Ranges Trader
Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
Foothill to launch Safety pilot program
Tudge retires, Aston voters to head back to polls
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Mail Belgrave Survival Day makes its return
Belgrave resident to showcase garden design
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Burnt in minds Hundreds of past and present firefighters and community members gathered on Sunday 12 February at the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre. Picture: GARY SISSONS
Brett Sansom’s family were the license holders of the Pine Grove Hotel in Beaconsfield Upper during Ash Wednesday. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Cockatoo CFA captain in 1983 and current committee chairperson of the education centre Graham Simpson.
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Considered one of the worst natural disasters in Victoria’s history, hundreds of past and present firefighters and community members gathered on Sunday 12 February at the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre to share in grief and appreciation for the 47 people who lost their lives in the fires on 16 February 1983. The AWBEC was made as a place of refuge for around 200 residents along with their pets during the bushfires, now used as a place to remember the devastation of the event. This edition, Star Mail looks back on the Ash Wednesday fires, speaking with locals who’ve shared their stories of that day and the recovery which followed. Beaconsfield Upper was severely impacted with Brett Sansom’s home and the family’s business engulfed by the flames along with the rest of the town. While Scoresby CFA firefighter Jim Read headed south as a part of a task force of 22 fire trucks on the day of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, being sent to Cockatoo, Warburton and eventually Marysville. Herb Detez was another deputy officer in the CFA’s Dandenong Ranges Group when the Ash Wednesday bushfires swept through the state, reflecting 40 years later on the day the wind change directed the blaze to Wellington Road. In terms of recovery, Belgrave South resident Susan Heywood-Downard housed around four people on the night, seeing flames light up about 200 metres from her property. Many changes followed for on and off the fire ground after this tragic day. Specifically trauma recovery support was a major area that needed addressing. This was something Yarra Glen resident and trauma psychologist Dr Rob Gordon OAM dedicated his career to after the disaster. Read the lift out special coverage from pages 15 to 18
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NEWS
Rate agony The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the cash rate for the ninth consecutive month, raising it by 25 basis points up to 3.35 per cent. It is the fourth month in a row the RBA has raised it by that amount. RBA Governor Phillip Lowe said in a media release that the Board’s priority is to return inflation to target. “High inflation makes life difficult for people and damages the functioning of the economy. And if high inflation were to become entrenched in people’s expectations, it would be very costly to reduce later.,” he said. “The Board is seeking to return inflation to the two to three per cent range while keeping the economy on an even keel, but the path to achieving a soft landing remains a narrow one.” In Australia, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation over the year to the December quarter was 7.8 per cent, the highest since 1990. The central forecast is for CPI inflation to decline to four and three-quarters per cent this year and to around three per cent by mid-2025. Mr Lowe said the Board expects that further increases in interest rates will be needed over the months ahead to ensure that inflation returns to target and that this period of high inflation is only temporary. “In assessing how much further interest rates need to increase, the Board will be paying close attention to developments in the global economy, trends in household spending and the outlook for inflation and the labour market,” he said. “The Board remains resolute in its determination to return inflation to target and will do what is necessary to achieve that.” The RBA’s stance on addressing inflation has sparked debate, with Property Club, Australia’s largest independent property investment group, declaring they believe the RBA Board should be sacked.
The cash rate has risen for a ninth consecutive month. Picture: ON FILE President of Property Club Kevin Young said the latest increase in interest rates was tantamount to playing ‘Russian Roulette’ with the Australian economy. “Research has shown that an estimated 1.1 million mortgage holders are already at risk of mortgage stress in the three months to December 2022. Rental stress is also at record levels as record-low vacancy rates drive up weekly rents in many cities and towns by over 20 per annum. It will get even worse as landlords continue to pass on higher interests in the form of higher rents to tenants,” he said. “This latest interest rate rise will help send Australia into a financial crisis similar to 2008/2009 that Property Club similarly warned would happen even back then following a string of crazy interest rate rises by then RBA Governor Glenn Stevens.”
Ten-night deer cull begins Parks Victoria is undertaking a deer control program which will continue over 10 nights in the Dandenong Ranges National Park as part of the State Government’s Peri-urban Deer Control Plan released last year. Parks Victoria District Manager Charlie Bisset said the control program will help to reduce the impact of deer in the Dandenong Ranges in line with the plan. “Deer are being sighted in higher numbers in the Dandenong Ranges, moving into new areas and causing greater impact,” Mr Bisset said. “Deer can cause serious damage to native plants, animals and habitat by trampling and destroying plants, increasing grazing pressure, ring-barking young trees, fouling waterholes, causing soil erosion and spreading weeds. “Parks Victoria will also set up a vegetation monitoring program to survey the impact of deer in the forest and wetland areas of the park.” Mr Bisset said the plan sets out a longterm coordinated approach to control deer numbers in the outskirts of eastern and northern Melbourne. “Parks Victoria will continue to protect wildlife and their habitats in the Ranges through control operations like this one,” he said. The State Government launched the Peri-urban Deer Control Plan in March 2022, identifying priority locations for deer control and setting out a long-term, coordinated approach to reduce the threat deer pose to the environment, farming, public safety and Aboriginal cultural heritage, including in the Dandenong Ranges. The State Government released the Victorian Deer Control Strategy, led by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in October 2020
Parks Victoria is undertaking a deer control plan in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Picture: ON FILE with an initial $1 million allocation to implement actions in Peri-Urban Melbourne. $18.25 million was allocated over four years for the development and delivery of deer control across Victoria. Parks Victoria one of the partners delivering on the strategy. For more information, visit https://www. environment.vic.gov.au/invasive-plantsand-animals/deer-control-program/deercontrol-strategy
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IN BRIEF
Lithium warning By Parker McKenzie Local residents should be aware of the risks of lithium-ion battery-powered batteries according to the RACV, after a rise in safety incidents in 2022 and a structure fire in The Basin caused by an overheated battery in early February. RACV Head of Home and Business insurance Kirsty Hayes said there has been an increase in incidents involving lithium batteries. “Between July 2021 and July 2022, Fire Rescue Victoria responded to at least 120 lithiumion battery incidents,” she said. “If you have purchased a toy, e-bike or escooter over Christmas that contains a lithium-ion battery, it is important to be aware of the risk that they can pose.” On Wednesday 1 February, The Basin Fire Brigade responded to a structure fire caused by an electric scooter’s lithium battery overheating while it was being charged, causing it to overheat and explode. The brigade was supported by Fire Rescue Victoria personnel. According to a research paper published in Nature Communications, titled In-operando high-speed tomography of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway, the probability of failure of lithium batteries is relatively low, however, batteries can and do fail with catastrophic results. “The thermal response of a cell is one of the most important characteristics to understand when assessing the safety of a cell design,” the study found. “Undesirable increases in temperature can occur within the cell as a result of electrical or mechanical abuse, or due to the presence of an external heat source, for example, failure of a neighbouring cell.” Ms Hayes said it is important to only buy ebikes and e-scooters from reputable brands. “Store them outside, unplug them once they are charged, take care to avoid damaging them, and not leave them in hot environments,” she said. “The same advice applies to toys, they should also be kept in a cool place.”
Regional road warning Victoria Police is issuing an urgent warning to regional motorists following a significant spike in lives lost on rural roads this year. The latest police intelligence shows that there were 24 lives lost from collisions on rural roads as of 30 January, a 64 per cent increase on the five-year average for fatal regional collisions in January. Of those 24 lives lost on rural roads, 21 resided in regional locations and two worked in regional centres. Eighteen of the 21 fatal collisions occurred within 100km of the deceased residence. More than 85 per cent of rural fatalities occurred on high-speed rural roads, with speed limits between 80km/h 110km/h. Police are determined to avoid a repeat of this concerning rural road trauma trend, with highway patrol deployments to be bolstered to regional areas throughout February, ahead of a statewide operation over the Labour Day long weekend in March. It comes as Victoria has recorded 45 lives lost, up from 31 at the same time last year and well above the five-year average of 27.
Emerald accident A man was taken to Dandenong Hospital in stable condition after an accident in Emerald on Wednesday 8 February. Ambulance Victoria was called to the accident on Wellington Road at around 5.25pm. Five CFA units from Clematis and Menzies Creek fire brigades also responded, with the incident deemed safe at 6pm. Victoria Police were called to the scene and the incident was handed over to them. The man had no obvious injuries. Cash handed into Knox Police Police A Boronia community member located an undisclosed amount of money on Coleman Road Boronia on Friday 10 February. The local handed the cash into the Knox Police Station. Police are seeking information as to the rightful owner of this cash. For further information please contact First Constable TOSCANO at Knox Police Station on 9881 7000. Further details and verification will need to be provided to stake your claim for the cash.
Story correction The aftermath of a structural fire in The Basin, caused by an overheated battery in an e-scooter. Picture: THE BASIN CFA
Kalorama man charged after stabbing A teenager from Kalorama has been arrested and charged with intentionally causing serious injury after a stabbing in Ringwood on Sunday 12 February. Officers located a 21-year-old man with a stab wound outside a licensed premises on Maroondah Highway just before 3am. The Kilsyth man was taken to hospital in a critical condition but is now stable. Maroondah Crime Investigation Unit detectives charged the 18-year-old man. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date. Police will allege both parties are known to each other.
In the briefs published on Tuesday 7 February, there was inaccurate information published regarding the measles case in Victoria. It was reported the measles case was on an ‘Emirates’ flight however, this is incorrect and we would like to correct that information. The measles case was identified in a returned overseas traveller. The case was infectious on their return flight from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to Melbourne and at Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport on 28 January 2023. The exposure flight was ETD462/EY462, Abu Dhabi, UAE to Melbourne Saturday, 28 January 2023 departing Abu Dhabi Airport, 27 January, 10:15am arriving Saturday, 28 January, 06:00 am Monitor for symptoms if you were at Melbourne Airport - International Arrivals, Tullamarine, VIC 3045 Saturday, 28 January 2023 from 6:00 am to 8:20 am. People who attended the listed exposure sites during the specified dates and times are advised to monitor for symptoms of measles.
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Searching for Knox heroes By Parker McKenzie
Sophie Ashdowne was named Westfield Knox’s local hero in 2022, earning $20,000 for Basywater-based charity Pinchapoo. Picture: ON FILE something different to the table.” Sophie lives with down syndrome, and volunteers multiple days a week with the charity. Kim Hallworth from Southern Cross Kids Camp Knox and Darren Hill from Knox Youth each received a $5000 grant after being nominated for the program in 2022. Ms Hallworth told the Star Mail on 4 August 2022 that it was an overwhelming feeling to be announced as a finalist. “I’m not expecting any sort of recognition at all,” she said. “With Covid, it’s really been a struggle in terms of fundraising.” Ms Hallworth was nominated for her 19 years of service in supporting at-risk children in the community through raising money, training volunteers and leading the five-day camp each year. Since it was launched in 2018, the program has distributed over $6 million in grants to the organisations the winners and nominees represent. A community vote will be held between 22 August and 11 September to name the winner. For more information, visit www.westfield.com.au/local-heroes
Foothills Community Care and Mountain District Learning Centre receiving the Knox Empowering Communities grants. Picture: KNOX CITY COUNCIL
Funding for outreach By Parker McKenzie Funding of over $200,000 will be used for community outreach throughout Ferntree Gully after Foothills Community Care received a grant from the state government and Knox City Council. the $207,355 Knox Empowering Communities program grant will be used to launch an 18-month pilot program, where professional community outreach workers will be positioned in Ferntree Gully Village to connect to those in need. Foothills Community Care founder Stephen Barrington said it is the largest grant the organisation has received since it started in 2002. “Our project is to look at safety and connection around the Ferntree Gully Village precinct and employ a couple of outreach workers who will be working with local community groups, the local traders, local law enforcement — PSOs and police — and vulnerable people in the area,” he said. “The council identified the Ferntree Gully has quite a few vulnerable people who hang around the streets there, so it’s how do we engage with people in a meaningful way and create perceptions of safety around the community.” The pilot program will focus on advocacy and education, and how to connect with people who aren’t traditionally involved in com-
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Nominations for Westfield Knox’s Local Heroes 2023 program are now open, with nominees receiving $5000 for the group or organisation of their choosing and the eventual winner receiving $20,000. Nominations are open until 30 March and recognise individuals who make a positive impact on their local community or environment. Scentre Group National Community Manager Pam Wilson said she is thrilled to see the return of the Local Heroes program for the sixth consecutive year. “Our local communities are full of everyday heroes who go above and beyond for others, and this is our chance to recognise and support them to continue their important work,” she said. “Nominating your Westfield Local Hero is one small act that can have a big impact. If you know a community champion who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding contributions, visit the Westfield website, and nominate them.” Last year, Sophie Ashdowne was named Westfield Knox’s local hero, earning $20,000 for Basywater-based charity Pinchapoo. When she was announced as the winner in September 2022, Pinchapoo CEO Kate Austin said Sophie had an amazing journey to win the title of local hero. “Putting aside the funding for a moment, I’m more excited for Sophie and being able to have a platform to talk about the benefits to an organization and business through greater inclusion and diversity in the workplace,” she said. “Making sure that people have somewhere to belong and contributing in their own capacity, I love that everyone brings
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munity groups or sporting clubs. Mr Barrington said the outreach support workers will focus on connecting those people and pulling stakeholders together to resolve community issues. “We’ve got some great traders, we’ve got some great community groups and we got people that just need a bit of extra support,” he said. “We’re looking forward to rolling this out over the next little while. We don’t expect magical answers straight away, but what we hope is for people to feel included and to feel connected with our community.” Mountain District Learning Centre also received a $46,500 grant to provide activities and experiences for young people outside school hours and during holidays. Knox City Council received $700,000 under the Empowering Communities grants through the Victorian state government. Projects selected by an advisory group made up of community stakeholders receive funding for initiatives addressing local crime and safety concerns. Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said the grant stream is focused on diverting people from the justice system by investing in community programs to support people and help keep their lives on track. “I’d like to thank the local Empowering Communities Knox Action Group for their work so far, and I look forward to hearing about further progress on this important initiative,” she said. “Community organisations like Foothills Community Care and Mountain District Learning Centre put the heart into our hills. For so many, these organisations are about being welcomed and sharing conversations in a safe and inclusive space.” In a statement, Knox Mayor Marcia Timmers-Leitch said a total of $467,000 has been made available to engage Ferntree Gully residents and address the underlying causes of crime and community safety issues. “We are looking forward to announcing more worthy grant recipients in future,” she said. Mr Barrington said Foothills Community Care is passionate about providing safe spaces for people, particularly those who miss out. “This grant is really around providing space for that and helping people to understand what some of the causes that get to get people to be where they are,” he said. “People just don’t choose to be homeless or on the street or take drugs generally. There’s a whole range of issues around that and so we need to be addressing root causes as well as the behaviour we see.” mailcommunity.com.au
