Ferntree Gully Belgrave
Lightning strikes outer east
Indigenous leader speaks on Libs treaty backflip
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Tuesday, 30 January, 2024
Mail Trio of local baseballers gain victory
See Real Estate Liftout inside
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Cockatoo’s finest feted Some of Cockatoo’s best and brightest were honoured as part of the Connecting Cockatoo Communities’ annual Cockatoo Australia Day breakfast and awards ceremony last week. Just one of those people was former Cockatoo CFA captain Chris White, who was recognised with Citizen of the Year for his 18 years serving as a volunteer in the brigade. It was a great celebration of community achievement, passion and volunteerism. Find the full story on page 8
Former Cockatoo CFA captain Chris White (front) celebrated winning the Cockatoo Citizen of the Year award with Cockatoo CFA brigade members Marcus Harris, Connor Moore, Rhys Bennet, Ben Bonollo and Lukaz Lipnicki and Emerald SES members Matt Smith, Jim Paxton, Ben Owen and Eliza Owen. Picture: LJUBICA VRANKOVIC
Hills’ honour roll It was in the latter role that he helped in the push to have a police station built in Monbulk. “I didn’t expect anything really at all, but I was so surprised when I got the letter from the governor and I was appreciated very much,” he said. Vincent Feeney, Upwey local and principal of St Francis Xavier College, received an OAM for his service to secondary education. “It’s wonderful every time someone from a school receives an honour and I was fortunate
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the city for 20 odd years, and then going into the Melbourne town hall to serve there for 15 years my heart has always aligned with the concern, ‘what about the people of Melbourne?’” Ms Riley said. “Living in the Gully, and having a business and a unit in the city really meant that I had the best of both worlds.” Read more on the locals named on the Australia Day Honours List in 2024 on pages 6 and 7
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enough to be that person on this occasion,” Mr Feeney said. It was Susan Riley’s career ranging from owning businesses in the media and publishing industries, to serving as Melbourne’s first female deputy mayor, that earned her an OAM recognising her service to local government and the community of Melbourne. Living in Upper Ferntree Gully, Ms Riley said while her soul has been in the Gully area, her head and heart have aligned with the CBD. “Having published ‘Lifestyle Magazine’ in
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Residents in the Dandenong Ranges and the foothills are some of the 1042 Australians recognised on this year’s Australia Day Honours List, receiving a medal of the Order of Australia for their efforts. Trevor Ricketts, of Monbulk, received a nod for his work as part of the Monbulk Men’s Shed, role of president at the Rotary Club of Monbulk and District in 2019 and his role as past president of the Monbulk Business and Traders Association among other achievements.
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IN BRIEF
Highway works enter home stretch The Burwood Highway McMahons Road intersection upgrade is into the home stretch with the final layer of asphalt set to be laid on the new-look intersection between late January and mid-February. The team is set to lay the top layer of asphalt – also known as the wearing course - to complete major works on the project. Following the reopening of left turns to and from McMahons Road and Clyde Street to the Burwood Highway, the project team finished all major works around the intersection before Christmas, including the new pedestrian crossings, kerbs, drainage, and guardrail. To complete this final phase of the project, there will be night-time closures on Burwood Highway to make safe workspaces and create the least possible disruption to residents, highway traffic and traders alike. From late January to late February, the project team will work between 7pm and 7am to: Install vehicle detectors on Burwood Highway ·Lay the final layers of asphalt Place line marking; and Finish installing the new traffic lights. The Burwood Highway – McMahons Road Intersection Upgrade is set to create a new intersection to improve the safety of for both vehicles and pedestrians, improve the nearby bus stop location, the abutting service roads
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The project is set to improve efficiencies in the transport network by reducing peak hour travel time variability and increase the number of vehicles that can travel along the corridor each hour . Picture: SUPPLIED and increase capacity on Burwood Highway. The project will deliver key benefits including: Improving efficiencies in the transport network by reducing peak hour travel time variability and increasing the number of vehicles that can travel along the corridor each hour Improving road safety and reducing crash rates by upgrading the intersection and installing pedestrian operated crossings Enabling more active and inclusive commu-
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nities by making it easier and safer for pedestrians to access the intersection. Once completed, the Burwood Highway – McMahons Road Intersection Upgrade will make it easier for the feeder roads to access Burwood Highway. Major Road Projects Victoria would like to thank the Ferntree Gully community for their patience and understanding throughout this project as it worked to improve this intersection and increase safety for vehicles and pedestrians alike.
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Emerald local Tracy Dasler pictured the lightning storm from Yarra Glen. Picture: TRACY DASLER skies anyway, hoping to capture something good! “It was very windy, I went to grab my tripod; but it really wasn’t going to work with the wind. Deciding to put her camera of the dashboard to capture the lightning strikes, Tracy said she hoped to get “one good photo”.
“I was just amazed with the sky and thinking its actually pretty scary outside and decided to stay in the car,” she said. “I was in an opened spot in Yarra Glen away from big trees, so felt safe. “I was very surprised with my photo as I have never had any luck capturing lighting before, probably because I am always in a hurry and no patience.” Acoording to the CFA, 20 grass and scrub fires occurred which were believed to be caused by lightning, due to a band of lightning which came through from the west of the state. The fires were believed to be quite widespread, but mostly in the far south west of the state and the west of the state. It is understood the incidents were small and brought under control quickly, with more small grass fires are expected to be found throughout the day. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a cloudy rest of the week for Mount Dandenong, with the temperature reaching a high of maximum 26 degrees on Sunday 4 February. and mostly sunny on the weekend.
Drivers are urged to take care as school zone speed limits are in place again this week as Term 1 of 2024 commences Tuesday 30 January. There is an expected increase in road, pedestrian and bicycle traffic at drop-off and pick-up times. Some school speed zones are permanent, while others operate from 8am to 9.30am, and from 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays, with reduced speeds of 40km/h or 60km/h in school zones until the end of the school term.
Volkswagen recall Volkswagen has recalled 5997 2019-2023 Passat, Golf and Arteon model vehicles due to a defect that could cause a fire. Due to a manufacturing issue, the heat shield between the brake master cylinder and the exhaust may have been incorrectly fitted. As a result, a connection to the brake fluid reservoir could melt. If this occurs, brake fluid may leak onto a hot exhaust there which could lead to a vehicle fire. Owners of affected vehicles can contact their preferred Volkswagen dealership to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle inspected and rectified, free of charge.
IKEA charger recall IKEA’s dark grey ÅSKSTORM 40W USB charger poses a risk of burn injuries or death from electric shock if a user touches a damaged cable that is live with electricity. There is also a risk of damage to property if the charger catches fire. Incidents have occurred where cables were damaged and caused electric shock and burn injuries to consumers. Consumers should stop using the affected product immediately and contact IKEA via phone or in-store to receive a full refund. The product had been available for sale from 1 April 2020 to 5 December 2023.
Koko Black recall Koko Black Premium Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of its A Jar of Stars 54 per cent Dark 140g and A Bon Bon of Stars 54 per cent Dark 200g. The products have been available for sale at Koko Black’s independent retail stores including IGA and online in Victoria. The recall affects products with best-before dates up to and including 31 July 2024. The recall is due to the presence of an under declared allergen (milk). Customers should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
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Victoria Police are calling for Knox municipality residents with CCTV cameras to share their information. Police have the capacity to map community CCTV cameras and utilise this network to assist in identifying person/s of interest and solving crimes. People with CCTV are encouraged to email details below to EYEWATCHKNOX-MGR@police.vic.gov.au: Name of camera owner Contact phone number Email address Business name (if applicable) Camera address CCTV location/coverage, ie: Cam 1, driveway, facing street north-west Storage time (how long video stays on the system) Local police units from the Knox Police Service Area will also be out and about knocking on doors to obtain these details - but people can assist by emailing the information above through.
School zones return
Lightning causes tree fires in outer east A tree fire in Gembrook in the early morning of Wednesday 24 January is believed to have been caused by lightning which came through from the west of the state. A CFA spokesperson said three Gembrook CFA units responded to a tree fire on Livio Drive in Gembrook at around 5.48am. “Incident was deemed safe at 6:06am,” the CFA spokesperson said Later, at around 7.21am, two CFA units from Nar Nar Goon and Pakenham Upper, alongside FRV, responded to a tree fire on Bourkes Creek Road in Pakenham Upper, a CFA spokesperson said. The incident was deemed under control at 7:46am and safe at 8:34am. Emerald local Tracy Dasler captured the lightning strikes from Yarra Glen. “I drove out to the Yarra Glen to capture Sunrise and possibly Hot Air Balloons, but on my way there I noticed light[n]ing,” Tracy said. “I decided to kept driving to watch the
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Victorian Coalition withdraws support for treaty By Callum Ludwig, with AAP The Victorian Coalition has withdrawn its support of the Indigenous treaty push, having first backed legislation to start treaty negotiations in 2022. Nationals leader and opposition spokesman for Aboriginal affairs Peter Walsh said the coalition had withdrawn its support in an interview with Sky News on Sunday 21 January, claiming concerns regarding cultural heritage laws as their reasoning. “We have major concerns, particularly around how cultural heritage is working or not working in Victoria and we want to see those issues resolved before we move on to the next lot of discussions”, Mr Walsh said. On ABC Radio on Monday, Mr Walsh said claims by the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria that they were blindsided by the decision showed “they were not listening or paying attention”. “Lots of people would say how can you have a treaty with yourself? Because we are all Australians,” he said. The Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Bill 2022 passed parliament in June 2022 with an eye to setting a roadmap for treaty negotiations and was supported by the Coalition at the time. Mr Walsh claimed that the party had informed Indigenous elders and members of the First People’s Assembly of the decision, which the party made in spring 2023 Healesville Indigenous educator Thane Garvey has previously told Star Mail of the importance he believes treaty holds for Indigenous Australians, particularly after the result of The Voice referendum, and said it was disappointing but felt inevitable. “I think it was pretty obvious what their stance was going to be on indigenous issues and it’s always been that way, so it didn’t really surprise me that they withdrew,” he said. “I don’t want this to be about politics, but at the end of the day, this has been politicized, when it should be about giving back to people, about fairness, about dispossession, about sovereignty,” “Even if you go back to as early as the Batman treaty, one of the first treaties done here in Victoria, it was all about manipulation.” The Batman treaty was a treaty claimed to have been signed by Wurundjeri elders, brought to them by John Batman, for the 600,000 acres of land in Port Phillip Bay in 1827, then part of New South Wales. It was the first and only documented time Europeans negotiated directly with Indigenous people about their presence and occupation of the land.
Healesville Indigenous educator Thane Garvey is disappointed by the Victorian Colaition’s decision to withdraw support for treaty. Picture: ON FILE Batman paid 40 pairs of blankets, 42 tomahawks, 130 knives, 62 pairs of scissors, 40 looking glasses, 250 handkerchiefs, 18 shirts, 4 flannel jackets, 4 suits of clothes and 150 pounds of flour for the land. Batman’s Treaty was later declared void in 1935 by the Governor of New South Wales, Richard Bourke, as he had bought the lands for the ‘Port Phillip Association’, rather than the Crown, and because British colonists at the time believed Indigenous people had no claim to the land. Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the coalition’s decision was based on discomfort with the possible divisive nature of the treaty, including suggestions there could be separate justice and child protection systems for First Peoples. He blamed an “element of secrecy” and said the news shouldn’t have come as a shock following numerous discussions around those topics. “I’m championing a focus on real-life outcomes, making sure Indigenous Victorians can get an education, the support they need and the life opportunities they deserve as opposed to one that will focus on a trea-
ty,” Mr Pesutto said. Negotiations on treaty began early this year between the state government and elected representatives of Indigenous Victorians. Rueben Berg, co-chair of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, described the opposition’s withdrawal of support as “disappointing, but not surprising” but said there was still a path towards treaty. “It would be more useful to have bipartisan support so that our issues don’t just become political footballs,” he told reporters on Monday. “But we are intent on continuing to progress treaty outcomes, regardless of this bipartisan support.” The approach to treaty has differed throughout the states and territories; The Queensland Coalition also pulled their support for treaty following The Voice referendum last year, with the Queensland Government replying that the treaty would need bipartisan support in the state to go forward. New South Wales was set to begin a yearlong consultation process this month, but
progress and discussion have slowed following the referendum result. The Northern Territory has a Treaty unit, South Australia has committed to establishing a state-based voice in parliament, which the Australian Capital Territory already has. Tasmania is committed to progressing truth-telling, while Western Australia currently has no formal treaty plans. Mr Garvey said real solidarity is what they need going forward. “Out of the big parties, I think the Greens are the only ones that have really stuck by us, no matter what, as well as some of the smaller parties as well, but we can’t really do this without the support of politicians at some point,” he said. “This country is run by an elected government at the end of the day, that’s how things work,” “There is a way back for the Coalition, and I can only imagine that the next people that come through to sit at the table for the coalition will probably have different views. Whether they choose that pathway or not is another thing, I can only hope and I would like to be optimistic.”
