Mail - Ranges Trader Star Mail - 19th March 2024

End of Upwey era

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Upwey High School teacher, Grant Nichol has retired after 35 years from an extraordinary ca-

made it hard to move on from.

Teachers

called many things, educators,

No matter what they are called, a school’s greatest asset is having teachers with great personality that truly have a gift of influencing lives inside and outside of classrooms.

To the school, Mr Nichol was not just a good teacher; he was like a candle – that continued to light the way for others.

Whilst Mr Nichol is looking forward to spending his retirement days with his family, especially his grandson, he said he will miss the daily interactions with students the most

and of course his former colleagues.

“Working with young people and interacting with them on a daily basis was what kept me young,” he said.

“I couldn’t retire at 65, I couldn’t walk away. But I had to move on at some point.”

During the beginning of his teaching career in Upwey High School, he was keen to get involved in outdoor activities like camping but the school didn’t have many camps back then.

Mr Nichol along with another teacher, who started at the same time as him, put in the effort and established camps.

“I got involved in doing camping and sport because it was a way to get to know the kids out of the classroom…when you got to know them out of the classroom, they were much

better and more likely to want to learn in the classroom and I learned that pretty early,” he said.

Mr Nichol is officially retired, but he enjoys working and volunteering for the school, even to this day.

“I’m easing out of teaching. I can’t quite walk away; I’m still doing the fun stuff.”

He is employed to run the volleyball teams and help the school with camp trips, and last year he was asked by the school to run their 85th anniversary.

Mr Nichol was known for his many great contributions and skills to the school and community.

The school had no reunions so he started organising one and from there it became an annual thing for him and the school.

“Every year I was in charge of organising 10 year reunions, nowadays, I’m organising a 10 year, a 20, and a 30 year reunion every year,” he said.

He’s determined to continue this, even after his retirement.

“I’m not going to stop organising [reunions]; I was never paid to do them in the first place…it’s a great way to catch up with my former students.”

During his final days, many students suggested to him they have to hold a party to celebrate his retirement.

“A number of people said we’ll organise it and we’ll have a party…it all felt a bit hard to me and I wasn’t convinced they’d be much interested.”

Continued page 12

Mr Nichol and his family at the retirement celebration on Sunday 03 March 2024.

Pictures: SUPPLIED The cake from Sunday, made by Jayne Gibbs, class of 1994.

FILE

‘Doctor-shopping’ teen’s fatal overdose

By Tara Cosoleto, AAP

A 16-year-old boy from Ferntree Gully had been “shopping” for pain medication from 70 doctors in the year before he died from a drug overdose, a Victorian coroner has been told.

The boy, known under the pseudonym LI, obtained three scripts for opioids from three doctors on the day before his death.

He then went to three pharmacies and had 60 tablets of pain medication dispensed to him.

Sometime on the night of 28 January 2019, LI died from a drug overdose in his own bed, with his grandmother finding his body the next morning.

A four-day inquest started on Tuesday 12 March, with Coroner Ingrid Giles to investigate the cause and circumstances surrounding his death.

She was told LI visited 70 different doctors in 2018 and managed to obtain 64 prescrip-

tions from 31 practitioners.

LI presented as a calm and polite patient and his young age seemed to deter doctors from questions of prescription shopping, counsel assisting Anna Martin said.

The 16-year-old was also admitted to hospital “many times” between 2015 and 2019 for drug issues and self-harm including swallowing batteries and needles, Ms Martin said.

LI was living with his grandmother for the last 18 months of his life under a child protection family reunification order.

The grandmother told the court the times she brought LI to the doctor over pain complaints, they refused her request to stay in the room on privacy grounds.

She said her family tried to seek help for LI but the appropriate care was not available to him.

“He needed things right away and continuity and consistency, not long term plans about where he’s going to work when he’s not even at

school,” she said.

LI’s grandmother believed his overdose was accidental as he had been happy and excited in the days before his death because he was about to start at a new school.

LI’s father agreed, also telling the court he “100 per cent” believed his son’s death was an accident.

His father told the court he thought his son abused prescription medication as a way to seek attention, numb the pain he couldn’t define, and to be high and “fly along”.

The man said LI had been a young gentleman, with good manners and a big heart.

“He was a beautiful, good boy - he just got lost,” LI’s father said.

The inquest continues

· Lifeline 13 11 14

· beyondblue 1300 22 4636

· Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged five to 25)

IN BRIEF

Witness appeal by Police after collision near Cardinia Reservoir

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a collision that occurred on Cardinia Creek Road (Cardinia Reservoir)

The collision occurred at about 12.12pm on Thursday 14 March 2024.

It is believed a white Toyota Corolla has lost control and collided with the embankment at the entrance to the reservoir.

The vehicle came to rest on the passenger side of the vehicle and the driver was required to be extracted before being conveyed to hospital.

A witness was able to give details relating to the driving of the vehicle in the lead up to the collision to Ambulance staff, however, did not give their details and left prior to speaking to police.

Investigators would like to speak to this witness, or anyone else who may have witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or information about the collision.

Anyone able to assist is urged to contact Cardinia Highway Patrol on 5945 2500, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic. com.au and quote T20240006458.

Car collides with cyclist, leaves scene

Police have released information regarding a collision in Scoresby in late February and are searching for a driver who collided with a cyclist after running a red light.

At approximately 9 am on 24 February a rider was crossing Stud Road on his bike at the intersection of Kingston Park Court in Scoresby.

As the male was crossing, a white BA falcon single cab utility disobeyed the red light at Stud Road and collided with the male causing injuries. The driver stopped, ran to the injured rider, however then immediately left the scene, and travelled north on Stud Road towards Ferntree Gully Road.

The ute has a metal tray with multiple items inside and was described as dirty and in poor condition.

The driver is described as male, aged in his 30’s, with blonde hair, medium build.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Police seek missing man last seen in The Basin

Police have posted to social media for any information on a young man last seen in The Basin - Matthew has been missing since 14 March.

The 25 year old was last seen leaving a property on Mountain Hwy, The Basin at 11am on Thursday 14 March.

Matthew is described as 170cm tall, brown hair, unshaven and medium build.

At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a light blue t-shirt, light grey hoodie with big letters stitched on, light grey/tan hard yakka tradie pants and tan coloured work boots.

Police and family have concerns for his welfare due to his disappearance being out of character.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts, please contact Boronia Police Station on (03) 9760 6600.

A court inquest has heard how a teenage boy from Ferntree Gully went ‘doctor shopping’ before his death in 2019. Picture: ON

Flood intervention sought

By Mikayla van Loon

The mitigation of increasing flood events across the Yarra Ranges has again been raised in front of the council on the night it discussed further advocacy at a state level.

At the Yarra Ranges Council meeting on Tuesday 12 March, questions from residents pushed for answers about submitted petitions and what the council will do to address flooding in the shire.

It came as councillors also put forward a motion for advocacy items to be shared with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) at its upcoming May meeting.

Lilydale resident Susan Lee began with asking for an outcome of Rosemary Mosley’s petition which was submitted in early February and Star Mail reported on on 13 February.

“What date can the nine unit owners at 26 and 28 Chapel Street expect drainage work to commence please? All the owners are waiting for the specific date from your Drainage and Infrastructure Team,” Ms Lee said.

Built environment and infrastructure director Hjalmar Philipp responded and said the petition was being investigated “with scoping and design” the first stage of the process.

“In this case, the team will commence with catchment analysis to properly understand water flows and determine what improvements may assist, without causing downstream impacts elsewhere,” he said.

“Engineering concepts for any identified improvements are then developed, including cost estimates and a delivery plan, for consideration in Council budgets. Subject to budget confirmation, we can then start planning works on the ground.”

For that reason, Mr Philipp said an exact date could not be given but works are being undertaken.

Submitter of a different petition, SoniaWeir, also raised a question on why “it [has] taken 20 years for the council to finally listen, step up and take action to fix our drainage issues”.

Mr Philipp said the council has always allocated a budget to drainage maintenance and upgrades but the increasing events is something the council will have to work through.

“The severity and frequency of flood events are increasing, which is heavily impacting our Shire,” he said.

“Throughout 2023 the council commenced a Draft Stormwater Management Plan which is a key piece of work that will guide future priorities in this area. This plan will be available for public review late 2024.”

Michael McGill, a Lilydale resident, questioned the use of the council’s funds, with rumours of a private chef which were denied by corporate services director Andrew Hilson.

Following this discussion, councillors voted to put forward a motion that would ask the MAV to advocate on behalf of the shire for the

State Government to improve flood mapping data, develop a Flood Information Framework and invest in flood mitigation infrastructure.

The agenda outlined the rationale for these three points, suggesting the “patchwork of existing datasets is insufficient, and exposes [the] community to unnecessary risk” particularly with the impacts of climate change.

“Beyond the framework and data, urgent investment in flood mitigation infrastructure is needed to manage increasing occurrences of severe weather and flooding events across Victoria,” it states.

CouncillorTim Heenan supported the flood advocacy points made, saying “it couldn’t be said more plainly”.

Given the vastness of the shire, spreading 2500 square kilometres, 70 per cent of which Cr Heenan said is bushland, parks and crown land, has meant the flood mapping is limited for the region.

“The information is key to creating a clear and full picture of risks and it’s not readily available to councils currently and we suffer from that because of the coming together of the four shires all those years ago,” he said.

Flooding has been felt right across the municipality, with flood watch groups now established in Coldstream, Lilydale, Kallista and Belgrave as the issues of flood become more impactful, more frequent and more destructive.

The motion was passed unanimously.

Move on vexatious requests and serial complainants

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Ranges councillors have discussed some key proposals they hope to put forward to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) as motions for the next MAV State Council Meeting in May at the Tuesday 12 March council meeting.

Notably, councillors proposed as part of an alternative motion to strike out the second motion to MAV to advocate to strengthen Victorian laws on ‘vexatious requests’ and ‘serial complainants to Council’.

Before the item was even discussed by Councillors, a question from Belinda Bernadini asked for a definition of ‘vexatious’, called on Council to clarify who would determine what is viewed as a vexatious request and if passed on to MAV, what remedies would be available for residents who felt their issues hadn’t been dealt with satisfactorily and whether the changes could prohibit freedom of information.

Yarra Ranges Council’s Director of Corporate Services Andrew Hilson said in a response to the question and said Council’s definition of vexatious aligns with the Victorian Ombudsman’s definition of unreasonable behaviour.

“Specifically, this relates to behaviours such as unreasonable persistence, demands and arguments, along with an unreasonable lack of cooperation and aggressive behaviour. The Victorian Ombudsman and Council’s current complaint handling policy both include several examples of each of these behaviours and can be found on each organisation’s website,” he said.

“Ultimately, the definition of vexatious requests would be defined by the state government who would draft and pass that legislation,”

“Regardless of whether the MAV motion is passed or not, residents who feel that their complaints have been unfairly rejected as vexatious or unreasonable are able to escalate their complaint to a third party agency, such as theVictorian Ombudsman, local government inspectorate or the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.”

When it came time to discuss the item, there was a speaker in objection Kathy Ricciuti who was particularly opposed to the second point in the proposed MAV motions.

Ms Ricciuti said herself and many others saw it as an attempt to shut down and shut out the community of the Yarra Ranges.

“Can you tell me what is your source of authority to block people that you are meant to be representing, what solution is offered to a resident who needs to follow up when no satisfactory resolution has been received, who determines if a complaint is vexatious, who determines if a complaint is trivial, trivial to whom,” she said.

“May I suggest that while council complaint processes are a critical mechanism for ensuring that councils and councillors are accountable to the community, these processes are increasingly being used to isolate council from the real issues on the ground,”

“They restrict accountability as well as restrict efficient and effective solutions, I feel that people across Victoria are simply asking more questions and pointing out the inefficiencies of their councils and councillors due to increased awareness.”

The Cambridge Dictionary defines vexatious as ‘difficult to deal with and causing a lot of anger, worry, or argument’, while in relation to claims, complaints or lawsuits it can often also mean that is has been brought to bring annoyance or financial cost to a defendant rather than on its merits of winning.

Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister then proposed an alternative motion she had prepared earlier, calling to strike out the second item and add an additional motion in its

place calling for the release of funding from the landfill levy.

Cr McAllister said that a number of councillors were not in support of advocacy to the Victorian Government through the MAV to strengthen laws in relation to vexatious requests.

“For me, the reason for scratching that one is, that I’m not sure what the problem is that we’re trying to fix,” she said.

“I do agree that genuine concerns and issues that haven’t been resolved and feedback to Council are an important part of how we operate in our democracy, and when it’s respectful feedback and it’s a good conversation, it’s really the basis for local government and hearing from the community.”

O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child seconded the motion and said he believes they have mechanisms within the Council to do with that particular item.

“I did sit in that Mayor’s seat for the last two years, and there were some challenges,” he said.

“There were some challenges with people that approached our Council, but I sincerely believe that we have mechanisms in place to deal with that.”

Billanook Ward Councillor Tim Heenan also supported the removal of the second

item.

Instead, Yarra Ranges councillors called for transparency on the uses of the sustainability fund, funded by the landfill levy in whichYarra Ranges Council paid $3.8 million in the last year alone.

Cr McAllister said the fund is reported to improve issues relating to waste and recycling, reduce the use of landfill and all of the things that, as a council, they are tasked to do.

“It’s a bit of a secret fund, a lot of money goes in it. Money does come out, it’s not a very transparent process, and in doing some research for tonight’s meeting, it’s really hard to find out how much money is in that landfill levy, that sustainability fund,” she said.

“We should know how much money is sitting in that fund, and it should only be allowed to be spent on specific agreed issues and opportunities locally and regionally that will improve waste, recycling, all of those other issues that local government tackles on a day-to-day basis and puts an additional charge out to our ratepayers for.”

Cr McAllister also referred to a report from the Australian Council of Recycling in 2017 called the Victorian Landfill Levy Report that estimated $500 million was forecast to be sat idle in the sustainability fund.

Chapel Street resident Marlene had to sandbag her front door aiming to prevent water from entering her house in October 2022.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Yarra Ranges Council removed an advocacy item to put to the Municipal Association of Victoria regarding ‘vexatious requests’ and ‘serial complainants’. Picture: ON FILE

Seniors clubs lock horns with council over support

By Dongyun Kwon

Local senior citizen clubs are struggling with making ends meet and asking for more support from the Yarra Ranges Council (YRC).

Yarra Valley Combined Seniors president Raymond Cooper asked councillors for more support for local senior citizen clubs at the YRC meeting on Tuesday 12 March.

Senior Citizen Clubs and Over 50’s Friendship Groups provide a relaxed environment where people can enjoy the company of others and participate in a range of social activities.

Mr Cooper said seniors clubs play an important role in helping older people.

“Seniors clubs are not just a place for old folks to sit down and have a cup of tea and a biscuit,” he said.

“They come to the clubs to actually find out things. They ask us if we can fill their forms online and we can help them with questionnaires.”

Mr Cooper said the local senior clubs wanted to improve their clubs and found the lack of support from the YRC.

“What we [Wandin Senior Citizens Centre] did recently is we put in four air conditioners and got 10-panel solar power from the government which we increased to 20 of our own backs,” he said.

“Kitchen upgrades cost us $11,000. We only got five [thousand] off from the council and the dishwasher cost us $9600 which the Bendigo Bank was very kind to give us six [thousand].

“The council would only offer us a $700 single household dishwasher which only washes six plates at a time and we feed 50 people.

