Mail - Ranges Trader Star Mail - 23rd April 2024

Police bus op brings arrests

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

A recent police operation conducted at Knox City Shopping Centre’s bus bays saw transit police and protective service officers (PSOs) ride various bus routes in the area - with a police vehicle following behind - to bolster public safety.

During Operation Ride, transit police arrested six people, targeting anti-social behaviour on the bus network in Melbourne’s east.

The recent operation was conducted in various areas including Boronia Train Station and Lilydale Train Station, with this the second police presence over the school holiday period at Knox City.

The operation at Knox City was held on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 April from 3pm onwards - with police highly visible to detect and deter crime on the network and enhance public safety.

Some of the arrests included a 48-year-old

male from Dandenong for outstanding assault matters and the other was a 16-year-old boy for burglary.

Police also worked with Authorised Officers to detect fare evaders.

Transit Safety Division Acting Sergeant Kelly Dinnan said the focus was to ensure people were not only safe but felt safe wherever and whenever they used public transport.

“This operation saw Transit police officers and PSOs tasked to the east – riding various bus routes to detect and deter anti-social behaviour on-board the bus network and reassure the community,” she said.

“We also had PSOs patrolling nearby train stations and involved our public transport partners to ensure the safety of commuters.”

PSOs patrol all 216 metropolitan trains stations and four regional hubs from 6pm until the last train each night with extra patrols on weekends.

Acting Sergeant Kelly Dinnan said it’s important for the public to feel safe. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Five armed children arrested after chase

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Police arrested five children in a high-speed chase on Tuesday 16 April after a stolen car was spotted in Melbourne’s outer east.

Eastern Region detectives are investigating seven violent offences that ended in a highspeed pursuit.

At about 5.45pm, an attempted armed robbery occurred in Belgrave South on Belgrave Road where it is alleged an offender armed with a knife attempted to open a locked front door of a business before fleeing in a stolen BMW.

It is alleged three of the armed offenders entered a store in Glen Waverley on Kerrie Road at about 6.40pm and stole approximately $16,000 in cigarettes before fleeing in the stolen BMW.

An hour later, it is alleged four offenders entered a store on Mount Dandenong Road Montrose, before one offender, armed with a knife, made threats towards staff, stole cigarettes and then fled in the stolen BMW.

The armed offenders then travelled to Doncaster at about 8.20pm, in an attempt to rob a store in Doncaster Road, where it is alleged four offenders armed with knives attempted to access a cigarette cabinet inside a store before fleeing in the stolen BMW.

At about 8.45pm, it is alleged the four offenders were spotted in Diamond Creek on Main Hurstbridge Road, where they tried to open a cigarette cabinet before stealing a cash box with approximately $650 inside before fleeing in the stolen BMW.

The armed offenders were in Wantirna on Boronia Road at about 10.20pm, where it alleged four male offenders jumped the counter inside a business and attempted to steal cigarettes, before being confronted by a staff member and fleeing with five packets of cigarettes.

And just before the armed children were arrested by the police, they were spotted in Boronia on Boronia Road at about 10.25pm, where it is alleged four offenders jumped the counter of a business and stole approximately $13,000 worth of cigarettes and $1000 in cash before fleeing in an allegedly stolen BMW.

The police spotted the allegedly stolen black BMW sedan and began chasing the offenders in Boronia, near Mountain Highway at about 10.25pm.

“It was a successful outcome yesterday evening, it could have been a lot worse,” Detective Inspector Rod Neylan said during a police press conference on Wednesday 17 April.

The BMW involved in this incident was stolen overnight on 8 and 9 April while parked on the street in Footscray.

With the assistance of the Air Wing, police tracked the stolen car as it drove erratically at high speeds across Glen Iris, Camberwell, Richmond, Collingwood, and Melbourne’s CBD.

The BMW allegedly reached speeds of up to 190km an hour on Eastlink and continued to be driven erratically and at dangerous speedscausing significant risk to the public into Melbourne’s CBD.

The five boys arrested, aged 14 from Rowville, 15 from Seaford, 16 from Wantirna and two 17-year-olds from Clyde and Cranbourne East, remain in custody and will be interviewed by police.

“All the risks have been averted, luckily there’s no major injuries to any party,” Det Neylan said.

One of the offenders taken into custody sustained minor injuries and was transported to hospital for treatment.

“We’re looking at young children that are driving in high powered, stolen vehicles up our eastern freeway, clearly given their age and their experience, we’ve got major concerns - their driving is dangerous and it’s not only placing them but also placing the community at risk,” Det Neylan said

Throughout the pursuit, the driver of the BMW allegedly very narrowly avoided civilian vehicles and pedestrians in the vicinity.

A co-ordinated police response, involving police from uniform, highway patrol and the AirWing resulted in police taking action to ram the stolen BMW on Wellington Street in East Melbourne at about 11.20pm to prevent any further serious risk to the community.

