Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 2nd April 2024

Joy’s

By Mikayla van Loon

A

The $57 million Big Housing Build project on Lusher Road was one of the first to be funded by the State Government, with Community Housing Limited (CHL) delivering the 137-home complex.

Offering one, two, three and four bedroom units, the housing development has seen 60 of the expected 250 residents find safe, secure and comfortable permanent living conditions.

Joy, who moved into her one-bedroom apartment in December, said “I call it my little piece of paradise”.

“I get up in the morning and pull up the blinds and it’s just magnificent. It’s just perfect. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful and it smells nice,” she said.

“Even sitting at the front, people will pass and say ‘good morning, g’day, how are you going?’. Now for a solo person that means a lot because you may not see anybody for a week. So it’s nice to have people say g’day.”

Having previously lived in another CHL unit further away, Joy said it was hard for her to travel to see her family who live in the east.

“When I had the opportunity to come here it was because my oldest son was about 40 minutes away [which means] I get to see a lot more of him and my beautiful grandchildren,” she said.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve been able to go and look after my granddaughter for a couple of days.

“I’m going to see my grandson’s presentation at basketball, things I was missing out on because I was so far away. It was too hard to get to them and get home again depending on the traffic.”

joy

Reliant mostly on public transport, Joy said having access to a train and bus station within walking distance will make all the difference to her ability to spend more time with her family - the most important reason for wanting to move.

Bursting into tears when she took the phone call letting her know she would be moving to Croydon, Joy said she was somewhat embarrassed but the emotion of knowing what it would mean for her was overwhelming.

Knowing the eastern suburbs from previously living and working in the region, Joy said she was pleased to be back walking Main Street, feeling part of the community and shopping at the European grocer.

CHLVictorian state manager Grant McNeill said expanding social housing offerings in the eastern suburbs has been a key focus for the not-for-profit.

“We’ve started here in the eastern suburbs and one of the challenges for us is we have very few social housing properties,” he said.

“It’s a difficult area to work in but we really wanted to focus on the eastern region when the Big Housing Build came along and this was the first opportunity in Croydon.”

Continued page 3

CHL’s Grant McNeill and Lisa May, north-eastern MP Sonja Terpstra, Housing Minister Harriet Shing, CHL deputy CEO Danny Dracic with resident Joy and son Shane. 398364 Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

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Joy’s dream home

By Mikayla van Loon

From page 1

With two further multi-unit developments to be delivered in Croydon and Mooroolbark, Mr McNeill said “it’s going to make a huge difference”.

An important aspect of this housing development, Mr McNeill said, was working with local homelessness services to provide permanent housing for those living in transitional accommodation.

“There’s very few opportunities to move through the system. So the first 20 allocations in this facility were from transitional housing,” he said.

“So not only is it providing housing for people who’ve been homeless and had social disadvantage through housing, but that means we’ve now got 20 vacancies in the transitional housing system.

“If we can keep a steady growth over a long period of time, we’re going to start to have some serious impact on general housing needs, which we know is quite acute.”

Housing Minister Harriet Shing visited the complex on Tuesday 26 March and said it was these types of developments that would help the State Government reach its “ambitious but achievable” housing targets over coming years.

“When we think about Melbourne’s population over the coming decades becoming the same as London’s by 2050, we know it’s about building up and out,” Ms Shing said.

The housing statement released in September last year put forward a target of 800,000 homes to be built over the next decade.

The Big Housing Build and regional housing funds have put $6.3 billion towards the building of more than 14,000 new homes.

Ms Shing said all levels of government, the community housing sector and developers need “to take advantage of vacant land close to amenities” especially in the east and deliver “new housing that is a mixed tenure…from the social housing and affordable housing framework right through to private rentals and owner occupiers”.

“We can have the smaller infill developments through community housing partnerships, that means people can live in a variety of different suburbs in a range of different ways, whether that’s a small subdivided block with single bedroom units on it or a large scale development like this,” the minister said

“It will take a number of different configurations to address the need we have and to make the best use of the land that is available.”

North-eastern metropolitan region MP Sonja Terpstra said taking a site that hadn’t been touched for quite some time in the heart of Croydon was an opportunity not to be missed.

“Everyone’s really happy because this site was disused for such a long period of time and has been an eyesore. It made people feel like it was unsafe,” she said.

“So when it was announced this was going to be for housing, it was welcomed by residents and they were saying ‘we want to breathe life

back into our street’.”

Improving existing public and social housing stock, Ms Shing said would be an essential part of the equation.

This caused some contention in parliament with the Greens gaining support from the crossbench last week to launch an inquiry into

the demolition and reconstruction of 44 public housing towers in Melbourne, which has also been the subject of a class action.

The next social housing projects to be delivered in the area include developments on Bellara Drive and Maroondah Highway in Croydon, as well as Bourke Street in Ringwood.

IN BRIEF

Montrose memorial damaged

With only three weeks to go before Anzac services take place, Mooroolbark Police are investigating damage to the marble obelisk at the Montrose War Memorial.

Investigators believe the tag ‘SOBAR’ was written in permanent marker on the obelisk sometime between 27 and 28 March.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators in identifying the tag is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an anonymous online report at crimestoppersvic.com.au and quote incident number 240124666.

Croydon house fire

Firefighters were called to a fully involved house fire in the early hours of Monday 1 April.

Triple 000 received two calls for a house fire on Ruskin Avenue Croydon.

Fire RescueVictoria arrived on scene within four minutes to find a weatherboard house fully alight.

It require five pumpers and 30 firefighters, with a rescue crew and aerial unit also on site.

All occupants had evacuated safely.

FRV crews donned breathing apparatus to enable access to the property and attack the fire.

The fire was deemed under control by 3.38am but the cause is not yet known.

Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were on scene assisting.

Car fire on Hull Road

Fire crews were called to a car well alight on Hull Road in Mooroolbark on Tuesday 26 March.

Mooroolbark CFA responded to the car fire and quickly extinguished the blaze before it could spread to nearby shrubs and grass.

“We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing community for your incredible support,” the brigade said on social media.

“Your willingness to pull over and clear the roads during peak traffic allowed our firefighters to reach the scene quickly and ensure everyone’s safety. Your cooperation is invaluable and greatly appreciated.”

The blue Mazda sedan was completely destroyed in the fire.

Fire RescueVictoria, police and paramedics were also on scene to assist with the fire.

Lusher Road Croydon resident Joy and Housing Minister Harriet Shing. 398364

The social housing development was one of the biggest to be funded by the Big Housing Build. 398364

Joy loves her new home, so close to everything in town and especially her family. 398364

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New green wedge pledge

By Callum Ludwig

The Victorian Government has released a Green Wedge and Agricultural Land Action Plan to complement last year’sVictorian Housing Statement in a bid to outline how the green wedges and agricultural land on the outskirts of Melbourne will be preserved.

The plan will aim to protect the state’s food supply, cultural heritage sites, water catchments, conservation areas and quarries while setting the framework to allow for the growing population of the city, expected to hit between 8 million in the 2050s, almost the current population of London.

“From our iconic wine regions to market gardens, our green wedges contribute not only to our economy but make Melbourne one of the best cities in the world to call home,” said Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny.

“More housing doesn’t have to come at the expense of our green wedges – that’s why we’re providing better permanent protection for these areas against over-development.”

The plan has set out 20 actions related to setting tighter controls, protecting the ‘food bowl’, planning for future farming and securing the right to farm while also allowing for smarter land use and stronger protections.

The ‘food bowl’ around the fringes of Melbourne currently supplies 41 per cent of the state’s food needs, including 80 per cent of vegetables, but without action, it could shrink to 18 per cent by the 2050s, according to the findings of the Foodprint Melbourne project in 2016.

To protect the food bowl, theVictorian Government is going to implement a new planning scheme overlay to protect key irrigated agricultural areas (including developing criteria to guide it), explore opportunities for water authorities to share their views on planning permits in areas with a current or planned recycled water supply and develop a new regional policy to preserve futures opportunities for agricultural irrigation.

Protecting future farming in fringe areas relatively close to the city like the Yarra Ranges is also a priority, with agricultural policy set to be updated to protect agricultural land within 100km of Melbourne and developing a Planning Practice Note to better guide councils in assessing planning permit applications in agricultural areas.

The ‘agent of change’ principle will be expanded with the 100km around Melbourne and making the permit applicant responsible for mitigating impacts of agricultural operations with sensitive uses to protect the right to

farm, including updating the Planning Policy Framework to encourage ‘appropriate siting, design and scale’ of these uses in the 100km zone.

More updates to policy will be put in place to implement stronger protections;

Planning Practice Note 31 ‘Preparing a Green Wedge Management Plan’ will be updated to better direct green wedge planning locally,

Planning policy will be updated to emphasise the ‘non-urban values, purpose and character’ of green wedges,

A new Planning Practice Note will be developed for urban-rural interface areas like the Yarra Ranges to manage land use pressures and permanent growth.

To make smarter use of the land in the outskirts of Melbourne, planning decision guide-

lines and application requirements will be updated for green wedge zones, a pilot program carrying out mandatory site coverage, setbacks and building heights for discretionary uses in green wedge zones will be tested and the plan will try to increase flexibility to allow for primary production and farm gate sales.

In tightening controls, new data centres in the Green Wedge Zone, Green Wedge A Zone and the Rural Conservation Zone and subdivision of small lots below the minimum lot size in some areas of the 100km zone will be prohibited, new conditions will be put in place for exhibition centres, group accommodation and hotels in green wedge zones, connections between host farm accommodation and operating agricultural properties will be encouraged and strengthened, a new permit trigger for soil dumping (clean fill) will be implemented and a new land use term for ‘community hall’ will

be adopted.

All 20 actions through the plan are expected to be implemented in either the short (within the first year) or medium term (within three years) of the plan being released.

Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures at Yarra Ranges Council Kath McClusky said council officers are currently reviewing the actions in the State Government’s Green Wedge Management Plan.

“The Department of Transport and Planning has advised that there will be further opportunities for council to provide input into how the actions are implemented,” she said.

“From an initial review, the actions don’t appear to address some key issues affecting the Yarra Ranges Green Wedge including seasonal workers’ accommodation, small second dwellings, earthworks and the future of nonagricultural land uses.”

Debate rumbles on for religious discrimination laws

By Callum Ludwig

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) had its ‘Maximising the Realisation of Human Rights: Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws’ report tabled by Attorney General Mark Dreyfus in Federal Parliament on Thursday 21 March, in response to continued debate among politicians about the religious freedoms of schools and institutions while not breaching sex discrimination laws.

The ALRC recommended that religious schools and institutions can continue to prefer to employ a person of the same religion where it is ‘reasonably necessary and proportionate’ to building a ‘community of faith’ but may not discriminate against staff or students based on attributes protected in the Sex Discrimination Act (SDA).

“For the law to narrow the circumstances in which it is lawful for religious schools to discriminate against students and staff whilst preserving their capacity to maintain a community of faith, manages the intersection of human rights according to the international law obligations Australia is obliged to respect,” said ALR President Justice Mordecai Bromberg.

Under current Federal Law, schools are able to discriminate against staff and students based on their sexual orientation, pregnancy or marital status, though most

state and territory governments already have laws in place regarding this. Victoria amended the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 in 2022 to prevent religious schools and bodies from discriminating against people based on the above.

The ALRC report is expected to reignite the push for a new Religious Discrimination Act and amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act, though Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Government have called for bipartisan support from the Coalition to pass the reforms and avoid a ‘culture war’.

The Religious Discrimination Bill 2022 that was first introduced by the former Morrison Government in 2022 before being passed by the lower house the next year was shelved

due to concerns from religious school organisations that it didn’t go far enough, while others were also concerned the bill wouldn’t protect transgender kids from expulsion based on their identity.

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus issued a statement following the release of the report to state that the government would seek to enhance protections in anti-discrimination law in a way that brings Australians together.

“The Australian Law Reform Commission’s report tabled today is not a report from the Government. It is advice to the Government, and we will continue to consider it,” he said.

The Australian Human Rights Commission, Equality Australia, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Law Council of Australia are among those who have come out in support of the ALRC’s recommendations; while the National Catholic Education Commission, the Australian Christian Lobby, Christian Schools Australia have all come out against them. The Executive Council of Australia Jewry, the Australian Sikh Association and the Australian National Imams Council have all come out backing the search for a ‘fair’ solution, compromise and ‘striking the right balance’.