“So in all, we spent $55,470 and the council contributed $5500.The Bendigo Bank gave us $6600 the government gave us $22,400 and the seniors donated $20,970.”

One of the expenditures that seniors clubs find hard to pay is the hall hiring fee.

In the meeting, Mr Cooper claimed one of the seniors clubs that is most affected by hall rental fee is Yarra Junction Over

50’s Friendship Club.

“One club I must mention is Yarra Junction [Over 50’s Friendship Club], the council would not give them the $5000 grant because the club hasn’t got the word ‘seniors’ in their club,” he said.

“They’ve got about 30 old pensioners who are over 50 but the council only gives them a grant of $1000 a year.

Star Mail contacted Yarra Junction Over 50’s Friendship Club and the club’s secretary Carole Corcoran said the reason the club didn’t put the word ‘senior’ in the name was to include a wide range of people.

“We wanted it open to other age groups because there were a lot of people up in the Upper Yarra who were in need of support,” she said.

“But we never ever received any of the seniors’ funds over $5000 a year because we didn’t use the name ‘seniors’.

“The only grant we’ve ever got from the council helped us with paying our rent to the council, they gave it to us and then we’d give it back to them to cover the rent.”

Yarra Junction Over 50’s Friendship Club has run a community free meal to help people redevelop friendships after the Covid lockdown.

“We get approximately 50 people coming along and they’re not just from Yarra Junction. We do it once a month on the third Wednesday at the Yarraburn Centre,” Ms Corcoran said.

“We got one grant from YRC and it’s exhausted and got no other grant, so we had to look for another way to keep it going.

“We started a dance [lesson] and the money from the dance has continued to help the [community free] meal for the local people.”

To run all the activities including the community free meal, dance and games, Yarra Junction Over 50’s Friendship Club hires three YRC’s halls in Yarra Junction, Kilsyth and Mount Evelyn regularly which has burdened its finances.

“The Yarraburn Centre is $11 per hour. The Mount Evelyn Hall is the same price, $11 an hour,” Ms Corcoran said.

“The Kilsyth Hall is $87.81 per dance, [we run it] twice a month which costs over $170 per month.”

In response to the question, O’Shannassy Councillor Jim Child said he would look at what is going on at Yarra Junction Over 50’s Friendship Club.

“I was on the Upper Yarra Shire when the building [the old senior citizens hall] was built in the 1980s and it was eventually fell

away because of lack of memberships and we’ve got another council building in Warburton, solely built for the senior citizens, again closed because we didn’t have that involvement of the seniors in the community,” he said.

“We’re starting to get back now, especially inYarra Junction with the over 50s club which is absolutely amazing.

“We’ve got the other facilities like U3A in Yarra Junction, which actually uses our building and that is just a tremendous resource for the elderly to get involved with and there’s actually younger people learning so much from that facility as well. So to me, I reiterate our commitment to senior citizens and their facilities.”

The other issue that Mr Cooper mentioned was the YRC’s transport service.

The transport service provides a vital social link to our residents who are isolated or unable to utilise other modes of transport and connects them with their community.

The service is provided to seniors clubs, shopping trips, outings and medical appointments.

YRC considered stepping away from providing a transport service by 30 June this year at the Tuesday 24 October 2023 council meeting.

“There are a lot of seniors on the outskirts and they’re being told they’re going to lose their transports,” Mr Cooper said.

“When they spoke to the transport drivers, one of them heard ‘Why can’t the people on the outskirts move nearer to the town?’.”

Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister said she was shocked when she heard what Mr Cooper said.

“I’d hate to think that it was ever said ‘move closer’, I’m shocked,” she said.

“We’re a municipality with two and a half thousand square kilometres, and that’s what we love and that’s why many of us don’t live in urban areas.

“It’s time to change because the funding has been pulled away, [but] the council’s commitment hasn’t pulled away.”

Funding future aged care

By Callum Ludwig

The Aged Care Taskforce set to work by the Australian Government released its final report on Monday 11 March, looking into how the sector can be properly funded now and into the future following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The report makes 23 recommendations for options to support older people to age in place, provide equitable and sustainable funding and improve quality, innovation and transparency.

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells, who chaired the taskforce, said there is universal acceptance that something must change in order to ensure all Australians can age with the dignity, safety and high-quality care they deserve.

“After spending their lives building up our country, we have a solemn responsibility as a nation to respectfully care for older Australians as they age,” she said.

“All of us have a stake in a sustainable, high-quality and dignified aged care sector –whether it’s for our parents, ageing loved ones, or even eventually for ourselves,”

“As we consider the Taskforce Report and continue to implement the reforms of the Royal Commission, our focus will always be ensuring dignity and respect for older Australians.”

A notable point in the final report was the expected recommendation to not introduce an aged care levy as touted by the Royal Commissioners Tony Pagone QC and Lynelle Briggs AO, who made the suggestion Australia should introduce an aged care levy of 1 per cent of a person’s taxable income, which had already been rejected by the former Coalition government.

Instead, the report indicates that non-pension consumers, whether residents or their family members, can be called upon to pay

more towards the costs of their aged care.

CEO of AdventCare David Reece said he thinks the government has certainly embraced the reforms.

“From a funding point of view, I think that they’ve given us a good funding outcome, particularly with the recent increase from the first of December,” he said.

“I think there are so many balls in the air at the moment, and they’re responding to so many different things,”

“But it’s a fairly balanced report and we’ll see what appetite they have to follow through on some of the initiatives.”

As reported in industry news site TheWeekly SOURCE, modelling showed that if all recommendations were accepted, the residential aged care sector could see its revenue increase by around $2.3 billion and Home Care potentially by $965 million in the first year.

Mr Reece said the main things in the report that stood out to him were the talk of increasing daily care fees and shifting away from refundable accommodation deposits.

“They talk about daily care fees and increasing them, and while some people might do that we probably would find that we don’t need to, because you know we don’t want residents to pay more than they need to,” he said.

“Probably the bigger thing that’s always been out there is the discussion about the eventual changing out of the RADs(refundable accommodation deposits), there’s billions of dollars that the aged care facilities rely on as of now so it’s about getting an alternative capital to be able to fund that,”

“That’s been pushed out to 2035 and I think that’s that’s a good outcome because it’s going to be reviewed in 2030 and liquidity is an issue for some providers.”

RADs have to be refunded in full within 14 days of a resident leaving care and are often preferred by wealthier residents so they don’t have to make a direct contribution to their accommodation costs compared to DAPs (daily accommodation payments). The change is part of a number of measures aiming to make the costs of aged care more equitable and clear for residents and their families.

Mr Reece said he still thinks it comes back to the providers to make sure their residents and families are well informed of the costs.

“The government does have information that tries to simplify it and if they can improve that it’s well and good, and some financial advisors do a good job but it still gets back to the facility,” he said.

“We want to talk to people because we don’t want someone coming in without having a clear understanding or who might have issues paying the account,”

“If you were going in or if you had a parent or grandparent going into aged care, you wouldn’t have a lot of understanding unless you were interested about costs so we’ll run them through the basic fees and have to be pretty transparent upfront.”

The Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) and UnitingCare Australia are among the organisations that have welcomed the release of the report.

Funding remains a key concern surrounding the future of aged care in Australia. Picture: ON FILE

Yarra Junction Over 50’s Friendship Club’s free community meal. Picture: ON FILE

Childcare places remain hard to come by in Casey

By Callum Ludwig

The availability of childcare remains dire in large parts of Australia with the Casey electorate and other outer-eastern areas no stranger to the struggle of families to find a place.

Using the research of the Mitchell Institute, the ABC published an investigative report ‘Mapping Australia’s childcare blackspots’ in 2022 that revealed that some areas of the Yarra Ranges had no access to a truly local childcare centre or were fighting for a place with 10 to 15 other children.

The situation does not appear to have gotten much better, with many families spending two years on waitlists for available spots.

Last month Casey MP Aaron Violi invited Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Angie Bell to meet with himself and the founder of the Mums of the Hills group BelindaYoung and MrVioli said he has a significant concern about availability.

“We were hearing some really heartbreaking stories of families having to put their children on wait lists and if they haven’t put them on within weeks of being born, not being able to get them into facilities within their community, that’s limiting their ability to work and just function without the support of family,” he said.

“It’s definitely an issue across the whole electorate, but there’s no doubt that our more regional, rural and non-suburban areas are more impacted in terms of the Dandenong Ranges and the Upper Yarra, but within our suburban areas, it’s still very challenging.”

The Mount Dandenong-Olinda region

had between 15.43–15.87 children competing for a childcare place locally, while the Wandin-Seville area also had areas where between 7.7 and 17.98 children per available place.

MsYoung said it doesn’t feel like it has gotten better for local families.

“I’ve heard of people that instead of celebrating when they’ve found out that they’re pregnant, telling their family and loved ones that they are expecting, the first people they

call are the childcare centres, because they know that it’s at least a two -year wait to get into long daycare,” she said.

“It’s a really difficult situation because we are in a very tough financial situation at the moment and people are looking to go back to work earlier or do additional hours just to cover the cost of their mortgages and daily expenses and when they can’t find childcare they are unable to do that.”

Even in more suburban areas of the Outer East such as Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Montrose and Kilsyth, the data indicated there were over twice as many children as available childcare places in their local areas.

Mr Violi said a lot of young families are moving out to the Yarra Valley because it’s a beautiful place to raise a child but issues with supply and affordability of childcare have been created.

“One of my criticisms of the government’s policy is while it’s good that they’re looking to provide relief and make it easier for families, if you put a subsidy in without increasing supply, you’re driving more demand than that increase in supply and it’s going to push the price up, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen,” he said.

“I’ve heard stories of families, they’ve had an increase of $13 a day above the subsidy in one example, and it’s not a criticism of childcare providers as such as they are struggling with increased costs like everybody, but I’m even hearing stories of childcare providers that are charging people a non-refundable deposit just to get on the waitlist.”

Mt Evelyn could welcome two new childcare centres in the near future: one is being

constructed at 1A Gear Avenue after getting planning permit approval in 2023 while another is being slated for Hereford Road at the current site of Pro Futsal. Montrose is welcoming a new childcare centre near the historic Alta Dena home following a decision from VCAT to issue a permit while Woori Yallock will welcome a state-run centre in either 2027 or 2028; one of 50 being delivered across the state from 2025 to 2028.

Ms Young said we know it’s not as simple as just creating more childcare centres but any changes will have benefits for parents, particularly mums hoping to return to work.

“The childcare centres themselves are struggling to find staff so there is a real need to increase or reduce costs that are involved with training new staff and certainly providing as many incentives to encourage people into the sector without the costs being passed on to families,” she said.

“When parents have got two children that require care and the older child has got care, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee that a sibling will get care at the same place, so what we’re finding is that children are being placed in separate centres and adding 30-40 minutes to the commute,”

“Everybody’s situation is different and not every family needs or wants to access childcare but it is disproportionately affecting women because statistically, we are more likely to be the caregivers of young children and not only does it reduce their economic opportunities, but they’ve lost that connection with your work colleagues or with their area and the people they usually connect with when they can’t access childcare.”

MP joins fight for Fernlea

By Matthew Sims

La Trobe MP Jason Wood has called on Federal Aged Care Minister Mark Butler to reinstate the level of funding provided to aged care respite centre Fernlea Community Care, after a recent reduction of $200,000 in federal funding.

First established in 2004, Fernlea Community Care began with day respite care at Fernlea House in Emerald before expanding to provide in-home care services in 2015, opening the op shop and expanding to a second location in Pakenham, supporting more than 800 locals across the Cardinia, Yarra Ranges and Dandenong areas over two decades of operation.

Mr Wood visited the Emerald centre on Tuesday 5 March to speak with clients and to pledge his support for the expansion of the not-for-profit and community-based organisation.

“Fernlea Community Care have been providing vital palliative care for families in the Hills since 2001,“ he said.

“Fernlea House is a local icon that provides a loving, caring place for families.

“Their staff and amazing volunteers always treat guests with dignity, love, and kindness.“

Chief executive officer Sarah Cole said Fernlea had faced a reduction of close to $200,000 in funding received via the Commonwealth Home Support Package (CHSP) program.

“One of the main reasons for this is that the needs of our clients have changed over time and they need more support in other areas that we are not given funding for,“ she said.

“For example, CHSP is designed to keep older people independently at home for longer.

“We have provided these people with centre based respite and flexible respite.“

Ms Cole said their clients needed a number of elements of support to live independently at home, including meals, transport and gardening support.

“We are able to provide these services but we are only granted funding for respite,“ she said.

“Unfortunately, the grant opportunities to apply for a funding variation are only offered periodically and we don’t know when that will be.

“This also disadvantages those people in the community because providers who are

funded for these activities are located far away and refuse to drive to our area to provide it.“

Mr Cole said recent changes to the My Aged Care application process have also impacted their funding.

“It used to take months or years for our clients to move from being CHSP eligible to being provided a My Aged Care package,“ she said.

“It now takes weeks to a couple of months.

“Those clients we were caring for through CHSP funding have rolled over onto My Aged Care packages, reducing our direct funding and creating a financial gap that will take time to rectify and has left us in a dire situation.“

Ms Cole said while they have a waitlist for clients to attend the Emerald and Pakenham centres, they have limited capacity.

“Our centre provides interaction, com-

panionship, nutrition and stimulation, all essential for the elderly population, particularly those living with life limiting illnesses.

“It’s equally important that we provide a much needed service for the carers of our clients.

“We give them a break, time to take care of their children and themselves, time to work and general time out from a highly stressful role which is 24/7 for many of them.“

Ms Cole said Fernlea provided an essential service to ageing residents across the South East.

“Fernlea offers a model of care which is unique and not provided by any other company in our region,“ she said.

“As our population ages, we are seeing a steady rise in demand.

“By increasing our capacity we would also be in a position to not be so reliant on CHSP funding.“

MrWood said Fernlea helped fill the need of families in the Dandenong Ranges, who were driving up to two hours each day to reach palliative care support.

“I have been a proud supporter of theirs ever since I entered Parliament and have been incredibly impressed by their growth over the years, now including a second location in Pakenham,“ he said.

“Back in 2004 I was able to secure $800,000 to help get Fernlea House off the ground.

“More recently, I also secured $7,500 for a new wheelchair ramp and shade sail at their Pakenham centre.“

Mr Wood said he would be advocating for the Federal Government to invest a further $500,000 to allow Fernlea to expand and improve their facilities.

“Despite the need for more funding than ever, the Albanese Government’s policies have left Fernlea with a $200,000 cut to their annual funding,“ he said.

“I will be taking up this shocking decision with the Aged Care Minister and calling on the government to reverse this cut and invest a further $500,000 to keep up with local demand.“

The Emerald centre is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and the Pakenham centre is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with hopes to expand the Pakenham centre’s operating hours.

L-R: Casey MP Aaron Violi,Mums of the Hills founder Belinda Young and Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Angie Bell in February. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mr Wood also enjoyed a cuppa and a cake with clients.

La Trobe MP Jason Wood (right) met with Fernlea Community Care chief executive officer Sarah Cole and board president Peter Sprott. Pictures: MATTHEW SIMS

Boost to emergency relief

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

The Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) has received just over $16,000 from the Labor Government to meet the growing demand for emergency services.

The recent storms in the outer-eastern suburbs of Melbourne have left local residents struggling to meet ends need, as the cost of generator fuels, fresh produce and damaged properties pile up.

