Mail - Ranges Trader Star Mail - 26th September 2023

Educator speaks out about The Voice

Long walk for a cause

Ten weeks on foot, sleeping in a van, with the bare essentials is the upcoming future lifestyle of one local Knox resident.

Retired academic Dr Prabodh Malhotra is embarking on his second long walk to raise funds for Australians impacted by breast cancer, making the journey from the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the Sydney Cricket Ground on foot.

After making the journey last year, Dr Malhotra is challenging himself with an even longer walk, adding approximately 200 kilometres to his already extensive path.

To read more of Dr Malhotra’s story, turn to page 10

No to landfill site

Knox residents are letting their concerns be heard over a planning application that has been submitted to the Yarra Ranges Council.

Earlier this year, the council received a planning application for the creation of a landfill at 465 Lysterfield Road, the current location of Don Bosco retreat.

The application proposes to dump 400,000 cubic metres of landfill from sites around Melbourne across an area of approximately 15 hectares, from government and miscellaneous

projects around the state, over a three-year period.

Local community groups and residents have brought to light several issues in regards to the application, with the key concern being that the site is part of a Green Wedge Overlay, meaning the environment of the area is supposed to be protected as a priority.

The land in question was also subject to a hearing in front of the Victorian Civil and Administrative tribunal seeking approval for

subdividing to be built on, where members decided against the application in favour of the environmental factors and protections in play.

Due to the site’s close vicinity to Monbulk Creek, of which reports say there are platypus that still reside in the waterway and may be impacted by the waste should the application be approved, locals are saying biodiversity and the environment needs to be the top priority.

Despite all other concerns arising from locals in recent weeks, there is one question that

remains unanswered for a concerned community: why?

The applications at hand show no reason as to why the site in question has been chosen, or why the applicants have made this request.

While locals are speaking out to the council, arguing that the application should not go ahead, the Yarra Ranges Council is yet to make a decision on the application.

To read the full story turn to page 6

Dr Prabodh Malhotra will walk from the MCG to the SCG raising funds for breast cancer.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Levy targeting 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

Open Day Peppertree Hill

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 the Yarra 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.”

AnunoccupiedAirbnbpropertyinHealesville.

Picture:ONFILE

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.

Police CCTV spotted in Emerald

Local residents have seen the mobile camera that has been erected in Paternoster Road, as a result of issues raised by the public in relation to speeding vehicles and hoon behaviour in the area.

Units from Cardinia Highway Patrol, Emerald and Pakenham Police have increased their patrols in the area to ensure the message gets across that poor driver behaviour is not acceptable.The CCTV trailer reinforces that message by being a visual deterrent, as well as providing an opportunity to record any offences occurring in the vicinity.

Cardinia Police have two CCTV trailers at their disposal, which have most recently been utilised at several local footy finals and other significant community events.

Be aware of your load

Motorists are reminded that penalties apply for breaching load requirements with regard to vehicles and trailers.

On Thursday 21 September on Stud Rd, Wantirna South, a 55-year-old male was issued with penalty notices totalling $1,154 and incurred 3 demerit points in relation to the unsafe loading of this utility and trailer.

More information can be found by checking the VicRoads website.

Slow down on the road

A 19-year-old male probationary driver was detected speeding at 112 km/h in a 80 km/h zone on Melba Highway, Dixons Creek on Saturday 23 September.

He was issued with a $625 penalty notice and his licence will be suspended for 3 months.

Over the limit

At a Preliminary Breath Testing (PBT) site on Churchill Park Dr, Lysterfield, a 42-year-old female probationary driver returned an Evidentiary Breath Test (EBT) result of 0.107 on Saturday 23 September.

The woman was also not displaying Pplates on her car. She was issued with penalty notices totalling $1,009 and her licence was cancelled and disqualified for 10 months.

A 41-year-old woman who entered the testing site was found to be a suspended licence holder. Her vehicle was scanned by the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera fitted to all HWP vehicles alerting the members to her licence status.

She will be charged on summons with the offence.

Busted over the limit

At a booze bus site in Croydon South on Sunday 24 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. Also, 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 6-months. All drivers who are convicted of drink-driving offences (Court or penalty notice) will have to have an alcohol interlock installed in their vehicle once re-licenced.

If you drink or take drugs and drive, we will catch you and the penalties are severe!

Say yes!

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

Picture: LOUISA JONES

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, Mr Violi 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

By Callum Ludwig

Labor Senator for Victoria Linda White is voting Yes in The Voice 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 and Torres 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.That points to me that you need something strong so it can continue.”

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.

“I had a great opportunity to see not only constitutional experts, but also leading advocates like Noel Pearson and Megan Davis, who came to the committee and spoke about both what they thought it would do for the community, but also legally how they thought it would sound.”

Ms White and her team have also helped the Casey for Yes campaigners in setting up forums, making phone callouts and running street stalls throughout the electorate.

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 Indig-

enous 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.”

When raised concerns about the capacity of The Voice to make representations to the government, the Committee was reassured by the advice of the following constitutional experts that there was little to no basis for those concerns: former Chief Justice of the High Court Robert French, former High Court Justice Kenneth Hayne, Professor Anne Twomey, Professor GeorgeWilliams AO and Mr BretWalker KC, the Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth.

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.”

The Committee also accepted advice provided by legal experts and the Solicitor-Gen-

eral that government operations will not be slowed down by The Voice and that it wouldn’t create a ‘legal quagmire’ that overruns the court with cases.

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

“If you don’t know, find out about it, there are 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, in life, you don’t keep doing things that don’t work, you change it up and you try something different and this has been asked of us by Indigenous people so we should be listening to what they’ve asked us.”

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 August 3, 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.

“I think what happened in the online meeting was just a bad thing because it just didn’t resort to intelligent discussion, it was just about intimidation and I don’t think there’s any place in this discussion for that.”

Anyone wishing to view the proposed section regarding The Voice that would be added to the Constitution can find it at: legislation. gov.au/Details/C2023B00060

For the full advisory report from The Committee on The Voice, you can read more at: aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Former_Committees/Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Voice_Referendum/VoiceReferendum/Report.

Labor Senator for Victoria Linda White.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Landfill planning concerns

By Tanya Faulkner

It may be time for Knox locals and visitors to retreat from a local retreat, as plans are proposed to replace the haven with a landfill in the area.

A planning application that has been submitted to theYarra Ranges Council, which proposes the installation of a landfill at 465 Lysterfield Road, in Lysterfield, which is currently the site of the Don Bosco Retreat.

According to the applicant, Salesian Society Inc (who currently own the land), the landfill would be used for the disposal of fill, including from state government projects and earthworks of approximately 400,000 bulk cubic metres (BCM) and associated vegetation removal at the site.

The project is proposed over a period of three years, distributed across an area of approximately 15 hectares.

The site in question also has heritage value, as the land forms part of the Auxilium College grounds.

Salesian Society Inc have identified that the two-storey college building was formerly a residence constructed in the 1880s, and used as the college since the mid-1960s.

It is now used as a retreat centre for a school, parish and other groups, with no works proposed to the site or surrounding gardens.

The application suggests truck movements along Glenfern Road, Benrock Park Drive and Lysterfield road are estimated to be 40-50 deliveries per day, with no more than six deliveries per hour (12 vehicle movements per hour for entry and exit onto Lysterfield Road), and will operate for three years from 7am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays.

However, locals are concerned with the proposal saying there are several issues that need to be taken into consideration.

According to Friends of the Glenfern Green Wedge president Jo Selleck, the proposal to dump 400,000 cubic metres of landfill from unknown sites across Melbourne into the Lysterfield Valley is contrary to the Green Wedge Zone (Schedule 6).

“It is destructive to the landscape, biodiversity, and agricultural values of the site.

“It is contrary to the Significant Landscape Overlay and Heritage Overlay, and the site is registered by the NationalTrust as a Significant Landscape,” she said.

The site is said to have been the subject of VCAT case in 2018-2019, where VCAT decided against the developer and affirmed the landscape, biodiversity and agricultural values of the site.

Ms Selleck said this proposal goes against this VCAT finding.

“In the 2018-2019 VCAT case, the member decided against having that land subdivided to protect the green wedge values - the environment, landscape and biodiversity of the area.

“It’s inconsistent with the green wedge to not prioritise those values,” she said.

