Mail - Upper Yarra Star Mail - 17th December 2024

Rod’s legacy to live on

By Callum Ludwig

After 51 years, including 39 as a principal, a stalwart of education in the Upper Yarra is giving it up as this school year comes to a close.

Millwarra Primary School Principal Rod Barnard is retiring, having taught throughout the Valley and even as far as Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory throughout his career.

Mr Barnard said he’s very excited because he believes it’s time.

“Sometimes people might come to the end of their career and they might be feeling like they don’t know whether it’s time to stop or not and I just feel this is a perfect time for us, it’s time for my wife as well, for both of us to be able to enjoy ourselves together,” he said.

“We’ve got seven kids, so there’s plenty of time to spend there with our kids and then we’ve got eight grandchildren, so that’ll give us time to spend lots of time with them and any new ones that might come along.”

Turn to page 11 for more

Station’s history

By Dongyun Kwon

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the closure of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station.

Coranderrk was central to the history of Victorian First Nations communities as it was one of the six aboriginal reserves that were established in Victoria to save First Nations people from extinction.

The establishment of Coranderrk affected other Aboriginal communities in Victoria and five more reserves were set up across the state.

After getting through a hard period, Coranderrk Aboriginal Station was officially closed down in 1924.

In the 1990s, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation purchased the property of the part of Coranderrk and handed it over to Wandoon Es-

tate Aboriginal Corporation (WEAC), which was set up to manage the property run by the Wandin family, the descendants of Robert Wandin who was one of the leaders of the Coranderrk residents as well as the nephew of Willam Barak.

WEAC has managed the Coranderrk since then, aiming to keep the legacy of the ancestors of the Coranderrk in the reconciliation movement.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the closure of the Aboriginal Station, Star Mail decided to delve into the history of Coranderrk. Star Mail interviewed three Coranderrk residents’ descendants, David Wandin and Brooke Wandin who are the great-grandchildren of Robert Wandin as well as Healesville grown man Andrew Peters, who is an associate professor of Indigenous Studies at Swinburne University. Turn to pages 14 and 15 for more

L-R: Andy Bennett, Rod Barnard and Skye Clarke of Millwara Primary School. (Stewart Chambers: 448104)

Snakes biting pets

By Callum Ludwig

A frightening number of pets in the Upper Yarra are presenting to vets in the local area following snake bite incidents.

Between the co-owned Seville Veterinary Clinic and Yarra Valley Veterinary Surgery in Yarra Junction, between one and three snake bite cases have been presenting each week for almost two months and there have been a few fatalities.

Dr Tyler Napper-Martinus is a veterinary surgeon at the Yarra Valley Veterinary Surgery and said they are getting one or two snake bites a week, especially at the Yarra Junction clinic right near the Warburton Trail.

“Some will present in the more acute scenario where clients will come in knowing that their dogs have been with a snake and other times it’s just suspected based on the dogs not doing quite well and then we suspect that a snake bite has occurred, but certainly we’re seeing them very frequently at this time of year,” she said.

“Unfortunately, even despite our best efforts with anti-venom, which is the treatment of choice, some do not survive depending on how much the animal has been envenomated, their prognosis can vary quite widely,”

“Typically the survival rate of an animal which

has been given all the treatment is about 70-80 per cent, Cats are a lot higher at about 90 per cent and without treatment, the survival rate is about 30 per cent so it very much increases the chance of pets surviving if we give it the appropriate treatment.”

The best course of action when a pet has been bitten by or is believed to have been bitten by a snake is to head immediately to a vet clinic for an assessment. If the clinic is convinced the pet has been bitten, they will administer anti-venom and potentially Vitamin C in addition to help with inflammation.

Dr Napper-Martinus said they have to have a very high indication of a snake bite, such as clinical signs being displayed, to administer antivenom.

“The anti-venom is $2000, we give two vials and it’s $1000 each so we want to make sure that we’re doing the right thing prior to doing that, clinical signs can be vomiting, collapse and then recovery, excessive drooling, a dazed demeanour about the animal and obviously if it’s been seen with a snake that increases the likelihood dramatically,” she said.

“We get everything ready for catheterisation so we have intravenous access, it depends on how badly the animal has been infected, whether

they’re recumbent and sometimes they can present recumbent and collapse and that changes things, but the most typical thing is we get blood and we run coagulation times to see whether or not these are prolonged, in the case of a snake bite, it affects their ability to coagulate their blood, so those will be increased,”

“We also run another test called CK (Creatine kinase) which is a marker of tissue injury, so if that’s really high, that indicates a snake bite and that gives us an indication to give antivenom.”

Snakes are likely to be obscured from view in long grass, under things like tarps, sheet metal, or wood lying about, or they can end up in and under homes.

Dr Napper-Martinus said they highly recommend keeping dogs on leads when walking along local trails.

“Don’t let them go off lead because when they’re running through the bushland that’s when they can potentially step on a snake, we’ve also seen two cases in the last few weeks of animals running through a river and so if they go along that riverbed that’s where snakes can be as well, even later in the day,” she said.

“Keeping your dogs on a lead and trying to avoid really high-density bushland is the way to go.”

IN BRIEF

Join the Yarra Ranges CCTV register CCTV footage can be the difference in police solving a criminal incident and not. That’s why the Yarra Ranges Neighbourhood Policing is seeking registration from residents and business owners who have CCTV fitted to their property.

By having a database of the CCTV cameras in the Yarra Ranges, police hope this can work towards ascertaining identities and information about suspected crimes or piecing together a timeline faster and more effectively.

As the summer holidays approach, it’s the perfect opportunity to register CCTV with Victoria Police, taking just a couple of minutes to do so. All that is required is the camera address, business name (if applicable), name of camera owner, contact phone number, email address, CCTV Location/Coverage ie: Cam 1, driveway, facing street north-west and storage time (roughly how long a video stays on the system).

If you have CCTV cameras installed and are willing to assist police when required, please email the above details to YARRARANGES-CPO-OIC@police.vic.gov.au

Julian Williams wanted on warrant

Julian Charles Williams is wanted on warrant. The 52-year-old is wanted on warrant for several offences.

He is described as having an olive complexion with brownish coloured wavy hair. He was last known to frequent the Warburton area.

Wandin North armed robbery

The Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit is appealing for further information in relation to an armed robbery that occurred between 8pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday 4 September 2024 at a business premises in the Wandin North Shopping precinct.

Investigators wish to speak to witnesses with information relating to this incident, the person depicted below or in relation to anyone seen acting suspiciously in the area at that time. Information recently provided to investigators has assisted with compiling this digital face image of the offender, which is said to be of an excellent likeness.

Anyone with information please contact Yarra Ranges Criminal Investigation Unit on (03) 97392300 or Crimestoppers 1800 333 000. Anyone who sights Mr Williams or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

The Yarra Valley Veterinary Surgery and Seville Veterinary Clinic have seen between one and three snake bite cases a week for almost two months. (Callum Ludwig : 449916)

Police have released this digital image of a suspect in a Wandin North armed robbery, believed to be an ‘excellent likeness’. (EyewatchYarra Ranges Police Service Area)

Security measures to remain

By Callum Ludwig

Once again the question has been asked of Yarra Ranges Council to consider cutting down on security spending, this time as a potential cost-saving measure.

Stan Giles put forward a question to the council at the final council meeting of the year on Tuesday 10 December as to whether the security, implemented after Council meetings were shut down in 2023.

Mr Giles said we mustn’t have a lot of unruly ratepayers out there and it’s the only council in Victoria that needs guards and pre-registration.

“Some time ago, over a year ago, we had a very rowdy group of people who were a bit hot-headed and very threatening and as a result the Chamber got cleared and we had this barrier in from this requirement to pre-register and guards,” he said.

“Since then, we often have more people in the Chamber and officers than we have in the gallery so we’re actually outnumbered, but having said all that, my major thing was Councillor Child’s first acceptance speech he said he was trying to cut the costs and I was just looking at the costs of the guards, the requirement of the guards and the requirement to register,”

“When exactly will the security guards at the council meeting be removed and the barrier in the chamber taken down and if this will not happen what is the business case to justify the continued drain on ratepayers and the return on investment… this is only a thing that affects councillors… the general public won’t be disadvantaged other than they might be able to attend without registering and you benefit from free input from your ratepayers, the people who are actually experiencing the results of your decisions.”

The gallery of Yarra Ranges Council meetings was closed for two and a half months between Thursday 20 April and Tuesday 11 July 2023 after two meetings were adjourned due to ‘verbal abuse, intimidation and anti-social behaviour’.

Yarra Ranges Council introduced an attendance registration and identification check due the day before any Council meeting, with options for attendees to fill out an attendance form online, call the Council’s customer service team or speak with a customer service representative at one of the Community Links throughout the region.

Attendees must provide their first and last name, home address, phone number and email address to register, and upon arrival must present valid identification such as a driver’s license, passport or ID card which will be checked against their registration.

A physical barrier between the Council round-

table and the gallery seating was also implemented and security guards were hired for meetings from Tuesday 14 February 2023 onwards.

Acting Director of Corporate Services at Yarra Ranges Council Ben Waterhouse responded to Mr Giles and said Council takes the health and safety of staff, councillors and community members with the utmost seriousness.

“So the return on investment or the benefits are reflected in the safe and respectful environment of

council meetings, which we all enjoy this evening, which is a fundamental responsibility of council,” he said.

“The engagement of external security and the installation of the security barrier as you pointed out for public meetings is a standard operating procedure to help ensure council meets its obligations to conduct an orderly and safe meeting,”

“I can confirm that there are no plans to remove the security guards or the barrier at this stage, the

utilization of security in the barrier is approved within management and executive oversight, including business case consideration at the time of which it was implemented.”

At the Tuesday 27 April 2023 Yarra Ranges Council meeting, Yarra Ranges Council confirmed in a response to a question from the public that the Council had spent $12,600 on security costs in the time between that meeting and the 14 February 2023 meeting when security guards were first hired.

Council ‘financially strangled’ by declining support

By Mikayla van Loon

Talk of ‘eroded’ fiscal climates for local governments have recently been aired in discussions within the council chamber, government inquiries and as major concerns during council elections.

Putting figures to these concerns, former Yarra Ranges Council mayor and economics degree holder Tony Stevenson presented the straining financial outlook for municipalities at the Tuesday 10 December council meeting.

Mr Stevenson said essentially the council is “financially strangled” meaning “our whole community suffers”.

Quantifying the declining financial support from the State and Federal Government, Mr Stevenson said “our community needs to understand the financial stress that council faces in serving our community’s future needs”.

“We are fortunate to live in a wealthy nation with a progressive taxation system…The federal government is very much progressing its tax take,” he said.

“In fact, they’re now commanding over 80 per cent of all taxes collected, and they’re growing them at 11.4 per cent per annum over the last four years up to the end of June 2023.

“State Government tax is doing something very similar, 11.1 per cent, but across Australia, local governments have been running at a much lower rate, 3.7 per cent and much, much lower than that in Victoria due to rate capping.”

Local governments typically provide over 100 services to its communities, from sport pavilions to road maintenance, libraries and parks, rubbish collection and environmental protection.

“The Federal Government is very good at collecting taxes but it doesn’t deliver many services.

Instead, it shares revenue with state and local governments for local service delivery.”

Based on the council’s last budget, Mr Stevenson said it was predicted that operating grants would only grow at 1.75 per cent per annum - a figure not even keeping pace with inflation.

“I realise that’s a projection from the council, but that’s based on learned history that there’s not very much money. 1.75 per cent is less than inflation. It means going backwards in real terms, which really is simply not acceptable,” he said.

Because of the 2.75 per cent rate cap, based on projections of CPI Consumer Price Index, “costs are growing faster than the rate cap” making the council’s major projects and upkeep of infrastructure a harder task.

“So while the council income is throttled to CPI, the actual cost of capital works has been growing faster than CPI, the real cost of capital works has increased by an average of 4.5 per cent over the past four years.

“And 64 per cent of council expenditure is affected by this. Capital works, roads, drains, footpaths, building and property maintenance are all being hit by that 4.5 per cent increase.

“So the facts demonstrate the council is expected to do more with less.”

Mr Stevenson said if you look at the most recent granting of $5.7 million to upgrade the Don Road sports pavilion in Healesville, it shows what could be achieved if higher levels of government worked with councils on funding arrangements.

Despite this, Mr Stevenson said “the federal government is simply giving us back a small fraction of their massive tax take”.

“Our community needs the Federal Government to provide more permanent funding indexed to real

costs for local projects and infrastructure.”

With projects like the Snowy 2.0 project reaching a cost of $12 billion in August 2023, six times the original estimated value, as well as Federal funding being pulled for road resurfacing projects across the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia, Mr Stevenson said when councils can manage and execute projects, “local government actually spends money well, not perfectly, but well”.

“And the less tax the Federal Government returns to council, the more the burden falls on taxpayers.”

When asked what should or needs to be done, Mr Stevenson said even a return to the system of 2000, where “one per cent of federal tax collection was diverged to local government for local investment” would make a significant difference. Mr Stevenson said with Federal elections ahead in 2025 it is up to all community members not just councils “to put pressure on those making the decisions in Canberra” and as candidates announce themselves to “politely seek a commitment that more of our tax dollars are reinvested back in our local community”.

Police presence at the 31 January 2023 Yarra Ranges Council meeting. (File)

Talk of a ’strangled’ financial situation was aired in the council chamber by Tony Stevenson on 10 December. (Supplied)

Second stage of upgrade

By Dongyun Kwon

The two-year road rehabilitation works approved by Yarra Ranges Councillors last year have entered into the next stage.

Maddens Lane, Gruyere/Coldstream from Maroondah Highway to Medhurst Road was listed under the Roads Rehabilitation and Renewal Program within the Yarra Ranges Council Capital Expenditure Program with allocated funding of $2,573,600 across two financial years; 2023/2024 ($1,023,600) and 2024/2025 ($1,550,000).

For the second stage of the rehabilitation works for Maddens Lane, Gruyere/Coldstream from Maroondah Highway to Medhurst Road, Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) sought quotations for road construction and associated works.

Following a detailed evaluation process, the evaluation panel was unanimous in their decision to recommend TDM Earthworks as the successful panellists for Maddens Lane, Coldstream Road Rehabilitation Stage 2.

During the council meeting on Tuesday 10 December, Yarra Ranges councillors endorsed it as recommended by the evaluation panel.

Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister said she was happy to move the recommendation to improve road conditions.

“We have hundreds of kilometres of roads, and many of these, I would call them highway arterial roads,” she said.

“As the nature of use within tourism, visitation and development grows, being able to rehabilitate or even seal some of these roads is going to become even more pressing for us.”

Yarra Ranges Council accepted the quotation from TDM Earthworks for Maddens Lane, Coldstream Road Rehabilitation Stage 2 with the total lump sum price of $894,550.69 (exclusive of GST and inclusive of provisional sums), ($984,005.76 inclusive of GST and inclusive of provisional sums).

The council also approved the Built Environment and Infrastructure director to be delegated the authority to sign the contract documents.

Yarra Ranges Councillors discussed the Maddens Lane, Coldstream Road Rehabilitation Stage 2. (Stewart Chambers: 449764)

Debate on planning permit

By Dongyun Kwon

A Gruyere resident raised concerns about a proposed winery development at 23 Maddens Lane, Gruyere during the council meeting.

Jacqui Patterson attended the meeting on Tuesday 10 December and expressed her concerns regarding the issue to the Yarra Ranges councillors.

Ms Patterson said the major concern she had was the lack of details regarding the proposed winery operations located near her house.

“There’s no information as to what the additional winery operational hours would be, outside of the proposed cellar door hours. This would be in addition to the cellar door opening hours (which will cause) additional noise, lighting, dust, pollution, forklifts, trucks, deliveries all along an unsealed gravel driveway that runs alongside, within metres of our home,” she said.

“There’s no safety report to demonstrate how the cellar door would be accessed via the existing and acute ramp that goes down to an underground cellar, which has a retractable door that you have to retract in order to be able to get machinery or a forklift down under the actual building.

“There’s no reference to the number of employees and staff parking. Is this in addition to the visitor parking that’s in the submission and the owner’s parking, who lives there? It also has a B and B (bed and breakfast) opportunity which would also introduce more cars onto the site.”

Ms Patterson also claimed she doubted if it fits the definition of winery.

“In this proposed winery, it stated that they’re not going to make wine on site. To meet the definition of a winery, they’ll grow grapes, bottle the wine and store the barrels on the property, so (it’s) not a full winery offering,” she said.

“I wanted to flag there’s no information in the application to explain how this proposed hobby winery will operate as a new use in an existing

space.

“There’s no information to demonstrate if the space is fit for purpose that meets today’s standard of key winery activity.”

After the objector’s five-minute submission, the supporter of the planning permit application Mandy Edwards explained the details about the application.

Although the site was not operational for many years, Ms Edwards said the building on site was purposely built as a cellar door and winery, thus the proposed usefully accords with the definition of winery.

“The primary use of the land remains committed to agriculture, namely, viticulture. There are already 1.2 hectares of vines on-site and a further half hectares of vines, and the application intends to plant an amount after the cellar door is operational and the funds permit,” she said.

“The plans from 1980 with the Shire of Lilydale stamp show a public tasting room and cellar door. The proposed works for this building are minimal with the intent of enhancing visitor experience for the new winery.

“The application seeks to reinvigorate the former use under the existing registered name.”

Ms Edwards said they have worked closely with the planning officer, and the applicant has been agreeable to all alterations.

“The cellar door is small scale. It’s limited to 20 patrons at any one time, and the conditioned operating hours of 10am to 5pm Thursday to Sunday are extremely modest,” she said.

“The small second dwelling is also wholly in accordance with policy requirements.

“The State Government commentary around this use is that it gives families more housing choices, boosts housing supply and that anyone can live in or rent out a small second home.

“There are no negative environmental impacts as a result of the proposal, the land capability assessment demonstrating that wastewater can be retained on site.”

After submissions from both sides, Chirnside Ward councillor Richard Higgins asked a question regarding the definition of the winery and cellar door and whether it’s going to be a problem.

Yarra Ranges Council planning and building manager Amanda Kern answered the question.

“This proposal does not establish a new interpretation or application of the use of a winery as a defined use in the planning scheme, and officers have established this is a winery in accordance with the Yarra Ranges planning scheme,” she said.

Instead of being in favour of one side, Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister proposed the alternate motion with additional permit conditions, which accepted opinions from the both sides.

Four conditions proposed by Cr McAllister

are as follows;

At all times, all vehicles associated with the winery use of the land must enter and exit the site in a forward direction.

Without the prior consent of the responsible authority, all commercial vehicles associated with the winery use must not exceed Austroads 8.8m MRV (Medium Rigid Vehicle).

All commercial vehicle delivery associated with the winery use of the land must only occur after 7am and outside the operating hours of cellar door unless with the prior written consent of the responsible authority.

All designated cellar door car parking spaces must be unoccupied at any time that commercial deliveries are occurring unless with the prior written consent of the responsible authority.

The alternate motion with four conditions was carried unanimously.

23 Maddens Lane, Gruyere. (File: 417842)

Rates still stay on hold

By Poppy Johnston, AAP

Green shoots are appearing for mortgage holders as the Reserve Bank of Australia sees more signs inflationary pressures are easing.

While keeping the cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent on Tuesday, the central bank board made a more dovish pivot than most economists were expecting, improving the chances of a February cut.

Borrowers have been keenly awaiting interest rate easing, with the peak union body on Monday urging the RBA to act quickly to take pressure off working people with mortgages.

While governor Michele Bullock said neither a cut nor a hike were explicitly discussed at the two-day board meeting, she confirmed a deliberate shift in language to reflect “mixed” economic data “that was, on balance, a bit softer than we had expected”.

“This has given the board some confidence that inflationary pressures are declining, but risks remain,’ she said in the post-meeting statement.

“The board needs to be confident that inflation is moving sustainably towards the target,” she added.

“And for this to occur, we need to see more progress on underlying inflation coming down.”

Australia’s economic growth report for September undershot expectations, as did wage growth.

Moody’s Analytics economist Harry Murphy Cruise highlighted a “considerable shift in tone” at the December meeting, including the disappearance of the phrase “not ruling anything in or out”.

