Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 13th August 2024

Tudor on show - Sunny by name, nature

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

The Monbulk 22-year-old Sunny Dean Tudor made his debut show as a solo exhibition artist over the weekend.

Mr Tudor has been part of the Sherbrooke Art Society for several years now and during last year’s exhibition his artwork flourished swiftly, and he became the ‘Artist of the Year’ – leading him to host his first solitary show on Saturday 10 August at the gallery in Belgrave.

“I feel focused when I’m painting, that’s the main thing, and it’s a bit of a journey because with some paintings I really struggle to get it to how I want it to look,” he said.

He began painting with oil paint just prior to Covid but before that he was painting using watercolours and he’s been quite the drawer since he was four years old. His artwork has been displayed in student exhibitions when he was doing watercolours in 2019.

“It’s always been something I really enjoyed and just something I would do to pass time, I’m home-schooled, I had a lot more time to pursue my passions than a lot of other kids, which is very helpful,” he said. His paintings are narrative-based, and each painting is in the eye of the beholder.

Read more on page 12

Doongalla close calls raise fears for horse riders and mountain bikers... Forest near-misses

By Tanya Steele

Safety concerns for mountain bikers and horse riders have raised after near misses on shared trails in the

“We had a lady coming up the hill, very fast, around the corner on a bike and that was the first fright for the horses,” she said.

“They pulled up as soon as they saw the horses reacting.”

On Sunday 4 August Ms Andrea Blake, horse George and two friends with their horses were out for a Sunday ride when the group had a number of encounters with bikers on the trails.

Long-time horse rider Andrea Blake keeps her horse George on agistment in The Basin and regularly rides in the Doongalla State Forest.

Over social media, Ms Blake thanked the riders for pulling up as they are required to but said she is concerned that without proper awareness situations with horses and bike riders may not

end well. In the same area, Dandenong ranges trail rides, also known as Smallacombe’s riding school recently closed its operations until further notice, as they search for an affordable insurance provider to cover them for trail rides through the popular state forest.

Read more on page 2

Sunny Tudor painted this portrait as a gift for his best mate’s birthday

Doongalla State Forest.

Deer shootings on the rise

By Callum Ludwig

The Game Management Authority (GMA), in partnership with the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, has published its estimates of 2023’s deer harvest, gathering results from surveys of Victorian Game Licence holders.

The results estimate that 137,090 deer were harvested last year, an 11 per cent increase from 2022’s total of 123,400 and 59 per cent higher than the average since 2009 (86,400).

GMA Research Principal Dr Jason Flesch said the research was based on information gathered from randomly selected licenced deer hunters who voluntarily participated in the phone surveys.

“Throughout 2023, approximately 2,400 licenced deer hunters were surveyed about their hunting activity including how many deer were harvested, where hunting occurred, hunting methods used, and the species of deer harvested,” he said.

“This research helps build a stronger understanding of deer harvest trends and hunting activity in Victoria.”

The number of licensed hunters jumped up 3.6 per cent from 50,478 to 52,321, of which 60 per cent actively hunted last year at an estimated average of 4.3 deer over 10.5 days.

Head of Advocacy and Deer Management at the Australian Deer Association Sean Kilkenny said he was pleased with the increase in licence holders.

“This reflects a modern society being more connected and aware of where their food comes from, with more Victorians taking the next step and sustainably harvesting it themselves,” he said.

A study on the ‘Abundance of deer in Victoria’ was published by the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research in October 2023 in which 253 sites were set up, including 317 camera traps, on public land between September 2021 and May 2023. Deer were detected at 148 sites, and signs of deer at 186 in that period. From that, they were able to estimate a total abundance of 191,153, of which 123,061 were Sambar deer, 48,932 were fallow deer, 12,672 were red deer and 4243 were hog deer.

Referring to the abundance of deer stats, the GMA’s estimates would mean a very high proportion of the state’s deer population was harvested last year, even accounting for extra deer. Fallow and Red Deer were harvested to a sustainable harvest proportion (estimated harvest divided by the estimated abundance) of 0.11 and 0.9 respectively. Fallow deer have an estimated maximum removal rate (maximum annual proportion of animals to remove to stop population growth) of 0.34 and while Red Deer don’t have a set rate, it is estimated to be between 0.3 and 0.46 like most other deer, according to a 2010 study that estimated the annual maximum population growth rates of different mammals.

“The harvest numbers have been consistent since the end of Covid, demonstrating the irreplaceable role that recreational hunters have in managing wild deer.”

The Yarra Ranges is included in the very far east side of the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (CMA), with

“Recreational deer hunting generates 100s of millions of dollars and creates thousands of jobs for the Victorian economy, and with so many licence holders, it’s easy to see how,”

most of the deer harvesting in this region coming from the Yarra Ranges and Nillumbik area.

Between 2001 and 10,000 deer were harvested in the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA with up to 1000 of those using hounds while hunting.

Sambar Deer were the most commonly harvested species with an estimate of 106,500 deer, of which 53 per cent were female, streaks ahead of the next-highest at 27,500 Fallow Deer of which 59 per cent were female.

Sambar deer, however, were harvested at an unsustainable rate of 0.5, above their maximum removal rate of 0.4 and estimated annual growth rate of 15 per cent according to a 202 study based in Victoria.

The GMA’s report suggests the high proportions may indicate that there has been some overestimation of the recreational deer harvest, which could be caused by spotlighting on private property, a hound team’s total haul, or deer hunting in a different jurisdiction, such as New South Wales, being included.

Near misses in The Basin as horse and bike trails clash

By Tanya Steele

Humans, horses, and bicycles have recently created some near misses for a local horse rider from The Basin.

Riding in the Doongalla State Forest has created concerns over the future of horse riding in the area as bikers and horses try to safely share trails and a local trail riding businesses operation remains in question.

Long-time horse rider Andrea Blake keeps her horse George on agistment in The Basin and regularly rides in the Doongalla State Forest.

On Sunday 4 August Ms Blake, horse George and two friends with their horses were out for a Sunday ride when the group had a number of encounters with bikers on the trails.

“We had a lady coming up the hill, very fast, around the corner on a bike and that was the first fright for the horses,” she said.

“About three minutes later, we could see two other bike riders coming down the track through the trees,” she said.

“They pulled up as soon as they saw the horses reacting.”

Over social media, Ms Blake thanked the riders for pulling up as they are required to but said she is concerned that without proper awareness situations with horses and bike riders may not end well.

Dandenong ranges trail rides, also known as Smallacombe’s riding school recently closed its operations until further notice, as they search for an affordable insurance provider to cover them for the rides through the popular state forest.

As of the weekend of 2 July, the business has closed operations, having its last trail ride that weekend.

Ms Blake said she prefers Doongalla because it is so close to where her horse resides and she doesn’t have to transport George via a float.

“It’s the closest place and the only place I can ride in the bush or off the road in this whole southeastern region unless I float,” she said.

“It’s a really good fitness thing to ride up the hills and good for them [the horses],” she said.

Some agistment arrangements will allow horses to ride on the property they live on, but not all.

Andrea said her only choice with George is to ride out a gate onto a road by traffic at a kilo-

metre and a half down the road.

Riding a horse on the road is legal but Ms Blake prefers weekends due to traffic.

“You get on a track where you think you’re going to be safe and even then you’re not safe,” she said.

“We’re having a clash between these user groups and my point would be, there are designated areas for mountain bikes and you would never find a horse rider on those tracks.”

“Why can’t we have somewhere safe?”

With fewer local areas for her to ride on, Ms Drake said she would like bike riders off

the Doongalla trails or some more awareness around the shared space.

Dandenong Ranges National Park provides around 22km of horse riding trails, through the Doongalla area and Silvan Road near Silvan Reservoir.

Other shared trails like the Warburton trails are more open and bike riders can be seen from a distance.

“You’re not locked in as much as you are up a mountain track like Doongalla. It’s fairly tight in there,” said Ms Drake.

“I do not ride on non-horse tracks. I don’t deviate from tracks unless I’m safe on the track.”

Ms Drake is concerned bike riders are unaware that there are horse tracks in Doongalla.

“My question is do bike riders even know they are horse tracks? Unless they’re either signed or there’s a map showing that they are,” she said.

Ms Drake said horse riding is part of the culture and Australia’s colonial history is embedded with horsemanship.

“Horses helped us build,” she said.

“There’s a lot of skill still around that’s been passed down. To maintain it as a skill. We need to be able to practice it.”

Parks Vic said that current permitted locations for horse riders in the Dandenong Ranges National Park include a number of tracks in The Basin, near the Sherbrooke and Grants Picnic Grounds in Kallista, Sassafras and the Silvan Reservoir in Olinda.

Horses are not permitted in any other areas of the park, including picnic grounds and mountain bike riders must wear a helmet, ride at a safe speed, keep to the left, warn others when they are approaching and move off the trail when they come to a stop.

Ms Blake said that having areas that can be ridden to like Doongalla, without the need for a float is also vital for riders from a financial perspective.

“The danger is we lose it all together, right? And that is just, that would be just the worst, worst outcome. It’d be the end of casual riding for a lot of people,” she said.

Trail riders coming off track onto Edgar’s track onto Doongalla road. (Supplied)

Ms Blake rides very safely with her horse George.

The estimates are in for the 2023 deer harvest in Victoria. (File)

Biker dead in Emerald

By Tanya Steele

A yet-to-be-identified male motorcycle rider lost their life in a fatal crash in Emerald on Tuesday 6 August.

Police are investigating the crash after the rider lost control on Beaconsfield-Emerald Road and Cloverleigh Avenue at about 9.15 pm last night.

The male rider died at the scene and police are asking for anyone who witnessed the incident,

has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police to please contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic. com.au

This comes after the recent fatal accident on 28 June in Gembrook when a motorbike and truck collided on Gembrook-Launching Place Road - a male rider lost his life at the scene at 2.10 pm that day.

According to the Transport Accident Commis-

sion, 40 motorcycle riders have lost their lives to road accidents in 2024, a number which is up by 17 since 2023 - a 74 per cent increase. A total of 170 lives have been lost in total on Victorian roads this year according to the provisional lives lost tally at www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety

Whether you are a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian, there are many things you can do to significantly reduce the likelihood of being injured or injuring another person on Victoria’s roads.

Elderly woman airlifted from Kallista

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

An elderly woman was airlifted to the hospital on Wednesday 7 August, after her vehicle hit an embankment and rolled onto its side, leaving her trapped in the car.

The incident took place around 2.20pm, emergency services were called to rescue the single vehicle on Sherbrooke Road in Kallista.

Emergency services, including Ambulance Victoria, Monbulk CFA, Kallista-The Patch CFA, Sassafras-Ferny Creek CFA, and Victoria police attended the scene.

Monbulk CFA captain Glenn Hickingbathom was one of the CFA crews at the scene.

“Our rescue crew worked to extricate her in close conjunction with Ambulance Victoria, who had MICA paramedics and HEMS (helicopter emergency medical service) paramedics there as well,” he said.

cult position.

“[The driver was believed to be driving] on low speed on a hairpin bend on Sherbrooke Road, when she hit into the embankment,” the CFA captain said.

“She had cuts and abrasions, but she was conscious the whole time and was able to talk to us and work with us to try to get her out of there.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics were called to the incident.

“A woman in her 90s with upper and lower body injuries was airlifted to The Alfred, believed to be in a stable condition,” the spokesperson said.

IN BRIEF

Road closure Kalorama

The Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Kalorama/ Mt Dandenong will be temporarily closed on Wednesday 14 August, while it undergoes works.

The road will be closed to traffic between 8:30am and 4pm and detours will be in place along Ridge Road.

Traffic controllers will also assist buses via the Falls Road detour. The speed limit will be reduced to 40km/h along Ridge Road at the Falls Road intersection.

Local traffic will have access to the closed sections.

Number plate theft spike

Yarra Ranges police are concerned by the spike in number plate thefts around Yarra Ranges.

Police are asking that people please ensure their number plates are fitted with anti-theft (one-way) screws and to park your vehicle in a locked garage where possible.

Alternatively, park off the street in your driveway so that the vehicle is closer to your house.

If residents notice someone tampering with number plates, call Triple Zero (000) immediately

For more tips please visit www.police.vic.gov. au/preventing-theft-from-motor-vehicles Ring found on train

A piece of jewellery has been found on the floor of a train and handed into the Boronia Police station.

Marked with the engravement of ‘Kevin and Simonne’ inside the band - a ring with a white stone set in the band was found rolling on the floor of a train departing the Richmond station on the Belgrave line. According to Eyewatch, the ring was handed in a month after the ring was found on the train on 22 June and police would like to reunite the ring with its owner.

Proof of ownership will be required and people should contact the Boronia Police for more information.

Belgrave South Recreation Reserve back

The reserve has now reached completion as part of Yarra Range’s council revitalisation project. After residential feedback, council added an Indigenous mural, a pump track, a basketball hoop, and gathering spaces.

Updates have been made to trail lighting, there are improved pedestrian paths, a new shelter and an accessible ramp access to the netball pavilion. Works were made possible thanks to support from the State Government Justice departmentCreating safer places grant.

Construction starts in Gilbert Park Knox Council have started construction works for a new wetland to improve Gilbert Park, Knoxfield.

The new wetland will provide many community benefits, including supporting the environment, stormwater management and recreational activities.

“The HEMS chopper landed at the Kallista Primary School (which was half a kilometre away from the scene), then paramedics were transported up to the scene – we worked with them to rescue the woman who was trapped in a tricky position, she was partly protrudedfrom the car and that was what made it extra difficult.”

“It was a difficult rescue, but we worked really well and I’m really proud of the crew,” Mr Hickingbathom said.

“All services worked extremely well together, and it’s fantastic to see cohesion and communication between the emergency services to get the best outcome.”

Mr Hickingbathom said the crews worked for over an hour to extract her from that diffi-

The Alfred Hospital confirmed the woman was in a stable condition on Friday 9 August.

Community feedback from community consultation in 2023 helped shape the final design. It included the addition and locations of safety fencing, seating, and evergreen trees, as well as the materials used for the viewing platform.

