Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 14th January 2025

Honouring John Anker

By Callum Ludwig

Nearly 600 mourners gathered to remember a pillar of the Yarra Valley community on Thursday 9 January.

John William Anker, owner of Wandin Park Estate and a familiar face in a number of community groups and the equestrian scene, died on Boxing Day 2024.

Hosted in the new Grand Marquee at Wandin Park Estate by Tobin Brothers Funerals of which Tom Tobin was John’s nephew, the hundreds in attendance came to celebrate John’s life and show their love and support to his wife Angela, children Emily, Sarah-Jane, Rebecca and William and extended family and friends.

John’ssonWilliam,whoheworkedcloselywith on Wandin Park Estate up until his death, said the family were truly blown away by the turnout.

“IhadnoideaandIdon’tthinkDadeverwould have had any idea how many people, my cousin Tom Tobin, the organisers, thought they had nearly 600 or at least they think close to,” he said. Turn to page 6 for more

Dominant Daniel

Three Bridges’ Daniel Sanders has put in a dominant performance so far in the 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

Marking the first round of the first round of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship, Sanders has outright won five out of the first seven stages to lead by over 15 minutes in the race.

Sanders went out and won all of the first three stages of the race; the prologue, Stage One and the marathon 967km Stage Two to open up a commanding overall lead.

Daniel Sanders’ perfect start to the 2025 Da-

kar Rally came to an end during Stage Three, with a technical fault costing the Three Bridges local some time. Sanders finished 17th on the stage but retained his overall position in first place, still six minutes and 51 seconds ahead of second-place Skyler Howes.

Sanders picked up another stage win to extend his overall lead to 13 minutes and 26 seconds in Stage Four of the 2025 Dakar Rally. Two minutes and 33 seconds behind Tosha Schareina at kilometre 383 of the 415km stage, Daniel Sanders surged to claim the stage as the Australian fin-

ished with 15 seconds in hand over the Spaniard.

In Stage Five, Sanders lead out the pack of racers in a 428km special and remained well clear on top of the standings at its conclusion. While only finishing 12th on the stage, none of his closest overall competitors made inroads in chasing down his lead with Tosha Schareina still seven minutes and two seconds behind.

On Saturday 11 January, Sanders’ Dakar charge continued with a steady performance in Stage Six. Sander’s day started with the positive news that the speed penalties placed on him were

overturned, extending his overall lead to over 15 minutes, which would end up just over 11 minutes after the stage itself.

In Stage Seven, Sanders ramped things up again to take his fifth stage win of this Dakar Rally, mirroring the achievement of KTM teammate Toby Price when he went on to win in 2016. Sanders finished the stage three minutes and 36 seconds ahead of Edgar Canet and with an overall lead of 15 minutes and 33 seconds over Tosha Schareina.

Turn to page 33 for more

The Anker family assembled at the front of the Grand Marquee during the service held at Wandin Park Estate. (Rob Carew: 452861)

VCAT ruling leaves lesson

By Callum Ludwig

A lapsed planning permit for a property in Healesville won’t be extended following a recent decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Applicants Michael Cole and Erika Martino sought a review of Yarra Ranges Council’s decision to refuse an extension of a planning permit for a property on Cornelius Crescent.

VCAT Member Cassandra Rea presided over the case and said in the decision that the permit allowed for the use and development of a dwelling, associated earthworks and native vegetation removal.

“The council states that the permit expired on 20 July 2023 as the development was not completed. The permit holder sought an extension of time on 10 July 2024 which is within 12 months of the expiry of the permit,” the decision reads.

“Council refused the request for an extension of time on the following grounds:

The planning permit has expired in relation to use of the land for a dwelling.

There has been ample time since the current owners purchased the site in 2018 to prepare the documents required by conditions on the permit, but this has not occurred.”

The applicants said the permit had expired on 15 September 2024, having been extended initially by two years following an amendment made to the permit. The applicants claimed that the works were delayed by costs associated with native vegetation offsets, Covid-19, inflation and building costs and personal reasons, as well as delay and incurred costs due to Yarra Ranges Council.

In the decision, Rea said since the first permit (for the property) was sought in 2001 there have been two other permits sought in 2010 and 2016 respectfully, an amendment to the current permit and two extensions of time issued to the current permit and there had also been planning investigations into potentially illegal works, and change of property ownership.

“All three permits issued for the site, effectively allow for the removal of vegetation and earthworks to accommodate a dwelling on the site,” the decision reads.

“The removal of some of the vegetation and earthworks occurred in approximately 2014 prior to the current landowners purchase of the property. A shed has also been constructed on the land,”

“The Tribunal was advised that the applicant purchased the land in October 2018.”

The tribunal had to consider whether the case warranted seeking an extension to the commencement timeframe, completion timeframe, or both due to the request but found that an amended plans approval acknowledged works

had already commenced and previous earthworks and vegetation removal was consistent with previous permits, though Council suggested that commencement had not properly occurred. VCAT ruled that the request for an extension of time applied only to the completion of the works.

Rea said in the decision that overall, she was not satisfied that the extension of time should be granted for this site.

“The applicant has owned the site since October 2018 and there have been lengthy periods of time when there has been no demonstrated action to progress the project,” the decision reads.

“Based on the material filed with the Tribunal, other than a request to extend time, there was no substantial activity by the current owners to progress the permit between October 2018 and the lodgement of an amended permit in September 2021. Since the amended permit was issued in September 2022, the only substantial action

to progress the project was the request to extend time,”

“Conditions that need action prior to the commencement of the development such as the native vegetation offset and entering into a section 173 agreement under the PE Act (Planning and Environment Act) has not been undertaken.”

The PE Act sets a default of two years to commence a project.

Rea was not satisfied that the applicant is ready to progress the project.

“I say this in light that there is an additional set of plans prepared where they intend to seek approval from council to change the plans again. There are no building permits issued or building contracts that indicate any firm commitment to the project,” the decision reads.

“It is over ten years since the vegetation removal and earthworks have been undertaken in preparation to construct the dwelling. The cur-

rent permit was issued six and a half years ago. On the basis of the last extension of time, the project should have been completed by 20 July 2023, but instead council received a request for a third extension of time on the 10 July 2024,”

“I cannot be satisfied that the permit holder is not warehousing the permit. The site is currently for sale. A selling feature of the land is the existence of planning approval. The applicant states that the land is more valuable with the current planning permit. While the applicant states that if an extension of time is granted they will withdraw the sale of the property and build their ‘dream’ home, I cannot be assured that this will be the case.”

A fresh planning permit application may results in the same or similar proposal being approved in the future by the Council due to the lack of significant change in planning policy, the extension request was refused.

Aerial inspections to fly overhead in Yarra Ranges

AusNet helicopters will be seen flying overhead through the Yarra Ranges later this month as the electricity provider monitors and checks its network for faults.

The aerial inspections will take place from Monday 20 to Friday 24 January in Hurstbridge, Eltham, Woori Yallock, Launching Place, Millgrove, East Warburton, McMahons Creek, Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Healesville, Dixon Creek, Yarra Glen, Tarrawarra, Yering and Wandin.

“AusNet carries out inspections throughout the year to help identify, monitor and repair wear and tear on powerlines and poles,” AusNet media manager Nicci de Ryk said.

“These routine aerial inspections help to support a reliable and safe electricity supply for communities across our network.”

Residents in these townships can expect to see and hear the low-flying helicopters through business hours on these dedicated days should the weather allow.

Each year the Aerial Operations Program inspects around 40,000 poles on AusNet’s electricity network from the air.

The specialised helicopters and crew thoroughly inspect overhead powerlines and poles, covering large scale areas in a reduced timeframe.

Where possible, given the potential disturbance to livestock because of the noise emanated from helicopters, pilots will attempt to divert their course and minimise the risk.

Yarra Ranges Council. (File)

MP feels ‘privileged’

By Mikayla van Loon

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence said she felt “privileged to be a part of Brad’s (Battin) team” after accepting a new and highly ranked position within his shadow cabinet.

Stepping into the shadow ministries for finance, trade and investment, Ms Vallence said she was excited to get started and bring her prior experience to the table.

“Before being elected to Parliament, I worked at the senior levels in finance, procurement and business transformation for multi-national companies managing expenditure and revenue worth hundreds of millions of dollars across Asia,” she said.

“This experience gave me incredible insight in relation to efficiently managing budgets and delivering commercial outcomes, whilst ensuring quality of services remained high.

“I intend to apply my skills from the private sector to bring Victoria’s finances under control and help create the economic conditions that attract investment, which will result in more jobs for Victorians.”

Ms Vallence said one of her key concerns stepping into the role was the “current vulnerability of Victoria’s economy” which has seen a “1.2 per cent per capita” fall in gross state product in the past year, making it “the worst of any State, apart from Western Australia”.

“The Labor Government’s response has been to increase taxes like land tax, or introduce new

taxes like the Short Stay holiday tax and the new Emergency Services levy, which will see Victorians paying an additional $2 billion in tax,” she said.

The new Emergency Services levy was welcomed by emergency workers, especially those in the SES, who have been calling for an increase in the levy since May 2024.

Households will be charged an estimated $60 extra a year - or $1.20 a week - to support all of the state services, including FRV, the CFA, Vic SES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre and Emergency Recovery Victoria.

Ms Vallence said, however, in her view this was “not for new fire trucks but to plug holes in the deteriorating budget” - with Victoria expected to reach a net debt of $155.2 billion by July as reported by AAP.

As one of a number of appointments and reshuffles under new Victorian Liberal Party leader Brad Battin, Ms Vallence said she feels like the team is “strong and united”, with all positions filled on merit.

“There are so many people from various backgrounds including small business, law enforcement, health, agriculture and teaching. All these lived experiences will be instrumental in putting policies in place that Victorians need to turn our economy around,” Ms Vallence said.

As a local member, Ms Vallence said her priorities for her electorate in 2025 would be the “decay of our roads” most notably the three major arterials, the Maroondah, Warburton and Melba

Highways that are “plagued with potholes and degraded surfaces”.

“This not only makes travelling unsafe, but is also causing damage to cars and commercial transport vehicles.”

The Killara Road and Maroondah Highway upgrade in Coldstream, safety on Warburton Highway in Seville East, and the Hull and Mooroolbark Roads intersection, Ms Vallence said, would also remain high on the agenda.

She also said affordable housing and crisis accommodation, health and mental health services access, local emergency services support and stronger laws to protect war memorials would make up the rest of her local focus.

Vallence assumes new cabinet appointments under Battin

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence has assumed a new shadow minister position under the helm of newly elected state Liberal Party leader and Berwick MP Brad Battin.

Relinquishing her industry, tertiary education, skills and training, manufacturing and innovation portfolios for shadow minister of finance, trade and investment and opposition business, the announcement came on Tuesday 7 January as Mr Battin appointed his cabinet.

“It’s a privilege to serve our community and Victoria,” Ms Vallence said in a statement on social media.

“Today, I was appointed Shadow Minister for Finance, Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment, and the Manager of Opposition Business, and look forward to delivering in these significant roles under new Liberal Victoria leader Brad Battin MP.”

Croydon MP David Hodgett will continue to hold the position of shadow minister for employment and industrial relations, while taking on Ms Vallence’s former portfolio in manufacturing and innovation.

There were no changes to Eildon MP Cindy McLeish’s shadow minister positions, retaining the crime prevention, prevention of family violence

and women portfolios. It appeared that Mr Battin’s supporters in the deposition of former leader John Pesutto late last year were rewarded with higher ranking positions within his ministry, while others were demoted.

Mr Battin said, however, the moves were not linked to factional allegiances or poor performances.

“Not at all,” he said.

Mr Battin toppled Mr Pesutto after a Federal Court judge found he defamed expelled MP Moira Deeming, who was let back into the Liberal party room after almost two years of internal turmoil.

Mr Battin said his predecessor was offered a job in the shadow cabinet but declined.

“I assure you that when our alternative government is successful … on November 28 (2026) that John Pesutto will be a very strong part of that team,” he said.

Bev McArthur, one of Mr Pesutto’s main detractors, will replace him in the shadow cabinet as opposition spokeswoman for local government and government scrutiny.

