Mail - Upper Yarra Star Mail - 11th June 2024

Stunning performance

By Dongyun Kwon

Healesville wrapped up the celebration of National Reconciliation Week with a special event in The Memo.

The event Now More Than Ever was held on Wednesday 5 June with a variety of performances, presentations and a discussion showing the culture of First People and discussing the meaning of reconciliation.

Djirri Djirri dancers, a speaker from the Yoorrook Justice Commission, a Didgeridoo performer and Na Djinang Circus were invited to the event to be on the stage.

The name of the event is named after the theme of this year’s National ReconciliationWeek, Now More Than Ever. Turn to page 17 for more

Passion for arts

By Dongyun Kwon

Tarrawarra Museum of Art chairman Daniel Benjamin Besen was honoured to receive a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division on King’s Birthday for his significant service to the arts and philanthropy.

Mr Besen is the son of the founder of TarraWarra Estate, the late Marc Besen.

His passion for art led him to be the chairman of the Tarrawarra Museum of Art.

He said when his father asked him to chair the TarraWarra Museum of Art, he felt an enormous sense of gratitude and pride, holding the legacy of the extraordinary museum for his parents into the future.

“I have been involved since its inception

and watched with wonder and awe as the community of friends, visitors, curators, artists, exhibitions and installations has grown and evolved,” Mr Besen said.

“I would like to express my deep admiration, respect and appreciation to the two directors of TarraWarra Museum, the inaugural director Maudie Palmer and the current direc-

torVictoria Lynn.

“Maudie and Victoria have created programs which have built so harmoniously on the foundation of the museum, the gift of my parents’ extraordinary collection. The museum is truly inspiring, a place where art, place and ideas flourish.“

Full story page 8

Kiernan Ironfield performing first song Sun Rise. Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Pharmacy targeted IN BRIEF

By Callum Ludwig

An Upper Yarra 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.

Speedster nabbed in Seville

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 exiting the Seville roundabout.

The driver, a 21year old man from Lilydale, will be summoned 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.

Seasonal road closures

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 off-road 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.

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 damage done to the front door of the TerryWhite Chemmart in Wandin North. Pictures: SUPPLIED

The damage done to the front door of the TerryWhite Chemmart in Wandin North.

NEWS Casey remains amid rejig

By Callum Ludwig

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 toYarra 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 changing 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 andWarrandyte 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.

Casey MP Aaron Violi is pleased to see that the seat of Casey is likely to remain.

Picture: ON FILE

Future of connectivity

By Callum Ludwig

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-

Test. Reset.

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 publiclyoverthepastsixmonthsonmodernising 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.”

Grants through the Mobile Blackspot Program are expected to open later this year. Picture: ON FILE

New tech helps old cases

By Callum Ludwig

The Game Management Authority (GMA) is warning illegal hunters and poachers that new tech can help them detect and prosecute historic offences using DNA.

An Upper Yarra man pleaded guilty in the Ringwood Magistrates Court in December 2023 to the illegal possession of Hog Deer after DNA profiling technology was utilised on six taxidermied Hog Deer heads and two capped skulls seized from a property near Launching Place.

The man had been suspected to be in illegal possession of them and they were obtained after a search warrant was issued.

After pleading guilty, the man was put on a good behaviour bond and the items were forfeited as the defendant couldn’t prove he had legally obtained them.

Compliance and Intelligence Director at the GMA Zac Powell said the man did not have a valid Game Licence endorsed to hunt deer, had not received Hog Deer tags and had not been authorised to participate inVictoria’s balloted Hog Deer season.

“Even though some of the seized heads were 15 years old, DNA samples were analysed, and the results showed some of the Hog Deer had been illegally taken from Snake Island in Gippsland, which can only be hunted during the annual ballot period using assigned tags,” he said.

“People hunting Hog Deer during the season or ballot period must have a valid Victorian Game Licence for deer and obtain Hog Deer tags to affix to each deer harvested.”

“Those who break the law face significant fines and penalties, including prosecution, and having equipment confiscated. In some cases, offenders may face jail terms.”

The GMA’s new technology can analyse the hair and tissue of Hog Deer and determine

which discrete population in the state the deer came from, providing evidence as to where they may have been taken from.

The DNA profiling system, co-funded by the GMA, was developed by Dr Erin Hill while a PhD candidate at La Trobe University and was purpose-designed for wildlife forensic science and population research.

The Australian Deer Association’s head of Advocacy, Sean Kilkenny said with ongoing advancements in technology, those who chose to do the wrong thing have nowhere to hide.

“It’s pleasing to see the Game Management Authority prosecute those who break the law, even for cases dating back 15 years,” he said.

“As hunters we always strive to do the right thing, if you see people breaking the law, report them to the Game Management Authority,”

“When hunting, you must be aware of your responsibilities, if in doubt, check before doing so.”

Wild populations of Hog Deer can be hunted on public land in Victoria, with licensed hunters allowed to harvest one stag and one hind during an annual hunting season.

The annual hunting season each year begins 30 minutes before sunrise on April 1 and ends 30 minutes after sunset on April 30 each year

Hunters and the community are urged to report illegal hunting to the GMA through its website at gma.vic.gov.au or by calling 136 186. If an urgent response is required, call 000.

New DNA profiling technology can help the Game Management Authority catch poachers and illegal hunters. Picture: UNSPLASH

A love for arts recognised

By Dongyun Kwon

The chairman of the local art museum received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.Tarrawarra Museum of Art chairman Daniel Benjamin Besen was honoured on King’s Birthday on Monday 10 June for his significant service to the arts and philanthropy.

Mr Besen said as the significance of the acknowledgement started to sink in, his overwhelming feelings were joy and gratitude.

“I grew up surrounded by art, artists, galleries and exhibitions. For me, the arts are part of my DNA,” he said.“In my 20s, my Saturday afternoons were spent gallery hopping, from grand spaces to gritty basements, always searching for new ideas and new experiences and learning.”Pinacotheca, Melbourne was one of the galleries that enabled his love for art to bloom.“One of my seminal experiences was in the Pinacotheca gallery. Bruce Pollard was the Director. It was the first time I went to an exhibition by Rosalie Gascoigne,” Mr Besen said.“Bruce invited me to come up really close to the artwork. It was an assemblage of Tarax boxes. “Bruce asked me what I saw and I replied “beautiful timber boxes”.

Bruce could be pretty gruff and he replied, “No, what you are looking at is the landscape of Australia”.What an inspiration!”

Mr Besen is the son of the founder of TarraWarra Estate, the late Marc Besen. His passion for art led him to be the chairman of the Tarrawarra Museum of Art. He said when his father asked him to chair the TarraWarra Museum of Art, he felt an enormous sense of gratitude and pride, holding the legacy of the extraordinary museum for his parents into the future.

“I have been involved since its inception and watched with wonder and awe as the community of friends, visitors, curators, artists, exhibitions and installations has grown

and evolved,” Mr Besen said.

“I would like to express my deep admiration, respect and appreciation to the two directors of TarraWarra Museum, the inaugural director Maudie Palmer and the current directorVictoria Lynn.

“Maudie andVictoria have created programs which have built so harmoniously on the foundation of the museum, the gift of my parents’ extraordinary collection. The museum is truly inspiring, a place where art, place and ideas flourish.”

Otherthanart,MrBesenhasbeenwalkingon a long journey in philanthropy. His philanthropicjourneystartedmanyyearsago. MrBesensaid he would like to highlight one part of his journey regarding the Roger Kemp prize.“I was asked by the dean of Art at Swinburne (later VCA), Vic Majzner, to give a prize to a third-year student. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity, through the naming of the prize, to honour someone meaningful to the school. Vic suggested Roger

Kemp,” he said. “For many years now the Roger Kemp Prize has helped talented artists leaving theirtertiarystudiestoleasestudios,traveltodevelop their arts practice and take up residencies throughout the world. “I have received from the recipients the most wonderful letters of thanks, artworks as gifts and seen many establish their art practice. The Roger Kemp Prize is a small offering but it’s clear that the impact of such an acknowledgment at a seminal period in an artist’s life can be very profound.”

