Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 26th September 2023

Highest honours given

The Rotary Club of Lilydale honoured two of their finest members earlier this month as they surprised them with the Paul Harris Fellow award.

Awarded each year to high performing members of Rotary clubs, the Fellow is one of the highest recognitions in the service organisation as a way to say thank you.

This year, two women were granted the award for their dedication to the improvement of the Lilydale Rotary and their long standing service to the community.

To read more, turn to page 8

Voice vote plans

By Mikayla

Van Loon and Callum Ludwig

Casey MP Aaron Violi and Labor Senator for Victoria Linda White have talked at length about their views of the upcoming referendum on TheVoice to Parliament.

Toeing party lines, national consultation and getting in touch with those doing the groundwork at a grassroots level were all factors in their voting choices; No for MrVioli and Yes for MsWhite.

“The moment my concerns were crystal-

lised was when I was speaking to an Indigenous leader in our community in Casey and he expressed the same concerns I had, that he hadn’t been consulted in the process,” MrVioli said.

“He was worried his voice wouldn’t be heard through a national voice, if it hadn’t been heard in the initial process.”

Ms White was a member of the initial Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander Voice Referendum who made the decision to put forward the proposed al-

teration to the public.

When asked if she thinks The Voice would hold politicians and future governments to account on decisions and policies pertaining to Indigenous Australians, Ms White said the constitutional recognition will do that.

“It will give The Voice a permanency and significant legitimacy in the community,I think that we will want frank and fearless advice from the members of The Voice to Parliament and I think that the fact that it can’t be abolished by a successive government will

mean the quality of the advice and the feel of the advice should be greater,” she said.

“We’ll put our hope on a pathway to closing the gap and improving the lives of the Indigenous members of our community and if it’s successful, then there will be a select committee formed so that there can be proper consultation on how it will work, how the members will be selected and then will be off and running.”

Read the full stories on pages 6 and 7

District Governor Ian Ballantine, Ann Wheeler, Jenny Selway and Yarra Ranges Area Assistant Governor Shia Smart at the awards presentation on Tuesday 12 September. Picture: SUPPLIED

Levy targets short stays

By Callum Ludwig

The Victorian Government is set to introduce a short-stay accommodation levy as part of a multi-pronged approach as part of ‘Victoria’s Housing Statement – The Decade Ahead 20242034’, an attempt at housing reform as the state’s population continues to rise.

7.5 per cent of the revenue from shortstay accommodation platforms like Airbnb or Stayz will be taken by the levy and redirected to Homes Victoria to support the rollout of more social and affordable housing.

Yarra Ranges resident Clive Larkman rents out one property through Stayz and said he thinks the whole concept is not fair.

“Our property is a house on our property which is next door to our house because it is where my mother used to live but I don’t want a permanent tenant in there because they would be living on my land so to speak,” he said.

“We also use it for family coming in from the state or for our overseas customers and clients.”

According to the State Government, there are more than 36,000 short-stay accommodation places inVictoria with over 29,000 of those entire homes. The levy intends to take money from the revenue of platforms to put towards housing projects as part of the initiative which can be rented out long-term or on fixed-term agreements.

Mr Larkman said everybody in the industry knew there was going to be a shortage of rental accommodation.

“Three, four or five years ago, when all the new legislation came in, there was a big gathering of all our estate agents and their landlords, and they all said ‘20 to 30 per cent of you are dropping out now’ and they pulled out within 12 months,” he said.

“It feels like they’re making a small portion of theVictorian population pay for the stuff up of the government, it’s unfair on the landlords and it’s unfair on the tourists.”

Popular holiday destinations in the outer east such as Warburton (More than 160 Airbnb and over 60 Stayz properties), Healesville (More than 220 Airbnb and over 277 Stayz properties) and the Dandenong Ranges/ Mount Dandenong (More than 280 Airbnb and about 40 Stayz properties) are flush with shortstay accommodation. According to 2021 Census data, all three had a greatly lower percentage of the population who rent compared to the rest of the state (28.5 per cent of Victorians rent): 16.9 per cent of Warburton’s population

rent while the town also has a greatly higher rate of unoccupied dwellings compared to the state average (21.9 per cent compared to the state average of 11.1 per cent).

Healesville and the Mount Dandenong/ Olinda area also had a low percentage of renters (17.3 per cent and 8.2 per cent respectively) but do have a lower percentage of unoccupied dwellings compared to the state average (8.9 and 9.7 per cent respectively).

In all of theYarra Ranges, only 14 per cent of the population rent.

Mr Larkman said the levy is not enough for him to stop using his property for short-term accommodation but it might be for others.

“I can’t speak for Airbnb, but we’ve been using Stayz who are very reasonable in their cost and the way they manage it, we’re at 550 dollars a night and I don’t think 7.5 per cent in the long term will affect us a lot, but for those at $150 a night, that might be their whole

profit margin,” he said.

“It’s the politics of envy, ‘I can’t afford to have my house for short-term accommodation, so I don’t want you to have one of your own’ and they’re not talking about a lot of money at 70 million a year.”

The Victorian Government is aiming to build 2.24 million homes by 2051 to ease housing pressure in the state, including a target of 425,600 across regional and rural Victoria.

The Council to Homeless Person (CHP) welcomed the levy as reports swirled prior to the release of the Victorian Housing Statement.

CHP CEO Deborah Di Natale said the State Government would lead Australia in regulating short-term accommodation.

“A levy like this would be an important step in injecting more fairness into Victoria’s housing system which is in dire need of major reform,” she said.

“That money should provide desperately needed accommodation for our most vulnerable people.

Accommodation Australia (AA) were pleased that hotels, pubs offering accommodation and regulated accommodation providers were not targeted by the levy due to the fact that do not contribute to the removal of housing stock.

AA’s Victorian General Manager Dougal Hollis congratulated the Victorian Government for engaging with and listening to the industry.

“Not including hotels and pubs in the short stay levy is a common-sense approach,” he said.

“Hotels are huge employers and are a key part of any vibrant city.Victoria has led Australia’s new hotel development boom since 2020, with almost 9,000 new hotel rooms now available across Melbourne alone.”

Airbnb reforms in spotlight as housing fight rages on

By Dominic Giannini, AAP

The Greens are calling on the Federal government to put limits around short-term rentals such as Airbnb to boost supply and take pressure off rents.

Leader Adam Bandt says people are struggling to find accommodation in places like Byron Bay and Melbourne with everything being rented out on short-term sites.

“There have been proposals around how long you could potentially lease it out for, whether or not people should be entitled to tax breaks if they’re not providing rentals that are a proper rate for locals,” he told reporters in Canberra on Friday 15 September.

The Victorian government has since announced a levy of 7.5 per cent on short-stay accommodation platforms.

The Council to Homeless Persons said the levy needed to go towards social housing.

CEO Deborah Di Natale said the money would be an important first step to inject more fairness into the housing system.

She said it had the potential to raise more than $30 million a year but needed to be done in conjunction with broader reforms.

“The short-stay levy can’t occur in a vacuum,” she said.

“Ending the housing crisis will require billions, not millions, in new investment.”

Mr Bandt said if the federal government regulated Airbnb, it could then move to manage rents through a freeze and cap on increases.

“If we really want to fix the problem, then government has to look at soaring rents right across the country as well as in those places where it’s biting hard,” he said.

Mr Bandt denied freezing rents would spook investors and diminish supply by sending landlords towards Airbnb and shortterm renting, where they could charge higher rates and have fewer responsibilities towards tenants.

“I don’t think that’s what’s going to happen because we need to have regulations that apply across the board,” he said.

“People should be able to afford to rent a house, this is not a big ask.”

Housing Minister Julie Collins has said the rules for Airbnb were an issue for states.

But she pointed to evidence services such as Airbnb and Stayz have an impact on rents in tourist areas.

The interim National Housing Supply and Affordable Council has made a raft of recommendations to boost rental stock and ease costs.

The Greens agreed to pass Labor’s signature $10 billion housing investment fund this week after securing $3 billion for social and affordable housing on top of a $500 million yearly investment floor from the fund regardless of the return it makes.

But they failed to secure a rental freeze, something state and territory governments have ruled out.

Mr Bandt said the party would make it a key election issue.

Greens party leader Adam Bandt has called on the Federal government to

An unoccupied Airbnb property in Healesville.

Picture: ON FILE

Planning shake up

A target of 800,000 new homes over the next decade has been set as part of the State Government’s major shakeup of the planning system.

Under the Victorian Housing Statement released on 20 September, Premier Daniel Andrews said that a new Affordability Partnership with the property industry would boost supply.

“We’re not building enough houses right now. We have to have more supply.

“More housing supply means lower prices.”

The public-private partnership was signed with the Property Council of Australia, Masters Builders Victoria, the Urban Development Institute of Australia, the Housing Industry Association and Super Housing Partnerships.

Yarra Ranges Council’s Planning and Sustainable Futures director Kath McClusky said it is still too early to know what these changes mean for local government.

“Our teams are currently working through the detail of the State Government planning reforms,” she said.

“When we have greater clarity on how it will impact our work, we will share more information with the community.”

Under the changes, developers of $50 million-plus housing projects will be guaranteed a four-month application process if they provide 10 per cent affordable housing.

The Planning Minister would usurp councils as the arbiter in these cases.

The plan also exempts ‘granny flats’, shed extensions and car ports from planning permits.

Mr Andrews said the aim was for “good decisions made faster” and to “clear the backlog” of 1400 planning applications “gathering dust” with councils for more than six months.

Ms McClusky told Guardian Australia in July the council had been operating for at least 18 months with a third of the planning staff required to push applications through.

She also said while the staff shortages were contributing to the lack of housing supply, material costs, availability of construction workers and interest rates were adding to the backlog.

On the other hand, Maroondah City Council’s Mayor Rob Steane said the generalisation of councils underperforming was “divisive and unfair”.

“For the past 10 years Maroondah City Council has been one of the fastest decisionmaking metropolitan councils, with processing timeframes that are far superior to the four months (120 days) proposed by the Victorian Government decision making on major projects,” he said.

“In the past four years, 82.4 per cent of our planning applications have been decided in under 60 days - this is well above last year’s state-metropolitan average of 59 per cent.”

Cheaper housing “near to where you work” was a priority – announcing 60,000 homes to be built at 10 activity centres including Moorabbin, Frankston, Chadstone and Ringwood.

Mayor Steane supported the government’s move to improve access to affordable housing

in places like Ringwood where there is “great opportunity to develop high density housing” and will work with the Victorian Planning Authority to reflect this in the Maroondah Planning Scheme.

“Ringwood has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, with urban renewal on a scale never before seen, cementing its position as the epicentre of the eastern region for commerce and employment,” he said.

“Unfortunately the council has been stifled by the lack ofVictorian Government mandated requirements for inclusion of affordable housing in any proposed developments.”

Also, 45 unnamed “surplus” government sites across Victoria will be converted to 9000 homes – including at least 10 per cent “affordable” housing.

Other changes include a “modest” 7.5 per cent charge on short-stay rental customers.

The levy will apply to about 36,000 short-stay accommodations and replace local councils’ similar charges.

All revenue will go to Homes Victoria for building and maintaining social and affordable housing.

He said the reforms would provide 800,000

This year, all Australians will be invited to make history by saying ‘yes’ in a compulsory referendum to alter Australia’s Constitution by enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Constitution is the founding legal document of our nation, providing the basic rules for the government of Australia. The Constitution is our nation’s birth certificate.

Over many years we have spent a lot trying to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians, but we haven’t got better results.

If the referendum succeeds, the Voice to Parliament means Indigenous Australians will be consulted and give advice to Government

more homes in the next 10 years – in comparison to a projected 500,000 under the status quo.

“The Victorian Government’s housing reforms provide the foundation and potential to ease the housing crisis and change the lives of Victorians for generations but the extent of this impact lies in the detail,” Community Housing Industry Association Victoria acting CEO Jess Pomeroy said.

“We need to make sure any affordable homes built as part of new residential developments stay affordable in perpetuity.”

It was a “big downpayment” on a target of 2.24 million new homes by 2051. By that time, Victoria’s population was predicted to top 10 million.

It may involve expanding the Free Tafe list to provide more building workers, he said.

Mr Andrews also announced rental reforms, including a portable bond scheme to carry a rental bond from one property to another.

There would also be restrictions on allowing landlords to evict tenants in order to “jack up” the rent, and a ban on rental bidding.

A new body will be created for landlordtenant disputes, replacing the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

to design better solutions for issues that affect them.

This will lead to better outcomes for Indigenous Australians in health, employment, and education – because we know when Government listens to people, we get results.

For most of us, saying ‘yes’ won’t change much. But for Indigenous Australians the Voice will bring about tangible change. There is nothing to lose, but so much to be gained.

Fatal collision

Police attended after a woman died in a car crash in Mount Evelyn on Wednesday 20 September.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Monbulk and McKillop roads to reports a car had crashed into a tree.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Unlicensed drink driver caught

An unlicensed driver has been caught more than four times over the limit in Chirnside Park on Thursday 21 September.

A breath testing site was set up on Edward Road, Chirnside Park on Thursday and tested a number of drivers.

Around 2.25pm a 27-year-old man from Croydon underwent a breath test and provided an alleged reading of 0.200.

Allegedly, the man had his wife and two young children in the car as passengers.

The man had his vehicle impounded at a cost of $1017.

He is expected to be summonsed in relation to drink driving.

Booze bus catches

At a booze bus site in Croydon South on Saturday 23 September, a 44-year-old female driver with two young children in her car returned an EBT result of 0.102.

Her licence was cancelled and disqualified for 10 months and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $942.

She will face Court at a future date in relation to the matter.

A 41-year-old male driver travelling with his family in the car returned an EBT result of 0.081.

He was issued with a $577 penalty notice and his licence was cancelled and disqualified for six-months.

All drivers who are convicted of drink-driving offences, whether with a Court or penalty notice, will have to have an alcohol interlock installed in their vehicle once their license is reissued.

AEC temporary workers

The AEC is looking for 28 people across the Casey region to work at the referendum, to provide their community the opportunity to vote locally.

AEC State Manager Nye Coffey who oversees the operations in Victoria said now that the referendum date has been confirmed, he’s hoping people will get involved in helping to deliver the first referendum in 24 years.

