Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 27th August 2024

Anger as Google Maps, Uber keep sending drivers along Olinda’s worst road

CFA can’t Hackett

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Kallista CFA members are concerned about the number of calls they get from drivers being trapped on Hacketts Road in Olinda – a steep road only suitable for four-wheel-drives.

For years, delivery drivers and Google Map users were directed to use the dangerous-steep road as a cut-through for tourist destinations, however many drivers were unsuccessful in making it back down safely.

Kallista CFA member Chris Job said several CFA members have made a complaint in the past for the same problem to be mended.

“I’ve tried contacting the council, Google Maps and Uber in the past, but here I’m doing it yet again because it’s just gets worse every year,” Mr Job said.

“Drivers have been directed up the wrong way on this track, when they come up from the east end of the road, they go down the hill and there’s no problem, but when they go in the west end, it’s going straight uphill, they slip backward uncontrollably and end up in this really deep culvert –then even the brake becomes useless because it doesn’t hold them when they put it on.”

“If drivers get trapped, they cannot contact anyone for help because unless the drivers are with Telstra, they won’t have reception there, and the area is not highly populated and therefore cannot contact anyone either – the problem is still very much there, but no one seems to see it.”

Mr Job said in the past, after many attempts, the CFA members brought up the matter to the council and were successful in bringing some changes to this ongoing issue.

“For a while when typing in the address that was in there, it directed you from the correct end – the non-dangerous route and we thought it was resolved, until a couple weeks ago, we witnessed another delivery driver in the ditch, and recently my daughter saw yet another car that was left there overnight to be towed,” he said.

“These delivery drivers are trying to scrape a living, they just can’t afford this, not to mention the emotional stress it puts them in when their car is sliding backwards in the dark uncontrollably towards another road.”

“At the end of the day, it’s going to cost these Uber drivers a fortune which they don’t have.”

Mr Job said, all the crew want is to be listened to and take their concerns more seriously for the benefit of all.

“When I contacted the council, they said the problem was the signage, they changed the signage to different signs, however, the signage is positioned in a way that you can’t actually see the sign until you’re almost driving up to it and at night being no lights in the area, it’s really difficult, I can see why many drivers miss it,” he said.

“Our job is to assist the public, we can assist as

far as we can go but if we’re turning up countless times to the same place with the same problem, then we know it’s a bigger issue and responsible respondents need to look into it and take care of it.”

“Heaven forbids, if we’re called off on a more important thing, where someone is trapped in a fire, then what happens? We can’t be wasting our resources on things that have got an easy solution – if we can send people to the moon, I’m sure if we can resolve this issue too.”

Yarra Ranges Council’s Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure Hjalmar Philipp said for the last decade, they have been working to discourage drivers in two-wheel-drive vehicles from going up Hacketts Road.

“More than 10-years ago, we installed large signs warning drivers to turn around and not proceed. In 2023, we replaced those signs with pho-

to-luminescent versions that better illuminated at night,” Mr Philipp said.

“We’ve also been passing on community feedback about the issue to Google and Uber, though we received confirmation that Google has routed their maps away from this road, we do not have confirmation of the same from Uber.”

“We will continue to advocate to all mapping providers to reflect that this road is four-wheeldrive only and we strongly encourage all drivers to always check signage when on unfamiliar roads.”

An Uber spokesperson said all safety incidents are taken seriously and have robust processes in place to work through reported issues.

“Uber is deeply committed to the safety of driver partners on the Uber app – we can confirm that Hacketts Road has been excluded from our navigation,” the spokesperson said.

Kallista CFA crews are demanding more attention to the ongoing issues with delivery drivers on Olinda’s Hacketts Road. (Supplied)

Another big storm hits hard

By Tanya Steele

Thunder, lightning and hail created storm chaos across the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and the state as a forecast thunderstorm hit on Sunday evening.

A lighting show accompanied by heavy downpours and hail swept across Melbourne on the evening of Sunday 25 August. It was the latest in a string of extreme weather events to hit the region in recent years.

Emerald SES unit controller Ben Owen said the Emerald unit had 47 calls for assistance in the last 24 hours by Monday morning.

“We still have calls coming through today and crews are still out,” he said.

Mr Owen said he had concerns for more weather expected in upcoming days.

“The community should prepare now, charge your batteries and get fuel for your generator,” he said.

Victoria SES reported via its social media volunteers across the state had 422 requests for assistance (RFA) received from 9am Sunday morning to 9pm Sunday evening.

“The majority of requests were in relation to trees down with 230 RFAs received,“ said the post.

“123 RFAs were in relation to building damage and 38 RFAs were received regarding flooding.“

Senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Jonathan Howe said in his national broadcast update on Monday morning that it was quite a

stormy afternoon and evening right across southeastern Australia, especially for South Australia, Victoria, and parts of southern New South Wales as well.

“But many people before the storms, said it was quite unseasonably warm Sunday right across south-eastern Australia, up to 28 degrees, across Victoria, as high as 27 degrees Avalon airport. So a warm day followed by a very stormy afternoon and evening,” he said. “Some of the highest observations of rainfall around Melbourne include 20 millimetres across Ferny Creek and Mount Dandenong, 14 millimetres at Ringwood and 13 millimetres at Keilor and the CBD.”

Power outages were reported to Ausnet’s outage tracker across multiple locations in Gembrook,

Cockatoo, Emerald, Kallista, Monbulk and more, with some residents without power since the evening of Sunday 25 August.

Heading into the next days Mr Howe said winds would increase again across the region level.

“On Tuesday, we are likely to see another round of damaging winds across South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and tell the New South Wales later Tuesday and into Wednesday,” he said.

Mr Howe said to keep an eye on the forecast as it would remain quite windy. People can find more information and their local forecast and any updates to warnings on the bureau’s website, as well as the app and also social media channels.

“Please follow the Vic Emergency app for warnings and avoid fallen power lines,” Mr Owen said.

Police forum aims to make Yarra Ranges roads safer

By Dongyun Kwon

Victoria Police is planning to host a forum about road policing and road safety for the Yarra Ranges community.

The forum will be officially opened by a member of Command from the Eastern Region and then followed by a 20 to 30-minute presentation led by Victoria Police speaking about Yarra Ranges localised road trauma statistics for fatal collisions and serious injury collisions over the previous five years including specific age groups, gender type of road users, location and main causes.

Victoria Police Sergeant Roger Willems from Yarra Glen Police Station said the Eastern Region has a number of high-risk Police Service Areas associated with road trauma, and unfortunately, Yarra Ranges is one of these areas.

“Police accept that we play an important part in mitigating trauma on the roads,” he said.

“However, road safety is everyone’s responsibility and as such everyone has an important role in working with Victoria Police and key partners to provide a holistic approach.

“Eastern Region, as a proactive measure, has taken the approach to run standalone road policing and road safety community forums within a number of high-risk areas.”

After the presentation, the audience will grab an opportunity to ask questions.

“We’ll have a registration process with a QR code, so people can pre-ask their question before attending so that it flows nicely, and we get through as many questions as we can,” Sgt Willems said.

“I’m hopeful that there are some people from outside coming to the forum, like VicRoads or

the Department of Transport, with respect to the conditions of the roads so that if there are any questions along those lines, we’ve got other people there who can answer those questions.”

The panel for the forum will be confirmed shortly, including Eastern Region Command, Eastern Region Road Policing Inspector and Eastern Region Division 2 management.

Sgt Willems said the idea of the forum is for everyone to work together to reduce road trau-

ma, and Victoria Police is looking forward to hearing from the local community.

“Victoria Police, despite our proactive measures, is extremely concerned regarding the level of trauma we continue to see daily on our roads,” he said.

“This is a unique opportunity for the community to participate in discussions with senior members from Victoria Police and key road partners to raise questions and their concerns

respectfully.

“If there’s something that the local people say is a real issue, then it’s the place to bring it up and discuss what can be done about it.”

The forum will be held at the Yarra Valley Racing located at Armstrong Grove, Yarra Glen from 7pm to 9pm on Monday 16 September.

The booking is essential to attend the forum at eventbrite.com/e/yarra-ranges-road-safetyforum-tickets-966911467227

Upwey photographer and 3MDR stalwart John Weeks captured some lighting strikes from his porch at around 4.30pm Sunday as the storm crossed the Dandenongs. (John Weeks)

Marysville SES member clear a fallen tree that blocked traffic on the Black Spur Sunday. (VICSES).

The forum will be held at Yarra Valley Racing in Yarra Glen. (File: 218426)

Cruelty reports down

By Mikayla van Loon

The rate of animal cruelty reports in the Yarra Ranges has reached a four year low according to RSPCA Victoria’s annual data.

Dropping to 16th place, having ranked eighth last financial year, the Yarra Ranges recorded 220 animal cruelty reports for 2023/24.

This is 90 fewer reports of cruelty than the previous year, despite the RSPCA revealing in late 2023 that reports of horse-related cruelty in the Yarra Ranges topped the rankings across the state last financial year.

In total, nearly 10,000 animal cruelty reports were made to RSPCA Victoria by members of the public in the 2023/24 financial year.

The main three reasons included husbandry issues such as lack of grooming, poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions, and lack of shearing; underweight animals; and sick or injured animals where there had been insufficient, or no veterinary treatment provided.

Acting chief inspector Michelle Green said while malicious cruelty was still occurring, their team was helping struggling pet owners more than ever before.

“It’s an increasingly challenging environment out there following the pressures of the pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis is only compounding this,” she said.

“The majority of what our RSPCA Inspectors are seeing first-hand is just how much people in the community are struggling, and when people are struggling their pets are often affected.

“The majority of the animal cruelty we see is actually neglect as a result of people’s circumstances changing beyond their control, such as hospitalisation, financial pressures, or sudden joblessness, while other animals suffered due to owners simply not understanding how to care for their pets adequately.”

Neglect remains the highest form of abuse but even still acting chief inspector Green said cases of animals being beaten, small animals being used for live-baiting, and even cockfighting do exist on a smaller scale.

The Yarra Ranges has also improved in the number of animals being seized or surrendered,

decreasing from 57 in 2022/23 to 25 in 2023/24.

This is considered moderate in terms of rankings of local government areas.

Greater Geelong, Casey, Wyndham, Hume and Whittlesea have remained in the top five for the fourth year in a row for the number of cruelty reports.

Hume also topped the list for the number of seizures or surrenders totalling 227.

While Knox only had 151 reports of cruelty, the council area had 60 seizures or surrenders, ranking the municipality at 11th.

Cardinia had 242 reports of cruelty made to RSPCA but only 14 animals were seized or surrendered throughout the year.

The RSPCA received 129 reports about animals in Maroondah, with 31 being seized or surrendered.

In the last 12 months 2250 animals were seized by or surrendered to RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate placing pressure on the capacity of shelter services.

In an aim to try and prevent the overwhelm of shelters, inspectors look to help pet owners at home.

“When they can, our Inspectors are offering help through emergency pet food to struggling

households and other support such as the provision of donated kennels or bedding for pets and providing preventative flea and worming treatments,” acting chief inspector Green said.

“We’re also seeing people struggling to provide for the number of animals they have, whether that be households caring for unplanned litters from un-desexed pets, or people whose circumstances have changed and they’re no longer able to support their pets.

“If you are struggling to care for your pets you are not alone, please don’t be afraid to reach out for help and please don’t wait until your pet is suffering.”

Acting chief inspector Green said there may be community-based programs or other groups, as well as the local council who may be able to support people in providing the best welfare outcomes for their pets.

This year RSPCA Victoria announced it is increasing its community outreach work as part of its 2030 Strategy, with the aim of supporting people in the community to keep and care for their pets so that they don’t end up in shelters.

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals is urged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report or by calling 9224 2222.

IN BRIEF

Op Rivet targets Belgrave and surrounds

Drivers speeding, on their phones, distracted or drink or drug driving will be under scrutiny from local police in the Dandenong Ranges.

Belgrave Police Station are currently conducting Operation Rivet, targeting distracted driving, speeding and impaired drivers in the Belgrave area.

Police continue to see a number of drivers drive at excessive speeds through school zones and Thursday 21 August was no different.

Via social media police said that after spending some time in a fully marked vehicle on Burwood Highway, Upwey during the school pick up time, with a speed limit of 40km/h a number of people were caught and given tickets for alleged speeding.

“Needless to say, please slow down in school zones,” the post said.

Similar behaviours were observed in Kallista township when a marked police vehicle intercepted a number of drivers in a 50km/h zone - one 47 year old male was intercepted for an alleged speed of 93km/h and received a 6 month loss of licence and a $840 fine.

