Mail - Mt Evelyn Star Mail - 8th March 2022

Mount Evelyn

Tuesday, 8 March, 2022

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Lilydale SES supports snake bite rescue

The region shocked by Shane Warne’s death

Plant fundraiser a success for scholarship

Posties gear up for charity Victorian bike ride

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Class of 21 celebrated

Bree Walker visited her old school on Tuesday 1 March to help congratulate the high achieving students at Mount Evelyn Mercy College.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Mount Lilydale Mercy College’s high achievers from the class of 2021 were celebrated and congratulated on Tuesday 1 March with the appearance of a special guest.

College alumni and now an Australian Olympian, Bree Walker, was welcomed back to her old campus to speak about her achievements since leaving school and the challenges she faced in reaching her goal.

MLMC had a number of students achieve study scores over 40, with some in more than one subject. The school also recognised the top ATAR scorers.

Many students had already started university or full time work, receiving the acknowledgement in absentia.

Turn to page 6 for more

Housing backflip The Victorian Government has decided to no longer proceed with proposed reforms to the social housing sector, following criticism from industry groups and local councils.

The plans, which the State Government said would “cut red tape, slash approval times by speeding up planning processes, support local councils, create jobs and bolster construction,” were criticised by the Eastern Region

Group of Councils (ERG) — which includes Yarra Ranges Council — because it would exempt the State Government from paying rates on social housing properties.

Construction industry groups and local councils were concerned about the flow on effect of house prices particularly for first home buyers, with the 1.75 per cent tax placed on developers and a potential increase in rates.

ERG Chair Cr Michelle Kleinert said the proposal for a rates exemption on public and

community housing left councils “between a rock and a hard place”.

“It raises the question - should ratepayers be asked to fill the funding gap, or will residents just have to accept lower levels of service?” Cr Kleinert said.

“While the ERG congratulates the State Government for the Big Housing Build investment, and for proposing an enduring mechanism to tackle the persistent, chronic shortfall in social housing - public and community

housing should pay rates.”

In the 10 days after announcing the estimated $800 million fund for social housing, homelessness support agencies like Anchor welcomed the decision to help alleviate the decade-long wait list for housing.

Anchor CEO Heidi Tucker said the announcement had been a step in the right direction for improved living for many people facing homelessness.

Continued page 2 12538976-HC10-22

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Property policy scratched From page 1 Speaking to Star Mail last week when the Social Housing Growth Fund was still in action, Ms Tucker said she did understand the argument about first home buyers being hit with extra costs in an extreme housing market but felt it was time for the people in the margins to get support.

“If you’re lining up for your first house, the additional cost over your lifetime of paying mortgages, if you can afford to do that, is really pretty negligible or affordable,” she said.

“It might be $10,000 more, and yes, that might feel like a stretch when you’re a first time owner, but at least you’re going to be a homeowner.

“I think it’s probably time for all of us right

across the community to start thinking about other people that that actually is never going to be possible for. I’m not saying that it’s not difficult for those particular first time buyers at that moment in their lives… [but there are] many thousands of people where life is pretty damn difficult.”

Ms Tucker said in the long term an investment in social housing could in fact save the State money from having to house those who are homeless in hospitals or other specialised services that are expensive to run.

“There’s many studies researched from all around the world that having people housed in a stable environment really saves our society so much money. So the cost of actually having people wandering around homeless is a myth,” she said.

Contention over the actual impact on first home buyers has been discussed rapidly, with some saying the tax would increase the median house price by $20,000 but that figure was worked out on a roughly $1.1 million property, an unreachable figure for those entering the housing market.

“I haven’t seen the math on this. I have not seen what it will really mean, I’ve heard this in the media, I’ve heard that it’s going to increase for first time owners but I don’t know that we’ve got the quantity of that yet,” Ms Tucker said.

“So I think it’s probably a bit premature before we see the math and before we actually see the policies come in.”

The ERG councils said it understood the

need for more social and affordable housing, particularly with an estimated 8000 families in this region without safe, secure and affordable housing, which is expected to rise to over 11,400 by 2036.

Cr Kleinert called for a return to the previous Federal government role as the main funder of social housing in Australia.

“The ERG also supports Australian Council of Social Services’ calls for the Federal government to resume its ‘historical role’ as the main funder of social housing developments by delivering a funding boost to build at least 20,000 new dwellings, and to substantially increase the Commonwealth Rent Assistance payment to low-income households, so that social housing providers can meet their growing operating and maintenance costs.”

Youth crime on the agenda for Eastern Region leaders

By Parker McKenzie The newly-appointed Eastern Region Police Assistant Commissioner and Commander have flagged their intention to tackle youth crime and recidivism in the Yarra Ranges.

Assistant Commissioner Tony Langdon said the process of putting youth through the justice system isn’t the answer to resolving criminality for a lot of youth offenders.

“Youth and drugs are one of the pieces that I want to actually concentrate on not only in the Yarra Ranges but throughout the region,” he said.

“That’s the whole idea about neighbourhood policing. It’s not so much about what police want to initiate, it’s what we initiate with the community.”

Assistant Commissioner Langdon com-

menced his role with the Eastern Region in October 2021, with his primary role being to provide effective policing service to improve community safety. He joined Victoria Police in 1980 and has served as a detective in crime, homicide and armed robbery divisions.

He highlighted his experience working around Flemington connecting with the African Australian community as a highlight of his career so far.

“I was actually one of the main architects for the inaugural Flemington Kokoda program for the youth down there, which lasted for an extended period of time before it was taken over by another superintendent,” he said.

“My last three to five years I was the commander at Southern Metro Region, working out of Dandenong and running operations.”

Eastern Region Commander Karen Ny-

holm said she would like the police to formalise more engagement with schools to help reduce youth offending.

“For schools engagement, we’re not going to be in schools every day running programs,” she said.

“What we’ll do is work with the local Department of Health and come in and work with you.”

Commander Nyholm was appointed to Eastern Region in November 2021. She has previously worked in major fraud investigations, court prosecutions, coronial support, education and media communications for Victoria Police.

She said her greatest passion was within the legal services area.

“I worked as a prosecutor for many years and one stint there was actually for a couple

of years at the Coroner’s Court,” Commander Nyholm said. “I worked as a coroner’s assistant and that role actually had many components to it. One part of it took me on many occasions into regional areas, where I had the unfortunate task of investigating aircraft crashes.”

Commander Nyholm also has experience in emergency management during the East Gippsland bushfires in February 2021 and in a role leading the State Police Operations Centre for the Covid-19 response.

Assistant Commissioner Langdon said the Yarra Ranges is a close-knit community with emergency management issues, which Victoria Police is acting to prepare for.

“In preparation for this summer, we went through a training phase and we go through assurance programs to say that VicPol is prepared.” he said.

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IN BRIEF

Snake bite rescue

By Renee Wood A Melbourne Water worker has been rescued by an Ambulance Victoria helicopter, winched through the air after suffering a snake bite in difficult terrain just outside Healesville.

Emergency services were called just before 3pm Thursday 3 March to help extract the man in his 20s, who was bitten by a snake on the leg while doing some maintenance work in the catchment area.

Lilydale SES Unit Controller Shaun Caulfield was at the scene and said several rescue options were explored due to the difficulty of the rescue site.

“SES were requested to assist with our mule wheeled stretcher carrier initially, but once AV got on scene, they identified it was actually about a 40 degree slope that the patient was down,” he said.

A High Angle Rescue Response was also planned for and additional resources from FRV and CFA crews were brought in, including Healesville, Badger Creek and Wandin Fire Brigades.

Mr Caulfield said the victim and his colleague were also 40 to 50 metres down the slope and no ground crews were able to access them by foot.

“Luckily, the area they were in was literally in a clearing, so they were able to winch one of the flight paramedics down to the patient, and winch them back out again.”

Healesville SES and Monbulk CFA were also among the 11 appliances who responded to the call near Black Spur Road.

“Obviously, we were all there on standby because there’s a multitude of factors that can prevent them from being able to winch in and out.”

The patient and flight paramedic being winched into the Ambulance Victoria helicopter. 271170 Picture: LILYDALE SES Mr Caulfield said luckily the patient was able to be successful removed for treatment by the winch and Ambulance Victoria confirmed he was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.

“They winched him up in the harness rather than a stretcher, so it suggests that he was doing okay, because you have to be conscious and alert to go into the harness.”

“It all worked out quite well in the end, the Melbourne Water crews were able to give us some fairly good location details.”

Mr Caulfield said snake bite rescues aren’t very common and within the SES he has only been called to a suspected bite in the past on Mount Dandenong.

“In my professional career as a paramedic as well, I think I’ve been to three snakebites in 20 years and one of them was Healesville Sanctuary with a keeper.”

It’s unclear which snake bit the man but Polyvalent Snake Antivenom is usable for a broad spectrum of snake species.

“It’s come quite a long way, 20 years ago when I started in ambulance, it was pretty crucial to try and identify the type of snake because you had to give the right anti venom.

“Death from snake bite in Australia is actually quite rare and it’s usually only when people are bitten in very remote areas that it can turn out to be fatal because treatment is so good, and so readily available.”

Mooroolbark fire sends smoke billowing

By Mikayla van Loon CFA crews responded to an out of control blaze at a Mooroolbark house on Sunday 27 February.

The house on Straun Avenue could be seen sending thick, black smoke into the air around 2.30pm.

Mooroolbark CFA Captain Tony King said his crew found a small granny flat at the back of the house engulfed in flames.

“Trees on the boundary were also on fire with flames edging closer to the house next door,” he said.

With the help of Fire Rescue Victoria crews, 10 CFA vehicles were required to get the fire under control.

Mr King said his team and fellow firefighting crews did a great job in getting the blaze under control within 15 minutes before monitoring the situation.

A warning was posted to the Vic Emergency app warning local residents of the presence of hazardous substances.

In social media posts, residents said the

house was surrounded by rubbish and photos show a number of tents also on fire in the rear of the property.

This was not the first time Mooroolbark CFA has been called to this particular property, with Mr King saying his crews have attended at least half a dozen times, most recently being in early January.

Mr King said previously Mooroolbark CFA had been called to fires in tents and a caravan on the property and he did not think there was anything left to burn but the recent structure fire proved him wrong.

“It is a very difficult property to negotiate. There are some piles stacked two metres high with rubbish,” Mr King said.

“People living next door to hoarders should be aware and have precautions in place should a fire break out. If they do report a fire to the CFA, they should also advise them if the property is a hoarder’s.”

Ambulance Victoria treated two people at the scene, with one man taken to Maroondah Hospital in a stable condition for further observation.

Dangerous drivers caught on roads At about 5.50pm on Saturday 5 March, police received multiple calls from members of the public in relation to a vehicle driving erratically with children on board near Ringwood North Primary School.