“Ironically, that omission effectively rules out a hike,” he said.

With another interest rate increase off the table and a dovish pivot under way, Mr Murphy Cruise said the inflation fight was entering its

final stages.

While still of the view May is the most likely time for easing to begin, there were indications it could come sooner.

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said the RBA “should” start cutting in February but was sticking with his May call, for now.

“As a result of weak growth and ongoing evidence of falling underlying inflation we think the RBA should be cutting sooner rather than later, ie, in February,” he said.

“But while the RBA has become more dovish, it still doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to cut as it waits for some more confidence ‘that inflation is moving sustainably towards target’.”

After the decision, money markets were more optimistic about a February cut, pricing in a 65 per cent chance and nearly two cuts priced in by May.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the RBA board’s improving confidence in the inflation outlook and said price pressures had been the government’s focus.

“I’ve been focused on my job, which is fighting inflation without ignoring the very substantial risks to growth,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said it was clear the economy was “sick”.

“It’s very clear from the statement that came from the Reserve Bank today that underlying inflation remains too high,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock speaks to media during a press conference in Sydney, Tuesday 10 December. (AAP Image/Steven Saphore)

Donate laptops for students

By Callum Ludwig

A Yarra Ranges resident involved with the Les Twentyman Foundation has made a passionate plea to Yarra Ranges Council to help improve opportunities for local youth.

Lilydale resident Ray Cooper made a submission at the Tuesday 10 December council meeting to talk about his recycling laptops for schools initiative.

Mr Cooper said he has had a connection to the Les Twentyman Foundation for eight years, first with their Christmas toy appeals and later providing laptops for youngsters.

“We’re trying to get laptops now for the local schools, but the children can’t afford a laptop, there are lots of families here with parents who can’t work too much because it’s hard getting jobs in the country and they often get their food from food banks, but they have got children and they all need help,” he said.

“My first choice was the Upper Yarra Secondary School (sic College) where there are many students without a laptop, every student needs a laptop if they’re going to succeed and they should not feel second best in the classroom because they don’t have a laptop and they have to share it.”

Mr Cooper called on Yarra Ranges Council to donate their service laptops to local schools when they are replaced.

Mr Cooper said he is also inviting Yarra Ranges Council to become leaders by donating their service laptops when they replace them to local schools and show there are large businesses that can make a difference.

“This may be what is needed to get the attention of all companies to assign one person in their company to look where their old laptops are actually going because giving to a charity might seem good, they say to me ‘Oh we’re already giving to a charity’ but I get an email every few weeks offering me, as I’m involved in a charity with Wandin Seniors, they

offer me laptops at $500 each for Windows and up to $1000 for Apple and these are the laptops that have come from donations from companies,” he said.

“For Upper Yarra Secondary College’s 700 students, the only requirement is to have a laptop with access to the web, all they want is a laptop with one icon, that’s all they need, they don’t want (Microsoft) Office or anything like that, no expense, they just want an icon so everyone can share the same data,”

“You make it simple and it’s simple to implement and run, they share laptops in schools but some go home without laptops, you can share it in school but the boy who’s got the laptop and he’s sharing, he takes home his laptop and the other boy gets nothing.”

Mr Cooper has had donations of 50 Apple lap-

tops from Live Nation and 22 laptops from the Civil Infrastructure Group (CIG) group already and he will be supplying a further 16 laptops to Upper Yarra Secondary College by the end of January next year.

Streeton Ward Councillor Jeff Marriot said he used to have a professional relationship with Les Twentyman and said what Mr Cooper is doing now is very honourable.

“I was privy to Les’s idea of supplying school books, textbooks to students that had no resources whatsoever and that was going back in 2003 to 2004 so I’m 100 per cent supportive of what you’re doing there,” he said.

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child asked Yarra Ranges Council chief executive Tammi Rose to note the presentation and give some indication to Mr Cooper on ‘Council’s procurement and disposal of these types of items’ and what may benefit him,

Merry Christmas from the Star Mail team!

Well this brings us to the end of another full year - one with everything from environmental challenges, community initiatives and unfortunately, some tragic news too.

But each story we tell, we hope enriches the community and leads to a better informed Yarra Ranges.

None of this would be possible, however, without the ongoing support for our six newspapers, from the readers who pick up a paper copy every week, to the subscribers, advertisers and contributors - local news wouldn’t be able to exist as it does in our communities without you.

As another year draws to a close, the team at Star Mail wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season with family and friends.

We will be taking a break over the Christmas period and so this will be the last edition of 2024 until our return in early January.

The office will also be closed from Thursday 19 December until Thursday 2 January.

We look forward to bringing you the heartwarming community stories and hard hitting news from Tuesday 7 January with the return of our print editions.

Take care of each other, stay safe if travelling over the New Year period and best wishes for 2025.

The team can’t wait to hear from you when we come back!

- Mikayla van Loon, News Editor

which Ms Rose confirmed they would.

Billanook Ward Councillor Tim Heenan said to Mr Cooper that there will be conversations about his submission, he has no doubt.

“I don’t like to see anything destroyed and I used to be in the business of making printed circuit boards many years ago, and I know that there’s a lot of valuable material in there, we do not ever want to see it in landfill if it can be it can be used in such a more special way in going back into the system, particularly for children,” he said.

“I know only too well there are families out there that cannot afford laptops, let alone school books that require or even all of the dress for their children so it’s a fantastic thing that you’re doing, I admire you and I wish you all the success in the future.”

Ray Cooper wants Yarra Ranges Council to consider how they can donate their used laptops to local students in need. (File)

team Tanya Steele, Andrew Kwon, Kerrie Hollis, Stewart Chambers, Callum Ludwig, Gabriella Vukman, Shamsiya Hussainpoor, Tracey Aitken and Mikayla van Loon.

Celebrating top achievers

By Callum Ludwig

VCE students around the state eagerly awaited their results on Thursday 12 December after a long year of studying and exams.

ATARs were accessible from the morning and will hopefully open many exciting avenues for all local students, including those of Upper Yarra Secondary College (UYSC)

The Star Mail contacted Year 12 Level Leader Kate Feagan to help celebrate some of UYSC’s top achievers for 2024.

The top four scores at UYSC this year were achieved by Jacinta Tait (College Dux with an ATAR of 86.8), Ameilia Kuth (84.15), Hannah Lindner (81.25) and Talei Whiteside (80.3).

There was a few nerves before the release of results.

(A bit nervous before and excited, after they were released, I was happy to know that I got the ATAR that I needed to get into the course I want to do,” Talei said.

“(I felt) fine, a bit nervous and a bit excited, I was curious, I was happy afterwards because I got the ATAR needed. I have the Monash guarantee, so it was good to know that I had done enough to get that,” Jacinta said.

“It got to the day before and I was like OMG I am going to find out how I went. I was really nervous and anxious. After I was relieved, I knew what I needed for my course and I scored over that so I am feeling confident I will get my first or second preference,” Ameilia said.

“I felt nothing. I wasn’t nervous, maybe a little bit scared because I really had no clue how I was going to go. I thought I was going to get around a 65 ATAR so I was pleasantly surprised,” Hannah said.

All four of the students were proud of their efforts.

“Yes, I am very proud of my year because I was able to successfully balance study and life and get the results I wanted,” Talei said.

“Yeah, I feel really proud. I got the score I wanted to and it has made all the effort that I put in worth it. I am proud of myself for not letting Year 12 and study consume me and finding a good school-life balance,” Jacinta said.

“Yeah, the effort has paid off because in the end, I will get one of my top two choices (Monash or Melbourne). Maybe a little too much stressing but definitely worth it,” Ameilia said.

“Yep of course I am proud. The hard work was worth it. I feel like I put in lots of extra effort this year and it was nice for it to pay off,” Hannah said.

All four have big plans and further study in their futures.

“Hoping to move to Geelong to do Occupational Therapy at Deakin in 2025 and I hope to become a Paediatric OT in the future,” Talei said.

“I am going to do a Bachelor of Science at Monash (Advanced Research) in 2025 and the plan is to continue with my study at get a PHD and do research related to Biology or Chemistry because they are the areas I am most interested in,” Jacinta said.

“Take a gap year and travel, I have a holiday planned to Queensland and I want to study a Bachelor Agriculture at Melbourne and then apply for the Doctrine of Veterinary Medicine. Melbourne University offered me the NARRM Schol-

arship ($6500 per year towards my degree and a contribution of $20,000 to on-campus living each year). Overall my goal is to become a Veterinarian, specialising in a mix of small and large animals,” Ameilia said.

“Cert 4 in VET Nursing, with a focus on Equine at The Australia College of Applied Animal Studies and also a Bachelor of Equine Business Management through Marcus Oldham. My dream is to run my own riding school and agistment and utilise my skills as a VET nurse,” Hannah said.

All four were grateful to their teachers and people close to them for all their support in a big year.

“I want to thank my teachers for all of the extra support and effort that they put into my educa-

tion to help me achieve my goals as well as my family,” Talei said.

“I want to thank my teachers, particularly Ms Feagan, Ms Timoney, Mr Thomas and Ms Arnold who helped me navigate Year 12. I also want to thank my parents and friends for their support,” Jacinta said.

“Thank my teachers for all of their help as well as my parents and my partner, Chris for all of their support,” Ameilia said.

“I want to thank my teachers, in particular Mr. Gray for not letting me drop out. I also want to thank my good friend Talei for supporting me from preschool to now and the Year 12 team for their ongoing support and never-ending supply of chocolates during study sessions,” Hannah said.

New play area lasting legacy for local students

By Dongyun Kwon

Chum Creek Primary School

junior students have received a new play area thanks to senior students and Bunnings Croydon.

On Thursday 12 December, two Bunnings Croydon activity organisers came to the school to refurbish the junior students’ play area.

They painted new lines for a downball square and a hopscotch as well as a big flower with numbers to help juniors learn numeracy.

The project idea was come up by the senior students who wanted to present a gift to the juniors.

School captain Violet said education support staff Sharon White told her about the Bunnings’ legacy project.

“Juniors got overwhelmed when they played with the big kids up in our big court,” she said.

“They had these squares in their little area but they just put them with duct tape and they always peeled them up.

“We thought it would be great if we could make a private area where the only juniors were allowed to play downball.”

Bunnings offers a number of different programs to support communities, and the legacy project is one of those programs.

Bunnings Croydon activity or-

ganiser Ali Allan said the legacy project aims to offer a legacy that Grade 6 or Year 12 students could leave behind for the next students.

“It could be a tree or a downball court for junior kids,” she said.

‘It’s pretty much up to the students, and it’s really highly led by the students.

“Bunnings just comes in to donate all the products and offer our help.”

Education support staff Sharon White said she had worked for the Bunnings and knew about the Bunnings’ legacy project.

“Downball is a huge part of this school,” she said.

“This is an amazing opportunity and a great legacy for the kids to leave for the younger kids to help them move up.”

Chum Creek Primary School principal Michael Corr was pleased to see his students look out for each other.

“Our graduating senior students have decided to refurbish a play area for our junior students as a parting gift,” he said.

“This reflects well on the caring approach we encourage in our students at Chum Creek Primary School.

L-R: Ameilia Kuth, Jacinta Tait, Talei Whiteside and Hannah Lindner. (Supplied)

Emily with the number mould. (Stewart Chambers: 449587)

Violet (left) and Olive (right) with Bunnings Croydon activity organiser Ali (middle). (Stewart Chambers: 449587)

(L-R) Ali and Georgia from Bunnings Croydon with students Teddy, Gwen, Violet, Olive, Navanna and Emily. (Stewart Chambers: 449587)

From alps to the ocean

By Mikayla van Loon

After setting off on a challenge to travel the length of the Murray River, from alps to ocean, in one day two female pilots have returned successful in their quest.

Taking flight on 29 November, Yarra Valley pilots Delia Jones and Theresa MacDonald left from Benalla at dawn and headed to Indi Springs to begin their official flight path.

They then followed the course of the river all the way down to Goolwa in South Australia.

“We are delighted that we managed to complete the flight on our first attempt. The weather cleared for just long enough,” Theresa said.

“We flew for nine hours and were greeted in Goolwa by a group of women pilots, who had arranged a celebratory evening at the airfield.”

Initially planning to return the following day, Theresa said unfortunately the weather wasn’t safe to do so but they “were pleased to have an extra day of rest”.

Doing all of this as part of the International Dawn to Dusk Challenge, the successful completion of their alps to ocean flight means Delia and Theresa are in the running to be crowned competition winners once entries close in September 2025.

And of course, while testing their flying skills and ability to achieve such a lengthy trip was a large part, Theresa and Delia also had people in mind as they were completing their challenge.

Two dear friends, Helen and Marjy, who embarked on pilot training with the two women some 20 years ago, sadly died of cancer and it was their memory which led to this challenge and charitable fundraising.

“The charity that we’re raising money for, a lot of people haven’t heard of, it doesn’t give medical advice but it gives peer support to women who come through cancer,” Theresa said in November. Counterpart, sloganed by ‘women supporting women with cancer’, provides a community and support to women who have all been through a form of cancer or are going through it.

Hoping to raise $5000 for the charity, the pilot team was able to do just that, presenting it to the organisation upon return.

“On Tuesday (3 December) we presented Counterpart with a cheque for $5000 at their end of year morning tea,” Theresa said.

51 years of dedication

By Callum Ludwig

A stalwart of education in the Upper Yarra is giving it up as this school year comes to a close.

Millwarra Primary School Principal Rod Barnard is retiring after 51 years in education, 39 of which he served as a principal.

Mr Barnard said he’s very excited because he believes it’s time.

“Sometimes people might come to the end of their career and they might be feeling like they don’t know whether it’s time to stop or not and I just feel this is a perfect time for us, it’s time for my wife as well, for both of us to be able to enjoy ourselves together,” he said.

“We’ve got seven kids, so there’s plenty of time to spend there with our kids and then we’ve got eight grandchildren, so that’ll give us time to spend lots of time with them and any new ones that might come along.”

Mr Barnard’s career has spanned from the western suburbs like Sunbury, Sunshine and Altona before teaching on Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory. He moved to the Yarra Valley 36 years ago, starting at St Joseph’s in Yarra Junction where he spent a decade before three years at Bayswater Primary School. Following that he was the principal at Gruyere Primary School for six years before finally ending up at Millwarra where he spent the last 18 years of his career.

Reflecting on his career, Mr Barnard said he always had a special place for helping children who were underprivileged, as well as the memories of a number of people and the families he’s met over

time.

“Bathurst Island was an Aboriginal community, I was the principal up there for two years and there were about 400 kids in the school up there, so that was an exciting time and we had lots of visitors up there because it was a bilingual school, and I had the privilege of actually having morning tea with (former Prime Minister) Gough Whitlam.

“But up here, it’s just being up in the Valley because it’s just a fabulous place to be, people come up in and they say ‘What a beautiful place’ and you say ‘We live here’ and we’re lucky because we live in this absolutely gorgeous place,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot to do with lots of families throughout that time, I’ve enjoyed all of that and I think people are the most important thing in the world, you can hang your hat on sometimes on things you’ve built or things you’ve done but I think I’d like to hang my hat on the fact that I’ve built relationships with people, with families, kids and staff, because that’s where schools really happen.”

Mr Barnard’s role as Millwarra’s principal is unique, with it being spread out across both its Millgrove and East Warburton campuses.

Mr Barnard said you can’t have a good school without a good staff.

“If they work together, care about each other, you have each other’s back and you’re only as good as the school next door, so you’ve got to build a good relationship with those schools around you and if you don’t do that, then you’re going to fail,” he said.

“I went to boarding school, I was at the As-

sumption (College) in Kilmore and there was a teacher there who was really influential, he was an absolutely lovely fellow, he cared and he really understood what was going on,”

“He pinpointed things in each student and he looked at them and helped them and supported them and when I looked at that, I thought, that’s what I want to do because I can see it’s going to make a difference.”

Mr Barnard also hopes to do some travel in his retirement, particularly around Australia which he hasn’t done for some time.

Mr Barnard said teaching is a matter of making connections.

“Teaching is about making connections with kids, making connections with your peers and with your colleagues at school, if you want a career and you want to be interested in making a difference in kids lives, interested in making a career where you enjoy the place that you come to you, where you want to get up in the morning and come to school because you love being there with your family at school, that’s to me what it is,” he said.

“They can talk about all the curriculum things and whether they’re good at teaching literacy or teaching numeracy and everything else but if you can’t make connections and you can’t work with your colleagues then you really can’t teach properly,”

“It’s a great career and I’ve got a couple of my children who are in the career and I think it’s just fabulous that they’ll be able to continue on with that.”

Delia Jones and Theresa MacDonald mid flight from alps to ocean. (Supplied)

Andy Bennett (left) gets one last laugh with ‘bunny ears’ over the head of retiring Millwarra Primary School Principal Rod Barnard. (Stewart Chambers: 448104)

Hairpin Banksia at dire risk

By Callum Ludwig

New research published in the Australian Journal of Botany has identified a common plant of the Yarra Ranges that could be wiped from the landscape by more frequent and severe bushfires.

The Hairpin Banksia (Banksia cunninghamii), an upright shrub with rounded orange-yellow and black bottlebrush flowers, has been found to be at risk of extinction in parts of Victoria should it be subjected to bushfires impacting a region within a 12-year span.

Arthur Rylah Institute scientist Annette Muir said populations of Hairpin Banksia in Victoria are declining as climate change drives more frequent, severe and widespread fires.

“ARI has conducted research on the species in East Gippsland following the 2019-2020 wildfires,” she said.

“Results showed the Hairpin Banksia species faced significant challenges to regenerate if fires occur at intervals of less than 12 years apart or if fire severity is high - hindering plants from developing seeds or destroying the seeds.”

The banksia do have a natural regeneration process in the wake of fire, their woody fruits open up when heated by fire and release seeds, but these seeds need around 12 years to mature and produce their own fruit and seeds. Researchers looked at 25 sites burned during Black Summer and only found Hairpin Banksia at sites where the plants were 12 years or older at the time of the fires.

Ms Muir said this research will add to the body of knowledge that supports FFMVic’s approach to planned burning.

“Specialist staff in both fire ecology and threatened species assess each potential burn site for biodiversity values, impacts on ecosystems and develop plans on how to best protect, maintain and enhance their resilience - informing forest fire management activities across the state,” she said.

According to Yarra Ranges Council’s Local Plant Directory, the Hairpin Banskia is ‘locally common within its preferred growing conditions’, preferring to grow in moist well-drained clay soils in open forests with full-sun or semi-shade exposure. They are also tolerant to frost.

Ms Muir said the banksia needs enough time between fires to produce seed but it does vary from site to site and some sites will produce seed earlier than that.

“When you do a survey, you look at many sites

and individual sites can vary, and some times areas in the upper Yarra Valley may produce a little sooner than East Gippsland,”

“The important thing is to have a patchwork of different-aged banksias, so then not everything is at risk at once,”

“The East Gippsland fires were unfortunately spread across the whole region and in the Upper Yarra and east of Melbourne, there’s more of a patchwork of different ages which is helpful in maintaining the banksia here,”

Ms Muir also highlighted the positive work of the Montrose Environmental Group in the Yarra Ranges, who have been growing and restoring some Hairpin Banksia plants in areas where they once were, as a positive example of active intervention.

Ms Muir said protecting plants like the hairpin

banksia is about caring for more than just the species itself.

“They provide nectar for animals like sugar gliders and honeyeaters, and they flower in autumn so they provide that nectar when there’s not many other things flowering, which I think just points to the fact that keeping diversity in our forests is important,” she said.

“As individuals, fire managers and land managers, we can only have so much influence, as climate change is driving more fire. There are a few years ahead of us (in East Gippsland) before the banksia plants are mature, so another bushfire would cause a severe impact.”

In the research paper, it is suggested that regenerating populations need to be protected from fire during their 12-year interval after a fire, conducting planned burns at appropriate intervals

to optimise the levels of regeneration, testing the effects of five severity on the seed cones, a concerted effort to conserve the genetic diversity of the species and considering the possibility of seed banking and restoration planting.

