Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 2nd April 2024

Bunny ears were out in force for the Hillcrest CFA’s Good Friday Appeal efforts.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Burning debate

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.”

was among the number of community groups and people showing support for the 2024 Good Friday Appeal.

Brigade members pulled out their tins and bunny ears and hit the streets of Don Valley, Launching Place and Woori Yallock to raise funds on the morning of Friday

29 March.

Despite having to call off their efforts early due to being called out for a fire, the Hillcrest CFA raised a total of $4237.80 of the record-breaking $23,368,724 raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Turn to page 8 for more

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 Management Victoria 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.

Continued page 3

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Debate burns hot

From page 1

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.”

IN BRIEF

Launching Place man caught driving unlicensed

A Launching Place man is among six men who had their Easter celebrations soured his long weekend after having their vehicles impounded in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Highway Patrol officers detected an alleged unlicensed driver on the Eastern Freeway in Blackburn North, about 11.15am on Friday 29 March. A 29-year-old Launching Place man had his car impounded at a cost of $950.

Before the long weekend even got started, Highway Patrol officers detected a 24-yearold Malvern East man allegedly driving unlicensed along Browns Road in Clayton, about 9.15am on Thursday 28 March. He was intercepted and had his vehicle impounded at a cost of $913.

A short time later a vehicle was stopped at a PBT site on Mitcham Road in Mitcham. The driver allegedly returned a positive preliminary breath test. He later returned a reading of 0.162. The 49-year-old Boronia man had his license immediately suspended and his car was impounded at a cost of $1042.

Officers later observed an alleged disqualified driver on Burke Road in Kew, about 12.15pm. A 45-year-old Mornington man had his vehicle impounded at a cost of $913.

Police then observed a suspended driver travelling along Victoria Crescent in Mont Albert, just after 1pm. A 21-year-old Box Hill man was spoken to and had his car impounded at a cost of $913.

Overnight, police observed a Ford Falcon travelling at a fast rate of speed on the Monash Freeway in Chadstone. Officers allege the vehicle was detected driving at 149km/h in 100 km/h zone, about 12.30am on Friday 29 march.. The driver, a 22-year-old Greenvale man, had his vehicle impounded at a cost of $896. His three passengers were left to find their own way home.

All six men will appear in court at a later date.

Coles Easter toys recall

A set of assorted Easter plush toys for sale at Coles from 26 February to 20 March this year have been recalled due to posing a choking risk for young children.

The Coles Easter bunny squeezer pals in blue, grey and purple colours, Coles Easter light-up bunny and Coles Easter light-up chicken products do not comply with the mandatory standard for toys for children up to and including 36 months of age.

Children may be able to access the polyester filling because of faulty stitching, which poses a risk of choking, suffocation or death to young children if they can access the polyester filling inside the plush toys and put it in their mouths.

Consumers should stop using the toys immediately and store them out of reach of children.

Return them to any Coles supermarket or Coles Local store for a full refund.

Coles Online customers can receive a full refund or credit by contacting Coles Online Customer Care on 1800 455 400 and should then securely dispose of the toy.

For more information contact Coles Customer Care on 1800 061 562 between 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

KFF has intensively surveyed 4 patches of forest in Kinglake.

Picture: SUPPLIED

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Victory for tennis club

By Callum Ludwig

The controversial Warburton Urban Design Framework (WUDF) was ultimately passed at the Tuesday 26 March Yarra Ranges Council meeting following the decision being deferred in 2023.

A petition from Warburton Tennis Club President John Champion was the first thing to come forward on the topic, but Mr Champion and the club’s concerns had already been calmed by an amendment to the WUDF announced by Council in mid-March.

Mr Champion said he wanted to thank the councillors who visited and listened to the club’s members, friends of the tennis club and the community.

“Assuming that not everyone in each household signed the petition, the 624 (people) probably represents a majority of residences in Warburton and I’m here to tell you that those households are aware of Warburton, its value and want to be involved in its future development,” he said.

“I trust Nathan (Islip) that you and your team found the community representatives both constructive and hard-working, as we said we would be, and we stand ready to seize this opportunity to be a part of this development, to maintain the health of our beautiful river and to increase the safety of all the town for residents and visitors.”

The Warburton Tennis Club were initially dismayed at plans in the original draft of the WUDF to move the tennis courts to the Warburton Recreation Reserve, away from their riverfront position and historic clubhouse. This idea was removed in the recent amendments and was supported by councillors at the meeting.

Manager of Design and Place atYarra Ranges Council Nathan Islip was given five minutes to introduce the item before councillors heard from a speaker for and against theWUDF.