“This is a chance for people to earn some extra money, help deliver the vote for the community and be a part of the first referendum this century,” he said.

The areas in need include, Belgrave, Lilydale, Kilsyth, Mt Evelyn, Upwey and Mooroolbark.

Nye said they’re looking for staff who are good with people, have an eye for detail and most importantly, they need to be political and issue neutral.

Say yes!

Premier Daniel Andrews made the planning and housing reform announcments on Wednesday 20 September.

Picture: LOUISA JONES

Heritage Golf wins at VCAT

By Mikayla van Loon

The Heritage Golf and Country Club (HGCC) in Chirnside Park has had a six lot subdivision approved at VCAT after first being lodged with Yarra Ranges Council in 2020.

Plans to build five dwellings, with a sixth parcel of land reserved for vegetation, has undergone much deliberation with VCAT senior presiding member Laurie Hewet and member Greg Sharpley handing down the decision on 12 September.

A permit was required for HGCC to subdivide 3,853 square metres of land on Carnoustie Crescent to build the proposed villas or housing units.

The case was referred to VCAT because Yarra Ranges Council “[refused] to make a decision to grant amendments to the Development Plan by secondary consent”.

HGCC’s Development Plan was first issued in May 1996 and updated in February 2011 requiring a permit to alter the initial plans outside of the scope.

“A permit is required to allow amendments to the Heritage Golf and Country Club Stage 1 Development Plan in a manner not generally in accordance with the Site Concept Plan contained in Amendment L145 to the Lillydale Planning Scheme and incorporated in the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme,” the VCAT decision reads.

An initial hearing at VCAT was heard over two days by member Dalia Cook on 20 and 21 June 2022, answering questions of law regarding the provisions within the planning schemes.

It returned to the Tribunal for a five day hearing in March and May this year.

“Our assessment of the relevant issues associated with the permissions required have led us to conclude that the proposal is acceptable,” members Hewet and Sharpley said.

A 3,853 square metre site on Carnoustie Crescent (land on the right) will be subdivided into five lots, with a sixth for vegetation. 362328

“We have therefore decided to issue the permit to subdivide the land and to remove vegetation, to grant a permit to amend the Development Plan and to amend the Development Plan.”

Carnoustie Crescent sits within a residential streetscape area, among the other uses of the site, including the HGCC Clubhouse, the Yarra Valley Lodge and the Heritage Retreat and Day Spa.

The entire site at 1-3 Hughes Road, Chirnside Park falls under a Special Use Zone (SUZ2

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

– Major Tourist Facility) and led to some “complexities” for both the council and VCAT in deciding the appropriate land use.

Members Hewet and Sharpley said however, their decision had to be based on the“the planning scheme provisions as they currently exist” not the somewhat outdated site concept plan.

“Notwithstanding the complexity of the planning scheme provisions affecting the HGCC, together with difficulties associated with the age and questionable quality of the

documentation that underpin the planning scheme, the planning permissions that are required to facilitate the proposed subdivision, have been resolved in line with Ms Cook’s resolution of the questions of law.

“We have reached this conclusion because the subdivision layout responds positively to the existing residential character of the immediate neighbourhood.

“The lot sizes and subdivision pattern are largely extensions of the existing subdivision pattern in Carnoustie Crescent. Each lot is intended to accommodate a single dwelling, in line with the existing density of development.”

Deciding only on the ability to subdivide, members Hewet and Sharpley said “the building plans are not approved as part of the permit for the subdivision”.

A permit for the subdivision was granted with a list of 26 conditions mostly relating to the connection of services, vegetation removal and the expiration of the subdivision plan coming into effect two years from the date of the permit.

Community asked to share ideas for former college site

Community members are being invited to share their ideas and vision on what improvements could be made on the land at 150 Cambridge Road Kilsyth. The land at the former Yarra Hills Secondary College site was formerly owned by the Department of Education but was purchased by Council last year following a passionate plea from the local community so that the area could be retained as open public space. Attention is now turning to how to make the site an accessible and inclusive space for the entire community to enjoy. Walling Ward Councillor Len Cox said that this was an exciting step in the project timeline.

“Now is the time for the community to have a think about what they would like to see at the site, which will become a focal point in the area of Kilsyth,” Cr Cox said.

“Informally so far we’ve had ideas for an urban forest or orchard, paths for pet walk-

ing, fitness or cross-country running, bike paths and jumps, or social/picnic/BBQ areas.

“However we’re open to any ideas that will turn this space into something that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“After we hear from the community, their ideas will be collated and then used to identify improvements to help shape up a concept plan for the area.

“We’ll then take that plan back out to the community for another round of consultation to gauge their thoughts.

What’s not on the table for the site includes large-scale developments such as stadiums, pools, housing and organised sporting facilities. Community members will have until 31 October to provide their feedback. For more information on 150 Cambridge Road and to have your say, visit www.shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/150-cambridgeroad-master-plan-development.

Yarra Ranges Council is requesting ideas for the development of 150 Cambridge Road. 271851 Picture: ON

Heritage Golf and Country Club has two golf courses, a ranges of residential accommodation, day spa and clubhouse at the 1-3 Hughes Road, Chirnside Park site. 362328

Snakes out and about

By Callum Ludwig

A string of warm, sunny days at the start of September has seen snakes come out in droves earlier than usual.

Snakes were being spotted as early as last month and the expected warmer, drier conditions mean Yarra Ranges residents can expect to spot the slithery reptiles who have emerged from brumation, a process similar to hibernation for cold-blooded animals.

Snake catcher Raymond Hoser is a registered snake catcher who services the Yarra Ranges and said that once there is a string of warm weather, the snakes come out and start looking for food and somewhere to sunbathe.

“Among the calls yesterday, the snakes were travelling, they were moving sizeable distances. You say to people to keep your eye on the snakes until I get there and in the half-hour, it took me to get to the house, the snakes travelled across three properties,” he said.

“The season is running earlier this year, which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be busy all year, because there’s other factors at play, but it’s certainly going to be busier now for a while.”

Mr Hoser had ten calls on Tuesday 19 September for snake sightings; he caught four, two were false alarms, two were best to leave alone and two more he passed on to other nearby snake catchers.

Mr Hoser said it’s not just the warmer weather leading to the increased number of snake sightings.

“When the weather’s drier, the grass doesn’t grow as much, it gets mowed or live-

stock eats on the paddocks and snakes are easier to see. When there’s no long grass, they move to where there is which is inevitably on people’s properties,” he said.

“In a drought year, especially the first of the drought years, calls go up sharply because it’s not just the hot weather but it’s the dryness and the fact that vegetation is getting chopped, especially compared to something like last year where Council weren’t mowing for most of the spring because it was too wet.”

In order to dissuade snakes from entering your property or at the very least make them easy to spot, residents should keep their grass short, remove piles of items like logs, sheet metal or rubbish and make their garden less attractive to snake’s natural prey in mice and frogs.

If you find yourself very close to a snake, especially one acting in a defensive position, you should freeze until it rears down and moves away.

When walking in areas snakes may be, wear closed shoes or boots and long pants, walk where you can see where you are putting your feet, carry wide elastic bandages and ensure your mobile phone is charged.

Do not attempt to approach or handle a snake but if bitten by a snake, call 000 immediately.

If you spot a snake and it is in a location where you cannot leave it to move on of its own accord, the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action’s (DEECA) Customer Service Centre on 136 186 can provide a list of snake controllers in your area.

Snake catcher Raymond Hoser.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Yes is best step forward

By Mikayla Van Loon

With varying commentary on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament (TheVoice) airing, a young Aboriginal leader from Healesville will be voting yes, despite having some reservations.

Indigenous educator Thane Garvey, 27, who is the descendent of celebrated Wurundjeri leader William Barak, said he views The Voice as “a stepping stone”.

“I feel conflicted about it. Obviously, there’s things I’m not happy about,” he said.

“The issue with the something for everyone Voice is that it only provides a certain amount of people to represent a huge amount of people.

“And in Victoria, there’s a huge amount of tribes and we’re not all going to be able to have a single representation within parliament. So I think that’s one of the issues.”

Raising concerns about how a referendum is decided, requiring double majority from across Australia, as well as four of the six states, with territories not included, Thane said that in itself is “systematically racist”.

“We make up three per cent of the population and there seems to be 97 per cent of the population voting on something that’s only going to affect us,” he said.

“The reason we’re putting this referendum forward is because we want to make change and we want to have a voice and we want to have more say on things that affect us but in the process, we have to have 97 per cent of Australia… voting on whether we should have that say to begin with.”

Regardless, Thane said not moving forward with a yes vote would be “more detrimental to the Indigenous community”.

“I fear that if we don’t get this up, we will lose momentum towards Treaty, Native Title and all these other things that we’re going to need if we’re going to keep this culture alive down here. Victoria is one of the most impacted when it comes to colonisation,” he said.

Looking around the globe, Thane said Australia was well behind when it comes to recognising First Peoples, with neighbours New Zealand having“a long way to go over there too but they’re still way ahead of us”.

“If you look at New Zealand or if you look at other places around the planet, they’re normally known somewhat because of their Indigenous, their Traditional Owners where Australia really doesn’t want to have that identity, that relationship with Traditional

Owners for some reason.”

The acceptance of the Haka and Maori language “comes with education” and is one of the main reasons Thane became an educator himself.

“I became an educator because I think we’ve got to change perspective before we have any hope of getting anywhere.”

It’s education that Thane also said was important in the lead up the vote on 14 October as the country looks to decide yes or no.

“I’ve heard people come out and say things like ‘if this referendum gets up, we’re going to have to start asking Elders to build on properties’ and all this is just misinformation that just makes no sense.

“Look at the wording, it literally just says

that we have an advisory body to advise the parliament on decisions and issues that affect us. It’s really not that complicated.

“If you’re worried about some of the misinformation, please, please just educate yourself on what is and what isn’t going to happen if this Voice gets up. Because I’ve heard so many rumours, and 95 per cent of them aren’t true.

“At the end of the day, we’re just being asked to sit at the table and have input on discussions that affect us and we’re being recognised as the first people of Australia.”

As conversations and discussions continue, Thane said it can be exhausting to keep up the fight but with a long line of ancestors who fought each and every day to get to this point, likeWilliam Barak and Aunty Dot Peters, it was important not to give up hope.

“These people have been trailblazing and doing everything they could to make sure our people thrive and survive in this new culture and society that has been kind of pushed upon us.”

In Thane’s eyes the referendum would be “a little win” in a much broader fight to ensure Indigenous culture and history is celebrated and continues.

“I can’t lay down now, after many generations of people have fought for us. I can’t sit down and just turn away because I’m tired, because it’s too much.

“What I’m dealing with is nothing compared to what my ancestors had to deal with, or even what my dad or my nana’s had to deal with.”

Violi sides with Liberal counterparts in referendum vote

By Mikayla Van Loon

Casey MP AaronVioli has announced he will be following many of his fellow Liberal party members in voting no at the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum (TheVoice).

Basing his decision on conversations and surveys his electoral office conducted with residents in Casey, Mr Violi said he couldn’t in good conscience support The Voice in this form.

“I’ve deeply engaged with the community, I’ve also engaged with the Referendum Working Group and the government earlier this year including the Minister for Indigenous Australians wanting some clarity around how the local Indigenous community’s voice would be heard,” he said.

“The moment my concerns were crystallised was when I was speaking to an Indigenous leader in our community in Casey and he expressed the same concerns I had, that he hadn’t been consulted in the process.

“He was worried his voice wouldn’t be heard through a national voice, if it hadn’t been heard in the initial process.”

Mr Violi’s consultation returned a result of 39.8 per cent voting yes and 45.75 per cent voting no with 14.5 per cent yet to decide, with a community forum of 50 people returning equal results of those voting yes and no.

“We don’t know what the result will be on October 14 but lots of polling is showing that at this stage, the majority of Australians

aren’t going to support it and one of the key reasons people are giving in the polling is the lack of details,” he said.

The referendum question asks just two things, to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to provide them an advisory voice to the parliament, which would be made up of a proposed 24 representatives.

Despite agreeing that it will be the role of the Federal Parliament to decide the key aspects of how The Voice would be implemented and act on behalf of First Nations

people, Mr Violi is still calling for more details to be revealed.

“Ultimately, it’s asking the Australian people to have a vote and make a decision on two things, recognising First Nations people in the Constitution and also having The Voice to represent Indigenous Australians.

“The Parliament decides the details but we’re asking the Australian people to make a decision, and many people in the community are wanting that additional detail to make a decision.”

Instead of wanting The Voice enshrined in the constitution, MrVioli said in his opinion legislative Voices “are a safer model”.

“The Prime Minister had an opportunity to legislate these voices last year. He could have already had these voices operational and making a difference and showing people how they would work and put forward constitutional recognition which would have passed with over 90 per cent support.”

Legislative Voices, however, wouldn’t necessarily be permanent, depending on the government of the day but Mr Violi said that seemed to work with Medicare and superannuation.

“It should be legislated first, tested and amended and move forward in that way because in my belief, that’s the safer model because once we change the constitution, it’s in there for perpetuity, and we don’t know in 50, 60 years time what our situation is.”

Federal Liberal party leader Peter Dutton has also come out and said he supports recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution but not The Voice, something Mr Violi is following.

“This is a position I’ve come to through engagement with the community, through engagement with Indigenous leaders, through working as part of the Coalition and I am a member of the Coalition,” Mr Violi said.

“It’s a combination of my personal opinion, the party position, and ultimately, what the local community has told me.”

Although putting forward his position, Mr Violi said at the end of the day he only has one vote and will not be “campaigning” for the no vote.

“I’m not actively campaigning because it’s not actually about politicians. It is about the people having their say and making their decision,” he said.

“I would encourage everyone to engage in this conversation respectfully. We’re all entitled to our own opinion but we’ve also got a responsibility to listen to other opinions and if we disagree with people, that’s okay.

“It’s really important that people have a respectful conversation and tone over the next three weeks and ultimately, we should be coming together as a nation at the moment.”

Casey MP Aaron Violi will be voting ‘no’ at the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.

