Mail - Ranges Trader Star Mail - 21st February 2023

Ranges Trader

National spotlight on Cuckoo cold case

PM stops by to back Aston candidate

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

Mail Calls to change hard rubbish pick ups

SPOTLIGHT: Friends come together for new exhibit

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A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

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Waterless week

By Tyler Wright The Kallista Mechanics Institute Hall has been left without running water for eight days, putting an already financially stretched management committee in an even tighter spot.

The hall at 6 Tom Roberts Road is owned by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and managed by a volunteer management team, who leases the venue to Yarra Ranges Council.

After water supply was cut off due to a leak on Monday 6 February, commitee member Chris Job contacted DEECA, Yarra Valley Water and Yarra Ranges Council to establish who was reponsible for the repair, with running water being restored on Tuesday 14 February.

Mr Job said the committee was in two minds about shutting the venue down, with those attending classes advised to use the toilets at Grants Picnic Ground in Sherbrooke.

“We said ‘do we reduce the rent or the fee they’re paying?’ but we rely on that fee. We hardly have anyone in the hall nowadays compared to what we used to... so we need the money, too,” Mr Job said.

“We thought ‘all right, do we get a portable toilet, put it on site?’

“It was like $400 a week…we can’t afford to pay that.”

“We get $150 a week only, unless we have weekend bookings.”

Mr Job said Yarra Valley Water initially responded quickly to the leak, but denied responsibility because the leak was via a connection on a fire service pipe located in the road.

“We shouldn’t even be involved at all. It just

Tom Roberts Road. 319911 should be done in the background,” he said.

“The government agencies should be talking to each other, and they’re not.”

A DEECA spokesperson said water was restored to the Kallista Mechanics Hall and nearby fire station on Tuesday 14 February.

“Given these are important community buildings, we’re working with Yarra Valley Water to fix the fire service fault as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson said.

“Yarra Valley Water attended the buildings on Monday 7 February and confirmed a fault with the fire service at the building, which had caused a leak. Building owners have responsibility for fire service at properties and we contacted the Council as it leases the property.”

A leak in a nearby fire pipe left the Kallista Mechanics Hall without water for eight days.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Committee member Chris Job is pictured. 319911

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Bad roads under scrutiny

By Parker McKenzie

A landslip near Donna Buang. flash flooding and it is becoming an increasingly worse issue.

“The human toll in all of this is incredible, there are a lot of elderly people who are affected by it,” she said.

“We’d definitely be interested in making a submission.”

The Floodwatch Group has previously approached the state, federal and local levels of

Picture: ON FILE government regarding issues regarding flooding caused by poor road conditions.

Mr Violi said Yarra Ranges Council has confirmed to him that it intends to make a submission.

“There’s a lot we need to do for local roads and this inquiry will play an important role,” he said.

“The first thing this government needs to

do is to reinstate the 100 million dollars in funding that they ripped out of our community to seal roads for the Roads for Communities Program, they had bipartisan support for this program in 2019.”

How to make a submission and more information can be found at aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/ Regional_Development_Infrastructure_and_ Transport/ResilientRoads

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A federal committee will commence public hearings about the implication of severe weather events on Australia’s road networks and is asking for public submissions.

The Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hold the hearings for an inquiry into the implications of severe weather events on the national, regional, rural and remote road network with written submissions closing on 28 February.

Chair of the Committee Luke Gosling OAM said the hearing is an “opportunity to hear from Austroads about the effects of climate change and natural disasters on the national road network, and the role of the Austroads Guides in promoting a national approach to best practice road design to enhance infrastructure resiliency and support our communities and industries.”

The hearings will explore planning, engineering and construction standards to strengthen road resiliency across the country, with the opening public hearing occurring on Thursday 16 February.

Casey MP Aaron Violi said the committee is an example of bipartisanship of parliament and the work they’re doing is supported by all sides in federal politics.

“It’s a great way we can look at detail into something that’s a significant issue here in Casey but also across the nation,” he said.

“It’s looking at severe weather events as a broad area, which includes bushfires but obviously flood is very topical for us here given the experiences of locals last year.”

In late October, flash flooding caused damage to roads around the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, with road slips appearing throughout the region.

Karen Kestigan from the Kallista Floodwatch Group said local roads are subject to

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IN BRIEF Nearly 50km/h over the limit

National spotlight

By Tyler Wright

New driving laws

Celebrity chef Wilhelm ‘Willi’ Koeppen went missing in the early morning of 29 February 1976, with the national spotlight shining again on the cold case.

Pictures: ON FILE “Now, in retrospect, with the benefit of age, if I’d been a bit older at the time, I would have taken a more proactive step in helping him, because he was a good father.”

“He was very kind, he was very generous, and he was very honest as well... but as things started to go out of control around him, he started to drink more, which made him difficult and hard to be with,” Ms Wakefield said.

On 28 February 1976, a drunken Koeppen reportedly abused staff, including his wife, at the Cuckoo restaurant, before family friend and local practitioner Dr Bernard Butler telephoned Mrs Koeppen to say he would visit the restaurant to see her husband.

It’s believed both Mr Koppen and Dr Butler talked and drank alcohol at the restaurant, before Dr Butler suggested going to his residence in Olinda.

In separate cars, the men drove roughly 750 metres to Dr Butler’s residence sometime between 2am and 3am on Sunday 29 February, where they talked and consumed more alcohol about an hour. Between 3am and 4am, Dr Butler observed Mr Koeppen drive his Volkeswagen Kombi Van away from his residence towards Mr Koepenn’s home in Ferny Creek; the last known sighting of Mr Koeppen alive.

At around 4.30am, Cuckoo cleaner Nivelles Love found Mr Koeppen’s Kombi van parked in the lower car park of the property, with nobody inside or near the vehicle. Despite Mr Koeppen’s body never being found, in 2018 Coroner Sarah Hinchey found his death was suspected to be the result of homicide.

2023 A BETTER YEAR?

Budget engagement Mr Koeppen’s wife, Karin Lantzsch, died in 2022 without his disappearance being solved.

Mr Koeppen’s three children were 17, 16 and 10 at the time of his disappearance.

Ms Wakefield said her family talk about their father’s disappearance “all the time”.

“We always hope in some ways that it might be resolved. If we could find that body... we might find something. Who knows? But maybe it’s brought us together,” she said.

“It’s like an open wound that never goes away... I just always hope that someday something might turn up.” The family sold the Cuckoo Restaurant in 2022 after the business closed prior due to Covid seating restrictions and the ill health of Karin Koeppen, who died on 24 July 2022.

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The Victorian Government is cracking down on distracted drivers with new rules in place from March 2023.

The new rules will extend existing mobile phone rules to cover modern technology. such as in-built vehicle systems, mounted devices, wearable/portable devices such as smartwatches and tablets and bring Victoria in line with the Australian Road Rules.

Stronger conditions will apply to learner and probationary drivers, including not touching any portable device, taking phone calls or using voice control unless parked.

New mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera technology will also be implemented to help catch people using their mobile phones and not wearing their seatbelts while driving. They use AI-enabled camera systems that can capture high-resolution images of passing vehicles in all conditions, including poor weather and low light levels, and are estimated to prevent 95 crashes that result in injury or death per year. A three-month warning period will apply from the technology’s activation before drivers face infringement and demerit penalties.

Motorists caught driving distracted will receive penalties of four demerit points and a $555 fine. Community awareness campaigns will run over the coming months to educate drivers on the devastating risks of distraction.

A two-second glance at a device means you are travelling blind for 28 metres while driving in a 50km/h zone – and the distance jumps to 55 metres when travelling at 100km/h.

For more information on the new road rules visit vicroads.vic.gov.au/drivingdistractions and on the mobile phone and seat belt detection cameras visit camerassavelives.vic.gov.au

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s pair e R and

Yarra Ranges residents are invited to help shape the council budget for 2023/24.

Engagement opened on Monday 30 January and the public has until Sunday 12 March to submit their ideas and feedback.

Residents have a number of different methods of providing a response, with options to share a quick 140-character comment or thought, spend five to 10 to share how they would invest $100, share a more detailed response by submitting a form or find a time to chat with the council team at a local pop-up event.

“Making the Yarra Ranges the best place to live, work and play is what matters most to us at Yarra Ranges, so we want to make sure you get a chance to tell us if we’re hitting the mark,” Mayor Jim Child said.

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The mysterious disappearance and suspected murder of celebrity chef and founder of Olinda’s Cuckoo restaurant, Wilhelm ‘Willi’ Koeppen, has once again reached the national spotlight nearly 50 years after he went missing.

A panel of experts discussed the 1976 cold case on an episode of Channel Nine’s Under Investigation which aired on Wednesday 15 February, coming to the conclusion that the famous chef was most likely murdered; probably by someone he knew.

Koeppen’s daughter Sabina Wakefield, who was 16 at the time, is also convinced her father was met with foul play.

“I’m absolutely convinced he was murdered that night, and a lot of the loose threads, ‘he’s left the country, he’s run away, he always said he wanted to disappear and just go away’ a lot of that came from my mother and from other people,” Ms Wakefield told the Star Mail.

“To me they were just red herrings.”

“The process, of course, is always harrowing because we have to bring up information, but it’s also a relief as well... because there’s so many unanswered questions about my father’s murder, and I feel that it wasn’t taken seriously when it actually happened.”

Willi Koeppen was born in Berlin on 22 June 1929, forming his career as a chef before moving to Australia after the war.

Mr Koeppen married Karin Lantzsch on 30 April 1957, and the couple purchased a cafe on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and converted it into Australia’s first smorgasbord restaurant, the Bavarian-themed Cuckoo restaurant which opened in 1958.

The couple turned the restaurant into a successful business, with Mr Koeppen featuring on his own TV slot called The Chef Presents on HSV-7 and a radio program on 3XY. Despite his wealth, Ms Wakefield said her father was “very humble”.

“He could have driven a luxury car, but he drove a bombing old Volkswagen. He never got dressed up. He had an island in Queensland that he loved because he was very private and bit of a loner and loved the island and eating oysters off the rocks,” Ms Wakefield said.

“So opposite to my mother; my mother loved the glamorous life and she loved the front part of the Cuckoo and getting dressed up and luxury cars, and she loved all the opposite things that he did.

“In so many ways, they were very incompatible.”

Despite staying married, both Mr and Mrs Koeppen were both believed to be engaging in affairs, with Mr Koeppen even reportedly purchasing a house in Mount Dandenong for a woman he was seeing.

At the time of his disappearance in 1976, Mr Koeppen had moved to a cottage at the rear of the family home, suffered from alcoholism and appeared to suffer from some form of depressive illness.

“He was so desperately unhappy because of his living arrangements and what was going on around him,” Ms Wakefield said.

An Upwey man will be charged after being detected driving at 117 kilometres per hour in a 70-kilometre zone along Burwood Highway in Upper Ferntree Gully on the evening of Tuesday 14 February.

The 24-year-old Upwey sped past an unmarked Highway Patrol vehicle on his way to a chiropractic appointment, entering the car park the wrong way past a No Entry sign.

He will be charged with driving at a speed dangerous, exceeding the speed limit and disobeying a no-entry sign.

He will lose his license for a minimum of 12 months and is set to appear before a Magistrate in the near future.

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Chance to learn, discuss

By Parker McKenzie Reverend Canon Glenn Loughrey, a Wiradjuri man and an Associate Professor at the Australian National University, will be in Tecoma on Sunday 5 March to talk about the upcoming referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Voice – All you want to know is a free event from 2pm until 4pm and will be held at the Tecoma Uniting Church and gives local residents the opportunity to learn more about the Voice and the implications it has for Australians.

Rev Loughrey said people will have the opportunity to ask him questions during the event about the upcoming referendum.

“I’ll provide them with as much information and material as I can, and promise to hear them and give them the information that they need,” he said.

He said it is vitally important for people to understand what a Voice to Parliament will be.

“There’s a lot of misinformation, a lot of people who are invested in ensuring people are a little confused about what it is,” he said.

“It’s a very simple process, but it’s really important that Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders are recognised inside the constitution and then as a result of that, have a voice on matters that relate to them.”

Residents throughout the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley will vote on whether to recognise First Nations people in the Constitution later this year, with the date yet to be set.

Rev Loughrey said people have the right to have a different opinion, but he believes there has been fear-mongering and purposeful misinformation in public discourse surrounding the referendum.

“It bares very little relationship to what has

The Voice – All you want to know is a free event from 2pm until 4pm and will be held at the Tecoma Uniting Church. been produced by those who worked on all of the previous projects to bring about The Voice to this stage, like the Langton-Calma Report and the ones that went before that,” he said.

“There’s also little understanding, I think, of the importance of the process that went into putting the Statement from the Heart together in the first place.”

The Final Report of the Indigenous Voice Co-design Process was produced by Tom Calma and Marcia Langton, commonly referred to as the Langton-Calma Report, and is the result of 18 months of consultation with people and organisations about the Indigenous Voice to parliament.

Rev Loughrey said the referendum is a very simple process that isn’t about legal matters, sovereignty as a legal term or politics.

“It’s about that moral and ethical responsibility to put right the things that have been done in the past and to allow Aboriginal

people and Torres Strait Islander people to sit alongside the rest of the country in the Constitution,” he said.

“You’re going to be asked one question and one question only: Will you recognise Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution with a Voice to parliament?”

He said at his age, if significant constitutional reform doesn’t go through at this time, it will be unlikely to occur while he is still alive.

“Having been born in 1955, being twelve when we had the 1967 referendum, having lived through all the promises and failures of many programs, this is the most promising,” he said.

“If this fails, the issue will be that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, wherever they go there is that sense that the majority of people said no to me having a voice on matters that relate to us.”

Picture: ON FILE

The 1967 referendum asked voters whether to give the Australian Government the power to make special laws for Indigenous people and whether to count Indigenous Australians in population counts. It passed with 90.77 per cent of people voting yes.

Rev Loughrey said there is a moral, ethical and spiritual understanding that this is about putting right what was wrong.

“The Voice is the stage where we get recognised, if you’re not heard, you aren’t seen,” he said.

“Once you recognise people, you move to the next stage, where you agree to move forward, to make the process work with an agreement or treaty. That’s reconciliation, and we’ve never got to that space in this country. Once you’ve done that, you move to proper truthtelling.”

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15 years since apology

By Tanya Steele

We’re removing level crossings on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 67 already gone.

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As Monday 13 February marked the 15 year anniversary since the National Apology by Kevin Rudd to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, Yarra Ranges Council reflected on the shire being one of the first local governments to offer an apology to the Stolen Generations in 1997.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child expressed pride on behalf of the shire about the early milestone and also acknowledged the work ahead for reconciliation.

“Sorry Day is an important day in the national calendar – an incredibly significant marker, of the Federal Government apologising for the injustices inflicted on Aboriginal people during Australia’s colonial history,” he said.

“I’m proud that we at Yarra Ranges were one of the first government bodies to offer an apology to the Stolen Generations in 1997.

“We worked with our community at the time to word the official apology, with the understanding that past injustices need to be acknowledged if we are going to work towards Reconciliation.”

The original apology provided by the council was worded as follows: Yarra Ranges Council recognises the past injustices and treatment of Aboriginal Peoples.

If we are to proceed in an openhearted and responsible way to address the issues which will come before us in the future we first need to acknowledge the past. Council recognises the need to confront the policies and practices which caused the forced removal and separation of Aboriginal children from their parents and families, the effects of which continue today.

Accordingly, we wish to express our deep sorrow and sincerely apologise for the pain, the grief and the suffering experienced by Aboriginal peoples as a result of past laws, government policy and actions.

