Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 23rd April 2024

Accepting diversity

By Dongyun Kwon

Lyrebird College held a special day to raise awareness and acceptance of autism on Friday 19 April as April is the national autism acceptance month. Teachers wore a special t-shirt symbolising acceptance of autism and students took part in fun activities playing with colours. Lyrebird College behaviour support specialist and teacher Sharryn Veto said the school had a whole range of activities to suit all of the kids’ interests and needs.

“It’s always a colour theme for autism awareness as different colours symbolise accepting diversity, so we have everything around colour. We have lots of sensory activities like coloured shaving cream, cloud dough, dot painting and craft activities,” she said. Lyrebird College wants to promote the beautiful personalities that its students have and their ability to become contributing members of society.

Turn to page 12 for more

Push for justice

By Callum Ludwig

penalties and a greater deterrent

those who vandalise, desecrate and damage war memorials.

In recent times, the Mafeking Tree in Lilydale (Anglo-Boer War Memorial), Lilydale War Memorial, Lillydale Lake Militia Camp Storyboard, Seville War Memorial, Mt Evelyn War Memorial, Montrose War Memorial and the Mooroolbark War Memorial in the Evelyn

electorate alone have been targeted and sometimes on multiple occasions.

Ms Vallence who has brought up the question multiple times in Parliament and did so again at the beginning of April said the increase in vandalism of war memorials across the Yarra Valley is devastating and disturbing.

“I have received an overwhelmingly positive response from Veterans and many residents in our community about advocating for stronger penalties for the desecration of war memorials in Parliament,” she said.

“Veterans and community members have told me of the sadness they have experienced in seeing these sacred war memorials being desecrated,”

“I hold grave fears we will see more attacks. These attacks are not just happening here in Evelyn, they are happening all over Victoria, with many public monuments being disrespected and destroyed. Unless the Government takes stronger action against these crimes, I fear these attacks will worsen.”

Attacks in Evelyn have largely included‘tag-

ging’ and theft;

The Mafeking Tree had a 124-year-old plaque stolen

The Lilydale War Memorial was tagged with texta, which also happened to the Lillydale Lake Militia Camp Storyboard (also scratched), Mt Evelyn War Memorial (also had flag pole pulled down) and the Montrose War Memorial (also scratched and graffitied with political slogans on the eve of Remembrance Day).

Continued page 3

Ahead of Anzac Day, Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence and local RSLs are continuing to push for stricter

for

Easton (left) and Etana enjoyed making cloud dough.

Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Still a long way to go...

By Dongyun Kwon

A Healesville Indigenous man revealed his thoughts after the Victorian Government tabled its response to the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s second interim report on 3 April.

The Government has accepted four of the recommendations in full, 24 in principle, another 15 have remained under consideration and three have been rejected.

Swinburne University of Technology Indigenous Studies associate professor Andrew Peters said he’s disappointed to have only four recommendations fully accepted as the vast majority of these recommendations are very reasonable and achievable.

“We can hope that those under consideration will be accepted and involved in further discussion, but when dealing with our parliamentary system, nothing is easy,” he said.

“I understand that the Government has pressures from all angles, but this is a peoplerelated crisis that has been happening for decades, and nothing previously has addressed it adequately.

“It’s been 33 years since the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, so it’s long past time that effective action is taken, and that means changing attitudes of our decision-makers and refocusing some priorities.”

Assoc Prof Peters is a Yarra Yarra and Yorta Yorta man, who grew up in Healesville and has family connections to a number of other mobs from around Victoria.

Yarra Yarra is a name that emerged from Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve, near Healesville, where they have a very strong family connection.

Assoc prof Peters said it’s a really difficult process as Indigenous People are essentially challenging a political institution that’s been in place, and relatively unchanged, for 150 years.

“However, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be challenged, or shouldn’t be changed,” he said.

“History shows that we need to vastly improve our connection to Indigenous peoples, culture and history, and as a first step, we need the government to hear Aboriginal voices within these discussions.

“In the area of criminal justice and child protection, these voices are absolutely critical to addressing a deep-seated ongoing crisis.”

The Healesville man said there are parts of the Yarra Valley that have always been inclusive of Aboriginal People and other parts not so much.

“It’s clearly a better situation now for Aboriginal people than it was 30 years ago, but there’s still a long way to go,” he said.

“You’ll be able to find stories of racism and exclusion still exist in parts of our society, and the Yarra Valley is no different.

“There are a number of positive things happening, however, through the council, our schools, and Aboriginal organisations.

“I always found through playing sport in theValley and I personally didn’t feel excluded from much, and people seemed to accept and respect me as an Aboriginal person.”

The Indigenous studies educator said education is one of the keys to making the region more inclusive.

“Too many non-Aboriginal Australians are disconnected from Aboriginal Culture and

Native timber support available now

Native timber harvesting has ended in Victoria but support is still available.

Native timber businesses, workers and communities can continue to access a range of support including:

• The Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program –including payments and training, 1:1 case management, employment services, health and wellbeing support.

• Business support

– including exit packages and funding to help diversify.

• Community support

– health and wellbeing services and community development planning and funding.

For more information:

• Forestry Transition hotline1800 318 182

• Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program - 1800 122 001 vic.gov.au/forestry

History, and in theYarraValley in particular, we should all be really proud of our connections,” Dr Peters said.

“Learning about and with Aboriginal people is a great way to build pride in ourselves and connect with each other and our history.

“We are certainly moving in a positive direction, but there’s always more that can be done, especially as the towns in the Valley grow. Healesville is very different now from the town I grew up in.

“My mum, the late Aunty Dot, always used to say that we should all live our lives with respect, caring and sharing. If we all did this, I honestly believe we’d have a much more inclusive and happy society.”

Treaty and First Peoples minister Natalie Hutchins said the Victorian Government

thanks First Peoples who participated in the inquiry and appeared before the Commission for their ongoing strength and resilience.

“TheYoorrook Justice Commission’s work is globally groundbreaking.

“Victoria’s truth-telling process is a historic opportunity to hear the stories of our past that have been buried,” she said.

“These are stories that all Victorians need to hear.

“Treaty and Truth, led by Aboriginal people, is the best way to deliver improved outcomes and close the gap.”

“Every Yoorrook Justice Commission inquiry allows theVictorian Government to develop a deeper understanding of the discrimination that has been built into state government policies and approaches.”

Chair Professor Eleanor Bourke speaks during a public hearing of the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Melbourne on Monday 8 May in 2023.

Picture: DIEGO FEDELE

MP in push for care clinic

By Callum Ludwig

Casey MP Aaron Violi has started a petition to push for an Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) to be established in his electorate, specifically in the Yarra Ranges.

With just seven bulk-billing GP clinics and the closest emergency department being the Maroondah Hospital, a UCC in the region would provide fully bulk-billed urgent care, taking pressure off already-strained emergency departments and reducing the potential cost and time waiting for patients.

Urgent care is for illnesses or injuries that require early medical attention but are not life-threatening, such as minor infections, minor fractures, sprains or sports injuries, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), lacerations, insect bites and rashes, minor eye and ear problems, respiratory illness, gastroenteritis or mild burns according to the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Mr Violi said all Australians deserve access to reliable and affordable healthcare that is close to home.

“Local residents have little option when it comes to urgent healthcare. Travelling over an hour to a stretched emergency room or struggling to find a bulk-billed GP appointment isn’t good enough,” he said.

“With my petition receiving almost 1,500 signatures in the first three days, it’s time Anthony Albanese listens to the needs of our community and funds a Yarra Ranges Urgent Care Clinic in the upcoming May budget.”

The Australian Government established 58 UCCs throughout the country since June 2023, all opened by the end of the year, including 10 inVictoria alone.The nearest UCC to the Casey electorate and the Yarra Ranges is located in Narre Warren.

A spokesperson for Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said it’s fantastic that Liberals like Aaron Violi recognise the value Urgent Care

Clinics are making to communities around the country. “Medicare UCCs are making it easier for Australians to get the urgent treatment they need from highly qualified doctors and nurses, while taking pressure off local hospitals.

Medicare UCCs are open seven days a week, extended hours and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed,” they said.

“In December last year, the Prime Minister announced a $1.2 billion package of Strengthening Medicare measures. This includes boosting funding for Urgent Care Clinics,”

“Since this announcement, the Department of Health and Aged Care has been working with state and territory governments on plans to boost the Medicare UCC program.”

