Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
Lilydale
Speaker takes his leave
Station on the move
Winter charity drive
New Falcon’s coach
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SPORT
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A swag of donations Those sleeping rough in the Yarra Ranges will be a little more comfortable this winter after three Yarra Valley restaurants teamed up to help to help raise funds with a special burger campaign. Across the month of June, Seville’s Branded Burgers and Bar, Kilsyth’s Just Cruize-In Diner and Healesville’s My Little Kitchen teamed up to raise $6200, enough to purchase an estimated 60 backpack beds. Full story page 8
Gina, Amanda, Paul, Ben and Neal celebrating the success of the Burgers 4 Beds campaign. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Parks on the way Parks and recreation reserves in Chirnside Park, Mount Evelyn and Mooroolbark have received a big cash boost thanks to the state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund. Four projects have been selected, the largest of those being the Chirnside Urban Park which will see an overhaul of Belsay Reserve
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on Kimberley Drive opposite Chirnside Park shopping centre. Two million dollars has been granted in the Growing Suburbs Fund for the Chirnside Urban Park, while $539,680 will be given to the Coldstream Station Activation, $128,000 for Bailey Road Playspace and $150,000 for Mooroolbark Heights Playspace. The projects have also been matched in
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funding from Yarra Ranges Council as voted on at the 13 July council meeting. Chirnside Ward councillor Richard Higgins said the council was “second to none” in getting support from the State government for projects like this. “What a fantastic outcome this item is, $3 million or there abouts for projects throughout the council area, matched dollar for dollar by
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the council and the State governments Growing Suburbs Fund,” Cr Higgins said. “It’s $3 million injected into our capital works projects and works that were probably down the track a little bit but have been brought forward and it is a necessary thing that we have these projects ready and able to be funded by funds like this at all times.” Continued page 3
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IN BRIEF Buses replace trains
Smith bows out By Jed Lanyon and Mikayla van Loon Federal MP Tony Smith will not be contesting his long held seat of Casey after announcing he will be stepping away from politics at the end of his current term. Mr Smith will step away after serving for 20 years, marking the end of an era as the longest serving member for Casey having been reelected on six occasions. “After a great deal of thought and consideration, I have decided that this term as a member of the House of Representatives will be my last,” Mr Smith said in a statement. “I love our parliament and serving the Australian people. I am honoured that the Liberal Party and the electors of Casey voted to give me this privilege for two decades,” he said. “However, I believe now is a good time to give the Liberal Party and the people of Casey the opportunity for renewal. “I also believe the time is now right for me to pursue other endeavours following the conclusion of this forty-sixth Parliament.” Mr Smith said by announcing his decision now, it gives the Liberal party time to choose a candidate to run in the next election. Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence posted on social media to thank Mr Smith for his dedication to the local community and for being a mentor over the years. “Tony’s outstanding contributions to our community and his ability to deliver local projects and services, and support local organisations and businesses, will be remembered well.” “I’ve known Tony since I was 18 years old, and he’s been a true friend and mentor - well before I entered politics, and now as State MP.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison also took to social media to send his best wishes to a “great mate”. “Tony has served as the Member for Casey for more than twenty years, where he per-
Casey MP Tony Smith is retiring from politics. Picture: JESSE GRAHAM formed a wide variety of roles in both Government and Opposition,” Mr Morrison said in a statement. “However, it has been in his role as Speaker that Tony has certainly made his mark. Tony has been an outstanding Speaker, in the true
Westminster tradition. “Tony Smith’s intellect, temperament, dry wit, staying above the fray and respect for the Parliament as an institution, has earned him respect, far and wide. “Many Speakers can get caught in the crossfire of parliamentary debate. Instead, his actions have elevated debate and demonstrated the great strength of parliamentary democracy. “On the last two occasions Tony Smith was elected Speaker, he enjoyed the universal support of the Parliament, a remarkable achievement.” Mr Smith gained election as Speaker of the House in 2015 following the resignation of Bronwyn Bishop. Since overtaking the role, he was held in high regard from both sides of politics for his fairness and was returned to the role unopposed on three occasions, becoming the first to do so since the inaugural Speaker, Frederick Holder. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Mr Smith would be greatly missed. “Authoritative and respected, he is a commanding presence in our Parliament and universally regarded as the most effective Speaker in decades. “His sharp wit has often brought a lighter moment to what is usually a trying and tense environment,” he said. Mr Smith recently delivered on several election promises with the completion of the Seville War Memorial and the Wandin Sports Pavilion upgrade, as well as delivering $1 million for much needed upgrades at Esther Park in Mooroolbark. His legacy across the Division of Casey will be felt long after his retirement from politics as a ten year, $150 million infrastructure project to seal hundreds of kilometres of unsealed dirt roads will transform local roads, halving the cost placed on residents.
Funding ensures parks are on the way From page 1 The improvements to outdoor spaces and parks falls under the council’s vision for 2020 to provide a healthy and sustainable future. These projects aim to contribute to decreasing obesity and improving mental health and wellbeing by engaging and encouraging people to be physically active through the supply of better outdoor recreation spaces, purposeful equipment and friendly, all-accessible parks. Melba Ward councillor Sophie Todorov said it’s important for people to have places they can enjoy outside, to gather and escape. “What is really great to see is that these projects again align with the council’s three priority areas, to really increase and promote that sense of health and wellbeing in
our council, which is so important especially in light of all the recent tragic events that the community has been through,” she said. “It’s also important to note that a lot of these projects have had the passion and creativity from community consultation and all their input into these projects as well, so all round it is a win/win.” Cr Higgins had previously said in the 27 April council meeting that projects like the Chirnside Urban Park were essential for the ever growing suburbs in the Yarra Ranges urban areas. “There’s no hiding from the fact that, in the future, Chirnside Park will have higher density living – there’s room for it, and it’s in the planning scheme,” Cr Higgins said. “In time, this park will become an absolute necessity for the people who live in this area. It’s really badly needed and will be used
for many years, so it’s an absolute privilege to see this get up and running.” With the council contributing $1 for every $1 of State government funding, Cr Higgins said it’s like getting 50 per cent off. “Dollar for dollar projects means we’re nearly getting these projects for half price councillors and I don’t know about you but I reckon that’s a great outcome,” he said. The council will provide a $1.2 million funding contribution from the Asset New and Improvement Reserve for Chirnside Urban Park, while a lump sum of $1.5 million from the Public Open Space Fund will be allocated to the urban park and Coldstream Station Activation. Funds for the Bailey Road Playspace and Mooroolbark Heights Playspace had already been allocated in the Capital Expenditure Program for 2021-22.
Buses will replace trains along the Lilydale line in between Ringwood and Lilydale as works on the Manchester Road and Maroondah Highway level crossing removal projects ramp up. Passengers are advised to add extra travel time to their trip, with buses replacing trains from Monday 19 July to Sunday 25 July. These closures are part of a planned construction blitz by the Level Crossing Removal Authority.
Committee appointed for LTAG The Lilydale Township Action Group held its annual general meeting on Wednesday 14 July to appoint the next committee. Many positions were held and LTAG decided to increase the committee by two members. The committee is as listed below. President - Neal Taylor Vice President - Aaron Violi Treasurer - Jeff Parker Secretary - Sharyn Manning Minutes Secretary - Helen Darvell Committee Members Frank Whelan Anne Whelan Max Manning Anthony Simmons Roger Paul Belinda Greig Sheryl Haley Chris Templer
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House fire warning Lockdowns and winter can make for a dangerous combination but it is also the best time to do some simple fire safety checks in your home. On average, there are 3000 house fires in Victoria each year, most of which could have been prevented. The kitchen is the most common place for fires to start, usually due to cooking being left unattended, electrical faults and flammable items like paper towel and curtains being too close to a heat source like a toaster or stove. Keeping a stove clean from grease and fat is also important to prevent the fire spreading. Bedroom fires are the most common cause of house fire deaths which are mostly related to improper use of electrical appliances or home heating. Be sure to keep portable heaters at a safe distance from clothing, curtains and bedding, as well as turning in it off once in bed. Power boards should not be overloaded with adapters, as too many devices could cause it to heat up and start a fire.
Covid business support payments Automatic payments will be made to eligible businesses and sole traders across the state to minimise delays and swiftly get money into the pockets of businesses who need it most. Up to 90,000 businesses that have and will receive payments through the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and Business Costs Assistance Program relating to the May-June lockdown will receive the Victorian Government’s new support payments of $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. Eligible businesses will include restaurants, cafes bars, event suppliers, tourism and accommodation providers and non-essential retailers.
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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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THE LOWDOWN Q&A
with YAVA’s Dakini Maddock
What is something people don’t know about you? I am studying Druidry What was your most memorable moment? Why? Leaving England to live in Australia at 21. Why? Would be a very long answer. What would your last meal be? Perfect Italian food with lots of cheese and good red wine, finished off with lots of dark chocolate. What do you love most about the Yarra Ranges? The quiet wilderness on one hand and the warm community on the other. What event, past, present, or future, would you like to witness? An end to the mindless destruction of the environment, respect shelter, food, health and wellbeing for all beings. Favourite book? There are so many. Currently it is by Sharon Blackie, If Women Rose Rooted: a life-changing journey to authenticity and belonging. Alltime favourite is the ancient Welsh Tales of the Mabinogion Which four guests, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party? The Dalia Lama, Brooke Wandin Powell, Starhawk and Jacinda Adern. What is something you’re looking forward to? Seeing my Mum and Dad in Manchester again. What are your hobbies? All things creative, live music, dancing, reading, gardens, swimming (in the Yarra in summer especially), spending time with family, friends and dogs, mythology, ancient history, guerrilla art, pondering belief systems. What was your favourite subject at school? My school was pretty dreadful, a rough, poor Manchester school. Fortunately my love of Art was encouraged and fostered by my family.
YAVA Gallery Director Dakini Maddock.
THREE … of the easiest vegetables to grow in your garden
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Snow Peas The delicious vegetable likes growing in cooler weather, and grows best from seed. Snow peas grow extremely quickly, are easy to manage and can be eaten directly off the vine.
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Spring onions One of the most versatile vegetables when cooking, spring onions can be easily grown in the backyard from scratch. Better yet, you can also use leftover spring onions, trim the tops and plant them again.
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Silverbeet One of the great things about the trusty old silverbeet is that they can be grown all year round, and the more fertiliser and water used, the bigger the leaves will be. Depending on how long the leaves grow, silverbeet can be used in salads or matured longer and used in a variety of cooked dishes.