The national apology from Mr Rudd

Yarra Ranges Council was one of the first local governments to offer an apology to the Stolen Generations in 1997. Picture: ON FILE came a decade after National Sorry Day began on 26 May 1998 during Reconciliation Week.

Andrew Peters, son of late Healesville elder Aunty Dot Peters said Sorry Day is about acknowledgement and development.

“Recognition of Sorry Day for me isn’t about finding someone to blame for the many past injustices, but about honestly acknowledging that they happened, developing an understanding of why they happened, and making changes to our national identity and education to ensure they don’t happen again,” he said.

“It’s the oldest living culture in the world, and it should be celebrated as a source of immense national pride.”

Dr Peters said reconciliation is a healing process and awareness on these anniversaries is an opportunity for discussion and education amongst the community.

“The work of local Aboriginal people over the years has created a great opportunity for us to really educate about reconciliation and find the enormous value of Aboriginal culture and history to us all – we’re very lucky to have such a strong connection in the Yarra Ranges through the work of so many wonderful Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and have a unique opportunity to be a leader in the reconciliation space,” he said.

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PM backs Aston hopeful

By Parker McKenzie Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Bayswater on Friday 17 February to announce Mary Doyle as the Labor candidate for the upcoming Aston by-election on Saturday 1 April, following the resignation of Alan Tudge from Parliament.

Alongside state and federal Labor members, volunteers and supporters at the Bayswater Bowls Club, Mr Albanese said Ms Doyle has what it takes to make history and win a seat from the opposition in a by-election for the first time in 100 years.

“The fact she received a massive swing in the election last May is backed up by the fact she’s been pre-selected unopposed,” he said.

“We don’t know when the by-election will be because Alan Tudge, having announced his resignation from Parliament last Thursday, hasn’t actually got around to resigning.”

Ms Doyle was the Labor candidate for Aston during the 2022 federal election, where she lost to Mr Tudge by a margin of 2.71 per cent, a 7.32 per cent swing towards the Labor Party compared to 2019. She has previously worked as a union organiser and a musician.

Ms Doyle said she has decided to run again because she understands the challenges faced by people in the outer eastern suburbs.

“Back when I was campaigning, I spoke to a lot of different people and some people who voted Liberal all their lives,” she said.

“They told me they’d be voting Labor because they were worried about the cost of living, they cared about improving the situation with aged care and they cared about secure jobs for their kids and grandkids.”

When asked if funding cuts by his government to local infrastructure projects would be an issue at the by-election, Mr Albanese said the performance of Mr Tudge as the member for Aston “says all about how fake the former

Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino, Aston candidate Mary Doyle and Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor.

Anthony Albanese at the Bayswater Bowls Club to announce Mary Doyle as the candidate for the Aston by-election.

Pictures: PARKER MCKENZIE government was.”

“Alan Tudge committed to spending $50 million to upgrade Napoleon Road but the costing was more than $220 million more than he offered. He committed to the Dorset Road extension, which would have needed more than $120 million than they proposed to spend,” he said.

“The Wellington Road duplication where they offered $110 million would have needed six times more — $640 million — to actually deliver it. so these were just fake promises done in an election. Perhaps Tudge knew he wouldn’t be around to be held to

account for this.”

The Aston electorate has been held by the Liberal Party since 1990 and Mr Tudge was the federal representative for the seat from 2010 until he announced his resignation last week.

Mr Albanese said Ms Doyle did an extraordinary job during the last election with a budget from the central campaign that was “not enormous.”

“Imagine how well she’ll go with the sort of support that she will receive but already you see behind us, the best support that Mary can get isn’t dollars, it’s the people that will make a difference in this campaign,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese taking a selfie with Mary Doyle and the volunteers.

“Mary will run a very strong campaign, she’s a strong candidate. The odds are very much against her but that hasn’t deterred her from putting herself forward.”

The Liberal Party has yet to announce their candidate, with a pre-selection process set to take place. Ms Doyle said it is “no secret I’m not a seasoned politician.”

“I’m a suburban mom, I work full time, I have a mortgage on a three-bedroom weatherboard house that needs some repairs,” she said.

“I’m proud to stand here today as the Labor candidate here in Aston and I promise every single day to work so hard to give the people in this area a real choice.”

Liberal pre-selection narrowed down to four

By Parker McKenzie The field of candidates to replace Alan Tudge has narrowed, with four candidates nominating for Liberal Party preselection for the Aston by-election.

Mr Tudge officially gave his letter of resignation to Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick on Friday 17 February after nearly 13 years in parliament and the by-election has been set Saturday 1 April.

After nominations closed for the Liberal Pre-selection on Thursday 16 February, Oncologist Ranjana Srivastava OAM, Deputy school Principal Emanuele Cicchiello, Melbourne City Councillor Roshena Campbell and former Upper House MP Cathrine Burnett-Wake all put their names forward to run against the newly announced Labor candidate Mary Doyle.

After announcing her submission for nomination in an online statement on Monday 13 February, Ms Burnett-Wake spruiked her local credentials.

“The Eastern Victoria Region, which I represented in the State Legislative Council, overlaps Aston,” she said.

“My children are at a local school in Wantirna South and have been for the past 11 years, and they play sports in the community. My Business services clients throughout Aston, and it’s where my family shops.”

Mr Cicchiello was previously Knox City Mayor and has been a Liberal Party candidate at two federal elections and one state election. In a bizarre turn of events, he withdrew from pre-selection for the vacated Victorian upper house Eastern metropolitan seat in 2020 because he discovered he was ineligible after pleading guilty to improperly claiming a concession transport fare instead of a full-fare ticket over 25 years ago.

Aside from her work in healthcare, Ms Srivastava is a regular contributor to The

The field of candidates to replace Alan Tudge has narrowed, with four candidates nominating for Liberal Party preselection for the Aston by-election.

Picture: AEC Guardian and ABC. Ms Campbell is a barrister and has been a councillor for Melbourne City since November 2020.

Both Ms Srivastava and Ms Campbell previously unsuccessfully ran for pre-selection in Casey following Tony Smith’s retirement ahead of the 2022 federal election.

Mr Cicchiello, Ms Campbell and Ms Svrivatava have not publically commented on their nomination for the by-election.

The candidates will make their case to the local Aston Liberal Party members before a pre-selection contest tentatively set for Saturday 4 March, before nominations for candidates close on Friday 10 March.

The Aston electorate covers Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Rowville, Scoresby, The Basin, Wantirna and Wantirna South, and parts of Lysterfield, Sassafras and Upper Ferntree Gully.

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Test changes welcomed

By Tyler Wright Mount Dandenong Primary School has welcomed changes to the nation wide NAPLAN test set to be completed from Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March.

The assessment, which covers numeracy, literacy, grammar and reading skills will be held entirely online for the first time in 2023, with the number of bands of performance also reduced from 10 to four.

Principal Jake Laurie said moving NAPLAN to Term One is a “positive change” for the school, with around 65 students from year three and year five completing the assessment.

“It means that we can receive the data back that’s gathered from that plan much earlier in the year than we used to, so that we can use that data to act on student learning and whole school improvement in a more timely manner,” Mr Laurie said.

Apart from the grade three writing test still undertaken on paper, Mr Laurie said Mount Dandenong Primary School transitioned to fully online NAPLAN testing in 2022.

“The kids do get some preparation where they have a couple of opportunities to use the software, understand how that all works, have a practise exam beforehand so it’s not overwhelming and they’re comfortable and they know what’s going on and we know that the technology is working,” Mr Laurie said.

Mr Laurie said data showed NAPLAN results improved in 2021 despite the pandemic, with results dropping in 2022.

Overall, the school is on the improvement path.

“We’re really high in literacy and we’re getting much stronger, and we’ve had a big focus on mathematics the last couple of years which has been brought out in the data as well,” Mr Laurie said.

“We’re similarly high in literacy, but we’ve

Shifting NAPLAN from May to March in 2023 is a positive change for Mount Dandenong Primary School. had big gains in numeracy in the last year or two.”

After receiving the results, Mr Laurie said the school improvement team, along with different teaching teams, will look at specifics including how some students have answered particular questions and trends in relation to

bigger sets of data.

“We might be able to say, well, ‘how have the grade threes gone overall in reading or in numeracy? Or how might of the grade five girls gone compared to the other groups?,” he said.

“What we really get benefit from is using

Picture: ON FILE

the data for cohorts of whole classes or larger groups of kids, or looking at boys and girls in different year levels and getting a sense of how we’re tracking overall...how our literacy programs are going, or numeracy programs... whether we’re improving or we’re declining, whatever it might be.”

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From a bang to a fizzle

By Parker McKenzie If Yarra Ranges Council’s meeting a fortnight ago was a bang, then this week’s was a fizzle.

The council’s meeting on Tuesday 14 February once again had a strong turnout of local residents, with all 140 seats used, and they were joined by a cohort of security guards hired by the council.

Mayor Jim Child opened the meeting by acknowledging the lives lost during Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday.

“The 40th anniversary of Ash Wednesday is coming soon, a horrific bushfire event which claimed some 47 lives in Victoria,” he said.

“I’d like to acknowledge the anniversary of Black Saturday, which was recently as well.”

The previous meeting saw interjections from the gallery, resulting in Mayor Child adjourning the meeting and the police being called to the Civic Centre in Lilydale after those in attendance refused to leave.

There was anticipation from some — based on the presence of a photographer from The

The council meeting saw another strong turnout, with all 140 seats put out in use (aside from those reserved for registered speakers in the front row).

Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE Age and an ABC reporter in the gallery — that it may occur again, however, the meeting was completed without issue.

During the public question time, the council was asked about the use of Chinese-made security cameras throughout the shire.

Yarra Ranges Council’s Manager for Infrastructure Services Kim O’Connor responded to the question and said the council did have cameras manufactured by Hikvision.

“These cameras are standalone and not connected to our network systems,” he said.

“At this stage council will monitor the current concerns with respect to the use of Hikvision and Dahua cameras.”

The question mirrored current scrutiny in Canberra surrounding the two companies’ links to the Chinese government and their technologies used in sensitive departments and organisations.

Councillors opposing the planning permit for a petrol station in Yarra Junction received applause from the gallery, despite the motion passing.

A comment about “robust debate” being at the heart of council matters from the mayor received a mix of laughs and grumbling from the gallery, but otherwise, it was back to regularly scheduled programming for Yarra Ranges Council.

New Monbulk childcare centre gets unanimous vote

By Tyler Wright Yarra Ranges councillors have voted unanimously to accept a planning application for the construction of a childcare centre in Monbulk.

The application proposed the use and development of the land for a childcare centre on 20 David Hill Road, removal of vegetation, display of business identification signage and reduction in car parking at what is currently a residential property.

At the council meeting on Tuesday 14 February, Jennie Bakker from the nearby Coolwyn Nursery said while the business supports the construction of a childcare centre, her only suggestion would be to change the entrance to the facility from the top of Victoria Avenue, further down Victoria Avenue or onto David Hill Road.

“There’s a lot of interstate trucks that come down our road; VWs, semis...anything bigger than a van literally has to turn into the road [and] has to take up both sides of the road to come in,” Ms Bakker said.

“We’re worried that there’s so much usage of big trucks coming in and out of the road, any overflow from the car park from the childcare facility, it will obviously end up on Victoria Avenue because [on] David Hill Road there’s no opportunity to park,” she said.

“We’re really concerned about the safety of the kids and the parents and our staff.”

Acting Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure, Kim O’Connor, said the traffic team considered restrictions including no stopping on both sides of Victoria Avenue to ensure access through the driveways.

“The traffic report did look at pre-imposed intersection assessments... the traffic team were comfortable with the design and the traffic movement at that intersection,” Mr O’Connor said.

“There are opportunities to, pre and post, look at the impact of the traffic.”

Planning consultant Henry Johnstone spoke on behalf of applicant Ratio Consultants, and said the application has been referred to a number of internal experts in traffic and drainage, as well as an arborist.

“Our client has engaged and established a child care centre operator as the end user, who has a proven track record of providing this type of development, so they’re well versed in the operational requirements of this type of facility,” he said.

Mr Johnstone said the childcare centre will also be in close proximity to the Monbulk Primary School and the town centre, with David Hill Road capable of carrying additional traffic volumes.

“This will allow use to compliment the school and commercial precinct in allowing parents to drop off their children whilst undertaking a number of other tasks such as shopping or school drop offs.

“There are also a number of bus routes mailcommunity.com.au

A childcare centre is set to be built at 20 David Hill Road in Monbulk, which is currently the site of a residential property. 320017 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS along Main Road, which is around 450 metres to the west.

“The broader area is well serviced by foot and bicycle paths.”

There were 20 objections to the planning submission, and one letter of support.

Mr Johnstone said traffic has been identified as one of the key concerns of the community, with Ratio Consultants re-ingaging traffic engineers to undertake a more detailed study of the potential impact after the original traffic report was released.

“This further work included it included an assessment of the traffic volumes along both David Hill Road and Victoria Avenue between 7 and 10am and 3 to 6pm, being the peak hour times,” he said.

“The proposed use was expected to generate an addition of 64 trips during these peak hour periods, with low levels of traffic anticipated during other times by virtue of the pick up and drop off times.

“The results of the analysis indicated the post development levels of traffic with David Hill Road and Victoria Avenue intersection... with no queues or delays expected when consideration is given to the slight increase in traffic volumes.”

It also would not be feasible to create a car park accessible from David Hill Road, Mr Johnstone said.

“The grades required which are fairly de-

tailed and specified in the planning scheme make it near impossible for a driveway to gradually make its way down the slope to a parking area.”

“If that were to be the case, the parking would need to relocated at the rear of the site, and we’d say that has the ability to cause unreasonable impacts on that property to the rear, number two Victoria Avenue.”

Chandler Ward Councillor David Eastham moved the recommendation, and said there were community objections regarding traffic and the building of the site near residential properties.

“The broader community highlighted some real concerns with me in terms of how long the wait was for local childcare centres, or even childcare centres that were within a 15 to 20 minute drive,” Cr Eastham said.

“This application is in a great location for Monbulk, its proximity to broader community assets, the townships and also the school.

“Speaking with some of the parents, what they were saying is that what is currently available for them, especially for parents looking to return to work, is restricting their ability to get back into the workforce because their options are so limited.

“I do see this application as a huge benefit to the Monbulk community and the families that are residing there.”

Lyster Ward Councillor Johanna Skelton

There are concerns about traffic overflow onto neighbouring Victoria Avenue, where parents and staff will enter and leave the facility. 320017 seconded the motion.

“I thank the people who have written in with the objections because it has improved the outcome,” Cr Skelton said.

“It may not be able to be in the permit here tonight, but we will have those opportunities as a council to amend the 40k speed limit [at] school times, if there does become an issue and the parking on the roadsides.

“I think we have enough options to soften the blow to an acceptable level.”

The motion was carried unanimously.

The childcare centre is expected to hold 80 children, with operating hours between 6.30am and 6.30pm on Monday and Friday.

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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David and Goliath battle

By Tyler Wright Two electric vehicle owners have taken the State Government to the High Court in an attempt to scrap a controversial electric vehicle tax introduced in 2021.

Christopher Vanderstock and Kathleen Davies’ case appeared in court from Wednesday 14 January to Thursday 16 February, the plaintiffs arguing with support from the Federal government that section 7(1) in the Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based Charge Act is invalid.

The levy costs electric vehicle owners between 2.1 cents and 2.6 cents for every kilometre they drive in and outside the state.

The plaintiffs argued the legislation imposes a duty of excise within the meaning of section 90 of the constitution, which lies beyond the power of the Victorian Parliament.