Casey MP Aaron Violi is a proud alumni of a local Catholic school, Mount Lilydale Mercy College, one of 13 Mercy Education schools in the country inspired by Catherine

McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy.

“No one in Australia should be discriminated against based on their race, religion, sexuality, identity, disability, age or otherwise,” Mr Violi said.

“I have engaged with many religious school leaders in our community over the past year and heard their concerns around protecting choice in education.”

Shadow Attorney General Michaelia Cash was provided Labor’s draft bills, which haven’t been released publicly, and released a statement on Monday 25 March criticising the ‘strict conditions’ imposed on the Coalition, such as preventing them from distributing it to third parties, and the ‘lack of transparency in not releasing them publicly or calling for an inquiry.

“My own experience at Mount Lilydale Mercy College has led to my fundamental belief that parents should have choice in education, whether they’re choosing a school on religious grounds, for its sporting achievements, for its great reputation in the arts or similar, it is so important that Australian families have choice in education,” Mr Violi said.

“There appears to be substantial changes to the religious discrimination legislation that was introduced by the Coalition in 2021, so we are giving those changes the scrutiny they require.”

Attorney-General of Australia Mark Dreyfus said the ALRC recommendations are still to be considered. Picture: ON FILE

Tighter protections for agricultural land will be implemented as part of the Green Wedge and Agricultural Land Action Plan. Picture: ON FILE

Planned burns concerns

By Dongyun Kwon

Community members are worried about the impact of planned burns in Kinglake.

Kinglake Friends of the Forest (KFF) has intensively surveyed four patches of forest in Kinglake, covered the 60-hectare areas of the 500 hectares, originally scheduled to be burnt on Saturday 23 March, which is now postponed.

The survey found 343 hollow bearing trees, 133 trees with basal scars and patches of threatened plant species, Goodia pubescens, along with 21 detections of Greater Gliders, 13 on one night alone, in the area.

KFF president Sue McKinnon said she is concerned about the impact of the planned burns on the local environment.

“We’ve had 21 detections of Greater Gliders. They are endangered species and are totally dependent on hollows,” she said.

“When a planned burn comes through, hollow bearing trees are 20 times more likely to collapse, so we’re going to lose Greater Gliders either from the direct impact of the fire or loss of their hollow bearing trees.

“It’ll also create a smoke problem for the community and smoke is very dangerous. A lot of people don’t realise how dangerous wood smoke is.”

KFF members walked around the planned burns scheduled area to detect the animals and plants.

“We went walking at night and we had a GPS device on us and when we found Greater Gliders, we took a video of the animal plus the GPS device to prove that the animal was in that location,” Ms McKinnon said.

“We have sent a full report of all of this to Forest Fire ManagementVictoria and have told them all the gliders, hollow bearing trees and threatened plant species are in the area and also all our concerns related to the burns.”

This year, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) has prepared 33 planned burns totalling 4,597 hectares for ignition across Greater Melbourne.

FFMVIC deputy chief fire officer Aaron Kennedy said planned burning is an important part of our year-round bushfire risk management work to protect life, property and the environment.

“Without planned burning and other bushfire risk management works, bushfires will be larger and more difficult for our firefighters to control,” he said.

“Wildlife and the environment are an important consideration in our planned burning program. Specialist staff assess each potential burn site for biodiversity values and develop plans to protect them.”

FFMVic is made up of skilled and experienced staff from Victorian fire and land management agencies and works with emergency sector partners including the Country Fire Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria and Emergency Management Victoria to manage bushfire risk, prepare communities and respond to bushfires and other emergencies.

It also works with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed, and will only carry out burns when the conditions are suitable, and it is safe to do so.

KFF invited a fire behaviour scientist Phillip Zylstra to discuss the planned burns.

Curtin University adjunct associate professor Phil Zylstra said planned burns help mitigate bushfire risk in the short term but it doesn’t in the long term.

“You burn away the grass and the leaves on the ground and some of the lower plants and you’ll scotch some of the taller plants. For a year or two after you burn, you have bare ground and that’s what FFMVic is aiming for and that’s the value of the burn,” he said.

“The longer term effect is the grass grows back very quickly and often faster because when you create an ash bed, you’re putting a whole lot of nutrients there, which is like fertilizing the soil.

“So the short term effect is that you create a bare ground which makes it easier to control fires but the long term effect that lasts a few decades after is that you have a lot of very dense regrowth which makes it much harder to fight fires.”

Adj Assoc Prof Zylstra said forests have ways

of coping with fire by themselves.

“Forests have survived with fire for many millions of years and they had so many fire sensitive species that survived through all of that time,” he said.

“In the past, Aboriginal fire use was very small and very localised. It wasn’t focused on burning huge areas of the landscape.

“Forests don’t really need us to save them from the fire. What we’re doing, when we burn them, is we’re actually stepping in there and messing up the natural processes that would control fire.

“If we don’t burn the forest and don’t disturb it, plants would get taller and those taller plants are less likely to be burnt as fuel because flames are down on the ground and taller plants are actually slowing the wind underneath them that slows the fire down.”

Adj Assoc Prof Zylstra said planned burns disturb the forests to get less flammable.

“Plants can either feed a fire but if they’re small and close to the ground or they can slow a fire down if they’re tall and slow the wind,” he said.

“The other thing that they do when we get more and more plants that are tall is that they outcompete the plants that are underneath them and they take the water and nutrients and the light so you get less and less plants growing on the ground where they can burn.

“So, as a general rule, the older a forest gets, the less of a problem fire is. Fire is a problem for young disturbed forests and at the moment, we’ve got so much forestry and prescribed burning that have made our forests into these areas of young disturbed forests and so we’re getting more and more bushfires.”

The Rethinking Planned Burns meeting was held at Kinglake Community Centre with Adj Assoc Prof Zylstra on Tuesday 12 March.

KFF has intensively surveyed four patches of forest in Kinglake.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Speak up on council plan

By Dongyun Kwon

Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) is asking for community members to share their thoughts, time and expertise to help develop the 2025-2029 Council Plan.

Councillors endorsed the commencement of the community engagement at the latest YRC meeting on Tuesday 26 March.

By the end of October, in the year following a council election, every council is required to develop a four-year strategy to work towards the community’s vision.

Mayor Sophie Todorov said YRC is launching community engagement on which forms the council plans to help inform the council’s strategic direction for the next plan.

“We’re happy to listen to our community members,” she said.

“We want to hear from as much of the community as possible so that we can accurately capture the priorities and needs of everyone who lives and works in the Yarra Ranges municipality.”

Wendy Wright was the first community member who shared an opinion regarding this year’s community engagement.

Ms Wright said the nominations for the community engagement deliberative panel should be different this time to be more representative.

“I feel that the number of nominations received in the 2021 panel was very low and I think is extremely disappointing,” she said.

“I do question the value of and the cost of that whole process if we’re only going to get 183 people nominating for a panel because I don’t think you could expect to get representation from across all of the Yarra Ranges.

“I’m hoping that that will be very different to last time [and also] hoping that we’ll be able to hear how many people nominate before decisions are made.”

In response to the question, Lyster Ward Councillor Johanna Skelton said despite the small number, the 2021 panel gave a lot of information about the key things that the council grappled with.

“[With the asset management plan] there were so many people who had never engaged

with the council before and got different feedback which was wonderful,” she said.

“I’m very hopeful that the next one will get that same level of engagement.”

RyrieWard Councillor Fiona McAllister said she would put her best effort into getting more community members engaged with this year’s community engagement process.

“Hearing from our submitter [Wendy Wright] tonight again, it’s always such a re-

minder about making sure that we get a diverse, large and strident community voice to help us craft the right council plan is really critical,” she said.

“If we could get 10 per cent of the community to participate in this process, that’s about a thousand people out of 116,000 people, that really would be something to feel very proud of, so I’m putting that figure in my head and I’m going to work towards that.

“We’ve had greatly increased engagement

and all of the democratic opportunities of the council and I’m hoping that translates into great voice, representation, challenge and curiosity throughout this process.”

Between March and May, Council staff will hold pop-ups across the region at events and popular locations, to gather a wide range of perspectives from locals and visitors.

The 10-year Asset and Finance Plans will also be developed by this engagement.

State government acting on Operation Sandon report

By Callum Ludwig

TheVictorian Government has taken the first step in response to the July 2023 Operation Sandon report from the Independent Broadbased Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), which was sparked by allegations of corrupt conduct involving City of Casey councillors and a property developer.

The State Government has accepted 32 of IBAC’s 34 recommendations, either in full or in principle, with one accepted in part.

“Victorians deserve to have trust in the state’s planning system, and we’re accepting these recommendations as part of our work to make sure good decisions are made faster – and more transparently,” Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said.

A review of the Planning and Environment Act announced as part of last year’s Housing Statement is anticipated to update the guidelines for councils to streamline and strengthen decision-making criteria as well as tighten anti-corruption measures.

“Victorians rightly have high expectations of their local councillors, and these changes will support councillors to serve the interests of their communities,” Local Government Minister Melissa Horne said.

An Inter-departmental Taskforce is set to be created, chaired by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and also featuring senior representatives from the Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Government Services, Victorian Public Sector Commission, Local Government Inspectorate and the Victorian Electoral Commission. The Taskforce will report back on any findings within 18 months.

Reforms of the Local Government Act announced in November 2023 are also set to

include mandatory training for elected representatives (including on conflicts of interest), introduce a Councillor Code of Conduct across the state and strengthen the powers of the Local Government Minister to address councillor conduct.

“Yarra Ranges Council takes governance and councillor training responsibilities seriously and supports any measures that contribute to strengthening governance practices and council decision making across Victoria,” said Yarra Ranges Council chief

executive officer Tammi Rose.”

“We are currently considering all the Sandon recommendations.”

Other IBAC recommendations include:

· Local Government Victoria developing a Model Transparency Policy and ensuring it and Model Governance Rules are clear on the importance of open government and deliberation.

· Updating Model Governance Rules to expressly prohibit councillors voting ‘en bloc’

(all at the same time) at meetings and require meeting minutes to state the names of councillors who spoke on a motion and voted for or against it.

· Implement a requirement for councillors to undertake mid-term refresher training on governance, leadership, and integrity.

· Removing statutory planning responsibilities from councillors and instead introducing determinative planning panels where a local council would have been the responsible authority.

Councillors endorsed the commencement of the community engagement at the latest YRC meeting on Tuesday 26 March. Picture: ON FILE

32 of IBAC’s 34 Operation Sandon recommendations have been adopted in full or in-principle.

Picture: ON FILE

Valley Care on big stage

By Mikayla van Loon

From the humble backyard of Kilsyth to one of the biggest garden shows in the world, Valley Care entered the realm of landscape design with tremendous gusto.

Displaying for the first time at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) in March, the overwhelmingly positive response at the event and post has been incredibly empowering for the workers, many who have a disability.

General manager Brad Giraud said while the reward of being able to exhibit at MIFGS was enough on its own, seeing the growth, benefit and encouragement it gave the workers was above anything else.

“Being at the show, being part of the industry looking around and seeing all these designers without disabilities, and they could still be

part of it was a huge win for them and they want to do it every year,” he said.

Creating a border garden, taking inspiration from stimming behaviours, the act of repetitive motions to calm the body and mind, developed into the idea of a grass covered chair - described by support worker Erin McLaine as a giant hug.

“The boys who work with us, it’s a lot of sensories [that are triggers] so for them it can be smell, touch, sounds and they can do something called stimming, they’ll just go away somewhere, so you try to bring them back and for me, it’s always feet in the grass, it just makes you feel calm and grounded,” Erin said.

“I thought ‘imagine if it was a chair where you could sit and relax in and feel safe’. It feels like it’s hugging you. That was that calm amongst the chaos around it.”

Brad said “the best part of it, it was de-

signed by guys with autism” with Erin adding that throughout the process they became much more focused on plant alignment, position and structure which was, for her, a sign of growth.

“The plant selection, taking them plant shopping, there was five boys and they had to learn to respect a budget and seasons and what the plants would require and how they would grow. So it was a big learning curve,” Erin said.

Always hoping to spread the message that people with disabilities can work and provide the same quality that someone without a disability can, Brad said he was amazed at how many conversations were had because the chair was a focal point.

“The chair was the message…we wanted to tell Valley Care’s story and show that other businesses could do this model and employ

people with disabilities and empower them,” he said.

“The magic of it is in challenging these guys as much as possible, and supporting them from underneath. Not supervising or watching over them, just raising them up.”

Despite the challenges that did come with displaying at MIFGS, like keeping the chair growing and thriving, Brad said now the team just wants to achieve more for the next one.