Landmark ‘pain-gap’ probe By Mikayla van Loon The known and often widely felt disparity in female-centred healthcare will now be addressed in Victoria with an Australian-first inquiry into the ‘pain gap’. Premier Jacinta Allan announced the landmark Inquiry into Women’s Pain on Monday 22 January after results from an initial survey confirmed that nearly 50 per cent of women experience difficulties with periods, pregnancy, birth and postnatal care, or conditions like endometriosis, as well as other chronic diagnosis. Women, health practitioners and organisations across the east will now get to have their say from 30 January until mid-2024 before a final report is released at the end of the year. Women’s Health East (WHE), the leading health advocacy and promotion agency for the Yarra Ranges, Knox, Maroondah, Manningham, Monash, Whitehorse and Boroondara, welcomed the somewhat revolutionary announcement. “Women’s Health East commends the Victorian State Government on a national leading inquiry into women’s pain, which will explore the systemic issues women face when seeking care and support for pain,” WHE chief executive officer Elly Taylor said. “By centring women and girls’ lived experiences at the heart of this inquiry, we will better understand where our prevention and healthcare service systems need innovation, trans4 MAIL
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An inquiry into women’s healthcare has been a welcome Australian-first announcement. Picture: UNSPLASH formation and investment to improve health workforce opportunities. literacy, access and care, and reduce stigma Ms Taylor said it is not uncommon for WHE and shame that is often associated with many to hear of the hardships women face when tryof the health conditions that cause women ing to access treatment or care. and girls’ chronic pain.” “[We] hear from women from a range of The inquiry intends to engage with wom- diverse backgrounds that the medical gender en and girls over the age of 12 with lived ex- bias often leads to their pain not being recogperiences of pain to understand the medical nised or appropriately treated by healthcare gender bias, treatment pathways, barriers to professionals and the healthcare service sysaccessing care, improvements required and tem,” she said.
“Women’s sexual and reproductive health remains a highly gendered and stigmatised area of healthcare.” The Listening to Women’s Voices survey found that one in three women had an experience of dealing with insensitive and disrespectful practitioners who left them feeling dismissed and unheard. It is Ms Taylor’s hope this inquiry will provide an opportunity to “redesign” female healthcare so it is “women-centred, culturally safe, and inclusive”. “We know that there is a strong need to focus on place-based prevention initiatives that promote wellbeing and that prevent ill health before it occurs,” she said. “This inquiry is a critical step to better supporting people’s ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights.” The pain gap also exists in gaining appropriate pain relief and treatment in other health concerns relating to cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive, and autoimmune conditions. “It’s time we stopped treating women’s health like some kind of niche issue. We deserve to have our pain believed and relieved,” Premier Allan said. The inquiry will be led by a panel of experts and overseen by the Women’s Health Advisory Council. mailcommunity.com.au
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Local MPs set their goals By Callum Ludwig 2024 promises to be a year filled with political debate, with hot topics spanning from humanitarian crises overseas to the cost of living hitting hard across the country to the decrepit state of any roads throughout the state. The Star Mail reached out to local State and Federal MPs to find out what their goals and concerns are for the year ahead and what legislation they would like to see introduced. On a state level, local MPs in the Outer East are going in to bat for their community projects, pushing for road projects and thinking about legislation that can help crack down on key community concerns. Over in Bayswater, Jackson Taylor is looking forward to seeing a plethora of projects delivered in the district in 2024. “Importantly, work continues on delivering on the commitments I made to our community at the last election including the major upgrade to Boronia Station which will see a lot more activity over the year as we finalise plans and get on with work,” he said. “We’re also well advanced in planning for work to commence on the Bayswater South and Kent Park Primary upgrades as well as upgrades at St Joseph’s Primary and there is work ongoing with upgrades at Wally Tew and Tormore Reserve pavilions and a new dog park in Wantirna to name a few,” Locals will also be excited at the work on Burwood Highway to add more lanes and a new safe intersection at McMahons Road will be complete and open to traffic in mid-February, something which was long talked about and now delivered.” Upgrades to the Angliss Hospital is also set to get under way while works for the ‘Green Heart of Knox’ project will continue. Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino has picked out emergency management and road repairs as key focus points in the hills this year.
Upgrades to the Angliss Hospital are set to get under way. 264648 “We are vulnerable to climate change in the form of wild storms, heavy and persistent rainfall, and bushfires. Emergency management is therefore a key area of interest for me, and I will continue to work on helping our local emergency services undertake their important work as much as possible,” she said. “(Road) repairs have been underway across the hills, but they can only be undertaken in dry conditions, which have been few and far between of late.”
Picture: ROB CAREW
Ms De Martino also joined the Legislative Assembly’s Environment and Planning Committee at the start of the term and will continue her work within it. Ms De Martino said it is a challenging and interesting role. “I have a keen interest in the environment, so this committee is a natural fit for me. Our first inquiry looked at the non-payment of subcontractors in the construction industry within Victoria,” she said.
“It was both eye-opening and very concerning to see the extent to which honest, hardworking people are often unpaid for the work they do,” “Our next inquiry is soon to be determined but will undoubtedly also look at a matter which significantly impacts Victorians and examine what can be done to improve the situation.” Federal Member for Aston Mary Doyle was contacted for comment.
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Monbulk stalwart is feted By Tyler Wright
Trevor Ricketts, of Monbulk, received an OAM for his service to the community. 385017 An achievement that has remained particularly memorable for Mr Ricketts is the lobbying for the establishment of a police station in Monbulk - which was successful during his time as president of the town’s Business and Traders Assocation. “[Belgrave] was the closest police station [to] here,” he said. For his work in the community, Mr Rick-
etts received an OAM in the General Division for his service to the community of Monbulk in the Australia Day King’s Honours List for 2024. “I didn’t expect anything really at all, but I was so surprised when I got the letter from the governor and I was appreciated very much, I must say,” he said. He also received the Mayors Lifetime
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Achievement Award from Yarra Ranges Council in 2019. “That was great, because I knew the Mayor [Tony Stevenson] quite well, he [is] a nice person,” Mr Rickets said. Turning 92 in a mere couple of weeks’ time, the Monbulkian pledged to still do his “best” for the community, and urged other locals to do the same.
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For medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient Trevor Ricketts, it was being welcomed into the town of Monbulk as an English expat that sparked his desire to give back to the community. Mr Ricketts’ family, consisting of his mother, his sister and himself, was sponsored by a woman who lived on Silvan Road. “I’ve done what I’ve done because the people when I came out from England (I’m naturalised now), [the people] were very good to me and I was determined if ever I was in a position to do something for them I would do it,” Mr Ricketts said. “I came to Monbulk first and I travelled around quite a lot and.... there was a couple [in Monbulk] were very good to me and I thought ‘I’ll go and see them’ and of course by going to see them I saw their daughter Joan and as a result we’ve been married 60-odd years.” And the 91-year-old has done exactly that since he arrived in the country in 1948 - with his long list of achievements including becoming a longstanding member of the Monbulk District Men’s Shed since 2012, and current vice president of the organisation. “I helped the Senior Citizens Club for over 35 years... I became a Justice of the Peace in 1969, I was chairman of the bench at the Ferntree Gully Courts... I was president of the Rotary Club at Monbulk; past president and life member of the soccer club, and the Probus Club. “I was the treasurer of the Monbulk High School committee, I’m a member of the inaugural Baynes Park Committee which has turned out very well. “I was the member of the liaison committee between Sherbrooke and Lilydale councils, amongst other things, and I really enjoyed helping out some other people in these committees.”
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An out-of-the-ordinary life, loving the Gully and the city By Gabriella Vukman Publisher, director tried and true councillor and mother of three Susan Riley is a recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division. After an abundant career ranging from owning businesses in the media and publishing industries to serving as Melbourne’s first female deputy mayor, Ms Riley’s OAM recognises her outstanding service to local government and the community of Melbourne. “I really wasn’t expecting all of this,” Ms Riley said. “When I first received the letter of nomination in November, I was surprised but I didn’t think anything would come of it so receiving this Order of Australia Medal caught me completely off guard.” “Receiving this order of Australia in the general division for my services for the city of Melbourne pleased me because as a councillor it’s your duty to do what you have to do for the people,” Ms Riley said. While residing in the Gully area, the city of Melbourne has been a central part of Susan’s businesses and career journey. “My soul has always been in the Gully but my head and heart were aligned with the CBD,” Ms Riley said. “Having published ‘Lifestyle Magazine’ in the city for 20 odd years, and then going into the Melbourne town hall to serve there for 15 years my heart has always aligned with the concern, ‘what about the people of Melbourne?’” “Living in the Gully, and having a business
Susan Riley receives OAM for service to local government, and to the community of Melbourne. Picture: SUSAN RILEY and a unit in the city really meant that I had the best of both worlds.” Having worked at the Dandenong journal for 10 years, Ms Riley felt it was time to “tell all of the workers in the city what a fabulous city we have” and did so through her work in ‘Lifestyle Magazine’.” In terms of giving back to the city, Ms Riley’s portfolio included taking care of small business, retail and hospitality as well as cre-
ating space for women in business. “With my hand on my heart, I always put the city and the people first,” Ms Riley said. “I always had this motto that when you are elected to be a councillor in the city of Melbourne, you are there because the people of the city of Melbourne have elected you to serve them and I never ever forgot that I was there for them, the people and the community.” Ms Riley’s service as Melbourne’s first female deputy lord mayor ignited her motivation to help all womankind be able to contribute to their city. “Walking into the Melbourne Town Hall for the first time, I really felt the lack of women in the space,” Ms Riley said. “The portraits that were up all around the hall were of old men and try as I might, I could not find a woman!” “I suppose I was motivated by this aspect to make a difference in the lack of women representation and I am proud to say that representing the women of Melbourne as Deputy Lord Mayor was one of my greatest achievements.” Being taken aback by the absence of women in the Melbourne town Hall, Ms Riley took it upon herself to create the annual ‘Women in business’ lunch with the first event consisting of 10 people in a boardroom to now 400 women turning up each year. Ms Riley said, “one of my portfolios in the city was to look after the small businesses and it was terrible seeing the pandemic affect the city.” “Working from home has changed the
scale of the city. On Weekends it’s quite dead but the nightlife in the city is just coming of age again.” Ms Riley hopes the city will soon return back to its original colourful and bustling state. With the welfare of small businesses as part of her portfolio as Deputy Lord Mayor, Ms Riley played a pivotal role in organising Melbourne fashion week. “Fashion week was another huge one for me seeing as no other local council in Australia actually owns and runs Melbourne Fashion week,” Ms Riley said. “And that gives all those other designers and retailers an opportunity to express and share their wares.” Ms Riley said, “life changes and you’ve got to roll with it and I believe I have rolled well and I am so blessed to have such an amazing working life.” Filled with national pride at her achievement, Ms Riley insisted that whilst there are always things one can reflect upon and wish to change, she “generally could not have been happier” with her lot. With a career filled with giving back to the city of Melbourne community in her wake, Ms Riley “could not wait” to tell her friends and family about her Order of Australia achievement. “The reaction from my children and family was wonderful and no-one could believe I keep it a secret for two months,” Ms Riley said. “I have very proud children and grandkids.”
Feeney ‘sublimely’ honoured By Tyler Wright Upwey resident and principal at St Francis Xavier College, Vincent Feeney, has received a medal of the Order of Australia for his work in secondary education. Mr Feeney said it was a “sublime” feeling to be recognised in the Australia Day honours list for his achievements. “Humbled and honoured, but also acknowledging that it’s in recognition of all the work that’s done by so many people, so generously, in schools,” Mr Feeney said. “I accept this as one of the many people who have devoted their working lives to young people in school. “It’s wonderful every time someone from a school receives an honour and I was fortunate enough to be that person on this occasion.” Mr Feeney started as a teacher in 1979, in English, drama and religious education; receiving his first leadership position five years later and going onto a stint as principal at Marian College in Ararat. St Joseph’s College in Ferntree Gully would then be under his leadership from 1999 to 2014, before his current role as principal of St Francis Xavier’s Berwick, Officer and Beaconsfield campuses. “When I was first a principal, 30 years ago in small country town, Ararat, we had 300 students, so that was a really hands on role,” Mr Feeney said. “I was hands on, I was involved in everything, I knew everybody and that was a great way to learn about being a leader, then I went to St. Joseph’s in Ferntree Gully, It was certainly bigger than Ararat but a lot smaller than where I am now. “Watching that school grow doubled in size in the time that I was there - that was my old school that I’d been a student at, and being able to go there over there and help it grow and prosper - that was a really enjoyable and stimulating part of my career.” Mr Feeney’s father was a cleaner at St Joseph’s College where his son would go on to lead. “My family is a longstanding family of the Dandenongs,” Mr Feeney said. “All of us were gifted a great upbringing living in such a beautiful part of Melbourne, the foothills of the Dandenongs. mailcommunity.com.au
St Francis Xavier principal, Vincent Feeney, has received a medal of the Order of Australia. Picture: SCHOOLPIX “When your parents come from such a service orientation and from a humble background, but an honest and earnest background, it helps you keep some perspective that your work and helps you value everybody that you’re working with; that’s a great starting point to have.” Throughout his career, Mr Feeney has been the president of the Principals’ Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools from 2005 to 2006, president of the Catholic Secondary Principals Australia from 2006 to 2011 and board member of the Salary and Conditions, Catholic Education Commission of Vic-
toria, 2014-2018. Most recently from 2021 to 2022, he was chair of the Diocese of Sale Catholic Secondary Principals Association. “One of the things that you realise in leadership is that the work of the school is done by others, and therefore the role of the principal is to be in support of those people who are doing the core work, like working with students,” Mr Feeney said. “I take great delight in finding great joy in seeing the potential in people and trying to do something to promote or grow that potential in people.
