The Phoenix. May 18, 2009

STOP PRESS: IT’S A GIRL - PAGE 2

The Phoenix

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Free Community Newspaper for the People of the Bushfire Affected Areas Incorporating the tradition of ‘The Evelyn Observer’ (Est. 1873), Kinglake Advertiser, Whittlesea Advertiser, Diamond Valley Advertiser, Yarra Ranges Advertiser and Yea Advertiser

thephoenix.com.au 16 PAGES, PLUS TV TIMES

PHONE: 1-800 231 311. FAX: 1-800 231 312.

GOVERNOR VISITS MARYSVILLE Page 2

PHOTO: TEN NEWS

● The extraordinary media coverage of Murrindindi Fire Captain Ron Philpott’s denial of being involved in lighting the Murrindindi-Marysville fire was analysed on the national Media Watch TV program on the ABC last week. Mr Philpott strenuously denies any involvement, and made comments to the press which resulted in a front-page Herald Sun report, and him taking a lie detector test on A Current Affair. The polygraph operator told that oprogram that the tests were inconclusive, and said that Mr Philpott had “deliberately sabotaged” the examination. Mr Philpott told The Phoenix that he is being well supported within the Murrindindi community and remains as Captain of the local CFA unit.

100-DAY BUSHFIRE REPORT

● Christine Nixon, Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, yesterday (Sunday) released a report looking at the 100 days since the February 7 fires which destroyed or affected more than 2000 properties on 430,000 hectares, with 47 primary schools affected, 10,000-km of fencing needing attention, 11,000 farm animals killed or injured, 211,000 tonnes of hay destroyed, and disruption to 60,000 households. The full report can be viewed and downloaded at www.wewillrebuild.vic.gov.au

FREE ADS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

More local businesses are taking advantage of the totally free $2000 advertising package from The Phoenix. Details on Page 11.

FIRE ROARED LIKE 10 JETS

THE Black Saturday fires made the noise of 10 or 12 jumbo jets as it approached Strathewen, south-east of Whittlesea, witness Denis John Spooner, told the Royal Commission on Friday.

FARM INVADED

BY GOVT. Page 3

LOCAL FOOTY RESULTS Page 14

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

Spotlight on Murrindindi

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PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES 1 7 6 TOTAL VALUE OF LOCAL ADS DONATED BY THE PHOENIX $ 3 5 2 0 0 0

Mr Spooner, a retired earthmoving contractor, lost his wife Marilyn and son Damien, 34, in the blaze.

Mr Spooner, who bought the 30-acre property 30 years ago, is a former member of what was then known as the Arthurs CreekStrathewen unit of the Country Fire Authority, until he had a stroke 14 years ago.

He described his memories of the day as it started: “It was just another typical day with the north wind blowing in Strathewen.”

He said he was aware of the ‘stay or go’ policy in relation to fires “When the fire was in Whittlesea, which was the closest point to us, on a normal day it was still a good 20 to 30 minutes away from us where we were situated, but on that particulart day that fire moved into Strathewen within six minutes from that point and it was travelling at about 120-kmh.”

Mr Spooner said he was monitoring the fires all day by watching the skyline, and viewing the CFA warning pages on the internet at least every half-hour.

He first noticed spot fires at neighbour Peter Evola’s property

in Strathewen. Sadly, Mr Evola died on the oval: “Mary took shelter in a house further up the road from there and Peter was tring to make his way to that house on foot.”

Mr Spooner told of going to various neighbour’s properties, including Max Emmons.

Turn To Page 14

ROYAL COMMISSION: THE WEEK AHEAD ■ MONDAY: Bruce Esplin, Emergency Services Victoria, and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe, Victoria Police.

■ TUESDAY: Weather Bureau expert. Plus a witness explaining new camera technology that was in the fire areas on Black Saturday.

■ WEDNESDAY: A DSE witness will tell what took place at the State control centre on February 7. CFA witnesses are also expected.

■ THURSDAY: Dr Kevin Tolhurst, whose maps predicted the path of the fires, will be called.

Other CFA witnesses may also give evidence.

$19M FOR HOSPITAL

ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL is to be given a $19 million redevelopment boost.

State Health Minister Daniel Andrews says a new ambulance station will be co-located on the hospital site.

The funding, announced in the State Budget, provides for new beds, emergency stabilisation, operating suite, day stay facilities, community health and administration, and support facilities.

“The regional hospital building program will mean that more families in regional areas such as Alexandra can access the health care they need closer to hoem,” Mr Andrews said.

YOUR FREE WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

● Daniel Andrews

Page 2 - The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009

Free Newspaper For The People of The Bushfire Affected Areas Incorporating the tradition of the ‘Evelyn Observer’ (Est. 1873), ‘Kinglake Advertiser’, ‘Whittlesea Advertiser’, ‘Diamond Valley Advertiser’, ‘Yarra Ranges Advertiser’ and ‘Yea Advertiser’

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

MARYSVILLE VILLAGE OPENS

Dedicated to the memory of the victims and survivors of the ‘Black Saturday’ fires: February 7, 2009

Long Shots

Hey, baby!

CONTACT US Phone: 1-800 231 311 Fax: 1-800 231 312 Head Office: 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Vic 3095 Post: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Web: www.ThePhoenix.com.au E-Mail: editor@ThePhoenix.com.au

OUR PEOPLE Editor: Ash Long Media Director: Fleur Long Research Director: Kristi Bryant Senior Associate Editor: Lee Jones Associate Editor: Joanna Sgubopulos

ABOUT THE PHOENIX There is no better symbol for the spirit of the people of this region that the Phoenix. The phoenix is a mythical sacred firebird with a tail of beautiful gold and red plumage (or purple and blue).

It has a 500 to 1,000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of myrrh twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes.

From those ashes, a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again.

The new phoenix is destined to live as long as its old self. The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — it is also said that it can heal a person with a tear from its eyes and make them temporarily immune to death. The phoenix is a symbol of fire and divinity

OUR REGION Online Edition Available across the globe on the World Wide Web at www.thephoenix.com.au Print Edition Covering the communities of Acheron, Arthurs Creek, Bend Of Islands, Beveridge, Black Spur, Break-o'-Day, Broadford, Buxton, Bylands, Castella, Cathkin, Caveat, Christmas Hills, Chum Creek, Clonbinane, Coldstream, Cottles Bridge, Darrweit Guim, Diamond Creek, Dixons Creek, Donnybrook, Eden Park, Eildon, Eltham, Eltham North, Fawcett, Glenburn, Glenvale, Gobur, Gruyere, Healesville, Heathcote Junction, Hidden Valley, Highlands, Homewood, Humevale, Hurstbridge, Kalkallo, Kangaroo Ground, Kerrisdale, Kilmore, Killingworth, Kilmore East, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Lilydale, Limestone, Marysville, Mittons Bridge, Molesworth, Moranding, Mount Disappointment, Murrindindi, Myers Creek, Narbethong, Nutfield, Panton Hill, Pheasant Creek, Plenty, Reedy Creek, Research, Ruffy, Smiths Gully, St Andrews, St Helena, Steels Creek, Strath Creek, Strathewen, Sunday Creek, Taggerty, Tallarook, Terip Terip, Thornton, Toolangi, Trawool, Tyaak, Upper Plenty, Wallan, Wallan East, Wandong, Warburton, Waterford Park, Watsons Creek, Wattle Glen, Whittlesea, Whanregarwen, Willowmavin, Yan Yean, Yarck, Yarra Glen, Yarrambat, Yea.

YOUR NEWS, YOUR ADS The Phoenix Newspaper is committed to bringing the latest news to the people of the bushfire-affected areas. We aim to be a positive assistance. The support being offered is in no way in competition with any existing newspaper, government, council or support agency efforts.

Your News: Contribute your news by phone, fax, mail or e-mail. We want your stories of how you, family and friends are going about the recovery from the fires.

Your Photos: Contribute your photos by e-mail.

We prefer clear 300 dpi photos, in jpg format.

E-mail to: editor@thephoenix.com.au Absent Friends: You can remember ‘Absent Friends’ with a tribute which will be published online and in the print edition. Go to our website for our guidelines.

Free Ads: We provide free advertisement listings for all businesses in the bushfire affected area. (Paid display ads are also available). See www.thephoenix. com.au

IMPRINT ‘The Phoenix Newspaper’ is printed by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, for the publisher, Ash Long, for Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, at the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Vic 3095.

Distributed in conjunction with the ‘Melbourne Observer’, by Local Media Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by the Editor, Ash Long.

Copyright © 2009, Local Media Pty Ltd. (ACN 096 680 063)

● Christine Nixon ■ Premier John Brumby and Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority chair Christine Nixon were special guests at yesterday's official opening of the Marysville Temporary Village.

Radio Murrindindi (Marysville) 98.5 FM had its first three hour broadcast.

The station is being supported by UGFM, Regional Arts Victoria and funded by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

Host Jill Singer’s guests included Greg Champion.

State Governor, Professor David de Kretser, attended the annual general meeting of Regional Arts Victoria, hosted by Marysville Cultural Community.

Jack Munday, Director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, gave an address at the Golf Club marquee. He worked with 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina victims, Lindy Allen reports.

editor@thephoenix.com.au

with Ash Long “For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”

1912 building goes

● Emma Louise Isobelle Long ■ We reckon we have a pretty good reason for not publishing our May 11 edition of The Phoenix Newspaper.

Your Editor was in Townsville, Far North Queensland, for the birth of Emma Louise Isobelle Long, our first grandchild.

Emma was 8lb 15ozs, 53 cms, and was born at 6.37pm on Friday, May 8. She is the daughter of James and Sarah Long.

Sarah and baby are doing fine.

James, 26, is an Australian Army soldier, and spent his childhood in Murrindindi, Flowerdale and Yea, from 1985 to 1993.

He was a student of Yea Primary School, and Ivanhoe Grammar School - Plenty Campus at Mernda, graduating in 2000.

Short Shots Horror ■ Cr John Walsh, Murrindindi Shire Councillor, was horrified at the car accident at Mertob where a teenage girl was orphaned.

“Each year we lose and injur far more people on the roads than we did in our worst fire in history.

“With the fires we are rightly striving to do everything from a Royal Commission down to revising personal fire plans to try to ensure as a community, or as individuals, we never suffer as greatly again.