The funding will allow local emergency relief and food relief providers to give more access to essential items, such as vouchers, food, and clothing.

DRERS chief executive officer, Tania Bevan said locals are really grateful that this funding has been received to help the community in a time that matters most.

“The funds donated to us means we can help our community recover on top of the rising cost of living,” she said.

“It’s been devastating for some people in the community to be able to replace the food that they’ve lost, or just to afford the expensive fuel for a generator - if they’ve been fortunate enough to have a generator.”

The grant is part of the investment builds upon a $114.8 million Government measure under the Financial Wellbeing and Capability grant program announced earlier this year.

Victorian Senator Jana Stewart said there’s been an increased demand for emergency and food relief.

“As the cost of living rises, we do not want to see any members of our community left behind and denied the support they deserve.”

Further information, including how to find an emergency relief provider, is available on the Department of Social Services website.

Locals needing extra assistance with the cost of living can contact the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief.

Heat refuge on the way

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Belgrave’s Puffing Billy Railway Board has received more than $56,000 to support their project in creating a heat refuge for volunteers working in extreme heat conditions.

Funded by the federal government and distributed by the state government, the grant is part of a $9 million package for 50 projects statewide to help communities and councils to reduce the risk and impact of natural hazard disasters and build community resilience.

Puffing Billy CEO Peter Abbott said the funding will enable them to continue to enhance the safety and comfort of their volunteers during hot summer days, and ensuring their wellbeing.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded a Federal and Victorian Government grant to support our project of creating a Heat Refuge for the dedicated volunteers of Puffing Billy Railway.”

“Not only will this initiative directly benefit our volunteers, but it will also have a positive impact on the entire community by enhancing the reliability and sustainability of our operations,” he said.

“We are immensely grateful for the government’s support and are excited to see the positive outcomes that this project will bring for our volunteers and the

broader community.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the Federal government is working with the state’s government to ensure Victorians are more prepared for natural disasters, so communities can respond and recover quicker.

“A significant focus of the NPA is to help locally-led organisations address the risks that they have identified, with solutions that will help them better prepare and respond to increasingly frequent and intense severe weather events,” he said.

“The projects that we’re supporting through these grant programs aim to achieve exactly that, and I commend these organisations for their initiative.”

Emergency Services, State Minister Jaclyn Symes said the Risk and Resilience Grants Program highlights the incredible work local Victorian organisations are leading to reduce the risk of natural disasters and build resilience within our local communities.

“We’ll never be able to eradicate natural disasters; however we can ensure local communities are better prepared for when they occur. I look forward to following the success of these crucial projects,” she said.

“The recipients of these grants are working incredibly hard to reduce risks and prepare Victorians for severe weather events.”

Federal and state funding for Puffing Billy Railway Board to improve working conditions for volunteers.

Picture: UNSPLASH AYUSH SHAKYA

Dandenong Rangers Emergency Relief Services manager, Tania Bevan said the funds are a tremendous support for the community.

Valley brigades to rescue

By Gabriella Vukman

As fires raged throughout Ballarat and across the Grampians Central Highlands in recent weeks, brigades have been rushing from far and wide to assist, and the Yarra Valley and Ranges services have missed none of the action.

From Seville to Mooroolbark to Yarra Glen, the Valley lent a significant portion of its resources to the Ballarat effort.

Graham Brown from the Coldstream CFA was part of the squad that was sent to help in Bayindeen near Ballarat.

Mr Brown said, “it was actually frightening when we got in there because the smoke was black. It was Really dark and gruesome looking.”

“My squad was allocated to asset protection which is where you just sit beside houses and make sure that the fire doesn’t come over the top of them.”

“We sat there with Mooroolbark all night waiting to see if the fire would come towards the houses but luckily the wind changed direction and went around us.We were there from 5 o’clock in the evening to 7 o’clock in the morning,” Mr Brown said.

After waiting from 5pm until 7am, Mr Brown was sent to a new location.

“We went to a place where the fire had come out of the bush and into the paddocks so we were sent there to stop it coming any further and black it all out there,” Mr Brown said.

Lilydale, Mount Evelyn, Silvan, Kallista-The Patch, Belgrave, Badger Creek,Warrandyte and Scoresby were among the District 13 CFA strike teams sent to fight the fires in the Ballarat region.

“Our strike team consisted of Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Mooroolbark and Wonga Park,” Mr Brown said.

“The Yarra Valley has been heavily involved in terms of fire fighting, sending meals, trucks and crews up to help,” Mr Brown said.

Lilydale Fire Brigade lieutenant Ron Haines shared the Lilydale CFA’s contribution to the Ballarat effort and said, “on 22nd February Lilydale’s Tanker along with other CFA tankers from Silvan, Badger Creek and Scoresby were despatched to a major wildfire just north of Beaufort.”

“The main task of the CFA tankers was to quickly extinguish these running grass fires- to prevent them spreading into farming properties and nearby houses and towns,” Mr Haines said.

Describing flames ‘leaping into the air’, Mr Haines noted the skill needed in order to manage crews fighting fires on the back of the tanker as well as manoeuvre the truck through fire.

“Again, during the recent Labour Day long weekend many hundreds and hundreds of CFA volunteers from around the State including brigade’s from the Yarra Valley District gave up their time to be on stand-by for strike teams,” Mr Haines said.

Travelling across the state and in some circumstances, the country to help out, the Valley’s local heroes are helping out abroad.

Local Valley heroes Helping out.

Picture: RON HAINES

Coldstream team fighting Bayindeen fires 77.5km from Ballarat. Picture: GRAHAM BROWN Fires tore through bushland.

The sky glowed with the colour of the flames.

Firefighters put out spot fires across the Beaufort area.

End of road for op shop

By Tanya Steele

Valiant attempts to keep a beloved Tecoma opshop running have sadly not succeeded and the local haunt will change hands in the next few months.

Tecoma PwP (Parents without Partners) will shut its doors on Monday 18 March with local charity Foothills Community Care set to take over the establishment.

Store Manager Ms Hazelman has been trying to salvage the op shop with fellow volunteer Lindsay Reid since late September 2023.

“We had some volunteers, but not enough,” she said.

“We have been dealing with huge volumes of donations for a small space - you just don’t have enough people to sort them.”

The store had been operating part time after Ms Hazelman took over management from Norma Boyse, who stepped down from the store after 20 years of service.

PwP Op Shop has been a part of the community for over four decades, with Tecoma’s resident fashionista, Michelle Treblico, or Veteran Vamp as she is known on social media, doing some time volunteering at the store.

A group of around eight volunteers worked for PwP after it reopened - many part time trying to keep doors open, whilst dealing with large volumes of donations.

“It was just becoming too it was just too much,” Ms Hazelman said.

The store shut down over the Christmas period and reopened again in 2024 - with the latest development scheduling the last day of operations for Monday 18 March.

“We (the volunteers) decided to trade again for February, but it has been a bit back and forth with opening and closing,” Ms Hazelman said.

“It is a tiny area and some days you couldn’t open because you just didn’t have enough

staff to sort and tend to counter and the place would be just full of donations,” she said.

“With a larger population and we’ve got mass consumerism, and disposable fashions and everything that have increased the volume of donations.”

Ms Hazelman said the takeover process has taken ‘awhile’ and she will not be continuing as manager.

“A few other volunteers may stay on,” she said.

The organisation set to inhabit the new

space - Foothills Community Care is a not for profit Christian organisation established in 2002.

Foothills also acquired the long-running Mountain Gate Community Op Shop in Ferntree Gully in September 2022.

Ms Hazelman is sad to step down from the PwP Op Shop and said she will miss a lot of people in the community.

“We got a lot of very good regular customers, a lot of them we know by name,” she said.

“It’s the end of an era and it’s quite sad.”

Linda and Lindsay are sad to say goodbye to the small but iconic op shop in Tecoma.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

The op shop has dealt with large volumes of donations and not enough volunteers to run the show.

Vital service from the air

A

vital life and saving service will continue to provide quality and dynamic care to patients in rural and remote locations.

The Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley areas have recently seen a woman from Emerald airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in February and a Healesville man was airlifted to the Melbourne Hospital after a motor vehicle crash into Healesville High School in June 2023 - saving their lives.

The five-year extension of the existing arrangement for the Air Ambulance helicopter fleet, valued at more than $370 million, will come into effect from 1 January 2026.

AV Chief Executive Jane Miller said the renewed partnership, which first commenced in January 2016, would ensure AV continued to provide safe, timely and expert patient care during some of Victoria’s most logistically complex emergencies.

“This partnership helps us provide the highest level of care for every patient, no matter where they are located across the state,” Ms Miller said.

“Someone experiencing a medical emergency in a rural location can quickly receive expert care from our ground crews, further clinical support and expertise from our MICA Flight Paramedics and definitive care from a flight to one of Victoria’s high-quality trauma centres. It’s an impressive service,” she said.

Mobile intensive care ambulance (MICA) paramedic Gavin Lawley is a flight paramedic who takes on the challenge and variety the specialised position offers.

“There’s a lot of moving parts – so it’s quite a dynamic environment to work with. And that’s part of the challenge of working out there,” he said.

“It’s comforting for the community to know that if ever something happens in the remote and far-reaching locations of Victoria – and some parts of New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania – AV is equipped to provide the best possible emergency response,” Ms Miller said.

“This agreement will ensure patients who need AV’s helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) continue to receive best care right across Victoria,” she said.

Last year, AV’s HEMS responded to 2,197 incidents, averaging 200 cases each month and Mr Lawley said the services they cover are quite varied, from airlifting complex patients,

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The Air Ambulance helicopter fleet is valued at more than $370 million dollars. Picture: SUPPLIED

delivering blood and participating in search and rescue.

“The major role differences from a say a road MICA is the transport times and the distance we travel,” he said.

“But we do a lot of work with other rural or regional hospitals that have reached their limit of speciality care for certain patients – we also transfer the patients down to a metropolitan centre or a specific line of care in Melbourne.”

From motor vehicle accidents to primary cardiac arrest in the regional areas or remote locations, Mr Lawley said the air ambulance teams are there to provide one of the highest level of medical emergency skill sets in Victoria.

Mr Lawley said air ambulance teams also have the capability with a helicopter aircraft to complete search and rescue tasks and winching operations.

“Whether it’s water or land, we can work

with other agencies to search and locate patients and perform rescues and provide medical care in remote locations when required,” he said.

AV Acting Manager Air Operations Rupert Freeman said Babcock provided AV’s HEMS operations with five AW139 helicopters and a service assurance aircraft.

“AV is in its eighth year working alongside our Babcock colleagues and we’re pleased to continue this partnership, which places a strong focus on serving the Victorian community,” he said.

MrLawleysaidtheserviceismedicallyquite ‘vast’ and sees it’s own ‘peaks and troughs” in the areas they visit and call outs they attend.

“During hot weather during summer, we can get a lot more jobs involving what bodies of water whether it’s the bay, the ocean, or rivers, during those holiday periods, we find, especially in the post-Covid, a lot of people are

often in the high country, so we respond to a lot of remote locations that way,” he said.

“Whenever you have people moving in and throughout the state, in peak periods, there’s an increase in road trauma.”

Mr Lawley said several factors dictate how a patient is triaged for an airlift callout and patients are triaged from their flight coordination centre, where the highly trained MICA flight paramedics receive calls from a number of agencies including Triple zero, paediatric and neonatal specialities and search and rescue operations.

“Travel time withVictoria being quite a vast area, we provide a service where we can either get our skill set, or medical treatment to the patient to best stabilize and treat them and then bring them down to a centre or send us to the patient to bring them down as quickly as possible to the highest level of care – that’s our primary goal.”

With only five rotary and four fixed wing aircraft in the fleet, the triage is a vital part of the process and Mr Lawley said that if a primary search and rescue job comes in, it also gets triaged against other cases and available aircraft and so the workload is quite high at times.

The airlifts can make all the difference and Mr Lawley said that giving someone the support they need in the way of blood or a medical procedure and then getting them to the highest level of care in the shortest amount of time finally has a benefit to the possible health outcomes.

The job is challenging and Mr Lawley said the flight paramedics work very tightly with a three person crew, responding to cases where they can be surrounded by hospital staff at one location to being in the middle of a bush with only bystanders and the patient at the next.

“Communication and team dynamics are really important, but it’s always evolving – you have to be able to build teams and communicate really well.”

“Our MICA Flight Paramedics will continue to provide the best possible care, supported by our Babcock partners, when our patients need it most,” Mr Freeman said.

The partnership has been extended to 31 December 2030 and Mr Lawley said it was important to acknowledge the ground teams the flight crew work with - from hospital staff, SES and CFA to police and regular bystanders.

“You’re always working with different teams in different environments – we can’t do this role by ourselves.”

“Bringing everyone together usually gets the best possible outcome for the patient,” he said.

‘It saved his life’: AED a cardiac arrest game-changer

By Gabriella Vukman

Ready to shape the health landscape from now until 2028, Ambulance Victoria has just released its Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry (VACAR) with aims to increase the rates of cardiac arrest survival.

The registry is a data-capturing report on all cardiac arrests attended to by Ambulance Victoria.

This year’s VACAR report revealed that the chances of surviving cardiac arrest increase dramatically with the use of an automotive external defibrillator (AED) and that the majority of heart attacks occur at home.

Avid Irish Dancer Anthony Bevan suffered from a heart attack almost two years ago and was resuscitated by one of these AEDs. Anthony has just celebrated his 70th birthday last week.

Mr Bevan said,“I was at my usual Saturday Irish dancing class and it was getting towards the end of the first hour when our dance teacher called on me to perform a dance.”

“I was doing a light jig when I felt a sudden and brief breathlessness, not dissimilar to the symptoms I had when I tested positive for COVID,” Mr Bevan said.

“It only lasted a couple of seconds. I think in retrospect that must have been the heart attack.”

Picture:

Dancing through the mild breathlessness bout, Mr Bevan finished his jig and proceeded to participate in another dance.

“After that second dance I thought I was fainting. I was having trouble walking forward,” Anthony said.

“I wasn’t feinting, I was dying.”

“The next thing i remember was a woman’s voice saying‘you’re doing great tony,’ and a man’s voice saying ‘hang in there Tony.’”

Thankfully five people in his class were well trained in CPR.

Teacher Kate Bilton was there in the room when Tony went into cardiac arrest.

“We were very lucky that the ambulance only took 8 minutes to arrive and that they brought an AED and were able to use one on him,” Ms Bilton said.

“The AED absolutely saved Tony’s life. The CPR we were doing were just tiding him over until the ambulance arrived and had the ambulance not come so promptly, it might have been a different story.”

“That is what prompted me to go and purchase and donate an AED to the church and the hall because I never want to be in one of those situations without an AED again because it is a lifesaving device,” Kate said.

Of the 7,800 cardiac arrests Ambulance Victoria attended in 2023, in only 139 of them did a bystander use a defibrillator before the ambulance team arrived.

David Anderson, associate professor and medical director of Ambulance Victoria said, “We know that survival decreases by about 10 per cent for every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest. We get to cardiac arrests

on average in about 8 minutes which is pretty impressive but a lot of time has still ticked by so that is one of the reasons why we want members of the public to learn CPR.”

“We want people to know that you don’t need training to use a defibrillator,” Mr Anderson said.

“We encourage people to learn CPR and know how to use them.”

With the release of Ambulance Victoria’s new GoodSam application, people who know CPR can register and be alerted as to when a cardiac arrest is happening in their area as well as where the nearest defibrillator is.

