Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 17th August 2021

Mountain Views

Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

Mail

Vietnam Veterans events called off

Mural project adds colour to Wandin

Holmwood residents get in Olympic spirit

Little Lucy facing the biggest fight of her life

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A Star News Group Publication

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Metro madness

By Jed Lanyon

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Yarra Ranges Council had twice formally written to the State Government urging for changes to see smaller, isolated Yarra Valley townships be reclassified in line with regional Victoria’s restrictions.

Council made their first plea

in September last year and then again in June as restrictions were enforced on local traders across the Queens Birthday long weekend.

Cr McAllister put forward the suggestion of making decisions on restrictions based on specific

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

postcodes rather than broad local government areas.

“Doing it by postcode would make it very simple and easier to understand. A lot of people in Victoria are probably more familiar with where their postcode is rather than their local

RT Edgar

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A local business in Healesville is one of many across the region feeling the effects of lockdown.

government area,” Cr McAllister said.

She hoped the many businesses in the Yarra Valley could benefit from welcoming regional Victorians to recoup some of the losses from the pandemic.

Continued page 3

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Once again Covid-19 restrictions have been eased across regional Victoria leaving some residents of the fringe ‘metropolitan Melbourne’ townships frustrated at being lumped in with harsher restrictions.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Fiona McAllister said council met with Deputy Premier James Merlino on Friday 13 August to discuss a range of issues including the ongoing plea to see smaller Yarra Valley townships reclassified as ‘regional’.

“We met with the Deputy Premier last week to talk about a range of issues and we put the case of reclassification directly with him,“ she said.

Cr McAllister said council would continue to “push hard” on the issue, again writing to the Premier this week.

“We will continue to advocate and push hard on this issue, not just when we’re in lockdown, but consistently. This really needs to be resolved not just in a pandemic but for any other future scenarios.”

It came as metropolitan Melbourne received the unwanted news that lockdown would be extended for a further two weeks until 2 September, with more restrictions being added to the already extensive list.

As of 11.59pm last night, a curfew will be placed on metro residents, permits for essential work will be needed once more and parks and exercise equipment will be closed.

From 9pm to 5am each day, a curfew will be enforced, to limit movement and to better enable patrols from police.

Large construction projects will be reduced to 25 per cent of workers onsite, while smaller projects will be limited to five people.

“These settings are tough, this is a tough time. No one is enjoying this lockdown. I know people are weary. I know people are sick and tired of this but each of us have to find it in ourselves to make good choices for these next couple of weeks, to drive down these case numbers and to be in a position so that we can reopen,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.

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IN BRIEF RSL raffle

COMMUNITY DIARY WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

Calendar comp Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank’s 2022 calendar competition is open for public voting. Visit their website to view the online exhibition and to cast your vote. Voting closes Sunday 5 September.

Warburton RSL’s raffle deadline has been extended to 29 October giving locals a greater chance at purchasing a winning ticket after the recent lockdowns. There are great prizes to be won, from a high-pressure washer to shopping vouchers, fresh food and firewood.

You have to be in it to win it.

Enquiries: 5966 9874 or warburtonrsl@gmail. com

Plant sale Hoddles Creek Red Cross are hosting a spring plant sale to be held at their Launch Fresh stall on Saturday 4 September.

Community choir Healesville Community Choir is for everyone who loves to sing. Singers of all abilities are welcome as the group meets on the first three Mondays each month 7-9pm

at YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub. Enquiries 0406 402 590 or HealesvilleCommunityChoir@ gmail.com

Over 50’s friendship The Over 50’s Friendship Group meets every Monday and Wednesday 12.30pm - 4pm at the Yarraburn Senior Citizens Centre. The group provides a venue for elders to meet, play cards and games, chat and share knowledge and create friendships and provides support for those struggling to cope with the isolation and lockdowns.

Reach out Is there a free or low-cost community event you’d like to share with our readers? Send an email to editor@mailcommunity.com.au by 5pm on Wednesdays for inclusion in the following week’s edition.

Police checking vehicles Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol, Nunawading Highway Patrol, Forest Hill Uniform and the Frontline Tactical Unit were out patrolling the Yarra Ranges conducting compliance checks on vehicles on the main arterial roads near the border with regional Victoria on Thursday 12 August.

Victoria Police have deployed 200 police officers to the metropolitan Melbourne, regional fringe areas to enforce Chief Health Officer directions. Roving patrols will be monitoring the regional borders instead of using fixed checkpoints, a technique that has been used along the state border. This gives police the flexibility to patrol main arterials and backroads where needed. Such a system is also meant to prevent traffic delays for people living in the bordering suburbs, who travel through Melbourne for work or school.

If caught escaping metropolitan Melbourne, fines of $5452 will be issued.

School theft Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit are investigating after a statue was stolen from its pedestal at a Lilydale school.

At approximately 4am on Wednesday 4 August the statue was taken from the school grounds. The statue was commissioned with design assistance from the student body. If you know the whereabouts of the statue, or have any information relating to the theft, please contact Detective Senior Constable Harvey at Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit on 9739 2401, or VP37764@police.vic. gov.au

Scam alert Lilydale Police have received information that another round of calls from the SCAM ATO/ Tax office are going around and confirmed that they are using a Lilydale Police Station number. Please do not follow any of the SCAM instructions texted or phoned to you.

Business support More business support has been announced by the Federal and State government for businesses across the 31 metropolitan local government areas in lockdown.

Businesses including sole traders who have received or been approved for a Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension grant, or a Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund grant, will receive an automatic payment.A significant boost to the new Small Business COVID Hardship Fund that opened on Thursday 12 August will take the one-off payments, for eligible businesses that do not qualify for existing programs, to $10,000. Eligible workers across the state who lose hours due to the lockdown will be able to access the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment, as will individuals who are sole-trader businesses who lose work and that do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs.The payment is set at $450 for people who have lost from eight and up to 20 hours work or a full day of work (over seven days), and $750 for 20 hours or more of work lost. People who receive certain Commonwealth income support are eligible to receive a $200 payment.

COVID-19 has affected all of us, but there is a way forward. It’s time to arm yourself by getting vaccinated. Protect yourself and the people you care about.

The sooner we all do it, the sooner we’ll get through it.

Book your vaccination today.

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Services called off

By Jed Lanyon For the second consecutive year, local RSL services for Vietnam Veterans Day have been forced to cancel due to lockdown restrictions.

Yarra Glen RSL had planned to host the commemorations on behalf of outer eastern suburbs RSLs as a way to remember the sacrifice of those who served their country in Vietnam.

Vietnam War veteran and Yarra Glen RSL president Stephen Shortis said he was “very disappointed” to see the event cancelled again.

“We had a pretty big day planned and if the latest lockdown hadn’t occurred, we would have been ok,” he said.

This year’s event was meant to commemorate the 59th anniversary of Australia’s deployment of troops to Vietnam and the Battle of Long Tan. The RSL had planned to host a morning march along King Street leading to an 11am service at the newly relocated memorial cenotaph on Anzac Avenue.

Yarra Glen RSL was hopeful of hosting Casey MP Tony Smith, while Vietnam War veteran and National Vietnam Veterans Museum board member, John Methven OAM, was also set to speak at the service on Sunday 15 August.

Another feature of the event was a unique art exhibition that is on display at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall.

Provenance Artists Inc created 30 paintings of Australian Vietnam Veterans under the theme: Lest We Forget: Vietnam.

“They are pretty good paintings of a different standard and a number of portraits of different people. It would have been an extra highlight,” Mr Shortis said.

Sadly, the exhibition and its works will be moved to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum in Phillip Island before local residents will get the opportunity to see it due to current restrictions.

The uncertainty of lockdowns and restricted borders across the country meant that Mr

Victorian Military Vehicle Corps from Monbulk at the 2019 Yarra Valley Vietnam Veterans Day Commemoration in Croydon.

Shortis was unable to catch up with his fellow war veterans.

“From a personal view, when I found out it was Yarra Glen’s turn to host this year, I organised a reunion with guys I was in Vietnam with from New South Wales and Queensland but they were unable to attend.

“We do a reunion every two years, it’s in a different state each time, so I put my hand up for it and said we’ve got this service on and the silly buggers agreed to come down from their warmer climates to Victoria… But it’s not to be.”

Mr Shortis said he would go down to lay a wreath at the Yarra Glen cenotaph to pay his respects on 18 August.

“It’s nice to keep it in front of people’s eyes when we can… But it looks like it’s going to pass by without a whisper this year, which is very unfortunate.”

To view the Vietnam War inspired artworks, visit: http://www.artsofoz.com/page3

Former Yarra Glen RSL President Ed Bartosh representing the American Ex-Servicemen’s Association in 2019.

Covid-19 wastewater detection in Valley

By Jed Lanyon Healesville residents are being told to be cautious after Covid-19 fragment detections were found in wastewater samples in the area.

Anyone who lives, works or has visited Healesville, Coldstream or Badger Creek between 1 and 5 August is urged to watch for Covid-19 symptoms and get tested should symptoms develop, according to the Department of Health.

These detections may be due to someone who has had Covid-19, is no longer infectious and is continuing to shed the virus or it may be due to an active but undiagnosed

case in the area.

The wastewater detection prompted Eastern Health to open their Healesville COvid-19 screening clinic for an additional session to help cope with any increased demand in testing.

The Department of Health listed two “unexpected” wastewater detections in Benalla and Healesville labelling them as regional Victoria, despite the Yarra Ranges Shire being classified as ‘metropolitan Melbourne’ when it comes to Covid restrictions.

Recent wastewater detections in Victoria have been an early warning signal of positive cases appearing in areas, such as Bacchus Marsh and Phillip Island, so people in areas

with recent wastewater detections need to be especially vigilant in getting tested should they develop even the mildest of symptoms.

In the past month in regional Victoria, positive readings for Covid-19 wastewater fragments have been detected in Bacchus Marsh, Bendigo, Black Rock, Koorlong, Somers and Wangaratta.

The wastewater testing program is designed as an early warning system and a cautious approach is always taken when these detections are found.

The Department of Health has increased wastewater testing in the areas listed above and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Metro tag madness From page 1 “If we were classified as regional Victoria, we’d be able to open our businesses to people from other regional areas that would sustain, at least in part, some of our businesses,” she said.

“The other thing is that our schools would reopen. That’s a significant concern for council and myself, the ongoing mental health and wellbeing impacts on our children.”

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence called for all Yarra Valley communities within her electorate to be let free from lockdown arguing that they had experienced little to no Covid-19 cases for the better part of a year.

