Mail - Upper Yarra Star Mail - 25th June 2024

Car show raises $20k

By Callum Ludwig

The Rotary Club of Wandin has handed over its annual contribution to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Garnered through the fundraising efforts of their Custom Car and Bike Show series, this is the Rotarians eighth year donating to the hospital.

Pat Cullen has been the Chair of the Wandin Rotary Custom Car and Bike Show Committee and said it’s fantastic to be able to make another donation.

“We’re extremely proud that we can do this continually, over the eight years we will have given just short of $130,000 to the Royal Children’s Hospital, plus we support the local community as well with the money,” he said. Turn to page 10 for more

Cross-border bust

An arrest was made regarding the suspicious arson attack at the Seville Tobacconist on 11 February this year as part of a cross-border crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade.

A 19-year old Officer man was arrested, interviewed and released pending further enquiries in regards to that incident and as one of a spate of arrests across Victoria and Western Australia.

All in all,WA Police,Victoria Police, the Australian Border Force and the WA Department of Health worked together to arrest thirteen people last week as part of a cross-border investigation into an organised crime group linked to the trafficking of illicit tobacco.

In April 2024, the WA Police Force Serious and Organised Crime Division established Taskforce Cosgrove in partnership with Victoria Police and Australian Border Force to investigate the illicit tobacco network and a series of arson offences in the Perth metropolitan area, alleged to be linked to the network and crime group.

Due to an escalation in serious offences, the taskforce moved to resolution phase in June 2024.

As part of the joint operation, Victoria Police executed six warrants in Victoria on Monday, 17 June.

Victoria Police seized 15 firearms from the

Sunbury address, along with approximately 2.4 million illicit cigarettes, a gel blaster and a stolen vehicle.

The cigarettes are valued at approximately $2.4 million with a tax excise avoidance of between $2.5-3 million.

A 29-year-old Sunbury man was arrested at the property and subsequently charged with being a prohibited person in possession of firearms, theft of motor vehicle, possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms and Commonwealth tax offences relating to illicit cigarettes.

He was remanded in custody to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on 20 September.

A further 50,000 illicit cigarettes, 30 kilograms of loose tobacco, vapes, a crossbow, ammunition, cash and drugs including cocaine, steroids and magic mushrooms were seized from other addresses.

Police also arrested a 26-year-old Wollert man who is expected to be charged on summons with illicit tobacco offences and weapons offences, and a 28-year-old Collingwood man who was charged with drug and proceeds of crime offences. The latter was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 4 September 2024.

More on page 6

Proud Rotarians handed over the $20,000 cheque.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

Thorn in a postie’s side

By Tanya Steele

Recent statistics from Australia Post on dog-related incidents against posties have listed two suburbs in the Yarra Ranges and Knox as some of the worst offenders.

Meanwhile, in Emerald, Ford and Ulmer roads in Emerald have not been receiving their post due to reports of a dog chasing a postie in the area in June.

Australia Post revealed in a press release on 17 June that Victoria has recorded 166 dogrelated incidents involving posties over the last six months.

Healesville, Nunawading, and Ferntree Gully recorded the highest number of incidents in the state.

Australia Post general manager of safety and wellbeing, Rod Maule, said he wanted to emphasise the importance of ensuring posties feel safe doing their job.

“Australia Post is calling on dog owners to take responsibility for their pets,” he said.

“Customers must understand that for many posties, it can be stressful or triggering knowing that your delivery round may involve a dog that shows aggressive behaviour.”

“Our team members just want to be able to deliver for our customers, without being attacked, harassed, or chased by dogs.”

Nationally over the past six months, more than 55 posties a week have fallen victim to dog-related incidents, amounting to 11 incidents per day.

Over 1,420 dog-related incidents have occurred in Australia in the past six months.

While no single dog breed is more likely to attack than another, Australia Post has said it is increasingly seeing it’s the smaller dogs that show aggressive behaviour.

Mr Maule said that regardless of the breed or temperament of your dog, Australia Post implores owners to secure their dog safely in

a back garden, on a leash, or in another room when expecting parcel deliveries or mail, whether or not you are at home.

“If you are unable to restrain your dog securely, we suggest using our Parcel Lockers where possible,” he said.

Australia Post data has found that half of all incidents are taking place on customer property, with 1 in 3 occurring at the customer’s front door.

Thirty-four per cent of cases happened on the street – dogs with their owner account for 8 per cent of those incidents, and the remaining 26 per cent involved a dog who escaped a property to attack a Postie or was roaming the street.

Of particular concern are dog bites during letter deliveries, with 15 per cent of incidents occurring when a Postie places mail in letterboxes.

Posties will not make a delivery if it is unsafe for them to do so and will cease deliveries to a customer’s home until the danger is fixed.

Cardinia Shire has recently had such a suspension, Ford and Ulmer roads in Emerald have not been receiving their post due to reports of a dog chasing a postie in the area in June.

Cardinia Shire Council’s manager of regulatory services, Linda Ross said that Australia Post has the authority to suspend deliveries if there are safety concerns.

“We encourage pet owners to securely confine their pets and ensure their properties are safe to prevent any potential incidents,” she said.

Australia Post also reports dog-related incidents to relevant local councils to ensure enforcement is actioned.

Joanne Hammond, executive officer for communications and engagement from Yarra Ranges said that all workers and passers-by should feel safe from dogs when out and about.

“Ensuring your dog is properly socialised will greatly reduce the chances of it developing behavioural issues with other animals and people,” she said.

“This will, in turn, reduce the likelihood of an attack happening.”

“The RSPCA Dog Behaviour and Training Handbook has more information on how to train your dog or people can seek professional help from a dog trainer or vet.”

Knox City Council treats dog attacks as a priority and will investigate all that are report-

ed and states on their website that as a dog owner, residents must provide accommodation, supervision and care for their pet at all times.

Nationally, Australia Post data revealed Queensland continues to record the highest number of incidents in each state, followed by New South Wales and Western Australia. The number of dog incidents in each state and territory as well as the worst offending areas are:

· Queensland (466) – Stafford, Darra, and Bundamba

· New South Wales (408) – Ingleburn, Tamworth and Lidcombe

· Western Australia (215) – Rockingham, Bunbury and Gwelup

· Victoria (166) - Healesville, Nunawading and Ferntree Gully

· South Australia (114) - Glynde, Edinburgh North and Salisbury South

· Northern Territory (23) - Winnellie, Palmerston and Katherine

· Tasmania (16) - Eastern Shore Hobart and Launceston

· Australian Capital Territory (15) - Fyshwick, Mitchell and Tuggeranong

Australia Post suggested the following tips to protect posties: Residents should always keep front gates securely closed and where possible, secure dogs in the back garden (rather than the front) and keep any side gates securely closed.

If you are expecting a delivery, be careful when opening your front door, ensuring your dog doesn’t run out from behind you. Securing them in another room is a great way to prevent this and if properly securing your dog is not possible, consider using our parcel lockers. Data in this article came from Australia Post, Dog Safety data, collected from 1 July 2023 to 28 May 2024.

Australia Post data has found that half of all incidents are taking place on customer property, with 1 in 3 occurring at the customer’s front door. Picture: SUPPLIED

Still on the run...

By Callum Ludwig

A convicted murderer who dumped his victim in the Upper Yarra is on the run from police again, after police reopened a cold case into the death of his former girlfriend in Queensland 27 years ago.

The Queensland Police Service, Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police are all involved in the search for 71-year-old Keith Lees who was last seen almost one year ago in Shepparton.

Lees is wanted in relation to the 1997 murder of his then-girlfriend Meghan Louise Rose, who was found dead at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs in Mooloolaba.

Her death was initially ruled a suicide but Queensland Cold Case Investigation Team (CCIT) detectives reopened the case in 2023 after discovering Lees had benefited from a life insurance policy taken out on Ms Rose, in which a 13-month waiting period for suicide payouts had lapsed only three days prior to the discovery of her death.

On 25 June, they attended a Victorian address to speak to him, on 26 June his car was found abandoned in Portland while CCTV footage captured him in Port Fairy on the same day, where he was also believed to have spoken to police and given a false name.

His last confirmed sightings were at the Waurn Ponds shopping centre and at Shepparton railway station, both on 27 June 2023, wearing a black and white jacket.

A month later on 28 July, detectives from the Queensland Police Service Homicide Squad issued a warrant for Lees’ arrest.TheVictoria Police Fugitive Taskforce and Australian Federal Police’s Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) have since been engaged.

Due to the publicity of the warrant, Lees is not expected to necessarily have remained in the Shepparton area but it’s believed he could have sought casual work in the farming and fruit-picking industries in rural and regional areas.

Lees recently spent 18 years in jail for the murder of 42-year-old Barry Waters.

Mr Waters had been reported missing on 6 April 2001. The Upper Yarra Star Mail reported at the time that MelbourneWater staff had discovered his partly decomposed body in a shallow grave off the Reefton Spur road at about 11am on Wednesday 6 March 2002, when on a regular patrol of the catchment area.

The Age reported that in the Victorian Supreme Court trial in November 2003, prosecutor Raymond Gibson told the jury a tracking device installed on Lees’ vehicle recorded him travelling to the Reefton area on 7 May 2001. Mr Gibson also said Lees’ then-teenage child, who is now known asWren Dawnsong, discovered Mr Water’s wallet in the glove box of their father’s car and a bullet in his trousers was similar to those found near the body. Bloodstains on a pair of his shoes also matched DNA from the remains.

Lees had previously lived with Mr Waters in Oakleigh and had started a romantic affair with Mr Waters’ estranged wife.

Wren Dawnsong also appealed to their fa-

ther to turn himself in for a Queensland Police update on the case in September 2023.

“It’s been more than 20 years now, Meaghan’s family deserve justice,” they said.

“My heart breaks for them daily, justice needs to be done.”

“The best thing anyone can do is to immediately contact the police if they see him, straight away.”

Ms Rose’s older sister Christine Richards also appeared in the update and urged the public to report any possible sightings, even if you are not certain it is Keith Lees.

“I’m asking the public of Australia, every state and territory, to please keep their eye open and try to find this man,” she said.

“If there is anyone out there that is helping or harbouring Keith Lees, please think about who you are dealing with.

“Help us to bring justice for Meaghan after all this time, please help us let her rest in peace.”

Queensland Police CCIT Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell also said after launching a Day of Action effort in November 2023 that investigators were particularly appealing to regional and rural Australians to be vigilant regarding new persons in their town.

“It is likely Keith Lees has changed his appearance and is using a false name,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.

“We urge those in our regional communities to take a moment and consider if any men new to town since June, who have similar features or characteristics, may be Mr Lees and

to immediately report that information to police.”

Police are keen to speak to anyone with information about his current whereabouts and it is not known if he remains in Victoria or has travelled interstate.

Information indicates he is actively avoiding apprehension.

Anyone who sights Lees is urged not to approach him and to contact triple zero (000) immediately.

Anyone with any other information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au

IN BRIEF

Hansa woodchippers recalled due to bolt failure

Hansa Chippers C3e, C7 and C4 models have been recalled as the blade fastening bolts can fail and the blade may be released from the cutting disc while the product is in use. Affected products include:

Hansa C7 Chipper

· Manufactured between 01/12/23 - 17/05/24

· Serial number range: HSN-C7-0015215HSN-C7-0015717

Hansa C4 Chipper

· Manufactured between 01/12/23 - 17/05/24

· Serial number range: HSN-C4-0002835HSN-C4-0002874

Hansa C3e Chipper

· Manufactured between 01/12/23 - 17/05/24

· Serial number range: HSN-C3e-0002596HSN-C3e-0002795

Serial numbers are located at the base of the inlet chute by the anvil.

There is a risk of serious injury from laceration to the user or bystanders if the blade is released while the product is in use.

Consumers should stop using affected products immediately.

Contact the place of purchase to arrange replacement of the blade fastening bolts.

For more information contact Hansa Products on recall@hansaproducts.com.au or by phone on 1800 426 722.

McCain frozen pizzas recalled due to the presence of metal

McCain Foods (Aust) Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of its Ham & Pineapple and BBQ Chicken & Pineapple Family Pizzas 500g

The products have been available for sale at Woolworths and independent retailers including IGA nationally; Coles, Aldi in NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, SA, NT and WA and Drakes in QLD and SA.

The affected McCain Ham & Pineapple Family Pizza 500g has a Best Before date that reads ‘APR 2025 097’ while the McCain BBQ Chicken & Pineapple Family Pizza 500g with Best Before APR 2025 097 and APR 2025 098 are also affected.

The recall is due to the presence of foreign matter (metal).

Food products containing metal may cause illness/injury if consumed.

Consumers should not eat these products. Consumers should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

Nisbets thermometer does not comply with the mandatory standards

Nisbets Hygiplas Digital Water Resistant Thermometer has been recalled because the product does not comply with the mandatory standards for button/coin batteries, and it does not include the required warning information.

There is a risk of choking or serious injury if young children gain access to the button batteries and swallow or place them into their body. Consumers should keep the product out of reach of children, return the product in its original packaging to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.

For more information contact Nisbets on sales@nisbets.com.au or by phone on 1300 225 960.