Mr Islip introduced the key goals and plans of the UDF as well as what was changed following the community’s feedback;

The integrated nature of the WUDF breaks down plans for the town into deliverable individual projects and stems from the Warburton Place Plan in 2020

Priorities and concerns of residents included managing the influx of visitors in peak tourism times, protecting the natural environment (especially the Yarra River) and protecting the character of the town

The WUDF does not seek to change or increase any current planning controls and rather exists to manage further development within existing controls, such as the suitability of three-storey developments

Continuing to work on and foster relationships with organisations such as the Warburton Emergency Planning Group, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and others with lived experience to help guide detailed designs of future projects

Mr Islip said there had been really encouraging levels of engagement from the community throughout the whole UDF process.

“We’re very grateful, especially recently, for the constructive and respectful way that we’ve been able to work with a wide range of the community,” he said.

“Even when we don’t always agree, it’s always been constructive and so we look forward to continuing this in the years to come.”

Christian Nielsen from the Upper Yarra Sustainable Development Alliance (UYSDA) and President of the Warburton Advancement League (WAl) Jeff Gill were the speakers in objection and in support of the item respectively.

Mr Nielsen said the UYDA remain deeply concerned about the lack of emergency planning and evacuation planning.

“It was during the (Warburton) Trail Fest this year under extreme fire risk that the local CFA asked Warburton residents to enact their fire plans early if needed, yet the trail fest took place under those very dangerous circumstances,” he said.

“World Trails, who designed the mountain bike trails (Warburton Mountain Bike Destination), estimate that about 7200 people could

come into Warburton for mountain biking events and it would be unimaginable how to possibly manage that level of people under those circumstances,”

“The recent Trail Fests incident obviously highlights the need for this to take place before the UDF can continue to be implemented.”

Following Mr Nielsen’s comments, Mr Islip fielded questions from councillors regarding whether the framework was aligned with the Yarra Strategic Plan, if Council has the scope for a body of emergency planning work now, and could work with the Warburton Emergency Planning group on it if possible.

Mr Islip confirmed theWUDF was intended to be developed in line with theYarra Strategic Plan and shared objectives such as improving and maintaining water quality or promoting ecotourism. He also confirmed the WUDF is aligned with the Councill’s Municipal Emergency Management Plan, that Council had taken note of a first-of-its-kind emergency management study model being conducted by Wollondilly Shire Council in New South Wales and would consider working with the Warburton Emergency Management group to be very appropriate.

However, Mr Islip said it would be beyond Council’s remit to try and do further emergency planning themselves but would advocate to the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC) and Department of Transport and Planning (DOTP).

Mr Gill said the WAL are very happy with

the WUDF, though it’s not perfect, nothing is and he’d like to go into what he calls the three ‘hotspots’ of the WUDF; the elderly citizens’ area on Dammans Road, The Chalet car park and the Redwood Centre parking concerns.

“We have been banging on for about five years and bombarding council with letters about doing something about it (at Dammans Road), this UDF does address that problem of formalising the parking and getting rid of those disgusting old sheds and barbecues to have something more user-friendly,” he said.

“The second one we would really support is the Chalet car park, which was a car park in the 1930s and 40s for the Chalets, up to the 50s and I can remember a hundred cars in there in the 1960s, and that to me would be a perfect overflow car part for the township,”

“A hot topic is the Redwood Centre area… they’re (the Redwood centre) more than happy with the framework, especially the 41 car parking, I think it’s 41 or 42, which the River Reserve has ticked off on, I’ve always wondered where the boundary was and I think it might pay for a few local people to go down and talk to ADRA about where the actual boundary is.”

ADRA has approved of opening up the oval at the Redwood Centre as a community space should theWUDF be approved.

O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child proposed an alternative motion in which the findings and proposed changes from the targeted community consultation, such as abolishing any relocation of the tennis courts, was adopted. The alternative motion also included replacing the last three sentences on page 54 of the agenda under ‘Preferred Character’, relating to traffic concerns of Thomas Avenue with the words;

“The safety of traffic and vehicle movements will be monitored and assessed once a new turning circle has been delivered and any further improvements to pedestrian safety, traffic, and parking will be explored as needed.”

No other speakers from the community were able to speak to the motion but all councillors took the opportunity to speak to the item, including to approve of the engagement of the community, commend the changes following community consultation and stress the importance of maintaining the character of the town.

All councillors voted in favour of the alternative motion bar Walling Ward Councillor Len Cox OAM who had concerns about overdevelopment in the town, particularly regarding three-storey buildings, despite the current existence of three-storey buildings in the township and three-storey buildings being permitted under current planning controls.

Council plan coming up; community urged to have say

By Dongyun Kwon

Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) is calling on the community to help develop the 2025-2029 Council Plan.

Councillors endorsed the commencement of the community engagement at the latestYRC 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 SophieTodorov saidYRC 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 theYarra 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.”

Ryrie Ward 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 reminder 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.

An amended version of the Warburton Urban Design Framework has been passed. Picture: ON FILE

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

Picture: ON FILE

Religious freedom debate

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 Reli-

gious 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 en-

hance 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.”

Call for a wild dog drop in session in the Eildon region

By Callum Ludwig

Eildon MP Cindy McLeish has called for a community drop-in session with the region’s Wild Dog Controller to be held closer to home in the Yarra Ranges.