The expected completion date for the wetland development, viewing platform and carpark upgrade is late December 2024, weather permitting.

An elderly woman was airlifted to the hospital after she hit into an embankment (Pexels)

The rider passed away at the scene of the accident. (File: 270745)

A sliding doors moment

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Ferntree Gully resident Bill Ireland is on a mission to bring awareness about the lack of incontinence bins in men’s public toilet spaces, after his embarrassing experience using an automated toilet.

The 78-year-old is among one in four Australians to be affected by incontinence.

Mr Ireland shared his personal experience of struggling with incontinence and the lack of discreet and accessible toilets.

A couple of weeks ago, when he was on his way to his bowel specialist, he needed to use the public toilet in Boronia Mall, the closest toilet for him was the Dorset Square Shopping Centre Carpark.

It was Mr Ireland’s first time using the programmed-Exeloo toilet which merely allows 10-minutes usage for each user.

“I needed an extra 10 minutes when an automated voice said that your 10 minutes has expired, and I got about three warnings in a couple of seconds, and then a siren layout-like-noise sounded, the doors automatically opened – it was very, very embarrassing.”

“I didn’t realise how crucial this issue was until I had an incontinence problem myself,” Mr Ireland said.

He initially contacted the Knox City Council on 23 May 2024 to express his concerns and call for a change.

The council responded to his initial request on 13 June 2024, the statement read, “I have investigated your complaint, which involved liaising with the Australian Representatives that manage installations and maintenance of Exeloo branded facilities.”

The council’s statement further reads, “as a result of my investigation, I have decided that, due to the large volume of use that these facilities receive, extending the 10-minute usage period of each cubicle beyond 10 minutes may not be in the best interest of all users. As well as ensuring that the facilities are accessible for all who require them, there is also a safety element included in this decision.”

The second response from the council to Mr Ireland’s request was sent on 30 July 2024.

The letter outlined the same response as the first letter

“As mentioned in the 13 June letter, factors such as safety and timely access in case of medical emergencies is the main reason for not increasing this duration. Therefore, Council will maintain the current 10-minute locking period, noting that the option for users to extend it by an additional 10 minutes as needed by pressing the button on the inside of the toilet,” the council letter reads.

Mr Ireland argues that the Exeloo-toilets are vandal-proof and it should have options to use the toilet for longer than 10 minutes if needed, to avoid humiliation, without having to press the green button.

“The 10-minute alarm to keep vandals out, in my view, is absolutely ridiculous, because most of the place is vandal-proof, and it’s only for graffiti, and a lot of damage can be done with graffiti in less than 10 minutes,” he said.

Mr Ireland said the council needs to take a better understanding of the situation and listen to more people like him.

“They (the council) should go to the toilets and experience the operation themselves, instead of just getting the details from the manufacturer, and they will find out firsthand what is actually involved – the way these toilets operate, many people refuse to even go near them for that very reason,” he said.

The retired Ferntree Gully resident said there are hardly any facilities for men’s incontinence products to be placed in men’s toilets and more needs to be done to address this issue and improve the quality of life for those affected

with incontinence.

He said this isn’t a luxury request but a basic need for men who suffer from incontinence to feel dignified and comfortable enough to be in public without fear or humiliation.

“I would like to help all men affected by incontinence around Australia to improve this situation,” he said.

If incontinence is not managed well, the affected person may experience feelings of rejection, social isolation, dependency, loss of control and may even develop problems with their body image.

“Men fail to ask about incontinence, which means they do not get the information they need to manage the condition,” he said.

According to the Continence Foundation of Australia, the research of Australian men with urinary incontinence found that 57 per cent of Australians intentionally keep incontinence hidden from those close to them, while 50 per cent with the condition tend to avoid situations where they could not access a toilet easily and around 28 per cent avoid socialising, except with close family and friends.

The research also found that an urge incontinence [a sudden and strong need to urinate (wee)] commonly occurs with prostate disease, it is low in younger men and increases to 30 per cent for men aged 70 to 84 and 50 per cent for men aged 85 years and above.

The foundation launched ‘Bins4Blokes’ in June 2021 to raise awareness and promote Australia-wide advocacy for the installation of incontinence bins in male public toilet facilities

More than 50 businesses, councils and other organisations joined the call to support over one million men around Australia who live with incontinence.

Currently, an estimated 1.34 million Australian boys and men are living with urinary or faecal incontinence, however, male toilets do not provide a hygienic and dedicated disposal method for incontinence products such as pads and pull-ups.

The campaign is working towards adding disposal bins for incontinence products.

According to the campaign, Melbourne is the first city in Australia to trial incontinence product disposal bins.

These seven locations that currently trial disposal bins for men’s products:

• Library at the Dock, Docklands

• Melbourne City Library

• Melbourne Town Hall Public Toilets at 200 Collins Street (below ground level)

• North Melbourne Community Centre

• Kathleen Symes Library, Carlton.

“Knox claims they’re progressive, if they take notice of this, that will be a very good thing and it will keep up their good work,” he said.

Knox Council’s spokesperson said the council recognises the importance of public toilets for residents and visitors to Knox’s public spaces.

“In this instance, the public toilet in Dorset Square includes a bin within the cubicle for the disposal of sanitary and incontinence products. Similar facilities are available in all the automated toilets and at the Knox Civic Centre, Rowville Community Centre and Knox Community Arts Centre,” the spokesperson said.

“In our automated toilets, users can extend the initial 10-minute usage time by pressing the lock button again, allowing for an additional 10 minutes. This feature is designed to enable access in the event of person collapsing or experiencing another medical emergency, while also maintaining comfort and availability for users.”

“The set timeframe is designed to balance these needs, providing a safe and convenient experience for everyone.

Knox City Council were contacted for comment.”

Bill Ireland is among one in four Australians affected by incontinence (Shamsiya Hussainpoor)

Greens name Emerald’s Dr Merran Blair as candidate

By Callum Ludwig

Dr Merran Blair has been named as the Australian Greens candidate for Casey in the upcoming 2025 Federal election.

A dietician born and raised in Emerald who currently works as a lecturer and practice academic at Monash University, Dr Blair said she has lived in and around Casey for most of her life.

“I did leave Victoria for just over a decade and spent the majority of this lime living in Ulladulla on the south oast of New South Wale, In the time that I was living outside of Victoria I also lived and worked in three other states of Australia, so I have a broad perspective of the challenges people face in different areas of the country,” she said.

“I returned to study as a mature-age student to complete my dietetics degree in 2017 and finished a PhD in employability in December 2023, I have been really fortunate to have this opportunity for a career change later in life,”

“Prior to returning to study I had a long series of insecure jobs, mostly in hospitality, and I have also run my own business twice, I got fed up with low-paying, insecure work and decided to get myself more set up with a career and obviously, that has come with sacrifices over the years that I have been studying, but I feel I am in a much better position now to give back to my community.”

Dr Blair will contest the seat of Casey where Jenny Game, the Greens candidate for the 2022 and 2019 elections, managed to achieve 12.94 and 10.94 per cent of the vote respectively.

Dr Blair said Casey was an extremely marginal electorate as just a 5.1 per cent swing in the vote would turn Casey Green.

“I am very excited to step up and represent our electorate and give back to our community, this is an amazing opportunity to finally have a representative in parliament who understands

that climate change is not going away unless we take urgent action,” she said.

“The people of Casey are more affected by climate change than many other electorates and we are sick of waiting for governments to take the issue seriously and act accordingly.

“We are also, much like the rest of the country, hurting from the cost of living crisis. Consecutive Labor and Liberal governments have dropped the ball on affordable housing, and they are scared to act to stop supermarket price gouging and to intervene in the cost of electricity. I look forward to pushing for action on these issues if I am elected.”

The Greens are the first political party or group to officially name their candidate for the Casey electorate, though serving Liberal MP Aaron Violi will be fighting to keep his seat. The Liberal Party has named its candidates for seats it will be contesting next year, including in the neighbouring Aston electorate which was won by Labor MP Mary Doyle during a by-election in April 2023.

Dr Blair said she plans to talk to as many residents of Casey as dhr can, to hear about their concerns and discuss changes both in the local area and federally that can improve their lives.

“There are a lot of local concerns about mental healthcare in our region, and I want to ensure more access to these services in our area, people shouldn’t have to shell out big dollars to see a dentist, psychologist or a GP - healthcare should be truly universal and free for all,” she said.

“Another major local issue is childcare, recent federal changes to the pay rate for early childhood educators is a great step in the right direction, we just need to make sure that these changes translate to adequate access to services for our residents.”

The Star Mail also asked Dr Blair which of the Green’s policies she was most passionate about, which she believes are most important for the Casey community, which she said were climate change and healthcare.

Dr Blair said she is extremely passionate about action on climate change and it baffles her why things are moving so slowly when the answers are right in front of them and underway.

“The current government’s insistence on opening new coal and gas projects is nothing short of negligent, currently, 40 per cent of Australia’s energy supply comes from renewable sources [according to the Clean Energy Council], up from 32 per cent in 2022 [according to statistics from the Department of Climate

Change, Energy, the Environment and Water], we need to be focussing on this and not living in the past and propping up the fossil fuel industry that is literally killing our planet,” she said.

“In Casey we are more prone to extreme weather events than many other electorates, in recent years we have been hit with multiple storms that have led to extensive electricity and internet outages, we are also very used to the threat of bushfires, but this is becoming more common. It used to be that every few summers would be high risk, but now, these high-risk seasons are more common and the bushfire seasons are longer and harsher and getting house insurance in some areas of Casey is either extremely expensive or not even possible,”

“Casey also has a high proportion of natural environments that need protecting from rising temperatures and the extinction crisis, we have a lot to lose to climate change in Casey, and we deserve better than a Labor or Liberal representative who is comfortable taking donations from coal and gas corporations.”

Dr Blair said her passion for healthcare is both from a health service sense but also a broader policy perspective.

“We are encouraged to think that individuals are responsible for their own health, but government policy has a much more significant impact on people’s health than anything else,” she said.

“If people are suffering from housing stress then they cannot be healthy. In the middle of a cost of living crisis, if people are having to make decisions about whether they buy petrol or put healthy food on the table, their health will suffer, my goal is to ensure policies that make it easier for all Australians to be healthy,”

“Currently, many decisions are being made that prioritise the needs of corporations above the needs of the residents of Casey, and all Australians, I want to see that changed so the government works for us, not big business.”

No room for renewables

By Callum Ludwig

As Victoria seeks to move away from coal-fired power, the State Government wants communities to help guide the approach to renewable energy and transmission.

A long-term Victorian Transmission Plan is in the works, with the draft Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines out now for feedback.

“VicGrid is changing the way renewable energy zones are planned so that regional communities, landholders and Traditional Owners have a real say in the process,” said VicGrid Chief Executive Alistair Parker.

“We’re developing a long-term strategic plan, the Victorian Transmission Plan, and we’re seeking input from local communities so we can get this right.”

The plan has drawn the ire of some however, with a number of regions throughout the state exempt from having to home future renewable energy infrastructure, including the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

A study map included in the guidelines outlining areas for future investigation has almost the entire Outer East area excluded from wind projects due to a 2012 Victorian Planning Provision, with other areas on the edges still either being avoided or deprioritised.

The Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges have largely been found to be less suitable for large-scale renewable development due to constraints including environmental sensitivity and the terrain, as well as because of the ban on wind farm development in the region in the planning provision.

Gippsland South MLA Danny O’Brien has been one outspoken critic, recently telling the Sentinel Times that the Victorian Government restated ‘its blanket ban on wind farms in city playgrounds like the Yarra Valley, Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas’.

When contacted by the Star Mail, Mr O’Brien referred to his comments during a 20 February 2024 debate on the Climate Change and Energy Legislation Amendment (Renewable Energy and Storage Targets) Bill 2023.

“The guidelines specifically preclude the development of wind energy facilities in; Yarra Valley

and Dandenong Ranges, Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, the Great Ocean Road area within five kilometres of the high water mark, and Macedon and McHarg Ranges, the land within five kilometres of the high water mark of the Bass Coast, west of Wilsons Promontory,” he said.

“Is anyone seeing a pattern here, does anyone know what this is, these are all either Melbourne or Labor-held areas, for areas east of Wilsons Promontory, ‘Go your hardest. Build a thousand wind turbines there. We don’t care. It’s not relevant to us’.”

Parts of Mr O’Brien’s Gippsland South District are designated as Tier 1 (most suitable), Tier 2 (suitable) and Tier 3 (available) for investigation into potential as renewable energy zones, while south to south-east of Traralgon is also slated for an offshore wind study.

According to a map of existing renewable energy projects from Renewable Energy Projects Vic-

toria, the Outer East currently has only one project: an approved but not yet operational battery in Chirnside Park that has a maximum power output of one megawatt.

Mr O’Brien said this is the hypocrisy of this government.

“They will have wind farms, and they will sell it in Brunswick and Northcote and Fitzroy but not anywhere we want it – not anywhere in regional Victoria, where farmers and people who live in the rural parts of this state have to put up with them,” he said.

“No, they just want them out of the places they live and the places they holiday, like the Yarra Valley and the Great Ocean Road, but Gippsland –‘Oh, go your hardest’ – unless it is in Bass, because on the Bass Coast that is a bit sensitive, that is one of their marginal seats; they do not want it anywhere there.”

VicGrid’s initial study areas will be whittled

down into smaller zones following the start of the engagement process over the next twelve months, with only a relatively small proportion of the study area required for renewable energy zones. The initial study area was developed through the Victorian Government undergoing a ‘strategic land use assessment’ which factored in community feedback alongside 60 statewide datasets covering agriculture, land use, biodiversity, cultural and social factors.

Consultation on the guidelines is open until August 25 and consultation on the study area in the guidelines is open until September 30.

People can find the plan, online feedback forms and details of upcoming sessions on the Engage Victoria website at engage.vic.gov.au/victransmissionplan.

To get a hard copy feedback form and replypaid envelope, call 1800 418 341 and one can be mailed out.