The five teenage offenders were taken into

custody and were remanded to appear before the children’s court at a later date.

“The police have done a great job last night but it’s not over yet, we’re still investigating the crimes that are going to be alleged, the children are assisting us with inquiries,” Det Neylan said.

“I just want to reassure the community that we’re doing all we can to hold these perpetrators to account.”

Det Neylan said previously the police primarily dealt with teens who were involved in graffiti and committing small crime but now youth crime is escalating to serious armed robberies, and stolen cars with weapons.

Investigators have linked the stolen BMW to seven serious and violent offences that occurred prior to the pursuit on Tuesday where the offenders, armed with machetes, targeted small businesses.

Police said they were investigating up to $30,000 worth of cigarettes stolen in those seven events.

“We’re well aware there is community concern out there, I think it’s well publicised about how our children are out there at night committing these sorts of crimes,” he said.

“We are with the public, we represent the public and we’re here to disrupt that behaviour as best as we can.”

Anyone with information, or who has dashcam footage or CCTV is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crime

Detectives from Eastern Region Crime Squad have charged a boy following a series of alleged armed robberies across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs this week.

The spree of alleged crimes took place in the evenings of 14 and 15 April, where it is alleged a group of offenders drove an allegedly stolen white Audi sedan and targeted multiple premises to steal cigarettes.

Businesses in MacCleod, Doncaster East, Murrumbeena, Kilsyth and Burwood were the subject of a series of alleged offences involving three to four offenders who were threatening staff, jumping counters and stealing cash and cigarettes on 14 April.

Locations in Eltham, Blackburn and Ferntree Gully were also the sites for alleged robberies the following day on 15 April, allegedly threatening staff with a knife and hammer and stealing cash and cigarettes.

A 15 year old Carrum Downs boy has been charged with 14 offences including theft of motor vehicle, four counts of armed robbery, robbery, two counts of unlawful assault, three counts of burglary, and three counts of theft –he will appear before a children’s court.

Investigators are still searching for several other offenders.

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

Necklace found in Belgrave

At approximately 9am, 16 April a silver chain necklace was located on the footpath outside the Belgrave Chemist on Burwood Highway.

The necklace has an identifiable pendantPolice have posted on social media to please contact SC DUNSTAN at Belgrave Police on 9754 6677 if you have any information.

Free textile drop off

Yarra Ranges Council will be offering free textiles waste collection drop-off days for residents.

The event is to provide residents the chance to dispose of items that are not a good fit for reuse and would otherwise go to landfill. Items accepted need to be clean and dry and be bagged or in boxes.

There will be a restriction of 40 kg per household. Drop-off will be available on the following days – Saturday 27 April at Yarra Ranges Operations Centre,103-105 Nelson Road, Lilydale and Saturday 18 May at Wandin East Recreational Reserve, 5/2 Old Baker Road, Wandin East.

Book a slot online at www.yarraranges.vic. gov.au/Experience/Events/Textile-RecyclingDrop-Off-Days

Construction and renewal ahead for play space in Ferntree Gully

Mid-April onwards will see positive changes ahead for a popular playground space in Ferntree Gully - which will be closed while upgrades take place.

Community feedback about what people loved about the existing play area and how it could be improved for future use was sought and helped Knox Council develop a revised design.

Construction of the new play space starts mid-April with completion due at the end of July – subject to good weather conditions.

EasternRegionpolicehavearrestedfivearmedchildrenamidinvestigationoversevenviolent offencesandastolenvehicle.

Picture:SHAMSIYAHUSSAINPOOR

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/

CaseyMPAaronViolihascalledforanUrgentCareClinictobeestablishedintheYarraRanges.

Picture:ONFILE

Upwey RSL is place to be

By Gabriella Vukman

Head down to the Upwey-Belgrave RSL for the biggest Anzac Day service in the Hills. The dawn service commences at 6am, with the march down the main street commencing at 10am.

Retired Lieutenant Rowan Smith has a strong connection with this Hills service and said, “It is so important for the local community.”

Mr Smith has a long family lineage of family serving for Australia during both world wars.

“I did twelve years as a reserve officer. My father was in the ninth division and my grandfather went through both wars and then he was a Lieutenant Colonel in New Guinea,” Mr Smith said.

“I lost an uncle in 1943, he was 20, he was a Royal Australian Airforce pilot in the Battle

of Italy and I had a great uncle killed on the Hindengberg line in 1918. I lost a great aunt on the Centaur. She was an Australian nurse who drowned after the hospital was torpedoed by the Japanese.”

“Theres this family connection and it’s really important for future and current generations that we remember these sacrifices so that they aren’t repeated,” Mr Smith said.

This year’s hills Anzac march will include

an array of participants including an engineers unit from Ringwood and the local CFA.

Mr Smith said, “It is a major local event and may even be the event of the year.”

“The important thing is that our freedoms today can’t be taken for granted.”