Mr Anderson said, “we know from the VACAR registry that the chance of survival is more than doubled if someone has bystander CPR compared to not having bystander CPR. That is what we want to highlight.”

“The VACAR registry really did make us realise that we need to have more AEDs and we need to have them throughout the community and in places where they are likely to use them,” Mr Anderson said.

Mental health help is here

By Tanya Steele

Mental health can often feel like a difficult area to broach with people or even talk about but a group of adults in the Upwey community have been learning ‘Mental Health First Aid’ (MHFA) to support adults experiencing mental health issues.

The residents have begun the vital first aid learning in the mental health arena, participating in a course across two weeks in Upwey.

The MHFA course is running across Saturdays on 16 and 23 March, and so far attendees have found the course sessions to be ‘Informative and lively discussions and conversations for learning about Mental Health First Aid.’

Secretary of Upwey’s Men’s Shed Mark McGuire said that initially, the Yarra Ranges Council approached the Upwey Men’s Shed to see if they were interested in conducting the course in their area.

“I thought this was a good idea because this

is not only helping and supporting our members but the community as well,” he said.

Attendees have been learning about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults and how to respond to emerging or worsening situations and the treatments and supports available.

Mr McGuire said that while the attendees would not come away experts – that one of the key insights to be gained from the course is the art of listening.

“The course will give us the words and the statements we can use around about communicating what mental health is, then we can respond confidently when we do confront this crisis, ensure that we’re safe and that the person we’re talking to is safe as well – also then directing them to the directing them to the right services as well,” he said.

“Probably 10 years ago, maybe a bit longer, you know, mental health or was an issue that

you didn’t talk openly about.”

The course is being in partnership with Upwey Community Group and funded by Yarra Ranges Council and Mr McGuire said he hopes it will equip community members with the tools they need to support others.

So far feedback from the community attending the course is positive.

‘.. it gave practical strategies for first responders to use to assist people who they might think are experiencing symptoms of depression or having suicidal thoughts. It was engaging with group discussion on the best ways people should assist and give support and advice as a mental health first responder –With high rates of mental health issues in our society it needs to be considered as important as the St John first aid course…Many people would not know how to support people who are experiencing mental health issues and after the course, I feel more confident in talking

with and supporting them to find appropriate assistance.’ GW said.

Another participant said the course so far was a ‘Great space for discussion about several topics that allow for positive education. It’s good to see various demographics that are open to learning about mental health and implementing change.’

The course will run its final session this Saturday on 23 March and the group will come away as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders), equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to provide someone with mental health information and support when it matters most.

“It’s about listening to the other and acknowledging the other person’s issues or problems rather than dismissing it, sometimes we can be a bit scared,” Mr McGuire said

“..I think this just helps support your fellow members and your community,” he said.

Silent thief of sight affects one-in-eight Aussies by 80

By Dongyun Kwon

There’s an eye disease taking hold of 300,000 Australians, with more than half going about their day-to-day lives without a diagnosis or the knowledge they are affected.

In Australia, one in 10,000 babies are born with glaucoma, one in 200 have it by age 40 and one in eight have it by age 80.

YarraValley is also under the impact of the disease.

Eastern Eye Specialists, a local ophthalmic clinic located in Lilydale and Bayswater, founding director Dr Malvika Gupta said approximately one in eight of her patients would have glaucoma.

“It is very important to understand that many people who have glaucoma are actually not aware and many times they don’t go to the optometrist because they don’t think anything is wrong,” she said.

“More than 70 per cent actually have no symptoms, we are trying to prevent them from getting into late-stage glaucoma which could make them lose driving vision and visual field.

“Anybody who’s on doctor’s care, it’s very unlikely for them to lose their vision completely, but someone who has not been diagnosed and no treatment has been done can lose their central vision or visual field which causes legal blindness and inability to drive.”

Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) vice president associate professor Ashish Agar said the ASO was drawing attention

to glaucoma, also known as the silent thief of sight, during the World Glaucoma Week from 10 to 16 March.

“Glaucoma is a condition where the eye’s optic nerve, which provides information to

our brain, is damaged with or without raised intraocular pressure,” he said.

“Glaucoma develops slowly and often without any symptoms, which is why there is such a high rate of non-detection in

Australia.

“When left untreated, it can cause vision loss or lead to irreversible blindness reinforcing why awareness and early intervention are crucial.”

The first line of treatment for most patients with glaucoma is eye lasers and eye drops, which could salvage most of the disease problem and prevent further progression.

Dr Gupta said regular screening would be a key to prevent late-stage glaucoma.

“Everybody over 50 years old needs to see an optometrist every year because they can identify if you have any risk factors for developing the disease,” she said.

“If you do have risk factors, then they could refer you to the ophthalmologist.

“More people can be managed early if we pick it up early, that will save a lot of damage and the disease burden.”

Dr Gupta said there has been a remarkable progression in terms of treatment for patients with glaucoma in Yarra Valley.

“A few years ago, the laser wasn’t available within Yarra Valley, but, fortunately, we now have a laser called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty,” she said.

“It’s a laser that gently stimulates the eye to pump the eye fluid better and that helps regulate the tension on that optic nerve.

“Only when somebody needs glaucoma surgeries, we send them to eye and ear hospitals, which is extremely rare.”

Half of the course is complete, community gathered on Saturday 16 March to begin learning. Pictures: SUPPLIED The course is designed to give people tools to assist adults experiencing issues with mental health.

Dr Malvika Gupta.

Picture: SUPPLIED

End of Upwey era as High School teacher Nicholl retires

From page 1

“I know my students and ex-students like me, but I wasn’t convinced…we all have busy lives and everyone’s got things to do,” he said.

On Sunday 3 March, more than 100 exstudents and former colleagues turned up to give him a big and warm farewell.

“It was literally a pleasant day, reminiscing and talking and thinking about my career, it was a nice day,” Mr Nichol said.

He has taught two generations of students, many of his latest students were the kids of his former students.

“In the class that I taught their parents, I show them embarrassing photos of “their parents, when they were at school,” he said.

Mr Nichol was also a photographer, during camping trips; he took photos and often shared them with his students.

“I took photos of their mum or dad when they were in Year 7, the same age as they were. The kids loved seeing their parents as kids at school…probably embarrassing, but that was even better,” he said.

Mr Nichol started his early career as a civil engineer for three and a half years with Melbourne Water. Then moved on to working as a youth worker for 11 years – he didn’t start teaching until he was 35.

Prior to becoming a teacher in the Hills, he was a teacher in a school overseas.

From 1995 to 1996, Mr Nichol and his family went to Zimbabwe with the Australian volunteers abroad.

“We spent two years teaching in high school in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, it was a great experience for me,” he said.

Many teachers across the country struggle with classroom behaviour especially after Covid but for Mr Nichol, his relationship with the students never deteriorated.

“Teaching is based on relationships, if you don’t relate well, the students would be awful, and you’ll have a terrible career.”

“But if you get on well with students, you get on well with young people, you’ll love every moment of it,” he said.

“We just don’t get the funding to help those kids that we need, teachers are expected to deal with all sorts of different behaviours and learning levels in the classroom. And that’s almost impossible.”

The highlight for Mr Nichol is the relationship he’s had with all of his students throughout his career.

“I’ve watched them grow older, watched their kids grow up.”

“I’m still in touch with many students I taught in 1991, they’re my friends.”

Mr Nichol brought his youth working skills to educate his students about issues in the world and the need for people to be active and having a crack at trying to make the world a better place.

life in a way that tries to make a positive difference to the world. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

After his first year in the school he started an Amnesty International group which ran for 16 years.

Mr Nichol’s big heart has shaped and enlightened many little minds.

“I’ve got a great fear of missing out. So I try and do everything,” he said. “I’ve got this long list of jobs of things that I want to do which I hadn’t had the time when I was working - everything from awful things like painting the house to sorting out all my photos.”

He said there’s a lot of expectations on teachers to solve society’s problems.

“My philosophy is you’ve got to try and make your life better you’ve got to try and make a difference. You’ve got to live your

He now has more time to be a grandparent and that’s the key thing he’s looking forward to. “My life is incredible. I packed my life; I feel every minute of my life has been very busy.”

Sad tale becomes lesson

By Dongyun Kwon

The story of a Yarra Ranges resident becomes the basic source of a course for Year 11 and 12 students in Victoria.

James Wood has shared his workplace injury experience to educate employees, employers and management teams on the real impact of workplace injury for over 25 years.

Mr Wood was a diesel mechanic.

In 1985, on his way to a parking bay after fixing a truck, he lost control of the truck.

“It was five to nine in the morning, so I thought if I could get back to the lunchroom by nine o’clock, I could catch up with my workmates,” Mr Wood said.

“I put my foot down a little bit, was going a little bit too quick, I lost control of the truck and the truck ended up rolling on the side of a hill.

“I got thrown out of the cabin, broke my back and damaged my spinal cord.”

Mr Wood said the accident happened due to his lack of safety awareness.

“The reason I got thrown out of the truck that day was obviously I was going too fast and I didn’t have a seatbelt on,” he said.

“I made some wrong choices and ended up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.”

Mr Wood decided to use his experience to prevent others from a similar tragedy.

He established a small safety training consultancy CNB Safe based in Yarra Glen with some other speakers who experienced a workplace injury.

Mr Wood and his teammates have gone around Australia to share their stories to raise workplace safety awareness.

“When I first got asked to share my story at a workplace over 25 years ago, initially, I didn’t want to do it because I was a diesel mechanic

and I’d never stand in front of people to do public speaking,” Mr Wood said.

“But then I thought it’s the thing that I would have liked to listen to, if somebody, who experienced an injury, turned up at my workplace and shared their story, it might have given me a little bit more of a reason to think about some of the choices that I made that day.

“So I started off the business myself and my wife started working with me and then we had other people approached to us to work with. We go out to workplaces all around Australia, share our stories and try to stop what happened to us from happening to somebody else.”

When Covid hit the world and all Victorians were stuck in lockdown, Mr Wood wrote a book based on his experience.

The book It Hurts! is about how the injury changed Mr Wood’s life.

The Vocational and Applied Learning Association (VALA) has launched a new program Disability Inclusion and Workplace Health and Safety: It Hurts! Expo based on Mr Wood’s book.

The program is a community and workplace-focused school program targeted at young people in Year 11 and Year 12 who are undertaking the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Vocational Major (VM).

VALA CEO Helene Rooks said VALA launched the program at VCE VM induction day.

“It’s a really good way for young students to learn about both disability inclusion and workplace safety,” she said.

“We got really positive feedback during the conference because teachers were really looking for meaningful programs rather than going back to textbooks, workbooks and worksheets.”

L-R: Helene Rooks, James Wood and VALA professional learning and development manager

Natalie Purves.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Mr Nichol’s 1998 Amnesty International student group that ran for 16 years.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Mr Nichol’s Year 12 Further Maths Class in 2020, he always gifted his year 12 class a silly present at the last class. and an old vinyl record for their birthday.

THE VAN PARIDON COLLECTION

A lifetime of collecting

It is with pleasure to invite you to view an auction that is the culmination of a dedicated lifetime’s work of collecting.

An auction that truly has something for everyone from the finest European antiques, vintage radios, cameras, art, sculpture and lights, outdoor garden statuary and even the Daimler, everything must be sold.

Wini and Eloi will be fondly remembered by many as the owners of Van Paridon Antiques Sassafras.

True pioneers in the Australian antique trade, Wini and Eloi were the first to expose the Australian public to the style and taste of European and especially Belgian antiques.

The shop was always perfectly set out with fresh flowers and antiques spotlighted for the regular visitors. The shop became so popular as an attraction Wini decided to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital by asking for a gold coin donation.

Arriving in Australia some 50 years ago, they set about establishing the shop and importing antiques from all over Europe. Having lunch withWini one day I was enthralled with the stories of the markets and high-end shops they purchased from, auctions attended at European castles all to supply the shop in Sassafras.

In 1999 they purchased Villa Oreste. Over the years they worked tirelessly to create the grand estate you see now.

After almost half a century in Australia and with the passing of Eloi, Wini has decided to move back home to her beloved Belgium to begin the next chapter in her life, which I am told will be spent driving around Europe and holidaying as much as possible. It is indeed an honour to be entrusted with an auction of this lifetime of work, Christian McCann

Villa Oreste. Picture: SUPPLIED

The auction will be held at 11am on Saturday 23 March and 11am on Sunday 24 March at 114 Olinda-Monbulk Road, Olinda.

The Van Paridon Collection

A European Estate in the hills of the Dandenong’s.

AUCTION TO BE HELD 11.00AM, 114 OLINDA-MONBULK RD, OLINDA

An auction that truly has something for everyone from the finest European Antiques, Vintage radios, Cameras, Art, sculpture and lights, outdoor Garden Statuary, even the Daimler everything must be sold.

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO REQUEST DETAILED CONDITION REPORTS, PHOTOS OR VIDEO REPORTS. PHONE BIDDING AND ABSENTEE BIDDING EASILY ARRANGED FREE OF CHARGE

Viewing: TO BE HELD ONSITE

Friday 22nd March 10.00am - 5.00pm

Saturday 23 rd March 10.00am-5.00pm

Auction: Saturday March 23rd 11.00am

Sunday March 24th 11.00am

VIEW ALL PHOTOS ONLINE: www.christianmccannauctions.com.au

Email: info@christianmccannauctions.com.au

PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS

Phone: 9421 1993 – 0438 028 485 – 0420 567 200

Viewings can be held onsite between 10am and 5pm on Friday 22 March.

· View all photos online at: www.christianmc-

cannauctions.com.au

· Email: info@christianmccannauctions. com.au

Expo unites green thumbs

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

The Ferny Creek Horticultural Society (FCHS) held a mini plant expo on Thursday 14 March after the 18th Annual Plant Collectors’ Expo scheduled for the 9 and 10 March was cancelled due to the extreme heat and fire danger in the Yarra Ranges and Ferny Creek areas.

The mini expo had a successful turnout, with over 10 vendors of rare plants, bulbs, seeds, peonies and more being able to attend the event that started at 4pm in the FCHS Flower Hall.

Over 50 people stayed on to attend a joint lecture at 7pm, co-hosted by the FCHS and the Alpine Garden Society Victorian Group with special guests Peter Donegan and Martin Semken.

Peter and Martin are Landscape designers who won a gold medal winner at last year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, and they shared some of their experiences and tips with the audience.

Ferny Creek Horticultural Society secretary Emma Moysey said the Plants Collectors’ Expo is an important opportunity for garden enthusiasts and vendors to showcase their plants and gardening related products.

“Many of our vendors are larger businesses, but we also support smaller operators that work so hard to bring such amazing plants to the Expo.”

Several societies including the Australian Rhododendron Society, the Salvia Study Group and the Alpine Garden Society Vic Group also attended the event.

As more nurseries go out of business, an event like this helps many in the industry to feel supported and enables them to keep operating.

FCHS Secretary said there’s a strong propagation group within the FCHS that propagates and raises plants from cuttings taken from the FCHS gardens, and also those of the garden’s members.

“Our propagation group always runs a very large plant stall at the plant collector’s expo.”

“One visitor from Adelaide stayed on from the weekend so she could come along to buy plants from the FCHS Plant stall,” Ms Moysey said.

The Plant Collectors’ Expo also enables FCHS to extend support to local community groups.