NEWS
MP retires, voters to polls By Parker McKenzie Aston MP Alan Tudge has announced his retirement from federal politics after over 12 years representing Ferntree Gully, Boronia and The Basin in parliament, with local residents set to return to the polls for the third time in less than 12 months. On Thursday 9 February, Mr Tudge announced his retirement during question time in parliament, effective from the end of next week. “I informed the Prime Minister and the Speaker of my decision earlier today and the leader of the opposition has known of my likely intent sincerely January when my decision was cemented following the passing up of my father,” he said. “It’s not been an easy decision for me, but it is necessary for my health and for my family, amongst other reasons. I certainly have not taken this decision lightly.” Mr Tudge was first elected during the 2010 federal election and has since retained the seat of Aston for the Liberal Party at the following four elections, with the most recent in May 2022. He said his passion has always been for social policy rather than economic or security policy. “The traditional liberal focal areas have always believed that while the economy is the foundation of our society, the social policies determine whether individuals are given the opportunity and responsibility to realize their potential,” he said. “My greatest passion though was in education. I would have loved more time leading that portfolio.” Mr Tudge stood aside from his role as Education Minister in December 2021 after allegations of abuse by his former media manager. In January, he was questioned over his role
Aston MP Alan Tudge has announced his retirement from federal politics after over 12 years representing Ferntree Gully, Boronia and The Basin in parliament. Picture: ON FILE in the Robodebt scheme at the Royal Commission after serving as Minister for Human Services during its implementation. He said he is proud of what has been achieved for the people of Aston and Australians, but particularly for Indigenous Australians. “There is always much more work to do
when there are always new faces in this place, but I believe that the Liberal Party is well served by the emerging talent in Aston,” Mr Tudge said. “It’s time to pass the baton to someone who can hopefully serve our local community better than anyone before them. It truly has been an honour and a privilege to be a mem-
ber of this place.” A by-election will be held in the electorate, with the date to be announced in the near future. The Aston electorate includes Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, The Basin and parts of Sassafras and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Visa holders in tourism jobs By Renee Wood Yarra Ranges Council is a part of calls for the State Government to advocate for more flexible opportunities for working holiday makers to support the tourism and hospitality workforce. Currently, working visa holders have to compete 88 days of agricultural work to extend their stay, however there’s a push for tourism and hospitality work to included in these conditions. Council, the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, Australia’s Adventure Tourism Victoria and other state tourism bodies are among the push which would help to support the industry’s workforce. Mayor Jim Child said council supports the implementation for more-flexible working tourism visas for working holiday makers. “Many of our tourism and hospitality venues have been affected by staff shortages resulting in reduced operating hours, closures, burnout, and wellbeing impacts to business owners who are fulfilling multiple roles in their business to keep them going,” Mayor Child said. “These impacts have resulted in some of our townships struggling to maintain consistent hospitality and tourism offerings. The flow on effects of this having a detrimental impact to the local economy and local supply chains.” The changes would make the state’s subclass 417 and subclass 462 visa holders fall in line with the Northern Territory’s and north of the tropic of Capricorn in Queensland’s conditions. “Our advocacy priorities cover many important topics, but Yarra Ranges Council and our local industries fully support the changes to Subclass 417 and Subclass 462 visa holders and we have advocated for these changes for some time,” he said. The Commonwealth would need to deliver the changes but the bodies are urging
There’s a push for working holiday makers to have hospitality and tourism work be included in their visa conditions. Picture: ON FILE the State Government to advocate on their behalf. A State Government spokesperson said it delivered ongoing investment to the tourism industry and will continue to advocate on its behalf. “Visa conditions are a matter for the Commonwealth Government. The Victorian Government will continue advocating for Victoria’s tourism businesses on the national stage,” they said. “We’ve delivered ongoing and significant investment in the Victorian tourism industry, ensuring its continued growth, delivering more visitors to more regions and supporting jobs and businesses across the state.” Some of these investments include $23.1 million to deliver 1,260 roles across tourism and hospitality, offering paid training and at least 12 months of secure employment, the $5.6 million Accommodation Jobs initiative for 320 roles in housekeeping, preparation of food and beverages, events and other accommodation services and the $6.6 million hospitality workers project is delivering 500 job ready hospitality workers, supporting jobseekers. 12589855-SN07-23
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Day to celebrate, reflect By Parker McKenzie Belgrave Survival Day, an annual event celebrating Australian Indigenous People’s survival, culture and heritage, will be held on Sunday 12 March. While the event has been held on 26 January for the past 15 years, the decision was made by the BSD committee to move the event to March after “reflection, consultation and conversation.” A representative from Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place said the date was chosen with no political connotations to any other date. “The date is not a permanent date and will be consulted on again for next year as appropriate,” the representative said. “The date allows the committee to show solidarity and respect to the current and important conversations that are occurring with the regard to changing the official Australia Day date.” Burrinja Cultural Centre Creative Director Gareth Hart said Belgrave Survival Day marks a celebration of First Nations people and their knowledge. “We’ve been able to confirm some wonderful artists, including Pirritu, a wonderful singer-songwriter coming straight from the Port Fairy Folk Festival to perform, Drmngnow, a spoken word hip-hop artist, and the Djirri Djirri dancers are returning, which is really ex-
The Djirri Djirri Dance Crew performed traditional dances at the 2016 Belgrave Survival Day. Picture: ON FILE citing,” Hart said. Hart said Survival Day has always been a significant day on the calendar, with BSD being one of the longest-running in the country. “Every day is important to celebrate and recognise the ongoing impacts of colonisation
and the impact that has had on First Nations communities,” they said. “But to also find ways to constantly support the practices and knowledge of our First Nations communities and work towards reconciliation and minimising the impact of coloni-
sation every day of the year.” Burrinja Cultural Centre has partnered with BSD for the majority of its existence and provides assistance services to the committee and selects a representative. Hart said it has been three years since the event has been able to run in-person, with a digital offering instead because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a particularly public day where we are celebrating the strength and depth of creative and cultural practices that are still very much alive in our community,” they said. “This should be a really powerful, energetic, positive but reflective day where we can come together.” The first Belgrave Survival Day was held on 26 January 2008, put together by a small group of residents in the hills. Held behind the Cameo Cinema, it featured a dance troupe from Healesville as the only Indigenous Act. The representative from Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place said the date acknowledges that January 26 is an extremely difficult day for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country. Since 2011 it has been held at Borthwick Park Reserve in Belgrave and has become an annual fixture in the town, regularly attracting over 2000 people. For more information closer to the event, visit the Belgrave Survival Day Facebook page.
Yarra Valley ranked number five in top global locations By Renee Wood The Yarra Valley has topped the charts as a high class tourism destination being ranked as number five in the top one hundred most loved destinations around the world by the Tourism Sentiment Index. The Tourism Sentiment Index delivers reports into data about destinations, analysing tourism assets and social network and review site comments to deliver a score for each destination. In the 2023 list, Yarra Valley was ranked fifth with a score of 36.18 with winery and vineyards notably the top asset. The score and further the top 100 list is created by a study of data made up of 1.6 billion online conversations and content pieces about 21,330 global destinations. The Yarra Valley rounded out the top five as the Maldives was listed at number one and Whitsundays Queensland, Sunshine Coast
Queensland and Seychelles followed respectively. Yarra Ranges Tourism was delighted to hear of the ranking with Marketing Manager Euan McDonald-Madden saying it’s a fantastic reflection of what’s on offer. “It is really a great reflection of the customer service and the experience that we try to give out here that it’s translating into a great score, which is fantastic,” Mr McDonald-Madden said. The landscape of the rolling hills and national parks are valuable to the tourism opportunities, while great producers and operators assist in boosting what’s on offer. “What is really important is how people feel when they come to their venue or their location or their restaurant and how they feel and how they walk away is the most important thing.” Tarrawarra General Manager Samantha Isherwood said there are many great offer-
ings locally and a lot of producers are making a statement albeit quite ‘humbly’. “There are a lot of producers, whether that be wine or hospitality venues, that are producing some fantastic products and doing it quite humbly,” Ms Isherwood said. “So really believing in what they’re doing and just offering something a little bit different to the people that visit and telling their story but from the heart.” Ms Isherwood said that getting people engaged with the production of food and wine creates great interest for visitors. “We take a lot of our customers out into the vineyard and show where the vines are at but we’ve also got a vineyard right in front of them basically. “I think it’s really important to see the agricultural and the farming side of wine production.” In order to keep these great standards, consistency and growth plans are needed
Visitors enjoying Steels Gate Winery with vineyards and wineries a great asset aiding in a top five ranking. Pictures: YARRA RANGES TOURISM 6 MAIL
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for the future. Yarra Ranges Tourism and council are looking into how to map out future growth and work has begun on a ‘Destination Management Plan’. The project is to create a 10 year strategy to support all aspects of managing the visitor economy and a community survey is now open. “As we see Melbourne grow to possibly eight or 10 million in the next 10 to 20 years, we need to make sure that we have the offerings here that can cater for that growth, and then the growth of hopefully international and interstate tourism will be the key to making sure that our location stays in the top five or 10.” Engagement began in January and is open until Saturday 28 February. For more information, visit https://shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/yarra-rangestourism-destination-management-plan
There are plenty of visitor opportunities in the Yarra Valley, including hot air balloon rides. mailcommunity.com.au
NEWS
ADVERTORIAL
Olinda’s Citrine Bar & Bistro co-owner Leah Whitford said inflation costs are impacting supply. Picture: SUPPLIED
By Tyler Wright Staffing shortages and inflation challenges are impacting hospitality venues across the country, according to new data. Lightspeed’s State of Hospitality report, released on 1 February, found bars and pubs across Australia are operating with 60 per cent less staff than they need, and as a result are limiting operating hours. Co-owner of Olinda’s Citrine Bistro & Bar, Leah Whitford, said the effects of lockdown has made it difficult to attract new staff. “Staffing for the weekends, more casual staff have been an issue for us,” Ms Whitford said. Citrine Bistro & Bar is open from Wednesday to Sunday and just Thursday to Sunday for lunch because the venue owners do not want to overwhelm existing staff, with a lack of international students, combined with the impact of the pandemic taking its toll, Ms Whitford said. “There’s a lack of career progression because the older, more experienced staff don’t have the opportunity to earn more, so they all got out of it during Covid for more secure work,” she said. Inflation has also made an impact on hospitality venues across the country according to the new data, suggesting 70 per cent of bar and pub operators are increasing menu pric-
es to offset inflation. Ms Whitford said items like seafood and meat are costly, with a fries shortage among some of the strange supply trends. “Then the rising cost of fruit and veg...iceberg gate that happened, it was $9 for an iceberg lettuce only a couple of months ago,” she said. “You have to adapt and change around it and try and think of innovative ways without compromising on flavour.” Lightspeed’s Global Marketing Director, Simon Le Grand, said the impacts of customers scaling back spending at hospitality venues us yet to be seen. “Lightspeed data shows that there has been a drop of 10 [per cent] in bars and 4 [per cent] in restaurants between December and January nationally,” Mr Le Grand said. “Overall, Aussies are still spending more across all venues than they were in November. As the cost of living continues to increase, we may see a decline but our data suggests the full impacts are yet to be seen,” Mr Le Grand said. Ms Whitford expects customers will revert back to wanting an experience when dining out. “People work hard for their money and they’ve got all these costs...when you go out, you want to actually enjoy it and have a nice night.”
New program to boost mental health sector A new program will be delivered to streamline mental health students straight into the workforece. Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams announced the new Earn and Learn Traineeship program and the providers who will be running the program, which includes EACH who’re operate in the Yarra Valley. Ms Williamssaid the new traineeship program will mean can work in the sector while completing studies to support the workforce and Victorians. “These new roles are a key part of the diverse, skilled and multidisciplinary workforce that the Royal Commission recommended for the mental health system,” she said. The program is part of Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2021-24, which outlines a strategic approach to deliver the diverse, skilled and multidisciplinary workforce required for Victoria’s reformed mental health and wellbeing system. The $4.5 million Labor Government investment will create 50 new community support jobs for Mental Health and Wellbeing trainees while they study a Certificate IV in Mental Health, the providers include: Mind Australia Wellways Australia
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· EACH · Uniting Vic. Tas · Star Health · Mallee Family Care Funding has also been provided for educator roles to support trainees at these services, which will ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. Trainees will receive supervision and relevant placements through their employment period. Following a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System for a more diverse mental health workforce, these positions pave the way for people with a wide variety of skills, experience and background to begin their career journey in the community mental health services. The Government is getting underway on implementing more than 90 per cent of the Royal Commission’s recommendations and in the last year have invested a record $372 million in workforce initiatives to hire more than 1,500 mental health workers, including 400 mental health nurses and 100 psychiatrists to deliver Victoria’s mental health reform agenda. The Labor Government also offers the Certificate IV in Mental Health and Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Support as part of the Free TAFE program.
Pictured left to right: Volunteer Directors: Deputy Chair Shane Miller, Committee Chair of Business Development Committee Walter Berger, and Ian Snell (standing).
Community minded directors February 2023: Community Bank Dandenong Ranges Group, backed by Bendigo Bank, who operate Community Bank Upwey, Belgrave and Cockatoo-Gembrook, are looking for local volunteer directors who are motivated and organised with a passion for community. Company Chair, Deb Weber advised that we’ve been very fortunate to have had experienced and skilled local people on our Board for many years now and we need to ensure that the level of skill and commitment to our organisation continues to enable continued success. “We have celebrated 24 years in business with $6.2 million poured back into our communities through grants, sponsorships, scholarships and dividends. With a book of over $500 million in business, 19 staff and three shop fronts, we are a successful franchise of Bendigo Bank and we hope to attract the right people who can contribute to the future growth of the business,” Ms.Weber said. Applications close 6 April 2023 and interested individuals are asked to contact Deb Weber for further information and an application form.
Part of the team Dandenong Ranges Community Finance Limited is a franchisee of Bendigo Bank and operates the locally owned Upwey, Belgrave and Cockatoo-Gembrook branches. Expressions of interest are now being accepted for the voluntary position of Director. As a director you will be motivated, well organised, self-directed and community orientated. You'll support and drive the company's strategic direction, goals and objectives to have a real say in the future direction of the branch and community. For more information or to apply, call Deb Weber on 0407 667 636 or email debweber@bigpond.com.