TarraWarraEstatefounderEva(left)andMarcBesen(middle).

Picture:ONFILEDanielBenjaminBesen.

Picture:SUPPLIED

Safety takes centre stage

By Callum Ludwig

The UpperYarra SES Unit is set to benefit from a donation that will not only help the unit respond to emergency callouts but also provide an important educational opportunity for community safety.

STIHL Australia is marking the launch of its inaugural Chainsaw Safety Week by donating $10,000 worth of brand-new STIHL MSA211 chainsaws to 22 of the hardest-hit SES units in the state, including UpperYarra SES.

Upper Yarra SES Unit Controller Hannah Brunton said they are so grateful to even be considered.

“There are so many units across the state, all of which are so deserving for all of the work they do for their communities so this offer by STIHL is so generous and such a great help for all units that are recipients,” she said.

STIHL’s inaugural Chainsaw Safety Week, held from 3 June to 9 June, comes as nearly 1000 chainsaw-related injuries are reported in Australia each year.

Managing Director of STIHL Australia, Leeson Brook said they recognised the need for education tailored to Australian chainsaw users.

“At STIHL, we’re committed to making sure that Australians are putting their safety first. As Australia’s most trusted brand for chainsaws and outdoor power equipment, we recognise we have a role to play to support the safe use of these essential tools,” he said.

“Through our dealerships across the country, STIHL Australia has been providing inperson education to Australians for years. We’re proud to make it even more accessible for users through online educating content to make sure all Australians are using the proper protective equipment when they’re operating a chainsaw.”

VICSES’ Deputy Chief Officer Readiness and Response Alistair Drayton said that the donation is greatly appreciated in supporting communities aroundVictoria through difficult situations.

“We’re pleased to support National Chainsaw SafetyWeek and are very grateful to STIHL for the donation of $10,000 worth of chainsaws which will go to some of our volunteer units acrossVictoria,” he said.

All SES volunteers who operate a chainsaw are required to have completed two Nationally Accredited courses (FWPCOT2259 Trim and Cut Felled Trees and FWPCOT3301 Trim Trees Using a Pole Saw) and regularly undergo maintenance skills training to ensure they remain sharp.

Ms Brunton said they are also big on ensuring that experienced operators assist the greener operators and are all very comfortable communicating concerns to keep each other in check as needed.

A STIHL representative proving new chainsaws to the Monash SES, another unit hit hard by recent storms that the Upper Yarra SES assisted. Picture: SUPPLIED

“Having spent time doing the courses, I now get so frustrated when I see people using saws incorrectly, they are such a handy tool but it is so easy to get hurt, especially if they are misused,” she said.

“Obviously most of the time people aren’t intentionally doing the wrong thing but ignorance can cause injury just as easily as arrogance can, ot understanding the physics of the cuts you are making can have some really serious consequences and really put you in danger,”

“I love community members that want to help but I want them to be safe while doing so I strongly recommend anyone using a chainsaw being correctly trained.”

As well as storms, VICSES Units can utilise chainsaws for other emergencies.

Ms Brunton said storms are the most common time they use chainsaws but there doesn’t have to be a storm for trees to fall so their chainsaws get a workout year-round.

“They also help us with access to places where trees may be a hindrance, we’ve seen this on requests to assist Ambulance Victoria or Victoria Police to access and extricate patients from the tracks out the back of Reefton or Powelltown for example, things like low hanging branches that a dirt bike can manoeuvre around but emergency service vehicles can’t,” she said.

“Our saws are all very well looked after and maintained so they do last us quite a long time given the amount of work we put them through operationally but it is so beneficial to have a variety of saws in a variety of sizes as this means we can tailor our tools depending on which member is operating them and what application they are being used for such as sizes of trees.”

Calling all Yarra Valley wine enthusiasts!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 15th, because Punt Road Winery is hosting its highly anticipated locals BBQ and Shed Sale from 3pm to 6pm. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering a treasure trove of discounted wines and ciders for locals to enjoy.

Get ready to stock up on back vintages, crowd favourites and odds and ends at unbeatable prices. Whether you're a regular at Punt Road, a seasoned connoisseur, or just starting to explore the world of Yarra Valley wines, the Shed Sale has something for everyone. But the fun doesn't stop there!

Punt Road Winery is all about creating a vibrant community atmosphere.

This year's Shed Sale will feature a free sausage sizzle and live music, perfect for fuelling your shopping spree. Keep the kids entertained with some classic lawn games while you browse the fantastic deals. Mingle with the locals, enjoy delicious food, and soak in the relaxed atmosphere that will set the backdrop for this festive afternoon.

"We're excited to bring back the Shed Sale and reconnect with our local community," says Tim Wilson, General Manager. "It's a great opportunity to access some almost sold-out wines at amazing prices and enjoy a relaxed day at our Cellar Door with good food and good company."

So, gather your friends and family, mark your calendars, and head down to Punt Road Winery on Saturday, June 15th, from 3pm to 6pm at 10 St Huberts Road Coldstream. Don't miss this chance to explore some Yarra Valley goodies and hang out with the Punt Road crew!

Upper Yarra SES will be bolstered by a donation from STIHL for Chainsaw Safety Week.

Picture: ON FILE

Tourism looks to the future

By Dongyun Kwon

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’sWine 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.”

Yarra Ranges Tourism team; Simon O’Callaghan (left), Euan McDonald-Madden (right) with Leigh Harry, chairman of Yarra Ranges Tourism. Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Mr O’Callaghan (right) and Mr McDonald-Madden led the first session talking about YRT’s collaborative marketing strategy.

Shae Keenan from Visit Victoria.

Shae Keenan from Visit Victoria. Welcome to Country performance by Wurundjeri Elder Murrundindi.

About 180 industry representatives attended the 2024 ATR.

NEWS A ‘giant step’ on stage

By Dongyun Kwon

A local winery got the spotlight on the national stage for its special pinot noir.

Giant Steps Wine’s 2022 Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir won the trophy for Best Pinot Noir at the NationalWine Show of Australia on Thursday 30 May.

Giant Steps Wine head winemaker Melanie Chester said her team was pleased to be recognised for their dedication.

“A lot of hard work goes into growing, making and bottling this wine,” she said.

“So for us, this is the recognition of the amount of dedication and love we have for the wine that we get to produce.

“We had a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate over the weekend together and had really nice cheers to the fact that all of our hard work can be recognised through this wine show. It means a lot to us.”

Giant StepsWine’s ApplejackVineyard is located 300 meters above sea level in Gladysdale.

“It is probably our most famous pinot noir vineyard and it makes one of those perfumed, open texture, spicy pinots in our portfolio,” Ms Chester said.

“We’ve been making a single vineyard wine from this vineyard since about 2010 and we just knew it was a fantastic place for pinot.

“It’s a really special site and it’s been managed by the vineyard team who are very dedicated, and there’s no stone left unturned.”

To be eligible to enter the National Wine Show of Australia, presented by Endeavour Group, wines must have won a gold or silver medal at one of 32 qualifying capital city or regional shows.

The 2022 Applejack Pinot Noir won the trophy for the Best Single Vineyard wine at the 2023 Royal SydneyWine to be eligible for entry at the national wine show.

This year, 952 wines representing 236 Aus-

tralian wineries competed in the Canberrabased show.

Of the 23 trophy winners, eight were from South Australia, seven fromVictoria, four from Western Australia, three from New SouthWales and one from Tasmania.

National Wine Show of Australia Chair of

Matt

described the Giant Steps 2022 Applejack Vineyard

as a

tifully aromatic pinot.

“It has a mid-palate texture, a real richness and a fine tannin structure. The acidity is well balanced, and it is fresh and bright and persistent on the palate,” Mr Harrop said.

“This is the first time a Yarra Valley entry has won the pinot trophy at the NationalWine Show for a while. Over the past few years, Tasmanian wines have dominated this category.

