Mail - Ranges Trader Star Mail - 20th June 2023

Clubhouse gutted

By Tyler Wright

The Hills community has been dealt a huge blow after the Macclesfield Pony Club’s building was burnt down on Saturday 17 June.

Emergency services attended the Tschampions Road property following reports the club house was fully engulfed in flames around 6.30am.

Victoria Police is treating the fire as suspicious.

Macclesfield CFA Fire Brigade captain Sharon Merritt said the building was “fully involved” when firefighters arrived at the scene.

“In spite of our efforts we were unable to save the building or anything inside it...It took several hours to extinguish,” Ms Merritt said.

Yellingbo, Emerald and Cockatoo CFA brigades were also on the scene, with Bayswater Fire Brigade’s breathing apparatus van on hand.

“It is a devastating loss to the community,” Ms Merritt said.

“Many members of the community including the fire brigade members had attended the Pony Club or Adult Riding Club or had children who attended over the last 40 years and the building was full of photos, trophies and honour boards that cant be replaced.

“It’s important for community recovery that the council assist in replacing the building and getting the clubs up and running again as soon as possible.”

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined by police, with investigations ongoing.

Macclesfield Adult Riding Club secre-

tary Delvene Henderson said the pony club grounds service both the Macclesfield Pony Club and Macclesfield Adult Riding Club, with the blaze a “real shock” for volunteers.

“It was very sad to see...It’s a bit of an icon, the pony club grounds and the club rooms...

and we had a lot of memories in that building,” Ms Henderson said.

“A lot of memorabilia, a lot of photos. We’ve been getting contacted by people that were members there 40, 50 years ago, saying how upset they are that this has happened.

“For two not for profit clubs, it’s a real blow.”

Ms Henderson said the positive response from community organisations, as well as clubs from Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria and Pony Clubs of Victoria, has been “overwhelming”.

“It’s always a silver lining in these sort of events where people come together and support each other, and we’ve had so many offers of assistance for fundraising or just for support, or people just saying ‘what can we do?’ ‘how can we help?’, so it’s been wonderful,” she said.

“Even though you thank God and thank goodness no one was hurt, no animals were hurt or anything like that, It’s still a real blow when you’re a part of a community and all the volunteers put their own time and effort into making it a really functional place and a great place for people to meet and socialise, and for it to be taken like that, it’s really sad.”

Ms Henderson said the next step for the clubs will be getting through “red tape” to rebuild the club rooms, with the building owned by Yarra Ranges Council.

“The first thing will be to make sure that the site is safe, so obviously that’ll be something that we work in connection with the council in terms of the removal of the rubbish and so forth, because it will all have to be removed and the site cleared,” she said.

“It’s still very early stages at the moment.”

Anyone with any information, or who may have been in the area at the time, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au.

TheMacclesfieldPonyClubroomsweredemolishedafterablazefullyengulfedthebuildingat around6.30amonSaturday17June.

Picture:TRISTANMERRITT

Rescue cliffhanger

By Tyler Wright

Monbulk’s CFA Fire & Rescue Brigade crews were involved in a rescue in the Cathedral Ranges on Saturday 10 June after a walker fell near Sugarloaf Peak.

Paged at 10.37am, the 11-hour long operation saw five CFA members climb up treacherous terrain to the peak of the range and set up a high angle rescue system to bring a woman, believed to be in her 20s, who sustained lower body injuries, to safety.

Marysville CFA Fire Brigade members arrived at the scene, stabilising the woman before she was moved 20 metres to the ridge of the cliff by Monbulk Fire & Rescue Brigade members, alongside SES and FRV rescuers.

Buxton Fire Brigade also responded to the incident.

Due to foggy weather conditions, it was decided the woman would remain at the site overnight with two Ambulance Victoria wilderness paramedics.

On Sunday morning, she was winched by air ambulance and taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital by road ambulance in a stable condition.

Monbulk Fire & Rescue Brigade Lieutenant Glenn Hickingbotham said a rescue of this nature is “not unusual” for crews, who are involved in a number of high angle rescues as part of a broader rescue response with District 13 brigades including Wandin, Marysville and Alexandra.

“We seem to be getting a few of them in the same area around the Cathedral Ranges,” Mr Hickingbotham said.

“We’ve had a couple, including one the

week prior on the Friday night at Seven Acre Rock in Gembrook, a similar scenario where someone was injured about 10 metres down an embankment with a fractured leg.”

“It was a true multi agency event under the control of Victoria Police.”

Mr Hickingbotham said rope rescues callouts are “physically demanding” but also rewarding.

“Of course we’ve got risk to rescuers at the same time, but we’re very careful and mindful in the work that we do, how we approach it, setting up our own safety systems to look after ourselves and others that are there,” he said.

“There’s plans afoot to expand rope rescue capacity across CFA [and] SES...a true multi agency response working towards a common goal.”

Crime down overall in Yarra Ranges

By Parker McKenzie

Criminal incidents have dropped in the Yarra Ranges in the year up to March 2023 when compared to the previous 12 months of data, according to new statistics released on Thursday 15 July.

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 Knox, criminal incidents rose 3.1 per cent compared to the previous year, with Boronia seeing 1291 (up from 1284), Ferntree Gully 1220 (up 1061) and Bayswater 786 (up from 786).

Criminal incidents have dropped in the Yarra Ranges in the year up to March 2023 when compared to the previous 12 months of data, according to new statistics released on Thursday 15 July. Picture: ON FILE

The three most common incidents were stealing from a motor vehicle (658 incidents down from 790 the previous year), other theft (574 up from 438_ and breaching family violence orders (463 down from 507).

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 compared 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.

Missing laptop handed into Monbulk Police Station

A Silver HP Brand Laptop was handed into the Monbulk Police Station after being found in Mount Evelyn on 6 June 2023.

The laptop may have fallen from a car.

Anyone who has lost a laptop is advised to give Monbulk Police Station a call on 9756 6266.

Police looking for information

Monbulk Police need assistance to identify a man who allegedly trespassed on a private property in Macclesfield while in possession of a rifle.

It’s alleged the incident occured at 7.45am on 15 April 2023.

People who have any information regarding the identity of the male are advised to contact LSC Clarkson at Monbulk Police on 9756 6266.

Operation Regal targets high-risk driving

behaviour

More than 6,500 offences were detected during a major road safety effort over the King’s Birthday long weekend.

Operation Regal saw police targeting highrisk driving behaviour across the state over four days in an effort to drive down road trauma, following a shocking period that has seen the highest number lives lost recorded on Victorian roads in 16 years.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing Martin O’Brien said this year’s Operation Regal saw an increase in the number of offences detected.

“This is really disappointing as it indicates that many motorists are continuing to take risks on our roads,” he said.

“Police will continue to enforce against those who engage in risky driving behaviour, and we make no apologies for this. It only takes one poor decision and a split second to cause a tragedy.”

Recent collisions have sparked a warning from police for motorists to be extra cautious when travelling on mountain roads and fourwheel drive tracks, particularly during the winter months when road or track conditions can be affected by wet weather and poor visibility.

The weekend’s fatalities bring the total number of lives lost on Victorian roads this year to 143, up 35 per cent on the same time last year (106).

Umpires wanted

The Ringwood District Cricket Association (RDCA) are seeking new umpires to join their ranks ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Training and mentor programs for men, women, boys and girls to help get you up to speed, clued up on the laws of the game and confident ahead of the season’s start.

Umpiring is a paid position, with matches stretching from theYarra Ranges to Ringwood, Warrandyte and Wantirna.

The RDCA has 183 Men’s and Women’s senior teams, 35 Veterans teams and 258 junior teams to cover playing in two-day, one-day and T20 matches.

Anyone interested can contact Adam Kuklych at adamk@mcservices.com.au or on 0475 451 101 or Jordan Russell at j_brussel@outlook.com or on 0413 357 444.

Monbulk Fire & Rescue Fire Brigade members moved a woman believed to be in her 20s, to the peak awaiting her transport off the range. Picture: MONBULK CFA FIRE & RESCUE

Monbulk’s own top teacher

By Tyler Wright

AMonbulkteacherhastakenouttheTeacherof

theYear (Primary) award at the ResourceSmart Schools Awards on Thursday 15 June.