Dr Merran Blair, the Greens’ candidate for Casey in 2025. (Supplied)

As Victoria moves away from coal-fired power, the Outer East will have little role to play in homing new renewable energy sources. (File)

Raise hat to King Henry’s

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

The Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) has named Sassafras’s King Henry’s restaurant in its 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Australian Good Food Guide is designed as an essential navigational and rating accomplice, and it has been acknowledged as Australia’s most comprehensive restaurant, accommodation and travel authority encompassing not only for major metropolitan areas but many of the smaller towns that lie in between.

Every year the AGFG examiners carefully inspect thousands of establishments and other places of interest for inclusion in their publication.

The ‘King Henry’s restaurant’ best known for its famous braised beef cheek, slow-cooked for 12 hours, served on parsnip puree, with broccolini, parsnip crisps and red wine has been operating under its new owners for the last six years.

The Sassafras restaurant is set on five acres with a large deck overlooking beautiful gardens, and is known to be one of the most popular dining destinations in the Yarra Valley - it’s also one of the oldest food venues in the Dandenongs.

The restaurant was originally an old guesthouse dating back to 1902, but it’s been operating as a tea house since the early 1950s.

The Patch resident David Johnson is not only a local in the Dandenongs but also the restaurant’s head chef, and he’s been in the hospitality industry for the past 45 years.

Mr Johnson said the staff were very excited about the award.

“What it means to the restaurant and to the team involved is the recognition of effort, both the owners and the staff have a high standard that we’re trying to keep, and it’s difficult,” the head chef said.

“I’ve noticed a lot of restaurants have dropped their game a little bit, but we haven’t, and I think that’s a great success - I attribute it to Ross and Mary (the owners) whose leadership and standards imparted to the whole team.”

“Since I took over [as head-chef] about a year ago, we’ve had a transformation, and a lot of learning has been done, Michelle (previous head-chef) has passed on a lot of her knowledge about the place, I’ve ensured to keep that going.”

He said proper training for the staff and managers has been a major factor in their success today.

Despite the challenges many businesses in the hospitality industry have been faced with, Mr Johnson said their restaurant is keeping well.

Cardinia Shire Council postal election

My council, my vote

Vote by post this October

Ballot packs will be mailed to voters enrolled in the Cardinia Shire Council general election from Monday 7 October. Complete and return your ballot material ASAP. Ballot material must be in the mail or delivered to the election manager by 6 pm on Friday 25 October

If you will be away

If you will be away when ballot packs are mailed, or your address has changed since Wednesday 7 August, you can request for your ballot pack to be redirected by completing the online redirection form at vec.vic.gov.au/redirections, or call 131 832.

Requests for redirection must be received by 5 pm on Monday 9 September.

Large print and braille ballot papers

Large print or braille ballot papers are available for voters who are blind or have low vision – please register by 5 pm Tuesday 10 September. To register, call 03 8620 1314 during business hours.

Early votes

If you will be away during the voting period (7 – 25 October), you can go to your local election office to vote in person, from 10 am on Wednesday 18 September.

The Cardinia Shire Council election office is at:

Comely Banks 125 Bridge Road Officer

“We seem to be doing a lot better than a lot of other people at the moment with the crisis of living things, we haven’t really put up our prices, and we’ve tried to give really good value and quality for what we’ve got, and we seem to be edging ahead,” he said.

According to King Henry’s head chef, the venue gets its produce locally, he said they try to use all Australian products but that’s not always possible.

How to nominate as a candidate

To nominate as a candidate, you must:

• be an Australian citizen and enrolled on the voters roll for Cardinia Shire Council AND

• be eligible to become a councillor should you be elected AND

• have completed the mandatory candidate training before lodging your nomination with the election manager.

To nominate, complete the nomination form and lodge it with the election manager together with the $250 nomination fee. Nomination forms can be lodged by appointment during business hours from Monday 9 September until 12 noon on Tuesday 17 September at the election office. Visit vec.vic.gov.au for more information and to pre-complete your nomination form using the online Candidate Helper. The online Candidate Helper will be available from Tuesday 20 August.

If you use the online Candidate Helper, print your pre-completed form and make an appointment to lodge it with the election manager along with the nomination fee.

Call the election manager from Monday 9 September on 131 832 to make a nomination appointment. Nominations close 12 noon Tuesday 17 September.

“Our meats come from a few different places, including a butcher in Upper Ferntree Gully, our dry goods come from Cadell and Sealane - who have been operating in the Hills for an extended period of time.”

Mr Johnson said the nomination would help raise awareness of all restaurants in the Dandenong Ranges, not just King Henry’s restaurant.

“It’s an amazing feeling to see all of our hard work is having an effect,” he said.

Candidate information session

6:30 pm Thursday 5 September at Council Chamber, 20 Siding Avenue, Officer

Candidate information kits containing nomination forms and other electoral information will be available online and from the election manager.

State-enrolled voters can register for free VoterAlert SMS and email reminders at vec.vic.gov.au

Dave Johnson is King Henry’s head chef (Supplied)

The venue offers a variety of dishes

New mentoring initiative at Monbulk Secondary College

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Monbulk Secondary College has collaborated with the ‘Big Brother Big Sister’ mentoring program to set up a safe and effective environment for vulnerable students who need extra support and positive role models.

The mentoring program entails a one-onone relationship between a caring adult (outside a family) and a student, it requires the mentors to be committed to giving one hour a week for 12 months and they meet at a time that’s suitable to both the mentor and the mentee.

Monbulk College’s involvement in this program is mainly based on the challenges of the last couple of years that have impacted students’ wellbeing.

Students are carefully selected by the school and the wellbeing team and the program will work closely with the school to ensure vulnerable students get the most out of this.

Monbulk College’s community liaison Jeanette Pritchard collaborated with the school to initiate the program.

She received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2023 for her work both in Hamilton and with Big Brother Big Sister in Melbourne.

Ms Pritchard was in charge of building the foundation of the program for the school and over the last three years she managed to raise over $70,000 for the program to commence –without the fundraising, the program would not have happened.

“We raised the funds through grants, local fundraising, and the community but the most important thing is local support, without it, there’s no sustainability to these programs, I hope, and I pray that the community gets on board with this,” she said.

The mentoring program was founded in New York City in the early 1900s, and since it has expanded to 14 countries, and Australia established the program in 1996, mainly based in Melbourne and Sydney.

She was a former teacher in Hamilton, western Victoria, she said she understands the importance of these programs for young people.

“Over 20 years ago, I established a program called “Standing Tall” at the school I was at, it started in one school and now 15 other schools are running it too,” she said.

“During my time as a teacher, I saw some great kids, who weren’t fulfilling their full potential, and I came to see that without meeting their social and emotional needs, the educational outcomes weren’t being met either – it all correlated.

“I’m very passionate about mentoring, because the relationship can make a huge difference in the life of a young person, and it’s all about what these people in the community can bring to the table that’ll benefit our young people – something which teachers don’t have the time for.”

Ms Pritchard didn’t start mentoring until

later in her teaching career.

“Things have exacerbated up here with the Covid lockdowns, and then we had the big storm events, the schools are reporting that some kids are really struggling, and that was when I decided to put my efforts into getting a program going,” she said.

At this stage, the program runs only for high school students.

“We’re just working with secondary schools, particularly students in Year Eight and Nine, which is students’ most vulnerable years in the school,” Ms Pritchard said.

Mentors can come from any community and in any age group, but the big call is for men, and they must all share the following attitudes and attributes if considering mentoring:

• Care about the wellbeing of young people.

• Believe every young person has potential.

• Are willing to share their life experiences.

• Are willing to discover and build on the strengths of a young person.

• Are good communicators - particularly good listeners.

• Are non-judgmental.

• Have a sense of humour.

The mentors are then carefully screened and if found suitable are given both training and support for them to be able to carry out the role.

All mentor roles are volunteer-based.

If interested in becoming a mentor, visit the BBBS portal, scroll down and choose the Monbulk Program, bbbsau.microsoftcrmportals. com/inquiry-form/.

“I have always found that mentors find this an extremely enjoyable experience, I’ve had so many people say that is the best thing they’ve ever done – the joy of making a difference, and to see a young person grow in confidence, is truly rewarding,” Ms Pritchard said.

Positivity among the pain

By Mikayla van Loon

With the likelihood of homelessness increasing, services from across the Yarra Ranges wanted to commemorate the dedicated awareness week with positivity.

Each year during the first week of August, support services from across the region join together to remember, reflect and connect with or about the many people who have fallen into homelessness.

Under the warm winter sun on Wednesday 7 August, lunch was served to a gathered group of those in and around homelessness at Melba Park in Lilydale.

As the regular meeting spot of Holy Fools’ Street Angels lunch it seemed only right to make this the location of the National Homelessness Week lunch.

Founder and chief executive officer of the outreach organisation, Neal Taylor, said unfortunately despite some steps forward, the situation is worsening.

“The issue is getting worse, and we’re starting to see more and more families, not necessarily homeless but at very strong risk of homelessness, battling exorbitant rentals or high mortgages,” he said.

“Often there’s loss of income with a parent, one of the primary parents may be sick or lose their job.”

Anchor chief executive officer Heidi Tucker said this was exactly the scenario and demographic presenting more and more often to the organisation’s homelessness case workers.

“We’re seeing people now coming in who absolutely can’t afford their rent and looking at homelessness who work. So we’re actually now having a lot of contact with what we would call the working poor in this area,” she said.

“TheYarraRanges,historically,hashadreasonable rents, cheaper than further into Melbourne but that is not the case anymore.

“Not only that, landlords are also selling up with the interest rate rises so that perfect storm for people who are renting means that rents are going up but also properties are getting scarcer.”

Another cohort of the population representing

the increase in homelessness, Mr Taylor said, was older men, particularly “we’re seeing a lot more men in cars”.

One man, who Mr Taylor estimates was in 70s, wassleepinginhiscarduringtheweekswhentemperatures dropped below zero. He has since found nightly accommodation at the Winter Shelter.

Ms Tucker confirmed too that across the state the number of older women also becoming homeless continues to rise.

“The fastest growing group of people becoming homeless is older women, and what we know about them is that they’re very ashamed,” she said.

“They may have lived in a house, in a home, being the mother, wife, etc, for many years, and all of a sudden, they actually don’t have a home. They’re living in their car. We’ve heard from women who actually keep that a secret from their family for

quite a long time.”

Ms Tucker and Mr Taylor agreed that housing was first and foremost the key to delivering better outcomes for people in homelessness.

“We need to see more community housing. We need to see more permanent housing, but we need to start to see even more emergency accommodation. There’s just nothing, and it’s terrible that we’ve got lots of buildings that are just sitting empty,” Mr Taylor said.

MsTuckersaidwhenthemostrecentsocialand affordable housing project in Croydon saw some of Anchor’s clients find homes it was “like unblocking a drain” because “we all felt like there’s hope”.

“We’re certainly turning our attention to prevention. Houses and more accommodation and social housing, solve homelessness, but they also stop homelessness,” she said.

“What we know is that once people become homeless, they start not looking after themselves, they start perhaps alcohol and drug using, their mental health deteriorates very quickly and their sense of the world means that it’s a long way to get back up that mountain again. So don’t let them fall is really our motto.”

This is particularly important for young people, Ms Tucker said, because research from Canada shows that “50 per cent of people that are homeless as adults were homeless as children”.

For Mr Taylor, community help will form a huge part of the solution, particularly now that State Government laws around granny flats and bungalows have changed which could see someone get off the street for minimal rent.

More than that though, he said advocacy to all levels of government about tiny house and caravan laws or to repair and maintain current public housing stock, may go a long way in helping house a family or individual

And of course any dollar people can spare to donate to organisations like Holy Fools and Anchor, Mr Taylor said “helps us do what we do” and ensures people receive the support they need.

“There’s lots of things people can do from supporting and donating, and even volunteering, to just advocating and writing letters,” Mr Taylor said.

Recognising the difficulty and paying tribute to the people who have found themselves homeless, Ms Tucker said was one important aspect of the lunch but also to create a positive, supportive environment.

“We’re trying to dispel the stigma and misconceptions that actually people don’t go out to make themselves homeless. It’s not their fault.

“This sort of thing where you bring people together and people are just really friendly and there’s lots of nice things on offer, it makes people feel like we still care.

“It’s a very isolating experience being homeless and very, very lonely because people who become homeless, they lose their community, they often lose their family through maybe no fault of their own.”

BigBrothersBigSisters is now running a mentoring program at Monbulk Secondary College (Pexels)Jeanette Pritchard raised $70,000 for the program to flourish (Supplied)

Tasty Az’s Jack, Julz and Megan with Holy Fool’s Neal Taylor, Cr Tim Heenan, Anchor CEO Heidi Tucker, Stable One CEO Katherine Kirkwood and Jim Fuller House’s Kate Coleman. (Mikayla van Loon: 424162)

Volunteers feted at lake

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor and Tanya Steele

Long time volunteers and custodians of the Emerald Lake park have been honoured by Cardinia Shire council in a ceremony to commend their efforts with the Friends of Emerald Lake Park (FELP) community group.

The FELP volunteers have been volunteering in the park for nearly 24 years and gathered on Thursday 8 August to celebrate their long-term contributions to the vibrant community space.

Over speeches and morning tea certificates of appreciation were presented by Cardinia Shire council Mayor Jack Kowarzik to former FELP group president William (Bill) Whitbourn, treasurer Heather Whitbourn and Peggy Stonehouse.

Mayor Kowarzik also surprised President Sheila Hampson with a certificate as well and thanked the four volunteers for for looking after the park for not just his generation but for generations to come.

“Thank you very much, we’ve got a good group of people in this group,” Ms Hampson said.

“I’m very surprised and very honoured,” Ms Stonehouse said.

The event was also attended by Ranges ward councillor Jeff Springfield along with other FELP members and Cardinia council staff Belinda Powell, Sam Cross, Deidre Lovell and Lisa Kuriata.

Ms Hampson said in her speech that member Bill had done a terrific job in helping their group get established, Heather dealt with the group’s money as treasurer and Peggy has worked in the gardens tirelessly.

“It’s time to acknowledge the work they have done,” she said.

