Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 7th January 2025

2024 was a big year in the Outer East, with no shortage of news for the Star Mail to share with readers.

Across a range of topics from sport to entertainment, from crime to politics and from weighing in on national debates to the trials and tribulations of local life, a broad spectrum of news was covered.

There were times when residents rose up and demanded better, such as local SES crews joining a convoy to ask for sustainable funding or when local brewing businesses cried out following continuous rises in taxes on beer and spirits.

There were times when we rejoiced, such as when Yarra Valley-based band Smoke Stack Rhino

made it on the ARIA charts, the Healesville Football Netball Club and Three Bridges’ Daniel Sanders celebrated sporting victories or when Healesville’s Cody Anderson realised his AFL dream was coming true during the 2024 AFL Draft.

There were times when we remembered, such as the 15th anniversary of Black Saturday in February and the 100th anniversary of the closure of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station in December.

There were talking points in politics that were felt in the Outer East, with the illicit tobacco trade, response to the rise of family violence, road maintenance and the 2024 Council elections all draw-

ing debate from throughout the community while national parks and forest meant a lot to locals, who shared plenty of varying views on how they should be managed and maintained going forwards.

As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and there were plenty of photos from the year to admire too, so be sure to check out the top snaps from 2024.

Join us as we take a look back at what mattered most for locals last year as we bring on another year of community-focused news at the Star Mail in 2025.

2024 was a particularly special year for Yarra Junction’s Henk and Gwyneth Boer, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. (Stewart Chambers: 426639)

‘Devastating’ loss of life

Road safety will remain a key priority for Victoria Police heading into 2025 following another devastating year on the state’s roads.

There were 282 lives lost in 2024 compared with 295 in 2023.

“It’s been another challenging year on Victoria’s roads – not only is the sheer number of lives lost devastating, but the increase in fatal collisions overall has been particularly concerning to us,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said.

“Let’s not forget, these are not just numbers we are talking about, but human lives: these are people who will be mourned by their loved ones for many years to come.”

While the number of lives lost is slightly below 2023, concerningly there has been an overall increase in the number of fatal collisions.

There has been a six per cent rise in single fatal collisions, with 256 in 2024 compared with 241 in 2023.

However, there was a significant decrease in the number of multiple fatality collisions, with 13 double fatalities in 2024 compared with 2023 which saw 14 double fatalities, four quadruple fatalities and two quintuple fatalities.

Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists and e-scooter riders made up 45 per cent of all lives lost on Victorian roads in 2024.

There were 66 motorcyclists killed compared with 53 in 2023.

Pedestrians accounted for 47 deaths compared with 44 in the previous year.

Driver fatalities made up 45 per cent of all lives during 2024, with 126 driver deaths compared with 128 in 2023.

There were 133 lives lost on metropolitan roads, up from 123 in 2023. A total 149 lives were lost on regional roads, down from 172 in 2023.

November was the deadliest month on Victoria’s roads with 35 lives lost during the month.

Police have identified single acts of non-compliance or people making basic driving errors contributed to more than half of fatalities in 2024.

These are behaviours such as low-range speeding, lower-level drink driving, failing to obey road signs and distraction, like using a mobile phone while driving.

More than 20 people killed in vehicle collisions weren’t wearing a seatbelt.

“Again, we have seen so many examples of simple and avoidable mistakes that have resulted in catastrophic outcomes,” AC Weir said.

“It is a stark reminder of the responsibilities we all have as road users, to keep ourselves, our passengers and all other road users safe.”

Extreme behaviours such as driving without a licence, travelling at extreme speeds, high-range

drink driving, illicit drug driving or often a combination of these behaviours contributed to approximately a quarter of fatal collisions in 2024.

Police are determined to drive down road trauma in 2025 and are urging all road users to consider their actions and behaviours when getting behind the wheel.

“As we head into the New Year, we’re urging everybody to take this opportunity to consider your behaviour on the roads and what you can do to contribute to making our roads safe,” AC Weir said.

Commissioner said the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 2024 was devastating. (File: 316738)

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibilitywhether that be slowing down and travelling at the speed limit, not driving after consuming alcohol or drugs, avoiding distractions like mobile phones and ensuring everyone is wearing a properly fitted seatbelt.

“It’s up to all of us to ensure road safety remains paramount in the year ahead – we don’t want 2025 to be a year remembered for all the wrong reasons.”

Victoria Police will continue to work closely with its road safety partners to reduce the number

of fatal and serious injury collisions.

Road policing enforcement will continue to be a priority, with a number of operations to be conducted throughout the year both during high-risk periods but also at random, in-line with an ‘anywhere, any time’ deterrent approach.

The 2024 figures released on 1 January are provisional only.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website police.vic.gov.au/road-safety

Crime rise in the Yarra Ranges reflects statewide increase

Theft, criminal damage and youth offending have continued to rise in the Yarra Ranges, a trend reflected across the state according to the newest Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data.

The total number of criminal incidents recorded in the Yarra Ranges in the year to 30 September rose 11.9 per cent, with stealing from a motor vehicle, criminal damage, other thefts and stealing from a retail store all increasing from the previous year.

Theft and deception offences saw the largest increases in Victoria too, with theft from motor vehicle offences increasing by 13,924 to 68,042.

Number plate and power tool theft recorded the greatest year-on-year increase, followed by theft from shops, theft in general and vehicle theft. Meat, fresh produce, cosmetics and vitamins were among the most common items stolen from grocery stores.

“Inflation, cost-of-living pressures and high interest rates (are) driving record levels of alcohol and grocery theft,” Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Neil Paterson said.

While breaching a family violence order still ranked in the top five offences for the municipality, this decreased across the year.

Crime in Lilydale saw a sharp upward trend, with 1090 incidents recorded compared to 857 in 2023.

Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park and Kilsyth also saw rises in criminal incidents, while Healesville had a slight decrease from 341 to 316 up until September 2024.

The top five locations across the Yarra Ranges where criminal incidents and offences occurred overwhelmingly happened in houses, followed by the street, driveways, service stations and retail stores. In Victoria, there were a total of 28,432 home burglaries.

Across the state, criminal incidents increased to 431,683, an increase of 15 per cent on the year before and the highest since the CSA started recording in 2004/05. Those aged 10 to 24 were behind 50,516 incidents, an increase of 13.5 per cent and crimes by children aged 10 to 17 reached their highest levels

since 2009.

The 10 to 17 age group also became the second largest offending cohort in the Yarra Ranges seeing 583 alleged offenders fit into this category. The over 45 age group, however, still remains the highest offending group.

“Our intelligence reveals that around 40 per cent of all car thieves are children or youth,” Mr Patterson said.

For the first time in Victoria, over 100,000 family violence incidents were recorded in what was an already tragic year with 30 women killed, including 12 in regional Victoria, CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said family incidents have reached their highest levels ever in Victoria.

“There have been increases in incidents involving serious assaults, particularly aggravated assaults against females and threats of serious injury,” she said.

“Aggravated assaults on females frequently coincided with breaches of family violence orders, criminal damage, and common assault, contributing to the overall increase in family incident-related offences.”

The aggravated assault of a female increased by 92.2 per cent year-on-year and family violence accounts for one fifth of all crime in Victoria, with 102,082 incidents.

Mr Paterson said these rates of violence were an “unwanted milestone”.

“That means police are out there responding to family violence incidents at a rate of 280 a day, or 12 incidents every hour, or one incident every

Victoria Police Road Policing Glenn Weir Assistant

Warburton’s open spaces get boost

Construction has begun at the Yarra River Frontage Reserves, Warburton, in a joint project to revitalise ageing infrastructure delivered by the Victorian Government with the local Committee of Management.

Working with the Upper Yarra River Reserves Committee of Management, upgrades to picnic and shelter infrastructure are well underway along the northern bank of the Yarra River.

Current works include repairs on the Redwood Bridge and safety upgrades to the Dammans Road toilet block.

This work builds on significant consultation with the community between 2022 and 2024 and designs influenced by their feedback.

The project also includes repairing or replacing steps and viewing platforms along riverside tracks by March 2025.

These improvements will provide locals and tourists with a better experience along the Yarra River and encourage more Victorians to visit one of the state’s growing forest tourism destinations near Melbourne.

“Warburton has become a significant tour-

ism destination in recent years and the beautiful Yarra River reserves are a big contributing factor in the area’s popularity,” Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Port Phillip Regional Director Stephen Chapple said.

“By improving and maintaining the Reserve we are ensuring that it will be enjoyed by Victorians and visitors for generations to come.”

Infrastructure upgrades in Warburton complement the Victorian Government’s $106.6 million investment to deliver better forests, parks, campgrounds, tracks and outdoor facilities.

IN BRIEF

Arrest made in Wandin North armed robbery case

Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit detectives charged a man just before Christmas following an alleged armed robbery in Wandin North in September.

The alleged robbery occurred at a business in the Wandin North Shopping precinct on 4 September about 8pm. On 17 December, detectives executed a search warrant at a residential address in Monbulk and arrested a 40-year-old man.

He has since been charged and remanded in custody.

Burn-off warning

Local police are urging Yarra Ranges residents not to ruin their holiday break by lighting bonfires or burn-off piles.

A post on the ‘Eyewatch - Yarra Ranges Police Service Area’ Facebook page on Thursday 2 January has shared that ‘a number of Yarra Ranges residents will be charged with lighting fires during a fire danger period after conducting illegal burnoffs over the past few days.’

“Police have a zero tolerance approach to these types of offences and offenders can expect a summons to attend Court,” the post reads.

To find out more about when you can light fires or conduct burn-offs,visit: cfa.vic.gov.au/ warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i?

Pair of Kia recalls

Over 10,000 Kia cars have been recalled to start the new year due to a pair of faults identified.

4551 2021 - 2024 KIA CV EV6 model vehicles have been recalled due to an issue that could result in a loss of motive power.

Due to a software issue, the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may develop an internal fault causing a warning light to illuminate on the instrument cluster and the 12 Volt battery to stop charging.

A loss of motive power may occur if the warning lights are ignored which could increase the risk of an accident, causing injury or death to the vehicle occupants and/or other road users.

Owners of affected vehicles should immediately contact their preferred Kia dealer to schedule an appointment to have the ICCU inspected and replaced if required. In addition, the ICCU software will be upgraded. All repairs will be performed free of charge.

5978 2023 - 2024 KIA MQ4 PE Sorento model vehicles have also been recalled due to a issue that could result in reduced visibility.

Due to a software issue, the turn indicator light and/or the upper part of the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may not operate as intended.

Reduced visibility will potentially increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.

Due to the issue, the vehicles are not compliant with Australian Design Rule (ADR) 13/00 - Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles and ADR 76/00 - Daytime Running Lamps.

Kia Australia is contacting all known owners of affected vehicles by direct mail. Consumers should contact their nearest Kia Australia dealer to arrange to have the software update carried out, free of charge. Alternatively, an Over the Air (OTA) update will be available for the customer to carry out on their vehicle.

Repairs and maintenance of the Redwood Bridge are under way in Warburton. Archive photo from 2021. (Supplied)

Over $23,00 raised

The She Won’t Be Right Mate (SWBRM) 2024 car show and family day has made a significant impact in the Yarra Valley community and beyond, raising an incredible total of $23,227 in support of vital local health programs and services.

This achievement highlights the unwavering generosity and community spirit of local attendees, sponsors and supporters.

Despite the challenges posed by the extreme heat and the current economic climate, the event succeeded thanks to the dedication of car show attendees, volunteers and the general public who helped us raise these funds for Eastern Health Foundation.

While this year’s total narrowly missed its goal, the impressive $23,227 raised by all demonstrates the collective power of the community.

“Last year we were fortunate to have a private donation boost our total, but this year’s funds reflect the incredible commitment of everyone who attended and contributed,” SWBRM Director Marcus Reeves said.

A formal cheque handover ceremony took place on 17 December at 1pm at Maroondah Hospital, where event organisers presented the donation to representatives from the Eastern Health Foundation.

The event was attended by federal Casey MP Aaron Violi, SWBRM Director Marcus Reeves and various other members of the “She won’t be right mate” volunteer team as well as Eastern Health staff.

This ceremony showcased how the funds raised would support local programs and services, helping people in the Yarra Valley and beyond during tough times.

For more information to learn how you can support future events, please contact: Marcus Reeves Event organiser, She Won’t Be Right Mate 2024 Phone: 0423 578 251 Email: shewontberightmate@gmail.com

Healesville pavers back

Pavers to commemorate Healesville’s 150th birthday have been restored, following their removal and damage as part of a property development.

The pavers, which feature names of local families and details of local businesses, were organised by the community as part of the Healesville 150th celebrations in 2014.

During the course of works to develop land adjacent to Healesville ALDI, the pavers had to be temporarily removed to accommodate footpath works. Unfortunately, several pavers were damaged as part of these works.

Yarra Ranges mayor Jim Child said a condition of the building permit for the site required the pavers to be reinstalled when works were complete.

“We’ve recently had confirmation that the pavers have finally been reinstalled, after being remade earlier this year,” Cr Child said. “We know there’s been some nervousness and uncertainty from members of the community since the temporary removal, especially noting that some of the pavers were damaged beyond repair.

“We’ve been liaising with community members and the property developer to ensure the pavers would be reinstated. Community members may notice that the colour of the pavers differs from the originals.”

This is because the original pavers were made in Victoria from local clay. However, the pavers are no longer manufactured in the state, so have been sourced from Queensland where the clay is a different colour.

Works to restore, replace and reinstate the pavers were wholly paid for by the property developer.

Funding raised through She Won’t Be Right Mate 2024 was handed to Eastern Health Foundation on Tuesday 17 December. (Supplied)

Cardiac arrest survival boost

New research shows Victorians are more likely to survive a cardiac arrest compared to 20 years ago, thanks to increased bystander intervention.

The study, supported by Ambulance Victoria (AV), found Victorians who experience a bystander-witnessed initial shockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in 2021-22 were three times more likely to pull through than two decades ago.

The Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry (VACAR) was used to assess more than 102,000 OHCA cases attended by emergency medical services in Victoria between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2022.

The figures showed in 2022 Victorians were 4.5 times more likely to receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compared to 2003.

Rates of bystander defibrillation from publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) also increased 22-fold during this time.

AV Director Research and Evaluation Dr Ziad Nehme said the data reflected a positive change in bystander intervention.

“Sudden cardiac arrest is a major public health challenge so it’s great we’re seeing more people willing to jump in and help,” he said.

“We know survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest depends on the chain of survival and quick bystander intervention.

“This is why boosting the responsiveness of community members to these events is critical.”

This study is one of the first to examine long term trends in 12-month patient outcomes.

Since 2011, annual follow-up interviews with OHCA patients are completed to assess their health-related quality of life and functional recovery.

Among the 4452 adults discharged from hospital alive during 1 January 2010 – 30 June 2022, 93.3 per cent were alive at 12 months.

Of those who responded to the follow-up enquiry, 85.3 per cent had Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended scores, indicating good recovery or moder-

ate disability, and 38.5 per cent reported full health.

Dr Nehme said the improved survival rates further supported paramedics’ call for Victorians to be familiar with Call, Push, Shock.

“Victoria has one of the best cardiac arrest survival rates in the world, but we can continue to im-

prove those rates by increasing education,” he said.

“Anyone who witnesses a cardiac arrest should call Triple Zero (000), start chest compressions and, if there’s one nearby, grab a defibrillator and apply shocks as prompted before paramedics arrive.

“In three simple steps you may not only save the patient’s life but improve their quality of life long after the event.”

The research paper is available online at Wiley and was published in the December issue of the Medical Journal of Australia website.

Plea to stay SunSmart as the temperatures get serious

Experts are calling for Victorians to get SunSmart or risk sunburn, which increases your lifetime risk of skin cancer and can even result in presentation to a hospital emergency department.

SunSmart has released new emergency department sunburn data from the Victorian Department of Health reinforcing the urgent need for everyone to adopt all five forms of sun protection as the state reaches extreme UV levels over the coming months.

At a glance, the data shows 289 Victorians presented to emergency departments in Victorian public hospitals last year with sunburn, with nearly half (47 per cent) of these presentations occurring in January 2024.

Adolescents aged 15 to 19 years are most likely (19 per cent) to present to emergency departments with sunburn than any other age group, closely followed by young adults aged 20 to 24 (18 per cent).

Since 2004/05, men are slightly more likely to present at emergency departments with sunburn than women, 53 per cent male and 47 per cent female

Victorians are 11.5 times more likely to present with sunburn to emergency departments in the peak season (November - February) than off season (March-October)

Head of SunSmart, Emma Glassenbury said the data served as a reminder for just how serious sunburn can be.

“No one should wind up in hospital emergency departments purely from enjoying time outdoors – particularly when sunburn is easily preventable,” Ms Glassenbury said.

“We want to encourage all Victorians to consider their access to shade, remember to regularly reapply sunscreen, keep their sunnies on, slip on covering clothes and don a wide brim hat this summer to keep themselves safe.