Operation Rivet will continue over the coming weeks in an effort to reduce speed and distraction related injury collisions in the Belgrave area.

Warrants issued three times by police

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Jack Vennell.

So far three warrants have been issued for the arrest of the 29-year-old - who has a close shaven head, brown eyes, tanned complexion and dark hair and close shaved beard.

Mr Vennell is believed to frequent the Narre Warren, Knox and Blackburn areas.

Investigators have released an image of Mr Vennell in the hope someone may have information on his current whereabouts.

Police ask that anyone who sights him or has information about his current whereabouts to contact Knox Police on (03) 9881-7000, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

The 2024 Victorian Community History Awards are now open for entries

There are 10 categories including best History Publication, Article, Collaborative Project, Oral History, Community Diversity and Digital Storytelling - all entrants will go into the running to receive the prestigious Victorian Premier’s History Award prized at $5000.

Past award winners have included local exhibitions and anniversary projects, books, websites and even theatrical productions based on historical research.

Local history and community groups, historians, museums, writers and creators are encouraged to enter.

The Victorian Community History Awards are presented by Public Record Office Victoria in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

The awards celebrate the people involved in community history projects that help all Victorians to better understand their past.

For more information visit, prov.vic.gov.au/ community/grants-and-awards/communityhistory-awards

Rocky the pony spent roughly 12 years alone on a property with overgrown hooves of 25cm in length. RSCPA took him into care in July 2024. (Supplied)

An RSPCA inspector carries a puppy seized from a property. (Supplied)

NEWS

Cardinia to review drainage and road maintenence

By Corey Everitt

With the end of the current council term on the horizon, Ranges Ward councillor Jeff Springfield has ensured that the issue of unsealed roads will be front and centre for the next council by successfully passing a motion to review the council’s maintenance program.

At the latest Cardinia Shire Council meeting on Monday 19 August, councillors considered a notice of motion for the council to conduct a review of their unsealed roads and drainage maintenance program.

Moved by Cr Springfield, he said this matter ‘still continues’ to be one of the biggest complaints of residents.

“My focus of this is to make sure we are really aligned with how that drainage performance affects our unsealed road network,” he said.

“The operations team do a great job with the resources they have, but it is a massive task.”

Cardinia has over 800km of unsealed roads, approximately 20 percent of residents reside on an unsealed road and faults in the drainage network make up a significant part in eventual faults in the unsealed roads, Cr Springfield explained.

The motion seeks a report that informs a strategy to ‘ensure good performance’ of both unsealed road and drainage assets.

The report will provide a SWOT analysis to delineate strengths and weaknesses within areas of maintenance, the scope of the review will include private and public assets such as driveway culverts.

It will also provide a review of current resource allocation in the program and recommended future allocation to help improve performance.

“One of the things that have come up in the conversation is how often it is the drainage network, if that is not performing properly, one block in the drain somewhere can undo all the great work done on the road,”

Cr Springfield said.

“If that drainage is not aligned properly and it rains the next day, all that work can be undone.

“Another one is driveway culverts of private residents which falls under their responsibility to keep them cleared and maintained, but most residents don’t realise this.

“Unless council steps in more to this space we are going to continue to see these affecting our road network.”

An issue not only affecting Cr Springfield’s ward, but the large regional areas to the east and south, councillors commended the motion and supported it unanimously.

A report of the review is to be presented to councillors within the next six months.

Home-care help hold-up

By Callum Ludwig

Older residents of the Yarra Ranges in need of support at home are still finding themselves without the help they need.

Many residents have been assessed and are eligible for a variety of different services offered under Home Care Support such as garden maintenance, shopping assistance or respite hours for carers, but there are no local providers available.

Yarra Junction resident Margaret Baker recently had an assessment and was eligible for help in her garden and home and said she is devastated but is even more worried about people who might be worse off than her.

“I’ve got two metal knees, two metal hips, I’ve got severe arthritis and my shoulders have now gone, so I applied for help, I desperately need help with domestic duties, but there’s just nothing available because there’s no registered providers,” she said.

“I’ve worked all my life, my husband’s worked all his life, we’ve never taken benefits, we’ve never taken government handouts, and now when we need it, it’s not available.”

Casey MP Aaron Violi raised the issue in Parliament in June, naming another four residents in the local area who have also not been able to access their home care packages.

Ms Baker said she wanted to encourage local businesses to investigate the scheme and get themselves registered.

“I think a lot of these places haven’t applied to the Commonwealth or haven’t applied to My Aged Care to have their businesses registered and I think that’s a question we need to ask,”

“They’ll pick up a lot of work if they’re registered through these organisations, when the lady came to me she said ‘I’ll bring up who’s available in your area for cleaning’ and there’s not one person registered to help me out.”

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) understands that recent senate estimates show that 68,000 people are currently on the waiting list for home care packages.

Yarra Ranges Council’s O’Shanassy Ward Councillor Jim Child has known Mrs Baker for many years and said they’ve got to make sure residents are being looked after.

“I just want to get it resolved as soon as possible and I’ve said to the team, if we know a shortcut around this so she can get engaged with someone, we’ve got to do that because one thing Yarra Ranges is that we’ve been there for the residents through the transition, whereas a lot of other municipalities have stepped away,” he said.

“Anyone that comes to us that’s having a problem with this, we’ll work with them because Margaret’s identified a real problem at the moment and I just couldn’t believe it.”

Yarra Ranges Council, under the direction of the Federal Government, has stepped away from providing services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), ceasing the delivery of their last offered services in July 2024.

Director of Communities at Yarra Ranges Council Leanne Hurst said they understand this is challenging, however they also understand the Australian Government’s goal is to ensure that resources are allocated to essential activities for the most vulnerable people, which they are supportive of.

“Our Information Navigation Officers will be in touch with the community member to discuss options for support with domestic cleaning, gutter cleaning or garden maintenance, as the national aged care reform progresses to support those most vulnerable in the community, people wanting entry-level services such as domestic assistance and gardening/gutter maintenance are increasingly finding themselves not eligible for Australian Government-subsidised aged care services or can be waiting up to 12 months for these services to become available,” she said.

“We know there are a large number of community-based small businesses in the Yarra Ranges that can support these needs and the local economy, and we encourage people to consider them as alternative solutions, or make private arrangements with friends and family where feasible,”

“We encourage our community members to call our Information and Navigation Officers on 1300 368 333 to discuss how to navigate the aged care system and alternate solutions to subsided services if they are not eligible or waiting for assessment and/or service availability.”

The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care advises older people who are unable to access specific services due to lack of a Registered Home Care Package providers in their area to contact My Aged Care at www.myagedcare.gov.au or free call 1800 200 422 for advice.

A department spokesperson said the Department is about to roll out more than $400 million over three years to increase services available through CHSP, including in a number of rural and regional areas.

“Alternative options for care and support include: Short-term entry-level aged care services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), if available and older First

Nations people may be able to access aged care services through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program,” they said.

“If there is a provider in area that can deliver the services, but is not a registered aged care provider, a person could: pay privately for those services, or request that provider either become a registered HCP provider or subcontract to a registered HCP provider, consider state-based aged care services or visitprimary care for any healthrelated issues, including hospitals, GPs and allied health practitioners.”

The Australian Government has taken steps to address the issues, though there is still time before the effects of funding and the new Support at Home program to take effect. The 2024-25 Budget included $21.6m for a regional, rural and remote focused home care workforce support program with a goal of bring 4000 more workforce members to the sector while ‘viability supplements’ are also available for providers of home care packages in MM 4-7 locations, including $531.4 million in additional funding provided to support the delivery of 24,100 home care packages in 2024-25.

The department spokesperson said research undertaken, including as part of the Market Strategy and ongoing analysis of supply gaps, will help the Government to determine where to focus effort and resources and ensure future investment in all types of Government funded aged care is appropriately targeted.

“The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority is currently undertaking a costing study that will consider the need for rural and remote loadings on the subsidies paid under Support at Home,” they said.

“In addition to the subsidies received for services delivered, Support at Home providers operating in thin markets, such as rural and remote locations, are expected to have access to supplementary grants, recognising the higher costs faced in these areas, this mixed funding model should remove financial impediments to service delivery in these locations,”

“Under Support at Home, the department expects to have access to real time data about the services being delivered on the ground, which is not available under the Home Care Packages program, this would allow the department to investigate and respond to service gaps in areas where services that people are being assessed for are not being delivered.”

The CHSP will be phased out in favour of the Support at Home program from no earlier than July 2027.

Yarra Ranges residents eligible for home care packages are finding themselves unable to access local providers. (File)

The council will review maintenance of unsealed roads and the drainage network.

Bold move to re-use waste

At least 95 per cent of household waste from nine councils in Melbourne’s south east, including the Yarra Ranges, is set to be diverted from landfill and used to create a valuable energy source.

The South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing (SEMAWP) initiative aims to deliver a smarter solution for dealing with household waste.

Nine councils have banded together to enter a Waste Supply Agreement with Maryvale EfW Project Co (a consortium between Veolia Australia and New Zealand, Opal Australian Paper, and Masdar Tribe Australia) to send waste to an advanced waste processing facility in Maryvale in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.

The councils, made up of Bayside, Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Frankston, Kingston, Knox, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges, are shareholders in SEMAWP, a company created by the councils for the purpose of this procurement.

Announcing the agreement, SEMAWP’s board chair and Bayside City Council chief executive officer, Mick Cummins, said by diverting SEMAWP Councils’ residual waste from landfill it will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 270,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 50,000 cars from the road per year.

“This is a great outcome for residents of the nine councils involved in this project that began in 2019,” Mr Cummins said.

“This solution provides an alternative to landfill that makes better use of household waste than burying it in the ground. Items that can’t be reused or recycled will be put to better use.

“It is expected to create more than 500 temporary jobs during construction and an estimated 455 permanent operating jobs, including direct and flow-on, over the coming years. So, it reduces emissions, creates investment and employment, and preserves land for better uses than landfill.”

Yarra Ranges Council’s chief executive officer Tammi Rose said the future management of waste needs to be a priority for councils.

Casey CEO Glenn Patterson, Yarra Ranges CEO Tammi Rose, Bayside CEO Mick Cummins, Knox CEO Bruce Dobson, Whitehorse Infrastructure Director Steven White, Cardinia Infrastructure and Environment General Manager Peter Benazic, Greater Dandenong City Futures Executive Director Sanjay Manivasagasivam, Kingston Infrastructure General Manager Samantha Krull and Frankston CEO Phil Cantillon. (Supplied)

“We know we are running out of space for landfill. Our recently introduced waste changes have seen a reduction in the amount of food and organics going to landfill but there is still more we can do,” she said.

“Ideally, we should be preventing, minimising, recycling and recovering our waste wherever possible; and when it’s not possible then we need to look at disposal. Generating energy from waste is a logical part of managing our waste and Yarra Ranges is pleased to be involved in this innovative approach to waste management.”

Cardinia Shire’s general manager infrastructure and environment, Peter Benazic, said Cardinia Shire Council welcomed the announcement.

“This is a positive outcome for residents of

Cardinia Shire, providing a smarter solution for household waste into the future. It’s also a vital solution given landfills in south-east Melbourne are filling up and there are no future landfills planned to be built,” he said.

“We are proud to be a part of this agreement and to reinforce our commitment to champion sustainable waste management practices.”

With household waste in Melbourne’s south east projected to increase by 40 per cent by 2046, alternatives to landfill need to be found. The last remaining landfill in the south east of Melbourne will close in the next few years. This project will ensure that residents’ waste is used to create a valuable energy source for an important industry in the Latrobe Valley.

The Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) facil-

ity will be adjacent to the existing Opal Australian Paper Maryvale Mill, and the paper mill will utilise the combined heat and power from the EfW facility.

Councils will deliver waste to a transfer station planned for construction in Melbourne’s south east, where it will be prepared for bulk transfer to Maryvale EfW. Energy from waste facilities are being used safely and reliably in metropolitan areas around the world, including in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and North America.

Modern, best-practice advanced waste processing facilities have strong safety track records and are designed to meet strict emissions standards, with real-time emission monitoring to make sure they meet stringent air quality standards.

In Victoria, they are regulated by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and Recycling Victoria such that EfW facilities must be appropriately located, constructed and operated according to strict regulations that minimise risks to the environment and people.

The contract term for the Waste Supply Agreement will be for 25 years. Mr Cummins said this would provide cost certainty and waste processing security to participating councils.

By forming a single entity, the councils strengthen their influence on the economic, environmental and social outcomes of the project.

SEMAWP is like many other companies, it is governed by a constitution and reports to a board of directors.