A media release from the office of Mr Butler revealed there has been over 250,000 visits to UCCs since the rollout began, with almost 30 per cent of visits being parents and carers presenting for urgent care for a child under the age of 15 and almost 30 per cent of presentations in most areas being on weekends and around 25 per cent being on weekdays after 5pm, notoriously difficult times to find bulk billed appointments at a GP or be seen at the

emergency department of a hospital.

Anyone attending a UCC is asked to bring their Medicare card or number with them.

The Services for Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG) previously campaigned for the Victorian Government to establish a Priority Primary Care Centre (PPCC) at the Healesville Hospital, or advocate for the Federal Government to include it in the UCC rollout, in 2022 to no avail. Maroondah Hospital hosts the nearest Victorian PPCC to theYarra Ranges.

Casey residents can sign Mr Violi’s petition at aaronvioli.com.au/UrgentCare/

Are your kids living in a world revolving around their passions? That’s a good thing.

It’s why the VCE’s new Vocational Major creates worlds where passions can be explored.

From agriculture to construction, health to clean energy. Whatever world our kids are into, there’s a VCE program to help develop the skills they’ll need to land a job in Australia’s most in-demand industries.

CaseyMPAaronViolihascalledforanUrgentCareClinictobeestablishedintheYarraRanges.

Picture:ONFILE

Deer culling underway

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Ranges residents may notice signs near their favourite parks and trails over the coming months warning them to avoid the area at certain times.

This is because from this month through to August, Parks Victoria is working with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Melbourne Water to undertake a deer control program using firearms on their land as part of the Victorian Deer Control Strategy.

Parks Victoria District Manager Charlie Bisset said the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges contain large areas of cool temperate rainforest that are being heavily impacted by invasive species such as deer.

“Deer can cause serious damage to native animals and habitat by trampling and destroying plants, increasing grazing pressure, ringbarking young trees, fouling waterholes, causing soil erosion and spreading weeds,” she said.

“To protect these sensitive landscapes and help reduce the risk of deer and vehicle collisions in the area, Parks Victoria is conducting routine control operations as part of a comprehensive and scientific approach.”

“We are grateful to the local community for their understanding as we temporarily close areas of parkland to undertake this work, including neighbouring residents who are supportive of operations across park boundaries.”

One such Parks Victoria sign was recently discovered at the gate to the O’Shanassy Aqueduct Trail, which stated the area would be closed for deer shooting between 5pm and 6am on the following dates:

· 22-24 April, 6-8 May, 20-22 May, 3-5 June, 24-

26 June, 15-17 July, 29-31 July, 5-7 August and 19-21.

Residents living near Parks Victoria land have been notified via mail and the area will be checked for people before contractors begin work.

Deer management has been on the agenda of both the State and Federal Governments in recent times:

Two fires keep crews busy

By Dongyun Kwon

Healesville CFA responded to two callouts on Thursday 18 April.

One was a shed fire in Chum Creek around 10.50am and the other one was a truck fire on Melba Highway in Dixons Creek at around 7pm.

No one was injured in both fire accidents. CFA units attended the Chum Creek shed fire along withVictora Police and Ambulance Victoria.

Upon arrival, the crews were faced with a fire seated deep inside a 6m x 15m shed.

Healesville CFA captain Brian Earl said the first job didn’t take too long.

“We got support from Toolangi Fire Brigade and Coldstream Fire Brigade,” he said.

“The fire was contained in one part of the shed.”

The first incident was under control at 11.15am and deemed safe at 11.40am.

In the evening, Healesville CFA was called to support Dixons Creek CFA for the truck fire.

April.

The Healesville crew were tasked with water relaying up and down the highway, as well as providing two members for fire suppression.

“The tanker was utilised to relay some water under the fire,” Mr Earl said.

“We worked well together.”

Four CFA units from Yarra Glen, Dixons Creek and Healesville as well as Victora Police attended the second incident and the incident was under control at 7.44pm and deemed safe at 9.51pm.

The Victorian Government launched the Peri-urban Deer Control Plan in March 2022, identifying priority locations for deer control and aiming to create a long-term and coordinated approach to managing deer populations.

The Australian Government got on board in

In October 2020, theVictorian Deer Control Strategy was announced, including $18.25 million that was allocated over the last four years for the development and delivery of deer control across Victoria.

August 2023 with the National Feral Deer Action Plan in the hopes of helping coordinate and promote the best practices and actions to prevent the spread of feral deer and protect significant sites and areas.

Yarra Ranges Council also had DEECA funding to carry out a pilot deer control program on private and public land in the Yellingbo corridor to help protect the habitat of the Leadbeater’s Possum and Helmeted Honeyeater.

Healesville CFA was called to support Dixons Creek CFA for the truck fire on Thursday 18

A truck fire on Melba Highway.

Pictures: HEALESVILLE FIRE BRIGADE FACEBOOK

Deer control is being undertaken on Parks Victoria land over the coming months. Picture: ON FILE A Parks Victoria sign on the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail gate. Picture: SUPPLIED

30 years of gratitude

By Dongyun Kwon

On 17 April 1994, a Healesville boy had an operation to transplant a liver to him.

Ben Lancaster was born with a liver disease called Biliary Atresia and received a new liver at the age of five at Austin Hospital.

It’s been 30 years and the boy has grown into a healthy man.

Ben’s dad John Lancaster said he was “devastated” when he first noticed his son was born with the disease.

“Ben’s doing fantastic. He turned out to be a very good young man,” John said.

“Everything now is going really well for him and we’re pleased to see him doing well.”

The transplant operation took 12 to 14 hours and Ben stayed in the emergency room for about a week having tubes coming out from everywhere.

Over a period of time, he changed ward and started the rehab processes.

Ben said his liver is “good” now.

“I used to get checked every six months and now get checked once a year,” he said.

“My medication dosage is pretty low which is a good sign, but the doctor told me to lose a little bit of weight.”

Ben and his family grabbed a chance to travel to Canada when he was 10 through the wish-making by Starlight Children’s Foundation.

“We went to see my Grade 3 school teacher Janet Frey who was from Canada,” Ben said.

“We spent about a month in Canada.”

Ben and his family used to help raise donations for children with illnesses.

“It was probably because I got the wish and I wanted to help other children get the wishes as well,” Ben said.

“They could do whatever they wanted to depending on how sick they were [with the donations I collected].

“My mum and dad still do it and I occasionally do it, but we haven’t been as active as we used to be.”

He wondered if the donor has the same passion for cars as he does.

“I did hear he was a young 20-year-old who enjoyed motor vehicles as much as I do,” Ben said.

“I’ve never met the parents as well, so I’d eventually like to meet them one day, show them what my life has been and try to chat with them about their son.”

The dad said he wanted to meet the family of the donor.

“We’d just like to thank them for giving our son a chance of life,” John said.

Ben said he’d like to say to the children who are undergoing treatment “Don’t be afraid”.

“Especially, if they are young children, they could be scared of what’s going to happen,” he said.

“Just don’t be afraid to be who you want to be as you grow up and listen to your doctor.”

Ben and his wife Yang Juan with their dog.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Celebrating 50 years of a renewable energy community

By Dongyun Kwon

Moora

Moora

Co-Operative Community is inviting people to its 50th anniversary open day.

The open day event is to celebrate the 50th year of the community living on renewable energy by using solar, wind and micro-hydro without grid connection.

Moora Moora Co-Operative Community is an intentional community living on top of Mount Toolebewong.

The community started in 1974 with 12 families who were originally from Melbourne and wanted to start a rural community.

Moora Moora Co-Operative Community Smart Energy Lab owner Glen Morris said there are 30 homes with 70 people now in the community.

“The property is 245 hectares, of which half of it, we donated to the Trust for Nature which works for forests and nature,” he said.

“The other half of it, we lived in and we have various things including cattle, a horticultural area and a community building.

“We used to have a school here but it got too small to get government funding, so it closed probably about 25 years ago and now that’s just a teaching space or event space called the Octagon.”

Mr Morris runs a business, teaching and communicating about renewable energy.

“It’s mostly for electricians, electrical engineers and electrical inspectors about how to install solar battery systems,” he said.

The whole property in Moora Moora is offgrid and Mr Morris oversees all power systems in the community with two more electricians.

“It’s never been connected to the utility grid. We make our own power and store it,” Mr Morris said.

