Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 20th June 2023

Winter boost

By Callum Ludwig

Animal Aid in Coldstream is grateful for a welcome winter boost from the families of the Yarra Junction Primary School (YJPS) with School Captain Sam and Vice Captains Maisy and Oliver visiting.

“It’s cool to see behind the scenes and what they do here, and I’m glad we could hello out with the donations and help these guys have a good time here before they go off to a good home,” Sam said.

“I reckon it’s nice to let the cats go out and you can see how they feel about people, it’s nice to see that they can still be happy after what’s been going on for some of them,” Oliver said.

“It’s nice to see how they treat the cats and what they do to find them a family and to look after them,” Maisy said.

Turn to page 11 for more

L-R: Sam,Maisy and Oliver.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

Redwood rebirth

By Callum Ludwig

Draft designs for a $2.6 million upgrade to the Redwood Forest in Warburton have been released by Parks Victoria.

The works are set to begin in early 2024, with Melbourne Water also getting involved and

completing their own work late this year.

District Manager at Parks Victoria Charlie Bisset said they know people from near and far love coming to the Redwoods in Warburton.

“We’re really excited to be making Cement Creek Redwood Forest more accessible for visi-

tors while making improvements that will help preserve this special landscape for years to come,” she said.

“By formalising trails in the park, visitors will be able to explore the stunning Californian Redwood Forest, without disturbing or impacting native plants and wildlife“The proposed

upgrades will also provide better facilities such as improved car parking, accessible toilets and a visitor shelter, allowing more people to get into nature, and experience and actively protect this magical place.”

Continued page 3

Never Stop Learning

Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates

Driver hits tree, dies

A man has died after crashing into a tree on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road on the morning of Thursday 15 June.

Police are investigating the circumstances and investigators believe the car was travelling north in the Healesville direction at about 9.30am when the driver appeared to have lost control and crashed into a tree.

Sadly the male driver died at the scene. No one else was injured.

The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Healesville SES and Heales-

ville CFA personnel attended the scene. Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road was closed for some time in both directions as a result of the incident.

The road was closed between Dalry Road and Pine Avenue, Healesville. Motorists were detoured to Killara Road between Seville East and Coldstream or Maddens Lane, Coldstream.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone with dashcam footage is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

Crime stats fall but police concerned

By Parker McKenzie

New statistics released on Thursday 15 July have shown that criminal incidents have dropped in theYarra Ranges in the year up to March 2023 when compared to the previous 12 months of data.

In a statement, Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent said overall crime in Victoria has gradually increased from the low levels of 2020/21, however, it remains more than 9 per cent below preCovid pandemic levels.

“Serious offences including family violence serious assaults, rape, sex offences against children, and stalking and harassment all recorded reductions,” he said.

“While this is positive, there are clearly a

number of areas of concern that police are investing significant energy and resources towards.”

In the Yarra Ranges Local Government Area, total criminal incidents dropped by 3.4 per cent compared to the previous year.

The top five hot spots in the LGA saw 905 incidents in Lilydale (down from 933), 671 in Mooroolbark (down from 698), 403 in Chirnside Park (up from 387), 370 in Kilsyth (up from 319) and 313 in Healesville (down from 316).

The most common criminal incident in the Yarra Ranges was breaching family violence orders, which rose to 501 incidents compared to 479 the previous year.

Family violence rose 3.7 per cent com-

pared to the previous year, with 1993 total family incidents. The average of 1,259.2 family incidents per 100,000 people in the LGA was below the Victorian average of 1,377.7.

Women were almost three times more likely to experience family violence, with 1,450 being the affected family member compared to 540 men.

Deputy Commissioner Nugent said a horror in 2023 has been the road toll, with 145 lives lost, up 39 compared to the same time last year.

“Reckless drivers are firmly in the sights of local and state Highway Patrol units who continue to run targeted and intelligenceled operations to reduce the likelihood of further trauma on our roads,” he said.

Draft designs released for Redwood park

From page 1

Currently, the Redwood Forest remains closed to vehicles as works are completed on the Cement Creek Road Bridge, estimated to be completed by late August.

Melbourne Water’s Manager of Water Resources and Upper Yarra Waterways and Catchment Operations Ross Bleazby said the works will help maintain the Redwood Forest’s status as one of Victoria’s most beautiful and important landscapes.

“Melbourne Water is committed to the ongoing health of our waterways and surrounding lands, which is why we’ll plant ferns, shrubs and other plants that are native to the area to help repair and revitalise this stunning space,” he said.

“What we do will not only be appealing to the community and the thousands of people who travel there, but it will help protect the Cement Creek andYarra River banks and support and protect the fish and wildlife that depend on this environment and its regeneration. It’s a truly exciting project that we are proud to support.”

The Cement Creek Plantation, which includes the Redwood Forest, was recently add-

ed to theVictorian Heritage Register in April to ensure the protection of the site.

“Improving the visitor facilities at the Redwoods will help support increased visitation, which is great for local businesses, the local community and nature lovers alike,” said Minister forTourism, Major Events and Sport Steve Dimopoulos.

“We know the Redwood Forest in Warburton is well-loved by visitors and these upgrades will ensure we can continue to appreciate and protect this amazing place,” said Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing.

Parks Victoria and Melborune Water are also partnering with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Yarra Ranges Council and Heritage Victoria to deliver the upgrade.

$2.3 million of the upgrade is being funded by the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund, with Melbourne Water’s works totalling $400,000.

The stunning Redwood Forest is set to receive improved amenities for visitors.

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Picture: ON FILE

Car crashes into Healesville High School

Police are investigating after a car crashed into a high school building in Healesville on 18 June.

It is believed the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle crashed into the school building on McGregor Avenue about 9.45am on Sunday 18 June. A spokesperson from Ambulance Victoria confirmed that the 37 year old man with upper body injuries was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition later in the day.

Graeme Bates, Captain of CFA Healesville said the CFA and Healesville SES were on scene and assisted the ambulance and police teams at the time.

“We also secured the area and made sure the building structure and car were secure,” he said. Healesville Highschool has released information to its school community stating that the driver of the vehicle was a parent of a student at the school and that their thoughts are with the family at this time. .

The damaged school building has been deemed in need of repair by the Victorian School building authority and there will be no access to that area of the school for the foreseeable future. Police are asking anyone with information, CCTV/dashcam footage or who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www. crimestoppers.com.au

Unregistered bike impounded

State Highway Patrol Solo Unit officers impounded an unregistered dirt bike in Healesville on Monday 12 June.

It came as part ofVictoria Police’s Operation Regal over the King’s Birthday long weekend, cracking down on excessive or inappropriate speed, impaired driving, seatbelt non-compliance, driver distraction, disobeying traffic signs, and unauthorised driving.

Officers detected the bike travelling along the Maroondah Highway about 1.45pm.

They intercepted the bike and spoke to the rider, a 21-year-old man fromVermont. It is alleged the bike was unregistered, the rider disqualified and he failed a roadside drug test.

P plater charged after rolling ute State Highway Patrol Solo Unit officers intercepted a P2 probationary driver on the Black Spur between Healesville and Narbethong on Saturday 10 June.

The driver told officers that he’d rolled his vehicle on an unsealed track, prior to being intercepted by police about 2.05pm.

The unregistered vehicle had substantial damage and was defected on the spot by police.

A 20-year-old Mount Evelyn man is expected to be charged on summons with conduct endangering persons, careless driving, use of an unregistered vehicle and use of a vehicle not complying to standards.

Cop charged for assault in Coldstream

A Victoria Police sergeant from North-West Metro Region has been charged following an internal investigation.

The 32-year-old woman has been charged with unlawful assault and offensive behaviour.

The charges relate to an alleged incident in Coldstream on 10 February 2023, while the member was off duty.

The officer has been summonsed to appear before court at a later date.

Emergency services on scene at the Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road fatal crash.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

Homeless hot spots

By Mikayla Van Loon

The Croydon and Evelyn electorates have been named in the top 20 districts where homelessness is surging according to a new analysis from the Council to Homeless Persons (CHP).

Breaking down the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data, CHP identified the percentage increase of homelessness since 2016 across each Victorian electorate.

Evelyn came in at number 16 with an increase of 67 per cent, while Croydon ranked 17 out of 20 with an increase of 65 per cent.

While far from the 465 per cent increase seen in the South Barwon district in Western Victoria, the figure is still concerning for local MPs and services.

“These figures are deeply concerning. Stable housing is essential to helping those in need get a roof over their head,” Croydon MP David Hodgett said.

“There has been no significant increase in the number of suitable new homes. Waiting lists are getting longer and vulnerable Victorians deserve better.”

In Evelyn there was five times the number of people living in boarding houses compared to 2016, as well as double the number of people resorting to severely crowded dwellings.

Boarding house accommodation was four times higher in Croydon in 2021 and the number of people living in supported accommodation rose by 74 per cent in five years.

Mr Hodgett said, unfortunately, the figures released by CHP did not come as a surprise to him, hearing and seeing the impact within his electorate on a regular basis.

“The enquiries my office staff have been dealing with over the last couple of years have steadily increased,” he said.

“Just recently, we had a 78-year-old woman that we were assisting who was homeless, so this is affecting all walks of life.”

Anchor chief executive officer Heidi Tucker said a multifaceted response was needed to address the growing homelessness crisis across the state but especially in the Yarra Ranges.

“The Outer-East is underserved when it comes to building more social housing, as well as for people’s access to support services such as healthcare and mental health,” she said.

“There is no emergency accommodation other than hotels/motels, there is no youth refuge further out than Ringwood.

“Housing is the first critical step in creating stability in people’s lives before they can address any of their other needs like health, education, and employment.”

Although supportive of the Big Build project, MsTucker said too little of it would cater to the growing number of people requiring social housing in the outer east.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said the 2023-24 budget seeks “to break the cycle of homelessness” by providing housing across the state.

“Our landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build is also ensuring more vulnerable Victorians have a roof over their head, with $62.5 million already invested towards Maroondah

to deliver 147 new homes, and $5 million already invested towards Yarra Ranges region to deliver 21 new homes,” they said.

While this was a substantial investment in the east for housing, Mr Hodgett said with thousands on the current waitlist, more needed to be done.

“We know there are record numbers of Victorians waiting for a roof over their heads. New figures released by the Victorian Housing Register confirm 67,120Victorians were on the public housing waitlist as of December 2022, an increase of 3,376 people over the previous 12 months,” he said.

“We are facing a housing crisis and I continue to work with a growing number of people in my electorate, who are at risk of homelessness, or are homeless and seeking urgent public housing.”

Nationals MP for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath said she would like to see people submitting to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the rental and housing crisis in Victoria, which ends in July.

“I have spoken with individuals, relief agencies, local councils and property agents, and the overwhelming response is it’s an incredibly difficult market for people looking for some-

where to live,” Ms Bath said.

“The rise in property prices, cost of living and interest rates have added even more pressure, making it challenging to find a safe and secure place to live.”

Ms Bath said it was concerning knowing the extent of Victoria’s public housing waitlist, particularly given five Eastern Victorian electorates were ranked in the top 20 by CHP.

“Those in urgent need of public housing assistance are forced to wait years to get a roof above their heads,” she said.

“Many have little choice and are stuck using unsuitable transitional housing options including homelessness, sleeping rough, couch surfing, boarding houses or crisis accommodation.”

For Ms Tucker this new analysis of the Census “paints a stark picture of how quickly homelessness rates are rising” particularly among two groups.

“There has been a 40 per cent increase in Aboriginal members of the community identifying as homeless, as well as more instances of young people and children requiring crisis support and accommodation,” she said.

“Youth homelessness is also a concern. A young person or child will have life-long im-

pact and trauma from experiencing homelessness. We want to see that they receive extra support to ensure their wellbeing and get them back on track.”

Anchor sees housing and services going hand in hand to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness or who are on the verge of homelessness.

“Housing needs to be seen as important as road and rail projects. It is a key infrastructure that impacts the economy – if people don’t have adequate housing, their ability to access employment or education also disappears,” Ms Tucker said.

“Their ability to access support gets diminished and they end up requiring crisis support.”

This year, the State Government will provide $300 million to specialist homelessness agencies, including more than $18 million each year homelessness services in the outer eastern suburbs.

“Every Victorian deserves a safe and secure home, and that’s why the Victorian Government is working closely with specialist agencies to support people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness,” the spokesperson said.

The Evelyn and Croydon electorates have ranked in the top 20 surging homelessness areas.

