Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 1st March 2022

Mountain Views

Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

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Tourism vouchers welcomed by local operators

Petrol prices rise above $2 a litre

Yarra Valley named ‘top Aussie town’

Vintage begins for growers and wine producers

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A Star News Group Publication

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Calls for crossing

By Callum Ludwig

ville Police at the time.

All three men are still present, campaigning 6 years on, and said that the Healesville township has changed and the road has only become more dangerous.

“The amount of traffic has vastly increased, even in the last three years, as the population has gone up as a township,” said Mr Millane.

“Another thing is that there’s going to be the McDonald’s development a few hundred metres down the road, which will increase traffic both ways.”

Residents compared their scenario to that of Yarra Junction and Warburton on the adjacent Warburton Highway, where speed limits entering the townships were permanently re-

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A large truck flys past Healesville residents at the concerning blind corner, right by the only suitable place to cross to reach the petrol station or bus stops.

Picture: GARY SISSONS

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Healesville residents have launched a petition calling for a safe crossing area at the three-way intersection between Crowley Road, Lalors Road, Maroondah Highway, and Ayres Road, by the BP petrol station and convenience store.

Many school students cross in this area for the school bus stop and the nearest pedestrian crossing over one kilometre away in the opposite direction.

It is also situated right near Holmwood and Arrum aged care facilities, with locals saying the area is seeing both heavy foot and road traffic during peak times.

Concerned Healesville resident Eloise Wallace would like to see measures put in place to solve the dangerous issue.

“I would like to see a lower speed limit of 50km/h and a safe pedestrian crossing, whether it be on the corner or further down the road,” she said.

“We call it ‘Running the Gauntlet’ trying to get across.”

It is not the first time Healesville residents have tried to address the issue, with Maroondah Highway residents Brian Millane, Mike Grigg, and Barry Alloway contacting VicRoads in 2016 appealing for the 50km/h speed limit to be extended from the town centre.

Their application was rejected - a VicRoads response seen by Star Mail cited the low crash rates and the absence of schools or school crossings as the reason no change was needed.

VicRoads also believed that a lower speed limit would increase the risk of drivers speeding, and result in drivers intersecting roads or accesses misjudging the speed of oncoming vehicles, a sentiment supported by the Heales-

duced from 60km/h to 50km/h in both towns in the past 10 years to great success, allowing users of the Lilydale-Warburton Trail to cross safely.

Healesville residents sent in another submission to Vicroads despite the disappointment of the last attempt for a crossing or reduction of the speed limit. This time VicRoads responded favourably in a report they prepared, supporting the implementation of a crossing and advising it will come down to funding from state and local governments.

There are currently no State Government plans for the intersection but it will continue to work with the Yarra Ranges Council for any safety measures required on Maroondah Highway.

“The Victorian Government’s Road Safety Action Plan focuses on the safety of all road users including vulnerable groups like young people, pedestrians and the elderly,” a government spokesperson said.

“We’re always looking at ways we can make it safer and easier for people to use our road network - we will continue to monitor the Maroondah Highway at the intersection of Crowley Rd, Ayres Rd and Lalors Rd.” State Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish was contacted by the Healesville residents with a petition for the road safety upgrades and has lodged their concerns in parliament.

Ms McLeish said this is one of a number of road safety concerns in Healesville.

“We definitely need safe crossings for people. Healesville was getting busier and the roads are again, getting busier,” she said.

“There is the Badger Creek Rd and Wilsons St intersection as well. We’ve got to work out how to solve all of these traffic problems in Healesville.”

NEWS

Travel vouchers to return

By Callum Ludwig With the peak of the Omicron wave hind us, Yarra Ranges tourism, hospitality, and entertainment businesses are excited by the prospect of more returning visitors, particularly with the voucher schemes announced by the Victorian Government earlier last week.

The recently renovated Alpine Hotel in Warburton is one such business, ticking the boxes for accommodation and hospitality rebates with 32 rooms, as well as beautiful food and drinks to enjoy in the beer garden.

Owner Rachael Northwood said the boost the voucher scheme will give Warburton is exciting.

“I think being an hour and a half out of Melbourne, the beautiful Warburton village will be an easy option for customers to have time out of the CBD,” she said.

“With businesses trying to get staff back into offices, I think the timing of these vouchers is perfect because people will want to get a change of scenery and reboot their weekend with nature.”

The voucher schemes cover regional and metropolitan travel, entertainment, and dining experiences, giving visitors a 25 percent rebate back in their pockets.

For travel, $200 vouchers are available for a minimum of a $400 spend.

For entertainment, a 25 percent rebate with a maximum of $125 is up for grabs, and hospitality costs can also get a 25 percent rebate for Monday to Thursday dining, which has a minimum spend of $40 and a maximum of $500.

Yarra Ranges Tourism CEO Simon O’Callaghan said the previous three rounds of the scheme, in late 2020 and early 2021, were extremely popular with visitors and encouraged them to travel and spend in the Yarra Ranges.

“The evidence from the first few rounds is when they do come, they spend a lot more than the value of the voucher minimum,” he said.

“That’s a really positive thing for telling us about the breadth and depth of experiences and accommodation that they’re taking up.”

The regional scheme is in operation from Monday to Thursday, to encourage consumers to support suburban and regional businesses.

Mr O’Callaghan said it was really pleasing that the voucher encourages travel on weekdays.

“When you inject incentives into the market, the last thing you want to do is put them into times when we’re already full like long weekends or normal weekends,” he said.

“Anything that builds the confidence of consumers to get back into the habit of travelling is a good thing.”

The Omicron wave caught not only businesses but governments and communities by surprise after two already tough years for the industry.

Mr O’Callaghan said the large number of micro-businesses in the Yarra Ranges left many people unavailable to access government support throughout this time, but he is optimistic for tourism and business in the area.

“Everyone has really hurt as a result of this, being in an industry that was essentially the

first impacted and will be the last to recover,” he said.

“Everyone’s seeing things move in the right direction, particularly with international borders reopening, quarantine requirements being wound back. In speaking to many of our operators, they’re seeing some really strong demand into the many months ahead, which is positive.”

Ms Northwood said the Omicron wave was an extremely difficult challenge for the hotel and other businesses in the Yarra Ranges.

“January was a very tough trading month, with patrons being extra cautious and having to self-isolate,” she said.

“We felt somewhat isolated ourselves, to be honest.”

Ms Northwood was very grateful for the tight-knit Warburton and greater Yarra Ranges community who have continued to support them through Covid-19.

“It has been so encouraging. We’ve had a lot of feedback from the local village and the Yarra Valley on what a positive restoration the building has been,” she said.

Mad Hatters Theatrics forms in the Upper Yarra

By Renee Wood A new Warburton theatre group is looking to connect local residents to the world on stage and the joys performing brings to many.

Jayne Coney is part of the founding members of ‘Mad Hatters Theatrics’ and said they want to focus on ‘telling our own stories’ and showcasing Australian plays.

“We wanted to be a really inclusive group - we want this to be a community group, run by the community for the community and do

things that people are really interested in,” Ms Coney said.

Cabarets, musicals, comedy and the spoken word are in their sights for the future.

Currently there are 25 members but there’s room for many more.

“It really builds a strong community. When you’ve been in production with someone, you kind of feel like family. We put in a lot of time and it builds self confidence,” she said.

“You learn coordination, you’re getting up

and moving around the stage, and learning lines is good for the brain.”

The group is meeting up regularly for social play readings at Koha Cafe.

Members are also arranging fundraising events such as a Mad Hatter’s tea party photo booth at the upcoming Ecotopia market at ECOSS in March.

It’s hoped funds will help support performances later in the year.

Anyone 18 years old and above is encour-

aged to get in touch via the Facebook page.

“It’s a great community where we plan for it to be a really inclusive group, so we’re not sexiest, ageist - we’re happy for anybody to join in and they don’t have to just be actors, people can learn to do directing or stage managing or sound, lighting, costumes or sets.

“Even if you’re not interested in being on the stage, there’s lots of other creative things.”

For more information visit https://www. facebook.com/madhattertheatrics

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

Bowser blow out Global crude oil prices have reached their highest levels since 2014 following the uncertainty over a Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is set to drive petrol prices up around Australia.

Russia is the second-largest exporter of crude oil and refined petrol, as well as the largest exporter of natural gases.

The average price of Australian petrol was $1.70 when the price of oil was $90 USD a barrel. With a 13 per cent increase per barrel expected, its expected petrol will rise to over $2 a litre.

Currently, the average price of petrol in Australia is $1.79, however, a petrol station in Bayswater North was spotted at $2.05 a litre on Thursday 24 February.

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges residents took to Facebook to have their say about the rising prices.

“We will not be travelling much at these prices. Stay home!” Peter Rice said.

“And we need the reasons, in detail, for these massive increases.”

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says there is a number of reasons for fuel prices to rise, including changes in international benchmark prices, the value of the Australian dollar relative to the US dollar, levels of competition in different areas and pricing decisions by wholesalers retailers.

Pricing from wholesalers has increased with the increased pressure on international supply lines because of the Covid-19 pandemic and international conflict, leading to the costs being passed onto consumers.

“Saw $2.09 in Warrandyte yesterday.” Ruth Merida said.

“Coles, always the dearest and that one also.” Deborah Milton said.

Wanted on warrants A woman known to frequent the Yarra Valley is wanted on numerous warrants.

Police in the Yarra Ranges and Knox service areas are looking for 43-year-old Kerrie Honrado.

Honrado breached court orders by failing to appear on bail and is wanted for thefts and handling stolen goods.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online.

Missing man found

A Bayswater petrol station was spotted at a massive $2.05 a litre.

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Roving volunteers expo visits the Valley

By Callum Ludwig A roving expo promoting local volunteering is travelling throughout the Yarra Valley and will be in Healesville early march to shine a light on the importance of volunteer work.

Today the Easter Volunteers group, who’s running Volunteering Yarra Ranges, started the expo with stops in Warburton and Yarra Junction.

The expo will be visiting towns in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges over the next six weeks, with visits planned on Wednesdays for Lilydale, Chirnside Park, Healesville, and Belgrave. Each location will hold the expo twice, including another visit to Warburton and Yarra Junction.

The project, Volunteering Yarra Ranges, has been funded by the Yarra Ranges Council and aims to encourage community engagement with local volunteer organisations, Jo and Harry from Eastern Volunteers at the WaterWheel in Warburton. educating residents about the volunteering Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG opportunities available and why they are so “It’s good to gain confidence, gain expeTimes and locations for Lilydale and important. rience and gain that knowledge that they Eastern Volunteers Project Officer Jo Chirnside Park are still being organised.

Ms Maddock said she thinks now more need to get back out into the workforce, paid Maddock said it is important to revitalise volunteer efforts after the Covid-19 pan- than ever it’s important to be connected to workforce or just to give back to the commudemic put a stop to many projects, groups, your community, especially after Covid and nity if they want to,” she said. the June 2021 storms. and organisations.

Eastern Volunteers encourages people “It’s really important to be connected to to volunteer within their means, with any “Volunteering has kind of taken a backseat over the past few years obviously, be- your community to make sure that you’re efforts from volunteering one day a week, cause people working from home and a lot giving back and helping people out that are three days a week or a couple of hours a day in need,” she said. of things stopped,” she said. going a long way to helping those in need in “Just making sure that we’re empowering the community feel supported.