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
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For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12503645-DL30-21
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NEWS
Last stop for old station By Mikayla Van Loon
The 1922 end of Mooroolbark’s station building is marked for demolition while the 1887 end will be relocated to Tarrawarra. 243824 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
Mooroolbark station from the north west showing both new and old sections of the building. Glen to Healesville near the Tarrawarra Abbey. “So in actual fact Mooroolbark doesn’t get anything, that’s what is so disappointing.” Although Ms Stott is pleased the 134 year old history of the Mooroolbark station building won’t be demolished, she said that is exactly what would have happened if the history group had done nothing about it. “There could be such community involvement and something for us to be proud of, that
A 1950s view of Mooroolbark station showing the signal bay windows, published in the Mooroolbark Station Heritage Review in 2020.
we’ve kept the 134 year old building, which has been working all its life and the thing is once they’re gone they are gone.” While the 1887 end of the building will be restored, Ms Stott expects now that the 1922 end will be demolished, with no plans in place for its restoration. Ms Stott said, however, the remaining part of the building could still be saved and used for the community if the council allowed it. “We’ve
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216 Commercial Road, Morwell VIC 3840 P: 1300 103 199 E: harriet.shing@parliament.vic.gov.au harrietshingmp @ShingvWorld AuthorisedbyHShing,216CommercialRd,Morwell.FundedfromParliamentarybudget.
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got the men’s shed, we’ve got people who are interested. If they had moved it, fair enough we would like council to put electricity and water on but the community could restore it but we weren’t given the chance, the opportunity to, it never came back to us as an opportunity, as an option, it just wasn’t an option.” Unfortunately the 1922 end of the building was demolished on Monday 19 July without further consultation with the community.
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Moorolbark’s station building has a long history and has had a long working life. It is now marked for removal as construction of the new station gets underway and despite all efforts, the building will be relocated to Tarrawarra as part of the Yarra Valley Railway. Mooroolbark History Group president Marion Stott said she can’t understand why the building isn’t being repurposed for community use as originally promised. “It was meant to be repurposed for community use and there are lots of stations throughout Victoria where reports had been done and they were repurposed for community use. Anyway it’s not happening, we’re not getting any of it,” she said. The original section of the station dates back to 1887, when George Clewett was employed to build the platform and station building for £343.12 and one patent earth closet for £4.15. A newer section was added in 1922 when electric trains came into action and a signal room had to be built. Prior to the Level Crossing Removal Authority starting works at Mooroolbark, discussions were had about the future of the station building. Initially, the crossing authority was going to demolish the entire building, until the Mooroolbark History Group made a plea to save it. From there the crossing authority was going keep the 1922 end of the building in Mooroolbark, with the proposed location being the Red Earth Community Park. It was an ideal location Ms Stott said because it was beside the senior citizens centre, near the peppercorn tree, which were a common feature around stations and it had accessible amenities nearby. But instead of being included in the discussions, Ms Stott said the council and the crossing authority met in confidence, deciding that the building would be relocated and the council would look after it. “They hadn’t done a [feasibility] report on the station because initially they thought it was just going to be pulled down, until they heard the local sentiment about it,” Ms Stott said. “So we took it onboard to find funds, to get sponsorship, in actual fact it was the Bendigo Bank, they supported having an independent report done on the station.” The report came back showing that the original end of the building was the oldest and largest of its type in Victoria, which made the crossing authority change their minds. “Now they have changed their mind yet again, the crossing authority, and they are giving them the other end of the station which is the original part of the station. “It is to be dismantled, put on a truck and taken to Box Hill TAFE in Lilydale for the students to restore, then it’s meant to be shipped out to the proposed tourist line from Yarra
Before you decide call Bill, Narelle, or Melanie Matthews & Micah
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NEWS
Council storm plea By Taylah Eastwell
Storm damage remains at Kalorama oval. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Yarra Ranges Council is calling on a number of senior government officials to deliver extra funding, resources and support to residents of storm-ravaged communities across the shire. An urgent motion was called at council’s Tuesday 13 July meeting by Streeton Ward councillor Cathrine Burnett-Wake requesting that council write to those in authority to explain the magnitude of the storm damage and clean up required across the Yarra Ranges. The motion was passed unanimously, with council also vowing to request a review of eligibility for private property owners in bushfire prone areas, such as the Dandenongs, to ob-
tain assistance with tree and debris clean-up efforts. The passed motion will also see council request additional funding be provided to enable council to support and facilitate further storm-related recovery programs. It is hoped the correspondence may help to secure a commitment and timeline for additional funding and resources, including further support from the Australian Defence Force, to assist with clean-up before the summer bushfire season hits. To date, federal and state governments have jointly provided $55.5 million to Bushfire Recovery Victoria, the agency leading the poststorm clean up.
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The funds are to assist residents whose homes, businesses and sheds were destroyed to have their properties cleaned up. For residents who did not suffer property damage, there is currently no assistance on offer to clean up trees and debris that pose significant fire risks if not addressed. The state government also announced on July 1 that $8.2 million would be provided to 10 councils across the state that were significantly affected by floods and storms in June. While Yarra Ranges Council will receive a portion of this funding, no public announcements have yet been made as to how the funds will be shared. Council estimates post-storm clean-up and recovery will cost around $60 million not including drainage repairs, road works or cleaning up private properties. According to Council’s 13 July meeting agenda, it is expected that cleaning up private land settings could see this estimate run well into the “hundreds of millions”. Speaking at the meeting, Cathrine BurnettWake said council has not yet received any “solid assurance of a funding amount”, arguing the tentative figures mentioned so far are a “tiny fraction” of what is needed. “While we are grateful for the support received and commitments made to date; it is clear that an enormous shortfall remains,” Cr Burnett-Wake said. “If Council were to fund the storm recovery over the next three years, we would need at least an additional $20 million in each year to cover the expense. To raise $20 million per year through rates, as a percentage of our current rate base, would equate to a 15.2% rise in rates in year one, with similar large rises accumulating in following years. “Clearly this is not only outrageous, but impossible, due to rate capping. If we are not provided with sufficient assistance, there is every possibility that Council will be forced into debts that will impact the rates, services and infrastructure for years to come,” she said. The Star Mail understands the federal government established a Disaster Recovery Fund in 2018 to reduce the financial burden on the states and territories in the aftermath of natural disasters. “Under these arrangements, the Victorian government determines what assistance is available to individuals and communities, and what they are able to request federal funding for - which covers up to 75% of costs, with the implication that the state would fund the remaining 25%,” Ms Cr Burnett-Wake explained. “To be clear, the Victorian state government is the gatekeeper to these federal funds. Anything we get must be either requested by them, or provided by them, in addition to the federal scheme,” she said. Mayor Fiona McAllister said the last minute motion was “very worthy of being accepted as urgent business”. Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan agreed, telling fellow councillors “we have to go all out”. “The task before us up in the Dandenongs and in other areas is going to be quite challenging,” Mr Heenan said. But Cr-Burnett Wake said we do not simply need cash. “We need direct help for our severely affected communities. We need qualified disasterrecovery personnel, and we need them now, not after a prolonged hiring process. “For the last four weeks we have had numerous Victorian Government Miniisters along with high-ranking Public Officials come and see first-hand how bad the situation is. I have met number of them. All remarked on how terrible it is, and how surprised and shocked they were with what they saw and heard … and that help will come. “Although we are hearing from the state they will continue to work with council and community and to identify further programs and support. To date, what this support and these programs might look like is absent, as are timeframes. Feedback from community members to me is they feel abandoned,” Cr Burnett-Wake said. “Our community and Council deserve a response, and certainty, from the state government on the degree to which it will assist us with a viable pathway out of this disaster. mailcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Plea for winter woolies SLEEPING ROUGH IN THE RANGES By Taylah Eastwell Every day, volunteers and staff members of the St Vincent de Paul Society see the human faces behind homelessness statistics. Whether it be in their stores, during a faceto-face visit or at any one of their support programs, Vinnies are on the frontline, helping those who need it most. But now, the organisation that has been helping Australians for over 100 years is asking a favour in return. After a particularly busy lead up to winter, Vinnies stores across the state are desperately seeking donations of warm winter clothing. Vinnies outer east area manager Evelyn Banavas said the stores find it harder to get donations in winter than summer. “It’s a given that we really need winter clothing. Things like jackets, jumpers, knitwear, blouses, anything warm is the main criteria. Winter shoes, scarves and beanies, nice boots, those sorts of things tend to get a bit forgotten as well,” Ms Banavas said. With stores in Lilydale, Warburton, Ringwood, and Kilsyth, Ms Banavas encouraged locals to consider emptying out their wardrobes and donating any items that weren’t often worn. “The thing with winter is most people layer, you tend to wear things underneath jumpers but your jumpers don’t get worn as often, so they sit in the wardrobe for a long time, so we’re encouraging people them down to our stores,” she said. “It’s one way the community can help others because the funds raised from selling items goes to programs that help people in need that may need fuel costs covered, electricity and utility costs paid, or other rent and accommodation costs,” she said. “The money goes into the local community, directly out to people in need and we have our own welfare group that goes out and helps those in need,” she said.
Vinnies Kilsyth volunteers Sam Offenbaume, Eddie Buzinskas and Jill Faulkner showcase some of the winter items Vinnies stores are seeking. 243622 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Ms Banavas said in the outer east areas, such as Warburton, items such as blankets and other camping equipment would be handy for tourists and campers that visit the township. “A general rule is, if you would give it to a friend, you could give it to Vinnies,” she said. All Vinnies stores across the Yarra Ranges are calling for donations following Covid-19 lockdowns which meant people were not buying as much new seasonal clothing, resulting in less people clearing out their wardrobes. Regional areas also generally experience lower temperatures to the inner-city, making
the demand for warmer clothes higher in the outer-east. Vinnies Victoria’s executive general manager of commercial services, Jeff Antcliff, said VInnies “rely wholeheartedly on the generosity of thoughtful Victorians who want to see their quality pre-loved goods go on to live new lives”. “We know that our local communities love to help each other out, so we hope that our regional friends can find the time to go through their wardrobes and bring any cosy winter clothes they are no longer using into their nearest Vin-
nies Shop during opening hours,” he said. “All profits of Vinnies Shops go back into their local communities to fund our welfare services that help people experiencing homelessness or who are struggling to put food on their tables or pay their rent, utility and medical bills. Every cent spent in a Vinnies Shop supports our good works for people in need, “he said. Ms Banavas said the Kilsyth Vinnies store is always looking for volunteers. Anyone interested is encouraged to pop into the shop and make their interest known.