“It’s been 297 days since the government has reported a Covid-19 case in the Yarra Ranges municipality, nearly 10 months,” she said.

“Daniel Andrews announced that Regional Victoria would no longer continue to be in Lockdown 6.0 because, and I quote: ‘fundamentally the function of not having cases in regional Victoria’.

“Yet, despite there not being a single case of Covid-19 for nearly 10 months, country communities in the Yarra Valley remain stuck in lockdown. It makes no sense.”

“By Daniel Andrews’ own logic, our regional communities should be released from lockdown immediately. Where is the public health advice that proves otherwise?”

Ms Vallence received the following response after writing to the Premier pushing for a reclassification of townships within her Evelyn electorate.

“The implementation of restrictions is based on the advice of the Chief Health Officer, informed by careful monitoring of epidemiological data and public health readiness at the point that directions are issued,” the response read.

“Factors considered include the number of active cases, number of mystery cases, test numbers and the number of days elapsed between people experiencing symptoms and seeking a test. There is a need to be vigilant given how infectious the Delta and Kappa strains of the virus are.

“During the management of this outbreak, restrictions have progressively eased for metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria on 10 June, 17 June, and 24 June 2021. The definition of metropolitan Melbourne is based on the Planning and Environment Act 1987, which sets out the local government areas that form metropolitan Melbourne.

“Yarra Ranges Shire Council is one of the 31 local government areas that constitute metropolitan Melbourne. The Victorian Government is committed to protecting all Victorians from Covid-19 and will continue to follow the advice of public health experts in the implementation and easing of restrictions,” the response concluded.

“After Daniel Andrews released regional Victoria – again, defined by lines on a map on the basis they had no Covid cases, then why has this logic not been applied here in the Yarra Valley where there’s been no Covid for nearly a year,” Ms Vallence said.

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Government call to arms

By Jed Lanyon The Victorian Government is expanding access to the AstraZeneca vaccine for younger age groups across all state vaccination centres, and capacity is being scaled up across the state-run system with more drive through and mobile clinics.

The aim is to administer 1 million doses in the next five weeks. More than 200,000 doses will be administered each week between August 16 and September 19, with sites operating with extended hours and with an additional 150 vaccination booths coming online.

“Victorians have shown us that they are ready and willing to come forward and get

vaccinated, with over 98,000 doses administered in our state-run system since Monday and more than 10,000 more doses of AstraZeneca than the week before,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.

To further meet the increased demand from Victorians coming forward to be vaccinated, new and convenient drive through sites will be added in Wyndham, Melbourne’s south east and in the Hume/Whittlesea area.

This comes as recent data saw Melbourne’s outer east lag behind other Victorian regions when it comes to vaccination numbers.

The figures, released on 2 August by the Federal Department of Health, show 43.9 per

cent of people aged over 15 in the outer east have received their first dose of the vaccine, while 18.3 per cent of those aged 15-plus are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in the outer east. Out of the 17 different Victorian regions listed, the outer east ranked 12th in the first dose category and 13th for those who are fully vaccinated.

To help reach the target, a new campaign has been launched encouraging Victorians to get vaccinated quickly – to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the entire community.

There are over 200,000 Covid-19 vaccine appointments available now and more will become available. If you have any questions or concerns you can talk to a GP, pharmacist or

to a senior and experienced immuniser at our state run sites. The best vaccine you can get, is the one that you can get now.

Increasing vaccination coverage in Victoria is particularly important given the current coronavirus outbreaks and the potential for further interstate incursions this year.

All Victorians are encouraged where possible to book their vaccination appointment by visiting portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or by phoning the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

For more information on Victoria’s vaccination centres, including locations and opening hours, visit: coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres.

GAT moved This year’s General Achievement Test (GAT) for Year 12 students will be rescheduled to a later date due to the state’s ongoing lockdowns.

With ongoing community transmission still occurring in metropolitan Melbourne, the Department of Health’s public health team has recommended the GAT be rescheduled, reducing the risk of a further outbreak with large cohorts of students taking the test together.

As Victorians work to run the current outbreak of the Delta variant to ground, a new date will be determined in the coming days to give schools and students certainty that the rescheduled test will be safe to go ahead.

On the rescheduled date, students who are in quarantine as positive coronavirus cases or primary close contacts, as well as schools deemed exposure sites, will receive an exemption from the GAT. This will not disadvantage students’ results and will be taken into account with the Consideration of Educational Disadvantage process.

Minister for Education James Merlino said: “Victorian students have done an amazing job adapting to another year of disruptions – but we can’t risk another outbreak in a school, so we’re rescheduling the GAT to keep every school community across Victoria safe.

“Whether it’s special consideration for every student in Year 12, or extra mental health and tutoring support in schools, we want any student who is struggling to know that we’re here to support them all the way.”

In a normal year, individual students are assessed for special consideration on a case-by-case basis – but the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will again use the CED process to finalise VCE results for each and every student completing one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3-4 sequence in 2021.

Consistent with the approach in 2020, the process considers a range of data alongside exam results to calculate final VCE results - like the GAT, comparisons of performance across all assessments and schools and other learning data.

The process will also include assessments of the individual impact of coronavirus on each student including school closures, direct impacts on students’ health, ongoing issues with remote learning and mental health challenges.

The Department of Education and Training and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) will support schools in the coming weeks to make appropriate CovidSafe plans to hold the GAT.

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Upset at Census question

By Taylah Eastwell The wording of a question on this year’s census has become a subject of controversy, with many women taking to social media to express the feelings it triggered.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics asked participants ‘how many babies has (name) ever given birth to?’, prompting painful memories of still-births and miscarriages for grieving families.

Participants were told to exclude any foster, adopted and step children.

Red Nose Co-Chief Executive Officer, Jackie Mead said she was disappointed to see the question worded so poorly, saying it could be “so offensive to many women, including the women who have lost a baby”.

“Many women have told us they are upset and confused about the abrupt way this question was worded and many were left in tears while completing their census.

“Sadly, one in four Australian pregnancies

end in miscarriage and one in 135 ends in stillbirth. This is an issue that affects so many women,” she said.

Molly Sarafov, a mother who recently lost her son to stillbirth said the question caught her completely off guard.

“I was in tears,” she said.

“I wasn’t sure what to write and I tapped the button for more information, but that just said something about how the ABS was trying to record statistics on the age of fertility of women, so didn’t help anyone in my situation answer the question.”

A spokesperson from Yarra Ranges mum’s group, Mums of the Hills, said local mums were upset by the lack of prior warning they had for the question.

“While this question would be difficult at any time for mums who have experienced this kind of loss, it would be particularly tough for mums who have suffered through lockdown without traditional support networks,” the spokesperson said.

Mums of the Hills believe a statement at the start of future Census’s that acknowledges how questions may affect people in a range of ways, would go some way towards preparing people.

“The question also denied motherhood to mums who did not birth their children, a fact that has upset many.

“We appreciate the Census has to balance being brief with collecting enough information to inform future policy, but what you don’t ask is as important as what you do ask. Expanding this question could have informed future health policies and provided greater insight into the diversity of our families today,” the spokesperson said.

Star Mail readers took to social media to weigh up the issue.

Emma said when she first read the question she was “taken aback, firstly because it was on the same page as education levels and then I was like, why does it matter how many babies a person has had?”.

Angela disagreed. “I was actually relieved to

be asked that question and have my late miscarried child acknowledged. Nobody remembers her/him except me,” she said.

“It was always going to be a contentious question because processing pregnancy and child loss is such a unique individual process. I note they don’t ask men how many children they have fathered,” she added.

Erin said she was glad she wasn’t the only one who considered the question odd.

“Even the way the question was asked was certainly open to interpretation,” she said.

Red Nose said it is available anytime should the ABS wish to contact them about future Census questions that may adversely affect women’s mental health, particularly the many grieving the loss of a much wanted baby.

“Red Nose Day on Friday (13 August) helps fund our 24/7 grief and loss support services, and we encourage women feeling upset today to call us on the Red Nose Grief and Loss 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307.”

Wandin wall of flowers adds colour

By Jed Lanyon A new project to spruce up Wandin will see murals created around the township.

One large mural is well on its way to being completed along Marigold Way as local artist Brad Colling puts a flowery touch to a blank brick wall. Other murals to come include one that will feature alongside IGA’s exterior walls and will be created in conjunction with local primary schools.

The project came about thanks to a grant from Yarra Ranges Council and work from Wandin Rotary and the local township group.

Mr Colling of Buzzart, has just put the finishing touches to the mural on the exterior walls of Wandin Florist.

“We’re doing a mural to pay homage to the natural beauty of the Yarra Valley and we’re trying to beautify the township,” he said.

“There’s a lot of gardeners in the Yarra Valley.

Some people move out here for their appreciation of nature.”

Mr Colling is a fifth generation Wandin resident and has been painting murals for over 10 years.

He was responsible for the mural on Wandin’s public toilet block, An Anzac themed mural that runs underneath the railway bridge in Ringwood and most recently the Wandin Station Mural Project, which features his own family’s mural.

“My grandpa was the station master, so

Brad Colling working on the soon-to-be completed mural.

I now live in the station master’s house. I’m definitely very proud of that... When you’ve been somewhere for generations, you’re planted there.

As Mr Colling was busy spraying away, making the most of a rare warm and sunny July day, a local passerby commented, “That looks absolutely beautiful”. Mr Colling explains what that feedback means to him.

“It feels good, it definitely makes me feel like I’m doing the right thing for my work. I love contributing to my community.”

But there’s more than just the positive impact of creating art in his community as Mr

Picture: JED LANYON

Colling said graffiti vandals are much less likely to spray over his work compared to a vacant brick wall.

“The art generally doesn’t get tagged. I’ve probably painted around 30 murals and I think only two of them have been tagged. Not only does it beautify an area but it can stop the vandalism as well.”

Wandin Florist Amy Collins was impressed with the new mural.

“He’s very talented, Brad. He’s doing a great job and we’re very happy with how it’s coming along.

“It brings the community together and

ties the theme of everything colourful. We just wanted to add some colour to the area... I call it colour therapy, it helps people feel better when you see something that’s coloured instead of seeing a blank wall.”

“It provides a photo opportunity for people as well. They can come along and take photos in front of it.”

Ms Collins, a florist of 22 years, has recently taken over the Wandin business.

“I love the area. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive and I look forward to my journey here at Wandin Florist.

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Medal winners Frank, George and John.

John taking part in the quoits event.

