Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 11th July 2023

Uni hands on

By Callum Ludwig

Some 80 students from the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS) descended on Yarra Junction as part of their ‘Big Lift’ volunteering program.

Big Lift volunteers helped clear and tidy the surrounding bush at family refuge Benwerren, clear the drains and help clean at the Karinya Retirement Village and helped Yarra Ranges Council’s Bushland Management team in planting 1000 native plants along the Warburton Trail east of Barack Drive.

Second-year software engineering student at UTS Mudra Dongare said the students were helping out in six or seven towns on their way down to Melbourne.

“On the way, we just do anything that’s kind of non-skilled help, whether that’s gardening, weeding or painting schools, it depends on what each town needs,” she said. Turn to page 8 for more

Farewell to Fenton

By Tanya Steele

Hundreds of people gathered recently to farewell a man “forged by fire” Coldstream’s John Fenton in Lilydale on 15 May.

The Coldstream CFA Captain, father of four, grandfather and friend passed away in hospital on May 5 after a long battle with illness.

Terrie Fenton, John’s wife said that John was involved with CFA right up until his hospital admission.

“He was fully involved with the CFA and he was a great social person, with a great sense of humour,” she said.

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence addressed Parliament on 18 May to pay tribute and

express her sympathies.

“I pay tribute to John Fenton, a valued and highly decorated member of the Coldstream fire brigade… My deepest sympathies to his wife Terrie, his family, his friends and indeed his mates at the Coldstream fire brigade,” she said.

Terrie said that John had always been very

community minded throughout his life.

“He was involved in the YMCA as a young man and always involved in community and charity,” she said.

“When he got older and we moved to Coldstream and the big bushfires of ’83 happened he said to me, ‘I could be doing something more’.”

Continued page 6

Meetings open to public

Two and a half months since Yarra Ranges Council shut out the gallery from Council meetings indefinitely, the doors are set to reopen to the public at the Tuesday 11 July regular meeting.

The decision was initially announced on Thursday 20 April after two meetings had been adjourned this year, and was expected to last until at least June but has stretched into July.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said he was looking forward to welcoming community members into the public gallery once again.

“While it was disappointing to have to make the decision to close the gallery, it was a necessary decision to ensure we could maintain a safe workplace for our staff, councillors and community members, and ensure our meetings could be run in an orderly manner,” he said.

“Since then, Council has continued to livestream its meetings, and community members who wished to make a submission regarding an item on the agenda, or submit a Question to Council or a Petition, have still been able to do so online,”

“While welcoming our community physically back into the public gallery on 11 July, we ask that everyone who attends does so respectfully.Anyinappropriatecommentsorbehaviour will not be tolerated, and individuals will be asked to leave if necessary.”

Yarra Ranges Council made the call to close the gallery due to councillors and council staff facing a ‘consistent and increasing pattern of verbal abuse, intimidation and anti-social behaviour’ at public meetings by certain attendees.

Cr Child said public Council Meetings provided an important opportunity for the community to see and hear Council make important decisions to help achieve the best outcomes for the community

“We have many community members

wanting to attend so that they can participate and share their stories about decisions being considered that impact them directly,” he said.

“They,alongwithcouncillorsandstaff,have the right to attend these meetings without be-

ing abused, threatened or intimidated, and we hope that the disruptions we experienced earlier this year will be a thing of the past.”

A Supreme Court case brought by Darren Dickson regarding Yarra Ranges Council’s de-

cision to close the public gallery made it to the Supreme Court on Tuesday 4 July and was adjourned by Supreme Court Justice Melinda Richards for a one-day trial on Thursday 3 August.

Police were called upon at the 31 January Yarra Ranges Council meeting this year.

Picture: ON FILE

New IGA expected

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Ranges Council has issued a notice of intent to approve a planning permit for a new and improved IGA in Warburton.

Provided there aren’t any objections to the development in the 28 days from 4 July, the new supermarket will be able to go ahead with owner Shane Wyles hoping works can start before the end of the year.

Mr Wyles said they’ve been dealing fairly closely with the Council and were confident that they were supporting the application.

“We were really happy to get through that hurdle, there’s a significant number of normal conditions that have to be worked through and it’s a fairly complex build because there’s significant earthworks at the back of the property that have to be retained,” he said.

“We hope to get through all those conditions so that work can possibly start in the dry weather of late 2023 or early 2023.”

Fisher Developments will be delivering the project at an estimated cost of $7 million.

Mr Wyles said while he is hopeful, if they can’t tick all of the boxes this year construction will have to wait until the following summer.

“It’ll have to be the dry weather the following year because the site will be too wet to be able to do groundwork during the winter months,” he said.

“It’ll make a huge difference, it will be a 1500 square metre building and about 1250 of

that will be retail, more than five times the size of what we have at the moment.”

The design for the new supermarket is also set to improve parking and access for trucks, with 60 more car parks wrapping around the back of the existingWarburton Pharmacy, with the new IGA building situated further back.

Wurundjeri Elder Doreen Garvey Wandin was consulted on the design to incorporate some Indigenous characteristics into the building.

Mr Wyles said it will be a full-service supermarket and won’t require on-street parking

like they do at the moment.

“At the moment, we’re more of a top-up or convenience store but this will allow the people to do a full shop with all the modern facilities that new supermarkets have these days from gourmet sections down to their basic groceries,” he said.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time, and to get this one approved is absolutely fantastic. Mt Evelyn is basically the same size store as what we will be and that’s recently gone overgone a really vibrant update, and we’ll be looking to be in a similar vein to that.”

Reserve Bank hits pause on rate rises

By Poppy Johnston, AAP

Mortgage holders can breathe a sigh of relief as the Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold.

Australia’s central bank moved to the sidelines in July after 12 interest rate rises in the tightening cycle, leaving the official cash rate at 4.1 per cent.

The pause is the second in 14 meetings, with the central bank also leaving rates unchanged in April.

But RBA governor Philip Lowe said there might need to be further rises if the situation calls for it.

“Some further tightening of monetary policy may be required to ensure that inflation returns to target in a reasonable timeframe, but that will depend upon how the economy and inflation evolve,” he said.

“The decision to hold interest rates steady this month provides the board with more time to assess the state of the economy and the economic outlook and associated risks.”

Economists were divided over the RBA’s most likely move in July following a mixed bag of data for the month.

The monthly consumer price index dropped sharply in May, but the underlying numbers were less encouraging.

increase the interest rate for the month of July. 279561

Board members also weighed up signs of strength across the jobs market, a fairly resilient consumer sector and a recovering property market, which is thought to make people feel wealthier and spend more. The 400 basis points of interest rate hikes

Picture: ON FILE

so far have been felt keenly by borrowers. The aggressive tightening has added upwards of $1000 to monthly repayments on the standard variable rate home loan compared to April last year, before interest rates started going up.

School zones return

Drivers on the road in the mornings and afternoons are urged to take care as school zone speed limits are in place again this week as Term 3 commences bringing an expected increase in road, pedestrian and bicycle traffic at drop-off and pick-up times.

Some school speed zones are permanent, while others operate from 8am to 9.30am, and from 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays, with reduced speeds of 40km/h or 60km/h in school zones until the end of the school term.

Check your child’s car seat

RACV is reminding parents and carers traveling on Victorian roads to regularly check the fit, safety rating and rules for their child car seats.

The top five things to keep in mind when checking if your child has outgrown their safety seat include:

· Always ensure the car seat is installed and securely fastened according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

· Ensure the child’s shoulders fit between the shoulder height markers on the restraint.

· When your child has outgrown their rearward facing restraint, they can be moved into a larger rearward-facing restraint or forward-facing child restraint.

· When your child has outgrown their forward-facing child restraint, they can be moved to a bigger model with an inbuilt harness or to a booster seat (depending on your child’s size).

· Only move your child to an adult seat belt when they are taller than 145cm (regardless of their age).

Parents will find more information and advice on finding the correct car seat at www. childcarseats.com.au.

Main street in Healesville feel impact from planned power cuts

A number of Healesville Traders were unable to operate on Thursday 6 July due to planned outages by AusNet along Maroondah Highway.

Healesville business corresponded with AusNet on 21 June via email to find out why the planned works were going ahead on the school holidays.

An AusNet company spokesperson responded on 29 June with the following:

“This outage has been planned for the school holidays as it interrupts supply to two schools in Healesville. With work that impacts schools we try to take advantage of term breaks to lessen the community impact. The works are to replace two unserviceable poles on the incoming high voltage network to the township. As these two poles are a significant risk the works will need to proceed as planned.”

This is the second time the power company has cut power to the main street in a school holiday period, traders were also impacted in on April 18 this year.

An AusNet spokesperson communicated to Star Mail on Friday 7 July that AusNet needs to undertake planned outages from time to time so that we can carry out essential upgrades.

“We understand there is never a good time to be without power and apologise for the inconvenience caused,” they said.

The Reserve Bank of Australia didn’t

The proposed design of the new Warburton IGA.

Picture: ON FILE

Case lodged against YRC

By Tyler Wright

Yarra Ranges Council has been taken to court over its Urban Design Framework plan for Monbulk and its decision to close meetings to the public gallery.

On Tuesday 4 July, plaintiff Darren Dickson, who spoke on behalf of residents in the Yarra Ranges, attended a Supreme Court hearing alongside a lawyer representing the council.

Mr Dickson is seeking an injunction to prevent the council implementing its Draft Monbulk Urban Design Framework which sets out principles for the future development of the area.

“So as to open the community engagement process in a meaningful way for an additional 12 months due to drastic changes to the community based on a failure to engage the community as legislated within Part III Local Government Act 2020 and relevant policies,” Mr Dickson’s summons read.

“I’d also like to extend the hand of communication, as we have in the past, to council, if they’d like to work this out,” Mr Dickson told Justice Melinda Richards at the virtual hearing.

“Another reason we’ve been forced to come to court is because council refuse to talk to us.”

In December 2022, councillors voted to exhibit the draft framework until 12 March 2023, two weeks after the original deadline of 26 February 2023.

Mr Dickson said the framework was set to be approved in mid-2023, but this information was removed from the council’s website, with the council naming September as the month it will decide on the plan.

“I came here in good faith with the information that council has provided on their website,” he said.

“It appears it’s only been changed since these filings were brought to the court.”

The council announced it would close its meetings to a public gallery Thursday 20 April, citing an “increasing pattern of verbal abuse, intimidation and anti-social behaviour” at previous meetings as its reasoning.

“We do have interaction to the gallery, but what’s happened since late last year is that we’ve got this body of people that come to our chamber and they’ve really got nothing more

on their mind but to disrupt proceedings, and that’s what they’re doing,” Yarra Ranges Council Mayor, Cr Jim Child told the Star Mail at the time. The council also addressed what it called “incorrect information” circulating in the Dandenongs and surrounds in early-2023 around the concept of a 20-minute neighbourhood, and technologies used by councils.

“The concept behind 20 minute neighbourhoods is simple – communities are designed to make sure everything you need day-to-day is close to home and a walkable distance away,” the council wrote on its website.

“The intent is for people to be able to move about easily and freely without being burdened by excessive travel or costly transport options. It improves movement and access, rather than preventing it.

“Previously, towns have been designed over time to be very car-focused and forgot about

people, which often resulted in sprawling urban areas that started taking over valuable agricultural and natural landscape spaces and left vulnerable community members isolated.”

Yarra Ranges Council spokeswoman Tracey Varley said the council did not move the deadline for the Monbulk Urban Design Framework decision from mid-year to September due to legal action being pursued against the body.

“Development of the Monbulk Urban Design Framework is an iterative process that requires briefing of councillors and discussion of the findings prior to Council being able to consider a proposed final version of the UDF,” Ms Varley said.

“Information on the website originally indicated an approximate timing of when the work might come to Council. It didn’t specify a date, to allow flexibility for due consideration of the findings.

“Due to the volume and complexity of submissions and strong community participation, the analysis phase of submissions has taken longer than anticipated. Information on our website has been updated accordingly.”

Ms Varley also said the council did not reopen meetings to the public due to legal action being taken.

“The decision to close the public gallery relating to health and safety concerns was only temporary and we commenced planning for its reopening shortly after closing,” she said. The gallery is set to reopen to the public from Tuesday 11 July.

Mr Dickson will appear in court on Thursday 3 August and potentially Friday 4 August for trial.

Mr Dickson declined to comment to the Star Mail before trial.

Big moves for Four Pillars as liquor giant goes all in

By Tanya Steele

Four Pillars announced via social media on Tuesday 4 July that they have moved to complete ownership by juggernaut beverage company Lion.

Four Pillars co-founders, chief distiller Cameron Mackenzie and brand and strategy director Matt Jones will remain in the business in their current capacities while co-founder and trade director Stuart Gregor will remain in the short term before taking an extended sabbatical.

Cameron Mackenzie said it was a big positive for the business and was really about growth and development for Four Pillars, particularly in regards to larger scale production and distribution for the company.

“It’s a really exciting time and comes with a bit of fair bit of emotion because this is what we’ve been doing for the last decade, but there is comfort knowing that there is not a huge amount that will change,” he said.

The recent development comes a little over four years since Lion purchased 50 per cent of the Yarra Valley-based gin business.