Speaking in Parliament, Ms McLeish said the Department of Agriculture was virtually ignoring the wild dog problem across theYarra Ranges, highlighting examples from Yellingbo, Hoddles Creek, and Dixons Creek.

“I have met with landowners across the Yarra Ranges about the impact wild dogs are having on their livelihoods,” she said.

“In Hoddles Creek there is one farmer who had several sheep severely attacked and requiring veterinary care. There have been sightings of packs of wild dogs coming on to private property that borders the forest.”

“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 Environment, Energy and Climate Action and the Department of Agriculture confirmed that sessions with the intention of helping support communities to develop their approach to Wild Dog Management across the state.

A DEECA spokesperson said these sessions have been organised within each of the 15Wild Dog Management Zones.

“A session for the Gembrook, Noojee and Erica Wild Dog Management Zone was held in Willow Grove on 21 March 2024,” A DEECA spokesperson said.

“The face-to-face community drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for the community to discuss wild dog management with DEECA representatives,”

“They also allow the community to provide input on the Wild Dog Management Zone work plans for 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.”

Willow Grove is about an hour and 15 min-

ute drive from Hoddles Creek and an hour and 20 minutes from Yellingbo, while also being about an hour and 45 minutes from Dions Creek; known as the problem area for wild dogs in the Eildon electorate.

Having attended a drop-in session in Merrijig, Ms McLeish said while it was a good opportunity for locals to discuss local action and management plans, she was disappointed that these drop-in sessions were only being held in the Hume and Gippsland regions.

“The wild dog problem is no longer contained to just these regions (Hume and Gippsland). The Minister responsible needs to wake up to the reality that 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,” she said.

“Farmers need certainty that there will be no reduction to the wild dog control program

and certainty that dog trapper staff will be available.”

Locals interested in helping shape the Wild Dog Management Zone work plans can do so online by visiting agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/managing-wild-dogsin-victoria/wild-dog-control-planning.

Victoria is currently reviewing its wild dog management programs due to a conflict between the current policy and regulatory framework for wild dog management and dingo conservation, in the wake of studies in 2019 and 2021 from the University of New South Wales in Sydney finding that most wild canine species across the country are either pure dingoes or dingo-dominant hybrids (more than 50 per cent dingo genes).

Residents are obligated to report wild dog sightings to their localWild Dog Controller and can do so by contacting 136 186 or wild.dogs@ delwp.vic.gov.au

Community drop-in sessions on wild dog management have been held around the state, but none close to problem areas in Yarra Ranges.

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

Scam awareness in focus

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 in2024alone,Australianshavelost$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 digitized 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

Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road nightworks

The Department of Transport and Planning (DOTP) is delivering road maintenance on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road in Healesville and Woori Yallock.

Maintenance will involve asphalting and linemarking sections of Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road to restore the condition of the road surface.

Crews will be working for 14 nights on different sections of the road from Tuesday 26 March to late-April 2024, weather permitting.

Sections of Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road will be closed between Maroondah Highway in Healesville and Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock, with detours in place Access to properties in the work

Highway

· A local traffic detour will be in place via Maroondah Highway, Badger Creek Road and Badger Avenue

Detours in place when Healesville-Koo

Wee Rup Road is closed between Maroondah Highway in Healesville and Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock:

· A heavy vehicle detour will be in place via Maroondah Highway and Warburton Highway

· A local traffic detour will be in place via Don Road

Detours in place when Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road is closed between Dalry Road and Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock:

· A heavy vehicle detour will be in place via Maroondah Highway and Warburton Highway

· A local traffic detour will be in place via Dalry Road and Don Road

and instead contact the company or whoever 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 Scam-

watch’ 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.

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

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

Hillcrest CFA out in force

By Callum Ludwig

Despite their efforts being cut short by a callout, the Hillcrest CFA has raised a total of $4237.80 for the Good Friday appeal.

Brigade members were patrolling the streets of Don Valley, Launching Place and WooriYallock from 9.30am on Friday 29 March, shaking tins and knocking on doors of local community members for their fundraising effort.

The Hillcrest crew also held another Wednesday 20 March, where brigade members covered Cairncroft Avenue, Alpine Boulevard, Cairnview Court, Grand Panorama Court and Scenic Drive in Woori Yallock.

It was a record-breaking year for the Good Friday Appeal in 2024, with $23,368,724 raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital, over $300,000 better than the record set in 2023.

Over $444 million has been raised to support the hospital to continue to cater and care for kids and their families since the inception of the Good Friday Appeal in 1932.

at the national level,” she said.

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of our Kangaroo Ridge Retreat team.

bringing all local experiences inside including from local drinks in the mini fridge and food produced by local businesses to the local nature view.

award successfully thanks to the support from the Yarra Ranges Tourism.