Colourful little people represent those doing it tough By Mikayla van Loon Holy Fools is on a mission to improve people’s awareness around the ever increasing issue of homelessness during this year’s Homelessness Week. In a visual demonstration, Holy Fools founder and CEO Neal Taylor will be placing 1160 little cardboard cutout people at Box Hill TAFE, each painted a different colour to represent the different types of homelessness. Nationally each night there are 116,000 people who are experiencing homelessness and even though this visual display will be just one per cent of that, Mr Taylor said he hopes it makes people aware of the situation. “We wanted to come up with an idea that would have impact if you looked at it and would allow you to understand a bit more about the situation of homelessness in Australia,” he said. “We want to shock people into realising how many people were homeless overnight and realise that this is just one per cent nationally of how many people haven’t got a home overnight. “Ideally I would have done more obviously but it’s a big job just doing 1160. It’s just a visual way of demonstrating the severity of the situation.” The idea was started two years ago when Mr Taylor asked for help from the community to cut out the little people but due to bad weather the display had to be postponed. “So we had I don’t know how many members in the community cutting cardboard mailcommunity.com.au
figurines out a few years ago and they’ve just been sitting, waiting for the day to come out. So the community has been involved since day one.” Homelessness Week is held in the first week of August each year, raising awareness around what homelessness looks like and the challenges people face. This year’s theme is ‘everybody needs a home’. In the Yarra Ranges alone it is estimated that there are 450 people experiencing homelessness right now and of that number, 50 are rough sleepers. But that still leaves 400 people couch surfing, living in boarding houses, supportive accommodation or in severely overcrowded accommodation. And that represents the situation across Australia. By colour-coding the different ways someone can be homeless, Mr Taylor said he hopes this display changes the way people view homelessness and starts conversations about what it means to be without a home in the Yarra Ranges and in the country. “I think it’s going to be an amazing visual piece to look at, once it’s done it should be quite an amazing thing to see and it should hopefully drive the point home that this is one per cent and nationally we need to be doing something about this as well. I hope that this starts conversations and people wanting to know more about it.” The display won’t be the only thing happening during Homelessness Week, Holy Fools
along with other key organisations in the Yarra Ranges will be hosting a launch event and expo on Monday 2 August. Mr Taylor will speak, as well as someone from Anchor, Yarra Ranges Housing Action Group and a guest speaker from the Council of Homeless Persons. Nightly fireside chats will also be happen-
ing at Branded Burgers in Seville, where people can enjoy a hot cup of coffee, listen to speakers talk about issues relating to homelessness and engage in conversation. Help is also needed to paint the 1160 little people for the demonstration. Head to the Holy Fools Facebook page for more information.
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MAIL 7
NEWS
Burger beds By Jed Lanyon
Gina, Amanda, Paul, Ben and Neal celebrating the success of the Burgers 4 Beds campaign. Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
Three Yarra Valley restaurants teamed up to help those sleeping rough this winter with a special burger campaign. Across the month of June, Seville’s Branded Burgers and Bar, Kilsyth’s Just Cruize-In Diner and Healesville’s My Little Kitchen teamed up to raise funds to purchase backpack beds for those in need across the region. The Burgers 4 Beds campaign saw each venue create a specialty burger, where proceeds from each meal would go towards Holy Fools. Each of the business owners came together on Thursday 15 July to present a cheque to Holy Fools founder and CEO, Neal Taylor.
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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
IN THE RANGES Branded Burgers co-owner Gina Braidner said the month-long campaign saw over $6200 raised, enough to purchase an estimated 60 backpack beds. “It’s amazing. It still only feels like a small contribution, but we’re proud that it went really well,” Ms Braidner said. She said she loved the fact that several businesses could work together to achieve a goal. “Many hands make light work and if we could all contribute something, then the load’s not just on one person.” Mr Taylor explained the usefulness of the backpack bed and said that they would be shared amongst other support organisations. “The backpack beds are designed for homeless folks to use while they are rough sleeping,” he said. “It’s a single swag for one person. The difference between this and most swags is that it is able to be compacted into a very small bag that can fit on someone’s back. “It also has room in it for clothing and for keys and a phone… It’s waterproof, it’s fireproof and has good airflow. In the summer, if you want to escape the mosquitos, you can do that quite comfortably. In the winter it’s a lot better than sleeping on pieces of cardboard. Mr Taylor provided an update on the current challenges faced by those who are experiencing homelessness. “We’re seeing a dramatic increase in rough sleepers. I guess for me, we’ve seen a lot more people sleeping in the doorways of places. In Lilydale we’ve had a couple of guys who have been sleeping in the doorways of businesses. Things are getting worse. “The real problem is that there is nowhere to go, there’s no affordable accommodation. Yarra Ranges has got no crisis accommodation and rentals are becoming difficult to afford. We’re kind of in between a rock and a hard place at the moment and I think it’s going to get worse before it gets better. “Things like these backpack beds will go a long way for people, who unfortunately do have to stay rough sleeping for a while. And there are some people who opt to do that rough sleeping as opposed to going to a boarding house, because sometimes a boarding house can have a rough situation with drugs, alcohol and even violence in some of those situations.” My Little Kitchen owner and chef, Ben Taylor, said it was a “pretty awesome feeling” seeing the success of the Burgers 4 Beds campaign. “I didn’t expect to feel this emotional about it, but you can see now the effect that it’s going to have on so many people’s lives. “There are some huge issues that personally, we didn’t think we could have much of an impact on, so what I’ve learned working with these guys is that three small businesses working together can make an impact.” Just Cruize-In Diner owner Paul Barlato said the restaurant owners planned to run the campaign again next year. “It’s such a good cause, we’re talking about, hopefully next year, getting a few more businesses involved. Make it a bit bigger, getting more people involved and hopefully raising double that amount. “We just wanted to help people out and that’s what this is all about.”
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The money raised will be used to purchase backpack beds. mailcommunity.com.au
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Adapting to lockdown 5.0 By Mikayla van Loon For the fifth time in 18 months, Victoria entered a lockdown with students returning to home learning and non-essential businesses being forced to close. With the announcement made late on Thursday 15 July, schools and businesses had to be quick in making adjustments to learning and trade under strict lockdown restrictions once again. Lilydale Primary School principal Andrew Weaver said students and teachers were preparing all day on Thursday for what they expected would be an inevitable lockdown. “I suppose we were expecting it and we do have contingencies in place, the department has provided us with a lot of information about how we can cope with it and this is our fifth one, so we’re pretty well versed in getting ourselves ready,” Mr Weaver said. “The staff were very capable in transitioning immediately to remote learning and I think the only real issue we had was getting all the resources to the students in time because obviously it was announced at five o’clock.” Mr Weaver said that most students joined online on Monday 19 July but there would be some who didn’t and staff will have to monitor those absences to ensure students are coping and keeping on track. The primary school has planned for an entire week of remote learning and is prepared for any extensions to the lockdown but Mr Weaver was hopeful school would return on Wednesday 21 July as originally expected. “The staff have planned until the end of the week and then depending on any further announcements we will plan for however long the lockdown is. “We are very lucky in the fact that we have such staff that are just really supportive of each other, they plan together and work really hard for each other, obviously they’ve got the students at the centre.
Lilydale Primary School made the swift adjustment to online learning, something teachers are getting good at. 234335 “A concern for us, as with everybody, change is not an easy thing for students, so we’re just doing those welfare checks and making sure everyone has got the support they need.” Trying to keep students engaged during lockdown, Mr Weaver said students can join in an online Lego club and cartoon drawing club, which would normally be run at school. This most recent lockdown is another disturbance for students after a rollercoaster 2020 and start to 2021. Mr Weaver said the challenges of these
lockdowns will be felt, with teachers needing to monitor and assess how students respond in an academic and social way upon returning to school. “Our students are very resilient. Obviously it’s going to have an impact but the way the staff work with them and the way the children respond to this, generally is very, very good.” The overwhelming message that continues to surface throughout these lockdowns in Victoria is to remain positive, albeit challenging at times.
Live music hopes to return with a bang By Jed Lanyon Live music is set to spring into action in October as the Yarra Valley plays host to several exciting events across the region. It comes after 18 months of uncertainty and cancellations that have plagued the arts and entertainment industry. But with Australia’s slow vaccine rollout and New South Wales entering a strict lockdown to curb the latest outbreak over the next month or so, plans could very easily unravel. A big month of music kicks off in October starting with the Marysville Music Weekend from 15-17 October. Marysville will invite roots duo Pierce Brothers to town, along with Australia’s leading jazz man James Morrison with his Motown Experience, Altcountry trailblazer Freya Josephine Hollick and many more. Event director Bill Bate said he’s excited to launch the Marysville Music Weekend, which builds on the success of the Marysville Jazz and Blues Weekend. “This weekend is a showcase event in our region, bringing locals and visitors from far and wide. We’re pumped about the new direction of the new brand of the Marysville Music Weekend,” he said. To aid in maintaining social distancing, the event will be presented as four concert sessions in the Marysville Community Centre Stadium. Just down the Maroondah Highway in Healesville, the Grapevine Gathering will take place the very same weekend on 16 October. The already sold out event will see Australian music giants Peking Duk, The Veronicas, Vera Blue and The Jungle Giants perform live at Rochford Wines. The Healesville winery will follow that event by hosting Kate Miller-Heidke for her Child In Reverse tour on 23 October as part of the Cellar Door Series. Developed by the team behind Australia’s iconic outdoor summer concert series a day on the green, the Cellar Door Series mailcommunity.com.au
For the Mount Evelyn Meteors Basketball team, the message is “The love of the game is always the same.” In the hopes of cheering up some saddened basketball players, the Mount Evelyn Meteors have taken to posting this message out to the club’s members, to lift spirits and keep people connected to the game they love. To everyone else they say, “Don’t give up everyone! We will get through this one way or another! It may take a while but we will eventually!”
Mooroolbark drive-through testing hub By Taylah Eastwell
A day on the green at Rochford Wines. offers an up-close, intimate, boutique experience adjacent to the cellar doors of some of the most picturesque wineries across the country. Across the other side of the Valley, the River Folk Festival will return to Warburton across 22-24 October. While a lineup is yet to be confirmed, the event will feature multiple venues across the Warburton township, showcasing local, regional, national and international performers in a cultural celebration that brings vibrancy and colour to the region. Last year’s event was set to take place in March, but was forced to cancel at the last minute as the Coronavirus pandemic first
Picture: ROMY STEPHENS hit our shores. News of the cancellation came so abruptly that some of the artists had already arrived in Warburton and performed an intimate session before we were plunged into lockdown. The action continues in November as the Healesville Music Festival returns to Healesville Racecourse on 12-14 November, where about 2000 people will enjoy live music and workshops. The following weekend will see Wandin Park Estate host Valley Sounds, an acoustic festival headlined by James Reyne, Hunters and Collectors frontman Mark Seymour and Ash Grunwald. The event is billed as the Yarra Valley’s first acoustic festival and will take place on 21 November.