“Seeing people grow is just an extension of being a parent and it’s a great way for anybody, no matter what field they’re in, from the home to a workplace; if you’re helping people grow, then you’re making a contribution to a better world.” For Mr Feeney, it has been involvement in work outside of the school; including industrial relations on behalf of teachers in the 1980s to Monash University and the Australian Catholic University, that has given him perspective on broader secondary education. “I’ve always made sure that I was involved both heavily involved obviously committed to my own school where I was working but involved in the field in broader secondary education outside of the school. “I think that’s been important for me - that may have helped me to have a balanced view of what was going on in the school; not just being school focused, having a small vision or being myopic so to speak, but also being stimulated by the broader context of secondary education either in the area or in the state or in the country.” Mr Feeney said a major achievement has been seeing 10 of his deputies and other team members going on to become principals themselves. “Sometimes it doesn’t have to be taking the next step to principalship but helping anybody have ambition and follow that ambition where it’s an ambition for others, an ambition to be of use in the world, making contributions...that’s been something that I greatly appreciate,” he said. “Being witness to so many people’s stories over such a long period of time, 45 years in education, you get to see so much of the personal, the intimate, the private, and the people’s lives and be part of that.” Mr Feeney was also awarded an Australian Council of Education fellowship in 2015, and was named a chartered fellow with the Principals Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools in 2010. Working close to home, where others may not like the fact they can run into students on the weekend, Mr Feeney said he does not mind it. “There’s that expression - find work that you love, that you get to derive joy from, and you’ll never work a day in your life because you’re doing what you love,” he said. Tuesday, 30 January, 2024
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Cockatoo’s best, brightest Cries of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi’ could be heard throughout Cockatoo in the early hours of Australia Day last week, as part of Connecting Cockatoo Communities’ annual Cockatoo Australia Day breakfast and awards ceremony. La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Cardinia Ranges Ward councillor Jeff Springfield were on hand to present the award winners, which included Cockatoo Citizen of the Year Chris White, Cockatoo Youth Citizen of the Year Ella Chawkley and Cockatoo Senior Citizen of the Year Graham Simpson. As a Cockatoo CFA brigade member, Mr White was recognised for his 18 years within CFA, including his achievements as former captain and first lieutenant with the Cockatoo brigade, as well as four years as netball coach at the Gembrook Cockatoo Football Netball Group. As a Cockatoo local for the past 15 years, he said receiving the award was an honour. “It’s very humbling,” he said. Miss Chawkley has been a significant part of the Cockatoo community, including contributions to the Cockatoo Country Market, completing her traffic management accreditation, volunteering at an aged care facility and earning recognition for her leadership and artwork. In addition, the Hills Community Gardens group received the award for Cockatoo Community Group of the Year. Hills Community Gardens representative Shirley Phillips said receiving the award after celebrating 20 years since the group formed was an honour.
Cardinia councillor Jeff Springfield (far right) presented the award for Cockatoo Community Event of the Year to Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre representatives Leticia Wilmot, Patsy Parnall and Graham Simpson for the 40th commemoration of Ash Wednesday event. Pictures: LJUBICA VRANKOVIC “This was such a lovely surprise,” she said. “It means a lot to us.” The co-ordinators behind the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre received the award for Cockatoo Community Event of the
Year for their 40th commemoration of Ash Wednesday. Mr Simpson was the captain when the fire siren rang through Cockatoo and is now the chair of the centre’s management committee.
Cardinia councillor Jeff Springfield. During his speech receiving the award for Cockatoo Senior Citizen of the year, he quoted American and actress and singer Mae West: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
Australia Day awards shine a light on Monbulk stars By Tyler Wright Locals making an impact on the community were acknowledged at an Australia Day Breakfast ceremony held by the Rotary Club of Monbulk and District Inc on Friday 26 January. Coby Passingham received a Citizenship Award for Community Service by a Young Person for his role in the Monbulk Football Club. Coby joined the Monbulk Football Club when he started Auskick, followed by the under 10s, now volunteer umpiring for the reserves and women’s football and filling in as well as umpiring junior matches on Sundays when needed. Coby was goal umpiring for Silvan at 14 years of age, as well as field umpiring for junior games at age 15 for Monbulk. For the past two years Coby has been a part of the senior club, captaining the under 19s, and was also the winner of the of the John Mitchel Award, which recognises people for excellence in community service and leadership. Last year Coby umpired during the finals, including the reserves Grand Final, and has MCd at various sporting functions, including presentation nights. 2023 also saw Coby play his match, go straight out to umpire the reserves, and often run water for the seniors or cook the BBQ. For some matches, he would stay and umpire the girls’ team, pitching in to help out by cleaning the club rooms, while also being an active member of the Monbulk Football and Netball Club Mental Health Team. He was nominated for the Citizenship Award by his Monbulk sporting community peers, and was presented the award by Casey MP Aaron Violi. “I had no idea that I was even up for this award, [I’m] just honoured and grateful,” Coby said. “I was about eight years old doing Auskick and then just playing footy in every age group up from there, and now involved in the senior club. “[I’ve loved] all the people and family and friends around the club; It’s just a great community.” Monbulk’s Open Door Pantry was given a Citizenship Award For Community Service by a Community Group, presented by Mon8 MAIL
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Monbulk’s Open Door Pantry coordinator Jenni Nash accepting the Citizenship Award For Community Service by a Community Group on behalf of volunteers from Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino. Picture: TYLER WRIGHT bulk MP Daniela De Martino, for its work supplying food items and meals to those in the community who are in need. “It’s lovely recognition,” pantry coordinator Jenni Nash said. “Even the people that go there, they don’t know the hours of work that you’re doing or even just 15, 20 minutes every week just online ordering, things break down, like the microwave...between us all it’s like ‘who’s free to go and turn the power back on.’ “It’s not just people walking in and getting food, there’s a lot more behind it than people don’t realise.” Jenni herself goes to Woolworths three times a week to pick up what is available, before bringing it back to the local minister’s house to sort for recipients. “It gets opened every day and people can just come in, they have to sign in with their name, the time, and their postcode so it’s we can track how many people are coming in each day,” Jenni said. “It’s just got bigger and bigger; there’s probably between 20 and 30 people coming in every day, and they’re the ones that sign in.” Welfare coordinator Judy Thornburn said stacking the shelves is a “full on production” on a Thursday. “The shelves are stuffed and then the rest of it’s all gone to the back and they are just an ordered machine.” Rotary Club of Monbulk and District Inc Vice President Rob Clark acknowledged that the gathering at the Monbulk pavilion was held on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people and paid his respects to elders past, present and emerging. “Australia Day is the official national day of Australia celebrated annually on the 26th
of January,” Rob said. “In present day of Australia celebrations reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation and are marked by community and family events, reflection of Australian history, official community awards and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new members of the Australian community. “The National Australia Day Council as this year set the theme as Reflect, Respect and Celebrate; Australia Day as a time for all Australians to reflect, respect and celebrate. We’re all part of the story of Australia from those whose ancestors walked on country for 10s of thousands of years to the newest Australian citizens.” Bob said on Australia Day, residents reflect on the past, accept the truth of our history and respect that everyone has a contribution to make to the story of Australia. “We celebrate being part of a diverse and multicultural nation,” he said. “We reflect on the resilience of communities and the spirit of helping and giving that defines the Australian spirit. We respect on stories, histories and contributions of all Australians, especially those who sacrificed so much over the past year. “We respect that regardless of where we come from, the faith we follow or the language we grew up speaking, we are all Australian and we all have a completely different nature to make. Australia Day is a day to celebrate together and celebrate being Australians.” Australia Day Ambassador and guest speaker Professor Arnold Dix, who helped rescue 41 trapped workers in a collapsed tunnel in India in November 2023, spoke at the event. “It’s kind of funny for me to hear that word spoken about here in Monbulk, because this is the last place that I ever imagined would know what I did,” Dix, who is president of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, said. “For many of you who do know me locally, some of you know me as a truck driver, and can I say that is really hard to get that job, thank you, Nishiki. “I had to get my CV and cut everything off after school, and I put in my welding certificate and my spray certificate... I was not a fantastic truck driver, but I drove the trucks. “Some of you know me as the council
shooter. so I shoot foxes and rabbits... some of you know me for spraying weeds at your properties because I do that; what you don’t know is I do it for therapy, because my day job is a bit of a shocker.” Arnold thanked his family, who he said could have been on the phone telling him to get out of the precarious Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand state, which could have ended in fatalities of the workers trapped and rescuers. “My career starts with the Twin Towers collapse in New York; I get sent there to look at the tunnels underneath,” Arnold said. “That’s a bit of a career-changing move and I’m never quite the same again, which is obvious. “I’ve investigated most of the world’s most horrible underground incidents ever since and been involved usually in getting the bodies out, and that’s why you don’t know me because no one’s interested much in that, except me because I try and make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Arnold said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledging his work in Parliament for improving the relations between Australia and India was “extraordinary”. “For the whole of my career no one’s known what I did, and in my imagination like a little kid, you’re like ‘imagine if one day someone like the Prime Minister of Australia, what if someone actually knew what I did’ “I really thought maybe I was having an anaesthetic reaction, maybe a rocket dropped on my head or something, and then the leader of the opposition got up and said something nice, and I was sure...since when does that happen?’” Arnold also told locals they may see ABC’s Australian Story crew wandering around Monbulk, Puffing Billy and other locations filming for a piece on the local hero. “Now that people know what I actually do as my day job, they’ve discovered all these other things that I do that I hadn’t told anyone about, and I know there are people in the audience, I’m not going to mention names, that I’d helped though over the years, but I don’t tell anyone.” “Then they bump into each other and they go ‘hang on, you know what, he helped me with such and such’...so there’s a whole lot of stuff coming together, I think the Australian Story one would be really cool.” mailcommunity.com.au
Get red-y for new rubbish bin lids!
From February 2024, all kerbside rubbish bins in Cardinia Shire will transition to red lids over a 4-week period. The red lids will replace any existing dark green lids on these bins. This change is taking place because the Victorian Government is standardising household waste and recycling services across the state, including lid colours. Under the new system, lime green lids will be for food and garden waste, yellow lids for recycling, and red lids for general rubbish. If you already have a red-lidded kerbside rubbish bin, there’s nothing you need to do. If your kerbside rubbish bin lid is dark green: All you need to do is leave your bin out (even if it’s empty) until 6pm on your usual rubbish bin collection days from Monday 5 February to Friday 1 March 2024, or until your bin lid is swapped for a red lid. Once your lid has been swapped you can continue to use your kerbside rubbish bin as normal. Old lids will be recycled and turned into new kerbside bins. This change will make it easier for you to know which bin is which, and to put the correct items in the correct bin – no matter where you are in Victoria! It will help improve household recycling rates, decrease contamination and reduce waste sent to landfill.
For more information, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/redbinlids or call Council’s waste team on 1300 787 624. 12652820-AI05-24
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Free mental aid at hand By Mikayla van Loon Looking to address the ‘missing middle’ in mental health support, Lilydale’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Local started providing telehealth care in December. Lead for the Yarra Ranges service, Wellways Australia, said it hopes to see an uptake in the support it is offering this year once it becomes fully operational with its ‘open door’ location. The Lilydale clinic was one of nine to be announced in October by the State Government as part of its response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations. Choosing the Yarra Ranges as a location was based on the high reported levels of psychological distress, sitting at 14 per cent. During 2023, 25 per cent of the Yarra Ranges population sought support for a mental health-related problem. “The current waitlists across all mental health services in the region demonstrate the high demand for improved accessibility and coordination of Mental Health Services through a no- wrong door approach where participants can make choices about the type of service they want to receive,” a Wellways statement said. Lilydale provides a central location, with a transport hub, other essential services and is an employment base for many people. “The new Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Lilydale will be a service that supports adults to obtain mental health and wellbeing treatment, care, and support closer to home. “Support is free, and participants do not require a referral from their doctor or health professional.” It can sometimes be that barrier that may prevent people over the age of 26 from seeking assistance. “The ‘missing middle’ are people who need
Ryder Wilson.
