Mail - Upper Yarra Star Mail - 10th October 2023

Dejà vu pours in

By Callum Ludwig

It was a concerning case of dejà vu for theYarra Ranges as heavy rain and flooding in October wreaked havoc in the region.

Rainfall statistics from the Bureau of Meteorology recorded 52mm of rain in Yarra Junction between 9am Tuesday 3 October and 9am Wednesday 4 October.

On Tuesday afternoon, the roads were the first to be impacted with part of theWarburton Highway at the traffic lights in Woori Yallock giving way, believed to be because of a burst water main underneath.

Deputy Controller of the Upper Yarra SES Unit said they were first paged to it as a landslip.

“When we got there, people were still driving over it, which I guess with the state of the roads out there at the minute, it just looked like a normal pothole so we can’t really discredit people for doing that,” she said.

VicRoads crews were on the site on Thursday 5 October making progress on the repairs with signage and traffic management out to indicate that the road is down to one lane both ways while works are underway.

The State Control Centre (SCC) upped its flood warning from minor to moderate on Wednesday 4 October for all the townships along the Yarra River from Millgrove down to Coldstream and all the way to Warrandyte.

An SCC spokesperson said their message for the high-risk season is to always be prepared, but not alarmed; based on the current climate outlook.

“Motorists need to be extra vigilant on the

roads for debris including fallen trees. As we are also expecting heavy rain in some parts of Victoria, consider your need to travel, and consider where you are travelling, if it is in

heavily treed areas of the state, whilst this weather passes given the significant risk of falling trees,” they aid.

The Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve was un-

derwater again, with calls for help from anyone who could help protect the clubrooms and nets with sandbags.

Tun to page 3 for more

DO YOU HAVE A

Sandbags kept the water at bay in Yarra Glen.

Picture: YARRA GLEN JUNIOR AND SENIOR CRICKET CLUB

Lucky escape for driver

By Callum Ludwig

A motorist had a lucky escape in Launching Place on Tuesday 3 October as a fallen tree came crashing down across the bonnet of her car.

Thankfully, the sole occupant avoided serious injury and was rescued by a passerby as emergency services responded to the call.

Hillcrest CFA Captain Colin Dickson responded to the alert for a possible rescue and said they were uncertain whether the driver was trapped from initial reports.

“Fortunately a passerby who was a gardening type of person had actually got his chainsaw out and removed part of the tree so the driver of the vehicle could get out,” he said.

“She was shaken but appeared uninjured which was great,” he said.

Branches of the tree came close to piercing the windshield of the car, with the trunk smashing through the car just ahead of the front tire.

Mr Dickson said CFA, UpperYarra SES, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police personnel responded to the incident.

“The SES went about removing the tree off the top of the car, Ambulance Victoria looked after the person who was taken off to the hospital just for observation and to get her checked over,” he said.

“Police attended and Wickhams Road was back open shortly after, so it was a good outcome, although a little bit confronting when you see a big tree down across the road and the front of the car.”

Heavy rain can cause the ground to become softer underneath trees and make them more likely to uproot or fall.

UpperYarra SES Deputy Controller Hannah Brunton said similar incidents are even more likely now as we’ve had such a wet and miserable couple of years prior

“Everything is a little bit undermined and crap, we get a little bit of water now and everything sort of just falls down because a lot of it has just rotted where it is,” she said.

“Be mindful and vigilant when you’re driving, avoid distractions and keep an eye on what’s around you as well as avoid driving when it’s windier or if it’s super wet like that, because you just don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

If you see a fallen tree that has struck someone or a building that may have people inside, immediately call 000. To report a road issue

such as a fallen tree on an arterial road like a highway, visit: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/report-a-road-issue. On localYarra Ranges roads, visit: www.yarraranges. vic.gov.au/Environment/Trees-and-vegetation/Report-a-tree-issue-on-public-land.

Mr Dickson said he has noticed trees are often suspect to falling in the Upper Yarra when there has been heavy rain and there is a southwesterly wind.

“When we have that non-standard wind direction it tends to upset the trees a bit more and there’s not much else more you can do

about it really other than to try and be as aware of your surroundings as you can,” he said.

“In CFA we’re instructed to always look out for what we call hangers, branches that have broken off and they’re actually dislodged up in the tree and which can very easily get dislodged in the breeze and fall,”

“It’s tougher obviously with trees or while driving, but trees that are on excessive leans are often an indicator and if you’re on the ground you can actually have a look and see if the actual roots have started to raise up out of the ground.”

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

A scary sight for the driver.

The tree fell across Wickhams Road. Pictures: SUPPLIED

A shaken but not seriously injured driver escaped serious harm after a tree fell on her car in Launching Place.

Dejà vu as heavy rain strikes again

By Callum Ludwig

October appears to be becoming the unofficial flooding season for the Yarra Ranges as heavy rain once again hit the region last week.

Rainfall statistics from the Bureau of Meteorology recorded 52mm of rain in Yarra Junction between 9am Tuesday 3 October and 9am Wednesday 4 October.

On Tuesday afternoon, the roads were the first to be impacted with part of theWarburton Highway at the traffic lights in Woori Yallock giving way, believed to be because of a burst water main underneath.

Deputy Controller of the Upper Yarra SES Unit said they were first paged to it as a landslip.

“VicRoads had a crew on scene that was waiting for other crews to arrive, so we did traffic management with Victoria Police until we could hand the scene back over to Vic Roads for them to get it sorted,” she said.

“When we got there, people were still driving over it, which I guess with the state of the roads out there at the minute, it just looked like a normal pothole so we can’t really discredit people for doing that,”

“It looked just like a little divot, but we had to get people off it before it became a bigger problem.”

VicRoads crews were on the site on Thursday 5 October making progress on the repairs with signage and traffic management out to indicate that the road is down to one lane both ways while works are underway.

Ms Brunton said we also saw the same roads that often flood after heavy rain do so again.

“We have the same spots that flood over and over again; along the highway in Millgrove and Settlement Road out the back ofYarra Junction namely,” she said.

“The one thing that we just say over and over again is that if it’s flooded just don’t drive through it, it’s not worth the risk,”

“You don’t know what’s in there, you don’t know if the road is collapsed beneath the water, you’ve got no idea so it’s better to be safe and just avoid the area.”

The State Control Centre (SCC) upped its flood warning from minor to moderate on Wednesday 4 October for all the townships along the Yarra River from Millgrove down to Coldstream and all the way to Warrandyte.

An SCC spokesperson said their message for the high-risk season is to always be prepared, but not alarmed; based on the current climate outlook.

“Motorists need to be extra vigilant on the roads for debris including fallen trees. As we are also expecting heavy rain in some parts of Victoria, consider your need to travel, and consider where you are travelling, if it is in heavily treed areas of the state, whilst this

weather passes given the significant risk of falling trees,” they aid.

“We are asking Victorians to prepare now. The best way to prepare is to know your local risk.”

Victoria Police assistance was required to save a man who needed assistance in floodwaters in Alexandra on 3 October.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said it is believed the man was on a tractor attempting to rescue cattle around 8.35pm when he got into difficulty and was surrounded by water.

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

“Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad –Swift Water Rescue Team were able to successfully rescue a man,” they said.

“The 43-year-old Alexandra man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”

Substantial inundation is to be expected, including disruption to traffic. In particular, the Melba Highway at Yarra Glen was impacted by floodwaters while Settlement Road and Corduroy Road in Yarra Junction were already closed on Wednesday 4 October.

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.

Missing man found Victoria Police and a plethora of SES crews rejoiced as a missing man was found in Narbethong after three days of searching through pine plantations, thick scrub, and creeks.

33-year-old Aaron was missing in the area, having last been seen on 27 September.

Marysville SES led the SES search effort, joined by SES Upper Yarra Unit, VICSES Euroa Unit, SES Alexandra Unit, Lilydale State Emergency Service, SES Mansfield Unit, SES Kinglake Unit, SES Essendon Unit, SES Brimbank Unit and SES Footscray Unit at different points throughout the search.

Marysville SES thanked all units for their support as well as the Narbethong CFA for loaning their headquarters to be used as search base.

Wanted man known to frequent Coldstream

45-year-old Kane Spencer is wanted on warrants in relation to theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle, dealing in proceeds of crime and possess cannabis.

He is known to frequent the Greensborough, Scoresby, Ferntree Gully, Rowville, and Coldstream areas.

Mount Slide Road landslip

Mount Slide Road in Steels Creek has been closed due to a landslide.

The closure is between Greenwoods Lane, Steels Creek and Healesville-Kinglake Road.

Yarra Ranges Council will be placing electronic signs up in the area advising motorists of the closure.

Local drivers are required to take alternate routes.

Grand Final weekend sees four lives lost

More than 5000 offences were detected by Victoria Police during Operation Scoreboard over the AFL Grand Final long weekend.

The operation saw police targeting highrisk driving behaviour, with a particular focus on drink and drug driving.

The total 5,483 offences detected included 2341 speeding offences, 213 drink driving offences, 130 drug driving offences, 352 disqualified/suspended and unlicenced drivers and 489 unregistered vehicles.

Sadly, as many people were out celebrating, it was a tragic weekend with four lives lost in separate collisions.

SES unit assists Upper Yarra

On the afternoon of Thursday 5 October, just after 4 pm, SES Chelsea Unit was paged to assist the SES Upper Yarra Unit, with our Pump Trailer.

They were asked to head to the Doon Reserve Caravan Park, where three properties had been isolated by flood waters, and some essential infrastructure was also flooding.

Green Team members, Ria, Ron, and Ian, were soon on the road with the pump trailer in tow. The Yarra River which runs alongside the park had overflowed into the grounds.

On arrival, they set up a number of pumps, and soon were moving almost half a million litres of water every hour.

The pump trailer and pumps with the Upper Yarra Team to finish the job. Residents that had become marooned were able to get out of their properties.

Repair works on the Warburton Highway, Woori Yallock on Thursday 5 October.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

The Yarra River through Warburton overflowed.

Picture: SIMONE WHITEHEAD

The Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve was once again hit hard by the heavy rain.

Picture: YARRA GLEN JUNIOR AND SENIOR CRICKET CLUB

Local brigades battle fires

By Callum Ludwig

Members of the Hillcrest and Little Yarra CFAs have lent a helping hand to brigades fighting bushfires in Gippsland earlier this month.

The two Upper Yarra-based brigades assisted Maffra CFA, initially being ‘staged’ (stationed at) the Maffra Fire Station before being deployed to Briagolong.

Hillcrest CFA Captain was one of four members from his brigade who made the trek east and said they were sent to Link Road.

“At Link Road, we were tasked with a couple of different things, there were five tankers in our Strike Team 13 -14, and so we were tasked with one tanker to put on asset protection of a cabin or a small house that was up there,” he said.

“That included things like making sure that leaves and debris were raked away from the building, removing and disconnecting gas bottles that were around the house for barbecues or the hot water service.”

As of the afternoon of Wednesday 3 October, the fire in Briagolong near Link Road remains out of control, travelling in a southeasterly direction and ‘threatening homes and lives’ according to the VicEmergency alert status.

Mr Dickson said their task was to fight a fire down in a gully as it came up the hill.

“It wasn’t a roaring fire, it wasn’t huge, but we just had to make sure that it burnt to the edge of Link Road, and importantly that none of it jumped over the track into the bush on the other side of us,” he said.

“By the time we got there, it wasn’t massively windy, there was still a little bit of a breeze, but the conditions that certainly eased from what they appeared to have been earlier in the day, when the fire was really running.”

Residents in Briagolong have been advised it is now too late to leave the area safely so they must remain sheltered.

Mr Dickson said the fires are an important reminder that we’ve all got to be on our toes and as organised as we can be this fire season.

“We’re coming out of a drier winter and we’re going to be coming into a drier summer so we’ve got to make sure we have a fire plan and know what we’re going to do early days for if we hit an interesting fire day” he said.

“We don’t know what the balance of summer is going to go and throw up for us locally or whether we’ll end up with more jobs that we get dispatched to around the state but it’s super important that people use this bit of lead time and don’t just go and leave it to the last minute to start thinking about what they’re going to do.”

LittleYarra CFA’s Big Fill vehicle, led by Captain Les Hart also set out again for Maffra on the night of Tuesday 2 October, helping to collect water to relay to tankers fighting the blaze.

Mr Dickson said it’s comforting to know that brigades across the state will be on hand to similarly support the Yarra Ranges if we are struck by fire.

“It’s good to know that CFA and the other fire agencies can go and pull their people and crews into our area if we happen to need that

support as well, it’s all one big system, you take resources from one area and deploy them where they’re needed to the other,” he said.

“There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make sure that we’re good to go out on the fire ground when we get there as well, they tee

up food waiting for us and we got bused back home as a bit of fatigue management, with fresh drivers to bring our trucks back.”

The blaze burns in Briagolong.

Pictures: ROCHELLE POULTON

Flames lick the trees.Hillcrest CFA on the scene.Smoke billows as Hillcrest provides their support.

Campfire caution urged

By Tanya Steele

As warmer weather draws people into parks and forests for the spring camping season Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria are asking campers to follow public land rules for the good of all.

Authorised officers from both agencies patrolled over the long weekend targeting unsafe and unattended campfires, illegal off-road vehicle use, and littering.

Wayne Robins, Acting Chief Conservation Regulator said it’s critical for safety and for the environment that you always have eyes on your campfire.

“Drive only on open, formed roads, and take your rubbish home with you,” he said.

Over the 2022 extended Grand Final long weekend, more than 30 unattended or illegal campfires were detected, and authorised officers handed out nearly 30 fines to people caught committing campfire, vehicle, or other public land offences.

Chris Mercier, Manager of Enforcement

Operations, Parks Victoria said he hopes everyone enjoyed the long weekend around the campfire.

“Just remember to keep it safe by using designated campfire or barbecue bays in national and state parks, because fire safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

Mr Mercier said that leaving campfires unattended is illegal and you need to be in attendance at a campfire at all times.

“One of our biggest problems with fire escapes is people leaving campfires unattended and then all of a sudden, a bit of a bit of wind comes up locally and it takes off into the forest - that’s a big problem for us,” he said.

“You have to be within at least 50 meters or line of sight - you have to be able to see the fire and there has to be an adult in charge of the fire,” he said.

Campfire etiquette also includes not throwing rubbish that won’t break down into the pits – there are many potentially devastating effects on the environment and the public’s personal safety if people don’t respect the rules.

“Glass particularly, doesn’t break down and that also ends up being a hazard for other people,” Mr Mercier said.

Campers also need to remember to adhere to total fire ban days as warm, dry weather brought by an El Nino weather pattern has increased bushfire risk this season.

Preparation is key and campers should prepare before lighting a campfire by learning how to build and maintain a safe campfire before leaving home, following campsite specific rules, checking weather conditions and fire danger ratings and having quick access to at least three buckets of water.

Mr Mercier said people coming out into the parks should respect other visitors and campers as well as being safe - being prepared for a lack of phone reception, checking whether you can bring pets or not and bringing enough water can be things to consider.

“People come to these places to get away from the city and they want to have a peaceful experience,” he said.

Off-road drivers and riders must have a val-

id licence and vehicle registration and stick to open, formed roads – many roads and tracks on public land are still seasonally closed to prevent damage during the wetter months and it is a serious offence to use them while closed.

Visitors should check for any road or track closures before they leave home: mapshare. vic.gov.au/mapsharevic/

Brush up on camping and campfire skills is available through Parks Victoria’s step-by-step online guides and video series: www.parks.vic. gov.au/where-to-stay/camping-for-beginners

Anyone caught with an unsafe campfire, illegally driving off-road, or leaving rubbish behind can face fines ranging between $192 and $46,154.

