crews required to put out the blaze. Making it the second fire in a week of serious fires, including at a reptile factory in Kilsyth, firefighters were kept on their toes but proceeded to do an incredible job.
To read more about both significant fires,turn to pages 3 and 5
After months of deliberation, it appears the Casey federal electorate will be saved from dissolution with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) releasing its plan for the electoral boundary redistribution. It was last year proposed by the Australian Labor Party that the seat of Casey be abolished to redistribute voters into areas lacking the appropriate numbers.
Instead the AEC’s draft plan looks to abolish the inner Melbourne seat of Higgins and keep the name Casey despite calls for a change to Barak.
Casey MP Aaron Violi said he was pleased the proposed plan keeps the electorate of Casey and it reflected the need to mirror the Yarra Ranges Council area as much as possible.
“We will continue to have one federal voice representing the Yarra Ranges Council area which is the best thing for our community,” he said.
The AEC was required to decrease the electoral divisions from 39 to 38 for the upcoming 2025 election.
To read the full story and understand the changes,turn to page 8
“I know the Yarra Ranges Council put a submission in supporting that the federal seat mirroredYarra Ranges Council because what it allows for is that I can engage in deep conversations with the Yarra Ranges Council about what’s important to them and what they’re seeing as the advocacy needs of our community and keep an open and consistent dialogue.”
The Reserve Bank of Australia is leaving its options open on interest rates at a time of economic weakness, with inflation still above the central bank’s target.
Governor Michele Bullock reiterated the board’s position of “not ruling anything in, ruling anything out” in reference to the likely trajectory for interest rates, as the central bank continues to monitor incoming data.
That could spell more pain for borrowers, especially those who’ve written to the governor detailing their struggles to keep up with debt payments.
“If it turns out, for example, that inflation starts to go up again, or it’s much stickier than we think and we’re not getting it down, then we won’t hesitate to move and raise interest rates again,” she told a Senate economics committee hearing in Canberra on Wednesday.
“In contrast, if it turns out that the economy is much weaker than expected, and that puts more downward pressure on inflation, then we’ll be looking to ease.”
Her remarks came ahead of the release of the March quarter economic growth figures that were, as she predicted, weak.
The 1.1 per cent annual growth measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics was the slowest annual pace since 1992, outside the pandemic, with the quarterly figure lifting a measly 0.1 per cent.
National Australia Bank head of market economics Tapas Strickland said with the economy growing beyond trend, the central bank had a clear preference for keeping interest rates on hold until it was confident about inflation.
“The RBA is still trying to achieve the ‘narrow path’, deliberately tolerating a slower re-
turn of inflation to target to try and preserve as much of the labour market gains as possible,” he wrote in a note.
Asked about the impact of the federal government’s energy bill rebates on the central bank’s inflation fight,
Treasury estimates that the overall package would trim a quarter of a percentage point off headline inflation.
Following the federal budget, the $300 energy rebate plan was criticised by some economists who warned it would drive spending elsewhere, even if it mechanically weighed on inflation.
Ms Bullock said the power bill relief would drive headline inflation down “at the margin” and could also help keep inflation expectations anchored by influencing the prices of items indexed to the consumer price index.
“But in terms of the underlying pulse of inflation, we’re looking through that... we don’t think it’s going to have an impact on that,” she said.
“We try to look through things that are one-off and are going to be reversed.”
The governor also acknowledged the pressure on mortgage holders from higher interest rates and said it was “what’s driving us to try and make sure that we keep on this narrow path”.
“I get lots and lots of letters, and I read those letters, and some of them are very hard to read,” she told the hearing.
Australia was still on the narrow path to a “soft landing”, she said, which involves the economy slowing enough to beat inflation while keeping the gains in the labour market.
Ms Bullock also said the domestic situation does not fit the definition of stagflation.
In the 1970s, the Australian economy experienced a period known as stagflation, where growth was stagnant and inflation was above average.
“Stagflation, typically, you’d think of as a situation where you’ve got very high inflation - inflation is high, but it’s come down from 8 per cent, 7.8 per cent,” she said.
Annual inflation is currently 3.6 per cent.
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 80 already gone.
One of Lilydale’s historically significant houses, dating back to the late 1800s, was engulfed by fire last week.
Lilydale CFA responded to a structure fire at the house in Belle Vue, Lilydale at around 2pm on 5 June.
The two-storey home was fully alight when crews arrived.
“Unfortunately, a fire developed in the second storey whilst no one was home and destroyed the residence. Thankfully, nobody was injured,” the Lilydale CFA Facebook post reads.
“The Vineyard Estate (or Mt. View Estate) was subdivided in 1886 by Auguste Deschamps, a prominent Lilydale vinegrower.
“In 1888 a prestigious two storey timber house, Victorian in style, with a verandah at ground and first floor level was built on Belle Vue. For 136 years the house stood proudly in the estate and was only recently renovated.”
Taking to social media, members of the community reflected on the history and memories of the house, stating it was a “a truly special place, much loved by so many”.
“It had been a family home for the Kidgells, then a doctor, and then several other families. At least 4 of these families had musical connections and interests right back to the 1800s. It had been a hospital, so many babies were born there. It had been a boarding house,” one previous owner of the home said.
Eleven CFA units responded from Bayswater, Lilydale, Chirnside Park, Coldstream and Yellingbo alongside FRV to extinguish the fire.
Firefighters from Moorooolbark, South Warrandyte and Wonga Park CFAs supported
with breathing apparatus, while Boronia’s members covered the Lilydale station.
Upwey CFA and Lilydale SES were on hand to provide lighting through the night with crews required to remain on scene to ensure the fire didn’t reignite.
Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police were also called to the scene.
The incident was declared safe and under control at 4.12pm.
A friend of the family was incredibly grateful to the emergency services for their work,
and skill.
“Every single professional involved were incredible. Your efforts also no doubt prevented the fire reaching the neighbouring historic home,” they said.
“Even when we were able to come back late [on Wednesday], the incredible members of the fire brigade were so kind and considerate to us. You were in no rush and took your time to reassure us and it meant the world.”
The community was also incredibly quick to respond, with bags of clothes and meals prepared for the family that same night.
Young driver caught
On Sunday 2 June, Healesville Police members observed a Holden Commodore travelling at excessive speeds on the Warburton Highway in Seville.
The vehicle was detected at 122km/h in the 70km/h zone exiting the Seville roundabout.
The driver, a 21-year-old man from Lilydale, will be summonsed to court on a range of driving related offences, including driving at a dangerous speed and driving an unregistered vehicle. His vehicle was also impounded for 30 days at a cost to the driver of $1006.
Third fire rounds out week
It was a busy week for local CFA units with a number of fires needing attendance.
CFA responded to an incident at Colchester Road, Kilsyth at around 11am on 6 June. The incident involved a workshop area that was on fire. Ambulance Victoria was also called to the scene. Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Mobile IntensiveCare(MICA)paramedicsattendedthe scene. “One man was transported by road ambulance to the Alfred Hospital,” an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.
“Two people were transported by road ambulance to Maroondah Hospital.”
One CFA unit responded from Montrose alongside FRV. The incident was declared safe and under control at 11.24am.
Pedestrian struck
Mooroolbark Police are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Mooroolbark. Police will allege the pedestrian was waiting for food on the footpath outside the Cardigan Road shops in Mooroolbark at 5.30pm on Sunday 26 May, when he was struck by a Gold Toyota Camry. Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Mooroolbark Police Station on 9725 9999 or make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers at crimestoppersvic.com.au/ report-a-crime/ · Police reference T20240013430.
Road rage incident
On Friday 3 May at around 3.50pm a fawn-coloured Nissan Pathfinder was involved in a road rage incident with a blue Holden Commodore Ute on Liverpool Road in Kilsyth, near the 7/11.
A female witness observed the incident and spoke to the victim, however, no details were obtained. If you or someone you know is able to assist with the investigation into this incident, please contact First Constable Knoblich at the Mooroolbark Police Station on 9725 9999.
Missing children
Police are currently appealing for public assistance to help locate missing Ringwood children Glorious, Belinda and Hendrick.
The children aged 14, 10 and 5 were last seen in Orchard Grove, Blackburn South onWednesday 5 June about 11.25am. It is believed they are travelling with their mother, 41-year-old Molly, and may be in a silver Toyota Kluger with registration 1VS5YE.
Police are concerned for the welfare of the children due to their age and the length of time they have been missing. Molly is perceived to be of African appearance, with a medium build, brown eyes, and black hair.
All three children are also perceived to be of African appearance and may be wearing school uniforms. Anyone with information about the family or who sights Molly is urged to contact Ringwood Police Station on 9871 3000.
A local pharmacy has been the target of a break-in that has caused thousands of dollars of damage.
Two individuals attempted to break into the TerryWhite Chemmart in Wandin North just before 4am on Sunday 2 June.
Owner Nabih Barsoum said he woke up Sunday morning and found he’d had multiple missed calls from his alarm company while he was asleep.
“I called them back and they told me what happened so then I logged into my cameras from my phone and I could see the damage happened to the front door and so I left my family and came down straight down,” he said.
“It was two people, one taller and one shorter, hooded and wearing gloves, both slim and white and driving nice cars; one big, black SUV and one white three-door sports sedan.”
Mr Barsoum reviewed his CCTV footage and saw the two perpetrators using a sledgehammer or other large tool to smash the glass of the front door before trying to unlock it. After failing in their attempts, they tried to smash a lock near the floor unsuccessfully before resorting to smashing more of the glass to gain entry to the pharmacy.
Mr Barsoum said they went straight to the dispensary once in the store.
“They knew what they wanted and went straight to it with no hesitation, no wasting time but they couldn’t access it so they grabbed some baskets from the pharmacy to put the stock in and then got out and left,” he said.
“We leave the tills open so they could see there’s no money there and they didn’t go there, but they had a look.”
The perpetrators are believed to have come from the Seville direction and left via the Warburton Highway towards Lilydale.
Mr Barsoum said he feels like the store has been targeted every two or three years.