The front page of the Upper Yarra Mail on Tuesday 12 March 2002, including an image and short description of the investigation in Reefton.

Keith Lees is wanted for the murder of his then-girlfriend Meghan Louise Rose in 1997. Picture: QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE

Kids “belong in school”

By Callum Godde, AAP

Victoria will become the first Australian state to raise the age of criminal responsibility, but legal advocates say police shouldn’t retain powers to use force on 10 and 11-year-olds.

The Allan government introduced a longawaited bill to state parliament on Tuesday to create a standalone youth justice act and lift the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12.

Premier Jacinta Allan said the sweeping reforms would crack down on serious, high-risk and repeat offending while giving young people a chance to turn their lives around.

“Ten and 11-year-olds don’t belong in the criminal justice systems...they belong in schools,” she told reporters.

Children as young as 10 can be charged, convicted and imprisoned in every Australian state and territory except the Northern Territory, which raised the age of criminal responsibility to 12 in August 2023.

The ACT passed legislation to raise the age to 14 by 2025 with some exceptions, while Tasmania has pledged to raise the minimum age of criminal detention to 14.

In 2023, theVictorian government vowed to lift the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years, before raising it again to 14 by 2027 with some exceptions for serious offences such as rape and murder.

If the bill passes, police won’t be allowed to arrest or charge a child aged 10 or 11 with a crime but can move them“somewhere safe and to someone who can take care of them”.

“There will be the ability to use limited force, (such as) take the child by the arm ... to put the child into a vehicle in order to protect them, to protect the community,” Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said.

The legislation would also lower the age of prosecution for recruiting children to commit crimes from 21 to 18, closing a “loophole” be-

ing exploited by criminal syndicates as part of Victoria’s ongoing tobacco war.

Other measures include a scheme for warnings, cautions and diversions and a two-year trial using electronic monitoring of up to 50 repeat teenage offenders on bail.

An extra magistrate will be added to the Children’s Court, new sentencing principles for Aboriginal children will be introduced and there will be stronger systems for transferring those over 16 into adult prisons in certain circumstances.

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service welcomed the bill but said it strongly opposed any new police powers to engage with children aged 10 and 11 in a way that replicates criminalisation, as well as the monitoring trial.

“This is a movement towards a legal system that prioritises early intervention, diversion and rehabilitation, and we hoped that the youth justice bill would help us get there,” legal service chief executive NeritaWaight said.

“But trialling electronic ankle bracelets on children is a step in the complete wrong direction.”

Youth crime in Victoria is rising, with children aged 14 to 17 linked to more than 18,700 offences in the state in 2023 - up 30 per cent from 2022.

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien said dropping 10 and 11-year-old offenders at home was not tackling the growing issue.

“It’s simply a plan to redefine it and pretend it isn’t there,” he said.

on children

young as 14 signalled another“race to the bottom” between the major parties on law and order.

In separate legislation slated to be introduced later in 2024, police will get expanded powers to stop and search Victorians without cause for knives and other weapons in public places.

Officers are presently only allowed to stop and search people for weapons in designated areas for up to 12 hours and cannot return to the same spot for 10 days.

Victoria Police said it supports any new powers that will assist the force to search for knives and take them off the streets.

· 13YARN 13 92 76

· Lifeline 13 11 14

Victorian Greens Leader Ellen Sandell said slapping ankle bracelets

as

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament of Victoria in Melbourne, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

Picture: AAP Image/Diego Fedele

Renewed road seal push

By Mikayla van Loon

With funding cuts to the road sealing program across the Yarra Ranges, the state of dirt roads throughout the shire remains a sore point for residents.

For people living along The Crescent and Marshall Street in Mount Evelyn, who had been moved up the priority list for road sealing, the disappointment continues two years after the cuts.

The Crescent resident of 30 years Gayle Schilke has been championing advocacy with Yarra Ranges Council and local members on behalf of a collective of residents calling for roads to be sealed.

Ms Schilke said roads like The Crescent and Marshall Street are in a “unique” position because they form a cut through to factories on Clancys Road, the school and childcare centre on Monbulk Road and access for cars into the rest of the estate.

“I’m doing this for all the dirt roads, there’s others that have got their needs as well but we have a few unique needs like we’ve got a special needs building and a DHS building. Marshall Street has a bakery and this just increases the safety need,” she said.

“And we have walkers, especially since Covid, because the Warby Trail is just at the end.”

With high traffic movement at the moment, of both cars and trucks, Ms Schilke said she understands a made road might increase traffic use but “it needs to be safe” for drivers and walkers alike.

Having been sent a letter confirming the works would be completed within the year, Ms Schilke said it was “heartbreaking” when the news of the funding cuts were announced in October 2022.

This was a common sentiment expressed by residents across the Yarra Ranges who had expected their road to be sealed.

It has led to a number of petitions, like that for Beenak Road Yellingbo calling for special charge schemes to be explored, being submitted to Yarra Ranges Council.

Seeking action and funding for previously allocated road sealing projects, residents from Mount Evelyn joined shadow assistant minister for infrastructure and transport Tony Pasin and Casey MP Aaron Violi to launch a national road survey.

“What we’re doing is asking the community to express that frustration via this national survey to tell us where the national land transport network is in its poorest condition,” Mr Pasin said.

Launching the campaign in the Yarra Ranges, Mr Pasin said was intentional given the extent of the project cuts.

“The case here in the Yarra Ranges is one of the strongest around the country. This project was fully funded. It was rolling out successfully. It was on time, it was on budget and yet funding for it was cut unilaterally,” he said.

“People in this community are living in a peri-urban environment with a road network that we wouldn’t accept in remote or super remote parts of Australia.”

Casey MP Aaron Violi said the Roads of

Community 10-year project was one that “ticked so many boxes” and had bipartisan support when the funding was allocated in 2019 under the Coalition government.

“The department has confirmed in Senate estimates that sealing these roads improves safety for our community. It is a project that the community is also contributing money for so it’s making the taxpayer dollar go further,” he said.

“It reduces the ongoing maintenance costs ofYarra Ranges Council so they can invest that in other infrastructure or bring rates down which is so crucial in a cost of living crisis.

“So it achieves everything, it ticks every box and it improves the lives of residents and improves their health as well.”

Ms Schilke said dust-induced asthma and breathing difficulty was not uncommon for residents on dirt roads, an impact people on her road try to mitigate by planting hedges.

“People have examples of kids on medication because of asthma because of the dust,” she said.

“When my children were young, my son had asthma quite bad, but once we pulled up the carpet, he didn’t need medications anymore and he’d just have a puffer there if he needed it, but it was because of the dust in the carpet.”

In the 30 years she’s lived at The Crescent the condition of the road has improved immensely but the final step is the sealing.

“When we moved here this road didn’t get a grade, we got nothing, you could barely get up it. And when we first moved here our house was getting flooded, our backyard flooded.”

Being a natural watercourse because the Stringybark Creek runs through the back of some properties, Ms Schilke said the addition of open drains helped but caused a secondary issue of cars backing into them or getting stuck because of the narrow road.

The Coalition’s national road survey invites residents to submit any and all road infrastructure projects requiring attention, whether it is an intersection upgrade, congestion improvements or a new turning lane.

Mr Violi said the hope of the campaign is to prove the importance of infrastructure in the electorate of Casey and more broadly, the country.

“Investing in infrastructure drives productivity and improves community safety, and improves the lives of community members,” he said.

“It’s not acceptable to cut infrastructure spending at a time when productivity is at negative 5.2 per cent.”

A Department of Infrastructure, Transport,

Regional Development, Communications and the Arts spokesperson said the transport infrastructure pipeline remains steady, with no cuts to the $120 billion allocated.

“As announced at the 2024-25 Budget, the Australian Government’s total commitment in Victoria under the Infrastructure Investment Program over the next 10 years is $19.2 billion, including $17 billion for major road and rail projects and $2.2 billion for smaller projects through programs such as Roads to Recovery and the Black Spot Program,” they said.

The department confirmed the most recent Roads to Recovery allocation for Yarra Ranges Council was $18.8 million, an increase of $8.1 million.

Funding will allow the council to select road projects that will deliver on local priorities throughout a five year period.

This was on top of the remaining $47.7 million that survived the funding allocation cut for the Roads for Community project.

“We will continue to work with the Victorian Government and local councils to deliver the highest priority transport infrastructure projects, making it easier to get around our cities and suburbs and unlocking the potential of our towns and regions.”

To complete the survey, go to www.research.net/r/2HRHBV9

The Crescent and Marshall Street residents helping launch the Coalition’s national road survey on Tuesday 18 June. 415028

Pictures: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

The Crescent is an unmade road with houses along both sides and open drains. There are no footpaths and limited places to pull over. 415028

Casey MP Aaron Violi, Gayle Schilke, shadow assistant infrastructure minister Tony Pasin and Henry Schilke. 415028

Marshall Street is a connector to Monbulk Road. 415028

Illicit tobacco crackdown

WA Police, Victoria Police, the Australian Border Force and the WA Department of Health worked together to arrest 13 people last week as part of a cross-border investigation into an organised crime group linked to the trafficking of illicit tobacco.

In April 2024, the WA Police Force Serious and Organised Crime Division established Taskforce Cosgrove in partnership with Victoria Police and Australian Border Force to investigate the illicit tobacco network and a series of arson offences in the Perth metropolitan area, alleged to be linked to the network and crime group.

Commander Ranjeev Maharaj from Australian Border Force said ABF officers have detected and seized record levels of illicit tobacco at Australian ports, making the supply chain a more hostile environment for criminal gangs looking to profit from the illicit tobacco market.

“Last financial year the ABF seized 1.7 billion illicit cigarettes in 120,000 consignments at the border, but this alone will not put an end to this insidious trade,” he said.

“While we make every attempt to stop illicit tobacco at the border, we also work closely with our law enforcement partners to target the sale of illicit tobacco at the retail level by supporting these operations,”

“The illicit tobacco trade is not a victimless crime, as profits raised from its sale fund other crimes, causing harm to the community in many ways.”

Due to an escalation in serious offences, the taskforce moved to resolution phase in June 2024.

As part of the joint operation, Victoria Police executed six warrants in Victoria on Monday, 17 June.

An arrest was made in relation to the suspicious Seville Tobacconist fire as part of a cross-border investigation. Picture: ON FILE

The warrants were executed by detectives from Taskforce Lunar and with assistance from VIPER Taskforce at residential properties in Sunbury, Wollert, Collingwood, Werribee (2) and Altona Meadows.

A 19-year-old Officer man was arrested in relation to the investigation into a suspicious fire at a tobacco store in Seville on 11 February. He was interviewed and released pending further enquiries.

Police seized 15 firearms from the Sunbury address, along with approximately 2.4 million illicit cigarettes, a gel blaster and a stolen vehicle.

The cigarettes are valued at approximately $2.4 million with a tax excise avoidance of between $2.5-3 million.

A 29-year-old Sunbury man was arrested at the property and subsequently charged

with being a prohibited person in possession of firearms, theft of motor vehicle, possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms and Commonwealth tax offences relating to illicit cigarettes.

He was remanded in custody to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on 20 September.

A further 50,000 illicit cigarettes, 30 kilograms of loose tobacco, vapes, a crossbow, ammunition, cash and drugs including cocaine, steroids and magic mushrooms were seized from other addresses.

Police also arrested a 26-year-old Wollert man who is expected to be charged on summons with illicit tobacco offences and weapons offences, and a 28-year-old Collingwood man who was charged with drug and proceeds of crime offences. The latter was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 4 September 2024.

Between Sunday, 16 June and Tuesday, 18 June, 50 search warrants were executed at private residences, storage units, and retail outlets including tobacco and convenience stores and gift shops in regional WA and the Perth metropolitan area.

Seven men and two women, including some with alleged links to a Middle Eastern crime group, have been charged by WA Police Force in relation to a $10 million illicit tobacco network operating in Western Australia. During the WA warrants the following was located and seized:

· 5.9 million illicit cigarettes;

· $1.7 million in cash;

· 1.4 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco;

· 41,000 vapes; and

· Five vehicles with a combined value of more than $500,000.

The head of the group in Western Australia - a 29-year-old man – previously fromVictoria, is believed to have moved toWA in the last two years to establish the illicit tobacco network.

Nine people, including the 29-year-old man, were taken into custody during the warrants and have each been charged with receiving, possessing, concealing, disposing of or dealing with any money or other property that is the proceeds of an offence.

During the WA warrants, the ABF deployed a team of investigators, digital forensic officers, members of the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce and currency-trained detection dogs.

All tobacco products have been provided to the ABF for further investigation and consideration of additional charges under federal taxation laws.

Similarly, vape-related products have been provided to the WA Department of Health for further investigation.

The WA Department of Health’s Director of Public Health Regulation Neil Keen said this significant vape seizure highlights our commitment to cutting off the supply of illegal vapes, and their collaboration with the WA Police Force is crucial in these enforcement efforts.

“Intercepting these vapes before they can be unlawfully sold into the community will ultimately help to preserve the health and wellbeing of all Western Australians.”

The investigation into the network in Victoria and in Western Australia and associated arson offences remains ongoing.