The FCHS’s future events will again invite the local primary school to run its barbecue, the Tennis Club to run the Plant Crèche, and the Sassafras Ferny Creek CFA to assist them with parking in the local Ferny Creek Recreational Reserve, and all these groups will be financially supported in return.

Life member and garden guide at FCHS, Keith Ross said the plants and trees they grow in the 10 acre garden at FCHS are a little bit unusual – meaning they have a specific climate in which they grow.

“My interest in gardening started when I was a child, my father was a landscape gardener - I’ve always been interested in plants and learning about them,” he said.

Mr Ross said the FCHS has more than 350 members.

“One of the assets of the society is we have a lot of people with all sorts of specialised knowledge, so whatever plant you’ve got, someone

will have some sort of specialised knowledge that’ll help you answer your question.”

Mr Ross said, the great thing about working with plants is the more you know, the less you think you know, you’ll always be amazed at how complex nature is.

Chloe Van Berkel was one of the vendors at the mini plant expo, 30 years ago; her family rediscovered the Wollemi pine - which was first discovered by David Noble in what is now known as the Wollemi National Forest in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

For Ms Van Berkel, the Plant Expos are an

opportunity to share and showcase her family’s discovery with the public and other vendors.

“TheWollemi pine is an interesting plant because you can keep them in the pot for the whole of its life while changing the soil…but the size of the pot can remain the same - that’s why Wollemi pine is so ideal for both indoor and outdoor,” she said.

Marie Jordan is the owner of Fresbrook Peony Farm and she’s been selling plants for the last 30 years. “It’s so important for everybody to be in the garden to pick a flower, or a vegetable.”

“To watch something grow is the most important thing in the world, it gives you a reason to get up in the morning. It’s got to be watered and looked after,” she said.

The next major event at the FCHS will be the Autumn show on the 27 and 28 April, from 12pm to 4pm, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday at 100 Hilton Rd.

Anyone interested in being a vendor at next year’s Plant Collectors’ Expo, or with any other queries should contact Emma Moysey at secretary@fchs.org.au.

The mini expo had a great turnout with more than 50 people attending.

Pictures: SHAMSIYA HUSSAINPOOR

A variety of David Austin roses can be found in FCHS garden.Chloe Van Berkel family rediscovered the Wollemi pine 30 years ago.

Marie Jordan is the owner of Fresbrook Peony Farm, she’s been selling plants for the last 30 years.

Life member and garden guide at FCHS, Keith Ross said his interest in gardening started when he was only a child.

A variety of David Austin roses can be found in FCHS garden.

Easter joy at Blue Lotus

The Blue Lotus Water Garden has teamed up with Mad Hatter Theatrics from Warburton and the Easter Bunny to provide a magical experience for children this coming Easter.

Storybook Eggcellent Egg Hunts - The Easter Bunny and his storybook friends including Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and others will be at the garden to conduct eggcellent Easter hunts on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Children will be invited to search for artificial eggs to give the Easter Bunny who will swap the artificial eggs for 4 x hen sized chocolate eggs. The egg hunts run for 1 hour approximately and include entertainment by the storybook characters.

For more details and session times, please see below (note: all egg hunt tickets are limited and must be booked online, all sessions are one hour long).

Saturday 30 March

· AM Session: 10.30am

· PM Session: 1pm

· Sunday 31 March

· AM Session: 10.30am

· PM Session: 1pm

· Monday 1 April

· AM Session: 10.30am

· PM Session: 1pm

Face Painting - Lovely Lara, our very talented face painting artist will also be at the gardens each day of the weekend. She charges a small fee for her services.

Dragon Spotto - Being the year of the Dragon, kids will love this activity as they search for different things in the garden including our special dragons. If the children return their pencil after completing the challenge, they will be rewarded with a sweet treat.

Good Friday - The Blue Lotus Water Garden is open from 10am-5pm on Good Friday 29 March. Although there will be no special entertainment for children, all facilities will be open including the Flower Fairy Garden, Ice Cream Shop and our new tree house, the Dragon Spotto activity and Face Painting.

The Gardens at Easter – This Easter we will feature a brand-new attraction. Australia’s largest display of hanging baskets full of thousands of flowers. The display stretches over half a kilometre with 180 baskets containing an amazing array of colourful

begonias and petunias.

The Blue Lotus Water Garden is an ideal destination for families with over 14 acres of stunning lakes, waterfalls and amazing plant exhibits to explore. Thousands of autumn flowers will be on show including the new hanging basket display, the amazing Giant Amazon Waterlily with its huge lily pads and plenty of waterlilies and lotus to see. The gardens also contain fantastic facilities including picnic huts, BBQs, Cafe, Ice Cream Kiosk, Plant Nursery and Giftshops.

Online Bookings Essential – Tickets for the

Storybook Eggcellent Egg Hunts sessions are limited and must be booked online at bluelotus.com.au. Egg hunt tickets are available to purchase for children aged 0-15 years only. All children must be accompanied by an adult with a paid admission ticket. Child Egg hunt tickets include garden admission and entry to one egg hunt session only.

· Adult Ticket: $24.50

· Senior/Pensioner Ticket: $22

· Child Egg Hunt Ticket (must be booked online): $11

The Mad Hatter and Alice from Alice in Wonderland will be making appearances over easter at the Blue Lotus Water Gardens.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Easter egg hunts with the Easter Bunny will also be part of the holiday period.

EASTER

March

March

9.30am Good Friday

‘Egg-cellent’ colour fun

When it comes to Easter, egg decorating is somewhat of a tradition.

And if you haven’t given it a go, here’s a how-to on dyeing, painting and marbling hard boiled eggs.

The first step may be simple but place the eggs in a pot of water and bring to the boil on the stove. Then let them simmer for ten minutes and cool.

Now it gets to the creative part.

Let’s start with dyeing eggs. Fill some cups halfway with hot water, a teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of food colouring - repeat with all the colours you want to use.

Carefully place the egg in the coloured water and leave for five minutes - when it’s done, you’ll have one completely coloured egg.

If you want to go one step further, use string, tape or elastic bands to create patterns.

Should marbling your eggs take your fancy, here’s two ways to try.

Using shaving cream or whipped cream (if you’d like to eat your eggs).

Place the eggs in a bowl of vinegar and leave for 20 minutes.

Using a large dish, fill with a layer of shaving cream and add some drops of food dye - even

divide the dish into two to four sections and do multiple colours.

Using a skewer, swirl and marble the colours together, then roll the egg gently over the surface of the shaving cream and once covered, place on some paper towel for 20 minutes.

Wash off excess shaving cream using a bowl of water.

Using oil

In a glass bowl, add one cup of hot water, a teaspoon of white vinegar and five to ten drops of food colouring (be sure to use a light colour for the base of the egg).

In another bowl, one cup of water with about 20 drops of food colouring and a tablespoon of vegetable oil.

When the egg is completely dry, place it into the bowl of oil mixture with a spoon and gently roll.

Take it out when marbled and dry on paper towel.

Other options include using watercolour paint or acrylic paint to make patterns and designs of all sorts.

Don’t forget to wear old clothes or an apron and maybe gloves too, it can get messy.

Benefits of Easter craft

There’s no doubt about it, the last two years have been a rollercoaster ride of change, fear and uncertainty. However, one thing that many of us have relied on is the security of home and the everyday joy found in simple pleasures.

School teacher and craft expert ShannonWong-Nizic says that this is particularly true when it comes to children, who benefit enormously from home-based ‘back to basics’ activities such as crafting, needlework and baking. “Creative pursuits help children feel grounded and calm - it requires them to busy their hands, put down their screens, still their minds and be present in the moment,” Shannon says.

“These are such important self-care skills for little ones to learn growing up in today’s fast-paced, news-driven world.”

Shannon says that Easter is the perfect time for parents to connect with their children through craft. To help create a ‘calming craft bubble’ in your home this Easter, Shannon has put together some inspirational Easter craft activities – a cute Easter Bilby hat, perfect for the Easter Hat Parade and an ‘Eggscellent Spoonville’ activity

“If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that life is to be celebrated and it’s the simple things that matter the most,” says craft expert Shannon Wong-Nizic, from Oh Creative Day. Picture: SUPPLIED

whereby you can decorate wooden spoons to look like Easter Eggs and plant them around your neighbourhood. To download Shannon’s Easter craft templates and howto’s, visit pilotpen.com.au

Shannon Wong-Nizic is a teacher, mum of three and avid crafter. She runs a popular blog and online parenting resource dedicated to all things creative, www.ohcreativeday.com

Countdown to egg hunt

Connecting Cockatoo Communities Inc. is thrilled to announce that the Easter Egg Hunt for 2024 will once again be hosted in partnership with the Cockatoo Country Market. This exciting event, scheduled for Easter Sunday 31 March 31 promises to be a fantastic start to the holiday for children aged two to 11 years old.

It has become a cherished local tradition, bringing together families, friends, and neighbours for a day filled with fun and festivities.

Organised in collaboration with the Cockatoo Market and dedicated volunteers, the Easter Egg Hunt will feature an exhilarating egg hunt for children of all ages, followed by a vibrant market where families can unwind and enjoy each other’s company. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Alma Treloar Park, with colourful eggs hidden throughout, the Easter Egg Hunt is undoubtedly a highlight of the year.

To ensure a seamless experience for all participants, we kindly request that parents register each child in advance. This allows us to prepare an adequate supply of eggs and manage attendance effectively. Registration can be completed through the provided ticket link on our website.

On the day of the event, registration will open promptly at 8.30 am at Alma Treloar Reserve. Each registered child will receive a bag to collect their eggs in.

The egg hunt will commence in three waves:

Children aged 2 to 5 will kick off the hunt at 9.00 am, with each child allowed to collect 5 eggs. Upon gathering their eggs, they can redeem them at the registration tent for a delicious chocolate Easter Bunny.

Following shortly after, at 9.20 am, children aged 6 to 8 will embark on their egg hunt, with the same rules applying.

Get in the spirit of Easter in Cockatoo.

Finally, at 9.50 am, children aged 9 to 11 will have their turn to search for eggs. Similarly, they can collect 5 eggs and exchange them for a chocolate Easter Bunny at the registration tent. (Please note: Children aged 12, who are still in Primary School, are eligible to participate.)

For safety reasons, the egg hunt area will be restricted to participants only; no adults or helpers will be permitted within the hunting grounds.

We are proud to announce that once again this year, Ranges First National is generously sponsoring this community event. Their continued support ensures that the Easter Egg Hunt remains a cherished tradition for all in the Cockatoo community.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Cockatoo Easter Egg Hunt 2024 for a day filled with joy, laughter, and delicious treats. Let’s make this Easter a memorable one for all!

L-R: Krystelle Rush and Jane Mortimer from Ranges First National. Picture: SUPPLIED

Through the generations

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Emerald Village Association (EVA) hosted an intergenerational meeting on Thursday 14 March to improve Emerald both for locals and visitors.

The community round tables welcomed many locals from all age groups including Emerald Secondary College student leaders, Menzies Creek Primary School students, Emerald Glade residents, Emerald Men’s Shed members, seniors and other interested community members.

A number of questions were prepared by the EVA in regards to Emerald’s future planning and community’s safety - these questions were answered by participants and the answers will be fed back to State and local government.

The meeting consisted of 12 tables, in each table there were one or two senior citizens, secondary student and three or four primary students.

Emerald Village Association committee member Shelley Beardshaw said it was a successful gathering with three generations of Emerald in district people attending.

Ms Beardshaw said there were questions about what teenagers did during weekends and after school.

“We saw there’s a need for places like the hub and the library to have rooms and activities for teenagers who weren’t into biking or skateboarding, like a games room.”

Many members and decision makers of the community were there including Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Jack Kowarzik, Councillor Jeff Springfield, Emerald Secondary College Assistant Principal Tiana Clayworth and other council members.

Ms Beardshaw said they were feeding back to council people while they were there about how the locals want emerald to look like in the future.

“It was a great meeting where people shared their opinions and points of view,” she said.

“One group of students said, they’d like to see a smaller carbon footprint on the earth and we thought it was a worthwhile contribution.”

While the meeting mainly had positive interactions, there was some negative feedback too, particularly regarding the traffic through Emerald and issues around storm damages and clean ups.

“It was a very positive morning, just the getting together was positive in itself because all those kids feel as though their opinions are valued,” she said.

The meeting ended with a morning tea.

Emerald Village Association committee member Peter Maloney and Oscar from Menzies Creek Primary School. Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Saige from Menzies Creek Primary School with Mayor of Cardinia Jack Kowarzik.

Emerald Village Association committee member Shelley Beardshaw and long time local resident Annette Ferres.

Cr Jeff Springfield at the EVA meeting.

Miles from Menzies Creek Primary School discusses what has made Emerald and surrounds a better place.

Emerald Village Association President Dick Bartley

New faces at RSL’s helm

By Corey Everitt

It’s a changing of the guard for Gembrook RSL who welcomed in an almost entirely new executive allowing long-time members a wellearned break with a promising new chapter for the local sub-branch.

In the Gembrook’s latest AGM, president Norm Smith stood back from the role with fellow local Neville Bryant assuming the leadership position. The vice-president, secretary and treasurer roles were also vacated.

This ends the seven consecutive years Mr Smith served in the top leadership role, becoming the oldest sub-branch president in the State at 90 years of age. Of course, Mr Smith will still be involved, continuing his accoladed service of over 50 years to Gembrook RSL.

Mr Bryant has been a Gembrook local for decades, as a young man he enlisted where he served in infantry in the Vietnam War.

He met his wife Beverley in the army where she served as pay officer in Women’s Royal Australian Army Corp.

Though both returned into civilian life, it was only later in life that the RSL became a part of their life.

“I’ve been living in Gembrook for 41 years, but bringing up kids, took us a long time to come around and get the time for the RSL,” Mr Bryant said.

“Being fromVietnam, I was also pretty antiRSL after dealing with the shaming from the war, suffered in the wilderness for a time.”

It was years later that changed things when Beverly got him down to Gembrook’s dawn service one year.

“She dragged me down to the dawn service,

I met them, had a chat and I saw the lack of members, so Bev and I joined then,” Mr Bryant said.

“We just continued on from there.”

Recently Mr Smith, the vice-president, secretary and treasurer were vacated with members putting up their hand, a welcome measure as the outgoing committee could retire from decades in service to the roles.

Ms Bryant was elected as treasurer, Dave Tracy as secretary and Richard Bahnsen as

Vice-President. All three have served.

The next task will be beginning preparations for Anzac Day next month, in the longterm the new committee has hopes to further build the sub-branch.

“We are trying to get into everything,” Mr Bryant said.

“Our aim is to raise it up to a situation where we include the community, trying to entice people to come to the RSL on a Friday night.

“Trying to build up as much as we can and

pay as much respect as we can.”

Gembrook RSL will run various activities like raffles and baking competitions alongside the regular schedule aiming to continue working with other sub-branches like Emerald or Cockatoo, as well as getting the wider-community involved.

If you wish to get in contact with Mr Bryant and the Gembrook RSL you can email gembrookrsl2024@gmail.com or call 0412 349 955

for eligible AusNet residential and business customers who were without power as a result of severe weather events on Tuesday 13 February and Thursday 22 February 2024, as part of its Energy Resilience Community Fund.

Grants of $300 are being made available to cover losses that households experienced when refrigerated goods became spoiled due to power outages caused by the storms. No proof of loss is required. Grants are available to households who were without power for more than 72 hours but are not eligible for a Prolonged Power Outage Payment (PPOP) because their power was restored within a week. Proof of financial hardship can be verified simply with a healthcare or pension card.