“It’s wonderful to be outdoors, enjoying our beautiful state and climate. However, time outdoors also means exposure to extreme levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that in the peak of summer can cause the first signs of sunburn in as little as 11 minutes without sun protection.”

Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service at the Alfred Hospital, Professor Victoria Mar, said she hoped the numbers of Victorians experiencing extreme sunburn would start to fall in

coming years.

“Year on year, too many young Victorians continue to risk their skin when enjoying time outdoors over summer,” Professor Mar said.

“Severe sunburn requires medical attention, and while we will always be available to treat symptoms like blistering, headache and nausea, we cannot undo the patient’s UV damage.

“UV damage during childhood and adolescence significantly increases a person’s lifetime risk of skin cancer.”

Someone who knows all too well the harms of UV damage is 33-year-old Sarah Sheridan.

Ms Sheridan describes herself as ‘solar powered’, someone who loves being outdoors. But these days you’ll find sunscreen stashed in every handbag, plus long-sleeved clothing, a hat and sunnies always within reach.

“I remember a horrific sunburn where my entire back blistered and peeled.

‘‘I was even partial to a 10-pass solarium special deal when I was in my late teens to early 20s. But these days, it’s SPF 50+ every day.”

Ms Sheridan’s previous exposure to dangerous UV caught up with her.

“A few years ago I noticed a mole on my face changing shape. My GP suggested it be removed as a preventative measure. Then testing showed damage to my eyes – and my optometrist suggested I work hard to limit sun exposure.”

Ms Sheridan said getting older and becoming wiser to the damage caused by UV has led to significant shifts in her behaviour.

“If I could go back and tell myself to avoid getting so sunburnt often, and to get out of that sunbed, I’d do it in a second. But I can stop fur-

ther damage to my skin, and look after it the best I can!”

Ms Glassenbury echoed Ms Sheridan’s sentiments and urged those heading outdoors to get prepared for sun exposure.

“Summer is a time for fun with friends and family. Let’s keep it that way and remember to stay SunSmart together,” she said.

“The good news is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and we can protect ourselves and our loved ones by using all five forms of sun protection.

‘‘We want all Victorians to enjoy a sunburn-free summer and reduce their risk of skin cancer.”

For more information about SunSmart program visit sunsmart.com.au/protectyour-skin

Bystander defibrillation has contributed to greater survival rates in cardiac arrest cases. (Ambulance Victoria)

SunSmart is encouraging Victorians to be sun safe this summer after high levels of sunburn and emergency visits last year. (File)

Public urged to be fire-ready

Victoria has already started to see the effects of the warmer weather and dry vegetation with fire and emergency service agencies responding to bushfires throughout Victoria; and it is a reminder for residents in Yarra Ranges to be prepared.

Fire and emergency service agencies meet on a regular basis throughout the year as the Yarra Ranges Municipal Fire Management Committee (MFMPC). Its function is to coordinate strategic fire management activities in accordance with the strategic objectives of the Yarra Ranges Municipal Fire Management Plan.

“The purpose of the MFMPC is to coordinate, develop and implement through its membership, plans to reduce the likelihood and impact of fire, establish plans and actions to respond and recover from fire and assist planning for the usage of fire for public safety and environmental benefits across the municipality,” MFMPC deputy chair, Senior Sergeant Mark Knight said.

The CFA are also represented on this committee, with community safety manager Tammy Garrett urging the community to understand that fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and the community.

CFA members are actively engaging with communities to help them understand local risks and prepare for the challenges of summer fire danger.

Residents in the Yarra Ranges need to be aware that we are within the Declared Fire Danger Period, which started 23 December 2024, where burning off in the open is not permitted due to the heightened risk. Police will attend in the case of illegal burns with potential fines and court proceedings as a result. This summer season, Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are partnering together for the ‘You Light it, You Own it’ campaign, which reminds community members to be cautious to avoid recklessly or accidentally starting fires.

Other agencies on this Committee include Fire Rescue Victoria as well as Yarra Ranges Council, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and De-

partment of Transport and Planning who carry out comprehensive programs to manage the fire risk on the land they manage.

The other important partner in reducing the risk and consequences of uncontrolled bushfire

fire is our community. Whether it’s a small residential property or rural acreage, residents need to consider and carry out property preparation works and have a plan should a fire occur in their local area. Visit cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare to plan and prepare now for the summer season and potential fire risk. Stay up to date with Fire Danger Ratings on the Vic Emergency App and website to monitor conditions in your area.

Emergency services across the Yarra Ranges municipality are urging residents to be responsible this fire season as summer heats up. (Supplied)

YEAR IN REVIEW

The fight against violence

Australians rallied against the devastating incidents of violence against women and alarming rates of domestic and family violence incidents that were occurring around Australia in 2024, with crisis talks being held between politicians, police, courts and support services.

Here’s how the dire issue rose to prominence in 2024 and how the community campaigned against it:

Community health service EACH offers qualified family violence counselling throughout the Outer East and EACH’s Head of Service Design and National Practice Lead for Family Violence Olivia Sinn said government funding needs to increase so support services can help women and children live free from violence.

“EACH’s Family Violence Program supports people affected by both past and current family violence, but ever-growing demand for this program far exceeds our capacity,” she said.

“We need to provide services to meet community needs, including flexible and extended services to reflect the long recovery journey.

“When a child or young person reaches a different developmental stage, or an ex-partner is released from prison, people should not have to go back to the start.”

By the time of the Star Mail’s office closure on 18 December, the death toll of women killed by violence for the year stood at 76 according to Destroy the Joint, already much higher than the already alarming 64 in 2023.

Victoria Police’s Family Violence Command Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway fronted a press conference on Friday 26 April to discuss the issue and said it seems like there’s another terrible news story every day.

“Those of us who work in family violence are equally disheartened by the statistics and they’re not just statistics, they’re people who have suffered the most tragic circumstances of family violence,” she said.

“I do think that some of the conversations we need to really think about is that it shouldn’t be on women to change everything, we know who is committing the violence and we know what needs to change and some solutions, I think, place too much emphasis on women to do the changing and we know that that’s not the longterm solution,”

“We need to really remember that the majority of violence committed against women is done by men who are known to women and it’s in places where they’re expected to be safe like their home.”

The outrage at domestic violence throughout the country ended up with a powerful video born in the Yarra Valley resurfacing.

In 2015, former Warburton-Millgrove footballer Brendon Murphy created a video to raise awareness of domestic violence with two more mates, Rick and Bill starring local footballers from the Yarra Ranges Football Netball League, now known as Outer East Football Netball League.

“About nine years ago, there was a surge in domestic violence, it felt like every time you picked up a paper or turned on the TV, you were hearing about another woman being killed,” Murphy said.

The video Yarra Valley Domestic Violence PSA is available on YouTube at: youtube.com/ watch?v=jtAjHiYrn90.

Murphy is still frustrated that there are not enough efficient actions to reduce domestic violence.

“We’ve done a lot of research and investigations at a political level, and the actions that come out of those things are what we’re waiting for next, but we don’t actually start implementing the actions that we’ve already found out from past investigations,” he said.

“We also need to reform our bail laws, so we keep violent offenders better managed until their case is heard. How many times do we hear them out on bail?”

In May, an otherwise fiscally conservative Victorian Budget for 2024/25 prioritised investment in addressing family violence.

$269 million was committed to initiatives designed to prevent family violence and improve safety for women;

$42 million was directed to ‘deliver timely and individualised interventions and continued support’

$39 million was set aside for schools and early childhood services to continue to deliver the Respectful Relationships program,

$24 million aimed to bolster the informationsharing capabilities of police, courts and agencies through a Central Information Point

$16 million was dedicated to providing community-led and culturally safe responses to family violence in Aboriginal communities with Aboriginal women anywhere between 35 to 45 times more likely to experience violence than non-Aboriginal women.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said Victoria leads the nation with our work to strengthen how we prevent and respond to family violence and violence against women.

“We know we have more work to do for a future where women, children and young people are safe,” they said.

In early November, the Star Mail reached out to local domestic violence support service Free From Family Violence (FVREE, formerly EDVOS/ Eastern Domestic Violence Service) and chief executive Christine Mathieson said ongoing investment from both Federal and State Governments is essential across all aspects of the family violence continuum, particularly in primary prevention and recovery.

“For example, our organisation does not receive sustainable funding for our primary prevention initiatives and relies solely on grants, donations, and fee-for-service work, while we recognise that achieving prevention outcomes requires time, violence rates will not decrease without supporting initiatives that tackle the root causes of violence - gender inequality, at the systemic, community, and individual levels,” she said.

“Additionally, securing long-term recovery services is challenging, as many survivors struggle to access the therapeutic support necessary for their healing,”

“Another critical area is holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, as the incidence of murders continue to rise, we must shift our focus as a society from questioning the behaviour of victim-survivors—asking ‘Why doesn’t she just leave?’—to examining why perpetrators choose to use violence.”

FVREE advises victims of domestic, family, and sexual violence to contact 1800RESPECT, the national counselling, information and support service. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit their website: 1800respect.org.au.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence also brought the issue back into the spotlight, including the second annual Walk Against Family Violence organised by Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service (BWAHS) at Lillydale Lake on Tuesday 26 November.

BWAHS chief executive officer Adam Frogley said it was under the awful circumstance of women killed by violence in Australia that brought 150 people from the community together.

“One woman is killed every 11 days, and one man is killed every 91 days. It’s not acceptable,”

he said.

“We need to stand up as a community and make sure we’re putting our best foot forward, if we can use that term, to ensure that family violence remains a very high focus particularly for government, and to ensure we’ve got the ability and the resources to do the jobs we do working with community.”

Walking 560 metres to the first stop, Mr Frogley said it was representative of the estimated 56 women killed by family violence at the time of the event.

“In other spaces, you would hear that that was someone’s daughter, wife, sister or mother, and all of that is true, but they’re also the woman from your neighborhood who could grow the best tree, who was always kind, that lit up a room with her smile,” he said.

“Who fought all of her life, a warrior to the end. Someone who could have cured cancer, taught others to read, a role model for her community… she should have been safe.”

The Star Mail also reflected on over a decade of reporting on the issue during the 16 Days, including the work of a team of reporters at Mail News Group in 2011, Mara Sowden Pattison, Casey Neill and Kath Gannaway who ran a six week series sharing the stories of women who had fled such violence but also the remarkable people who had dedicated time to supporting these women through horrible circumstances.

Reflecting on the intention and catalyst for this series, Ms Gannaway said it was very much the story of one woman in 2010, Jeannie Blackburn, which prompted the need to bring gendered violence to the fore.

“Her partner had been jailed for abusing her and the abuse was horrific, she lost her eyesight in one eye. She came to us with that story, and he’d already been jailed, so there were no impediments to reporting on the story, and she just wanted to get that out there about abuse,” she said.

“The same issues that were written about then, about the controlling nature, about all the reasons behind it, and the indicators like isolating people from their families, all those things are still relevant.”

A former Yarra Ranges woman, 19-year-old Isla Bell, was missing for over a month prior to the discovery of what is believed to be her remains at a waste management facility in Dandenong on Tuesday 19 November.

Her family joined others in attending a march against gendered violence.

Isla, who had moved to Brunswick and would have turned 20 on 22 October, was last seen in her new suburb on 4 October and last heard from on 6 October.

Isla hailed from the Dandenong Ranges and worked at a Kallista based nursery before moving to live with her uncle, and on a press conference on her daughter’s birthday, her mother Justine Spokes said her heart just aches.

“Isla, you’re deeply, widely loved by so many

people, and your family and friends are just so distressed, darling,” she said.

“Me and your dad, and your sister, we just can’t wait to hold you, bub. We love you so much. We just want to know you’re safe.”

53-year-old Mariat Ganiev appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday 20 November charged with Isla’s murder while 57-yearold Eyal Yaffe from Hampton, faced a charge of assisting an offender with murder.

A Victoria Police summary alleged Ms Bell was seen entering the apartment for the last time on October 5 and was never seen to leave again. Two days later, police allege a fight can be seen through a gap in the front kitchen window of Ganiev’s apartment.

“Investigators observed what appears to be Bell’s head whipping around as if she has been struck,” the summary said.

“She falls to the ground and Ganiev can then be seen striking her on the ground of the kitchen.

“What appears to be Bell’s head can be seen rising up before being pushed back down by Ganiev’s arm.”

Ms Bell was captured on CCTV through the same window up until 2am on October 7.

On 7 December, there was a planned then cancelled vigil, flags at half mast, ribbons dangling from trees in the hills and a charity fund raised in her honour – Isla Bell will rest in power.

The date was supposed to be a vigil for the young woman whose alleged murder sent shockwaves through the nation.

Organisers instead requested people hold their own private vigils and to tie red and orange ribbons around the hills in her memory.

Australian Femicide Watch run by Sherele Moody posted to social media on 7 December that instead a secret vigil was held for Isla, alleging the event was cancelled due to threats of violence from men.

‘“...because abusive men threatened to harm anyone going to the public event,” she wrote.

On the same day the vigil for Isla Bell was to be held, her family launched a charity in her name.

In honour of Isla, the Isla Bell Charitable Fund has launched an art award celebrating creative excellence and created a scholarship for young women pursuing studies that reflected Isla’s passion for art, animals, and nature.

The Isla Bell charitable fund was founded by Isla’s mother, Justine Spokes, her dad, Sean Ryan, uncle Kieran Dionysus and Dr Atalanti Dionysus and you cand find out more at the-isla-bell-charitable-fund.raiselysite.com.

Other tributes further afield have been made in Isla’s name, a group of young RMIT art students decided to withdraw their works from their university’s end-of-year showcase to pay tribute to her and the other women who lost their lives in Australia in 2024. The showcase, held from November 19-24, was considered the ‘biggest event’ of the students’ three-year course.

Instead of displaying their art, the students turned their canvases away to conceal their works and painted the name ‘Isla Bell’ across the walls.

A wave of people joined the second annual Walk Against Family Violence at Lillydale Lake. (Mikayla van Loon: 446672)

Justine Spokes, mother of Isla Bell. (AAP Image/ James Ross)

Red ribbons for Isla Bell in Kallista. (Stewart Chambers: 448499)

YEAR IN REVIEW

Forests hot debate topic

The management of the much-loved bushland of the Yarra Ranges was a hot topic of debate in 2024.

From the ban on native timber harvesting beginning to support and opposition to the Great Forest National Park (GFNP) proposal, here’s how local forests featured heavily in the Star Mail:

The Star Mail reported on the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) interim report on the forests of the Central Highlands in January, which argued that about 300,000 hectares of state forest would be suitable to be considered national parks in the wake of the transition away from native timber harvesting.

The report found that a new national park could ‘link the existing Yarra Ranges, Kinglake, Lake Eildon and Baw Baw national parks and the Bunyip, Cathedral Range and Moondarra state parks’ with minimal conflict to alternative uses or values such as hunting or mineral extraction.

“We’ve known for a very long time the forests of the Central Highlands are incredibly important and worthy of national park protection, so it’s good that a government organisation has also found that,” Parks and Nature Campaigner at the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) Jordan Crook said.

“You can protect and actively participate in the environment; the two things are not mutually exclusive. With the end of native timber harvesting, the government needs to develop a proper strategy for public land for the next fifty years,” Communications Manager of the Sporting Shooters Association Australia (SSAA) Victorian branch Barry Howlett said.

Generally, hunting is not allowed in national parks, state parks, coastal parks, wilderness parks and regional parks but there are already a number of exceptions throughout the state, including existing hunting specifications in the Baw Baw and Lake Eildon National Parks.

The Eminent Panel for Community Engagement went about seeking further feedback from the community on what to do with local forest.

“Over 100 people attended community dropin sessions held in Healesville, Warburton and Yarra Junction, where participants came to talk to the Panel about what they value in the Central Highlands forests, including recreation activities they enjoy,” Eminent Panel chair Karen Cain said.

Representatives of the Yarra Valley Trail Horse Riders were one local group that took the opportunity to have their say, organising a meeting in April with the panel to discuss sustainability and the long-term development of the Central Highlands forests.

Yarra Valley Trail Horse Riders president Lew-

is Storer said the meeting went well.

“The Panel talked about locking the state forests into one big national park and restricting access for recreation including camping, trail horse riding, bushwalking and mountain bike riding,” he said.

“We’ve got about 100,000 people in Victoria that use horse riding as a means of recreation and we talked to them to help shape the future management of the Central Highlands state forests by sharing our forest experiences that are important to us.”

Later that month, environmental groups including Warburton Environment and Forest Conservation Victoria challenged Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) on its firereduction practices, including in the protected Yarra Ranges National Park.

President of the Warburton Environment (WE) group Nic Fox said they find it deplorable that living, hollow-bearing, old-growth trees can’t be protected in national parks.

“We know the Federal and State Environment Ministers released a plan last month, a Leadbeater’s Possum recovery plan, which sets out very clear requirements for the protection of large and hollow-bearing trees and that there should be no destruction of critical Leadbeater’s Possum habitat which is what we’re seeing this

month,” she said.