Picture: ON FILE

Woori’s Willetts honoured

By Callum Ludwig

Woori Yallock resident Jenny Willetts has been recognised for her support of some of the most vulnerable in the local community, receiving the Order of Australia (OAM) on the King’s Birthday holiday.

MsWilletts OAM founded what has become the Stable One winter shelter network in 2017 when members of local Christian churches in Lilydale, Mt Evelyn, Wandin and Yarra Glen banded together to address the absence of crisis accommodation in the Yarra Ranges.

Ms Willetts OAM said they piloted the program in winter that year, throughout June, July and August.

“We supported 26 men and women who were homeless and two dogs, basically providing a meal and dormitory-style sleeping in the churches, we got a trailer of camp beds, a whole load of bedding and everything, and found seven churches that each would take one night of the week,” she said.

“We would set up the beds, eat a meal, people would sleep and have breakfast and then we’d move to the next building and do it all again, and we did that for 90 days.”

Since the network was established in the Yarra Ranges, they have gone to be set up in Knox, Whitehorse, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, Sunbury, Shepparton, Wang, Glen Eira (not operating this year) and Toowoomba (Queensland).

MsWilletts OAM said she is really honoured to receive the OAM but does feel like it belongs

to the wider church network.

“It’s just a great thing that the church has done because they’ve worked together, it’s not about specific church buildings or religious organisations, it’s about the people who belong to those churches and people from the community who’ve joined us,” she said.

“They’re huge volunteer projects, it takes at least 150 volunteers to run a project like that through winter and but it’s a community doing something to solve a problem when there’s no other option right now.”

Stable One also has a Daytime Support Centre to provide lunch, laundry services and showers for the homeless, as well as provide an opportunity to socialise and be referred to more services and support.

Ms Willetts OAM said the award also belongs to the rough sleepers in our community.

“Those people who are so resilient, brave and beautiful, are valuable people who are forgotten about and not provided for in our community, particularly in theYarra Ranges, there’s never been crisis accommodation and there’s none on the horizon,” she said,

“People think it’s an inner city issue, and it’s not, homelessness is an issue in just about every town in Australia these days, and it’s only getting worse.”

Anyone who knows someone in the Yarra Ranges area who needs somewhere to stay can contact the local Stable One volunteers at info@stableone.org or 1800 431 244.

Anyone interested in volunteering can register at: www.bttr.im/dqzk9.

Yarra Valley Water creates habitat for the endangered

Yarra Valley Water is opening up 35 hectares of the Upper Yarra Sewage Treatment Plant site to create new habitat for the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater and lowland Leadbeater’s Possum.

Guided by the advice of the Narrap Rangers, the detailed design phase is underway and construction is expected to begin next year.

Senior Engineer, of Place-Based Planning and Resilience at Yarra Valley Water Natalie Hackett said the water sector is in a unique position to provide protection for wildlife, thanks to buffer zones around treatment plants.

“There are approximately only 230 Helmeted Honeyeaters and 24 lowland Leadbeater’s Possums left in the wild. They are critically endangered because of habitat loss through land clearing and degradation from bushfires. But we have a unique opportunity to help protect them,” she said.

“The Helmeted Honeyeater has specific ecological requirements, such as suitable food sources, nesting sites, and suitable vegetation for foraging. Designing a habitat that closely resembles the natural ecological niche of the species is critical for their survival.”

The Upper Yarra Sewage Treatment Plant

is located on the floodplain of the Yarra River and was originally a vast swampy forest in which the faunal emblems lived. ZoosVictoria, Greening Australia, Melbourne Water, Jacobs and Spiire are also assisting with the initiative.

Science Lead at Greening Australia Dr Elizabeth Pryde said the project demonstrates the opportunities that can be unlocked when diverse stakeholders come together to help nature.

“As one of Australia’s leading restoration organisations, we’re thrilled to bring Greening Australia’s experience and expertise to this unique and exciting opportunity to create a vital rewilding site for Victoria’s two critically endangered faunal emblems and to meaningfully contribute to reducing their risk of extinction,” she said.

“Rebuilding nature is no simple task. The option to integrate recycled water produced at the site into the project will allow swamp forest habitat to be restored and enhance its ability to withstand prolonged dry periods under a changing climate.”

The original swampy environment will be recreated by utilising recycled water from the treatment plant.

Tech predicts fire threats

By Callum Ludwig

An informative bushfire modelling event was held at the Yarra Junction Community Link on Wednesday 14 June to help residents understand how the area would be hit in the event of a major fire.

Attendees got to see what the latest in bushfire prediction software, Phoenix RapidFire, predicts for the Yarra Junction township.

Director of Communities atYarra Ranges Council Jane Price said they were proud to host the Yarra Junction Bushfire Modelling Event on Wednesday night in collaboration with Forest Fire Management Victoria and CFA.

“The event utilised the latest in bushfire prediction software, outlining various scenarios of how Yarra Junction could be impacted in different bushfire scenarios,” she said.

“We’re hoping that the event was useful for community members and local first responders, in preparing for this year’s bushfire season and raising awareness of how bushfires can behave and move through the local area.”

Yarra Ranges Council took the oppor-

tunity to also let attendees hear about their proposed Bushfire Fuel Management Plan, with further engagement on this to be put out to the community in the coming months.

“Forest Fire Management Victoria utilises evidence and local knowledge to assist local communities to build their own fuel management plans and that is what this community event is about,” an FFMV spokesperson said.

“We will continue to work with local communities and experts to better understand where the most important assets are in bushfire regions to ensure they remain protected.”

Residents can visit www.yarraranges.vic. gov.au/emergencies to learn more about what to do before, during and after an emergency occurs.

The oval of theYarra Junction Recreation Reserve on Park Road (off Warburton Highway) in Yarra Junction is the designated Neighbourhood Safer Place and community fire refuge in the case of a bushfire emergency in Yarra Junction.

The Wesburn/Millgrove CFA station can also shelter roughly 380 people for two hours as a last resort.

The Upper Yarra Sewage Treatment Plant will be home to new habitat for two of the state’s faunal emblems.

Picture: YARRA VALLEY WATER

Woori Yallock resident Jenny Willetts OAM.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Yarra Junction residents got a better idea of how a bushfire could hit the township.

Picture: ON FILE

Progressive plan for waste

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Ranges councillors have approved Council’s CommunityWaste and Resource Recovery Plan 2023–2030 at the Tuesday 13 June council meeting.

Following community consultation in which 435 respondents provided feedback, amendments have been made and changes to waste management and bin collection will be coming into effect.

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child moved the motion and said it is probably one of the most important decisions they are making.

“In our metropolitan area, this is what we definitely need. I live on a rural property and we deal with our organics a different way, we deal with them on-site but in our metropolitan area that’s what we have to look at, we have to look at the bigger picture,” he said,

“When you look at what we’ve had to go through as far as putting this strategy into place and the strong buy-in by our community, it would probably be one of the best consultation processes that I’ve seen and the amount of community input was absolutely outstanding.”

The Victorian Government’s Recycling Victoria policy announced in late 2020 prompted the development of the plan, with the impending closure of the Hallam South landfill in 2025 also providing an incentive for Yarra Ranges Council to seek alternatives to reduce both costs and rubbish.

Billanok Ward Councillor Tim Heenan seconded the motion and said this is the sort of thing that residents say to them every single time in conversations.

“It’s one of the three things that they want us to deal with and I won’t get into the other two but certainly rubbish is always topical and always has been,” he said.

“I’ve learned so much in relation to the way that waste is generated in theYarra Ranges and how we in every different way try to control how much goes to landfill. This plan presents a vision for the Yarra Ranges community working together towards the circular economy.”

The switch to the four-stream bin collection has already been announced to begin in October this year with the introduction of a FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bin and Yarra Ranges Council is partnering with other councils to investigate constructing an Advanced Waste Processing (AWP) facility by 2026 to reduce the landfill produced by a number of Councils.

Five former landfill sites in theYarra Ranges will be continued to be managed according to their Post Closure Management Plans and EPA Post Closure Pollution Abatement Notices. The last of those landfill sites to close, in Coldstream, was closed in 2004.

Lyster Ward Councillor Johanna Skelton also spoke to the motion and said following the feedback, the plan has come back to them with just a couple of minor changes, but they are really important minor changes.

“I think the vision update was well-needed and a really good adjustment because obviously it was just around not having landfill. But more importantly than that, now with the new vision, we’ve got retention of those resources

and a focus for us as a municipality to use those products,” she said.

“Many looked at the plan and said ‘What am I going to do with my nappies?’ and it’s great to see that there’s consideration around reasonable nappy rebates and things like that built into our future education and future possibilities for this plan, likewise with any pet poo not going into the FOGO.”

Other feedback from residents included further education and advocating opportunities, changing attitudes to hard rubbish with a focus on reusing products, alternative bin options and improved access to tip shops. The motion was passed unanimously.

Withlocallandfillonthewayout,wastemanagementhasbecomeakeyfocusintheYarraRanges.

Picture:ONFILE

Valley wineries nominated

By Mikayla van Loon

The Yarra Valley has secured a multitude of nominations for the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards against some of the top Australian wineries and makers.

The shortlist, released on Wednesday 14 June, named both Giant Steps and Oakridge Wines in the winery of the year category, Mount Mary’s Sam Middleton nominated for winemaker of the year and viticulturist of the year listed Stuart Proud from Thousand Candles.

Best value winery saw three Yarra Valley wineries get a mention, with Dappled Wines, De Bortoli and Oakridge being nominated, while Emilian was named in the dark horse category.

For Thousand Candles winemaker and viticulturist Stuart Proud, wine is more than just the product of fermenting grapes, it all starts with the soil.

“It’s the absolute underpinning foundation of everything that you do not just in vineyards, but if you are growing or cultivating a crop, whether it be pasture for cattle, orchards or annual crops, horticulture or broadacre farming,” he said.

“The health and balance of the soil is the key foundation to everything. It’s the heartbeat of the whole production system.”

Having worked on a range of vineyards throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s in South Australia, Stuart brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to then develop Thousand Candles.

“We started in 2010 when we purchased the property, which had an established vineyard there and it was really about improving what was already there,” he said.

“A lot of focus was on soil health and rebuilding the health and balance of the soil

through natural inputs, increasing soil biodiversity and organic material content.”

Ensuring everything Thousand Candles does to produce wine is holistic and beneficial

to all systems, Stuart said is the philosophy he and his team work towards.

“The basis of it is to make wines that are unique to our vineyard and our sight, which encompasses a holistic approach.

“It’s the vinyard, the surrounding area, bushland, the climate, even the microclimate, our property is located in a unique part of the valley and we really want to express what that site gives us.”

Stuart said as far as awards go it is very humbling to be nominated, as well as it being a great recognition of the team’s effort to produce climate conscious wines.

Receiving the dark horse nomination, Emilian winemaker and co-founder Robin Querre said it is not only a wonderful boost as a small batch winemaker but for the entire region.

Having grown up in the south western wine region of France in the historical village of Saint Emilion, Robin was influenced by his surroundings and family connection to story, wine and history.

Bringing his own family to Australia seven years ago, Robin was able to acquire a preloved vineyard to start producing his own wine and so Emilian was born.

“We try to connect where we are coming from and wine means a lot in our culture, it’s not just an alcoholic beverage, it follows all the seasons and it’s working with people to have a sense of place and community,” he said.

Managing such a different climate where the grapes have incredible fruit expression but less structure and texture, Robin said oftentimes it can be an experiment.

“2020, it was very cold and a very long season so the vines were brighter but they had depth as well and a lot of fruit expressions.

“So every year we don’t know what we’re going to make. It’s just about allowing the purest expression.”

Hand picking each grape and being able to select every element in the early stages allows Robin to experiment with texture and depth depending on the season’s climate.

Any sort of recognition, Robin said, is of course nice, particularly because it gives him the certainty that people are enjoying the way he creates wine and provides confidence to the stakeholders who believe in his vision.

Wanting to one day be able to pass on the tradition of winemaking to his daughter, Robin said it’s more than just a product, it’s a legacy, a story and human connection, as well as a responsibility to the earth to leave it better than they found it.

The Halliday Wine Companion Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 2 August.

Koorie students showcase technology, culture and art

By Mikayla van Loon

After two terms of exploring culture, art and technology, a collection of the Yarra Valley’s Aboriginal students have showcased their connection to Country and story in an endof-project showcase.

