A new report from the Grounded Community Land Trust (CLT) advocacy group has identified Warburton as a community that has been hit hard by the rise of short-term rentals.
The author of the ‘Airbnb: from a housing problem to solution’ report is the founder and Director of Grounded Karl Fitzgerald.
Mr Fitzgerald said the main finding of the report was that short-term rentals (STRs) had grown quicker than the total housing supply.
“In Warburton, according to the Census and due to the risk of fire, the ability to create new supply is severely curtailed and the Census showed that only one new home had been built each year over a decade,” he said.
“There’s barely any new supply, but here is Airbnb growing at a rapid rate of knots and in Warburton, it was about comparing Airbnb’s and short-term rentals to the supply of longterm rentals and there was a 125 per cent growth in short-term rentals compared to long-term rentals and the growth has basically
come out of nowhere over the last decade.”
The report investigated Hepburn Shire, Mornington Peninsula, Byron Bay, Fremantle, Victor Harbor, Hobart, Noosa Heads, Coolum Beach, Port Douglas, the Whitsundays, Warburton and Apollo Bay, utilising data from the 2021 Census and AirDNA, an analytics platform which tracks performance and market data from short-term rental sites like Airbnb.
The data on Warburton in the report finds that there are 136 active STRs, 25.5 per cent
Standing tall
By Dongyun Kwon
A Healesville paramedic Alison Bowen conquered the summit of Mount Everest on 21 May as part of her Seven Summits Challenge, climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents. Mt Everest in Asia was her fifth summit out of seven. Ms Bowen said the experience of reaching the summit of Everest was “breathtaking”.
“Reaching the summit was absolutely surreal,” she said.
“You see so many documentaries and photos online but once you’re there, it’s amazing to see it all with your own eyes and know you’re standing above the 8,000-metre-tall mountains around you.”
Ms Bowen conquered Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa in 2008, Mt Elbrus in Russia, the highest peak in Europe, in 2013, Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in South America, in 2020 and Mt Kosciuszko in Australia in 2007 and 2022. She is planning to conquer Denali in Alaska and Vinson Massif in Antarctica after a well-deserved rest.
Turn to page 12 for more
more than the number of long-term rentals with a 43 per cent occupancy rate and which 93 per cent are whole home listings (rather than a room). Warburton was an outlier even amongst others studied regarding the percentage of new supply, with the average of only one new home per annum and the influx of STRs meaning there is 970.4 per cent more STRs in Warburton than new homes and a 550 per cent decrease in the total rental supply as a percentage of total supply.
Full story page 3
Alison Bowen at the top of Mt Everest.
Picture: SUPPLIED
NEWS Budget benefits for region
By Dongyun Kwon and Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council’s 2024/25 Budget has been signed off on the Tuesday 25 June council meeting.
With funding commitments and project timelines finalised, as well as community feedback onboarded, the Star Mail looked at what the Council coffers will be supporting in the Upper Yarra and the Yarra Valley.
Chandler Ward Councillor David Eastham, whose jurisdiction covers the Upper Yarra townships of Wandin and Seville, said he there was few key items that stood out for him.
“We heard loud and clear the need to increase investment in drainage, there’s a 30 per cent increase from last year on maintaining our roads for parks and trails, an eight per cent increase on maintaining parks and sporting facilities, bushlands and reserves,” he said.
“That conversation around bushland and environment goes through to the next point I’ve got here which is the 70 per cent increase in caring for the environment and responding to climate change with that emergency element as well.”
Yarra Ranges Council has predicted slight reductions in both revenue and expenditure since the draft budget; down from revenue of $253.6 million and expenditure of $235.8 million to $252.9 million and $235.1 million respectively.
This has seen the total surplus drop from $18.8 million to $17.8 million but the Council has maintained its net operating deficit of $3.5 million.
Council has stuck with its estimated $68.3 million expenditure through the CapitalWorks Program, of which $25.1 million will be rates funded, $1.6 million from contributions from various sporting clubs or other community groups and the rest through borrowings and external grants.
As reported upon the release of the draft budget in late April, projects in the UpperYarra that will receive or continue to receive funding include:
$8.2 million for the continued development of the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination (a multi-year project with State and Federal government funding),
$339,000 for easement creation to improve drainage for Britton Road in Seville,
$316,000 for drainage improvements to address flooding and erosion on Schoolhouse Road, Woori Yallock,
$219,000 for footpath rehabilitation on McKenzie King Drive, Millgrove,
$516,000 for pavement rehabilitation work to address pavement deficiency on Swales Road, Macclesfield, the road accessing the new Cire Community School campus in Monbulk from the direction of the Upper Yarra (multi-year project, using Roads to Recovery funding).
The public toilet facilities in Wandin North and the McKenzie King Playspace in Millgrove are also up for renewal.
A few road sealing projects will proceed on Alfred Street and John Street, Wandin North
($1,493,000 still to be spent), the Alpine Street group in Warburton ($130,000), the Bell Street group in Seville ($135,000), the Station Road group in Seville, ($75,000), Tainton Street and Railway Parade, Wandin North ($1,148,000), the Victoria Road group in Seville ($740,000) and Gruyere Road in Gruyere between Harvey Close to Darling Road ($363,000).
$171,000 will also be spent to renew and upgrade parts of the Lilydale toWarburton Rail Trail.
The final budget also includes a pie chart depicting how Yarra Ranges Council will allocate spending per $100 of rates; Capital Works program projects chew up most of the money, with $20.36 going towards renewal projects and $9.02 for new projects.
$14.04 goes towards Council’s customer service and support services while roads, drains and footpath maintenance ($11.94) and parks, garden and recreation ($10.11) are the only other categories accounting for over 10 per cent of rates spending.
Property and facility management ($7.10), Council’s recently reduced health, aged and family care services ($5.19) and animal management, community safety and public health and compliance ($4.09) are the next to follow.
The Creative Communities program ($3.64), planning ($3.41), environment ($3.20), community recovery ($2.96), libraries ($1.88), community partnerships, development and engagement ($1.29) and civic governance ($1.06) round out the list.
¢71 of the per $100 rates spending is undisclosed.
For the Yarra Valley, road renewals in Gruyere and Yarra Valley Trail are two main projects picked up in this budget.
The Council allocated $1.7 million on road renewals in Gruyere including Gruyere Road and Maddens Lane, and $2.3 million on Yarra ValleyTrail Northern Loop to develop a 10.7km trail circuit north ofYarra Glen, connecting the Yarra Valley Trail to the Yarra Glen Station Trail Node.
Almost $2.2 million has been invested in the maintenance of drainages on Victoria Road and Station Street in Coldstream, George Road, Lalor Road, and Maroondah Parade in Healesville.
$22 million has been allocated for the maintenance of roads, footpaths, and trails, a 13 per cent increase from last year.
The Council will construct a concrete path on Stephens Road, Healesville for $70,000 and upgrade the bridge on Wilson Street, Healesville including a pedestrian walkway for $193,000.
Badger Creek Road, Healesville and Bluegum Reserve, Badger Creek will also be rehabilitated with $91,000 and $102,000 respectively
Cr Eastham said he wanted to thank all provided feedback.
“I hope that the changes reflect the feedback from the community,” he said.
“I believe that these changes and where there has been an increase in investment has been done in a financially responsible way.”
How submissions helped shape the 2024-25 budget
By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council’s draft 2024/25 Budget was open for community feedback from Wednesday 24 April to Sunday 19 May and resident’s thoughts have been factored into the final adopted budget on Tuesday 25 June.
The Star Mail took a look at Yarra Ranges Council’s responses to submissions on the draft budget to see what has been worked into the final budget and what residents expressed their approval of.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Sophie Todorov said they sincerely value and appreciate the feedback and submissions provided by community members.
“We saw that more than 470 people visited our Shaping Yarra Ranges website to look at the draft budget and it was downloaded 264 times,” she said.
“We also received 22 written submissions from our community and we had eight people actually come to a public council meeting to put their submissions forward here in the council chamber.”
The following are submissions where Yarra Ranges Council identified an action it has taken or will take as a result:
Most significantly, Yarra Ranges Council has reallocated some funding in the Capital Expenditure program for the provision for general drainage improvements to addressing the concerns of residents of Chapel Street in Lilydale. $50,000 has been put aside for investigation and design work in 2024-25 with a further $250,000 for construction works in 2025-26. Yarra Ranges Council also noted the draft budget already had a provision for them to undertake a flood modelling assessment of the Lilydale area catchments.
This change followed a submission from resident Rosemary Mosely at the submissions hearing on Tuesday 28 May where she called for $330,000 for prioritised upgrades
that she believes will benefit residents of the area, the parents of Lilydale Pre-School children, Anglicare staff, visitors to Melba Park and the Lilydale Outdoor Pool, local business owners in and around the area and residents of Lilydale Lodge.
Yarra Ranges Council also noted a couple of community submissions they would note down to advocate for or that will be prioritised in coming years:
A footpath on Kingswood Drive, Chirnside Park was requested by a submitter and is something the Council’s Footpath Prioritisation Framework has deemed a high priority project. A potential project is set to be scoped further and forwarded for recommendation for inclusion in the capital works program from 2026/27.
Yarra Ranges Council advised a submitter to participate in the consultation opportuni-
ties for a future Municipal Health and Wellbeing Strategy which Council will be considering over the course of this year and into the next.
A ‘long-time Hills resident’ had their concerns regarding storm management acknowledged, with Council noting that it is looking to equip sites with redundancy options for power outages through generator plug in points, continuing to work with ‘12 interested community groups’ on community emergency preparedness and mobilisation in disasters and adapting to new systems, such as the solar and battery systems at the Olinda Recreation Reserve which faced ‘hardware challenges’ in the immediate aftermath of the June 2021 storm event.
Yarra Ranges Council advised its Road Maintenance team and the contract service provider to address any immediate concerns on the network of roads in Kallista at the request of the Kallista Flood Watch group while already have conducted some remedial works, while continuing to advocate for Roads for Community funding to be restored by the Federal Government in order to recommence previously planned road sealing projects in Kallista and around the region.
In addressing multiple submissions regarding homelessness in the region, Council reiterated its support for service providers and projects that are working to alleviate the issue, including a $120,000 Community Partnership grant Anchor towards its Rapid Response Project Council, resourcing advocacy to support and push for the Cerini Centre Social and Affordable Housing project in Warburton and is working with key partners and local response providers seeking opportunities for improved access, funding, and housing options.
Council forwarded a request for ‘enhanced maintenance’ on Bristol Crescent and Nimblefoot Way Lilydale to the mainte-
nance team to consider based on their current service levels after two separate submissions.
Advised owners of rateable properties in The Heritage Estate of their options to apply for a rate rebate to their properties, put forward due to the ‘community amenity’ the Owners Corporation Committee and Heritage Golf and Country Club believes they provide.
Advised that funding for the design stage of an upgrade to Edinburg Road, Lilydale has been allocated for future years but the proposal to bring it forward to 2024/25 is not supported.
Fixed an error on the ‘Budget for a Glance’ page of the Council website to reflect the roads capital expenditure budget of $18.2m after a submitter’s outrage of the incorrect figure.
Advised that planning approvals in the Council section of the Olinda Creek Trail are hoped to progress during 2024-25 but a large part of any project on the trail is reliant of Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water.
Will include the Belgrave, Olinda and Monbulk public toilet sites for increased cleaning and maintenance works, while also assessing these and all public toilet sites for more significant upgrade works.
Yarra Ranges Council expressed appreciation for the support of two submitters in regards to e proposed drainage works for North Avenue, Mount Evelyn.
Yarra Ranges Council also acknowledged and attempted to give insight on its efforts to submitters who expressed concerns regarding environmental issues/climate change, the Council’s financial position, emergency management funding in comparison to funding for the arts and entertainment and the non-prioritisation of specific footpath works and/or traffic calming measures on Alexander Avenue, Upwey.
Submissions played their part in the final 2024/25 Yarra Ranges Council Budget. Picture: ON FILE
Road renewals in Gruyere and Yarra Valley Trail are the main focus for the Yarra Valley, picked up in the new budget. Picture: ON FILE
Hit hard by rise in short-term rentals
By Callum Ludwig
A new report from the Grounded Community Land Trust (CLT) advocacy group has identified Warburton as a community that has been hit hard by the rise of short-term rentals.
The author of the ‘Airbnb: from a housing problem to solution’ report is the founder and Director of Grounded Karl Fitzgerald.
Mr Fitzgerald said the main finding of the report was that short-term rentals (STRs) had grown quicker than the total housing supply.
“In Warburton, according to the Census and due to the risk of fire, the ability to create new supply is severely curtailed and the Census showed that only one new home had been built each year over a decade,” he said.
“There’s barely any new supply, but here is Airbnb growing at a rapid rate of knots and in Warburton, it was about comparing Airbnb’s and short-term rentals to the supply of longterm rentals and there was a 125 per cent growth in short-term rentals compared to long-term rentals and the growth has basically come out of nowhere over the last decade.”
The report investigated Hepburn Shire, Mornington Peninsula, Byron Bay, Fremantle, Victor Harbor, Hobart, Noosa Heads, Coolum Beach, Port Douglas, the Whitsundays, Warburton and Apollo Bay, utilising data from the 2021 Census and AirDNA, an analytics platform which tracks performance and market data from short-term rental sites like Airbnb.
Mr Fitzgerald proposes a ‘Cap ‘n Trade’ system for short-term rentals that prioritise the needs of locals and which he said he’s been developing it for the last three or four years.
“The pressures are just so great I had to spend time to work out what the differential is in rents between short-term and long-term rentals and when I did that and saw that in places like Hepburn, they were earning 150 per cent more in short-term rentals than longterm rentals, over to Warburton and it’s 73 per cent more and the most extreme example was in the Whitsunday Islands where short-term rental operators earn 237 per cent more than what you can in the long-term rental market,” he said.
“It hit me, if there are those returns coming through, what has been the impact on supply, and when I looked at that, that was the moment I thought I just had to get this out there.”
Mitigating factors taken into account in the report include utilising active listing over total listings (25 per cent reduction) to offset traditional bed and breakfast operators, discounting another 5 per cent off active listings to account for glamping and non-permanent accommodation, taking off 35 per cent of revenue for operating costs of both short and longterm rentals, upscaling census supply figures up to mid-2024 using 10-year dwelling totals, not accounting for tax advantages and utilising the often lower listings figures on AirDNA
rather than Airbnb eg: Airbnb listed 708 listings in Warburton, AirDNA counted 136.