“What we really need is an independent regulator that has the resources, authority and power to regulate what’s happening out here because the fight’s not over, the forest wars continue, it’s morphed into another beast,”

“We need to look at the assessment method of what hazardous trees are, we need to look all over the planned burns and there are other groups that are more knowledgeable about that but I think the methods that have been used are outdated.”

Forest Conservation Victoria conducted a peaceful protest in the Yarra Ranges National Park on Wednesday 24 April, with some local community members involved.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer for the Port Phillip Region Shannon Devenish said work was underway to maintain the strategic fuel break network in and around the Upper Yarra water supply catchment, including within Yarra Ranges National Park and that further assessments will be carried out to determine if alternative protection measures can be used to keep fire out of the trees during a bushfire event.

“Working within the footprint of existing fuel breaks, crews are treating dangerous trees and clearing encroaching vegetation,” they said.

“Trees that are structurally compromised and

are a threat to firefighter safety have been marked as hazardous during an initial assessment.”

In May, an Upper Yarra logging contractor was the target of a not-so-peaceful protest while performing fire reduction work in the Wombat State Forest near Daylesford as vandals smashed glass, wrote messages condemning logging activity in the forest and caused other damage.

General Manager of the Australian Forest Contractors Association Tim Lester said their view is that protesting needs to be done in a way that doesn’t damage property and doesn’t put people at risk.

“These are live worksites and they are potentially very dangerous places, invading someone’s workspace is the same as walking onto a construction site in Melbourne or into an office. If you wouldn’t do that and wouldn’t accept that in your own workplace, then this is not acceptable in these workplaces either,” he said.

“We understand that people have different points of view and they have different expectations around how forests need to be managed but the point is that forests need to be managed, just closing the door, locking the gate and ‘It’s now fine’ is not fine,”

“Protest all you like, but don’t damage people’s property, don’t put yourself at risk and don’t put the workers at risk.”

Opposers to the Great Forest National Park (GFNP) proposal rallied in Woods Point. (Supplied)

Protest action in the Yarra Ranges National Park. (Forest Conservation Victoria)

YEAR IN REVIEW

The death of an endangered Greater Glider in the Yarra Ranges National Park at the site of tree removal prompted further calls from environmental groups to better protect native species during fire-reduction works.

Found early in the morning of Wednesday 15 May, the greater glider was believed to have been living in a large tree that was felled by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) for bushfire mitigation works.

Wildlife of the Central Highlands (WOTCH) spokesperson Blake Nisbet said this was endangered wildlife culling.

“We specifically told the government that Greater Gliders were nesting in this tree. Instead of stepping in, they chose to knowingly kill endangered wildlife,” he said

WOTCH and the VNPA quickly engaged lawyers from Environmental Justice Australia (EJA) who wrote to the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and State Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos detailing allegations that claim the FFMVic operations contravene the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC), which legislates the referral, assessment and approval of any works likely to have significant impacts on listed threatened species. Currently, bushfire mitigation works do not require an EPBC Act referral.

“This destruction of critical habitat of endangered species is clearly breaking federal environment laws designed to protect Greater Gliders and Leadbeater’s Possums, and this is a real test of whether Minister Plibersek will match her words with action and get serious about enforcing the law,” EJA Special Counsel Danya Jacobs said.

A Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokesperson confirmed they were making enquiries to determine whether national environment law was being complied with and staff from the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) visited the site to determine the cause of death for the Greater Glider.

Warburton Environment (WE) went on to lodge a case in the Federal Court in late May against the Victorian Government following the death of the greater glider, seeking injunctions from the court to halt what they call ‘logging’, and the DEECA insist is the ‘removal of hazardous trees for bushfire risk mitigation’, carried out by FFMVic.

“Community groups shouldn’t have to continually fight their way through the legal system to make the government accountable to its own laws and policies,” We President Ms Fox said.

“Logging clearly isn’t finished in Victoria, it’s just business as usual under a different name, and even Victoria’s most iconic National Parks aren’t safe from the government’s logging industry.”

At the same time, a coalition of the Australian Deer Association, Australian Bowhunters Association, Field and Game Australia, the Gippsland Deer Stalkers, The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Victoria) and Dog Hunters Victoria announced they are ‘united in retaining public land access, representing a membership of over 70,000 Victorians and the interests of a quarter of a million recreational shooters and hunters in Australia.’

“The groundswell of public support to maintain the status quo is a testament to the value placed on this land by recreational users and we

are encouraged by the government’s establishment of the Great Outdoors Taskforce; it demonstrates a recognition of the sustainable use of recreational activities in the bush,” Australian Deer Association’s head of Advocacy Sean Kilkenny said.

Opposition to environmental groups and their push for national park protection of the forests also began to form through the Victorians Against The Great Forest National Park group (VAGFNP) and a convoy of 70 cars from Warburton to Woods Point in September, where they joined over 1000 opposers at a rally.

Founder of the VAGFNP Carly Murphy said the GFNP proposal would have a vast number of negative impacts, be the death of towns who rely on bush users and that it was a ‘land grab’.

“The tourism impact this would have for this area would be devastating as these businesses rely on the 4x4 drivers, free campers, hunters, prospectors, motorbike riders and numerous other groups who would either be restricted in

their use of the bush or denied access all together under this proposal,” she said.

“I have not invested myself in a bush activity hobby, my fight against this is for our small regional towns that this proposal would destroy, and the rights of others to be able to use the forests for their own needs whether it be for their mental health, to source affordable food or for their recreation needs,”

“It is not for conservation or for saving the animals, it’s all about appeasing the United Nations as our government signed us up for a voluntary agreement with the UN referred to as the Paris Agreement and requires that 30 per cent of Australian land be closed off to the public by the year 2030.”

Ms Murphy refers to the Paris Agreement, which was a legally binding treaty signed by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015, but the 30 by 30 agreement is actually the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed to at COP15 in 2022.

The 30 by 30 framework outlines a goal of the protection and conservation of 30 per cent of both the world’s land and oceans by 2030, such as through the creation of national parks and conservation sites.

Even as the year ended, the debate raged on.

The report from the Eminent Panel for Community Engagement on the future of the forest of the Central Highlands was expected to be complete by mid-2024 in order for the Victorian Government to review it by the end of the year, but has not been released.

On Thursday 28 November, the Victorian Government also announced a ‘comprehensive review’ into Parks Victoria and the departure of its CEO Matthew Jackson.

Speaking to the media following the announcement, Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopolous said the Victorian Government’s three new national parks committed to in 2021 in the central-west were all that’s in the frame for national parks at this stage.

“There are no new national parks on the agenda, we have two reports we’re going to respond to; one is the Eminent Panel for Community Engagement (EPCE) and the other one is the Great Outdoors Taskforce, which is yet to land,” he said.

DEECA also confirmed some forest works in December were paused for three working 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 remained on target for delivery, no new injunction or new litigation had been brought against DEECA and the government department continues to defend litigation relating to certain works in the Central Highlands.

Opposers to the Great Forest National Park (GFNP) proposal demanded ‘No More Parks’. (Supplied)

Conservationists discovered a greater glider killed in an area where fire reduction works were undertaken. (Forest Conservation Victoria)

YEAR IN REVIEW

2024: A year in headlines

Star Mail journalists tried our best to deliver good news stories which impacted the Yarra Valley community significantly in 2024.

Here are the best news stories for each month picked by the Star Mail team.

January: Flooding woes

The year started off with a big flooding in the Yarra Valley which poured into the Yarra Glen sports pavilion.

Three sports clubs, Yarra Glen Football and Netball Club, Yarra Glen Junior Football and Netball Club and Yarra Glen Cricket Club, shared the pavilion as tenants of the property.

Yarra Glen Cricket Club was the main tenant for the summer, and the club’s president Travis Gloury said they tried to respond to the issue as quickly as possible because they had learnt a lesson from the previous experience.

“We were fortunate in a sense that we didn’t have a lot sitting on the ground and everything that we did have sitting on the ground, we were able to get it off the ground the day before,” he said.

“However, it was basically carpet, the MDF skirting boards and the plaster around the building got wet.

“We cleaned it up pretty much that night, got the dehumidifiers in the fans, which tried to get rid of the moisture as quickly as we could to help prevent any further damage.”

February: 15 years on since Black Saturday

Black Saturday marked its 15th anniversary in February.

Some locals shared their memories of the bushfires.

The Black Saturday bushfires disappointed the local firefighters because, despite their hard efforts, they couldn’t do much about them.

Leaving the sorrow behind, community members have tried to make Yarra Valley safer by taking the lessons from the experience.

Yarra Ranges Council has kept working to minimise the risk of diverse disasters; roadside slashing programs and build-up of the emergency service provider network.

March: Pay rise jackpot

Three big announcements for Australia’s aged care workers were made in March to improve their working conditions.

The Fair Work Commission ordered a new minimum pay rate of $1223.90 a week for employees in the sector.

The University of Wollongong’s Centre for Health Service Development has released its final report on ‘Alternative Arrangements for Residential Aged Care Staffing’ commissioned by the Australian Government, creating an outline for acceptable alternative arrangements when registered nurses (RNs) are not available on-site 24/7.

The Aged Care Taskforce report notably chose not to recommend an aged care levy, indicating instead that non-pension consumers, whether residents or their family members, can be called upon to pay more towards the costs of their aged care.

April: Push for justice

Ahead of Anzac Day, Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence and local RSLs continued to push for stricter penalties and a greater deterrent for those who vandalise, desecrate and damage war memorials.

The Mafeking Tree in Lilydale (Anglo-Boer War Memorial), Lilydale War Memorial, Lillydale Lake Militia Camp Storyboard, Seville War Memorial, Mt Evelyn War Memorial, Montrose War Memorial and the Mooroolbark War Memorial in the Evelyn electorate alone were targeted and sometimes on multiple occasions.

“I have received an overwhelmingly positive response from veterans and many residents in our community about advocating for stronger penalties for the desecration of war memorials in Parliament,” Ms Vallence said.

“Veterans and community members have told me of the sadness they have experienced in seeing these sacred war memorials being desecrated.

“I hold grave fears we will see more attacks. These attacks are not just happening here in Evelyn, they are happening all over Victoria, with many public monuments being disrespected and destroyed. Unless the government takes stronger action against these crimes, I fear these attacks will worsen.”

May: Emergency funds

As Wear Orange Wednesday rolled around on 22 May, SES crews across the state called for more support and more funding.

VICSES crews gathered to call for more support in May. (File: 409131)

What’s River Brewing owner Ben Hamilton. (Dongyun Kwon: 435886)

YEAR IN REVIEW

The cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance, equipment replacement, consumable items and utilities were all further expenses SES units either had to pay for or apply for grants to cover.

Upper Yarra SES unit controller Hannah Brunton said the funding model for VICSES was not sustainable for the costs of the services that they provided and relied heavily on volunteer-led fundraising.

“Many people assume that VICSES receive funding from the Fire Services Levy however this is not the case, the current Fire Services Levy works really well for the fire services, and we obviously support it and are not seeking a reduction in funding provided to our fire emergency service colleagues – we work with them and support the valuable work they do,” she said.

“Many people do not realise how little funding we actually receive or how far this goes. Using Upper Yarra as an example, we have five vehicles, one rescue truck which is state-funded and four other vehicles which are unit-funded and each vehicle that a unit funds needs to be fitted out with equipment such as radios and emergency lights as well as retrofitted for operational usage to include storage to safely stow our equipment.”

June: Casey remains amid rejig

The Casey electorate was set to survive the electoral redistribution in Victoria, with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) proposing the inner-east seat of Higgins be abolished to bring the state down to 38 seats ahead of this year’s election.

Casey had been suggested to be abolished by the Australian Labor Party in the submission process but gained a few thousand voters to bring up the minimum requirement at a projected date in just under four years’ time.

Yarra Blue Pool and Spa Shop

YarraBluePoolandSpaShophasbeenproudlyservingtheLilydale community and surrounding regions since its establishment in March 2023. While the business may be new, its roots run deep. Owner Adam has been in the industry since 2020, working under the previous owner and bringing years of experience and passion to the table.

From a young age, Adam’s love for pools and problem-solving sparked a lifelong interest in pool care. Growing up in the Yarra Ranges with a backyard pool, he developed a fascination with the chemistry and maintenance involved in keeping pools pristine. Today, Adam channels this enthusiasm into providing top-notch products, services, and solutions for pool and spa owners.

YarraBlueoffersacomprehensiverangeofpoolandspachemicals, including chlorine, acid, buffer, premium salt, algaecides, and specialty products like chlorine-free spa sanitizers and cleaners. For equipment needs, customers can find saltwater chlorinators, pumps,filters,androboticpoolcleaners.Alongsideretailofferings, the shop provides multi-tiered service programs tailored to suit pools and spas of all sizes. These services include regular maintenance, one-off cleanups, equipment handovers, urgent troubleshooting, and equipment inspections.

The Chair of the Committee and Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the Victorian redistribution was required to enable a decrease from 39 to 38 electoral divisions.

“Under the proposal, some significant changes would occur, with the boundaries of Victorian divisions being amended to accommodate the decrease,” he said.

“38 of the existing 39 division names would be retained with the Division of Higgins to be abolished.”

Casey MP Aaron Violi said he was very happy that the electorate is remaining.

“It is a special and unique community that should be represented by one voice and it’s great to see that the Electoral Commissioners recognise that and that we will continue to have one federal voice representing the Yarra Ranges Council area which is the best thing for our community,” he said.

July: Reckless hunters

Instances of illegal deer hunting in the Upper Yarra rose again in July, prompting local police to call on hunters to make sure they were doing the right thing.

Illegal behaviour in regard to deer hunting includes hunting without a Game Licence, using incorrect firearms, calibres and ammunition, hunting in prohibited areas including hunting on private property without permission, breaching Victoria’s spotlighting laws and regulations and the incorrect use of dogs and dog breeds.

Officer in Charge at the Warburton Police Station Jason Kelly said the laws and regulations surrounding the use of firearms for hunting/pest control exist to keep everyone safe.

Continued on page 12

As a proudly local and independent business, Yarra Blue Pool and Spa Shop is deeply connected to its community. The shop operates from the oldest pool shop in Lilydale, a landmark that has served the area for decades. Adam and his team prioritise customer savings and satisfaction, reflecting their commitment to supporting their neighbours.

The team boasts exceptional expertise. Jordan and Mick bring years of industry knowledge, while Erin, who joined in October 2023, has quickly proven to be an invaluable member of the crew. Peter, a veteran with over 25 years of experience in leak detection, acid washing, and surface restoration, joined in March 2024, further enhancing the team’s capabilities. The newest addition, Bailey, started as a pool cleaner in December 2024, assisting Mick and Peter during the busy summer months.

This January, Yarra Blue is offering 30% off selected pumps and saltwater chlorinators while supplies last (installation charges may apply). Stop by for expert advice, quality products, and a team that treats your pool like their own.

At Yarra Blue Pool and Spa Shop, we’re more than just a pool shop—we’re your trusted partner in creating a clean, safe, and enjoyable aquatic space.

You can find Yarra Blue Pool and Spa at 260 Maroondah Highway Lilydale or contact Adam on 9100 3600

A Seville tobacco shop was set alight after being rammed by a vehicle in February. (Rochelle Poulton)

YEAR IN REVIEW

2024: A year in headlines

From page 11

“Police have genuine concerns for public safety as well as domestic pets/livestock when firearms are used in contravention of the laws and regulations, such as when they are used on private property without the knowledge or permission of the owners,” he said.

“Legal hunting on public land (i.e. state forest) can only occur during daylight hours with the required licences and permits. It is illegal to possess, carry or use a loaded firearm in a public place – which covers roadways or residential streets.

“It is also illegal to possess, carry or use a loaded firearm in a non-public place with reckless disregard for safety, these are indictable (arrestable) offences and carry potential jail sentences if found guilty at court.”

August: Pothole nightmare

A local who works for the road maintenance equipment company raised questions about the Victorian Government’s road maintenance policy as potholes plagued the Outer East.

The data revealed the government spent $37 million on road resurfacing works in the 2023-24 financial year, which was a huge drop from the previous year’s $201.4 million.

Mr Hardiman claimed that the pothole issue facing drivers would have been greatly reduced if the government had not slashed funding on preventative road maintenance, in particular, road resurfacing and waterproofing.

He was disappointed at the State Government which blamed the unprecedented weather events.

“Although the extreme rain in 2022 undoubtedly had an effect on parts of the road network, it is the unprecedented lack of preventative maintenance which is allowing a significant deterioration on the rest of the road network,” he said.

“They [roads] are falling apart, they have not been receiving the necessary preventative maintenance, they just get temporary patches, which is understandable in the wet months.”

September: Risks on the road Victoria Police hosted a forum to discuss road policing and road safety based on the statistics as well as to answer the questions raised by the community members at Yarra Valley Racing.

