Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 15th October 2024

Murphy shares

Sanders celebrates

Three Bridges’ Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders was back on the bike for the Rallye du Maroc, the final event of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship held in Morocco.

At the conclusion of the final Stage Five, Sanders emerged victorious taking out the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc by just over 11 minutes.

A small mistake near the beginning of the special cost the Three Bridges local several minutes, but he was able to get back on track and continue to lead out the stage.

Sanders said he was so pleased with how the whole rally has gone, especially taking the win of course.

“But it’s definitely a massive accomplishment for myself and the whole team since Dakar and the last race in Argentina – it really demonstrates the hard work everyone has put in over these last few months,” he said.

“I’m happy to be back on the top step, it’s been a year and a half since I broke my femur, so I’m super-pumped to be back on form and showing some good speed ahead of Dakar.”

Turn to page 33 for more

Power on for hope

By Callum Ludwig

Since she was a young girl, Yarra Junction resident Alice Underwood has dreamt of one day having electricity connected to her home.

Now 32 years old, Alice and her mother will have lived without power for 30 years come this December, other than a small 12-volt generator set up by their friend Mikey that’s barely enough to charge a phone and power some fairy lights. The ‘last power pole’ on their street is only 500

metres from their home, yet Alice and her mother have been quoted between $83,300 and $98,800 by Ausnet to extend electricity infrastructure to their property, an unaffordable figure to drum up through her disability support pension and her mother’s age pension and previous casual work as a fruit picker.

Alice said she would be amazed if she had electricity.

“I was scared of electricity when I was a kid be-

cause I didn’t have it and I was scared of getting electrocuted if I went to someone’s place, I didn’t know how it worked and I’m still nervous around it in some ways,” she said.

“I would love to learn how to use it, learn how to use appliances, learn how to use a washing machine, an air conditioner or a fridge,”

“It’d be a different world for me if I had electricity.”

Alice has severe autism and her sole income

is the disability support pension, though she and her mother have to contribute large amounts to extra costs through having no electricity such as using a laundromat, batteries for torches, bottled water, transport into town and replacing spoiled food.

Before Mikey set up the generator some years ago, they were also spending up to $50 a week on candles to provide some light at night.

Continued page 5

Daniel Sanders celebrates winning the 2024 Rallye du Maroc. (Rally Zone)

Melba Highway is getting dangerous

By Dongyun Kwon

Two accidents happened at the exact same location on Melba Highway near Yering Station on Thursday 19 September and Wednesday 25 September.

Both accidents were single-vehicle accidents, a jack-knifed truck and a rolled-over car.

Yarra Glen Sergeant Roger Willems said the jack-knifed truck accident was caused by the driver’s error.

“Melba Highway has got problems because of the nature of the road. The road gets flooded regularly, and then you get bitumen moves, bitumen causes potholes,” he said.

“[The truck] was a B Double. The bridge just before it does have a bit of a wave through it, so I don’t know whether that has anything to do with it at all, but that one I would suggest is driver error.

“The truck driver was checked for alcohol and drugs and that is pending at this stage.”

There were no injuries in both accidents.

Lilydale SES volunteers attended the second accident to assist Victoria Police.

Lilydale SES unit controller Shaun Caulfield said the majority of the crashes that occur on the corner are in result of vehicles heading from Yarra

Glen towards Lilydale that end up going wide.

“Generally, without speaking about those specific accidents, the main cause there is people just going too fast into that corner,” he said.

“It’s not particularly super wide but it’s not overly narrow either.

“People seem to overestimate or underestimate how sharp that corner is, often tend to take a little bit too much fit in or end up a little bit too far to the left and [putting] their wheels in the dirt and then run wide in.”

In light of their own experience driving on that specific area, both Sgt Willems and Mr Caulfield found the corner easy to navigate.

The Lilydale SES unit controller said it’s complex to figure out why many vehicles run off from the road.

“We’ve been to quite a few crashes that are involving both cars and trucks, which literally just ran off the road and into the grass there,” Mr Caulfield said.

“In fact when the speed limit was 100 km per hour, we didn’t seem to have as many incidents there either, and the speed limit was dropped to 80 km per hour, and we’re still having incidents there, which suggests that speed limit is not the issue, it would just appear to be that for whatever

reason, people might overestimate their speed at which they can go around that corner.

“There is a slight distraction, a narrowish bridge just before the corner, but it’s hard to tell whether that catches people, who are not experienced with the area, out. There’s nothing super obvious about the corner that makes it such a magnet for people to run off the outside of.”

Both encouraged drivers to follow the road conditions.

“I’ve driven it a lot of times and I’ve never come off the road. If you drive them at the speed as it’s suggested, you’re unlikely to come off the road,” Sgt Willems said.

Mr Caulfield said although there’s no obvious reason why cars keep running off the edge of the road, the accidents would be preventable if drivers pay attention to the speed advisory signs.

“Historically, we’ve had issues with two-car collisions near that intersection or near that corner, often caused by people coming out of Chateau Yering Hotel who are failing to give away,” he said.

“The highway inherently is no more dangerous in that section than any other piece of road but people need to pay attention to the speed advisory signs and the yellow signs that give a suggested speed that in ideal conditions.”

IN BRIEF

Lost property

Healesville Police are seeking owners of property that has been recently handed in.

1. Hearing aid. Property reference 202409-E2082

2. Lady’s watch. Property reference 202409-E2078

3. Man’s ring. The ring was located at the Don Road Complex.

Property reference 202410-E-0712

For proof of ownership a description of the items will be required.

Any enquiries please call Healesville Police on 5962 4422 Vehicle incident in Healesville

Emergency services responded to reports of a vehicle accident at around 6.48am at Soul Pattinson Chemist next to Coles Healesville on Wednesday 9 October.

Two CFA units from Healesville and Badger Creek attended the scene alongside Victoria Police.

“Crews arrived to find a single vehicle had mounted the curb and nudged a shop front window,” a CFA spokesperson said. Victoria Police confirmed this was a crash with no injuries and minor damage.

The incident was deemed safe at 7.07am. Mobile service outage set for planned works in Seville

Planned safety works in Seville will see some Telstra customers’ mobile reception service affected next month.

Telstra customers who have recently been in the Seville area may have received a message from their provider indicating that for OH&S purposes, they will be shutting down their site in Seville from 14 October to October, resulting in a reduction in their coverage between 7am and 5pm.

A Telstra spokesperson has since confirmed to the Star Mail that the timing of the works has been shifted to 5 November to 7 November.

A third party will be conducting safety works at the site and Telstra are required to shut it off while they complete their works. KIA recalls over 100,000 cars due to a potentially fiery fault

Kia Australia has had to recall a total of 104,104 cars due to a fault with the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) which could cause a fire.

The HECU, responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.

If moisture enters the HECU, an electrical short circuit can occur. If an electrical short circuit occurs, this could result in an engine compartment fire when the key is switched off and the vehicle is parked. Kia Australia is contacting all known owners of affected vehicles by direct mail.

Consumers should contact their nearest Kia Australia dealer to arrange for an inspection and repair of the vehicle, free of charge. Until it has been repaired, Kia recommends that the vehicle should not be parked near any flammable structures or in an enclosed area, i.e. not in a garage.

Affected cars include the 2009 Kia Sportage, 2012-2018 RP Rondo, 2009-2012 UN Carens, 2013-2014 SLe Sportage, 2011-2016 UB Rio, 20102015 TF Optima, 2009-2013 SL Sportage, 20092013 TD Cerato, 2010-2014 XM Sorento and the 2010-2013 AM Soul.

A car underwent a full rollover on Melba Highway, Yering on Wednesday 25 September. (Lilydale SES)

Life cut short by tragedy

By Tanya Steele

As Motorcyclist Awareness Month continues in Victoria throughout October, a Dandenong Ranges family is asking for more rider awareness and mandatory advanced training for motorcycle riders and motorists alike after the loss of their son, Elias.

“Our lives have changed forever,” said parents Bill and Janine Gerovasilis who want to see motorcycle riders undergo more advanced training, in the hope that no family will have to experience the unthinkable pain they are living in.

“We hope telling our story can at least save one person,” they said.

The Gerovasilis family were shattered by the loss of their 22-year-old son Elias after he suffered a fatal motorcycle crash in Emerald on Tuesday 6 August.

The family is well known to the Hills community and runs a barber shop in Tecoma. Elias was one of three children, the middle child to an older brother and younger sister and was a fresh police graduate with his future ahead of him.

“Our community knows us,” Janine said.

The family have been dealing with immeasurable pain and they said they wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Elias was travelling in a group of motorcyclists along Beaconsfield-Emerald Road and Cloverleigh Avenue in Emerald at around 9.15pm on 6 August when he came off the road and collided with a tree - losing his life.

“We believe they had a stop in Emerald. They all got on their bikes and Elias was at the front most of the way…at Beaconsfield, they realised he wasn’t there,” his parents said.

His parents said on the evening that Elias had his fatal accident, he wasn’t speeding.

“He knew the road but it’s possible it was inexperience or maybe an animal or just lack of concentration… but he did not take the bend and hit a tree on the other side of the road,” they said.

As of 10 October 2024, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) website stated there were 51 lives lost in Victoria from motorcycle accidents this year, which is up from 36 last year and marks a rise of 42 per cent.

TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield said it was devastating to see a significant increase in fatal motorcycle crashes and it was a stark reminder of the consequences when something goes wrong.

“Our thoughts go out to all the families and loved ones of people killed by road trauma; the ripple effects of these deaths are far-reaching, and we can’t become immune to the increase in lives lost on our roads,” she said.

“Motorcyclist Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to engage with the Victorian community and educate road users on how we can all play a role in keeping each other safe; every road user should feel safe, no matter how they get around.”

Elias’ father Bill said there should be more commercials on rider and driver awareness.

“As well as mandatory advanced training for riders and drivers on being aware and courteous of each other on the roads,” he said.

Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users because they have limited protection, making it crucial for drivers to do their part in ensuring the roads are shared safely.

Elias decided to get his motorcycle learner permit at the beginning of the year.

His parents said previously he had never shown

any interest and it was a shock to them as they had never wanted their children to ride motorcycles on the road.

“We really still don’t know why he wanted a bike,” they said.

“He went out and got his motorcycle license, and learner permit and then got his bike, and he was just enjoying riding.”

His parents said he told his friend that when he was riding a bike he felt like the character Toothless from the movie ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and that he felt free.

For his birthday his parents wanted to get Elias a more advanced training course to hone his skills and gain experience on the road, but he wanted to wait until he got a bigger bike.

“We think if he had done that motorcycle course, it could have saved him,” they said.

Currently, in Victoria, riders do a two-day learner course, a ‘check’ ride and then after three months can go for a licence assessment, but advanced riding courses are available through institutes like Stay Upright and Honda Australia Rider Training (HART).

The South Australian government announced reforms to its Motorbike Graduated Licensing in September this year and the scheme will effectively double the state’s amount of training required for new riders.

Janine Gerovasilis made a social media post on 2 October asking the public to read advice from Victoria Police and Elias’ family wants the message to get through to all drivers and riders to please be aware of each other on the road and take advantage of the advanced riding and driving courses available.

“It could save your life or prevent you from hav-

ing a serious accident,” she wrote.

“So that other families don’t have to experience the pain we are now experiencing we hope telling our story can at least save one person,” Elias’ family said.

“One woman commented on Janine’s post that she gets her kids to count all the motorcycles when they are driving along, that way when they are old enough to drive they will be more aware.”

Elias graduated from the police academy earlier this year and his parents said it was one of the proudest moments for both Elias and his family.

“The police at Belgrave said he was driven, motivated and eager to learn. Everyone enjoyed working with Elias,” Janine and Bill said.

The police community were deeply affected by the loss of such a bright young officer and Bill and Janine said they have been incredibly supportive.

“They gave him a beautiful send-off at the academy with full police honours,” they said.

A police media representative said that Victoria Police is deeply saddened by the death of Constable Elias Gerovasilis.

“Elias was inducted as a Victoria Police recruit in October 2023 before being sworn in in January 2024,” they said.

“Elias was immensely popular, making a huge impression on both his squad mates and those he worked with at Belgrave Police Station. He was keen, enthusiastic, and couldn’t wait to continue his policing journey.”

“Elias will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and our thoughts are with his loved ones and colleagues.”

Bill and Janine said Elias was always there for his friends and family and willing to help people

he didn’t know.

“He was very funny and he had a lot of love to give,” Janine said.

After Elias’ passing, his parents said there was a tribute ride in his honour a few weeks later.

Around 30 riders, with a number Elias had never met, along with family and friends following in their cars, the group travelled the route their son had ridden on the night he had his tragic accident.

“To see that bike family come together – it was powerful but extremely emotional,” they said.

“You don’t have to be speeding or under the influence, you can be doing the right thing and still something like this can happen so tragically.

“It was a really lovely tribute ride. Very emotional. But after talking to bike riders, sadly Elias passed away doing what he enjoyed.

“We are the ones suffering now.

“We just have to take one step at a time and move forward now in this horrible new direction.”

Police continue to prioritise motorcycle safety this month following the worrying rise in rider fatalities in 2024.

They are concerned motorcyclist deaths will continue to climb as the warmer weather approaches - October to December is traditionally considered the highest risk period for motorcycle trauma.

Elias’ family want the message to get through to all drivers and riders to please be aware of each other on the road and take advantage of the advanced riding and driving courses available.

“We are telling Elias’ story so that both drivers and motorcyclists are more aware - if we can save just one motorcyclist.

“Some of these courses could have helped him.’

Man in critical condition after car fire in Warburton

By Callum Ludwig

A man was airlifted to hospital in critical condition after his car burst into flames in Warburton on Wednesday 9 October.

The driver in his 50s was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital from Wesburn.

A CFA spokesperson confirmed three CFA units from Warburton and Wesburn Millgrove responded to a car fire on Warburton Highway in Warburton at around 12.49pm.

“Crews discovered car was fully involved in fire,” they said.

“Warburton Highway was closed in both directions. The incident was deemed under control at 1.13pm and safe at 1.36pm.”

The fire is not being treated as suspicious and an investigation is ongoing.

Warburton CFA

Captain Ron McIntosh said the Warburton brigade turned out with their pumper and salvage vehicles, while Wesburn brought their tanker.

“By the time we arrived the occupant had suffered burns but was in the hands of the police, so they [Wesburn/MIllgrove CFA] fought the fire from their side and we fought it from our side,” he said.

“It was right near a power pole as well which also added to the inconvenience of putting water on the fire.”

Traffic was diverted around the incident due to the closure of the Highway until about 3.30pm, with a tow truck arriving to remove the vehicle shortly before.

Mr McIntosh said from what they can gather,

the fire seems to have come from a leak in the man’s car.

“It seems like the gentleman may have filled up his gas and it sounds to us, until further investigations anyway, it sounds like the cylinder may have leaked into the cap of the car and then he lit a cigarette as he was driving through Warby,” he said.

“Just be aware when you are filling up your vehicles to have a bit of a smell once you have filled up your vehicle, because you never know, it may be what just triggers you to go ‘something’s not quite right’ before driving,”

“[If a fire starts in your car] Pull over as soon as you can and get out, don’t wait because these things happen in a split second and you can go from being in a nice condition to a very bad way very quickly and don’t smoke while driving.”

Elias was inducted as a Victoria Police recruit in October 2023 before being sworn in in January 2024. (Supplied)

Elias’ family at his tribute ride.

At 22, Elias Gerovasilis lost his life whilst out riding on Tuesday 6 August.

A man is in a critical condition after his car set alight in Warburton. (Supplied)

Powerless and power-less

From page 1

Mikey said it breaks his heart seeing how it just continues to be the way it is.