“We’re just really trying to get the message out there that there’s a variety of different or- each other and staying connected. Volun“It makes them feel included by creating is gooddate for that” who offer a variety of opportuniToganisations double check which zone you’re inteering and your an inclusive experience for them. It’s a way out there in the Yarra Ranges.”

The project is promoting and supportof ties collection, please visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ to bring the community together to have evConfirmed dates for the expo include ing a wide variety of volunteer groups, from eryone supporting each other through any Church support groups, disability services, Healesville on 9 March 10am to 2pm and 6 stormcollection.

April 12pm to 4pm behind The Memo on emergency relief organisations, and sport- hardships,” she said.

“Volunteering definitely makes people Maroondah Highway and in Belgrave on 16 ing groups.

March 10am to 1pm and 20 April 1pm to Ms Maddock believes getting involved in overall happier and healthier. Having a good 4pm outside of the Emporium along Bur- volunteering can also benefit those looking quality of life depends on being connected to find their way back into the workforce. wood Highway. to people.”

Kilsyth man Daniel has been found after he went missing on Saturday evening.

He was found in Yering late last week.

The community was asked to keep an eye out for Daniel and his purple and silver hybrid bicycle.

Daniels’s father Julian Warren said Daniels said he was concerned about Daniel’s wellbeing due to his mental health problems.

“He really needs medication to keep it under control,” Mr Warren said last week.

“So we’re getting more concerned as time goes on because he becomes more unstable the longer he is away from the medication.”

Staying at a care facility in Kilsyth, it was believed Daniel left on his bike, carrying a wetsuit around 6pm on Saturday 19 February but it was first noticed the following morning.

Healesville Sanctuary pop up kids vax clinics now open to all The State Government kids pop-up vaccination clinics at Healesville Sanctuary which are being held on Saturday and Sundays have been opened up for all children Originally, the ‘K-Pop’ vaccination clinics were designated to provide a fun, stress-reduced vaccination experience for vulnerable children.

Now, they have been expanded to all kids aged between five to eleven years old, in a bid to boost vaccination rates in our smallest Victorians.

With current restrictions, primary school children from grade three and above have to wear masks beyond the easing of restrictions on Saturday 26 February.

Covid commander Jeroen Weimar said the K-pop clinics make vaccination a less scary prospect for children.

“It’s creating a safe and enjoyable place,” Mr Weimar said.

The service will offer family members to get their booster shots.

Bookings are required.

February’s monthly rainfall in Healesville.

An astonishingly low amount of rainfall was recorded in Healesville for February 2022.

Only 5mm of rainfall was recorded for the month, on 6 days of the month.

This is extremely dry even in comparison to February last year, which recorded 36.2mm over 8 days.

The Bureau of Meterology lists the average rainfall for over 60 years in Healesville at over 13 times this months recordings, at 67.7mm.

Nobody knows their community like you.

We need your help for the creation of a new Housing Strategy for Yarra Ranges.

With predicted population growth, this strategy will help us map out the housing needs for our region into the future, so your input will be crucial to ensuring that the issues that are important to you are covered.

This strategy will help guide our future decision making on the preferred location and type of new housing that’s built, while also factoring in the unique character that each town has to ensure that any new housing is respectful of that.

For more information and to get involved, head to shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ housing-strategy-review

Scan for more information 1300 368 333 12537557-SG09-22

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NEWS

Yarra Valley a ‘top town’

By Renee Wood The Yarra Valley is shining bright on the national stage for tourism offerings, being named as number four in Wotif’s top ten Aussie towns for 2022.

Yarra Ranges Tourism CEO Simon O’Callaghan said it’s a great accolade to receive for the region, especially after a tiring time due to the pandemic.

“The Wotif announcement was a fantastic surprise and I think it vindicates the hard work that our tourism operators do to deliver an excellent visitor experience for those that come here,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

The finalists are generated using the accommodation website’s data by how much user traffic is going towards searches and bookings in the area.

The Wotif list states that the Yarra Valley is ‘full of character and charm’ with plenty on offer less than an hours drive from Melbourne.

Mr O’Callaghan agrees that the proximity to the CBD is helping to promote the area as a must stop visitor hotspot.

“Our accessibility to Melbourne is absolutely one of our strengths, we’re well serviced for a whole breadth of experiences,” he said.

“From our hero world class wine to our nature based experiences across national parks and state forests to our merging cycling culture.

“There’s just a lot for people to be able to connect with nature here, and I think now more than ever, that’s what people are looking for.”

Yarra Valley Lodge was profiled in the announcement linked as a provider for people to stay with.

Kate Cooper from the Lodge said it’s very encouraging for her and the team.

“Off the back of pretty hard couple of years for tourism and hospitality to have this type

The Yarra Valley Lodge has been profiled in the Wotif’s list of top 10 Aussie towns.

Picture: SUPPLIED of accolade within the region and for us to be linked is a great feeling,” Ms Cooper said.

Ms Cooper said the lodge is starting to see booking confidence increase for the year ahead.

“We’re seeing a definite pickup in people traveling over the weekend and people booking events and almost just getting on with their life and events,” she said.

This follows on previous increases in visitation from Melbourne residents and regional

Victoria when lockdowns ended.

“To have a region that’s within Victoria that’s not that far from the CBD it just gives that extra encouragement and motivation for people to stick still within Victoria and spend their money here after the last couple of years.”

Operators are anticipating more interstate and international travellers will be visiting as borders open up and major events are also helpful in driving tourists into the area.

“We’ve seen even through things like the

Australian Open in January, that the role of events and dispersing people from major events will continue to be important,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“The wide ranging tour and transport options that we had pre-Covid will be also another thing that we’re looking forward to getting back to a stage of regular trade.”

Mr O’Callaghan said before the pandemic around 7300 jobs were linked to the visitor economy, which generated $800 billion dollars’ worth of expenditure to local businesses.

“That’s a lot of money and when you remove that from the environment, I think a lot of businesses have realised whether they’re absolutely in the game of tourism with what they do.

“Because when we weren’t able to travel further than five kilometres, it was pretty obvious that many businesses were reliant on tourism for their livelihoods.”

It’s hoped more confidence among travellers, borders reopening and accolades like the Wotif top four acknowledgement will all contribute to rejuvenate the sector to previous standards.

“Hopefully it gives our operators a real sense of civic pride that the job they do to give great service and experience is well appreciated by those that come to you,” he said.

The full list of Wotif’s Aussie Town of Year for 2022 is: 1. Launceston, TAS 2. Caloundra, QLD 3. Tamworth, NSW 4. Yarra Valley, VIC 5. Adelaide Hills, SA 6. Bright, VIC 7. Hervey Bay, QLD 8. Halls Gap, VIC 9. Batemans Bay, NSW 10. Busselton, WA

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NEWS

Vintage harvest begins

By Renee Wood The 2022 vintage is underway for Yarra Valley grape growers and wine producers, with picking and pressing starting early February.

Lucy Etheridge from Yarrawalla Vineyards has harvested three quarters of their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties and said the crop is down this year due to the weather conditions we’ve experienced over the past 12 months.

Ms Etheridge said a really wet season created an unusually high pressure season in the vineyard.

“We had adverse weather events, while a number of our varieties were flowering, which means our yields get dropped when we don’t have fruit set as a result of that poor flowering,” Ms Etheridge said.

“It’s been a challenging season in that we’ve had a lot of managing the fruit to make sure it stays intact, healthy and well to get us through to the harvest.”

On average Yarrawalla producers up to 400 ton of fruit a year from it’s 100 acre Gruyere vineyard for contracts servicing wineries based in the Yarra Valley.

Ms Etheridge said having challenging seasons comes with the farming territory as each year produces its own complexities and is grateful the season is ending in excellent ripening conditions.

“Fortunately, we’ve been able to see it over the finish line in good condition, and it’ll be really great quality fruit - just not heaps of

Yarrawalla Vineyards in Gruyere has picked three quarters of its crop so for as the 2022 vintage continues for many growers and producers.

Picture: SUPPLIED it,” she said.

Machine harvesters are being used on the vineyard during the night shift picking programs which start at 11pm, due to cool nights below 21 degrees being prime harvesting time for many grape growers.

“Last night, we picked several bins at midnight and they would have been in a press by 2am.

“The machines are really advanced technology now, they’re actually providing fully de-stemmed fruit which is great, and when

your close by to the winery, that’s a really ideal scenario now.”

Ms Etheridge said Yarrawalla hasn’t face staff shortage issues but the agriculture rich land of the Yarra Valley being placed under metro lockdowns has posed some difficulties.

Accessing contractors and maintenance on machinery has been troublesome this past year, more so than in previous years.

“I think the Yarra Valley is a really interesting one in that we’ve been considered Metro Melbourne through a lot of the pandemic, which has made it very difficult for us to access rural assistance.

“Ultimately as farmers we are operating as rural farmers, but looking at government grants for assistance with labour or shop out with funding for things when you can’t fill gaps has not been available unfortunately.”

All in all, Ms Etheridge is happy vintage has arrived and the nice sunny weather has helped to plump up the fruit and top off the season.

“It’s a great vintage, it’s looking good… It’s small quantities, but excellent quality again, which is great and I think that’s going to be important for the Valley after a tricky couple of Metro lockdown years,” she said.

“It’s nice to have a bit of movement again, with industry feeling vaguely normal with pickers out again in paddocks, machines harvesting and wineries operational. So I think that’s been a nice little morale booster for everyone to see.”

Yields low but quality high says growers and producers

By Renee Wood

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they experienced, so it’s like we take you on a little journey in the glass.”

Mr Santolin said their production is based off minimal intervention.

“We try and find growers to work with that produce good fruit, we want to have good relationships with those guys.”

Although, Mr Santolin said small producers are also starting to find it hard to compete for local fruit with an increase in larger companies purchasing wineries, vineyards or signing large contracts.

“The availability of especially Pinot in the Yarra is getting quite tough because a lot of larger businesses are purchasing either vineyards or wineries or securing contracts with a lot of growers.

“So for smaller guys, it is getting a little bit tougher to get some of the fruit that you might have been getting previously.”

Mr Santolin said he hasn’t personally been affected by this and has built good relationships with his growers, while also making connections in his position as chief winemaker at Rob Dolan Wines.

“We’re fortunate for that and its something that gives our business a bit more stability otherwise we probably would find it a lot tougher.”

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where it’s needed most

of his time at the winery, leaving home when it’s dark and returning when the skies a similar shade, with timing very critical during this period.

“Once everything is fermented, stored in tanks and barrels and everything’s locked away then things start to calm down.”

This year Santolin Wines is looking to trial something different, making a premium traditional method sparkling and said some other small experimentations will be made for other varieties.

The majority of the fruit being used will come from Yarra Glen and Dixons Creek and some will be delivered from Gladysdale and

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In times of crisis, you can give

Adrian Santolin busy working in the winery for Santolin Wines.

Picture: GARY SISSONS

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The beginning of vintage is a pivotal time for Wine producers as they start to receive fruit drops from local growers.

Adrian Santolin from Santolin Wines said sparkling based varieties – Pinot and Chardonnay – are the first to be delivered to their Warrandyte South winery.