Ms Selleck said not only will the suggested landfill damage the beautiful landscape and biodiversity of the area, it also poses risks to wildlife in the area.

“The land in question plays host to migratory birds called the Cattle Egret, which are protected by federal law under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Act (EBPC Act) in an agreement with Japan and China.

“Flocks of them can be seen in that particular area.

“The landfill also poses risk to the Monbulk creek and some of the last remaining platypus in the Dandenong ranges.

“It will change the hydrology of the site and present increased risk due to the Land Subject to Inundation overlay,” she said.

Her hope is that the council“straight out refuse” this application and focus on protecting the landscape and biodiversity that remains in Knox.

Knox Environmental Society (KES) president Richard Faragher said this isn’t the purpose of land under the Green Wedge overlay.

“The land in question is right on the edge of residential land suburbs, and we have seen the push to use these spaces for “better purpose” has become stronger and stronger.

He said environmental impacts are often not known until it happens, until they then have to deal with the consequences.

KES are concerned there may be a repeat of

what happened with waste from the West Gate Bridge in 2022, where the Victorian Ombudsman was said to criticise the Environmental Protection Authority over accusations of the toxic soil.

For Mr Faragher, however, the biggest question is very simple: Why?

The planning application appears to show no reason as to why the applicant is seeking to install such a landfill on the site in question.

“We can’t really tell why the application has been submitted, but it appears to be some kind of money making exercise.

“The retreat is pencilled in to be removed and the land to be subdivided, but we can’t tell why, and that is the question that locals deserve to have answered.

“There appears to be a drainage line on the site, which is there for a reason and provides a direct line to water, which should be addressed,” he said.

He said council should know that the land is an important area, with Monbulk creek nearby, and reports saying there are still platypus in the area, which could be impacted should the application be approved.

His recommendation is that the council doesn’t allow the landfill to be installed.

“This is not the idea for green wedge land to be a soil dump. “It will create an eye-sore for a long time, and we have no idea what the open space is supposed to be.

“The space is supposed to be a calming and relaxing corridor on the edge of the suburbs, not something we can just develop or dump on.

“It’s meant to be an open space and conservation area for the Knox community,” he said.

Other concerns that have arisen from locals are the risks of noise, dust and sedimentation, which has allegedly been raised by Melbourne Water, and traffic management, including large transport trucks negotiating the narrow winding road.

The application also describes some of the fill that will be taken to the site as‘innominate’, meaning not named or classified, which has sparked concerns among several locals.

The land in question, as part of the Green Wedge, contains several overlays, including a Fire Zone overlay, Heritage and Significant Landscape Overlay, Vegetation Protection overlay and Environmental overlays.

According to Ferntree Gully CFA’s Graham Crighton, the best views of the land in question are at the top of Birdsland Reserve, which looks over the land.

He said the installation of a landfill on the proposed site would remove the beautiful views that locals and visitors experience on the walk.

The application remains under review with the Yarra Ranges Council, and locals can send in submissions before a final decision is released in the coming months.

Done and dusted: Road-sealing projects officially cut

By Eleanor Wilson

Cardinia Shire Council has officially announced the discontinuation of nine special charge scheme projects within the Sealing the Hills program, due to Federal Government funding reductions.

Sealing the Hills was originally earmarked for a $150 million investment by the Federal Government to prioritise sealing 164 roads in Gembrook, Emerald, Cockatoo and surrounds.

But in January it was revealed that funding had been slashed to $41 million.

At a council meeting on Monday 18 September, councillors declared that nine declared special charge catchments, which had commenced community consultation but were yet to receive a cost commitment, would not go ahead.

This included 51 roads across Cockatoo, Emerald, Gembrook, Upper Beaconsfield

and Guys Hill.

Councillor Jeff Springfield expressed his disappointment with the decision, but said large projects like Sealing the Hills needed support from multiple levels of government

to be delivered.

“It’s unfortunate because it was really going to make a world of difference to see a lot of these packages done,” Cr Springfield said.

Under the special charge scheme, Australian Government funding would subsidise about 85 per cent of the works, with council and property owners contributing the rest.

Community consultation with affected landowners found a high percentage of residents were committed to footing the $7000 bill to afford them sealed roads, with the lowest acceptance rate sitting at 79 per cent.

Meanwhile, 100 per cent of landowners in Lenne Street, Haupt Place and Sutherland Road, Beaconsfield Upper said they would be willing to contribute to the special charge scheme.

Despite the high acceptance rate, councillors said the funding gap caused by the Federal Government’s withdrawal from the program could not be rectified.

“It’s really sad we have to discontinue them, but nevertheless you can only do what you can afford and without the other levels of government supporting us on these really big projects, they just can’t go ahead,” Cr Collin Ross said.

While the program experienced a significant funding cut, council secured $41 million in funding to seal 37 roads across four townships, which will be delivered over the next two years.

Cr Springfield said the council would continue to advocate for funding in the space.

“I’m hopeful, I know that our council officers are going to be driving this hard, we have ever since this announcement was made, trying to see alternative avenues for funding to deliver sealed roads within our unsealed road network,” he said.

“The amount of benefit that would be delivered for the community up there that live on these roads is monumental.”

A planning application has been submitted to the Yarra Ranges Council, which proposes the installation of a landfill at 465 Lysterfield Road, in Lysterfield, currently the site of the Don Bosco Retreat. The Don Bosco Retreat.

Significant federal funding was cut from the Sealing the Hills Program in January 2023.

Sun sparks sightings

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 livestock 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

Bureau of Meteorology officially declares El Niño

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 there were football finals underway, which was brought under control by the Kooweerup and Bayles CFA.

It has been said 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 have had this announcement, 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.

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

CFA crews battled an intense grassfire at Kooweerup recently.

catcher Raymond Hoser.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Every end is a new start

By Tanya Faulkner

Following a devastating incident earlier this year, the Knox community are banding together in support of one of their own.

The Upwey-Tecoma Bowls Club (UTBC) fell victim to a vicious IT scam, costing the club more than $100,000 whilst in the process of carrying out repairs, after experiencing damages to the grounds in the 2022 floods.

Following the incident has been tough on the club, who have been working hard to recoup the funds from the project and rebuild.

However, the wider Knox community has proven that the bowls club is not alone, with several businesses and volunteers getting behind them in any way they can.

The latest of those is the Knox Club in Wantirna, who have recently donated $10,000 to UTBC as a surprise donation.

Knox Club general manager Leigh Mountford said it was a no brainer for them to support the bowling club.

“Being a community based club, we like to put back into the community.

“We also help look after a few footy clubs and other bowls clubs in the area“ he said.

It was the vast media attention that brought the issue to members of their club, and sparked the desire to help.

“A couple of our committee members and president saw story on channel 7 at the time.

“With the club being not far away, it pulled on heart strings.

“Our club was sitting in a reasonable position for the financial year, so we wanted to help and make a donation,“ he said.

Mr Mountford said Knox Club is helping UTBC with some other sponsorships and ways to fundraisers through the club, with some big things on the horizon.

“We’ll also be keeping in touch to see how they go in future and see if there is anything

else we can do to support them,“ he said.

UBTC secretary Les Lane said the club has received a lot of support since the incident earlier this year.

“We’re absolutely flabbergasted by the amount of support we have received from the community.

“The general public support on our go fund me page has been fantastic,” he said.

However, it continues to be an uphill battle for the club, who haven’t had smooth sailing.

“We approached Bendigo Bank who basically told us to go away, we don’t want to know you.

“But, we were lucky that our local Community Bank branch in Upwey were happy to support us and made a generous contribution of $10,000 as well, and have said they will continue to support the club if we need it in future,” he said.

Other support the club has had to help raise funds include a fundraiser bowls tournament by the Narre Warren Bowls Club, the Community Bank - Dandenong Branch and Upwey

Branch, and a Dandenong Club Bowls raffle, as well as other local bowls clubs in the Hills area and beyond.

In a Facebook post, the Knox Club said they are happy to share the donation.

“We are happy to share that we are donating $10,000 to the Upwey-Tecoma Bowls Club to assist them in their financial recovery and to help them rebuild their facilities so they can continue to provide for their local community!” they said.

The bowls club has a long standing in the community, having been there for 96 years.