“But with the road fatalities we seem to accept the status quo,” Cr Walsh said.

● Cr John Walsh ● Remains of the 1912 Hurstbridge station ■ Four-time Eltham Shire President Robert Marshall sends this photo of the remains of his home at Buttermans Track.

“I have fared better than many, but I did lose my St Andrews home of 30 years, the 1912 heritage classified Hurstbridge railway station and adjacent three-storey mudbrick tower.”

We last heard from Rob when we ran his weekly column in the Diamond Valley Advertiser prior to his election as a Nillumbik Councillor in the late 1990s.

Kinglake, loud and clear PHOTO: ABC RADIO

Cancelled

● James Long with daughter Emma

For the record ■ Historians of the future may appreciate this short note recording the issue dates of The Phoenix Newspaper produced so far.

■ Saturday, March 7, ■ Wednesday, April 1, ■ Monday, April 20, ■ Monday, April 27, ■ Monday, May 4, ■ Monday, May 18.

We now plan a solid weekly publication schedule, barring unforseen events.

■ A fund-raiser concert, with the aim of helping with replacement of musical instruments in bushfire-affected schools, was cancelled on Saturday.

Wilbur Wilde and Red Symons had agreed to reform the Hey Hey It’s Saturday band for the concert which was scheduled to be held at Ivanhoe Grammar School, which continues to offer bushfire relief in other ways.

Fun day at Kinglake

● Simon Rogers of ABC Radio interviews Jo Vendra, VicePresident of the Community Newspapers Association of Victoria, which is holding its October conference in Kinglake ■ The Phoenix Newspaper is a fan of the ABC Kinglake Ranges radio station, which will go into community hands later this year.

The bubbly Louise Fitzroy presents the weekday breakfast program (from the ABC’s Southbank headquarters in Melbourne) from 6.15am, following the 6am news broadcast.

The station can be heard on 94.5 FM. We listen to the station via the streaming service on www.abc.net.au/kinglake Simon Rogers, who normally presents a local morning program from the little studio at the Kinglake Neighbourhood House, last Wednesday swapped roles and presented the 6.15am-7.45am session, prior to the national news bulletin and AM program.

The audio volume from Southbank was far superior to the programs that Simon presents from Kinglake.

■ Simonne Minett of Melbourne firm, Fitnessworx, tells of great success with a gala day attended by 250 children at Kinglake. More pictures on Page 10 in this week’s Phoenix.

Rescue

● Kirsten Ploog of Fitnessworx. Glenn Singleton from the Victorian Institute of Sport looks on. More on Page 10

■ We were interested to see the story of Stella and Alan Reid of St Andrews who lost their Wildhaven property on February 7.

Our family’s last contact with the Reids was when they took over the E.S. Purcell & Co store at Yea in the late 1980s. We wish them well.

● Wilbur Wilde

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

News Morning

● Pat Lawson-Black ■ Melbourne style consultant Pat Lawson-Black and girlfriends hosted a morning tea for local women at Kinglake Neighbourhood House last Wednesday (May 13).

The locals shared gifts of jewellery, cosmetics and craft.

Appointed

■ Julie Bateman (pictured) has been appointed Communications Officer for the Flowerdale community, and her reports will appear in The Phoenix. Julie can be contacted through jbateman @y7mail.com Letters can be posted to Flowerdale Community Recovery, PO Box 2060, Hazeldene 3658.

What a hit ■ Jennifer Hutchinson of Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Marketing says that more than 18,000 hits a day a day are being recorded at the www. yarravalleynow. com.au website, which has a section for local businesses to promote their business.

National Australia Bank is also assisting at their website.

The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009 - Page 3

SENSATIONS AT ROYAL COMMISSION

■ Daily headlines have been created on TV news services and in the metropolitan press from the Bushfire Royal Commission hearings which started last week at the County Court.

Commissioners have heard about errors and omissions, communication blunders, late warnings,overwhelmed telephone services and ongoing problems in the recovery proces since Black Saturday.

Russell Rees, Chief Officer of the Country Fire Authority, has come under questioning for the lack of warnings given to the Strathewen district, near Whittlesea, where 27 people died.

The Royal Commission has heard that the only public warning to reach Kinglake, at 5.55pm on Radio 774 ABC, was just five minutes before thefull force of the inferno hit.

The Commission heard that at 7.45pm Mr Rees went on ABC Radio and spoke of the fire “putting enormous pressure” on Kinglake and Kinglake West.

Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Royal Commission, said: “I suggest, if one was listening, (it) would create an understanding that whilst under pressure the fire had as yet not impacted on those townships?”

Mr Rush said at 6.45pm there was an urgent threat message “for communities as diverse as Wandong, Wallan East, Eden Park, Whittlesea, Humevale, Bruces Creek, Upper Plenty, Kinglake West, Pheasant Creek, Smiths Gully, Kinglake, Flowerdale, Glenburn and Hurstbridge.

Mr Rush said a prediction had been made by the Control Centre’s Dr Kevin Tolhurst earlier in the afternoon. He questioned why public warnings had not been issued at that time Ewan Waller, Chief Officer of the Department of Sustainability and Environment, said that Dr Holhurst and his colleagues were working in a “back room” at the East Melb-.

ourne control centre: “We would prefer them to be closer to the situation officer, as pointed out yesterday, but they were actually in a back room.

“They were working - having the weather information, maps, fuel loads and whatever, all the information they need, but they were in a back room.”

Dr Tolhurst and team produced predictive maps, with a specific prediction of where the Murrindindi fire would hit after a wind change expected around 6pm.

Arrows predicted the fire to head towards the Acheron Gap. Mr Rush: “There doesn’t seem to be any sort of follow-up to ensure that this sort of material goes into the warnings?”

An urgent threat warning for Narbethong, Marysville and Buxton was issued at 5.27pm, which was broadcast on 774 at 5.34pm.

It is thought a spot fire hit Marysville at 6.20pm, and the DSE building was on fire at 7.00pm.

● Russell Rees, CFA Chief Officer

● Ewan Waller, DSE Chief Officer

ANOTHER FARM INVADED BY GOVT.

■ Whilst many fireaffected families are scratching for their next dollar, the Victorian State Government is pressing ahead with its $1 billion North-South Pipeline from the drought-affected Goulburn River at Yea. One of the latest victims is Killingworth farmer Rob McGregor, whose property was invaded this month by contractors employed by the Brumby Government.

“After 20 months

● Rob McGregor in happier times of debating, arguing and protesting Melbourne Water landed pipes on 'Alva Downs' while we were ab-

sent,” Mr McGregor told The Phoenix..

“This is after having our fences cut and up to seven monstrous machines working 10 hours a day, six days a week, ripping the guts out of our farm for the past week.

“This is all without any written agreement, any payment of compensation or permission to be on the property.

“We say they are trespassing . But they just don't care,” Mr McGregor said.

The pipeline is ahead of schedule.

■ A document presented to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission is the subject of a suppression order made by Commission Chairman Bernard Teague.

Publication of any report of any part of the Commission hearing, which would disclose the identity of certain people has been prohibited, in the order made on Thursday.

Mr Teague ordered that a copy of the order be posted on the door of the court room, and at the Commission webiste.

Any person contravening the suppression order could face a fine of about $3400 or three months imprisonment.

● Bernard Teague ■ The Royal Commission on the Victorian bushfires started last week with a minute’s silence to honour those who died. The gesture was suggested by Chairman Bernard Teague.

Blogger ■ Kate Jones is presenting a blog about life after the fires. The web pages can be accessed through the www. abc.net.au/ kinglake website

● Kate Jones

FLOWERDALE HOTEL

‘Open Mic.’ Jam Session Returns First Sunday of the Month Next: Sunday, June 7 $100 Prize for ‘Best of The Day’

Craft Day ■ Jemima and Dave Exton held a craft day at their property at Kinglake West on Saturday in appreciation of the work of volunteers who have assisted people in the bushfires-affrected region.

SUPPRESSED

People Silence

A Day For All Musicians of All Ages After Lunch - 2.30pm-5.30pm

FLOWERDALE HOTEL ● Heavy machinery and monster pipes have taken over the McGregor family’s farm at Yea, without any compensation.

3325 Whittlesea-Yea Road, Flowerdale Phone: 5780 1230 Advertising space donated by ‘The Phoenix’

Page 4 - The Phoenix - Monday, May 18 2009

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

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Hundreds of students want to try the lifestyle, if you’re a business and can’t find staff, why not contact us?

Please visit www.brolgaproject.com.au Ph (07) 3366 1005 Email: info@brolgaproject.com.au Willray Pty Ltd (ABN 180 7575 5118) trading as The Brolga Project, PO Box 219, Ashgrove QLD 4060.

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Phone: 0418 585 260

Permit rules eased

Spotted at 2.57pm

■ “Black Saturday survivors will be able to rebuild without a permit under a radical planning overhaul,” reported Saturday’s edition of the Herald Sun. “The Brumby Government decision will dramatically speed up rebuilding,” John Ferguson wrote.

“Victims who are starting again on the same site will be able to gain approval over the counter instead of going through the usual costly and time-consuming process,” the daily paper said.

■ The Murrindindi Mill fire on Black Saturday was observed from the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Mount Despair spotting tower at 2.57pm, and resources were in place by 3.15pm, the Royal Commission was told last week.

DSE Chief Officer Ewan Waller said the Operations Manager and crews were en route by 3.06pm: “There were six personnel, a tanker, two slip-ons and a first attack dozer and they were deployed from Toolangi.”

At first, the fire had a 20 metre flame height and a rate of spread of 8 kmh. A website warning was issued for Narbethong at 4.45pm, brodacast on the ABC two minutes later.

Awards encourage ■ State Parliamentarian Wendy Lovell is encouraging local businesses, community groups and individuals which are making a significant difference in their community to nominate for the Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

“The contribution of our local businesses, community groups and individuals is far-reaching and helps to make our community a better place to live," Ms Lovell said.

Prizes include exposure on Prime Television or a share in $12,000 in Award Saver Accounts from the Commonwealth Bank.

Concert helps schools

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Contact: Dr Paul Horne.

Web: www.ip[mtechnologies.com.au E-Mail: ipmtechnologies@bigpond.com

Recovery Centre closes ■ The Diamond Creek Recovery Centre closed on Saturday (May 16).