Olympic fever in the air

By Jed Lanyon There’s been an Olympics buzz in the air for the past month as Australians used their extra couch time during lockdown to follow their favourite sports at the Tokyo Olympics.

The residents of a Healesville aged care home took their Olympic fever to another level by hosting their own events to keep active and entertained during an otherwise difficult time.

Holmwood Aged Care residents took part in several events, including shooting thanks to some toy Nerf guns, discus using frisbees, virtual swimming, a miniature basketball tournament, bean bag shot put and even quoits.

Holmwood’s lifestyle coordinator Ben

O’Brien said the residents “loved” the Olympics action.

“We downloaded the 7 Plus apps on as many TVs as we could so they all could have the opportunity to browse whatever sports they were interested in,” he said.

“Obviously we’ve all been enjoying the Olympics on TV and we wanted to take it one step further and bring the Olympics to the residents.

“A lot of them have sporting histories, so it was perfect for them, instead of just watching the live events, we delivered it to them.”

For those who served in the army, the shooting was quite popular, while many who competed with or owned horses enjoyed the equestrian events.

“They loved it. We had residents from all over the building coming to the main dining room, which had become our Olympics hall.

We had residents, rather than competing on the day, would assist other residents and help coordinate the events with the staff.”

Mr O’Brien said it took a bit of creativity and craziness to come up with the unique events to keep the residents entertained.

“It’s something that is very, very important.

I get to go home at the end of the day, but our residents are here all day during a lockdown.

Making events out of the small things is something we take pride in and helping to bring the outside world to them where every activity gives us a chance for people to smile and join in, that’s what we try to do everyday.”

Robin at the shooting range.

I HAVE TWO BEAUTIFUL GRANDKIDS. I GOT ONE DOSE FOR EACH OF THEM I don’t want another long stretch of not seeing my granddaughters. They change too much, too fast. So I am fully vaccinated, and fully ready to be back grandfathering again.

Get informed and get vaccinated.

Have a talk with a doctor or pharmacist.

GO TO CORONAVIRUS.VIC.GOV.AU OR CALL 1800 675 398 Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12509038-CG34-21

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Little Lucy’s fight for life

By Mikayla Van Loon Lucy McAleer is a thriving eight-year-old, who loves green sea turtles, watching Harry Potter and playing basketball.

She’s in grade two at Mount Evelyn Primary School. She’s smart, caring and the big sister to Olivia and Amelia.

She is, by any means, a normal kid.

But when Lucy started showing signs of fatigue, dizziness and slurred speech, her parents, Brian and Nicole McAleer, knew something wasn’t right.

At basketball training one Monday night in July, Lucy was hit in the head with a ball and in the car on the way home she appeared to be concussed and started falling over.

“We went off to hospital that night and we weren’t seen so I got her into the doctors on the Wednesday afternoon and we went to the [Royal Childrens Hospital] the next day,” Mrs McAleer said.

The hospital ran tests and MRI’s to get to the bottom of Lucy’s symptoms.

“I think in the back of our mind we had this fear that it was going to be something serious and they went through the scan results and told us they had found a lump and that was pretty hard to hear, a big kick in the guts,” Mr McAleer said.

Lucy was diagnosed just three days after her eighth birthday with a rare form of brain cancer known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

It is the most aggressive of all childhood cancers because it is not well-contained, meaning it grows into other tissues and cancer cells mix with healthy cells in the body.

Right now, DIPG is incurable and the only form of treatment is radiotherapy.

“That’s as far as we are looking ahead for the moment because that will hopefully shrink the tumour and reduce some of the symptoms Lucy was having,” Mr McAleer said.

“After that first round of treatment, we will see how successful it has been and there are other things we can explore beyond that like different types of treatments and medical trials which we haven’t delved too deeply into yet, we’re just waiting to see how the radiotherapy goes and then we’ll take the next steps.”

In as little as three weeks, two GoFundMe pages had been set up for the McAleer family and in that short amount of time over $50,000 had been donated to support them.

There is a sisterly bond like no other between Lucy, Amelia and Olivia McAleer. 246601 “It’s overwhelming and very humbling.

I knew once it was out there, that all of the people that know Nicole and I, that it would get some traction but we just weren’t expecting how fast it would happen and how much some people would donate, that was what really blew us away,” Mr McAleer said.

“It’s given us real peace of mind knowing that in the times ahead, we won’t run into financial trouble.

“It’s just a really nice reassurance that we’ll be ok and there’s so many people out there that care about our family and we know not everyone gets that level of support in situations like this, so we feel very grateful and very touched.”

And the support hasn’t stopped there.

Family and friends have banded together to cook meals, babysit Olivia and Amelia and have even helped homeschool Olivia during remote learning.

Having the community’s support has helped Mr and Mrs McAleer stay positive throughout the process of hospital visits, doctors appointments and knowing Lucy’s diagnosis, without focusing on the what ifs.

“We’re trying not to think too far ahead and just taking each day as it comes is the best way to do it. Knowing that we’ve got a lot of support is huge and just being extremely hopeful for our little girl and that she will be the miracle child that gets through this,” Mrs McAleer said. “[We’re] just focusing on the good things, the fact that Lucy is reasonably healthy despite the little things that come with this, just feeling tired and groggy and a bit worn out but she is still the same old Lucy more or less and still doing things that she enjoys,” Mr McAleer added.

Around 20 children are diagnosed with DIPG in Australia each year and unfortunately, there is a zero per cent survival rate.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS “I think this has affected a lot of people in the community, they’ve never heard of this like us, this type of brain tumor is new to us but it has really brought everyone together as a community,” Mrs McAleer said.

“I think it just highlights the reality of brain cancer and that it is not always up there in the discussions where other cancers are and the fact that this is one of the rarest types and it’s happening to a child as well, we’d just like to see more awareness raised,” Mr McAleer said.

“We just want to acknowledge everyone that’s come out and supported us, not only locally but people we don’t know directly, who are total strangers to us but have heard of our story through mutual connections and have donated and donated quite a bit, even people overseas as well, it’s really broken through a lot of those barriers and the response has been great, so we just want to say a big thank you to everyone.”

Council plea for federal funding for storm recovery Yarra Ranges Council is calling on the federal government to lend a supportive hand to Yarra Ranges communities who continue to suffer following the 9 June storms and multiple lockdowns.

According to council, the “conservative estimate” of funds needed for full storm recovery sits at $65 million, however this estimate was gathered prior to secondary impact assessments that provided a deeper understanding of the widespread destruction.

A dedicated recovery team has been established by council at a cost that council “simply can’t manage on it’s own”.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Fiona McAllister said that the scale of the widespread damage inflicted on homes, buildings and public assets including roads, water, gas and telecommunications infrastructure has never been experienced before and is complex.

“The recovery from this storm event could take up to three years, and we are still uncovering new challenges and hurdles as the fullscale impact of the event becomes clearer,” Cr McAllister said.

“We are appreciative of the joint state and federal funding delivered so far, for Bushfire Recovery Victoria to assist residents with clearing trees from private properties that have been damaged.

“However, there remains a huge financial gap in resourcing and support equally many tens of millions of dollars even by conservative estimates. We simply can not do this alone and need other levels of government to mailcommunity.com.au

This tree was uprooted and fell on a house during the June storms. commit money and resources to support our communities,” she said.

According to council, the majority of residents affected by the storms fall outside the eligibility criteria for the current funding program, leaving council to face the “enormous and urgent” job of cleaning up debris ahead of the next bushfire season.

If state and federal governments don’t step up support, council risks having to di-

vert resources from other critical community services and infrastructure.

Council is also calling on the federal government to address telecommunications issues as a matter of priority given 34 communities lost mobile and NBN service during the storm Almost two months later, NBN service is yet to be reinstated in some parts of the hills.

“The telecommunications outages were

extremely distressing. During and after the storm, many residents were unable to contact 000 for assistance, unable to access emergency information or even reach out to their loved ones,” Cr McAllister said.

“Mobile phone service is vital in an emergency, and the consequences of no service can be catastrophic. We’ve been working with our community over the last 12 months to understand how we can strengthen telecommunications in our region, but we urgently need the Federal Government to drive improvements across 000 and NBN services now.”

Cr McAllister also highlighted the huge toll that the storm has taken on local businesses, compounding the impact felt from multiple COVID-19 lockdowns and resulting in a huge downturn in visitation to the region.

“Yarra Ranges is a hugely important part of the state’s, and indeed the country’s, tourism industry,” Cr McAllister said.

“We attract over seven million visitors each year and generate $620 million annually for the state, but the storm on top of the lockdowns has meant that many of our amazing local businesses are now struggling to stay afloat.

“We need targeted support, including financial support, that drives local tourism so our businesses can remain open, our local people can remain in their jobs, and we can maintain the significant contribution our region makes to the local, state and national economies.”

Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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MAIL 7

THE LOWDOWN Q&A Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I was a TV reporter with Win News in Shepparton for the past 3.5 years.

What are you most passionate about?

The environment and sustainability.

Did you always want to become a journalist?

No, I first studied fashion styling.

Following this, I realised I had a passion to write and then my desire grew to become a journalist.

What do you love about being a journalist?

Learning everyday and meeting some very inspiring people who are making an impact.

What would your last meal be?

Seafood of any kind.

What was your most memorable moment?

I got married in the Yarra Valley in April, definitely a dream come true and very fortunate it could finally go ahead.

What was your favourite subject in school?

Drama and art, certainly was a tie between the two.

What event past or present would you like to witness?

Elvis Presley or Johnny Cash live in concert.

Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Audrey Hepburn, Johnny Cash, June Carter and my husband Daniel.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I’m somewhat addicted to American Dad at the moment, the alien Roger really makes me giggle.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

Vintage and op shop obsessed.

Have you had a pet that has made an impact on your life?

Yes, and she’s still making an impact on my life. Fifi, a 12-year-old pomeranian.

with Star News Group digital editor Renee Wood

Renee Wood, digital editor for Star News Group. 246836 If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

Pumpkin lasagne.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

New Orleans.

What were you like as a kid?

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Loud and adventurous.

What is your favourite colour and why?

I can’t choose just one - blue, pink and green.

Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert?

It depends on what day. Extrovert on a Friday, introvert on a Sunday.

THREE … ways to increase your super

1

Make extra contributions Your employer is required to pay money into your super fund at a rate of 9.5 per cent of your salary but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your own contributions.

You can contribute up to $25,000 in concessional contributions (pre-tax contributions like what your employer pays and salary sacrifice). You can also contribute another $100,000 a year in nonconcessional contributions.