About 50 people attended the forum including emergency services members, police officers, representatives from Yarra Ranges Council and the Department of Transport and Planning along with local politicians.

Victoria Police Acting Senior Sergeant Laureina Everett said Yarra Ranges is one of the top three areas for serious injury and fatal collisions in the state.

“From our point of view as police, we want to speak to the community, engage with them and let them know what we’re doing in terms of road trauma, as well as getting the community to have their input about any issues that they’ve identified so that we can address them and listen to their ideas and facts,” she said.

“We really encourage the community to make sure that they’re playing their part, their cars are registered and roadworthy, they have a driver’s licence, they’re driving to the conditions, and they’re not substance affected while they’re driving, they’re not being distracted by using their phones.”

October: Brews and blues

In August, it was confirmed the taxes on beer and spirits have effectively gone up two per cent.

In the following two months, Star Mail had a chat with workers in the drinks industry to discuss how the continual high inflation had hit the local drinks industry, and what would be the possible solution.

After 18 consecutive tax increases, beer prices rose steeply, with the cost of a pub pint heading towards as much as $18.

Yarra Valley Spirits owner Matthew Barnard said reducing the alcohol excise is a complicated issue but if it is well managed, it is going to help the Australian spirits industry.

“[The reduced excise] would certainly help the Australian producer get more products to the market at a more affordable price point,” he said.

“But if the excise is reduced, it would also reduce the price of the big international products as well.

“If the excise was more manageable though, the producers would be able to compete with other products on the market such as beer and wine categories, even some RTDs [Ready-todrink alcohol products].”

What’s River Brewing in Healesville has been operating since 2015.

Business owner Ben Hamilton said he might have to make some tough decisions if the pressure doesn’t come off soon.

“Leading into Covid, we were growing as a business. Covid was very difficult for us and then after that cost of living pressures pretty much hit straight away so we haven’t had any relief. At the moment our business is losing money, which is obviously not sustainable,” he said.

November: Violence targeted

In November, Star Mail reported about the Victorian Liberals and Nationals’ attempt to introduce a bill to combat the illicit tobacco trade.

Eildon MP Cindy McLeish said with tobacco stores opening across the Yarra Ranges, locals and business owners wanted to ensure they and their businesses were safe as firebombing incidents escalated.

“Firebombing is very widespread across Victoria, surging well past 100 attacks, making it

harder for surrounding businesses to secure insurance. It is not in just one spot; it is a big issue that also relates to organised crime,” she said.

“The Government needs to tackle organised crime and look after the small businesses surrounding tobacco shops and those that own the premises that are firebombed. All of those businesses could have been saved by having a licensing scheme.”

Just a week after the Star Mail delved into the issue of the illicit tobacco trade, the Victorian Government announced its measures to improve regulation.

“We’re implementing the toughest laws anywhere in the country to smoke out the illegal tobacco trade and keep Victorians safe,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.

Throughout the year, Star Mail reported a few articles regarding the illicit tobacco issues across the Yarra Valley.

A 19-year-old Officer man was arrested in relation to the investigation into a suspicious fire at a tobacco store in Seville on 11 February.

In May, a Yarra Ranges landlord told the Star Mail how frustrated he was when he heard the news about Victoria Police’s tactic to identify illegal tobacconists after his alleged experience of reporting a similar crime went unanswered.

The landlord rented his property to a tenant who was going to open a business for tobacco selling in 2018, and a few months later he realised his tenant was selling illicit tobacco.

He claimed he reported it to local police, Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and even the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), but no action was taken by any of them.

December: Station’s history 2024 marked 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.

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

Despite the closure, the history of Coranderrk did not end in 1924 as the stories of Coranderrk have been continuing until today through descendants.

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

Victoria Police Eastern Region Operational Support Superintendent Stephen Cooper answering a question at the road policing and road safety forum.

(Dongyun Kwon: 433196)

YEAR IN REVIEW

‘Pic’ of the bunch in 2024

The year 2024 was full of many different adventures. Here is a selection of some of the best moments captured in 2024.

None of the Healesville Primary School prep children shed tears on their first day at school. (Dongyun Kwon: 386558)

A golf event was held at the Warburton Golf Club on 30 May to raise money for not only the Variety Children’s Charity but also FightMND. (Stewart Chambers: 410512)

Yarra Junction residents Henk and Gwyneth Boer celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on 28 August. (Stewart Chambers: 426639)

Bruno, the sausage dog, reunited with his family after over 10 weeks on the run. (Supplied)

Three Bridges’ Daniel Sanders on Stage One of the Rallye du Maroc in Morocco. (Rally Zone)

Kayle Holmes practised his love for the animals by volunteering at the FFAR shelter once a week and selling bags of kindling to raise money for the under-the-pump animal rescue organisation. (Stewart Chambers: 417263)

The SES Healesville Unit had over 30 requests for assistance within 24 hours during the storm in February. (Supplied)

Healesville resident Bridget Murphy and her horse Macey debuted at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in September. (Paralympics Australia)

Santa Claus recruited 10 local elves to help him with a Christmas wreath decoration request from Healesville Rotary Club. (Dongyun Kwon: 443473)

Yarra Junction Primary School prep students celebrated their 100th day with costumes. (Callum Ludwig: 423275)

Healesville resident John Stanhope OAM has played bugle and trumpet on both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services since 1974. (Dongyun Kwon: 400670)

Healesville Living and Learning Centre handed over the keys to Healesville East End Op Shop to Healesville-Yarra Glen Uniting Church on 7 November. (Stewart Chambers: 442261)

YEAR IN REVIEW

Talented artists lit up 2024

The artists and entertainers of the Yarra Ranges were in the spotlight in 2024.

Take your mind back to some of the local talents on display throughout the year:

One young artist and a local business teamed up to hold a touching and tender exhibition in the Warburton Waterwheel Gallery in October.

Little Yarra Steiner School student Amber Hamer ‘explored death through art’ in Talking Tender, with Tender Funerals Geater Eastern Melbourne holding a series of talks and workshops exploring end-of-life care and funeral planning throughout the month in the gallery.

Ms Hamer said in her pieces, she has focused on how death intertwines with time, fear, and transformation.

“I chose to explore the theme of death because I believe it’s a topic that deserves more thought and conversation, death is a universal experience, yet we often avoid discussing it openly,” she said.

“My artworks are intended to invite the viewer to explore their own perceptions of death with an open mind, this is something I am passionate about as I believe through death there is a lot we can learn about life.”

Tender Funerals Greater Eastern Melbourne Community Activator Melinda Whyman it was fabulous to have Ms Hamer’s work included and bring conversations about death into the public space.

“It’s a very brave project that she’s embarked on and particularly at such a tender age to be interested and willing to have that conversation about end of life and wanting to encourage other people to have that conversation,” she said.

Some more of the brightest young artists across the Yarra Ranges had the chance to display their work in April.

Yarra Ranges Council and the Burrinja Cultural Centre once again partnered up to host the Creative Showcase in The Memo in Healesville, displaying the works of 32 artists who had completed units 3 and 4 in VCE Art and Studio Art or their final year of VCAL the year prior.

Former Lilydale High School student Ken Roberts displayed two dresses that they sewed and said they had been waiting for an opportunity to exhibit their artworks.

“When I was in VCE, we came in here [The Memo] seeing some different artworks and seeing different emotions and opinions, I was like ‘I want mine to be projected, I want people to experience mine.’,” they said.

“Both of my artworks are about identity, and the black one [My identity is stigma] is more of a reflection about my identity, how people’s perception can restrict and harm me and how I view myself,”

“The white one [Your identity is…] is more of a focus on how broad and different everybody experiences identity and how identity runs through our blood and determines our whole entire lives.”

The Memo also hosted an acrobatic display by the award-winning First Nations Na Djinang Circus (NDC) in December, a Melbourne-based contemporary circus company working with diverse young artists ‘to share unique insight with

the next generation’s hands and feet.’

The team performed their 60-minute, fourperson Arterial show, a combination of tumbling, group acrobatics and pyramids, modern cultural dance and aerial work.

NDC artistic custodian Harley Mann said Arterial is the second work by Na Djinang with the cast of all First Nations performers.

“We have a way of trusting and supporting each other, and these connections translate beautifully to a circus where safety is literally in each other’s hands,” he said.

“Circus has a huge underrepresentation of mob and so even the act of having four black acrobats on stage should be celebrated, let alone the incredible things they do,”

“This continent is full of rich and complex history, and Healesville is no exception to this. We are very excited to spend time in this country with the traditional towns and hear some of the stories.”

Moving into the world of music, a Yarra Valleybased band celebrated scaling the ARIA charts in 2024.

Smoke Stack Rhino’s new album The Mojo Dojo, released in July, ranked 17th place in the ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums and second place in the ARIA Top 20 Jazz and Blues Albums.

Singer and guitarist Ash King said the trio hadn’t expected to be able to get high in the charts.

“It’s amazing and heart-warming. We feel grateful to everyone who’s been supportive of us through picking up the album, having a listen or coming along to one of the gigs or festivals that we

played to fund it,” he said.

“We weren’t expecting to do that well at all as an independent band without any support of a record label, distributor or management company.”

Smoke Stack Rhino was formed in 2013 with the idea of being what Rage Against the Machine would sound like playing blues music.

“It’s not as hard as what you might expect, and it’d be good to help some other local artist to achieve the same thing that we have done,” King said.

“We’ve got good talent out here, and I might look into trying to do some events to help some other people who’ve got music coming out.”

One local music event that helped shine a light on local musicians and support a much-loved community group made a triumphant return in 2024.

After an eight-year hiatus, the Koha Community Cafe’s Music Festival Fundraiser was held in July, having originally been the idea of Michelle Fisher and Lily Hellicar years ago.

The lineup featured Szara Fox and the Midnight Secrets, Tim Ireland and The Captain, The Idle Idolisers, Beez Neez, Starvation Creek, TOIL and Bluffy who kindly donated their time and talents to the event.

Suyin Chan and Michelle Fisher of the Koha Community Cafe said in the tradition of Koha cafe, the event was not just about feeding people but also bringing the community together.

“We believe that this is why past Koha music festivals have been so successful, everyone has a soft spot for Koha Cafe, it’s been a staple in this

community for nearly 15 years and what better way to bring the community together than good food, good music and a dance,”

“The Koha music festival has always been popular because it brings everyone together, all different ages and reminds us how important community is.”

The Cafe raised $6755.50 from the event, which was estimated to cover the cost of about 1000 meals for community members.

In the world of film, a documentary filmed by a pair of Warburton locals took out the Best Melbourne Documentary award at the 2024 Melbourne Documentary Film Festival.

Belinda Lloyd and Larry Lawson’s ‘To Thank The Room’, which captured the last 100 days of the much-loved Brooklyn Arts Hotel in Fitzroy and followed its effervescent owner Maggie Fooke, was completed last year and has now been given an extended run at Cinema Nova in Carlton.

Ms Lloyd said winning the award was an extraordinary experience.

“After so long loving, holding and believing in the project (we started shooting in December 2019), to have won this award means it has wind under its wings, and many more people will see it, which is just fantastic and what you always hope will justify the time and energy we dedicated to it,” she said.

“I think our tiny team did a great job of weaving a heartful and interesting story in such a way as to be moving, inspiring and relatable, and of course, it’s a very Melbourne story and Maggie – the ’star’ is an extraordinary and inspiring woman.”

Attendees of a ‘To Thank The Room’ screening, including star Maggie Fooke and filmmaker Belinda Lloyd (front from left). (Supplied)

Ken with their two dresses. (Jesse Graham)

A tale of two zoos

One of the Collins Street Falcons has been on an epic rescue and rehabilitation journey since the live streaming cameras were switched off for the season, with Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary teaming up to help.

The famous fledgling found itself stuck behind a glass balcony screen on a skyscraper in Melbourne’s CBD with Wildlife Victoria the first responders on 15 November.

“A huge thank you to everyone involved – from the member of public who called Wildlife Victoria to report the injured falcon, to the team at Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary for providing veterinary treatment and rehabilitation,” Wildlife Victoria chief executive officer Lisa Palma said.

“Stories like these are possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers, who are on the frontline of wildlife rescue each day.

“I encourage all Victorians to call Wildlife Victoria’s 24/7 Emergency Response Service on 03) 8400 7300 to report any sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife.”

It’s common for juvenile birds to have misadventures when leaving the nest, so after experienced carers rescued the bird, they attempted to release it in Fitzroy Gardens.

However, the falcon couldn’t fly due to a possible soft tissue injury to its right wing.

Melbourne Zoo’s Marine Response Unit, who regularly attend wildlife callouts, were contacted and the bird was transferred to the Zoo’s veterinary clinic for its initial examination including X-rays and blood tests.

To ensure the falcon received the specialised care it needed, it was moved to Healesville Sanctuary’s Raptor Rehabilitation Centre.

The purpose-built centre, a six-metre-tall donut-shaped building, forms a continuous 100-metre flight tunnel for birds to build up their fitness before returning to the wild.

Flight fitness is an important recovery milestone for a bird receiving medical care, to ensure they can hunt for food and avoid predators.

After receiving anti-inflammatory medication, resting, and building up its flight fitness, the falcon was safety returned to a park location near the Yarra River, in its home range last week to allow it to thrive in familiar territory.

Healesville Sanctuary life sciences manager Gerry Ross said the team was thrilled this bird was soaring back through the skies and delighting Melbournians again.

“It’s incredible to have this Raptor Centre and

for the zoos to work together so one of city’s most iconic birds can return to wild where it belongs,” she said.

As the falcon is at an age of independence, it no longer needs to return to life on the ledge with its parents and will forge its own way in the wild.

Peregrine Falcons are a bird of prey. These birds are expert sky divers and are known for their incrediblespeed,upto300kmperhour.Theydon’t build nests but instead lay their eggs in shallow dips in rock or cliff faces, tree hollows and ledges of tall buildings.

Files from a ‘daring’ historical bank heist

Every year on 1 January, hundreds of Victorian archival records are made public through the Public Record Office Victoria, from historical court documents to hospital admissions.

Among this year’s release was the 1949 criminal trial brief for Albert Edward Skeggs, a man said to have committed a ‘daring’ bank robbery in Ferntree Gully.

On Saturday 23 October 1948 the E.S&A Bank in Ferntree Gully closed at midday.

Bank manager Victor Thomas Scott and his colleague Mr Naylor secured the bank safe and strongroom, then locked the front door as they knocked off for the day. When they returned Monday morning, immediately they knew something was amiss, the brief read.

“We noticed the two glass doors wide open and held back by two chairs…there was a smell of burnt gas of some type. We went to the strongroom door (and) noticed oxy-acetylene bottles and a hole in the door of the strongroom. We eventually opened the strongroom,” Scott said.

“There was a big hole cut in the safe...After we opened the safe we saw that the drawers were burnt away…We looked at the ante room and saw a rope hanging through the manhole which was open.”

A police audit found that £2139/8/7 was missing along with three revolvers, one automatic pistol and safe custody envelopes containing certificates of £50 each.

Detectives Newton and Tremewen soon arrived. Seeing the rope hanging from the ceiling led Newton to the manhole where he found two sheets of galvanised iron had been pulled up several feet which “left a hole big enough for a man to get through.”

The papers called it a “daring” robbery that “must have taken them six or seven hours.”

In early November, Skeggs visited an acquaintance at work, a Leonard Joseph Robertson, and offered “a little job I want you to do for me. I’ll make it worth your while.”

Robertson supposedly didn’t ask questions as he’d been struggling financially and the promise of some extra cash saw him meet Skeggs the following day, Tuesday 9 November, outside Fink’s Buildings in Elizabeth Street.

Skeggs handed Robertson a certificate for £50, asking him to cash it, and he would give him £5 for his troubles.

“He handed me a certificate. I looked at the back and saw it was signed J. Wilson. There were also the principal and interest on the back. The

certificate had Oct 1952 on it. I entered the bank and presented it to teller at the War Savings counter and cashed the certificate…I met accused outside the bank and handed him the full amount. He gave me a £5 note,” Robertson said.

They continued to numerous other banks around Melbourne. Skeggs waiting outside each time Robertson was tasked with cashing in the certificates.

“I did not ask him why he did not go into the bank himself, I thought he was being generous to me. I knew of no reason why he should give me £5 of each £50 unless he knew that I was struggling along early last year,” Robertson said.

The final two certificates Skeggs left with Robertson, planning to meet him later on.

“I went across road to Nat. Bank. I presented two certificates to the teller at the counter. He examined the certs with a list of Nos. The teller left and entered a room and then served two ladies. A man came along and he took me to a room at the rear. A police patrol arrived…”

Robertson was caught red-handed with two of the certificates stolen from Ferntree Gully. It wasn’t long before police tracked down the other cashed certificates. Robertson was quick to tell police who had set him up.

Meanwhile, when Robertson didn’t show up to meet Skeggs as planned, he assumed the worst and went straight to the home of friend Kathleen Veronica Sutton.