Mr Morris came to Moora Moora about 23 years ago

“One of the reasons I joined the Co-Op with my ex-partner was to raise kids because it’s a great place for kids to grow in a natural environment with lots of interconnection with other people in the Co-Operative.

“It’s almost like you’ve got 30 sets of parents because everyone’s looking out for your kids.”

Moora Moora has a rigorous membership process which takes about one or two years to

become a member.

“Then you buy a share in the Co-Operative, so we own the property together,” Mr Morris said.

The open day is from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 27 April for free.

“There’ll be some talks about the history of renewable energy here from some of the early members and how things have changed in a way it reflects how sustainability has become more achievable because of reduced cost of things like solar panels,” Mr Morris said.

Anyone interested is encouraged to turn up on the day without pre-booking.

The location is 109 Moora Road, Mount Toolebewong.

Mr Morris at Smart Energy Lab. Pictures: DONGYUN KWON

The Lodge used to be a guest house and is now being used as a community building.

The Wind Turbine was built in the late 70s as solar panels were very expensive.

Back to where it all began

By Callum Ludwig

The annual Warburton Reunion was held on Sunday 14 April with attendees coming from near and far to return to their old stomping ground in the Upper Yarra.

Over 150 people attended for lunch at the Upper Yarra RSL and plans are already being devised for the next event in April 2025.

Event organiser Peter Molloy said it was once again a fantastic day.

“This reunion is basically for those of us that grew up in Warburton in the 60s and 70s, but now it’s expanded, some people haven’t seen one another since 1965, and it was great to see the expressions on their faces, they were loving every minute of it,” he said.

“We had a special apology from the famous Diana Trask and that was read out at the reunion and it was met with thunderous applause and we had two guest speakers for the day who were former policeman Tony Aulich and former Millgrove identity Frank Lepore.”

Diana Trask is an Australian singer who was raised in Warburton before winning the Swallow’s Parade television talent quest at the age of 17, going on to tour with The Frank Sinatra Show in Australia before travelling to the US and seeing success as a country singer, including having 18 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and singing ‘Waltzing Matilda’ at the 1985 AFL Grand Final.

Mr Molloy said if everyone had turned up at the event that had wanted to go, there wouldn’t have been a venue in the Valley big enough to cater for them all.

“I had 150 bookings, there was 29 on the waiting list and there was 30 that came last year that did not come this year and on top of that there was 25 cancellations, so had they all turned up there would have been about 230 people,” he said.

“One bloke who turned up,Vinnie Charron, I personally played football with him in 1962 and I haven’t seen him since 1965 which is what reunions are all about.”

Each year, attendees are welcomed to bring along any photos, artifacts or just memories of their time in and around Warburton to the event, with old school photos popular at past reunions.

“When it was all over I sat there and just looked at everyone and thought it’s fantastic to see so many smiling faces, everyone was happy, there was not one cross word,” Mr Molloy said.

“On top of that, I had a show of hands and I said ‘Who’s interested in another reunion next year?’ and up went all the hands, and that just says it all.”

Boxing champ shares his passion with local kids

By Dongyun Kwon

A former heavyweight boxing champion is happy to share his talent with local kids in Coldstream.

Hayden ‘H-Bomb’ Wright won the championship in three different competitions; Western Australia Champion, South Queensland Champion and Australian Journeyman Champion.

Wright is originally from Wandin and has travelled around Australia to win the titles along with teaching kids.

The former champion finally came back to his hometown and started to run the free boxing class four times a week in March.

Wright said he’s been having a great number of kids from four years old to 17 years old.

“We do fitness, exercise and mentor kids to give them a positive outreach in the community,” he said.

“The class is on every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which is about an hour to an hour and a half, sometimes.

“We make it like a community place where parents can come and have a coffee. We might watch a movie one night and do some social activities.”

His talent donation has been ongoing for about 15 years, starting in Perth.

Boxing Club.

“We just saw on Facebook about what he’s doing and we’re more than happy to support someone helping the local community and kids,” he said.

“With the cost of living pressure, it’s obvious that kids can’t afford to do any sport and we’re happy to help give them a fantastic option.

“If he needs some gear and stuff, we’ll look at that.”

The former champion still doesn’t give up his professional career while he is teaching the kids.

Wright is currently rated top 15 Victorian heavyweight boxer.

“I hope to fight for the Victorian heavyweight title on 11 May,” he said.

“The kids have been helping me as well. They hold the pads for me and help train me.

“Now I moved back for my family because all my family are in Coldstream, Lilydale and Wandin,” Wright said.

The coach said he has a passion for youth.

“I like to volunteer in the community and give my time and resources,” Wright said.

“I want to see kids do great and I want to be a part of the community. I like to do it for free.”

The free boxing class could happen thanks to the venue donation by the Coldstream Football and Netball Club (FNC). Coldstream FNC vice president Ryan Kerr said it’s fantastic to help the Coldstream

“Any money I make from the boxing match, I’d like to donate back to the club so we can build a boxing ring.”

The Coldstream Boxing Club is located at Margaret Lewis Reserve.

Anyone wishing to learn boxing for free is encouraged to contact Wright through his email, haydenwright2011@hotmail.com

Australia’s longest-running and most popular all-historic motorsport event, Historic Winton, will be held on 25th and 26th May 2024 at Winton Motor Raceway, near Benalla.

Spectators will see more than 40 historic car, motorcycle and sidecar races and the traditional Sunday Parade Lap of selected display vehicles.

Organised by the Austin 7 Club, the 47th Historic Winton invites spectators to bring their historic cars, bikes, trucks, buses, caravans and other vehicles for a massive car park display.

The Coldstream Boxing Club offers free boxing classes for kids from four years old and 17 years old.

Picture: SUPPLIED

All Warburton residents at one time or another, attendees caught up at the Upper Yarra RSL for the reunion. Picture: WAYNE HERRING

By Dongyun Kwon

Teachers wore t-shirts symbolising acceptance of autism and students took part in fun activities playing with colours.

Principal Julie Kugler said it’s part of Lyrebird College’s mission and ethos to continue to grow awareness of autism and to promote acceptance in the local community and wider community.

“We often call this an awareness and celebration, however, it’s really about acceptance and understanding from the community that the children we work with at Lyrebird College do have a profound level of autism and that has a lot of impact on their families and limit the children’s ability to access quality education,” she said.

“We really need to understand that it’s called a spectrum for a reason and we have to

be respectful of all levels of autism.

“There’s a growing awareness but people still have a misguided belief that autism comes with a superpower or gift in a certain area. I’m sure all children have gifts in certain areas and all people do have their own personal gifts.”

Lyrebird College behaviour support specialist and teacher SharrynVeto said the school had a whole range of activities to suit all of the kids’ interests and needs.

“It’s always a colour theme for autism awareness as different colours symbolise accepting diversity, so we have everything around colour. We have lots of sensory activities like coloured shaving cream, cloud dough, dot painting and craft activities,” she said.

“We’ve come a long way in terms of as a society how much we know about autism, the incidence of autism in the population.

“But we have a long way to go in creating acceptance and also to create the understanding that the autism, that people see and that is visible in the community, isn’t necessarily rep-

resentative of the entire autistic community, so part of our work is to show the whole range on the spectrum.”

Lyrebird College is currently the only autism-specific school in theYarraValley.

Ms Kugler said the college needs more help from the local community.

“We always welcome help from the community. Lyrebird College was built on philanthropic donations and although we do get some fundings from the government, it requires a lot more money than we actually received,’ she said.

“We’re always actively promoting our school and looking for philanthropic partners to help us on our mission and to give the opportunity for education to a wider and larger range of students and families.

“The philanthropic funding goes largely to providing human resources within the school setting. We’ve been very successful in gaining grants through the Victorian independent school building grant authority and we’ve been able to get a lot of equipment from lots

of other kind donors who have been philanthropic partners.”

Lyrebird College wants to promote the beautiful personalities that its students have and their ability to become contributing members of society.

Ms Veto said her students are “engaging, funny, warm and affectionate”.

“Part of why we’re celebrating is because families of kids with this level of disability hear bad news stories all the time, so they get a really gut-wrenching diagnosis. They’re dealing with behaviours at home, at school and in their community, and it’s really isolating,” she said.

“But this is a chance to actually acknowledge that, with all these challenges that these kids face, there are wonderful things about them and they can learn.

“We’re about to send one of our oldest students off out into the workplace later this year, which at this level of disability is so super exciting, and it shows how much worth our kids have despite their disabilities.”

