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 pan-
demic, 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.”
CONTINUED PAGE 3
Crime statistics for this year have displayed the rise of theft, family violence and youth crimes.
Picture: ON FILE
How submissions helped shape the Budget outcome
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 opportunities 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 & 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 NimblefootWay Lilydale to the maintenance 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 pro-
posal 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.
Budget funding for Ranges
By Mikayla van Loon and Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council’s 2024/25 Budget given the sign off by councillors at 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 Dandenong Ranges.
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.
Drainage and footpath renewal works were heavily swayed to the Dandenong Ranges, seeing multiple projects receive funding in the immediate budget and the future figures.
Mayor Sophie Todorov said the increase in spending on drainage infrastructure equated to 300 per cent from the previous year based
on calls from the community to do so.
“Given our region’s heavy rainfall and storm events over the last few years, it’s apparent that the community identified improving and maintaining drains to reduce flooding as one of the top priorities,” Cr Todorov said.
“One thing we heard loud and clear was that people want more focus on infrastructure, our roads, our footpaths and drainage and to maintain the assets we have.”
For the 2024-25 year, Dalkeith Crescent Belgrave ($50,000), David Hill Road Monbulk ($80,000) and Main Street Upwey Stage 1 ($100,000) will undergo drainage investigation and improvement works.
Glenfern Road Upwey ($214,000) and One
Tree Hill Road Ferny Creek ($275,000) will see new connection paths constructed.
Other footpath rehabilitation works will occur on Burwood Highway Upwey and Mt Dandenong Tourist Road Kalorama this year, while further projects in Belgrave, Kallista, Upwey and Tecoma have been added to the list for 2025-26.
A projected investment of $577,000 in the extension of the Olinda Creek Trail was budgeted for the 2026-27 financial year.
Belgrave Township Improvements were cited for $386,000 in 2025-26 as part of the Urban Design Framework, including principal pedestrian networks and streetscape improvements.
The Belgrave Tennis Club and Community Space will receive $384,000 this year for renewal of the fencing and lighting for two courts, as well as upgrading the upper court surfaces for broader community use.
Stage one of the electrifying Monbulk Aquatic Centre received $250,000, while the Community Sports Pavilion at Monbulk had $161,000 budgeted for energy resilience upgrades including a solar PV system.
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. 71c of the per $100 rates spending is undisclosed.
Councillor Tim Heenan said he could not accept the 2.75 per cent rate rise for residents.
“It’s a great budget. I have concerns obviously, with the rates and I have concerns with what we’re going to do this year,” he said.
“In keeping with what I’ve been doing and the promise I made to my constituents, I’ll not be voting to accept that rise in the rates but I thank the council staff for all the work they’ve done in recognising some of the issues.”
Cr Heenan said given the restraints of budgeting “there’s a lot more we would want in here” but was grateful to have seen the community being listened to in the drainage investment.
The budget passed with support from all councillors bar Cr Heenan.
Yarra Ranges Council adopted its 2024-25 budget on 25 June. Picture: FILE
Submissions played their part in the final 2024/25 Yarra Ranges Council Budget.
Picture: FILE
NEWS IN BRIEF
Crime on the rise
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.
“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.
ity,” 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, Casey, Knox, Maroondah, and the Yarra Ranges.
“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.
Bike rider fatality in Gembrook
A motorcyclist has died following a fatal collision in Gembrook on Friday 28 June.
Police understood a motorbike and truck collided on Gembrook-Launching Place Road at about 2.10pm.
The male rider, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.
The male truck driver stopped at the scene.
Exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations are ongoing.
To report any information, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www. crimestoppers.com.au
Boronia house fire
Residents of a townhome have escaped injury after quick response by local firefighters on Friday 28 June.
Fire RescueVictoria (FRV) crews responded to the house fire in Boronia after multiple calls to Triple Zero (000) at nearly 10pm.
Crews arrived on scene within four minutes to find two cars in the garage and the top floor of a double storey townhouse issuing flames and smoke.
Wearing beathing apparatus (BA), firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and brought the incident under control within 35 minutes. The fire impacted two adjacent townhouses within a complex of 6.
Occupants of both dwellings were alerted to the fire by smoke alarms and were able to evacuate safely and no injuries were reported. At this stage the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.
Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were on scene to support firefighting activities and firefighters remained at the house for some time, to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
Ferny Creek home invasion remains under investigation
An alleged aggravated burglary in Ferny Creek in mid June saw one resident left with a serious physical injury after offenders entered their home.
Police are investigating after the aggravated burglary on Tuesday, 18 June.
Investigators have been told three offenders armed with edged weapons entered the Saville Street residence about 3.45pm.
Police media said that the group made demands for cash and valuables from the three occupants of the residence before leaving the scene.
“A 33-year-old man sustained a cut on their arm when they were pushed by an offender but did not require medical treatment,” they said.
The other two occupants, a 34-year-old woman and 63-year-old woman, were not physically injured.
“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.
“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 Trin-
“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.
Investigations into the matter remain ongoing but police believe this to be a targeted incident.
Anyone with information that can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au FROM PAGE 1
Two teenage males will faced court on 27 June after being arrested in Ferntree Gully and Ringwood following a series of alleged burglaries and aggravated crimes in Upwey.
Operation Accomplish in Boronia in March saw five people arrested.
Pictures: FILE
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.
Yarra Ranges Councillors endorsed Council Action Plan 2024-25 at the latest council meeting on 25 June. Picture: FILE
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.”
‘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.”
Yarra Ranges Councillors approved a submission to be lodged with the Inquiry into Local Government funding and services.
Picture: FILE
Knox’s ‘difficult’ Budget
By Tanya Steele
The end of the financial year has seen councillors in Knox deliver what some called their most difficult Budget yet.
Knox City Council handed down its annual budget 2024-25 on 24 June at their monthly council meeting and has pledged to spend $115 million on services and $76 million on infrastructure, while managing an asset base of over $2 billion.
Some of the key projects for the area included $5.3 million for reserve upgrades, of which Wally Tew in Ferntree Gully was one, $1.2 million to deliver a dedicated cycling path along Chandler Road, Boronia and a portion of the $2.6 million for flood mitigation on Forest Road, Boronia.
Chandler Ward Councillor Mayor Jude Dwight said she wanted to speak to this because she had honestly never been so challenged in having to deliver a budget.
“Our budget is a lengthy process which we commenced back in October – the cognitive effect of five separate interest rate rises in the last financial year alone takes a little while to really hit,” she said.
Mayor Dwight talked about the difficulties with the modern-day cost of living issues.
“There are many in Knox who are being hit and hit hard,” she said.
Mayor Dwight said that the Council work hard to fund the staggering number of services they deliver while maintaining and improving ageing infrastructure and delivering new facilities for our growing community.
“Remaining financially sustainable is critically important but it is becoming more challenging, with inflation continuing to rise much higher than the rate cap,” she said.
Friberg Ward Cr Susan Laukens said that Council have had to make some challenging decisions.
Total rates will increase by an average of 2.75% in line with the state government’s rate cap - rate increases (or decreases) experienced by individual ratepayers may differ from the 2.75
“I’m really proud of how we have a really strong, methodical way of ensuring that we remain a financially sustainable organization that will serve our community,” she said.
“We need to maintain our financial sustainability – we are at the mercy of the state and federal grants that we come in and we know they are not meeting our needs. They are not going up by CPI. We also know that we are at the mercy of different policy changes like the housing policy.”
The Knox budget will invest a significant amount towards things that the community have given feedback as a priority on such as parks and reserves, roads, recreation and leisure facilities, community facilities and environment and sustainability.
In addition, the budget supports several key initiatives from the third year of the Council’s
Plan 2021-25 including, working towards net zero emissions by 2040, trialling new and recycled materials in the construction of shared paths, reducing food waste going to landfills, transforming how they deliver our services to place the customer at the centre of everything we do and supporting the local economy.
In line with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System, the Council’s rates income can only be 3.50 per cent more than last financial year. Currently, there is a State enquiry in process which will investigate local government funding and service delivery in Victoria.
Deputy Mayor and Drinsdale Ward Cr Sorina Grasso said she wanted to acknowledge the financial constraints that Council worked under with this budget.