“It’s going to be something bigger and better. I’m never quite satisfied with just one garden, although I should be, it was a great achievement but I kind of think let’s go again and show them what we can do.”

For those who missed MIFGS, the chair and the garden will become an integrated part of the Japara Bridge sensory garden, something Brad said will be “a very nice memento from the show”.

Praise for decades of service to the region’s museum

By Mikayla van Loon

While Lilydale is now known for its regional museum, it wasn’t always the case, only forming after a push from art lovers and historians to redevelop the town’s creative centre.

Decades ago, the community formed the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum Trust, in the hopes of establishing an archival base for the region’s history.

Two of its longest serving members, Wanda McPherson and Paulette Bisley decided late last year to step down from their long held positions of treasurer and chair.

In early March, the Trust formalised the process with a Letter Under Seal presentation, welcoming the Trust’s newest members Dino Conte as secretary and Angela Stainwell as treasurer, while Maria McCarthy has taken the helm.

Ms Bisley, prior to returning to the Yarra Valley, was a docent in both Singapore and Connecticut which fuelled her interest in preserving history.

Hearing the chatter of improving the museum, Ms Bisley said it didn’t take much convincing before she joined the committee.

“The museum was small, the shire was using it as its headquarters but we wanted to create a bigger and better place where you could store archives,” she said.

“To quote Dot Hill, she always said ‘Lilydale doesn’t have a heart, it doesn’t have a centre’ and we thought the museum would be a good start in establishing that.”

Ms Bisley said for a number of years the committee worked on raising funds, hosting concerts and quilt shows, around the turn of the new millennium.

With Lady Pamela Vestey as patron of the museum and Guill De Pury supporting the cause, the shire agreed to the redevelopment of the original 1890s Castella Street building.

But much of the negotiations, Ms Bisley

said, surrounded the inclusion of a cafe in the design to continue towards that goal of a central hub.

“We insisted there should be room for a cafe, because it would be a regional museum, it would be the hub that the other community museums and historical societies would feed into the central hub,” she said.

“And I think we’re the first and only regional museum.”

With people from all backgrounds, from historians to musicians, immigrants and winemakers, to First Nations people, Ms Bisley said it was a “really interesting, integrated group” of people who came together to achieve the one goal.

“We wanted to have a place where we were up to international standards, where you could store things and have travelling exhibitions,” Ms Bisley said.

Crediting “the bones of the museum” to Sue Thompson, who as part of the Lilydale

Historical Society led the museum until 1989 before the shire took over, Ms Bisley said helped immensely in building the basis of the archives and the vision.

“It’s a culmination of community activism,” she said.

“To have it to make us think about our past, to me, was very fundamental because museum’s have been used in the past to mould the current generation and their background and their values.

“There’s often, in societies, no place to learn about your basic roots and that’s where I think a museum has its value - to go back and see what your roots were. The Yarra Ranges is a melting pot of people and that’s its beauty.”

Trust chair Ms McCarthy said to have had Ms Bisley and Ms McPherson dedicate 20 years each to the Trust was invaluable.

“Together, they contributed 40 years of volunteer service to the Board of the Yarra

Ranges Regional Museum Trust,” she said.

“Both women took their roles seriously with pride, strength, integrity, and steered the board forward in supporting the museum with their acquisition requests.

“The role of the Trust is to ensure good governance over the funds collected and donated to the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum and then to support the museum in acquisitions of regional importance.”

Ms McCarthy and Ms Bisley agreed that one of the highlights and notable achievements of the Trust was the ‘Oil Paint and Ochre’ exhibition and book.

“Our most memorable request was supporting the printing of the book, ‘Oil Paint and Ochre’.

“This book was a showcase of the exhibition of the same name, the amazing story of the relationship between William Barrak and the De Pury Family. This exhibition was truly an incredible event and was so successful it reached a national audience.”

Ms Bisley said the Trust allows the museum “the flexibility to purchase paintings in a hurry” if required but so too, it comes with the possibility of being outbid by collectors and much larger museums.

She was particularly disappointed with only being able to get a few letters some years ago in a Lady Pamela Vestey collection sale, which she regarded as “only one per cent of her collection”.

More recently, however, Ms McCarthy said the Trust has been successful in helping the museum acquire local Indigenous art works, the eel trap and Wilan Wilan.

Although time for her to step aside for new people to take the reins, Ms Bisley said she is “enormously proud of our museum”.

“It should continue to grow and be used,” she said.

Maria McCarthy (chair, YRRM Trust), Paulette Bisley (outgoing chair), Wanda McPherson (outgoing treasurer), Cr Tim Heenan.

Picture: SUPPLIED

The Valley Care team designed and planted there display at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show. Picture: SUPPLIED Valley Care’s Brad Giraud, Erin McLaine and Jess Treloar with the returned grass chair at Japara Bridge. 397906

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

$1.8m effort from the CFA

Brigade members from across Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Montrose and Chirnside Park joined the ranks to rattle tins at major intersections.

In total the Dandenong Ranges Fire Brigade Group was able to raise $21,885.40, the Knox Group of Fire Brigades raised $28,713.50, Mooroolbark and Chirnside Park Fire Brigades $4,135.75 and Lilydale $6952.35 towards the collective $1,819,900.

Lilydale’s first lieutenant Ron Haines said it was “a fantastic effort” by the brigades and wanted to send “a big big thank you to all the people that gave so generously to the Appeal”.

CFA has been a major fundraiser of the Good Friday Appeal for the past 73 years, having now raised almost $39 million for The RCH since 1951.

The overall total for the Good Friday Appeal in 2024 was $23,368,724 – a record-breaking final tally.

CFA Group General Manager Kylee Bates presented the CFA cheque to The Royal Children’s Hospital alongside Caroline Springs Captain Anthony Jenkins and members Sammie Lowe and Lauchlan Wright.

CFA Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan congratulated and thanked all participating brigades across Victoria for the amazing contribution they’ve all made to this year’s Good Friday Appeal.

“Our members give up their time to serve their communities in times of need and it’s no surprise that their selflessness extends to worthy causes such as supporting The Royal Children’s Hospital,” Mr Heffernan said.

“All members and their communities should be so proud of what they’ve achieved for this year’s Appeal, and we thank you for your time and generosity to help save the lives of our future.”

The money raised for The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal will be used to ensure kids are provided with the best possible treatment and care.

CFA volunteers were seen in trucks and at traffic lights across the state on Good Friday, raising money in their local communities for The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal.

Montrose CFA and township group members out collecting coins on Good Friday.

The Good Friday tin drop off after a big day’s effort from the CFA. Picture: MONTROSE CFA

Casey MP Aaron Violi joined the tin rattle ranks.

Dino was a big hit with the kids and the Lilydale CFA members. Picture: LILYDALE CFA

Dino the Dinosaur was ready and waiting to head out on one of the Lilydale CFA’s truck.

Members were out at the intersection of Main Street and Anderson Street.

It was all smiles as CFA members rattled their tins for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Picture: MONTROSE CFA

Some of Lilydale CFA’s finest were ready to head out to Anderson Street and Main Street.

The collection tins were held at base for the members to pick up.

Push for bike trail funds

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

The Olinda Bike Trail Committee has been pushing for more funding to get cyclists off the roads in the Dandenongs through a proposal for a bike trail from Lilydale Station right through to Olinda, while simultaneously attracting tourists in the area.

A group of 15 local cyclists got together on Tuesday 26 March to ride their bikes in the Dandenong Ranges, having had to postpone an earlier ride.

The trail started at Mount Evelyn at the corner of York Road and finished at Olinda Community Hub.

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Sophie Todorov and councillor Andrew Fullagar met with the group at the starting point to show their support.

Committee chairperson Ron Thomas said they enjoyed having them and they are also encouraging the community to join their committee.

“We had a lovely discussion with the mayor and councillor about the plans for the future and hopefully getting some funding to get the feasibility study off the ground,” he said.

The committee has been calling for a feasibility study – costing an estimated $125,000 – to be funded by the council.

The funding would help assess the amount of infrastructure needed to bring the trail to the commonly recognised shared use trail standard, which is mostly 2.5 metres, according to the committee’s budget submission.

Mr Thomas said the great thing about this trail is that it’s almost on roads and trails that are hardly ever used.

The importance of this committee is not just to form a group of riders or attract tourists to the area, it’s much more – it’s about making it safer for the community, especially for kids.

Olinda Primary School Principal Cornelia

Sheeran contacted the council to show their support to the committee.

The school is running a bike education program which includes road safety and bike maintenance.

“Our problem is there are not enough safe places for the children to practice the skills they have learnt, at present, we can only ride on our oval and basketball court around in circles,” the principal said in an email to the council.

“This is due to the problem we have of the

children not being safe on the narrow roads and foot paths around Olinda, we can take them for a 6-minute ride through the bush at the back of the school, but this is not building their stamina up.”

The students were meant to join the committee for a ride but was cancelled due to the foggy weather.

Mr Thomas said there’s no dedicated bike path anywhere up here.

“The tourists get everything, and the residents don’t, I want to live in a safe place with a

trail that can be used by people with bicycles, walking, people with dogs, people with prams, mobility scooters - everybody, but at the moment, it’s rough,” he said.

The committee has asked for $25,000 support from Bendigo Bank, this was later declined.

The group is passionate to make this resident-focused goal a reality, no matter how tedious the waiting gets.

“We will resubmit the year after, but it’d be another whole year,” Mr Thomas said.

Scam awareness sessions help with banking moves

By Callum Ludwig

In the 2022-23 financial year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that 2.5 per cent of Australians, about 514,300 people, experienced a scam.

With scams only becoming more sophisticated such as by impersonating banks or loved ones, the importance of scam awareness only becomes more paramount.

The Community Bank of Wandin-Seville has been holding scam awareness sessions, including on Tuesday 26 March at the Seville Community House, and Branch Manager Jackie Butler said scams can have a huge impact on people’s lives.

“Of course it is monetary, but it’s also stress and anguish and anxiousness about online safety or talking to people over the phone and things like that and through the bank, unfortunately, we’ve seen a fair amount of losses, as every bank would have seen,” she said.

“We try and get it back for them as much as we can, but it just depends on the situation and what’s happening, we have got really good systems in place that detect fraudulent movements of account numbers and money, but it starts with giving customers more knowledge and more understanding of the system to protect themselves.”

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) National Anti Scam Centre and Scamwatch website has found that in 2024 alone, Australians have lost $55,278,856 to scams, with 6.9 per cent of the 45,103 scam reports having suffered a financial loss.

Ms Butler said it is important for people to be safe in the internet banking space.

“Our world is definitely turning digitised and so is our banking, so the majority of people are changing to a digitized platform,” she said.

“We know from a banking perspective we have customers coming in who have been the target of scams, have had issues with accessing internet banking or have been contacted

by people pretending to be other people, a bank or an organization trying getting access to their accounts,”

“Online banking is safe but you’ve just got to take a few precautions.”

Around October 2023, scammers impersonated the Bendigo Bank by sending out emails marked Bendigo Bank images and branding where recipients were asked to verify or update accounts, with the link in the email taking them to a phishing website.

Bendigo Bank and other banks don’t ask customers to login to their Internet Banking via a link sent in an email.

Ms Butler said if you have any doubts about a link, don’t click on it.

“Don’t follow what they’re asking you to do and instead contact the company or who-

ever is involved yourselves, making sure not to call any phone numbers in those emails as well,” she said.

“The other thing to think about is if you use one password for everything because they can’t remember them all, but if scammers or fraudsters get any access into your systems, they can go through and they’ll just put that password in there and it will open up everything,”

“In relation to business or corporate, when you’re paying invoices or individuals, even if you’ve paid them before, make sure that the account numbers are the same as previous and if there’s any difference, contact those organizations as well because we’re seeing a lot of those emails come through, which is unfortunate.”

In March this year alone, the‘NASC Scamwatch’ X (formerly Twitter) page has shared alerts for scams pretending to be from Netflix, Qantas, PayID and Colonial First State or using sponsored social media ads and advertising caravans and secondhand cars to target people.

Ms Butler said despite needing to be careful, there’s huge benefits to online banking for customers.

“Because they’ve got access to their funds, they can move their funds around wherever they need to within minutes and we do have a lot of systems in place to protect you but we’ve also got other systems in place that you can engage to protect yourself as well,” she said.

“One of those is by having a card online, you can stop put stops on them straight away if you lose them or they’re stolen, or you can stop payments going internationally from your cards and accounts,”

“You can also stop payments to liquor stores or choose what products you want to be spending money on so your cards can’t be used in certain ways if it was stolen.”