“I feel like my hands are tied and I feel frustrated, I’ve done a lot of work there helping as much as I can and neglecting my stuff because it’s just a bigger priority there,” he said.

“Alice, and everybody, deserve to have dignity, comfort and normality, this isn’t something that should be a luxury, it should be a right for everybody on the planet, let alone somebody living in the first world.”

Alice’s nearly 80-year-old home is in desperate need of restoration due to their inability to afford upkeep and repairs, with restumping being carried out, asbestos needing to be sealed and a clean drinking water system installed all on the list of works.

Alice’s support worker Lisa said Alice has so much potential.

“Her living environment doesn’t allow for her to move forward like everyone else; to get a job or study,” she said.

“What it [access to electricity] would do is it would give you more independence, like the NDIS support workers, we’re doing things just to keep you fed and the basic things,”

“If that was all taken care of, Alice could do other things with her NDIS pension to move forward and thrive and meet those goals.”

Alice has put forward a Change.org petition calling on Ausnet, the Energy and Water Ombudsman for Victoria (EWOV) and Victorian Government to make changes, including recognising her situation and desperate needs, developing viable renewable energy alternatives in difficult locations for connecting to the grid such as her own and to establish no-interest loan schemes repayable at the time of property sale, specifically designed for low-income individuals and pensioners.

Alice’s petition can be found here: chng.it/ ZjtrMvHQR6.

The EWOV is unable to comment on individual cases or acknowledge if cases have been received.

“If you’re connecting a new property or existing property to the electricity wires or gas pipes in Victoria, you can contact your chosen electricity or gas retailer (the company that issues your bills) or the distributor (the company that maintains the wires and pipes) about any issues you may have,” Energy and Water Ombudsman Catherine Wolthuizen said.

“If you can’t resolve the issue with the company, EWOV can investigate complaints about the cost of a new connection, delay in connection or information provided about a new connection,”

“If Victorian consumers have a dispute about another energy or water issue that they can’t resolve with their provider, we are here to help. EWOV can assist with fair, independent and free dispute resolution about most energy or water issues relating to a member. More information is available at ewov.com.au.”

A fundraiser has also been set up in support of Alice, which will be managed by local homelessness support service Holy Fools, and will go towards restoring her home.

Holy Fools’ chief executive Neal Taylor said

technically Alice and her mother can be considered homeless because they don’t have access to safe and secure housing.

“Behind the scenes, we’ve been talking to different people about what can be done to help her, whether there are building materials that could go up there, could there be a group that could go up there and do some yard work, or could some trade guys go up there and help us with some of the projects that need doing,” he said.

“One of the first things we’re going to need to do is do an assessment on the property and to see what needs to be done and how we can go about doing it,”

“I think there’s been a tendency to let people fall through the cracks, Alice is just one story of the issues of homelessness in the Yarra Ranges but there’s all forms of homelessness going on in the Yarra Ranges and we need to recognise the fact that it is getting worse.”

The fundraiser for Alice can be found at: mycause.com.au/p/354729/alice-underwood-electricity-clean-drinking-water-sealing-asbestosand-restumping.

An Ausnet spokesperson said AusNet is currently investigating the matter, in consultation with the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria.

Alice Underwood has lived without power for almost 30 years, battling unaffordable costs to be covered only by her disability support pension and her mother’s age pension. (437180)

Alice Underwood at ‘the last power pole’, 500m away from her Yarra Junction home where she lives without electricity. (Callum Ludwig: 437180)

Telco towers approved

By Mikayla van Loon

As the battle for better telecommunications in the Yarra Ranges continues to mosey along, the guarantee of two new mobile coverage towers in Lilydale and Emerald have been met with mixed feelings.

The second round of the Federal Government’s Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) approved 47 mobile tower infrastructure projects across the country, including 12 in the outer fringe of Melbourne and a further four in Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.

Funding of $40.9 million was allocated to the program for this second round which aims to improve mobile connectivity in bushfire and other natural disaster-prone areas.

Telecommunications infrastructure company Waveconn was the successful applicant for the Lilydale tower which will carry TPG services, while Amplitel was successful in its application of a tower at Chandler Recreation Reserve in Emerald and will carry Telstra and TPG.

While nine sites will be dual carrier locations, the remaining 38 sites will be required to offer colocation where feasible.

“Reliable connectivity and mobile coverage can be the difference between life and death during emergencies,” communications minister Michelle Rowland said.

“We know these projects are complex and can take the industry years to deliver to people on the ground. Bringing forward funding under PUMP Round 2 is a real win for communities who will get the investment they need to stay connected sooner.”

Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi said although he welcomed the infrastructure for his electorate, areas in great need, like the Dandenong Ranges and the Upper Yarra, once again missed out.

“I have spent the past two and a half years advocating for improved telecommunications in our community and have worked collabora-

Lilydale and Emerald were named as two urban fringe areas to receive new mobile infrastructure under the Per-Urban Mobile Program. (File: 272960)

tively across the political aisle with the Minister for Communications, making sure Casey was not overlooked,” Mr Violi said.

“This comes after our community was overlooked in the Albanese Labor Government’s recent round of Mobile Black Spot funding, where the government chose 40 Labor-held electorates out of the total 54 locations.

“It is fantastic that Lilydale and surrounds will benefit from improved telecommunications coverage, however, it comes with disappointment that many townships with dangerous black spots

in the Dandenong Ranges and Upper Yarra have once again been overlooked. I will continue fighting for the telecommunications coverage we deserve, right across our electorate.”

Across the border in La Trobe, Federal MP Jason Wood said this was a great outcome for residents in Emerald and he hoped this was just the beginning of enhanced reception for the electorate and further into the Hills.

“It’s fantastic to see Emerald benefitting from better reception, which will greatly enhance daily communication and safety,” he said.

Yarra Ranges Shire Council postal election

Elections will be held for Billanook Ward, Chandler Ward, Lyster Ward, Melba Ward, O’Shannassy Ward, Streeton Ward and Walling Ward in Yarra Ranges Shire Council.

Check the mail for your ballot pack

Ballot packs containing voting material were mailed to enrolled voters from Monday 7 October.

This is a postal election only.

If you do not receive your ballot pack by Tuesday 15 October please visit vec.vic.gov.au to complete the online replacement form, or call131 832 to arrange a replacement.

Candidates

Candidates who have nominated for election are listed in the ballot packs and at vec.vic.gov.au

A photo and candidate statement will also be included if provided by candidates. Responses to a candidate questionnaire, if provided, are available at vec.vic.gov.au

How to vote correctly

You must complete your ballot paper correctly for your vote to count. Put the number 1 in the box next to the candidate you want to see elected, then number all the other boxes in order of your choice. You must number every box and only use each number once.

“It’s crucial that the government has consulted with the local community regarding the location of new towers to ensure minimal disruption and maximum benefit.

“Especially during power outages, it’s critical for Hills residents to have access to internet and phone reception to ensure communication and safety messages are effectively conveyed.”

As the effort to improve telecommunications across the country becomes collaborative between State and Federal Governments, as well as with telco companies, Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said headway in the space was being achieved.

While telecommunications falls under the responsibility of the Federal Government, the State has embarked on 1200 mobile projects and 150 broadband projects under the Connecting Victoria initiative.

So far in the Yarra Ranges, 14 mobile projects have been completed from Kilsyth to Badger Creek and Toolangi to Millgrove. A further 58 mobile projects are in progress.

In Cardinia, 19 mobile and broadband projects have been completed, while 17 are in progress.

Connecting Victoria projects will be delivered by mid-2026, with many set to be completed much sooner.

“The Commonwealth is responsible for telecommunications services in Australia, and it’s great to see investment in our community through the new tower for Emerald, which will vastly improve mobile connectivity in the area,” Ms De Martino said.

“Mobile coverage across the hills is gradually improving through programs such as PUMP, as well as the Victorian Government’s Connecting Victoria program, and I will continue my advocacy regarding increasing the resilience of mobile towers during emergencies which result in prolonged power outages.”

How to return your ballot pack

Put your completed ballot paper in the ballot paper envelope, complete the declaration, then post it ASAP using the reply-paid envelope provided, or hand deliver it during election office hours to:

Silvan Public Hall

271 Monbulk Road

Silvan

Voting is compulsory

Voting is compulsory for all voters who were enrolled at 4 pm on Wednesday 7 August.

This includes state-enrolled and council-enrolled voters.

If you don’t vote and don’t have a valid excuse, you may be fined.

Your completed ballot pack must be in the mail or hand delivered by 6 pm Friday 25 October.

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

NDIS changes

By Callum Ludwig

A swathe of changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports have now come into place as of 3 October, with clarity provided on where and what NDIS funding can be spent on.

This has caused some chaos for NDIS clients accessing alternative supports who are unsure whether or not they can continue to access their usual services.

Clinical Psychotherapist at animal therapy provider Chantilly Park Learning and Wellness Centre Julie Smith said every client she has seen since the changes has expressed a huge level of anxiety about having their service taken away from them.

“So many have tried room-based therapy and found being outside with the horse incredibly calming, non-confrontational and that it allows them to develop regulation and in turn help build their capacity,” she said.

“After putting some measures in place, like updating and providing further clarity around the item code we use in our invoicing, the queries have settled down,”

“Our clients won’t be affected by these changes for now as we are registered with PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia), however, it has not stopped our clients from panicking.”

Chantilly Park Learning and Wellness Centre and other providers of outdoor, animal-assisted therapy have been designated as non-evidencebased support, so clients can no longer use NDIS funding to access the service.

Ms Smith said they can and will continue to see clients and provide them with best service they are able to in order to help their mental health and build their capacity to live fuller lives.

“The changes are intended to give participants more choice where they spend their funding but lot of their choices have been taken away, I do think changes needed to be made but I think more consultations and listening to the participants were needed, it all felt rushed with little time for submissions to the senate enquiry,” she said.

“I think the NDIS exclusion of ‘animal therapy’ being banned was intended to exclude animal interactions with non-qualified people which is again not a bad thing, but thinking about some of our clients though, it is concerning,”

“Some live very limited lives due to their disabilities, they need and deserve choice and control and to have options, now sadly some of them are being taken away and from what I have seen it is causing them a lot of stress and anxiety.”

Ms Smith informed the Star Mail that on Friday, Animal Therapies Ltd received confirmation from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) that ‘animal-assisted therapy is not the same as animal therapy’ and that ‘animal-assisted therapists may incorporate an animal to play a role in a goal-directed, structured intervention’ to help the therapist and client to engage. A psychologist or counsellor could incorporate an animal into sessions to help a client calm, focus or regulate.

MS Smith said the NDIS also appears to be pushing Mental Health Support out of NDIS and encouraging NDIS participants to access services through Mental Health Plans for 10 sessions from their GP, in an already overburdened system.

“None of my clients (nor the ones that seek out mental health support via NDIS) will cope with this and it will see an even bigger issue with our mental health in Australia, people will fall through the cracks and there will be an increase in self-harm and suicide,” she said.

“The people that would have fallen through the cracks are the ones that benefit from being outside and with animals as so many begin to feel safe, heard and truly supported unlike anything else in these types of environments,”

“I have a number of clients who would happily express how the work we do at Chantilly Park Learning and Wellness Centre has changed their lives and given them hope.”

Animal Therapies Ltd are running a campaign advocating for the benefits of animal-assisted therapies and have a survey that anyone interested in filling out can do so at: surveymonkey. com/r/LZJNNVH.

Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten said he knows many participants are feeling uncertain about these changes, but the supports being accessed by the vast majority of people will not be impacted by the revised lists which are based on existing guidance.

“We now have a central place, set in law, where NDIS participants, their families, carers and providers can go to see what they can use their NDIS funds for,” he said.

“While there have been administrative guidelines previously, we have made it much easier for participants and providers to understand what funding can and can’t be spent on,”

“These changes are the next key step in returning the NDIS to its original intent and improving the Scheme experience for every participant.”

Lists of approved and non-approved supports can be found at ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/ would-we-fund-it/what-does-ndis-fund.

It also includes a list of approved replacement supports, where in specific circumstances, an agreement for NDIS funding to be used for it can be provided in writing by the NDIA.

NDIS funding will also now be provided in plans, which for now won’t go longer than 12 months and outline a total budget amount, funding component amounts and funding periods. This is with the intention of making it clear how much funding is provided and how long it needs to last, with no more funding provided beyond what’s available.

For anyone who accidentally uses NDIS funding to access non-approved support, no debt will be raised for first or second mistakes made in claiming where the support is worth less than $1,500 as people adjust to the new rules. This will not apply if illegal items are purchased.

Most approved supports on the list consist of goods or services directly linked to managing a disability, such as support workers, prosthetics and movement aids or eligible and accredited assistance animals.

Yarra Valley update

Welcome to the second October 2024 fruit fly update. This week we will look at some tips for good garden design, what to plant where, and where to hang traps.

Hello Yarra Valley gardeners! Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) loves to hang around in tree canopies. Place traps in trees in warm places that are protected from the sunlight, away from pets and children.

QFF can be trapped with male QFF attractants, and with attractants that are female QFF biased. It’s best to use some of each trap type in your garden. Fruit growers place a male QFF trap every 400m, and add in some female traps for high level surveillance. Home gardeners could consider one of each to start with and add more as needed. See the fruitflyfreeyv.com.au website for more trap information.

Hang fruit fly traps in tree branches with sparse foliage, out of the direct sunlight, about 1.5m high. Check regularly and report any suspect QFF with a photo to qff@agribusinessyarravalley.com or

The sooner you act, the less damage QFF can do, and the risk of QFF spreading is greatly

Stone fruit is now starting to form fruitlets. Arrange fruit fly netting over each tree before November.

Plan your garden layout and what varieties of fruit you grow next to each other. Think ahead. Fruit fly netting will protect fruit but it will stop bees and insects pollinating blossoms.

Talk to your neighbour about protecting trees and harvesting fruit regularly to reduce QFF risk. Only grow what you can harvest. Remove blackberry weeds. Harvest Loquats now.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said the changes will help return the NDIS to its ‘original intent’. (Lukas Coch/AAP)

Climate resilience focus

By Mikayla van Loon

The immediate need for improved telecommunications infrastructure, risk management and sustainable funding were all raised as just some of the touchstones for enhanced climate resilience.

The parliamentary inquiry into the state’s climate resilience ventured to Emerald on Thursday 10 October, with representatives from Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Councils, as well as CFA captains and emergency management groups airing concerns having experienced major climate-induced events in recent years.

Yarra Ranges Council’s acting director of built environment and infrastructure Kim O’Connor said as part of the council’s submission, it had 13 recommendations to ensure the safety of residents in the peri-urban shire.

Mr O’Connor said in the last 12 months, the Yarra Ranges experienced “five claimable events…it’s approximately $9 million of impact” and given the expanse of the shire, the events vary from the Dandenong Ranges to the Valley.

“Yarra Ranges Council is a municipality that is unique in its size, complexity and disaster profile,” he said.

“It’s one second most impacted in terms of disasters across 479 local governments in Australia, and that is underscoring the need for comprehensive and forward thinking strategies to enhance our climate resilience.”

With the increased risk of floods, urban heat, bushfires and soil subsidence, Mr O’Connor said “there are no static solutions in this dynamic environment” because “climate change is an evolving challenge”.

But he said this would not be possible without policy frameworks, “recurrent funding” and partnership.

“It’s essential we focus on places of most risk and where there are hazards. We can’t do it alone,” Mr O’Connor said.

“We need strong, centralised data analytics to prioritise and sustainably fund for resilience and community education.”

South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) operations manager Daniel Pleiter agreed that an established framework for climate resilience and response at a whole council level was still something that needed to be developed.