“It includes an investment of $125.6 million in a wide range of services to the community,” she said.
Baird Ward Cr Yvonne Allred said she also wanted to take note of the accompanying community engagement report.
“All of this is being underpinned by that long-term financial plan assuring that we have thorough considerations for our long-term sustainability – so I’m happy to adopt the budget tonight,” she said.
Tirhatuan ward Cr Nicole Seymour said that the recent budget didn’t sit comfortably with her.
“I think the fact that we’re doing service reviews so that we can actually unpack the value and justify it going forward is going to become increasingly important as we move into future budget cycles,” she said.
“We’re spending 48 per cent on capital works and the largest part of our capital works program is going into renewals of ageing infrastructure.”
“We’ve got all these housing pressures - our municipality is ageing, our population is growing and it worries me that there is no uplift that
we can even top that up with.”
“We’ve got in excess of $90 million in loans,” she said.
“So to have loans and this budget is asking us to lock into another $21 million of loans over 10 years at fixed interest rates...but we need it in order to deliver the services and the capital works.
Cr Seymour said the council had caught criticism for a number of decisions, such as walking away from the Stringybark Festival and that they could have saved that kind of quantum of money by doing other things differently.
“It’s not been easy to get where we are and I think next year’s budget will be worse,” she said.
Darren Ward Cr Pearce said he didn’t believe in this four-year term that the Council has taken substantive, decisive action on structural budget reform.
“Essentially, we played around the edges, but the sub-structures substantially remained intact,” he said.
Cr Pearce said he questioned the spending on items such as social policy research and planning, sustainability and climate change response, arts and culture, festivals and events, data and technology, people and culture and strategy and performance.
“The next council is going to inherit a huge financial challenge,” he said.
Mayor Dwight said that this council group also inherited some significant financial challenges and said she thinks the council has worked to address some of those very well.
“I do agree with you that we’re on a long road when it comes to service reviews and getting the information that will inform some of those tough decisions,” she said.
The motion was carried unanimously and the Knox City Council 2024/25 budget is available to view online.
FRIDAYNIGHT
NEWS
Youth have say on ‘ineffective’ anti-vaping campaigns
By Jamie Padgett
With the rise in popularity of vaping over the past couple years, certain strategies have been put in place to prevent the introduction of vapes into a youth setting.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than one in five (21.7 per cent) of 18-24 year olds and seven to eight per cent of 15-17 year olds have used a vape at least once, with expected under-reporting as this was collected from parents and guardians in the house.
A 15-year-old Dandenong Ranges based student said this was a fair assumption and agreed with the significant under-reporting due to young people vaping without the knowledge of their parental figure.
“Recently lots of people are switching how they consume nicotine, like zyns or even switching back to cigarettes, but still a good number of people vape.”
Schools are an obviously targeted location for anti vaping campaigns, seeing posters, speeches, and integration into the curriculum.
Lung Foundation Australia released a booklet aimed to inform educators on the correct way to implement anti vaping methods.
It explained the consumerism and targeted marketing of bright colours and exciting flavours as well as the potential dangers within the chemical content.
The booklet also went over various strategies it recommends, such as a unit in health classes, interactive questioning, and general language use.
One thing that was stressed was the importance of avoiding accusatory language or criticism, which could force students who vape into a defensive position.
Comparisons to other substances like tobacco were encouraged to be drawn, an interestingly doubled-edged sword.
Students said that it opened their minds to the consequences as most know the devastating effects of tobacco, however, if they choose to see the differences between the two, it could paint vaping as the less severe option.
They also went on to mention the impact on “those young people who are already nicotine addicted”. opening the risky task of deciding which students are already vaping without being biased or criticising.
The Dandenong Ranges student said they had seen evidence of this around their school, and also noted the implementation of posters.
“It depends on what school you go to, but usually they have a session telling you how bad it is, and there’s posters around the school about it, and obviously the vape detectors in the bathroom,” they said.
An interesting example of such posters, they said, was the “Do You Know What You
Are Vaping?” approach.
The student said these depicted a hazardous yet common chemical-based substance such as nail polish, bug spray, or weed killer, spliced together with the head of a vape and placed under the question.
These have been placed in schools across the country, in states New SouthWales,Western Australia, and Victoria, if not others.
Other students noticed a fairly vocal response to these, one of slight mockery.
They explained that people would sometimes point at the poster and tell their friend “you know you’re vaping nail polish?” in an ironic, satirical tone.
This was because it failed to depict real life scenarios and didn’t show any of the reality or side effects of vaping.
They noted that the removal of consequence destroys the incentive to stop, defeating the purpose of the poster.
When asked about the correct response to vaping and creating an anti vaping campaign, the Dandenong Ranges student said these posters were “going in the right direction” but there is “only so much they can do”.
“If someone has been doing it for a while, they aren’t going to stop because a poster says it has the same chemicals as bug spray.”
In the eyes of the target audience, a more effective approach was an ad featuring a young girl vaping in the bathroom with her friend, a very accurate depiction of modern vaping.
After a small mishap, the vape ends up being dropped in the used toilet and overcome with her nicotine addiction, the girl reaches in to fetch it.
The scene is reminiscent of the film Trainspotting, in which Ewan McGregor’s character goes through a similar motion to retrieve his misplaced opioids in the bathroom.
Another element of the ad was the clear
look of disgust on the friend’s face, which clearly outlined the outside view of a nicotine addiction as well as the sad situation it leaves you in.
Something to be taken into account is the differences in creating a poster compared to creating a video advertisement but from a young person’s perspective certain key aspects are clearly lacking in one as opposed to the other.
Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVIC) gave a checklist it said it would like to see followed when anti vaping campaigns are created.
Media and communications coordinator Katia Pellicciotta said these recommendations also formed part of the YACVIC’s submission to the inquiry into the vaping and tobacco controls in Victoria.
“[It must] be co-designed by young people with diversely lived experience, use factual, realistic, accessible, and youth-friendly information without imposing judgement or stigma as to why someone uses vapes,” she said.
“[And] acknowledge young people’s experiences of vaping, including perceived benefits and negative aspects, and take a harm minimisation approach that equips young people to make informed decisions about vaping, including information about health risks, peer pressure and how to access support.”
The Youth Affairs Council acknowledged that an issue of the willingness of certain people to come forward could pose problems but that the aim was to spread awareness while simultaneously bringing in more people with more opinions and backgrounds to consider.
Combined with the new laws surrounding the purchasing of vapes, revised and improved forms of anti vaping campaigns are stepping towards combating this issue, especially in a youth environment.
Why are our homes cold?
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Have you been feeling cold this winter at the comfort of your own home? You are not alone.
Recent research from RMIT professors have found houses in Australia can be extremely cold due to an inadequate insulation and because houses here are typically bigger compared houses in other countries - which makes heaters ineffective and costly to run.
RMIT School of Property, Construction and Project Management and Senior Lecturer Dr Nicola Willand said Australians build some of the largest homes in the world, and bigger areas translates into higher energy demand.
“Australian homes tend to be uninsulated, draughty and existing homes often fitted with inefficient heaters,” Dr Willand said.
“A lot of our homes are older, they were built before the minimum insulation requirements came into effect - they all have single glazing, with little or no lace on the walls or in the ceiling and this means that warmth dissipates quickly once heating is switched off, air movement between heated areas and the colder walls and windows make people feel uncomfortable, and it makes heating very ineffective and expensive.”
“Even though new homes are more energy efficient, central heating in these large homes can be too expensive if householders are burdened with high mortgage payments - restricting heating to one or two rooms is difficult, as heating control is limited, with many homes having a maximum of two zones to switch on or off.”
While a lot of migrants find Australian winter icy cold, even those who may come from cold countries like Canada, but cold homes in Australia are considered normal.
Dr Willand said in their research, people not only mentioned how cold their homes were, but they would also compare the cold with someone else’s home they knew.
“Coping practices such as wearing coats and onesies are socially acceptable practices,” she said.
There are many risks associated with cold homes that many people are unaware of.
“Keeping warm advice that focuses on body warmth ignores the risks of cold indoor air for respiratory and heart health, infections and mould,” she said.
“For renters, minimum rental standards in Victoria call for one heater in the living.
“This leaves bedrooms cold and at risk of mould, or tenants must use expensive portable electric heaters.