The community can also help report any illegal behaviour on public land to 136 186.

Bushfires should be reported to 000.

“We want people to come out to enjoy these areas, bring the family and have a barbeque, just do it safely,” Mr Mercier said.

Checking weather updates and being prepared can make for a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Picture: PARKS VICTORIA

Chris Mercier, Manager of Enforcement Operations, Parks Victoria at Bunyip State Park outside of Gembrook.

Picture: TANYA STEELE

Both sides brave weather

By Callum Ludwig

With early voting for the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament having opened, campaigners for both sides are out in force.

Braving the pouring rain on Tuesday 3 October, a representative for both the Yes and No campaigns could be found outside the Darron Honey Centre in Healesville with signs, brochures and an umbrella on hand.

No campaigner Joanne van Wageningen said to make her decision, she did the reading and research while also listening to what people had to say.

“I have a piece of paper here which says that there are like 55 legitimate organisations that deal and help with the Indigenous folk from all walks of life and we have 11 Indigenous parliamentarians, so I really don’t think it’s necessary to have a Voice,” she said.

“For them to be acknowledged as people who are here, that’s one thing, but I guess I am certainly concerned that if this Voice passes, we are going to live with a lot of repercussions and things that are not going to be good for the country as a whole.”

On top of the 11 Indigenous Australians in the Federal Parliament, there are another 15 state and territory MPs throughout Australia. Only one of those is from Victoria, Labor MP

for the Northern Metropolitan region and Yorta Yorta woman Sheena Watt.

Two current Federal Senators for Victoria are also Indigenous; Former Greens Deputy Leader and now Independent Lidia Thorpe who is of DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara descent and Labor’s Jana Stewart who is of Muthi Muthi and Wemba-Wemba descent.

Ms van Wageningen said she tried to make her decision by starting with an open mind.

“My initial gut feeling was no, but then I had to do the research and actually follow that up with proof of what was right,” she said.

“I think fair enough that they were the first people here and if what they desire is an acknowledgement, sure, but whether it’ll have an effect, I don’t really know,”

“Voters should read the Uluru Statement from the Heart, it’s said to be one page but I would encourage people to go and read the other 20 plus pages that are attached to it, which the current government calls misinformation, but it’s there in black and white.”

The length of the Uluru Statement from the Heart was hotly debated in the Federal Parliament and the media in August after Sky News host Peta Credlin claimed to have‘exposed’ the 25 additional pages in her program on 3 August.

RMIT University and the authors of the

statement including law professor Megan Davis are among those who have since come out and disputed that claim.

The 26 pages claim came from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) releasing them as part of a Freedom of Information request in March this year; with one page being the final Uluru Statement from the Heart and the other 25 being background information, history and excerpts from regional dialogues that informed the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The pages have been publicly available for some time forming part of the 112 pages of meeting minutes from the 2017 Final Report of the bipartisan Referendum Council.

Ms van Wageningen said campaigners can often tell which early voters are going to vote no or vote yes.

“There’s no interaction, there are a lot of people who already know what they’re doing, they don’t ask either of us, but they know what they’re doing, they’re set, they’re ready to go,” she said.

“Within the last two years I have become political whereas I have never been political before in my entire life, it is the current political situation, the landscape at the moment.”

Dr Bob Rich, who also volunteered for the

Victorian Greens in the Eildon electorate’s early voting in last year’s state election, was representing the Yes vote in Healesville.

Dr Rich said he is involved because he is for decency.

“I want justice and redress for all the past times for our First Nations people, they have asked for in the Uluru statement for three things; Voice, Treaty and truth,” he said.

“Truth is absolutely necessary, Treaty should come first except it’s incredibly complex because there are hundreds of First Nations communities, so The Voice has to come first in order to establish something that can negotiate with their serving government.”

Dr Rich said he has met and respects Professor Tom Calma AO, a Chancellor of the University of Canberra and 2023 Senior Australian of the Year, who has publicly supported The Voice to Parliament and helped him make his decision.

Dr Rich said he also started with an open mind.

“I’m in the Greens and was part of deciding that we would support The Voice, I felt it was that the right thing to do as a matter of decency,” he said.

“The sun always shines, just sometimes there is something in the way.”

Upper Yarra a barren spot for pre-poll options

By Callum Ludwig

UpperYarra voters looking to place their vote early ahead of the Saturday 14 October date for the The Voice referendum may be dismayed to see the lack of convenient options.

The nearest early voting station to Warburton, the most removed larger township, is 31km away in Healesville at the Darron Honey Centre.

An Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) spokesperson said the AEC chooses locations based on population size, voting habits, as well as availability of premises.

“Important to note though that on referendum day itself - October 14 - there will be two polling places in Warburton with a plethora of other polling places in surrounding areas including Millgrove,Wesburn,Yarra Junction etc,” they said.

“During the federal election last year, the Upper Yarra area was serviced by a similar number of pre-poll centres prior to polling day,”

“Also important to keep in mind that we can’t always secure centrally located premises for all voters during the pre-poll period in an operation of this size, and with five weeks’ notice, where we want them.”

The next best early voting option for UpperYarra residents is in Lilydale at St Patrick’s

Parish Community Centre at 40 Jones Street, Lilydale. Others even further astray are in Chirnside Park, Croydon and Boronia.

The AEC spokesperson said as always, it is important for people to plan their vote.

“The majority of people will vote on voting day itself, however for those that can’t vote on the day, the pre-poll locations in Healesville and Lilydale are open for those who need it,” they said. “Additionally, if needed, voters can apply for a postal vote to be delivered to their home. All of these options mean that people have a choice about when and where and how they can vote with just a little bit of planning and flexibility – similar to federal elections.”

Postal voting applications will remain open until 6pm on Wednesday 11 October.

The AEC spokesperson said Australia has some of the best access of all electoral processes around the globe.

“It is a system envied by so many. Citizen expectations in the digital age don’t always accord with a manual process like elections or referendums - it does require some planning to see where and when you’ll vote.”

The Victorian Electoral Commission, a separate entity from the AEC, utilised the old Launch Hardware building in Launching Place for last year’s state election.

The Darren Honey Centre in Healesville is one of the closest places for Upper Yarra residents to cast their votes early.

No vote campaigner Joanne van Wageningen.

Pictures: CALLUM LUDWIG Yes vote campaigner Dr Bob Rich.

Pupils honour hero Ingram

By Callum Ludwig

Seville’s most honoured war hero was honoured on the anniversary of his bravest feat on Thursday 5 October, despite the recent vandalism of the Seville War Memorial.

The service for Captain George Ingram VC was relocated to the Seville Primary School’s memorial with all of the school’s students in attendance, listening intently and respectfully.

Chair of the Seville War Memorial Committee Anthony McAleer OAM opened the service and told students that were there to remember someone who settled in their township and did some very brave things.

“On this very day, exactly 105 years ago, the last battle of the war that involved soldiers from Australia happened in a village called Montbrehain in France and involved in this battle on this day was George Ingram from Seville who, like all of you, was a student at this school when he was a boy,” he said.

“George was to do some very great things in this battle, the village of Montbrehain had been invaded earlier by enemy soldiers, and it was the Australian soldiers’ job to rescue the poor villagers and to take back the village from the enemy.”

George Ingram was the 64th and last Australian to receive the Victoria Cross during World War One and also received a Military Medal for his acts of gallantry.

Sergeant Brendon de Schwartz from Lilydale Police said George Ingram was also a member of Victoria Police and became Victoria Police’s most decorated member.

“George became a soldier in his spare time, learning how to fire huge cannons of the big forts of Queenscliff and Point Nepean. When the First World War began, he decided to become a soldier full-time and was sent to a tropical island in the Pacific called Rebaul, where he was given the job of looking after the big cannons that guarded the harbour there,” he said.

“He was there for about a year when he became very sick with a tropical disease called malaria. He was so sick that he sent him back to Australia and told him he could not be a soldier anymore.”

Disappointed that he couldn’t be fighting in the war, especially as his younger brothers Alex and Ronald had gone off to fight, George Ingram changed his middle name, didn’t tell authorities that he had been ill and was sent to the Western Front.

Sgt de Schwartz said the war was a very sad time for George.

“He lost some very good friends who died fighting in the army and worst of all, both of his younger brothers were killed fighting in some of the horrible battles as well,” he said.

“Soon after the war ended, George returned home to his parents in Seville and the people of Seville were so proud of George that they gave him a special welcome home card at the public hall,”

“After the war, he joined the Shrine Guard, who are a special group of the Victoria Police force who look after the Shrine of Remembrance.”

Sadly, George Ingram’s panel at the Seville

War Memorial was one of two that was irreparably damaged by the recent vandalism incident.

Mr McAleer OAM told students about the day that earned George Ingram his Victoria Cross, where he and the other soldiers charged up the road towards the village while the enemy sheltered from bombs.

George Ingram and the other Australian soldiers overcame multiple enemy posts in their attack, sheltering behind an advancing tank at one point to progress further and then once again proceeding to reclaim the village.

George Ingram is believed to have killed at least 40 enemy soldiers in this encounter, while accounting for many more as others surrendered or were captured, including a house containing 30 soldiers which he captured himself.

Piper Iain Townsley and Bugler Tom Steele attended to play for the service and President of the Mt Evelyn RSL Matthew Crymble gave the Ode to the Fallen.

Sgt De Schwartz, assisted by Seville Primary School Captains Blake, Lily and Connor, and Mr Crymble each laid wreaths at the plaques to George Ingram at the entrance of the school.

Back: Anthony McAleer OAM (Seville War Memorial Committee), Iain Townsley (Piper), Sgt Brendon de Schwartz, Tom Steele (Bugler) and Matthew Crymble (President Mt Evelyn RSL). Front: School Captains Blake, Lily and Connor. 365211 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Seville Primary Schoool students recite ‘Lest We Forget’ 365211

President of the Mt Evelyn RSL Matthew Crymble laying a wreath. 365211

School students listening to Sgt Brendon de Schwartz speaking about George’s life. 365211

Alistair’s legacy lives on

By Mikayla van Loon

Alistair Whyte - friend, mentor, teacher, father, husband, master potter.

Known and respected for his passion, willingness to pass on knowledge and kind-heartedness, Alistair died on 5 June after a long battle with a rare bone marrow cancer, myeloma fibrosis.

But his legacy and memory lives on in the many people he befriended and taught the art of pottery to and will continue to do through his posthumous book ‘Turning Inside Out: From Australian Potter to Master of Japanese Ceramics’.

“It’s something he always wanted to do and he had so much knowledge…he really wanted to share his knowledge and his background is in teaching. He was also a qualified arts and Japanese teacher so he really loved to teach,” Alistair’s daughter Emi Whyte said.

“There’s not many potters in Australia who had the level of expertise my dad did in Japanese and especially Kyoto style ceramics.”

Launching the beautifully crafted book on 16 September in Warburton, Alistair’s hometown, Emi said it brought together people who had been touched by her father’s warm heart, some she had never met before.

“We had the opening to celebrate dad’s life and also have space for a lot of his friends to come together,” she said.

“To also have an open conversation about the memories and how he worked with people in the local community for such a long time because I think it would have been over 40 years in Warburton.”

It took Alistair five years to put the book together right through the worst of his illness, telling the story of his early life and his philosophy in making pottery.

“He had palliative care at home in Warburton, so it was four months of palliative care and it was quite intense but he was able to review the last draft and I helped him to make lots of final edits.

“The day he passed away was actually the day the final copies arrived in Australia. So there’s a beauty to it and also a sadness because I guess some of us felt like he was holding on until it was finally finished.”

Learning the art of pottery first at Bendigo TAFE and then studying for three years at the esteemed Kyoto City University of Arts under the guidance of master potter Hirokuni Katsuno, it was here that Alistair learnt the art of observation, stillness, fluidity and calmness.

It was these skills he would later pass onto his students in Alli Duckworth and Karen Goldsmith, best friends who 20 years ago asked Alistair if he ever gave lessons.

“I also teach now, and when I am teaching students, it’s the skills he has taught me and that’s really nice to be able to pass it on,” Alli said.

“He was incredibly passionate about passing on the knowledge and passing on those skills because he knew he had a really special kind of knowledge base that not many people in Australia have.”

Alli said for her Alistair “changed my life”, showing her the Japanese style of ceramics but also “how we can have our own voice within our own pottery” as both“a teacher and a master but also a friend”.

It was those years of friendship Karen said she remembered most, of driving to Warburton from Croydon every Friday to find Alistair working away.

“My favourite time was just walking into the studio and he always had the radio on and lights were on,” she said.

“The kettle went on first and we just chatted about how the week was and just how things were going and then got stuck into work.”

Aside from being taught the practical skills of pottery and tool making, Alli and Karen said it was the lessons of never giving up and to always have a go that sticks with them most.

“To have a go, to not to be so frightened of failure,” Karen said.

“It was just that perseverance and he was so encouraging and he kept you going. It was really special. I don’t think I quite appreciated just how special that time was.”

But mostly it was the inspiration to sit in stillness as Alistair did to create something beautiful, something that appeared to come

effortlessly to the master potter.

“He was just lovely to sit and watch. It was like a part of meditation, watching him work because it was so fluid. He made it look very easy but it wasn’t,” Karen said.

Always ready and prepared to offer a helping hand where possible, friend of 35 years Glenys Evens said it was just part of Alistair’s philosophy.

“He was helpful and instrumental in setting up my pottery. He had the ethic that he should help his students. He was helped by his teacher and in that Japanese tradition, you would always help your students,” Glenys said.

“If I ever had any difficulties I would go there or if it was a difficulty was my kiln, he always made himself, as soon as he could, available to come and help me.”

Extending his teaching beyond the local community, Alistair was passionate about enriching the lives of people in Vanuatu, helping build kilns and teaching pottery techniques. Having first been introduced to Vanuatu as a child through his parents, Alistair was later invited back to reintroduce pottery into the community.

“When they found out my dad was a potter, they invited my dad to come up because over time, people in the community had lost the skills to make their own pots,” Emi said.

“There was a very old history of people making their own pots for cooking and for water and lots of different purposes in the villages, but there were no current potters in Southwest Bay.

“So they asked my dad if he could come and help teach them and also be able to learn to source their own materials from what was locally available.

“He spent many years going to Vanuatu every year trying to find different clay bodies that would potentially be suitable and they got a whole lot of bricks donated and they sent them on a ship to Vanuatu and my dad went to help build the kiln and they still use this kiln today.”

Remembering her dad for his kindness and moments of silliness, Emi said the little things stay with her.

“Always having 774 on the radio and you never knew where he was in the studio but you could kind of hear him talking and then he’d pop around the corner and always be wearing

a funny woollen hat,” she said.

“He was always just very cheerful, very full of life, always happy to help, always very kind.”

But even though the man himself is no longer here, Alli said he will never be gone.

“What I have is due to him. He’s given me the skills that I’ve got and I hear him in my head when I’m at the wheel. It’s like ‘no, no, no, come on, you need to do this’.

“So he’s with me when I’m in the studio which is such a comfort to have him there because he’s been such a huge influence in my life over the last 20 years and he will always continue to be a big presence in my ceramic life and work so I really feel very privileged.”

Alistair leaves behind his beloved wife Miyako and his four daughters Emi, Tomoko, Yoko and Mariko.

An exhibition atWarburtonWaterwheel has a selection of Alistair’s works on display as part of the Creative Connections exhibition, running from 3 to 31 October.

The book will also be available locally or via his website, www.alistairwhyte.com.au/ books

Alistair Whyte, master potter, died on 5 June after a long battle with cancer.

Picture: PAT BURGAN

Fluidity and gentle hand movements was something Alistair taught his students.

Alistair met his wife Miyako in Japan during his studies. Picture: SUPPLIED

Alistair was known for his Japanese ceramics and work with porcelain.