To practically achieve this, the authors of the paper suggest incorporating the hairpin banksia into planned burning operations and taking steps such as locating and mapping the remaining populations, monitoring the maturity of the plants, conducting planned burns when most plants in a population have seed cones and when the weather is not hot and dry to promote germination and survival, increasing the ‘patchiness’ of burns so not all plants in a population are burned at once and ongoing monitoring.

To find out more or read the whole paper, visit: publish.csiro.au/BT/BT24048.

Tree removal halted due to ongoing litigation battle

By Callum Ludwig

Hazardous tree removal works in the Central Highlights were temporarily halted due to the ongoing litigation brought against the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) by Warburton Environment Inc.

DEECA confirmed works were paused for three workings days while they worked to resolve a matter relating to the litigation with Warburton Environment Inc.

“DEECA is resuming hazardous tree removal works as part of planned burning and bushfire preparedness to ensure safer access for our firefighters to respond to emergencies and undertake fuel reduction activities,” a DEECA spokesperson said.

The scheduled works in the Central Highlands remain on target for delivery, no new injunction or new litigation has been brought against DEECA and the government department continues to defend litigation relating to certain works in the Central Highlands.

As reported by the Star Mail in June 2024, Warburton Environment Inc sought injunctions from the Federal Court to halt what they call ‘logging’, and DEECA insists is the ‘removal of hazardous trees for bushfire risk mitigation’, carried out by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic). The case was lodged following the death of an endangered greater glider in the Yarra Ranges National Park.

In April, environmental groups including WE, Wildlife of the Central Highlands (WOTCH), Forest Conservation Victoria and the Victorian Forest Alliance began to raise concerns about tree removal works being carried out by FFMVic in the existing national parks, including the Yarra Ranges National Park, with peaceful protests held to campaign against works being done in areas that the endangered Southern greater gliders and critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possums among other species call home. The groups also claim they reported areas

More frequent bushfires are creating an increased risk of extinction for the Hairpin Banskia. (File)

Litigation against DEECA from Warburton Environment Inc continues to rumble on. (File)

Yarra Valley update

Hello Yarra Valley gardeners!

Welcome to the December 2024 fruit fly update where we will look what fruit is susceptible to QFF infestation. Thanks Cal and Fruit Fly Murray Valley for the animated infested fruit images! Fruit with skin that can be easily pierced and fruit with flesh that is nutritious for larvae to develop in make good QFF hosts. Injuries to fruit also make good access points for fruit fly.

QFF like pome fruits in late Summer and Autumn. Apples, Pears, Quinces and Pomegranates.

QFF like stone fruits in any warm weather. Peaches, Nectarines, Plums and Apricots are notable favourites. The scent of ripening stone fruit can attract QFF from afar.

QFF like tomatoes! They have seeds and are technically a fruit! Tomatoes are also attractive to Green Metallic Tomato fly. You could find either or both species of larvae in the crop.

HOW THE YARRA VALLEY CAN BETTER PREVENT FRUIT FLY...

QFF like figs. They have a sweet attractive aroma in Autumn. Interestingly, the fig has a small hole at one end that the QFF can lay their eggs into unnoticed.

QFF like capsicums and chillies. They have seeds inside— they are a fruit. A thin skin and an ideal protected area allows the larvae to mature safely. The heat in chillies does not scare a QFF!

QFF like the sweeter citrus including oranges, mandarins grapefruit, cumquats, lemons and limes. Citrus provide the best overwintering or shoulder season breeding opportunities, and the evergreen tree provides year round shelter for QFF.

QFF larvae are also hosted by Loquats, Guavas (Feijoas), Kiwi fruit, Grapes, Lillypilly, Kangaroo apple, Mangoes and Avocados. It was only recently discovered that QFF infest some Olive varieties. Cherries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries and Blackberries are also susceptible to QFF damage.

Agriculture Victoria’s Queensland fruit fly information page.

“Queensland fruit fly host fruits for home gardeners”

MANAGE

BLACKBERRIES & OTHER QFF HOST WEEDS

Queensland Fruit Fly can lay their eggs in blackberry fruits! Not as many larvae grow inside a blackberry compared to a peach, but there are millions of wild blackberries in the Yarra Valley each Summer. Most QFF detections have been linked with weedy blackberries with fruit in January February and March. Now is the time to control the plant and prevent fruiting. Slashing them (pictured) is a great start to reduce the plant bulk. More targeted controls can then be directed later at the new growth. Controlling blackberries also a good way to reduce bush fire risk. Other fruiting weeds that need control feral cherry plums and feral apple trees.

PRUNE your fruit trees

Keep fruit trees small and easy to manage. Smaller trees are easier to protect with netting and they’re much easier to pick! Smaller fruit trees mean better control over fruit quantity and quality.

PICK your fruit

Harvested fruit can be examined, stored safely and used. If the fruit is suspiciously looking like fruit fly damage has occurred, once it is picked, it can be easily treated with boiling or freezing. Fruit left on the tree or fallen fruit is much harder to treat, and there is an increased chance that QFF larvae can survive to live another day.

Pick all fruit before it falls and take it inside.

Process your fruit as soon as possible. Sort it into “use now” and “use soon” according to ripeness. Select the damaged fruit for cooking and start as soon as possible! Remember to also treat the fruit scraps, just in case there are hidden fruit fly eggs or larvae.

PROTECT your fruit trees

Netting helps to protect fruit from the female QFF laying her eggs in it. If she can’t reach it, she can’t infest it. Netting is chemical free, reusable and is the best option or home gardens where neighbouring QFF can reinfest your garden easily. Use 2mm x 2mm insect mesh netting, and put nets on after pollination, before the fruit sizes. Make sure the netting does not touch the fruit.

Plan your garden in readiness for netting and picking. A well planned garden will grow only the fruit that you can use, and it will have space around the production areas for netting and easy access.

Check out our revamped website at www.fruitflyfreeyv.com.au

The history of Coranderrk

By Dongyun Kwon

“The history of Coranderrk did not end in 1924.

“The stories of Coranderrk continue today through descendants and also by Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation (WEAC) caring for the Country at Coranderrk.

“The history of Coranderrk is powerful in speaking to the realities and injustices of the past and has an important role in truth-telling both locally and nationally.”

This is what a descendant of the Coranderrk residents Brooke Wandin said when Star Mail interviewed her about Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation’s art exhibition ‘yalingbuth yalingbu yirramboi yesterday today tomorrow’ in September.

2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the closure of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station.

Coranderrk was central to the history of Victorian First Nations communities as it was one of the six aboriginal reserves that were established in Victoria to save First Nations people from extinction.

The establishment of Coranderrk affected other Aboriginal communities in Victoria and five more reserves were set up across the state.

After getting through a hard period, Coranderrk Aboriginal Station was officially closed down in 1924.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the closure of the Aboriginal Station, Star Mail decided to delve into the history of Coranderrk.

Star Mail interviewed three Coranderrk residents descendants, David Wandin and Brooke Wandin who are the great-grandchildren of Robert Wandin, one of the leaders of the Coranderrk community as well as Healesville grown man Andrew Peters, who is an associate professor of Indigenous Studies at Swinburne University.

Assoc Prof Peters said he is a descendent of the Yarra Yarra, Yorta Yorta and Ngurai illum Wurrung peoples.

“Yarra Yarra is a name that is used to refer to some former Coranderrk residents and their descendants, who are not traditional owners, but are recognised as having strong links to Coranderrk and surrounding areas,” he said.

“My great-grandmother, Lizzie Davis, was one of the last residents of Coranderrk.

“As it is to all descendants, Coranderrk is a place of great pride and connection to me. I feel blessed to have grown up in Healesville and with this connection to Coranderrk, and love sharing this with my sons now.”

Before the emergence of Coranderrk

After 30 years of the first wave of British settlers arriving in Victoria, the white population grew rapidly and it reached about a half million in the 1860s.

Over the same period, the population of the First Nations reduced dramatically from 60,000 people to just 2000 due to several factors including diseases which the newcomers brought into the land and the conflicts between the new settlers and the Aboriginal people.

Before the arrival of the newcomers, Victoria was a patchwork of 36 clans, each with their own language and territory, and was the most populated region in Australia.

The Kulin Nation consists of five language groups who are the traditional owners and lived in what is known as the Port Phillip region; Boonwurrung (Boon-wur-rung), Dja Dja Wurrung (Jar-Jar-Wur-rung), Taungurung (Tung-ger-rung), Wathaurung (Wath-er-rung) and Woiwurrung (Woy-wur-rung), commonly known as Wurundjeri.

Woiwurrung clans leader Billibellary appealed to assistant protector William Thomas for a grant of land, proposing that his people could make a place for themselves in the new colonial order by living sedentary lifestyles and farming the land.

Although it didn’t go successfully, the relationship the clans leader built with the assistant protector would take a big role in establishing the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station later when Billibellary’s son Simon Wonga approached William Thomas to request land for his clans in 1859.

The new ngurungaeta (leader) of the Woiwurrung clans, Wonga, explained Aboriginal people were enthusiastic about being successful and actively accepted the culture of the white community.

Thomas was persuaded by Wonga’s argument and helped Wonga and his clans obtain land.

The Victorian Government convened the Aboriginal Protection Board to address the plight of First Nations people.

In the same year, Wonga and the Taungerong people established the Acheron station in the north of the Cathedral Range.

However, in the following year, after they put an effort to plant and grow vegetables and wheat, they were ordered to relocate by the government, to the Mohican station located south of Acheron, where it was cold, inhospitable and unfit for farming.

They explained it to Thomas and he pleaded for the government’s help but it wasn’t accepted and they were forced to leave Acheron.

Establishment of Coranderrk

While the Woiwurrung clans were struggling to get a safe place, Scottish Presbyterian lay preacher John Green and his wife Mary Green became good friends of the First Nations people.

The two Greens arrived in Victoria in 1857 and startedtopreachforFirstNationsadultsalongwith opening up a school for their children in Yering.

In 1861, taking a job with the newly formed Central Board Appointed to Watch Over the Interests of the Aborigines in the position of General Inspector, John Green attempted to establish another station like Acheron where both the Woiwurrung and Taungerong clans might settle.

In March 1862, the Woiwurrung clans and the Green family walked from Yering to Acheron but they couldn’t settle there because of the local squatters’ disturbance.

In the next year, Green applied to the Central Board for permission to return to Woiwurrung Country in order to establish a new reserve on the Yarra.

They created a new path, now known as Black Spur, while walking back to the Yarra Ranges.

In March 1863, they finally arrived at the site they had chosen in an area at the confluence of the Yarra River and the Badger Creek.

They set up camp and named the site Coranderrk which is the Woiwurrung name of Christmas Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos), the native plant of the area.

Assoc Prof Peters said the reserve was part of the protection era in Australia, where the primary aim seemed to be allowing colonial expansion.

“Reserves and missions were established to get Aboriginal out of the way of that (colonial expansion), and to not impede it,” he said.

“On face value, their establishment was quite a negative thing – our people were displaced, and culture effectively outlawed.”

Although they settled in the new place, Green and Coranderrk residents were aware an official confirmation of the land’s reservation needed to be published in the government’s gazette.

In May, Wonga and his younger cousin William Barak noticed Governor Sir Henry Barkly would hold a public reception in honour of Queen Victo-

ria’s birthday.

Wonga with a deputation of 15 Woiwurrung, Taungerong and Boonwurrung people walked to Melbourne and gave handcrafted rugs and blankets for the Queen and traditional weapons for Prince Albert.

Being touched by the surprising presents, in the following month, a notice appeared in the Victorian Government Gazette announcing the Governor had ‘temporarily reserved’ 2300 acres, thereby formally establishing Coranderrk as an Aboriginal reserve (extended to 4850 acres in 1866).

Copies of a letter from the Queen’s secretary were sent to the Kulin later that year, conveying the Queen’s thanks for Wonga’s address and her promise of protection.

This led the Kulin to understand that their request for land had been granted by the highest authority, the Queen herself, via her regent, Governor Barkly.

This event not only acted as proof of the Kulin Nation’s entitlement to the land but also demonstrated the effectiveness of deputations’ handwritten appeals.

Ms Wandin said Wonga had great communication skills not just with immediate family but also with neighbouring Aboriginal tribes as a leader.

“He would have been relying on all of the old ways that he was taught as a child growing up,” she said.

“The Aboriginal way is about being respectful to each other including all elements of country.”

Mr Wandin said First Nations leaders including Wonga, Barak and Billibellary had already been trade ministers and foreign policy ministers between mobs.

“All the government systems we’ve got in today, First Nations people already had that system in the past,’ he said.

“There was always negotiation going on between mobs regarding planning, gathering, conferences, several disputes and arranged marriages.

“Collective groups of elders were our ministers.”

Impacts of Coranderrk across Victoria Coranderrk residents wanted to prove to the white community they could live like the white people did.

Through the management of superintendent John Green and First Nations leader Simon Wonga, Coranderrk was becoming a productive and profitable village in its early years, with self-sufficiency.

“What’s interesting and inspirational about the Coranderrk is lots of different Aboriginal families

were all working together,” Ms Wandin said. Green’s management supported the Kulin peoples’ autonomy in developing the station and was respectful of Indigenous traditions.

Residents’ literacy increased and a better diet led to improved health.

Coranderrk became a popular tourist destination and the sale of baskets, bags, boomerangs and skin rugs, made by women and elderly men, contributed significantly to the station’s income.

Inspired by the success of the Coranderrk, other clans and missionaries requested land from the Aboriginal Protection Board and five other reserves across Victoria were built by 1865; in the west, Framlingham, Lake Condah, in the north, Ebeneezer and Cummeragunja and in the South, Lake Tyrers and Ramahyuck.

Assoc Prof Peters said in his view, while the intentions of missionaries may have been honourable at the time, which is debatable, he doesn’t think they had a positive influence overall.

“There are some Aboriginal people who embraced Christianity from the outset, and this may in part be due to their existing belief systems – spirituality plays a vital role here,” he said.

“However, in broader terms, the imposition of Christianity meant that Aboriginal spirituality was downgraded to almost ‘child-like’ which was in line with the broader British/European thinking of Aboriginal Australians as sub-human.”

In Ramanhyuck run by a German missionary reverend Friedrich August Hagenauer, all forms of Aboriginal religious ceremony were banned.

Ms Wandin said Green was one of the kinder missionaries who was in a tough situation to keep both the government and the Coranderrk community happy.

“What’s interesting is that even though Aboriginal people learnt how to read and write and learnt about Christian prayer, this site (Coranderrk) was still able to maintain culture,” Ms Wandin said.

“For example, a lot of the people continued to make traditional objects and gift them to people but they also sold them to create income for themselves.

“Whilst there’s not a lot of language that’s been recorded, some language has been recorded, so we know that traditional practices were surviving.”

Beginning of crisis

Even though the Aboriginal Protection Board supported Wonga’s initiative in establishing Coranderrk, the Board insisted on controlling their activities.

William Barak was a Wurundjeri artist and ngurungaeta who lived between 1824 and 1903, known for his art ability and his uniting of Aboriginal people at Coranderrk. (104464)

William Barak’s cemetery located at the end of Barak Lane, Healesville. (Dongyun Kwon: 450115)

In 1872, the board invested in a new venture of Coranderrk to create a lucrative industry of harvesting hops to make beer.

The residents built kilns and filled their fields with hops plantations.

The board promised Green and the Coranderrk residents that the profits would fund a new hospital.

During Green’s tenure, the station was becoming more and more stable with the success of its hops plantation.

As the hops crops were going successfully and the board found the value of it, the board wanted to take control of Coranderrk.

The board employed a white overseer who took control from Wonga and Green and brought in white labour and then paid wages only to the white workers.

In the mid-1870s, along with the pressure from the local squatters who wanted the land of Coranderrk and insisted on the closure of it and the Board’s greed for taking more control, the board started to think about Green’s managing position.

In 1874, two major changes occurred in Coranderrk.

John Green resigned as superintendent and Simon Wonga died of tuberculosis and his cousin William Barak became the next ngurungaeta as he didn’t have any sons.

Ms Wandin said Barak’s leadership was similar to that of Wonga’s as they were born at a similar time.

“They were both born around the 1820s when there would have been very few European people in Australia,” she said.

“When they were little boys, all they saw was the Aboriginal world.

“They learnt the old traditional ways and they carried that with them as they got older.”

Even after his resignation, Green still lived near the Coranderrk and tried to help the Coranderrk community.

The new superintendent was a lot more strict and harsh on the residents, who followed the advice of the Board and focused on punishing the residents and directing their everyday lives.

Food and clothing supplies were cut, houses became run-down and the residents could not access proper medical treatment.

The board sold the entire hops plantation and the government kept the profit, not investing the medical facilities for the Coranderrk residents.   Peaceful campaign

In response to these worsening conditions, the Coranderrk community decided to protest peace-

fully with the memory of the success of Wonga managing to persuade the Queen.

On 7 July 1875, William Barak, Thomas Bamfield, Robert Wandin and others led a delegation of Coranderrk residents on the 67-kilometre walk from Coranderrk to Melbourne seeking Green’s reinstatement.

It was the beginning of the two-year campaign of petitions, strikes, deputations and lobbying with politicians and the press.

Barak and Bamfield also worked with concerned European settlers to make the public aware of their demands, including Anne Bon who wrote an impassioned letter to the premier of Victoria.

Despite the campaign, the board’s decision to shut down Coranderrk became more certain.

However, the government could no longer just ignore the campaign as it became so effective and even found allies from the white community.

In 1881, Chief Secretary Graham Berry appointed a parliamentary inquiry to investigate the Board’s management of Coranderrk and to decide upon its future.

The inquiry lasted for two and a half months, from late September to early December 1881.

Taungerong clan head Thomas Bamfield, who was also the chief aide of Barak, became heavily involved in disputes against the Board.

He was the first Aboriginal witness to speak at the 1881 Parliamentary Coranderrk Inquiry.

Bamfield focused on explaining the station’s ability to be self-supporting and the expectation of proper maintenance and protection in return for the loss of their ancestral lands and cultural autonomy.

The nine commissioners, including eight prominent men and the redoubtable wealthy widow Anne Bon, held 10 hearings, three of which were held at Coranderrk.

They examined 69 witnesses, both Aboriginal and European and asked 5349 questions.

The inquiry had significant influence as its findings had the potential to trigger a reform of colonial policies, not just towards the management of Coranderrk but all of Victoria’s Aboriginal population.

Six months after the inquiry, Bamfield was sentenced to be imprisoned for 30 days with hard labour.

However, Anne Bon helped him by writing a letter to the chief secretary with a petition including the signs of seven prominent parliament members, which embarrassed the board as well as the three senior magistrates who had sentenced Bamfield’s imprisonment.

Bamfield was released after three days of imprisonment.

Half-Caste Act

In 1886, the Aboriginal Protection Board came up with a final solution to sell off Coranderrk and other reserve lands.

German missionary reverend Friedrich August Hagenauer, the missionary for the Ramanhyuck Aboriginal Mission, was employed by the board.

He drafted a new law, the Half-Caste Act, which stated any of the First Nations people who had any white ancestry and were under the age of 34 were considered not Aboriginal and were therefore exiled from any mission or reserve.

Both Premier Berry and Anne Bon agreed that this policy was progressive.

Assoc Prof Peters said ‘progressive’ is one word that colonialists use to justify expansion and cultural damage, and is tied closely to the goals of capitalism, money before culture.

“I can’t assume to know what Anne Bon was thinking, or what changed her thinking,” he said.

“To me, her actions indicated that the political system – Woiwod’s ‘Black Hats’ – had too much power to fight.

“The Half-Caste Acts to me is one of the greatest examples of colonial power exerted on Aboriginal peoples, and however, I look at it I cannot see any positives of it for our people.”

The result was the ultimate destruction of Coranderrk as well as many other Aboriginal communities including Framlingham, Lake Condah and Lake Tyers.

Barak and his people had no one to turn to, and they were forcibly moved to Lake Tyers.

After the issuing of the Half-Caste Act, the number of Coranderrk population kept decreasing, and the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station was eventually shut down in 1924.

Shut down and the next stages

After leaving Coranderrk, John Green established his own hop garden on the banks of the Graceburn in Healesville.