Anyone with information about illicit tobacco is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

Councillor expenses and allowances revealed

By Callum Ludwig

New figures are starting to be locked in on the finances of councils around the state, with new rates set to be adopted as budgets are finalised while remuneration for councillors is being reviewed.

The Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal permitted a two per cent increase to base allowances payable to Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors from 1 July 2023 and 18 December 2023 in last year’s Annual Adjustment while theVictorian Government set a rate cap of 2.75 per cent.

The Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal has Yarra Ranges Council categorised asaCategory3council(secondhighestpossible, behind Category 4 which is only for Melbourne City Council), meaning that the Mayor has a base allowance per annum of $130,390, $65,195 for Deputy Mayors and $39,390 for Councillors.

The Star Mail took a look at the rate rises set to be adopted at Yarra Ranges Council as well as what executives and councillors are getting paid.

Yarra Ranges residents are set to see the maximum 2.75 per cent increase in their rates in 2024/25, with the base average rate rising from $2092.70 to $2102.58. The cap for the average rate is currently $2160.40, set from the maximum allowed by previous rate rises.

Yarra Ranges Council expects to receive $146,516,256 in revenue from this year’s total rates and municipal charges. From July 2023 to March 2024,Yarra Ranges councillors (Johanna Skelton,FionaMcAllister,TimHeenan,LenCox, Richard Higgins and Andrew Fullagar) were given an allowance of $29,153.70. David Eastham, who became Deputy Mayor in November 2023, had an allowance of $38,903.72. Jim Child, who stepped down as Mayor at the end of October 2023,hashadanallowanceof$61,336.05.Mayor Sophie Todorov, who was Deputy Mayor before taking up the role of Mayor in November, has had an allowance of $73,749.83.

Expenses claimed by councillors varied:

· Cr Higgins: $0

· Cr Skelton: $63.64

· Cr McAllister: $72.73

· Cr Cox: $457.56

· Cr Heenan: $495.35

· Cr Eastham: $1251.23

· Cr Child: $5237.74

· CrTodorov: $5566.65

· Cr Fullagar: $5712.55

In total, between base allowances and expenses, Yarra Ranges Council has paid $367,769.25 to councillors in the nine months between July 2023 and March 2024. According to Yarra Ranges Council’s most recent Financial Report for 2022/23, the highest-paid executive, assumed to be CEO Tammi Rose, was afforded a remuneration package between $400,000 and $400,999 for the year ending 30 June 2023.

All other Council executives had a package between$220,000and$339,999forthesameperiod. This includes the current Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures Kath McClusky, Director of Corporate Services Andrew Hilson, former Director of Communities Jane Price (left in late 2023) and Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure Hjalmar Philipp (who only came on board on 20 February 2023) as well as the former Director of Environment and Infrastructure MarkVarmalis (from 1 Jul 22 to 28 Aug 22) and the former Director of Recovery Jane Sinnamon (from 1 Jul 22 to 31 Dec 22).

A look at rates and remuneration at Yarra Ranges Council. Picture: ON FILE

NEWS Housing targets probed

By Callum Ludwig

The Department of Transport and Planning has released draft targets on where future homes should be built with the Yarra Ranges given a target of 28,000 new homes by 2051.

The targets form part of the government’s plan forVictoria to boost housing stock by 2.24 million homes by 2051 across the state.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Sophie Todorov said their teams are still reviewing information from the State Government following their announcement of housing targets for different municipalities.

“The draft targets are designed to create more housing choice around existing and planned public transport, jobs and services, taking current development trends and environmental hazards into consideration, to accommodate 2.24 million new homes over coming decades,” she said.

“We’ll be meeting with representatives of the Department of Transport and Planning to discuss the proposed targets, and drafting a submission on the Plan for Victoria on these targets and other areas of the document,”

“We will also be meeting with representatives from other Councils through the Municipal Association of Victoria next month to discuss this key issue.”

The Knox LGA has been given a target of 47,000 new homes by 2051.

Knox Mayor Jude Dwight said Knox City Council is currently developing their own housing strategy that sets out their plan for managing housing growth and development to respond to the current and future housing needs of our community.

“Council recognises the need for more housing to accommodate our growing population,” she said.

“A scaled approach is needed with more change in some parts of Knox and limited change in other areas to protect our green and leafy character and areas of environmental significance.“

The Knox LGA currently has 63,000 homes.

Mayor Dwight said that while Knox Council know their population is expanding and we welcome people to our municipality, this will inevitably put more demands on our natural assets and the services and facilities that Council provides.

“Growth will put pressure on our transport network, drainage and other infrastructure, open spaces, schools, and health and community services,“ she said.

“We need to ensure that the planned rate of growth does not result in negative impacts for our community.“

Cardinia Shire has been handed a target of 36,000 new homes.

Cardinia Shire Council’s General Manager of Liveable Communities Lili Rosic said Cardinia Shire Council recognises the important role that Council plays in supporting the development of new homes through its local planning policies and granting of permit approvals.

“Council supports the objective of creating housing choice where there is existing and

planned public transport, jobs and services. Other key considerations include protection of environmental features and assets, the shire’s unique character and containing growth to the urban growth boundary,” she said.

“Council will consider its position on the draft housing targets, and will participate in consultation opportunities as part of the new plan for Victoria on behalf of the Cardinia Shire community,”

“Cardinia Shire Council is committed to continuing to respond to the needs of our growing and diverse community and to building a strong and sustainable shire for present and future generations to enjoy.”

Maroondah City Council has been given a goal of 44,000 new homes.

Maroondah City Council Mayor Kylie Spears said the Council has done significant work over the previous years to establish the Maroondah Housing Strategy 2022 and planning controls that allow for substantial future housing growth in Maroondah.

“As a result, Council believes it is theoretically possible to meet the Victorian Government’s housing targets in Maroondah as there is substantial capacity to absorb additional Housing, for example there is current capacity within Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre for an additional 14,800 dwellings and 1100 dwellings in the Croydon Major Activity Centre,” she said.

“To accommodate additional future growth in an effective and enduring way, it will require further detailed analysis of where the housing

is best located and in what form. Our approach to housing in Maroondah has always aimed to ensure that new housing is located in areas with good access to public transport, employment and services while also minimising environmental impacts,”

“However, the current low industry demand, coupled with permit applications in Maroondah that are approved for nearly 1000 dwellings but not yet started, are not reflective of the existing opportunity and supply.”

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has also issued a statement on the targets.

MAV President Cr David Clark said the sector welcomes the opportunity to work with the State Government to further develop housing targets for all municipalities, to ensure all councils can share in the growth of the state to meet current and future community needs.

“We recognise housing targets are only meaningful if they are linked to specific areas of development. Sustainable growth requires the associated community infrastructure to make areas liveable and to have employment and services close by are part of the development process,” he said.

“Across Victoria’s cities, suburbs, and regional towns a key focus must be on the quality and diversity of housing type.”

Cr Clark said councils had already acknowledged their role in addressing the housing crisis and have been working hard to facilitate solutions.

“Many councils are continuing to re-zone land and lodge planning scheme amendments to allow the possibility of additional housing stock to be built. We seek to work with the Planning Minister to open up these pathways to providing new housing development opportunities,” he said.

“We will also seek to work with the development industry and the State Government to get the more than 100,000 dwellings that have already been approved by councils – but not yet begun construction – built,”

“Alongside these key partners, we’ll continue the task of stimulating development by discussing incentives to achieve these targets, reduce other market impediments, and standardise a robust, place-based, developer contribution system across the state to accelerate housing development.”

Residents across Victoria can have their say on the government’s targets until the end of August.

Mayor Dwight said she urges their residents to get involved to ensure the community’s voice is heard during consultation.

“Knox Council will be making a submission on the government’s plan for Victoria and the most recent housing targets they have set for Knox,” she said.

“While we understand the government’s rationale for setting housing targets, we are yet to know how they have arrived at the targets proposed for Knox.”

To provide feedback or learn more about the draft housing targets, visit: engage.vic.gov. au/shape-our-victoria

The draft targets for each local government area can be found on the Engage Victoria website. Picture: UNSPLASH

We’re a ‘calamity hotspot’

By Mikayla van Loon

The Yarra Ranges has been identified in a new report released by Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) and the Climate Council as the second most vulnerable to disasters across the country.

A new co-written report titled Too Close to Home found fourVictorian communities to be the hardest hit by natural disasters, with the Yarra Ranges ranking second behind Baw Baw. Between 2006/07 and 2023/24, 514 local government areas were impacted at least once by a disaster requiring access to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, highlighting the severity of these events.

The report stated that “fifteen local government areas have sought and received Australian Government assistance for recovery from disasters at least 25 times since 2006/07”.

In Victoria, Baw Baw sought and received national assistance 47 times, the Yarra Ranges 42 times, Wellington 37 times and East Gippsland 39 times.

ELCA director Sean O’Rourke said if climate pollution isn’t cut within the decade, places like the “Yarra Ranges will likely see more disasters in future”.

“The data only goes back as far as 2006/07, not quite far enough to establish whether disasters are increasing inYarra Ranges,” he said.

“What it does show though is that the Yarra Ranges have been impacted by multiple disasters in the last 12 months alone, spanning fires, floods and destructive storms.”

ELCA founder Greg Mullins AO AFSM said these events were being fuelled by climate change, making it a more frequent and challenging job for emergency services.

“Firefighters and other emergency responders are being pushed to their limits by increasingly frequent, intensifying disasters, fuelled by climate pollution,” he said.

“They are tireless in their efforts to protect Australians but, as we saw during the Black Summer bushfires and subsequent record floods, they’re regularly being overwhelmed by climate fuelled disasters.”

Mr O’Rourke said with former heads of Australia’s state and territory emergency services leading the calls for change, they have first hand experience of the “high frequency and greater severity of disasters”.

“Federal, state and territory inquiries into bushfires and floods have highlighted that first responders are working longer hours, facing multiple challenges often with little reprieve between disasters,” he said.

“This is happening while volunteer numbers across the board are declining, leaving

fewer people to do more disaster response and recovery work.”

With Lilydale and Emerald SES units being named some of the busiest in recent years and volunteer firefighting brigades requiring more numbers, ECLA has recommended the government look at establishing new streams of emergency response.

“ELCAhasrecommendedthatgovernments build emergency capacity by establishing new non-operational emergency service volunteer units that can play a role in the planning, preparation and recovery stages of disasters, supporting operational SES to do the work on the ground,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“ELCA are also recommending that a program of paid seasonal firefighters be developed to assist rural volunteer firefighters during periods of high bushfire risk and support bushfire crews on the urban/bushland interface.”

Mr Mullins called for“urgent cuts to climate pollution” to keep communities and future generations safe from “worsening impacts”.

The report outlines five key priorities that Mr Mullins said aim to move “from responding to disasters to preventing and preparing for them”.

These include developing a national assessment and prediction register on the risks

for each community; identifying the people and places most at risk based on exposure and social and economic disadvantage; supporting community-led actions for climate adaptation and response; building household resilience; and fully implementing the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements recommendations.

Mr O’Rourke said Australia’s previous investment in disaster preparedness has been dismal against the “fury of climate-fuelled disasters”.

“After years of neglect from previous Australian governments, our efforts to protect vulnerable communities from climate harm is just getting off the ground,” he said. “We can do so much more to help communities understand the risks they’re up against, and to manage those risks. In fact, we must –lives depend on it. Everything we do this decade determines how safe our kids and grandkids are from supercharged fires, floods and storms.”

Safety boost as Warburton’s Mt Victoria track upgraded

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Ranges Council has teamed up with Melbourne Water to deliver an upgrade to a popular walking track in the Upper Yarra.

The Mt Victoria track starts off near Wellington Road and Martyr Road in Warburton and is about a 15km total round trip.

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Sophie Todorov said the project was instigated through a conversation between Council and Melbourne Water.

“Our teams were keen to increase our capacity to reduce weed loads and improve connectivity between the waterway and nearby national park,” she said.

“Given the extent of deer within the area, we felt it appropriate to install a number of deer exclusion fenced plots, which will protect some revegetation we’re doing in the month or two ahead.”

The revegetation effort is expected to consist of about 500 plants.

Ms Todorov said they look forward to working with Melbourne Water and seeing community members embrace this upgraded trail.

“The track has always been a steep goat track, with a shin-deep mud pit at the bottom. This wasn’t great for the safety of trail users, and it also resulted in a lot of sediment

moving into the waterway,” she said.

“Council has invested in upgrading the track, to improve trail user safety, reduce the environmental impacts of the trail and to make it easier for Council and Melbourne Water staff to undertake conservation works,”

“The second phase of the project will be

to further extend deer proof fencing along the track to enable natural regeneration of the area and improve connectivity up to the aqueduct trail.”

According to its AllTrails profile, the Mt Victoria track is of ‘medium-hard difficulty’ and very steep with an almost 1100m ascent over its entire duration while it can also get

quite muddy and be frequented with leeches after rain.

Those wishing to reduce the difficulty of the hike can also access the track from its intersection with Donna Buang Road, which is about halfway up the track. Dogs are not permitted on this track.

The newly refurbished Mt Victoria track.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

The Mt Victoria track could be muddy and treacherous before the upgrade.

Picture: SUPPLIED

The Yarra Ranges were smashed by floods in October 2022.