Picture: PAT BURGAN

Always passionate about passing on his knowledge, Alistair spent much time in Vanuatu. Picture: EMI WHYTE

Sam’s family is embraced

By Callum Ludwig

Despite the grief of losing their muchloved partner and father Sam Knight, Vicky Whillance and her daughter Hazel have felt immensely supported by the local community. Within hours of the sad news being shared, a meal train had been set up, a support group started to check in daily on the pair, the GoFundMe to help financially support them, the announcement of Sell it for Sam atYarraValley Cycles and other offers of help came flooding in.Vicky said the response has been incredible.

“Our lives are turned upside down. We’ve lost the person we loved immensely, he was such a loving and incredible partner, father, brother, uncle, son, friend and many more,” she said.

“The support has allowed me to focus on Hazel who is grieving and trying to process the huge loss of her daddy,”

“We’ve lost such a huge part of our family unit that we can never get back, you only get one dad and my heart breaks for Sam and Hazel that they miss out on such a special relationship.”

$44,436 has been raised for Sam’s family from 245 donations as of Friday 6 October.

Vicky said they also had a beautiful local death doula Steffi support their family in saying goodbye to Sam.

“She was incredible and helped create a safe space for us all to say goodbye to Sam in person,” she said.

“It’s very hard to navigate the situation of a toddler saying goodbye to their daddy and she made the process a beautiful one which involved Hazel picking flowers for him prior and then laying those flowers and toys on him and she was able to give him a kiss goodbye.”

The family had only lived in Warburton for three years prior to Sam’s death, but he was quick to embed himself in the community.

Vicky said if anyone asked for help Sam would be there.

“He was a much-loved tenant and business owner at YREC, was part of the Wednesday morning Yarra river swimming group, was involved in Upcycles where he volunteered to help with building work and also designed their logo, he would look forward to community dinners on Thursday nights at Koha or going mountain bike riding with local riders when he had the time, as well as running a few local Jigsaw Jumps sessions,” she said.

“Sam was a very kind-hearted thoughtful person, he was a very approachable gentle soul and always had time to talk or listen to anyone. He was creative, intelligent, passionate, adventurous and not one to sit on the sidelines,”

“If anyone had a fun idea, he would quickly find a way to make it possible.”

Many will have fond memories of Sam cruising up in his beloved 1977 red Subaru station wagon.

Vicky and Sam met online, briefly chatting before quickly setting up their first chance to meet in person; kayaking down theYarra River.

Vicky said her favourite memories of Sam are of doing things together as a family.

“How his face would always light up so much when he saw Hazel, he was such a doting dad.

Special family outings, our bike rides together, him doing everything he could to make her have fun, taking her to skate park or to feed the ducks,” she said.

“He absolutely adored Hazel and would take her on bike rides to the playground or to feed the ducks, he would spend hours reading to her or flying her around the house or hanging her upside down upon her request,”

“They loved to sit by the river together where he would sing a song to her (my girl Hazel, my girl Hazel, sittin’ at the river with my girl Hazel) and they would throw rocks into the river.”

Sam and Hazel’s time together would never be short of imagination whether it be running around the house with Hazel aloft pretending to be birds flying or being ‘Big Bear’ and ‘Little Bear’ as they set out to fetch wood for the fire.

Anyone who would like to further financially support Vicky and Hazel can do so at: https://gofund.me/b003b0c7.

Yarra Ranges enjoys a true can-do partnership

By Mikayla van Loon

An all-female-led partnership for This Girl Can week has brought about the culmination of a number of free and low cost activities for the Yarra Ranges.

Inspiro, Yarra Ranges Council, Eastern Health, Belgravia Leisure, Reclink and Women’s Health East have joined together to host a range of events from 9 October to 15 October and on 19 October.

“This Girl Can is a VicHealth campaign which aims to address the barriers women, girls and non-binary people face when it comes to participating in physical activity and active recreation,” Health Promotion Officer at Eastern Health Casey Dykes said.

“So it’s about creating spaces for women, girls and non-binary people to feel comfortable and welcome to participate in physical activity.”

From an easy, casual group walk around Lillydale Lake on Thursday 12 October to low cost events at both Monbulk Aquatic Centre and the Yarra Centre and a come-and-try style afternoon for boxing, kayaking, dance and circuit exercise, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.

“We hope they feel empowered and comfortable to continue to participate in physical activity and active recreation,” Casey said.

“And have fun. Enjoy being active. Enjoy moving your body because they’re fundamental facts of health and well being, just having joy of movement,” Inspiro health promotion officer Megan McInerney said.

Knowing that women, girls and non-binary people often feel a sense of shame or embarrassment when it comes to exercise, these sessions aim to dissolve those feelings, as well as other barriers.

“It can be opportunity, it can be time, it can be fear of judgement, that cohort of people tend to often feel judged doing exercise in public,” Megan said.

“They don’t want to look sweaty, don’t want to look red, so it’s just really encouraging everybody in the community to enjoy

being active, however, whenever, whatever that looks like for anybody, just to move their bodies.”

Eastern Health’s senior health promotion officer Emily Sykes said the pandemic also had a negative effect on some women regressing back into former gender stereotypes.

“An initiative like this is so important, especially after the last two years, where a lot of people retreated back into themselves,” she said.

“We saw a lot of traditional gender stereotypes be reinforced, creating more barriers and ways that people didn’t get involved with other sports and active rec outside of what they normally do.”

As the first time these organisations have come together for This Girl Can, Megan said the hope is it will continue and only get bigger each year.

“Hopefully it will be an ongoing partnership and we will work together to do more in the active rec space.

“It’s great that we’ve got a lot of really committed and proactive stakeholders together and we’re all committed to creating a really great event for all of the local women, girls and non-binary people in the community.”

Trying to support active behaviour outside of just the week of events, Casey said the collective organisations are looking to put together a guide on what groups, clubs and classes people can join.

“We are working on a resource that highlights those active recreation or physical activity options ongoing in our local area,” she said.

“We’ve broken it down into four different categories, Urban, Hills, Valley and Upper Yarra. We wanted to create a resource to help the impact to be ongoing in the community

so that it’s not just a one off event.

“We want to keep that participation going because of the massive benefits that come out of active living, the social connection that people can get from it as well as reduce social isolation and just build your community spirit.”

For the first 20 people who register for a session at the Yarra Centre, they will receive a showbag and anyone who completes an evaluation survey goes into the draw to win a massage voucher.

Just a $10 donation to the Belgravia Foundation gets you access to the classes at the Monbulk Aquatic and Yarra Centre for This Girl Can week, with the Yarra Centre also offering free creche.

All the event information can be found here, www.inspiro.org.au/news/inspirohealth-is-proud-to-support-this-girl-canvictoria-2023/

Yarra Ranges Council’s Gabby Golds, Reclink’s Anthea Merson, Eastern Health’s Casey Dykes, Yarra Centre manager Leslie Crimes, Eastern Health’s Emily Sykes and Inspiro’s Megan McInerney have partnered for This Girl Can week. 365399 Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

L-R: Sam Knight, Vicky Whillance and daughter Hazel on a family snow day just weeks before his death. Pictures: SUPPLIED Imagination and fun were a guarantee when Sam and Hazel were together.

Big Hill invites Christmas Hills locals for a day-out

By Dongyun Kwon

Big Hill is about to show up its beautiful landscape to give locals solace for only two days from 14 to 15 October.

This is only the second time the garden has been opened publicly with the last opening being seven years ago.

Garden owner, landscape designer and builder Loretta Childs said she hoped visitors would be calm, relaxed and connected to nature in Big Hill.

“What struck me was people referred to the property as being incredibly calm, peaceful and bringing a lot of solace in the last time I opened it,” she said.

Big Hill is named after what was written in the old maps of the area.

The place is known to be the highest peak along the ridgeline where people look over the entire Yarra Valley.

The garden consists of several spaces; gardens, ponds, a dwelling, a swimming pool and a mid-construction area.

It has been a 20-year project to evolve with a main theme of being naturalistic and organic.

The garden has been designed harmoniously under the theme and built with recycled materials.

Visitors will see the harmony of old and new in the garden.

“People are going to see the complete garden of 20 years and then they are going to come into something just two weeks old,” Childs said.

The photos showing the process of evolution of the garden will be displayed on the event dates.

The garden also shows off its beauty with the amalgamation of different types of plants.

The plant palette is approximately 70 per cent native, 15 per cent indigenous and 15 per cent exotic.

“I am a native gardener but we do have exotics which have to be in the right place to keep the harmony of the garden,” Childs said.

The main dwelling is covered with Chinese wisteria floribunda and Japanese vitis coignetiae.

The combination of water and garden is another interesting point to pay attention to for visitors.

“Water is an important part of the landscaping in my garden because it brings so much habitat and relief in summer,” Childs said.

The rocks surrounding the main pond were designed to be off the ground for local wildlife to have a haven.

There is a hull of a damaged boat around one of the ponds which has a special story.

“It was made in post World War 2 to go up the river but it never made it then Montsalvat and my partner restored it over five years and some unfortunate thing happened, the barn and the boat burnt down two weeks before launch,” Childs said.

Montsalvat is an artists’ colony in Eltham, where art in all its forms is made and taught, and art’s transformative power is celebrated in exhibitions, festivals, concerts, workshops and artists’ residencies.

Island Garden is the centre of where the property has been developed and the Veggie

Garden is placed in it.

There is a special landmark, Staircase to Heaven which was sculpted by Jacki Staud, between the main pond and Island Garden.

The swimming pool, another space with water, is surrounded by basalt rock which Childs decided on where to place.

Childs said she had gardening DNA in her blood.

“My grandmother, mother and sisters are all gardeners and we’ve all built beautiful gardens,” she said.

“A number of years ago, my two other sisters and myself had our own open garden tour because we all had acreage and

a big garden.

“When we are in the garden, we are the happiest.”

Her blood gave her a passion for gardening which led her to get a certificate in landscape design and horticulture.

“Wherever I went, wherever I rented a house or wherever it was, I never ever stopped making a garden,” Childs said.

An open garden is an impetus to push herself to get on top of the garden again after a little neglect due to the family issues she had gotten through.

For more information, please visit opengardensvictoria.org.au/Big-Hill-2.

Garden club’s cup of cheer

By Callum Ludwig

The Upper Yarra Valley Garden Club (UYVGC) is set to host its first OpenWeekend post-Covid on Melbourne Cup weekend.

Six local gardens will be on display on 4 and 5 November, with the club hopeful for a favourable weather forecast to help their spring showcases shine.

Former UYVGC President Kevin Hince, who stood down from the role this year having held many in the club for over 20 years, said the whole club is getting behind it.

“I don’t think it will be too different from previous editions, but hopefully with some good weather and it being Cup weekend, we just hope we’ll get a few people up here to have a look,” he said.

“There are only two gardens that have been in an Open Weekend, which leaves four new ones for people to see.”

The UYVGC was established in 1984 and currently has about 120 members.

Mr Hince said UYVGC’s Open Weekend is one of many around the state coming up.

“There’s a lot of them happening between now and the end of November, including in Yea, Alexandra and some inner-city ones as well, as soon as ours is over, I’m going up to

Yea to see what they’re doing,” he said.

“A lot of people make a weekend of it and go out to various open garden activities, so we hope there are a few holiday-makers in the area especially with the Open Studios exhibition also over that weekend.”

Gardens will be open from 10am to last entry at 4.30pm both days, with entry passes available at all of them. Visitors can follow the signs from Yarra Junction to East Warburton which will lead them to all gardens.

Single garden passes are $5 or $25 for access to all. Children under 16 enter for free.

Mr Hince said gardens in the Upper Yarra tend to be a bit greener than other areas.

“We have more a cold and wet weather type of woodland garden compared to somewhere like Yea which is more open though they do put up some nice gardens up there, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“[Despite the drier weather] Our gardens seem to be surviving because up here we get a little bit more rain than most people and the ground is still holding moisture so they are looking pretty good at the moment.”

Mr Hince and his neighbour’s garden on Old Warburton Road are set to feature as part of the Open Weekend, including a sausage sizzle, plant sale and cups of tea on offer.

Garden owner, landscape designer and builder Loretta Childs invites locals to come over to Big Hill for a day out.

Pictures: DONGYUN KWON Staircase to Heaven.

Lady of the Lake is in the middle of the main pond.

Veggie Garden.

The hull of burned boat has a special story.

The Upper Valley Garden Club’s Open Weekend is

Your needs in one place

With a wealth of experience in the financial planning industry, YV Financial Services provides a personalised and professional approach to holistic financial advice and planning.

A family-owned financial planning company based in Healesville, YV Financial Service’s ultimate priority is you, the client. They offer financial advice based on continued education, experience and their genuine passion for seeing everyone succeed financially.

Whether you are a young person looking to maximise your savings and investments early on to gain the best possible long-term results, you’re in need of insurance to cover yourself and loved ones in event that something happens, or you’re looking towards retirement and would like to know how and when this could be possible for you, the team at YV Financial Services can help.

They also provide advice around accessing Aged-Care and can support you if this is something you are navigating with a loved one.

The team understands that this can be an emotional time for all parties involved and will provide advice in a sensitive and supportive manner.

The YV Financial Services team pride themselves on their strong client relationships and are committed to journeying with their clients through life’s changing circumstances.

They can assist you to take control of your financial story and help you make informed decisions regarding your finances.

YV Financial Services would love to journey with you and look forward to hearing from you.

The team at YV Financial Services

Finding buddies outdoors

By Dongyun Kwon

Bush Buddies is back every Tuesday for Term

Four at Badger Creek Hall and outdoor spaces closeby.

Bush Buddies is a weekly event for kids aged up to six to cultivate sociality with friends and nature while they are doing fun activities.

Interchange Outer East Project Officer Michaela Alcorn emphasised inclusion as the purpose of the event.

“Interchange Outer East is a disability support organisation, but Bush Buddies is an inclusive playgroup and so children without a diagnosis can attend,” she said.

“We want all different children with different abilities to play together, children with disabilities shouldn’t be separated from other children because they can learn from each other.”

The idea of inclusion came up from her own experience with her two boys who are autistic and have ADHD.

Ms Alcorn said NDIS did not support the children under 10 and it was also hard for her to find a good place for her kids.

“NDIS did not support respite of children under 10 because they said it’s parental responsibility,” she said

“Lots of families of small children don’t want a respite where their children go away, we don’t want to be without our children because the children are too young to do that.

“Although lots of places call themselves inclusive, they don’t have the staff who know

how to support someone with a disability, so I pitched the idea to Interchange who then gave the first term funds to Interchange Outer East.”

Bush Buddies’ activities are child-led and natural theme-based.

“We don’t tell the children to do something,” Ms Alcorn said.

“For example, we set up a little wooden kitchen with little wooden bowls and we fill

them with flowers and grasses and the kids stir them and pretend that they are in a cafe.

“We have wooden boxes, stories, wooden musical instruments, a beautiful mat on the floor where everyone can sit around and a little campfire.

A communication preference system, which was developed by the autistic commu-

nity, is used during the whole session whereby everyone chooses a sticker to express their current communication preference quickly, nonverbally, and simply.

A green sticker means the person is actively seeking communication

An orange sticker means the person only wants to talk to people they recognize.

A red sticker means the person probably does not want to talk to anyone, or only wants to talk to a few people.

Children learn an Auslan sign each week as part of inclusion as well.

The event also provides open conversations about how to access early intervention and NDIS to guide the families in the right direction.

The first session of Term Four started on 3 October with 17 families.

“We did potato stamping today,” Ms Alcorn said.

“I got potatoes, chopped them and then I carved out a little picture so that children could dip them in paint and do the beautiful printings on paper.