States and territories are merging slowly towards improving the basic quality and performance of rental housing, and Victoria is leading the way in Australia.
The state government proposed new minimum requirements for rental properties and rooming or boarding houses in June 2024, these changes would be phased in from October 2025.
The research reports that the National Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), which governs the home energy star ratings for new dwellings, assumes that living room heaters are switched off between midnight and 7am - unless homes are well insulated and draught proofed, the warmth will slowly dissipate and result in cold kitchens and living areas in the morning.
NatHERS also assumes a heating thermostat setting in bedrooms of 15°C, which is lower than the 18°C recommended by the World Health Organisation, between midnight and 7am in the morning.
“The NatHERS assumptions suggest that being cold at 7am, when most of us are getting ready for work and school, is acceptable,” she said.
“By contrast, energy efficiency ratings in other countries will assume heating in all rooms and at all hours of the day and night.”
“That ‘chill in the morning’ is a certainly a widely shared experience in Australia – but it shouldn’t be.”
RMIT School of Property, Construction, and Project Management Associate Professor Dr Trivess Moore was also one of the researchers for this report and he said houses built before the early 1990s and even early 2000s fall short of the design and performance requirements needed to keep houses warm in winter and cool in summer.
Since the 1990s Australia has had requirements for minimum energy efficiency ele-
ments within dwellings.
There has been a slight improvement for new builds as the new housing in Victoria needs to be built to a seven-star standard, instead of six-stars which was the old standard. He said there’s good news that we can make our homes warmer for a cheaper cost through retrofitting.
“Retrofit includes low-cost options like sealing up gaps and cracks, and adding or improving insulation in the ceiling, walls and underfloor – through to more significant changes like installing double glazed windows,” he said. For existing housing, there are a lot of things that either owners or landlords can do to improve the quality and performance of existing housing.
“The first thing that I would recommend to people is to go out and have an independent assessment of your dwelling done, there are various programmes out there that people could go through, for example the scorecard assessment - which was developed by the Victorian Government,” Dr Moore said.
“In terms of renters, there is limitations in what a renter can do to a rental property because of the way our rental laws are in Victoria, but there are some things that are nonpermanent changes a renter could try to do; including using some things like bubble wrap on windows that could be taken up and down, making sure they clean their heating systems or asking the landlords to have them serviced.”
There are rebates available in many states to help reduce costs of retrofit - this includes for landlords and tenants.
“While there is some financial support to help households retrofit, we need various levels of government to continue to find ways to make sure all households can access this support,” Dr Moore said.
“We also need to ensure we have a strong retrofit industry to do the work. We need to complete deep retrofit of almost 50 dwellings each hour until 2050 if we are to retrofit the existing housing stock.”
Hills backing for Assange
By Gabriella Vukman
Former Hills local Julian Assange has touched down in Australia after a 14-year legal battle involving countries such as Sweden, the USA and the UK.
On Wednesday June 26, Assange was flown to Saipan, a US territory in the North Pacific to plead guilty to one felony count of illegally obtaining and conspiring to disseminate classified information.
The plea was part of a transactional agreement whereby Assange was permitted to return safely home to Australia as a free man and have his US charges resolved, in exchange for his conviction.
Barrister, author and Senior Council advisor to the Australian Assange campaign Greg Barns said about the plea agreement, “As a lawyer I can indicate to you that plea agreements happen for all sorts of reasons. It doesn’t create any precedent and the principles that Julian stood up for are just as real today as they have been at any time.”
“The plea agreement is a conviction. The issue is, whether Julian should get a pardon from the president. He should get a pardon. It was an outrageous attempt to silence journalists and it reflects badly on the United States and there’s an opportunity for President Biden to fix it before his term in office is up,” Mr Barns said.
“The fight has to go on to make sure that we don’t get another Assange case.”
Mr Barns validated Assange’s legal movements and said,“I don’t think there are any different legal approaches we could have taken because the United States was doing something that is unprecedented which was using its domestic laws to close down and punish an individual who wasn’t a us citizen and who did not publish initially in the United States.”
“It made it very difficult and Julian, I think, made the right decision to go directly to the Ecuadorian embassy and seek asylum and get asylum,” Mr Barns said.
Having originally worked on the Assange case along with Assange’s father John Shipton since 2013 when Assange ran for parliament, Greg Barns has remained involved ever since.
Mr Barns said, “As we’ve seen in Australia with journalists who have been the subject of search warrants etc, Julian’s case does have a chilling effect and that’s why it’s important for
us to make sure that this is an example that is never followed.”
“Australia should have acted much more quickly. It should have acted 10 years ago to make sure that this didn’t happen,” he said.
“I think these sorts of cases have a chilling effect on ensuring transparency in governments and journalism. There’s no doubt about that.”
Assange was a student at Monbulk High School in 1986.
Famous for setting up Wikileaks, divulging official documents, calling out war crimes and championing journalism and government transparency, Assange’s incarcerations and now conviction illuminate the implications of whistleblowing and investigative journalism.
As the ABC posited, this verdict of charging Assange under the Espionage Act raised concerns among media institutions surrounding the effects this decision will have on publica-
tion in the future.
Assange’s father, John Shipton told Star Mail in March 2022, “People are concerned for Julian’s well being because he’s an Australian and did some really earth-shattering things, so the public could understand what governments do, what the United States has done and what war crimes are committed.”
“This family is not really that much different from your regular family out here, except Julian exposed war crimes,” he said.
“Thank you for the support people give and for the long memory, treasuring the time Julian spent here in the hills.”
Having spent five years incarcerated at one of the UKs most high security prisons and seven years living as an asylum seeker in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Assange’s 14year legal battle began in 2010 when Swedish prosecutors alleged sexual assault and issued an arrest warrant for Assange.
In efforts to escape this warrant, Assange sought refuge as an asylum seeker at the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he lived for seven years before his asylum-based citizenship was revoked and he was evicted from the embassy.
After being found guilty of violating bail conditions when he fled to the Ecuadorian embassy, Assange was sentenced to 50 weeks in British detention but remained imprisoned for a longer duration.
From divulging information about Guantanamo Bay, the war in Iraq and revealing election information among other feats, Assange’s famous role as a public informant has led him through multiple trials and tribulations.
Now officially safely at home with his family, Assange’s 14-year-long legal battle has shown the world the implications of going to great lengths in investigative journalism in order to inform the public.
Petition put to AEC barracking for Casey name-change
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 comments 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 the Voices 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 that Barak would be ‘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-General 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.”
Recognising William Barak has emerged as a popular alternative to Casey for the name of the electorate.
Picture: FILE
After actively escaping persecution for 14 years, Assange has agreed to plead guilty to the USA’s domestic charges of illegally obtaining and conspiring to disseminate classified information. Picture: FILE
Projects boost as Monbulk Tiny Towns gets funding
The State Government has backed more community-led projects in Monbulk’s tiny towns - with more than 200 new initiatives are set to make the smallest communities better places to live, work, stay and play.
Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino announced on Thursday 27 June that two new projects in the Monbulk District are being delivered through the first round of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund.
From community halls to local sporting club upgrades, the funding is set to strengthen community connections and encourage more visitors from all corners of Victoria.
Kallista Mechanics Institute Hall has received $50,000 to deliver rejuvenation works to the Mechanics Hall, addressing essential maintenance and refurbishment of this historic hall to facilitate ongoing use by the local community.
This will include asbestos removal, improving kitchen functionality, a bathroom upgrade, exterior and interior painting, floor restoration, safety signage and an accessibility ramp.
Hilltop Recreation Association has received $45,500 to deliver asphalting of the surfaces surrounding the Olinda Reserve Social Rooms - this work will ensure the safety of the area for all users and will include a designated and flat Disability Parking section.
The rooms serve the biggest community organisations in the area and will also be used as an Emergency Centre during bush-
fires, storms or other disasters.
The program’s first round is bringing to life more than 200 projects across our smallest regional and outer metropolitan towns, each with fewer than 5,000 residents.
The successful projects celebrate each community’s local spirit and will drive visitation to these vibrant towns.
From local hall upgrades to sports club renovations, community and non-profit groups and councils are eligible for grants of up to $50,000 to get these community-driven projects off the ground.