Croydon Police attended and spoke to a male driver who later returned an Evidentiary Breath Test (EBT) result of 0.054.

The vehicle was immediately impounded for 30 days at a cost of $879 and the man will be required to attend Court in relation to drinkdriving and loss of traction offences.

A 33-year-old Diamond Creek man was seen driving erratically in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Members of the public notified police and intercepted the male driver on Cambridge Road in Kilsyth where he was tested for the presence of alcohol.

The male returned an alleged breath alcohol concentration of .167 and has had his licence immediately suspended.

He will face the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court at a later date where it is expected he will receive a loss of licence for at least 12 months.

Coldstream house fire Lilydale CFA crews responded to a house fire in Coldstream on Friday 4 March, with fellow crews from Coldstream, Grueye, Mount Evelyn, Bayswater, Wandin and Yellingbo.

The Killara Road house went up in flames around 5pm.

Around 60 per cent of the house was lost to the blaze but crews fought to keep the fire contained.

PCR payment closes As of 1 March, the State government payment for those who were awaiting PCR test results has been closed.

The $450 payment was available for those who were unable to work whilst awaiting the results of a PCR test, which was particularly important during the peak of the Omicron wave where results could take days at a time to arrive and rapid antigen tests were in short supply.

Claims submitted before 9am on Wednesday 9 March will be assessed. Applicants must have taken a PCR test on or before Tuesday 1 March to be eligible to apply.

Lifeblood pop up in Lilydale

Black smoke could be seen in all directions on Sunday after a house caught fire and what looks like a number of tents in the backyard.

Picture: MATTHEW GREGOR The fire was brought under control just after 3pm and was deemed safe just after 3.30pm.

Yarra Ranges Council has been contacted for comment on the state of the property.

The team at Lifeblood have just announced a pop up blood donation clinic coming to Lilydale in two months.

The pop up visit to Lilydale will run between Monday 9 to Friday 20 May at the Lilydale Baptist Church on the corner of Hull Road and Swansea Road.

Appointments will be available between 8am and 7.30pm.

Montrose clean up Members from the Montrose community came together on Sunday 6 March for Clean Up Australia Day. Over 30 people joined the annual tradition of cleaning up the town and helped collect bags of rubbish that would otherwise be left in nature.

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Heartbreak Warne’s gone

By David Nagel It’s been so hard to process and digest the news of the death of the biggest superstar Australian cricket has ever seen…world cricket in fact - it’s simply impossible to comprehend the death of Shane Keith Warne.

And coming off the news, just a day earlier, that another legend of Australian cricket – Rod Marsh – had also passed away…it’s just compounded the pain.

Warne’s on-field brilliance, transforming the then dying art of leg-spin bowling into the coolest act in the game, and his off-field antics that kept us equally as entertained made the great Victorian the absolute supreme package.

The cricketing genius of Don Bradman, mixed with the flair of Keith Miller…Warney had it all!

Disbelief, shock, a nation and world-ofcricket stunned, memories of the Upper Ferntree Gully-born man will live on forever.

For what it’s worth, my greatest memory of Shane Keith Warne was the way he singlehandedly dragged Australia back from the brink in the 1999 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

Everyone remembers the last ball of the classic contest, with Allan Donald being runout after the hottest potato in world cricket bounced through the hands of Mark Waugh, Damien Fleming and Adam Gilchrist, leading to wild celebrations and a place in the final against Pakistan.

But wind back the clock 10 wickets…and the Aussies were staring defeat well and truly in the face.

A country in mourning. The great Shane Warne with the 1999 World Cup. 271192 Picture: AAP IMAGES A 90-run partnership between Michael Bevan (65) and Steve Waugh (56) propelled the Australians to a modest total of 213 from their 50 overs, with two of South Africa’s greatest – Shaun Pollock (5/36) and Allan Donald (4/32) – having bowled their country into a seemingly impregnable position.

And when Herschelle Gibbs (30) and Gary Kirsten (18) blazed their way to a 48-run open-

ing stand – the Aussies hopes had almost petered out.

Steve Waugh, the captain, had only one option…the game was slipping away…0-43 off 10…it has to be Warney to come on earlier than expected to bowl the 11th over.

What happened next was the stuff of legends with Warne delivering with the ball – in his own unique way – but also instilling belief and hope into his playing comrades…and his country.

The second ball of the 13th over pitched where an imaginary fifth leg-stump would stand, spun past the outside edge of Gibbs’ bat and rattled into off stump.

Gilchrist leapt from behind the stumps, while Warne marched directly towards him, straight down the middle of the pitch, several times yelling ‘C’mon’ as rejuvenated team mates high-fived him along the way.

Inspirational…we’re back in it!

The first ball of the 15th over – South Africa 1-53 – and Kirsten tries to launch one over cow-corner, only to misjudge the big-turning leggie which smashed into his off-stump.

Warne – having delivered with the ball – became motivator again, leaning back with clenched fists that were pumping to the sky before waving his arms twice in a circular motion.

He landed in Gilchrist’s arms, before his swarming teammates arrived with renewed enthusiasm and increasing admiration for a legend on the rise…South Africa 2/53.

And two balls later it was 3/53, with South African skipper Hansie Cronje (0) edging Warne to Mark Waugh at first slip.

In just 20 balls Warne had decreased a wor-

rying run-rate, then claimed three wickets during that spell to bring the World Cup final within reach.

The World Cup…the boy from St Kilda Cricket Club was showcasing his talents, and carrying a nation on his shoulders, on the biggest stage that world cricket has to offer.

A remarkable game of cricket would then ebb and flow.

South African Jacques Kallis (53) was the dangerman before Warne removed him – caught by Steve Waugh in the covers – with the second last ball of his 10th over to make it 6/175 at the end of the 45th over.

Warne would end with 4/29 – the only Australian to take multiple wickets – as the crescendo built to the last-over run out of Donald.

Shane Keith Warne won that game for his country, and would grow his legend even further with a mesmerising spell of bowling in the final, taking 4/33 off nine overs to claim manof-the-match honours as Australia (2/133) comfortably chased down Pakistan (132) We all have memories of Warney…the ball of the century, the 700th wicket, 40 wickets in the greatest Ashes series of all in 2005…or marrying Sharon in Kath and Kim. He was a rebel; he was a champion…he was Shane Keith Warne…and he did it his way.

And there will never be another one like him.

Surely, one day, Warne will be looking over all future test matches at the MCG – from The Shane Warne Stand – and his memory will never be forgotten.

Heart-felt condolences go to the Warne family and his closest mates.

Peaceful garden blooms for women and children

By Mikayla van Loon

where it’s needed most Please donate now 1 3 S A LV O S S A LV O S . O R G . A U mailcommunity.com.au

ible. Having taught a lot of kids, that’s really what it’s about with me - you are not invisible.”

During March, Habitat for Humanity is undertaking an International Women’s Day Activity Month and program manager Thomas Alexander said the garden redevelopment fits nicely with it’s other projects.

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though this is not only for women, it will be soft plants and everything will be sustainable and beautiful,” Ms Alexander said.

For Ms Alexander, as a former primary school teacher, recognising the children and their trauma is important as well, that’s why the garden includes a dedicated area for them.

“As a teacher, I’ve seen lots of kids whose parents did not exactly treat them correctly and we don’t talk about kids enough,” she said.

Ms Alexander will take on the rest of the planting and final touches ready to open on 8 March, with the garden ready to be used by all from then on.

“You don’t need to put a flag up. You don’t need to say anything we know quietly. So if they come and sit there on their own or if they can never come here, to me that’s not important.

“It’s just important that it’s a bit like a roll call or a recognition of all the unknowns and unspokens. And it is for International Women’s Day, but in my mind, it’s for the children too.”

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In times of crisis, you can give

Habitat for Humanity volunteers Cynthia, Ru, Isa and Ali joined volunteer coordinator Rod Brooks in Kilsyth to help create the Garden of Contemplation for women and children who have experienced a violent home.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

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Taking what was a dilapidated and overgrown garden at The Bridge House in Kilsyth, Mieke Alexander and a team of Habitat for Humanity volunteers have been working to change that.

Wanting to create a space for everyone to enjoy some peace and quiet, Ms Alexander’s vision also has the intention of recognising women and children who have escaped family violence.

“This is about those people, the people you never hear about. I drove through an avenue of honour and I had just met another person who’d been misused by their family and I thought no one recognises all the unheard people,” she said.

Called the ‘Kilsyth Garden of Contemplation’, Ms Alexander said it does not matter if women who have left violent households don’t come to the garden but she said it is important for them to know they are not invisible.

“You don’t have to come here. You just know we know you are there. You’re not invis-

“We do help a number of shelters, so we’re going out to Benwerren next week, a women’s shelter in Yarra Glen and we’re doing similar work there,” he said.

“I figured this fit pretty closely with our women’s month bringing awareness to family violence and we have that power of bringing volunteers to any sort of project.”

Groups of volunteers from the University of Melbourne worked on ripping out weeds, laying paths and building archways for three days, with Mr Alexander saying they removed about 10 cubic metres of green waste and one cubic metre of hard rubbish.

Plants and paint were supplied by local businesses, with all the timber donated by Treasuring our Trees, a charity in the Dandenong Ranges repurposing fallen trees from the June storms.

The design of the garden includes a kids’ space, a quiet sitting area and a mosaic garden to use and remember the previous garden design.

“We’ve taken away all the really harsh plants and we’re painting [the tire] in a gentle colour, so it doesn’t look so masculine and al-

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Olympian alumni returns

By Mikayla van Loon She may have taken to the world stage quite nicely at the Winter Olympics but Bree Walker looked just as comfortable returning to the stage at her old stomping ground - Mount Lilydale Mercy College.

In a celebration of the schools’ high achievers for 2021, Bree was asked to speak to past and present students as a 2010 alumni of the college on Tuesday 1 March.

“I was not a top achiever myself. I achieved in sport but not in academics, but so many of my friends, I think five of my closest friends were top achievers and so I know how much hard work and dedication goes into becoming or excelling at that level,” she said.

“So I’m very happy to be back here and being able to talk to them today, it was quite an honour.”

Although it was 12 years ago since she finished school, a realisation that shocked her, Bree said she has had learned experiences that have been invaluable to her success.

“I guess with that comes experience and from experience comes lessons and from lessons comes wisdom.

“So I’m extremely honoured to be asked back here today to share the lessons I have learned since leaving MLMC in the aim that it can motivate you in your pursuit of whatever you want to achieve in your life.”

Speaking of her own challenges in making it to the Australian bobsleigh team, Bree said although the last two years may have been difficult and perhaps some of the hardest times for those students sitting before her, it would all be worth it in the end.

Donning her Australian uniform at the assembly, Bree spoke of following her dreams and not giving up when times got tough.

“It is not an easy feat to achieve excellence when you’re dealing with such an unsettled environment.