Free mental health support is available in the Yarra Ranges over the phone until the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is set up fully. Picture: UNSPLASH more support than they can get from their GP, but do not meet the high threshold for complex care services from a hospital,” the Wellways statement said. While for the moment, people can only access support over the phone until a permanent clinic is established in town, participants will still be greeted by mental health workers to create a care plan based on their desired outcome or needs. “The worker may ask. “How can we help?” and then focus on listening to and under-
Pictures: ADAM BATTYE
standing the participant’s concerns. “The worker will work with the participant, as well as their family, carers, and supporters, if the participant is comfortable with this, to design a care plan that meets the participant’s goals and preferences.” Collaborating with local organisations like Eastern Health, Inspiro and Oonah, Wellways said goes a long way in being able to provide holistic support through trusted services. “Our local partners are well-known service providers in the Yarra Ranges area who
have earned the trust of the communities they serve. “They have been delivering mental health services locally and understand local needs and have relationships and referral pathways with other services in the region that also provide help to people in the community.” To contact the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local for support, call 1300 000 252. The service is available 9am to 5pm weekdays, as well as on weekday public holidays but is closed on weekends.
Daniel Williams.
Jack Ratcliffe.
Trio of Tiger Cubs spearhead Victoria’s medal wins By Sean Talbot It may have been a tournament marred by rain interruptions and delayed games, however three local baseballers ensured it rained medals for Team Victoria at the recent U16 and U18 Australian Youth Championships in Blacktown, NSW. Daniel Williams (U16) as well as Ryder Wilson and Jack Ratcliffe (U18) all played a key role in ensuring their team snagged a medal as they squared off against the countries best in the weeklong tournament held at the same stadium that hosted baseball for the Sydney Olympics in 2000. It was a case of mixed results, as both Victorian teams came in heavily favored to play off for Gold, with the U18 team going all the way and the U16 team forced to settle for Bronze after the rain impacted the schedule so badly that the majority of the medal round 10 MAIL
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for the U16 age group was abandoned and the Gold Medal awarded to New South Wales on countback in the first round. Williams had a solid tournament, providing much needed depth off the bench of a strong Victorian team, going 2-for-8 and registering a .250 average with one RBI and making no errors in the field. It was an especially big tournament for Ratcliffe and Wilson, both who were playing in their last underage National Championships and were looking to go out with a bang, and a bang they certainly did. Wilson, who was taking on a new role of a pitcher only was absolutely outstanding, pitching 14 1/3 innings, giving up one run, walking none and striking out 14 hitters, topped off by an 8-inning, extra-innings walk-off win against South Australia to cement Team Victoria’s spot in the Gold Medal game against the red
hot Western Australia, earning himself the tournament’s coveted Golden Arm Award for the best pitcher in the process. Ratcliffe to his credit was also sublime in his role as a pitcher and infielder, going 7-for20 at the plate for a .350 average with seven RBIs, making multiple highlight reel and game saving plays at second base and throwing five scoreless innings for seven strikeouts, including throwing the final two innings in the Gold Medal game and making the game winning catch to secure the gold for Victoria, earning himself the Most Valuable Player award for the tournament for the second consecutive year. Not content with merely being the best player on the national stage, Ratcliffe has secured himself a spot in the DownUnder Travelers team who will soon be setting off to the USA and Puerto Rico for three weeks to play against collegiate teams
and in a World Cup-style tournament against other squads from around the world. It marks another huge 12 months for the budding superstar which has seen him snag 2x MVPs at Australian Youth Championships for Victoria, be selected in the Australian World Cup team that played in Taiwan in September 2023 while picking up a plethora of end of season awards for the Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers in what has to be one of the best periods of achievement in recent memory, be it baseball or any other sport. The Tigers welcome all three Tiger Cubs back this weekend as they go to work on winning Grand Finals for their respective teams within Upwey, with Ratcliffe and Wilson looking to become three-peat winners of the Division 1 championship as they square off against perennial ladder leaders Essendon this weekend. mailcommunity.com.au
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Emma brings the laughs - and drama - to Athenaeum By Mikayla van Loon The Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company will be launching its 2024 season with the comedic prowess of Warrandyte-based playwright Emma Wood. Bringing to the stage the first Australian showing of Piece of Mind, the dramedy follows the story of two near retirement age nurses who drum up a bizarre business plan to fund their exit from the workforce. “They can come up with a mad business plan to open up a funeral parlour for people to hire by the hour. The concept is that someone will lie down in the coffin and shut up while the other person says everything they’ve always wanted to say,” Wood said. “But it’s really the story of the women and the friendship they have and the way the business challenges their friendship, and I guess in a way how they’re planning their path forward from retirement.” Having been an actress for much of her life, Wood made the transition to playwriting one day in her 30s, when she woke up with a burning idea. This will be her fifth staged play, looking at the real challenges women face when they reach retirement age but can’t afford to retire. “It’s quite an issue for a lot of women. Older women are now the largest cohort of homeless people and these women are not on the edge of homelessness but they are financially insecure,” she said. “They have had long careers in nursing, which is something that we all need, but obviously not having earned enough to comfortably retire is a bit of an issue. “I have toyed with the idea of just writing a complete comedy but the real life complexi-
Playwright Emma Wood’s first Australian showing of her play Piece of Mind is coming to the Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre. 385218 ties always end up emerging so I sit pretty happily with a little bit of both. This is primarily comedy, but there’s certainly some drama.” When setting out on starting her playwriting journey, Wood said it was always a desire of hers to create strong female lead roles, especially for ageing women.
“It’s really been a bit of a conscious desire right from the start when I wrote my first play, which is called me Water Child, to write better roles for women. “Not because there are none. There are some good roles but in general terms especially with the classics, the cast is heavily based male roles. Women often end up as the wife or
girlfriend or the daughter and so I do like to put women front and centre in all my plays.” Despite doing this so actors have more opportunities to act as they get older, Wood said it comes from a need to present shows to primarily female audiences. “Female actors deserve more substantive roles, but also, audiences are primarily made up of middle aged women,” Wood said. “They invite their husbands or they invite their female friends and they sit there and often watch stories that don’t really directly impact or maybe things that don’t occur in their own lives.” Having workshopped this production before it was first staged in Los Angeles early last year, Wood said all the kinks were exposed and fixed. “It was a great process for helping me. It was a good first draft, but the production helped it become better.” Opening night on Thursday 8 February will be the first time Wood sees the Lilydale production herself but said she has full faith in director Susan Rundle. “It’s my first Australian premiere that wasn’t at the Newcastle Theatre Company so it’s lovely to have it here in Melbourne and Melbourne has got such a wonderful and large community theatre network. “Lilydale Theatre’s production values are obviously very good. It’s such a beautiful space and they put the work in with the set and the design and I know that our actors are good. So I’m just really excited.” Piece of Mind will run from 8 February to 24 February. Go to lilydaleatc.com/season-2024 to find out more or to book
Melting mental illness By Gabriella Vukman In efforts to tackle mental health head-on, local photographer and now author David Eastham has undertaken the task of writing and publishing a book on mental health strategies. Based on his own experience coping with mental breakdowns, David hopes his book will help people who are struggling as well as provide tips for and raise awareness around preventative measures for mental breakdowns. The book, currently available for purchase, is called ‘Shooting the Black Dog’ and reveals how David overcame his own mental health struggles through animal photography.. “Going back a number of years I had a pretty significant mental health breakdown and I went down the typical medication and psychologist route,” David said. “Whilst these traditional measures got me back functioning, I still didn’t feel like myself. “I started doing a bit of research and saw that getting a hobby and involving a bit of creativity into your life can help with your mental health.” Turning to photography as his therapeutic and creative outlet, David discovered a tool he could turn to in order to battle mental health flare ups. “I went and bought a camera and had actually never done photography before,” David said. “I found that photography was my silver bullet for mental health and then, coming from a science background, I went ‘okay, why is this the case and why is it that photography is so good for my mental health and well-being?’” Sparked by intrigue, David began researching creativity and its connection to mental health. “I was going to write a blog or an article, and then it just got bigger and bigger,” David said. “I thought’ hang on,’ why don’t I turn this into a book and that was about four years ago.” David is scheduling his book launch event along with the release of a program that is also tailored towards beating mental health issues, for late March. Whilst David’s book began as a research un12 MAIL
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Yarra Valley Local David Eastham publishes ‘Shooting the Black Dog’ a book on dealing with mental health. Picture: DAVID EASTHAM dertaking, it also depicts his experience with mental health. “I started mentioning why creativity and specifically photography was so good for my mental health, and then when I decided to actually turn it into a book, I thought, ‘well the first chapter really needs to be about my own experience, what I went through and my story.’ “After that I brainstormed what chapters people would benefit from.” For David, breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health involves being able to talk freely about it. ”The biggest misconception surrounding mental health is that people think that they are immune to it,” he said. “I was the exact same, I thought that I was immune to it and I’d seen other people around me battle depression and anxiety and I just thought that I would never get it but my mental breakdown absolutely changed my life. “For me, what we should be aiming for is being able to talk about our mental health like we talk about any other injury.” Mental illness prevention is another of Da-
vid’s priorities and preventative tips are also featured in ‘Shooting the Black Dog’. “One of the biggest issues is that we’re trying to deal with the problem a bit downstream, but if you were to try and go to your doctor or ring up to see a psychologist, the wait times are astronomical, the cost to actually see someone is off the charts with the cost of living at the moment,” he said. “We need to try and treat the problem upstream, before people have a breakdown and before people get to the stage where they have to meet and see a psychologist and get on medication and so on. “Whilst people do still need to access medication etc, there is much more work we can do in the preventative space.” For David, preventing people from having a breakdown rather than “throwing resources” at people once they have already had an episode is the way to go. “Each person will experience the warning signs of a mental breakdown quite differently,” he said. “For me, I start to sleep intermittently, my
energy levels are low and I get irritated very easily.” “One of my final mental breakdown indicators is getting pins and needles all over my back.” David’s book highlights the typical symptoms that people will have and also outlines the need for each individual to realise their own symptoms early and be attuned to them. The book covers not only David’s mental breakdown experience but also delves into the science behind therapeutic photography and the role of creativity. There are over 20 exercises in the book compiled by David through not just research, but word of mouth and trial and error. “A whole range of exercises where you might read the book and find five that work for you and the other fifteen don’t which is absolutely fine,” David said. “Everyone can grab a few takeaways out of it, to me it’s just like having more tools in the toolbox to battle depression, anxiety and benefit our mental health.” Writing about his experience, though a little challenging, was therapeutic for David. “I found that the actual process of writing, whilst divulging my own breakdown and experiences with mental health was quite tough and confronting at times, it was also therapeutic at the same time. “I’ve had some people ask if I will write another book at some stage and I think that I definitely will.” Whilst David admits that different tools work for different people and that photography might not be everyone’s “silver bullet”, he emphasised the importance and functionality of creative outlets when combating mental health issues. “For me, if it resonates for even a few people to pick up the book and read it, to me that is success. “As much as photography is my silver bullet and may not be for everyone, it’s all about getting another tool in the toolbox to help people with their own mental health journeys.” mailcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Learn creative coding free By Mikayla van Loon Looking to fill a gap in education, a free coding program is heading to Montrose in early February giving young people the opportunity to learn important maths skills while expanding their imagination. Charity, Creative Bytes, founded during the lockdowns of the pandemic in 2021, saw a need to increase the offering of coding across the state. Co-founder Stewart McMillan said this idea snowballed into establishing a curriculum around basic coding for students to learn for free. “We noticed a lot of students were missing out on STEM based programs, in particular coding,” he said. “You either had to be in an elite private school, or in a very select public school. If you expand that out around regional Victoria, not many schools are engaging with this.” From that initial idea came the first Creative Youth Coding Program held in Warrnambool,
where the combined foundations of mathematics, design, technology and digital literacy were taught to students aged nine to 12. “Students just rock up on the day with a laptop. They learn about the xy coordinates, which is a really integral part of Year 7 maths and they walk away with a fully fledged game to share with their friends and family,” Stewart said. “They get to build their character, their landscape and the narrative…[while learning] about how the character moves, how the character interacts in the environment, and behind all that, it’s all mathematics. It’s all an algorithm.” Focusing on the age group of roughly Year 4 to Year 6 students, Stewart said builds a knowledge of essential mathematical skills before heading into Year 7. “We noticed that over 80 per cent of attendees walk away learning a core coding skill that assists them in Year 7 mathematics, which is great.” Stewart said there is also a high level of girls participating in the coding session, with 40.8 per cent of the cohort being girls, an exciting
element of the program, particularly with the emergence of more female superheroes and gaming characters. Finding that the value of the program remains steady across all communities, Stewart said the only thing that really changes is the previous experience level of the participants. “We do have some rock up on the day who have experimented with coding, but I’d say the vast majority, especially if you go into very disadvantaged areas and Yarra Ranges isn’t one of those, will have no idea,” he said. “It’s just such a great feeling to provide this experience to a student that’s never seen this before. Coming to Yarra Ranges I know there will be quite a number who have done a little bit of coding probably on their iPad or on their laptop but usually it’s a good 50/50 split.” Moving forward in a world of AI and digital technology, Stewart said he wished he was given the opportunity to learn coding at primary or secondary school to benefit his part in the workforce. “I regret not having the ability to learn about
it because I think the current workforce is prevalent in AI, sadly, potentially, depending how it’s mitigated. Many workforces and jobs cater to data engineering and actual coding. “We are seeing the current workforce change to digital technology, coding in particular, and how AI is being integrated and all those skills are integral to the training block of what we teach, it’s very basic, though, but it gives them a taste of what that’s like.” Although the program in Montrose is a one off, as funded by Yarra Ranges Council, Stewart said Creative Bytes is in the process of designing a more permanent offering for interested students. For now, Yarra Ranges young people can access the Creative Bytes workshop on Saturday 3 February at the Montrose Community Centre by visiting trybooking.com/events/landing/1154612 Or to learn more about the program, go to creativebytes.org/creative-youth-coding-program
First day at school evokes range of raw emotions By Maria Millers How many of you remember your first day at school, your first separation from whoever cared for you for those first five years of your life? Perhaps your memories go back to a time when it was more the norm for mothers to be fulltime carers of their preschool children. It was then not uncommon to witness outside a school or classroom distressing scenes of tears, tantrums and clinging on to an equally distressed parent, tearfully pleading for the parent not to leave. Undoubtedly, this still happens and is probably happening today as the new school year begins in Victoria. However, now most mothers work either through choice or necessity and children starting school today may have experienced from a very early age being cared for by someone other than a parent. Beginning sometimes as early as six months, children progress from child care to kinder to preschool and finally school. This you would think would soften and temper the path to separation. Despite the increased enrolments in preschools and the amount of investment in this area, children are not necessarily, correspondingly better prepared for school. This is recognized by the practice of gradually easing the children into full day attendance. The fact is that children are biologically wired to fear being separated from the grownups who have cared for them and with whom they feel safe. Other than just the parent this could also include a grandparent or a childcare person. So a degree of separation anxiety can be expected when starting school.