The Federal Government’s Tiny Towns Fund is an initiative to create stronger communities, more tourism opportunities and backing more local jobs, with our $25 million Council Support Package also helping get shovel-ready projects off the ground in regional cities and surrounding towns.
The fund is a part of the Federal Government’s record $45 billion investment since 2014 in projects and programs to support regional and rural Victoria to be better places to live, work, stay and play.
The investment is also a way of creating more locals jobs close to home, more communities to have the infrastructure they need to thrive, and more visitors can experience everything the regions have to offer.
For more information visit rdv.vic.gov.au/ tinytownsfund or suburbandevelopment.vic. gov.au/grants/tiny-towns-fund.
Forest management fury
By Callum Ludwig
The future of Victoria’s forests 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 ManagementVictoria (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 the Victorian Greens Ellen Sandell said while VicForests 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 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 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 in Victoria 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 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.”
Kallista Mechanics Hall.
Picture: SUPPLIED
State politicians are at odds regarding the future of Victoria’s forests.
Picture: FILE
Greyhound rallies at home
By Gabriella Vukman and Tanya Steele
A lucky local greyhound from Ferntree Gully has made it home safely after capturing the hearts of the outer east community.
The beloved but timid pooch went missing in late May and made it from Ferntree Gully all the way up into the forests of Sherbrooke in the Yarra Ranges.
“Simba, the three-year-old timid brindle greyhound who lived in the forest for 15 days is home safe after help from the amazing community and group of heroes who brought him home,” said owner Kim on Facebook after she got him home.
The greyhound owner is ‘incredibly grateful’ to the countless community members who called, walked, looked and helped to return her dog home.
Simba went missing on May 28, after Kim’s son was returning home after having walked both of the family’s greyhounds. Just as Kim’s son crossed the threshold into their home, Simba spooked, suddenly slipping out of his collar and disappearing into the street.
“We did a bit of a search in the afternoon. My son had followed Simba for as long as he possibly could, but being a greyhound, he’s pretty fast. My son was beside himself,” Kim said.
Kim put out a post on her local ‘Greyhound and Co’ walking Facebook group.
Kim said from the second the post went out there, her greyhound community just sprang into action.
“Tuesday night, we had people that I wasn’t even aware of walking the streets looking for him,” she said.
“There had been a sighting on the Tuesday afternoon.”
The search party focussed their efforts along the bike path that was often frequented by Kim and her dogs, figuring that Simba would go somewhere he was familiar with.
“We made up flyers and had people here and people down at Officeworks printing the flyers whilst the others walked the streets, putting them in letterboxes and on lampposts,” Kim said.
“I received a text message from a lovely lady in Tecoma on the Friday morning saying that her husband had seen him on the corner round Kookaburra Dell in Tecoma,” she said.
As the week progressed the Hills community flocked together, searching all day and
‘Raising
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
night for Simba.
Kim said that they were getting a little bit concerned because there hadn’t really been any sightings.
“On Sunday morning, instead of walking around lake Knox like our usual dog-walking group does, they decided to change their walk so that we could scour the streets of Ferntree Gully,” she said.
After days and days without a sighting, Kim received a call in the wee hours of the morning from someone who had been driving around Belgrave and had spotted a Brindle Greyhound on the side of the road.
According to Kim, the caller stopped the car, got out and tried to grab him before he ran off into the forest.
Kim said that she got up straight away and drove up and down the road for about three hours on that Sunday morning, with no sightings of Simba.
“Somebody suggested to set up food stations near the latest sighting and they offered up some trail cameras for us to use,” she said.
After days a few more days of walking the forest, Kim decided to limit the hundreds of community helpers to a concentrated group. With so many people out searching for Simba,
the odds were that the greyhound would be scared further away.
Kim said, “I was getting phone calls from people I don’t even know saying, “sorry to bother you, I just wanted to see if there’s anything I can do to help you with this?”
“It was just completely overwhelming.”
On the 11th day Simba had been missing, Kim received a phone call with good news. Ben, one of the searchers, had seen the greyhound.
Upon walking through the forest, Ben spied Simba but decided against jumping on him and grabbing him for fear that Simba would get a fright. Instead, Ben video the greyhound walking away down towards the creek.
Kim said the next day the group repositioned the cameras again and were able to actually catch him on camera coming to get the food and then going back into the forest.
On Wednesday 12 June , Kim was returning to re-stock the food and Simba just ‘stood’ up and Kim immediately began talking to him, although he looked terrified.
While talking to Sherri from Pearl’s Army - a dedicated online volunteer group that helps people reunite with their dogs on her mobile, Kim put the food out, waited and slowly began
feeding and reconnecting with her pet.
Eventually Kim was able to put a lead around his neck and get him back to the carSimba went to the vet the next day and apart from some weight loss the dog was completely unscathed.
“He’s actually gained a little confidence from his experience,” she said.
Kim has pledged to visit a few elderly people in the area who were concerned for the greyhound and said she can’t quite place why the canine’s story has touched so many.
“It could have been that it could have been the fact that he was very scared and timid and that comes at people’s heartstrings,” she said.
Kim said that the journey of finding her dog emphasised the extensive strength of communities and what they can achieve when they pull together.
“I can’t describe it. It was just unbelievable,” Kim said.
“I wouldn’t have Simba home were it not for the community,” she said.
Simba’s online Facebook group has continued to give updates on Simba and has since brought news of other lost dogs for people to keep an eye out for.
Resilient Kids’ event attracts a full house
Belgrave’s Mountain Men in conjunction with Mums of the Hills held a booked-out event for parents on Wednesday 19 June.
Mountain Men Inc. established in 2018 is a social and support group in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges that creates opportunities for men to establish meaningful connections with one another.
The popular event presented best-selling author and host of the ‘Popculture Parenting’ podcast, paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey who presented, ‘Raising Resilient Kids.’
Mountain Men’s Secretary Heath Pawley said the event was about guiding parents through expert advise on how to raise kids more resiliently.
“It’s about bringing everyone together, and making that presentation available for everyone,” he said.
“If anyone needed a bit of support with their kids in that resilient space and wanted to learn a bit more could come along, connect, and get resources - because we’re very aware of the waiting list for a lot of occupational therapists, children’s psychologists and developmental paediatricians.”
MountainMenwentfromeightvolunteers to a membership base into the hundreds, with a wide variety of programs and events running each week, including information seminars on men’s health, games nights, fitness/running clubs, lawn bowls evenings, rotating working bees on members properties,
Dads, and kids’ days, and more.
The Public Health Care Network funded the organisation at the start of the year for storm recovery and the remainder of this grant funded the popular evening for parents to come together and connect.
“We had a bush program specifically for dads and kids in term one and two this year, with that course, and with the condensed timeline that we had – we found we had remaining funds that could do a lot of fantastic things for dads to educate and support them on how they could help their kids who might
be struggling through different changes - especially through the changing climates and everything that’s actually happened through the storm,” Mr Pawley said.
The event was open to all parents.
Mr Pawley said for events like this, it usually takes a lot of time advertising and spreading the word out at least a month prior.
But within less than a month to go, the advertise went out and within less than 12 hours, the event was booked out.
“Around 80 people signed up, we ended up with 90 people including a few of our
board members and affiliates around the event,” he said.
“We also had a waiting list of community support who wanted to join us virtually, we gave them links to join and listen online and send them recording for those that couldn’t make it in person.”
“The thing that stood out the most was just the demand for this type of event which I absolutely loved.”
Mr Pawley said the event didn’t feel onesided at all, the attendees were a good mix of mothers, fathers, male caregivers, and female caregivers.
Private consultations can be skyrocketing for many parents, attending events like this is a ‘bang for the buck,’
“People who are having significant challenges with their kids, they’re going to still need those one-on-one consultations but there’s a lot of waitlist involved and can be quite expensive,” he said.
“The ability to get a lot of people in one room with professional presenters goes a lot way - they just might need a little bit of support or a point in the right direction.”
“We very rarely put a ticket price on any of our events, unless it’s just covering the cost for the actual event, and wherever we can, we try and make things free and available to everyone.”