“I mean the cost to repair the door and the
lock slot, we’re talking thousands of dollars, and the cost of the stolen goods was under a thousand dollars, but for them, it could be
worth a lot more on the street market if they are wanting to resell it,” he said.
“Every time I have to clean the mess, repair the damage, recover from the trauma where it feels like you’ve been violated and pay the excess on my insurance while my premiums keep going up,”
Mr Barsoum has considered putting up bollards (as a car has previously been used to break into the store) and shutters previously but worries about the look of them on the store and the space the shutters will need to take up inside.
Mr Barsoum said he thinks some upgrades to security on the strip of shops could help.
“If we had more cameras in that strip, we could capture them from all different directions, which would help identify them more, we need fixed cameras, not just by the shop owners, because you cannot force them to do it,” he said.
“More light as well, I’ve got my own light out the front of the pharmacy but everywhere else is so dark as well,”
“We need to come up with a plan for the whole strip because it’s attractive for criminals and they will keep coming back.”
The offenders also damaged the front door of the nearby Golden Opportunity Shop.
Mr Barsoum said he wants to thank all of the community who have wished him well following the incident.
“Knowing that there’s people out there that value what we do is really nice, it’s the only good thing that has come out of this,” he said.
“People have even come here and given me flowers, which was really touching and I’d love them to thank them all.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has CCTV footage can contact theYarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit on 9739 2401, or submit a confidential report via Crime Stoppers.
CFA firefighters battled a large factory fire filled with reptiles in Kilsyth South on Monday 3 June.
Firefighters were called to the structure fire at Canterbury Road at around 8.28pm.
The incident occurred at a reptile facility which housed over 540 animals including snakes, crocodiles and lizards.
AssistantChiefFireOfficerDaveRenkin,who was on scene, said there was a large amount of smoke when crews first arrived.
“As a safety measure none of our firefighters went near the room that contained venomous snakes and AmbulanceVictoria was on scene to assist if required.
“Once the fire had safely been extinguished the owners and wildlife carers started to remove reptiles and animals. Sadly some were lost in the fire but many were saved.
“No day is ever the same in this job.”
The Jurassic Jungle factory was home for the demonstrators’ animals and reptiles, with the business having a shop front in Bayswater.
“Firefighting crews could see there were flames coming from the roof space and they quickly gained access to start combating the fire. A ladder platform was used to gain access to the roof which helped contain the fire,” Mr Renkin said.
“Since the fire on Monday night, we have received so many kind messages which we appreciate, we will be closed again today while we continue to care for our animals and begin the massive task of cleaning up,” the owner Jason said on social media onWednesday 5 June.
The shop reopened on Thursday.
Victoria Police was also called to the scene.
Thirteen CFA units responded alongside FRV.
The incident was deemed safe and under control at 9.44pm.
The cause of the fire was said to be under investigation.
Funding for the Mobile Blackspot Program (MBSP) through the Federal Government’s Better Connectivity Plan (BCP) will continue to be distributed over the next three years, despite no further funding yet established for 2027/28 and beyond.
After the 2022 Federal election and the change of government, the MBSP and the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) were brought into the BCP with an eighth round of grants expected to open later this year.
Minister for Communication Michelle Rowland said the MBSP is an important program that continues to support regional, remote, and First Nations communities through co-funding new and improved mobile connectivity.
“The program has not been cut, and we are delivering funding to the program through our $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan,” she said.
“This is a separate appropriation line in the Budget Papers, to the funding of earlier rounds of the MBSP (Rounds 1 to 5A) and the Government’s election commitment funding,”
“The Government has already delivered a number of program rounds through this Better Connectivity Plan funding; including Round 7 of the MBSP, Round 3 of the Regional Connectivity Program, the Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation Program, Round 1 of the On Farm Connectivity Program, the Broadcasting Resilience Program, an extension to the RegionalTech Hub services, and the National Audit of Mobile Coverage.”
Forward estimates in the Budget papers indicate $45,893,000, $26,526,000 and $15,562,000 are anticipated to be spent through the MBSP over the next three years with no further funding yet announced beyond that point.
$30,498,000, $22,771,000 and $7,859,000 will be spent over the same period on the
Peri-Urban Mobile Program (pUMP) which the Casey electorate will be eligible to apply for further funding through. Projects in Silvan and Menzies Creek are in progress from Round One of the PUMP, with Round Two submissions having closed in April 2024 and Round Three in the offing.
Ms Rowland said further funding is available in the Better Connectivity Plan for new rounds of the MBSP – including Round 8.
“In addition, the Government has estab-
lished the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review to examine the adequacy of regional Australia’s telecommunications, including hearing from people in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia,” she said.
“The Government has also been consulting publicly over the past six months on modernising the universal services arrangements.While this work is ongoing, the Government continues to deliver on its commitments through the Better Connectivity Plan – including further rounds of the MBSP.”
The Australian Electoral Commission has the Casey electorate listed as ‘rural’ due to it being outside of major cities. Classifications of Casey have drawn some ire, including from serving MP Aaron Violi who believes the community has previously missed out on funding opportunities and projects designated for regional and rural programs.
Under State Government jurisdiction, all of the townships in the Casey electorate are deemed metropolitan.
As recently as 2022, the Federal Government’s Modified Monash Model (MMM) for medical centres had the township of Yarra Junction as a ‘regional centre’ and the Yarra Junction Medical Centre unable to attract doctors through incentives offered to rural practices despite being 1.5km away from being classified as a ‘small rural town’. They have since been reclassified.
Casey MP AaronVioli said in the short term, he still holds concerns that the Yarra Ranges may not fall into the rural or regional classification.
“As we have seen in recent years, our community is often considered metropolitan despite our peri-urban and rural landscape,” he said.
“Our community has previously missed out on telecommunications funding under the Mobile Network Hardening Program, which provides upgrades in regional, rural and remote Australia, due to our community not being considered rural or regional. I wrote to the Minister for Communications about this last year and am hopeful that will be addressed for future funding rounds,”
“It would be devastating for our community to miss out on telecommunications funding. In black and white, the Budget papers state clearly there is no funding for mobile programs from 2027/28 and that the MBSP is concluding.”
To protect parks and forests from damage during Victoria’s wet and snow seasons, temporary road and track closures will come into effect on 11 June, following the King’s Birthday long weekend.
Parks Victoria, the Conservation Regulator, and Forest Fire Management Victoria enforce seasonal closures between June and November every year when sensitive environments including waterways, cultural heritage and public access tracks are most vulnerable to damage.
Senior Manager of Enforcement at Parks Victoria Mark Breguet said from replacing broken locks, gates, chains and fencing to repairing damage to roads, tracks, and drainage – the cost of seasonal road closure breaches is significant.
“Ignorance is no excuse. We ask drivers and riders to take the time to understand and respect seasonal road closures across Victoria,” he said.
Acting Director of Regulatory Operations at the Conservation Regulator Cal Heppell said driving in our state forests can be fun, but it can also be extremely destructive when done illegally and irresponsibly. “Following vehicle rules and staying off closed roads on public land helps to maintain healthy forests that will benefit everyone now and into the future,” he said.
ride on public land, please take care by planning your trip and seeing which roads are open and suitable for your vehicle before leaving home. You can find closures information for state and national parks here and state forests here.
You are also encouraged to check the weather forecast before you go and download the VicEmergency app for emergency information, including severe weather alerts and warnings.
Authorised Officers will be educating visitors about the upcoming changes in busy parks and forests during the King’s Birthday long weekend, followed by increased patrols and surveillance over the 2024 closure period.
These measures also safeguard critical road infrastructure used by firefighters during summer emergencies and protect motorists from accidents on remote roads softened by heavy rain or snow.
Last year, public land authorities recorded more than 380 breaches of gates or closed roads and 800 instances of illegal vehicle use across Victoria’s parks and forests. Authorised Officers issued 181 infringements totalling more than $60,000 to people caught driving cars or riding trail bikes illegally offroad or in restricted areas.
Offenders caught driving or riding on a closed road in Victoria’s parks and forests face a maximum penalty of up to $3,846 if prosecuted in court.
Local conditions and weather can affect the timing and locations of road closures. If you are heading out for a drive or trail bike
Chief Fire Officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria Chris Hardman said they want you to enjoy your visit to the forests over winter, but ask visitors to please respect road closures.
“They are closed to protect the environment or because winter conditions make them unsafe for you or emergency services should you fall or have an accident.”
The public can help protect sensitive environments by reporting any illegal vehicle use on public land to 136 186.
The Casey electorate looks set to survive the electoral redistribution in Victoria, with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) proposing the inner-east seat of Higgins be abolished to bring the state down to 38 seats ahead of next year’s election.
Casey had been suggested to be abolished by the Australian Labor Party in the submission process but will now instead gain a few thousand voters to bring it up the minimum requirement at a projected date in just under four years’ time.
Casey MP Aaron Violi said he is very happy that the electorate is remaining.
“It is a special and unique community that should be represented by one voice and it’s great to see that the Electoral Commissioners recognise that and that we will continue to have one federal voice representing the Yarra Ranges Council area which is the best thing for our community,” he said.
“I know the Yarra Ranges Council put a submission in supporting that the federal seat mirroredYarra Ranges Council because what it allows for is that I can engage in deep conversations with the Yarra Ranges Council about what’s important to them and what they’re seeing as the advocacy needs of our community and keep an open and consistent dialogue,”
“When I’m talking about our community in Canberra, it’s a lot easier and more efficient for everyone if Council’s engaging with one Federal member and one Federal member’s engaging primarily with one Council.”
If the AEC proposal goes ahead as is put forward, which is likely, Casey will also be gaining 3979 voters; 1589 voters from McEwen in the localities of Bend of Islands, Christmas Hills, Smiths Gully and Watsons Creek as well as parts of Kangaroo Ground, Kinglake, Panton Hill and St Andrews, and 2390 voters from Wonga Park, which will be taken from Menzies.
This brings the total number of voters projected to reside in Casey on Monday 17 April 2028 to 122,825, 40 above the minimum requirement.
Mr Violi said assuming the draft stays as it is, he is very much looking forward to representing those new areas and getting out to visit the community groups there.