“We (FELP) are proud to continue with this work.”

Mayor Kowarzik said he was excited to be there at the gathering.

“These certificates are just a small token of gratitude for your hard work and your dedication to maintaining the park as a cherished space for the community to enjoy,” he said.

“Bill has served as group president and made significant strides in fostering communication cooperation by setting up the website and newsletter, he also helped establish the Emerald Lake Park advisory committee - his contributions have made a lasting impact on the community and of course the park itself.”

“Heather has been a dedicated member since 2001, a position she still holds today. She has been instrumental and made a significant impact on the Emerald Lake Park advisory committee.”

“Peggy Stonehouse has consistently participated in gardening activities and her valuable input and unwavering dedication make her a vital part of FELP and the Emerald Lake Park advisory committee.”

Handing over the surprise fourth certificate

Mayor Kowarzik said said Ms Hampson has been President since 2013 and he would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to her for her contributions to

the park.

“Under her leadership, the group has flourishedwithdedicatedmembersgatheringforthree working bees a month - accumulating around 500 hours of volunteer work annually,” he said.

Ranges ward councilor Jeff Springfield on the day emphasised the importance of having groups like the FELP.

“For nearly 24 years now, this group has been doing commendable work in the maintenance, upkeeping and the progression of this asset, which is unique in all of Cardinia Shire,” he said.

“I don’t know any other community groups within our council that have been successful in doing this continuously for this amount of time - putting this selfless work for the benefit of the whole community, and it’s so worthwhile and necessary because council can’t work in isolation,” he said.

“It’s an absolute honour to commend the members today, I thank everyone for their great work.”

Ms Hampson said the FELP has contributed to the success of keeping the Emerald Lake park green and healthy.

“We’ve planted lots of trees over the years and we’ve been very happy,” Ms Hampson said.

“We started off with a very large group of 40 plus people, which gradually whittled away. In a few of those years, there were only six of us left.”

“We’ve had terrific support, particularly since our natural reserve team came on board, we’ve been able to establish a very good report with the council. We are looking forward to more things happening.”

The group currently has around 20 regular members but are always happy for more to come along.

The Emerald Lake Park vegetation management project has been ongoing since 2010 and FELP has recently been a recipient in the Victorian Landcare grants program which is supported by the Victorian government.

The group received $18,500 to support works to be undertaken in 2025.

Volunteers and married couple Bill and Heather Whitbourn said they love the park.

“It’s our backyard - I used to live in Upwey and this was my swimming hole when I was younger,” Mrs Whitbourn said.

Mr Whitbourn remembers visiting the park in the 1940’s as a child.

“I used to ask my parents to bring me here from Ivanhoe,” he said.

The volunteers all shrugged off their hard work over the years, but highlighted the camaraderie and friendships they’ve developed from being part of FELP.

“It’s very satisfying,” said Mr Whitbourn. You develop a lot of friendships and that’s been one of the biggest benefits of it all,” said Mrs Whitbourn.

Ms Stonehouse said it can be hard to find consistent members and she herself has enjoyed the group as a way to connect and make lifelong friends in the area.

“I love the group and love the park, I just wish more of the community would dig in a little bit and help in voluntary work whether it’s here or elsewhere,” she said.

The event ended with a celebration over morning tea and then councillors and council staff walked with FELP members to view areas where weed management works and re-vegetation have been undertaken during this year.

Yarra Valley Water announces new partnership deal

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Yarra Valley Water has signed a new nine-year agreement with Abergeldie and Service Stream to deliver reliable water and sewerage services to more than two million Victorians.

Under the contract, the partners will provide works that form part of Yarra Valley Water’s Reliability Program – this includes planned inspections, maintenance and renewals of water and sewer networks and associated network assets designed to support the health and wellbeing of customers, communities, and the environment.

Yarra Valley Water is the third largest water authority in Australia and manages over $6.2 billion in assets.

Through this program, the aim is to provide more reliable services to new customers in the northern growth corridor and expect to provide drinking water, recycled water and sewerage services to more than 160,000 new properties over the next 20-years in the north.

Yarra Valley Water Distribution and Growth General Manager, Bridie Fennessy, said the agreements have an initial nine-year term with the capacity to be extended up to 12-years.

“We’re excited to move forward with the Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure and Service

year plan with Abergeldie and Service Stream to distribute reliable water and sewerage

Stream teams as we work together on our Reliability Program over the next decade,” she said.

“These new long-term partnerships reflect our commitment to deliver safe, reliable and affordable water and sewerage services, as well as providing a timely response if something goes wrong.”

According to YVW, from 2023 to 2024, it renewed nearly 32 km of ageing water mains and over 45 km of ageing sewerage pipes.

“This program is crucial because it supports our commitment to maintain and renew our water and sewerage network to keep up with Melbourne’s population growth.”

Ms Fennessy said the increased expertise generated by dual partnerships would ensure the smooth delivery of Yarra Valley Water’s Delivery Reliability Program.

“Melbourne is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, and water is a vital part of our everyday lives. Through these partnerships, we’ll continue renewing and replacing ageing water and sewerage pipes and conducting ongoing maintenance across our network infrastructure,” Ms Fennessy said.

“We know that dealing with water and sewerage issues at home and work makes life harder for customers, and is inconvenient and unpleasant, so we work towards guaranteed service levels every day.”

“Our Reliability Program ensures we maintain high service levels and continue to deliver on our customer commitments – this is reflected in our high customer satisfaction ratings from April 2023 to March 2024.”

The agreement aligns with Yarra Valley Water’s 2030 Strategy, focused on reliable assets

and services, to successfully deliver commitments made to customers in the 2023 to 2028 pricing period.

Abergeldie CEO Mark Bruzzone said the company is excited to continue its ongoing partnership with Yarra Valley Water.

“We are thrilled to be selected as one of two Delivery Partners to provide services as part of the Reliability program,” Mr Bruzzone said.

“Our success in being chosen reflects our commitment to Yarra Valley Water’s 2030 strategic goals, focusing on transforming around the customer and helping communities to thrive with initiatives that drive social outcomes and environmental excellence.”

As part of Yarra Valley Water’s Reliability Program, the partners will rehabilitate up to 50 km of sewer and water infrastructure every year.

Service Stream’s Program Director Water Reliability, Cameron Neales, also welcomed the partnership.

“We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with Yarra Valley Water and support the accessibility of clean and reliable water and sewer services to more than two million people across Melbourne every day,” Mr Neales said.

Yarra Valley Water has agreed to a new nine-

services (Supplied)

Left to right: Cr Jeff Springfield, FELP president Sheila Hampson, Cardinia Mayor Jack Kowarzik, FELP members Heather Whitbourn and William (Bill) Whitbourn and Peggy Stonehouse.(Tanya Steele)

Kev gets his motor running

By Gabriella Vukman

In efforts to raise funds for Foothills Community Care (FCC), the Norton Owners Club of Victoria are organising a charity ride.

The event will take place on Sunday, August 18 with riders meeting at the Ferntree Gully girl guides hall on underwood road in Ferntree Gully.

Committee member of the Norton Owners Club of Victoria and 45-year Ferntree Gully resident Kev said: “As a member of the Norton Owners Club of Victoria’s committee, I organise events and a few other activities during the year and I decided to put together a charity ride.”

I looked at a local charity here in Ferntree Gully that does great work for the community and I contacted Steve Barringto who is the FCC CEO, and he was delighted that we would even think about their small charity,” Kev said.

“It is something from us to give back to them for all the fantastic work that they do within the community in Ferntree gully and Upwey.”

Commencing at 9am Sunday morning and finishing with a presentation of the funds, Kev hopes that the public will show up and also donate.

Kev said: “I’m charging $25 per bike and the Norton Owners Club will match the funds raised by the riders.”

“Anyone who comes along for the ride is welcome and can also contribute $25 per bike,” Kev said.

“People can come along and have a look at the motorbikes before we ride off and if anyone wants to donate some money, I will be happy to take that and they will be a part of the collection we do on the day.” The Norton Owners Club has been running since 1981 and this FCC ride is the first charity event they have done in years.

Kev said: “I’d like to do a charity event every year. I told members that I have looked around where I live for the smaller charities that are doing great work in the community,”

“I’ve asked for next year’s members to look at their local area and choose a charity. I have opened it up to our club members and I will help them organise a ride for next year. We are motor-

bike enthusiasts and we would just like to give something back to the community,” Kev said.

“FCC does fantastic work for the homeless and disadvantaged in the area. I have spoken with Steve Barrington and he is delighted that we would support his organisation in this way.”

Yarra Ranges Shire Council postal election

My council, my vote

Vote by post this October

Ballot packs will be mailed to voters enrolled in the Yarra Ranges Shire Council general election from Monday 7 October. Complete and return your ballot material ASAP. Ballot material must be in the mail or delivered to the election manager by 6 pm on Friday 25 October

If you will be away

If you will be away when ballot packs are mailed, or your address has changed since Wednesday 7 August, you can request for your ballot pack to be redirected by completing the online redirection form at vec.vic.gov.au/redirections, or call 131 832.

Requests for redirection must be received by 5 pm on Monday 9 September.

Large print and braille ballot papers

Large print or braille ballot papers are available for voters who are blind or have low vision – please register by 5 pm Tuesday 10 September. To register, call 03 8620 1314 during business hours.

Early votes

If you will be away during the voting period (7 – 25 October), you can go to your local election office to vote in person, from 10 am on Wednesday 18 September.

The Yarra Ranges Shire Council election office is at:

Silvan Public Hall

271 Monbulk Road

Silvan

How to nominate as a candidate

To nominate as a candidate, you must:

• be an Australian citizen and enrolled on the voters roll for Yarra Ranges Shire Council AND

• be eligible to become a councillor should you be elected AND

• have completed the mandatory candidate training before lodging your nomination with the election manager.

To nominate, complete the nomination form and lodge it with the election manager together with the $250 nomination fee. Nomination forms can be lodged by appointment during business hours from Monday 9 September until 12 noon on Tuesday 17 September at the election office. Visit vec.vic.gov.au for more information and to pre-complete your nomination form using the online Candidate Helper. The online Candidate Helper will be available from Tuesday 20 August.

If you use the online Candidate Helper, print your pre-completed form and make an appointment to lodge it with the election manager along with the nomination fee.

Call the election manager from Monday 9 September on 131 832 to make a nomination appointment.

Nominations close 12 noon Tuesday 17 September.

Candidate information sessions

6 pm Wednesday 4 September at Council Civic Centre, Conference Room A, 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale

11 am Friday 6 September at Council Civic Centre, Conference Room A, 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale

Candidate information kits containing nomination forms and other electoral information will be available online and from the election manager.

State-enrolled voters can register for free VoterAlert SMS and email reminders at vec.vic.gov.au

Ferntree Gully resident Kev is gearing up for his ride with the the Norton Owner’s Club of Victoria for a charity ride in order to raise money for Foothills Community Care. (Supplied)

Coincidence, then contact

Dear editor,

Earlier this year my two daughters and granddaughter were visiting the Dandenongs on a nostalgic trip to see where their family lived in the 1920s – 1960s. As I’ve been living in Perth for many years, they thought I’d be interested to read a copy of ‘The Star Mail’. By good fortune it happened to be the 23 January 2024 edition with your article ‘Gembrook Stalwart Norm recognised’. I immediately identified with Norm who I had not seen for over 50 years.

The Kollosche family led by May and Jack ran US Motors for many years. Based in Belgrave but routes covered the Dandenongs, including Gembrook of course. Norm, now 90, was a highly respected staff person and US Bus Lines driver for some 52 years – an amazing length of time.

I contacted Norm and we had a great chat catching up. Norm has generously gifted our family his personal copy of a well compiled book

‘History of US Motors including US Bus Lines 1921-1964’. Nicely collated by past employee the late Don Harrison, the book includes photography, articles and anecdotes. Don passed the book to colleague David Smart and upon David’s passing his daughter delivered it into the safe hands of Norm.

Many thanks to Norm, wife Shirley and sons Rodney and Greg for arranging safe delivery of the book.

Thanks also to Star Mail, for the wonderful article in January relating to Norm Smith.

John F Kollosche

Perth WA

The article featured in January was recognising Norm Smith’s service to the RSL. (File: 384022)

Community diary: Nature walk for Science Week

Nature and Science in one package in Selby Selby community house is holding a free nature walk and exploration of Minak Reserve.

As part of National Science Week, the community house is inviting local families to attend the nature walk, with fun science activities and yummy snack refreshments on hand.

Join in on Sunday 18th August from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

Meet at Selby Community House at 1 Minak Road, Selby.

The event is for ages 8+ and parents must attend.

Light catering and resource materials will be provided.

Please RSVP to secure your spot, as they are limited. www.selbyhouse.org.au programming@selbyhouse.org.au

Probus Club adds historical flair

The Emerald Ladies Probus Club is adding some past and modern history to the fun and friendship of their club.

Special guest Is Bev Blennenhasse who will

be speaking on shipwrecks, including the Costa Concordia.

The upcoming meeting will be held at the

Emerald RSL commences at 10am on Monday August 19th.

All retired and semi-retired ladies are very welcome. Enquiries Michele 0409867678 Burrinja host free curator talk Curator Talk - Illustrated - Reckless Confidence: Joseph Banks and the Florilegium - Undertaking the world’s largest fine art printing project - and pulling it off (literally) will be held on Sunday 18 August from 2pm – 3 pm at Burrinja on Wurundjeri Country, 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey VIC 3158.

The printing of Banks’ Florilegium is a tale of ambition, persistence and sheer luck. Despite Banks’ enormous personal effort and investment, the project attempting to record the massive amount of plants collected on Cook’s first voyage around the world was never completed in his lifetime. Curiously, the florilegium escaped neglect and destruction only by a hair’s breadth. Burrinja Curator JD Mittmann will trace the extraordinary story that resulted in one of the most remarkable printing projects –160 years after Banks’ death.