“It was a close competition, and really cool to see a Yarra pinot win the pinot trophy this year.”

CheersTotheShortestLunch

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!

Judges

Harrop

Pinot Noir

beau-

Giant Steps Wine’s Applejack Vineyard.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the National Wine Show of Australia.

Picture: STUDIO VITA

The Applejack Vineyard is managed by the dedicated vineyard team. Picture: SUPPLIED

Giant Steps Wine’s Applejack Vineyard. Picture: SUPPLIED

The Applejack Vineyard is located 300 meters above sea level in Gladysdale. Picture: SUPPLIED

NEWS Using their resources

By Callum Ludwig

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 pro-

gram 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 Sustainability Victoria. 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 atWandin 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.

Wildlife charity appealing for new volunteers

By Dongyun Kwon

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 gonna be a true accountable charity.”

Membership for T4W 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

Reserve for helmeted honeyeater habitat with $400,000, donated by a Yellingbo resident. Picture: ON FILE

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 be-

ing 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

JESWA supported to expand the Yellingbo

L-R: Wandin North Primary School’s Sustainability and Environment Teacher Laura Attrill, Diesel, Phoebe and Principal Paul Bailey receive the Emerging School of the Year award. Picture: SUPPLIED

Apple a day reaps award

By Callum Ludwig

A stalwart of agriculture in the UpperYarra has been recognised in the 2024 Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) Awards for Excellence.

Kevin Sanders from Sanders Apples was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, and described by APAL CEO Phil Turnbull as ‘a true pioneer in the advancement of apples and pears’.

Mr Sanders said as anyone would be, he was humbled to receive the award.

“Our family has been apple farmers or horticulturists and orchardists for I think 99 years this year, so next year’s our centenary since we started fruit growing in Doncaster East,” he said.

“When I grew up, that was all that was there was fruit growing, there were no bare paddocks or anything like that and there was certainly no housing.”

The Sanders family was based in Doncaster East until selling the farm in 1976 and moved to Three Bridges where they’ve remained ever since.

Mr Sanders said initially had had no interest at all in joining the family business.

“I’m not sure at the time that I started working on the farm that my parents thought it was a really good idea either because early on it appeared as though I was not at all interested butat about the age of 22 or 23, a light went on and suddenly I became passionate about it and that passion remains with me today,” he said.

Kevin and his brothers Bob and Peter are the third generation of apple growers in the Sanders family, having started with their English immigrant grandfather Arthur William Sanders, who had little knowledge of the industry and was carried on by their father Hugh who spent his teenage years working on local orchards to learn the tricks of the trade.

They moved from Donvale to Doncaster East in 1968 but quickly had to relocate again to Three Bridges as the urban creep started to set into the area.

Nowadays, even a fourth generations of the

Sanders family are involved in running the orchard.

Mr Sanders said while the award was dedicated to him and the 22 years he spent on the board of the national body, it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his brothers and their partners.

“My brother Peter and I travelled to Europe in‘99 and Bob travelled there in 2000 on study tours and that was a seminal moment for the whole of our farm, we literally saw how other people do it and we brought back a lot of the thought patterns and technology,” he said.

“We’ve been innovators for a long time as a family and we won an award for innovation in agriculture and while it wasn’t a crowning achievement, it was an acknowledgement of the fact that we were innovators in our space, because it was the only time that awards ever been given to horticulture as it usually goes to dairies or grains.”

The award was the 2010 Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Hugh McKay Future Farming Award.

Mr Sanders said one thing that remains important to him is the connection between farmers and the consumers.

“I think it’s highly important for people to understand where their food comes from, certainly when I grew up nearly everyone we knew somewhere in their family had someone on a farm or in agriculture of some description, but that’s well and truly removed now,” he said.

“I did a little bit of lecturing at Melbourne Uni during my time and met a number of people and had them on the farm or visited their many other institutions around the world and for me personally, I’ve enormously enjoyed the science side of it all, much more than a lot of people would imagine you could,” he said.

“We have a lot of local visitors who every day still come out and buy apples out of the shed, and it’s lovely to see people and families that have been buying apples from us for 30 or 40 years and some of them are still here.”

Sanders Apples has been operating out of Three Bridges since 1976.

Picture: ON FILE

L-R: APAL CEO Phil Turnbull, Kevin Sanders and Chair of the APAL

Men’s sheds open for all

By Callum Ludwig and Dongyun Kwon

With Men’s HealthWeek celebrated from Monday 10 June to Sunday 16 June, theYarra Ranges Men’s Shed Network is opening its doors to new members.

Ben’s Shed on the Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction is always a hive of activity, with something for visitors every weekday and one Saturday a month.

Vice President Rick Goldie said they aren’t only a men’s shed at Ben’s Shed, with female members already involved too.

“We are one of few places where people can come and work with their hands and have 47 members at the present stage,” he said.

We’ve got a full woodworking shop and we’ve got a pretty good metalworking shop for our members and visitors and we provide breakfastonaMondayandlunchonaWednesday.”

Ben’s Shed is one of 13 in the Yarra Ranges Men’s Shed Network, taking the staple backyard shed found in many homes and opening it up to the community, creating an opportunity to foster social connection.

Mr Goldie said he thinks the social aspect of a shed is incredibly important.

“The shed is all about talking if you’ve got a problem you can find somebody there who can give you a sympathetic ear, there’s tea and coffee for people to sit down and have a cuppa and a bikkie if there’s some still in the barrel,” he said.

The workshops at Ben’s Shed are unavailable on Tuesdays, as the shed is opened up for five local schools to visit and practice their woodworking skills but the shed is still open to visitors. The Upper Yarra U3A group also utilise the space on occasion on Thursdays.

Mr Goldie said having a supportive space like a men’s shed is extremely important.

“I go back to when I left work, I was very close to depression and had nowhere to go at the time and I wish I had somewhere like the shed,” he said.

“Just being able to talk to people, get out of home, see somebody different or talk to somebody that’s interesting is extremely important.”

Currently, the Ben’s Shed team are working on making a variety of wood-carved toys like jigsaw puzzles, rabbits, snails and kangaroos to fundraise. The items are also foot-mounted so they can be sent overseas.

Closer to Christmas time, Ben’s Shed members will also be making ornaments for Christmas trees and homes that will be available for purchase.

Badger Creek and District Men’s Shed (BCDMS) provides a safe, active and supportive environment where members can build friendships while having a chat and working on projects shoulder to shoulder.

BCDMS now has about 50 members.

BCDMS president Alan Jones said they have regular meetings every Monday and Wednesday.

“We sit around the table, have a yarn, a cup of tea and a biscuit in the meeting room. Then

we do our projects that we’re working on in the shed,” he said.

“A typical day would be until about midday and then we come back here [the meeting room] and spend maybe another hour having lunch and chatting around the table.”

Other than the regular meetings, there is a photography group meeting every Friday.

Currently, BCDMS members are working on the park bench project and a few jobs that are requested by community members like restoring a lampstand.

BCDMS sells the products that they make to

get profits to help operate the shed.

“Our membership is quite low compared to our running expenses,” Mr Jones said.

“So, it’s necessary for us to take on these projects and do other work in order to survive.”

BCDMS supports the community in diverse ways.

They invite Badger Creek Primary School students to the shed every Thursday to teach carpentry skills as well as look after the grounds around their shed, Badger Creek Community Hall and Badger Creek

The president said they want to improve the shed.

“We’ve got a couple of projects going on at the moment [such as the upgrade of the

case],” he said.

“We’re also working on improving our air quality and we’re very hopeful that we might get a dust removal.”

Men’s Shed representatives all across Yarra Ranges will have a meeting on 21 June at the BCDMS to discuss how to help one another.

CFA station.

stair-

Woodworking and metalworking are on offer at ben’s Shed in Yarra Junction.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Plenty of laughs and smiles.

Picture: SUPPLIEDMembers of the Badger Creek and District Men’s Shed.

Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Running for cancer cause

By Callum Ludwig

A former Yarra Junction local is set to run 2000km from Melbourne to Brisbane next month to fundraise and support research into pancreatic cancer.

Actor and Executive Producer of upcoming film ‘Kennedy’ Kieren Devisser grew up in the Upper Yarra and used to work in the cellar door at Levantine Hill Estate, owned by pancreatic cancer survivor Dr Elias Jreissati AM, who used some of his wealth to establish the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre (JPC) at Epworth Hospital.

Kieren’s run will be raising funds for the JPC and he said although he has had loved ones with cancer, his direct experience with pancreatic cancer comes from witnessing Mr Jreissati’s journey and while his exposure to his struggle was minimal, it was impactful.

“From the moment I started working at Levantine Hill, Elias exemplified every trait I admire in a person. He has always been someone I aspire to emulate—a fantastic businessman, a brilliant father, and unfailingly kind, even to (at the time) a young cellar door employee like myself,” he said.

“During my years at Levantine Hill, I heard numerous commendable things about him, often from his daughters. Balancing the roles of a devoted father, a prominent businessman, and a philanthropist is not an easy feat,”

“Despite his busy schedule, when I, practically a stranger and a newcomer to his business, asked him for advice, he openly accepted and gave me invaluable guidance that significantly propelled me forward.”

Mr Devisser will be running for an average of 64 kilometres per day for 31 consecutive days in July.

Mr Devisser said he will never forget seeing

Mr Jreissati for the first time after months of battling the disease.

“It was shocking. As I learn more about his inspiring journey through pancreatic cancer and the resilience of his family, especially what Colleen (his wife) did to help him, I am increasingly motivated to undertake this run,” he said.

“While their story is incredibly inspiring, sadly, it’s not unique. Many families endure the same thing, often with a far worse outcome,”

“I hope that by doing this run, I can inspire businesses and individuals to donate to this fantastic cause.”

Mr Devisser will be documenting his running journey on his Instagram page @kierendevisser for anyone who wishes to follow along.

Mr Devisser said he’d like to raise at least $100,000.

“People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have a 13 per cent survival rate (for five years), 50 per cent of cases are diagnosed once the cancer has already spread, where the chances of survival drastically drop down to 3 per cent,” he said.

“While predicted to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030, it still only receives 4 per cent of global cancer research funding. This must change, and I hope this run can inspire that.”

Mr Devisser will be running through areas the Kelly gang used to frequent, a particular interest for him given his upcoming film while a few running clubs along the east coast are also set to join him for portions of his run.

Mr Devisser said while he has done events in the past that could be considered extreme, this is the first time he’ll be undertaking something as big as this.

“I only had 10 weeks to train for this event, while a friend from the AIS (Australian Insti-

tute of Sport) mentioned I needed a minimum of 30-36 weeks to train for something like this. Truthfully, I am not fit enough to do it, and in reality, it’ll come solely down to my psychology,” he said.

“Right now, I am just running as much as I can. I am doing weight training a few times a week to strengthen my knees, but it’s just about getting kilometres in the legs,”

“I’ll struggle with the pain, but you just have to grind through it day by day, and take it one step at a time.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Mr Devisser’s effort can visit the Viridian Foundation website and click on the W4R2024 tab, follow the prompts, and write ‘Kieren’ next to your name when you donate.

Mr Devisser said he ultimately believes humans are on this planet to do good and how you decide to do that good, changes from person to person.

“Right now, I currently don’t have the finances to donate large sums of money towards this cause. I do, however, have time and I have an unwavering determination,” he said.

“I choose to do good by putting my body on the line, defying the odds, and hopefully inspiring individuals to donate through my actions,”

“We are the generation of change. Each year, we achieve significant advancements in cancer research. My hope is that the donations generated by my run will enable Epworth Hospital and the team at the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre to make significant strides in cancer research and early detection.”

Kieren Devisser is set to run from Melbourne to Brisbane for pancreatic cancer in July. Picture: SUPPLIED

The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find a three and four-year old kinder learning program they can count on.

The Kinder Tick recognises kinder programs that are led by a qualified teacher.

It highlights kindergartens and long day care centres that offer play-based programs to help children learn and grow, before they start school.

It also identifies services that are approved for Victorian Government funding.

NEWS Honouring their service

By Dongyun Kwon

The Victorian National Aboriginal Service (VNAS), first launched by the Healesville RSL and a local Aboriginal lady, was held successfully once again at the Shrine of Remembrance on Friday 31 May.

This year, the service had about 300 attendees including the federal attorney general Mark Dreyfus KC, the first time a representative from the Federal Government came to the service.

Aboriginal woman the late Aunty Dot Peters and then-president of the Healesville RSL retired flight sergeant Sam Halim held the first remembrance service to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women in Healesville in 2006.

Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee chairman Dr Andrew Peters, who is also the son of the late Aunty Dot Peters, said his mother had been thinking about a service to recognise her dad’s service to war.

“He died as a POW (Prisoner Of War) on the Burma [Myanmar] Railway. Mum was always concerned about the service he and many other Aboriginal people like him weren’t recognised on Anzac Day services and Remembrance Day services,” he said.

“She brought this up to Sam Halim who was the president of the Healesville RSL at the time. Two of them came up with the idea of service at the Healesville RSL.

“It was a relatively small service at the Healesville RSL in 2006, and it’s been taken by Shrine of Remembrance since the following year.”

Mr Halim said it was very difficult to hold the service at the beginning.

“We had to fight to get the service recognised and to get support from the government,” he said.

“The same people who opposed it were try-

ing to stop us from continuing with the service.

“It was like a struggle and we just kept on fighting for the service and fighting for the Indigenous soldiers. And it has spread out throughout Australia.”

Mr Peters said he is happy with the progress of the service for a couple of reasons.

“One, because it’s something that my mum started. I’m very proud of her role in creating it,” he said.

“But more importantly, it’s become such a big event with so many different people involved that recognise the service of Aboriginal people in serving Australia in our war efforts.

Five schools from Yarra Ranges, Healesville Primary School, Badger Creek Primary School, Healesville High School, Mount Lilydale Mercy College and Worawa Aboriginal College were

invited to the 19th VNAS.

Five First Nation students, two school captains Maiya and Pearl, Koorie engagement support officer Ms Swindle and Ms H from Badger Creek Primary School attended the service.

“We were grateful that we got the opportunity to go there. We, along with Maison, our First Nations leader, got to go up to the Eternal Flame to lay the wreath, which was really cool to do and see in person. It was amazing to be there, we felt very lucky,” the two school captains said.

The First Nation students in Badger Creek Primary School meet fortnightly to discuss how to make their school culturally safe and how to embed the Indigenous culture throughout their school.

Badger Creek Primary School also celebrates and commemorates significant days as well as continues to acknowledge culture every day.

The school showed its support for reconciliation by creating its own Hands Up artwork and contributing to Healesville Sanctuary Sea of Hands, which Grade 5/6 students personally delivered to the Healesville Sanctuary.

In the classrooms, it was discussed what is meant by reconciliation and the students spoke about the important message of ‘Now more than ever’.

“Now more than ever, we need to show kindness,” prep student Ida said.

“Now more than ever we need to be kind,” prep student Xavier said.

“Now more than ever we need to include each other,” prep student Olly said.

Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi said it was an honour to attend the Shrine of Remembrance during Reconciliation Week for the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service.

“It was a moving ceremony to recognise the significant contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service people have made, and continue to make, in keeping our nation safe,” he said.

Mr Peters said it’s great for him as an Aboriginal man to see the progression of National Reconciliation Week.

“It’s really important to me that we recognise these things but also beyond that, it’s important for all Australians to learn more about our history,” he said.

“It’s a shared history. It’s the history for all of us as Australians and it’s the culture that belongs to all of us as Australians.

“It’s important that we have those events for people to learn new things, hear from people and talk to people, and to celebrate Aboriginal culture and history as being part of all Australians not just for Aboriginal people.”