“That case is founded on the propositions that the charge is a tax on the “consumption” goods (namely, ZLEVs), and that such a tax is a duty of excise,” the plaintiff’s submission read.

The Victorian government will argue the levy is not a tax on goods, but a tax on the activity of driving a zero or low emission vehicle (ZLEV) on a “specified road” as defined in section three of the act.

Although the defendant believes even if the ZLEV charge is a tax on goods, it is not a tax on the production, manufacture, sale or distribution of goods, but rather a tax on the use or consumption of goods.

All other states and territories will support the Victorian government in the case.

David Hertzberg, Senior Associate at Equity Generation Lawyers, representing the drivers at the High Court, said the case will have ramifications “for the division of power between the Commonwealth and the States”.

“The Commonwealth, which is currently designing a national electric vehicle strategy,

Dandenong Ranges resident Tony Forster, who owns a 2014 Nissan Leaf (pictured) and a (hybrid?) subaru, said it is a pity electric vehicle owners have to fork out a road user tax as well as registration fees.

Picture: SUPPLIED has intervened in support of our clients. All other States and Territories have intervened against us,” Mr Hertzberg said.

“But, for our clients, this case is about challenging a tax that will discourage everyday Victorians from switching to lower emissions vehicles.

“This tax is an obstacle to cutting emissions and improving air quality, and today we will argue before the High Court that it is unconstitutional.”

Belgrave South resident and the owner of a 2014 Nissan Leaf, Tony Forster, said he pays on the low side of $1,000 for his vehicle each year.

“I’m paying two lots of registration fees... and I’m running at a loss because I’m doing it and I’m doing it because I think it’s important to protect the environment and I couldn’t get what I wanted in one car,” Mr Forster said.

“It seems a pity to be having people giving their own money to protect the environment and then paying a tax to the government on top of that.”

Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) president Chris Smith said electric vehicle owners do not have a problem with paying to use the roads, but the levy introduced by the state government is “not the fairest”

method to tax EV users.

“It certainly wasn’t at a time when the rest of the country was ready to get on board with a more universal road user charge scheme, which ultimately should be administered by the federal government,” Mr Smith said.

“The Victorian government did so saying ‘electric vehicles don’t pay fuel excise, fuel excise is collected for the purpose of maintaining roads. Therefore, EVs aren’t paying to maintain roads, so we’re going to add this.

“That’s interesting, because the Victorian government doesn’t collect fuel excise, the Federal government does. The Federal Government then redistributes it to the states, including Victoria. so the question is, ‘are they trying to address a shortfall in a tax that they don’t actually collect? and if so, is that really fair?’”

If the Federal Government and plaintiffs win the case, Mr Smith said there is an opportunity to create a fairer and more robust system by allowing the Federal Government to impose the road user charge.

“The AEVA has argued that a universal road user charge for all vehicles electric, petrol, or steam, should be subject to a road user charge multiplied by the mass of the vehicle,” he said.

“That is proportional to the damage that they do to the roads, but also it motivates people to buy smaller, lighter cars, because big cars are an absolute scourge, even big EVs.” If the Victorian government wins the case, Mr Smith said every other state and territory will be emboldened to create their own road user charge schemes with potentially different rates, different administrations, different restrictions and limitations.

“You’re going to have eight different systems out there which none of which may well really achieve the end goal, which is appropriately costing roads.”

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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NEWS

Hard rubbish piles have been strewn across lawns on Greenslopes Drive in Mooroolbark. 319962

Over 130 people want to see hard rubbish moved to booked collections to prevent people rummaging through piles like this one on Hawthory Rd, Kilsyth. 319962

Calls to change pick ups

By Mikayla van Loon A petition to change the way hard rubbish is collected throughout the Yarra Ranges has attracted over 130 signatures after being started early last week.

Organiser of the petition Travis Citrine said seeing the disgraceful placing of hard rubbish on nature strips weeks before collection ignited the need for a petition.

“It just looks horrible, that’s the biggest thing. If you look around the streets of Mooroolbark at the moment, it’s like a rubbish tip,” he said.

“For a lot of others, there are people just driving around at night, disturbing people’s peace. That hasn’t really happened to me, I have had people rummage through if I’ve had boxes…and then leave rubbish all over the place.”

Yarra Ranges Council currently uses an annual scheduled system, where hard rubbish is collected from January to March across all 55 towns and roughly 61,500 properties in the shire.

Mr Citrine is calling for the system to be changed to a twice yearly booked collection decided on at the resident’s discretion.

“I lived in Maroondah prior to moving to Yarra Ranges Council and Maroondah has a booked system, they’ve had it like that for a long time and it works very well,” he said.

“You can book your hard rubbish online, they mail you out a sticker and the weekend before your collection, you just put it all out on the lawn and then you might have a pile every once in a while but for the main part of the suburb looks pretty clean.”

While Mr Citrine said you may still get people rummaging through the rubbish “the difference is it’s not known to everybody that it’s hard rubbish time” reducing the disturbances and mess.

Many people have experienced nighttime drivebys, with Mooroolbark residents taking to the community noticeboard to call people out.

“Thank you so much to the person who drove up our court at 11pm at night with their trucks high beams on, stopping at each house and then searching on our property with torches through hard rubbish,” one person said.

“Thanks for your lights shining right into our bedroom, waking me up and scaring me!

It’s a bit disconcerting to see torches and movement out [the] front of your house at 11pm.”

Another resident also commented on the inconsiderate behaviour of some people placing their rubbish on other people’s piles, making a mess leaving the resident responsible for cleaning it up.

“I love living in Mooroolbark and I don’t mind the dozens of cars who stop to have a look at our hard rubbish.

“However, I’m a bit disgusted at people who rummage through our hard rubbish and leave it strewn across the nature strip.”

Despite these concerns, Yarra Ranges mailcommunity.com.au

A petition has been started to change the way hard rubbish is collected throughout the Yarra Ranges. 319962 Council planning and sustainable futures director Kath McClusky said the scheduled collections are the most cost effective and reliable for residents.

“Because our municipality is spread over 2500 square kilometres, it is extremely cost effective to run a scheduled collection, where an entire street has their waste collected at the same time,” she said.

“Having on-call collections would result in a much higher cost for the service, which would be passed on to residents through their annual waste charge.”

Ms McClusky said for the residents who live in the more regional parts of the shire, booked collections potentially during winter are not feasible.

“The collection also runs through the driest part of the year – this is because we have

many unsealed roads, some with steep terrain, and the collection trucks for hard waste are significantly heavier than regular kerbside bin trucks.

“In wet weather, many items would pose a risk to the contractors to manage, and there would be added difficulties accessing our remote properties.”

With the changes to Victoria’s kerbside bin collections, Ms McClusky said throughout 2022 the community was asked about on-call hard rubbish collections.

“From more than 7000 responses, 75 per cent of people said they’d prefer collections to continue at a set time. 72 per cent of respondents said they wanted the current timing of January-March to continue.

“We’re now finalising our Community Waste and Resource Recovery Plan, for release

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

later this year – largely focusing on wheelie bin collections and recycling changes - but the current arrangement of our hard waste system is unlikely to change for the reasons above.”

Mr Citrine said he would let the petition run for a little while longer before contacting each respondent for the appropriate details needed to submit it to the council.

“I’ll just let it run for a little bit until the next meeting. I’ll have to extract the people who have signed the petition and I’ll email them privately with an actual form to put those details down for me,” he said.

“Then I can submit that to the council properly in the format they need it. I’ll probably go to the next council meeting and see how it goes.”

The petition can be found here www. change.org/p/change-hard-rubbish-collections-to-a-booked-system Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 9

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Rev up for Monbulk Car Show in March

By Parker McKenzie The Star Mail apologises after a production error resulted in the 2022 Car Show story being reprinted instead of the correct story for 2023.

Please see the correct details below: The Monbulk Car Show isn’t just for revheads, with family entertainment, CFA demonstrations and live music throughout Main Street when it returns on Sunday 26 March from 10am to 2pm.

The annual event, which fundraises for Monbulk CFA and local community groups, raised $22,000 for firefighters last year and is aiming to go even bigger in 2023.

Organiser Richard Licciardi said the 2022 Car Show was the biggest ever “by a considerable margin.”

“2019 was the biggest to that point, but 2022 was another step up,” he said.

“There was no show in 2020 and the 2021 show was postponed until 2022, because we normally have it in the last week of November, but we postponed it four months and decided to keep it in March because it worked well.”

Over 400 classic cars were bought to the event by community members last year, alongside live music and a kid’s zone and demonstrations by the brigade for families and the local community to enjoy.

Monbulk CFA Second Lieutenant Glenn Hickingbotham said the Car Show isn’t just for people who love cars, with plenty of other entertainment available for families in attendance.

“There’s live music too, we have bands in the main street, a lot of food vendors and community groups,” he said.

“It’s for the community and the local traders too. We’re selective about what food and drink we allow in so the traders can get the most out of the day too.”

The money raised last year went towards equipment, vehicle funds, specialty rope rescue equipment and a new station fund for the brigade.

This year’s car show will be the first under the auspice of Monbulk CFA, with previous years organised by the Monbulk and District Community Working Group (MADCOW).

Mr Hickingbotham said for the brigade, the

Left to right: female bikers Jenni King, Jules Haddow and Jane Ollerenshaw.

Bringing riders together

By Tyler Wright

The car show is open to any type of vehicle, as long as you are proud to display it. event is the major fundraiser of the year, with over 3000 people coming to Main Street Monbulk to attend the 2022 car show.

“It means a lot to us. We provide all the marshalling of the cars and all the entrance points, collecting the money at the car entry and also the spectator entry points,” he said.

“Our auxiliary also runs a barbecue out of our feeding trailer, so they run food on the event as well. The day is really worthwhile for us.”

Mr Licciardi said the event isn’t specific to

Picture: ON FILE

any brand or type of car.

“We’re not chrome bumpers; we’re not pre1980 or American. Anybody who has a car that they love can bring it along because that is the most important thing,” he said.

“It isn’t about what brand you are interested in, what manufacturer or brand your car is. It’s about the love of cars and that’s why we do it.”

Gates open at 7am on the day, with entry costing $8 for an individual and $20 for a family with a $10 entry for cars.

Solar power boost for Olinda pavilion

By Tyler Wright The Olinda Pavillion is set to become home to solar panels after Yarra Ranges Council secured $250,000 through the state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.

Hilltop Recreation Association (HRA) president Ben Selby-Hele said the funding is for the installation of a 100 panel/50KW solar and a 100KW battery system at The Olinda Recreation Reserve, and the solar and battery system will add to the refuge and relief facilities for the community.

“The installation of the said solar and battery system will allow the facility to run independently of the main grid for 3-5 days, with the ability for a generator to supplement the power supply should an event arise lasting more than 5 days,” Mr Selby-Hele said.

“The system will power the oval lights for emergency service use only and upgrades to the existing showering facilities included as part of this grant, will mean that families and individuals can shower in their own private cubicles.”

In 2021, the Olinda pavilion had satellite NBN connected for use by the community in times of need, Mr Selby-Hele said.

“It was used as a relief centre, and there were some shortfalls that were identified during that period, which are being implemented now, and one of those is this battery storage and solar,” he said.

“That’s also why the WiFi satellite was installed, when all the infrastructure goes down to still allow the community to access internet.”

The Growing Suburbs Fund is a $50 million 10 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

From left to right: Paul Wicks (OFCFNC life member), Kelly Hofert (Yarra Ranges Council), Mick Hill – OFCFNC president, Ben Selby-Hele – HRA President, Paul Lacala (Yarra Ranges Council) and Ty Ray (Yarra Ranges Council). Amy Gregorovich – SOYR Peter Hayne – OFCFNC LM Bruce Lowery – OFCFNC LM Picture: SUPPLIED grant program from the state government set to deliver infrastructure projects in response to pressures being experienced by interface and per-urban communities.

The fund is available to Melbourne’s 10 interface and six peri-urban councils, aiming to deliver more playgrounds, parks and community centres to help transform communities.

“We are creating the vital facilities and in-

frastructure that communities in our fastest growing areas need,” Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane said when applications were opened in May 2022.

“Victorians in our fastest growing suburbs deserve to have spaces and facilities to help them develop new connections, that will support wellbeing and help strengthen communities as they continue to grow.”

Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers is holding a trail event for female bikers on Sunday 5 March, encouraging women to get involved in the sport.

Riders will begin their trek at the Trail Cafe in Mount Evelyn and ride to Silvan trails.

“I’ve been in the sport for coming up to 30 years... and it’s really important to have an avenue for women that are wanting to ride with other women to have that space to join these groups,” women’s officer at Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers Jane Ollerenshaw said.

“I’m mostly riding with men, but it’s quite a different dynamic to have all females riding together.”

Ms Ollerenshaw aims to run women’s biking events roughly every six weeks to connect female riders and “get more girls out on bikes”.

“If they’re with other female riders that may find some parts of the trails challenging, but they see another rider with a similar ability tackle it, they’ll be more likely to tackle it.”

“It’s such a lovely sound when you have a group of us riding down a hill all together, hollering and whooping and laughing.”

“If somebody doesn’t feel safe or confident riding a challenging obstacle, there’s no shame in getting off and walking down, no one’s going to make you feel silly, they’re just going to go ‘try that another day’ or ‘I don’t feel up to that today.’”

There are currently 232 members of Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers, with 23 of those women.

But Ms Ollerenshaw said female participation in the sport is “booming”.

“Years ago when I started riding, I had to ride a man’s bike, It didn’t fit me too well. I’d have to wear men’s clothing.

Now we’ve got everything that’s women’s specific; bikes, clothing, helmets, shoes,” she said.

“You go into the forest, you go ride anywhere, and there’s women everywhere now.

‘I’ve got [women] coming from Geelong to ride because they want to be part of the ride and ride some different trails with some different people and connect with other women.

With riders From Yarra Glen all the way to the Dandenong Ranges, women riders in the group range from their late teens to their 50s.

“You’ll be chatting away to somebody, no one actually cares what age any person is... when you’re all out riding, it doesn’t matter.”

For more information on Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers, visit https://www. yrmtb.com.au/ mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Knox Festival celebration

By Parker McKenzie Knox Festival will be held on Saturday 4 March at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully, with the free event featuring activities, workshops, rides, community stalls, stage performances and more.

The annual event, which runs from 10am to 10pm, features two stages of live music and performances, amusement rides, food trucks, a global kitchen hosted by Lillie Giang, roving performers, a kid’s hub, sporting activities and a fireworks finale at 10pm.

Jessica Shaw from True Fairies said the organisation’s all-female performers will be hosting an installation called The Dream World during the festival.

“Each year, we do a customised scene in a very large area for families, where we provide design and actors,” she said.

“It’s going to be a creative installation made by local artists that incorporates dream characters. We’ll have the Sandman, we’ll have a mermaid, we’ll have giant smoke bubbles and it’s going to feel like you’re in a cloudland as you walk through the themed area and meet the characters.”

Other activities include art, science, pottery and woodworking workshops, a dreaming space with Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place, multicultural cooking demonstrations and a community stage. Artist Sonia Zymantas said her installation involves the work of local school children on pillowcases.

“I asked the kids to brainstorm the concept dreams for them and dreams for others, and come up with words that were meaningful for the audience to connect with,” she said.

“When you look at them hanging up, it reflects poetry and I’ve created a series of dream pillows that people can lie on and look up at the installation and read the text.”

Mr Zymantas will also be running an art

Knox Festival will be held on Saturday 4 March at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully. workshop on the day, where attendees can create flags using recycled materials.

“I love creating art spaces in public and the vibrancy of festivals because they are a fun place to be,” she said.