“…Mr Skeggs came to my home. Before that it was 12 months since I saw him. He came into the flat. He had a conversation. He was there half an hour to one hour,” she said in the brief.

An insider’s view of the Memo

Brian Luscombe is more familiar with The Memo in Healesville than most people.

A projectionist at the Memorial Hall for decades, Brian ran countless movie screenings at the cinema, swapping reels, organising releases and entertaining generations of locals.

He said that a major part of his job was advocating for releases and special features to come to town.

“I remember calling up 21st Century Fox and asking to put on a double feature – Hello Dolly! and The Sound of Music, and they wouldn’t hear it,” Mr Luscombe said.

“Few weeks later, I see Hoyts in the city and what are they showing? Hello Dolly! and The Sound of Music. I called them up and said, ‘If it’s good enough for Hoyts, it’s good enough for Healesville!’

“Another time, I organised a screening of Monty Python’s The Life of Brian – that Sunday, every church in town had something to say about me.

“That couldn’t have been better advertising, though – every screening after that was sold out!

He said the old, red chairs at the Memo were so notoriously uncomfortable that people would bring their own seating to movie sessions.

“This one group rocked up with a couch on the back of a ute, brought it right up the front for a triple feature, then put it back on the ute and drove it home,” he said.

Mr Luscombe said he hadn’t been to see many movies since finishing up as projectionist, but a highlight of his time working at the Memo was screening his favourite film, Hello Dolly!

The Healesville Memorial Hall was opened in April 1924 as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the First World War. In 2012, it reopened to the community following a major redevelopment.

The uncomfortable red chairs now long gone, along with the balcony seating, the space is now open and can seat hundreds of people for concerts, movie screenings and community events.

Reflecting on the history of the beloved space, Mr Luscombe is glad to see The Memo still being used as a community hub.

“They’ve done an incredible job with the building, Council. It’s really something special,” he said.

“The space in there is incredible.”

“Before he went he said “I am in a spot of trouble”. We did not ask him what it was. I (said) ‘I’m sure you’re only imagining it. Go home and forget about it.’ He handed two pens to me. He (said) ‘Would you mind minding these for me. I don’t want to lose them. One is mine. One is Norman’s’. He left the pens and went away.”

Eventually, Detectives Newton and Tremewen caught up with Skeggs at home where he admitted he’d seen Robertson and that he’d received a £50 certificate at a Mornington race meeting from a man named Snowy.

The Detectives then searched Skeggs’ flat to find a nervous wife inside, but no stolen goods. They took him into custody regardless, his Mornington races excuse not holding much weight once the Detectives looked up the dates of the race meets, the last one at least two days prior to the bank robbery.

Skeggs responded “You think you’ve got me trapped but I have a bad memory.” The bad memory included not being able to remember anything about Snowy, or how many certificates he got off him.

Skeggs admitted to filling in the name J Wilson with the pens he had left with his friend Sutton. He also obliged by giving the detectives a handwriting sample.

He maintained, however, that he did not break into the bank.

His story about Snowy and the Mornington races, held on a date that didn’t make sense, seemed to have swayed the jury at trial. Or perhaps they just weren’t impressed with the Detectives’ evidence. Skeggs was found not guilty.

To find out more about The Memo, and to see what movies are available there, and at Arts Centre Warburton, visit yarraranges. vic.gov.au/movies

Bottles of oxy-acetylene were discovered in the bank. (Public Record Office Victoria)

Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary teaming up to help rescue and rehabilitation journey of a falcon. (Jo Howell, Zoos Victoria)

A former projectionist at The Memo in Healesville, Brian Luscombe knows the building and history like no other. (Jesse Graham)

SENIORS LIVING

Vibrant retirement living

In the heart of Lilydale, where the lush Yarra Valley meets the Dandenong Ranges, stands Lilydale Valley Views – not just a retirement village, but a thriving community where residents relish every moment of their golden years. For the past 15 years, we have meticulously crafted an environment that goes beyond providing accommodation; it’s a place where the essence of retirement living is fully embraced.

Our village boasts an array of accommodation options, from stunning homes with valley views to cosy terrace living. With 139 homes, including semi-attached 2/3 bedroom units, each designed to ensure a family-like atmosphere, we prioritise creating a space that fits the unique preferences of every resident.

What sets Lilydale Valley Views apart is the commitment to offering a comprehensive retirement experience. Picture a heated indoor swim-

ming pool and spa, providing residents with an oasis for relaxation and exercise. Imagine weekly Tai Chi and dancersize sessions, tailored to keep both the body and mind active and engaged. Our village bus takes the hassle out of shopping, offering a convenient door-to-door service, freeing residents from the need to drive and park.

One of the key pillars of our community is the vibrant social committee. This dedicated group organises a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, ensuring residents always have opportunities for connection and enjoyment. From outings to social events, our calendar is brimming with activities that cater to diverse interests, creating an enriching experience for everyone.

Yet, the true magic lies in the residents themselves. A wonderful group of people with a wide range of interests, they form the beating heart of our community. The warmth and genuine sense

of camaraderie that have flourished over the years are truly heartwarming. Newcomers quickly find themselves embraced by the community, invited to various activities and social occasions, allowing them to tailor their level of engagement.

At Lilydale Valley Views, we recognise the importance of social connections for overall health and wellbeing as we age. Our environment is curated to facilitate an active and connected lifestyle, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the physical boundaries of the village.

Centrally located near essential amenities, including medical practitioners, supermarkets, and the train station – all within walking distance –Lilydale Valley Views provides a seamless blend of convenience and tranquillity. The nearby Warburton Trail offers residents the opportunity for scenic walks or bike rides, while a thriving veggie/flower garden on-site adds to the communal spirit.

As a testament to our commitment to excellence, we are proud to have built a retirement village that has evolved into a close-knit community. Lilydale Valley Views is not merely a place to live; it’s a place where people flourish, creating a tapestry of shared experiences and cherished moments.

In celebration of our journey and the joy of vibrant retirement living, we invite you to explore Lilydale Valley Views. Come and witness firsthand the beauty of terrace living, stunning views, and the warm embrace of a community that defines the essence of retirement living.

For more information, contact Lilydale Valley Views at 471 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale, email manager@lilydalevalleyviews.com.au, or call 03 9735 5944 to speak with Rosemary Seymour our manager. Our doors are open from 9am to 4.30pm, welcoming you to a new chapter of vibrant retirement living.

Breathtaking views await residents at Lilydale Valley Views. (Supplied)

Meet and mingle with friends in the community centre.

SENIOR LIVING

Bob and Faye are loving village life in leafy Lilydale

THERE are lots of different reasons why peoplemovetoaretirementvillage,butfor

Bob and Faye - who live at Tudor Village in Lilydale - one of the main drivers was to avoid becoming a burden to their children in the future.

“Both Faye and I had fathers who ended up being on their own, and we spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals, looking after them,” Bob explains.

“We wanted to future-proof our lives and make sure that if either of us should pass away, the other one would be part of a community, and have friends around to provide companionship and support.”

Bob and Faye, who have now lived at Tudor Village for 12 years, say they have already enjoyed the caring support of friends at the village.

“I recently had a long run of illness, going in and out of hospital, and lots of residents were contacting us to make sure we were ok,” Bob says.

“While I was here at home convalescing, people would call or drop around to ask if we were okay, needed anything or just wanted to chat.

“There is a real sense of community here... it’s really wonderful.” Bob says that one of the other key reasons for moving to a new home at Tudor Village was to say goodbye to the onerous maintenance required at their former home in Chirnside Park, whichwasmorethan40yearsold,perched on a steep, 950-square metre block, and

had a big garden, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two kitchens and a double garage!

“I was around 70 at the time, and still quite active, but the house needed a lot of work, and the maintenance was starting to run amok,” he says. “It was on the side of a hill, up and down stairs, and I thought ‘enough of this, we should move to a village’, so we started looking around.”

Unique charm

After looking at “every other “village in the area, the couple visited Tudor Village and immediately fell for its unique charm.

“All the other villages looked like they were cloned, and a lot of them afforded you little privacy, had carports instead of garages, were rundown or had rules and regulations that were just too tight, “Bob says.

“Tudor Village was the last one we looked at, and as we drove up Tudor Drive, we both said ‘hey, this is different’.”

Faye says she and Bob were drawn to the fact that all the homes were individual, with different home styles and gardens.

“It’s lovely and leafy, and it feels really welcoming,” Faye says. “As soon as we saw the village, we thought ‘this is the one’!”

Fitting In

While they were a little concerned about moving from their big property to a smaller one, fearing they’d have too much furniture, Bob and Faye were surprised to find that it would all fit in quite nicely.

Having moved from nearby Chirnside Park, Faye says they have been able to retain their current doctor, are close to many family members, and are already familiar with all the local facilities, including shopping centres, public transport and Maroondah Hospital, all

within easy reach.

“Everything is on your doorstep, and you’re at the gateway of the Yarra Valley ... .it’s a lovely spot to be,” Faye says. “There are so many reasons why we enjoy living here .. .it’s so relaxing, and it feels like home ... we love it!”

is located at 520 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale. To find out more about Tudor Village, call 9739 6122 Monday to Friday to arrange apersonalappointmentandvillagetour, orvisittudorvillage.com.au

Downsize without compromise at Tudor Village! This charming 2-bedroom home offers spacious Open-plan living, a modern kitchen, and a tranquil courtyard. Enjoy a vibrant community, convenient location near shops and transport, and the peace of mind that comes with a secure and welcoming environment. Plus, you’ll be close to family, your doctor, and all the amenities you need. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to embrace a relaxed and fulfilling lifestyle.

Charming 2-bedroom home in vibrant Tudor Village, Lilydale. Brand-new kitchen & bathroom, open-plan living, fresh paint, new carpets and hard flooring. Master with WIR, private courtyard with pergola. Close to Community Centre. Reverse cycle A/C, garage, separate laundry & WC. Your perfect retreat awaits!

Tudor Village

The gift of home gardening

By Erle Levey

One of the great things about gardening, particularly home gardening, is the gift of giving. This can be either in what has been grown or in time and effort.

For gardening identity Phil Dudman there are so many ways you can give from a garden.

“It can be just from having a visitor come on over and hang out in the garden - and to be able to share your passion,’’ he said.

We were talking over lunch at this year’s Queensland Garden Expo, which is being renamed as Queensland Garden Show for 2025.

“Whenever someone comes around to a gardener’s place, they are blown away by how you find beauty.

“Just spending time showing people aroundthey’re special places.’’

I know what it was like with my mother and grandmother whenever friends or family dropped around - there was always a cutting to share, a bloom to take.

For Phil, who is known for his appearances on ABC-TV’s Gardening Australia, on ABC Radio or writing for gardening magazines, it’s a matter of almost everyone loves a garden.

He has a brand called Phil Dudman Gardening and Grow Your Food workshops.

“There’ll be some people who don’t like to garden because they find it too hard,’’ he admits. “It’s too much effort.

“Yet everyone loves to get into nature.

“If you have a good garden and it’s full of interesting things - flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs - then every plant has a story.

“There’s common stuff and there are special things that you’ve got.

“It might be something that’s been given to you, then you give back to someone else. They take a little bit of that story.

“There’s a lot of giving that goes on with itwhether to a friend or a neighbour - and gardeners get a lot of pleasure out of that giving.

“It’s like sharing a little bit of yourself. You are planting an idea.

“It’s not just for yourself, it’s a lifestyle that you know - a nourishing lifestyle in which you feel good.’’

Phil is one of the regular guest speakers at the garden show - to be held over four days next year at Nambour Showgrounds from 10-13 July.

It is Queensland’s premier gardening event and will showcase the biggest range of plants you are likely to see anywhere in the Sunshine State in one location.

Some of Australia’s leading gardening experts will take part in free talks, demonstrations, and workshops.

As we have found over a number of years, Phil, like fellow gardener Costa Georgiadis, is very giving of his time and knowledge at such events.

“You feel good looking at the garden - feel good stepping out in it. Then if you can give your neighbour some produce … a cutting, a seed or a seedling, then they grow it and get back to you about how it’s going so well.

“They feel there’s a story at their place that’s connected to you. That’s it. It Just goes around and around.’’

As well as the feel-good value of gardening there is the physical and mental side of it.

Living at Lismore in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Phil said mornings were a magical time for him.

“I wake up and see the fog in the valleys, knowing it’s going to be a great day.

“I wake up early - before the sun comes up. I don’t know, perhaps it’s just an age thing.

“And I think it’s okay to get up now because the birds are up - you go out there and they’re in the birdbath, in your trees.

“You can go out with a cuppa and greet the day. You get to know the different birds.

“I know I cannot live without it.’’

Another benefit of gardening is the way it can connect you with the seasons and the community.

“Giving is a pleasure, and a great way to build close relationships in the community,’’ Phil said.

“People who are fellow gardeners are always sharing seeds and produce, obviously … and these people will come back with some cake or something they’ve baked.

“It could be something to go into the cake, such as bananas, potatoes or zucchinis.

That’s really nice.

“But there’s also things such as seedlings ... you might have too many of them.

“I took some brussel sprouts down to a friend and she’s never grown them … and some potatoes that I’ve been planting.

“It was a new experience for her, and she finds it a pleasure.’’

As far as being a great connection with community, Phil said elderly people in his street were always happy to receive some help or some produce.

“They are happy for me to set up gardens for them.

“I run workshops in my garden at Lismore and sometimes I take the team over to one of their places and do a blitz … it’s just a matter of setting up a garden.

“One neighbour has three or four big patches set up from my workshops and years of gardening. She couldn’t set it up physically, but she can do the ongoing gardening ... that’s a really nice thing to do with people.

“I love setting up gardens for them. Those who have never done it before or who are unable to do that.

“It’s a great way to share an expertise or skill in gardening.

“The whole gardening lifestyle is a recipe for happiness and a blueprint for living.’’

It is a blueprint for community living and connections that you may not have in any other aspects of your life.

“It’s connecting you with people in really beautiful ways,’’ Phil explained.

“It’s a really affordable way to do that. You don’t need a lot of time and energy to help someone.

“You don’t need a lot of money. You mightif you want to create some designer garden that you’ve seen on television but just to plant things and grow things - you can really start from nothing.’’

One of the first steps in creating a garden can be making compost and creating fertility in the back yard.

That is the big thing that a garden really thrives on and you can make that with virtually no money.

Another part of gardening that Phil is interested in is blue zones.

There are five original blue zones – the places

make sure that other people are experiencing that.

“We all believe gardeners ... if everyone in the world was gardening, there wouldn’t be any issues.

“All that we talk about is microbes and mycelium … we are just proud of what we do.

“If everyone was gardening, there would be this level of satisfaction in your life every day. Happiness and joy and satisfaction every day.

“Gardeners get a lot of pleasure out of that giving – it’s like sharing a bit of yourself.’’

Since the Queensland Garden Expo, Phil has been getting out and seeing more of AustraliaCentral Australia to be precise.

in the world with the healthiest, longest-living populations. Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.

A common thing across the blue zones is diet, but lifestyle too. Gardening plays a big part in our physical and mental health, and these areas are big not just in gardening but connection among the community.

“It gives hope and an investment in the future.

“You are always wanting to plant things and see how they go.

“The one thing that is common is that they are all gardening communities.

“It’s part of their lifestyles. It’s the fresh food. It’s the physical work that you’ve got to do to keep a garden going.

“It’s also that when you plant something it’s an investment in the future.

“There’s no way that I’m gonna die if I know the tomatoes are coming on.’’

Like the seasons, gardeners are always looking ahead and are deciding what to plant.

“You’re always giving yourself a reason to get out of bed and to live and to thrive … because you are so thrilled about the harvest.

“It’s such a simple idea, but I reckon it works because I can see those effects in my life. It just keeps me wanting to do stuff.

“It’s a hobby, it’s a passion … it’s a way of life, a pleasure. It’s always there … a kind of low-level activity.

“You’re not jumping around and working out and pumping iron.

“You are moving around the space and finding things to do … sometimes you’re bending, sometimes you’re lifting, there’s a range of motions involved in gardening.

“But there’s also picking up the soil - some of it might go in your mouth but there’s nothing wrong with microbes. We started as kids with mud pies, so there is nothing as good as a good microbiome from the earth.’’

These microorganisms can help the immune system and the digestive system.

“A nice part of the whole thing is most gardeners are willing to give a bit of their time to help someone who has never gardened,’’ Phil said. “It can be someone who is new or needs some help because gardeners know the benefit to your personal wellbeing by having a garden.

“They know it’s that good - so they want to

Flying from Brisbane to Alice Springs, then driving a campervan, he and his wife went to Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park and Kings Canyon.

Together with the springtime colours and wildflowers, the landscapes exceeded their expectations.

“The colours - the greens, the yellows, the golds. It was awesome.

“We were so lucky to see these billy buttons flowers looking absolutely perfect, where we stayed in Trefena National Park in East MacDonnell Ranges.

“Nature created the most beautiful wildflower meadow for us to enjoy.