“What we need at the end of the day is certainty and clarity around what we need to do and consistency,” he said.

“At the moment, we are all as, alliances of councils or individual councils…we’re all going about that more or less the same, but still, there’s no established framework, and there’s no clarity, if you like, on how we then respond collectively, consistently, to the community.”

Significant funding challenges in both proactive and reactive approaches to climate-induced events was raised as an essential element of the immediate response from the State Government.

Mr O’Connor said while the council has undergone road sealing projects, it has “another $20 million of unsealed networks that are important evacuation routes”, which ties into both flood mitigation but also the safety of the community.

Within the recovery phase, Mr O’Connor said some tree events are not claimable, resulting in

a cost burden for the council.

“The challenge we run into is for us to seek disaster recovery funding, both the State and Federal Government need to declare an event, and it needs to be significant for that to occur.

“I think the trigger is a few $100,000 so councils are then carrying that as part of their operations so to actually have more flexibility or available funds around how we can acknowledge that and access that, would be significant.”

One of Mr O’Connor’s final recommendations was an inquiry into the insurability of both private and government owned infrastructure, something he said the council was “finding is a significant challenge in the municipality”.

From a community perspective, telecommunications infrastructure and the lack of back up power was high on the list of priorities, with Monbulk and District Community Working Group member Dr Dan Jeyaseelan requesting that this be looked at prior to the final report in June 2025.

“I know this is supposed to conclude at the end of the financial year next year but if something can be done about communication sooner rather than later, it’ll be life saving,” he said.

“If we can get something in action before that time, because we’re just lucky. That’s what it is. We’re so lucky that nothing has actually happened, and no one’s had a massive heart attack, or someone’s been squished by a tree, and we couldn’t call anyone. We’re lucky.

“If we can somehow get that organised ASAP, that would be wonderful for the community and multiple other communities.”

Emerald and Cockatoo Emergency Support Team volunteer Rachel Mechielsen also raised the suggestion that telecommunication companies should be included in the incident control

centre (ICC).

“We’re aware that telecoms are federally legislated but we would like to see the telcos compelled to have a seat in the ICC or the state control centre and be a part of the response, because at the moment, there’s nothing compelling them to do that,” she said.

Kalorama and Mt Dandenong Fire Brigade captain Bill Robinson and Emerald Fire Brigade captain Klaus Brodeck were on the receiving end of this lack of communication infrastructure.

“These vital services, in some instances, took weeks to repair, and the inability for people to call triple zero after the event was not acceptable,” Mr Brodeck said.

“There was no way to share information with some people on how help could be accessed, no communication, essentially off the mountain, cutting emerald off from the outside world.”

Mr Brodeck said while the last major bushfire for the Dandenong Ranges occurred in 1997, storm related events have kept the brigade busy.

“We attended 32 emergency calls in February this year, and that’s our busiest month in over 20 years,” he said.

“We attended house fires caused by the effects of not having power. We attended to people trapped in cars and houses under trees.

“The follow up storms also brought lightning strikes, creating fires. We assisted ambulances helping elderly people living at home without power, and their personal monitoring alarms went off.”

Mr Robinson said similarly in June 2021, Kalorama was shut down for 14 hours “we could not get anybody in or out of Kalorama for 14 hours”.

“At 8.30 a night the power went off when the storm started. By 10.30 there were very little

comms. That’s radio comms, telephone comms. NBN was totally out so some people couldn’t phone the station or couldn’t phone triple zero to get help,” he said.

The return of communications in the Hills was around two weeks later.

Mr Brodeck and Mr Robsinson said the coordination from the ICC was also lacking during the storm events, with CFA volunteers told not to self-deploy but not getting the instruction on what to do, even though volunteers had eyes and ears on what was needed.

As more storm events occur, Mr Brodeck said while the SES is the lead authority, CFA volunteers have similar skill sets that can be of incredible use.

“Where the frustration comes in is that SES don’t have the resources we do. They’ve got 5000 volunteers, and we’ve got 50,000 volunteers statewide.

“Within Emerald SES’s response area there’s 12 different CFA brigades who all have similar skill sets with chainsaw and four wheel drive vehicles and do the same sort of thing so essentially, we can assist.”

Mr Robinson said when SES reaches surge capacity, jobs should then be directly handed to CFA to attend to each call within an appropriate time frame.

As these events become more frequent and vary in intensity, all parties in attendance said appropriate steps to improving policies, funding and recovery would be essential to the region.

Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee chair Ryan Batchelor thanked all submitters for their comprehensive insights into what’s needed when the committee finalises its recommendations for June next year.

Community groups were invited to Emerald to submit evidence and experiences to inform the committees recommendations. (436858)

Committee Chair Ryan Batchelor. (436858)

Bill Robinson, Captain, Kalorama and Mt Dandenong Fire Brigade Klaus Brodeck, Captain, Emerald Fire Brigade shared insights into their experiences post storms. (436858)

Dr Dan Jeyaseelan, Member Monbulk and District Community Working Group and Rachel Mechielsen, Volunteer Emerald and Cockatoo Emergency Support Team. (Stewart Chambers: 436858)

Help for the possums

By Callum Ludwig

A new trial conducted by Melbourne Water is hoping to help boost the population of the lowland Leadbeater’s Possum.

Less than 40 lowland Leadbeater’s Possums remain in existence, so any and all efforts to support the subspecies of this state faunal emblem could be critical.

Melbourne Water Partnership Coordinator Kacie Melfi said they know that to save the lowland Leadbeater’s Possum from extinction, they need to protect and expand its habitat by growing forests that will be resilient to hotter, drier climates.

“Climate-adjusted seeding is a relatively new conservation approach that involves collecting seeds from locations that match the predicted future climate,” she said.

“With the Leadbeater’s Possum in mind, we used climate modelling to identify forests that currently have climates similar to what the Yarra Valley is expected to be like in 2030, 2050 and 2090,”

“Then we shortlisted six species of native trees and purchased seeds from local specialist nurseries. The seeds will grow into ‘future-proof forests’ in Victoria’s Yarra Valley to hopefully secure the future of the lowland Leadbeater’s Possum.”

Supported by funding from the Australian Government, Melbourne Water used climate modelling technology to identify trees suitable for the possum and resilient to hot and dry conditions, collecting their seeds to build a seed bank of 7000 seeds from trees across Victoria and New South Wales.

“People can do their bit to save the Leadbeater’s Possum by choosing recycled and re-used paper products which help to preserve native habitat or joining the Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum or a local Landcare group,” said Ms Melfi.

The seeds are being stored at the volunteerrun Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater nursery next to the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve (YNCR) and Melbourne Water plans to plant local and ‘climate-adjusted seeds’ throughout sites in the Yarra Valley over the next two years.

President of the Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum Steve Meacher said this is important long-term research, but it will not address the immediate issues faced by either Lowland Leadbeater’s Possums or the species as a whole.

“If successful, seeds will be planted near the YNCR and as we know, trees must be well over a hundred years old before they will provide hollows that Leadbeater’s Possums can use for denning so the challenge is to ensure the species does not become extinct in the meantime,” he said.

“With fewer than 40 lowland Leadbeater’s Possums remaining, that important sub-population requires urgent intervention, including protection and extension of existing habitat, the development of additional sites, such as Haining Farm, captive breeding and genetic rescue.”

Stage two for solar project underway

By Dongyun Kwon

Thanks to the participation from the businesses on Healesville main street, the Solar 4 Healesville Business Project has got into stage two.

Earlier this year, Healesville Community Renewable Energy (HCoRE) appointed a longterm Healesville resident Jane Judd as a consultant for this project to gather information and data regarding the local businesses’ ideas and thoughts on solar energy.

Ms Judd walked the main street and knocked on the doors of the businesses to hand out surveys asking questions such as whether the premises they use are owned or leased, how much of their running costs are attributable to power costs and whether they have considered installing solar.

69 surveys were distributed and 30 were completed.

HCoRE president Karen Roberts said HCoRE was very happy with the survey response rate, which exceeded expectations and provided valuable insights and information.

“We are grateful to everyone who took time out of their busy days and willingly participated in the consultation,” she said.

report and shared it with the local businesses who would like a copy of it.

Ms Roberts said a key finding was that current financial incentive programs for solar installation primarily target property owners, not leaseholders although most businesses in Healesville are operated by leaseholders.

“The problem with current incentives and rebates is that they target residential properties, not commercial, and even then it is very complex to negotiate an agreement that both parties are satisfied with,” she said.

“It is difficult to incentivise owners to install solar.”

In part of stage two of the project, HCoRE has applied for a grant from National Australia Bank, which will be used to solve the problem that they found out through the survey.

“The grant, that we have applied for, will be used to explore how, after installing solar, both landlords and tenants can use the savings on power bills to pay back the loan,” the president said.

Ms Roberts is encouraging locals to do Christmas shopping locally to support local businesses.

“Work on these issues is currently taking place.”

Mr Meacher also highlighted that the climateadjusted seeds trial has built on the work of Lesley Hughes, E. M. Cawsey and Mark Westoby looking into climactic envelopes, who researched ‘Climatic Range Sizes of Eucalyptus Species in Relation to Future Climate Change’ for volume five of the book ‘Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters’, published in January 1996.

Mr Meacher said trees are most vulnerable to a range of threats during the establishment phase (germination) and the first few decades.

“Once established they are more resilient and resilience increases with age, the most resilient forests are those that have reached the mature stage and it is essential that all mature forests, including those established after the extensive 1939 bushfires, be protected, the Ash forest Leadbeater’s Possum population is only in slightly better shape,” he said.

“The important principle is that all forest habitat and every existing hollow-bearing tree within the species’ range must be strictly protected, we welcome the cessation of logging in public native forests from 1 January this year, but important habitat is still being destroyed on private land not subject to the same prescriptions that applied in state forests, hollow-bearing trees are still being destroyed by government agencies under the guise of management of strategic fuel breaks, both these practices need to stop.”

“This is why Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum has appled to the Minister for Determinations of Critical Habitat leading to Habitat Conservation Orders, we are currently awaiting the Minister’s response.”

Mr Meacher refers to the ‘removal of hazardous trees for bushfire risk mitigation’ carried out by Forest Fire Management Victoria which environmentalists have protested throughout the year, particularly after the death of an endangered Greater Glider in May.

Mr Meacher said they are also continuing to strongly support the creation of a new National Park in the Central Highlands which will protect Ash forests and allow the movement of species as the climate changes and climatic envelopes shift.

“In respect to this we are waiting to see the report of the Eminent Persons’ Panel, which was originally due at the end of July,” he said.

“An Interim Report released by the VEAC in December identified significant areas of High Conservation Value commensurate with designation as a National Park,”

“If we manage these threats successfully in coming decades, species like Leadbeater’s Possums may hope to survive the challenges they face.”

The Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Team, Zoos Victoria, Melbourne Water and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) are also working together through the Yarra4Life program to identify new tracts of land that could be suitable habitat for the lowland Leadbeater’s Possum.

Among the respondents, 23 were business owners who leased their premises, including a mix of retail (43.5 per cent), hospitality (26 per cent), and service (30.5 per cent) businesses.

The Healesville business owner/landlord survey was completed by seven owner-operators, comprising a mix of retail (33.5 per cent), hospitality (50 per cent), and service industry (16.5 per cent) businesses.

Based on the survey result, HCoRE wrote a

“In the meantime, as Christmas approaches, consider doing your Christmas shopping in Healesville,” she said.

“You can save your petrol. There is no need to drive anywhere as we are lucky to have such a diverse range of commercial shops in town, and there are great bargains to be found.

“It’s a tough time for families and small businesses with the rising cost of living, so support your local business community by shopping locally.”

Sally Piper (left), the first person who participated in the Solar 4 Healesville Business Project survey, with the consultant Jane Judd. (Dongyun Kwon)

Less than 40 lowland Leadbeater’s Possums remain in existence. (File)

Thank you, local community

By Dongyun Kwon

A Yarra Valley-based para-equestrian has wanted to shout out to the local community for supporting her journey in Paris.

It’s already over a month since the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games came to an end.

Para-equestrian Bridget Murphy has returned to her normal life and to her workplace Light House, an NDIS provider.

Murphy said her first Paralympics experience was amazing where she and Her 13hh part-bred Welsh horse Penmain Promise, known as Macey, could learn a lot.

“I feel really lucky to have it,” she said. The duo participated in three different events, Grade II Individual Test, Team Event and Individual Freestyle.

Although she didn’t hang any medals on her neck, Murphy said she was happy with the results.

“We came seventh for both Grade II Individual and Individual Freestyle, and Team Australia came 12th,” the para-equestrian said.

“Macey is very young, so she is at the start of her career, and I’m very happy with how she went.

“It was a massive environment for her and she really tried her best.”

Murphy would like to try to represent Australia at the Paralympics again if everything keeps going well.

“We’re looking forward to the future and assuming she can go again and deeper the next time,” she said.

Macey isn’t home yet as she is in quarantine.

“They have to do a two-week quarantine in Germany before they fly home, and in Australia, they have to do it for another two weeks,” Murphy said.

“We’re all really excited to get her home next week.”

The whole Yarra Valley community supported their journey in Paris via numerous comments and messages on social media as well as watching the live competitions on TV.

The Yarra Valley based para-equestrian was

aware of the support from the local community and has tried to catch up with everyone who sent her well wishes since she got back home.

Murphy said she wanted to thank everyone for all the support, not just for her but also for

her team and the whole Australian team.

“It was so awesome seeing all the messages, comments and all the support,” she said.

“It drove home what I needed to do, which was to represent Australia and the Valley.”

Murphy and Macey took seventh place for both Grade II Individual and Individual Freestyle and team Australia took 12th place for the Team Event. (Paralympics Australia)

Macey is seven years old at the start of her career. (Stewart Chambers: 418570)

Bridget Murphy’s debut in Paralympics on Tuesday 3 September. (Paralympics Australia)

Day in the life of a vet nurse

By Dongyun Kwon

To celebrate Veterinary Nurse and Technologist Awareness Week, the Star Mail dug into the life of a local vet nurse.

This year, Veterinary Nurse and Technologist Awareness Week took place from Monday 7 to Friday 11 October, culminating with World Vet Nurse Day placed on the last day of the week.

With the theme ‘Celebrating all the ways we make a difference’, the week aimed to celebrate the diverse roles and talents that veterinary nurses and technologists possess that make a difference to their patients, clients, colleagues and the community.

Sarah Kaiser is a senior nurse at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary.

Ms Kaiser first started working in the hospitality industry after completing an advanced diploma in hospitality management.

She soon realised she wasn’t satisfied with where her future was heading in that field and decided to go on another adventure, science and animals.

To start the next chapter of her life, Ms Kaiser said she began studying Certificate II in animal studies in the evenings after work as well as volunteering at kennels and catteries while applying for junior and trainee nurse roles.

“It took me two years to finally secure myself a job as a trainee nurse. You couldn’t study further unless you were employed as a veterinary nurse,” she said.

“I completed my Certificate IV in veterinary nursing via correspondence with the Australian Veterinary Nursing Recourse Centre which was affiliated with Queensland University.

“The prerequisites today are different to what they were when I began my career. Today, there

are numerous ways to acquire training, and it is far more user friendly than it was all those years ago.”

The nurse started her career 24 years ago in a small animal veterinary clinic and travelled around Australia in her late 20s as a locum veterinary nurse.

Throughout the experience, she became more aware of Australian native wildlife and the speciality of care needed when they are sick or injured.

“Most small country towns don’t have access to specialised wildlife care, and they rely heavily on local vet clinics or hospitals to provide veteri-

nary care to wildlife,” Ms Kaiser said.