Anyone interested in having Ms Butler and the Community Bank of Wandin-Seville to come host a scam awareness session can contact the bank directly at 5964 4595.

A group of 15 bikers headed along the Olinda Creek Trail to call for feasibility study funding from Yarra Ranges Council.

Picture: SHAMSIYA HUSSAINPOOR

Community Bank of Wandin-Seville Branch Manager Jackie Butler. Pictures: CALLUM LUDWIG

First arrivals discuss their scam concerns with Ms Butler at the Seville Community House.

100 years of Myra Pill

By Mikayla van Loon

Celebrating a century of life for Myra Pill was an overwhelming experience for the Kilsyth Kirkbrae Aged Care resident.

Born 27 March 1924 to Alice and Sydney Kipps in Ripponlea, Mrya grew up in a household of three sisters and two brothers.

She worked in her early life making artificial flower arrangements and corsages until she met her soon to be husband at a party one night.

“Myra met John at a party in 1942, where they played spin the bottle, every lady had to put their keys in a bowl and John drew Myra’s keys out and received his reward of a kiss for doing so,” Myra’s son John said.

“John kept picking Myra’s keys because they enjoyed the kissing bit, Myra was a good kisser evidently.”

The pair married on 16 January 1943, with a brief honeymoon in Marysville, before John was “shipped off to New Guinea until the end of the Second World War”.

“When he came home, he spent six months in rehab because he got malaria very badly in New Guinea.”

John and Myra’s son-in-law Peter said watching their relationship of 77 years was a beautiful lesson.

“[Helen, Myra’s daughter] and I were married for 53 years,” Peter said.

“I’ve been with my partner for 48 years… I think it’s the way you were brought up and you work to make things work,” John said.

Everyone always thought it was rather amusing too that John was “twice her size, being six foot” and a memory of them walking down a cruise ship aisle on a trip around New Zealand was quite the laugh.

“Watching them walk down the passageway back to their cabin and there was a long

one and a short one, it was quite cute,” Peter said.

Not known as people who stayed in one place for too long, Myra and John moved around 13 times.

“After the war John trained as a diesel mechanic, they purchased a bulldozer, they went all over Victoria clearing land including Heathmont Primary School where we, the children, eventually attended, he only came

Up, up and away for seniors

Residents

home once every fortnight,” John said.

“They purchased land all over Victoria, later sold up and they retired to take up his passion for farming. Over their married life they moved 13 times, we became quite tired of changing our phone books.”

Myra and John owned farms in Kinglake, Kyneton and Portarlington, where John was able to live out his dream before returning to

the suburbs later in life.

John lived to 102-years-old and until 2019, Mrya lived independently at home.

While Myra’s mind is no longer as strong as it used to be, John and Peter said prior to the pandemic she was “as sharp as a tac”.

Myra’s son John, who now lives in Queensland, and Peter’s children and grandchildren travelled to celebrate the 100th birthday milestone on Wednesday 27 March.

Hincksman

103-year-old Trudy said she had been looking forward to ticking the item off her list of goals.

“You only live once and I have always wanted to do it,” she said.

Noreen agreed, saying “you must give things a go at any age. I haven’t done it before and it’s exciting and new.”

Anne said it is something she has wanted to do since she was a small child.

“A balloon landed in Box Hill just near my mother’s bungalow, so I have always wanted to go up in one,” she said.

After the flight the ladies were treated like VIP’s, transported back to the winery for a champagne buffet breakfast.

The idea of a bucket list is not new, but for Lilydale lifestyle services coordinator Maureen the idea of creating one for her residents has been met with resounding enthusiasm.

After suffering a major cancer scare in

2011, lifestyle coordinator Maureen said she decided to get out there and try different things out of her comfort zone and wanted to do the same for her residents.

“I thought some of our residents could be empowered to do things they might have only dreamt of,” she said.

Maureen started asking residents for ideas, which have ranged from skydiving to a zoo sleepover.

Last year, Star Mail featured a story on an 89-year-old skydiving Scotsman, Bob Craig, who took the plunge as one of his bucket list items which fuelled his adventurous soul.

The hot air balloon travelled over the Yarra Valley.

Lilydale lifestyle services coordinator Maureen Hincksman took residents Noreen Warren, Anne Neal and Trudy Jones on a bucket list item. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Trudy Jones, 103, said a hot air balloon ride was something she always wanted to do.

Myra’s 100th birthday letter from the King and Queen.

A high tea was put on by Kirkbrae to help Myra celebrate.

Simon Gurr, Peter Gurr, John Pill, Aurelia Gurr, Issac Gurr and Isla Gurr, helped celebrate Myra’s 100th birthday on Wednesday 27 march.

Pictures: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Picnic time for teddies

By Mikayla van Loon

Bringing people together to make better community connections is the premise of a teddy bear picnic that will be hosted in Kilsyth.

The initiative of Kilsyth Community Action Group, Jarapa Community Hub, with support of Yarra Ranges Council and Bendigo Bank, aims to bring families together for a free picnic on Saturday 13 April at Japara Bridge within Elizabeth Bridge Reserve.

Organiser Mieke Alexander said it’s about offering a no cost event where parents and children can meet new people, play games and have fun, with their favourite teddy in tow of course.

“It’s about offering a bit of respite from the pressures of life and just enjoying our wonderful local parks, The Bridge and the gardens are down there, giving people an opportunity to play and relax for an hour and a half, two hours,” she said.

Having games setup for the children, as well as colouring and other activities, Mieke said they’ll be “keeping it simple” with people encouraged to bring a picnic and share in conversation with those who have sat next to them.

A coffee van has been arranged for the day to keep the adults happy and thriving as well.

While the primary aim is community connection, Mieke said it is also about activating Kilsyth, the place commonly known as having no central meeting point.

“Kilsyth is such a drive through. It’s two shires, it’s two state electorates, it’s two federal electorates. It has no central point and so it’s nice for people to feel like they own a little bit of the community space,” she said.

“This is about really making people aware of the green space we have here. They can develop awareness of the community house, the park, the community group KCAG and also just say hello to someone there.”

The team at Japara and Mieke want to see this become an annual event that grows into a recognisable feature of the Kilsyth community calendar.

Join local families and community members at Japara Bridge from 11.30am to 2pm to be a part of the fun.

Japara Bridge is located at 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth.

Textile recycling events

YarraRangesresidentshavetheabilitytodispose of old textile products such as clothes, towels, sheets, shoes, blankets and other unwanted fabrics for free, as part of Council’s Textile Recycling Drop Off Days.

This new trial project will take place over two events, one in Lilydale and one in Wandin East, where community members will need to book their spot in advance to drop off their unwanted items.

Residents in Lilydale can drop off their old clothes on Saturday 27 April, from 9am to 3pm at the Yarra Ranges Council Lilydale Operations Centre, 103-105 Nelson Rd, Lilydale.

Residents in Wandin East can drop Off their old textiles on Saturday 18 May, from 9am to 3pm at Wandin East Recreation Reserve,Wandin East.

Rather than getting buried in landfill, these donated items will then be taken away and recycled into new materials, such as carpet underlay, insulation and furniture filler.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Sophie Todorov said the trial program would be a win-win for the community and the environment.

“We all know that we need to do what we can to reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfill,” Cr Todorov said.

“Projects such as these are a great way to declutter or empty your house of unwanted

Yarra Ranges Council sets up two events to recycle old textiles.

Picture: UNSPLASH MICHEILE HENDERSO

items and have them go into something that is practical that can be used elsewhere.”

“Of course, if you have perfectly good clothes that can be donated to charities, please continue to do so, but for those things that have reached their end of life, I highly encourage our community to get behind this program to ensure its success.”

For a full list of what can and can’t be donated, and to register for a spot, visit Textile Recycling Drop Off DaysYarra Ranges Council or call Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333.

This project is supported by the Circular Economy Councils Fund.

The Fund is delivered by Sustainability Victoria under the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy.

Join at Japara Bridge for the first annual teddy bear picnic for games, conversation and fun.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Improving

QHealth – Lilydale Doctors, known for providing good quality affordable healthcare, has recently relocated its clinic to a new facility at 104-108 Main Street, Lilydale. This new location offers a more spacious and comfortable environment for everyone.

Dr Binay Kumar - principal GP said Lilydale Doctors was committed to supporting the local community in maintaining better standards of health and wellbeing via a friendly, patient centric approach and personalised care. With almost 500 square metres of space available, the new clinic will become a local health hub with GPs, specialists and other allied health professionals working together to help patients manage chronic health conditions along with preventative health. By responding to the growing need for enhanced access to healthcare, we aim to better serve the community.

Lilydale Doctors is excited to announce the addition of few specialists to their team.

Dr Anuj Bohra is a specialist gastroenterologist and hepatologist who consults at the clinic every Thursday. His public appointment is at Eastern Health and he also does private work at Ringwood Private and Knox Private Hospitals. His areas of special interest include general gastroenterology (scopes) inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, fatty liver disease etc. He aims to see all referred patients locally within one-two weeks. For appointments, please contact the clinic on 9088 8177.

Dr Geoffrey Catton is a highly experienced GP and has a special interest in photo biomodulation therapy (PBM). Laser or photo biomodulation therapy is highly effective and accelerates healing and alleviates pain and inflammation. This can help get relief from arthritis, tendonitis, strains and sprains, hand and wrist conditions, back and neck pain,

wound healing and more.

We have a few mental health workers and psychologists in our team and are excited to also have a specialist psychiatrist join the team from April 2024.

Both clinics in Lilydale and Mount Evelyn offer a wide range of GP services. We have GPs who have specialist interest in skin cancer checks and skin cancer surgery. Along with this we also provide various cosmetic and laser treatments including laser hair removal.

From immunisations to children’s and

women’s health (including IUD insertions and pregnancy options with shared care), travel vaccines, iron infusions, and chronic health management, we strive to meet your healthcare needs comprehensively.

Supporting the GP team are practice nurse Kirsten Truskett in Lilydale and Sonia Hamilton at Mount Evelyn. Furthermore, our team of allied professionals on-site, including psychologists Stefany Klein, social worker Joanne Melville McGrath and Richard, physiotherapist Edward Mak, podiatrist JohnWoulfe, dieti-

cian Kyann Calvi, diabetes educator Sean Frost and chiropractor Michael Bloom. They are all committed to taking a proactive approach to preventative health.

By becoming a patient at their practices, you are taking a positive step forward in your health journey. The team’s support and the expertise of their doctors will undoubtedly benefit your overall well-being. For more information about services and bookings, visit lilydaledoctors.com.au or mtevelyndoctors. com.au

Dr Binay Kumar, Anna Haines (Pathology), Donna Henderson (Office Manager), Sue Wilson (Practice Manager), Dr Sadia Chowdhury, Kirsten Truskett (Practice Nurse) and Dr Sandeep Malhotra. 369500

Picture: ON FILE

It’s mushroom season

By Maria Millers

Any day now, with warm autumn weather and hopefully some seasonal rains on the way, you may start coming across mushrooms, suddenly appearing unannounced on your lawns and in gardens, and further afield on sides of country roads, in pine plantations, native forests and even in city parks.

Sylvia Plath in her poem Mushrooms describes their ability to quietly, imperceptibly and with stealth and determination push their way through damp earth and debris to being seen and noticed: Creeping from the soil’s darkness, ‘ephemeral and misunderstood’, pushing their way through until finally,’ our kind multiplies, We shall by morning, Inherit the earth, Our foot’s in the door’.

Here Sylvia Plath is using an extended metaphor with the mushrooms representing oppressed women who she sees as possessing the same qualities to push their way into being seen and noticed. Maybe it’s not just women she’s thinking about but all those who are ignored and oppressed.

Mushrooms are not plants, so cannot be classified as fruits or vegetables, they are fungi.

Some are totally safe and edible but there are some that need to be treated with caution and others avoided.

Ancient literature, myths and folklore frequently refer to sacred mushrooms that were revered, feared and even worshipped in earlier cultures. To the Egyptians mushrooms were the ‘food of the gods’ and eating them would lead to longevity, even immortality.

The Mayans and Aztecs all consumed hallucinogenic mushrooms.

In Shakespeare’s time, fungi were viewed with suspicion.

This then is the time of the year when you can often spot groups of people foraging in parks or on the sides of roads. Mostly they are

WOORILLA WORDS

from ethnic backgrounds where mushroom foraging has been part of their culture for a very long time. It has seen them through hard times of wars and famine when little other food was available.