The data on Warburton in the report finds that there are 136 active STRs, 25.5 per cent more than the number of long-term rentals with a 43 per cent occupancy rate and which 93 per cent are whole home listings (rather than a room). Warburton was an outlier even amongst others studied regarding the percentage of new supply, with the average of only one new home per annum and the influx of STRs meaning there is 970.4 per cent more STRs in Warburton than new homes and a 550 per cent decrease in the total rental supply as a percentage of total supply.
Mr Fitzgerald said a cap is required because these returns are so extensive.
“This trend is only going to continue unless we do something about it so it’s time for the government to say enough’s enough, let’s cap this and create a licensing system for Airbnb, Stayz and short-term rentals and let’s reduce the number of Airbnb’s slowly over time,” he said.
“By doing that the value of that licence will increase and those marginal operators who perhaps are only leasing out their Airbnb a handful of times a year will recognise that they probably should put this on the market back into the traditional housing market whether that’s for buyers or renters.
“It makes an important difference and when we look at what’s happening in various communities, there’s a lot of inactive listings, there’s 183 listings [in Warburton] according to AirDNA but only 138 active listings so if we could get 40 to 45 of those listings back on the market within a year that would be a huge help to anyone living in a caravan or sleeping on couches.”
The STRs in Warburton were estimated to bring in a $42,200 gross median rent and a net median rent of $27,430 while LTRs only had a net median rent of $15,886, making for an $11,544 difference.
Through the‘Cap N’Trade’ system, Ground-
ed proposes that a licensing fee of $5772 for STRs in Warburton could bring in $784,126 to Yarra Ranges Council, which could be directed to put the revenue towards affordable housing initiatives like CLTs that Grounded advocates for. CLTs are where the land of a residential property is owned by a ‘community-based, not-for-profit legal entity’ and the actual building is owned or leased long-term by the household, more commonly used to make housing more affordable in the USA and UK.
Warburton was identified as the community that could most benefit from a Cap N’ Trade system of those studied by Grounded in the report.
Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Australia and New Zealand Michael Crosby said Airbnb has long advocated for evidence-based regulation of the short-term rental sector and works proactively with state and territory governments.
“This report is deeply flawed - it’s not based on facts and uses unreliable data showing limited understanding of the short-term rental market,” he said.
“Something needs to be done about housing - more homes need to be built - and a small levy between 3-5 per cent, paid for by the guest, that funds affordable housing is a way to address the issue.”
Airbnb proposed in 2022 that mandatory, industry-wide statewide registration systems be implemented (which has happened in New South Wales and Tasmania), opt-in tourism levies be introduced that are paid by tourists, state and territory Codes of Conduct be created for the industry and eviction protections for long-term renters were reviewed.
33,000 homes in New South Wales are nonhosted STRs through platforms like Airbnb and Stayz. New South Wales is currently nearing the end of a six-month Short-Term Rental Review and will consider policies such as vacant housing taxes, levies and STRs caps (on top of popular tourism areas having maximum non-hosted STR days limits per year).
Mr Crosby said there is no evidence of caps or bans working.
“This report ignores the important economic benefits provided by short-term rentals, with Airbnb contributing nearly $14 billion to the Australian economy and helping support nearly 100,000 jobs,” he said.
“We want to partner with governments to support policies that protect housing and preserve the economic activity that home sharing generates, which is why we launched City Portal, an industry-first tool to help local governments better understand the Airbnb landscape and tourism trends in their community.”
City Portal data is only accessible to governments and tourism organisations that apply for access and the Airbnb economic impact data came from a report by Oxford Economics commissioned by Airbnb themselves.
Firewood collection for public land closed
Firewood collection areas closed from Sunday 30 June.
You cannot legally collect firewood from state forests and public land anymore
Penalties apply if you are caught collecting firewood outside the designated collection seasons or areas.
Firewood collection areas will reopen in spring on Sunday 1 September.
Remember, wood that has been collected now or during spring needs at least a year to dry before it can be used in the fireplace.
Illegal deer hunting in Warburton On Wednesday 26 June, Warburton Police responded to a report of a headless deer carcass located on private property on Brett Road, Warburton.
Police located the fallow deer carcass adjacent to the complainant’s driveway and within 30m of their house.
The bullet has exited out of the animal and travelled an unknown distance.
The offender/s remained long enough to remove the head before leaving.
It is believed the deer was shot between 10pm and midnight.
Investigators are asking any person with information that may assist them in this investigation to contact Warburton Police Station on 59662006 or via warburton.uni@police.vic.gov. au
Vehicle recall
1465 2023 Mercedes-Benz Certain EQE and EQS have been recalled due to a software issue in the Battery Management System. The issue may cause deactivation of the high voltage battery. As a result, the vehicle may experience a loss of propulsion while driving. A loss of propulsion while driving could increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants.
Owners are asked to contact their most convenient Mercedes-Benz retailer to have the work carried out as soon as possible, free of charge. Alternatively, please use the MercedesBenz online booking service, mercedes-benz. com.au/servicebooking
Elixinol Wellness (Byron Bay) cookie and brownie mix recalled Elixinol Wellness (Byron Bay) is conducting a recall of the Mt Elephant Banana Oat Wholefood Cookie Mix 375g and Mt Elephant Choc Chunk Wholefood Brownie Mix 350g.
The recall is due to the presence of an undeclared allergens (milk, almond, peanut).
Any consumers who have a milk, peanut, almond allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed.
The affected Mt Elephant Banana Oat Wholefood Cookie Mix 375g has a Best Before that reads 13/MAR/2025 while Mt Elephant Choc Chunk Wholefood Brownie Mix 350g with Best Before 21/MAY/2025 and 22/ MAY/2025 are also affected.
Both products have been available for sale at Woolworths, Health Food Stores, Independent retailers and online nationally.
The Mt Elephant Choc Chunk Wholefood Brownie Mix has also been sold in Coles nationally.
Consumers should return the product(s) to the place of purchase for a full refund.
‘System that doesn’t work’
By Mikayla van Loon
Yarra Ranges Council joined some of the state’s peak local government bodies in making a submission to a Victorian Legislative Council inquiry investigating municipal funding and service delivery.
The economy and infrastructure committee will look at all aspects of the funding models of councils but most importantly the cost shifts from state and federal governments, the ability of councils to meet core service delivery requirements, revenue structure and alternative funding models.
Agreeing unanimously at the Tuesday 25 June meeting to approve the submission, councillors Johanna Skelton and Fiona McAllister said they were pleased Yarra Ranges Council could voice some of its concerns.
“I’m glad the State Government is asking for this feedback and it’s great that Yarra Ranges can deliver our particular localised issues and suggestions into that submission, into that process,” Cr Skelton said.
“If you don’t have a voice, nothing changes,” Cr McAllister said, despite expressing her somewhat lacklustre feeling towards the inquiry’s outcomes.
“This submission is important, but our ongoing, louder and ever strained voice about a system that just doesn’t work to get money to community in the way that it should.”
Some of the key figures in the submission outline the funding shortfalls the council experienced in the 2023-24 financial year.
It highlighted that from State Government funding only 65 per cent of the actual cost for the school crossing supervisor program was covered. Only 26 per cent of the actual immunisation costs was covered through State funding.
Similarly only 35 per cent of maternal and child health costs were funded.
With changes to the waste management
services, the council’s submission identified that it would cost $1.8 million annually for litter and waste collection from public spaces, street, footpath and drain cleaning, as well as graffiti removal and other services
Despite wanting to avoid any rate cap exemptions, the council’s submission expressed fears of having to do so in the future to meet these demands.
The council submission addressed its estimated $1.5 billion worth of ageing assets, including the road network, drainage systems and community facilities which are no longer fit for purpose.
It also noted the limited access to regional funding streams, given the metropolitan classification, the increased natural disaster risk and the growing visitor economy, with the tourist rate expected to double to nine million per year by 2033.
“If we consider the revenue sources of local government and rates, for most councils, cer-
tainly metro councils like ourselves, is about 70 ish per cent of our revenue,” Cr McAllister said.
“Our current model relies on us being given grant funding to deliver infrastructure projects, to deliver recurrent programs such as our work supporting Aged and Disability Services. The funding model is flawed.”
The inquiry submission makes the case that grant funding for Greater Melbourne has decreased by 43 per cent, while the Yarra Ranges has seen a 63 per cent reduction in eligibility.
Key concerns of the council, given the unique tourist destination of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, as well as the growing environmental risks, were highlighted as a balancing act.
“Ultimately, every year we have less money to respond to emergencies, money that we used to get from fires, floods, storms, dissipates year to year,” Cr McAllister said.
“We see additional taxes and levies applied,
for example, the short term stay levy which is going to add another level of taxation to short term accommodation across Victoria. Will we see any of that to support the challenges we face about balancing the needs of community tourism and supporting housing availability?”
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and Local Government Finance Professionals (FinPro) also made submissions on behalf of the sector.
Cr McAllister said all the council asks for is a “sustainable, equitable” funding model to ensure primary services and functions of local government can be met to provide the best for the community.
“We don’t need more checks and balances…We just need money to spend on what matters most,” she said.
“I’m not going to hold my breath but I do think we need to continue to have a very clear and very loud voice on a system that’s not working at the moment.”
Action Plan 2024-25 endorsed by Yarra Ranges Council
By Dongyun Kwon
As Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) is approaching its final year for delivery of the 2021-25 Council Plan, councillors endorsed the updated plan for the 2024-25 period, Council Action Plan 2024-25.
Minor revisions to the wording of three major initiatives and four actions were proposed for the 2024-25 period.
Yarra Ranges mayor Sophie Todorov said the action plan is well underway towards completion which is aligned to current community needs and allocated within the 202425 budget.
“Our community engagement has already commenced to develop the next 2025-29 Council Plan and I fully support endorsing this updated Yarra Ranges Council Action Plan for the 2024-25 period,” she said.
The Council Action Plan 2024-25 contains the activities that YRC will complete to deliver on the Council Plan 2021-25 set up to achieve five goals; Connected and healthy
community, Quality infrastructure and liveable place, Protected and enhanced natural environment, Vibrant economy, agriculture and tourism, and High performing organisation.
Across the major initiatives in the Council Action Plan, a range of social and other health outcomes and environmental impacts will be achieved.
The council will improve Aboriginal health and wellbeing by providing a range of support to Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation to establish the Healesville Belonging Place, an integrated Aboriginal health facility.
It will also ensure the plants, animals and ecologies of Yarra Ranges, which the community values so much, are supported and retained alongside the community in healthy landscapes by implementing the Nature Plan
along with reducing the shire’s ecological footprint through its commitment to shift to sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy and help the communities to thrive in a changing climate through adaptive, resilient and regenerative programs and projects.
Lyster Ward councillor Johanna Skelton said she was amazed to see the implementation of the plans that YRC had listed down four years ago when she first came onto the council.
“It is very satisfying to be here and see the last year of that term and all of those points of feedback that the community put into that plan and those 120 plus services are still a focus of the organisation,” she said.
“It’s great to see the progression on it and I hope any community members who read it feel the same way.”
Yarra Ranges Councillors approved a submission to be lodged with the Inquiry into Local Government funding and services. Picture: ON FILE
Yarra Ranges Councillors endorsed Council Action Plan 2024-25 at the latest council meeting on 25 June. Picture: ON FILE
NEWS Property crimes spike
By Tanya Steele
Property-related crimes have driven up crime acrossVictoria this year and overall crime is up across the Dandenong Ranges andYarraValley according to the latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).
Repeat offenders, property theft, family violence and youth crime remain a priority for Victoria Police after the recent release with cost of living being floated as partly responsible for the rise.
Criminal incidents in Casey were up by 13.3 per cent, Cardinia 10.7 per cent, Knox by 8.3 per cent, Maroondah by five per cent and the Yarra Ranges by 2.1 per cent since last year.
The top categories in crime for these areas all included breaches of family violence orders, criminal damages, motor vehicle, retail and other thefts in varying orders while across Victoria theft and criminal damages took out the top five.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Brett Curran said while family violence and child and youth crime remain significant concerns, it’s pleasing that almost three years since the final Victorian coronavirus restriction was lifted, our crime rate remains 6.2 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.
“Police intelligence from Operation Trinity also indicates the top 20 burglars and car thieves in Melbourne have committed almost one fifth of all burglaries where a car was stolen over the past year.
A spokesperson from police media has said repeat offenders account for over two-thirds of the state’s total crimes.
“This is particularly relevant for offences such as home burglaries and theft,” they said.
“While overall crime has gradually increased since Victoria emerged from the pandemic, offending has still not reached prepandemic levels.”
CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said there has been a 17 per cent increase in theft offences in Victoria recorded in the last 12 months.
“This rapid increase in crimes involving the acquisition of property may be related to cost of living pressures,” she said.
“The increase in property-related crime was the largest contributor to the overall increase in crime in the last year.”
Victoria Police have said police intelligence has shown unlocked vehicles are being targeted, with more than 60 per cent of cars recently broken into in one hotspot found to be unlocked.
“The most common theft (other) offence is theft of petrol, which may also be linked to cost of living pressures,” they said.
Motor vehicle theft has peaked with the the highest number of offences since 2017 in Victoria and police intelligence indicated the three most common places cars are stolen are from a residential area (with no associated offence), non-residential street or carpark, and during an aggravated burglary.
Retail outlets are being hit with thefts targeting essential items like food and police intelligence have said this indicates as many
as 50% of offenders are first time shop stealers, while a quarter are first time criminal offenders.
Victoria Police also responded to a record number of family violence incidents – with almost 96,000 family violence callouts in the twelve months to March 2024.
That works out to one family violence incident every six minutes in Victoria.
Family violence offending in was up in by Casey 2.6 per cent, Cardinia had a 7.3 per cent increase, Knox had a 2.8 per cent rise, Maroondah had a slight increase at 0.3 per cent and Yarra Ranges reported a 0.8 per cent increase.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Curran said the scourge of family violence has been felt across the nation this year, with a number of high-profile homicides involving partners and ex-partners who were predominantly men.
“The response to family violence remains a critical priority for Victoria Police. We have thousands of police working tirelessly to apprehend family violence perpetrators and bring them before the courts to ensure the safety of victim-survivors,” he said.
“We are also proactively engaging with perpetrators to ensure they are complying with intervention orders and bail conditions so that victim-survivors feel and are safe.”
Despite additional resources in place some local government areas in the outer east ofVictoria are facing steady rises in youth crime.
Under 18-year-olds are committing crimes at rates that are rising at concerning levels with Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency reporting a steady increase in the last year.