From jewellery to fire pits, virtual reality to laser cutting, the Koorie Student Program, hosted by Yarra Ranges Tech School (YRTS) sawYear 7 to 10 students come together from schools within the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan cluster.

Students were given the creative freedom to tell their story with the guidance of YRTS staff to achieve a digitally made project to put on display at the showcase on Tuesday 13 June.

Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan project manager Brooke Kogelman said the exploration of self, culture and representation was one of the major focuses of the program.

“We don’t set any limitations…[the program is about] the students having autonomy over their projects because we wanted them to connect with their projects and we wanted them to be able to do something meaningful for them and their communities,” she said.

For Lilydale High School (LHS) student Dylan, giving better context to what the Aboriginalflagmeanswashowhisprojectbegan.

“We were told to find something to really represent Aboriginal culture. I felt like a definition of what is on the sign would be quite nice, especially with the flag,” he said.

Designing a wooden laser cut version of the Aboriginal flag with a description of what each colour represents gave him an understanding of the computer programs and laser technology.

He then transferred that design to metal, a much longer and more intricate process to ensure the laser didn’t cut through the sheet.

Impressed by his design and interpretation of the project, Dylan said LHS has decided to engage a manufacturing company to create a larger scale version in colour to hang in the school.

“It is pretty cool. It feels nice that my work will be on display at the school to represent the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the Koorie program,” he said.

Dylan said there was also interest from a Healesville Sanctuary representative to potentially have the signage manufactured for the animal park.

While he loved using the machinery and technology, Dylan said with woodwork being one of his favourite subjects, he’d love to attempt hand etching the design into wood as his next challenge. Although not within the Lilydale District school cluster, Bayswater Secondary College was invited to participate in the Koorie Student Program this year, represented by the passionate Shaylee.

Wanting to continue the school’s work in creating an inclusive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, Shaylee designed a fire pit to add to the school’s recently built Yarning Circle.

With fire and smoke being a symbol of welcome, Shaylee said the firesphere, created out of laser cut Indigenous fauna, would represent her people and their story, as well as a shared belonging.

“[My hope is] they feel welcome to talk to

other people, to find their story and feel comfortable in their skin and Aboriginality,” she said. Choosing to participate in the program Shaylee said was about accepting her culture and showing others they can do the same.

“I just wanted to feel comfortable in my own skin and learn more about my culture and in years and years, tell my children about what I did and what they can do, what they can achieve.

“I just want other people to feel comfortable in their Aboriginality and they don’t have to be scared to tell people who they are, they can feel comfortable to tell people they are Aboriginal and they don’t have to hide it because being Aboriginal is an amazing thing to be able to show people.”

Bayswater Secondary College principal Liz Swan said she was extremely proud of Shaylee and the next steps would be getting the firesphere made to see it placed at the centre of the Yarning Circle.

“It’s something really to be commended that she’s put all of this work in and come up with an absolutely fantastic thing,” she said.

“I just feel so grateful that we’ve been given this opportunity to have our students experience this so that we can take the work

Shaylee has done back to Bayswater and keep building it into a really positive and inclusive place.”

Brooke said this year’s cohort of students was the biggest yet in the program’s three year history, giving them a chance to learn new skills but also gain mentors.

“We’ve had 55 students through this year, which is a third of our schools’ Koorie student cohort,” she said.

“We can highlight to the students how many career, education, study opportunities there are post schooling.

“So while they’re here learning and using the technology and integrating their culture, the other part of this is that they have those opportunities to learn from amazing First Nations mentors as well.”

On Tuesday, the students had the pleasure of meeting and yarning with Aunty Joy Murphy-Wandin, KGI Richmond Football Club program officer Joel Garner and Deadly Science program manager Zac Prior.

The school cluster comprises Lilydale Heights College, Upper Yarra Secondary College, Yarra Hills Secondary College, Mooroolbark Secondary College, Healesville High School and Lilydale High School.

Lilydale High School student Dylan designed laser cut Aboriginal flags with descriptions to explain each colour as part of the Koorie Student Program. Pictures: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Aunty Joy was fascinated to see Zac’s welcome sign design, due to be made and installed at her former school at Lilydale High.

Emilian winemaker and co-founder Robin Querre has been nominated in the Halliday Wine Companion Awards in the Dark Horse category. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Emilian wines has a large focus on family, culture and story, using wine to be the connector.

Free youth fitness chance

By Callum Ludwig

The Yarra Centre and Reclink Australia have teamed up to deliver three new free fitness and activity opportunities for young people in the Upper Yarra.

Functional Training Sessions, Women’s Dane Fit and Swim and Gym sessions started in May and are open for new members.

Community Engagement and Inclusion Coordinator at the Yarra Centre Sandra Kelly said a lot of people in the younger age group are not aware of what there is within their local community.

“We hold Community Network forums twice a year and one of the big things that came out of our last forum was more to do with youth, mental health and just getting moving in general,” she said.

“The programs we’ve partnered with Reclink to offer are designed to break down some of the barriers by removing costs and even offering a women’s only class, it breaks down some of the barriers for getting young people moving.”

All the new opportunities are available for 16-25-year-olds and are funded through the VicHealth Future Active Program.

Yarra Ranges Sports Coordinator at Reclink Australia Michelle Farah Chalita said it is a way to engage people, a way for them to have another social network and to find a sense of belonging.

“Especially after Covid, engaging in the building of community and social networks has been very difficult so it’s bringing that back and getting people active and getting people out and about,” she said.

“There are people that want to help, there are people that want to see them succeed and there are people that want to see them doing better, it’s very important to be active and get out of your head.”

The Gym and Swim is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm,Women’s Dance Fit is on Mondays from 4.30pm to 5.30pm and the Functional Training Sessions are on Tuesdays from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

“We’re 30 minutes from bigger places like

Lilydale and Chirnside Park, where there’s more access to things, so more opportunities locally where kids don’t have to worry about transport or anything like that are really important,” Ms Kelly said.

“There’s plenty of things for them to do, but

a lot of them would just look at the building and go ‘I’m not going in there’, at the end of the day, it’s up to them whether they participate or they want to use it but giving them the opportunity is what’s important.”

Reclink and the Yarra Centre have new free opportunities for 16-25-year-olds in the Upper Yarra.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Give lift in transport trial

By Callum Ludwig

EV Community Transport, formerly known as Eastern Volunteers, is running a transport trial to help support locals in need in the Upper Yarra.

As part of the trial, they are seeking volunteer drivers in the community to help transport local residents for a few hours a week, hopefully building a sustainable and community-driven transport option.

Manager of Transport Operations Marnie O’Loughlin said she thinks this is a great opportunity, with past surveys they have conducted showing a need for this.

“Just the basic topography of the Upper Yarra doesn’t lend itself to easy moving about unless you have a vehicle or a support network of some kind,” she said.

“Whilst there is transport options up there, they are limited and they’re not always coordinated or at times where people need to be able to get up and down the hill, as wel call it.”

The trial will be held from August to November this year, with volunteers assurred the arrangements will be flexible and hopefully can align with some of their own schedules.

Ms O’Loughlin said people are missing the opportunity to access the services they need through a lack of transport options.

“A lot of the mainstream systems like public transport aren’t going to run as many services up there because they’re not profitable on a large scale, so we’re trying to find something innovative so the community can create its own model that’s sustainable,” she said.

“If we can get this trial moving, a step up for either further funding for the area or potentially a program that could be rolled out in different areas that have the same complexities is possible.”

The trial will service the townships of Launching Place, Gilderoy, Gladysdale, Don

Valley, Powelltown, Yarra Junction, Wesburn, Millgrove, Reefton, McMahons Creek, Three Bridges, Warburton and East Warburton.

Ms O’Loughlin said the model takes a little bit of commitment, but it’s not huge commitment from people.

“There is a bit of a commitment but if you’re moving around the hill and you’re going from

Warburton to do your shopping on a Wednesday down in Yarra Junction, why not take someone with you if you are going anyway,” she said.

“Even if you just take them one way while you’re going down the hill, it will hopefully benefit the community and it’s a form of volunteering without actually having to volunteer a whole day.”

Volunteers must have a vehicle and a smart phone. Training can be provided locally or online and phone and vehicle costs can be reimbursed.

For more information, enquiries and volunteers to register their interest go to www.easternvolunteers.org.au/upper-yarra/ or please phone on 9870 7822.

Mitch’s brave fight supported at club trivia night

By Callum Ludwig

Just over a year ago, the life of a young Gladysdale local was turned upside down by a devastating diagnosis.

Mitch Gribbrock turned 17 in April and is fighting Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that forms in the lymphatic system when the body produces too many abnormal lymphocytes, a form of white blood cell.

Mitch’s dad Wayne Gribbrock said the cancer was found when Mitch couldn’t move and had no feeling in his legs one day.

“It was around his spinal cord, constricting it, which in turn stopped his legs from moving, then they did an MRI and found masses on his spine which led to emergency surgery on 17 May last year,” he said.

“He’s still got a long road ahead, his treatment doesn’t finish till September 2024, as he’s got his treatment for cancer as well as his rehabilitation for learning to walk again because he’s had to virtually learn that from scratch.”

The Gribbrock family are all members of the UpperYarra Angling Club, who organised a Trivia Night fundraiser on Saturday 17 June to help support the family.

Upper Yarra Angling Club Secretary Paul Ireufi said everyone who knows the family had felt so helpless, so they want to give something to him to try and put a smile on his face.

“Mitch would have been working the last couple of years, saving up for a car so we hope to put a decent chunk of money towards that for him,” he said.

“He’s missed that whole part of his life, he’s an outdoor person, he’s not someone that just sits at home and plays video games, he’s very up and at ‘em, so it’s been devastating for them.”

Before his illness, Mitch was heavily involved in local clubs, playing for theWesburn Junior Football Club, playing cricket, racing motorbikes as well as fishing with the Upper Yarra Angling Club.

Mr Gribbrock said Mitch has been incred-

ible and he is a lot stronger than he gave him credit for.

“When the diagnosis first came through it was pretty upsetting for everybody, and he hasn’t enjoyed the treatment, as anyone that’s gone through it will tell you but it’s a real credit to him how he’s dealt with and continues to deal with it,” he said.

“The encouragement, the well-wishes and the love and support that we’ve got from everybody has been extremely overwhelming and extremely appreciated by all of us. I’m grateful for where he is at the moment, and I’ll continue to be grateful right up until he’s back on the bike and riding again.”

Over 150 people have booked out the ta-

ble at the Trivia Night, with more set to come along and support the event.

Mr Ireufi said Mitch has trouble with the treatment sometimes, where he’ll be due for treatment but gets too sick and has to be knocked back again.

“He gets to a point where he gets a bit of motion and mobility and then he goes back for treatment and goes back to square one again but for a kid of that age to persevere with that treatment, it shows he has such a great outlook on it,” he said.

“The ‘Powelly’ Mill has already jumped behind it, donating $600 and Bell Real Estate in Yarra Junction have donated $500, and it’s that kind of community spirit that really chokes you up.”

There are a number of ways you can support ‘Mitch’s Fight’:

Join in on the Trivia Night for some fun or just come and spectate

Donate items for the raffle

Share or tell others about the event, which can be found on the Upper Yarra Angling Club Facebook page

Make a donation now, which can be organised through the Upper Yarra Angling Club.

Top L- Bottom R: Wayne, Tracey, Mitch and Ryan Gribbrock.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Friends and family hope to see Mitch back on his bike as soon as possible.

Volunteer driver Mary ready to help out behind the wheel.

Picture: SUZANNE PHOENIX

UYSC plants for the future

By Callum Ludwig

Upper Yarra Secondary College has tapped into a local learning opportunity with Year 8 students benefiting from Yarra Ranges Council’s Ribbons of Green initiative.

Native plants were distributed in the schoolyard on the western side which will create a new landscape in the years to come.

Innovation Specialist and VET teacher Marcus Cook said it was a fantastic opportunity.

“It’s great to get some indigenous plants for our school and four students to be involved in something for the future, we struggle for shade a bit in areas, it will create habitat and it brings a community aspect to their day,” he said.

“They’ve been learning about native vegetation at school and this will give them something to show for in the future, to see the fruits of their labour, to work as a group and to use their practical skills to go with their theory-based learning.”

The Ribbons of Green program was recent-

ly awarded Best Sustainability Initiative at the LGPro Awards for Excellence, recognising the boost the initiative has given to the local government area since its inception in 2007.

Animal Aid receives help

By Callum Ludwig

Animal Aid in Coldstream is grateful for a welcome winter boost from the families of the Yarra Junction Primary School (YJPS).