Danielle Lamport, grade two teacher at Monbulk Primary School, was awarded the accolade at SustainabilityVictoria’s ceremony for her work assisting the school reaching a fourstar sustainability rating.

Ms Lamport has created a staff sustainability team, introduced sustainability captains, supported environmental national days and spearheaded new infrastructure such as solar panels, water tanks, LED lights, and a kitchen garden.

“It felt really satisfying because we were starting to see changes in behaviour with students and with their families as well, through bringing in rubbish-free lunch and behaving in more sustainable ways, which was the aim,” Ms Lamport said.

“We had recycling...and [we were] managing our waste, so we weren’t throwing out so much food, we were composting in the garden, we weren’t bringing in as much rubbish because people were having rubbish free lunch...to see all that was just very satisfying and a good way for everybody to start getting involved immediately.”

Ms Lamport started improving sustainability at Monbulk Primary School in 2010, receiving a grant from Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.

In conjunction with regular classroom teaching, Ms Lamport took garden classes for students from grade three through to grade six.

“Naturally, as part of that, you start to follow some sustainable practises just by creating a vegetable garden at school,” Ms Lamport said.

“Then one of our former principals, Lynn Ordish, came to me and said, ‘I come from a five-star rated sustainable school. I’d love to do

that here. Would you like to spearhead that?’ and I said ‘that sounds like the perfect natural progression from what we’re doing.’”

Ms Lamport is now currently working with the school on obtaining a their five-star sustainability rating.

Ms Lamport said she was “shocked” and “humbled” receiving the Teacher of the Year award.

“Probably a little bit overwhelmed and then excited, so an array of emotions one after the other in a short space of time,” she said.

“I quoted a former principal Ray Yates on his retirement: He said ‘you’re only as good as the people around you,’ and I said that in my acceptance speech because it’s really something that we did as a group.”

Sustainability Victoria’s Interim CEO Matt Genever said he applauds the passion Ms Lamport has shown at Monbulk Primary School.

“She is achieving great things in sustainability and showing outstanding leadership,” Mr Genever said.

“You are a tremendous role model and I know your work will inspire other teachers to take action.”

The ResourceSmart Schools program supports all Victorian primary and secondary schools to embed sustainability across school facilities, community and curriculum.

Over the past 15 years, more than 1,400 schools have participated in the program, saving more than $41 million on bills, reducing more than 118,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases through energy, water and waste efficiencies, diverting 194,000 cubic metres of waste from landfill, and planting more than five million trees.

Fore more information on this year’s winners, visit https://www.sustainability.vic.gov. au/resourcesmart-schools-awards-2023-winners

Dog park controversy: Complaint that job’s ‘arf’ done

By Tyler Wright

One local is raising concerns over an unfinished dog park in Cockatoo, after Cardinia Shire Council released draft plans for an offleash area at Alma Treloar Reserve.

Cockatoo resident Chris Thompson said when he originally saw the plans for the development of a dog park at the Alma Treloar Reserve, he realised the town was going to have something “really special”.

“I used to be involved in the Alma Treloar Creek...as a volunteer, and then the dog park fencing area was thrown up there as an idea, and some of the town said no, some said yes. I was against it at first,” Mr Thompson said.

“But once I saw the plans and realised that we were going to have something really special up here, we got behind it, and most of the town did.

“When we finally started to see the fencing go up, we went ‘yes, right, great, we’ve got it’”

Senator Linda White

YOUR VOICE IN

AUSTRALIAN

On Tuesday 13 June, Mr Thompson said he was told that works on the dog park were complete.

“I said ‘well, how can it be complete?’”

“Inside there is nothing. There’s no dog bins, no dog bags, there’s no seating, there’s no footpaths, there’s no shade, there’s no water access, there is absolutely nothing.”

A Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson told the Star Mail the Alma Treloar dog offleash project has not been completed and works are still underway.

“While the key elements of the dog off leash area have been completed to a point that the community can start using it, the project is expected to be officially completed in the coming weeks,” the spokesperson said.

“Features still to be completed include garden beds and planting, creek bank revegetation, drinking fountain installation, seat-

ing, signage, bins, and a path extension to the pump track.”

While works are expected to be completed in the coming weeks, the spokesperson said, the drinking fountain will be installed “after the carpark improvement works have been completed next financial year”.

“The final design of the dog off leash area was based on community feedback and meets the need for the area to be used for multiple purposes, as well as certain Melbourne Water requirements.”

“Once all the remaining items have been completed, the community will be notified. During this time, council will continue to monitor the site and make improvements to ensure the area remains usable as we head into the winter months.”

The total cost of the project is $180,000 with the fencing element costing $46,000.

Monbulk Primary School teacher Danielle Lamport took out the Teacher of the Year (Primary) award at the ResourceSmart Schools Awards on Thursday 15 June. Picture: SUPPLIED

Works on an off-leash area at Alma Treloar Reserve are set to be completed in coming weeks, according to a Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson. 341492 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Council rejects nursery

By Parker McKenzie

Yarra Ranges Council has rejected an Upwey couples planning permit for a nursery at their residential address on Morris Road.

At the Tuesday 13 Council meeting, councillors undertook a second lengthy debate on whether the commercial venture should be allowed to continue after it was deferred at the Tuesday 23 May meeting following a lively and sometimes tense discussion.

Maxwell O’Brien, from Tapir Design and Planning, spoke on behalf of the applicant for the permit.

“The proposal is a change of use application for a small plant nursery in a low-density residential zoning application for plant nursery,” he said.

“Nurseries are considered to be largely compatible with low-density residential zone due to the landscape nature and their ability to operate at this scale with minimal traffic.”

He said some of the comments made in the last meeting “were unacceptable” and he didn’t feel they were within the conduct permitted in meetings.

“Specifically to the comments about illegal trade in general, but also during COVID-19 I’d like to clarify that no states did our clients trade illegally, they received information prior to commencing their businesses business that

they should run as a home-based business,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Once a complaint had been received about the business...they were considered an essential service and operated delivery during Covid with occasional click and collect which was also permitted during this time.”

Council officers recommended that the planning application for “use of a nursery and reduction of car parking requirement” at the Morris Road residence should be refused because the proposed plant nursery was inappropriate for a low-density residential zone, it was not compatible with the existing surrounding residential use, the single-use retail purpose was outside the Upwey activity centre, the proposed carpark was inappropriately designed, the proposal would have a negative impact of the amenity of the area and the application did not comply with the on-site car parking requirements.

A local resident spoke in support of the council officer’s recommendation to reject the planning application and said there are multiple businesses in Upwey offering similar services in retail areas.

“These shop owners pay the appropriate rent are compliant with all of the local laws and were compliant with the lockdown laws,” she said.

“They might be lovely people. I don’t know them personally. But I would like to remind the council that this is a planning matter and not a character assessment.”

Cr Andrew Fullagar, Fiona McAllister and Joanna Skelton spoke in support of the council’s recommendation to reject the application.

Cr Fullagar, whose ward includes Upwey, said it was appropriate to delay the decision to ensure councillors had time to reflect on the facts.

“The big one for me is that the applicants haven’t proved the net benefit to the community. And that’s a key one for me,” he said.

“Council, it is our duty tonight to assess the application on the planning merits and to consider the potential impact on the wider community.With that in mind, I believe the council officers reviewed this application thoroughly and fairly.”

The council unanimously voted to reject the planning application.

Big response to Yarra Ranges’ plan to manage waste

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Ranges councillors have approved Council’s Community Waste 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 sin-

gle 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 the Yarra 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.

Yarra Ranges Council has rejected an Upwey couples planning permit for a nursery at their residential address on Morris Road.

With local landfill on the way out, waste management has become a key focus in the Yarra Ranges. Picture: ON FILE

Care has its reward

By Parker McKenzie

Monbulk resident Jeanette Pritchard received an Order of Australia Medal on Monday 12 July, for her commitment to education and mentoring young people throughout Victoria.

She said while it is an incredible honour, it is essential the community knows it is everyone’s responsibility “to care and be a part of enhancing the wellbeing of our young people.”

“The well-being of young people has to be the responsibility of a whole community,” Ms Pritchard said.