James(left)andSehajlovedplayingwithcolouredshavingcream.

Loganisgoodatwelcomingnewpeople.

Ted’ssmile.

Easton(left)andEtanaenjoyedmakingclouddough.

Pictures:DONGYUNKWON

Refining new volunteers

By Dongyun Kwon

Healesville Living and Learning Centre (HLLC) has opened a free 10-week course to help people develop skills to be effective volunteers.

The course is held at HLLC between 10am and 12pm every Thursday from 18 April to 20 June.

Course trainer Ethne Pfeiffer said the course aims to help people get started to volunteer in an informed way.

“There’s lots of compliance around being a volunteer, so you can’t just step in to do some work for an organisation or a group,” she said.

“You have to know your responsibilities and you have to have a Working With Children Check. A lot of people may not realise that things have changed a little bit.

“We’ll also ask what skills they have and we’ll build on that to maximise their skills.”

The course will help people develop communication skills and resume writing as well as connect them with community groups.

Ms Pfeiffer said she’s been engaging with community groups to invite them to be part of the course.

“What I’ve been doing over the past week is reaching out to community groups that do rely on volunteers to keep themselves going and we’ve had some interest back from some groups. We’ll keep making those connections within the community,” she said.

“If they’ve got volunteers that haven’t been trained, they can recommend to their volunteers to come and get some free training.

“The course will also focus on working well within an organisation’s culture and meeting their workplace standards. It’s about helping individuals but also the whole community.

“What is really important is that we will welcome people at any time because it’s a short course. If you come in even halfway through, we will still ask you what you’d like to achieve

and we will try and support that.”

HLLC community development co-ordinator Shona Rimmer said HLLC has struggled to attract volunteers since Covid-19 as have many organisations.

“So we were looking at ways that we can assist people in making the most of their volunteering experience,” she said.

Marcus Kaye is the first person registered for the course, who has volunteered for the Healesville Community Garden.

Showcasing green thumbs

By Callum Ludwig

The Warburton Bowls Club is hosting a community event to promote community connection and resilience and to champion the local produce made in the UpperYarra.

The Burras are holding a Local Producers Showcase on Friday 3 May from 6.30pm with wine, cheese and live music all part of the evening.

Grants officer at the Warburton Bowls Club Aimee Dostie said they are really pleased with how the planning of the event has come along.

“It’s just been really natural and organic, the support from the community has been great and the local producers like Millgrove Dairy and the Yarra Valley Artisan Bakery are pretty excited as well as Malini Chidzey and her band, who live locally, Babaganoush,” she said.

“We’ve been really keen to activate this space and do things outside of competitive bowling as we do have a very specific season before it becomes quite variable due to the weather up here,”

“Being able to offer these events and to say we’ve got this great space in a great location, even when the weather is not good enough for a roll, we can still put other things on as well, would be great.”

The showcase has been supported as one of two evening events for the club to hold during May with support through the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN’)’s Wellbeing and Resilience Grants program and Yarra Ranges Council.

Ms Dostie said Warburton and the surrounding communities of the UpperYarra were significantly impacted by the violent storms that swept through the region in 2021 and the prolonged and repeated anxieties from this continue to show.

“Local residents not only lost power for a number of days but also cell service and the ability to contact emergency services. Although on the face of it, these impacts were rectified for most within a few days or even weeks, there remained significant damage to the emotional security of residents in the area,” she said.

“Landslips have always been an issue on remote roads, but the isolation caused by the storms proved to be a poignant reminder of

the importance of all access points. This was echoed again in 2022 with the landslip along the Warburton Highway which physically severed the community from essential services and access for over eight months,”

“The residual trauma and anxiety from the initial storms in 2021 and the aftershock events, some of which have yet to be fully repaired, cause substantial distress and a heightened awareness of extreme weather events.”

The showcase also aims to highlight the Warburton Bowls Club’s recent upgrades as a part of the energy resilience project, including the solar panels that were installed in conjunction with the Council to provide an additional resource to the community in the event of longterm power outages.

Ms Dostie said originally they planned to only host a comedy night, but with the encouragement of Mark at EMPHN they decided to pivot and do a second evening event.

“The idea for a Local Producers Showcase came out of wanting to give back to the businesses and artists we love here in Warburton and feature them as the main event,” she said.

“Events like these and the Bingo nights we’ve put on over the past year are a great way to create a more permeable link between our Club and the community at large,”

“For us, this event feels like it came out of nowhere because the organisation has been so seamless with our local producers bringing their passion and enthusiasm to the table. People in the city pay big money for events like this and we’re so fortunate to have everything right here in our backyard.”

Tickets can be booked at: trybooking.com/events/landing/1207688

Mr Kaye said he’s been in Healesville for about four or five years.

“When I first came here, I didn’t know many people, so it [volunteering for the Healesville Community Garden] was a good way to get involved in the community and meet more people,” he said.

“When I first started volunteering at the Community Garden, we had a project called Planting the Seed, which is all about growing food for our local charities including HICCI.

We’ve donated a lot of local food and we managed to get over 30kg of food this year.

“Helping others is a big reason why I wanted to learn more about volunteering and I thought it’d be a good place to start to help the community more and learn how to be a volunteer.

Anyone wishing to participate in the course can sign up in person at Healesville Community Link, located at 110 River Street, Healesville or contact HLLC at 03 5962 5982.

Yarra Valley ECOSS hosts gardens gathering

By

Yarra Valley ECOSS welcomed passionate gardeners from around the state to Wesburn on Saturday 20 April for the Vic Community Gardens Gathering.

A full days worth of workshops and activities was held, with offerings to cater to both adults and kids.

The day was opened with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Aunty KimWandin, followed by a heartwarming speech by Cr Johanna Skelton.

All the speakers were highly engaging and covered topics such as BioChar, Composting, CommunityViticulture and Governance.

Executive Chef of SALA Michael Lewis was flown down from Sydney and offered a cooking demonstration, including foraged foods.

For the kids, a permaculture puppet show, writing love letters to the land, a discovery walk, nature art and play time filled their day with fun.

Wood-fired pizzas and a site tour topped off a wonderful day.

Yarra Valley ECOSS extends its thanks to Community Gardens Australia, ECOSS Volunteers and the sponsors Yarra Ranges Council, Upper Yarra Regional Recovery and Water Ups for making the day possible.

Callum Ludwig

Yarra Valley ECOSS hosted the 2024 Victorian Community Gardens Gathering. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Attendees tuned in to workshops on an array of topics.

The Warburton Bowls Club is hosting a Local Producer Showcase at the start of May.

Picture: ON FILE

L-R: Marcus Kaye, Shona Rimmer and Ethne Pfeiffer.

Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Battle is on for the cup

By Callum Ludwig

A new marquee fixture in the AFL Outer East calendar has been pencilled in for the first time, with both clubs involved hopeful to make it a regular occurrence.

The Seville and Belgrave Football Netball Clubs will clash on Anzac Day next Thursday in what is being coined the inaugural George Ingram Cup.

Seville Football Netball Club Secretary Grant Tucker said it’ll be great for the club and the community.

“We’ve only had the Seville War Memorial up for three years, but we want to get the message out there we’re just trying to re-educate the new generation about the war and what it’s all about,” he said.

“With George Ingram being a member of the town, we get to pay our respects to him as well as the other soldiers who were from the town.”

The best player on the ground for each of Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s football matches will be presented with the Ingram Medallion, in honour of Seville’s Victoria Cross recipient George Ingram while the best on ground for senior netball will be presented with the Robertson Medallion in honour of Seville sisters Constance, Jessie and Ruby Robertson who all served in World War Two.

George Ingram VC fought on the Western Front and received the Victoria Cross for his feat of bravery in reclaiming the village of Montbrehain in France, with himself and other Australian soldiers overcoming multiple enemy posts in their attack and Ingram believed to have killed at least 40 enemy soldiers in this encounter, while accounting for many more as others surrendered or were captured, including a house containing 30 soldiers which he

captured himself. Sergeant Constance Roberston spent four years with the Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Australian Air Force at various airfields and bases in Victoria and New South Wales, Lieutenant Jessie Robertson served for six years with the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service throughout Australia and overseas in New Guinea before then offering to volunteer as a Welfare Officer for Australian occupation troops serving in Japan when she was discharged and Corporal Ruby Robertson served for two years with the Australian Women’s Army Service at military bases around

Healesville and Yarra Glen RSLs sponsor Anzac Day

On Thursday April 25, the Yarra Glen and Healesville RSLs are again commemorating the anniversary of Anzac Day.