Kangaroo

Retreat won gold at the 2023VictorianTourism Awards in November last year and received entry to compete on the national stage.

Kangaroo Ridge Retreat owner Rebecca Ritte said she didn’t expect to win any award because it was her first application with her business.

“I was super surprised when we won gold at the Victorian level and I was completely surprised again when our name got read out

“I was proud of my team because they really have pride in what they do. We’ve had such a small close knit team that work extremely hard and I was so glad that I was able to showcase what they do to the audience.”

Located in Wurundjeri Country, in the heart of the picturesque Yarra Valley wine country, Kangaroo Ridge Retreat offers a retreat experience that goes beyond accommodation.

The business aims to make its accommodation the destination in the Yarra Valley

“Representing Victoria and the Yarra Valley on the national stage fills us with immense pride,” Ms Ritte said

“To stand out among the array of innovative tourism businesses across Australia is truly remarkable.

“This bronze recognition serves as powerful motivation for us to push the boundaries even further. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Yarra Ranges Tourism for providing mentorship throughout our inaugural application.”

Ms Ritte said she could apply for the

“Yarra Ranges Tourism provided me with a mentor as part of their program for building up the capacity of tourist operators in the area,” she said.

“It was really beneficial because having someone who read over my application to make sure that I wrote it correctly and answered the questions that were being assessed was really helpful.

“Also, I teamed up with Hop It which is the local Yarra Valley business and we were reading each other’s applications while we were not competing against each other’s business while we were able to give advice to each other.”

Rebecca (left) and Simon at the beginning of the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Industry Awards. Picture: SUPPLIED

Internal cabin view at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat. Picture: GUNVORE JACOBSEN

The whole Yarra Valley Contingent.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Brigade members ready to set out. Picture: SUPPLIED Even the furrier brigade members were involved.

Celebrating Dawn’s service

By Callum Ludwig

The 150th anniversary of theWooriYallock Primary School isn’t the only milestone they are celebrating this year.

This year also marks 25 years of service from much-loved crossing supervisor Dawn Jenkins at the school.

Ms Jenkins said it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long.

“I started because I had nothing else to do and wanted to go back to work and one of the mums was at the crossing and as she was leaving she asked if I wanted to start working there,” she said.

“I said yes and so I went to the council, did everything and it all started from there.”

Ms Jenkins patrols the crossing on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road outside the school each morning and afternoon.

Ms Jenkins said seeing the kids each day is still what she enjoys most about the job.

“I enjoy getting up in the morning and going to work, then going home waiting to going back and just to see the kids again,” she said.

“A lot of the mums that were students when I started are back at the primary school with their own children.”

A special assembly has been held at the school for Ms Jenkins to celebrate every five years of service, with this year’s assembly including a gift and heartfelt speech presented by one of the Woori Yallock Primary School students, Dixie.

Ms Jenkins said she’s hoping to stay on for another five years yet and reach the 30-year mark.

“I’ll see how I go but I really love the job, I don’t drive so I walk to work and I’m always there for the kids to say good morning, they say good morning back and ask how I am or how my day was,” she said.

“It’s a good job, it’s good meeting the kids and parents, good to get holidays and work in the morning and night, it’s a good job to get into.”

Ms Jenkins was also part of a push for electronic speed signs at the crossing and has had a daughter to attend the school.

Two events in one coming to Healesville this weekend

By Dongyun Kwon

Two events are coming to the Healesville Coronation Park on Sunday 7 April.

Healesville Homegrown Food Fair is hosted by Healesville Community Garden and Community Voices in the Park by FoodPatch Art.

The two events started respectively in 2022 and 2021 and have ended up coming together to give more fun since last year.

Healesville Community Garden president and FoodPatch Art event manager Ethne Pfeiffer said she wants to bring the community together around the theme of local and home gardening along with introducing local community groups and amateur music performers throughout the events.

“We want to encourage people to grow a little bit of food,” she said.

“It’s fun with other benefits apart from a cost saving around buying food each week, it’s healthy for doing a bit of exercise, connecting with nature.

“The other thing about it is the opportunity

for community groups to connect with community members.”

18 community groups will hold stalls and have a chance to introduce themselves.

Healesville Homegrown Food Fair will include gardening demonstrations, art activities

for children, trivia with giveaways and a raffle as well as a guided river walk and free pizza.

The event originally started in 2022 to promote the Healesville Community Garden which has been around for about 14 years.

“Many people still don’t know that we’re here, where we are and what we do,” Ms Pfeiffer said.

“During the Covid lockdown, we had people really concerned about food security. We had interruptions with deliveries to supermarkets and all of those regular things around buying food were disrupted.

“More people then started to look into things like home gardening and community gardening, so it was really a good time to remind people of all the benefits of home and community gardening.”

Music performances will add a festive vibe to the event, local singers and songwriters will perform for people attending the Food Fair or visiting the park.

This year, Community Voices in the Park will be held, while the Healesville Home-

grown Food Fair is on, for the first time after its launch three years ago.