Mooroolbark is now home to the only drivethrough Covid-19 testing facility in the Yarra Ranges. DHHS announced on Wednesday 14 July that the all-new site would be established at a former netball facility in Wyuna Walk, Mooroolbark. A DHHS spokesperson said the Wyuna Walk testing site is a relocation of a testing site formally located at Boronia Train Station which was recently decommissioned. “The Wyuna Walk site aims to provide a convenient and safe drive-through testing option for this community. There are currently no active cases in the area, but we encourage all Victorian residents, regardless of where they live, to come forward for testing even if they have the mildest of symptoms,” the spokesperson said. The site will operate between 8am and 8pm each day and will be under strict infection control standards. The community centre will be cordoned off to the general public while the testing clinic is in operation. Other testing facilities in the area include EACH Lilydale in Lakeview Drive, which is open from 9-3.15pm each day and EACH Ringwood, which has an estimated wait time of 30 minutes to get tested. Testing facilities are also set up at EACH Ferntree Gully, located on Francis Crescent, Eastern Health Living and Learning Centre in Healesville, EACH on Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald and EACH Yarra Junction at 268 Warburton Highway. For information on clinic opening times visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/whereget-tested-covid-19. Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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Film’s a hot button horror By Taylah Eastwell Two Yarra Ranges filmmakers have created a horror film based on a series of eyewitness encounters with a ghastly bushman said to roam the Victorian High Country. A number of stories have come to light over the years about a mysterious loner known as The Button Man, said to have earned his nickname from his habit of cutting buttons and ear piercings out of deer antlers. Legend has it, the seasoned and territorial hunter has a base camp set up at a well-known crossroads in the Victorian Alps, allowing him to keep a close watch on campers and hikers entering the remote valley. While you could read online for hours about the encounters people have had with the rugged bushman - who is described as around 70-years of age - one particularly hair-raising account comes from a wildlife photographer who was in the area taking shots near The Button Man’s headquarters. The tale goes, when the photographer returned home from the High Country and downloaded photos he had taken onto his computer, he found a picture of himself sound asleep in his tent. To this day, no one knows who took the shot. Others have taken to four-wheel-drive forum websites to report their own encounters, a common theme being The Button Man’s tendency to silently emerge in the dead of the night and grill people on why they are in the area. Without retelling the myriad of personal stories, it is plain to see why Upper Ferntree Gully local Josh Todaro and Sassafras raised Jaime Lehman decided to create a horror film inspired by real life events flowing out of the eerie pocket of Victoria. “I originally wrote a script for a haunted house film, until our OP suggested we do something more stripped back, low budget, that can be filmed in natural locations. He
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We’ve had lots of messages of support. One person said her and her friend grew up in the High Country and have been saying for years there should be a film on The Button Man ...”
asked if I’d heard of The Button Man. I said, ‘no I haven’t, what the hell is that?’,” Josh said. “He said ‘go home, Google it and call me later and let me know what you think’,” he said. “That’s where it went down the rabbit hole. There were a few articles and a few random eye-witness accounts. Some of the quotes people have said, the way he speaks, the way he looks, him appearing out of the blue but people feeling like they’ve been followed for days, that itself was pretty terrifying,” Josh said. While there have been a number of suggestions that The Button Man was somehow involved in a number of disappearances in the Victorian High Country in recent years, that is not what the film intends to portray. “I can’t think of any other story like it, where there’s this guy out there but everyone is sort of embellishing stories of his motive. Whether he’s linked to the mysterious disappearances or not, it’s kinda strange,” Josh said. Josh said it was particularly interesting that The Button Man has taken “more of an urban legend status”. “There might be eye witness accounts and
facts about what he looks like but really the bulk of the story is this urban legend and people adding their own two cents to each story they hear,” he said. “The crazy part is he is an actual guy. There is enough history to get you going but enough myth where you can play it up and embellish it.” The film is said to be a “blend of a few stories”, with the movie inspired by visions of what it would be like to come across an unknown character when you think you’re alone in the bush. “The thought of going camping thinking your alone and it is fully dead silent and then all of a sudden you maybe hear some footsteps or get this sense that there might be someone else out there, I put myself in that position and just thought about what I would do in that situation, that’s what got the wheels turning,” Josh said. “We don’t even need the big kills or action sequences, a very subtle glimpse of him in the background getting closer and closer and that suspense of the audience seeing him get closer without the characters noticing was a very easy thing to pull off. I wrote the script in two days.” Josh approached well-known Aussie actor Don Bridges to play the role of The Button Man, with the story centering around two sisters who go away on a camping trip to the High Country. “I tried to imagine what this guy looks like in my head, eye witnesses say he is around 70 with longish hair, so I immediately thought of Don Bridges. We just lucked out with the cast,” Josh said. The 30-minute short film was shot entirely in the Dandenong Ranges, including on Josh’s relatives’ property in Mt Dandenong. Since releasing the trailer on Sunday 4 July, the response has been overwhelming. “We clocked 11,000 views in two days and have around 1000 followers on Instagram. Knowing it had been a hot topic in the media
I knew that it was going to start some sort of conversation. We’ve had lots of messages of support, one person said her and her friend grew up in the High Country and have been saying for years there should be a film on The Button Man,” Josh said. With the film idea sorted, Josh approached mate Jamie to help piece the project together. Jamie said he was “pretty keen to jump on board“ as he knew the story really well. “I do a lot of hiking and stuff in the country so it was right up my alley,” Jamie said. As an avid videographer and photographer, Jamie helped to film and edit the movie. “I’ve heard he’s just a normal, nice guy but the mystery behind it all is still very interesting,” he said. For Jamie, some of the biggest challenges in producing the film were budget and finding local locations to shoot that resembled the mountain terrain of the High Country. “I found locations in the High Country to shoot and really had my heart set on filming there so it was really accurate, but a big challenge was getting the crew and cast out there and all the costs of having everyone away from Melbourne,” Jamie said. “The majority is just green background anyway, so we stayed local and filmed it in the Dandenongs, but we did get some drone shots in the High Country for the establishing shots.” Josh said the film “leaves you wanting more”, with the low budget concept a snippet of what a higher budget feature film could be. “We hope that this will be seen by the right people and get noticed enough that we can hopefully get funding to make the feature length version,” he said. “But don’t let the running time fool you. The way we see it is it’s all killer, no filler. “ The film will premiere in Melbourne in coming months and at a film festival before it finds a home online or on a streaming service.
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Josh Todaro (left) and Jamie Lehman (right) have created a horror film inspired by tales of The Button Man. Tuesday, 2 February, 2021
COMMUNITY DIARY
Mail New Aussies welcomed
Sanders relives rally
Brown’s AFLW debut
Tuesday, 2 February, 2021
Mail New Aussies welcomed
Sanders relives rally
Brown’s AFLW debut
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National Science Week
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PROPERTY GUIDE
Back to school!
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School students across Victoria made their return to school following summer holidays, while 2021’s preps got their first taste of primary school life. Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy conducted a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony for Badger Creek Primary School students and staff. See page 7 for more back to school excitment.
Back to school! School students across Victoria made their return to school following summer holidays, while 2021’s preps got their first taste of primary school life. Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy By Jed Lanyon
Centre in the lead up to Christmas. Many locals far and wide were able to keep up their Christmas tradition in getting a family photo with ‘The Real Santa’ who they had grown to love. The unlikely tandem tallied upwards of $30,000 from their family Christmas photos and then selected four charities to each receive
$8400 to help make the lives of children better. The four recipients of the funds included: Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, A Better Life For Foster Kids, HeartKids and Chum Creek’s Good Life Farm. The organisations shared how the funds had already been put to good use. Backpacks 4 Vic Kids CEO and founder Sally Beard told Star Mail the donation came as a “delightful surprise”.
“We’re very, very grateful on behalf of the children, whose lives that it will impact,” she said. “We have absolutely put that money to good use.” Ms Beard shared that the $8400 donation from Branded is aiding 112 children in need with care packs filled with toiletries, spare changes of clothes, a toy and more. Continued page 2 12477022-SN06-21
It’s February, but Santa Claus’ gifts keep on coming for several charity organisations who benefited from a partnership between Saint Nick and Seville’s Branded Burger Bar. The burger bar came to the rescue when they partnered with Santa, who had seen his role replaced at Chirnside Park Shopping
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A worthy brand
WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY
Pathways for carers Book Week
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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
For all those science lovers out there, Japara Neighbourhood House has you covered. From 16 to 20 August enjoy all things science. Early years will be enjoying a week of science activities and also a special visitor. A display of beekeeping and honey making will also be provided by Different by Design, with people invited to join for tea and a quiz. Contact the office on 03 9728 3587 or send an email to info@japarahouse.com.au.
Celebrate Book Week from 21 to 27 August at Japara Neighbourhood House. The occasional childcare centre will be having special activities all week to celebrate. Japara is also starting a book club and will have the first ever meeting on Monday 23 August at 7pm. All members will be new and all are welcome. Contact the office on 03 9728 3587 or send an email to info@japarahouse.com.au.