2

Consider upping your level of risk Switching from a balanced portfolio to one with a little more risk offers the potential for higher returns. It’s important to remember that a higher return does carry a higher level of risk so be sure to consider your situation.

This is usually better for people who are still a long way from retirement.

3

Consolidate your super While this won’t change the amount being contributed to your super, it will stop you losing money from your balance. Having multiple super accounts can mean you’re paying multiple sets of fees which will eat away at your retirement balance. Consolidating these accounts means you will only be paying one set of fees.

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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NEWS

ADVERTORIAL

Mates take on bike ride

By Taylah Eastwell Two mates are gearing up to pedal a 537-kilometre route through the Grampians as part of the Great Victorian Bike Ride.

Kallista’s Tommy McBride, 16, and longtime pal Marco, from Menzies Creek, have vowed to traverse the winding roads of the Grampians as part of the biggest multi-day ride in the southern hemisphere.

The nine-day bike riding holiday is broken up by a bit of fun, with riders camping with around 3,000 other cyclists at the end of each day.

Starting in Rainbow on Saturday 27 November, riders will travel through the picturesque countryside of Brim, Horsham, Halls Gap, Dunkeld and Pomonal before finishing in Great Western at Seppelt Winery – averaging around 80km each day.

The boys will be joined on the ride with Marco’s dad, Dom, and his friend Derrick.

The group canoed together down the Glenelg River in April and are looking forward to riding together for their next adventure.

Tommy and Marco are both avid bike riders, having rode to the nearest town within their 5km radius during lockdown to buy fish and chips for lunch.

They both love riding around the Hills and getting outdoors.

The mountain bike trails around the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is where most of their fun is had.

“I love riding the mountain bike trails around the Dandenong Ranges and in particular Silvan as well as Lysterfield Lake MTB Track,” Tommy said.

“Anything that challenges me and pushes me and gives me that adrenaline rush – I love the jumps – its awesome. Buxton is great fun too and we’re looking forward to getting up to the Warby trail when it is opened,” he added.

Tommy said it is disappointing that the June 9 storms destroyed parts of the Silvan trails.

“The destruction is extreme. Hopefully it will be cleaned up so we can get back to it as it’s healthy being outdoors doing something I really enjoy,” Tommy said.

Yarra Valley Legal are a wife and husband team, Tahli and Steven (Tahli is the Principal Lawyer and Steven is the Office Admin & Accounts) based in the Yarra Valley and opened up their business in May this year.

Tommy and mate Marco are participating in the 37th annual Great Victorian Bike Ride this November.

For Marco, the best tracks are found at Lysterfield Lake or along the Warburton Trail where he and his dad did the Eastern 80 charity ride when he was in Grade Six. “The trail runs from Warburton to Lilydale and out to Yering Station in the Yarra Valley and all up is 47.5km one way. It’s mostly flat but has a lot of different scenery so it’s a really pretty and an interesting ride and there are places to stop for coffee or something to eat,” Marco said.

The riders will camp after each day of riding with around 3,000 other participants.

Participants will traverse through the Grampians National Park and pass a number of art silos.

It will also include a ride out of Horsham to arts hub Natimuk and a rest day in Halls Gap, offering the full chance to slow down and see Victoria from the seat of a bicycle.

For more information, you can visit greatvic.com.au

Councils shine a light on ageism in the workplace Yarra Ranges Council is shining a spotlight on age discrimination in the workplace.

Mayor of Yarra Ranges, Cr Fiona McAllister, said reports show that age discrimination in the workplace is very common and potentially increasing.

“We are shining a spotlight on this issue as part of a broader campaign to tackle ageism across the region in conjunction with six other councils and the Inner East Primary Care Partnership,” Cr McAllister said.

“Ageism is stereotyping, discrimination and mistreatment based solely on a person’s age. It is fuelled by negative attitudes and beliefs about what it means to be older.

“Ageism in the workplace comes from these same false beliefs and incorrect perceptions that older people have less to offer than younger people.

“A survey conducted by the Australian HR Institute with the Australian Human Rights Commission found that up to 30 per cent of employers are reluctant to hire workers over a certain age, and that age was 50 for more than two thirds of the survey group.

“An inquiry by the Australian Human Rights Commission found that negative beliefs and stereotypes of older workers led to discriminatory workplace behaviours

during recruitment and in decisions about training, promotions and retirement.

“This type of discrimination in the workplace has a major impact on older people, including financial, physical and mental affects. According to the ABS, not being able to get a job is one of the highest personal stressors for people aged 45 to 84.”

Cr McAllister said raising this important issue will increase awareness of ageism in the workplace and start the conversation among the many fantastic businesses in our region.

“I think we all agree that workers should be treated equally and hired, fired, promoted and rewarded based on their ability to do the job, not their age,” Cr McAllister said.

The campaign is called Tackling Ageism Together: EveryAGE Counts in Melbourne’s East, and is coordinated by the Inner East Primary Care Partnership with support from the Victorian Government.

The seven councils involved are Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges. The campaign also ties into and supports the national EveryAGE Counts campaign.

For more information visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/tacklingageism

Tahli graduated with a Bachelor of Law (Hons) from Deakin University in 2016 and completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law in 2016.

They have created a law firm which offers a personal touch and more flexibility - because, especially in today’s world, people are time poor. They don’t have an office like most law firms, instead they go to their clients, either their house or a local cafe, or wherever they feel the most comfortable. They can also organise to meet with clients outside of the Yarra Valley too. This is great for people with limited mobility, parents with young children, those in hospital or aged care, and people who just generally lead busy lives! Having no office means reduced overheads, which means they can keep their fees at competitive rates. They also offer flexible times for appointments and more ways to get in touch with them to book appointments or ask questions, like after standard business hours through social media.

At Yarra Valley Legal they can help you with everything to do with Wills and Estates, which includes: Drafting Wills, Drafting Powers of Attorney, Probate & Letters of Administration, contesting an estate, as well as helping with the Guardianship & Administration process.

They provide these services at their client’s homes.

Tahli has been a practising lawyer in Wills and Estates law for about four years and has also worked in general law firms before becoming a qualified lawyer. She has worked for law firms in the eastern suburbs and in the Yarra Valley both before and after becoming a qualified lawyer.

Tahli and Steve are trying to make the law (at least the Wills and Estates areas that they work in) accessible to more people. They want to make sure that people understand their Wills and understand what their lawyer is saying to them (a low bar, but unfortunately, one that isn’t being met by a lot of lawyers).

Tahli wants her clients to understand clearly what she is saying, so she does not use complicated language.

“It is really important to me that when our discussion/appointment is over my clients do not feel overwhelmed,” she said.

If your Will is something you have been meaning to do – like many - for your peace of mind - now is the time, please contact Tahli at Yarra Valley Legal for a general chat, friendly advice, or to book your appointment at a convenient time and place that suits you.

DO YOU HAVE A WILL? Something that we all put off....

Now is the time to make that call

• • • • •

Drafting Wills Drafting Powers of Attorney Probate & Letters of Administration Contesting an Estate Guardianship & Administration

Call now to discuss a convenient appointment time from the comfort of your own home.

Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm (03) 5929 7010 |

info@yarravalleylegal.com.au 12506989-JW34-21

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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MAIL 9

OPINION

The three creeks Badger, Chum and Myer creeks; three distinct areas each with their own characteristics and allegiances form, with the central business and residential area of the town, the vibrant and progressive town of Healesville.

In the space available I am able to only touch on their history, development and features. Myers (originally Meyers) Creek is believed to have been named for a Charles Meyer, one of the earliest residents in the district. At the time, Meyers Creek road was but a winding track linking Toolangi to Healesville.

The Toolangi community consisted mainly of timber workers and farmers. Later, to enable the timber and palings from his mills to reach Healesville railway station, Thomas Crowley built a tramway, opened with great fanfare in 1900, replacing the hazardous journey of the bullock teams from Toolangi to Yarra Glen.

During the 1920s and 1930s Myers Creek, with its dozen or more guesthouses was an important part of Healesville’s tourist boom, visitors being attracted by the lush vegetation, abundant tree ferns, small twinkling creeks and waterfalls and its scenic views.

Today, Myers Creek road is an attractive winding road linking the farming and horticultural community with Healesville.

Chum Creek, on the opposite side of the range to Myers Creek, was ‘opened up’ for settlement in 1892 when 200 ‘orchard blocks’ were made available. For many years the settlers were ‘a struggling lot’ with their land not

Looking

back Bryn Jones

Healesville and District Historical Society president very productive and with access to Healesville only by an often unusable and precipitous track, ankle deep in mid-winter, rutted and dusty in summer. Gradually conditions improved, and by the late 1930s Chum Creek boasted a long established school, a post office, a recreational lake, a cricket team and a fire brigade. But over the years it has suffered its share of setbacks, including fires, flood and economic depression.

Today, however, many of the thousand inhabitants live on acreage. Its primary school is thriving, there are a number of small businesses along its length, and the well-made road between Healesville and Toolangi is a pleasant scenic drive through well-timbered country.

Both the Myers and the Chum were originally part of Eltham Shire and did not join the Shire of Healesville until 1912.

A number of scattered farms existed in the area, now called Badger Creek, in the 1880s;

Badger Creek Church. but its development as a community began with a government decision, under the Settlement on Lands Act of 1893, to settle the unemployed on land revoked from Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve in 1894.

A great sense of ‘community’ developed vividly in 1913 when the inhabitants worked together to ‘build a church in a day’. Sadly, the 1926 bushfires destroyed it in just 15 minutes.

During the 1920s and 1930s and even later its many guesthouses – some set in picturesque locations – were popular with guests from Melbourne.

Today, with a population of over 1500, its thriving primary school, a community hall, the fire brigade, the sanctuary and a number of grassroots organisations create a strong sense of community.

A fantastical history of man versus nature Warning: Here’s a 600-page book that’s absolutely unputdownable. Be prepared to have ohso-worth-it sore arms as Andrew McGahan’s The Rich Man’s House keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the day and late into the night.

Winner of the 2019 Aurealis Award for Best Horror Novel, The Rich Man’s House was McGahan’s eleventh and final novel. The Miles Franklin Award-winning author spent the last weeks of his life finishing the book, before dying of pancreatic cancer.

The result is a haunting piece of speculative fiction featuring The Wheel, an unearthly mountain towering over the freezing Antarctic waters south of Tasmania. Since its discovery in 1642, the 25,000-metre geographical goliath of a mountain has defeated numerous climbers from across the world. It’s quite a thrill to read its masterfully constructed history.