The Community Voices in the Park was first held as a part of a free community art project in Coronation Park hosted by FoodPatch Art in 2021.

“I thought it would be nice to have music alongside that event just to add to the atmosphere and also to give an opportunity for local amateur performers to have some way to perform in public,” Ms Pfeiffer said.

“Last year, I thought it might be good to attach the music at the Food Fair, but I started the music concert just after the Food Fair finished.

“This time people asked two events to crossover to make it more fun for everyone.”

Healesville Homegrown Food Fair will start at 11am in the Healesville Coronation Park and CommunityVoices in the Park by local choirs, bands and soloists will start after the Welcome to Country at 12pm.

Two events are supported by the Yarra Ranges Council through the community development stream.

Music performs will start after the Welcome to Country at 12pm.

Sourdough making in 2023.

Pictures: SUPPLIED YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub will hold a stall again this year.

Woori Yallock Primary School’s Crossing Supervisor Dawn Jenkins. Picture: ON FILE

L-R: Woori Yallock Primary School students Lola,Heidi and Maya cross safely with the help of Dawn Jenkins. Picture: SUPPLIED

Author to share new novel

By Callum Ludwig

A former Yarra Valley author is coming home for a special appearance at the Yarra Junction Library next month.

Karen Viggers, known locally from her time as a veterinarian in both Yarra Junction and Healesville, is visiting the library to talk about her latest novel, ‘Sidelines’.

MsViggers said it’s great to be coming back.

“My parents still live down inYarra Glen, and I’ve done a number of events at the Yarra Junction Library before for my previous novels and so I’m excited to come down and chat to readers,” she said.

“When I was working atYarra Junction, I was living up at Warburton and when I was a little kid, my early years of school were at Warburton Primary School, I rode horses and did Pony Club and all of those things in the Yarra Valley up until I was 28 and it was shortly after that that I moved to Canberra for love, but theValley is where my roots are.”

Sidelines is Ms Viggers’ fifth novel, having also written The Stranding, The Lightkeeper’s Wife, The Grass Castle and The Orchardist’s Daughter which explored the topics of dying with dignity, displacement of First Peoples, wildlife conservation, clear-felling of native forests.

Ms Viggers said as her previous works have mostly been set around Australia’s amazing natural landscapes, wilderness and nature, this book is quite a departure from those.

“It’s about junior sport, particularly teens, and parents trying to support their kids from the sidelines and how sometimes if they get a bit pumped up about their kid’s winning and that sort of thing, it can get out of control and have an impact on kids wanting to continue to play,” she said.

“I wrote it about sport, but it could be about anything competitive from ballet, gosh, some of the stories I’ve heard ballet, or music or even academia because it’s focused on competitiveness in society and anyone who has been a

player or an umpire or ref will relate to some of the things,”

“I wrote the book for adults because as an adult, you often forget what it is like to be a young person and I wanted to try and get right inside the head of those teenagers.”

Sidelines begins with an ambulance arriving at the chaotic scenes of a fight at a junior sports game before flashing back nine months and telling the story leading up to the opening event from the perspective of six different characters, both parents and children.

Ms Viggers said she hopes that her readers will have sympathy and understanding for each of their characters.

“We are not just black and white, we are not either bad or good, we all have strengths and weaknesses and that’s what I really enjoyed exploring in this book,” she said.

“Hopefully you’ll feel like a fly on the wall in their lives and relate to some of the challenges that they experience. But I also hope that

people will think about some of the behaviour and some of the issues that the book raises and maybe be forewarned or be able to chat with friends about things like this,”

“Maybe it will stimulate discussion about how to be better sports parents and support rather than pressure kids, let it be their interest and I hope it helps to foster greater respect which is a very important thing.”

Interestingly, Ms Viggers is a bestselling author in France, where a translated version of The Lightkeeper’sWife won the ‘Les Petits Mots des Libraires’ award and was shortlisted for the French Readers Prize in 2016. She is also cohost of the Secrets From the Green Room podcast where she interviews writers and others in the book industry and now lives in Canberra with her ecologist husband, Professor David Lindenmayer.

Ms Viggers will be visiting the Yarra Junction Library from 2pm to 3pm on Monday 22 April and you can book your place for free at: events. yourlibrary.com.au/event?id=57312

Karen Viggers is returning to the Yarra Junction for an appearance at the library.

Picture: MICHELLE HIGGS Karen Viggers during her last visit to the Yarra Junction Library. 191033

Picture: ON FILE

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 the Yarra 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.

Top care for skin cancer

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey towards enhancing healthcare services at Healesville Medical Centre (HMC) - the introduction of comprehensive skin cancer care. As a clinic deeply committed to the well-being of our community, we are expanding our services to include specialised spot skin checks, dermatoscopic examinations, and skin cancer excisions.