“We have 17 families signed up for the term but more families are welcome to register.”

Being Seniors Month, the first session of Term Four had a grandmother to read a story. More seniors are encouraged to attend the event this Seniors Month.

For more information, please visit Interchange Outer East’s website, www.ioe.org.au.

Rhythms of the World at ECOSS, a free experience

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Valley ECOSS is excited to bring a free cultural experience to the community this month.

Rhythms of theWorld will contain five different multicultural musical performances alongside an array of stalls and foods from 11am to 7pm on Saturday 21 October.

Market and Events Coordinator at Yarra Valley ECOSS Leanne Hall said the idea is to bring the world to the Valley.

“Melbourne is a very multicultural city and this is about giving people a more indepth view into some of those cultures,” she said.

“We’re so lucky here to have so many different cultures and foods just by going out in Melbourne, come a long way from white bread and potatoes,”

“Often you have to go into the city still to experience these things so it’s great to be able to have it here.”

The performers will take attendees across four different continents, starting with our own;

AWelcome to Country will be led by Aunty Kim Wandin while Ganga Giri will also be providing a musical backdrop on the didgeridoo while The Djarlo Dancers perform an interactive performance and workshop later in the event, representing Australia and the culture of our First Nations people,

The Chin Community Dancers will be performing a traditional Harvest dance from Myanmar and then we will jump over to

neighbouring India with the Sarita McHarg musical trio,

All the way from South America is the Baque Voador-Afro-Brazilian drumming group, with the opportunity for attendees to come and try a Brazilian Rhythms with Maracatu percussion workshop led by Humberto Porto, Yarra Valley Drummers led by Ghanaian Master Drummer Kofi Kunkpe will be providing the tunes alongside a special appearance from African dance students led by Frank Adjei with both Kunkpe and Adjei preparing younger attendees to get groovin’ with a Kids’

African drum and dance workshop as well. Wala means life will also bolster the African offerings with some traditional West African rhythms and dance.

All acts will lead to a grand finale of multicultural dance fusion to cap off the day’s festivities.

Ms Hall said music and food really take us back to the roots.

“It’s a way that people have come together for centuries and you often see there’s a similar thread across different cultures like there’s going to be three different cultures performing a harvest dance on the day,” she said.

“Too often, we focus on the differences and I think this is a great way of breaking down those barriers and bringing people together,”

“Developing a deeper understanding of different cultures really helps and it gives those cultures an opportunity to really share their traditions, their cultures, their music and their food.”

Rhythms of the World has been supported by funding from Yarra Ranges Council, Multicultural Victoria and the Upper Yarra Community Recovery Led Recovery Grants to be held for theVictorian Government’s Childrens Week.

Kofi Kunpe leading a kids’ African drum and dance workshop at Yarra Valley ECOSS. Pictures: SUPPLIED Frank from Wala means life leads the dancing.

Bush Buddies is based on natural-theme-based activities for young children to enhance their socialising skills with friends and nature. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Children are making a hot drink with natural ingredients.

Children are also taught to wash their dishes after they play.

Making bush stew. Wooden kitchen is set up for children to play.

New look, same top service

The pharmacy in Wandin North has taken on a new direction this year!

With its new branding as TerryWhite Chemmart, a grand opening celebration of this occasion has been scheduled for Saturday 21 October 2023 for the opening hours of the day, 9am until 1pm.

The pharmacy is located at Shop 4/362 Warburton Highway, Wandin North with ample parking outside.

Nabih Barsoum has been established as the pharmacist here in Wandin North here for the past 12 years.

His story starts back in Egypt, his country of birth where he chose to pursue a career in pharmacy from his passion to help people in the medical field combined with an interest in business opportunities.

He studied for a period of five years in Cairo to become a registered pharmacist in Egypt.

He then practised pharmacy for a further four years to obtain the qualifications that would give him the requirements to work as a pharmacist in Australia.

While he loves his country of birth, Nabih understood that there were limited options to develop a pharmacy business in Egypt and following extensive research on a handful of countries around the globe, he chose Australia.

His choice was based on several factors including the hard work ethic, multiculturalism, and climate, for which we are renowned.

Nabih arrived in Sydney in May 2005 on a skilled migrant visa, leaving his finance Marian in Egypt until he became established in Australia.

Nabih secured a position for a 12-month internship (a requirement to practice independently in Australia) in the small town of Narromine, west of Dubbo in NSW.

Wandin

He returned to Egypt to marry Marian and brought her back to Australia where they took up residence in the small town of Gilgandra, also near Dubbo.

After four years in Australia, Nabih bought his first pharmacy in Trangie, north of Dubbo where he worked for another two years.

Grand opening

During this time Nabih and Marian started a family, and it was for family reasons that they decided to move to live in a larger city.

Wandin North Pharmacy was up for sale, and so in 2011 he purchased the business.

Nabih considers himself a part of the Yarra Ranges community.

He has a strong work ethic and is very community minded, supporting local businesses and shops where he can.

With his new TerryWhite Chemmart Pharmacy, you can rest assured that you will get the best deals and personal service.

TerryWhite Chemmart Wandin North Shop 4, 362 Warburton Highway, Wandin North, VIC 3139

P: 03 5964 2274

*Available in store at TerryWhite Chemmart Wandin North exclusively and while stocks last on 21 October 2023. Excludes items already on sale, prescriptions, scheduled medicines, NDSS, baby formula and cosmetics product ranges. Terms and Conditions apply, see in-store for details. ^Savings listed are calculated from suppliers recommended retail price (RRP) at the time of preparation and not previous in-store price. Due to our competitive pricing policy we may not have sold at RRP. ∞The percentage savings shown are calculated to the nearest 5% of the actual saving. #Promotion date is only on 21 October 2023. Entry is only open to Australian residents aged 18 years or over. Two winners will be drawn on 23 October 2023, at TerryWhite Chemmart Wandin North, Shop 4, 362 Warburton Highway, Wandin North, VIC 3139. Winners will be contacted using customer details provided when they enter the promotion. Winners must present the ticket to collect the prize. Spending requirement is calculated after all discounts have been applied, and exclude prescriptions, scheduled medicines, NDSS and baby formula. Conditions apply, see in store for details. TerryWhite Chemmart® reserve the right to correct printed errors. TerryWhite Chemmart® is a registered trademark of TWC IP

and used

by

The team at Wandin North’s TerryWhite Chemmart, Nabih, Meryl, Wendy, Emma, Kiah and Ellie, look forward to welcoming you to their grand opening later this month.

Shed the lockdown blues

The Women’s Shed running out of the Healesville Living and Learning Centre (HLLC) has been operating for more than seven years.

Starting out as an Introduction to Carpentry class open to all, the uptake by predominantly women saw the initiative grow from there.

Now the HLLC runs three workshops a week, bringing women together to learn new skills, build projects, and fix and repair items, all while building community, connection and confidence.

Jo has been a part of the shed for over two years.

“I’ll keep coming until I run out of projects,” she said.

“I love learning the skills, learning how to use the tools. I can go home and use the drop saw now and know I’m doing it properly.”

The workshops are guided by ‘absolute gem,’ Michael.

“I haven’t heard of too many otherWomen’s Sheds around,” Michael said.

“It is a little different to the local Men’s Shed.

“The women can come here with their own carpentry projects, and I can help them with tools they may not have used before or I can work with them to build a new project they have in mind.”

The Women’s Shed movement had been growing around Australia in the five years preceding Covid.

Like many other community initiatives, the lockdowns had a significant impact on the Healesville group.

“We had regulars coming, who haven’t made it back,” Michael said.

Other members kept up with the workshops throughout.

“I was making a letterbox when the first lockdown happened, just a simple house shape,” one regular member said.

“While we couldn’t go to the Shed, I was thinking what else does it need?

“By the end of the lockdowns, my mailbox had a veranda, window boxes, a chimney, and a carport with a little wooden car.”

Yarra Ranges Council communities director Jane Price said Council was proud to provide funding through the Neighbourhood House Partnership Program to support community development activities that benefit Healesville and the surrounding communities.

“Supporting community assets like Neighbourhood Houses harnesses local knowledge in leading the implementation of services and activities that communities want and need,”

Over 50s festival arrives with ‘learn, love, live’ ethos

By Dongyun Kwon

The 2023 Over 50s Festival has lately lifted the curtain with the theme ‘Learn. Love. Live’ followed by over 100 events.

It is a statewide annual festival and Yarra Ranges has many local events from 1 to 31 October.

Yarra Ranges Council Age-Friendly Community Officer April Paterson said a diverse range of activities would be offered by the council and local communities across the Shire.

“Things such as music, performances, art exhibitions, social bike rides, walking sports, arts and crafts,” she said.

The activities are rotating around the Shire which helps the seniors not to travel far to attend their chosen events.

There are two ways to look up the events list for people to find any interesting activities that would suit them.

“We have all of the events listed on Council’s website so people can pop onto the website and just search Over 50s and the event will be there,” Ms Paterson said.

“Alternatively, we also have a festival booklet available from all of our community links and local eastern regional libraries.”

One of the Council’s main events was launched on 28 September at the Lilydale Civic Centre.

17 local residents participated in Poetic Portraits which is available until the end of January 2024.

“Over the last few months, they have been working away on their poems which hadn’t been edited by a professional poet, then we’ve exhibited those along with a portrait taken by a local photographer Kathy Reynolds,” Ms Paterson said.

Ms Paterson recently had a conversation with members of Healesville U3A where she listened to the members who shared their re-

cent interest in pickleball.

“It’s really great to see something like that thriving in the Healesville area,” she said.

“Eight members recently started playing pickleball at the Healesville High School Basketball Stadium and now it has 26 members and continues to grow.

“Some of the participants may have played tennis or other sports in the past which are a little bit harder on the body as they get older whereas they don’t have to move around as much when they play pickleball.”

Living Stories Project is one of the significant upcoming events that Ms Paterson encourages locals to attend.

The event will feature stories of people from theYarra Ranges with a lived and living experience of mental health challenges.

The attendees will have a chance to listen to the stories by guest speakers on how they deal with the challenges with their own mental illness or caring for someone living with a mental illness followed by a Q&A session.

It will start at 2pm on Saturday 14 October, located at Japara Neighbourhood House, 54-58 Durham Road Kilsyth.

Ms Price said.

“These centres play a significant role in building not only practical skills, but more importantly social and wellbeing connections as well.”

HLLC Community Development coordinator Shona Rimmer said the centre provides community-based, lifelong learning opportunities.

“The centre has been a real turning point in a lot of local people’s lives,” she said.

“We have some people who have been coming to different courses and groups here

for over 20 years.

“We’re so happy we have the space to run the women’s shed out of.

“It’s been wonderful to see the social camaraderie that has been built over time, and the women have real ownership of the shed, it’s their space and they are actively engaged in the evolution of the shed.

“And the things the participants build are incredible!”

Visit hllc.org.au to find out more about the Women’s Shed, and Healesville Living and Learning Centre.

Day Out returns, post-Covid, for quirky

Dog’s

By Dongyun Kwon

Rotary Club of Healesville is preparing to host Dog’s Day Out on 15 October.

Club treasurer Michael Hardinge is excited to bring back the event after holding off the event for three years.

“Our 2020 event was scheduled in March of 2020, but we had to cancel it the day before because of all the Covid-19 restrictions that were coming in and we didn’t think it was a very safe idea to run the event,” he said.

“This is the first time back since Covid-19, which is very exciting for all of us in Rotary.”

The event will also be held in spring for the first time, whereas they had in March previously.

Mr Hardinge explained the purpose of the event was to bring the community together.

“With a growing population of families

day

and people having dogs, we wanted to create a fun day out for the whole family,” he said.

The event will be splendid with 18 major events, a grand parade, market stalls, prizes and giveaways.

The attendees will be encouraged to participate in fun and quirky contests, such as the shiniest coat, best rescue dog, waggiest tail and longest ears which will have prizes for first, second and third place winners for each category.

There will be an animal farm with up to 40 animals to view and feed, a dog training exhibition by the Healesville and District Dog Club, face painting, a coffee van and a sausage sizzle.

Entry to the event will be free but joining the competition will be $5.

“All the proceeds will go to the Rotary Club of Healesville to support our various community services such as youth and vocational projects,” Mr Hardinge said.

Over 50s Festival is a statewide annual event during October and Yarra Ranges has many local events.

Dogs Day Out is to bring the community together as the population of families and people having dogs increases in Healesville. Picture: ON FILE

HLLC has been running the Women’s Shed over seven years. Picture: ON FILE

Segrave makes jump from psychologist to artist

By Dongyun Kwon

Healesville artist Joan Segrave displays her landscape paintings in the YAVA-curated space at Tokar Estate Cellar Door.

Tokar Estate winery is one of the ‘YAVA Out and About’ venues, which is the project of YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub (YAVA) that links food, wine and the arts in Yarra Valley.

Segrave’s paintings are a perfect match for the Tokar Estate Cellar Door which looks out over the hills and surrounding valley.

Her works are based on Australian landscapes and she likes using strong colours and bold brushstrokes in her work, which brings vitality and energy to the room.

The influence of walking along the Larapinta trail, Bay of Fires, Uluru, Blackhall and the local Warburton Trail have all found their way into her paintings.

“I enjoy exploring colour and shape, particularly through the Australian landscape as it invites both rhythm and juxtaposition reflecting life’s experiences,” she said.

“I paint with acrylics using a palette that highlights and exaggerates the often subtle colours in our landscape.”

Her past career as a psychologist has affected her paintings in terms of people’s wellbeing.

“I worked as a psychologist until 2016, then I have become very interested in how non-verbal aspects and colours affect wellbeing and I find the painting is a really strong vehicle for that,” Segrave said.

The opening night marked successfully the launch of the exhibition on 5 October.

“I was thrilled and delighted with the people who turned up, they were very supportive and interested in my works,” she said.

Segrave thanked YAVA and Tokar Estate who supported her for the exhibition.

“I just feel extremely supported and honoured to be given the opportunity,” Segrave said.

“Tokar Estate was very supportive, hospitable and served up lovely food on the opening night and people at YAVA helped to put the exhibition together for me.”

Segrave’s works are on display until De-

cember, with all her works for sale.

Tokar Estate Cellar Door is open from 10.30am to 5pm every Thursday to Sunday, located at 6 Maddens Lane Coldstream.

Show keeps it warm, real

By Callum Ludwig

Comedian, actor and writer Damian Callinan is bringing his show Double Feature to Warburton and Upwey.

The show, a comedic, romantic and heartbreaking presentation of Mr Callinan’s mother’s 1946 rediscovered diary and his father’s extensive collection of retirement journals, is coming to the Warburton Arts Centre and Burrinja Cultural Centre this month.

Mr Callinan said his Mum’s diary was only discovered on the night of his Dad’s funeral after they had both died.

“Being able to access all these memories of their courtship and hearing our mum’s 19-year-old voice was a pretty special find, I kind of knew as soon as we discovered it that I would like to do something with it one day,” he said.

“We found it hidden in a box with my Dad’s retirement diaries, he had 23 volumes and while he was an interesting guy, he was a school teacher turned principal, he was a war veteran, a gifted sportsman and an amateur actor but he diarised every part of his life in excruciating detail,”

“There was no separation of importance between subjects, a typical entry might read: ‘Went to Hades Hot Bread Kitchen and bought two baguettes, a flood devastated Armenia killing thousands, Damian came to remove the leaves, Sister Fran had a hysterectomy’.”

Mr Callinan opens the show as if it’s a showing of an old-timey film before he enters the stage and declares that he ‘ran out of money to make the film’ and offers to pitch the story instead.

Mr Callinan said there was almost too much source material and you would need a team of 25 university researchers to get through all the great stories.