Picture: ON FILE

Devastation after trees fell one by one through the night of 9 June 2021.

Picture: EMERALD SES

Zoo icon is bowing out

By Callum Ludwig

Healesville Sanctuary is farewelling a stalwart of the sanctuary after 42 years.

Carla Srb is moving on from the team, having held many different roles in her time.

Ms Srb said she first started out as a zookeeper.

“I’ve also held roles such as Species Management Officer, Curator of Life Sciences, Acting Manager of Education, Acting Life Sciences Manager and now Life Sciences Manager of the Support Team,” she said.

“Before working at working at Healesville Sanctuary, I was doing a science degree and working as a barmaid, followed by a switchboard operator for a locum service. The year from when I finished university and started at Healesville Sanctuary, I was a relief milker helping a farmer and went in and did the milking twice a day.”

Ms Srb’s first day at the Sanctuary was 21 February 1983 and will finish her final shift on Friday 28 June this year.

Ms Srb said she has always had many animals and cared for wildlife and initially wanted to be a vet but didn’t get into vet science.

“If you really want to pursue a career with animals, it might not pay as much as some other types of jobs, but you will be living your dream,” she said.

“ I have wonderful memories of the fun times, the people and my favourite animals that I worked with, I love the fact that I never begrudged a day coming to work and still get excited driving through the gate.”

Ms Srb has enjoyed some wonderful experiences in her time at Healesville Sanctuary, including taking the opportunity to do a zookeeper exchange with Audubon Zoo in New Orleans and develop her skills in species management and her notable achievements include helping to maintain the Tasmanian Devil studbook when the facial tumour disease was diagnosed and writing a five-year regional species plan for birds in all zoos in Australia.

She has also been a contributor and proofing editor for the Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping newsletter.

Ms Srb said it’s now time to slow down and smell the roses.

“I want to pursue some of my interests that I was unable to do whilst working such as travel, renovating my house and catching up for coffee with old friends,” she said.

“I hope that Healesville Sanctuary keeps going the way they are, their commitment to conservation and welfare of animals is second to none,”

“It has been a joy and privilege to work at Healesville Sanctuary, the friendships I’ve made and will retain, the fun of working with like-minded people and of course, our beautiful native wildlife.”

CarlaSrbisleavingHealesvilleSanctuaryafter 42years. Picture:ZOOSVICTORIA

Be part of a vibrant Community

Ngulu Festival connects

Yarra Valley ECOSS was brimming with energy on Friday 14 June as they held the 2024 Ngulu Festival and Seminar.

The event aimed to both entertain and educate through through the theme: Care for Self, Care for Country.

Executive Officer at Yarra Valley ECOSS Chelsea McNab said these events are always incredibly humbling and full of warmth, heart and cultural connection.

“As allies, we put this festival together to celebrate our First Nations communities with an all First Nations line up, and also to help increase cultural competency and understanding in our community, creating a space of connection, heart and sharing,” she said.

“The heart shone bright on Friday night, a beautiful opening ceremony by Aunty Kim Wandin set the scene followed by a gentle connection space with Wayapa Wuurrk led by Michelle Maxwell. We then enjoyed listening to Merilyn Duff’s life stories and songs- with her 3 cute dogs on stage,”

“After this the live music kicked in with the incredible voice of Claire Garvey and Sam Berry, followed by the wonderful Djarlo dancers, all coming together for a high vibe dance with the infamous Ganga Giri with Leanne Hall on percussion.”

The feedback was positive from the attendees as well with Merilyn Duff remarking that it was ‘so good to be in a place that is so culturally safe’ while event MC Nikki Browne said ‘thanks so much to ECOSS for bringing mob together.’

As usual, the event was an extension of The ECOSS Valley Market with a range of stalls including Indigenous services, local art, craft, food and local produce.

Yarra Valley ECOSS would like to thank all the First Nations Community members and families who came, all of the broader community, the stallholders who provided delicious food and craft, and all the Volunteers who made this event possible to run with special thanks to Yarra Ranges Council’s Community Recovery Grants and Vic Health who sponsored the event and who it would not have been possible without.

Rotary donates $20,000 to Royal Children’s Hospital

By Callum Ludwig

The Rotary Club of Wandin has handed over its annual contribution to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Garnered through the fundraising efforts of their Custom Car and Bike Show series, this is the Rotarians eighth year donating to the hospital.

Pat Cullen has been the Chair of the Wandin Rotary Custom Car and Bike Show Committee and said it’s fantastic to be able to make another donation.

“We’re extremely proud that we can do this continually, over the eight years we will have given just short of $130,000 to the Royal Children’s Hospital, plus we support the local community as well with the money,” he said.

“I’ve been involved all eight years and run it for five so I’m out of breath because it takes a lot of effort because it’s not one show, it’s four shows over five months and it takes a fair effort by the Rotarians and everyone involved and the local community but it’s really good.”

Mr Cullen will be succeeded in the role by Brian Hodgson.

Mr Cullen said the shows have a great following of car enthusiasts who bring their pre1985 cars to display as do a contingent of motorbike owners.

“We have a loyal body of sponsors who donate to the Royal Children’s Hospital through our car shows and their donations go directly to the Hospital Foundation,” he said.

Mr Cullen has himself had a positive experience with the Royal Children’s Hospital as one of his granddaughters was born with esophageal atresia, a condition that left her

esophagus not joined to her stomach and which doctors cut, stretched and joined to resolve when she was only hours old.

The shows are run on the third Wednesday in November, December, February and March at 4pm at the Wandin East Recreation Reserve.

There are a variety of food and coffee vans, the CFA BBQ, live music, the Wandin Rotary Bar and the InnerWheel Ladies drink stand at each event.

The Committee, consisting of Mr Cullen,

The Seville and Wandin CFA Brigades, Upper Yarra Rotary Club, all our Wandin Rotary members and associated members of the community who assist with running the event

The number of local businesses who supply their services free of charge or at a discounted rate to support the events, notably WM Waste Management and Advance Security.

Cliff Riseborough, Marc Bartsch, John Hasan, Ray Barrett, Tony Knox, Peter Johnson and Rob Bayliss thanks:

Wandin Rotarians with Georgia from the Royal Children’s Hospital (holding cheque,left).

Pictures: CALLUM LUDWIG

The Rotary Club of Wandin was able to donate $20,000 from the last series of Custom Car and Bike Shows.

The 2024 Ngulu Festival proved popular again.

Claire Garvey sings on stage.

Fan favourite Ganga Giri with Yarra Valley ECOSS’ Leanne Hall.

The Djarlo Djarlo dancers in action.

Picture: SUPPLIED

NEWS Students and eldery unite

By Callum Ludwig

Upper Yarra Secondary College (UYSC) welcomed some special visitors to the school on Thursday 13 June.

Residents of the Estia Health aged care home in Yarra Junction came to the school to meet with the Leadership class who picked them out as a group they wanted to work with. Mitchell Gray teaches the Leadership class and said when the students got to choose an organisation to connect with and work with, they chose Estia because they wanted to work with the residents.

“This was really exciting that it was their choice, though unfortunately a recent Covid outbreak prevented us from attending their premise, but luckily some could come to us,” he said.

“My students took the residents for a tour of the school including the library and science rooms, we showed them how education had changed in a digital era with examples such as interactive screens and 3D printers,”

“We even introduced them to Ivy, our 2.5-metre carpet python and my students had baked some scones and made some brownies, so we went into the staffroom and had some morning tea.”

Another leadership class at UYSC has been working on supporting children in developing countries through the charity World Vision while previous students have taken on working in kindergartens, providing homecare through the RSL, learning the skills involved in firefighting and first aid with CFA, helping out local primary schools with their sports carnivals and supporting care agencies like the ADRA Redwood Centre inWarburton.

Mr Gray said part of what they try to achieve in Leadership is not just building the skills and experiences of the students but also showing the community what great things young people can and want to do.

“The connection with Estia allows my stu-

dents to experience community service and all the benefits that volunteering brings, it allows them to work on planning and then leading an activity to build their confidence, communica-

tion and pride,” he said.

“The residents were extremely grateful for the excursion. They were really pleased to be connected with UYSC and to experience how

things had changed. Most of all, they loved the students and their caring nature and the fact they wanted to get to know them and share experiences.”

UYSC Leadership class students picked out Estia Health residents as who they wanted to work with.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

UYSC students and Estia Health visitors enjoyed a morning tea together.

Always plenty to learn from your elders.

Bold colours and dreams

By Tanya Steele

A young Monbulk youth has made a solid milestone as an emerging artist, painting a giant vivid desert dreamscape for a client.

Fern Harris or‘Inksprout’ as she is known as online has made some bigger steps into the world of art, selling her first-ever commission over the weekend of 16 June.

Ms Harris said the client had requested a sentimental centrepiece for this home and had a lot of fun creating the work.

“This is the first commission I’ve done and it was very nerve-wracking showing the client for the first time,” she said.

“He requested a very colourful desert scene.”

“The client is obsessed with them it had things like gold and he loves feather headdresses and lots of colour.”

The stretched canvas work, yet unnamed is stylistically sitting in the ‘pop art’ realm.

“It has thicker lines and brighter colours,” said Ms Harris.

The young 20-year-old has always loved art and she is currently studying tattooing as well.

“My tattoo style is simpler and bolder,” she said.

Ms Harris said that it ‘feels natural’ to go down this path.

“The culture of tattooing, the self-expression and body art are all very dear to me,” she said.

Ms Harris has previously showcased her work with the Burrinja art gallery before - hav-

ing two pieces on display at an exhibition in 2022.

“I would love to continue to commission and sell individual pieces,” she said.

Support for emerging young artists can be incredibly important and Mia Pensa, a former winner of Youth ART, when it was held at Linden Gate in Yering Station in the Yarra Valley a few years ago said it can be very daunting to start out.

Ms Pensa has since gone on to sell her work internationally and attributes a number of factors to her success.

She encourages new and emerging artists to trust themselves.

“Create something unique, make art that speaks to you, that will get you so much further,” Ms Pensa said.

Painting the piece was a very ‘fun’ experience for Ms Harris – although she said it was a little ‘intimidating’ painting a larger work onto canvas.

“My process is usually creating a sketch or a base painting digitally and then I’ll transfer over onto canvas, and then complete the rest of the painting using acrylics,” she said.

Ms Harris said she has always loved art and wants to continue to pursue it as a career.

“A lot of my energy at the moment is going into tattooing, but the painting was a really fun milestone – it took around 30 hours,” she said.

The client loved the piece and Ms Harris said she felt very satisfied finishing such a large project and has no plans to slow down.

COMMUNITY DIARY

renting rooms and now meets in the Warburton Presbyterian Church hall every Thursday at 10am with new members welcome.

Learn to write your own travel memoir

Email diary entries to: editor@mailnewsgroup.com.au by

Residents with overdue pet regos can expect a visit in coming weeks

ON AROUND THE VALLEY

Artrageous exhibition coming to Warburton

A local art group will be on display in the WarburtonWaterwheel from the end of the month.

The exhibition ‘ARTrageously Warburton’ will be officially opened on Sunday 30 June and will be able to be seen between 10am and 4pm each day in the Warburton Waterwheel gallery.

The group behind the exhibition have been meeting in Warburton for over 20 years, starting in private homes and then

Do you think you have a book in you but have no idea where to start in writing it? A decade ago, Laura Waters felt the same way.

Now she is the author of the award-winning travel memoir Bewildered, as well as a freelance travel writer for national publications such as Escape, Australian Traveller, Explore, Australian Geographic Adventure and many more.

In this presentation, Laura shares what she’s learned about writing an engaging travel memoir, including such aspects as the importance of story-telling, writing techniques (developing characters, building suspense and conflict, foreshadowing, setups, flashbacks), and the overall process from writing to editing and publishing.

The talk will be held atYarra Junction Library on Wednesday 26 June from 2pm to 3pm.

Yarra Ranges Council pet registration renewals were due in April 2024, with all cats and dogs over the age of three months needing to be registered with Council and microchipped.

The vast majority of pet owners have renewed their registrations and the council thanks the community for their ongoing commitment to responsible pet ownership. Registration fees go towards funding the following services:

· Payment of the annual State Government Levy

· Lifetime Pet Registration Tag including free replacement tags

· Reuniting lost animals

· Off-lead dog parks

· Investigation of animal related complaints and compliance issues

· Cat Trap programs

· Providing Council’s responsible pet ownership programs

Supporting Council’s Foster Carer Registration Program

The council’s Community Safety Team is now turning their attention to the small number of pet owners who have not been able to complete the process this year. After a sustained communication campaign of text messages, emails and phone calls, officer will now be door knocking residents and visiting recreational areas to provide pet ownership education, information packs and possibly progress enforcement actions. This can include a $385 fine per unregistered pet. Pet owners can access relevant information and register their animals at any time through the Council’s website at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Environment/Pets-and-animals/Pet-registration

For residents who no longer have a pet that was previously registered, they can update their record/s online at yarraranges.vic. gov.au/Environment/Pets-and-animals/ Pet-registration/Cancel-pet-registration to ensure that they do not receive any further requests for registration fees. Residents with any queries should contact Council’s Community Safety Team on 1300 368 333.

Bold colours and desert dreamscape formed the work.