Each participating council is bound by a shareholders’ agreement and has an equal share in SEMAWP. Having an equal share means each council has an equal say on how the contract is managed regardless of the size of the council and the amount of household waste being supplied.

SEMAWP exists only to manage the contract agreement for the advanced waste processing facility and cannot make decisions on other waste or council matters.

Skate park on the way

By Corey Everitt

Emerald skaters will soon have a brand-new park for all their kick-flippin-needs as Cardinia Shire Council gives the greenlight to stage one of the Worrell Reserve Skate Park.

At the latest council meeting on Monday 19 August, councillors approved a $1 million contract to LJM Constructions to build a new skate park and youth plaza at Worrell Reserve.

Building on where the Emerald Netball Club formerly resided, the skate park aims to become a top spot for wicked air and gnarly tricks over a large circuit and a skate bowl.

It will also include a multi-use ball court, as well as accommodate vigilant parents with seating and shelter.

This project was assisted by the State Government who in 2022 announced $1 million in funding for the skate park.

“It’s a wonderful project, really looking forward to seeing this get off the ground and being built in the Emerald township,” Cr Springfield said.

“This came about in the middle of us going

through the pandemic, the restrictions and a huge community effort to advocate for something more for our youth to participate in.”

The skate park is part of the Worrell Reserve Masterplan which was adopted in 2020, laying down a future vision of the reserve which builds on existing upgrades.

Stage two will include a new games area, improvements to shelter and seating and public wifi.

Cr Ross pointed out the significant timing this has after Australia’s performance at the Paris Olympics where three gold medals were won between skateboarding and BMX by Keegan Palmer, Saya Sakakibara and 14-year-old Arisa Trew who became Australia youngest gold medalist.

“The will inspire so many young people out there to go and have a go on their skateboard or bike,” Cr Ross said.

“The fact that council is now seen as part of their playground projects to put these things in reserves is really really good. A lot of people think traditional sports, but these are the sports of the young people today.”

Cloud forest launched in Olinda, near Chelsea garden

By Tanya Steele

The native Australian Rhododendron has taken centre stage as part of a new garden that opened recently in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden.

From the mountain tops of Far North Queensland a huge collaboration in the botanical world has come to fruition, offering a new location to preserve vital Australian flora in Victoria.

The Australian Cloud Forest Collection was officially opened in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden on Friday 23 August.

State Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino cut the ribbon after a small ceremony of speeches was conducted at the site to celebrate the project’s completion.

“In addition to creating a beautiful new environment within the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, the Cloud Forest collection plays an important role in the conservation of endangered native plants,” she said.

“I am thrilled that this initiative has happened here in the Dandenong Ranges”.

A unique milestone, the cloud forest collection showcases endangered flora from Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage area.

Warren Worboys Curator of Horticulture at Cranbourne Gardens said they had to climb to the mountain tops to collect them.

“Most of the peaks have not been climbed by the general public at all,” he said.

With the future of the mountaintop ecosystems under threat from climate change, the garden is a chance to preserve some of the flora in the Dandenong Ranges.

The collection includes Australia’s own native Rhododendron - the Rhododendron lochiae and viriosum.

Plants in the garden are part of a meta-collection project to conserve threatened flora, with other parts of the collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne and the Australian National Botanic Garden in Canberra.

Parks Victoria ranger team leader Terence Moon said the highlight had been seeing the garden come to fruition.

“It has been a labour of love for a lot of people,” he said.

“The project as a whole is part of the much bigger project called the tropical mountain plant science project or TROMPS.”

The garden was delivered in partnership with TROMPS, the collaboration between the Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Western Yalanji Traditional Owners, the Wet Tropics Management Authority, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, Royal Botanic Gardens

Victoria, Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (Parks Victoria), Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Cairns Botanic Gardens and The Australian Rhododendron Society.

Mr Moon said he was excited to have a part of the garden open to the public that hasn’t

been previously.

There are two native species of Australian Rhododendron and Mr Moon said the Australian Rhododendron Society were instrumental in getting some of these collection trips started.

“That’s why that’s a major focus for us hererhododendrons are still a major part of what we do in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden,” he said.

The project safeguards wild populations of flora and Mr Moon said that the conservation collections are to be dispersed around the country in different gardens.

“It was all about conserving these plants from the Far North Queensland mountaintops,” he said.

The groups who forayed north to collect the plants were part of a once in a lifetime experience.

John O’Hara from the Australian Rhododendron Society said they resided in forestry cabins and got to go places that he wouldn’t otherwise have been able to get access to.

“It’s a demonstration of how citizen science works in with government bodies – it wouldn’t have worked without both parties pulling together,” he said.

The garden features winding paths and boulders cut to emulate the granite peaks of the Queensland mountain tops and features seating and mulch from timber salvaged in the June 2021 storm.

Designer Andrea Proctor said she and her team have been involved since 2020.

“It was inspired by the stories of the people from those original transplanting trips,” she said.

A working group and some amazing photos of the collectors on their trip gave Ms Proctor the beginnings of her design process.

“It was this really phenomenal landscape where the vegetation changed quite dramatically,” she said.

“There were all these giant boulders and open spaces where the Australian rhododendrons grow.”

Ms Proctor said that each of the mountain tops had plants that were slightly different and the horticulture and landscape team were really trying to create a landscape that could display the plants at their best in the botanic garden.

The garden provides niche microclimates for the rare plants that call it home.

“I am very happy with it,” she said.

The Australian Cloud Forest is possible thanks to a growing Victoria’s botanic gardens grant received through the Victorian government, building on funding from The Australian Rhododendron Society and the Ian Potter Foundation.

The new garden area is open for all to enjoy and sits below the recently installed Chelsea Australian Garden in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda.

Botanists, horticulturalists and all over environmental enthusiasts celebrate with Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino (green blazer). (Tanya Steele).

The garden is a unique milestone in the botany world and now tucked away in the Dandenong ranges. (Tanya Steele).

Worrell Reserve. (File)

An adventure centrepiece

By Gabriella Vukman and Tanya Steele

Two kilometres long, three metres high and with 18 different obstacles, an upgraded adventure course at Gilwell Park delivered by Scouts Victoria and the government will be an adventure centrepiece for young people.

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman and Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino, announced the opening of the extended and improved state-of-the-art adventure course on Thursday 22 August.

Ms Suleyman said Scouts Victoria has a rich history of fostering teamwork, community and leadership skills.

“We are proud to partner with them to help young people develop leadership skills and a genuine sense of community spirit,” she said.

“The upgraded course will help young Victorians develop physical and problem-solving skills, but also provides a source of exercise and fun.”

“This is providing young people with opportunities, but more importantly, the skills such as confidence, networking and really getting our young people happy.”

“So less screen time, more out and outdoors, developing those skills, and connecting with other young people, which is really important.”

The funding was announced to over 10,000 people at the scouts annual jamboree event last year by MP Jason Woods.

“It was really exciting for all the kids,” said Scouts Victoria Communications Manager Michelle Strachan.

“We’ve been working with the government towards the project for a while and it’s great because the kids get to enjoy the park and get out and actually be in nature,” she said.

Constructed at the Scouts Victoria campsite at Gilwell Park in the Dandenong Ranges, Jon McGregor, Executive Manager at Scout Victoria said the site has been in the scouting family for 100 years.

“It’s the spiritual home of scouting in Victoria,” he said.

“We had an old confidence course there,

which was known as ‘the Gauntlet’, which needed an upgrade, and with the help of the Victorian government, we have upgraded that course to be a more modern Ninja Warrior course.”

The government invested over $300,000 in the adventure course as part of the commitment to build, upgrade or refurbish Scout Halls and other facilities across Victoria.

‘The Gauntlet’ upgrade - which took six months to design, plan and construct features obstacles made of cargo nets, vaults, ropes, pine logs, tyres, climbing frames, landing pads and other challenges.

“Our scouts absolutely love getting out there and doing their own ninja warrior course,” said Mr McGregor.

“There’s a whole bunch of new and exciting activities there, including climbing walls and bouldering precincts, and archery and so many more activities,” he said.

Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino said they were delighted to deliver the upgraded state-of-the-art adventure course.

“Not only for the Dandenong Ranges community but also young people across the state and indeed the nation who can visit the course, have fun, gain important skills and make new connections,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity for young people to have fun and this is quite an important place, it’s their meeting ground and spiritual home for scouting in Australia.”

Accessing scouting activities supports young people’s positive development and the upgraded course will be used by thousands of young people every year when they visit the Gilwell Park site.

Scouts Victoria is one of the state’s largest youth organisations and has a membership base of more than 19,000 young people and 5,000 adult volunteers.

The number of young people participating in scouting activities has grown by 30 per cent in the last ten years.

Chief Commissioner of Scouts Victoria Rod Byrnes said the Scouts are immensely grateful for the Victorian government’s support.

“As we officially declare this improved and extended adventure course open, we’re reminded of the power of partnership and community in creating new opportunities that allow youth to thrive,” he said.

The freshened-up space will continue to provide outdoor fun for youth across Australia and Mr McGregor said it adds a modern twist to a classic old scouting activity to make it new and fresh.

“We’re really, really glad that we’ve been able to pull together the old, classic scouting activities with the contemporary,” he said.

Community generosity shines as Gully Market pays big

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

The Ferntree Gully Market has opened its heart this Father’s Day and donated its accumulated $3000 funds to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia at the Box Hill Hospital on Thursday 22 August.

The Gully Market is a long-established market that is run by a committee, all volunteerbased.

The venue runs every Saturday and Sunday in the carpark of the Upper Ferntree Gully Train Station, known for its hot food, plants, fruit, and veggies – with most of them locally produced.

The president of the market Ian Rice has been meaning to distribute the money back to his community the moment he became part of the organisation.

“I and a few others at the market have prostate cancer, and for the last 11 years, the money has just been accumulating,” Mr Rice said.

“When I took over last September, we had quite a sizable amount of money that we shouldn’t have, because it’s meant to be distributed back to the community, so I’ve been on a mission to get rid of it.”

Prostate cancer is a small doughnut-shaped gland that sits below the bladder and is found only in men and a normal prostate is about the size of a walnut.

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, 16 per cent of cancer patients are suffering from prostate.

The surge in cases to 26,368 per year is equivalent to 72 men diagnosed each day, while nearly 11 men will die from the disease every 24 hours.

On a positive note, the five-year relative survival rate has risen from 95.6 per cent to 95.8 per cent, meaning 53 more men have a chance of surviving five years who might otherwise have not.

The Southern Regions for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia community engagement manager Linley Watson said every donation is

valued, and it goes towards research, awareness, and support.

“We run a lot of campaigns, like the long run, where people donate individually, or they get together with a team and walk or run two-kilometres – that’s the main type of our fundraising but having a local community raising funds like this donation from the market, is very substantial,” Ms Watson said.

“$3,000 is a lot of money, and we really do appreciate it, especially in these hard times.”

“Our message to men is to ask your doctor for a PSA test, which is a simple blood test, they often think it’s something else that they don’t want to do, but it’s just a simple blood test, and it may

well save their lives.”

Mr Rice considers himself as one of the “privileged” patients because he was diagnosed as advanced.

“I already had prostate cancer, but the treatment didn’t work, they found spots in my spine, but I was fortunate enough to be given medications that stopped the cancer from spreading, the drugs were donated by a company to the hospital.”

The donation was dedicated to prostate cancer specialist nurses’ services – the nurses are specifically trained to care for prostate patients and families and work closely with their doctors to ensure they get the services and support they

may need both within the hospital and outside, and throughout their journey of recovery.

The Gully Market president said he knows the good of donations and that it always comes back in one way or another like a good Karma. He said places like the hospital shouldn’t have to beg for donations but rather provided with more care and support for the services it provides for patients like him.

“I’ve been staggered, because we shouldn’t have to do this, it should be a given. It should be funded completely by the government; health, education and law and order should be accessible to all free of cost.”

Left to right: Tony Morrissey Box Hill Prostate Cancer Support Group, Frank Kroenert FTG Market, Linley Watson Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Ian Rice FTG Market president, Kelly Pratt-Linnell and Amelia Rolfs Prostate Cancer Specialist (Stew Chambers: 426330)

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman and local MP Daniela De Martino cut the ribbon to open Gilwell Park’s new Scout Ninja circuit. (Supplied)

Repair Cafe gets funding

By Tanya Steele

A little tinker can do a world of good and a small community organisation in Knox has been given some local government funding to to keep doing just that.

Knox Repair Cafe was awarded a grant from Knox City Council’s community development fund in late July and is striving ahead with the funds after a stellar year of repairs.