“Because of all of this sacrifice, this service means a lot to me and to the community,” Mr Smith said.

Poppies dress up Emerald once more for Anzac Day

Emerald has once again been covered in red poppies to mark the occasion of Anzac Day.

From the Emerald RSL clubrooms to the streets of the township, the hand made poppies, in their tens of thousands now, pay tribute to the fallen and the returned from conflicts across the decades.

“It is a magnificent tribute to those Australians who have fallen in conflict over the past 120 years,” RSL president Peter Maloney said.

The collaborative project has seen contributions from the Emerald Men’s Shed of the Unknown Soldier statues, the Emerald Junior Fire Brigade who placed some of the poppies around town and the day care clients from Fernlea Community Care who made felt poppies to add to the growing collection.

The display can be seen in town leading up to Anzac Day and of course throughout Anzac Day itself.

Emerald RSL Sub-Branch will host a Dawn Service at Anzac Place, 3 Memorial Avenue, Emerald at 5.30am. Breakfast will be provided afterwards.

March Step Off Point: The Cenotaph, Emerald Town Centre, Emerald 3782

March Step Off Time: 10.30am

Two-Up and AFL football in the afternoon after the morning service.

The Emerald Junior Fire Brigade helped lay the poppies out in town. Pictures: EMERALD RSL

The RSL clubrooms has been covered in hand made poppies.

Dig in to find a hidden gem

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Emerald resident Jacqui Townsend has been the bright face of the Dig In Community Grocery, a not-for-profit, totally off-grid initiative run by Emerald Community House.

She has been working in the grocery shop for nearly two years and said the existence of the store has been immensely rewarding for her and the community.

“I love my job, because I’ve met so many great people, everyone is really appreciativeit’s just a really good and nurturing relationship between customers and the shop,” she said.

Stocking local produce every week straight from the farm or the ECH gardens, there is also a free food section and bread donations from a local bakery and the local Woolworths.

Commonwealth Bank owns the building but ECH restored the derelict site about six years ago to bring it back into the public view and celebrate its heritage value.

In 2022, it was named as a finalist for the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards.

“We’re off grid, we’ve got no electricity, just solar which is just amazing,” she said.

During the storms, when most people in

the community had no power, the Dig In Community Grocery helped many people whether it was charging their phones, warming their food and a few even brought their food to be stored in the shop’s fridge.

“People came in for help and they wanted to talk about their experiences, it really was great, the way it brought everybody together,” Jacqui said.

“We were able to continue operating because all of our supplies are local and I was able to get everything that we sell here.”

Located in the century old National Trust listed bakehouse, the Dig In Community Grocery in its prototype sought to bring a fair trade between growers, producers and the customer two years ago.

No special Code of Behaviour was required. ECH purchased food from local growers for resale in the grocery to provide healthy food access, sustainability and food security in the Emerald area.

where where people feel safe and feel comfortable - they [customers] all talk to each other,” she said.

“It’s got a really good atmosphere, we’re proud of that.”

Over 50 per cent of Victorians are now suffering the biggest jump in financial distress as the cost of living soars.

The financial crisis has overtaken the community’s ability to purchase enough food and still pay bills, rent, mortgages, insurance and other expenses. This has highlighted the demand for a free food grocery model to support community needs.

“I think people might find it a little confusing, because some people look at it and think, oh, it’s only for poor people, they don’t want to go in because they can afford to buy food elsewhere, that’s not the case,” she said.

Meanwhile, ECH has to work harder at sourcing food for free to pass on to the community to assist with the negative aspects of financial and mental health stress.

As a free food resource, ECH manager Mary Farrow said the Dig In Community Grocery will continue to support broader community needs, including internet access and off grid power support during extreme events, volunteer development, resilience building activities and community connections.

Those community bonds are extremely important to those who provide the Dig In service to the community.

“I know all the customers here, they are regulars,” Jacqui said.

The store has a sitting area with chairs and table for the community to use.

“It’s a really friendly little store, one lady said to me that she won’t shop at the other supermarkets because she doesn’t feel comfortable going in there, only feels comfortable coming here; and that made me feel really sad for her but good that we’re providing some-

“If people come in here, they’ll realise that we have really nice organic, fresh produce and you can actually support the shop by buying something - but if you are doing it tough, grab something free.”

While the pressure is on for the Victorian government to provide cost of living relief, free food enterprises are not funded activities.

“I tell everybody to come and use the garden, it’s a nice and hidden away area to sit rather than being in a staff room,” Jacqui said. This little gem of the community is also pet friendly.

They are open on Wednesday to Friday from 9am to 4pm and on Saturday from 9am to 2pm.

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.

Over 50 per cent of Victorians are now suffering the biggest jump in financial distress as the cost of living soars.

The shop was an old bakery but now operates as a grocery store for the locals who may be struggling with the cost of living.