“There’s a lot of synergies between those areas and our existing communities, particularly Wonga Park, as a lot of people from there will shop at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, play sport at Chirnside Park Football Club or go to Chirnside Park Primary School,” he said.
“I also know a lot of people from Christmas Hills go to Yarra Glen Primary School,”
“Until October we can’t campaign or engage in those communities because we don’t know how it will be finalised, but once they’re finalised I’m looking forward to getting out and talking to the community, understanding what’s important to them and making sure that their voice is heard in Canberra as well.”
In the report, the AEC also avoided chang-
ing the names of any existing divisions or bestowing the name of the abolished Higgins seat to another electorate.
The Chair of the Committee and Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the Victorian redistribution was required to enable a decrease from 39 to 38 electoral divisions.
“Under the proposal some significant changes would occur, with the boundaries of Victorian divisions being amended to accommodate the decrease,” he said.
“38 of the existing 39 division names would be retained with the Division of Higgins to be abolished.”
In the submissions process, 17 submissions put forward that the seat of Casey be renamed Barak, in honour of William Barak, a Wurundjeri ngurungaeta (clan leader) and advocate for the retention of the Coranderrk Aboriginal settlement near Healesville.
These submissions came from individuals, as well as Yarra Ranges Council, the Voices For Casey group and the Millgrove Resident’s Action Group.
Mr Violi said he definitely thinks we need to continue to have a conversation around the name of Casey.
“The City of Casey to our south and the federal seat of Casey does create some confusion with both the council area and our federal area named after Sir Richard Casey, but it’s
not unique and happens in a few areas, with Monash being another example,” he said.
“I think William Barak would be an appropriate name change if the AEC decided to change the name in the future, given his connection to our community and the strong Indigenous community.”
While the changes to the seat of Casey are unlikely to have a significant impact on an election outcome, ABC election analyst Antony Green predicts that the neighbouring ‘Liberal seat of Deakin is weakened for the Liberal Party’.
Under the AEC proposal, Casey’s neighbouring electorates of Aston will gain Kilsyth South from Deakin, as well as Deakin’s parts of Bayswater North, Heathmont and Ringwood. Deakin will gain part of Burwood East, Blackburn, Blackburn North, Donvale, Mitcham, Nunawading, Park Orchards, Ringwood North and Warrandyte South.
Three submissions, including the Victorian branch of the Australian Greens proposed the seat of La Trobe taking Avonsleigh, Clematis, Emerald and Macclesfield from Casey. Parts of those townships remain the only parts of the Yarra Ranges Council area not under the Casey electorate.
Mr Violi said there’s obviously some crossover in that area.
“As an example, the Emerald SES do an
amazing job of looking after and protecting the Dandenong Ranges such as in the June 2021 storms and many other events so I spend time in Emerald even though it’s in La Trobe talking to the SES and other organisations because there is still that community connection,” he said.
“I’m already engaging with some of those groups in Emerald because they do service and do work in our community as well so I can understand that argument but I do think the result the AEC have come up with makes sense.”
The abolishing of the seat of Higgins also prompted some murmurs of a return from former Liberal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to challenge in his old seat of Kooyong but he publicly quashed rumours of a return to politics. Amelia Hamer had already been preselected for the seat in late March but former Liberal Party figures Jason Falinksi and Karen Andrews told Sky News Australia and ABC Radio respectively of their support for Frydenberg to run again before his announcement.
MrVioli said Ms Hamer has the full support of Frydenberg, himself and their colleagues.
“It’s so important that we as a party, as MPs and as candidates, need to be focused on our communities and their needs and challenges and not engaging in internal discussions about ourselves, that’s not helpful,” he said.
The Melbourne Gun Club (MGC) has been successful in its application to hold the FITASC Universal Trench World Championships in 2026.
Australia has sent a team to this competition every year since 2014 except for the Covid years.
MGC vice-president and former Olympian Craig Henwood said MGC is excited to host it for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere.
“It’ll be massive not only for MGC but also for the Yarra Valley, Lilydale in particular,” he said.
“We’ll be showcasing our club and the area to the world.”
MGC was recommended by Sporting Clays Australia to hold the event for its success in previous experience.
MGC has held two big shooting competitions, the International Shooting Union Championships in 1973 and the Commonwealth Games in 2006.
Henwood said the club needs the community’s support to fulfil the requirements to have the event.
“The requirement is to have a minimum of four layouts and our club currently has three,” he said.
“We’re in the process of trying to find ways to get the fourth layout.
“We’re taking some donations, we’ll be running some fundraisers and raffles, and trying to secure grants.”
It will see a field of 312 competitors from countries such as Italy, France, Spain, the UK, Portugal, the Czech Republic, South Africa and New Zealand.
The former Olympian is willing to participate in the competition that is going to take place at his home ground.
“If I’m too busy working at the club, I prob-
ably won’t [participate in it],” Henwood said.
“Hopefully, all things go well and I’ll be able to compete as well.”
The club has been used as a training camp for the national team for the 2024 ISSF World Cup in Lotano, Italy.
Catherine Skinner, a 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist, is also a member of the team and is training with her team at MGC.
She said MGC is one of the best clubs
in Australia.
“There’s always a quality thing where Melbourne just trumps all the other clubs. The committee and the staff have always been friendly and accommodating,” Skinner said.
“So, it always makes things a lot easier because they’ve got all the facilities with four or five different styles.”
Skinner said it’d be fantastic to have an international competition in Melbourne.
“It gives the rest of the world a bit of reality because we always have to travel so far for all of their competitions. So, now, they get to feel what it’s like to be an Aussie,” she said.
“They’re going to discover it’s a lot harder to win here than they really expect.”
To support MGC’s fourth layout project, please visit the following website, asf.org.au/ projects/melbourne-gun-club/2026-worldut-upgrades-fundraiser
Be part of a vibrant Community and
Yarra Ranges Tourism (YRT) hosted the 9th Annual Tourism Summit (ATR) successfully on Wednesday 5 June at the RACV Healesville Country Club And Golf Course.
This year’s theme was Collaborative Futures covering emerging trends and providing insights for marketing success.
YRT chief executive officer Simon O’Callaghan said the ATR is to bring all tourism operators together to succeed in the industry.
“We’ve just completed the 10-year destination management plan which sets the agenda for the future issues and opportunities for the industry over that time,” he said.
“To achieve all of those goals, we’re really gonna need some strong collaboration from industry, government and even the community to see the opportunities for employment in the local region.
“It’s also important for the industry to come together when times aren’t as prosperous as they are now with the economic climate and it’s really important for the industry to go through and share their experiences of how their businesses are going with one another.”
About 180 industry representatives attended the 2024 ATR.
The event started with the Welcome to Country performance by Wurundjeri Elder Murrundindi.
Mr O’Callaghan and YRT marketing and communications head Euan McDonald-Madden led the first session talking about YRT’s collaborative marketing strategy followed by presentations from a number of guest speakers including Shae Keenan from Visit Victoria, Kristy Malapa from Tourism Australia, Phillip Johnson from Phillip Johnson Landscapes and tourism, sport and major events minister Steve Dimopoulos.
There were two interactive panel sessions with local and out of region business representatives sharing their marketing ideas and insights about the future marketing of the region between guest speakers’ presentations.
The first panel session discussed the topic ‘Are tour operators the lifeblood of visitor dispersal?’ with Craig Cooney from The Yarra Valley Touring Company, Fiona Sweetman from Victoria Tourism Industry Council and Rick Creamer from Rick’s Wine Tours.
The other panel session was delivered by Stephen Peppard from Healesville Sanctuary, Mike Appleton from Cherry Hill Blossom Festival, Paul Tesselaar from Tesselaar KaBloom and Peter Abbott from Puffing Billy Train of Lights discussing the topic ‘Attracting off peak and overnight stays through Events’.
Tokar Estate Cellar Door manager Joanne Tate attended the event and said she attends the ATR every year.
“I’ve been in the tourism industry for over 30 years and this is crucial for businesses to come and see what YRT is seeing that is happening for both domestic and international markets,” Ms Tate said.
“It’s a great networking opportunity too for people to be able to talk to other businesses and to be able to help each other.”
Anchor Community Care will have a special two-day campaign collaborating with cafes across the Yarra Ranges.
The campaign Cafe Heroes is aimed at celebrating the unique cafe culture in the Yarra Ranges area and recognises that people across the region want young people experiencing hardship and homelessness in the coming winter months to be supported to thrive.
About 15 cafes in the area will participate in the campaign on 13 and 14 June.
Customers at participating cafes will be encouraged by their barista to donate $2 dollars on top of their coffee order to support youth homelessness programs that help young people in their local community to get on a safe and sustainable pathway out of homelessness.
Anchor Community Care’s chief executive officer Heidi Tucker is thrilled to launch the campaign together with the participating cafes.
She said it is a noble way of spreading a great message of hope in our local communities while addressing a very critical issue of young people experiencing homelessness.
“Yarra Ranges does have phenomenal coffee, so it makes a lot of sense to launch this campaign here,” the CEO said.
“From the cafes along the main street of Healesville, right up to Belgrave and Olinda at the top of Mt Dandenong or the bustling Lilydale cafes, people love their coffee in such a beautiful area.”
Your Local Roaster in Lilydale is one of the cafes participating in the campaign.
The owner of the cafe Adam Moon said he joined the campaign because he loves to support all community-driven initiatives.
“We believe every child deserves access to basic needs and someone they can rely on for support,” he said.
“With the increased cost of living and the rental crisis, there’s no better time than to raise money to support a program that will become more and more relied upon.”
Anchor is an out-of-home care service provider in Melbourne’s east and south, operating for close to 50 years, providing a range of community services including Foster Care, Kinship
Care, Homelessness Services and Youth Services, supporting people in crisis with stable accommodation and the support they need to lead thriving independent lives.
“We’ve operated in theYarra Ranges area for a number of decades, and we provide a range of programs and services that help young people who are homeless to go on and lead thriv-
ing, independent lives,” Ms Tucker said.