“I try to keep the dramatic tension, Mum was incredibly popular, she had about six or seven guys on the go, which we didn’t know about, so I run a book on the show and keep changing the odds depending on the various suitors and what the do,” he said.

“Dad gets introduced quite late and we don’t find out until the end what his name is and who he ended up with.”

Mr Callinan’s show in Warburton is at 2pm on Wednesday 25 October and at 7.30pm on Thursday 26 October at Burrinja.

Mr Callinan said while most of his shows consist of created stories, but he had sone biographical shows like Double Feature before.

“It’s quite surprising because my initial reaction or reluctance to do it everytime is ‘Who cares about my story?’ not that it’s indulgent, but what happens is that people see their own stories in your story,” he said.

“People invade the stage afterwards, and they just want to talk about how they’ve just

lost their own parents, or there’s grief that they’re dealing with, there’s a lot of parallels and relatable experiences.”

While the show is largely comedic, Mr Callinan doesn’t shy away from his mother’s tragic death; she was accidentally run over by his father.

Mr Callinan said she was in a coma for nearly a week before she died.

“I hadn’t realised when I started writing the show that Dad had diarised that week, each day he’d written an entry about what he was going through, it was incredibly revealing and really sad to read,” he said.

“That’s why the discovery of Mum’s diary was so important to us, because in a sense we

hadn’t as a family been able to properly grieve Mum, because we’d been holding Dad together for almost a decade between their deaths,”

“It’s like a way of reclaiming their lives because their accident was so tragic and is what a lot of people remember, I don’t swerve around the tragedy in the show, but at the end, I then take it back to the Hollywood romance, reveal their first night together and all the soppy romantic stuff so it’s just really nice to tell their story.”

For more information or to buy tickets, go to: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/ Events/Double-Feature-by-Damian-Callinan for the Warburton show or https://boxoffice. burrinja.org.au/WebPages/EntaWebShow/ ShowCalendar.aspx for the Upwey show.

YAVA member and volunteer Mary Anderson, Artist Joan Segrave and YAVA director Karen Meuleman enjoyed the opening night on 5 October. Picture:

Hear Damian Callinan spin the tales of his mother and father at shows in Upwey and Warburton. Picture: SUPPLIED

54 years and going strong

By Brad Finger President’s message

Welcome to the 2023Wandin Silvan Field Days – for a 54th year.

Coming out of Covid-19, we are back full of excitement and enthusiasm for a successful event.

In my second year as president, I look forward to continuing the goal of increasing the profile and maintaining the high interest in this important local event.

After last year’s frustratedly wet year, I hope it will be a lot better this year.

From the long-serving committee members to exhibitors past and present, to the numerous community group volunteers and the all-important patrons, I thank you all. Without your support and participation, we would not have maintained our event for such a long period of time.

Our Field Days not only provide the opportunity to see the latest in farm machinery, technology and related services, but continue as a great opportunity to catch up and network with others in the industry and local area.

A diverse range of machinery and equipment will again be on display - tractors, irrigation supplies, spray equipment, and water tanks.

Farm maintenance needs are covered with exhibits such as lawn mowers, chainsaws and wood splitters.

Stalls with various tools, garden supplies and workwear are also scattered around the event.

Local schools and the ladies of our local CWA provide catering at the field days ensuring that there is a constant variety of food for exhibitors from early in the morning until late in the day.

As well as the social networking opportunity, this provides them an important fundraising opportunity and we encourage you to take advantage of their delicious refreshments.

The Field Days committee recognises the many hours volunteered by our local CFA groups, who greatly assist in the organisation of the event.

In return, proceeds from gate entry fees are donated back to them to assist in the on-going operations of the vital role they play in our communities.

In addition to the main displays, there are several lifestyle and general interest stalls featuring, with something for everyone.

The popular Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society will again be displaying and operating their Farm Machinery of yesteryear.

We also have working draught horses on display, an amazing demonstration of chainsaw carving and we welcome for the first time, Animals of OZ and Animals on the Move.

I think that you will agree there is something of interest for the whole family at the Field Days.

With a willing and supportive Committee behind me, I look forward to welcoming you all as we celebrate the 54th annual Wandin Silvan Field Days.

Brad Finger is enjoying his second year as president.

better

Even though Adaptable Gardens was only founded in early 2022, the ideas and ethics behind the business actually started more than 30 years prior.

A vast majority of owner Ben’s early and formative years were spent living with his grandparents. His grandfather, David, had an absolute passion for gardening. It was his therapy. It didn’t matter what state the garden was in when he moved into a new house as he had a vision in his mind before anyone could blink and a work ethic that no one could match.

In early 2020, Ben met Danielle, who had been a Mental Health Occupational Therapist for nearly 20 years. In 2021 they moved to the Dandenong Ranges and onto a large rural property. Very quickly a menagerie of farm animals joined them. With the open land and fresh air, it wasn’t long before Ben questioned his career and work-life balance. His current role took him interstate quite a lot.

In early 2022, he decided to go back to his roots and go back to where he was at his happiest; in the garden. As part of this process, he knew his late grandfather was guiding him, so the name ‘Adaptive’ needed to be in the company name. After some brainstorming with Dani, Adaptable Gardens was born.

Our main focus when we started was to look after our older community in the hills. We were quickly recommended to a couple of Aged Care package providers and before long we were looking after 30+ older clients that needed help.

During this process, one of the most enjoyable parts of working with our clients was the stories. Many of our clients told us how they used to enjoy gardening and harvesting the produce. We learnt a lot from them about oldschool ways of growing and preserving food (something we love ourselves and are passion-

ate about) yet the stories always ended the same way…

“I wish I could still garden, but I can’t use my hands very well anymore”

”I can’t get down to the ground like I used to”

Hearing the sadness about not being able to garden any more, we realised how much gardening was a source of therapy for so many

people. It was heartbreaking for us feeling like there was nothing we could do to help other than garden for them.

After a conversation with Dani, we decided we had to find a way.

We went in search of cost-effective products to help people garden again and to bring gardening up to their level. We found a couple of products that were already on the market that

helped us start that journey of helping people and the instant change in those that could now grow their own again was amazing!

There is a lack of resources out there for so many people from many different walks of life looking for solutions to help them grow their own food, especially in small spaces like apartments.

Over the last year, the search for products and solutions has intensified and has been an amazing one. What we have created through our journey is a network of amazing relationships with our suppliers and many of them have become family to us. We have formed solutions where there were previously none. We have also created as close to a closed-loop food network as possible with only 3 pre-requisites for the products we supply:

· Must be Australian or New Zealand-made

· Must be portable

· Must not directly compete with other products we supply

We are very proud to say that we have achieved our goal. What started off as a very small local garden maintenance business has now turned into a brand that specialises in finding a solution to grow your own food no matter what physical challenge or living situation you face. We have helped people in apartments grow food in self-watering towers as well as compost the food waste as well and help set up 2500 plant strawberry farms raised off the ground to survive flooding.

We truly believe that growing your own nutrient-dense food at home is the way forward and Adaptable Gardens aims to bring all of the solutions into one place.

Come and meet Ben and Dani at Wandin Silvan Field Days.

OwnersandFoundersofAdaptableGardensBenandDani.

Picture:SUPPLIED

WANDIN SILVAN FIELD DAYS 2023 Explore the Isuzu range

Are you in the market for a new UTE or SUV to suit your day-to-day needs, whether that be off-road or around the suburbs?

Genesis Motors Isuzu UTE based in Lilydale offers a range of Isuzu D-MAX utes and Isuzu MU-X SUVs in addition to high-quality preowned vehicles.

The team will be setting up at the Wandin Silvan Field Days and is looking forward to speaking with you about the latest range as well as their current service campaigns.

Genesis Motors is the start of every great adventure and has a long history of helping locals purchase their new vehicles after being first established in Ringwood in 2011.

It is led by Dealer Principal, Sumil Salgadoe, who has exceptional knowledge of the brand and industry after working from the ground up at Isuzu UTE Australia’s head office in Brisbane in 2008.

Mr Salgadoe has recruited a team around him who all believe in the Isuzu UTE products as much as he does and with that has come rapid growth seeing the expansion and relocation to Lilydale in 2016.

The Isuzu D-MAX and Isuzu MU-X have been built with the values that have made Isuzu famous: dependability, reliability and efficiency.

While Genesis Motors deals with Isuzu UTE as its primary product, they also trade in preowned vehicles which are traded and backed by the experienced staff.

Therefore if you are looking for a pre-owned

vehicle Genesis Motors has a range that caters to your requirements.

Whether purchasing a new car or servicing your vehicle, the team’s mission is to ensure an enjoyable experience from the family-owned

and run business.

Genesis Motors has factory-trained Service Technicians to ensure the safety of your vehicle is met at all times.

As a customer, you will be treated like fam-

ily ensuring unprecedented attention and care are provided at all times. So pop in and see the team at Wandin Silvan Field Days site or visit them at Genesis Motors Isuzu UTE at 461 Maroondah Highway, LilydaleVIC 3140, Australia

All welcome to the 2023 Wandin Silvan Field Days

TheWandin Silvan Field Days event is coming up this Friday 13 and Saturday 14 October.

While the weather forecast may look a bit miserable, conditions should be better for the 2023 edition than last year with all exhibitors able to attend.

Gates will open to the public from 8.30am to 5pm on Friday and 8.30am to 4pm on Saturday.

Pictured is a selection of what you can look forward to:

Top-class water delivery

Irribiz is a leading Australian-owned business, operating across 5 states of Australia.

Headquartered in Griffith NSW, we have branches and offices in Mt Evelyn VIC, Robinvale VIC, Virginia SA, Adelaide SA, Beerwah QLD, and Launceston TAS. We also have an online store.

With years of industry experience, our Mt Evelyn branch is led by Justyn Flynn. We are extremely excited to announce that Tracey Williams has joined the team in Retail. You can find our branch in Mt Evelyn at Unit 3,

5 Clancys Rd.

Irribiz provides world-class water and filtration solutions that help our customers conserve, reuse, and recycle water in the most efficient and sustainable way. Irribiz supplies and installs products and services to the agricultural, horticultural, hydroponic and irrigation industries and the residential market.

With a focus on providing solutions in efficient water delivery and management across residential, open field irrigation and commercial greenhouses, our team of dedicated staff

work across a range of disciplines including sales, design, installation, project management, retail and online sales and service and maintenance.

From water treatment and purification to water harvesting and storage, to water distribution and monitoring, we offer a comprehensive range of solutions that are designed to optimise your water usage and quality, while reducing your environmental impact and costs.

We are committed to innovation, excel-

lence, and customer satisfaction, and we work closely with you to understand your water challenges and opportunities and provide you with the best solutions possible to meet your goals and needs.

Irribiz is more than just a water solutions provider, we are your trusted water partner.

Come meet Justyn and Tracey from our Mt Evelyn team at the Wandin Silvan Field Days, 13 to 14 October 2023. We look forward to seeing you there!

Irribiz are leaders in water delivery and management.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Come meet Justyn and Tracey from the Mt Evelyn branch at Wandin Silvan Field Days.

The key to healthy soil

It’s no secret that much of our soil is tired. Chemical fertilisers, pesticides, pollution, erosion, and intensive agriculture have stretched healthy soils to the limit.

To help restore the natural abundance and sustainability of soil, we now know that increasing the microbial activity is transformative.

Biolink is an Australian owned company committed to supporting growers and home gardeners achieve more sustainable, profitable crops and gardens. Their microbial-based range of natural fertilisers, soil stimulants, and animal probiotics are helping to restore soils and grow healthier plants and animals.

Biolink Ignition speeds up the composting process, helping to re-incorporate rich organic material back into the soil for increased moisture, nutrient and water holding ability.

Combined with conventional fertilisers, Biolink Bio-Hum helps maintain nutrients, boosts uptake and reduces losses of essential nutrients needed for your plants to thrive.

Biolink’s garden range of Sprinkle and Soak, Germinator and Biolink Brew fertilisers tea bags are a winner with home gardeners, reviving the soil through biologicals and creating the perfect environment for vegetables, fruit trees and ornamentals plants to grow.

New Opti-Gut is an animal probiotic for cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, fish, dogs, and cats. It’s working wonders to build a healthy biome, supplement inadequate diets, and support overall animal wellbeing.

“Based on research both here and overseas, we’ve blended six microbial groups that researchers, gardeners, and farmers in the field, have found to boost microbial activity in the soil and plant growth. The benefits are not just the high number of microbials in our products.

It’s the combination and the interactions these have in the soil that makes the difference” explained Biolink co-owner Kevin Beecroft.

The six powerful live microbial groups in Biolink organic fertiliser and soil stimulants are: Enterococcus Faecalis, Lactobacillus Group, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Aspergillus Group, Bacillus Subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Biolink range also uses the power of humic fulvic acid, a key ingredient used to boost the bioavailability of organic nitrogen and reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers. Visit www.biolink4plants.com.au for more information about restoring the health of your soil.

Helping farmers create more sustainable, profitable farms

BIOLINK™ BULLET is an allpurpose organic* fertiliser made with chicken manure and infused with our special blend of microbes.

A slow-release, year-round pelletised fertiliser, ideal for agricultural applications to build organic carbon Supports soil health and plant growth for veggie and floral gardens, lawns, and landscape use

OPTI-GUT is a natural, affordable animal probiotic that supports healthier digestion and optimum overall health

Replenishes gut flora and improves nutrient absorption Improves feed utilisation on all types of diets and helps reduce environmental emissions

Available in pelletised and water-resistant dry lick formula

Biolink uses powerful high-strength, multi-strain microbials to boost the health of plants and animals on your farm

biolink4plants.com.au

4 Plants & Animals is an Australian-owned enterprise, supporting Australian farmers

Kev and Graham from Biolink.

Home gardener Biolink range.

A trusted guide to Toyota

In the market for a new vehicle? Imagine this: the opportunity to explore a dazzling array of the latest Toyota models while having expert guidance right at your fingertips. Well, you’re in luck! This 13 and 14 October, join us at the Wandin-Silvan Field Days for an enjoyable, family-friendly event.

Our dedicated team from your trusted local Toyota dealerships, Yarra Valley and Croydon Toyota, will be there to showcase Toyota’s newest additions to the line-up. While you take a break from perusing agricultural equipment, come and check out the new HiLux Rogue - the ultimate vehicle for both work and play.

But that’s just the beginning! Our knowledgeable team will be delighted to introduce you to Toyota’s eco-friendly sedans, hatches, and hybrids, perfect for those looking to make a green impact on the road.

If your needs lean towards a larger vehicle for the whole family, don’t miss our sporty and spacious SUVs. They are designed to accommodate everyone and everything you need, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable ride for all.

Is your business in need of a fleet of vehicles? We’ve got you covered! Our team specializes in providing tailored fleet solutions for businesses of all sizes, whether you’re a corporation, a community organization, or a government department. We’ll work closely with you to offer competitive fleet solutions that meet your specific needs.

Our financial services team will always be at your service, ready to answer any questions you may have. Whether you’re seeking a lowrate package to get behind the wheel of your dream car or need guidance on warranty and insurance matters, we’re here to provide you with quotes, clarity, and peace of mind.

Whatever you’re searching for, there’s a

Toyota that perfectly suits your needs, and our award-winning team will be there to help you find it. With over 55 years of dedicated service to our community, we’re proud and excited to

be part of local events like the Wandin-Silvan Field Days. Join us at theWandin-Silvan Field Days and explore the world of Toyota. Drop by our Yarra

Valley & Croydon Toyota display, or visit us at our dealerships anytime. We look forward to serving you and being part of your automotive journey.

From the moment it made its way onto our shores over 50 years ago, the Hilux quickly established itself as an Australian classic. A workhorse and family mover, no adventure is complete without one. And for good reason.