Skin cancer remains a significant health concern globally, and early detection plays a pivotal role in ensuring successful treatment outcomes. With this expansion, we aim to not only detect skin cancer at its earliest stages but also provide personalised and effective management strategies.

What sets HMC apart in the realm of skin cancer care?

Expertise: Our team comprises dedicated healthcare professionals with a specialised interest and extensive experience in skin cancer detection and management. From routine skin checks to complex excisions, rest assured, you are in capable hands.

Convenience: We understand the challenges associated with accessing specialised healthcare services. At HMC, we prioritise convenience by offering comprehensive skin cancer care right here in our community. Say goodbye to long waits and distant appointments.

Compassionate Care: At the heart of our practice lies a patient-centred approach. We

prioritise your well-being and comfort at every step of your skin cancer journey. From initial consultations to post-operative care, expect nothing less than compassionate and empathetic support from our team.

Moreover, our commitment extends beyond providing clinical services. We are dedicated to spreading awareness about skin cancer prevention and promoting sun-safe practices within our community. Through education and empowerment, we strive to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to take control of their skin’s health effectively.

At HMC, your skin health is our priority. Join us in this crucial endeavour towards comprehensive skin cancer care, and together, let’s prioritise proactive health management for a brighter, healthier future.

HealesvilleMedicalCentre’sDrFereshteh Naghavizadeh. Picture:SUPPLIED

PUZZLES

To

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)

3 LETTERS

9-LETTER WORD

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

19 words: Good

4 LETTERS ACES

No. 179

No. 179

No. 179

PROPERTY

A GRAND HOME IN A SUPERB LOCATION

A GRAND HOME

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. ●

A

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 ●

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

0401832068

12

4

162

3

22

GAYLE

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.

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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

Withplentyofspaceandstyle,picturesqueparklandsurrounds,andfinishesdesigned fordiscerninghomeowners,thisidyllic2,350sqm(approx.)property readslikethepages of alifestylemagazine.Primedfornewownerstomovestraightin,thisisanincredible opportunitylivesomewherespecial.

BradConder

M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

FORSALE

131OldBelgraveRoad,UPWEY

$800,000 -$870,000 LOVELY CEDARHOMEONLARGEBLOCK, 4 A 1 B 2 C

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

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

TWODELIGHTFULDWELLINGSONMANICUREDGARDENS 7 A 3 B 2 C

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

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

Great numbers all round

By Dongyun Kwon

Yarra Glen Football and Netball Club (YGFNC) is looking forward to a new season.

Last season the YGFNC had to finish off the season feeling bittersweet with winning just one premiership by the C Grade netball team despite making finals by most of the teams including the senior football team and A Grade netball team.

To start the new season with a higher goal, the club has tried to make the squad depth of all teams thicker.

YGFNC treasurer David Ball said the squad depth was one of the weak points that its footy teams had last year.

“We lacked depth with our football team, we were competitive with the top teams when we had our best team available but as we all know, injuries are a part of footy, we need depth,” he said.

“We have worked hard to recruit, but while we have improved our numbers, we have had a number of retirements amongst our better players.

“We are still trying to add new players to our list. We have had about 50 players who have signed or have committed to play football this year.

“Our netball teams have great numbers and we have added an U 17 to our 4 senior netball teams. Our netball teams have a full roster.”

The Yarra Glen sports pavilion that YGFNC is using has been damaged by flooding twice in the last two years, the latest one in January this year.

Mr Ball said the club couldn’t use the clubroom for most of the last year.

“Once again, we find ourselves without the use of our rooms for the early games as flood damage from the January storms requires restoration work,” he said.

“This commenced on March 25 and we are hopeful the rooms will be available in May.”

Despite the hard conditions, the club is looking forward to playing in the new season.

“We are looking forward to playing in Di-

vision 1 this year. We were in Division 2 last season but with the restructure of the League moving to 2 divisions from the 3 last year, it will be a great challenge,” he said.

“We aim to put 2 competitive football teams

out each week with a very competitive core group of football players who have put in a good pre-season.

“We are hopeful our netball teams can provide a couple that make finals.”

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.

To start the new season with a higher goal, the club has tried to make the squad depth of all teams thicker. Pictures: ON FILE Netball teams are ready for the new season with full rosters.

Burras ready for 2024

By Callum Ludwig

The Warburton-Millgrove Football Netball Club (WMNFC) is ready and raring for a big 2024 season in the newly-reformed Outer East Division One competition.

Last year, the Burras had eight teams in finals with five netball teams and the Reserve footballers going all the way and securing the premiership.

WMFNC President Steve Noonan said the club is excited as always for the start of the new season.

“It seems at the end of a previous season, particularly the last two years where all teams have played a big part in finals, the year has stretched out and the summer break is needed,” he said.

“The new season starts quicker than you anticipate, and it really is a nine to ten-month commitment from everyone within the club. I have certainly walked away from the nights I have attended training with a feeling of quiet determination amongst the group to compete strongly this season.”