“I fell in love with Uluru. The colours are incredible ... the rock, the sky, the various shades of green in the foliage.

“The flowers and the bark of the trees combine to create nature’s perfect garden.

“And then there are those special moments of complete stillness and silence.’’

Being in a campervan, Phil stopped wherever they wanted and that helped create a wonderful trip.

“There were not many people out theremainly Aussies. Grey nomads who just go out and park there.

“It felt like a ’bucket list’ place for Aussies and I can see why. It’s a must-do.

“There are some iconic images and so much more vegetation than was expected.

“It was incredibly easy to get out and do it. We are budget travellers and it was not costly.

“There is so much to see.’’

Phil led a garden tour of Tasmania in October, and has a tour of Victoria in March then France in May.

His workshops at Lismore, NSW, will be in July and August.

For Phil, his outlook is simple: “Food is your life.

“When you eat from your garden you know what you are getting - it’s fresh and it’s nutritious.’’ Phil’s approach to life is a brilliant reminder of the importance of gardening to our lives. Getting our hands dirty - or simply admiring our own or someone else’s garden - promises many health benefits.

And Phil’s exuberance, and appreciation of this gift, encourages us all to spend a little more time in the garden.

Phil Dudman and Costa Georgiadis. (447458)

Phil Dudman conducts a home garden workshop. (392331)

Reflections of the season

By Maria Millers

WOORILLA WORDS

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.”

“Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss

While Christmas is expected to be ‘the most wonderful time of year’, the reality is that for many people this time of year is never able to live up to the media hype and societal expectations. Often the holiday brings about feelings of loneliness and stress, both of which are made worse by all that we hear and see on social media.

There is still the unfortunate tendency to hang on to irrelevant traditions of a northern hemisphere celebration of Christmas. Last week the ABC‘s A (very) Musical Christmas program was full of sleighs and snow, chestnuts and holly. Not a single song that celebrated the distinctiveness of an Australian Christmas where the weather is warm, the days are long, and the celebrations often take place outdoors with barbecues and picnics.

Oh, the sun is high, and the day is long, As Christmas comes, with a cheerful song. No snowflakes fall, and the air is warm, Yet in our hearts, the Christmas charm.

Excerpt from The Australian Christmas Carol by Keith McKenry

So it’s not that there are no poems and songs about an Australian Christmas. From John Williamson’s song The Little Aussie Christmas Tree which tells the story of a Christmas bush or native pine in the outback, offering a playful twist on traditional Christmas trees to Jimmy Barnes’s rock style song to Paul Kelly’s How to make Gravy, a song from the point of view of somebody who can’t get to Christmas. The lyrics are the letter the prisoner, Joe, is writing to Dan, of whom he asks, “Won’t you kiss my kids on Christmas Day, please don’t let ‘em cry for me”.

The pressures subtle and not so subtle to celebrate Christmas in a prescribed way comes from many directions: die hard traditionalists, expectations of family and friends, media hype and from films. Thinking about how our idea of Christmas has been shaped by films, just look at how many Christmas themed second rate films there are on Netflix.

However, if we go back to Christmas classics

like Little Women and It’s a Wonderful Life these are films that highlighted the importance of family, generosity and non - material things. Of course today family may not have the same meaning as in the past. We now acknowledge that very often our blood relatives may be spread far and wide. And more and more form family units based on mutual interests, beliefs and shared values.

While rooted in Christianity, Christmas has become a celebration of kindness and community in many places. Many people, including non-religious people and people of other faiths,

celebrate the spirit of Christmas in a festive style and by giving gifts. And in a country as culturally diverse as Australia increasingly people of other faiths join in the celebration of Christmas.

Today most young people have little understanding of the religious origins of Christmas. The first Christmas celebration in a recognizable form took place around 336 CE in Rome, though the date of December 25th as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus was not universally adopted at first. Early Christmas observances focused on religious rituals and prayers, with festivities around

the holiday growing over centuries, influenced by both Christian and pagan traditions.

Modern Christmas, with its blend of religious observances, festive customs, and increasingly commercial aspects, is the result of centuries of cultural evolution. The fat jolly bearded man in a red costume is an invention of the Coca Cola Company.

The marketability of Christmas for big businesses has eroded what the holiday is all about. Christmas has become focused on consumerism. We now have what has been described as Christmas Creep: every year the music plays sooner, the lights go up before that, and the shopping comes before that.

Advertisers, big retailers, and in recent years social media all pressure people into thinking that certain sorts of gifts, decorations, food, events and travel entail a ‘correct’ way to celebrate the holiday. People are essentially guilt-tripped into debt through the unattainable picture of the ‘perfect Christmas.’

In the window, a Santa with a glowing face, Sold for three payments on credit.

The tree, plastic, fake, yet standing tall, While the city hums in frantic call.

Excerpt from The Commercial Christmas” by Kate Fagan

Despite all this, some thinkers, writers, and public figures have argued that the world needs Christmas, not just as a religious holiday but as a time for human connection, reflection, and compassion

Charles Dickens was perhaps the most famous advocate for the idea that the world needs Christmas, especially through his novella A Christmas Carol. Through the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, Dickens showed that the world could be a better place if people practiced generosity, kindness, and compassion all year-round.

Similarly in his 2021 Christmas message, Pope Francis emphasised that ‘Christmas is a time to be open to others, to love our neighbour, to open our hearts and be kind, forgiving, and generous. He argued that in a world full of conflicts and divisions, the message of Christmas—hope, peace, and unity—is more necessary than ever Christmas then is a chance to refocus on the values that unite humanity, especially in a world full of conflict and despair. While we may not be able to realistically expect an end to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine by Christmas, the holiday season provides an opportunity for renewed hope and a reminder that humanity is capable of peace, compassion, and reconciliation.

Letter: Wonderful community generosity helps HICCI

On behalf of Healesville Interchurch Community Care Inc (HICCI), I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who generously donated to our Annual Christmas Appeal.

Considering we are all experiencing the impact of the increasing cost of day to day living, our local community has been extremely generous.

We have received donations from our member Churches; Healesville-Yarra Glen Uniting Church, Heartland Baptist Church, Yarra Valley Anglican and Liberty Family Church, Healesville Senior Citizens, Healesville Lions Club, local business’s; K&B, Miss Spelts, Creswick, Yarra Gables, to name but a few, Robyn Jane Child Care, Little Yarra Steiner School and the many individuals and families from our local community.

Your support means so much to the recipients and makes Christmas a special time of year.

May you and yours have a memorable time with those dear to you and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Sincerely, Alison Gommers

HICCI Executive Officer

Christmas in Australia means beach weather, barbecues and backyard cricket. (Unsplash)

Explore, prepare, enjoy

Welcome to 2025

The new year means 12 months of events, of community projects, or engagements, of exciting possibilities for every one of us, whether you’re in Mooroolbark or McMahon’s Creek, Yarra Glen or Yarra Junction, Belgrave or Lilydale.

Aside from project updates, as we move through our major Ridges and Rivers projects to get more people experiencing our beautiful natural environment, we’ll have plenty of engagements opening that we’d love your feedback on.

If you aren’t already signed up, shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au is our home of all community engagements and surveys – you can sign up to be notified directly when new engagements open,

From my From my desk

Jim Child

and your comments and thoughts will directly shape the work we do.

Now, we know that the holiday season means a clear out of the old to make room for the new.

Towards the end of January, our hard waste sea-

son begins in earnest.

Collection areas vary depending on your town, and even on the side of the street in different areas – don’t miss out on your collection, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/hardwaste to check your week and see what you can put out to be collected.

The summer weather is well and truly upon us. My last column, I spoke briefly about fire safety during the warmer months. In this one, I wanted to encourage everyone, no matter where you are, to prioritise some time to get outdoors with people you love.

People travel from all over the country to ride the Warburton Trail. We have fantastic mountain bike trails in the region – and we’re of course working on more this year – and there are thousands of kilometres of walking trails, hikes and parklands

to explore.

It can be easy to get swept up in the rush of the new year, to think about all the things to do before school holidays finish, before work starts up again. We live in one of the most brilliant regions in Victoria, let alone Australia. If you haven’t taken time to explore our backyard yet, I’d strongly recommend spending some time by the river in Warburton, exploring the Dandenong Ranges, having a barbecue at Lillydale Lake or taking the kids to one of our many incredible playspaces or water play parks.

In the meantime, on behalf of everyone at Council, I wish you all the best for the coming year. We at Council look forward to working with our community, getting projects underway delivering our very best with your help.

My new year’s resolution for 2025 is to be a joyful book reviewer.

Why? Because, after four years of writing the “Passion for Prose” column, I still get asked the question (read: interrogation and antagonisation): “Why do you want to write and publish book reviews for free?”

Thoughts on becoming a joyful reviewer PASSION FOR PROSE

There are several presumptions behind this question. The first and foremost, I think, is the surmise that doing something on a voluntary basis is the same as (a) slave labour or (b) exploitation or (c) a waste of time and energy or (d) pure stupidity or (e) all of the above.

Another equally obscure supposition is that all media organisations, like all online platforms operated by multinational enterprises, are rich, ruthless, exploitative and manipulative. They make you feel you are doing meaningful work because they want to profit from it.

What I suspect is a more fundamental “principle” is that, because my time is valuable, I shouldn’t waste it on useless things such as writing reviews and sharing them with others for free. i.e. It’s fine for me to read free library books, but people should pay to read

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

my writing!

But what hurts the most is when I truly enjoy doing something and work really hard to build it in the ways I want it to be – as a writer, a journalist and even an academic – that something is deemed worthless and futile. As if whatever I do, no matter how hard I try, it is not good enough. As if I am not and will never be good enough.

Well, that’s not the way to start a new year, is it? No, no, no.

So, my new year’s resolution is to be a joyful book reviewer – to spread the joy of reading,

the joy of discovering new books and revisiting good ones, and especially the joy of reviewing and recommending great books.

(In other words: “To hell with you, my inner critic! I can and will be a better critic than you! Just watch me!” )

I’ve always subscribed to renowned Australian literary critic Kerryn Goldsworthy’s view, that a good book review should be “both favourable about its subject and skilfully, knowledgeably written on the basis of a careful, thorough reading of the book in question”. More importantly, Goldsworthy stresses: “A book reviewer has a responsibility.”

Not just to readers and potential readers of the book, but also to the writer(s) and/or editor(s) of the book. And to the publication for which you’re writing. And to yourself. Most of all: “To the literary culture in particular and indeed to the culture in general, to make a worthy contribution to it and not demean or devalue it by adding junk rather than good useful stuff.”

If I can achieve this... then, does money really matter that much?

A selection of the best cartoons of 2024

Dracula by another name

Nosferatu Starring Bill Skarsgard, Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult Rated M 4.5/5

The fourth film from writer-director Robert Eggers, Nosferatu is a tremendously tense horror masterpiece.

In 1838, Thomas (Nicholas Hoult), a young estate agent, travels to Transylvania to sell a manor to Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard), but the vampiric count hungers for Thomas’s wife Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp).

Now an iconic horror property in its own right, the silent 1922 original was an unauthorised, unlicensed adaptation of Dracula with all the names changed. The 1979 remake was directed by Werner Herzog and stars Klaus Kinski, whose volatile partnership ranged from deep respect to violent hatred.

The first act of Eggers’ Nosferatu, as Thomas brokers the estate contract in Orlok’s gloomy castle, has the brilliantly unnerving ambience of a nightmare: uncomfortable situations of inhuman logic, which Thomas must endure for the sake of his job and decorum. With enthralling dialogue and shocking moments of gore, Eggers wields incredible layered suspense throughout the narrative, conjuring an ever-tightening dread as plague sweeps the city, Ellen weakens and slips into madness and Orlok closes in on his prey. The film features an intriguing dual colour palette of moonlit, almost black-and-white blues and fiery oranges, with the latter often reflecting Orlok’s influence or those working against him.

The cast is universally excellent, with Willem Dafoe both eccentric and formidable as Professor Von Franz, but Depp and Skarsgard are the standouts. Like with Pennywise in It, Skarsgard vanishes into his grotesque role as Count Orlok, and Depp delivers a performance just as heartbreaking, scary and physically committed as Nell Tiger Free in The First Omen or Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in The Substance.

Playing in most Victorian cinemas, consider Nosferatu a late second or third place in my list of 2024’s best films.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

The cartoon genius of Danny Zemp was rife in 2024, with his take on key issues, news stories and things happening around the Yarra Ranges adding to the year’s content. Danny compiled his favourite cartoons from the year, putting together this mash up of 2024.

AN EXQUISITE HAVEN OF LUXURY

AN EXQUISITE HAVEN OF LUXURY, ELEGANCE AND POTENTIAL

STEP into a world of grandeur with this spectacular Porter Davis masterpiece, built in 2015 and set on an expansive 3060 sqm estate. Offering the epitome of opulence, sophistication, and potential, this home is more than a residenceit’s a statement. With the option to subdivide (STCA), this property combines extraordinary living with exciting investment opportunities.

From the moment you enter through the grand electric gates, the meticulously landscaped gardens, adorned with ambient lighting, set the tone for the elegance that lies within. The striking entryway, featuring high ceilings and tiled flooring, welcomes you into an architectural triumph of light, space, and luxury.

The heart of the home is the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area, awash with natural light streaming through expansive windows and glass doors that lead seamlessly to the alfresco entertaining area. The gourmet kitchen is a culinary haven, showcasing a vast Caesarstone island bench, premium appliances, and a butler’s pantry complete with a second sink, providing both functionality and flair.

For moments of refined relaxation, the formal living area is a haven of luxury, featuring plush carpeting, a gas fireplace, exquisite drapes, and a dazzling chandelier. A private study at the front of the home and a state-of-the-art theatre room at the rear ensure every lifestyle need is met with impeccable style.

Ascend the majestic, carpeted staircase to the upper level. The master retreat is nothing short of extraordinary, with his-andhers walk-in wardrobes, a lavish ensuite with a spa, and a private outdoor terrace overlooking the manicured grounds. Three additional bedrooms, each with walk-in robes and luxurious ensuites, provide unparalleled comfort, while a grand rumpus room with balcony access completes this opulent level. Outside, the estate continues to captivate. Imposing electric gates, double garage with internal access, fully fenced perimeter, and security system ensures privacy and peace of mind. The immense backyard, with its lush lawns and garden lighting, offers endless possibilities for relaxation, play, or future enhancements.

Concept plans for an 8 car garage and

HOME FOCUS

PICTURESQUE FAMILY HOME ON 1,756M2

LOCATED in the heart of Emerald this stunning family home sits pretty on the impressive 1,756m2 allotment. Nestled amongst picturesque landscaped gardens and tastefully updated inside and out, this property offers a move in and do-nothing opportunity straight out of a magazine.

You are welcomed inside into the light filled open plan living area, boasting floating floorboards, double hung windows, split system and a cosy coonara for those cooler evenings, you and the family can sit back and relax comfortably year-round. The stylish renovated kitchen features stainless steel appliances, dishwasher, stone benchtops, island bench, pendant lights and excellent storage space.

The adjoining dining area steps out to both the outdoor entertaining area and the decked patio. Upstairs, the huge master suite is a true parents retreat, boasting a stylish ensuite bathroom with double vanity and a fully fitted walk in wardrobe, decked balcony views across the garden.

On a clear day you might even catch a glimpse of the bay!

There is a split system heating and cooling unit upstairs for year-comfort. The secondary bedrooms are both downstairs and are serviced by the modern family bathroom.

For those who love to entertain, the paved and covered alfresco style outdoor entertaining area boasts a coonara for the cooler months to allow for year-round enjoyment. The spectacular landscaped gardens are carefully designed and manicured to create your own private oasis featuring steel edging, mature plantings, a cozy fire pit area and expansive lush lawns.

Securely fenced for your peace of mind, the kids and four-legged family members can run and play safely. For the toys and tools, there is a fantastic Colorbond garage and excellent secure off-street parking for the trailer, boat, caravan or all of the above.

Positioned in a highly sought after pocket of Emerald, everything you need including schools, cafes, restaurants, sporting facilities, parkland and so much more is right on your door step. Properties like this one don’t stick around for long. Inspection is a must.

HOME FOCUS

AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFESTYLE PROPERTY

DISCOVER your dream home, an architecturally inspired masterpiece set on a sprawling 2586m² block surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens. This property combines modern sophistication, impeccable design, exceptional attention to detail and endless lifestyle features to create the ultimate family retreat.

From the moment you step inside, you’ll be captivated by the designer presentation throughout. The home boasts four bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite complete with a fitted walk-in robe and ensuite and a sliding door out to a deck where Sunday brunch can be enjoyed as you take in the beauty that surrounds. The remaining bedrooms all have built in robes and are located in their own private wing and are serviced by a stylish family bathroom with a striking freestanding bath as its centrepiece.