Mr Mackenzie said Lion will help the Four Pillars enter its next phase of growth.

“We partnered with Lion because we wanted to grow the business and they’ve got a great commitment to Healesville,” he said.

The acquisition includes ownership of the distillery in Healesville and all domestic and international sales and marketing of the brand.

Lion CEO Sam Fischer said he has welcomed the announcement.

“It’s not every day you get to buy the world’s best gin distillery but today Lion is absolutely thrilled to add Four Pillars to our portfolio,” he said.

“We look forward to supporting the continued growth of this remarkable brand, working with Cam and Matt to help drive our

future plans. Alongside continued investment behind our core beer business, we see premium spirits as a real opportunity for fu-

ture growth.”

Mr Mackenzie said that Four Pillars have been transparent with their staff about how the acquisition has progressed.

“They [Lion] are interested in encouraging us...they don’t want to stifle us,” he said.

The company want to continue to grow and thrive in Healesville and Mr Mackenzie said he has loved seeing local hospitality staff grow with the company.

“There are members of our team we’ve known for many, many years, their kids are now part of it and it’s been amazing,” he said.

Mr Mackenize said overall the acquisition is a really wonderful opportunity for Healesville and the Yarra Valley.

“It’s an amazing thing for the distilling industry and I hope in the future we can see further investment in the Australian distilling

Darren Dickson has taken Yarra Ranges Council to court to stop the approval of the draft Monbulk Urban Design Framework.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

The staff at Four Pillars. Pictures: ANSON SMART

From left: Four Pillars Co-Founders, Cameron Mackenzie, Matt Jones and Stuart Gregor.

Changes to hurt pharmacy

By Mikayla van Loon

With changes to the way some medicines will be dispensed across the country, a Lilydale pharmacy is concerned with the impact that will have on its services.

Amcal Lilydale owners Megan and Frank Kazantzis said come 1 September as the 60day dispensing policy begins to roll out, they will seriously have to consider cutting staff and current services to cater for the loss of income.

“We’re all for affordable medications for patients, but it should be for everyone, not just for people who are taking this thing and in this way,” Megan said.

“And it shouldn’t be out of our pocket because it’s really great to say they can have two boxes, but the reality is before, we were paid for those two boxes, and now we’re still just being paid for one of them and giving the second one away out of our pocket.”

The 60-day dispensing policy introduced by the Federal Government aims to reduce the cost of medications for patients with chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, endometriosis and high cholesterol.

“The Government is delivering cheaper medicines through 60 day dispensing for more than six million Australians,” a spokesperson for health minister Mark Butler said.

Having owned and run the Amcal pharmacy since 2018, Megan said despite being part of a franchised company, she and her husband Frank are essentially small business owners.

“Having to have our revenue halved is devastating because that’s how we pay our bills,” she said.

“We’ve done the numbers for our business and it’s almost $200,000 a year. So it’s massive, it’s more than the business makes.

“So what that means, in reality, we employ about 15 people here, we’d be looking to lay off at least three people and obviously that’s devastating, because most of our team have young families.”

One of those staff members will most likely be a pharmacist, meaning only one pharmacist will be working in the dispensary per day, limiting the pharmacy’s ability to provide other services like vaccines, glucose testing and blood pressure testing.

The Federal Government does intend, from 1 July, to pay pharmacies seven per cent more for dispensing PBS medicines but Frank said this was already expected.

“That’s a CPI increase that was already inbuilt into the current Community Pharmacy Agreement, it’s just indexation,” he said.

“It’s not new money. It was actually an increase we were expecting because the cost of goods and everything has gone up.”

The Australian health department’s calculations however, indicate that with the new policy and the funding of other programs the average metropolitan pharmacy will earn more than $41,000 extra per year.

“Every single dollar saved by the Government will go back into pharmacy services, so pharmacists can continue to play an even more central role in the healthcare of Australians,” the spokesperson said.

Some of those programs include expanding the National Immunisation Program to pharmacies which will pay $19 for a vaccine to the pharmacy administering it, as well as the broadening of the PBS Opioid Dependence Treatment program for treatments in community pharmacies.

But despite these programs benefiting the community, Megan said it’s not new money and in fact they will again be at a loss for the vaccines.

“They pay us for giving vaccines, which is great, we don’t want people to have to pay for vaccines. It’s great if the government pays,” she said.

“But at the moment we do charge people so it doesn’t offset the money in any way because at the moment, our customer pays us $24 to get a flu vaccine.”

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President Anthony Tassone said an independent report estimated a $4.5 billion cut to the industry would impact patients and their ability to get medicine, advice and services from their local pharmacy.

The report, conducted by renowned economist Henry Ergas AO with Tulipwood Advisory and the Relational Insights Data Lab at Griffith University, found that up to 20,000 jobs will be lost, 665 pharmacies will close and a further

900 will be at risk of closing due to significant financial pressure as a result of the 60-day dispensing policy.

“The Federal Government needs to work with our sector to ensure patients and community pharmacies will be no worse off under their 60 day dispense policy otherwise jobs, pharmacies and vital health services that older and vulnerable patients rely on are all at risk,” Anthony said.

The 60 day dispensing policy came from a recommendation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to make critical medicines cheaper for Australians.

“Every year, nearly a million Australians are forced to delay or go without a medicine that their doctor has told them is necessary for their health,” Minister Butler’s spokesperson said.

While the government has acknowledged that dispensing forms a large part of the work pharmacies do, the spokesperson said there are other elements to their services.

“Dispensing medicines is complex and critical, but it’s not the only reason Australian pharmacies are so highly valued,” they said.

Megan and Frank said it was insulting to have the government downplay the value of dispensing medications, as it is their “bread and butter” as trained pharmacists.

“We live in an area we’re passionate about and provide accessible health care to the community and the way they paint us out is really upsetting,” she said.

“We’re actually trying to deliver a health service. So even though there are other things that get sold in the pharmacy, our primary focus and our primary income is from our health service and our dispensing,” Frank said.

While Frank and Megan are aware that dispensing cannot sustain their business, Frank said over a 20 year period pharmacists have experienced an immense amount of cuts and changes to the way they operate.

“You do pivot and you do change but that’s been going on and on and on. There’s been changes with PBS funding, PBS price disclosure, we’ve been getting less and less money for medication that we dispense,” he said.

“So this is the brick that broke the camel’s back, it’s been the last thing out of a long line of cuts and we just can’t sustain it anymore.

“They could have created this policy to not impact the pharmacy industry as much and still have the same benefit and it wouldn’t have really cost the government that much more so it’s really disappointing because they could have really made an impactful policy change.”

Amcal Lilydale owners Frank and Megan Kazantzis are worried about how 60 day dispensing will affect their services to the community. 345781

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

El Nino means hot and dry

By Callum Ludwig

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared the onset of an El Niño, with hotter, drier conditions expected to be noticeable from the second half of this year.

The latest update from the WMO on Tuesday 4 July forecasts a 90 per cent likelihood of an El Niño, with signs of the conditions showing in the tropical areas of the Pacific for the first time in seven years.

WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas said in a release that the onset of El Niño will greatly increase the likelihood of breaking temperature records and triggering more extreme heat in many parts of the world and in the ocean.

“The declaration of an El Niño by WMO is the signal to governments around the world to mobilize preparations to limit the impacts on our health, our ecosystems and our economies,” he said.

“Early warnings and anticipatory action of extreme weather events associated with this major climate phenomenon are vital to saving lives and livelihoods.”

An El Niño, usually lasting between nine and 12 months, is forecast anywhere from every two to seven years, with the upcoming event expected to be of at least moderate strength.

A WMO report in May predicted that the next five years will be the warmest on record, affected by climate change caused by humans, and set to beat the record set in 2016 by a particularly strong El Niño.

In the context of Australia, an El Niño

means we can expect hot and dry summers, a potential recipe for a catastrophic bushfire season.

Hillcrest CFA Captain Colin Dickson said having had a few years of wet conditions, there’s a bit of talk about a lot of undergrowth, which could dry and easily burn, in the Yarra Ranges.

“We need to be preparing for a bigger fire season than what we’ve experienced in the last couple of years, just because it will be a warmer drier summer doesn’t guarantee that we will have bigger fires,” he said.

“However, it does make it more likely. The severity and number of incidents are likely to increase when there is more fuel around and when that fuel has dried, so we need to be on our toes and well-prepared.”

The 2015-16 bushfire season in Australia, around the time of the last El Niño, was the most destructive and fatal fire season in Australia since the 2008-09 bushfire season with 408 houses and at least 500 non-residential buildings destroyed by bushfires and 8 people killed between 1 June 2015 and 31 May 2016.

Mr Dickson said while it may be boring, the

best thing to do is to have a fire plan that everyone in the house knows ahead of time.

“There’s no point in that information being limited to just the person who wrote the fire plan, everybody needs to be involved and on the same page, especially in knowing whether you’re going to stay or you’re going to go,” he said.

“Have considerations included for your animals, whether they are pets or livestock, and consider preparatory matters in making your home defendable, such as not having combustible materials right up against the house where possible and make sure you are insured.”

Victorian firefighters will be monitoring conditions in Queensland and northern New South Wales throughout the summer, which can act as a good indicator of weather and fire conditions.

Mr Dickson said there is going to be a window of opportunity as we come out of winter and things dry, for people to prepare their properties.

“For many areas within our catchment, we’re actually not allowed to be doing burnoffs at the moment, they’re restricted during June and July. Before we get into any declared fire danger period, that’s going to be the opportunity for people to make sure that they’ve tidied up their properties,” he said.

“If they have got burn piles that are ready to go, that is when they can get rid of them and remember to register any burns.”

Farewell to Fenton: CFA loses ‘larger than life’ member

From page 1

John joined the CFA in March of 1983 at the local fire brigade and his service continued from there.

Sean Bethell, Captain from Coldstream CFA said that John throughout his time he was a very positive character.

“He was always involved with the running of the brigade in the roles he held over his 40 years of service,” he said.

“He was also a leading force in the design and purchase of the brigade Ultra-Light tanker.”

Mr Bethell said CFA members looked up to John for guidance and that he was a good mate to talk and have a joke with.

“John was always there to respond with the brigade vehicles to emergencies, he spent many hours at away fires throughout the state and interstate,” he said.

Terrie said he could be a bit cheeky and enjoyed the ‘mateship’ of the CFA.

“He was very much a team player and the friendships he made were ‘forged in fire’,” she said.

Community firefighting has changed considerably over the years and Terrie said when

John started there was no formal training and there was no safety awareness.

“After the Linton fires, more precautions, training and safety equipment were introduced,” she said.

Terrie said that John lived his life to the full and was as active in the community as he was

in his family roles and that John particularly loved travelling with his family over the years.

“We had many great trips overseas,” she said.

At John’s service evergreens were laid out, along with the CFA flag and a guard of honour made up of CFA members, along with the

Coldstream fire truck.

“He was a bigger than life person,” Terrie said.

The service was attended by hundreds and the community will feel the sting of loss of a dedicated man whose legacy will live on in those who knew him.

Dry conditions and hot weather are to be expected from the back end of 2023. Picture: ON FILE

John at the Lilydale Show enjoying a cheeky ice cream. Pictures:

John (Middle) at the Comradeship awards for the Coldstream CFA.

Nurse named among best

By Tanya Steele

A Healesville nurse has won in her category for the 2023 Victorian Rural Health Awards which celebrates outstanding efforts and work in primary health care nursing.

Claire Oettinger from the Get Well Clinic in Healesville attended the 18th Virtual Awards event on Thursday 16 June with her family and other staff and said she was surprised and happy when the results were announced.

“It was just a real surprise when they announced me as the winner, I was really excited,” she said.

“It’s wonderful to be recognised and officially appreciated. You feel that with the patients they’re always very grateful and thankful you can see that you’re making a difference when you’re with them, but it’s just nice to be organised to be recognised at an official capacity.”

The Get Well Clinic celebrated as a team, along with family and Ms Oettinger said she wanted to thank everyone for their support.

Ms Oettinger has been a nurse for over 30 years and has been practising in the Yarra Valley for 14 years.

“I’ve worked in Yarra Glen and Healesville and came to the Get Well Clinic in 2018,” she said.

Ms Oettinger said some of her job satisfaction has come from being able to care for people who are a bit vulnerable, and not able to access the services that they need.

“One of the things that I was involved in was organising a special immunisation clinic for kids that were on the spectrum, to better

facilitate their needs,” she said.

Lauren Cordwell, Acting CEO of rural workforce agency Victoria (RWAV), said that recently, rural Victoria has been facing ongoing workforce shortages across all health professions.

“We celebrate the impact of our current rural health workforce and hope that more doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and other health professionals will make the decision to work in rural Victoria in the near future,” she said.

The Get Well Clinic had two nominees this year, Ms Mandy Ven-Velp Fernand was also in the running for her contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and Ms Oettinger said she wanted to highlight and celebrate the Ms Ven-Velp Fernand.

“It’s just sensational that she was nominated and became a finalist, I really want to acknowledge Mandy and the tireless work that she does as well,” she said.

Ms Oettinger said she has enjoyed being a primary practice nurse and plans to continue on in her work.