The Yarra Glen RSL is planning for local events, beginning with a parade from the Yarra Glen Police Station and continuing to the Cenotaph in the McKenzie Reserve on Anzac Avenue.

There will be a remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph, to be followed by a reception in the Memorial Hall.

Featured speakers are students from the Yarra Glen,Yering and Christmas Hills Primary Schools.

The Yarra Glen Primary School Choir will perform musical tributes during the service.

Members of the public who wish to place a wreath or flowers to commemorate the sacrifices of deceased veterans are welcome to participate, and they should contact Yarra Glen RSL secretary Ed Bartosh, in advance of the day to make arrangements.

The parade will start at 10.15am, and the service will commence at approximately 10.30 am. Ex-service personnel and members of the public are invited for refreshments after the service.

A sausage sizzle to support the Anzac Appeal is supported by the Yarra Glen and District Men’s Shed.

Also, the Yarra Glen Sub-Branch will be offering Anzac Appeal items at the Ritchies Yarra Glen IGA on Thursdays prior to Anzac Day to raise funds for the RSL welfare activities. Every cent collected for the tokens goes directly into the RSL Patriotic Funds General Appeals.

The Returned and Services League of Australia, Yarra Glen Sub-Branch holds regular meetings on the third Sunday of each month at 10.00am at the Memorial Hall. Its mission is to support the well-being and betterment of the members, former and serving members of the ADF and their dependants, with the provision of welfare and commemorative services and, where appropriate, contribute to the worthy needs within the community.

Mr Tucker said a donation from the game’s proceeds will go to the Lilydale RSL and they they hope the support from the town for the recent services at the war memorial will translate over to support of the club on Anzac Day

“After we did a lot of fundraising to get to where the memorial was, it was pretty disappointing so the idea of this is to get the story out there of what we’re trying to do and get the community back behind it to get more support and funding for the war memorial as well as funding for the new rooms and making Seville a premier sporting reserve in the Yarra Valley.”

“Belgrave don’t have any marquee games but they were supportive of the cause and pretty excited to get behind the game, so there’s an element of excitement for both clubs.”

Funds raised from the day will go towards the repair of the Seville War Memorial and to the Lilydale RSL’s welfare funds as well as the upcoming rebuilding of the Seville Football Netball Club’s clubrooms.

Seville FNC played their first games on the newly resurfaced oval in Round One against Warburton-Millgrove and with the seniors being beaten, they will be keen to pick up their first win on the new home turf when they welcome Belgrave, who kicked off their season with a comprehensive win over Yarra Glen.

Belgrave Senior Footballer Daniel Ryan said it will be really good for both clubs to have something in the books that happens every year that everyone can get around and support.

“All the boys are really hoping that the game against Seville will go well, Patty Schill has done a lot of off-season work to get all these new boys in and we thought the team was looking strong last year before injuries got the best of us and now with injured players back and new players in, we think we’ve got a really strong chance against Seville,” he said.

“We’ve really just got to look at how Seville plays and how they have beaten us and other teams over the last few years us and figure out what we can do ourselves to negate their game while doing what we do best,”

“We are a good team out of the middle and our backs are strong and will play up tight, while we’ve been working on our leading patterns and forward 50 entries, so as we saw against Yarra Glen, we hope to get some big scores on the board.”

The Healesville RSL is proud to commemorate the service of the local veterans and currently serving community on Anzac Day.

The dawn service will commence at 5.45am at the Healesville RSL, followed by the traditional Gun Fire breakfast (gold coin donation).

March participants are requested to form up from 9.30am on the high side of Church Street, between Verso Books and the old mower shop (no longer there).

The march itself will commence at 10am.

This year, the Healesville RSL has been successful in its request for a flyover by 100 Squadron.

This is subject to weather conditions, however all going well, the 100 Squadron should fly down main street at approximately 10.15am, while the march is underway.

The march forms up at the Memorial Hall cenotaph for the morning service commencing at approximately 10.30am.

The morning service should be complete by approximately 11am, at which time the Healesville RSL cordially invites the community to enjoy lunch and the AFL football match in the afternoon.

The Seville War Memorial will soldier on with a dawn service that will begin at 5.45am despite the necessary removal of the two damaged panels recently.

There’ll be a free community breakfast after the service sponsored by the Community Bank of Wandin-Seville.

The UpperYarra RSL Sub-Branch’s Dawn Service will be at the Yarra Junction Cenotaph, 2444 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction starting at 5.45am.

Those participating in the march later in the morning are alsorequired to gather at the Commonwealth Bank in Yarra Junction in time for the start at 10.30am

This will be followed by a mid-morning memorial service.

The customary 8.30am service will be held at the Wandin Cenotaph, and will include the unveiling of new memorial plaques featuring the names of hundreds of soldiers from the local area not previously incorporated.

The Rotary Club of Wandin was successful in applying for funding from the De-

partment of Veteran’s Affairs ‘Saluting Their Service’ Commemorative Grants Program, with $6000 provided to install a new stone plinth and seven more bronze plaques with the names of more service people from Wandin.

The missing names and details set to be incorporated into the Cenotaph space were compiled by Anthony McAleer OAM and Chris Manders, who set about gathering information of the Wandin residents missing from the memorial, as well as more details about those featured, following the centenary of World War One.

The unveiling will be carried out by Warrant Office Class One Michael Hutchinson of the 22nd Engineer Regiment.

The annual march through the centre of Warburton will be starting off at the Warburton Bakery at 10.05am before setting off down the street with a service expected to begin at the Cenotaph at about 10.20am

Woods Point RSL will be hosting their memorial service at the RSL on 14 Scott Street, Woods Point from 6am, breakfast and refreshments will be available.

Melbourne.

L-R: Seville Women’s footballers Jen ‘Dutchie’ Vermeulen, Ness Jackson, coach Daniel ‘Izzy’ Ismail, Club Secretary Grant Tucker, A-Grade netballer Alexis Tucker and Senior footballer Jack Nolan. Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

For more information on the events or membership in the RSL, please contact Ed Bartosh at 0438 508 235.

The Yarra Glen and Healesville RSLs are again commemorating the anniversary of Anzac Day on Thursday 25 April. Picture: ON FILE

Cabaret set to delight

By Callum Ludwig

The Small Hall Gypsy Cabaret is back for a third and final year and making the move to Badger Creek.

Still retaining the small hall feel from East Warburton, the Badger Creek Hall will be the location for Velveteen Productions’s third edition of the event on Saturday 27 April.

Andrew Darling and Szara Fox of Velveteen Productions, who also perform as part of Szara Fox and the Midnight Secrets, said they wanted to bring what they’ve been doing closer to Healesville where they live.

“It can be a competition to see who’s the coolest out of Warburton and Healesville, I think the hall is a little smaller but the Badger Creek Hall is just a beautiful old hall, walking into that felt like I was almost transported back to the 1940s, it has that historical feel,” Mr Darling said.

“Original and unique live music is a treasure in this world and it’s something that will really inspire people’s spirits, though almost every day in the media you see a story about another festival that’s cancelled or another live music venue that has gone under due to financial hardship,”

“Even in such an arty place like Melbourne it is really struggling, so that’s another reason for people to get out there, to keep live music happening and viable.”

The lineup consists of the ever-present performance Szara Fox and the Midnight Secrets with their Balkan-inspired Gypsy-infused dance grooves, Healesville singer-songwriter Ash King and the Vardos Trio with their fiery folk and instrumental gypsy music learned in Hungary and Romania.

Ms Fox said the focus of the Small Hall Gypsy Cabaret is also very much on community and connection and encourages people to come along to what might be the last edition of the event as it is.

“It’s a really great place for like-minded people that like music and something different to come to and meet new people or old friends that they might not have seen for long time,” she said.

“The reason why we most likely will have this as our last Small Hall Gypsy Cabaret is because we’ve got some other projects in the pipeline that also involve live music but with a different location, a different structure and

a different twist to it which will be happening next year.”

A tarot reader with the traditional Gypsy wagon in tow will make an appearance and and cake will be available to keep attendees

fed and fuelled for the night of dancing. Doors open at 6.30pm on the night and only 100 tickets are available at the following link: events.humanitix.com/small-hall-gypsy-cabaret-3-0.