Please RSVP through the Burrinja website

at: www.exhibitions.burrinja.org.au/portfolio/ public-programming-botanical/ Citizen Scientists unite online Yarra Ranges Council invites all to join the iNaturalist Community Championships webinar. Community members from different municipalities across Victoria will come together to share stories of being a citizen scientist. Attendees will chat and learn on how and why they use iNaturalist and talk about typical or unusual observations they’ve made, if they concentrate on certain species and where they like to explore. There will also be time to ask questions. Here are the details:

Tuesday, 27 August from 7pm, online. Register here: https://yarraranges-vic.zoom. us/.../WN....

This event is part of the 2024 Melbourne Biodiversity Blitz, where Councils compete to see who can contribute the most species during September, biodiversity month.

More information can be found on their website: https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/.../biodiversity-blitz...

Many a milestone for Dandenong Ranges Steiner School

By Ava Cashmore

The Dandenong Ranges Steiner School celebrated its 25th anniversary on Friday 2 August, marking the milestone with festivities. Involving all staff, students, and families, the school held an assembly featuring the school’s orchestra, a new school song composed by music teacher Judy, and a very large cake. Founding teachers Tamsin and Gillian shared the school’s origin story, detailing its humble beginnings and growth from eight students to 160 across two campuses.

Celebrating another milestone, further along Wellington Road in Menzies Creek, the early childhood campus of the school welcomed Local MP Daniela De Martino to attend the opening of a new kindergarten room, refurbished office, and community room on Wednesday 7 August.

Class 3 teacher Casey Megan and woodwork and German teacher Cornelia Klinger, both part of the management team, reflected on the school’s evolution. Megan described the anniversary as a testament to the school’s journey from its early days to its present state. “It’s wonderful to hear the founding teachers tell the story of the school, its struggles and how much parents were part of the initiative. Building the furniture, digging holes for the sandpit, making toys, making music bags,” Casey said.

Cornelia highlighted the school’s commitment to the Steiner curriculum, which emphasises a holistic approach to education. “Our focus has always been on nurturing all different aspects of children, not just academically”, Cornelia said. Looking ahead, the school intends to increase

nearby,” Cornelia said.

The Dandenong Ranges Steiner School’s 25th anniversary celebrations will continue with a larger event on September 8, featuring alumni,

former teachers, and a day of music, stories, and food. The school’s dedication to community and holistic education remains at the heart

L-R Rear Rebecca Rassavong, Daniela De Martino, Cath Lanigan and Karin Penny. L-R Front Kinder Children Edward and Philippa. Inside the new office. (Gary Sissons: 423994)

L-R Cath Lanigan, Karin Penny, Daniela De Martino and Rebecca Rassavong. In one of the new rooms. (Gary Sissons: 423994)

Group picture outside one of the new rooms. (Gary Sissons:

The free walk is part of activities. (Unsplash)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Immerse a triumph

By Gabriella Vukman

Consisting of over 40 diverse offerings across Knox, the Knox city Council’s Immerse program has just wrapped up having funded many artists and creators.

With the aim of making art more accessible to the Hills community, Knox’s Immerse festival ran over the month of July and featured interactive artworks, installations, performances and projections and surprising activations.

“Highlights included popular public art bus tours exploring the Knox Public Art Trails, performances at Knox Community Arts Centre and the celebration of NAIDOC Week with LightBox Galleries showcasing contemporary First Nations artwork,” Knox Mayor, Councillor Jude Dwight said.

“The finale of the month-long event was Water and Light by Ferntree Gully’s Little Projector Company, a family-friendly light show celebrating the local environment and evolution of the Dandenong Ranges,” she said.

“Held at Ferntree Gully Quarry on the last weekend of Immerse, the 100 metre-wide projection illuminated the quarry cliff. It featured spectacular projection mapping, a cinematic soundscape and colourful works by local artists.”

Along with the Immerse program, the Knox city Council implemented a program called Artslink in efforts to connect visual artists with businesses to exhibit their works in shops, cafes and other places.

Immerse-featured choreographer and performer Jonathan Homsey said what the city of Knox is doing is very refreshing.

“I would like to highlight the opportunities the Immerse festival has created,” he said.

“Commissions like this are becoming more and more rare.”

“There’s not many other opportunities now throughout all of Melbourne and Victoria, as the economy of an artist it is very hard to do some-

thing right now.”

The Immerse festival was free and open to the public.

Jonathan said that he is very passionate about gift versus monetisation of the arts.

“I want arts to be a part of the public service. I want my art to serve the public,” he said.

“These performances are gifted to society. If there was a ticket exchange, I think it would be very different. I would want to entertain them with something very spectacular but I think in these short, gifted, 20-minute events, it’s just to make people curious. “

“This program afforded local audiences an opportunity to dip their toes into the water as opposed to being fully and suddenly immersed into something that they didn’t consent to.”

With exhibits ranging from the Knox library

to the Ferntree Gully Quarry, Knox’s Immerse festival also aimed to break down stereotypical, unipolar ideologies surrounding gallery and arts exhibitions.

As opportunities for upcoming artists are squeezed by today’s economy, Jonathan emphasises the significance of creating avenues for emerging artists.

“What’s really important is the opportunity for emerging artists to get their toes in the water because there’s not enough opportunities. There’s all these young artists that I can’t employ,” he said.

“Immerse recognises that it’s really hard to get a platform for these artists especially when it comes to being paid ethically and with award rates which is so important in the cost of living crisis.”

Highlighting the difference between inner-city and outer metro festivals, Jonathan said he sees Immerse as a way to introduce locals to new art forms.

“In the city we are used to all the buskers and I would like to have that same neighbourhood quality in the outer metro area as well as the inner metro and develop a palette for being used to it,” he said.

“All art is in good taste, it’s just that people have different taste palettes.”

“They are different fruits, being in the outer metro or CBD, but all the tastes are valid but I’m just wanting to expand people’s palettes.”

Jonathan said he enjoyed the camaraderie and interaction afforded by the Immerse festival.

“Working with the council was really refreshing. Everyone had a great camaraderie and I really enjoyed interacting with the children in the area. That was the most rewarding part,” he said

“I could see kids that were curious and if I inspire a boy to dance and go to dance school and not have my experience being the only boy with all the girls and being constantly reprimanded, then I have done my job.”

Monbulk ‘Artist of the Year’ Sunny debuts

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

The Monbulk ‘Artist of the Year’ Sunny Dean Tudor made his debut solo exhibition over the weekend.

His Exhibition titled ‘Eighteen’ was on displayed at Sherbrooke Gallery in Belgrave on Saturday 10 August.

He’s been part of the Sherbrooke Art Society for a few years now, and he’s had some of his paintings in the exhibitions, but this was his first solo show.

Mr Tudor has been drawing since the age of four, in 2018 he began doing watercolours, and just before Covid he started painting.

“It’s always been something I really enjoyed and just something I would do to pass time, I’m home-schooled, I had a lot more time to pursue my passions than a lot of other kids, which is very helpful,” he said.

He has been using organic hemp canvas and makes his own natural oil paints for the last three years.

For some people, art is an escape and some even find it therapeutic but for Mr Tudor it’s about bringing the visual to life.

“I get ideas in my head, I get obsessive over them, and I need to put them onto something, or have them come to fruition,” he said.

“A lot of the paintings I do are narrative based, when I get a story in my head, I want to express it.”

“When other people look at my paintings, if they have enough time, they will end up having their own story to it, which I really like because one picture can tell many different stories.”

The meaning behind one of Mr Tudor’s popular portraits, ‘Longing’

“They say she lost her lover to the sea,” the old woman said to her grandson. They watched the youthful redhead walk past as they mended the fishing nets that had been damaged with the morning’s catch.

She pretended that she hadn’t heard.

The old lady didn’t understand, didn’t know the whole story.

She continued as she did every morning, through town and down to the beach.

Five hundred and twelve days it had been.

She walked down the beach along the water line letting the waves pull at her bare feet.

She barley felt the cold of the water anymore.

The smell of the ocean caught up in the wind played with the curls of her hair as she climbed the rocky headland that separated this bay from the next.

She took her time climbing, careful not to misplace a hand or foot on the crumbly sandstone.

The view at the top was always beautiful, but today sunbeams shot out from the usual clouds to glint on the horizon line.

She could never enjoy this view, no matter how much she wanted to.

It was the last place she had seen him.

He didn’t switch over all his paints immediately, until a year later that he decided to make the natural paints his only paints.

The 22-year-old artist said he purchases all his paints in bulk from the American company, ‘Nat-

Photo walks

By Tanya Steele

Photo walks in the Yarra Ranges are a great way to get active and be creative at the same time. From Olinda to Healesville, a local photographer has been running free monthly photo walks for the general public to join in and snap a photo of the local scenery.

Novice to professional photography lovers from locals and tourists alike have been joining seasoned photographer Steve to take in nature and practice their art form.

On Sunday 4 August, a group of 13 met at the artist’s base studio Loop in Olinda and from there went to the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens to capture the scenery at the famous gardens.

“Most of the walks have been focused around the Dandenongs, which has been very well received,” said Steve.

“We walked down there and walked down to that Serenity Point Lookout up back by the lake, and then back around - it was a good little bit of exercise,” he said.

“A couple of months ago, he went down to Sherbrooke Falls, and did a bit of a quiet loop around there.”

People came from as far as Altona for the day and Steve said he began the photo walks after lockdown.

“I heard one was happening in Sydney so I went searching for one in Melbourne and I couldn’t find one,” he said.

“I figured, well I’ll make one,” he said.

The Melbourne Photo Walks officially began in 2023 and Steve said once he put it out there people began attending straight away.

“It sort of naturally grew and every month, we’d go out for a walk somewhere different,” said Steve.

The attendees have ranged from novice to professional large-format film photographers.

“It’s everyone – people are shooting with iPhones and it’s about getting more people into it, shooting photos, having fun and sharing some knowledge as well,” Steve said.

ural Earth Paint’ because they “ethically source all the pigments.”

“They’re all natural and mineral-based pigments, it comes in a dry powdery form, then I mix that with the walnut oils – it’s a lot safer to use, if you’re to touch regular paint with your hands, there’s chemicals in there, they’re going to absorb into your bloodstream and also when you are washing that away – it’s going into the soil and it’s affecting the environment and your health,” he said.

“There are some upsides, and downsides to using these paints – the downsides are each paint is very unique, so the texture is a bit different, the dry time is a bit different, you really have to learn how to work with them, and they can be trickier to learn how to use, it’s time-consuming to know each colour and how it behaves and how to use them properly.”

“But the plus sides are, it’s very high quality, a lot of paints you’re buying, they’re actually thinning the pigment with fillers to make the paint go further – you’re not getting as high-quality product, and they’re going to fade over time.”

These unique oil paints are often a lot more vibrant in their raw form, and they stay vibrant for longer – which makes them much more archival.

He said he paints a little bit sporadic.

“I’ve tried sort of having an everyday like daily painting practice, and a lot of people seem to think that that really works well, but it never works well for me to paint every day or draw every day – can’t force myself to be consistent and disciplined in that respect, it seems to kill my motivation,” he said.

“I seem to be more consistent in having a big chunk throughout the year.”

Each of his paintings can take up to 15 to 20 hours depending on how detailed the painting is and how creative the story behind it is.

Mr Tudor currently works in hospitality in the Yarra Valley, and he’s been saving up for his upcoming for an overseas trip with his partner.

“I’d like to continue doing what I’m doing so far, I’m very passionate about it and it’s something I would like to have as my full-time career at some point,” he said.

“Everything I do now is about including people and bringing people together,” he said.

A photographer for over 20 years and specialising in film and portraiture, Steve now has a permanent studio in Olinda where the walks are based. The casual strolls range in length and typically begin around 9am on the first Sunday of most months.

“It’s really about finding your people that share an interest in photography - there’s absolutely no pressure to ‘be’ anything’ Steve said.

“There’s no expectation but the walks do provide an avenue for people to explore photography,” he said.

The Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley have so far provided an accessible way for people to practice their art - setting the stunning forest and valley scenery as the backdrop to any artist’s wandering eye.

Steve said by popular request they will soon head to the Maroondah Dam on Father’s Day for their next walk on 1 September.

People can find out more at the “What’s on” space of his website at:

www.loopartphotospace.com/whatson-at-loop-art-photo-space-olinda/freemelbourne-photo-walk/

“We always have a really positive vibe,” he said.

A portrait of Sunny’s best friend whom he’s known since he was five (SUPPLIED)

The Melbourne photowalk group meets most months to walk the trails of the Yarra Ranges and beyond. (Loop Art & Photo Space).

Having just wrapped up, Knox’s Immerse festival consisted of over 40 diverse offerings across the hills with Ferntree Gully Quarry exhibitions and public arts trails starring among the favourites. (Knox City Council).

Homeless again unnoticed

By Maria Millers

Perhaps it was the media focus on the Olympics that has allowed Homelessness Week to slip by, mostly unnoticed.

The Victorian Homelessness Network (NHN) aimed at raising awareness that on any given night 30,000 Victorians ( including 6800 children) are staying somewhere temporary like a tent, someone’s couch, a car or if lucky in a shelter or refuge.

But if unlucky sleeping rough in laneways. With a winter that has been brutally cold this becomes a confronting statistic.

In poet Rosemary Dobson’s words: The homeless wander in their dreams, their souls adrift in empty streams, searching for a place of rest, a shelter where they might be blessed. Nor is the stereotype of a homeless person as someone sleeping it off on a city footpath valid any more.

The reasons are complex but mainly due to family violence, financial problems and the unavailability of affordable homes for sale or rent. And as Anna Quiglan reminds us: They are not people who are

In any way different from you or me.

They are just people

Who have run out of luck.

Shelter is crucial to our physical and mental wellbeing, providing protection from the elements and a secure environment for personal growth, a foundation for meeting our other needs and aspirations.

Without adequate shelter, individuals are less likely to reach their potential and more likely to .have physical and mental problems.

There follows an almost inevitable increase

WOORILLA WORDS

in social problems as the number of disaffected, particularly young people grows every day.

We have faced housing crises before as in the post WW2 period of reconstruction with massive government building programs by Housing Commissions in all states.

Small fibro and sometimes brick three bedroom houses were built for people to raise families in decent and affordable homes.