And the tradition has lasted.

In Slav countries like Russia and in Scandinavia the tradition persists as a favourite outdoor pastime and has become an almost meditative experience of communing with nature and at the same time receiving freely its bounty.

The cuisines of these countries reflect this. Russian cuisine abounds with mushroom recipes: drying, pickling, pies, dumplings, soups beef stroganoff.

In Australia there are about 5000 species of fungi some of which Indigenous Australians have long eaten, but out of the ten wild edible fungi most have been introduced, mostly brought in unintentionally with plants such as pine trees.

The easiest edible species for novices to master in Australia: Saffron Milkcap, Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus), and Weeping Bolete (S. granulatus) grow predominantly with the roots of Pinus radiata, so foraging around pine plantations is fairly common.

But some mushrooms in Australia are poisonous or deadly, and a lot of them closely resemble some of the edible ones so getting

familiar with which mushrooms are safe to eat and which are not is essential.

For example: the frequently foraged field mushroom (Agaricus campestris) bears a striking resemblance to some look alike that is not edible.

The most lethal of them all – the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) was accidentally introduced to Australia from the Northern Hemisphere and is responsible for most fatalities from mushroom ingestion in Australia and worldwide.

Then there is the Fly Agaric straight out of a fairy story book, best captured by Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland and known for its hallucigenic properties.

Today for many people the thought of foraging for mushrooms is still filled with foreboding.

In Australia, supermarkets and greengrocers are the most likely place we head to.

And the recent case of the alleged poisoning by Leongatha mother, Erin Patterson, of her in - laws has unnerved people in eating mushrooms whose source has not been certified.

Nevertheless mushrooms and foraging are growing in popularity in Australia.

Perhaps the influence of the many other cultures present or the recognition of their nutritional value: as mushrooms contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and are a good source of dietary fibre.

These all have various health benefits.

For vegans in search of that umami taste, present in meat products, mushrooms provide a substitute.

For those wanting to take up this pastime of foraging for wild mushrooms there are some steps to first take.

Know your mushrooms: familiarize yourself with the edible and toxic mushroom species that are commonly found in the regions where you plan to forage. There are many guide-

books, online resources, and local mycological societies that can help you with identification.

Make sure you are not trespassing and come equipped with a knife to cleanly cut the stem.

In his poem The Mushroom Man, Kevin Brophy takes us back to a time when we trusted someone selling us foraged produce. It used to be quite common on a Sunday drive to stop at a farm stall or see someone like the man in the poem.

He had come out of the forest with cartloads of mushrooms to sell to buy food and new clothing for his children and some wine for himself.

There are no questions about safety.

There is trust in this man’s knowledge about mushrooms.

Today, would you trust someone like the man in the poem enough to buy his produce?

In the poem there are vivid descriptions of the harvested mushrooms, ‘some a dark spilled-blood colour/ their stumps like goitered necks’.

For the man these yellow wood dwellers will put food on the table for his children.

It seems that this may not be an Australian setting as the final lines of the poem suggest that the forest where he has picked the mushrooms holds ‘memories of the last great war’ fought tree by tree through their forest’ but the mushrooms’ those old bent warriors, will always march out’.

Perhaps, this year with the cost of living biting, many more of us will think of foraging for mushrooms, but armed with knowledge and exercising caution.

Wild Mushrooming: A Guide for Foragers, CSIRO Publishing “Wild mushrooming: a guide for foragers” by Alison Pouliot and Tom May

Vibrant retirement living

In the heart of Lilydale, where the lush Yarra Valley meets the Dandenong Ranges, stands Lilydale Valley Views – not just a retirement village, but a thriving community where residents relish every moment of their golden years. For the past 15 years, we have meticulously crafted an environment that goes beyond providing accommodation; it’s a place where the essence of retirement living is fully embraced.

Our village boasts an array of accommodation options, from stunning homes with valley views to cosy terrace living.With 139 homes, including semi-attached 2/3 bedroom units, each designed to ensure a family-like atmosphere, we prioritise creating a space that fits the unique preferences of every resident.What sets Lilydale Valley Views apart is the commitment to offering a comprehensive retirement experience. Picture a heated indoor swimming pool and spa, providing residents with an oasis for relaxation and exercise. Imagine weekly Tai Chi and dancersize sessions, tailored to keep both the body and mind active and engaged. Our village bus takes the hassle out of shopping, offering a convenient door-to-door service, freeing residents from the need to drive and park.

One of the key pillars of our community is the vibrant social committee. This dedicated group organises a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, ensuring residents always have opportunities for connection and enjoyment. From outings to social events, our calendar is brimming with activities that cater to diverse interests, creating an enriching experience for everyone. Yet, the true magic lies in the residents themselves. A wonderful group of people with a wide range of interests, they form the beating heart of our community. The warmth and genuine sense of camaraderie that have flourished over the years are truly heartwarming. Newcomers quickly find themselves embraced by the community, invited to various

BreathtakingviewsawaitresidentsatLilydaleValleyViews.

activities and social occasions, allowing them to tailor their level of engagement. At Lilydale ValleyViews, we recognise the importance of social connections for overall health and wellbeing as we age. Our environment is curated to facilitate an active and connected lifestyle, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the physical boundaries of the village.

Centrally located near essential amenities, including medical practitioners, supermarkets, and the train station – all within walking distance – Lilydale Valley Views provides a seam-

Pictures:SUPPLIED

less blend of convenience and tranquillity. The nearby Warburton Trail offers residents the opportunity for scenic walks or bike rides, while a thriving veggie/flower garden on-site adds to the communal spirit. As a testament to our commitment to excellence, we are proud to have built a retirement village that has evolved into a close-knit community. Lilydale Valley Views is not merely a place to live; it’s a place where people flourish, creating a tapestry of shared experiences and cherished moments.

In celebration of our journey and the joy of

Enjoysomequitetimewithabookfromthe extensivelibrarycollection.

Meetandminglewithfriendsinthecommunity centre.

vibrant retirement living, we invite you to explore Lilydale Valley Views. Come and witness firsthand the beauty of terrace living, stunning views, and the warm embrace of a community that defines the essence of retirement living.

For more information, contact Lilydale Valley Views at 471 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale, email manager@lilydalevalleyviews.com.au, or call 03 9735 5944 to speak with Rosemary Seymour our manager. Our doors are open from 9am to 4.30pm, welcoming you to a new chapter of vibrant retirement living.

Wild dogs in the Yarra Ranges are a problem, and they are a problem that is not going away anytime soon.

Many readers will be aware that wild dogs in North East Victoria have been an issue for years.

Wild dog controls affairs

What some of you may be surprised to learn is the proliferation of wild dogs in the Yarra Ranges and the State Government’s seeming ignorance of the problem.

We know that where you have deer, you have wild dogs, and we know that deer numbers are exploding.

All hunters need to make sure they remove carcasses and do not leave anything behind.

I have raised my concerns, and those of the many locals I have met with, in Parliament.

I have called on the Labor Government to hold a community drop-in session in theYarra Ranges as part of its Wild Dog Control planning for the 2024-25.

I have met with landowners across theYarra Ranges about the impact wild dogs are having on their livelihoods.

In Hoddles Creek, there is one farmer who had several sheep severely attacked and needed veterinary care.

Just this week a farmer contacted me who recently lost 15 sheep in a wild dog attack at

Monster fun

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Starring Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens and Kaylee Hottle

Rated M

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the most well-rounded and resoundingly entertaining entry in Legendary Pictures’ Monsterverse.

The giant monsters Godzilla and Kong must team up to defeat a world-ending threat from the depths of Hollow Earth.

Godzilla x Kong:The New Empire is replete with thrilling, brutal, globe-trotting monster action, and it’s well-paced and structured. Godzilla, Kong and the demented villain Skar King are the giant engines propelling the plot forward, which deftly weaves together Kong’s search for the rest of his kind, the island girl Jia’s (Kaylee Hottle, returning from Godzilla vs Kong) psychic visions and need to find her place in the world, and Godzilla’s exponentially-growing power in a brisk 115 minutes.

Once again, Kong is a noble, fearsome yet vulnerable figure (and effectively the protagonist), and he forms a touching bond with a child of his species. It’s become a dorky cliche – though still true –to say that the American Godzilla movies have bad human characters, butThe New Empire is a big exception.

Most of the human characters don’t have much of a constructive role in the plot, but are still likeable and fun to follow, and Dan Stevens is extremely entertaining as Trapper, a plucky monster vet.

Skar King is a terrifying new villain, but his trapped minion Shimo is underdeveloped, and The New Empire also has some clunky exposition and murky world-building.

Watch Godzilla Minus One for a smarter, more dramatic Godzilla movie, but Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire finally gets the Monsterverse recipe right for a swift, silly, savagely thrilling monster extravaganza in the style of Showa Godzilla movies from the sixties and seventies, and is playing in most Victorian

The state of

Cindy McLeish MP Member for Eildon

her property in McMahons Creek.

Not only has she lost thousands of dollars in revenue, but she had the devastation of having to put sheep down because they could not be saved.

There have also been sightings of packs of wild dogs coming on to private property that borders the forest and even around schools. In one instance, a group of school children encountered dogs and a camper had her tent destroyed.

Yarra Ranges residents are calling for wild dog management plans and a local trapper to help them manage the wild dogs in the area.

The Department of Agriculture is hosting a series of community ‘drop-in’ sessions for locals in the Hume and Gippsland regions to discuss wild dog management with their local

CARTOON

wild dog controller and provide input on the wild dog program’s wild dog control.

There are none planned for the Yarra Ranges.

I recently attended a meeting in Merrijig where the locals took the opportunity to discuss local action and management plans.

I am very disappointed that these drop-in sessions are only being held in the Hume and Gippsland regions.

The wild dog problem is no longer contained to just these regions.

These voracious predators have migrated south and are endangering the lives of livestock and posing a significant threat to the safety and livelihoods of Yarra Ranges residents.

The Minister must take action now.

Wild dogs have a significant and detrimental impact on the communities, livestock, and native wildlife across much of Northeast Victoria.

The Victorian Department of Agriculture estimates that wild dogs cost livestock producers an estimated $13-$18 million annually.

Farmers and Residents must report wild dog sightings their local Wild Dog Controller or call / email 136 186 or wild.dogs@delwp.vic. gov.au

Umbilical Brothers distract

Burrinja Theatre

Umbilical Brothers - The Distraction

Winner Best Comedy at the Adelaide Fringe Festival

Do you love staring at screens? Are you staring at a screen right now?You should get out more. Specifically to a show that has an enormous screen smack-bang in the middle of it.

The Umbilicals take the energy of live performance and the spectacle of cinema and smashes them together and a new show performed simultaneously on stage and on the big screen. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen and nothing they’ve ever done, and it will blow your mind way more literally than you are expecting. The distraction enabling your screen addiction.

Season: Friday 19 April at 8pm.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow

Kemp’s curtain call

ed to join official Anzac Day marches across Canberra to commemorate women raped in war.

When the sleepy local branch of the local RSL meet with the women in order to dissuade them from upsetting their sacred parade of remembrance, the crotchety president of the RSL Club is appalled to find his own granddaughter is one of the feminists attempting to spoil their day

To describe Emma Ling Sidnam’s Backwaters as the journey of a fourth-generation Chinese New Zealander to discover her identity is to underestimate the book’s rich complexity.

To praise it as a story that will attract readers of this or that author with Asian ancestry is to narrow its scope, limiting its universal appeal and reducing its value to a piece of “ethnic work”.

Like the first-person protagonist Laura, we have all asked ourselves the question: “Where are we from?” But, unlike Laura, only some of us have been asked the question: “Where are you really from?”

If this question gets thrust upon you simply because of how you look, even though you were born and have lived here all your life – it really makes you wonder about your existence.

Unless you can find the answer that satisfies your heart and soul, you will never rest.

For identity is much more than how others identify you – it is also how you define yourself.

In Backwaters, Laura embarks on a journey to find an answer that will give her peace.

Her sense of being neither here nor there – that she is not enough to own and belong to either space – prompts her to explore the nature and significance of her heritage.

“I just want to fit in,” Laura admits.

“And be accepted as a New Zealander and not asked where are you from? everywhere I went.”

Yet, even a DNA test cannot give her a definite answer, because any specific label, like “Chinese” or “New Zealander”, is ambivalent and open to a myriad of interpretations.

“It tells me naught about who I am as a person, except that I am a mix of things and my history is ambiguous, and I already know that.”