Donations were collected from the school’s fundraising Welcome to Winter Day where students rugged up in their winter woollies for the day.

Teacher Jacqueline Woodbridge said YJPS was successful in fundraising $175 and a big array of towels, blankets, food and other things for Animal Aid.

“It was really successful and our students and school captains were really keen on doing something for the animals, we haven’t previously done a big fundraiser for Animal Aid before so we want to raise awareness,” she said.

“For them to know that Animal Aid is doing something for the community, and are willing to give up their time to educate them so they can spread that broader message, is really important.”

School Captain Sam and Vice Captains Maisy and Oliver toured the shelter on their visit, learning about the different needs and behaviours of the animals they have helped.

“It’s cool to see behind the scenes and what they do here, and I’m glad we could hello out with the donations and help these guys have a good time here before they go off to a good home,” Sam said.

“I reckon it’s nice to let the cats go out and you can see how they feel about people, it’s nice to see that they can still be happy after what’s been going on for some of them,” Oliver said.

“It’s nice to see how they treat the cats and what they do to find them a family and to look after them,” Maisy said.

Winter donations are extremely important for shelters like Animal Aid, with adoptions dropping over this time of year meaning more supplies are required to cater to animals that end up without a home.

Animal Aid spokesperson Jessica Walley said it’s lovely to have school groups interested and involved in supporting animals.

“Young kids always have an affinity for animals and most people have pets, so there’s always that connection, but we have school groups come here often and we love to show them around,” she said.

“We always hope that they take something away from their visit here and maybe go home and speak to their family about whatever it could be: desexing, microchipping and all things important for pet ownership and if kids know about it, hopefully their families will too.”

Year 8Vice Captain Shae said a few students had been hard at work planting trees, putting up the gazebo and getting everything set up for everyone to put a hand in.

“Everyone’s being proactive, not sitting in the classroom bored on their computer,” she said.

“Our nature is the best gift out here, closer to the city all you see is buildings all the time, while we have a lot of nature and mountains, it’s great.”

All schools, community groups and private landowners with properties bigger than one hectare are eligible to apply for free plants through the Ribbons of Green program until the end of September, which will be delivered prior to winter/spring the following year.

Year 8 Captain Kimberley said they are learning how they can make a difference.

“You see wildlife and often they are terrified of everything, including humans, but I get inspired by doing this,” she said.

“My nana lives in the bush, and has birds and echidnas outside and they are so friendly and come up to you which is really lonely and maybe that will happen here.”

Holiday activities at hand

By Callum Ludwig

School holidays are coming up, which can leave parents scrambling to keep kids entertained for two weeks, especially with winter weather limiting outdoor options.

Luckily, Yarra Junction Library has an array of free activities from Monday 26 June to Friday 7 July, nice and warm inside away from the cold and rain.

Children’s Librarian at Yarra Junction Library Rachael Falls said most of the activities are aimed at primary-school-aged kids with some for younger ones as well.

“The library isn’t just the place for people to come and borrow books anymore, we’ve got so many different activities on offer, not only for kids, but for adults as well,” she said.

“It’s really great when the kids come in because they can learn and explore all the different things that the library can offer from a young age, which is really important.”

For week one of the holidays kids can engage in:

Pinwheel making on Monday 26 June from 10am to 12pm (ages 3 and over),

Learning to code in Minecraft on Tuesday 27 June from 2pm to 3pm (booking required, ages 9-14),

A performance from children’s comedian Mr Snot Bottom on Thursday 29 June from 2pm to 3pm (booking required, ages 5-12), Learning the art of new page bookmaking with Annie Bolitho on Saturday 1 July from 11am to 12.30pm (booking required, ages 4 and over).

Ms Falls said once kids come in and explore the library, they keep coming back.

“Hopefully it will help broaden their interests, everyone will find at least one thing that will interest them and get to learn some new skills and have some fun with different things,” she said.

“I love developing a program that will help engage the community and hopefully get them excited to come out to a range of different activities from technology to books to crafts. Even some parents that come in for Tiny Tots storytime also come and meet once a week and use a space within the library as a nice warm meeting spot.”

In week two, kids can explore: Crafts and activities to be a superhero, including a superhero training course on Wednesday 5 July from 2pm to 4pm (ages 4-12), Tiny Tots Storytime is on Thursday 6 July from 11am to 11.30am (ages 0 to 12 months), Shake, Shimmy and Sing with a musicalthemed activity and craft session as the return to school draws close on Friday 7 July from 11am to 12pm (bookings required, ages 0-6). All activities that require bookings can be made by callingYarra Junction Library on 1300 737 277, visiting in person or at www.events. yourlibrary.com.au/.

L-R: UYSC Year 8 students Kimberley, Hayley, Ariel, Shae, Tully and Mitch getting busy planting.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

Yarra Junction Library has a host of school holiday activities on offer. Picture: ON FILE

L-R: Sam, Maisy and Oliver.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

L-R: Sam, Beth from Animal Aid, Oliver and Maisy with the YJPS donations.

Picture: JACQUELINE WOODBRIDGE

Exploring art as we age

By Callum Ludwig

The YAVA gallery’s new exhibition is capturing a collection of artworks in time, showcasing how artists’ work can differ with age.

‘Now and Then’ features works from younger artists, as well as newer and earlier pieces from more experienced artists.

Mother and daughter duo Rachel Rose and Bonnie Dillon feature in the exhibition and Ms Rose said their works right now are quite different.

Bonnie looks online and gets a lot of inspiration from what she sees on Pinterest and gets ideas from there, and it’s too early to tell whether we will have any similarities, but I think that they grow with maturity and individualism, and maybe they’re more similar than what it appears,” she said.

“To the eye, my work would look quite different and quite developed, but actually I just see reoccurring themes that come back over and over again over the years since I was in high school.”

Ms Rose’s ‘Deep Blue #10’ ceramic piece and Bonnie’s‘Portrait of a Giraffe’ can be found

alongside each other in the exhibition.

Ms Rose said she only remembered her love for ceramics recently.

“I forgot about this for years and years, but I would spend lunchtimes in the art room making things, and I had a really great art teacher and the clay unit at high school I just loved so much,” she said.

“Hopefully my ceramics has developed, I think I made some pretty ugly, large things back then.”

Ms Rose hand builds each of her stoneware pieces using a coil technique and has found recurring themes in her artwork, in both her paintings and ceramics, to be the use of polka dots and form, such as using two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects.

Bonnie’s portrait is her first piece of work, completed during Covid lockdowns.

Now and Then is on display at the YAVA Gallery until Sunday 16 July during the gallery opening hours Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Attendees can vote for their favourite submission in the People’s Choice Award.

Crews spotted filming in Olinda for thriller High Country

By Tyler Wright

Film crews have been spotted around Olinda as filming for police TV drama High Country continues throughoutVictoria.

It’s understood Parks Victoria approved filming at the former Olinda Golf Course (Olinda Precinct) on Monday 12 June between 9am to 5pm, following a permit application from Brokenridge Productions.

“That would explain the sign that said “HC” this way at the pool!” social media user Jennifer Melford wrote on Facebook.

“... I just thought it was roadworks,” commenter John Raymond added.

In a statement released on 11 April 2023, the Foxtel Group and Screen Australia announced filming for the new original eightpart mystery thriller would begin in the state that month.

“High Country will be set and filmed in a region of Victoria rarely captured on screen with the epic, ancient landscape of conflicting mythologies and stark contrasts set

to become a character itself,” the statement read.

The series will star Leah Purcell AM (The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, Wentworth), Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road, Jack Irish), Sara Wiseman (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, A Place to Call Home) and Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls).

“When detective Andrea (Andie) Whitford (Leah Purcell) is transferred to the Victorian High Country, she is thrust into a baffling mystery of five missing persons who have vanished into the wilderness. Through an edge-of-the-seat, high-stakes investigation, Andie uncovers a complex web involving murder, deceit and revenge,” production’s statement said.

Foxtel Group Chief Content and Commercial Officer Amanda Laing said “High Country is inspired by the cultures, identities and landscapes of the Victorian Alps - a setting rarely seen on screen”.

“Foxtel Group remains committed to investing in high-quality Australian content and are thrilled to partner with Screen Australia, VicScreen and Curio Pictures on High Country so viewers in Australia and around the world can enjoy this authentically Australian story - filled with twists and turns, mystery and an undeniable sense of place,” Ms Laing said.

Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said

the body is “proud to support this exceptionally strong creative team to bring to life a fastpaced thriller with complex, real characters and a well-crafted script that will keep viewers hooked”.

“Set against the vast, majestic landscape of the Victorian Alps and weaving in First Nations cultural stories, High Country is sure to be a landmark television series,” Mr Mason said.

According toVictoria’s Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos, High Country is another coup for Victoria’s “booming screen industry”.

“The production will create jobs for 250 Victorians and inject close to $15 million into our economy, all while telling a story set against the beauty of our alpine region,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“We are thrilled to welcome this production to Victoria and can’t wait for the series to hit our screens.”

High Country will air on Foxtel and Binge.

Yarra Valley ECOSS’ Ngulu festival celebrates return

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Valley ECOSS’ Ngulu Festival was held on Friday 16 June, celebrating Indigenous culture and performances following Reconciliation Week recently.

The event ran alongside the ECOSS Valley Market from 3.30-6pm, with performances in The Coop following the market.

Yarra Valley ECOSS’ executive officer Chelsea McNab said the event aimed to be in the spirit of reconciliation. “We acknowledge that Reconciliation Week is very busy for our First Nations’ community members and we would like to give a bit of space to that, we’ve got, over 20 stalls and lots of them have educational material on them and Indigenous crafts and art,” she said.

“It’s getting popular. We’re now getting contacted by people who are aware that it’s coming up to have a stall or to be involved in certain ways.”

Stevie Thorpe will start off the activities with Taste of Culture, making damper and hosting a yarn around the fire from 5pm to 6pm. Aunty Julie Coombs will give aWelcome to Country in the absence of Auntie KimWandin at 6pm.

From 6.15pm to 6.45pm Ganga Giri performed alongside the Djarlo Dance Group, followed by Claire Garvey stepping in for the unwell Carissa Nyalu from 7pm to 7.30pm. Ganga Giri returned to round out the night from 7.45pm to 8.45pm.

Ms McNab said while none of the ECOSS committee members were Indigenous, they feel confident that they can have great relationships

and work respectfully in partnership and collaboration with Indigenous artists.

“It’s a funny space to work in as a white ally. Sometimes we’ve been questioned on ‘Who are we to put on a First Nations festival’ but on the other side, our position is in sitting on a beautiful bit of land onWurundjeri Country and hosting this place and working in the areas of Indigenous education with our partners,” she said.

“We feel that it’s something that we should be doing, to help leverage and support First Nations performers and use our position to really invest in our First Nations community and celebrate them.”

A big thank you was extended to the First Nations Officer at the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery Nikki Brown for her support of the event and to the sponsors who helped fund it alongside Yarra Valley ECOSS, the Regional community Recovery Committees, Yarra Ranges Council, the Bendigo Bank ofWarburton and Yarra Junction andVicHealth.

Ganga Giri performing.

Claire Garvey and Will McKenzie stepped in at the last minute to save the day.

Yarra Valley ECOSS’ Ngulu Festival was on last week.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

The crowd in The Coop.

High Country: (L-R) Aaron Pedersen,Leah Purcell and Sara Wiseman.

Picture: NARELLE PORTAINER

L-R: Bonnie Dillon and Rachel Rose with their work.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

The estimated 420 native timber mill workers and their families across the Yarra Ranges and Upper Yarra have been devastated by the Andrews Labor Government’s shock announcement to shut down the industry six years earlier than originally planned.

The closure will put 2500 timber workers across Victoria out of a job with a flow on effect to many other businesses including fuel suppliers, engineers, and mechanics. Townships that are built on the back of the industry including Yarra Junction, Millgrove, Wesburn, Gladysdale, and Powelltown, many of which have been operating for over five generations, are sure to feel the loss on a personal level.

I acknowledge that there will be people who are happy to see this change occur – I am certainly not one of them.

Not only will the closure negatively impact our community, but it will also impact our economy, considering the native timber industry generates more than $770 million in revenue each year alone. The State Government has no plan to introduce plantation-

Not a Flash in The Pan

The Flash Starring Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle

Rated M

4/5

The Flash is a thrilling, moving superhero film and a satisfying end to the current DC Comics film era.