Young Ms Harris has a great time with her first ever commissioned piece of work.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

NEWS Honouring those who give

By Callum Ludwig

Standout volunteers from the Valley received Volunteer Awards at the Casey Community and Volunteer Awards.

Catherine Nolan said a friend of hers had nominated her for her work in organising a variety of festivals and community choirs in the region.

“I think it’s important to volunteer and give back to your community, utilising the skills we have to share with others which can enhance the health and well-being of community members,” she said.

Singing has been proven to increase oxygen throughout the blood stream by increasing breathing, helps open up neurological pathways in the brain and helps produce endorphins, the happy hormone, singing helps people feel connected and uplifted,”

“It’s about creating a forum for people to be creative and write their own poems, stories and songs encourages self expression which enhances people’s sense of self worth and helps develop and sense of belonging to their local community.”

Ms Nolan’s efforts include:

The Yinga Choir project and Concert which included adults and local Primary School children held at the Memo in Healesville during the International Year of First Nation’s Languages

Singing For Your Soul’s Sake which ran in Healesville, Yarra Junction and Ringwood, from 1990 encouraging people to find their voice

Soulsville which is an all-inclusive, yearly, eight-week project and performance of a onehour gospel-style concert including experienced and non-experienced singers and musicians coordinated in Healesville since 2015

Writers&Rhythm which she has been involved in since 1992, a night of celebrating local writers and musicians from Healesville and surrounding townships

The Connecting Community Festival which Ms Nolan coordinated in March this year in Healesville which was well attended and included many community groups and organisations.

Henry Verhoeven has been involved in community efforts throughout Steels Creek and Yarra Glen and said he just did it because he loved every aspect of his multi-faceted volunteering.

“Steels Creek was our life, any of us shifted in during the 1980s and the social life nearly always included everyone, the effects of the 2009 bushfire killed 11 neighbours and raised many houses and many new families shifted into the district,” he said.

“They mostly are both working to pay the mortgage and as such don’t have the inclination to volunteer or socialise because of their children’s commitments but volunteering is part of the social life of any community.”

Now living in Mooroolbark and occasionally volunteering at the Mooroolbark Community Garden, Mr Verhoeven left no stone unturned before departing the Valley.

His volunteer efforts have helped the Yarra Glen & District Men’s Shed, Steels CreekTennis Courts, Yarra Glen Guides Hall, building the Dixons Creek Landcare storage garage, the Yarra Glen Railway Station restoration, Gulf Station, the former Steels Creek Primary School, the Fireguard Group, BlazeAid and HICCI before medical issues slowed him down somewhat and led to the decision to downsize.

Monica Rotinger from the Yarra Glen Op Shop, Healesville/Yarra Glen community stalwarts Marie and Mario Campitelli and Peter Brown from the Healesville Tennis Club also received Volunteer Awards.

Three Healesville community groups celebrated

By Callum Ludwig

52 individuals and 20 community groups had their volunteer work recognised during Casey MP

AaronVioli MP’s 2024 CaseyVolunteer and Community Awards ceremony and morning tea at Life Ministry Church on Saturday 15 June.

Mr Violi said the number of nominations this year was a testament to the strong community here in the Yarra Ranges.

“We’ve seen countless nominations for volunteers and community groups right across the Yarra Ranges, which shows just how strong our community is with so many people working to make our community even stronger,” he said.

“These volunteers and community groups are the people who go above and beyond to care for others, create strong townships, care for others, preserve local history, look after our environment, organise community

events and support others in need.

“It was an honour to be able to recognise the hard work of so many local volunteers and groups who give so much without ever asking anything in return,” he said.

In the Valley, Healesville Interchurch Community Care Incorporated (HICCI)’s Transport team were a recipient of a Community Award as an outstanding community group or organisation.

One of the Transport volunteers Les King said he felt the award was given to say thank you for volunteering to serve the community.

“HICCI is extremely important for the community of Healesville and Yarra Glen as public transport is very limited, by using HICCI the clients have confidence they will get to their medical appointments on time and can relax with our friendly drivers,” he said.

“Without volunteers, the community would fall apart and the elderly and the vulnerable would struggle in their daily lives, whether it is football clubs, CFA protect-

ing the community, meals on wheels, or op shops the community is the poorer without volunteers giving up their time to help others,”

“Having been a volunteer with the CFA for 25 years and now a HICCI driver for four years, it’s simply a smile or a thank you here and there that makes it all worthwhile.”

The Archives volunteers at Healesville Sanctuary were also recipients and Healesville Sanctuary Volunteer Coordinator Alice Dickins said the contribution of the Archives Volunteers to the Sanctuary and the wider community is invaluable and the team were overjoyed to have been recognised and celebrated

“These precious items tell the history of not only the Sanctuary but the local area, it also tells the story of our fight to conserve, understand and protect our native fauna and flora. By carefully cataloguing, digitising and storing the collection, the Archive Volunteers ensure our history is preserved,” she said.

“The Archives Volunteers attend Heales-

ville Sanctuary once a week to sort, catalogue and preserve the collection of the Healesville Sanctuary Heritage Centre for future generations. The collection includes documents, newspaper articles, ephemera, videos, objects, artwork and more,”

“In 2023 the Archive Volunteers commenced the huge task of digitising the collection with assistance from the team from the Regional Digitisation Program run by Victorian Collections and the Australian Museums and Galleries Association – Victoria. They attended workshops on digitising including skills in photography and scanning, and collection management through Victorian Collections.”

The Archives volunteers also played a big role in curating an exhibition titled ‘The Wild and Ourselves: 90Years at Healesville Sanctuary’ that was on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum for Healesville Sanctuary’s 90th anniversary.

The Rotary Club of Healesville also received a Community Award.

The HICCI transport team were overjoyed to receive their Casey Community Award.

Pictures: SUPPLIED HICCI receiving their award from Casey MP Aaron Violi (left).

L-R: Casey MP Aaron Violi with Henry Verhoeven.

Pictures: SUPPLIED L-R: Casey MP Aaron Violi and Catherine Nolan.

NEWS Community award winners

By Callum Ludwig

A host of Upper Yarra community groups have been recognised in the Casey Community and Volunteer Awards.

The Wandin Silvan Field Days Committee were one recipient and President Brad Finger said they are extremely excited by the recognition of this popular and important local community event.

“Our Committee understands the importance of farming in Victoria, and in particular that of the greaterYarraValley and Dandenong Ranges, and we are very proud to maintain the tradition of being able to present this major regional event,” he said.

“Several of our committee members have been involved for the duration of the Field Days, and we will work together to ensure its continuation, proudly highlighting this important Community Award,”

“As a not-for-profit organisation, operated by a committee of local volunteers, we endeavour to maintain our niche ‘Horticultural and Farm Machinery’ theme, actively encouraging the involvement of all exhibitors, and particularly those who can endorse our theme.”

This year’s Field Days event, the 55th edition, will be held over Friday 11 and Saturday 12 October and there are plans for some special features to mark the milestone.

Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater also received an award and President Virginia Wallace said without the group’s efforts the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater may very well not be with us today.

“We maintain a strong focus on habitat restoration, planting thousands of plants each year to make sure the Helmeted Honeyeater has a home, along with community engagement,” she said.

“At the moment we are working to secure our finances as it’s a very tough time for conservation charities, with cost of living pressures all around us,”

“We’re very grateful for our amazing staff, our volunteers who really are the backbone of our operations, and also our relationships with our stakeholders and partners like Zoos Victoria, DEECA, Parks Vic and local councils

and to Aaron Violi for taking an interest in our operations.”

From one location full of plants to another, the EdibleWarburton Community Garden was another Upper Yarra winner.

One of the co-coordinators of the garden Tarnya Harper said it. was such an honour to be recognised amongst an amazing array of community groups and individuals at Aaron Violi’s Casey Community Awards.

“It was a beautiful morning listening to some really heartwarming stories, stories that make you proud to be a part of such wonderful communities,” she said,

“The team at Edible have been working hard on maintaining the garden, providing a wonderful space to nurture both the mind

and body, a place where everyone can come to connect with the community,”

“Whether it be through events such as skillbuilding workshops, weekly Garden Buddies mornings, the ‘Mini Garden Buddies’ holiday program for kids, or simply catching up whilst picking herbs and enjoying the view.”

The Edible Warburton garden is currently working on a new compost bay construction, a garden shed project and adding more raised beds.

The final Upper Yarra community group to receive a Community Award was the Golden Opportunity Shop in Wandin North and its volunteers.

Outgoing Committee Member and Manager of the shop Glenda Fraser said they were

honoured to receive the award.

“It’s the culmination of 15 years of volunteers, probably 80 or 90 people who were involved in that 15 years of volunteering time put into the Golden Opportunity Shop and I think it’s lovely that their services to the community are being recognised,” she said.

“Community op shops are terrific because every effort that you put in is rewarded doubly by the feedback that you get from the community,”

“I think that’s the benefit of being a volunteer for a community organisation, knowing that the money that you make is really effective in your community.”

Volunteers recognised throughout the Upper Yarra

By Callum Ludwig

Volunteers throughout the Upper Yarra were recognised for their individual efforts to their community groups with Casey Volunteer Awards.

Life Member of the Wandin Football Netball Club Rob Bayliss said he received his award for his service to theWandin FNC over 4 decades as well as an appreciation for his work over the last 8 years on the new rooms complex, concluding with a $150,000 new scoreboard and storage facility.

“The club is very important to me, my family has grown up all at Wandin FNC and even my grandchildren are starting to participate now,” he said.

“Clubs of any sort don’t survive without community support and volunteers, they would not be there without them,”

“It’sagreatclubwithgreatpeoplethatcare about their community and this includes the Wandin Cricket Club which is also a special part of my life, being a life member of both clubs will carry me through to the end of my life with pride.”

Mr Bayliss was on the committee at the club for over 30 years and even saw his two sons Jack and Jarrod, as well as son-in-law Michael Fowkes, lift premierships at the Kennel.

Susan Marshall received an award for her work setting up the Tiny Tots playgroup at Wandin Yallock Primary School where she formerly taught and said had no idea it was coming.

“I worked at Wandin YallockYellick for nearly 40 years as a teacher and when I retired I wanted to give back to the community and I thought one way of doing it was to provide an opportunity for parents and grandparents to

bring kids along, little kids from babes to up to five to come along once a week,” she said.

“It’s been going since 2016 and I don’t make it too structured or anything, it’s just where little kids can learn to share, negotiate and have fun and I love seeing the smiles on their faces,”

“It’s a really good place for parents too because it’s hard when you’ve got little ones, you don’t get much sleep so it’s good just to know that you’re not alone, there are a lot of connections that have been built from the people who get together and they might go out for little picnics and catch up at the playground.”

Alvin and Sonia Knight were recognised for their contributions to running the Redwood Soup Kitchen at the ADRA Redwood

Community Centre and Alvin said he saw the need for a soup kitchen about 15 years ago and said so to his wife, Sonia.

“Once a week every Friday night we operate a soup kitchen out of there and people just walk in, we’ve had so many different people we’ve met over the years, whether they’re down on their luck or a lot of them are lonely and just want community and conversation, but they love it,” he said.

“People who come along really appreciate the fact that somebody cares, somebody listens and somebody is there to care and nurture those who are less fortunate,”

“One highlight was how we kept the soup kitchen going through the Covid times, we brought our motorhome in and parked in the car park and people still were able to come along and the police were very supportive of us doing that.”

Barry Booker is a stalwart of the Yarra Junction CFA and said he has been there for 52 years.

I’ve been up as high as a 1st Lieutenant over the years, I originally joined the Woori Yallock brigade in December of 1964 but when I got married I moved toYarra Junction so I got transferred,” he said.

“I also helped to run the juniors back when they were up at Yarra Junction, was the Group Officer of the Upper Yarra group for a while and the fire prevention delegate when that was running and a delegate for the Rural fire Brigade Association.”

“It’s important to support the brigade because there’s not as much community spirit around as there used to be and even though country people are more likely to volunteer than city people, Yarra Junction is on the edge of the urban fringe as they call it now.”

Two Millgrove Residents’ Action Group (MRAG) members received awards/ MRAG Secretary Kate Baselier said she was very humbled to receive an award.

“Being part of a committee like Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) is very rewarding., this group works together to achieve positive outcomes for Millgrove as a community and I see the award as a recognition, not only for me but for the whole group,” she said.

“MRAG has been around for close to 20 years and I have been a part of it for the last 10 years. In those years I have been introduced to so many interesting people that I otherwise would not have met. MRAG also opened a door to educate myself further through e.g. workshops and courses that are offered to volunteers by various organisations. “

Hoddles Creek CFA Captain Graham Boyd, Seville Township Group President Graeme Black, Adcare Community Op Shop Team Leader Kathy Kearns and MRAG member Gordon Elliott also received awards.

L-R: Casey MP Aaron Violi with Susan Marshall. Pictures: SUPPLIED

L-R: Casey MP Aaron Violi with Barry Booker.

Edible Warburton co-coordinators Tarnya Harper (left) and Debbie De Vine (right) with Casey MP Aaron Violi.

Pictures: SUPPLIED Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater Secretay Stephen Garth (right) with Casey MP Aaron Violi.