Mr Pawley encourages parents to get involved in their events and programs, to find out how, visit: mountainmen.org.au/getinvolved
Mountain Men Board Members, left to right: Michael Colling, Heath Pawley. (Presenter) Dr. Billy Garvey, Chuck Page, Paul Rogers. Pictures: SUPPLIED
Simba was the subject of a massive search by the outer east community. Pictures: SUPPLIED Simba has gained a little confidence since his forest escapades.
COMMUNITY COURSE GUIDE
An array of opportunities
Over 47 years of continuous operation, Emerald Community House remains a place of connection and education through its many offerings.
Despite a recent change in going from government-funded to independent, ECH remains steadfast in its commitment to the community to provide a space for all to enjoy.
ECH’s short courses support inclusion, connection, health and wellbeing with creative activities in ceramics, cooking and mixed media arts.
Learn the best practices for gardening and growing produce at home with a number of courses dedicated to using fresh ingredients in cooking, how to establish a thriving garden and the art of composting and permaculture.
Creative writing submissions build connection, confidence and expression with the Hills Community Focus magazine.
The wellbeing program brings together those who want to enjoy group camaraderie. The free food program which is also available at the Dig In Community Grocery is helping more than 50 per cent of the community impacted by financial distress to make ends meet. The equity of women’s involvement in the workforce is still undervalued and underpaid, that’s why ECH’s licensed childcare centre has been a fundamental part in supporting local families.
ECH will continue to run its programs that support women as well as men, families and those in their care as it was created to do in 1977.
Emerald Community House is centrally situated on the Main Street of Emerald and is recognised as a vibrant and valued part of the community. Stop by to see what programs might suit your interests and make new friendships along the way.
emera l d community house WHERE CONNECTIONS ARE MADE AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE REALISED
Childcare, short courses, venue hire, community food resource, monthly market, publishing, printing services ECH Term 3, 2024 July 15 – September 20
Food Grocery, Power recharge, wifi, community support
Licensed Childcare Occasional Care under 5s, M,Tu F
and After School Care, M-F https://www.echvic.org.au/ forms/
Office Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am - 3 pm or by appt (Office closed during school holidays) ‘Find us’ on Facebookwww.facebook.com/emeraldcommunity house
Emerald Community House, such as the free food program.
Picture: SUPPLIED
COMMUNITY COURSE GUIDE
Building real connections
OnThursday 23 May, Selby Community House hosted a ‘Wise Ones’morning tea for residents aged 65 and over.
The aim was to engage with this valued group to understand how the House could better serve them with courses, hobbies, and resources they would love to see available.
With the fire lit and a delicious high-tea spread, the event enjoyed a fantastic turnout. It was heartwarming to see so many community members come together, making connections, sharing stories and laughter. The feedback and insights gathered will be instrumental in shaping future programs at Selby Community House.
A prevalent theme in the conversations was the loneliness and isolation felt by many older residents. Following overwhelming support for a regular social gathering, the House are thrilled to launch the newWise Ones Social Group. Starting 18 July, this group will meet fortnightly on Thursdays from 10 am to 12 noon.
All residents aged 60 and above are warmly invited to join for lively conversations, card games, and more. No bookings are required— just drop in, enjoy a cuppa, and connect with neighbours. A gold coin donation towards tea and coffee would be appreciated.
Another key takeaway from the May Morning Tea was the enthusiasm among older residents to volunteer and share their skills, knowledge, and passions with their community.
Anyone interested in contributing their time, knowledge and talents to Selby Community House is encouraged to call 9754 2039 or drop by the House for a friendly chat.
A new ‘Wise Ones’ social group is forming at Selby Community House. Picture: SUPPLIED
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
MEDICALLY SPEAKING
Expand your eyecare vision
Mountain Gate Eyecare has been an established family-owned business for over 40 years.
As a local independent optometrist, they are proud to be a loyal healthcare provider for their local community.
Being one of four generations in the local area, the owners Danni and Paul are fully qualified Optician and Technician, who have dedicated their careers to the optical industry for over 30 years.
In their practice they have become familiar with each individual patient, in order to customise eye exams and treatment options, always ensuring every visit is welcomed with a vibrant, warm, positive experience.
All their frames are hand-selected from high fashion frames to a range of products to cater for all budgets.
They offer spectacles to DVA patients and also safety spectacles if required.
Mountain Gate Eyecare’s onsite lab uniquely offers faster returns for urgent spectacles and is there to help with any on-the-spot repairs.
Their practice is easily accessed straight from a carpark to their door also enabling wheelchair access.
Mountain Gate Eyecare offer Medicare bulk billing, which includes free retinal photography. Their optometrist offers a full range of eye health services, all with personalised attention to maximise your vision and the health of your eyes.
Mountain Gate Eyecare optometrist Edward has high expertise and is therapeutically endorsed, allowing a more thorough consultation enabling him to treat and diagnose a wide range of eye conditions, such as glaucoma, dry eyes, and cataracts just to name a few.
Mountain Gate Eyecare look forward to proudly servicing your eye care needs. Paul and Danni. 270917
Danni helping a customer. 270917
The Koalas hits the mark
By Gabriella Vukman
Winding its way throughout the nation, a new film raising awareness and invoking a new perspective on koala conservation has reached the screens of the Yarra Valley and Ranges.
The Koalas delves into the plight of the fluffy marsupial totem that is now listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Having shown on Sunday in Belgrave with future screenings scheduled around the Valley and Ranges such as in Healesville, filmmakers, creators and producers of The Koalas, Gregory Miller and Georgia Wallace-Crabbe are encouraging locals to hold their own screenings.
Gregory said: “One thing about the film is that we have made the film so that it is for a general audience. It’s rated G so you can even bring kids to it.
“And it doesn’t have horrible graphic detail in it. We’ve kept it to tell the story without having to show graphic images even though those images are out there.
“We want to reach as wide an audience as possible. So that’s our strategy for making the film, was to make it accessible to people. The feedback we are getting is that people are finding it a very emotional experience, but I think that is because they genuinely care about the animals anyway.”
Gregory and Georgia set out to encourage and inspire their audience to take action.
“We want people to come away with a sense that it is not a lost cause, that we can turn this around. It is a film that is purposeful and not negative,” George said.
With the Hills and the Yarra Valley’s status as a peri-urban area, the loss of habitat and support for animal aid are two major contentions that underpin the entire film.
like Gippsland where the iconic Straseci koala has hung on because of paddock trees and a mixture of pockets of bushland amongst farmland. The conversion of those areas to forestry has significantly impacted the remaining habitat for koalas.”
“Both in the Upper Yarra and in Gippsland, koalas have hung on in habitats that are now being encroached on either for farming or forestry so the net loss is always less trees and therefore, less habitat. It’s not just for koalas, it’s also for greater gliders and other species,” Georgia said.
“Sometimes Victorians don’t have a sense of where they were in the landscape because it was cleared a hundred years ago.”
Each Yarra Valley and Ranges screening will be accompanied by a discussion with a panel of local experts who will speak on the issues pertaining to Koalas in the local area of the screening.
With extensive native timber logging and development, resulting in the increasing loss of koala habitat, The Koalas film promotes the rallying of locals together in order to prevent the 2025 extinction of the koala species.
Georgia said, “I think it’s Very important on local government level that the moratorium really be placed on the clearing of any remnant bush.You’ve got a lot of fantastic, amazing forest, but it’s the chipping away at the edges and in forests that are on private land. All of this is just eliminating the last remaining bits of habitat that these animals can live in.”
Gregory said, “The issue in areas like the Yarra Valley and Ranges is that there is expansion going on. Houses are being built, roads are being constructed. Every time that happens we lose trees and when that happens in an area that is rich with animal life, they suffer and that’s what we are seeing in Victoria and everywhere around the big cities of Australia.”
ly change the way that we allow development to take place and there needs to be a new approach to design.”
Co Filmmaker of The Koalas, Georgia, said:
“One of the key problems that Koalas are facing is that they are interfaced with humans around the edges of the cities.We need to real-
“The history of the translocation of koalas in Victoria has made it a very unclear story, but koalas have been lost right across the landscape in Victoria in all the areas that have been cleared for farming and in some places
“Maybe the trees are protected in the State forests but they are still being chipped away at, so local councils really need to put the animals first in their thinking rather than taking out the last remnant stands of trees like has been happening all over the place,” Georgia said.