Super-fast superhero Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), aka The Flash, travels back in time to save his mother’s life, but must join forces with an earlier version of himself, Batman (Michael Keaton) and Supergirl (Sasha Calle) to save this new timeline from an alien threat.

Miller delivers an engaging double act as both versions of the Flash, with the older Barry acting as a mentor to his immature, impulsive younger self. Keaton makes a triumphant return as Batman, and Sasha Calle is elegant and commanding as Supergirl.

The broader conflict is a reshuffled invasion from 2013’s Man of Steel, but the main antagonist of The Flash is inevitability. The action sequences are exciting, easy to follow, sprinkled with humour and showcase each hero’s unique traits.

The two Barries’ interplay is full of odd-couple comedy, but they each come to deal with responsibility and grief in different ways, and Barry’s relationship with his mother forms the film’s heartbreaking core. Effects and consequences are where The Flash falters. Barry’s trips through time are rendered through distractingly bad, mannequin-looking CGI, and the climax features uncomfortable (and pointless) fan-service realised through deepfaked dead actors.

The narrative deftly develops the theme of accepting what you cannot change, but a twist in the ending, while sweet and decently foreshadowed, breaks the film’s own sober perspective (although inconsistencies are common in time travel stories).

The Flash has affecting drama and thrilling action but also bizarrely bad effects and clunky fan service, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

The state of Cindy McLeish MP Member for Eildon

based harvesting to compensate for the industry closure, leaving a gaping financial hole and product to be sourced elsewhere.

Without the timber industry’s manpower and heavy machinery, the capacity to fight bushfires will be significantly reduced, putting forests and regional communities in greater danger. It will also reduce Victorian manufacturing. Victoria’s high standard of practices and ethics of timber harvesting will not be met as timber will be sourced from overseas, decimating forests. Globally, it will be more devas-

tating for the environment and the climate.

Job losses will hurt affairs

Meanwhile, demand for timber in Victoria has never been higher. Trades are calling for an increased supply of materials, particularly post-COVID-19, to build house frames, floorboards, windows, and furniture. The need for locally sourced, quality woods is still present. It makes no sense whatsoever to shut down this thriving industry at a time when we know we need more local manufacturing.

In the past few years, timber workers have been put through the wringer. Ongoing risky behaviour from illegal protesters, proposed changes to the Code of Practice and dealing with the State Government’s original announcement to phase out the timber industry by 2030, has taken a hard emotional toll. Now, with the industry closure in six months’ time, many questions about the future of timber workers remain unanswered. It appears this decision has been made hastily and virtually no information provided to those businesses and individuals impacted.

A night with the Wildcats

Eltham Little Theatre

High School Musical

Season: July 1 - 16

Disney’s High School Musical JR centres on the blooming relationship between Troy, a high school jock and Gabriella, the new smart girl at the school.They meet on a family vacation and become attracted to each other while singing in a karaoke competition. Rediscovering each other at school, their relationship, and their surprise decision to audition together for the school show are thwarted by the school’s current leading lady, Sharpay and Troy and Gabriella’s well-remaining friends. Finally, Gabriella and Troy find a way to be themselves and are rewarded with the lead roles in the school show.

Full of catchy songs and exciting dance routines, this musical explores issues of friendship, first love, and acceptance.

Behind the Scenes

The production of a play involves far more people than just the actors on the stage. For example, theatre companies need set builders, backstage crew, backstage management, costume making, front of house helpers, technical crew, biobox/lighting and sound technicians.

All these functions are provided by an army of volunteers.

Why do it?

If you have just moved into an area, retired and looking for something to do, wishing to make

CARTOON

Kemp’s curtain call

new friends? Well try helping out at your local theatre.

It is an extremely rewarding experience, it builds new friendships, it enables you to utilise existing skills as well as developing new ones. It is a lot of fun and laughs and enjoy being part of a production which brings joy to the many people who attend performances. Theatres in your area.

Lilydale:

· Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre – 9735 1777 Office hours Monday, Tuesday and Friday between 9am and 2pm.

The Basin:

· The Basin Theatre – 1300 784 668

Croydon:

· The CPP Community Theatre – 0447 014 584 between 1pm and 3pm

Eltham:

· Eltham Little Theatre – 0411 713 095

· Ferntree Gully:

· The 1812 Theatre – 9758 3964

Exciting book events PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN

The Wheeler Centre of Books, Writing and Ideas was established in 2008 as part of Melbourne’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. Since 2010, it has enriched the lives of Melburnians with live and digital conversations, debates, readings and performances by local and international writers and thinkers.

For the forthcoming weeks, this reviewer would recommend three literary events. First and foremost, on July 6, some of Australia’s finest Indigenous authors will gather atThe Capital to discuss the publication of the landmark First Nations Classics series by the University of Queensland Press.

Released in May 2023, UQP’s first instalment of the series celebrates the brilliant and vital literary contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers across the decades. The eight books are: Unbranded by Herb Wharton, Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Nugi Garimara (Doris Pilkington), Blood by Tony Birch, Heat and Light by Ellen van Neerven, Don’t Take Your Love to Town by Ruby Langford Gibini, The Window Seat by Archie Weller, Purple Threads by Jeanine Leane, and Holocaust Island by Graeme Dixon.

Even if you cannot attend the event, be sure to check out these books, which remain as important, engaging and relevant today as they were on first publication. Meanwhile, on June 27, at the Wheeler Centre, internationally renowned journalist and author Louisa Lim will discuss the myriad ways in which China has been wielding its power on the global stage.

In 2014, Lim’s first book The People’s Republic of Amnesia: Tiananmen Revisited was praised by The New York Time as“one of the best analyses of the impact of Tiananmen throughout China in the years since 1989”.

Published in April 2022, Lim’s second book Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong was described as a“vivid and vital contribution to postcolonial history”. In her talk, Lim will reflect on her experience as a journalist striving to remain neutral while covering the drastic decline of her beloved Hong Kong under the Chinese rule.

Finally, on July 27, a panel of AI experts, academics and creatives will gather at the Wheeler Centre to explore the current and future impacts of artificial intelligence on academia, publishing, the creation of art, and intellectual property.

Both supporters and opponents of the prevalence of AI will want to hear from insightful experts such as Kiowa Scott-Hurley, a Digital Science Migration Engineer (AI) at the Defence Science and Technology Group, and Lizzie O’Shea, chair of Digital Rights Watch and author of Future Histories: What Ada Lovelace, Tom Paine, and the Paris Commune can teach us about digital technology (2019) – just to name two of the panelists.

With recent media coverage that the “final Beatles record” will be released later this year with the help of artificial intelligence, issues such as copyright protection and the need to “defend our human capital against AI” (as warned by Sting) become increasingly prominent. Those interested in learning more should definitely check out the “Mind Over Machine: AI, Creativity, Humanities, and the Arts” event.

PUZZLES

No. 138 SUDOKU

QUICK CROSSWORD

DECODER WORDFIT

5x5

14 9

9-LETTER WORD

Very good

A B

Today’s Aim: 3 LETTERS ALE AMP ATE BOA CAP DUD EGO EKE EVE EWE FEE GOO IRE KEG KEN MEN NEE NOD NOR PAT PEA PEG SAC TIE 4 LETTERS ANEW ARTS DABS DADS ERAS GAPS INTO NEST PEAR SCAB SEWN SUBS TREK WEAR

5 LETTERS ACUTE

G E E K R

aerobe, bake, baker, bare, barer, barge, bargee, bark, barker, beak, beaker, bear, bearer, beer, berg, boar, borage, bore, borer, brae, brag, brake, break, breaker, broke, broker, BROKERAGE, garb, grab, grebe, kerb, robe

AFTOS AGAIN ALIEN ALIVE ALTAR APING APRIL AROMA AWAIT BAGEL BELLY CARGO CHINA CIRCA CREPT DEEDS DIRGE DOING DUNGS EAGER EATEN HOVER IMAGE INEPT MANIA METRO NANAS NEARS NOSES OCCUR PACES PASSE PEACE PENCE PERCH POUCH RODEO SAGER SANER SCENT SEDAN SHEDS SNIDE SONGS STONY STOOL STREW TRADE TRUED 6 LETTERS APPEAR DAMNED KENNEL MAKERS 7 LETTERS ATONING CONTAIN DUSTMEN EVASION IMITATE TORPEDO 8 LETTERS CHAIRING CREDENCE ECONOMIC ROMANTIC 12 345678910111213 1415 1617181920212223242526 W V S A L K Z T J Y R P B I M G X E U F D N O H C Q 23-06-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com 895432617 469173528 582347196 326719854 253864971 971286345 147658239 718925463 634591782 easy medium hard 842791356 316875924 634958271 593246817 478329165 187632549 761583492 259164783 925417638 198426573 419652837 987263145 632875419 853197624 364519782 745931268 276348951 521784396 1 14 7 20 2 15 8 21 3 16 9 22 4 17 10 23 5 18 11 24 6 19 12 25 13 26 HQ HERITAGE & HERITAGE FUNERALS Lilydale 9739 7799 Healesville 5962 1600 HERITAGE PIONEERS CHAPEL 1414 Healesville/Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock 5964 6500 Head Office: 733 Boronia Road, Wantirna 9800 3000 info@ heritagefunerals.com.au www.heritagefunerals.com.au This week’s crossword proudly sponsored by The Heritage Family 1157336-CB40-14

No. 138

No. 138

No. 138

DUAL LIVING MODERN MASTERPIECE

ONLY 3 years young, this architect inspired home offers views and a flexible floorplan to suit any family.

Designed with dual living in mind for multi-generational living, the floorplan can be utilised as it currently is with 2 generations sharing the home or opened up to be a large family home.

Polished concrete, square edged cornices and double-glazed windows are just some of the features of the home along with hydronic heating and refrigerated cooling. The kitchen is the hub of the home, adjoining the living room and enjoying views to the distant hills, it also offers a large walk-in pantry behind a timber door as well as Caesar stone benchtops, 900mm Falcon oven and dishwasher.

The large master bedroom and ensuite makes you feel like you’re on holidays every day with a well-proportioned ensuite including fee standing bath with 180 degree views out the windows.

The large second bedroom also offers a full ensuite and nearby there is a study nook for those that work from home. Down the other end of the house, the 3rd bedroom with a generous ensuite adjoins the large family room.

The shed is large at 20m x 8m in three bays and includes caretaker quarters with bathroom and 2nd toilet and also a mezzanine upstairs, which could be an ideal games room.

HOME ESSENTIALS

Contact:

Access to the property is via a quiet sealed road all the way to the front gate, with plenty of room to park the cars, boat, trailer or caravan or any toys you want!

There is 200,000 litres of water storage and 16kW of solar panels, making this a very low cost of living home. There are fruit trees, 6 paddocks and a dam – plenty of space to any animals.

If your dream is to get ‘off the grid’ and back to low-cost living, then this is the home for you. Come and enjoy the Yarra Valley lifestyle today! Fresh and inviting, this home is ready for a new family.

Young homes of this quality do not come up for sale often, so be quick. All the hard work has been done. ●

SURROUND YOURSELF IN NATURE

ESCAPE to your own private sanctuary, tucked away in a secluded location surrounded by lush ferns and natives and yet only moments from the Sassafras township and a short drive to Olinda.

This charming split-level brick rendered family home boasts a unique blend of glass, timber, and brick feature walls, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

With its flexible open plan design, incorporating 4 bedrooms and 3 living zones, has hydronic heating plus a cozy log fire.

The master suite, nestled on the lower level, offers a peaceful retreat with forest views, its own private deck and ensuite bathroom.

Additionally, the three bedrooms (one could be used as a study) are situated off a separate living room and provide an ideal space for a kid’s playroom or teenage family room.

The rear entertaining deck is the perfect space for family gatherings or children to ride their bikes or shoot a hoop. Complete with two-car accommodation, this property ensures both convenience and security.

Embrace the breathtaking surroundings and witness stunning wildlife, from visiting native birds and bush wallabies to a variety of birdlife, all on this 2,686m2 parcel of land. It’s time to immerse yourself in the true ‘hills’ lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. ●

ENTERTAINERSDREAMONOvERONEACRE

PRIMELOCATIONFORAQUALITYLIFESTYLE

Morethanmeetstheeye!Thislight-filledimmaculatehomewheremodernmeets characteristheperfectblendandfeaturesaseparatemasterwithwIR&ensuitewith afreestandingbathtub&ownprivatedeck.Otherinclusions areastudynook,sun-filled kitchenwithwIP,deckedentertainingarea,spa&automated shadesail,gascentral heating,woodheater,splitA/Canda6.5kwsolarunit.OutsidefeaturestheprivateStudio, extensivevegetablegarden,fruittrees,paved&grassareas,shed&doublecarport.