Mr Santolin said the fruit coming in has been of high quality despite yields being down for the year due to weather events.

“That rainfall certainly put on a lot of disease pressure, so all the growers had to be right on top of their spray programs, and everyone has been, so we haven’t seen too much disease out there - they’re still good quality grapes,” he said.

The varieties most affected are Pinot and Chardonnay – the two the region is known for specialising in.

Mr Santolin expects varieties such as Shiraz and Cabernet will see normal yields for the year.

“We’ll be down in volume this year, we’ll probably be around 30 per cent down in terms of intake. 2021 was a pretty good yielding year, so the universe has got its way of evening things out.”

During vintage, Mr Santolin spends most

Yarra Junction next month.

Several of the Santolin labels are defined by their vineyard’s location, named after where the fruit has been grown to express its unique growing characteristics.

“We want all our wines to express the vineyard that they come from, because you can get the same wine variety, make it the same way from a couple of different vineyards and each batch of wine will taste differently.”

Adrian and his wife Rebecca started Santolin Wines in 2012 and like to let the grapes speak for themselves, creating a conversation with the palette on regions and seasonal conditions.

Mr Santolin said this season has been quite cool with cool nights, which retained a lot of natural acidity in the grapes.

A mild summer without many scorching 40 degree days will also create wines that are ‘delicate and elegant’.

“We’ve had some nice ripening weather now, so they are still going to get ripe enough and will still have the lovely fruit flavours, and wines that should have a little bit of weight and texture about them.”

“If it’s a warm year or cool year the wines taste different. Essentially, we’re trying to make wine but tell the story of the year that

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NEWS

Musical ensemble returns to the stage

By Carole Franklin

Hailey (Parks Vic), Julie Blackmore, Heidi Wild, Gerd Bachman, John Couch, Eleanor Redding, Micheal Meinhold, Shane (Parks Vic), Helen Calvert and April Meredith.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Tools supply Parks Victoria have recently supplied the Friends of Maroondah Reservoir group with around $1000 worth of gardening equipment and tools.

The welcomed donation will help the volunteers during their working bees which tackle garden and facility maintenance.

The Friends of Maroondah Reservoir group re-formed last year and has undertaken many working bees within the park during that time, including most recently completing the restoration of the historic sundial at the dam wall.

Quotes April Meredith, Coordinator Friends of Maroondah Reservoir said, “The recent supply of equipment by Parks Victoria is a genuine benefit for the group, it will really add to the impact we have during our working bees.”

Parks Victoria run Volunteer programs to improve the facilities and visitor experiences within the parks and reserves they manage.

The recent funding was supplied as part of the Volunteer Activity Plan, an annual plan detailing the works the group intend on completing over the coming year and the tools re-

quired in order to do so.

“The works we do are designed to complement the maintenance Parks Victoria do. We have a great relationship with the local Rangers from Parks Victoria,” she said.

Ms Meridth said the group often receives comments about the appearance and maintenance of facilities at the reservoir in comparison to when Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works managed the park.

“Things have changed so much since then, MMBW had full time gardening and maintenance staff assigned directly to working on the site.

“Parks Victoria do all they can to maintain the facilities but are working with a much smaller group of staff managing many more facilities across Yarra Ranges. The Rangers we work with have a genuine passion for making things look the best they can within the time and resources available.”

If people are interested in joining the Friends of Maroondah Reservoir group, contact friends.maroondahreservoir@gmail.com

S R E E CH

After a Covid-enforced break, the Healesville-based Riddell Ensemble is looking forward to performing in public again in its popular Notes on Sunday concert series.

The acclaimed chamber music group will perform at the Darron Honey Centre in Healesville on Sunday 27 March and give a repeat performance at Upwey High School, courtesy of the Dandenong Ranges Music Council, on Sunday 10 April.

Pianist Carole Franklin founded the Riddell Ensemble almost a decade ago. She had left the vibrant music scene of Queensland to move to Healesville and was determined to seek out other musicians to continue her love of chamber music.

She teamed up with several other classically trained musicians from the local area and the Riddell Ensemble was born, eventually discovering an ideal performance venue in the Darron Honey Centre.

“Far from being an overly serious, dying artform, our aim is to make chamber music an accessible and exciting concert format,” Carole said.

“We started as a trio of piano, violin and cello, and later expanded to a quartet, then a quintet. There are now seven of us playing in various combinations.”

The concert on 27 March will begin at 2.30 and feature a flautist and trumpeter as well as the usual strings and piano. Entry is by donation, with tea and coffee available afterwards, proceeds going to charity.

The musicians will play music by Mozart, Suk, Saint-Saens and Bozza.

Seats can be reserved by emailing sundaynoteson493@gmail.com. Booking for

Members of the Riddell Ensemble Jenny Rowlands (cello), Rosie Burns (violin), Carole Franklin (piano), Gitta Green (viola), Sally Banks (violin), and Steve Burns (trumpet) will be playing two concerts in March and April.

Picture: SUPPLIED either the Healesville or Upwey concerts is recommended though not essential, but Covid vaccination is required.

The Darron Honey Centre is located beside the Uniting Church in the centre of Healesville.

D A U Q S rne

bou l e M o t t Get se

fable

Festival of Footy

When the game ends, this city is just getting started. Plan where you play at visitmelbourne.com

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NEWS

Poll against development

By Callum Ludwig A national poll has shown that 78 per cent of 1122 surveyed Australians don’t support development projects in national parks and protected areas, echoing the sentiment of opposition to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination project.

The research was undertaken by the National Parks Australia Council — a coalition of state-based conservation groups — as a result of community concern that Federal and State governments are undermining the integrity of national parks.

President of the National Parks Australia Council Bruce McGregor said that governments have a responsibility to maintain national parks and uphold their purpose.

“The Victorian Government declared the Yarra Ranges National Park in the mid-1990s, they did it in perpetuity, saying that these are special areas for the protection of nature for people to come and experience nature there,” he said.

“To be able to manage the park in perpetuity, you have got to look after it like a house.

You might build a new house, but you can’t just go away and expect it to be standing there in 50 or 100 years, you’ve got to maintain things carefully.”

91 per cent of those surveyed also believed national parks and conservation areas are critical to protecting nature from resource extraction including logging and mining.

Protection of nature, saving threatened species, and quiet enjoyment of nature were the top reasons why national parks were considered important to Australians according to the survey.

The survey also revealed there isn’t a prevalent demographic that prioritise the protection of national parks, with regional Australians only five per cent more likely than capital city residents to vote for their local member of

Poll reveals Australians are against the development of national parks, in the midst of the proposal of the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination through Yarra Ranges National Park.

Picture: VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS parliament if they actively prioritised or advocated national parks.

The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) have addressed the proposed bike track project in Warburton, which when completed will traverse Mount Donna Buang, Mount Little Joe and Mount Tugwell, expressing their key issues and concerns with the proposal of the 44 trails spanning 177 kilometres including through the Yarra Ranges National Park.

Jordan Crook said the VNPA believes the

northern trail network located primarily in the Yarra Ranges National Park, making up just over a third of the trails, should be abandoned.

“It’s about 22 kilometres worth of tracks in the national park that will intersect cool temperate rainforests, and critically endangered wildlife habitat. It would endanger and disturb up to six and a half kilometres of cool temperate rainforest and potentially introduce the pathogen Myrtle Wilt, which kills Myrtle Beech trees,” he said.

“It will also help feral animals such as foxes

and cats move further into uncleared areas and dissect the habitat of the Leadbeater’s Possum and the Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly which is only found on the side of Mount Donna Buang.”

However, they would have no issue with the majority of the southern trail network, mostly in state forest proceeding with some minor changes.

In its current state, VNPA argues that the bike trail will result in a large-scale clearing, negative impacts on threatened plants, animals, and communities, as well as heritage values, pests, and water catchments. They believe it reflects an attack on the integrity of national parks and that the project also has social and economic impacts that are being neglected.

Yarra Ranges Council will be holding a public hearing in March to discuss the major project further.

Director of Environment and Infrastructure at Yarra Ranges Council Mark Varmalis said the project will bring more people to the forests surrounding Warburton, with minimal impact on the environment. He pointed to the success of other similar projects as a reason for optimism.

“The Environment Effects Statement prepared for this project is the most comprehensive study into mountain biking and its effects ever carried out. It outlines the trail and its potential impacts on all facets of the local environment, including in nearby national parks,” he said.

“The success of other projects, such as Three Capes in Tasmania and the Grampians Peak Trail, and excitement about projects such as Falls to Hotham, shows us that there is a wider trend of community members wanting to see, experience and enjoy national parks.”

The Victorian National Parks Association report can be found at: https://vnpa.org.au/ publications/polling-2022/

ALL - NEW

OUTLANDER FREE POP-UP CINEMA

#FindYourselfOutside

Council is hosting a FREE pop-up cinema in Kinglake for local residents and visitors on Friday 4 March.

Join us for the following movie screening and enjoy local food and drinks in a relaxed, family friendly and COVIDSafe atmosphere. No bookings required - just turn up. BYO picnic blanket or chairs.

Accessible parking available beside the Kinglake Library and Customer Service Centre.

For more information, including local dining options, visit murrindindi.vic.gov.au/popupcinema or contact Council on 5772 0333.

KINGLAKE

TEST DRIVE NOW

Movie - The Man From Snowy River

LILYDALE MITSUBISHI

When - 6.00 pm for a 7.45 pm screening on Friday 4 March 2022 Where - On the green next to the Kinglake Library and Customer Service Centre, 19 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road, Kinglake

www.lilydalemitsubishi.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

This event is supported by funding from the Victorian Government's COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Fund 2021.

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T 9735 5800

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NEWS

Wildlife heroes and haven

By Renee Wood In 2009 the region was shattered by the devastating Black Saturday bushfires and someone who’s life and legacy was touched dramatically by this event was Tony Woolley from Babbajin Park wildlife shelter.

Tony and Georgina Woolley lost 103 animals when their property in Steels Creek was destroyed, and although time has passed Tony said he’s still suffering from losing so many who were in his care.

“I suffer from depression and anxiety myself because I lost 11 good friends in those 2009 fires and I’ve been going downhill, but this is therapy for me,” Tony said.

Despite the trauma, Tony continues day in day out nursing injured and orphaned wildlife as a way to heal himself and the animals.

But this is all something being done out of the goodness of their own hearts and pockets.

“My Centrelink payments go in one day and it’s not for me, it’s for the animals,” he said.

“My daily outing at the moment is just to

Tony Woolley cares for animals great and small at Babbajin Park in Dixon’s Creek.

PIcture: RENEE WOOD go down the street and get fruit and veg, seeds, milks formulas, mealworms.”

Tony’s been caring for animals for 37 years and was based in Steels Creek for more than two decades. After the fire, John and Louise

Ward donated land at the Yarra Valley Estate to re-establish the park and turn the area into a private conservation reserve and wildlife shelter.

“They let me create a paradise for them [the animals], which was just a deer paddock with blackberries, and now look what they’ve got.”

Over a thousand native trees have been planted on the Dixon’s Creek property to create the conservation area.