While working on a project about the Chinese New Zealander experience, Laura comes across a diary supposedly written by her great-great-grandfather, Ken, one of the earliest Chinese settlers in Aotearoa who worked as a market gardener during the gold rush days.

The more she gets to know about the sojourner – the man who felt like a foreigner in his home country and then built a home of his own in a foreign land – the better she understands that life is what you choose it to be, a self-made and self-sustained mixture of disappearance and discovery, fulfilling and forgetting, fact and fiction, memory and reality, and giving and forgiving.

Australia’s premiere comedy roadshow is coming Upwey’s way!

Australia’s biggest and best comedy spectacular is setting off on its 20th annual road trip around the country. Showcasing the finest talents from the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, we’re delivering a case of laughter right on your doorstep.

Get ready for a well-deserved blast of comedy when the Roadshow fits the Burrinja stage.

Season: Friday 26 April at 7.30pm.

Gemco presents, Millie’s War Based on historical events, Millie’sWar is set in the 1980s when a number of women attempt-

Tempers soon reach boiling point as each side argues the case for the importance of commemorating victims of war.

Performances are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from the 12 to 28 April.

Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm, Sunday at 2pm.

REMEMBER:

· The 1812 Theatre The Fire Raisers. Season: April 4 – 27.

· CPP Community Theatre Little Women Season: April 5 – 13.

· Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre. Still Alice. April 18 – 26.

· The Basin theatre Berlin Season: April 18 – 28.

In Laura’s words: “All the stories that got me here... they play back in my head like a sped-up film. These stories might be the backdrop to my life, but they don’t determine who I become next.”

Instead of internalising what others see in her and then defining herself accordingly, she recognises the need to see herself as who she wants to be.

Winner of the 2022 Michael Gifkins Prize, Backwaters is all about the bittersweet search for belonging.

It shows us a way to find confidence and courage to claim our own stories.

PROPERTY

MAGICALLY MODERN IN A PRIME LOCATION

ENJOY endless versatility and complete comfort at this move-in ready residence on a level quarter-acre landscape. Enriched with an oversize double garage with mezzanine and welcoming outdoor entertaining areas, this property is a lovely lifestyle package.

The interior of this home is beautifully presented and ready to meet any family’s requirements. Dual living areas, including the cosy carpeted lounge and the open plan zone with wood fire and timber floors afford ample space to relax. The inviting meals area and galley kitchen with shaker cabinets and gas cooktop will be the place family will gather with ease.

With 5 bedrooms on offer, including one suitable as a superb home office with deck access and the upper level that could be utilised as a rumpus room, this home can be adapted to suit your needs. The inclusion of a bright and beautiful main bedroom with rain shower ensuite and walk-in robe, a generous family bathroom with soaking tub, a family-size laundry, and a walk-in storeroom, this will be a glorious home to grow into.

Situated steps from St Paul’s Primary School and within easy reach of Monbulk Bushland Reserve, bus transport, and Main Road’s shopping and cafes, a wonderful way of life is waiting. Plan your viewing today.

· Lovely, level 1,018sqm (approx.) property with fenced rear garden

· Versatile interior with 5 bedrooms including main with ensuite and walk-in robe

· Dual living areas including the open plan family room with wood fire

· Galley kitchen with gas cooktop, shaker cabinets, and breakfast bar

· Oversize double garage with large mezzanine ●

45MeadowleaCrescent,Pakenham$750,000 -$820,000

LargeandStylishFamilyHomewiththePerfectFloorPlan!

Thishomeofferszonedlivingwith4 bedrooms, 2bathrooms, 3livingareas,a separatediningroom, anoutdoorentertainingdeck,& afirepit.Thereisa tidyfrontgarden& DLUGwithremotedoor, whichprovidesinternalaccessintothecentralhallway.Thefrontwingcontains3 goodsized,robed bedrooms, afamilybathroomwith ashower& separatebath,&alargelivingroom/chilloutspace forthekids.Thehomethenflowsthroughtothewell-appointedopenplankitchenwithwalkinpantry &stonebenchtops,thatspreadsouttothediningroom &secondloungeroom.Therearofthehome offers a3rdlivingarea, &themasterbedroomhasa walkinensuite& WIR.Externallythebackyardis fullyfenced &hasanundercoverentertainingarea &a sunnyreardecktooverlooktheflatgrassed area &theviewsoverthevalleyfromtherearyard.

SamanthaScott M 0438680032

6LeightonAvenue,Emerald$680,000 -$740,000

FantasticHomeintheHeartofEmerald!

Thislovinglyupdatedhomefeatures 3bedrooms,andtwobathrooms.Locatedwithina shortstroll ofEmerald,andwitha fantasticviewofCardiniaLakeattheendofyourstreet,thisoneis amustto inspect!Theestablishedfrontgardeninvitesyouintothehome.Tothefrontofthehomeis amaster bedroomwith awalkinwardrobeandensuite.Thendiscoverthefrontloungeroomwithsplitsystem AC,ceilingfan,andwoodfireforcosynightsin.Thekitchenislightandbrightandopenplanwiththe diningarea.Thekitchenhasplentyofcupboardspaceandanelectricovenwith agasstovetop. Thehomethenflowsthroughto asecondseatingareawithviewsofthebackyard.Therearetwo furtherbedrooms,bothwithbuiltinwardrobesthatsharetherenovatedfamilybathroom.Externally thereisplentyofoffstreetparking,anda singlecarport,aswellas agreatcraft/gymroom.

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

9SeaviewStreet,Emerald $1,100,000 -$1,200,000

NestledinEmeraldisthisDelightful &SpaciousHomeonapprox.3.5acres! Thishomeis adelightwithit’scirculardriveway &grandlobbywith abifurcatedstaircase.This homehasa formaldiningroom,& expansivekitchenwithnaturalgraniteisland &semi-integrated dishwasher,1200mmDoubleFalconOven&awalkinpantry.Thereisa bedroomnearthefrontof thehomewitha WIR& BIR.Thereisalsoa familybathroomwith acornerspabath& shower.On thisflooris acosyloungeroom,witha woodfire &a splitsystemACenjoyingviewsouttothewrap aroundverandah.Downstairsisa kidsrumpusroom &storagearea.Upstairsare 3largebedrooms(2 withBIRs).Themasterbedroomhasa WIR& ensuite.Thishomehasductedheating,a semi-fenced paddock,a gardenshed,establishedgardens,andlovelynaturalbushareaincluding aseasonal creek!

BethanySullivan M 0438844968 4 A

44DevonAvenue,Cockatoo

$1,050,000 -$1,150,000

Lovely 4BedroomHome,ClosetoCockatoowithGreatAmericanBarn! Beautifullymaintained 4bedroom,2 bathroomhome.Thehomehasductedheating &ispositioned tothefrontofthisflatparklikefullyfencedblockwithclearedlawnsamongstestablishedtrees. Featuring:leadlightfeaturefrontdoor,splitlevelliving, 2bedroomswithBIR,Mastersuitewithensuite, WIR& ceilingfan,familybathroomwith adualvanity,shower &bath, &a 4thbedroom/studywith ceilingfan.Thereis agranddiningroomthatisopenplanwiththekitchen& hasviewsouttothe expansivedeck.Thereisa secondlargeloungeroomwith acosywoodfire &splitsystemAC.The deckisgorgeous&floodedwithsunlight.TotherearoftheblockisaninsulatedAmericanbarn, with 1bayrollerdoor,a pedestriandoor,concretefloor,power,lights &a mezzanine.Thereisalsoa handytapnexttothebarn,assortedfruittrees,a shedwithpower, &6 solarpanelswiththehome.

SamanthaScott M 0438680032

4 A 2 B

EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY HAVEN AND LOCATION

THIS stunning property combines the highly sought-after qualities discerning buyers seek: an attractive facade, contemporary architectural design, a spacious half-acre lot (approx), and convenient proximity to Emerald Village. Comprising four generously sized bedrooms, two of which feature ensuite facilities. The primary Master suite occupies an elevated position upstairs, accompanied by a neighboring parents’ retreat or home office boasting abundant natural light and a balcony offering vistas of Western Port Bay & Cardinia Dam. Positioned downstairs, the second bedroom with en-suite is tactfully separated from the other bedrooms, offering flexibility for guests, teenagers, or extended family members. The open-plan family, dining, and kitchen areas are bathed in natural light courtesy of expansive windows facilitating a sunlit ambiance throughout the day. The interior showcases exquisite bespoke elements, including a timber staircase and a well-appointed kitchen with glass splashbacks, stainless steel appliances, and a spacious walk-in pantry. Noteworthy features encompass polished timber floors, a gas log fire, and split-system heating/ cooling. Outdoors, the paved entertainment area, complete with a fish pond and pizza oven, beckons for al fresco gatherings, while the fully fenced backyard provides ample space for children to play, complemented by a vegetable patch and garden shed. Additionally, a separate studio and a double lock-up garage contribute to the property’s allure. ●

12 BAYVIEWROAD

162 EmErald monbulkroad

22 THE AVENUE

4

LANAMAHER 0408535075

BARRY

2

GAYLE

BARRY

BOASTING character, space and an excellent location, this charming and extremely well-maintained home boasts everything you could want in your next family property.

A picture perfect, wrap around verandah runs the length of the home and when you step up to the front door, you will be greeted with stunning hardwood floorboards on arrival.

Spacious and filled with an abundance of natural light, the home has been well designed to allow for separate living zones making it ideal for families with children of all ages wanting their own space and privacy. There are four beautiful bedrooms; the oversized master with full ensuite, walk in robe plus direct access to the verandah and another bedroom, possible a second master suite containing a large walk-in robe plus access to a two-way bathroom.

Perfectly detailed, the kitchen is highlighted by timber benchtops, pressed metal splashback and under bench ceramic sink, giving a Frech farmhouse feel and along with an 800mm upright oven and dishwasher, makes it perfect for the chef in the family.

The main family room is the perfect place to relax of an evening, with a central open fireplace and views to the garden, whilst the open plan lounge/dining area is the perfect space for family dinners, T.V and great conversation. It also gives access to the large decking at the rear that is ideal for barbecues and outdoor living at its finest. Classic features such as sash timber windows and stunning timber doors, combine beautifully with the decor, showing what a perfect time capsule this really is and features like gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling make for convenient, easy living.

A separate studio with kitchenette will be the ideal home office or teenagers retreat and is the perfect added extra to this already amazing property. Within walking distance to Belgrave South shopping village, primary school, Belgrave Heights Christian School and local bus stop, this property offers something for everyone. ●

4-6

readslikethepages of alifestylemagazine.Primedfornewownerstomovestraightin,thisisanincredible opportunitylivesomewherespecial.

BradConder

M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

FORSALE

131OldBelgraveRoad,UPWEY

1ABlackHillRoad,MENZIESCREEK $1,100,000 -$1,200,000 20ACRES -APEACEFUL,PRIVATE &PICTUREPERFECTLIFESTYLE

Privatelypositionedon20gloriousacresandboasting abeautifulmixofgentlyforested areasandcleared,useableland,thisqualitypropertyisreadyandwaitingforitsnext ownerstobuild(STCA)andenjoythepeacefullifestylethatawaits.Withtworoadfrontages (SchoolRoadandBlackHillRoad)andconvenientaccesstoboth WellingtonRoadand BurwoodHighway,thelocationofthispropertyissecondtonone.

SharynChandler

M 0439882442| E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

97546888

4 A 1 B 2 C

$800,000 -$870,000 LOVELY CEDARHOMEONLARGEBLOCK,

With respectabletenantscurrentlyoccupyingthislovelypropertyuntiltheendofMarch 2025a greatopportunitytobecome alandlordawaits.Thislovely4-bedroomcedar homesitsona beautiful1,103sqmapproxblock,with abrightandairyopen-plankitchen, livinganddiningarea,andfourlargebedrooms.Currentlytenanted,thisisanexcellent opportunityforinvestorswhowantsecure tenantsand/orforthosewhowanttoinvestnow with aviewtomakingthistheirfuturehome.

BradConder

M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

DanielSteen

M 0434979142| E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au

www.chandlerandco.com.au office@chandlerandco.com.au 12Helena

Ifyouhavehighhopesfora fabulousHillslifestyle,thispropertypromisestosurpass expectations.Comprisinganimpeccable5-bedroomplusstudyfamily residenceanda charming2-bedroombungalowseton amagnificentlymanicured3,231sqm(approx.) allotment,thispropertyoffersalifestylesecond-to-none.