The scam came about following the October 2022 floods, when the club were in the process of rebuilding their facilities, and getting their green replaced under insurance in April 2023.

IT forensic specialists at the time said the club had been targeted by a business email compromise scam; where hackers had been tracking the club’s email history.

The original invoice sent by contractors was quickly deleted from the club’s inbox after it was sent and replaced with an identical copy

by the scammers, with the only difference in the doctored document being the BSB and account number.

“The email arrived from Berry’s with the invoices on it and they deleted that email from my account. That was taken to Uganda, where they altered the bank details, the bank name and the BSB number and then resent the invoices,” Mr Lane told Star Mail earlier this year.

After investigation it was realised that the funds of $118,000 had been misdirected to the scammers account instead, and were now too late to recover for the club.

Mr Lane said the club has now collated around $37,000 from various donations and fundraisers around the community, with a long road ahead of them.

“In the long-term there may be a massive debt of around $200,000 or more when we need to replace the back green.

“We’ve been saving for it for years, and we have lost all of the money because of the scam and paying the contractor,” he said.

Mr Lane said when it comes to raising such a significant amount of money, every little bit really does help.

“We have had so much support from the wider community.

“Our members are also making little donations where they can to help us recover the funds, and have been supporting us a lot.

“It’s all positive and it’s all happening,” he said.

The upcoming bowls season starts in 2-3 weeks time, with the Upwey-Tecoma club set to field four teams this year, which is one more than last year.

They are looking forward to a successful season over the coming months.

Any locals wanting to get behind the Upwey-Tecoma bowls club can visit gofund.me/ af5ec6d6

Unveiling an exciting chapter for Knox healthcare

Knox Private Hospital has officially unveiled its multi-million redevelopment with a modern three storey extension.

The redevelopment has added two new patient wards with ensuite single rooms, an upgraded diagnostic cardiology unit, new patient admissions area, a new main reception, a new expanded pharmacy and a new cafe have also been added.

Healthscope CEO Greg Horan said continuing to invest in improving their hospitals is vital to delivering high quality care.

“This redevelopment at Knox will allow us to support more doctors and provide great care for more patients.

“Knox Private has a proud history and a well-deserved reputation as a world class healthcare facility.

“This new development will further enhance Knox Private’s standing as a leader in clinical innovation and patient care,” he said.

Knox Private Hospital general manager Suzanne Hall said this redevelopment means the hospital can care for more patients, allowing the local community to be treated close to home, here in the eastern suburbs.

“It’s a very exciting day for Knox Private Hospital as we unveil the result of many years of hard work in the form of this beautiful new redevelopment.

“Everyone who joined us on the tour will have seen the beautiful new wards, the upgraded diagnostic cardiology department, new patient admissions area, allied health, central main reception and our new welcoming concierge desk.

“Included in our new facilities is a state of art pharmacy with our partners HPS pharmacies,” she said.

For Ms Hall, it is very exciting to see this project completed.

“Our staff and patients are already benefitting from the new facilities, enhancing our patient’s experience,” she said.

One of Knox’s longest serving staff members helped to unveil the plaque alongside

Health scope Chief Operating Officer Nicole Waldron.

Local resident Krys Mystek, has worked at Knox Private for almost 38 years joining soon after it opened.

“I remember when the north tower site was just bushland.

“I love working at Knox because the people are so great, doctors, nurses and admin staff.

The way they care for their patients is amazing.

“The new building is fantastic, the wards are great and it means we can provide even

Friday 22 September.

better care to the patients,” she said.

Further work is planned for Knox Private Hospital, with additional specialist consulting suites coming later this year and an exciting upgrade and expansion to its intensive care and coronary care units will be completed early next year.

Knox Private Hospital are excited to unveil their renovations to the public.

Knox Private Hospital open day was held on

Crisp and clean: the reception entrance to Knox Private Hospital.

Outside view of the new north tower at Knox Private Hospital.

Left to right: Healthscope CEO Greg Horan, GM Knox Private Hospital Suzanne Hall, staff member Krys Mystek, and healthscope COO Nicole Waldron. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Knox Club have made a generous donation to the Upwey-Tecoma bowls club. Picture: SUPPLIED

Sharing the love in Knox

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 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.

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 organ-

ised 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

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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/.

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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

The event attendees found it very useful.

The Outer East Foodshare have opened a new distribution centre in Knox. Picture: ON FILE

Walking for a top cause

By Tanya Faulkner

A local man is taking the art of fundraising one step further.

Boronia resident Dr Prabodh Malhotra is embarking on his second ‘long walk’, making the journey from the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on foot in the coming weeks.

His walk marks the second trek that the almost 72 year-old man is doing, after walking over 1,000 kilometres in 2022 from the SCG to the MCG, to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.

Dr Malhotra said last year’s walk took him 52 days, with this year set to be even longer.

“Last year I walked 1,111 kilometres, even though I’d only planned 1,083, but it was made longer because of the flooding and some of the roads and bridges on my route being closed.

“This year’s walk is even longer because I’m not walking straight up north.

“I’ll be going from the MCG to Sorrento, walking towards Frankston, then to Sorrento, I’ll catch a ferry to Queenscliff, then walk to Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Wagga Wagga, and Goulburn in New South Wales, and then I’ll continue on last year’s route to the SCG,” he said.

He said the walk will take approximately ten weeks, or 68b days, and is an estimated 1,325 kilometres.

Dr Malhotra said for him, it’s a great challenge to complete the walk and support a good cause.

“I’m a realist and minimalist at the same time.

“I know we are here one day and can be gone the next.

“I came here from Austria in 1980, I’m from India, and this country has given me a beautiful life, so this is my chance to give something back to the community before I go,” he said.

For many, his endeavours are very out of the ordinary, particularly with Dr Malhotra being in his later years of life.

“I’m a retired academic after teaching at Swinburne University.

“Some friends are telling me ‘you are crazy, just put your feet up and relax’,” he said.

But for Dr Malhotra, that isn’t what he wants his retirement to look like.

After the completion of his walk in New South Wales in 2022, he was received by pre-

mier Dominic Perrottet, who was quite impressed with his efforts, as were several others who welcomed him to the SCG.

“One of the guys at a press conference asked me about the walk, and if there were any days or moments when you thought about giving up.

“I said, no, that doesn’t exist in my dictionary,” he said.

This year he has a big team of supporters behind him, to ensure he is safe and looked after on his walk.

“My friends will be driving a support van along the way so I can eat and sleep.

“I have made a proper roster of my friends and support who will help me along the way.

Dr Malhotra’s family are also right behind his venture to New South Wales.

“My son, who also lives in Boronia, drove all the way to Sydney before the walk last year.

“He is now taking 5 weeks off to take over the driving from Wagga Wagga all the way to Sydney to finish the walk,” he said.

Looking back at his 2022 efforts, Dr Malhotra said there were a lot of challenges that he had to overcome that led to some great stories upon his return to Boronia.

“The toughest time was when I walked over the Snowy Mountains.

“When I entered the area I didn’t know we

required a permit and had to pay for it, so I did that.

“We then found out there was no communication at all - no phone signal or internet for the few days they were up there,” he said.

Alongside that, he said because you’re on a steeper walk, you’re sweating more than usual, and the only place to wash was the river.

“I had to walk through 1.5m tall grass with snakes to get to the river and wash,” he said.

On another occasion, he and his van driver pulled into a forest to stay over because there was a camping place, and he couldn’t park on the side of the road and sleep.

“While we were there we saw one kangaroo, then two, then about 20, then 50, then over 100 - a whole army of Kangaroos.

“One big boss kangaroo was bigger than the others - it was almost like they were asking ‘what are you doing on our territory?’,” he said.

Despite the challenges, there were also many positives to the walk.

“I met so many great people on the way last year.

“Some restaurant owners wouldn’t take any money for food because they said I was doing such a good job.

“A few cabin and park owners also wouldn’t take any money to stay over, and I had lots of other support along the way,” he said.

Dr Malhotra said it’s not as simple as just picking up a bag and walking down the road.

“There are lots of permits to get through Victoria and NSW, like with VicRoads, and all of the councils that we pass through to get clearance.

“All of their regulations vary as well so there’s a lot to do,” he said.

The long walk is not without purpose, as Dr Malhorta said he is fundraising for the McGrath foundation in support of breast cancer. According to the academic, it is not only women who can be diagnosed with the disease.