Some 43 nest boxes are set up throughout and several enclosures are in place within the property to rehabilitate injured animals, with 65 animals currently in care. Babbajin Park is well known by locals, vets and the Healesville Sanctuary who work with Tony to rehabilitate animals.

“I call myself the four Rs – I rescue, raise, rehabilitate and release native wildlife back into the wild.” Although some furry friends don’t go too far, Tony tells of the many animals that still remain within the area - a wombat under the house, satin bower birds building displays

and a Kangaroo named ruby that was rescued when she weighed just grams.

Tony said he’s a proud grandfather when Ruby returns every day to visit with her own joey in her pouch.

But the property does need some work after the shelter’s driveway off Melba Highway, was destroyed by a dam blowout.

Animal wildlife shelters don’t receive any consistent funding from governments and Babbijin Park is supported by donations.

It’s hoped fundraising will help to support the works.

“Just as much as I can contibute to help out because these guys helped me here since 2009, so that’s my way of saying thank you too.”

Further donations will also go towards continuing Babbajin Park’s legacy providing essential medical aid and food and maintaining the area.

For more information, visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BabbajinWP

Warburton locals invited to community chess day

By Callum Ludwig Upper Yarra residents were invited to join a Community Chess Day on Saturday 26 February for a casual afternoon of chess at Koha Community Space (25a Dammans Rd, Warburton).

It was organised by East Warburton residents Shez and Warren Gibteath and their 13-year-old son Harry, with players of all levels and experiences welcomed.

If attendance and support for the group

going forward is high enough, they are hoping to establish regular chess catch-ups, or have a formally organised chess club started up.

Harry and Warren have been playing against each other since Harry was only three years old, but the interest was reignited by the popular Netflix show The Queen’s Gambit.

The family looked into chess clubs in the area, only to find out the nearest one was in Croydon.

Friends of the family knew Harry was looking for a chess club, and Mrs Gibteath said

she was inspired to organise a local chess day after she was tagged on social media.

“When we were driving home, someone had tagged me in a post on Facebook looking for chess around Warburton. We just thought we could probably put something together and see if there’s some interest,” she said.

“To start with, we just want a space to go and play some games against people who are interested. It’d be lovely to have an actual chess club in Warburton though.”

Chess is a bit of a family affair for Harry

and Warren, whose dad himself was quite a keen chess player. Unfortunately, Mrs Gibteath said he passed away when Harry was young, but chess has still linked Harry with his grandfather.

“Harry’s got all of his old chess books with quite a few of his notes from the chess games that he was playing in the 70s. He spends a fair bit of time connecting with his granddad, whom he never met through those old books,” she said.

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OPINION

Society highlights After two years of uncertainty, Lilydale & District Historical Society is back to normal…… well the Covid version of it.

Our first meeting in February also coincided with the launch of our first new display in two years -Working Together 10 Years of Local Government - which was attended by various members of the community groups that contributed a story and images to the display.

Each had the added responsibility of unveiling their display board.

Now, everyone is welcome to visit our home at the Old Lilydale Court House and learn more about 18 groups from Seville, Coldstream, Lilydale, Montrose and Kilsyth. Each responded to our invitation to be part of the display via their local township group. The display is their stories of working together with the council to support and develop their group. See our hours of opening below.

Also on display is our belated 50th anniversary originally scheduled for 2021. The society’s display traces the stories of some key activities the society has been involved in during its 50-year history. Formed in 1971 to help

Looking

back Sue Thompson

Lilydale and District Historical Society president the Shire of Lillydale celebrate its centenary in 1972, the society continues to work closely with council and the local community on current projects.

Some projects society members are involved in include the Inspiro Art and Sole Project; Lilydale Structure Plan; Lilydale Reserve & Melba Park Committee of Management; Beautification of Main Street; Lilydale Heritage Study and the Yarra Ranges Heritage Network.

Last year heritage groups across the Yarra Ranges elected me as its new Chair to replace the late Phil Garland. The network aims to

work together to promote and preserve the history of the municipality and provide support for each other.

On 16 March the work of these 17 groups will be on display at the launch of the Power and the People 150 Years of Local Government exhibition at the Memo in Healesville. Each group has selected a facility, project, event or service in their area which demonstrates the value of the partnership between council and the local community which turned dreams into reality.

The exhibition wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership of the network and the council which provided the funding for it through its Arts and Heritage Grants for Community program.

Be sure to visit the exhibition which was going to various venues throughout Yarra Ranges for the rest of this year.

Old Lilydale Court House is open Fridays 1 to 4pm and Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 11am to 4pm or go for more information, go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au and check out our News & Events page.

CARTOON

An epic fantasy tale of man vs vampire A review of Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff Back in the days when Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight books were trendy, U.S.-based horror writer Stephen King had to launch a comic series called “American Vampire” to shift the focus back to those “stone killers that can’t get enough of that tasty Type-A”: “In the end... it’s all about giving back the teeth that the current ‘sweetie-vamp’ craze has, by and large, stolen from the bloodsuckers. It’s about making them scary again.” If you, too, prefer vampires as cold-blooded midnight hunters waiting to be invited into your house, you will definitely enjoy Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff, our own #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction.

The stunning 736-page illustrated dark fantasy features Gabriel de León as the very last Silversaint, a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending humanity from the vampires, who have been ravaging the realm for nearly three decades.

The whole story takes place in one night, within Gabriel’s prison cell, where he is forced by a vampiric historian named JeanFrançois to tell his life story. The two constantly quarrel, adding much fun and philomailcommunity.com.au

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN sophical musing to Gabriel’s storytelling.

The “story within a story” offers a glimpse of Gabriel’s inner world, from his miserable childhood as a bastard-born, not knowing his heritage as a half-blood vampire, to his entry to the monastery of San Michon to train as a warrior.

But he is a flawed hero, a highly likeable character who swears as much as he drinks.

He is also an addict, relying on a certain drug (of a rather ambivalent nature) to keep his dark half at bay while making the best use of it.

The story jumps from different parts of Gabriel’s life journey, revealing the hardships and atrocities that shaped him the way he is today. This is a reckless and cynical

protagonist, a breaker of rules with a wicked sense of humour and a formidable perception of justice. Yet it is his loyalty to families and friends that drives his life.

The story is full of blood and gore, heartwrenching horror, and thrilling actions and adventures – perfect for fans of the vampire genre. But it is also filled with “legendary battles and forbidden love, of faith lost and friendships won”, as Kristoff describes it. To paraphrase the author, although the story goes to “very dark places”, there is a strong thread of hope through it.

Particularly noteworthy are the exquisite illustrations by Melbourne-based digital artist Bon Orthwick. Says Kristoff: “I wanted the illustrations to be more than just a gimmick – I wanted them to serve a narrative purpose, and breathe a different kind of life into the story. [Orthwick] captured that idea and the aesthetic of the world perfectly.”

Empire of the Vampire is a detailed survey of vampires, which can be “an object of desire, a power fantasy, an exploration of immortality, a study in morality, or just plain terrifying”. Without doubt, Kristoff has succeeded in making vampires terrifying again.

Matrix trilogy screening

The Healesville Memorial Hall will screen the entire Matrix film series throughout April.

The Memo will screen The Matrix on Saturday April 2, The Matrix Reloaded on Saturday April 9, The Matrix Revolutions on Sunday April 10, and The Matrix Resurrections on Saturday April 23.

The Matrix is an iconic, groundbreaking film series, and I’m thrilled to see these films return to the Yarra Valley next month.

The Matrix (1999) follows Neo (Keanu Reeves), who discovers that his reality is a simulation called the Matrix, which is controlled

by AI overlords known as the Machines. Neo’s nemesis is Agent Smith (the impeccably sinister Hugo Weaving), a Machine program tasked with policing the Matrix against the human Resistance.

Directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, The Matrix pioneered dynamic slow-motion effects – now known as “bullet-time” – and popularised cyberpunk, Hong Kong-style fight choreography and philosophical depth in Western blockbusters.

Reloaded is an over-the-top but stylish and compelling thrill-ride, with fantastic action, fun characters and an engaging narrative about control. Revolutions is an epic conclusion about choice, as Neo and the people of Zion, the last free human city, choose to stand against the overwhelming Machine army and the megalomaniacal, ultra-powerful Smith.

Neo and Smith’s subway fight in The Matrix is one of the best fight scenes ever filmed, with a three-act structure that tells a tense story in itself. The chateau swordfight in Reloaded is beautifully-choreographed, and Reloaded’s action has a (mostly) well-integrated note of physical comedy, epitomised by the “Burly Brawl” between Neo and dozens of Smith clones. Neo and Smith’s final fight in Revolutions is like an apocalyptic remake of their subway fight, and the climactic siege on Zion is still a staggering special effects spectacle with grand, even terrifying scale.

Much of the original trilogy was shot in Sydney and features a large number of Australian actors, including Weaving, Farscape actor Paul Goddard as Agent Brown, and Bruce Spence, who has a small but memorable role as the Trainman in Revolutions.

The Matrix Resurrections, directed by just Lana Wachowski, is a divisive and very selfreferential entry in the series, but has touching themes of love, identity and freedom at its core, and sees the characters, cast and director explore the legacy of the Matrix series itself.

One of my fondest memories is of watching the first three Matrix films back-to-back with my father at the Memo in December 2003.

I came in costume, wearing a black cloak I found at a church sale, and with red and blue jellybeans (as a reference to the red and blue pills from the first film) in my pocket.

With these April screenings (which, full disclosure, I helped organise), I’m excited to see the full Matrix series return, nearly twenty years later, to the Memo for old fans and new viewers alike to enjoy.

You can book your tickets through this link: https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/The-Arts/Cultural-venues/The-MemoHealesville/Upcoming-events-at-The-Memo

The Matrix series will be showing at the Memo in April.

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Here’s how you can stay COVIDSafe every day

Wear a mask when required.

Keep windows and doors open.

And get tested if you have any symptoms.

Get your third dose now, to protect yourself and everyone you love.

STAY

COVIDSAFE EVERY DAY CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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CIDER FESTIVAL

Napoleone Cider Festival Get your Pomme on at the second annual Australian Cider Festival at the Napoleone Orchard Bar. “It’s really an excuse for us to celebrate cider, the industry, our team, right before we kick off harvest season in earnest” said Cameron Gordon, “We’re excited to open our doors for a festival a second time. Last year was a great start, but this year we think we’re ready to party”.

From 10am until last light on Saturday 12 March (peak apple season) the team will be celebrating with food trucks, live music and specialty cider.

Mr Gordon explained how this year they’ve also called on local transport company Boutique Vans to help keep the event accessible.

Boutique Vans have limited tickets for two shuttle services, bringing guests from the city and Lilydale Station over the course of the day.

At last year’s festival, the surprise hit was apple pies from Johnny Ripe of Mornington Peninsula. This year the Johnny Ripe crew will be on site, bringing their vintage van, pie warmer and a mountain of vanilla ice-cream!

Yarra Valley locals Little Yarra Crêperie will be making crêpes to order and Melbourne burger scene stalwarts Beatbox Kitchen will be flipping burgers all afternoon.

Roving musicians the Preston City Jug Band will be performing (think big brass, Dixieland vibes) and Vince Peach from Soul Time fame will be spinning tunes of funk, Motown and Northern.

Peach has been on the air since 1984. “I make people dance... and that’s the sole aim.”