Dandenong Ranges Community Finance Limited
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Lack of staff hits owners
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NEWS
Aye-aye, captains By Tyler Wright Mount Dandenong Primary School’s leadership team was announced on Friday 11 February, with four new school captains set to take the reins in 2023. Willow-Rose Gordon, Ethan Corbett, Eva Robertson and Connor Lourey received their badges at the presentation ceremony. Eva said she screamed when she found out she had been chosen as school captain around three weeks ago. “It’s always been my dream. When I was a little bit younger and I would see them go up there, I thought ‘that’s going to be me someday,” she said. When Connor was in prep, his big buddy was school captain and he has always wanted the role. “They’re the head of the school. They’re the role models. Everyone looks up to them. They have to go up and talk in front of the whole school,” Connor said. In their last year of primary school, the four grade six students will head assemblies and organise events, which is what they are most looking forward to. They also hope to inspire younger students to take on leadership roles. “They might want to be school captain when they’re older; that’s basically encouraging them to follow the dreams,” Connor said. Kingfishers’ House Captain Lili Denovan applied to be head of her house to help others have an opportunity in sport, and wants to teach younger students that sport is fun and enjoyable. “Not to be sad if you lose, not to be disappointed when you have to do PE or any sport,” she said. “It’s great to win, but don’t always have to be crazy about it and make others feel bad about it, just like ‘yeah I won, you did a good job too.” Arts captains, environmental captains, library captains and Japanese captains were
Mount Dandenong Primary School’s 2023 school captains (from left to right): Eva Robertson, Connor Lourey, Ethan Corbett and Willow-Rose Gordon. Picture: TYLER WRIGHT also announced at the ceremony. Mount Dandenong Primary School Principal Jake Laurie said students need to complete and written application and an interview with himself, a teacher and the previous year’s school captains to be accepted. “It’s a really fun phone call to make back home to those families and let the kids know and the parents know, and there’s lots of squealing and excitement, but they take it really seriously,” he said. “We’ve got so many amazing leaders at the school.” Jake also said the environment captains will run a group that does jobs around the school yard, while the Japanese captains will run a Japanese-themed day and the arts captains will hold an art show later in the year.
“The younger kids really look up to it and aspire and strive to be one of those leaders when they get to grade six,” he said. “They do so well and they grow so much through the year. “ Yarra Ranges Mayor Councillor Jim Child, who attended Mount Dandenong Primary School, wished students success in their future studies. “I started here as my first year of primary school in 1955, and before that, my two brothers to school here as well... it’s a long connection back into into the community up here on the mountain,” he said. “I can always reminisce about going to primary school, and I think it’s probably the best part of your lives these few years you spend in this great school community.”
Open day to help us get fire-ready By Tyler Wright Kalorama and Mount Dandenong locals will able to learn how best to prepare their homes for bushfire as the Yarra Ranges enters the fire danger period, as a local brigade prepares to host an open day on Sunday 26 February. Both the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire will enter the fire danger period - where the CFA restricts the use of fire in the community due to higher risk - on Monday 30 January at 1am. Kalorama Mount Dandenong Fire Brigade captain Bill Robinson said the areas are about a month behind other regions in the declaration of the fire danger period because the Hills are usually wetter and colder than the flatlands. “Once the fire danger period comes in, we don’t get fires out of control… people are no longer burning piles of rubbish and stuff in their backyards,” Mr Robinson said. “The job the other day…the one that was out of control in Montrose, that was from somebody burning off and it got out of control, so once the fire danger period comes in, you haven’t got that problem.” At the open day, there will be two talks; one at 11am and the other at 1pm, where attendees can learn how to find information on the VicEmergency app “If it’s a total fire ban day and you don’t think you can cope with a bushfire, get off the hill, go to the pictures or go to the beach or do something rather than stay around the hill and stress yourself out with the weather.” While Mr Robinson said he has not seen much angst within the community so far this summer, things are drying up quickly. “We did have a fire down in Montrose [recently] and we had 20 trucks, and they had to bring their helicopter in to slow it down, so that’s how quickly things were escalating in that time,” he said. “From before Christmas Day when people were going ‘is it ever going to stop raining?’ to now...within the next month or so, things will be really really ready to burn, so that’s when 8 MAIL
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Design nod By Tyler Wright A Belgrave resident is preparing to have two garden designs showcased in Melbourne’s upcoming International Flower and Garden Show. Rebecca Mitchell decided to enter her designs into the competition after visiting the show with her friend last year. “I looked at the website and I was day dreaming, it said ‘get involved;’ I thought maybe I could be a volunteer, and then of course I came to the competition section,” Rebecca said. Despite not yet owning her own business, Rebecca had permaculture design certificates behind her and decided to take the plunge; creating a design to submit into the border garden design and balcony design categories, inspired by her time living in apartment spaces and her love of growing food. “It was combining all those things; a lovely space to sit, a little space, you could be by yourself cocooned away with a book, and then if you wanted to have people over, you could fold out this table, pull out a chair and have someone round for a cup of tea or cocktail or dinner,” Rebecca said. “Privacy as well is one thing...being an apartment you don’t always get the best view and you sometimes look straight into neighbours or traffic, so a lot of people perhaps don’t use their balconies because of this.” “I’d really love it if greening balconies could come with these housing development programs.” On Christmas Eve, Rebecca found out her design for a balcony garden had been accepted, followed by the news some weeks later her border garden had also been accepted. “It was a bit of a shock, and then I thought ‘okay, that’s okay. I can do this, why not?” she said. “So now I’ve got to build two gardens and I’ve got no money and I’ve got not no business... that’s how it started, in a complete and utter panic of how on earth I was going to do it.” With her designs accepted into the show, Rebecca took the opportunity to create her own business, Little Footprint Studios. “That’s what inspired me to think about the mums group, because that’s also been a really massive help and support for me and for so many mums, especially through Covid, when most of us who are stay at home mums are literally home alone and don’t get to see or speak to anyone,” she said. After the show, Rebecca hopes to donate her gardens to members of the community; particularly to a local mum in need or to the Mums of the Hills hub. “[MotHs has] also been a really massive help and support for me and for so many mums, especially through Covid when most of us who are stay at home mums are literally home alone and don’t get to see or speak to anyone for however many years, so it was really nice to have that community.” The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show will run from Wednesday 29 March to Sunday 2 April at the Royal Exhibition and Carlton Gardens.
The Kalorama Mount Dandenong Fire Brigade will hold an open day on Sunday 26 February after the commencement of the fire danger period on Monday 30 Janurary. Picture: SUPPLIED they’re going to start call total fire ban days.” Mr Robinson said coming into fire danger periods, brigade resources can be used to help other services, including the Tasmania Fire Authority and New South Wales’ Rural Fire service. “One of our vehicles spent nearly two months in Tasmania a couple of years ago… and we just kept sending change over crews,” he said.
“We were in [New South Wales] two years ago... District 13 were sending a crew out every four days.” The Kalorama Mount Dandenong Fire Brigade station is located on the corner of Falls and Ridge roads in Kalorama, with the open day running from 10am until 2pm. There will be a free sausage sizzle and an opportunity to speak to local community volunteers about what they, and residents, can do in relation to emergencies.
A 3D rendering of Rebecca Mitchell’s design ‘Escape to the Balcony,’ which will be displayed in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. 319415 Picture: SUPPLIED mailcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Film and podcast boost for Selby By Tyler Wright Selby Community House is looking to launch a podcast series and film exploring the history of the local hub this month. The 30 minute film titled ‘The People’s Movement - The Birth of Selby Community House’ created by local film makers will be premiered alongside a podcast produced by Emerald local Riley Jordan broadcasting the stories of those a part of the community house’s history. Selby Community House secretary Judy Wolff said two locals, filmmaker Tadji Ulrich and writer Leah Hill were commissioned to create the film. “It’s been a long, hard, slow process but [the film is] looking fantastic,” Wolff said. “There are great connections with national and global events which we bring in visually and into conversation and you see the different themes of the house displayed in these various interviews.” The ‘The People’s Movement - The Birth of Selby Community House’ launch will take place on Thursday 23 February from 6pm to 9pm, with enlarged photographs throughout the community house’s history on display in the gallery as recordings from the podcast play in the background. “For anyone coming - and I think they’ll largely be people who’ve had a history of involvement with this community house - it should evoke some pretty strong memories of all types,” Wolff said. Selby Community House opened in 1975 and has been a home for a community based playgroup, the Selby Folk club and community development courses since. “Selby was a tiny forester town with no public buildings and just one shop, and a lot of isolated people in the ‘70s... some didn’t have a telephone, some didn’t have a car, some were single parents.” “There was this tiny little country town that
The Monbulk Car Show will be held 20 March. Picture: SUPPLIED
Monbulk Car show returns By Parker McKenzie
Selby Community House’s history project ‘The People’s Movement - The Birth of Selby Community House’ is set to launch on Thursday 23 February. Picture: SUPPLIED found its voice initially through playgroups. “It grew from there and we get to celebrate it as it is now.” Selby Community House is located at 1 Minak Road in Selby, and those interested
in attending the film, podcast and exhibition launch can visit https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/the-peoples-movement-thebir th-of-selby-community-house-tickets-529169108047 for more information.
Poetry is alive and well in Australia, says Woorilla Poetry Prize founder After the federal government announced the creation of an official poet laureate as a part of the new National Cultural Policy, the Star Mail spoke to Woorilla Poetry Prize founder Maria Millers about what it means for poets around the Dandenongs and beyond. Ms Millers said many people will be surprised may be surprised to learn that this isn’t the first time the country has had a poet laureate. “Back in 1810 an Oxford-educated convict, Michael Massey Robinson was appointed by Governor Macquarie as Poet Laureate of the fledgling colony. A short-lived appointment and not revisited till now,” she said. “This puts us behind many countries which have Poet Laureates: UK. New Zealand, USA, Canada, Iran, the Netherlands, and Nigeria: These are not high paying positions but high in prestige and the benefits they bring to the cultural landscape of their respective countries.” A poet laureate is officially appointed by the government and is expected to compose poems for special events, occasions and milestones. Ms Millers said at the Woorilla Poetry Prize, it is clear poetry is alive in Australia but isn’t yet as universally embraced as music, dance and film. “Poetry is flourishing with younger Australians, particularly among those whose heritage is from countries where poetry is accepted as integral to their culture. Whoever is appointed as Poet Laureate should mine this rich vein of strong young voices ready to be heard,” she said. “For many reading this, poetry may bring memories of school lessons to be endured and best forgotten.” She said while most people imagine poetry mailcommunity.com.au
The Woorilla Poetry prize was founded in 1989 by Maria Millers and Louise Rockne. Picture: ON FILE in the country as the likes of Banjo Patterson, Henry Lawson and Dorothea Mackeller and would be “hard-pressed to come up with names of any contemporary Australian poets,” there are many contemporary poets who escape public recognition. “Just as musical festivals are now attracting
huge crowds that form the basis for performing artists’ incomes so too poetry performances are lately attracting bigger audiences, particularly among the youth with events such as Slam Poetry,” she said. “A Poet Laureate will be a public snapshot of everything that is happening in Australia and in times of change capture the mood of the nation.” Despite this, there have been concerns raised about what exactly will be required of the position. Ms Millers said many of the poets she has spoken to believe the inaugural Laurette should be held by a First Nations Australian and the position should be free of political involvement. “When John Howard invited our ‘de facto Poet Laureate’, the late Les Murray, to help draft a new Preamble to the Constitution before the 1999 Referendum on the Republic, he was clearly using Murray as a political pawn to produce a document to suit his political needs,” she said. “A disillusioned Murray distanced himself and walked away. Clearly, the independence of the position must be guaranteed.” She said despite this, the announcement should be welcomed. “Overall, after years of neglect of the Arts, something is being done and we praise the government for this and look forward to welcoming our second Poet Laureate,” she said. The Woorilla Poetry prize was founded in 1989 by Maria Millers and Louise Rockne. The 2022 prize saw over 400 entries from around the world and was held at the Emerald Hills Hub. Dates of the 2023 Poetry Prize will be announced shortly.
The Monbulk Car Show will run on 20 March after a two-year hiatus. The annual event to raise money for Monbulk CFA and local community groups sees over 400 classic cars on display, live bands, kid’s zones and food and drink for attendees to enjoy. Event organiser Richard Licciardi said the event is the biggest in Monbulk every year, with between four and five thousand people attending. “in 2019 we raised about $18,000. CFA is pushing to try and get a bigger, newer station,” he said. It’s at the point where the new trucks don’t really fit in, so the roller door has to be held up to get the new truck out. That’s not very practical.” The event was postponed from its original date in November 2021 because of the risk posed to the large crowd which usually convenes on Main Street to see the array of classic cars. The 2020 event was also cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Licciardi said discussions were held about moving the event to summer, however, with the support of CFA crews it wouldn’t be possible. “Last year, we always pushed hard to not cancel it and just postpone it,” he said. “The logistics done by the CFA, because that’s who we raised the money for, and it’s probably to the tune of 30 plus volunteers from the CFA, so the show can run, “They were apprehensive previously, but then we talked about doing March and that’s out of technically out of the fire season.” Main Street Monbulk is closed off for the event, which starts at 10am and ends at 3pm. Cars cost $20 to enter, with no need to book in advance. Organisers said when the show is full, people won’t be able to enter any more vehicles. Mr Licciardi said the event is both a car show and a community event. “We don’t want people to think of it as a hardcore car show and we certainly don’t want people to think that it’s a chrome bumper or a hot rod,” he said. “Anybody who loves their car are welcome.” Entry costs $5 or $12 for a family, with proceeds going towards Monbulk CFA and community groups. CFA will have a car rescue demo at 12pm in the St Georges’s Church car park and a vintage fire truck will also be on display. The Monbulk and District Community Working organises the event. Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
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Got a degree? Start teaching in under two years. Are you ready?
Visit vic.gov.au/teachthefuture Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. 12583418-FC07-23
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RENOWNED ARTIST SHOWCASED
Peter Booth’s surrealist works are a sight to be seen.
Tarrawarra Museum of Art has opened its summer exhibit showcasing renowned artist Peter Booth.
Pictures: ANDREW CURTIS
Works as recent as 2022 are in the exhibit.
Exhibit visits for locals By Renee Wood Local residents have a wonderful opportunity to attend Tarrawarra Museum of Art’s current exhibit for free every Wednesday in February. The initiative allows any Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges resident to attend thanks to the Yarra Ranges Council. The latest exhibition is showcasing Australian artist Peter Booth, with works spanning from his early days in the 60s and 70s through to some of his latest pieces finished last year. This is the first major public gallery exhibition of Booth’s since the NGV retrospective show was held in 2003. Curator Anthony Fitzpatrick said it’s great to introduce his work to a new generation.