Only one man has ever stood atop the mountain’s apex, known as the Hand of God. Decades later, Walter Richman, now a reclusive billionaire, painstakingly builds a mansion on the highest point of a neighbouring island. Whether the Observatory is Richman’s way to pay tribute to The Wheel as his greatest adversary, or to mock it as a subdued prey,

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN is impossible to know. But there’s something wrong with the Observatory, as Rita Gausse, daughter of the architect who designed it and subsequently died there, finds out upon her arrival. It is here, cut off from the outside world, that Gausse acutely feels – and fears – the ferocious, omnipresent and forever-patient forces of Mother Nature that she has long been sensitive to.

As the story unfolds, we see why Richman so insists that Rita is there to witness his final showdown against The Wheel. Reaching the story’s ending somehow feels like seeing a tsunami coming – something that is cataclysmic and catastrophic, completely predictable yet ultimately and overwhelmingly terrifying.

LETTERS Feedback for council Delighted with the walking path re-furbishment at the Healesville Recreation Reserve.

This is a well used community resource and the recently completed work is greatly appreciated by my wife and I, and no doubt by the many other regular dog walkers and ramblers.

Not at all happy with the stinky and unsanitary drains on the rest of our dog-walking route, via Toora Crescent and Lewis St. Untreated grey water (and maybe septic tank overflows) continue to pour into the open roadside gutters on these two streets in a manner reminiscent of the 1960 and early 1970s.

Why is it still happening? It is third-world, primitive and unhygienic. You (Council) may simply say that it is a Yarra Valley Water or drainage authority problem. Your ratepayers don’t care, they simply want it fixed. There are financial vehicles available to make this possible (separate rate schemes, for example).

It is particularly obnoxious in the case of Lewis Road as there is a modern sewer line at the end of the street.

One could suggest that the problem be rolled into street construction schemes (funded by separate rate schemes) for each 10 MAIL

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

Infinite has finite appeal

The Rich Man’s House is a microcosm of the history of man vs. nature. To this reviewer, it reads like an author’s fearless attempt to confront death. McGahan was careful to apologise in his Preface in case of any rushed or unfinished writing. Indeed, at least one critic has complained the novel “reads like an earlier draft of a more mature work”.

However, the raw and often brutal emotions detected throughout the pages are perhaps clues that help us comprehend the author’s anger, pain and frustration in the face of an untimely death.

While an artist’s ego may inspire them to triumph over death through art, a true artist would antagonise, amend and even alleviate the curious need of humans to dominate.

It is in between these two pursuits that conflicts arise and are explicitly conveyed in McGahan’s last writing. In the same way that The Wheel is so ingrained in the world of the novel that it feels real, we are reminded that no amount of scientific and technological advancement can replace or reconstruct a meaningful life.

A true page-turner, The Rich Man’s House calls for our respect, for ourselves, each other and the ancient, natural world.

Infinite Starring Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sophie Cookson Rated M Infinite is a flat, unimaginative sci-fi action movie that clearly copied a better movie’s homework.

Evan (Mark Wahlberg), a troubled man with certain innate talents, joins a society of reincarnated individuals who can recall their past lives, and must regain his own memories to avert the end of the world.

Wahlberg is serviceable but unmemorable, delivering yet another wisecracking tough guy performance. The dialogue is contrived and drowning in dry spoken exposition. Evan’s vague quest to regain his memories is visually confusing, and builds to a very silly twist.

Infinite is extremely derivative of The Matrix, down to character archetypes and plot beats, with Bathurst’s (a charismatic but underwritten Chiwetel Ejiofor) desire to break the cycle of reincarnation feeling a little too similar to Agent Smith’s desire to leave the Matrix.

Unlike The Matrix, Infinite’s action is unsatisfying. There are only two decent but all-too-short fight scenes, and most of the action sequences lack a clear sense of direction and somehow look perilous but feel easy.

The film’s own ideas sabotage its suspense: if the main characters can reincarnate, and the villains’ Dethroner weapon disables reincarnation but stores its victims’ souls on a chip, then no-one is really in any tangible danger.

Moreover, recontextualising schizophrenia as a superpower feels patronising toward real people with schizophrenia.

Poorly-written and generic, Infinite holds finite – and very limited – appeal, and is available on iTunes.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

CARTOON street, but don’t let that be the determining factor. The rectification of this unsatisfactory and unsanitary effluent issue is an urgent issue. If these drains smell this bad on cold winter mornings, just wait until the weather warms up and the smell intensifies.

Neil Roberts, Healesville

Free the Outer East Why have our local politicians disappeared? I have not heard a word from them to support us in these lockdowns.

Our region has not had a COVID report for 180 days, yet the Labor Government locks us down. Residents in Gisborne 60km from Melbourne CBD have been released yet they are only 20km from the COVID hot spots.

In our region we behave ourselves, obey the rules yet it seems in the Northern and Western Suburbs they don’t abide by the rules and regulations. However Yarra Valley /Dandenongs must reap the lockdowns from others actions.

The Deputy Labor Leader/James Merlino, he had plenty to say while Dan was ill, now our representative has gone missing.

Brian C, Upwey mailcommunity.com.au

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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MAIL 11

NEWS

Councils unite over issue in public activities and events

same access to right of reply and ap· the peals/complaint mechanisms as any mem-

SLEEPING ROUGH

ber of the public

backgrounds and needs that should · diverse be considered in any response with sensitiv-

IN THE RANGES a safe and secure home. The Councils’ mayors have also offered their support.

The guide outlines the problem and possible solutions based on current best practice.

It draws on evidence-based research about the value of social housing across the local government sector and communities, with an emphasis on the ‘Housing First’ model.

Housing First is based on consumer choice, harm minimisation, human rights and collaboration. It relies on adequate housing supply and coordinated support services.

Any Council can use the guide to reflect, better understand the Housing First model and see how others approach the issue.

Mayor of Yarra Ranges, Cr Fiona McAllister, said that the Councils had come together to seek change and help improve the supply of permanent, safe, appropriate and timely housing for those who need it.

Cr McAllister said the joint approach allowed for the sharing of ideas between Councils and the development of protocols, resources, community education and advocacy for more social housing for each region.

The Councils have also welcomed the recent $5.3 billion Victorian Government investment in social housing.

“There is no doubt that homelessness is on the increase and the impacts of the pandemic Tuesday, 27 July, 2021

Truckies tested by Covid rules

Traders feel the pain of lockdown

PAGE 3

PAGE 7

Foraging for fungi brings joy PAGE 9

A Star News Group Publication

PROPERTY GUIDE Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

Carpark concern

By Taylah Eastwell Upwey residents feel they have been left in the dark about an elaborate plan to turn half the local school oval into car parking.

Residents neighbouring the school grounds received a notice three weeks ago informing them VicTrack would be building a carpark halfway across the oval space as an “overflow” parking area while a new 640-space multideck is constructed at nearby Belgrave station.

Upwey resident Celina Korcak is concerned about losing what she describes as a “community space“ and says there has been a concerning lack of community consultation.

“There hasn’t been any consultation, it’s just happening and no one knows about it,” she said.

“At the moment people use it to walk their dogs and play, so it has been a shared space for a very long time,” Ms Korcak said.

“On a Sunday afternoon, it’s where people meet and let their dogs off and exercise, and this is going to change that whole aspect.

Ms Korcak said the notice from Yarra Ranges Council only gave residents until 21 July to give feedback, however council is still taking submissions.

According to planning documents, the temporary carpark is estimated to cost $2,060,000 and will occupy the eastern half of the Upwey High School oval near Upwey Recreation Reserve oval.

A report by the engineering and construction consultant, GHD, states that the objective of the project is to “construct infrastructure to be used temporarily by commuters during construction of the replacement carpark at Belgrave, while constructing new infrastructure for the Upwey Schools, including foot-

Upwey residents feel they have been left in the dark about plans to turn half the high school oval into makeshift parking. Celina Korcak and her children (centre) surrounded by fellow concerned Upwey residents. 244647 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS paths, fencing, lighting, drainage and an upgraded oval”.

The site is said to be managed by the Department of Education.

“In conjunction with the temporary works, the project is also to allow for the hardstand areas to remain as a permanent feature for

later use by the Upwey Schools and the existing ovals are to be replaced with one larger, upgraded oval,” the GHD document states.

Ms Korcak said at the moment, the view of the oval from her home is as an inviting green space.

“When we view out the window it’s just a

green space at the moment, and a lot of other residents would see that as well. This wasn’t a concept when we brought the property, I know it will be good for the sporting club but I’m not sure what it means for the future,” Ms Korcak said.

Continued page 7

AMANDA CHARLES

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Valley postcard

By Jed Lanyon

Postcards host Shane Crawford and Yarra Valley Gateway Estate co-owner Brett Spurling. basket full of strawberries at Yarra Valley Gateway Estate in Coldstream.

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The Yarra Valley had a special visitor recently as Hawthorn legend Shane Crawford journeyed to the region for the latest episode of Postcards.

The Brownlow Medal winner made a few stops along the way to the Valley, visiting The Sebel Melbourne in Ringwood, before continuing down the Maroondah Highway to pick strawberries at Yarra Valley Gateway Estate. He capped off a day-trip by enjoying a nice drop at Fergusson Winery and Restaurant in Yarra Glen.

Speaking to Star Mail, Mr Crawford said he is a regular visitor to the Valley and that it makes for the perfect escape from city life.

“I enjoy it anytime I get to work out that way, I’m always discovering new parts. It’s beautiful and connected to the city in that it’s very easy for people to get out there and enjoy all the rolling hills and find all the hidden treasures as you go along.

“I went to Fergusson Winery, which has been there for a long, long time and it’s just a nice little winery on about 10 acres and was nice to enjoy. Even in the middle of winter, I still enjoy going to the wineries and checking them out.

“One thing I’d like to do more is just go exploring. To just get in the car and go wherever it takes me because there’s so much to discover. I know a lot of people go out there to the wineries to have a look around, but I think if you just get in the car and go in whichever direction you feel, you won’t be disappointed.

“There’s something for everyone of all ages from young kids to a couple having a romantic weekend away. It’s like a hamburger with the lot, I suppose it just depends on which direction you go and what you’re looking for.”

‘Crawf’ enjoyed the opportunity to pick a

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12496493-NG22-21

Testing residents

Conditions apply

which since the railway construction started, can get quite congested during peak times.