He was also a Justice of the Peace sitting regularly in the Healesville Magistrates Court.

John Green led the deputation to the public works minister to present a petition for the formation of a Healesville Shire and when it was granted, he became an inaugural member of the Healesville Shire Council in 1887.

Green Street in Healesville was named after John Green.

Assoc Prof Peters said John Green had a remarkable record at Coranderrk, and was held in very high esteem by the Aboriginal people at the

time and their descendants.

“Mum (Aunty Dorothy ‘Dot’ Peters AM) always used to talk to me about the respect he had for and received from the residents of Coranderrk,” he said.

“My guess is that history may have been very different if he was allowed to stay in charge.”

In the 1990s, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation purchased the property of the part of Coranderrk and handed it over to WEAC, which was set up to manage the property run by the Wandin family, the descendants of Robert Wandin who was one of the leaders of the Coranderrk residents as well as the nephew of Willam Barak.

WEAChasmanagedtheCoranderrksincethen. Brooke Wandin and David Wandin are both directors of the WEAC.

“It’s a big responsibility to care for this property, not only for my family but also for many different other Aboriginal families whose ancestors lived here,” Ms Wandin said.

Coranderrk ancestors’ legacy: peaceful reconciliation

Ms Wandin said WEAC aims to keep the legacy of the ancestors of the Coranderrk in the reconciliation movement.

“For example, when we’re thinking about planning for the future here at Coranderrk, we always think about what our ancestors have done in the past, and we try to be guided by those same values,” she said.

“The Coranderrk residents were pretty clever, they wrote letters and walked into Melbourne, went straight to the government to talk to them, which was highly unusual for the time.

“So we try to follow in their footsteps as best as we can.”

David Wandin said it’s important to adjust the modern methods with traditional methods to get a better outcome in managing the land.

“I challenge everybody to try and think about it because the chemical company says this will do the job but that’s not the way we manage country,” he said.

“We didn’t have chemicals, our main farming tool was fire but the right fire.

“Our other farm tools were the animals but because of lots of things that happen today, it’s very hard to get it back to its natural state. We don’t have the small digging animals, most of them are very rare or extinct.”

The historical moment of trekking to search for a permanent home by Wurundjeri ancestors in 1863 was commemorated by their descendants in 2015. (Greg Carrick)

Brooke (left) and Jacqui Wandin on behalf of Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation received the Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award for 2018, recognising Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation’s work on restoring Coranderrk as a working farm, a habitat for native fauna and a place to bring Wurundjeri people together on country. (186604)

William Barak’s artwork Corroboree (Women in possum skin cloaks). (Sotheby’s New York)

Social housing project talk

By Callum Ludwig

The Cerini Centre social housing project in Warburton is gaining traction, with all three levels of government joining community representatives for further discussion recently.

Put forward by the Warburton Affordable Housing Group and driven by Warburton Advancement League (WAL) Vice President David Pratt, the project involves transforming the abandoned Cerini Centre site in Warburton into a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

Mr Pratt said they arranged what he called a ‘mini social housing summit’ and discussed their primary issue; funding for the initial planning permissions.

“Right now, there’s the Housing Australia Future Fund, which will fund projects like this and there is the Sustainable Growth Fund, a state government one but neither of them will entertain working with a community group, they will only work with registered housing providers,” he said.

“The registered housing providers as you’d expect are not funded to do the preliminary financial feasibility analysis because every dollar they get has to build houses, our whole system we go around in this loop where no government will assist in building it until you’ve got the planning permit and it is shovel-ready but to get it shovel-ready, no government will give you a grant to make that happen,”

“CatholicCare Victoria Housing is absolutely keen to work with us, but they don’t have a spare $100,000 lying around so we will be seeking alternate means of funding for feasibility planning for future sites.”

The project aims to have between 10 and 15 homes in a Manufactured Home Estate (MHE) on approximately 13,000 square metres of developable land, which under Part 4 of the Residential Tenancies Act allows for one to five-year tenancies. At least two of the homes would be set aside as short-term family crisis accommodation.

Mr Pratt said just for the Cultural Heritage Management Plan alone their cheapest quote is $27,000 and once you add up all the civil drawings, bushfire planning and other assessments and reports you are up to the $100,000.

“Kate Barratt (from the ADRA Redwood Centre) had a harrowing story of a family in absolute crisis where they could see no out and one of them took their life but if this village had been created, there would have been a home and a network that would have supported them, she made it absolutely clear that this is not simply a crisis of shelter but that it actually will save lives,” he said.

“The 12 homes, plus converting the Cerini Centre building by retaining it and converting it to shared accommodation for at-risk over-55 women should be seen simply as a template, 12 homes and the Cerini Centre doesn’t solve the housing crisis,”

“But if you can create a template out of this,

that could mean it could be replicated 100,000 times and then you are starting to make up the debt, but even one family saved is a success story.”

Federal MP for Casey Aaron Violi, State Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish MP and Yarra Ranges Council Mayor and O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child were all in attendance and have all thrown their support behind the concept.

Mr Violi said housing affordability and homelessness are two very significant challenges we face in our community.

“I am proud to be working with David and the Warburton Advancement League on a community-led solution to some of these challenges.

While there is no single solution, I am committed to working with multiple levels of government to find solutions, including at the local level by supporting the Cerini Housing Project,” he said.

“It was great to meet with David recently to

get an update on the project. The Cerini Housing Project is a pivotal step towards ensuring affordable housing for local families. I will continue working with community and all levels of government to get more Australians into homes.”

The Cerini Centre was built by Father Charles Cerini in the 1950s after he arrived in town and was the start of St Joseph’s Primary School. A Yarra Junction campus opened in 1987 and all students were moved there after the Warburton campus closed at the end of 1994.

Ms McLeish said this is an exciting opportunity for the township of Warburton and it’s great to see so many people on board.

“There is a high need for housing, particularly for older women who are doing it tough throughout the Upper Yarra, and this project offers a good solution,” she said.

“I will continue to advocate for the initial fund-

ing for planning.”

In 2021, WAL was able to conduct a full feature survey of the site to identify the titles and boundaries of the land surrounding the Cerini Centre. The site is currently part-owned by the Catholic Diocese, the Department of Education and the Yarra Ranges Council.

Cr Child said they continue to support the Warburton Advancement League and all the work that has been done towards the project, particularly by Mr Pratt.

“Yarra Ranges Council has now included the Cerini project in our advocacy piece going forward because it provides affordable housing and also a component of crisis housing as well, which Kate Barratt from the ADRA Redwood Centre is very passionate about because we really need that component of housing in the Upper Yarra,” he said.

Fallen tree safety concern along Yarra River

By Callum Ludwig

fallen tree across the

River in Warburton has prompted concerns for the safety of river users and had an impact on a local business.

Richard Stanwix operates Warburton Rivertubing during the warmer months and had to cancel all bookings for December, which were refunded, following a risk assessment.

Mr Stanwix shared his communication with Melbourne Water with the Star Mail and said he gets the narrative about fallen trees and their role in the river system but each has to be risk assessed individually, taking into account how frequently it is traversed.

“In this case, that tree will be passed by hundreds (or thousands over the summer) of kids from the caravan park - nothing to do with our business,” he said.

“We manage ‘gaps’ cut in fallen trees in formal safety briefings before every trip but many parents let their kids play in the river unsupervised (rightly or wrongly, from a risk assessment perspective it is the reality of that location) and the current water draw under that log will be a death trap,”

“That being the case I would strongly recommend referring that tree assessment to your Risk Management department because if it is not made 100 per cent safe in that location then I think that would be a dereliction of duty and of course, I’ll share this correspondence post any event.”

Melbourne Water had been made aware of the tree concern on Thursday 5 December initially, with an inspection conducted that day.

Mr Stanwix said he is not trying to be dramatic but this is a genuine danger of people being sucked under the main trunk where it is suspended out of the river on the Riverside Drive side.

“If you (Melbourne Water) intend to leave it in the river then the only risk ALARP (as low as reasonably practicable) solution is to drop the tree into the river - it will form a precarious blockage still but at least will reduce the risk of people being sucked under the suspended log. The log is suspended high enough for current to flow but not high enough to pass under - meaning people will be jammed under the log,” he said.

“From a business perspective the unfortunate tree fall will materially impact our small business, for which we have a Parks Victoria Tour Operator Licence, and of course pay a fee per person that travels the river,” he said.

“This instruction will cause us to lose significant revenue, and not be able to employ staff but we all choose that option over a safety risk.”

Melbourne Water raised a work order to have the tree trimmed to allow safe passage past but initially communicated to Mr Stanwix that it is likely works would occur early in the new year, prompting his decision to cancel all bookings for the month of December.

A Melbourne Water spokesperson said starting

Friday 13 December, Melbourne Water contractors will begin initial work on the fallen tree.

“They will remove smaller branches to make

access and inspection easier. Crews will return mid-week next week to safely undertake broader work, which may include cutting or moving larger logs,” they said.

“In the meantime, we remind all recreational users to assess the river conditions before entering. Please listen to local advice, stay within your capabilities, and always supervise children,”

“We thank the local community and visitors for their cooperation and understanding.”

The Yarra trail and one Lane of Giffords Road will be closed to allow the works to proceed on Friday 13 December and into the following week and due to the complexity and time it will take to plan and carry out the works, river users are advised to avoid this area of the river during works for their own safety.

Melbourne Water’s primary functions in waterway management as per the Water Act 1989 are largely focused on ecology and drainage but they do carry out works to reduce known safety hazards.

When deciding how to manage individual cases of hazards such as large wood debris, Melbourne Water takes into account that waterways are natural environments and inherently contain rocks and logs which can be hazardous under certain conditions as well as the important role fallen trees and branches play in the healthy functioning of the river ecosystem, contributing habitat for a range of animals, such as fish and platypus.

Community members outside the old Cerini Centre at the Cerini Walk for homelessness in 2023. (File)

A

Yarra

The fallen tree across the Yarra River. (Richard Stanwix)

YARRA VALLEY RODEO

Yarra Valley Rodeo is once again raising awareness for Ovarian-

Time for the lights

By Callum Ludwig

One of the most magical parts of the festive season is the wonderful array of homes lit up and decorated as the days count down to Christmas.

For those out hunting for homes with lights on display this year, here are some confirmed locations throughout the Outer East where you won’t be disappointed.

Out in the Valley, you can definitely find light displays on Celia Court and Forest Street in Yarra Glen, while in previous years there have also been lights on Ellis Road, Amalia Close and King Street that may have returned. Healesville has lights on Mount Riddell Road, and may also be lights on Roma Avenue and Don Road (near Roma Avenue) in Badger Creek. Mercer Court, Coldstream is the place to go in Coldstream with lights on at three homes.

In the Upper Yarra, there are definitely lights to see at Patricia Street, Millgrove and Eileen Grove, Woori Yallock and there may be more on Patrick Street in Millgrove, Tarhilla Drive in Launching Place and Glenwright Avenue in Woori Yallock. Over in the Dandenongs, you can find lights on Falls Road in Mount Dandenong, Wicks Road in The Basin, Forest Park Road and Glenfern Road in Up-

wey, Moxhams Road in Monbulk and Bayview Road in Emerald. There may also be lights at Amphlett Avenue in Cockatoo, Fernglade Drive in Emerald and Harrison Street and Verbena Avenue in The Basin.

Venturing into the foothills and out towards the suburbs and you start to become even more spoilt for choice:

Ferntree Gully alone has lights on Hope Court, multiple houses on Blucher Street, Salina Rise, Paringa Drive, multiple on Blackwood Court Road, Cutler Close, Rona Street, Chestnut Avenue, Hutton Avenue, Pearl Place, Kelvin Drive, Clyde Street, Richborough Grove and multiple on Cinerea Avenue.

In Boronia, the places to be are Gertonia Avenue, Rathmullen Road, Medway Crescent, Denby Court, Army Road, Rawdon Court, Beresford Drive and Torresdale Drive.

Watermoor Avenue in Kilsyth South also isn’t far away with four houses alone on that road.

Timms Avenue, Garden Street and Church Street in Kilsyth could be your next stops as well as Ravenswood Avenue in Montrose.

In Mooroolbark, you can visit all of Woodrow Lane, Saint James Park Rise, Shakespeare Avenue,

Collings Court, Chevalier Crescent, Heyson Court, Boyd Close and two homes on Bellara Drive while the four Croydons (Croydon, Croydon North, Croydon South and Croydon Hills) can boast displays on Sabato Street, Nuraylia Avenue, Vernon Street, Saint Georges Avenue, two on Lemnos Street, Long View Road, two on Homer Avenue, Maroondah Highway Service Road, Mulgrave Way, Dargo Close, Merrill Crescent, Bemboka Road and Lakeside Avenue.

In Chirnside Park, you can visit Regency Rise, Old Melbourne Road, Kimberley Drive, Veronica Avenue, Vista Drive, Parkvalley Drive, Kingswood Drive and Rolling Hills Road.

In Lilydale, you can go to Morokai Grove, Nelson Road, Lakeview Drive, David Road and Beaulieu Avenue.

For those willing to venture a little further out you can also find multiple displays in Wonga Park, Bayswater and Bayswater North, Wantirna and Wantirna South, Knoxfield and Lysterfield.

To find out more places you can go to see Christmas lights in Victoria, visit christmaslightsearch. com.au/victoria/search.

To stay up to date with local lights displays, you can also request to join the ‘Yarra Valley Christmas Lights’ group on Facebook.

Excitement for carols

By Callum Ludwig

Warburton’s much-loved Carols in the Park are returning for 2024, right as the Christmas spirit ramps up.

This year’s event will be held on Monday 23 December, again in the grassed area between the Warburton Holiday Park and Warburton Water World.

With the event again supported by the Warburton Advancement League, Vice President David Pratt said with the complexity of our world, the cost of living crisis and all of those things, let’s just have a night to celebrate being together as a local community.

“This year’s carols, we’re kicking off at 6.30pm with a bit of jazz in the park and we’re going to provide a free shuttle bus from the Redwood Cente car park, that way there’ll be plenty of room for locals to park and not have to walk all the way up,” he said.

“Then there’ll be a kids show with Woody (Clark) from 7pm to 7.30pm and then the carols kick off from 7.30pm until 9.30pm with an appearance from Santa at around 8pm,”

“We’d encourage people to bring blankets and some chairs and a picnic, but we will also have food and coffee vans on site, it’ll be free entry but as per previous years, we do a bit of fundraising and hopefully this year we can try and raise some money for the 10th anniversary of the Eastern 80 charity bike ride which is held in February.”

The Eastern 80, founded by local resident Norm Orr, has raised an average of $10,000 a year for the Royal Children’s Hospital since its inception, with local children and their families who have been helped by the Royal Children’s Hospital picked as ambassadors each year. The 2025 event aims to take the ride’s total fundraising effort to over $100,000.

The 2023 Carols in the Park event raised money for the ADRA Redwood Community Centre’s Dignity Project, helping to purchase a 10kg commercial grade washer and dryer for the centre that can used by those who visit.

Ravenswood Court, Montrose will have lights on show again this year. (File)

Warburton’s Christmas Carols event is coming up. (File)

Girl Guides celebrate

By Dongyun Kwon

Yarra Glen Girl Guides had a special Christmas party on Wednesday 11 December.

It was not just a party but also an occasion where all the girls’ achievements over the year were recognised.

To celebrate Kerrie’s retirement, former members of the Girl Guides, families, a local MP, local CFA members and members of the Girl Guides from the Yarra Ranges District attended the party.

The party started at 5.30pm at the McCracken House.

At 6pm, the presentation for certificates and challenge badges was held.

Kerrie Steur, who served the girls for 26 years, received a certificate and an inscribed bowl for her service as well as a special card written by the girls.

Erin Allison who is going to take over Kerrie’s role, also received the qualified leadership certificate and the one-year adult membership certificate.

Junior and senior girls received challenge badges depending on their yearly achievements.

After the presentation, all visitors enjoyed the party food.

Around 7pm, Father Christmas arrived at the McCracken House to distribute the lollies and presents.

Senior girls enjoying the party.

Who wants lollies? Ho Ho Ho. (Dongyun Kwon: 44928)

Challenge badge presentation. (Dongyun Kwon: 44928)

(L-R from second row to first row) Yarra Glen CFA members Annabelle and Faye, captain Bill and Bill’s granddaughter Yarra Glen Girl Guides member Mia with Father Christmas. (Dongyun Kwon: 44928)

Kerrie Steur (left) and federal Casey MP Aaron Violi.

Erin Allison (left) receiving two certificates.

Jannis Elliott receiving the 45-year of service certificate.

Evelyn (left) with Aaron Violi. (Supplied)

Desert time for Naomi. (Dongyun Kwon: 44928)

Cara (left) and Phoebe looking at this year’s photos. (Dongyun Kwon: 44928)

Do you want some sausage scrolls?

New uniforms for club

By Dongyun Kwon

As the Victorian Government is backing sports clubs across the state, Healesville Soccer Club has been named in the list of grant recipients. The club will receive $1000 in the category of on-field uniforms or equipment as part of the Sporting Club Grants Program.

Healesville Soccer Club vice president Leesa Riley said the funding would help the club purchase new uniforms for the women and girls.

“A lot of research has shown a big barrier to women participating in sports is their choice of uniforms,” she said.

“A study conducted by Victoria University showed women preferred dark-coloured bottoms.

“We’ve got red shorts at the moment, and a lot of our women have expressed concern and a desire to have black shorts, so we wanted to get a grant so that we could change over our red shorts to black shorts.”

Olive, one of the U15 girls’ team players, was happy to hear the club would distribute the new black shorts next year.

“Are we getting black shorts? That’s so awesome,” she said.

On Wednesday 11 December, community sport minister Ros Spence announced 875 grants would go to more than 740 clubs.

These grants support clubs to purchase uniforms and equipment, upskill volunteers, coaches and officials, and improve their accessibility and engagement with local communities.

“This is a major boost for clubs across the state - we’re making sure clubs have the skills and equipment they need to thrive, and get more people involved,” Ms Spence said.

“We want our local sporting clubs to be

Twin celebrations for local tennis

Seniors Tennis group

A group of about 40 Healesville tennis players gathered at a local private residence on Friday 6 December. The purpose was to enjoy each other’s off- court company by way of a Christmas break up party.

A barbecue lunch accompanied by a fine array of appetising salads and desserts was enjoyed by all. Some drinks were had and some war stories were told.

The particular playing styles on court ‘demeanour’ of several players was humorously remarked upon in the course of a welcoming address by the group’s most senior player, Bryn Jones (92 years old).

Amidst the celebrations of another year’s tennis, there was a particular purpose to this gathering.

The purpose was to recognise and celebrate the work of a stalwart ofHealesville Tennis Club, Peter Brown.

Peter is the convener of the seniors tennis group.

A sprightly man of 80 and over, Peter’s court craft and skill still makes him a formidable opponent. But it was for his tireless volunteer work that the group particularly wanted to recognise on this occasion.

The group plays regularly on Tuesdays and Fridays starting at 9am in the warmer months and 9.30am otherwise, and such

is the dedication and and enthusiasm of the group that play continues come hail rain or shine.

But like most voluntary operations, it has to be organised and supported.

For many years now, Peter has been the friendly face to greet you when you arrive at the court, organising the teams, the post play morning tea but also the man who is last there, cleaning the clubrooms, removing the rubbish and securing the premises when the day is done.

And if lawns need mowing, gardens need attending or indeed any other aspect of court maintenance is required, Peter will be quietly devoting his time and labour to do it, with an infectious smile thrown in for good measure.

In recognition of his unstinting work and welcoming presence, the group organised the presentation of a special certificate to Peter, to which was added a gift voucher to a local hostelry and, perhaps the greatest treat of all, Peter was presented with his favourite means of sustenance, a family meat pie.

Peter is a man of few words but when called upon to do so spoke from the heart of his gratitude for what was done in his honour and of the vital role that the group plays in his life.

It was a heartwarming occasion for all those present.

Whilst it is true that the demographic of the group is ‘senior’, the age range sometimes dips into those in their 30s and 40s.

The injection of such youth and indeed any this ‘new blood’ is always welcome.