Napoleone’s cider team has crafted a limited release apple cider for the festival - Pomme Rouge, made from estate grown apples, crushed and steeped on shiraz skins, it sings

There will be plenty of cider on offer at the festival.

Enjoy the setting for the festival. with gin botanicals - an aperitivo style cider made for heady summer days.

A door prize is on offer for attendees too.

Crowds are being welcomed back.

The crew will host the winner and up to 10 people for an exclusive party at the Orchard Bar. Valued at $500.

Napoleone Cider is situated at 10 St Hubert’s Road, Coldstream, 9739 0666, Napoleone.com.au

NAPOLEONE ORCHARD BAR CIDER FESTIVAL FROM 10AM UNTIL LAST LIGHT SATURDAY THE 12TH OF MARCH FOOD TRUCKS LIVE MUSIC ia

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NEWS

Remembering Richard Naisbitt

COMMUNITY DIARY WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

By Renee Wood Family and friends have gathered to honour the life of well known Healesville resident and past Healesville Sanctuary keeper Richard Naisbitt on Wednesday 23 February at the St Brigid’s hall.

Richard touched many lives living and working in the area since the 90s but sadly his life was cut short when he died earlier this month on 2 February.

His love and passion for birds of prey transferred to anyone he met, as he spent year’s with the Healesville Sanctuary as a birds of prey keeper.

He was also a familiar face in recent times often seen around the area with his decorated walking stick.

Richard gave much of his time and spirit to rehabilitating birds and worked closely with wildlife groups throughout Victoria sharing his expertise.

He was well known throughout the wildlife and raptor community, writing for falconer magazines and he also published a book with, Dr Peter Holtz which became an international manual used in raptor rehabilitation.

Richard’s work training low security prisoners to work with birds of prey also inspired the Australian film, Healing, and for his involvement in the project he received an International Federation of Wildlife Banksia award in 2001.

Richard was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on 22 June 1965, was one of eight children and growing up in Africa was where his great love for animals blossomed.

Richard’s ex-wife Vanessa Thomas said he discovered his gift and love for working with birds when he was a child, watching and observing the many animals around him in Africa.

“One of his first little birds was a shrike called George that he nursed back to health after a broken wing,” Vanessa said.

Vanessa met Richard when he was working as a safari guide at Fothergill Safari Camp at Lake Kariba.

“Richard took local and international tourists out for walking safaris, canoe safaris, game drives and boat drives.

“He was fascinated by the animals and plants and infused his clients with his knowledge and passion.

“He flew and rehabilitated a string of birds and often had a falcon on his fist.”

Later, they married and moved to Melbourne in 1992 and it was then when Richard’s long distinguished career started with Zoos Victoria after he contacted the Healesville Sancturary when he read an article about its birds of prey show.

Richard was a senior keeper and is said to

Photographic Retrospective exhibit A new exhibit for locals and visitors to enjoy is opening at the Mont De Lancey Gallery in Wandin in March.

The ‘Photographic Retrospective’ will feature non-contemporary photographic works by Neil Roberts, a local amateur photographer and member of the Maroondah Photographic Society.

The exhibit opens March 9, open 10:00am till 4:30pm from Wednesday Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

The last day to see the displays will be March 20.

Mont De Lancey homestead, museum and gardens is a community based project and relies entirely on volunteers to help with the every day running of the property. If you have a spare day or even half a day we would love to hear from you.

Our opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 4.30pm. Phone 5964 2088.

Richard Naisbitt was a well loved Healesville local and sadly died early February. have built the show into a word-class presentation, sharing his years of knowledge with fellow keepers.

“He trained Gabby the wedge tail and soon had her flying high in the sky performing amazing aerobatic feats when catching her food in the air. Richard was charismatic and together he and Gabby featured on the Sancutary’s advertising.”

Richard was also part of rehabilitating feathered friends for the sanctuary and released his first bird, a male wedge tail eagle, into Victoria’s high country in 1993.

In 1993, Richard also became a dad to Camille, and his son Piers was later born in 1999.

Vanessa said Richard was a wonderful dad.

“He was the first person to bathe Millie and had to stand for hours swinging her basket so she would sleep.

“When Piers, a boy came along, he was delighted to have a son. He would hold both children, even when they were babies, at the same time as he held a bird.”

Richard trained many keepers during his time with Zoos Victoria, including his colleague and friend Matthew Kettle.

Matthew spoke at the memorial and discussed how they bonded over raptors, inspired

by Richard’s wealth of knowledge and passion for falcons.

“Eventually, the opportunity came to work on his team and they became some of the best years to date working of my professional career,” he said.

Coldstream Post Office Cnr Killara Road and Maroondah Highway Coldstream Supermarket Cnr Killara Road and Maroondah Highway Coldstream Roadrunners Roadhouse Cafe 629 Maroondah Highway Healesville Real Estate Yarra Valley 299 Maroondah Highway Healesville BP Ultimate 66 Maroondah Highway Healesville McKenzie's Tourist Services 13 Old Lilydale Road Healesville Newsagent 195 Maroondah Highway Healesville IGA Supermarket 199 Maroondah Highway Healesville SW Hollis Butcher 209 Maroondah Highway Healesville Sanctuary House Resort Motel 326 Badger Creek Road Healesville Shell Service Station Cnr Harker Street and Maroondah Highway Healesville Coles Supermarket 251 Maroondah Highway Healesville Caltex 370 Maroondah Highway Healesville First National/Mark Gunther 189 Maroondah Highway Healesville Beechworth Bakery 316 Maroondah Highway Launching Place Charlie's Milk Bar 2 Centella Place Launching Place General Store 2200 Warburton Highway Launching Place Caltex Log Cabin Service Station 2000 Warburton Highway Lilydale Shell Service Station 469 Maroondah Highway Lilydale United Petrol Service Station 473 Maroondah Highway

Picture: SUPPLIED

“There was always a spark in his eyes, a wicked sense of humour and a story to be told.

Matthew said they were out flying birds, lunches, evenings and afternoons and he feels very fortunate to have been part of his adventures while in Healesville.

“I still Reminisce at this time and I regularly share stories with colleagues, families and friends. Vanessa and my wife Emma often joke we were in a relationship, and I think in many ways we were. To this day it is still the closest friendship I’ve made outside my marriage and I will always value it immensely,” he said.

Debbie Edwards from Pastoral Care read out a tribute from Richard’s cherished friend Marilyn Harman who he met in 2009 at Kalimna House.

Marilyn wrote about his later years and how he connected with his creative side - often drawing, painting and creating unique items including his walking stick.

“It was during this time that he created his favourite walking stick, which he fashioned from a local tree branch and decorated and re-decorated with feathers and other symbols unique to himself,” Debbie read aloud.

The stick was quite the topic of conversation for Richard and passerbys which he mischievously told some was an ‘African tribal artefact with spiritual powers’.

“He was a well know and a much loved figure walking to the shops everyday with his trusty stick and will be sadly missed by many people in the Healesville community.”

Lilydale 7-Eleven Lilydale Cnr Maroondah Highway 7 Cave Hill Road Lilydale Lilydale Village News Agents Lilydale Village Lilydale Coles Supermarket Lilydale Village Lilydale Lilydale Village Lilydale Village Lilydale Lilydale Aged Care 475 Swansea Road Lilydale BP Service Station 87 Warburton Highway Lilydale Eastern Laundries 2/4 Williams Street East Millgrove Newsagency Shop 5/ 3043 Warburton Highway Millgrove Millgrove Licensed Grocers 3039 Warburton Highway Millgrove Millgrove Village Bakery 4/3039 Warburton Highway Seville Woolworths Seville 568 Warburton Highway Seville Woolworths Caltex Service Station 568 Warburton Highway Seville Post Office 634-638 Warburton Highway Wandin North Fast Fuel Wandin 389-391 Warburton Highway Wandin North IGA X-Press Wandin North Plus Liquor 388 Warburton Highway Wandin North Landmark Harcourts Wandin Real Estate 1/362 Warburton Highway Wandin North Wandin Newsagency Shop 18/2 Union Road Warburton IGA Supermarket 3465 Warburton Highway Warburton K G Thomas Ply Ltd Insurance 1/3395 Warburton Highway Warburton The Valley Bakery Warburton 3415 Warburton Highway

Clean Up Australia day event Community rubbish group, No Reason For Rubbish, is inviting locals to join a Clean Up Australia day event in Lilydale on Sunday 6 March.

Founder Cindy DeLuca hopes locals can attend the clean up which will be held Lilydale Chirnside Park ribbons of green service roads on Shepherds Lane.

The area is known for having high amounts of litter which local members of the group tackle often.

The group formed last year and aims to tackle a rise in rubbish being seen in the Yarra Ranges Shire.

For anyone interested in joining the No Reason For Rubbish group across the Yarra Ranges, they’re encouraged to contact the Facebook page.

Please contact Cindy DeLuca if you’re interested in attending on 0419 002 761, in case the meeting point is changed.

Healesville Historical Society AGM Notice is hereby given that the Thirtysixth Annual General Meeting of the Healesville and District Historical Society Incorporated (Registration Number A000171U, ABN 84 847 909 984) will be held on Friday 25th March 2022, at 2 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room, Community Link, 110 River Street, Healesville, (rear of the Memorial Hall).

Warburton Shell Service Station 3458 Warburton Highway Warburton Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 3371 Warburton Highway Warburton Bell Real Estate 3407 Warburton Highway Wesburn Local Fuel 2835 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Foodworks Woori Yellock 1/1585 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Newsagency & Tattslotto Shop 4/ 1585 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Hillcrest Little Store Great Food 1745 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Shell Service Station Foodies 1700 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Australia Post LPO Shop 11 / 1585 Warburton Highway, The Centre Yarra Glen Ritchies IGA Shop 1/38 Bell Street Yarra Glen Caltex Petrol Station 66 Bell Street Yarra Glen Newsagent 32 Bell Street Yarra Glen United Garage 6 Bell Street Yarra Junction Woolworths Supermarket 82-84 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Bottle O 2440 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Bell Real Estate 2457 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Newsagency 2454 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 2460 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Yarra Junction Community Link 2442-2444 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Gladysdale Bakehouse 2568 Warburton Hwy Yellingbo Central Store 1942 Healesville-Kooweerup Road

12527817-BL51-21

12 MAIL

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Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

mailcommunity.com.au

MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Dry eye relief in sight Do you suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome without knowing it?

Dry eye occurs when there is insufficient production or imbalance of any of the components in the tear film, leading to ocular discomfort. Apart from the feeling of dryness, the symptoms of dry eyes can include: Gritty, stinging or watery eyes.

Intermittent blurred vision that is relieved through blinking.

Foreign body sensation.

Light sensitivity.

Many people don’t associate watery eyes with dry eye! It makes sense - how can you have dry eyes when they feel the opposite? If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, book an eye exam with one of our optometrists online and let us help you find the right treatment and solution to alleviate your discomfort.

All of our treatments are gentle, non-invasive and can provide you with instant longlasting relief.

At Yarra Junction Optical we have a special interest in the treatment of dry eye and are invested in promoting awareness about this condition and caring for our community. Head to our website at yarrajunctionoptical.com.au for more information.