In the last year the cafe saved just over 600 kg of waste from landfill and Knox City Council awarded the volunteer run group a $11,000 grant, which it will use to grow its operations out of its two locations in Ferntree Gully and Rowville.

Volunteer coordinator at the Knox Cafe Stephanie Mapleson said that the grant will allow for the development of a new app and help to increase community awareness of the cafe.

“The number one big thing that we wanted to achieve with our funding was to develop an app which would make it easy for people to book a repair at our repair cafe at one of our two locations,” she said.

Ms Mapleson said that as it stands at the moment the cafe doesn’t have a booking systemsomething the funding will change.

“We have a volunteer called Jim who has very ably established a prototype of the app that we want to develop and launch at the end of our funding,” she said.

Ms Mapleson said that the app will have an interface for users to enter the item they want to be repaired and the venue they want to attend.

“We’ll ask for a few details and they can say which venue they want to attend,” she said.

Volunteer repairs can then be organised through the app to schedule appointments for the clients to attend.

The funding will also be used to expand community relationships and raise awareness of the cafe, along with the provision of free training so people can learn to fix their items at home.

Ms Mapleson said the cafe has held a couple of

New Branch Opening in Emerald

Community Bank Emerald & District, proudly part of Bendigo Bank, is delighted to announce the opening of its new full-service branch in Emerald on Tuesday 10 September 2024. The opening marks a new chapter in the provision of exceptional banking services to the local community.

The new branch, located at Shops 1-3, 344 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald, will be staffed by the friendly, familiar and dedicated team from our Cockatoo-Gembrook branch who look forward to continuing to support the community with all their banking needs and to welcoming new customers to the updated facilities.

The relocation of the Cockatoo-Gembrook branch and Emerald Agency customers to this modern and easily accessible location will enhance the banking experience while offering the same outstanding service our valued customers have come to expect, with the convenience of a modern, contemporary banking environment.

Let’s celebrate!

We invite you to join us for our grand

opening week celebrations beginning on Tuesday, 10 September, so please take the opportunity to visit our new space, meet our local team and discover how we can assist you with all your banking needs.

Deb Weber, Chair of Dandenong Ranges Community Finance Limited, welcomed the move. “We are thrilled to continue giving back to our communities through our various sponsorships, scholarships, and other initiatives.

“Over the past 26 years we have contributed more than $6.7 million to strengthen and support our local communities.

“The new location will certainly not change our commitment to stay firmly connected to the surrounding districts and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with local community groups, schools and service organisations.

“We also look forward to celebrating the opening with you and continuing our long-standing tradition of service excellence and community support at our new Emerald Branch location,” Ms Weber said.

sewing workshops, a bicycle maintenance workshop, car maintenance, electronics and so on.

“If we do a workshop, we can have several people attending, and they can all learn,” she said.

The Knox Repair team has also paired up with students from Deakin University who are testing and refining the app while it is in development and a bit of social media presentation.

“They’ll hand it back to us for a trial and we’ll trial it with our volunteers,” said Ms Mapleson.

“We’re hoping to launch later this year,” she said.

The Knox Cafe team have hopes that the organisation of around 20 volunteers can continue to grow and help people keep their broken items from landfill.

“We are the only repair cafe in Knox - we’re keen to become part of the Knox waste reduction strategy,” said Ms Mapleson.

The cafe can help people with a range of repair services for items such as clothing, furniture, electronics, and appliances.

The skilled repair experts are passionate about fixing broken items and giving them a new life.

“We’ve got a lot of our fixes on our social media,” said Ms Mapleson.

From a dancing Santa that had stopped grooving to vintage dolls over 70 years old, broken sewing machines, an array of kitchen appliances and more, the repair team have seen some interesting items come through to be fixed.

“Sometimes it’s simply a case of getting all the fluff out of a sewing machine and oiling it so and showing people how to service their own machines, sometimes, it’s a bit more of a mechanical fix,” said Ms Mapleson.

“We have some lovely stories,” she said.

Knox Repair Cafe operates on the second Saturday of the month from 10am–12pm at Knox Environment Society nursery, 1010 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully, and on the fourth Saturday of the month from 10am–12pm at Rowville Men’s Shed, Police Road, Rowville.

Community Bank Emerald & District

GRAND OPENING

Join us for the grand opening of our new community bank branch. We hope to see you there! WhenTuesday 10 September Time9.30am (branch opens for business at 10.30am) Where344 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald

Left to right: Connor, Jenni, Faye, Jacqui, Julie and branch manager Bruce McConnell.

Aaron Henderson a electronics repairer at the cafe. (Supplied)

Mater Christi students step into the biomedical future

Budding scientists embrace Biomedical Sciences Day at the University of Melbourne during National Science Week.

Year 10 and 11 students from Mater Christi College were amongst 280 students, from across Melbourne and regional Victoria to attend one of just three Annual Biomedical Sciences Days at the University of Melbourne.

Local students and their science teacher had the exciting opportunity to experience life as a biomedical scientist at the event presented by the University of Melbourne’s School of Biomedical Sciences and the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC).

Students worked alongside researchers in the Gene Technology Access Centre Laboratories learning about a range of disease states, working with the specimens to photograph them using light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes, and had the opportunity to enter the images into their own ‘Under the Microscope Coverslip’ Competition.

They also took a behind the scenes look at the University’s Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, a rare opportunity to uncover real tissue specimens and historical anatomical models in a space that isn’t open to the general public.

Time spent in the AdaptLab allowed students to experience how innovative digital technology is used to study the human body utilising 3D VR heart models giving the opportunity to ‘hold’ the heart in the hand and examine the various structures making a human heart.

“The museum gave me a new perspective on the human body. It’s amazing to see what disease looks like” said one student who is starting to think about university study.

Their teacher said the students all had a wonderful learning experience that sometimes took them out of their comfort zone.”

A panel of current Bachelor of Biomedicine University students, spoke about their courses, sharing the diverse subject and research topics they are pursuing, life after VCE including life on campus with newfound freedoms and friends, and for some the move to living in Melbourne.

The Mater Christi College students also learned about Scholarships and Access Melbourne, a program that helps students from rural or regional areas gain entry to undergraduate courses at the university.

Each year, 20 per cent of domestic undergraduate places are reserved for Access Melbourne applicants.

The University’s Head of School of Biomedical Sciences, Professor Jennifer WilkinsonBerka, encouraged the students to think about the science behind what creates, sustains and threatens people’s lives in Australia and beyond

and spoke of the revolutionary work underway at the school, and the Gene Technology Access Centre— including biological processes to better understand human health, computational biology, 3D printing to replace bones, genomics: new tools for cancer treatments, and new vaccines to combat disease.

Professor Wilkinson-Berka encouraged students to consider the Bachelor of Biomedicine after completing their VCE studies.

“When you come to Melbourne, you don’t

just come to the School of Biomedical Sciences,” she said.

“You have access to the whole of the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, a collaboration of hospitals and research institutes that are right on our doorstep, not to mention the diverse range of career opportunities upon completion of your studies.”

For all, the day provided insights into what biomedicine is today and the diverse range of opportunities and impact biomedicine offers, and importantly what a life studying at University could look like for these students.

Focus on Belgrave filmmaker

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

A Belgrave film-making student have been nominated to earn an Honourable Mention in the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest for her short film ‘Tipping Point.’

Mater Christi College Year-11 student, Ivy Tucker is one of the few young filmmakers to receive such a prestigious nominee while still learning about the industry.

The 17-year-old high school student has been filmmaking since she was merely eight years old.

She has produced four short films by herself.

“I was amazed when I heard about the nomination, I wasn’t expecting this film to go anywhere, really, it was a school project, and I decided to submit it to some festivals to resonate with people and just to see what happens – the honourable mention has just been amazing,” Ms Tucker said.

“It all began with me doing a class each week at the Belgrave library with the Rangers Academy for Performing Arts, I started making films with my small class there and from then on, I branched off by myself to make my own short films, and continued it into high school, which I’m now doing it as media studies Year 11 and 12 and I’m really enjoying it ever since.”

“I started with being in front of the camera, and then I realised my creativity and enjoyment comes more from being behind the camera – just being able to capture stories and share them with other people around, it’s a very great medium to share, especially in a world where everything is now digitalised.”

The 17-year-old does not claim to be an environmentalist, but things changed when she went on a school trip to Central Australia.

“Once I saw these, these beautiful imageries, these ancient environments, it had a big impact on me,” she said.

“When I came home, I paid closer attention to the greenery which we are surrounded by, and I went to see the ocean, I saw yet another beautiful

part of our environment, and I thought by sharing and showing those things that makes our environment beautiful was important, to get people to think about what they can do to keep it healthy and beautiful for longer, because we know cli-

mate change is a big problem.”

“To make this short film to bring awareness to these beautiful environments and to address climate change is my way of looking after our nature.”

Her film ‘Tipping Point’ was originally for a school project but later received greater attention for its far-reaching content and creativity.

The film is a three-minute journey across Australian landscapes, accompanied by Dave Higgins’ haunting original score, where anonymous callers express their views on the words ‘Tipping Point’.

This artful three-minute film shows stunning scenery of mountains, cliffs, caverns, and wildflowers, concluding with a powerful quote from the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres about the exigency of climate change.

“I have followed One Earth online for a while and believe in its mission to communicate this message as widely as possible. I hope this film can be a part of that,” the 17-year-old said.

The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest allows students from age eight to 25 to create a three to eight-minute environmental film that inspires change or action.

During the past year, One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest received over 400 submissions from 55 countries and 36 states.

Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Poland, and United Kingdom will be represented among winners, along with the United States, states of California, Florida, Illinois, and Virginia.

“It’s important for everyone to look after our environment, we’re living in this world and we need to take care of it, because our future is at the climate tipping point and we need to decide what we want to do with it,” she said.

“I want to continue my filmmaking journey, currently I’m in the postproduction of my next film, ‘Man or Bear’, and that is for my Year 12, unit four media studies.”

Ms Tucker’s upcoming screening Re-Generation International Youth Film Festival will be at Melbourne Fringe on October 4. The global award celebration will take place on September 22, at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, Illinois, and online virtually anywhere in the world.

The 17-year-old’s latest project Man or Bear was set in Kallista (Supplied)

More thanb 280 students statewide from years 10 and 11 attended the Annual Biomedical Sciences Days. (Supplied)

It’s time to turn the tables

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Emerald Arts Society Incorporated will finally be getting rid of their old tables after receiving the Small Change Grant, funded by Cardinia Shire Council.

The old tables, dating back to the 1970s, are heavy and cumbersome, making it difficult for members to move them around.

The Arts Society president Russell Simpson said he’s looking forward to receiving the new tables.

“It’s very hard moving them around because of the age of some of our people, the newer tables have got wheels on them, and they can fold, which makes it a lot easier for us,” Mr Simpson said.

“Each tutor sets up the room to their own liking when they run classes, and I’m sure none of them will miss moving these old, heavy tables, which we should have gotten rid of a long time ago.”

The Art Society applies for grants annually to

support their operations.

“Last weekend, we had a person teaching silver jewellery making and we’ve had about 20 people turned up, this meant the classroom had to relocate these heavy tables into what best suited them,” the Arts Society president said.

“The tables we need must be in good sizes, and a solid top, to suit people who are drawing on them, this means we can’t go out and buy tables from Bunnings because they’re no good for drawing on and because we use different inks, paints, and different things – it’s got to be able to stand up to that type of punishments.”

Mr Simpson said he’s very thankful for the Council’s support on granting them the fund they desperately needed.

The old tables will be repurposed or given to members, avoiding disposal.

“We have a person who wants a couple of them to put into their shed, and we want to repurpose them,” he said.

Choir perform Mozart and Miz at Upwey Baptist Church

The Singularity Choir and Essendon Singers are coming together to perform at Upwey Baptist Cnr Burwood Highway and 21 Darling Avenue Upwey on .Sunday 8 September at 2pm.

The groups will perform Mozart’s Requiem and have a Singalong from Les Miz. Proceeds from the event will go to Foothills Community Care.

Tickets are $22 and includes afternoon tea.

PLease contact Diana Little on 0424 617 081 for more information. Belgrave Library will hold their ‘Gently, gently’ storytime on Wednesday 28 August.

Join the library staff for stories, songs and rhymes for children aged 3-6 years at Belgrave library.

These free story times are aimed at children who may find our regular storytimes overwhelming. Storytimes helps your child develop early literacy skills and a lifelong love of books. It is also a special time to bond with your child.

Sessions will run for 20 - 25 minutes, followed by an activity. Families and caregivers are welcome to stay afterwards to socialise in the children’s area.