Thane Garvey (middle) is an Indigenous educator from Healesville and will be voting yes at the referendum despite reservations. Picture: ON FILE

Call for Casey to vote yes

By Callum Ludwig

Labor Senator for Victoria Linda White is votingYes in TheVoice referendum on 14 October and hopes Casey constituents do too.

Ms White has been in communication with the over 170 volunteers of the Casey for Yes group and was a member of the initial Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander Voice Referendum.

Ms White said the most significant reason for her decision was the length of time The Voice has been called for.

“The Uluru Statement from the Heart was the culmination of probably 20 years of requests to have constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians and the large number of Indigenous people who made this request,” she said.

“Other things have not worked, having Indigenous bodies in legislation, which can be easily abolished, has just not worked because the bodies themselves might have but were just taken out by successive governments.”

The Committee made up of seven Labor, three Liberal and one Nationals, Greens and Independent representatives, passed the alteration that formed The Voice referendum unamended. The Committee formed the view that the Bill is ‘constitutionally sound’ and meets the request of the Uluru Statement From the Heart.

When asked which Indigenous representatives, elders, leaders, groups or services she has consulted, Ms White said she has certainly relied on the consultation that’s happened at a national level.

“I work with some great Indigenous members of Parliament and have had a lot of discussions with them, and I was also very fortunate to be on the select committee that considered the legislation that formed the question,” she said.

When asked if she thinks The Voice would hold politicians and future governments to account on decisions and policies pertaining to Indigenous Australians, Ms White said the constitutional recognition will do that.

“It will give The Voice a permanency and significant legitimacy in the community, we will want frank and fearless advice from the members of The Voice to Parliament and the fact it can’t be abolished by a successive government will mean the quality of the advice and the feel of the advice should be greater,” she said.

“We’ll put our hope on a pathway to closing the gap and improving the lives of the Indigenous members of our community.“

Ms White said education, employment and

health are the key things she hopes to consult The Voice on if successful.

“Those are the areas where there’s a significant gap between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians; life expectancy is significantly less for Indigenous Australians and those are sort of issues that need to be tackled head-on.

“Employment and education is about making sure that the opportunities available to Indigenous Australians are equal to those of the rest of us.”

Ms White said she just doesn’t agree with the No campaign slogan ‘If you don’t know, vote No’.

“Ifyoudon’tknow,findoutaboutit,thereare plenty of people who have got information and

there is a lot of information online,” she said.

“What we’ve been doing so far has not worked.“

The proposed amendment to the Constitution, section 129(iii), states that ’Parliament will hold the power to make laws that dictate how The Voice will function, including The Voice’s ‘composition, functions, powers and procedures.’

The Committee noted that this feature will ensure theVoice’s operation can be updated to align with ‘changing circumstances’ and that Parliament and Australians through the representation of their Federal Members ‘can assist to shape the Voice’s impact.’

An online Casey for Yes meeting was disrupted by a number of individuals making racist remarks about Indigenous Australians while wearing masks and showcasing swastikas in the background on 3 August, which was reported to Ms White.

Ms White said the best debates are those where everybody respects the views of each side.

“Resorting to violence or intimidation is just not the way to behave, you’ve got to listen to what people say and respect what they say,” she said.

“If you want to try and change people’s minds, you’ve got to do that in a civil and intelligent way by mounting arguments, it isn’t done by trying to intimidate people and scare people into your point of view.”

The proposed section about The Voice that would be added to the Constitution can be viewed at legislation.gov.au/Details/ C2023B00060

For the full advisory report from The Committee on The Voice, visit aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/ Former_Committees/Aboriginal_and_Torres_ Strait_Islander_Voice_Referendum/VoiceReferendum/Report

Live the beautiful life, in a beautiful community

Tucked away in the peaceful grounds of Walmsley Retirement Village, our aged care residence offers first-class care and support to our local community.

Drop by for morning tea at Walmsley Aged Care. Happening each Thursday during November between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 p.m. Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or a loved one, our Aged Care Specialists will be on hand to answer questions, provide insights into aged care and offer a guided tour.

Morning

With a small household model, landscape gardens, amenities such as gym, hair salon, theatre, café and a community library, we ensure it’s all about experience with the environment and being connected to your community.

Contact Sue Van Velzen at 0475 144 575.

Walmsley Aged Care 500 Greeves Drive, Kilsyth VIC 3137

Labor Senator for Victoria Linda White.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Top honours for Rotarians

By Mikayla van Loon

Two of Lilydale Rotary’s finest have been presented with the highest honour, recognising their service to the community.

AnnWheeler and Jenny Selway were awarded the Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) on Tuesday 12 September, making it the fifth for Ms Wheeler and the second for Ms Selway.

Having both been kept in the dark, the recognition came as a shock to both women.

“It was quite a surprise actually, I didn’t expect this at all,” Ms Wheeler said.

“It’s an honour to be picked as the person they want to give it to. So it was lovely. It made all the hard work worthwhile,” Ms Selway said.

The Paul Harris Fellow is named after Rotary’s founder and is awarded to those who “make an exceptional contribution to further the aims of Rotary”.

“If I’ve done my figures correctly, two-thirds of the members of our club are PHF recipients,” Lilydale Rotary president Arun Marappan said.

For Ms Wheeler, who has been involved in Rotary for 30 years and a member for 20 years, she said despite the recognition being lovely “that’s not why you do it”.

“It’s a really great organisation and the people are lovely and the projects are really good,” she said.

“It’s just a nice thing to do and if you didn’t enjoy it, you wouldn’t do it. It is certainly part of my life.”

Mr Marappan said Ms Wheeler has worked “tirelessly” over her 30 years of involvement, first with her late husband Ian and now on her own, to help better the lives of others, as well as Rotary within the district.

“We could safely say that Annie is the ultimate ‘quiet achiever’ and loved by all,” he said.

“She became the Rotary Club of Lilydale president on three occasions. As assistant governor, Annie worked closely with many clubs and is well known and highly respected in our district.”

Ms Wheeler’s focus has changed throughout the years but presently she works closely on projects involving young people like the primary speech contest and Lilydale Heights College’s Interact program.

“A few years ago, outside of the Lilydale Rotary, I became an assistant governor and I was in charge of six clubs, from Healesville through to Emerald,” she said.

“It was at one of their meetings, they invited me along to their primary school speech contest, and I thought ‘why are we doing this?’ So I actually introduced it to the club in 2019 when I was president.

“They’re all so terrific and then when you think that some of them are only 10 or 11, it’s just amazing. It gives them a lot of confidence.”

Ms Selway’s PHF came from her willingness to step in as president after the sudden death of president-elect Jenny Hill in 2022 and work to rebuild the club after the pandemic years.

“After Covid a lot of the organisations had fallen apart with face to face meetings and projects,” she said.

“So it was a big effort to get everything back on track and get projects running and collaboration with the community and improve our

documentation processes and introduce ourselves back to the community.”

While Ms Selway has been very active in other projects, Mr Marappan said it was the behind the scenes work that has really stood out more recently.

“We owe her a debt for the increased transparency and compliance in our Club’s management,” he said.

“Jenny has been clear sighted, able to align district expectations with our goals and consistent in implementing procedures that have streamlined our club administration.”

Initially working with Rotary using her nursing training in Timor Leste at the Bairo Pite Clinic, Ms Selway and another nurse from Eastern Health worked to educate mothers in nutrition to improve the health of their babies and young children.

“We had few resources available to us and we decided we wanted to spend the resources and money we had available hiring a health worker to look after the children in the clinic, because they were left to their own devices,” she said.

“Jenny went on to host the Malnutrition Health Care Worker, Lidia dos Santos, when

she gained an RMIT scholarship to improve her English skills,” Mr Marappan said.

It was for this work Ms Selway received her first PHF in 2014 and has since gone on to host a second woman, Nuncia Xavier, who came to improve her English language skills.

Mr Marappan thanked these two women for their ongoing support, dedication and commitment to serving the community.

“The symbolism in this recognition is to say thank you for making a difference in your club and community and in the lives of less fortunate people in the world,” he said.

Coffee catch up for connection this Dementia Week

By Dongyun Kwon

Caladenia Dementia Care and Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) hosted a coffee catch up on 21 September as it is Dementia Action Week from 18 to 24 September.

Calendenia Dementia Care CEO Sarah Yeates said VMCH and they have cooperated to run a few events together and they organised the coffee catch up event to find more people who were not connected with their services.

“About 15 people showed up for the event despite the rainy weather,” Ms Yeates said.

“We had a lovely chat with them.

“We provided useful information about how to get support for living with dementia

while we gave them free coffee and tea.”

Ms Yeates added the event was successful and many attendees enjoyed the meeting.

“One couple said they enjoyed meeting other people who were either working or living with dementia after the event,” she said.

“They said they found it really useful to talk to other people who used our services and they felt more confident being on the waiting list themselves.”

Ms Yeates said Caladenia Dementia Care would like to help more people who had not been connected yet.

She encouraged people to reach out to them through (03) 9727 2222 or Caladenia Dementia Care’s website, www.caladenia. com.au/.

Elizabeth Baxter from VMCH (left) and Sarah Yeates from Caladenia Dementia Care (right) hosted a coffee catch up event for ementia Action Week 2023. Pictures: SUPPLIED

District Governor Ian Ballantine, Ann Wheeler, Jenny Selway and Yarra Ranges Area Assistant Governor Shia Smart at the awards presentation on Tuesday 12 September. Pictures: SUPPLIED

District Governor Ian Ballantine, Ann Wheeler and Lilydale Rotary president Arun Marappan.

Tour exceeds expectation

By Mikayla Van Loon

What was the experience of a lifetime for nine young people from India also had a transformative impact on those at the Mooroolbark Cricket Club.

Hosting players from the Don Bosco Cricket Academy (DBCA) over 10 days from 11 September, Mooroolbark club president Danny Martin said it “absolutely exceeded expectations”.

“When they got over here, how appreciative they were, and then to see how our kids interacted with them, we weren’t expecting how great it was,” he said.

“They’ve made lifelong friendships. At some points it got fairly emotional because it really showed the community spirit more than we were expecting.”

Having had a conversation with Benjamin Thomas, a recruit for the Mooroolbark seniors and the man who runs DBCA, Danny said from late February the club worked to put this tour together.

“He was talking about his academy and he said, ‘I’d love the kids to be able to experience what I do over here’.”

Working with vice president Briony Polkinghorne, Danny said over six months they recruited sponsors and “through a lot of hard work and a lot of support from [them] and just people at the club” they managed to pull off getting these kids to Australia.

“We probably didn’t realise the enormity of what we were doing,” Danny said.

“That was really evident the first couple nights when we saw how gracious and appreciative some of these Indian kids were to be over here and doing it and then hearing some of their stories, some of them come from very poor families.”

Arriving in Melbourne on Monday night, the nine players and support staff were greeted at the airport by Mooroolbark Cricket Club and then spent two nights at the Don Bosco retreat in Lysterfield before a big schedule of cricket.

First starting out at the Croydon Indoor Centre and an initial dinner with Mooroolbark’s players, coaches and staff, the guests travelled to regional Victoria for a training camp.

“They went up to a place called The Village Green which is a cricket oval and pavilion facility in Strath Creek which is one of the most magnificent cricket facilities I’ve probably ever seen,” Danny said.

Needing 11 players to make a side, Danny said some of Mooroolbark’s under 16s rotated in and out of playing with the DBCA players when they versed Maribyrnong Sports College.

Heading back to the outer eastern suburbs, DBCA had the chance to play in a 40 over match against Croydon’s representative side, two games against Richmond’s junior team in Cranbourne, as well as a friendly match against Port Melbourne Junior Club.

Danny said “realising the magnitude of the impact this had on our kids and their kids” it has made the club want to do this every year.

“We’re actually sending 13 of our kids to India next year as well, so it’s going to be an exchange type thing,” he said.

“But that’s probably unchartered territory for clubs. So we’re really looking at being leaders of the pack.”

Seeing the turn out at the final goodbye dinner, Danny said, was incredibly humbling and rewarding watching the relationships that have formed in just 10 days.

“By the end everyone knew each other, the kids were all getting along. It was just really clear they were starting to form really strong bonds.

“All the kids wanted to swap their own cricket tops which was an initiative by them and also when we serve the meals, all of our tables are set up at our club where they’re in rows and you get about six on each table.

“The kids themselves, our juniors and the Don Bosco juniors grabbed the chairs and joined them all together. So they were sitting across from each other like a family.”

Don Bosco players Arjun and Siddharda prepare to bat against Port Melbourne.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Visiting the MCG was a bucket list moment for the Don Bosco players.Lifelong friendships were made in just 10 days.

Travelling to regional Victoria, players were able to take part in one of their first matches coming up against Maribyrnong.

On the final night, players from both Don Bosco and Mooroolbark swapped their jumpers to remember each other.

Don Bosco and Port Melbourne played a friendly but competitive match.

Grants boost environment

By Mikayla van Loon

Groups, schools and organisations in theYarra Ranges will be better equipped to improve the natural environment thanks to a number of landcare and biodiversity grants.

A total of $4.4 million was awarded to youth and volunteer groups by the State government to protect and restore the natural landscape.

Some of the Dandenong Ranges’ leading environmental groups received up to $20,000 to support their work, like Friends Of Leadbeater’s Possum and Friends of Sassafras Creek.

Across the urban parts of the Yarra Ranges, many of the grants were provided to junior programs, most receiving between $4000 and $5000.

This included the Edinburgh Early Learning Centre for a bush kinder, Mount Lilydale Mercy College for a native food garden, Mount Evelyn Memorial Preschool for a Caring for Country initiative and Sarah Court Preschool for a bush play project.

Liz Kennedy from Mount Evelyn Memorial Preschool said she felt very lucky to be a recipient of the $5000 grant because it will help continue the children’s engagement in Aboriginal culture.

Since beginning to facilitate the learning of Wurundjeri culture within the kindergarten, Liz said the children have been so enthused

by it, so the grant will go towards replacing the existing garden with all native and edible plants to embed those teachings even more.

It also aims to attract more varieties of birds, bees and critters, only enhanced by the

help of the Men’s Shed who will build nesting boxes to be installed.

The grant will extend far enough as well to provide the children with educational sessions at Healesville Sanctuary where they can

learn about bushtucker and spend some time immersed on Country.