The next Pathways for Carers walk in Mount Evelyn is scheduled for 5 August starting at 9.45am. These walks offer carers of people with a disability or mental illness the chance to get outside, walk, talk and learn more about news, services and support available to carers. Representatives from local organisations will also join the walk. Free coffee and cake is provided after each walk. Contact Nicky Condello at Mt Evelyn Community house on 9736 1177 or via email nicky@mtevelynch.com.au. Amanda May at Yarra Ranges Council is also contactable on 1300 368 333. mailcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Calls for Terrace facelift By Mikayla van Loon Back in its heyday the Mooroolbark Terrace Shopping Centre was a thriving precinct, with the butcher, the baker and the furniture maker. Now just 12 of the 24 shops have active businesses in them and the centre has been described as the missing link to the rest of Mooroolbark, particularly as the new station works begin. As the longest standing business of 35 years, Terrace Jeweller owner Brett Clarke said seeing so many shops close makes him nervous but his business is still managing. “I’ve had some really loyal customers that have kept coming back and their kids have come in to get engagement rings,” Mr Clarke said. “I made the decision in 2000 to either move out or buy this shop and business was still good so I bought this shop. And that was the decision I made, that I would probably be here until I retired.” Having started in a small kiosk in 1986, Mr Clarke then upgraded to shop seven in 1992 before moving to his current shop which he now owns and has been in for 21 years. Lots of changes have occurred at the centre during Mr Clarke’s time there, the most significant being the loss of the IGA supermarket. Professionals real estate agent and Mooroolbark Traders and Community Group president Geoff Earney said the loss of the supermarket had a huge impact on the centre. “All the major draw cards got up and left and then when the supermarket closed, which was IGA, that really left a whole in it,” Mr Earney said. Mr Earney and his father were the ones who originally sold the land to developers, who then built The Terrace Shopping Centre in 1981. “So I’ve been involved in it ever since the inception of it and it had some really good shops in there. It had a good menswear shop, it had a shoe shop, Treasure Way, it was a thriving little centre when it got going.” But as Chirnside Park Shopping Centre became more popular and offered a larger variety of shops, as well as heating and air conditioning, The Terrace fell behind. “So the [shops] that were at Mooroolbark
Brett Clarke from Terrace Jewellers is the longest standing business owner in The Terrace Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Shopping Centre. 243931 couldn’t compete with the volumes of traffic they had over at Chirnside so unfortunately they closed or moved away to Chirnside,” Mr Earney said. Since 2016 Woolworths have made a number of proposals to buy one half of the centre’s shops and build a new supermarket store. But with every shop being individually owned, getting everyone on board has been difficult. “I think at the moment Woolworths has gone completely cold on it and from the information I’ve been able to get from Woolworths is that every time that they’ve gone there the price has gone up,” Mr Earney said. Mr Earney believes greed has gotten in the way of making a good business decision for the community and said it doesn’t help that many of the shop owners don’t live in the area. “To get the major players all onside, which I think there’s about four or five of them, to get them all going in the one direction and agreeing with that is the stumbling block they’ve got at the moment.” Another roadblock has come from the Coles freefold owner across the road at The Village who owns a couple of shops in The Ter-
race and hasn’t wanted the competition by allowing Woolworths to open a store. “What disappoints me most of all, that here we have, for want of a better word, a white elephant, the town is crying out for another supermarket there’s no doubt about it,” Mr Earney said. “It’s got a whole lot of parking there and it is just looking for somebody to come along, whether it be Woolworths or somebody else.” Mr Earney said The Terrace Shopping Centre has great potential and if redeveloped, it could finish off the town of Mooroolbark. “All I see for the community of Mooroolbark is what we are lacking. Here we are, we’re going to have a brand new state of the art railway station, we’ve got a car park that will take 900 cars in there everyday and here we are we’ve got this white elephant sitting there in the middle of the town, with nothing on the table now to progress that, to be able to get it developed and finish off the town.” Mr Clarke agreed and said the centre could be a great asset to Mooroolbark, if only it was more appealing to people. “It wouldn’t take much to tidy up the front but unfortunately in our body corporate fees we don’t have the money to spend on the front
The Terrace Shopping Centre kiosk has been graffitied and left empty. 243931 because we do have a lot of maintenance with the roof and other things to do here and it costs us money to clean the graffiti off.” Vandalism and graffiti has been a major concern over the years, particularly to the public toilets inside the centre. “Now we have to lock those toilets, we have to put codes on those toilets to keep vandals and drug addicts out. We had one year where our bills for toilet repair alone were $26,000,” Mr Clarke said. With funds already tight because of the lack of open shops, Mr Clarke said the centre can no longer run promotions like they used to. “The potential for it to hold events has been great over the years. We had a food festival here a few years ago, even with the empty shops but it looked fantastic because we had cooking classes and food stalls. The [centre] has been great like that for holding events.” “In its heyday we used to have football clinics here, so we had Richmond footballers come down, we had Brendan Gale and Michael Gale come down and they’d have the handball board and teach kids how to handball. Because we’ve got the open centre, it was always good for that sort of stuff.”
Builder appointed for Mt Evelyn community pavilion By Mikayla van Loon The Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub is on track to being built after Yarra Ranges councillors approved a preferred tender application at the 13 July council meeting. Five prequalified suppliers from the Department of Treasury and Finance Construction Supplier Register were asked to submit tenders by 18 May. Melbcon’s $3.8 million submission was the evaluation panel’s recommended tender from those five applications. Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub (MESCH) president Bryan McCarthy said this was an exciting step to getting the building finished. “We’re really pleased that a builder has been appointed, that allows us now to get on with getting the building built,” Mr McCarthy said. “We’re looking forward to working with the contractor to get the details right, what the design will look like in real life and fitting it out with all the stuff we need for the building and then getting the handover in probably 12 months time.” The process of getting to this stage took six years after the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve Master Plan was finalised in 2015, with Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan saying this project had been a long time coming. “I remember having conversations with the football club back in 2005 and we said, ‘oh we should be able to get a pavilion in the next couple of years’,” he said. “Well 16 years later, it’s great that it has come to this. It’s gone through a fairly rigormailcommunity.com.au
Melbcon has been appointed as the builder of the new sports and community hub in Mount Evelyn. Picture: SUPPLIED ous process as have a lot of our sporting facilities in getting new builds.” Speaking to the motion, Cr Heenan urged his fellow councillors to appoint Melbcon as the preferred builder and to get the project started as soon as possible. “The sooner they get started the sooner they get finished and Mt Evelyn Football Netball Club, together with the cricket club, have a brand new facility for the next three, four, five decades,” Cr Heenan said. Chandler Ward councillor and deputy mayor David Eastham also supported the
motion, congratulating Cr Heenan and the community on their perseverance and input to the project. “I would just like to take my hat off first of all to councillor Heenan, as you mentioned since ‘05 that initial conversation, I definitely wasn’t sitting around the table as a councillor back then,” Cr Eastham said. “I take my hat off to yourself, to the community members both from the respective sporting clubs but also some of the community groups as well associated with that reserve such as the environmental group for
all the hard work that they’ve put in, it’s great to see.” Cr Eastham was pleased the successful builder was local to the area and the council was supporting the local economy. MESCH will liaise with Melbcon to get progress reports to keep the clubs and community up to date, as well as ensure they can supply the necessary appliances and equipment for the fitout. Mr McCarthy said part of the consultation process with the builder will surround the safety of the players during construction and to ensure construction is not disturbed by games and training sessions. “It’s not a big site that they are working on, so we have to all work together to make sure everyone can do what they need to do and do it in a speedy way and a positive way.” Cr Eastham said he looks forward to the day it is opened to the public and seeing the impact it will have on the community. “I’m looking forward to seeing this being another jewel in the crown for the Yarra Ranges, we do have a couple of nice, amazing pavilions and I think this will be another one that will be sitting somewhere up the top,” Cr Eastham said. The current building will be demolished in the first week of August and MESCH will be hosting a ‘last drinks’ on Saturday 31 July from 7pm. All past club members are welcome to join the building commemorations and reminisce about Mount Evelyn’s sporting history. “It’s to share memories of the existing building and to celebrate the start of the new building and the new lease of life of the recreation reserve and the clubs having a new building to work in and operate from.” Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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Former Star Mail editor Casey Neill with husband, Kyle and daughter, Molly. 232301
The rise of the e-baby By Melissa Meehan
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CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar 3 Meadowgate Drive CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar 158 Nangathan Way CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar 11 The Mall KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Churinga SC, Russo Place KILSYTH Coles Supermarket 520-526 Mt Dandenong Road KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Canterbury Road Kilsyth KILSYTH TSG Tobacco Churinga Shopping Centre Mt Dandenong Road LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC 33-45 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC 51-59 Anderson Street LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale Village Castella Street & Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre 7 Hardy Street LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre 1 Jarlo Drive LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station 473 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale 346 Main Street LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths 31 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE BP Service Station 87 Warburton Highway LILYDALE Shell Service Station 469 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE 7 - Eleven Lilydale Cnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road LILYDALE Coles Express 469 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe 251 Main Street LILYDALE Round Bird Can’t Fly 170 Main Street LILYDALE The Lilydale General 110 Beresford Road LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery 96 Main Street LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe 178 Main Street LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe 222 Main Street LILYDALE Gracious Grace Castella Street LILYDALE Melba Coffee House 33-45 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies 7/75 Cave Hill Road LILYDALE The Mustard Tree Cafe 3/28 John Street LILYDALE Freda’s Cafe 2 Clarke Street LILYDALE Barry Plant Real Estate 88 Main Street LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate 164 Main Street LILYDALE Stockdale & Leggo Real Estate 281 Main Street LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate 111-113 Main Street LILYDALE Grubs Up 1 Industrial Park Drive LILYDALE Olinda Creek Hotel Maroondah Hwy LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road MONTROSE IGA Supermarket 916 Mt Dandenong Road MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent MOUNT EVELYN Red Robyn Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale 138 York Road MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket 15 Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar 38 Bellara Dive MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart 108 Hayrick Lane MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark 103 Cardigan Road MOOROOLBARK Coles Express 2 Cambridge Road MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real Estate Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK L J Hooker Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road
It was once the topic discussed in hushed tones. But internet dating has become so popular, and successful, that by 2038 more babies will be born to parents who met online than offline. And while 2038 seems a lifetime away, that’s when a Monash University report finds the socalled ‘e-baby’ generation will be in the majority. Over the next 10 years they will make up 34% of all newborns. Using a nationally representative survey of over 2,000 Australians and projections from current trends in online dating, the authors of the report pinpoint 2038 as the year when more than half of babies born will be born to online couples. They are amazing figures, especially given few couples openly admitted they met online in recent years. Former Mail Newspaper Group editor Casey Neill met her husband Kyle on Tinder back in 2015. “We both swiped right,” she said. “Kyle was with some older mates who wanted to know how this online dating stuff worked. “So with them egging him on and a few drinks under his belt, he got up the courage to send me a message and we set up a date a few days later.” Online dating was already pretty popular back then, but Tinder didn’t have the daggy and desperate stigma some of the older websites had, she said. But she still wasn’t keen to let people know how they’d met. “I’m not sure I ever actually told my parents we’d met online - they might have found out in our wedding vows,” she said. They moved out together within five months. “For our first date we went out for dumplings and Kyle reckons that was it - after he saw me scoff noodles and dumplings he was sold,” she said. “I wouldn’t say I thought I’d found my husband that night, and I definitely didn’t peg him as the father of my future child! I’d had a fair bit of bad luck with dating, so I just took it one day at a time.” He proposed on a holiday to America in September 2017. They got married in October 2018 and their daughter, Molly, was born October 2019. It’s quite the love story, and it’s not unusual. The report also found that couples who
Molly. 232301 met online in more recent years (2014-2020), on average have 2.3% more babies than those who met face-to-face (1.38 vs. 1.35). This suggests a key group of singles use technology to seek family-inclined commitments. The report then considered current trends, finding that based on the share of births that are ebabies, an estimated 20% of all babies born in this millennium are ebabies. Further, the report reveals that 21% of online couples that had a baby did so within a year of meeting. Aussie couples who meet online most commonly have one child (21%), with over one in eight (13%) welcoming two children. Men are also slightly more likely than women to have children with a partner they met online (38.9% v 35.4%). VP International at eHarmony, Romain Bertrand said the results of the report were good news. “In our first ‘Future of Dating’ report with Monash University, we’re delighted to see that online dating has created so many Australian families, and that it will continue to increase this wonderful legacy. Originally published in Yarra Ranges Kids magazine. mailcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Buy, employ local By Jed Lanyon Yarra Ranges Council has launched a new campaign urging residents to buy, employ and enjoy locally as part of its recovery from the pandemic and last month’s storms and flooding. The initiative asks locals to buy from local businesses within their own communities, while Yarra Ranges business owners will soon be able to employ local residents more easily through the Yarra Ranges JobLink - an online employment portal for those who want to live and work locally. The portal will be free for both employers and jobseekers to sign up, and will help connect prospective employees with local employers. The campaign wishes for residents to enjoy their own backyard in the Yarra Ranges’ best offerings when looking to unwind, whether it’s visiting one of the 22 galleries on offer within the municipality or just getting a haircut from one of over 400 hairdressers across the region. Council has partnered with local training organisations, Box Hill Institute Lilydale and Cire Training, to deliver the Hospitality Jump Start for Jobs program. This series of face-to-face training courses will help local people learn essential skills for
working in our hospitality businesses, and help our local businesses find and employ people with the skills they need. Yarra Ranges Mayor, Fiona McAllister said providing training locally will benefit many people in the community, from young people to older adults taking up training. “Hospitality and tourism businesses are at the heart of our Yarra Ranges lifestyle and economy. Our cafes, restaurants, vineyards, gardens and other attractions draw thousands of visitors to the hills and valleys, and makes our region such a vibrant place to live,” she said. “Having local training providers means that community members can learn skills locally, then put their hands up for jobs locally and put those skills to the test.” These two short courses in Kitchen Skills and Front of House Skills, are free for unemployed or under-employed locals. Both include certificate level components such as a Responsible Service of Alcohol - that are often a requirement for hospitality employment and can cost upwards of hundreds of dollars. Coldstream resident, Shirley Poulter attended a Kitchen Skills course at Box Hill Institute, Lilydale. “I think these courses are important, par-
ticularly for the younger people, or people who have had to change career due to Covid or other circumstances,” she said. As well as skills training by experienced teachers, the courses aim to give participants the confidence they need to jump start their career in the hospitality industry. Samantha Turner from Lilydale, was interested in the Kitchen Skills course in the hopes of turning one of her passions into professional skills. “I did this course because I wanted to learn more about the hospitality industry. I love cooking. Sweets mainly I wanted to learn more about knife skills and learn to prep and stuff.” Working with the Skills and Jobs Centre at Box Hill Institute, local businesses can then be matched with the graduates of these courses. Melinda Davis, from the Skills and Jobs Centre, said that they are able to connect local people to local jobs. “Hospitality employers in the Yarra Ranges are desperately seeking staff for their businesses and cannot fill the roles, there is a major shortage of people for the jobs. There is a real opportunity for local people considering work in hospitality to undertake one of the Kitchen Skills Programs and learn valuable skills to help with confidence and to connect with employers looking for staff,” she said.