The state average increase of 20.1 per cent
saw that crimes committed by children aged 10 to 17 have risen to their highest levels since 2010.
Municipalities throughout the outer east have had varying changes, Knox has had youth crime continue to rise steadily in the last two years and has increased by 37.04 per cent for 2024.
Cardinia Shire and Yarra Ranges have had significantly less with both regions reporting over ten per cent less crime than 2023.
Casey has risen by over 10 per cent and Maroondah hit a 16.54 per cent increase - bringing it much closer to the state average for 2024.
With 22,298 incidents reported, Victoria Police said that repeat offending among child offenders remains a challenge for police with a 10.4 per cent increase in children aged 10 to 17 who are committing repeat crimes in Victoria.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Brett Curran said that crimes committed by children under the age of 18 continue to rise at concerning levels, with this cohort significantly overrepresented in serious and violent crimes such as aggravated burglaries, car thefts, high-risk driving and robberies.
“Victoria Police continues to invest significant resources towards curbing these offenders – arresting seven youth gang members, child burglars and underage car thieves each day over the past year as part of our two major youth-focused operations – Alliance and Trinity,” he said.
Operation Trinity alone sees 70 additional police including Dog Squad, Public Order Response and Air Wing rostered each night, on top of existing patrols, conducted every night in areas including Dandenong, Cardinia,
Knox, Maroondah,
“There are a relatively small group of hardened child offenders causing significant community harm. This includes over 160 youth gang members who were arrested three or more times last year and another 38 who were arrested ten or more times as part of Operation Alliance,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Curran said.
A recent major investigation by the Eastern Region Crime Squad led to 46 arrests in connection to over 140 cigarette burglaries and armed robberies at service stations, supermarkets, and tobacconists across Melbourne this year.
Many suburbs throughout Cardinia, Knox and the Yarra Ranges were affected by these as recently as late May.
While most arrests were children, four adults were also arrested.
Police will allege these men were the orchestrators behind the network of children aged 12- 17 who stole over $2 million of cigarettes and cash.
This was a highly significant result, and police will continue to target those behind this offending.
Police media have said that child and youth offenders are changing their offending habits, due to being targeted by police or if more lucrative offending opportunities arise.
“Victoria Police will continue to closely monitor new and emerging crime trends to ensure we always remain one step ahead of offenders to prevent crime and keep the community safe,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Curran said.
Casey,
and the Yarra Ranges.
The outer east has seen a slight rise in crime over the last 12 months.
Picture: ON FILE
NEWS Calls to change the name
By Callum Ludwig
The Voices 4 Casey group has put forward a petition for the federal electorate of Casey to have a new name as part of the Victorian federal redistribution process.
With the electorate almost certain to have survived being abolished, calls for it to be renamed have ramped up after the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) acknowledged but chose not to act on initial requests in its draft redistribution.
Voices 4 Casey President Dr Ani Wierenga said what they’ve noticed is that the current name is confusing and doesn’t reflect the electorate itself.
“One of their own rules for the way that electorates are named is that they shouldn’t be confusing and that they shouldn’t be conflicting with each other, but what we have heard in our listening process is that when you talk about living in Casey, people will often think immediately of the City of Casey and the City of Casey is not even within the electorate of Casey,” she said.
“Lord [Richard] Casey didn’t live here either, so it is a point of inclusion and a point of clarity that we’re looking for here.
“It’d be great if people could identify with their electorate, would be great if people could actually know that they’re in the electorate and while that name is replicating a city that’s close by, it is quite confusing for people.”
In the two most recent steps in the redistribution process, the suggestions and com-
ments on suggestions, there was a total of 17 individuals or groups who proposed that the name of the electorate be changed to Barak in honour of the last traditional ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan William Barak.
There has been no suggestions or comments calling for the name of Casey to be retained.
Dr Wierenga said the name of Barak is certainly something that theVoices 4 Casey group can put their shoulder to and let the AEC know that the issue is not dead and worth revisiting.
“Where there is change, there is opportunity and we know that there’s been a groundswell of people putting forth suggestions and ideas and that there is a fairly strong community sentiment behind the change,” she said.
“Of course we would need to liaise with the local elders and ask permission, keeping that conversation live and engaged with our local Indigenous groups is important, but certainly it’s one of the options that seems incredibly sensible because Barak was anchored within this area, very broadly respected and it seems to be a really sensible way ahead.
“What I’m hearing loudest from the feedback that’s come in is that people are really wanting something that represents the area and that that’s the strongest point, it needs to have some meaning for local people.”
Yarra Ranges Council and the Millgrove Resident’s Action Group are other organisations to lend their support to the Barak name while current Casey MP Aaron Violi also told the Star Mail in June that his office had noticed the confusion with the City of Casey and that Barak would be an ‘appropriate’ name if the AEC decided to change it in the future given Barak’s ‘connection to our community and the strong Indigenous community’.
Richard Casey is a former Governor-Gen-
eral of Australia who represented the seats of Corio and La Trobe during his political career, eventually settling and living on a farm in Berwick. He never lived nor represented what is now the Casey electorate.
Voices 4 Casey’s petition had 185 signatures at the time of print, with the deadline for objections to the AEC coming down at 6pm on on Friday 28 June.
Dr Wierenga said alongside the petition, Voices 4 Casey is building on their work ahead of the 2025 election, buoyed by the likelihood of the electorate not being abolished and commitments of campaign funding from Climate 200 and other sources being confirmed.
“There’s something rather wonderful about having an electorate that crosses from hills to valleys to farms to suburbs and encompasses all of those different slices of Australia, so it’s really good to hear we will be able to grow that and we’re wanting to express a warm welcome to those who might be coming across to be part of this electorate,” she said.
“There’s some really lovely networks forming, some really good activities, some really good conversations about the things that matter to people it’s really nice to be able to continue to build on that work and to be able to reach it out just a little bit further.
“There’s that wonderful promise of funding there from Climate 200 and it is accompanied by some other lovely donations from a range of sources and that’s heartening because it takes a lot of energy to mobilise a community and to think about representation.”
Victorian politicians at odds over forest future, FFMVic
By Callum Ludwig
The future of Victoria’s forest remains up for debate as discussions regarding its use and management remain a hot topic in the State Parliament.
The oversight and works of Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) have recently come into question, with environmental groups outraged at the death of an endangered Greater Glider during fire reduction works promoting discussions of amendments.
The Victorian Greens attempted to introduce some changes recently which were voted down by both the Victorian Labor and Liberal parties.
Leader of theVictorian Greens Ellen Sandell said whileVicForests being shut down was welcome, there’s a lot of work to do to ensure that Labor doesn’t just move its operations to the Department of Environment [Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action/DEECA) and undertake ‘logging by stealth’, which she said has already been happening.
“Ancient forests and critical habitat are already being logged and destroyed by Labor’s Department under the guise of ‘storm clean up’ or ‘fire prevention’ work, this has already resulted in the death of a critically endangered greater glider and cannot be allowed to continue,” she said.
“We’re disappointed that Labor and the Liberals joined together to vote against the Greens’ sensible amendments, that would’ve put in place better safeguards to protect endangered species and their habitat.”
The Victorian Greens hoped to introduce ‘stronger’ mandatory surveying to protect endangered species like the Greater Glider, increased power for regulators to investigate the ecological impacts of FFMVic and DEECA works in the forest and a ban on the commercial sale of timber collected through fire reduction works.
Liberal Eildon MP Cindy McLeish, whose electorate includes large parts of the Yarra Ranges National Park and swathes of state forest, said the ill-conceived amendments put forward by the Greens increase the risk to those who live in highly forested areas like we do and have the potential to endanger human life and towns.
“The work of Forest Fire Management [Victoria[, in their role of emergency prevention is done to protect communities first
and foremost, FFMVic and other emergency agencies already have a range of environmental obligations,” she said.
“The Coalition opposed this legislation but still introduced amendments requesting that ‘the Bill [Sustainable Forests (Timber) Repeal Bill 2024] be withdrawn and not reintroduced until fair compensation for loss of income is received by all those impacted by the Labor government’s early closure of the sustainable native timber industry’.”
The end of native timber harvesting inVictoria was announced in May 2023, brought forward from the previously agreed date of 2030 to 1 January 2024.
Ms McLeish said despite the former Premier committing to ensuring timber harvesters are covered and they get what they deserve, we know that that is not the case.
“Too many people are left waiting, having
been let down further by the government, there are too many people who have lost their jobs and livelihoods because of the closure of the industry and contracts to VicForests who are still waiting,” she said.
“The pressure emotionally and financially is exceptionally difficult, it is grossly unfair for the government to rule a line under the industry without providing the support they promised.
“There are many people living in rural communities across the Yarra Ranges and Victoria who rely on wood fire heaters as their primary source of heating, not everyone is in a position to or is capable of collecting their own firewood, they rely on others to collect it for them, and are happy to pay but for the Greens not to understand their plight shows how city-centric they are.”
FFMVic is supposed to retain all standing
trees unless they are deemed unsafe and to pose a risk to firefighters.
Labor Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino, whose district includes the Dandenong Ranges National Park said Forest Fire Management Victoria have a duty to manage bushfire risk to protect our communities and precious biodiversity - including through maintaining strategic fire breaks.
“FFMVic bushfire mitigation works are conducted within the footprint of existing fuel breaks, with crews only treating dangerous trees and clearing encroaching vegetation that pose a risk to public and firefighter safety,” she said
“We’ve invested a record $602 million in protecting Victoria’s precious biodiversity, including wildlife conservation and rescue and rehabilitation efforts during emergency events.”
State politicians are at odds regarding the future of Victoria’s forests.
Picture: ON FILE
Recognising William Barak has emerged as a popular alternative to Casey for the name of the electorate. Picture: ON FILE
Yarra Valley & Croydon Toyota
Forty years of devotion
By Dongyun Kwon and Jamie Padgett
A couple, who have devoted themselves to the Healesville/Yarra Glen community, received the 2024 Casey Community Volunteer Award on Saturday 15 June.
Mario and Maree Campitelli have volunteered as a part of the St Brigid’s Catholic Church for over 40 years helping supply groceries for people in need and taking people to hospital visits along with special activities for Christmas such as 100 hampers and 50 Christmas meals.
Through Covid-19, they delivered 100 meals a week to different people in the area.
Maree said they’ve gotten a lot of support from a lot of different people.
“We do bread runs every week that we take bread to people’s homes and also deliver care packages,” she said.
“The Wild Grains Bakehouse has been very good, they give us the bread.”
When the storm hit the Yarra Valley during Covid-19, the couple set up a stall to provide people with groceries that they got from the local Coles.
“When people came to get the stuff, they got a lot of stuff for their neighbours, they distributed them to other people as well,” Mario said.
Their volunteering journey has grown from visiting people as part of the church about 40 years ago, through which they could find out the needs of different people.
The couple didn’t expect the award at all because their kids made the nomination secretly.
When their name was called at the award, they said they were “shocked”.
“We went there that morning. It was Mario’s 91st birthday and the kids were here the night before, saying we’re going out for breakfast,”
Maree said.
“I’m not a breakfast person at all and my daughter said ‘Dad, I want to go for a soccer raffle’, so we went there and when we walked in there, we saw the stage and all the tables and people and we were like ‘what is going on here’,” Mario said.
“My daughter said she’s getting an award for being the oldest soccer player because she’s 51 and still playing soccer,” Maree said.
“Once we got in there, we saw a friend of ours and we figured out it was a Casey volunteering award.”
Wandin Bakery’s sourdough rises
By Callum Ludwig
One of the Yarra Ranges’ favourite bakeries has been firing its ovens up with pride this week after getting some recognition for a number of its customer favourites.
The Wandin Bakery entered into the Baking Association of Australia’s 2024 Australia’s Best Pie and Pastie Competition and National Artisan Baking Competition held in Moonee Ponds on Tuesday 18 June andWednesday 19 June.
Wandin Bakery took out first place in the Open Sourdough (minimum 600mg) category with their simple but effective Garlic, Rosemary and Sea Salt bread and first again in the standard Sourdough Loaf.
All four of their submitted pies were also classed; their Chilli pie was awarded bronze while their Broccoli and Cauliflower, Butter Chicken and the Plain pie by Jacob Nichols (in the Apprentice category) pies were given silver.
Owners Tracey and Steven Miller said they were very proud of the awards they won.
“The first one that we took out, which was the Victorian prize, was really exciting so then to do the national competition in Melbourne and take out champion was fantastic,” Mr Miller said.
“It was really good considering we were only entering a few things and everything that we did enter placed highly out of thousands upon thousands of entrants and products.”
Pictures: CALLUM LUDWIG
Production Manager Jake Triggett is the main man behind the stunning sourdough, having joined Wandin Bakery with six months to go on his apprenticeship before going on to hold his current role.
Mr Triggett said it all started because he just really likes sourdough.
“It’s more of a traditional and basic style of bread and while it can be a little more tedious, it’s a lot more technical because you’ve got to keep a culture alive, you’ve got to feed it constantly and keep it nice and healthy so that you get a good flavour in your bread,” he said.
“It’s just something that I always wanted
to do and Steve and Tracey have helped me out and let me do it,”
“We’ve got room to grow with the pies as well, only getting silvers and bronze so there’s obviously room for us to strive for better.”
Steven and Tracey Miller have owned the Wandin Bakery since 2021, with it having been previously owned by the O’Donohue family. Clem and Mary O’Donoghue were the most recent owners, having taken over from Clem’s parents Mel and Evelyn themselves.
Mr Miller said they bought it during the second lockdown of COVID so it was trying times.
“We started pretty much straight away trying to build a good solid team and we managed to pick up a great baker in Jake who’s now the production manager,” he said.
“Over time, we have expanded and expanded and Jacob has now come along and he’s our apprentice and he himself is doing really well as well.”
The couple said volunteering is everything to them which makes their life and who they are, and they are now trying to pass the joy of volunteering down to the young generation.
“Now we are making pathways with the school (St Brigid’s Primary School in Healesville),” Maree said.
“When we do things like the lunch, we have school children help us to teach them the values of giving and hospitality to others.
“They’re beautiful, polite and well-mannered.”
Mr Miller also did his baking apprenticeship at the Wandin Bakery when he first started out.
Mr Miller said having a strong team is something that every small business needs but support from the community also helps.
“They understand how things work, they understand the quality that’s expected and accepted and they strive for everything as much as they can, it’s imperative to have a good team,” he said.
“During the day of the contest, we had customers ringing in to wish us well before we headed off, they knew that we started early as we baked a lot earlier through the night, but they were ringing at three, four o’clock in the morning to wish us good luck.”