Local independent optometrists At Yarra Junction Optical, our priority is the care of our patients. We have a professional and welcoming environment that makes every visit enjoyable.

Being a local, independent optometrist means our team is invested in our local community. They live and breathe the Yarra Valley and surrounds too! Our warm and trusted optometrists and dispensing team provides personalised optical and medical eye care to

· · · ·

Yarra Junction Optical has a local, independent team. 241692 service you and your family’s needs. We assess your lifestyle and your eye health, providing you with the best possible solution for optimal vision care.

In our practice, we become familiar with each individual patient in order to customise eye exams and treatment options.

Our family eye care services include eye exams for kids and adults, vision therapy, vision correction and management of age-related eye disease.

We’re proud to support our EVERYDAY HEROES at CFA Yarra Junction.

We take the time to explain the results of your eye exam, describe your options and assess your eye care needs. Because maintaining good eye health is an ongoing partnership, our optometrists encourage you to ask questions and share your health information which is vital to monitoring, diagnosing and treating potential vision problems.

Our friendly optometrists will help you select the perfect eyewear for your vision needs and personal taste. We’ll match you with at-

tractive glasses for great eyesight and an amazing look.

At Yarra Junction Optical, we provide a full range of eye health services, all with personalised attention, to ensure that your eyes remain healthy for a lifetime.

To give back to our local community and support our Everyday Heroes, $5 from every purchase of prescription glasses purchased during March will be donated to CFA Yarra Junction brigade.

DR GIN & ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN PROVIDING

$

5

DENTAL SERVICES

from every pair of prescription glasses sold in March will be donated to the Yarra Junction CFA brigade.

TO THE YARRA VALLEY 202202246217_1-HC09-22

FOR OVER 28 YEARS...

Phone 5967 2065 info@yarrajunctionoptical.com.au

Shop 6, Village Shopping Centre Yarra Junction 3797

Mon to Fri - 9am to 5:30pm Saturday - 9am to 1pm

PROVIDING ALL GENERAL DENTAL & EMERGENCY SERVICES

The Yarra Junction Dental Surgery would like to welcome a new but experienced dentist to its team Dr Peter Malin B.D.Sc (U.Bris) L.D.S.R.C.S (Eng).

HE JOINS

Dr Malin managed his own successful practice in Lilydale for over 30 years.

• Dr Shehani Emmanuel B.D.Sc (SL), ADC • Dr Helen Cheung B.H.Sc (Dent) M, Dent (Bendigo)

• Dr Stewart Gin B.D.Sc. (Melb) • Dr Nirosha Rajapakse B.D.S.c (Adelaide), MRACDS (GDP)

He briefly considered retirement but soon realized that he just couldn’t put down his drill! (+forceps).

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME Call us today to book an appointment

Check up, Clean, 2 X-rays

$149.00

Your Local Dentist in Lilydale.

Please call for appointment

1 Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction Opposite Library – behind Woolworths

Shop 43 Lilydale Market Place Hutchison Street Lilydale “Next Door to Lowes” mailcommunity.com.au

12519518-HC45-21

9737 6453

teeth@yjd.com.au 12534418-JC09-22

5967 2202 Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

|

MAIL 13

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 070

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

3

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

6 8 1 1 7 9 3

6 5 9 4 1

ACROSS 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 25 26 28 29 30 31

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 22 23 24

27

4

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

No. 070

DOWN

System without private property (9) Tie-on labels (4) Extension (3) Group of islands (11) Outlines (8) Orb (6) Falsehoods (4) Gives (7) From Stockholm, say (7) Sulk (4) Uniform (6) Material for floors (8) Anarchy (11) Qld city, Mount — (3) Masculine (4) Food (9)

1

2 medium

7

QUICK CROSSWORD

Surgeons’ instruments (8) Calms (8) Wattle (6) Made greater (9) Primary (4) Handsome nursery plant (6) Oral (6) Counter (7) Bankrupt (9) Bestowed (7) Definite (8) Still (8) Zigzag (6) Affirmation (6) Art of dwarfing shrubs or trees (6) Book ID (1,1,1,1)

DECODER

No. 070

hard

3 2 6

4 2 5 1

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

3 3 8

M G 16

6 4

15

2

3 LETTERS ADO ADS ARE ECO EGO EMU EYE FOR GAR GOT HOT IDE MBA MIR ODE ONE OUT OVA RAT TEA TIE TOE TVS ZED

26

I O T UNQC S X H V E D 6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once.

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

E

Today’s Aim: 17 words: Good 25 words: Very good 34 words: Excellent

I

N

C

O

P M

G

T

4 LETTERS APSE BIDE CASA FAIR FRED HANS INTO ISPY LOAM ORBS RACE SAIL SARK SKIM

5 LETTERS ABASE ACRES ADORE ADORN AGAPE AGATE ALIAS ALIVE ALLEN ANGEL APPLE AVAIL BRING CASEY CEDAR COCOA CORSE COSTA DRESS ELIDE

No. 070

ELUDE ERRED EVITA FACTS GENII HEARD IBIZA ISSUE LAPUP LEONE LOSER LOTUS MACRO NURSE OMEGA OWNER PANIC PESTS PRIOR RALPH RIVEN

SAUDI SEEDS SIREN SNEAK SOLAR STEPS STUDY SUPER TRUER 6 LETTERS CENTER GERALD METALS SEEMED

7 LETTERS BREAKER LOCATED PUERILE RAUCOUS SUPREMO WARRIOR 8 LETTERS PASSABLE PROCURES SIDESTEP SORCERER

COMPETING, cope, coping, epic, incept, inept, mope, moping, open, opine, optic, opting, pectin, pent, peon, picot, pigeon, pigment, pimento, pine, ping, pint, pinto, pitmen, piton, poem, poet, poetic, point, tempi, tempo, tope, topic, toping

3 5 9 7 1 4 6 8 2

1 3 8 7 6 2 9 4 5

4 6 7 3 5 9 2 1 8

9 2 5 4 1 8 7 3 6

7 8 4 2 9 6 1 5 3

2 1 3 5 7 4 6 8 9

6 5 9 8 3 1 4 2 7

3 9 1 6 2 5 8 7 4

5 4 6 1 8 7 3 9 2

8 7 2 9 4 3 5 6 1

4 1 8 3 6 2 9 7 5

7 2 6 9 5 8 4 1 3

1 4 3 6 2 7 8 5 9

8 6 2 5 9 3 7 4 1

9 7 5 8 4 1 2 3 6

2 9 7 4 3 5 1 6 8

6 3 4 1 8 9 5 2 7

5 8 1 2 7 6 3 9 4

3 9 7 2 5 1 6 8 4

2 8 5 6 4 9 7 3 1

6 4 1 7 3 8 5 2 9

7 6 9 3 8 5 1 4 2

8 2 3 4 1 6 9 7 5

1 5 4 9 2 7 3 6 8

4 7 2 1 9 3 8 5 6

5 1 6 8 7 2 4 9 3

9 3 8 5 6 4 2 1 7

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

5

hard

4

medium

3

easy

2

6 3 7

1

4 7 9

2

AWB L K R Z P J F YMG

2 5

1

14

1 9 7 8 8

WORDFIT

04-03-22

This week’s crossword proudly sponsored by

The Heritage Family

HERITAGE & HERITAGE FUNERALS Lilydale 9739 7799 Healesville 5962 1600 HERITAGE PIONEERS CHAPEL 1414 Healesville/Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock 5964 6500 Head Office: 733 Boronia Road, Wantirna 9800 3000 info@ heritagefunerals.com.au www.heritagefunerals.com.au 1157336-CB40-14

14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

mailcommunity.com.au

CHARMING FAMILY HOME ON a made road, in a picturesque and convenient location is this fabulous lifestyle property on a large allotment of over 2 & ¾ acres for your family to enjoy.

The home has the most beautiful feel and has been created for low maintenance living while you get to enjoy the benefits outdoors of this great property.

Providing 2 sizeable bedrooms, a study or 3rd bedroom, a spacious modern bathroom and a large open plan kitchen, meals and living.

Boasting the most glorious views through the picture windows where you could sit and gaze for hours, and at the end of the day bask in a stunning romantic sunset, this open plan design is a treat.

Outdoors you are greeted with striking manicured gardens and entertaining areas where you will appreciate cool nights in front of the fire pit, dine in style on your timber deck and in your private moments, luxuriate in the beautiful outdoor clawfoot bath whilst gazing at the stars.

Your horse is well catered for with several post and rail fenced paddocks, holding yards and the picture perfect stable. The large rear paddocks have been more recently used by little budding motor cyclists, however with a bit of a turn over you could convert this back into extra pasture if desired. There is undercover parking for your float or caravan, underhouse parking and storage and still with plenty of upside should you desire, the property on offer is a brilliant start to that

country lifestyle you have been seeking.

There are just so many aspects of this picturesque property to prize, in addition to the convenience of the local village shops, schools, public transport and the iconic Warburton trail.

A charming and much loved home, ready for its new owners to savor and make their own. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 75 Allsops Road, LAUNCHING PLACE Description: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 garage Price: $1,050,000 - $1,150,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Price, 0438 795 190, BELL REAL ESTATE, YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

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MAIL 15

HOME FOCUS

COUNTRY LIVING WITH ACRES TO ENJOY IF it’s time for a change then come and enjoy the relaxed semi rural lifestyle on this picturesque acreage property of over 4 acres.

The home is spread over 2 levels and is presented to perfection, offering 4 bedrooms all with built-in robes including a walk in robe and ensuite in the main bedroom.

Separate living zones offer the growing family plenty of room with spacious family/ lounge and living areas and a formal dining room perfect for entertaining and ideally situated overlooking the picturesque, colorful gardens and tranquil backdrop.

A stunning kitchen featuring quality bench tops and appliances with ample bench and cupboard space.

Outside the setting is superb and will please the whole family with an inground pool and over 4 acres to explore and enjoy with a nice mix of cleared pasture and scattered trees.

Start the self sustainable lifestyle with an array of established fruit trees and a large veggie patch, established flowering trees and shrubs surround the home and the 2 car garage and workshop/office area offer extra storage for cars and trailers.

A fantastic property offering a great lifestyle and situated in picturesque, peaceful surroundings. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 195 Wickhams Road, LAUNCHING PLACE Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,150,000 - $1,250,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: David Carroll, 0419 539 320, BELL REAL ESTATE, YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277

75 Allsops Rd Launching Place A Charming home & over 2 & 3/4 acres

$1,050,000 - $1,150,000

195 Wickhams Rd Launching Place Country Living & Acres of Space

On a made road, in a picturesque location this fabulous lifestyle property on a large allotment of over 2 & 3/4 acres for your family to enjoy. Providing 2 sizeable bedrooms, a study or 3rd bedroom, a spacious modern bathroom and a large open plan kitchen, meals and living. Your horse is well catered for with several post and rail fenced paddocks, holding yards and the picture perfect stable. There is undercover parking for your float or caravan, underhouse parking and storage and still with plenty of upside should you desire, the property on offer is a brilliant start to that country lifestyle you have been seeking. There are just so many aspects of this picturesque property to enjoy.