“Encouraging children to get involved in projects like these can lead to a lifelong appreciation of nature and community,” environment minister Ingrid Stitt said.

Just across the border in Croydon, two junior landcare projects have been funded, with Croydon Hills Primary School set to extend their native grasslands, while Melba College plans to teach students about wetland wildlife and raise awareness about the impact of human activities on water quality and the need to protect the wetland ecosystem.

Smaller grants of $500 have also been awarded to Landcare groups to help with administrative tasks and the running of these groups.

“This funding is an important way that we’re supporting volunteers and their communities to secure our environment for future generations,” North-Eastern Metro Region MP Sonja Terpstra said.

“Our volunteers are invaluable, and these grants will allow them to continue to make a significant difference at a grassroots level.”

These projects are just some of the 500 recognised under the 2023 grants system. More can be found by visiting www.environment. vic.gov.au/grants

Joey joy for school holidays at Healesville Sanctuary

A fuzzy-eared youngster at Healesville Sanctuary is popping its head out of mum’s pouch delighting visitors during the school holidays.

The little one with big eyes and a pink chin is the fifth offspring to experienced Koala mother, Emily.

Healesville Sanctuary Mammal Keeper Rebecca Clemenger said the joey is exploring its habitat outside the pouch for longer periods of time and gaining confidence with climbing.

“We’re very excited about this new arrival,” Ms Clemenger said.

“We don’t have a name for the joey yet and we are not sure of the sex, but as soon as we find out, we will let everybody know.“

“Sanctuary visitors will be able to see the joey snuggling with mum or riding on her back. We have even seen young joeys clinging to the side of their mother’s head!”

When the joey is about six months old, the mother koala will start producing pap - a specialised form of faeces that allows her to pass on the micro-organisms from her own gut that are essential for digesting eucalyptus.

“While this sounds a bit disgusting, pap feeding helps the joey transition from milk to gum leaves,” Ms Clemenger said.

In the wild, young male koalas disperse

to establish their own territory at about 12 months old, while young females may choose to stay closer to their mother into adulthood. This behaviour is replicated at the Sanctuary. The best time of day to see Emily and her joey along the Koala Forest track is around 10:30am when keepers provide fresh gum leaves.

Nine koalas call Healesville Sanctuary home, spending between 18 to 20 hours sleeping each day.

Koala populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory are listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Koalas are not endangered in Victoria.

However, like all wildlife in Victoria, koalas are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 (Wildlife Act).

Threats to this species in the wild include loss of habitat, climate change, road collisions and the disease Chlamydia.

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The joey is exploring its habitat outside the pouch for longer periods of time and gaining confidence with climbing.

Pictures: ZOOS VICTORIA

This is the fifth offspring to experienced Koala mother, Emily.

Mount Evelyn Memorial Preschool was one of the Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grant recipients. 348645 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Be prepared this summer

By Tanya Faulkner

El Niño has been announced as underway across Australia by the Bureau of Meteorology, with locals being warned to be prepared.

The announcement officially came due to fires burning across the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales in the recent heatwave experienced across the country.

Closer to home, the warmer weather saw fires develop at the Kooweerup reserve while football finals were underway, which was brought under control by the KooWee Rup and Bayles CFA.

It has been suggested the fire started from a cigarette butt, highlighting the need for locals to be aware of the upcoming conditions.

Alongside the abnormally warm temperatures recently experienced in Victoria, the Bureau also said Australia has also been experiencing abnormally high sea temperatures over recent months, which have triggered a red alert among scientists.

Bureau of Meteorology Climate Manager Dr Karl Braganza said both El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole tend to draw rain away from Australia.

“Over spring, their combined impact can increase the chance of below average rainfall over much of the continent and higher temperatures across the southern two-thirds of the country.

“The Bureau’s three-month forecast for Australian rainfall and temperature has been indicating warm and dry conditions for some time.

“An established El Niño and positive IOD reinforces our confidence in those predictions.

Based on history, it is now also more likely that warm and dry conditions will persist over eastern Australia until autumn,“ he said.

El Niño events increase the risk of extreme temperature shifts, like heatwaves and hotter days.

A record spell of September heat has brought warmer than average temperatures to most of the South East in recent days, with some temperatures as much as 18 degrees celsius above average, prompting an early end to the snow season.

Upper Ferntree Gully CFA captain Peter Smith said although we’ve had this announcement, the weather is not 100 per cent predictable, and some of the indicators and driving factors are still moving slower than expected.

His advice to locals to ensure they are cleaning up their properties, and making sure that when they are burning off that it is not too windy and it is registered.

“It is also useful for locals to have the EMV app and the CFA website on their mobile devices to keep up to date,“ he said.

Mr Smith said there has not yet been any announcements about the start of the fire season, but it will most likely be earlier than in previous years.

“It would also help if people would consider joining their local fire brigades, at the very least to keep their own property safe,“ he said.

The BOM said when El Niño and the positive Indian Ocean Dipole co-occur, drying in Australia is typically amplified.

The last time El Niño and the positive Indian Ocean Dipole occurred together was in 2015.

Mt Evelyn Bendigo Community Bank Editorial –September

Supporting local businesses

The Mt Evelyn Bendigo Community Bank believes that having stronger, more connected communities is better for everyone.

And our business community is a big part of that!

So, on Wednesday 25th October we’re hosting a free breakfast at the newly opened Mt Evelyn Sports and Community Hub (MESCH) for local business owners where they can hear from our guest speakers, connect with other local businesses and enjoy a delicious catered breakfast.

“We know that local businesses have done it pretty tough over the past three years. The effects of the pandemic are still being felt and we wanted to do something beneficial for our business community,” said John Stroud, Chair of the Mt Evelyn Bendigo Community Bank.

“Our keynote speaker is David Robertson, or ‘Robbo’, the Chief Economist from Bendigo Bank. We’ve heard Robbo speak several times at conferences and his surprising and unique way of delivering his economic predictions is really engaging. We think local businesses will get a lot out of his talk.”

Guests will also hear from Alison Evans, local small business owner of Eco Soul Collective in Mt Evelyn and Mal Dark, President of MESCH.

“There will be plenty of time to network and have conversations with others about what’s working well and where the challenges lie, and perhaps, create connections that prove fruitful in the future,” said John.

Tickets to this free event are limited, and attendance is strictly by RSVP. If you’re a local business owner and you think this event might be helpful for you, please RSVP to events@medfsl.com.au or call the branch in Mt Evelyn on 9737 1833.

Event details: 2023 Business Breakfast, 25 October, 6.45am for a 7am start. 8.30am finish. Mt Evelyn Sports and Community Hub, Tramway Road, Mt Evelyn.

This event is another great example of our profits going back into your community. It goes without saying, the more banking business we do through the Mt Evelyn Bendigo Community Bank, the more we can support your community. And with our competitive range of banking product, that’s a win-win for everyone!

We’re the better bank making a big impact. It’s as simple as that. You can bank on it!

CFA crews battled an intense grassfire at Kooweerup recently.

A grassfire threatened to disrupt the final’s action at Kooweerup recently.

A village of connection

When you hear the word ‘Japara’ what do you think of?

When you drive down Durham Road, Kilsyth and see the large red, orange and black building, do you ever wonder ‘what happens there’?

A lot of people tell us at Japara, they think of groups to learn new skills or groups to join for social connection. A place to meet and do activities. Others tell us about the Japara activities for children in the holidays or the Occasional Care Service.

Others think of the community at the Japara Bridge House or the art and craft, social events, fitness, wellbeing, cooking and food groups. Or being a member of one of the many community groups that hire a room or the Hall for their favourite activity such as the Yarra Valley Singers Choir or the book club.

A lot happens at the Kilsyth Community Hub which is managed by Japara Neighbourhood House, better known as Japara.

At Japara we would say, these are the things that we “do”.

So have a look at the program of events and see ‘what is going’ that might be exciting for you to sign up for or join, we’d love to see you.

Japara is much more than all these programs or events!

At Japara, we strive to foster friendships and new connections.

Opportunities that brighten our perspective and create inspiration.

We see that large red, orange and black building, the Kilsyth Community Hub as a place of Community Connection. A place of Inspiration and Connection through the incredible local community, program trainers, volunteers, groups or providing spaces for hire by community groups and local businesses.

Or by providing a home and support for our valuable partners, such as U3A Yarra Ranges, Australian Eastern Chin Community, Yarra Valley Singers or Montrose Community Cupboard, Valley Care and others.

Japara and the Kilsyth Community Hub is a village that inspires and builds community connection. That’s what we ‘do’.

If you are interested in connecting, check out our program for a taste of some of the opportunities to connect. There is much more to see on our socials or website.

‘Follow’ through our socials to keep up to date with what’s happening, or come down and have a chat, with many more unlisted opportunities taking place. And, if you can’t

see what you are looking for, we may know of events or places that may have what you are looking for and point you in the right direction. Or, you may have an idea and want ‘kickstart’ something new to inspire community connection. We could help work with you to get that idea off the ground.

Learn Local Programs

Walking Photography starting 12th October

Module Code: 23SHMMARKETI

Learn how to take amazing photos and get the most out of your digital phone, device and photo editing apps while you explore photo opportunities around Mooroolbark and Kilsyth.

Talking Sustainability for Life starting 10th October

Module Code: 23LANCAFE

Share a cuppa and a chat in the lovely Elizabeth Bridge Gardens while exploring Permaculture principles and sustainable living ideas for your everyday life.

Social Conversation Group starting 19th October

Module Code: 23LANENGCON

Practise your English skills over a cuppa and connect with other learners from your local community. For CALD participants. Internet and Cyber Security starting 14th November

Module Code: 23SHMMARKETI

Explore simple to implement strategies to protect yourself and your data from cyber threats, email and Facebook scams, phishing, spam and more.

We offer a wide range of educational, recreational and social support services to the people of Kilsyth and beyond. Visit our website for more information and to book your place today.

For the Kids

Children’s Programs

Junior Lab - STEAM Science and Art Fun!

A series of fun and interactive, hands-on sessions where children aged 1 - 5 years can explore science and art in a self-led open play space.

Children’s Week with Black

Snake Productions

Up Close with Reptiles and Wildlife

Learn all about wildlife found in the Australian Bush in this FREE hands on educational session. Ages 2 - 5 years. This is a free Children’s Week event supported by the Department of Education.

More FREE and Low Cost Programs

Social Conversation Group

Baking for Christmas

Christmas Cooking Creations

Aussie Eats - Cooking for CALD

Cricut Christmas Cards for Seniors

Bookaburra Storytime

Our brand new Creative Community Space!

Kilsyth Festival and Craft Fair Events

• Christmas Cookie Decorating

• Croc’s Crop - Edible Hanging Garden

• Heaps more - check out our socials!

We’re also at Your Library

Let’s Dance with Moorolbark Library

Tai Chi with Mooroolbark Library

Yoga in the Park with Maroolbark Library

Japara’searlyyearsandcommunityhubstaffarealwaysreadytowelcomevisitorswithasmile.

Picture:SUPPLIED

Something for everyone

Lilydale Community House has some new programs coming up in Term 4. Located at 7 Hardy Street in Lilydale, we offer a variety of activities which we hope will appeal to the local community.

New in Term 4 will be “Tuesday Crafternoons”, and a variety of craft tasters in “Learning the New”, enabling people to try something new without the cost. Tech help and

What’s On

MONDAYS

Qi Gong

9–10am. Learn coordinated body posture and movement, breathing and meditation.

Paint, Draw, Create, Explore 10.30–12.30pm Try your hand at painting, drawing, collage or other creative media, no experience required, just explore the possibilities!

Soup & Stories

11am–1pm. Make a different soup each week and enjoy chatting and eating together. Learning the New 1.30-3.30pm. Learn a variety of crafts over a series of 2-week sessions.

Intermediate German

6.30-8.00pm. Learn basic German at an Intermediate Level.

TUESDAYS

Tech Help with Sam 10am-12pm. Ask your tech related questions. Bring your own laptop, phone or tablet or use ours.

A Story to Tell

12.30-2.30pm Whether a short story or your memoir, let the tutor guide you through how to get it down.

Tuesday Crafternoons

1-3pm Join others for a cuppa and a chat and work on your own craft project in good company.

Beginners Guitar

6-7pm Learn how to play the guitar, starting with the basics.

Story Writing sessions will also be available in Term 4.

For the second week of the school holidays, our Holiday Program will offer Polymer Clay Jewellery and Key Ring making, Light Decorating and Cooking for Kids, for those aged between six and 12.

“Soup and Stories” has been one of our popular activities, which invites people to come

Term 4 at Lilydale Community House

THURSDAYS

Step & Connect Women’s Social Walks

9.30am Facilitated by Inspiro, this weekly walk welcomes women to join for a cuppa and take a fun and relaxed walk around the area. Meet at Lilydale Community House.

Cooking for One

19, 26 October, 2, 9, 16 November 11am-1.00pm. 5 week program

Learn to cook just for one, enjoying good recipes and tips, and eating together.

The Singing Circle

1.30-3.00pm Bring your shower voice and experience the joy and laughter of singing just because you want to.

FRIDAYS

Exercise for Older Adults

11–11.45am. Strengthen your body through the right exercise

SATURDAYS

Spin & Weave

21 October–18 November 10am-11.30am

Learn to spin wool on a spindle, dye and weave it.

Cold Process Soap Making

along and learn to cook a soup each week, and to eat together afterwards. Our popular“Cooking for One” program is also back.

Our classes are free or at low cost, with some available to pay week by week.

We have physical activity sessions, such as Qi Gong, aWomen’sWalk facilitated by Inspiro, and Exercise for Older Adults.

This term we have creative activities such

as “Painting, Draw, Create, Explore”, Spin & Weave and Soap Making. Our music programs offer Singing and Beginners Guitar.

If you would like to know more or wish to book an activity, please call us on 7036 6813. Follow our updates on Facebook at LilydaleCH. Our website: www.lilydalech.org.au.

Office hours are 9am-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Wednesday 10am-3pm.

Registered

The Cottage Program

An

The Cottage Program is an accredited education re-engagement program designed for young people who experience acute social anxiety or other related mental health issues that present a barrier to attending education within a mainstream school environment.