SuzieBrannelly M 0490506910| E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

1689BurwoodHighway,BelgraveVIC3160

MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE WITH INTEGRITY

Integrity Real Estate is a family-owned real estate agency servicing the Yarra Valley, Kinglake Ranges and surrounds. Our team draws on over 70 years real estate experience to provide premium property services, with unmatched personal service that only a family company can provide.

Shop 201C Maroondah Highway, Healesville info@integrityrealestate.com.au

integrityrealestate.com.au

A GRAND HOME IN A SUPERB LOCATION

THIS remarkable home needs no introduction to the area after being a distinguished well known successful B&B in Warburton for many years.

An opportunity is now available for purchasers to enjoy this gorgeous accommodation opportunity or to have a delightful place to call home with space for all the extended family. Enter through the gates of Birchwood Manor, it’s truly a home to be admired, proudly set overlooking Mount Little Joe and only a short stroll to the golf course, Yarra River, Aqueduct trail, cafes and shops, this location is exceptional.

Step inside this warm inviting home, the lounge with picture windows with a mesmerising view. The kitchen is lovely with quirky original features, a centrepiece of the home overlooking the large sunroom and formal dining, a perfect place to gather for a family meal.

The ground floor also hosts a bedroom, bathroom, and separate toilet, while upstairs reveals two additional bedrooms, a main bathroom, and a double room with an ensuite, offering abundant living space.

An additional studio has a further 3 beds if required separate to the main residence. 2 large garages, ample undercover entertaining area and well established gardens that really compliment this enchanting home.

A distinctive property in a wonderful location with a genuine feel of yesteryear that needs to be seen to be appreciated. ●

7LittleYarraRoad,YarraJunction

$1,150,000-$1,250,000

Location,Location,Location!- Almost 2AcresintheHeartofTown Brilliantlypositioned,thishugefamilyhomemakesyoufeellikeyouareina countryretreatyet, convenientlylocatedintheheartoftown. 4spaciousbedrooms, 2bathrooms,multiplelivingzones andgreatoptionsformulti-generationallivingorworkfromhomespaces. Aprivatemeandering driveway,spaciouspaddocksandgardenareasleadinguptotheresidence.A hugewalk-inutility room &multiplelinencupboards,thekitchenhasimmaculatebenchtops,cupboardsandbreakfast bar.Downstairsprovideslargelivingspaceswitha cellar,potentialrumpus/gamesroomswiththe convenienceofa toilet &shower.Gloriousoriginalcondition,oozingretrocharacterthatyouwilljust lovewithloadsofroomtospreadout. Ararechancetoacquirenearly 2acresofland(approx.7396 sq.m)withhandysidelaneaccessanda hugehomethatenjoysprivacyandseclusion.

SamanthaPrice M 0438795190

Inspection: Sat11:00-11:30am

MichaelRobinson M 0418505635

100WaresRoad,Wesburn$885,000-$965,000

Startplanningthedream

17.98acresofprimeYarraValleyrealestateisonofferhere,in afabulouslocationjustnearthe iconicWarburtonTrail,andawaitingyourdreamhometobeunearthed.Withopenfieldsand jawdroppingmountainviewsoftheWarburtonRanges,therearebeautifuloptionsforyouto siteyournewhome(stca)andstartrealizingyourdream.Ideallylocatedwithina shortbikeride totheWesburnfoodiehubwithallthemouthwateringfreshproducetotry,thelocalpuband approximatelya3minutedrive,ora 20minutewalktotheYarraJunctiontownship,thisproperty provides arurallifestylewithalloftheconveniencesnearby.YarraJunctionhasprimaryandhigh schools,Woolworths,doctors,dentists,sportingclubsandthelistgoeson- prettymuchallyouneed foryoureverydayrequirements.It’stimetobeginplanningforyournextchapter.

SamanthaPrice

M 0438795190

Inspection:

ByAppointment

19ReeftonDrive,McMahonsCreek

Experienceserenityinyouridylliccountryretreat!

$680,000-$740,000

Nestledonoverhalfanacreofpicturesqueland,justa short15minutedrivefromthevibranttrendy townofWarburtonandboastingfrontagetothesereneMcMahonsCreek,thischarming,solidmud brickhomeofferstheultimateweekendescapeorrefugefromthehustleandbustle.Therustic kitchen,completewith astunningwoodburningstove,ensureswarmthandcomfort,complemented byaninvitingopenfireandefficientwoodheater.Additionalhighlightsinclude aspaciouslaundry area,a quaintbathroomwithshoweroverbath,and alargeundercoverentertaining/storagespace attherearofthehome.ThehighlightisundoubtedlythebreathtakingviewofMcMahonsCreek, whetheradmiredthroughtheexpansivewindowswhilerelaxingbythetoastyopenfireorsavoured fromtheshadeofthefrontveranda.Seizetheopportunitytoownyourownsliceofparadise!

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

Inspection: Sat12:00-12:30pm

SamanthaScott M 0438680032

2 A 1 B

10RiversideDrive,Warburton $730,000-$770,000

4bedroomcharacterhome,largeblock,oppositetheYarrariver Storybookliving,acrossfromtheYarraRiverandonly afewminutesstrollintotheheartofWarburton thishomecertainlyhasalotonoffer.Doublestoreyandcompletewith 4bedroomsand 2bathrooms theversatilefloorplanprovidesamplelivingoptions.Gorgeousformalloungewithlargewindows lookingoutontotheestablishedcottagegardens.Amazingsuper-sizedkitchen,fabulousspacefor theaccomplishedcookwithroomtomove,thefestivefeastwillbe adreamtocookup.Master bedroomwithensuiteandupstairsanother2 bedrooms,studynookandmainfamilybathroom, plentyofstorageandbonusductedvacuum.Largegaragewithinternalaccesswillmake unpackingtheshopping abreeze!Plentyofspaceoutsidewithfruittreestoindulgeinandcottage gardenstoloseyourselfin, adelightfulpropertyinbrilliantlocationtoenjoythedelightsofWarburton.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

Inspection: ByAppointment

4 A 2 B 1 C

PUZZLES

ACROSS

1 Creates (6)

4 Not wanted (8)

9 Traditional English sponge cake (7)

11 Mournful (7)

12 Knick-knacks and souvenirs (11)

13 Exclamation of surprise (3)

14 Arduous (8)

16 Union territory of the Republic of India (5)

19 Relating to a sovereign (5)

20 Influenza strain (5,3)

22 Phone program (abbr) (3)

24 Reciprocal (11)

26 Annoying (7)

27 Deviate (7)

29 Accurate shooters (7)

30 Stylish (6)

DOWN

1 Cadge (3)

2 Something signed by a parent, – form (9)

3 Less wet (5)

5 Bug (coll) (6)

6 Girls’ name (9)

7 Fastening (5)

8 Senile decay (11)

10 Collections of songs or photos (6)

12 Prioritising material possessions (11)

15 Type of rocks containing silica (9)

17 Exaggerated self importance (9)

18 Climb (6)

21 In ancient architecture, a horizontal design (6)

23 Metal rod for stirring a fire (5)

25 Celestial being (5)

28 Utter (3)

DECODER WORDFIT

9-LETTER WORD

can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

19 words: Good

No. 179

No. 179

No. 179

TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATOR

Are you an administrative guru with excellent organisation and interpersonal skills? Then there is an opportunity for you to join our close-knit friendly team as co-ordinator of our transport program.

Healesville Interchurch Community Care Inc (hicci.org.au) is a not-for-profit organisation that has been servicing the Healesville, Yarra Glen and surrounding areas for 35 years. Our mission is to provide caring support that empowers people to live life to the full.

As Transport Co-ordinator, you will be responsible for supporting our volunteers, matching client requests with volunteer availability, facilitating social outings, data capture and overall delivery of the program in accordance with Grant Service Agreements. Communication, confidence with technology and self-motivation are a must. Experience with a similar program would be highly favoured as would knowledge of the My Aged Care system. This is a permanent part-time position for 30 hours per week over 5 days. Current driver’s licence, WWCC and Police Check essential.

Request for position description and submission of resumes to Libby Prentice e:president@hicci.org.au.

Applications close 5pm Monday 15th April 2024.

A week of wins in croquet

By John Thomson

Monday 25 March saw Lilydale playing host to Kew Croquet Club.

It was a perfect Autumn morning, a bit fresh at first but warm sunshine breaking through the clouds.

The Lilydale team consisted of Alan Jones, Kerri McCracken and Drew Pawley.

The first game was the doubles and Alan Jones and Kerri McCracken teamed up for this game. The Kew team started strong and had three hoops up before Lilydale were able to open their account. Lilydale were able to slowly work their way back into the game and after the 12h hoop the scores were six hoops each, so the 13th hoop had to be played to decide the winner. Kew set up well and were able to take their opportunity and run the hoop to win the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.

The first of four singles games saw Alan Jones back on the court. Alan had obviously used the doubles game as a warm up because he did not let his Kew opponent get a look in winning the game 7 hoops to Kew 1 hoop.

Drew Pawley was next to play. This was Drew’s first game for the day, he started well and controlled the game for much of the time and was able to place his ball in the jaws of the hoop on numerous occasions denying the opposition the chance to run the hoop. Lilydale 7 hoops Kew 4 hoops.

At the break the scores were Lilydale 2 games 20 hoops to Kew 1 game 12 hoops.With two games to come the result was in the balance.

The first singles after the break saw Lilydale’s Kerri McCracken play. Kerri got away to a good start and seemed to have a grip on the game but her Kew opponent was not to be denied and started to get back into the game and level the scores at six all, so again the thirteenth hoop had to be played to decide the winner. This hoop proved to be a challenge with neither player being able to run the hoop until Kerri finally put herself in a good position and ran the hoop. Lilydale 7 hoops Kew 6 hoops.

This win clearly put Lilydale in front for the day, but there was still one singles game to come.

Drew Pawley came out for his second game. This game was possibly the most intriguing

game of the day. The Kew player started well and after six hoops Kew was 5 hoops to Lilydale 1 hoop. With Kew only having to win two more hoops to win the game, everyone was thinking it was just a matter of time, except for Drew. Drew started to take control and was putting pressure on his opponent and worked his way into the game and levelled the scores at six all with the 13th hoop to play to decide the winner. The pressure had taken its toll on the Kew player and Drew won the thirteenth hoop and the game. This was a great come from behind win. The scores were Lilydale 7 hoops Kew 6 hoops.

The final scores for the day were Lilydale 4 games 34 hoops to Kew 1 game 24 hoops.

There was no Division 1 Level Play this week as Lilydale had a bye.

OnWednesday 27 March, Lilydale handicap team hosted the Ringwood Croquet Club.

The Lilydale team consisted of Craig McCracken, Mick Crawley, Graham Rhodes and Liz Stewart.

In the first singles Mick Crawley was playing, Mick was starting one hoop behind his Ringwood opponent. Mick started well and soon made up for the one hoop defecate. Mick kept placing his ball in good hoop running positions and eventually won 7 hoops to Ringwood 4 hoops. In the first doubles game Craig McCracken and Liz Stewart teamed up. Because of Craig’s handicap, Craig and Liz were starting one hoop behind their opponents. Both teams were playing well but Lilydale just could not make up the one hoop they gave away. Ringwood 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.

In the next singles Graham Rhodes played. There was no advantage to either player as they were both on the same handicap. The game was even all the way through and after 12 hoops had been played it was six all, so the thirteenth hoop had to be played to decide the winner. Both players set up reasonably well but it was Graham that took his chance and ran the hoop. Lilydale 7 hoops Ringwood 6 hoops.

The next doubles to be played, Mick Crawley and Liz Stewart teamed up. The Ringwood

team were starting one hoop behind Mick and Liz. Ringwood got off to a very good start and it was not long before they had made up the one hoop defecate. Ringwood eventually pulled away from Lilydale and won seven hoops to Lilydale four hoops.

In the last singles Craig McCracken was playing. Because of Craig’s handicap he was starting two hoops behind and his Ringwood opponent had one hoop to his advantage, so this was going to be a real challenge for Craig. Craig was playing brilliantly and he made up his two hoops and proceeded to control the game winning 7 hoops to Ringwood 4 hoops.

The last game was a doubles and Graham Rhodes and Mick Crawley played. Both teams were on the same handicap so it was just going to be a level play shoot out. Graham and Mick got away to a good start and did not give their opponents much of a look in. Lilydale winning, 7 hoops to Ringwood 3 hoops.

The final scores for the day were Lilydale 4 games 37 hoops to Ringwood 2 games 31 hoops.