In a semi rural lifestyle on over 4 acres this home is spread over 2 levels offering 4 bedrooms including a walk in robe and ensuite in the main bedroom. Separate living zones with spacious family/lounge and living areas and a formal dining room perfect for entertaining and ideally situated overlooking the picturesque, colorful gardens and tranquil backdrop. A stunning kitchen featuring quality bench tops and appliances with ample bench and cupboard space.

Outside the setting is superb with an inground pool and over 4 acres with a nice mix of cleared pasture and scattered trees. Established flowering trees and shrubs surround the home and the 2 car garage and workshop/office area offer extra storage for cars and trailers. A great lifestyle situated in picturesque, peaceful surroundings.

Contact: Samantha Price 0438 795 190 Inspection: Saturday 11-11.30am (Photo ID Required)

Contact: David Carroll 0419 539 320 Inspection: Tuesday 5.30 - 6pm (Photo ID Required)

bellrealestate.com.au 16 MAIL

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Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

$1,150,000 - $1,250,000

5966 2530

3407 Warburton Hwy, Warburton

5967 1277

2457 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction

mailcommunity.com.au

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

www.networkclassifieds.com.au

Place your ad in print and online

V Deadline

V Trades Business Profile

V Glass/Glazing

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

RIDGELINE GLASS & GLAZING • Domestic/Commercial Glazing/Repairs • Manufacture of Frameless/Semiframeless & Fully Framed Shower Screens • Double Glazing & Laminated Glass • Glass cut to size - Pick up or Delivery • Insurance Work Handled • Free Quotes or just some advice • New Colours and Styles in Splashbacks • Qualified Tradesman

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V Landscaping

Be cool this summer • Brivis Evaporative Cooling • Daikin & Rinnai Splits • Pensioner discounts • Evap & Split Service Specials

796 433 223.co Ricky Prest: 0 m ail

Specialising In:

$

$

$ # $

$

$

3 C1074785-KK7-1

E YA RR A RI D G

V Air Conditioning

G LANDSCAPIN

12493755-SN19-21

Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise. Start building your brand today and be seen every week in Network Classifieds Trades and Services.

YARRA RIDGE

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week.

Deadline for all classifications is 4pm Friday.

All major credit cards accepted

“I regularly advertise in the local papers as my business will then reach the local audience.”

- Ricky

Specialising In: • All Aspects of Stonework • Paving • Retaining Walls • Driveways • Landscape Construction • 3 Tonne Excavator with Augers

0433 223 796

Ricky Prest: yr.landscaping@hotmail.com

C1074785-KK7-13

We accept payment by:

V Mowing & Lawn Care

CUT PRICE LAWNMOWING Garden Care • Rubbish Removal • Retaining Walls

ALL TYPES OF BRICKWORK, OUTDOOR FIREPLACES & PAVING

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12482869-LB08-21

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LANDSCAPING

Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

1194040-KC32-15

Phone: 1300 666 808

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

0458 568 743 briandlee60@gmail.com

g@hotm

yr.landscapin

V Painters/Decorators

Call 1300 666 808

Carpenter 0408 538 121

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀

section of Network Classifieds.

฀

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

STEVENS GLASS

375 Maroondah Highway, North Croydon

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

Phone: 9726 6488

V Fencing & Gates

KELLY’S FENCING & TIMBER ฀

2214155v11

TERMITE CONTROL SPECIALIST

rangerpestcontrol.com.au Free termite quotes - Family owned business ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

Motoring section of Network Classifieds.

฀

฀ Insured

฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀

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฀

12528239-CG02-22

฀

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Call for a free quote

0488 097 005

V Roofing

The Re-Roof Man

Buy, & Sell in our

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฀0418 515 414

V Pest Control

Phone Dean 5962 1090 Mobile: 0412 086 471

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

R.E.C. 8864

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

section of Network Classifieds.

Showroom open Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm (8 - 12 Saturdays)

5966 9141

฀฀฀฀ ฀฀฀฀

Employment

Boxes and packaging material for sale Local, country and metro All Household Maintenance Available

V Glass/Glazing

D.G. & V.M. CLINCH

฀฀฀฀ ฀฀฀฀

General Notices

฀

฀ ฀ ฀

Jason 1300 644 698

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1211217-PB51-15 C1084033-JO31-13

*BO 3PCFSUT

฀ ฀ ฀

*Domestic *Commercial *New Installations *Maintenance Ph: 0418 172 328

V Carpenters

c 1FSHPMBT t %FDLT t "MM $BSQFOUSZ 8PSL t t 0WFS :FBST &YQFSJFODF t

฀

1129931-RC16-14

5962 4060 0409 889 507 0409 889 507

฀ ฀

Furniture Removals ( JhkYai 7lW_bWXb[ IjehW][ 7lW_bWXb[

All types of Roofs ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

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฀

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Paul 0418 570 231 Lic. 25035

฀

12402861-RA44-18

Healesville Blinds

Proprietor ProprietorChris ChrisBurley Burley

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12409424-CG04-19

• Blinds and Awnings of all types • Security Doors and Screens • Competitive Rates and Free Measure and Quote

1202250-KC42-15

BLINDS & SECURITY DOORS

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24 HOUR SERVICE ฀

1118763-RC07-14

J.L. Hutt Electrical

V Awnings, Blinds & Curtains

Jake Harris 0402 913 197 Email: info@harrisandcopainting.com.au www.harrisandcopainting.com.au

V Furniture Removals

12345326-PB14-17

V Electricians

12368209-HM42-17

9870 7059 www.fairbairns.com.au

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR • DOMESTIC/COMMERCIAL DULUX ACCREDITED PAINTER

12421015-FA27-19

12438941-CG04-20

12522612-JW47-21

REC 17042 PIC 38148 AU 06212

paulnobes@live.com.au

12454729-SG29-20

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

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MAIL 17

General Notices

Announcements V Deaths

V Public Notices and Event

C1047556-KG35-12

V Roofing

Over 20 years experience in all aspects of Roof Tiling.

• Roofing Repairs • Leak Detection • Re-Bed and Point • Roof Restoration • Re-Roofs • Extensions Call Ross now for a no Obligation free quote.

Personalised and Professional Service Guaranteed

SCHOOL ROAD & VALLEY ROAD, SEVILLE - VICTORIA ROAD (SECTION BETWEEN STATION ROAD TO WALKER ROAD), RAILWAY ROAD & ENGLISH STREET, SEVILLE - STATION ROAD, SEYMOUR STREET & BRITTON ROAD, SEVILLE - ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS

Ph: 0400 627 644

Call Chris 0412 099 142 23 years in roofing leaks

HONAN, Barbara Jean (nee Sonnet)

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 22 February 2022 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the School Road & Valley Road, Seville - Victoria Road (section between Station Road to Walker Road), Railway Road & English Street, Seville - Station Road, Seymour Street & Britton Road, Seville - road improvement works, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the provision by Council of road improvements carried out under Sections 8 and 10 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Rebedding & pointing Skylight resealing Written guarantee

Leak detection & repair Valleys replaced Pensioner discount

SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEMES

12462305-LB39-20

27 07.1942 - 23 Feb 2022 Passed away peacefully after a brave and ferocious battle with Cancer, with her partner David by her side.

Forever missed, (partner) David, (sister) Jade, brothers Terry and Robert.

The special charge is intended to be declared in respect of those properties shown within the designated area for the special charge schemes as outlined by heavy lines on the plans below, being properties that have abuttal to or gain primary access via, the above listed roads.

Please join us in a celebration of her fantastic life.

Le Pine - Healesville, 9th March 2022 at 10am.

A copy of the proposal to levy is available for inspection at the Yarra Ranges Council Community Link, 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale (enter via Coles carpark) during office hours until 30 March 2022.

V Septic Tanks

Should Council’s Community Links be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, a copy of the proposal to levy is also available online by searching Council’s website for the Agenda of the 22 February Council meeting.

C936869-KK25-11

YARRA VALLEY SEPTIC TANK CLEANING • Septic Tanks • Treatment Plants • Grease Traps • EPA Licence • Portable Toilets

5962 4841

9735 3700

In accordance with Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989, any person wishing to make a submission on the proposal must do so in writing to the undersigned by 30 March 2022. Submissions should be addressed to:

V Deaths

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

Loving companion of Farha.

Affectionate brother to Rose. Beloved father of Rory and Wendy. Grandfather 'Bobbie' to Alexis, Kaylee, Serena, Robbie, Jazarah and Ben. Friend to the Yarra Valley.

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 Local Government Act 1989.

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

V Tree Lopping/Surgery 30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

DIN TREE SERVICE WA•N TREES PRUNED, LOPPED, FELLED

Will be sadly missed

JORDAN, Robert Edward A service to celebrate the life of Robert Edward Jordan will be held on Monday 7th March 2022 at 10.30am in the William Matthews Funeral Home, 45 Cave Hill Road, Lilydale. To view the service via live stream go to the William Matthews Funerals Home page.

WILLIAM MATTHEWS FUNERALS 9739 6868 N.F.D.A

V Acknowledgements 12499475-CG25-21

AND REMOVED • WOODCHIPPING AND STUMPGRINDING • QUALIFIED ARBORIST FREE • PROMPT RELIABLE SERVICE QUOTES • EXCELLENT RATES

It is proposed to declare the special charges at the Council meeting to be held on 26 April 2022, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.

NAISBITT, Richard 12538543-CG09-22

FULLY INSURED

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JORDAN, Robert Edward Passed away on Sunday 20th February, 2022.

Aged 71 years.

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.

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Vanessa, Marilyn and their families would like to thank the community of Healesville for their support at the news of Richard Naisbitt’s death and their presence at his memorial.

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PUBLIC NOTICE APPLICATION TO EXTRACT GROUNDWATER UNINCORPORATED GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT UNIT

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Southern Rural Water wishes to advise of an application to extract up to 20.0 megalitres of groundwater per year for irrigation, dust suppression and water carting purposes from an existing bore on property described as Crown Allotment 62B3, 25 Mannagum Road, Three Bridges.

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All groundwater proposed to be extracted will be sourced from the Unincorporated Groundwater Management Area.

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Southern Rural Water is committed to an appropriate consultation process to ensure the proper consideration of relevant matters as prescribed by the Water Act 1989.

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We therefore seek comment from any interested person or party that considers that they are or may be affected by this application. Submissions on this proposal will be accepted until 4pm on 29 March 2022 and will be taken into account in determining this application.

Lynda Hardy Senior Assessment Officer PO Box 153 Maffra 3860 Telephone 1300 139 510 srw@srw.com.au

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CAMPER TRAILER As is.

Where is. Good tyres. $500ono. 40 Graceburn Ave Healesville. 5962 1389.

RED E TRIKE. As new. $1000 or nearest offer.

Phone: 5962 1389

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

V Pets & Services ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

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

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SPORT

Off to the finals

Golf champ

By Ian Callen

By Joshua Hamilton Healesville 1st XI Vs Wandin 1st XI at Queens Park, Healesville: Wandin asked Healesville to bat first who made a very good start, scoring at a rate of 7 runs per over after 10 overs and losing only 1 wicket. Momentum would be the key but unfortunately for Wandin, it remained with the opposition. Ryan Thompson then got a much-needed run-out to give Wandin a bit of energy and belief that they could turn the innings around.