Jacqui Townsend looks after the Dig In Grocery in Emerald. Pictures: SHAMSIYA HUSSAINPOOR

DON’T DO IT YOURSELF

Always hire a licensed electrician. Doing your own electrical work is extremely dangerous – and it’s illegal.

To find out more visit esv.vic.gov.au/DDIY

We are more than Gallipoli

By Maria Millers

For many the long stablished story of the Gallipoli landings and to a lesser extent the Western Front remain the defining moments for our country.

Just minted as a new nation in 1901,but still very British, our other achievements were put aside to lay the foundations of our national identity based on our participation in a war that ended up costing us so much in human terms: the injured and damaged, the toll on families and the disruption to our society

So why then have we not given the same importance to other aspects of our history?

After all, the coming together of six British colonies as a new nation was an enormous achievement. Equally impressive were the pioneering social reforms that this newly federated nation was able to achieve ahead of many other countries :from granting women the right to vote and stand for elections, to social reforms like the old Age pension in 1909.

Significant industrial and welfare reforms followed establishing Australia as ‘a path breaking new nation. Instead we have been made to accept war as a defining moment of our entry into nationhood.

War correspondent Charles Bean was most influential in creating the myth we have come to accept uncritically. His writing was often far fromtherealityofwhatitwaslikeontheground or mud at Gallipoli and the Western Front and he wrote what he thought the public back home wanted to hear. His writing also reflected the opinions of Officers in the AIF and the politicians back home. But as political historian Benedict Anderson once said, national identity is a product of the imagination, and the stories we choose to tell ourselves about our past are the ones that define us.

We have created an idealised sanitised version of a tall, khaki clad man with a slouch hat against a backdrop of some defining war image.

Yet among the first ‘Anzacs’ there were also

WOORILLA WORDS

Indigenous Australians, Australians of German descent, and Asian Australians. Some 1000 IndigenousAustraliansarethoughttohaveserved in the AIF, on Gallipoli and the Western Front. And 3000 Australian women enlisted inWW1 as nurses, doctors and in other supportive roles.

Another contentious issue is that our reflection of our military history never acknowledges the unspoken wars: The Frontier Wars between settlers and the indigenous.

The official Anzac story however has been nurtured and elevated to the status of a national myth. And myths are always preferred to historical accuracy.

The first Anzac Day march took place in 1916 and was very much about recruiting for the ongoing war. The first Dawn Service was in 1920 and by 1927 Anzac Day became a public holiday in all states and territories.

The horrendous loss of life inWorldWar I impacted on Australian society in so many ways. In a country of around 5 million, 62000 had lost their lives.

But politicians soon realised that there was political mileage in promoting the Anzac story, particularly when there was an unpopular war to prosecute. Prime Ministers from Hawke, Howard through to Gillard and Rudd have all used the Anzac story for political reasons.

Not that there was no criticism about what some called ‘legislated nostalgia’ that came to

surround Anzac Day and its commemoration.

Writers like George Johnston and playwright Alan Seymour challenged this approach to our militaryhistory.Seymour’splayrevolvesaround a father son conflict. The son, Hughie a university student refuses for the first time to attend the dawn service which traditionally was then followed by a day of drunkenness, illegal gambling and the inevitable brawls and public vomiting. Alf his father has served and is an embittered man This play which was so controversial back in the 60s is eerily relevant as it looks at so many issues we still grapple with today: immigration, health services, substance abuse, family violence and the recent rise of jingoism that has crept into our commemoration of Anzac and other wars we have been involved in.

Similarly writer George Johnston in his autobiographical novel My Brother Jack brings us face to face with the reality for those tens of thousands who made it back alive, but damaged,

In the 1960s and 70s some Australians returning from the Vietnam War felt, as attitudes to the war changed, that their service during a decade of conflict 1962 - 1972 was not appreciated by the public and that they were excluded from the Anzac tradition. They chose not to participate in Anzac Day events until October 1987 when a special Welcome Home Parade was held. Tragically 523 had died, 3000 were wounded and many still carry psychological wounds.

Australia is a very different country today and choosing Gallipoli as the foundation moment for our nation is fraught with problems of leaving out so much of our rich and complex history from the national narrative. We should also remind ourselves of the reality of all wars, so vividly expressed in the following poem by Wilfred Owen

Dulce et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,

Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,

Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs,

And towards our distant rest began to trudge.

Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots,

But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;

Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots

Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling

Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time,

But someone still was yelling out and stumbling

And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.—

Dim through the misty panes and thick green light,

As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace

Behind the wagon that we flung him in,

And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood

Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud

Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,— My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est

Pro patria mori.

- Wilfred Owen

Plant sales grow dreams

By Mikayla van Loon

The Yarra View Bushland Nursery (YVBN) car park sale is back for another year, showcasing an array of plants ready for the garden.