The Strathewen and St Andrews Recovery Centres will remain open, Nillumbik Shire Council advises..

Big day at Hurstbridge ■ Nillumbik Family Volunteer Day was celebrated on Saturday at Hurstbridge with a special appearance by the Black Sorrows. There were celebrity appearances, food stalls, and volunteers were able to cololect a commemorative pin.

Rebuilding Expo ■ The City of Whittlesea is hosting a Bushfire Rebuilding Expo this Saturday (May 23) at the Showgrounds, 10am-4pm.

There will be free admission to the Expo which will provide information on every step of the rebuilding process with local contractors and building experts on-site.

The Expo will act as a central point for connecting people from the region with government bodies, agencies and tradespeople.

Residents can access information and resources needed to meet the new building standards for homes in bushfire risk areas, relevant industry contacts and land recovery techniques.

The expo features keynote speakers, information stands, and local businesses providing specialist advice about the rebuilding process and land rehabilitation practices.

5000 litres of water ■ All bushfire-affected residents are eligible for 5000 litres of free water.

Residents can register with the Bushfire Information Line on 1-800 240 667. This offer is available until May 30.

Recovery dinner soon ■ The City of Whittlesea, in partnership with Regional Development Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council, is holding an information session for bushfire-affected businesses.

The information session includes dinner and a number of presentations.

Key speaker, Helen Relph, will talk about rebuilding her restaurant business at Mount Macedon after the Ash Wednesday fires.

CPA Australia will present its business recovery kit Getting Back to Business. There will also be presentations from business support agencies about the services they offer to assist businesses to rebuild.

The session will be held at Whittlesea on Thursday next week (May 28) starting at 6.30pm. The event is free of charge and restricted to bushfire affected businesses. Phone 9217 2144 or info@whittleseabusiness.com.au

● Scared Weird Little Guys ■ Comedy duo the Scared Weird Little Guys, blind guitarist Lorin Nicholson and soul band Grand Wazoo will headline the Rising From The Ashes concert on May 29 to support the Murrindindi School Cluster.

Five schools affected by the Black Saturday bushfires will be assisted by the performances at the Yea Shire Hall on Friday next week (May 29), commencing at 7.15pm.

Schools involved are Yea High School, Yea Primary School, Flowerdale Primary School, Yea’s Sacred Heart Primary School, and Highlands Primary School.

The five schools had one student perish, more than 40 families and four staff displaced, and numerous former students adversely affected, says Yea High School Principal John O'Meara.

Marty Parkinson Mobile Boilermaker Welder 740 Main Rd, Hurstbridge

Phone: 0418 718 211

Heavy traffic expected ■ Mt Buller will officially open for the 2009 snow season on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend with celebrations including a concert featuring the Code One Police Band, and a fire and percussion show.

Heavy traffic is expected through the bushfire region as festivities will kick off on Saturday June 6 and continue throughout the weekend, says Katie Bowker, Events Coordinator for the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board

Lay witnesses appear ■ Each afternoon at the Royal Commission has seen a lay witness called to help with the hearings into the ‘stay or go’ policy. Jessie Monica Odgers of Mernda told of leaving her Outlook Rd, Kinglake property prior to Black Saturday to go to Balnarring Beach.

Political submission ■ A political group, Country Alliance, has made a submission to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

Spokesman Russell Bate says Country Alliance had effective land management policies at the 2006 State Election, and reforms to the Upper House have encouraged political batering on land management policies.

Nick & Els Bakker TULIP FARM - MONBULK www.tnbtulips.com.au tnbtulips@email.com ROCKHAMPTON GOLDEN FOUNTAIN MOTEL On The Bruce Highway Freecall 1-800 240 299 www.goldenfountain.com.au goldenfountain@bigpond.com

The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009 - Page 5

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

At A Glance Control ■ The Integrated Emergency Control Centre, once located in the eastern suburb of Tally Ho, near Glen Waverley, was now based in Nicholson St, East Melbourne, the Royal Commission was told last week.

Planes ■ Wind conditions on Black Saturday meant that aircraft were unable to be used to fight fires, CFA Chief Officer Russell Rees told the Royal Commission.

“Part of the issue that presents throughout this day is that the wetaher conditions, particularly wind, do two things to aircraft, be they fixed wing or rotary.

“They either are rendered ineffective because of the wind speed, that is, the dropping of water or retardant is unable to be achieved with any effectiveness, or the wind is such that it is unsafe to fly.”

‘INCOMPETENCE AND FAILURE’

■ Evidence presented to the Royal Commission into the Black Saturday bushfires showed “incompetence and failure that defies imagination,” the Herald Sun editorialised on Friday.

The top-circulation daily newspaper asked “how could Victoria’s emergency services and communication systems be so ill-iformed and obviously inadequate that little could be done to help 173 people who died as the fires raged”.

The newspaper pointed out that a situation report was released on the day after Black Saturday with the declaration that everyone at Marysville was safe. Some 34 people were killed there on the previous day.

The Emergency Services Commission said the Taggerty area was “of concern”, even though the fires had raged through on the previous day, the newspaper said.

The editorial followed a week’s evidence which started on Monday with witnesses including: ■ Luke Corbett, Planning Operations Officer with the Country Fire Authority, ■ Russell Rees, Chief Officer with the CFA, ■ Ewan Waller of the Department of Sustainability and Environment, ■ Bruce Esplain, State Emergency Services Commissioner, ■ Dr Kathryn Haynes, social researcher.

This week sees evidence from witnesses including a representative of the Bureau of Meterology.

Mr Corbett told of working in the Integrated Emergency Control Centre, and gave an overview of incoming reports made to the centr, and how they were processed.

Mr Rees told of joining the CFA as a junior volunteer at age 11, becoming a career firefighter, attending the CFA training centre at Fiskville, becoming Manager - Operational Training there, the becoming the Region 13 officer based at Lilydale, covering an area including Eltham, around through the City of Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Royal Commission Hearing

● Jessie Odgers, local resident

Mr Rees said he was now in his eighth year as Chief Officer of the Country Fire Authority, following a time as Deputy Chief Officer.

He said the CFA was volunteer-based and had 59,000 registered volunteers: “there is approximately 30,000 of those who get actively involved in operations”. There are 400 career firefighters, and 700 support staff.

He explained how he saw his role on Black Saturday: “My role is to ensure that throughout that day I am kept informed and able to inform in a strategic sense those above me and that includes the Minister ultimately as the coordinator and chief of emergency managing. By that, I mean the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

“My position is not to direct the response of individual tricks or to direct the response of indivdual brigades.”

Mr Rees explained that on such an emergency day he would be best used in being involved in strategy discussions on overall fighting of fires, and “also the security of the state in that place or any new place”.

Mr Rees gave evidence that many of his tasks were “upwards’ in terms of liaison with the Minister. The “downwards” tasks, such as warnings, “is delegated to others to make the decisions”.

Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Commission, asked about information being given to the public via the CFA website “and, if necessary, communicated through the media by a spokesperson”.

Mr Rees said CFA personnel were involved in broadcasting on the ABC station, 774, and he himself had appeared on the broadcasts.

Transcripts of the radio broadcasts on 774 on Black Saturday have been prepared.

Mr Rush asked if anything was done at the Control Centre to predict the course of the Kilmore East fire.

Mr Rees: “I believe I was not aware of it on the day.”

Turn To Page 6

Briefs 6km front ■ The front that made its way to the Healesville area late on Black Saturday measured 6 kms, the Royal Commission has been told.

Last week’s hearing retraced the fire as it hit Gruyere, Yarra Glen, Steels Creek, as well as other areas across the state.

Jet noise ■ The sound of the Black Saturday fire approaching Strathewen from Whittlesea was like 10 or 12 jumbo jets taking off, resident Dennis Spooner told the Royal Commission on Friday.

Dindi fire ■ Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Royal Commission, asked: “In relation to the Murrindindi fire, what is the suspected cause of the fire?”

“Suspicious and still under investigation,” answered Ewan Waller, Chief Officer of the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

Page 6 - The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009

Royal Commission Briefs Power lines suspected ■ CFA Chief Officer Russell Rees was last week asked about the suspected cause of the Kilmore East fire on Black Saturday.

Counsel assisting the Commission, Jack Rush, asked: “The suspected cause of the fire?”

Mr Rees: “Were powerline assets.”

Mt Hickey, where are you?

■ The Country Fire Authority Chief Officer, Russell Rees, was unable to locate the Mount Hickey fire tower, when asked at the Royal Commission last week.

Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Commission: “Just where is the mount Hickey tower?”

Mr Rees: “I’m not a hundred per cent sure.

I know where most of them area but I’m sorry, Mr Rush, I can’t tell you for certain.”

● Mount Hickey (Google Map) ■ Mount Hickey is a mountain within the State Forest, and is at an altitude of about 808m above sea level. It is close to the town of Broadford (9.69km away), Tallarook (10.3km away ) and the village of Waterford Park (16km away). The nearest road to Mount Hickey is an unsealed road that comes within 222m of the summit. The nearest sealed road to Mount Hickey is the Broadford-Flowerdale Road (4.94km away).

Scripts examined ■ Transcripts of radio broadcasts on 774 ABC and 3AW on Februray 7 form part of the material being examined by the Royal Commission. CFA Chief Officer Russell Rees was asked if information on the CFA website was adequate.

He replied: “If we only focus on the official warning on the website, we run the risk of not getting the complete picture of the communication that was sought to be given to the community not just by various other means and we know that people - whilst I haven't seen all of the ABC and 3AW extracts, we know and we hope that evidence will be able to be given about the precise nature of those over time.”

Radio vs website ■ Which was better for bushfire information - radio stations or the official CFA website?

Mr Rush: “So are you saying that there is the potential for warnings to be better on 774 than on the website?

Mr Rees: “No, I am saying that communication to the public on the radio could include some other detail, not just what the official warnings are.

Mr Rush: “But the official warnings of the CFA are contained on the website and I suggest many people would go to the website of the CFA for those warnings?”

Mr Rees: “People will go to the website; people will listen to ABC Radio; there is a variety of ways.”

Mr Rush: “But as I understood just what you said, Mr Rees, there is a potential for people to be better informed by what an officer might be saying on 774 than there is by reference to the website?”

Mr Rees: “That could be the case in certain instances.”