“We felt after two decades, it’d be great to introduce his work to a new generation who might not be familiar with his practice but also to highlight that he’s continued to make extraordinary paintings since that time,” he said. “We felt after two decades, it’d be great to introduce his work to a new generation who might not be familiar with his practice but also to highlight that he’s continued to make extraordinary paintings since that time,” he said. Booth’s themes of the absurd and grotesque are striking with many works featuring figures on a journey through different dimensions of apocalyptic nature. “In the 80s…the arms race was escalating between Russia and the US and there was that lingering, overarching concern over what
could happen and then, a lot of these hybrid figures emerge out of thinking about how humans might adapt to an altered environment,” Fitzpatrick said. Later works strip away the absurdity and start to show a dystopian natural landscape with snow falling or a moment where the mangroves are growing tall as though proving the resilience of nature. “When you stand in front of these large paintings, you become the figure in in the landscape in a sense that you create the narrative or you have a subjective response. “When you stand before it could be an emotional response, it can be an imaginative response.” With seeing Booth’s work in person also nec-
essary in order to take in the scale and textures of his work. Fitzpatrick said it’s so important to encounter them in person. “He’s such an incredible painter and particularly in oils. He talks about oil paint being such a beautiful medium, it’s a pity to thin it down. “The presence of that paint and when you stand in front of it, you really feel that energy that’s been invested in in the making of the work.” “I really think it is… this idea that the viewer is someone who completes the work by that encounter with it, and everyone’s experience or response will be slightly or very different.” The exhibit runs until 13 March 2023. Visit twma.com.au for more information.
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Know the COLOURS
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TAKE THE ACTIONS TO SURVIVE
Across Australia, the Fire Danger Rating system has changed. Using real-time scientific data, it now gives you a more accurate rating of the risk level if a fire was to start in your area. Each colour represents the actions you need to take to stay safe. If it’s red, the fire risk is Catastrophic, so you need to pack your bags and leave immediately. Don’t wait around to see if the conditions improve.
Plan. Act. Survive. For more information on the new simpler and smarter Fire Danger Ratings, search Fire Danger Ratings. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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SHOP LOCAL MONBULK
Support to achieve dreams Community Bank Monbulk & District has been open and supporting the local community for over 10 years. An important goal when it first opened was to support locals to achieve their dream of owning their own home sooner. The team’s great old fashioned style of personalised service and genuine interest in their customers has seen them hold a strong position within the local community. Especially now, we are here supporting our customers and our town. We have experienced lending specialists Fiona and Ellie who are based in our lending hub next door to the branch who are ready to help you with your next project. We also have our Business Development Manager Margaret, who has lived in Monbulk her whole life, is friendly and approachable and will ensure you are completely taken care of with her personalised and professional service. Margaret has worked with many customers on their dream to own their own home. She provides assistance right from the beginning, working with her clients to achieve their goals. From saving techniques 12 months before buying, to wealth creation and investments. Margaret’s experience and passion for her role is evident in all her customer interactions. With a large horticultural industry in Monbulk and surrounding areas, Margaret has taken on a mobile approach to helping our customers and local businesses. Margaret is keen to be out and about in the local community, helping personal and business customers alike with their financial needs. The Community Bank Monbulk & District
Business Development Manager Margaret will ensure you are completely taken care of with her personalised and professional service at the Community Bank. Picture: SUPPLIED dedicated team is here to help you in this difficult financial climate. We encourage existing customers and any
local homeowners to chat with us and receive our personalised service and support through this time.
Nowhere else in Monbulk is there a whole team of lending specialists dedicated to helping you reach your financial goals.
MONBULK BOWLING CLUB
Weekly Specials WEDNESDAY
WED - SUN
PARMA NIGHT
SENIOR SPECIALS
All served with chips & salad
$19.00
$17.50
SUNDAY
EVERYDAY
KIDS EAT FREE
SCHOONERS
With purchase of main meal
Great Northern and Carlton Draught
FREE*
$6.50
Monbulk Bowling Club 11 Moores Road, Monbulk 9756 6183 | T&C’s apply Open Wed-Sun from 5:30pm 12574442-JW45-22
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OPINION
A place to find history Looking
back Lynn Brewster
Knox Historical President 500,000 documents and artefacts. We held a very successful Twilight Christmas market for the first time in 2022 with free activities for children, a craft market with local artisans and will be hosting that again this December. So if you are one of the many who have always been meaning to “visit that place in Ferntree Gully”, or you have some hours to spare volunteering, we would love to see you. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm, Ambleside is on the National Trust Register, an accredited museum with Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria and a registered Place of Deposit with Public Record Office Victoria. Email: khs@relics.com
Plays brought to life By Peter Kemp The 1812 Theatre presents Confusions Thursday saw the opening of The 1812 Theatre’s opening production for 2023, Confusions by Alan Ayckbourn. An interesting play consisting of five short plays slightly linked together. The 1812 Theatre used a revolve stage which was excellent in handling the different scenes, while one scene was seen by the audience the other two scenes were being set. The opening play was Mother Figure. A story about a mother whose husband is a travelling salesman and who is completely wrapped in her children. Two neighbours arrive as the mother’s husband rang them worried about his wife. The result is hilarious. The second play was Drinking Companion where a sleazy commercial traveller tries to do a line with first one young lady then with her friend. Another great success. The third play was Between Mouthfuls. A restaurant scene with two couples not realising that they are known to each other. The scenes were excellently set with play one a typical untidy room with toys scat-
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tered about. Play two was a bar scene with two tables, bar stools and a well set bar. Play three was in a restaurant, well executed with meals coming in. Interval was next followed by Gosforth’s Fete. An amusing story of what can happen in an English fete when the weather turns nasty and everything that can go wrong does. The last play was in front of a curtain with the players sitting on a park bench. There were four benches and five players. The players for all scenes were Jan Howden, Elani Beveli, Daniel Parton, Mark Caile and Josiah Bilbig. This series of plays is a great challenge for actors. They have many parts to play and different characters to represent. This is no easy task as one has to be absorbed in the role to do it justice. The cast at The 1812 Theatre lived up to the high standard always set by The 1812 Theatre and comments were heard from the audience about the good acting. It was a successful evening of theatre and one looks forward to the year’s season. The production finishes on 4 March and bookings 9758 3964.
A product of their time By Christine Yunn-Yu Sun A review of Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden by Zhuqing Li As its subtitle suggests, Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden tells the life stories of two sisters separated by China’s Civil War. Written by Zhuqing Li, a professor in East Asian Studies at Brown University, the book illustrates how individual experiences and perspectives can be inevitably and irrevocably shaped by their times. Jun and Hong are the author’s aunts. On August 17, 1949, when the People’s Liberation Army entered their hometown Fuzhou City on China’s southeastern coast, Jun happened to be visiting Jinmen (or Kinmen), a tiny island only 10 kilometres offshore. Overnight, the sisters found themselves in two different countries Jinmen became part of the Republic of China (ROC) controlled by Nationalist forces on Taiwan, while the Communists ruled the mainland as the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Since then, both sides have claimed to be the only legitimate government of China, but each is unable to take back the territory that they deem stolen by the other. The two women did what they could to forge careers and families in the midst of political and social upheaval. Separated by the “bamboo curtain”, both had made decisions that pulled them towards the ideologies of their governments. While the following paragraph is about Hong in China, it can also be applied to Jun in Taiwan: “She chose a different path. Then and for the rest of her life, she opted to live a public life submitting to the Party’s authority and accepting it as necessary for herself, her family, and
her country. Nestled inside this public façade like a Faberge egg was her true self that would never be allowed to come to light. She chose to survive, and survival for her demanded a strict separation of the public image and the private self.” Indeed, on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, different and often opposite versions of modern Chinese history were made, often by deliberately focusing on some facts while keeping the others hidden and by prioritising some words over the others. Both governments proceeded to establish, standardise and circulate the versions that best suited their political, economic, societal and cultural agendas. The result is different and often opposite types of Chinese identity that frequently cause discussions and even plain descriptions of China-related events to be ideological rather than practical. Identity, as the product of a long process of sense-making, becomes an increasingly rigid “site”, leading those subscribing to it to defend its imagined boundaries in the same forceful way that citizens guard against the breaching of their country’s geopolitical borders. Luckily, the writing in Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden is relatively neutral and focuses on individual stories rather than the history of China-Taiwan relations. While the book is highly personal, the author manages to strike a balance between sentimental and critical regarding the paths chosen by her aunts to meet the relentlessly cruel demands of their times. Those readers enjoying Jung Chang’s Wild Swans (2004) and Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister (2019) shall love this book.
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Ever wondered what a tuberculosis isolation hut looks like? Or perhaps a basement with a rarely seen open fireplace? These things and much more can be experienced right here in Knox. There is a treasure trove of information and history in Ferntree Gully just waiting to be explored. Ambleside Homestead c1890, located at 3 Olivebank Road, has been the home of the Knox Historical Society since the 1970’s, as per our benefactor’s request. Unlike Knox’s other two historic homesteads, Millers and Stamford which were purchased by the council, Oliver David and his family generously donated to Knox Council, 2 acres of land and outbuildings including a one bedroom cottage predating the formal homestead, to the people of Knox “on the proviso it was not to be subdivided but used for the preservation of Knox history”. Operating with 100 per cent volunteer help, the Society provides school history programs, research services, community programs and group tours, historical presentations and historical tours of the Ferntree Gully Cemetery. We also hold around 20,000 school photos dating back to the 1800’s and more than
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ASH WEDNESDAY - 40 YEARS ON
The colour party. 315275
Pictures: GARY SISSONS
Narre Warren captain Travis Carter reads the honour roll aloud while Panton Hill captain Simon Wallace tolls the bell. 315275
With commemorations and reflections of 40 years since the devastating fires, those who attended the fires have remembered the harrowing efforts when stationed in Warburton, Reefton, Cockatoo and Upper Beaconsfield.
Brave lives remembered By Shelby Brooks Firefighters who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities during the horrific events of the Ash Wednesday bushfires 40 years ago have been honoured in an anniversary commemoration in Cockatoo. Hundreds of past and present firefighters, and community members, gathered on Sunday 12 February at the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre, to share in grief and appreciation for the 47 people who lost their lives in the fires on 16 February 1983, which is considered one of the worst natural disasters in Victoria’s history. Tears were shed and wreaths laid in memory of the 14 of those people who were CFA firefighters. John Minett was the captain of the Narre Warren Fire Brigade when the truck he was on was engulfed in flames, killing everyone on board. His son Brian held his Dad’s spare helmet while reflecting on his sacrifice. “At the time, being Upper Beaconsfield and Narre Warren being small communities, it sits very well that Dad saved lives before he perished,” he said. CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the state-wide memorial was a day to quietly reflect. “This date is permanently etched into the minds of several generations of Victorians. For many, it still haunts them,” he said. The sombre and special day was an opportunity to reflect but never forget and learn the lessons of the past, Mr Heffernan said. “As we can see, the Ash Wednesday fires had a lasting effect on all firefighters, emergency service personnel and community workers in the community and it’s important, particularly for the 14 firefighters that perished on that day, that we have learnt and made improvements across the sector as a result,” Mr Heffernan said. Hard lessons were learnt about how to combat fires, and improvements in the following years include command and control arrangements, training, latest technologies in firetrucks to ensure firefighters are responding are the safest they can be, the PPE that they wear and the other technologies like radio communication. “Today is an opportunity to reflect but never forget and learn the lessons of the past,” Mr Heffernan said. “Victoria is no stranger to fire, we are one of the most fire prone places in the world, and we will continue to see fires, which is why it’s so important to commemorate these events, so the community understands the lessons of the tragedies of the past so we can continue to rebuild communities. mailcommunity.com.au
Beaconsfield Junior CFA members assisted with wreath laying. 315275
The wreath laying ceremony. 315275 “There are so many people across our community that have bush fires, and the effects of bushfires etched into their memories forever.” Simon Wallace, captain of Panton Hill CFA tolled the bell to mark each name from the Ash Wednesday Roll of Honour, which was read aloud by Travis Carter, Narre Warren CFA captain. Nar Nar Goon CFA captain Justin Seddon, Upper Beaconsfield captain Ian Pinney, Cockatoo CFA captain Chris White and Macedon CFA captain Ross Luke all performed readings. Many community members laid wreath, which was assisted by junior members of the Beaconsfield Fire Brigade. Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino represented the minister for emergency services at the commemoration event. She spoke to attendees about how far the emergency service sector has come since the events of Ash Wednesday and acknowledged the thousands of people who battled the fires. “Ash Wednesday demonstrated the full horror of bushfires, the strength of communities and the courage of individuals,” she said. “The community was devastated by the
Brian Minnet with his father John’s spare firefighting helmet. 315275
Kalorama Mt Dandenong firefighter Bill Robinson, Montrose firefighter Eddie Tichelaar and Kalorama Mt Dandenong firefighter Michael Motteram. 315275 fires 40 years ago but subsequently drew closer and more resilient.” Ms De Martino said despite 40 years passing, people’s grief at losing loved ones in the fires has never faded. “Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Many are represented here today by loved ones. 40 years on your sense of loss is still profound and your love for them undiminished,” she said. “They died trying to save others. They died protecting properties, animals, strangers, friends, family and communities.” Support Anniversaries of significant events such as the Ash Wednesday fires can bring up difficult memories and feelings including sadness, fear and grief. In the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, and in the days after, if you find yourself experiencing strong emotions, we recommend that you contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 which offer support services nationwide. CFA members and their families can contact the CFA Wellbeing Support Line for free, confidential 24/7 access to psychologists, counsellors, peers and chaplains.
Colour party piper Mick Ryan. 315275 Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
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ASH WEDNESDAY - 40 YEARS ON
The circle of life . . . By Shelby Brooks Forty years ago when fire ripped through Cockatoo, quick-thinking kindergarten teachers opened their circular building to allow people refuge. About 200 residents, along with their pets, had 360-degree views of the devastation around them on that long night on Wednesday 16 February 1983. CFA captain in 1983, and current committee chairperson of the education centre, Graham Simpson was out fighting the fires when his wife and children took shelter in the kindergarten building, which years later was saved from demolition and heritage listed. It is now the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre (AWBEC). “They opened the building and people gravitated there,” Graham said. “A couple of blokes got on the roof and were putting the embers out while the people were inside.” Graham had joined the Cockatoo CFA Brigade five years earlier and had made captain only three months prior to Ash Wednesday. He recently celebrated 45 years with the service. Graham had returned home from work on Wednesday 16 February 1983 when the call came in at 7.28pm that a small fire had started on Baileys Road, Cockatoo. The brigade’s main tanker was out helping in Upper Beaconsfield, so Graham and his crew took the smaller truck with a 600L tank. While putting out the fire in Baileys Road, the firefighters spotted smoke from Wright Forest. “I walked into the forest and all along the
track was a fire burning. We decided to make a stand up the hill where there were a few houses,” Graham said. “Next thing we got a call saying the wind had changed. We got off the hill and came back to Cockatoo. Our main tanker had just gotten back into town. “That was the start of it. It was sheer bedlam. “Traffic was everywhere. My hair was singed at the back of my head from the heat while I was trying to get the traffic cleared to get the trucks through.” The fire in Cockatoo was the last one to start on the day, so the town did not have much external support. It took many years for the town to recover, though it could be argued recovery is still occurring. Graham served as captain for a total of 12 years before taking a step back. He said he never considered leaving Cockatoo. Graham said not everyone understands why he is so passionate and invested in the AWBEC. “It’s history. It’s part of not only the town’s history, but the state’s history,” he explained. Having a plan for fire season is essential, according to Graham. “The message is to have a plan. Whether your plan is to leave early in the morning and visit Aunt Mary in the suburbs, or stay and defend your house which is probably not the best plan, but have a plan,” he said. Preparing your property is also important by cleaning out gutters of leaves and moving firewood from being close to the house.