Wandin Bakey has already started devising plans for next year’s competitions, potentially including new flavours of sourdough, including a sweet variety, and a continued effort to work on their pies.
Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence also visited to congratulate her local bakery and said it’s fantastic to see a local small business succeeding.
“Who doesn’t love bread, pies, cakes but the reality is that small business is tough at the moment with the cost of business and surviving,” she said.
“You’re not only doing that, you’re actually innovating, winning awards and creating employment opportunities for young local people through your apprenticeships so it’s fantastic to see right here in Wandin.”
L-R: Tracey Miller, Steven Miller, Jake Triggett, Bridget Vallence, Jacob Nichols, Sue Rodgers and Shannon Neale.
Wandin Bakery’s sourdough and some of their pies were standouts.
The couple is now trying to pass the joy of volunteering down to the young generation. Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Mario and Maree Campitelli.
Victory caps his career
By Dongyun Kwon
Coldstream Boxing Club coach Hayden ‘HBomb’ Wright finally became a heavyweight champion of his hometown.
Wright had a TKO win against Indian boxer Ranjeet Singh in the second round at the Melbourne Pavilion on 22 June.
The champion said the title was special to him.
“I’m originally from Melbourne and I always trained here in Melbourne, so that [being a Melbourne champion] was like a lifetime achievement and goal for me,” Wright said.
“It’s very special to show my wife, kids and my boxing club kids that you can achieve your goals.”
The champion didn’t know he was going to fight until two days before the match.
“I had two original opponents pull out and I had Covid on Tuesday of the week of the fight,” he said.
“And then they got me the number two ranked heavyweight in India, a really big Indian guy with a better record than me.
“He came in and he was more experienced. He was too fast for me.”
Wright was losing the first round on points, however, he came back in the second round starting to land some big power punches and hurt the opponent with a body punch.
Singh hurt his hand and finally fell down in the second round, which was the moment Wright became the new heavyweight champion of Melbourne.
The new champion announced his official retirement in the ring straight away and is now looking forward to the next chapter of his life.
Wright said he had reassessed where he was with his career, age, family and work one week leading up to the fight.
“I really wanted to go out with a win and I promised myself if I was going to win this, I would definitely stop my boxing career. The best way to go out was by winning the boxing championship, the Melbourne title,” he said.
“I will continue with the gym [Coldstream Boxing Club], work with more kids and possibly get a bigger venue. I will just keep it youthorientated, free and community-based.
“I’d like to say thank you to my two main sponsors, Hands On Plumbing and Coldstream Cafe Roadhouse, that helped contribute to me in the club and made it possible.”
Dalcorp helps you with simple tax solutions that make sense this tax time
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“With the recent Federal Budget announcement for small businesses regarding the Instant Asset Write Off threshold of $20,000 and with the claw back of the first announced personal income tax rates, it is increasingly important to use a tax agent to assist with maximising deductions on your 2024 Income Tax Return,” says Dale. “Dalcorp are here to help, providing specialised assistance. This is particularly important during periods of uncertainty such as during the current cost of living pressures.”
Dale and the team at Dalcorp are available for phone, Zoom or face-to-face appointments to discuss your business or personal accounting requirements. Dalcorp is located at 6 Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction, and offers after hours and weekend appointments for your convenience. Call 5967 1312 to book an appointment time. Keep up to date with the latest accounting information via their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or visit their website www.dalcorpas.com.au
Hayden ‘H-Bomb’ Wright won heavyweight championship of Melbourne on 22 June.
Picture: MARTY’S KNOCKOUT PHOTOGRAPHY
Wright announced his official retirement in the ring.
Wright with his son Sonny.
Funds flow to local groups
By Callum Ludwig
Sixteen community projects across the Upper Yarra will receive a financial helping hand from the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise, with $58,177 in total distributed to community groups and organisations at a presentation night at the Warburton Golf Club on Wednesday 26 June.
Tina Eason and the UpperYarra Riding Club received $810 towards their Official Horse Riding Clubs Association Victoria Show, and Ms Eason said they will be putting the funding towards the cost of purchasing ribbons for the event.
“We hope to achieve to run a horse show that will attract competitors and spectators from all over Victoria, this grant will cover most of the cost of running the show so any profits will go into maintaining Wesburn Park equestrian facility,” she said.
Cire Services received a $5000 grant to support the annualYarra Junction Halloween Street Party and Community Education Manager Jenelle Strachan said it will help ensure the continuation of this free event.
“This Halloween Street Party is designed as an inclusive, safe space where everyone can come together to enjoy themselves and foster a sense of community, it provides children with a secure environment for trick-or-treating while offering local businesses and service providers a platform to showcase their offerings,” she said.
“With the grant’s assistance, we will partially fund free showbags for every registered child and implement safety measures to alert drivers to the community event.”
The Little Apples Playgroup held at Gladysdale Primary School received $4000 and Kelly Frost said in a world where we are becoming increasingly detached from one another, Little Apples playgroup engages people through their children.
“At playgroup you get to meet other people
going through similar experiences, ease the isolation that can come with caring for young children and find out about local community, health and support services, it allows families to enjoy this precious time with their kids while they develop and grow,” she said.
The Warburton CFA has received $5000 and Captain Ron McIntosh said it will go towards two new chainsaws, plus all accessories required to operate safely, and also a diesel generator for the East Warburton station as the old one is on its last legs.
“This project will enable us to partake in the event of storm damage to help the SES when called upon without using a prime firefighting truck as it will be housed on our Salvage vehicle along with other items,” he said.
TheWarburton Junior Netball Club is getting $1950 which Chris Lord said they will be putting towards First Aid and defibrillator training.
“We have up to 10 teams that compete in the UYNA (Upper Yarra Netball Association) and our goal is to have someone appointed to each team that is First Aid and defib trained to handle game day and training days,” he said.
Reefton CFA Captain Sue Jack said their $4982 grant was for audio-visual equipment so they can continue utilising online CFA training and other resources and retain volunteers by keeping them engaged during the winter months.
“It’s part of a long-term plan to contribute to increasing community resilience in disasters by being able to provide multiple forms of assistance such as charging phones and other devices, providing a shower, provision of a full kitchen, the means to entertain children through the audio visual set up and a source of information,” she said.
Environment and Sustainability and RAP Coordinator at Little Yarra Steiner School Claudia Howell said they are very pleased to be able to put their $2000 grant towards establishing a bush tucker garden and supporting some Australian native food cooking workshops with the Class 8 students.
“We will also be able to further improve the signage around the large school site to acknowledge the beautiful Wurundjeri Country we are on and the ancient and enduring culture and language of the Wurundjeri community,” she said.
The Warburton Advancement League received two grants, $2000 for the annual Christmas Carols and $1330 for the ‘Dignity’ program launched at the Redwood Centre which Vice President David Pratt said is a drop-in facility to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness and which they will now be able to purchase a 10kg commercial grade washer and dryer for.
“The current domestic washers and dryers cannot handle bulky items like bedding and sleeping bags, and their slow processing times limit the number of people we can assist,” he said.
$9555 has gone to Body of Wellbeing which will help partially deliver a program at Upper Yarra Secondary College for Year 9 girls during Term 3 and 4 of this year.
“My Body’s Story - Empowering Futures will help promote positive body image and ongoing healthy behaviors and self-care practices, to prevent body image distress, and the prevention and early intervention of eating disorders,” she said.
$1100 has gone to not-for-profit organisation Tender Funerals Greater Eastern Melbourne to host an exhibition and events program at the Warburton Waterwheel Gallery in October in partnership with Little Yarra Steiner School year 12 student and artist Amber Hamer.
“Amber’s multi-media artworks ‘Exploring Death through Art’ will be presented alongside a program of community education and engagement events aimed to foster conversations about death, dying and funerals,” Community Activator MelindaWhyman said.
$1000 has been handed to theYarra Junction Junior Netball Club which President Natalie McKeon said will provide access to education for their volunteer coaches free of charge, relieving the burden of the expense from families or the volunteers themselves.
“It means that all of our coaches are supported in learning the basics of the game and of coaching a team, we’re not just relying on those who already know how to do it, broadening the base of who might put their hand up for the role,” she said.
The Yarra Ranges Enterprise Centre (YREC) received $4350 to run a ‘Simplified Marketing Fundamentals for Small Business’ program as Executive Officer Alison Fitzgerald said surveys undertaken with YREC tenants and businesses within the community identified the need for digital marketing including social media support.
“This project brings expertise to the business community by offering practical hands-on workshops and one on one mentoring for business owners to understand the basics of marketing and give them the practical tools to use every day in their workplace,” she said.
Forever Friends Animal Rescue also received $8000 for their Special Needs project to improve accessibility, the River Folk Festival received $3500 towards the 2024 edition and theWarburton Bowls Club received $3600 towards signage and security upgrades.
Pop-up park is back
By Dongyun Kwon
The Pop-up Park in Healesville, located between The Memo and Healesville Library, is currently under refurbishment.
The Healesville Pop-up Park was installed in 2021 to provide a wonderful open-air platform for entertainers to perform, artists to run workshops and local school or community groups to gather meaningfully and creatively.
Yarra Ranges Council built environment and infrastructure director Hjalmar Philipp said the pop-up park in Healesville has been a real hit with the local community since being installed.
“The community let us know that some of the wooden boards had begun to rot, as well as some general wear and tear due to how much it has been used over the past three years,” he said.
“We’ve temporarily closed the park while we fix up the wooden boards and give it a new lick of paint.
“These works will help extend the life of this space until we start discussions for a more permanent design, which we’ll invite the community to participate in.”
The Healesville Pop-up Park will come back for the community in July with new equipment.
Newly-named trail marked
The rain on Saturday couldn’t deter the Millgrove community from coming together to celebrate the opening of what is now called the ‘Courtney Dix Walking Trail’.
Named in honour of the prominent businessman Harry Courtney Dix (18641931), who purchased the 300-acre property named ‘Mill Grove’ which was once owned by the original settlers, John and Bridget Kennedy. He suggested to the Victorian Railways that if a railway station was built nearby it should be named Millgrove; and that is how the town got its name.
After missing out on the Pick-my-Project grants in 2018, Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) was very fortunate that the Victorian State Government was able to allocate funding to create a safe walking trail along part of Yarra River on the River Road side in Millgrove.
Sally Brennan, who is a big supporter of MRAG, was the good news bringer at the time.
It has been a long journey for MRAG to get to this stage.
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child stated in his speech, ‘having the 2015 Millgrove Community Plan and the determination of a strong group like MRAG who stuck with their plan had the result as we see it
here today’.
With an interruption due to Covid-19, the finalisation of the project took longer than anticipated and was delivered in April 2023, after the team from ‘Scratchin the Surface’ had built the trail.
Through the Upper Yarra Community Led Recovery Grants Program signs were created and have been installed along the trail to inform the public about some of the history of the area, as well as about local flora and fauna. A great addition, as this will be an incentive for school excursions.
MRAG has a lot of projects planned for the next few months and invites the community to stay in touch either through social media or in person.
MRAG President Maureen Halit ended the official gathering and said that with the positive energy in Millgrove, they can achieve big things and can be proud to call this beautiful town home.
“MRAG is very grateful for the grant from the Victorian State Government and support received by Yarra Ranges Council to bring the project to realisation,” she said.
After cutting the ribbon as part of the official opening, attendees had a good time walking the trail.
Sam's 35 year anniversary
I was born and bred on a farm in Gilderoy, and always knew I wanted to be a Farmer, dad had different ideas.
Lochie Campbell the local butcher in Yarra Junction used to buy cattle from my dad and would always ask me when I was going to work for him, so when I turned 15 I started working at his shop after school which was one week after Ash Wednesday in 1983.
Six months later I was fortunate enough to be offered an apprenticeship which I really enjoyed.
In 1989 when I was 22 years old the butcher shop came up for sale and I thought why not I will give this a go for a couple of years and I am still here 35 years later and still going strong.
My belief over the years is if you do the right thing by people they will do right by you. There is not a week that goes by where we are not supplying a free meat tray to someone who is doing a fundraiser which is a great way to get our name out there among the local community. What keeps me going is my great staff, my brother Dom came on board in 1993 and Bart joined us a few years ago, we all work really well together and I feel that we all have a great connection with our customers who are very easy going. I still consider Yarra Junction a small country town and I am an old fashioned butcher because I still believe in selling mince, snags, roasts and schnitzels, keep it simple. I get pressure from my staff to try some new cuts which is fine as there are customers out there that would like something different and I am here to please.
You know when you have been doing this job for a long time when you are now serving the kids and grandkids of customers you served back when you started. We grow our own beef on the farm where I grew up and use this meat through the butcher shop, so yes I am a part time farmer and butcher all in one. I get asked from customers how much longer will I be doing this job and my answer to that is maybe when I finally win the footy tipping competition. I am in 3 separate competitions this year so this might be the year or it might be another 35 years who knows. Having great family and awesome friends makes it so easy rocking up to work each day and my mum comes in to visit every single day to offer her help or if we want lunch made for us. My only negative owning my own business is that I don’t get enough holidays but we now close between Christmas and New Year these days so we can all have a break.
L - R Dom, Sam and Bart
Sam at 16 years old
The Healesville Pop-up Park will come back for the community in July with new equipment.
Picture: DONGYUN KWON
L-R: Maureen Halit and Sally Brennan cut the ribbon.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Alison on top of the world
Montrose resident Alison Bowen, an Ambulance Victoria advanced life support paramedic, has been working her way through the Seven Summits Challenge, climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents.
Mt Everest in Asia was her fifth summit out of seven.
Ms Bowen said the experience of reaching the summit of Everest was “breathtaking”.
“Reaching the summit was absolutely surreal,” she said.
“You see so many documentaries and photos online but once you’re there, it’s amazing to see it all with your own eyes and know you’re standing above the 8,000-metre-tall mountains around you.”
She and her team landed in Nepal on 3 April and started acclimatising, trekking and doing rotations up the mountain, and finally stepped on the top of Everest on 21 May.
The paramedic took about nine months of training beforehand, which helped her physically get ready.
“I probably started maybe nine months out, but then had a really focused training program from about six months out,” Ms Bowen said.
“I did a lot of training in the hills, particularly two hills around Healesville, Mt St Leonard and Mt Juliet. I’ve done lots of climbs up those with the backpack.
“Then, I did a lot of hiking around the Dandenong Ranges. Lots of really long training sessions, up to eight to 10 hours a day, walking around hills with a heavy backpack on.”
She also did strength training programs in the gym as well as treadmill and stairmaster training.