Limbering up to run against violence By Mikayla Van Loon The impact of family violence can spread far and wide, touching the lives of many. It doesn’t pick and choose who is affected. In an aim to get people talking about family violence, local runners and walkers will hit the pavement in the fourth annual Run Against Violence (RAV) Virtual Team Challenge. Mooroolbark resident Jenelle Hardiman will lead her team of ten through the 1300km challenge in 19 days for the second year in a row. The significance of the distance run equates to approximately 1.7 million steps, one for each of the estimated number of Australians who experienced physical abuse before the age of 15. Ms Hardiman said it is important to raise awareness around family violence because it is more prevalent than people realise. “If people haven’t been exposed to family violence themselves they really tend to think that it doesn’t occur as much as it does. The issue with this is that for some victims, they feel like they are the minority, that they have caused it and that it is shameful. The end result is that they don’t seek help early,” Ms Hardiman said. “The longer people live in shame and fear of being exposed to family violence, the more
likely that they will suffer long term psychologically and emotionally and also the more likely that they will be seriously injured or worse. “By raising awareness and taking away the stigma for victims, there’s more chance that both victims and perpetrators will get help – before the damage is too great.” Last year Ms Hardiman said she was really just looking for virtual events that would keep her motivated to run during the lockdowns but this year the team was more focused on raising awareness. “So last year we signed up just for something to do but being a part of it and hearing some of the stories and where our entry money went, this year we have been motivated by the cause.” Engaging people in the conversation through social media, whether they realise they are talking about family violence or not, has been the best way to bring the issue of family violence to the forefront of people’s minds. “Between us we have over 1000 people that then view our progress and then this gets people talking even if they don’t realise that is what they are talking about,” Ms Hardiman said. “I also post some of the information that is posted on the event page now and again. It is all just about getting people talking in the hope that it might just help even one person.” Run Against Violence was established by
Brad Smithers and Kirrily Dear in 2015. The virtual team challenge began in 2017 as support for Dear’s solo run from Broken Hill to Sydney. Teams of up to 20 people track their daily kilometres run and the tracker collects and collates each team member’s distances so the participants can watch their team move across the map from Broken Hill to Sydney. With ten team members, all who are competent runners, Ms Hardiman’s team will have to run 6.8km each per day. “If you have a day off that makes it 13.6 the next day. It means everyone has to go hard and constant. 6.8km a day doesn’t sound like that much until you have to do it day in day out irrespective of anything else that comes up in your life,” she said. Run Against Violence has recently joined forces with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) to help ensure that every teenager in Australia has the opportunity to learn about what healthy relationships look like for them. This year RAV hopes to raise $180,000 to be split evenly between NAPCAN and the charity itself. Registrations are still open for the event, with it starting on 30 August. To register or to find out more information, head to https:// www.runagainstviolence.com/
A look at the news PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN Kid Reporter: The Secret To Breaking News, written by Saffron Howden and Dhana Quinn and published by NewSouth Publishing in 2021, is a delightful book suitable for readers of all ages – not just young people, but anyone who’s interested in knowing what journalists do, how they do it, and why it matters. Written in simple, straightforward, precise and honest words, the book teaches us how to be the change we want to see in the world. The most important message is perhaps this: “For too long news has been for adults only. But what happens in the world affects you too. We think it’s about time young people were more involved in making the news.” The book is divided into four parts. Part One explains how to turn natural curiosity into essential journalism skills such as critical thinking, news detecting, interviewing and fact-checking. Part Four contains a step-by-step guide to setting up a newspaper, podcast and TV-style news program in a school environment. Indeed, in this era of citizen journalism, where everyone thinks they should play an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analysing and disseminating news and information, these skills are fundamental. So are the journalistic code of ethics of being truthful, respectful, fair, balanced, independent and responsible. Why aren’t these skills and standards more widely acknowledged? Not just young people, but adults also need to understand and identify their own points of view, as well as other people’s perspectives and opinions. Part Two and Part Three of the book briefly but matter-of-factly discuss how to be a “news detective”. While it may seem easy to tell the difference between advertising and news – think of Peter Weir’s 1998 masterpiece The Truman Show – it can be difficult to distinguish between perspective and opinion, and between opinion and fact. We all know a news story needs to answer the six basic questions of Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. But to tell the difference between “fake news” and real news requires one simple question – “Who said what and why?” In the authors’ words: “Information includes any and all details about a situation, person, thing or event. But someone has to create that information... You have to find out who created it, try to understand why it was produced, and identify the target – who the creator wants to reach with the information.” It takes a book written for all aspiring reporters to shout out such a simple message, that “information is produced to inform, influence, distract, persuade, entertain, sell, or even insult and be mean”. More crucially: “News is a truthful telling of the facts that is meant to inform the audience, not to convince or sell something.” So, don’t just let others such as Peter Greste, Mark Scott, Margaret Simons and Annabel Crabb tell you how important Kid Reporter is as a book. Find a copy in your local library and read it with your kids, so you, too, can change the world.
Women around Victoria are preparing to run against family violence. mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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OPINION
Engineering feat hailed The Watts River weir and Maroondah Aqueduct were built in the years 1886 to 1891 because Melbourne’s population had grown significantly and the water supply from the Yan Yean Reservoir was reaching its capacity. The water was gravity fed via the Maroondah aqueduct to a junction basin at Preston where it entered the Yan Yean system. The Maroondah Aqueduct was 66km long including 9.6km of tunnels and 14.5kms of inverted siphons with a fall of 30.5cm per kilometre (1 foot to a mile). The original capacity was for a flow of 25 million gallons per day but to meet future demand the tunnels were built large enough to carry flows up to 50 million gallons per day. The Maroondah Dam was completed in 1927, providing potential for a much-needed storage capacity of up to 6,000 million gallons. This was made clear during a period of drought in the summer of 1926 when water restrictions had to be imposed. It was noted in The Argus in March of that year that, whereas Sydney had ‘huge storage reservoirs’, Melbourne had ‘much smaller reservoirs and relied on running streams.’ Melbourne now has ten water storage reservoirs with a combined total of 1,812,175 million litres (400,000 million gallons). The lower section of aqueduct between Yering and Preston was decommissioned in 1978, but the original aqueduct between Healesville and Yering still provides water to Healesville, Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen. At Yering water is now pumped up to the Sugarloaf Dam where it continues to contribute to the supply for Melbourne. The tunnels were a major part of the construction of the Maroondah system. They were numbered 1 to 9 starting at the Preston end and measure 8 feet high by 8 feet 9 inches wide (2430mm x 2660mm). The longest is no.9 which was drilled through the hill between Long Gully and Chum Creek: it is about 1,950 metres long. This tunnel was a challenge to work on because brackish water continually seeped through the walls, said to be caused by fissures in the rock. Due to the hard porphyry (igneous rock consisting of large crystals) it took 18 months to drill the tunnel from both ends, and also from the hill top where they made two shafts 300ft deep, half a mile apart. The compressed air drills for this work had to be imported from New York. A camp for the workers on the no.9 tunnel was established at the western, or Long Gully end. Another camp, called the Italian camp, was at the head of the shaft sunk into the no.8 tunnel which is between Long Gully Road and Pauls Lane. These men, from northern Italy, were valued for their tunnelling skills. They earned 10 shillings per day compared to the local men who earned 7-8 shillings. Their camp was better organised, many had waterproofed tents with wooden floors. At the western end of no.8 tunnel was the ‘Big Camp’ which was home to about 150 men, including a few women and children. Here there was a large canvas tent or shanty for ‘boarders’ and an iron store as well as tents in clusters or set apart over the hills. The boarders paid 17 shillings a week for board. Many spent the remainder of their wages on drink and gambling at the ‘skittle alley’. (Skittles was a popular English pub game). The store offered tinned meats and fish, flour, groceries, tobacco, rough boots and flannel garments. The children did not usually attend a school due to distance and the fact that the families often moved from one camp to another. Two young Irish boys aged about 9 and 12 were seen working alongside their father, crushing blue metal into small pieces to make concrete. mailcommunity.com.au
Like their father they were sunburnt and covered in dirt and dust. To make the concrete to line the tunnels, a gang of six men worked on a wooden floor under a rough canvas awning. A wooden frame, or ‘gauge’ was placed on the floor and it was filled with the crushed metal like that being broken up by the boys. This was levelled by the gang and another finer grade layer laid on top, which was covered in turn by sand. The heap was sprinkled with water and the frame was removed. A cask of Portland cement was then rolled up a plank to the top of the heap and emptied. Then three men on each side, used shovels to mix the concrete. In 10 minutes of hectic spade work the mix was ready. It was loaded into a tram truck which was then pulled by a horse along rails into the bed of the aqueduct and thus into the tunnel. The six men then started the next ‘gauge’. They were expected to complete about 3 ‘gauges’ an hour. At this camp if they finished their 8-hour quota early they were allowed to ‘knock off’ early. The concrete was laid on the walls of the tunnel behind round frames shaped like the letter D, the men often having to stand in knee-deep water which was seeping through the walls. After seven days the concrete set to a consistency harder than stone. The men employed on this work were usually Scotsmen and Irishmen. The cement barrels or casks were about 45cm high. They were discarded where they were used. Fred Sadlier, employed on the Yarra Glen length for many years, recalled seeing hundreds of them lying in places along the aqueduct. The cement, and other materials not available locally, were brought by train and then transported across the flats by horse and dray. At places with no convenient bridge to cross the river they would be loaded into a boat, then into another horse-drawn dray on the other side. As the railway was still being built at the same time as the aqueduct, the closest station was Yering. The sand was usually obtained from the river. No.5 and no.6 tunnels were much shorter and there was no trouble with seepage, so they were just lined with bricks for a short distance from the entrances. Advertisements were placed in newspapers for men to work on the aqueduct and also for the Lilydale to Healesville railway. The Argus 7 Nov 1887
and Horses, 13s per day. – Want· TIP-DRAYS ed, 50 immediately. McNeil and Bath, Watts aqueduct, 4th section, Healesville The Age 1 Nov 1888 STONEBREAKERS. – Wanted, 50 good Stonebreakers, on fourth section Watts River aqueduct, near Healesville, long job. McNeil & Bath
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The Herald 1 Jan 1889 NAVVIES, 100 good men wanted. Watts aqueduct (3rd and 4th section). Apply main camp, near Healesville. PICK and Shovel Men, 100 good, wanted, for Lilydale to Healesville railway. Apply contactor’s office, Yarra Glen.