“I met with members of the foundation last year, and I was not aware until then that men can also get breast cancer.

“They said around 200-250 men are diagnosed, alongside approximately 20,000 women in Australia each year,” he said.

The McGrath foundation is particularly well known in Australia, since the public experience of Jane and Glenn McGrath’s run-in with breast cancer.

Jane was diagnosed twice with cancer, and thankfully had the support of a breast cancer nurse who was able to support her and her family.

This experience set the mission for the Foundation, who work hard for Australians in need.

Dr Malhorta will embark on his trek in the coming weeks, and his journey can be followed on his blog prabodhmalhotra.com/ More information on the McGrath Foundation can be found on mcgrathfoundation.com. au/

Ride raising vital funds to help vision foundation

By Tanya Faulkner

Riding bikes for a brighter future is the goal of one resident, who is embarking on her biggest challenge to date.

Ferntree Gully local Rachel Veloff is participating in this years’ United Energy Around the Bay cycle challenge, to raise funds for the Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision Foundation.

Her goal is to complete the 50 kilometre bike ride, alongside her teammates from Coldplast, Notting Hill, as both the challenge to raise funds, and a personal fitness challenge for herself.

“It’s a big challenge, this will be the furthest that I have ever ridden on a bike.

“This is our first time completing the fundraising challenge.

“We have done other fundraisers before, but nothing quite like this,” she said.

The Coldplast team is made up of eight colleagues from the business, working together to train for the ride and raise their funds for the cause, and were the reason Ms Veloff decided to participate.

“I wouldn’t be doing the challenge if it wasn’t for my colleagues.

“They are very supportive, and we are all completing it together to help raise awareness for the charity,” she said.

Ms Veloff said she’s been training for a while now, with her family right behind her in support of the ride.

“My eight year old and 11 year old have come training with me on my bike rides, and my eldest son will be doing the ride with me

on the day.

“We recently did a big 24 kilometre ride into the city from Ferntree Gully along the track, and that’s where the idea came to invite my son to do the race,” she said.

Ferntree Gully is home to several walking and bike tracks, which Ms Veloff said she has been putting to good use in her training sessions.

“I’ve been slowly building up my rides,

and regularly go from Ferntree Gully to Jells Park and back.

“We have so many bike tracks and trails to ride on, it’s a beautiful area that we should be making the most of,” she said.

The purpose of the ride is to raise funds for Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, helping fund vital research and increase support for Australians, and their families, living with bone marrow failure syndromes.

Maddie Riewoldt was 26 years old when she tragically passed from Aplastic Anaemia, a form of bone marrow failure.

In her final weeks with her family, she asked them to make her a promise; she didn’t want anyone else to go through what she did.

According to research by the foundation, an Australian is diagnosed with a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome every three days, mostly among children and young adults, with a 50 percent chance of survival.

The fundraiser is one of the biggest events on Bicycle Network’s calendar, for Victorians to challenge themselves for a good cause.

Ms Veloff said she is excited to get out there and raise more awareness for those who are impacted by these diseases, and do something for herself at the same time.

“I’ll be really pushing the limits of my personal fitness, but it’s for a good cause.

“I want to prove to myself and my kids that we can do it, and the sky’s the limit,” she said.

Her aim is for more locals to get involved in fundraising activities where they can, and not to be afraid to get out there for their own health and wellbeing.

“Just do it, register, get your team to register and just do it.

“I’m not a super fit cyclist, but I’m doing it anyway.

“Get on that bike, get the gel seat topper and get on the track!” she said.

Locals can get behind Ms Veloff’s fundraising efforts by visiting fundraising.mrv. org.au/fundraisers/rachelveloff

Rachel and her son Desmond 361440

Dr Prabodh Malhotra is embarking on his second ‘long walk’, making the journey from the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on foot.

Dr Prabodh Malhotra is ready for his next journey.

Together for the platypus

By Tanya Steele

What lies on the horizon for the much-loved Australian platypus was chewed over by experts recently in a national conference held in Healesville from 29 to 31 August.

The ’Future of Platypus’ event was held at Healesville Sanctuary and brought together platypus researchers, vets and wildlife managers to share new knowledge on Australia’s favourite water-dwelling monotreme over three days.

Over 100 experts from across Australia and some from the USA and Denmark attended the event and Healesville Sanctuary Director Ross Williamson said it was the first national conference since 2019, and there was a lot to share, particularly after the devastating Black Summer fires and the enormous floods of the last two years.

“We were able to hear about the latest research into the biology and behaviour of the species, and the results of populations surveys which tell us what impact these landscape scale events are having,” he said.

Yarra Riverkeeper Charlotte Sterrett attended the conference and was impressed by the calibre of research and information presented - she is a part of the the Yarra Riverkeeper Association.

“If you went there, as a beginner, with an interest in platypus, you learnt everything from platypus biology, to why are they so uniquefor example we learnt about mating periods and how they make their burrows,” she said.

The Yarra Riverkeeper association is about to commence it’s month long inaugural Birrarung Riverfest on 24 September - which will host a number of events designed to inspire people to be more connected to their local waterways and will include platypus monitoring.

“The are more active at dawn and dusk,“ Ms Sterrett said.

Rehabilitation and reintroduction is at the forefront for zoos across Australia and Ms Sterrett said there are a number of successful breeding programmes that are introducing platypus back into the wild.

Notably, platypus were returned to the wild in Royal National Park in NSW, after being locally extinct for 50 years.

“In between the 1940’s and 1990’s they were unable to breed any platypus in the wild,” Ms Sterrett said.

Humans have a large impact on the platypus and Ms Sterrett said they can be one of the biggest threats to the animals.

“Urbanization, we put in dams and weirs, we pollute the waters, we reduce the amount of water into rivers – one of the worst threats to them is not having water, reduced stream flow has a big impact and also not having enough trees and habitat,” she said.

“There were around 6,500 killed during the Black Summer bushfires, which is really terrible - while they’re in the water most of the time, they do nest and burrow on land.”

Mr Williamson said that the future of the platypus is by no means secure.

“Climate change is driving drought, bush-

fires and floods which are making life very difficult for platypus across many parts of its range,” he said.

The commissioner for environmental sustainability released a report on the Yarra River in 2018 and another is due to be released later this year.

“It listed them [the platypus] as good in the Upper Yarra, but ‘fair’ in the middle to lower catchments,” Ms Sterrett said.

The conference was the first major event for the new Australian Platypus Conservation Centre (APCC) which is located at Healesville Sanctuary.

“We need to get the experts together regularly to share information, so we have the best understanding of what’s happening to the species in the wild and know how we can best protect them - If we don’t then we run the risk of them disappearing without us knowing it is happening.” Mr Williamson said.

The APCC is a new initiative dedicated to furthering the understanding and conservation of this unique species.

Mr Williamson said that the success of the APCC will, however, depend on building partnerships with researchers, wildlife managers, citizen scientists and First Nations people.

“The APCC will provide a platform to bring partners together to work cooperatively. This platform will be facilities, knowledge, resources, and networks. Only through coordinated efforts will we be able to ensure that we do not lose this unique and iconic species from the wild,” he said.

Mr Williamson said that the APCC plans to work across three areas, conservation research, rescuing and rehabilitating injured and orphaned platypus, and increasing community awareness of the species.

“We hope that with the support of our members and visitors, we will be able to do more to ensure the future of our beloved platypus,” he said.

Overall the conference was a ‘tremendous’ success and Mr Williamson said the enthusiasm was tremendously heartening.

“We know that bringing these people together will make a difference to the future of the platypus,” he said.

Ms Sterrett enjoyed the conference but would also like to see how current research has been used to inform policy and practice.

“It was great for the first time back, but the conference was mainly focused on scientists and researchers presenting their research,” she said.

“It would be nice to discuss what the communities themselves are doing to engage in citizen science and how they are using some of the applied science that’s happening, then see how this knowledge is being shared in the broader community.”

Mr Williamson said that everyone went away with greater knowledge and new connections that will add a lot to their future work and that it was particularly heartening to see so many young researchers in the room and hear about the work they are doing.

“There was a lot of hope,” he said.

Almost $20k granted to help support possum home

By Callum Ludwig

The Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum (FOLP) have received a massive boost in their efforts to protect one of the state’s faunal emblems from the 2023 round of the Victorian Landcare Grants.