The Cottage Program has fully qualified teachers, supported by youth workers and aims to re-engage young people in a postive learning environment with pathways to further education or employment

• Students are encouraged and supported in building social connections, and strengthening ongoing physical and mental health as well as emotional wellbeing.

• MDLC youth workers support the young people to overcome challenges and to engage in opportunities to build their skills and confidence.

• Youth workers help the young people to make informed choices in areas such as education pathways, health, wellbeing and relationships.

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Polymer Clay Jewellery and Key Ring making - 25 September - 10-12pm

Light decorating - 26 September - 11-1pm

Kids Cooking - 28 September 11-1pm

21 October – 10am-12pm Learn the art of making your own soap. 7 Hardy Street Lilydale | All enquiries phone: 7036 6813

Website: www.lilydalech.org.au | Email: lilydalecommunityhouse@chaosnetwork.org.au

The Cottage Program is focused on building literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills through the following nationally accredited courses:

• 22472VIC Certificate I in General Education for Adults

• 22473VIC Certificate II in General Education for Adults

• 22474VIC Certificate III in General Education for Adults

Try a hand at making a delicious pizza.

Get crafty by making a rag rug at the Lilydale Community House.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Diesel hits are coming

By Callum Ludwig

‘Diesel’ (Mark Lizotte) is set to rock the stage at The Memo next month ahead of the launch of his new album ‘Bootleg Melancholy.’

Diesel, who has previously performed as Johnny Diesel, the lead singer of Johnny Diesel and The Injectors and under his birth name, will be playing in Healesville on Saturday 7 October.

Diesel said his regional tour feels like the most encompassing show he has done to date.

“I’ve really enjoyed doing the show in other parts of the country, and those who’ve seen me before are going to see a lot of different facets that you haven’t seen,” he said.

“Especially in the theatre environment, it’s just so perfect for the show that I’m doing. The great thing about art centres and theatres is they just have this beautiful consistency and as an artist, it’s great to know that I’m gonna have a great setting to do my music with good sound, good visuals and everything else.”

The show at The Memo is the fourth of his ‘Greatest Hits and Alone With Blues’ regional tour and the last one prior to the 14-track album’s release on Saturday 13 October. Alone with Blues is his 2021 album that Diesel never got a chance to perform due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic at the time.

Diesel said because he couldn’t tour Alone with Blues in 2021, he started work on another record which became Bootleg Melancholy

pretty much straight away.

“I’m still pinching myself when I get on the stage at these shows recently, I think all the travelling and all the trappings that go with touring are very familiar but when I actually get on the stage, it’s still kind of hitting me and humbling me,” he said.

“There are bits and pieces of all the records that I’ve made in Bootleg Melancholy, little bits that represent each record, but it feels like a new sound for me as well at the same time. I read somewhere one of my fans said ‘you always managed to sound new, but still like you’ which was good to hear.”

Diesel’s single ‘Forever’ has been lifted from the upcoming release and is available to stream for fans who want to get a taste of the album early.

Diesel said the jitters of releasing something is still always a bit like taking something to school for show and tell.

“You have those heart palpitations, worrying if people are gonna like it or not, mixed with excitement at the same time because I’m really excited for people to hear it,” he said.

“I think with this particular show, generally I feel like people have been walking away feeling like they’ve seen another side of me that they haven’t seen before.”

You can find out more about Diesel’s show at The Memo and get tickets at: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/DIESEL.

Spring festival fun and art coming to Mont De Lancey

By Callum Ludwig

The Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead’s annual Art on the Hill exhibition featured alongside an inaugural Spring Festival last weekend

Visitors could view Art on the Hill for free on Thursday 21 September and Friday 22 September, or for a $5 entry (adult ticket) could enjoy the spring festivities as well as the exhibition over the weekend.

Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead Administrator Deb Duncan said they were very excited for the first Spring festival.

“The idea was to have a family-friendly event where we can show some of the trades, the arts and the crafts that have been done in times gone past,” she said.

“We’ve got a really good selection of everything; stitching, embroidery, weavers, spinners, a handbook binder that makes notebooks, a chair maker, beautiful glasswork and timber work and of course our own blacksmiths, preservation machinery shed and woodturners as well.”

Food and drinks were available to be had at the on-site cafe Two Peas in their Pod throughout the event, as well as the chance to try some handcrafted bread and cheeses or beers from Hop Hen Brewing.

Ms Duncan said the homestead continues to be a bit of a hidden gem.

“It gave people the opportunity to wander the gardens, which are just starting to burst forward now with spring, which is gorgeous as well as the homestead and slab kitchen which will be open as well,” she said.

“We often hear from people who come time and time again and then there’s others that come for the very first time that live quite close to here, so it’s a really good opportunity to be able to do that, especially with the perfect weather we should have.”

Kids could go for free, with activities, donkey rides, face painting and the chance to make their very own clay sculpture too.

Art on the Hill exhibition coordinator and blacksmith Paul Cacioli said this year’s exhibition featured nearly 60 pieces.

“They are mainly sculptures and paintings, from about 23 or 24 artists, both regional and local, and it’s been supported by the Association of Sculptors of Victoria, and we’ve got a really eclectic mixture including ceramics, wood carvings, marble, steel paintings, oil and acrylics,” he said.

“We’ve got some high-end sculptures, some really beautiful bronzes, we’ve got some very contemporary works as well as the traditional stuff.”

Art on the Hill is on show at Mont De Lancey.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

An intricate, homely sculpture ‘housed’ in a globe.

A peculiar pair of pals.

Diesel (Mark Lizotte) is coming to The Memo in October.

Picture: JESSE LIZOTTE

Sharing the love

By Tanya Faulkner

A local charity is taking the next step in their services for the Knox community.

The Outer East Foodshare have announced their expansion into Knox, with the opening of a new distribution centre in the municipality.

The foodshare currently has a location in Lilydale, however the expansion to Knox will bring more opportunities to serve the wider Hills community.

Outer East Foodshare president John Csorgo said it’s a timely expansion for the charity.

“The new distribution centre will help us to save time with getting deliveries in and out, and allow us more space to store food and meet more of the needs in the community.

“We have been struggling to manage excess food, and it has been hard to plan getting food out to our distributors at times, so this new location will make a big difference,” he said.

The new location will also allow for agencies and distributors to drop off and pick up food as required during the week, without relying on volunteers being on-site, providing more flexibility to meet demand.

Post-covid has proven to be difficult on the Hills communities, showing there is a higher demand for locals in need of food support to take care of their families.

According to Mr Csorgo, the foodshare and distributors are only meeting approximately 60 per cent of the community’s demand, and hope this new site will allow them to support even more families in need.

“The demand in the community is quite high, and we are working just underneath the community demand.

“We need volunteers to help with distribution in Knox, and we also need more growers to help with supply.

“We’ll be reaching out to growers in the coming months now that we have more space,

to see if we can pick up excess produce and distribute more to the community,” he said.

The goal for Mr Csorgo is to be able to work in a more proactive manner than reactive to

Knox

help the community, and hope to support more families in the Yarra Ranges and Knox municipalities.

The foodshare collects rescued food and

surplus products from a number of agencies, such as Food Bank Victoria and Coles supermarkets among others, and distributes it to local food relief agencies to feed the community.

The Outer East Foodshare have opened a new distribution centre in Knox.

Picture: ON FILE

Celebration of whole river

By Callum Ludwig

The very first event celebrating the entirety of the Birrarung (Yarra River) is kicking off this week with various activities and opportunities to learn about the crucial waterway.

The Birrarung Riverfest is being hosted by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association (YRA) from World Rivers’ Day on Monday 24 September all the way through to Sunday 22 October.

Yarra Riverkeeper Charlotte Sterrett said the event is something theYRA and very proud of and hope to be an annual celebration of the river.

“There will be 20 events starting up in the Don Valley below the reservoir, all the way down to Port Melbourne where the river meets the sea, three events are ticketed and the rest are all free,” she said.

“We’re really encouraging people of any age to come along as a way for communities to celebrate, connect and care for our beautiful river, the lifeblood of Melbourne.”

Close to home, the YRA is holding a Nature Discovery event beginning at Haining Farm from 10.30am to 12pm on Thursday 28 September while Melbourne Water is jumping in to host a platypus spotting session at Pound Bend in Warrandyte on Friday 6 October from 5pm to 7pm.

Acting Regional Coordinator of Interpretation, Information and Education at PArks

Victoria Louise Buggy said Parks Victoria is thrilled to be part of the Inaugural Birrarung Riverfest.

“Haining Farm is a special site, with many fascinating creatures and features to be found once you begin exploring, activities like this one are a great way to learn how to appreciate and take care of our wonderful natural places,” she said.

“Getting into nature improves your physical, mental and social wellbeing. Spring is

the perfect time to explore the outdoors, and to discover all that the Birrarung provides for both humans and the natural environment.”

The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (FOHH) group is also getting involved, holding a planting and information session at the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area to teach attendees about the importance of floodplains for the critically endangered bird and others like the Leadbeater’s Possum.

FOHH President Virginia Wallace said she hopes the event is successful and goes on to be held regularly.

“We’re very happy to support and be involved with any efforts to encourage people to

get engaged in their local habitat,” she said.

“Our waterways are really important for the health of the environment, not only up in Yellingbo, but also for the whole of Melbourne and Victoria so acknowledging what our waterways mean for us and for plants, animals and agriculture is very important.”

Prior to the start of the event, 100 children from around Yarra Glen participated in a puppet parade, filled with the animals that call the river and its surrounds home.

Ms Sterrett said we have taken the river for granted for a long time.

“We’re really wanting people to engage their

COMMUNITY DIARY

COMMUNITY DIARY

WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

A musical interlude

Mount Evelyn RSL will be hosting a musical Interlude in their hall on Sunday 8 October from 2pm onwards. A wonderful musical afternoon featuring “The Old Dogs” band and singer extraordinaire Robyn Farrell.

Those that attended the Anzac Day service this year will remember Robyn and her beautiful renditions of the Australian and New Zealand national anthems. All welcome and bring a friend or three!

No entry fee, but a small cash donation would be appreciated.

Afternoon tea provided.

Upcoming Casey for Yes events

Casey for Yes is holding a number of events throughout the electorate in the lead up to The Voice referendum on 14 October.

Representatives from the group will help facilitate a discussion around the vote and provide information about the referendum.

A ‘Referendum Community Forum’ event will be hosted at the Moorolbark Community Centre on Sunday 1 October from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

RSVPs can be made by going to the www. yes23.com.au/referendum_community_forum_-_mooroolbark

A ‘Casey Community Forum’ will also be held in Upwey on Thursday 28 September from

head, heart and hands and be inspired to advocate for and care for the river and all her critters, it journeys 242 kilometres from source to sea, covers 4000 square kilometres, a third of Victoria’s population and a third of all of our animal species,” she said.

“The more awareness brought to the issues facing the river, from over-extraction of water to pollution and stormwater, from climate change to pests and weeds, the more people are educated on how to address those and the better the outcomes are for the river overall.”

Anyone interested in finding out more or booking their place at any of the events can do so at: www.yarrariver.org.au/riverfest/.

5.30pm to 7pm where attendees can hear from three different speakers:

· Sheena Watt MP – Member of the Victorian Legislative Council

· Sheree Lowe – Executive Director Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. (VACCHO)

· Ngarra Murray – Co-Chair First People’s Assembly of Victoria

To register for a seat, go to www.yes23.com. au/yes_community_forum_-_save_the_date Yea and Healesville hosted events on Monday 25 September, with one still to come for Warburton on Monday 2 October 7pm.

The VIEW club

The Yarra Valley VIEW Club is a leading women’s organisation with close to 300 clubs across Australia, all dedicated to supporting underprivileged Australian children with their educational needs through The Smith Family.

Make lasting friendships, share ideas and feel like you are really making a difference whilst also enjoying various interest groups, outings and meeting women from all walks of life.

Join us for our monthly lunch at Chirnside Park Country Club, 68 Kingswood Drive, Chirnside Park on Tuesday 31 October when we will be celebrating Melbourne Cup with lots of fun & horsing around.

Contact Val on 0419 007 728 for any enquiries.

Bookings essential. Visitors are always welcome.

The inaugural Birrarung Riverfest is set to celebrate and educate on the river from 24 September to 22 October. Picture: ON FILE

The Old Dogs and vocalist Robyn Farrell will play a range of songs when they perform at Mount Evelyn RSL. Picture: SUPPLIED

Obsession or passion?

By Maria Millers

Life Cycle by the late Bruce Dawe is a humorous but gently ironic take on how obsession with AFL football can take over at the expense of all else.

Even the timing of major life events such as weddings and honeymoons postponed till after the grand final.

He takes us through the life cycle of a fanatic from newborn to old age, ‘That passion persisting like a race memory, through the welter of seasons’ and ‘—the elderly still loyally crying Carn…(if feebly) unto the very end’ as decked out in club colours they’re holding out for the Holy Grail, their team’s victory. For them a strong emotional experience: a kind of emotional cleansing: a catharsis of sorts.

But what Dawe sees happening beyond the passion and the drama is the human need for community and belonging. Not unlike what religion used to provide, particularly when modern lives can often seem bereft of purpose and meaning. Dawe emphasises this with words like ‘rapture’ and ‘behold their team going up to heaven.’

Not everybody agrees with this positive view and see this obsession with the game as a distraction from more substantive issues facing us.

Back in 1967 journalist Keith Dunstan felt this and founded the ‘Anti Football League’ with its own awards for those who ignored the football frenzy.

If he were alive today, he would undoubtedly be critical of the endless panels and commentary in the media as if the country’s future solely rested on the outcome of big men chasing a small ball.

Moreover, since AFL left its local /suburban roots and become a national game, the game has changed.

Players are now professionals with no day jobs as in the past and command huge contracts. Instances of players behaving badly (and spectators too) have tarnished the game. Accepting difference is improving but intolerance still exists: race, ethnicity, sexuality. Gambling has also entered the game. Thankfully there is more understanding of the future implications of head trauma/concussion and its potential for dementia.

But as Dawe says, for many the ‘covenant is sealed’ long ago, and ‘the tides of life will be the tides of the home team’s fortunes.’