The other two main roads are Mooroolbark Road and Hull Road. Roadworks on Hull Road due to the building of the Kinley estate have reduced it to one lane with traffic control operators and the Mooroolbark Road/Hull Road bridge is notorious for queues of traffic during peak hours.

“If there was an outbreak in this area in the Yarra Ranges, this whole neighbourhood here would come to a complete standstill and you would not be able to get in or out,” Mr McCausland said.

Having contacted Yarra Ranges Council, Mr McCausland said it appears as though a traffic management plan wasn’t completed prior to the site being set up.

“It really does sort of sound like they just put it there and haven’t thought about it properly,” he said.

“I’m not anti testing, I think we do need testing sites but where [it is], it’s in a terrible location which is going to cause a lot of havoc.”

Not only are residents concerned about the risk of increased traffic in the area but the risk of aerosol transmission of the virus.

“The stories that were on the news about the cases that were contracted at AAMI Park and the MCG, there are people testing positive now who weren’t even sitting near them, so that says to me aerosol,” Mr McCausland said.

“And the fact that no one, with a fence line that borders onto it, is vaccinated either, so if you’re going to put a testing site in a residential area why don’t you look at the health risks of what could potentially happen.”

Continued page 9

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

12497602-NG23-21

By Mikayla Van Loon Residents living on and near Wyuna Walk in Mooroolbark are outraged after not being consulted about a new drive through Covid-19 testing clinic that was set up in the middle of a housing estate.

A letter informing residents of a ‘proposed’ Covid testing site was received two days after construction had already started on Monday 5 July, with the opening date of Friday 9 July.

Wyuna Walk resident Tom McCausland said only receiving notification about the site after construction had already started was quite shocking.

“The fact that it said ‘proposed’ but it was already commencing, it was like a slap in the face,” Mr McCausland said.

Another resident whose back fence is only metres away from the testing clinic, Cameron Hunter said he was shocked and angered by the decision to put a testing clinic so close to people’s houses.

“The fact that it just blindsided us and came out of nowhere and then just the general lack of consultation or thought for the community doesn’t seem right,” Mr Hunter said.

“It seems like an easy way out for somebody, the line ‘ask for forgiveness rather than permission’ rings quite true with this here, that someone has made a call without consulting the people around them.”

Mr McCausland said there are a number of issues relating to the site but one of the major ones is the potential for increased traffic in a residential area, which is already surrounded by congested main roads.

Wyuna Walk has a number of access points coming in from main roads. The most direct route is by entering off Manchester Road,

Tanks help the platypus

Tuesday, 27 July, 2021

Lilydale

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and recent storm event in the Yarra Ranges has compounded the situation,” Cr McAllister said.

“As a collective group of councils, we have the local knowledge and expertise to make a difference to the rising issue of homelessness, so to be able to join forces like this and share ideas and experiences is a great outcome.

“Everyone has the right to - and deserves safe housing and a home and as councils we have a responsibility to make it happen.”

The guide encourages a whole of Council approach to homelessness based on human rights, including everyone’s right to a safe and affordable home, while protecting public places and spaces.

Yarra Ranges Council’s Homelessness Protocol is also featured in the guide. Council’s protocol has been developed using principles that are based on human rights.

The protocol outlines that people who are homeless and/or sleeping rough have: the same entitlement as any member of the public to be in public places, and participate

ity and respect Yarra Ranges Council’s protocol also defines homelessness and outlines when it is appropriate for its officers to respond.

The guide follows initial research that the City of Monash commissioned through the Council to Homeless Persons: Making a difference – effective local government responses to homelessness.

It found Councils were well placed to address homelessness as by-laws officers, parks staff or contractors often interacted with people sleeping rough on public land and facilities.

Often out of concern, local businesses and residents are also likely to contact Councils’ customer service staff to report people experiencing homelessness.

The resulting Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter (Charter) was endorsed by the 13 Charter Group councils, the Eastern Region Group of Councils and Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance.

It aims to address the urgent need for more social housing and a more effective, integrated and supported homelessness service system.

The charter’s four principles include: Human rights and ‘Housing First’. Through this: Housing is a human right for every person.

Local government can influence an increase in social housing in our region Participating councils commit to working with the homelessness sector on a Housing First response.

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The number of homeless men, women and children is growing in suburban areas and COVID-19 has further impacted the vulnerability of those who sleep rough without a safe place to call home.

Yarra Ranges Council is among 13 eastern and south eastern municipalities uniting to address homelessness with a best practice guide launched during Homelessness Week, the Housing First for People Sleeping Rough Practice Guide for Local Government.

More than 116,000 Australians and almost 25,000 Victorians were homeless on any given night pre-COVID-19 (ABS 2016 Census*), including 7,490 across the 13 municipalities and 360 in Yarra Ranges. Council staff have since noticed more people experiencing homelessness in the suburbs.

The 13 eastern and south eastern Council CEOs formed the Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter Group in late 2019 to end homelessness and advocate for more social housing. The 2016 Census found 32 per cent of Victorians without a home lived in this region.

Led by Monash CEO Dr Andi Diamond and endorsed by all 13 CEOs, the Charter Group Councils recognise the growing need for suburban and local government advocacy for our most vulnerable through improved supports and more permanent and safe housing.

The municipalities include Bayside Council, the City of Casey, City of Cardinia, Frankston City Council, City of Greater Dandenong, Knox City Council, City of Kingston, Manningham City Council, City of Monash, Maroondah City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire, City of Whitehorse, and Yarra Ranges Council.

Housing First for People Sleeping Rough Practice Guide for Local Government acknowledges that homelessness is a complex issue requiring a triage of support including mental health, but the first step needs to be providing

Water authorities will be turning to Melburnians to help with a novel system of ‘smart’ rainwater tanks and urban lakes that can provide crucial water to support platypus habitat when it’s most needed – just before the breeding season.

Platypus in Victoria have disappeared from many urban areas due to habitat loss and modification, but some populations still exist across outer Melbourne, including Monbulk Creek in the Yarra Ranges.

A new water system from the University of Melbourne’s Waterways Ecosystem Research Group, Melbourne Water, South East Water and the Yarra Ranges Council is set to improve the odds for platypuses in Monbulk Creek.

“There’s often not enough water in streams for platypus,” Professor Tim Fletcher, from the University of Melbourne, said.

“The loss of summer and autumn baseflow has major consequences for the platypus distribution and reproductive success, decreasing their habitat and their primary food source right at the time when female platypus need abundant nourishment to prepare them for breeding.

“On the other hand, when it rains in urban areas, runoff from hard surfaces like roofs and roads causes erosion, pollution

and loss of habitat. Between these two extremes, the platypus is caught between a rock and a hard place.”

The platypus breeds between August and September and lays two to three eggs around September-October.

Starting next year, households in catchment areas managed by Yarra Ranges Council and Melbourne Water will be offered a smart rainwater tank. Using ‘Tank Talk’ flow control technology developed by South East Water, the smart tank can be remotely controlled to release water to the stormwater network, to manage flows for the platypus population, and help improve broader stream health, while ensuring enough water remains for household use.

“These tanks can be programmed to release water to the stormwater network before rain events - giving the tank capacity to absorb peak flow rates during rain, reducing the risk of flooding – but also release a steady trickle of water to the creek during dry periods, to sustain flows for the platypus,” said Dr David Bergmann from South East Water.

The smart network will also include two large water storages: Belgrave Lake and Monbulk Creek Retarding Basin at Birdsland Reserve.

AUTUMN 2021 1

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NEWS

Storm worry for wildlife

By Mikayla van Loon The impacts of the storm that happened in June are far from being over and the devastation will be felt for years to come, particularly in our natural environments.

The Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association (MEEPPA) are now assessing the damage around the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve and have been consulting with Melbourne Water to start replacing lost vegetation.

MEEPPA’s president Clare Worsnop said although they can start replacing trees and shrubs, the trees that have fallen around the reserve are not going to grow back overnight.

Most of the big white gums in the reserve are manna gums which need deep soil because they are so large and solid. They can grow up to 50 metres high and take about 200 years before they start making hollows for wildlife.

“So that’s why these big forest giants are so important because they provide hollows for everything from spiders and bats to kookaburras to all the parrots to all the tree dwelling creatures, the possums, the gliders, and all the powerful owls and their friends as well,” Ms Worsnop said.

“And you can’t get one of these overnight. If it comes down and you plant one this big, you’re looking at two to 300 years before it’s gonna be big enough. That’s why it’s so devastating to see so many of them down.”

The worry Ms Worsnop has is the loss of habitat for many of the creatures MEEPPA has been able to bring back to Mount Evelyn through specialist vegetation planting.

“We just can’t afford to lose any more [trees] because our wildlife is threatened as it is because there’s just not enough homes for them to breed and to live.”

Not only is it the gums that have fallen but many of the wattle trees have also come down in the storms.

Wattle tree nectar is an essential food source for yellow bellied gliders which are endangered but were recently discovered in the reserve by MEEPPA after being absent for 50 years.

The reserve has experienced two major storm events in the last two years.

Close to 60 per cent of the larger gum trees along Tramway Road fell in 2020, which was made worse by the storm on 9 June “I think these storms you’ve got to say, have got to be from climate change because we never used to get wind this way,” Ms Worsnop said.

A change in wind direction means the root systems of many of the trees are not prepared to stabilise themselves in the opposite direction causing them to fall.

But natural destruction of the reserve is not the only threat to the wildlife at the moment.

The redevelopment of the sports pavilion will remove much of the vegetation that MEEPPA has worked hard to plant over the last 15 years which has been instrumental in the return of the bandicoot to the reserve for the

Clare Worsnop is concerned about the bandicoots, yellow bellied gliders and every other creature that lives in Mount Evelyn’s Recreation Reserve.

Pictures: MIKAYLA VAN LOON first time in 60 years.

“We don’t want to stop them from having decent upgraded facilities but we don’t want our work to be destroyed and the habitat and the wonder of what we’ve got. With all these storms, every piece of vegetation is so much more important,” Ms Worsnop said.

With all the fallen trees and loss of habitat, MEEPPA will be monitoring animals to see if they remain in the area.

Although hopeful there will be some natural revegetation, they will also work with local plant supply companies to replant what has been lost to provide the right plants for certain animals to live.

“We have to start looking at climate change seriously and we have to start looking at what vegetation is allowed to be removed, what’s got to stay, what’s got to be replaced to make sure we keep these very special places for our wildlife and for our youth and their children and grandchildren.

“It’s heartbreaking seeing this. I know it’s nature but we’ve caused a lot of it ourselves by removing vegetation, not understanding what we’re doing.”