“But please realise that the resilience, the independence, patience and determination that you will gain during these hard times will benefit you for the rest of your life.”

Bree’s goal after leaving high school was to represent Australia at the highest level, one of those places being the Olympics.

Not being selected for the 2018 Winter Olympics could have set her back but instead pushed her further towards achieving her ultimate goal, something she iterated to the students.

“Take the lessons you have learned on your first attempt and apply to your second, third, and even fourth attempt and find a way to make it happen,” she said.

“This is actually the biggest piece of advice I can provide you. If you want something bad enough, always be brave enough to keep going and find a way to make it happen.”

With an impressive selection of students going onto university degrees, on the job training and working in the community already, goals and dreams differ for each person but were congratulated and recognised at the assembly.

A number of students, both present and absent, were congratulated for their individual study scores, their contribution to the community and their overall ATAR achievement.

MLMC had 10 students receive a score of 90 or above in their final ATAR score, while many more from both Year 12 and higher studies achieved study scores above 40.

Principal Philip Morison extended his thanks to students, staff and parents for getting through some of the most difficult schooling years on top of Covid-19.

“We should also celebrate the efforts of all of our past students and their talents and their commitment to their Year 12,” he said.

“Completing Year 11 and 12 in this period of Covid is indeed an outstanding achievement in itself. So we need to acknowledge that each individual worked very hard but also recognise that each was well supported by teachers and colleagues and family.”

For more on Bree Walker’s Olympic journey, turn to page 19

Learning to drive program seeks more local mentors

By Mikayla van Loon Building up confidence on the roads as a learner is challenging enough but for some young people even having access to a vehicle or licensed driver means getting those hours is difficult.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) funded L2P Program matches learner drivers with a licensed mentor to help them gain confidence and increase their hours ready to take their driving test.

Yarra Ranges Council’s L2P project officer Steve D’Abico said the program has been running in the Shire since 2010 but in 2019 it was expanded with a funding boost to help more people.

But with the onset of the pandemic, the program was significantly reduced and some volunteers have not returned to mentor these drivers in need.

“We were impacted quite negatively with the lockdown. During those times where people might have been able to drive with their parents, for people in our program, obviously, they might not have been able to,” Mr D’Abico said.

Graham has been teaching Skye to drive to get her from her learners to her probationary licence as part of the L2P Program. 270995 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS “So for a lot of our young people, they weren’t able to drive for almost two years.

As we came in and out of lockdowns, some

volunteers chose it was time to move on and retire, which is great, they put in an excellent time of service that they supported the program and helped us get through.

“There’s a big demand there from learners in the program and we want to try and be able to meet that demand with the amount of volunteers that we have.”

Mr D’Abico said usually the program likes to have 40 or more mentors but currently there’s only 20 with a wait list of 60 learners wanting to take part in the program.

“There’s always a need in the Yarra Ranges, with four major population hubs. We want to try and be able to service each hub,” he said.

“40 people, it’s not a huge number when we’ve got 20,000 young people in the community and of those 20,000 young people, there’s definitely a percentage that would need a program like this.”

Mentors are paired with learner drivers, to help create and build a relationship, something Mr D’Abico said not only helps with the driving but also in other areas of life.

Many people come from various backgrounds and with different challenges, including limited financial means, being at risk of homelessness or supporting their own children.

“The program supports learners who either don’t have access to a vehicle or to a person that can supervise their driving, or maybe has other barriers that are limiting their ability to get the hours up for their licence, by connecting them with volunteers,” he said. “[It helps] them so they can build that practice and get their licence to move on to employment or work or study or different things in different spaces.”

Volunteers interested in the program and mentoring young drivers are encouraged to apply via the yarraranges.vic.gov.au/L2P website. Mentors need to be fully licensed and have available time.

Qualified driving instructors who would be interested in taking part in the program are also urged to contact the L2P Program staff at L2P@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Smile Squad is on its way The Victorian Government is making it easier for our kids to get the dental care they need.

Find out more at smilesquad.vic.gov.au

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NEWS

Fundraiser adds to tally

By Mikayla van Loon A fundraising plant sale held by Lilydale, Mt Evelyn and Monbulk RSL sub-branches has raised enough money to send a student to trek the Kokoda Trail later this year.

The Cowey-Selman Award committee has been gaining sponsorships and raising money to give one Year 11 student the chance to win a fully-funded trip to Papua New Guinea.

With the efforts from each of the RSL clubs on Saturday 26 February, $4500 was raised to go towards the funding of the trek, meaning it is well on the way to being a reality now.

“The support that we got from the plant growers and the nurseries was brilliant. They were the ones who helped make this such a big success,” Mt Evelyn RSL secretary Anthony McAleer said.

“But then the general public were very supportive and they were very keen to help out because they thought the cause that we were raising money for was a good one.”

Cowey-Selman Award program chair Greg Green said there was a steady stream of people from the community all morning and it was a relief to know the money was now raised.

“I’m extremely happy with the result and the support from the community and I’m very pleasantly surprised with the amount raised,” he said.

The next step of the award process is for schools to collect it’s students’ applications, either in the form of an essay or multimedia project, by Sunday 27 March.

“The schools will then shortlist and send them to Mount Evelyn RSL. We have an independent panel of three people who will shortlist them down to four or five or six, then they’ll conduct the interviews. The plan at this stage is to announce our winner on Anzac Day,” Mr Green said.

With the 80th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign this year, all involved in the Cowey-

A steady stream of people flocked to the plant sale on Saturday 26 February to help raise funds for the Cowey-Selman Kokoda Award.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

A number of plants of all shapes, sizes and colours were on offer thanks to 10 nurseries and plant growers who donated plants.

Selman award are hopeful that the student will be able to get to Papua New Guinea this year.

“The 80th anniversary is an important milestone and I think it’d be great for the local fellows who served in the campaign to actually send someone from this area over there almost as a representative and pay tribute to those who served during that time,” Mr McAleer said.

“The PNG government is now going to start issuing tourist visas again. So with a little bit of luck, the winner will be able to trek sometime this year,” Mr Green said.

“I’m sure there will be special services along the way at places like Brigade Hill and Isurava

Lilydale Baptist Church and the plant growers who donated to the sale.

“We’ve been sort of very collegial in how we get things done. I think that was a real positive aspect for those involved in those three clubs.

It was a great chance for us to come together,” Mr McAleer said.

“It’s been great to do and hopefully it’ll be the start of more projects the three RSLs will work together on.”

Mr Green wanted to thank each of the nurseries and plant growers for their donations, particularly Craig Vandenberg for his help on the day and in the lead up.

commemorating the 80th anniversary and the diggers who served and those who didn’t come home.”

Mr Green said he was so grateful to have the support of the RSL clubs and their contribution to the award was remarkable.

“The RSL clubs have really driven this thing and made it happen. It wouldn’t have happened without them. They’ve really supported the cause,” he said.

This was the first time the three RSL branches had worked collaboratively on a project like this, something Mr McAleer said would not have been possible without the help of the

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Back to school!

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School students across Victoria made their return to school following summer holidays, while 2021’s preps got their first taste of primary school life. Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy conducted a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony for Badger Creek Primary School students and staff.

See page 7 for more back to school excitment.

Back to school!

School students across Victoria made their return to school following summer holidays, while 2021’s preps got their first taste of primary school life. Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy

By Jed Lanyon It’s February, but Santa Claus’ gifts keep on coming for several charity organisations who benefited from a partnership between Saint Nick and Seville’s Branded Burger Bar. The burger bar came to the rescue when they partnered with Santa, who had seen his role replaced at Chirnside Park Shopping

56-70 Main Street Lilydale www.lilydalemitsubishi.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

“We’re very, very grateful on behalf of the children, whose lives that it will impact,” she said. “We have absolutely put that money to good use.”

Ms Beard shared that the $8400 donation from Branded is aiding 112 children in need with care packs filled with toiletries, spare changes of clothes, a toy and more.

Continued page 2

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$8400 to help make the lives of children better.

The four recipients of the funds included: Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, A Better Life For Foster Kids, HeartKids and Chum Creek’s Good Life Farm. The organisations shared how the funds had already been put to good use.

Backpacks 4 Vic Kids CEO and founder Sally Beard told Star Mail the donation came as a “delightful surprise”.

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LILYDALE MITSUBISHI

Centre in the lead up to Christmas. Many locals far and wide were able to keep up their Christmas tradition in getting a family photo with ‘The Real Santa’ who they had grown to love.

The unlikely tandem tallied upwards of $30,000 from their family Christmas photos and then selected four charities to each receive

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A worthy brand

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MAIL 7

NEWS

Preparing for postie ride

By Mikayla van Loon It’s 1500 kilometres over five days but for those taking part in the Bridge Builders Postie Bike Ride, it’s much more than just a scenic drive through the countryside.

What started in 2016 with a handful of people riding up to Sydney and back to raise funds for the Lilydale based youth organisation, has grown into the largest fundraising event for the charity.

Executive officer Beck Mitchell said this year 26 riders will take part in the tour of Victoria, travelling across the Great Ocean Road, up through the Grampians, into Echuca and back down through Bright.

“The idea was about visiting the regional towns, spreading awareness about young people and our charity and what we’re doing to help and really supporting some of the local or regional areas that we were driving through,” she said.

“We’re creating awareness about all kinds of topics that young people face, whether that’s suicide prevention or self harm or addictions or whatever challenges that young people are facing, we’re able to get the word out.

“We’ve found something quite unique. It’s a lot of fun. It’s really engaging but at the end of the day, it’s helping our organisation help more young people.”

In 2019, the ride of 16 people raised about $40,000. This year with an extra 10 riders the organisation has already raised $115,000 of its $150,000 target.

“The ability to generate significant funds to help the charity help more kids is exceptional as that rider group really starts to network,” Beck said.

People will be coming from Chelsea and the other side of the city, as well as from local businesses to take part in the Postie Bike Ride that takes off from Lilydale on 24 March.

“They come from various different areas

With support crew and riders themselves, around 50 people will tour some of the most scenic parts of Victoria over the five days.

Some of the riders took part in a trial ride on Sunday 27 February.

A number of riders from various industries and organisations will take off from Lilydale in the first leg of the Postie Bike Ride on 24 March.

Pictures: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

and different industries but at the end of the day they’re all excited about the idea of supporting the charity and the kids.

“A couple of the riders are young people themselves. So we’ve got three riders that are from our young adult cohort that all have their bike licence and are participating.”

Beck said over the last two years engagement with young people has been a challenge and even more so, corporate donations and fundraising has been low.

“We’re non government funded. Everything we do and our survival over the last 20 years that we’ve existed, all has come down to corporate and community support. So it’s events

like the Postie Bike Ride that mean we can continue helping these young people,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for the riders committing to getting on a bike and riding some crazy kilometres and raising a lot of money for us, it would mean that we wouldn’t be able to give those services and programs and opportunities to young people.”