“I enjoy watching people bring out their creative self, share their perspective and find

opportunities for expressing themselves.”

Ms Shaw said True Fairies has been working with Knox City Council for around six years, but this is the second time they’ve been involved in Knox Festival.

“What I love about Knox is they give us quite a broad idea and then let us run with it

Picture: KNOX CITY COUNCIL through our creative team,” she said.

“We’ve got a creative and design team of four different people, we bring together the things that we love which is fantasy and then we bring fairy tales to life.”

The full schedule of Knox Festival 2023 can be found at knox.vic.gov.au/KnoxFestival

The 2XL mentoring program has been running for 11 years, connecting primary school aged students with an adult mentor to bond and work on a project with.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Mentor volunteers needed

By Tyler Wright The Hills Community Strengthening Initiative (HCSI) is looking for volunteers to join its six week mentoring program at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Cockatoo.

2XL, a mentoring program for children in grades two to six, requires around 15 to 20 adults to spend an hour a week with a child who may need extra support.

HCSI Project Coordinator Naomi Dewar said the program runs for about six weeks during the school term, with the organisation partnering with Cockatoo Primary School and Gembrook Primary School.

“We have an adult paired up with a primary aged child and they’ll do projects together, and it can be as simple as building lego or cooking,” Ms Dewar said.

“We’ve got one or two gentlemen who like to repair a BMX...It’s completely dependent on the mentor and the child.”

Having a grown up spending time with the child and focusing on their wellbeing builds resilience and the ability to overcome challenges, Ms Dewar said.

“When a child has an adult investing in their lives, it makes a huge difference,” she said.

“You do see a massive change and it’s a blessing both ways... I had one mentor say last year’ I thought I’d be coming in as a knight in shining armour to help his child, but really by the end of the program it changed me, and I was really blessed for spending time with this child and their family.

“For a child to know there’s an adult who is coming to spend time with them, to ask them questions, it really helps develop that confidence and that connection and they feel valued, and that’s a really important part of their development and confidence as they move forward.”

Mentors involved in the program are provided training.

The 2XL mentoring program is funded

by Anglicare and is undertaken in partnership with St Luke’s Anglican Church.

For more information, email naomi. dewar@echo.org.au 12585544-RR08-23

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MAIL 11

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

People’s Choice crowned

By Tyler Wright Olinda-based artist Emma Jennings has taken out the people’s choice award in the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale for her piece ‘Future Firefighters,’ recognising the work of a local family of CFA members, as the exhibition approaches it end.

Jennings decided to paint Upwey Fire Brigade junior CFA volunteers Aiden and Alexis Rhodes as a way to acknowledge the sacrifices made by families who serve the community.

“I think it’s really remarkable. It’s a whole family sacrifice, because there’s always somebody at home waiting,” Jennings said.

“I wanted to tell that story; there’s the next generations of volunteers already committed to serving and supporting our community.”

A long serving member of the brigade, Aiden and Alexis’ dad Liam was part of the strike team to Mallacoota in the 2019/2020 fires and worked alongside other emergency services after the 2021 storm event in the Dandenong Ranges.

When Jennings visited the siblings in the process of creating the work, photographing the pair holding items including their dad’s helmet, a fire hose and their uniforms, she got an overwhelming sense of how proud the pair were of their dad.

“I was aware that there’s the people who are off doing the hard work, but then there are the people at home who are waiting for them to safely return, and it’s a very selfless thing to let their loved ones go and perform these incredibly brave acts to support our communities all around Australia and the world,” she said.

“This is happening everywhere and more often now because of the increase of climate change natural disasters.”

Jennings’ finished work features Alexis and Aiden standing in a forest; which she said could represent the June 2021 storms, but

Emma Jennings with Aiden (left) and Alexis Rhodes (right), who inspired her piece ‘Future Firefighters’.

Picture: SUPPLIED could also signify floods or fire.

“It’s a really important local issue for us here in this community, especially [16 Febru-

ary] being the anniversary of the Ash Wednesday bushfires and just recently the Black Saturday fires anniversary as well, we’re impacted

by these natural disasters all year round now.”

She said she was “thrilled” to receive the people’s choice award in the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale.

“The painting is about the people and it’s about honouring the volunteers who serve our community, and to have the people choose it is really meaningful.”

With funding from Yarra Ranges Council, Jennings is also creating a series of portraits of people impacted by the June 2021 storm event.

David Ferrier, the founder of Treasuring Our Trees, has helped source kiln dried slabs for Jennings to paint the portrait of local volunteers including Kalorama Mount Dandenong CFA Fire Brigade Captain Bill Robinson.

Other works at the exhibition included Rain White’s Loci Plantae showcase, featuring ink studies of ten local indigenous plants.

Ms White said the piece honours and highlights the beauty of the local flora and all we could lose, connecting people back to traditional owners of the land who had knowledge and use of all these plants.

“I wanted to create a piece that provided a solution, that overcomes a sense of overwhelm people feel in the face of environmental issues, everyone can learn about plants and feel empowered by planting one,” she said.

“It is a way we can care directly for our planet. You can create a habitat and cool your local area. Action creates momentum, a lot of people feel powerless and this piece presents something practical you can action.”

The piece of created in a partnership between the artist and the Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery at Birdlands Reserve in Belgrave Heights.

The Climate Change Biennial exhibition ends on Saturday 25 February with a Live on the Lawn mini music festival in The Park at Burrinja Cultural Centre, with an artist market and studios open from 12-4pm.

Decades of friendship celebrated in exhibit ‘The Wave’

By Parker McKenzie Rebecca Johnson and Amanda Bartholomew’s friendship didn’t start with art, but it has certainly played a large part.

The Wave, a new exhibition at Burrinja Cultural Centre, features the combined work of the two artists in a celebration of their enduring friendship, featuring vibrant and diverse art in several different mediums.

The pair spoke to the Star Mail about being friends since childhood, the raucous times in 20s and their shared love of art and music.

After first becoming friends through her sister Caroline in primary school, Ms Bartholomew said the two have only become closer throughout the years.

“I was always in the art room at lunchtime and when I’d go back at lunchtime as well, Amanda would be in there,” she said.

Ms Bartholomew added, “We moved out of home together when I was 22 and she was 18. She asked if she could move out with me.

We were desperate to get out.”

Ms Johnson, however, said the first time she ever saw Ms Bartholomew was in the “tuckshop line at school.”

They reminisce about running amok in Saint Kilda: fitting too many people in one car on the way home from the bars like the Prince of Wales on Friday and Saturday nights, acting like groupies for The Models when the band had no fans and living together is a share house full of parties and wild times.

During this time, both studied art at university and found their way into teaching.

“I’d got to Chisholm to see what Amanda was casting or making and she’d do the same with me,” Ms Johnson said.

“We inspired each other and we used to talk about what we were doing, and as we got older, we had studios and we’d visit each other there.”

Ms Bartholomew was forced to leave teaching last year after being diagnosed with cancer in April, an experience she said has changed her perspective on life immensely.

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Amanda Bartholomew and Rebecca Johnson with artwork from The Wave exhibition.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Rebecca Johnson and Amanda Bartholomew in the National Gallery of Victoria courtyard, 1984.

Picture: SUPPLIED “Just recently I came back from a holiday summer holiday at Philip Island and ended up in hospital, I had another blockage in my stomach and ended up being there for a week and thought I was going to die,” she said.

“Beforehand, my cancer experience was just going along with it. I didn’t read about cancer or the drugs I was taking because I’d be freaking out about it, I was just experiencing it. I realised I was preparing to die rather than fighting for life.”

She said she didn’t consciously realise she was preparing to die.

“I’ve been told its terminal by my doctors, but now I’ve turned it around and I feel like there’s hope,” Ms Bartholomew said.

“I just want people to enjoy the exhibition and enjoy looking at the artworks, and maybe get something from it.”

Ms Johnson said she has seen her friend’s art change in an unexpected way since her illness began.

“You might not be able to see that your work changed, but I think your work has intensified,” she said.

“You’ve gone and retouched every single artwork that you have previously done.”

The art on display in The Wave is recent work completed by the pair spanning from the start of 2020 until the present time, aside from a depiction of Luna Park Ms Bartholomew drew in university.

Ms Johnson said seeing the pain her friend has experienced has been a challenging experience for her personally, and she is glad to be able to exhibit their work together.

“The thought that we’re not going to grow old together like I’d planned, it’s probably not going to happen,” she said.

“This is a wonderful celebration of our friendship and our love of the arts; it’s our lifelong connection through music.”

It is the first time the friends have exhibited art together and for Ms Johnson the first time in years she has bought her work out of the studio and presented it publically.

“I’ve got three kids and I’m a full-time teacher, I haven’t had a show like this for a really long time,” Ms Johnson said.

“We’re both teachers, we’ve both got that drive to share our creativity and inspire the next generation.”

For Ms Bartholomew, the exhibition is an opportunity to “choose life.”

“It’s about that connection and living your life as consciously as you can, enjoying it and being happy,” she said.

“Why create an ugly painting when you can create a beautiful one? I want to create things that are joyful and that are nice to look at and colourful. I choose joy, I choose life, and I choose nature.”

The Wave opened at Burrinja Cultural Centre on Saturday 18 February and is running until Saturday 1 April. mailcommunity.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Going viral with Irish jig

By Tanya Steele Irish dancing teacher and Healesville resident Kate Bilton recently went viral on social media in an Iranian and Irish dance mash up at a wedding in South Morang, Victoria.

Ms Biltons’s dance academy is often hired out for weddings but this was a new experience to perform alongside an Iranian drum solo.

“The bride asked us, ‘Would you think you’d be able to perform to some Middle Eastern drummers?’ I said straight away, absolutely,” she said.

“I don’t mind what it is, as long as it’s a drum and they can keep a good beat we will be able to dance to it.”

The viral TikTok video of Ms Bilton and her dance students went global overnight on 29 January, amassing over two million views after 48 hours on the platform.

The Irish Times shared the video along with several other viral online news sites.

Ms Bilton was shocked and delighted when her mobile phone began flooding in with notifications and messages from friends and family in the Irish dancing community.

“It’s fantastic - I had a lot of my friends in Ireland contacting me saying, Oh, we’ve seen you dancing on social media. It’s pretty cute,” she said.

Viral trends are never predictable and Ms Bilton has looked through some of the online comments to find out what people found so fascinating about the performance.

“People were really just blown away by the blend of the two cultures and especially two cultures that you wouldn’t see together very often.”

Ms Bilton has been Irish dancing since she was three years old and became a teacher at eighteen.

Her Aunt also runs an Irish dance school in Mt Evelyn and both were introduced to the dance form through Kate’s Irish grandmother.

In recent years the dance teacher has had to deal with many cancelled events due to the pandemic as she continued teaching dance lessons via Zoom during Covid, teaching from her back porch.

She recently won the 2021 Global Irish Dancing Teacher Award and the international award recognises excellence in teaching by honouring extraordinary dance teachers.

Ms Bilton began teaching in the Mornington Peninsula and had travelled overseas before returning to live in Healesville in 2007.

Her original dance school was based in Kinglake however, the hall she taught in there was affected during the Black Saturday fires.

“We had to take a short break after the Black Saturday fires because the hall that we were teaching out of actually sustained damage and that was a really tough time.

“As soon as I was allowed to go back up into Kinglake, we went back. I continued the classes for a number of years afterwards.

“It was valuable at that time to take something back to the community so that the kids could get back to their dancing lessons.”

This cross culture performance is not the first time Kate has mashed dance styles to-

Kate Bilton has been bring the joys of Irish dancing to her community for many years.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Kate Bilton with one of her young students Charlotte Sumpter at a recent dance competition in Tasmania.

Picture: ROD WOODWARD

gether, her school the Victorian Irish Dance Academy has been performing a cross culture number with the Glenbrae Celtic dance school from Glen Waverley dance school for over a year.

“We were very lucky to be invited to be part of a Scottish Irish cross culture dance show.

That was a new show that had a mix of Irish dancing and Scottish dancing.

“We performed that show at a number of Celtic festivals and different events around Victoria.The crowd just really seemed to love the mix of the culture.”

Her Victorian Irish Dancing Academy school has since been in operation in other parts of the hills; it was in Emerald for sometime but more recently it has been operating out of Tecoma.

Irish dancing can be seen as a very traditional form of dancing but Ms Bilton encourages anyone to have a go. Her students range from three years old up to sixty five years old.

“I love Irish dancing. It brings a lot of joy to my life, but I love the joy that it brings to other people’s lives as well.

“A lot of people will start Irish dancing and it just has such a positive impact on their health and well being. It becomes a special part of their life.

“I’ve been really honoured to be able to

“I’m gonna dance forever. I will never stop.

I love it. It’s my passion. I’m so lucky to have a job that I love so much and you’ll never want to give it up.”

The Victorian Irish Dancing Academy group at the 2022 Highland and Celtic Games. bring that joy into other people’s lives through dance.

When asked if she will ever give it up - the reply was quick.

Royal Australian Navy Jazz band to perform locally The Royal Australian Navy Jazz band – Melbourne Ensemble is set to visit Emerald Lake Park for a free concert hosted by Cardinia Shire Council.

This rare opportunity includes a song written by a member of the band about visiting Emerald Lake Park.

The band features seven of the Royal Navy’s finest jazz musicians, including a rhythm section, trumpet, saxophone, trombone and vocalist.

The ensemble has entertained Prime mailcommunity.com.au

Ministers and royalty.

“This is a great opportunity to appreciate music in a spectacular environment,” Ranges Ward Councillor Jeff Springfield said.

“I encourage residents to come along and enjoy the music by the lake.”

The concert will take place on 25 February, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

Emerald Lake Park is located at Emerald Lake Road in Emerald.

For more information visit the council’s website at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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Help clean up Emerald

By Parker McKenzie Rotary Club of Emerald and District and Johns Hill Landcare group will host a Clean Up Australia Day event at Hogan Park in Emerald on Sunday 19 March.

It is the first Clean-up event at Hogan Park since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will run from 10am to 12.30pm.

Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee at Emerald Rotary Vicki Van Den Bergen said the event comes as Rotary International has a new focus on protecting the environment.

“All of the Rotary Clubs have been encouraged to establish their own committees to help protect the environment and do more sustainable practices,” she said.

“We’re working with the Landcare group because they’ve already been doing things like these practices already and we thought we would lend them our support because we’ve got larger numbers.”

All safety equipment like gloves, hi-vis vests and rubbish bags will be supplied by Clean Up Australia Day, but interested volunteers should bring their own water bottle, hat, sunscreen, solid work boots and long-sleeved shirts.

President of Johns Hill Landcare Jenny Lyndon they’ve previously done Clean Up events

at the regenerated piece of bush at Hogan Park.

“It’s a beautiful piece of bush, the Hogan Park Committee of Management maintains it and we work with them and the scouts who are also interested in that area as well,” she said.

“It’s got bush wallabies, wombats and all sorts of wildlife. Because it’s in the middle of Emerald, people go there sometimes, make camps and use it as a rubbish dump.”

Registration on the morning of the vent will be at the Emerald Scout Centre, 21 Kilvington Drive Emerald and the Hogan Park Committee will provide a BBQ lunch at 12.30pm for volunteers.

Ms Lyndon said she hopes there will be a large pile of rubbish at the end for Cardinia Council to collect.

“We’re not going to ask people to go into a dangerous area, even if there’s rubbish in there,” she said.

“It’s also contingent on if there’s a total fire ban, excessive heat or excessive wind, if that’s the case it will be cancelled.”

Clean Up Australia Day has been running since 1990, with the event being held two weeks after the official day.