Brighton MP James Newbury was handed the prized shadow treasury portfolio at the expense of Brad Rowswell, who will take over the lesser responsibilities of environment, digital transformation and public service innovation.

Ms Vallence will take over from Mr Newbury who had held the position of manager of opposition business in the lower house.

New deputy leader Sam Groth, who quit Mr Pesutto’s shadow cabinet before thrusting his support behind Mr Battin, will add shadow minister of state to his responsibilities.

Former state leader Matthew Guy has been tasked with heading up the new portfolio of “transition to government” before the 2026 state poll.

Fatal motorbike collision in Powelltown

Police are investigating following a fatal collision that claimed the life of a motorcyclist in Powelltown recently.

Emergency services were called to Yarra Junction-Noojee Road where it is believed two motorcycles collided head-on about 1.20pm.

A male rider, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.

The other male rider has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police are currently on scene investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

For the current provisional lives lost tally please see police.vic.gov.au/road-safety-0.

House fire in Narbethong

CFA responded to reports of a house fire at around 4.50 pm on the Maroondah Highway in Narbethong, on Wednesday 8 January.

Nine CFA units from multiple local brigades attended the scene alongside Ambulance Victoria.

Upon arrival, crews found a structure well alight and began work to contain the situation. Crews were able to bring the fire under control at 5.27 pm and declared the scene safe at 6.26 pm.

Warning issued by Water Police

Yarra Ranges residents seeking a chance to take to the water with the warm weather we’ve had in the start of 2025 are being wanted to be responsible after an extraordinarily busy start to the year for Victoria Police.

The Water Police Squad issued a water safety warning as figures show the unit had been called to more than 100 incidents in the first week of 2025.

During the same time last year there were 17 incidents, while the year before 36 were recorded over the period.

Water Police Squad Inspector James Dalton said they’ve had an incredibly busy start to the year with thousands of people taking to our waterways during the hot weather.

“While most people do the right thing, there are some who show blatant disregard for the safety of other water users. Already we’ve seen multiple serious collisions on the water,“ he said.

“These young people are lucky to be alive, but instead of enjoying the summer they’re now recovering in hospital with serious injuries.

Many of this year’s callouts have related to dangerous jet ski behaviour including speeding, travelling too close to other swimmers and in some cases even collisions with other vessels.

Vesseloperatorscanexpecttobebreathtested, have their marine licenses checked, and vessels inspected for the mandatory safety equipment such as lifejackets, torches and fire extinguishers.

The law requires boat users to wear a lifejacket on a powered vessel up to 4.8m, when travelling solo, and at heightened risk.

It is mandatory for jet skiers and kayakers to wear a lifejacket at all times, yet police are still seeing people without them.

Children aged under 12 must also wear a lifejacket at all times when in open areas of a vessel.

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence speaking at the cabinet announcement press conference on 7 January. (AAP Image/Diego Fedele)

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence was appointed shadow minister of finance, trade and investment and opposition business under Brad Battin’s leadership. (AAP Image/Diego Fedele)

By Mikayla van Loon, with AAP

Fire risk now reduced in Port Phillip region

By Callum Ludwig

Victoria’s Bushfire Risk Management Report for 2023-2024 was released in mid-December last year, sharing the efforts that went into fire management for the year and where fuel loads sit this summer.

Fire risk in the Port Phillip region which includes the Yarra Ranges, Cardinia, Knox and Maroondah LGAs, along with most of metropolitan Melbourne has reduced from the previous year but still remains above the target.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said climate change is contributing to increasing levels of bushfire risk, following the La Niña conditions of recent years, conditions are now more favourable for planned burning.

“Over the past year we have taken advantage of better conditions and reduced fuel-driven bushfire risk across more than 138,000 hectares of public land through planned burns and mechanical fuel treatments statewide fuel-driven bushfire risk below target,” he said.

“We reduce bushfire risk in many ways – from preventing new ignitions through fire bans and campfire controls, early detection of bushfires from our fire towers and reconnaissance flights, aggressive first attack by aircraft, rappel firefighters and ground crews to keep bushfires small.”

Fuel-driven fire risk, previously referred to as ‘residual fire risk’, is the amount of bushfire risk that remains after bushfires and fire management activities, such as planned burns, have taken place. 100 per cent would represent the maximum risk, where the build-up of fuel loads wasn’t reduced by any planned burns or major fires.

A target of at or below 85 per cent of maximum levels has been set for Port Phillip, up from the 80 per cent target set in 2015 until the boundary was redrawn in 2019.

Currently, Port Phillip’s fuel-driven fire risk is at 87 per cent, with forest fuel loads in outer Metropolitan Melbourne, which stretches out to townships like Lilydale, Wandin, Silvan and Belgrave at 92 per cent and the Yarra District, which includes high-fire risk townships like Yarra Glen, Warburton, Emerald and Gembrook at 86 per cent.

These figures have reduced from 89 per cent, 95 per cent and 88 per cent respectively but still remain above the 85 per cent target. The 85 per cent target has previously been criticised, namely by the late professor Kevin Tolhurst who helped develop the computer model which calculates fuel-driven bushfire risk, to being equivalent to accepting a similar level of bushfire impact as was seen on Black Saturday.

The wet forests to the north and east of Melbourne such as the Yarra Ranges create the majority of the Port Phillip region’s fuel-driven bushfire risk, and are difficult for conducting large-scale planned burning due to often being too damp, though drier conditions last year helped. Nonburn fuel treatments such as slashing and mowing are also utilised in areas like this. FFMVic also

ramps up their response in areas where the risk remains above target, such as by prepositioning aircraft in the area on days of elevated fire danger. Previous and ongoing litigation against the

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), which manages FFMVic, does continue to restrict bushfire risk reduction works though the ongoing litigation DEECA is defend-

ing itself against relating to certain works in the Central Highlands, to date has not had direct impacts on bushfire risk management operations.

Fuel-driven bushfire risk has reduced in the Port Phillip region, but remains above the 85 per cent target. (File)

Vital funding expanded for dedicated volunteers

By Callum Ludwig

Christmas came early for the hard-working emergency services volunteers in the community with the announcement of a raft of funding changes

Announced on 13 December, the Victorian Government’s funding boost and revamp aims to improve access to new trucks, equipment and technology for CFA and SES crews, particularly the latter after a long campaign from volunteers.

Upper Yarra SES Unit Controller Hannah Brunton spoke to the Star Mail in May 2024 when SES volunteers came together for a convoy over the Bolte Bridge and said she was really overwhelmed and so so proud when she heard of the announcement.

“So many volunteers have spent so many hours lobbying for these changes and to see all of their hard work, finally pay off was incredible,” she said.

“Not only because of the hard work of the volunteers that were pushing for change but also for all of the volunteers around the state who do so much for the service and our communities; whether it’s jumping on a chainsaw, extracting patients from vehicles, preparing BAS lodgments or undertaking school visits - it is great to finally see recognition for these efforts,”

“To no longer be seen as the ‘poor cousin’ of the emergency services, with increases to the funding we need and deserve, we are closer to being seen as equal.”

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

Ms Brunton said this is a huge burden off their shoulders.

“SES Units operate like individual businesses, we have expenses and overheads and this funding will help to reduce some of the strain that unit management teams and our volunteers experience,” she said.

“Currently, to combat the strain of so many expenses, we fundraise, which not only takes money from the communities pockets but also time off our hands, this change to funding will mean more time to actually benefit the community we are here to serve.”

The Victorian Government is set to spend $70 million establishing a rolling fleet replacement program for both VICSES and CFA, double the annual Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) to more than $62 million of grants available, invest $53 million to modernise the VicEmergency app and the emergency services’ central database EM-COP, $30 million into training and uupskill programs for VICSES and replacing the Fire Services Property Levy with a new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) which will support VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Emergency Management Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria, in addition to the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria.

Ms Brunton said all of it is such a huge relief and will benefit the whole state in more ways than she can count.

“The increase to VESEP will be a huge help, currently only a small percentage of applications are approved and missing out on a VESEP grant has all sorts of implications at a unit level which just caus-

es more unnecessary pressure on our volunteers,” she said. “It (the campaign for sustainable funding) has been fantastic, the convoy and other campaign work being undertaken by our volunteers have really opened the eyes of people across the state, not just regarding our funding shortfalls but also more broadly who we are and what we do,”

“This whole campaign has been such a positive movement and everyone who has been involved

should be so proud of what has been achieved.”

Active CFA and VICSES volunteers and life members will be eligible for an exemption from paying the ESVF on their primary place of residence such as a house or farm, and as the Fire Services Property Levy did before it, the ESVF will be collected by councils and appear on rates notices.

SES volunteers conducting a convoy over the Bolte Bridge in May 2024. (File)

A pillar of the Yarra Valley

By Callum Ludwig

Nearly 600 mourners gathered to remember a pillar of the Yarra Valley community on Thursday 9 January.

John William Anker, owner of Wandin Park Estate and a familiar face in a number of community groups and the equestrian scene, died on Boxing Day 2024.

Hosted in the new Grand Marquee at Wandin Park Estate by Tobin Brothers Funerals of which Tom Tobin was John’s nephew, the hundreds in attendance came to celebrate John’s life and show their love and support to his wife Angela, children Emily, Sarah-Jane, Rebecca and William and extended family and friends.

John’s son William, who he worked closely with on Wandin Park Estate up until his death, said the family were truly blown away by the turnout.

“I had no idea and I don’t think Dad ever would have had any idea how many people, my cousin Tom Tobin, the organisers, thought they had nearly 600 or at least they think close to,” he said.

“Even for me, it’s been quite an eye-opener to realise how much Dad played a role in people’s lives, I guess it shows even with the turnout we had, it’s been huge and the community, Dad was involved in a lot of the community in the earlier days and I remember us as kids almost got a bit frustrated with it,”

“He was always off doing other things, rather than doing things at home, and trying to help the wider community, that slowed down as he got a bit older and got a bit more tired and probably been there and done it.”

As well as meticulously upgrading and maintaining what would become the riding academy, wedding venue and function centre Wandin Park Estate, mostly with his own two hands, John was heavily involved in other community groups and initiatives throughout his life such as the Wandin-Silvan Field Days event, Seville Pony Club, The Wandin-Seville Uniting Church, Mt Evelyn Lions Club, the construction of the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, the Australian Horse Riding Centres (AHRC) Victorian Committee and the Equestrian Victorian eventing committee.

Born in the old Lilydale Bush Nursing Hospital, John grew up in the Yarra Valley, attending Wandin Yallock Primary School and Lilydale High School and playing footy at the Wandin Football Netball Club.

He left school early to help his father on the farm due to his health concerns and met the love of his life Angela at 16, a girl from Kew who told her mum she’d marry a farmer one day after she started regularly visiting a friend who lived in the Yarra Valley. John and Angela met at Young Farmers, and it would be four years before they were wed in August 1973, John in a crushed velvet suit fitting his eclectic taste in formal attire.

John farmed sheep and cattle while Angela worked as a teacher, while also teaching riding lessons in the afternoons. Angela loved teaching riding lessons so much that she asked John if she could pursue it further, and the Wandin Riding Academy was born in 1981, which would go on to become one of the largest in Victoria and even become the location of the outdoor scenes in the first series of children’s television show The Saddle Club.

All three of John’s daughters would take an interest in riding horse too, leaving John and William to drop them at competitions and spend days visiting local Field Days to look at machinery, swimming in local rivers and visiting old friends of John’s he’d made along the way.

At age 39, John was given the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with leukemia and was given only months to live. So began five long years of John’s ‘three-week cycle’; one week in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy, one week at home recovering from the treatment and one week ‘making memories’ with his children, whether that be on the slopes of Mount Buller or beach camping in Wonthaggi.

John kept surviving and eventually, medical research had developed enough to the point his sister Helen could provide John with a bone marrow transplant which would help him live over 30 years more.

John oversaw the continued growth of Wandin Park Estate throughout his life; It would host the Wandin Park Horse

Trials and previously the Australian Open Championships and the Trans Tasman event, with some of the world’s best riders passing through.