This year’s final will be tinged with sadness for those who remember Ron Barassi and Kevin ‘Cowboy’ Neale who both died last week. May the best team win.

Life Cycle by Bruce Dawe

When children are born in Victoria they are wrapped in club-colours, laid in beribboned cots, having already begun a lifetime’s barracking.

Carn, they cry, Carn … feebly at first while parents playfully tussle with them for possession of a rusk: Ah, he’s a little Tiger! (And they are …)

Hoisted shoulder-high at their first League game they are like innocent monsters who have been years swimming towards the daylight’s roaring empyrean

Until, now, hearts shrapnelled with rapture, they break surface and are forever lost, their minds rippling out like streamers

In the pure flood of sound, they are scarfed with light, a voice like the voice of God booms from the stands Ooohh you bludger and the covenant is sealed.

Hot pies and potato-crisps they will eat, they will forswear the Demons, cling to the Saints and behold their team going up the ladder into Heaven,

And the tides of life will be the tides of the home-team’s fortunes – the reckless proposal after the one-point win, the wedding and honeymoon after the grand final …

They will not grow old as those from the more northern states grow old, for them it will always be three-quarter time with the scores level and the wind advantage in the final term,

That passion persisting, like a race-memory, through the welter of seasons, enabling oldtimers by boundary fences to dream of resurgent lions and centaur-figures from the past to replenish continually the present,

So that mythology may be perpetually renewed and Chicken Smallhorn return like the maize-god in a thousand shapes, the dancers changing

But the dance forever the same – the elderly still loyally crying Carn … Carn … (if feebly) unto the very end,having seen in the six-foot recruit from Eaglehawk their hope of salvation

CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar 3 Meadowgate Drive

CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway

CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar 158 Nangathan Way

CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar 11 The Mall

KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Churinga SC, Russo Place

KILSYTH Kilsyth News & Lotto 520 - 528 Mt Dandenong Road

KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette87 Colchester Road

KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Canterbury Road Kilsyth

KILSYTH TSG Tobacco Churinga Shopping Centre Mt Dandenong Road

LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC 33-45 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC 51-59 Anderson Street

LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale Village Castella Street & Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre 7 Hardy Street

LILYDALE Eastern Laundries. 2/4 Williams Street East

LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre 1 Jarlo Drive

LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station 473 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale 346 Main Street

LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths 31 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE BP Service Station 87 Warburton Highway

LILYDALE Shell Service Station 469 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE 7 - Eleven Lilydale Cnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road

LILYDALE Coles Express 469 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe 251 Main Street

LILYDALE Round Bird Can’t Fly 170 Main Street

LILYDALE The Lilydale General 110 Beresford Road

LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery 96 Main Street

LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe 178 Main Street

LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe 222 Main Street

LILYDALE Gracious Grace Castella Street

LILYDALE Melba Coffee House 33-45 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies 7/75 Cave Hill Road

LILYDALE The Mustard Tree Cafe 3/28 John Street

LILYDALE Freda’s Cafe 2 Clarke Street

LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate 164 Main Street

LILYDALE Stockdale & Leggo Real Estate 281 Main Street

LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate 111-113 Main Street

LILYDALE Grubs Up 1 Industrial Park Drive

LILYDALE Olinda Creek Hotel Maroondah Hwy

LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy

LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street

MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road

MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road

MONTROSE IGA Supermarket 916 Mt Dandenong Road

MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road

MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road

MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street

MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent

MOUNT EVELYN Red Robin Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road

MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent

MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road

MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale 138 York Road

MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket 15 Brice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar 38 Bellara Dive

MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart 108 Hayrick Lane

MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark 103 Cardigan Road

MOOROOLBARK Coles Express 2 Cambridge Road

MOOROOLBARK Mooroolbark Coin Laundrette28 Manchester Road

MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real Estate Brice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK L J Hooker Brice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road

MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road

When children are born in Victoria they are wrapped in club-colours,laid in beribboned cots, having already begun a lifetime’s barracking.

Picture: UNSPLASH

OPINION

Using herbal tonics

Herbal tonics are wonderful. And when used correctly can be transformative.

In this article I’ll define what they are and how they can enhance and lift your vitality so that you meet your day with a renewed sense of vigour.

Herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years to help in all manner of health. Today, I’d like to discuss the role of using herbal adaptogens. These are a class of herbs with a sweet taste and are used to restore and replenish vitality in the body. Things like Liquorice, Withania, Siberian Ginseng, Rhodiola and Panax Ginseng are good examples. They improve physiological function and can be highly rejuvenating. Tonics are never used in an acute illness or, when you are actively receiving another treatment. It’s best to go through that situation of its own accord first and then consider tonic options. For example, during an acute cold or flu or, certain drug treatment like chemotherapy or radiation should only be augmented with tonics under the skill of a trained

Vampire tale

Healthy living

Tim Howden Paediatric Naturopath – Healesville

clinician. When used correctly they are excellent at fortifying the body’s innate ability to heal and self-repair. There are multiple situations that lend themselves to using herbal tonics.

Post-surgery, to accelerate wound healing. post-viral fatigue conditions (Glandular fever, Ross River Fever, EBV, Long Covid), During a stint of chronic stress (mental, physical, emotional), night sweats unrelated to acute illness, medication or hormonal shifts. Adaptogens can be used to enhance physical performance

and reduce post exercise fatigue. Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng) was used first by Russian cosmonauts to reduce fatigue and stress from cosmic radiation during space travel. It’s a great herb. There are multiple ways to use these herbs from tea, tincture, fluid extracts to decoction and use in soups of sorts. The biggest difference between is that teas and decoction tend to produce weaker extracts and as such larger volumes of both herbal material and quantity consumed is required to result in good outcomes. The preferred method is with a tablet or liquid extract. But, as with all things natural medicine there are potential pitfalls of the DIY method including incorrect product, tainted product, illegal product as well as issues around interactions with other drugs and the like.

Always consult your trusted degree-qualified practitioner to prescribe you an effective and safe protocol. So, if you’ve been struggling with low energy and poor vitality driven by issues like Long-Covid, take solace in knowing that herbal adaptogens may just be the ticket.

Hard-hitting Australian young novel

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN

A review of I Had Such Friends by Meg Gatland-Veness

El Cond Starring Jaime Vadell, Alfredo Castro and Paula Luchsinger

Rated MA15+

3.5/5

El Conde (Spanish for “The Count”) is a darkly funny, historically-conscious Chilean horror film marred by needless narration. Tired of eternal life, the vampire Augusto Pinochet (Jaime Vadell), formerly the dictator of Chile, meets with his five children to discuss their inheritance.

El Conde’s witty dialogue and squabbling, morally grey performances explore Pinochet’s despotic legacy and bring the complicated bonds of family to a macabre extreme.

Pinochet is torn between immortality and the relief of death, and his children love him but want him dead for his money. Paula Luchsinger conveys remarkable grace and subtle madness as a nun sent to kill Pinochet under the cover of an audit.

The narrative has a strong current of scheming and treachery on multiple fronts, and Pinochet’s grizzly hunts, with a soaring Vivaldi score and Pinochet literally soaring through the city for fresh victims, have an ironic grandeur: a dictator as a monster of the night in full uniform.

With its dark humour, class themes and focus on an aristocratic vampire whose world has left him behind, El Conde most closely resembles Paul Morrissey’s 1974 film Blood for Dracula.

El Conde’s biggest flaw is its obtrusive, incongruently posh British narration, which frequently explains things we can clearly see or infer in the scene.

The narration provides some laughs – the almost Julia Childs-like commentary over Pinochet drinking a victim’s heart in a blender is one of the funniest moments of the year – and it sets up a late-film twist that you may find ingenious or infuriating; I’m somewhere in the middle.

The film also peters out with an unsatisfying ending.

A gruesome, funny and cleverly-written horror film with unwelcome narration and a conclusion that may lose you, El Conde is streaming on Netflix.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

All Theatres

So, you require backstage help in your theatres? Have you read about theVeteran suicides? How can you help?

Coming soon to theatres Kemp’s curtain call

Go to your local RSL and speak to the President. Ask if he has any veterans and ex-servicemen looking to assimilate into the community. Explain your needs for offstage assistance and maybe you might help save a life.

Veterans have trouble settling in once they have left the service and this would be a good way to assimilate into their local community.

There are always vacancies for electricians, bar staff, carpenters, scene shifters, bio box staff, front of house, even a chance for someone to learn a new craft. Consider this appeal, speak to your local RSL and the possibility of aiding a veteran to settle in the community. you might save a life.

Burrinja Theatre

Bakehouse Cozen tour – Lloyd Spiegel Trio

The 14 time Australian Blues Award winner has one of the most interesting stories in music, having grown up on stage learning from and touring with the founding fathers of modern Blues.

The current show features the incredibly talented Lisa Baird on trombone and longtime collaborator Tim Burnham on drums. Combined with Spiegel’s guitar wizardry, powerful vocal performance and knack for storytelling, this trio with a twist delivers a truly unique entertainment that reinvents the blues and dispels the cliches associated with it.

This tour celebrates the release of Bakehouse Dozen. Recorded live with no overdubs at Melbourne iconic Bakehouse studios, the album offers reimagined versions of songs from Spiegel’s last 13 multi-award winning

CARTOON

recordings and showcases the raw energy and depth of the trio signalling what’s to come.

Season: Friday 6 October at 8pm Burrinja Theatre

The Basin Theatre Belle

The Walker sisters’ mother has eaten some bad tuna and been taken to hospital. Again. When oldest sister Penny calls to inform her five sisters a series of phone calls ensues. Second oldest Aneece is too busy being bitter at their mother to talk to Peggy. Audrey prefers to put Huckle, her ventriloquist dummy, on the phone instead of speaking to her sister and Sherry has changed her name to Dust, who is more interested in abstract poetry with her current lover than discussing their mother’s various ailments . Rosanne’s life is falling apart, yet she still seems to come second to her husband’s midlife crisis and youngest sister Paige is having romantic troubles all of which takes precedence over their mother’s latest drama. All in all Peggy doesn’t have much luck gaining sympathy for Mama.

· Season: October 5 – 15. Bookings: 1300 784 668

Remember:

The Bakery@1812. Phantom Call Season: October 5 – 28. Bookings: 9758 3964.

The title of Australian author Meg Gatland-Veness’s YA novel comes from the final lines of W.B. Yeats’s poem “The Municipal Gallery Revisited”: “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends / And say my glory was I had such friends.”

As the poet revisits old friends and old memories, he is “heart-smitten with emotion”, immersed in a wave of nostalgia and gratitude. In comparison, the first-person narrator Hamish in I Had Such Friends recalls his teenage years with much sorrow and regret:

“Sometimes we talk about the past, but it gets harder and harder each time. Sometimes we just cry.”

Seventeen-year-old Hamish lives on a cabbage farm and has extremely low self-esteem. As the second least popular student in his country-town high school, he envies those who are more popular and better looking, such as school captain Charlie and his girlfriend Annie. Hamish finds it difficult to engage with those around him, particularly after the death of his little sister. Not that he enjoys the company of his one and only friend Martin, although their friendship does help reduce the amount of bullying they receive daily.

The turning point comes after Charlie’s death in a car crash. As Hamish gets pulled into the lives of those left behind, he realises that nothing is as it seems. The truths are far more complicated and alarming, the darker sides of Australian youth, school and family culture both undesirable and unavoidable. One of the hard-hitting themes in the book is the impact of toxic masculinity on how teenagers perceive others and themselves. Not just the misconception that masculinity means being physically strong and superior, but the false assumption has become so prevalent that those failing to abide by it are deemed, by others and even by themselves, as weak and deserving ridicule and derision.

The author’s own teaching experience has enabled her to explore another unpleasant yet undeniable part of the true nature of a universal high school experience – the use of aggression and violence against those who deviate from the commonly accepted social “norms”. Whether it is Hamish or his more popular friends, bullying happens whenever an individual is judged to be above, below or away from the “standards” recognised and upheld by the collective. But the most vivid depiction is of the haunting, desperate feeling of loneliness that Hamish and his friends often experience, especially when they are with their family. Every teenager in the story has secrets that they cannot share with their parents, for fear of not being understood, accepted, believed and/or supported. While this feeling of isolation helps them bond with each other, it also deepens their own sense of vulnerability and helplessness.

As the author’s first novel, I Had Such Friends displays the kind of raw brilliance that only debut writers possess, rich in emotions and empathy. While Hamish’s penchant for self-deprecation is occasionally excessive, his is an authentic voice full of love and compassion for his friends. It is this devotion that gives us hope.

HOME WITH 3 LIVING AREAS

COMMANDING on an elevated position to take in the beautiful treed vistas, this residence is as functional as it is appealing. Set amongst a near ¼ acre allotment that has been beautifully landscaped.

Families will enjoy the safe child friendly court position and the efficient floorplan which blends communal family zones and still offers parental privacy when required. You are spoilt for choice with three separate living spaces. This young home built in 2013 is light, bright, and airy, the current owners have meticulously maintained it. It is the perfect property to enjoy the indoor/outdoor lifestyle we all love. The residence offers:

4 bedrooms all with robes

· Zoned master suite with bathroom and walk-in robe

· New carpets

· Outdoor covered dining, extended paving makes for easy entertaining

Abundant storage throughout

Secure rear yard for pets

Gas ducted heating

Superbly appointed kitchen, Caesarstone benchtops, walk in pantry, SS appliances, and lovely views to the rear yard.

· 3 separate living areas

· Spacious bathroom with bath and separate shower

Roomy laundry with excellent storage

Remote double garage with interior access. Sealed road access.

HOME ESSENTIALS

If you are looking to escape to a quieter existence in a welcoming township of community minded people, Gembrook will really be a pleasing tree-change. Somewhere you can see yourself living for a long time, raising the family, or just having room to move in beautiful surrounds, 9 Kookaburra Court, Gembrook should be on the top of your list. ● Address: 9

EXCEPTIONAL PRESENTATION AND OUTLOOK

WITH exceptional presentation and exquisite treetop outlooks, this impressive property is the ultimate Hills retreat. Positioned for practicality steps from Baynes Park, Monbulk Aquatic Centre, and Main Road amenities, you will feel tucked away from busy life without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

This spectacular residence sits atop a wide, sweeping drive with ample parking that leads to a under-house carport. Through the beautifully bright foyer with stylish study or home office space, you are led upstairs to a series of sophisticated spaces suited to growing families. Spotted Gum Timber flooring and floor to ceiling architecturally designed windows line each room, beginning in the dining area and lounge with a cosy wood fire with custom accent wall. From here, the floorplan flows into the open plan family room, meals area, and kitchen with wall oven, stainless steel dishwasher, and inviting island seating. For seamless and seasonal indoor-outdoor enjoyment, this level connects to the covered balcony at the

front and the open and covered decking at the rear for entertaining year-round.