‘MURRINDINDI FIRE MAP NOT SEEN’ From Page 5 “I believe that some behaviour people in the IECC made a map that showd some progression of that fire.I did not see it on the day.

“I can only assume that that was made to give and support the incident control centre of the direction or potential for that fire.”

Mr Rush asked Mr Rees about the fire prediction experts at the Control Centre: “Do you know at all how they were utilised on that day?”

“No, I don’t know specifically. I could assume what they were doing, but specifically I don’t know what other tasks they did on that day apart from that fire.”

Mr Rush: “A core responsibility in relation to fires, I suggest, is that before and during a major incident, people that may be affected by the fire are given information or warnings concerning the fire?”

Mr Rees: “CFA’s philosophy is to try and give as much information as possible so that the communi9ty can make appropriate decisions and support the firefighting effort wherever possible.”

The subject of warnings to the public about fire activity was renewed.

Mr Rush: “Who has any statutory responsibility for warnings or information in relation to fire apart from that day of Total Fire Ban?” MrRees: “As indicated in your opening statement, I think, Mr Rush, there is no statutory responsibility. CFA seeks to give information but it depends on the public understanding of that information and taking that information in.”

Mr Rush: “Does the CFA warn of does it provide information?”

● Jack Rush

Mr Rees: “The CFA’s policy is that it gives advice to the community before and during fires swo it is talking about giving advice. If one wants to interpret that advice as a warning, I don’t shy away from the language ‘warning’, but there is much more in what CFA is striving to do that simply warn.”

Mr Rush: “And that is what, on a --- ?”

Mr Rees: “Well, it goes to the wholenotion, as you are aware, of prepare, stay and defend or leave early. That whole community information process is built about a process of education, communities and individuals taking responsibilioty for their safety and picking the safest option for them, given the predicted weather conditions.”

Mr Rees acknowledged that his personal knowledge of the Murrindindi fire that spread to Marysville, did not come until later in the day.

Mr Rush asked about the adequacy of warnings being issued to the public by the CFA: Mr Rees: “It needs to be understood two things: first of all, there is the official warning and the urgent threat warning, as we covered this morning, says that you are about to be impacted.

“The urgent threat warning is not a message to people that now is the time to leave; in fact, quite to the contrary, it is saying the fire is about to impact on your area.

“The second matter is that there were, on a number of occasions on that afternoon and whilst I haven't seen the transcript, I know that there were various length about the potential and where that fire could go and the likely communities that could be impacted.”

BLACK SATURDAY FIRES TRACED ■ The February 7 fires have been retraced at the Royal Commission. Five local brigades were alerted to the Kilmore East fires at 11.49am, and it was burning west of the Hume Highway and east of the Sydney-Melbourne rail line.

By 12.02pm, there were calls for back-up.

Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Royal Commission: “So we have got Kilmore East starting up the top at 11.49 and then moving down, there is a call at Wallan or a couple of calls at Wallan, a false alarm at Whittlesea and false alarms at Arthurs Creek and St Andrews.

Have we got times for those?

Russell Rees, Chief Officer of the CFA: “Somewhere about 1.30.”

Mr Rush produced maps of how fires progressed throughout the day: “For example, if we look at the first line at 1400, that is a line that extends from just below Clonbinane to Upper Plenty, extending out to the line at 2100 which takes in Kinglake West, Pheasant Creek, Strathewen, St Andrews, Smiths Gully, down around Watsons Creek, all the way around to Diamond Creek?”

Mr Rees: “Yes, that's on the map.”

Mr Rush: Looking at it now, and I appreciate the enormous benefit of hindsight, but with the potential to generate that sort of prediction in the IECC, firstly, is it not something that should be fully utilised on the day?”

Mr Rees: “I cannot say the extent to which this information was or was not utilised. I would have hoped that that information was available to as many people as possible for which to make as much wise decisions, given that the actual information they knew, what they knew about the fire at the time, may not have been anything like this prediction.”

Mr Rush: “As I understand the predictions here of the fire behaviour analysts, they feed into this sort of material the prevailing wind, the nature of the topographical nature, the fuel; all that material goes into this sort of prediction, the impact of the south-westerly change, but again, as far as you were concerned, to your knowledge you knew nothing about it?”

Mr Rees: “I certainly did not see these maps.”

Mr Rush: “They could be very significant

● Fire activity near Whittlesea was described on the day as ‘like a volcano’ that I didn't have anything available to me in in relation to warnings?”

Mr Rees: “They are significant in relation terms of that mapping or whatever, that it would to a number of matters in determining the strat- run in that general direction.

“The degree to which it would run and the distegy for firefighting.”

Mr Rush quoted an article from The Aus- ance it would reach I didn't make a judgment.”

Mr Rush said there were spot fires around tralian newspaper, in which Ewen Waller of the DSE was reported to say: “As soon as we the Humevale area, between somewhere saw that Kilmore fire, in a very short time we around 1500 to 1630, and the Pheasant Creek area around a similar time and also down into knew we had a real problem.

“It was running towards populated areas. You that Strathewen area at the same time.

Mr Rees: “The advice I received from the could run a ruler along where it was going to people who were investigating this fire is that it run. You knew straightaway".

Mr Rush: “Is that the feeling that you had was down towards the St Andrews, north of St Andrews area, that it had spotted into that area about the Kilmore East fire?’

Mr Rees: “I had a feeling ... it is interesting sometime between 1600 and 1700 hours” A statement by Mr Rees said: “"By the time you use the word "feeling". I prefer to use the word judgment or assessment. My assessment the fire had reached the Whittlesea-Yea road, was that the fire was going to run obviously the fire was reported to be approximately 6 km wide. Spot fires were reported at Humevale, south-east.

“There was an issue in my assessment even St Andrews, Steels Creek, which are all bethough it would be rudimentary, in the sense low the ridge line."

The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009 - Page 7

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

Fast Facts Pamper ■ Sunflower Day will be held in Kinglake from 9.30 am-2.30pm on Friday, June 12.

This is a free day of pampering for fire-affected women courtesy of Global Care.

There will be massages, facials, pedicures, games, free morning tea and free lunch.

Bookings are essential, please contact Bronwyn Taylor on 0408 929 594.

Yes, Yea ■ Yea Business & Tourism Association has a new branding statement: “Yes, you can get it in Yea.” Chairman Rod Clue says: “The Association will shortly be releasing and distributing a quick reference Business and Traders Directory to make it easier for people to find what they are after.

“It will provide these important contact details and enable people to find what they need locally”.

WHY WASN’T KINGLAKE WARNED?

■ Late warnings to the Kinglake community on Black Saturday have come under the examination of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Royal Commission, asked questions of the Country Fire Authority Chief Officer: “As a layman, Mr Rees, and I look at that map at 1600 (4pm), I ask, having regard to everything we have spoken about about the prediction of fire and the impact of change, I just pick an example, why wouldn't a warning be given to Kinglake at 1600?”

Mr Rees: "The warning was given, as I suspect you know, at around 1755 to Kinglake.

That's the urgent threat official warning. I do know that at 1639 one of our officers spoke on ABC Radio about the risks to Kinglake at that time. The exact wording I don't know. I do know that happened.

“So I'm saying that every effort was made, and hindsight is a wonderful thing as we all know, but that people were making efforts to warn the communities, including the community of Kinglake, and realising the whole state and the issues that pertained to the risks to the whole state at the time.”

Mr Rush: "I understand - and opened to this effect - that people were doing their best and it was enormous pressure, but having regard to what we have seen of the fires in the Western District and what you have told us about the anticipation of this fire, why wouldn't you be making that sort of projection and prediction having regard to a fire out of control; why wouldn't you be warning those sort of communities of what the potential was of the southwesterly change?”

Mr Rees: “All I can say is we made our judgments, did our very best to give the right information at that time on that day during the events as they played out during the day. I can't make a judgment as to whether we should have done it one way or the other. It is obvious if we are going to give information to the community,

Briefs 120-kmh ■ The fired that wiped out Strathewen on February 7 approached the area at an estimated 120-kmh, the Royal Commission has been told.

26 days ■ It took 26 days to officially bring the Black Saturday bushfire under control, DSE boss Ewan Waller told the Royal Commission on Tuesday last week.

No mention ● Warnings were not received early enough to save these Kinglake SES vehicles the information has to be timely and given as burning in the Mt Disappointment area, in a best as possible.” southerly, -easterly direction, the communities The Royal Commission was told that warn- of Whittlesea, Humevale, Arthurs Creek, ings were issued to Whittlesea at 1553 Upfield (sic) , Eden Park and Doreen may be (3.53pm): “"The community of Whittlesea may directly impacted upon by this fire." be directly impacted upon this fire within two The 774 ABC broadcast of this warning was hours" played to the Royal Commission hearing. The Mr Rush: “That would obviously be as a Kinglake escarpment is mentioned at 4.25pm, consequence of someone making a prediction and the Kinglake township is first mentioned as to the course of the fire over a two-hour pe- at 5.55pm. riod?”

Mr Rush asked Mr Rees if Kinglake reMr Rees: “I don't know in the sense of who ceived the warnings he would have hoped. made the judgment about the two hours. It could Mr Rees (in part): “it is important to underbe reasonable to assume that. It could also be stand that the urgent threat message is not for a reasonable to assume that it is two hours - a person to leave their property, it is that the fire period that the fire is expected to impact, not is impacting or about to impact on. So that adthat it is going to hit some time in the two hours.” vice, although it is a very narrow window, fits the The hearing was told that an urgent threat criteria of an urgent threat message, but it is not message was issued at 4.35pm: “"The bushfire an alert message to say that a fire is coming.”

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■ Strathewen idd not get a warning or a mention in anyo f the Country Fire Authority material, counsel Jack Rush said last week. CFA boss Russell Rees says he does not know the reason for this.

Free clinic ■ Lawyers from Bushfire Legal Help partner organisations, will provide an information night at the Kinglake Community Centre from 7pm on Wed. (May 20).

If you fancy a walk on Melbourne's wildside, then have a shot at this!