Businesses grants of up to $5000 are available to those small business who can provide proof of specific loss. If businesses have received a PPOP, then they are eligible for the difference between the PPOP and the amount of loss incurred, up to the maximum grant amount (typically around $2,000).

AusNet CEO, David Smales, said he has

been struck by the strength of the community during the biggest storms ever experienced across the network last month.

“I know that recovery is still very challenging for some and with the cost of living being as it is, we wanted to do more to help people get back on their feet,” said Mr Smales.

AusNet’s $10 million Energy Resilience Fund has already commenced the distribution of funds, with some of the first beneficiaries including the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund and food security charity Sale Food Support Inc.

AusNet has donated $100,000 to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF), which has been supporting the region after natural disasters for more than four decades.

AusNet will also provide funding for the purchase of a refrigerated food transport van to help Sale Food Support Inc supply fresh food to more Wellington Shire families and individuals in need. This will allow the safe transport of perishable food such as meat and dairy products to families in Sale and surrounding areas.

AusNet is also continuing to develop other elements of its Energy Resilience Community Fund, with further work underway to identify community infrastructure and resilience projects, and small business resilience projects. Further information on the application process for resilience projects will be available in April and local government and community groups can register their interest by emailing ERCF@ausnetservices.com.au.

“We are committed to helping communities get back on their feet in the short term, but we also recognise the importance of working with local governments and their communities to strengthen community infrastructure and businesses and help ensure they are better prepared to withstand future weather events,” Mr Smales, said.

Financial hardship grants will be open until 30 April 2024. Further information, including detailed eligibility criteria and how to apply, is available on AusNet’s website: ausnetservices.com.au/ERCF. Eligible customers will also be directly sent an SMS over the coming days to alert them to availability of the grants.

AusNet has announced a grant fund for people impacted by the power outages of 13 February to 22 February.

Picture: AUSNET

From left: Dave Tracy, Bev Bryant, Neville Bryant (President), Richard Bahnsen and Carole Tracy. 395288

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Dynamic duo claim titles

By Tanya Steele

A young talented comedy performer and director/actor turned choreographer have both won in their respective categories at the Lyrebird Awards in March.

Representing the Gemco Community Theatre in Emerald, the theatre did well – walking away with several nominations along with the two awards for the 2020 -2022 season.

Young Lily Calder won in the category for ‘Best Youth Comedy Performer,’ for her role in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and Jasmine O’Shea was awarded a judges award for her choreography in ‘Stepping Out.”

Both seasoned Gemco Players said they were “shocked” but overall very happy to receive their awards and Ms O’Shea said she felt humbled by the judge’s decision.

“It’s a great feeling to even be nominated,” Ms Calder said

“It was initially a bit of a shock, but very grateful to be recognized for the work that went into creating those numbers,” Ms O’Shea said.

Gemco players were nominated across several categories.

Luca Froelich and Matilda Barrot were nominated for ‘Best Youth Performer in a Comedy’.

Maxine Neville for the ‘Best Performer in a Male Role in Comedy’.

Elise D’Amico and Caine Aylen received nominations for the ‘Highly Commended performance in a comedy’.

Diane Jenkins and Ruth Gilmour nominated for ‘Best performer in a Supporting Female Role’.

The Gemco theatre’s social media wished everyone ‘Lots of fun to everyone getting their glam on for the Lyrebird Awards’ on 2 March.

“Looking forward to hearing if you walk away with a shiny award – but most of all looking forward to hearing you had a great time!” the post said.

Ms O’Shea came on board to choreograph for the production ‘Stepping Out’ and said she was a little hesitant at first.

“I hadn’t danced, or in particular tapped for many years – But I was very surprised how quickly things started to come to me once I got the music going and put my shoes on,”

she said.

The dynamic tap routines featured in several points in the show and Ms O’Shea said she worked with her mother Annette O’Shea who was director for the production.

“It was a very, very easy, natural process and the cast made it very easy to choreograph - we had Margie Gemmell playing the piano live,” she said.

Ms Calder said she thoroughly enjoyed the process of performing ‘Much Ado’ especially since she also got to act alongside her mother - making both award winners theatre experiences a family affair.

“It is pretty fun performing with adults and I get along really well with my mum,” she said.

The young actor would like to stretch beyond comedy and take on more dramatic roles and said she would like to “give them a go”.

Both award winners are now busy with new projects and encouraged people of any age to try theatre, Ms Calder is working on something special with her youth drama group and Ms O’Shea is currently directing a youth musical in Morwell.

Burrinja boosted with 25th anniversary funding

More creative workers, community members and visitors are set to enjoy creative programs and events at Burrinja Cultural Centre for years to come, with the Labor Government backing the vibrant community centre on its 25th anniversary.

Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino announced the $50,000 grant to support Burrinja as a drawcard creative destination for artists, the community and visitors to the region – supporting more local jobs and talent.

“Burrinja Cultural Centre is a unique and vibrant creative hub and a drawcard destination for the region and we’re helping Burrinja host more events and programs that support local artists and the whole community,” she said.

The grant will help Burrinja create new, unique creative programs and events and add to its already diverse program of performances, including the launch of a new ‘in residence’ program where creatives from across the state can work and learn on site at Burrinja.

Burrinja Cultural Centre creative director and chief executive officer Gareth Hart said they were thrilled to receive this support from the Victorian Government.

“Our in-residence program is a new program for Burrinja, that will invite professional independent companies from around the state to be in residence at the centre, to create new work with, for and alongside the local community.We are very excited to launch this in 2024,” they said.

The residencies will be on offer to two creative organisations each year – attracting and supporting Victorian talent and bringing to life new artworks.

The centre features multiple gallery spaces, artist studios, a 400-seat theatre, meeting spaces and a world class collection of Indigenous and oceanic art.

Burrinja is a major cultural hub for the Dandenong Ranges, with more than 50,000 people visiting the centre each year to enjoy one of the 400 events on offer annually.

Part of its roster of events is the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios Exhibition, which last year celebrated its 20th year with a program featuring 44 studios and more than 50 artists.

In the months ahead, Burrinja will host performances by The Umbilical Brothers, Eric Bibb, Arj Barker and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow while also opening soon is a survey exhibition of Victorian Printmakers, Not Your Kitchen Lino.

For more information visit burrinja.org.au

Burrinja Board President Dr Elizabeth Dax, Burrinja CEO Gareth Hart, Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino, Creative Industries minister Colin Brooks and artist in residence Leticia Hodson. Picture: SUPPLIED

Jasmine (middle) with cast members Laura Giampiccolo (Left), Mathew Greenaway (right) and Carol McCoy (far right). Pictures: SUPPLIED

Lily with her Mum Kate in ‘Much Ado’.

Help steer the townships

Residents in Sassafras, Ferny Creek and Tremont have been warmly invited to a gathering to meet others, hear about what is happening in their region and give input to forming a Township Group of their own.

The event is on Monday 25 March from 7pm at Sassafras Mechanics Institute with light refreshments available from 6.30pm.

Cr Andrew Fullagar of Streeton Ward says that Sassafras, Ferny Creek and Tremont are amazing communities filled with creativity, rich history, strong environmental principles and advocacy for a better future.

“The people I meet are generous, thoughtful and community minded,” he said.

Township groups are independent community organisations created by and for the community. They will often advocate for local issues, provide a forum for sharing information, lead and support community projects as well as applying for Grants for events and projects.

A newly invigorated group has been recently established for Belgrave and Tecoma and they have plans to support a centenary for Tecoma this year as well as many other projects.

There are also existing township groups in the Hills region in Upwey, Kallista and Kalorama with other groups further afield in Montrose, Kilsyth, Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Mt Evelyn and throughout the Yarra Valley.

There is no representation in Sassafras, Ferny Creek or Tremont and a few locals have been wondering if there is interest.

Each group chooses their area of focus which may include emergency planning, festivals and events, advocacy, markets and much more.

The group is an incorporated association with an elected committee empowered to make decisions and provide leadership in the area.

Yarra Ranges Council provides insurance,

mentoring and a quarterly network where Townships can share ideas and gain funding. For this region you may want to advocate for better telecommunications, for improved response in natural disasters or support events that get people together in the strong community spirit we know exists in the Hills.

If you are interested in bringing your expertise or gaining experience in a new committee,

meeting new people and having input to your community, then this township group could be a great fit.

A new group could be integral to great things happening in the area as well as having a voice in the Sassafras, Ferny Creek and Tremont townships.

Cr Fullagar said he encourages anyone in-

terested in contributing to their region to come along to have a conversation about what matters to them and how they can work together to make things happen.

“I look forward to meeting up on Monday 25 March from 7pm at Sassafras Hall,” he said.

To RSVP and for more information contact : 0412 970 050

The event is on Monday 25 March from 7pm at Sassafras Mechanics Institute with light refreshments available from 6.30pm. Picture: UNSPLASH

Preventing low back pain

We’re all familiar with the age-old adage, ‘Prevention is better than the cure’.

Nowhere does this ring truer than in the realm of low back pain.

Treating back pain can be a complex, difficult and frustrating process - so what can you do to protect your back and minimise the likelihood of injury?

First things first, your back needs to be exercised.

Our spine is tough and robust and loves bending, twisting and lifting.

These things don’t hurt your back, they strengthen your back.

Exercising toughens up the muscles, ligaments and discs of your spine and keeps your back agile and flexible.

Healthy living

Ben Croxford

Physiotherapist, Leads the team at Form & Practice Mount Evelyn and Olinda

The opposite of moving - sitting and other prolonged postures - is literally the worst thing you can do for your back.

We live in the age of computers, TVs, office jobs and cars - so it shouldn’t be a surprise that

Picture:ONFILE

Anne Frank exhibition at show at Belgrave Library

“I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death!... When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived! But, and that’s a big question, will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or a writer?”

Anne Frank wrote these words in April 1944.

Four months later, she and her family were arrested by the Gestapo.

She was later transported from Auschwitz to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where she died in early 1945.

She was only 15.

Anne’s diary was first published in the Netherlands in 1947.

Ten years after that, the Anne Frank Foundation was established to protect the 17th-century house in central Amsterdam where Anne and her family hid from Nazi persecution.

Officially opened in 1960, the Anne Frank House has been receiving over 1.2 million visitors from all over the world each year.

The Anne Frank House’s first international travelling exhibition was launched in 1996 and has been displayed in over 3,500 locations in 77 countries.

In Australia, the organisation has been active since 2000 with travelling exhibitions and educational activities.

The current travelling exhibition“Let Me Be Myself – The Life Story of Anne Frank” has been touring Australia since 2013.

Designed to highlight the contemporary relevance of Anne’s story, the exhibition explores universal themes such as identity and belonging and encourages visitors to consider the following questions:

How do you identify yourself? How do others define you?

What groups do you belong to? How do

PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

others categorise you?

What happens if you are not accepted by others? Where does exclusion start?

What do you know about the struggle against persecution and discrimination?

How do you respond to stories of Anne Frank and other young people who are the victims of war?

To this reviewer, what remains inspiring today is Anne’s optimism and faith in humanity.

Even in the most difficult of times like hers, where “ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality”, she continued to be hopeful: “It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical.

Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.”

“Although I’m only fourteen, I know quite well what I want. I know who is right and who is wrong. I have my opinions, my own ideas and principles, and although it may sound pretty mad from an adolescent, I feel more of a person than a child. I feel quite independent of anyone.”

“Who would ever think that so much went on in the soul of a young girl?”

“Let Me Be Myself – The Life story of Anne Frank” is now on display at Belgrave Library until April 20. Please, bring yourself and the young people in your family to see the exhibition.

statistics suggest back pain is more prevalent now than it has ever been.

There are lots of forms of exercise that help to prevent back pain.

This can include Pilates, strength training and even walking.

However, research suggests that almost every type of exercise out there can reduce the risk of low back pain!

It’s important to remember that if your back is deconditioned or you have a history of injuries and pain, you do need to be careful and build into new exercise routines safely.

Sometimes it is best to get some guidance in the most appropriate and effective ways to exercise.

CARTOON

The risk of developing back pain is also strongly correlated with being overweight, poor diet and low sleep-quality - suggesting to us that maintaining a healthy lifestyle both significantly prevents and treats low back pain.

So, if you really want to look after your back, get out there and get moving!

Ben Croxford is a Physiotherapist and leads the team at Form and Practice Mt Evelyn, Olinda and Chirnside Park.

His writings explore his favourite health topics, challenge common myths and aim to empower you to take control of your own health.

Find out more at formandpractice.com.au

Rose Glass shatters viewer expectations

Love Lies Bleeding

Starring Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian and Ed Harris

Rated MA15+ 4.5/5

Directed by Rose Glass, Love Lies Bleeding is a surreal, genre-bending romantic thriller.

In 1989, Lou (Kristen Stewart), a gym manager, falls in love with Jackie (Katy O’Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder, but the couple are quickly pulled into a criminal underworld.

Stewart cements her status as an enthralling character actor, and the Amazonian O’Brian balances gentleness and vulnerability with growing rage and a slipping hold on reality.

The droning electronic score enhances the seedy atmosphere, and the camerawork frames the human body as sensual and grotesque – sometimes both at once.

Lou and Jackie’s sweet relationship is stretched to breaking point as good intentions go south and the traumatic past Lou tried to escape reasserts itself.

Love Lies Bleeding grips the viewer with an intensely morally grey landscape – psychopaths showing kindness, a blackmailing manic pixie dream girl, love and cruelty coexisting – and a taut plot that tightens unbearably toward the end.

Love Lies Bleeding’s style has Lynchian

notes, with its vibe of heightened reality, moments of body horror and several scenes that pay clear tribute to BlueVelvet and Lost Highway, but still feels fresh and bold, and Ed Harris’s Lou Sr. is like a subtler, more scheming take on Blue Velvet villain Frank Booth.

In 2024, I described Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night as the best David Lynch movie that Lynch didn’t make, and Love Lies Bleeding reveals Glass as another worthy successor to Lynch.

Comparing this with 2024’s other lesbian crime caper, Love Lies Bleeding is more macabre and compelling, and Drive-Away Dolls is lighter, brighter and more fun.

A touching but confronting and extremely tense thriller with dashes of horror and dark comedy, Love Lies Bleeding is playing in select Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

BelgraveLibrarywillbehosttoanAnneFrankexhibition.

By Maria Millers

At the moment followers of two of the Abrahamic religions, Muslims and Christians are in the middle of periods known respectively as Ramadan and Lent, leading up to the religious festivals of Eid and Easter with the practice of fasting integral to both.

Lent is the Christian season of spiritual preparation before Easter.

It begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days, based on the Bible episodes of Jesus’ wilderness testing and his resurrection.

Christian adherence to the strictures of Lent have loosened in our predominantly secular society and celebrations are often merely reduced to ‘getting away’ somewhere and the consumption of chocolate Easter eggs and hot cross buns.

Football matches remain scheduled for Good Friday.

There are however still stricter observances, particularly in relation to fasting, in the Eastern Orthodox churches.

The holy month of Ramadan is a significant time for Muslims worldwide.

It is a time of self-reflection, gratitude, and spiritual awakening.

It is a commemoration of when the first verses of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Muslims eat only before dawn and after dusk, coming together for the evening meal of Iftar.

So what comes to mind when you hear the word fasting?