As someone who was supported by Bridge Builders herself, Beck said the organisation and the people changed her life.

“I’m one of those people that is incredibly thankful that there are people out there in the community that are happy to get behind an event like this, that raises funds and awareness

for a charity that changed my life.

“We work with hundreds if not thousands of young people every year and we wouldn’t be able to do that without the funding and the support from the community.”

Beck also said none of it would be possible without the 20 volunteers and support crew who have been working towards this event for over a year.

“They’re all volunteers. These are people just out in the community that just put so much heart and soul into this event and into other things we do.”

To donate, go to https://www.mycause. com.au/events/mykidspostiebikeride

Works continue near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 58 already gone. We’re also continuing works to prepare for major construction on North East Link.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Belgrave and Lilydale lines

From 9pm 25 Mar to 8.30pm 1 Apr

Camberwell to Box Hill

From 8.30pm 1 Apr to 3 Apr

Camberwell to Ringwood

Union Road, Surrey Hills

From 9pm 25 Mar to 6am 4 Apr

Closed at the level crossing

Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert

From 9pm 25 Mar to 6am 4 Apr

Closed at the level crossing

Watsonia Road, Watsonia

Late Mar to late May

Overnight lane closures between Devonshire and Greensborough roads

Greensborough Road, Watsonia

Until 13 Mar Weekdays, 7.30pm to 5.30am Weekends, 7.30pm to 7am

Centre lanes closed at night and speed reduced to 40km/h between Watsonia Road and Wattle Drive

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes

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NEWS

By Renee Wood A new exhibit has arrived at Yarra Ranges Regional Museum which aims to shatter stereotypes and grow inclusivity and diversity in the games industry.

Code Breakers: Women in Games has transformed the site with interactive and immersive displays highlighting the gaming world – all while celebrating the achievements of Australian and New Zealand women working in the industry.

Visitors can play an array of video games made by women directors, programmers, developers, digital artists writers, producers and designers at the ACMI touring free exhibit which opened Saturday 5 March.

It’s hoped Yarra Ranges residents will visit the exhibit and be inspired to see where their passions and career can lead them.

Lisy Kane has a game featured in the exhibit, Armello, and is the co-founder of Girl Geek Academy which aims to find solutions to issues faced by women in the industry.

“Our next steps will be basically responding to whatever we think is required by the games industry and other areas of STEM, with the goal of encouraging more women and encouraging more leadership,” Ms Kane said.

Ms Kane will be helping to launch the event, speaking at Code Breakers International Women’s Day ‘On Gaming and Social Change’ online event.

Ms Kane has been in the industry for the past eight years and said technology and creativity lead her to the career.

“I’ve always played video games but growing up, I didn’t know that you could make them. So I actually didn’t figure out you could make video games until I was entering university,” she said.

Ms Kane studied game design and business and has since been working in the industry in various roles and knows how tough it can be for women to enter it.

“It is a very, very tough industry, and unfortunately there are so many stories around women and other underrepresented groups experiencing harassment and burn out, all that kind of stuff.”

Some 46 per cent of video game consumers are female, although only 23 per cent of the Australian industry is female.

Ms Kane said that’s higher than the global average but we still have a long way to go.

“Australia has done a lot in regards to improving gender diversity, and it actually does

Code Breakers: Women in Games, an ACMI touring exhibition celebrating the achievements of women working in the games industry. 271177 Picture: SUPPLIED come from a lot of things like Code Breakers and other initiatives that the Australian games industry does.”

Paper House Producer Caitlin Cronin will also be joining the online panel.

“We’ll talk a little bit about the video game industry and where we think it’s going and how it can improve in terms of diversity, safe work practices, all of those sort of issues that are coming to the fore with such a large industry,” Ms Cronin said.

Ms Cronin said although it’s a difficult industry to get into but the benefits are to work with interesting and dynamic people.

“I felt like I’m working amongst my kindred spirits, in a way. It’s sort of a lot of really creative and interesting people.

“Making a video game comes with a lot of unique challenges that are very unique to the industry itself, so it’s a learning curve, but in a really interesting way.”

Ms Cronin said she’s excited to be part of the Code Breaker exhibit in the Yarra Ranges and hopes it can show young residents where their passions can lead them.

“Video games have very much been a big part of my life growing up and a very big interest that I’ve had, and working in the industry was always something that I have aspired to.”

School holiday workshops, online events, quiet hour sessions and lots of games to enjoy are all part of the program until it closes 15 May 2022.

For more information visit https://yarraranges.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/51268 https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/Code-Breakers-Women-inGames

Learn from volunteering

By Mikayla van Loon As a volunteer-run charity, feeding over 100 people in the Yarra Ranges, The Philanthropic Collective values the interest from community leaders, no matter where they come from.

Strategic development and event director Andrew Fillip-Gautier said by offering a shadow volunteer program for leaders of community, whether from religious, Indigenous, business or political backgrounds, they can experience the work hands-on.

“We welcome all leaders from the community and it doesn’t matter what political persuasion they’re from,” he said.

“I think it’s important that they all have that opportunity to have a look at what we do in a hands-on way, with the view that when forming policy or frameworks, it gives them a greater understanding that this is actually very real for the community.

“It’s certainly one thing to write about what we do, or tell people about what we do. It’s much more potent to actually have them involved.”

Liberal Casey candidate Aaron Violi was one of those people who offered up his morning on Wednesday 2 March to lend a helping hand from start to finish of the Free Food Program.

“The opportunity to go through the whole process and start at a supermarket, collect the food, come and pack the hampers, and then deliver them. It’s been really mailcommunity.com.au

eye opening,” he said.

Newly elected Streeton Ward councillor Andrew Fullagar also shadowed the program twice in January to gain knowledge of the Program and to see where food is needed in the community.

Mr Violi said he values experiences where he can really learn about what is happening in the community.

“The main thing that Andrew talked about is there’s obviously a big need coming out of Covid and their demand has been higher than ever.

“The other thing that I’ve seen is this really works well because it’s community based. People are a lot more comfortable talking to their friends and family and school communities.”

Mr Fillip-Gautier said having Mr Violi on board for a just day helped with a bit of extra strength in the cohort of volunteers and he would encourage any men to get involved where they can.

He also said while the team at the Collective work towards providing electric vehicles so it can become carbon neutral and reduce its footprint, volunteers are currently using the fuel in their own vehicles to deliver the food boxes, a cost outside the charity’s realms.

To help keep The Philanthropic Collective delivering food to those who need it most, go to https://www.philanthropic.org. au/donate.

CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar 3 Meadowgate Drive CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar 158 Nangathan Way CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar 11 The Mall KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Churinga SC, Russo Place KILSYTH Coles Supermarket 520-526 Mt Dandenong Road KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette87 Colchester Road KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Canterbury Road Kilsyth KILSYTH TSG Tobacco Churinga Shopping Centre Mt Dandenong Road LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC 33-45 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC 51-59 Anderson Street LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale Village Castella Street & Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre 7 Hardy Street LILYDALE Eastern Laundries. 2/4 Williams Street East LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre 1 Jarlo Drive LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station 473 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale 346 Main Street LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths 31 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE BP Service Station 87 Warburton Highway LILYDALE Shell Service Station 469 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE 7 - Eleven Lilydale Cnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road LILYDALE Coles Express 469 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe 251 Main Street LILYDALE Round Bird Can’t Fly 170 Main Street LILYDALE The Lilydale General 110 Beresford Road LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery 96 Main Street LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe 178 Main Street LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe 222 Main Street LILYDALE Gracious Grace Castella Street LILYDALE Melba Coffee House 33-45 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies 7/75 Cave Hill Road LILYDALE The Mustard Tree Cafe 3/28 John Street LILYDALE Freda’s Cafe 2 Clarke Street LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate 164 Main Street LILYDALE Stockdale & Leggo Real Estate 281 Main Street LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate 111-113 Main Street LILYDALE Grubs Up 1 Industrial Park Drive LILYDALE Olinda Creek Hotel Maroondah Hwy LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road MONTROSE IGA Supermarket 916 Mt Dandenong Road MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent MOUNT EVELYN Red Robin Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale 138 York Road MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket 15 Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar 38 Bellara Dive MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart 108 Hayrick Lane MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark 103 Cardigan Road MOOROOLBARK Coles Express 2 Cambridge Road MOOROOLBARK Mooroolbark Coin Laundrette28 Manchester Road MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real Estate Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK L J Hooker Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road

Tuesday, 8 March, 2022

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Girl gamers

MAIL 9

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

Fire ready a key priority

By Mikayla van Loon Being surrounded by 17 acres of bushland in Mount Evelyn, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is in an idyllic natural setting but with that comes the heightened risk of bushfire.

The school has recently received a State government grant to help replace the outdated fire system that was installed when the school was established in the 1980s.

Principal Ange Glennie said the system is a network of pipes under the ground, regulated by a jack pump and in the event of a fire, the CFA would tap into it to get their water supply.

“Being on the bushfire risk register, we have to take that very seriously. It became quite obvious that the age of our pipes were 40 plus years old, and no longer complied,” she said.

“The pipes couldn’t cope with the pressure coming from the new jack pump and we had a few months when we had several floods because things would burst. Finally, the decision was made that it needed to be replaced, which is absolutely major work.”

Ms Glennie said the new system would not only benefit the school and the church on the property but surrounding houses as well.

“It’s fantastic that it’s happening, because of course it means we can, as much as we can, guarantee the safety of us but also of the neighbouring properties as well.

“Because we’ve got the access, should they be in trouble, this is where they tap into, so it is going to be of benefit for the neighbours.”

Ms Glennie said it is a timely reminder for the community to check what they may have underground.

“It just highlights for our whole community, whether that be residents, whether that be kinders or whomever just to consider what’s under the ground and is it adequate?”

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School principal Ange Glennie said the original pipes for the fire system were over 40 years old and is so pleased to have received a grant for the upgrades to keep students, staff and neighbours safe.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON Although in Ms Glennie’s 26 years being at the school she has only been evacuated to the church once, she said it’s about preventing the possibility of fires reaching the school in the future.

“In early December of last year we had a small fire on the boundary where there’s a Buddhist centre and we went out, saw the smoke, I could see the flames.

“The amount of bush that we have on this side, compounded by the fact that we were absolutely smashed by the storms in June, we

couldn’t get down there but thankfully it was contained by the CFA.” The project still has three weeks left before it is complete but workers have been minimising the disturbance to the 390 students at the school, as they drill underground during classes and clean up the yard for play.

Part of the installation of the system includes two large water tanks, to add a sustainability element to the project.

Ms Glennie said the total of the project sits in the ballpark of $400,000, with some funding from the Supplementary Grants Program.