SURROUNDYOURSELFINNATURE

UPWEY 5BIRDwOODAvENUE $1,125,000-$1,200,000

fLEXIBLELIVINGONTWOLEVELS

Thisimmaculatecharmingpropertywithastunningoutlookfeaturesaflexiblefloorplanmastersuitewithastudynook,familyroom/parentsretreat withFrenchdoors,deck, thekitchenboastsstonebenchtops&anews/sovenwithrange hood,leveltwohasa largerumpuswithwalltowallB/Ijoinery,entertainingarea,timberfloorboards,stunning leadlightwindows,newcarpets,3xs/systems,gasspaceheater,chookhouse,cedar bungalow,carport,sealeddriveway,lovelylowmaintenancegardensonover1/4acre.

JanBrewster 0409558805

COUNTRYESCAPEON24ACRES

ESCAPETOYOUROWNPRIVATESANCTUARY

Secludedlocationsurroundedbylushfernsandnatives,yet onlymomentsfromSassafras township.Thischarmingsplit-levelbrick-renderedhomeboastsauniqueblendofglass, timber&brickfeaturewalls,creatingawarm&invitingatmosphere.Flexibleopenplan designincludes3livingzones,hydronicheating,logfire,mastersuitewithitsownprivate deckand2caraccommodationallonagenerous2,686m2flora&faunafilledparcelof land.It’stimetoimmerseyourselfinthetrue‘hills’lifestyleyou’vebeendreamingof.

SUNSETSANDVIEWS!

Classicfarmhousewithcharmfromthe1950sperchedatthetopofthehillwithstunning sunsets&views.Thehomeoffersopenplanliving,loungewithawoodheater,separate mealsarea,recentlypainted&newlycarpeted,5paddocks,3 baybarnwithattached sidecarport&additionalundercoverstorage,2shippingcontainers,beautifulmostly clearedlandexceptfortreesalongthecreeklines.Greatforthosethatwanttoescape theratracewiththepotentialofbeing‘off-grid,’withtankwater,bottledgas&septic.

mickDolphin 0429684522

TayTing 0417302112

4 A 2 B 3 C

PAkENhAmUPPER 120MANNROADCOURT $1,200,000-$1,290,000

4 A 2 B 2 C 1 E

4 A 2 B 2 C

HOME WITH A WARM COUNTRY FEEL

BEAUTIFULLY presented inside and out this outstanding property will excite you the minute you arrive with a warm, homely ambience that is sure to please. Offering 3 bedrooms with built in robes plus an optional 4th bedroom/study/office, fabulous open plan family/living areas with plenty of space for the growing family with wood heating and a split system.

The kitchen will impress with quality appliances and fixtures boasting great bench and cupboard space, entertain outside in style all year round with a covered entertaining area overlooking the picturesque terraced back yard with plenty of space for the kids and pets to enjoy.

An impressive entrance with sealed driveways and plenty of car, boat or trailer accommodation with a double carport and a separate lock up garage. An exceptionally well presented and well maintained property offering a picturesque and relaxed lifestyle in a convenient and delightful location, a warm and welcoming property you will love to call home. ●

52ShirleyCrescent,WooriYallock$595,000-$650,000

Valleyviewsandconvenientliving!

Offering3Bedroomsallgenerousinsize,tastefulfloorboardsallthewaythroughandacomfortable loungetoindulgein.Theupdatedkitchenandbathroomreallydomakethisgreatvaluebuying asyoureallycanjustmoveinandmakethishometrulyyours!Thepresenceofagreatbackyard makesitsuitableforfamilieswithchildrenandpetsasitsfullyfenced,providingamplespacefor themtoenjoy.Themountainviewsaddapicturesquetouchtotheoverallappealoftheproperty andadditionally,theavailabilityofconvenientparkingandeasyaccesstothehomearepractical aspectsthatenhancetheproperty’svalue.Gardenshedforadditionalstorage,lowmaintenance gardens,smalloutdoordecking,andtheconvenienceofaspiltsystemforheatingandcooling. Don’tmisstheopportunitytomakethiswonderfulhomeyourstoday!

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

Dreamescapeonover3½acres

Acountryescapeonover31/2acresofprivatebushlandsoundslikeawonderfulretreatawayfrom thehustleandbustleofbusycitylife.Thelargelandsizeoffersplentyofspaceforyoutoimmerse yourselfinnatureandenjoythepeacefulsurroundingsallintheprivacyofyourownbackyard whereyoucanexplore,orsimplyunwindamidstthenaturalbeauty.Theneatandwell-maintained homewith2bedroomsand1bathroomprovidesforallyouwillneed.Thecosywoodfirecreates anambienceandwarmth.Theinclusionofahugegarage,carport,andworkshopisadefinite advantage.Anopportunitylikethisdoesn’tcomealongveryoftensotakeadvantageandcome andadmirethequietlifeandserenelifestyle.TheconvenienceoftheWarburtontownshiponlya shortdriveawaymeansyoucanhavethebestofbothworlds.

CosyFamilyLivingwithMountainViews

Discovertheperfectblendofcomfort,breathtakingmountainviews,andconvenienttownliving foryourfamily.A3-bedroom,2-bathroomhomethatoffersacosyretreatamidstnature’sbeauty. Immerseyourselfinthetranquilityofthesurroundingsandletthescenicbeautyinspireyoueveryday. Thehomeoffersspaciousandfunctionallivingareastoenjoy,and,inthekitchen,youcancreate deliciousmeals.Ideallylocated,allowingyoutoembracetheeasyaccesstothetownamenities. Whetherit’sshopping,diningatlocalrestaurants,exploringalongtheYarraRivereverythingisjusta shortdistanceaway.Thesurroundingareaoffersamultitudeofrecreationalactivitiessuchashiking, bikingandmore.Experiencethejoyofcosyfamilyliving,surroundedbynature’sbeautyandthe amenitiesyoulove.Yourhomeiswaitingforyou!

24DeanCrescent,LaunchingPlace$620,000-$670,000

GorgeousSurprisePackage!3Bedroom,2Bathroomhome!

Locatedonacornerblockof831sqm(approx),thiswesterncedarwithbrickendshomeisatrue gemthatstandsoutwithitscrispcolors.Theexterioriscomplementedbystunninggardensthatadd totheoverallcharmandbeautyoftheproperty.Stepinsideandbegreetedbyaspaciousliving area,perfectlysizedandseamlesslyconnectedtothekitchen.Thesplitsystemensurescomfortable temperaturesallyearround.Forthosecozyevenings,awoodheaterawaits,accompaniedbya ceilingfantoenhancetheclimatecontrol.Thelargewindowframesallownaturallighttofloodthe space.Thishomeboaststhreebedrooms,allfeaturingbuilt-inrobes,providingamplestoragespace. Themasterbedroomboaststheaddedconvenienceofanensuite,ensuringprivacyandcomfort. Callnowtoscheduleyourviewingandmakethisimmaculatehomeyourown!

LeahBannerman M 0448924266

3BrisbaneHillRoad,Warburton$690,000-$720,000 RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

845WoodsPointRoad,EastWarburton$595,000-$650,000

ACREAGE SUITED TO HOBBY FARM LIVING

THIS spectacular rural property with scenic pastural views is a sight to behold for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. Comprising 11.5 acres of land with 3 horse paddocks, double garage with expansive workshop, extensive machinery sheds, bonus bungalow, and a relaxed and inviting family home, this is a complete package of compelling proportions.

With single-level brick construction and a wrap-around verandah, this home is nestled nicely into its magnificent surrounds. Floor to ceiling windows feature in the rumpus room with open wood fire and quality parquet floors. The formal lounge and dining area are ideal for entertaining with landscape views at every turn. At this home’s heart is the timeless timber kitchen with modern stainless steel oven and dishwasher. Guaranteed to be ideal for growing families, there are 3 spacious bedrooms and a home office/4th bedroom on offer.

The family bedrooms share the bathroom with soaking tub. The main bedroom boasts ample storage and a shower ensuite. With an expansive list of features in this home and a substantial collection of rural property infrastructure, this acreage offers an outstanding way of life. Positioned at the end of a peaceful no-through road merely moments from Yellingbo Primary School and Yellingbo Central Store, this property promises to impress. Plan your viewing today.

· 46,802sqm (approx.) property spectacular rolling hill views

· 3 horse paddocks with loose box and hay sheds

· Single-level brick home with 3 generous bedrooms + home office/4th bedroom

· Dual living areas and a timber kitchen with SS appliances

· Double garage with workshop and expansive machinery sheds ●

FORSALE

OriginallydesignedbyarchitectsMaxMayandGeorgeHatzisavas,andinspiredbyamix ofJapaneseaestheticsandFrankLloydWrights“Fallingwater”thisinspiringsteel,glassand brickhomesetonjustoveroneacrehasbeenrecentlyredesignedandrenovatedtoa superbstandard,resultinginoneofthemostintriguingandsophisticatedresidencesinthe

Thismagnificent10-acrepropertyculminatingatscenicWooriYallockCreekisa breathtakingportionoftheDandenongRangesnottobemissed.Punctuatedbyaquality craftedmudbrickandweatherboardresidence,thisisacountry-feelpropertyimmersedin exquisitelocalfloraandfauna.

BradConder M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

DanielSteen M 0434979142| E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au

FORSALE

5 A 2 B 4 C

37BayviewRoad,BELGRAVE $1,130,000to$1,180,000 BEAUTIFULHOMEWITHACCOMMODATIONZONING

WithpicturewindowviewsofSherbrookeForestandonly300metrestometrotrainstation, busconnections,shops,cafes,bars,livemusic,andcinema,thisbeautifulcharacter-filled circa1919homegivesyouthebestofbothworlds–superconvenienceandagenuine, privateHillsretreatamongstthetreesandbirds.

SuzieBrannelly

M 0490506910| E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

149ColbyDrive,BELGRAVESOUTH $1,150,000-$1,195,000 BEAUTIFULHOMESTEPSFROMBELGRAVESOUTHVILLAGE 4 A 2 B 2 C

Thisstunningtwo-storeybrickresidencewithdoublegarageandlandscapedgardenssits nestledonlystepsfromBelgraveSouthPrimarySchoolandtheheartofBelgraveSouth villageshops.OfferinganoutstandingDandenongRangeslifestyleaneasystrollfromthe localpreschool,cafes,shops,publictransport,andmedicalfacilities,thisistheperfect positionforthisforeverfamilyhome.

BradConder

M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

DanielSteen M 0434979142| E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION LOCATED AT WARBURTON

Telstra plans to upgrade an existing telecommunications facility located at 3475 Warburton Hwy Warburton VIC 3799 www.rfnsa.com.au/3799002

1.Telstra Limited (A.C.N 051 775 556) are currently upgrading existing mobile network facilities to allow for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network. As part of thisnetworkupgrade,Telstraproposestheinstallationof NR850 (5G), LTE2100 (4G), NR/LTE2600 (5G/4G) and NR3500 (5G) technologies at Warburton. The upgrade comprises the removal of three (3) panel antennas with three(3)RemoteRadioUnits(RRUs)andtheinstallation of three (3) panel antennas (each no more than 2.8m long) and six (6) RRUs with associated ancillaries. All internal equipment will be housed within the existing shelter at the base of the facility on ground level.

2.Telstra regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the above description.

3.In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or written submissions should be directed to Michael Cheung, Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd (A.B.N 54 005 139 873) via email to: Michael.Cheung@aurecongroup.com or via post to: MichaelCheung,AureconPtyLtd,Level3,25GrenfellSt, Adelaide SA5000 by 5pm on 4 July 2023.

SPORT Ranges athletes excel

By Jamie Strudley

Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes were in action around the state over the weekend with the little athletics team competing for team glory at the Knox LAC Open Day while the senior team raced at the Round 4 of AV XCR series.

The junior (LA) team were chasing nine team wins in a row at the annual Knox LAC Cross Country Open Day, held around Jells Park.

We had a very strong team competing but could not overcme a stronger Waverley team, eventually finishing second.

Congratulations to all a team members.

Special mention to Ryder Holland winning his U13 3000m and other podiums for Milly Hall, Brienna Coffey, Adele Ellis and Brookley Horsburgh.