L-R: Healesville RSL president Colette Shaw, Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi, Dr Andrew Peters and Eildon MP Cindy McLeish. Picture: SUPPLIED

Performances a highlight

By Dongyun Kwon

Healesville wrapped up the celebration of National ReconciliationWeek with a special event in The Memo.

The event Now More Than Ever was held on Wednesday 5 June with a variety of performances, presentations and a discussion, emceed by Nelson Aldridge, Sam Piper and Nikki Madgwick.

It started with Welcome to Country by Jacqui Wandin and a welcome ceremony dance by Djirri Djirri followed by Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Sophie Todorov’s speech.

The keynote speaker for the event was Shaun Middlebrook from the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Kiernan Ironfield played Didgeridoo for two songs Sun Rise and Heal Country for three different messages Voice, Violence and Children.

Nikki Madgwick from Oonah Health and Community Services presented about her organisation’s work.

Nelson Aldridge and Andrew Peters discussed the meaning of reconciliation, particularly after the referendum last year.

The event was closed with a circus performance by Na Djinang.

The name of the event is named after the theme of this year’s National Reconciliation Week, Now More Than Ever.

Kiernan Ironfield performing first song Sun Rise.

Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Sam Piper.

Picture: DONGYUN KWON Nikki Madgwick.

Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Didgeridoo performance by Kiernan Ironfield. Picture: SUZANNE PHOENIX

Na Djinang Circus.

Picture: SUZANNE PHOENIX Djirri Djirri’S welcome ceremony dance. Picture: SUZANNE PHOENIX Shaun Middlebrook. Picture: SUZANNE PHOENIX

Raising funds for youth

By Dongyun Kwon

Anchor Community Care will have a special two-day campaign collaborating with cafes across theYarra 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 peo-

ple 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 thriving, independent lives,” Ms Tucker said.

“Thiscampaignisallaboutconnectingwith 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.”

Next section underway for Yarra Valley Trail

Construction of the Yarra Valley Trail continues with works now taking place at theYering toYarra Glen section.

This will see approximately 1.1 kilometres of trail along the historic railway take place and includes the restoration of the two heritage bridges which were part of the former Lilydale to Healesville train line.

These iconic bridges will be preserved and reinforced with a concealed steel framework, ensuring their longevity and safety.

Yarra Ranges mayor councillor Sophie Todorov highlighted its importance in the region with trails being a favourite among residents and tourists alike.

“The Yarra Valley Trail already goes from Lilydale to Coldstream with plans that it will connect up to Healesville and then onto Seville and link with the Warburton to Lilydale Trail. Our trails are incredibly popular and help to improve our wellbeing and social connection,” Cr Todorov said.

Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister said Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) is thrilled to see that construction has begun on this section of the trail.

“The Yarra Valley Trail is a great addition to our community, promoting outdoor activity and connecting people with the beautiful landscapes of our region,” she said.

Traffic control measures are currently in place on Melba Highway during construction hours to ensure the safety of workers and motorists.

YRC appreciates the community’s pa-

tience and understanding during this period.

“We understand that construction can be inconvenient, and we thank everyone for their cooperation. The long-term benefits of this trail will be substantial, providing a safe, off-road path for walking, cycling, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area,” Cr McAllister said.

Upon completion, Stage 1B will form an integral part of an 11km off-road route stretching from Lilydale toYarra Glen.

This trail will connect users to the Yarra Valley Railway, theYarraValley Trail Northern Loop and future extensions, including Stage 2A fromYarra Glen to Tarrawarra.

“The completion of this stage is a significant milestone. It brings us one step closer to realising the full vision of the Yarra Valley Trail, a project that will benefit our community for years to come,” Cr Todorov said.

For more information on the Yarra Valley Trail and updates on construction, please visit www.rideyarraranges.com.au

Construction of the Yarra Valley Trail will include the restoration of the two heritage bridges which were part of the former Lilydale to Healesville train line. Picture: ON FILE

Your Local Roaster owner Adam Moon.

Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Talents shine in CBD

By Dongyun Kwon

Healesville High School is proud of its students and a teacher who performed their music skills in front of a huge audience on Wednesday 29 May.

The school’s music coordinator Amanda Morrison participated in the NEVR (North Eastern Victorian Region) Youth Concert held at the Hamer Hall as a conductor of the Concert Band along with 11 students who were involved in the different ensembles.

Ms Morrison said the experience of participating in the concert was amazing for herself and her students.

“It’s so great for a small school like us to have 11 students involved in various ensembles. We had students in the String Orchestra, the Concert Band, the Symphonic Band and one of the students performing in the foyer as a soloist,” she said.

“It’s such an amazing opportunity for these students to perform in a professional setting at the professional concert hall where people like the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra perform regularly.

“Being with an audience of over 2000 people watching them is something that they’re never going to forget.”

NEVR Youth Concert 2024 entitled Sonic Canvas had over 600 students performing across all of the ensembles.

To prepare for the concert, the students had two full-day rehearsals, three weeks and one week before the concert respectively.

On the concert day, Ms Morrison and her students left school at about 8.15am and spent the whole day in the city doing sound checks and sightseeing.

Healesville High School studentTyloh Short performed for the Symphonic Band and said it was fun but nerve-wracking at the same time.

“It was really fun playing with a bunch of other people from different schools,” Tyloh said.

“Our school only has two alto saxophones and we had a lot more in that band.”

The only flutist in Healesville High School Audrey Low said she learnt how to make a harmony with other players from the experience.

“It was pretty scary [performing in front of a huge audience], but once I was performing, I couldn’t see the audience because of the lights and that really helped me,” she said.

‘“When I performed in the band, there were over 20 flutes, it was definitely a fun experience to perform without being the loudest.

“It was a change when I had to play softer when the conductor told me to play softer.”

Another student Grace Howie played the guitar as a soloist in the foyer.

She grabbed the chance to perform in the foyer after she auditioned for the solo on the stage.

“It was a bit small compared to being on stage, but it was a good experience,” she said.

“Last year, I played mainly in a group. Playing solo was different. I didn’t have to rely on other people as much.”

Mahlea Douglas is the only student who participated in the String Orchestra.

She had to go to Ringwood Secondary College by herself to do rehearsals.

“The first rehearsal was a bit difficult because I didn’t know anybody,” she said.

“Eventually, I found a couple of people that I could get along with. They really helped me and it pushed me along with my music playing.”

Mahlea is the single viola player at the Healesville High School and she said it was a lot different playing with other strings.

“I had people that understood what I was playing and all the aspects of everything,” she said.

“Normally, I have to relate to the trumpets and other instruments [at school] which is not very easy.”

The students involved in the NEVR Youth Concert were as follows.

Concert Band: Mady Prendergast, Rhashidi Brown, Hamish Prendergast and Blake Chipperfield.

String Orchestra: Mahlea Douglas. Symphonic Band: mogenWoodhouse, Audrey Low, Kailee Short, Tyloh Short and Archie Kirby.

Soloist in the foyer: Grace Howie.

Local health students offered unique scholarship

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 undertakingorenrolledtocommencetertiarystudies 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 Senior Victorian of the Year 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 lo-

cal 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.

Hamish Russell (right) with previous recipients and Cr Jim Child (middle).

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

L-R: Mahlea, Grace, Tyloh, Audrey, Ms Morrison and Rhashidi.

Picture: DONGYUN KWON

Caring for the aged

WOORILLA WORDS

We live in a culture that celebrates youth, particularly the body beautiful, and even poets have mostly concentrated on ageing as a loss of physical vigour, health and love. Rarely do they celebrate the positives.

Poets Matthew Arnold and William Butler Yeats both took a different but somewhat negative approach to ageing.

Matthew Arnold’s Growing Old gives a morose picture of old age.

It is to spend long days

And not once feel that we were ever young.

It is to add, immured

In the hot prison of the present, month

To month with weary pain.