For the second year in a row, YVBN will be opening up the car park on York Road for a week to sell a “huge variety” of plants, while also welcoming the community into the nursery to learn about employment and the social enterprise.

“We mainly have natives, grevillea, callistemons and eucalypts but then we’ve also got camellias going in this year, a different range of exotics and hedging plants,” sales manager Amelia Cabret said.

“We’re also going to be doing some super specials in the actual garden center as well for tube stock, just to bring the buyers in through once they’ve gone through the carpark sale into the actual garden center. So there’ll be a lot of different varieties of plants available.”

Having seen the success of the June car park sale in 2024, Amelia said this year the team decided to bring it forward to autumn because that’s when everything is at its peak.

“Autumn is generally when we hold the most amount of stock. We’re coming off the peak growing season for the year and the nursery is quite full, and then heading into winter it slows down,” she said.

“So we’ve got all this a lot of premium stock available this year and we’d like to sell it through but it’s also a really great opportunity to get new customers down and into the retail section that may not have shopped with us before and introduce them to what we do.”

General manager Scott Buckland said not only is the sale about the financial benefit for the nursery but about engaging with the broader community about howYVBN works to support people with a disability.

“We’re starting to get a lot more active in

promoting what we do to the general public. There is a demographic that doesn’t quite understand exactly what employing people with disability means,” he said.

“So we’re now becoming far louder and prouder about what we do and that connection of selling plants actually then generates employment opportunities for the people we support.”

Scott said while some “mystery” still remains behind whatYVBN does for many in the community it’s important to try and change that.

With a few nurseries along the York Road strip, Scott said “our main point of difference is the fact that we’re a social enterprise and there’s a purpose behind that spend”.

As the nursery grows, so too does the ability to support more workers.

Adapting to flexible lifestyle changes over the last few years, Scott said “we’ve probably got more people working for us” but the hours are still the same.

“One of the big changes though, is our support structure. We’ve now got 10 dedicated training staff, so they fully qualified, trained

up support workers,” he said.

That allows staff members to broaden their skill sets, whether learning the point of sale system or driving machinery because of the additional resources helping to educate onsite.

The holistic approach to learning means Scott and the team are seeing “a real uplift in skill sets” meaning staff can work across various parts of the nursery, if they choose, and feel comfortable in doing so.

Employment coaches have been an integral part of the support structure, setting goals for employees and finding dedicated training that suits each individual.

Externally, YVBN has partnered with the Nursery Garden Industry of Victoria (NGIV) to provide horticulture training through the Grow You Future Program, which provides on the job opportunities to people from “the long term unemployed to refugees and other vulnerable or disadvantaged groups” which has seen three new staff members be employed.

The growth, support structure and new opportunities, Scott said, means YVBN has employment places needing to be filled. To find out more, go to yvbn.com.au or call 9737 0400.

Native plants like callistemons will be on sale over the week of 3-11 May.

Yarra View Bushland Nursery supports people with disabilities to find employment and every plant sale counts. Pictures: SUPPLIED

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

DECODER

WORDFIT

9-LETTER WORD

PROPERTY

CLASSIC 1920’S ARCHITECTURE, CONTEMPORARY RESIDENCE

CLASSIC 1920’S ARCHITECTURE, CONTEMPORARY RESIDENCE

THIS beautiful reimaging of a classic 1920’s home on 1/4 acre creates a synergy of past and present with architectural elements as a backdrop to modern family design. From the front porch to the back deck and everything in between has been designed and remastered with purpose and to a high standard.

As you enter 10 ft ceilings give you the grandeur of days gone by, then you take in the sophistication of the contemporary interior and know this home is something special.

Featuring:

· 4 bedrooms or 3 and a formal lounge

· The master – private and spacious – full rain shower ensuite and BIR’s

· Luxurious bathroom – soaking tub - rain shower – stone topped dual vanity - customized lighting, heated towel rails and auto fans

· A state of the art, white and bright kitchen awaits and will delight the avid chefs of the family. Abundant cabinetry and quality appliances.

· The living and dining room, with wood fire will be the ‘meeting place’ of the home, family comes together to eat, relax, and chat about the day.

· An attic is a fabulous ‘extra’ space, gaming room, theatre, office, yoga/meditation, even a library the choice is yours.

· A huge laundry completes the home.

· Oak laminate flooring, new carpets, NBN, data networked, ducted heating, wood fire, split system

Outdoors:

· Useable and fenced 1051m2, established gardens and lush fernery

· A four-car remote garage, rear access, and interior access into the home

· Sealed driveway

· A front porch, perfect for morning coffee

· Spacious covered rear deck with views across Gembrook

· Shed, power and wood store

Location:

Perfect location, just opposite the Primary School, walk into town for a coffee and cake, dinner, also bush walks and trail rides nearby, also 15 minutes to Pakenham rail connections, a bus stop nearby. Country lifestyle in contemporary splendour. Nothing left to do except unpack, this home offers the ultimate convenience for busy buyers seeking a hassle-free transition. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

LIVE THE GOOD LIFE ON YOUR 6 ACRES

IF you have been dreaming of that rare small acreage holding (25,124 sqm approx.) close to town, this could be the one.