“We’vealwaysleftitupfortheparents,we’ve left it up for the school and I think what happens when you have a good mentoring programme is that that responsibility is shared.”

While a teacher at Hamilton Technical School and Baimbridge College, Ms Pritchard started the Standing Tall program, which now offers mentoring access to students in 15 schools in Hamilton and Warrnambool.

Ms Pritchard said she is now focused on bringing a mentorship program to the hills, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia.

“In the last couple of years, I’ve decided I would like to see a community programme up here in the Dandenong Ranges,” she said.

“What I’m working on now is getting that because I have seen mentoring as a powerful thing.”

Ms Pritchard received her OAM for service to youth and to secondary education and is the chairperson for the steering committee for the mentorship program based in Monbulk.

While she didn’t put the work into education and mentorship programs for the accolades, it was exciting to be recognised for the effort.

“People who do these sorts of things, you

just put in a hell of a lot of work and sometimes wonder if the message getting out there?” she said.

“When something like this happens, it means it gives you a platform you can talk about something you’re very passionate about.”

The 75-year-old is now retired and moved to Monbulk a few years ago, but is continuing the work which earned her an OAM in the hills.

“If it translates into something tangible for this community that is much needed, and

Upwey local earns Aus honour

By Parker McKenzie

Upwey’s Dr Diana Cousens received an Order of Australia Medal during the King’s Birthday Weekend for her service to the Buddhist community.

Dr Cousens said she has been on the Buddhist Council of Victoria intermittently for the past 25 years.

“In the mid-2000s, there was a lot of grassroots community work, a lot of interface dialogue, and I’ve also written a lot of policies for the Buddhist Council,” she said.

“In 2004, I put together something called Buddhist Care for the Dying, which is a small booklet on palliative care in the Buddhist context which has input from the Chinese,Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese traditions.”

let me assure you the schools will tell you it’s much needed, then that is a really brilliant outcome.” Ms Pritchard said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Dandenong Ranges will be hosting a fundraising trivia night at the Watering HoleTavern in Monbulk onThursday 22 June at 7pm.

Tickets are $15 per person and tables are for four to six people, with the money raised going towards mentoring in the hills. For more information, visit BBBStrivianight2023.eventbrite. com.au.

A bittersweet goodbye: A final few words

Friday 16 June, was my final day as a reporter with the Star Mail newspapers.

Since starting in October 2021, I’ve had the opportunity to cover what is essentially my own backyard, at times just 10 minutes away from where I grew up in Melbourne’s outereast.

To say it is bittersweet is an understatement. Covering the Dandenong Ranges and the foothills hasn’t just made me a better journalist; it has introduced me to a sense of community like nowhere else I’ve been.

In my mother’s home country of Finland, we have something Sisu. While it doesn’t have a direct translation in English, it means a stoic inner strength, and this same attribute is pres-

ent throughout the hills.

Telling the stories of those kind enough to talk to me throughout this journey has been challenging, engaging and often a lot of fun. I hope I’ve done a good job at it, although that isn’t for me to decide.

I learned a lot about the area throughout this time and about myself as well. I’ve seen the way the local community banded together after the storms, covered state and federal elections and met many amazing people.

I’d like to thank the Star Mail for giving me my break in this industry, my legendary coworkers, editors and sub-editors I’ve worked alongside who have often kept me in check, and the readers of this wonderful institution

for their continued support.

I might be biased, but your local newspaper is important. We need to keep telling the stories that matter on a hyper-local scale, keep the powers that be in check and continue to offer accessible information on the comings and goings of our neighbourhoods.

So while this is a goodbye — for now at least — I hope I’ve done my best to inform you all with public interest journalism to the best of my ability.

I’m off for another challenge and another adventure, but this chapter of my career will always remain in a special place in my heart.

Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.

- Parker S. McKenzie

The guide is still used in the hospital and chaplaincy sector 19 years later, and Dr Cousens is also part of a committee, funded by the state government and working with the uniting church, which wrote a report enabling disabled people to have access to Buddhist temples.

She said she has also spent time over the past two decades involved in interfaith dialogue.

“I regularly go to Hindu temples and mosques and other places, community halls, and engage in interface and everywhere, and meet the other religious people and find common ground and form bonds,” Dr Cousens said.

“You don’t do it for the accolades; you do it to make the world a better place.”

Dr Cousens has been Vice President of the Buddhist Council of Victoria since November 2021 and is also a marriage and funeral celebrant.

She said it is an honour to be recognised for her work.

“It’s also good for the Buddhist community that it gets a recognition that it has a part to play in the wider Australian community,” Dr Cousens said.

“Another thing that I did in 2016, I was the foundation president of Sakyadhita Australia, which is a national Buddhist women’s organisation and it’s a branch of an international Buddhist women’s organisation.”

Dr Cousens will be off to Korea in the next fortnight to present a paper on the Buddhist Council’s four-year project on combating family violence in the Buddhist community.

She said after that, she will work on an awareness programme on the recent legislation banning Nazi symbols.

“That will be quite complex work because the swastika has a traditional place in Hinduism and Buddhism,” she said.

“It will explain that nazi symbols for the purpose of promoting hate are banned, but traditional, cultural and religious uses are not.”

The wonderful staff at the Star Mail newspapers.

Dr Diana Cousens received an Order of Australia Medal during the King’s Birthday Weekend for her service to the Buddhist community. Picture: SUPPLIED

Jeanette Pritchard speaking at the launch of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Dandenong Ranges program.

Picture: ON FILE

Power move

By Tyler Wright

Yarra Ranges Council has partnered with the Sustainable Australia Fund to offer Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUA) to small and medium-sized local businesses.

EUAs allow building owners to access financing specifically dedicated to funding environmental building upgrades, including solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, improved heating and cooling (HVAC) equipment, as well as water conservation and wastewater management systems.

Owner of Ramarro Farm in The Patch, Oliver Shorthouse, installed a 9.6k watt solar array with a 10k watt battery at his business in June 2020.

Mr Shorthouse said he will pay the scheme off over 10 years on a quarterly basis, with savings expected to amount to “hundreds of dollars a month” once the amount is paid.

“We had already put in solar into our house and we could see that energy bills were something that was going to be a thing of the future. And with our farm, it was around the time we were getting a lot of blackouts as well; three or four days at any time of the year without power,” Mr Shorthouse said.

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RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL

“We thought that that problem wasn’t going to go away in the hills that soon…we saw it as an opportunity to do something that we believed in terms of reducing our carbon footprint.”

What sealed the deal for Mr Shorthouse, he said, was being able to operate his business when the grid went down.

“That’s more valuable than anything because it can continue to operate our water pumps, it can continue to operate our cool rooms,” he said.

“We might have multiple thousands of dollars worth of stock in our cool room, and if the cool room goes down for two days, then we lose all of that stock.”

Yarra Ranges Lyster Ward Councillor, Johanna Skelton, said EUAs are a great option for businesses wanting to fund environmentally friendly upgrades while saving money and re-

ducing their environmental impact.

“It is a straightforward process that can offer great benefits, and we already have some local businesses like Ramarro Farm in Monbulk, Four Pillars Gin and Aurrum Aged Care who have seen significant savings on their energy costs after installing solar panels,” Cr Skelton said.

Mr Shorthouse said between business resilience, the environmental impact and cost savings, the EUA agreement is “very convincing” for businesses.

“We feel pretty good that when we grow vegetables and we use a very low horsepower machinery on our farm, that we’re pretty much carbon neutral, if not better than that,” he said.

“We feel pretty comfortable with the way we farm and the way we grow things as well; the organic methods that we use and the fact that we sell our product locally to Melbourne restaurants... it brings down the food miles.”

For more information on how to incorporate sustainable practices into your business, visit: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Environment/Sustainable-communities/Sustainablebusiness.

Honorary roles are of note

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is on the look out for volunteers in the Yarra Ranges to take on the role of Justices of the Peace (JP).

Online information sessions are set to be held over the coming month as part of the recruitment process for interested applicants.

“Justices of the Peace (JP) play an important role in our justice system, providing a valuable and accessible service to the community,” a DJCS spokesperson said.