“This campaign is all about connecting with coffee lovers and their sense of doing good in the community.
“We know that people care about supporting young people, and want to offer a simple chance to come together and make a difference.”
Your favourite winter wine festival is back on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of June to bring you all handcrafted wine, delicious bites & live music over two days!
Get a taste of the hidden gems of the Valley with a weekend full of wine tasting, live music, delicious bites and stunning scenery across nine participating family-run wineries for the 2024 Shortest Lunch!
It's the perfect way to enjoy a break from winter hibernation with your whole family, best friends, and even your fur babies (with most venues being dog-friendly)!
Adding to the excitement, your Star Mail has 3 double weekend passes to giveaway to readers!
Wandin North Primary School has been crowned the Emerging School of the Year at the 2024 ResourceSmart Schools Awards on Tuesday 4 June.
Despite only joining the ResourceSmart program in 2023, the school has already achieved a 2-star status and was praised for the introduction of its HEROES (Harvest, Eat, Record, Observe, Environment, Sustainability) program.
Principal Paul Bailey and Sustainability and Environment Teacher Laura Attrill said to be awarded Emerging School of the Year after being registered as a ResourceSmart School for just over 12 months is amazing.
“It was great to see what the other finalists are doing in their contexts and reaffirming that all of the hard work we have put into Wandin North is setting us up for future success, it was a great surprise to win the award and the students were so excited to go up on stage and receive our award,” they said.
“It was incredible to be recognised for all the hard work our entire community has put into our sustainability journey at Wandin North PS,”
“We can’t wait to continue our work teaching and equipping the next generation with the skills they are going to need to combat the environmental issues our planet is facing.”
Wandin North PS’ rapid-fire adoption of the ResoureSmart ethos has been seen in the construction of a chicken coop, a kitchen
garden, and a HEROES kitchen made from fallen trees which students have used to reduce food waste and learn about growing, harvesting and cooking fresh produce.
Mr Bailey and Ms Attrill said the ResourceSmart Schools initiative is a great program that encompasses all aspects of how we can embed theory and practices to look after and maintain our environment.
“Throughout our journey, we have received great support from the ResourceSmart team and SustainabilityVictoria.The support includes professional development sessions, mentoring to navigate the online portal and opportunities to network with other ResourceSmart schools to reaffirm approaches and develop ideas,” they said.
“This year we have been working on reducing our waste at Wandin North Primary School and diverting as much school waste from landfill as possible and we are very close to achieving our third star through ResourceSmart Schools,”
“The next issue we want to tackle is our water usage at Wandin North, we are already very water-wise but through our work with ResourceSmart schools, we now know there is always areas where we can improve.”
Wandin North Primary School was one of 11 schools to win an award, presented in a ceremony at the MCG in front of Victorian Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos.
Sustainability Victoria’s CEO Matt Genever said the winners had shown exemplary leadership and commitment to sustainability and were outstanding role models.
“This year, Sustainability Victoria marked 15 years of the ResourceSmart Schools Awards with the theme, ‘Legendary Legacies – what will you leave behind?’ Wandin North Primary School is leaving a wonderful legacy for future generations, and I congratulate them on their success,” he said.
Mount Lilydale Mercy College was announced as the winner of two categories at the 2024 ResourceSmart Schools Awards, taking out the titles of Community Leadership School of the Year (Secondary) and Teacher of theYear (Secondary).
The occasion marks the third consecutive finalist nomination for the college in the Community Leadership category, while teacher Andrew Feher has taken out the Teacher of the Year (Secondary) award after being nominated as a finalist in 2023.
MLMC has cemented itself as a hub and a leader for community sustainability education and events. The college currently invites surrounding primary schools to participate in learning about First Nations perspectives on land care and management, and shares learning spaces with the local community.
Secondary teacher Andrew Feher was praised by the judging panel for his commitment to weaving sustainability into the fabric of the school.
“Andrew has clearly shown that he is a sustainability leader and has built exceptional relationships with the students, teachers and leadership team at the school, embedding sustainability in the school activities and curriculum for quality succession planning.”
In a surprise announcement at the Awards ceremony, Mount Lilydale Mercy College was awarded its fifth sustainability star by the Minister for Environment.
There were 22 schools vying for an award in Victoria’s largest celebration for primary and secondary school students, teachers and school volunteers taking sustainability action, with 11 schools taking out awards at the event.
Sustainability Victoria’s chief executive officer Matt Genever said the winners had shown exemplary leadership and commitment to sustainability and were outstanding role models.
“This year, Sustainability Victoria marked 15 years of the ResourceSmart Schools Awards with the theme, ‘Legendary Legacies – what will you leave behind?’ Mount Lilydale Mercy College is leaving a wonderful legacy for future generations and I congratulate them on their success,” he said.
ResourceSmart Schools is a free Victorian Government program delivering sustainability education to help Victorian schools minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity and act on climate change.
Since 2008, ResourceSmart Schools has
reached over 1,600 Victorian schools. Participating schools have planted more than five million trees, saved over $60 million through energy, waste and water savings and avoided
over 74,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
The winners were announced at a prestigious awards ceremony at the MCG attended by the Minister for Environment,
The Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association (JESWA) is keen to recruit volunteers to help set up another charity Together for Wildlife (T4W).
T4W is an idea of charity to raise funds for wildlife.
JESWA manager Peter Hannaford said the funds raised in the Yarra Valley would go to Yarra Valley charities for wildlife and the environment.
“We’d go and ask them [charities] to apply for funds saying how they would want to use them,” he said.
“After they’ve used them, we want it on their website showing how they spent it.
“It’s going to be a true accountable charity.”
Membership forT4W would be recruited on social media with a $10 fee.
Once the numbers for membership are high enough, the T4W team would seek to recruit business members who would provide discounts to T4W members.
Mr Hannaford said if T4W is successfully established, a Torch of Concern for Wildlife Relay would be planned.
“Hopefully, running and walking would be done around school ovals with pupils being sponsored per lap,” he said.
“Every runner or walker would be asked to raise $10 for membership. Parents could use the membership discount.
“The torch relay would not impinge on school timetables as it would visit schools before school starts, during lunch breaks, or after school. It would last for 20 minutes.”
Mr Hannaford was a PE teacher and said children need to run more.
“If T4W online gets going and we go to the Torch of Concern, we could think about contacting Diabetes Australia and ask if they want to come. And [we’ll] also [contact] Beyond
Blue because there’s a lot of big need for psychological help for kids in school,” he said.
“Landcare groups are also welcome to fundraise at the event.”
Mr Hannaford said he wants to expand the Torch of Concern for Wildlife Relay to other areas.
“We’ll do it in the Yarra Valley first and if it works in the Yarra Valley, it will work anywhere,” he said.
“It’s an idea with a huge potential and we’ve got to make it a reality.”
Volunteers are going to work to raise memberships through the various online formats like Facebook, Instagram, X and GoFundMe first.
“First, we need to establish a structure of volunteers and then a website. Then we try to get membership up in as many ways as possible,” he said.
“When we’ve got to get membership to a certain stage, then we can go and ask businesses if they want to join the scheme.
“After that, we would look at event management, perhaps a concert. But we can’t go for these things unless we establish it successfully.”
Anyone interested in being a volunteer for this project is encouraged to contact Mr Hannaford either call on 0456 401 761 or via email at peterphannaford@gmail.com
Over recent months, we’ve asked the community to share their thoughts, expertise and experiences with us, as we begin shaping our Council Plan for the next four years.
Quite simply, this plan is one of the most important documents that Council has; it will shape our goals and our activities, how we manage spaces and our budget.
It helps us plan for our incredible natural environment, including the people, animals and plants who call this wonderful region home.
Through online surveys, community popups and our recent summits, we’ve engaged with more than 800 community members in person, received more than 700 submissions online and gathered more than 100 community members and group representatives at three summits.
But this was just the first step.
The panel will review what we’ve heard so far, ask questions, consider and debate some of the more difficult decisions Council is facing.
We’ll then ask the panel to make recommendations, which we’ll bring back to the community for more feedback.
We’ve captured detailed feedback, which will be invaluable as we start to draft our plan.
The Watchers Starring Dakota Fanning and Olwen Fouere
Rated M 3.75/5
The Watchers is an engrossing, atmospheric horror film and a solid directorial debut for Ishana Shyamalan (M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter).
Mina (Dakota Fanning), a young artist, finds herself trapped in a remote forest in Ireland, observed every night by mysterious creatures called the Watchers.
The Watchers is a deeply eerie experience, drawing unease from both the claustrophobic “coop” the characters live in and the vast murky forest.
The Watchers are a little-seen but fearsome presence, and the characters are simple but engaging – the brash but good-hearted boy Daniel (Oliver Finnegan), the hopeful dancer girl Ciara (Georgina Campbell), the stoic no-nonsense leader Madeline (Olwen Fouere).
The warm hues inside the coop contrast with the prisoners’ stress and their grim situation, and in a very interesting cinematography decision, every face other than Mina’s in the opening is angled away or out-of-focus, which highlights the closed-off nature of the coop.
The coop is a stage for the Watchers to study their human prisoners, but the film somewhat squanders this intriguing premise.
We gain little sense of a routine or norm for the Watchers to study, with much of the lopsided tension coming from Mina and the others breaking the rules (and Mina’s traumatic past is very flimsy).
Even so, the later narrative reveals unknown depths of observation for a gripping, brilliant climax.
TheWatchers is an unfocused but unsettling film with a great ending, but the dialogue is a major roadblock.
Even M. Night’s good films can feel slightly stilted, but The Watchers unceremoniously dumps its lore on us and is full of blunt lines that needlessly describe shots or impressions that we can easily glean ourselves.
A promising horror debut from Ishana Shyamalan, The Watchers is playing in most Victorian cinemas.
- Seth Lukas Hynes
We currently have expressions of interests open for community panel sessions – we’re putting together a panel that reflects the Yarra Ranges, its diverse range of age, gender, race, languages, income, education and other criteria.
Applications for the panel close on 30 June, for four sessions beginning 17 July, so I’d strongly encourage anyone interested in sharing their thoughts to visit shaping.yarraranges. vic.gov.au to find out more and to register their interest.