CFA captain in 1983, and current committee chairperson of the education centre, Graham Simpson was out fighting the fires when his wife and children took shelter in the kindergarten building, which years later was saved from demolition and heritage listed. 318184 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Graham designed the memorial at the education centre. 318184
Hotel devastated but still place for people to go By Parker McKenzie Brett Sansom was preparing for a milestone when he disembarked the bus at Beaconsfield Upper, eager to celebrate his 16th birthday with his friends and family. Wednesday 16 February 1983 wasn’t like most days” there was a tension and dryness in the air that had people on edge” but Mr Sansom had other plans on his mind and barely noticed. “It was over 40c that day, I came home on the bus but because my parents had organised a surprise party, one of my mates took me to the lake to have a swim,” he said. “By the time we saw the smoke and tried to get back to the Pine Grove Hotel, the roads had already been blocked off.” His parents Frank and Eva had leased the hotel in 1980, making the family well known to the small community in the local area. When the police sergeant waved him through the roadblock, knowing that he was heading to his home at the pub, Mr Sansom climbed onto the roof of the hotel and watched in awe. “We were sitting on top of the hill, on top of the roof of the hotel, looking at the flames going towards Berwick and over Cockatoo,” Mr Sansom said. “We were just looking at the rest of the world burning down. When it came around to about 8.30pm, the wind changed, all hell broke loose and we took off.” That wind change, 110km/h from the southwest, sent the fire which had crossed the Princes Highway near Officer roaring up from Guys Hill and taking lives and property with it. When the out-of-control flames reached Beaconsfield Upper, Mr Sansom’s home and the family’s business were engulfed by the flames, along with the rest of the town. 12 16 MAIL
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Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
Brett Sansom with the painting of the Pine Grove Hotel. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
The Pine Grove Hotel, immediately after the fire.
Picture: KEITH PAKENHAM CFA COLLECTION
firefighters and nine residents lost their lives, while 100s of homes were destroyed and countless people were injured. “It was horrific, my sister was trying to drive this little Toyota Corolla over fallen trees and it was pretty frightening,” Mr Sansom said. “My mum was in front of us, she got directed down to Beaconsfield, we got directed to Emerald and then we had trees falling down in front of us and we couldn’t get through.” After multiple hours in the car, with the entire town making the same desperate drive, Mr Sansom reached safety beyond the Dandenong Ranges. It didn’t take long to return, however, and he remembers the aftermath of the hotel vividly; the cool room managed to save plenty of miscellaneous items, bottles of alcohol stored in wax boxes barely licked by the flames, yet the bar area was engulfed entirely, leaving little left. He remembers the signs
reading “Danger: Keep Out” and “Looters Beware” erected soon after and the assistance of barrels of beer given to the family by other nearby watering holes. “We operated the hotel out of a caravan for two weeks after. It was completely gone; the walls were so brittle that it was dangerous to walk in there,” he said. “Once the fire went through, we were the town hall. People didn’t have homes and wanted to go congregate somewhere.” His parents continued to serve drinks sourced from the Berwick, Hallam and Cardinia Hotels on fire-marked tables, with caravans, school buses and anything they could find being used to recreate something resembling an establishment, serving sandwiches to people needing somewhere to go and companionship of others locals. Remarkably, it isn’t the first time the Hotel has burned down — the first in 1920 — and for the next 18 months, the pub was run out of a shed built by Lions clubs and
other community groups. After the building was restored and reopened in late 1984, it stayed with the Sansom family for a few more years before they moved on. Now 56 and a resident of Ferntree Gully, Mr Sansom said the date isn’t bittersweet for him. “I probably haven’t been the most humble bloke in my life,” he said. “Through my 20s it was behind me. We had a brand new place and lots of people coming through.” He said for people from the area he still knows, the events of Ash Wednesday aren’t traumatic to revisit, because the ones who lost everything didn’t stay to rebuild. “The really traumatised families, you never saw them again,” he said. Five years later, he was given a slightly macabre but well-loved 21st birthday present: An artistic depiction of the Pine Grove Hotel created by Tor Holth, which still hangs in his Kallista-based business, Cork on Cooks Corner. “There were a lot of kids that couldn’t put it to the back of their mind, but that’s not how I’m built,” Mr Sansom said. “For me, it was just another chapter in a very young life.” mailcommunity.com.au
ASH WEDNESDAY - 40 YEARS ON
‘We were torn apart by it By Tyler Wright On 16 February 1983, then deputy officer in the Dandenong Ranges CFA group, Herb Detez, was prepared for a challenging high fire danger day. Ash from Mount Macedon and Woodend areas were falling around the outer east of Melbourne in the early morning. “The forecast was fairly benign even though a few days before there’d been some pretty bad fires,” Mr Detez said. Also principal of Coldstream Primary School at the time, Mr Detez noticed the north wind gusting as he made his way to the school. At around 2pm, Mr Detez noticed smoke becoming visible from the south west of Upwey while driving to his two hour shift at the CFA’s watch room in Belgrave. “Mount Morton Road runs a long part of the edge of what is now Birdsland, and it was growing very quickly,” he said. “The group officer got another deputy and they took off down Belgrave-Hallam Road to find out exactly what the situation was, which was a good move, but by the time they got down to Wellington Road they had to duck because the fire was coming so quickly.” The Dandenong Ranges group’s forward control centre was set up out of a caravan at Belgrave South Primary School, where Mr Detez would advise firefighting crews on the ground at the blaze. “They knew that all that the eastern flank from where the fire started until all the way down to Wellington Road was going to become the firefront, and so we were there to control the fire as it developed and as things evacuated. “That involved trying to keep a track on where vehicles were, to track telephone calls and also to get information on the progress of the fire back to the control at Belgrave.” From the watch room, the crew would send
Herb Detez was one of the deputy CFA officer helping prevent the spread of fire in the Dandenong Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Ranges area on Ash Wednesday. 319151 messages out to firefighters. “The first one was to broadcast the impending arrival of the wind change, which was going to be quite horrific,” Mr Detez said. “The second one was to get as many units who could be spared across to the eastern side of the fire. “By this time we had had a lot of support
coming in from other brigades, other groups, other regions... however many units turned out to the eastern flank, I have no idea.” With radio frequencies only extending to the Dandenong Ranges Group’s immediate area, Mr Detez wasn’t to know how far the blaze had gone. “Mount Morton Road was the fuse that car-
ried that fire all the way down into the southern parts of the area... there was a coronial inquiry because there were other fires as well that we didn’t know anything about in our communications van, we didn’t know anything about Cockatoo. “I still do not know how I managed to control the fire before it got into Selby, before it got into Kallista or any of those places,” he said. The Upper Beaconsfield and Belgrave Heights areas were severely impacted by the Ash Wednesday bushfires as the blaze travelled south, resulting in deaths in Cockatoo and Upper Beaconsfield. “We were all torn apart by it,” Mr Detez said. “Too many people died that day and it should not have happened, but it was beyond the scope of the CFA to do any better than they did. “Their hands were tied, there was too much fuel around and there shouldn’t have been.” Still involved in the CFA as a non-operational member for the Kalorama Mount Dandenong Fire Brigade, Mr Detez said things have changed over the past 40 years. “The most significant thing is a greater awareness in the community of the need for fire prevention,” he said. “[And] the rapid changes in communication and technology; we were working on telephone landlines in those days, nowadays it’s all done by mobile phones. “I don’t know that we’re any more responsive to the likelihood or the turnout of fire, but it’s certainly much more effective.” Those finding themselves experiencing strong emotions around Ash Wednesday are advised to contact Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 which offer support services nationwide. CFA members and their families can also contact the CFA Wellbeing Support Line for free, confidential 24/7 access to psychologists, counsellors, peers and chaplains.
Looking back and reflecting on time on the fire ground By Parker McKenzie Jim Read was driving a C Line International truck alongside a young crew, as they headed south as a part of a task force of 22 fire trucks on Wednesday 16 February 1983. “At that stage, we were going to Trentham for a large fire. I drove the Glenrowan truck, they didn’t have a driver so I said I’d do it,” Mr Read. “We left Wangaratta in the early evening or the early late afternoon before being told we’d be going to a fire in Deans Marsh.” The convoy continued down the Hume Highway, but after stopping in Wandong for tea, the message came down the line, diverting them again. “We were told we would be going to Cockatoo, our third different place we’d been sent,” Mr Read said. “We came back down the Hume Highway and then Manningham Road and through Doncaster, there were people lining up on the sides of the street clapping us as we drove along.” Once arriving at Woori Yallock-Cockatoo Road and eventually closer to the town of Cockatoo itself, the firefighters set about working through heavy scrub as they waited for the fire to meet them on the grassland. “We held it there in that small section we were at, where we were joined by members of the Australian Defence Force Fire Service,” Mr Read said. “As luck would have it, they had a tanker with a 20,000-pound winch on the front, which later on during the day would be very important to us.” Mr Read said dryness on the day and drought in the lead-up to February 1983 contributed to the severity of the fires. “I was driving a truck and the grass fire was running so fast, I was almost in third gear trying to catch up with it,” he said. mailcommunity.com.au
Jim Read AFSM at the Scoresby CFA Fire Station. “The fellows on the back were knocking it down, doing a pretty good job, but then we’d come to the fence line, I’d pull up and the fire went straight across the road and kept going. “It was 3am in the morning, fires aren’t supposed to do that.” After working through the night, the decision was made to head to Warburton, but “the fire beat us there.” The firefighters set up near a Forest Commission house at O’Shannassey Reserve with the 12 trucks remaining. Mr Read said as the fires surrounded the weary crew, they circled their trucks and prepared themselves in an
Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE area the size of a football field. “Fire burned around us a couple of times and in different directions, but we were stuck in there for five or six hours,” he said. “We were trying to round it up by going up through towards that lake and then we got caught by the fire. We had our wits about us and we came back out.” The decision was made to head to Marysville and using chainsaws and the winch on the army truck, the firefighters were able to cut down the trees while the army crew removed the large debris from the road for five kilometres, before meeting with a bulldozer
clearing the way, where they were relieved. Mr Read said in the aftermath of Ash Wednesday fire fighting changed immensely. “There were some very intelligent people in CFA that realised the trucks and equipment that we had were completely useless for what we were trying to achieve on those particular days,” he said. “All our trucks and pumps were petrol and a lot of those vaporised on the day due to the heat.” On Ash Wednesday, it was a common sight to see Austin Tankers with their bonnets up and broken down, after their fuel had vaporised from the heat. Mr Read said the tankers often had a single pipe around the outside which firefighters used to hang onto, giving zero protection from the heat or fire. “You couldn’t get close to a running grass fire because the heat and the flames would be up around you,” he said. “A couple of good fellows in the CFA like Rich Mckay and Trevor Roach designed a truck that had heat shields on the side, a large square fibreglass tank that didn’t rust and changed all the pumps to diesel.” He said while you still can’t drive into an inferno, the trucks gave better protection for crew members and added larger pumps for increased water impact on the flames. “The last 750 litres of water on the trucks are now specifically for crew protection and burn-over protection,” he said. “We’re in a much safer environment now. We’ve come a long way in those 40 years since 1983 and I think if we look back at the Black Saturday fires, no one on a fire truck died.” Jim Read is still fighting fires 40 years later with Scoresby CFA, where he was the captain of the brigade and won an Australian Fire Service Medal, recognising his distinguished service as a firefighter. Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
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MAIL 17
ASH WEDNESDAY - 40 YEARS ON
Tracing back the history By Tyler Wright Belgrave South resident Susan Heywood-Downard was at a meeting at what was then Dandenong Council on 16 February 1983 when she looked out of the window and saw smoke billowing over the Dandenong Ranges. “I’d gone down to say hello to the children’s services people who I knew well and who I used to spend a morning a week with operating out of council, and they said ‘why are you here?’ ‘shouldn’t you be home?,” Ms HeywoodDownard said. After hopping in her car, it took Ms Heywood-Downard an hour and a half to get home after being redirected, eventually reaching her house by driving around the back of Birdsland Reserve. “The police didn’t know about the back route... and that was the only way I managed to get home,” Ms Heywood-Downard said. Later that night, Ms Heywood-Downard and her husband Peter slept around four people from Mount Morton Road and Heath Road at their home; some who lost their own homes and others who feared they might have lost their homes. “The police came knocking on our door and said that when the change came through at 9.30, we needed to evacuate,” Ms HeywoodDownard said. “We were all in the car ready to go, and it didn’t come near us... 200 metres away it was flaming away.” Ms Heywood-Downard would not sleep until four o’clock in the morning. “There were flames leaping high above the tree line in Locks Way,” she said. Cooking breakfast the next morning, Ms Heywood-Downard asked her husband to head down to the shops for more supplies, for him to then be stopped by a police officer. “Peter said, ‘look, I live in there’.. ‘but it’s dangerous to go in there,’ ‘no,’ says Peter, ‘it’s perfectly alright, we’ve been there all night and I’m just getting more food to feed the troops’.” While is wasn’t Ms Heywood-Downard’s first experience with bushfire, she said it was certainly her worst. After attending a local CFA workshop after Ash Wednesday and learning about how the fire spread travelled through the area, she de-
Susan Heywood-Downard with a panel of photographs throughout the history of the Dandenongs. 318680 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS cided to change her fire plan immediately. “It highlighted things that took into account climate change and made me think more carefully about the timelines; in particular how quickly things could happen and how quickly smoke would stop you going down a road that you would think that you could go down, and there would be fire engines coming in and you would be getting in their way,” she said. Now, she is prepared to leave early on high fire danger days. “If it looks as though it’s going to be a nasty summer, I have a list of things that I send out to friends on the flatlands, mainly things that I feel that I’m a custodian of as an elder of the family, things that I think need to be preserved,” she said.