SQUIZZY TAYLOR GANGLAND WALK Phone 9822 3410 Keep in step with a veteran police roundsman as he traces the footprints charismatic characters like … ● Squizzy Taylor ● Madame Brussels ● Freddie The Frog

● Pretty Dulcie (pictured) ● Recycling Spanish Virgin ● Beryl The Biter

● Snowy Cutmore ● Normie Bradshaw ● Clanger Clancy

● Jack The Ripper? ● Oscar The Wonder Dog ● The Pyjama Girl

● Hadyn Bunton ● The Skull ● Superman Jack

● Thomas Wills ● Redda Lewis ● Saltwater Bill

● Jack Twist ● Ronald Ryan ● Stainless Steele

● Scotland Yard Walkerden ● Phantom of the Opera ● Dolly Grey & co.

● Ned Kelly ● Antarctic Bert ● The Pyjama Girl

● Conman Mark Foy ● Stainless Steele … and many, many more.

Page 8 - The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009 - Page 9

WHITTLESEA TIMBER PTY LTD

Ph: 9716 3433 - Fax: 9716 3355 33 Laurel Street, Whittlesea sales@whittleseatimber.com.au

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$1220

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$1325

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5000g, 6000g, 8000g Poly Tanks on site in Kinglake

SPECIAL PRICES FOR FIRE AFFECTED PEOPLE As a resident of Kinglake, I can see the problems we face as a community in the forseeable future. On most matters there is not a lot I can personally do.

However in my position as Manager of Whittlesea Timber I can provide you with assistance as we rebuild. I extend this offer to all people affected by the fires, to assist you in any way to make this process as painless as possible. You may ring my mobile number at ANYTIME and I will render whatever assistance is possible to give.

Good luck to you all in your endeavours.

Simon Sutton 0415 123 266

Page 10 - The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

Kinglake Gala Day

Advertising Sales.

Part-Time.

Work From Home.

At Flowerdale on Friday ■ There will be a special Flowerdale community meeting at the Rec Reserve Club Rooms at 8pm on Friday (May 22) to discuss the structure of committees and future community needs, reports local correspondent Julie Bateman.

The Phoenix Newspaper is a popular free weekly publication circulating in the municipalities of Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Mitchell, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges.

The Phoenix is unique. One of its community service projects is to offer a free $2000 annual package to each and every business in the bushfire-affected region. More than $350,000 worth of assistance has been donated to date by the publishers.

The Phoenix Newspaper also provides a powerful medium for businesses to reach an important readership area with paid display advertising campaigns.

The Phoenix Newspaper is now recruiting two Advertising Sales Agents to work part-time from their own homes to assist businesses with their advertising requirements.

Pages From The Past From Our Files 25 Years Ago - May 1984

Belle of the Ball

Y.Glen-Yea footy

● The Fitnessworx Cheerleading Crew at Kinglake. Back: Lisca Schramm, Lisa O'Hara Front: Kirsten Ploog, Stephanie Markovska.

■ The Round 5 football clash between Yarra Glen and Yea in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League Second Division was postponed on May 10 due to vandalism of Yarra Glen's Ground.

The ground surface was affected and deemed unplayable by both the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the YVMDFL. The game has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday (May 23) with a venue still to be determined as we went to press.

Community Day success ■ A special community day service was held at Flowerdale yesterday (Sun., May 17) at the Moore Rd reserve, behind the hotel. The day was held in conjunction with Chaplaincy Australia. After the service there was food, music and entertainment.

The positions will most likely involve the Agent working from their own home, contacting clients by telephone. All leads are provided. We envisage a part-time role, perhaps from 10am-3pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

You will require your own home office with landline phone, fax, e-mail and ABN. Sales flair will be a distincty advantage. Each position is that of a contractor. Payment is weekly. All phone call costs are reimbursed.

Charity Golf Day

The Phoenix For an information kit, please send an e-mail to the Editor, Mr Ash Long, at: editor@thephoenix.com.au

● "Shake those Pom Poms": Lisa O'Hara shows the kids a cheer

■ The Northern Football Club Charity Golf Day will be held on Friday (May 22) at the Yarrambat Golf Course, with a 7:30am start.

Clubs and sponsors are being encouraged to enter groups of four, with a cost of $50 per player.

The day is being held in aid of the EPIC Centre. To enter, contact the League on 9435 8228 by today (Monday, May 18).

EPIC provides specialised early childhood intervention programs for young children with a range of developmental delays and disabilities

Children’s Centre opens

Would You Like Every Issue of The Phoenix Delivered To Your Home?

Thousands of free copies of The Phoenix are distributed every week through a network of outlets through most of the bushfire affected areas.

The Phoenix can also be read free online at www.thephoenix.com.au If you would like a copy of each issue of The Phoenix mailed to you, we can arrange a mail subscription to you.

The price for a pre-paid subscription for 50 copies, to anywhere in Australia, is $107.50.

You can arrange a mail subscription by phoning 1-800 231 311, and pay by Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX).

Or lodge the form below with your cheque or Money Order for $107.50.

Post To: Mail Subscriptions, The Phoenix PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Yes, please organise a mail subscription of 50 issues of The Phoenix Newspaper.I enclose our Cheque/Money Order for $107.50.

Name:

■ Kinglake Early Learning Centre commences long day care today (Monday, May 18), from 7.30am to 5.30-pm, caring for up to 15 childern.

The Centre will operate temporarily from the Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House.

The child care centre building donated by Investa is expected to be relocated to Kinglake West Mechanics Institute Reserve within the next two weeks, and be operational by midJune.

Works at Hazeldene ■ A temporary bridge offering 24-hour access will be erected at Flowerdale to offer access to the Hazeldene Store, whilst works are underway at the existing bridge.

Murridnindi Council says the works will involve replacement of the existing timber deck and railing with a new concrete deck and new steel barrier rails.

Horse workshops ■ Free workshops for people with horses will be held at Wandong and Kinglake this month.

The sessions promise to share ideas to "ensure your horses, land and your bank balance remain healthy".

Wandong Community Centre, LB Davern Reserve, Dry Creek Cr, Wandong is the venue for the Saturday, May 30 session, 9am-4pm.

The Sunday, May 31 workshop will be held at Kinglake Community Centre, Extons Rd., 9am until approx. 4pm. Contact: Louise, 5430 4690, 0400 854 939.

Sally helps businesses

Address: Phone: Local Media Pty Ltd Head Office: 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Vic 3095 Mail subscriptions are subject to our Terms and Conditions (see website)

■ Sally MacDonald of Pheasant Creek has been appointed, part-time, to work with Murrindindi Council's Economic Development Department to assist in business recovery in an area from Toolangi to Yea.

● David Webb Ware presents flowers to Jenny Lawson at the Yea Deb Ball held in May 1984

Couple ‘naturalised’ ■ Mr and Mrs George Stratourides were ‘naturalised’ as Australian citizens in a ceremony conducted at their Murrindindi property by Shire President, Cr Ian Sharp, 25 years ago. Melanie had been in Australia for 22 years, and George for 29 years. Their childre3n were all born in Australia.

Fashion parade success ■ The Woolmark Fashion Parade held in the Yea Shire Hall was a great success socially and financially. Guest comperes Celia de Burgh and Steve Bisley gave a ‘magical star quality’. Celia had starred in Phar Lap and was nominated for a Logie award in the Sound of Love. Steve played the role of ‘Goose’ in Mad Max and “is currently filming The Flying Doctor, we reported in 1984.

Past President passes ■ Gerald John Tehan of ‘Flowerdale Estate’, Strath Creek, died peacefully on May 12 after a long illness, we reported on May 24, 1984. He was 73.

“Gerald came to Strath Creek in 1939 and immediately became deeply involved in community life. He was a Councillor on the Yea Shire for 13 years (1946-59) and served as President in 1951-52. Farming was his great love and in this he was innovative and extremely hard working.”

He was survived by his wife Emily, six sons and two daughters and many grandchildren.

Football return visit ■ Following weeks of football which have included easy victories and a week out of action, Yea football supporters are promised something different on Saturday when the undefeated Belgrave teams pay a return visit, we reported in 1984, a quarter-of-a-century ago.

“On the first day of the season, Belgrave at home, won the senior and Reserve games narrowly and the Under 17s rather comfortably.

“But Senior wins of late have not been as clear cut as Yea’s. “”However, the locals will miss Haydn Drysdale (honeymooning in Hong Kong) and Glen McMaster whose football feature is in doubt because of a badly dislocated ankle sustained in the Powelltown match.

“Yea Reserves are playing well enough to win and the Under 17s are training solidly.

“A disco (preceded by a steak sandwich” will be held in the evening.”

Page 14 - The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009

HERE’S WHERE TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE PHOENIX The Phoenix Newspaper is a free community newspaper available in the bushfire affected areas, through a network of outlets.

We have taken the liberty of delivering bulk quantities to the following outlets throughout the Shires of Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Mitchell and Yarra Ranges.

We thank these businesses for their assistance in bringing The Phoenix to you.

ALEXANDRA, 3717 * Alexandra Foodworks 102 Grant St. 5772 1615 + Alexandra Library. 49 Grant St. 5772 0349. * Alexandra Newsagency. 82-84 Grant St. 5772 1025. + Commercial Hotel. 65 Grant St. 5772 1004. + Mount Pleasant Hotel. 90 Grant St. 5772 1083. + Shamrock Hotel. 80 Grant St. 5772 1015. + Shire of Murrindindi Office. 28 Perkins St. 5772 0333.

BONNIE DOON, 3720 + Bonnie Doon Supermarket. Maroondah Hwy. 5778 7236 BROADFORD, 3658 * Broadford Newsagency. 67 High St. 5784 1487. + Grasso's Supermarket. 65 High St. 5784 1405 + Shire of Mitchell Offices. 113 High St. 5734 6200 BUXTON, 3711 * Buxton General Store. 2187 Maroondah Hwy. 5774 7301 DIAMOND CREEK, 3089 + Caltex Service Station. 103-109 Main Hurstbridge Rd. 9438 5740. * Diamond Creek Newsagency. 62A Main Hurstbridge Rd. 9438 1470 + Nillumbik Cellars. 11 Chute St. 9438 1249 * Ritchies Supermarket. 64 Main Rd. 9438 2455 DONNYBROOK, 3064 + Donnybrook Hotel. 825 Donnybrook Rd. 9745 2380 + Donnybrook Store. 810 Donnybrook Rd. 9745 2219 DOREEN, 3754 * Doreen General Store. 920 Yan Yean Rd. 9717 3509 EILDON, 3713 + Eildon Bakery Cafe. 10 Main St. 5774 2362 * Eildon Newsagency. Main St. 5774 2372 ELTHAM, 3095 * Eltham Newsagency. 958 Main Rd. 9439 9612.