“This was my lightbulb moment as a nurse and when my wildlife nursing career started to take form.”

Ms Kaiser started working at Healesville Sanctuary casually as a locum nurse about 13 years ago and is now taking the role of senior nurse at Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre.

“I help coordinate the daily running of the department and lead the nursing team in the health and husbandry of all animals in our care, both within the Sanctuary and injured or unwell native animals coming in from the wild,” the nurse said.

“My career here at Healesville Sanctuary is a dream come true and one in which I continually feel rewarded in.”

The Australian Wildlife Health Centre is a large wildlife hospital based at Healesville Sanctuary.

The team treats approximately 2000 wildlife patients each year as well as caring for the animals that call the Sanctuary home.

Visitors can see the incredible veterinary work taking place in real-time thanks to the glass internal wall of the hospital.

The Future Vets play area is also extremely popular among younger visitors.

The senior nurse would like to share advice with future vet nurses.

“First and foremost, you need to have a genuine interest in animals and science, but you also need to be adaptable to continuous learning,” Ms Kaiser said.

“This industry doesn’t stand still. We are continuously learning.

“Being able to work under pressure in an organised fashion helps too.”

Three Seville PS staff nominated for excellence awards

By Callum Ludwig

Three staff members of Seville Primary School have been named as finalists in the 2024 Victorian Education Excellence Awards, with the winners set to be announced later this month.

Teachers Sally Colverson and Danielle Henderson make up two of the three finalists for Outstanding Primary Teacher, while Lee Nolan also made the top three for the Outstanding Business Manager awards.

Ms Colverson said it is nice to be recognised for the work and commitment that she’s put into her career.

“I’ve been teaching since I was 22, so for me I’ve dedicated a huge amount of my life to public education and it’s nice to get to the more experienced end of my career and be recognised,” she said.

“I just happened to get nominated and worked through the process but it’s almost like a symbol for teachers who have dedicated their career to stay in the classroom and to do what they’re good at.”

Mr Colverson’s commitment to cultivating the best curriculum that can be offered, with a focus on individualised personal growth for the students. In her nomination, Ms Colverson is credited with being a key part of the development of a comprehensive literacy program and the integration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities into the curriculum at Seville Primary School.

Ms Colverson said the most heartwarming part of the whole nomination process is that classroom teachers are still being acknowledged and appreciated within the Department of Education.

“I’m very committed to effective practice rather than outstanding practice, where you look at your cohorts and you don’t just teach a program, we teach the child and we start from where they’re at and then we develop our curriculum and programs around individual children,” she said.

“We try to understand our students really deeply and how they learn, they have a lot of options for voice and choice within their learning and within the classroom,”

“Learning is celebrated and we do a lot of work on how do we learn and how do we know we are learning, so a lot of feedback and reflection.”

Ms Colverson will face stiff competition for the ultimate prize from her colleague Ms Henderson, whose focus on the wellbeing program at Seville Primary School was a driving factor behind being selected as a finalist.

Ms Henderon said she and Principal Chris Dosser have been working really hard to try and track student wellbeing using data.

“The different forms of data have included different forms of agency from the students to be able to self-report, parents to be able to report and teachers to be able to report data that’s going to allow us to identify students that are at risk or struggling and then proactively put in supports,” she said.

“We’ve recognised within our students that there is a high need for students dealing with anxiety and low levels of resilience so being able to track that with data and support them allows us to then explore and develop ideas to support them with those elements,”

“We strongly believe here at Seville that it’s mental health that underpins everything that we do and it supports learning so if the mental health or the wellbeing of the student is not there then you’re not going to get good results.”

Ms Henderson played a key role in imple-

menting a Positive Behaviour Support model, led the introduction of attendance tracking systems and engagement programs to encourage attendance and participation and also recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties).

Ms Henderson said the nomination is an honour and while it is an uncomfortable position to be in, to have this support is a really amazing feeling.

“There are thousands and thousands of really talented teachers out there, there’s so much good quality teaching and so many wonderful things being done in schools so I think recognising this is a positive thing but I think we need to do more of it because we’re losing teachers,” she said.

“Getting it out there, showing the community and the general public the amazing things that are happening in schools is such a positive, even while it’s uncomfortable for me to be singled out.”

Lee Nolan is somewhat of a one-woman band behind the office desk at Seville Primary School, having held the role for 12 years.

Ms Nolan said they don’t do their jobs for recognition or praise but do it because they love

the job, love the people they work with and love interacting with the students.

“When I was first nominated I felt like I don’t do any more than the other business managers that I know and don’t know around the state but I’m taking it on board as representing them and all the hard work that they do,” she said.

“Being in a small school, the business manager’s role is quite different to larger schools because at larger schools there’s different people that have different roles,” she said.

“Here at Seville, it’s just me in the office, so I have to be very adaptable in my everyday job because I’m doing finances, I’m doing admin, I’m doing reception and I’m doing the PA.”

Ms Nolan’s efforts extend beyond Seville Primary School, however, as she also holds the role of Treasurer of the Yarra Ranges Business Managers Group.

Ms Nolan said she thinks her strength is in being able to balance it all.

“But also to still, most of the time, be the passionate, friendly and approachable person that I am,” she said.

“I like to think that parents and staff are always happy to come to me and even if I don’t know the answer, I’ll always know where to go to get the answer,”

“I’m onto my fourth principal that I’ve trained which has been challenging years but I’ve done it with the support of the leadership teachers behind me.”

Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Plaza Ballroom on World Teacher’s Day on Friday 25 October, with winners to receive grants of up to $25,000 to undertake professional development and learning.

Mr Dossor said he couldn’t be prouder of the team he has at Seville Primary School.

“When the nomination process came up, it was a discussion with a couple of the parents and the school council as we have such an amazing team here and I’m not going to narrow down to just one nomination so I put them all out there to see how we’d go,” he said.

“To put forward three nominations and then to get three finalists, I’m not surprised because these people are amazing but I’m honoured to be able to work alongside them and see the amazing work that they do day in and day out with the kids and in the community, it’s phenomenal.”

Australian Wildlife Health Centre senior nurse Sarah Kaiser. (Zoos Victoria)

L-R: Sally Colverson, Lee Nolan and Danielle Henderson. (Callum Ludwig: 436852)

Sun smiles on field days

By Tanya Steele

Beautiful weather set into the picturesque countryside saw community and exhibitors alike tee up for the annual Wandin Silvan field days event at the WandinEast Reserve.

Held on Friday and Saturday over 11 and 12 October the sun came out for the first time in a few years for the vital networking and community get-together.

In its 55th year, the horticultural, agricultural and farm machinery field days event saw big crowds and Wandin Silvan Field Days President Brad Finger said the weather’s been good to them.

“We have a few more exhibitors this year - like the blacksmith and the kelpies,” he said.

Brad said it’s a big job getting together, but worth it.

“There’s something for everyone,” he said.

Located in Gruyere and a local grower himself, Brad said he’s taken over the running of the festival from his father in the last two years.

“It’s good for networking and for the community,” he said.

In some ways, Brad said hosting such a large event is becoming more challenging for vendors to bring in large machinery and equipment to display.

“Everything, costs are going up but you try to keep gate costs down,” he said.

Bringing together horticultural and agricultural producers allows them to showcase their products and services and enables visitors direct contact with the local growers and producers of the Yarra Valley region.

The displays feature a variety of exhibitors from as far as Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia, as well as from regional and country Victoria, along with a large number from local and metropolitan areas.

Paul Stafford Chainsaw Carver, a local chainsaw sculptor entertained the crowds, doing live demonstrations throughout the two-day event.

Awarding six categories to vendors on Friday, Brad gave the innovative category to Landwatch, Redshed won Light Machinery,

“Seville tractors won heavy machinery, Supergas won President’s choice and Brandt won the best-presented display,” he said.

The Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society won the award for general interest with their collection of working machinery from days gone by.

Restored by dedicated members, the sight, sound and smell of these machines from the past entertained both young and old.

The Field Days event remains a stalwart presence in the agribusiness calendar and local primary school students got involved, designing the flyer for the exhibition handout this year.

Justin, manager of Irribiz in Silvan said he has been part of the Wandin Silvan Field Days festival for the better part of 20 years and was also

pleased about the sunshine

“I’ve seen a few and it’s rare that it isn’t raining,” he said.

“Normally it’s very wet this time of year.”

The locally-based irrigation business has a large number of berry growers and many greenhouse and flower growers.

“We basically cover everything from residential to agricultural irrigation - we are solutionsbased,” he said.

“We help with everything from service to installation.”

Irrigation has evolved over time and Justin said that nowadays residential installations for tank water to basic to very advanced style setups.

“There’s also incorporating UV sterilisation filtration packages,’ he said.

Saturday saw the crowds turn out in droves, enjoying the displays of new equipment, like chainsaws, ride-on mowers, plants, local community organisations like the CFA and CWA, animals and tractors galore.

Justin said it’s a community-focused and a great way to network.

“It’s great that the weather has been good,” he said.

Justin, manager of Irribiz in Silvan said he has been part of the Wandin Silvan Field Days festival for the better part of 20 years and was pleased about the sunshine. (Tanya Steele)

Crowds on Saturday. (Gary Byrne)

President Brad Finger said the crowds were up by around ten percent this year. (Tanya Steele)

Beloka Kelpies watching the sheep with laser focus. (Tanya Steele)

A live blacksmithing exhibit was new to the scene this year. (Tanya Steele)

The event has been a community staple for 55 years now. (Tanya Steele)

Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society members were happy with their general interest win for this year. (Tanya Steele)

The event showcases a range of machinery and exhibitors come from all over Australia. (Gary Byrne)

A new exhibit this year proved popular and showed off the skills of the Beloka Kelpies. (Tanya Steele)

New free clinic

By Callum Ludwig

A new free specialist Women’s Health Clinic is coming to the east, with Eastern Health named as one of the next five health services to open up their new health facility.

First announced in June 2023, the clinic is expected to commence practice in early 2025.

Eastern Health’s Director of Operations for Women and Children Christine Lamotte said these services will help greatly improve the quality of life for women in our community.

“We are excited to be able to move forward in improving the care of women across Victoria and removing the barriers women face when trying to access specialist care,” she said.

Eastern Health Blackburn will be the site for the Women’s Health Clinic that will service the east and it will be the best provider of services relating to menopause, fertility, pelvic pain, endometriosis and sexual health, in addition to the gynaecology and pregnancy choices services already operating at the Blackburn site.

“We know the gender health gap is real – that

is why we’re offering these important services under one roof to give Victorian women easier access to the wide-ranging specialist treatments they so desperately need,” Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said.

The clinic is one of 20 announced by the Victorian Government in mid-2023, coming as part of the second batch of five clinics set to be opened as part of a four-year plan.

The first five of 20 women’s health clinics were launched at the Northern Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Frankston Hospital, Barwon Health Geelong and Grampians Health in 2024, while Goulburn Valley Health, Western Health Sunshine, Monash Health and Central Highlands Rural Health are the other recipients who will be next to open their clinics.

The clinics announced as part of a broader package to reform women’s healthcare in the state,, which has also included a partnership with BreastScreen to deliver a mobile women’s health clinic. BreastScreen’s Mobile Screening Van already visited Warburton in February this year.

Holistic mental health space

An upgrade and refurbishment of Maroondah Hospital’s mental health facilities has been completed, bringing new sensory spaces, better outdoor areas and equipment to support both mind and body.

Mental Health minister Ingrid Stitt announced the completion on Thursday 10 October of the more than $750,000 project to deliver new and upgraded inpatient facilities funded as part of the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Facilities Renewal Fund in 2020-21. “This upgrade is ensuring locals experiencing mental health challenges can access the care and treatment they need to assist them on their recovery journey in a more therapeutic setting,” she said.

The project included an extension to the courtyard of one of the inpatient units, as well as new furniture and fitness equipment to support relaxation, physical recovery, encourage social interaction and access to the outdoors.

Additionally, new white noise generators mean seclusion rooms in two of the facility’s inpatient units can now be converted into sensory rooms.

Sensory rooms provide stimulation through

sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste that can support consumers to emotionally regulate and reduce distress thereby positively impacting their experience and recovery.

The Mental Health and AOD Facilities Renewal Fund is supporting Victorians on their mental health recovery journey, funding eligible projects for reconfigurations and refurbishments that improve staff, consumer, and carer safety, increase overall quality and efficiency of services, and enhance consumer experience.

Established in 2016, the fund has supported more than 200 projects at mental health and AOD care facilities across Victoria and is worth a total of $60 million – with an additional $10 million boost in this year’s Victorian Budget 2024/25. It is just one part of the Labor Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, with more than $6 billion invested since the report was handed down.

Work is underway on 90 per cent of its recommendations to reform, modernise, build service capacity and provide better models of care for all Victorians.

A better retirement lifestyle from $590k

Maroondah Hospital’s mental health facilities have been given a refresh with State Government funding. (File: 274922)

Eastern Health will welcome a new specialist Women’s Health Clinic in Blackburn early next year. (File)

Replica aids animal rescue

By Callum Ludwig

The sale of a replica of arguably the most famous painting in the world is set to directly help Forever Friends Animal Rescue (FFAR) in Gladysdale.

The Adams sisters behind FFAR sold a family heirloom, a 17th-century copy of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, with the goal of putting the money received towards upgrades at the FFAR Sanctuary.

After receiving a pre-sale estimate of between £8000 and £12,000 (British pounds, between $15,000 to just over $23,000) from art adviser Tim Abdallah, the painting by an unknown artist was sent off to Bonhams’ Old Master Paintings auction in London and ended up fetching £102,000 ($197,798.33 at the time of writing)

Meaghan Adams said it went for a hammer price of £80,000 (the rest is a Buyer’s Premium paid to the auction house) and one other beneficiary receives their share, FFAR will received about $100,000.

“My sisters and I will discuss with the board the best ways to use it but I think it’s going to go towards the maintenance of the property because, at the moment, there’s really no way we can get a lot done,” she said.

“Bushfires are a big threat to us because getting that many dogs and cats and looking after the farm animals very quickly is really hard, iin a bushfire, we probably have to stay here, which isn’t what anyone wants,”

“We really need to get some a bunker system, or it might be storage containers, but maybe one day we could afford an actual bunker, we’re put-

ting a very strong fire plan in place, but it needs funding so it’s very likely that this donation will go towards keeping the animals safe in a bushfire or in any storm.”

Ms Adams said the funding will go towards any purposes that are ‘harder to explain to the general

public or for a charitable trust to fund’, with examples including maintenance of their buildings, fencing or a new toilet for volunteers (there is only one on-site currently). FFAR receives no government funding, with grants and donations largely supporting the services at the Sanctuary. Donations are generally allocated towards the medical care of dogs while charitable supports often fund services like a dog behavioural specialist.

Ms Adams said their mother, Rosemary Fawcett Adams, who died about 18 months ago was an artist and pianist herself.

“She was just an amateur but she taught us a lot about beauty and she also taught us a huge amount about compassion, it was really important to her and when we realised that the Sanctuary needed money, we thought the beauty of rehoming a pet, seeing that animal happy and the humans just ecstatic as well, that is much more powerful than the beauty of an oil painting,” she said.

“In a sense, there’s no sacrifice because the joy in that, to see somebody take home something that’s going to inspire and enrich their lives and care for that little creature has had the most terrible time, there’s nothing more beautiful than that.”

The painting was originally purchased by the Adams sisters’ father Phillip Adams, a former ABC radio broadcaster, in 1984 for about £10,000 as a gift to Rosemary.

Ms Adams said in their rescue work, they have learnt that the proverb of the greatest riches in life are in helping others.