“I have a list of things here so that I don’t panic and don’t know what I’m going to pack. I’ve got it all written down and I’ve got boxes to put it in and I know how to stack it in the car so that it fits with a small space in the front for the dog and just enough room for me, and a list of what I do before I leave and get out very quickly if a fire starts and I wasn’t expecting it.” On the 20th anniversary of the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 2003, the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society, of which Ms Heywood-Downard is president, presented an exhibition of 20 panels that traced the history of fire in the Hills, with the CFA present to talk to the community. “We had several hundred people in that weekend,” she said.
“We didn’t ask for donations. We wanted them for the CFA, and we’ve worked a lot with the CFA because they’re a very important part of our community.” Weeks after the fire, she remembers seeing steam coming up from the ground during rainfall; all the more noticeable after a period of drought. “It was unexpected. We hadn’t had really huge bushfires for a very long time,” she said. “The major bushfires in the Dandenongs were 1926, 1939, and then 83...there were some nasty ones in the 60s, but it had been a long time since there’d been a really, really big fire. “It was an extraordinary night.” Emerald resident Geoff Sands worked to help the Monbulk Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary during the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and was sent to Cockatoo to help feed firefighters. “Sadly, unbeknown to the Auxiliary and myself and others, the ambulance people were bringing in bodies and they were using the fire station as a temporary morgue,” Mr Sands said. “We had to move down to the sporting area just below Cockatoo, we set up there and we fed the firemen who had a break, and also the police and the other organisations that were there such as the State Electricity Commission at the time.” Mr Sands would use his butchering skills to help another local butcher make sausages for firefighters and emergency service personnel. “The men on the fire trucks were going around earlier after the fire and putting out all the logs around the homes that were burnt down, but the Auxiliary was totally involved in the backup of support to them,” he said. “They were so happy, making comments such as ‘this is wonderful.’ “If you can imagine, here they are covered in soot, and being able to get a hot cup of tea and a sausage.” On 20 acres of bush, Mr Sands had a fire bunker built for protection - not only because of Ash Wednesday but because of bushfire risk in the Dandenong Ranges and state-wide. “I would still go to the township of Monbulk or Emerald where [it] would be safer as far as on a 20 acre bush block.”
How Ash Wednesday shaped our response to bushfires By Callum Ludwig Ash Wednesday left a burnt and barren landscape across large parts of Victoria and South Australia, with a lengthy and arduous recovery to follow. Beyond the physical recovery, thousands were left traumatised too, with the loss of life, homes and livelihoods causing immense hardship. Yarra Glen resident and trauma psychologist Dr Rob Gordon OAM was prompted by the Ash Wednesday fires to dedicate his career to helping people and emergency service workers recover after a disaster. Dr Gordon said at the time of Ash Wednesday, there wasn’t anything like the services we have nowadays and it was expected to be a short process. “I remember we were told when we first went up there that we were expected to be there for six months and then come out, but we had to keep saying there was still a need,” he said. “That’s where I learned that it’s as much about what happens to people’s lives during the recovery period as it is the disaster event itself.” He and his colleagues were feeling their way into the field at the time of the Ash Wednesday fires and realised that something more than ordinary clinical work was required. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had only been recognised since 1980, just three years prior to Ash Wednesday and very little 18 MAIL
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Yarra Glen trauma psychologist Dr Rob Gordon dedicated his career to helping traumatised communities recover after Ash Wednesday. Picture: ON FILE was known publicly about how traumatic events affected people’s wellbeing long-term. Dr Gordon said one of the things he noticed was the tendency for communities to develop splits according to the different ways in which they were affected by the disaster where needs didn’t align. “It undermined the sense of common community which is such an important resource for some people. Traumatic events would also come back to people like for instance, when people suddenly encountered a bank of cloud in the middle of winter, and it brought back the smoke, and they would feel this great anxiety rising up,” he said. “The other thing was how people’s sense
of safety and security is damaged, the bushfire made them feel like they can’t trust life to be safe and secure anymore when actually a lot of things go back to being the same. It becomes important for people to talk about their reactions and share their stories.” Dr Gordon’s work has shaped the way organisations such as the Australian Red Cross, government agencies and other groups have dictated their emergency and trauma responses. Dr Gordon said Ash Wednesday has been crucial for shaping Victoria’s emergency management and response and that as little as 15 to 20 years ago, other states were learning the basic things Victoria learned from Ash Wednesday.
Since then, he has gone on to working with victims of the Port Arthur massacre, the Bali bombings, the Christchurch earthquakes and major floods, cyclones and fires. “It was so important to keep feeding into the longer-term effects on people’s lives so the system could understand the social dimension of recovery and the need to support community life, which is something I think Victoria has been very proactive about,” he said. “What we now know is that the disaster environment is much more active now, there’s an important message about accepting that the world is not as safe and stable, as we were used to expecting in say, the 1970s and 80s and the more we can accept that, the more prepared we can be.” He said anniversaries of events like Ash Wednesday often cause people to feel a sense of sadness and reminisce on the past, but it’s really important to respect and acknowledge those feelings as they help us come to terms with things. “People who have lost loved ones or lost precious things, or even people who feel they lost their nice and comfortable lifestyle can find it very hard. But if we suppress the emotions, it comes back as painfully and unexpectedly as ever,” he said. “Anniversaries also act as a marker of time and we can often gain a sense of life being enhanced by big experiences and thinking about what we’ve learned.“ If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 mailcommunity.com.au
LUXURY LIFESTYLE LIVE your best life here, country atmosphere in luxurious surrounds, natural light streaming through all the windows, one beautiful space leads to another. The quintessential ‘indoors/outdoors’ liveability of the property is at its core, as is privacy. Impressive and welcoming with a few references to the original cottage that once stood here. The Residence: Living spaces of generous proportions centre the home, the lounge with original stone fireplace. Open concept contemporary kitchen, quality appliances, plentiful storage, and bench space 4 bedrooms, all with robes, one with open fireplace, serviced by two full bathrooms both with walk in shower, one with bath The main suite is ‘next level lux,’ walk in robe, bathroom with double shower, soaking tub, double vanity. Outdoors: Fully fenced, enter via automated gates Full length deck already plumbed for outdoor kitchen Studio, a large shed, and carport Fire pit and veggie patch, fruit trees Locale: Minutes to Emerald Township, schools, sporting clubs, Community Hub, shops, cafes, restaurants, walks, rides, parks and much more. A wonderful place for your family to grow. ●
· · · · · · · ·
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 7 Old Gembrook Road, EMERALD Description: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,550,000 - $1,700,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Janet Hawkins 0409 117 432, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111
SUBURBAN, COUNTRY & LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES ACROSS THE REGION mailcommunity.com.au
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HOME FOCUS
INSPIRING ARCHITECTURE WITH CITY VIEWS ORIGINALLY designed by architects Max May and George Hatzisavas, and inspired by a mix of Japanese aesthetics and Frank Lloyd Wrights “Fallingwater” this inspiring steel, glass and brick home set on just over one acre has been recently redesigned and renovated to a superb standard, resulting in one of the most intriguing and sophisticated residences in the area. Spanning three levels of luxury living, there is much to love about this home. The large expanse of Viridian glass windows effortlessly combines indoor and outdoor living while warm wood grain finishes throughout are a reminder of the natural beauty that timber brings. Three spacious bedrooms have been well positioned for privacy and convenience. The main bedroom in the East wing of the home boasts a large and luxurious en-suite and all bedrooms have built in robes and their own private balconies. The main level incorporates a free flowing family room and spacious dining area centered around a bespoke gas log fireplace. The tastefully designed kitchen comes complete with stone bench tops, dual stainless steel sinks, German designed NEFF appliances including integrated dishwasher, induction cooktop and electric oven and an abundance of quality cabinetry. Just perfect for entertaining. From the main level an oversized glass sliding door leads onto a substantial timber deck. Ideal for picture perfect sunset views across nearby Birdsland and as far as the city lights or simply just to relax and watch the kids playing in the lagoon style pool or splashing in the hot tub. Extra lighting around the pool and house give a magical feel when enjoying a warm summers night or an evening swim. Second living area can be found on the lower level and is ideal for watching a quiet movie while the home office nook is a convenient and cozy space for those who need a working from home or study space. Soft new carpet and modern tiles throughout compliment the finish of this outstanding home, abundant built in cupboards provide ample storage and zoned integrated heating and cooling maintain an ideal climate no matter what the seasons bring. A 5.5kw solar system and 2 x10,000 litre water tanks provide excellent environmental benefits as does the solid brick exterior walls and fully insulated roof and sub floor. Additional storage and a large workshop are situated under the house and with a double garage and a fully fenced yard, this unique, family friendly Hills property is wsure to impress on every level. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 106 Mt Morton Road, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,600,000 - $1,750,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Glenn Chandler 0418 410 689, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 20 MAIL
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Real Estate you can trust! We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE
20 Olive Grove, TECOMA
$550,000 - $590,000 3A1B1C
BRING YOUR HAMMER AND GET STARTED!
FOR SALE
227 Mt Morton Road, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS
$1,200,000 - $1,320,000 4A2B2C
IDYLLIC ACREAGE WITH IMPRESSIVE FAMILY HOME
A fantastic opportunity to enter the market and grab that fixer-upper that you have been looking for. Within an easy walk to Tecoma main street, schools and train station this three bedroom, one bathroom home is ready for renovation and would be ideal for those looking for a project of their very own. Plan your viewing today!
With over 1 acre of wildlife-welcoming landscaped gardens highlighted by meandering pathways and bridges over beautiful ponds, this property is truly something special. Fully fenced and featuring a sealed drive, triple garage, workshop, wood shed, veggie beds, and more, inspection promises to impress at this exceptional Hills home.
Sharyn Chandler
Brad Conder
M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au
M 0422 639 115 | E brad@chandlerandco.com.au
FOR SALE
35 Gleghorn Road, KALLISTA
$1,020,000 - $1,120,000
EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTY WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
4A2B4C
With an extensive list of lifestyle features, this fabulous property offers something special for every member of the family. With bonus elements including a stylish 1-bedroom studio, sealed drive with triple carport and double garage, fruit orchard, and paddock with picturesque Warburton Ranges views, this is an exceptional opportunity not to be missed, plan your viewing today.
FOR SALE
$550,000 - $580,000
31 Jeeves Avenue, KALORAMA
3A1B
PROMISING HOME WITH PICTURESQUE OUTLOOKS
This peaceful property situated between Kalorama Park and Kalorama Oval is the ideal investment for renovators or first homebuyers seeking a slice of the Dandenong Ranges lifestyle. With beautiful hillside views and a no through road location near bus transport, Central to many local walking tracks, parks and playgrounds this is an opportunity to live someplace special.
Brad Conder M 0422 639 115 | E brad@chandlerandco.com.au
Suzie Brannelly
Brad Conder
M 0490 506 910 | E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au
M 0422 639 115 | E brad@chandlerandco.com.au
9754 6888 1689 Burwood Highway, Belgrave VIC 3160 www.chandlerandco.com.au of fice@chandlerandco.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
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HOME FOCUS
‘TREETOPS’ CIRCA 1910 ON 1/2 ACRE THE origins of ‘Treetops’ whisper across the Dandenong Ranges, hinting of a holiday house to a well-to-do person, a stylish, single lady that drove a flashy car. Apparently, she had links to a Melbourne retail icon still trading today. If only these beautiful old walls could talk. Charming and welcoming this residence retains many of its period features and some new creature comforts. High ceilings ornate and strapped, chandeliers, hardwood floors and doors, open fireplace with cast iron burner, wood panelling, French doors, and custom drapery. Lovers of character will enjoy the quirky layout and creative cabinetry. Offering 4 bedrooms the main with walk through robe, ensuite and Juliette balcony, a secondary bedroom has a study/gaming nook. The family bathroom boasts a luxury claw foot bath. There are two sperate living spaces, a lounge/dining with fireplace and another utilized as a TV room. Walk into the kitchen and you will be impressed by the copper sink, new timber benches and Falcon Cooker in ‘British racing green,’ with dual
ovens and 6 burners, cooking is sure to be a passion. You can enjoy the indoor/outdoor lifestyle with a large, covered deck, ideal for entertaining. Outdoors, the gated and fenced property has a sealed return driveway, a second access point for the caravan or boat, a gorgeous cubby house, under house vehicular access and workshop, storage, and laundry, also a veggie patch and chicken coop. The allotment on just over ½ an acre has lovely established gardens, bursts of colour throughout seasons and plenty of space for all family members to experience. The location is ideal, you are just minutes to Belgrave Township, pre, senior and junior schools, the National Park, walks, rides and so much more to discover. Very convenient. In the early 1900’s day trippers and holiday makers used to catch the steam train and head to the hills for relaxation, picnics, and frivolity. It is comforting that some things never change with the iconic Puffing Billy still tooting nearby. l
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 86 Terrys Avenue, BELGRAVE Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Price: $1,000,000 - $1,100,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Janet Hawkins 0409 117 432 and Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL - 9754 6111 22 MAIL
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Ranges PREMIER LOCATION WITH VIEWS
FERNy CREEk 2 MERIMBULA ROAD SPACIOUS HOME AND STUDIO
HOMESTEAD ON A SUBLIME 21 ACRES
$1,150,000-$1,265,000 5A 2B 8C
Spacious character home on 1803sqms with a separate studio. Situated on a quiet no through road, private & positioned perfectly to enjoy views of the Macedon Ranges. Features OFI, GDH, 2.7m ceilings throughout, freshly polished timber FB throughout, quality carpets to bedrooms, hostess kitchen with a dual oven & WIP, master with an updated ensuite, window seating, stunning wraparound verandah with café blinds, established gardens, a bricked courtyard, dual driveway, double carport, garage & workshop.
Jan Brewster 0409 558 805
9754 6111 rangesfn.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
We put you first
MACClESFIElD 174 KENNEDy ROAD EQUINE INFASTRUCTURE & AN AMAZING DAM
$1,550,000-$1,700,000 5A 2B 4C
Set to take advantage of the stunning views this ranch-style residence is full of character & features 9 ft ceilings, OFP, new insulation & flyscreens, freshly painted, wireless NBN, 6.6KW solar, evaporative cooling, spacious kitchen, pizza oven in the covered entertaining area, 4 car mezzanine barn/garage, hay shed, stable bays, 2 x wash bays, tack room, 10 paddocks plus house paddock, veggie garden & orchard. The ‘piece-deresistance’ is the dam with a jetty and a 3-roomed shed/studio overlooking the dam.