Maybe you have tried intermittent fasting, so popular with celebrities in the quest for health and beauty or as the latest attempt at losing weight.

Or maybe, you have been to some Northern Beaches hinterland retreat to take part in

WOORILLA WORDS

holistic health with fasting as part of the experience.

And an overnight fast probably meant you were heading in the morning to have your ‘bloods’ tested for medical reasons.

Health professional have long put forward the benefits of letting the body have a rest from the cornucopia of food most of us have available to indulge in.

Of course, we know that for many in the world food security is still a huge issue.

Even in our own affluent country some people are feeling the pressures of the high cost of food, particularly healthy food.

And immediately one cannot but feel for all those in war torn Gaza who are unable to take part in the rituals of Ramadan when there is barely enough food to sustain life and when children are dying from malnutrition.

Our 21st century culture can make us blind to all of this.

Our world is full of distractions as we navigate a lifestyle where we have too much to do and not enough time to reflect.

There are the constant pressures of work, finances, relationships, caring for elderly parents or children.

Then there are the social pressures of what the young call FOMO: keeping up with the

latest podcast, TV show or social media updates.

This fear of missing out can be a distraction and time consuming.

So why is fasting still central to those who take part in Lent and Ramadan?

Fasting is considered a sacred practice across many religions and a way to quieten our minds, increase awareness and at the same time loosen our dependence on material things and turn our thoughts to the spiritual.

Clear the mind and confront issues of importance.

There’s hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness.

We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music.

So wrote the 13th century Persian Sufi poet known as Rumi.

The state of the body impacts the clarity and focus of the mind. Feeding the body pure, healthy foods in general, and periodically allowing it to rest from the tiring work of digestion can profoundly free up energies for awareness to tap into.

Elisabeth Bishop draws attention to the amount of time spent ‘in the planning, purchasing, preparing, eating and cleaning up of meals. ’Fasting is a powerful way to put aside these distractions. It allows us to focus on important things and away from the distracting and mundane.

Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry.

Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen.

This is why fasting is practiced in all religions. And you don’t even have to have a religious “faith.” Just try it sometime, for a day, for half a day, wrestle your way through, and see what happens in you.

May all those participating in the observances of Lent and Ramadan in the lead up to the celebrations of Eid and Easter have a meaningful and enriching experience. There’s hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness.

We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music.

If the brain and belly are burning clean with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.

The fog clears, and new energy makes you run up the steps in front of you.

Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry.

Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen. When you’re full of food and drink, Satan sits where your spirit should, an ugly metal statue in place of the Kaaba.When you fast, good habits gather like friends who want to help.

Fasting is Solomon’s ring. Don’t give it to some illusion and lose your power, but even if you have, if you’ve lost all will and control, they come back when you fast, like soldiers appearing out of the ground, pennants flying above them.

A table descends to your tents, Jesus’ table.

Expect to see it, when you fast, this table spread with other food, better than the broth of cabbages.”

Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (30 September 1207 – 17 December 1273)

No.

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.

ACROSS

1 Australian desert (7)

5 Spectacles (7)

9 Filmed information (11)

10 Miriti palm (3)

11 Pot belly (6)

12 Hinged (7)

14 Passionate (4)

15 Attraction (10)

17 Perspicacious (10)

19 Male elephant (4)

20 Electromotive force (7)

22 Flippancy (6)

25 Fall behind (3)

26 Unwanted (11)

28 Defecate (7)

29 Equal; even – (7)

DOWN

1 Team (4)

2 Car-fixers (9)

3 Boy’s name (5)

4 Uncaringness (11)

5 Indian state (3)

6 Whenever (7)

7 Avoid (5)

8 Absence of motion (10)

12 Reporters (11)

13 American theatrical/musical institution (10)

16 Impartial (9)

18 Rubbing out (7)

21 Sound reasoning (5)

23 Piece of poetry (5)

24 Scottish loch (4)

27 Pass away (3)

DECODER

WORDFIT

3 LETTERS

9-LETTER WORD

Today’s Aim:

15

words: Excellent

4 LETTERS AYES CREW GLEE ICES IONS KEYS OVAL PEST RATS RIOT ROAR SAYS TARS TROT USES

ALONE ALPHA CACTI CLOVE CORPS CYCLE ENACT ESSAY EVADE GEESE HENCE IRONY ISSUE LADEN MATTE MEDAL PEACE PRIOR RACER RENEW RESET ROBIN ROLES SANER SEARS SIRES SNIDE SPLAT STEMS STEWS STYLE TERSE THOSE TONES UNSET VERVE WARDS WASTE

LETTERS EASIER ERECTS SETTER URGING

LETTERS ADAMANT APPEASE CREMATE IMMENSE OMNIBUS SITUATE

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No. 177

No. 177

No. 177

PROPERTY

STORYBOOK SERENITY WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS

STORYBOOK SERENITY, SPECTACULAR VIEWS

DISCOVER the allure of this meticulously maintained, storybook home, perched atop a hill with majestic views of the rural landscape in central Emerald. Boasting a flexible floor plan designed for modern family living, the residence spans over 6500m2 , perfectly positioned to capture the stunning vista.

Externally, the homestead exudes the charm of yesteryear, while inside, character meets contemporary with thoughtful modern improvements.

Ideal for families who value space, the floor plan unfolds with 3 separate living areas. A central lounge, complete with a wet bar and fireplace, provides an inviting space for intimate gatherings. The main lounge showcases soaring high ceilings with exposed beams, an abundance of windows, and a private balcony – the perfect spot for your morning coffee as you watch the sunrise.

The tastefully improved, fully equipped kitchen is both functional and stylish, featuring quality stainless steel appliances, a stone benchtop, ample bench, and cupboard space, sure to impress the family chef. The lower level accommodates two bedrooms, a stunning bathroom with a claw foot bath, and a living area – an ideal retreat for younger family members or a versatile home office space.

The private master bedroom is light-filled, offering His and Her’s walk-in robes and a beautifully renovated ensuite. The final bedroom is spacious and includes a built-in robe. Abundant outdoor entertaining spaces, including a stunning rear deck and alfresco area, provide the perfect setting for both entertaining and unwinding.

Features abound with zoned refrigerated cooling and gas heating, coonara, wine cellar, and picturesque views from most rooms. Manicured lawns and exquisite mature species create a picturesque setting, offering ample space for kids and animals to play. A double remote garage, over-height carport for caravan or boat, sealed driveway, and remote gate adds both convenience and privacy.

The prestigious address is as convenient as it is impressive, neighbouring superb properties on acreage, and within walking distance to Emerald Village, schools, parkland, and public transport. This enchanting storybook home seamlessly blends timeless charm with modern convenience, offering a lifestyle of tranquillity and sophistication in the heart of Emerald. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

Address: 49 Kilvington

Contact: Riley Nicholas 0488

218

STYLISH COUNTRY HOME, STUNNING VIEWS

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,

HOME ESSENTIALS

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!!

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. ●

Address: 52 Patons Road, MACCLESFIELD Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 8 garage

Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032, BELL REAL ESTATE EMERALD

Price: $1,750,000 - $1,900,000 Inspect: By appointment

311-313MainStreetEmerald

1/32EramosaRoadEast,Somerville

$985,000 -$1,080,000

FantasticLocation,Light,Bright &CharmingCalifornianBungalowwithWork FromHomePotential!

With 3bedrooms&2bathroomsinthemainhome,thereisalsothepotentialfora teenageretreat intherenovatedstudiowithupdatedensuite.Thelovelyresidencehas awelcomingdoublefront doorthatopenstotheneutralpaletteofthehome.Thekitchenisequippedwitha 900mmcooktop, 2stainlesssteelovens,anabundanceofstorage &a walkinpantry.Therearetwolivingareas,& a cutelowmaintenance &establishedflatyardtopotterin.Thishomealsofeaturesornateceilings, timbersashwindows,afireplaceinthefrontloungeroom &a baywindowtoenjoyyourfavourite bookon.Thehomealsohaspolishedhardwoodfloors& anairconditioningunit.Thereisalsoa doublelockupgarage, &a covereddeckareaforentertaining.

BethanySullivan

Lot2,25BoydRoad,Gembrook

$850,000 -$920,000

TwoBedroomHomeInGorgeousGembrookonApprox.14Acres

Thisisanopportunitytosecurea primeparcelofflat &gentlyundulatinglandinGembrookwitha home.Thehouseisquaint,with 2bedrooms&1bathroom.Thereis awoodfireheater &electric heaterintheopenplanloungeroomwithvaultedceiling, &thekitchenhasanelectricoven.The homeisconnectedtomainswater,a septictank,& mainselectricity.Thiswouldbetheidealhome toresideinwhileyoubuildyourdreamhome(STCA)or agreatweekender.Thisblockhasbeen developedwithhorsesinmind.Therearemultipleelectricfencedpaddocks, &a horsetrotting trainingtrackthatrunsthroughthisLot2&Lot1.Thereisalsoa4bayshedwithmainswater,a builtin tackroomwithconcretedfloor&awashbay.Thereis asinglecarport &a doublewoodshed/horse shelter.

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

200SoldiersRoad,Beenak

AnOutstandingApprox.9 Acres,withAbundantShedding &a2StoreyHome! Offeringapprox.9 acresofflattogentlyslopinglandwithanareaofbush& thenlargecleared& wellfencedpaddockswithelectricfencing.Thereis aroundyard,&ascenicdam.Thehomeis convenientlylaidout,witha doublecarportatthefrontentry &thena cosywoodfireheaterinthe loungeroom.Thereis abuiltinbarintheloungeroom &theloungehasa vaultedceiling& isopen planwiththekitchen.Thereare 2bedroomsdownstairs,& thefamilybathroom.Upstairsdiscover alargemasterbedroomwithexposedrafters &Julietbalconyoverlookingthewellmaintained paddocks.Externallyis aDLUGwithglassslidingdoors &3 internalrooms,onewitha woodfire heater.There’salsoanouthouse &numerousmiscellaneoussheds &fenceddogyards.Thishome hasmainselectricity& tankwater.

48aBeaconsfield-EmeraldRoad,EmeraldExpressionsofInterest

BeautifulHomeinEmeraldonapprox.23acreswithViews!

Thisoutstanding3 bedroom,3 bathroomhomesituatedonapprox.23Acresoffersgorgeousviews acrossclearedpaddockstoCardiniaReservoir.Thisstoneconstructedhomehas awoodfireheater, acousticstrawboardvaultedceiling,giantwindowssoakingintheview &plentyofnaturallight.The kitchenisvast,with agasstovetop &electricoven, &plentyofbenchspace.Unwindinthesecond loungeroomwithanopenfireplace&astunningstudyarea.Thereisa masterbedroomfeaturinga walkthroughwardrobetotheensuite.Thefurther 2bedroomshaveBIRs& areservicedbya family bathroom.Externallythereisa clearedpaddockwith acentraltreedgully.Thegroundscontaina pizzaoven,a highdoublecarportattachedtothehome, &inthebackyardareais adoublegarage withpower,lights &concretedfloor.Thispropertyhasmainspower,gas& water.

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451 3 A

UNASSUMING ELEGANCE IN GREAT SPOT

PROUDLY positioned and perfectly presented, this charming home oozes character and charm from the moment you arrive. Boasting multiple living areas, stunning views and space for everyone in the family, this home provides the lifestyle and atmosphere you’ve been searching for!

The lounge room, adorned with floor-toceiling windows, offers a breathtaking view and a comforting warmth emanating from the beautiful fireplace. The well-appointed kitchen, boasting stainless steel appliances, overlooks the meals and family area, creating a harmonious flow with spacious living zones just a step away.

The master bedroom is a haven of comfort, featuring a beautifully renovated ensuite and a walk-in robe. Four additional bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned in close proximity to central bathrooms on both floors, ensuring convenience and practicality for the entire household.

The outdoor space is nothing short of breathtaking, with a fantastic alfresco zone surrounded by well-kept lawn and enhanced privacy courtesy of a meticulously designed garden. This outdoor oasis includes a fabulous deck and meandering pathways, creating cosy pockets to relax and unwind. The home is equipped with comprehensive features, including gas ducted heating, split system air-conditioning, and ceiling fans throughout. The property has sealed drive access from Menin Rd with a double remote garage, workshop and multiple storage spaces adds practicality to this charming abode.

Conveniently situated within an easy stroll to Monbulk shops and the Aquatic Centre, as well as Monbulk Primary School and Monbulk Secondary College, this residence also offers easy access to buses heading to Belgrave and Lilydale stations. Key features include a stunning outdoor area, beautiful decked living space, spacious entertaining areas for gatherings, and efficient heating and cooling systems. Experience the perfect blend of

54

49

4

510

2

2

“THE PENTHOUSE”- TRANQUIL GETAWAY

WITH breathtaking Million Dollar views that stretch out all the way to Arthur’s Seat and Port Philip Bay this property really gives you a warm welcoming homey feel that makes you never want to leave.

A private tranquil getaway located in one of the best pockets of the Dandenong Ranges with a vast amount of natural sunlight throughout.

Comprising of 3 good size bedrooms all with robing, 2 bright and beautifully presented bathrooms one with jacuzzi soaker tub, modern kitchen with gas appliances, spacious soft close draws, plenty of storage space, stone bench tops and dishwasher which seamlessly flows

onto a generous dining area and large living area opening up onto the deck with amazing views.

Features include recently upgraded ducted heating, x2 split systems, great sized fully fenced back yard with outdoor entertaining area offering plenty of potential and incredible views from the south facing deck which includes many sightings of colourful birds flying past and incredible sunsets in the backdrop.

Set in a great location being within 5 min from Upwey Township, Upwey Train Station, Glenfern Valley Bushlands, Upwey South Primary, Upwey Primary and Upwey High School. ●

8TosariRoad,KALORAMA

$395,000Asking

Thisparceloflandoffers agenerous5,241sqm(approx.)ofspacetosetyourpropertyplans inmotion(STCA).Theperfectplacefor anewpicturesqueHillshome,thisenticingblockis anopportunitynottobemissed.Planyourviewingtoday.

SuzieBrannelly

M 0490506910| E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

2/1468BurwoodHighway,UPWEY

2 A 1 B 1 C

ThiscontemporaryhomeintheheartofUpweyistheperfectfindinthispicturesquesuburb. Withfewfreestandingunitsinthearea,thisdelightfulpropertyistheidealinvestment. Situatedinanexclusivepocketofonly 3homes,thispropertyisimmediatelymemorable. Thetimelessweatherboardexteriorwithsinglegarageandcoveredentryevokes awarm andwelcomingfeel.

BradConder

M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

Whetheryouarea firsttimehomebuyeroraninvestorsearchingfortheidealenhancement ofyourpropertyportfolio,thisunittickstheboxesof abrilliantinvestment.Offeringaneasy-

RachelEastwood

97546888

1689BurwoodHighway,BelgraveVIC3160

www.chandlerandco.com.au office@chandlerandco.com.au

Factory Hands (Bayswater) and Nursery Workers (Mt Evelyn)

No experience necessary. Knoxbrooke offers supported employment for adults with a disability within a welcoming social enterprise setting.

Both part-time and full-time positions available now! Eligibility criteria applies (NDIS plan, eligible for DSP)

Interested?

Join Knoxbrooke’s Open Day March 22nd 10am Unit 31 / 885 Mountain Highway Bayswater. All welcome.

Boronia’s

Boronia’s Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) has had a makeover thanks to the joint partnership of the State Government and the community health provider itself.