Participants will be compensated for their time.
I look forward to seeing many more community members engage in this process, and to see that feedback represented in our next Draft Plan.
Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre
Suite Surrender
It’s 1942, and two of Hollywood’s biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel, assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one other in tow.
Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance. that is, until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, double extenders, and a lap dog named Miss Boodles round out this hilarious riot of a love note to the classic 30s and 40s.
Season: Thursday June 27 – Saturday July 13.
Bookings: 9735 1777
Burrinja Theatre
351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey
Greece Lightning – Garry Star
An overzealous idiot attempts to perform all of Greek Mythology in order to save his Hellenic homeland from economic ruin.
Never before has Medusa been looser, Achilles more sillies or Uranus so heinous. Having single handedly saved the performing arts in 2918 with his multi-award debut show Garry Stan Performs Everything, comic wunderkind Garry returns with another anarchic masterclass not to be mythed.
Season: Thursday June 13 at 7.30pm
Venue: Lyric Room
The Mind Field – Arj Barker
All of reality. As we can ever possibly know it exists exclusively in our minds. Armed with this knowledge, Arj sets out to answer some of Life’s biggest Questions. Why are we here? Are we alone in the Universe? Why does it hurt when we pee? You’ll laugh and you’ll learn, but you can never look at anything the same once you enter.
Season: Friday June 21 at 8pm
Venue: Burrinja Theatre
The Round Theatre
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Presented by Babirra Music Theatre
Based on the 1994 film of the same name Priscilla, Queen of the Desert follows the journey of three drag performers as they drive across the Australian outback in their bus named Priscilla.
The bus, Priscilla, really featured onstage. Congratulations to the set builders for a terrific job on the bus. It was open on one side and on the other, there were various lights illuminating the side. The front was a regular bus with headlights, the name Pricsilla in the destination board and when the scene with a singer on top of the bus with the trailing costume the bus lost the rear end for the scene. A large cast, unfortunately the column doesn’t give space to highlight each player but the standard set by the cast certainly made the evening. Costuming was magnificent and in the final scene all the Australian animals were represented. And the frilled lizards left the audience agog.
The lighting, by Jason Bovaired, was outstanding and added to the production. The sound designer Marcello Lo Ricco certainly added to the evening and Babirra is to be congratulated on presenting such an evening.
This year’s National ReconciliationWeek took place from 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in our nation’s reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision, respectively.
Initiated in 1993 and formally started in 1996, the National Reconciliation Week is a time“for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia”.
As we all know, this year’s theme is “Now More Than Ever”. In the words of Reconciliation Australia: “Now more than ever, the work continues. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.”
This means our work in building a nation strengthened by respective relationships between Australia’s diverse communities does not stop at the conclusion of the National Reconciliation Week. Rather, it must go on, and we can all play our part.
In no particular order, below is a list of ten books published in the past five years that this reviewer can recommend as takeaways from this year’s National Reconciliation Week.
1. Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright: This is the story of a small town in Australia’s north that faces an ecological catastrophe.
2. DropbearbyEvelynAraluen:Acollection of fierce and confronting poems, cleverly using a mixture of poetry and essay to interrogate the complexities of colonial and personal histories.
3. The White Girl by Tony Birch: A truly memorable story of a grandmother’s love and courage as she tries to protect her granddaughter from being removed from their community.
4. Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson: Three generations of an indigenous family are witnesses of the rapid social and environmental changes that sweep through their town.
5. Killing for Country: A Family Story by David Marr: A journalist and author’s personal reckoning of the fact that his forebears had served with the brutal Native Police in the bloodiest years on the frontier.
6. Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams) by Anita Heiss: An epic story of love, loss, and belonging, as a young woman sets out along the river of her ancestors, in search of lost family and country.
7. Tell Me Why: The Story of My Life and My Music by Archie Roach: An intimate memoir of a member of the Stolen Generation, full of forgiveness, compassion, and the healing power of music.
8. We Come With This Place by Debra Dank: This heart-achingly honest and graceful memoir “shows a powerful path forward from colonial trauma towards a space of mutual respect and self-determining futures”.
9. Robert Runs by Mariah Sweetman: A fast-paced thriller based on the author’s great-great grandfather, Robert “Goupong” Anderson, who was once the fastest man in Australia and world record holder.
10. Story Doctors by Boori Monty Pryor: Illustrated by Rita Sinclair, this slim yet thought provoking volume is all about storytelling as a way of healing. Not just to heal relations between peoples and communities, but also our relations with ourselves.
Veterans for Fishing is hosting another family day at Lillydale Lake, inviting veterans, first responders and their families for an outing full of fun.
Since forming in 2022, Veterans for Fishing has been a fantastic success, hosting both individual and family events and a much-needed social outing for those taking part.
President of Veterans for Fishing and Vice President of the Mt Evelyn RSL Chris McAleer said the event is a great opportunity for veterans, first responders, partners and children to intermingle and create a bit of a community.
“It might help them realise that they’re not the only ones that might be going through a bit of a tough time or it can help get them out and about and socialising as well,” he said.
“We open it up to all veterans across the state and Lillydale Lake is perfect for it because the children,if they get a little bit bored with the fishing stuff, have got an excellent playground, they’ve got great toilet facilities, they’ve got barbecue facilities if anyone wants to do their own barbecue or mums and dads can go for a walk with the kids right around the whole lake.”
The event will begin at 10am on Saturday 15 June and will run into the late afternoon, with a free barbecue lunch provided to the veterans and first responders at 12pm.
Mr McAleer said while it might not be for everybody, fishing can be a great way to get out in nature and be around the water.
“It’s quite therapeutic to just get out, it’s not about catching fish, it’s about getting out and about and if you can get a mate to come with you or make new friends, then the job’s done,” he said.
“We’ll have rigging tutorials, so for those that don’t know how to fish or it’s a bit, you know, out of their league, they can go and talk
to one of their guys, they can show them how to rig up, how to fish for the species that are in here with bait and we’re going to have a couple of guys also teaching people how to fish with lures as well.”
With hundreds of veterans getting involved with the group since it started, support has come from everywhere forVeterans for Fishing with gear having been provided by Shimano, monetary donations from Mt Evelyn Community Bank, Veterans Coffee Company and the Ministry of Chocolate and the backing of Lilydale and Monbulk RSLs, while they have
also partnered with AussieVeterans Social Programs to run their fishing events.
Mr McAleer said Veterans for Fishing is about fostering good mental health and wellbeing, using fishing as a tool.
“Whether it’s a veteran or first responder, a male or a female, the stress and that anxiety that they take home at the end of each day or at the end of their service, the families have to deal with that too, and it can create an intense atmosphere at home,” he said.
“So to be able to just to let go of that stress at work and then be able to go home and on
a weekend or an evening to be able to go and do something as a family can be good for everyone,”
“You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on equipment you can buy the basic stuff for under a hundred dollars and we’ll give the kids the tools to go out and know how to fish and you can just go along and you can create your own memories together.”
To get free tickets for the event, visit: eventbrite.com.au/e/aussie-veterans-social-program-family-fun-fishing-day-tickets-909704208777?.
CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar3 Meadowgate Drive
CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Caltex Safeway239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK EG Fuelco Service StationChirnside Park Shopping Cr Little
Chipping Drive, 241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Chirnside Park Country Club 68 Kingswood Drive
CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar158 Nangathan Way
CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar11 The Mall
KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketChuringa SC, Russo Place
KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketCanterbury Road Kilsyth
KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette Unit 7/87 Colchester Road
LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC33-45 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC51-59 Anderson Street
LILYDALE Woolworths SupermarketMarketplace, 33 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale VillageCastella Street & Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre7 Hardy Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre1 Jarlo Drive
LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station473 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale346 Main Street
LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths31 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE BP Service Station87 Warburton Highway
LILYDALE Shell Service Station469 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE 7 - Eleven LilydaleCnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road
LILYDALE Coles Express469 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe251 Main Street
LILYDALE Round Bird Can't Fly170 Main Street
LILYDALE The Lilydale General110 Beresford Road
LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery96 Main Street
LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe178 Main Street
LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe222 Main Street
LILYDALE Gracious GraceCastella Street
LILYDALE Melba Coffee House33-45 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies7/75 Cave Hill Road
LILYDALE Point of View CafeLilydale Lakeside - Jarlo Drive
LILYDALE Freda's Cafe2 Clarke Street
LILYDALE Barry Plant Real Estate88 Main Street
LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate164 Main Street
LILYDALE Hello Harry245 Main Street
LILYDALE Noel Jones Real Estate 281 Main Street
LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate111-113 Main Street
LILYDALE Grubs Up1 Industrial Park Drive
LILYDALE Mc Donalds RestaurantMaroondah Highway
LILYDALE Olinda Creek HotelMaroondah Hwy
LILYDALE Crown HotelMaroondah Hwy
LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street
MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road
MONTROSE IGA Supermarket Mt Dandenong Road
MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road
MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road
MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road
MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street
MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent
MOUNT EVELYN Red Robyn Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road
MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent
MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road
MOUNT EVELYN Bendigo Bank 2/35-39 Wray Cres
MONTROSE IGA Supermarket916 Mt Dandenong Road
MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket15 Brice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK Bendigo BankUnit 19/66 - 74 Brice Ave
MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar38 Bellara Dive
MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart108 Hayrick Lane
MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark103 Cardigan Road
MOOROOLBARK Coles Express2 Cambridge Road
MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real EstateBrice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK L J HookerBrice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road
MOOROOLBARK Mc Donalds RestaurantManchester Road
MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road
MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale138 York Road
WANDIN NORTH Wandin Newsagency Shop 2 /18 Union Road
Community health service Inspiro is awarding scholarships to the value of $22,500 to Yarra Ranges students undertaking tertiary health science courses, to inspire the next generation of health professionals.
To be eligible, applicants must be a Yarra Ranges Shire resident and currently undertaking or enrolled to commence tertiary studies in an accredited health science course at an Australian university or TAFE institute, or through the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.