The home’s living spaces offer something for everyone. The formal lounge room, with its soaring ceiling, parquetry flooring, and gas fireplace, provides a warm and inviting atmosphere. A second living room with a wood fire offers a cosy retreat with garden views, while the adjoining sitting/meals area connects seamlessly to a State-of-theArt kitchen. This culinary haven features a 900mm under-bench oven, five-burner gas cooktop, dishwasher, stone benchtops including waterfall island bench, servery window and abundant glide-shut cabinetry and flows on to the meals area.

Step through cafe doors to a covered outdoor entertaining area that promises yearround enjoyment. This space is equipped with a built-in gas barbecue, an overhead heater, and adjustable blinds, ensuring comfort no matter the weather. The alfresco area will become the heart of gatherings with family and friends. Beyond, an automated heated in-ground pool offers endless fun, while expansive grassed areas provide plenty of room for children and pets to play.

This property is further enhanced by sealed road frontage, sealed driveway with room for caravan, boat or trailer, an abundance of shedding and a four-car remote garage, perfect for vehicles and hobbies. Complete with all the extras there is ducted heating and refrigerated cooling throughout to ensure your comfort in every season and ducted vacuum system and a storage room to make the living easy.

Offering the best lifestyle package imaginable, this exceptional property is more than a home – it’s a dream come true. Situated in a prized location within walking distance of the Country Club Estate Lake and walking tracks and a short drive to the town centre, this home sets the highest standard.

COMPLETE STYLE AND CONVENIENCE

BY blending timeless character and top-tier contemporary elements, this beautiful home is one to be proud of. Immaculately presented and poised in a premier position within walking distance of Belgrave Outdoor Pool, Borthwick Park, Belgrave shopping and cafes, and Belgrave Station, you can step right into a sensational lifestyle here.

This quarter-acre property is accentuated by a sealed drive, double carport, terraced lawns, flourishing veggie beds, and garden/ wood shed. New owners will also benefit from a cost-saving solar power system with Tesla battery storage.

From the covered verandah, the leadlight front door opens into the generous lounge with wideboard floors, high ceilings, and a warm wood fire. At the rear of the home, the open plan dining area boasts a second fire and picture windows with magnificent outlooks. The adjoining kitchen with butcherblock benchtops, 900mm gas cooker, stainless steel dishwasher, and walk-in pantry will inspire even the most discerning chef.

The main bedroom with walk-in robe resides on the main level accompanied by a luxurious bathroom with soaking tub, rain shower, and herringbone tiles. Downstairs, the second living area is framed by 2 further family bedrooms, a convenient study nook, laundry, and second showcase bathroom with terrazzo tiles and separate WC.

This ultra-stylish and centrally situated home welcomes new residents to simply move in and enjoy. Plan your viewing today.

• 1,000sqm (approx.) landscape with double carport and terraced lawns

Beautifully updated residence with breathtaking treetop views

Generous lounge with high ceilings and a warm wood fire

• Modern kitchen with quality appliances and walk-in pantry

• Second living area, luxurious bathrooms, and spacious bedrooms.

RUSTIC HOME ON SMALL LIFESTYLE ACREAGE

A private and picturesque location, this rustic farmhouse on small acreage offers a fantastic lifestyle.

Boasting 4 bedrooms and loads of space for the growing family, with a flexible floor plan of upstairs and downstairs living. Spacious family/living and lounge areas give everyone plenty of space to spread out.

The kitchen is spacious with an open feel and ample bench and cupboard space.

Get outside and enjoy the outdoors with the wide open space with just over 2.5 acres to explore and enjoy, a kids and animals paradise with a fenced off play area. For the horse enthusiast, separate paddocks, plus a riding arena and stables.

Open machinery shed and a high clearance carport for floats and caravans, plus the king of sheds with a huge lock up garage/workshop big enough to accommodate large trucks and trailers.

Entertain and enjoy the summer weather with a covered entertaining area and an above ground pool with decking all round - it’s the ideal spot to relax and unwind.

A fantastic small acreage property in a great location that has so much to offer.

FamilyLivingwithSpaceandConvenience

Setina quietendofstreetlocationthisneatfamilyhomeoffers acomfortable &convenientlifestyle. Boasting 3goodsizebedroomsplusa bonusbungalow,idealfortheextendedfamily,relativesora workfromhomeofficeorgamesroom,thefamily/livingroomisspaciousandoffersgreatspacefor thewholefamily.Thekitchenisfresh,modernanduptodatewithqualityappliancesandfixtures withamplebenchandcupboardspace.Ventureoutsideandexploreandenjoytheestablished gardensandthegreatsizebackyard,a gardenshedandlockupgarageoffergreatspaceforall thetoys,thebackyardissecurelyfencedforthepetsandkidstorunaroundandenjoy. Acovered entertainingareatositbackrelaxandunwind, asuperblocationandsituatedjust ashortstrollto localschools,shops& publictransport.

DavidCarroll

StunningAcreageand aRelaxedRuralLifestyle

Adreamlifestyleawaitsyouatthisstunningproperty,seton aglorious11acresofbeautifulrolling pastureit’stheidealplacetostarttorurallifestyle.Thelargeranchstylefamilyhomehasbeen caredforandlovedforover40yearsandoffers 4bedroomsincludinganensuiteinthemain bedroom.Separatefamily/loungeandlivingareasgivethegrowingfamilyplentyofspace.The freshmodernkitchenhasplentyofbenchandcupboardspacewithqualityappliancesandfittings. Ventureoutsideandyourspoiltforspacewithacresandacrestoexploreandenjoy.Amplecar accommodationwith alargecarport,doublelockupgarage,plusopenmachineryshedswith highclearancetosuitcaravans,boatsandfloats.A beautifullypresentedproperty,meticulously maintainedineveryaspectandconvenientlylocated. 115WaresRoad,Wesburn$1,290,000-$1,400,000

Quietcourtlivingwithmountainviews Ifquietcourtliving,northfacing,sunny,andneatasa pinhomearewhatisonyourbuyingcriteria, thenlooknofurther.Offering 2bedrooms,themainbedroomishugewithgenerousbuilt-inrobes andneutraltonesthroughoutwithlargewindowstoadmireyoursurrounds.Theloungeroomislovely andsunfilled,certainlytakingthemountainviewsforyoutoabsorbyourselfin.LuxuryVinylwood flooringthroughoutgivea modernfeelandlookwhilebeingconvenient.Thekitchenisquality timberthathasbeentastefullyupdatedandallowsenoughroomfora diningtablealso.Updated bathroom,plentyofstoragethroughout,anda greatlaundrywithcupboardsgalore.Outsideisa wellmaintainedyeteasygardentotinkeraroundin.Carportwithdirectentrytothehome,anda gorgeousverandatocompleteyourdayandtakeinallofyournaturalbeautythatsurroundsyou.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

FamilySpaceina GreatLocation

Agreathomeinpicturesqueandcolourfulsettingwithplentyofspaceforthegrowingfamily, offering 3bedroomsallwithbuiltinrobes.Spaciouslivingandloungeareashaveamplespacefor thebigfamilytoenjoy.Thekitchenisopenandhasplentyofbenchandcupboardspaceplusa separatemeals/diningarea.Outsidethereisloadsofroomforthekidsandpetstoexploreand enjoyandwithjustover3300sqmyoucanletyourimaginationrunwildwithideas.Thewideshady verandah’ssurroundingthehomearetheidealspotforoutdoorentertainingallyearround,sitback relaxandadmiretheoutlookandestablishedgardens.A largelockupgarageandworkshoparea withplentyofextraroomfortrailers,boatsandcaravans. Agreatpropertyon asuperbblock.

PUZZLES

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

ACROSS

1 Frisk (6)

4 Optimistic (6)

10 Earth (Lat) (5)

11 Reality (9)

12 Insurance (9)

13 Proficient (5)

14 English author Graham – (6)

15 Ornamental quartz (4)

19 Pig meat (4)

20 Two-piece bathing suit (6)

24 Japanese comics (5)

25 Impact; crash (9)

27 Globe-trotter (9)

28 Rome’s river (5)

29 Hue (6)

30 Approach (6)

DOWN

1 Surroundings (8)

2 Condensed (8)

3 Monty Python member, Graham – (7)

5 Body of troops (7)

6 Cast out from society (6)

7 Japanese car brand (6)

8 West African nation (4)

9 Remaining; residing (7)

16 Sound of wood burning (7)

17 Lamentable (8)

18 Married Italian women (8)

19 High plains (7)

21 Very stupid (7)

22 Aid to vomiting (6)

23 Involve (6)

26 Old stringed instrument (4)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used

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

No. 220

No. 219

SPORT Looking ahead to 2025

Horse talk with Anita Prowse

Well, there goes another year flying by, the Upper Yarra Pony Club would like to thank everyone who supported the club again last year including the committee, members and their families, volunteers, judges, coaches, sponsors, supporters, photographers and competitors. The club couldn’t run without you and your time and effort.

Moving into this year, the Upper Yarra Pony Club has a few more new exciting things planned for everyone. As a Pony Club and Private coach, Anita Prowse has noticed the dramatic increase in those suffering from various forms and levels of anxiety from severe to little competition jitters. It has also come to her attention that there is not a lot of help at hand for sufferers or their coaches, so she has teamed up with the best of the best, Dr Fraser Carson, who is an Associate Professor in Coaching and Sport Psychology, Programme Leader with a Bachelor in Sport and Exercise Science and Chair of the Teaching and Learning Council at Lunex (Luxemburg University).

They are working on a specific Equestrian Program to help everyone achieve their very best and UYPC will run some workshops this year to fine tune everything and be sure the club has all bases covered. We will have more info and a proper introduction into these sessions in the coming year.

The first event for 2025 is of course the UYPC Australia Day Freshmans on 26 January from 9.30am with entries on the day.

This week’s Horse Talk. (File)

Warburton bowlers are gearing up for finals push

By Garry Lewis

With five rounds to go before the finals, Warburton Bowls Club is determined to have all three Pennant sides participating in the playoffs. All wins are vital leading up to the business end of the season.

The Weekend Warburton 1 side is currently holding onto 5th place on the ladder, and they look forward to regrouping after the break against top side, Ferntree Gully 1, at home on 18 January.

Warburton 2 is currently in 4th place on the ladder and play Eastwood Golf 1 away 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.

Warburton’s Midweek side finished 2024 on a high with an away win at Yarra Glen. The victory consolidated their position in 2nd place on the ladder. Trailing at the break by 3 shots, they made an immediate impact and held on for a well- deserved victory despite only one rink winning, 64 shots to 54.

Rink scores were as follows: R. McKail 25/ 14, T. Heywood 16/ 17 and C. Boland 23/ 23. They play Mooroolbark 2 at home on 21 January.

The Wednesday Night Barefoot Bowls Jack Attack Competition recommences on Wednesday 22 January.It has been great to witness the fun, enjoyment and improvement all participants are displaying throughout the season so far.

The club will be holding the Tradge Woods Triples Tournament next Saturday 11 January, 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 now be held on Sunday 2 February from 12 midday, 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. Equipment provided.

No experience necessary. Female and Male

Entries accepted of all abilities, including Beginners. Entries in by 23 January.

Interested people or teams of three are encouraged to contact Michelle 0437 566 238 for further details or put their names down on the list at the Club.

Club Competitions continued over the break resulting in several close contests. Social

Bowls continues to be played on

The Warburton Bowls Club is setting its sights on finals. (File)

Healeville juniors picked for rep side

By Chris Handasyde

Representative Cricket kicks off in January and the Healesville Cricket Club are proud and pleased to have six Healesville players selected to play for the Ringwood District Cricket Association in the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union Competition. The carnival is made up of 6 games between 6 and 15 January competing against other cricket associations within the Victoria Metropolitan region. These are the best cricketers in each age group across the Victorian Metropolitan Region so the standard of cricket is elite. This is a great experience for these players and no doubt they will return better cricketers and have a lot a fun as well.

Congratulations and good luck to the following players:

• Ryder Hudson - U12 Keith Mitchell Shield

• Henry Harding - U14 Des Nolan Cup

• Summer Caldicott – U15 Marg Jennings Cup

• Sam Keath - U16 Keith Mackay Shield

• Darcy English - U16 Keith Mackay Shield

• Tom Handasyde - U18 Phil Arnold Shield

Some Healesville junior cricketers will be part of sides representing the RDCA over the coming weeks. (File)

Some positive signs ahead for Yarra Glen

By Travis Gloury

Under 12

Yarra Glen 4/111

Wandin 6/109

Yarra Glen lost the toss and sent into bowl the Wandin openers got off to a great start, first wicket to fall in the 6th over to Harvey Williamson (1/9 off 3), Wandin 1/22.

Yarra Glen bowlers all worked hard with consistent line and length which created chances but without luck. 2nd wicket to fall would be in the 16th over to Heath Burke (2/7 off 2), Wandin 2/73. Wyatt Hill (1/16 off 3) was the next wickettaker in the 19th Over, Wandin 3/87. With retired batters re-entering Yarra Glen tightened up in the field with 2 run outs and an additional wicket to Heath Burke with Wandin finishing on 6/109.

Yarra Glen required 4.8 runs per over with Benny “Big Show” Holland (3) putting his hand up to open with Harvey Williamson (15.no), Yarra Glen’s first wicket to fall in the 2nd over with Benny getting bowled. Flynn Bain (32n.o) joined Harvey at the crease and both set about forming a solid partnership with some excellent shot selections. After a short stint of illness, they were pleased to have Xander Neilsen (14.no) re-join the side looking very comfortable once again at the crease. The second wicket to fall in the 8th over was Heath Burke (2). 3rd wicket to fall in successive overs was Poppy McLeish (0) unluckily stumped. Wyatt Hill (7) would contribute with an injured wrist losing his wicket in the 11th Over. Oliver Lilley (7n.o) batted beautifully with the best innings of his career. With the run rate starting to creep up Yarra Glenn would require a run a ball. Retired batters re-entered and worked hard to maintain the chase. 10 runs required off the last over with Flynn and Oliver at the crease. 3 singles with 7 required off 3 balls, Flynn Bain cracked a 4 through mid-wicket, another single and the match was tied. Last ball requiring 1 to win, Oliver Lilley gets a waist-high full toss, No Ball and a run with the ball striking Ollie on the arm, Yarra Glen winning the match! It was a fantastic game, well done to both Yarra Glen and Wandin.

Under 14

Yarra Junction 6/109

Yarra Glen/Kilsyth 8/94

Lawson Appleton was the only multiple wicket taker collecting 2/8 from 3 overs, with a wicket each to Ronak Mehra, Daniel Shaw, Mitch Ammerlaan and Isaac Coppins to restrict Yarra Junction to 6/109 cc after 25 overs.

With the early loss of Lucas Burke and Daniel Shaw, the regular flow of wickets kept coming with the boys unable to establish a batting partnership of more than 15 to finish 15 runs short of the required total to be 8/94 against the top team who go into the xmas break, 3 games clear on top of the ladder. Our under 14`s

There was positive signs in Yarra Glen’s last games before the Christmas break. (File)

are currently sitting 3rd on equal points with Mt.Evelyn sitting second.

Under 16

This week the cricket weary U16 parents made the 80km round trip to Hoddles Creek to watch the U16 boys take on ladder leaders Hoddles Creek in a one-day game.

Skipper Sam Gloury won the toss and elected to bowl trying to take advantage of the cool conditions.

Hoddles Creek quickly slumped to 2/18 after early wickets to Dylan Shambrook (2/14) and Spencer Boers(2/18).

This brought Hoddle’s Creeks best two bats together and they counter-attacked well quickly advancing the score to 52 before Sam O’Callaghan (1/11) struck dismissing their number four batter who was looking very dangerous.

Sam Donnelly (1/8) was next to strike dismissing Hoddles Creeks’ skipper with a great caught and bowled and Yarra Glen was back in the game with the score at 4/76 with some of their key players now out.

U14 players Riley Galea (1/20) and Toby Pauli (2/15) took the next 3 wickets and at that stage Hoddles Creek were 7/95 after 16th over.

Some tight bowling followed and over the next five overs, Hoddles Creek only added 10 runs. With the score at 7/105 with only 4 overs to go, Yarra Glen had a real chance of restricting them to a low total. To their credit, however, Hoddles Creek continued to bat positively and they added a further 34 runs off the last 4 overs to reach a total of 9/139.

In reply, Sam Holland (25) and Sam Donnelly got the innings off to a bright start before Sam Donnelly was dismissed in the 4th over with the score on 28.

Despite this, Yarra Glen continued to bat positively, advancing the score to 2/64 by the 12th over and looking well poised.

Unfortunately 3 wickets fell without scoring and suddenly they were 5/64 with some of their key strokemakers back in the shed.

Despite this, Yarra Glen kept plugging away

Lusatia Park look for the win

and whilst they always seemed behind the scoring rate they continued to fight. With strong contributions from Sam Gloury (32 n.o), Dylan Shambrook (24 n.o), and Sam O’Callaghan (7 n.o) they got close, but ultimately ended up 10 runs short finishing on 8/129.