A large family home that offers huge living rooms, feature fireplace and combustion wood fires. A real chief’s kitchen with central island bar, dishwasher, 900 stainless steel cooker and ample cupboard space. Four or five bedrooms or home office/kids toy room. All well serviced by three bathrooms.

Outside has been ideally set up for the contractor seeking massive parking and shedding as you can even drive right around the house with ease for trucks/excavator and machinery parking. A high span 15m x 9m barn - (with loft storage plus secure safe room), a 9m x 4.2m garage and an 8.7m x 3.7m workshop will cater for all your needs and more! The land is approximately half cleared and divided into several paddocks, two dams with resident ducks and the balance being a beautiful backdrop of natural rainforest with visiting bush wallabies, echidnas and of course native birdlife that love to be fed on the deck. Also, there is a three-pen chook house or it could be used for sheep and goat shelter if you wish. Land is suitable for farm animals but not a horse or pony. With a location that feels like you’re in the country, yet Belgrave township and train station are only a 5 minute drive away via a made road. With an easy commute to the city with Wellington Road not far and yet still enjoy the sweet sound of Puffing Billy’s whistle through the ‘Hills’.

If you have dreamed about your ‘Tree Change’ enough, now you can make it come true. ●

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

WALK TO GEMBROOK MAIN STREET AND ENJOY THE GORGEOUS GARDEN

THIS lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is positioned just a short stroll from the main street, yet is private and low maintenance. With the Puffing Billy Train Station, playgrounds, primary school, restaurants, IGA and other amenities just moments away.

With a welcoming flower filled front garden, and two separate driveway entries, there are plenty of possibilities with this home. Bring your caravan and enjoy the off street parking between adventures.

The home is well designed with an open plan kitchen/lounge/dining room that enjoys views out to the back garden and has a split system air conditioner. The kitchen is well equipped with a gas stove, oven and a butler’s pantry.

The master bedroom enjoys its own split system air conditioner, built in wardrobes and ensuite. There are two further bedrooms both with built in wardrobes. There is a welcoming family bathroom with a shower and a separate bath. Whilst there is ducted heating throughout the home and plenty of natural light.

Outside is delight in the fully fenced backyard. The manicured garden and lawn is tranquil with an array of fruit trees. There is also a security system with alarm and cameras, and sensor lighting at the front of the home.

This home is a must to see.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today.

Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

2BellbirdCrescent,Emerald$900,000 -$980,000

SunfilledFamilyHomeonapprox.2/3ofanAcre!

Thishomeoffers 4bedrooms, 2livingareas,anopenplankitchen &diningarea, astudy &a doublecarport!Thehomesprawlsoversplitlevelliving& offersgasductedheatingthroughout.The loungeroomhasitsownentry& thereare 2bedrooms&astudytotherearofthehome.Thekitchen isafloodedwithlight &hasplentyofroomfora diningtable.Thereisanotherbedroom &thefamily bathroomadjoiningthekitchen/diningarea.Continuedownstairstothestunningloungeroomwith woodfireheater,plentyofstorage, &viewsouttothegreenery.Themasterbedroomwithfloorto ceilingglasswindows,WIR, &anensuite,flowsfromtheloungeroom.Thelounge &masterbedroom haveaccesstothedeckwhichhasviewstoWrightsforest.Thispropertyislocatedjustover5mins drivetotheheartofEmeraldtownship.

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

430Belgrave-GembrookRoad,Gembrook $1,450,000 -$1,550,000

SolidBrickHome,Views, &Over35AcresofClearedLand! Thispropertyoffersthepurchaser afantasticopportunity!Anidealsizefor aboutiquefarm,hobby farm,orjusttoenjoyprivacyasyousoakinthegorgeousviews.The3 bedroom,2 bathroomsolid brickhomeispositionedwellbackfromtheroadandhasanidealviewinglocationforthePuffing BillyRailwayLine.TheMasterbedroomhasanensuite,whilstthefurthertwobedroomsareserviced bythefamilybathroom.Thereis alargekitchen,withspaceforyourdiningtable,andthekitchen flowstotheloungeroom.Thereisalso ahandymudroomtotherearofthehomewithit’sowntoilet. Externallyis agreatshedwithtwoopenbays,andthenanenclosedshedwith3 phasepower.There isalso asinglecarporttotherearofthehomewithconcreteflooranda light,aswellas afurther shedtotherearofthehome.