For further information, contact Shalini Penny at shalinipenny@bigpond.com or Jenny Lyndon at info@johnshill.org.au.

President of Johns Hill Landcare Jenny Lyndon, Vice President of Johns Hill Landcare Jeff Lyndon, representative of Emerald Scouts and Site Leader Emerald Rotary President Marcus Adams, and Chair Emerald Rotary Environment and Sustainability committee Vicki Van Den Bergen.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Volunteer garden guides needed to invest in backyards

By Tanya Steele The Yarra Ranges is seeking volunteer garden guides for The Yarra Ranges Gardens for Wildlife (YRG4W), which is a free program available to communities in the Yarra Ranges Shire.

Volunteer garden guides visit people’s homes to give a free assessment and provide tips and tricks to encourage local fauna into their gardens.

The program aims to increase general knowledge and understanding for people in their gardens. It has a small dedicated group of volunteers but is seeking to introduce and train more guides.

Hannah Grant, who is the biodiversity rehabilitation officer running the project, invites the public to sign up as guides, even if they have no previous experience.

“Becoming a guide really helps them to advance their flora and fauna knowledge.

They get to meet like minded people in the community and are supported by the council as well,” Ms Grant said.

The volunteer program is quite flexible, so anyone can train as a guide and contribute in a manner that suits their needs.

The volunteer guides are trained to give people ideas on how to make small improvements to their garden spaces.

“Our role is not to go out and tell people how to have their gardens. It’s just to give them ideas on how they could make their gardens more wildlife friendly,” she said.

The volunteers go on a tour of the person’s garden and then provide a report to the resident afterwards, with ideas and links to programs that can help their space.

The program aims to help residents encourage native wildlife into their yards.

Pictures: ON FILE

Some properties in the Yarra Ranges are much bigger than your average garden, but even small modifications can make a difference to transport corridors of the local wildlife.

“We have lots of large areas of bush and if we can create these small patches in our backyard, then we can help some species move through the landscape because they’ve got the stepping stones.”

This program provides free opportunities

for the general public to become involved in small changes in their own backyard.

Information sessions on how to get involved as a guide will be held online on Tuesday 21 February from 7pm to 7.30pm. Yarra Ranges Residents can register for this session online through the council website.

If you miss the session, those interested can still get in touch with the biodiversity team through gardensforwildlife@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

people of all ages and abilities to learn or play music at the Dandenong Ranges Music Council.

The Community Music Education Hub on the grounds of Upwey High School 1451 Burwood Hwy, Upwey offers a program of music activities throughout the year.

For more information E: drmusiccouncil@ gmail.com T: 0424 910 282

over 170 countries around the world on this day. The service for 2023 has been prepared by the women of Taiwan.

Through this celebration, the Christian women of Taiwan would like to share their experiences and bear witness to God’s wonderful grace and mighty works.

of programs to help our community to lower emissions and reach net zero by 2040.

For more information, visit stickytickets. com.au/okfu7/solar_savers_information_session.aspx

Solar Savers information session

As a part of a series of workshops at Birdsland Reserve in Belgrave, artist Nikki Wellington is making mosaic artwork to add to the decor of Birdsland using recycled tiles and crockery, leaving a mini-art trail for people to find across the reserve.

The workshop will be held on Saturday 11 March from 10am to 4pm.

Tickets can be booked at trybooking. com/1020075

Using tips and tricks from the Garden Guides, residents can turn patches of their yards into havens for wildlife.

SNIPPETS

MAIL SNIPPETS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HILLS

World Day of Prayer 2023 Dandenong Ranges Music Council An exciting year ahead with opportunities for 14 MAIL

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This will be held on Friday 3 March 2023 at St Mark’s, Emerald.

Morning tea at 10am followed by the service at 10.30am. All are welcome.

The World Day of Prayer is celebrated in

Tuesday 28 February 2023, 11am to 12pm at the Knox Civic Centre Knox households account for 18 per cent of total greenhouse emissions in our community. As part of Knox City Council’s Climate Response Plan 2021-2031, it is providing a range

Mosaic workshop

mailcommunity.com.au

OPEN DAYS

The St Paul’s difference

St Thomas More school of approximately 90 students lives by the motto ‘We Are One’.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Nurturing education St Thomas More Catholic Primary School is situated in Belgrave in the Shire of Yarra Ranges bordered by Sherbrooke Forest.

It attracts enrolments from a wide geographical area throughout the southern part of the Dandenong Ranges and serves the communities of Belgrave, Tecoma, Upwey, Selby, Menzies Creek, Clematis, Emerald, Avonsleigh and Cockatoo.

The community reflects a combination of urban and rural lifestyles influenced by the surrounding environment of forest and hills.

St Thomas More school is a small, caring school of approximately 90 students.

It is a community of faith based on belief in

Jesus Christ and his mission to build a better world.

The school community expresses Christian values and a desire to bear witness to the faith they share and nurture.

Enlivening the motto ‘We Are One’, the staff, parents and students work together to develop an environment, which is conducive to producing excellence in educational outcomes.

St Thomas More school is part of the Belgrave Parish, which has mass centres at Monbulk, Belgrave, Emerald and Gembrook.

Two schools comprise the parish - St Paul’s in Monbulk and St Thomas More in Belgrave.

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mailcommunity.com.au

St Paul’s educates, and does a sensational job at that, but St Paul’s stands for wellbeing.

The wellbeing of all students and all members of the community is why St Paul’s exists. When you enter St Paul’s you can see the focus on wellbeing, you can feel the connection and you can sense that belonging that exists within the beautifully refurbished buildings.

St Paul’s is inclusive, and people from every background are welcome to experience the sense of wellbeing that comes with an education at St Paul’s. As a Catholic school, the values are lived out by all members of the community. It is natural for our school community to demonstrate our values because they come from a common place. The values that form the basis for our learning are: respect, responsibility, justice, courage, wisdom and knowledge.

Our values are pivotal to the life of the school and the community, and are embedded within student support and teaching and learning programs. The outstanding staff model these values and actively look for students demonstrating them.

Student welfare is an integral part of the success and wellbeing of students and as a school, providing a safe, happy, supportive learning environment is of upmost priority for all staff.

There is a school counsellor and a wellbeing team, that includes the Principal so when parents drop their children off, they know they will be ok.

St Paul’s promotes a strong partnership between students, teachers and parents, based on mutual respect and understanding. There is a commitment to child safety and a belief that all children have a right to feel safe and be safe at all times. All staff and volunteers are required to observe child safe

St Paul’s is underpinned by a foundation of wellbeing.

Picture: SUPPLIED standards and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of our students.

All prep children are matched with a Grade 6 student as a ‘buddy’ who look out for one another in the playground and spend class time together on occasion. The Buddy Program helps the prep child’s transition into the school environment and benefits the social development of both students.

When you tour St Paul’s you will see a balance of technology, visual arts, performing arts, physical education, chess, gardening, Italian language, structure, discipline and a sense of calm. Students experience all that a balanced education has to offer including the biennial School Musical and Art Show, inter school sport, mindfulness and meditation and focussed literacy and numeracy.

Classroom programs are strategically differentiated to ensure every student is working in their ‘point of need’ and they are given the maximum opportunity to achieve positive academic outcomes and be a successful learner.

The most important thing to remember is that an education at St Paul’s is underpinned by a foundation of Wellbeing.

St Paul’s deliver the curriculum, but at St Paul’s they teach every child. Call the office on 97567201 for your personal tour today.

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NEWS

The Crank Up at Yarra Musem last year.

Picture: YARRA MUSEUM

The Keilor Gift wood chop.

Picture: ON FILE

Concerns for wood chop

By Tanya Steele There’s concerns the heritage sport of woodchopping in Victoria is at risk due to the shortage of logs available in the coming year.

Central Victorian Axemen’s Association member (CVAA) and Upper Yarra resident Brett Robin said many events in March were almost cancelled due to a lack of supply.

“It’s not just the woodchop that has been affected, it’s all our country shows - every weekend we have a country show in Victoria,”

Mr Robin said.

The heritage sport traditionally uses native forest logs for its events and afterwards the chopped logs are used for firewood.

“They’ll give it to the local football clubs or the rotary clubs,” Mr Robin said.

The sporting events can not run without logs and supply is so low that the issue has been brought to State Members by the Victorian Axemen’s Council.

State Liberal Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish said, “With the constant issue and

litigation around timber harvesting, access to the essential part of the sport has been closed to axemen, with the surety of log supply no longer provided. I have been contacted by the Victoria Axemen’s Council who are concerned that if logs are not sourced soon, it will be the end of the much-loved Australian sport.”

Many wood-chop events are held in Victoria every year and without supply, it’s feared the events will disappear from the show programmes.

“With the lack of wood available, the Alex-

andra Truck Show in June and popular Lilydale and Yarra Valley Show is at jeopardy with many more to follow, including the Royal Melbourne Show,” said Ms McLeish.

The drawcard events have been a part of Agricultural shows for many years and there’s a push for a solution to keep the sport in Australian culture.

“If woodchopping is lost, so is a part of Australian heritage. The government must ensure wthere is a sustainable solution to this problem,” said Ms McLeish.

Rail timber collaboration Treasuring Our Trees has received a donation of redgum logs from the Cranbourne Line Upgrade set to be repurposed.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, The Level Crossing Road Project (LXRP) looked for a way to repurpose trees that could not be retained.

LXRP has partnered with Treasuring Our Trees, a community organisation founded in 2021 with the aim of rescuing timber for re-use in Victorian schools and community projects and helping children learn how to value and recycle resources.

The timber will be transformed into indoor and outdoor furniture for 20 Melbourne primary schools and kindergartens, as well as community projects taking part in the Treasuring Our Trees program.

Founder David Ferrier said he was determined to salvage timber for use by schools and artists.

His first mission for Treasuring Our Trees was to collect fallen trees in communities afflicted by the severe storms of June 2021, which struck the Dandenong and Yarra ranges.

The redgum load marks his first venture with LXRP, which is committed to re-using materials as it works to remove 110 of Victoria’s most dangerous and congested level crossings by 2030.

“The Level Crossing Removal Project is focusing on sustainability, and that’s why we decided to partner with the project,” Mr Ferrier said.

“We’re impressed by the LXRP team’s foresight to salvage these logs for a greater purpose.

“This wood can be used for cabinets, tables, outdoor furniture, yarning circles and kitchen gardens.”

Mr Ferrier said Treasuring Our Trees has agreements with 20 primary schools and kindergartens in outer-east Melbourne and has recently begun presenting to secondary schools to raise awareness about sustainability.

“We also have more than 20 community projects, and we are absolutely determined to showcase the amazing work of local artists by providing them with natural resources to work with,” he said.

Mr Ferrier said that Treasuring Our Trees 16 MAIL

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Construction timber will be transformed into indoor and outdoor furniture. 312843 Picture: SHELBY BROOKS has created a database to record donations including species, length, diameter, location of the donated materials and intended project.

Every log will eventually be tracked on the Treasuring Our Trees website so that donors could find out how and where the timber was used.

“Even if it’s 5000 logs at once, they are recorded,” he said.

“As they are pulled off the stack they are measured by length and width.

We want to be able to share the story of what happens to them next, so you might have 40 or 50 small pieces that are allocated a millimetre measurement and eventually made into art display cabinets or tables.

“It is important that we can suggest what we can do for schools.”

Treasuring Our Trees recently opened a showroom and educational hub in Lilydale.

The inaugural exhibition, inspired by LXRP’s donation and trees rescued from the storms, features work by Melbourne artists including Anton McMurray and Emma Jennings, whose portrait of Kalorama CFA captain Bill Robinson is painted on fallen blackwood.

Treasuring Our Trees has another exhibition planned for early March 2023.

Across the level crossing removal project, more than 2.54 million trees, plants and shrubs have been planted.

To find out more about the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Large draught horses will be at work at Mont De Lancey.

Picture: ON FILE

Heading back to yesteryear

By Callum Ludwig Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead’s Draught Horse and YesterYear festival is coming up on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February.

Organised by the Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society, the day is set to feature draught horses at work on the homestead, as well as stationary engines, chainsaw carving, blacksmiths, wood turners, vintage cars and motorcycles and food and market stalls.

Event Coordinator Lewis Carlton said there will be a variety of different exhibits to enjoy.

“There’ll be a cooper working, who makes old-style wooden barrels, the Hand Tool Preservation Society with various styles of old tools, a big display of miniature sewing machines and a ma with a display of vintage kerosene lanterns,” he said.

“We’ve got to keep this stuff in existence for the future generations to see, otherwise it will be harder to understand how it was built, how it was used rather than just looking at it on YouTube which is not the same.”

Sheep shearing also normally would have been involved in the event but won’t be incorporated this year to prevent any spread of foot and mouth disease.

Mr Carlton said people will likely see how much easier parts of life are these days.

“It might also encourage people to look more deeply into it and hopefully encourage

Get a close look at machinery from a bygone era.

Picture: SUPPLIED more to partake in collecting and restoring this stuff and keeping it in existence further and further,” he said.

“We have numerous members who’ve seen this old stuff and become enthused about it, then join the engine club and been around the club for years and years.”

A large amount of the machinery that will be on display will be from the Wandin area as well, including the very first Massey Ferguson tractor to land on Australian soil.

The event is open from 10am to 4.30pm, tickets are $15 for adults and free for kids under 15.

Tickets can be bought at the gate with cash or EFTPOS available or they can be pre-booked at www.montdelancey.org.au. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

International pro debuts

By Tanya Faulkner From Ferntree Gully to Thailand: two local Muay Thai fighters are set to make their pro debut on the world stage.

Allie Woods and Matthew Massuger are taking the next step in their fighting careers, looking to make a name for themselves as they embark on a journey to Thailand later this year.

The pair have been training Muay Thai at World Fitness Cartel (WFC) gym in Ferntree Gully for approximately three years each, with the goal of making it on the international stage.

Mr Massuger said this has been his aim since he started training, and he is looking forward to having his hand raised in the ring in the country the sport originated.

“Muay Thai is more than just a physical sport; it’s also a mental puzzle with dire consequences. To win a fight is a massive achievement that I aim to do in Thailand,” he said.

In his opinion, Muay Thai is one of the hardest sports to train for, and the achievement of winning is what it is all about.

Training has become his whole life outside of his work as a landscaper, spending at least three days a week in the gym and training in Muay Thai almost every day after work.

So far in his career, Mr Massuger holds three wins out of seven fights and is looking forward to making a pro debut overseas.

“Taking this step in Thailand takes the pressure off from doing it in Australia,” he said.

“I can leave everything here behind and focus on the goal over there.”

For Ms Woods, what started as a way to work on her fitness a couple of days a week has become a passion and a full-time career in the gym.

“I started just wanting to train kickboxing a couple of times a week for fitness, which turned into a few times a day training in Muay Thai, and now I work here both on the gym floor and taking classes and training in the beginner’s boot camps,” she said.

She said it’s about the physical training and the overall development the sport provides for her, with her eyes set on going pro one day.

“Each time you train or fight, you learn to push yourself to the absolute limit and then more,” she said.

“Getting past that point and perfecting skills for each fight is one of the best things of the sport.”

The pair will make the journey to Thailand alongside several other amateur athletes from WFC gym all looking to develop their skills.

WFC gym owner and ex-fighter Dwayne Harris said giving athletes the opportunity to go overseas and experience the sport they love in the country it originated from is something not many fighters from Australia experience.

“Some of those going have never been overseas before, let alone trained Muay Thai over there. This trip will combine a holiday with full-time training to give the athletes the full experience of the sport, history and culture behind it,” he said.