Keeping the focus firmly on comfort are the spacious bedrooms provided. Each bedroom is adorned with built-in robes and the main bedroom boasts a walk-in robe, elegant ensuite with claw foot tub, and private balcony.

Set upon a splendid 1,434sqm (approx.) allotment with mature gardens and magnificent outlooks, this move-in ready residence makes it easy to imagine living here. Inspection will impress.

Spacious and sun-filled foyer with large windows for a warm and inviting feel

· Open plan dining area and lounge with timber floors and cosy wood fire

· Quality kitchen with wall oven overlooking the meals area and family room

· Main bedroom with walk-in robe, ensuite with claw foot tub, and balcony

Family bedrooms with built-in robes positioned near the stylish bathroom Gas ducted heating, large carport, and prime position steps from town ●

FOUR BEDROOM HOME ON HALF ACRE

A very rare package.

This big family home is only a few years young featuring two living areas, 4 bedrooms and a work from home office.

Meander across the road for a fresh coffee and cake, set on a fabulous half acre of land ( 2406 sq.m) with two titles and good vehicle access via separate driveways.

The brick veneer home has a double garage with internal access, and there is so much space outside with lawn areas, veggie garden and plenty of room for the kids to play. Master bedroom with ensuite and walkin robe, continue down the hall to the heart of the home being the kitchen, complete with walk in pantry, island bench and big open plan living area.

HOME ESSENTIALS

There is even a powder room and family bathroom, a gorgeous private alfresco off the living area that also gives you full access to your big backyard. Tiled floors throughout keep it simple and easy to clean, good quality blinds and the added extra of external shutters for that hot sunshine. Gas ducted heating for those cold winter nights, located close to The Flying Apron, Artisan Baker, Mill House Fromagerie and the Warburton Hotel.

Also only minutes walk to primary school, Rail Trail, and a bus stop right out front.

Not far is the Wesburn Park for all your recreational needs.

You will love this entire package. Call now for inspection. ●

Address: 2895 Warburton Highway, WESBURN Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage

Contact: Leah Bannerman 0448 924 266, BELL REAL ESTATE - YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277

Price: $890,000 - $975,000

Inspect: By appointment

SaturdayAuctionDate1:00pm21stOct

Have you been searching for the perfect opportunity to craft your dream home or investment? Look no further! Nestled in the serene embrace of Badger Creek, this home welcomes you with the opportunity to improve your investment as you go along.

The lounge room and bedrooms boast floorboards while the pitched ceilings create an inviting sense of space and airiness The kitchen/dining room area features a tiled floor, offering the perfect canvas for your culinary aspirations. All three bedrooms come complete with built-in robes, providing ample storage while maintaining the home's spacious ambiance. Whether you're seeking a family haven or an investment with rental potential, this property offers the comfort and functionality you desire.

Don't miss out on this incredible canvas for your dreams. Yes, there is work to be done both inside and out but opportunities like this are far and few between in today's market. Contact Jane today on 0432 375 940 to schedule a viewing.

GREAT LOCATION, SPACE AND PRIVACY

THIS beautifully presented 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom family home is a delight with its freshly painted interior and new floating floorboards. The family home is situated on approx. ½ an acre of parklike easy to maintain land.

There is a double carport conveniently located next to the home. Then enjoy the tranquility as you relax on the front verandah or enter the comfort of the home with its ducted heating and split system air-conditioning. There are two bedrooms with built-in robes and a third bedroom that enjoys the view over the front yard. The splitlevel living separates the lounge room from the open plan kitchen/dining area.

There is a large laundry with separate door to the rear fully fenced backyard, complete with garden shed. The dining area has sliding glass door to the rear decking. The family bathroom is equipped with a separate shower and then bath for family convenience.

Located less than 5 minutes to all the conveniences of Cockatoo, and less than 10 minutes to Emerald township – this home has so much to offer.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today.

Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

IfYouWanttoWalktoEverythingthisFamilyHomeistheOneforYou!

Literally150mfromtheheartofEmerald,this4+bedroom,familyhomehasgorgeousviews&room forall!TheMasterBedroomisdownstairswithensuite&WIR,withadressingroom/potential5th bedroom.Downstairsare3internal&2externallivingareas,anopenplankitchen/diningarea withpantry/utilityroom&aspaciousfamilyroom/rumpusroom.Thereisanentertainingdeck&an undercoverentertainingareawithbuiltinbar.Upstairsare3freshlypainted,robedbedroomswith newcarpets,arenovatedbathroom&viewsfromeverywindow.Withgasheating,airconditioning, asplitsystemupstairs,astudy/homeoffice&elegantplantationshuttersthroughout.Outsideisa 6x8mlockupgarage/workshopwithremotedoor&adjacent,highbay7x8mdoublecarportperfect forthecaravanorboat&plentyofextraparkingforthetrailer,guestsandfamily.

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

Beautifullyrenovatedhomewithgorgeoustreedoutlook,andsocloseto town!

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

25CurrawongDrive,Gembrook$845,000-$895,000

GreatLocation!FamilyHome!SpaceandPrivacy!

2IsaacStreet,Cockatoo$650,000-$710,000 SamanthaScott M 0438680032

MudBrickdelightsoakingin19acresofGembrooknature!

Thispicturesquemudbrickhomefeaturesacathedralceilingloungeroomwithlargewoodfire& masterbedroomintheloft!DownstairsthereisasecondmasterbedroomwithalargeWIR,&office/ secondloungeareawithabathroomwithbath&shower&separatetoilet.Thekitchenhasagas oven&woodfiredstove.Thereisafullyfencedpaddockperfectforapony/goat.Thereisadouble carport&aseparateteenagersretreat/officebuildingwithtoilet,shower,kitchenette,loungearea, laundryarea,bedroom,twostoragerooms&fencedyard.Thereisalsoafreestandingroomperfect asacraftroom/officespace.Featuringa3carlockablebarn/workshopwithpower&concreted floors.Thishomeistotallyoffgrid,witha9kWsolarsystem&batterysetup,supportedbyagenerator. Thereisapproximately55000Loftankwaterstoredinthreelargewatertanks,&asepticsystem.

SamanthaScott M 0438680032

SamanthaScott M 0438680032

AaronDay M 0407365994

BC

3 A 2

EMBRACE ULTIMATE FAMILY LIVING

INTRODUCING this immaculate

4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home on a 1800 sqm block.

The highlights are boundless, starting with the recently renovated kitchen that will surely delight any culinary enthusiast.

Complemented by the beautiful hardwood floorboards throughout the home add a touch of elegance and warmth.

The flexible floorplan is designed to accommodate various living arrangements, featuring four bedrooms plus a generous home office or additional bedroom if required.

Entertaining guests is a breeze with the open plan lounge flowing into the dining area and rumpus room, all seamlessly connecting to a covered outdoor entertaining space.

It’s the perfect spot for gatherings and relaxing moments, allowing you to enjoy indoor-outdoor living, whether you’re entertaining guests or simply relaxing with your loved ones. The recent renovation has brought forth a stunning kitchen, with plenty of storage and countertop space, plus a new laundry which brings functionality to this charming abode.

Families with children and pets will appreciate the fully fenced backyard, providing a safe and secure space for kids and pets to play freely. Additionally, ample off-street parking for vehicles, caravans, or boats ensures that all your parking needs are met.

Extra features include: 2.7m high ceilings in the main living area, gas ducted heating throughout plus an Ultimate fan-forced wood heater in the lounge, evaporative cooling for year-round comfort and robes to all bedrooms.

This exceptional family home is accessed via a dual access service road and has so much to offer, from its recent upgrades to its spacious layout and location, close to Belgrave and Emerald. If you’re looking for a property that checks all the boxes, don’t miss the opportunity to make this house your new home! ●

Commandinganelevatedpositionwithbeautifultreedvistas,thisresidenceisas functionalasitisappealingandissetamongstanearly¼acreallotmentthathasbeen beautifullylandscaped.Setinasafecourtpositionandfeaturesanefficientfloorplan, allbedroomswithBIR’s/WIR,superbkitchenwithCeasarstonebenchtops&WIP,laundry roomwithexcellentstorage,newcarpets,GdH,fullyfenced backyard,remotegarage withinternalaccess.Builtin2013,thereisnothingtodoexceptmoveinandenjoy!

thiswonderful1950’sbuilt6-acre(mainlyflat)propertyis offeredforsaleforthefirsttime. thegardensareglorious,burstingwithSpringcoloursandtheresidenceoffersFrench dooraccessontothecoveredpatio,spacioustimberkitchen,light-filledlivingwithstone accentedfireplace,hardwoodfloors,grand-sizedbathroom, asecondshower‘room,’ WC,largelaundry,coveredentertainingareawithopenfireplace,4paddocks,anold tenniscourt,woodshed,stable,garage,workshop,covered storeandanothershed.

12.5 ACRES (APPROX) WITH MOUNTAIN VIEWS

A prime real estate parcel is on offer here, in a fabulous location directly opposite the iconic Warburton Trail, awaiting your dream home to be unearthed. The acreage has power already connected, water tanks and some infrastructure that will have you temporarily sheltered while you embark on the build.

With open fields and jaw dropping mountain views of the Warburton Ranges, there are several beautiful options for you to site your new home (stca) and start realising your dream.

Previously occupied as a wholesale nursery, there are some sheds, watering systems, stunning well established fruit trees, and feature a light mix of ornamental and native trees for privacy and appeal.

With approximately a 3 minute drive, or a 20 minute walk to the hub of the Yarra Junction township, this property provides a rural lifestyle with all of the conveniences nearby. Yarra Junction has primary and high schools, Woolworths, doctors, dentists, sporting clubs and the list goes onpretty much all you need for your everyday requirements.

Call anytime for a private inspection of this special property. No pedestrian access available. ●

CottageCharmonalovelybigblock!

Thisprettyproperty,fullofcharmandcharacterisaperfectfirsthomeorwouldbeidealforafamily needingspacewithasuperbparceloflandof927squaremetres!3spaciousbedrooms,astudy, andalovelycosyloungewithductedheatingandsplitsystemcooler/heater.Thekitchen/meals zoneisopenplanandveryspaciouswithamplestorageandbenchspaceandalovinglyupdated bathroomoffersaneatandlight-filledspacewiththeconvenienceof2toiletsisabonusforfamily peace.Outdoorsyouwillenjoyaspaciousreardeckthatoverlooksyourbeautifulyard,complete withveggiegarden,cubbyhouse,gardenshedwithpower,alockupshed/studiowithpower, concretefloorandamezzanine,andadoublecarport.EnjoyashortstrolltotheWarburtonTrail, WooriYallockshops,schoolandpublictransport.Thisisagreatpropertytocallhome.

14AlexandraCourt,WooriYallock$790,000-$840,000

EntertaininStyleandClassallyearround

Situatedinpeaceful,picturesquesemiruralsurroundsandwithsensationalYarraValleyviewsto admireit’saplaceyouwon’twanttoleave.Thehomeissuperblypresentedinsideandoutand offers3greatsizebedroomsallwithbuiltinrobesandaluxuriousmainbathroom.Sitback,relax andenjoytheeverchangingValleyviewsfromthespaciousfamily/livingroom,plusanadditional meals/diningarea,thekitchenwillimpresswithmodernuptodateappliancesandqualityfixtures andfittingswithamplebenchandcupboardspace.Outsideisanentertainersparadisewhere youcanentertaininstyleallyearroundwithahugecoveredentertainingarea.Loadsofcar accommodationwithadoublecarportandseparatelockupgarage.Afantasticwelllookedafter home,withgreatviewsandsituatedinaverysoughtafterarea,it’sagreatplacetocallhome.

10LittleJoeCourt,Wesburn$990,000-$1,080,000

FamilyLivingwithLoadsofSpaceandConvenience

Positionedtoplease&offeringloadsofspaceinsideandout,boasting4generousbedroomsand includinganensuiteandwalkthroughrobeinthemainbedroom.Theopenplankitchenoffers amplebenchandcupboardspacewithqualityappliancesandfittingsthroughout,hugelivingareas withseparatefamily/lounge/livingroomandmealsareawithplentyofroom.Ductedheating,wood heatingandevaporativecoolingthroughoutofferyearroundcomfort.Wellover1acre(4476sqm) ofestablishedgardensandlushlawnsthekidsandpetswillloveit,alargelockuphighclearance garage/workshopprovidestheidealspotforcaravans,boats,trucksandtrailers,plusaseparate2 cargarageandtool/gardenshed.Asuperbfamilyhomeinapopularandverysoughtafterarea locatedinaquietcourtwithgreatmountainviews.

DavidCarroll

M 0419539320

Inspection: Sat12.00-12.30pm 4 A 2 B 8 C

FAMILYCOMFORTSPACEANDCONVENIENCE

Somethingalittledifferentandcertainlyveryuniqueandveryimpressive,thisbeautifullypresented homeoffers3bedroomsallwithbuiltinrobes.Greatsizelivingspacewithalargefamily/livingroom andseparatemeals/diningarea,thekitchenisamazingwithstunningtimberbenchtopsandloads ofbenchandcupboardspace.Thewholefamilywilllovetheoutdoorswithgreatusablefrontand backyardswithplentyofspaceforthekidsandpetstorunaroundandenjoyandexplore.Sitback relaxandadmirethesuperbmountainviewsfromtheentertainingdeckandBBQarea,asuperb familypropertyconvenientlypositionedjustashortwalktolocalschools,shops,transportandthe Yarrariverandwalkingtrail,agreatplacetocallhome.

19WongaRoad,Millgrove$580,000-$620,000

LARGE, SPACIOUS AND ROOM TO GROW

SPANNING over two spacious levels of living, this large lifestyle property is now available and ready for its next lucky owners.