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
“We Put You First”
Janet Hawkins 0409 117 432
1 Bayview Rd, Belgrave Shop 2, 24 McBride Street, Cockatoo Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
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HOME FOCUS
FEDERATION-STYLE OPULENCE AND COMFORT THIS fantastic family home has so much to offer and is entirely move in ready. Located in a quiet location, yet a short stroll to Monbulk main street. The bitumen driveway leads to a double carport complete with tesla charging point, and a double lock up garage. The landscaped gardens surround the home and lead you to the wide front verandah. On entering the home, a feeling of space is created by the 9ft ceilings and ornate cornicing that invite you into the formal lounge room and master bedroom at the front of the home. The master bedroom is complete with vast ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and sunny bay window. The hallway leads to the kitchen which opens up to an open plan living room and dining area, and is complete with gas stove top, double oven, Miele dishwasher, stone benchtops and ample storage. The lounge room has a built in fire place and split system air conditioner, as well as ducted heating throughout the home. There are a further 3 generous bedrooms to the rear of the home, all with large builtin-wardrobes and plenty of natural light. As well as a great office or kids play area that opens up to the rear upper decking. The surprises continue in this home as you continue downstairs to find an ideal teenagers retreat. There is a great size lounge room, and a second master bedroom complete with ensuite. This ground floor living area also has a wine cellar with built in wine fridges and separate access to the rear garden. Externally the manicured gardens are fully fenced and include a gorgeous sunny and flat grassed area, a chicken coop, several above ground vegetable gardens, and a compost bin. There is also an enclosed cat area attached to the home. This home also offers solar power and has a waste treatment plant, however mains sewerage is available. This property has it all so don’t miss out - Call to arrange a private inspection today. Call Aaron Day 0407 365 994 or Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 13 Stanley Road, MONBULK Description: 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $1,250,000 - $1,360,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451 and Aaron Day 0407 365 994, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD, 5968 6222 24 MAIL
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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald
13 Stanley Road, Monbulk
$1,250,000 - $1,360,000
25 Neville Road, Gembrook
$580,000 - $640,000
Beautiful federation home exuding opulence and comfort with 6 bedrooms!
Lovely cottage looking for renovator to enjoy restoring!
Close to Monbulk main street, with bitumen driveway, double carport complete with tesla charging point, & DLUG. Featuring 9ft ceilings & ornate cornicing, a formal lounge room & master bedroom with ensuite, WIR & bay window. The kitchen with stone benchtops opens to the living room & dining area. The lounge room has a built in fire place & split system air conditioner, with ducted heating throughout the home. 4 further bedrooms all have BIRs. The office/kids play area opens to the rear upper decking. The teenagers retreat has private access & lounge room & second master bedroom with ensuite. There is even a wine cellar. Externally the manicured gardens are fully fenced with a flat grassed area, chicken coop, above ground vegetable gardens, cat area, & a compost bin. This home has solar power & a waste treatment plant, with mains sewerage available.
This 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home is situated on just over an acre of natural bush. Giving a sense of quiet and nature in this leafy private street. Enjoy the beautiful views from the large rear screened verandah as you listen to the birds. This home is loaded with potential and just needs someone with a vision to lovingly renovate this home. The home currently has an inviting brick path to the front verandah, before entering into the lounge room with a cosy wood heater. There are hardwood floor boards that flow throughout the home, and a large bedroom at the front of the home, and the master bedroom to the rear of the home with built-in-robes. The kitchen and dining area are open plan, with stunning views out of the French doors. Externally there is dual access, with a large carport, tunneled greenhouse, and a rear garden shed.
Aaron Day M 0407365994
Brennan Mileto M 0422996451
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
6
3 Banks Road, Pakenham
A
3
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
B 4 C
$795,000-$850,000
2
8 Redwood Road, Gembrook
A
1
B 1 C
$700,000 - $760,000
Absolutely stunning family home, luxurious and spacious!
Brilliantly located 3 bedroom home in the heart of Gembrook!
Enter the home to the wide central hallway & high ceilings throughout, featuring ducted gas heating & a split system air conditioner. The master bedroom has a walk through robe & large ensuite complete with corner spa bath, shower & toilet. There is a formal lounge room/media room at the front of the home. Then a formal dining room with French doors to a decked area. Then an open plan kitchen, dining & lounge room area at the rear. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances including a gas cooktop, oven, rangehood & dishwasher & island bench. There are 3 bedrooms towards the rear of the home, all with BIRs & utilising the family bathroom with a bath & shower & then an independent toilet. The privately hedged rear yard has a vast rear entertaining deck. There is also a DLUG attached to the home which allows access through to the rear fully fenced yard.
This 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom family home in a prime position on a leafy street, is close to the vibrant Gembrook main street, playground, shopping amenities, skate park & primary school. The kitchen is complete with stainless steel appliances, gas stovetop, electric oven, rangehood and dishwasher. The kitchen, dining and lounge room are open plan, with carpet in the lounge & neutral toned tiles in the kitchen & dining, with both a split system and gas ducted heating keeping the home cosy. All three bedrooms are a generous size with built in robes, and utilise the family bathroom which contains both a bath, shower and toilet. There is an additional toilet located near the laundry, with the laundry offering direct access to the backyard. The backyard has a lovely covered entertaining deck and a single car garage/workshop. The backyard is private and fully fenced.
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
Aaron Day M 0407365994
4
A
2
B 2 C
Brennan Mileto M 0422996451
3
A
B
1
C
bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
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MAIL 25
PUZZLES No. 120
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
easy
3 4
2 1 7 8 1 4 1 9 5 2 4 8 1 3 9 4 5 2 8 1 6 3 9 9 2 4 1 5 6 8 7 medium
4 1
2 3 5 8
7 9 3 9
8 5 8
QUICK CROSSWORD 4 5 6 7
ACROSS Trial (4) Rundown (10) Most courageous (7) Improvement (7) Contend (8) Light purple (5) Doohickey (4) Video recorders (10) Healthy (10) Headland (4) Knave (5) Bomb fragments (8) Token (7) US politician, Hillary – (7) Cynicism (10) Flowing (4)
1 3 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 23 26 27 28 29
8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 24 25
No. 120
Signature (9) Food dressing (5) Having sharp corners (7) African livestock enclosure (5) Drills (9) Dish options list (4) Dunce (9) Binding agreements (9) Nature spirit (9) Emphatic assertion (1,4,2) Hand it over (colloq) (5) Phlegmatic (5) Prissy (4) Ornamental quartz (4)
DOWN Checks (4) First screen of a video game (5,4)
1 2
DECODER
No. 120
5 7 2
1
5 4 1 8 5
8 3 2 4 1 6 hard
1 5 6 8 3 5
2 9 3
8 3 1
1
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4 2 9 2
V X J Q PWF NM T D C E V X 15
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S I OGU Y H R A K B Z L 4
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9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.
G
W
Today’s Aim: 5 words: Good 8 words: Very good
5 3 4 9 6 8 2 1 7 8 6 2 3 7 1 5 4 9 7 1 9 5 2 4 6 8 3 9 8 5 1 4 2 7 3 6 2 7 1 6 9 3 4 5 8 6 4 3 7 8 5 9 2 1 4 2 7 8 1 6 3 9 5 3 9 8 2 5 7 1 6 4 1 5 6 4 3 9 8 7 2
4 1 9 5 7 6 2 8 3 8 6 7 9 2 3 5 4 1 5 3 2 1 4 8 6 7 9 9 7 3 2 8 4 1 6 5 6 5 8 3 9 1 7 2 4 1 2 4 6 5 7 3 9 8 7 8 6 4 1 5 9 3 2 3 9 1 8 6 2 4 5 7 2 4 5 7 3 9 8 1 6
11 words: Excellent
hard
3
medium
G
N
L
I I
R
G
3 LETTERS ACT ARE ARM AYE DAM DUE EGG EGO ERA FBI GAG GET IOU KEN OPT PAL PEA ROE SAT SEA TEA YOU 4 LETTERS ARTS EARL INTO LESS MITT ODDS SELF SLAG STEP TAXI 5 LETTERS AFOOT ANNUL AORTA APPAL ARVOS ASIAN
No. 120
6 & $ 1 7
CANOE CHEER CLODS EDGED ENEMA ENTER GRASS HAVOC HEAPS HUMAN IDEAL LANCE LUNGE NOOSE OMEGA OPIUM PETER PULSE RANTS RATIO
girl, grin, rigging, riling, ring, wigging, wiggling, wing, wiring, WRIGGLING, wring
1 5 7 6 4 8 2 9 3 2 8 3 5 7 9 1 4 6 4 9 6 1 3 2 8 5 7 8 6 4 7 2 5 3 1 9 5 3 1 8 9 6 7 2 4 7 2 9 3 1 4 5 6 8 3 7 2 9 6 1 4 8 5 6 1 5 4 8 7 9 3 2 9 4 8 2 5 3 6 7 1 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
2
easy
1
7 9 3 3 7 1
4 8
14
6
WORDFIT
RESTS REUSE REVEL RIOTS SALTY SANER SCANT SENSE SNARL SPAYS START STEPS TAMER TEASE TENSE THERE TINGE TRIES TRUTH TURNS
URINE VIOLA
GELATIN PATTERN PLASTER
6 LETTERS CLASSY GARGLE OTTERS PURITY SEEPED TESTER 7 LETTERS ANNEXES APOSTLE BOARDER
8 LETTERS EPITAPHS PANCAKES VERIFIES VETERANS 10 LETTERS REALLOCATE SLINGSHOTS
& / 2 ' 6 + ( $ 3 6 * 5 $ 6 6 + 8 0 $ 1 $ 3 3 $ / $ 2 5 7 $ 9 , 2 / $ 5 ( 9 ( / ( 1 ( 0 $ 5 , 2 7 6 * $ * 2 3 7 ( * * & / $ 6 6 < 5 ( $ / / 2 & $ 7 ( $ 8 3 / $ 6 7 ( 5 6 & $ 1 7 7 + ( 5 ( 0 , 7 7 / ( 6 6 ' 8 ( 3 $ 1 & $ . ( 6 3 $ 7 7 ( 5 1 $ 1 1 ( ; ( 6 , 1 7 2 9 ( 7 ( 5 $ 1 6 < 2 8 ( ' * ( ' 3 8 / 6 ( 6 ( / ) % 2 $ 5 ' ( 5 ( 7 3 8 5 , 7 < 6 / , 1 * 6 + 2 7 6 7 ( $ $ ) 2 2 7 3 ( $ ( 5 $ 5 $ 7 , 2 $ 6 , $ 1 7 , 1 * ( 7 5 , ( 6 5 ( 8 6 ( ( 1 7 ( 5 6 ( 1 6 ( 7 $ 0 ( 5 5 ( 6 7 6
SUDOKU
17-02-23
William Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS
9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 12567433-SN37-22
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SNIPPETS
MAIL SNIPPETS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HILLS
Art Society Exhibition The Ferntree Gully Arts Society’s Anything Goes exhibition will be on show until the end of February, featuring artwork by
the group’s members. The Art Society is at The Hut, located at 157 Underwood Road, Ferntree Gully.
International Women’s Day guest speakers For international Women’s Day, Knox City Council will host two guest speakers: Author Lisa Ireland, and journalist and feminist Jane Gilmour at the Knox Civic Centre. The free event will be held on Wednesday 8 March from 10am to 11am in Room 4 at the Civic Centre. “The International Women’s Day (8 March 2023) theme for 2023 is #EmbraceEquity, highlighting that equity isn’t a nice to have, but a
must have,” Knox City Council said. “Everyone deserves equal pay, equal retirement savings, and to afford a place to live. But too many people are still unfairly limited in opportunities, due to gender.” For more information, visit knox.vic.gov. au/whats-happening/events-activities-andfestivals/events-calendar/international-womens-day-embracing-equity
Prism exhibition Prism, an upcoming exhibition at Emerald’s Hills Hub, will feature work by our local creative LGBTQIA+ community. The exhibition will include blackout poems, character art and photographic portraiture.
Developed by lifetime shire resident, Dae Knight, Prism celebrates the incredible diversity and inclusivity of Cardinia Shire. Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Tammy Radford said that showcasing the artistic talent of our local rainbow community through this exhibition is very exciting. “The exhibition title ‘Prism’ is used as a metaphor in that the exhibition is a prism taking the ‘light’ of Cardinia Shire and refracting it to show off a diverse rainbow of artworks by local creatives,” she said. Prism is proudly presented by Cardinia LGBTQIA+ and Cardinia Shire Council. The exhibition will be on display in the arts space from Monday 13 February to Friday 10 March 2023 on weekdays between 10am and 1pm.
NEWS
Weed funds available Landowners and community groups in the Cardinia Shire are encouraged to apply for local council’s 2022-23 weed control grant program. Weed control grants are available for Cardinia shire residents to help to control noxious and environmental weeds on private property, both in agricultural areas and areas of high environmental value. Funding is available for: Disposing of weeds Hiring equipment Hiring contractors Purchasing herbicide A maximum of $350 is available per landholder or $750 for community groups, within Cardinia Shire. Applications will close on 31 May 2023 or earlier if the funding allocation for the program has been exhausted, and Cardinia Shire
· · · ·
Applications are open for Cardinia Shire Council’s 2022-23 weed control grant program. Council recommends applying online as soon as possible. To apply, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/
weedcontrolgrants or for more information call the council’s Biodiversity Officer on 1300 787 624.