“We want to ensure Victorians can continue to access the high quality JP services they deserve. That’s why we’re continuing recruitment in a number of areas including Yarra Ranges, where the numbers of JPs are not as high as we’d like them to be.”

The role of a JP is to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify copies of original documents.

Justices of the Peace are appointed under the Honorary Justices Act 2014 by the Governor in Council on the recommenda-

tion of the Attorney-General. The Department of Justice and Community Safety supports the recruitment of Justices of the Peace and the delivery of services by JPs.

Funding from the Victorian Budget 2021/22 is allowing for the recruitment of 800 additional Justices of the Peace over two years.

This year alone almost 200 JPs have been recruited from Western Victoria and Yarra and Merri-bek local government areas (LGAs).

Recruitment will commence next month in the Brimbank, Casey, Maribyrnong and Yarra Ranges LGAs with information sessions to be held for interested applicants.

Justice of the Peace information sessions will be held onThursday 29 June andThursday 6 July.

For more information, and to take part in the recruitment sessions, visit https:// www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Latest-news/Justice-of-the-Peace-information-sessions

Fully accredited and licensed to provide high quality asphalt products for all jobs.

The role of a JP is to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify copies of original documents. Picture: ON FILE

Owner of Ramarro Farm in The Patch, Oliver Shorthouse, in front of a sustainable battery he purchased through a Environmental Upgrade Agreement. Picture: SUPPLIED

Disaster resilience funds

By Tyler Wright

The Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is looking to increase the capacity and capability of local organisations in theYarra Ranges to prepare for and respond collaboratively to disaster risks and hazard after a funding boost from the federal government.

On Wednesday 7 June, the National Emergency Management Agency announced the successful applicants from round one of the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF); including the Jesuit Social Services’ Centre for Just Places, ECLC, ARC Justice and the Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria (FCLC) coalition.

The $1.8 million awarded through the fund will go towards combining up to 40 community groups in the Yarra Ranges; including community service organisations, community legal services, health services, emergency management and local government together to build an action plan to prepare for future natural disasters.

ECLC’s director of partnerships and community engagement, Donna Askew, said the organisation is hoping to lead a consistent and supportive community-led response to future disasters.

“We’re hoping this will be a project full

of rich collaboration and capacity building across local place-based organisations, so that collectively we can support community identifying risks and responding through strength based resilience,” Ms Askew said.

“From the 2009 bushfires to more recent storm events in 2021, we’ve had a long history of providing legal help and education to support communities who’ve been impacted by the extreme weather and the impact of climate change, and we’re continuing to see that.

“We see that it’s really important to continue to work with community and with local organisations to support people’s resilience in future, support communities to understand what place based risk there might be and how to address those.”

Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards said the project looks to recognise where existing and future disaster and climate change risk exist, and will support a network of placebased organisations in the Yarra Ranges and Campaspe Shire to build resilience through collaborative action.

“Cross sector coalitions will be developed in each region to design and implement a Collaborative Action Plan as a shared vision and guide for strategic action on disaster and climate resilience,” Ms Edwards said.

Battered parks remain shut

By Tyler Wright

Three parks in the Yarra Ranges hit by the June 2021 storm event are yet to reopen over two years since strong winds blew trees down across the area.

Friends of Sassafras Creek president, Jane Hollands, said parts of the Sassafras Creek Nature Conservation Reserve remain closed to the public.

“A lot of the tracks are very hard to see and to find. They’re just totally overgrown with weeds,” Ms Hollands said.

“There’s a little area from the bottom of the Alfred Nicholas Gardens down to Beagley’s Bridge, which is open and still in reasonable and still in okay condition, although the path is very overgrown.”

Ms Hollands said bridges on the Sassafras Creek walking track -a popular trek for walkers - are still not repaired.

“There are other areas that are still not open and very hard to get through because of the bridges not being down,” she said.

“The Sassafras Creek walking track to Belgrave from Sassafras is very popular, and I believe that people are still walking it and just clambering over the bridges. But it’s not making it safer for anyone.”

Parks Victoria Regional Director Sofia De Lesantis said ongoing park closures include William Ricketts Sanctuary and Silvan Reservoir Park, as well as “heavily impacted assets within Sassafras Creek Nature Conservation Reserve and the Mechanics Track in the Dandenong Ranges National Park”.

“We are continuing to work on a plan to reopen the William Ricketts Sanctuary, but it is going to take longer than other sites due to the sheer scale of the damage and the artistic and cultural importance of the sculptures,” Ms De Lesantis said.

“Plans to fully reopen Silvan Reservoir Park,

the Mechanics Track, Sassafras CreekWalk and Sassafras Creek Bridge are in progress, with the start of repairs subject to availability of insurance funding.

“The local team were thrilled to reopen the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk – the famous 1000 Steps – on October 3 last year, after more than 150 trees fell around and across the steep and narrow track.”

Ms De Lesantis also said Parks Victoria has fully re-opened 14 of the 17 parks in the Yarra Ranges impacted by the 2021 storm.

“We know it’s disappointing that parts of the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges remain closed but as a responsible land manager we have to take a safety-first approach and close access when there’s a known risk to visitors,” she said.

“We are grateful to the local community, our stakeholders and visitors for their patience and continued priority to keep safe by staying outside of closed areas.”

Lifeline Narrm searches for crisis support helpers

Following its official launch in March this year, Lifeline Narrm opened its first crisis support centre on Thursday 15 June ready to welcome the first of its crisis support volunteers to answer the urgent calls of Victorians.

‘Lifeline Narrm’ named in consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, was created as an urgent response to the lack of on-ground mental health support services, particularly in light of the nine per cent increase in death by suicide amongVictorians from 2021 - 2022 - the highest number in 20 years.

It will service the Merribek to Manningham region, including Croydon and Chirnside Park, to help the 360,000 Victorians who call Lifeline each year - the highest number of calls to Lifeline nationally. Last year, only 138,000 calls were answered, putting significant pressure on the national system.

In the Lifeline Narrm geography of Merri-bek to Manningham alone, three people are reported to die by suicide each week.

Currently, the focus for Lifeline Narrm is to train as many crisis support volunteers as possible to ensure increased support for thosestrugglingwithmentalhealth.Lifeline Narrm’s paid and volunteer workforce is being recruited locally to service Melbourne’s inner city and eastern suburbs, with a number of information sessions to roll-out from June in-person and via video conference to ensure maximum attendance.

Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline Narrm Carrie Leeson said the Lifeline Narrm centre was a momentous step for Victoria in answering more life-changing calls.

“Lifeline receives a call every 30 seconds nationally, many of which are from Victoria, so it’s important that we prioritise onground services to help as many people as we can.”

“Our Telephone crisis support volunteers are community angels to allVictorians undergoing struggles in life - no matter how big or small. They receive extensive training delivered by our highly skilled team, who are committed to providing 24/7 support. With 8.6 Australians dying by suicide each day, it’s important we continue growing our volunteer base to ensure we can help as many people as possible.”

There are currently 250 active crisis support volunteers inVictoria, however, double the amount is needed to meet the demands of a growing community in need. To become a crisis support volunteer, individuals must register on the website and attend an initial registration session to learn about the training program and commitment to Lifeline. The training costs usually associated with becoming a Lifeline crisis support volunteer are being waived for the first six months of the centre opening.

“If you have been thinking about volunteering and supporting your local community, we’d love to hear from you. Not only will you be supporting the wellbeing of Australians but it’s also a valuable opportunity to build on your own resilience and personal development. We thank each and every one of our volunteers for their selfless commitment to Victorians,” said Leeson.

For more information about Lifeline Narrm and to enquire about taking part in crisis support training, visit: www.lifelinenarrm.org.au

Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline Narrm, Carrie Leeson at the launch event for Lifeline Narrm. Picture: SUPPLIED

William Ricketts Sanctuary has been closed to the public since the June 2021 storm event. 341516 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

A sign at William Ricketts Sanctuary. 341516

Eastern Community Legal Centre lawyer Jarm Nguyen and director of partnerships and community engagement Donna Askew at a storm recovery stall.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Tech boost in grant for Men’s Shed

By Parker McKenzie

The Upwey Men’s Shed has received funding through Casey MP Aaron Violi’s 2023 Volunteer Grants Community and is aiming to use the money on computers to help with computer literacy for members.