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

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

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

39MainStreet,Gembrook

$780,000 -$850,000

Opportunity,ViewsandIdealLocationAwaitWithThisCharmingCottage! ThismixedzoningpropertylocatedontheGembrookMainStreetisdirectlyoppositetheGembrook PrimarySchool &offersviewstotheWarburtonRanges.Renovatethe2 bedroom,1 bathroomminers cottagewithwelcomingfrontverandah,ordemolish& buildyourdreamhomeorbusiness(STCA)on this1051sqmallotment.Situatedbehind amaintainedhedge,therearetwodriveways,allowingfor plentyofoff-streetparking.Thehomeitselfhas acosyfrontverandah& leadlightfeaturefrontdoor. Enterthehometodiscoverthefrontloungeroomwithopenwoodfire.Thereis amasterbedroom andthenflowthroughtothekitchenwithfreestandingwoodfireandelectricstove/oven.Then discover asecondbedroom.Totherearofthehomeisa generouslaundry,bathroomwith ashower overbath,andmudroom/secondsittingarea.Externallythereisa shedinthefullyfencedrearyard.

KarenPeele M 0419430950

3

BethanySullivan M 0438844968

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

Clarke, Rice shine in SA

By Jamie Strudley

Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes were in action at the Australian Junior Track and Field Championships in Adelaide last week. Events for athletes from U13 through to U18 age groups made for a busy week of athletics.

Zoe Clarke competed in the U16 Girls 800m. Zoe ran a fantastic race in a very tough heat, missing qualification to the final running 2.26.06. Brigette Rice was competing in the Women U18 3000m and 1500m finals. Brigette ran a brave race in her 3000m to record 10.41.98. She backed up the following day in the 1500m running a solid race to record 4.49.22

Our Saturday morning cross country season got under way on Saturday morning. Heavy fog over Lilydale Lake made for an interesting start to the day. A good turnout of athletes and parents made for a fun morning of cross country. Results will be available later in the week.

This coming Saturday will be at Margaret Lewis Reserve, Coldstream for round 2. Warm up at 8.45am with the first event starting at 9.00am. Anyone able to help with course set up (from 7.30am), timing, recording or pack up please contact the club on info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au or let us know on Saturday.

Opening round of the Athletics Victoria XCR season is this coming weekend. YRA has entered several teams and look forward to opening the season with some good results.

Cross country training for all club members us on Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.

Go to www.lavic.com.au or www.athsvic.org. au or email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration. Cross Country is here!

For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook.

Run, Jump, Throw…too easy! Brigette Rice competing for Victoria.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Eagles win in a nailbiter

Coming off the back of two losses, the Ferntree Gully Eagles were looking to redeem themselves in the third round against Silvan.

Despite the hot-out-of-the-gate approach from Silvan’s seniors, leading the Eagles at the first break 21-8, the Gully pulled the score back to just two-points the difference at half time.

Gaining momentum from the start of the third term, it was Ferntree Gully that took the lead 47-43.

The tight tussle meant it was anyone’s game but the Eagles were keen for a win no matter the score.

And that they did.

Holding on until the end, it was a one-point win to the Eagles 60-59.

The home game result could not have been greater for the somewhat dilapidated team, with injuries and illness plaguing the players.

Shane Woolley led the goal scoring with four goals.

Best players included Shane Woolley, Brodie Harrison, Jack Flannery, Riley Williams, Jordan Church and Jayden Purdon.

Heading into round 4, the Gully travels to Surrey Park for the first time after the Panthers made their way up to Division 3 having won the premiership last year.

Surrey Park currently sits third on the ladder while Ferntree Gully is eighth.

Seville, Belgrave to clash in inaugural Ingram 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 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 Melbourne.

MrTucker 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 overYarra 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.”

Ferntree Gully scored their first win for the season against Silvan in a nailbiter finish.

Picture: SUPPLIED

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

Tough all round for Monny

Seniors Monbulk faced Wandin at home for their Round 2 encounter. The Bulldogs are the reigning premiers and are expected to be thereabouts again this season. On a perfect autumn day the two sides played a hotly contested opening quarter which saw the Hawks hit the front by quarter time.

Wandin’s ability to pressure the ball handler, along with cleaner possessions and structures saw them take control of the game in the second term and eventually run out comfortable winners. Monbulk fought hard throughout the match but weren’t able to transition the ball from defence to attack often enough to maintain scoreboard pressure.

Monbulk 6.6.42 def by Wandin 15.8.98

Best: Joel Wensley, Joshua Spencer, Lochlan Beecroft, Johnathon Hevern, Will Henderson, Lachlan Sheppard

Goals: Johnathon Hevern 2, Max Thornton 2, Josh Wentworth 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1

Reserves

The Monbulk Reserves are an evolving combination and found the Wandin side a tough nut to crack. Another slow start had the side facing a 45-0 deficit by the first change. The team regrouped after that but, while they made some inroads, it was to prove to be a decisive victory for Wandin by 99 points.