During their time overseas, the athletes will endure two morning and evening train-

ing sessions, coached by world-class students and former world-class champions, and put through the riggers of bag work, spar work, and technical training.

For Mr Harris, the trip is more than just a training camp for the athletes, it’s also a way to open up more opportunities for those with an interest in the sport, progressing in martial arts, and helping other people through some of the day to day struggles they experience.

“Muay Thai, like other martial arts sports, is a way for people to work through bad situations and find a love for the sport,” he said.

“The one thing in common with almost everyone that has come through WFC gym is that training changes their lives, and it’s a fantastic feeling to have that impact on so many people in the community.”

For Mr Harris the gym was a no-brainer, establishing it in 2015 following his own successful career in Muay Thai, with the goal to provide others in the community with the same opportunities that he had through martial arts.

“We survived the Covid pandemic and the gym has just been going from strength to strength. It’s allowed me to work with and develop so many people and provide more opportunities including coaching roles and

helping kids, as well as the opportunity to go to Thailand,” he said.

Mr Harris said he is looking forward to making the journey to Thailand with his group

from the gym, working alongside Allie Woods and Matthew Massuger in their pro-debuts overseas, and taking the athletes to new levels in their careers.

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World Fitness Cartel amateur fighters will embark on a journey to Thailand for extensive muay thai training experience. Back row, left to right: Ash Masters, Amy Lucas, Tom Moroney, Rhys Kirk, Dwayne Harris, Corey Towning, Matt Massuger, Klint Watson, Daniel Panakos. Front row, left to right: Scarlett Mahoney, Allie Woods, Josh Panakos, Emma Connolly

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MONBULK Monbulk Newsagency & Officesmart 76 Main Street OLINDA Monbulk Bowling Club, 11 Moores Road OLINDA Olinda Cellars Shop 7/540 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road

BELGRAVE IGA 151 Belgrave-Hallam Road BELGRAVE Chandler & Co Real Estate 1689 Burwood Hwy

FERNTREE GULLY Coles Supermarket Mountain Gate SC Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Woolworths Supermarket Mountain Gate SC

OLINDA Ranges at Olinda 5 Old Main Road OLINDA IGA Supermarket 1526 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road

BELGRAVE First National Real Estate 1660 Burwood Highway Belgrave BELGRAVE SOUTH Belgrave South Motors 138 Belgrave-Hallam Rd BORONIA Boronia Mall Newsagent Corner Floriston Road & Chandler Road

Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Mountain Gate Newsagency & Lotto Mountain Gate SC 9b Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Ferntree Gully Authorized Newsagency Shp 2/69 Station Street

OLINDA Bell Real Estate 11 Main Road SASSAFRAS Sassafras General Store 391 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road SILVAN Shell Princi Motors, 275 - 277 Monbulk Road

COCKATOO Ranges First National Shop 2, 24 McBride Street COCKATOO IGA Cockatoo 34 McBride Street

TECOMA BP Service Station 1524 Burwood Highway TECOMA Bon Ton General Store 1537 Burwood Highway

EMERALD Kaye Charles RE 12a Kilvington Drive EMERALD Ritchies SUPA IGA 342 Belgrave-Gembrook Road EMERALD Emerald Village Newsagency 4 Kilvington Drive

FERNTREE GULLY Shell Service Station 1140 Burwood Highway FERNY CREEK Ferny Creek & Post Office 195 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road GEMBROOK Gembrook Post Office& Newsagent 72 Main Street GEMBROOK IGA Supermarket 83/85 Main Street

EMERALD Woolworths Supermarket Belgrave Gembrook Road EMERALD Auto Plus More Petrol Station 365 Main Street

KALORAMA Post Office 1209 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road MONBULK Best Repairs & Accessories Monbulk - 26 Main Road

TREMONT Caltex Service Station 100 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road UPWEY Newsagent 18 Main Street

EMERALD Shell Service Station 336 Main Street EMERALD Barry Plant Real Estate 1/ 321 Main Street

MONBULK Food Express 128 Main Road MONBULK Woolworths Supermarket Main Road & Moores Road

UPWEY IGA Supermarket 62-64 Main Street UPWEY Yarra Ranges Shire Council 40 Main Street

12588986-SN06-23

TECOMA O’Brien Real Estate 1567 Burwood Highway TECOMA McDonald’s Restaurant 1529 Burwood Highway THE PATCH The Patch Store and Post office 16 The Patch Road

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 17

OPINION

Work starts now Firstly, I would like to thank this publication for the opportunity to contribute this article and I would importantly like to thank the community for the great honour and privilege to continue to serve as the Labor Member for Bayswater and to represent the community I live in and love in State Parliament.

There was no rest though after the end of last year as every day in this job and in government is a great gift, so it was back to work delivering for Knox and for the community who placed their trust in me.

On that, I want to use this opportunity to keep our community informed on important local projects, large state-wide reforms and also give a shout out to some amazing locals too.

With the new year brings some exciting developments on big local projects that will start to take shape.

The $112 million Angliss Hospital expansion in Upper Gully is set for major construction later this year and will create 330 construction jobs as well as ongoing jobs. This has been much anticipated and will mean more beds, better facilities, and better care for locals.

The new intersection to be installed at Mc-

The state

PASSION

affairs

FOR PROSE

of

Jackson Taylor Bayswater MP Mahons Road and Burwood Highway will also start construction this year. After many years of talk, I was stoked to secure funding in the Budget last year for this. Locals living around this spot will continue to receive updates as the project progresses. Keep an eye out for these and road signs to indicate works in the coming months on site to make it safer.

As promised, we’ll also be delivering $2.1 million to upgrade St Joseph’s Primary in Boronia, $900,000 for Kent Park Primary in the Gully and we’re backing in local sport with $1.2 million for the new Tormore Reserve Pavilion and $2 million to upgrade the Wally Tew Pavilion.

In big news for families Free Kinder has

Boronia Heights Primary School student leaders Mitchell, Charlotte, Avril and Jackson with Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor.

Picture: SUPPLIED started meaning families will save up to $2,500 per child every year in funded kindergartens.

And work has already begun on bringing back the SEC. We’re laying the foundations to deliver government-owned renewable energy and put power back in the hands of Victorians.

A new SEC Expert Advisory Panel will advise on how the SEC can best operate. We’re not wasting a day to deliver cheaper, cleaner energy by bringing back the SEC. And finally a big shout-out to all the new student leaders across our local schools, including new captains Mitchell, Charlotte, Avril and Jackson from Boronia Heights

Hills action Ant-Man 3 scant quality Kemp’s curtain call The Basin Theatre Two and Two Together Season: February 22 - March 5 Rachel’s husband Victor never suspects that she is keeping an assignation with a young man in the house of her good friend Georgina.

Why should he? He has other things on his mind - in the shape of the said Georgina, who he has met secretly while her husband Henry, an actor, is safely occupied in the theatre.

But Henry returns home unexpectedly, and the two couples are forced into a riotous whirlwind of lies and misunderstandings.

Ross Wilson celebrates “50 years of Eagle Rock” Season: Friday March 3 at 9pm From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock and as a solo artist with no less than 26 ARIA Top 40 hits to his credit as a singer, songwriter and producer, Ross Wilson is one of Australia’s most awarded, respected and well-known artists! From the legendary band Daddy Cool whose 19971 number one anthem Eagle Rock smashed all previous sales records in Australia, to the 1977 formation of Mondo Rock, delivering 80’s hits, Cool World, State of heart, Chemistry, No Time and Come Said the Boy into the 21st century as a solo performer, producer and songwriter, Wilson has never been out of the limelight.

A Gemco in the Park Production Season: Friday March 3 at 6.30p Sunday March 18 at 6.30pm.

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Directed by Sharon Maine.

At Gus Ryberg Amphitheatre, Emerald Lake Park. Emerald Lake Road, Emerald.

The themes of love, mistaken identity, sexual jealousy, honour, betrayal and friendship all play out against the background of the Sicilian countryside.

The war is over. Everyone is out for fun, drinking, dancing, flirting and singing are the order of the day. As Don Pedro and his entourage come to the estate of Leonato, Governor of Messina.

18 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

High praise

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Jonathan Majors Rated M 3/5

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is fun but frustratingly insubstantial, with several elements that don’t quite succeed, and features many of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s bad habits.

After an experiment by his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton), superheroes Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and their family are pulled into the quantum realm, a hostile universe beneath our own.

The cast has great chemistry as ever, but the dialogue is serviceable when not annoyingly quippy, and Scott/Ant-Man and Hope/ Wasp are oddly sidelined in their own movie.

Beyond the dramatic goals of escaping the quantum realm and preventing the stranded conqueror Kang (Jonathan Majors) from leaving, the plot is driven by yet another tired Macguffin. Quantumania has wonderfully creative visual and creature design, offset by the MCU’s muted colour palette. The action sequences are framed too close, cut poorly and rarely carry any genuine peril, and the first act has some terribly abrupt pacing.

Fittingly, ants exemplify Quantumania’s

CARTOON

strengths and weaknesses. A triumphant moment in the second act makes brilliant use of swarming imagery, but the ant-based resolution in the third act is a barely-developed Deus Ex Machina.

On the unambiguously good side, Kang is a phenomenal antagonist: a near-unstoppable force of remarkable gravitas. Kang and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) anchor the film with a complicated relationship of shared hardship and betrayal. Corey Stoll is endearingly pathetic as the secondary antagonist Modok.

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania has an outstanding villain surrounded by middling plot and presentation, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

WITH CHRISTINE SUN A review of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Nobel Prize-winning British author Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel Klara and the Sun returned to this reviewer’s attention after Ai-Da, “the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist”, gave evidence at the House of Lords in October 2022.

Ai-Da’s appearance was part of an inquiry into the future of the creative industries in the UK. The much publicised event was indeed informative and inspiring, as not just Ishiguro’s book but also the works of Margaret Boden and Yuval Noah Harari were discussed.

While Ai-Da’s answers to various questions were obviously pre-prepared by her creator Aiden Meller – and therefore mirroring his views and visions about the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of humanity – the presence of a humanoid robot helped making all the imaginable possibilities and pitfalls almost tangible.

Indeed, Ai-Da’s crossed eyes, typos and “pulling interesting faces” helped leading her human audience’s imagination away from The Terminator (1984) and closer to Short Circuit (1988). Seeing her shut down and being rebooted halfway through the evidence session was definitely more interesting than watching politicians falling asleep in parliament.

Like Ai-Da, the first-person narrator in Klara and the Sun is immediately likeable. Klara is an Artificial Friend (AF), designed and developed to keep children company as they are home schooled by “screen professors” in the novel’s much polluted future America.

Klara is exceptionally intelligent and observant, and her knowledge of the world is built upon her constant monitoring and analysis of everything in her immediate surroundings. Through her eyes, we see a society where genetic perfection means “high-rank” class while those not “lifted” are denied education.

It is also through Klara’s observation that we see two mothers and how their love impacts on their children in dramatically different ways. When the Mother acquires the android as a companion for her sickly daughter Josie, it is with a hidden agenda, which slowly but surely leads readers to reflect on the meaning of being human.

More importantly, we are invited to ask: “What does it mean to love?” As Klara is solar powered, she “naturally” recognises the Sun as a great, benevolent living entity capable of offering nourishment to all that he shines upon. Is it possible that his special nourishment can help Josie recover from her illness?

Such mixture of intelligence and naivety is what makes Klara’s narration fascinating. Her language is simple yet sincere, her attention to details amazing, her perceptions of the world occasionally glitching out so that everything turns into cubes and cylinders, and her loyalty to Josie is deeply moving.

Indeed, Klara reminds this reviewer more of WALL-E (2008) than I, Robot (2004), where the robot Sonny’s question “You have to do what someone asks you, don’t you, if you love them?” seems full of pretence. In sharp contrast, Klara never talks about love – she simply does.

Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun subtly alarms us about the danger of unchecked technological advances while alerting us of the remarkable beauty and fragility of humanity in a refreshing way.

Highly recommended. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Pandemic’s ripple effects The ripple effects of the pandemic continue to be felt by parents, carers and educators as children struggle with basic social skills like sharing and getting along with others.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is now giving parents the support they need to bridge the gap left by Covid-19 and help their children thrive.

Triple P International Country Director, Carol Markie-Dadds, said the disruptions to children’s learning in the past few years continue to impact children’s social and emotional development, with parents needing practical support and strategies to help their child build self-regulation and social skills, including how to cope with emotions and show kindness and empathy.

“Research shows that when children develop the capacity to regulate their feelings and actions – stay calm under pressure - they are better able to cooperate with directions and get along with others,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.

“Our capacity to self-regulate is associated with lifelong outcomes including our physical and mental health, academic achievements, the quality of relationships we have with others, and our future employment and wealth,” she said.

“Children aren’t born with self-regulation and social skills, and not all children develop them at the same rate or age, or with the same level of success. The great news is that parents and carers can help children by modelling and teaching these skills, and giving their child opportunities to practise them at home, school and in the community.”

“Lead by example and show your child how to cope with emotions, as well as how to be kind and empathetic to others. If you praise your child when you see them replaying your behaviours – you’re bound to see more of it.”

“Parents and carers may find it helpful to talk with a professional or access the free, on-

iours you’d like your child to use. You’ll help children learn by example by greeting others warmly, thanking others for their help, talking respectfully, or sharing a treat with a friend.

Encourage empathy by talking with your child about how our behaviour impacts how others feel; and what they can do to make others feel good. For example, praise them when invite another child to play.

Tune in to your child’s emotional state and notice the early signs of ‘big emotions’ before they escalate; help your child to use their words to express how they’re feeling and the issue at hand, by listening closely and naming the emotion they might be feeling. For example, “that looks really hard, you may be feeling frustrated.”

Play turn-taking games together to help your child learn about sharing, winning, and losing graciously, being patient, and getting along with others.

Narrate your own emotions honestly; to show your children how you cope with life’s ups and downs (I’m going for a walk after my hard day; I’m feeling frustrated so I’m going to take some deep breaths). - Modelling how we regulate our emotions helps children understand how to appropriately express and cope with their own feelings.

“As your child gets older and puts these skills into practise, they’ll experience what we call an intrinsic reward – that warm inner glow, if you like – that comes from having shown things like kindness, empathy and generosity to others,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.

Delivery of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program to parents and carers of children in Australia is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Parenting Education and Support Program.

Parents and carers can access free, easy-touse, online parenting support 24/7 at www. triplep-parenting.net.au

· ·

· ·

Program to assist in unlocking Covid generation’s missing social skills. line Triple P – Positive Parenting Program for more tools to support their child’s social and emotional development,” she said.

Picture: UNSPLASH

Triple P’s top tips for building children’s social skills Model and talk about the positive behav-

·

Need local staff?

Then give us the job...

Star Mail

Need local staff?