Ms Bowen said although she prepared herself physically, she found the journey mentally and emotionally challenging.
“Not just being away from your family and friends, but also there’s a lot of danger involved in it,” she said.
“There’s always the prospect of yourself dying, this would put my family through an imaginable pain which would have made the climb even more difficult.
“It’s also quite a harsh environment to be in for a prolonged amount of time, the higher you climb, the more difficult breathing becomes.
“It’s really beautiful being in the mountains, and the Himalayas are spectacular, but when you’re there for an extended period of time, you get a bit emotionally and psychologically tired.”
Ms Bowen repeatedly told herself the same quote over and over again in order to keep herself going, ‘doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will’.
“When there is a lot of danger and risk involved, it can be easy to doubt yourself but I didn’t want to turn around just based on doubt,” she said.
“I just kept telling myself to keep going until
I fail and I didn’t fail in the end because I didn’t allow my doubt to take over me.
“Just knowing that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, it really made it count and put all my effort into it.”
Ms Bowen conquered Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa in 2008, Mt Elbrus in Russia, the highest peak in Europe, in 2013, Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in South America, in 2020 and Mt Kosciuszko in Australia in 2007 and 2022.
She failed to reach the top of Mt Aconcagua in 2018 and tried once more in 2020 and successfully stepped on the summit.
“The conditions were really tough [in my first attempt], so they had a lot more snow than usual and the accumulation of the tough conditions just wore me down a bit,” Ms Bowen said.
“So, by the time it came to summit day, I just wasn’t travelling as fast as the group needed to
go, I wasn’t feeling sick but I just got to a point of accumulated fatigue and tiredness.
“A few of us got turned around and then probably about half the group went on to the summit.”
The experience as a paramedic, especially the night shift experience, helped her with mountaineering.
On the summit night for Mt Everest, her team left at 8.30pm and got to the summit at 8am.
“It was like a night shift. I’ve done plenty of night shifts. I felt like the shift work helped me be okay with being awake all night and walking all through the night,” the paramedic said.
“As a shift worker, I have a lot of weekdays off whereas most people don’t have weekdays off, so it’s great to have another activity or sport that I can do on my own.
“It’s hard to commit to being in a team
sometimes when you do shift work, but having a sport like mountaineering or trekking, you can do that anytime, any day of the week with or without other people.”
Ms Bowen said she has learnt she is capable of so much more than she thinks throughout the Seven Summits Challenge.
“Everest was always the pinnacle, the hardest thing that I thought I could do, and it was absolutely the hardest thing I’ve ever done but now I’ve done it,” she said.
“I know I can do that and I can do more.
“I think a lot of people sell themselves short and think that they couldn’t do the hardest thing that they can imagine but I think they can!”
As part of the Seven Summits Challenge, Ms Bowen is planning to conquer Denali in Alaska and Vinson Massif in Antarctica after a well-deserved rest.
Alison Bowen with her friend Sarah Osbourne at the summit of Kosciusko in October 2023. Alison Bowen and James Mansell (a climber from the UK who was on her team).
Alison Bowen at the top of Mt Everest.
Pictures: SUPPLIED
Alison Bowen at the summit of Aconcagua in 2020.
Alison Bowen in Ambulance Victoria uniform.
A Healesville paramedic has conquered the summit of Mount Everest, as DONGYUN KWON reports.
Free goulash - and love
The Healesville Library hosted a free community lunch on 27 June as the program returns with funding from the Healesville RSL and the Healesville Lions Club.
Healesville Library started community meals with hot soup in 2022.
The program grew with funding and now includes two course meals and entertainment, information or social connection elements.
As this is not part of library normal service delivery, the library is grateful for the support of the Healesville RSL and the Healesville Lions Club.
The information topic was elder abuse.
This was presented by Georgia Morrissey from Family Centred Law who provided information about how to identify abuse and options for taking action.
Topics included recognising elder abuse, identifying it in other people, and recognising abuse of yourself.
She included information on local services including the Eastern Legal Centre.
There are information sheets at the library if anyone requires further information.
Previous community meal topics have included community safety by the Healesville CFA, food security by Yarra Ranges Council and by the Eastern Legal Centre.
“Thanks to the generous funding from the Healesville RSL and Lions Club we can offer something unique to the Healesville Community,” Healesville Library team leader Sabina Wills said.
“We are very lucky to have a commercial kitchen in the library and enthusiastic staff that can see the benefit of sharing food.”
The meal was goulash and polenta as main with a meat and vegan option.
Desert was cake, cream and berry coulis.
WhileCommunityMealdayisalwaysabusy day at the library, all staff end the day with a strong feeling of having delivered something wonderful to the Healesville Community.
The community meals are free, some dietary requirements can be catered for and the next community event is for children is
Trained staff prepared the meal in the library’s commercial kitchen and they even had the able assistance of the work experience students to serve the meal.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day celebrations - Strong in Culture, Stronger Together on Friday 2 August at 10.00am.
Join the event at Healesville Library in partnership with Oonah Aboriginal Health and Community Services for our National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day Celebrations including; stories, songs and
rhymes, a special performance by First Nations Artist Shauntai Sherree Abdul-Rahman, a craft activity and a morning tea. Free, no bookings required.
The next community meal for all ages is Indian Immersion with Chulha N Chimney on Thursday 15 August at 12.30pm at Healesville Library. Free, bookings required.
WinafamilypasstoARCbyerth
place to keep the most precious of things. A place to embrace the awe and wonder of nature.
Showcasing exquisite puppetry, an enigmatic host, audience interaction and a world of rare and exotic animals, ARC by Erth is a profound experience that embraces the natural world and the creatures that cohabit this place we call Earth.
ARC by Erth will be performed at The Memo Healesville Thursday 25th July, 2024 at 6PM Bought to the community by Yarra Ranges Council - CULTURE TRACKS
Star Mail have a family pass to the show on offer to one lucky reader
Julie (left) and Keith (third from left) with library staff Sharni (second from left) and Rose (right). Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Alyssa’s shave raises $3k
By Callum Ludwig and Jamie Padgett
One Woori Yallock Primary School student was without a doubt the most popular kid in school on Wednesday 26 June as she sported a new look for a cause close to her heart.
Grade Four Alyssa shaved off all her hair in front of the school for the World’s Greatest Shave in support of her auntie Carly Prowse.
Alyssa said she wasn’t even nervous about shaving off her hair.
“I feel like I’m going to be very happy once it’s done,” she said.
“My auntie said it made her feel very happy and special.”
Alyssa’s family were in attendance as well as a large crowd of students to cheer her on as she lost her locks, with a few tears even shed by her mum Emily Ressom.
Ms Ressom said she was extremely proud of Alyssa.
“I’ve been emotional all day, she said it’s something that she really wanted to do and I didn’t think she was going to do it, I thought that she would chicken out but she’s taken it on really well today,” she said.
Carly Prowse also attended and said she couldn’t believe how brave Alyssa is.
“The courage it takes, so I’m super proud and I think she’s incredible, so incredible for doing something like this,” she said.
“I was blown away that a child would do something like this and it really suits her as well, she looks really good.”
Raucous cheers filled the hall as one-byone hairdresser Marnie cut off the pre-prepared plaits in Alyssa’s hair. Then the razor came out and the new cut was soon complete, with students and friends flocking to get a look and give Alyssa a well-earned high-five.
Before the haircut, Alyssa also read out some of her answers to some questions she was asked about why she wanted to support
COMMUNITY DIARY
COMMUNITY DIARY
WHAT’S
ON AROUND THE VALLEY
Annual General Meeting of the Healesville and District
Historical Society
The 38th Annual General Meeting of the Healesville and District Historical Society Incorporated will be held on Sunday 28 July, at 11am in the Badger Creek Hall, 358 Badger Creek Road, Badger Creek.
“Many people can raise money and awareness about people who have cancer, people can shave their head and other people can come to watch so it’s a fun way to help,” she said.
“Last year I saw someone give a speech at a school assembly to raise money to help sick kids with the Make A Wish foundation and I thought it would be very good to talk to the
For more information, please contact the Healesville and District Historical Society via healesvillehistorical@gmail.com
Services Australia’s Mobile Service Centre coming to Healesville and Warburton
Services Australia’s Mobile Service Centre Blue Gum is visiting Healesville and Warburton in the coming weeks, offering locals easy access to Centrelink, Medicare, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Department of Veterans’ Affairs services.
The Mobile Service Centre will be in HealesvilleonWednesday10July inCoronation Park car park, off the River Street from 9am to 4pm and in Warburton on Thursday 11 July in Ottrey’s car park off theWarburton Highway from 9am to 3pm.
Mobile Services Centres are 20-tonne trucks operated by staff from Services Australia, providing regional and rural Australians with friendly face-to-face service and
whole school,”
“I was so happy to see all the students help to make stuff to sell and they had a lot of fun doing it so I wanted to do something to help my auntie Carly.”
As of 18 June, Alyssa had raised $2059 and by the time she shaved it all off, she had raised over $3000. Woori Yallock Primary School also held a Wear Pink Day in support of breast cancer research on the day.
said the school was also really proud that Alyssa was doing this for her
“I think it shows how much courage that she’s got and how much the kids really appreciate what she’s doing for her auntie,” he said,
“I really love these events because it makes the school be more than a school, it’s all about bringing the community in to do something that’s really special.”
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tailored support.
Staff on board this trip can help with Centrelink claims Medicare registrations and accessing online services.
Information about National Disability Insurance Scheme and Department of Veterans’ Affairs programs and support services will also be available.
For more information, including stopping times, go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/ mobileoffice.
Community battery coming to Yarra Junction
A community battery will be installed in Yarra Junction to reduce pressure on the local energy grid, thanks to a partnership between Yarra Ranges Council and Indigo Power.
Indigo Power will be installing the battery in the region to absorb excess electricity during the day, and discharge renewable energy to the grid when the network needs it the most.
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child, said Council recently hosted an information
session with Indigo about the topic.
“We had more than 30 community members join our Climate Action Team and Indigo at the Yarra Junction Library, with thoughtful questions and good dialogue,” he said.
“There’s a lot of positivity about the project, and this battery will reduce the demand on the grid in peak times, which will provide shared energy for the community, improve the resilience of the local network and increase the visibility of renewable energy locally,”
“I’mlookingforwardtotheconversations this battery starts, and seeing the results.”
The battery, which has received funding support from the Federal Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar Program, will be installed before the end of the year.
Indigo has secured a lease agreement with Council for the battery’s installation, along with a connection agreement with AusNet.
the World’s Greatest Shave.
Principal Oliver Thockloth
auntie.
Alyssa with auntie Carly Prowse (front,centre) and family members sporting her new trim.
Picture: JAMIE PADGETT
The whole community got behind Alyssa’s effort.
The crowd cheered as the plaits were snipped off.
Alyssa holds her newly-cut plaits.
Lighting the Olympic spirit
By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Junction Primary School students got in the spirit for the upcoming Olympics on Thursday 27 June.
A herculean effort to combine the specialist subjects of art, music, sport and community studies culminated in an exciting Olympics of their own.
PE Teacher Brooke Nisi said there were elements of all four subjects and the Olympic Games tying into the big event.
“In music they chose their national anthem, they came up with and recorded an anthem, in art they designed a country and a flag, whether it was a combination of a couple countries or a made-up country like the Preps’ Marshmallowland,” she said.
“It has helped build their knowledge of the Olympics as well before it actually starts so they know what they are actually watching and seeing.
“Today’s all about the Olympic spirit, not winning, not getting first, second and third in events, but actually just having fun, we’re looking at the team spirit, the sportsmanship and the camaraderie of the classes and their ‘countries’.”
As well as Marshmallowland, there were other creative countries on display including Donutland, Franceldonia and New Japanland.
Ms Nisi said the students have also recently learned about the Paralympics and the ancient history of the Olympics.
“They learned about the Paralympic Games, which is not something that a lot of the students were aware of or understood had a Paralympian come out last week, Andrew Harrison, who plays wheelchair rugby, and he did a presentation to the students,” she said.
“He said it was the first time that he went to a school where the students had prior knowledge of what the Paralympics was about and he said, it just made his day.
“We did work on the ancient Olympics, what the colours mean, what the rings mean, what the symbols are and spoke about all the countries that compete as well.”
The Executive Director of the Outer East area for the Department of Education Clayton Sturzaker was the special guest for the opening ceremony, pledging his allegiance to Donutland, while student Mackenzie read the Olympic Athlete Oath.
Once the Olympic ‘flame’ was lit and the opening ceremony concluded, the elected ‘President’ and ‘Vice-President’ of the respective countries led their athletes out to a variety of athletic events including equestrian (with hobby horses), basketball, javelin, soccer, volleyball, trampoline and gymnastics, guide running and BMX racing.
Ms Nisi said it was great to see the four specialist subjects come together and create an engaging event for the students.
“We were really strong on student voice and what they wanted out of today in place of the usual Grade Three to Six athletics carnival, just to give it a bit of a twist and a bit of fun,” she said.
Grade 1/2 students playing volleyball. 416012
Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
Lily competing in the ‘equestrian’. 416012
Executive Director of the Outer East area for the Department of Education
Clayton Sturzaker with school captains Jackson and Maddy. 416012
Levi in the javelin event. 416012
Mr Young lighting the flame. 416012
Students paraded in an opening ceremony. 416012
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Film fest popular
By Callum Ludwig
The 39th annualWarburton Film Fest was held from Friday 14 June to Sunday 16 June with film buffs coming to enjoy the selection of screenings.
At the conclusion of the event, three filmmakers were lauded for their efforts with awards in best cinematography, best original film and the winner of the Show Us your Shorts competition.
Zak Marrinan took out the Show Us Your Shorts competition with his film Last Chance, a film loosely based on his experience working as an attendant in the pokies of an RSL in the Outer East.
Mr Marrinan said it was all based on very true-to-life experiences he and his fellow coworkers have dealt with.
“I could see people groaning to the right spots when that happened and I depict gambling in a way that I believe is fairly accurate, where it is performed and used by people who are fairly vulnerable as a way to escape their reality a little bit,” he said.
“I definitely wanted to have a lot of people empathize with the main character of ‘Barb’, who’s a middle-aged woman dealing with young footy players who are very misogynistic, treat her like a second-class citizen and think they own the place, which I think resonated with them.”
Authenticity of the film is an important feature to Mr Marrinan in his film and others he has made, even only casting one professional actor in the group of ‘footy boys’, turning to mates of his that he thought would fit the role well and provide real lived experience.