The Victorian Government’s Suburban Revitalisation Board put $100,000 towards the project which was completed late last year.

Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor, representing suburbs minister Sonya Kilkenny, joined residents and business leaders at the newly revitalised Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) centre in Boronia on Friday 15 March, to celebrate the opening of the new community garden, food pantry and unveil a large reconciliation artwork on the façade of the building.

The $145,000 facility upgrades deliver better open spaces for supporting community connectivity, food relief for local families and celebration of the suburb’s rich diversity.

“This project will provide locals opportunity to get involved in growing their own food and help bring all residents together,” Mr Taylor said as chair of the Boronia Suburban Revitalisation Board.

“We will continue to explore further opportunities to co-invest in projects that meet the needs and aspirations of local communities not just in Boronia, but across our great city and its suburbs.”

Since 2016, the Boronia team has been providing crucial mental health support, financial counselling, and wellbeing services to the local community.

EACH chief executive officer Natalie Sullivan said that the upgrades aren’t just about the look of the site; it’s about transforming it into a more welcoming, safe, community hub for all.

“I am immensely proud of the transformation that EACH Boronia has undergone thanks to the funding and collaboration with the Boronia Suburban Revitalisation Board, “ Natalie said.

“Together, we are fostering a stronger, healthier, and more connected community, reflecting our commitment to provide a space where everyone feels valued and supported.”

A new community vegetable garden with three veggie boxes was installed along Boronia Road, alongside a 24/7 food pantry to give access to food for people facing hardship.

Boronia Road has also become more colourful with EACH’s Reconciliation artwork by Jack and Uncle Rocco Langton, prominently

displayed on the upper exterior facade of the building.

Blessed by local Elders Aunty Julieanne Axford and Aunty Gail Smith from the Wurundjeri Council, the artwork serves as a beacon, inspiring all of us to embrace strength and bravery on our journey toward reconciliation.

“As EACH celebrates its 50th year in community health, the revitalisation project and the changes made stand as our ongoing commitment to serve the Boronia community and

the evolving needs of the community for another 50 years and beyond,” Natalie said.

On the advice of the Boronia Suburban Revitalisation Board, the State Government has provided approximately $3.8 million towards 25 projects in Boronia since 2020.

The Suburban Revitalisation Program is supported by the Office for Suburban Development – all projects are undertaken in partnership and collaboration with local government, businesses, service providers and community.

EACH chief executive officer Natalie Sullivan, Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor and EACH staff member Debbie at the refreshed Boronia facility. Picture:

Tigers take game one with Orioles

By Sean Talbot

The Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers took Game

One of their best-of-three series against the Blackburn Orioles 2-0 on Tuesday night at Robert Booth Reserve, Dandenong as both teams battle it out for a spot in the Grand Final series which kicks off next week.

With both clubs sending their aces to the mound for the contest, Blackburn with American import Michael Cabeza and Upwey with Jarrod Turner, runs promised to be hard to come by as two of the leagues best squared off. Upwey struck first in the bottom of the first inning, as Wade McConnon laced a oneout single to center field before coming all the way round to score on Jordan Elliott’s double down the right field line before Cabeza settled to close out the innings. Blackburn immediately looked to counterpunch, as veteran leadoff hitter Andy Tierney drew a walk and was sacrificed to second base by Ryan Berg, however Turner came back with a strikeout and a groundball to quickly work himself out of danger.

Upwey were unable to add a run in the top of the second, with Harvey Chinn drawing a one-out walk but unfortunately being unable to be advanced beyond first base, though the Upwey hitters were looking to make Cabeza work hard for his outs and he appeared to be battling some control issues with his off-speed pitches. Turner made short work of the Orioles in the bottom of the second, surviving a hard hit ball off the bat of Hayden Dingle that found the glove of skipper D Hendricks in right field before adding a pair of strikeouts to work a 1-23 inning. Upwey again put pressure on Cabeza in the top of the third inning as Pete Schroeders led off with a running bunt, but back-toback fielder’s choices saw Jordan Elliott still at first base with two out. J Hendricks lined a ball to left field that Upwey looked to send Elliott home to score, however a textbook 7-6-2 relay play snuffed out any hopes of Upwey’s second run of the game and meant the end of the inning. Turner rebutted in the bottom half with another 1-2-3 inning, pairing a strikeout with two groundballs, needing only 9 pitches to be in and out.

Upwey came out in the top of the 4th again looking to put pressure on Cabeza, who left a 1-0 fastball to Jack Ratcliffe catch too much of the plate which the teenage sensation tattooed for a missile over the left-center wall for a solo home run, pushing the score to 2-0 in favor of Upwey.To his credit, Cabeza came back and recorded two outs to escape the inning, however Upwey were beginning to hit the ball harder and their outs were becoming louder which appeared to begin to unnerve Blackburn’s star import. Turner again gave the Orioles no chance to get settled, this time needing only seven pitches to record a strikeout, a groundball and a pop-up to McConnon at shortstop for his third consecutive 1-2-3 inning.

The Tigers took their fifth turn at bat still looking to apply pressure to the Oriole defense, and a brilliant play by Blackburn third baseman Ryan Berg was the only thing that prevented Nick Rice from leading off with a bunt single. Schroeders was drilled with a one-out, first pitch fastball to give Upwey yet another baserunner, however two flyballs were not enough to advance Upwey’s veteran leadoff hitter as Cabeza was able to work his way out of danger to end the inning. Looking to give Blackburn no ability to feel comfortable or get settled, Turner continued to pound the strike zone in the bottom of the 5th, quickly recording two ground outs before striking out Nick Rossell to end the frame.

Cabeza would only last one more hitter in his appearance before Andy Jones was called in from the bullpen for Blackburn, ending Cabeza’s day after 5 1/3 innings in which he surrendered 5 hits, 1 walk and 1 hit batter while giving up 2 runs (2 earned). Jones was able to quickly set his tempo, striking out the first two hitters he faced to end the inning. Blackburn looked to have a real chance at breaking onto

the scoreboard in the bottom half of the 6th, as 9-hole hitter Taichi Nagano and Tierney worked back-to-back walks to give the Orioles a runner in scoring position for the first time all game, however Turner, as he has been one to do all season, found a way out of the jam, striking out Berg and Leslie to leave the runners stranded and Blackburn again off the scoreboard.

With the change of pitcher from the right handed Cabeza to left handed Jones, Randy Senn was called upon to pinch hit for Chinn and promptly lined the first pitch he saw to right field before giving way to teenage speedster Ryder Wilson in a pinch hitter role. Staci Rogers laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Wilson to second base, and a Rice fly ball behind first base in foul territory that drew Tierney over to make the play allowed Wilson to scamper to third, however Upwey were unable to convert the chance, as Jones was able to force a ground ball back to himself to escape the jam. Turner continued his dominance over Blackburn, again setting the Orioles down in order with a groundball off the bat of Chase Hodgkinson before a pair of strikeouts quickly ended the frame.

Looking to create further chances for themselves, Upwey again threatened in the top of the 8th inning as Elliott drew a one-out walk before D Hendricks reached first after a pass ball on a strikeout, a play which also allowed the fleet footed Elliott to advance to third on the same play, however a deep fly ball from the next hitter did not find grass and Upwey were unfortunately unable to increase their lead. Becoming desperate to generate some offensive pressure, Blackburn were again turned away in turn by Turner, who recorded a pair of strikeouts before getting Nagano to weakly fly out in foul territory to end the frame.

Heading into the top of the 9th, Upwey again looked to give Turner more of a buffer, however Jones continued to apply the screws to the Upwey hitters, recording two

Juniors advised to think safety

Parents and local athletes are being advised to consider oral and general health safety as the 2024 rugby and football seasons approach with data suggesting only 36 per cent of Australians wear a mouthguard when playing contact sport, and even fewer wear a mouthguard during training.

Players who don’t wear mouthguards risk sustaining serious injuries such as fractured teeth, broken jaws and serious cuts to the tongue and lips. Oral injuries to children in particular are of concerns as these injuries can affect their speech and nutrition.

Bupa Dental head dentist Dr Cathryn Madden said custom fitted mouthguards can give parents and players valuable piece of mind while ensuring kids can get the most out of their sporting experience.

“Players who participate in contact sports are at higher risk of sustaining potentially preventable injuries when opting for over the counter, boil and bite mouthguards which are more likely to be dislodged during a game,” Cathryn said.

“Getting fitted for a mouthguard by your friendly local dentist will ensure you have protection that is high-quality, fitted to your unique mouth and is comfortable to play in.”

They minimise risk of injury to your teeth, gums and jaw and come in a variety of designs and colours.

“If you fitted your child with a mouthguard at the dentist last year, don’t assume it will still be suitable in 2024 as a child’s mouth can grow and change shape over time… particularly as they lose or develop new teeth,” Cathryn said.

more strikeouts before inducing a flyball out to Koetsu Sakamoto in right field for the third out of the inning. Looking to finish what he had started and slam the door shut on Blackburn, Turner took to the mound again, getting Tierney to fly out to Ratcliffe on a play that required latter to cover a lot of ground and take a terrific over the shoulder catch. Turner struck out Berg to record the second out, but a twoout, two-strike, broken bat single into shallow left field off the bat of Leslie not only extended the inning to give Blackburn hope but ended what had been up to that point a no-hitter, an extremely rare feat in baseball, not to mention in a game of so much pressure. Undeterred by the lost chance of making history, Turner got Hodgkinson to roll over on a ball to Rogers at third, who tagged an overly aggressive Leslie who took off on contact to end the game, securing a 2-0 win for Upwey, a 1-0 series lead in the best of three and finishing Turner’s one-hit shutout masterpiece.

Schroeders, Wade McConnon, Elliott, J Hendricks, Ratcliffe and Senn all recorded one hit each for the Tigers, with Ratcliffe picking up 1 RBI with his solo home run and Elliott 1 RBI on his double in the first inning. Turner as mentioned was absolutely brilliant, someone finding another gear in what has already arguably been his best season to date, going the distance and throwing all 9 innings, surrendering just the one hit and three walks to go along with 13 strikeouts.

The Tigers will look to carry their momentum into Game Two on Saturday afternoon which will be played at the Orioles home of Billabong Park, with Game Three at Kings Park in front of the Tigers home crowd if need be, however Upwey will be doing everything in their power to ensure the series does not make it to the Tiger Dome as they look to end the Orioles season and chalk up their first win at Billabong Park this season after two tough losses earlier in the regular season.

The ultimate mouthguard, but an American football helmet is no use for footy or rugby league.

Tigers starting pitcher Jarrod Turner.

Picture: ADAM BATTYE

May the 4ths be with them

By Aaron Gillard

This weekend ended up being the last weekend of the Monbulk Cricket Club for season 2023/2024.

The ones and twos unfortunately fell short in their respective Preliminary and Grand Finals.

The ones had an uphill battle after South Belgrave made 9/406 batting first. Pick of the bowlers were Aaron Powell 4/112 and Duncan Maher 3/121 who have both had amazing seasons with the ball, taking 28 and 37 wickets.

The ones had a great season nonetheless, exceeding expectations after blooding lots of young talent and giving them an extended crack at 1st XI cricket.

The twos unfortunately fell short in their grand final against Eildon Park. Chasing 264, and after Sam Blenkiron took 4/40 to turn the game around, Monny couldn’t quite reach the target, falling 27 runs short.

Jason Fraser anchored the innings with 88, but unfortunately a couple of injuries to a couple of batsman during the run chase stopped momentum and they couldn’t quite recover.

They have had a great year, finishing top of the ladder, and will be looking to go one step further next season.

Congratulations to the 4th XI for taking out the Community 3 Premiership!

The 4th XI had an amazing win, winning their second flag in a row, becoming back-toback premiers!

A team made up of six under 18’s and bunch of old boys including five past junior coaches and five life members.

Steve Hopper laid the foundations with a fantastic 51, while skipper Craig Mackay 23, and Michael Adams 20 added handy runs. With the ball, Michael Adams took 4/32, while Nick Heron and Chris Defina both took two wickets!

It was a memorable finish with Jacob Defina hitting the winning runs while batting with old man Chris Defina!

Up-coming events:

· Working bee - next Saturday 23 March

· Junior Presentation - Sunday 24 March

· Senior Presentation - Friday 5 April

Scores:

· 1st XI: Monbulk 10/283 (S. Cosstick 92, L. McIntosh 43, J. Fenby 27) def by South Belgrave 9/406 (A. Powell 4/112, D. Maher 3/121)

· 2nd XI: Monbulk 10/237 (J. Fraser 88, B. Hooker 32, B. Trinnick 26) def by Eildon Park 10/264 (S. Blenkiron 4/40, D. Cleary 2/57)

· 4th XI: Monbulk 6/171 (S. Hooper 51, C. Mackay 23, M. Adams 20) def Upper Ferntree Gully 10/169 (M. Adams 4/32, N. Heron 2/44, C. Defina 2/25)

· Super 7s: Monbulk Maroon 53 (P. Silver 7, C. Selby 3*) vs Upwey Tecoma 134 (E. Phyland 1/9)

· Super 7s: Monbulk Gold 55 (H. Robb 3*) vs Emerald 89 (M. Phyland 1/6)

Celebration round for little athletes enjoyed by all

By Jamie Strudley

The final round of athletics action for Yarra Ranges’ Little Athletics club members, celebration round, was an opportunity for parents to join in the fun. Our little athletics athletes thrived on the chance to beat mum and/or dad in their running, jumping and throwing events.

There was plenty of encouragement from around the track and undoubtedly sore bodies afterwards. The level of laughter, smiles and friendly banter was fun to see and hear.

Next weekend is the presentation morning for our little athletics athletes. Check emails and socials for the schedule.

Carolyn Rosenbrock continued her fine run of form this summer taking out the Victoria Masters 3000m track walk title, recording 16.43.96. Carolyn also took out the 1500m walk in 8.09.99

Ash Almond had a big weekend at the Masters championships. Competing in the 30-34 age group, Ash took gold in Hammer (24.99m), Javelin (48.11m) and 110 Hurdles (22.22) and silver in High Jump (1.45m) and Discus (29.75m).

Jared Byrne and Max Savill-Bentley competed in the Wangaratta Marathon. Max finishing fourth in a smart 2 hours 47.32 minutes, Jared in 5th running 2 hours 51.37.

We had six athletes competing at the final Vic Milers event for the season. Zoe Clarke chased hard over 800m to record 2.21.53. Kristina Nackovski had one of her best runs of the season to record 2.34.43.

Pete Nackovski and Craig Hewitson went head to head in the opening 800m race of the evening, Pete running 2.20.6 and Craig 2.31.9.

Brigette Rice returned to racing over

reg-

1500m running 4.50.66 while Harry Norman ran a solid 3.51.23 in the Men’s A race. Cross country training for under 12yo’s will start up on Tuesday evenings in April, enjoy the rest! Seniors training (13yo plus) is on Tuesday and Thursday from 5.30pm

at Morrison Reserve. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability. Go to www.lavic.com.au or www.athsvic. org.au or email info@yarrarangesathletics. org.au for information about events and

istration. Cross Country is coming! For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org. au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!

Under 11s little athletes competed against their parents in the final round of the season.

Picture: SUPPLED

Monbulk 4th XI premiership team. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Jacob Defina and his Dad Chris Defina embracing after Jacob hit the winning runs.

Adelaide

Hawthorn

Sydney

Western

Richmond