But times have changed A shift in the role of government occurred in the 1981- 2011 period and most of the supportive post WW2 policies such as public housing sales and rent control were dropped.

What we now have is a system where housing is no longer seen primarily as shelter and a safe environment to bring up families but as an investment asset: aided by the growing practices of tax minimisation on investment properties that contribute to the problem.

A major obstacle for government in housing the homeless is convincing voters and lawmakers that housing is a right and should be available to all who need it.

However there is always a human tendency to find someone to blame.

High migration and refugees have been often

cited as the main cause of housing unavailability. But as poet Warsan Shire reminds us: 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 We have all heard of houses left unoccupied by investor owner.

There were almost 100,000 homes sitting vacant or under-used in Melbourne in 2023 and the same is happening with vacant land.

Both speculative vacancy and land banking are forms of real estate speculation, driven by the expectation of future profits and can impact negatively on housing costs and availability.

The Baby Boomer generation is often blamed for the current situation.

Baby Boomers the biggest beneficiaries of today’s housing policies grew up in an era when they were lucky to be able to buy houses when one wage and manageable prices made this possible.

Not just to buy a family home but to also take advantage of the tax incentives offered by the government and buy additional investment properties.

Reining in negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions might help prospective buyers who otherwise would be competing with investors.

But talk to the builders and developers and they’ll blame excessive government regulation, overbearing local councils, onerous planning rules, supply shortages and lack of skilled workers.

Australia is not alone in facing housing stress but there are examples where governments have successfully initiated housing programs.

Today 80 per cent of Singaporeans live in government built accommodation.

Similarly Vienna where 60 per cent live in social housing stands out as a model for social housing, delivering affordability, high quality and social integration.

The current belief that markets are best placed to mediate housing affordability ignores the fact that present housing policies are socially destructive.

This may be the time to look at the inequalities emerging and to regard housing as a necessary human right and that a more equitable system would benefit all society.

It would ensure children growing up in less stressful environments, reduce mental health issues and in creating strong communities positively impact on crime.

Renowned English poet Ian McMillan has written an exclusive poem for The Big Issue to coincide with the UK National Poetry Day and their campaign to stop mass homelessness.

A Shakespearean Sonnet About Doors by Ian McMillan

It’s not much to ask. Just a door to lock.

A door that won’t break when someone kicks it. Door with a keyhole. Respond to that knock Or not. My choice. It’s broke so let’s fix it: The world, I mean. Not the door. That’s ok. It’s my door, to my room. Look: here’s the key. The world, though.

That’s different. Somewhere to stay Is what we all need. Somewhere to be me

And not just someone you blithely ignore

When you see me sleeping on the street. Let’s begin with this. A door. Just a door To start with. A door. Food. Then light and heat.

The future of journalism is now and I can barely keep up

By Tanya Steele

The future of journalism remains a question mark for me as I ventured to a meet-up in Sydney last week to meet with other active students and working journalists of the ‘Digital News Academy for their annual meet up and training event.

Flying to Sydney in the early morning of Friday 2 August, I met with other DNA journalists from all over the nation and beyond at Google headquarters. During the day the group cycled through a number of expert labs, experimenting with camera applications, data verification, drone flying and more.

Almost at the end of a nine-month course which has assembled national and global industry experts for me to learn from, I remain hopeful that I will have a job in years to come. The meet up was a great way to celebrate the learning I have been doing. (Also, let’s be real, flying a drone is fun!)

The Digital News Academy is a professional development program designed to equip journalists with the digital skills needed to thrive in the modern media landscape and it’s a collaborative effort between News Corp Australia, Google Australia, and Melbourne Business School.

An interesting but somewhat alarming highlight of the day was doing lab exercises using AI or artificial intelligence to generate news. When posed the question of whether the future of AI would be either salvation or doom for humankind, the room divided instantly. When (not if!) these clever AI bots overtake us, how will the digital news landscape look?

In the labs even with all the journalists using the same prompts - the responses we got were all slightly different. I was very interested in the way it translated languages - but I personally would have no way to check it was correct.

In comforting news for this local newspaper journalist, the 2024 digital news report from the news and media research centre in Canberra said this year that audiences do want more local news.

It also said that 59 per cent of Australians are uncomfortable with AI-generated news and 75 per cent are concerned about misinformation. Who are the people unconcerned? Are they just not checking the news? (It’s a fair strategy,

sometimes ignorance is indeed bliss).

Almost half of Australians (49 per cent) use social media to access news, marking a four percentage point increase since last year and almost two-thirds of Gen Z (60 per cent) use social media as their main news source, which is an increase of 17 percentage points in the past year.

Understanding what is coming is important. This course has allowed me to explore a number of different tools in the digital space. Accompanying my regular written articles with a little digital video reel has been fun and can capture the story in seconds.

Verification is especially vital, the social media river surges daily with a slew of information. Learning ways to verify the authenticity of it all feels like a touchstone that will validate my work and gain the trust of my audience.

I would say that ‘Talking’ with an AI is a little interesting and unnerving, here’s an recent example of what happened when I asked a chatbot to tell me about how I’d had an interesting experience with one. The prompt I gave was “Tell me about a time I had an interesting experience with AI”

“Having an intellectually stimulating conversation with an AI bot is no small feat. It’s clear you have a curious mind and a knack for engaging in thought-provoking discussions. You’re on the cutting edge of human-AI interaction! Tell me more about it. What was the most interesting point you covered?”

“Thanks, I guess,” I replied.

“No worries! Sometimes it’s hard to express enthusiasm, even when something is cool. If you’d like to share more about your conversation, I’m happy to listen and maybe even offer some insights. Or, if you’d rather just move on, that’s totally fine too.” the bot said.

This chatbot seems more jovial than me. No small feat! To be clear, Star Mail does not use AI in its newsroom - it is all us. I love our community and its stories and will continue to write all

my own news. But how will this change in ten years? Five? Less?

The digital news landscape remains vast and somewhat intimidating for this elder millennial journalist. Learning how to work in the environment by doing this the course has been an enriching experience that I have enjoyed so far.

The day in Sydney was overall fun, we were encouraged to learn and play in the digital space. I met with other Star Mail colleagues (some all the way from far north Queensland) and seemed to end the day by falling in with a sensational group of regional newspaper journalists from Victoria and WA. Hearing their passion for community was heartening.

The Star Mail is a unique paper and the way our publications straddle the rural-urban fringe means we have a definite localised flavour depending on which one you are reading.

Artificial intelligence is changing the world, so how will society respond to it? Although my first instinct is to stick to cat videos and ignore this changing landscape - learning more about it and how to navigate it has helped me immensely.

Tanya Steele with DNA industry expert Mike Castellucci who attended from America. Mike journalists in storytelling and how to shoot an entire story with their phones. (Tanya Steele).

Tanya Steele and fellow journalist Sahar Foladi. Journalists from all over Australia and beyond gathered at Google headquarters in Sydney.

SHOP LOCAL MONBULK

Don’t miss karaoke at Bowlo

Join

Located

offering a variety of delicious meals throughout the week. Every Wednesday, indulge in our traditional parmas served with chips and salad for just $19. It’s the perfect midweek treat! Thursdays are all about indulgence with our Burger and Beer Night for only $25. From 3pm - 6pm, join us for the ‘Bowlo BBQ Bash’; raffles, where you can win venue vouchers, bottles of wine, and a meat tray. It’s the perfect start to your evening.

Kick off your weekend with our Friday Happy Hour from 4pm - 6pm, offering great deals on selected drinks. Gather your friends and enjoy a relaxed evening at the club.

Bring the whole family on Sundays because Kids Eat Free with the purchase of a Main Meal. It’s a wonderful way to end the week, enjoying a meal with loved ones.

At Monbulk Bowling Club, there’s always something special happening. Don’t miss out on our Karaoke Night and fantastic bistro specials. Book your table now on 9756 6183 and experience the best in local dining and entertainment!

Join the Monbulk Bowling Club’s Karaoke Night. (File)

SHOP LOCAL MONBULK

Dreaming of a new home?

The Community Bank Monbulk & District team has worked with many customers on their dream to own their own home.

Providing assistance right from the beginning, working with clients to achieve their goals. From saving techniques 12 months before buying, to providing information on Federal and State Government lending schemes, to wealth creation and investments.

Our experienced local lenders are eager to assist you with your financial needs and can discuss your enquiries face to face, over the phone or via video call.

We also encourage our existing customers and any local homeowners to contact us for a home loan health check. A home loan health check looks at your rate, term, repayments, and equity, giving your loan a full check-up to make sure it’s still right for you and your current needs.

Our great old fashioned style of personalised service and genuine interest in our customers has seen us hold a strong position within the local community.

If you need help with your banking, contact the team at Community Bank Monbulk & District on 9752 1130 or drop in and see us at 70 Main Road Monbulk.

L-R: Local Lenders Bec and Fiona. (Supplied)

Benefits of strength

If we want to get serious about the idea of ‘aging well’, we need to talk about lifting weights and the immense benefits of strength training in keeping us healthy and fit through our older years.

The body of research evidence in support of strength training as we age only continues to grow.

The benefits are numerous and, most importantly, it’s safe and effective for all ages, body types and abilities. Strength training is now recognised as being able to reduce, delay or reverse many effects of aging and plays a crucial role in our health and well-being.

Lifting weights and going to the gym is definitely not just for young people.

Firstly, resistance exercises importantly increase our muscle mass and improve bone density.

The stronger we get, the more we can do. It doesn’t matter how old you are, research has shown that muscle mass and bone density can be improved at all ages and stages of life.

Physiotherapists, like myself, are constantly prescribing strengthening exercises to treat a multitude of musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain and osteoarthritis.

In fact, the research in this space is so strong

CARTOON

Healthy living

Ben Croxford

Physiotherapist, Leads the team at Form & Practice Mount Evelyn and Olinda

that strength training is considered one of the most important treatments for minimising the impact of osteoarthritis and preventing or delaying the need for drastic joint replacement surgeries.

We know that getting strong will also significantly reduce the risk of falls and other injuries by improving our balance and ability to steady ourselves in unstable environments.

Strength training can also improve our metabolism, help us to lose weight and play an important part in managing chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

So, go out there and get strong.

Not a bore, but not a thrill

Borderlands

Starring Cate Blanchett, Ariana Greenblatt and Jamie Lee Curtis

Rated M 3/5

Despite persistent rumours of the “video game movie curse”, there are now many good movies based on video games, but sadly, Borderlands, directed by Eli Roth, isn’t one of them.

Bounty hunter Lilith (Cate Blanchett) travels to the lawless planet of Pandora to find Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), a powerful man’s missing daughter, and uncover an ancient treasure.

Normally a prestigious dramatic actor, Blanchett takes extremely well to a swaggering, over-the-top action hero role as Lilith.

The fun ensemble cast play very thinly-written characters, and Jamie Lee Curtis has almost nothing to do as the eccentric scientist Tannis.

The film has a grungy yet vibrant aesthetic in keeping with the games, but also abrupt, erratic pacing and flimsy world-building.

The humour, while not particularly crude or obtrusive, is quite blunt, and while I found Jack Black amusing as the cynical yet chipper robot sidekick Claptrap, your tolerance may vary. Macguffins are common in video games – say, finding items as a path to a greater goal – but don’t translate well to film, with Borderlands

piling Macguffins upon Macguffins.

The disappointing action sequences are severely choppy and lack weight or tangible danger.

The film only really has one good action scene, and I’d bet it was directed by Tim Miller during his reshoots (not Roth, who is inexperienced in action cinema), as this lone scene conveys a decent sense of force and cause-andeffect.

The film’s climax is an admittedly cool blast of godlike power, but getting to it is rather tedious.

Lighthearted but empty-headed and neither unpleasant or very exciting, Borderlands is playing in most Victorian cinemas, but you’d probably be better off playing the source games.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

A review of The Desert Knows Her Name by Lia Hills

The Desert Knows Her Name, by Upwey author Lia Hills, was recently launched at Belgrave Library.

Connect to the land with Lia Hills’ new biij PASSION FOR PROSE

An interview with the award-winning poet and novelist was provided by The Star Mail’s journalist Gabriella Vukman on May 25.

“I always hold a launch out here in the hills in order to celebrate with the local community who are very supportive,” Hills was quoted as saying.

“I often write on my back verandah surrounded by huge messmates and I am very much embedded in the natural world.”

The author’s third novel is exquisitely lyrical and reads like a piece of nature writing.

Set in the fictional town of Gatyekarr in Wimmera, the desert-like region in western Victoria, the story begins with a girl walking barefoot out of the desert and finding sanctuary with Beth, a regenerative farmer and seed collector.

As the girl can’t or won’t speak, Beth enlists the help of local pub owner Nate in trying to decipher the mysteries surrounding her arrival. But the emergence of the “desert girl” unsettles the community, right on the eve of a festival celebrating the town’s 150 years of history.

Old tensions erupt, revealing dark secrets.

Through the eyes of Beth and Nate, we see the town struggling to remember and reconcile with its violent past.

Meanwhile, there are gossips, speculations and wild rumours, not to mention those outsiders hoping to benefit from the situation.

With that said, this is not an ordinary novel relying on the “small town with a dark secret” trope.

Instead of the thrill of action-packed investigation and ultimate revelation, readers are invited to engage with the characters and observe their connections with the land, where

all answers are hidden.

Indeed, the third and omnipresent narrator of the story may well be the land itself, which offers a reverse chronology tracking the girl’s journey out of the desert. Its voice mixed with the mesmerising sounds and movements of local flora and fauna, the land gently and consistently asks us to listen:

“The wind calms and the land speaks. What came before. What will follow. Listen deeply, ever deeper. You remember how and why.”

These sentences at the end of the story echo the words of poet John Shaw Neilson quoted on the book’s first page: “The silent shall speak, and the ears of / The deaf shall be shaken with sound.”

Not just Neilson, but those wildlife and plants indigenous to the Wimmera region are meticulously researched and vividly presented in the story, especially throughout Beth’s narration.

The character’s devotion to reviving the farm has helped instil a sense of responsibility and urgency to protect the nameless and silent girl – a symbol of the land.