The federal grants program supports local community groups enabling social inclusion and helping increase participation in volunteering.

Upwey Men’s Shed Secretary Roger Bailey said buying the computers will allow the Men’s Shed to train members in their use.

“It’s about becoming technically independent. It is easy to sit in front of a computer and realise you don’t know anything,” he said.

Grand gift for group

By Tyler Wright

A not-for-profit toy library in Belgrave Heights is set to receive over $1,000 through the federal government’s 2022-23 Volunteer Grants Program.

Casey MP Aaron Violi announced on Tuesday 13 June that 21 local community organisations across theYarraValley, Dandenong Ranges and outer east who enable social inclusion, particularly for vulnerable people - including the Belgrave South Toy Library - will receive support.

Belgrave South Toy Library president

Sharnee Moore said the $1,094 grant has an equipment and volunteer accessibility focus.

“We’re going to buy a new vacuum cleaner... because at the moment we don’t have one, and maintaining a clean space is really important,” Ms Moore said

“What we’ll also use some of the money for is we have a storage area within the toy library... we can create a more of a welcoming space for volunteers... we can clean up the space, pack things away a bit more.

“We can have a kettle and some cups of tea and have more of a space where volunteers can be bit more comfortable while they’re

doing their shift.”

Ms Moore said the organisation does not receive regular funding from any organisation, with funding injected through member fees and ad hoc grants.

“The fees of our members essentially keep the stores at open and allow us to buy a small number of toys each year, which is important,”

Ms Moore said.

“We’ve also received in the past some support from Bendigo Bank in the Dandenong Ranges, which enabled us to buy some equipment and some other small grants from council as well, which again have also enabled us to have events and purchase different pieces of equipment that we have needed at those times.

“We’re very grateful for grants of this nature.”

The Belgrave South Toy Library was formed in the early 1980s in the wake of the Ash Wednesday bushfires as a community service, Ms Moore said.

After a recent dormancy, the community resource was reopened in 2022 in a new space and with a new volunteer committee at the helm as a place for families and children in the southern Dandenong Ranges to borrow toys, puzzles, games and play equipment.

“We’ve built up the membership base from zero last year to around about 35 families now, which has been really great,” Ms Moore said.

The Belgrave South Toy Library is co-located with the Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool at 102 Colby Drive in Belgrave Heights.

Emerald Rotary hosts 33rd annual ball

By Parker McKenzie

Students from Emerald took part in the 33rd annual Charity Debutante Ball at Cathies Lane Reception on Saturday 10 June, hosted by the Rotary Club of Emerald and District.

The ball was open to students between 16 and 21, with the majority coming from Emerald Secondary College.

Rotarian Lyn Beckwith, alongside Shalii Penny and Toni-Anne Griffin, organised and planned the event.

“We, the people who organise it, get a lot of joy working alongside young people and young adults of today,” she said.

“There was a lot of satisfaction seeing them come in on their first deb practice not knowing a single thing, and then getting the deb night and seeing them dressed up in their finery and then being able to perform six dances they’ve learned.”

The annual event also included a rotary raffle, which raised $1,141 for charity.

Ms Beckwith said all the money that was raised is put back into initiatives for young people.

“We had many people giving to charity, one person gave us $50 just because they said we love what Rotary does and we’re happy to help them out,” she said.

“We’ll be trying to do something with the Emerald Secondary College so that we plough

that money back into them.”

26 couples and 233 guests attended the gala, where participants wore traditional floorlength ball gowns, long white gloves and black tie formal wear.

Ms Beckwith thanked Barry Plan Real Es-

tate Emerald, John Travers Photography and Bam Bam Italian for sponsoring the event.

“It was a fabulous night, there was a great vibe and plenty of excitement,” she said.

“This year’s deb finished and we sat down preparing for next year, it takes months and months to put something like this on.”

“Most of our members are retirement age, we’ve got some younger ones, but most are in a situation where they could become lost if they didn’t have us as a group.”

He said without a permanent home, the Upwey Men’s Shed has focused on offering social outings to its members.

“We are still committed to meeting our purpose and objective, which is focusing on men’s mental health and wellbeing,” Mr Bailey said.

“It is amazing how people respond to it, it is a good outlet.”

21 community groups received between $1000 and $5000 from the program to support the effort of volunteers.

Mr Violi said members of volunteer groups are the backbone of the Yarra Ranges community.

“We have so many valuable community organisations that are made up of hardworking local volunteers. These people give so much without expecting anything in return,” he said.

“I am thrilled to announce 21 local organisations in our community will be receiving a grant to assist with their important volunteer work. We all benefit from the work of volunteers, so it’s great to be able to give something back to so many groups right across our community.”

The Upwey Men’s Shed is still pursuing a permanent home in the township but has recently gained access to a storage site for tools and materials as the search continues.

Mr Bailey said recently the club has done work with Upwey Primary School and the local RSL.

“We helped the primary school sort out seating fashioned out of old logs and we’ve done some work at the RSL helping them restain their decking,” he said.

“We’re four years in the hunt for a home at the moment. There are others who’ve taken up to eight years that we know of to find somewhere.”

For more information on the Upwey Men’s Shed, visit upweymensshed.org. au

students from Emerald took part in the 33rd annual Charity Debutante Ball at Cathies Lane Reception on Saturday 10 June.

Picture: SUPPLIED

The Upwey Men’s Shed recently created seating fashioned out of old logs for Upwey Primary School.

Picture: UPWEY MEN’S SHED

Alice, Sharnee, Eleanor, Chris, Georgina and Ned at the Belgrave South Toy Library. 341233

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

A recent Stay and Play day at the toy library, located in Belgrave Heights.

Picture: JUDY CHEN

Passion for customer care

Auto Plus More is a privately owned independent service station and repair workshop located in Emerald, Victoria. With over 60 years of combined experience, the team at Auto Plus More is dedicated to providing excellent customer service that goes beyond expectations and is the proud recipient of the Emerald Rotary Club 2023 ‘Pride of Workmanship Award’. The company’s fully equipped workshop, extensive experience, and caring work environment enable it to work efficiently and costeffectively for all its customers.

One of the things that sets Auto Plus More apart from other service stations and repair workshops is its commitment to honesty and

open dealings with its customers. The team believes that building a base of repeat clientele through excellent service is more important than making a quick buck. As a result, Auto Plus More has built a large base of repeat clientele that values its honest approach to automotive repairs and servicing.

Auto Plus More has a rich family business history that dates back over 100 years in the Emerald region. Barney Hogan’s grandfather owned the Coffee Palace, and his father was a fuel distributor from 1945. In 2009, Barney bought back the service station where Auto Plus More stands today, which had been rebuilt after a fire in 1963.

Auto Plus More has evolved with the town and community changing its business model several times to keep it a viable business that caters to Emerald and surrounds needs. They have added a state-of-the-art dog wash, a new touch screen tap and go after hours prepay dispenser, as well as new fuel dispensers (pumps) with hi flow diesel at all stations.They now also have bulk firewood with the option of it being in M3 bulk bags which are fully covered for safe dry storage or can be supplied loose from our yard. Auto Plus More have two specialised trucks that can deliver the wood to meet the customers’ needs. They even sell or you can hire the Australian Famous Super Axe 3100 Log splitter

Also find a supply of quarry products available in bulk and small quantities. Road base and aggregate are available, as well as some soils and sands. If they haven’t got it in stock, they can always get it.

Auto Plus More is a company that values its customers above all else. With a commitment to honesty, excellent customer service, and a long family business history in the Emerald region, the team at Auto Plus More is dedicated to providing quality products and automotive repairs and servicing to its customers. Whether it’s repairs, servicing, tyres, or even a car or dog wash, Auto Plus More is the go-to service station and repair workshop in Emerald.

goes further”

Auto Plus More owner Barney Hogan continues the family tradition of excellent customer service. 328830

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Auto Plus More is the go-to service station and repair workshop in Emerald. 328830

Spotlight on lantern fest

Something remarkable unfolded on May 19 this year as the ABC turned its spotlight towards Belgrave and its cherished annual event, the Belgrave Lantern Parade.