L-R: Casey MP Aaron Violi with inaugural Wandin Silvan Field Days Committee members Peter Burgi and Brian Moon.

A fantasy novel review PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

A review of Babel by R.F. Kuang

The full title of American author R.F. Kuang’s 2022 Nebula Award-winning fantasy novel is “Babel, or the Necessity ofViolence: an Arcane History of Oxford Translators’ Revolution”. The book won the 2023 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and was named the 2023 Fiction Book of the Year by the British Book Awards.

Babel is set in an alternative-reality 1830s England, when the British Empire’s global economic and colonial supremacy is at its peak. The story follows Robin, an orphan from Canton who is taken to London to study languages and the art of translation. He enrols in the Royal Institution of Translation, nicknamed “Babel”, in Oxford.

At Babel, Robin and his friends – Ramy, Letty and Victoire – study a wide range of classic and contemporary languages and fully immerse themselves in the joy of pursuing knowledge and academic excellence. The indepth depiction of their research and the evolution of their friendship is both exhilarating and heart-warming.

However, Robin soon discovers Babel’s real function is to cultivate translators from various colonies so that they can facilitate the British Empire’s dominance over them. An even more important contribution the foreign-born translators are expected to make is to the “silver working”, the making of magical silver bars that solidify Britain’s status as a leading imperialist nation.

Specifically, translators like Robin are trained to capture what is “lost in translation” between words in different languages that have similar, but not identical, meanings. The power harnessed from that subtle difference is then manifested in enchanted silver bars, which not only boosts industrial and agricultural production but also enhances weaponry, heals injuries, and more. The author’s illustration of Robin’s inner conflicts is candid, intricate, and empathetic. As much as he desires a comfortable life in his adopted country, he is deeply troubled by what he sees there – not just the pervasive poverty, unemployment and general distress caused by technological advances, but also the exploitation of the poor by the rich, powerful elite.

Worse, as Robin witnesses the British’s contempt against the Chinese, and further learns the Empire’s plan to launch a war and force China into accepting free trade and opium, he becomes convinced that violence is necessary

The full title of American author R.F. Kuang’s 2022 Nebula Award-winning fantasy novel is “Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: an Arcane History of Oxford Translators’ Revolution”.

Picture: SUPPLIED

in the preservation of peace. But how can a handful of students counter the whole mighty Empire?

Babel is a controversial book, with readers either embracing it or criticising its writing as being “didactic and lecturer-y”. There is no doubt that those enthralled by action-packed, fast-paced thrillers will find the book “disappointing” and “slow”. Yet, for the patient and inquisitive eye, the meticulously researched and splendidly crafted story is heart-achingly beautiful.

Meanwhile, the book’s other commendable features include its memorable characters – especially how their motives and goals are shaped by their backgrounds – and the extensive use of footnotes. The latter is particularly enticing, as the notes successfully merge the historical with the speculative, creating a fantastical world where the heroes’ quests – some admirable while others pitiful – become our own.

Highly recommended.

Linklater hits a home run with scintillating Hitman

Hit Man

Starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona

Rated MA15+

4.5/5

Hit Man is a scintillating, brilliantly-written crime comedy by Richard Linklater.

Gary Johnson (Glen Powell, who also co-wrote the film with Linklater), a college professor and police technician, becomes an undercover fake hitman entrapping his clients.

Posing as the hitman Ron, Gary falls for his new client Madison Masters (Adria Arjona).

Linklater is one of the best actor’s directors working today, and Hit Man is full of engaging performances and rich, literary yet natural dialogue.

Powell is a chameleon as Gary, taking on markedly different personae for each sting operation, and through his electric chemistry with Madison, it’s fun to see the mild-mannered Gary become more like his rugged alter-ego Ron.

The well-paced plot feels easygoing yet suspenseful, with several layers of intrigue and an invigorating sense of fact and fiction blurring, as a real murder scheme intertwines with Gary/Ron’s police acting

and romantic fantasy.

Hit Man is loosely based on a 2001 Texas Monthly article by Skip Hollandsworth about the real Gary Johnson, who took on various false identities to aid in the arrest of over seventy people seeking to hire contract killers.

Hit Man is Linklater’s second collaboration with Hollandsworth, with their first being the 2011 true story crime comedy Bernie.

For a more action-focused assassinthemed comedy, watch The Killer by David Fincher (which was my seventh-best film of 2023), but Hit Man is a clever, witty, sexy comedy available for streaming on Netflix.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Burrinja Theatre call out for young Bell Curve performers

Burrinja Theatre

Bell Curve Call Out

Are you an experienced musician or a music enthusiast? Are you between the ages of 12 and 25? Keen to try your hand at bell ringing?

Burrinja wants to hear from you.

Be a part of local, high quality art music event presenting contemporary music com posed by an award winning composer.

Bell Curve is a contemporary spatial performance work for twelve independent bellringers composed by Eugen Ughetti and performed with the Federation Bells.

Bell Curve is a site-specific work that will come unique to Burrinja.

The presentation will occur in unconventional locations in venue (foyer, gallery etc.) or even multiple locations.

The presentation of Bell Curve will be part of the company’s After Dark program alongside other programmed events such as exhibition openings, artist talks, children’s activities, gallery tours and workshops.

Days of commitment are:

· Wednesday 10 July, three hours (time TBC), first half of Bell Curve

· Thursday 11 July, three hours (time TBC), learn second half of Bell Curve

· Friday 12 July, three hours (TBC), putting it all together.

· Saturday 13 July, full day, time (TBC), dress rehearsal and performance.

· Contact Office 9754 1509 Mon - Fri. 9am5pm.

Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances

Inventi Ensemble

award Winning Chamber Music

Three simple notes open the famous Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninov which then evolves into an unique work like no other.

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Rahmonov’s birth, his Symphonic Dances receive the Inventi treatment.

This beautiful and rich symphonic work features the colours and textures that Rachmaninov is famous for.

Arranged for flute, oboe, bassoon, violin and cello.

This musical adventure will be the latest triumph in Inventi’s musical exploration.

· Season: Saturday 27 July at 2pm.

· Venue: Burrinja Theatre

Centrestage Youth Theatre @ The 1812 Theatre

Radium Girls

In 1920 radium was a miracle cure/ Madame Curie an international celebrity and luminous watches the latest rage; until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious affliction.

Season closes 13 July.

Eltham Little Theatre

presents Into the Woods JR.

Once upon a time Eltham Little Theatre cordially invites you to a far-off kingdom to meet a fair maiden a sad young lad and s childless baker with his wife.

Be careful what you wish for, as Stephen Sondheim’s and James Laines cock-eyed fairytale comes to life in this adaptation of their groundbreaking.

Tony Award winning musical not the Woods JR features all your favourite characters – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack ( and his beanstalk) and the Witch – in this lyrically rich retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables.

The musical centres on a baker and his wife who want to have a child, Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival and Jack who wishes his cow would give milk.

When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set out on a journey to break the curse and wind up changed forever.

· Season: Saturday 6 July at 1pm and 5pm. Sunday 7 July at 1pm.

· Saturday 13 July at 1pm and 5pm. Sunday 14 July at 1pm · Saturday 20 July at 1pm and 5pm. Sunday 21 July at 1pm. · Bookings 0411 713 095

PROPERTY

A SPECTACULAR PROPERTY WITH INCOME POTENTIAL

A

VILLA Raedward, set in two acres of stunning, mature, low maintenance garden, offers three architecturally designed separate dwellings; a grand, three-storey villa and two separate one bedroom residences approved for short-stay accommodation which is in high demand in the Yarra Valley. The Grand Villa is a luxurious palazzo style, with a pivotal 11- metre-high central void, offering enormous light and surrounded by staircase to access the four bedrooms and extraordinary bathrooms. Three of the main bedrooms are complete with their own balcony that each celebrate the magnificent views of the mountain range and rolling pastured fields.

The main Villa features also include a study, two marble bathrooms, powder room, large kitchen with walk-in pantry, 3 additional separate living areas, a wine cellar and storage facility, enormous laundry and downstairs shower room, gymnasium, sizeable walk-in linen, and storage room, and a massive 12.5 x 7.1 garage with direct entry off the circular driveway, under floor heating, two magnificent fireplaces, solar panels to keep running costs to a minimal.

The two guest accommodations each have their own courtyard, luxury bathrooms, kitchens with high end fixtures and fittings including stone benchtops and separate under cover parking. Both the one-bedroom residence patios have vistas of the most stunning water feature and treelined colonnade.

Elsewhere the gardens feature mature trees and flowering shrubs, extensive lawns, a secluded Japanese garden, and an expansive pergola-colonnade leading to a gazebo with fabulous pizza oven.

Seasonal fruit and vegetables are available year-round from the orchard and superb raised vegetable gardens.

There is also a Tuscan style outbuilding with 3 large 2.6 x 6 metre spaces, each with double doors, perfect for mechanical storage, potting shed, or even artistic workspace. For further information call Property Partners today.

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

Paul has been an absolute pleasure to work with. From the moment we met, he made it his mission to help us find our dream home. Buying a house is a stressful process for the best of us, but with Paul’s support we managed to buy our first house with relative ease. He answered all of our many phone calls and questions with a kind word and plenty of encouragement. Thank you to Paul and the team at property partners! You helped make our dream come true! ~ Buyer

I chose Property Partners because I sought a savvy and dedicated agent in Paul Marra. His engaging and personable manner rewarded and eased the selling experience. He was extremely generous with his insight, time and advice, before and after the sale, which was achieved quickly and effectively. ~ Seller

DELIGHTFUL TOWNHOUSE 3 YEARS OLD

TAKE advantage of the benefits of buying new with this gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse with single lock-up garage, walking distance to Healesville’s main street.

Contemporary by design, and complete with high quality fixtures and fittings, this property has a successful history of holiday rental, providing the astute investor with a platform for lucrative returns.

The home comprises master bedroom (with en suite and walk-in robe), builtin robes to all other bedrooms, and an additional study nook. There are block-out blinds upstairs, and LED lighting throughout with dimmers. The home is all class: complete with stone bench tops, blackbutt flooring, authentic wool carpets, and a great yard with pergola. You can admire the northfacing view from inside the dining room, upstairs bedroom, backyard and study area. The home is heated with gas ducted heating and cooled with reverse cycles upstairs and downstairs.

Text 3.5CROWLEY to 0448 820 022 for more information. ●

HOME FOCUS

LARGE SCALE LIVING ON 7 ACRES

ADJOINING the trickling Emerald Creek and enjoying a private, secluded 7 acres (approx.) of natural forest setting, tiered gardens and beautiful green lawns, this large family home is an ideal opportunity for those looking for something versatile for extended family or work from home options.

Spanning over two levels of spacious living, the floorplan has been well designed to incorporate space for everyone: On the main level, four generous bedrooms, or three and large office, will be a welcome retreat for all the family, the master suite with a walk-in robe and full ensuite. With a wall of windows that overlook the beautiful treetops, the lounge room is filled with natural light, making this a fabulous space to enjoy and along with its hardwood timber floors, wood fire, split system heating and cooling and gas Rinnai, this certainly is the hub of the home. Gas heating and multiple split systems have been installed for year round comfort along with two wood heaters – Perfect for those cozy nights ahead.

Updated and with plenty of bench space, the kitchen has been finished with space and storage as top priority. A 900mm upright oven, dishwasher and views of the garden added bonuses when it comes time to cook and create.

Downstairs, extended living allows for a variety of uses and consists of another spacious bedroom, lounge and kitchenette. With its separate access and its own cosy wood heater and split system, this entire second level gives you room to expand and enjoy.

In addition to all of this, the property also offers parking for multiple cars plus a double carport, and a large under house workshop, perfect for any tradesperson, hobby enthusiast or artist.

Enjoy walking your very own, private bush trail down to the creek and seeing the stunning local wildlife at its very best, or just sit on the wrap around verandah taking in the peaceful surrounds of your very own sanctuary.

Only minutes from both the Monbulk and Olinda townships, and within an easy drive to Belgrave train station, this property gives you the best of both worlds. ●

FAMILY LIVING WITH SPACE AND CONVENIENCE

POSITIONED to please and offering the growing family loads of space inside and out this spacious home boasts 4 great sized bedrooms all with built-in robes plus an ensuite in the main bedroom.

Large open living areas with a separate family/living room and separate meals/ dining area offering the busy family ample space to spread out, the kitchen is well appointed, spacious and has plenty of bench and cupboard space.

Everyone will love the outside situated on approx. 1870 sqm of great usable land with plenty of room for the kids and pets to enjoy and explore, a covered gazebo/entertaining area is a great place for summertime gatherings, entertaining and BBQs plus a double lock up garage and carport area with plenty of extra space for trucks, trailers, boats and caravans.

A fantastic property conveniently located just a short stroll to local schools, shops and transport. ●

ModernConvenientEasyCareliving

Agreatlocationandconvenientlypositionedthisneathomeoffers alowmaintenanceeasycare lifestyle.Offering 2greatsizebedroomswithbuiltinrobesand asemiensuite,spaciousopenplan living/loungeareawithanopenplanmodernkitchenwithamplebenchandcupboardspace. Entertainoutsideinallseasonswith acoveredentertainingareait’stheidealspottorelaxandenjoy thecolorfulvista,carparkingisallsortedwithlargecarportplusextracarortrailerspace. Aneatpropertyina superblocationjust ashortstrolltoYarraJunctionsshoppinghub,localschools, transportandtheYarraCentrewith avarietyofsportingfacilitiestosuitthewholefamily.