Bookings required for both adult and child attending.

Book at: https://events.yourlibrary.com.au/ event?id=53464

The performance is on Sunday 8 September. (Unsplash)

Emerald Arts Society will receive new tables for their facilities (Supplied)

The old tables are more than 50 years old and heavy to move around (Supplied)

Joyful day on Puffing Billy

A party of 900 children, parents, teachers and carers hopped aboard Puffing Billy for the annual Variety Day on Tuesday 20 August.

With the help of more than 100 Variety volunteers, the guests enjoyed free scenic train rides and a shuttle service through the Dandenong Ranges.

A live DJ, a roving magician, scavenger hunt, chocolates, arts and crafts, and face painting were also on offer to provide joy for children experiencing disadvantage, disability and illness.

Variety children’s charity CEO Mandy Burns said the Variety Day was about “inclusion and kindness”.

“When 70 per cent of kids with disabilities report feeling excluded and kids experiencing disadvantage often feeling unable to afford excursions, the Variety Day at Puffing Billy Railway is important.”

Springvale Park Special Devrlopment School teacher said the event was a rare opportunity for the school.

“For many of our students, the event represents their first and only exposure to such incredible experiences.

“Our students come from low socio-economic backgrounds and would otherwise be unable to access these opportunities.”

Puffing Billy rolls into Emerald Lake station.

John (volunteer) with Tilly and Alexander.

Geoff, Sophie and Michele from Montrose.

Wade, Bryce, Shae, Kaylei, Asees, Rapunzel and Variety CEO Mandy Burns at Puffing Billy. (Stewart Chambers; 426628)

One of the roving entertainers at Emerald Lake.

Soujanya in the art and craft activity.

Grace, Jo, Jacqueline and Glenn were fans of the steam-train rides.

repairs, it’s a one-stop workshop.

Business owner Simon offers free Engine Scanning to vehicles when the engine management warning light comes on the dash.

“The customer is generally concerned and worried when that dreaded orange engine management warning light symbol comes on the dash so the last thing I want to do is stress them out more by charging them to scan the vehicle only to tell them that they have to spend more money on the vehicle to repair the fault,” he said.

Belwey Motors has been servicing the wider local community for 30 years. Geoff has finally started his retirement process last year and his son Simon who has been working alongside his dad for 35 years has taken over the business.

“The workshop is flying - we need a bigger car park,” Simon said.

“I’m going to miss coming in and working with my best mate each day, but Dad and Mum have worked hard building up the business’s good reputation and now it’s their time to enjoy the next phase of their lives in retirement.”

Simon and his wife Belinda plan on working hard to maintain the high standards set by Belwey Motors serving the customers’ cars’ needs.

Simon and the team have collectively 100 years’ experience in the industry and they pride themselves on good workmanship with the aim to ‘Do it once and Do it Right’. All of their work is warranted. One of the special features of this small business is we can offer personal interaction with our customers in regard to their motor vehicle repairs and maintenance requirements.

Simon along with team members, Liam, Ken, Dave and Matt speak to customers and take into account their individual circumstances and vehicle requirements prior to and after services. Often in the Dandenong Ranges we are dealing with steep, bumpy dirt roads therefore creating

the need to be extra vigilant in checking brakes, tyres and suspension and to check filters more often than logbook service guidelines.

All of the parts they use are warranted and covered in new car warranty guidelines so from new to used cars they can work on them all!

Belwey Motors are able to offer a high stan-

dard of workmanship given the staff they have and are focussed on individual customer needs as opposed to a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Belwey Motors is located at 1B Mahony Street, Upwey, Phone 9754 5024 or find them on Facebook. Business hours Monday to Friday 7. 30amto 6.30pm.

Come visit the team at Belwey Motors in Upwey. (Supplied)

Emerald Library kicks off Book Week with lot of fun

Celebrations kicked off at Emerald Library on Saturday 17 August from 11am with Kiddly Winks and their amazing face painting and balloon twisting talents. Kids, librarians and parents joined in on the fun to celebrate the beginning of book week across the nation. All week long, libraries celebrated ‘Reading is Magic’ during their regular StoryTime sessions — with people dressing up as their favourite character.

Persistence pays dividend

By Gabriella Vukman

Mark said he was rejected by publishers at least 500 times… But not 500 times too many.

Yarra Valley resident and father Mark Muposta-Russel’s debut novel A Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt has just been released and is making headway.

With the Hills starring as one of the novel’s prominent settings, this thriller delves into the life of the housewife and ex-killer Olivia Hodges in the midst of subverting gender roles and exploring themes of karmic tallies and redemption.

“I hadn’t seen the Hills be such a substantial feature in other works before, and I wanted to be a part of bringing that into a novel,” Mark said.

Prior to moving to the Yarra Valley 12 months ago, Mark was a Hills resident and his time spent in the area heavily influenced his writing.

Mark said: “As someone who has had some experience in the hills, you know it is a unique place, there is a real vibe to it, and it’s beautiful. You’re surrounded by these beautiful trees and these winding roads and these rain forest smells. It’s even got its own wizard and there’s quirky stuff all over the place.”

Toying with the progressive political atmosphere that is a prevalent feature in the Hills, Mark elaborated that on top of this “knee jerk lefty vibe,” he found the redolent and expressive nature of the place to be an excellent setting for his novel.

“The Hills are also just a really evocative place of mood in general. There are so many tiny roads that disappear up into the Hills themselves, into the rocks, into the moss that when it gets foggy around there, it feels like a Batman movie,” Mark said.

“There’s so much to the place itself and the wildlife that if you can capture 10 per cent of that in a novel, it just adds a real layer that really helps with something like crime fiction or thrillers or the noir-ish idea of there being what you see and then what is actually happening.”

From conception to publication, the idea for ‘the Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt’ has had many iterations.

Mark said: “There was a pretty major shift, just because the idea itself is 20 years old. I came up with it fresh out of university and at the time it was very pretentious.”

“I was basically doing this story about this ex hit man. At the time it was a male who felt that all of the murders he’d committed were straining on his soul and he needed to be absolved of all of his sins,” Mark said.

“I never felt smart enough to write this story

because it felt really deep and philosophical and I thought I’d have to read all these big books on satire, philosophy and religion.”

It wasn’t until after 20 years that the less philosophical and more dark and comedic version of Mark’s novel was born.

Mark said: “Finally, 20 years down the track just as I was having my son, I realised that I’m never going to read those philosophical books. I’m never going to be “smart enough” to write this stuff and that book wouldn’t actually be read now so why bother writing it?”

“Instead, I wanted to do something fun and with a bit more of an interesting thriller element so I changed the protagonist to a female and developed the story line which is of the ex-hit woman wanting revenge on these violent criminals but being unable to murder them directly,” Mark said.

“She kind of manipulates them into getting themselves killed through their anger, ego and greed.”

Mark didn’t know at the time that redirecting

his novel would make things a lot easier.

“The thing that surprised me was that after all of those years of tortured brooding and “pretentious douchiness,” when I decided to make the novel fun, it just came out really quickly,” Mark said.

“I wrote a large portion of the first draft with my son strapped to me in a baby carrier while bouncing a football and trying to keep him napping.”

Mark said: “The voice of Olivia is a bit bitter and self-deprecating with a dark and comedic tone. That was really fun to apply to this very grounded world that I had created.”

Armed with an idea, Mark’s journey to becoming a published author has been, like roads in the Hills, long and windy.

Mark said: “I started off wanting to be a screenwriter and got lots of arts development grants and had representation but could never quite make it. Later when it turned out that one of my screenplays was getting a little bit of attention

but not quite enough, I decided to try making it into a novel.”

“I spent, I don’t know how many years, sending it out around the world to various agents and I’d get to the second round of edits with all these different editors and they’d all say lovely things but my work was never quite ready,” Mark said.

“At the end of the day, they were absolutely right to reject it.”

Constantly being shortlisted for prizes, Mark knew his idea for a novel was a good one and that it was just a matter of redrafting until he got a ‘yes.’

Mark said: “People liked the concept. And each time I’d almost get there and I would have to make little tweaks to this and that.”

“I’m a better writer now. I have worked hard and I have revised and revised and revised,” Mark said.

“I also stopped caring about trying to shape something to what other people would like. It’s common advice but it took me a very long time to take it and just write something that I enjoy.”

Inspired by creators such as Scorsese and Michael Mann, Mark wanted to create a new type of thriller, disparate from stereotypes.

Mark said: “I have always loved the idea of contract killers. There have been so many in the history of TV and cinema and books and they’re often these super professional, zen monk kind of identities.”

“I don’t think people are really like that in real life. You think of anyone who’s in any job and they have their up days, their down days and a lot of the time they are just faking it until they make it so I wanted to play with that,” Mark said.

When it comes to keeping the reader hooked, Mark makes an effort to alott agency to each of his characters.

Mark said: “I think to keep people’s attention you have to keep things fresh and a little bit off kilter but over the entirety of the novel, the most important thing to keep people’s attention is to have the characters be real people with real agency.”

“It is not just Olivia being this complex character, but every single character in a scene needs to have agency and be asserting their will on it,” Mark said.

“If you believe that the villain isn’t just there to be beaten up by Olivia but is actually trying to do something and sometimes he is going to win, that generates uncertainty and that kind of uncertainty and tension creates that readability where you just need to see what the next twist is going to be.”

The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt will hit shelves on August 27.

Zoe with her balloon creation.

Eboni and Maisi from Pakenham.

Toby from Emerald.Zoom the Magician, Ava from Avonsleigh and Wendy Programs Officer Emerald Library kick off Book Week activities on Saturday. (Stewart Chambers)

Yarra Valley resident and father Mark Muposta-Russel’s debut novel A Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt has just been released and is making headway. (Supplied)

The season to be embraced

September, and the wattle blooms in brilliant yellow.

It is the first sign that winter is losing its grip. The air softens, and the sun comes in earlier.

Kate Llewellyn, September

Only days away from Spring we are still caught in that fag end of winter with its lingering cold but in anticipation of warmer weather being not too far away.

But even though the days are getting longer and sunnier the heaters are still on and so too are our winter clothes.

At least in our part of the country. Spring in Australia can be quite variable, with some regions experiencing late cold snaps or early heatwaves.

Coastal areas might still have cool ocean breezes, while inland regions warm up more quickly as we saw this week in central and north Australia.

And then there is always the possibility of the sudden storm.

As Judith Beveridge reminds us.

It was so light, the rain was, just misting over, when suddenly the day was ripped apart by ice coming down like nails.

The air was filled with flying grit, and there was no sound, except the sound of hail smashing down, hard as regret.

Still all around us nature is stirring: The songs of many birds back from their summer sojourns are

tralian flora is evergreen, having adapted to our country’s unique climate and conditions.

WOORILLA WORDS

heard once more in our backyards.

Wattles are putting on their annual patriotic show of national colours.

The gold blazing against the dark green of our bush, followed by a support act of exotic daffodils appearing across lawns, under trees and for sale in buckets on the side of the road.

Blossoms are breaking out all over our suburbs either in bridal white or soft bridesmaid pinks.

And the air is beginning to smell differently, the wind carrying the scent of new growth including the familiar whiff of onion weed, the bane of dedicated gardeners.

Spring is also a time of vibrant blooming for many native plants. Iconic Australian flowers like wattle, bottlebrush, and kangaroo paw come into full bloom, adding bursts of colour to the landscape.

Wildflowers, particularly in Western Australia, create stunning displays across fields and national parks.

Wattle Day is celebrated on 1 September, the first day of spring.

Australia has relatively few deciduous trees that are indigenous, as most of the native Aus-

However, there are some notable exceptions: The semi deciduous Australian Red Cedar and the Illawarra Flame Tree, but many exotics have been planted and have become part of our landscape.

There is something wonderful about the coming into leaf of deciduous trees with the delicate colour of the unfurling leaves as captured by Robert Frost in a poem that reminds us of the transience of existence : Nothing Gold Can Stay.

Nature’s first green is gold,/ Her hardest hue to hold./ Her early leaf’s a flower;/ But only so an hour./

Then leaf subsides to leaf./ So Eden sank to grief,/ So dawn goes down to day./ Nothing gold can stay.

Traditionally the coming of spring meant it was time for the ritual of Spring Cleaning.

To open up the house to fresh air, to tackle all those accumulated chores on hold during winter.

And the jettisoning of all the unused and unwanted stuff that has accumulated over the cold months.

If we are prepared to do this kind of spring cleaning there’s no reason why not to look at decluttering some of the emotional and psychological negatives we have been holding on to.

For some it has been a tough winter and the gloom of daily news is still hanging around like a fog.