The property hosted its first wedding over 30 years ago and now hosts over 50 weddings a year

In 2001 at Wlliam’s behest, Yarra Valley Hay was formed with 45 machines now involved in its ventures.

John even had a hand in the Grand Marquee, which hosted the memorial, which was created for William’s wedding two years ago.

William said his Dad was a pretty amazing man, some called him a miracle man through his health battles, but he was just a normal person who wnated to fight to stay alive too.

“I’m 38 now, I turn 39 in March and it scares me, I’m not saying I’m gonna catch leukemia, but it shows you realise now that I’ve hit Dad’s age of when he was sick,” he said.

“It’s amazing what Dad did actually do and how we fought, obviously I was young growing up with it but to see that he was able to fight it, beat it and then live another whole life on top of that was an amazing tribute to him, especially given all that he did in those years.”

John died peacefully surrounded by family at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and was laid to rest alongside his mother Ruby, father Roy and brother Colin, who died aged just four years old, in the old Lilydale Lawn Cemetery.

Anyone who wants to show support to the family has been encouraged to make a donation to the Leukaemia Foundation in honour of John’s memory: donate.leukaemia.org.au/ donate.

John Anker, owner of Wandin Park Estate, died on Boxing Day. (Supplied)

Jundered of mourners at the service. (Rob Carew: 452861)

Forever a farmer. (Supplied)

Vale Hendrik ‘Henk’ Boer

By Callum Ludwig

The Upper Yarra community is grieving the loss of a much-loved local resident at the start of this year as aged92,YarraJunction’sHendrik‘Henk’Boerdiedon 30 December 2024.

The Star Mail was unaware of Henk’s death as the annual ‘Year in Review’ editions of the paper went off to print on Monday 6 January, with Henk and his dearest wife Gwyneth ‘Gwen’ featuring on the front page of the Upper Yarra and Mountain Views editions as one of the best photos of 2024. The Star Mail apologises if this causes friends or family of Henk any distress and hopes instead that it represents a happy memory of Henk and Gwen celebrating their remarkable 70th wedding anniversary only months prior in August 2024.

The Star Mail had the pleasure of visiting Henk andGwenattheirquaintandbeautifulYarraJunction home for that article, speaking to them about their storied lives and the secret to their long-lasting love for one another.

Henk was a long-time friend of the Star Mail, not only featuring in the story of his anniversary but also sharing his memories of World War Two as a child and the launch of his books; ‘The Journey to the Promised Land’ and ‘The Autobiography of Hendrik Boer: A Lifetime of Experiences and Memories’.

Born on 12 September 1932, Henk spent the early years of his life in the village of Sappameer in the Netherlands, including living through Nazi occupation during World War Two before immigrating to Australia with his family.

Uponarrival,thefamilyeventuallymadetheirway to Victoria from Western Australia and upheld their family history of nearly 300 years as Henk and his brother set up a bakery in Wandin. Later they established Boer Bros, a food distribution business in Yarra Junction. The company was well known in the Valley, and beyond, operating successfully for more than 35 years and, at one time, employing up to 85 people. Henk was also well-connected to a number of lo-

cal community groups, such as the Wandin/Seville Uniting Church where he and Gwen were wed and local schools such as Upper Yarra Secondary College and Millwarra Primary School.

In his death notice published in the Herald Sun

Call for blood donors as cancellations mount

Lifeblood has issued an urgent call for blood donors this week after a record number of planned blood donations were cancelled last week, putting pressure on blood supplies.

More than 6500 people cancelled their donation appointments last week – the highest number of New Year week cancellations in three years. A further 14,000 people either rescheduled or did not attend their appointment.

The donation drop-off at one of the most critical times of year means an extra 12,000 people are now urgently needed to book a donation this week to replenish low blood stocks. This includes the need for 5600 people to donate in Victoria, the most of any state in the country.

Lifeblood Executive Director Donor Experience Cath Stone urged people to book a donation.

“We know the festive season is a busy time of year, and everyone looks forward to a wellearned break, but the need for blood has not stopped,” Cath said.

“Every day, we are issuing more than 9,500 blood and plasma transfusions and medications to Australian hospitals.

“There are still cancer patients, road trauma victims, new mums and newborn babies, and people with immune deficiencies that are relying on the generosity of blood donors.

“Now that the holiday season has come to an end and people are returning to their normal routines, we’re hoping more people will find an hour in their schedule to save lives.”

The urgent need for more donations comes despite a record 1.66 million donations being given in 2024, an increase of almost 30,000 donations compared to 2023.

“Demand for blood and plasma continues to increase at record levels. More donations are needed than ever before, largely due to a growing and aging population,” Cath said.

“To keep up with that demand, we need an extra 100,000 people to find their reason to make a blood donation in 2025.

“It could be because someone you know has cancer or because you need a new year’s resolution. It could be because it makes you feel

12,000 blood donations are urgently needed around the country this week, including 5600 in Victoria alone. (Lifeblood)

good, or it might even be because of the party pies.

“For every reason to become a donor, there’s an even bigger reason. Life. So please book your donation today.”

With the nation’s blood supply levels now available to view in real-time online, knowing when blood is needed is now easier than ever.

The Ringwood Donor Centre is the main location for the outer east, situated at U4, 38 Charter Street in Ringwood and can accommodate all donation types. There is also a donor centre in Mount Waverley.

A pop-up donor centre is currently being run in Eltham at the Community and Reception Centre located at 801 Main Road, Eltham. It will be available for blood donations only until Friday 17 January.

Upwey will see a pop-up donor centre come to the Upwey Community Hall at 1443 Burwood Highway between Monday 24 February to Saturday 1 March, with bookings now available for blood donations.

A Lilydale pop-up donor centre will follow between Monday 10 March to Friday 21 March at the Lilydale Baptist Church on Hull Road.

To book a donation, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood App.

on Tuesday 7 January, Henk was described as a ‘beloved Dad, Opa and GrandOpa’ who ‘lived a full life contributing to God, family and country’ and died peacefully ‘after a short illness precipitated by his failing heart.’

leaves behind his beloved Gwen,

sons, nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Henk’s funeral will be delayed due to Gwen’s health.Arrangementswillbeontheheritagefunerals. com.au website or contact geoff.boer@gmail.com

Henk

three

Henk and Gwen Boer celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary in front of the windmill on their Yarra Junction property. (File)

Embrace your inner animal in our nature play zones.

Swing through rope courses, scamper along discovery trails and slink through tunnels. It’s exciting what a zoo can do.

Plan your visit zoo.org.au

*Terms and conditions apply

Tackling ragwort weed

By Callum Ludwig

A local landcare group is calling for residents across the Yarra Ranges to take action to prevent the spread of a pesky pasture weed.

Mt Toolebewong & District Landcare Group Inc are calling for landowners to take action to rid their properties of ragwort, a declared noxious weed under the The Catchment and Land Protection (CaLP) Act 1994, which means landowners must take reasonable steps to control ragwort and prevent its spread.

Speaking from his Don Valley home, Mt Toolebewong & District Landcare Group member Alan Scoble said it’s a little late for dealing with ragwort, but it’s better late than never.

“I’ve been down this path about 20 odd years ago, with the previous Don Valley Landcare group, which has morphed into Mt Toolebewong & District and we had a good result, not eradicating it but we really knocked it around in Don Valley,” he said.

“I’ve noticed it’s creeping back, people have become a bit blase or they’ve forgotten the lessons that we learned back in the 90s, it’s coming back with a vengeance and ideally, we need to do something about it before it becomes crazy and works its way down the valley.”

According to Agriculture Victoria’s profile on ragwort, it is a herbaceous plant with themes reaching between 45 and 60cm high and are rigid, reddish or purple near base, branched at top, furrowed and sometimes bear cobweb-like hairs. Running up the stem will be dark-to-mid green leaves that can grow up to 35cm long but the most distinguishable feature is the bright yellow flowers which appear with daisy-like heads in large clusters at the ends of branches.

Ragwort can spread by wind, water, animals, farm implements, in agricultural produce including hay, on clothing and other equipment. Most seeds will fall near the parent plant, but many become airborne and travel for long distances and can float in water.

Yarra Ranges Landcare Network’s Landcare Facilitator Corey McFadyen said there are multiple negative impacts to leaving ragwort to seed and spread.

“It causes displacement of pasture weeds, from a farmer’s perspective, that’s no good, because you could have 20 per cent of your paddock that’s taken up by ragwort, which isn’t healthy and is toxic to animals,” he said.

“But then from an environmental perspective, you’ve got conservation areas not just paddocks, where it causes dissipation of the kind of quality biodiversity you want to see.”

A rosette forms in the first year of the ragwort’s growth, and a flower stalk and yellow flowers will usually form in the second year which is when it becomes easier to spot.

Mr Scoble said he’s driven past some local

Questions over erosion

By Callum Ludwig

Warburton residents raised questions about some works that began around the turn of the new year along the Yarra River just downstream of Warburton.

The ‘Warburton and Surrounds Residents’ Facebook Group drew some attention when Millgrove resident Thomas Osburg shared his concerns about the removal of a large old tree and appearance of survey markers along the bank, with other residents chiming in about not having heard about any works beginning and worried about potential impacts on platypus which frequent that part of the river.

Mr Osburg discovered the works on New Year’s Eve and said his main concern with this project is the platypus habitat and the very real likelihood that there is a platypus burrow or burrows there with platypus living there.

“I have seen platypus all around there for decades and that’s where they live on the riverbank up and down the river,” he said.

“I would imagine that with such a large project Melbourne Water would have at least letter-boxed all the neighbours or even had one of those drop-in sessions in Warburton at the Mechanic’s Institute or even a notice in the newspaper that these works were proposed and invited knowledgeable public input, so I am very annoyed and disgruntled that there was no wide community consultation,”

“I think it is vital that the community be given clear reasoning behind these works by providing the rationale as well as explaining the science behind why this needed to be done and why no other alternatives were explored…Melbourne Water needs to explain the engineering behind this project as well as explain why it was necessary to cut down two old healthy messmate trees that showed no sign of rot at their base or along their length, these trees were decades old and once again were

native wildlife habitat.”

The works are taking place in a low-traffic area of the river between Riverturn Lane and Tommy Finns Trout Farm on the Yarra River which is not accessible on foot and are intended to restore the waterway and rehabilitate the available habitat for river blackfish and platypus.

Melbourne Water Acting Executive General Manager of Service and Asset Lifecycle Jo Hunt said Melbourne Water is continuing works to stop the erosion of the riverbank at a bend in the Yarra River, downstream of Warburton.

“Our contractors are installing wood piles and debris to strengthen the riverbank and improve habitat for local wildlife, including river blackfish and platypus,” she said.

“Works will conclude in June with planting of 1500 trees, shrubs, and grasses in the sediment to further stabilise the riverbank.”

On the week of 13 January, Melbourne Water staff will use machinery to install wooden piles in the river and move cobbles and rocks to reduce the volume of water flowing against the riverbanks with the newly created piles intended to encourage sediment to deposit along the eroding bank and allow replanting of the area to prevent future erosion.

Consultation was carried out with private landholders directly around the site to use an existing access track which was then lined with with crushed rock to comply with Melbourne Water’s cultural heritage permit.

Melbourne Water removed the two large trees near the works site in December as their root systems had been undercut and were deemed likely to fall, with the wood debris from the trees recycled for use at the site.

Melbourne Water has not received any public enquiries about bank stabilisation works at Warburton. Community enquiries can be made by

Melbourne Water on 131 722.

properties that are 20, 30 or even 50 per cent infested with ragwort.

“While it’s slow, it just seems to creep up on you, you don’t notice it until it’s flowering and then it seems to come up and will grow anywhere,”

“We’ve got equipment here that people can hire and anyone who has questions, we can direct them to someone wo kows or give them our advice.”

Mt Toolebewong & District Landcare Group have a 400 litre spray unit on a trailer available for hire to control ragwort and blackberries at this time of year and you can email sectoolebewong@ gmail.com for more details.

Ragwort can also be controlled by cutting the stems and bagging them for removal so the seed doesn’t fall.