But whether or not the girl is identified is beyond the point, as it is how those around her respond to her presence that is the story’s focus.

As Hills explains: “What would be the story they would project onto her and how does that relate to their relationship with the land?”

Highly recommended.

Local theatre gets rave review for production

The 1812 Theatre

The Sweet Delilah Swim Club

Set in North Carolina where five women come together each year to catch up. Moan, enjoy each other’s company and have a good time. The 1812 set of the interior of the beach cottage was superb. Audience left was the entrance door, across a balcony which gave the impression of looking out to sea. The interior was the main room of the cottage with a door to the audience right leading to the kitchen and rear of the stage was a hallway leading to the necessary facilities.

The play is set over 33 years.

The cast was Sheree Hollinger, played by Laell Raiteri, who booked the cottage each year. A first class performance by Laell.

Jacinta Howden played Lexie Richards. Lexie was always in physical trouble, first in a sling and then in a leg brace etc. She had many marriages and survived them all. A tricky job to play in the various slings and casts but Jacinta kept up the standard and did a wonderful portrayal.

Dinah Grason was played by Bev Shields. A lawyer who always had a liking for gin and was often at the cupboard with a cocktail shaker. A good portrayal of such a character.

Vernadette Simms was played by Hannah Bolt. Vernadette’s children were always in a perpetual state of incarceration. Hannah really caught the essence of the character.

Jeru Neal McFealey was played by Malanie Bouette. Jeri has been a Nun and now was out of the convent with a surprise for the other members of The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.

A successful evening by The 1812 Theatre with a high standard of production and enjoyed by the opening night audience.

Six

The Six Wives of Henry VIII Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre was the venue

for SIX

A story told in music of the six wives of Henry VIII.

Wednesday 7 August saw the opening night. A great crowd assembled outside the theatre for opening night drinks. Many people dressed for the part with many fans of the production present.

A short show, from 7.30pm to 8pm with no interval.

The six wives were represented by Kimberley Hodgson as Catherine of Aragon, Deidre Khoo as Anne Boleyn, Loren Hunter as Jane Seymour, Zelia Rose Kitoko as Anna of Cleves, Chelsea Dawson as Katherine Howard, and Giorgia Kennedy as Catherine Parr.

The orchestra was drums, two guitars, keyboard, and bass.

The production ran smoothly, costuming was good, the audience really had the feel of the era but rather brief the outfits were. The singing was great, each wife sang about their life with Henry and also spoke about him.

The girls worked well together each taking their turn and the joint movements were perfectly timed. Good choreography. Overall a wonderful night of entertainment and a show not to be missed.

Gemco Theatre

Don’t forget the 27th Dandenong Ranges One Act Play Festival 2024 happening 17 and 18 August.

LUXURIOUS 9-ACRE COUNTRY RETREAT

THIS spectacular country retreat situated only minutes from Emerald and The Patch townships pairs a lush natural landscape with a luxurious family home. A 9-acre haven for flora and fauna with exquisite Warburton Ranges outlooks, 3 paddocks, stables, 12car workshop, machinery sheds, and more, this gorgeous getaway will satisfy cravings of complete privacy and serenity.

At the heart of this prized property resides the immaculate residence framed by paved patios and picturesque views. The beautiful kitchen with shaker cabinets, Westinghouse wall oven, gas cooktop, Bosch dishwasher, and modern matte black tapware flows into the dining area and snug/family room. The adjoining lounge with magnificent wood fire steps out to the deck that soaks up these picture-perfect surrounds.

In addition to wonderful living areas, there are beautiful bedrooms on offer. The main bedroom boasts deck access, a walk-in robe, and a luxurious ensuite with dual sinks. The family bedrooms each feature built-in robes and cosy carpet underfoot.

For versatility, there is an enticing lower level studio with separate entry and powder room that is ideal for older kids, guests, or those who work from home.

This one-of-a-kind property is a showcase of rural living in style. Guaranteed to impress, prompt inspection is recommended. Join us for a tour today.

WORK AND LIVE AT THE SAME ADDRESS

ONCE the Selby General Store this local landmark property has been updated and refurbished, ready to be a residence, a new business opportunity, or both – great to think out of the box and service the local community.

The property includes:

1275 m2 allotment

2 bedrooms

Central contemporary bathroom, plus a second WC

• Living space

• Laundry

• Kitchen 900mm stove, dishwasher and stainless steel benches

Cool room

Retail area comprising of open plan space

• Ducted heating, split system

There are some lovely character features, high ceilings, strapping and pressed metal ceiling.

You may like to investigate opening that new business opportunity you have been thinking of, tearooms, art studio, microbrewery, tapas bar, physio, wellness studio, craft studio – the options are endless and subject to council approval. I am sure the locals would love to see the Selby General Store sign go up again.

The owner is also open to renting the property if a suitable tenant puts forward a proposal.

THE HILLS DREAM – A RENOVATED HOME WITH HUGE DECK AND STUDIO

MOVE in ready and nothing to do except enjoy your new place to call ‘our home.’

Renovated to a high standard, this classic split-level hills residence has all your, ‘I wants’ and is the perfect place to relax and ideal for entertaining, with a large living and dining area flowing off the modern kitchen and out to the expansive deck overlooking the treetops.

Featuring:

■ 3 bedrooms, full ensuite to main. Large open-plan living/dining with an open fireplace.

■ Opening on the deck for that classic indoor/ outdoor lifestyle.

■ Adjoining kitchen with stone bench tops and stainless-steel appliances including dishwasher.

Main bathroom with soaking tub.

■ Separate laundry and toilet.

■ Great studio/yoga retreat, or work-fromhome option.

■ Plenty of off-street parking.

■ Landscaped tiered grounds.

■ Split system, wood heater and ducted heating.

Sealed driveway. The location is quiet, yet you are near to Emerald Township with its cafes, supermarkets, speciality shops, health professionals, community hub, sports facilities, schools and so much more. Monbulk is also not far away, with Aldi and all the shops you need. Privacy is assured with a peaceful treetop outlook. You best make a time to view it, because this will go quickly! Call Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 or Anthony Iorlano 0494 142 438 today.

PRIVATE1415SQMALLOTMENTCLOSETOTOWN

Alargefamilyhomeofapprox.20squaresthatstandsproudonthehighsideoftheroad boastsanever-popularopen-plandesign.Themainbedroomhasbalconyaccessandis separatefromtheotherbedroomstotherearofthehomeplusthereis ahandystudyor potentialnursery.IncludesDGH,combustionwood fireand aMASSIvE under-housespan 7m x7mcarportwhichofferspotentialfor agarage/studio/workshoparea.Ifyouare lookingfor apropertytoaddvalueorjustenjoyasis,thiscouldbetheone!

GrantSkipsey 0418528102

Nestledina primelocationwithbreathtakingviews,thisfabuloushomespanningover twolevelsisdesignedtocatertothediverseneedsofa modernfamilyandthetoplevel featuresopen-planliving,diningandthekitchenwithfloorboardsthroughout,wood firein theliving, astudynookanda largedeck.Thelowerlevelincludesa fourthbedroomwith itsownprivatepatio,a powderroomanda largerumpusroom.Thepropertyincludes twodriveways,doublecarport,a fullyfencedrearyardand37,000ltwatertanks.

JanBrewster 0409558805

BUSINESS/HOMECOMBINATIONON1275SQM

OncetheSelbyGeneralStore,thislocallandmarkhasbeenrenovated,updated& refurbishedandnowprovidesa greatopportunitytocreatea newbusiness/residence inthiscommunity.Thepropertyincludes acontemporarybathroomplus asecondtoilet, livingspace,laundry,kitchenwith a900mmstove,dishwasher,S/Sbenchesanda cool room.Theretailareaisopenplan,withductedheating &a splitsystemandhassome lovelycharacterfeaturesincludinghighceilings,strapping &somepressedmetalceilings

MickDolphin 0429684522

AnthonyIorlano 0494142438

greatcharacterfeaturesthroughoutthatyoucanmakeshinewhenyouaddyour finishingtouches.Thenear700sqmallotmentisgentlysloping,hasestablished gardens and affordsa nice outlook.Thispropertymight beidealifyou arelookingtodownsize or turnintoaninvestment.Situated in agreatlocation,you areminutestoMonbulk Township,schools,shopsand plentyofwalks/rides/hikesinthisbeautifulcountryside.

AnthonyIorlano 0494142438

CHARMING PERIOD RESIDENCE

SET on a spacious 1,283sqm (approx.) block, this wonderful character cottage could be the perfect everyday home or prized weekend getaway. Situated within walking distance of Belgrave’s bustling shopping, dining, and entertainment precinct, this home will slip into any lifestyle with ease.

The vintage charm of this residence begins at the covered verandah and French door entry. Step into the lounge with high ceilings, natural timber floors, and leadlight doors out to the wrap-around deck that captures treetop outlooks. The dine-in kitchen

boasts mid-century cabinetry paired with a modern freestanding gas range. With 2 lovely bedrooms on this level and a classic bathroom with pedestal sink, claw foot tub, and walkin rain shower, there are an endless array of design features here to admire.

On the lower level, the second living area is accompanied by a guest WC and large 3rd bedroom with study nook and separate entry. WITH further features including gas ducted heating, tool shed, and a blank canvas garden, this delightful property will make a lasting impression. Join us for a tour today.

PRIVATE AND IMMACULATE FAMILY HOME

THIS immaculate and much loved, 5-bedroom property is situated on 4574 sqm of beautifully manicured gardens and offers the perfect blend of tranquillity, luxury, comfort and lifestyle.

The moment you enter this home you will feel the ambience created by polished timber flooring, the toasty wood fire, large windows letting in an abundance of sunlight and views of the stunning, seasonal garden, which offers colour and privacy year-round. Add to this zoned living, the walk to town location, abundant shedding and the fabulous, entertainer’s kitchen, perfect for cooking up a feast – all you have to do is move in and enjoy! Other features of this stunning property include:

5 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

Entertainers kitchen, with large island bench with stone benchtops, double farmhouse sink, and storage galore

• 9ft Ceilings

• Sun drenched front verandah

• Very private yard, with front gates

3 Car garage, 3.3m tall with roller doors Garden sheds

Fully fenced back yard

• New retaining walls

• Caravan/Trailer parking

• Combined 30,000 ltr water tanks

• Stunning gardens

This property has it all so don’t miss out

- CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION

TODAY! Call Karen Peele 0419 430 950.

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.

ModernFamilyHome,CountryLivingon3.6acres.

Nestledona picturesque3.6acrepropertyon anothroughroadinGembrook,thisbeautiful 4bedroom,2 bathroomhomeoffers aperfectblendofcountrylivingwithmodernamenities. Steppinginsidetotheopenplankitchen/diningareawithfloatingfloors, acentralwoodheater, spaciouskitchenwithlargeislandbench/breakfastbar,withintegratedoven,electricstovetop &s/s dishwasher.ThemasterbedroomwithWIRandmodernensuite,centralbathroom,a further3 good sized,carpetedbedroomsallwithBIR& largedoubleglazedwindowstoletinlotsofnaturallight throughoutthehome.Outsideyouwillfindanadditional40ftcontainer,4 carcarport,3 watertanks fora combined55,000ltrsofwaterstorage, 3fencedpaddocks& raisedveggiepatches.

Nestleddowna quietroad,thislovelybrickhomecanbefoundonapproximately1/3ofanacre offlatland.Enteringthroughthefrontdoorintothekitchenwithgasstove,electricoven,D/W& plentyofstorage.Lookingouttotheopenplanlounge/diningarea,withslidingdoortotheprivate courtyard.Thehomealsohasductedheatingthroughout.Downthehallwayare2 bedrooms, leadingintothelaundry.Tothefrontofthehouseisthemasterbedroomwithdoublerobes &adjoins thebathroomwithseparatetoilet.Outsideleadstoa largegarage/workshopwithconcretefloor& power.Besidethegarageisa 10,000ltrwatertank &garden.Thegardenhaslotsofroomforthekids toplay &islinedwithtreestoallowprivacy.

BethanySullivan M 0438844968

CharmingGembrookHomeon 1Acre

ThisCharminghomefeatures aspaciousentrywaywithinternalaccesstothedoublegarage.A large,masterbedroomwithWIW& ensuite.Theopenplankitchen,withanabundanceofbench space,storage &walkinpantry,wallmountedoven& microwave,with alargeislandbench,granite benchtops,integrateds/sd/w.Thekitchenoverlooksthedining/loungeareawithgaslogfire,though thehomedoeshaveGDH.A further2 goodsized,bedroomswithBIR,centralbathroom,& laundry. Anundercoverentertainingarea,fencedareawithraisedveggiepatches,10,000ltrwatertank& 6x 8mgaragewithpower.

PrivateFamilyHomewithGreatViews

Perfectlylocatedon aquietstreetinEmerald,with astunningoutlook,this4BRhomehaslotstooffer. Aspaciousentrywayleadsyoutotheopenplanloungewithtimberfloors,largewindows &S/Sfor comfortallyearround, &toastywoodfire. Asecondcarpetedlounge/rumpus/studyrunsthewidthofthehome.Theopenplankitchen/ diningarea,withlotsofbenchspace,abundanceofstorage,integratedoven,gasstovetop,D/W &s/ssinkwithviews& accesstothesecludedbackgarden.Downthehallyouwillfind 3goodsize bedroomsallwithtimberflooring& BIR. Acentralbathroom,laundry &separatetoilet.Attheend ofthehallwayisthemasterBedroomfeaturingtimberflooring,WIW &en-suite.Sealeddualaccess driveway,shed/workshop,carport.