A good time to remove all the self-doubt, worry, jealousy, regret, anger, guilt, or any other neg-

ative emotions that are holding you back from your happy, fulfilled life.”

It’s common to be affected by changing seasons and weather, or to have times of the year when you feel more or less comfortable.

For some people this can lead to what is called seasonal affective disorder SAD a type of depression that comes and goes according to the season.

The incidence of SAD in Australia is very low.

For Dorothy Porter the season of Spring is all positive.

Springtime

Springtime, with its brilliant anarchy, is sweet to everyone.

Even the bones of the poor rattle like xylophones in the wind.

The rich man forgets for a moment his investments, the madman forgets for a moment his pain.

The loveless, like me, watch and listen, to all that whistling and caroling, the blazonry of petals, and don’t even try not to feel good.

Spring in Australia is a season of growth, renewal, and vibrant natural beauty, with the country’s diverse ecosystems responding to the changing conditions in different ways.

It is a season to be embraced and enjoyed.

Woorilla Virtual Poetry Event Tuesday, 27 August at 6.30 pm. Visit woorilla.org.au

Top book favourites and recommendations - from us

By Tanya Steele

Books are for all ages and the team at Star Mail in Healesville are here to declare their favourite books and recent reads.

Only one among us knows the true pain of this week , which is pulling together a costume for our changeable children, but we all love reading. (Hint: It’s me)

At any rate, let’s get on with it - there are some nice recommendations in here and I have a few extra things on my reading list now.

Mikayla van Loon – our esteemed editor and Lilydale and Mount Evelyn journalist said that the last book she read was Emily Henry’s Happy Place. “It was an easy read but one I couldn’t put down,” she said.

Happy Place was described by someone on Goodreads as an “angsty romance and selfgrowth story with a beautiful friendship” and was released in 2023. Emily Henry is the author of Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, Beach Read, and Happy Place.

Mikayla said her favourite book would have to be The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland. “She has a way with words,” she said.

The debut 2018 novel follows the story of a young girl who is the daughter of an abusive father. The main character Alice Hart is forced to leave her seaside home and is taken in by her estranged grandmother, June, a flower farmer.

Cal Ludwig our Upper Yarra reporter has most recently dug into Into the Fire by Gregg Hurwitz.

The fifth in the Orphan X series, the book follows former government assassin and Nowhere Man Evan Smoak as he helps Max Merriweather, a man who has lost his wife, home and career when a murdered cousin leaves him a package and a team of assassins are on his trail.

He recalls his favourite Book Week costume was dressing up as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

“We combined it with Italian Day,” he said. Ranges Trader reporter Shamisya Hussainpour puts up A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini as her favourite and said she has “never cried over a book this much.”

“I mistakenly read that in a public space, so I was bawling my eyes out while trying to hide behind the book,” she said.

The turbulent novel dives into life in Afghan-

istan from the Soviet takeover in 1980s through to post 9/11 Taliban control and tells the story

through the eyes of Mariam and Laila, two women a generation apart, whose lives cross

as they become the wives of the same man, Rasheed.

I have read this as well and can confirm it is beautifully heartbreaking and to be gentle with yourself after reading it.

At the moment Ferntree Gully journalist Gabriella Vukman said her favourite books are either To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Alchemist or Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

“I love deep explorations of humanity and facing adversities in different contexts,” she said. Gabriella also loves “anything Harry Potter, always!”

Andrew Kwon, our Healesville reporter, said the last book he read was Sidelines by Karen Viggers.

“I interviewed Karen for her book launch event in Yarra Glen and I realised the book is about junior soccer players while I was interviewing her,” he said. “As I read the book I could see the similarities and differences of junior level sports environments and cultures between Korea and Australia.”

I feel I should represent the a subset of readers that maybe don’t shoot as high brow with their tastes as some of my colleagues do. I recently quite enjoyed a book called When the Moon Hatched by Sarah Parke. It is a fantasy romance and a quick but fun read. It has nearly all the notes for a good fantasy, a dragon or two, some magic, fast pace and a witty heroine who doesn’t take no for an answer.

My favourite book series ever is a true love affair that has lasted 20 years with Robin Hobb’s The Farseer Trilogy featuring the life and foibles of Fitz and the Fool. Fitz Chivalry Farseer is a royal bastard come assassin and as he works in the shadows for his king, he goes on a journey to discover who he really is - a pawn or someone in charge of his own destiny. The books span a lifetime and you will get to know Fitz extremely well if you read this, there are magics - mental ‘skill’ and animal ‘wit’ of which Fitz has both of. I myself have never dressed up for book week - but my kids have pulled off costumes as ‘Charlie’ from the classic Roald Dahl novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and Lyra from ‘The Golden Compass’ books by Phillip Pullman. From the Star Mail team - Happy Book Week for 2024!

Book week’s theme this year is “Reading is Magic” and the artist for the image is Jess Raclyeft. (The Children’s Book Council of Australia)

Searching for his identity

A review of Tell No One by Brendan Watkins Tell No One, by Brendan Watkins, is described to have achieved something that few memoirs can, “laying bare a disturbing history with compassion and humanity”.

The book details the author’s search for his birth parents, which uncovered “an astonishing global scandal at the heart of the Catholic Church”.

This reviewer first “read” the title as an audiobook narrated by David Tredinnick.

His delivery of the author’s story perfectly conveys the deep emotions of a man desperately searching for answers to some of the most fundamental questions about his existence.

“Who were my parents? Where were they? Why did they give me away?”

The author’s voice is distinct and almost tangible in the print book, writing about the “nagging inkling” that many adopted people feel, “that they’re mismatched, don’t quite fit, or are outsiders, a recurring sense that they’ve lost something”.

Watkins quotes English author Jeanette Winterson in her 2011 book Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?:

“Adoption drops you into the story after it has started. It’s like reading a book with the first few pages missing... The feeling that something is missing never, ever leaves you – and it can’t, and it shouldn’t, because something is missing.”

Watkins learned about his adoption when he was eight years old. Upon his decision to start a family at the age of 29, he encountered the practical issue of “what was swimming around in my gene pool” that could affect the health and development of his future offspring.

However, having finally tracked down the name of his birth mother via the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau – the agency in charge of “finding homes for surrendered Catholic children among parishioners” – Watkins was told to “go home and forget about her forever”.

PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

Worse, after decades of extensive research and a DNA test, Watkins discovered that he is the son of a priest and a nun. His father, a celebrated outback missionary, had sworn his mother to secrecy about their relationship.

This, according to Watkins, is a form of “spiritual abuse” that “says so much about the misogyny of the Catholic Church, the institution”.

“It’s a male-centric institution that doesn’t recognise the rights of women. I found that my mother had met my father when she was 14 or 15, and he was 30 years older... so he had enormous influence over her.”

There are approximately 450,000 Catholic priests around the world.

Although there are no accurate records, it is estimated that they have fathered over 20,000 children.

Research has shown that many mothers were pressured to have abortions. Others were coerced into hiding, tormented by shame and guilt as they gave birth to babies who were immediately and forcibly removed for adoption, their records falsified or conveniently lost.

How many women endured this fate? And how many children of priests have suffered from secrecy and lies like Watkins did?

Tell No One is a powerful reminder of the sort of cruelty that institutionalised religious power can impose on women and children.

Entertainment for locals

Eltham Little Theatre

The Peppercorn Tree

Is a moving Australian drama, set in Melbourne in 1993 and staged in 2010.

Jonah, an Australian ex-serviceman, is nearing the end of his life.

He has always been secretive about his wartime experiences, but he has reluctantly agreed to his wife’s suggestion that he recount these experiences to Zoe, a professional biographer.

As his story unfolds, he reveals a secret that has an unexpected and powerful effect on is family.

• Season closes 14 September

Burrinja Theatre

Helios – Wright and Grainger

Internationally award winning modern re-telling of an ancient myth.

A lad lives halfway an historic hill. A teenager on a road trip to the city in a stolen car.

A boy is driving a chariot pulling the sun across the sky.

A story about the son of the god of the sun. Helios transplants the Ancient Greek tale to a modern-day myth wound round the winding roads of rural England and into the everyday living of a towering city, about life and the invisible monuments we guild into it.

• Season: Friday 30 August.

• At 7.30pm.

• Venue: Lye Room.

Gemco Theatre

Open Stage Night

Welcome one and all to Gemco’s ongoing Open Stage Night.

Hosted by Carol and Dalys, the popular open stage has been running for many decades.

Kemp’s curtain call CARTOON

Held in the cosy hall, you are welcome to perform anything you like or just come for the lovely entertainment.

Enjoy music, poetry, singing, monologues or anything you wish to show.

Running the first Saturday of every month from 8pm.

If you would like to perform. Just turn up and register your interest when you arrive with Carol McCoy.

Limited Bar available.

No BYO.

Bring a plate to share.

• Time ad Location: 7 September at 8pm.

• The Gem Community Arts Centre, 15 Kilvington Dr. Emerald And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie’s breathtaking Masterpiece Ten people are lured to a solitary mansion on an island off the English coast, when a storm cuts them off from the mainland.

The true reason for their presence on the island soon becomes horribly clear.

First stage in 1943, this new production directed by Australian theatrical icon Robyn Nevin is a gorgeously grim thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Venue: Comedy theatre Melbourne, Season opens February 2025 bookings now open at andthentherewerenone.com.au

Community effort welcome

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing Australians who have once again embraced National Stroke Week, which ran from August 5 to 11 this year.

This year, we urged the community to keep looking at their loved one, their mate, their mum or dad, to ensure someone in every household and workplace in Australia can recognise the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) signs of stroke so they can save a life in the event of a loved one experiencing stroke.

We heard heartwarming stories from every corner of the country, including a daughter who saved her dad’s life from 200 kilometres away after a series of unusual text messages, a mother and son who each had a stroke, five years apart, and a man who was hitting a personal best time during Parkrun when he had a stroke, an off-duty paramedic saving his life.

These stories highlight the fact that stroke does not discriminate. What we don’t see is the ripple effect strokes have on the community, they are felt by their family, friends and loved ones, for years to come.

A stroke can happen to anyone at any age and research tells us the number of working age people (aged 18-64) having strokes is increasing. These people are not just numbers, they are mums, dads, sons and daughters. They have jobs and families and plans for the future.

While our national awareness week is over

for another year, our efforts to educate the community must continue. More than 445,000 Australians are living with the impact of stroke. After a stroke, around 1.9 million brain cells die each minute. In most cases, the faster a stroke can be diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of a good recovery. Time saved equals brain saved.

I encourage the community to keep spreading the F.A.S.T. acronym all year round. Knowing the F.A.S.T message and sharing it with your family and friends can be the first step in saving a life and avoiding ongoing disability. It may be your own life or that of someone you love.

The F.A.S.T message will help you recognise the most common signs of stroke:

• Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?

• Arms – Can they lift both arms?

• Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

• Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away. Stroke is always a medical emergency. Please know what to do when stroke strikes. Think F.A.S.T. and act fast at the first sign of stroke.

Dr Lisa Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Stroke Foundation

Caitlin Cronenberg debuts

Humane

Starring Peter Gallagher, Enrico Colantoni and Emily Hampshire MA15+

4.5/5

I’m already a big fan of her father David and brother Brandon, and now Caitlin Cronenberg makes an excellent directorial debut with the scifi psychological thriller Humane.

In a dystopian near future where the nations of the world must reduce their population by 20 per cent, Charles York (Peter Gallagher) informs his children that he and his wife Dawn (Uni Park) have chosen to “enlist” to be euthanised.

When Dawn changes her mind and flees, the euthanasia squad demands that another member of the York family take her place.

Humane’s taut, darkly funny narrative brings sibling rivalry to a macabre extreme, combining elements of family drama, home invasion and even slasher movies, and the film is full of witty dialogue and memorable performances.

Gallagher plays a noble father whose efforts to protect his family quickly go south, and Enrico Colantoni is captivating as Bob, the leader of the euthanasia squad.

All the more chilling for his giddy politeness, Bob is a professional who loves his job, which happens to be state-approved killings.

Emily Hampshire is a contemptuous problem-

solving dynamo as Rachel, and Jay Baruchel has the most overtly comedic role as Jared, a smarmy pundit who must now experience the horrific policies he promotes. As the York children gang up on their troubled adopted brother Noah (Sebastian Chacon), the cast does a great job of portraying the vast gulf between rationalizing a murder and actually committing it.

The world-building is insubstantial (like Civil War) and the environmentalism references are slightly heavy-handed, but the bleak background is still an effective springboard for the dark drama.