Two poems address the emotions of that first day better than any commentary. Emerald poet, John Sheills in Line Up captures the dread of separation. Two friends cling to each other on that first day when confronted by the strangeness of the playground and especially its overwhelming size. Not understanding that now they are expected to do things in a different way, like staying in line and not ‘mill about that strange playground’ they wonder why some can easily stay in line. British poet Roger McGough’s First Day at School is a poem written from the perspective of a small child facing school alone. This is immediately apparent by the nonsense word in the opening line: ‘million billionwillion miles from home’ spoken in the hyperbolic language that children love to use. Once again the playground is intimidating, noisy and scarily enclosed by railings’. The poem is dominated by the child’s feelings of insecurity, his isolation from the rest of the children together with the fear of being in a new setting with strange buildings. The child has the impression that the school railings are meant to lock out monsters which must be quite terrifying to a child whose imagination and memories of stories such as
FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL by Roger McGough A millionbillionwillion miles from home Waiting for the bell to go. (To go where?) Why are they all so big, other children? So noisy? So much at home they Must have been born in uniform Lived all their lives in playgrounds Spent the years inventing games That don’t let me in. Games That are rough, that swallow you up. And the railings. All around, the railings. Are they to keep out wolves and monsters? Things that carry off and eat children? Things you don’t take sweets from? Perhaps they’re to stop us getting out Running away from the lessins. Lessin. What does a lessin look like? Sounds small and slimy. They keep them in the glassrooms.
Whole rooms made out of glass. Imagine. I wish I could remember my name Mummy said it would come in useful. Like wellies. When there’s puddles. Yellowwellies. I wish she was here. I think my name is sewn on somewhere Perhaps the teacher will read it for me. Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea. LINE-UP by John Sheils First day at school. Familiar friend you held my hand so I too did not have to run away from that newly shared experience. There we stood not meaning to spoil the line-up for going out to mill about that strange playground. Others followed on all nicely in line behind (how come they already knew about such stuff?) Nearby, a teacher lady with long dark hair said - “Why, here’s a pretty pair. We need to separate the two of you.” It’s such a big word to parade about a little person’s world.
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Red Riding Hood bring to mind ‘wolves and monsters’. .At the same time the railings are there also to keep the children in. In John Sheill’s poem the child has a friend to hold on to, in the McGough poem the child is alone and frightened by the surroundings to the point where he forgets his name and yearns for his mother’s presence. The child having been left alone longs for the mother as independence is just too much to handle at this point. And then the realisation that there is now a new adult in his life, ‘the tea – cher’. The poem not only explores the innocence and vulnerability of the child but also the child’s curiosity. Both poems address the fact that a small child can be overwhelmed.
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Tuesda
AVONSLEIGH Avonsleigh News & General Store 445 Belgrave Gembrook Road BELGRAVE Belgrave Newsagency 1704 Burwood Highway BELGRAVE Woolworths Supermarket 1629 Burwood Highway
EMERALD Bell Real Estate 313 Main Street FERNTREE GULLY Upper Ferntree Gully Newsagents, 1202 Burwood Highway FERNTREE GULLY Glenfern Road Milk Bar , 83 Glenfern Road
MONBULK Monbulk Newsagency & Officesmart 76 Main Street OLINDA Monbulk Bowling Club, 11 Moores Road OLINDA Olinda Cellars Shop 7/540 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road
BELGRAVE IGA 151 Belgrave-Hallam Road BELGRAVE Chandler & Co Real Estate 1689 Burwood Hwy
FERNTREE GULLY Coles Supermarket Mountain Gate SC Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Woolworths Supermarket Mountain Gate SC
OLINDA Ranges at Olinda 5 Old Main Road OLINDA IGA Supermarket 1526 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road
BELGRAVE First National Real Estate 1660 Burwood Highway Belgrave BELGRAVE SOUTH Belgrave South Motors 138 Belgrave-Hallam Rd BORONIA Boronia Mall Newsagent Corner Floriston Road & Chandler Road
Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Mountain Gate Newsagency & Lotto Mountain Gate SC 9b Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY IGA Ferntree Gully, 107 Station Street
OLINDA Bell Real Estate 11 Main Road SASSAFRAS Sassafras General Store 391 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road SILVAN Shell Princi Motors, 275 - 277 Monbulk Road
COCKATOO Ranges First National Shop 2, 24 McBride Street COCKATOO IGA Cockatoo 34 McBride Street
TECOMA BP Service Station 1524 Burwood Highway TECOMA Bon Ton General Store 1537 Burwood Highway
EMERALD Kaye Charles RE 12a Kilvington Drive EMERALD Ritchies SUPA IGA 342 Belgrave-Gembrook Road EMERALD Emerald Village Newsagency 4 Kilvington Drive
FERNTREE GULLY Shell Service Station 1140 Burwood Highway FERNY CREEK Ferny Creek & Post Office 195 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road GEMBROOK Gembrook Post Office& Newsagent 72 Main Street GEMBROOK IGA Supermarket 83/85 Main Street
EMERALD Woolworths Supermarket Belgrave Gembrook Road EMERALD Auto Plus More Petrol Station 365 Main Street
KALORAMA Post Office 1209 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road MONBULK Best Repairs & Accessories Monbulk - 26 Main Road
TREMONT Caltex Service Station 100 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road UPWEY Newsagent 18 Main Street
EMERALD Shell Service Station 336 Main Street EMERALD Barry Plant Real Estate 1/ 321 Main Street
MONBULK Food Express 128 Main Road MONBULK Woolworths Supermarket Main Road & Moores Road
UPWEY IGA Supermarket 62-64 Main Street UPWEY Yarra Ranges Shire Council 40 Main Street
12652353-AA48-23
TECOMA O’Brien Real Estate 1567 Burwood Highway TECOMA McDonald’s Restaurant 1529 Burwood Highway THE PATCH The Patch Store and Post office 16 The Patch Road
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OPINION
Rising costs hitting home I hope you all had a great Christmas and found some time to relax. It is great to be back and ready for a busy 2024. There is plenty of unfinished business from 2023. I’ve spent a lot of time out chatting to locals and know that the cost of living continues to be the number one concern for local families. I will continue advocating for action on the cost of living, improved local roads and better access to quality healthcare for our community – among other issues. The high cost of groceries, mortgages, energy bills, rents and insurances are leaving many families without adequate food on the table. This is something I heard firsthand in my role on the Standing Committee on Agriculture during our recent Inquiry into Food
From my
desk Federal Member for Casey Security in Australia. As the National Farmers’ Federation told the committee, Australia produces enough food to feed 75 million people each year – both here and overseas through exports. Local farmers in the Yarra Valley produce high quality fruit and vegetables that put our community on the world stage.
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prevent future supply chain disruptions. We also heard evidence of the duopoly, Coles and Woolworths, leaving Aussie farmers short-changed for their produce. The stories of farmers getting $1.50 for pumpkins that the duopoly sell for $20 a piece is just the tip of the iceberg. The implications of this power disparity between hardworking farmers and the duopoly creates serious concerns for future food security. To maintain our production capacity both locally in the Yarra Valley and as a nation, farm businesses must remain profitable and be able to operate in competitive environments. The ACCC inquiry into supermarket price gouging is long overdue. Not only for the sake of local farmers and our national food security, but for all Australians struggling to afford to put food on the table in these tough times.
Salty about the snubbing of darkly funny Saltburn
Comedies and auditions Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Piece of Mind is a comedy by Emma wood (an award winning, internationally produced playwright based in Melbourne) Piece of Mind is a quirky, funny tale about two long-suffering nurses and best friends opening a rather unique new therapy business. The idea is that you and your partner spend an hour or two reflecting on your relationship...while one of you is lying in a coffin playing dead. Season: Thursday 8 February - Sunday 24 February. Bookings: 9735 1777 Mondays, Tuesday or Fridays between 10am and 2pm. Eltham Little Theatre Audition Notice The Peppercorn Tree This is a moving drama set in Melbourne in 1993. Auditions will be by individual appointment at 15 minute intervals. Audition candidates will be asked to read specific sections of the script against other actors. There is no need to memorise these for the audition.