‘We need to put pressure on local councils.”
For more information, visit the film’s website at https://www.thekoalasfilm.com/
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
‘The Koalas’ film will be showcasing around the Yarra Ranges and Valley, beginning in Belgrave on Sunday June 30. Picture: GREGORY MILLER
Whistle-words inspire us
By Maria Millers
Democracy is hard work not just for leaders but also for citizens. Its ability to survive against authoritarian inroads is dependent on vigilant and informed citizens. And that’s you and me.
How we are informed relies on the integrity of our government in being transparent as to what they are executing in our names. And of course the Fourth Estate, the media, in all its various forms, should play a crucial role.
But sometimes the only way we find out about what is happening in areas well removed from our daily lives is when somebody is prepared to speak out. Often at a very high personal cost. We call these people whistle blowers.Wikileaks, under Julian Assange, published numerous classified and sensitive documents from various governments and organisations about military and government activities of our closest ally, the US, that were not public knowledge.
Julian Assange is not a traditional whistleblower, as he did not directly leak the documents himself. Chelsea Manning did that. Instead, he facilitated the leaks and publication of information from whistleblowers. The media portrayal of Assange has fluctuated widely, from being hailed as a hero of free speech to being condemned as a reckless opportunist.
Professor of Journalism at Macquarie University Peter Greste writing in The Conversation understands what imprisonment feels like. In 2014-15 he was imprisoned in Egypt on terrorism charges and admits his incarceration was nothing compared to Assange’s 1901 days in the notorious Bellmarsh prison.
Like many he believes Assange should never have been charged with espionage as Wikileaks was doing what the First Amendment to the US Constitution was designed to achieve, namely to guarantee people the right
WOORILLA WORDS
to speak out against abuses of government authority. But he qualifies his comments by seeing a difference between a journalist and a publisher and makes the point that Assange’s Walkley Award was awarded not for his journalism but for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.
But journalists cannot do their job of investigative public interest journalism without those who are prepared to speak the truth, to reveal what is often kept from us. In the Australian context just think of recent exposes: PwC, casino scandals, banking, war crimes and Robodebt, have all been brought into public scrutiny by concerned individuals, allowing journalists to do their investigations.
The prison sentence handed to David McBride sends a chilling message to whistleblowers across Australia. McBride, a former Australian military lawyer, leaked documents about alleged war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan. He was convicted under the Defence Act and sentenced to almost six years. Richard Boyle, a former Australian Taxation Office employee, awaits trial.
In times of turmoil and social unrest, poetry, song and films have long been powerful tools for celebrating whistle blowers, raising awareness, and inspiring change. From the early verses ofWilliam Blake comes The Chim-
When my mother died I was very young, And my father sold me while yet my tongue
Could scarcely cry “ ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep!”
So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep
William Blake reflects on his views on the plight of chimney sweeps as the Industrial Revolution takes shape, particularly focusing on the exploitation and suffering of young children forced into this dangerous and degrading work. In Warsan Shire’s poem ‘Home’ he delves into the harrowing experiences faced by refugees and the displacement of millions around the world - a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect the rights of those fleeing conflict and persecution.
No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.
You only run for the border when you see the whole city running as well.”.
Assange’s freedom is a testament to years and years of public campaigning. The bipartisan support in Parliament was gratifying to see and indubitably helped secure his release. But as he returns home, the campaign for press freedom and truth has never been more im-
portant. The following poem by EllaWheelerWilcox, published in 1914 is still regretfully eerily pertinent.
Protest
To sin by silence, when we should protest, Makes cowards out of men. The human race Has climbed on protest. Had no voice been raised Against injustice, ignorance, and lust, The inquisition yet would serve the law, And guillotines decide our least disputes.
The few who dare, must speak and speak again
To right the wrongs of many. Speech, thank God,
No vested power in this great day and land Can gag or throttle. Press and voice may cry
Loud disapproval of existing ills; May criticise oppression and condemn
The lawlessness of wealth-protecting laws
That let the children and childbearers toil
To purchase ease for idle millionaires. Therefore I do protest against the boast
Of independence in this mighty land.
Call no chain strong, which holds one rusted link.
Call no land free, that holds one fettered slave.
Until the manacled slim wrists of babes Are loosed to toss in childish sport and glee, Until the mother bears no burden, save
The precious one beneath her heart, until God’s soil is rescued from the clutch of greed
And given back to labor, let no man
Call this the land of freedom.
This poem is in the public domain.
Woorilla International Poetry Prize 2024 now open for entries. Visit www.woorilla.org
Unveiling boutique apartments, coming soon to Fountain Court
Join us for an exclusive afternoon as we unveil the brand-new boutique apartments nestled in the tranquil gardens of Fountain Court in Burwood.
Be among the first to view the spacious designs, locations, and pricing, and discover how to secure priority access in the upcoming sales release.
With the apartments now under construction and set to complete this year, now is the perfect time to explore all this thriving community has to offer.
Secure your opportunity for priority access to the sales release
Discover the upgraded lifestyle hub, currently under construction
Enjoy drinks, nibbles, and live entertainment
Learn about retirement living with our friendly team
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
ELEGANCE MEETS MODERN LUXURY
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. ●
OVERLOOKING a peaceful view of the nearby valley, ‘Collis House’ Sits on over three quarters of an acre, surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens whilst offering both a character and contemporary finish both inside and out.
Elevated over two levels of versatile living space, the home includes a practical, versatile floorplan that includes four bedrooms, the master suite boasting full ensuite and parents’ retreat. There are two living areas, with the oversized fourth bedroom potentially a third. Open plan in its design, the central, sun filled family room adjoins the relaxed dining area and the expansive kitchen that is certainly a talking point, with its large island bench, stunning granite bench top, butler’s pantry, and quality appliances. Perfect for either growing or extended families, and also ideal for those who work from home, this well designed and well-maintained home offers a quiet space for everyone including a separate studio that is ideal as a music room, office, or hobby space.
With gas ducted heating, along with a split system and refrigerated cooling, temperature control has been well taken care of, and along with beautiful French doors that allow you to open up the home to the fresh afternoon breeze, makes heating and cooling convenient and cosy all year round.
Outside is a garden lovers paradise with bursts of colour, hidden seating areas and pretty pathways take you on a tour of this delightful property. A sealed, circular driveway with a double garage with workshop, single carport and large 3 car parking bay will be a bonus for those with extra cars, trailers, and other toys and along with a garden shed, offers a great amount of space and storage.
With access to local bus route almost at your front gate and within only a few minutes’ drive to Belgrave train station, shops and local schools, ‘Collis House’ is steeped in local history and offers an executive style property in an absolute sought after location. ●
HOME FOCUS
SPLENDID START IN SOUGHT-AFTER AREA
WHETHER you’re a first homebuyer or clever investor, this inviting brick home is the ideal acquisition. Peacefully positioned at the back of a split block on its own 455sqm (approx.) landscape with single carport, this home offers potential for impressive returns.
The interior of this brick residence features floor to ceiling windows, split system heating/cooling, and easy-care tiles in the sun-filled lounge. The meals area with garden access and kitchen with generous island, gas cooktop, and stainless steel oven is the perfect place to gather with family and friends.
Completing the comfortable floorplan are 3 spacious bedrooms, including the main bedroom with ensuite and enviable walk-in robe. The family bathroom features a soaking tub and separate powder room. Gas ducted heating keeps this home cosy in cooler months.
Zoned for Bimbadeen Heights Primary School and Mooroolbark College and situated near Chirnside Park, Lilydale Lake, and Mooroolbark Station, this promising property suits savvy buyers to a tee. Plan your viewing today.
· Peaceful 455sqm (approx.) property with single carport
· Charming brick residence with under-house storeroom
· Bright and comfortable lounge with floor to ceiling windows
· Open plan meals area and kitchen with quality appliances
· Gas ducted heating and split system heating/cooling. ●
Address: 69A Woodville Road, MOOROOLBARK
Contact: Suzie Brannelly 0490 506 910, CHANDLER &
STYLISH HOME PLUS A BIG SHED
LOCATED on a quiet road, and an easy walk to the Cockatoo township, this 3-bedroom, 1 bathroom home with open plan living is impressive from start to finish, with a 1.8m white picket fence, electric gate access, large shed, and landscaped gardens.