Yarra Junction features in new love crime thriller flick

A Yarra Junction school has been featured as part of the setting for a new love crime thriller film.

‘Timeless Beauties’, directed by Philip Lemin, has been shot at locations around the state and features an array of classic cars in the story set in the ‘70s.

Vintage Car Coordinator for the film, as well as having an acting role, managing other vintage props, still photography and casting crew, Leo Notarianni said he was in disbelief of how beautiful the Yarra Junction site, was especially with the views.

“A local school ground in the Yarra Junction district offered the beautiful scenery for a film shoot of several scenes in the film and the classic maroon 1967 Mercedes Benz 250SE with its bright chrome and white wall tyres contrasted well with the greenery of the rural backdrop whilst the stunning views made the whole scene look fantastic,” he said.

The star car of the scene shot in Yarra Junction, a pristine maroon Australian-delivered 1967 Mercedes Benz 250SE, was kindly lent to Mr Notarianni for the film.

Wangaratta resident Mr Notarianni has vintage car coordinated and sourced classic and vintage cars for five years in the film industry and prior to that was using classic cars and historical buildings through his involvement in the National Trust where he was elected Treasurer of the reformed North East Victoria branch in Beechworth.

Mr Notarianni has over time acquired a vast collection of antiques, collectables and

props which have not only been used in photoshoots, films and music clips but also in cultural displays museums and museum exhibitions. His use of vintage props started by initially using his parents’ collection of

household vintage items, particularly of the Art Deco and Moderne era mid-century era and has slowly enhanced the collection by sourcing additional vintage stock from estate wind-ups, garage sales and even Face-

book Marketplace.

Mr Notarianni also features in the film as ‘Joe’, the husband of ‘Maria’, an affluent educated inner-city professional middle-aged couple.

L-R:AndrewDarlingandSzaraFox.

Picture:SUPPLIED

A glimpse into the past

By Dongyun Kwon

Gulf Station is hosting a fun event as part of the Australian Heritage Festival.

The National Trust is inviting community members to explore Fleece, Fibre and Fancywork on Sunday 28 April.

National Trust Gulf Station coordinator Fiona Leadbeater said it’s a showcase of all things about sheep.

“We’re going to celebrate the history of sheep at Gulf Station but also to introduce a new breed of sheep that is new to Australia which is originally from Switzerland,” she said.

“They’re known as the cutest sheep in the world. They’re called Valais Blacknose sheep and they’ve been gaining popularity in Australia.

“As well as those, we’re gonna have black and coloured sheep and some Babydoll sheep, all different rare and unusual breeds of sheep.”

There’ll be a shearing demonstration, working dog demonstration, market stalls and traditional handcrafts.

“The shearing demonstrations are actually going to be traditional blade shearings, so that should be very interesting to people,” Ms Leadbeater said.

“The lace guild and the embroidery guild are coming for the handcrafts.

“We’ve got people who will be selling fleece and wool. There’ll be food trucks and some activities for children as well.”

Gulf Station is a historic property which was originally part of a 25,000-acre piece of land from Yarra Glen to Toolangi.

It was established in the 1850s and farmed for nearly 100 years by the Bell family.

Gulf Station is one of the oldest and most intact examples of a pioneer farm complex in

Power!

Australia which supplied produce to gold miners of the district.

The National Trust acquired stewardship of the property in 1976 and restored its buildings and cottage garden.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to join the festival and invite people along to learn about this property and the new breeds of sheep,” Ms Leadbeater said.

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office on the day or online anytime at the National Trust website, nationaltrust.org.au/ahf_event/ fleece-fibre-fancywork

Gulf Station. Pictures: SUPPLIED Valais Blacknose sheep.

Showcasing opportunities

We welcome you to Yarra Junction Primary School to tour our school.

We are very proud of the engaging indoor and outdoor learning spaces that we have created for our students and would be delighted to show you around and inform you of all the rich learning opportunities that our school has to offer.

At Yarra Junction Primary School we place every student at our heart and do our very best to ensure that our students engage in learning at their point of need and across multiple areas of the curriculum. Some of the learning areas include: Numeracy, Literacy, Physical Education, Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Geography, History, Civics and Citizenship, Wellbeing and Library.

Information Night

Date: Wednesday 29th May

Time: 5.30pm for a BBQ and the presentation will beginning at 6pm Can’t wait to see you!

We would love for you to come along and meet the current Prep teachers, Principal and School Leaders. We will present information about our literacy and numeracy approach at Woori Yallock Primary School, as well as school readiness and how we support students to transition from kinder. Parents will receive a guided tour of our school by a teacher or student leader.

We work to empower our students to be respectful and responsible for themselves. Our Sensory Garden provides the opportunity for students to practice self-regulation skills, our playgrounds provide opportunities for students to engage in a range of physical activities and our Yarning Space provides opportunities for our students to connect with land and engage in First Nations perspectives, culture and understandings.

To book a tour please call 59671544 and speak with Catherine or Kate in our office or email our school at yarra.junction.ps@education.vic.gov.au

We look forward to hearing from you and sharing our wonderful learning facility, students and staff with you,

BOOK A TOUR TO SEE OUR GREAT SCHOOL

The new Sensory Garden at Yarra Junction Primary School. Pictures: SUPPLIED All are welcome to book a tour at Yarra Junction Primary School.

Surrounded by community

At Healesville Primary School we provide our students with a unique educational opportunity. Our students learn the Woi wurrung language which is the language of the Wurundjeri People as well as learning about the cultural stories.

HPS has four lifelong values that are at the heart of our school. These are Respect, always Learning, Community and Confidence. These values also form the basis for our Positive Education Program where students in multi aged groups work with a teacher for the time they are at our school. We meet four times a term thereby establishing relationships across the school and with another trusted adult. This is another one of our unique programs that focuses on growth mindsets.

HPS are extremely fortunate to have extensive outdoor environments. These are surrounded by Indigenous murals, open play spaces, four shaded playgrounds and multiple outdoor classroom areas. We have a large sustainability hub including chickens and a huge natural play area for cubby building with bush kitchens for mud play.

Our classrooms are warm, engaging and inviting. All rooms have quiet corners where students can read, participate in calming activities, and regulate their emotions. Our behaviour management system is School Wide Positive Behaviour Support, which is a departmental initiative that focuses on rewarding positive behaviour. We pride ourselves on our calm and orderly learning environments. Our teaching approach is differentiated, enabling all students to learn at their point of need. We offer support and extension programs at all levels.

Book a tour today and see for yourselves what an amazing community school Healesville Primary is. HealesvillePrimarySchoolwelcomeseveryonetocomeseewhatmakestheschoolsounique.

PUZZLES QUICK CROSSWORD

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

20 ACRES, FARMHOUSE AND HORSE FACILITIES

WELCOME to your own slice of paradise, nestled on a picturesque 20-acre property, offering breathtaking views that will leave you in awe. This is much more than just a home; it’s a lifestyle upgrade for the discerning buyer seeking tranquility and space.

Embrace the beauty of nature with sprawling pastures, majestic gums and serene landscapes; float in a picturesque spring fed dam nestled in the light bushland, where the wildlife freely roam and enjoy their own peaceful life as well.

The charming 3 bedroom farmhouse showcases a newly renovated kitchen, bathroom and laundry, that perfectly blends contemporary style with rustic charm. And you will experience the delight of rural living with a spacious verandah and large undercover decked entertaining area, ideal for hosting gatherings or simply unwinding amidst the tranquility of nature.

Calling all horse lovers! This property boasts a 50 x 20 arena and round yard providing ample space for training and riding. Additionally, there are multiple paddocks for grazing and the spring fed dam ensures a constant water supply. Your equine companions can also be pampered with a hot wash and a rest in the stables ensuring their comfort and wellbeing.

Get your hands dirty in the workshop and shed, perfect for housing all the tools and farm equipment, and you can get a glimpse into the property’s history with the original Circa 1915 barn, providing endless possibilities for restoration or repurposing.

Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat, a hobby farm, or a haven for your beloved horses, this property is set to tick all the boxes. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own your own piece of paradise where you can let your dreams unfold in this idyllic countryside setting. ●

4.5ACresOFYOUrLIFesTYLedreAMAWAITs!