But as the 188 written submissions and many public hearings made clear, food security isn’t just about supply. It’s about ensuring all Australians have access to affordable, nutritious foods. I know from my recent visits to Holy Fools, The Mustard Tree in Lilydale, Outer East Food Share, Discovery Community Care Mt Evelyn, LinC Yarra Junction, ADRA Warburton, Foothills Community Care and Soupees in Upwey that local food banks are under more pressure than ever to support families in need. The committee made several recommendations, including that a Minister for Food be established with the responsibility of addressing food insecurity in Australia. It was recommended that a National Food Plan be created that maps out the entire supply chain - from paddock to plate - including transport routes, so governments and community can act to
Kemp’s curtain call Please arrive 10 minutes early so you can fill out an audition form. Rehearsals will be held Monday and Wednesday 7.30pm and Sundays at 2.30pm – 5pm. Audition Dates are Sunday 4 February and Monday 5 February at 7pm – 10.15pm To contact ELT ring 0411 713 095 REMEMBER: 1812 Theatre, Mother & Son. February 22 – March 16. Bookings: 9758 3964. The Basin Theatre, Hatched, Matched and Dispatched Season: Thursday February 22 – Sunday March 3. Bookings: 1300 784 618 Eltham Little Theatre, Yes Prime Minister Season: February 16 – March 2. Bookings: 9433 3111
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Revealed on January 23, the 2024 Oscar nominations had some surprises and one big snub that left me fuming. Oppenheimer received a whopping 13 nominations across writing, directing, acting and technical fields, including Best Picture. Past Lives was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, and stands a very good chance of winning the latter through its rich, literary yet natural dialogue. Poor Things, a quirky, uplifting gender-flipped spin on Frankenstein, was nominated for eleven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Yorgos Lanthimos and Best Adapted Screenplay, being adapted from the novel by Alasdair Gray. Lily Gladstone became the first Native American woman to be nominated for Best Actress for her powerful performance in Killers of the Flower Moon (which, surprisingly, was not nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay). In one of cinema’s biggest glow-ups, as the Godzilla franchise has long been mocked for its use of men in rubber suits, Godzilla Minus One was nominated for Best Visual Effects, and the stunning sci-fi war character study The Creator was nominated for Visual Effects and Sound. Barbie received eight nominations, including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Production Design and two Best Song spots, but Greta Gerwig was not nominated for Best Director and Margot Robbie was not nominated for Best Actress, despite Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera receiving Supporting Actor and Actress nods (respectively). Robbie flawlessly portrays the archetypal ditzy blonde Barbie, but delivers a nuanced, moving performance as Barbie grows more human and learns the importance of sadness and negative emotion. If Gosling was nominated as Ken, it’s only fair that Robbie be nominated for Barbie, and some online commenters have humorously observed that Ken being recognized over Barbie is effectively the plot of Barbie. Barbie is in the same position as Argo from 2013: a Best Picture candidate with a snubbed director (though in fairness, Gerwig and Robbie are both listed as producers on Barbie). The most galling snub for me was writer-director Emerald Fennell’s darkly funny psychological thriller masterpiece Saltburn. Star Barry Keoghan’s lead performance is just as nuanced as Robbie’s, as Oliver
The 2024 Oscar nominations were revealed on 23 January. Picture: ON FILE Quick’s manipulative, scheming true self slowly emerges from his unassuming fishout-of-water persona, and Keoghan fearlessly commits to the film’s more risque or grotesque sequences. At the very least, Saltburn deserved a Best Cinematography nomination for its lavish, painterly shots and elaborate long-takes, but I wholeheartedly believe it should have been nominated for Best Original Screenplay. You’d be forgiven for thinking Saltburn is just an exploitation movie – more Caligula than Parasite – but despite its graphic content, Saltburn’s narrative is witty, wellpaced and surprisingly subtle. Saltburn is extremely effective at challenging our assumptions: we initially warm to Oliver as a shy, reserved college student who comes out of his shell through Felix’s (Jacob Elordi) friendship, but our view of Oliver slowly sours as he lies and pushes boundaries. Felix’s weird family proves not as sinister as they first appeared, and the climax gives us the grim satisfaction of the plot’s many dastardly clues coming together. I acknowledge that Saltburn might be too gross and deranged for the Academy to touch, as the same was true of Possessor. The second feature from Brandon Cronenberg (son of body horror pioneer David Cronenberg) and my film of the year for 2020, Possessor is richly-layered, deeply intriguing, superbly-paced and shockingly graphic but never gratuitous. Stars Andrea Riseborough and Christopher Abbott were robbed of Oscar nominations at the 2021 Oscars, and if I had my way, I would have given them a special shared Oscar, as their performances are so intensely complementary. Maybe Saltburn is too much for the Academy to stomach. And yet in its subversive notes, bursts of violence and themes of infiltrating the upper-class, Saltburn isn’t too far removed from Parasite. If Parasite could win Best Picture in 2020, the Academy can stretch their horizons and give Saltburn its screenwriting due. - Seth Lukas Hynes mailcommunity.com.au
PROPERTY
ONE ACRE, PRIVATE AND QUIET, WITH BEAUTIFUL HOME
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
1 ACRE, PRIVATE AND QUIET, BEAUTIFUL HOME WHEN thinking about buying a ‘hills’ home, locals will tell you, ‘Make sure it has abundant natural light’. It is the best advice you can take. Whilst hidden from prying eyes and surrounded by lush green gardens this home is blessed with a light, bright ambience. Orientation - East facing with North/East Deck – perfect for brunch or enjoying the serenity. Spacious living rooms, one with an open fireplace, high vaulted ceilings, the perfect blend of character with a touch of contemporary. Positioned to look amongst the treetops, exhale and unwind. Look over the one-acre, terraced gardens filled with established camellias, rhododendrons, maples, Dicksonian tree ferns and azaleas. If you are fortunate, you may hear the elusive Lyrebird mimicking you nearby. The residence features 3 bedrooms, all with built-in robes, the ensuite and bathroom feature bespoke timber vanities. The central modern kitchen has stone bench tops, a Blanco 900mm SS upright 6 burner stove and a Meile dishwasher. There is also a spacious laundry and carport. The location is fabulous, right in the heart of the hills, near to the R.J. Hamer Arboretum and Cloudehill Gardens. You are merely minutes to both Olinda and Monbulk Townships. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 1 Yurnga Avenue, Olinda Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $920,000 - $995,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Jan Brewster 0409 558 805, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL - 9754 6111 16 MAIL
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Tuesday, 30 January, 2024
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HOME FOCUS
WELL KEPT WITH OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING THIS lovely 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is packed with features! With split level living providing 2 loungerooms, an open plan kitchen/dining area, and a fantastic outdoor entertainment area complete with a spa, covered outdoor dining, and then a manicured garden with raised vegetable beds and a cute cubby house. With great street appeal and a tidy front lawn & garden, discover a double lock up garage with electric door, and then enjoy the convenience of fingerprint entry to this home. Firstly, discover the master bedroom with ceiling fan, walk through wardrobe, a shower room with double vanity that cleverly leads onto a powder room. Giving the feeling of an ensuite with the convenience of being able to access the bathroom from the hallway. Then continue through this light bright home with celestial windows to enjoy the spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliances that opens to the dining room. There is also a front loungeroom with a study nook, and a split system air conditioner. This home also has ducted heating throughout. Continue down a few stairs to a second comfortable loungeroom with a wood fire heater that opens out onto the entertaining area. There is also a roomy laundry with rear yard access and a doggy door. Then there are three further bedrooms, all with ceiling fans and built in wardrobes. These bedrooms are serviced by a modern family bathroom with a free standing bath, walk in shower and toilet. Externally imagine the evenings spent entertaining on the covered deck, or the moments resting in the private spa. For the green thumb, there is a tidy and well laid out rear garden with flat lawn, cubby house, and raised garden beds. This home also has a 4.5 kW Solar system. This property has it all so don’t miss out - CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION TODAY! Call Bethany Day on 0438 844 968 or Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 47 Ormonde Road, FERNTREE GULLY Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,050,000 - $1,150,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451 or Bethany Day 0438 844 968, BELL REAL ESTATE EMERALD mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 30 January, 2024
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HOME FOCUS
FAMILY LIVING ON ¼ ACRE - CLOSE TO TOWN THIS two-storey home offers a perfect blend of comfort, functionality, and aesthetics, making it an ideal setting for family life and entertaining guests. The emphasis on outdoor/indoor living with the fantastic screened in deck incorporating outdoor ‘kitchen’ with BBQ and custom cabinetry, a big TV screen zone and even a separate viewing area to enjoy those perfect sunsets. The connection between indoors and out is seamless and the layout of the residence offers three separate interior living areas, one being open plan kitchen, equipped with modern appliances and ample storage, which caters to the practical needs of daily living with the dining area adjoining. There are 4 bedrooms, the main with full ensuite and WIR. The main bathroom has a soaking tub (with a view), and the 4th bedroom is downstairs and is ideal if you need a space to work from home. The home is accessed by a sealed driveway, with a single remote garage, is positioned on just over a quarter acre of established gardens and is just minutes to Emerald Township, shops, schools, sporting clubs, restaurants and much more. Call Erin Davies 0493 136 937 or Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 to arrange an inspection. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 50 Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, EMERALD Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 garage Price: $950,000-$1,045,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Erin Davies 0493 136 937, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL - 9754 6111 18 MAIL
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Ranges PRISTINE MOUNTAIN RETREAT
SASSAFRAS 9 WOODlANDS AVENUE oNE ACRE gARDEN WoNDERLAND
We put you first
CROWNING TRADIES DREAM THE WORKSHOP RIDGE IN All ITS GlORY
$1,135,000-$1,245,000 4A 2B 4C
Discover a meticulously maintained four-bedroom home with triple garage and secluded setting. Open-plan living, formal lounge with a log fire, vaulted ceilings, and large windows create a welcoming ambiance. The kitchen features an island bench, dishwasher, and ample storage. The master bedroom has an ensuite and walk-in robe, with the study serving as a versatile space. The lower level includes a triple garage/ workshop, carport, and storage.
grant Skipsey 0418 528 102
BELgRAVE UPWEy 36 bElMONT 25-27 COlOMbO AVENUE ROAD Escape to PRIVATE HILLS yourRETREAT exclusive haven
$1,399,00-$1,499,000 $799,000 4A 1 3 2B 2 5C
Outdoortoentertaining Escape a 2,000 sqmwill garden be a dream paradise from with the breathtaking huge deck offering views. This privacy renovated & a backdrop fourof bedroom approximately home features 3,015 sqm. a chef’s of mature kitchen, gardens in-ground and pool, woodlands. and covered Featuring alfresco spacious dining. open plan With modern living, wood amenities fire, ducted and sustainability gas heating,features, split system it’s conveniently cooling, polished located floornear boards, the train walls of station glassand windows, Upwey updated town centre. kitchen Make and36 dual belmont living zones, Avenue and Upwey for the your tradie home! a MASSIVE workshop and double carport. The home has just been restumped with provision to reinstate rooms underneath. There is also a second road frontage to Carramar Crescent.
grant Skipsey 0418 528 102
6 GlORIOUS ACRES
RURAl PARADISE ON NEARlY 5 ACRES
AVoNSLEIgH 18b MARGARET ROAD $1,300,000-$1,430,000 CHARMINg RESIDENCE WITH STUNNINg gARDENS 4A 1B 5C
gEMBRook 115 COllIE ROAD $830,000 - $895,000 RURAL LIFESTyLE, WITH EASy ACCESS To ToWNSHIP 3A 1B 2C
This wonderful 1950’s built 6-acre (mainly flat) property is offered for sale for the first time. The gardens are glorious, bursting with summer colours and the residence offers French door access onto the covered patio, spacious timber kitchen, light-filled living with stone accented fireplace, hardwood floors, grand-sized bathroom, a second shower ‘room,’ WC, large laundry, covered entertaining area with open fireplace, 4 paddocks, an old tennis court, woodshed, stable, garage, workshop, covered store and another shed.
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
9754 6111
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Erin Davies 0493 136 937
The perfect blend of tranquility and convenience on this picturesque 1.9-hectare property. Nestled amidst a harmonious mix of bush & cleared land, this idyllic retreat offers a rural lifestyle without sacrificing modern amenities. Enjoy the 2.5 dams, spring-fed water sources, a modest home with upgrades to the bathroom and kitchen and a 2-car carport & shedding. Additional 2.4-acre creekfront leasehold provides a further opportunity for grazing, for those looking to keep livestock & embrace a self-sustaining lifestyle.
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
‘We Put You First’
Erin Davies 0493 136 937
1660 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Shop 2/24 McBride St, Cockatoo Tuesday, 30 January, 2024
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MAIL 19
HOME FOCUS
STYLISH COUNTRY HOME ON 20 ACRES WHAT an exceptional move in ready opportunity for any equine enthusiast! Featuring a sand arena, day yards, electric fenced paddocks, hot wash, tack room, float storage, hay shed, a 3-bay barn, cross-country course, mains water and the added bonus of a comfortable 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, ‘Hamptons’ style home with amazing views and all perfectly located in the heart of Macclesfield – where there are more horses than people! The winding driveway leads past the stock yards with loading ramps to the well-maintained paddocks, day yards, a variety of sheds currently utilised as tack room, feed shed, hot wash bay, hay storage and machinery storage, past the 40x20m sand arena to the privately situated home surrounded by blossoming delights. The home is ideally laid out for family living and ideal for entertaining with zoned bedrooms and 2 spacious living areas. On entering the home there is a formal sitting room with ambient open fire and a separate dining space. The master bedroom is at the front of the home and features a walk-through robe, ceiling fan and renovated ensuite. The home then opens up to an open plan kitchen/dining/living area with a wood fire and the home has zoned, reverse cycle ducted heating and refrigerated cooling throughout for the ultimate in comfort and convenience. The kitchen features a 900mm gas stove, electric oven, and allows you to take in great views across the paddocks whilst cooking up a feast for the family. A lovely addition for winter is the laundry/mud room with heaps of cupboards and a drying cupboard – the perfect addition to any Victorian home. There are three further bedrooms all with built in wardrobes, big windows and private views which are serviced by the renovated family bathroom and a study niche, perfect to work from home. Outside amongst the colourful established gardens there is a decked entertaining area with direct access from the family room that offers magnificent views where you can soak in the summer sun and keep an eye on your ponies whilst you relax or entertain. In fact, the gardens were planted specifically to attract lots of birds (blue wrens are frequent visitors), and the property regularly has native visitors including Wombats, Kookaburras, Echidnas, Kangaroos and Wallabies and you will be in awe watching the Wedge Tailed Eagles flying above with their babies. Add to all this, mains water, 5 fenced paddocks with water, a permanent creek, a Spring fed dam, a chicken run, safe fencing throughout, an all-weather gravel driveway, lock up garage, plenty of room to ride onsite, safe roadside riding trails and plenty of like-minded neighbours to ride with. If you do not have use for all the paddocks all year round the larger of the paddocks annually returns between 250 400 high quality bales per year, so you can stock up for the winter or generate a side income. The property also lends itself to an agistment income with easy access to all facilities located away from the home! Such well-maintained and comprehensive equine/lifestyle properties are rare, so act now, as this is your chance to secure the dream! CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION TODAY! Call Samantha Scott on 0438 680 032. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing office or the listing agent direct. ●
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HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 52 Patons Road, MACCLESFIELD Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 8 garage Price: $1,750,000 - $1,900,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032, BELL REAL ESTATE EMERALD 20 MAIL
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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald
47 Ormonde Road, Ferntree Gully
$1,050,000 - $1,150,000
3 Bell Street, Cockatoo
$670,000 - $730,000
Beautifully Maintained Family Home With Great Outdoor Entertaining!