Combining power with on-road presence, the Hilux continues to prove itself from generation to generation. Nothing beats the unbreakable connection between you and your Hilux.

Yarra Valley Toyota Sales manager Robert Huang. Pictures: SUPPLIED Get down to see the Toyota team at Wandin Silvan Field Days.

Missy, the office dog, in all her Toyota merch.

More taxes for Victoria From my desk

After the sudden resignation of Daniel Andrews, one of the first acts of Victoria’s new Premier, less than one week into the job, was to introduce two new taxes. When governments tax you more, it means less money for you and your family to spend on the essentials. Higher taxes stifle economic growth and disproportionately hurt those that can least afford it.

Victoria is already the highest taxed state in Australia, with Victorians paying an average of $5,074 per person in taxes according to an independent report by the Parliamentary Budget Office.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has introduced 52 new or increased taxes. Most recently this includes a rent tax, health tax, jobs tax, tourism tax, and a schools tax, making life harder for Victorians and adding to their costof-living pressures.

Bridget Vallence Evelyn MP

Astonishingly, the revenue expected from these new taxes will go no way to tackling state debt, which is forecast to reach a whopping $171 billion in just three years’ time. Victoria’s debt level is more than NSW, Queensland and Tasmania combined. A shocking legacy.

And, the interest bill to service that debt is

Movie takes you to edge

On October 6, the Memorial Hall in Healesville hosted a special screening and Q&A event for The Cost, the latest film by director Matthew Holmes.

Aaron (Damon Hunter) and David (Jordan Fraser-Trumble) abduct Troy (Kevin Dee) and bring him to the woods to dispense justice for an old crime, only for their plan to go awry.

The Cost is a taut, harrowing thriller that makes excellent use of its small cast and setting. Holmes doesn’t view The Cost as a horror film – ‘It will take you to the edge of the cliff, but it will not push you over the edge’ – but it’s still a confronting, psychologically disturbing film that examines the brutality normal people are capable of, whether an eye for an eye is truly justice, and how pragmatism can lock you into a horrific situation.

Dee is both pathetic and manipulative as Troy, Hunter delivers an almost scary resolve as Aaron – during the Q&A, Hunter mentioned that he maintained this intensity throughout the production – and Fraser-Tumble conveys David’s growing anxiety over their actions.

The Cost showsTroy’s instigating crime –his assault and murder of Stephanie (Nicole Pastor), who was Aaron’s sister and David’s wife – in flashbacks that, while not particularly graphic, may be triggering to some viewers. These scenes negate all but superficial sympathy for Troy, which highlights Aaron and David’s central moral conflict. The close-up camerawork, as Holmes put it, also ‘claustrophobically kinda traps you with these three characters’ for an intimate view of their psyches. The dialogue feels slightly melodramatic at first, but this aids the narrative: as David questions whether they can go through with their plan and if the trauma from killing Troy will outweigh any retribution, his initial bravado dissolves. Adam is a great illustration of the difference between cold and pragmatic: he appears stoic and bloodthirsty, but he is driven by grief for his sister and a need to protect his family, and he know’s that they’re in too deep to back out now.

The Cost is extremely suspenseful and superbly balances both internal and exter-

nal conflict: complications emerge in wellforeshadowed but shocking ways, and the tension tightens to excruciating levels in the nerve-shredding climax.

In a fun Q&A after the film, Holmes and Hunter gave thorough insight into the film’s production.

A planned 3-month shoot became a 13-month shoot, partly due to Covid lockdowns. The filming often took place in cold weather and harsh conditions, with Dee ‘barefoot in the woods’ for long stretches. Dee courageously took the brunt, but everyone suffered a little for their art. ‘You get a few bumps and bruises making a film like this,’ Holmes remarked.

Holmes, the cast and crew constantly debated to make sure they don’t go too far or mean-spirited or turn The Cost into an exploitation movie.

Clayton Watson plays Brian, a farmer who throws a wrench in Aaron and David’s plans. Holmes noted that while the shooting script didn’t change much,Watson (who was a late addition to the cast) played Brian significantly funnier than on the page. ‘Casting is fluid. Sometimes it surprises you.’

The Cost will screen at several independent cinemas in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, including Cameo in Belgrave on October 11 and the Mecca Arts Centre in Warburton on October 13, and will be released on DVD, BluRay and streaming services on October 18.

The major cinema franchises have little interest in supporting Australian movies, and an enthralling, well-crafted Australian film like The Cost deserves our support.

costingVictorian taxpayers’ $15 million dollars a day, each and every day. That’s right – today $15 million in interest, tomorrow another $15 million in interest, and the next day and so on. By 2026, interest on the Labor Government’s debt is forecast to reach $22 million per day.

Just think what we could do with that sort of money in our community.

We could start fixing dangerous roads and intersections, including Warburton Highway in Seville East, Maroondah Highway at Killara Road in Coldstream, the single-lane bottleneck of Hull Road in Mooroolbark under the rail bridge, and Clegg Road at Wellington Road in Wandin North. We could duplicate the railway tracks between Mooroolbark and Lilydale to improve the frequency and reliability of trains on the Lilydale Line. We could allocate funds to upgrade facilities or purchase new

CARTOON

equipment for local emergency services like Lilydale State Emergency Service (SES) and CFA Fire Brigades.

Labor’s program of ever-increasing taxes is not the economic reform that Victoria needs.

My vision for Victoria is that we find a different way. Instead of punishing Victorians with increasing debt and more taxes, Victoria needs a real plan for genuine economic reform that promotes investment and growth, reduces cost-of-living pressures, and makes life easier for households, community groups and small business.

Have your say at www.BetterTaxSystem. com.au about how you think Victoria’s tax system can be improved. It’s time that Victorians had their say and I am here to listen to you.

Two notable productions

The Bakery @ 1812

Phantom Call by Chris Hudson

The play was in the intimate theatre of the Bak ery@1812 which well suited the production.

A very good set of a suburban lounge room with on audience left was the front door and on audience right was the entry to the kitchen, 1812 always has the off rooms well set so when the audience looks at the off rooms, they do not see a bank wall but a well furnished set.

The story is of amateur spiritualists and one sceptic . They have a seance and the departed one through the medium gives them the racing tips for the next day. Naturally they all win. But!

A cast of seven all excellently played.

Opening we enter the home of the Musgroves, Marge and Charlie. Madge was given a great performance by Annie Laurenson who knew how to handle her husband, Charlie.

Charlie was played by Andrew McIver . A superb performance where Andrew played many roles. This is not easy to change characters at the drop of a hat but Andrew succeeded successfully.

Ryan Brennan played Mr Crimmens, the channel used by the medium to bring the spirits in. Another good portrayal of the actor playing several role.

Patricia McCraken was the medium Madam Zelda. Patricia must have been to play this role. He portrayal was excellent. She went about the room calling the departed and the theatre gave an impressive display of lightning, thunder and at the right moments

Beryl was played by Shivanii Cameron .As one of the group Shivanii gave a fine performance keeping up the standard as set. Gloria was played by Rosie Leonardi. Another good performance particularly when telling off Mr Percy.

Mr Percy was played by Roderick Chappel who seemed a quiet character at first then turned out to e very selfish for which Rosie told him off. Roderick gave a good interpretation of such a character.

A well written show, very comedic with a

Kemp’s curtain call

little aspect of doubt.

The Bakery@1812 gave its audience a wonderful and comedic night out.

The Basin Theatre Belle

The Basin Theatre opened its October season with Belel? A story of six sisters with one of the sisters, Peggy, ringing up the other five to say that their mother is in hospital suffering from food poisoning.The sisters’ reaction is what the play is all about.

A very busy stage with the sisters spread across USA , from Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Mississippi,Washington and Texas.

This was represented by various means from two bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge room where Peggy broadcasts from which is a centre raised stage.

The sisters all have their own peculiarities such as one who is ventriloquist, another who has difficulties in her marriage

Peggy was played by Michaela Smith/ Peggy is the oldest daughter and still lives with their mother. She rang the other sisters to tell them about her mother eating some bad tuna but the other sisters had their own problems.

Technically The Basin handled the phone calling very well, Each sister had a telephone and when they rang each other the phone actually rang. The whole play was around the telephones with each sister ringing each other up throughout the evening. The players gave good performances but one of the girls could have been a little louder.

A successful evening of theatre giving a few. Laughs and pathos.

Actor Damon Hunter (left) and director Matthew Holmes (right) at a screening and Q&A event for new film The Cost at the Memorial Hall in Healesville on October 6.

Picture: SETH LUKAS HYNES

Voice big decision for all

By Maria Millers

At the end of this week we will all be required to vote in a referendum for which many of us are ill prepared and will cast ourYes or No vote most likely on the basis of our political affiliations, prejudices, impact of media coverage (particularly social media), and in most cases with scant understanding of what the Voice will deliver to our indigenous people or how it will affect the lives of all Australians.

In 2017, the Uluru Statement from the Heart called for three things: voice, treaty and truth: a voice to parliament enshrined in the constitution and a Makarrata commission to oversee a process of treaty-making and truthtelling .There is, however, discomfort among both the indigenous and the wider community as to the process of achieving this. Some high profile indigenous want a Treaty before anything else, but truth telling must also take place. The true history of our dealings with those who were here before us needs to be told and owned.

There has been a failure from the Government in educating the public and counteracting the misinformation which always spreads like a virus. The old shibboleth from Mabo about ordinary Australians’ backyards being in danger of repossession has surfaced again. As Australians we do not have a tradition of debating/ discussing substantive issues, and while endless analyses of sporting events are acceptable, it’s regarded as a social faux pas to engage in talking about politics.

The Yes vote has according to the poll been lagging behind the No vote. A weary electorate still in recovery from the pandemic and now battered with mortgage and cost of living stresses is not receptive to hearing about ‘closing the gap’ of indigenous disadvantage. After

COMMUNITY DIARY

COMMUNITY DIARY

WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

Healesville Library hosting a Wayapa Wuurkshop

Healesville Library is hosting a Wayapa Wuurrkshop from 11am to 2pm on Saturday 21 October.

It is a free event and all are welcome without a booking.

The event is a partnership between Eco

all, they say, haven’t we already poured millions and millions of money in addressing the health, education and violence problems with apparently little result? And why do some succeed while others remain in generational poverty?

It is true that there is a growing well educated and well to do indigenous middle class: in academia, business and particularly in the arts and there are eleven indigenous members of Parliament. But the health, education and social problems of rural and remote communities remain still unsolved. Groups like Just Reinvent appear to be addressing the causes of crime in places like Bourke but on any day of

the year 50 per cent; of those incarcerated across Australia are indigenous. Alcohol fuelled violence and crime persists in centres like Alice Springs.

It is too simplistic to dismiss issues to do with health, incarceration, suicide, life expectancy with admonishments such as don’t commit crimes, change your lifestyles and so on, ignoring generations of disadvantage, exploitation and ingrained victimhood. It also ignores alienation from traditions. As Noel Pearson put it:

Recognition is not just about disadvantage, it’s about our languages, our culture, our history, recognition of our art, and all of the good things we can contribute to the country.

Many indigenous writers and poets have followed in the footsteps of Oodgeroo Noonucccal aka Kath Walker who in 1970 published the poem, An Appeal, where she called on Statesmen, Writers, Unions, Churches, the Press and the white community to take on the indigenous cause. What she asks for still holds today: leadership from the government, truth from our writers and poets, justice from the unions, Christian love and support from the church, advocacy from the press and most importantly acceptance and understanding from white Australians: On you our chiefest hopes depend.

Now the multi-talented Baker Boy from Arnhem Land has become a powerful role model for young indigenous, as he raps his way into mainstream prominence with a message for them to embrace their culture and become leaders in their communities:

You wanna be as good as me? Boy, you better practice

Step back, feel the power of my blackness

You wanna be as good as me? Boy, you bet-

ter practice

Step back, feel the power of my blackness

The vote every Australian casts on 14 October should be a considered vote based on whether you believe the proposedVoice would indeed improve the lives of our fellow indigenous Australians for the better, or whether it merely puts in place another level of bureaucracy with no tangible benefits and perhaps some unintended consequences of resentment of perceived bias towards one section of our community over another.

An Appeal

Statesmen, who make the nation’s laws, With power to force unfriendly doors, Give leadership in this our cause That leaders owe.

Writers, who have the nation’s ear, Your pen a sword opponents fear, Speak of our evils loud and clear That all may know.

Unions, who serve democracy, Guardians of social liberty, Warm to the justice of our plea, And strike your blow.

Churches, who preach the Nazarene, Be on our side and intervene, Show us what Christian love can mean Who need it so.

The Press, most powerful of all, On you the underprivileged call: Right us a wrong and break the thrall That keep us low.

All white well-wishers, in the end On you our chiefest hopes depend; Public opinion’s our best friend To beat the foe.

Warriors Australia and Wayapa Wuurrk and is supported by a grant from the Valley Recovery Committee.

Welcome to Country, Rope bridge making for local wildlife, Storytelling, BBQ lunch and Introduction to Wayapa Wuurrk Workshop will make up the contents of the attempt, which will attempt to deepen attendees’ connection to the earth via utilising ancient indigenous wisdom.

RegularWayapa practice will also be offered for free at the Healesville Library henceforth from the event.

For more information on Wayapa Wuurrk, check out www.wayapa.com.

WADDOC hosting a Tunes and Trivia Night

The Wesburn and District Dog Obedience Club (WADDOC) is hosting a Tunes and Trivia Night in November.

It will be held at St Joe’s Primary School in Yarra Junction on Saturday 11 November from 7pm to 10.30pm.

Local band‘The 7:30Thursdays’ will be performing at the event, despite the timeslot being a couple of days and half an hour out from their name.

Tickets are $15 each or you book a table.

Anyone interested in the event or joining WADDOC can find out more at: www.facebook.com/wesburndogclub.

RACV Healesville proves popular for newlyweds

RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort has been chosen by Victorian newlyweds as the top venue for club receptions at the 2023 Victorian ABIA Wedding Industry Awards.

The combination of breathtaking views, five-star service and impressive facilities were just some of the reasons thisYarraValley venue took out the top spot.

In its 25th year, the ABIA Wedding Industry Awards are Australia’s most credible wedding industry awards, and all businesses must achieve a minimum customer satisfaction rating above 95 per cent to even qualify

as a finalist.

RACV Executive General Manager Leisure Craig Peachey said he was proud of the work the RACV Resort and Clubs teams did to deliver exceptional wedding experiences.

“It’s heartwarming to see our teams recognised by over 7,200 newlyweds who were invited to vote in this year’s Awards,” Mr Peachey said.

“We are privileged to share these memorable events with members, customers, and guests and we thank them for their support.”

RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort Sales Director Kylie Shorter said her memorable marriage moments all involved their animals.

“I’ll never forget kangaroos hopping through the ‘I do’ part of the ceremony, two llamas as part of a ceremony dressed as a bride and groom or the peregrine falcon who stunned itself on the glass right before the bride was due to walk out,” she said.

“It then spent the next 20 minutes under my suit jacket.”