If you wish to enjoy a good standard of [doubles] tennis then please consider joining the Healesville Tennis Club (website: healesvilletc.org.au) and turn up ready to play on a Tuesday or Friday.

Peter and his infectious smile will be there to greet you.

Midweek Ladies tennis

In other tennis news, the midweek ladies won their Section 3, Grand Final against Park Orchards last week.

As a result they will be promoted to Section 2 next season.

The Healesville Tennis Club has been very successful this year in promoting ladies tennis, with the setting up of a Monday morning social hit for ladies of all abilities.

Advertising in local shops, community noticeboards and social media, we have welcomed many new ladies to the club. Some of them are now also playing competition for the first time on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can check the Healesville Tennis Club website (healesvilletc.org.au) for all the details if you are interested in joining us.

backing the next generation of local champions – and these grants provide them the chance to do just that.”

Save the date

By Dongyun Kwon

With the successful introduction of Queens Park Twilight Picnic in January, Healesville Connect is bringing it back next year.

The event is scheduled between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday 16 January 2025.

Healesville Connect, a community group consisting of volunteers, aims to help fellow residents connect with local somebody, businesses and services while building friendships through shared interests and supporting the local economy.

To achieve this aim, the group introduced the Queens Park Twilight Picnic to bring locals of all ages together at a picnic-style event for free at the beginning of the year.

Healesville Connect committee member Julia Bates said the committee reflected the feedback of the last event onto the next year’s event to make it more enjoyable.

“We learnt quite a lot from the last event and the feedback we got,” she said.

“We’re keeping the popular things like races we did last time.”

Healesville CFA and local environment groups will attend the event to get familiarised with Healesville residents.

Local singers Claire and Sam will come to perform, bringing a festive vibe.

The swimming pool will open with extended operating hours during the event.

Anne Regan from Belgravia Leisure will manage the pool and run the sausage sizzle with the sausages donated by Aldi.

Along with the free barbecue, free ice cream will be also available for the visitors thanks to the donation from Coles.

“There will be a coffee van and a raffle, those two things will be paid but everything from Healesville Connect is free,” Ms Bates said.

“The raffle is for the Healesville Toy Library to help it reopen in the first quarter of 2025.”

The event is sponsored by Yarra Ranges Council’s Monthly Grant.

(L-R): Section 3 winners Michela Scully, Barb D’Arcy, Wendy Williamson and Linda Ross.

Healesville Soccer Club will use the Sporting Club Grant to purchase new uniforms for women and girls. (Supplied)

Horror film success

By Dongyun Kwon

Healesville-based sisters joined hands to make a locally produced horror film.

Bash Sisters Productions co-founder Michelle Orpe, who immigrated from England to Australia three years ago, directed the film Sidewinder Avenue, and her sister Rachel Clark, a novelist, wrote the screenplay.

Ms Orpe said the movie was filmed at her sister’s property in Healesville.

“It can take a long time to get noticed in the industry as an actress or filmmaker, and a fantastic way to jump the queue and get networking quickly is to make a film and enter it into the festival circuit,” she said.

“Making a film is obviously expensive, and one of the most expensive things can be location.

“My sister lives on 10 acres in Healesville, and it’s an old, decrepit house that many people in the area know about, and a lot of people have said it’s haunted in the past, so I decided to create the entire story of film based on her property, which

would not only make it cheaper for us to film but I also wanted it to be a local film, using local crew and local people.”

The story was based on a true story in England.

It’s about a married couple who move into their new home.

The couple soon realise not all is what it seems as they unearth chilling truths about its dark past.

The film production process started in August last year when Ms Orpe first came up with the story idea.

Melbourne-based producer Charah Avrael James, who knew people in the industry, joined the sisters during the pre-production period and helped hire crew and find actors.

“I’m such a stickler for professionalism because I used to work as a TV presenter for many years in England,” Ms Orpe said.

“So I hired a fantastic cinematographer who loved the script, and it grew from there. I couldn’t then go any less professional on the lighting, sound and set design.

“We filmed in August and it was a four-day

shoot and then we went into post-production, which took about three and a half months.”

Although the premiere was held at The Memo, Healesville on Sunday 15 December, Sidewinder Avenue will not be released to the public until film festival runs are finished next year including Tribeca Festival in New York City and St Kilda Film Festival.

The film was able to be produced thanks to the sponsors from the local businesses.

“The locals have been absolutely brilliant, and it’s so nice and wonderful to see the community coming together,” Ms Orpe said.

“There are too many to mention, but Park Lane Holiday gave us all the accommodation for our casts.

“We had local eateries donating food and drinks to us and four local businesses sponsoring us for packages to help towards the payment of film and getting into film festivals.”

Bash Sisters Productions founded by the two sisters are working on two more short film projects.

Accessible, creative program launched

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum is thrilled to have launched Learn and Discover – a new, creative offering for primary schools, early learning, kids and families, and other curious-minded people.

The offering includes two new programs, ‘I-Connect Museum Education’ and the ‘Creative Learning Program’, with teachers invited to attend professional development events in October in Lilydale and Warburton to experience and learn more about the new programs.

“We are delighted to offer engaging digital and in-person learning experiences for young people across Yarra Ranges and beyond,” Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said, “Teachers and families, our heritage community and Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Advisory Committee have all expressed a strong desire to educate young people about our shared histories.”

The I-Connect Program is funded through the Victorian State Government’s Strategic Partnerships Program, enabling the Museum to offer primary schools low-cost and even subsidised visits and support with bus costs, where schools are eligible.

To further support teachers and students across our large geographic region, the Creative Learning Program has been designed to provide online, creative learning opportunities that are available 24/7 and can be facilitated easily by a teacher or parent, at school or at home.

Earlier this year the Museum piloted one of these programs, ‘Caring for Coranderrk with Brooke Wan-

Beci’s ultimate experience

Much-loved Melbourne artist, Beci Orpin, has brought her interactive and tactile creative approach to Yarra Ranges Regional Museum with dream room.

This new exhibition celebrates the absurdity, joy and wonder of children’s rooms and the wildness of their imaginations, making it the perfect school holiday’s day out. Kids’ rooms are filled with stuff that ultimately signifies their growing interests, identity and learnings from the world around them. This interactive exhibition pays homage to the chaotic and messy nature of (most) kids’ rooms.

Orpin invites kids of all ages, as well as adults with a child-like sensibility to play, learn and explore dream room. Speaking with Broadsheet about wanting art to be widely accessible, Orpin said “Galleries are commonly like ‘Don’t touch, don’t speak, don’t interact’. Whereas I want these spaces to be the opposite of that. ‘Like, yes, you can touch. Yes, you can make a small amount of noise’. It’s about experiencing things, but also hopefully educating at the same time.”

dream room extends on Yarra Ranges Regional Museum’s relationship with Orpin, established through the development of an exciting new early years Creative Learning Program which has just officially launched. Available online, the program shares four distinct and significant stories of the Yarra Ranges region and invites primary school aged children, families and the community to partake in writing, drawing and making activities led by Orpin and other Victorian based creatives.

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child, encouraged families to get along to see and enjoy the exhibition.

din’ in partnership with Council’s Early Years Team. We were blown away by the feedback, with kindergarten and primary school teachers, librarians and even parents giving glowing feedback and eagerly anticipating the official release of the program.

One of the Healesville kindergarten teachers involved in the pilot said: “It was a wonderful project to be part of. Brooke’s video is so beautiful, and she describes connection in a way that can be understood by people of all ages, including our very young ones.”

Further details about each of the programs can be found below or via the website: yarraranges.vic. gov.au/Experience/The-Arts-and-Our-Creative Community/Cultural-venues/Yarra-Ranges-Regional-Museum/Learn-Discover

“We are thrilled to make Beci Orpin’s art available to families of Yarra Ranges and Melbourne’s Eastern region. Ensuring our communities have access to the highest quality creative and cultural experiences is part of what makes Yarra Ranges a great place to live. We look forward to the Museum being full of play, creativity and inspiring the dreams of the next generation,” he said.

Oprin’s career has spanned 25 years, seeing the multidisciplinary artist, designer and illustrator become known as the ‘Queen of colour and play’.

dream room will be on show at Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until 2 February. Entry to the exhibition is free.

Screen writer and producer Rachel Clark (left) and director, lead actress and film editor Michelle Orpe. (Supplied)

Michelle Orpe (right) and her daughter Emily Edwards (debut film appearance as a ghost). (Supplied)

L-R: lead actors Paddy Mac, Charah Avrael James and Michelle Orpe. (Supplied)

Artist Beci Orpin has brought her exhibition dream room to Yarra Ranges Regional Museum. (Supplied)

The generous gift of joy

By Mikayla van Loon

Another year, another Rotary Club of Lilydale Wishing Tree project has come to an end with an overwhelming amount of generosity and kindness from community and businesses.

Hundreds of presents gathered through the promotion and encouragement of businesses across the Yarra Ranges and beyond has again ensured smiles will grace the faces of young people who might have otherwise gone without this Christmas.

Despite demand increasing, project organiser Gerry Van Horick said the Rotary Club continues to be “blown away by the support” and giving only seems to increase alongside the need.

This year people were extra charitable, with presents exceeding expectations.

Not only did gifts for all ages come in in droves, so too did vouchers for those in their teenage years.

A major supporter of this was Lilydale Library which hosted its annual book sale, donating the money to the Wishing Tree.

“Everyone is just so generous and we’re happy to help because Rotary does such wonderful things for the community,” branch manager Robin Barden said.

Selling the books for a dollar an item, Robin said they were able to sell over 300 books this year.

While the bulk of the gifts went to Anchor Community Care and the Proactive Policing Unit, Gerry and Anne Van Horick have made deliveries to Anglicare and the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service.

“They were a bit overwhelmed, and they said this will make such a difference, because the people are struggling to eat and to pay rent, and can’t even think about Christmas,” Gerry said.

“They specifically asked that we say a big thank you to all the people who supported the Wishing Tree.”

Leading Senior Constable Luke Egginton said

over the next week he would be delivering the gifts to Uniting in Ringwood, the Lilydale Motor Inn, some caravan parks, Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service and individual families the unit might come across.

Anchor’s youth and homelessness services executive manager Leanne Nicholson said the whole team was so grateful for the ongoing support and kindness of Rotary and the community.

“Anchor is incredibly grateful for the amazing support from the local community in providing donations and to the Lilydale Rotary Club, in

particular Anne and Gerry for their generous time and energy, ensuring all members of our community have a Merry Christmas,” she said.

“The ongoing support and donations make a significant impact to the young people, families and people experiencing homelessness that are connected with Anchor.

“Christmas is an important part of our year and the ability to celebrate it and enjoy the day is important for everyone and without this support this wouldn’t happen. It is fantastic we can create this opportunity together.”

An extra special donation from Heritage and Heritage Funerals this year has already brought smiles and joy to the adults involved in this project.

A large white fluffy toy dog named Peggy was the cherished companion of a lady who lived with dementia. When she passed, the family asked that Peggy be given to the right home.

Through the Wishing Tree, Peggy now sits in pride of place at Anchor, with the aim of providing comfort to children and adults who enter the space.

Windows amaze with festive cheer as four crowned

From those draped in snow to create a winter wonderland to those using colour to bring festive cheer, the Yarra Ranges Council Christmas Window Competition was tightly contested in 2024.

But winners had to be crowned for each of the four regions based on the community’s votes and the final tally was released on Friday 13 December.

For the Hills, Geppetto’s Workshop in Sassafras received an incredible 598 likes for its window display.

This year, it was “loaded…with a beautiful scene of winter snow, fur tree, rabbits and a dream doll house” adding to the ambience found in the store.

“Elmo’s there too trying to pinch a present from Santa’s sack,” a description of the display read.

“We’ve got Christmas tunes playing, and we’re bursting with new toys, new brands and new ideas from all over the world.”

From voters, they were amazed by the window, naming it early as “the pick to win”.

“Magical. I feel the Christmas spirit from this one,” a commenter wrote.

“This Christmas window is truly magical! It’s so cosy and enchanting, creating a beautiful winter wonderland,” another person said.

“A special window into a Christmas world. So pretty and imaginative, it draws you in to explore the enchanting possibilities inside,” someone else commented.

In the Valley, Novel Nook in Yarra Glen was named the winner, receiving 34 likes from the community.

Inspired by an Icelandic tradition, the book shop owner Naomi Gibson created Yarra Glen’s very own pre-loved book Christmas tree.

“If the idea of settling in for the night with a good book and a drink – a hot chocolate if it’s cold, a glass of something chilled if it’s hot –sounds like heaven, then Iceland’s Christmas Eve Jólabókaflóðið (roughly, ‘flood of books’) tradition is for you,” she wrote for the competition submission.

“We believe everyone should experience the

joy of books this Christmas season and create their own special traditions! We have created a fun display with a tree made entirely out of preloved books to create a bit of magic this Christmas!”

It was Yarra Valley Deli and Cafe in Wandin North who captured the votes for the Upper Yarra, gaining 41 likes for its rustic and natural themed window.

Commenters said the window tied in with the entire shop’s atmosphere and was a warm, inviting display for passersby.

“Looks gorgeous…The whole shop looks amazing, not just the window. A must visit and enjoy a coffee or purchase some local crafts for

Christmas presents while you are there,” one person said.

“Simplicity and class, a delight to bestow. Well done for such an elegant display of Christmas joy,” someone else said.

“Absolutely magical, makes me smile everyday when I pass.”

And from the Urban region, Shapers Hair and Beauty in Mooroolbark was crowned the winner for owner Leeanne Thomson’s bright, fun and festive window.

“Christmas is my favourite time of the year. I love to create a Christmas window each year,” she said.

“I try to create a Christmas window that makes everyone smile and forget about the negative things in the world and smile about the positive and happy things we have and love.”

Donning giant candy canes, Mr and Mrs Claus, upside down elves and coloured lights, this display was glorious at all hours of the day.

In total, the Christmas Window Competition saw 1580 likes and 63 comments come through, sharing some thoughts on these festive creations.

The competition is a nod to all the incredible businesses in the Yarra Ranges who provide unique gifts and services perfect for shopping locally.

Urban winner Shapers Hair and Beauty Mooroolbark owner Leeanne Thomson.

Hills winner Geppetto’s Workshop employee Simone Peterson.

Upper Yarra winner Yarra Valley Deli and Cafe, Wandin, employee Hannah Wright.

Valley winner Novel Nook Book Shop in Yarra Glen employee Lily Beeby. (Supplied)

Rotary Club treasurer Judith Shiel, president Des Shiel and Proactive Policing Unit Leading Senior Constable Luke Egginton doing a hand over the gift cards. (Stewart Chambers: 449518)

Anne Van Horick, Anchor’s Lauren Gordon and Gerry Van Horick.

Leading Senior Constable Luke Egginton, Gerry Van Horick, Judith Shiel, Des Shiel, Anne Van Horick and Acting Senior Sergeant Brittany Tunks. (Stewart Chambers: 449518)

Proactive Policing Unit Leading Senior Constable Luke Egginton with the abundance of gifts to start delivering. (Stewart Chambers: 449518)

Rotary members Judith Shiel, Des Shiel, Gerry Van Horick, Anne Van Horick and Anchor’s Leanne Nicholson. (Mikayla van Loon: 450101)

OPINION

The Great Forest National Park

By Professor David Lindenmayer, Dr. Chris Taylor and Sarah Rees

National parks are places of stunning natural beauty; they stand as enduring symbols of national pride and heritage. National parks reflect a country’s commitment to conserving its most cherished landscapes and ecosystems, ensuring that they remain protected for both present and future generations to experience. By designating such places as national parks, we reaffirm our deep respect for nature, and our responsibility to maintain these special places for public enjoyment, cultural preservation, scientific research, and ecological conservation.

However, in Victoria, the legacy of national parks is now under threat, with claims that national parks ‘exclude people’ or ‘lock people out’. Some people have even propagated conspiracy theories suggesting that national parks are an ‘insidious plan’ for government control over people. Additionally, unfounded assertions have been made that these parks increase the risk of bushfires and contribute to the spread of weeds and invasive species. These claims lack credible evidence and fail to recognise the true purpose of national parks; that is, to protect invaluable ecosystems and significant sites while providing essential places for public enjoyment and recreation.

Recently, misleading claims have been made about the proposed Great Forest National Park. Some contend that this park will restrict access for families, and outdoor enthusiasts. Nothing could be further from the truth. As we have spent decades working in and researching the forests of the Great Forest National Park, we would like to share the true vision of the Great Forest National Park.

It is not solely about conservation—although crucial—it is also a park for people, families, and visitors from abroad. It’s a place where we can all celebrate one of the most spectacular forests on Earth – the critically endangered Mountain Ash forest!

The idea for the Great Forest National Park emerged from the local community in the Shires of the Yarra Valley and Murrindindi, particularly from those affected by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Following these tragic fires, some in the media and politics misrepresented forest protection efforts as a cause of the disaster, briefly devaluing the forests and enabling loggers to move in and cut unburnt areas. However, the community pushed back, reimagining these forests as places of ecological, social, cultural and economic diversity—far more valuable than a cheap resource for the logging industry. The vision for the park identified ways for people to connect with these world-class forests and generate economic growth for struggling local towns. Economic evaluations show that the creation of the Great Forest National Park would generate 750 new local jobs, attract 379,000 additional visitors, and contribute at least $40 million to the local economy annually.

National parks are not only crucial for species conservation, especially as nature faces unprecedented climate challenges, but they also act as powerful economic drivers, offering globally recognised tourism opportunities that state forests do not. With larger management budgets and a formal commitment to recreation, national parks remain open and accessible to the public. In contrast, state forests can be restricted due to logging or mining activities, often enforced by legislation like the Safety on Public Lands Act, which allows roads to be gated off and imposes legal penalties on trespassers. Unlike national parks, state forests do not guarantee public access—in fact, quite the opposite.

While some argue that state forests provide recreational spaces, they were originally established for industry, not conservation or broad public enjoyment. Recreational activities in state forests, such as four-wheel driving and deer hunting, cater to specific groups, but often these areas lack inclusive facilities—Big River State Forest, for instance, offers no walking tracks for hikers. The proposed Great Forest National Park aims to fill this gap by providing ac-

cessible nature experiences for families, hikers, and adventure seekers, with facilities designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities.

The Great Forest National Park is a proactive response to the ever-increasing demands on existing national parks, especially around Melbourne. It is critical to expand these park areas.

Parks Victoria reports that there were nearly 55 million visits to Victorian parks last year alone, with the popular Ferntree Gully picnic area in the Dandenong Ranges National Park itself seeing nearly a quarter of a million visits, a 53 per cent increase in visitation from the previous year. This increase is of no surprise, considering that Melbourne’s greater area population has grown by 1.5 million people since 2001 (more than the current population of Adelaide), with more people seeking access to nature.

To meet the increasing demand for nature experiences, the Victorian government must also consider the financial sustainability of national parks. Past funding cuts to Parks Victoria risk undermining its ability to maintain environmental protection and service delivery.

Parks Victoria plays a vital role in the communi-

ty and in the economy, with visitors to national parks and other parks spending $1.4 billion annually on park-related activities, generating $1 billion in gross value added and supporting 14,000 jobs to the state’s economy. The value people derive from visiting parks is estimated at between $600 million and $1 billion annually. This highlights the urgent need for secure funding to ensure that parks continue to provide these invaluable benefits.

It’s natural to be wary of change, but we need to ask ourselves what kind of future we want for our forests and our communities. The Great Forest National Park represents a balanced approach: protecting Victoria’s unique natural heritage while providing modern infrastructure and economic opportunities for local towns and businesses.

We invite you to explore what the Great Forest National Park really offers. This is more than just a park—it’s a shared vision for a future where nature, adventure, and community can thrive together. Let’s embrace this opportunity to make the Great Forest National Park a place for everyone.

Seth gives his top ten picks for best 2024 films

The fact that I couldn’t compile a full top ten of bad movies last week already shows what a good year 2024 was for cinema, but my best list is full of extraordinary films and required many painful cuts.

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person is charming, nuanced and tightly-written.

Humane is a tense, witty blend of family drama and slasher tropes. Trap is an ingenious thriller with an amazing central performance from Josh Hartnett.