Results:

Girls

· U7 1000m Lola Farmilo 9th 6.53

· U8 1000m Delia Coffey 6th 5.39

· U9 1500m Milly Hall 2nd 6.44; Etta Thoma 4th 6.53; Amelia Sketchley 8th 7.16; Trinity

Graham 16th 9.48

· U10 1500m Caitlyn Mckerlie 5th 7.30

· U11 2000m Pippa Congreve 5th 9.37; Holly Yorke 6th 9.39; Lexi Aders 13th 0.57; Meadow

Anderson-Bonsor 20th 2.10; Arizona Peel

21st 2.14

· U12 2000m Brienna Coffey 2nd 9.20; Adele Ellis 3rd 9.22; Lily Clarke 4th 9.24; Mackenzie

Graham 6th 9.44

· U13 3000m Brookley Horsburgh 3rd 14.13;

Tori Kincaid 6th 16.52

Boys

· U6 500m Finley Malcher 7th 3.06; Angus

Congreve 8th 3.06

· U8 1000m Riley Yorke 5th 5.12; Brock Peel

General Notices

12th 5.40; Spencer Norman 21st 6.21

· U9 1500m Micah Friend 19th 9.5

· U10 1500m Dominic Nealon 16th 7.17

· U11 2000m Archie Budin 4th 8.56; Ilikimi

Tove 5th 9.05; Cohen Holland 8th 9.52; Jonty Friend 10th 12.41

· U13 Ryder Holland 1st 10.37; Jay Burke 5th 14.39

· U14 Blake Saloyedoff 5th 13.11

On Saturday our seniors travelled down to the picturesque Cruden Farm in Langwarrin for Round 4 of the Athletics Victoria XCR23 season.

Our U16s and U18s completed one lap of the 5km loop, while our U20s completed a 7km

Planning and Environment Act 1987

YARRA RANGES PLANNING SCHEME

Notice of the Preparation of an Amendment to a Planning Scheme Amendment C217yran

The land affected by the Amendment is all land affected by the Erosion Management Overlay Schedule 1.

The Amendment proposes to amend the Erosion Management Overlay Schedule 1 (EMO1) to simplify its structure, include new exemptions for minor buildings and works and vegetation removal, include separate requirements for subdivision applications and amend the tolerable risk criteria from Low to Medium in particular circumstances, to ensure the risk provisions in the scheme are consistent with contemporary guidance provided in the Australian Geomechanics Society Practice Note Guidelines for Landslide Risk Management (AGS 2007).

You may inspect the Amendment, the Explanatory Report about the Amendment, the application, and any documents that support the Amendment and the application, including the proposed permit, free of charge at the:

• Yarra Ranges website at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/C217 and/or

• office of the planning authority, Yarra Ranges Council, 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale, during office hours.

• Department of Transport and Planning website www.delwp.vic.gov.au/ public-inspection or by contacting 1800 789 386 to arrange a time to view the amendment documentation.

Any person who may be affected by the Amendment may make a submission to the planning authority about the amendment. Submissions must be made in writing giving the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the Amendment is supported or opposed and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make.

Name and contact details of submitters are required for Council to consider submissions and to notify such persons of the opportunity to attend Council meetings and any public hearing held to consider submissions.

The closing date for submissions is 27 July 2023. To make a submission go to www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/C217 or post your submission to Strategic Planning, Yarra Ranges Council, PO Box 105, Lilydale, Victoria 3140. Please quote Amendment C217.

The planning authority must make a copy of every submission available at its office and/or its website for any person to inspect free of charge until the end of the two months after the amendment comes into operation or lapses.

Alison Fowler Executive Officer Strategic

Planning

www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

course, including a 2km loop and 5km loop.

Finally, our Open athletes completed 12km over two laps of the 5km loop and one lap of the 2km loop.

The course was another challenging XC number, with several punchy hills around the farm that gave our hill-hardened athletes a chance to shine.

Dodging tractor tire marks and seemingly endless piles of cow poo, the course wound it’s way through each of the farm’s unique areas, including a dash through a fern gully followed by a leap of faith over a mudpit.

We welcomed back some familiar faces with the return of Seamus Dwyer and Bonnie Morris who both had fantastic races.

Our Open athletes had a day to remember with our Open Men claiming 2nd place in Div 2 and Div 6!!

While our Div 2 Women hung on nicely for 3rd place. Congratulations to Max Savill-Bentley and Liv Twining for being our first Open athletes across the line, both finishing in 13th place.

Our Juniors gave it their all over the tough and muddy course scoring some good points for their teams.

Congratulations to Maddie, Rori, Brigitte and Zoe for top 10 finishes in their respective age groups.

Results are:

Women

· 12km: Olivia Twining 13th 46:38; Abi Hyndman 49th 52:24; Katrina Winger 52nd 52:50; Bonnie Morris 84th 57:24; Georgia Laven 95th 59:05;

· 7km: Madeline Laven 5th 29:07; Rori Jones 9th 34:22;

· 5km: Brigitte Rice 6th 19:58; Zoe Clarke8th 21:06; Kristina Nackovski 17th 24:20;

Men

· 12km: Max Savill-Bentley 13th 38:39; Harry Norman 26th 39:54; James Laven 38th 40:43; Seamus Dwyer 106th 44:15; Jared Byrne 166th 47:52; Chris Grundy 170th 48:07; Michael Clarke 201st 50:10; Logan Dutton 266th 55:17; Graham Coutts 278th 57:03; Bryan Ackerly 306th 1:01:31; Craig Hewitson 329th 1:09:46;

· 7km: Angus Norman 14th 25:23; Ky Harris 18th 28:24;

· 5km: Mitchell Pointon 26th 20:16; Congratulations to all our club members and regulars who competed at the SSV cross country during the week.

Good luck this week for those that qualified for State Championships.

Next week we return to Saturday morning cross country with the round being at Lillydale Lake.

We will have a number of athletes and families away at the LAVIC State cross country relays at Cruden farm, good luck to our teams competing there.

Training continues for all club members on Tuesday from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm at Victoria Road Primary School gym with the emphasis on preparing for cross country.

Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.

If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the fun of cross country email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration.

For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook.

Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!

General Classifieds Announcements

HAGUE (Nee Haworth) Myrna

11.08.1942 - 11.06 2023

Passed away peacefully at home. Devoted Wife to Peter.

Adored Mum to Simon and Nicholas (dec.). Mother-in-law to Sue.

Much loved Grandma to Thomas, William and Shane.

12614695-AA25-23

In God’s care

V Funeral Services

HAGUE

The Funeral service to Celebrate the Life of Myrna Hague will be held in the Pioneers Chapel at Heritage Funeral Home, 1416 Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock on Friday 23rd June 2023, commencing at 11am.

If you cannot attend or wish to watch via the livestream please head to www.heritagefunerals.com.au/upcoming-services

Private cremation 12614697-AI25-23

HERITAGE & HERITAGE ROB, GAVAN & JANET WOORI YALLOCK 03 5964 6500

REDGUM FIREWOOD

$275 per metre

Delivered

0407 307 432

V Massage Therapists

ADVERTISERS in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexualservices.

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

Employment

V Professional

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Jared Byrne storming around the 12km course. Picture: SUPPLIED

SPORT

High winds make it hard

By Anne-Marie Ebbels

A strong northerly wind made conditions challenging both football and netball at Don Road despite the dry weather.

In the top of the table clash, it was a 14 a-side game this week with Upwey-Tecoma missing a number of players.

The big ground took its toll on the visitors with Healesville having an extended bench which allowed the rotations to run the legs off the opposition.

Healesville were winners by 23 points, keeping their unbeaten run intact.

In the Seniors, Seville were out of the block quickly kicking with the wind and kept Healesville scoreless.

In the second quarter Healesville couldn’t make the most of kicking with the wind and Seville extended their lead to 24 points at half time.

The third quarter saw Seville kicking with

the wind and extending their lead even further to 41 points.

In the final quarter Healesville were kicking with the wind and scored six quick goals to get themselves back into the game.

Seville then locked the ball in and made it difficult for Healesville break loose and score.

Healesville went down by 15 points.

The Reserves played well with the windy, but struggled to score into the wind which was the difference between the two sides.

Seville made the most of the scoring opportunities into the wind and ran out winners by 38 points.

The veterans won on forfeit from Tooradin Dalmore which unfortunately meant they missed out on playing in front of the parochial home crowd.

The A Grade netballer started strong in the first quarter, but after that Seville turned it on and made it difficult for Healesville to transition down the court to generate scoring op-

portunities and the blustery conditions made it hard to take advantage of the limited scoring opportunities.

Seville were winners by 57 goals.

A strong second quarter by Seville by B Grade team put Seville in an unassailable position, Healesville put in a strong defensive second half to limit the Seville scoring opportunities, but the damage had been done and Seville ran out winner by 59 goals.

Seville led from start to finish in the C Grade netball game.

Healesville couldn’t get into the game and struggled to make use of the scoring opportunities generated in the windy conditions.

Seville were winners by 44 goals.

In D Grade, Healesville finished the game well with the limiting Seville to their lowest scoring quarter for the game.

Seville ran out winners by 44 goals.

This week’s games are away against Berwick Springs.

Results

Football

· Veterans Healesville defeated Tooradin Dalmore on forfeit

· Men Reserves Healesville 6.4 defeated by 12.6 Seville Best: L English, C Boeder, K Jones, J Draper, R Hargreaves, C McInnes

· Men Seniors Healesville 7.14 defeated by Seville 11.5 Best: C Warren, L Oliver, B Murphy, D Sissins, S Gebert, W Kristelly-Kelety

· Women Seniors Healesville 6.7 defeated Upwey-Tecoma 3.2

Netball

· A Grade Healesville 14 defeated by Seville 71 Best: A White, J Milne, J Agnew

· B Grade Healesville 10 defeated by Seville 69 Best: H Blackney, C Bouma, Z Boundy

· C Grade Healesville 8 defeated by Seville 52 Best: M Dougherty, T Pinkster

· D Grade Healesville defeated by Seville Best: R Beaumont

Lots of positive signs at Healesville Soccer Club

By Suzanne Tyzack

Under 8 Strikers v Berwick

Under 8 Strikers went up against Berwick Spirit in a very evenly matched contest. The game ended 2-2 with Bryce Stevenson adding another to his tally and Milos Krstic kicking his first goal of the season. Unfortunately, being the coach’s son, Miloš has played defence all year and constantly complains he’ll never have a chance to score. He took matters onto his own boots and scored from inside his defensive half. A ripper game, well played Strikers.

Under 9 Redbacks v Berwick

Not sure if it was the long drive down, the strong wind or what the boys ate for breakfast but the game-day mindset wasn’t really there this week for the U9 Redbacks

They were up against it from the start against a physically stronger and more skilful Berwick opposition. Unfortunately, the team effort and structure, defensive discipline and attacking pressure were lacking compared to our previous weeks’ efforts which have resulted in good wins. There were a few good moments and passages of play but the team lacked the cohesion and concentration needed, resulting in a 4-0 loss.

Under 9 White Knights v Berwick

The U9 White Knights played a hard-fought, intense match against Berwick U9, one of the four U9 teams Berwick has. This particular side hasn’t lost a game this year and is likely to finish best in the competition. Healesville was perhaps focused a little too much on de-

fensive play but scored 1 superb goal from Arlo. Berwick had many scoring opportunities and goal strikes but the Healesville defence did well to repel with Berwick scoring 4 goals, 2 of which were lucky goalie bypass dribbles. After the game, the Berwick coach awarded the Best Player of the Match to Healesville player Lexie Gray who revelled in the associated canteen voucher for hot chips and a soft drink.

Healesville U10’s Whites v Mooroolbark

4-1 Mooroolbarks way

Healesville conceded 3 early goals and found it hard to penetrate into their forward half of the ground in the first half of the match. Some good bursts from Will on the wing were not taken advantage of until the second half, when the midfield attacked and found Will out on the wing in space. He dribbled and shot across his body into the

Yarra Glen finish on top

By David Ball

Yarra Glen travelled up to Broadford and were greeted with sunshine and a strong wind.

Yarra Glen won the toss and kicked with the aid of the strong northerly. Broadford, however, started with greater purpose, using precise kicking to control the game. Yarra Glen missed some easy set shots and were also let down by poor field kicking.

At quarter time the River Pigs led by just 3 points having kicked just the 1 goal. With the aid of the wind, Broadford piled on 4 goals to Yarra Glen’s 1 to take a handy 17 point lead into half time.