The esteemed Raff Epstein’s Drive show featured an interview with Renate Crow, a master lantern maker affectionately hailed as the Queen of Lanterns. In a captivating four-minute segment, Belgrave, the hills, the arts, and its vibrant communities came alive, captivating audiences across the state. Astonishingly, even after 15 years, the Belgrave Lantern Parade continues to blaze a trail and leave an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.

The parade, now enriched with a microfestival, has earned its esteemed reputation and strives for constant improvement year after year. As June 24 approaches, anticipation builds, promising a series of extraordinary spectacles. This year, the esteemed honor of figurative and literal torchbearer befalls the Belgrave Country Fire Authority (CFA) as they celebrate their centennial anniversary. Symbolizing this momentous occasion, they will

proudly lead the parade.

Renowned for her exceptional craftsmanship, the Queen of Lanterns has crafted a bespoke commemorative lantern for this special event. Additionally, the soft opening of Graff Street in Blacksmiths Way will take place, a dazzling showcase of artistic expression.

Over 100 talented artists have poured their creativity into this remarkable project, transforming it into Victoria’s largest graffiti, mural, and street art endeavor, rivaling, and perhaps surpassing, the famous Hosier Lane according to locals.

Mark your calendars and immerse yourself in the enchantment of the darkest and longest night of winter. Prepare to be captivated by a fusion of entertainment, music, circus acts, art and craft stalls, electrifying DJ sets, engaging workshops, mesmerizing fire pits, and much more. In 2023, the entire tapestry of Belgrave unfolds, firmly placing it on the map as a cultural epicenter not to be missed.

Fungilightupthesky.

Koala-itylanternsondisplay.

Lightupthenightsky.Excitingechidnas.

AmazingfeatsattheBelgraveLanternFestival.

Picture:SUPPLIED

TV crews spotted locally

By Tyler Wright

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

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 eight-part 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-theseat, 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 exception-

ally 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 theVictorian Alps and weaving in First Nations cultural stories, High Country is sure to be a

landmark television series,” Mr Mason said.

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

“The production will create jobs for 250Victorians 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.

Funding wins for the Ranges, as MP ticks the boxes

The 2023-24 State Budget was handed down last month. I am pleased to announce that every election commitment I made during the campaign has been included in this Budget and am excited for these very worthy projects to get underway.

Wins for Monbulk include:

· $8.77 million funded for Emerald Secondary College

· $3 million for St John the Baptist Primary School Ferntree Gully

· $2 million for pavilion upgrades at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully

· Getting started on rebuilding Maroondah Hospital

· Women’s Health Clinics at Casey and Maroondah Hospitals

· Variable speed signs outside Gembrook Primary School

·

Up to $400,000 for upgrades to the Alma Treloar Reserve Dog Park in Cockatoo

· Neighbourhood batteries across the Dandenong Ranges and beyond

· $200,000 for Treasuring our Trees

· $100,000 for Knox Infolink

· $60,000 for Philanthropic Collective

· $50,000 for 3MDR Mountain District Radio

97.1

· $50,000 for Foothills Community Care

· $50,000 for Connecting Cockatoo Communities

There have also been several exciting state-wide initiatives announced which will benefit people living in the Dandenong Ranges and its foothills.

An initial $1 billion investment in the

of

The state affairs

Daniela de Martino MP Member for Monbulk

revival of the State Electricity Commission (SEC) will help deliver 4.5 gigawatts of power – the equivalent replacement capacity of Loy Yang A – through renewable energy projects.

Bringing back the SEC won’t just mean more renewable energy, lower power bills and reduced carbon emissions – it will also help create 59,000 jobs.

This Budget goes a long way to achieving our ambitious emissions reduction targets for Victoria, aiming to reduce our emissions by 75-80 per cent by 2035 and achieving netzero emissions by 2050.

The 2023 State Budget has also invested a further $1.8 billion into our unprecedented Early Childhood reform - giving our kids the best start and the best life with Free Kinder.

Currently, all three and four-year-old children in Victoria are eligible to access up to 15 hours of funded kindergarten per week.

Throughout the next decade, Four-YearOld Kindergarten will transition to ‘Pre-Prep’ – increasing to a universal 30-hour a week program of play-based learning for every four-year-old child in Victoria.

Over the next few weeks, you should receive my newsletter in the mail with more detail into each of these investments. I encourage you to fill out the accompanying survey online or send it back via reply-paid mail, so I can better understand your con-

cerns and priorities for our great community.

It has been an honour to serve as your State Member of Parliament over the last six months. I am looking forward to the next three and a half years continuing to work for you and watching these exciting initiatives

Monbulk MP Daniela de Martino is excited by the Dandenong Ranges budget inclusions for 2023-24.

Picture: SUPPLIED

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

Picture: NARELLE PORTAINER

PRIME LOCATION

THIS immaculately presented property built over two levels has a flexible floor plan offering either a 4 bedroom home plus study with 3 separate living zones or as currently set up, 3 bedrooms plus study and 4 living zones, so for those seeking flexibility the choice is yours.

You will love the master suite on level one with its generous walk-in robe, private study with views, en-suite bathroom and parents’ retreat or sitting room, which has access onto the north facing decks, capturing not only the stunning hills outlook but beautiful winter sunshine.

The modern kitchen boasts stone benchtops, stainless-steel appliances, dishwasher, ample storage and is bathed in natural sunlight. Level two you will find the large family room with beautiful wall to wall built in joinery and has direct access onto the 2nd outdoor entertaining area.

The two additional bedrooms both have built in robes and are serviced by a second generous bathroom with separate laundry.

Additional features include: Stunning lead light feature windows, very impressive timber floorboards, three split systems plus a gas space heater, water tanks for gardening, veggie garden, a chook house, cedar bungalow, carport, sealed driveway, and just over a ¼ acre of beautiful low maintenance gardens.

This idyllic location is in a quiet court and only a short stroll into Main Street Upwey and public transport. This is one opportunity you will not want to miss, as there are only a few homes available to buy in Upwey. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

UNWIND AND RELAX WITH GREAT VIEWS

THIS gorgeous home is inviting with it’s neat and low maintenance landscaped front yard that gives a glimpse of the stunning view through the roomy single carport. The house has a wrap around front verandah with wooden decking that beautifully frames this home.

Step inside to find a gorgeous carpeted lounge room with a ceiling fan that flows through to the open plan kitchen and dining area that soaks in the amazing views. The contemporary kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, oven, electric stove and walk in pantry. There is ducted heating throughout the home, and a split system air conditioner in the dining area.

To the front of the home is a separate toilet, a family bathroom, and then 3 bedrooms. Two bedrooms feature built in wardrobes and ceiling fans, whilst the master bedroom is a delight. With a walkthrough wardrobe and a large ensuite with a shower, toilet and vanity, this is a master bedroom to be enjoyed.

Externally there is a good sized garden shed and the fully fenced backyard has the benefit of 180 degree views. This property is well positioned close to the Woori Yallock Shops and the Warburton Rail Trail. This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

ESSENTIALS

UnwindandRelaxwithPicturesqueViewsinthisLovelyHome!

Thisgorgeoushomehasalowmaintenancelandscapedfrontyardwithasinglecarport.The househasawraparoundfrontverandahwithwoodendeckingthatbeautifullyframesthishome. Stepinsidetofindacarpetedloungeroomwithaceilingfanthatflowsthroughtotheopenplan kitchen&diningareathatsoaksintheamazingviews.Thecontemporarykitchenisequippedwitha dishwasher,oven,electricstove&walkinpantry.Thereisductedheatingthroughoutthehome,&a splitsystemACinthediningarea.Tothefrontofthehomeisaseparatetoilet,afamilybathroom,& then3bedrooms.TwobedroomsfeatureBIRs&ceilingfans.Themasterbedroomhasawalkthrough wardrobe&alargeensuite.Externallythereisagardenshed&afullyfencedbackyardwith180 degreeviews!ThispropertyisclosetotheWooriYallockShops&theWarburtonRailTrail!

3 A 2 B 1 C

FairytalehomewithamazingviewsonAlmost8Acres!