“We live frugally now after a privileged up-

bringing but the joy we receive from working with so many good people is better than Tattslotto, the stress is nowhere near as costly as the stress in our former careers as what we are doing is so meaningful,” she said.

“As sisters, we’re on our knees with gratitude to the volunteers, Forever Friends is absolutely an egalitarian democratic organisation and a lot of the volunteers have huge autonomy, huge responsibility and they often have to work alone,”

“We wish we could give them more support but they have to make decisions on the go if they’re a maintenance person or if there’s an emergency with an animal, so we feel like we had to do it to thank the volunteers for their amazing commitments.”

The Star Mail has previously covered the financial strain facing FFAR. Anyone interested in supporting FFAR, whether through donation or volunteering, can visit their website at foreverfriends.org.au or contact them at info@foreverfriends.org.au.

Bonhams’ Department Director of Old Master Paintings Caroline Oliphant said paintings by artists in Leonardo’s circle are popular with collectors today, as are early replicas of his works.

“It is certainly unusual to come across early copies of his most celebrated painting, so this 17th-century copy was bound to attract attention,” she said.

“To find one in good condition and that had not been cleaned or restored for well over 100 years, proved irresistible to a number of collectors who took it to ten times its pre-sale estimate. We are absolutely delighted with the result.”

Collective’s first exhibition a success for local artists

By Mikayla van Loon

The launch of the Mount Evelyn Art Collective’s first exhibition was a huge success on Saturday 12 October.

Hosted at the Ray Oliver Gallery within the Mont De Lancey homestead, the walls were lined with a beautiful collection of hand painted works from nine artists.

From nature inspired watercolours to portraits and landscapes, the gallery was filled with both the beauty of Melbourne but also personal stories.

Deciding as a group that they were ready for an exhibition, Through Our Own Eyes came to life.

Working to transform the gallery on Friday 11 October, the group was excited but said nerves had started to settle in, with the reality of showing their work getting closer.

But all was worthwhile as family, friends and visitors to the Wandin North homestead walked into the exhibition, seeing the talent and skill of the Mount Evelyn Art Collective.

The exhibition will be on display until 20 October, with Mont De Lancey open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. It is free entry.

Artists Donna Artis, Linda Mapleback, Donna Legg, Doreen Backway, Vanessa Yon and Jackie Hart at the exhibition opening on Saturday 12 October. (Supplied)

The collection of works ranges from nature to portraits to landscapes, each in their own style. (437398)

Minela Krupic displayed both watercolours and sculptures at the exhibition. (437398)

Donna Legg’s watercolour of Flinders Street Station. (437398)

One of Linda Mapleback’s landscapes. (437398)

The replica Mona Lisa sold by the Adams sisters which will benefit Forever Friends Animal Rescue. (Bonham’s Melbourne)

All invited to market day

By Callum Ludwig

A cost-effective community group are opening up their offerings with a Trading and Community Market Day on Saturday 19 October at the Healesville Living and Learning Centre.

MERLETS (Melbourne’s Eastern Region Local Exchange Trading System) is a group of locals to the east side of town who take part in a Community Exchange system where goods and services are exchanged without money.

Yarra Valley Coordinator of MERLETS Kath Gannaway said they’re really trying to build the numbers in the Yarra Valley because the strength of the eastern group is in their membership.

“MERLETS is very active in the eastern suburbs, they have a really fantastic membership down there, there was a LETS group in the Yarra Valley in the 80s that was very active then,” she said.

“I think it must have been about 10 years ago, the Yarra Valley hub started up and was reasonably active, but never had the numbers that the eastern group has, but it was going along quite well, but then it did take a bit of a hit with Covid,”

“The strength of the Eastern group is their membership, no one ever feels like they have to go to something because there is a good membership, which means they always get a good turnout for their activities, their working days or even their cafe meetings and it reduces the load on everyone.”

The Trading and Community Market Day will be open to any interested community members to come to develop an understanding of the LETS system while new members can sign up with a $10 membership fee which covers administration costs.

Ms Gannaway said there are still a lot of peo-

ple out there who don’t know about the LETS concept.

“It brings people together to exchange skills and resources using a token currency, it’s a trading of skills and resources and that can be anything,”

“From the regular working bees that are held down there on Thursdays and weekends or it can be their trading days where anyone that would like to bring all the things that they no longer need,”

“It could be bunches of silverbeet, apples, anything out of their garden or just other things that they want to rehome and there can be a negotiated token price for those as well.”

There are Community Exchange Systems (CES) all around the world, with a CES server existing for both Australian CES groups and international CES groups.

Ms Gannaway said the group is a great option for people struggling to purchase the basic things they do.

“They might need a bike repair, or they might need some mulch moved in their garden and to have a group of people that can come in and help you with that means that you can achieve the things that perhaps you can’t always afford to do,” she said.

“One of our ladies has some mobility problems but her skill is driving, and she drives people to the

airport or to anywhere which is a fantastic resource to have on your doorstep,”

“There’s a lot of people that do pet sitting which can the difference of whether you’re able to get away for a few days or not, if you’ve got someone that can either take your pet or come to your house and do it.”

New members who join (via CES Australia) receive 50 tokens as a welcome gift to exchange for goods and services, which can be viewed and managed in an online account similar to online banking. A mentor will be assigned to new members to help introduce them to the CES website and how to record trades.

Ms Gannaway said thinking of things they they can offer is sometimes where people stumble.

“They think they’ve got nothing to offer, but when they sit down and have a chat or come along to one of the MERLETS trading days or other promotional days, they get to see exactly some of the skills that they do have,” she said.

“It could be proofreading or sewing or just going along for a walk with somebody, there may be someone out there who doesn’t have anyone to walk with, and that’s something that they might be able to help.”

The MERLETS Group have a directory containing all members and the skills and goods they are offering which can emailed or posted as a booklet to members, while there is also a MERLETS Facebook group for members to post wants and offers, comment on LETS events or share resources.

Two MERLETS working groups also operate to help tackle multi-person jobs, a regular weekday group that meets every Thursday and a weekend group that is booked by arrangement.

Anyone in the Yarra Valley who is interested in the MERLETS group can contact Ms Gannaway at 0447 555 266.

National Carers Week workshops coming up

By Dongyun Kwon

Two free workshops are set to go in Yarra Glen and Upwey respectively this week as National Carers Week is back, taking place between 13 and 19 October.

EACH, a for-purpose organisation delivering health and support services, and Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre are hosting a special creativity workshop for unpaid carers, inviting Christina Johns as a facilitator.

EACH assistant program coordinator LeeAnn Cockburn said EACH organised the workshop to celebrate National Carers Week.

“EACH runs the Family Relationship Support for Carers program and as part of the program, we arrange workshops and trainings for carers to improve their wellbeing and support family relationships,” she said.

“I heard about Christina and the work she does through one of the carers network groups, and I reached out to her to ask if she would be interested in running a workshop for us because she sounds like an extremely inspirational lady.

“She is a carer herself and has over 30 years of lived experience as a carer.”

Christina Johns is an Upwey-based therapeutic artist and life coach who has spent the last 30 years caring for a son who has had a mental illness.

In the workshop, Ms Johns will focus on teaching the carers how to take care of them-

selves first while creating a blended oil.

The workshop facilitator said she tries to have the participants take something home with all of her therapeutic art classes, which will remind them of the lessons that they learn in the class.

“We will make a blended oil and we’ll be going through the process of ‘how do they want to feel? what do they want to evoke?’ because different smells evoke different feelings, so they will get to choose how they want to feel with the smell that they create, and then they’ll get to blend it together,” Ms Johns said.

“After the workshop, they will have a bottle of oil that they can put onto their skin. When they put it onto their skin and smell the fragrance, they will remember the workshop, some of the lessons and things that we talked about.

“They’ll remember to take time for themselves, even if it’s just a moment to pause and take a breath, that’s enough time for a carer to gather together enough strength to carry on for the next couple of hours.”

The Empowered Creativity Workshop will be

held at McCoomb Room in Yarra Glen Memorial Hall from 10am to 12pm on Wednesday 16 October.

To attend the workshop, please visit the following website to save a spot, stickytickets.com. au/zgkvh/carers_week__empowered_creativity_workshop.aspx

Ms Johns will lead another free two-hour workshop at the Upwey Baptist Community Church from 1.30pm on Tuesday 15 October.

The event is sponsored by Carers Victoria.

“We’re also doing blended oils there, but we’re taking it one step further, and we’re making some bath soaps,” Ms Johns said.

“We’ll be combining both of those activities together in a pampering day to teach them how to take time out.

“The lesson is exactly the same [from the Empowered Creativity Workshop in Yarra Glen] ‘take time out for yourself, and then you’ll be able to be a better carer’.”

The Upwey workshop has been completely sold out.

Two workshops for National Carers Week are coming in Yarra Glen and Upwey respectively. (Unsplash)

MERLETS members at a trading day at the Healesville Living and Learning Centre. (Supplied)

Beautiful aurora dazzles

By Dongyun Kwon

The sky gave a dazzling display of beauty while most people were in bed.

It was about 5am on Friday 11 October when the sky cleared the clouds away to show a beauti-

ful aurora to the gazers.

Healesville resident Lisa

and Emerald resident Tracy

provided their photos.

Do they look different from what you saw at your place?

Steel

Dasler

Aurora with clouds. (Tracy Dasler)

From purple to red, the sky painted itself with diverse colours. (Lisa Steel)

Aurora with stars. (Tracy Dasler)

The sky cleared the clouds away to show the beautiful aurora. (Lisa Steel)

Aurora captured in Healesville. (Lisa Steel)

Aurora captured in Gembrook. (Tracy Dasler)

Trip back to old Lilydale

By Joy Gothe

There would only be a few locals now would remember that Lilydale once had the enjoyment of four Hotels.

In earlier times there was once another hotel that existed on the site where the Post Office now stands.

In 1865 Henry Davey Artis bought the Commercial Hotel (formerly the Hope Hotel) from James Balchin who built the hotel, along with the Lilydale Hotel in 1862.

The Hotel being a single story weatherboard structure, with a long front verandah.

He also purchased the general store next door with his newspaper advertisements informing

Redundant:

Why does this exist?

The Platform 2 Starring Milena Smit and Hovik Keuchkerian

Rated R18+

3.75/5

A Spanish psychological horror film and the sequel to one of my favourite films of 2020, The Platform 2 is a riveting film on its own that doesn’t fully justify its existence.

In a vast tower prison, a platform descends every day with food, and each level can only eat the above level’s leftovers. Chaos ensues when various prisoners differ on how to improve the system.

The Platform 2 continues the first film’s dark social satire and oppressive atmosphere of deprivation, madness and dogged hope, and despite the copious gore, the film has some of the most striking cinematography of the year.

Milena Smit is graceful and indomitable as Perempuan, and Hovik Keuchkerian plays Zamiatin, a greedy, hulking man with a gentle streak.

As compassionate prisoners attempt to enforce a law in which every level is fed, The Platform 2 explores the futility of trying to fix a system so cruelly stacked against you, and Oscar Jaenada is deeply intimidating as Dagin Babi, whose gang commits unspeakable brutality in the name of helping everyone.

This sequel has a greater focus on well-meaning order and abuse of power, but for a series with such an interest in food, the theme of starvation carries oddly little weight compared to the first film.

Much of The Platform 2 is graphic, tragic and gripping, but loses its way in the third act.

Trimagasi (Zorion Eguileor) inexplicably returns, despite being killed and eaten in the first film, and the ending, some dreamlike imagery notwithstanding, is just a nihilistic retread of the first film’s ending with nothing new to say.

A solid horror film but a redundant follow-up to the first film, The Platform 2 is available for streaming on Netflix.

people of the district that had, in connection with the hotel, he had a store where locals were able to purchase groceries, drapery, ironmongery, boots and shoes at a trifle over Melbourne prices, he conducted this store for many years.

Henry Artis also boasted that visitors to his Hotel would find a comfortable home, first class food, the choicest of wines, spirits and ale, and porter of the best brands. Henry was one of the very first members of St John’s Church, where a tablet was erected to his memory.

In 1902 Henry’s family were involved with Lilydale’s Welcome Home celebration’s for Dame Nellie Melba.

William was secretary of the reception committee planning the celebrations while daughter

CARTOON

Patience was in charge of extensively decorating the town with flags, ribbons and floral triumphal arches plus festooning the hotel with ornamental drapes for the event.

Henry became one of the most popular and well know men in the District, together with the fame of his Hotel until his passing in 1903.

His wife, Elizabeth, took over the hotel license after his death.

Together with her daughter Patience, they ran the hotel until Elizabeth’s death in 1915.

The hotel was de-licensed in 1922 and renamed the Temperance Hotel.

Patience Artis was determined to keep the door of the second oldest hostelry in Lilydale open by adopting a completely new line of business.

Three plays to tempt you

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre

Little Women The Broadway Musical Louisa May

Alcott’s beloved story of the adventures of the four March sisters is brought to vivid musical life in Little Women.

The Civil War is in full swing and the March sisters – Meg, the oldest, a romantic, the spirited and boyish Jo, sweet and loving Beth, and playful Amy – live in Concord Massachusetts with their Mamee while their father is on the battlefield.

Filled with (both lived and Imagined), heartbreak and a deep sense of hope, their struggle to find their own voicers mirrors the growing signs if a young America. Season: 14 – 30 November.

The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe Set in the 1940s during World War II, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, are evacuated from their home in London during the Blitz to a professor’s home in the countryside.

Stumbling across a wardrobe in a spare room, the four siblings find their way through the wardrobe to the land of Narnia. They encounter many talking animals and mythical creatures, including Mr Tumnus, beaver and the great lion Aslan.

The white witch currently rules the land of Narnia; however, news has come that Aslan is on the move and returns to fulfill a prophecy that sees the four children becoming the kings and queens of Narnia. Culminating in a great battle between the Witch and Aslan. Adapted for the stage by Glyn Robbins, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from the children’s classic of the same name by C. S. Lewis explores the themes of family, temptation, betrayal and forgiveness, courage and good versus evil.

The Round Theatre

Gypsy Babirra Musical Theatre for its final season of 2024 chose Gypsy the story of gypsy Rose Lee.

Based on the real- life fame of American burlesque super star Gypsy Rose Lee, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Jule Styne and book by Arther Laurents, Gypsy changed theatre music

Kemp’s curtain call

theatre forever with its daring story, genre-breaking style, innovative structure, and complex compelling characters.

Gypsy is the ultimate story of the stage mother fighting for her two daughters’ success. It is set in the 1920s and 30s when vaudeville was in its decline and burlesque was in the way in.

Babirra presented a wonderful evening of theatre with its production of Gypsy.

The set opened with signs on a scaffold repeating the word gypsy. There were basic sets to suit the era of the show, skilfully moved as the scenes changed. Opening saw the two daughters, Baby Jane and Louise, together with co-artists during their performances and also backstage.

Theatre has a bright future in Australia when one sees the talent of the future generation as these kids showed. Rose was portrayed by Lizzie Matjacic. Lizzie really caught the essence of the show business mother giving a remarkable performance.

Unfortunately, the sound technicians did let her down for when she hit a high note it sounded like screeching.

Her daughter baby June, was played by Zoe D’ Alessandro. A wonderful performance of the young girl who her mother (Rose) was determined to make her a star whether she wanted to or not. Her sister, Louise, was the quiet not so talented one of the family but!

A great production with amazing costuming, in fact it is worth seeing just for the costumes.

Your reviewer did think that part one could have been cut a little but overall it was a wonderful evening of musical theatre.

She opened a Temperance bar of an up-to date character where all the latest, best brands and varieties of Cordials were dispensed, with Tobacco and cigars available.