ELTHAM NORTH, 3095 + Sharkys Seafood Cafe. 33 Wattletree Rd. 9439 9360 FLOWERDALE, 3717 * Flowerdale Hotel. 3325 Whittlesea-Yea Rd. 5780 1230 * Hazeldene General Store. Broome Rd. 5780 1202.

GLENBURN, 3717 * Glenburn (United) Roadhouse. 3883 Melba Hwy. 5797 8312 GREENSBOROUGH, 3088 + Shire of Nillumbik Office. Civic Dr. 9433 3111 HEALESVILLE, 3777 * Healesville Newsagency. 195 Maroondah Hwy. 5962 4161 HURSTBRIDGE, 3099 * Hurstbridge Newsagency. Main Rd. 9718 2045 KALKALLO, 3064 + Kalkallo Hotel. Hume Fwy, 9745 2206 KANGAROO GROUND, 3097 * Kangaroo Ground Supply Store. Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd. 9712 0200. * Kangaroo Ground Post Office. c/- Kings Winery. 15 Graham Rd. 9712 0666.

KILMORE, 3764 + BP Roadhouse. 102 Sydney St. * Finch's IGA Supermarket. 22 Sydney St. 5782 1018. * Foodworks Supermarket. 84 Sydney St. 5782 1007 + Kemps Bakery. 65 Sydney St. 5781 0178 + Kilmore Library. 12 Sydney St. 5782 1322 * Kilmore Newsagency. 41 Sydney St. 5782 1465 + Putker's Bakery. 54 Sydney St. 5782 1129 + Red Lion Hotel. 45 Sydney St. 5782 1411 + Royal Oak Hotel. 29-31 Sydney St. 5782 1291 KINGLAKE, 3763 * Kinglake Food Works. 12 Main Rd. 5786 1555 + Kinglake Bakehouse. 1/1 Main Rd. 5786 1709 + Kinglake Library. 19 Kinglake-Whittlesea Rd. 5786 1522 + Kinglake Post Office. 14 Main Rd. 5786 1209. * National Park Hotel. 28 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd. 5786 1230 KINGLAKE WEST, 3757 * Flying Tarts Bakery & Cafe. 888 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd. 5786 5800.

LAURIMAR, 3754 + Laurimar Cafe. 25 Hazel Glen Dr. 9717 4151 LILYDALE, 3140 + Shire of Yarra Ranges Offices. 15 Anderson St. 1-300 368 333 MANSFIELD, 3722 + Mansfield Newsagency. 57-59 High St. 5775 2649

MARYSVILLE, 3779 * Marysville Golf Club. 956 Marysville-Buxton Rd. 5963 3241.

MERTON, 3715 + BP Merton Roadhouse. Maroondah Hwy. 5778 9507 MOLESWORTH, 3718 + Molesworth Hotel. Goulburn Valley Hwy. 5797 6266 NARBETHONG, 3778 * Black Spur Inn Hotel. 436 Maroondah Hwy. 5963 7121 * Black Spur Roadhouse. 264 Maroondah Hwy. 5963 7173.

PANTON HILL, 3759 * Panton Hill General Store & Post Office. 9719 7771 PHEASANT CREEK, 3757 + Pheasant Creek General Store. 884 Main Rd. 5786 5309 PLENTY, 3090 + Plenty Store.119 Yan Yean Rd. 9434 4472 RESEARCH, 3095 + Research Licensed Post Office 1546 Main Rd. 9437 0544 * Research Supermarket. 1540 Main Rd. 9437 2374 SEYMOUR, 3660 * To Be Advised.

SMITHS GULLY, 3760 * Smiths Gully General Store. 9710 1295.

SOUTH MORANG, 3752 + City of Whittlesea Offices. Ferres Blvd. 9217 2170. * South Morang Newsagency. 17-19 Gorge Rd. 9404 1502 ST ANDREWS, 3761 * St Andrews General Store. Main Rd. 9710 1200 STRATH CREEK, 3658 * Strath Creek General Store. Glover St. 5784 9220.

TAGGERTY, 3714 * Taggerty General Store. 26 Thornton Rd. 5774 7201.

TALLAROOK, 3659 + Tallarook General Store. 36 Main St. 5792 2228 + Tallarook Hotel. 7 Main St. 5792 1743 THORNTON, 3712 * Thornton General Store. 1365 Taggerty Rd, Thornton. 5773 2265.

TOOLANGI, 3777 * Toolangi General Store. 5962 9297 + Toolangi Tavern. 1390 Myers Creek Rd. 5962 9398 WALLAN, 3756 + Hogan's Hotel. 92 High St. 5783 1251 + United Service Station. 11 High St. 5783 3200 + Wallan Library. Shop 12. Wellington Square. 5783 3555 + Wallan Milk Bar. Shop 2, 41 High St. 5783 1809 * Wallan Newsagency. 59 High St. 5783 1215 WALLAN EAST, 3756 + Rattlers Hotel. 21 Station St. 5783 1324 WANDONG, 3758 + Dundee’s Fish and Chips/Pizza. Shop 1, 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd, Wandong. 5787 1777. * IGA Supermarket. Shop 8, 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd. 5787 1911 + Kemps Bakery. Shop 4, 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd. 5787 2155 + Magpie and Stump Hotel. Epping-Kilmore Rd. 5787 1999 * Wandong General Store. 3307 Epping-Kilmore Rd. 5787 1201 WATTLE GLEN, 3096 * Peppers Paddock General Store. 13 Kangaroo Ground Rd, Wattle Glen. 9438 4030.

WHITTLESEA, 3757 * Foodworks Whittlesea. 65 Church St. 9716 2257 + IGA Supermarket. 1-22 Church St. 9716 2005 + Royal Mail Hotel. 29 Beech St. 9716 1400. + Whittlesea Hotel. 2424 Plenty Rd. 9716 2002 * Whittlesea newsXpress. 57 Church St. 9716 2060 YARCK, 3719 * Yarck General Store. 6595 Maroondah Hwy, Yarck. 5773 4204.

YARRA GLEN, 3775 * Yarra Glen Newsagent. 32 Bell St. 9730 1392.

YARRAMBAT, 3091 * Yarrambat General Store. 466 Ironbark Rd. 9436 1434 YEA, 3717 + Amble Inn Cafe. 24 High St. 5797 2680 + Country Club Hotel. 18 High St. 5797 2514 + Elmers. Shops 3-4, 10 High St. 5797 2080 + Mobil Service Station. 31 High St. 5792 2008 + Royal Mail Hotel. 88 High St. 5792 2515 * Yea Foodworks. 10-24 High St. 5797 2611 + Yea Library. The Semi-Circle. 5797 2209 * Yea Newsagency. 74 High St. 5797 2196 + Yea Take-Away. 68 High St. 5792 2664

This is an interim list only, and is subject to changes, road openings and access.

If you would like to have free copies of The Phoenix available at your business for free distribution to the public, please phone on 1-800 231 311 and leave a message.

Or e-mail: editor@thephoenix.com.au

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REBELS: TOUGH GOING

■ Alexandra continues to find the going tough in the First Division of the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League. The Rebels played at home on Saturday.

ALEXANDRA SCOREBOARD SENIORS W. YALLOCK ....... 4.7, 8.13, 10.17, 16.20 (116) ALEXANDRA ............... 0.0, 2.0, 7.2, 9.4 (58) Goals. Woori Yallock: M. Bonuda 5, M. King 2, M. Wright 2, M. McGrath , D. Hyndman , T. Bennett , M. Riseley , P. Sharp , T. Williamson , M. Stolarczyk Alexandra: A. Johansen 3, C. McKay 2, M. Hill 2, K. Davis , A. Oakley.

Best. Woori Yallock: D. Hyndman, M. King, T. Williamson, T. Van Veen, D. Ryan, P. Joseph.

Alexandra: C. Jack, J. Kidd, A. Oakley, B. Leary, T. Duigan, D. Steel.

Other Scores: Warburton Millgrove 18.13 (121) d Wandin 14.15 (99). Monbulk 29.15 (189) d Gembrook Cockatoo 9.7 (61). Mount Evelyn 21.16 (142) d Healoesville 11.7 (73). Upwey Tecoma 31.23 (209) d Silvan 13.6 (84).

Ladder: 1. Upwey Tecoma, 272.22, 20. 2.

Monbulk, 229.10, 16. 3. Woori Yallock, 154.36, 16. 4. Healesville, 144.47, 16. 5. Mount Evelyn, 147.39, 12. 6. Silvan, 69.76, 8. 7. Warburton Millgrove, 64.20, 8. 8. Gembrook Cockatoo, 70.38, 4. 9. Wandin, 36.53, 0. 10. Alexandra, 31.90, 0.

RESERVES WOORI YALLOCK ........ 1.5, 5.8, 6.13, 8.14 (62) ALEXANDRA ................ 1.1, 2.1, 3.5, 3.7 (25) Goals. Woori Yallock: G. Selby 3, B. Bonuda 2, M. Goff , J. Ward , C. Bell. Alexandra: H. Nichol Best. Woori Yallock: J. Ward, B. Hyndman, M. Goff, G. Wells, A. Healy, W. Spicer. Alexandra: D. Crane, G. Miller, J. Elkington, H. Nichol.

Other Scores: Warburton Millgrove 14.6 (90) d Wandin 6.8 (44). Monbulk 10.7 (67) d Gembrook Cockartoo 6.9 (45). Mount Evelyn 13.10 (88) d Healesville 8.5 (53). Upwey Tecoma 27.12 (174).

Ladder: 1. Upwey Tecoma, 393.41, 20. 2.

Healesville, 191.06, 16. 3. Mount Evelyn, 145.49, 16. 4. Gembrook Cockatoo, 159.65, 12.

5. Monbulk, 144.40, 12. 6. Warburton Millgrove, 101.81, 12. 7. Woori Yallock, 70.88, 8. 8.

Wandin, 42.94, 4. 9. Silvan, 35.05, 0. 10.

Alexandra, 20.50, 0.

RDFL Ladders Reserves Ladder: 1. Macedon, 168.18, 16.