Thispropertyissuretopiqueyourinterest.Accessedbya sealedroad,hasgoodfencing, ashedand adam.Thegentleslopinglandwhichismostlyclearedhas asmallpocket ofbush -readyandwaitingfora ponyortwo.Theresidenceisfullofcharacterwith highceilings,polishedfloorboards,sashwindows,a lovelyveranda, alight &bright contemporarykitchen,lounge/dining,ductedheating,wood fire,splitsystem,underfloor insulation,mainswaterandgas.hasroomandscopetoextendforfuturerequirements. 2

Featuringa flat ½acre (2,353 sqm)blockwith anortherly aspectcaptivatingall-day sunshine.This fabulous location hasbeautifulvalleyviews,issurroundedbyqualityhomes, andcanaccommodate off-streetparkingfor multiple cars.Theopportunity exists to renovate andoffersgoodfoundations withnewsteel& concretestumps andother features include A/C, awood fire,downstairsunit/livingpotential,walkingdistance to a primaryschoolandbusstopwitheasyaccessto shops,trainstationandservices. 3 A

JanBrewster 0409558805

Thisdream‘Getaway’offersyoucompleteprivacyandstunningsunsetsonthehorizon. Theearthymudbrickhomesitson3,591sqmandhasbeencompletelyupdated/ renovatedandfeaturestwolivingrooms,modernbathrooms,qualitykitchenappliances central combustion woodfire&twosplitsystems.hugeterracedoutdoor livingspaces, veggiegarden,doublecarportandthreestoragesheds.Only aminute’swalktothebus stop, 7minutedrive toUpperFerntreeGullytrain,shoppingcentre&the ‘1000steps’walk.

studynook,twolargefencedpaddocks,doublegarage,3 bay7.5mx 10.5mshedwith mezzanine &power.MinutestoGembrookTownship,a shortdrivetoPakenham& rail connections,trailrides,hikes& adventurestobehadexploringthebushandsurrounds.

JanetHawkins 0409117432

ErinDavies 0493136937

EXPERIENCE SERENITY IN YOUR IDYLLIC RETREAT

NESTLED on over half an acre of picturesque land, just a short 15 minute drive from the vibrant trendy town of Warburton and boasting frontage to the serene McMahons Creek, this charming, solid mud brick home offers the ultimate weekend escape or permanent refuge from the hustle and bustle.

This delightful residence boasts an airy open plan layout, featuring a generously sized bedroom with space for additional beds for guests. The rustic kitchen, complete with a stunning wood burning stove, not only promises delicious homemade bread but also ensures warmth and comfort during the cooler months, complemented by an inviting open fire and efficient wood heater. Additional highlights include a spacious laundry area, a quaint bathroom with shower over bath, and a large undercover entertaining/storage space at the rear of the home, which could potentially be enclosed as a further living space or bedrooms (STCA).

The highlight is undoubtedly the breathtaking view of McMahons Creek, whether admired through the expansive windows while relaxing by the toasty open fire or savoured from the shade of the front verandah or paved entertaining area in the shade of a tree. Impeccably maintained inside and out, this property exudes peace, tranquility, and inspiration, offering an unparalleled connection to nature amidst rolling grass and the soothing sounds of native birdlife and babbling creek. This extraordinary property must be seen to be fully appreciated – seize the opportunity to own your own slice of paradise today. ●

8HardyStreet,SELBY

NestledontheedgeofSherbrookeForestwithbeautifulwalkingtrailsclosebyandthe soundofPuffingBillyintheneardistance,thisbrickveneer,threebedroomhomeis positionedperfectlyforboth apeacefullifestyleandeasyaccesstobothBurwoodHwy andWellingtonRoad.Completewithlargeshed/garageandsealeddriveway,the propertyiswelldesignedwithgreataccessforanytradieandwithyourgreatideas.

SharynChandler

M 0439882442| E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

393MonbulkRoad,MONBULK

$1,030,000 -$1,130,000

FLEXIBLE FAMILYHOMEWITHOFFICE &OUTBUILDINGS

5 A 2 B 2 C

Thisidyllicpropertywith avastvarietyofbonusfeatureswillsurpassexpectationswithits scaleandversatility.Featuring agenerousfamilyhomeand 2uniqueoutbuildingsthatcan bestyledtosuityour requirements,this2,319sqm(approx.)propertyisperfectforgrowing families,multi-generationalliving,andthosewhoworkfromhome.

BradConder M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

97546888

12FerneryRoad,UPWEY

Nestledintothisquietcul-de-sacawaits abeautifulfamilyhomeonpeacefulpark-like gardens.ClosetoBurrinjaCulturalCentre,Glenfern ValleyBushlandReserve,Upwey townshipandtrainstation,andtheeaseof WellingtonRoadtofreewayaccess,this characterhomeoffers apicture-perfectcityfringelifestyle.

DanielSteen

M 0434979142| E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au

SuzieBrannelly

M 0490506910| E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

214EmeraldMonbulkRoad,MONBULK

$895,000 -$970,000

TURN-KEYHOMEINEASYREACHOFTOWN 3 A 2 B 2 C

Hereinliesa half-acrefamilyhavenwithgorgeousgreenoutlooks,immaculateinterior, enticingoutdoorentertainingareas,andtandemcarportforconvenience.Situateda shortstrollfromSassafrasCreek,BaynesPark,MonbulkAquaticCentre,andMainRoad’s shoppingandcafes,awonderfullifestyleawaitshereforoneluckyfamily.

BradConder M 0422639115| E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

1689BurwoodHighway,BelgraveVIC3160

www.chandlerandco.com.au

office@chandlerandco.com.au

Stand out wins, sore losses

By Sarah Morton

Healesville U8 White Tigers 0-4 Mooroolbark Baptist SC: A loss for the White Tigers but they played really well, and did Healesville proud. Better luck next week Tigers.

Healesville U9 Lions 8-3 Gideons Warriors.

Healesville U9 Redbacks 0-1 Rising Tekkers: Great team effort against tough opponents, with Healesville kicking an unfortunate late own goal.

Healesville U10 Girls 2-1 Berwick Churches SC United Healesville U10 Ninjas 5-0 Blackburn New Hope FC.

Healesville U10 Goats 7-2 Mooroolbark

Panthers: Healesville U10s started the season strong with a solid win against the Panthers. The entire team took ownership of their positions and played some wonderful football together. Lots of fun and smiles all round.

Healesville Boys Under 11 White Wolves 3-3 Croydon Ranges FC: After a great outing at the recent Maccas Cup we had to adjust to some personnel changes.

Despite setting a conservative field of 4-3-1 to start the game Croydon managed to break the lines and score first. Some individual brilliance from the captain saw Ardi C bring the score back to level.

Late in the first half Healesville had their lines broken again by Croydon’s nifty ball users to allow another penetrating forward charge to result in another goal for the visitors. Half time break and a restructure saw us take advantage of a penalty awarded for a hand ball.

Robbie K took the shot on goal and made it past the wall and hit the keeper who failed to stop the ball and allowed Healesville’s second goal.

Scores level, Croydon’s ball users managed another goal.

Being 1 goal down for some time, Healesville withstood plenty of Croydon’s forward

momentum to hold the visitors at bay. Not much left on the clock Healesville ran hard and held the ball in Croydon’s half which resulted in a corner.

Robbie lifted the ball perfectly towards the box and Arthur was the player in waiting who kicked the ball with some authority over the keeper’s head and beneath the Crossbar.

Healesville Under 12’s Raptors 1-4 Lilydale Eagles.

A good game while the team gets used to the big field and massive goals, cracking effort and some wicked goal keeping from Jono and Monti.

Healesville Heelers U12 5-1 Falcons FC Lysterfield boys: Healesville held strong team formation, which supported some exceptional play.

Healesville U13 Mixed 3-3 Maroondah United FC U13s: First game of the season saw the spoils shared.

Healesville will feel the more disappointed

Healesville dominated

By Anne-Marie Ebbels

The first game of the season the senior mens football and A and B grade against Powelltown had all teams come away with good wins.

The Senior Men controlled the game from the first bounce and scored nine goals in the first quarter, followed by 11 goals in each of the remaining three quarters.

Both Aaron Edwards and Max Donegan scored 10 goals each being fed by a dominant mid-field and Charlie Warren also managed 8 goals for the game.

Healesville were big winner for their first game of the season by 280 points.

The Reserve also were in control of the game from the start with four quick goals at the start of the first quarter, followed by some wayward kicking before heading into the first break 26 points up.