Wandin’s top Dogs are ready to go again in 2024

By Callum Ludwig

Reigning Outer East Premier Division PremiersWandin are primed for the 2024 season and are looking to go back-to-back this year.

In 2023, the senior footballers finished second on the ladder before toppling the table-topping Narre Warren in the season decider.

The Reserves (third on the 2023 ladder) and Senior women’s footballers (second) also had a good season last year, reaching a preliminary and semi-final respectively while the U19s had a tough season, finishing last.

In the netball, the A Grade side (third) were defeated in the Grand Final, the B grade team (fifth) were knocked out in an elimination final, C Grade (second) also ended up as runners up, D Grade (third) lost by a point in a preliminary final and the 17 and Under team (fourth) lost out in a semi-final.

Senior Football Coach Nick Adam said the group are excited to be back together and ready to begin competing again on Saturdays.

“Although the senior side achieved the ultimate success last year we are very aware that our core is built around young talented footballers who are looking at improving in all areas,” he said.

“The summer has been built around challenging the group and we believe we have significant growth in us in all areas.”

TheWandin side follows a four-step ethos; preparation, competition, review and recovery in their approach to game days.

Adam said the Doggies have two exciting new signings that will excite supporters this season.

“Macauley ‘Macca’ Beckwith coming from Lilydale is a strong-bodied on-ball/forward that has fitted in seamlessly since the beginning of summer,” he said.

“Jack Manson (Coming from the Sunraysia Football League) walked in the door late in the pre-season after recently moving to Melbourne for work and is an on-baller who has already shown he has every attribute to

be a significant contributor for us.”

Wandin’s premiership team is already littered with stars including club best and fairest, runner-up league-best on-fairest and Grand Final best-on-ground Cody Hirst, exAFL near 100-gamer Aaron Mullett, recent Norther Territory Football League Grand Final best-on-ground Joel Garner, the scoring prowess of Clinton Johnson and Jordan Jaworski and club captains Tom Hinds and Patty Bruzzese among others.

Adam identified three more players he be-

lieves will take a step up in the 2024 season.

“Todd Garner was a premiership player in 2023 who has had an incredible summer both in the gym and on the track, you will see the evolution of him as an onballer at stages in 2024 and we are excited to see what that looks like,” he said.

“Damien Furey was a mid-season recruit in 2023 that became a premiership player. Damo has now become part of our leadership group and we will see more of him onball this year, he provides a tough edge physically but is also a significant voice for us on the field,”

“HarryVan Duuren had a wonderful finals series on the wing for us, his cardio means he stretches the ground better than any other wing in the comp. He has put significant work into what he does ball in hand and we expect to see a spike in how damaging he is off the back of this.”

Wandin will begin the season with a customary opening round fixture against local rivals Mt Evelyn on Sunday 7 April at the Kennel.

Adam said it’s a standalone fixture each year that the club are really proud to be a part of.

“They (Mt Evelyn) have talented, mature footballers on their list, contested ball is a strength and our ability to get stoppage on our terms will be crucial to getting good outcomes,” he said.

“We are hoping for a bumper crowd and expect it to be a great contest.”

The Doggies are keen to top the Outer East Premier Division again in 2024. Picture: ON FILE

Kerri McCracken went to the 13th hoop in her singles game which saw her overcome her Kew opponent. 309068 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Graham Rhodes (pictured), partnered with Mick Crawley didn’t give their Ringwood opponents much of a chance in the doubles. 241964

Bradley breaks barriers

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Often it can be difficult to find activities, social groups, and sports for young people with disabilities, but Bradley McMeeken has stunned everyone with a reminder that anything can be achieve with determination and hard work.

Prior to finding his way to competing in triathlons, Bradley was struggling to lift his arm above his head.

Today, he is holding 78 medals – with his national gold medal being the top of his list and a great leader to his school.

Bradley is in Year 10 at Yarra Ranges Special Development School, and he was recently voted as the school captain.

“The school is giving him a lot of leadership opportunity including reading the welcome to country as well as helping to run the canteen for the teachers,” Bradley’s father, Jayce McMeeken said.

Bradley was born with a learning disability but was diagnosed with a rare form of cerebral palsy at age 10 by a doctor.

Typically, cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage in the first few months or years of life, or problems with blood flow to the brain due to stroke, blood clotting problems, abnormal blood vessels or a heart defect that was present at birth.

Brad was placed into a global gene study, which found he’s got a unique gene that didn’t come from the mother or the father but found in people with cerebral palsy.

With the help of $3000 orthotics funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which need to be replaced twice a year because he is still growing.

He has worn his ankle foot Orthodics for years, and his parents ensure he wears it every day for at least one hour when stretching.

He also visits physio and orthotist appointments regularly.

Bradley overcame the tightness in his calves and ankles which made running difficult, discovering his passion for exercise.

He is no average 16-year-old, despite the difficult journey he has walked, he has never given up on hope or his dreams.

Only a few years ago, Bradley could not walk without falling over (always on his toes), severely arched back, couldn’t ride a pedal bike, couldn’t raise his right arm, muscles extremely tight, and couldn’t swim.

Thus far, Bradley has won 78 medals which includes, eight fun runs (five km each), seven national championships, 14 state championships, 12 triathlons, four aquathlons, two duathlons, three kilometre cross country, 800m track and 1500m track.

Bradley has successfully participated in in the following events, Athletics Australia Para classification - T35, track events for Yarra Ranges Athletics Club, Melbourne Inner East Special Olympics club, and Inclusive Sports Training (all abilities triathlon club).

He has shown determination not only on the running tracks and in the water but also just about anywhere he has set foot on.

Mr McMeeken is a proud father, not merely for his son’s incredible sports achievements

but because of the young man his son has become – kind, gentle, grateful, and just full of life.

The 16-year-old has done the triathlons, but he enjoys the aquathlon more.

“Three strokes, breath in one side and three strokes, breath the other, he does that well with a freestyle” Mr McMeeken said.

“When he doesn’t go to his triathlon club, he goes to Monbulk with his mum and they do about 1.3km session twice a week.”

In March 2023, just an hour before the team photo was scheduled, Bradley broke his arm.

“An innocuous thing, fell over in the 50 metres finish line, broke his arm, but he got his medal and went to the hospital,” Mr McMeeken said.

In November 2023, just six months after his injury Bradley went back to the place where he broke his arm and completed the triathlon at the Elwood beach.

“It was so brave [of him] to show up and do that despite the choppy water,” he said.

“He told himself to be strong, did the swim, came out of the water looking strong; and we’re very emotional to see how far he’s come.”

“If someone hurts themselves in a particular place, generally it would cause a memory that may hold you back, but for Bradley, he doesn’t hold himself back goes back in because he knows it was just an accident and it won’t happen again.”

Bradley describes himself as a “positive people person.”

“He’s kind, always happy, doesn’t complain, focuses on his abilities, and makes the most of every day.”

“He enjoys the hard work because he knows that it helps him.”

“He’s doing these other events where he’s got friends and social - it’s just fantastic.”

The McMeeken family lives by this motto, “never give up.”

“We don’t find what’s possible for Bradley, as best as we can we make sure there’s no barrier for him and if he wants to do something, then we won’t be deciding that but rather we’ll create an environment for him to do it,” Mr McMeeken said.

“If he wants to run, swim, get his driver’s licence, whatever, we will support him to do it.”

“We let the outcome define whether he can do something or not.”

Bradley has gone from having nothing to do, to always having something to do.

When he’s not running, swimming, or biking, he spends his time building Legos and playing with his favourite cars, McLaren.

He’s well supported by his kind, supportive parents, school, friends, and his teammates.

“He has fun, he stays in the moment, which is very difficult to shoot for,” Mr McMeeken said.

“We all would like to stay in the moment, but Bradley does.”

“Bradley is the bravest person I know, he never gives up and is an inspiration to all who know him, a natural leader who sets a great example for others.”

Rising from the ashes for three Eastern League sides

With the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) about to get underway for the 2024 season, here’s a look at what can be expected from Lilydale, Mooroolbark and Croydon.

It’s been a rollercoaster of a few years for Mooroolbark Football Club’s seniors, coming from a dominant 2022 and grand final opportunity to a missed finals chance in 2023.

The Division 1 side lost two of its star players at the end of 2022, with Aaron Mullet and Jai Jordan leaving the club.

Last year didn’t get started much better, with the Mustangs losing 35 players and debuting 10 players from the Under 19s.

Returning senior coach Bret Lavers told the EFNL the team would like to “start fresh” with a focus on development to“make a push for finals in 2024”.

“Our best is definitely up there, we want to push for finals and compete with the teams in the division,” he said.

Ryley Monkhorst, Kane Noonan and Austin Smith again topped the best players, with Smith taking out the division’s best and fairest.

“Our leaders (Noonan, Smith) have really driven the group during pre-season and are aiming to be the best that they can be,” Lavers told the EFNL.

Mooroolbark’s women’s team is also gunning for an excellent 2024 season after winning the Division 4 grand final, moving them up to the third division.

“Coming into season 2024, we know we are going up a division and we know it’s going to be much harder and the girls are looking forward to the challenge,” coach Domemic Ciancio said.

Rebecca Gallagher is at the helm having been appointed captain, alongside Lily Peacock and Jordyn Doevelaar as vice captains for the season.

“We have a few players from our junior program that have impressed me with their pre-season and are looking forward to seeing them in the side,” Ciancio told the EFNL.

Mooroolbark’s senior men’s team is set to take on Park Orchards in the opening round on Saturday 6 April, with the women still a few weeks away from their opener against Coldstream on Saturday 20 April.

Lilydale Football Club will also be looking for a fresh start this year after a poor 2023 season saw them relegated to Division 2.

Luke McCormick returns as the senior coach with a positive outlook for getting back into the finals, with key recruits like Ben Hickleton still helping lead the team.

“Injuries weren’t great last year with not being able to put together a full team and having to rely on our big recruit Ben Hickleton,” McCormick said.

“(Hickleton) helped us with our ruck stocks and we know that Ben plays as a forward and when down there he was dominant in that position, and will push to be a more full time forward.”

A couple of standouts for the Falcons are

young guns, Ryan Haley and Lachie Cox.

McCormick said he has really enjoyed what he has seen from these players over the pre-season.

“They haven’t missed a beat and I’m excited to see how they go.”

Lilydale will meet Boronia in round one, playing at home on Saturday 6 April.

Croydon also saw relegation into Division 2 but has gained new leadership this year, with former junior player Rhett Jordon taking on the role of senior coach, as well as player.

Having most recently played at Norwood as a premiership player and former captain, Jordon said he would bring his experience as a player to his coaching.

“It’s really exciting, I’ve been lucky enough to learn over the last ten years under quality coaches like Dennis Knight, Marty Pask, Pat Bowden,” Jordon said.

“Getting a taste of coaching in 2016 really helped as well, so it’s exciting to take the reins myself but it’s something I’ve been building on and working on for a long time.”

Coming off the back of just five wins last year, Jordon will be looking to put that behind

them and focus on the opponents ahead.

“From top to bottom, it’s not like there’s massive discrepancies so it’s a pretty even comp,” he told the league.

“[We] get a chance to play everyone twice which makes every home game important and getting on the road, even more important as well.”

Jordon has seen real commitment from his list to learn and grow both on and off the field.

“We’ve run a couple of education sessions around structures, and ball movement and positioning and things like that, so it’s so good that they’ve engaged in that as well as training on the track,” he said.

“It’s all good to train and be fit but if you don’t know where you’re running, why you’re running there, then it’s sort of pointless so it’s been really positive to get that buy-in on and off the field.”

Taking the position of coach came with the requirement of having a strong junior side to continue to grow Croydon as a dominant club in the eastern league.

“I think the club has always been in a really strong spot in terms of standing, the development of the club itself, the ground, the new lights, club rooms are awesome so it’s a really strong family club,” Jordon said.

“Finals is a focus, long-term stuff is going to be building the club back up and see if we can climb back up the ladder of the competition.

“Perfect world, one day Croydon is back up in Premier Division footy – we obviously understand that’s a process and nobody is going to climb the ladder year after year after year.”

Croydon begins the season away at East Burwood on Saturday 6 April.

Proud father and son, Bradley McMeeken and Jayce McMeeken showcasing the Triathlon National Gold Medal.

Picture: SHAMSIYA HUSSAINPOOR

Lilydale Football Club returns under the leadership of Luke McCormick for its 2024 season.

Picture: ON FILE