Enter into the open plan living area with toasty wood heater, whilst the home has gas ducted heating throughout and a split system for year round comfort and convenience. You also have direct access from the lounge to the sunny deck, perfect for entertaining, which leads to the flat, fully fenced rear yard. Adjacent to the lounge is the good-sized dining area and the renovated and well-appointed kitchen with quality appliances and dishwasher and has easy access to the spacious walk-in pantry/ laundry – a great use of the space. Add to these 3 good-sized robed bedrooms and a renovated family bathroom with separate bath, shower, and vanity.
Outside, behind the picket fence, (with a walk-through gate for easy access), there is enough space to park a few more cars and a driveway to the double lock up garage/shed and the flat and useable backyard, where the kids and fur babies can play safely.
This property has it all so don’t miss out! · CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION TODAY! Call Samantha Scott on 0438 680 032
Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●
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
* Double carport, workshop, level lawn areas, and dual access
Early birds feel Earth move
By Tanya Steele
An earthquake originating from Avonsleigh was felt by residents as far as Pakenham in the early Monday morning on 1 July.
Senior Seismologist Doctor Jonathan Bathgate from Geoscience Australia said that the quake was relatively small, and fairly ‘weak’ and credited the time of day to people feeling the quake at all.
“It’s not that common to have this level of magnitude reported and that early morning timeframe was just at the right time” he said.
Recorded at a magnitude of 1.4 and a depth of 5km at 03.55 AM residents around Cockatoo and as far as Warburton took to social media to query the noise created by the quake.
Some residents said the quake sounded like a loud bang, while others thought it was a small explosion – still others slept soundly on.
117 felt reports were lodged on the Geoscience Australia website and the organisation keeps watch on areas that are more seismically active, to be alert for patterns of activity ahead of larger events.
Dr Bathgate said that the epicentre area in Avonsleigh hasn’t had a significant quake for around 10 years.
“In the last ten years we’ve had an average total of 16 quakes reported in the beginning of July for this area,” he said.
“The largest was a 3.3 magnitude earthquake in 2014”.
The public can access the Geoscience website to see areas where “felt’ reports have been lodged in their areas.
‘Felt’ reports for the 1.4 magnitude earthquake felt across the outer east early Monday morning 1 July. Picture: GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA
Relays action close despite some bleak conditions
By Jamie Strudley
A cold, windy Sandown Park was where the action was on Saturday as Athletics Victoria held round 5 of the XCR season. Always an athlete favourite, the road relays around the motor racing circuit provide for fast conditions despite bleak conditions…and it was cold there!
The men’s team, competing in Division 2, ran the division leaders close eventually just missing out on a victory by three seconds (about 15 metres). Led by an outstanding opening leg from Harry Norman, recording the day’s sixth fastest time of 18.29, we knew the team was in a battle with Sandringham from the gun. Strong legs from Max SavillBentley, Reuben Johnson and Angus Norman hadYRA within two seconds of the dominant Sandringham squad after four of the sixth legs. Tynan Mims ran a blinder to record 18.43 to then give James Laven a 16 second lead going into the final 6.2km leg. JL gave everything he had but could not hold out a strong finish from the Sandringham team. Easily our best team performance of the year and one that will have Sandringham watching over their shoulders in coming rounds.
The second men’s team of Sam Arnold, Luke Hunter, Daniel Groves and Matt Morrison were too good for other teams in their division, winning by a convincing 2.49 minutes while a third team ran exceptionally well to finish seventh in a competitive Div 7 grade.
YRA’s women’s team was missing some of the regular members, but the enthusiasm and commitment of those selected was evident to see. A strong start from Olivia Twining was backed up by an awesome run from KatrinaWinger, Bonnie Morris continued her outstanding form to keep the team in the mix heading into the final leg. Rori Jones battled hard to the finish to record her best result of the season, anchoring the team to a surprise third place finish.
The Div 4 women’s team of Lis Coffey, Carolyn Rosenbrock and Erica Purcell ran extremely well to bring the team home in sixth place in their 3 x 6.2km relay event.
YRA’s juniors only had to run one 3.1km lap of the circuit with the women’s U20 and U14 teams both running well. The Under 20 team of Maddie Laven, Brigette Rice and Zoe Clarke finished in a very close fourth place, while the Under 14 girls finished seventh. Unfortunately YRA had some late withdrawals in the men’s U16 team leaving Kimi Tove the only athlete running. Kimi ran a strong leg, finishing in 21st position.
The Saturday morning cross country was at a very cold Margaret Lewis Reserve in Coldstream. School holidays and the cold conditions meant lower numbers but no less effort of enthusiasm. Great to see everyone improving and earning more chocolate frogs for a course PB.
Next Saturday is round 11 at Elizabeth Bridge, Kilsyth. See you there from 8.45am for warm ups! Anyone wanting to help set up please arrive earlier.
Milly Hall 6.41; Victoria James 7.01; Etta Thoma 7.43; Tillie Sommers 7.52; Georgia Cooke 7.59; Iola MacKay 8; Tahlia Dawson 8.3; Winter Anderson-Bonsor 8.36 2000m
Theodore Lewis 8.53; Ilikimi Tove 8.54; Xander Sommers 9.18; Hugo Gibbs 9.27; Caitlyn McKerlie 9.42; Lexi Aders 9.44; Tess Hewatt 10.12; Pippa Congreve 10.32; Dominic Nealon 10.45; Alice Sabo 10.59; Zuri Dawson 11.35; Kirsten McKerlie 11.47; Eamon MacKay 11.54; Meadow Anderson-Bonsor 12.14; Ashleigh Christian 13.49 3000m
Tim Anderson-Bonsor 12.57; Brienna Coffey 14.06; Mackenzie Graham 14.22; Adele Ellis 14.32; Bryan Ackerly 14.32; Tori Kincaid 14.44; Elizabeth Coffey 15.53; Bradley McMeeken 17.11; Bethany Vine 17.19; Charlotte Strachan 17.27; Archie Budin 12.34
Tess H competed in the latest round of the Victorian RoadWalking series on Saturday 22 June. Tess, competing in the Under 11 Girls 1500m walk, finished in an outstanding seventh place, recording 10.47. Nice work Tess. Cross country training for all club members is at Morrison Reserve on Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm and Thursdays from 5.30pm at the Victoria Road Primary School gym. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability. New members and anyone interested in trialling are always welcome
Go to www.lavic.com.au or www.athsvic. org.au or email info@yarrarangesathletics. org.au for information about events and registration.
For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org. au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!
Kicking goals for equality
By Tanya Steele
Yarra Ranges youth are being supported in their journey towards gender equity and inclusivity as local junior football clubs tackle being agents of change.
Making great strides for girls and women in football a Yarra Ranges junior football team has been accredited by the AFL as a Women and Girls Chartered Club - making them one of three junior clubs in the hills to receive the endorsement.
Upwey-Tecoma Junior Football and Monbulk Junior Football also have accreditations, making junior teams in the hills a third of the teams on board for the program for the whole state of Victoria.
The Belgrave Junior Football Club announced via social media on 20 June that they had been officially endorsed by the AFL.
The junior footy team is one of the first nine clubs in Victoria to become a signatory of the charter and President Paul Piaser said that once the club found out that it was something they could do they jumped on it and made it a priority.
“We’re a very inclusive club,” he said.
“We’ve got a 50/50 spread of all our players, girls, and boys, which would have been unheard of about 20 years ago.”
AFLVictoria launched theWomen and Girls Football Charter in April 2022 and the initiative is designed to support community clubs and leagues to achieve outcomes that ensure the progression of women and girls in all aspects of community football.
Women and girls football participation has shown massive growth since the beginning of AFLW. In 2016, there were around 950 community teams for women and girls playing Australian football, by 2022 there were more than
2500 community teams for women and girls.
Adult clubs are now too getting involved, with recent workshops for the initiative held on 15 and 28 May for the inclusive clubs program at the Olinda Ferny Creek FNC social rooms.
Six clubs in total attended; including representatives from Olinda Ferny Creek FNC, Belgrave FNC, Upwey Tecoma FNC, Wandin FNC, Warburton Millgrove FNC, and Emerald FNC and are they now all working to become signatories of the AFL Victoria Women and Girls Charter.