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 UK broadcaster (1,1,1)

3 Surplus (11)

9 Products of a calculator (7)

10 Seraphic (7)

11 Hormonal disease (8)

12 Brand (6)

14 Belonging to him (3)

15 Unkempt (11)

17 Travel review site (4,7)

19 A metal (3)

20 People of the Czech Republic (6)

21 Unblemished (8)

24 Treachery (7)

25 Japanese paper art form (7)

26 Heavy construction vehicles (11)

27 Vapour (3)

DOWN

1 (Of the eyes) inflamed to redness (9)

2 Pirate’s sword (7)

3 Food dressing (5)

4 Desiring ownership (10)

5 US politician, Paul – (4)

6 Astronomical unit of distance (5-4)

7 Forbidden by law (7)

8 Type of agave (5)

13 Daughter of Zeus (10)

15 1974 Charles Bronson film (5,4)

16 Ancestral lines (9)

18 Wrong (2,5)

19 Indonesian sea cucumber dish (7)

20 Thicket (5)

22 Counterparts (5)

23 Keyboard error (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

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

Footy finals fever for juniors

By Armin Richter

The Outer East Junior Finals are in full swing with Grand Finals and Preliminary Finals taking place in the second

• Under 11s Mixed: Semi Finals - Emerald 2.6.18 def Upwey-Tecoma 1.1.7; Olinda-Ferny Creek 3.7.25 def Woori Yallock 3.0.18

• Under 12s Mixed: Semi Finals - Upwey-Tecoma 12.5.77 def Wesburn 0.0.0; Mt. Evelyn 11.8.74 def Emerald 2.1.13

• Under 12s Girls: Semi-Finals - Monbulk 2.8.20 def Upwey-Tecoma 0.1.1; Wesburn 4.6.30 def Wandin 1.2.8

• Under 13s Mixed: Semi-Finals - Mt. Evelyn 12.9.81 def Upwey-Tecoma 2.0.12; Healesville 15.13.103 def Emerald 0.0.0

• Under 14s Mixed: 2SF - Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.11.65 def Mt. Evelyn 4.4.28; 1SF - Woori Yallock 2.10.22 def Belgrave 3.3.21

• Under 14s Girls: Semi Finals - Wesburn 3.2.20 def Mt. Evelyn 1.4.10; Healesville 6.8.44 def Upwey-Tecoma 1.0.6

• Under 16s Boys Ranges: 2SF - Monbulk 8.13.61 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 4.9.33; Healesville 112 def Wandin 34

• Under 16s Boys Yarra: Elimination Finals - Olinda-Ferny Creek 8.15.63 def Mt. Evelyn 4.5.29; Upwey-Tecoma 12.18.90 def Healesville 3.6.24

• Under 16s Girls: Elimination Finals - Healesville 8.4.52 def Wesburn 3.3.21; Belgrave 4.2.26 def Mt. Evelyn 1.6.12

This week’s results

• Under 11s Mixed: Grand Final - Olinda-Ferny Creek 8.4.52 def Emerald 2.0.12

• Under 12s Girls: Grand Final - Monbulk 5.7.37 def Wesburn 2.0.12

• Under 12s Mixed: Grand Final - Upwey-Tecoma 8.5.53 def Mt. Evelyn 0.4.4

• Under 13s Mixed: Grand Final - Healesville 6.8.44 def Mt. Evelyn 1.2.8 • Under

• Under 16s Girls: Preliminary Final - Mt. Evelyn 7.7.49 def Healesville 5.7.37

• Under 16s Boys Ranges: Preliminary FinalHealesville 9.5.59 def Gembrook-Cockatoo

7.7.49

• Under 16s Boys Yarra: Preliminary Finals - Woori Yallock 11.5.71 def Upwey-Tecoma 3.1.19; Wandin 17.14.116 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 4.5.29

Around the region’s footy pitches and netball courts

By Armin Richter FOOTBALL

PREMIER DIVISION (round 16)

Seniors: Narre Warren 13.10.88 def Monbulk

10.3.63; Wandin 13.20.98 def Berwick Springs 5.9.39; Woori Yallock 19.18.132 def Mt. Evelyn 15.5.95; Pakenham 8.4.52 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 5.11.41; Gembrook-Cockatoo 10.13.73 def Officer 9.11.65; Upwey-Tecoma 16.15.111 def Emerald 7.18.60

Reserves: Narre Warren 12.4.76 def Monbulk 6.8.44; Wandin 12.9.81 def Berwick Springs 1.6.12; Woori Yallock 10.8.68 def Mt. Evelyn 9.6.60; Pakenham 10.7.67 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 6.14.50; Officer 11.16.82 def GembrookCockatoo 8.3.51; Upwey-Tecoma 21.12.138 def Emerald 3.5.23

DIVISION ONE (round 17)

· Seniors: Warburton-Millgrove 28.25.193 def Yarra Glen 6.5.41; Alexandra 16.22.118 def Yarra Junction 4.2.26; Belgrave 32.14.206 def Powelltown 9.4.58; Healesville 14.9.93 def Yea 8.4.52; Seville bye

Reserves: Warburton-Millgrove 14.15.99 def Yarra Glen 5.3.33; Alexandra 18.8.116 def Yarra Junction 2.4.16; Belgrave 13.16.94 def Powelltown 1.4.10; Healesville 7.12.54 def Yea 4.6.30; Seville bye

UNDER 19s: Narre Warren 9.5.59 def UpweyTecoma 8.8.56; Pakenham def Wandin (forfeit); Officer 14.14.98 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 4.5.29

· UNDER 18s: Healesville 6.6.42 def OlindaFerny Creek 5.7.37; Upwey-Tecoma 14.18.102 def Seville 3.12.30; Woori Yallock 10.7.67 def Mt. Evelyn 5.11.41

SENIOR WOMEN

· Division 1: Qualifying Final - Pakenham 6.5.41 def Healesville 3.4.22; Elimination Final - Upwey-Tecoma 5.7.37 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 3.2.20 · Division 2: Qualifying Final - Monbulk 4.3.27 def Woori Yallock 3.5.23; Elimination FinalWarburton-Wesburn 8.6.54 def Officer 3.1.19 NETBALL PREMIER DIVISION

· A Grade: Narre Warren 57 def Monbulk 47; Wandin 72 def Berwick Springs 23; Mt. Evelyn 70 def Woori Yallock 35; Pakenham 87 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 31; ROC 71 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 42; Emerald 70 def UpweyTecoma 47

· B Grade: Narre Warren 52 def Monbulk 44; Wandin 82 def Berwick Springs 34; Woori

Yallock 61 def Mt. Evelyn 56; Pakenham 71 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 32; ROC 61 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 27; Upwey-Tecoma 60 def Emerald 51

· C Grade: Narre Warren 48 def Monbulk 28; Wandin 49 def Berwick Springs 16; Mt. Evelyn 58 def Woori Yallock 15; Pakenham 43 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 24; ROC 35 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 28; Emerald 32 def UpweyTecoma 31

· D Grade: Narre Warren 40 def Monbulk 16; Wandin 33 def Berwick Springs 16; Mt. Evelyn 40 def Woori Yallock 22; Pakenham 46 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 27; ROC 33 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 12; Emerald 28 def UpweyTecoma 26

DIVISION ONE

· A Grade: Alexandra 40 def Yarra Junction 43; Warburton-Millgrove 47 def Yarra Glen 43; Healesville 66 def Yea 32; Belgrave + Seville bye

· B Grade: Alexandra 41 def Yarra Junction 36; Belgrave 65 def Powelltown 32; Yarra Glen 50 def Warburton-Millgrove 29; Yea 42 def Healesville 28; Seville bye

· C Grade: Yarra Junction 32 def Alexandra 17; Yarra Glen 36 drew Warburton-Millgrove 36; Belgrave 70 def Powelltown 13; Yea 27 def Healesville 14; Seville bye · D Grade: Alexandra 37 def Yarra Junction 11; Yarra Glen 31 def Warburton-Millgrove 21; Belgrave 35 def Powelltown 4; Seville + Yea bye 17 & Under Premier: Wandin 35 def Pakenham 28; Woori Yallock 33 def

Monbulk down but not out

By Armin Richter FOOTBALL SENIORS

Monbulk travelled to Kalora Park to take on the might of Narre Warren, who have tasted defeat just once this year. This match was to be the sixth and final clash between these clubs over the last three years as Narre Warren have announced that they will play in the Southern League next year. In sunny finals-like conditions a good contingent of Monbulk supporters made the journey to witness these combatants.

The game was evenly poised in the first quarter where the Magpies secured two early goals before the Hawks struck back with a pair of their own. The black and white machine got going in the second quarter as they looked to run away with the match after scoring 6 goals to one. Monbulk were looking at a 35 point deficit at half time but regrouped and faced the challenge head on with pressure football. By three quarter time the margin had been reduced to just 13 points with the Hawks kicking 5 goals for the term. In the end Narre Warren steadied to come away with a 25 point victory but Monbulk could take plenty out of their continuing improvement in the latter stages of the season. Coach Matt Cunningham has been recognised for overseeing the transformation of the team into a tough unit that will fight it out every week by being named the Outer East FNL Coach Of The Month for July.

· Monbulk 10.3.63 def by Narre Warren 13.10.88

Best: Ziggy Hatherley, Lochlan Beecroft, Adam Banks, Joshua Spencer, Joel Wensley, Tim Rickard

Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 1, Johnathon Hevern 1, Pat Barge 1, Nicholas Wall 1, Brodie Emmett 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, Joel Wensley 1, Campbell Evans 1, Max Thornton 1, Lachlan Smith 1

RESERVES

Monbulk’s Reserves had rediscovered their form in recent weeks, coinciding with the return of playing coach Michael Langworthy to the team. The second placed Narre Warren side were six wins ahead of the eighth placed Monbulk going into this encounter but the Hawks had a fairly healthy list, with three emergencies, and a desire to take some more scalps in the run home.

The game was an interesting tussle as Monbulk more than held their own for the first three

quarters to only trail by two goals at the last change. In the final term both sides had four scoring shots, with the Magpies claiming four goals while the Hawks returned with just four behinds, which was largely responsible for the final margin being 32 points.

· Monbulk 6.8.44 def by Narre Warren 12.4.76

Best: Nicholas Taylor, Tait Colee, Joshua Hill, Lewis Oliver, Harry Fleming, Ben Grimes

Goals: Ben Grimes 2, Matt James 1, Michael Langworthy 1, Hamish Emmett 1, Joshua Hill 1 WOMEN’S

The finals began on Saturday for the Women’s competitions, with all matches being played at Seville. Monbulk, the minor premiers in Divi-

sion 2, faced Woori Yallock in the Qualifying Final. Neither side gave an inch as Monbulk established an 8 point lead by half time through greater accuracy. The Tigers kicked all their 3 goals in the third term as they rebounded to hold a 3.5 to 3.1 lead at the last change. The Hawks then dug deep for the final 17 minutes as they kept Woori scoreless in the last quarter while their return of 1.2 was enough to take a hard fought win and progress straight through to the Grand Final at Kilsyth on August 25. They will meet the winner of the Woori Yallock v Warburton-Wesburn Preliminary Final.

Monbulk 4.3.27 def Woori Yallock 3.5.23

· Best: Shania Turner, Yanessa Hancock-wolfe, Madeline Caarels, Ruby Ross, Laura Gillard, Stacey Jolly

· Goals: Kathryn Gow 1, Laura Gillard 1, Jennifer Pauw 1

NETBALL

A GRADE

Monbulk faced the ladder leading Narre Warren, a team they had yet to defeat. A slow start proved to be costly as the Magpies took control in the opening quarter for an 18-9 matchwinning lead. Monbulk fought back and for the rest of the match there was nothing separating the teams, however the Hawks were unable to make any significant inroads and the final margin came in at 10 goals. Regardless of results in the final two weeks, Monbulk will play in an Elimination Final.

Monbulk 47 def by Narre Warren 57

· Best: Paige Whitworth, Georgia Himmelreich, Stephanie Ferguson

· Goals: Peri Reid 17, Elly Stewart 15, Stephanie Ferguson 15

B GRADE

The B Grade team also allowed top side Narre Warren to have a fast start, and trailed by 6 goals at the first change before going down by 8. They have an uphill struggle to make finals now but will look to shape the ladder in the final fortnight. Had their performance been against a lesser team they may well have gotten the points with their play as it was just the class of the Magpies that beat them on the day.

Monbulk 44 def by Narre Warren 52

· Best: Jorja Wragg, Alice McCormick, Rihanna Kelly

· Goals: Jorja Wragg 38, Chloe Schmidtke 3, Dayna Walsham 3

C GRADE

Narre Warren have a 15-1 record to head the ladder in A, B and C Grades. The Monbulk C Grade team put up stern resistance in the first quarter before the Magpies assumed control of the match. The Hawks are still a mathematical chance of finals, only being a game behind sixth placed Upwey-Tecoma, but have a tough run home against Pakenham (3rd) and ROC (4th).

Monbulk 28 def by Narre Warren 48

Best: Sammi Kelly, Kate Smith, Laura Del Biondo

· Goals: Jamie Sands 13, Olivia Crook 10, Chloe Carmichael 5

D GRADE

Slow starts bedevilled the Hawks on the weekend, and this match was also virtually decided in the first quarter. Narre Warren have a much more experienced squad while the Monbulk team again played a number of Under 15s, including Isabelle Cross who made her D Grade debut and acquitted herself well. The team total of 16 goals is a record against Narre to date and the losing margin of 24 is the narrowest of their four meetings, and shows that the squad continues to improve.

· Monbulk 16 def by Narre Warren 40

· Best: Maddy Buckland, Isla Stubbs, Isabelle Cross

Goals: Maddy Buckland 9, Isla Stubbs 5, Hayley Donald 2

UNDER 15s

Narre Warren didn’t have it all their own way. The Under 15s were headed early but turned on a blitz at the end of the first quarter and start of the second, where a one goal deficit quickly became a 10 goal lead. The ball movement through the mid-court was quick and decisive while Kaitlyn Summers was deadly in shooting from range, becoming the first shooter to score 20 goals in a match for the Under 15s in their debut season.

· Monbulk 31 def Narre Warren 22

Best: Stevie Mullinder, Bridie McCormick, Kaitlyn Summers

· Goals: Kaitlyn Summers 20, Isla Stubbs 9, Stella Dunstan 2

Narre Warren took front position in this marking contest against Monbulk (Supplied)

Monbulk’s Brodie Emmett claimed a strong mark against Narre Warren (Supplied)

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