working to expand the store’s reach and bring the joy of Christmas to a wider audience.

The store’s impact on Toodyay has been significant.

Local businesses report an increase in foot traffic and the town’s tourism sector has benefited from the store’s unique appeal.

Visitors flock to Toodyay throughout the year, eager to experience the magic that Christmas 360 offers.

For Perth visitors, Ian and Margaret a visit to Toodyay isn’t complete without dropping into the festive store.

“It’s an experience and it brings a smile to your face,” said Margaret.
Mr Byron leads the store with a commitment to improving the Christmas experience for customers.

His efforts and that of his team have made the Toodyay shop a popular year-round destination in the Wheatbelt.

Sean Hefferon

ROZ Davidson of Toodyay has been awarded the prestigious Badgingarra Roadhouse Local Legend Award at the 7NEWS WA Community Achievement Awards, recognising her tireless work championing equity, kindness, and community support in the region.

Roz is the founder of Toodyay Locals Care (TLC), an organisation she built from the ground up, starting at her own kitchen table, after she, herself a cancer survivor, learned of a U.S. program where people visiting cancer-treatment patients provided companionship.

From that point on TLC’s scope grew to meet other locals needs and with Roz’s determination transformed   into a vital service hub for the Toodyay community.

The winners were announced on Saturday 25th October 2025 during the Awards Gala Presentation Dinner with Noel Brunning from 7NEWS Regional WA Presenter as the MC for the evening. Over 270 guests gathered from across the State to celebrate Western Australia’s community achievers.

Leading a team of over 30 volunteers, Roz oversees a wide range of services provided by TLC including medical transport for those in need, food assistance programs, clothing donations and the provision of emergency supplies to individuals and families facing hardship.

Sean Hefferon

A SUMMARY, by definition, is supposed to capture the main points of something, however, arguably how answers to public questions at council meetings are summarised and documented may stretch that commonsense definition.

At issue is whether the council’s record-keeping accurately reflects the substance of discussions, concerning, in this instance, a major land development project.

The Toodyay Herald put a question at the September council meeting regarding the financial projections for a land development project with a budget of nearly $2.2 million.

The Herald sought clarity on the expected revenue forecast the shire anticipates from the project.

Sean Hefferon

THE 2025 Toodyay Agricultural Show drew thousands of visitors on what was a sunny October day.

That the show was a great success is no small achievement, given the shortage of volunteers to put the event together.

The show itself, a highlight of the Toodyay community calendar, featured a range of exhibits, livestock displays and entertainment, attracting locals and visitors alike.

The Julimar Volunteer Bushfire Brigade were kept busy as attentive children (unlike a former politician) were happy to hold a hose – and in this instance used the water gushing out of the firehose to knock over witches’ hats, much to the delight of their parents as they watched on.

Among those who made the journey to the country show were Ian and Margaret, who travelled by train from Perth to attend.

“We always look forward to coming to the Toodyay Agricultural Show and have done so for years,” said Margaret.

“Catching the train up is a bonus as we get to also see the Avon Valley.”

Moondyne Men
Graham Hill

ANOTHER busy month for the Moondyne Men with several community projects being completed.

One in particular being the presentation of several boxes of Lego to the Toodyay Library by chairman Peter Phillips and received by library coordinator Heidi Malone and the Toodyay library team.

This is to entertain the younger people visiting the library and possibly some older ones as well.

Thursday September 18 saw a visit from Bendigo Bank manager Kirsten Barack.

Kirsten spoke to us about credit card fraud and scams and how to avoid them in particular with online transactions and, if required, check with your bank before parting with any information or money.

It’s particularly important as we age and become less familiar with the IT world.

We thank Kirsten for making time to come and speak to us as our guest speaker.

 

VBFB Toodyay Central
Peter Brennan

IN AUGUST, shire brigade members were advised our CESM, Rob Koch had resigned from his position and taken up an opportunity with DFES in the Northam regional office.

We offer Rob our heartfelt gratitude for the 10 years of outstanding service he gave to the community as our CESM.

Rob joined the Toodyay Central VBFB in early 2009 and he served as a volunteer during the devastating December 29 fire in which crews worked tirelessly until January 26 to contain flare-ups.

Rob was a great asset to the brigade and cemented himself as a sound leader amongst our team.

In May 2015 Rob resigned from the brigade as a Lieutenant to take up his new appointment as the new Toodyay and Goomalling CESM.

He has much to be proud of for what he achieved over his 10 years in the position.

A natural leader and a true professional, Rob gave 100 percent of his energy to everything he did in the job.

He ensured Toodyay brigades were at the forefront of new equipment instalments.

We have a great range of personal protection equipment (PPE), lockers in our stations or separate clothing storage rooms to protect from diesel particulate contamination and three new fire stations in the shire.

Rob expanded our trainer assessor team and along with himself, increased the range of courses available to be delivered, including on road driver training.

He encouraged us to increase the number of volunteers qualified on chainsaws and for individuals to consider greater roles within the brigades.

Furthermore, he obtained highly relevant training aids for the courses we ran.

During his tenure, we have received new appliances, expanded radio set ups and significantly improved burnover protection equipment within cabs.

Rob also oversaw the instalment of a television screen in the appliance parking bays to monitor the BART communication systems updates during callouts.

Further, he oversaw the reorganisation of several fire emergency water tanks across the shire to more relevant locations, as well as the installation of new waters tanks to cover identified vulnerable areas.

Additionally, Rob championed the installation of water bores at a number of fire stations along with sufficient tanks to help improve appliance refill turnaround times in emergencies.

Rob encouraged us all to improve our professionalism by quietly guiding us all in that direction through both his own example and a quiet word here and there.

Leading from the front, Rob always developed and presented comprehensive and significant papers to the Bushfire Advisory Committee, including a recent complete rewrite of our standard operating procedures.

Finally, he along with both our CBFCO Craig Stewart and DCBFCO Nick Griggs, demonstrated how good leadership inspires others.

It has been an honour to work with Rob since I joined the Toodyay Central VBFB in 2013 and we all wish him the very best for the future.

I have no doubt that he will excel at anything he turns his hand to and trust that the depth of knowledge and experience he has built over his time as CESM will not go unnoticed.

All brigades now await the appointment of a new CESM and will throw their full support behind both Martin Aldridge who is filling the position during the transition and whoever takes up a permanent tenure.

As a last note, the prohibited ‘no burning’ season begins on 1 November so by then firebreaks should be in place and properties cleared up in preparation for the coming hot summer.

The shire does conduct inspections each year to assess compliance and penalties do apply for non-compliance.