2. Melton Centrals, 150.22, 16. 3. Riddell, 141.15, 16. 4. Wallan, 139.41, 16. 5.

Lancefield, 130.83, 12. 6. Woodend-Hesket, 124.26, 12. 7. Diggers Rest, 109.27, 12. 8.

Kilmore, 107.82, 8. 9. Broadford, 85.29, 8.

10. Rockbank, 42.74, 4. 11. Romsey, 63.82, 0. 12. Sunbury Kangaroos, 44.27, 0.

Under 18 Ladder: 1. Kilmore, 396.40, 20.

2. Woodend-Hesket, 274.21, 20. 3. Bye. 4.

Diggers Rest, 225.28, 12. 5. Romsey, 141.77, 12. 6. Macedon, 141.46, 12. 7.

Lancefield, 137.25, 12. 8. Riddell, 93.35, 4.

9. Sunbury Kangaroos, 84.82, 4. 10.

Broadford, 18.01, 0. 11. Rockbank, 6.00, 0.

12. Wallan, 0.00, 0.

TRIFECTA FOR SEYMOUR GVFL SENIORS Seymour 16.9 (105) d Shepparton Swans 18.11 (119). Shepparton 18.22 (130) d Euroa 6.9 (45).

Mansfioeld 19.20 (134) d Benalla 5.7 (37).

Kyabram 19.4 (118) d Rochester 15.10 (100).

Taturaz 17.11 (113) d Mooroopna 8.14 (62).

Echuca 17.9 (111) d Shepparton United 12.11 (83).

RESERVES Seymour 22.22 (154) d Shepparton Swans 5.3 (33). Shepparton 9.9 (63) d Euroa 8.8 (56).

Mansfield 24.13 (157) d Benalla 2.3 (15). Rochester 13.19 (97) d Kyabram 6.8 (44). Mooroopna 13.9 (87) d Tatura 9.8 (62). Echuca 10.13 (73) d Shepparton United 6.14 (50).

UNDER 18s Seymour 17.9 (111) d Tatura 10.10 (70).

Mooroopna 14.10 (94) d Euroa 6.11 (47). Echuca 11.5 (71) d Shepparton Swans 10.9 (69). Benalla 11.7 (73) d Rochjester 8.6 (54). Shepparton United 10.13 (73) d Mansfield 10.3 (63).

Kyabram 17.18 (120) d Shepparton 1.5 (11).

Kilmore, Wallan Footy SENIORS Scores Broadford 15.15 (105) d Kilmore 4.5 (29) Lancefield 19.25 (139) d Wallan 10.8 (68) Diggers Rest 10.13 (73) d Sunbury Kangaroos 6.7 (43) Woodend-Hesket 18.12 (120) d Rockbank 6.8 (44) Riddell 22.13 (145) d Romsey 8.6 (54) Macedon FC 19.11 (125) d Melton Centrals 5.10 (40) Ladder: 1. Riddell, 167.03, 20. 2. Macedon FC, 175.09, 16. 3. Sunbury Kangaroos, 122.71, 16. 4. Lancefield, 180.14, 14. 5.

Woodend-Hesket, 109.76, 8. 6. Kilmore, 84.96, 8. 7. Melton Centrals, 82.98, 8. 8.

Diggers Rest, 80.61, 8. 9. Romsey, 70.769, 8. 10. Wallan, 62.08, 6. 11. Broadford, 91.72, 4. 12. Rockbank, 67.29, 4.

RESERVES Kilmore 10.15 (75) d Broadford 7.4 (46) Wallan 14.5 (89) d Lancefield 5.9 (39) Diggers Rest 12.6 (78) d Sunbury Kangaroos 8.5 (53) Woodend-Hekset 9.17 (71) d Rockbank 2.5 (17) Riddell 11.7 (73) d Romsey 2.10 (22) Macedon 9.7 (61) d Melton Centrals 3.9 (27) UNDER 18 Kilmore 23.19 (157) d Broadford 2.5 (17) Diggers Rest 13.10 (88) d Sunbury Kangaroos 2.3 (15) Woodend-Hesket 22.22 (154) d Rockbank 0.0 (0) Macedon 10.15 (75) d Lancefield 2.1 (13) Romsey 11.12 (78) d Riddell 8.6 (54) Reserves, Under 18 ladders below (left)

FIRE ROARED LIKE 10 JETS

From Page One “I said, “Mate, come on, hop in the car. I think we had better go”, and he said, “No, I’m staying. Old Max is now deceased,” Mr Spooner told the Royal Commission.

He also visited the Perry and Bateman families, before returning to his own home, where family members left in three cars.

Mr Spooner described the noise of the approaching fires as like “10 or 12 jumbo jets out at Tullamarine all screaming their lungs out all at once”.

“It was horrific - it was horrific, the noise.

“You couldn’t even tell where it was coming from. It seemed to echo in the valley, but you just couldn’t tell. And I couldn’t see any smoke, couldn’t see any flames.”

Mr Spooner said the convoy of family cars was initially about 50 metres apart. His daughter-in-law Jodie was able turned into Bowden Spur - into Cottles Bridge Rd, and she was able to get away.

His wife Marilyn had to come to a halt because a tree had fallen across the road.

They turned around, and back at their property, Mrs Spooner and Damien “were only 20, 30 metres behind me”.He proceeded further.

Referring to a map, Mr Spooner said: “That’s where I propped and waited for them. I stopped there. They didn’t come.”

He re-traced his steps but was forced to stop: “All I could see was flames in the tops of the trees.”

Mr Spooner described the fire making its way towards Kinglake: “The smoke at that point was actually blood red, it was bright red, which indicated flames were in the smoke and it was quite high.”

He made his way to Middle Kinglake oval, where there were a small number of people.

They first took cover in the Primary School store room, then a classroom which eventually burnt down.

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The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009 - Page 15

DYNAMIC DEMONS DEMOLISH DEVILS

■ Whittlesea and Mernda lined up in the Northern Football League Division 2 match scheduled for Sunday afternoon, after The Phoenix went to press for this week.

Other Division 2 matches results for Round 5 are as follows:

8. 8. St Marys, 98.79, 8. 9. Epping,. 80.88, 4.

10. Watsonia, 52.72, 4. 11. Keon Park, 24.29, 0.

NFL DIV. 1 SCORES

NETBALL Section One: Diamond Creek 39 d Whittlesea 17. Fitzroy Stars 29 d North Heidelberg 27.

Mernda 31 d Lakeside 30. Bye: Macleod.

Section Two: Mernda 15 d Hurstbridge 11.

Whittlesea 22 drew with Epping 22. Fitzroy Stars 17 d North Heidelberg 6. Bye: Lalor.

NFL DIV. 2 FOOTBALL SCORES SENIORS Diamond Creek 23.15 (153) d Parkside 8.3 (51).

Epping 25.18 (168) d Panton Hill 6.4 (40). Reservoir 16.16 (112) d Heidelberg West 11.7 (73).

Hurstbridge 22.17 (149) d South Morang 16.12 (108). Fitzroy Stars 19.19 (133) d Macleod 15.8 (98). Watsonia 10.10 (70) d Lower Plenty 6.8 (44).

Ladder (prior to Whittlesea-Mernda match). 1.

Diamond Creek, 196.00, 20. 2. Macleod, 213.57, 16. 3. Fitzroy Stars, 142.69, 16. 4.

Epping, 149.28, 12. 5. Whittlesea, 132.58, 12.

6. Parkside, 110.00, 12. 7. Mernda, 103.35, 12. 8. Hurstbridge, 93.52, 12. 9. Watsonia, 102.85, 8. 10. South Morang, 80.28, 8. 11.

Lower Plenty, 115.58, 4. 12. Reservoir, 63.22, 4. 13. Pantron Hill, 64.27, 0. 14. Heidelberg West, 25.05, 0.

RESERVES Diamond Creek 27.21 (1830 d Parkside 2.4 (16). Epping 14.15 (99) d Panton Hill 4.8 (32).

Reservoir 11.15 (81) d Heidelberg West 10.11 (71). South Morang 14.13 (97) d Hurstbridge 11.14 (80). Macleod 21.11 (137) d Fitzroy Stars 6.6 (42). Lower Plenty 11.15 (81) d Watsonia 5.6 (36).

Ladder (prior to Whittlesea-Mernda match): 1.

Diamond Creek, 260.17, 20. 2. Whittlesea, 210.88, 16. 3. Macleod, 188.01, 16. 4. South Morang, 151.69, 16. 5. Parkside, 115.27, 16.

6. Mernda, 178.03, 12. 7. Epping, 121.41, 12.

8. Lower Plenty, 124.79, 8. 9. Hurstbridge, 112.78, 8. 10. Watsonia, 64.21, 4. 11. Fitzroy Stars, 55.12, 4. 12. Reservoir, 53.58, 4. 13.

Panton Hill, 50.95, 0. 14. Heidelberg West, 23.40, 0/

PHOTO BY ASH LONG

● Diamond Creek were consistently stronger than Parkside at Nillumbik Park on Saturday UNDER 19s Epping 13.11 (89) d Bundoora Bulls 8.10 (58).

Diamond Creek 15.13 (103) d St Marys 4.7 (31).

Hurstbridge 15.12 (102) d Keon Park 8.7 (55).

Lower Plenty 16.15 (111) d Watsonia 4.3 (27).

Bye: Macleod.

Ladder (prior to Whittlesea-Mernda match): 1.

Diamond Creek, 194.22, 16. 2. Lower Plenty, 145.79, 16. 3. Mernda, 178.17, 12. 4. Macleod, 146.70, 12. 5. Whittlesea, 147.34, 8. 6.

Bundoora Bulls, 98.88, 8. 7. Hurstbridge, 87.88,

SENIORS North Heidelberg 17.14 (116) d Eltham 15.10 (100). Northcote Park 21.10 (136) de Greensborough 10.4 (64). Heidelberg 32.22 (214) d Thomastown 7.5 (47). Lalor 12.11 (83) d W Preston Lakeside 5.19 (49). Montmorency v Bundoora - not to hand.

Ladder. 1. Heidlberg, 201.06, 20. 2. Northcote Park, 197.21, 20. 3. Bundoora, 107.23, 12. 4.