“So moving forward, we will just keep trying to improve our practice… work together as a team and keep delivering good health care to the community,” she said.

Ms Oettinger was surprised when winners were announced over the webinar awards ceremony. Picture: SUPPLIED

Lending a helping hoof

By Callum Ludwig

Two young members of the Seville Pony Club have shown compassion for their fellow riders at the Macclesfield Pony and Adult Riding Clubs.

Following a fire that destroyed the clubrooms and historical items at Macclesfield Recreation Reserve, Emily and Jorja wanted to help in some way.

Seville Pony Club was holding their Freshman’s Day event on the day of the blaze and Emily said some Macclesfield riders were attending and told them what happened.

“Just to know that another pony club in our area now doesn’t have club rooms was really devastating to hear, every pony club needs a clubroom,” she said.

“The next day we had the thought that we’ve had a successful freshman’s day and we want to give back to other clubs who’ve supported our club, so we spoke to our mums about it,” Jorja said.

As a result, the girls had a total of $500 they raised and are able to provide to the Macclesfield clubs to help them recover from the devastating event.

Secretary of the Macclesfield Adult Riding Club Delvene Henderson said it was amazing of the girls to offer the donation.

“You always get overwhelmed and humbled by people’s offers of assistance and of help and to hear what the girls did for us was just wonderful,” she said.

“I’m very impressed and have an overwhelming feeling of being proud to be part of the horse community, every one of our members is extremely grateful.”

As two of the senior Pony Club members, Emily and Jorja had been organising and planning the Freshman’s Day, a form of showjumping event, for months in advance as a fundraiser for their own club. Emily and Jorja organised the format for the day, the event program, publicity of the event, raffle prizes and donations, canteen supplies and refreshments, courtesy notes to neighbours

regarding the event as well as organising ribbons for the riders on the day.

Ms Henderson said the donation would go towards restoring the history of the Macclesfield Pony and Adult Riding Clubs.

“We have obviously got a lot of work to do in terms of getting back the information and the history, but our president Kelly has a lot of photos and we will be restoring those photos and getting them back up on the walls of our new club rooms when they eventually get rebuilt,” she said.

“Unfortunately, being an older building, there was asbestos in it, so therefore it has sort of slowed the process a little bit because we have to now get the asbestos removed so it will take some time, but we will get there.”

Ellie and Jo of the Macclesfield Pony and Adult Riding Clubs (centre L-R) flanked by Seville Pony Club members Emily and Jorja (L and R).

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

The remains of the burnt clubrooms. Picture: ON FILE

Uni students lend a hand

By Callum Ludwig

Students from the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS) ventured down toYarra Junction to lend a helping hand on Thursday 6 July.

Students volunteered through the UTS’ Big Lift Program, where 80 students visit multiple towns over nine days and help out with small jobs that can make a big difference.

The Rotary Club of Upper Yarra helped coordinate the visit and president-elect Jan Burney said it had been an incredibly positive experience.

“It’s wonderful, it’s been at least two months in the planning with regular communication so it was really exciting when they arrived last night and we had a lovely meal at the Millwarra Community Building,” she said.

“The students said our hall and the showers

were the best they have had in their nine-day trip, I felt very proud of our town.”

The July trip is the Big Lift’s flagship event, with volunteers making other short trips to regional New South Wales towns throughout the year.

Second-year software engineering student at UTS Mudra Dongare said the students were helping out in six or seven towns on their way down to Melbourne.

“On the way, we just do anything that’s kind of non-skilled help, whether that’s gardening, weeding or painting schools, it depends on what each town needs,” she said.

“So far, we’ve done some helping out with flood-affected areas and then we also stopped at Eildon Public School where we cleaned up a lot of their sheds and classrooms, did mulch-

ing and that type of stuff.”

Big Lift volunteers helped clear and tidy the surrounding bush at family refuge Benwerren, clear the drains and help clean at the Karinya Retirement Village and helped Yarra Ranges Council’s Bushland Management team in planting 1000 native plants along the Warburton Trail east of Barack Drive.

Ms Burney said it’s inspiring and heartwarming to see young people helping out.

“Most of them are around 20 and they’ve taken on challenges, many of them had never really gardened before, especially if it’s their first trip, and I just thought it’s great how open they are to give it a go,” she said.

“Who knows whether it’s next year, whether it’s five years or 20 years’ time, they might tell a story about the Yarra Valley and that time that

they went and helped out, I hope they’ll have fond memories.”

Other towns that Big Lift volunteers visited along their journey include Ganmain, Burrumbuttock and Eildon.

Ms Dongare said she would encourage anyone to do it and is definitely going to do it again herself.

“It is a great way to kind of stay engaged and actually learn quite a lot along the way, I think everyone really develops personally, as well as having a sense of fulfilment at the end,” she said.

“All of the towns we’ve hit are very different to back home, the sense of community is the key thing that stands out to me. There’s a lot of togetherness amongst everyone in the community, which I often don’t see back at home.”

A new Dawn at Benwerren as long-term CEO steps down

By Callum Ludwig

Dawn Develyn has been the kind smile and caring demeanour behind Benwerren in Yarra Junction for decades, helping many people and families on their healing journeys.

Now, over 45 years since it was founded by her mother Olive, Ms Develyn is stepping back from the CEO role, though she will remain on the board and be invested in the refuge’s future.

Ms Develyn said she has mixed feelings about stepping down.

I’m tired, I can’t do the physical as much as I used to do, I used to lead by example, and everybody followed but I’m too old for that,” she said.

“I still have dreams for here, for a special space where the children in particular can be given what they need. I know things will change, Nichole’s far more aware of digital information and social media, so she’ll be able to do a lot of things in relation to that.”

Ms Develyn will be replaced by Nichole Kelly, who’s been working with Benwerren for over 10 years.

Ms Kelly said Dawn’s shoes are too big for one person to fill, and it will require a team effort.

“At our AGM, I made a confession that I actually can’t fill those shoes alone but we’ve got an awesome team here that have to share the same passion and vision for Benwerren and for our families,” she said.

“I don’t think Benwerren is a place that ever becomes irrelevant, you could say it’s needed more than ever, in a lot of ways. Our

families, when they come, are just so grateful for the space.”

Benwerren’s goal is to provide a place of

respite, care and joy at its lovely old guest house with an open log fire on two acres of land hidden away in Yarra Junction. Nearby

bushland is tranquil to spend time in, meals are catered to the needs of their residents and there is plenty of opportunity to play and be calm and free.

Ms Develyn said she has loved seeing people grow at Benwerren.

“They’ll come with young children and lots of challenges, and then they’ll come again next year and there’ll be something that they’ve grown in or taken away and a lot of our staff and volunteers came here when they were children,” she said.

“There’s been lots of staff workers here over the more than 30 years I’ve been involved, there’s been some people who’ve been ongoing amazingly, there’s been others that have come in for a term and helped and they all kept us going.”

Benwerren was a recent recipient of one of Casey MP AaronVioli’s CommunityVolunteer Grants, which have gone towards a mental health first aid training and helping staff build a culture of peace at Benwerren and in their own lives. Benwerren is also currently fundraising for an upgrade of their dining room.

Ms Kelly said Dawn will be very missed around the place.

“She’s been so loved, she’s been so much of a part of Benwerren for so many years and people still pop their heads in and ask ‘Is Dawn still here?’ When people come here and they’re often very vulnerable and so you do form strong connections with people,” she said.

“But of course we wish her the very best and hope she has lots and lots of fun in her retirement.”

Dawn Develyn, left, and Nichole Kelly.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

Jan Burney Rotary Club of Upper Yarra (front left) with University of Technology Sydney student volunteers helping out for the Big Lift program. 345745 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Tu, left, and Caitlin at work. 345745

Number one for hospitality

No7 is offering something really unique for the region. Choose from our bar menu, à la carte, Feed Me or 5-course tasting menu. Paired with an exciting and eclectic wine list from around the world, we are passionate about introducing guests to some of the best organic producers. Open Thursday to Sunday for lunch and dinner or just pop in for some snacks and drinks with an all-day bar menu.

Recent recipient of an Age Good Food Guide Hat, Head Chef Joel Bowers’ sharedstyle menu caters for any experience you need.Whether it’s a last-minute midweek dinner, pit stop snack of some small plates at the bar, date night, celebrating a birthday with friends and family or settling into a long Sun-

day lunch. For locals who like to dine either side of the weekend rush, our new Thursday and Sunday night dinner services have been warmly received.

In the buzzing end of Healesville on Lilydale Rd opposite Four Pillars and next to Payten & Jones, our converted factory is styled with stunning European decor that gives a warm and intimate feeling.

Our events space is perfect for your next special occasion so let us look after you amongst the towering barrels and chandeliers. With regular wine list takeovers from winemaker friends and importers plus guest chef events ahead in our calendar, there’s always something happening at No7.

A unique experience can be found at No7 in Healesville.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Whether it’s a long lunch or a stop for a snack, No7 has you covered.

Avenue of Honour opened

By Callum Ludwig

After nine years of planning and advocating, the Millgove Residents’ Action Group (MRAG) were able to officially open their Avenue of Honour on Saturday 1 July, immortalising five more men from Millgrove who died in the Great War.

Nine men from Millgrove in total died in World War One, with the other four already recognised with trees and plaques in Wesburn’s Avenue of Honour.

MRAG Secretary Bob Lillie was influential in the push for the project and said the original Avenue of Honour in Millgrove consisted of about 26 trees.

“The parents of one of the dead soldiers organised it but in 1934, there were big floods in Millgrove and it was very badly damaged. Basically, it just fell apart and everybody forgot about it, there’s probably some trees left, but no one had ever known,” he said.

“They’re all getting rather old and probably quite decrepit so in 2014, we decided to put in a new Avenue of Honour and after working with the RSl, they suggested we look at the Millgrve people who died.”

The original Avenue of Honour was opened in 1919 with memorial plaques on gum trees, which got washed away by the flooding.

Mr Lillies said MRAG members felt they owed it to the people who built the original Avenue of Honour to revive it.

“It hasn’t been looked after and has disappeared and I don’t know what the statistics are, but there would’ve been hundreds of them planted and I believe the numbers of the original ones left are limited,” he said.

“We wanted to honour our Millgrove people who died.”

The official opening was held on 1 July to

align with the beginning of the coincide with the Battle of the Somme in France that started on the same date in 1916, which is where Arthur Norman Platt died.

The following Millgrove men are now memorialised in the Avenue of Honour:

· Henry Clifford Binks, Killed In Action 12 October 1918 in Belgium

· Clarence Victor Chapman, Killed In Action 28 May 1917 in Messines, Belgium

· Henry George Cook, Killed In Action 23 December 1916 in Somme, France

· Walter Joseph Leach, Killed In Action 5 October 1918 in Montbrehain, France

· Arthur Norman Platt, Killed In Action 28 August, 1916 in Mouquet Farm, Pozieres, France.

The following four Millgrove men feature in the Wesburn avenue:

· Charles Edward Buller, Killed in Action 19 September 1917

· Arthur Archibald Buller, Killed in Action 11 May 1917

· A E Buller, Killed in Action 18 April 1918

· Edwin Charles Buller, Died of wounds 19 September 1917

The opening was attended by Casey MP Aaron Violi, Eildon MP Cindy McLeish, Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child, MRAG members and other local residents.

“The dedication of the new Millgrove Avenue of Honour marks the conclusion of an eight year plus project by the Millgrove Residents Action Group, Warburton RSL and wider community,” Mr Violi said.

“It’s a credit to the Upper Yarra community that despite damage to the Avenue of Honour throughout the years, the community is dedicated to ensuring the memory of our fallen is never forgotten.”

Glenn Barber remembered as the model volunteer

By Callum Ludwig

The people of the ADRA Redwood Community Centre gathered on Tuesday 4 July to pay tribute to a much-loved and valued volunteer.

The death of a founding member of the centre in Glenn Barber was the perfect reason to make use of a stunning bit of timber they had possession of, which now features a plaque in his honour on the office wall.

Glenn’s wife Carol Barber said the centre became Glenn’s baby.

“He retired due to health reasons, he had a heart problem and was looking for something to do after a couple of years. This used to be a school and I used to teach it but the school closed down and we decided to set it up as a community centre,” she said.

“He did a lot of the physical redeveloping of the place; changing rooms or building walls. And he pretty well lived here most of the working day.”

People at the centre would always know when Glenn arrived, famous for the sound of his iconic blue Suzuki ute that he loved.

Ms Barber said the number of people at the unveiling just went to show how many people knew him.

“He was born in Warburton in the local hospital, he grew up here, never lived anywhere else, and knew everybody around town as he was growing up,” she said.

“The centre is vital in this community, there’s so many people who are either homeless or struggling.”

Glenn was also a deacon at the Seventh Day Adventist church inWarburton for many years, splitting his time between his family, the ADRA Redwood Centre and the church. He was described as ‘genuine, down to earth and loyal’.

Redwood Community Centre Manager

Kate Barratt said Glenn was there to open

the door and introduce to the building on the day it opened and was always there unless he and Carol went away in the winter.