31FishermanDrive,Reefton$695,000 -$760,000

Escapetoyourriversideparadise!

Nestledonover1&1/2acresoflushland,andenjoyingadjacentriverreserve,thisenchanting propertyoffers alifestyleoftranquillityandleisure.Asthedayfadesintoevening,retreattoyour expansiverearveranda.Youcanunwindamidstnature’sbeauty,perhapsindulgingina soothing soakintheoutdoorclawfootbath.Inside, acozyambiancebeckons,courtesyoftheslow combustionwoodfireandsplitsystem,ensuringyear-roundcomfortforyourfamily.Thewarmthofa lovelytimberkitchenprovidesamplespacetocookup afeast.Withtwoinvitingbedroomsandan additionalprivatestudioorguestroom,completewithitsownlittledeck,thepropertyoffersversatility andseclusion.Safetyandsecurityareparamount,thankstothefencedbackyard,providingpeace ofmindforbothchildrenandpetsalike.Don’tmissout...Yourriversideparadiseawaits!

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

Inspection: Sat2:00-2:30pm 2 A 1 B

FantasticfamilyhomewithdreamyValleyviews Stepinsidethisspacioussplitlevelfamilyhome,locatedin ahighlysoughtafterarea.Thehouseis bathedinnaturallight,featuring aperfectlysituatedlivingareawithstunningmountainviews.Enjoy yourmorningsonthelargefrontdeck.Themasterbedroom,convenientlylocatedoffthemainliving area,servesasa peacefulretreat,completewithanensuiteand adeepdoublerobe.Theupper levelopenstothediningandkitchenarea,allclosetobedrooms2 and3 andbothequippedwith builtinrobesand aloftstorage.Stepthroughthebackdoortodiscoverfullyfenced,securecovered patioarea,overlookinga lovelygardenlandscapethatbacksonto apaddock.Thelocationis fantastic,withtheWarburtonRailTrailjust ashortwalkaway,andconvenientaccesstopublic transportandlocalshops.Thisisa homeyou’llbeproudtocallyourown.

GrandHomewith5 bedroomsina SuperbLocation

Anopportunityisnowavailableforpurchaserstoenjoythisgorgeousaccommodationopportunityor tohave adelightfulplacetocallhomewithspaceforalltheextendedfamily.Stepinsidethiswarm invitinghome,theloungewithpicturewindowswith amesmerisingview.Thekitchenislovelywith quirkyoriginalfeatures,a centrepieceofthehomeoverlookingthelargesunroomandformaldining, aperfectplacetogatherfor afamilymeal.Thegroundflooralsohostsa bedroom,bathroom,and separatetoilet,whileupstairsrevealstwoadditionalbedrooms, amainbathroom,anda double roomwithanensuite,offeringabundantlivingspace.Anadditionalstudiohasa further3 bedsif requiredseparatetothemainresidence.2 largegarages,ampleundercoverentertainingareaand wellestablishedgardensthatreallycomplimentthisenchantinghome.

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 row, column or box.

ACROSS

1 Expend (3)

3 Choice (10)

10 Applaud (7)

11 Southern Pacific region (7)

12 Facilities of a building (9)

13 Ancient South American civilisation (4)

15 Florida fort (10)

17 Large jug (4)

19 Accepted standard (4)

20 Child of one’s child (10)

23 Keyboard error (4)

25 Insipid (9)

27 Members of a powerful military caste in feudal Japan (7)

28 Hub for military planes (7)

29 They protect the eyes from the glare (10)

30 Charter (3)

DOWN

1 Ineffectual (10)

2 The British Treasury (9)

4 Rest (9)

5 Moves steadily (5)

6 Watery (6)

7 Babysitter (5)

8 Web auction site (4)

9 Acting with ease (6)

14 Rainbow-coloured (10)

16 Painting of the countryside (9)

18 British civil service (coll) (9)

21 Said when raising a glass (6)

22 Light reddish brown (6)

24 Arab state (5)

25 Counterparts (5)

26 Egyptian goddess (4)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used

colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

No. 191 No. 191

Round done

By Anita Prowse

Shirley Heights Mid Week Winter Series

Round 1 Winners were:

· Medium – Kate Purcell on Flowervale Bollinger

· Elementary – Ann Smiley on Lynlea Riverdance

· Novice – Janet Wheeler on Duchess Of Da Vitto

· Preliminary – Shantel Steer on Hanson Park Cheval

· Preparatory - Tania Murphy on As Precious

As China

· Child Team – Jessica Lowe on Redgum James 007

Round 2 is on 17 July with entries available at Event Secretary, closing 12 July.

Northern Metro Zone have their Ride To Time Qualifier on 29 June with entries closing 26 June.

UYPC Beginners Gymkhana is on 30 June, pre-entries are now closed, however the team is accepting on the day entries.

Golfers brave the cold

By Ron Hottes

The V.V.V’s:

Once again, six hardy Vixens turned out on the course which allowed for a daily comp. These tough Ladies endured a fairly frosty morning with plenty of sunshine to warm them up as the day progressed. The two Vixens, who performed better than anyone else, were Georgie Houniet and Merrilyn McDonald. Although both these hardy souls accumulated 18 very impressive points (over 9 holes only), a countback was required to separate them. Georgie’s last 3 holes gave up more points than The Commissioner, therefore, Merilyn had to accept the runner-up voucher, but well done to both girls on a great result ( As an aside, it should be noted that Georgie has become our most consistent Lady golfer in recent times, and M.M. has improved her game out of sight. Watch out, Alan, she is likely to be the best player in that family soonerrather-than-later) .

No NTPs were recorded.

Wednesday 19 June, Stableford:

On an even colder morning thanTheVixens endured two days before, those who coped best with freezing hands were clearly to the fore in the end-of-day results. One member, who started very well, and kept the consistent scoring going, was Paul Kennedy, one of our legendary members, who on this day accrued a 35-point total, which bettered the rest of the small field by quite some margin. Great shooting, P.K. The runner-up, back on 31 points, was Ken Barratt. Clearly, K.B. was not comfortable with the compliments being piled onto Mrs. Barratt for her recent consistent form. Good work, Ken. Even though K.B. took out the runner-up prize with his 31 points, the ball rundown only snuck down to 30, meaning there were plenty of other 31 and 30 results. NTP

Classifieds

winners on the day were as follows: Mario DeVincentis (3rd), Dave Waterman (12th) and Noel Cross completed a satisfactory day by snaring both the 9th and 15th NTPs, although he missed both birdie putts.

Saturday 22 June:

It was significant that the day after theWinter Solstice (the shortest day of the year), there were plenty of Stableford scores that were short of the mark when it comes to vouchers and prizes. One member, who was guaranteed a voucher, was Troy Murphy, with a score of 38 points, taking home the A-Grade prize. But, that was official only after a tight countback separated Troy from Geoff Fall. Geoff had to be content with the runner-up prize. Balls ran down to 35 only. A slightly different story in BGrade, because the ball rundown reached 31 here. That didn’t concern Jordie Burge, as he racked up a 37-point round. Trev Porter’s 34-point result was enough to earn him the runner-up prize, again on a countback. There was a full compliment of NTP winners on this day and they were as follows: Liam Kay (3rd), Jack Sheehan (for a mighty tee shot on the hard 5th), Neil Leckenby ( who just about owns the 9th), my old mate Darryl Ward (12th) and finally to Paul Kennedy ( on the tough 15th for a typically accurate P.K. tee shot).

Warburton Golf Club results. Picture: ON FILE

Shirley Heights Mid Week Winter Series Round 2 is on 17 July.

Picture: SUPPLIED

SPORT

Women in top three

By Brendan Donovan

The weekend of sport for the Woori Yallock Football Netball Club started Friday night with the Under 18s travelling to Healesville.

The boys tried hard against a strong host with a strong team in but Healesville romped to an easy win.

Final score Healesville 11.10, 76 defeated Woori Yallock 2.3, 15. Top Tigers were Mason O’Neill, Roy Ray, Lucien Primavera, Ronan Taylor, James Brown and Maximus Iskra.

The Women’s Footy travelled to Monbulk on Saturday morning and came away with a great win to cement their spot in the top three.

Final score Monbulk 4.5, 29 defeated by Woori Yallock 5.3, 33. Top Tigers were Piper Crymble, Casey Wright, Sky Wilson, India James, Emily Spicer and Emelia Robin.

The rest of the teams travelled to NarreWarren and it was a tough day in the netball as all senior teams came away with losses but the B Grade side put up an awesome effort to just fall short, while the other teams had suffered big losses against top quality opponents.

· A Grade: Narre Warren 78 defeated Woori Yallock 24. Top Tigers were Gaby Clarke, Danika Corless and Olivia Caneva.

· B Grade: Narre Warren 56 defeated Woori Yallock 53. Top Tigers were Jaymee Tough, Rebecca Course and Louise Chapple.

· C Grade: Narre Warren 66 defeated Woori Yallock 14. Top Tigers were Tahlia Thornton, Grace Sibley and Melanie-Rose Jakobs.

· D Grade: Narre Warren 58 defeated Woori Yallock 22. Top Tigers were Brooklyn Sheedy, Megan Britton and Narelle Collette.

· 17 and Under: Narre Warren 43 defeated Woori Yallock 20. Top Tigers were Charlotte Hubbard, Georgia Sands and Oliver Stenhouse.

· Under 15s: Narre Warren 28 defeated by Woori Yallock 31. Top Tigers were Mia Lingwood, Miami Rowland and Ruby Gregson. In the footy, the Ressies put up their best effort for the year, great team play and solid defence gave the team an opportunity to cause the upset of the year. Unfortunately, a couple of lapses in the final minutes allowed Narre War-

ren to hit the front with the final kick of the day.

Final scores Narre Warren 11.2, 68 defeated Woori Yallock 10.5, 65. Top Tigers were Luke Cottier, Hamish Gemmill, Matthew Imbrogno, Tom Kear, Chris Lower and Callum Scott.

In the Seniors, it was two undefeated teams going head to head and it certainly lived up to expectations. The first half was dominated by defence with only 7 goals kicked. In the third quarter, the game opened up with Woori gaining good momentum and hitting the scoreboard to take a two-goal lead into the final break. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Magpies adjusted well and hit the front in the final minute for a narrow victory. Both sides would have been happy with the result given the finals-like pressure.

Final scores Narre Warren 10.7, 67 defeated Woori Yallock 9.8, 62. Top Tigers were Jordan Williams, Zach Monkhorst, Bradd Arnold, Robert Allen, Liam Odea and Joshua Neal.

This week, Woori Yallock will host OlindaFerny Creek in what’s sure to be another tough fixture.

Burras battle Blues in epic clash

By Alex Woods

After having two weekends off, the Burras were back in action for the second half of the season.

On Saturday, Warburton-Millgrove hosted Seville in another three games of footy and four games of netball.

The day was set to be a big challenge for all teams, the morning started off with D Grade netball, Seville played a strong game throughout the duration of the match.

They started strong with a 6-24 lead at half time and continued to use their experience and knowledge against our young team.

The final score was 17-45, with Sienna Muir and Brooke de Pedro both shooting six goals and Maddie Loveless with five.

Isabella Maurici, Layla Ata and Emily Kay were the stars of the match.

The Women’s footy started off the round on field.

The team started strong with a 7.9-51 to 2.012 half time lead.

They continued on throughout the match, showing their speed and skills.

They came home with a 13.16-94 to 2.0-12 win.

MadiWard contributed three goals, Jasmine Enever and Jade Mewburn kicked two each, Rach Maxwell, Emerson Woods, Hollie Eckhardt, Kristy Fleet, Stacey Mercuri and Skye Comer all kicked one goal each.

Maddison Andueza, Emerson Woods, Jasmine Enever, Madi Ward, Rach Maxwell and Sally McIntosh were all top performers of the game.

C Grade took the court next with another tough match ahead of them.

It was even throughout majority of the game, warby had a one goal lead at qtr time,

Seville the claimed a one goal lead at half time and then a draw at the third qtr time break.

Seville managed to take control of the last quarter and secured the win by four goals.

Mel Hancock shot 19 goals and Cam Holland put up 13.

Casey Hare, Mel Hancock and Courtney Lever were named best on court.

A Grade took the court next, and the game was even at the first break.

Seville took the control in the second quarter to have a five goal lead at half time.

Burras were seven goals down heading into the last quarter and managed to slightly bring it back, but couldn’t get the win.

The lost by four goals, Ally Langdon, Indi Pinnock and Jessie Hare were the top performers.

Bianca Daniels shot 28 goals and Karly Wappett with 16.

Reserves ran out after the women’s game, Seville secured a two goal lead by quarter time.

Burras secure a couple in the second quarter and kept Seville close by.

Dogs chew off a solid win

Wandin travelled to Emerald on Saturday looking for an improved performance and for three quarters would have been pleased with the outcomes they created.