L-R: Alan Scoble holding some ragwort with its signature yellow flowers alongside Corey McFadyen. (Callum Ludwig: 453084)

View of the works site from upstream with the eroding bank to left, the tea tree fell recently onto an island of cobbles to be moved next week while contractors are trying to save the three tree ferns behind the Manna gum, which fell in October. (Melbourne Water)

Stay safe and save money

The State Government is helping kids stay safe in and around the water, with affordable swimming lessons kicking off across the state from Monday 6 January.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Ben Carroll joined Kathy Parton chief executive officer of Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) at the Werribee Outdoor Pool on Monday to see the first day of the program get started – which is providing affordable lessons for families at more than 170 swimming centres, including Lilydale, Healesville, Belgrave and Monbulk.

“We’re providing this cost-of-living support so kids of all backgrounds can learn how to stay safe at the beach or around the pool,” Ms Allan said.

As part of the program which runs through January, families with kids aged four to 12 will take part in five 30-minute lessons, which run over the course of a week.

Week one is now complete, with week two running from 13 January to 17 January and week three from 20 January to 24 January.

Lessons can be accessed at Belgrave Pool in weeks two and three; Healesville Outdoor Pool in week two; Jack Hort Memorial Pool in Healesville in week three; and Lilydale Outdoor Pool in week two.

“More than 16,800 kids will take part – learning the skills they need to enjoy their summers safely,” Mr Carroll said.

Ordinarily, a single swimming lesson can cost a family up to $25 but thanks to this program the cost for five lessons is just $35 per child – or $7 a lesson – plus booking fees. If eligible, families can also use their Get Active Kids vouchers to reduce the lesson cost to zero.

This summer more than 16,800 Victorian kids will take part in the program – learning the skills and water safety knowledge they need to enjoy their summers by the pool and near the ocean.

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) chief executive officer Kathy Parton said ARV is pleased to offer the VICSWIM program for its 49th year.

“VICSWIM has become a key part of the social fabric of Victoria’s summer. At a time of increased drownings, VICSWIM offers a low cost Learn to Swim/water safety education program for children aged four to 12 years, in pools, rivers, lakes and beaches across 175 locations in Victoria,” she said.

For the first time, there are 400 extra spots this year for kids with disability and kids from multicultural backgrounds, so they can learn the same skills with the help of specialised teachers.

Lessons for kids with disability will be provided through dedicated programs and kids from CALD

families have the option of signing up for lessons in Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, Sunshine, Werribee, Dandenong and more.

VICSWIM’s learn-to-swim program has helped

generations of kids to feel confident in and around the water, from foundational swimming skills to water safety education.

The Labor Government has invested more than

$917,000 in the program to make sure more kids get their chance to learn water-safety basics. For more information about the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program visit vicswim.com.au.

Hospital groups revealed for statewide health shake-up

By Callum Godde

Network groupings for a state’s 76 public health services have been unveiled but a cloud continues to hang over future funding levels.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas revealed the final carve-up on Friday after the Victorian government announced its hospital networks plan in August.

The 12 geography-based local health service networks will begin operating from July 1 and are expected to share support services and back-office functions to reduce duplication.

A state government-commissioned expert review highlighted the need for “fundamental change” to the public health system and recommended some regional health services be forcibly amalgamated.

But Ms Thomas reiterated the groupings, determined following consultation, would not involving mergers.

“Every health service will retain its own identity, its own board of management and so on,” she told reporters.

“But of course we want our health services to work better together and where it makes sense to look at back-office operations and combine those, then we would welcome that.”

The networks were first announced alongside a $1.5 billion, one-year funding lifeline for hospitals following backlash at being told to tighten their belts.

Ms Thomas declined to say how much money the networks would save the cash-strapped state budget, declaring they were designed to deliver improved patient care.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier, who has previously dubbed the plan “amalgamations by stealth”, called for Labor to give hospitals clarity on their funding beyond this financial year.

“While Labor focuses on paperwork, patients are left waiting,” she said.

Local health service networks by region:

BARWON: Barwon Health, Colac Area Health, Great Ocean Road Health, Hesse Rural Health Service

BAYSIDE: Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Calvary

Health Care Bethlehem, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health EAST METRO and MURRINDINDI: Alexandra District Health, Eastern Health, St Vincent’s Health, Yea and District Memorial Hospital

GIPPSLAND: Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Central Gippsland Health Service, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Omeo District Health, Orbost Regional Health, South Gippsland Hospital, West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Yarram & District Health Service

GRAMPIANS: Beaufort & Skipton Health Service, Central Highlands Rural Health, East Grampians Health Service, East Wimmera Health Service, Grampians Health, Maryborough District Health Service, Rural Northwest Health, West Wimmera Health Service

HUME: Albury Wodonga Health, Alpine Health, Beechworth Health Service, Benalla Health, Corryong Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Kyabram District Health Service, Mansfield District Hospital, NCN Health, Northeast Health Wangaratta, Tallangatta Health Service, Yarrawonga Health

LODDON MALLEE: Bendigo Health, Boort District Health, Cohuna District Hospital, Dhelkaya Health, Echuca Regional Health, Heathcote Health, Inglewood and Districts Health Service, Kerang District Health, Mallee Track Health and Community Service, Mildura Base Public Hospital, Robinvale District Health Services, Rochester & Elmore District Health Service, Swan Hill District Health

NORTH METRO and MITCHELL: Austin Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, Northern Health, and Seymour Health

PARKVILLE: Dental Health Services Victoria, Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellness Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital

SOUTHMETRO: Monash Health

SOUTH WEST: Casterton Memorial Hospital, Heywood Rural Health, Moyne Health Services, Portland District Health, South West Healthcare, Terang and Mortlake Health Service,

Timboon and District Healthcare Service, Western District Health Service

WEST METRO: Werribee Mercy Hospital and Western Health

This summer more than 16,800 Victorian kids will take part in the VICSWIM program. (Unsplash: 452638)

Health has been place in the East Metro and Murrindindi cluster.

COMMUNITY COURSE GUIDE

Decades of top service

For nearly four decades, Woori Community House hasstoodasacornerstoneofcommunitylifeinWoori Yallock, providing essential services and fostering connectionsamonglocalresidents.Operatingfromits central shopfront location since 1987, this registered charity has evolved from its humble beginnings as a neighbourhood house into a vibrant community hub thatcontinuestoadapttochangingcommunityneeds.

“Our vision is to create an energetic community space that strengthens partnerships and promotes social cohesion,” a House spokesperson said, which is governed by a dedicated volunteer Committee of Management comprising local community members.

The facility offers an impressive range of services designed to meet diverse community needs. Its multi-purpose group room, equipped with modern amenities including computers, Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette, serves as a flexible space for everything from dance classes to business meetings. The venue’s accessibility features, including wheelchair access, ensure that all community members can participate in activities.

Beyond physical facilities, Woori Community House has established itself as a hub for community engagement through initiatives like its community garden and street library. These projects, combined with affordable courses and workshops, create opportunities for learning and social connection. The organisation also provides annual Community Events for families such as Kids Fest and Medieval Village Fair, bringing residents together for celebration and entertainment.

The organisation’s commitment to accessibility is reflected in its modest $10 annual membership fee, which provides benefits including free Wi-Fi access, voting rights at the AGM, and discounts on tutor-led classes. This approach ensures that cost doesn’t become a barrier to community participation.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation,

with opportunities ranging from administrative support to garden maintenance and social media management. This volunteer program not only helps sustain the organisation’s services but also provides valuable experience and connection opportunities

for participants. As Woori Community House continues its missionofprovidinginclusiveaccesstosocialandpublic welfare services, it remains true to its founding principle: ensuring everyone in the Woori Yallock district

can access the services they need to thrive. Through its combination of practical support and community building,thislocalinstitutioncontinuestoplayavital role in strengthening the fabric of the local community.

Online Bookings: www.wooricommhouse.org.au

Phone: (03) 5964 6857 Email: info@wooricommhouse.org.au www.facebook.com/wooricommhouse www.instagram.com/wooricommunityhouse

LIFE WITHOUT BORDERS FOSTER CARE 25th February

6.30pm-7.30pm Cost: $2.00 per person. VAPING 4th March

7.00pm-8.30pm Cost: $2.00 per person 5th March 7.00pm - 8.30pm $5.00 per person

Gold Coin Donation NDSS DIABETES VICTORIA 31st March - Living With Insulin 1.30pm-4.30pm Bookings Required. FREE for people registered with the NDSS BREWERS CLUB First Monday of month

MOSAICS 11th February - 4th March

9.30am-11.30am

Cost: $80.00-4 weeks. $72.00 for members INFANT & PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID

8th March - Cost: $80.00pp 9.30am to 12.00pm non accredited SOY CANDLES 25th March-10.00am-11.30am

$50.00 per person

BUNNINGS- HOW TO REPOT A PLANT 18th February

1.30pm to 3.00pm Cost: $2.00 per person

YARRA VALLEY LEGAL WILLS & ESTATES. 12th February 10.30am-12.00pm Cost: $2.00 per person PROVIDE ADVANCED FIRST AID-HLTAID014 12th March 9.30am to 3.30pm Cost: $240pp accredited NDSS DIABETES VICTORIA 5th February - 2 Classes Carbsmart-9.30am-12.30pm Shopsmart-1.30pm-4.00pm Bookings Required. FREE for people registered with the NDSS AMBULANCE VICTORIA 19th March

Heat Health & Stroke Awareness, Bookings Required 11.00am to 12.30pm Cost: $2.00 pp

SENIORS MORNING TEA 19th February 10.00am-11.30am $5.00 per person 1.2.BINGO!

Woori Community House is located in the heart of the township. (File: 337348)

Outdoor exhibition arrives

By Mikayla van Loon

Art has been sprucing up some of Victoria’s most loved piers throughout summer for the last four years in a public art display taking hold of beachside towns.

This emerging tradition has now reached the Yarra Valley with the first ever winery installation on display in the grounds of Chateau Yering.

The collection of works from mostly Victorian artists and a selection from those around Australia brings an array of style, technique and materials in an accessible garden setting.

Founder and curator of what is now known as Art on the Pier, originally the Queenscliff Art Prize, Chris Macleod said it began as a way to bring some life and colour to the Queenscliff Pier.

It then expanded to South Melbourne and Rosebud piers, with a guest location each year which is how it came to Yering.

“It’s become a bit of, I think, a much loved event in those places. They sit so perfectly on the piers because the railing is there, and you just at-

tach them,” MacLeod said.

“And a nice thing about having them on the piers is that when you look down the pier because of the angle the art is on, you almost can’t see it, so it has a very low visual impact for the environment.

“But as you walk down the pier, there’s one there and there’s one there. So it goes very well.”

From 1960s beach-scapes to abstract works and photography, the array of artworks lend themselves to colour and texture, despite being inspired by all landscapes from the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cairns, Perth, Orange, Daylesford and Anglesea.

The way the exhibition works is artists submit a high-resolution digital image of their original artwork, which MacLeod then places on quality canvas with the artist’s name, the location of the exhibit and the title of the work.

MacLeod then covers the work in a clear sheeting to enable it to withstand the elements of both sea and valley.

Some artists submit multiple works and many have returned each year to present their work.

“I often get photographs on the pier of the artist who has come down with their family,” MacLeod said.

“They’re just so happy. They get a chance to see their work exhibited in a unique setting.”

MacLeod said receiving messages of thanks and appreciation, as well as the photos and stories of artists visiting the piers, makes it so worthwhile.

“(Artist) Stephen Richards, he had his work on the South Melbourne pier, and he took public transport from Broadmeadows eight times to visit the exhibition. They just love it,” he said.

“And understandably, there’s a great sense of pride to go, ‘Hey, that’s my work’. And I know he sold quite a number of the original and a number of commissions from the exhibit.”

Trialling the exhibition at Chateau Yering, MacLeod said he also has one planned for Oakdene Winery in Wallington.

“From the winery’s point of view, they quite rightly think it’s a nice attraction. You attract more people to come and eat and drink and enjoy the outdoor exhibition. From the artist’s point of view,

they get to enjoy the extra eyeballs and exposure.”

There’s currently around 80 artworks on display at Chateau Yering, spaced evenly throughout the beautiful landscaped gardens.