“He was a doer, he didn’t just sit and say, ‘someone should do this’ and he wasn’t just about ideas, he had those too, but he was actually about executing. He would think to the next level, ‘How is that going to happen, what can I do and who else can I engage to help me?’ because he was very, very well connected and such a lovely person,” she said.

“Glenn encompasses what a good volunteer is because first and foremost, you need to know what interests you and what drives you. What interested Glenn was his community and people, he always spoke about the fact that he felt fortunate to have been able to work and learn.”

On Glenn’s plaque, it reads: ‘May his love of service and passion for his hometown live on in our ongoing commitment to supporting the people of Warburton.’

ThenewMillgroveAvenueofHonour.

Pictures:PHILPOMAROFF

Attendeesoftheopening.

Picture:TAYLAHEASTWELL MRAgSecretaryBobLilliespeakingattheopening.

Time to be FreezeOut fool

By Mikayla van Loon

For just one night throughout Homelessness Week, people across the Yarra Ranges are being asked to get uncomfortable and sleep out for Holy Fools.

The not-for-profit’s fundraising event, called FreezeOut!, launched last week with it to take place from 7 to 13 August.

Having traditionally hosted a week-long vigil for Homelessness Week, to coincide with Councillor Tim Heenan’s sleep out, Holy Fools founder Neal Taylor said post-pandemic, there had to be some changes.

“We were just trying to work out ways of connecting with the community, maybe raising some funds and I’d always try to get people to sleep out and identify with what we’re doing during that week, maybe as their own thing,” he said.

“We just thought it was still worth people doing at home, in their own system, their own homes, or in their own places to have the same experience.”

Whether it’s setting up a tent in the backyard, sleeping in your car in the garage or even sleeping on the couch, the idea is to have that experience of discomfort particularly during winter to better understand homelessness.

“Or even if you want to, if you’ve got small kids, primary school aged kids, and you say, Okay, well, for the three hours this evening before bed, we’re not going to do TV, or we’re going to sit out on the back deck,” board chair Matt Maudlin said.

“Just do something that gives people that experience of what it’s like to be without, to maybe be cold, maybe be hungry.”

Whatever the challenge, the key is to do it safely, with somewhat of a slogan being “we

don’t want one extra person having to sleep on the streets”.

The aim is to raise $75,000 to support Holy Fools in its day to day functioning and to provide the necessary care for people experiencing or on the verge of homelessness.

Fundraising will not only ensure the Wednesday Street Angel lunches continue but also allows Neal to do his advocacy work by networking with other organisations to help change the face of homelessness by 2030.

“We need to make sure Holy Fools is sustainable into the future which means safeguarding the staff and the team,” community

team volunteer Lisa Glassborrow said.

“The fundraising is really important but money comes and goes, we spend it and we do great work with it and it has a long term impact

“But the education and awareness and the understanding that people will get, that insight is what will continue the story of Holy Fools because this isn’t a one off event, we want to do this every year.”

Matt said over the next few years, he hopes FreezeOut! becomes synonymous with Holy Fools and every August more and more people will join the cause.

Whether the sleep out triggers a conversa-

tion or a donation of clothing to a Holy Fools drive, Matt, Lisa and Neal said whatever the outcome, it will start building community action on homelessness.

“An issue like homelessness can only be fully addressed when, in part, the community comes together to join with the three levels of government, then something can happen,” Matt said.

Signing up to do FreezeOut! encourages people to sponsor you to take part in the event, but businesses, sports clubs and other groups are also being asked to either sponsor or take part as a collective not just individually.

As the situation with homelessness worsens, Neal said everything Holy Fools can do locally will make a difference in someone’s life.

“The statistics don’t really represent the reality of the situation. It’s a lot worse than that. I would estimate probably 500 people plus, and that’s not only rough sleepers but that’s also couchsurfing, boarding houses and things like that [in the Yarra Ranges],” Neal said.

“I wrote a submission for the Victorian government Inquiry into Housing, saying that this isn’t just a crisis, this is a disaster. It’s a humanitarian disaster in our own country, and people are ignoring it.”

Every little bit of action, monetary donation or conversation will help Holy Fools reach out to the homeless community in the region and beyond.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please visit www.freezeout.org.au. Sign up, sponsor someone, and if you’re a business keen to get involved, please get in touch with Neal Taylor at Holy Fools, 1300 133 889 or 0417579944.

Helping Yarra Valley tradies at a very taxing time

Tradies – Does your Accountant do more than lodge your tax return?

Are you a Tradie local to the Yarra Valley and you feel you have more questions than answers?

This is something Sue Clarke at The Yarra Valley Accountant encounters on a regular basis.

Would you like a better understanding of your overall position and what it means to you? What about someone you trust to guide you who has many years of experience?

I’ve been an Accountant working with businesses for over 30 years.There is not much that I haven’t seen or heard and I draw from this knowledge and experience daily.

I work with local businesses including tradies and, while they are all different, I’ve found a few similarities that keep popping up – business is important to them and having

the right people to work with makes such a difference to them and their families. This starts from day number one and having that meeting with an experienced accountant can make all the difference. It’s a big jump from wages to business.

Do you have an accountant who takes the time to understand you and explain things properly?

Running your own business comes with it an element of risk – does your accountant work with you to help mitigate business risk?

As we approach a new financial year, there have been a number of changes and it’s your accountant’s role to keep abreast of these changes and to explain to you in plain english.

You’ve worked hard and you deserve the business and lifestyle you want for you and your family.

Pitch a tent in the backyard and gather the family for FreezeOut! to raise money for homelessness.

Picture: UNSPLASH

Sue Clarke. 344235

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Sunshine in song, dance

By Mikayla van Loon

A lively but thought provoking musical is making its way around the country and will land in Healesville next week, ready to wow audiences with song and dance.

‘The Sunshine Club’, written by proud Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley Enoch AM, tells the story of Frank Doyle, an Aboriginal man who returns home fromWorldWar II to find separation of white and black fellas still exists despite having fought as one.

Determined to make change, Frank starts The Sunshine Club, a place where white and black can meet to share in dance and music.

With a slight ulterior motive, Frank hopes he will be able to dance with the girl of his dreams, Rose Morris, Reverend Percy Morris’ daughter.

Esteemed dancer and musical theatre performer Dale Pengelly plays the role of the Reverend, a first for him as an actor, and said the script was beautifully crafted.

“What a wonderful story to be dragging around this wonderful country of ours, in this time of radical change in our country, with The Voice and recognising our indigenous folk, for what they should have been recognised for a couple of 100 years ago,” he said.

“I was very attracted to the political message in it and when I say political message, it’s not that it’s been shoved down your throat, it’s being presented to you in a really beautiful song, dance and verse form.”

Although the musical was written by Enoch in 1999, Pengelly said the poignancy of the story never stops adding to the conservation.

“The timing of it is just so fantastic for what’s going on in this country at the moment to just fill in a bit more of the fabric of what this country is, the matrix of what this country is,” he said.

“It’s just a few more threads in the fabric to help people get clarity on what’s going on and what’s been going on.”

Through all the whimsical elements of musical performance, Pengelly said it casts a light on the racial discrimination that happened after the war.

“The Vietnam vets thought they had it bad, our black fellas, they could go with anyone to anywhere in Europe, in Africa, in the UK.

“They could stand side by side with the people that they’ve just been in the trenches with but then they come home and it’s like,‘no, you can’t come in here’. It must have been demoralising for them.”

As a sympathetic character who feels deeply for the rights of his Aboriginal counterparts, Reverend Morris is tied in a dilemma when his daughter falls in love with Frank.

“He’s very sympathetic to our indigenous folk. Very receptive, very empathetic to race relations and to racial integration.

“[But] the premise I’ve been running on to try and dig down for my character is this can’t happen, my darling this cannot happen because who knows, in two years time I may be ordered by the government to send my grandchild to a mission as part of the stolen generation.”

Touring the regional centres of Australia thanks to HIT Productions, Pengelly said after 40 years of being on stages around the world and in the major cities, it is a true delight to see the far flung places this country has to offer.

“It’s the exact same show that all the big cities get. There’s no less cast, no less band, and there’s no less crew members, there’s no less anything,” he said.

“To bring such a wonderful theatre piece to the regional centres is just such a reward for me at this stage of my career.”

‘The Sunshine Club’ will arrive at The Memo in Healesville on Saturday 22 July, starting at 7.30pm. To find out more or to book tickets go to www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/The-Sunshine-Club or call 1300 368 333.

Yarra Junction author explores the Pike family

By Matt Male

A book spanning hundreds of years of the Pike family will be launched this month.

It’s the third book written by Hendrik Boer, ofYarra Junction, who has spent his time since retirement studying the days of yesteryear.

His latest book, titled Adelaide Anne Pike (Topp), A History of the Pike Family 17652008, provides a detailed account of the Pike family.

It is also closely intertwined with the Topp family and the Plinths - the book deals with both, as well as the connection to the Pearson family.

The story spans from South Africa to England to Melbourne, Tonimbuk, Bunyip, Warragul, Longwarry, Lilydale, Wandin, East Warburton, Mt Dandenong, Monbulk and even Queensland, among other areas.

There are stories of pipe organ builders, a leather business, farming, an invitation to celebration the opening of Parliament and the war.

“Most families have an interesting story to tell,” the author, Mr Boer, reflects in the book’s introduction.

“The tragedy is that most families’ records, achievements, failures, and contributions are often quickly forgotten.

“The reason for this is simple enough; most of the times we are so busy with our affairs and forget we are history makers every day of our lives.

“The story of both families, Pike and Topp alike, is unique, and in this sense, as we traced the history over several hundred years, we find a common thread, a similar interest.

“Certain things have come to the fore and are highlighted time and time again, and they are: the moral values of families, their Christian commitment, their dedication to each other and loyalty to God.”

Warburton-made film hits

‘Prime’ time big-time

By Callum Ludwig

A Warburton filmmaker’s work is now available on one of the world’s biggest streaming platforms, albeit not accessible to Australian audiences.

Peter Downey’s ‘dogumentary’ called ‘Dozer’s Pet Diesel’ can be found on Amazon’s Prime Video in the US and UK, with hopes in will be available closer to home soon.

Mr Downey said he was surprised to have the film accepted.

“It’s very hard to get on there unless it’s a Hollywood blockbuster or you have connections or networks in the industry,” he said.

covering a fascinating secret.

Mr Downey said he think it’s great for a small independent film to feature on such a big platform.

“When I began making it, I always had ‘The Castle’, that wasn’t a big-budget film and did incredibly well, though it had connections and big actors like Eric Bana, it was still a small budget film,” he said.

“I modelled it a bit off that, a small budget local quirky comedy, and had aspirations that hopefully would be bigger, greater than the sum of its parts.”

The film first screened at the Warburton Arts Centre in July 2022 and Mr Downey is hoping to bring it to a few more local cinemas in the Yarra Ranges soon.

In August 1954, Mr Boer married the eldest daughter of Bill and Enid Pike, Gwenneth Adelaide.

The second name, Adelaide, was the name of her grandmother - her father’s mother - who had died at the age of 29 soon after giving birth to her third child.

The book was written in honour and memory of her - Adelaide Anne Pike (Topp) 18791908.

A wealth of material and background information on the Pike’s family was gathered by Mrs Thelma Elizabeth Ramsey (nee Pike) who had the intention of writing and publishing a book on her family’s history.

However, she did not get around to doing so and handed her notes, photos and relevant information that she had gathered at that point before her death to Mr Boer.

The book will be officially launched at 2pm on 30 July at Neerim South Uniting Church, 114-116 Main Neerim Road. RSVP by calling 5967 1113.

“I was surprised that they accepted this little Aussie film, but in another way I’m not, because I think it’s quite funny, there’s some really quirky local characters in it, so it’s quite a cute film.”

The mockumentary-style film features a number of Warburton residents and their furry friends, exploring the relationships they share with each other while also un-

Mr Downey said he thinks people’s love for dogs and a laugh is what they enjoy about the film.

“One of the local interviewers, Michelle Fisher, is a very funny, quirky lady and they’re all dog-mad people in the film, but there’s still a very deep message behind the film and how deep the dogs are integrated into our lives,” he said.

Hendrik Boer has published a third book. 344604 Picture: MATT MALE

Dozer(back) and Pipsqueak(front) are two stars of the film. Picture: ON

Dale Pengelly stars in the role of Reverend Percy Morris in The Sunshine Club.

Picture: HIT PRODUCTIONS

The story follows returned World War II serviceman Frank Doyle.

The Sunshine Club is a musical written by Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley Enoch AM.

Pictures: PAUL DODD

Pre and probiotics

Probiotics (PB) are extremely popular nowadays.

I would estimate around 80 per cent of my client load use some kind of PB.

However, very few know about specific strains or consider the role of prebiotics for gut health.

Both these factors can significantly improve health outcomes.

I’d like to share with you tips and tricks you can use to naturally bolster gut health and associated functions.

We know the the function of our gut is related to immune function, brain health and systemic wellbeing.

When we look after our diet and pay attention to what our digestive system is up to we are in a position to influence our health outcomes for the better.

If you’ve been suffering from a chronic digestive complaint or have challenges in either immune function or mental health these tips can point you in the right direction.