She also established a commodious Billiard Parlour containing two tables for Pool and Snooker.

The hotel was demolished in 1959, and during excavation for the new Post office foundations, workmen came across the old cellars and found unopened bottles.

If you are interested in discovering more about the history of Lilydale visit our Website at lilydalehistorical.com.au or email: info@lilydalehistorical.com.au

Celebrating 10 years PASSION FOR PROSE

This year’s Queenscliffe Literary Festival, from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 October, will bring some of Australia’s best authors and thinkers to seaside Queenscliffe on Wadawurrung Country.

Now in its 10th year, the festival is designed to showcase an awesome range of emerging and established authors, artists, musicians and artisans to communities across the Bellarine Peninsula.

“The purpose is to curate a lively and intelligent season of events that stimulates discussion and to provide opportunities for engagement and participation,” the event website said.

“The program aims to be inclusive, accessible, thought-provoking and diverse. It celebrates Australian literature across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, music and art.”

Four of the Australian literary greats hosted by the festival this year are Tim Winton, Alexis Wright, Pip Williams, and Candice Fox.

Other well-known authors include Bruce Pascoe, Tony Birch, Rosie Batty, Louise Milligan, Clare Wright, Jock Serong, Jeff Sparrow, and Melanie Cheng – just to name a few.

One eye-catching session is “You’re Cancelled!”, where industrial relations lawyer Josh Bornstein will explain the real victims of “cancel culture”.

Another interesting event is “Shipwrecks and Sea Myths”, where authors Shivaun Plozza, Michael Earp and Andrea Rowe will discuss writing stories about pirates and ocean adventures for young and diverse readers.

Particularly exciting is the guided Queenscliff Literary Walk, which sheds light on those locations that feature in a variety of books and films. The leisure stroll begins and ends at the historic Queenscliff Library, a local landmark since 1888. And there is the innovative concept of #QLFBookSwap, where Queenscliffe residents can leave a book they enjoyed (but are prepared to part with) by their letterbox and then take a walk around town to find another new read from someone else. It is a curious morph from the idea of the Little Free Library.

Note the difference between “Queenscliff” and “Queenscliffe”.

The former refers to the township of Queenscliff, while the latter refers to the Borough of Queenscliffe municipality.

More information about the Queenscliffe Literary Festival can be found here: queenscliffeliteraryfestival.com.au/

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 Underground railway (6)

4 Made a watery sound (8)

9 Member of a Jamaican religious movement (5)

10 Progressed (9)

11 Follow (5)

12 Doppelganger (4-5)

13 Primula vulgaris (8)

15 Heralds (6)

16 Beginner (6)

18 US state (8)

23 Texting (9)

24 Venetian explorer, – Polo (5)

26 Contribute (9)

27 Synthetic fibre (5)

28 Evening prayer (8)

29 US state (6)

DOWN

1 Distribute (food) (5,2)

2 Transport vehicles (5)

3 Dabbler (7)

5 Russian who studied reflexes (6)

6 Long-spouted containers (7)

7 Pleasure (9)

8 Bumper cars (7)

10 Wooded valleys (5)

14 Incapable of being seen (9)

16 Hindu greeting (7)

17 Odds (7)

19 Bird of prey (5)

20 Its capital is Bucharest (7)

21 Quantities (7)

22 Sight (6)

25 Parts in plays (5)

WHEN HISTORIC CHARM MEETS

WHEN HISTORIC CHARM MEETS CONTEMPORARY FLAIR

THE perfect example of a match made in heaven, this country house built in 1917 has had a meticulous renovation to create a warm, inviting and practical home, that will see it through its next century.

Originally built as a weekend home for Sir John Swanson, the master builder who constructed many iconic buildings of Melbourne; it then passed into the hands of the Josephite nuns, who lived in the building for decades. Luckily, there was little alteration carried out over that time, and so when the current owner purchased the home, there were many of the beautiful features remaining. Known more as The Convent, than by its official name Swanson House, it is a landmark of Healesville, which has grown around it.

A fabulous foundation on which to renew the old and add the new; the work completed ensures the historic charm winds its way throughout the home, while sympathetic renovations allow for modern day family life.

Walking through the gates, the home’s character is apparent, with an elegant garden setting the scene. Wide verandas welcome you to the home, and it would be easy to see yourself sitting in a wicker chair enjoying a beverage of choice.

The grand entrance hall is enhanced by soaring 12 ft ceilings that continue throughout the home, pressed metal ceilings, stained glass windows, and lovely floorboards. Two large bedrooms are located each side of the foyer, with two more bedrooms down the hall.

Ahead is the lovely library room, with garden views, and exposed redbrick chimney complete with gas log fire. An easy space to relax with friends and family or sit and read a book on a cold winter’s day.

Leaving this space the journey from one century to the next continues and the modernday wow factor really kicks in.

The newly configured kitchen, dining and family room can only be described as stunning! A complete masterclass in blending old and new, with no detail left spared… In fact, heaven is in the detail of this whole renovation, with even the long-gone nuns having to agree!

The recently discovered chimney and lining boards of the ceiling add authenticity to the space, as do the wooden floorboards throughout. The huge island bench anchors the space, with beautiful cabinetry running the length of the south wall. This is a space built with hospitality in mind, and to maximise the stunning views to the west. Many a sunset has been enjoyed on the large deck, and many a party too!

Two beautiful bathrooms, again both renovated with the flair shown throughout the home, include modern conveniences married with historic nods to the past. The beautiful tiling and stained glass harking back to the federation touches in the home.

In keeping with modern day comforts, ducted heating, solar panels, open fire places and spilt systems ensure easy living.

The private rear garden is simple yet

elegant, with a range of sheds used for various activities. A spacious workshop/storage shed set on a concrete foundation and connected to electricity will suit many purposes. A woodshed, under house storage and a chicken coop make this backyard the traditional Aussie backyard that every family yearns for, and yet there’s more. A self-contained bungalow sits in the space, adding the option of a beautiful work from home space, semi-independent living for a family member of an income source as short-term accommodation.

A wonderful location, minutes from the Healesville main street, the iconic Yarra Valley destination, Healesville is famous for its equally iconic tourist destinations such as the renowned Four Pillars Gin distillery and is home to so many surrounding vineyards and eateries. Yet to its residents; Healesville is a great township to live and raise a family in because it also offers all the services, public transport and schools that life requires, and conveniently the choice of two primary schools are literally a stone’s throw away…

Are all your prayers answered in this complete package ? We think so!

• Block size 1191m2 approx

• Four bedrooms – 2 bathrooms under roofline

• Studio accommodation in garden

• Stunning blend of old and new

• Ducted heating, split systems, open fires, solar panels

• Private garden

History SWANSON HOUSE (THE CONVENT)

CIRCA 1917

Builder Sir John Swanson (1865-1924) bought the land at 3 High Street in 1917 and built a country holiday home for his family.

In 1926, the property was sold at auction for £1250 to the Catholic Church. It was renovated to accommodate the Sisters of St Joseph, who were in charge of the adjoining St Brigid’s School.

From 1998 the Sisters of St Joseph no longer taught in the school but lived in the Convent and supported the Healesville community.

In May 2009 the Pearce family purchased 3 High Street from the Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation and lived there with their four children - Nick, Bree, Georgia

and Bella. Many family celebrations and iconic parties have been held at their home.

Renovations have been extensive including re-wiring, bathrooms, family room, kitchen, verandahs and rear deck. The garden was largely kept as is, with the addition of hedging around the perimeter. New outbuildings including a chook shed, a wood shed and a garden shed are also new additions. In April 2012 the construction of a bungalow was completed and is in keeping with the aesthetic of the original home.

Nick Pearce, the owner’s son, completed most of the renovations and works in the Yarra Valley, inner city Melbourne and interstate. He has a deep connection and love of old homes and their history.

HOME FOCUS

EXPANSIVE FAMILY HOME WITH SHED

SET on 3 picturesque acres with sealed road access, this stunning family home is designed to provide both space and luxury, offering the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. With 3 generous living areas—including a warm, inviting family room with a crackling wood fire, a separate lounge, and a zoned rumpus room perfect for children—there’s plenty of room for everyone to find their own retreat.

The home boasts 4 spacious bedrooms, with the master suite featuring a luxurious ensuite complete with double vanities, a double shower, and a private toilet. The remaining bedrooms are serviced by a beautifully appointed main bathroom with a deep, relaxing bath. There is also a study or potential 5th bedroom if required. At the heart of the home, the modern kitchen is a chef’s delight, showcasing stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances which include a 900mm stove and dishwasher, ample storage, and a walk-in pantry. Stunning design elements such as 9ft ceilings, polished

Firestreak hardwood floors, reverse cycle heating and cooling, and a 10kW solar system ensure both elegance and efficiency. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of internal access from the double remote garage.

Step outside to a vast alfresco area, perfect for year-round entertaining or quiet family dinners, all while soaking in the tranquility and beauty of the surrounding wildlife. The fully fenced property offers ample space for children and pets to roam, with room for a pony in the paddock. For the tradesperson or hobbyist, the enormous 18m x 12m shed—equipped with three-phase power—is the ultimate workspace or man cave.

Perfectly positioned within walking distance of Kurth Kiln Regional Park, with its scenic walking trails, waterways, and camping grounds, and only a short drive to Gembrook’s renowned eateries, shops, and schools, this exceptional property offers a rare blend of privacy, space, and convenience.

CREEKSIDE CONTEMPORARY MANOR

WE are proud to represent a home of Grand Design that offers luxury living on a scale that is rarely matched in Healesville’s residential market. The richness of a private position on the Southern bank of the Graceburn Creek that also places you so very close to Healesville’s heart, offering easy access to parks and sporting facilities, restaurants and cafes, iconic tourist attractions and essential services.

This exceptional property boasts a unique custom-built and architecturally inspired design. Featuring an uncluttered Northern Vista; that dominates the breadth of outdoor living and streams into the majority of living, kitchen/dining and bedroom spaces through expansive double glazing. Glazing that also ensures the spacious outdoor entertaining zone, bounded by the rolling lawns that flow on, down to the beautiful Grace Burn, are entirely a part of indoor living, day long and year-round.

On entering this glorious home, the stunning Red (Queensland) Ironbark polished timber flooring greets you as your eye is drawn though and beyond the main family living and dining zones to the enormous merbau deck and further on to the oasis of outdoor living and its large sparkling blue pool. Here we also find a spacious, contemporary kitchen with stone waterfall bench, soft close cupboards ample bench space and food preparation areas with quality appliances. All presented in a neutral decor. This “Heart of the Home” space offers room aplenty for a large dining table to accommodate the largest family or dinner parties. Two double glazed double sliding doors ensure that indoor/outdoor transitional living is seamless no matter the event or size of guest list.

Down the hallway two large bedrooms with WIRs enjoy the desired northern aspect, with a recently updated bathroom nearby, as well as a second large family living area adjacent, then an expansive laundry with excellent storage, a separate toilet precedes a storage come mud room Garage access to either the corridor or storage area are both available for convenient unloading of supplies.

Upstairs, the quality of this home continues to impress. The master suite has its own large

“parents retreat” with balcony access as the main bedroom does which overlooks the verdant lawns, pool and the majestic Mountain Ash gum trees along the Grace Burn, the enormous ensuite has a large deep bath with a Walk-in robe to complete the area.

Another extra-large bedroom with huge WIR is on the left while on the right two further bedrooms with WIRs and northerly aspect await, all served by a recently renovated family bathroom. A further bedroom is being used as an office and has the Red Ironbark polished timber flooring, the large WIR then has a door to a large under roof storage area. With a clear span construction method used if changes need to be made easy solutions can be implemented, excellent storage everywhere making for a clutter free life. Evaporative cooling, hydronic boiler heating, double glazed & tinted windows, gas assisted solar hot water and solar pool heating all make for a comfortable life.

This quality home includes a laundry chute to save trips down the stairs, an amazing loft storage space accessed by a pull-down attic ladder, once in the attic a lockable roof hatch allows safe roof access, for appliance servicing and spectacular views.

A lifestyle property in this fabulous location with local shops, cafes and restaurants a short flat walk away as are primary and high schools, kindergartens and the beautiful Queens Park.

Does the Manor have a cottage? Yes, the Manor has its own self-contained cottage across the forecourt, screened by hedges. It awaits an adult family member or tenant maybe…

Outdoors there is an additional four car garage/workshop, excellent side access, a fantastic swimming pool where no doubt summer memories will be made. A wonderful alfresco area tucks you out of the sun if that’s your choice.

This lifestyle home is “move in” ready, when you do the sums, it all adds up- a quality home on over an acre with a self-contained cottage in a fabulous location.

Features

• Gas Boiler Hydronic Heating throughout

• Modern Gas Pebble Fire (warmth and atmosphere)

• Evaporative Cooling

• Block Size – 4249 m 2

• Lovely alfresco area, overlooking large inground pool

• Fabulous family friendly location

• Creekside Tree House

Seven bedrooms

Double glazing in main house

Master with parents retreat and ensuite

Expansive storage options both downstairs and upstairs

Huge two car garage with internal access

• Additional four car garage/workshop

SELF contained cottage

5

3

5

STUNNING 39.3 ACRES WITH FANTASTIC VIEWS

PERCHED above and overlooking the Woori Yallock township and the surrounding Yarra Valley with fantastic views to admire and enjoy this sensational parcel of land of 39.3 acres (15.91 ha) is a rare find.

Quality, clear undulating pasture with a multitude of possibilities, the old 3 bedroom farmhouse and bungalow/studio are in need of some love and attention but offer a great place to start the big acreage lifestyle the whole family will love. Substantial shedding

with a large lock up shed and open farm machinery shed with plenty of options for improvement. A great property offering a superb rural lifestyle and conveniently situated just a short distance to local schools, shops and transport and with the Warburton trail just down the road it’s a great place to be.

Acreage of this size and location close to town is very rare and very hard to find so make the move now.

HobbyFarmLivingonSmallAcreage

Smallhobbyfarmlivingatit’sbest,thisoriginalandmuchlovedfamilyhomeisnowavailableforthe nextfamilytoenjoyandlivetherelaxedsemirurallifestyle.Situatedonjustover3 acreswithloadsof spacetoexploreandenjoyit’stheidealsizetotocreateyourownselfsufficientlifestyle.Thehome isspaciousandboastsupstairsanddownstairslivingoffering 3bedrooms,plus2 bathroomsandwith multiplelivingzonesover2 levelswith afeaturefamily/livingroomupstairs;ideallysituatedtocapture thenaturalsunlightandoverlookingthepicturesquevista.Ventureoutsideandenjoytheopen spacewitha multitudeofpossibilities, afantasticopportunitytosecurea greatfamilypropertyina popularandsoughtafterarea.

CharmandCharacterinAbundance!