“They’re outside and somewhere that attracts large numbers of people and each one can enjoy the glory as much as the next,” MacLeod said. The works will be positioned in the gardens until 30 June, with the works on display in Queenscliff until 30 April.

Rosebud Pier will see the works pop up on 1 February and be installed until 30 May, while South Melbourne Pier will launch on 15 May and be on display until 30 September.

“It’s over 24 hours. It’s free. It attracts a good demographic, the people come and then they come back again and take photographs of it.

“Especially at the piers, the ever changing natural environment, every time you go there, it’s different which is nice.”

To view more about the featured artists or to inquire about submitting for next year, go to queenscliffartprize.com.au

Under a summer sun: music fest heads to Valley

By Mikayla van Loon

There’s nothing quite like seeing iconic Australian music artists perform under an open sky in summer especially when it’s for a good cause.

Summer Fun Fest, boasting a lineup of Jon Stevens, Daryl Braithwaite, Kate Ceberano, The Black Sorrows, Killing Heidi, and Chocolate Starfish, is heading to Coldstream’s Rochford Wines on Sunday 16 February.

Presented by not-for-profit Fun in the Sun, this festival is an inaugural music event for the charity which has a vision to help alleviate stress and improve mental health by offering children, young people and families access to opportunities and experiences they wouldn’t normally have the chance to enjoy.

“Our intention is to level the playing field for young disadvantaged people wanting to work in the arts, a postcode should not determine who has the opportunity to have extra curriculum activities in the arts,” Fun in the Sun founder and chief executive officer Mary Toniolo said.

“The arts is a very important area, and we believe that if we support, encourage and mentor children and young people, we can help give them a pathway for their future.

“We’re excited to help discover the next Beethoven, Picasso or even Kylie! Let’s support the next generation of artistic talent.”

When asked to be part of the festival Daryl Braithwaite said he couldn’t turn down an opportunity to perform at Rochford nor to support such a

worthy cause, all while getting to do so with friends.

“I love playing out there at Rochford. It’s really one of those places that stick in your mind,” he said.

“It’s outdoors, and the previous shows I’ve done out there over the years have been fantastic and well attended. It’s just good for the people, as well as for the acts performing.”

As a young man who grew up having access to the arts and music, Braithwaite said to be able to share that possibility with other young people is probably what encouraged all the artists on the lineup to say ‘yes’.

“You like to help out when you can, to give back and with Mary’s good intent, it seemed like a really good idea. Hopefully it’ll succeed and we’ll be able to help young people that are disadvantaged,” he said.

The now 75-year-old said he’s so grateful he made the choice in 1969 to leave his fitting and turning apprenticeship to join a band, despite his father’s dismay, because it gave him a career in music which now sees people sing his songs back to him.

“You don’t take it for granted. The fact that one summer they sing The Horses, they sing As the Days Go By and they sing, Howzat, which goes back to another time.

“It makes you realize that you’re fortunate you went to the left or the right, which for me was in 1969 or 1970 when I said, ‘I’ve left the fitting and turning and I’m joining this band’.”

As the lead singer of Sherbet and in his own solo career, Braithwaite saw all sides of the music indus-

try but said it has changed a lot since the “carefree” ‘70s.

“Younger acts, they’ve got more of a challenge now than what we ever had. It’s so hard. It seems like so many people are doing it, and with technology the way it is, that sometimes gets in the way but it also can help.

“The choices they’ve got now, it’s just incredi-

ble.”

That doesn’t stop him from encouraging young artists to push through and continue chasing that dream.

“When I see young bands or young artists especially in the music field, I try to encourage them that if they really love it and are passionate about it then give it a go,” he said.

“It can be rewarding in many ways. It’s satisfying to them when they can see achievements from week to week or whatever, and they have setbacks and all that but the setbacks are the things that really motivate you to get back up off the ground and give it another go.

“If you take up the challenge of doing artistic stuff, if it’s singing or it may be theater or whatever, it really is a great ride.”

Still invigorated by a live audience and performing, Braithwaite said he loves the “appreciation of an audience” but he also finds joy in seeing a true talent on stage from within the crowd.

“There’s nothing better than looking up on stage and seeing someone play, sing, or whatever they do, and they do it effortlessly,” he said.

“And when people just go, ‘Oh my God, how good is that?’ and it doesn’t look like they’re doing anything at all, but it just sounds like or there’s something they’re emitting from their body, which just captivates people.”

To enjoy a day of live music, while supporting young people in their dreams of entering the arts world, or to find out more information, go to rochfordwines.com.au/summer-fun-fest

Art on the Pier founder and curator Chris MacLeod brought a selection of 80 artworks to Chateau Yering for a special display. (Rob Carew: 452577)

From iconic landmarks to colourful coffee cups, the outdoor exhibition has it all. (452577)

The submissions from artists are evenly spaced throughout the gardens making for a beautiful walk. (452577)

Musician Daryl Braithwaite is supporting Fun in the Sun’s charity event Summer Fun Fest by joining the lineup at Rochford. (Supplied)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Take a look

By Callum Ludwig

January’s exhibition in the Warburton Waterwheel gallery is ‘part retrospective, part re-imagining and part an exploration into new ideas and processes.’

‘Every Silver Lining has a Cloud’ by Taryn LeeSteere is on display in the space throughout the month, combining elements of Ms Lee-Steere’s long interest in art and more recent venture into the mental health sector.

Ms Lee-Steere said her journey in the arts began 40 years ago with a degree in Printmaking from Edith Cowan University in Perth.

I have lived and worked in Melbourne since 1999, over this time I have had several solo exhibitions whilst I worked for 20 years as a picture framer,” she said.

“A career change in 2019 now sees me working in the Mental Health sector in Melbourne where I manage a residential facility. I spend my weekends with my children in the Yarra Valley,”

“My work is primarily about process rather than specific themes, however, there are constant underlying ideas around memory, loss and the challenges that life presents us and how they form us as human, the layers of life that are layered down as we move through our years and how they make us who we are.”

The exhibition contains a range of mediums, including oil and acrylic works, wood carving and constructions, encaustic paintings, resin work and carved polystyrene works.

Ms Lee-Steere said exploring multiple mediums is one of the joys, for her, of being an artist.

“I have no formal training in any of the exhibited mediums and they have all been an exploration of process. Encaustic wax work, a medium I found by accident whilst playing with wax, is not commonly seen in Australia, it is a great visual metaphor for the layers of a human life,” she said.

“Ceramics is a medium that I was inspired to try by the work my mother did in the 80s. She was competent with wheel-thrown and hand-built ceramics and also had a great sense of whimsy which I feel I have inherited, I am basically happy to explore any medium that can be layered and worked back into; such as oil painting,”

“The wood pieces are a new departure and not in the least inspired by the differing colours and smells of various woods, this is a medium I would look towards further exploration in my East Warburton studio.”

The exhibition marks the end of an enforced hiatus of about eight years from making art for Ms Lee-Steere who has ‘the space to once again ex-

Yarra Valley update

Hello Yarra Valley gardeners!

Welcome to the January 2025 fruit fly update where we will share where the fruit fly detections are starting to show up in the region. If you hear about a QFF detection in your suburb or neighbouring area, please elevate your fruit fly action plan. QFF prefer to move from tree to tree, but they can travel 3-5km if they are in search of a mate or the next fruit to lay eggs into. What fruit hosts are around your production area? Please report suspect fruit fly to qff@agribusiness-yarravalley.com

QFF Detections @ JAN 9th 2025 Yarra Valley and surrounds

Coldstream—1 QFF in a trap

Yarra Glen —1 QFF in a trap Lilydale— 2 QFF in a trap

Warrandyte—QFF larvae in nectarines

Chirnside Park—QFF larvae in nectarine and apricot (two separate locations)

Kilsyth—suspect QFF larvae in fruit (TBC—high alert) There will likely be more detections as this goes to print, and more detections coming across this Summer. On high alert, due to QFF in the area last summer, are the areas of Silvan, Yellingbo, Hoddles Creek, Gruyere, Wandin and Montrose.

plore’ her ‘love of creating.’

Asked about the title of the exhibition, a play on the popular metaphor by reversing it, Ms LeeSteere said life is a series of highs and lows and without the darks, how would we know the lows.

“Primarily I am an optimist, however, I believe that fundamentally life is a series of challenges to be worked through and invariably we are constantly presented with challenges that will always appear even when (and especially when) things appear to be going smoothly,” she said.

“Working in mental health I have come to know that challenges (often life-impacting/threatening ones) can visit any of us at any stage, there is also something empowering in noticing these lows, exploring them, seeking support for them and holding onto the tiniest bright light on the horizon,”

“I feel very fortunate to be able to exhibit in this beautiful local space and also grateful for the kind and helpful assistance of Michele (Osterhoudt) in putting the exhibition on.”

Spot the fruit flies! There are two QFF on this sticky card from Lilydale. Some other insects can get caught, so correct ID is important.

Check out fruitflyfreeyv.com.au for QFF ID features to use.

Spot the fruit fly larvae! They are hiding in the brown jelly like rot near the stone. This fruit needs to be boiled or frozen to kill the larvae.

QFF larvae can be found in many fruits, ‘fruiting vegetables’ and weeds with ‘fruit’ on them. All unmanaged fruit hosts should be destroyed, removed, or reduced in size. Prevent the fruit from falling, harvest and process the fruit as soon as possible.

Agriculture Victoria’s Queensland fruit fly information page.

Taryn Lee-Steere with one of her works. (Supplied)

‘Petrology’ 2017., made with hand-carved polystyrene, industrial polyurethane coating and spray paint. (Rob Carew: 452819)

‘Every Silver Lining has its Cloud’ will be on display in the Warburton Waterwheel gallery throughout January. (Rob Carew: 452819)

Eastern 80 to ride

By Callum Ludwig

The Eastern 80 charity bike ride is coming up again in 2025, with this year marking a special milestone for the fundraiser.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the event and will hopefully also take it to a total of $100,000 raised since its inception.

Founder of the Eastern 80 Norm Orr said he’s pretty confident they can hit the $100,000 mark.

“We are pretty excited because I’ve gone through the figures from each year and you know, we’re very confident that we only need just over $8000,” he said.

“We’re going to start getting into it over the next week or so, I’m going to approach a lot of businesses about putting in teams and hopefully we can do that,”

“We want to bust over that $100,000 mark, not just reach it.”

This year’s event will take place on Saturday 15 February, setting off at 7.30am and starting as usual from the Warburton COG Cafe & Bike Shop at 42 Station Road, Warburton.

Mr Orr said they are still looking for any ambassadors for this year’s event who would like to share their experience with the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“We appeal to anybody that would like to promote their story and just try to get it out there where the hospital have saved their lives or certainly made their lives a lot better,” he said.

“We are hoping to get in touch with a team from last year, I think they were from Belgrave for somewhere, they’d been at the caravan park in Warby a little before that and one of their young fellows, Cooper I think his name was, he was suffering he’d been in hospital and was still suffering from leukemia and I think he was about 13 years old, so the team was there representing him,”

“We’re trying to track him down, one of the girls has sent an email to a contact because we spoke to them and we never got a contact because we thought we would’ve last year, but it didn’t happen.”

Ambassadors each year have consisted of families who have had children who have been helped or were currently being helped by the Royal Children’s Hospital as well as those who have grown up years after receiving important care from the hospital.

Mr Orr said they have reached out to resurrect teams of participants from previous years and are also encouraging new participants, particularly in the Warburton community, to join the regular riders and walkers.

“I’ve sent off a message this morning to one of our good friends who was an ambassador, young Ian Burrows the AFL umpire, to see if we can resurrect his team, we used to get about 15 umpires once but with the commitments that they have, they’ve dropped off a bit with but we’re hoping with things like that we can get teams back into it,” he said.

“The only disappointing thing in 10 years is we’d like more Warby people to really get behind us and join up, because our clientele for want of better word, has pretty much been the same all

the time, we’ve had a lot of people that come back each year, and if they don’t come back, they get somebody else to take their place,” he said.

“I would encourage anybody that has never come along, they’ve got the three options as in the 50km ride, the 80km ride or the 9km walk to Millgrove and back, and if they’ve had any involvement with the hospital which most people have in some way, they can show their appreciation for the work the hospital does and has done for their own children.”