An outstanding debut from Caitlin Cronenberg and a solid showcase of small-scale suspense, clever dialogue and compelling performances, Humane is available to rent or buy on iTunes.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

RENOVATED CHARACTER HOME WITH VIEWS

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED CHARACTER HOME WITH VIEWS AND THE PONY PADDOCK

NESTLED on a spacious 4379sqm block, this charming 3 bedroom home offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and rural serenity. With great views from every window this home is an idyllic retreat for those seeking both relaxation and practicality.

The master bedroom has elevated views that allow you to wake to the gorgeous Spring sunrises, and features built-in robes and a modern ensuite. Add to these 2 further bedrooms, one with built-in robes both with private outlooks, a beautifully renovated central bathroom with separate powder room, and European laundry, all leading off the stylish lounge room, complete with wood fire, perfect for chilly evenings. Beautiful timber flooring flows throughout the home, complemented by ducted heating/cooling, ensuring comfort year-round.

The stunning entertainer’s kitchen/dining is the heart of the home, with floor to ceiling windows on 2 sides, flooding the space with natural light, 900mm Smeg oven, lots of

storage, and an abundance of bench space &large island bench. This is the perfect kitchen to create culinary masterpieces, seamlessly connecting to an undercover deck, ideal for alfresco dining and entertaining.

Outside you will find a studio/workshop/ single garage, chicken house and a fully fenced paddock with shelter for any farm animal friends, and plenty of space for additional projects such as the shed of your dreams (STCA).

This home is an ideal choice for families or anyone seeking a peaceful country lifestyle. Don’t miss out on this incredible piece of paradise.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today.

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.

FAMILY ABODE WITH STUNNING OVERLOOKS

NESTLED in the picturesque hills of Tecoma, this charming property at 29 Blackwood Street offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and versatility. Boasting a prime location with captivating views, this residence is sure to impress.

The home comprises of three bedrooms, a centrally located and impeccably tidy kitchen complete with gas cooktop and views of the backyard with the perfect flow into the dining area. From the dining area with are able to enjoy the lush green surrounds with the comfort of the toasty wood heater. Outside we have the versatile bungalow/studio offering endless possibilities as a home office, art studio, teenagers retreat or even extra storage. With ceiling fans all throughout to keep us cool in the warmer months and an extra gas heather in the cooler months, maximum comfort is guaranteed.

The highlight of this property is undoubtedly the balcony, where you can unwind and admire the breathtaking views stretching out before you. Whether you’re enjoying your morning coffee or having a wine and watching the sun go down, this outdoor space is sure to become your favorite retreat.

Outside, the double carport provides convenient parking for vehicles, while the fully fenced rear yard offers a safe and secure environment for children and pets to run amok. With solid concrete stumps underneath, you can have peace of mind knowing that this home is built to last.

Conveniently located close to local shops, schools, and public transport options, this home offers a lifestyle of ease and convenience.

CHARACTER AND CREATIVITY IN A RESORT LIKE SETTING

SITUATED on a no through road and overlooking the old golf course, this location is as quiet as it is perfect. The view from the front verandah is delightful.

Welcome home to a rustic, character filled home with vaulted ceilings, a long living and dining space with fireplace flowing to the outside chill zone with Balinese influences, lush gardens, and the sound of a waterfall. With this covered area, you can entertain all year round!

The central timber kitchen has a walk-in pantry, excellent storage and bench space, wall oven, gas hotplates and a dishwasher. If you are looking for a great master bedroom, this one is roomy with high ceilings and has a full ensuite with bespoke cabinetry and custom sink, rainhead shower, also a spacious walk-in robe. The two remaining bedrooms both have built-in robes and are serviced by an equally stylish bathroom with a stone basin. There is also a laundry and for comfort, ducted heating, wood fire and a split system.

Outdoors on just over ½ an acre, are established gardens (some very tropical), a single carport, two smaller sheds and a larger one for secure storage.

This fabulous property is just minutes to Emerald Secondary College, sporting facilities, the Avonsleigh General Store, Bam Bam Restaurant, bus connections and a little further is Emerald Township with everything you need.

POWERCONNECTED,WITHA PLANNINGPERMIT

10-acrebushlandproperty,wheretranquilitymeetsconvenience.Thislandoffers aunique blendofunspoiledbeautyandmodernamenities.Withpowerconnected &a planning permitsecuredensuringa smoothpathtorealizingyourvision,youcanimmediatelystart yourplanswithouttheusualdelays.Thepropertyfeatures aserenespring-feddam,a smallcreekmeanderingthroughthegullyenhancingthenaturalbeautyanddualaccess with aseparateshareddrivewaywithnextdoorprovidingeasyaccess.

ErinDavies 0493136937 MickDolphin 0429684522

CHARACTERANDCREATIVITY

Situatedon ano-throughroad &overlookingtheoldgolfcourse,thislocationisasquiet asitisperfect.Welcomehometoa rustic,character filledhomewithvaultedceilings,a longliving& diningspacewitha fireplace,GDH,S/System,zoneswithBalineseinfluences centraltimberkitchen,roomymasterwithhighceilings &fullensuitewithWIR,bespoke cabinetry,customsinkanda rainheadshower.Outdoorsfeaturesestablishedlush gardenswitha waterfall,singlecarport,twosmallsheds &a largesecureshed.

ErinDavies 0493136937 6.6ACRESOFNATURALBEAUTY

Discoverthetimelesscharmofthishome,nestledonanexpansive6.6-acresadornedwith largemountainashtrees,exotictrees &ferns.Thispropertyisveryprivateandsecluded, yetstillwithinwalkingdistancetokallistashops& publictransport.Theoriginalhomeoffers asunroom,separatediningroom,spaciousloungewithanopenfireplaceanddoes requiresomeupdatestomeetmodernstandards.largeunderhouseareaforparking, workshoporstorage,aswellas aseparatecarport &attachedroomanddualaccess.

JanBrewster 0409558805

Wearelookingforsomeonewithimaginationtotakeonthispropertythatalreadyhas abigfollowingonline.Withcommandingviewsoverthesurroundingvalleys &hills,the propertycoversapprox.13acres &isonlyminutesfromCockatoo &Emeraldtownships. In apoorstateofrepair& currentlynothabitable,themainresidenceoriginallyoffered14 rooms, 4ensuites, aportico,largeentry, 3hugebalconieswithamazingviews,a spacious courtyard,widehallways,highceilings &anabundanceofstoragespaceover3 levels. 8 A 4 B 5 C

MickDolphin 0429684522

ErinDavies 0493136937

HOME IDEAL FOR FAMILIES AND HOBBYISTS

WITH incredible versatility and an idyllic location on a quiet no-through road only 800m from Main Road amenities, this stellar property is the perfect lifestyle package. Settled on a 1,236sqm (approx.) landscape with a long list of bonus features including 2 garages, 2 carports, abundant off-street parking, storage sheds, and more, this property is perfect for homeowners and hobbyists alike.

The quality constructed brick residence that takes pride of place on this block is designed for family living. The primary living area on the upper level features a drying cupboard, warm gas fire, plush carpet, and leafy views. Those who love to cook will appreciate the stylish open plan galley kitchen with walk-in pantry, glass splashback, and gas cooktop. In warmer months, take dining outdoors to the covered and open decking or the lovely paved patio in the garden. Furthermore, there is a lower level rumpus room that provides plenty of extra space to relax and enjoy.

In addition, there are 4 generous bedrooms smartly situated throughout this home. On the lower level, the guest bedroom with built-in robe is accompanied by a powder room, laundry, and under-house storage. On the upper level, there are generous family bedrooms, a sizeable study/office, a family bathroom with a relaxing spa tub, and a comfortable main bedroom with a modern rain shower ensuite.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

THIS 3-bedroom, 1 bathroom home is perfectly situated within a short walking distance to Emerald’s township and local supermarket, offering the ideal blend of convenience and tranquillity.

Enter the home into the loungeroom, with timber flooring, and cosy wood fire adding warmth and character and enjoy year-round comfort with gas ducted heating throughout. Through to the galley style kitchen, complete with plenty of storage, providing ample space for cooking and entertaining, also with access to the back garden from the laundry. With 3 carpeted bedrooms, 2 with built in robes and central family bathroom to complete the picture.

The expansive 978sqm fully fenced block provides plenty of room for kids and pets to run around, a separate studio with power and split system, ideal for a home office/teenage hangout or guest accommodation and a shed with power, perfect for a hobby space or workshop.

Located in a perfect spot, within walking distance to town, local shops, cafes and amenities, all while enjoying the peace and quiet of your own private sanctuary.

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7 A 2 BC

67PakenhamRoad,Cockatoo

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 Officiate (abbr) (3)

3 The study of knowledge (10)

10 Distribute (food) (5,2)

11 Web surfer (7)

12 The wedded state (9)

13 Luxurious (4)

15 Units of mass used for precious metals and gemstones (4,6)

17 Box (4)

19 Possesses (4)

20 Impersonation (10)

23 Just (4)

25 Colloquial (9)

27 Libyan capital (7)

28 Paraguayan monetary unit (7)

29 Ionised part of Earth’s atmosphere (10)

30 Headed (3)

DOWN

1 Picking up from where you left off (10)

2 Oldest child (9)

4 Process of producing a suggestive mental state (9)

5 Vestibule (5)

6 Gradually (6)

7 Mexican coins (5)

8 Story (4)

9 Evaluation (6)

14 Child of one’s child (10)

16 Forerunner, omen (9)

18 Colourful team shooting sport (9)

21 Relating to Samoa (6)

22 Soldiers (6)

24 Unearthly (5)

25 Hibernian (5)

26 Needlecase (4)

and each letter

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

Around outer-east ovals

By Armin Richter FOOTBALL

• Seniors: Officer 11.12.78 def Monbulk 9.5.59; Narre Warren 17.9.111 def Mt. Evelyn 6.6.42; Wandin 18.14.122 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 10.10.70; Upwey-Tecoma 19.14.128 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 13.9.87; Woori Yallock 11.16.82 def Pakenham 5.6.36; Emerald 16.15.111 def Berwick Springs 11.4.70

• Reserves: Officer 5.8.38 def Monbulk 5.3.33; Narre Warren 11.8.74 def Mt. Evelyn 9.8.62; Wandin 7.6.48 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 3.9.27; Upwey-Tecoma 10.17.77 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 7.6.48; Pakenham 9.7.61 def Woori Yallock 6.9.45; Emerald 16.9.105 def Berwick Springs 1.7.13

DIVISION ONE (Week 1 Finals)

• Seniors: Qualifying Final - Warburton-Millgrove 9.14.68 def Healesville 8.7.55; Elimination Final - Belgrave 11.12.78 def Alexandra 10.13.73

• Reserves: Qualifying Final - Healesville 9.13.67 def Seville 7.7.49; Elimination Final - Warburton-Millgrove 9.10.64 def Yea 7.8.50

• UNDER 19s (round 18): Narre Warren def Wandin (forfeit); Upwey-Tecoma 9.10.64 def Officer 5.4.34; Pakenham 13.10.88 def GembrookCockatoo 1.5.11

UNDER 18s (pre-finals bye round)

SENIOR WOMEN

• Division 1: Grand Final - Pakenham 8.7.55 def Healesville 3.4.22

• Division 2: Grand Final - Monbulk 2.0.12 def Woori Yallock 1.5.11

NETBALL

PREMIER DIVISION

• A Grade: Mt. Evelyn 50 def Narre Warren 34; Wandin 52 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 45; Monbulk 69 def ROC 33; Upwey-Tecoma 77 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 33; Pakenham 60 def Woori Yallock 41; Emerald 104 def Berwick Springs 11

Trades & Services

Monbulk’s combined 2024 Senior and Reserves teams, on Saturday both sides finished their respective seasons just out of the finals (Supplied)

• B Grade: Narre Warren 52 def Mt. Evelyn 39; Wandin 48 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 34; ROC 46 def Monbulk 38; Gembrook-Cockatoo 44 def Upwey-Tecoma 32; Pakenham 55 def Woori Yallock 51; Emerald 43 def Berwick Springs 42

• C Grade: Narre Warren 44 def Mt. Evelyn 21; Wandin 44 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 37; ROC 46 def Monbulk 29; Upwey-Tecoma 33 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 28; Pakenham 57 def Woori Yallock 11; Emerald 41 def Berwick Springs 11

• D Grade: Narre Warren 27 def Mt. Evelyn 18; Wandin 27 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 18; ROC 43

def Monbulk 8; Upwey-Tecoma 30 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 6; Pakenham 49 def Woori Yallock 12; Emerald 48 def Berwick Springs 12

DIVISION ONE

• A Grade: Qualifying Final - Seville 55 def Yarra Glen 38; Elimination Final -Healesville 61 def Alexandra 45

• B Grade: Qualifying Final - Yarra Glen 60 def Belgrave 51; Elimination Final -WarburtonMillgrove v Yea

• C Grade: Qualifying Final - Seville 35 def War-

burton-Millgrove 26; Elimination Final -Belgrave 48 def Yarra Junction 17

• D Grade: Qualifying Final - Belgrave 29 def Alexandra 25; Elimination Final - Yarra Glen 26 def Warburton-Millgrove 22

• 17 & Under Premier (round 19): Narre Warren 57 def Mt. Evelyn 8; ROC 51 def Berwick 7; Pakenham 26 def Woori Yallock 15; Wandin bye

• 15 & Under East (round 19): Pakenham 25 def Woori Yallock 20; Narre Warren 34 def Berwick 23; ROC 30 def Monbulk 14; Beaconsfield bye

Street, Morwell. More information c1.bowden@gmail.com

Curtain comes down for most Hawks footy and netball

By Armin Richter FOOTBALL SENIORS

The 2024 season wrapped up for Monbulk’s football teams on the weekend. The Senior Hawks were playing for pride only as they were just out of reach of the final six but were also wanting to send off ruckman Johnathon Hevern on a high note after the former captain announced that he would be retiring after six seasons with Monbulk.