In 2023, WMFNC’s 17 and Under, D, C, B and A Grade netball sides swept the competition aside to lay claim to the title of the most dominant netball club in the now-abolished Division Two while the Reserves football side effortlessly topped the ladder without a loss during the whole season and finals.

Noonan said the number of players attending training during preseason and the practice match results across all teams have been really pleasing.

“On the field, it has been about improving and being fully prepared for the expanded first-division competition, off the field it has been about improving club processes to make it easier to administer for volunteers and ensure our sponsors are happy and ready to go again as we seek to remain competitive,” he said.

“The creation of a senior women’s football team in partnership with the Wesburn Junior Football Club has been a big focus to ensure they are supported in their foundation year.”

The senior footballers for the Burras were no slouches last season either, finishing on top of the ladder on percentage and only losing out to eventual premiers Powelltown in the preliminary final.

Noonan said like most clubs over the summer, they have struggled to add to their list but the anticipated improvement of the ‘Baby Burras’ group of under-20s should hold

the club in good stead for the season.

“We feel we are in a good place with our netball, based on the last two years of results and the strength of our 17 and under side of which players are starting to move up the ranks. The re-signing of coach Carly Wappett for our A and B grade was important for stability and continuity so our netball program is incredibly strong and in a good place,” he said.

“On the football side, we have two players in Jack Lee and Aiden Westlake returning after long-term injuries which resulted in no significant game time in 2023 so effectively are two new recruits to the backline.”

The Burras have a tough task set ahead of them in Round One, heading down the War-

regu-

among the upper echelon of Division One sides in recent seasons.

Noonan said he couldn’t single out an individual in either netball or football in particular looks set to take a big step forward this season.

“It’s an old cliche but a team of champions won’t beat a champion team and that is the focus of the coaches,” he said.

“As mentioned, we are excited about the potential upside of our young players in both netball and football. The fact that our coaches are back on board across all teams is a good sign that the talent is there to perform week to week and the netball and football programs are in a stable position.”

The new Division Once competition consists of Seville, Healesville, Belgrave, Powelltown, Yarra Junction, Warburton Millgrove, Alexandra, Yarra Glen and Yea.

Noonan said the club’s new women’s team will kick off the year when they take to the field at Seville and that will be a significant moment for the club.

“Seville has been very strong in what is technically a stronger competition before the restructuring to two divisions, so by extension, we anticipate a formidable outfit all season,” he said.

“We have a challenging start to the year playing two of the previous Division One teams away and Alexandra who were runners up in Division Two last year.”

Tigers roaring and set to claw into the new season

By Callum Ludwig

The Woori Yallock Football Netball Club are gearing up for the 2024 season, looking to remain amongst the top echelon of teams in the Outer East Premier Division.

The Tigers senior football side finished third at the end of the 2023 home and away season and were knocked out of the competition in the preliminary final by eventual premiers and local rivals Wandin.

Senior Football Coach Brendan Donovan is returning to the club this year after time away and said there’s been a different feel around the club over preseason.

“I think we have worked on some of the other sides of the club for most of the preseason, which is nice and gives a really good vibe and family feel with a lot of these kids running around, partners training for men’s and women’s and also with the netball, it’s been really good to see some good numbers over there as well,” he said.

“It’s probably just been a bit of a different feel at Woori than in the last couple of years, just in terms of much more female participation but from a senior men’s point of view, it’s also been really exciting,”

“The boys are really excited, we’re getting really good numbers with our under-18s and ‘Ressies’ boys and then the senior boys are also just doing what they need to do to make

sure they are good to go for the season.”

The Reserves football side finished on the bottom of the ladder in 2023, while the return

of the U19s team culminated in a 6th-place finish last season. The club will welcome back a raft of senior netball sides this season after not being able to get teams together last year, as well as a senior women’s football team.

Donovan said he’ll only be putting his own little tweaks on the senior side this year.

“I was lucky enough to watch the last couple of games of last year, and Jack the previous coach is a really good coach, so there’s not a lot of shift in what we’re going to be doing,” he said.

“We’re certainly looking at a bit more team defence, a little bit more assertive defence with that, and probably just trying to let the boys play a little bit with the attacking would be the best way to describe it.”

The senior football side has a favourable blend of up-and-coming youth and established senior figures, complemented by some exciting incomings.

Donovan said it is still a really good list in terms of the top-end of talent, but the focus over preseason was to bulk up the middle of the list and improve the club’s depth.

“I think this year will be a year of attrition with only two byes instead of the four or five we’ve had over the last few years but we feel we have over 30 guys who can play senior footy here,” he said.

“(Of the new signings) I think Taylor Gibson and Liam O’dea were probably the two standouts of our pre-season games so far, both Woori juniors that have come back, which has been great, and they’ve embraced the change and they’re playing really good footy,”

“I think the two young boys down back, Bailey Syswerda and Oscar Simpson will probably be the two that will step out of the shadows from under Robbie Allan and Luke Boontjes,they’velearnedsomuchfromthose guys so they will probably make the step up, as well as Jacob Aitchison, down back.”