As a Catholic school she said it was by no means easy to receive the funding until engineers and representatives saw the expansiveness of the property for themselves.

Although not criticising the system, Ms Glennie said when it comes to things like a bushfire safety system that is so essential, funding should be balanced between Catholic and State schools.

“It’s never about Catholic schools versus State but I wouldn’t want there to be a misunderstanding that this has been an easy hand out of money. It hasn’t. And it also came with a commitment from the school to match what the State government was putting in.

“For us to clear the devastation from the bush just to get the fallen trees out to a point where they were able to be chopped up was $40,000 and we’re responsible for keeping down the undergrowth. So for example, slashing of the land comes in at $15,000 every two years.”

As a low fee Catholic school none of the families’ fees will go towards the funding of these projects but it does make it difficult to fund beautification works the school so desperately needs.

“The school’s been able to self fund 95 per cent of upgrades to the school over the last 12 years but there’s one block left that we are working really hard to be able to do but it’s expensive.

“A learning block, which is predominantly made up of relocatable classrooms, has come to the end of its life.

“Rebuilding on that same site is what we’re aiming for. If it doesn’t happen, in true spirit, we’ll continue on to make the best of what we can and continue to provide those really rich learning opportunities for the kids.”

ENROLLING NOW FOR PREP 2023 St. Richard’s Catholic Primary School

• Upholds a strong commitment to academic growth and wellbeing.

• $2.28m Building Project - New Arts Facility & Improved Learning Spaces (will be completed in 2022).

• Personalised Learning that meets the needs of all students • Excellent academic results for literacy & Numeracy (NAPLAN 2021).

• Before & After school Care available onsite.

We are excited to invite you to our school and for you to see how we can support your child’s needs. St Mary’s embraces the whole child, parents and community.

We are a family.

CONTACT US TODAY!

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• Seamless drop off & pick up in the school grounds.

Open Morning & School Tour Monday 28th March 9.15am - 10.30am Personalised School Tours available by appointment contact Marcus Gill (Principal) 9728 4378 www.srkilsyth.catholic.edu.au Living the Gospel Learning Together Creating Our Future 12537706-AV10-22

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CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

Opportunities for all At Mount Lilydale Mercy College we provide our students with a range of educational pathways including VCE, VCAL and VET, with every student having the opportunity to gain the skills needed to do their best and give their best.

We offer 40 VCE Units 3/4 and seven VET subjects, including Agriculture, Building and Construction, Engineering Studies, Hospitality, Music Industry, Screen and Media and Sport and Recreation on site.

We are also part of the Yarra Valley VET Cluster of schools, offering VET programs via other schools in the region.

Intermediate and Senior VCAL students have the opportunity to demonstrate independent learning skills and leadership through a number of integrated activities, projects and learning opportunities that are decided by students with the support of their teacher.

They focus on building their skills in teamwork, planning and organisation, problem solving and communication, as well as their literacy and numeracy skills.

Our online Pathway Portal is designed to give student opportunities to take on greater responsibility in decision-making as they develop an academic pathway that will best cultivate their passion, skills and capabilities.

We offer students multiple pathways through learning-experience. With the support of parents, homeroom teachers, Faculty Leaders and the Careers team, students are encouraged to examine their goals and aspirations, their strengths, their passions and the prerequisite requirements for tertiary or vocational courses as they consider which pathway is right for them.

As well as formal learning opportunities, students can participate in a range of co-curricular activities including our Young Farmers

Club, debating and chess teams, bands and music ensembles, choirs, the Tournament of Minds, STEM Club and the College Musical, as well as camps and pilgrimages interstate and overseas.

The College also offers: · Literacy and Numeracy intervention programs in Years 7-10 wine making and agricul· Award-winning tural programs · A proud history in the Eastern Independent Schools Melbourne (EISM) interschool Learning Enhancement and Acceleration · AProgram (LEAP) sports competition

29 MARCH 2022

Come and experience the opportunities available at Mount Lilydale Mercy College 12519070-CG08-22

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Tuesday, 8 March, 2022

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MAIL 11

OPINION

Elder abuse advice Everybody has the right to feel safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to make their own decisions.Some older people however are denied these rights, often by the people who are closest to them.

The mistreatment of older people by someone they know and trust is known as elder abuse. Elder abuse often occurs in complex and highly distressing circumstances and can be financial, psychological, emotional, physical or sexual. It can also involve deliberate social isolation or neglect.

The recent National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that “Almost one in six (14.8 per cent) older Australians report that they have experienced abuse in the past 12 months. Only about one-third of those victims have sought help.”

Eastern Community Legal Centre’s (ECLC) Elder Abuse Responses are committed to supporting older people who might be experiencing elder abuse.

The Centre has two programs that provide free and confidential legal advice and assistance to older people experiencing or at risk of elder abuse.

ELSA (Engaging & Living Safely & Autonomously) is a partnership with Eastern Health

Legal

matters Anita Koochew Eastern Community Legal Centre dedicated to supporting older people receiving care through Eastern Health.

ROSE (Rights of Seniors in the East) is open to all older community members across the eastern metropolitan region and includes a partnership with Oonah Belonging Place for assisting members of the Aboriginal community.

Both ROSE and ELSA offer legal assistance together with advocacy and financial counselling, as well as partnership with related services for people who are experiencing elder abuse.

Through these programs, ECLC identifies the key legal, financial and social challenges faced by older community members and works with them to provide options for ad-

dressing the abuse and improving their safety and wellbeing.

Through ELSA and ROSE, the teams assist older people with issues such as family violence, breach and revocation of powers of attorney, guardianship matters, grandparenting rights, access to welfare, misappropriation of funds or property, undue influence and support at various tribunal hearings.

ECLC also provides assistance and referrals for broader issues such as housing, health, aged care, and financial assistance.

Recently, the ROSE team worked with a client through a complex negotiation to recover a large lump sum of money that had been outstanding from a loan to a close family member.

If you or someone you know requires support or advice in relation to elder abuse, please phone ECLC on 1300 32 52 00 (1300 ECLC 00) or 0429 697 960.

If you would be interested in a free information session for your group or community, please contact Anita Koochew at 1300 32 52 00.

ECLC acknowledges the funding support of the Australian Government for the ROSE and ELSA programs.

Doctor and King, closer than you think Dr Gail Iles, RMIT University researcher into ‘Instrumentation’, Neutron scattering’, ‘Nanoparticle magnetism’ and lectures in Physics, but is personally skilled and certified in many other areas.

She is a certified open water diver, has her ‘wings’ as a private pilot, and regularly occupies a spot on Radio 3AW, answering curly questions from many listeners.

Her recent research interests are ‘space radiation’, and ‘the micro gravity phenomena’.

Why all this detail on Dr Gail?

Well I find her fascinating, but also, because recently I have been hearing and reading of lot about ‘Flat Earth’ believers and proponents.

Apparently there is a growing number of them and I guess they might team up well with those who don’t believe that there is such a thing as Covid, calling it a conspiracy, and one belief among them is that in each vaccination a foreign country is inserting a spying microchip.

I’ll vote for Dr. Gail – for her real knowledge after a life of research.

Never far away, my mind then went to the great King David, who has a city named after him in Israel, and their currant flag features the ‘Star of David.

As a teenage shepherd boy he was anointed by the prophet Samuel to eventually become King.

While still a lad and with a growing knowl-

Focal Point

Graeme Dawson

edge of God’s plan and protection over his people - in the face of taunting, he stepped forward and slew a giant with a stone from his sling. Yes there were giants in the land at that time.

He was handy and confident with the sling as we read of him killing wild animals while protecting his sheep.

Even as a lad he was prepared to take on responsibility: Not trained in a university but trained in life.

He became Israel’s greatest king and was celebrated in his country and surrounding areas for his victories at war – a warrior with a gentle heart.

He played the harp beautifully to sooth the old king’s depression, and wrote 150 Psalms/Songs or just real expressions of his journey with his God. Where do Dr Gail and King David meet?

Well they were both given opportunities in life.

They studied life from where they were and what they observed at the time. They tested

and practiced their skills.

David’s Psalm 139 has some amazing insights into life.

He was not perfect but when he died of old age, God’s epitaph over him was, “This was a man after my own heart”.

As a man with failures like most, I would love to think that God might write that over me one day.

This is where Dr. Gail comes back in.

Recently while on talk back radio, she answered a listener’s question with a pause for careful consideration.

‘Q’ “What would happen if a planet or the sun expanded – what would it do to the universe?”

Hope I get this right, but in effect she said that all would collapse out of their orbits and without naming the outcome, it was clear that it would be the end of the universe.

However, she did go on to say that each planet needs every other planet to stay on their gravitational orbit to maintain theirs.

I perceived that her answer came from studying that in University - and perhaps while sitting on a rock on a starry night as well.

And the King writes in a psalm after staring at the night sky, ‘When I consider your heavens, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that he is even on your mind?’

Riddle me this – a great Batman movie The Batman Starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz and Paul Dano Rated M The Batman is an outstanding character-driven superhero film that revitalises the title character and his rogues gallery.

The masked vigilante Batman (Robert Pattinson), aka Bruce Wayne, must stop the Riddler (Paul Dano), a terrorist and serial killer who deals in puzzles, with the help of acrobatic burglar Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz).

Pattinson does a great job of humanising Batman: his take on the character is gruff and intimidating but lets his vulnerability and compassion peek through at the right moments.

Kravitz is sultry and wilful as Selina, and Colin Farrell offers some slimy levity as the Penguin.

Beyond beating up bad guys, this film’s Batman helps and protects people, and the 12 MAIL

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Tuesday, 8 March, 2022

Riddler is a rarely-seen yet scary antagonist worlds apart from Jim Carrey’s campy Riddler in Batman Forever.

The Batman has gloomy yet lavish cinematography from Greig Fraser and a grand score from Michael Giacchino, and the action feels tense and grounded while still concussively brutal.

The plot has a riveting escalation through

the Riddler’s vendetta. We feel both informed and powerless as the Riddler’s clues fall into place and more targets die, and his scheme culminates in an enthralling climax of disaster, perseverance and hope.

Selina’s tragic connection to the mob forms a compelling sub-plot, through which she and Batman grow closer.

Andy Serkis leaves little impression as Alfred, Batman/Bruce’s butler and mentor, and The Batman has a problem with excessive spoken exposition: the dark revelations about the Wayne family are very verbose (and resolved a little too quickly).

Joker from 2019 more organically shows the corruption and poverty in Gotham.

Despite its over-reliance on spoken exposition, The Batman is a character-rich, deeply suspenseful thriller with a refreshing spin on its hero and villain, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

True war tale PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN A review of I Am Sasha by Anita Selzer As the world once again feels the impact of war, Anita Selzer’s I Am Sasha is a reminder of human bravery, resilience and survival in the face of barbaric aggression.