Twostoreyhomeonapprox.8acres,withbaywindows,slateflooring,&reclaimedtimberinterior. Thegroundflooroffersopenplanlivingwiththekitchen,dining,&loungeroomenjoyingfloor toceilingglasswindows&alargewoodfire.TheloungeroomhasasplitsystemAC.Thereisa downstairstoilet&alargelaundry.Thespiralstaircaseleadsto3largebedroomsallwithbay windows&vaultedceilings.Themasterbedroomhasanensuite,WIR,&splitsystemAC.Thereisa studynook,storagearea&atoilet&familybathroom.Thereisadoubleshed,&aDLUG.Thelandis dividedinto3paddocksandthenanaturalbusharea,withwatertoallpaddocks&sheltershedsin 2ofthe3paddocks.Withmainselectricity,septicsystem,&approx.90,000Lwaterstorage.Thereisa 5kWSolarsystemwith6.5kWbatteryback-up,aStarlink&aNBNSatelliteDish.

452BelgraveGembrookRoad,Avonsleigh$699,000-$765,000

FantasticInvestmentOpportunityintheHeartofAvonsleigh!

Thisoutstanding3bedroom,2bathroomfamilyhomeislocatedintheheartofAvonsleigh!Asyou enterthehome,enjoythecathedralceilingfrontroomwithitsstylishcustommadebarndoor.Year aroundcomfortisassuredwithsplitsystemairconditioningandalargewoodfireintheloungeroom. Thishomeoffersalovelymasterbedroomwithensuiteandwalkinrobe,andafurthertwogenerous sizedbedroomsbothwithbuilt-in-robes.Enjoytheopenplanliving,dining,kitchenareaasyou entertain,orspilloutontothegreatentertainingdecktosoakinthesunshine.Thepropertyispartly fencedandpetfriendlywithacatrunattachedtothebackofthehouse.ThishomealsohasNBN connection,andageneratorinletplug.Thereisadditionalstorageavailableunderthehome,aswell asasinglecargarage.

AaronDay

M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

49PakenhamRoad,Cockatoo$730,000-$770,000

Beautifullyrenovatedhomewithgorgeoustreedoutlook,andsocloseto town!

Thisfantasticfamilyhomehas3bedrooms,allwithBIRs,&2lovelybathrooms.Thefreshlypainted homewithopenplankitchen/dining/lounge&plushcarpetinallbedroomsistheepitomeofmove inready!ThekitchenisequippedwithInductionelectricstove&oven,stonebenchtops&agreat Laundry/butlerspantry.Thishomewillbecosy&comfortableyearround,withzoneablereverse systemductedheating&RefrigeratedCoolingthroughout&efficientHeatPumpforhotwater.Enjoy theviewsacrosstotheCockatootrees,&theconvenienceofbeingonlymomentsfromCockatoo mainstreet.Extensivelandscapinghasbeencompletedoutside,withplentyofoffstreetparking available.Thegardenbedsarefreshlyplanted,&thereisagardenshed.Thisblockhasdualaccess.

19AlexandraCourt,WooriYallock$690,000-$750,000

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

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

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

PUZZLES

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

DECODER WORDFIT

1 14

2 15

3 16

4 17

5 18

6 19

7 20

8 21

9 22

10 23

11 24

12 25

13 26 HQ

9-LETTER WORD

12 345678910111213

478329165

316875924

634958271 593246817

187632549 761583492

259164783

842791356

634591782

253864971

469173528

582347196 326719854

971286345 147658239

easy medium hard

718925463

895432617

521784396

853197624

419652837

925417638 198426573

364519782 745931268

987263145 632875419

276348951

G E E K R 16 words: Good 5 LETTERS ACUTE AFTOS AGAIN ALIEN ALIVE ALTAR APING APRIL AROMA AWAIT BAGEL BELLY CARGO CHINA CIRCA CREPT DEEDS DIRGE DOING DUNGS EAGER

words: EATEN HOVER IMAGE INEPT MANIA METRO NANAS NEARS NOSES OCCUR PACES PASSE PEACE PENCE PERCH POUCH RODEO SAGER SANER SCENT SEDAN SHEDS

Very good SNIDE SONGS STONY STOOL STREW TRADE TRUED 6 LETTERS APPEAR DAMNED KENNEL MAKERS

Excellent 7 LETTERS ATONING CONTAIN DUSTMEN EVASION IMITATE TORPEDO 8 LETTERS CHAIRING CREDENCE ECONOMIC ROMANTIC

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

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

Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALLAREAS 9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 12567433-SN37-22

William

No. 138

No. 138

No. 138

General Notices

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

Placing your classified advert

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 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 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!

Trades & Services Employment

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

Icy blast for footballers

Olinda Senior Women v Monbulk at home

4:45 Saturday

Olinda is a strange place. Driving to the ground looking out the window at sunny blue skies, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s perfect conditions for a game of football.

On arrival at the ground though, you are sometimes greeted with an icy, blustery wind that comes straight across fromVictoria’s snowfields.

Such was the case Saturday night, when Monbulk drove up to the top of the Mountain to take on Olinda at home.

In what was an entertaining, yet sometimes messy contest, Olinda came away with the win 9.10.64 to 3.3.21.

Olinda won the toss and kicked with the arctic blast towards the pavilion end. Olivia (The Weapon) Edwards was locked and loaded at the first bounce and fired immediately, kicking three goals in the first quarter. Liv had a great night, finishing with four goals but having a hand in most of the others, as well as creating a plethora of scoring opportunities. Liv’s skill on both sides of her body, game sense and work rate were on display for all to marvel at.

It was a vintage display from Captain Courageous Claire Hyett. Claire is the epitome of life in the fast lane- everything all the time, and you could add the word everywhere to that. Claire seemed to be in and under or bursting out of every contest, no matter what part of ground, and her ball use for the evening was exceptional. Claire capped off the evening with a goal.

(Laser) Lily Carlin continued her purple patch of form and was instrumental in many of Olinda’s forays forward for the evening. Whether laying crushing tackles or her skills by hand and foot, it was another quality performance.

For a good part of the evening it seemed that every Monbulk kick into their forward line was getting picked off by Anna(Goanna) Hughson at half back, and deposited back over their heads with interest. Hughson is a famous Monbulk name, but it was Anna’s best game in Olinda colours so far, and may there be many more.

ishing her new role forward, where her strong marking and thumping kick are an advantage.

Leah finished the night with two goals.

Emmalee (Bruce) Keegan did what she does best all night, roaming the ground haranguing the opposition and setting up scoring opportunities. Emm finished with a goal but with a little luck could have easily had three.

Anja (Onions) Hulston had a great game in the midfield, not simply blanketing Monbulk’s best, but winning plenty of footy herself.

All other Olinda players got their hands on the ball and had moments that contributed well to the win.

Overall it was a challenging game for both teams, but Olinda will look forward to getting four of their best players back in the next two weeks, and consolidating a finals spot in the second half of the season.

Juniors

U17 Boys

At home under grey skies, Olinda had another top of the table clash against Upwey-Tecoma. In what was a competitive game going goal for goal, UpweyTecoma finally broke away towards the end of the third quarter to take a 10-point lead a three-quarter time. Upwey-Tecoma dominated the last quarter to run away with a 35-point win.

U15 Boys

Round nine saw Olinda missing a few key players and hosting a strong outfit in Mt Evelyn.

Mt Evelyn’s five goals to Olinda’s one in the first quarter meant Olinda were always up against it, and despite Olinda outscoring Mt Evelyn in the third quarter off the back of some outstanding midfield running, Mt Evelyn ran away in the last quarter for a convincing victory.

Tom Ford (two goals) was a strong physical presence all day, while Aden Bates (2goals), Lenny Barry and Kael Johnston were in everything.

As usual, Will Meyer held strong in defence along with Liam Jennings, while U13 Jarrah Bellemo, playing his third game for the day was outstanding against far bigger bodies.

U14 Girls

With a full side, Olinda rolled out to play ladder leaders Upwey on a sunny Olinda morning and the girls were pumped to see how their game was developing.

Despite bigger bodies and some pretty handy footballers, Upwey found Olinda’s determination around the contest difficult to penetrate as the home team were able to lock the ball down when they went forward.