Thischaractercharmerisnestledamongstprivatecottagegardensandlovelyoldoaks.Inside polishedtimberfloors,highceilingsanddecorativefeaturesjuststartthepictureofwhatlivingin thishomewilltrulybelike. Abeautifulcountrykitchenshowcasesamplebenchandstorage,900ml countrycooker,dishwasherand abeautifuloutlookthroughyourcasementwindows,thisspace isdivine!Thehomehasformalandinformallivingspaces,dedicateddiningnook,beautifuldado panellingthroughout,a stunningbathroom.Therearethreegenerousandprettybedrooms,the masterhasdirectaccesstothegorgeousmainbathroomandprovidestriplerobes.Outsidethere’s alockupworkshop& doublecarporttuckedbehinda remoterollerdoorandprivacyfencing,the cornerblockcreatinga wonderfulspacetouseandenjoyeverysquaremeterofthe693m2block.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

ModernFamilyHome &a BeautifulCreekintheBackyard

Nestledina serenelocationthissolidbrickhomewitha Bal40fireproofbuildingdesignoffersa rare opportunitytoenjoythebeautyofnaturewithFourMileCreekrunningthroughyourbackyard.The spaciousmasterbedroomfeatures awalkinrobeand afullensuite,twoadditionalbedroomsmake itidealforgrowingfamilies.Openplankitchenisequippedwithmodernappliancesandample cupboardandbenchspace,ensuringa delightfulcookingexperience.Ductedheatingandducted refrigeratedcoolingalongwithdoubleglazedwindowscaterforallthecreaturecomforts.Additional featuresincludea lockupgaragewithinternalaccessandtheconvenienceofbeingwithinwalking distancetothebeautifulLalaFalls,allcomplementedbyfilteredmountainviews.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068 Inspection:

FantasticValuein aconvenientlocation

Ideallylocatedthishomeoffersexceptionalvalueandjusta stonesthrowfromtheYarraRiverthis positionissuperb.Thehomeboasts 2bedroomsplusa smallstudyarea,thespaciouslounge/living arealooksouttothefrontverandahandestablishedgardens.Thekidsandpetswilllovethefront andrearyardssittingonapprox.800sqmoflevelusableland, agreatpropertyofferinggreatvalue in aconvenientandpicturesquelocationsituatedjusta shortstrolltolocalschools,shopstransport andthewalkingtrailandwiththeYarraRiverclosebyit’stheidealspotsitback,relaxandenjoythe picturesqueandcolorfullocation.A greatfirsthomeorinvestmentopportunityata veryattractive price.

1AnneCrescent,Warburton $795,000 -$870,000

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED HOME

WELCOME to this beautifully renovated brick home, nestled on a generous 1938m² block. An expansive living room invites you in with a cosy solid fuel fire and a split system for year-round comfort. A sliding door for this area opens onto a covered deck, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living.

The kitchen is a true delight for any home chef, equipped with a 900mm cooker, Miele dishwasher, and ample cupboard space, you will love creating a culinary masterpiece here. Adjacent to the kitchen, the inviting sitting/ meals area is perfect for relaxed family gatherings and intimate conversations. With ducted heating throughout and impeccable presentation, this home ensures a lifestyle of ease and comfort.

There are four spacious bedrooms and two stylish bathrooms featuring quality fittings, this is the perfect blend of comfort and elegance.

The spacious fourth bedroom offers its own entrance, split system and kitchenette, making it ideal for a dependent relative, an adult child, or a dedicated work from home space.

Surrounded by vibrant established gardens, you’ll enjoy a haven that attracts a variety of native birds and features a pond and meandering paths for tranquil strolls. An in/ out driveway leads to a double carport, a steel shed, and plenty of storage, making this property as practical as it is beautiful.

Located just a short walk from the local store, the acclaimed Bam Bam restaurant, Secondary College, kindergarten, and bus stop, this home offers unparalleled convenience.

Don’t miss your chance to own this exceptional property that truly has it all. Contact us today to schedule your private viewing.

HOME FOCUS

QUAINT AND QUIRKY PERIOD HOME

STEP back in time while enjoying modern comforts in this charming period home nestled in the heart of Warburton with an easy 5 minute walk to the town centre. Perfectly blending the allure of yesteryear with today’s conveniences, this unique property is a rare gem.

Immerse yourself in the character and charm of leadlight windows and high ceilings, evoking a sense of history and elegance. Recent upgrades include double-glazed windows and Blackbutt laminate flooring, offering both style and energy efficiency. The bathroom has been recently renovated to accommodate a disabled person creating a large light filled bathroom with a step free shower and 2 toilets in the bathroom upstairs – including an Asian squat toilet. Upstairs the home has 1 bedroom and a study, providing flexible space for work, relaxation, or creativity. Step free access to the front door. Choose how you would like to keep warm – hydronic heating, reverse cycle airconditioning or enjoy wood heating with a charming Jotul wood heater.

The lower level boasts a self-contained unit with a separate entrance, hydronic heating, its own bathroom with shower and toilet, kitchenette, a wall bed and a reverse cycle split system. Ideal for guests, extended family, or a B&B income.

Relax and unwind on the verandah that encircles three sides of the home and enjoy sun from the rear taking in the north facing aspect, perfect for enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The backyard opens to breathtaking views of the mountains and is a haven for self-sufficiency, featuring a chicken coop and ample veggie boxes for your home grown produce. Reduce your electricity bills with double glazing, solar collectors on the roof and tank water is available for gardening and home use along with mains water.

Enjoy the best of Warburton with a short stroll to the township’s cafes and coffee shops, the bus stop, a supermarket, a local doctor, pharmacy plus the Yarra River, and scenic walking tracks.

Embrace the lifestyle this vibrant community has to offer.

This property is a testament to thoughtful design, where every detail has been considered. Whether you’re looking for a serene retreat or a home with character, 8 Park Road, Warburton, is a must-see.

Don’t miss the chance to make this one-ofa-kind house your next home.

STYLISH RESIDENCE WITH STUDIO

THE ultimate hilltop abode that will evolve with your family’s needs through the years, this unique property will fit into any lifestyle with immense versatility and possibilities here.

A beautifully updated, light filled 1940s home with easy access around the 978sqm (approx.) allotment and picturesque vista views. Inside, this home is equally impressive and adaptable. From the covered entry level porch, step into the dining area with original fireplace and mantle on stylish new flooring that flows throughout. The kitchen with gloss white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances includes a gas cooktop. A designer bathroom featuring matte black tapware, rain head and modern fittings. Original large casement windows around the home open out to the sunny views, with a generous living room with plush carpet and rear balcony access offer a beautiful area to gather with friends. Down the internal stairs is a lower level living area with shower, toilet, large bedroom and separate entry that will suit any requirements such as a teenage or in-law accommodation. A new fully lined freestanding studio / workshop is ideal for artistic pursuits, yoga or working from home.

With good access to front and rear gardens, level spaces for a playground, this home is an idyllic location just steps from Childcare Centre, Upwey South Primary School, and Upwey South Reserve. A handy 8 minute walk to Upwey village and train station for commuting... you won’t believe your luck that you have found this lovely home. Inspection will impress. Plan your viewing today. 978sqm (approx.) in prime location with lovely vista views

Versatile family home with bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas on both levels

• Stylish kitchen with white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances

• Large 34m2 external studio ideal for working from home 3 split systems economical heating cooling. Walk to childcare, schools, transport, shops and parkland.

Sanders emerges victorious

Three Bridges’ Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders is back on the bike for the Rallye du Maroc, the final event of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship held in Morocco.

Sanders has stormed out to a commanding lead in the 2365-kilometre race after Stage Four.

On his competitive return, Sanders finished Stage One in second, 48 seconds behind the race leader Ross Branch.

Sanders clocked in second at the first checkpoint of stage one at kilometre 42 before taking the lead on time for the next 100 kilometres and then began to make excellent time across the sand dunes before an error cost him close to two minutes and let him second overall.

“Day one at Morocco is done! It was good to get the prologue out of the way yesterday – that helped us settle back in to racing and gave me a good start position for today,” Sanders said.

“Stage one started with a load of riverbeds and stony terrain, so it was a really good test of the bike and the improvements we’ve made over the last few months. I made a couple of mistakes early on, but then quite a big one at around kilometre 140, which cost me a couple of minutes, unfortunately,”

“It’s frustrating as it spoiled all the hard work I had put in leading up to that point, really. Other than that, I felt good, and the speed is definitely there – we’ll see how we get on tomorrow.”

On Stage Two, Sanders took third place in another timed special stage and retained his second overall standing while narrowing down the deficit to 42 seconds.

Sanders said Stage two was a very long one – it was originally stage one but they were reversed due to the rain the other day.

“I started off second and then caught Ross (Branch) about 20 kilometres in. I opened from there till the refuelling at kilometre 210, so that meant navigating on my own all the way through the dunes, which went pretty well, actually,” he said.

“Then Tosha (Schareina) caught me at the refuelling and after that, I eased off just a little to make

sure I didn’t have to open tomorrow. On the whole, the stage went well – got a few changes to make to the bike, and it’s going to be another long day tomorrow, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Sanders’ charge stormed on with a win in Stage Three, launching into the overall lead with an advantage of one minute and 35 seconds. As the third rider into the special, Sanders had two targets ahead of him in the form of Tosha Schareina and Adrien Van Beveren, both of whom he caught by kilometre 104.

Sanders said it had been super-hot, very dusty, and very demanding.

on Wednesday 20 November 2024 at 7.00pm.

2. To elect one Thoroughbred Racing member to the Board of the Club. The retiring Thoroughbred Racing member is Mr Kevan Wacey. Mr Wacey is eligible and offers himself for re-election. Nominations for the Thoroughbred position on the Board shall be in writing on the prescribed form and signed by the proposer and seconder. Nominations received after 5.00pm on Thursday 24 October 2024 will not be accepted. Nomination forms can be obtained from the Chief Executive.

3. To elect one Harness Racing Member to the Board of the Club. The retiring Harness Racing member is Mr John Simmons. Mr Simmons is eligible and offers himself for re-election. Nominations for the Harness position on the Board shall be in writing on the prescribed form and signed by the proposer and seconder. Nominations received after 5.00pm on Thursday 24 October 2024 will not be accepted. Nomination forms can be obtained from the Chief Executive.

4. Members are invited to submit any business for consideration at the meeting. The Club must receive notice of such business no later than 5.00pm on Thursday 24 October 2024.

5. Members are invited to submit any questions for the Club’s auditor. The Club must receive notice of such questions no later than 5.00pm on Thursday 24 October 2024.

“I felt really good today and got off to a strong start. I caught the two guys ahead by the neutralization then pushed through the dust a little bit and got into the dunes,” he said.

“One of the guys ahead made a little mistake, but it meant it was difficult to get out front and collect any time bonus, so as the terrain turned a little rockier, I just played it smart and made sure I brought the bike home safely,”

“We have a new area to race tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Sanders’ push to take the top spot for the event was not harmed by his performance in Stage Four,

heading into the final day of racing with a 21 minute and 44 second lead over the competition. Following the issuing of penalties after Wednesday’s stage three, Sanders’ overall lead in the rally increased to over 11 minutes.

Despite a hard charge by rival Tosha Schareina throughout the stage, Sanders kept his cool under pressure to not only open the entire stage but to ultimately top the timesheets by an impressive five minutes and 31 seconds once the bonus time for leading out was awarded.

Sanders said the stage was very, very long with a lot of navigation.

“It was a new area here that we’ve never been to before in the race, so it was really cool to ride with some good tracks and good riding,” he said.

“I just focused on my navigation today and put that first over out-and-out speed. I pretty much nailed most things – I made a couple of little mistakes, but I was able to fix those pretty quick and keep up a good rhythm all day,”

“With a lot of the other guys getting lost today, I was able to open up the lead a bit more, so with one more day to go, I’m feeling good and looking forward to the finish.”

At the conclusion of the final Stage Five, Sanders emerged victorious taking out the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc by just over 11 minutes.

A small mistake near the beginning of the special cost the Three Bridges local several minutes, but he was able to get back on track and continue to lead out the stage.

Sanders said he was so pleased with how the whole rally has gone, especially taking the win of course.

“But it’s definitely a massive accomplishment for myself and the whole team since Dakar and the last race in Argentina – it really demonstrates the hard work everyone has put in over these last few months,” he said.

“I’m happy to be back on the top step, it’s been a year and a half since I broke my femur, so I’m super-pumped to be back on form and showing some good speed ahead of Dakar.”

Daniel Sanders on Stage One of the Rallye du Maroc. (Rally Zone)

SPORT

Summer awaits

By Garry Lewis

Warburton Bowls Club is fully prepared for the start of the forthcoming Summer Pennant Season on Saturday 19 October following its final Practice Match at Upwey-Tecoma on Saturday 5 October, with the club extending Upwey-Tecoma a big thank you for their hospitality.

The Club’s Saturday Pennant sides are Warburton 1 in Division 2 Section 4 and Warburton 2 in Division 5 Section 5. They play Monbulk 1 away and Boronia 2 at home respectively in the first round.

The Midweek Tuesday Pennant Warburton 1

Division 2 Section 4 side will play their first game away against Healesville 1 on Tuesday 22 October 22. Pennant Training continues Thursdays from 4pm at the club. New and beginning players are always encouraged to attend and join in the fun. Coaching is available.

The highly popular Bingo Nights have commenced and will continue for the next three Wednesday Nights from 7pm. Doors open 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend for a fun evening of Bingo, including Music Bingo, prizes, refreshments and drinks at bar prices.

Healthy green fields

By Ron Hottes

The V.V.V’s:

It eventually had to happen, Your Loyal Scribe’s wife Vicki Hottes won the day, and now I have to think hard to say some nice things about her golf!. Vicki, off a very generous handicap, played consistent golf over the Back 9 to accumulate 17 excellent points. But, she only just earned the top voucher because Sally Anne matched her with 17 points also. Fortunately, for Vicki, she finished her Round with two excellent ‘3-pointers’ to edge out Sally Anne. Well done dear ( between clenched teeth). There were no NTPs.

Wednesday 9 October, Stableford: Under cloudless skies, a healthy field battled it out for bragging rights. Young tyro Angus Smith is not one to naturally brag, but he could have on this day, after posting an incredible 45 points (In the article last week, I warned Dad that the son was coming, well, Sorry, Ash, he’s come and gone). Well done Angus, but the handicapper, now a technical system called Golf-link, will adjust that way-too-generous handicap. The distant runner-up, yet with a result that would win most days, was Phil Garside. ‘Senior’ had 38 very good points. Balls reached 32. The daily NTPs on offer went

home with Paul Kennedy (3rd), Michael Hibbert (6th on his second shot), David Hatt (9th), David Waterman (12th) and Andrew McMath (15th).

Twilight:

With the first of our most popular Twilight events starting this week, the front nine gave up 22 points to ‘The Pinkster’. Yes, Michael beat off the very healthy field of 55 to claim the top voucher. The runner-up was Angus Hall, who was stiff not to win posting 21 impressive points. In fact, the balls went down to 18 only. The three NTP winners were: ‘Kenno’ (3rd), David Hatt (6th) and Junior Spenceley (9th).

Saturday 12 October, Stableford: With a healthy field contesting this day, there was always going to be a good chance that we would see some very good scores. There were plenty and the best of the best was posted by The Pinkster again. In the middle of a rare vein of form, Michael recorded 41 points to win comfortably. Dale Sund grabbed the runner-up voucher with a respectable 39 points, whilst Club Champion Clinton Toohey took home the 3rd prize posting 37 points. Balls only reached 35 points. NTPs were earned by Sean Kennedy (3rd), Jaiden Lever (9th), Guest Simon Van Dam (10th), Dave Hatt (12th) and Danny Fox (15th).

The Wednesday Night Barefoot Bowls Jack Attack Triples Competition will commence on Wednesday 6 November from 6.30pm. All 16 team positions are now filled. Emergencies are always needed so please contact Glenys, 0473653137, if you are interested in joining in the fun and meeting the locals. All equipment provided. Music, food and refreshments are offered throughout the evening in a highly enjoyable atmosphere. Social Bowls continues to be played on Mondays from 12 midday with everyone including new and beginning players encouraged to attend. Come along and give Bowls a try.