General play followed the pattern of the first, with Broadford hitting the many loose targets they had through the midfield while Yarra Glen struggled to connect.

In the third quarter the River Pigs came out with more intensity and with the move of Callum Morison forward, they had a big target to focus on when in attack.

While they outscored Broadford 4 goals to 1, the River Pigs led by just the 1 point at

three -quarter time.

top right corner - brilliant. Some stand-out efforts from Healesville mids and a heavy focus on defence were not enough to hold off a strong Mooroolbark attack.

U14’s V Gideon Warriors 1-3 loss U14s were unfortunately outgunned by a visiting team who were up for the challenge. It was great to again see numerous shots on target however unfortunately most were saved or hit the bar.

Senior Women 1-0 win

Our Senior Women headed off to Rowville for their first-ever match against Bayswater Strikers. It was a wild and windy afternoon when the unusually small Healesville contingent pulled up to prepare. Even considering the first-half conditions with the wind pushing against the team and the flashes of sun beaming straight into the eyes of the defend-

ers the women fought hard to keep the ball in their attacking half. Kiera Steventon was not deterred and scored the first and only goal with a brilliant boot sailing just out of reach of the keeper’s hands and into the back corner of the net. With all players needing to play the full 90 minutes it was an exceptional display of hard work and resilience with a shout-out to Captain Sarah Cunnian who was everywhere across the pitch. Not to mention, with very few supporters able to make the Rowville trip, massive hats off to Coach Klaus who mastered the art of multitasking not only managing to lead the women to victory but also wrangling small children on the side of the pitch so the incredible Healesville women could play.

U14 Girls Healesville Derby

It was time again for our Under 14 girls to face off against each other at Don Road. With the long line of Healesville girls facing each other on the pitch, it’s a reminder of how super excited we are to have not one but two full teams of inspiring under-14 girls this year. The Reds managed to secure some very nice goals in the first half including an incredible run and score by Sia McMahon and impressive conversions by Mia Krstic and Melita Campbell. Melita Campbell scored the only goal in the second half securing the Reds’ win 4-0. A shout out to the Reds wing defenders Eloise Stevenson, Isla Campbell and Melita Campbell who ran hard all game and gave the game everything they possibly could. Well done to both teams the camaraderie between each other is commendable and everyone’s skills and talent continue to build.

in thriller against Broadford

opening seconds of the last, it was looking like the home team would notch up their second win for the season.

Ryan Smith in the ruck got on top as Yarra Glen started winning the clearances and finding targets up forward.

Sam Wood and Josh Hawkins goaled from set shots whileTom Sullivan kicked a great goal from the pocket to put Yarra Glen 2 goals clear with 5 minutes to go.

As both sides crashed into every contest Broadford rushed a couple of points before nailing a goal with 2 minutes to go to reduce the margin to just 4 points.

A rushed kick right on the siren went wide, sneaking in for a point, to see Yarra Glen finish on top by just 3 points.

Final scores Yarra Glen 9.9 defeated Broadford 8.12. Best players wereTom Sullivan, Ryan Smith, Ben Ashton, Sam Wood, James Donald and Richard Gurney.

The 5th placed Yarra Glen reserves took on 6th placed Broadford in good, albeit windy conditions. Having won the toss and kicking to the wind assisted end in the 1st quarter, the River Pigs were very sluggish while Broadford started with plenty of energy.

With a strong marking forward line Broadford were able to get out to a 3 goal lead at quarter time. Kicking with the wind in the second, Broadford added 6 goals to Yarra Glens 2 points to be 56 points ahead at the main break.

In the 3rd quarterYarra Glen lifted and were able to hold Broadford goal less whilst adding 1 of their own. Despite being outplayed and outclassed, the River Pigs kept trying and restricted the opposition to a 3 goal to 1 last quarter.

Broadford finished up convincing winners, final scores Yarra Glen 2.7 to Broadford 12.13.

Best players were Ash Bryans, Jamie Brereton, Liam Bull, Ben Johnson, LukeVanderstadt and Oscar Grenfell.

With Broadford coming home with the strengthening wind and kicking a goal in the

Goalkickers wereTom Sullivan 2, SamWood 2, Jimmy Marks, Josh Hawkins, Callum Morison, Richard Gurney and Callum Tucker.

Ben Ramadge kicked the 2 goals.

Next week Yarra Glen takes on the top team at Warburton.

Healesville’stwoU14GirlsSidesintheirsecondderbyoftheseason.

Picture:SUPPLIED

MattMcCanntakingastrongmark.

Picture:JAYNEBASHFORD

Wet weather won’t wane

By Ron Hottes

Wednesday 14 June, Stableford: Dear readers, as winter conditions start to affect the beautiful course, great scores naturally become more infrequent. It is just harder to be consistent when there is no run on the ball, when there are wet areas, and when greens become really damp. So, a good score is definitely worth celebrating. 38 points was the winning result on this day, and David Hatt can certainly celebrate by collecting his winner’s voucher. Good work, Hatty. Ironically, the daily runner-up, Ken White, played with Hatty on the day, and it appears the finishing order was ultimately decided on the 18th hole, where Hatty scored 2 points and Ken didn’t. Ken posted a 37-point round. The ball rundown reached 32. NTPs were earnt by John Hall (3rd) and David Waterman (9th and 12th, a good day’s work Dave). The tough 15th yielded a ball to Steuart Hawke Saturday 17 June, Stableford:

With a couple of days with drying weather conditions, scores were always going to be a little higher than the mid-week results. Higher indeed was the score posted by Chris Leighton, who managed to amass 43 points to take home the A-Grade voucher. Terrific result Chris. The runner-up score in A-Grade was pretty impressive, too, because 41 points, posted by Michael

Pinkster, would often win on any other day. The B-Grade prize was taken home by‘A.J’ Alan Johnston, posting 37 solid points. A.J. enjoys a smooth glass of wine, and like a good red, he

just seems to get better with age. Great work, Alan. 36 points was enough for Alan McDonald to grab the runner-up voucher.

Overall, balls extended to 34. NTP

Another clean sweep for the Burras

By Alex Woods

A windy day for sport today. But nonetheless, another clean sweep for the season and some happy Burra people.

The morning started off with 17 and Under netball, they got off to a red-hot start having a score of 7-0 at quarter time. The team kept Yarra Junction to 1 goal in the first half whilst shooting another 10 in the second quarter themselves. By the end of the match, the 17’s had well and truly taken the win with ease with a nice win of 25-7. Still remaining undefeated, well done team. Tayah Humphrey put up 20 goals for the game with Lexi Cole contributing 4 and Tahlia Thornton with 1. The best players were Tegan Butcher, Lucas Rush and Lexi Cole.

Next up was D Grade. This team also had another cracker of a match being 11-5 at halftime but soon kicked it out putting up 17 goals in the third quarter and leaving Yarra Junction scoreless for the remainder of the match from halftime. By three-quarter time the score was 28 to 5 and the girls weren’t slowing down. Another 17 goals were shot by the Burras in the last quarter, giving them a mega win of 45-5. Camryn Holland contributed 28 goals to the team win, Cam Partel with 8 and Tayah Humphrey with 9. Georgia Wyatt, Cam Partel and Alexandra Freeman were all awarded best on court. The D Grade girls remain undefeated in the first half of the season.

C Grade was ready in the hope of another good win. They managed to secure a 20-6 lead by half time and kept the momentum going from there. They continued on the strong shooting and got another 11 goals in the third quarter. The defenders worked awesome keeping Yarra Junction to 6 goals in each half. The final score was 39-12 with Ella Meerkotter, Melanie Hancock and Ruby Kelly all awarded best on court. Ella also contributed 18 goals and Mel Hancock with 21.

Reserves started off the football at midday. A strong start by the boys with a 3.6-24 to 0.1-1 lead at the first break. They keptYarra Junction to 1 goal by halftime whilst kicking another 3.5 for themselves having a half-time lead of 40 points. Yarra Junction came out strong in the second half, securing a few goals for themselves, but was unable to keep up with the Burras, who contributed a couple more to their score. The final score was 11.19-85 to Yarra Junction 5.3-33. Marcel Kocher kicked 4 goals to his name, Damien Egan also secured 3 and Josh Dobson, Brayden Ferguson, Matt Sidari and Ash Taylor all got 1 each. Josh Dobson, Brayden Ferguson, Ben Gray, Aaron Pye, Hudson Semple and Daniel Schlueter were all named top performers for the match. This side also remains undefeated at the halfway mark in the season. Well done, boys.

B Grade took the court after C Grade. The girls needed a good win after the loss last game

against Powelltown.They got off to a flying start with a quarter-time score of 21-5. By halftime, they had a big lead of 39-12. Some changes were made and some fresh legs to run out, they put up a massive 20 goals in the third quarter and the defenders kept Yarra Junction to 3 goals. The score was 59-15 at the last break and they still had one more quarter to go. They powered through,Yarra Junction secured 8 in the last but couldn’t keep up with the Burras who also put up 13 for themselves. The final score was 72-23 and it was a good win needed for B Grade. Alex Woods put up 47 goals and Emily Hay had 25 to her name. Alexandra Woods, Taylah Moschetti and Chelsea Barnard were all awarded best on the court for the game.

A Grade finished off the netball but had a closer start to the match than the other games. They had a 4-goal lead at quarter time but managed to stretch that out 31-14 by half time. They used their speed and intensity to push it out to a 20-goal lead by the last break. A 21-goal lead was secured by A Grade, Bianca Daniels shot 29 goals and partner KarlyWappett wasn’t far behind with 25. Bianca Daniels, Karly Wappett and Selina Fotia were all awarded best on court for the win.The A Grade girls sit on top of

the ladder with only 1 loss against them.

Seniors finished off the round and hoped to secure that clean sweep. 6.8 to 1.0 was kicked by quarter time and the Burras were up. They had a massive second quarter kicking 11 goals and 6 behinds to Yarra Junction’s 1 goal in the first quarter. The Burras were up 15.14-104 to 1.0-6 at half time. The third quarter came along and the Burras lost a bit of momentum compared to the second quarter. They still managed to kick 3 goals but also missed a few. A little reset at three-quarter time and they gained a little bit more intensity to finish off the match strong. The win was secured with a 22.23-155 to 4.3-27 final score. Young guns Liam Westlake and Bailey Humphrey both slotted 7 goals each. Jack Farrugia had 3 goals to his name, while Tom Barr, Trent Elliott, Tyson Henry, Blake Muir and Josh Read all had 1 goal each. Dylan Walker, Liam Westlake, Bailey Humphrey, Tom Barr, Patrick Huynh and Timothy McKail all were named best on for the team’s big win. Home game again next weekend against Yarra Glen, all Ladies are invited to WMFNC Ladies Day in the social rooms from 3pm. Well done Burras on a good weekend.

winners on the day went to Luke Patrick (3rd), Chris Leighton (9th), Danny Fox (12th) and Jason ‘Kenno’ Kennedy (15th).

Horse Talk

By Anita Prowse

Wesburn Park equestrian area is set to be very busy for the rest of the year. Keep these dates handy and remember for events other than the usual club rallies, set up will usually occur in the afternoon of the day before an event.

· Sunday June 25 – UYPC Beginners

Gymkhana

· Sunday July 2 – UYPC RWH rally

· Saturday July 15 – UYARC rally

· Sunday July 16 – UYPC rally

· Sunday August 6 – UYPC RWH rally

· Saturday August 19 – UYARC rally

· Sunday August 20 – UYPC rally

· Sunday September 3 – UYPC RWH rally

· Saturday September 9 – Freshmans show jumping

· Saturday September 16 – UYARC rally

· Sunday September 17 – UYPC rally

· Sunday October 1 – UYPC RWH rally

· Saturday October 14 – Freshmans show jumping

· Saturday October 21 – UYARC rally

· Sunday October 22 – UYPC rally

· Saturday 28 Sunday 29 October –UYARC Dressage In The Valley

· Saturday November 4 – UYPC combined Freshmans show jumping and RWH rally

· Saturday November 18 – UYARC rally

· Sunday November 19 – UYPC rally

· Sunday December 3 – UYPC RWH rally

· Sunday December 10 – Yarra Valley Horse Show

· Saturday December 16 – UYARC Xmas rally

· Sunday December 17 th – UYPC Xmas rally

Please contact clubs for further information.

Senior Burras tune in.

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Warburton Golf Club results.

Picture: ON FILE