The book is based on the true story of how the author’s grandmother Larissa and father Sasha survived the Holocaust. Born to a Jewish family in 1929 near Brody, Poland (in today’s western Ukraine), Sasha had known the meaning of “anti-Semitism” from a very young age.

The mother and son moved to Lwów (today’s Lviv in western Ukraine) in 1933.

Life became increasingly difficult as Jews were limited in the professions and banned from areas of public life in Poland.

It was not just confusing but outright terrifying to young Sasha as Lwów was bombed by Germany and then seized by the Soviets before finally falling into German hands. In his eyes, the only thing constant in this ever-changing world was death.

“Mama gave up trying to hide anything at all from me now. The truth was inescapable.

I saw it all around me, outside in the streets, in the faces of my aunts... I turned away and curled up under the blankets on my bed.”

By 1942, Sasha and his mother were constantly in hiding.

“The terror raged outside for hours. We lost track of the time. The daylight intensified and then the light dimmed. After a while came the quiet. Not a sound. The silence was worse than the noise.”

Knowing the Nazi soldiers would order young boys to pull down their trousers to see if they were circumcised – and those who were faced execution on the spot or death in the concentration camps – Larissa came up with an ingenious plan.

To avoid suspicion, she purchased false identity papers and trained her teenage son to be a girl – his clothing, voice, hair, manners and more. In Sasha’s words: “There was no other way. Either I became a girl, or I would die.”

Thus Sasha became Sala, but the teenager was constantly in turmoil.

“I felt every nerve in my body protesting against this. I would crumble at any minute. I was screaming inside. I was scared and angry and fragile.”

“And how long would it go on for? Weeks?

Months? Years? How long would I have to be a girl? When could I be me again?… I’d never felt so terrified of the future before.”

The author’s fictionalised account of Sasha’s journey was remarkably bittersweet, but it is Larissa’s devotion, dedication and determination as a mother that makes the story outstanding.

It is a bold and heart-warming read.

I Am Sasha fulfilled Larissa’s dying wish that the world knows the stories of those lives lost and those who suffered in the darkest hours of human history.

In the author’s words: “Such stories need to be kept alive. We must secure a peaceful world in the present and a peaceful future for all our children, everywhere. To do this, we must all remember our common humanity.”

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THE LOWDOWN Q&A What is something people don’t know about you?

When I was a child I had a Shetland pony called Cujo How long have you been involved with Bridge Builders?

I have been with BB for 17 years this April. I first started here as a young person who needed help and now I’m the Executive Officer. It’s been such an incredible journey.

What do you enjoy most about helping young people?

A mentor of mine once said to me “the best gift you can give in life is to leave a life changed” - I am blessed to be able to wake up everyday and be able to help young people, just like others did for me.

What has been one of your most memorable moments with the youth organisation?

That is such a difficult question, over 17 years there have been countless moments and opportunities that have honestly transformed my life – it would be hard to choose one. A few that come to mind are; when I was promoted to being the Operations Manager many years ago, the trip to America for leadership development, our World Series Jet Ski event in 2016, our 10 year UR Retreat alumni reunion and any moment when a young person has reflected that I have contributed to changing their life. And of course, the World Marathon Challenge that I completed in February 2020 – being able to complete such an extraordinary challenge and assist the youth at BB in the process is something that will stay with me for life.

What do you love most about the Yarra Ranges?

Being a runner, I love all the trails and paths

with Bridge Builders’ Beck Mitchell

THREE … about Autumn

1

Autumn or fall?

We typically think of ‘fall’ as the North American version of the word ‘autumn’, but it was in fact in widespread usage in England until relatively recently. Originally a shortening of the phrase fall of the leaf, the phrase was common in England in the 17th century.

The word autumn entered English from the French automne and didn’t become common usage until the 18th century.

2

People born in Autumn live longer A study in the Journal of Aging Research found that babies born during the autumn months are more likely to live to 100 than those born during the rest of the year. Their study found that 30 per cent of US centenarians born during 1880-1895 were born in the autumn months.

3

Brings good luck According to superstition, when a person catches a falling leaf during autumn, good luck will come to them.

Beck Mitchell is the executive officer at the youth organisation Bridge Builders in Lilydale.

Picture: SUPPLIED around the shire, there is so many wonderful natural areas to explore.

What event, past, present, or future, would you like to witness?

The moon landing would have been amazing to witness, but I’m a big believer in ‘the best is yet to come’ so something in the future that hasn’t happened yet.

Which four guests, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?

Queen Elizabeth II, Robin Williams, John

Maxwell and Yoda.

Who do you admire the most?

I admire a lot of people, two of which would be Layne Beachley AO and Gillian Franklin.

What are some of your hobbies?

Running, playing a lot of sport, spending time with friends, going on adventures and always pursuing a better version of myself.

What is your favourite book and/or film?

Madagascar ‘mada-who-ha’ - I’m hoping you get the reference

OPINION

Fun at camp

By Giselle Leonard The harness cuts painfully into the skin on my legs. Nervously I adjust it. The instructors voice cuts through my thoughts.

“Next one up!”

With shaking, unsteady legs I climb the steep, almost vertical ladder. The steel is cold on my hand so it’s a relief when I make it to the

top. The pleasant feeling is soon chased away by fear as I look down and notice how high I am.

But then the fear gives, just slightly, as I see the stunning view. The instructor clips my harness to the thick wires that run the length of the high ropes course and I begin to feel exhilarated. With a quick nod from the instructor, I step out onto the course.

Enjoy on stage delights The return of The Basin Theatre The Basin Theatre’s opening production for 2022 was the play Photograph 51.

The story is about Rosalind Franklin and her contribution to the discovery of DNA double helix structure and how her contribution was overlooked for decades.

The Basin Theatre set the stage with the centrepiece of a double helix that was used very successfully throughout the performance. On audience right was a piano which gave some mood music during the evening.

Audience left were some chairs and stage rear were three lockers which at the end of the show gave the audience quite a surprise.

As Rosalind Franklin, Francesca Carl gave a first clad performance, not taking any stirring from her male colleagues and catching the finer nuances in the role.

Her, perhaps one could say, opposition was Maurice Wilkens, played by Daniel Minutillo. Another good interpretation of the role, Minutillo has good stage presence and projects well.

Franklin’s assistance and friend was Ray Gosling played by Andrew Tomazos. Tomazos captured the feel of the character projecting well and worked well with Carl.

Don Caspar was played by Daniel Barwick, giving a good performance as such a character .

Aaron Wilson was James Watson who mailcommunity.com.au

Kemp’s curtain call with Ryan Nunn as Frank Crick came to the fore in Act 2. Both catching the correct feel for their roles and all players worked well together.

One lady player and five male players.

The stage setting was well done and the lighting kept up with the cast when they moved across the stage. There were scenes where a narration was called for and this was done by various members of the cast.

A good evening of theatre and bodes well for the balance of the 2022 season.

An afternoon at the opera Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria are presenting four delightful afternoons of glorious Victorian ballads performed in a beautiful garden setting at The Knowe - 4 Clarkmont Road, Sassafras.

Gates open at 12.30pm to enjoy a picnic lunch and the performance commences at 2pm.

Season: March 19, 20, 26, 27. Bring your own picnic, bubbles available at the bar.

Firewood collection opens Those in the Lilydale area who rely on firewood throughout the autumn and winter seasons can begin collecting again as the Collection Season opened again on 1 March.

Firewood collectors in the Greater Melbourne area are now able to top up their stores of wood with 10 firewood collection sites opening to communities in Melbourne’s east.

Sites are holding low-to-medium volumes of available firewood.

Across the Yarra Ranges there are a number of sites available to locals, including Wesburn, Powelltown and Toolangi.

Forest Fire Management Victoria Yarra District Manager, Nigel Brennan, said that wherever possible, by-product from planned burn preparation works and other forest operations was being made available for collection.

“VicForests timber harvesting works have left medium volumes of timber by-product that is being made available for firewood at designated collection areas,” he said.

“The remaining natural falls roadside collection areas around the region will continue to provide low firewood volumes for the duration of the collection season until June 30.”

Where possible, some debris from the June and October storms in 2021 may be made available as firewood, either commercially or

as local collection.

Firewood can only be taken from designated collection areas in state forests or parks during approved times and for personal use only. Collected firewood cannot be sold.

Collection limits include taking a maximum of two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year. The felling of trees and cutting downed hollow logs for firewood is also prohibited.

Due to limited stock in other areas across the state, new firewood restrictions have been in effect since Tuesday 1 March, restricting access to domestic firewood collection sites in Central Victorian State forests to local residents only.

The new restrictions allow residents of specific Central Victorian shires to collect domestic firewood from Central Victorian designated firewood collection areas.

These changes aim to ensure that Central Victorian communities gain greater access to their available, local firewood into the future.

An interactive map of all Victorian designated firewood collection area locations is available at www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood until 30 June.

The autumn Firewood Collection Season opened as of 1 March with a number of places across the Yarra Ranges available for the collection of wood.

Picture: ON FILE Tuesday, 8 March, 2022

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MAIL 13

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

One of Mr Dare’s designs for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder was the use of two doors to divide Monty Navarro’s love interests.

Picture: ALEXANDRA CARTER

David Dare is the mastermind behind the sets at the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Dare-ing theatre designs

By Mikayla van Loon From a young boy in a country town who loved the inner workings of the theatre to a man now in his 70s, David Dare has been developing the scenery of stage productions for decades.

“We lived in the country and we were about two hours away from the city. [My mother’s] local church group every now and then would have a bus trip to Melbourne to go to a matinee,” he said.

“If it looked like it was suitable for children, I would be dragged along and so I think when I saw things like magicians on stage, I kept thinking, ‘Oh I could do that.’

“I had one opportunity to have a go at a bit of acting and it was not for me. I did much more backstage work. I’ve done some directing

and lighting and other aspects but it all eventually ended up coming back to set designs.”

As the set designer at the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre, Mr Dare has put in countless hours of work to accurately represent the era and feel of the production being shown.

For the current show of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Mr Dare began with the director going scene by scene through the script before building a to-scale model.

“When I get a general idea of what he’s thinking about the overall look of it, that’s where I come in, in terms of what it looks like in the end, what we use, what we don’t use and where it sits on the stage.”

Much of Mr Dare’s time these days, with the use of technology, is made up of finding or cre-

ating images to use as part of the scenery.

“In this particular show, every second scene was a different occasion and if you had to try and paint a back cloth for that, it just wouldn’t fit on that stage and that’s part of the trick of what we do,” he said.

The only trouble with sourcing images online is that often they are too modern for productions set, like this one, in the early 1900s and Mr Dare has to manipulate the photos to appear more suited to the time.

“When you think of the period of when the show was, even the furniture that’s used, it’s got to be relatively close and you can’t always do that.”