Then give us the job... we will advertise it in our employment section and attract local staff

12544966-DL15-22

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 19

PUZZLES No. 121

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

easy

7

3 6

3 8

5 2 7 6

4

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

4 1 3 8 6 4

5

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS German city (6) Asseveration (6) Master (Indian) (5) Exaggerate (9) Finishes (9) Popular aquarium fish (5) Presentations (6) Cicatrice (4) Sulk (4) Rub out (6) Beautiful woman in Muslim paradise (5) Case holding explosive charge (9) Heights (9) Japanese graphic novels (5) Make certain (6) Hurry (Spanish) (6)

1 4 10 11 12 13 14 15 19 20 24 25 27 28 29 30

3 5 6 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26

No. 121

Roughly assembled (7) Caller (7) Phantasm (6) Latitude (6) Harbour (4) Ill from ocean movement (7) Candied citrus peel (7) Large Italian island (8) Love-song (8) Hint (7) Supervisors (7) Group of words (6) Fancy hotel rooms (6) Corrosion (4)

DOWN Band member (8) Book of the Hebrew Bible (8)

1 2

DECODER

No. 121

7 9 9 4 3 1 2

2 7 6 8 4

9 5

4 3 2

3 3 9

7

hard

7 3

4

5

6

8

10 11 12 13

G C 16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

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

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

E

Today’s Aim: 23 words: Good 35 words: Very good

L

H

D

U

E

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

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

D

C

S

cede, ceded, cedes, clue, clued, clues, cuddle, cuddles, cues, deduce, deduces, deed, delude, deludes, deuce, deuced, duel, duels, educe, educed, educes, else, elude, eluded, eludes, heed, heeds, heel, heels, held, huddle, huddles, hued, leech, schedule, SCHEDULED, seclude, secluded, seduce, seduced, seed, shed, slue, slued, sued, suede, used

8 6 2 3 4 1 5 7 9 1 4 3 7 5 9 6 2 8 5 7 9 8 2 6 3 1 4 9 2 4 6 1 8 7 5 3 7 5 6 2 3 4 9 8 1 3 8 1 5 9 7 2 4 6 2 1 8 9 7 3 4 6 5 4 9 5 1 6 2 8 3 7 6 3 7 4 8 5 1 9 2 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

9

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

47 words: Excellent

hard

7

15

medium

2

14

easy

1

3 LETTERS ALE APT ASH AVO BEE BRA BUT DEN ERA FBI HAT HEW IRE NOR NOT OAR ODE OVA REV RYE SHE SUE TWO URN

WU O N I K J S M Y R P Q

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

E V Z L D B A X H F T GC

4

WORDFIT

4 LETTERS ACNE CASE CEDE CORN COST NEST ORAL PAID PATS PUCK SARI SEES SINK USER 5 LETTERS ALOUD

No. 121

7 ( 1 ( 7

AMASS APRON ARENA ARGUE ATLAS AVAIL AWARD CACAO CADET CAVES CEASE CHASM CLEAT DRESS DWELT EASEL EDGES EERIE GOUGE HONES HOUSE

LARVA LATHE LATHS METRE OASES OLIVE OPALS OPERA OVALS PETTY RANGE REELS RESIN ROLLS SALTS SANDS SILOS SLEET SNEER SOLES STAGS

START SWEET TENET TEPEE THERE TRIBE WEAVE

7 LETTERS DISCARD ERASURE LANTERN MOISTER PULSATE ROUTINE

6 LETTERS DEAFER EITHER SENDER WINGED

8 LETTERS EIGHTEEN EVILLEST NOBLEMAN TOMORROW

$: $ 5 ' 6 2 / ( 6 & + $ 6 0 7 ( 3 ( ( $ 9 $ , / ( ( 5 , ( 5 $ 1 * ( ' : ( / 7 / $ 5 9 $ ) % , 7 + ( 5 ( 1 2 5 $ 9 2 3 ( 7 7 < & $ 6 ( 6 ( 1 ' ( 5 ( 5 $ 6 8 5 ( ( 5 $ & 2 5 1 $ & 1 ( 2 9 $ / 6 6 , 1 .

1 2 % / ( 0 $ 1 $ / ( 3 8 / 6 $ 7 ( ' , 6 & $ 5 ' 3 $ 7 6 6 + ( ( 9 , / / ( 6 7 2 5 $ / 8 6 ( 5 7 ( 1 ( 7 $ 6 + 0 2 , 6 7 ( 5 & 2 6 7 $ / 2 8 ' : , 1 * ( ' 6 7 $ 5 7 1 2 7 2 $ 5 $ 3 7 7 5 , % ( + 2 8 6 ( & ( $ 6 ( + 2 1 ( 6 ( ' * ( 6 $ 5 * 8 ( 6 : ( ( 7 5 ( ( / 6 2 $ 6 ( 6

SUDOKU

24-02-23

William Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS

9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 12567433-SN37-22

20 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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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 x 10,000 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 sure to impress on every level. l

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

SUBURBAN, COUNTRY & LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES ACROSS THE REGION mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 21

HOME FOCUS

CHARM, CHARACTER AND CONVENIENCE LOVINGLY restored to highlight the quality and true character of this circa 1950’s weatherboard home, you will be delighted with the finishing touches and detail that this property provides.

Within a stone’s throw of Belgrave’s eclectic main street, train station and local schools, location is only one of the many features you will love about this property.

Inside, the high ceilings look down on a floorplan that consists of three spacious bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (ensuite to main bedroom), a sun filled lounge and a large kitchen /diner that comes with not only a great amount of bench space but also plenty of personality.

Gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling runs throughout making temperature control quick and convenient while original features such as sash windows and original picture rails have really stood the test of time and are as sought after today as they were when the home was originally built.

As an extended living area option, the rear under cover decking with full retractable blinds is a great space to enjoy in all weather conditions.

With dual frontage from both BelgraveGembrook Road and also Heathermont Avenue, access is never an issue, however you can leave your car at home and take the easy walk to all that beautiful Belgrave provides.

Picture perfect and built to impress, this cute cottage has charm, character and convenience like no other. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 7 Belgrave-Gembrook Road,BELGRAVE Description: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, 1 garage Price: $730,000 - $790,000 Inspect:By appointment Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 22 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

7 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, BELGRAVE

$730,000 - $790,000

CHARM, CHARACTER & CONVENIENCE!

3A2B1C

Lovingly restored to highlight the quality and true character of this circa 1950’s weatherboard home, you will be delighted with the finishing touches and detail that this property provides. Within a stone’s throw of Belgrave’s eclectic main street, train station and local schools, location is only one of the many features you will love about this property. Plan your viewing today!

FOR SALE

$450,000 - $495,000

4/6 Pleasant Road, FERNTREE GULLY

2A1B1C

PRIME POSITION WITH SWEEPING CITY VIEWS

With options to start out, scale down, or supplement your property portfolio, this neatly presented unit promises to make any new homeowners proud. With sweeping views straight through to the sparkling city lights, this unit is truly something special.

Sam Adamson M 0421 023 760 | E sam@chandlerandco.com.au

Sharyn Chandler

Daniel Steen

M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0434 979 142 | E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au

FOR SALE

227 Mt Morton Road, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS

$1,200,000 - $1,320,000

IDYLLIC ACREAGE WITH IMPRESSIVE FAMILY HOME

4A2B2C

FOR SALE

88 Martin Street, BELGRAVE

$480,000 - $520,000 2A1B

DECEASED ESTATE

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.

Opportunity is knocking loud and clear at this sensational investment steps from Borthwick Park, bus transport, and Belgrave Outdoor Pool. Partially renovated and perched upon a 1,060sqm (approx.) allotment with elevated outlooks, this central property is the ideal investment in this sought-after locale.

Brad Conder

Suzie Brannelly

M 0422 639 115 | E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0490 506 910 | E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

9754 6888 1689 Burwood Highway, Belgrave VIC 3160 www.chandlerandco.com.au of fice@chandlerandco.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 23

HOME FOCUS

SERENITY, VIEWS, PRIVACY AND LUXURY THIS home is an absolute delight.

Situated on 14.95 hectares of natural bush, meander along the tree lined driveway, past the beautiful perch filled dam to find an expansive and elegant family home situated in a clearing offering fantastic views.

There is a wide wrap around verandah to enjoy the incredible views across Western Port Bay to French Island, or to soak in the wildlife and serenity. This property is complete with its own waterfall and an abundance of wildlife that visit such as deer, kangaroos, echidnas and a resident goanna.

Entry to this home is breath taking with the exposed rafters in the lounge room, complete with wood fire. The high ceilings continue throughout the home, as do the floor to ceiling windows bringing in the light, and allowing you to enjoy the views are you meander through the home feeling submersed in nature.

There are three expansive bedrooms at the front of the home, each containing split system air-conditioners. Two of the 3 bedrooms offer external access and all bedrooms are light and bright with serene views. These bedrooms are serviced by an enormous bathroom/laundry area, with claw foot bath, shower, toilet, and vanity.

There is a centrally located lounge room between the three bedrooms, and then the home flows through another loungeroom/ play area, to the kitchen. The kitchen is a chefs delight, with plentiful bench space, a gas stove top, electric oven, butlers pantry complete with sink and Natura Stone bench top. The kitchen overlooks the third lounge area which has a further wood fire to keep you cosy as you enjoy the vista.

There is also 46,000L of water, spread across four water tanks. A home office/ gym area, and a double lock up garage (8m * 8m) with attached lean too for all your storage requirements. There is also a fully integrated alarm system, and high speed mobile internet. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 205 Morrison Road, PAKENHAM UPPER Description: 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 3 garage Price: $1,350,000 - $1,450,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994 and Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD 24 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald

3 Steane Street, Cockatoo

$890,000 - $950,000

132 Kirkpatricks Road, Macclesfield

$1,450,000-$1,550,000

Exceptional family home with space, privacy and fantastic entertaining shed!

Stunning 10 Acres with Family Home, Views and Grazing Paddocks!

This 4 bedroom plus study, 2 bathroom home has an open plan kitchen, dining & lounge room.

Features include engineered floor boards, stainless steel appliances, gas stove top, electric oven, island bench, rangehood & dishwasher. There is a split system AC in the dining, & wood fire heater for your comfort in the loungeroom, & gas ducted heating throughout. All bedrooms & the office have BIRs & ceiling fans. The family bathroom has a free standing bath, walk in shower, & vanity. The master bedroom has a WIR, & walk in shower, double vanity, & toilet. The rear decking entertaining area has a gas woodfire heater & ceiling fan, overlooking the built in play equipment. Externally, there is a DLUG with remote control entry, & workshop area, tiled toilet, wood fire, & pool table/bar area. There is a covered area with lighting, & the yard is fully fenced with a second driveway.

With 3 bedrooms, a study, 2 bathrooms, 2 living areas, stunning views. This home has 3 double carports, a large shed/workshop, an extra high caravan parking area, a further extra high shed/ workshop, a sealed drive, over 6 acres of grazing paddocks & three gorgeous lily filled dams. The kitchen is open plan with the dining & lounge room. There is a split system AC, reverse cycle heating & cooling in the home, & a woodfire for year round comfort. The entertainer’s kitchen has a huge stone island bench, an abundance of storage, 1200mm Smeg double oven, an externally mounted, silent range hood & a walk in butler’s pantry. There are hardwood floor boards throughout the home.

Master with ensuite, WIR & it’s own living room with wood fire & split system is located at the end of the home - perfect as a parent’s retreat. Only 10 minutes from either Emerald or Monbulk townships.

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032

4

89 Bellbird Crescent, Emerald

A

2

B 2 C

$380,000 - $410,000

3

205 Morrison Road, Pakenham Upper

A

2

B 4 C

$1,350,000 - $1,450,000

Over a quarter of an acre of land, only moments from Emerald Park Lake!

Serenity, views, privacy and luxury await!

This fantastic block is exceptionally close to central Emerald. Only moments from Emerald Park Lake, and the amenities at Avonsleigh such as Bam Bam’s restaurant. This natural block has planning approval, with the final touches being arranged for a stamped planning permit. This block also offers unsurpassed privacy, as it is surrounded by Crown land! So sit back and enjoy the view of Puffing Billy Train meandering past the rear of your block and the peace and quiet of the surrounding bushland.

Situated on 14.95 hectares of natural bush, with a perch filled dam is an elegant family home with fantastic views. With 2 wood fire places, 3 loungerooms, high ceilings and exposed rafters, this home exudes character. All 4 bedrooms have Split System ACs. The kitchen has a gas stove top, electric oven, butlers pantry complete with sink & Natura Stone bench top. The kitchen overlooks the third lounge area which has a further wood fire to keep you cosy as you enjoy the vista. The master has a WIR. Externally there is a fantastic covered entertaining area or enjoy the evening in the rotunda, or wander down to your own waterfall! There is also 46,000L of water, spread across four water tanks. A home office/gym area, and a double lock up garage (8m * 8m) with attached lean too. There is a fully integrated alarm system, & high speed mobile internet.

Richard Birtchnell M 0438 747 357

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

A

B

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Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

4

A

1

B 3 C

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 25

HOME FOCUS

TICKS ALL THE EXTRA BOXES SPACE for the family, pets, cars, and everything else you need to bring.

This home offers space for everyone and everything, multiple living spaces, including a kitchen meals area, a separate study area off the second living space, family room with a wood fire whilst ducted heating keeps you warm on those cold nights.

The home consists of 4 bedrooms (or 3 and a study) including the master with walk through robe to ensuite. The small loft space is also a great place to hide out or use for storage.

Easily entertain with access to the paved area outside from the kitchen/meals area.

Outside is amazing with a home office/ studio or maybe an extra room for the kids/ teenagers, the shedding is fantastic with a 9m x 9m barn with an extra mezzanine level, 6m x 9.8m garage and a large carport that could potentially house six cars.

Enjoy the low-maintenance gardens and extra garden sheds.

There is so much to love about this house and Cockatoo in general, with its beautiful parks and gardens, fabulous local shops, schools, eateries, sporting clubs and with Emerald only a 7-minute drive away and Melbourne under an hour, you really will want this to be your new home. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 2 Nangana Street, COCKATOO Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 5 garage Price: $860,000 - $940,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Janet Hawkins 0409 117 432, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111 26 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

1a Royal Parade, Emerald

42 Fairway Road, Emerald

9 Church Road, Menzies Creek

A ‘ONE OWNER WONDER’ ON 1009m2

A PEACEFUL PARADISE ON OVER 2.5 ACRES

COMPLETE PEACE AND PRIVACY ON 1,422m2

3 T

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $900,000-$980,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Gayle Barrot 0408 195 767 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,150,000 - $1,265,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Lana Maher 0408 535 075 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $690,000 - $750,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

2980 Gembrook Launching Place Road, Gembrook

3 Bilocla Avenue, Cockatoo

55 Gembrook Road, Gembrook

CHARMING BRICK GEM ON 5372M2!

PICTURE PERFECT IN EVERY WAY ON 4,393m2!

COMPLETE PRIVACY, WALKING DISTANCE TO TOWN!

4 T

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $1,275,000 - $1,375,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $890,000 - $940,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $900,000 - $990,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

1 Dunstan Road, Avonsleigh

46 Westlands Road, Emerald

2/12-13 Henty Street, Pakenham

NEAT, SWEET, READY AND WAITING!

PRESTIGE LOCATION AND A VIEW TO THRILL

THE PERFECT START OR A GREAT INVESTMENT!

2 T

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $630,000 - $670,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $900,000-$990,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $490,000 - $535,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 27

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MAIL 29

SPORT

Snooks part of historic win

By Parker McKenzie

Monbulk fourths defeated The Basin.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Four in top four There were wins for Monbulk Cricket Club’s thirds, fourths and Super sevens this week with all of Friday night juniors unfortunately called off due to the heat.

With one match to go the seconds, thirds, fourths and fifths are all currently in the top four.

This week’s highlights included: Jason’s Simmonds 77 in the thirds and the continual improvement of the teenagers including Charlie Hopper 34, Jack DownardPengilly 2/20 and Ethan Blenkiron 1/10 off six which has helped the thirds to top of the ladder.

The Mackay brothers both had great games in the fourths, Todd 56 and Jake 2/15. The 4ths are also assured of a finals berth.

In the fifths, it was so good to see two long time junior players, Will Tyquin make his highest ever score of 43 and Gus Ryan 2/31 also have a good game.