On what was a perfect day for football, Wandin’s ball movement and run to support was overwhelming at times and created consistent opportunities to score.

While Emerald was able to control parts of the third quarter and the start of the last Wandin kicked back into gear quickly and recorded a solid win.

Final score Emerald 7.6, 48 toWandin 18.12, 120.

Top Dogs on the day were Patrick Hodgett, Aaron Mullett, Patty Bruzzese, Chayce Black, Todd Garner and Leiwyn Jones.

Goalkickers were Mullett with a massive haul of 7, Jordan Jaworski kicking 4, Hodgett 3, Brodie Atkins 2 and Harrison Byrne and Charlie Wood with one apiece.

Other results:

· Reserves: Emerald 1.0,6 defeated by Wandin 14.10, 96. Top Dogs were Jordan Spencer, Tyson Smith, Daniel Bailey, Mitchell Mutsaers, Tom Merlino and Hunter Coghlan.

· Under 19s: Officer 8.7, 55 defeated Wandin 5.6, 36. Top Dogs were Luca Van Dreumel, Nicholas Pike, Joshua Atkins, Branden Farr and Jack Dixon.

· Women’s: Emerald 2.12, 24 defeated Wandin 3.3, 21. Top Dogs were Georgia Krueger, Chloe Waterhouse, Maddison Gray, Stella Beyer, Lottie Read and Alysha Henskens.

· A Grade Netball: Emerald 48 defeated by Wandin 68. Top Dogs were Ruby Tidd, Kali Dolphin and Kyah Kimpton.

Unfortunately, Seville held onto the lead for all the game and took home the win with a final score of 5.4-34 to 9.5-59.

Damien Egan, Matt Sidari, Liam Barnard, Mitch Gordon and Chad Currey all secured one gaol each.

Brayden Ferguson, Brayden Woolridge, Tim McKail, Mitch Gordon, Chad Currey and Harry Rothwell were all the top performers.

B Grade finished off the netball with a tough game ahead of them.

Seville secured a 10 goal lead by the first break and took control of the game for all of the match.

The Burras couldn’t match the skills and knowledge of the Seville B Grade and had a tough day on court.

The final score was 23-64 with Alex Woods shooting 12 goals, Tayla Ferguson with nine and Zoe Timoney with two.

Monique Lee, Ruby Kelly and Zoe Timoney were the top performers of the game.

Seniors finished off the day.

Seville got the early jump and secured 4.2 to Burras 2.1 by the first break.

Warby managed to change it up in the second quarter and kicked 4.5 to Seville 1.1 and managed to take over the lead heading into the half time break.

Burras Took control of the second quarter, leaving Seville to only secure two points in the third to our 2.2.

The last quarter became intense with Seville not far behind.

The Burras came home with the win, with a final score of 12.9-81 to 11.8-74. James Iacono, Trent Elliott, Tom Barr, and Liam Westlake all kicked two goals each.

Jack Farrugia, Bailey Humphrey, Jake Byrush and Tom Baker all secured one each.

Ben Pretty, Nelson Aldridge, Andrew Trend, Tom Baker, Jake Byrush and Tom Barr were all the stars of the day.

· B Grade: Emerald 26 defeated by Wandin 70. Top Dogs were Kate Campbell, Liana Baker and Ella Tweedale.

· C Grade: Emerald 23 defeated by Wandin 40. Top Dogs were Cassidy Iedema, Aimee Mackenzie and Rebecca Black.

· D Grade: Emerald 24 defeated Wandin 22. Top Dogs were Erin Foot, Ella Rumian and Kealey Earney.

· 17 and Under: Bye.

Burras getting ready for the game.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Wandin’s Aaron Mullett kicked seven against Emerald. 357891 Picture: ON FILE

The Woori Yallock Senior Women’s team got a win over ladder-leader Monbulk.

Picture: ADAM SYKES

Healesville out in force

By Sarah Bailey

Healesville U10 Ninjas 7-1 Gideons Warriors JacobV started the game fast with good tackles and passes, and Hayden T made some good saves early to keep us ahead of the game.

Leroy P made impressive runs down the wing, running into dangerous spaces and slotting goals.

Noah S was again in good touch over the ball. Our boys showed their class to earn a first win at home.

Healesville Reserves 5-1 St Hilary’s Reserves

Healesville continued their march up the table with an impressive away victory. John-James, playing his first game for the Reserves, scored two and assisted two, one for Will W and an own goal for the home side.

A brilliant team goal started by Asha S, who beat his player and played a fine through ball, was finished superbly by Chris B after having the ball cut back to him on the edge of the box.

Healesville Hearts U13 Hearts 3-0 Blackburn North

Blackburn had good chances early, but they were no match for Isla C in goals.

From then on, it was all Healesville, with Saskia opening the scoring late in the first half. The Hearts came out swinging in the second half, with Ava H and Tilly W scoring two early goals to ice the game.

The team now sits within 1 point of the topof-the-table Falcons.

Healesville Firsts 5-2 St Hilary’s Firsts

In a crazy opening 15 minutes, Healesville took a 3-1 lead after Cam D scored two and Daniel T added another.

A host of missed chances for the away side meant it stayed 3-1 at the break.

After a missed penalty St Hilary’s made the game 3-2 with 15 minutes to go.

A change of formation gave Healesville some much-needed control, and Daniel T stood up when it mattered with two goals to complete his hat-trick in the final five minutes.

Healesville U11 White Wolves 3-1 Blackburn North Stingrays

Quality touches saw Blackburn create chances that were thwarted by solid defensive plays from backs Harley T, Sawyer C, Flynn F and Oliver R. A backwards pass against the flow of play from Ardi C saw Flynn M’s powerful shot on goal go agonizingly close to scoring a

blinder.

Ardi C wasted no time getting into the action and scoring to go one up.

A corner kick into the Blackburn box caused chaos as they in turn found the net to level the score.

Evan K put injury concerns to rest as he ran the entire field, leaving multiple Blackburn players in his wake.

Robbie K gave Healesville some breathing room when he brought the score to 2-1.

He then launched a bazooka from the halfway mark, dipping late and sneaking under the crossbar to put the game beyond reach.

Healesville Women’s Reds 1-0 Bayswater Strikers

The Reds welcomed a well-organised Bayswater side to Don Rd on a chilly afternoon.

With Bayswater short on numbers, it was 9v9 for the first half, both teams unable to break the deadlock.

The second half saw the Strikers increase their numbers for a 10v10 game and the inten-

sity lifted.

Healesville’s attacking pressure resulted in a well-deserved goal to Keira S.

Only three points behind league leaders Dynamo, the Reds are set for a big finish to the season.

Healesville U15 Girls Flames 0-1 Healesville U15 Rebels

The Flames hosted a derby between them and the Rebels.

Kicking off after midday, the game allowed for a good-sized crowd to watch the future of Healesville women’s football. Both teams were in great spirits right from the start.

The Rebels controlled possession and scored from a corner after some persistent pressure.

The second half looked like a different game, with the Flames creating chance after chance.

The Rebels defence stood strong, with some excellent goalkeeping by Jaeda L. Healesville U12 Heelers 1-2 Berwick United

At home against Berwick, the Heelers had an impressive early goal from Pepe on the left wing.

The second half saw Berwick come out in battle mode, and the Heelers responded with strong defence and several attacks on goal.

A nasty foul in the final minutes of the second half that sidelined team captain Oscar gave Berwick a window to equalise and then claim another quick goal, which the Heelers were in the process of answering when the final whistle blew.

Healesville U15s 0-3 Gideons Warriors

The U15s welcomed the well-drilled Gideons to Don Rd in hopes of reversing the score from earlier this season.

After a tough and even opening to the first half, Gideons struck first.

Healesville kept fighting and creating numerous chances, but the ultra-defensive formation Gideons used proved hard to penetrate, and they scored twice more.

Healesville U9 Redbacks 1-2 Berwick United The Redbacks took on Berwick at home and right from the kick-off it was a tight affair.

The Redbacks came close on a few occasions but somehow couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

Berwick broke the deadlock midway through the second half. Shortly after they followed up with another and it was starting to look very tough for a tiring Redbacks team.

The boys dug deep, and finally Ben P nailed a shot.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time for the equaliser after renewed energy surged through the group.

Special mention to Jamie E for his thoroughly deserved man of the match award.

Healesville U13s 0-7 Knox Strikers U13s

In what was an even first half against top-ofthe-table Knox, Healesville were two goals down at the break courtesy of two goals by the Knox No 10.

With no subs, Healesville conceded five goals in the second half, with No 10 scoring a further three goals and adding an assist.

Exceptional passages of play led to nearmisses for Louie G, who also had a goal disallowed for offside, and Ryder H. CooperW was a standout in goal and on the pitch, and Endo G played his best game of the season.

Always hard to face Belgrave on home turf

By David Ball

Yarra Glen travelled to Belgrave to try and make amends for a disappointing first round performance.

The first quarter was a competitive affair with the River Pigs matching it with Belgrave in general play.

The home side, however was proving more efficient going forward and opened up an 18 point lead at the first break leading 5.1 to Yarra Glen’s 2.1.

The second quarter was a shocker for Yarra Glen as Belgrave dominated in the midfield and with their many forward thrusts were able to add six goals while Yarra Glen managed just the three points.

At half time, Yarra Glen had 2.4 to Belgrave’s 11.3.

The River Pigs came out in the third with much more intensity and as result Belgrave were rushed in attack and the increased pressure saw them struggle to convert up forward, adding just the three goals for the quarter.

Jim Marks was causing problems for the Belgrave defence as Yarra Glen also added three goals.

Sadly, the River Pigs could not maintain their intensity in the last quarter as Belgrave took control all over the ground, totally dominate as they piled on 10 goals to Yarra Glen’s one.

Yarra Glen went down 6.4 to 24.22

· Best players forYarra Glen were: ChrisWebber, Sam Wood, Jim Marks, Chris Beattie, Dylan Jarvis and Max DePina.

Yarra

round 10

· Goalkickers: Jim Marks 2, Josh Hawkins 1, Marcus Kikidoplous 1, Sam Wood 1 and Heath Chamberlain 1.

The Yarra Glen reserves took on the undefeated top of the ladder Belgrave and it soon became clear why they held that position.

The River Pigs worked hard early but were punished on turnovers to see Belgrave kick 6.4 to Yarra Glen’s 1.0 in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the home team lift their intensity and were proving too quick around the ground to create numerous easy scoring opportunities.

Belgrave added nine goals for the quarter as the River Pigs scored just one.

At half time, Belgrave lead 15.8 to 2.1. Yarra Glen worked hard in the second half but

were outclassed by a fitter and quicker Belgrave team.

While never giving up, Yarra Glen were only able to add one goal to see them well beaten.

Final Scores Yarra Glen 3.1 to Belgrave 28.21.

· Best players: Will Duff, Lachlan Crawford, Sean Spencer, Taylor Bryans, Maf Laloulu and Ash Bryans,

· Goalkickers: Sean Sanderson, Kyle Kime and Will Duff.

Yarra Glen A grade netball team came up against a fiercely competitive Belgrave side who got the jump on Yarra Glen early.

Trailing in the first half Yarra stuck to their own game and structures and kept chipping away at the deficit.

With a few A grade players missing, they were blessed with contributions from Kayla Collins and Edana Lacey, while Katelyn Vanderkolk switched into GD and led the defence brilliantly. Alana McGurgan showed class and skill in centre and Maddy Hargrave was her usual dominating best in GS.

With a dominant third quarter Yarra took a four goal lead and then held on in the last coming away with a hard fought 56-53 victory.

YarraGlenBgradehasbeengoingstrength to strength with an excellent turnaround from the first game of the year against Belgrave.

With contributions all over the court, they put together a solid four quarter effort.

Prue Morse stepped into the team seamlessly and ran all day in centre, Ellie Estcourt

was her dominating best in GK and Kayla Collins ran and jumped and was everywhere in a best on courtperformance.

Belgrave had no answer toYarra Glen’s potency as whenever we had the ball, they generally scored. Yarra Glen eventually ran away winners over second placed Belgrave, 51-42.

InYarra Glen C Grade’s match against Belgrave theYarra girls put in an impressive performance.

They adapted and showed some real dominance in both attack and defence.

The Yarra girls dominated the game from the outset, Sarah Orlandi and Alex Bray combining with deadly accuracy in goals.

They were fed brilliantly by Riley Shanks, who was everywhere, using her speed and agility to beat her opponent.

This is a team who work so well together all over the court.

Winning every quarter comfortably, Yarra Glen ran away winners 48-34

A close game at Belgrave saw Yarra Glen’s D grade have to fight to the very end.

After going into half time, three goals up Yarra Glen couldn’t match it with Belgrave and were outscored in the second half to go down 20-23.

Maddie Oultram and Jacinda Bryans were consistent and provided run all day.

Annie Dietrich put in a great game in the circle, building a lot of pressure and despite providing opportunities for the attack, they were unable to convert enough to get over the line.

Next week allYarra Glen teams have a bye.

Glen’s

opponent was Belgrave. Picture: ON FILE

The U10 Ninjas earned their first home-ground victory as they faced off against Gideons Warriors. Picture: SUPPLIED

They