$19,886 has been granted to help repair, maintain and improve the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area, the only home of the lowland variety of the critically endangered critter.

FOLP President Steve Meacher said they’re really pleased to receive the funding.

“There are less than 40 animals existing at the reserve now and those 40 animals are believed to be the closest animals related to the first Leadbeater’s Possums that were identified as a new species in 1867,” he said.

“Primarily, it will extend some deer fencing which is very important, the vegetation at the reserve has been very disturbed over the years and is in a pretty poor state and we’ve been working hard to revegetate and improve the quality of habitat down there.”

The population of lowland Leadbeater’s Possums is below 40 and is the only living population left in the wild. The highland variety lives slightly further north in the ash forests of the Central highlands, including the Yarra Ranges National Park.

Mr Meacher said that in ideal conditions, the area at Yellingbo ought to be able to support a population of around 200 possums.

$20,000 from the 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants is going to the Friends of the Leadbeaters Possum.

“It’s beginning to show positive signs because, in the last year, there has been a substantial increase in the number of animals in the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area, which is the first time in several years we’ve actually seen an increase, so we’re quite optimistic,” he said.

“It would be nice to see the population go back to over 100, but that’s probably several years away because once you’ve done replanting, it takes many years for the plants to

mature and start to provide habitat.”

Both of Victoria’s faunal emblems, the Leadbeater’s Possum and the Helmeted Honeyeater, reside with the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area with Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (FOHH) also receiving a small $500 support grant.

FOHH President Virginia Wallace said they will use their funding wisely to help in their conservation efforts.

“As a volunteer-led community organisation dedicated to saving our state bird emblem, any funding that we get is always very gratefully received, no matter how big or how small,” she said.

“The situation for the lowland Leadbeater’s Possum is quite dire, so we are absolutely glad about any funding Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum receives, which will also improve the habitat for both species.”

Pictures: ON FILE

The funding will go towards new deer fencing and revegetation in the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area.

The conference was held over three days from 29 - 31 August.

Pictures: CHARLOTTE STERRETT Improving capture success with fyke nets.

COURSE GUIDE

Explore activities at Selby

Indigenous Garden Program

Join our Indigenous Garden Program, which spans 10 weeks and takes place every Thursday. The cost is just $90 full fee or $50 concession (Government Funded). This course offers a unique opportunity to explore local indigenous gardens, visit the Cranbourne Botanical Gardens, take part in the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, and engage in activities centred around our very own Selby House Indigenous garden. The program commences on the 12 October.

CAD - Drawing and Design for Beginners

If you’re interested in designing 2D or 3D models for buildings, gardens, or renovations, our CAD for absolute beginners is a must. This sixweek course is offered at a cost of $50 (Government Funded) and starts on the 13 October.

Empowering Parents of Fussy Eaters (FREE)

Parents and caregivers of young fussy eaters, particularly children with special needs, will benefit greatly from our FREE workshops, delivered by a qualified dietitian. This program consists of a 4-workshop series, with the first two workshops scheduled for Term 4 on Saturday mornings and the subsequent two in Term 1 of 2024. The workshops aim to enhance access to and consumption of healthier foods and beverages through engaging, interactive activities and hands-on tasks that involve both parents/caregivers and children. Armed with practical tools and take-home resources, parents/caregivers will acquire valuable knowledge for implementing strategies to promote healthier eating at home. The workshops are scheduled for Saturday, November 4th, and Saturday, December 2nd.

Bushfire Information Session - Hosted by Selby CFA (FREE)

Join us for a FREE Sausage Sizzle and gain valuable insights into how to prepare for the

upcoming fire season. Understand the new fire warnings and their potential impact on your decision to evacuate. Please RSVP via our website. The session is scheduled for Wednesday 29 November, at 7pm.

Selby Community House also offers House

Bushfire Information Session- Hosted by Selby CFA Come along to our FREE sausage sizzle, meet up with your community and find out about how to prepare for the upcoming fire season. Hear about past fire events, what to expect this year, understand fire warnings and how to prepare your property to be ready in case of fire.

Please RSVP for catering purposes via our website or phone Wednesday 29th November 7-9pm FREE for all community members

Selby History Project

Scan the QR code to be t aken to the incredible and inspiring history of Selby Community House. ‘The People’s Movement: The Birth of Selby Community House’ Film and Podcast includes interviews, stories reflections and historical photography, it is sure to impress!

Death/Life Cafe ~ Hosted by Kelly Ogden & Melanie Cookes

Come and join us for a cuppa and cake. This is a space where you CAN talk (or just listen) about whatever is on your mind about death, dying and life. Death cafés aim is to increase awareness around death to help people make the most of their finite lives, with no agenda. This is not a grief support or counselling session.

Friday 13th October 10am-12pm Cost Gold coin donation

Please RSVP for catering purposes via our website or phone

MotHs Makers Exhibition

Grab your friends and meet new ones as we celebrate the creative talents of local mums of the hills! This will be a mixed-medium presentation focusing on the skills, talents and passions of the Mums of the Hills group.

The exhibition launch will feature local entertainers and finger food by MotHs members.

Selby Folk Club meets at 7pm on the first Friday in the month at Selby Community House

Checkout our website: www.selbyfolkclub.com.au

October

Harmony Byrne & Camilla Rose Sullivan

November

Chris Cavill

December Acapella at Tecoma Uniting Church

Friday 20th October 6pm

The exhibition will run from Friday October 20th-December 1st.

Selby Fest 2023

Selby Community House regrets to inform our community that we will not be hosting SelbyFest in 2023. However, we will be providing an incredible SelbyFest festival in 2024. If you would like to be involved with planning please contact the office

Annual General Meeting

Our AGM will be held in the main lounge on Thursday 19th October at 7pm. All warmly welcome, light supper provided.

1 Minak Road via Charles Street, Selby VIC 3159

T 03 9754 2039

E programming@selbyhouse.org.au

W www.selbyhouse.org.au

ABN 23 553 499 345

Opening Hours: Mon~Thurs 9am~3pm & Fri 9am~1:30pm

To book into courses and activities please call, come in or check our website We are closed on school and public holidays and Total Fire Ban days.

Hires for events, parties and community groups.

Remember to book early for all our courses, as spaces are limited.

You can book any of our courses or events online at Selbyhouse.org.au, or feel free to

Selby has its own Indigenous community garden but offers a program to experience other local Indigenous gardens.

contact our office at 03 9754 2039 or send an email to programming@selbyhouse.org.au.

Selby Community House is located at 1 Minak Road Selby (just five minutes from Belgrave).

We look forward to your participation!

WHERE CONNECTIONS ARE MADE AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE REALISED

Our mission is to consistently meet the needs of the community by providing quality community development activities, programs and services.

Supporting local community needs, volunteering opportunities, community connections, support services and training. Pathways to employment.

PROGRAM TERM 4

2nd October - 20th December 2023

All equipment supplied unless specified. Spaces are limited so book your slot early and have some fun!

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS, CERAMICS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, POTTERY, FIRED ARTS CENTRE, COMMUNITY GARDEN, VENUE HIRE, WELLBEING, FIRST AID.

Emerald Community House Inc. 356 - 358 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald Call 03 5968 3881 Email: emhouse@iinet.net.au to sign up.

Office Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am - 3 pm or by appt

(Office closed during school holidays)

‘Find us’ on Facebookwww.facebook.com/emeraldcommunity house

Emerald Community House – Where connections are made and opportunities are realised (echvic.org.au)

Get into all things tech in the Selby Community House computer room.

Attendees at the Selby Community House disaster resilience dinner.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Learning to reduce anxiety

Anxiety and related mental health issues amongst young people has been increasing to alarming levels in recent years. A recent survey by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) has reported significant increases in Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Depression, suicidality or self-harm and peer relationship difficulties in the 13-18 age group.

APS President Dr Catriona Davis-McCabe commented “While for many adults the pandemic is becoming a distant memory, its effects continue to devastate children across the country.”

Increased anxiety amongst teenagers is a contributing factor in the higher than usual rates of school refusal, where the idea of attending school causes severe distress, resulting in long periods of absence and potential long term disengagement from school.