Despite its unoriginality and resurrected actor, Alien: Romulus is still a taut, well-produced sci-fi horror film.

Drive-Away Dolls and Love Lies Bleeding are two great lesbian crime capers: one light and kinky, the other oppressive and Lynchian.

Spaceman is a touching sci-fi drama that made me cry, and that’s no small feat when the main characters are Adam Sandler and a giant spider.

The Killer is a fun John Woo rollercoaster full of stylish action and personality.

Kalki 2898 AD isn’t the best movie of the year, butitisthemostmovie:three-plusaction-packed, visually-stunning hours of world-shaking gravitas and goofy fun.

The most painful cut was Kinds of Kindness: not all of the shorts are equal, but it’s a confronting, confidently-crafted film that stuck with me for the rest of the year. Here are my picks for the ten best films of 2024. 10. Kill.

A bone-crushingly intense Indian action movie. 9. Rumours.

An endlessly-witty farce about incompetent world leaders and Iron Age zombies from Canadian surrealist Guy Maddin, with resplendent cinematography and a ridiculous but bloody inspiring speech about democracy.

8. Monkey Man.

A great directorial debut for star Dev Patel, Monkey Man is a gripping, superbly-choreographed martial arts movie about justice, devotion, corruption and gaining strength from a supportive community, but doesn’t shy away from the savagery vengeance can entail.

7. Speak No Evil.

Featuring a gorgeous but claustrophobic setting and a riveting villain performance from James McAvoy, this psychological thriller rises smoothly from creeping unease to base-under-siege terror, withwell-wovencommentaryontoxicmasculinity and microaggressions.

6. The First Omen.

A profoundly-unsettling, extremely well-paced and beautifully-shot horror film with a transcendent lead performance from Nell Tiger Free.

Moreover, this Omen prequel is not slavishly beholden to the original, changing certain details in interesting ways.

While less subtle, this film’s twin Immaculate is also very good.

5. Civil War.

One of the most stressful, concussively exciting war movies in years, told through a scenic roadtrip movie with engaging characters.

4. Late Night With The Devil.

This Australian coproduction (with some

scenes shot in Warburton) channels the heightened energy of seventies late-night TV into a disquieting but very fun horror film, with David Dastmalchian throwing himself into the role of the hapless host.

3. Longlegs.

Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage bring their A-game for a chilling, deliberately slow, supremely atmospheric horror film that balances the satisfaction of discovery with a clenching helplessness as the demonic plot unfolds.

2. The Substance.

With Oscar-worthy performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, The Substance is a lurid body horror film equal parts sexy, glamorous and gross, suffused with smart satire on youth-obsessed culture, body image and the objectification of women in media.

Director Coralie Fargeat conveys Cronenbergian sensibilities but with a unique hip, feminist vision.

1. Dune, Part 2. Just as grand and intimate as its predecessor, Dune Part 2 is an enthralling journey of romance, war, culture shock and poisonous destiny in an immersive universe.

Denis Villeneuve’s two Dune films may be the perfect execution of Frank Herbert’s classic novel.

View on Taungurung Country in the Victorian Alps looking towards the Central Highlands. (Chris Taylor)

Be ready for fire risk

The CFA’s declared Fire Danger Period will begin in the Yarra Ranges on 23 December.

We all know that this formally starts the fire season in the Yarra Ranges, but we also know that bushfires don’t wait for ideal timing, and often take us by surprise.

If you haven’t already, now is the best time to prepare your property for summer.

Pruning back vegetation near your home, making sure your grass is cut, and that tree debris like bark and twigs are disposed of in your FOGO bin will go a long way to making sure your property is as safe as possible for hot, dry weather.

Clearing roof spouting, around and under decks, and having a tidy up are also great ways to keep your home safe.

But being safe isn’t just about reducing fuel loads. It’s about checking the CFA’s Fire Danger Ratings regularly, being familiar with what the ratings mean for you and, crucially, what they mean for your family’s fire plan.

Will you leave on a day of Extreme Fire Danger? Or the day before a Catastrophic forecast?

Supporting our children

Healthy living

Tim Howden

Paediatric Naturopath – Healesville

Proper nutrition plays a critical role in brain function, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. In fact, certain nutrients have been shown to help manage stress and anxiety by supporting the body’s natural response to stress.

For example:

1.Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds, omega-3s are essential for brain health. Studies have shown they can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, helping to stabilize mood.

2.B Vitamins: B vitamins, particularly B6, B12, and folate, are crucial for regulating mood and energy levels. Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to increased irritability and feelings of anxiety. Sources = include leafy greens, whole grains, and fortified cereals.

3.Magnesium: Known for its calming effects, magnesium helps regulate the body’s stress response and can improve sleep. Foods rich in magnesium include nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens.

4.Vitamin D: Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to mood disorders, including anxiety. Sunshine is the best source, but foods like fortified milk, eggs, and fatty fish can help maintain adequate levels.

5.Probiotics: The gut-brain connection is powerful, and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome can have a significant impact on mental health. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables can support emotional regulation and reduce anxiety.

6.Complex Carbohydrates: Unlike sugary snacks that cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, complex carbs found in whole grains, vegetables, and legumes release energy slowly, helping to stabilize mood and prevent irritability.

In addition to these nutrients, it’s important to encourage a balanced, wholefoods-based diet, limit processed foods, and create an eating routine that promotes regular meals and snacks. By addressing these dietary factors, we can help children build resilience against the stressors they face and improve their mental health over time. Have you noticed any specific areas where you think nutrition might be helping, or would you like more detailed suggestions for meals or meal plans?

From my From my desk

Jim

Child

What is your plan for your pets, where would you go out of the region?

It’s essential to have these conversations now, because if the worst happens, it can be difficult to think straight or plan, and there is often not much time to do it.

In all likelihood, many of us won’t need to enact our fire plans this year. But it’s much better to have one ready than to need one urgently and not have it.

We’re working through our regularly-programmed works ahead of the fire season, with 357 hazard inspections undertaken and 221 fire

CARTOON

prevention notices issued to property owners.

We’re also working to reduce fuel loads by roadsides, in parks and reserves – a program that will run for much of the warmer months.

If you’re going to burn off in the very few days before the Fire Danger Period, check conditions and whether you’re able to burn off at your property, and always register burns with Fire Permits Victoria online or by calling ESTA on 1800 668 511.

Check the CFA website regularly for conditions over summer and total fire ban announcements and make sure to install the Emergency Victoria app for local notifications.

On behalf of all of Council, have a safe and merry Christmas, a great holiday season and remember to shop local for your gifts, support local businesses on your travels and be safe on the roads.

Cr Jim Child, Mayor of Yarra Ranges

Top 5 books reviewed

With Christmas fast approaching, it is time to reflect on the progress we made in 2024 while planning new projects and fresh goals for 2025.

At the start of this year, I set out to increase the number of arts, cultural and literary events featured in the ‘Passion for Prose’ column, focusing on topics about literature and literacy that are relevant to communities across Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges.

Consequently, only 19 book reviews were published in my column this year.

The top 5 books featured here are selected from this list

(As I continue to read for pleasure, the remainder of my 40 plus book reviews this year were published elsewhere, mainly online. But the print media is and will always be my favourite.)

Below are my top 5 books reviewed in 2024. These titles have mesmerised me with their ingenuity, complexity and imaginativeness.

1.Babel by American author R.F. Kuang: A fantasy novel on language, friendship and revolution, tackling issues of translation between words and worlds, with passion and compassion.

2.Runt by Australian author Craig Silvey: A magical, delightful book. The cleverly written story is all about being true to yourself and respecting other people’s rights to walk their own paths.

3.What I Would Do to You by Australian author Georgia Harper: An intense, confronting novel delving into “things that may never happen, and sometimes should never happen”.

4.A Hunger of Thorns by Australian author Lili Wilkinson: A vivid, wild and captivating fantasy tale about missing girls who don’t need hand-

PASSION FOR PROSE

some princes to rescue them.

5.The Silence Factory by British author Bridget Collins: A fascinating story exploring the nature and significance of silence, exquisitely written and highly intriguing.

And, finally, there are three honourable mentions

• These titles have surprised me with their breadth, depth and innovativeness.

• The Ledge by Australian author Christian White

• The Desert Knows Her Name by Australian author Lia Hills

• Fang Si-Chi’s First Love Paradise by Taiwanese author Lin Yi-Han

So, here is a heartfelt thank you to all our readers who have been supporting the ‘Passion for Prose’ column since February 2021.

Would y’all please also give a round of applause to The Star Mail’s hardworking editors, page layers and designers!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I shall return in January 2025 with more reviews and recommendations of interesting books and literary events across Australia and overseas.

More top acts to come

Alex theatre St. Kilda

A Very N aughty Christmas.

Australia’s favourite adults only Christmas show makes its way to London and returns to Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne.

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, Brisbane’s sexiest carollers are ready to help you get into the holiday ‘spirits’.

Avoid those awkward family gatherings and come have a gin this Christmas Santa’s favourite little helpers.

Your reviewer was invited to opening night and must say, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Definitely an adult show with near nudity and full nudity.

A wonderful display of dancing, singing, and with perfect timing.

The stage had the band on top, two flights of stairs each side, two Christmas trees also each side of the stage.

All these sets were out to good use by the cast of eight.

Also plenty of audience participation.

In fact one scene was reading a Christmas story where audience members were “volunteered” to come on stage and acted out the various roles as Santa Claus read them out.

This went over very well and created a few laughs.

The choreography was superb, and the presentation was that one would expect from the company.

The artists also were up and down the isles so one did not know where the next scene was coming from.

All in all a wonderful evening of entertainment.

The 1812 Theatre Spider’s Web by Agatha Christie Clarissa, the second wife of Henry Hailsham-Brownisadeptatspinningtalesof adventure for their bored diplomatic circle.

When a murder takes lace in her drawing room, she finds live drama much harder to cope with, especially she suspects the murderer might be her young step-daughter, Pippa.

Worse still, the victim is the man who broke p Henry’s first marriage.

Clarissa’s fast talking places her in some hair-raiding situations, as she comes to learn the facts are much more terrifying than fiction.

• Season: 20 February – 15 March. Venue: Lowe Auditorium.

The Housekeeper

• Season: 22 May – 14 June. Venue: Lowe Auditorium

Home, I’m darling

• Season: 7 August – 30 August. Venue: Lowe Auditorium.

Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica

• Season: 13 November – 16 December. Venue: Lowe Auditorium, Short Shorts

• Season: 28 January – 1 February. Venue: bakery@1812, The Thrill of Love

• Season: 3 April – 3 May. Venue: bakery@1812.

Sweeney Todd and the razor’s Edge

• Season: 1 July – 12 July. Venue: bakery@1812

Short Play Festival

Board Shorts

• Season: 24 – 26 July. Venue: bakery@1812 The Thrill of Love Season: 3 April – 3 May. Venue: bakery@1812

Speaking in Tongues

• Season: 2 October – 25 October. Venue: bakery@1812

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

A CLASSIC WARBURTON PROPERTY ON 10 ACRES

A spectacular property steeped in local history, a true classic Warburton property and set on a picturesque 10 acres dating back to around the early 1900’s.

A charming home with all the period features and style of the days gone by with all the modern features and comforts of today’s era. A versatile and functional floor plan offers plenty of flexibility for a multitude of uses.

Boasting 6 to 7 bedrooms plus an office/ study area, 2 bathrooms and multiple living/ family rooms ideally zoned to allow everyone their own space and privacy. The kitchen area is sure to impress with quality appliances and fixtures with ample bench and cupboard space plus a walk in pantry and beautiful splash backs.

The main family room is the highlight of the home with stunning views to the Yarra river, a view you will admire every day. The outside area is equally impressive with approx. 10

acres to explore, a mix of cleared grassy lawns and scattered bush allows an abundance of enjoyment all year round, lovely established gardens, trees and shrubs surround the property.

Entertain in style all year round with a covered entertaining area plus open air entertaining with a huge deck off the main family room with stunning views overlooking the Yarra River. An impressive view, an impressive property, fresh, modern and up to date throughout but retaining all the warmth and atmosphere of the early days, a rare Warburton residence with so much to offer and situated in an exclusive and private location and yet just minutes walk to Warburton’s main street, activities and attractions.

Viewings are strictly by appointment only and by contacting David Carroll 0419 539 320.

FABULOUS FIRST HOME RIPE FOR RENOVATIONS

THE possibilities are endless at this charming weatherboard home in prime position between lush parkland and lively Tecoma township. Ideal as a comfortable first home with scope to update to your own style in future, this is a splendid investment in a superb lifestyle location.

The 1,281sqm (approx.) landscape that frames this home features a sealed drive with single carport, terraced garden areas, and recreational vehicle parking. For entertaining, dine outdoors under the alfresco with cafe blinds overlooking the leafy surrounds.

Inside, the split-level layout is enriched with floor to ceiling windows, timber floors, vaulted ceilings, and a warm wood fire in the bright lounge and dining area. With works needed to

the flooring and kitchen this property is ripe for renovation. The original kitchen boasts slate floors and modern appliances including a gas cooktop and stainless steel wall oven and dishwasher.

Three spacious bedrooms, including the main bedroom with huge walk-in robe which could later be converted into an ensuite (STCA), provide ample accommodation and the classic bathroom is enhanced with a sunny skylight.

With a bounty of appealing features, a lovely landscape, and a convenient position near transport, schools, shopping, and parks, this is the perfect place to start or supplement your property portfolio. Plan your viewing today.

DREAM RETREAT WITH MODERN COMFORTS

THIS charming 3-bedroom unit on a generous 403 sq. metre block, is the perfect combination of style, comfort, and sustainability, offering a peaceful haven in a private yet very convenient location.

The home features beautiful timber floorboards, high ceilings, light-filled living spaces, and a cast iron Heat Charm wood fire set into a beautiful wooden mantelpiece, while GDH and split-system heating and cooling provide effortless comfort year-round.

The modern kitchen is a true highlight, designed for convenience and style, with ample storage and functionality that flows onto the balcony, the perfect place for alfresco dining. But what truly sets this home apart is its energy-efficient design, equipped with 15 solar panels and a 6.6 kilowatt battery backup, you will enjoy lower energy bills and the satisfaction of sustainable living.

The thoughtful layout includes three generously sized bedrooms, a study nook, European laundry, and bright open living spaces that seamlessly connects to the outdoors.

Relax and unwind on the verandah, surrounded by greenery and the peaceful sounds of nature, or bask in the light-filled interiors that make every corner of this home feel welcoming.

Outside you will discover a gardener’s paradise, from the 15 fruit trees which include Olives, avocadoes, pomegranate, peach, pear, and citrus trees, to the Camomile and Tyme lawn producing incredible fragrances when walked on, to the raised garden beds made from recycled plastic. There is a rear courtyard and a large carport with storage for additional convenience.

Located just moments from local amenities, including shops, schools, and public transport, this property offers the perfect balance of convenience and tranquillity. With its stunning outlook, modern amenities, and eco-friendly features, this home truly has it all.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to secure a property that offers charm, comfort, and sustainability in one perfect package!

1/2ACREOFBEAUTIFULESTABLISHEDGARDENS

SituatedinoneofmostpicturesqueplacesintheDandenongRanges,isthismoveinready3 bedroom +studyhome.Featuresincludegleamingpolished floors,ornate cornicesandceilings,quirkypinkstairs,architecturallydesignedmasterbedroom/study extension,openplanspaciouskitchenwitha 900mmS/Sstove.Outdoorsisjustunder ½ anacreofbeautifulold-growthtrees &establishedgardenswithfruittrees,a chicken coop,veggiepatch,underhousestorageanda coveredentertainingdeck.

MickDolphin 0429684522

3 A 2 B 3 C

Thisfabulouslowmaintenancebrickveneerhomeismove-inready,ona usablefenced allotmentof918m2withsideaccess,alsogaragingfor3 cars &a cellar.Ina ruralsetting withlovelyseasonalviews,itistheidealhome.Otherfeaturesinclude aluxuriousfamily bathroomwithcustomcabinetry,bathtub& walk-inshower,modernkitchenwithstone benches& 900mmstove,sunroom,wood fire,splitsystem,rear& sidedeck,fullyfenced rearyard,establishedfruittreesanda studio.Convenientlylocatedon asealedroad.

MickDolphin 0429684522

ErinDavies 0493136937 ECO-FRIENDLYLIVING

Thischarmingunitistheperfectcombinationofstyle,comfort &sustainability,featuring beautifultimberfloorboards,highceilings,light-filledlivingspaces, acastironHeat Charmwood firesetintoa beautifulwoodenmantelpiece,GDH,split-systemheating &cooling, amodernkitchenwith Eurolaundry openingontobalcony,energy-efficient design,equippedwith15solarpanelsanda 6.6kilowattbattery backup, astudy nook & veranda. Outsideoffers agardener’sparadisewith15fruittrees,andraisedgardenbeds

JanBrewster 0409558805

AnthonyIorlano 0494142438

Thislight &spaciousbrickveneerhomehastheperfectblendofspace,comfortand moderntouches.Entrancetothehomeisthrough afabulousenclosedsunroomandthen stepinsidetodiscovertheopen-planlayout,galley-stylekitchen,mealsarea,downstairs rumpusroomwithitsownpowderroom,spaciousunder-housestorageandampleoffstreetparkingforcars &caravansetc.Thelocationdirectlyacrossfrom aNationalPark offersscenicviewsandeasyaccesstowalkingtrails,perfectforoutdoorenthusiasts.

MickDolphin 0429684522 FULLYFENCEDWITHGREATVIEWS

JanBrewster 0409558805

TIMELESS QUALITY IN TIGHTLY HELD LOCATION

THIS classic tumbled brick home presents an incredible opportunity secure complete comfort in a prestigious pocket position.

Boasting a stunning north-facing allotment with circular drive, solar-heated swimming pool, double garage, and beautiful terraced lawns that capture leafy outlooks, this idyllic slice of this tightly held neighbourhood could now be yours.

The interior of this original residence was designed with family living in mind. At the front of the home, the rumpus room and flexible dining/study area feature large windows and modern wideboard flooring. The original dine-in kitchen with quality timber cabinetry, wall oven, stainless steel dishwasher, and breakfast bar steps out to the deck with pool views. With a bonus living area with floor to ceiling windows, generous guest bedroom, full bathroom, and large laundry also on this level, this residence is bursting with space and versatility.

Upstairs, further family bedrooms await including the main bedroom with large walk-in robe and shower ensuite. Each room is kept comfortable with a split system heating/ cooling unit and the shared family bathroom features a soaking tub and separate WC for convenience.

Whether you choose to move straight in or make aesthetic updates, new owners will be thrilled to now call this esteemed location home. An opportunity awaits, so don’t delay, plan your viewing today.

Beautiful 1,739sqm (approx.) landscape with circular drive and terraced lawns

Tumbled brick residence with swimming pool and double garage

• Meticulously maintained interior with 2 generous living and dining areas

• Spacious bedrooms and bathrooms on both levels including main with walk-in robe and shower ensuite

Gas ducted heating, air conditioning units, and split system heating/cooling for yearround comfort.

PICTURESQUE YARRA VALLEY VIEWS ALL YEAR ROUND

ADMIRE and enjoy this colourful and ever changing vista with fantastic Yarra Valley views and a comfortable family home in a popular and sought after area, this could be just what you are looking for. The home is well presented and very well looked after, a much loved family home for over 30 years. Offering 3 bedrooms all with built in robes including an ensuite in the main bedroom, spacious open living/lounge areas give the growing family plenty of space. The kitchen has ample bench and cupboard space plus a separate meals area. Venture outside and enjoy the open air entertaining, sit back relax and enjoy the views and the colourful scenery, the kids and pets will love the wide open space with approx. 1680 sqm to explore, enjoy and run wild. A fantastic property offering the growing family a convenient and comfortable lifestyle and ideally positioned just a short stroll to the walking trail, local schools, shops and transport.