This Home is Bursting With Cockatoo Cottage Charm!
This 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home has 2 loungerooms, an open plan kitchen/dining area, & a fantastic outdoor entertainment area complete with a spa, covered outdoor dining, & then a manicured garden with raised vegetable beds & a cute cubby house. There is also a double lock up garage with electric door. This home is light & bright with celestial windows, & a spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliances that opens to the dining room. There is also a front loungeroom with a study nook, and a split system AC. Continue down a few stairs to a second comfortable loungeroom with a wood fire heater that opens out onto the entertaining area. Then there are 3 further bedrooms, all with ceiling fans & BIRs. These bedrooms are serviced by a modern family bathroom with a free standing bath, walk in shower & toilet. There is also a 4.5 kW Solar system & ducted heating.
With established gardens surrounding this 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home, enjoy the feeling of being sheltered from the hustle and bustle & yet being less than 5 minutes walk to the conveniences of Cockatoo Main street. This home has a circular gravel driveway, a DLUG, & has a fully fenced front yard, separate fenced back yard, & gated front porch. Enter the home to find a cosy woodfire in the loungeroom. The kitchen & loungeroom are open plan, & there is a sliding door from the dining room to the rear paved area. 2 of the 3 bedrooms offer BIRs, whilst all utilising the family bathroom with a heater, & a bath & shower. There is a lovely rear outdoor covered entertaining area, & the DLUG has plenty of space for a workshop area & has concrete floor, power & lights. There is a rear garden shed & a single carport.
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
Bethany Day M 0438 844 968
Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032
4
23 Williamson Road, Gembrook
A
2
B 2 C
$900,000 - $990,000
Bethany Day M 0438 844 968
3
52 Patons Road, Macclesfield
A
1
B 3 C
$1,750,000 - $1,900,000
Fully Renovated & Private Home on Over ½ an Acre!
Stylishly Renovated Home with Equine Infrastructure on Nearly 20 acres!
Step inside to discover the master bedroom with a woodfire, WIR, ceiling fan, split system AC & ensuite with double shower. Continue along the hall to discover 3 further bedrooms with BIRs, serviced by a family bathroom & separate toilet. There is an open plan loungeroom & kitchen with a built in gas fireplace. Then the kitchen offers a large island with Belling stove top, floating rangehood, granite stone benchtops, walk in pantry, built-in plumbed fridge, double-glazed windows & 2 sets of bifold-doors opening out to the rear timber entertaining deck. There is a pond amongst the established garden beds, fruit trees, & two covered vegetable gardens all with irrigation. There is also a chicken coop, multiple sheds, single lock up garage with concrete floor, & power/lighting. There are dual water tanks, mains water, circular driveway & solar panels with inverters.
Featuring a 40m*20m sand menage, day yards, electric fenced paddocks, hot wash, tack room, float storage, hay shed, a 3-bay barn, cross-country course, mains water & a comfortable 4-bedroom, 2 bathroom, ‘Hamptons’ style home with views & zoned heating & cooling. The home has 2 lounge areas, a dining area & entertaining deck. The master bedroom has a walk-through robe, ceiling fan & ensuite. The open plan kitchen/dining/living area has a wood fire & a 900mm gas stove & an electric oven, & the laundry has a drying cupboard. There are 3 further bedrooms with BIRs & a family bathroom. The stock yards have loading ramps, there are 5 paddocks with water, day yards, tack room, feed shed, hot wash bay, hay storage & machinery storage. There is a permanent creek, a Spring fed dam, a chicken run, an all-weather gravel driveway, & lock up garage.
Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032
Bethany Day M 0438 844 968
Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032
4
A
2
B 1 C
4
A
2
B 8 C
bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 30 January, 2024
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MAIL 21
HOME FOCUS
ARCHITECTURAL APPEAL ON LUSH ALLOTMENT AWASH with natural design elements and abundant windows, this exquisite residence feels at one with its lush Dandenong Ranges surrounds. Featuring a unique split-level pole house construction clad in the warmth of a Western red cedar exterior creates the zenlike feel of a tranquil forest retreat. Primed for new owners to immerse themselves in this private 1,321sqm (approx.) allotment with parking for 4 vehicles and a large garden shed, a wonderful lifestyle is waiting. The interior of this impressive home is a feast for the senses. Beautiful limewash timber ceilings, rich Blackbutt floors, and strategically placed windows and Velux skylights draw the landscape inside. From the sun-filled entryway with glass ceiling and leadlight accents, the floorplan flows into the lounge with wood fire, dining area, and kitchen with gas cooker, stainless steel dishwasher, and inviting peninsula seating. With 2 decking areas off this zone to choose from, this home is certain to inspire entertaining. In addition, there are 3 comfortably
carpeted bedrooms on offer. The main bedroom boasts a private balcony and enviable ensuite. The family bedrooms share a generous bathroom with glass ceiling and soaking tub. With an extensive list of extra features including gas ducted heating, split system heating/cooling, a picturesque paved patio, and a perfect position near Birdsland Reserve, Burrinja Cultural Centre, and Upwey and Tecoma schools, shopping, and train stations, this is a one-of-a-kind home to be proud of. Inspection will impress, so join us for a tour today. 1,321sqm (approx.) property rich with natural flora and fauna Exquisite pole house construction with vaulted timber ceilings Rich Blackbutt flooring, Velux skylights, and floor to ceiling windows 3 spacious bedrooms including main with ensuite and private balcony Several outdoor entertaining areas and ample parking for 4 vehicles ●
· · · ·
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 34 Centre Road, UPWEY Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Price: $780,000 - $850,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115 or Daniel Steen 0434 979 142, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 22 MAIL
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Real Estate you can trust! We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE
$820,000 - $900,000
13 Johns Crescent, MOUNT EVELYN CHARACTER HOME WITH HOBBY FARM POTENITAL
3A2B2C
FOR SALE
$1,100,000 - $1,200,000
85 Terrys Avenue, TECOMA
4A2B C
ENVIABLE HOME IN EXCLUSIVE POCKET POSITION
Set on a fully useable, half acre block, this spacious property provides the perfect opportunity for any family looking for a hobby farm lifestyle change. Spanning over two levels, this charming home, that was first built around 1952 by the then Mount Evelyn Station Master, has an abundance of space with two large living areas, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Held by the same family for decades and now refreshed for new owners to enjoy, this enviable home’s legacy is all about family. With plenty of space for everyone and outdoor areas that will inspire gatherings, this 1,354sqm (approx.) property captures the essence of the Dandenong Ranges lifestyle.
Sharyn Chandler
Suzie Brannelly
M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au
M 0490 506 910 | E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au
FOR SALE
1 Batesleigh Road, UPWEY
$1,550,000 - $1,695,000
LIVE THE DREAM ON YOUR 6 ACRE HOBBY FARM
4 A 3 B 10 C
The 6.2 acres (approx.) property is unique in its location and possible uses. Being only 4 minutes from Belgrave, 20 minutes to Eastlink and 20 minutes to two major shopping centres you have all the facilities and amenities of the city but with the feel and function of a rural property.
FOR SALE
$650,000 - $690,000
34 Thompson Road, UPWEY YOUR PEACEFUL HILLS LIFESTYLE STARTS HERE!
3A2B1C
Overlooking a peaceful half acre of land with a trickling creek and a beautiful array of colourful birdlife that flitter by, this three bedroom, split level cedar home will enchant you with its beautiful location and stunning scenery. Within an easy walk to Upwey’s Main Street, train station and local schools, this property is the perfect Hills escape where you can enjoy nature at its very best along with the convenience of being close to all local amenities.
Brad Conder M 0422 639 115 | E brad@chandlerandco.com.au
Sharyn Chandler
Daniel Steen
M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au
M 0434 979 142 | E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au
9754 6888 1689 Burwood Highway, Belgrave VIC 3160 www.chandlerandco.com.au of fice@chandlerandco.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 30 January, 2024
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MAIL 23
PUZZLES SUDOKU
No. 170
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
easy
3 6 7 9 2 5 6 7
9 6
2 4 5 7 6 2 3
3 5
7 9
DOWN
Heavenly girdle (6) Ancient Irish language (6) 'Not on your –' (5) Grant (9) Belonging to a thing by its very nature (9) Whinny (5) Concurred (6) Border (4) Give for temporary use (4) Designate (6) Fish (5) Midwestern US city (9) Device used to increase volume (9) Wild dog (5) Sibling (6) Interfere (6)
1 4 10 11 12 13 14 15 19 20 24 25 27 28 29 30
No. 170
1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26
Semi-autonomous region of Tanzania (8) Tardy (8) Whenever (7) Better (7) Boy’s name (6) People of the Czech Republic (6) Video storage discs (abbr) (4) Candied citrus peel (7) Waitress who serves drinks (7) Revulsed (8) African deer (8) Network of crossed strips (7) Wrap a baby tightly (7) Takes by theft (6) Body (Lat) (6) Fat (4)
4 5 medium
3 7 4
9
1
DECODER
No. 170
6 3 1 5
6
2 6 7
6 1
8 6
4
2
9
8 2
1 8 5 hard
9 8
1
2 7 6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
N Y 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
1 5 4 7
1
9-LETTER WORD
easy
medium
Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.
I
Today’s Aim: 20 words: Good 30 words: Very good
2 4 8 3 6 7 9 1 5 1 9 3 2 5 4 6 7 8 6 5 7 8 9 1 4 3 2 8 6 2 1 3 9 5 4 7 3 1 4 5 7 6 2 8 9 5 7 9 4 2 8 3 6 1 9 3 6 7 1 5 8 2 4 4 2 1 9 8 3 7 5 6 7 8 5 6 4 2 1 9 3
2 6 3 7 4 1 8 9 5 1 4 9 2 8 5 7 3 6 7 5 8 3 6 9 2 4 1 8 3 1 5 2 6 9 7 4 4 9 5 1 7 3 6 8 2 6 7 2 8 9 4 1 5 3 5 8 6 9 3 2 4 1 7 9 1 4 6 5 7 3 2 8 3 2 7 4 1 8 5 6 9
40 words: Excellent
hard
O
L
A
Y
S U
V
R
4 LETTERS ACHE ARCS CESS DEBT HATS INTO LAPS LAWS MASS MELT SECT URNS UTES WETS
4 1 6 7 8 5 9 3 2 9 8 3 4 2 6 5 1 7 5 7 2 3 1 9 6 8 4 6 2 5 8 3 7 4 9 1 8 9 4 5 6 1 7 2 3 1 3 7 9 4 2 8 6 5 2 5 1 6 7 8 3 4 9 7 4 8 2 9 3 1 5 6 3 6 9 1 5 4 2 7 8
5 LETTERS ABETS
Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
No. 170
6 2 / ' , ( 5
ADAGE ADEPT ADORE AGAIN ALONE AORTA ARISE BABES CRANE DIETS DITTO DOTES EATEN EAVES EDGES ERATO ERROR EVADE EXTRA GENUS GROSS
airs, also, lours, lousy, oils, rails, rays, rivals, roils, rosily, rosy, sail, sailor, salvo, salvor, sari, saviour, savour, savoury, savoy, silo, slay, slur, soar, soil, sola, solar, soli, soul, sour, sourly, soya, surly, various, VARIOUSLY, virus, visa, visor, visual, yours
9
6
3 LETTERS ADS ALE ATE BAR CAP CUB DEN DEW EEL EGO ERA EVE EYE IDS IOU MRS NOR ODE PUN ROE SUE TEA TOP TOT
L WI U G Z PM J K C HX
3
6 2
5
F D B A S OQ T V R E NY
5
4
17
4
3
16
8 1
1 3
2
15
6 9
2
14
1 7 8 3
WORDFIT
HEEDS HELPS INANE IRATE LASER LOATH MAXIM NOTED PERIL PROVE RAVEL REAMS REGAL RESET SABRE SASSY SEEDS SIDES SLEWS SNOBS SONES
SPEAR TENET TORSO TRACE TRIOS WADED WELTS
7 LETTERS DENSEST EARBASH LEERIER NEEDING RUMMAGE SOLDIER
6 LETTERS EBBING OBSESS RESALE SENILE
8 LETTERS DISASTER ENTITLES REPAIRED SILVERED
6 3 ( $ 5 + ( ( ' 6 / 2 $ 7 + , 5 $ 7 ( $ * $ , 1 $ ' 2 5 ( 7 2 5 6 2 3 ( 5 , / ' 2 7 ( 6 ( 9 ( $ ' 6 % $ % ( 6 7 2 3 6 ( 1 , / ( 6 $ 6 6 < 0 $ 6 6 ' ( 1 6 ( 6 7 ( 5 $ / $: 6 $ & + ( ( ; 7 5 $ ' ( % 7 5 ( 3 $ , 5 ( ' $ / ( 6 2 / ' , ( 5 5 8 00 $ * ( ( 1 7 , 7 / ( 6 8 5 1 6 & $ 3 , 1 7 2 0 ( / 7 5 ( 6 ( 7 7 2 7 / ( ( 5 , ( 5 $ 5 & 6 ( $ 9 ( 6 2 % 6 ( 6 6 : $ ' ( ' & 8 % 5 2 ( % $ 5 ( 9 $ ' ( $ 5 , 6 ( , 1 $ 1 ( * ( 1 8 6 1 2 7 ( ' 7 ( 1 ( 7 6 / ( : 6 ( ' * ( 6 * 5 2 6 6
2 1 8 3 5 6 4 2
02-02-24
William Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS
9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 12567433-SN37-22
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SPORT
Tigers cop deja-vu defeat By Sean Talbot It was a case of dejà vu for the Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers on the night of Tuesday 23 January, as they again found themselves looking to scramble for the go-ahead run in the last inning of their midweek clash with perennial rival Essendon at Boeing Reserve. Unlike previous games however, the Tigers were on the receiving end of a heartbreaking walk-off loss to the home squad as they saw an early 6-2 lead disappear in the 4th innings, see themselves back in front after rallying in the top of the 5th, only for it all to be snatched back away by a resilient Bombers line-up that certainly realise how big a comeback win against the reigning premiers truly is. Sending left hander Wes de Jong to the mound for his second start of the year, the Tigers provided plenty of breathing room right from the first pitch as they jumped teenage starter Laclan Amon, with Peter Schroeders, Wade McConnon, Jordan Elliott and Josh Hendricks all recording safe hits to open the game before Staci Rogers and Jack Ratcliffe added two-out hits to plate four runs for the visitors in 10 minutes of play that left the home squad firmly on the back foot and with real work to do to stay in the game. To their credit, the Bombers ensured they did not have a zero in the run column next to their name for long, scoring a run after doubles to Jack Giles and Max Leuga opened the Bomber account in the bottom of the 1st. The Tigers started the second inning the way they ended the first by taking the wood to Amon, as a leadoff walk to debutant Ash GearySmith and doubles to Schroeders and Elliott plated two and pushed the score to 6-1 in favor of the visitors. Not content with just the single run, Essendon countered in the bottom half of the inning, scoring a second time after a single to Lachlan Condie and Cody Rodwell put runners in scoring position before a Jarryd Rogers sacrifice flyball to Geary-Smith in rightfield.