Yarra Ranges students studying an accredited health science course are encouraged to consider applying.
Former SeniorVictorian of theYear and past Inspiro Community Advisory Group chairman Dr Hamish Russell is delighted that Inspiro is again offering community scholarships for health-related studies.
“These scholarships have really made a huge difference to recipients by easing some of the costs involved with studying in the health sector,” he said.
Applications can be completed online, with a broad range of courses that fall within the health science discipline.
The judging panel will be looking for applicants who show determination and commitment in their studies and genuine heart for their community.
Past recipients have demonstrated their contribution to the community in several ways, including volunteering and other essential unpaid community roles.
Last year’s winner Derek is undertaking a Bachelor of Public Health while working for Monash in the Respectful Communities team to combat racism, social injustices, and gender-based violence.
Derek said the scholarship gives him greater opportunities to give back to his local community, support his family and worry less about study expenses.
Inspiro’s scholarships make an enormous difference to the lives of recipients, and many go on to work at Inspiro and other local health services.
Applications for Inspiro’s Tertiary Health Scholarship must be submitted by 9am Monday 17 June.
Further information and details of how to apply can be found at, inspiro.org.au/join-in/ scholarships/
Warren Davies, aka The Unbreakable Farmer, will be hosting a series of resilience and wellbeing workshops in the Yarra Ranges over the coming months, to give local business operators the tools they need to become more resilient when faced with significant challenges.
Workshops to be held in Mount Evelyn, Olinda and Yarra Junction will be free for community members to attend.
Yarra Ranges Mayor SophieTodorov, said that it was a great opportunity for community members to come together and take away some great lessons to implement into their day-to-day lives.
“Our community has unfortunately been through quite a bit over the past few years, following the lockdowns, storm events, power outages, landslides and other adversities such as cost of living,” Cr Todorov said.
“While we’ve seen our community remain strong, these workshops will offer a lot of guidance on how to navigate those tougher times and most of all, how to practise self-care in those more vulnerable moments.
“Warren’s own story about how he overcame adversity will not only serve as
great inspiration, but also give those in attendance some real tangible ideas and thoughts to take home with them and to implement.
“These events are also always a great chance for community members to connect, have a bite to eat and share their own experiences with one another.”
Event details:
Tuesday 18 June 7am for a 7.30am9.30am presentation.
Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve, 45 Tramway Road, Mount Evelyn.
Friday 7 June 2024, Wednesday 24 July Noon for a 12.30pm-2.30pm presentation Olinda Recreation Reserve, 71-73 OlindaMonbulk Road, Olinda.
Tuesday 20 August 2024 5.30pm for a 6pm-8pm presentation. Upper Yarra RSL, 119 Settlement Road, Yarra Junction.
Bookings are essential, community members can advise of any dietary requirements at the time of their booking.
For more information or to register for any of these events, visit: yarraranges.vic. gov.au/Experience/Events/Wellbeing-andResilience-Workshop-for-Business.
This initiative is funded by the Australian Government under the PHN program.
AMID picturesque rolling hills and pastures this breathtaking property, just minutes from the heart of Macclesfield, reveals an inspiring blend of natural beauty, serene living, and lifestyle on approximately 20 private acres. Views over a mesmerising countryside present a symphony of colours and life throughout the seasons from landscaped surroundings, starry nights, a phenomenal and private setting for everyday living on an extraordinary scale.
The Locale: Macclesfield 57 km east of Melbourne’s CBD. Known for amazing vistas, fertile land, country zen, sunny aspect, community vibes.
The Residence:
Architecturally unique and on a generous scale, it incorporates a quality attached unit for multi-generational living. Expansive use of glass to bring the outside to your chairside, views from every window. Featuring:
· 5 zoned bedrooms, 3 ensuited. A study.
· Designated children’s wing with customized study area.
· Luxurious bathroom.
· Near new top-of-the-line kitchen, Smeg 1100 mm stove.
· 4 living spaces (or 5 including unit).
· Indoor heated pool and spa. Wet bar area with sink, fridge and washing machine.
· Leading out from pool area a huge deck or covered verandah.
· Covered outdoor entertaining from billiard room.
· Ambience of wood fires, convenience of split systems and gas heater.
· Abundant storage throughout.
· Laundry. Infrastructure:
· 13.6 kw solar and 13.2 kw Tesla battery.
· Equine – stables x 3, tack room, feed and viewing room, all powered, hot and cold water with a washing machine, also day paddocks, menage and round yard.
· 15 separate paddocks, most with running water and all gated. Two solid field shelters. Electric fencing to most paddocks.
· Liveability- carport x 2 (dry house access), high clearance carport 9 x 12m, garage x 3, wood store, hay shed/storage. Fenced playground. Vegie garden. Chook house.
· Electric gates, circular driveway.
· Beautiful established gardens and lush lawns.
8 Brodrick Road in Macclesfield presents inviting options for those looking for a country estate with access to the many local towns surrounding it but also Melbourne’s CBD. The estate can be whatever you have dreamed it can be. Your home. Your haven. Your zen. ●
THIS outstanding home with a clever layout and gorgeous treed views awaits it’s next family. Arrive via the asphalt driveway to discover plenty of off street parking a fully fenced yard welcoming you into the home.
The home is open plan with the freshly updated kitchen with generous butlers pantry, spreading into the lounge/dining room. The loungeroom features floor to ceiling windows and is flooded with natural light and offers beautiful nature views alongside the comfort of hydronic heating and a split system air conditioner. There are then two bedrooms both with builtin-wardrobes on this floor, and then the stylishly updated family bathroom complete with a soaker bath tub, separate shower, and a toilet. The home features a great study at
the top of the stairs, and then discover the parents retreat on the lower level.
Downstairs discover a master bedroom with spacious walk in wardrobe, a living area with plenty of storage, and then a workshop, laundry and external access.
Outside this lovely property offers a covered entertaining area with built in BBQ/ pizza oven, and a firepit/decking area to enjoy tranquil moments with nature.
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. ●
ARE you ready to embrace a serene and fulfilling lifestyle in the heart of Healesville?
Look no further than Unit 15/13 Steel Street, an exquisite gem nestled within a charming over 55’s retirement village. This vibrant community offers 26 beautifully designed individual units, where comfort, convenience, and companionship come together to create the ideal living experience for mature residents.
This delightful 2-bedroom unit is spacious and thoughtfully designed boasting a separate lounge and dining room, providing ample space to relax and entertain.
The generous-sized kitchen features plenty of bench space and an abundance of cupboards for all your storage needs.
Comfort and convenience is provided by good quality wool blend carpet along with a reverse cycle split system and a gas heater. Both bedrooms are equipped with built-in robes, ensuring ample storage and easy organization.
The bathroom is designed with accessibility in mind, offering a roomy, disabled-friendly space that promotes ease of movement and independence.
Enjoy your morning coffee or host family gatherings in the covered outside entertaining area. This charming space is perfect for soaking up the fresh air and making the most of the gardens that surround the area. The single garage provides secure parking and includes access to the rear yard, adding an extra layer of convenience to your daily routine.
Engage in a variety of social activities and events at the on-site community hall. It’s a wonderful place to meet new friends and participate in activities that bring joy and enrichment to your life. Embrace your green thumb in the communal veggie garden, where you can grow fresh produce and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening alongside like-minded neighbours.
Living in this close-knit retirement village means being surrounded by individuals who share your values and lifestyle. It’s a supportive and friendly environment where lifelong friendships can flourish. This property offers not just a place to live, but a community to thrive in. Imagine easy living in a beautiful setting, where every detail is designed to enhance your comfort and well-being. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a wonderful community and make this charming unit your new home.
Contact us today to arrange a private viewing and take the first step towards your dream retirement lifestyle. ●
PERCHED above and overlooking the Woori Yallock township and colourful surrounding farmland boasting fantastic views this property offers loads of potential and scope for improvement.
With approx 1.5 picturesque acres (approx. 6009 sq.m) to explore and enjoy, it’s the ideal spot to live the semi rural lifestyle.
The original cottage owned and loved for over 50 years offers 2 bedrooms with a combined lounge/living area and separate kitchen.
Outside is the dream small acreage escape with a park like setting on a beautiful allotment and ample space for the big and the small pets plus plenty of room for the kids to spread out, enjoy and explore.
Great storage with a lock-up garage, plus a garden shed and small machinery shed / workshop area.
A fantastic small acreage property situated in a convenient and popular location and close by local schools, shops, transport and the walking trail, it’s a great place to be. ●
ImmerseYourselfintheGloriousYarraValleyLifestyle
Situatedonjustover17gloriousYarraValleyacresfeaturing4 largebedroomsallwithbuiltinrobes, plus aluxuriousensuiteinthemainbedroomanda kingsizewalkinrobe.A focusonentertaining andrelaxationwiththemainliving,familyanddiningareasseamlesslyandeffortlesslyconnecting andblendingwiththeoutdoorsviahugeslidingdoors.Thekitchenisexceptionalwithquality, premiumfixturesandfinishesplus abutler’spantry. Ventureoutdoorsandbeexhilaratedandexcited,a havenforthehorseenthusiastwithmultiple paddocks,qualityfencingandnumeroushorsesheltersplus aridingarena.A dreamcountryand ruralacreagelifestylethatthewholefamilywillenjoywithsomethingforeveryoneonoffer,it’sa placeyouwilllovetocallhome.
Twohomeswith acreekandoverhalfanacre
Thisis aseriousopportunitynottobemissed,veryrarelydoes apropertylikethisbecomeavailable with 2homesontheoneblockwiththemainhomeconsistingof 3bedrooms, 1bathroomand another1 bedroomcottagecompletewithgardenviews. Themainhomeischarmingfeaturing 3bedrooms,originalkitchen, asimpleyetfunctionallayout anda frontverandah.Thesecondcottageisversatilespacecanservea multitudeofpurposes, whetherit’sfor arelativeorairbnbpotential.Plentyofspacebetweenbothhomesanddriveway accessalso. Thelocationissimplyunbeatable.YoucanleisurelystrolltoLalaFallsorthelocalshops,enjoya refreshingdipinthebeautifulYarraRiver,ortake abikeridealongthepicturesqueWarburtonTrail.