Picture: ON FILE Or, for more information on weeds, including identification and removal techniques, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/weeds
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Clean-up needs your help By Tyler Wright
WFWP Australia is holding another Clean Up Australia Day event on Sunday 5 March. market the businesses won’t get involved.” Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) pastor Daniel Meadows said locals and shop owners love seeing the clean up each year. “Two years ago I was cleaning up along the road near the back alley near the train station and there’s a lot of shop owners and locals,
they were coming up and they’re like, ‘who are you guys?’ ‘what are you doing? ‘are you cleaning up?’ ‘thank-you’... It was really encouraging,” he said. “When we’re driving home, the kids start to ask ‘should we clean up this area too?” To sign up for WFWP’s Clean Up Australia Day event, or to find other events registered in
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Hills locals will be able to take a step towards caring the environment by getting involved in a Clean Up Australia Day event being held by Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) Australia in Belgrave on Sunday 5 March. WFWP Australia’s national president Anne Bellavance said the organisation has partnered with Clean Up Australia Day for four years to hold the event, setting up a marquee at Apex Park on the day. “We’ve done some major cleanups around the railway and under the underpass...and this year we want to focus on the arterial roads,” Ms Bellevance said. “Wellington Road leading up to the landfill area is so bad.” Children involved will be encouraged to remain in the immediate Belgrave area, while adults will have the option of walking along arterial roads wearing vests and gloves while carrying one hessian bag for recyclables and another bag for rubbish. Plastic bottles, glass beer bottles and aluminium are often found during the clean up, Ms Bellevance said. “It is a very soft way of educating, because they see adults doing it and they think ‘oh, we need to pick up the rubbish,’ so it is very good in that respect for the youth,” Ms Bellevance said. And while the number of people getting involved in the event has increased each year, it is still “not enough,” she said. “Awareness and education is the key, so that when groups do get together it’s not cool to throw away your cans,” she said. “It’s a bit like having your coffee mug and your water bottle, It’s now cool to actually have them.” “We have to encourage businesses that can use recyclable products, because if there’s no
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SPORT
Fine form extends The strong form of the second half of the season continued on the weekend for UpweyTecoma, with five wins from five games played. The First XI hosted Knox Gardens, with Tiger skipper Jackson Waters winning the coin toss and electing to field in warm conditions. Wickets with the new ball have proved hard to come by for the Tiger attack in recent times. This week was no exception, with the Falcon openers piling on the pain. They reached 0-111 at the halfway mark, before Liam Dunning (1/21) made the all-important breakthrough. The Falcons regrouped, pushing the score up towards 200 on the back of an unbeaten century to opener Jack Taylor. Three late Cam Wheeler (3/36) wickets helped to limit the damage, with the Falcons setting a healthy 207 for victory. The disastrous run-out of Andy Evans was not the start the Tigers were looking for, and when Waters was bowled in the 15th over, Upwey-Tecoma looked to be on the ropes at 3/50. The in-form Julius Whetstone was joined at the crease by Wheeler and set about a rescue mission. A brisk run-a-ball 41 from Whetstone turned the tide the Tigers’ way, while Wheeler slammed a brutal 75 off 62 balls to all but seal the result. Some late hitting by Hunter Greenall (32*) saw the Tigers reach the target with a couple of overs to spare. The win sees the Tigers confirm their ticket to March action, and they now sit equal top on points with Lysterfield and Ferntree Gully with nine wins each. The Women’s XI faced South Belgrave in what was potentially a semi-final preview. Upwey-Tecoma batted first, with opener Kaitlyn Roleff batting brilliantly for 51 not out to provide the backbone of the innings. The Tigers set South Belgrave 127 to win and it went down to the wire. Some tight Tiger bowling at the death proved pivotal as South fell seven runs short. Nic Hurst was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 1/22. The Second XI easily accounted for Knox Gardens away, with star all-rounder Chris Jewell continuing his incredible run of form. Jewell snared 3/5 with the ball and followed up with an unbeaten 89 with the bat, as the Falcon’s 9/125 was replied to with a commanding 1/127. The win sees the Tigers take top spot in Division 3. The Third XI stunned the highly-fancied Silvan, boosting their hopes of a finals berth with a gritty 10 run win. The star of the show was youngster Atticus Todd, whose all-round performance of 3/34 and 44 runs helped to sink the Slugs. Veteran Wayne Moore’s 3/9 was also instrumental in the win. The Fourth XI proved too strong for Mountain Gate, winning by 73 runs. Richard Wicks wound back the clock with a superb 86 and 2/10, while Matt Reilly and Asher Caldow chimed in with two wickets a piece. The win sees the Tigers sneak into fourth spot with 2 games to play.
By David Waters
Kaitlyn Roleff raises the bat after a sterling half century.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Nominations open for sports awards From the highest level to the most humble of volunteers, the 2022 Victorian Sport Awards recognise the outstanding contributions made in Victorian sport across the state. Acknowledging the full spectrum of Victorian sport across metropolitan and regional areas, the VSAs will honour grassroots heroes, high-performance athletes who competed nationally and internationally and everyone in between. Individual and team athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, media personnel and the initiatives that ensured Victorians remained active will all be recognised, with 20 awards to be presented in total. Of these, 19 awards will be open for nominations via the Vicsport website between Monday 6 February and Friday 3 March. Four finalists for each of those 19 awards will then be announced in April before the winners are revealed on Wednesday 7 June at Marvel Stadium. “The premier event on the Victorian sporting calendar, Vicsport is delighted to once again recognise and celebrate the wonderful achievements of our state’s sport and recre30 MAIL
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Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
Eastern seniors fight cold
ation community through the Victorian Sport Awards,” Vicsport Chair Ritchie Hinton said. “These awards provide an opportunity to honour the grassroots heroes who keep our sport and recreation sector thriving as well as the professional athletes who starred on the world stage in 2022 at events such as the Commonwealth Games and Winter Olympics. I urge all Victorians to submit their nominations to ensure their sport is well represented on the night.” All finalists, family, friends, sporting organisations and clubs are invited to attend the VSAs and celebrate the successes of sport in Victoria. Ticketing details will be announced soon. Categories in the 2022 Victorian Sport Awards are: Southern Cross Trophies Coach of the Year Gallagher Community Coach of the Year Sports Accounting Australia Official of the Year etrainu Community Official of the Year AFL SportsReady Young Team of the Year AED Authority Team of the Year
· · · · · ·
Sport Live Community Sporting Event of · My the Year the Game Community Sporting Club of · Love the Year Sports Administrator of the Year – · GameDay Eunice Gill Award · Leasexpress Sport Initiative of the Year Trade Local Government Initiative · Bunnings of the Year · VALO Volunteer of the Year Active Recreation Initiative of the · VicHealth Year · Involve Masters Athlete of the Year · rebel Young Athlete of the Year Melbourne Outstanding Media Cover· View age of Sport Award · Polytan Peter Norman Inclusion Award · Frank Wilkes Award · Kitty McEwan Award State Government Outstanding · Victorian Contribution to Victorian Sport For more information or to make a nomination, go to www.vicsport.com.au/2022-victorian-sport-awards
Eastern Suburbs +55 Senior Pennant started on Friday 3 February which saw the first game of individual match play begin under cloudy and very cold (for February) conditions. The Eastwood course was in very good condition and all the players commented positively on the first shotgun start. Greens slowed and drives didn’t run as well after a rain belt hit about 10.30am. All the contests continued with holes halved at seven shots and even won 8 vs 9 in some cases. Only three contests were squared on the day. The 100 players were back inside the well-appointed club rooms by 12.15pm. Mike Rawlinson the Eastwood teams managers organised the catering and players had meals by 12.30. At the conclusion of the day the results of the matches were declared. The host club has ended on top of the ladder in both green and gold groups. Green group results Eastwood 6 def Heritage 2. Box Hill 4 ½ def Yering Meadows 3 ½. Eastern 4 ½ def Churchill/Waverley 3 ½. Gold group results Eastwood 5 ½ def Heritage 2 ½. Yering Meadows 4 def Box Hill 2. Eastern 4 tied Churchill/Waverley 4. Round two followed on Friday 10 February with The Heritage golf club hosting this round. The shotgun start which proved so successful in our first round is to be continued. Two start times of 7.30am and 7.38am had all competitors back in the clubhouse by 12.30pm. The day began with light fog and high overcast skies. Everything cleared to brilliant sun by 9.30am and the temperature climbed to the high 20’s. These conditions were in contrast to the very cool and damp conditions of round one at Eastwood. The St Johns course was in excellent condition, though many players found water hazards and bunkers a problem, speed of play was not affected. Several matches finished with 5 and 6 holes to play and only 4 halves were recorded. At the completion of the days play everyone enjoyed a meal and genial conversation and some rehydration. Next round will be played at Yering Meadows golf club Friday 17 February. Happy Golfing.
John Allen left and team manager Laurie Bain on Heritage signature hole 11. Picture: SUPPLIED mailcommunity.com.au
SPORT
Mark ‘em up, Monbulk By Jack Rollings Monbulk 1 played at home against Croydon 2. Eric Markham’s team won twice as many ends as their opponents and picked up some big multiples along the way. They led by 10 shots at the halfway mark then kept the pressure on in the back half, even picking up 10 shots over the final three ends to win the rink 33 shots to 11. Brian Smith’s team had a close tussle with a fairly even number of ends won. However, Brian’s team was able to grab the big numbers, like a 4 and two 5s and that certainly moved their scoreline ahead. They won 29 shots to 16. Jim Bras’ team also had a close number of ends won. But they also dropped a few clangers that evened out the good multiples they collected. It was close. Monbulk trailed by 3 shots with three ends to go., and then won those final ends to win the rink 22 shots to 19. Overall Monbulk won 84 shots to 46 with all three rinks up. Monbulk is sitting fourth on the ladder. They will travel to Warburton next week to play the top side in the last home and away round for the season. A finals berth is assured. Monbulk 2 played away against Mulgrave Country Club 6. Klaus Eisele’s team led for most of the day and picked up some good multiples. They had only one blot on their copybook when they dropped a 5 shot clanger around the halfway mark to level the scores. But after that, it was Monbulk who ran away with the game. They won the rink 23 shots to 14. Alan Hamilton’s team won ten ends and was still within 3 shots going into the last end. Unfortunately, they dropped a 4 shot clanger to finish the game. They lost the rink 15 shots to 22. Peter Lee’s team started strongly and had a 10 shot lead after the seventh end. Heading for home, they dropped a few ends including a couple of clangers, but managed to hang on to claim the win 22 shots to 19. Overall Monbulk won 60 shots to 55 with two rinks up. Monbulk is third on the ladder. If they can hang onto that spot for one more round, they will earn a home semifinal. Monbulk 3 played at home against Ferntree Gully 4.
Chris Sullivan bowls for Monbulk. Bruce Cockerill’s team had a close game all day. They were leading by just a single shot going into the last end but dropped a 3 shot clanger to miss out on the win 20 shots to 22. Ray Pike’s team had one of their strongest performances for the season. They dropped only seven ends, all for minor scores, and they picked up some good multiples. They won the rink 24 shots to 9.
Picture: SUPPLIED Mike Harris’ team started slowly and didn’t get on the scoreboard until the fifth end. At the halfway mark they were 11 shots down. After the lunch break, they came out firing. They won more ends in the back half, including a couple of multiples and edged closer. With two ends to go they were trailing by just 2 shots. But FTG regained their determination and took the final two ends. Monbulk lost the rink 17 shots to 21.
Overall Monbulk won the round 61 shots to 52 with just one rink up. Monbulk is now in fifth spot on the ladder with just one round to go. Next week Monbulk plays away against Eastwood Golf who are sitting in fourth spot. It is mathematically possible for Monbulk to break into the top four but it will rely on them having a good composite win at Eastwood with at least two and a half (a draw) rinks up.
Two clangers make for tight finish for Monbulk By Jack Rollings The last home and away round. All three Monbulk sides claimed the points and all three sides playing finals next week. Monbulk 1 played at home against Mooroolbark 1. Eric Markham’s team led by 10 shots going into the sixteenth end. Then Monbulk dropped two big clangers – a 4 and a 5, to put Mooroolbark within a single shot. After that, the final four ends went equally two ends each for just single scores, leaving Monbulk with the narrowest of wins, 20 shots to 19. Jim Bras’ team led all day. In the nine ends they dropped, there was nothing worse than doubles, while their wins included three 3s, a 4, and a 6, and that was pretty much the winning margin. Monbulk won the rink 30 shots to 12. Brian Smith’s team started slowly and trailed by 8 shots after the eighth end. Then they won six ends in a row to lead by 6 shots. They put in a strong race to the finish and won the rink 23 shots to 15. Karen Rice’s team led throughout the game apart from two separate ends, when they dropped a 5 and then a 4, and trailed by 1 shot both times. But they nailed the final ends to take the rink 28 shots to 20. Overall Monbulk 1 defeated Mooroolbark 2 by 101 shots to 66 with all four rinks up. Monbulk 1 has finished the home and away season on top of the ladder with ten wins and four losses. Next Saturday they will play at home against Boronia 1 in the semifinal. Monbulk 2 played away against Vermont South 5. mailcommunity.com.au
All three Monbulk teams qualified for finals. Carole Wight’s team led by 10 shots at the halfway mark. With two ends to go, Monbulk still held onto a 7 shot lead. Vermont finished strongly but Monbulk won the rink 23 shots to 20. Klaus Eisele’s team started slowly, but then, on the ninth end, they grabbed a big 5 shotter and took over the lead. From there Monbulk won more ends, including a couple of 3s. They won the rink 22 shots to 15. Peter Lee’s team was up 6 shots to 5 going
Picture: SUPPLIED into the eighth end. Then they dropped six ends in a row to trail by 8 shots. They clawed back some of that margin, especially with a good 4 shotter on the sixteenth end, but Vermont hung on and Monbulk lost the rink 14 shots to 21. Alan Hamilton’s team trailed all day, but never by a huge margin and they won a similar number of ends. Going into the last end, Monbulk trailed by just a single shot. Vermont claimed the final end and Monbulk lost
the rink 16 shots to 18. Overall Monbulk 2 won by 75 shots to 74 with two rinks each. Monbulk 2 has claimed third spot on the final ladder, with nine wins and five losses, which means they will host a semifinal next weekend against Ferntree Gully 4. Cockatoo/Monbulk played away against Yarra Glen 3. Mark Blythman’s team had a 7 shot lead by the eleventh end. In the race home Yarra Glen won more ends and trailed by a single shot with two ends to go. But Cockatoo/Monbulk was able to win the rink 21 shots to 19. Anthony Young’s team dropped only seven ends for the day. Their wins included four 3s, and two 5s. By the halfway mark they led by 18 shots. They increased that margin in the back half, to win the rink by 34 shots to 8. Mark Coulter’s team was 8 shots all after the seventh end. Then they won five ends in a row to lead by 7 shots. With a big 5 shotter on the sixteenth end, the composite team then led by 12 shots. Yarra Glen put in a big finish but Cockatoo/Monbulk hung on to win the rink by 23 shots to 20. Ken Earle’s team had a close front half, but Yarra Glen won seven wins in a row in the back half. With the final two ends, Cockatoo/ Monbulk was able to reduce the margin but lost the rink by 18 shots to 20. Overall Cockatoo/Monbulk won the round by 96 shots to 67 with three rinks up. They are on top of the ladder with nine wins, three losses and two byes. Their final score difference was a massive 337 shots, or 142.07 per cent. Next Saturday they will host Lilydale 4 at Cockatoo in the semifinal. Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
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CLOSE THE DOOR AND HIT THE ROAD APARTMENTS AVAILABLE NOW Start your next adventure and leave your worries behind when you move to Ryman. With 24-hour security, home maintenance and gardening all taken care of, you can head off on any trip you choose and know your home will be as you left it. At Nellie Melba Retirement Village we have a range of independent and serviced apartments available now. Options include one and two-bedroom luxury apartments that are light and spacious, with balcony or patio options. Conveniently located across the road from Brandon Park Shopping Centre and a short drive to both Monash and Eastern freeways. The village offers a wide variety of activities and events, so you can do the things you love.
NELLIE MELBA RETIREMENT VILLAGE 2 Collegium Avenue, Wheelers Hill 32 MAIL
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Tuesday, 14 February, 2023
4562 12588147-HC07-23
Call 1800 314 425 for more details or visit rymanhealthcare.com.au
mailcommunity.com.au