Remember consulting a qualified health professional will fare better than an Instagram “influencer”.

Prebiotics are inulin-rich sugar like com-

Deadloch

offers thrills and laughs

By Tanya Steele

A whodunnit that will keep you guessing until the series end, with a few laughs along the way.

Set in the fictional town of Deadloch in Tasmania, Aussie creators Kate McCartney and Kate McClennon have delivered a beautifully shot crime show in a comedic and dramatic detective dark noir sandwich.

By the book local senior sergeant Dulcie Collins played by Kate Box of Rake and senior investigator Eddie Redcliffe (an absolute unit from Darwin) played by Madeleine Sami must get to the bottom of a series of murders taking place in Deadloch.

Hijinks ensue as just as the detectives narrow in on a culprit as more skeletons from Deadloch’s closest emerge, meanwhile, town patrons are amidst their annual Feastival - the town’s annual winter festival of art and food.

The pace of the six episode series is brisk and captures coastal small town life and the dialogue packs hilarious vernacular into every scene.

The people of Deadloch have their own cultural mishaps that they air throughout the series and audiences can have fun with the rich ensemble of characters which make for a hearty farm to table meal to enjoy.

The characters land and deliver with a punch and some of the more erratic moments could leave you feeling a little uncomfortable - Detective Redcliffe can take a moment to warm to, she’s in your face from the start.

Support cast Nina Oyama and Tom Ballard play millennial cops not afraid to tell you how they feel and complement the leads well.

The dark murder mystery will keep you in suspense and laughing the whole way through.

Deadloch is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Healthy living

Tim Howden Paediatric Naturopath – Healesville

pounds naturally occurring in foods such as Chicory, Rye, Artichokes, Slippery Elm Powder, Asparagus and Garlic.

They provide fuel for your body to produce and proliferate multitude of beneficial gut microbes (PBs).

Unfortunately many of my patients come in after self-prescribing a course of PBs without any consideration of using a prebiotic at the same time.

A simple task of incorporating these foods can have tremendous flow on.

When it comes to PBs a professional appraisal is wise.

Most patients are simply not getting what is best for them.

Most over the counter PBs are not authentic strains with little or no therapeutic appli-

Just

cation and clinical data to confirm their efficacy.

Sad, but true.

When it comes to gut health you want diversity of species not just high numbers of limited strains.

Armed with this knowledge you can then approach your gut-health in a more holistic manner.

Currently, in the world of Natural Medicine we have PBs that are specific to dis-ease states.

We now have PBs for Autoimmune conditions, Allergy, Eczema, Antibiotic use, Urinary health andWeightloss.

Their are infant specific formulations (Paediatric populations are unable to metabolise certain strains) and mother/baby blends.

It really is quite amazing and when combined with prebiotic foods the whole process can be almost miraculous.

Choose wisely folks and consult your trusted health practitioners to help you.

It’s a mine-field in the world of supplements so you want to know your getting what you need, that its bioavailable and therapeutic.

one more story...

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre’s choice of play for June/July season was Joanna MurraySmith’s Switzerland. A fictional story about Patricia Highsmith living as a recluse in Switzerland when a representative from her publisher arrives with a request that she writes one more Tom Ripley story. She initially refuses and this is the context of the play.

LATC did a wonderful job with sets, an apartmentoverlookingtheSwissAlps,alounge come workroom decorated with items from her stores, guns, swords and knives. Patricia is a mystery writer. To the rear of the stage was a wall consisting of upright poles with a view of the stairs leading to the bedrooms. Above the rear wall was fantastic view of the Alps.

Off centre stage was Patricia’s writing desk, audience right was a reclining chair and the walls were decorated as afore mentioned.

Playing Patricia Highsmint was Angela Glennie and as Edward wasTravis Handcock.

Angela gave a sterling performance as Patricia Highsmith with the extremes of acting form a really nasty person who has no time for a young man from America to an understanding of is problems

Tavis Handcock caught the character of Edward with professionalism giving an outstanding performance. The pair had a great rapport which enhanced the production.

It shows that one need not go to Melbourne

CARTOON

Welcome to this land PASSION FOR PROSE

A review of We Come With This Place by Debra Dank

In July 2022, Debra Dank’s We Come With This Place was praised as “a jewel of a book, one Australians in particular ought to read and refer to”.

In May 2023, the “part memoir, part bush guide and customs manual” won a record four out of fourteen NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, including the prestigious Book of theYear.

It also received the Indigenous Writers’ Prize, as well as the awards for NonFiction and NewWriting.

It is a beautifully written account of Dank’s life as a Gudanji and Wakaja woman, as a daughter, mother and grandmother, and as a lifelong educator.

It tells the stories of her parents and grandparents, her ancestors, and the stretchoflandfromfar-westQueensland to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Kemp’s curtain call

when one has a show like this in the outer suburbs. Amateur theatre is coming into its own and the standard overall is really professional. Also reasonably priced seats, no parking problems, close to home and some theatres have an arrangement with local restaurants where if you produce your theatre ticket you receive a discount.

Burrinja Theatre

Garry Starr Performs Everything

Getreadytowitnesstheextraordinarytalentof Garry Starr as he takes the stage by storm challengingtheboundariesofeverytheatricalstyle known to human kind.

Session: Friday July 14 at 7.30pm Lyre Room

Live in the Lyre - Shane Nicholson

Shane Nicholson is a rare talent who has bridged the gap between a all-country and the mainstream. Session:Thursday July 20 at 8pm. Lyre Room.

But it is not an ordinary memoir, as the narrative interweaves the past and the present, the real and the imagined, and the personal and the collective.

Those who are accustomed to linear or chronological storytelling will find it refreshing and full of surprises.

Neither is the book a stereotypical reflection on survival and resilience.Insteadofdwellingonpain–whichcannot be denied, diminished or forgotten – the author “shows a powerful path forward from colonial trauma towards a space of mutual respect and self-determining futures” as described by the judging panel of the aforementioned awards.

With vivid, poetic prose, Dank demonstrates how stories live in the land and are to be experienced and expressed. Stories transcend through time and space, and are “always telling new stories alongside and with the old ones”.

Dank further illustrates how to be respectful, not just to the land, but those who have breathed and shaped its beauty and etched their stories into it.

This is why we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

In the author’s words: “Talk to the country, talk to old people, talk, talk, talk. Talk your story into this place to sit there with the ancestors.”

To tell our own stories, we need to understand who we are and where we have come from. In order for our stories to sit comfortably and befittingly in the land with those of our ancestors, we need to take only enough and be grateful for what we are given.

Do we truly know how to do that?

Dank encourages us to learn from the stories of our land, not just because our ancestors have belonged and made contributions here, but because our children and their descendants are to be born in this place far into the future. Surely we can acknowledge this profound lesson.

In the author’s language, “mankujba” is the “way of knowing, listening, seeing, thinking, believing and feeling” our land.

In this sense, We Come With This Place is “a book to lean to and take time with”, as it shows us not just what our country has become, but what it could and should be.

Come help library celebrate

By Callum Ludwig

The Yarra Junction Library is celebrating its 30th birthday later this month and is inviting the community to come and share their memories.

The library was established in 1993 with funding coming from a plethora of local residents and businesses as well as the then Shire of Upper Yarra.

Customer Service Officers Jane Toy and Melissa Parker are two of the longest-serving current staff at the library, each having worked there for over 15 years and said it’s still a very valued place in the community.

“The actual structure of the library has changed a lot, when I first started we had a horseshoe-shaped desk and were the librarian behind the desktop, but it’s not like that anymore, it’s quite a noisy place nowadays and there’s no shushing,” Ms Parker said.

“There’s also been a big change in technology, because now we have we don’t just have DVDs and CDs anymore, there’s a lot more downloadable material, whether it’s ebooks, audiobooks or even watching movies with their library card.”

Yarra Junction library is inviting members of the community both young and old to come to share their experience with the library on Tuesday 25 July.

Ms Toy said it’s lovely to work in an environ-

ment where the library is valued.

“It comes across to use time after time when speaking to local people, it’s very rewarding. It’s not going anywhere, and I think the community would stand up and fight for us if it was,” she said.

“The access to technology and help, particularly for our area, is really valid and really well used. We have a tech services officer Stephanie, because sometimes you need somebody to explain it to you and it helps them with setting up their emails or getting

the $250 energy rebate.”

A book containing the names of all the people who chipped in to found the library is still there, with many stalwart families and businesses featuring.

Ms Parker said those who haven’t visited the library in a long time should come along and might get a nice surprise.

“I think the use of libraries has come full circle, people just want to have a rest from a screen. If you’re looking at a screen all day at work, you don’t necessarily want to go home

and then start looking at a screen to read your book,” she said.

“I’d say 50 per cent of our customers are coming in, and they want to take the books on the holiday with them or wanting to buy the magazines, which is great.”

Beyond providing easy access to books and technology, the Yarra Junction Library hosts a busy schedule of community events throughout the year ranging from story times and school holiday events to author talks, film days and book chats.

Flexi library vehicle back on track, post-Covid

By Tanya Steele

The Yarra Ranges ‘Flexi’ Vehicle service operating out of Upper Yarra is back on its regular route after disruptions due to Covid.

The mobile library service runs fortnightly to both Millgrove and Woori Yallock and allows residents to borrow from the library service without travelling too far from home.

Russell Forden is the service officer taking the library on the road and has been doing flexi deliveries to the people of Millgrove and WooriYallock since the beginning of the year.

“They love it and joke that I am their personal librarian,” he said.

“We set up first stop with Second Bite program and then to Woori Yallock, I load up the van with trays of books and AV materials like audiobooks, DVDs and CDs.”

Mr Forden switched careers into library service from high school teaching and also delivered bread as a driver during Covid and said the van driving experience has been put to good use.

“Instead of delivering bread, I’m delivering books,” he said.

The delivery service is a great asset to the residents in the area and Mr Forden said he looks forward to the drive every fortnight.

“It’s really, really nice meeting the people and we always have great conversation, they all meet each other,” he said.

There are a few film buffs among the regular attendees and Mr Forden said the community that visits for his drive-by delivery sessions have amazing reserves of information.

“Everyone has amazing backstories and lives,” he said.

“We’ve [the library] got some obscure and hard to find films that they appreciate.”

Corporate Manager of Customer Experi-

ence Eastern Regional Libraries (ERL) Sarah Hopkins said the flexi service visits locations that aren’t near libraries throughout the region and enable the library to access people in different settings.

“It is there for anyone who wants to borrow and place requests, there are no libraries in these areas so this service offers a little taste,” she said.

Ms Hopkins said the library’s flexi service

was solidly up and running before Covid but has only just begun again this year.

“The Flexi has been off road for nearly three years with Covid and it feels like we’re starting again from scratch,” she said.

“The service is great - it’s flexi by name and nature.”

Father Ray McDonald of Millgrove Baptist Church said the library service has been knocked about by Covid and had perhaps people had forgotten about it.

“The Flexi Library service operates next to our Second Bite food program so people can come and borrow books and have a meal or a cuppa,” he said.

“It has a real community feel to it, with people chatting to the librarian about the books.”

Ms Hopkins wants to encourage people to the library and said services are constantly evolving, one major difference being that patrons of the library will no longer receive fines for late returns.

“One thing that changed is the library is fine-free, so the people don’t need to worry about that, all those fines are gone,” she said.

Every second Friday the service at Millgrove Baptist Church from 10am to 11am where the Second Bite Program is running, then stops at the community house in Woori Yallock from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Station 3458 Warburton Highway

Warburton Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 3371 Warburton Highway

Warburton Bell Real Estate 3407 Warburton Highway

Wesburn Local Fuel 2835 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Foodworks Woori Yellock 1/1585 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Newsagency & Tattslotto Shop 4/ 1585 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Hillcrest Little Store Great Food 1745 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Shell Service Station Foodies 1700 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock

Russell Forden and one of his regular patrons Alan Holman.

Picture: SUPPLIED

L-R: Jane Toy and Melissa Parker with the register of those who donated to establish the library.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

A birthday display at the entrance.

Picture: SUPPLIED

ENCHANTING HOME AND GARDENS

STEP into a world of charm and character with this stunning property located in the heart of Warburton. Nestled on a spacious half-acre block, this home offers a tranquil retreat while being just a short walk away from all the amenities of town.

Featuring four bedrooms and a tastefully designed bathroom, the 12-foot ornate ceilings add a touch of grandeur, while the open fireplaces in two bedrooms create a gorgeous cozy atmosphere on chilly evenings. The kitchen is a culinary haven, equipped with modern appliances and has a lovely aspect out towards the gardens.

The open-plan dining and lounge area is perfect for entertaining guests, making it a true delight for those who love hosting gatherings. In addition to the main house, there is a stunning studio that is brilliantly positioned for those artistic pursuits.

While this home exudes old-world charm, it also embraces modern comforts. Stay cozy during the cooler months with the wood heater, and enjoy the convenience of the split system. Every window showcases the delightful gardens, carefully designed to provide a feast for the eyes throughout the seasons, a haven for nature lovers, complete with a chook and wood shed, and mature shade trees. The manicured lawns create a perfect setting for outdoor activities with a gorgeous mountain backdrop to enjoy.

offers the best of both worlds—peaceful seclusion and easy access to amenities.