Mountain District Learning Centre in Ferntree Gully runs a specialist education reengagement program, known as The Cottage Program, which was created to accommodate young people 14 to 19 years, who have acute social anxiety and other related mental health issues, and have significant barriers to attending mainstream school.

The Cottage Program is unique in its design, offering a holistic approach to learning by providing education, in a non-school, small-group setting alongside a strong support system of youth workers, wellbeing programs and access to external programs and services.

Mountain District Learning Centre was recently recognised for the success of The Cottage Program as a nominated Finalist in the 2023 Victorian Training Awards, acknowledging that it has achieved a 95 per cent success rate. Out of 80 students enrolled over the past three years, 74 achieved a Year 10 alternative

pass, eight went on to employment and 66 continued into further study.

Mountain District Learning Centre CEO, Janet Claringbold and Board Chairperson,

Mountain District Learning Centre

15 The Avenue, Ferntree Gully

Registered Training Organisation: 3969

The Cottage Program

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.

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

Robyn Burke were honoured to receive recognition in the Community Training Provider of the Year category. They are proud of the efforts of MDLC’s Education and Training Man-

ager, Alison Percy and the teachers and youth workers who run the program for the benefit of young people who need an alternative pathway to continuing education.

Mountain District Learning Centre CEO Janet Claringbold and Board Chairperson Robyn Burke were honoured to attend the training awards night.

Picture: MDLC

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Rhythm and vibes in Knox

By Tanya Faulkner

Knox locals may have taken a cheeky extra-long lunch earlier this month for a one-off concert in the community.

As part ofWestfield’s‘FeelYour Rhythm’ tour, ILLY made a star appearance at Westfield Knox onTuesday 19 September, bringing his best hits to the community.

Locals flooded to the shopping centre for the performance, enjoying the sounds of the Frankston-born artist in a rare appearance in the Hills.

Artist ILLY said performances like these are far and few between in his career, and he was stoked to have got the opportunity.

“It was a great experience to perform at Knox Westfield.

“It’s not a usual kind of gig that I get to play, and it’s great to be able to meet some of the younger fans and those around Melbourne,” he said.

Normally, the artist performs night-time shows that are age restricted, which means some fans are not always able to see him perform.

ILLY said it’s something he wished he could do more in his career to connect with more of his fans.

“I wish there were more all-ages gigs possible for the younger-aged fans, when those opportunities come up they’re great to take,” he said.

Knox locals were treated to several of ILLY’s biggest hits, including one of his popular tracks ‘Catch 22’ that features well-known English artist Anne-Marie.

“Catch 22 seemed to get the most attention from the audience, because it’s a call and response type song, so the audience gets to shout back and have that real interaction,” he said.

Following the hour-long performance ILLY,

alongside his MC Alex Dyson, held a fan meet and greet for locals to come and get photos with the Aria-Award winning artist.

Overall, ILLY said having the chance to perform in the Hills has been a great experience.

“It’s always good to play aroundVictoria.

“I haven’t played in the Knox area very often, but every time I have performed in Melbourne the fans always show love.

“Even in the city people are coming from all over town to see the shows,” he said.

ILLY said he has a big road ahead of him in the coming months, with lots of projects in the works.

“I’ve got a new single coming out in a couple of weeks, and I’m working on a new album as well,” he said.

The artist has also embarked on an Austra-

lia-wide tour, which will take place around the country until the end of the year.

“In the Victoria leg, I have a performance in Werribee at the end of November, which is the closest I get to Melbourne, and I’ll be in Frankston for a home performance on 23 December , right before Christmas,” he said. He said he’s excited to be back on tour, and is hoping to connect with more fans on his travels.

Lantern lights, camera, action for global youth creators

By Tanya Faulkner

The big screen was shining bright earlier this month in Belgrave, in celebration of youth creators around the world.

The Cameo played host to the Lantern and Light International Children’s Film Festival (LICFF) showcasing the best of the best local and internationally made films by youths of today.

Overall the event for 2023 was a great success, with hundreds of films being submitted and showcased for locals and visitors to enjoy, alongside interviews and other creative events on show.

RAPA founding director Rainsford Towner said the regional film session was a complete sell out this year.

“There were some exciting regional award winners providing a glimpse into the future of the next generation for the Australian film industry.

“The day will come when Australian filmgoers will be wondering how so many great young directors are emerging from the hills,” he said.

The festival was received with awe by those who attended the screening sessions, showing the impeccable talent by local youths - with some put head to head with films created by youths abroad.

Mr Towner said the feedback from the festival has been fantastically supportive, high-

conduct interviews and announce award winners.

lighting the success of the event.

This years’ festival produced two award winners from the hills.

Gabriel Robb-Wardlaw, the director of Frame Avenue, won the LLICFF Best Experimental film and Best Performer, won by Jazz Toland.

In addition, Carly Trustram-Ellard, the director of Astral Solitude, took home the LLICFF Next Wave 18-25 award, celebrating her upcoming potential in the Australian film industry.

As a sidebar to the LLICFF, a RAPA FReeZA committee of youths produced a pop-up

Pictures:

TV studio to broadcast interviews with local politicians, film professionals, and young filmmakers who visited or participated in the events.

It was entirely organised and run by the youths, boasting an average age of 17 years old, and easily became a highlight of the entire festival experience.

Among those interviewed included Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino, who announced this year’s jury award for Ukrainian 13 year old filmmaker Elina Myshanych and her film ‘Adult’.

Mr Towner said it was a highly emotional

moment for everyone involved, and as an outcome of the LLICFF, the Association of Ukrainians in Australia (AUV) will organise a fundraiser for Ukrainian refugees.

“It will feature the winning Ukranian film by Elina, alongside several of our regional young filmmakers contributing their works.

“This is how the festival brings young people and cultures together, and helps to support the interconnectedness of young creatives everywhere,” he said.

The fundraiser will be held on Friday 6 October at 3-11 Russell St, Essendon.

Local youths put together a pop-up TV studio to

SUPPLIED Gabriel Robb-Wardlaw, the director of Frame Avenue, won the LLICFF Best Experimental film and Best Performer, won by Jazz Toland.

Aria-award winning artist ILLY took to the stage at Westfield Knox earlier this month. 361142 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

It was all cheer and hands in the air at Westfield Knox. 361142 Knox locals enjoyed seeing the Frankson-born artist on at their local shopping centre. 361142 Catch 22 got the crowd going during the performance. 361142

Artist ILLY calls to the audience for response. 361142

Festival set to revive town

The Hills community are being invited to spend the day in Kallista at a free community event.

On Saturday 7 October, the Kallista township will play host to the Kallista Revival festival, bringing a variety of activities and events to locals and visitors.

The village-wide event celebrates this beautiful ‘Village in the Forest’ and heralds the return of the historic Kallista Market, established 1977 and not run since 2019.

The market has been the pulsing heartbeat of the community, held on the first Saturday of the month, and many have been keen to see its ‘Revival’.

An opening ceremony, with a Welcome to

Country by Uncle Murrindindi together with indigenous and local performers will bring life and music to the market.

This expanded market will host community stalls, kids activities and familiar and new stallholders.

Alongside the market, the Kallista Primary School will see the return of their biannual school fete.

Principal Christine Finighan said it’s been five years since our last ‘Kallista on the Green’ family fun day, and the children can’t wait for October 7.

“There’ll be something for everyone!

“While the kids check out the fun Kidszone,

grown-ups can relax and enjoy an afternoon of fabulous live music, food, wine and craft beers, surrounded by the beautiful Sherbrooke forest,” she said.

The Kallista-The Patch CFA will open their station doors and in addition to having their trucks on display, there will be engaging educational activities, and visitors can grab a bite while they visit.

The unique and charming shops of Kallista will be open and springing to life! Get a coffee, have a browse and support the local traders!

Parking in Kallista is limited, so visitors are encouraged to hike on in, catch a bus or carpool. Additional parking is available up the road

at The Patch Primary School, with a free shuttle bus running all day.

The resurgence of activity in Kallista is being driven along by the new township group, Kallista Village Inc, a voice for those who live, work and play in Kallista, The Patch and Sherbrooke.

Formed in early 2023, the township group has been encouraged and supported by all levels of government, including Yarra Ranges Council, the Federal Government, and local sponsors, with new members always welcome.