A solid team effort for the next two quarters kept Powelltown goalless with Healesville going into the final break with an 84 point lead.

Shane Mansfield finished the game with six goals and Tyler Tweedie four goals.

Healesville won the game by 121 points.

In the U18s Mount Evelyn started the game strongly with four goals in the first quarter to Healesville’s one goal to go into quarter time with 17-point lead.

Mount Evelyn continued to control the possession in the second quarter to increase their lead to 29 points at half time.

Healesville dug deep with more scoring shots in the second half than Mount Evelyn, but couldn’t convert the opportunities into majors on the scoreboard.

Mount Evelyn ran out winners by 36 points.

Playing on Friday night at home under lights, Danielle Carrucan celebrate her 50game milestone with the first goal of the game.

The game against Upwey-Tecoma was a tight battle with neither team being able to gain any ascendency throughout game.

Healesville managed to score the winning goal mid-way through the final quarter and hold Upwey-Tecoma out to win the game by 8 points.

A Grade netball kicked off their season this week with 49 goal win over Powelltown. Healesville were consistent over the whole four quarters and increased their lead at every change.

A strong defensive effort ensured that the ball was turned over and the scoring opportunities were taken. A strong start by the B Grade netball team kept Powelltown scoreless until the second half.

The mid court intercepts were finished off well in the goal circle with both shooters hitting a high conversion rate for the game.

Healesville had a big win by 62 goals.

This week is the first club home game on 25 April for Anzac Day.

There will be free entry to the venue on the day with football starting at 9am and netball from 11am.

Football

· Senior Men Healesville 283 defeated Powelltown 3 Best: C Warren, A Edwards, M Donegan, M Jones, N Mende and J Newsome

· Reserves Men Healesville 134 defeated Powelltown 13 Best: K Brown, S Mansfield, C Ballingal, T Tweedie, K Jones and C Boeder

· U18s Healesville 65 defeated by Mt Evelyn 101 Best: O Moreton, R Brendish, D Sikorski, L Warner, R Cameron and G Hammond

· Womens Healesville 16 defeated UpweyTecoma 8 Best: I Watson, C Wilsmore, M Schelfhout, D Carrucan, C McMurray and A Frazzetto

Netball

· A Grade Healesville 79 defeated Powelltown 30 Best: A Stanley, H Blackney and K Farrow

· B Grade Healesville 68 defeated Powelltown 6 Best: A Stanley, A McMaster and L Rogers

of the two sides letting a 3 - 1 lead slip but a draw was probably a fair reflection of the game.

Two goals came from the boot of Julian Bloink and one from Adam Heywood.

Healesville Hearts U13 6-1 Mooroolbark

Phoenix U13 Girls: Healesville Hearts had a commanding win to start the season.

Going into half time with a one goal lead thanks to Ava H.

They conceded an early equaliser in the first minute of the second half but from then on they put their foot down and never looked like losing. It was an excellent all round team performance but notable mentions to Georgia C in midfield who didn’t stop running all day and Isla H was rock solid at the back. Saskia S scored a brace as well as Ava H. Georgia C and Henrietta I-M also got on the scoresheet.

Healesville U15 Mixed 6-2 Yarra Valley: The U15s went into round 1 as the hunted but showed from the start great team play and composure, playing out from the back consistently with great passing.

After just a couple of minutes Healesville put their first in followed up at regular intervals to go into half-time 5-0 up.

A resurgent Yarra Valley saw a much tougher second half, but Healesville hung on to a 6-2 win, with goals going to Will W, Asha S and Gordon K. While brilliance was shown across the squad, special mention to Pip M, Sam K and Max J across the middle who stood out with individual and team brilliance.

Healesville U15 Girls Flames 13-0 Berwick Churches FC Blues: The Flames had an amazing ten individual goal scorers including two girls scoring for the first time.

Healesville Reserves 1-3 One FC Reserves: A spirited performance from Healesville had a younger and fitter One FC worried.

A great left footed goal from Josh B saw Healesville take the lead but a penalty on the stroke of half time after an earlier strike had the visitors go into the half time break with a 2-1 lead.

Afortunatedeflectedshotwentintothecorner of the Healesville goal instead of straight to Goalkeeper Nick Caloutas to put One FC into a 3-1 lead which is how the game ended.

A great overall performance from Healesville with Declan Clinton best on ground for the home team.

Healesville Seniors 0-2 One FC: A goal on the stroke of half time saw a younger and stronger One FC take a 1-0 lead at the break.

The second half played out the same as the first with the away side having the better of the game but with chances at a premium any result was possible.

With a minute to go Healesville had a corner and sent everyone forward.

An unfortunate bounce of the ball and a long clearance saw One FC break away and seal the victory with a well taken goal. Stuart Proud and Josh Langrish were the standouts for the home side.

Warburton Golf Club results

By Ron Hottes

Saturday update for the Stroke and Second Round of the Club Championships:

The daily results for this day were as follows; A-Grade was won by Tim McKail, who posted a superb 68, for a Nett 63. Great work, Tim. The runner-up was another young talent in Ryan Smith with a Nett 67. In B-Grade, Chris Fall secured a win with a Nett 67, pipping Your Loyal Scribe on a countback. The C-Grade winner was another youthful tyro in Pacey Luttgens, who recorded an impressive Nett 66. The runner-up here was none other than the seriously talented Merilyn McDonald, who returned a Nett 71. Balls only extended to 70 in each grade. NTPs were taken home by the following: Ryan Smith (3rd), Pacey Luttgens (9th), Ash Hall (12th) and Matt Wappett (15th).

A full report on the conclusion of the Championships will be included in the next edition of the Star Mail.

Monday 15 April, Donna Buang Challenge: The Donna-Buang Challenge was played at Warburton on Monday 15 April and the Warbuurton Golf Club retained the trophy by a slender margin. Also, an individual winner was announced, and that was none other than Georgie Houniet, with 39 ‘smooth-as-saffron’ points. James Campion was both the best of the Healesville crew and the outright runnerup also with a 39-point result.

Wednesday 17 April, Stableford:

A superb score of 42 points was easily good enough to declare Rob Ferguson the daily winner. The runner-up on this day was Mario DeVincentis. Mario posted a 40 point result, this being his best round for a while. Balls only reached down to 36, because of these big winning scores. NTP winners were Ian Cranston (3rd), Hatty (9th), Chris Leighton (12th) and Allan ‘Old Man River’ Hubbard (15th). After two rounds of the Ladies’ Championships, Georgie Houniet has returned a scintillating Nett 67 to be leading C-Grade. Both Deb Hamment and Merilyn McDonald posted Nett 74s, to be still well in the hunt. Their final round is next Wednesday 24 April and again, full results will be in next week’s edition.

Saturday 20 April, Stroke and final round of

the 2024 Club Championships:

The ‘Champs’ are now done and dusted and the Open Champion this year is Clinton Toohey, claiming his first-ever Warburton G.C. Championship title. This is a very popular win, as Clint is a well-liked, no-fuss golfer who won this accolade with three consistent rounds. He won from 10-time Champion, Paul Mason and Tim McKail. The B-Grade Champion is young tyro Seth Spenceley who came from the clouds to shoot a superb 80 off-the-stick, to pip Lee Creedy on the post. Rob Ferguson took out the C-Grade title, with young Jack Sheehan filling the runner-up spot. Full results, including Nett winners, will be in next week’s edition. The daily results for this day, were as follows: B-Grade champion Seth had a day out with his outstanding 80 netting him a 64, to also take home the top daily prize in B-Grade. Steuart Hawke was the runner-up, with a Nett 66, which again saw this old warhorse break his age by three strokes if you don’t mind. The AGrade daily Nett winner was David Lever, also with a Nett 67, but he only won narrowly from Danny Fox, who posted a Nett 69. In C-Grade, the daily winner was young Angus Hall, who recorded a Nett 75. This was good enough to just keep out Trevor Porter’s Nett 76. Balls only reached Nett 69. NTP winners were Ken White (3rd), Luke Patrick (5th), Shane Campbell, (12th) and Craig Staggard (15th) plus Alphons Diuvenvoorden won the 9th hole NTP, with a hole-in-one, meaning W.G.C. has now had 6 aces in the last 6 months.

Healesville U15s mixed celebrate their 6-2 win against old rivals Yarra Valley at Millgrove. Picture: SUPPLIED

Sam Failla ...............................................................36