Warburton Shell Service Station 3458 Warburton Highway

Warburton Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 3371 Warburton Highway

Warburton Bell Real Estate 3407 Warburton Highway

Wesburn Local Fuel 2835 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Foodworks Woori Yellock 1/1585 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Newsagency & Tattslotto Shop 4/ 1585 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Hillcrest Little Store Great Food 1745 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Shell Service Station Foodies 1700 Warburton Highway

WooriYallock Australia Post LPO Shop 11 / 1585 Warburton Highway,The Centre

Yarra Glen Ritchies IGA Shop 1/38 Bell Street

Yarra Glen Caltex Petrol Station 66 Bell Street

Yarra Glen Newsagent 32 Bell Street

634-638 Warburton Highway Wandin North Fast Fuel Wandin 389-391 Warburton Highway Wandin North IGA X-Press Wandin North Plus Liquor 388 Warburton Highway Wandin North Landmark Harcourts Wandin Real Estate 1/362 Warburton Highway Wandin North Wandin Newsagency Shop 18/2 Union Road

Warburton IGA Supermarket 3465 Warburton Highway Warburton K G Thomas Ply Ltd Insurance 1/3395 Warburton Highway Warburton The Valley Bakery Warburton 3415 Warburton Highway

Yarra Glen United Garage 6 Bell Street

Yarra Junction Woolworths Supermarket 82-84 Warburton Highway

Yarra Junction Bottle O 2440 Warburton Highway

Yarra Junction Bell Real Estate 2457 Warburton Highway

Yarra Junction Newsagency 2454 Warburton Highway

Yarra Junction Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 2460 Warburton Highway

Picture: Shane Zahner

SkinPower!

Free from chemicals and one hundred percent natural

More than 70 prunes in every jar

Naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals including potassium, dietary fibre, magnesium and vitamin K

Helps keep skin hydrated and healthy

Anti-ageing - helps prolong youthful glow

Helps promote skin cell regeneration –improving skin tone and texture

Enjoy a teaspoon daily, or mix with any food, tea, yogurt or use in cooking

LUXURY LIVING WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS

See page 28

LUXURY LIVING WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS

THE convenience of living in this ideal location is just the beginning of the joy in this stunning luxury home. The ‘builders own’ home showcases superb attention to detail, a well thought out design and quality fixtures and fittings throughout.

A magnificent kitchen is the heart and soul of the home, with a glorious feature stone island bench, induction cooktop and pyrolytic oven, ample cupboard and bench space, and the hero is the glorious mountain vista that you enjoy from your kitchen and dining room.

Showcasing high ceilings throughout, the home has a light and spacious feel, and you will love the timber floors and the extensive storage throughout. The bonuses continue with double glazing, a large 5000ltr water tank connected to the house and garden and a 6 star energy rating to enjoy.

The master bedroom is delightful, with direct access to one of the entertainment decks, a luxurious ensuite with stone bench tops and double sinks and all 3 bedrooms enjoy fitted out triple robes. The main bathroom has a large tub to soak in and the quality of the home is evidenced again in this sumptuous space.

Multiple outdoor living decks make this a great entertainers home where you can show off your stunning views with your family and friends. Well thought out landscaped gardens with watering system are complete for your outdoors enjoyment, and a large double lock up garage with internal access for convenience in addition to further offstreet parking takes care of the vehicles.

With a 250 meter stroll to the hub of Yarra Junction, you can leave the car at home, pop into a local cafe for lunch, pick up a book from the library, grab a few groceries for dinner and stroll on home again. Other fantastic features of this location are the Yarra Centre sporting complex, the Warburton Trail, public transport and a huge array of shops and services for your convenience.

A unique and beautiful home on offer in a fabulous town location. ●

SPACIOUS 4 BEDROOM ON 1/4 ACRE

NESTLED on a generous ¼ acre block is this very attractive 4-bedroom home.

It’s situated in the glorious Yarra Valley, which has a host if things to offer that most suburbs simply don’t have. Such as worldrenowned wineries, the famous Chocolatery, restaurants and much more.

The property boasts views of Mount Dandenong, Christmas hills and directly across the road fields with cattle grazing year-round. The perfect mix of country lifestyle while remaining close to amenities

The home approx. twelve years old is perfect for family living providing 4 bedrooms each with built in robes, while the main bedroom features full ensuite with double vanity and double shower as well as a spacious walk-in robe. There are two living areas, great kitchen with stone tops and

HOME ESSENTIALS

900 mil upright stove, family bathroom, laundry, and toilets x two. Additional features for the property include all year-round comfort with ducted heating and evaporative cooling. And what most properties don’t have is 3 phase power, but this one does. So, if you’re a tradie you’ll never be short on power.

Externally there is an undercover entertainment area second to none. It’s huge and made completely from powder coated steel.

In terms of garage accommodation, the property provides a double lock up garage with remote control and a steel garage shed in the back yard with gated vehicle access and gravel driveway with room to park a caravan or boat.

Better put this property on your short list before it is sold. ●

Address: 3 Symonds Street, YARRA GLEN Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 garage Price: $895,000 - $935,000

Contact: Bill Verhagen 0417 371 987, INTEGRITY REAL ESTATE

Prestigious Equine Lifestyle Estate on 16.5 Acres

Nestled in the heart of Kinglake Central, this quality property is a true gem that offers a lifestyle of comfort that is perfectly set up for motocross enthusiasts, truck and transport, and equestrian pursuits! A beautifully refurbished residence providing practicality and modern convenience. A character Weathertex home that provides a modern and comfortable living environment combining style and functionality. It’s the perfect low maintenance accommodation you’re looking for, coupled with an adventurous lifestyle.

The home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen/meals area, living room and laundry. Some of the many features include walk-in robe and en suite to master, built in robes, 2 toilets, reverse-cycle air conditioning, and the ambiance of a wood heater. Stepping outside you have a large alfresco entertainment decking overlooking your private backyard. Keep the power bills low and reduce your carbon footprint with a solar panel system that completes the home. Water is assured with rainwater storage tanks, an unlimited spring water bore, and access to spring fed dam.

Externally is where the property really shines. A standout features is the impressive 10x14m American barn, complete with concrete floor, power, cool room and man cave with bar and pot belly stove for those leisurely evenings. Adjacent to the house is the domestic 6x9m shed for car accommodation and storage. Ample shedding extends to those with equestrian pursuits, accompanied with a well-designed horse stable complex including two 5x5m stables with space for tack, wash bay and tie up.

The land itself spans approx. 16.5 acres of rolling pasture and mixed bush at the rear and is divided into six fully fenced manicured paddocks, 2 Equimesh foaling paddocks, four with shelters, and electric fencing. The facilities extend further to the well located 55x27m dressage arena with quarter-minus base and drainage.

Moving beyond the equine potential, mixed family recreation is catered for with professionally built motocross track, from the amateur to the professional enthusiast. Commercial clientele with appreciated the hardstand truck yard, and work from home business solutions are covered by Starlink internet connectivity through the facilities. Additionally there are dog pens for breeders or housing pets whilst away. This property offers a wealth of opportunities for business and personal use, without compromising on modern comfort and convenience, located close to urban centres.

HOME FOCUS

REMARKABLE HOME IN GREAT LOCATION

‘LOCATED in the beautiful Beaumont Waters Estate, this remarkable home offers many features that combine comfort and practicality. The house is set up to provide multiple living arrangements with five bedrooms and three bathrooms. You’ll find one of these bedrooms and bathrooms as part of a studio-style unit adjoining the main house. This home provides ample room for a growing family, extended/dependant family member, home office, salon, or those who value space and would love the extras! Situated on an 800m² corner block, this property offers privacy, plenty of extras, room for everyone, and the perfect location.

Inside

· Two separate living spaces inside

· The well-appointed kitchen features stainless steel appliances, connecting to a comfortable meal area

· The main bedroom boasts an ensuite and walk-in robe

· All other bedrooms are equipped with builtin robes and serviced by a central family bathroom

· Extra Features

· Newly fitted plantation shutters not only enhance the interior aesthetics but also offer excellent light control and privacy

· Storage is plentiful with ample linen/hall cupboards

· Full alarm system

· Ducted vacuum and heating

· Solar

· Multiple split system air conditioning units to maintain a comfortable environment year-round

Added Bonus

Fabulous studio with separate access, own bathroom, perfect for working from home and having clients attend

Outside

Generous outdoor entertaining area, fitted with Cafe blinds, fully enclosing the space as an inside-outside living area!

Parking is a breeze with a two-car garage with internal access to the main residence

Additional oversized double garage/ workshop at the rear with side access

This workshop is a creative haven, a DIY enthusiast’s dream, or simply a functional space to store your tools and equipment.

Additional two garden sheds on the property offer extra storage.

Within walking distance to Eden Rise Shopping Centre and proximity to sporting facilities, public transport, parklands surrounding the large lake, wetlands reserve and extensive walking paths, Monash Freeway, and all that Berwick offers. Don’t delay, this property is a must to inspect. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

Thishomeoffersapicturesque&comfortablelivingexperienceandissituatedona spacious&usableacre.featuringfront&rearverandahs,largedouble-glazedwindows, plentyofnaturalsunlight,generouslysizedbedrooms-one withbuilt-inrobes,spaciousnew kitchenwithabaywindow,inbuiltgaswoodheaterinlounge, hybridlaminateflooring& carpetinbedrooms,lock-upgarage&workshop,freshlypaintedshedatthefrontwhich couldpotentiallyserveasahomeofficeareaorafarmgateshopexperience(sTca).

Thisprivatelypositionedhomeon5flatacrespayshomagetonaturalfittingsandoffers openplanlivingspaceswithtimberfloors,centralcontemporarykitchenwithinduction cooking,astunningensuite,hugelaundry/mudroomwithseparateaccessfromoutside, woodheater,splitsystemandastudynook.Thegroundscompriseoftwolargepaddocks withgoodfencing-ponyready,adoublegarageanda3bayapprox.7.5mx10.5m poweredshedwithamezzaninefloor.Enjoythebeautifulsurroundingsonthehugedeck.

CHARMING HOME WITH VIEWS

THIS charming home has a warm homely feel throughout, neat and well presented and with 3 great size bedrooms and 2 separate bathrooms it’s the ideal home for the growing family to live and enjoy.

The spacious family/lounge area gives everyone plenty of room to move and with picturesque distant mountain views it’s a great spot to sit back and relax and admire the outlook, separate meals/dining area an open plan kitchen with ample bench and cupboard space.

Outside boasts great space as well with a covered entertaining area and a big grassy front yard the kids and pets will love, conveniently located just a short walk to local schools, shops and transport, a great family home in a great location. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

Address: Lot 2/6 Queen Street, YARRA JUNCTION Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms

Contact: David Carroll 0419 539 320, BELL REAL ESTATE - YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277

$595,000 - $650,000

OVER 10 ACRES OF YARRA VALLEY BLISS

NESTLED at the end of a tree lined driveway stands a beautifully established barn-style home that offers potential buyers an inviting family-oriented living environment. Situated on a beautiful 10 acres of land, boasting 4 bedrooms, a home office, and an impressive 5 living spaces, the choices are entirely yours to make.

An array of features that capture attention include grand beams, distinctive wooden doors, an exterior crafted from mud brick and character timber cladding.

An entertaining bar and pool room area showcases a servery window equipped with an electric shutter door, complemented by a draft beer system and sink. This space effortlessly flows out to a deck area housing a pizza oven, a built-in barbecue, a dining table, and comfortable lounge seating — just paradise.

The impeccable kitchen offers a substantial stove catering to aspiring chefs, plenty of cupboard storage ensures organizational ease, and a breakfast island enhances the already generous counter space.

There is so much in this property to be desired, an inviting open fire with a stone fireplace gracing the formal lounge, a separate wood heater in the living room, and ducted heating and cooling throughout the entire residence.

Externally, this acreage property boasts excellent infrastructure, a 4-car carport attached to the main house and two sizable sheds boasting concrete floors and ample clearance, ideal for accommodating vehicles, equipment, and recreational toys.

Completing the property are 4 fenced paddocks, suitable for hobby farming and horses if your heart desires. Located only minutes walk to the highway giving easy access to public transport, school bus route, shops and local primary school, kinder and creche.

This remarkable property offers features that are too numerous to detail here — seeing in person is the only way to truly appreciate its appeal.

Don’t miss out on this Yarra Valley lifestyle opportunity. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

0448 924 266, BELL REAL ESTATE - YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277

Loadsofcharminthisimmaculatehome

Aspaciousandinvitingenvironmentwithnativeplantings,stunningmountainviewsandavery convenientlocationaddstotheappealofthisproperty.Thehomeproudlyshowcasesalargedeck wherethebeautifulnortherlyviewstothemountainrangeareamagnificentfeatureofthisalready lovelyhome.Internallyyouwillenjoyqualityfurnishings,aspaciousloungeanddiningareawith adjacentgalleykitchen,greatstorageandalovelyoutlookfromyourmanywindows.Themaster bedroomhasdoorstothedeckwhereyoucanenjoyanightcapunderthestarsandoffersexcellent storageinthewalkthroughrobeandintothestylishfullensuite.Thelightfilledmainbathroom servicesthefurther2spaciousbedrooms,whichenjoyqualitycarpetsanddoublebuiltinrobes.Thisis adelightfulhomethatwillbeatreattoinspectandanabsolutejoytolivein.

RelaxtothesoundsofYarraRiver

Thehomeiswellpresentedandboastsplentyofspaceforthegrowingfamilywith3bedrooms allwithbuiltinrobesandafreshmodernbathroom.Theopenplankitchenhasplentyofbench andcupboardspacewithaseparatemeals/diningareaandspaciouslounge/familyroomgiving everyoneplentyofroomtospreadout.Outsideisacolorfulandpicturesquebackdropwithagreat sizerearyardwithacoolcreekmeanderingthrough,frontandrearverandahsprovideagreatspot torelaxandenjoythepicturesquesurrounds.Beautifulestablishedgardenswithacolourfularray offloweringtreesandshrubs,amplecaraccommodationplusunderhousestorage.Afantastic propertyinasensationallocationjustastonesthrowtotheYarrariverandjustashortstrolltolocal, schools,shopstransportandtheWarburtontrail,it’sagreatplacetocallhome.

28BYarraStreet,YarraJunction$700,000-$770,000

LuxuryLivingwithBreathtakingViews

Theconvenienceoflivinginthisideallocationisjustthebeginningofthejoyinthisstunningluxury home.Amagnificentkitchenistheheartandsoulofthehome,withagloriousfeaturestoneisland bench,inductioncooktopandpyrolyticoven,amplecupboardandbenchspace,andtheherois thegloriousmountainvistathatyouenjoyfromyourkitchenanddiningroom.Themasterbedroomis delightful,withdirectaccesstooneoftheentertainmentdecks,aluxuriousensuitewithstonebench topsanddoublesinksandall3bedroomsenjoyfittedouttriplerobes.Multipleoutdoorlivingdecks makethisagreatentertainershome.Wellthoughtoutlandscapedgardenswithwateringsystemare completeforyouroutdoorsenjoyment,andalargedoublelockupgaragewithinternalaccessfor convenience.Auniqueandbeautifulhomeonofferinafabuloustownlocation.

TonyFanfulla

M 0419870513

Inspection: Sat11.00-11.30am

SamanthaPrice M 0438795190 3 A

45AlpineBoulevard,LaunchingPlace$680,000-$735,000

HalfanacrewithBeautifulViews

Setonoverhalfanacreoflandthatadjoinstherailtrail,you’llfindahomewithmanyoptions!A paveddrivewayleadsthewaytoadoublecarcarportthatalsoextendstothedoublelockup garage.Thekitchenandmealsopenstoyourspaciousloungewithcathedralceilings,cozywoodfire andsplitsystem,largewindowsthatofferlotsofnaturallightandaslidingdoortothestunningtiled decktoenjoythemountainviews.Afullbathroomcompletewithabathforthatluxuriousevening soak,nexttothemasterbedroomplusseparatetoiletandlinenstorageleadstothestaircasethat takesyoudownstairstoahugebedroomwithbigwindowsandslidingdoortothegarden.Alaundry andbathroomaswellasaccesstothedoublegarageplusextrastorageroomreallymakesthis homeversatile.Callnowforinspection!