More info about Kallista Village Inc, the Market and the Kallista Revival event can be found at kallistavillage.com

The Kallista Village Committee are the driving force behind Kallista’s Revival. 350659

Picture: ON FILEThe Kallista Revival festival will see the return of the Kallista Market, and many more activities for the community.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Now open

Yarra Ranges Council is encouraging community members to take notice of young people doing great things for our community, and nominate them for the Celebrating YOUth Awards.

The YOUth Awards, held in December, is a youth-led event to celebrate the contributions and achievements of young people, aged 12-25, who live, work or study in the region.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said that Council wanted to hear about young people improving their communities, helping others or creating art.

“We have a really fantastic cohort of young people in the Yarra Ranges who volunteer their time and put their skills to use to benefit everyone – it’s one of the many brilliant things about our region,” he said.

Football obsession

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

SNIPPETS

MAIL SNIPPETS

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

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

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 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.

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

“But it’s not often that we take a moment to celebrate that work, and the way it benefits us all.This is where Celebrating YOUth comes in.

“This awards night will be a chance to say thank you and to give some well-deserved recognition to young people doing great things.

“Now we want to hear from you – if you know young people in your community who jump at a chance to help, who advocate for others or are creating incredible things, let us know.

“If someone came to mind while reading this, then it’s worth nominating them and telling us why you think they’re great.

“It only takes a few minutes to nominate someone for deserved recognition and nominations are open until 22 October.”

Award categories young people can be nominated for are:

· Resilience and perseverance

· Passionate advocate

· Young entrepreneur

· School or community improvement

· Arts, music and culture.

The award assessment panel will assess the approach of the young person:

· How they achieve their goals

· The impact and reach of their work

· How unique they have been in what they do

· Their dedication.

All nominees will be invited to attend the December event.

The YOUth Awards are funded by the State Government’s FReeZA and Engage! program.

To make a nomination, go to www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Community/Youth/ Celebrating-YOUth-Awards-Night

The Old Dogs and vocalist Robyn Farrell will be performing in Mount Evelyn. Picture: SUPPLIED

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.

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,

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

· 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

· Outdoor covered dining, extended paving makes for easy entertaining

· Abundant storage throughout

· Secure rear yard for pets

· Gas ducted heating

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. ●

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! ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

Address: 174 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, MENZIES CREEK Description:

Contact: Jan Brewster 0409 558 805, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111

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

CHARMINGRESIDENCEWITHSTUNNINGGARDENS

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.

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.

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!

Thisbeautifullypresented3bedroom,1bathroomfamilyhomeisadelightwithitsfreshlypainted interior&newfloatingfloorboards.Situatedonapprox.½anacreofparklikeland,withadouble carport.Relaxonthefrontverandahorenterthecomfortofthehomewithitsductedheating& splitsystemAC.Thereare2bedroomswithBIR’s&athirdbedroomwithviewsoverthefrontyard. Thesplit-levellivingseparatestheloungeroomfromtheopenplankitchen/diningarea&thereisa largelaundrywithaccesstothefullyfencedbackyard,completewithgardenshed.Thediningarea hasslidingglassdoortothereardecking.Thefamilybathroomisequippedwithaseparateshower &thenbathforfamilyconvenience.Locatedlessthan5minutestoCockatoo,andlessthan10 minutestoEmeraldtownship–thishomehassomuchtooffer!

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

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 ●

OnthefringeoftheDandenongRangesNationalParkandwiththefamous1000Steps 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

28GrantullaRoad,SELBY $2,100,000-$2,300,000 78ACRESOFCOTSWOLDVALLEYVIEWS

3 A 1 B 8 C

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

SPORT

Baseballer swinging big

By Tanya Faulkner

A local baseball player has returned to Knox after representing Australia in the sport he loves.

Upwey-Ferntree Gully local player Jack Ratcliffe has recently returned from the Baseball Under 18 Baseball World Cup tournament in Taiwan, after a career-developing experience.

The Australian U18 Baseball team faced gruelling competition in sweltering heat, against tough international competition.

Jack’s father, and fellow Upwey-Ferntree Gully Baseball Club member, Simon Ratcliffe also made the trip to Taiwan to support the Australian team, and said it was a great experience for all involved.

He said despite not getting the result the boys were hoping for, they played really well throughout the tournament.

“The team had a competitive tournament against the best U18s in the world with a lot of the teams having professional baseballers on their roster.

“Jack managed to be in the starting lineup for every game, and played a total of eight games in the tournament, which is awesome for him being one of the youngest on the team” he said.

The Australian team won 3 games and lost 5 in very close results, which didn’t go their way, and unfortunately ended up missing out on medal games, ending up placing 10th in the world.

Mr Ratcliffe said it’s a great achievement for the boys, considering the competition and conditions.

“It was very hot and humid in Taiwan for the tournament.

“I think we had an average of 36 degrees each day with 100 per cent humidity, so when you looked at your phone’s weather it said it felt like over 40 degrees outside.

“Most of the teams the boys played against

had eight or nine professional players, where our Australian team only had one,” he said.

The pressure was on right from the get-go for the Aussies, who played against the Chinese-Taipei team for the opening match following the opening ceremonies, and played their games in front of audiences of approximately 10,000 each day.

Mr Ratcliffe said the Aussie boys had an

experience of a lifetime doing something they love, and learned a lot from the experience to prepare most of them for US college and professional baseball in the next year coming, for most of them.

For Mr Ratcliffe, however, his highlight moment was watching his son play for Australia in the sport they both play and love, in a world cup on father’s day.

Since returning from Taiwan, Jack has recently played in the state league finals, which unfortunately did not go Victoria’s way, and will return back to the Upwey-Ferntree Gully Baseball Club to prepare for the upcoming baseball season at home.

The Upwey-Ferntree Gully Baseball Club are hoping to win their third premiership in a row, and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in November this year.

Trades & Services Employment

General Classifieds

Simon Ratcliffe with son Jack on father’s day at the Baseball U18 World Cup in Taiwan.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Final goal of the season

It was a case of Narre Warren versus the world in netball as they made the Grand Final in every netball division in the Outer East.

The Magpies have a very strong netball program and claimed 8 of the 10 premierships on offer.

Two were already won last week and it was only ROC in both sections of the 13 & Under that stopped NarreWarren from having a clean sweep.

A Grade

Wandin had beaten Narre Warren two weeks ago to be the first to progress to the Grand Final but they were unable to match that performance on Saturday.

The game was very close for the first three quarters and the Magpies led by just a goal at the final change.

In contrast, the last term was a complete rout by Narre Warren who rattled on 13-4 to come out with a convincing 10 goal win.

· Narre Warren 54 def Wandin 44

· Best and Goals not recorded

B Grade

Narre Warren won this 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 4 goals shy of the Magpies.

· Narre Warren 43 def Mt. Evelyn 39

C Grade

Olinda-Ferny Creek put up a spirited showing in C Grade where the result was in doubt until the final minute but eventually came up short by 3 goals as Narre Warren took another cup and flag back to Kalora Park.

· Narre Warren 34 def Olinda-Ferny-Creek 31

D Grade

Olinda-Ferny Creek started slightly better to take a 1 goal lead at quarter time.

After that Narre Warren took control to run out comfortable winners by 10 goals.

· Narre Warren 32 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 22

17 & Under Blue (Mixed)

Seville took the challenge right up to Narre Warren and after an even first quarter the Blues grabbed a 3 goal lead by half time.

The game turned in the third quarter where the Magpies grabbed back the ascendancy with a 9-2 term, which proved to be match winning as they went on to record a 5 goal win.

· Narre Warren 33 def Seville 28

15 & Under Blue (Mixed)

This division is only contested by th e South East clubs (Narre Warren, ROC, Berwick, Pakenham and Beaconsfield) and the clear front runners in this competition, NarreWarren and ROC, faced off in the Grand Final.

After an even opening, Narre Warren got out to a three goal break by the last change before finishing strongly with a 12-6 last quarter.

· Narre Warren 38 def ROC 29

13 & Under Blue (Mixed)

The same 5 South East clubs compete in this grade. ROC, who had been minor premiers, prevented Narre Warren making it a clean sweep when they won by 5 goals after having trailed by 4 at half time.

· ROC 31 def Narre Warren 26

Slammin’ tennis tournament for all abilities a big hit

People of all abilities have been given the chance to have a swing in a new tournament.