Healesville’s Ash Hamer and Max Minney scored at a fast rate to take their score to 4/246 with 4 overs to go. This allowed Healesville’s batters to play shots with a fair amount of freedom, finishing up at 5/285 from their 40 overs.

Wandin needed a similar start to be within reach of surpassing the big target. Much like the majority of the season, we would find ourselves a few wickets down for less than an ideal amount of runs but this wouldn’t deter Wandin from fighting the good fight to go from 6/34 to 7/100 when Bryce Edwards (25) was dismissed. In true Wandin fashion, the Doggies kept digging deep with Jordan Poynton (74), and Dave Thorne (23no) seeing the innings finish at 9/194.

To find a ton of heart and add massive amounts of respect to the innings was fantastic. This draws the curtain on what has been a tough season playing in the RDCA premier grade Steve Pascoe Shield for the 1st XI. Wandin 2nd XI Vs St Andrews 5th XI at Wandin North Reserve: The ladder-leading Wandin side hosted St Andrews for their first-ever competitive meeting.

St Andrews elected to bat first on the lightningquick Wandin deck.

They made a conservative start to their batting innings, their first wicket falling at 1/39 when Mitchell Kogelman (1/14 from 7 overs)

was duly rewarded for an economical bowling spell. Another wicket would fall shortly after on 48 runs when Miles Rayner (1/41) trapped their number three batter LBW. Hamish Lamont (1/25 off 7) would strike next when he removed a batter on 50 courtesy of a Lachie Riddiford catch. Lachie (1/23 off 5) chimed in again shortly after by delivering the 4th wicket via LBW. Daniel Trembath (1/46 off 7) would join the wicket-taking action with another LBW dismissal. Before St Andrews knew it, their maximum amount of overs was completed and their team score was on a reasonable 5/166.

Wandin changed the usual opening partnership of Danny Alderman and Daryn Trembath by elevating Lachie Riddiford to open with Daryn. This change worked a treat as Lachie carved out a nice 42 off 32 balls while Daryn notched up yet another score in excess of 50 for the 2nd week running. Wandin was cruising towards the target at 0/74 after just 10 overs. St Andrews saw the back of both Lachie and Jamie Elliott but this brought out big hitter Rod Aitken who took the same approach to batting as Lachie did by scoring at better than a run-a-ball.

St Andrews wouldn’t take any more than 2 wickets as Daryn Trembath finished 53no and Rod Aitken 42no as Wandin reached 2/171 after just 25 overs securing a very comprehensive win. The 2nd XI secured the top spot and the minor premiership in G Grade after remaining unbeaten since round 1. Wandin will play St Andrews again at Wandin North next week in a do-or-die semi-final.

Wandin 3rd XI Vs Warrandyte 7th XI at Wandin East Reserve: While the 3rd XI has secured a finals berth and will tackle top-placed Mount Evelyn next week, the focus was solely on upsetting Warrandyte’s finals campaign as they needed a victory to secure a home final for themselves. Skipper Pat Laws won the toss and choose to bat first.

Luke Falkingham and Jason Kneebone were sent out to face the new ball. Both made a positive start including a 69 run opening stand before Jason was bowled for a solid 26. Shaun Doolan was elevated up the order to number three to help continue building on the foundation laid but when he was also bowled for a quick 7, the ever consistent Matty Owens strolled out to the crease to partner Luke. At the halfway point Wandin was 2/88 and getting ready to launch an attack in the 2nd half of the innings.

Luke Falkingham notched up his first 50no for the club by raising the bat upon his retirement from the batting crease.

Matty Owens was then bowled for 13 as Warrandyte looked to halt the Wandin charge claiming the wicket of Pat Laws for 7. Lachie Alderman and Josh Hamilton (11) combined for a run-a-ball partnership of 25 before Josh Hamilton went out leaving Wandin 6/153. Advantage Warrandyte.

Lachie Alderman served up the perfect counterattack as he ran hard between the wickets and found the boundary on 7 occasions to finish another brilliant inning of 48no, leading Wandin to a defendable 8/191.

We took an early scalp when Jason Kneebone held onto a sharp catch off the bowling of Shaun Doolan to have Warrandyte 1/11. We then struck with 2 further wickets for only 59 runs when Luke Falkingham sparked a run-out of their well-set opener on 21. Lachie Alderman couldn’t be kept out of the game when he took a nice catch off Ben Vallence’s bowling and Rory Vallence was the pick of the bowlers as he took 2/28. Warrandyte produced some big shots and boundaries at the right time which ultimately saw them secure victory with 5 overs to go. The 3rd XI will regather and prepare for the massive final that lays ahead this Saturday in enemy territory.

The RACV Healesville 2022 Club Championship concluded Sunday having been played over the past two weekends.

It was Glenn Newbery who took command of the Championship from the first round to win handsomely by eight strokes, 69, 70, 73, 75 (287) from Chris Handasyde 81, 74, 70, 70 (295) and Neil Ackerman 73,77, 78, 69 (297) B Grade was won by Steven Cubela who shot the lights out in the final round, overcoming a six shot deficit to win by four strokes, 76, 82, 84, 80 (322) Runners up were Dale Phillips 76, 75, 85, 90 (326) and Geoff Hopkins 85, 82, 79, 84 (330) C Grade was won by myself, Ian Callen, who held a one-stroke lead going into the final round, 89. 93, 87, 80 (349) Runners up were Jan O’Brien 95, 88, 87, 89 (359) and Mitch Hay 91, 97, 95 & 83.

RACV Healesville 2022 Club Champion Glenn Newbery.

Picture: SUPPLIED

A hole in one at Warburton Golf Club

By Ron Hottes

Lance “Gator” Atwell recorded his first hole-inone on the challenging 5th hole.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Wednesday 23 February, Stableford: Deb Hamment is one of our newer lady members, and her golf game has improved dramatically. Her handicap has dropped from the original of the low 40s, not that long ago, through to the 30s very quickly! Playing off 32 on this day, she amassed 43 points to win the day by 4 Stableford points.

Well done Deb, we hope you continue in this form. As the runner-up, Kevin Bargar can consider himself unlucky, because 39 points is often enough to take the win. With those scores, balls only got down to 36 and the NTPs

went to BarryMaltman (3rd), MaxCarvill (5th), Warren Sheargold (9th), and to Mario De Vincentis (12th).

TWILIGHT: We are creeping to the pointy end of this 202122 Twilight season. On this night, the golfer with the pointiest game was Michael Eldridge, as he recorded a superb 24 points. Also the runner-up, Jeff “Father” Gill was none-tooshabby, with 21 points. This resulted in balls extending to 19 only. Winners of the NTPs were Bruno Kennedy (3rd), A. McInnes (4th), and “Shaggy” Kempton (9th).

Saturday 26 February: A healthy group of over 25 pairs competed in

a highly competitive two-person Ambrose, where truly low scores were always going to rule the results. The pair who ruled over all others consisted of Jason Kennedy and Paul Long, with a stunning Nett 57.25. The Fox boys were the runner-up combination, one shot behind on Nett 58.25, also a serious result. Balls got down to 63.25. The NTPs were taken home

by Noel Cross (3rd), Des Ray (9th), Steve Noonan (12th), and Tim McKail (15th).

A special mention to Lance Atwell, who recorded a hole-in-one on the VERY challenging 5th hole. I believe that is Gator’s first ace, so his mates at the club send hearty congratulations to him for this rare and proud achievement.

Action on the greens across pennant and social bowls Warburton enjoys Intra Club finals

By Garry Lewis On Thursday evening following training, the Intra Club singles Finals were held.

Two high-standard games saw Rayna Zunneberg defeat Natasha Caneva in the Women’s Final and Chris Lord defeat Paul McConachy in the Men’s Final.

Both Rayna and Chris will now represent the Burras in the Regional Champion of Champions event.

The weekend Warburton 1 side played Mitcham 1 away in another close contest. They went down fighting, 72 shots to 80. These close losses have been costly for the Burras making it very difficult to reach the finals. On Sunday, they played Donvale at home. In a solid performance, the Burras won three rinks to win by 19 shots, 84 to 65. Next weekend sees another double against Bundoora RSL and Yarra Glen.

The Warburton 2 side played the fourth placed Chirnside Park 2 at home and won their fourth game in a row, 87 shots to 57. Their recent overall form has been vastly improved.The mid-week Warburton 1 side, played the second-placed Heathmont 2 at home in superb bowling conditions.

However, after a tight contest, Heathmont mailcommunity.com.au

pulled away to win by 8 shots, 52 to 60. Fortunately, the Burras hold on to their third position on the ladder. They play Mooroolbark 2 away this week in another important match leading up to the finals.

Yarra Junction lands fourth spot

By Peter Brennan There is a palpable air of excitement at Yarra Junction Bowling Club, as the penultimate round of the home and away season draws to a close, with only one game remaining before the finals. In both Pennant competitions, finals are now a real possibility, with pennants as the ultimate prize.

The Tuesday midweek team continues its strong form, with a good victory against Croydon. They have now won their last three, and are assured of a finals berth.

The excitement at the moment revolves around the Saturday Pennant competition. It seemed unlikely a few weeks ago, and looking back over the season, but we were not out of it, mathematically speaking, and Yarra Junction Bowling Club has come home with a wet sail.

Last week’s win against second-placed Boronia was a huge confidence booster, but the challenge this weekend dwarfed that.

Sitting in fifth spot we came up against top-

placed undefeated Lilydale. To keep our season alive, we had to win. It was a humid and windy day and a very close tussle throughout.

Yarra Junction held a narrow lead most of the day, though at times all rinks were tied and the class of the top team continually threatened to breakthrough. Lilydale took the lead late, but showing true spirit Yarra Junction rallied and ran away at the end, winning three rinks and tieing one, in what is one of the best wins for some time. Yarra Junction is now in fourth spot on the ladder, by a very narrow margin. It all comes down to the last game against Yarra Glen on their home deck.

The finals are contested by the top four teams. There are three teams who can finish fourth, but Yarra Junction now holds fourth spot and if we win we keep it.

In the past two weeks, we have beaten the first and second teams - why not us, for the finals? Remember the clubhouse is a pleasant and popular venue for functions of all kinds.

Barefoot Bowls on Friday evenings is a nice way to pass the time, with a bar, a sausage sizzle, and equipment available.

Healesville’s fighting spirit

By Ian Milgate Tuesday Pennant saw Healesville’s Team 1 play

away against Croydon.

Healesville players didn’t give up without a fight but sadly went down to Croydon 49 - 69.

Healesville’s Team 1 is currently in 2nd spot and play bottom team Eltham next week.

Team 2 played Croydon at home and had a very convincing win against their opponents winning 86 - 44. Great team effort.

Team 2 is also in 2nd spot and play bottom team Donvale next week.

Saturday Pennant saw Healesville play away at Heatherdale and although 2 rinks managed to get up, overall we went down to Heatherdale 63 - 88.

Next week is the last game of the season at home, so come on down, support the club and watch a great match against Ringwood.

The Corporate Challenge is being played out at the moment for the John Hort Perpetual trophy.

Businesses from around Healesville enjoy each Wednesday night bowling and having fun with families.

Come on down from 6.00pm over the next few weeks. Watch the locals bowl, who normally are serving you a coffee or meal, or growing vines, plants, roofing, tree lopping or many other services they provide around town.

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