While in When You Are Old Yeats depicts old age with regret:

When you are old and gray and full of sleep, And nodding by the fire, take down this book,

And slowly read, and dream of the soft look

Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

Probably before settling down to reading a book some of you may spend half an hour or more looking for your reading glasses and with the cold weather you may be also feeling some weary aches and pains. Across the world people are living longer, without doubt brought about by improvements in healthcare, nutrition and technology.

But we still face some age related conditions that make life hard not just for those afflicted but also for their loved ones.

Dementia, a condition characterised by memory loss and cognitive decline is on the rise and causes a lot of grief for families, so gently captured by Bill Collins in Forgetfulness:

The name of the author is the first to go followed obediently by the title, the plot, the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of, as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor

COMMUNITY DIARY

decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain, to a little fishing village where there are no phones.

It is of course inevitable, that in Australia as elsewhere, we are faced with the challenge of how do we care for our aged and who pays?

By 2042 it is estimated that there will be just under 1.4 million Australians aged 85 years and over.

Today 25 per cent of those over 65 live alone.

Currently over 68,000 are waiting for a home package.

Disturbingly in some cases there is no home as people over 65 make up seven percent of the homeless population.

Around 840,000 Australians over 65 were born overseas and though traditionally they often come from cultures where they were cared by their families, often this is no longer possible.

These are sobering statistics but we have already lived through the failures of aged residential care facilities, exposed during the pandemic.

Now we are becoming more aware of the shortfalls in providing adequate at home care packages.

The government policy has been to encourage people to stay in their homes in familiar surroundings and community as long as possible and be supported by a home care package.

Most would endorse this policy but it is clear that the system is floundering and many are left to fend for themselves, sometimes with disastrous consequences.

The glossy brochures about at home care promise far more than they deliver.

The waiting time for getting a package is unacceptably long and some die before getting one.

The Commonwealth Government funds the sector and provides an oversight, while the providers attend to the day-to-day running of the facilities of at home programs. Many of the providers are unable to help with the daily needs of the elderly due to shortfalls in funding and staff, and a shortage of volunteers.

Also the help home care staff can give is limited by the rules imposed of what they can and what they can’t do and by time strictures.

This is particularly evident with home maintenance where there is a limit to how much help is available.

Hence many elderly have overflowing gutters, storm damaged gardens, dirty windows, greasy stoves, broken door handles…

For many transport is a major issue

whether it be to attend a medical appointment or buy necessary personal items, or simply to visit family or friends.

In some areas taxis are non- existent or unavailable for short trips.

Fear of isolation and the car being the only means to do these normal activities means that some elderly are holding on to driving licenses long after they should.

Undoubtedly as with any private enterprise there are some dodgy providers.

You hear stories of clients being charged for services provided at home while they were in hospital and double booking fees.

With the recent revelations of NDIS rorts it would be hoped similar scrutiny is applied to aged care package providers and possible civil penalties imposed for provider breaches of standards,

Caring for aged parents can be difficult.

Many who are unable to provide filial care because of work demands or their own family responsibilities often find it emotionally stressful to have to place their parents into residential care.

Family members often struggling with work and family pressures are taking time off to care for aged relatives.

The growing numbers of the elderly, and at the same time the marked decrease in the birth rate, is at the nub of the problem. The question for future governments is how to fund this ongoing situation. Compared to other high income countries Australia spends a lot less on aged care; 1.2 per cent of GDP compared say to Denmark which spends 4.3 per cent.

An uncomfortable national conversation is needed where all possible models are looked at.

The vexed question is who pays?

Politicians know there are no votes in aged care. If we cast our minds back to the 2019 federal election campaign, the hot button issue concerning older people was the potential demise of franking credits and negative gearing not the state of aged care facilities.

So what is the nature of care that we, living in a civil society, should provide for the aged? And how do we address intergenerational fairness?

Young people are currently bearing the brunt of the housing crisis and the cost of higher education.

If we want to have good quality aged care, delivered consistently, we have to have enough workers who are appropriately skilled and qualified and appropriately remunerated.

But do Australians care enough about aged care for it to influence the way they vote?

A new levy would be unpopular in a country that views all taxes negatively and not for the common good.

Other suggestions include a public aged care insurance like a superannuation or seeking a greater contribution from those receiving care by including the value of the family home in assets.

The conversations should also go beyond just economics.

We live in a multicultural Australia so appropriate care must be taken to account for cultural sensitivities and what is fair and valuable for the wider society.

Ageing is not so kind to those who are alone and isolated, who struggle for financial survival, seek a place to call home and suffer with poor health.

But a caring community should make sure that in the planning of aged care programs their needs are heard and we must make this known to our government.

There is also the question of how we approach the inevitability of ageing.

Mark Twain supposedly said:

‘Age is an issue of mind over matter, if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.’ In other words, if you have a positive attitude to growing old and refuse to define yourself by your age, it doesn’t matter.

That is of course if you are in robust health and have a home, family and friends.

But for those less lucky there should be easily accessed, well funded and administered at home and residential aged care programs.

Halleluiah by Mary Oliver

Everyone should be born into this world happy and loving everything.

But in truth it rarely works that way. For myself, I have spent my life clamoring toward it.

Halleluiah, anyway I’m not where I started!

And have you too been trudging like that, sometimes almost forgetting how wondrous the world is and how miraculously kind some people can be?

And have you too decided that probably nothing important is ever easy?

Not, say, for the first sixty years.

Halleluiah, I’m sixty now, and even a little more, and some days I feel I have wings.

Meet Nick Anchen at Yarra Junction Library

Nick Anchen, author of ‘Whistles Through the Tall Timber’, will be coming to speak about the book atYarra Junction Library onWednesday 12 June from 2pm to 3pm. His book tells the captivating story of the Warburton, Powelltown and Noojee railways, along with the prominent timber tramways of the region, from an era when the tall timber was extracted by steam and sweat.

The majestic mountain ranges east of Mel-

bourne contained some of the finest stands of hardwood trees in Australia. To access the timber, a fascinating network of railways and tramways were built. Nick Anchen first ventured into the evocative mountain ranges of the Upper Yarra and Neerim districts as a teenager, where he rapidly became captivated by the remains of the fascinating old railways, tramways and sawmill sites still in evidence. These adventures led Nick to many years of photographing the remains, and recording the social history via interviews with former timber workers and Victorian Railways employees.

Nick has been a railwayman for 25 years, and is currently a V/Line train driver.

To make a free booking, visit events.yourlibrary.com.au/event?id=57289 or call Yarra Junction Library at 03 9800 6462.

Celebrate winter solstice together

Healesville community members are invited to a free winter solstice event at 2pm on Saturday 15 June.

Peter Wonderfeel will lead the guided Labyrinth walk and Judy Osbourne will lead the children’s scarf fun.

The event will be held at the Healesville Labyrinth located in Old Railway Park.

The Unbreakable Farmer visits

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 will be free for community members to attend.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Sophie Todorov, 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 selfcare 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 7.30am-9.30am presentation

· Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve, 45 Tramway Road, Mount Evelyn

Wednesday 24 July

· 12 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, for more information or to register for any of these events, visit: yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/ Wellbeing-and-Resilience-Workshop-forBusiness.

Shaping the future

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.

From my

desk

Sophie Todorov Mayor of Yarra Ranges

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.

Connection PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

We’ve captured detailed feedback, which will be invaluable as we start to draft our plan.

Engrossing

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 mostVictorian 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.

CARTOON

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.

The treats of the theatre

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.

Kemp’s curtain call

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 ReconciliationWeek.

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.

PUZZLES

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

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)

No. 189

No. 189

SIMPLY . . . THE BEST!

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. ●

A GRAND HOME IN A SUPERB LOCATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

SMALL ACREAGE LIFESTYLE ESCAPE

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.

DavidCarroll M 0419539320

-2.30pm

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.

FamilyLivingwithSpaceandConvenience 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

2748WarburtonHighway,Wesburn

CHARMING STORYBOOK HOME ON 2053M2

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. ●

4

YOUR PERFECT RETIREMENT HAVEN

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. ●

TURN-KEY HOME IN EASY REACH OF TOWN

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. ●

THEUPPER YARRA CEMETERY TRUST

Trust member positions

Are you interested in making a meaningful contribution to your community, learning new skills and preserving local history for future generations?