Located just a short stroll away from the vibrant cafe life of Warburton, this property

HOME ESSENTIALS

If you’re searching for a property with charm, beauty, and convenience, Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of this enchanting home firsthand. ● Address:

PROPERTY – 107.5 ACRES - 2 TITLES - 5 BORES

ARE you in search of a remarkable agricultural pastoral farm? Look no further!

We are proud to present to you this extraordinary property and one of the finest pastoral farms in the district.

Let’s begin with the house, which offers practical living to those looking to renovate. Built by the Owen family in the 1950s, this 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home can accommodate your needs. With a classic terracotta roof and single skin rendered brick, it exudes charm and character with potential to update for weekender purposes, managers residency or permanent living solution. The kitchen area has been extended, featuring an island bench and modern appliances. The hardwood timber floor can be improved in keeping with the farmhouse style and is complemented by a wood heater and air conditioner for yearround comfort.

In addition to the house, the property boasts an array of exceptional amenities. The grounds cover a substantial land holding of 107.5 acres, divided into 2 titles with 2x separate 3 phase meters. You’ll find 2 dams and a pond, along with 3 settling dams originally used for the cultivation of carrots. The property is fully perimeter fenced with ring-lock and 7-strand fencing, with an electric energizer which can be reinstated. The biggest feature of this property is its water.

Apart from 2 large concrete tanks, water access is provided by 5 bores, including the tank bore and backup bore at the rear of the property. The main bore is at the front of the property, separately metered and on a different title. Supporting this are the combined water rights of 40mgL commercial and 92mgL irrigation.

Shedding and storage on the property is extensive. There are 3 small sheds and tool shed adjacent to the house plus the main machinery sheds. The first is a generous 10x20m concrete-based open shed with 3 bays. The second shed serves as an operating cool store, while the third is an impressive 20x30m concrete-based

structure. Lastly, a 20x25m concrete-based shed, including a cool store, completes the setup for agricultural use.

One remarkable feature of this property is the inclusion of an NBN internet tower lease. This lease generates a passive offering additional financial benefits. With its ample land size, significant water access, and shedding, this property is an exceptional investment opportunity. Don’t miss your chance to own this remarkable piece of real estate. Call today to arrange a private inspection. ●

LOW-MAINTENANCE PROPERTY

WELCOME to your dream home at 35 Smith Street in beautiful Healesville! Behind the inviting picket fence, you’ll discover a well-maintained brick veneer house that exudes comfort and style.

This delightful property offers everything you need for a cosy and convenient lifestyle.

Step inside and be captivated by the well-presented interior. The house boasts three spacious bedrooms, each featuring built-in robes (BIRs) to keep your belongings organized and your living space clutterfree. The bathroom includes a luxurious bathtub, perfect for unwinding after a long day. Additionally, the separate lounge area provides a cosy retreat for relaxation and entertainment.

Imagine spending chilly evenings gathered around a crackling fire, thanks to the wood heater.

The covered verandahs at the front of the house create a charming welcome, while the alfresco area at the rear is perfect for hosting memorable gatherings with family and friends. Enjoy the convenience of a carport, ensuring your vehicle is protected from the elements.

Surrounded by a lovely garden on a fully fenced, low-maintenance allotment of approximately 501 sqm, this property offers the perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality. The bay window in the main bedroom adds a touch of elegance, while outside blinds ensure privacy and tranquillity.

No matter the season, you’ll be comfortable with the natural gas ducted heating and reverse cycle split system, providing year-round ambiance and climate

HOME ESSENTIALS

control. Whether you desire a warm embrace during the winter or a refreshing breeze in the summer, this home has you covered.

Location is key, and this property offers the best of both worlds. Conveniently

situated within walking distance to the town centre, you’ll have easy access to local attractions, including distilleries, cafes, and wine bars that have made Healesville renowned. Nearby, you’ll find schools, childcare facilities, and a host of amenities

just a short drive away. Opportunities like this are rare, and this property won’t stay on the market for long. Act swiftly and contact us today to arrange a viewing before it’s too late. ●

Address: 35 Smith Street, HEALESVILLE Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 garage Price: $740,000 - $760,000

Inspect: By appointment

Contact: Jane Nunn 0432 375 940, jane@integrityrealestate.com.au and Jodi Olsen 0448777262, jodi@integrityrea, INTEGRITY REAL ESTATE

Contact agent for Private Inspection

2/20YarraStreet,YarraJunction$510,000-$560,000

Anultimatedestinationforbuyersseekingconvenienceandaccessibilityintheirdailylives,inan unbeatableproximitytoavarietyofessentialamenities.Thepropertyboaststwogenerouslysized bedrooms,completewithbuilt-inrobes,providingamplestoragespace.Theopenloungeand diningareacreateawelcomingatmosphere,perfectforentertainingguestsorenjoyingqualitytime withfamily.Naturallightfillsthespace,enhancingtheoverallambianceandcreatingabrightand invitingsetting.Theneatkitchenhasbeendesignedwithbothstyleandfunctionalityinmindwith amplebenchandcupboardspace.Yourownlock-upgarage,providessecurestorageforyour vehicleandotherbelongings.Outside,alovelyneatgardenandlawnareaadorntheproperty, creatingavisuallyappealingandsereneenvironment.Don’tmissthisgreatopportunity!

TonyFanfulla

M 0419870513

Inspection: Sat12.00-12.30pm

SamanthaPrice M 0438795190 2

25MichaelCourt,WooriYallock$600,000-$660,000

Viewsforeverwithplentyoffamilyliving

Thisgreatsizedfamilyhomewillbesuretoenticeyouandthefamily!Thespacioussplitlevelhome provides3bedrooms,2bathroomsand2livingareas,withtheaddedbonusofanundercover deckedareawhereyouwillnodoubtspendcountlesshoursentertainingandenjoyingtheglorious views.Thelargetimberkitchenhasamplestorage,acornerpantry,andincorporatesthelaundry withabonusfrontloaderwashingmachine.Themasterbedroomofferstheconvenienceofan ensuiteandrobe,andthefurthertwobedroomsbothhavebuiltinrobes.Afullyfencedbackyard willkeepthekidsandpetssecurewhileyourelaxonyoursunnydeck.Inthisquietcourtlocation, youalsohavetheconvenienceofeasyaccesstothelocalshops,schoolsandpublictransport. Agreathomeinasoughtafterfamilyfriendlytown.

ARareGem,ImpressiveHomewithVisitor’sUnitinanUnbeatableLocation

Acaptivatinghomewithtimelesscharmsituatedjustashortstrollfromthebustlingtownship.Main residence,boastingfourbedrooms,amagnificentmasterbedroomwithopulentensuiteand romanticbalcony.Hostesskitchencompletewithasix-burnerstove,stonebenchtops,andample storagespace,willimpresseventhemostdiscerningfamilychef.Open-plandiningandlivingarea extendingtothesensationaloutdoorentertainingdeck,enjoythestunningvistasofthepristineYarra River.Additionally,thispropertyoffersaseparatevisitor’saccommodation,withafullyequipped kitchen,livingarea,bedroomwithanensuitebathroom,andaprivatebalcony,alltheamenities neededforadelightfulstay.Thispropertypresentsanexceedinglyrareopportunityforabedand breakfastventure,makingittheperfecttimetoinvestintheexcitingfutureofWarburton.

Warm,WelcomingandIdeallyLocated

Awarmandwelcomingpropertyinaconvenientandsoughtafterlocation,anidyllicandattractive positionsetamongstasemiruralsettingandjustminutesstrolltothelocalprimaryschool,public transport,walkingtrailandtheeverpopularfoodieoutletsinthemainstreet.Aflexibleandfunctional floorplanoffersgreatspaceforthewholefamilywith3bedroomsandanopenplankitchenwith plentyofbenchandcupboardspace,aseparatemealsareaandlightfilledlounge/livingareas withfulllengthwindowsistheidealplacetositbackrelaxandenjoytherusticoutlook.Hoursof funoutsideforthekidsandpetstoexploreandenjoysituatedonapprox.940sqmwithamixtureof treesandshrubs,easyaccessforcarsandtrailersplusaseparatecarportcompletethisattractive propertyandwithservicesclosebyit’sagreatplacetocallhome.

3BrisbaneHillRoad,Warburton$690,000-$720,000

CosyFamilyLivingwithMountainViews

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

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

WelcometoParadise

Seton1&1/2acresinthemostpicturesquesettingisthisbeautifullyrenovatedhome.Surrounded bytreesandwithaspringfedpermanentcreekrunningthrough.Therecentrenovationmeans everythinginthehomeisbrandnewandneverused.Thisincludesnewcarpetsinthefourlarge bedroomsandallnewfixturesinthetwowellequippedbathrooms.There’stwolargelivingareas, oneoneachlevel,bothwithbeautifulnewhardwoodflooring.Thebrandnewkitcheniswell appointedwithstainlesssteelappliancesincludinglarge5burnerstove,rangehoodanddishwasher. Filteredmountainviewscanbeenjoyedfromthefulllengthdeckupstairswithaccessfromthe masterbedroomandlivingarea.Extrasincludeairconditioninginbothlivingareas,slowcombustion woodheater.Trulyaspecialpropertyidealasapermanentfamilyhomeorforweekendenjoyment.

3324WarburtonHighway,Warburton$980,000-$1,075,000

4TheCrescent,Wesburn$630,000-$680,000

225BigPatsCreekRd,BigPatsCreek$900,000-$990,000

INVEST AND EARN AN INCOME

FIVE cottages surrounded by tranquility on 2 acres - invest and earn an income.

On offer is a main residence which provides 3 bedrooms, including an attic style spacious master suite, soaring high ceilings, a beautiful kitchen and plenty of character throughout with chunky timbers and a classy renovation that honours the history of the building yet offers the modern comforts of today.

Attached to the main residence is another 2 bedroom cottage which is fully selfcontained.

There are a further 3 one bedroom cottages, one of which is fully self-contained. In addition to this there is also a rustic reception area, large shedding or storage workshop, separate laundry house and linen store room plus another separate artist retreat (not for accomodation) tucked away in total seclusion allowing your creative energy to flourish.

Styled to perfection and currently being operated as ‘Emerald Star Cottages’, the furniture can be part of the deal. With very few accomodation venues in the immediate area & with a huge desire for people to escape the hustle & bustle the potential for growth is exponential! Surrounded by 2 acres approx. of natural beauty and home to the ‘Emerald Star bush’ the sounds of the local wildlife and fresh air breeze through the trees create the idyllic hills lifestyle you are craving with privacy assured.

Located near all the conveniences yet you will feel like you are miles away from everything - do yourself a favour & escape to Emerald Star Cottages today, you won’t be disappointed.

*Please note*: This is an operational business and private property. Do not enter the property without an agent on site.

* Photo ID required upon entry. ●

CUTE “WARATAH COTTAGE”

SIMPLY put, this well sized character cottage is an absolute beauty! Boasting three spacious bedrooms, home office and a beautifully updated bathroom, this home is just the right size whether you are a first home buyer or growing family. Cared for and loved by its current owners, they have included an updated kitchen with walk in pantry/European laundry that comes complete with timber benchtops, large island bench stunning 900ml upright oven.

The open plan living and dining area is filled with natural light and along with having a charming wood fire as its centrepiece, gives you access straight onto the wrap around timber decking that takes in the surrounding views across the hills beyond. Cute as cute can be, this home offers not only a 340w / 12 panel solar system but also ducted heating throughout, the charming wood heater plus a split system for quick and convenient temperature control all year round.

Outside, almost ¼ acre of gently sloping land allows for a children’s paradise.A garden shed and under house storage / workshop is ideal for all your extra bits and pieces while an easily accessible driveway with a single carport provides for great parking.

With Belgrave Lake Park at the end of the street and just a short drive to local train stations, schools and shops, this home is an absolute must to see for anyone who is looking for their perfect Hills lifestyle. ●

ByAppointment

CONTACT LanaMaher 0408535075

BarryPlantEmerald 59684522

STYLISHRESORTSTYLELIVING!

7LuciaCourt, Gembrook 4 A

FORSALE.

GUIDE $1,150,000-$1,250,000 INSPECT ByAppointment

CONTACT JustinBarrot 0438683781

BarryPlantEmerald 59684522

BarryPlantEmeraldwelcomes DaveReilly totheTeam

DaveReilly,ahighlyaccomplishedbusinessdevelopmentmanagerwith15yearsofsales experience,hasembarkedonagroundbreakingcareertransitionasarealestateagent.Inhis hometown,wherehegrewupandintimatelyunderstandsthelocalmarket,Daveispoisedtobea gamechanger,introducingrevolutionarypracticestotheindustry.

Withanunparalleledtrackrecordinsalesandapenchantforinnovation,Daveissettoredefine therealestatelandscape.Hisknowledgeofmarketdynamics,coupledwithhisstrategic approach,positionshimasarevolutionaryforceinthefield.

Byleveraginghisextensivenetworkandhonednegotiationskills,Daveaimstotransformthereal estateexperienceforbuyersandsellersalike.Hiscommitmenttoexceptionalclientserviceand unwaveringdedicationtoexceedingexpectationssethimapartfromthecompetition.