Monbulk had been in excellent form at home recently, with 10+ goal wins in their last three outings on their own turf against the finals bound Upwey and Olinda teams along with Pakenham. Monbulk were always within striking range but were unable to impact the scoreboard as Officer prevailed in a deserved 3 goal win. Charlie Barge made an impressive senior debut. Monbulk finished the season in 8th place. Midfielder Lochlan Beecroft’s four goals was enough to be the club’s leading goalkicker with 25 (13th overall in the League), four ahead of Ziggy Hatherley with Hayden Finlay on 17.

Monbulk 9.5.59 def by Officer 11.12.78

• Best: Robert Savory, Lochlan Beecroft, Mitchell Veit, Joshua Spencer, Hayden Finlay, Charlie Barge

• Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 4, Hayden Finlay 2, Johnathon Hevern 1, Mitchell Dekker 1, Declan Browne 1

RESERVES

The Monbulk Reserves also finished 8th for the year with 7 wins and 11 losses after going down to Officer in a close encounter. It was fairly much goal for goal in a low scoring struggle where the finals bound Roos did just enough to secure the points. Michael Langworthy was the club’s leading goalkicker with 20, being 11th overall.

Monbulk 5.3.33 def by Officer 5.8.38

• Best: Harry Fleming, Hamish Emmett, Ryan Gilbert, Cameron Griffiths, Lachlan Smith, Tait Colee

WOMEN’S

The Monbulk Women faced Woori Yallock at Kilsyth on Sunday in the Grand Final of Division 2.

Monbulk Senior Women’s team - 2024 Division 2 Premiers (Supplied)

Despite the near perfect conditions it was to be a low scoring affair as neither side allowed the other to find avenues to goal. The Tigers had perhaps more opportunities but the great pressure applied by the Monbulk backs held them to just three behinds to three quarter time, while the Hawks had gotten out to a 9 point lead courtesy of goals to Scarlett Henderson, against the wind in the second term, and Jade McCormick kicking truly in the third after taking a mark.

The desperation shown by the Hawks was exemplified when Captain Madeline Caarels and Yanessa Hancock-Wolfe took each other out in friendly fire when they clashed heads heavily contesting a loose ball. This left Madeline a black eye and possible fractured cheek and Yanessa suffering a broken nose. Woori Yallock were playing a determined last quarter with the wind as they looked to snatch the lead with a goal soon after the start of the final quarter. The Hawks were facing an onslaught but were able to keep the Tigers from making a breakthrough. With about four minutes remaining Monbulk defender Molly Liccardi copped a heavy knock which caused the clock to be stopped and the match to be halted for 20 minutes. When the game resumed it became a rugby scrum for the final few minutes as Monbulk pounced on every opportunity and laid tackle after tackle on their Woori opponents. The ball barely left the Tiger’s forward pocket with Kathryn Gow claiming two vital clearing kicks. When the siren sounded Monbulk claimed their second flag in three years

in what had been a fantastic struggle for the ultimate honours. Jade McCormick received the Best On Ground medal. Scarlett Henderson and Jade McCormick finished third and fourth in the League goalkicking with 25 and 24 goals respectively. Monbulk had a squad of about 30 girls all year but in the finals were restricted to playing 24 which meant Grace Emmett, Matilda McDermott, Madeline Vouvopoulos, Helen Henderson and Olivia VandenBerg were unfortunate to miss out but their contributions during the year had been vital to the final outcome.

Monbulk 2.0.12 def Woori Yallock 1.5.11

• Best: Ruby Ross, Josie Ford, Maddison Dodd, Kathryn Gow, Jade McCormick, Yanessa Hancock-Wolfe

• Goals: Jade McCormick 1, Scarlett Henderson 1

• Goals: Matthew James 2, Nicholas Heron 2, Thijs Koelewyn 1

NETBALL

A GRADE

While the footballers have finished, two netball sides have made the finals. A Grade and the Under 15s will continue. Monbulk’s A Grade team had been assured of finals for a few weeks but needed to put on a strong showing against ROC after having lost their last three to slip to sixth. The team has lost Paige Whitworth who had injured her meniscus last week but welcomed back Sophie Stubbs from her broken arm. It was to be a dominant performance by the Hawks as they controlled the match from the outset and never allowed ROC a chance to get back in, eventually triumphing by 36 goals after a 23-7 final term. Peri Reid finished fifth in the goal shooting with 455, despite playing only 13 games. Captain Stephanie Ferguson played her 50th match for the club. Monbulk will play Wandin in an Elimination Final at Woori Yallock this Saturday.

Monbulk 69 def ROC 33

• Best: Georgia Himmelreich, Jamie Clark, Peri Reid

• Goals: Peri Reid 38, Stephanie Ferguson 17, Elly Stewart 14

B GRADE

The Hawks may have missed the finals by 3.5

games and were taking on second placed ROC but they fought out the season to the end. Monbulk played the better game for most of the match and were leading well through the first half. ROC’s third quarter, which netted 16 goals to 5, swung the momentum and the match in favour of the Kangaroos who then held on for the win. Jorja Wragg was the team’s leading scorer with 433, placing 7th overall. Monbulk 38 def by ROC 46

• Best: Rihanna Kelly, Alice McCormick, Tiana Mancarella

• Goals: Jorja Wragg 24, Dayna Walsham 11, Chloe Schmidtke 3

C GRADE

C Grade were in a similar situation to B Grade, sitting in 8th place with 7 wins against ROC who were in 4th and going for their 14th of the season. The Kangaroos were better in the transition of play and made more of their opportunities. Jamie Sands finished fifth in the goal shooting with 332. Monbulk 29 def by ROC 46

• Best: Sammi Kelly, Olivia Crook, Tara Donald

• Goals: Jamie Sands 20, Olivia Crook 6, Chloe Carmichael 3

D GRADE

ROC are the undisputed ladder leaders in this grade and the match panned out with a comfortable win to the visitors.

Monbulk 8 def by ROC 43

• Best: Zali Utting, Bronte Passingham, Maddy Buckland

• Goals: Maddy Buckland 4, Ella Flynn 2, Hayley Donald 2

UNDER 15s

Monbulk sewed up the double chance last week and took on the undefeated ROC in a tune up for the finals. Although ROC won easily in the end, the match was a lot more even than the scoreboard showed as the Hawks failed to capitalise on the opportunities that they created.

Monbulk 14 def by ROC 30

• Best: Isabelle Cross, Isla Stubbs, Bridie McCormick

• Goals: Kaitlyn Summers 6, Lara Stenhouse 3, Isla Stubbs 3, Stella Dunstan 2

‘Natural leader’ takes helm

By Marcus Uhe

The familiar face of David Johnson will advance his coaching career from assistant to senior coach at Emerald in 2025, having agreed to replace premiership coach Sein Clearihan at the helm at Chandler Reserve.

Johnson joined the club ahead of the 2023 season and the fit was like a hand in a glove, with the dynamic key forward proving to be a crucial piece of the Bombers’ premiership puzzle, leading the forward line with 61 goals including six in the grand final to secure best-on-ground honours.

With Clearihan announcing in July that 2024 would be his last season at Bomberland, the seed was planted in Johnson’s mind to steer the ship into the future.

Since the decision, Johnson has been afforded further opportunities at training and on game day to take the reins, with Clearihan casting his watchful eye over the veteran as he learns the basics.

“Sein and I were chatting six or seven weeks ago about what our plans were for next year and he wanted to know if I was interested in coaching,” Johnson said.

“I said I was and it came to the decision where he decided he was going to take a step back and pushed me in the right direction to take over.

“I think the transition is really good – not too many people as a first time head coach get the likes of a Sein behind you to help out for five weeks.

“The way that he was running that team (last year) and had the respect from all the boys, he’d say ‘jump’ and they’d say ‘how high’.

“That was probably the reason we won the premiership last year because of the way Sein went about his stuff.”

Among Johnson’s steepest learning curves will be negotiating tough conversations with teammates he has quickly formed strong bonds with in the last 24 months.

Following being crowned as the best player on the ground in last year’s Division One grand

final, the selfless Johnson invited injured teammate Noah van Haren onto the dais to accept the medal, having played such a key role in the club’s ascension but unavailable for selection on the biggest day of the year.

It’s been where Johnson identified one of the major areas of growth, and has already leaned on Clearihan for guidance.

“I don’t think anyone likes being dropped and I don’t think anyone likes dropping anyone, so I think it’s a conversation I’m going to have to have with all of the boys during the preseason,” he said.

“I’ve already spoken to them about the respect that I’m going for throughout my coaching career with them because we are friends, so I think that’s going to be tough to get my hear around early doors.

“It’s quite noticeable that I’m ‘My Nice Guy’ at the moment and Sein’s there to give me the tough decisions.

“He said ‘these are the decisions that you’re going to have to make in the future’ so he’s preparing me for all of those.”

With the handover now official, Johnson faces one of the biggest challenges any coach can on Saturday afternoon, and a brutal assignment in his first game at the helm, in a contest that will have a major say in what division of football they compete in next season.

Results need to fall the Bombers’ way, beginning with a win over Berwick Springs at home, to force a likely three-way tie for ninth place, between themselves, Gembrook Cockatoo and Pakenham.

Should that eventuate, tie breaker rules will break in the Bombers’ favour, and preserve their spot in the top flight for Johnson’s first season in charge.

There’s no avoiding the context surrounding the match and Johnson said he will simplify the

approach as much as possible.

“I’m going to tell the boys that it’s a mustwin game - no matter the results from the other games, if we win, that’s going to put us in the right stead to keep us up in Premier,” he said.

“All we have to do is play our best footy and knock off Berwick Springs, and let the rest work itself out.

“I think we’ve been competitive – if we beat Berwick Springs, that’s five wins, which is one win off playing finals last year in Premier.

“If we were to go down, hopefully we were to keep the majority of our playing list and I’d say we’d be certainly pushing for finals in first division again.”

Outgoing club president Mark Pedder has high hopes for Johnson in his new venture in the coach’s box, having forged such strong relationships during his short time at the club.

“The boys love him and he’s a natural leader,” Pedder said.

“The club will put some good people around him from being in the coach’s box on game day point-of-view.

“He’s a natural leader and a natural coach so I think he’ll be fantastic.”

A strong final quarter from the Bombers saw them push second-place Woori Yallock at home on Saturday in a 27-point loss.

The Tigers led by 30 points at half time but was outscored by Emerald in the second half in a performance that pleased in the incoming coach.

“It would have been easy for us to drop off and not have a crack in the last quarter but Sein and I put it on them and said ‘we can still get a fair bit out of this,’” Johnson said of the message at threequarter-time.

“We spoke about wanting to run the ball and trying to slow their run down, because they are a very good team, and we did that.

“After the game, I know we hadn’t won, but the supporters were getting around us and the players were reasonably up and about after a loss, considering we put in a really good effort.”

David Johnson will coach Emerald next season. (Rob Carew: 344557)

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Welcome to Clovelly Cottage. Nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges but still within close proximity to the Boronia Junction shopping precinct and amenities, it is a place our residents are proud to call home. Featuring abundant indoor and outdoor spaces with a choice of private sanctuaries and communal living, we are dedicated to delivering excellence in care and services that enable residents to live well and celebrate the autumn years of their life.