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What legacy are we leaving for our children? Sending mixed messages If you are a Baby Boomer reading this, you built your own foundation on top of the ‘Silent’ Generation, upon which your Gen X children are in turn building. Your dad may have just returned from a war, or had arrived by boat from Britain or Europe. Those early ‘boat’ people had to work hard, and many of the ‘re-pats’ couldn’t cope with re-entering society as it had become. Then the Boomers and their children started to build a life based on the belief that they could do anything and become anybody. Sadly competitive greed started to spread like a cancer to feed a ‘Me first,-get out of my way while I climb’ culture. Karl Marx said that ‘Religion was the opium of the people’. (Which therefore, was no threat). The new opioid, which is now our greatest threat, is affluence. Many years ago Gandhi prophesied that if we didn’t watch out we could end up with commerce without ethics, and in many ways he was right. Back in ’04, I wrote in these papers about corruption in banks, bad behavior being openly displayed on TV shows, and a real shift in morals. By ’08, we had our own real life gangster shows like underbelly. What messages, therefore, were we sending our children? MIXED. They’re just doing what we did In a manhood group that I led for sixteen years as an adjunct to my counselling, I met many fatherless, directionless, angry Gen X men. Yes they had fathers but they were never there for them. Whenever I started to talk about fathers it was like throwing a match into petrol. Many of these men had no, or poor role models and no tools in the tool box for life. What hope did they have of modelling for their children? Absent father syndrome used to be caused by wars, or socio/ecnomical disasters like the Great Depression, but for a number of years now it is has been absentia due to relationship break downs.
Focal Point Graeme Dawson Children need roots As a consequence many children are being uprooted, through those family breakdowns, as many parents are going through relationship changes. One day dad goes and another so called dad arrives and the child is left to adjust. Or mum moves to another area with her new lover and the children find themselves having to adjust to new teachers, new ‘friends’, with little or no time to adjust to a new family. Mum or dad might be moving to exciting new pastures, but most times it is traumatic for their children. Many children therefore have been growing up in boundary-less confusion, hence taking what they can get for themselves by fair means or foul - floundering without good role models. The movie and gaming world has not helped, with violence on their phone screens, gambling in their faces without respite, and unfettered explicit porn that any child can access. Need we wonder where the flood of domestic violence was bred? We need to value our children When a number of mums brought their children to Jesus one day to be blessed, his disciples tried to send them away (They thought they were a nuisance) but Jesus rebuked them, and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, for these are the ones who make up my Kingdom’. HIGHLY VALUED. (Of course He meant children of a wide age group – even you and me) (Feedback, questions or need for support can be fielded to my email, csrsmokey@gmail.com) Graeme Dawson, Chaplain to Community
Stylish thriller proves to be better than Black Widow Gunpowder Milkshake Starring Karen Gillan, Lena Headey and Chloe Coleman Rated MA15+ Gunpowder Milkshake is a funny, grisly and incredibly stylish thriller about Sam (Karen Gillan), an elite assassin, who reunites with her long-lost mother Scarlet (Lena Headey) and a group of heavily-armed librarians to protect a little girl from the mob. Gillan is a magnetic action lead, and it’s fun to watch Sam warm to and depend on Emily (Chloe Coleman), the girl she swore to protect. A dark secret looms between them, and the plot deftly balances power and confidence with an ever-worsening situation. The cinematography and score are dripping with noir style, and this film’s world is reminiscent of John Wick, with dapper killers and ornate customs. The action is brutal, well-shot and frequently funny, with the highlight being a hilarious slapstick battle between a partiallyparalysed Sam and a trio of thugs doped up on laughing gas. Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett and Carla Gugino all have moments to shine as the badass gun-toting librarians. Gunpowder Milkshake muddies its driv-
ing conflict with two different antagonistic groups, which blur together somewhat, and Scarlet re-enters Sam’s life with bizarre abruptness. Even so, Sam and Scarlet have a deeply satisfying arc of growing close again under adversity. It’s heartening to find a blood-soaked action movie that commits to themes of family, forgiveness and even mercy without being contradictory (and Gunpowder Milkshake surpasses similarly-themed Black Widow in many ways). The better of July’s family-focused action movies, Gunpowder Milkshake is playing in most Victorian cinemas. - Seth Lukas Hynes Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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MAIL 15
PUZZLES SUDOKU
No. 038
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
easy
6 9 3 6 2 4 8 8 1 3 5 5 9 3 1 9 5 9 8 7 2 3 1 5 6 7 4 8 9 8 6 medium
4 9
9 1
3 6
3 2
DOWN
Alternative to vinyl records (3) Supplier of goods to retailers (11) 19th-century art movement (7) Particulars (7) Contend (8) Mercury (6) Unhinged (3) Restored (11) Peculiarity (11) Pouch (3) African country (6) Prank (8) Mountaineer (7) Products of a calculator (7) Recommendations (11) Finish (3)
3 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 19 20 21 24 25 26 27
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 15 16 18 19 20 22 23
Christian holiday (9) Traumatised (7) Performing (5) Made easy (10) Cycle (4) Power cells (9) Win (7) Hazards (5) City in North Carolina, US (10) Sustainable (energy) (9) Fell; lessened (9) Moving (on wheels) (7) Act of Parliament (7) Snot (5) Cars (5) Naughty child (4)
DECODER
No. 038
9 5
6
4
7
2
5
3
9
7
2 3
5 3 2
ACROSS 1
No. 038
8
3 1
QUICK CROSSWORD
6 7
5 8
hard
8
3 5 9
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
F W 21
22
23
24
25
26
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.
I
L
Today’s Aim: 21 words: Good 31 words: Very good
2 3 8 1 7 9 4 6 5
2 6 8 4 1 5 7 9 3
4 9 5 3 6 7 8 1 2
42 words: Excellent
U
A
E B
8 3 2 1 4 6 9 7 5
9 7 6 5 2 3 1 4 8
1 5 4 9 7 8 2 3 6
5 8 7 6 3 1 4 2 9
3 4 1 2 8 9 5 6 7
6 2 9 7 5 4 3 8 1
4 6 9 5 3 8 2 7 1
5 7 1 2 4 6 8 3 9
6 2 3 7 1 4 9 5 8
8 5 4 6 9 3 7 1 2
9 1 7 8 5 2 3 4 6
3 9 6 4 8 5 1 2 7
1 4 5 9 2 7 6 8 3
7 8 2 3 6 1 5 9 4
9 1 5 2 3 6 7 8 4
2 7 4 1 8 9 6 5 3
3 6 8 7 5 4 1 9 2
4 8 3 9 1 7 2 6 5
1 5 7 8 6 2 3 4 9
6 9 2 5 4 3 8 7 1
8 4 1 6 2 5 9 3 7
7 3 6 4 9 1 5 2 8
5 2 9 3 7 8 4 1 6
Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
F
U
T
4 LETTERS ALTO ARTS BETS CHIC DABS DYES ESKY GATE LADE ONTO PAYS SENT SKIT TALC
5 LETTERS ABIDE ALONE ARENA ARENT ATONE BEEFY BERET BRUTE CHIEF CLEAT CRAVE CRUDE DATUM DEEDS DELVE DRAMA DREAD ENEMY ENSUE ESSAY
No. 038
EVENT EXPEL GASES HERBS LADED LEDGE LENDS LUCID MAYBE NURSE OBEYS ORDER PASTA PETER PIXIE RAISE REACH REEDS RISES SCRAM SEEDY
SEEMS SORRY SUPER TABOO TEASE TENSE TERSE TOTEM URINE 6 LETTERS ARABLE ERECTS MEAGRE RESORT
7 LETTERS ATTRACT BANDIER COLLECT SWEETEN TEETHES TWISTER 8 LETTERS INVENTOR RETRIEVE ROPEABLE UNFAIRER
abet, able, albeit, bale, bate, beat, beau, BEAUTIFUL, befit, belt, beta, bile, bite, bleat, blue, etui, fable, fate, fauteuil, feat, felt, file, filet, flea, flue, flute, futile, late, leaf, left, lief, lieu, life, lite, lute, table, tale, teal, tile, tube, tubule, utile
7 1 3 8 9 2 6 5 4
hard
1
medium
20
easy
19
8 6
18
9 1
17
4
16
2
2
D EMP J QGK R H B FW
9 6 8 5
1
15
8 7
3 2 6 4 7
14
5
4 1
3 LETTERS ALE ANT ARE AXE BRA DAB EAR END EVE FBI GAS GEE HER MAD OFF OWE PAN RAN ROE RUE RUM TAX UTE WET
C U Z S V T L A Y NX I O
9 2
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JNR OLYMPIANS’ STADIUM KIDS’ QUIZ
DOT TO DOT
1 How many rings make up the Olympic logo? 2 Which country held the 2016 Olympic Games? 3 In what year did Australia last hold the Olympics? 4 Where were the first modern Olympic Games held? 5 True or false: the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were the first to ever be postponed? 6 What object is carried around the world from Olympia, Greece, to the host nation prior to the beginning of the games? 7 Gymnast Simone Biles (pictured) has previously competed in how many Olympic Games: one, two or three? 8 What type of medal is given out for coming second? 9 At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which country entered last at the opening ceremony? 10 True or false: the Summer and Winter Olympics were held in the same year until 1992?