The classic Hawaiian-themed Eastern 80 shirts are making a return, available for purchase for $35 of which $10 will go to the Good Friday Appeal.

To register for the 2025 Eastern 80, visit trybooking.com/events/landing/1262869.

A Yarra Glen man could hardly wait to surprise his wife with their dreamy $2.14 million TattsLotto win, which he discovered just before going to bed on Sunday night while she was sound asleep.

The Yarra Ranges residents held one of the 14 division one winning entries in TattsLotto draw 4535, drawn Saturday 4 January 2025. They look forward to a life-changing $2,142,888.30.

The winning husband decided to check his ticket before falling asleep and was left tossing and turning thinking about all the possibilities.

“It’s so surreal,” he shared while speaking to an official from The Lott.

“We’re in a lot of shock. We can’t believe it.

“We don’t normally purchase a lot of tickets, only when the jackpot is high.

“It’s such a nice surprise for 2025.”

“He didn’t tell me about the win until this morning. He checked his ticket last night but wanted me to get some sleep, so waited to tell me,” the wife added.

“I know he didn’t get a lot of sleep though.

“Thank you very much!”

With $2.14 million on the horizon for the victorious Victorians, the winning man shared some of the prize would be distributed to their children while also used for a lavish holiday to North America.

“We’ll give some of the prize to our children. Then go on a holiday to America, Alaska and Canada,” he exclaimed.

“We’re going to wait to tell our children about the news – we might even surprise them!

“We would like to visit a financial advisor as well.”

Their winning entry was purchased at Yarra Glen Newsagency, 32 Bell Street, Yarra Glen. Yarra Glen Newsagency owner Manthan Patel said he felt so excited to have sold another division one winning entry to a local customer.

“We’re so happy. It was crazy to see another division one winning entry land at our outlet. Our last division one winning entry in 2018 was worth $1.8 million and now it’s over $2.1 million!” he said.

“We posted the news on our Facebook business page and it’s already at more than 10,000 likes. With the ticket being unregistered, we asked everyone to come and check their ticket with us.

“Given that Yarra Glen is a small country town, customers were queuing up to check their tickets immediately. It’s created a buzz and talk all over the town!

“We’ve had four division one winning entries in less than six years which makes us the luckiest outlet in the region. We can’t wait to sell another division one winning entry and make more dreams come true.

“We wish our winner all the best and congratulations on your win. We hope it will bring so many more happy moments in their life!”

The Orr family are gearing up for the 2025 Eastern 80. (Supplied)

The 10th anniversary of the Eastern 80 charity bike ride is coming up in February. (File)

Yarra Glen Newsagency celebrates receiving the news of the winning ticket. (The Lott)

PLACES TO GO - THINGS TO DO

Go wild and visit the zoo

On a stunning 12 ha property with sweeping views to Mt Buller and beyond is a very special place where Dr Doolittle dreams of talking to the animals regularly come true.

A fabulous day out for the whole family, and one of the best kept secrets of Victoria’s High Country, the Mansfield Zoo is home to all kinds of Australian and exotic animals.

Once inside the gates, discover a surprising and magical place where kids can interact with and hand feed a large variety of animals like the kangaroos and deer and guinea pigs that roam freely.

The zoo is also home to a colony of Meerkats as well as Marmosets and Capuchin monkeys, llamas and alpacas, wombats, a variety of birds including red tail black cockatoos and peacocks, water buffalo and antelope.

There are also three magnificent African lions, including two, rare white lions (of only 100 in the world!), and visitors of all ages can experience the thrill of being up close to these majestic creatures on a daily feeding tour of these as well as other animals at the zoo.

It’s an ideal place for large family gatherings with lovely, undercover places to picnic and barbecue.

And for a truly unique family experience, there are gorgeous campsites to spend the whole night under the stars and literally wake up to the sounds of the jungle.

Mansfield Zoo’s Bronwyn and Dave and their dedicated team welcome visitors every day from 10am to 6pm, except for Christmas Day.

It’s a perfect way to introduce children to the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom in a safe, relaxed and picturesque environment.

Meet the White Fallow Deer on your visit to the zoo. (Supplied)

Come and meet the meerkats at Mansfield Zoo.

A landscape of summer

From the blood red of the sun to a dusting of fog over the Yarra Valley, summer has brought with it all conditions.

Fires raging in parts of the state for weeks on

end, storms lashing east and foggy mornings brightening into clear, hot days - Tracey Frazer has captured nearly all of it from her doorstep in the Yarra Ranges.

Wednesday brought with it all hues of sunrise.

A paraglider spotted in the distance enjoyed the clear sky and conditions.

Blue sky blended into the hillside as fog settled in the Valley.

Wednesday 8 January began in dense fog with the hot air balloons rising over the Valley, taking in all the shades of orange and pink. (Tracey Frazer)

As fires burned across Victoria throughout December, the sun shone bright red in the late afternoon in the Yarra Ranges.

As the sun rose and fog disappeared, a spiderweb could be seen in full.

The shades of fire reflected against the sun turned it bright red.

Piece “short on facts”

By Dr David Barton

I write in rebuttal to Lindenmayer, Taylor and Rees’ ‘Opinion’ piece “The Great Forest National Park” (GFNP) as published by the Mountain Views Star Mail on 17 December 2024.

It must be said from the outset that their emotive propaganda piece is short on facts and long on fantasy.

Yes, National Parks are “places of stunning natural beauty” and therein lies the first problem. National Parks were originally created to preserve areas of ‘outstanding significance’, not just any and all vast areas of native bushland, as has been the case in Victoria for over three decades.

Elitists Green activists within the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) and the clearly biased Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) processes have led to an over-abundance of restrictive so-called ‘National Parks’ in Victoria. In point of fact, we need fewer national parks, not more of them. Some so-called national parks should be downgraded to other reserves, and indeed, back to their original ‘State Forest’ classification.

The very last thing Victoria needs is any more National Parks, the numerous State Governments repeatedly proving time and again their inability to manage what they already have.

Further, the High Country is not ‘Taungurung country’ as is now often claimed. The State of Victoria is either owned by the Crown (the State) or it is privately owned. Claims that pre-settlement ‘ownership’ of the land was ‘never ceded’ by Aboriginal people are patently false and claims to ‘sovereignty’ must be rejected. What must be prevented is the current socialist Left Labor Government’s gifting of any more public land, and especially National Parks, to people who identify as Aborigines and to their privately owned corporations. This will become a major issue once the currently secretive Yoorrook Justice Commission and ‘Treaty’ findings are eventually made public.

Lindenmayer, Taylor and Rees’ relentless propaganda about the so-called benefits of a GFNP are simply emotive fluff and bubble mixed with misleading claims and straight out lies. Here’s just a few of them:

“with claims that national parks ‘exclude people’ or ‘lock people out’ ... conspiracy theories ... for government control over people ... these parks increase the risk of bushfires ... contribute to the spread of weeds and invasive species ... these claims lack credible evidence”.

All of the above are clearly factually true. National Parks do ‘exclude people’ and ‘lock people out’ of vast areas by either closing down free camping access or gating once drivable tracks. Hunters, prospectors, dog walkers and horse riders are also excluded and locked out. Funnelling people into small approved camping areas and limiting their access is clearly a means of people control, and weeds and invasive species run rampant through National Parks. All of these factors are perfectly obvious to anyone who has spent time in a National Park or a State Forest, so the attempted Jedi master mindform gaslighting of the public simply does not work. Further, regarding ‘increasing the risk of bushfires’, we need look no further than the December 2024 destruction of almost the entire Grampians National Park as

COMMUNITY DIARY

COMMUNITY DIARY

WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

Family Picnic for openeing of new Blue Gum Reserve Playground

The Badger Creek Community is reminding everyone that they will be holding a Family Picnic and Fun Day to celebrate the re-opening of the Playground at the Blue Gum Drive Reserve on Badger Creek.

There’ll be a viewing of the art installations,

a clear example. As I write there have been another two bushfires, one in heavy country in the Mt Howitt region of the Alpine National Park, the other in the Lake Eildon National Park. National Parks are a prime source of major bushfires. National Parks burn!

“The idea for the GFNP emerged from the local community in the Shires of the Yarra Valley and Murrindindi, particularly from those affected by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires”.

The idea for the GFNP has been pedalled by Greens socialist activists for decades. As one who participated in the ‘new vision’ for the Marysville region after Black Saturday, the idea of a GFNP did not even rate a mention amongst the local community. It is entirely an inner-city Melbourne idea.

“Economic evaluations show that the creation of the GFNP would generate 750 new jobs, attract 379,000 additional visitors, and contribute at least $40 million to the local economy annually”.

These figures, plucked out of the air, are utterly false and unproven. Where will these 750 new jobs be (obviously the authors have no idea about the local economy), there is no way known that there would be “379,000 additional visitors” to this mostly remote and forbidding region, and the $40 million, well, that’s just wishful thinking again. The reality is that in many locations where new National Parks have been proclaimed (the Box Ironbark for example) jobs have been lost, businesses have closed, visitor numbers have dropped (because of all the new restrictions) and the local economy has not benefitted at all. That’s the reality of new National Parks!

National parks offer “globally recognised tourism opportunities that state forests do not”.

An area of outstanding significance will be visited whether it is a National Park or not. The

sausage sizzle, entertainment and kids activities, all free.

BYO picnic lunch on Sunday 19 January from 11am to 2pm on Blue Gum Drive, Badger Creek.

Share your ideas with Seville Community House

Seville Community House is looking for the community to share any ideas they might have for programs, workshops and events in 2025.

If residents have a moment, let Seville Community House know what you would like to see in their program this year.

To share your ideas, contact the Seville Community House at info@sevillecommhouse.org. au, 5964 3987 or 0492 950 501.

Learn what3words for Ambulance Victoria Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics are calling on the Victorian community to make use of what3words via the Emergency Plus app, describing it as a life-saving tool.

What3words is a program linked to the Emergency Plus app which divides the world into

existing State Forests within the proposed GFNP area are already heavily visited and utilised by the people of Victoria, interstate and internationally. To proclaim the area a National Park will immediately exclude many of those existing visitors and user groups.

The GFNP will provide “accessible nature experiences for families, hikers, and adventure seekers, with facilities designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities including those with disabilities.”

The GFNP will immediately include track closures, no horse riding, no prospecting, limited hunting, limited fishing, no dog walking, etc. Campers in State Forests go there because there are no facilities – that’s the point! And ‘people with disabilities’ are amongst the very first people excluded from National Parks because of the widespread vehicle track closures.

Lindenmayer, Taylor and Rees’ claim that because Victoria’s population is increasing, therefore Victoria needs more National Parks, is a nonsequitur, as are most of their ‘arguments’. One does not simply follow the other. They claim that statistics prove that park attendances are increasing, and perhaps they are in accordance with the increasing population. But the lie is in their statistics in that only some park numbers are increasing, usually the popular parks close to or within Melbourne itself. Other more remote and distant parks have seen no increase at all, if not a decrease, and most of the proposed GFNP is just such a remote area.

In yet another sham so-called ‘statistical survey’, demographics identified as favourable to their cause were sampled and concluded that:

The support for new parks was largely evenly spread among different areas of Victoria with 79 per cent from rural and regional areas, 81 per

three metre squares with each square assigned a unique combination of three words.

Just these words can be used to find a precise location – which can be invaluable in life-threatening emergencies when every minute counts.

Mobile intensive care ambulance (MICA) paramedic Matt Nadin said what3words was crucial in helping locate a woman in urgent need of medical attention.

“We were having difficulty locating the patient based off their description alone,” Mr Nadin said.

“We felt that time was running out and we had exhausted all our traditional methods to establish their location.

“I suggested instructing the patient to use what3words and this simple step allowed us to pinpoint their location and reach them within minutes.”

The Emergency Plus app shows a patient’s latitude and longitude in addition to their unique three words.

Calls to Triple Zero (000), SES and for non-ur-

cent from the inner and middle suburbs of Melbourne and 82 per cent from the outer suburbs. 85 per cent of young people surveyed (aged 18 to 34) supported the creation of new national parks. (Mountain Views Star Mail 3 December 2024)

To quote Mark Twain, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics”.