Experiencesecurefamilylivingwithanabundanceofspace You´llbeimpressedbythisdelightfulfamilyhomefullofcharacterandcharm.Offeringanopen kitchen,diningandfamilyarea,3 bedroomsincludingmasterwithensuiteandspaciouswalk-in robe,and adoublecarportatthefrontallowseasyundercoverparking.Bothbathroomsboasta delightfulfeaturewindowwhereonecantakeinthelushgreeneryinabsoluteprivacy!Thissecure fencedpropertyissurroundedbyestablishedgardens,a largegrassy,flatyardallsafelybehinda charmingfrontpicketfencewithremotecontrolgates.Inadditiontothecarports, alockupgarage andtoolshedattherear.ThepavedcourtyardwithbuiltinBBQmakesanidealsettingforanysocial gathering.Additionalfeaturesincludegasductedheating, 3splitsystems,ceilingfans, acrackling woodfireintheloungeand ahugeblockofapprox.1114sq.m Agreatplacetocallhome.
JalaThompson M 0400063055 Inspection: Sat12:00-12:30pm
Positionedtopleaseandofferingthegrowingfamilyloadsofspaceinsideandoutthisspacious homeboasts 4greatsizedbedroomsallwithbuiltinrobesplusanensuiteinthemainbedroom. Largeopenlivingareaswith aseparatefamily/livingroomandseparatemeals/diningareaoffering thebusyfamilyamplespacetospreadout,thekitcheniswellappointedandspacious.Everyonewill lovetheoutsidesituatedonapprox.1870sqmofgreatusablelandwithplentyofroomforthekids andpetstoenjoyandexplore,a coveredgazebo/entertainingareais agreatplaceforsummertime gatherings,entertainingandBBQsplusa doublelockupgarageandcarportareawithplentyof extraspacefortrucks,trailers,boatsandcaravans. Afantasticpropertylocatedjusta shortstrollto localschools,shopsandtransport.
DavidCarroll
IF you a seeking a central town location with the privacy and feel of country living then look no further than this one! Situated at the end of a quiet court, this home sits proudly on the 2,053m2 allotment.
The charming character weatherboard home offers a perfect opportunity for growing families to move in and enjoy, boasting multiple living spaces ensuring everyone in the family has their own space. In the heart of the home, the kitchen features stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher, Granite benchtops, a bounty of storage and handy walk-in pantry.
The adjoining living room and separate dining area has striking vaulted ceilings.
A wood fire in the living room creates a cozy ambiance during the cooler months.
If you require more space, there is a separate living area with a versatile upstairs mezzanine that could be configured to suit your needs.
The home offers five bedrooms in total, downstairs the master suite is complete with an ensuite bathroom and built-in robes.
Bedroom two features built-in robes and easy access to the second bathroom. Upstairs there is an additional three bedrooms, all with built-in robes which are serviced by bathroom three. The upstairs landing offers a great open study option for the kids.
For year-round comfort, there is ducted heating throughout as well as three splitsystems. Western Australian Karri timber floors, exposed beams, picture windows, feature pendant lighting and soaring vaulted ceilings all add to the appeal.
The elevated setting provides restful tree top views which can be enjoyed throughout the home and from the front verandah and balconies. Also under roofline there is a remote double garage with internal access.
Outside discover your own private country escape, the garden has been cleverly landscaped to make the most of the half an acre allotment.
The decked and covered outdoor entertaining area is perfect for year-round enjoyment. Take the red brick garden path and meander through the gardens to discover the great chook pen and run.
For the green thumb there is a variety of fruit trees scattered across the property. For the toys and tools there are two garden sheds.
There is fantastic off-street parking with the added bonus of a sealed driveway.
Located within an easy stroll to the Main Street of Gembrook, restaurants, cafes, primary school, kindergarten, parkland, public transport and the renowned Puffing Billy Railway is all right at your fingertips.
This property offers the perfect blend of country and urban living, move in and reap the rewards for years to come.●
THIS property offers fantastic value! There is a beautifully maintained, north facing, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home that would be ideal for the largest of families and entertaining and there is plenty of room for the Granny Flat if you want to bring the inlaws along.
The grand, north facing home with ducted heating throughout is positioned to the front of this flat park like fully fenced block with cleared lawns amongst established trees. When you enter the house through the leadlight feature doors, you will discover split level living in this bright and fresh home. There are 4 bedrooms on the upper level, with the first two offering built in wardrobes and one with a cute bay window for curling up with your favourite book. These bedrooms utilise the family bathroom with a dual vanity, shower and bath. Then discover a third bedroom/study with ceiling fan, before finding the master bedroom to the rear of the home.
The master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe, ceiling fan, ensuite and private views over the block.
On the lower level, there is a grand dining room/family room that is open plan with the kitchen and has views out to the expansive, north facing deck. The kitchen is well-appointed and brightly lit with natural light and features electric cooking and plenty
of preparation and storage space. There is then a second large dining/lounge room with a cosy woodfire and split system airconditioner for the ultimate in year round comfort.
The deck is gorgeous, flooded with sunlight and ready for endless evenings enjoying the sounds and sights of native wildlife.
To the side of the block is a shed with power, and then to the rear of the block is a 3 bay American barn, with 1 bay roller door and a pedestrian door. The barn is insulated, has a concrete floor, power, lights, water available and a mezzanine for all your storage needs. There is also assorted fruit trees, low maintenance lawns and gardens and 6 solar panels to cut those ever rising costs of living.
This fantastic property is conveniently located within moments of the Cockatoo main street, yet feels tranquil and privatemake sure this one is on the top of your list for Saturday.
Call 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. ●
Location!Charm!Privacy &Paddocks!
Thislovinglymaintained2 bedroom, 1bathroomhomewithdelightful10ftceilings,ispositionedwell backfromtheroadwith2 wellfenced &maintainedpaddockstothefrontoftheproperty.Thereare 2furtherpaddocks&abushpaddockwith aspringfeddam&acreektotherearoftheproperty. Thehomeisinvitingwithhardwoodflooring,& anopenplandesignforthekitchen/diningarea. Potterinthekitchenwhilstsoakingintheviewsacrossthepaddocks& enjoyingthewarmthfrom thewoodfireinthediningroom.Thediningroomflowstotheloungeroomwhichhasprivateviews overtherearpaddock.Thereis aspaciousfamilybathroom &twogenerousbedrooms.Themaster bedroomhasa splitsystemAC &plentyofstorage.Externallythere’sa doublecarport, a3.3m*7.5m studio,&aconcreteflooredworkshopareaunderthehouse &anadditionalstoragespace.
Opportunity,ViewsandIdealLocationAwaitWithThisCharmingCottage! ThismixedzoningpropertylocatedontheGembrookMainStreetisdirectlyoppositetheGembrook PrimarySchool &offersviewstotheWarburtonRanges.Renovatethe 2bedroom,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
AaronDay M 0407365994
52PatonsRoad,Macclesfield$1,700,000 -$1,870,000
StylishlyRenovatedHomewithEquineInfrastructureonNearly20acres! Featuringa 40m*20msandmenage,dayyards,electricfencedpaddocks,hotwash,tack room,floatstorage,hayshed,a 3-baybarn,cross-countrycourse,mainswater &a comfortable 4-bedroom,2 bathroom,‘Hamptons’stylehomewithviews &zonedheating& cooling.Thehome has2 loungeareas, adiningarea& entertainingdeck.Themasterbedroomhasa walk-through robe,ceilingfan &ensuite.Theopenplankitchen/dining/livingareahas awoodfire &a 900mmgas stove& anelectricoven,& thelaundryhasa dryingcupboard.Thereare 3furtherbedroomswith BIRs &a familybathroom.Thestockyardshaveloadingramps,thereare5 paddockswithwater,day yards,tackroom,feedshed,hotwashbay,haystorage &machinerystorage.Thereis apermanent creek,a Springfeddam,a chickenrun,anall-weathergraveldriveway, &lockupgarage.
SamanthaScott M 0438680032
A 1 BC Spacious 4BedroomFamilyHomewithPonyPaddock! There’sa welcomingentertainingareanearthefrontdoor,&thefloatingfloorboardsinviteyouin. Thenthereare 2bedroomswithBIRs.Thereisthena loungeroomwith acosywoodfire,& thehome flowstoa masterbedroomwith aBIR &a largeWIRthatcouldpotentiallybe agreatensuitespace (STCA).Thezonedlivingthenhasanotherbedroomwith aBIR,& thereisa lovelystudy/homeoffice areawith atreedoutlook.Thekitchen& diningareaareopenplan& thecharmingkitchenhasa woodfire,gasstovetop,oven& dishwasher,aswellasa walkinpantry/butlerspantry.Thehomethen continuesalongtoanupdatedlaundry &bathroom.Thishomealsofeaturesgasductedheating! Externallyis aponypaddockwith aponyshed,plentyofOSP,anda DLUGatthefrontofthehome.
4 A 2 B 8 C
HEREIN lies a half-acre family haven with gorgeous green outlooks, immaculate interior, enticing outdoor entertaining areas, and tandem carport for convenience.
Situated a short stroll from Sassafras Creek, Baynes Park, Monbulk Aquatic Centre, and Main Road’s shopping and cafes, a wonderful lifestyle awaits here for one lucky family.
This superb split-level weatherboard home features bright open spaces and finishes executed to an exacting standard. From the large deck, access is afforded into the lower level featuring a fresh white colour palette, quality carpet, and clerestory windows that saturate the lounge in natural light. Also on this level is the generous main bedroom with walk-in robe and modern ensuite with floating vanity.
On the upper level, the open concept meals area with magnificent gable windows and kitchen with stone benchtops, high-end appliances, and breakfast bar serves as the heart of the home. With 2 further bedrooms with built-in robes plus a stylish bathroom with soaking tub also on this level, this home pairs form and function with ease. Furthermore, families will appreciate the top floor retreat with vaulted ceilings and picture windows. Providing supplementary living room plus an entry point to the generous attic, this bonus space is certain to see a lot of use.