The Upper Yarra Cemetery Trust is seeking new volunteer trust members. In this role you will gain hands-on experience in managing a public cemetery and valuable governance skills as a member of a public board. Free governance training is provided. Who should apply?

Applications are welcome from people with a range of skills and experiences including administration, committees, and groundskeeping. Women and people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Current trust members whose terms of appointment are due to expire are welcome to apply for reappointment.

What it means to be a Victorian cemetery trust member

Cemetery trust members are appointed by the Governor in Council for a term of up to five years on the recommendation of the Minister for Health. Cemetery trusts are responsible for the management of public cemeteries, including planning for future cemetery services for their communities. More information about the role is available at <https://www.health.vic. gov.au/cemeteries-and-crematoria/class-bcemetery-trust-appointments>.

How to register your interest

Simply contact the Upper Yarra Cemetery Trust within two weeks of this advertisement date: The Upper Yarra Cemetery Trust contact details: 0408 310 179

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer people. The trust will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

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Lots to do this month

By Anita Prowse

Coming up at Shirley Heights Equestrian Centre in Gladysdale is the next EA Dressage Midweek Training Winter Series, the first of which is on June 12 with entries closing for the first event June 7.

Entries for all three events in the series are available at Event Secretary.

Upper Yarra Pony Club hold their annual Beginners Gymkhana on Sunday 30 June, this event is open to any beginners and they do not

have to be joined in a club to attend. Entries will be available on the day or pre-entries will be open for a little longer at a discounted rate. In addition to the usual fun classes, including the ever-popular Fancy Dress, this year sees a Fashions of the Field class that everyone is super excited about and can’t wait to see everyone’s outfits. he Upper Yarra Pony Club’s friends from Forever Friends Animal Rescue will also be there with some great raffle prizes and fun.

Happy Riding everyone.

A new star at Warburton

By Ron Hottes

The V.V.V’s:

There is a new star in town( or at least at the Golf Club), Suzanne Barratt has become the most consistent Lady playing at the club at the moment. With a healthy 8 players hitting off, Sue had plenty of opposition. Her 16 points gave her the top voucher and a second win in a row after being the runnerup the week before her first win. You’re a genuine star, Suzanne and take note K.B. of who has the bragging rights in the house at the moment even though Georgie didn’t beat you in the big match. Another very consistent lady, Annelies Duivenvoorden took home three balls for grabbing the runner-up spot.

Wednesday 5 June, Stroke and M.McGrann Bag day qualifier: Stroke always sorts out the men/ladies from the boys/girls. And so, it was today, with early-bird John Haynes, standing tall, returning a pleasing Nett 68 in challenging conditions. I’ve told you about John before, as he is invariably in the first group out, along with his mate, Ross Machar. Well, they had a real day out, because not only did John collect the top voucher and qualify for the bag playoff later in the year, but Ross took home not one, but two NTPs, for great tee-shots on the 3rd and the 15th. Great work, boys. The daily runner-up was Laurie Doyle, who matched his handicap with a neat Nett 69. The other NTP winners were Phil ‘Senior’ Garside (9th) and Mick Eldridge for a fine shot on the 12th. Balls ran down to Nett 71 only.

Saturday 8 June, Stableford: With the course still in great condition but damp meaning there was no run on the fairways, sensational scores were never likely. Even so, a result of 39 points should make James Stewart pleased, as that beat the rest

of the 40+ field on this day. Good shooting, Jim, especially considering he also snared an NTP for a really impressive tee shot on the 5th. The A-Grade runner-up on this day was Neil ‘Mr Scotland’ Leckenby, returning a consistent 39 points also ( This meant that Jim only won on a countback). Peter Bell took home the B-Grade voucher with a solid 36 points (It appears Belly’s form is improving just like his beloved Tigers). That unique character Matthew Maloney put in one of his good results posting 35 points, for the runner-up award. Great work, M & M’s. In A-Grade, balls went down to 33, but only to 34 in B-Grade. The other NTP winners were: Steuart Hawke (3rd), Ross Archer ( 9th), Aaron Henderson (12th) and Angus ‘Junior’ Hall (15th).

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Warburton Golf Club results. Picture: ON FILE

The Upper Yarra Pony Club’s Beginners Gymkhana is coming up. Picture: SUPPLIED

Stands out for Outer East

By Callum Ludwig

With the King’s Birthday public holiday giving all Outer East Premier Division sides a rest, let’s have a look at the senior football season so far.

With eight rounds played and 10 games to go, almost every side has faced off and the ladder is shaping up.

Two sides are sitting pretty on the top of the ladder having not yet lost a game; Narre Warren and Woori Yallock.

The Magpies take the top spot solely on their points differential, with last year’s losing grand finalist statistically the best offensive and defensive team in the competition this year, conceding only 363 points while piling on 949 of their own.

Will Howe has continued his strong form in the forward line from season’s past, kicking 35 goals for the season to sit three clear on top of the league’s goalkicking charts while he has also been ably supported by the Toner’s; Sam (29 goals) and Daniel (15).

Tom Toner, Kurt Mutimer and Howe have been among the most consistent performers, featuring among the best players five times each.

Woori Yallock’s return to winning ways under Brendan Donovan has also been spearheaded by the strong form of a forward, with Taylor Gibson’s haul of 32 goals the secondbest in the league.

There’s plenty of positivity for the Tigers with the return of their netball program, improvement from the Reserves who have struggled in recent years and a very promising group of Under 18s players.

Blake Muir, Kane Thompson and Gibson have featured in the Tiger’s best on four occasions each, while Joshua Neal and Kynan French have hit the scoreboard with 20 and 12 goals respectively.

Reigning premiers Wandin has missed out on the four premiership points on only two occasions, losing only to the teams above after dropping away in the second half against the Magpies and being downed by two late goals from Kane Thompson when up against Woori Yallock.

Still a forward line including Aaron Mullett (21 goals), Clinton Johnson (20 goals) and Jordan Jaworski (14 goals) contains plenty of firepower in one of the league’s best attacking teams.

Captain Patty Bruzzese (7 times in best) remains inspirational while Chayce Black and Mullett (4 times) continue to stand out.

Two double-barrelled sides in the Hills occupy the next two spots on the ladder and with a 5-3 record: Olinda-Ferny Creek and UpweyTecoma.

The Tigers from Tecoma can call upon Daniel Waters (15 goals) and Nathan Waterman (11) for goals while Glenn Costas (6 times in best), SamWicks (5 times) and Lachlan Hughes (4 times) have been the top performers.

The Bloods have been led from the front by Matthew Scharenberg (7 times in best), Percy Hyett (6 times) and Francis Seal (5 times) while Mathieu Rosier (13), Scharenberg (12) and Lachlan Taylor (10) are in double-digits goals for the season.

Mt Evelyn and Officer have reached this point of the season with an even ledger, both recording four wins and four losses.

The Rovers’ Bayley Forbes (6 times in best), Matthew Gibbons, Jack Hourihan and Damion Kift (5 times) have been impressive while their scoring power has come from Callum Urquhart (15 goals), Matt Gordon (11) and Bailey Garbett (8).

The Kangaroos can count on Jake Gains (7 times in best), Brent Moloney and Zach Charles (5 times) to deliver the goods each week while Mark Seedsman (15 goals) and Riley Wierzbicki (10) have been the side’s sharpshooters in front of goal.

Pakenham and Gembrook-Cockatoo have managed to pick up multiple wins this season and hold the eighth and ninth spots respectively.

Rhys Clacy (6 times in best), Jake Thomp-

son, Jai Rout and James Harrison (4 times) are who the Lions turn to on a regular basis while Rout (16 goals), Samuel Kors (12), Bailey Stiles and Thompson (9) are keeping goal umpires busy.