Inspection: Sat12.00-12.30pm

BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND DUAL LIVING

THIS architectural residence is a feast for the senses filled with textural design elements. Imagine exposed beams, rendered accent walls, and rich timber including vaulted ceilings all set to a backdrop of spectacular vista views and lush gardens.

Welcome to this 2,035sqm (approx.) dream lifestyle property. The landscape begins with a large circular drive with double carport. Practical and picturesque, the rear garden boasts an enclosed vegetable patch and orchard, firepit area for gathering with family and friends, paved patio, outdoor heated tub, and more. A shining example of the exceptional way of life the Dandenong Ranges affords, this property will alight imaginations with inspiration.

Inside is equally impressive and offers the versatility every family craves.

Of the 3 levels, 2 are adorned with their own kitchen and luxurious living area perfect for that dual living situation including the upper level family room with wood fire that flows into the new kitchen with stone benchtops, oversize gas range with industrial grill plate, wall oven, timber floors, island seating, and breathtaking outlooks. The top floor bedroom is enriched with its own sunroom.

In addition, there are enticing bedrooms and bathrooms on both levels. The entry level primary bathroom is complemented with a spa tub ideal after a day working in the garden or from home in one of the many bedrooms that could serves as an idyllic office. With an extensive list of bonus features including 2 laundry rooms, 2 coolrooms/cellars including one with large workshop, a private covered terrace on the lower level, and cosy wood fire heating for cooler months in the Hills, this property must be toured in person to appreciate all that is on offer. Truly one-of-a-kind, this magnificent property will provide one fortunate family a fabulous way of life. Plan your viewing today.

· 2,035sqm property with breathtaking views

· Versatile interior with kitchens, living areas, and bedrooms on 2 levels ideal multi-generational living.

· New kitchen with oversize gas range and inviting island seating

· Lush landscaped gardens with veggie beds and orchard ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

4 A 2 B 1 C

Anamazingopportunityforownersandinvestorsalike,thesetypesofpropertiesarearare findinthearea.OnlyashortwalktoUpwey’smainstreet,trainstationandlocalschools,this propertyoffersnotonlyawonderfulopportunitytorenovateandcreatetheperfecthome foryouandyourfamilybutalsoboaststheaddedbenefitsofaseparate,onebedroom characterfilledcottage.

SharynChandler

M 0439882442| E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

RachelEastwood

M 0401117761| E rachel@chandlerandco.com.au

WithinwalkingdistancetoBelgraveMainStreet,BelgraveLakeParkandtrainstationand onlyminutesfrommanylocalschools,thismuchloved&wellsizedfamilyhomehasbeen updatedtoshowcaseHillslivingatitsverybest.Youwillcertainlyfindmorethanone‘wow’ factoratthisproperty–Forstarters,thereisthestunningkitchenwithextendedcupboards, islandbenchand900mmuprightstove.

SharynChandler

M 0439882442| E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

JessLainis

M 0493544981| E jess@chandlerandco.com.au

$890,000-$950,000 SINGLELEVELHOMEINPEACEFULPOCKETPOSITION

4 A 2 B

Fromitssprawling628sqm(approx.)cornerallotmentinaquietno-throughroadposition, thisimpressivehomeoffersanoutstandinglifestyle.Designedforcomfortwithinasingle levellayout,everyelementrequiredforenviablefamilylivingcanbefoundhere.Upon entry,thegenerousloungewith floortoceilingwindowsisadornedwithqualitycarpetfora warmandcosyfeeling.

BradConder

M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

295MonbulkRoad,MONBULK $840,000-$920,000 EXCEPTIONALPRESENTATIONANDEXQUISITEOUTLOOKS 4 A 2 B 1 C

Withexceptionalpresentationandexquisitetreetopoutlooks,thisimpressiveproperty istheultimateHillsretreat.PositionedforpracticalitystepsfromBaynesPark,Monbulk AquaticCentre,andMainRoadamenities,youwillfeeltuckedawayfrombusylifewithout sacrificingcomfortorconvenience.

SuzieBrannelly

M 0490506910| E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

PUZZLES

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Looks for (5)

4 Pathological self-admirer (9)

9 Contain (7)

10 Instrument for crushing material into small pieces (7)

11 Subtle change by degrees (9)

12 US state (5)

13 Swine (3)

14 Bug poison (11)

16 Tools (11)

19 Long, slippery fish (3)

20 Cavalry sword (5)

22 Charity (9)

25 Print process (7)

26 Drank (7)

27 Dangled (9)

28 Unkempt (5)

DOWN

1 Throw (5)

2 Gives something and receives another (9)

DECODER

3 Aqualung (5)

4 Foes (7)

5 Natural (7)

6 Talents (9)

7 Country (5)

8 Relating to the body (9)

13 Female religious leader (9)

14 From Israel (9)

15 Beyond words, indescribable (9)

17 Coped (7)

18 Cared for (7)

21 Dollars (coll) (5)

23 Puzzle (5)

24 Currently (5)

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.

WORDFIT

acquit, ACQUITTAL, actual, alit, aqua, aquatic, attic, laic, quail, quittal, tacit, tact, tactual, tail, tala, talc,

No. 154 No.

Juniors gain on, off-field

By Dongyun Kwon

Soccer Association (SCCSA).

so much from the experience.

Healesville juniors did not make

through finals in the Christian Football Federation Association (CFFA) Nationals Tournament, but they got something worth more than the gold medal.

The U17 Girls ended their competition in the morning of Monday 2 October in a semi-final against Sunshine Coast Churches

Featuring as core members of the team, Ava Holman, Melita Campbell, Ruby Mann and the otherVictorian girls played tough and skillfully but couldn’t get the win in the end with a 2 - 1 scoreline.

Although the U17 Girls finished with three losses and two draws, Melita, Ava, and Ruby excelled among the Victorian team and grew

“I have really enjoyed the tournament, being able to play with the best inVictoria, seeing how much we progressed from the first game and learning from each other and the experience,” Ava said.

“The atmosphere has been incredible and team camaraderie amongst the otherVictorian teams has been a highlight.”

The U14 Boys also did not get through finals but they did not give up until the end of their final match which ended in a draw.

They did not progress through to finals.

Will Watson was a key player in the Victorian’s attacking side and played with spirit and skill throughout the competition.

Will scored a goal in his first game of the tournament to take the U14 Boys to a 2 - 0 win.

Trades & Services Employment

The Re-Roof Man

Announcements

Passed away peacefully 28.9.2023 aged 94 years.

Much loved wife of Geoff (dec).

Loving mother and mother-in-law of Gary (dec) & Margaret, Raelene & Scott, Craig (dec) & Jane, Anthony, Geoff and Nigel. Adored nanna of 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Part of Healesville history, gone but never forgotten.

General Classifieds

DISCRIMINATION

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

Four Healesville Soccer Club juniors had a great experience in Sunshine Coast. Pictures: HEALESVILLE SOCCER CLUB’S FACEBOOK PAGE

Ava Holman, Melita Campbell and Ruby Mann were in U-17 Girls.

Will Watson played a key role in the U-14 Boys.

Strong start to the season

By Chris Handasyde

Cricket season is here, it was great to see Healesville’s five junior teams playing round 1 as well as three of five senior teams (the 4th and 5th XI were cancelled due to opponents’ cricket grounds being too wet).

U12-9: Seville 5-91 defeated Healesville 7-38

The Healesville Under 12(9) kicked off their season with a hard game against a strong Seville team. Several Healesville players were in their first-ever cricket game.

Captain Alby Gotch won the toss for Healesville and elected to bowl. Good tight bowling early on saw Milo Jackson-Ward and Arlo Turner both taking wickets in their first overs.

The experienced Seville team batters dug in, however, until a late flurry of wickets, with both Milo and Arlo claiming their second and Felix McMahon his first. Seville finished with 5/91 off their 23 overs. Best bowlers: ArloTurner 2/7 (3 overs). Milo Jackson-Ward 2/17 (3 overs). Felix McMahon 1/10 (3 overs).

Batting was a challenge against a strong bowling line-up. Great promise was shown by the Healesville team, with special mention to a solid opening stand by Arlo Turner and Angus Holmes, good defence and running between the wickets by Felix McMahon and Mason Kincaid. Runs went to Arlo (4), Felix (2), Mason Kincaid (1), with the standout batter being Fletcher Brook who made 4 not out in his first game. Healesville made 7/38, the start of what promises to be a great year of cricketing growth

U12-4: Healesville 3-109 defeated Kilsyth 71 It was a chilly Friday night at Queens Park but the competition was hot. Healesville batted first and it was a great achievement to have 6 kids retiring (L Keath 22*, M Winrow 11*, R Hudson 6*, A Coleman 9*, K Senti 4*, J Lehman 1*). A terrific bowling performance kept Kilsyth to 71. J Lehman, A Simmons, A Wicker, M Kerst all got a wicket and L Senti snaring 2 wickets.

U14-7: Healesville 88 tied with Warranwood 88

Healesville’s first female captain Summer Caldicott led the players onto the Don Road oval ground which was covered with due and turned the ball soapy real quick. L Keath and H Thomas took 2 wickets each and S Caldicott and A Simmons got 1 each restricting Warranwood to 88. Healesville’s innings didn’t get off to the greatest start with 2 ducks however

L Keath 17 and Summer Caldicott 24 not out got the innings back on track.The last over was tense but cricket was the winner and a tie was a fitting result.

U14-3: Healesville 104 defeated by Chirnside Park 7-125

A step up to division 3 for the U14 team and they proved they are up for the challenge. Chirnside posted 125 off their 25 overs with captain Sam Keath the pick of the bowlers with 3-14 and Patrick Leonard claiming 1/7. Healesville’s batting innings were solid but tight bowling from Chirnside made it difficult to score and we fell short by 21 runs. A Senti 22*, C Duff 16 were the top scorers. Great effort in a step up in standard and they will only get better as they settle into the season.

U16-4: Healesville defeated Wantirna South

A few weeks ago it was uncertain if an U16 team would get up but the SOS went out and players responded to ensure they had a team. Not just a team but a bunch of great kids who showed enthusiasm and comradeship in their first game together. Healesville batted first with Eli Prentice, Denzel Parson and Sam Drummond spending time at the crease and making the majority of the runs. Healesville bowled well and contained Wantirna South to grab victory with a highlight of Will Watson playing his first-ever game of cricket taking his first catch.

Seniors 1st XI: Healesville 164 defeated Lilydale 87 Healesville welcomed Ryan Webster and Tarkyn Nicolandos into the team with the traditional cap presentation before the game.

Batting first Healesville accumulated runs steadily and ended up 164 with Tom Handasyde 34*, L Chandler 32 and Ryan Webster 24 our top scorers. Mitch Tampaline opened up and in his best bowling performance for the club took 4-13 and put Lilydale on the back foot. A steady stream of wickets (L Chandler 2-11, Josh Handasyde 1-18) and victory to Healesville.

Seniors 2nd XI: Healesville 8-241 defeated Kilsyth 172

Batting first Ben Wallace (50 runs not age) and Michael Jackson (55) got us to a great start then at the 20 over mark Jonny “Irish” Heywood stepped back onto Queens Park oval in his return match and belted 113 and he was only out there for 15 overs. Posting 241 from 40 overs we then finished off the job by keeping Kilsyth to 172. Brodie Grace, Brenton Damrow and Darcy English all got 2 wickets whilst Eli Prentice in his debut game in our 2nd XI and 100th game for the club got 3 wickets.

Seniors 3rd XI: Healesville 6-160 defeated Montrose 149

Ben Mackey (23) in his first game as captain and Sam Drummond (17) got us off to a steady start then Grant Braden (49), P Singh (22*) and Cal Dennis (17) added runs to get us to 6-160. G Mundi in his first game for our club and P Singh both got 2 wickets whilst father/son combination of Tyler and Grant Brayden both took 1 wicket. The game was slipping away and Montrose looked likely to chase down our score but captain Ben Mackey grabbed the ball and took 3 late wickets to get us home by 11 runs.

Twilight golf starts teeing off as weather improves

By Ron Hottes

On Wednesday 4 October there was no golf due to the rainstorm that hit us the day before but...

Thursday 5 October, Twilight

The commencement of the very popular 2023-24 Twilight season began on time but, clearly on a damp course. We played the back nine as it was deemed to be drier than the front. And, it was surprisingly playable, considering that we had just endured 96mm. of precipitation during that rainstorm. A healthy field of 46 members played on this day, and new member, Pacey Luttgens easily posted the best 9-hole score, amassing a very impressive24points.Thisblitzedthefieldbecause Geoff Fall’s very handy 20 points were only good enough to take home the runnerup prize. Balls extended to 16 points. The 2 NTP winners were Pacey Luttgens (12th) and

Clint Toohey (12th).

Saturday 7 October, Stroke and Monthly Medal

With both the weather and the course conditions improving rapidly, the winning results were always going to impress. And, the most impressive result posted on the day, came from the in-form Joshua Hin, who took home the top voucher and the Medal with a nett 62, very impressive indeed. Geoff Sharp had the other excellent result this day with a Nett 65 a result that would have won the medal on most other days. With this low scoring, the ball giveaway only reached Nett 70! There wasn’t even a full complement of NTP winners, because, as often happens, the tough 5th beat the field of 40+. The successful NTP winners were as follows: Spenceley Senior (3rd), Peter Fox (9th), David Hatt (12th) and one of our welcome Rosebud guests, Jack

grim (15th).

Group stage of RDCA’s T20 competition announced

The group stages of the Ringwood District Cricket Association’s T20 competition with 32 teams competing and only one champion to be crowned.

The competition kicks off on 14 November with the group stage, where four teams in each of the eight groups will battle it out to progress.

In Group A, it’s an all-Hills affair with Belgrave, South Belgrave, Ferntree Gully and the Ferntree Gully Footballers.

Group B pits the Upper Yarra sides against each other; Hoddles Creek, Lusatia Park, Seville andYarra Junction.

Kilsyth, Montrose, Mooroolbark and The Basin are set to clash in Group C while Chirnside Park, Croydon North, Lilydale and Mt Evelyn make up Group D.

South Warrandyte, Warrandyte, Warranwood and Wonga Park will clash in leafy surroundings in Group E.

Bayswater, Eildon Park, Knox Gardens and Wantirna South are set to take each other on in Group F.

Horse Talk: jumps day

Coming up this weekend UYPC have their second of three Saturday Freshmans show-jumping day on 14 October.

Entries for this event are on the day, starting height is 45cms, going up every hour depending on demand, canteen running. Start time is 10am with ring walking from 9.45am. The last in this series will be held on November 4.

UYARC Dressage In The Valley is being held over two days, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October at Wesburn Park, late entries for higher levels may still be available through the Event Secretary.

The Yarra Valley Horse Show is fast approaching. Save the date Sunday 10 December. 5 Rings will be running, HRCAV, PC, 2 Open rings and a Breed ring. There will be Topsy Classes starting at lunchtime for the little beginners, a Senior and Junior Hi-point in the Pony Club ring, Supreme Led, Rider and Ridden Exhibits.

The breed ring has a Welsh feature program, plus Pintos and APSB. Pre-en-

The Upper Yarra Adult Riding Club’s Dressage in the Valley is coming up. Picture: SUPPLIED

tries will be available at Event Secretary shortly.

Plenty of local events to keep everyone busy! Happy Riding!

Healesville’s U14-7 side after their tie. Picture: SUPPLIED

Pil-

Warburton Golf Club results.

Picture:

Kerrimur United, Ringwood U18s, St Andrews and Vermont are drawn together in Group G.

Ainslie Park, Croydon Ranges, East Ringwood and Heatherdale will head to the Maroondah Highway to get to their games in Group H.

The group stages have been announced for the RDCA’s T20 competition. Picture: ON FILE