The Tigers travel to face Premier Division newcomers Officer in their Round One clash on Saturday 13 April.

Donovan said their opponents look to have recruited well for the season ahead.

“They’ve got a couple of boys withVFL experience, have a second-year coach and are coming up to a higher division, so you certainly feel as though they will be around the benchmark for the entire comp,” he said.

“To get them Round One, we will certainly go down there with the expectation that we’re going to play the best Officer that they’ve got, so we’ll have to pick our best side and do the best we can, it would be nice to bank a couple of early wins but I think it will be a very competitive league this year.”

Woori Yallock is prepared for the return of the Outer East season. Picture: ON FILE

burton Highway to a Seville side that has

larly featured

The inaugural Warburton-Millgrove Senior Women’s Football team. Picture: SUPPLIED

Top dogs roaring to go

By Callum Ludwig

Reigning Outer East Premier Division Premiers Wandin 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 tabletopping 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.”

The Wandin 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

Shootout Top Ten confirmed

By Ron Hottes

The VVV’s:

Well, dear readers, that woman has done it again. Annelies Duivenvoorden has taken home the top prize, with an impressive return of 21 points. This smashed the larger field this week because Suzanne Barratt grabbed the runner-up voucher returning 15 points. There was no ball rundown, nor any NTP winners.

Wednesday 27 march, Par:

The comp called Par affects golfers in different ways. Some of us, especially the low handicappers, find it the most challenging of the regular comps that we play. On the other hand, the longer handicappers often revel in it. This week, it was the turn of low handicapper Dale Horrobin to have a day out. Dale’s collect for his +2 result is the A-Grade voucher plus the NTP on the 5th hole. The runner-up in this grade was Ken White, grabbing that prize with a -2. In B-Grade Daryl Ward came home with a +2 and the Easter chokkies. A popular win indeed. The B-Grade runner-up was Ross Machar, also with a +2, meaning he misses out through a tight countback. Balls in both Grades reached -1 only. The other NTP win-

ners were as follows: Noel Cross (3rd), Andy Lockey (9th), Ken Barratt (12th) and Mario De Vincentis (15th).

Twilight:

Well, dear readers, it’s now been decided. The final Top ten are as follows, in order of points scored; Paul Osbourne finished on top; followed by Andrew Gill, Pacey Luttgens, Geoff Fall, Clint Toohey, Peter Fox, Sam Dennis, Jack Sheehan, Shane Campbell and Peter Whitehead. Congratulations from all at W.G.C. and good luck next week, at the iconic Shootout. All members are invited to come along, walk the nine holes with the qualifiers and support your favourite player.

On the final Home and Away event, the winner was Michael Pinkster, taking home the top prize with 20 points on a countback. The unlucky runner-up was David Hatt whose 20-point result was not quite good enough to beat ‘the Pinkster’. Balls reached 17. The four NTP winners were James Campion (1st), Shane Campbell (3rd), Dale Horrobin (5th) and Pat O’Regan (9th).

Saturday 30 March, Stableford: Unavailable this week.

tered with stars including club best and fairest, runner-up league-best on-fairest and Grand Final best-on-ground Cody Hirst, ex-AFL near 100-gamer Aaron Mullett, recent Norther Territory Football League Grand Final beston-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 believes 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 on-ball this year, he provides a tough edge physically but is also a significant voice for us on the field,”

“Harry Van 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.

already shown he has every attribute to be a significant contributor for us.” Wandin’s premiership team is already lit-

“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.”

By Anita Prowse

Perfect weather for Yarra Valley Jump Club’s Easter Show, held this year at Shirley Heights Equestrian Centre in Gladysdale, making use of the fabulous arenas and grounds.

Winners were as follows:

Class 1. Open 65cm 238.2.1

· 1 ABBY TERRILL & STORM HAVEN RAT-

TLE AND HUM

Class 2. Open 75cm Article 238.2.1

· 1 AVAH HAMMOND-SMITH & VIEWMONT AMAZING

Class 3. Open 85cm Article 238.2.1

· 1 JAZ REYNOLDS & NATEO

Class 4. Open 95cm Article 238.2.1

· 1 KIRSTEN TWINING & KP D DANZ

Class 5. Open 1.04m Article 238.2.1

· 1 AARON MAWHINNEY & DIORITE

Class 6. Open 85cm Article 238.2.1

· 1 AVAH HAMMOND-SMITH & VIEWMONT AMAZING

Class 7. Open 95cm Article 238.2.1

· 1 GABRIELLE KELLY &FRICKA

Class 8. Open 1.05m Article 238.2.1

· 1 PAT HOLIAN & CLASIQUE ANDOR

9. Open 1.15m Article 238.2.1

· 1 TANNER ROBINSON & YALAMBIS CORLANDIA

Warburton Golf Club results.

Picture:

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