“One thing that I’m a stickler for is that sometimes when I’m watching other short films or films, if I don’t believe the person whether it be the casting and what they’re saying, that’s where I fall out with the movie, the immersion’s lost,” Mr Marrinan said.
“In that industry, particularly for people who work in it and the typical customers, they’re both very vulnerable, I finished up working in that industry around the pandemic when it all got shut down but before then the regulation around problem gambling was dealt with with a soft touch,” he said.
“There were even moments where the bosses would encourage if people were spending lots of money in the pokies or in the TAB you just give them whatever they asked for to keep them spending money, that real ‘the dollar comes first, the person second’ attitude.”
Yanni Dellaportas was the winner of Best Cinematography for his film ‘Beautiful Storm’, a short film created to accompany an original music score captured in and around the Mornington Peninsula on the lands of the Boon Wurrung / Bunurong people.
Mr Dellaportas said Beautiful Storm is loosely based on the coffee table book of the same name, that he published in 2020 featuring thirty years of storm-chasing photography taken around the coastline of Victoria.
“I created the film to go with a piece of music I wrote and recorded under my other name ‘Bluzoid’, the music came from a volunteer commission I was given to create music for a dance based short film but the makers rejected my piece going with someone else’s but that didn’t stop me from fleshing out the original piano score into something more orchestral,” he said.
“I am grateful to my musician friends Natalie Parker (tin whistle, flute and trumpet) and Sally Carter (violin) for their contribution in recording my melodies. The music sat on the shelf for a few years as it had no connection to anything and I didn’t know how to release it,”
“Everything seemed to come together – the music, the film - all that symbolized my passion for storm chasing and our ever-changing and extreme weather events as a result of climate change.”
Beautiful Storm was one of two films Mr Dellapourtas had screened at the festival.
Mr Dellapourtas said he was actually quite surprised and shocked at winning the award.
“I had no idea, I get so close to my creations that most of the time I worry about technical details and whether I’ve made the right editing decisions, I was just so happy to have the film screened and to be able to others my work,” he said.
“I absolutely loved everything the Warburton Film Festival had to offer, it was so well run and curated, just being invited to screen two of my films was satisfaction enough, it could have ended there but I really enjoy community film festivals because the no budget, short film creating artist needs these to
justify what they do.”
Bonenfant won Best Original Film for his short film Projected Line.
Mr Bonenfant said he was proud and honoured to be one of the three award winners.
“I think that the film is shot well enough, is tightly edited and that the voice-over performance is on-point, but I think the originality and overall vibe are what’s shining through so it’s a logical and fitting award for the film,” he said.
“The short film was shot in Sweden and Russia 10 years ago as I was backpacking with my partner in Scandinavia, Russia, China and South-East Asia before landing in Australia, we knew Stockholm and Moscow had fantasticlooking metro systems so I worked my way backward to find an idea that connected the two and that could be filmed without additional support,” he said.
“I’ve made and released heaps of short films over the years, so it’s not like I had only one project and it took me 10 years to deliver it but I’m immensely thrilled to see it finished on a big screen at last.”
Mr Bonenfant found the time to get back to the footage during Covid and after settling on the technique he wanted to use for the ending (which required heavy virtual effects), from 2020 to this year when the actors recorded their voiceover performances he found the film ‘really clicked’. The version in English was played at the Warburton Film Festival, but the original language version is in Swedish and Russian despite using the same Victorian actors Maria Nordenberg and Anton Kargapolov.
Celtic music concert at Badger Creek Hall
By Dongyun Kwon
A Celtic musician duo Half Light came to Badger Creek as part of their second Australian tour.
Rennie Pearson and Bob McNeill had a concert at the Badger Creek Hall on Thursday 27 June.
The duo performed a mixture of their original music, traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, McNeill’s songs and traditional songs with a flute, whistles and guitars.
Pearson said they were “super stoked” to come to play in Badger Creek.
“It was great with an intimate crowd, about 35 people. The audience was really nice and loved the concert,” he said.
“We absolutely love playing in these old community halls, it really feels like it’s the beating heart of the community.
“So, it’s really nice to be able to provide live music for people in these beautiful old buildings.”
Half Light’s music lies in their ability to take these folk melodies and songs, both old and new, and weave them into fresh and exciting arrangements.
Drawing inspiration from a rich tapestry of
Waterwheel Gallery comes alive
By Callum Ludwig
A varied display of art has filled the Warburton Waterwheel Gallery as a local community group has brought their works together.
The exhibition ‘ARTrageously Warburton’ officially opened on Sunday 30 June and will be able to be seen between 10am and 4pm each day in the gallery.
Rose Hoult has been a member of the group since 2008 and said one of the group members suggested holding another exhibition, which they have done before, so they did.
“Most of them do acrylic, some watercolour or pastel, but there is a pretty good variety in what we do, and at the art group we help each other,” she said.
“If we want help or criticism or to tell people what would look better, we just help each other,”
“We’re all very compatible and we have a good time together.”
The group behind the exhibition have been meeting in Warburton for over 20 years, starting in private homes and then renting rooms and now meets in the Warburton Presbyterian Church hall every Thursday at 10am.
Ms Hoult said she knows she personally wouldn’t do art by herself if it wasn’t for the group.
“Some days you don’t feel like going out, but when you go you always feel better and it’s a way to meet new likeminded people,” she said.
“I think it’s good because you get new people moving to the valley and if they’re interested in art they’re very welcome to come and join us,”
“At school, art was my favourite subject because I wasn’t as smart as my sisters and I just loved painting and drawing, I even drew a picture of my maths teacher because he wouldn’t help me do the maths so I sat and drew pictures of him instead but I hadn’t done any for many years until I joined the group.”
musical styles, they transport listeners to faraway lands with one melody and have them tapping their toes and clapping their hands with the next.
The duo are from New Zealand and decided to form a group to compose their own music with a background of traditional Celtic music and American music to take people on a journey and have the light in the shade.
“We’ve been playing together as Half Light for about two years, but myself and Bob have actually been playing together for at least 15 years, just in various different groups and bands,” Pearson said.
Pearson said both of them liked Healesville and would love to come back and have another concert.
Anyone wishing to experience Half Light’s music is welcome to visit the following websites to listen to their Extended Play at halflightnz.bandcamp.com/album/air or check out their next concerts at renniepearsonmusic.com
The exhibition will be on display for all of July.
Half Light, Rennie Pearson (left) and Bob McNeill. Picture: SUPPLIED
Olivier
Zak Marrinan (right) accepts his award from Yarra Ranges Film Society Treasurer Laurie Hastings. Picture: SUPPLIED
Rose Hoult with some of her contributions to the exhibition.
Pictures: CALLUM LUDWIG
The exhibition will be on display until the end of July.
Glue binds
Volunteers are the glue that holds our community together.
If you have been to an Anzac Day commemoration, local Christmas carols, a family fun day, a weekend market, a community fair, a sporting match, car show or any other event in our local community, chances are that event was run by a team of dedicated volunteers. Before politics, I too had the pleasure of volunteering in this wonderful community.
From the committees of local cricket, soccer, and football clubs to my role as founding chair oftheLilydaleTownshipActionGroup–thefeeling you get from contributing your time and energy to a cause you believe in is unlike any other. It is about giving back, connecting with others, and making a positive impact on our community, both now and for future generations.
Volunteering isn’t just about events and committees; it is about the countless hours people spend caring for others, delivering Meals on Wheels, preserving local history, looking after our environment, protecting our community from fire and natural disasters, creating strong townships, supporting veterans and staffing food banks and op shops to ensure no local family goes without.
I recently had the pleasure of recognising the contribution of volunteers at my 2024 Casey Volunteer and Community Awards. There were over 300 people in the room to witness 52 individuals and 20 community groups receive an award, highlighting our strong volunteer spirit.
I often visit these groups throughout theYarra Ranges, and while their activities vary, they
From my desk
Federal Member for Casey
share one common factor: they rely on volunteers, and they need more. Between 2010 and 2020, the proportion of people involved in volunteering has steadily decreased, with a further drop in recent years.
According to Volunteering Australia, there were around 1.86 million fewer volunteers at the start of 2022 compared to pre-Covid.
To keep our community strong and connected, we need to encourage the next generation of volunteers. The camaraderie and sense of belonging you feel when volunteering is truly special, especially in our community.
If you have been considering joining a local group, I encourage you to take that step.Whether you can commit daily, weekly, monthly or just every now and then – any contribution is significant. Our local community groups will welcome you with open arms. Drop by, introduce yourself and ask how you can help out.
It might just be the best decision you ever make, or at the very least, the start of something incredibly rewarding.
Stunning sophomore film
Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 Starring Scott Chambers, Tallulah Evans and Ryan Oliva
Rated R18+
3.75/5
The sequel to the atrocious Winnie-ThePooh: Blood and Honey, Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 defies expectations by being a genuinely good horror movie.
The only survivor of the Hundred Acre Massacre, Christopher Robin (Scott Chambers) tries to put the incident behind him, but the savage Pooh (Ryan Oliva) and his animal friends seek bloody vengeance on the town of Ashdown.
In my year-end worst countdown for 2023, I described Blood and Honey 1 as shockingly incompetent on nearly every level, but Blood and Honey 2 is leagues’ better and shows substantial maturity from director Rhys Frake-Waterfield.
The dialogue and performances are overall solid, and Chambers is a poignant, committed lead as Christopher Robin.
Blood and Honey 2’s pacing is somewhat disjointed but still features plenty of eerie, well-directed sequences, including a chilling monologue about genetic experimentation, and inventive brutality to satisfy the gorehounds.
Unlike the blunt, humourless first film, Blood and Honey 2 has tongue-in-cheek fun with its absurd premise, but also addresses
the theme of trauma with some tact, unlike the problematic original.
Frake-Waterfield even amusingly frames the first film as in-universe schlock based on the Hundred Acre Massacre (not unlike the films-within-films gimmick of the Human Centipede series).
Here I go again with my weird comparisons: Blood and Honey 2 is the opposite of Beau is Afraid, which also appeared on last year’s worst list.
With Beau is Afraid, Ari Aster got carried away with a larger budget and made a bloated movie, but with Blood and Honey 2, Frake-Waterfield refined his craft and went bigger and better.
A huge upgrade from the first film, Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 is a silly but grisly, disturbing, well-acted and thoroughly enjoyable horror movie, and is available to rent or buy on iTunes.
CARTOON
Q and A with Maria
Thanks to The Star Mail, this reviewer recently connected with Maria Millers, founder of theWoorilla Poetry Prize.
Maria was born in Harbin, a city in far Northeast China, in 1937.
Her father was a British journalist, while her mother came from a family of Russian intellectuals well versed in philosophy, history and literature. Maria arrived in Australia as a baby.
“My family prized education above all. Poetry was central to any gathering, and I remember having to recite a very long poem by Nikolay Nekrasov when I was quite young,” Maria said.
“I, however, am not a poet. I’ve been a teacher and a radio journalist and have always engaged with socio/political issues.”
Back in the late 70s and 80s, Maria hosted gatherings at her home Woorilla in Ferny Creek, attended by fellow writers, poets and travellers.
“The Hills were home to some wonderful creatives: Poets like StellaTurner, Maria Louise Stephens, Dorothy Williams and Wilma Birtles. Graphic designer Bert Birtles, intellectuals Arthur and Margaret Howells and Louise Rockne. And my biggest support, my late husband, Igor Millers,” Maria said.
Then the idea of a literary magazine was born. “There was a small seeding grant from the old Sherbrooke Shire, but, after that, we had to survive on sales and advertising. The editing layout and graphics were done in group, as well as distribution and sales,” Maria said.
“The Woorilla Poetry Prize began [when] we noted the volume of poetry submissions. In 1989, I approached ParksVictoria for support. They came on board with $1000 prize money and the use of the beautiful Pirianda Gardens to hold the awarding ceremony.”
The inaugural judge was renowned academic and poet Judith Rodriguez, who supported the prize until her death in 2018.
Another memorable figure was Louise
Millers PASSION FOR PROSE
Rockne, publisher of the poetry journal Prints, who co-managed the prize until her death in 2019.
There’salsoKathyAlexander,whoworked tirelessly in organising everything as well as contributing observational pieces. Today, the prize features an open section, a youth section, and a CALD youth section for poets aged 12-18 who have spoken English for 5 years or less.
“Poetry should be regarded as mainstream as it was in the past. More and more poets are writing poetry that speaks to people’s daily concerns and in an accessible language. The popularity of taking poetry off the page and onto young people’s screens is seen in the growing number of Slam poetry events,” Maria said.
“From my experience with the youth entries, young people are writing the most compelling poetry about issues that matter to them and their futures.” In her column Woorilla Words, Maria demonstrates poetry can be all about our concerns and interests.
“By its form of conciseness, it’s the genre most suited to today’s time-poor people,” she said.
“Poetry collections that explore subjects from caring for a parent with a life-limiting disease to prejudice towards immigrants and the indigenous are now winning major prizes. Poetry can tackle current issues, often in a powerful and affecting way.”
Farce at Lilydale Athenaeum brings fun and laughs
Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre
Suite Surrender
Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre presented its au diences with a farce in its production of Suite Surrender.
A great evening of fun and laughs with a twist to surprise you.
Set in the spring of 1942 with the members of the armed forces creating havoc off stage.
A wonderful stage setting of the main room of a suite in the Palm Beach royale Hotel where two stars of the silver screen have accidently both booked the dame suite. Sis this led to fun and games. The room had the requisite five doors (essential for a farce). The doors on audience left and right led to bedrooms. The entrance door to the suite was in the rear at audience right.
The closet door was next o the main door
and then there was the balcony door whish when opened gave a good view of the palm trees and the beach.
The play opens with two bellhops laying flowers around the room when the manager arrives. The two bellhops Otto played by James Banger and Francis played by Joshua Houston.
Both gave remarkable performances causing lots of laughter from the opening night audience. The hotel manager, Bernard S. Dunlop
was given a great performance by PaulWants.
The socialite who was running a benefit concert for the troops, Mrs Everet P. Osgood, was played by Pia Maganov.
Pia handled the role with finesse giving a good performance. The journalist and gossip writer Dora Del Rio was performed by Rebekka Wilde.
A good interpretation of the role and some of the suffering Rebekka went through was amazing. Then one of the Hollywood stars complete with secretary entered. This was Claudia McFadden played by Fiona Carter, a wonderful portrayal of such a spoiled leading lady. Her secretary Mr Pippen portrayed by James Anderson who your correspondent feels stole the show. A large gawky portrayal, a real yes-man who obeyed every whim until… The came Miss Boodles, another great success. A French poodle who behaved herself throughout not
disgracing herself at all.