FamilyAcreagewithSomethingForEveryone

Aprivateandpicturesquelocation,thisrusticfarmhouseonsmallacreageoffers afantasticlifestyle. Boasting 4bedroomsandloadsofspaceforthegrowingfamily,witha flexiblefloorplanofupstairs anddownstairsliving.Thekitchenisspaciouswithanopenfeelandamplebenchandcupboard space.Getoutsideandenjoytheoutdoorswiththewideopenspacewithjustover2.5acresto exploreandenjoy.Forthehorseenthusiast,separatepaddocks,plus aridingarenaandstables. Openmachineryshedand ahighclearancecarportforfloatsandcaravans,plusthekingofsheds with ahugelockupgarage/workshopbigenoughtoaccommodatelargetrucksandtrailers. Entertainandenjoythesummerweatherwith acoveredentertainingareaandanaboveground poolwithdeckingallround. Afantasticsmallacreagepropertyin agreatlocation.

DavidCarroll M 0419539320

SmallAcreageParadisein aFantasticLocation

Positionedtopleasethisbeautifulsmallacreagehobbyfarmistheidealplacetostarttherelaxed countrylifestyle,situatedonapprox.4.5acresofrollingpastures,thereisloadsofspaceforthe growingfamilytospreadoutandenjoy.Currentlysetuptosuitthehorseenthusiastwithmultiple paddocksandsheltersplus 3stablesandholdingyardsplusa largebarnwithmezzaninefloor.The countrystylehomeiswarm,homelyandinvitingoffering 2goodsizedbedroomsplusa family/ loungeareawithgasheatingandmultiplesplitsystemsthroughoutthehome.Thekitcheniswell appointedandhasplentyofbenchandcupboardspaceincludinga separatemeals/diningarea.A sensationalpropertyinanexceptionallocationbackingontotheWarburtontrailandjusta shortwalk tolocalschools,shopsandtransportit’sa greatplaceforthefamilytocallhome.

LargeAcreageBlisswithPeaceandPrivacy

Admireandenjoytheamazingviewsallyearroundatthissuperbproperty,situatedonjustover36 picturesqueacreswith amixofundulatingpastureand abushsettingit’ssuretoimpress!Theclassic rusticmudbrickhomeiswarmandinvitingandhasallthecharmandambienceofa countryescape offering 4bedroomsplusanoffice/studyarea.Thespaciouslounge/livingareasoffergreatspacefor thewholefamily.A separatemeals/diningareahasamplespaceforthegrowingfamilyplus alarge kitchenareaand averyimpressivecombustionstyleovenandhotplate.Amplecar,trailer,truckor caravanaccommodationwith alargebarnandloadsofextraroomtomove, ablankcanvasready andwaitingtocreatetheidealcountrylifestyle.It’sa greatplacetocallhome.

DavidCarroll M 0419539320

SereneMountainRetreatwithStunningViewsandLushGardens Thischarminghomeoffers arareopportunityforsomeonetofallinlovewitha tranquilretreat, perfectasa weekendgetawayor apeacefulpermanentresidence.Thehomeboaststhree bedrooms,eachwithpicturesquewindowsthatcapturethebeautyofthesurroundings.The spaciouskitchenisperfectforcookingenthusiasts,featuring alargeoven,dishwasher,andplenty ofcounterspace.Anupdatedfamilybathroom,separatetoilet,anda laundrywithamplestorage completethemainlevel.Downstairs,you’llfind aversatilespace,idealfor ahomeoffice,studio,or hobbyroom,alongwith agenerousworkshopandadditionalstorage.Thestunninggardenswrap aroundthehome,offering apeacefulretreatthatfeelslikeyourownprivatesanctuary.Conveniently located,thisdelightfulhomeofferstheperfectblendofserenityandaccessibility.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

Sat1:00-1:30pm

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 Rule (3)

3 Request form (11)

9 Determination (7)

10 Bestowed (7)

11 Negatively charged subatomic particle (8)

12 Reddish metal (6)

14 Tavern (3)

15 Means (11)

17 Regions (11)

19 Possess (3)

20 Eight-legged animal (6)

21 Resonant (8)

24 Realm of an independent Islamic chieftain (7)

25 Grain from cassava (7)

26 Leader of a cause (11)

27 Prosecute (3)

DOWN

1 Thief (9)

2 Cowboy literary genre (7)

3 Assign (5)

4 Extraordinary thing (10)

5 Formerly Persia (4)

6 Comparative conclusions (9)

7 Thoroughgoing, exhaustive (2,5)

8 Lowest point (5)

13 Rotorcraft (10)

15 Suppress (9)

16 Painting of the countryside (9)

18 Wetter in terms of weather (7)

19 Redolent (7)

20 Sugary (5)

22 Of equal value (2,3)

23 To dispense, to – out (4)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list?

Garside challenge proves tough

By Ron Hottes

The V.V.V’s: Another healthy field of Ladies tackling the back-nine on this day resulted in a superb score being posted of 18 points. This was on the card of Annelies Duivenvoorden. Great result, Annelies. The runner-up, with a solid score of 16 points, went to Suzanne Barratt (bragging rights; sorry K.B.) And yes loyal readers, we had not one, but two of those elusive NTPs. On the 12th, Georgie’s excellent tee shot finished on the green for the 1st one. And not to be outdone, Deborah landed one on the tricky 15th.

Wednesday 11 December, Garside Challenge via a 2-Person Ambrose:

Horse Talk

By Anita Prowse

So, with the boys throwing out the Challenge, in the form of ‘Ok, who can score better than us’ Junior (Ian) and Senior (Phil) set about providing a more-than-healthy target for the rest of the pairs to beat. They posted a Nett score of 62.5, shooting a 67 off-the-stick. But this wasn’t good enough, because the Whitehead/Gilmore pairing matched that excellent score exactly. So, under the very generous Garside rules, Peter and the Skipper got ‘the booty’. The next best result came from the reliable pairing of Allan ‘Old Man River’ Hubbard and Your Loyal Scribe, who posted a 62.7 score. There were plenty of NTPs to take home on this day. They were won by: M. Hibbert (3rd and 9th), Neil Leckenby (5th), Junior Garside (12th), Chris Leighton (17th and Longest Drive on the 16th) and last, but

A very warm one for the 2024 Yarra Valley Horse Show, but still very impressive numbers for the day.

This year saw the event running the very first ‘Shirley Heights Eminent turnout’ class, which involved, turnout, ridden and led components, the winner was Brent Greyson-Bennett with the gorgeous Louvont and runner-up was Sarah Allsopp on Furst Dance. Congratulations to both riders looking amazing and doing a super workout. Can’t wait to see that one again next year. Local rider Marley from Upper Yarra Pony Club won the Encouragement Award in the Pony Club ring, Junior Highpoint PC was Harper and Senior Highpoint PC was Elizabeth. Was a great day despite the warmer weather and an event which organisers always enjoy running, with more and more classes being added every year. That’s it for Upper Yarra Pony Club until events resume on Australia Day 2025 for the Annual Freshman’s Day. Happy Riding everyone.

Trades & Services

certainly not least, by Deborah, for her super long drive, also on the 16th. The Committee, but especially all the members who participated would sincerely like to pass on their genuine appreciation to the Garside boys for their generous offer to sponsor this much-enjoyed event, long may it continue. Twilight: Under cloudless skies, and with little or no wind to deal with, those ideal conditions suited the likelihood of some seriously impressive results. George Brown posted the best of those, gathering 24 high-class points on the way. This outstanding result was way too good for the rest of the field, although runner-up Deborah’s 21 points could have won on any other day. The ball rundown extended to 18 only. The three NTPs went home with Danny

DECLARATION

Fire Restrictions

CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria will be introducing fire restrictions (Fire Danger Period and Prohibited Period, respectively) for all private land within the municipalities listed below.

The Fire Restriction Period will commence at 0100 hours on the date shown and unless varied by a subsequent declaration, will end at 0100 hours on 01/05/2025

Municipality

DateofCommencement

Yarra Ranges Council23/12/2024

Knox City Council23/12/2024

Manningham Council23/12/2024

Maroondah Council23/12/2024

(Parts not within the FRV Fire District)

Certain restrictions on the lighting of fires are in force during the Fire Restriction Period. Information about fire restrictions within the Country Area of Victoria can be obtained from www.cfa.vic.gov.au, your local CFA District Office or Municipal Fire Prevention Officer Information about fire restrictions within the Fire Protected Area can be obtained from www.ffm.vic.gov.au, or your local Forest Fire Management Victoria Fire District Officer

JasonHeffernan Chief Officer

ChrisHardman Chief Fire Officer

Fox (11th), Ashleigh Hall (12th) and Paul Kennedy (15th). Next Thursday is the last of the 2024 Twilights, so enjoy that day’s Christmas breakup. Saturday 14 December, 4-Person Ambrose and Presentation Day (keep an eye out for a full appraisal of the presentation day awards in the first edition back of the Star Mail in 2025): The winning team, with an impressive Nett score of 51, consisted of Lee and Brendan-Creedy, Michael Pinkster and Dale Sund. Good shooting boys. The runner-up team, posting a Nett 52.25, included the Fox boys, Sam Dennis and Roger Mataele. There was no ball rundown, but there were plenty of NTPs. They were won by: Geoff Sharp (3rd), Seth Spenceley (5th), Mr.Pinkster (9th), Kenno (12th) and finally Ken ‘K.B’ Barratt (15th).

General Classifieds

Winning rider Brent Greyson-Bennett. (Supplied)

Runner-Up Sarah Allsopp. (Supplied)

Healesville in good hands

By Ian Milgate

Healesville’s Side 1 played away against our old friendly rivals Warburton.

Healesville went into the match feeling confident, but after hearing how well one of Healesville’s old players, Chris Boland, played on Saturday, as a now Warby skip, Healesville felt less confident.

Each rink started off well and by the half time break, Healesville were only down by nine shots 30/39.

After the break, Warburton put their foot down and slowly pulled away beating Healesville by 29 shots 47/76.

It was played in good spirits as always and look forward to Healesville’s next match with them.

Gerda Otto, Bernard Godde, Bob Brown, Col Jarvis 22/19

Rita Featherstone, Mick Featherstone, Robyn Turville, Steve Bulled 13/30

Ian Milgate, Hilda Gurney, Rob Ayres, Effie Laban 12/27

Healesville’s Second Side played at home against Mooroolbark.

Healesville were expected to win against them as they were a few spots below Healesville.

Len Cosson’s rink and Judy Veermann’s rink both got away to a good start with Damian Key’s rink holding their own.

By the half time break, Healesville had a convincing lead by 32 shots.

Healesville continued after the break with some great bowling from Jodi Ward, Judy Veermann, Len Cosson, Mike Adams, in fact all players played exceptionally well.

In the end, Healesville won by 37 shots 79/32. It now puts Healesville into third place on the ladder.

Keep up the good work.

Russell Smith, Mike Adams, John McMillan, Len Cosson 32/8

Jodi Ward, Mark Cookney, John Allen, Judy Veer-

mann 27/3

Jill Cookney, Anne Holland, Barry Parker, Damian Key 20/21

Saturday’s Side 1 played at home against Lilydale who were sitting on the bottom of the ladder, so Healesville were expected to win, but the Healesville players know what happened last time Healesville made a similar prediction, so Healesville players couldn’t let their guard down.

All rinks started off well with some good consistent bowling and by the half time break, Healesville were 18 shots up 50/32.

After the break, Healesville continued to forge ahead even though there was a lot to be said about the condition of the green, and in the end, Healesville won by 72 shots 119/47.

A great game by all players, which now puts Healesville in third place on the ladder.

Enjoy the break.

Ian Milgate, Colin Jarvis, Robert Ayres, Mark Ward 17/14

Barry Parker, Bob Brown, Effie Laban, John Fitzpatrick 33/15

Russell Smith, Chris Hawting, Rita Featherstone, Steve Bulled 25/13

Gerda Otto, Mick Featherstone, Robyn Turville, Adrian Beales 44/5

Saturday’s Side 2 also played at home for their last game before Christmas, against Doncaster.

This was going to be a fairly even match as both teams were in the top four.

Doncaster got the jump on us right from the start and by the half time break, Healesville were struggling to keep up with them.

Healesville went into the break 12 shots down 23/35.

After the break, Healesville were unable to make any headway although John Howard’s rink managed to get up.

In the end, the Healesville team went down by 27 shots 38/65.

Healesville are now in second spot on the ladder.

Two wins before holidays

By Garry Lewis

In the past week, the Warburton 2 side and the midweek Warburton 1 Pennant sides recorded convincing victories. However, the top weekend side had a disappointing loss leading into the holiday break.

Warburton 1 team’s lack of success away to rivals Lilydale continued on Saturday with 54 shots to 86 loss. This has put their finals ambition on hold until the new year. Two rinks were quite competitive but ultimately the Burras went down and the overall loss in the finish was comprehensive.

Rink scores were C. Lord 16/ 19, C. Neale 11/ 25, P. McConachy 12/ 21 and S. Lord 15/ 21. They look forward to regrouping after the break against Ferntree Gully 1 at home on 18 January.

Fifth-placed Warburton 2 played fourthplaced Bennetswood 1 at home as the Burras looked to get revenge on the opposition following their big victory earlier in the season.

With several regular players returning, the Burras were confident of putting in a positive performance. A solid start across all rinks saw the home side create a hand lead at the break. Bennetswood didn’t give up and a couple of their rinks fought back well in the second half. However, the Burras were determined to keep their overall score out of reach to record a well deserved 98 shots to 66 victory and jump into fourth place on the ladder leading into the break.

Rink scores were M. Stoessiger 19/ 21, D. Fahy 23/ 14, M. Van Meurs 22/ 20 and P. Summers 34/ 11. The Burras now play Eastwood Golf 1 at home after the break. It is important that they continue to win at home and snag a couple of away wins leading into the finals to retain their position in the top four.

The Midweek side continued their recent good form with a good win over fourth-placed Healesville 1 on Tuesday.

The standard was again very high across the rinks and two of the three Burras’ teams kicked on for convincing victories. Overall, a fine win against a committed opponent, 76 shots to 47.

Rink scores were as follows: R. McKail 19/ 22, T. Heywood 27/ 12 and C. Boland 30/ 13. They play Yarra Glen 1 away this Tuesday before the Holiday Break. Following the break, they play Mooroolbark 2 at home on 21 January.

The Wednesday Night Barefoot Bowls Jack

Attack Competition continued last week with another enjoyable Double Header for Rounds 6 and 7 before the Holiday Break. It was great to see several participants dressed up in Christmas Festive gear.

Once again there were several extremely close games throughout the evening with Ray Pearman from the Pensioners Team winning the prize for being the first person to touch the jack. Another highlight was seeing the Giffords Gang All Stars Team winning their first game of the competition.

The competition will recommence after the break on Wednesday 22 January.

During the holiday break, the club will be holding the Tradge Woods Triples Tournament on Saturday 11 January 2025, in memory of the highly esteemed past member of the club. All 16 Team positions are filled. The Club looks forward to some great bowling from a high-quality field.

The Annual Pink Ribbon Day Triples Tournament, sponsored by Professionals Real Estate, will be held on Sunday 9 February 2025, with all funds raised going towards Breast Cancer Research. Food, refreshments, raffles and prizes available during the day. $10 per head or $30 per team of three.

Female and Male Entries accepted of all abilities, including Beginners. Entries in by 30 January.

Interested people or teams of 3 are encouraged to contact Michelle 0437 566 238 for further details.

Intra Club Competitions will continue over the break with participants keen to achieve bragging rights over their fellow club members.

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.

John Allen, Karl Tok, Glenda Graham, Mike Adams 12/21

Ken Gallacher, Ted Upton, John McMillan, Judy Veermann 8/28

Jude Wallace, Bernard Godde, Leonie Fitzpatrick, John Howard 18/16

As this is Healesville Bowling Club’s last Saturday match before the Christmas break, the club would like to thank a few people for their efforts throughout the season. A big thank you to all those volunteers (club members) who have helped out during the season with all the functions that the club has, and there are lots.

Leonie Fitzpatrick who spends more time at the

club than at home, Robyn Turville and Steve Bulled who work so hard in organizing, and behind the bar, Effie Laban for running the Community Barefoot Challenge, Mick and Rita Featherstone who organized the Family Barefoot Challenges, Judy Veermann and Jill Cookney for all the behind scenes and the many others who are always there to help out.

Thank you to the Star Mail for including our articles each week and finally to Healesville Bowling Club’s generous sponsors who without you, the club would struggle as a club.

All have a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

Weekend Pennant on break

By Rodney Bates

Weekend pennant action for 2024 came to a close on Saturday 15 December.

Yarra Glen’s division 1 side had a difficult travel assignment against Whittlesea.

Overall, it was a tight contest, but Yarra Glen prevailed with two rink wins and a final margin of seven shots.

Final score 84/77 (14 points).

C. Carswell 26/19; S. Manifold 22/12; Beau Simmons 13/22; Ben Simmons 23/24.

The win puts the side inside the top four.

Division 4 Side 2 played at home against Ringwood.

The team has had a number of close finishes this season, and this was no exception, with Ringwood moving the jack to pick up two shots on the last end for an overall loss to Yarra Glen 75/77 (4 Points).

S. Smith 9/23; M. Ramage 19/14; R. Thurkle 14/29; A. Thurkle 33/11.

Yarra Glen is now third on the ladder, five points off top spot.

Side 3 also played at home to Croydon.

The two winning rinks were not quite

enough to get the overall result, going down 65/78 (four Points).

L. Baker 24/22; D. Skillern 10/18; D. McMenaman 10/28; T. Dickson 21/10.

Going into the end of year break, the team finds themselves in sixth position, just nine points outside the four.

Midweek pennant

Yarra Glen’s Division 2 team had a hard task away against top of the table Heathmont, who provide too strong, final score 33/92 (two points).

P. Leonard 3/38; P. Tirant 19/17; A. James 11/37.

Division 3, playing at home could only secure one rink, going down 42/83 (two Points).

L. Baker 14/32; T. Dickson 8/34; D. McMenaman 20/17.

Yarra Glen’s midweek teams have one more game before the break on Tuesday.

Mixed results in YJBC

By Elly Byrne

One up one down for the Yarra Junction Bowling Club Eagles this week. Both games this week saw the Eagles travel to travel to Croydon to again tackle the grass.

The midweek team had two great rink wins on a slower green but the third rink struggled from the start allowing Croydon to gain such an advantage that they pulled the rug from under their feet to take the overall game 60/48. The next game is versus Healesville who sit 3rd and only 4 points ahead on the ladder. Hopefully, a home game for the Eagles will see a good display of bowling and they maintain or improve their position in the top four prior to the break.

Returning to Croydon for the weekend match after Tuesdays defeat at Croydon was a

bitter pill to swallow for some. The determination was there and Junction went into the game with a good mindset knowing their position on the ladder was protected either way. A win was still the goal and the Eagles proved their capability by gaining the lead early and continuing through to the break. All rinks performed superbly and continued to build to take a comprehensive win 97/60 taking full points to remain clear on top of the ladder by a 29 point margin. A great result to finish pre-Xmas. Community Barefoot Bowls, always a great way to spend summer Friday nights, is set to resume on January 10 so come along and join in. BBQ and Bar will be open.

The Eagles continue to receive great support from the community and sponsors and wish all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

Rita Featherstone and Gerda Otto celebrating after Saturday’s win. (Supplied)

Warburton bowlers picked up two wins from three before the break. (File)

Some strong wins

By David Marshall

This weekend saw a range of results for the Wandin Cricket Club, with strong performances and areas to improve as they head toward the end of the year. Let’s dive into the action across the four senior teams.

1st XI: Battling the Ladder Leaders

The 1st XI faced a tough assignment, travelling away to take on top-of-the-ladder Ainslie Park. Winning the toss, Wandin elected to bat first. Bryce Edwards, in stellar form, opened the batting but was without his usual partner Jamie Atkinson. With a reshuffled order, the innings got off to a shaky start as wickets fell regularly around Bryce, leaving Wandin struggling at 4 down early.