Perfect for a large family or versatile to suit those who work from home and need the extra space, this floorplan design can work for almost everyone. With four generous bedrooms, home office plus four living zones, peace and privacy is absolutely assured.

Character features such as exposed brick walls, raked ceilings and step down lounge work harmoniously alongside contemporary renovations that include oversized modern kitchen and a stunning ensuite to the main bedroom.

Ducted heating is sure to keep you warm and cosy when needed but alongside that you have an open fireplace in the main lounge, a coonara style heater in the dining area and also multiple split systems throughout.

Outside, an undercover entertaining area is big enough to host any party and with a fully useable, fenced rear yard, children and pets can play safely all day long. A double garage with storage shed, extra parking for trailers and cars plus a sealed driveway all help to create this perfect package.

Located perfectly between both Upwey and Tecoma townships, local train stations and within a very easy walk to Upwey High and local primary schools, this large family home has an abundance of space and room to grow. ●

almostatyourfrontdoor,thisbeautifullypresentedapartmentgivesyouthebestofboth worlds–AcitylivingfeelwithconvenienceandwithinafriendlyHillscommunity.

SharynChandler

M 0439882442| E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

RachelEastwood M 0401117761| E rachel@chandlerandco.com.au

Enjoythischaracter-filledhomeonacovetedlevelallotmentwithinwalkingdistanceof Upweytownshipandtrainstation.Suitedtobuyershopingtosecuretheperfectblendof moderncomfortandtimelesscharm,thispropertywillmakealastingimpression.

BradConder

M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

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

1JamesStreet,SELBY

$690,000to$720,000

WHIMSICALHOMEINWONDERFULPOCKETPOSITION

3 A 1 B 2 C

Thiswhimsicalresidencewillalightimaginationswithitscharm,potential,position,and 1,435sqm(approx.)property.Filledwithhandcraftedelementsandenrichedwithadouble carportandabundantoff-streetparking,thispropertynearbustransportandlocalshops isajoytobehold.Fromthesunroomentry,theinteriorbranchestoanamplehomeoffice/ studyandtheopenplandiningareaandkitchen.

SuzieBrannelly

M 0490506910| E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

Offeredforsaleforthefirsttimeinalmost50years,oneofthemosticonicproperties throughouttheDandenongRangesisnowavailableforsale.Situatedontheedge ofSherbrookeForest,stretchingasfarastheeyecansee,theincredibleviewstakein Westernport,PortPhillipBayandthethousandsoftwinklinglightsinbetween.The78acres (approx.)ofmostlycleared,undulatinglandhasbeautiful,richsoilandhasbeenpartofthe Endersby’sdaffodilfarmsince1974.

SharynChandler

M 0439882442| E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

GlennChandler

M 0418410689| E glenn@chandlerandco.com.au

PUZZLES

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 One who believes in sharing evenly amongst the community  (9)

6 Temperate (4)

10 Poem (3)

11 Armour that covers the chest (11)

12 To make more attractive (8)

13 Difficult (6)

14 Puerto Rican actor, – Guzmán (4)

15 Expresses disapproval (7)

20 Supervisors (7)

21 Landlocked West African country (4)

25 Discharge (6)

26 Producing haze (8)

28 Ornamentation (11)

29 Phone program (abbr) (3)

30 Preservative (4)

31 Visible features of an area (9)

DOWN

1 Grow rapidly (8)

2 A species of buttercup (8)

DECODER

3 Heads of a monastery (6)

4 Beyond words, indescribable (9)

5 Examine (4)

7 Roma is its capital (6)

8 Dragnet (6)

9 Work; use (7)

16 Height (9)

17 Line dividing the earth and the sky (7)

18 Vista (8)

19 First name of Italian composer Verdi (8)

22 Strata (6)

23 Sudden gust of wind (6)

24 Indicates (6)

27 One of the seasons (US) (4)

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

10 words: Good

sign, signing, signs, sing, singing, sings, sins, snag, snags

assign, ASSIGNING, gags, gains, gassing, gins, nags, nisi, sags, sang,

William Matthews

24 HOUR SERVICE - ALLAREAS 9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au

Trades & Services

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

DAWSONS DAWSONS

General Notices

Fox and Feral Cat Control Program

Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area, Bunyip State Park, Kurth Kiln Regional Park.

Parks Victoria strives to protect Victoria’s special places. This includes the control of introduced plant and animal species. As part of an ongoing strategy, notice is hereby given that Parks Victoria will be laying buried baits containing Sodium Monofluoroacetate (1080 poison) and PAPP (para-aminopropiophenone) on public land for the control of foxes. Parks Victoria will also be deploying Canid Pest Ejector bait stations containing 1080 poison and PAPP on public land for the control of foxes.

Baits containing 1080 poison will be laid from 2 October 2023 until 30 June 2024. Bait and trapping stations will be laid at strategic sites, and other known areas of fox habitat, within these parks. Notification signage will be posted throughout the baiting areas. Members of the public who are living, visiting, or working in the above-named areas are advised to take particular care not to disturb or interfere with bait stations or traps. Dogs and cats are not permitted in Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area or Bunyip State Park. Dogs must be on lead at Kurth Kiln Regional Park.

More

Phone 13

Magpies were too strong

Mount Evelyn’s B Grade netballers put in a tough fight against Narre Warren for the premiership title but unfortunately the Magpies were too strong for the Rovers.

Narre Warren won the grand final in the opening term when they looked unbeatable with a 15-6 start.

After this the Rovers worked hard to get back into the game but the initial deficit was too great and they came up four goals shy of the Magpies.

Narre Warren 43 def Mt. Evelyn 39 Star Mail photographer Stewart Chambers was there to capture the action.

First annual high school bowls tournament a success

By Roland Smith

The very first annual Lilydale High School Lawn Bowls Tournament took place at Lilydale Lawn Bowls Club as 118 students made the trek to the greens. They assembled into 40 teams made up from pupils ranging from Years 7 through to 11.

The play was spread across all three greens.

The competition ran for the duration of the whole school day.

What a magnificent tournament it was as each team with a resolve to win, showed great skills in an atmosphere of good sportsmanship and the occasional cheeky gamesmanship.

Several students who are part of the amazing Lilydale High School program, Excellence In Sport, which focuses on Australian Rules Football, Basketball and Netball were amongst the competitors. Each team competed in a round robin format that included 4 games of 6 ends each.

After over three hours of bowling every one stopped for a delicious barbecue lunch provided by the Lilydale Bowls Club.

Sue, Trish and Andrew did a marvellous job in feeding the large cohort of teenage tummies, teachers and volunteers.

The fourth round was played over the hour after lunch. Following that, the players who had not made it through became spectators of the semi finals and subsequent Grand Final.

Teams 17 and 1 made it to the Final. There was an air of expectancy and excitement as the students flanked the players on the bank and on the green itself to watch the last game.

Although each team won an equal number of ends in the Final, it was the team that hadn’t performed quite as well in the round robin that got up to win the Final. Well done to Xav, Ewan and Jack.

The runners up received $150 of gift vouchers and the winners $300.

A shout out to Greg from the Bowls Club

was.

Many have suggested that it would

MtEvelyn’sSalenaJohnsonreachesfortheball. 362383

Pictures:STEWARTCHAMBERSMtEvelyn’sLillyKellydefendsaMagpies’shot ongoal. 362383

MountEvelynweregivingittheiralltooutdo NarreWarren. 362383

MtEvelyn’sTaiyshaWallistakesaleaping catch. 362383

and Alister from Lilydale High who made the day the success it

be

wonderful to have an inter-school tournament where other secondary colleges in the area fight it out for a trophy.

Everyone is welcome to come down to the Lilydale Bowls Club to enjoy good company and have a go at lawn bowls.

LilydaleHighSchoolstudentsXav,EwanandJackwalkedawaywiththetournamentwin. Pictures:SUPPLIED Thefirstannualtournamentwasasuccess.

SPORT

Dominant Bulldogs rule

By Marcus Uhe

A 63-point win in Saturday’s Outer East Football Netball League Premier Division grand final saw Wandin secure its ninth senior premiership in emphatic fashion, ending Narre Warren’s reign as champions of the competition in the last two completed seasons.

The battle-hardened and brutal Bulldogs were at their brilliant best, running their Magpie opponents ragged at Officer Recreation Reserve in the 21.15 141 to 11.12 78 victory.

Momentum swung violently in the first quarter that ended with a slight Wandin lead, having bookended the term with two goals.

Clint Johnson and Patrick Hodgett kicked the opening two as Narre Warren started slow after their week off, but hit back quickly with the next four in 10 minutes.

Having weathered the early storm, and with fatigue likely to factor as the game continued, there were danger signs for the Bulldogs who were missing opportunities on goal, a common theme of the season.

But Daniel Hirst and Aaron Mullett goals in time-on ensured the Bulldogs hit the lead at quarter time as spectators took their breath following an absorbing half-hour.

A rapid first quarter gave way to a much slower and controlled second, as both sides adjusted to the physicality of the occasion.

The first four goals of the quarter were traded, Brodie Atkins’ snap under pressure at ground level a highlight for the Bulldogs after absorbing pressure for long stretches.

Two goals in three minutes seemed to awaken the dangerous Will Howe, who had little impact on the contest to this point.

But a pair of contested marks and accurate kicks saw him work his way into the action, much to the dread of the boisterous Wandin army.

Things threatened to unravel for Wandin, but they never lost their composure.

Two goals to both Mullett and Hodgett and one to Joel Garner late in term saw the Bulldogs open up a 29-point lead at half time to leave their opponents stunned.

Wandin entered the rooms full of life, where Narre Warren was flat-footed and looking for answers.

Rarely had they been challenged to this extent, the shock and confusion was written allover the defending premier’s faces and body language.

Little changed to begin the second half,

withWandin sniffing blood and out for the kill.

Connor Smith and Mullett both missed chances to open the term before Joel Garner and Cody Hirst showed the forwards how it’s done after combining at stoppages, as the lead grew to 44, the largest of the afternoon on the back of seven straight majors.

Howe finally offered a reply for the Magpies, who kicked the next three asWandin appeared to tire.

Kicks out of the back half strayed out of bounds on the full, as numbers clogged the back half under weight of pressure from further afield.

Goals to Peter Gentile and Riley Siwes for the Magpies cut the lead down to 23 points, before Hodgett answered again late in the term for a 29-point buffer as the sides changed neds for one final time in 2023.

The first goal of the final term was going to set the tone for the remainder of the match, and it was Connor Smith who did the damage within 13 seconds.

Much like he had in the third term, the pocket rocket emerged from the congestion in the middle of the ground with a flying shot on the run, but this time he kicked truly to bring theWandin army back to life.

Howe answered back for the Magpies shortly after, but that would their final push, as the final minutes turned from contest to procession for the premiers to be.

Jordan Jaworski, Mullett, Hodgett and Johnson all goaled as the minutes ticked away, before Baha Men’s “Who let the dogs out?” rung out around the ground following the final siren.

Cody Hirst was awarded best on ground,

while Mullett finished with six goals and Hodgett five in the club’s first senior premiership since 2018.

NarreWarrenGoals: Will Howe 3, Corey Bader 2, Harrison Brain, Jesse Davies, Peter Gentile, Tom Miller, Riley Siwes, Tom Toner. Best: Cameron Miller, Brad Scalzo, Travis Callahan, Peter Gentile, Jesse Davies, Joel Zietsman.

Wandin Goals: Aaron Mullett 6, Patrick Hodgett 5, Clinton Johnson 3, Joel Garner 2, Brodie Atkins, Cody Hirst, Daniel Hirst, Jordan Jaworski, Connor Smith. Best: Cody Hirst, Patrick Hodgett, Aaron Mullett, Chayce Black, Joel Garner, Patty Bruzzese.

Bestonground: Cody Hirst -Wandin.

Best afield Cody Hirst at heart of Bulldog brotherhood

By Marcus Uhe

Cody Hirst described the bond between the playing group at Wandin as a ‘brotherhood’, and the reality is not too far removed from the analogy.

The midfielder, who was crowned bestafield in the grand final triumph over Narre Warren, had the special distinction of winning a senior premiership with his brother Daniel.

They, along with the Hodgett’s (Sam and Patrick) and the Garner’s (Joel and Todd) made up of a quarter of the premiership side on Saturday.

But to simplify a brotherhood to just the legitimate bloodlines would not do the connection within the squad justice.

“To do it with us and the Byrnes, the Hodgetts, we’ve known each other for years, and the Garners, we all went to primary school together,” Hirst said after the game.

“To win one together means the absolute world.

“The whole club, everyone’s a real brotherhood and I love it.

“To do it with my brother as well, I’m speechless.”

Hirst was the standout among a quality band of midfielders on Saturday, covering the ground with ease and racking up possessions at will, while joining Daniel on the goalkicker’s list for the first time this season.

For Hirst, who finished second in the

league best-and-fairest behind one of Saturday’s combatants in Tom Miller, the dominant performance was the culmination of an incredible year for the club, his second in red white and blue.

Things could have gone either way midway through the second quarter, when Narre Warren were landing blow-after-blow after an earlyWandin onslaught.

But the Bulldogs had an intangible forged through the fire and hardship of getting to the last day of the season the hard way; belief.

“We talked about it all year and in preseason we all showed up,” he said.

“We had a few little hiccups throughout the year but we dealt with it, overcome them and it’s the best feeling in the world.

“We knew the tide was going to change, we knew they were going to come.

“Their midfield is really good, Miller, (Kurt) Mutimer, (Tom) Toner, we knew it was going to happen.

“We knew we had to stick our process and we knew that we’d be right.

“That game could have gone two ways, it was a bit of a flip of the coin.

“We had the belief. Our footy club is all about belief and we talk about it.

“To the Wandin army, to our supporters who come out, it was like having a 23rd man out there.

“They’re a great outfit, so to run over the top of them and get the job done, I’m pretty speechless, I’m so proud of them.”

Cody Hirst with his well-earned silverware as the best player on the ground in the grand final. 362388

Picture: ROB CAREW

Wandin are premiers of Outer East Football Netball League Premier Division for 2023. 362388

Picture: ROB CAREW

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