The Brookers have shared the responsibility with Benjamin Schultze, Michael Bourne, Caleb Marshall, Konner Allcott and Patrick Snoxell (all 4 times in best) each taking their opportunities to shine while Michael Firrito (11 goals) and Myles Wareham (10) have been far and away their key avenues to goal.

No side in Premier Division is without a win in this year’s competition with Monbulk, Emerald and Berwick Springs all picking up a solitary victory.

The Hawks’ Lochlan Beecroft (8 times in best) is the only player in the competition to feature in his side’s best players in every game, though he’s been ably supported by Joshua Spencer (7 times). Monbulk’s leading goalkicker is Ziggy Hatherley with 16.

The Bombers have been competitive after coming up from Division One with new recruit Ewan Wadsworth (5 times in best) and Steven Kapahnke (4 times) not struggling to mix it

with the best while Jared Derksen (10 goals) and Ben Lewis (7) have kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Michael Misso (6 times in best) has been the standout for theTitans while Rhys Fletcher, Kayden Buselli, Matt Soutter-Smith and Luke Morrell have also been solid contributors. Berwick Springs has struggled to score strongly but not for want of trying from Jett Kearney and Kayden Buselli (8 goals).

Following the break, all sides will compete in Sockit2MND round:

· Officer will host Monbulk

· Mt Evelyn will welcome Narre Warren

· Wandin will play Olinda-Ferny Creek at The Kennel

· Gembrook-Cockatoo will take on the Tigers of an Upwey-Tecoma persuasion at home

· The clash of the big cats will take place in Woori Yallock as the home side takes on the Lions

will look to make the

advantage

from Pakenham Berwick Springs

most of the home ground

to leapfrog Emerald on the ladder.

Mark Seedsman (4 Officer) marks over Joshua Webb (7 Emerald). 409033

Picture: ON FILE

Patrick Hodgett flies for Wandin. 409033

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERSWoori Yallock are undefeated.

Picture: ADAM SYKES

Narre Warren’s Will Howe is in fine form. 409033

Picture: ON FILE

Division one shaping up

By Callum Ludwig

All teams in the Outer East Division One competition enjoyed a break for the King’s Birthday public holiday with the exception of Alexandra and Seville.

The fixture had looked down favourably for the public holiday clash with Alexandra and Seville currently occupying the two top spots on the ladder but with the King’s Birthday weekend fixture now played, their positions have been reversed after a thrilling Seville win, 8.14, 62 to 11.6, 72. Bayley Sciortino, Dylan Broadway, Jack Nolan, Daniel Iacuone and Domenic Aloi were the Blues’ best while Nick Meehan, Angus Smith, Riley Frankcombe, Harrison Kelly, Thomas Massey and Josh Edwards did all they could for the Rebels.

Heading into the game, the Rebels were two premiership points clear, having only suffered onelossintheirsevengamessofar,toHealesville.

The stingy defence from Alexandra has been key to their success, only conceding a measly 335 points while their attack boasts like the likes of William Stewart (27 goals) and Edward Watkin (26 goals) who feature among the league’s leading goalkickers while also being supported by Josh Edwards (18 goals). Tom Boots, Mitch Parker, Harrison Kelly and Nick Meehan have been the Rebels’ most consistent performers (4 times each in best). While season 2024 has so far been a success, a cloud does hang over the club with the looming punishments handed down by the league after a salary cap review and the audit found the club had exceeded allowable player payments resulting in the docking of four premiership points this season and a potential $40,000 fine.

$15,000 of that fine is suspended should the club comply with the rules for three years, but will be reinstated along with further punishment for any future breaches in that period. Seville sat in second courtesy of a first-round loss toWarburton-Millgrove and an Anzac Day draw with Belgrave prior to the game against Alexandra but now sits two points clear on top. Seville’s spread of goalkickers in a productive attack has been a big positive for the Blues this season with Ryan Farrow (21 goals), Domenic Aloi (17), Nathan O’Keefe (14) and Dylan Broadway (10) and Nathan Thompson (8) all averaging at least a goal a game. Bayley Sciortino (7 times in best) has been among those best on ground in all but one game this season, helped by his supporting cast of Jack Nolan,Thompson (4 times), Daniel

Iacuone, Mark Cecere and Aloi (3 times).

The Blues have enjoyed being back on their newly resurfaced main oval this season as well as hosting their inaugural Anzac Day marquee fixture, the George Ingram VC Cup. In the chasing pack for the top two sits Healesville andWarburton-Millgrove.

The Bloods have edged out Seville for the top-scoring team in the competition with 833 points for and plenty of goals coming via the likes of Aaron Edwards (28), Max Donegan (23 and Charlie Warren (15). Captain Nick Mende is a pillar of consistency, featuring in the best players in all of his 6 games while Brandon Murphy (4 times), Campbell Frazetto, Warren and Edwards (3 times) have also been impressive. Meanwhile, the Burras are the only side yet to have their bye and will have a two-week break, well-deserved for the likes of Dylan Walker (6 times in best), Tyson Henry, Tom

Barr (5 times), and Nelson Aldridge (4 times).

Bailey Humphrey (18 goals) tops their scoring chart, followed by Trent Elliot (13), Lachlan Hewitt, LiamWestlake and Barr (11).

The Burras have caught the eye with their youthful lineup featuring many players from their 2022 Under 18s premiership side who are only growing in maturity with each game alongside the side’s more seasoned senior campaigners.

Belgrave and Yea are in the chasing pack pushing to make sure they are in finals contention, currently holding the fifth and sixth position respectively. Aaron Green (6 times in best) has been one of the Magpie’s most consistent alongside ChristopherWestcott, Lachlan King (4 times), Zachary Prizmic, Ryley Pentland, Kyle Nunn and Daniel Ryan (3 times) who is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines with a meniscus injury. Nunn (23 goals) leads their goalkicking, fol-

lowed by Nathan Power (14) and Prizmic (13).

The resurgent Tigers have made a triumphantreturntotheleagueafterfoldingin2023, pickingupthreewinstothispointintheseason. Corbin Sutherland (33 goals) leads the league for goals and has given Yea something to celebrate up front, while Josh Prudden (10 goals), Joe Bennett and Ben Sandells (7 goals) have also had scoreboard impact. Tyler Faulkner, Patrick Evans, Harrison Jarvie and Sutherland have been the Tiger’s most consistent players.

Two sides have registered a solitary win in season 2024; Yarra Junction and Yarra Glen. Chris De Jager (6 times in best) has given his all for the Eagles, alongside Jack Bishop, Luke Spaulding (5 times) and Stephen Naylor (4 times).

Sam Morton (9 goals) has been Yarra Junction’s key avenue to goal while Leigh McCombe and Bishop (5 goals) have also registered a few majors in the season so far. The River Pigs can count on Sam Wood (6 times in best) and Thomas Sullivan ( 5 times) to deliver the goods every week while Nate Capuano, Josh Hawkins, Chris Beattie, Caleb Surplice, Nicholas McKenzie and Jim Marks (3 times) have impressed in multiple games.

Hawkins (16 goals) and McKenzie (6) have been the most dangerous forward of centre for Yarra Glen. Powelltown found themselves in a perilous position at the start of the season following an exodus of players and coach left the backto-back premiers of the former Division Two struggling to pull a team together, even forfeiting their Round Three match against Alexandra.

Thankfully, they’ve managed to put out a side for each game since though performances have been tough at times for supporters.

Club legend and captain-coach Ben Wratten can hold his head high after featuring in the side’s best players in every game they’ve played, as well as Nathan Moody and Jason Walker (4 times).

Nathan McCullough (5 goals) and Walker (4) have been the main source of goals for the Towners. Most teams will return on 15 June, with the exception of Alexandra, Seville and Warburton-Millgrove; Belgrave will make the trip out to Yea Healesville will welcome Yarra Junction Yarra Glen hosts Powelltown.

Seville and Belgrave played out a thrilling draw on Anzac Day.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

Yarra Glen will look to add another win after the break.

Picture: ON FILE

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