Lalor, 95.73, 12. 5. North Heidelberg, 107.54, 8. 6. W Preston Lakeside, 98.27, 8. 7.

Greensborough, 82.37, 8. 8. Montmorency, 95.5.4, 4. 9. Eltham, 69.68, 4. 10. Thomastown, 45.34. 0.

RESERVES Eltham 14.5 (89) d North Heidelberg 10.7 (67).

Greensborough 14.12 (96) d Northcote Park 5.121 (41). Heidelberg 25.15 (165) d Thomastown 1.3 (9). Lalor 9.3 (57) d W Preston Lakeside 7.14 (56). Bundoora 14.4 (88) d Montmorency 6.9 (45).

Ladder. 1. Bundoora, 284.55, 120. 2. Montmorency, 244.74, 16. 3. Greensborough, 159.77, 16. 4. W Preston Lakeside, 189.20, 12. 5. Northcote Park, 101,62, 12. 6. Heidelberg, 123.14, 8. 7. Eltham, 69.51, 8. 8. North Heidelberg, 64.17, 4. 9. Lalor, 43.39, 4. 10.

Thomastown, 14.82, 0.

UNDER 19 Eltham 25.8 (158) d North Hiedlberg 10.6 (66).

Northcote Park 11.10 (76) d Gr5eensborough 8.19 (67). Thomastown 13.11 (89) d Heidelbverg 11.14 (80). Bundoora 17.14 (116) d Montmorency 5.6 (36).

Ladder. 1. Bundoora, 226.34, 20. 2. Eltham, 197.93, 12. 3. W Preston Lakeside, 146.15, 12. 4. Greensborough, 146.49, 12. 5. Northcote Park, 61.58, 8. 6. Heidelberg, 98.88, 8. 7.

Thomastown, 81.12, 8. 8. Montmorency, 54.52, 0. 9. North Heidelberg, 34.21, 0.

Earlier deadlines ■ The Phoenix Newspaper goes to press late on Sundays, so that you can pick up your copy at your local outlet, first thing on Mondays.

We need sports news by 10pm Saturdays.

79-POINT WIN FOR THE LAKERS

■ Kinglake enjoyed a 79-point victory in the Round 6 encounter against Powelltown in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League Division 2 fixture.

KINGLAKE SCOREBOARD

SENIORS KINGLAKE ....... 8.2, 15.7, 18.12, 23.18 (156) POWELLTOWN ........... 2.1, 6.3, 8.4, 12.5 (77) Goals. Kinglake: M. Thomas 6, J. Demarco 5, B. Gallicho 3, L. Nott 3, D. Pywell 2, M. Howard 2, M. Quee , C. Scott. Powelltown: L. Darwall 3, B. Millane 2, M. White 2, S. Smith , J. Cornish , P. Cowan , A. Howard , B. Dickinson Best. Kinglake: M. Thomas, C. Scott, J. Demarco, J. Chalmers, B. Gallicho, G. Murphy. Powelltown: B. Millane, L. Darwall, L. Walker, S. Camilleri, B. Dickinson, B. Muller.

RESERVES KINGLAKE ........... 5.0, 8.7, 12.11, 17.12 (114) POWELLTOWN ............. 3.2, 4.3, 5.5, 5.5 (25) Goals. Kinglake: C. Caine 7, M. Ryan 2, B. Smallman 2, S. Hurst 2, d. smith , R. McLellan , B. Collins , H. Illingworth.

Best. Kinglake: R. McLellan, B. Collins, M. Maloney, C. Caine, M. Ryan, A. Grundy UNDER 18 POWELLTOWN .. 4.3, 9.5, 13.13, 18.20 (128) KINGLAKE ................... 2.2, 2.4, 3.4, 4.6 (30) Goals. Powelltown: P. Cowan 6, N. Wilkes 6, D. Roy 4, A. Haines , D. Young. Kinglake: B. Fisher 2, M. Carr , J. Harvey.

Best. Powelltown: D. Roy, K. Walker, P. Cowan, J. Mullan, T. Boff, N. Wilkes. Kinglake: B. Fisher

2, M. Carr , J. Harvey.

YEA SCOREBOARD SENIORS YARRA JUNC. .... 4.3, 7.13, 12.16, 17.21 (123) YEA ........................ 1.3, 1.6, 4.12, 6.15 (51) Goals. Yarra Junction: D. Lever 5, T. Wheeler 5, T. Barton 2, J. Gates 2, H. Wadsworth, T. Selby , L. Ward. Yea: P. McKenna 2, C. Graham 2, J. Clavarino , R. Akers.

Best. Yarra Junction: H. Wadsworth, B. Charman, D. Lever, T. Wheeler, T. Barton, B. Lever. Yea: J. Clavarino, C. Graham, A. Hunter, P. McKenna, R. Akers, J. Connell.

RESERVES YARRA JUNCTION ...... 1.3, 4.7, 5.8, 7.10 (52) YEA ............................. 0.2, 1.5, 2.8, 3.8 (26) Goals. Yarra Junction: R. Harbinson 2, A. Chandler 2, B. Freedman , A. Ward , A. Stewart. Yea: J. Frankcombe , S. Vlamis , J. Armstrong Best. Yarra Junction: A. Stewart, P. Cross, A. Chandler, A. Ward, B. Freedman, R. Harbinson.

Yea: L. White, S. Vlamis, J. Kirby, T. Smith, T. Tiburcy, S. Beverley.

OTHER YVMDFL DIV. 2 SCORES SENIORS. Yarra Glen 15.15 (105) d Belgrave 12.15 (87). Olinda Ferny Creek 19.19 (133) d Thornton Eildon 14.10 (94). Seville 11.16 (82) d Emerald 11.16 (82).

Ladder. 1. Olinda-Ferny Creek, 240.14, 24. 2.

Seville, 138.99, 20. 3. Yarra Junction, 139.7,

16. 4. Kinglake, 137.36, 16. 5. Emerald, 97.53, 12. 6. Yea, 68.89, 12. 7. Yarra Glen, 62.52, 8.

8. Belgrave, 64.18, 4. 9. Powelltown, 59.74, 4.

10. Thornton-Eildon, 77.87, 0.

RESERVES. Yarra Glen 13.15 (93) d Belgrave 2.3 (15). Olinda Ferny Creek 29.9 (183) d Thornton Eildon 2.4 (16). Seville 11.6 (72) d Emerald 7.8 (50).

Ladder. 1. Seville, 277.83, 20. 2. Yarra Junction, 195.17, 20. 3. Kinglake, 170.78, 20. 4.

Yarra Glen, 266.47, 16. 5. Emerald, 160.98, 16.

6. Olinda Freny Creek, 197.33, 12. 7. Yea, 62.83, 8. 9. Belgrave, 47.07, 4. 9. Thornton Eildon, 19.66, 0. 10. Powelltown, 18.31., 0.

COMBINED UNDER 18. Woori Yallock 8.14 (62) d Alexandra 9.4 (58). Upwey Tecoma 16.24 (120) d Belgrave 5.9 (39). Warburton Millgrove 28.20 (188) d Yarra Junction 3.7 (25). Monbulk 19.7 (121) d Gembrook Copckatoo 15.3 (93). Mount Evelyn 11.11 (77) d Healesville 7.8 (50). Seville 11.7 (73) d Emerald 8.5 (53).

Ladder. 1. Olinda Ferny Creek, 452.94, 24. 2.

Upwey Tecoma, 265.38, 20. 3. Mount Evelyn, 174.58, 20. 4. Emerald, 197.98, 16. 5.

Warburton Millgrove, 170.69, 16. 6. Seville, 154.48, 16. 7. Powelltown, 112.46, 16. 8. Woori Yallock, 89.80, 12. 9. Belgrave, 47.10, 12. 10.

Monbulk, 88.66, 8. 11. Gembrook-Cockatoo, 82.54, 4.; 12. Alexandra, 66.53, 4. 13. Yarra Junction, 34.48, 4. 14. Kinglake, 15.04, 4. 15.

Healesville, 70.00, 0.

Latest From The Locker Rooms

YVMDFL matches No matches on Saturday, May 23 (except perhaps Yarra Glen v Yea) Details and venue to be announced Division 1. Round 6. Saturday, May 30 Healesville v Gembrook Cockatoo Warburton Millgrove v Monbulk Upwey Tecoma v Alexandra Wandin v Seville Woori Yallock v Mount Evelyn Division 2. Round 7. Saturday, May 30 Emerald v Olinda Ferny Creek Kinglake v Belgrave Thornton Eildon v Powelltown Yarra Glen v Yarra Junction Yea v Seville

NFL matches Division 1. Round 6 Saturday, May 23 Bundoora v Eltham Lalor v Heidelberg Northcote Park v Thomastown North Heidelberg v Montmorency W Preston Lakeside v Greensborough Division 2. Round 6 Saturday, May 23 Macleod v Reservoir (at Greensborough) Heidelberg West v Whittlesea Lower Plenty v Parkside Mernda v Hurstbridge South Morang v Diamond Creek (at Mill Park Lakes) Panton Hill v Watsonia Fitzroy Stars v Epping (at Victoria Park)

AFL matches ROUND 9 FRIDAY, MAY 22 Geelong v Western Bulldogs TD (N) SATURDAY, MAY 23 North Melbourne v Fremantle TD Adelaide v Carlton AS West Coast v Collingwood S (N) Richmond v Essendon MCG (N) SUNDAY, MAY 24 Sydney v Port Adelaide SCG St Kilda v Brisbane Lions TD Hawthorn v Melbourne MCG (T)

Grandstander ■ Grandstander hears the rumour that one footy club and a league don’t want money from a prominent sponsor. What’s going on?

■ The Goulburn Valley Football League, which includes the Seymour side, takes a break this Saturday, with rounds resuming on May 30.

■ Diamond Creek Football Club offers a special sponsors deal where participants receive a package including access to a marquee at home matches ... complete with heater. Judging by the ice coming off the mountain on Saturday, and that we haven’t yet really settled into winter, it could be worth the package.

■ There are quite a few folk in The Phoenix circulation area with an association with Old Ivanhoe Grammarians. The Hoes have a big match this Saturday at Chelsworth Park against De La Salle. Collegians 20.12 (132) d OIG 11.9 (75) last weekend.

Page 16 - The Phoenix - Monday, May 18, 2009

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