Horse Talk

By Anita Prowse

Amaroo Dressage Jackpot was held on Sunday at Wesburn Park, winners were –

• Advanced – Leesa Clausing on Willtony Garnett from Amaroo EYV

• Level 1 – Walter Burger on Feldale Griffin from Monbulk Clematis ARC

• Level 2 – Bill Chrisanis on Cooramin Don Braveheart from Aaron Park EC

• Level 3 - Whitney Hurst on Macca Magoo from Rosedale and District ARC

• Level 4 – Joanne Anderson on NEP Ned Kelly from Whittlesea AR

• Level 5 – Kasey Rose on Married To The Mob from Pakenham Upper RC

Well done competitors, event committee and sponsors.

Coming up on 17 October from 6.30 to 9pm the Northern Metro Zone of PCV in conjunction with Seville Veterinary Clinic are holding a ‘Horse Health Information Night’ at the Seville Pony Club grounds on Bell Street, Seville. Entry is a gold coin donation and a raffle with a prize supplied by Horseland. All funds raised go to Large Animal Rescue and topics will include laminitis, care of joints, latest first aid products and more. Please book your spot with an SMS to 0417 033 198.

Season ready to roll

By Ian Milgate

The 2024/25 Bowls Season kicks off on 19 October.

This season Healesville Pennant teams go up a division after winning two divisional grand finals.

Healesville’s Saturday first team goes up into division 3 and the second side is in division 8.

Tuesday’s first side is in division 2 and the second side is in division 5.

Healesville Bowling Club has welcomed several new members to the club during the offseason and is looking forward to watching their progress over the Pennant Season.

Last weekend, the club had the opening of the green for this season.

The jack was rolled down by the newest life member Gerry Gommers and the first bowl to be rolled down was rolled by the longest female serving member Leonie Fitzpatrick.

Then, the participants followed up with a friendly in-house match in fairly average weather conditions followed by a beautiful luncheon put on by the excellent volunteer helpers.

On Wednesday 23 October, the club is starting the Community Barefoot Bowls, which will run over six weeks for the Charles Hort Memorial Trophy.

There will be 16 teams made up of business owners, tradies and local community members.

If any community members would like to come along and watch some really great bowlers compete, the night starts from 5.30pm onwards. There will be a barbecue and refreshments while the attendees are watching the competition.

Family Barefoot Bowls is a new addition to the Healesville Bowling Club’s program list this year. It is to bring the family along for a fun night for all ages and an introduction to bowling.

Participants may well surprise themselves and get the bug.

All equipment will be provided, people can go barefoot or flat shoes.

There will be a barbecue.

A sausage in bread with onion will be $2 and they go like hotcakes.

There will be music and lucky prizes given out during the night and free tutoring if required.

It will be held from 5.30pm on Friday 8 November.

The cost is $5 per person.

For further information, contact John Fitzpatrick on 0428 877 775.

Perfect weather led to healthy fields at the Warburton Golf Club. (File)

The 2024/25 Bowls Season is starting on 19 October. (Supplied)

The Warburton Bowls Club is ready for the season’s start. (Supplied)

Healesville perform well

By Chris Handasyde

U12-3 Healesville 2/127 defeated Lilydale 7/100

Ryder Hudson 41*, Kael Senti 31*, Jackson Lehman 3/7

U12-7 Healesville 7/64 lost to Wandin 2/68

The U12’s took on the Wandin Bulldogs away in Wandin and wow, what a display from the regrouped Healesville side.

Welcoming Levi to the group the boys all displayed significantly improved all-round skills compared to last season.

The game was tight and finished with a loss by only three runs. Plenty of energy and excitement for the season ahead!

U14-3 Healesville 8/91 defeated Wantirna Sth 9/86

Travelling to Wantirna the team won the toss and elected to bowl on a slow boggy outfield.

Endo Gotch got the first wicket caught at first slip, and a strong bowling effort ensued.

Tight bowling and good fielding meant Wantirna South were strangled from the get go.

Harry Duff bowling fast left arm finished with 2/8 and Harry Thomas and Mika Kerst took 2/3 apiece hitting the spot.

Some late runs meant Wantirna South scraped up to 9/86 after their 25 overs.

Raff Morcombe and Max Ferris opened the batting and were both back sitting in the shed quickly due to some good fast bowling with James Howden knocking a couple of boundaries before joining them leaving Healesville nervous at 3/10.

Louis Keath and Harry Duff joined at the wicket, and a fortunate innings from Keath seeing him dropped four times and bowled on a no-ball saw him finish on 20 runs not out, a crucial innings that Wantirna will be kicking themselves about.

Summer Caldicott made 12* and Harry Thomas 10. With the bloods chasing down the total in the second last over with two wickets left in the shed left for a nerve racking victory with Endo Gotch and Henry Harding seeing the team over the line. Well Done.

U14-7 Healesville 4/101 defeated by Chirnside Park 3/111

Taylor Caldicott 15*, Tully Ellis 14* Monty Forbes 11*, Tully Ellis 2/5

U16-4 Healesville 6/101 defeated Yarra Glen 9/94

Denzel Parsons 27*, Cooper Bell 18*, Sam Keath 14, Cooper Bell 2/9, Tyler Braden 2/7

The Healesville U16 boys had their first win for the Season versing Yarra Glen at home at Don Road.

Again playing short with nine players and the nowpermanentyoungfielderElitogiveus10onthe field, Healesville won the toss and elected to Bowl. Some good disciplined bowling and great fielding/ chatter, kept Yarra Glen to 9/94 off their 25 overs.

The wickets were shared around with Cooper bell, 2/9 (four overs), Tyler Braden 2/7 (three overs) the main strikers, Denzel Parsons, Sam Drummond, Will Watson and Sam Keath all chipped in with one wicket.

Some great fielding has the team still with no dropped catches for the year, Patty Leonard snaring 2, Tyler, Denzel and Sam K all with one, and a great run out by Wyat Coleman had the boys all up an about to chase.

The two Sams opened and looked like they were both going to retire until Sam K was bowled on his 25th ball, but they had set the scene with 26 runs

between them, Cooper Bell (18), Denzel P (27 and Cooper Duff (12) followed on the good start to get theboysto6/101andthewinwithoneovertospare. 1st XI Healesville 6/175 defeated by East Ringwood 5/179

For the First Full Match of the season, the 1st travelled to East Ringwood seeking vengeance against the side who knocked them out in the Prelim final last season. Being sent in to bat, Josh Handasyde and Nick Zinghini gave the bloods the perfect start navigating through the strong East Ringwood attack which boasted good fast bowlers.

The boys built a strong partnership building through the overs before Zinghini was dismissed for 43 with the score 1/129 after 27 overs.

The perfect platform. Max Minney joined Handasyde at the crease who continued to work hard but Minney was unfortunately caught at Mid-Wicket, Luke Chandler then soon followed.

The collapse meant the Bloods had to rebuild through the Handasyde boys before Josh trying to push the score along was stumped for a well made 83. Healesville finished on 6/175, 20-30 runsshort of what they expected after a strong start.

But still defendable with strike Bowler Mitch Tampaline taking a wicket in the first over.

Unfortunately for Healesville bad bowling meant that the runs flowed and it wasn’t until Josh Handasyde came on when they got their second breakthrough at 2/105.

Handasyde would take another wicket bowling tightly and restricting the batsmen but the game was too forgone and East Ringwood finished up the game in the 36th over.

Three wins for Wandin as weather warms for cricket

By David Marshall

After an early washout in Week 1, Round 2 saw the sun shining down for a perfect weekend of cricket. Wandin 1st XI vs Warranwood

Losing the toss and being sent into bat, openers Bryce Edwards and Dave Thorne stepped up with confidence. The pair put on a steady 55-run partnership, providing a solid foundation for the innings. Both Bryce and Dave were eventually dismissed for well-made 26s, leaving Wandin in a slightly precarious position at 3/65 after a sudden collapse. Eden Van Beek came to the crease and worked hard with Hamish Lamont for a crucial 45 runs, which stabilized the innings for a while. However, another collapse saw Wandin struggle again, slipping to 8/146. Eden played a key role with a resilient 38, standing as the anchor Wandin needed through this challenging phase. Just when it seemed like Wandin might be in trouble, the lower order delivered. Dan Trembath and Jarrod Dobson forged a match-turning partnership, adding 50 vital runs. Dan played an impactful 16 off 16 balls, but the real fireworks came from Dobby, who went on the attack and blasted 42 off just 21 balls in asensationalcounterattack.TaylanHallalsoplayed a handy cameo with 13 off 12 balls, pushing Wandin’s final total to a competitive 9/216.

Warranwood made an aggressive start to their

chase,losingtheirfirstwicketat61.Bytheteabreak, they were sitting comfortably at 1/101, looking on track for victory. However, cricket is a game of twists, and Wandin wasn’t going to let them walk away with the win.

Wandin found their momentum when the second wicket fell at 115. From there, the tide turned, as steady breakthroughs kept Wandin in the game. Dan and Dobby each took two crucial top-order wickets, pegging Warranwood back to 4/138. Wandin’s bowlers were then able to put their foot down and claim their last six wickets for just 22 runs. Taylan Hall and Tim Thorne both took two wickets

each, while Dave Thorne chipped in with a vital breakthrough. Warranwood’s finished on 9/184, handing Wandin a nerve-wracking 32-run victory. Wandin Women’s 1st XI vs Mooroolbark WandinWomen’s1stXIkickedofftheirseasonwith an emphatic win in their first match, played away at Mooroolbark. After winning the toss, Wandin elected to bowl in what turned out to be a highly successful 20/20 encounter.

Olivia Edwards opened the bowling, and from the very first ball, set the tone for Wandin. Her 4 overs were delivered with precision, conceding just 8 runs and keeping the Mooroolbark batters under constant pressure. Debutant Tilly Pearce made a fantastic first impression, taking 2 wickets for just 12runsinher4overs,includingastunningdelivery that knocked the middle stump out of the ground. What a way to introduce yourself! Nyree George contributed picking up 1/11, but the standout performance came from Charlotte Edwards, who tore through the opposition’s batting order. Charlotte delivered a remarkable spell, taking 3 wickets for 4 runs in her 3 overs. With sharp fielding all around, Mooroolbark was restricted to 86 runs by the end of their 20 overs.

Chasing 87 to win, Charlotte Edwards and Kate Johnson opened the innings with confidence. Unfortunately, an early mix-up saw Kate run out with

Great effort all around from Lusatia Park

By Garry Nicholls

The 1st XI played Eastfield away and after winning the toss sent them into bat. They got off to a good start reaching 38 for the first wicket until our new member of the team Jai took his first wicket for the club from a good catch by Andy V. Two quick wickets, one to Potty returning to the side after shoulder surgery last year and another to Jai to have them in trouble at 3 for 43 in 14 overs. They steadied the ship with a 4th wicket partnership of 52 when Lachie broke the partnership with a great catch taken by coach Tim in slips. The Lusatia Park bowlers did a great job restricting them to 5/119 after 32 overs they were looking to finish their innings with quick runs to set us a target, with 8 overs to go Terry and Jordy having returned to the club after a few years away bowled brilliantly to restrict them to 7/150 with Jordy taking his first wicket and Terry taking two. Honourable mention to Mick N for taking a great catch in the covers. Great bowling from everyone with Terry 2/35, Jai 2/24, Potty 1/31, Lachie 1/25 and Jordy 1/32 all from their allotted.

After the break, it was Lusatia Park’s turn to bat we got off to a shaky start losing both Mick N and Andy V for ducks Chriso and Robbo put on a

57 partnership to get us to 76 until Robbo was the third wicket to fall to be 3/76 after 17 overs leaving us in a good position to chase the target down. Coach Tim joined Chriso at the crease and batted brilliantly to get us to 132 when Chriso fell for a magnificent 69. With only 19 required and still 15 overs left Tim steered us home to finish the game on 5/151 with himself making 33 n.o. in the 29th over, great win guys and a good start to the season. The 2nd XI hosted Eastfield at home and sent the visitors in and having them in trouble early,

taking a wicket in his 1st and 4th over to be 2/24 after 6 overs. The visitors then rallied somewhat to put on 46 for the third wicket when P.B. chimed in to have Boote caught by Marty for 37 to have them at 3/70 after 16. Wickets were falling steadily thanks to everyone in the field doing their bit and holding their catches when needed. The visitors’ 4th and 5th wickets fell in quick succession with Bhavin taking both, one bowled and the other caught by Stuey. Eastfield were now 6/113 after 26 when Stuey got involved in running out their top scorer Dehoon for 38. Their remaining four wickets fell for only 31 runs all catches with one each to Deon, Viren and Choof. Fantastic effort in the field, bowlers doing a great job also with Viren 2/36 from 8, a very economical 1/19 off 8 from young Luke Parker, a magnificent 3/20 for the ever-reliable P.B. and Bhavin taking 3/21 from 6.4 overs, great job everyone. After the break, it was Lusatia Park’s turn to chase down 145 to get the win. They started well with Deano and Mick Dwyer combining for a first wicket stand of 48 until Mick was unfortunately run out in the 11th over. Lusatia Park then lost two more quick wickets to be 3/62 until a steady partnership of 20 between Deano and P.B. when P.B. lost his wicket at 82. Deano continued to keep the

the score on 11. However, Kirwan Peluso came in at first drop and played positively, cracking two boundaries and forming a solid 40-run partnership with Charlotte. KP eventually departed for a valuable 11 after another run-out, but Charlotte continued her dominant performance, scoring a magnificent 38, playing shots all around the ground. With the score on 4/73, Wandin was in control. Olivia Edwards added a quick 8 before Belinda Cuddon (11*) and Tilly Pearce (5*) calmly finished the job, guiding Wandin to a well-earned victory. Wandin 2nd XI vs Yarra Glen Wandin’s 2nd XI travelled to Yarra Glen and, after winning the toss, decided to bat first. Openers Dave Marshall and Ben Warren provided a solid start, with Dave making 25 runs and helping the team reach a strong position of 1/86. Ben Warren, however, was the aggressor of the partnership. He batted with authority, blasting his way to an entertaining 51. A couple of quick wickets left Wandin at 3/106, but Matty Owens held firm throughout the innings, finishing unbeaten on 50. He formed key partnerships with Jack Dowthwaite (19) and Jason Kneebone (14*), helping Wandin post a competitive total of 6/205.

The final wicket fell to Jackson Kneebone, who claimed the last scalp as Yarra Glen was bowled out for 130, securing Wandin a dominant win.

score moving along until he fell in the 22nd over for a very well-compiled 62. With 38 runs still needed but plenty of overs in hand the opposition would have been hoping to wrap up the tail, but Lusatia Park had other ideas, with the next wicket not falling until 132 leaving Stuey and Dutchy to get the 2nd XI over the line winning by 4 wickets and with 11 overs to spare, Stuey n.o.13 and Dutchy n.o.10 in a great team effort.

With our 1st & 2nd XI sides being unable to play their home games at Woori Yallock due to an unsafe surface, the 3rd XI are playing some games at Wesburn’s second oval. Lusatia Park hosted Mooroolbark, won the toss and sent them in. They lost their first wicket at 13, caught behind by wicketkeeper Brendan Sharman off the bowling of Lee Philpot. Lusatia Park then picked up two more wickets at 43 and 47 both going to Vanhorick in successive overs 2 and 3, one bowled and the other again caught behind. The Mooroolbark batters then staged a big comeback putting on a fourth wicket partnership of 106 until the wily old veteran Colin Voigt came on and in his third over picked up the wicket of Gray for 44 caught by Simon Amore. Not to be satisfied with just one wicket, in his very next over with just 10 added to the score got his second wicket clean.

Lusatia Park Cricket Club results. (File)

Jarrod Dobson in action for Wandin’s 1st XI. (Supplied)

Brothers Jackson and Asher Lehman playing together for the first time in the opening round for U12-3’s. (Supplied)