ANSWERS: 1. Five 2. Brazil 3. 2000 4. Athens 5. True 6. A torch 7. One 8. Silver 9. China 10. True
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE There are 8 differences between these pictures. Can you spot them all?
MISSING MEDALS Golide has misplaced the Gold Medals. Can you help him find them? There are 10 on this page.
THEN COLLOUR IN
OLYMPICS SEARCH Find all the words hidden in the grid. The leftover letters will spell a secret message.
JNR MEDAL Can you work out what the missing letter is that spells an eight-letter word? It could read either clockwise or anti-clockwise.
?
H
E
T
T
A E
S
ANSWER: Missing letter – L Eight-letter word – ATHLETES. Secret Name: A massive event
ANSWERS: 1. Gold medal size 2. Missing stripe on shirt 3. Shoe colours 4. Missing hair 5. Extra green confetti 6. Balloon colour 7. Yellow streamer reversed 8. Eyebrow colour ALL PUZZLES ©PAGEMASTERS PTY LTD | PAGEMASTERS.COM
WORD RINGS
joke CORNER Q. What is a banana’s most skilled gymnastics move? A. The splits!
Q. What’s the name of the fastest dinosaur at the Olympics? A. Prontosaurus.
SPECTACULAR SUMMER TRAINING VENUE VILLAGE
COMPETING CROWD GYMNASTICS MASCOT RECORD
ANTHEM ATHLETE CAPITAL CELEBRATION CEREMONY
Q. Why didn’t Cinderella make the Olympics basketball team? A. She ran away from the ball.
Starting with HEAT, make your way through the linked Olympic rings by changing one letter at a time to create a new word at each ring, until you get to GOLD.
H E AT
____
____
GOLD
____
There may be more than one possible answer.
ANSWERS: HEAT, HEAD, HELD, HOLD, GOLD mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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MAIL 17
networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services
General Notices V Public Notices and Event
V Deadline
V Public Notices and Event
Placing your classified advert is so easy...
A copy of the intent to levy is available for inspection at Council’s Community Links located at 2442 - 2444 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction or at 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale (enter via the Coles carpark). during office hours until 11 August 2021. In accordance with Section 223 of the Act, any person wishing to make a submission on the proposal must do so in writing to the undersigned by 11 August 2021. Submissions should be addressed to :Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer Yarra Ranges Shire Council at either: 15 Anderson Street (P O Box 105), Lilydale, Vic. 3140, or mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
The special charge is intended to be declared in respect of those properties shown within the designated area for this special charge scheme as outlined by heavy lines on the plan below, being properties that have abuttal to or gain primary access via, Heath Road, Grandview Road and Huon Road, Belgrave Heights.
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Deadline for all classifications is 4pm Friday.
A copy of the intent to levy is available for inspection at Council’s Community Links located at 40 Main Street, Upwey or at 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale (enter via the Coles carpark). during office hours until 11 August 2021. In accordance with Section 223 of the Act, any person wishing to make a submission on the proposal must do so in writing to the undersigned by 11 August 2021. Submissions should be addressed to :-
12493755-SN19-21
The special charge is intended to be declared in respect of those properties shown within the designated area for this special charge scheme as outlined by heavy lines on the plan below, being properties that have abuttal to or gain primary access via, Witnish Street and Victoria Street (Crescent Road to Witnish Street), Yarra Junction.
In accordance with Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989, notice is hereby given that the Yarra Ranges Shire Council at its meeting of 13 July 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Heath Road, Grandview Road and Huon Road, Belgrave Heights - road improvement works, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the provision by Council of road improvements carried out under Part 1A of the Act.
Phone: 1300 666 808
V Builders & Building Services
Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer Yarra Ranges Shire Council at either: 15 Anderson Street (P O Box 105), Lilydale, Vic. 3140, or mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
Small Job Specialist
Any person making a submission is entitled to request in the submission that the person wishes to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.
Any person making a submission is entitled to request in the submission that the person wishes to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.
Any person requesting to appear in person or to be represented by a person specified in his or her submission will be notified of the day, time and place of the meeting of the Council or of a committee determined by the Council to hear submissions.
Any person requesting to appear in person or to be represented by a person specified in his or her submission will be notified of the day, time and place of the meeting of the Council or of a committee determined by the Council to hear submissions.
All submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Act.
All submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Act.
J.L. Hutt Electrical
Submitters should be aware that copies of their submissions will be made available (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) at the Council meeting held when their submission is considered.
Submitters should be aware that copies of their submissions will be made available (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) at the Council meeting held when their submission is considered.
24 HOUR SERVICE
It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting to be held on 14 September 2021, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.
It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting to be held on 14 September 2021, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.
12358958-PB30-17
In accordance with Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989, notice is hereby given that the Yarra Ranges Shire Council at its meeting of 13 July 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Witnish Street and Victoria Street (Crescent Road to Witnish Street), Yarra Junction road improvement works, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the provision by Council of road improvements carried out under Part 1A of the Act.
SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME HEATH ROAD, GRANDVIEW ROAD AND HUON ROAD, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS
Call Steve 0417 192 009 V Electricians
12438941-CG04-20
SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME WITNISH STREET AND VICTORIA STREET (CRESCENT ROAD TO WITNISH STREET), YARRA JUNCTION - ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS
Jason 1300 644 698
A Grade Electrical Contractor
Ph: 9761 4092 info@kallistaelectrical.com
12440513-DV06-20
“Servicing the hills for over 30 years”
For all your electrical work including: Extensions Safety Switches Faults Repairs Farm Work Commercial and Domestic
V Handy Persons
SJC HOME MAINTENANCE Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer
www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au
www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au 12504774-SN30-21
House & Property Maintenance No job too small Quality work at a great price, Fully insured
Call Mick 0424 414 495 12504775-JW30-21
www.sjchomemaintenance.com.au
12456635-CG32-20
‘Your Local’ Qualified Tradesman Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer
Target local candidates for your workplace Call our classified team on
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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
mailcommunity.com.au
SPORT
Lilydale Football Club’s seniors will make the transition to a new coach at the start of the 2022 season. 242580 Pictures: ROB CAREW
Alan Love has been interim coach for the Falcons since Brendan Fulton stood down. 242580
Falcon’s coach appointed By Mikayla Van Loon Lilydale Football Club has announced the appointment of Luke McCormick as the new senior head coach for the 2022 season. McCormick will step into the role at the end of the current season, having been assistant coach to Alan Love throughout the latter half of 2021. An appointment was needed to be made after senior coach Brendan Fulton stood down from the role for family reasons midway through the year.
Love assumed the role of interim coach just prior to the last lockdown in late May, early June and saw the Falcons come out fighting in a surprise win over Montrose in the first game out of lockdown. McCormick’s experience in a development role as Line Coach at Eastern Ranges in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017, made him an excellent choice for coaching such a young Falcons side. “The fact that the near future is so positive with such a keen young list who are already getting valuable senior experience - I’m wrapped to be given the opportunity to get on
board with the Dales,” McCormick said in a statement. More recently, McCormick was head coach of South Croydon Football Club in the ENFL’s Premier League, where he guided the team to a premiership in 2018 and a semi final in 2019. His success as a coach is also compounded by an impressive playing career starting with his local club, Ainslie, in the ACT and with the NSW/ACT Rams. Making the move to Victoria, he was drafted to North Melbourne where he played for two years.
McCormick went on to play at Port Melbourne and East Ringwood where he eventually assumed the role of Playing Assistant Coach in 2007 and 2008. Both McCormick and the club are excited to see what the 2022 season will bring, while not losing focus of the rest of 2021. “The energy and enthusiasm of most importantly the current players, but also everyone around the club is exciting. Looking forward to next year - but also supporting Lovey & the boys to get more wins on the board this year.”
General Classifieds
Heating
V
Roofing
V
V
Tree Lopping/Surgery
V
Pensioner Discounts
12503000-AV28-21
(Terms & Conditions Apply)
12462305-LB39-20
All types of Roofs
FAIRBAIRNS HEATING & COOLING www.fairbairns.com.au Est. 1982
Paul 0418 570 231
FULLY INSURED
rangerpestcontrol.com.au Free termite quotes - Family owned business
Insured
Call for a free quote
0488 097 005
Real Estate section of Network Classifieds.
General Notices section of Network Classifieds. V
0473 326 333
Rubbish Removal
12367707-LB41-17
Why hire a bin when we load & take away your rubbish from $100
R U B B I S H R E M O VA L
House, Garden, Mixed General Rubbish Removal Building Debris, Concrete, Soil & Brick Removal
Same day Service, Free Quote
Call Andrew 0408 242 015
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Pets & Services
ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au
30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE
• TREES PRUNED, LOPPED, FELLED AND REMOVED • WOODCHIPPING AND STUMPGRINDING • QUALIFIED ARBORIST FREE • PROMPT RELIABLE SERVICE QUOTES • EXCELLENT RATES
12386568-ACM19-18
TERMITE CONTROL SPECIALIST
Find it in the section of Network Classifieds.
DIN TREE SERVICE WAN
paulnobes@live.com.au
Lic. 25035
ADVERTISERS in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.
General
www.transformedtreeservices.com.au
Pest Control
1129931-RC16-14
V
Call the team today 0421 574 444
The Re-Roof Man
9870 7059
PIC: 38148 REC: 17042 AU: 06212
12345326-PB14-17
Call Chris 0412 099 142 23 years in roofing leaks
Employment 12499475-CG25-21
Gas Ducted Changeovers Split Systems Ducted Refrig
Rebedding & pointing Skylight resealing Written guarantee
12402861-RA44-18
Pre-winter Service Specials extended till 1/9/21
Leak detection & repair Valleys replaced Pensioner discount
12481756-DL07-21
Hot winter specials
Massage Therapists
12423634-SN31-19
Trades & Services
DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.
12454729-SG29-20
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MAIL 19
We are YOUR local bakery
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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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