It can be guaranteed that the results of an identical survey of the demographic that actually uses the State Forests in the proposed GFNP High Country region would be the exact opposite – no support for new parks at all. To be clear, the proGFNP advocates are elitist activists with an agenda, and that agenda is not in the best interests of the wider community or the forests themselves.

Lindenmayer, Taylor and Rees also do not mention in their article their other agenda, which can be clearly seen in their book The Great Forest (2021) by Lindenmayer, Taylor, Rees and Kuiter, and that is the handing over of the GFNP region to the Taungurung, Wurundjeri and Gunaikurnai Aboriginal corporations. They clearly believe that the High Country should be returned to its ‘rightful owners’. In other words, that it will no longer be ‘public land’, but will be owned by private Aboriginal corporations, thereby removing the long-standing public land tradition of ‘presumptive use’ and replacing it with ‘permissive use’. This is really about socialist Left ideology and Aboriginal ‘sovereignty’, not about looking after the bush at all. Neither do Lindenmayer, Taylor and Rees mention the impact on gold mining. Their proposed GFNP area includes the extraordinarily wealthy Jamieson to Walhalla gold belt – one of the richest and largest gold seams in the world. Yet under the GFNP proposal, prospecting and mining within the new National Park would be banned. Billions of dollars in gold wealth, equally shared between all Victorians, would be locked away forever. This is economic vandalism at its worst.

If people wanted to go to these forests, they would already be going there, but many don’t because it is too harsh. The reality is that the High Country is extremely hot in the summer and cold and wet in winter; in those extremes it can be a very forbidding place. So simply changing the name to a ‘National Park’ will not make any more people go there who do not already do so.

State forests are great forests. They provide for widespread access, a wide range of activities and most of all, a sense of freedom and the ability to ‘get away from it all’ without being over-regulated and being told what you can and can’t do, or where you can and can’t drive or can and can’t camp.

What the High Country really needs is proper management, which is guaranteed not to happen if it becomes yet another neglected overgrown ‘lock it up and leave it’ National Park. Proper management includes better roads (fully sealing the road to Woods Point for example), road and track maintenance (keeping all tracks open), weed control of Blackberries, English Broom, Scotch Thistles and Dandelions to name but a few, and active control of feral animals: cats, dogs and foxes.

The real fact is that the establishment of a Great Forest National Park would be a disaster for the High Country and for the local communities surrounding it.

gent police matters can be made directly through the Emergency Plus app.

What3words can also be accessed through its own website and app.

Mr Nadin said all Victorians with a mobile device should ensure they have quick access to what3words.

“It’s an incredible tool if you’re in an emergency and don’t know exactly where you are,” he said.

“Whether that’s in a rural or remote area, along a freeway or highway, or simply in a new place – what3words takes away the guesswork which helps us reach you faster.

“You can tell a Triple Zero call taker your three words and they will know what to do to pass this location information on to all required emergency services.”

Location services via the Emergency Plus app can be pre-loaded and used without an internet connection.

For more information, visit www.emergencyplus.com.au.

Noble Park psychiatrist Dr David Barton weighs in on the debate regarding management of the forests of the Central Highlands. (File)

Facts matter

Meta’s decision last week to dismantle its fact checking processes will largely go unnoticed.

But it should be raising serious alarm bells, particularly as it apparently comes at the behest of incoming US President Donald Trump, whose long-term disdain for traditional media outlets is self-serving and dangerous.

The last time he occupied the White House Trump moved immediately to discredit and demean the media, coining the phrase ‘fake news’ when any unwanted scrutiny came his way.

That allowed him to pedal his own version of reality and in the process become the greatest pedaller of ‘fake news’.

When his rhetoric and decision-making was scrutinised – a big part in the role of the media of holding the powerful to account for centuries – his tactic was to attack the messenger.

He and his supporters would argue it was upholding a right to ‘free speech’.

CARTOON

There’s a big difference between free speech and deliberate misinformation and disinformation.

Countries where the media is dismantled or discredited are usually considered dictatorships, with the leadership beyond reproach.

To encourage big tech mates to allow the unfettered distribution of propaganda is outrageous.

Over here, our government is looking to rein in the influence of big tech on our society by introducing social media age limits.

The need for independent, unbiased and reliable dissemination of information has never been greater. It’s just a shame we can’t rely on the big tech companies to provide that.

So where do you find a company that has covered the news accurately and unbiased without fear or favour for more than a century? I wonder?

- Group Editor, Garry Howe

Tale of tensions in tough times told with empathy PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

If you like Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, then you’ll probably enjoy Australian author Sean Wilson’s Gemini Falls, which also explores serious and complex social issues through the eyes of young people.

The year was 1930, and Phar Lap just won the Melbourne Cup. The race failed to raise the spirits of hundreds of thousands of Australians who were in the grip of the Great Depression. Worse, an outbreak of the polio epidemic provoked intense public anxiety in Melbourne.

13-year-old Morris and his family moved to the town of Gemini in rural Victoria. His father Jude, a police detective originally from there, was assigned to investigate the murder of a young woman whose body was left in the local coal mine tunnel.

Morris and his family stayed in a farm owned by Jude’s estranged brother Jimmy. There was considerable tension between the brothers, for reasons unknown. Further questions remained regarding why Jude left Gemini in the first place.

Meanwhile, Morris met his cousin Flo, who dreamed about becoming a detective herself. Together with the mayor’s son, Sam, they roam around Gemini trying to identify

the killer. It’s often through the eyes of young people that we see the dark and undesired truths of a world dominated by adults. In this case, it’s the displaced people and their plight to which Morris’s attention was drawn.

“I picture more camps springing up with shacks like these, all over the country. I think about the problems that lead to shacks like this, if they’ll ever get fixed or if they’ll only be patched up, the way these shacks are. Held together with wire and twine, clinging on until the next storm.”

“This is a place you go when you can’t go anywhere else, a place you drop into, falling and reaching out to save yourself. This is not a place you choose to come.”

The author makes it clear that he wants to explore the difficult and tragic and joyful and hopeful parts of life “by showing how characters and relationships transform through conflict”. In his words:

“What happens in a society when the gap between rich and poor widens? How do we treat the displaced who end up in the unused spaces around our cities and towns? Who do we blame in a crisis? Who holds out a hand, and who raises a fist?”

The bittersweet adventures of Morris and his friends in 1930s Gemini reflect some of the issues that never left our society – violence, xenophobia, problematic masculinity, inadequate housing, weak labour rights, and politicians taking advantage of public division for personal gain. But there are also dashed ambitions and unfulfilled dreams, as well as families and friends who stand by us through times tough and uncertain.

Gemini Falls is a novel full of empathy and compassion. Highly recommended.

Seth’s take on all things Golden Globes and the host

The 82nd Golden Globes took place on January 6, and I have mixed feelings about the results.

Comedian Nikki Glaser, the first solo female host in Golden Globes history, overall did an excellent job. Glaser cleverly poked fun at the nominees, the entertainment industry and celebrities in the audience with cheeky, often searing humour without being cruel, and she frequently made fun of herself (her brief self-deprecating musical number ‘You’re Going To Be Pope-ular’, a riff on Wicked and Conclave, made me laugh out loud). The only joke Glaser may have gone too far with was when she mocked Stanley Tucci in the context of Diddy parties; Tucci is a treasure and incomparable gentleman, so to associate him, even as a joke, with the exploits of a sexual predator felt kinda mean.

I was overjoyed to see Demi Moore win Best Actress (Musical/Comedy) for The Substance. Moore’s inspiring speech hailed her Golden Globe, which is her first ever major acting award, as the long-awaited recognition of her worth in the career she loves, when a producer long ago told her she would only be a popcorn actress, and she espoused self-love and affirmation for everyone watching: ‘You can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.’

Many of the night’s big winners hadn’t yet been released in Australia or still aren’t out at time of publication: Conclave won Best Screenplay; The Brutalist won Best Director, Best Actor (Drama) for Adrien Brody and Best Picture (Drama); Emilia Perez won four Globes, including Best Picture (Musical/Comedy).

I wish Substance writer-director Coralie Fargeat had won Best Director or Screenplay for

her smart, shocking, tightly-directed triumph, although she did win Best Screenplay at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

One gripe I have with the Golden Globes was that Best Supporting Actress did not go to Margaret Qualley (instead going to Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Perez). I will bang this gong until the end of time, but like Andrea Riseborough and Christopher Abbott in Possessor and Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Moore and Qualley’s performances in The Substance are so deeply complementary that it’s only logical to award them together.

However, Qualley’s loss may further the

themes of the film. In The Substance, Elisabeth’s younger clone Sue rockets to stardom in the industry that discarded Elisabeth because she was “too old”, leaving her behind and horrifically mutating her body in the process. While Moore and Qualley had a very supportive relationship on-set and the film takes a stand against such destructive competition, you could view Moore winning her Globe as Elisabeth metatextually getting back at Sue.

Dune, Part 2 director Denis Villeneuve was also alarmingly absent from the Best Director category.

I was confused to see Kinds of Kindness, a

great film that I just couldn’t squeeze into my top 10, receive only one nomination: Best Actor (Drama) for Jesse Plemons. Kinds of Kindness is a dark satire (and therefore comedy), not a drama, but more importantly, why wasn’t Emma Stone nominated? Stone delivers an equally varied and compelling trio of performances, leading one short and in supporting roles for the other two (the inverse of Plemons’ contribution), so Stone should, by rights, have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress. With the Golden Globes gone, I now await the Oscars in March with both excitement and trepidation.

The 82nd Golden Globes was hosted by Nikki Glaser. (EPA/Caroline Brehman)Demi Moore poses in the press room with her Golden Globe award.

FAMILY LIVING WITH SPACE AND CONVENIENCE

FAMILY LIVING WITH SPACE AND CONVENIENCE

SET in a quiet end of street location this neat family home offers a comfortable and convenient lifestyle.

Boasting 3 good size bedrooms plus a bonus bungalow ideal for the extended family, relative accommodation or a work from home office or games room, the family/living room is spacious and offers great space for the whole family.

The kitchen is fresh, modern and up to date with quality appliances and fixtures with ample bench and cupboard space. Venture outside and explore and enjoy the established gardens and the great size back yard, a garden shed and lock-up garage offer great space for all the toys, the back yard is securely fenced for the pets and kids to run around and enjoy. A covered entertaining area is the ideal spot to sit back relax and unwind, a great family home is a superb location and situated just a short stroll to local schools, shops and public transport.

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.

AMAZING VIEWS, 2 HOMES ON 50 ACRES

MAINLY cleared acreage with the current owners working on revegetating the gullies, this property offers a variety of options and is worth viewing. It’s private and quiet.

HOUSE 1: Original 1970’s build. Retro classic.

• 3 bedrooms, WIR and ensuite to main

• Family bathroom. Separate laundry

• Excellent living spaces, huge rumpus, family room, L-shaped dining/lounge Central kitchen

• Wood heater, split system and polished floorboards.

Covered patio, a verandah Double garage with powder room.

HOUSE 2: Smaller but more modern with views.

• 2/3 bedrooms

• 1 bathroom

• • Lounge/dining

• • Central kitchen and a laundry

• • Wood heater, split system, polished floorboards

• • Nice, covered deck

• • Huge shed

15.5m x 9.4m

A great land holding of 47.05 acres, mostly cleared, some paddocks, two dams. Plenty of room for livestock, pets and a veggie garden. Near to Cockatoo Township this rural property is sure to pique your interest, we look forward to showing you through.

GEMBROOKVIEWS!

CapturingthespectacularviewsoftheYarravalleyRangesandtheruralvistaof Gembrookyetcentrallylocatedwitha5minpicturesquewalktothecentreoftown.The househas acharmingopenplandesignwithindoor &outdoordiningin agardensetting Thebackyardisenclosedwithfencing,andincludes afirepit,suretobe afavouriteplace torelax.WithinreachofthetownshipisKirthKiln,BunyipStateForrest,bushwalkingtrails, therecentlyrenovatedskateandfamilypark,GembrookParkandsomuchmore!