Making something‘official’ that has been in the landscape at Belgrave Junior Football for some time, Mr Piaser said the club are ‘stoked’.
“It was always unofficial, we’ve had full girls’ teams for some time and it has just encouraged more girls to come to the club,” he said.
“Previously, the girls have outnumbered the boys in some years.”
Mr Piaser said that the accreditation itself is a fairly important perk and that it displays that the club is switched on.
“That would be something that if you went to a team website, you’d have a look, and you’d
Making something ‘official’ that has been in the landscape at Belgrave Junior Football for some time,Mr Piaser said the club are ‘stoked’. Picture: SUPPLIED
see that,” he said.
Girls are represented right down to the younger levels at the football club and Mr Piaser said that the entry level is more mixed and the AusKick is nearly 100 strong with a good split between girls and boys for participation.
“We have one of the largest I’m the 16 girls teams in the in the league and they’re actually premiership favourites,” he said.
Mr Piaser said that the club has a very large number of participants and successful teams as well.
“Our girls are playing premierships and doing all those great things that kids love doing,” he said.
Mr Piaser credits the general gender eq-
uity culture at the club, having more women in coaching and most importantly the push from the club’s committee to have an inclusive space for their players and community.
“It’s the tireless effort of the committee and the committee working hard,” he said.
“They’ve really pushed forward as well to make sure that everybody feels included in a safe, enjoyable space.”
Having more women in these key spaces has helped the club and Mr Piaser said that the committee is predominantly women.
“It has helped make the club a little bit more welcoming to girls and new girls coming to play the sport. and it’s been a big advantage,” he said.
Currently, Mr Piaser said the club are working hard behind the scenes to improve their clubrooms.
“When they were built, they didn’t consider the need for spaces and facilities for the girls and women,” he said.
In a general turnabout for gender toilet issues Mr Piaser said that Belgrave Junior Club have developed a situation where when the female teams are playing, there’s no space for the young boys and men to go to use facilities.
“It’s just something that time and money fixes a lot of of course, but, interestingly, the girls have actually created a great problem for the boys,” he said.
The charter sets out the expectation that associations will champion women and girls guided by four principles; opportunity, visibility, access and, investment and Mr Piaser said that the club is glad to leave older attitudes towards women in sport behind as the Belgrave junior community is not like that at all.
“We are all-inclusive – it’s not about winning, it’s about having fun,” he said.
Tess H walking to a seventh place finish.
Katrina Winger enjoying the cold conditions and Sandown Park. Pictures: SUPPLIED
Women and girls football participation has shown massive growth since the beginning of AFLW.
Hawks dominate Titans
By Armin Richter FOOTBALL SENIORS
Winter finally arrived after 10 perfect Saturdays opened season 2024. Round 11 was met with cold, dark, wet and windy conditions, which prevailed as Monbulk travelled down to Clyde North to meet the Berwick Springs Titans, with the lights being turned on before midday. Despite the conditions a good contingent of Hawk supporters made the journey. These teams had only ever met once before, back in 2021, shortly after Berwick Springs became a senior club, and Monbulk notched a 158 point win on that occasion. A second meeting being curtailed by Covid. The Titans have come on quickly though and were runners up in Division 1 last year and had beaten 5th placed Olinda-Ferny Creek this season. Round 11 also marked the point where all teams had met each other once in the 12 team Premier Division, and an accurate picture of the ladder was possible.
Berwick Springs started with the wind in their favour however, after grabbing an early lead, the Hawks hit the front by quarter time when Nic Wall kicked two goals in a minute. From the second quarter Monbulk began to control the contest. Even with the slippery conditions the Hawks were superb around the packs, winning the clearances with a regularity, as the onballers linked up brilliantly. Once they won possession they cut their opponents up with precision passing, covering the wide wings more effectively when going on the spread. The Titans struggled to get their hands on the ball and when they did drive it forward, found the Monbulk backline hard to penetrate.
After quarter time theTitans were restricted to just 2 behinds while Monbulk scored 10.19 for the same period. It was only the finishing touches with the goalkicking that let Monbulk down on the day as the Hawks cruised to their fourth consecutive win with a dominant display in the conditions. Monbulk have now moved up to eighth and have a big home clash against fourth placed Upwey-Tecoma this week. With injuries to Kai Linde (broken collarbone) and Dylan Werts, Tim Rickard was named for his first senior game and acquitted himself well.
Monbulk 13.20.98 def Berwick Springs 2.4.16
Best: Nicholas Wall, Hayden Finlay, Josh Rak, Tim Rickard, Joel Wensley, Lochlan Beecroft
Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 3, Hayden Finlay 3, Josh Wentworth 2, Nicholas Wall 2, Ben Hughson 1, Mitchell Dekker 1, Max Thornton 1 RESERVES
Monbulk were two games above Berwick Springs on the ladder going into their clash, but there was to be nothing separating the two sides once the ball was thrown up to start hostilities. Both sides attacked hard and ap-
plied pressure in equal measure, which made for a day-long arm wrestle. It was to be a low scoring affair as neither side gave an inch but Monbulk wasn’t able to find the match winning goal required in the second half and fell 2 points short.
Monbulk 2.7.19 def by Berwick Springs 3.3.21
Best: Adam Banks, Harry Fleming, Lachlan Smith, Charlie Barge,William Mutschler, Lewis Oliver
Goals: Noah Rutherford 1, Steven Shankly 1
WOMEN’S
Monbulk bounced back from last week’s loss to Woori and exacted their revenge upon the Seville girls at Seville. With Brielle Tipping, Indy Bakker, Kathryn Gow, Molly Licciardi and Scarlett Henderson missing, the Monbulk team worked hard to set up scoring options while also restricting Seville’s ability to impact
the scoreboard.The win entrenches the Hawks in second spot as they face Thornton-Eildon this week.
Places at the top of the A Grade netball ladder come at a premium with just two wins separating Wandin in 2nd (36 points), Mt. Evelyn 3rd (34), Pakenham 4th (32), Monbulk 5th (30) and Emerald 6th (28). Each win is not only important but the margin could also be critical in final placings. With this in mind Monbulk were not just looking to beat the winless
Berwick Springs combination, but also to add to the goal differential. The conditions were totally against cohesive netball, which made the display by Monbulk all the more impressive. On the rained drenched slippery court the Hawks compiled a score that would have impressed on a sunny day. Had the conditions been better the team might well have set a new club record. 86 goals was a remarkable return as Monbulk look to make a big impression in the run home.
Monbulk 86 def Berwick Springs 20
Best: Sophie Stubbs, Nicole Macdowell, Stephanie Ferguson
Goals: Peri Reid 64, Stephanoe Ferguson 22
B GRADE
The B Grade team required some shuffling of the magnets as regular scorers JorjaWragg and Dayna Walsham were unavailable. The void was filled with Chloe Carmichael stepping up from C Grade and the return of Olivia Crook, while Tiana helped cover for Rihanna and Katrina being unavailable in defence. Berwick Springs held an early lead of 11-9 by quarter time but after that Monbulk powered away to a convincing win by 28 goals.
Monbulk 52 def Berwick Springs 24
Best: Chloe Carmichael, Tiana Mancarella, Elizabeth Cutting
The Hawks were in complete control of their match against the Titans as they are now in clear sixth spot. This team has flown under the radar somewhat and, despite losing Grace Sands to injury a month ago at Emerald, are looking to make finals for the first time since 2018, when they reached the Preliminary Final.
Monbulk 50 def Berwick Springs 9
Best: Kate Smith, Sammi Kelly, Lisa Boyle
Goals: Jamie Sands 33, Chloe Carmichael 8, Laura Del Biondo 6, Lisa Boyle 3
D GRADE
With the Under 15s having a bye, Isla Stubbs and Kaitlyn Summers stepped up to play their first senior games with the development squad, and were joined by Elli Ritchie making her club debut. Possibly having the worst conditions of the day, Berwick Springs kept Monbulk goalless in the opening term and held a 10-6 lead at half time. In the second half it was all the Hawks as they ran over the Titans, despite losing Isabel Connell to injury. D Grade have now recorded successive wins for the first time in six years.