Large root balls and logs of fallen trees don’t even begin to show the extent of the devastation in the reserve.

Fight for better telecommunication services continues

By Taylah Eastwell Yarra Ranges Council is once again advocating to the state government to vastly improve telecommunications services in the region, with the impacts of lockdowns and recent wild weather amplifying connectivity issues.

With parts of the shire facing the yearround threat of severe weather events, better mobile and broadband accessibility for the region is vital, with recent storm events in the Dandenongs leaving many communities off the grid - unable to reach 000 or loved ones in their time of need.

The Star Mail understands that over two months since the June 9 storms, there are still around 700 NBN services yet to be restored.

Mayor Fiona McAllister said addressing the connectivity issues across Yarra Ranges has been critical for years and needs to be fixed, not just to help residents in emergency situations but also in everyday life with local mailcommunity.com.au

Yarra Ranges Council is continuing to advocate for improved telecommunications in the Dandenongs. businesses and schools being impacted.

“Connectivity has long been an issue for many of our townships in Yarra Ranges, and was raised as a significant issue following Black Saturday. Again it was the number one frustration we heard from our storm im-

pacted communities when holding our poststorm community meetings,” Cr McAllister said.

“34 of our communities lost mobile and broadband service over the first three days of the June storms, meaning they didn’t know what was going on, couldn’t reach out to loved ones, access emergency information or even dial 000 for assistance.

“Two months after the storm event, NBN Co. confirmed that there are still 700 services – many of which are in the Yarra Ranges - yet to be restored, which makes things incredibly difficult when you consider so many of our residents have been working from home during the lockdowns.

Cr McAllister said it is “unacceptable that in 2021 our communities are still suffering and remain heavily disadvantaged due to poor telecommunications infrastructure.”

Council is undertaking its own study to

gain a greater understanding of the mobile and broadband difficulties in the community, including a community survey of fixed and wireless internet services in homes and businesses and blackspot testing.

“The data from our study showed that 4G service could not be accessed at 25 percent of the sites and road segments we tested, while poor network quality and mobile blackspots were concentrated around the Dandenong Ranges, tourist roads such as the Black Spur, and areas toward Beenak and Hoddles Creek,” Cr McAllister said.

A series of virtual consultations are currently underway for the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review.

The Issues Paper, consultation dates, and details on how to make a submission can be found at www.rtirc.gov.au. Written submissions should be lodged by Thursday 30 September.

Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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MAIL 13

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 042

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

2 3

8 4

9

6 1 5 7 8 5 6 4 4 6 3 9 7 6 8 2 4 3 4 3 5 9 8 7 7 5 medium

6 9 3 1 6 8 3 2 9 5 5 4 7

1 5

QUICK CROSSWORD 3 4 5 6 7

ACROSS Public assembly (5) Metallic element (9) German-speaking country (7) 10 year periods (7) German city (9) Result from (5) Sound of indigestion (3) Wielding (11) Evaluations (11) Knight’s title (3) Non-PC (5) Terrible beating (9) Clique (7) Attack (7) Utilises (10) Objects (5)

1 4 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 19 20 22 25 26 27 28

8 13 14 15 17 18 21 23 24

DOWN Dreads (5) Materials (9)

1 2

No. 042

Deserve (5) Southern US state (7) Modernised (7) Adds to (9) River flowing from Tibet to the Arabian Sea (5) Envoy (9) Sadness (9) See (9) Establish (9) Things of consequence (7) They conquered England in 1066 (7) Soak (5) Seaweed wrapped rice (5) People who favour black clothes and makeup (5)

DECODER

No. 042

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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”.

F

Today’s Aim: 12 words: Good 18 words: Very good 25 words: Excellent

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4 LETTERS AWES BYES CEDE CENT CYST EARN LAST MASS OMEN SLIM STIR UTES WATT WEST

5 LETTERS ABACK ABBEY ABUSE ACRES ADOBE ADORE ADULT AGAIN ARISE AROSE ASIDE ASPEN CALVE CEDAR COALS COBRA DUNNO ENTER ENTRY ERASE

No. 042

ESSAY GAUNT IDOLS INERT INPUT KNEES LEARN LEMON LUNAR MAMAS MIAOW NINNY NOISE NOTES OKAYS ONSET PEDAL RESET SABRE SCANS SENDS

SENSE SKIMS SNIPS SPACE SPICE STAIN TENSE TERMS TILES 6 LETTERS CHEATS ERECTS SLEETS WHILST

7 LETTERS ASHAMED BESEECH BLOCKED IMPINGE RELENTS TENABLE 8 LETTERS COUNTESS DELUSION RELOADED SUBURBAN

cede, cere, creed, decree, deer, defence, defer, DEFERENCE, erne, feed, feeder, fence, fenced, fencer, fend, fender, fern, free, freed, need, recede, reed, reef, reefed, rend

7 5 9 3 1 6 4 2 8

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1 3 4 2 5 8 6 9 7

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8 4 3 6 2 5 1 7 9

9 7 5 4 8 1 2 3 6

5 3 7 9 2 8 6 1 4

6 2 9 5 4 1 3 7 8

8 1 4 6 3 7 2 9 5

3 6 2 4 8 9 1 5 7

7 9 8 1 5 2 4 3 6

4 5 1 7 6 3 8 2 9

9 4 3 8 1 5 7 6 2

1 7 6 2 9 4 5 8 3

2 8 5 3 7 6 9 4 1

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

4

16

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3 LETTERS AGE AID ART ASH BEE CAM CAR CHI DAB EAR EGO EKE EVE EWE GEE LET LSD NAB NEE ODD PEN RYE SEE URN

WO E L AMG V F U T X Q

1 3 6 9 7 3 3 5 1 8 9 6 3 2 1 7 1 3 2 5 6

B Y K H C I Z DN R S P J

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WORDFIT

20-08-21

This week’s crossword proudly sponsored by

The Heritage Family

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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SHOP LOCAL HEALESVILLE

Organic living made easy Miss Spelt’s Organics is the largest organic health food retailer in the Yarra Valley, making healthy eating and living that little bit easier.

Carrying a large range of organic fresh fruit and vegetables, health food, allergy-free products, supplements, all natural personal care, chemical-free household and eco-friendly products, Miss Spelt’s is the one-stop-organicshop for the health conscious individual.

Owners Michelle Collins and Dilan Samathilake founded Miss Spelt’s in 2012 and since then it has only expanded into an established health food store with a vast variety of products, knowledgeable staff and great prices.

The newest addition was the bulk food and zero waste section of the store which quickly became the talk of the town when it opened in September 2020.

Offering 400 plus organic and conventional flours, seeds, grains, legumes, dried fruit, nuts, confectionery, oils, and more, which are encouraged to be collected in reusable containers brought from home for a five per cent discount.

“Our intention was to allow the community to shop plastic-free and locally to reduce carbon emissions from having to travel further.

Buying in bulk allows you to buy exactly how much you need, saving money and reducing waste,” Michelle and Dilan said.

Miss Spelt’s Organics is changing the way people shop, making a big difference to the environment and people’s wellbeing one product at a time.

Open Monday to Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am 3.30pm at 250-252 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.

To enquire about any products or to place an order, email orders@missspelts.com.au or call 5962 6470.

Miss Spelt’s Organics staff have more than 20 years experience in health food retailing and have qualifications in herbal medicine, naturopathy and nutrition.

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by Mastercard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard prepaid cards can be used at all merchants that accept Mastercard prepaid cards. Terms and conditions apply. Promoter is Fujitsu General (Aust.) Pty Limited (ABN 55 001 229 554) of 1 Telopea Place, Eastern Creek NSW 2766.

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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MAIL 15

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STEVENS GLASS

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D.G. & V.M. CLINCH 12358958-PB30-17

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• Household & Shopfront Glass Repairs • Insurance Work • Commercial & Domestic Glazing • Mirrors

• Frameless/Semi-frameless shower screens • Frameless balustrading • Splashbacks • Cut to size while you wait

Phone: 9726 6488

General Notices

2214155v11

RIDGELINE GLASS & GLAZING

SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME ROMA AVENUE ROAD GROUP, BADGER CREEK- ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS

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 10 August 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Mont Vue, Lilydale - 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.

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 10 August 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Roma Avenue Road Group, Badger Creek- 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.

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 Mont Vue, Lilydale.

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 Roma Avenue, Garibaldi Street, Omonia Drive, Old Don Road or Don Road Service Road.

A copy of the proposal to levy is available for inspection at the Yarra Ranges Council Community Link, 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale during office hours until 15 September 2021.

Hot winter specials Pensioner Discounts Pre-winter Service Specials extended till 1/9/21

12503000-AV28-21

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.

Copies of submissions (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) will be made available at the Council meeting when submissions are considered.

Copies of submissions (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) will be made available at the Council meeting when submissions are considered.

It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting to be held on 12 October 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 12 October 2021, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.

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V Landscaping

YARRA RIDGE

Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer Yarra Ranges Shire Council and can be either hand delivered to 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale, emailed to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic. 3140.

Gas Ducted Changeovers Split Systems Ducted Refrig

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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 15 September 2021. Submissions should be addressed to:

Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer Yarra Ranges Shire Council and can be either hand delivered to 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale, emailed to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic, 3140.

All major credit cards accepted

V Heating

A copy of the proposal to levy is available for inspection at the Yarra Ranges Council Community Link, 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale during office hours until 15 September 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 15 September 2021. Submissions should be addressed to:

Call your local Glass Supplier Ph/Fax: 5962 2888 Mobile: 0418 102 370 Prop. DAVID DUNCAN 24HRS - 7DAYS 16 HUNTER ROAD, HEALESVILLE

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16 MAIL

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer

www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

12508712-NG34-21

Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer

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FIREWOOD

Split & Dry Undercover Redgum and Bushwood Redgum pickup or delivery Weights and measures approved.

Provider of work cover and human services Credit card available LumbaJack

SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME OLD GIPPSLAND ROAD (WEST OF HILLSIDE COURT), LILYDALEROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS 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 10 August 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Old Gippsland Road (West of Hillside Court), Lilydale - 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.

V Firewood

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 Old Gippsland Road (West of Hillside Court), Lilydale.

A copy of the proposal to levy is available for inspection at the Yarra Ranges Council Community Link, 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale during office hours until 15 September 2021.

REDGUM FIREWOOD

A copy of the proposal to levy is available for inspection at the Yarra Ranges Council Community Link, 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale during office hours until 15 September 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 15 September 2021. Submissions should be addressed to:

$200 per metre

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 15 September 2021. Submissions should be addressed to:

Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer Yarra Ranges Shire Council and can be either hand delivered to 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale, emailed to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic, 3140.