AsDaveReillyenterstherealmofrealestate,hisrevolutionarymindsetpromisestoreshape theindustryandelevatethestandardsofprofessionalismandexcellence.Thetowneagerly anticipatesthetransformativeimpacthewillundoubtedlymakeonthelocalhousingmarket.

PEACE,PRIVACYANDPERFECTVIEWS

LocatedinahighlydesirablepocketofEmerald,relishincompleteluxuryandprivacy atthisspectacularresidence.Immediatelyuponarrivalthesophisticateddesign elementswillcaptureyourattention;thegrandfoyerentrywithimpressivecurved staircasetakesyoutothesecondstoreylivingwherefloortoceilingdoubleglazed windowsfloodthehomewithnaturallightandonacoldwintermorning,capture theviewsofthespectacularWarburtonranges.Entertainwithease,theopenplan kitchenwithCaesarstonebenchtops,soft-closecabinetry,andbarseatingoversees thediningandlivingspacewithdirectaccessthroughbi-folddoorstothesandstone balcony.Alsounderrooflinethedoublegaragefeaturesapowderroom,workshop spaceandinternalaccess.Specialadditionsincludegasductedheating,evaporative cooling,timberflooringandabrightneutralcolourschemethroughout.

FORSALE

PRICEGUIDE $1,450,000-$1,595,000 INSPECT

CONTACT

JustinBarrot0438683781

BrittanyBarry0412861094

BarryPlantEmerald59684522

Discovertheperfectfamilyhomethatticksalltheboxes!Insidethehomefeatures multiplelivingareas,thewell-appointedkitchenboastsexcellentcupboardand benchspace,dishwasher,breakfastbarandadjacentdiningareawhilstthespacious lightfilledfamilyloungeroomiscompletewithsplitsystemandofferstheperfect placetokickbackandrelax.Therearethreespaciousbedrooms,allequippedwith built-inrobes.Themasterbedroomboastsitsownensuiteforaddedconvenience andprivacywhilstthesecondarybedroomsareservicedbythefamilybathroom. Indoorcomfortisassuredwithductedheatingthroughout.Outsideentertainers willdelightinthefabulousundercoverpavedarea,anidealspotforfamilyBBQs, nomattertheweather.Enjoyyourownprivateoasisonagenerousquarter-acre land,featuringsun-filledestablishedgardens.Thesunnyrearyardboastslushtrees andshrubs.Storageandparkingareneveranissue!Thepropertyoffersvarious sheddingoptions,includingagardenshedandastorageshed.Forcarowners, thehomeprovidesamplespacewithalock-upgarage,adoublecarport,andan oversizedcarport. FORSALE

PRICEGUIDE $670,000-$737,000

CONTACT

RileyNicholas0488501218

SueColic0421772610

BarryPlantEmerald59684522

NUMBER1RULE-ALWAYSBUYINAGREATLOCATION!!!

Justashortstrollfromthisspacious3bedroomhomeandyouareliterallyinthe heartoftown!Nestledinaquietstreetyouwillenjoytheconvenienceofhaving publictransport,shops,school,eateries&manylocalwalkingtrailsrightatyour fingertips.Thebedroomsareagreatsizeplusthe2separatelivingareasofferspace toworkfromhomeorplentyofroomtoentertainfamily&friends.Thediningroom adjoinstheoutdoorcoveredlivingspacecompletewithwoodfire&gardenviews. Thelargeloungeofferscosywoodfire&directaccesstothewraparoundverandas, whichoffersadelightfulspacetositinsolitude.Thedoublegarageoffersanother woodfireplus2ndtoilet&openstothedoublecarportagainofferingplentyofspace tospreadout&enjoy.Alowmaintenanceblockmeansyoucanspendtimeenjoying walksthroughEmeraldLakeorreadingabookbythefire!Bequicktoinspectthis one–itsperfectforthoselookingforanexcellentlocation,investorsorfirsthome buyers!

CONTACT

LanaMaher0408535075

PRICEGUIDE $740,000-$795,000 INSPECT

BarryPlantEmerald59684522

Emerald 18LeggRoad

Clematis 2002WellingtonRoad

CHANDLER & CO. About

Having built a reputation of honesty, reliability and hard work over 20 years in the industry, the team at Chandler & Co lead by example combining today's technology, marketing strategies & negotiation techniques with good old fashioned customer service, professionalism & team work.

Understanding the local market & having over 80 years collective experience, Chandler & Co offer authentic people, with a genuine interest in Real Estate to help you through what can sometimes be the most stressful transition in your life.

There is so much more to consider than just a commission on a sale price. There is the decision of working alongside the right Agent who will guide you, give the best possible advice & help you through this life changing experience.

Chloe Jaeger

Brad Conder M 0422 639 115

Maya Giampa M 0456 026 450

Tamara Euinton

Sharyn Chandler M 0439 882 442

Tammie Fleming M 0416 264 497

Rachel Eastwood M 0401 117 761

Suzie Brannelly M 0490 506 910

Glenn Chandler M 0418 410 689

Daniel Steen M 0434 979 142

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All aboard Train of Lights

By Corey Everitt

The hills have been alive this school holidays as the Puffing Billy Train of Lights has spellbound residents on the iconic trip.

Locals had to get in early to secure a seat this year as the annual event’s two-week run was completely sold out online weeks prior to its start on 23 June.

The exclusive night train entertained families with the colourful illumination of the thick Dandenong Ranges wilderness from Emerald’s Lakeside Station to Gembrook Station and back again.

The Train of Lights concluded this year’s run on Sunday 9 July.

The train provides a mystical site in the night. 344599

The Train of lights begins its journey after the the sun sets at 6pm. 344599 The annual event only runs for

The Famous and friendly conductors of Puffing Billy. This is Paul.

Departing at 6pm, it travels from Emerald to Gembrook and back. 344599

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

ACROSS

1 Recommence (6)

4 Region of southern Italy (8)

10 Destroy (9)

11 Nurslings (5)

12 Unpleasant to view (4)

13 Alcoholic honey drink (4)

14 Jilt (5)

16 Essence (4)

17 Porch (8)

20 Relating to cultivated land (8)

22 Masterstroke (4)

25 Fundamental (5)

26 Ornamental quartz (4)

28 Playable (4)

30 Union territory of the Republic of India (5)

31 Contract (9)

32 Famous piano first made in the 1820s (8)

33 Someone who watches (6)

DOWN

1 Mournful (6)

2 Mollusc (7)

3 Primary (4)

5 A city and seaport of Scotland (8)

6 Envoy (10)

7 Spring back (7)

8 Aniseed liqueur (8)

9 Ornamental green stone (4)

15 Chemistry (10)

18 One of the Caribbean islands (8)

19 Vista (8)

21 Determine (7)

23 French word for planet (7)

24 Meteor’s dent (6)

27 Story (4)

29 Written reminder (4)

DECODER WORDFIT

9-LETTER WORD

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

colloquial or foreign

code, come, comer, commode, COMMODORE, cooed, core, cored, credo, decor, doer, dome, mode, modem, mooed, moored, more, redo, rode, rodeo, roomed

No. 141

No. 141

No. 141

Small Job Specialist

Burras ace in Rush to play

By Callum Ludwig

A talented Warburton-Millgrove netballer is set to compete at the upcoming State Titles in October, representing Elmer Netball in the 17 and Under Male competition.

Lucas Rush is a star of the Burras’ 17 and Under netball side which sits top of the table with eight wins and no losses this season, featuring as one of the Burras’ three best players in all bar one game.

Rush said he was feeling pretty good after being selected.

“I wasn’t too confident about being chosen to play and I was pretty surprised when I did get the email saying I was playing and am pretty keen,” he said.

“I played when I was young, but as a bloke, you age out and just recently I got back into it just because my friends were playing at Warby and told me to come to play so I joined the team last year, played that season and decided to play again this season to try to go further with it.”

Playing primarily as a goal defence for Warburton-Millgrove, Rush was tested out in the centre position as well as his usual defensive post in the recent selection trials for the titles.

Rush said he plays netball multiple times a week in different leagues with a bunch of different people.

“It’s just really good to be able to play the sport that I do like to play, there’s a lot of stigma about blokes playing netball, but honestly if you find it fun, just do it. At the end of the day, you’re just doing what you want to do,” he said.

“Blokes should be encouraged to play if they want, I know a few of my mates want to play and it’s really good to see more blokes who do it.”

Rush hopes his netball abilities could get to a level where it may give him a boost into uni-

Looking for the forward pass.

versity, while still going out there just to play and have fun.

The State Titles will be held over the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October, with 19 teams competing in a round-robin style tournament with finals to decide the state champions.

Employment Trades & Services General Classifieds

Tradesperson

Healesville Sanctuary

•Ongoing Full time role working Monday – Friday

•Salary $63,310.38 p.a. + 11% superannuation

We are seeking a Tradesperson preferably in a carpentry, cabinetry or relevant building trade to join the Works team.

What you need:

•Trade Certificate

•Experience in delivering programmed/ preventative maintenance programs

•Experience in working with contractors and a diverse range of trades

•Ability to complete physical demanding tasks

More info or to apply go to: www.zoo.org. au/about-us/ careers or scan the QR code

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

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

Lucas Rush in action for the Burras.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Horse Talk

By Anita Prowse

The Upper Yarra Adult Riding Club hits a milestone this year, all associates of the club are invited and please share with friends to help them reach as many past and present members as possible.

The Upper Yarra Adult Riders Club was formed at a meeting held on 24 August 1983, with the first rally held on Saturday 24 September 1983. Rallies are held on the third Saturday of every month with new prospective members welcome to come and check it out, a come try membership is also available.

Raising money for charities is always an important part of Club activities, with over $30,000 raised over the last few years for numerous local and national charities.

Mason tears it up

By Callum Ludwig

There must be something in the water in the Upper Yarra as another local has won the Hattah Desert Race title, the second winner from the region in as many years.

Raised in Hoddles Creek, Mason Semmens took out the overall win in this year’s edition on Sunday 2 July, with Three Bridges resident Daniel Sanders winning in 2022.

Semmens said winning has been a longtime dream of his since he first competed in 2011.

“My goal was always to win an outright one day in the senior Hattah Desert Race and this year we got it done, it’s a feeling that it’s indescribable, to be honest with you,” he said.

“The track was really good, luckily we got a lot of rain up there throughout the weeks leading up, when you’re out in the desert you can’t really ask for much more than what we had.”

The Hattah Desert Race is an eight-lap race that goes for about four hours at a total of about 296 kilometres. It is often called the ‘four hours of hell’ and is widely regarded as the most challenging off-road race in Australia.

Semmens said going to races like the Hattah

became a family event, having started with his dad who always rode bikes and raced a little.

“My older brother got a bike and all that, and then when I came along, same goes, I got a bike and got his hand me downs and then my younger brother too, we all rode and raced together,” he said.

“My dad has been going to the Hattah since 2001, the year I was born, so all roads just led to the support from the family to keep me racing. Dad was there to see me win this race on the weekend, and it was a dream for him too, he was stoked.”

At only 22, Semmens has a long racing career ahead of him and has moved to the United States to continue to train and compete.

Semmens said he only landed in Australia on the Wednesday prior to the race.

“I had a race the weekend before and there was no way I could get home any earlier than Wednesday morning, so my preparation was a little different to what I would have liked,” he said.

“I just had to grit my teeth, do what I had to do, put my head down and get on with the job come Sunday and I’m pretty proud of what I

Adverse weather thins field

By Ron Hottes

Wednesday 5 July, Stableford:

Carts are now not allowed on the course at damp and slippery Warburton. The course is known for its drying ability, but like last year’s big wet winter, the constant drizzly conditions have finally caught up. Most other neighbouring Clubs have had cart bans for some weeks now.

It is not an issue for our intrepid walkers, although even they need to be careful when walking down some fairways, ( don’t they, Henk!). With reference to the daily results for this mid-week comp, those challenging conditions proved too difficult for much of the field, but not for Glenn Forbes. Glenn posted a fine 38 points to take home the top gong. K.B. ( alias Ken-Barratt), was this week’s runner-up with a healthy 35 points ( Take note, Sue: bragging rights!) Of course, balls reached 31. The other winners, for NTP prizes, were as follows: Hatty (3rd), Dale Horrobin (5th), Stuart Patrick

(9th), Glenn Forbes, (12th) and to Matt Maloney (15th).

Saturday 8 July, Stableford:

The field of under 20, reflected the tough conditions that many of the club’s members faced. Some chose to have the day off, and of course, those who rely on carts,( and there are plenty of them), had no choice. Of those who did partake, Peter ‘Mr. Consistent’ Whitehead, took home the chokkies. His 35 points were easily good enough to win, by 2 points, in fact. Joshua Hin took home the runner-up voucher with 33 points. Good enough, Josh. No surprise then that you can claim a ball if you posted a 30-pointer or better. The NTPs went home with Andy Lockey (both the 3rd and the 9th— not a great final score, Andy, but just a reward for two excellent tee-shots), Paul Osbourne (12th) and Sean ‘Bruno’ Kennedy, (15th). It was great to see Matt Maloney post his best score of 32 since he has joined the club. Take encouragement from that effort Matthew, and 3 golf balls.

could so, though I’m still a bit worn out now.”