The other Hollywood star Athena Sinclair played by Adrienne George.
The two stars hated each other, and they accidently booked into the same suite which led to some interesting moments.
Athena caught the essence of such a character and added to the enjoyment of the audience. Her secretary Murphy was played by Em Beggs who gave a great performance in her character.
A good evening of fun and laughter, with terrific costuming, set design and a wonderful opening night.
REMEMBER
Eltham Little Theatre, Into the Woods Jnr, Season: 6 – 21 July. Bookings: 0411 713 095 The 1812 Theatre The Sweat Delilah Swim Club Season: 1 – 24 August. Bookings: 9758 3964
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 Nonchalant (6)
4 Black birds (6)
10 Video effect (abbr) (3-2)
11 Storage tank (9)
12 Covered with plants (9)
13 Egyptian capital (5)
14 Continues to live (6)
15 Drop (4)
19 Needy (4)
20 Grab (4,2)
24 Abscond to marry (5)
25 Pleasure seeker (9)
27 Objects relating to the US (9)
28 Stage player (5)
29 Northern Ireland (6)
30 The capital of Spain (6)
DOWN
1 Buyer (8)
2 European country (8)
3 In the midst of (7)
5 Stone fruit (7)
6 Foreign; exciting (6)
7 Pulpit discourse (6)
8 Group of three (4)
9 Quake-triggered sea wave (7)
16 Row of computer icons (7)
17 Short-distance athlete (8)
18 Made an entrance (8)
19 Childish (7)
21 Buddhist ultimate state (7)
22 Illusion of having experienced something before (4,2)
23 Bumpkins (6)
26 Male pig (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 once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.
3
5 LETTERS AEONS ALIAS ALIBI ALIEN ANTIC APART AREAS ARENA ASHEN ATONE
No. 192
No. 192
EASY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH ‘BELLEVUE HOUSE’
POISED peacefully with a stunning outlook of sweeping Yarra Valley views, this light filled sanctuary is brimming with provincial charm and is guaranteed to impress with its immaculate presentation and blend of contemporary appointments. This stunning property presents a feeling of grandeur, creating a wonderful environment for relaxed living and entertaining, with captivating living spaces and sensational location. Lovingly restored with the original character in mind, this is a perfect family home, luxurious Bed & Breakfast, or even a wedding venue.
The home’s stunning interior commences with an immediate sense of wonder and awe. Spread over two levels, the upstairs living spaces are north-west facing allowing for an abundance of natural light to filter through. The neatly appointed country style kitchen is an entertainer’s dream, especially as it flows seamlessly through to the elegant formal dining and lounge rooms. The four bedrooms, each have their own warm ambience and are huge in size, including the luxurious master where you can spot the infamous Warburton mist train from bed. The bathrooms are spacious and stylishly renovated to bring a sense of glamour to the home. Furthering the appeal are the impressive fixtures and fittings including evaporative cooling, gas log heaters in the master suite and lounge room, pot belly stove in the alfresco, 18 solar panels on the north and east sides, garage, carport, and ample off-street parking.
Outside is all about celebrating your surrounds, entertaining and easy living.
Embracing a beautiful garden landscape, the alluring alfresco area is a fabulous space for family gatherings, and as you wander up the tiered yard, you will find quiet pockets where you can relax and soak in the tranquillity. The Summer House is the perfect spot for unwinding and watching the views change as the different seasons roll through.
attractions, this is a once in a
Set against a mesmerising backdrop of rolling hills, this grand Warburton home is the epitome of the Yarra Valley lifestyle so many have grown to desire. Within walking distance of the Yarra River and Main
HOME ESSENTIALS
FANTASTIC FAMILY HOME WITH VIEWS
STEP inside this spacious split level family home, located in a highly sought after area. The house is bathed in natural light, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere, featuring a perfectly situated living area with stunning mountain views. Enjoy your mornings on the large front deck, taking in the beautiful scenery with a cuppa. The master bedroom, conveniently located off the main living area, serves as a peaceful retreat, complete with an ensuite and a deep double robe.
The upper level opens to the dining and kitchen area, all close to bedrooms 2 and 3
and both equipped with built in robes and a loft storage.
Step through the back door to discover fully fenced, secure covered patio area, ideal for entertaining and safe play for children and pets. This space overlooks a lovely garden landscape that backs onto a paddock.
The location is fantastic, with the Warburton Rail Trail just a short walk away for morning strolls, and convenient access to public transport and local shops. This is a home you’ll be proud to call your own. You’re sure to love this little gem. ●
NESTLED on a north facing half acre approx. This exquisite 5-bedroom character, weatherboard home which offers a blend of classic charm and contemporary luxury. Every detail has been meticulously crafted to provide a sanctuary that is both beautiful and functional.
The heart of this home is its stunning modern kitchen, designed for the culinary enthusiast. Featuring a 3-metre Quantum Quartz benchtop, this kitchen is both a workspace and a statement piece. High-end appliances, including a Smeg oven and rangehood, and an integrated Miele dishwasher, make meal preparation a pleasure. Step onto gorgeous timber floorboards that run throughout the home, leading you into three expansive living areas. The formal lounge, with its cozy gas log fire, offers a sophisticated space for entertaining or unwinding. The combined family and dining area is illuminated by beautiful French doors that open onto a wrap-around deck, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living.
A large rumpus room at the rear provides the perfect haven for teenagers, with direct access to a spacious rear deck. The home boasts two bathrooms and a separate powder room, each designed with comfort and style in mind.
The main bathroom features a Japanese soaker bath, providing a perfect retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. The exterior of the home is just as impressive.
A remote-controlled double garage sits at the end of a long driveway, offering ample space for multiple cars, a trailer, or a caravan. The 3.2KW solar panel system is a thoughtful addition, helping to reduce running costs and support sustainable living.
Located close to schools and shops, this home offers easy access to Burwood Highway and Wellington Road, making commuting and daily errands a breeze.
This prime location is the perfect setting for family life. ●
IF you have high hopes for a fabulous Hills lifestyle, this property promises to surpass expectations. Comprising an impeccable 5-bedroom plus study family residence and a charming 2-bedroom bungalow set on a magnificently manicured 3,231sqm (approx.) allotment, this property offers a lifestyle second-to-none.
The primary residence with leafy verandah and enclosed rear alfresco is the epitome of a dream Dandenong Ranges residence. Enjoy spacious living areas with garden views on each level, including one with wood fire, and a stylish kitchen with freestanding gas cooker, shaker cabinets, and inviting breakfast bar. The bedrooms, including main with ensuite and walk-in robe, are generously proportioned and the versatile study/home office is peacefully positioned. Add to this a beautifully appointed laundry, soaking tub family bathroom, double carport, and versatile workshop, and everything you could wish for can be found here.
Furthermore, adding options for multigenerational living or rental income is the delightful second dwelling. Featuring an open plan living area with quality carpet, dining area with sun-filled bay window, and kitchen with Belling cooker, there is ample space for entertaining. The 2 bedrooms are each adorned with built-in robes and the bathroom boasts laundry facilities. With a separate drive and seamless garden connection with the main house, these 2 homes are beautifully balanced.
This incredible lifestyle property suits buyers seeking something special. Don’t delay, join us for a tour today.
· Generous 3,231sqm (approx.) allotment with magnificent manicured gardens
· Primary 5-bedroom plus study family residence with dual living areas and stylish kitchen with quality appliances
· Ducted heating, evaporative cooling, ducted vacuum, and rain water tanks
· Charming 2-bedroom second dwelling with
lychgate and verandah entry plus open plan living with bay window
Again, there was a big enough group of starters for an official comp. So well done, Ladies. The leading Lady on this day was ‘The Commissioner’ Merilyn McDonald, who racked up 16 fine points to claim a clear win. M.M. holed 4 gigantic putts, 3 of which were ‘gobblers’ ( For the uninitiated, the girls refer to putts that drop, that were off the green to start, as absolute ‘gobblers’ ). The newly-emerging star Maureen Hyndman, took home the runner-up prize by posting a solid 14 points. Dear read-
ers, there as an NTP as star Georgie Houniett grabbed one for a superb tee-shot on the 3rd. No ball rundown was required.
Wednesday 26 June, Stableford:
Ahealthy mid-Winter field of 40+ battled the course, when it’s at its most challenging. Also battling inclement weather (frequent showers), the most successful battler was Desmond Ray who returned an impressive 36-point result. Des was very consistent scoring 17 points on the front nine, and an excellent 19 points coming home. The daily runner-up was Laurie Doyle and his 35 point result saw him just miss out on the top prize. The balls reached
34 only. There was a most unusual occurrence in the NTP payouts. This rarely happens, but Paul Kennedy took home the 3rd, 5th and 12th NTPs. This has not happened for many years, so genuine congrats to you, P.K. for some fine shooting. The only other two prizes were won by Laurie Doyle (9th) and Rob Ferguson (15th).
Saturday 29 June, Stableford: With plenty of precipitation on this day, not even true wet-weather golfers had a desire to participate. Congrats to Troy and Ben for actually completing their rounds, but clearly there was no comp on this day when only two in the field finish.
Big entries
By Anita Prowse
The weekend weather certainly turned into winter very quickly.
Despite the cold, wet and drizzly conditions, Upper Yarra Pony Club’s Beginners Gymkhana had record entries with many enjoying the addition this year of a Fashions On The Field class.
Riders came from all over the state to enjoy an event catering solely for beginners and those just starting out.
In ring 2, the club had a Handymount class, with fun obstacles and a bending race and ride and lead race.
Even in the rain, all riders had some amazing times being run and lots of giggling along the way.
Fancy Dress is always amazing, with so many hours of preparations going in to some amazing costumes.
Class winners received a Lucky Dip gift, photography voucher from Rathenau Photography and the ever popular lolly bags.
Can’t wait for next year.
Happy Riding everyone.
MEETING
Notice is given of a PUBLIC
to be held at ‘The Redwood Centre’, 3505 Warburton Hwy, Warburton; on Wednesday 10th July, 2024, commencing at 7pm.
The purpose of the meeting is to nominate no less than three (3) or more than twelve (12) persons as the Committee of Management for the Upper Yarra River Reserves for a term of three years. The current committee’s term will expire on Saturday 22nd June, 2024. All positions will be declared open and nominations will be accepted prior to or on the night. Nominations from women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged.
Further information, nomination forms and nominee declaration forms may be obtained by contacting your local Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action office or at the meeting. For further enquiries please contact the Secretary, Rob Hay on 0400 898 433.
UPPER YARRA
Horse riding Beginners enjoyed the class despite the bad weather. Picture: SUPPLIED
Warburton Golf Club results.
Picture: ON FILE
New pavilion ready
Community sport in the Yarra Ranges is set to reach new heights, with construction of the new and much anticipated Powelltown Pavilion officially complete.
Supported by $1.5 million from the Australian Government, $2.5 million from the Victorian Government, and $455,000 from Yarra Ranges Council – the purpose-built facility at Powelltown Recreation Reserve will help boost local sporting participation.
Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain said sport is the heartbeat of every community – especially in our regions, which is why it’s important that local facilities keep up with the demand.
“With such a strong history of female participation, these upgraded facilities will support the continued growth of local sporting teams in Powelltown,” she said.
“This is just one high-impact project we’ve partnered on with theYarra Ranges Council, as part of more than $15.4 million in LRCI funding from the Australian Government.”
The $4.4 million hub, which replaces the original pavilion and ageing facilities that no longer met community need, will cater for the growing number of participants across various sporting codes, including female participation in football, netball and cricket.
Federal Labor Senator for Victoria Raff Ciccone said the Albanese Government is committed to working in partnership with all levels of government and the community to deliver
the projects regional Victorians want to get off the ground.
“It was great to see the community come together and lobby for such an impactful project, with the new Powelltown Pavilion equipped to cater for the growing demand of sport and recreation in the region,” he said.
“The upgraded and inclusive changerooms, enhanced spectator facilities and modern kitchen equipment cement Powelltown as a competitive sports hub in regional Victoria.”
The new, high-quality facilities include home, visitor and umpire co-gendered change rooms, showers and amenities, first aid and medical rooms, a canteen, a semi-commercial kitchen and covered spectator viewing areas.
Victorian Minister for Community Sport
Ros Spence said clubs like Powelltown are the heart and soul of regional communities – and now they have all-gendered friendly facilities they can be proud of.
“This new pavilion opens up more opportunities for participation at this popular reserve, and provides the perfect foundation for local sporting clubs and the community to host big events,” she said.
“Great sport and recreation facilities encourageVictorians to get involved in sport and recreation and lead healthy and active lifestyles.”
This more accessible and inclusive hub will ensure sporting clubs in the Yarra Ranges can continue to connect the community, host visitor clubs, and uplift the local economy.
The new pavilion was delivered as part of $15.4 million committed to Yarra Ranges Council under the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.
Yarra Ranges Council mayor Sophie Todorov said the new Powelltown Pavilion will accommodate all genders to participate in football, netball and cricket, and become a hub for the wider community to use, with high-quality, built-for- purpose spaces for players, umpires and spectators alike.
“The community has been awaiting this day and I’m so pleased that our partnership with the Australian andVictorian governments has brought us to this moment.”
Burras take home the spoils
By Alex Woods
This weekend Warburton-Millgrove Football and Netball Club ventured up to Alexandra, as Alexandra hosted their First Nations Round.
Warburton-Millgrove Women’s Footy team had an away game against Woori Yallock in Woori.
B Grade finished off the netball stating just after midday.
Alexandra started strong but the Burras took control and secured a 5-17 quarter score.
The conditions were cold and wet, but they putintopractisewhattheyhaveworkedonand had a nice third qtr time lead of 19-52.
The last quarter continued nicely, allowing Alexandratoonlysecure3goalsandanother15 for themselves.
They secured the win for Texans 150th and Jordy’s 50th game, with a 22-67 score. TaylaFergusonsecured37goals,AlexWoods with 23 and Jordana Butcher with seven goals. Reserves started the day on field just after midday.
They had a nice lead at half time of 6-44.
The rain made for messy footy, but the burras managed to kick away in the second half and secure a nice win of 2.4-16 to 14.7-91.
Daniel Hewitt kicked four goals, Nic Toy, Marcel Kocher, Damien Egan, and Matt Sidari all kicked two goals each and Daniel Schlueter and Adam Brennan had one each.
The Seniors finished off the day at Alex with atoughmatchaheadofthem.Alexgottheearly lead, securing a 2.4-16 to 1.2-8 lead at the first break.