Tennis Australia and all Member Associations and Movement Disorder Foundation (MDF) are doing their part to make sure more children with disabilities have the opportunity to become more active through participating in tennis.

Friday 8 September saw the commencement of the inaugural MDF tennis tournament, between Ferntree Gully Tennis Club (Metro South East) and Slammin Tennis in Doncaster (Metro East), held in Ferntree Gully.

The event received a fantastic turnout, with players enjoying almost two hours on the courts.

All participants had a whack of a tennis ball on full-sized tennis courts, partaking in round robin singles and doubles events, with up to eight games.

At the conclusion of the day, all of the players were treated to food and drinks by the club, and were all awarded with participation certificates for their efforts on the courts.

Slammin’ Tennis Doncaster president Vicki Lee said the idea came about because there’s no real social connections for adults with disabilities.

“We had different streams of games available so everyone could get involved and socialise with each other.

“We had a multi-skills platform for those not able to rally or play a full match, and another stream where they could rally and play a full game with modified rules, and regular full court rules.

“This meant that everyone could be included, at the end they all sat down and shared a feast of pizzas and wraps and conversations,” she said.

Ms Lee said while there was a bit of apprehension from some of the Doncaster players having to travel to Ferntree Gully, overall everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event and are

looking forward to the next event.

Ferntree Gully Tennis Club president Paul Proctor said there is a real need in the community for all-abilities sports to bring more locals together.

“The players loved having the opportunity to meet some new people and play a competition with some new formats and to be given the opportunity to try something new.

“In our area I think 15 per cent of locals have some kind of disability, or at least know someone who does, so there’s a real need to give everyone the opportunity to connect and come together over sport, especially tennis,” he said.

MrProctors’hopeisthatmoresportsclubs in the area will get on board with all-abilities opportunities, and more tennis clubs to get involved and support the community.

The second tournament has been scheduled for January 2024 and will be hosted at the Doncaster Tennis Club.

The Ferntree Gully Tennis Club have regular all abilities tennis on Thursdays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm during school terms, with events like the MDF tournament being used as one of the pathways for those who have been playing for a while to take the next step.

Narre Warren going for the steal.

A big reach to take the ball in during the Outer East B-Grade final. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Eyes on the ball at all times to run away with the win.

The A Grade final was battled out by Narre Warren and Wandin.

Tennis players from Ferntree Gully and Doncaster came together for the first inaugural MDF tennis tournament. Picture: SUPPLED

Close games for the final

Seniors

The Outer East football competition finished up on Saturday with the Premier Division Grand Finals, which were played at Officer.

The ground was in perfect order and bright sunny conditions with a slight breeze greeted players and spectators alike.

An unusual feature of the day was that parking in the ground was not permitted.

This resulted in the majority of the crowd gathering on the western side of the ground, by the change rooms, while the outer was only sparsely populated.

Narre Warren had looked unstoppable for most of the year and were looking to win their third successive Outer East flag, having also won in 2019 and 2022, either side of the cancelled Covid affected seasons.

Their only loss this year had been to Wandin back in Round 2, while two weeks ago they only just defeated Wandin by 3 points in the Semi Final. Wandin had lost just twice in the home and away series and their narrow recent loss to Narre Warren gave them the belief that they could match the Magpies juggernaut.

A close Grand Final was anticipated.

Wandin did all the attacking in the opening 10 minutes to score two goals and hold a 16-0 lead.

Narre Warren then got their game plan going and rattled on 4 quick goals before the Bulldogs replied with the last two of the term to take a 4 point lead at quarter time.

The second quarter was a tight arm wrestle with both sides adding three goals until late in time on when Wandin ran amok and kicked 4 goals in about as many minutes to stun the Magpies and take a surprise 29 point lead into the long break.

Wandin stretched their lead to over 40 points before Narre Warren pegged them back but ultimately there was nothing between the teams in the third quarter as they both added 3.3 to their respective tallies and the margin remained unchanged.

Early in the last quarter Narre Warren attacked early but successive shots hit the post and they were unable to make any impression on the scoreboard.

With the Magpies tiring, Wandin sensed that their lead was a match winning one and ran all over their opponents in the final 20 minutes to kick 7 goals for the quarter and register a most emphatic 63 point win.

Former North Melbourne forward Aaron Mullett finished the day with 6 goals for Wandin while another ex-AFL player, Joel Garner, who had since returned from a stint at Port Adelaide also slotted through a couple.

The Bulldogs were able to restrict the influence of some of Narre’s star onballers such as League Best & Fairest Tom Miller, Tom Toner and ex-West Coast Eagle Kurt Mutimer, which went a long way to ensuring the win.

During the year Narre Warren and Pakenham had explored joining a proposed expansion of the Mornington Peninsula League but the clubs there vetoed the move so both sides are set to remain.

The Outer East has already announced that it will revert to two divisions next year as it looks towards the structure of the competition going forward and considers the feedback received from clubs.

Wandin 21.15.141 def Narre Warren 11.12.78

· Best: Wandin - Cody Hirst, Patrick Hodgett, Aaron Mullett, Chayce Black, Joel Garner, Patty Bruzzese

· Narre Warren - Cameron Miller, Brad Scalzo, Travis Callahan, Peter Gentile, Jesse Davies, Joel Zietsman

·

Goals: Wandin - Aaron Mullett 6, Patrick Hodgett 5, Clinton Johnson 3, Joel Garner 2, Connor Smith 1, Daniel Hirst 1, Brodie Atkins 1, Cody Hirst 1, Jordan Jaworski 1

· Narre Warren - Will Howe 3, Corey Bader 2, Peter Gentile 1, Tom Toner 1, Jesse Davies 1, Harrison Brain 1, Tom Miller 1, Riley Siwes 1

Reserves

Narre Warren and Upwey-Tecoma had been the dominant teams over the season in the Reserves, finishing well clear of the rest.

The quality of football that they had displayed during the year was not on show early as the match was a scrappy affair with the backlines of both sides dominating proceedings.

Each side managed just 2 goals to half time

in the ideal conditions.

The match never rose to any great heights in the second half but Narre Warren looked better for longer and did enough to clinch the premiership for 2023.

Narre Warren 7.7.49 def Upwey-Tecoma 4.11.35

· Best: Narre Warren - Matthew Butera, Grant Mitchell, Ethan French, Thomas Russell, Jett Kearney, Alexander Nunziante-Sweeney

· Upwey-Tecoma - Lachie McGill, Nathan Beacom, Jackson Hannagan, Jordan Tailby, Ethan Wright, Mitch Stokes

· Goals: Narre Warren - Jett Kearney 3, Bailey Howarth 1, Nicholas Mashado 1, Nathan Power 1, Matthew Whitehead 1

· Upwey-Tecoma - Blake Burrows 1, Liam Comber 1, Dylan Comber 1, Connor Morton 1

Under 19s

The Grand Final of the Under 19s was contested between two evenly matched sides in Narre Warren and Upwey-Tecoma.

Both sides had a mix of good talls and ball

users and they put on an entertaining display showcasing some of the future players of the competition.

Nothing separated these sides for most of the match as first Narre Warren grabbed a slight lead, before the Tigers edged ahead by 2 points at half time.

The Magpies held a 2 point lead at threequarter time and eventually won by 8 points as Upwey were left to rue missing a few gettable shots for goal.

This might have been the last Under 19s Grand Final as the League contemplates reverting back to Under 18s as too few clubs are able to muster a team in this age group.

Narre Warren 8.6.54 def Upwey-Tecoma 6.10.46

· Best: NarreWarren - Daniel Toner, Jacob Mutimer, Luca Pascuzzi, Sam Wellwood, Alex Dawson, Riley Curran

· Upwey-Tecoma - not recorded

· Goals: Narre Warren - Sam Toner 4, Sam Wellwood 1, Mitch Toner 1, Brice L’etang 1, Daniel Toner 1

· Upwey-Tecoma - not recorded

Wandin ran away with the win in the final stages of the senior final.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Narre Warren and Upwey-Tecoma U19s battle it out.Narre Warren and Upwey-Tecoma were put to the test for the Outer East reserves finals.

Narre Warren and Upwey-Tecoma U19s battle it out.

Up in the air: Narre Warren took on Wandin in the Outer East seniors final.

Make your mark: It all came down to the wire for the Outer East senior football finals.

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