Promising signs also in the ones, with 20 year olds Tyren Utting 41 and Joel Wensley 1/15 off 8 doing a great job against

· · ·

·

· · ·

Scores: 1st XI (Bendigo Bank) – Monbulk 7/142 (S.Cosstick 54, T.Utting 41) defeated by Lysterfield 4/145 (J.Wensley 1/15 off 8) 2nd XI (Hovr Electrical) – Monbulk 10/157 (J.Santini 30, C.Haworth-Hooker 24) defeated by Lysterfield 7/187 (L.Rowe 2/19) 3rd XI (CCAS) – Monbulk 8/175 (J.Simmonds 77, C.Hooper 34) defeated Belgrave 10/129 (S.Suranga 3/22, J.Downard-Pengilly 2/20) 4th XI (Flemings) - Monbulk 6/163 (T.Mackay 56, C.Defina 36) defeated The Basin 7/91 (D.Blenkiron 2/13, J.Mackay 2/15) 5th XI (Mackwaite) – Monbulk 10/108 (W.Tyquin 43, K.Beecroft 26) defeated by SKLPS 6/111 (J.Woodcock 3/7, G.Ryan 2/31) U16’s (COG Bikes) – Monbulk 7/104 (T.Storer 33*, K.Sutton 21) defeated by FTG Footballers 4/131 (A.Berry 3/12) Super 7’s – Monbulk 7/120 (A.Arnott 12*, Q.Doyle 11*, H.Grigg 10*) defeated Sth Belgrave 5/79 (H.Watson 1/0, J.Mason 1/5)

·

The Super sevens enjoying a win and some chocolate brownies. top side Lysterfield.

It is set to be a ,assive day next Saturday with past players day and premiership reunions followed by Powelly and Cossie’s 40th & Spence’s 21st. 4pm arrival for Past players, 7.30pm reunion speeches and photos highlighted by the first 10 year reunion from 2012/13, with all welcome.

· ·

Mixed results for Upwey-Tecoma players It was a weekend of mixed results for UpweyTecoma, with only two of six teams securing all-important wins heading towards finals action.

The First XI travelled to Knoxfield in what might be an elimination final preview with the TIgers sitting in third and the Knights occupying fourth on the ladder. Knoxfield won the toss and elected to bat in sunny conditions at Carrington Park.

The Tiger opening bowlers Stephen Conotitsos and Daniel Wiles started economically, with the early Wiles breakthrough having the Knights on the back foot at 1/14. Some small partnerships threatened to take the game away from the Tigers before the wizardry of young spinner Darcy Whitten changed the game.

Whitten mesmerised Knoxfield’s top order with turn and bounce, bowling his eight overs unchanged to finish with 2/19. The Knights never really recovered and limped to a belowpar score of 163 all out. Cameron Wheeler proved a handful for the tail order, finishing with 5/37.

The Tigers were off to a wobbly start when opener Jordan Tailby was run out to have the score at 1/8. This brought captain Jackson Waters to the crease, looking to continue his stellar season with the bat.

Waters and Andy Evans knuckled down to get the score to 1/65 at drinks before upping the ante, sharing a match-defining 115 run stand. Evans (56) and Waters (73) were dismissed with the finish line in sight, with Upw30 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

Kaitlyn Roleff jumps for joy after a half century against Knox Gardens.

Picture: SUPPLIED ey-Tecoma finishing on 4/164 to secure a vital six wicket win.

It was a top-two clash in the Women’s League as Upwey-Tecoma took on ladder-

leaders Knox Gardens away. The Falcons showed why they sit atop the ladder with a commanding eight wicket win of the Tigers.

Upwey-Tecoma compiled 2/119 with Kaitlyn Roleff (50 not out) and Jacqui Cooke (41) starring with the bat. Jess Ducat was the pick of the bowlers with 1/27, with Knox Gardens reaching 2/123 with five overs to spare.

The second XI suffered a rare loss, going down by 24 runs to Knoxfield at home. Bowling first, the Tigers struggled to contain the Knight batters on a fast outfield. The target was set at 214 with Ben Casey the pick of the bowlers with 2/26.

The run chase never really got out of first gear, with Chris Jewell’s half century and Sam Wicks’ 45 the main contributions with the bat.

Upwey-Tecoma finished on 8/189 and will need to win their final game to ensure a finals berth.

The third XI continued their purple patch of form with a dominant display against Ferntree Gully. An excellent bowling performance

by Zac Millsteed set up the win, capturing 5/15 off his six overs to skittle the Blues for 79. Tiger number three Ben Fanelli clubbed an unbeaten 53 to see the Tigers to 1/87 and a nine wicket win.

The fourth XI put up a brave fight against Scoresby, falling just short in a tight game. Upwey-Tecoma batted first, making a healthy 179 on the back of 49 from James Todd and 46 from Brent Humphrey. The Magpies passed the target with an over to spare, Gary Gilbert the pick of the bowlers with 2/13.

Last week, the Star Mail reported on Boronia local Heath Snooks’ journey to represent the Victorian Vikings at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships.

Following the end of the competition on Friday 10 February, Snooks achieved his aim of helping the Vikings win the title three years in a row and bringing ‘the threepeat’ back home to Victoria.

Snooks said it was a special moment the first time he made it out onto the cricket pitch.

“Knowing the fact that I’m finally here after all the hard work and dedication I’ve put in and setbacks I’ve endured over the course of my journey, I finally got my chance to shine,” he said.

“It was a real thrill to be there and for it to finally be go time.”

Snooks was on the reserve list for the Vikings team competing at the NCIC, which runs the competition for intellectually disabled competitors.

He said personally, the tournament went “really well” for him.

“I got the chance to shine with the bat on two occasions against South Australia and Western Australia, and on both occasions, I ended the innings not out,” he said.

“Even though it was only a small amount of runs, they all still contributed to the score line in the end.”

Before the tournament, Snooks told the Star Mail it was his goal to be part of the team that won the Championships a record three times.

He said when he and the Victoria Vikings team achieved it, he was “lost for words.”

“There were a lot of hugs and tears of joy going around, and once I finally got that trophy in my hand I got quite emotional.”

“It was really special for me being part of history and knowing the journey I’ve had to get to this point.”

Snooks plays his club cricket in the All Abilities Cricket Competition in Victoria for North Croydon and he said he is thankful for the support the club has given him.

“This wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t have the support of President Ryan Sleeman and everyone involved,” he said.

“Before the next tournament comes around I’ll continue to work on more shot selections so I can be considered for future selection in that starting eleven.”

The NCIC ran from Sunday 5 February until Friday 10 February in Brisbane, and also featured a blind and deaf competition running concurrently.

Heath Snooks celebrating with his teammate Billy after winning the championship.

Picture: SUPPLIED mailcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Three sides off to finals

By Jack Rollings Finals, and, at the end of Saturday, all three Monbulk sides progressed to the next stage of finals.

Monbulk 1, finishing top of the ladder, played at home against Boronia who finished second. Eric Markham’s team won just one more end than their opponents, but the wins included more doubles and a couple of 3s. They led all day, and at one stage had a margin of 8 shots. But the Boronia team fought back and Monbulk did well to subdue their attack. Monbulk won the rink 18 shots to 13.

Karen Rice’s team had a close front half, with level scores several times and a couple of good multiples. Going into the fourteenth end Monbulk was leading by a single shot. But in the race home, it was Boronia who dominated, not just winning more ends but also picking up doubles, while Monbulk’s few late wins were just singles. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 23.

Brian Smith’s team was 8 shots all after the ninth end, and 12 shots all after the fourteenth end. In the final third Monbulk was the stronger team, only giving up the mat twice. Monbulk won the rink 20 shots to 16.

Jim Bras’ team didn’t win as many ends as Boronia. It was nine ends to twelve. But the Monbulk wins included some good multiples: a 3, four 4s, and a 5. A few times Monbulk held a 10-shot margin, and Boronia was only able to slightly reduce that. Monbulk won the rink 28 shots to 21.

Overall Monbulk won 81 shots to 73. They will progress to the grand final next Saturday.

And, Monbulk 1 will be promoted next season to division 2.

Monbulk 2 played at home against Ferntree Gully 4.

Klaus Eisele’s team started strongly and was

Peter Dowsett with the scoreboard. leading 7 shots to 1 going into the eighth end.

They won twice as many ends as FTG and were able to hold off a late attack from FTG to win the rink 18 shots to 13.

Alan Hamilton’s team also won twice as many ends as FTG. And the wins included three 3s and two 4s. Monbulk led all day and made a point of putting in a strong finish, winning six of the last seven ends. Monbulk won the rink 29 shots to 11.

Peter Lee’s team didn’t win as many ends

Picture: SUPPLIED as FTG, and going into the tenth end, the scores were level at 6 shots all. But Monbulk had a stronger back half and their losses were mainly singles, while their wins included three 3s, a 4, a 6, and the ultimate: a legendary 8 shotter. Monbulk won the rink 30 shots to 13.

Carole Wight’s team won the first four ends and looked headed for an easy day, but then Boronia fought back and took over the lead around the tenth end. In the race home Mon-

bulk won five ends to FTG’s three. Going into the final end Monbulk was hanging on by just a single-shot margin but they managed to pick up a 3 shotter on the last end to make sure of the rink win 20 shots to 16.

Overall Monbulk 2 defeated Ferntree Gully by 97 shots to 53. That win led to the preliminary final on Sunday against Pakenham 3. Pakenham have been the standout strong side in this division.

Monbulk didn’t ever give up the contest but overall Pakenham won 98 shots to 53 to end Monbulk’s season.

Cockatoo/Monbulk played at Cockatoo against Lilydale 4.

Mark Blythman’s team won nine ends, but their losses included two 3s and a 5, while they could pick up just the one multiple, a 3. Cockatoo/Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 24.

Mark Coulter’s team had a similar result. They won a similar number of ends but dropped two 3s and a 5 and picked up just the one 3. Cockatoo/Monbulk lost the rink 12 shots to 20.

Anthony Young’s team had a day out. They dropped just six ends for the day, and they picked up some good multiples. They won the rink 30 shots to 10.

Ken Earle’s team was 7 shots all after the seventh end. In the race home, the teams were very close, both winning similar ends, but Lilydale hung onto the lead and Cockatoo/Monbulk lost the rink 17 shots to 20.

Overall Cockatoo/Monbulk lost a close one by just 2 shots, 74 to 76. Sunday afternoon Cockatoo/Monbulk used their second chance by playing off in the preliminary final against Yarra Glen 3. The composite side put on their best display of bowling and came away with a strong win 102 shots to 60. Cockatoo/Monbulk will play in the grand final next Saturday against Lilydale 4.

Home and away series ends

By Jack Rollings Midweek pennant. Round 14. The final home and away round for the season.

Monbulk 1 played away against Warburton.

Warburton held top spot on the ladder going into this round, but there were only a few points separating all top four sides.

Eric Markham’s team won most of the ends in the front half and led by 5 shots at the halfway mark. They picked up a good 4 shotter after lunch to lead by 10 shots. Monbulk managed to keep the mat with single wins over the last four ends to win the rink 19 shots to 11.

Brian Smith’s team had a close contest for most of the day, even though they won twice as many ends as Warburton. In the front half, Monbulk dropped four 3s but picked up a 3 and a 4. Their back half was much stronger, with only two minor losses and some good wins, including a massive 6 shotter on the second-last end. Monbulk won the rink 28 shots to 16.

Jim Bras’ team won twelve ends to nine but dropped a 4 shot clanger on the first end and then a 5 shot clanger straight after lunch. Both times Monbulk managed to slowly claw back the lead and the game was anyone’s over the last few ends. Monbulk lost the rink 20 shots to 22.

Overall Monbulk 1 won the round 67 shots to 49 with two rinks up. Monbulk finished fourth on the ladder. Next Tuesday Monbulk will again travel to Warburton for the elimination semifinal.

Monbulk 2 played at home against Hampton Park 1.

Klaus Eisele’s team came up against a strong team. They trailed by 10 shots at the halfway mark and struggled to win the mat. But at least their six wins for the day included a 3, a 4 and a 5, and their losses included just one clanger.

Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 21.

Peter Lee’s team had a very strong front half and led by 10 shots. That lead increased to 19 shots going into the thirteenth end. Hampton Park dominated the race to the finish, winning five ends to two, but they couldn’t catch up in time. Monbulk’s wins for the day included a 3, two 4s and two 5s, while they dropped just two 3s. Monbulk won the rink 29 shots to 20.

Alan Hamilton’s team had a close one. The teams won a similar number of ends and both teams dropped some clangers. When Monbulk mailcommunity.com.au

Monbulk Bowls Saturday Pennant team.

Picture: SUPPLIED grabbed a 3-shotter on the second last end, the game was still in the balance. But again, Hampton Park wriggled out of the disadvantage and forced the draw 20 shots all.

Overall Monbulk 2 won the round narrowly 64 shots to 61 with one rink up, one down, and a draw. Monbulk has finished the season third on the ladder and so they will host the elimination semifinal against Cranbourne 3.

Monbulk 3 played away against Eastwood Golf.

Bruce Cockerill’s team had a close contest, with a similar number of ends won, and the scores level a few times. Eastwood picked up two 3s, while Monbulk picked up a 4. With three ends to go, the scores were again level, but Monbulk dominated in the race to the finish and won the rink 17 shots to 15.

Mike Harris’ team dropped some big scores in the front half, to trail by 11 shots at the halfway mark. Then they turned things around after lunch, even getting a massive 5 shotter on the eighteenth end, to get within a single shot of the lead. Unfortunately, they dropped a 3 shot clanger on the second-last end. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 21.

Ray Pike’s team had another strong showing this round. The team was out to a 13-shot lead after the sixth end. They dropped a few ends in a row, just before lunch, but took over again in the back half. They won the rink 27 shots to 12.

Overall Monbulk 3 won the round 62 shots to 48 with two rinks up. They finished the season fifth on the ladder, just one single point outside the top four.

Arnie Walters, on behalf of the late Bryan Mitchell, Norm Reeves and Steve Brown.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Ferntree Gully legends inducted into hall of fame

By Parker McKenzie Three long-term members of the Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association (FTGDCA) were inducted into the Victorian Country Cricket League Hall of Fame on Sunday 12 February.

Norm Reeves and Steve Brown were on hand in the Mornington Peninsula to be inducted alongside other local legends of the game, while Bryan Mitchell was posthumously inducted.

Mr Brown said it was a great evening and an honour to be a part of the hall of fame.

“I’d like to thank the VCCL for hosting what was a terrific day and recognising volunteers in the cricket community that have worked for a long time and still continue to do so,” he said.

“It was good to catch up with some old foes that I used to play against in regional cricket.”

Mr Brown first started with FTGDCA as a player but has been involved in the administration of the local game since 1987.

He said in that time, he held every role except the president of the association.

“I’ve been secretary for 22 years, I’ve been vice president and now I’m just a general committee member,” he said.

“Norm Reeves was president for a lot of that time and he and I got on very well.”

Mr Reeves was a notable player in the district throughout the 60s and 70s but is best known for his decades as president.

The top tier of the district’s senior men’s competition, the NR Reeves Shield, is named after him.

Mr Brown said Bryan Mitchell was a formidable player and volunteer before he passed away.

“Brian passed away probably six to seven years ago. It’s good to see a lot of those guys, even if they are deceased now, be honoured in some way,” he said.

“I spoke to his wife, who is still alive, and she was rapt.”

He said cricket has given him some wonderful opportunities over the years, with the highlights including managing the Victorian Country X1 vs Zimbabwe in Yea in 1994 and against Sri Lanka in Hastings in 2002 and being a Vic Country selector from 2000 to 2017.

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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