Ash Geary Smith.
Picture: ADAM BATTYE
Michael Formisano took over pitching duties for the Bombers in the top of the third, inducing two quick outs before Geary-Smith recorded his first career hit in the 1sts, a hard hit double down the line past a diving Rogers at first base in what was no doubt a career highlight for the teenage sparkplug, before striking out Ryder Wilson to end the inning. de Jong ensured Essendon stayed scoreless in the bottom half, as he worked around a one-out single to Rogers to induce a 4-3 double play to Ratcliffe to escape the jam. The Tigers were again turned away in the top of the fourth, as only a two-out Jordan Elliott walk blemished Formisano’s inning, keeping the Tigers scoreless again and the score at 6-2. The home side broke the shackles in the bottom
of the 4th as Cam Deeble walked, Tim Sullivan singled and Condie laid down a picture-perfect bunt to load the bases with none out. A sacrifice fly to Rodwell plated the third Essendon run for the night, before a Marc Sayers double scored Sullivan and put runners and 2nd and 3rd and ending de Jong’s night. Sean Meldrum was summoned from the bullpen in a high pressure situation and, playing the odds, the Tigers elected to walk leadoff hitter Jared Cruz to load the bases, hoping to induce a double play to escape the jam and avoid a potentially huge inning. It was not to be however, as Giles was hit by a pitch to bring home Condie, Rogers singled to score Sayers and Leuga drove in a run with a ground ball to put Essendon ahead 7-6. Coach Donavon Hendricks then took the ball from Meldrum, inducing a double play from Deeble
to avoid any further damage and leave the score at 7-6 in favour of the hosts. Realising they were running out of time, daylight and chances to take the win, the Tigers started strongly in the top of the 5th as D Hendricks one-hopped a ball over the rightfield wall for a leadoff double, Rogers singled which moved Hendricks to third, however he was thrown out attempting to score after Ratcliffe hit a high chopper to Condie at third. Andy Kane, pinch hitting for Geary-Smith, beat out an infield groundball with plenty of english on it to re-load the bases before Jarrod Turner pinch hit for Wilson, working the count full before hitting a single to right field to score one run and tie the game. Schroeders then lifted a sacrifice fly to put the Tigers back in front 8-7, however McConnon’s single to load the bases was not able to be further capitalized on, as Elliott grounded into a fielders choice that saw McConnon forced out at second base in an incredibly close play. The Bombers knew they would have to be at their best to take the result from the Tigers, facing one of the leagues best pitchers and with one last roll of the dice to steal the win at the death. Tim Sullivan lead-off with a booming double that hit the base of the wall in left field before giving way to pinch runner Hugo Leropoulos. Condie hit a weak fly ball to J Hendricks at first base, before Rodwell ripped a double to left field to score Leropoulos to tie the game, then Sayers followed up with a double of his own to drive home Rodwell and send the Essendon team into hysterics as they celebrated stealing a win at the death. The loss sees the Tigers drop just their second game in their last 11, as their 9-2 run has seen them sitting firmly in third place on the Premier League ladder and looking to climb. The Tigers will be back at Boeing Reserve on Sunday as they look to avenge their midweek loss in a game that promises to be an absolute showcase of the competition’s best pitchers and hitters.
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SPORT
Monbulk bowlers play on at pointy end of the season By Jack Rollings Saturday pennant. The weather was pretty close to perfect for round 11. Warm, but not too hot, hardly any breeze, a great day for bowling. The season is down to the pointy end, with only three rounds left to play, and sides jostling for finals in the top four spots and also trying to avoid relegation in the bottom two spots. Monbulk 1 played away against Boronia who were sitting a couple of spots below Monbulk on the ladder, but very keen to avoid going down a division next season. Monbulk was sitting fifth and trying very hard to nudge their way up into the top four. Both sides had a lot to play for. Brian Smith’s team won the first two ends and then dropped six ends in a row to trail by 6 shots. They fought back over four ends to equalize on the twelfth end but then dropped a 4-shot clanger straight afterwards. In the race home, the scores were kept tight but Boronia managed to maintain their small lead. Monbulk lost the rink 14 shots to 19. Jim Bras’ team led all day and even picked up a massive 5 shotter just before the tea break to make a 9 shot margin. After that Boronia played more competitively and won more of the ends but only for minor scores. Monbulk was able to hold onto a decent lead and win the rink 22 shots to 15. Eric Markham’s team dropped a 4-shot clanger on the second end and that forced the team to focus even harder. They won back a 4 shotter and equalised on the sixth end. Scores were again equal on the eighth end. After the tea break Monbulk won more ends and also won a few multiples so they were able to draw away and win the rink 25 shots to 17. Tony French’s team struggled all day against some tough opposition. They won seven ends and lost fourteen ends, but also their losses included a 3, two 4s and a 5, and that’s pretty close to what the final margin was. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 32. The overall scoreboard was close towards the end of the day but there were no miracle shots that could make up the difference. Monbulk lost the round 76 shots to 83 with two rinks up. Monbulk is still fifth on the ladder, but the run home will all be against sides in the top four. Breaking into the top four will be a challenge. Monbulk 2 played at home. It was a clash between the top of the ladder Monbulk and bottom of the ladder Heatherdale. And that’s the way the scores travelled for the day. Don Barnetson’s team picked up an amazing 7 shotter on the first end and that gave
Coach Richard Sanzin. them a lead that lasted for two thirds of the match. Then Heatherdale strung a few ends together and grabbed a 5 shotter to take the lead on the fourteenth end. Monbulk was able to snatch a 6 shotter two ends later and finished strongly to narrowly take the rink 24 shots to 22. Andy Smith’s team was out to 8 shots before Heatherdale got onto the scoreboard. But Heatherdale managed to edge back into the competition and trailed by just one shot at the halfway mark. After the tea break Monbulk came home strongly, dropping only eight ends for the day, mainly for minor scores, while their wins included several strong multiples. Monbulk won the rink 32 shots to 15. Case Broekhof’s team dropped only seven ends and their wins included two 3s, two 4s, a 5 and a 7. Monbulk led by 12 shots at the halfway mark and the tea break appeared to only make them stronger. They won the rink 36 shots to 11.
Picture: SUPPLIED Graeme Goller’s team traded blows with Heatherdale for two thirds of the match, with level scores and lead changes and no margin greater than 2 shots. Then, on the sixteenth end, Monbulk picked up a big 6 shotter, to take the lead by 4 shots. Heatherdale tried to edge back but Monbulk responded with another good multiple and eventually took the rink 23 shots to 16. Overall Monbulk won the round 115 shots to 66 with all four rinks up. Monbulk is currently on top of the ladder with a good thirteen ladder points beyond second placed Mulgrave. Next week they will play away against Ringwood who are sitting third so it should be a good tough match. Monbulk 3 played at home against Mitcham and had good wins on all three rinks. Graeme Godkin’s team won a similar number of ends to their opponents, but they also managed to snatch a couple more multiples that made all the difference. Scores
were level several times and even going into the eighteenth end they were 15 shots all. But Monbulk stormed home to win the rink 21 shots to 16. Allan Brooke’s team got out to a 13-shot lead in the front half. Mitcham won more ends in the back half but Monbulk matched them for multiples and were able to hang onto the lead and win the rink 27 shots to 19. Mike Harris’ team won fourteen ends, but the scores were level halfway through. It was only after the tea break that Monbulk dominated, dropping only three ends and picking up some big multiples including two 4s to end the day. Monbulk won the rink 26 shots to 11. Overall Monbulk won the round 74 shots to 46. That keeps them in fourth place on the ladder but also places them within one game of all the sides above. The aim will now be to make a top two position to gain the home ground final.
Good form for two-dayers This weekend saw the second week of the twodayers across the 1s, 2s and 3s, our Super 7s playing on Wednesday, and the rest of our juniors having a bye due to Australia Day and the long weekend. The week highlighted by an all Monbulk affair in the Super 7s on Wednesday night, when Monbulk Maroon played Monbulk Gold at the main oval! The weather turned on a great evening, and it was great to see the young and future of the MCC on show. The 1s fell two runs short against St. John’s. TJ Utting made a solid 49 at the top, but then it was Jim Fenby anchoring the innings with a fantastic and composed 76*, and late hitting from Connor Haworth-Hooker (36) and Daniel Cleary (43) making it for an exciting finish. The 2s had a big win against St. John’s, with captain Brad Trinnick laying the foundation with 102, and Kyle Snyman making an impressive 91*. The win cements their spot in the top four, and have their eyes set on finishing top two. The 3s fought hard, but came up short against The Basin. Tim Rickard (56) and Tam Noonan (50) were standouts with the bat, making their highest senior scores. mailcommunity.com.au
Scores: XI - Monbulk 10/284 (J. Fenby 76*, T. Ut· 1st ting 49, D. Cleary 43, C. Haworth-Hooker 36)
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def by St. John’s Tecoma 10/286 (A. Powell 4/42, C. Haworth-Hooker 2/70, K. Storey 2/47) 2nd XI – Monbulk 9/282 (B. Trinnick 102*, K. Snyman 91*, C. Broekhof 16) def St. John’s Tecoma 10/138 (J. Santini 3/20, E. Blenkiron 3/35) 3rd XI – Monbulk 10/202 (T. Rickard 56, T. Noonan 50, C. Heppell 19) def by The Basin 4/208 (T. Noonan 2/20, T. Rickard 1/29, D. Rowe 1/53) 4th XI – Monbulk - BYE 5th XI – Monbulk - Scores TBC Super 7s - Monbulk Gold 97 (K. Paynter 6, M. Phyland 4, O. Spargo 4, J. Stott 3 - E. Clarkson 1/11, M. Arnott 1/7, A. Anderson 1/7) vs Monbulk 80 (I. Stott 5, A. Anderson 5, E. Clarkson 5, Z. Spargo 4 - M. Phyland 2/11, J. Stott 1/7)
Super 7s teams on Wednesday night. Picture: SUPPLIED Tuesday, 30 January, 2024
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