The Burras regained control in the second
quarter and only trailed by three points at the half time break.
Aneededresetwashadheadingintothesecond quarter and the Burras regain momentum.
Thesecured1.3inthesecondandleftAlexto onlygrabtwopoints.Thelastquarterwasmuch the Burras way, leaving Alexandra scoreless in the last and securing two goals four points for themselves.
The Burras took home the win with a final score or 2.9-21 to 6.9-45. The Women’s Footy team took onWoori atWoori for another tough match set to be had.
The group was wet and slippy, and made for ugly football all round. The game started Warby’s way, with the team securing 2.1 to Woori 0 in the fist quarter.
They leftWoori to only secure four points in the second and held onto a nine point lead heading into the half time break.
The third quarter was scoreless for both teams withWoori grabbing one point in the last and Burras with four. The team took home a nice win of 0.5-5 to 2.5-17.
Jasmine Enever kicked one goal as well as EmersonWoods.
No trouble for Wandin
Cold and wet conditions greeted Officer as they came to Wandin looking for an upset.
On a weekend where surprise results were not only a part of Outer East footy but statewide, Wandin was tougher for longer and recorded a 34-point win, 9.10, 64 to 4.6, 30.
A low-scoring game meant Officer was always within arms reach however Wandin controlled the game after quarter time with Macauley Beckwith and Chayce Black key contributors ball and at half-back.
Top Dogs on the day were Black, Beckwith, Sam Mutsaers, John Ladner, Samuel Hodgett and Todd Garner. Other results:
· Reserves: Wandin 4.10, 34 defeated by Officer 7.3, 45. Top Dogs were Jackson Byrne, Riley Dawson-Muir, Tom Page, Daniel Bailey, Darby Huggins and Samuel Marsh.
· Under 19s: Wandin 2.7, 19 defeated by Officer 15.16, 106. Top Dogs were Joshua Atkins, BaileyYelland, LucaVan Dreumel, Nicholas Pike and Branden Farr.
· Women’s: Wandin 5.3, 33 defeated by Officer 6.7, 43. Top Dogs were Lauren Sullivan, Georgia Krueger, Tyana RyanBader, Madeline Stokes, Lottie Read and Mikayla Best.
· A Grade Netball: Wandin 37 defeated by Officer 39. Top Dogs were Kyah Kimpton, Charlotte Sparkes and Zoe Tweedale.
· B Grade: Wandin 22 defeated by Officer 33. Top Dogs were Kate Campbell, Catherine Braniska and Kailah Meager.
· C Grade: Wandin 29 defeated Officer 25. Top Dogs were Cassidy Iedema, Libby Earney and Aimee Mackenzie.
· D Grade: Wandin 18 defeated by Officer 29. Top Dogs were Ella Rumian, Erin Foot and Kealey Earney.
· 17 and Under: Wandin 24 defeated Officer 23. Top Dogs were Chloe Schmitt, SummerTuppenney and Libby Earney.
Woori Yallock hold on in wet weather against Olinda
By Brendan Donovan
The weather finally came crashing in on a Saturday at home as Woori Yallock took on Olinda-Ferny Creek.
The Unders started the day off well with a strong win and it’s nice to see the boys back on the winning list, 3.5, 27 to 3.2, 20.
Top Tigers were Hamish Murphy, Gabriel Conboy, Riley O’Connor, Elken Croydon, Jack Freedman and Lewis Player.
The Ressies game was played in tough conditions and the boys turned up and got the deal done, a great game of defence and aggressive attack and another week of improvement and momentum.
Final score Woori Yallock 9.6, 60 to OlindaFerny Creek 3.6, 24. Top Tigers were Matthew Cliff, Jude Hay, Tom Kear, Sam Carlton, Caleb Lee and Matthew Imbrogno.
In the Seniors game, it was similar to the Ressies game, with heavy slippery conditions and very much a game of ping pong between both half-back lines.
Olinda kept coming all day while Woori just had enough scoring chances to secure a win, 5.13, 43 to 5.7, 37. In the Women’s footy, the girls played a super contested, high stoppage game but Warburton-Wesburn got two early goals andWoori wasn’t able to peg it back.
Final score Woori Yallock 0.5, 5 to Warburton-Wesburn 2.5, 17. Top Tigers were Anelise McCracken, Piper Crymble, Emelia Robin, Jessi Adams, Michelle Brown and Sky Wilson.
the A and B teams while the C and D teams couldn’t quite come away with the goods.
A Grade: Woori Yallock 58 defeated OlindaFerny Creek 37. Top Tigers were Olivia Caneva, Gaby Clarke and Chelsea Smith.
B Grade: Woori Yallock 62 defeated OlindaFerny Creek 32. Top Tigers were Holly Dunlop, Danielle Gazzola and Jaymee Tough.
C Grade: Woori Yallock 26 defeated by Olinda-Ferny Creek 33. Top Tigers were Emmerson Alford,
D
17 and Under:
many supporters turning up and cheering on the teams on the field and courts and the club hopes to see it again as Woori Yallock hosts Officer this week
The netball was two great wins for
Grace Sibley and Jessica Ford.
Grade: Woori Yallock 20 defeated by Olinda-Ferny Creek 24. Top Tigers were Georgia Sands, Cassidy McInnes and Alexandra Mcinnes.
Woori Yallock 23 defeated by Pakenham 35. Top Tigers were Georgia Sands, Monique Brown and Oliver Stenhouse. Under 15s: Woori Yallock 22 defeated by Pakenham 23. Top Tigers were Ayla Spencer, Ruby Gregson and Mia Lingwood. It’s great to see so
Ben Monkhorst gets his hands dirty for Woori Yallock. Pictures: ADAM SYKES
Hayley Debuf in A Grade.
The newly completed Powelltown Recreation Reserve pavilion. 416013 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
C Grade netball team. Picture: SUPPLIED
Wandin picked up another win. Picture: ON FILE
Victorious women battle on
By Sarah Bailey
Healesville U15 Flames 4 – 1 Knox Girls
Strikers
Confidence was low for the Healesville side with some late outs against the ladder-leading Knox team that had won 6-1 in the previous meeting.
Knox took full advantage of a flat Healesville team going up 1-0 early in the game.
The goal seemed to spark the Flames into action with Evie T creating multiple chances from the left wing and Mia K solid in goals.
The first half ending 1-0 in favour of the hosts.
The second half saw a determined Healesville side beginning to believe in their own ability and the hard-working Evie T breaking the lines and finishing like a star to even the ledger.
From there on it was one way traffic with Sia McM directing all attacks through Kendi L-T and Evie T giving the Flames a 4-1 win. Healesville Reds Womens 3 – 1 Dynamo
Victoria FC Womens Reserves
Healesville took on the ladder topping Dynamo side. In a first half dominated by the Healesville side, Hannah K smashed home a brilliantly taken free kick, Healesville headed into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw a more determined Dynamo side and a dubious free kick that saw them draw level early in the second term.
The Reds, with no less than seven under 15 players, continued to battle with competition leaders but unfortunately fell short losing 3-1.
Special mentions to Isla C in goals, Evelyn BW in her first senior appearance, and the core group senior reds women who every week set a great example for the young ones coming through.
Healesville U9 Lions 1 - 4 Berwick Blues
After a tight evenly matched first half, an unfortunate own goal by the Lions opened the scoring for the Blues early in the second half.
Two more goals for Berwick before the Lions managed to get on the board, then conceding a final goal.
Healesville Senior Women 2 – 2 Berwick Blues
Healesville midfield Tess scored the opening goal.
The women passed well, and the second goal was slotted in by Kiah. Berwick had a good chance to score but their attempts were shut down by Caroline in goals.
The second half saw a change up in the Berwick formation, putting more pressure on
Healesville’s defence leading to their first goal.
Healesville had a good chance to score in the second half with the ball rolling across the box, but they couldn’t quite get a foot on it.
Berwick pressed again and scored their second goal.
Despite several promising runs down the line by Melita and Ava, Healesville couldn’t get around Berwick’s solid defence.
Healesville U12 Rangers 0 – 3 Blackburn New Hope Coyotes
Jono in goals as always stopped too many to count, Ethan was everywhere all the time and the whole team played a very good game.
All the goals came in the last 10 minutes, which was disappointing after a massive effort from the team.
Healesville U10 Ninjas 6 – 1 Blackburn New Hope Jaguars
The Ninjas were depleted on players, but the team turned out a strong performance.
Archie B was an absolute wall at the back, cutting off many opposition plays forward.
Ollie T was lively through the midfield with good play and deft passes, while some of the lads found clever ways to use their heads up forward.
Special shout out to Milos K who’ll sleep well after putting in 4 solid halves (do the maths kids).
Overall a solid 6-1 win at home, curse obliterated.
U10 Goats 5 – 3 Croydon Ranges Blue
The Goats switched up a gear after being 0-2 down at half time against Croydon at Don Road.
Starting the second half full of beans with much better structure the U10 Goats came out firing and took the win.
Healesville Heelers U12 9 – 1 Maroondah United FC
Neither the weather nor the team’s numbers seemed to slow down the co-ordinated Heelers attack on Saturday, with the team on the scoreboard within minutes.
Witnesses were stunned by the A-league curve ball Cooper netted and amused by a brutal ball belted into the net by Mack from close range as the MUFC keeper floundered on the ground. Cooper netted two, Mack four, Ryder and Bodie one each, with a disheartening own goal from MUFC bringing the score to nine goals to their one.
In the second half we rearranged the lineup to give our defence line a taste of the front
and centre, which, along with staying focussed in dismal weather, was valuable experience.
Excellent team play and good sportsmanship from every Heeler made the game enjoyable to watch from under the umbrellas!
Healesville U13s 1 - 3 Blackburn New Hope Dragons
In a tight first half Blackburn took the lead. The second half was like the first and once again the away team scored first to make it 2-0.
Healesville showed character and shifted up a gear and scored a well-deserved goal from Louie G to make it 2-1 with five minutes to go.
Healesville huffed and puffed and nearly blew the house down when Manny W almost replicated his goal from two weeks ago running from his own half but being thwarted, this time, by the opposition goalkeeper.
Healesville had one last chance from a corner, but the ball was cleared, and Blackburn sealed the win with a well taken breakaway goal just before the referee blew the full-time whistle.
Healesville Reserves 6 - 1 Melbourne Deaf FC Healesville continued its great run of form with another convincing victory to leapfrog the opposition into fifth on the ladder.
Goals were scored by Tom E, with a hattrick and one each for Elvis N, Nick C and Pip M with his first ever goal for the Reserves. Healesville Firsts 4 - 2 Donvale Firsts Healesville made it four wins out of five with another dominant display in which they still managed to make it hard work for themselves.
2-0 up inside 15 minutes, through Daniel T and Johnny C’s first of the season, and Healesville were cruising.
Missed chances and a lapse in concentration saw Donvale halve the deficit. 2-1 would be the first half score.
Healesville restored their two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half with a wonderful individual goal by JJ.
A quick break and an unfortunate bounce of the ball helped the away side reduce the deficit to a solitary goal once more.
Stu P made a great save to ensure the home side maintained its one goal lead.
Shortly afterwards Healesville, who continued to play some good football, were rewarded with a Daniel T goal with 10 minutes left to seal the win and take Daniel to outright leader in the golden boot race.
Healesville U8 Tigers 5 – 2 Croydon Ranges The Tigers had a convincing win, thanks to fillin Milos K who kicked four of those goals.
Rain couldn’t stop Healesville’s love for netball
By Anne-Marie Ebbels
All teams played home this weekend, with C Grade netball getting the best of the condition with their game over before the rain came.
C Grade got off to a good start against Powelltown going into the first break four goals up.
Powelltown hit back in the second quarter and evened up the score at half-time.
A tight third quarter had Powelltown edge in front by two goals at three-quarter time.
Healesville struggled to convert their opportunities in the final quarter and Powelltown ran out winners by eight goals.
The first quarter in the B Grade game went goal for goal and there was nothing splitting the teams at quarter time.
Powelltown edged ahead in the second quarter to go into the halftime break with a three-goal lead.
The rain came in the second half making conditions slippery.
Powelltown managed to extend their lead at three-quarter time to six goals.
The conditions got worst throughout the final quarter making it difficult for Healesville to claw back the deficit and Powelltown were winners by seven goals.
Steady rain had set in by the time the U18s took the field, Healesville got out to a strong start with two quick goals on the board to into
the first break with a 14-point lead.
Mt Evelyn hit back in the second quarter with two goals of their own to reduce the Healesville lead to three points at half time.
The third quarter was dour affair with the conditions making the game highly contested.
Mt Evelyn managed to break free and score the only goal of the quarter to go into the final break with a two-point lead.
Both teams fought hard in the final quarter with healesville left to rue their misses in front of goal early in the game with Mt Evelyn taking the game by two points.
In the wet slippery conditions both teams got off to a good start making the conditions look better than they were with nine goals scored in the first quarter. Healesville slowed the Powelltown scoring in the second quarter to go into the long break with a 34-point lead.
Healesville dominated play in the third quarter but struggled to convert their opportunities on the score board.
Healesville kept Powelltown scoreless after halftime to run out winners by 59 points.
With ladies day in full swing, the seniors took to the field with ten scoring shots to one in the first quarter Healesville went into the first break 29 points up.
A tighter second quarter saw Healesville’s scoring opportunities curtailed only scoring two goals to increase their lead to 44 points at
half time.
A strong second half saw Healesville continue to dominate the game and increase their lead, but inaccuracy in front of goal kept the final margin to 111 points.
Next week Healesville is playing Warburton-Millgrove at Warburton.
The Women are playing Friday night at Don Road at 7pm and the U18s head toWoori Yallock.
Football
Senior Men Healesville 118 defeated Powelltown 7
· Best: L Potts, C Warren, M Donegan, D Sissins, A Edwards, C Frazzetto Reserves Men Healesville 85 defeated Powelltown 26
· Best: C Boeder, C Young, K Brown, T Tweedie, S Mansfield, T Cigetic U18 Healesville 28 defeated by Mt Evelyn 30
· Best: R Brendish, L Warner, J Collins, R Bode, S Anderson, A Biddiscombe Netball
B Grade Healesville 31 defeated by Powelltown 38
· Best: S Maile, L Rogers, E Hyatt C Grade Healesville 13 defeated by Powelltown 21
· Best: C Wild, E Birch, L Cole
Kathleen Bromilow looking for options.
Picture: KYLIE ROWE
Healesville Under 11 White Wolves celebrate 2-1 victory over Berwick on Saturday. Picture: SUPPLIED