This turn-key residence is ready for a new family to move right in and immediately enjoy all that is on offer. Promising to impress, prompt inspection is advised. Plan your viewing today.
· 2,107sqm (approx.) property with lush views and easy access to amenities
· Enticing outdoor entertaining areas including 2 decks and a large paved patio
Immaculate split-level interior with ensuite main bedroom and a bonus upper level retreat with attic storage
· Quality kitchen with sleek cabinetry and inviting breakfast bar
· Expansive gable and clerestory windows, gas ducted heating, split system heating/ cooling, and tandem carport. ●
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
ACROSS
1 Suns (5)
4 Stages (9)
9 Sneak (5)
10 Bite-sized appetiser (5,4)
11 Work of Charles Dickens – Twist (6)
12 Nullify (8)
14 Preferred things (10)
15 First book of the Christian Bible (abbr) (3)
17 Pile (3)
19 Self-centred (10)
23 Women’s underwear and nightwear (8)
24 Doctor (6)
26 Happen (9)
27 Smooth transition (5)
28 Settler (9)
29 ‘Not on your – !’ (coll) (5)
DOWN
1 Aid (6)
2 The A in USA (7)
3 Highest rank (coll) (7)
4 Pontiff (4)
5 Exercises (10)
6 – contract, a standardised forward contract (7)
7 Rampaging (7)
8 Scalpel users (8)
13 First concerns (10)
16 Logical (8)
18 Arcade game involving steel balls (7)
19 1970s band, – Lake and Palmer (7)
20 Treachery (7)
21 Against the law (7)
22 Throughway (6)
25 Close (4)
The round two grant recipients of this year’s Sporting Club Grants Program have been announced, with 11 clubs across the Yarra Ranges receiving an all-important boost from the state government.
The program boasts four categories for funding and is aimed at supporting grassroots sporting clubs and organisations across the state, hoping to address barriers to participation, while helping clubs cultivate safe and sustainable practices that contribute to social and active local communities.
Using their funding to continue breaking down gender-based sports barriers is Category 1 grant recipient Belgrave Junior Football Club, whose funding for uniforms and equipment will go towards new playing jumpers for their under 12 girls.
“The club has worked really hard to try and encourage young girls to play football at Belgrave, and we’ve been successful,” Club president Paul Piaser said.
“We don’t say no to new recruits. With girls football, the more the merrier, and just over 50 per cent of the registered playing members at our club are female, so this grant is going to
support us with that growth.”
Also receiving grants for on-field uniform and equipment are 1st Lilydale Scout Group, Monbulk Aquatic Club, Seville Football Netball Club and Yarra Junction Eagles Junior Football Club Incorporated.
Lilydale Football and Netball Club Incorporated, Montrose Scout Group and Seville Cricket Club Inc have also received grants to strengthen their volunteering and officiating, along with Lilydale Croquet Club who have received funding to go towards access and engagement.
“We’ll be using it to buy a laptop and a cam-
era for training and coaches purposes, so that they can practise and review their skills and see how they can improve their game,” Lilydale Croquet Club President, John Thomson said.
“This is something completely new for us, but we’ve seen it being used very effectively and it will undoubtedly help our members.” Lilydale Swimming Club Inc and Yarra Ranges Athletics will also be benefiting from funding centred on competing, with funds provided to assist with travel, accommodation and event registration costs for individual athletes selected to attend representative competition, selection trials or training camps.
The autumn croquet season might be over but the Lilydale Croquet Club’s members don’t let the winter weather deter them from enjoying a morning of social croquet at the club’s greens.
Taking to the court in a social game, members practice their skills, enjoy conversation and connection, all while preparing for the next competition.
Star Mail photographer Stewart Chambers headed to the Market Street venue, found within Melba Park, to capture the players in action.
The Kennel was chilly for the only night game of the season as Barkers (fourth) hosted North Caulfield (sixth). After the 0-2 loss to Bentleigh United Cobras, Barkers made five changes. Out went Mark Naumowicz, John-Paul Cooper, Liam Seaye, Ryan Smith and Maxim Solovyev, and in came Chris Marshall (first game for eight years), Ben Cooper, Daniel Aye, Aaron Porcaro and new signing Chris Potter.
On 13 minutes, NC had a corner on the right. It found a forward’s head, but Marshall was down smartly to parry wide. Then at the other end, an error by NC gave B.Cooper a half-chance, but he was tackled before he could get his shot in. Back came NC with a low shot Marshall.
They say that the only certainties in life are death, taxes and Geordie Scott scoring against
North Caulfield (he already had six in four games against them). So on 18 minutes it was no surprise when Aye sprayed a long crossfield ball to his captain, who provided his usual calm, crisp finish to make it 1-0 Barkers.
Just before the half hour, Scott squared for Aye, who shot over. Then there was a goalmouth scramble that ended in Ross Clark hitting the bar. Eight minutes before the break, another long ball found A.Porcaro on the right. He put the ball through for Scott to run on to, and Scott hit a lovely shot into the corner of the net for 2-0.
Both sides had chances before half-time, with Steve Nittoli stealing the ball and shooting narrowly wide, then NC hitting a curling shot over. Half-time: Barkers 2-0 North Caulfield.
Eight minutes into the second half, Barkers
found Scott out on the left, and he managed to shake off his man and hit a low ball into the box for Clark, who found the net to make it 3-0. This, though, was a very open game, so it wasn’t really a shock when six minutes later, NC broke down the left, crossed, and put the ball in from close range to make it 3-1 Barkers.
Just after the hour, A.Porcaro slid in on the NC keeper and somehow managed to hit the ball against the bar. Then NC started playing some decent football. A corner from the right saw a forward get a touch close to goal. Marshall had no time to react but pure instinct saw him paw the ball away. Then a low NC shot came through a crowd of players. Marshall must have been unsighted but still touched the ball wide.
Having weathered the storm, Barkers went up the other end and produced a stroke of genius. A cross from the right found Aye un-
marked, and he hit a superb dipping shot which left the keeper helpless to make it 4-1. We’ve conceded some cracking goals lately and finally we had one of our own.
Still NC tried to play football and created a couple of half chances, but with 10 minutes to go, the seeming inevitable came about. Yet another NC attack broke down, Barkers played the ball through the middle and Scott ran on to the ball. His shot struck the keeper, but had too much power to be stopped and the captain had his hat-trick. Full-time: Barkers 5-1 North Caulfield.
This was entertaining stuff but Barkers now have a problem to solve if they are to make inroads into the top spots – how does the coach keep what is becoming a relatively large squad of experienced players happy?
Barkerettes (second) made the short trip to Keith Hume Fraser Reserve to face Lilydale Montrose United (ninth), knowing they had to keep winning to stay alongside Collingwood, who were top on goal difference. Ah yes, goal difference…It’s sad to see a club struggle to field a full side, and LMU began with 10 players, but this was no time for sentiment.
In the first minute, LMU keeper Melanie Closter’s goal kick was hit straight back at her in an ominous sign of what was to come. Three minutes later, Alizah Jones hit the bar, then Amy D’Ortenzio hit the post. The breakthrough came on eight minutes when Jones hit a low shot from the edge of the box to open the scoring – 1-0.
On the quarter hour, LMU shot wide, but this was a brief interlude as the black Barkers tide swarmed over the hosts. On 23 minutes, a nice through ball found Emily Stokes, who beat the defence, and with only Closter to beat, stuck the ball in off the post for 2-0. Then on the half hour, Barkers went crazy. LMU conceded a free kick for handball. The ball was played into the penalty area, and D’Ortenzio nipped behind the defence to hit a sweet volley home for 3-0 – a gorgeous goal. Within 60 seconds D’Ortenzio and Stokes broke from halfway with no defender in the same postcode. It was Stokes who scored – 4-0.
Two minutes later, D’Ortenzio bulldozed her way through the LMU defence to make it 5-0, then just before the break, Stokes timed another run from halfway to perfection to grab her hat-trick. Half-time: LMU 0-6 Barkers.
As the second half began, I couldn’t help noticing that LMU were another player short – it was now 11 v 9. Within 10 seconds of the restart Stokes was in on goal, but Clo-
ster bravely blocked. Within seconds, Barkers had won a throw in on the right. The ball found D’Ortenzio on a tight angle from goal, but she hit a belter into the corner of the net for her hat-trick – 7-0.
Four minutes later, the ball was crossed from the right for D’Ortenzio. She turned and hit a precise shot inside the far post for her fourth of the game – 8-0. Then came a surprise. LMU pushed forward and a clumsy tackle gave them a penalty.
Up stepped Gabriella Grande. Well it was more like Ariana Grande as the ball rolled tamely into Barkers keeper Emily McCullough’s arms as she saved. Grande wasn’t done yet though. Seconds later, a wayward
Barkers pass across the park cannoned into Grande, deflected towards goal, and inside the far post to make it 8-1,
On 55 minutes, Jones chipped over, but we didn’t have to wait long for the next goal. Just before the hour, Gracie Touliatos crossed from the right, the ball ran across the box to the far side, and Eleanor Ridley shot home to make it 9-1.
Grande almost grabbed a second for the hosts, but in the next five minutes, D’Ortenzio contrived to miss no fewer than four chances – three went wide and one was a concern for passing aircraft. Then Jones showed her how it’s done. Oh no she didn’t –she missed as well.
If last week Barkers were all over Malvern like a rash, this week resembled a bout of the measles as Barkers pinned a heroic LMU side in their own final third. With less than 20 minutes left, Closter defied a number of Barkers attempts before sheer force of will saw D’Ortenzio bully her way to her fifth of the night – final score LMU 1-10 Barkers. That’s about it really. Commiserations to LMU and let’s hope they can recruit some teammates to the cause – you certainly can’t fault those who turned up. Nine exhausted women playing against a fast side with a full bench – it’s not fair but Barkers needed those goals to catch the Pies.
They are successful in local business... but what do our Tip-Stars know about Footy? Follow them every week and give them the feedback they deserve...