Monbulk 3.1.19 def by Wandin 18.10.118

Best: Lewis Oliver, Noah Rutherford, Brodie Emmett, Hamish Emmett, Jacob Defina, Coby

Passingham

Goals: Hayden Finlay 1, Zeke Charlton 1, Dale Ross 1

Womens

The Women’s clash was to see two teams meet which both had decisive wins in the opening round, and both strove to remain undefeated. After an even first quarter it was Monbulk who looked to take control in the second and third terms, where the Hawks added 2 goals 4 behinds while keeping the Bulldogs scoreless. However, in the final quarter Wandin staged a comeback to get within a goal, before Jade McCormick kicked the sealer with a minte to go. Ruby Ross took out consecutive Best On Ground honours. This was to be Monbulk’s only win for the day as the Women find themselves in the Top 3 and facing Officer at home next week.

Monbulk 4.5.29 def Wandin 3.2.20

Best: Ruby Ross, Kathryn Gow, Brielle Tipping, Josie Ford, Laura Gillard, Indy Bakker

Goals: Kathryn Gow 1, Jade McCormick 1, Lau-

ra Gillard 1, Stephanie Pauw 1

NETBALL

A Grade

This encounter saw two of the best sides in A Grade meet on the Monbulk courts. Wandin got the early break but was never able to shake off the Hawks as an engrossing arm wrestle ensued. The margin was tight all day and it was the Bulldogs who triumphed by 4 goals in the end.

Monbulk 47 def by Wandin 51

Best: Georgia Himmelreich, Jennifer Dewhurst, Paige Whitworth

Goals: Elly Stewart 28, Stephanie Ferguson 19

B Grade

This match was a disappointing result after the side had displayed such strong form last week. Wandin dominated the first half and didn’t give the Hawks a sniff as they piled on the goals, leading 45-14 by half time. Monbulk regrouped and played much better in the second half, winning the third quarter 13-10 and

just about broke even for the half.

Monbulk 36 def by Wandin 69

Best: Jorja Wragg, Georgia Wilson, Rihanna Kelly

Goals: JorjaWragg 31, DaynaWalsham 4, Chloe Schmidtke 1

C Grade

Wandin won this clash in a close contest where critical turnovers and interceptions by both sides had the match see-sawing. In a low scoring match it was a 7-3 third term by the Bulldogs which set up a match winning lead of 6 goals. The Hawks came home hard but fell short by 3 goals in the end.

Monbulk 18 def by Wandin 21

Best: Lisa Boyle, Grace Sands, Laura Del Biondo

Goals: Jamie Sands 6, Grace Sands 6, Chloe Carmichael 3, Olivia Crook 3

D Grade

The Hawks put up a concerted effort against

the more seasoned Bulldogs and it was just the cumulative effect of broken chains of play which proved to be the difference between the sides.

Monbulk 18 def by Wandin 38

Best: Bronte Passingham, Brooke O’Loughlin, Maddy Buckland

Goals: Hayley Donald 10, Maddy Buckland 8 Under 15s

The Under 15 girls travelled to Pakenham and encountered a strong Lions outfit. Pakenham set up the win in the first quarter with a 6-1 lead, but after this Monbulk more than held their own against a club with a huge junior netball program. This team will play their first home game next week against Narre Warren at 9.25am.

Monbulk 13 def by Pakenham 25

Best: Bridie McCormick, Stevie Mullinder, Isla Stubbs

Goals: Lara Stenhouse 6, Kaitlyn Summers 6, Isla Stubbs 1

DIVISION ONE

· Seniors: Healesville 44.19.283 def Powelltown 0.3.3; Belgrave 24.16.160 def Yarra Junction 2.9.21; Alexandra 15.12.102 def Warburton-Millgrove 6.5.41; Seville 11.16.82 def Yea 6.4.40; Yarra Glen bye

· Reserves: Healesville 20.14.134 def Powelltown 2.1.13; Belgrave 11.13.79 def Yarra Junction 4.3.27; Warburton-Millgrove 19.15.129 def Alexandra 4.6.30; Seville 10.3.63 def Yea 5.8.38; Yarra Glen bye

UNDER 19s

· Officer 9.14.68 def Wandin 5.7.37; Pakenham 5.8.38 def Upwey-Tecoma 3.4.22; Narre Warren 25.9.159 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 3.0.18

UNDER 18s

· Olinda-Ferny Creek 14.13.97 def Seville 2.8.20; Woori Yallock 14.23.107 def Upwey-

Tecoma 2.5.17; Mt. Evelyn 16.5.101 def

Healesville 9.11.65

SENIOR WOMEN

· Division 1: Healesville 2.4.16

· A Grade: Upwey-Tecoma 41 def Woori Yallock 39; Narre Warren 76 def Emerald 49; Mt. Evelyn 70 def ROC 41; Pakenham 66 def Berwick Springs 16; Wandin

Monbulk centre half-back Robert Savory marks.

Pictures: SUPPLIED Stephanie Ferguson of Monbulk shoots for goal against Wandin.

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