With a network of local theatres, however, Mr Dare said companies will often share furniture or sets to make sourcing items easier.

Having started his work as a set designer in 1972, averaging three productions a year from big musicals to small plays, Mr Dare has built connections with many companies.

Above all, accuracy is the most important element for any of the productions Mr Dare has worked on.

“It often sets the period. It sets the mood of the play, or helps to do that, because there’s a lot of other things that do that too, like costumes and things like furniture,” he said.

“These things all add to the visual accuracy of what and where the play is and what it’s likely to be about even.

“This one, not just my technical work, but across the board with lighting, sound effects, and projections and all of that, has been the biggest thing I think I’ve tackled.”

Artist wins sculpture award for finding beauty in chaos

By Mikayla van Loon Sculptor Anton Mc Murray has been exploring the human impact on the environment for many years but it has come to life in his most recent work for the Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition and Awards.

As an artist who wants to start a conversation around the natural world and its deterioration, his now award winning piece ‘The Cost of Living, Part One, Paradise Lost’ does just that.

“We always think about the cost of living in relation to human beings but I like to expand it out into what our impact is on the broader planet,” Mc Murray said.

Over numerous years of observing and studying the death of wildlife on the roads, particularly birds, Mc Murray said he took that as inspiration to create an emotionally powerful piece. “[These creatures] just died and we all just rushed past and we don’t really think about that very much but clearly what we do has a lot of impacts.

“That’s just incredibly sad and I think it’s avoidable. So I wanted to make a sculpture that would draw attention to that.”

The beautifully carved and crafted cypress tree trunk depicts a lifeless bird, wings slightly expanded and fanning out, with blackened streaks filtered between the bright orange.

Living in Kallista, Mc Murray was in the heart of the June storm affected area where trees fell in the thousands.

Getting out after the initial crisis moment, he spoke to neighbours and his community to source trees that could be used in his sculptures.

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Tuesday, 8 March, 2022

Mc Murray chose a cypress log that had a branch that could be used as the wing of the bird.

Anton Mc Murray won the Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition prize in it’s 20th year of being held for his wooden carving of a lifeless bird.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Taking fallen trees from the storms, Mc Murray has been transforming them to start a conversation. This work is called Storm Leaves.

Picture: SUPPLIED

“It feels transformational. It feels like you’re taking something where there’s been a lot of hurt and pain and damage to people and then you’re creating [something new].”

For Mc Murray the carving of fallen logs is quite a meditative and reflective experience that he wanted to share with his community.

After experiencing the storms he started

working with a group called Rescue Logs, to offer solutions to homeowners who had trees fall but didn’t know what to do with them.

As part of the healing process particularly for children, a book was published by the group with the illustrations from the Mount Dandenong Primary School students and a Master Plan for Kalorama Park is in the works

to create a natural playspace made from recycled wood.

Mc Murray also wants to create a sculpture from one of the fallen trees to be erected in a place that encourages people to reflect.

Having taken home the prestigious prize of the Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition, Mc Murray said he was pleased to know the judges understood his purpose in creating the piece and the conversation was being continued in different circles.

“They spoke about using the grain, using the attributes of the material to help not just with the structure but to help with the messaging,” he said.

“What really touched my heart was that they mentioned you couldn’t observe this piece and not feel sad for the subject matter and that was my biggest goal.”

Mc Murray has exhibited works all around the state and country but he said having the recognition of his fellow community members who understand the local environment was a wonderful acknowledgement.

“I feel very privileged. It’s rare to make a sale. It’s really rare to win a prize. So these things are just wonderful when they happen.

That’s not the reason I do this. The reason you do this is for just growing your work, having that conversation.

“If these things didn’t exist, then we wouldn’t get to be better artists because you wouldn’t have these places to get this conversation going.”

This conversation is being continued by Mc Murray at a Hanging Rock Winery exhibition where his transformative work ‘Storm Leaves’ takes the damage of the storm and creates something beautiful. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

The engine cover of the car has been signed by “Mr GT-R” Hiroshi Tamura.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

The Nissan GT-R supercar can reach a top speed of 315km/h.

Car auction for charities

By Parker McKenzie Ferntree Gully Nissan will be holding a charity auction of a GT-R supercar to raise funds for their local CFA and a Lilydale-based charity.

The Nissan GT-R T-Spec — nicknamed Godzilla — was discontinued in Australia in 2021. Its 3.8 litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine can propel the car to a top speed of 315 km/h.

The car being auctioned also features an engine cover “signed by Mr GT-R himself” Hiroshi Tamura. Ferntree Gully Nissan General Sales Manager Gregg Dennis said when the Nissan GT-Rs were discontinued, not everyone who wanted to own one got the chance.

“When we were ordering the cars, admittedly, I had the guts to put my hand up in order a fair few and there was always going to be one last one left,” he said.

“The following that they have is just next level and so I knew that there would be a lot of people that would be heartbroken if they missed out on the opportunity to get one.”

Ferntree Gully Nissan knocked back an offer of $600,000 for the car and is hoping to raise as much money as possible for Upper Ferntree Gully CFA and Lilydale-based youth charity Bridge Builders. Bridge Builders chief executive officer Beck Mitchell said the funds raised from the auction are likely to be the biggest donation the charity has ever received.

“We’re turning 20 this April and our survival over the past two decades has been from our own fundraising events, and the corporate and community support we receive,” she said.

“For an organization out there to think that Bridge Builders is so deserving of that kind of funding, it says a lot about what we’ve built over the last 20 years and the work we’ve been able to do.”

Upper Ferntree Gully CFA Captain Peter Smith said Ferntree Gully Nissan has supported the brigade in the past, but their generosity was “unbelievable.”

“The ongoing support from Ferntree Gully Nissan, I can’t praise them enough,” he said.

“It’s a nice pat on the back and a bit of appreciation from a big company, who could have gone elsewhere with the auction. They are a very good group of people.”

Mr Smith said the funds — which will also be one of the largest contributions the CFA brigade has received — would go towards planning for the future.

“We would like to put an extension on our fire station and the CFA is very happy with that idea,” he said.

“We have a lot of things to do for the short term, but we’re thinking about the long-term future. The brigade is hopefully going to get more members and we need more space.”

Ms Mitchell said the funds would be used to ensuring youth programs continue to support young people aged 12 to 25 who find themselves disadvantaged, distressed or in need of assistance.

“I was a 17-year-old struggling when I first joined Bridge Builders 17 years ago. The words that you hearing today aren’t from just some person that works here,” she said.

“I feel like I’m one of the greatest advocates of what we do simply because it changed my life so much.”

The auction will take place at the end of March, with the date yet to be confirmed. It is being managed by Bid for Good, Ebay’s charity and non-for-profit fundraising agency.

Go on a caravan adventure with Bluey’s family and friends.

Now just

$48.00 WAS $59.95

Bluey’s Caravan Adventures Playset with Jean Luc

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 8 March, 2022

12537059-JW08-22

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MAIL 15

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 071

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

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

8 1 5 7

9

1

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Synthetic material (7) Tiny, six-legged creatures (7) Cast down (11) Expanse (3) Manually (2,4) Poster (7) Shortage (4) Valuation (10) Senior managers (10) Andamooka gemstone (4) Argue noisily and angrily (7) Of a tribe (6) Official (3) Common joint injury (11) Late (7) Association of individuals (7)

1 5 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 19 20 22 25 26 28 29

No. 071

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 12 13 16 18 21 23

24 27

Agreement (4) Gaseous fuel (9) Popular aquarium fish (5) Surreptitious (11) Harm (3) Beachwear (7) Rib-like structure (5) Absence of motion (10) Showy (11) Society below the surface (10) To place imortance on (9) Blasphemous (7) Horrible (5) Actor, Oscar – (5) Sole (4) Unhappy (3)

DECODER

No. 071

8 8

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

8

4 6 2 5 1 3 9 7 4

4 5 9

1

2

3

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8

9

10 11 12 13

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

K R 16

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9-LETTER WORD

3

easy

medium

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”.

D

Today’s Aim: 22 words: Good 33 words: Very good

7 3 9 4 6 5 2 1 8

4 9 5 2 7 3 8 6 1

8 1 7 4 6 9 5 2 3

44 words: Excellent

3 6 2 1 5 8 4 9 7

9 5 4 3 8 1 6 7 2

6 7 3 5 2 4 9 1 8

1 2 8 6 9 7 3 5 4

2 4 9 8 1 5 7 3 6

5 3 1 7 4 6 2 8 9

7 8 6 9 3 2 1 4 5

5 6 1 3 2 8 9 4 7

4 8 2 1 9 7 5 3 6

3 2 5 6 4 1 8 7 9

6 7 4 8 5 9 3 2 1

1 9 8 7 3 2 6 5 4

9 4 3 2 1 6 7 8 5

2 5 7 9 8 4 1 6 3

8 1 6 5 7 3 4 9 2

hard

D

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C R

3 9 2 5 7 1 6 8 4

8 5 4 9 3 6 1 2 7

7 6 1 2 8 4 3 5 9

1 8 5 6 4 9 7 3 2

4 2 3 1 5 7 8 9 6

6 7 9 3 2 8 4 1 5

2 4 8 7 9 3 5 6 1

5 1 7 8 6 2 9 4 3

9 3 6 4 1 5 2 7 8

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

E

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4 LETTERS ABLY ADZE AIDE BUSH CLAM HANS HIDE HONG OHIO ORBS SAIL SETH TROY USDA 5 LETTERS AGATE

AGENT AIMED ANGEL ANOMY AROMA ASCOT ASHEN ASIAN ATOLL BANNS BRAVE BRING CHEAP CORSE DREAM ECOLI EERIE ENDOW EVITA GENII

No. 071

HYENA IMAGE INNER LEAPS LEWIS LINEN LUCIA MAINS MANIA METAL OMEGA OPERA OUTDO PAYEE PETIT PRATE RECAP RESAT RIVEN SCENE

SEATS SICKO SIFTS SPANK SPAWN TENET TERRA THING TRIPS 6 LETTERS FATIMA KELPIE STATIC TARMAC

7 LETTERS ACCOUNT CANDIED HITACHI ICELAND MIDWIFE NIGERIA 8 LETTERS LEBANESE OVERFLOW PARENTAL WOMANISH

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MAIL 17

SPORT

Taking aim at cup

By Callum Ludwig Vice President of the Melbourne Gun Club in Yering and Lilydale resident Craig Henwood is set to represent Australia in the ISSF 2022 World Cup Shotgun shooting competition in Lonato, Italy.

It comes after Mr Henwood recently competed at the Men’s Trap National Title and was selected after a stellar performance hitting 121 out of 125 targets.

Mr Henwood is also an Olympian, previously competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where he finished in 31st place.