Semmens finished with an overall time of four hours, 28 minutes and 13 seconds, about three minutes ahead of the next best time.

Semmens said he will compete in the Australian Off-Road Championship in a couple of weeks, before heading back to the States to finish off the season there with hopefully another podium finish.

“I still have a few goals I want to tick off for the years out, but to tick off this desert race goal was the best one yet,” he said.

Semmens said it was pretty cool to keep the Hattah winner in theValley for the second year in a row.

“There’s a lot of riding to do around here in the Valley and there’s been a lot of good riders to come out of here, such as Lyndon Snodgress, who I live with in America, and then you got Daniel Sanders, who won this race last year,” he said.

“My advice to younger riders is just keep it fun, that’s the reason why we all started this but also, if you want to reach your goals, you’ve got to train hard and set your mind to what you want to do.”

For further general Club info contact Club President Amanda Broussard houseofblooms@y7mail.com

All past and present members, supporters and families are cordially invited to help us celebrate our 40th Ruby Anniversary to be held at the R.S.L.Yarra Junction on Saturday 19 August 2023 at 6pm.

Meet and greet, chat, and reminisce with past and present members while enjoying a three-course meal.

The cost will be $51 per head. Please RSVP by 4 August with any special dietary requirements. If you have any memorabilia or photos, bring them along too.

RSVP to Joan Kerford jkerford@bigpond.com or Julie Harrison starwood8@ optusnet.com.au.

Loss means Wandin goes a win behind the top spot

Tension was high for Saturday’s top-of-thetable clash between NarreWarren andWandin in Outer East’s Premier Division.

The winner was guaranteed a four-point gap on the other on the premiership ladder with only six games left in the home and away season.

Heavy winds affected the day’s play and Wandin was unable to take advantage of the weather in the first quarter which put the Dogs behind the eight ball, only holding a two-goal lead at quarter time.

The Magpies swooped into the game with a six-goal second quarter, while the Dogs kept pace with two.

A dominant quarter from the Dogs in the third left them only three points adrift of the Magpies at the final change, but Narre’s ball use in the final quarter was damaging and allowed them to hit the scoreboard with another 6.6 to Wandin’s 1.0 to come away with a comfortable win, final scores 13.18, 96 to 9.3, 57.

Jordan Jaworski and Clinton Johnson each kicked 3 goals with one apiece from Brodie Atkins Harrison Byrne and Damian Furey.

Jaworski, Jordan Spencer, Cody Hirst, Chayce Black, John Ladner and Patty Bruzzese were the top Dogs on the day.

A donation made by the Upper Yarra Adult Riding Club in 2018. Picture: SUPPLIED

Wandin’s winless streak extends to two games.

Picture: ON FILE

The Warburton Golf Club will be hoping to return to drier conditions soon. Picture: ON FILE

Mason Semmens tearing up the sand track.

Pictures: FOREMOST MEDIA Fist raised aloft in victory.

Mason Semmens and supporters after his win.

Healesville milestones

By Anne-Marie Ebbels

The first of HFNC female footballers celebrated playing 50 games for Healesville this weekend with Ali Mende and Emily Hay both reaching that milestone.

The team celebrated the milestones with a comprehensive win over Upwey-Tecoma.

Healesville kept Upwey scoreless throughout the game, but Upwey worked hard to keep Healesville goalless in the second and third quarters.

The large playing surface at Don Road finally took its toll and Healesville were able to break free in the final quarter to score a couple of goals and run out winners by 34 points.

In the Netball Healesville took on Yea, the first quarter in the C Grade game was tight with Healesville going into the first break one goal ahead.

A strong second quarter by Healesville setup the game with Healesville extending their lead to 9 goals at half time.

Healesville continued to kept the pressure on and ran out winner by 16 goals for their first win of the season.

In the B Grade game, turnovers proved costly for the Healesville team with Yea inching ahead each quarter to go into the halftime break six goals up.

Healesville pegged back the lead in the third quarter to four goals, but couldn’t maintain the momentum in the final quarter with Yea posting a win by six goals.

The first quarter of the A Grade game was goal for goal with the scores even at quarter with 12 goals each.

The next two quarters were tightly contested with the lead changing multiple times through the game.

Healesville put in a solid final quarter to have the biggest lead of the match and run out winners by four goals.

Next week’s games are home with netball starting at 10:30am and football from 12pm.

The Women football is at Monbulk at 4:45pm.

The Veterans play their final game at Narre Warren on Sunday at 3pm.

Football

· Women Healesville 4.10 defeated UpweyTecoma 0.0 Best: S Potter, E Cianci, S Frazzetto, E Hay, I Stock, A Mende

Netball

· A Grade Healesville 40 defeatedYea 36 Best: J Milne, B Erickson, N Braden

· B Grade Healesville 16 defeated by Yea 22 Best: C Haywood, C Bouma, H Blackney

· C Grade Healesville 30 defeated Yea 14 Best: L Boundy, T Pinkster, K Deuart

Super Saturday for Reds, with all teams triumphant

By Sarah Bailey

It was super-Saturday for the Reds, with all juniors and the senior women’s team triumphant at home and away

Exceptional play from the U8 Strikers delivered a 7-0 win against Croydon Rangers Red. From kickoff until the final whistle, the boys never gave the opposition a chance. It’s phenomenal to see such a young group of boys working together as a team and passing the ball so confidently.

The U8s Dragons defeated Blackburn 4-1, with 3 goals from Hudson Beams and 1 from Percy Pollard. All the boys worked so well together and built a very strong defensive wall.

The U9 Redbacks sealed a solid 4-2 win away against Maroondah United. With some excellent link-up play from Healesville and impressive goals from Ash and Isaac, Healesville were 2-0 up at half-time. The first goal came from Ash, who’d struck a $10 goalscoring deal with his mum before the match (over to you, Mum!) The second half saw Maroondah come back strong, but 2 more goals, one from Billy and a blistering left-foot strike from Arlo sealed the win.

A cold, blustery morning and a lack of substitutes didn’t stop the U10 Reds’ first win, featuring terrific passes and play against the Northern Eagles. A great early goal from Alex Prendergast saw the Reds off to a fantastic start. A hat trick to Ryan Horn secured the

4-1 win. Amazing energy was on show from Jono Hart and Ronan Gibson, who didn’t stop running the whole game.

Away against Maroondah, Healesville’s U10 Whites started strong in the first half with some selfless passing that almost looked pre-rehearsed. Ardi broke the 0-0 deadlock with a clever manoeuvre to give Healesville the 1-0 ascendancy.

In the second half, with no subs available, Healesville had great surges forward from Arthur, Flynn F and Will. A disciplined backline of Will, Flynn M, Robbie and Ardi won the ball back from many determined Maroondah attacks.

Austin was superb on his non-preferred left side of the goal, creating many chances and scoring 2. Jonathon shook his determined tag to get 1 into the back of the net. From a good distance out, Arthur scored another 1 with a well-controlled curving strike from his instep that got the biggest cheers of the day.

Second-half keeper Harley was put to the test with 4 goals Maroondah’s way. But he remained engaged and resolute, saving around 4, to see the game end in a 5-4 victory to Healesville.

Healesville U12s played at home to Blackburn Bandicoots. A strong start saw Healesville take the lead through a Mack Beams goal, but a wonderful strike against the run of play meant the teams went into the half-time break at one goal apiece. More dominance from Healesville in the second half paid off with goals from Jake Bouma, Cooper Smith and Theo Archibald. After a great penalty save from MannyWinrow, the game wrapped with a well-deserved 4-1 Healesville win.

The U14 boys surged to a 12-0 victory against Knox U16 Girls Force, keeping the pressure up throughout the game. Against a united Knox team and an able keeper, the Reds converted opportunity after opportunity, with their gritty defence keeping the ball well forward in both halves. Goal scorers Kieran O’Neil, Max Jorgensen, Hamish McKie and Will Watson (who shot an extraordinary

8 goals) kept the excitement high. The Reds are a tight-knit crew and their hard work in training showed in their fast footwork and deft passes.

The senior women’s team returned from their break with a dominant win over Croydon.With most of the game playing out in the opposition’s half, their defenders had their work cut out for them, but any runs from Croydon’s midfield towards Healesville’s goalkeeper were quickly blocked with a terrific defensive effort. Captain Sarah Cunnian continued her strong season this game with 2 unstoppable goals, and a fantastic 3rd from Melita Campbell into the bottom left corner cemented the win at 3-0.

Playing at home against St Pauls, the Healesville Reserves logged their best game in a tough season. Few chances for either team saw a 0-0 half-time score, but Healesville gave themselves hope of a first win of the year when they took the lead through a Lindsay McKie strike. St Pauls hit back to make it 1-1, and then a great chance went begging for Healesville to make it 2-1 to the home side. They would be left to rue the miss as St Pauls scored 2 late goals to end the game 3-1. Healesville Seniors had a day to forget against a much younger, fitter, stronger and overall better St Pauls team. A double rainbow was the only highlight in a 6-0 home defeat for a depleted Healesville team.

Good wins all round for Yarra Glen in First Nations games

By David Ball

Yarra Glen celebrated First Nations round at Yarra Junction, with both teams running out in their beautifully designed Indigenous jumpers, each design coming from First Nations players from the clubs.

Yarra Glen were keen to consolidate themselves in the top four whileYarra Junction were desperate to notch up their first win for the season. After kicking the first goal early in the quarter, the Eagles kept the pressure on their more fancied rivals as the River Pigs struggled to move the ball. They did manage a goal before quarter time to see Yarra Glen holding a slender 2 point lead at the first break, 1.3 to 1.1.

The second quarter saw the visitors getting control in the midfield, with on ballers Ben Ashton and Tom Sullivan starting to win contested possessions and Josh Hawkins capitalising up forward. Yarra Glen added 5 goals to Yarra Junction 1. At half time the scores were Yarra Glen 6.3 to Yarra Junction

2.6. The River Pigs took total control in the third quarter, banging on 6 goals toYarra Junction’s solitary point. Josh Hawkins kicked his 5th goal, converting well from the clean entries Yarra Glen were able to make moving forward. At the other end Yarra Junction worked hard but couldn’t find a winning forward.

Callum Morison and Caleb Surplice intercepted well as Jimmy Marks and the other defenders mopped up whatever hit the ground as the tight Yarra Glen defence kept the Eagles goalless for the quarter.

At three quarter timeYarra Glen had a commanding 56 point lead, 12.3 to 2.7. As the last quarter started the wind picked up and the rain came.

To Yarra Junction’s credit they showed no signs of giving up and showed greater endeavour to add 3 goals whilstYarra Glen added only one point, despite many forward entries.

It ended up being a convincing 12.4 to 5.7 victory for Yarra Glen. Best Players for Yarra Glen were Tom Sullivan, Ben Ashton, Callum

Tucker, Callum Morison, Ryan Smith and Josh Hawkins. Goalkickers – Josh Hawkins 5, Ben Ashton 2, Marcus Kikidoplolous 2, Ryan Smith, Heath Chamberlain and Chris Beattie.

With a full team the Yarra Glen reserves took on an undermannedYarra Junction. Having been well beaten by Yarra Junction in their previous two encounters, the River Pigs were keen to make amends. At quarter time they led 2.3 to 0.2 and stretched this out to 25 points at half time, 6.4 to 2.3.

In the second half the experienced Ash Bryans and skipper Regen Daniel were gathering the hard balls as Daniel Kelly and “Keithy” Gerovasilis provided run out of the midfield.

Down back Liam Bull and Max Forbes repelled the few Junction forward moves asYarra Glen added three goals to Junction’s solitary point for the quarter. At three quarter time it was Yarra Glen 9.6 to Yarra Junction 2.4.

The last quarter was a real battle as both sides started to tire in the wet conditions.

The Eagles lifted to score 2 goals to the River

Pigs 1, leaving the final scores atYarra Glen 10.6 to Yarra Junction 4.5. Best players were Stirling Twite-Moore, Daniel Kelly, Dan Galbraith, Max Forbes, Ash Bryans and Liam Bull.

Next week Yarra Glen has bye and then plays at home on the 22nd July against Warburton-Millgrove.

Yarra Glen Netball D Grade started the First Nations round against Yarra Junction. Yarra Glen’s Kim Christian was celebrating her 100th game and started well in goals as Yarra Glen jumper out to a 7 to 2 goal quarter time lead.

Yarra Glen was just a bit cleaner with their ball movement and with a tight defence were able extend their lead at half time to 8 goals.

The third quarter was a scrappy affair as both sides turned the ball over consistently and scoring dropped off. Yarra Glen added 4 goals to Junction’s 3 to be 18 to 9 ahead at the last change. Yarra Glen improved their ball movement in the last and a tight defence allowed only 2 more Junction goals asYarra Glen ran out winners, 25 to 11.

Codie Haywood looking for options.

Picture: KYLIE ROWE

U14s left wing back Jarrah Thompson drives the ball forward to the strikers, with left midfielder Flynn Larkin-Flood ready to assist. Picture: SUPPLIED