A contingent of U12s come up each week and they have proven to be an integral part of Olinda’s growing team, getting to the bottom of packs to win hard footy and generating run on the outside. The regular U14s are really starting to work well together as a unit and understand how to move the footy and get into to positions to support each other.

U13 Boys White

What a turn up for the books with 26 players making themselves available for the clash with Upwey’s second U13 team. The boys certainly turned up in the first half, challenging Upwey around the ground and going into half time with a three-goal lead. Upwey were having none of it though and could see a path to victory. Upwey’s intensity lifted as Olinda’s dropped and a five-goal second half saw Upwey them snatch the win. It was a real game of two halves but gives Olinda’s boys plenty to work on for the remainder of the season.

U13 Boys Red

Another strong performance by the Under 13 boys in their Round nine clash against UpweyTecoma.

A focus of today was to get off to a good start as the boys have been a bit“slow off the mark”in recent weeks… Pleasingly, the lads responded with the game being played in Olinda’s forward half for most the quarter.With the ground not in great condition at the golf course end, scoring was difficult and Olinda managed to kick 1.5 for the quarter.

U12 Girls

It was a beautiful morning up at Olinda home ground to take on the top team, Upwey.

The team were well aware of Upwey’s skills and were keen to apply everything they have learnt this season in the match. The team, with a strong midfield and backline, were able hold off a flurry of goals holding Upwey to a six-goal win.

A stunning passage of play by Olinda’s midfield and forward line in the second quarter turned into a goal from a little rocket player giving the team a real boost and points on the board. That signature pressure Olinda applied was impressive and continued to be the side’s strength.

With smiles on their faces, the team left the ground proud, knowing their team work and skills had come a long way since round 1 along with great lessons learnt and great memories made.

U11s

The rain overnight had left players with a soggy Olinda oval for the home team’s round nine clash with top of the ladder Upwey.

Olinda’s gutsy boys were up for the challenge, piling on the pressure, and some quality ball use, saw the scores at a goal a piece at half time.

Upwey showed their class in the third kicking two unanswered goals and certainly looked like they had the momentum heading into the fourth.

Theyoungbloodsrefusedtoliedownthough and put together the toughest quarter of team footy that we had seen all year, keeping the unbeaten ladder leaders scoreless and kicking two goals, only run out of time three points down.

Final score

· Olinda 3.4.22

· Upwey 3.7.25

U9s

Fresh off the bye weekend, the U9’s young bloods hit the ground running on what was a boggyYarra Junction oval.

Besties Chloe (The Smiling Assassin) Kanally and Claudia Pitts are small in height and young of age, but their output was massive Saturday night. Chloe’s ferocious tackling and contested ball was a highlight, as was Claudia’s strong hands and ball delivery in the forward line, earning her a goal.

Olinda’s consistency wasn’t quite there but Mt Evelyn are a very good team, with Olinda’s side showing they can mix it with the best when at their best.

Final scores

Efficiency up forward was much improved in the second and third quarters as Olinda kicked six unanswered goals to take a strong lead into the three quarter time break.

Leah (The Lion) Cody is rel-

· Mt Evelyn 16.12.108 d Olinda 5.5.35.

Seniors’ disappointing loss

Seniors

Olinda handled the blustery conditions far better than the Hawks and established a handy break with the wind at the first change. Hopes of reigning in the Bloods in the second term fell apart as Olinda managed six goals against the stiff breeze. Monbulk’s usual good ball control fell apart as marks were dropped, disposals missed their target and Olinda hurt them on the rebound. The end result was a disappointing 82 point loss.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 19.12.126 def Monbulk 6.8.44

Best: Lachlan Sheppard, Max Thornton, Mackay Bateson, Glenn Strachan, Ryan Gilbert, JoelWensley

Goals: Ziggy Hatherley 2, Ethan Greenall 1, Glenn Strachan 1, Lachlan Shepperd 1, Max Thornton 1

Reserves

Fifth placed Monbulk faced Olinda, who occupied third spot, in a vital clash for both sides. With a more even spread of talent across the field, Monbulk was in control for most of the day but were never able to fully shake off their tenacious opponents. In the end the Hawks triumphed by 13 points but could have won by more but for some missed chances.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 5.2.32 def by Monbulk

6.9.45

Best: Cameron Griffiths, Jesse Dodd, Josh Rak, Lachlan Hancock-Wolfe, Hamish Emmett, Clayton Spooner

Goals: Jesse Dodd 2, Matthew James 1, Nick Selleck 1, Brandon Shambrooke 1, Michael Langworthy 1

Under 19s

The Unders travelled to Officer in the morning which had a gale blowing towards the Princes Highway end. Fourth placed Monbulk had 16 players at their disposal while the Kangaroos, who were sitting in second, had the luxury of 22. Knowing they were going to face stiff opposition, the Hawks took the challenge front on, and declined an offer of opposition players to bolster their side. Despite the difficult conditions it was an entertaining game where the Hawks did themselves proud despite the loss.

Officer 5.10.40 def Monbulk 3.2.20

Best: Coby Passingham, William Henderson, Noah Rutherford, Riley Finlay, Lachlan Smith, Jai Farmer

Goals: Lachlan Smith 2, Timothy Rickard 1

Women’s

The Monbulk Women’s team have faced an uphill battle all season but are starting to gel as a team and produce some encouraging results. The first meeting between these teams resulted in Monbulk having to forfeit while the second encounter produced a 136-0 scoreline. This time the Hawks were able to continually harass their opponents and force the ball forward to create scoring chances. The result was their highest score for the year in a competitive match.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.10.64 def Monbulk

3.3.21

Best: Josie Ford, Maddison Dodd, Indy Bakker, Shaye McLean, Genna Seamer, Kathryn Gow

Goals: Jessica Willoughby 1, Indy Bakker 1, Laura Gillard 1

Jesse Deste, Hugo Fishburn and Xavier Grimes were dangerous up forward and Spencer Garrett celebrated his 50th game in style having a great game as the boys finished with off with another convincing victory.

Healesville andYarra Junction presented another big challenge for us, but in a ding dong battle it was a close result.

Mud was flying everywhere and goals were being scored from all angles… it was a fantastic sight!!

Monbulk takes down Olinda

A Grade

Olinda have been so dominant in A Grade netball in recent times that a match against them meant an almost certain defeat for the last 6-7 years as Olinda had a mortgage on the premiership. Monbulk managed a gutsy draw against them last year and have continued to build since. Olinda started the day in fifth place, although three games clear of the Hawks in sixth. Monbulk trailed by three goals after the first quarter but got their noses in front by half time in a high standard match. The Hawks then blew the game apart in the third quarter when they rattled on 17 goals to eight in a scintillating display. Monbulk then held their advantage to the final close of the match to notch their first win over Olinda in 11 years.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 41 def by Monbulk 49

Best: Jen Dewhurst, PaigeWhitworth, Peri Reid

Goals: Peri Reid 40, Jen Dewhurst 9

B Grade

Olinda and Monbulk are at opposite ends of the ladder in this grade and although the Hawks were competitive at stages, they were consistently forced into turnovers on which Olinda exacted a full toll, regularly scoring twice for every time that Monbulk secured a goal.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 61 def Monbulk 30

Best: Siobhan Munday, Rihanna Kelly, Paige

Rondinella

Goals: Paige Rondinella 26, Chloe Schmidtke 4

C Grade

As with B Grade, Olinda also had a tall goal shooter as a target in C Grade, and ultimately effort couldn’t match height for effectiveness. Monbulk went down by 18 goals but displayed a good determined game style on which they

Peri Reid scoring one of her 40 goals in A Grade for Monbulk. Picture: ARMIN RICHTER

can continue to build.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 36 def Monbulk 18

Best: Cody Sharp, Courtney Witt, Laura Del Biondo

Goals: Laura Del Biondo 9, Jamie Sands 7, Sammi Kelly 2

D Grade

The Monbulk D Grade team was outclassed by their Olinda opponents who displayed a fast and effective game which has seen them only lose once this year. In exciting news, we had a mother and daughter combo take the court, with Rachel Jennings and Kate Smith.

Olinda-Ferny Creek 50 def Monbulk 5

Best: Bronte Passingham, Kate Smith, Caitlin

Utting

Goals: Kate Smith 4, Hannah Dickason 1