A crucial partnership developed when Joel Galvin joined Bryce at the crease. Joel played with confidence, crafting a solid 25 before being dismissed, and while Captain Rick Painter chipped in with a gritty 13, the team struggled to build partnerships. Bryce, adapting his typically aggressive approach to anchor the innings, carried his bat deep, scoring a well-earned 60 before being dismissed in the penultimate over. Wandin finished with 151, a total that would demand disciplined bowling to defend. With the ball, Wandin started strongly. Taylan Hall (1/54) struck early, claiming the first wicket with the score on 19. Ainslie Park then built a solid partnership to reach 70 before a flurry of wickets, with Joel Galvin (2/22) and Mitch Kogleman (2/18) both striking twice, bringing Wandin back into the game. At 6/131, the game was in the balance, but a composed partnership from Ainslie Park’s lower order saw them chase down the target with 10 overs to spare.

The match highlighted ongoing struggles in the middle order, which will be a key focus as the team prepares for the second half of the season.

Women’s 1st XI: Fighting Spirit in Tough Conditions

The Women’s 1st XI faced a strong North Ringwood side in an away T20 match. Losing the toss, Wandin was sent in to bat on a slow outfield, with North Ringwood’s fielders apply-

ing pressure from the outset. Charlotte Edwards andGayleBurgigottheteamofftoasteadystart, but Charlotte’s dismissal for 10 while trying to lift the scoring left Wandin needing to rebuild.

Olivia Edwards showed intent with a quickfire 13 off six balls, but when she fell with the score on 56, the remaining batters found it challenging to accelerate. Bee Cuddon held her ground, finishing unbeaten on 16, but Wandin’s total of 81 left plenty to do with the ball.

The bowlers came out firing. Olivia Edwards struckearly,removingaNorthRingwoodopener with the score on 7. Steady partnerships kept the opposition ticking along, but Wandin’s attack continued to fight. Charlotte Edwards (1/11) and Lisa Vanderzee (1/22) chipped in with key wickets, while Tilly Pearce delivered an exceptional spell, taking 2/7. Nyree George kept the pressure on, conceding just 8 runs in her two overs.

Despite the valiant effort, North Ringwood passed Wandin’s total with a couple of overs to spare. A stronger total could have turned this into a much tighter contest. With improvements in running between the wickets and building partnerships, the team will be ready for the next encounter.

2nd XI: Top Spot Secured

The 2nd XI played host to St Andrews, third on the ladder, in what was a critical match for ladder positions. Losing the toss, Wandin was sent in to bowl, but the team was up for the challenge.

Jason Kneebone (1/18) struck early, removing an opener with the score on 19. The turning point came in the next over when Ethan Alderman produced a spectacular caught-andbowled to dismiss their main batter, who was averaging over 100 this season. From there, regular wickets kept St Andrews in check, with contributions from Jarrod Dobson (1/14) and Julian Polido (1/20). Pick of the bowlers was Ethan, continuing his dominance, finishing with 3/19 from 7 overs, supported by tight bowling from Dave Thorne and young Jed Leckie. St Andrews was restricted to 137, a total Wandin fancied chasing. The opening pair of Dave Marshall and Dave Thorne laid a strong foundation, putting on 79 for the first wicket. Marshall departed for a wellmade 24, but Thorne kept the momentum going,

Unlucky week for Lusatia Park

accelerating the scoring and reaching a run-aball 68 before being dismissed. Jarrod Dobson smashed 32 off just 21 balls, and with support from Matty Owens, the team comfortably passed the target with 14 overs to spare.

This dominant win pushed the 2nd XI to the top of the ladder, setting up a tantalizing top-ofthe-table clash next week.

3rd XI: Building Momentum

The 3rd XI travelled to Yarra Junction brimming with confidence after their first win of the season last week. Bowling first, the team delivered a solid all-around performance. Wickets were shared among the bowlers, with Trent Richards (1/49), Gordo Gosland (1/26), Peter Vaughan (1/37), and Archie Brown (1/26) all chipping in. Leigh Curwood, returning to the club for his first match of the season, bowled superbly, conceding just 18 runs in his 6-over spell. Was great to see Leigh back in the whites at the club. Young debutant Kai Lowrie also impressed, showing promise in his 2-over spell.

Chasing 199, Wandin’s batters built partnerships at key moments. Peter Vaughan (17) and Gordo Gosland (50 retired) gave the team a strong start. Paddy Laws added a quick 29, hitting his first ball for six—then did something his teammates have never seen before – he blocked a ball. Myles Rayner (37) and Captain Greg Foden (30 not out) continued the momentum, and contributions from Ralph Peet (11) and Leigh Curwood (20) saw the team home for their second consecutive win.

The 3rd XI is hitting their stride, and with games against lower-ranked sides coming up, they are primed for a late-season charge toward finals.

Looking Ahead

The weekend showcased the highs and lows of cricket. The 2nd XI continues to dominate, taking top spot on the ladder, while the 3rd XI’s back-to-back wins signal a promising resurgence. Both the 1st XI and Women’s 1st XI showed fight against tough opponents, with lessons to build on as the season progresses.

A big congratulations to all players for their efforts, and as the final games of the year approach, there’s plenty to be optimistic about across the club. Go Wandin!

This week, Lusatia Park’s 1st XI played top side Wonga Park and after being sent in didn’t get off to a good start, losing a wicket in the first over. Lusatia Park lost another 3 wickets over the course of the next nine overs to be 4/52 after 10, Tim Diggins the only one to put up any resistance to be 32 n.o. He was joined at the crease by Adam Dunn and needing to stem the tide over the next 17 overs put on a brilliant partnership of 105 until Diggins went for a magnificent 102, great effort. Lusatia Park unfortunately then lost another 2 wickets without adding to the total and ended up not batting out their overs and finished all out for 200 in 36 overs, Dunn, the only other batter to make a score, finishing on 40 n.o. Paterson was the best of their bowlers taking 3/58. After the break, the visitors went in to bat and were in trouble early at 2/27 with a wicket each to Terry Bennett and new member of the team Hayden Leeds. They then took the score to 85 and in Lochie’s first over took wickets with his 3rd and 4th ball to be on a hatrick but just missing out. The game was evenly poised with the visitors at 4/103 after 20, but they only lost another 2 wickets and passed their score in the 36th over with their best batter D. Keane with a brilliant 101 n.o.

The 2nd XI travelled to Chirnside Park with the home side electing to bat 1st putting on a 1st wicket partnership of 66 and 2nd of 86 to be only 2/152 after 34 overs and finishing up on 5/199 in their 40 overs, their best batters Turner with 75 and Walliker 44. Best of Lusatia Park’s bowlers Lucas Parker 2/40. It was then Lusatia Park’s turn to bat looking to chase down the target but they lost their 1st wicket at 29 and kept steadily losing wickets without a solid partnership ending up losing by 36 runs to finish at 8/163, with Mick Dwyer making 38 and Stuart Parker 30.

The 4th XI played Vermont away, winning the toss and electing to bat first and after their 36 overs finished on a respectable 6/151 with young U/14 Mason McNeill making a fine 37. Lusatia Park are very fortunate to have this side which is made up of our juniors and women who all try their hardest so we can field a full team however the home side passed Lusatia Park’s score in the 20th over.

At this stage, RDCA’s Junior T20 games tonight will go ahead. (File)

Lusatia Park Cricket Club results. (File)

Wallace dominates field

By Michael Jackson, Josh Handasyde, Adam Keath,

Wallace, Matt Wilkinson, Pete Nolan and Chris Handasyde

U12-3 No game

U12-7 Healesville 3/74 defeated Hoddles Creek 5/69

Healesville Under 12’s finished off the first half of the season with a win against Hoddles Creek, their fifth to date.

Healesville restricted Hoddles to 69 with excellent bowling from Otis Rowland (3/7 off 3 overs), who narrowly missed a hatrick.

All bowlers did well with Rory Jackson Ward (1/4 off 3) and Arlo Turner (1/16 off 3) being the other wicket takers.

Healesville chased the score down with plenty of overs to spare. Angus Holmes once again showed his batting strength with an unbeaten 26, well supported by Alby Gotch, (13 n.o.). Felix McMahon (6 n.o)and Rory Jackson-Ward (6 n.o.) put on a good partnership to guide Healesville home. With two byes for the next two rounds, the Healesville players are setting up well for a run towards our first finals series.

U14-3 Healesville 8/160 defeated Norwood 9/80

Away against Norwood Aeden Senti won the toss and elected to bat on a pristine outfield.

Mika Kerst and James Howden opened up with Mika going out on his penultimate ball for 17.

Aeden would make 24 before being dismissed with a consistent flow of wickets at the other end.

The only other resistance in the middle was Raff Morcombe plundering 17 runs off six balls before being bowled. With the score 7/80 off 11 overs.

The team was in a strange situation when Summer Caldicott and Louis Keath came together and batted brilliantly running well and punishing the bad ball to finish 19* and 29* respectively.

Ryder Hudson and Henry Harding would finish up the innings at 9/160.

A big score that would be hard to chase.

Early in roads were hard to get but tight bowling was displayed with Louis Keath picking up 3/4 in the middle overs and then a consistent flow

once the dam wall break with lots of one wicket hauls to most bowlers, with Norwood ending 9/80, another good win for the team as they approach the Christmas break.

U14-7 Healesville 6/109 defeated by Heatherdale 5/110

Tully Ellis 25*, Manny Winrow 18*, Angus Morcombe 13* and 1/7, Kael Senti 11* and 1/10, Thomas Quaggin 1/6

U16-4 Healesville 2/115 defeated Chirnside Park 5/112

A beautiful day greeted us at Don Road as Healesville got ready to play Chirnside Park, a lot of outs and last minute inclusions meant Healesville had 10 on the field for the first time this year.

Winning the toss and bowling, the team were energetic and kept it tight all day, keeping Chirnside to 5/112, the wicket takers Denzel Parsons, 1/4 off 3, Tyler Braden 1/9 off 3, Tom Handasyde 1/13 off 3 and Cooper Bell 1/17 off 4.

A run out from Tom also rounded out the wickets.

The chase started strong and steady with the openers Tyler Braden 21 (25 balls) retired and Sam Keath eight retired seeing off the new ball.

Leonard Robinson nine retired, Cooper Bell and Nate Caldicott continued with the steady progress against some very good bowling, leaving us at 2/59 off 16 overs.

With wickets in hand and captain Denzel and new addition Tom coming to the crease we needed 54 off the last nine overs.

Some hitting saw this halved by the end of the 20th over and the needed run rate reduced to under six.

In the end the pair reached the target with seven balls to spare, Denzel undefeated on 33 off 22 balls and Tom on 28 off his 25.

A great tight win leaving us outright second on the ladder at the half way mark of the year.

1st XI Healesville 4/122 defeated Wantirna Sth 9/119

Making the voyage to Wantirna South, Skipper Darren Edwards won the toss and elected to field with Edwards himself getting the early breakthrough.

It was slow going early before Darcy English strangled the other opener down the leg side.

Cricket Blasters is on Thursday nights 4.30 to 5.30pm at Don Road oval until Queens Park oval is available for use. (File: 443874)

A slow outfield and little intent to score meant boring cricket for a while before Josh Handasyde lured the batsmen down the wicket for a stumping from brother Tom.

The game continued to peter out with Josh creating a plethora of chances that weren’t taken before Maxy ‘cleaning crew’ Minney seemed to have the golden arm taking 3/14 to see Wantirna finish on 9/119.

Chasing a low score both Joah Handasyde and Zinghini departed early.

Tom Handasyde and Ash Hamer would build a partnership and steady the ship before Ash was bowled.

Max Minney made a nice 25 before barbecuing himself seeing Luke Chandler to come in and give the crowd something to watch lobbing 6s and 4s to finish the game off with Chang ending 16* and Tom 46*.

A nice win for the team seeing them a game clear on second with a big clash against ladder leaders Wonga Park next week before the Christmas Break Up.

2nd XI Healesville 170 defeated Yarra Junction 96

Healesville won the toss and chose to bat. With regular wickets falling and a slow run rate, Healesville found themselves in a bit of trouble at 4/57.

A quick fire 29 off 22 balls from Grant Braden helped tick the score along.

With wickets continuing to fall, Ryan Webster (60*) batted superbly.

He batted through the innings, guiding the Bloods to a competitive 170 after the 40 overs.

Healesville’s bowling couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. Max Wallace 5/8 ripping through Yarra Junction’s top order. With Beau Hawkins (1/17) chipping in with a wicket, the Bloods had them at 6/20. With a bit of resistance from Yarra Junction’s Troy Poynton (48) the Bloods continued to bowl a tight line and length.

With Brenton Damrow 2/26, and Grant Braden 2/6, Yarra Junction were all out for 96. Great win for Healesville to stay in the top four.

3rd XI Healesville 166 defeated by Kilsyth 4/170

A tough loss for the Healesville 3rds this week. After winning the toss and batting first, the bloods found themselves in trouble early with Travis Tyszkiewicz claiming a hat trick in the seventh over of the match.

Ben Mackey (32), Aeden Senti (30no) and Raff Morecombe (55) gave Healesville a competitive total of 166.

Healesvilles bowlers were up against it on a very quick outfield. Summer Caldicott bowling superbly with 1/16 off 6. Healesville eventually going down by six wickets 4th XI - Healesville 9/224 defeated Norwood 6/222

Norwood 6th XI hosted Healesville 4th XI at Dorset Recreation Reserve. Norwood won the toss and elected to bat. Norwoods opening batsman got off to a fast start, the home side making 139 runs before loosing their first wicket.

Bowling got a bit easier at this point Healesville holding Norwood to 6/222 (M Kirst 1/21, L Keith 1/24, A Keith 1/29, H Harding 1/31).

Knowing Healesville needed to get off to a great start A Keith wasted no time smashing 48 off just 26 deliveries, the run chase was seeming to be just out of reach with Healesville needing 25 runs off the last two overs with no wickets in left in hand, what heppend next was nothing short of spectacular M Harding and young T Ellis navigating the situation with expertise, M Harding scoring the bulk of the required runs.

Healesville would finish with a total of 9/224 giving Healesville the victory by one wicket (M Harding 72*, A Keith 48, L Keith 24). 5th XI - Healesville had the bye

One more week to go until Christmas break

By Travis Gloury

Under 12

Yarra Glen V Lusatia Park

Lusatia Park 3/103

Yarra Glen 3/144

Round 12 saw Yarra Glen under 12’s taking on Lusatia Park at Yarra Glen.

Captain Flynn Bain winning the toss and electing to bowl 1st. The opening batters for Lusatia Park got away well and put on some handy runs.

The Yarra Glen bowlers worked hard all night with the first wicket to fall to Flynn Bain, Lusatia 1/40.

The second wicket would fall in quick succession to Josh Holland, Lusatia Park 2/41.

The third wicket would fall to Oliver Lilly who has worked hard all season on his bowling, Lusatia Park 3/86. Lusatia Park would finish their innings at three for 103 off 23 overs.

Yarra Glen batting innings would get off to an excellent start with Harvey Williamson and Flynn Bain both retiring from their allotted 15 balls, Heath Burke and Wyatt Hill continued on from the positive start, Heath (12) was the first wicket to fall, Yarra Glen 1/67. Wyatt Hill was well supported by Oliver Lilly (1) with the second wicket to fall, Yarra Glen 2/86.

Poppy McLeish (1n.o) has been improving every week and continued on supporting Wyatt. Ben ‘big show’ Holland continued on with his impressive form of late retiring on 10 runs which included a glorious cover drive for four.

Harvey Williamson would re-enter the crease but unfortunately was the third wicket to fall, Yarra Glen 3/112.

Flynn Bain and Wyatt Hill would return to the crease and dominate for the remainder of the innings, Flynn finishing on 23n.o and Wyatt smashing his way to 42 off 30 balls which was fantastic to watch. Yarra Glen winning the game 3/144 posting the highest U12’s score for the season! Well done to all.

Under 14

Wandin V Yarra Glen/Kilsyth

Wandin 6/120

Yarra Glen all out 78

This week saw the return of Toby Pauli. Great to have you back Toby.

Yarra Glen/Kilsyth managed to restrict Wandin to 6/120 with a couple of nice run outs however struggled to build batting partnerships on a day that didn’t go put way with regular wickets falling to be all out for 78.

T. Harper top scored with 26 followed by Lucas Burke (12).

The team looks forward to a top of the table clash next week with Yarra Junction.

Under 16

This week our fifth place under 16 team had a home game against second place Eastfield.

After losing the toss and being sent into bat, Yarra Glen quickly slumped to three for 15 within the first five overs.

As they always do, this team fought back strongly with important middle order contributions from Kade Smith (23), Charlie Watts (24 n.o) Sam Donnelly (13 n.o) Dylan Shambrook (10 n.o), Daniel Shaw (7n.o) and Tristan Riddiford (11).

This enabled Yarra Glen to recover to post a competitive score of 7/130 off our 25 overs.

This was a competitive score, but we knew we would have to bowl well against Eastfield, who are renowned for being a strong batting team.

Yarra Glen’s bowlers held their nerve and took wickets regularly throughout the innings.

Pick of the bowlers was Dylan Shambrook (3/21) whilst Kade Smith (1/14) and Daniel Shaw (1/7) took a wicket each.

In the field, Sam Holland and Sam O’Callaghan each secured a run out to bring the game to a nail biting conclusion.

For the third game in a row, the game came down to the final over with Yarra Glen needing one more wicket for victory whilst Eastfield needed 18 for victory.

Dylan Shambrook had the responsibility of bowling the last over and with two balls to go. Eastfield needed 11 to win.

The returning opener from Eastfield hit the second last ball of the game for six leaving Eastfield needing five to win or a four to tie the game

off the final ball.

The last ball of the game was hit hard out to Spencer Boers at deep cover who prevented the boundary resulting in a victory to our boys by two runs.

Another close finish for our boys but they kept cool heads under pressure to secure an important victory.

A great win for Yarra Glen boys in what is a very even competition.

The team know however that if they play their best cricket, they are capable of beating any team on any day.

Senior - 1st XI - one day game, 40 overs each

Norwood 3rd XI V Yarra Glen

Norwood all out 131

Yarra Glen 4/135

The 1st XI travelled to Norwood this week to take on the second placed Norwood 3rd XI.

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl Brodie McCann and Phil Cowan began well creating a couple of chances that Yarra Glen were unable to take.

Shortly afterwards, Phil Cowan removed their opener LBW before Brodie McCann claimed his first wicket at first eleven level having their other opener caught behind.

From there, Yarra Glen maintained the pressure with the ball and in the field, never allowing any partnerships to develop and ultimately Yarra

Glen were able to dismiss Norwood for 131 in the 37th over.

Wicket takers were Jordan Bain (3/24), Phil Cowan (3/13), Tim Lilley (2/41), Brodie McCann (1/25) and Tony Biddiscombe (1/20) in what was a strong bowling and fielding performance.

In reply openers Ash Waters and Phil Cowan began the run chase solidly putting on a 52 run opening stand being until Ash was dismissed LBW.

From there Phil became the aggressor hitting the Norwood attack to all parts of the ground and bringing up his half century with two consecutive sixes.

When Phil was eventually dismissed for 74 we needed only 37 more to win, and whilst Yarra Glen lost two more wickets in that time, Tony Biddiscombe (21n.o) and club legend Tom Davey (6n.o) saw us home for a much needed win which keeps our finals chances alive.

Well done to Yarra Glen 1st XI who have beaten the two top teams this season.

2nd XI - 36 overs each, one day match

Yarra Glen V Warrandyte 6th XI

Warrandyte 6/168

Yarra Glen 2/173

Will Duff and Xavier Bosua were the the only multiple wicket takers with two each restricting the opposition to 6/168 after 36 overs.

Captain Shane Fordham took a magnificent one handed diving catch at midwicket to dismiss their opening batsman which was a sign of things to come as Shane got the run chase off to a flyer with a 100 run partnership with fellow opener and under 16 captain Sam Gloury, before Sam chipped one to mid wicket for 21 after looking comfortable at the crease.

Shane continued the onslaught with batting partners Hunter Grenfell and Will Duff to pass the required total with six overs to spare with the loss of only two wickets to finish with 114 n.o, including 17 boundaries in an innings that saw balls disappear to all parts of the ground and reach his third century for the club in a wonderful Captains innings that keeps the team in the top four on the ladder as we approach the last game before Xmas.

Ben

Yarra Glen cricket teams are looking forward to moving up in the ladder. (File: 316551)