Delivered

Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer Yarra Ranges Shire Council and can be either hand delivered to 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale, emailed to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic, 3140.

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.

0407 307 432 Find it in the

General

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.

V Pets & Services

section of Network Classifieds.

Copies of submissions (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) will be made available at the Council meeting when submissions are considered.

Copies of submissions (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) will be made available at the Council meeting when submissions are considered.

V Deaths

It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting to be held on 12 October 2021, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.

www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

V In Memoriam

STAINTON Gwendolyn Mary 11.10.1933 - 11.08.2021 Passed peacefully after a full rich personal and professional life.

Devoted wife of Alan (dec.), loving mother of Deborah, Rory and Linda and families.

Friend and muse to many.

Private cremation.

12508702-JW34-21

Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer

V Massage Therapists

Announcements

All submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Act.

It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting to be held on 12 October 2021, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.

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

ADVERTISERS in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

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.

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

12423634-SN31-19

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 Russell Road, Norman Berry Drive, Haag Road (from Russell to Howard Street) and the unconstructed section of Howard Street (from Haag Road to no.23 Howard Street).

0409 184 802 Please leave a message if phone unattended, call will be returned.

HERLIHY Lauren Another year has passed without you, You never stray far from our minds and hearts, We want you back with us, but know that can never be.

We will always love and miss you.

All our love Mum, Dad, Struan and Mitch xxxx.

1238910-LB33-16

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 10 August 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Russell Road Group, Seville - 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.

12455472-LB31-20

SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME RUSSELL ROAD GROUP, SEVILLEROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS

12492429-HC18-21

V Firewood

Employment V Positions Vacant

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Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer

www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

mailcommunity.com.au

Advertise next week in the

General Notices

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Call or visit us online!

• networkclassifieds.com.au

• Perform deliveries to site and stores; • Load and unload/or pick product to/from suppliers and for customers • Ensure loads are safe and secure • Ability to work alternate Saturday mornings • MR licence essential • Forklift licence essential

Resumes to: jobs@robotbuildingsupplies.com.au or call 9739 0856 You will be required to pass both a preemployment medical and drug alcohol screen.

Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

12508681-CG34-21

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MAIL 17

SPORT

Athletic inspiration

By Jed Lanyon Yarra Ranges Athletics is seeing a surge in new members following the Olympics, where track and field events were highlighted to a worldwide audience.

Yarra Ranges Athletics hosted after-school events for children to try out the sporting events they had just witnessed their Olympic heroes take part in.

Club president Max Savill-Bentley said it was “fantastic” to see so many new families bring their kids along to take part in the sport.

“I went down there and I was blown away by how many people there were. I thought, hang on, this isn’t a Saturday morning or a cross country event, it’s a random Monday afternoon with one coach. It was really impressive.”

Mr Savill-Bentley said the club was “lucky” to host four days of their after-school event, which was eventually cancelled following the latest lockdown. The event was an opportunity for the club to ride the wave of momentum provided by the Tokyo Olympics.

“Having recently seen the stats from other athletics clubs around the area from Athletics Victoria, you’re looking at least a 50 plus increase in members per centre and a lot of places will be seeing a 25 per cent increase, which does slowly taper off over the next few years,” Mr Savill-Bentley said.

Yarra Ranges Athletics coach Kate Downward said: “Track and field athletics is a sport that remains under the radar most of the time being overshadowed by sports that have airplay, are constantly on TV, are well funded and recognised across the community.

“Yet in the years where the Olympics or Commonwealth Games or even the world championships are on to some extent, when it hits the screens there’s certainly a renewed understanding and awakening to what a great sport it is and what a diverse sport it can be in the jumping, the running and the throwing.

“It’s a sport for all abilities and ages, no matter what background you come from or how much money you have. You only need a pair of shoes to join in.

“Here at Yarra Ranges Athletics we were super stoked to see the Aussies do so well. We have little athletics all the way to the elites and we have them locally. We know how hard it is

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Club grants Victorian sporting and recreation clubs forced to cancel or postpone events due to the current lockdown will be able to apply for cash grants to defray costs.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced that the application deadline for the State Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program has been extended to 27 August.

The current round of the program provides $2000 grants for eligible clubs and community organisations impacted by the July lockdown or the current lockdown.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said, “This is a vital lifeline for our sports clubs hit hardest by the effects of the latest restrictions, that’s why we’re getting on with extending this support.

“I encourage clubs left out of pocket to take advantage of this initiative, which is supporting clubs through these difficult times and will help when sports can safely resume.”

The grants are available to Victorian sport and active recreation organisations for irrecoverable costs due to cancelled events including cancellation fees for facilities and payments to coaches and officials, as well as the loss of perishable goods and booking fees.

The Sporting Club Grants Program is part of the Government’s commitment to make sport more accessible and inclusive, stimulate local economies, build sustainable sport and recreation and volunteer opportunities, and increase local participation.

For more information on the grants program and to apply visit: sport.vic.gov. au/grants-and-funding.

Yarra Ranges Athletics saw a boost in participation following the Olympics coverage.

Yarra Ranges Athletics offer a variety of track and field events.

Yarra Ranges Athletics members in competition.

to reach that pinnacle, so we’re super proud to see our Australian track and field team do so well.”

Mr Savill-Bentley said the club’s attention will turn to motivating young athletes to strive to represent their country at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“For our kids in the under 6, under 7, under 8 groups, in 11 years time when we have the Brisbane Olympics it’ll be their big chance to get in on the action. It’s sort of a time for us as an athletics club to look at the current juniors and how we are going to make sure kids love

athletics enough to want to go to the Olympics.

Mr Savill-Bentley said the approach for Yarra Ranges Athletics was to motivate little athletics members to achieve their own personal goals.

“We’re very much a personal best focused club.”

While metropolitan Melbourne remains in lockdown, Yarra Ranges Athletics is on the lookout for new members and registrations for the 20201-2022 season opens soon.

For more information, visit yarrarangesathletics.org.au or the club’s Facebook page.

It’s a nice stroll down the Avenue if you keep to the left The golf swing is an important dynamic in every golfer’s game. A nexus that begins from the time of picking the club up; with straight arms whilst standing astride a motionless golf ball positioned on the ground between the stance.

The physics of the swing comprises of an angular motion of the torso, about a balanced fixed point, allowing the club to climb to a cocked position and return along the same path generating speed, velocity, acceleration, momentum, mass transference, torque, kinetic energy and centripetal force into a ball and onwards into a follow through.

Understanding the physics of the golf swing is one thing. The other is perfecting it’s practice to create the muscle memory necessary to execute the technique time and time again and most importantly, under the pressure of competition.

If ever proof was needed, you only have to play a round of golf with Grant Handasyde, a member of the RACV club for longer than he can recall for certain.

Fortunately Dickie Taylor has kept records that show he joined in 1995. It was the time Grant set himself a 12 month goal to get his handicap into single figures. This, he achieved one week before the deadline and Dickie says, “He was immediately drafted into the 1996 RACV Pennant team.”

“I did play a few sports, cricket and tennis but it was golf that captured my imagination and I just spent every spare moment hitting golf ball after golf ball until I achieved a swing I thought was authentic to me.” said Grant.

At his best Handasyde had lowered his handicap to 4 and here is all the proof you 18 MAIL

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

Callen’s column Ian Callen need to encourage the development of that golf swing: some two and a half decades on, Grant is 2 shots the worse (6), so it’s fair to say his game has barely waned over the years.

This was something I had come to appreciate having watched Grant play the front nine and then having just finished playing the Grotto. We arrived at the 11th, the “Avenue” a par 3.

The destination from the tee to green is about 160 metres or so east towards the 9th, over a bunker sitting half way up the fairway on the left. Its positioning creates a rather narrow avenue of approach especially when you raise our eyes. The limbs of the nearest gum are intruding the flight path… if you are a left hander, that is!

“I think the best way in here is from the left because it borrows towards the centre of the green.” Said Grant reading my thoughts.

“Ok”, I said. “You can go first”.

I stood back and watched as Handasyde carried out a number of checks. It seems to be a ritual where he methodically prepares; aligning himself to a target line, placing his club beside the ball, checking his grip, stance and balance.

There’s no rush of aggressiveness in his back

ity strike equated to the speed of the ball as it disappeared into the distance and from the tee block we followed it’s flight; slightly to the left of the flag stick we picked up its bounce and there in the distance, a white dot of the ball sitting idle on the putting surface near the pin.

Grant parked his buggy by next week’s 12th the “Island” walked to the short grass with putter in hand and waited until it was his turn. He sunk his birdie putt and took home the prize for nearest the pin.

Let’s hope we’re all out on the course again soon.

Congratulations to the competition winners: Tuesday August 3rd Jason Rush (4) 39 Rob Reed (20) 35 Ben Eyton-Jones (-3) 35 And bravo to Kennith Emslie and Max MacIntosh who carried on through the torrential rain and winds later that afternoon.

Nearest to the pin: 2nd Kennith Emslie 4th Rennie Mathewson 11th Jason Rush 16th David Hutchins Thursday August 5th Rob Reed (20) 66 Alan Davidson (12) 68 Doug Smith (23) 69 Nearest to the pin: 2nd Rob Reed 4th Geoff Hopkins 11th Karl Hradsky 16th David Hutchins

· · ·

Healesville Golf Club’s 11th hole is a 147m Par 3. swing, it’s even and fluent. The head doesn’t move, his eyes never leave that area of the ball he’s honing his club into. There’s no hint that he’s searching for any extra power, because his energy and power is released effortlessly.

This is all done in sync with as his weight transfers power through his arms and legs and into his club on the downswing and to the follow through.

The unmistakable sound of Grant’s qual-

· · · · · · · · · · ·

mailcommunity.com.au

12508458-AV34-21

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mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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MAIL 19

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+ Flue Kit STRICTLY LIMITED STOCK

BONUS 2-SPEED FAN Valued at $270

HEATS UP TO 220sqm

69% efficient

FROM $

6588

+ FLUE KIT

HALF PRICE FLUE KITS*

0.5g/KG Emissions

HEATS UP TO 7.8kW

5 Fascia Options

DIRECT VENT TECHNOLOGY

Showroom: 1156 Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156

9758 1900 russellsftg.com.au

@RussellsFTG 12508933-SN34-21

20 MAIL

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Tuesday, 17 August, 2021

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