Whilst disappointing to lose, a couple of things either way and the result could easily have been reversed, showing that if Yarra Glen play their best cricket for long enough they can beat anyone in this competition.

Seniors

1st XI One day game – 40 0vers

Yarra Glen 133

Mt Evelyn 2nd XI 3/137

At 2/70 in the 16th over, our innings looked promising after winning the toss on the small Mt.Evelyn ground. Phil Cowan scored a quickfire 31 off 22 balls before being caught skying a ball in the 16th over. From here, Yarra Glen were unable to establish any meaningful partnerships and was all out in the 31st over when Brad Willmore was stumped in Jonny Bairstow/Alex Carey fashion.

An early wicket to Phil Cowan got our bowling effort off to a good start however a 40 run partnership followed by a 60 run partnership in an otherwise gallant bowling and fielding effort that stretched the Mt.Evelyn run chase out to the 35th over on a day when 133 tuns proved not enough to defend.

Our 1st XI go into the Xmas break looking forward to the return of some key players in the new year.

2nd XI One day game – 36 overs

Boronia 4th XI 6/156 CC

Yarra Glen 3/160 after 33 overs

Hunter Grenfell starred with the ball picking up 4/15 off 7 overs, with a wicket each to Charlie Prewett and Spencer Boers to restrict Boronia to 6/156 cc.

Sam Gloury partnered skipper Shane Fordham once again at the top of the order with the pair putting on a 45-run opening partnership before Shane was stumped in the 7th over for 32. Hunter Grenfell joined Sam and together put on a 32-run partnership for the second wicket before Hunter (9)was judged LBW in the 15th over. Will Duff (33) attacked the bowling from ball one putting on a 65-run partnership with Sam before being bowled in the 27th over with the score 3/143. Sam Holland (6n.o) looked comfortable at the crease to help get the team over the line with four overs to spare with under-16 captain

Sam Gloury carrying his bat to be 52 n.o, producing his maiden half-century in senior cricket. Well done to the 2nd XI who went into the Christmas break sitting 3rd on the ladder and in good form.

3rd XI

The 3rd XI fixture resumes on 11 January.

InthelastgamebeforetheChristmasbreak, Lusatia Park’s 1st XI played Wantirna South away looking to finish the year with a win. They were sent in to bat and lost their 1st wicket with only 1 run on the board. Coach Tim Diggins joined Chris Reynolds at the crease and they put on a partnership of 57 when Tim fell, Mick Nicholls came in next and he and Chris added another 48 when Mick fell with the score on 106, Chris went 18 runs later for a gutsy 62. Lusatia Park lost their next wicket adding another 12 to be 5/136 and then didn’t lose another wicket to finish their 40 overs at 5/236 thanks to a magnificent partnership of 100 between Adam Dunn 47 n.o. and Matt Robinson 49 n.o. The home side went in after the break and never really got going, finishing all out for 115, their top scorer Latham scoring 36, Adam Dunn and Hayden Leeds the best of Lusatia Park’s bowlers both taking 3/20 with Hayden just missing out on a hatrick.

The 2nd XI played Yarra Junction at home and sent them in to bat first and at the end of their 40 overs finished at 9/186, their main contributors being Hawkins 30, Young 38 and Bomford 35. The best of Lusatia Park’s bowlers were Marty White 3/31 and Flynn Pritchard 3/35. Lusatia Park then batted after the break and unfortunately never put on a decent partnership and finished all out for 130 in 32 overs, Lukey Parker and Paul Broussard were the top scorers for the team.

Community Events

This year, the club is very fortunate to be continuing its monthly BBQ at 32 Acre Butcher in Woori Yallock. Once a month club representatives will be down at the butcher cooking up some snags which are kindly donated by Mark at 32 Acre Butcher, the club thanks Mark and his team for their continued support. The first barbecue for the year will Saturday 25 January.

On 15 February, Lusatia Park will be celebrating 10 years since the club won the DJSS premiership and is getting the side together again to celebrate some past glories. Coinciding with a home game for the1st XI, the club will be getting together for some viewing of cricket, dinner and sharing some great memories.

All participants of this team, along with all Life Members, other Premiership players, and pretty much anyone else who loves the club are invited.

Please contact the club for more information lusatiaparkcc@gmail.com

Outer East AFL talent shines

More young footballing stars have emerged out of the Outer East, with four local girls picked in the 2024 AFLW Draft held on Monday 16 December 2024.

Olinda Ferny-Creek Junior Grace Belloni, former Kilsyth junior Georgie Brisbane, former Monbulk junior Georgia Knight and Moroolbark junior Grace Baba were all among the talented collection of players set to realise their AFLW dream ahead of next season.

Grace Belloni was the highest draft pick of the local crop, with the inside midfielder/forward hybrid taken by the Essendon Bombers with Pick 9 after 120 games, 108 goals and 19 times featuring in the best players for her local club.

The Essendon Football Club said in a statement that Belloni was long touted as one of the standouts in a stacked talent pool this year.

At 174cm tall, Belloni transitioned from a key forward prospect to become a full-time midfielder with the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League, averaging 20 disposals per game and establishing herself as one of the most consistent players in her class,” it reads.

“Her goalkicking capability has also showed no signs of slowing with her role change, having booted seven goals from three games with Vic Metro in the National Championships.”

Her local club couldn’t hold back their excitement on social media, with a post on the Olinda Ferny Creek Football Netball Club Facebook page to supporters having said that their ‘hearts are so full knowing how hard Grace has worked to get to this exact moment’.

“We’ve been so proud to watch her grow up at this club and flourish into the beautiful athlete and person she has become. She continues to lead and set an example for future generations, and we can’t wait to see the continual growth she’ll achieve at this level,” the post reads.

“An inspiration to all. Although we’re sad to see Grace leave our playing field, we’ll always be there to provide our true Bloods support through thick and thin.”

Former Kilsyth Cougar Georgie Brisbane, who also spent time during her juniors with Blackburn and North Ringwood, is headed west to Fremantle having been taken with Pick 14.

Fremantle’s profile on Brisbane describes her as a forward who has also spent time on the wing and who showcased her talent over two standout years with the Eastern Ranges, including vice captaining and captaining the side in consecutive Coates Talent League Girls Grand Finals.

“Known for her athleticism and work rate, she averaged 11 disposals, three marks, and kicked 21 goals over two seasons, with a standout five-goal performance for Vic Metro against

the Allies,” it reads.

“Brisbane possesses outstanding aerial ability, with strong hands and a great competitive nature, the young tall forward is not afraid to put her body on the line at ground level to win the ball for her team.”

At Pick 26, the Collingwood Magpies selected ‘crafty and damaging forward’ Georgia Knight.

The Vic Metro and All Australian bagged an impressive 27 goals from 16 games across the Coates league season, finishing runner up in the goal kicking for 2024.

Knight, who also spent some time playing for Vermont in the Eastern Football Netball League in her junior years, said the emotions of being drafted were ‘unreal’ in an interview with her new club, with current Magpie and Knight’s former gym partner Michaela Cann helping welcome

her to the club.

“Seriously I can’t explain my emotions, I thought I’d be able to put them into words but I can’t put anything into words, I’m definitely ecstatic,” she said.

“I used to do gym with her (Cann), she’s massive and I want to be like her so I think the advice she gave is keep going at it and the results will come,”

“I want to play, I want to meet all the coaches and the girls, I can’t wait to get started, to learn about how you guys work and what your club is like. I came for everything, I just want to take it all with both hands and just get started.”

The last new local talent set to grace the AFLW stage is Grace Baba from Moroolbark who was taken by Hawthorn with Pick 28.

A profile by her new club said the ‘athletic defender’ featured for Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League across 2023 and 2024, notably starring in the 2023 Grand Final as a bottomage player and in 2024 she earned a place in the Marsh AFL National Academy.

“Her 2024 campaign was briefly interrupted by injury before returning for the final Marsh AFL National Championships game representing Vic Metro. She finished the season strongly for Eastern Ranges, picking up 21 disposals in the qualifying final and was among her team’s best in the Grand Final loss,” the profile reads.

“In addition to a background in soccer and hockey, Baba’s Draft Combine results saw her ranked first in the running vertical jump with a result of 67cm, whilst finishing in third overall in the 2km time trial with 7:46.”

Cricketers frustrated as Wandin East pitch damaged by bin fire

By Callum Ludwig

The Wandin Cricket Club was frustrated by another vandalism incident which compromised the pitch at the Wandin East Recreation Reserve before Christmas.

A bin fire on Friday 20 December lit on the middle of the pitch at the reserve caused significant damage to the surface.

Bryce Edwards from the Wandin Cricket Club said he was made aware of the incident by one of the club’s members Leigh Curwood, who is also a member of the local fire brigade.

“He informed me and sent me the photos saying that someone had taken a wheelie bin out in the middle of the Wandin East oval and set it alight, which has done some significant damage,” he said.

“It hurts because it’s a brand new pitch which we got from the Rotary Club of Wandin, I think it’s probably been 18 months now and this is the second time now it had been damaged in a period of eight weeks (before Christmas).”

A previous incident damaged the area of the pitch around the stumps at one end.

Mr Edwards said Yarra Ranges Council were looking at repairs straight away for the club, but how long it takes they just don’t know.

“It has a great impact because we have to find another ground for us to play it, we can’t play at our home ground, and we have to either go play out at Warburton or anywhere that there’s a free ground like Wesburn, and obviously it affects our players as well because we have to travel fur-

ther and then players don’t come back to your club after the game because it’s further away,” he said.

“I believe with all the work they do out of the showground 9Wandin East Recreation Reserve), they have the car shows there, they have the

field day there, they have the archery up there, and obviously cricket and football training, it’s highly used now,”

“I think it’s time for us to get some development up there and turn it into a proper cricket and football ground in particular, and hopefully

get the facilities upgraded out there, we need more security clearly, whether that’s through cameras or otherwise, but I’d like to see the ground actually developed to cater for what we’re doing up there.”

Olinda Ferny-Creek junior Grace Belloni (left) is presented with a Essendon Bombers Guernsey on stage after being selected with pick 9 during the 2024 AFL Women’s (AFLW) national draft. (AAP Image/James Ross)

The bin fire caused significant damage to the pitch on the oval at Wandin East Recreation Reserve. (Supplied)

YEAR IN REVIEW

Valley athletes in fine form

The athletes of the Yarra Valley and Upper Yarra were in fine form in 2024, scaling the heights of their respective sports.

Here are some of the top sporting achievements of locals in 2024:

One local senior football side tasted the ultimate glory, with the Bloods from Healesville taking out the Divison One competition.

Healesville finished the home-and-away season in second place with a record of 13 wins and three losses, only two premiership points behind minor premiers Seville.

But it was Healesville who were crowned premiers on the last Saturday of the Outer East Division One competition, beating Warburton-Millgrove 9.9, 63 to 1.5, 11.

Healesville senior coach Ryan Webster said the team had a great season after taking a lesson from the defeat at the hands of Emerald in a preliminary final the season prior.

“It’s been a lot of fun, we knew what we had to try and achieve after a little bit of heartache last year losing the preliminary final,” he said.

“We obviously had some new recruits that came to the club this year who brought into what we were trying to achieve and what we were all about as a football club and the culture we were trying to hire at the football club,”

“The support that the club got from our community in Healesville is amazing. It’s obviously a small little town and the whole community gets behind the football club, and it’s great we can achieve some success for Healesville.”

In more positive news for the Healesville Football Netball Club, a prodigious junior talent was selected to compete on the biggest stage of them all.

Healesville Junior Football Club product Cody Anderson was selected by Hawthorn Hawks with pick 64 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft on Thursday 21 November.

The ‘Beast from the East’ couldn’t hide his excitement after getting drafted by the club.

“Leading up to the draft, I was so nervous,” Anderson said.

“I can’t really explain the feeling of relief when my name was read out, probably the best moment of my life,”

“I’ve always had a soft spot for Hawthorn, growing up with a lot of my friends who follow them, and obviously it’s the closest club to Healesville, so I’m beyond grateful for Hawthorn giving me this opportunity and can’t wait for it all to begin.”

In a statement following his drafting, the Hawthorn Football Club described Anderson as a ‘strong inside midfielder and pressure forward’ with ‘solid form’ for Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League and lauded his ‘competitiveness, strength around the contest and high defensive work rate’.

Anderson racked up averages of 22.5 disposals, 5.7 tackles, 5.5 inside 50s and 2.6 marks across his 11 games for the Ranges, which earned him selection for Victoria Metro, but he has eyes for a return to his local club one day.

“I plan on finishing up my football at Healesville one day in the future. I truly believe nothing beats playing footy in your hometown,” Anderson said.

An exciting new marquee match was also debuted in the Outer East Division One last season, with Seville hosting Belgrave in the inaugural George Ingram Cup on Anzac Day, named after

the town’s Victoria Cross and Military Medal recipient George Ingram.

In the senior men’s football, the Magpies had the ascendancy early, registering the first three goals of the game before the Blues could muster a scoring shot.

The game became more of an arm-wrestle after the early onslaught with the Blues slowly pegging back the lead, taking it for themselves for the first time in the third quarter after a three-goal spree.

Belgrave held a minor lead for most of the final quarter as both teams missed chances before Seville’s Ryan Farrow nailed a tough set shot from the boundary to reduce the margin to a point before Belgrave’s Lachlan King would give away a 50m penalty late in the quarter that saw Seville hit the front for only the second time in the match.

Belgrave rushed the ball forward with the clock ticking down and a kick off the side of the boot fell kindly for the Magpie’s onrushing Chris Campbell. Campbell went back on the tight angle, kicked his fourth goal of the day to draw the game level and the siren blew right after as a thrilling match ended all square.

Goal umpires convened where the final score was confirmed, with the scorecard reading Seville 10.11, 71 to Belgrave 11.5, 71.

Seville’s Nathan O’Keefe was awarded the George Ingram medallion for best on ground, joining Wandin women’s footballer Hailee Stokes in receiving the first edition of the medal and Seville A-Grade netballer Genesis Foster-Jonassen, who received the Robertson Sister’s medal for best on court.

While not a feature of the Outer East Football Netball League these days, a former official celebrated a milestone in 2024.

Former Launching Place local and Yarra Valley Umpires Association umpire Ian Burrows celebrated his 400th AFL match as a boundary umpire on Saturday 15 June, running the boundary line as Richmond took on Hawthorn at the MCG in Round 14.

Burrows said he never really thought he’d be an umpire growing up.

“I didn’t continue on to play senior footy but I was keen to stay involved in sport and keep fit and healthy so I ended up joining the local league and umpired a couple of years in the Yarra Valley which was really enjoyable,” he said.

“I never really had any ambitions until I got going and then realised it was quite fun and that there was a career path, so I started getting reasonably serious about it and working hard on the craft to see if I could get better and better.”

Better and better Burrows did get, with his nearly 20-year AFL career starting in 2006 now including 10 AFL Grand Finals, being named an All Australian Umpire three times and an estimated 1280km run backwards by his 400th game, about the distance from Melbourne to Brisbane.

A Healesville local and her Hoddle Creek horse made the exciting journey to Paris, France for the Paralympics in 2024.

Bridget Murphy and her horse Macey (Racing name: Penmain Promise) competed in the Grade Two para-equestrian dressage, their first appearance at the Paralympics.

Murphy finished seventh in the Individual Test, 12th in the Team event alongside fellow Australian riders Lisa Martin and Stella Barton and seventh again in the Individual Freestyle.

Murphy and Macey’s performance drew praise from equestrian royalty, Denmark’s Paralympic legend Stinna Kaastrup who noted that, although Murphy’s body naturally leans to one side (due to her disability – multiple pterygium syndrome) it by no means impacts how evenly Macey works on both reins – a true testament to Murphy’s ability and the training she has done with this young mare.

Reflecting on her time at her maiden Paralympics, Murphy was proud and grateful.

“It means everything, like all kids in Australia, I grew up thinking that wearing the green and gold is the pinnacle, and it was such an honour, and I hope that I did it proud,” she said.

An Upper Yarra athlete who has had a torrid time with injuries and disappointing results finished his year in style with a big win.

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

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

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

Sanders’ charge stormed on with a win in Stage Three, launching into the overall lead with an advantage of one minute and 35 seconds.

Sanders’ push to take the top spot for the event was not harmed by his performance in Stage Four, heading into the final day of racing with a 21 minute and 44 second lead over the competition.

Following the issuing of penalties after Wednesday’s stage three, Sanders’ overall lead in the rally increased to over 11 minutes.

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

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

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

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

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

Bridget Murphy with Macey. (Stewart Chambers)Ian Burrows in action in the 2016 AFL Grand Final between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans. (Adam Trafford)

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

Strong hands in front from Seville’s Jett Benninga during the inaugural George Ingram Cup. (Callum Ludwig)

Healesville Seniors, the premiers of the 2024 Outer East Division One season. (BH Photography)

Cody Anderson with his new brown and gold jersey. (Hawthorn Football Club)

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