Now 43, the shooter thought his international competition days were behind but is now grateful for the opportunity to represent Australia again in in the ISSF. “It’s a bit at the other end of my career but I went to the national titles, shot really well, and got selected,” Henwood said.

Henwood said he is at the age now where he doesn’t feel the pressure to perform like he used to and just wants to enjoy it and show he can still perform at the highest level.

“I’d like to have a top 10 finish. I know if I can shoot my best I can shoot the scores that are required to win,” he said.

“I’m only in a world rankings position so I can’t actually qualify for the final but I am going there hoping for a top 10 finish.”

Henwood was introduced to shooting by his father and grandfather, having been signed up as a member at the Melbourne Gun Club when he was born.

His father, coach, and trainer Jack Henwood previously held an Australian shooting record for 30 years and Henwood said he followed his father around Australia to shooting competitions growing up.

The Lilydale Croquet Club has taken home the first round of the Autumn Shield Competition. Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Henwood taking aim at the Melbourne Gun Club in Yering.

“When I was about 10, I didn’t really take much interest in it and then the national titles were in Echuca when I was 11, I went with my dad and got the bug again there,” he said.

“I couldn’t get my permit until I was 12 so I ended up sitting around waiting for 12 months to be able to apply for that.”

Henwood’s appearance at the 2008 Olympics was shrouded in a very unfair controversy, when 2004 Athens bronze medallist in the men’s trap event Adam Vella appealed his omission from the team on the grounds of his past performances, having been the number one ranked shooter in 2007.

Henwood beat out Vella by one target in qualification before the event, giving him the

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Massage Therapists

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

Notification under Water Act 1989 An application has been made to Melbourne Water for a works licence for an on-stream dam at Heritage Golf Course on the Chirnside Park Drain which may affect you.

21 Heritage Avenue, Chirnside Park (Heritage Golf Course)

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Modification and widening of existing spillway and installation of penstocks.

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Melbourne Water Unit 1/88 Merrindale Dve Croydon South, Vic 3136

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Any response is requested within 30 days from the date of this notification. Should a response not be received within this period, Melbourne Water may determine the application.

In the first round of the Metro Golf Croquet Autumn 2022 Shield Handicap Competition, played Thursday 3 March at Monash, Lilydale Croquet Club defeated Monash Croquet Club four games (37 hoops) to two games (32 hoops).

Players representing Lilydale were Glenn Crook, Alan Jones and Drew Pawley. Next Thursday 10 March, Lilydale is playing Kew at Kew.

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opportunity to compete alongside dual gold medallist Michael Diamond.

Henwood said despite missing the opening ceremony due to competing the following morning, the opportunity to be around top athletes was amazing.

“To be rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s best athletes in the food hall and around the village was quite surreal. If I had never fired another shot of a gun again after the Olympics, I wouldn’t have really cared,” he said.

“I wanted to do it again, and probably too much as my scores dropped off because I tried too hard.”

Henwood will be heading off to compete in Italy between April 19th-30th.

DIESEL / HEAVY VEHICLE MECHANIC • Location: Lilydale • Full-time, permanent role and will see you undertaking the full range of servicing and repairs across our fleet of vehicles and smaller equipment.

• You must have a relevant trade qualification.

• Regular overtime is scheduled (2 hours per week), plus further overtime on Saturday is also available.

You will need to be ‘fully vaccinated’ to be eligible for appointment.

SITE SUPERVISOR Bendigo, Seymour and Shepparton regions.

This position offers a wide range of exposure and experience to the applicant in delivering Project outcomes.

To be successful for this position you need to: • Have a proven record of ensuring safe work practices at all times • Deliver and participate in site safety, toolbox meetings and ensure operational safety oversight • Deliver active control and management of incidents and related follow-up

• Take responsibility for the execution of all works in accordance with best trade practice whether carried out by direct labour or by subcontractors.

• Implement the project quality systems as directed to ensure that the works are completed in accordance with the drawings and specifications • Hold a current driver’s license and vehicle to travel independently to job sites • You must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with Victorian laws and have Australian work rights.

Ace Contractors Group is an Australian owned and established company, with over 45 years of experience in the contracting industry. We strive to ensure the culture of our working environment is one of support, friendship and knowledge and look for people who care about the impact that their work has on the overall success of our company.

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Lilydale croquet’s first win

If either role is the opportunity you were looking for, apply now to: People and Culture Manager Ace Contractors Group

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SPORT

Bree’s back on home soil

By Mikayla van Loon Olympian Bree Walker is back on home soil for the next two months after making an impressive debut in the women’s bobsleigh.

Having finished up her Olympic campaign just over a week ago, Bree said she’s still riding the wave of all the emotions from her experience.

“It goes up and down like you come home and when you see everyone, you get really excited that you’re seeing everyone but you’re obviously exhausted from the whole experience and so you come back and just crash,” she said.

“It’s been great being back here and seeing everybody, so I’m very grateful.”

Touching down in Australia for the first time in two years, Bree has been in her hometown of Mount Evelyn catching up with family and friends but plans to head up to Cairns to see her parents.

Bree will take a physical break now to help repair a bulging disk she was battling in Beijing but will get back into weight training over the summer period when she heads back to Germany at the end of April.

While in Australia she plans to raise some support financially through sponsors and institutes and lift the profile of bobsleigh in Australia now that she has created an excitement for the sport.

In particular, Bree would love to see local businesses or people get on board to support her because she said the Mount Evelyn and Lilydale community means so much to her that she would love to represent it in a small way.

“If I’m going to go on bigger and better next time around, I have to earn some money for it and I need some support for it because I can’t do it like I did for the last four years,” Bree said.

“We’re not going to achieve anything better than fifth if I don’t have the support and backing and the money behind me.”

Reflecting on her first ever Olympics, Bree said she was so grateful for the opportunity and the effort organisers went through to make it feel as normal as possible given the Covid-19 restrictions.

“Honestly, we didn’t really know what to expect with the whole Covid Olympics but they made it so enjoyable for us, the people were very friendly.

“Our Australian volunteers and workers at the association just did so much for us and went absolutely overboard with support and it was fantastic. It just really made our experience great.”

Taking on one of the most challenging bobsleigh tracks and having only spent three weeks practicing on it in October last year, Bree said the dragon shaped Yanqing track was a difficult one.

“It was unforgiving. It was really enjoyable

Bree Walker has touched on home soil for the first time in two years after competing in her first Olympic Games. and I think I got a good feel for it in the end but if you made one small mistake, you paid for it all the way down,” she said.

“So I really enjoyed it and I found it a challenge but I love the challenge.”

Finishing up fifth in the monobob and

sixteenth in the two-woman bobsleigh, Bree said she now has a goal to improve at the next Olympic Games.

“I’m happy, I’m content, I’m not satisfied. I would have loved to walk away with a medal and I think it would have been possible if I

Picture: SUPPLIED

didn’t mess up my first run in the monobob “But at the end of the day, I have to accept what it was. I tried my best and that’s my baseline and if fifth is my baseline, then at the next Olympics I now just work towards being able to achieve a medal there.”

Lobo’s lob opens the floodgates for Barkerettes

By Peter Stephenson A lovely sunny evening greeted the Barkerettes women’s soccer team at Esther Park for their earliest-ever start to a season.

This first-round Nike FC cup-tie was the first-ever meeting between the Mooroolbark and Moreland sides, and there were debuts for Coad, Dhariwal, McCullough and Treverton.

Barkers forced an early corner. It was delivered from the left to the near post to find McCullough, but Eagles’ keeper Nasreen Shabo was on hand to steal the ball.

Eagles broke downfield immediately with Carcaarfi in on goal. She shot and it was a goal all the way, but Fraraccio somehow got a hand to it to turn the ball onto her left-hand post. The Barkers’ keeper was at work again two minutes later, punching the ball out as far as Shenel Develioglu, who lobbed the ball wide.

Barkerettes had an uncertain start, but on 24 minutes Coad, who was having a fine game, was persistent and had three attempts mailcommunity.com.au

at the ball but couldn’t quite set up the forwards. Eagles then broke again and crossed from the right to Carcaarfi, but her weak shot was gathered by Fraraccio at her near post.

Barkers’ best move so far came in the 27th minute, when Farrance fed Richardson on the right wing. Her cross was aimed at McCullough, but Shabo just beat her to the ball.

Five minutes later, the Eagles almost broke the deadlock. They had a corner from the right, which produced a shot that had to be cleared off the Barkers’ goal line.

After a quiet opening, this stirred Barkers into action. Eight minutes before the break, Lobo collected the ball about 25 yards from goal. It sat up nicely so she tried a speculative lob, which arced perfectly over Shabo’s head for the opening goal – 1-0 Barkers.

Five minutes later, the lively McCullough was through on goal, but her first touch let her down and the danger passed for Eagles.

In stoppage time, Eagles had a shot from distance,which crashed against the bar, and the sides went in at the break at Mooroolbark 1-0 Moreland. Eagles could maybe feel ag-

grieved at not being level, but Barkers finally woke up.

The second half almost began with McCullough doubling the lead. Her shot was spilled by Shabo, but a defender cleared the ball off the line. Eagles replied on 55 minutes with Carcaarfi’s shot being held by Fraraccio at her near post.

From this point, Barkers simply ran the legs off the tiring Eagles. First, Walsh went on a blistering run down the right before shooting narrowly past the far post. Then just before the hour, McCullough robbed a defender and passed the ball out to Walsh, whose near post shot was just wide. Surely the next goal wasn’t far away.

Sure enough, the next Barkers attack saw Lobo and McCullough combine to set up Walsh, whose rasping shot from close quarters found the roof of the net for 2-0. Three minutes later, Lee, in just her 3rd appearance, collected the ball on halfway. She outpaced the defenders before shooting past Shabo to make it 3-0 – a stunning solo effort.

Barkers were now running the show with ease, and next up was McCullough, who ran

down the right wing, cut inside and shot at Shabo on her near post. Then Barkers worked the ball across to Coad on the left of the penalty area. Her lob just cleared the bar – how she and McCullough deserved goals, but they would not come.

With 15 minutes to go, a long ball from Farrance was caught Eagles napping. Walsh and McCullough were too fast for them and gave chase, before Walsh blasted the ball into the bottom corner of the net for 4-0.

Walsh then chased the ball down again and hit a shot onto the roof of the net, before a glorious passing move involving Lee and Coad saw the luckless McCullough have a shot blocked by Shabo. With 7 minutes left, Barkers had a corner on the left. It was delivered to the far post, from where Coad shot wide, but by then the game was well and truly over as a contest.

Barkerettes took a while to hit their straps, but eventually ran completely over the top of Eagles finishing 4-0. The speed of the Barkers forwards left Eagles in their wake, and there were some encouraging debuts. Round two is scheduled for next weekend.

Tuesday, 8 March, 2022

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