MickDolphin 0429684522

DUALLIvINGCHARACTeRHOMe

AlisonBarkley 0494175410

RURALOUTLOOKON2/3ACRE

Multi-generationallivingand flexibilitycomestotheforehere.Featuresincludethe masterwithrenovatedensuiteanda WIR, arenovatedkitchenincludinganopenplan familyroom,separatelounge,sunroomandanundercoverdeck.Completelyseparate downstairsoffers alargecentrallivingroom,a bedroomwithWIR,anoffice,a fully equippedkitchenanditsownverandahanddecking.Thepropertyalsoincludesmultiple splitsystems, agas fireheater,GDHand3 sheds.Ruraloutlookin aquietpartofemerald.

MickDolphin 0429684522 AnthonyIorlano 0494142438

AMAZINGVIEWS,2 DAMS &AMPLESHEDDING

Private& quiet!Mainlyclearedacreagewiththecurrentownersworkingonrevegetating thegullies,thispropertyoffers avarietyofoptions.House1:Original1970’sbuild,retro classic, 3bedrooms,WIR& ensuitetomain,hugerumpus,familyroom,L-shapeddining/ lounge,wood heater,s/system, floorboards,covered patio,veranda, doublegaragewith powderroom.House2:Smallerbutmoremodernwithviews,2/3bedrooms,woodheater, s/system,floorboards,covereddeck& 15.5x 9.4mshed.Mostlycleared approx.50acres 5 A 3 B

MickDolphin 0429684522

AlisonBarkley 0494175410

Lovinglyrenovated1920’shomesetuponnearly1200sqmofbeautifullymaintained gardens,complete with amagnificentdate palm,ferngully &creekfrontage.This propertyoozesbeauty &serenity we love aboutthe hills.Keyfeaturesinclude dualoccupancyoption,classicoriginalarchitecture &artistictouches,stainedglasswindows, dadowalls,highceilings,hugeverandas &pavedareas,re-stumped,raisedgarden beds,chickencoop &muchmore!Perfectlypositionedjust10minutesfromBelgrave. 5 A 2 B 1 C

AlisonBarkley 0494175410

DaveStewart 0411655611

WAKE UP TO NATURE AT YOUR DOORSTEP

FLOWING over 3 levels this unique architecturally designed home is sure to impress. Passive solar design with walls of glass to a northern orientation keeps the home warm in winter and cool in summer.

The open plan interior connects to the outdoor paved area for those private BBQs with the frequent guests, a family of king parrots who make it feel like paradise. The upper level is a MASSIVE master bedroom and retreat or study, spa ensuite, and walkin robe to a secret attic (4m x 3m). There are two other bright bedrooms with ample built-in robes. A host of additional elements include split-level living areas with a cozy open fireplace, ducted heating, and split system airconditioning. If you’re a bit handy or a tradie,

the renovations are underway to the bathroom and relocating the kitchen ( for the new owners to complete)

Privacy is assured with a 1,370sqm block (fruit trees and herb garden) plus an adjoining bush buffer, which makes it feel like your own little Sherbrook Forest yet the Dandenong Ranges National Park is only a few doors away at one end of the street and the shops, station and school at the other end. For the four-legged family member, there is a fully fenced rear yard plus a BRICK double garage/ workshop with remote control ease of access. You can be too early but you can’t be too LATE so make your call to view 8 Sandells Road Tecoma.

FAR BIGGER THAN THE AVERAGE 3 BED HOME

ONE look a the floor plan tells you this isn’t your typical 3-bedroom home... What if we told you, it’s more affordable than you think?

Picture yourself enjoying warm summer evenings, hosting friends for dinner on a gorgeous deck beneath the stars—this is the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. And that’s just the beginning. The property boasts:

• Spacious modern living with distinct living zones

• A fantastic garage and sheds for all your tools and toys

• A well-equipped backyard studio/home office with a separate living area and other impressive additions

• A separate spa room for ultimate relaxation and adjacent an extra-large study space

• This home is ideal for tradies, young couples, or anyone looking for space, tranquility, and easy access to Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs for work. With motivated vendors eager to sell, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

• Located just a 5-minute drive from Launching Place Primary School, as well as nearby parks and reserves, it’s also only a short 5-minute drive to Woori Yallock Central Village. Don’t miss your chance to see this property — your dream home could be closer than you think!

SERENE MOUNTAIN RETREAT WITH VIEWS

THIS charming home offers a rare opportunity for someone to fall in love with a tranquil retreat, perfect as a weekend getaway or a peaceful permanent residence. Nestled amidst magnificent mountain views, this property is designed to maximize the scenic beauty, especially from the outdoor deck a spot so serene, you won’t want to leave. Surrounded by lush gardens and the sounds of nature, the light filled, open plan layout creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The home boasts three bedrooms, each with picturesque windows that capture the beauty of the surroundings. The spacious kitchen is perfect for cooking enthusiasts, featuring a large oven, dishwasher, and plenty of counter space. An updated family bathroom, separate toilet, and a laundry with ample storage complete the main level.

Downstairs, you’ll find a versatile space, ideal for a home office, studio, or hobby room, along with a generous workshop and additional storage. The stunning gardens wrap around the home, offering a peaceful retreat that feels like your own private sanctuary.

Conveniently located just a short distance from Warburton’s shops, cafes, recreation reserve, Yarra River walks, and the Warburton Rail Trail, this delightful home offers the perfect blend of serenity and accessibility. Don’t miss the chance to make this enchanting property your own.

CharmingCabinintheForest –onover6 acres Forthefirsttimeinover50yearsthishiddengemisavailabletothemarket.Nestledattheendofa quiet,nothroughroad,thispicturesquecabinofferstheultimateinprivacyandserenity. Setwithina lushMountainAshforestonover6 acresofland,withPheasantCreekmeandering throughtheproperty,it’stheperfectretreatforthoselookingtoescapethehustleandbustleof everydaylife.Thecozy 3bedroom,1 bathroomhomeinvitesyoutounwindandrelax,perfectfor apeacefulweekendgetaway.Backingontostateforestyetonly ashortstrollintothetownshipof Warburton.Don´tmissthechancetoownthismagicalhideaway,offering aperfectblendofnature, privacy,andpossibility.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

FamilyAcreagewithSomethingForEveryone

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

Secluded18AcreRetreatintheHeartofKurthKilnStateForest Nestledina privatesetting,this18-acrepropertycombinesnaturalbeautywithmodernoffgrid living.BorderedbyKurthKilnStateForest,itofferspeace,privacy,andanorganiclifestyle.Featuring nativebushlandandclearedpaddocks,idealforselfsufficiencyandequippedwithessentialoff-grid amenities,includingwatertanks, a17kWsolarsystem,andelectriccarcharging.Thehomeincludes 3-4bedrooms, 1bathroom,andopenlivingspacesdesignedforflexibility.TomahawkCreekwinds throughtheproperty,creatinga picturesquebackdrop.EnjoydirectaccesstoKurthKiln’stracks, forhorseriding,cycling,orwalking.Additionalfeaturesincludelargeshedding &amplestoragefor hobbiesorequipment.Thisuniqueoffgridpropertyoffers arareopportunitytoconnectwithnature andenjoymoderncomforts.

EnchantingHomeon ½acrewithMountainViews Thistwostorycharacterhomeboaststhreebedroomsandtwobathrooms,offering adelightful retreatamidststunningmountainvistas.Nestledon ageneroushalfacreblock,it’sideallysituated. Thegroundlevelhoststwobedroomsalongside amainbathroom,gracedwithhighceilingsand decorativecornices.Theupdatedkitchenis aculinaryhaven,boastinga stylishbreakfastbar,ample benchspace,and adelightfulwindowoverlookingthelushgarden.Stepoutsideontothegorgeous deckarea,perfectforalfrescodiningwhilesoakinginthepicturesquesurroundings.Downstairs, aspaciousrumpusareaawaits,andmainbedroomcompletewithanensuiteandbuiltinrobe. Outside,themeticulouslylandscapedgardensburstwithcolour,adornedwithcharmingshadetrees scatteredthroughouttheproperty,creatinga sereneoasistocallhome.

HOME FOCUS

LIFESTYLE ACREAGE WITH MAGNIFICENT HOME

THIS magnificent lifestyle property situated only 550m from Monbulk township is a tantilising display of sophistication inside and out. Comprising a grand architectural residence settled onto a showcase 2-acre landscape with sealed drive, rolling lawns, firepit area, and convenient sheds and carports, this beautiful property proves you can have it all.

Step from the large verandah into this spectacular residence set over 2 sprawling levels. The primary level boasts timber cathedral ceilings and expanses of glass that overlook the deck and garden. The generous lounge and formal dining area feature a large open wood fire. The gourmet kitchen is adorned with a waterfall island, Haier oven and induction cooktop, Bosch dishwasher, wine cellar, and oversize butlers’ pantry. With an equally comfortable family room with wood fire, a sizeable study with separate entry, 3 beautiful bedrooms including main with 2 walk-in robes and luxurious ensuite, and a show-stopping family bathroom with freestanding tub also on this level, there is a bounty of comfort to be discovered here. On the lower level, these spaces can be set to suit your way of life. Enjoy a generous rumpus room/art studio with kitchenette that steps out to the alfresco, a games room/ second study or bedroom with cosy carpet, and a large bedroom and designer bathroom with frameless shower. The laundry with bonus shower bathroom and the 4-car garage are also accessible on this level.

With so many incredible features set to a backdrop of lush landscaped gardens, this property pulls out all the stops to impress. Plan your viewing today.

• Easy stroll to shopping, schools, and transport

Gated 8,193sqm (approx.) property with sealed drive, picturesque rolling lawns, carports, and convenient sheds

• Expansive family residence with under-house 4-car garage

• Gorgeous gourmet kitchen with waterfall island, Haier and Bosch appliances, versatile butlers’ pantry/storeroom, and wine cellar Beautiful bathrooms and luxurious bathrooms on both levels.

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 Fish appendage (3)

3 Persistent (10)

10 Differing (7)

11 Of rocks, derived from magma or lava (7)

12 Harmful (9) 13 Squish (4)

15 Formal university attire (10)

17 Vaulted recess (4)

19 Old stringed instrument (4)

20 Chemical processes in the body (10)

23 Continent (4)

25 Conceptual (9)

27 Biased (7)

28 Everlasting (7)

29 Ordinariness (10)

30 School subject (abbr) (3)

DOWN

1 Approvingly (10)

2 Compass direction (9)

4 Evening entertainment (9)

5 Parishioners (5)

6 Set of chromosomes in a gamete (6)

7 Gods (5)

8 Huff (4)

9 An illusion (6)

14 Thin noodle (10)

16 Mitigation (9)

18 Artworks (9)

21 Common Irish surname (1’5)

22 Gambling house (6)

24 Piece cut off (5)

25 Flooring tradesman (5)

26 Unsolicited email (4)

Upgrades continue

By Elly Byrne

The clubroom improvements at the Yarra Junction Bowling Club continue with the hard work of volunteers and a recent grant from the Community Bank Warburton and Yarra Junction assisting in the purchase of new indoor furniture in coming weeks to compliment the recently purchased outdoor furniture also acquired through the club’s sponsors generosity.

With five rounds to go before finals both the mid-week and weekend teams are in good positions to be finalists by building on the pre-Christmas results. The games against Heathmont and Mooroolbark will be the most important ones for the weekend team, with both games to be played

on the Eagles home ground. A current 29-point lead at the top of the table has provided a little buffer before play resumes on 18 January against Mooroolbark.

For the midweek Division Five team, currently sitting second to Croydon by 8 points with Lilydale and Healesville in the wings, the road to finals due to the upcoming byes make it harder to predict.

Lilydale have already had their second bye pre-Christmas so stand to accumulate more points than the remaining top four. With competition starting again 21 January against Lilydale away, the Eagles are up for the challenge.

The first night of barefoot bowls last Friday had the overwhelming support of our community with approximately 70 enjoying the good weather,

company, facilities and just having a great night out.

Feedback on the club and its activities and new facilities has only been positive so the club have a lot to be proud of going into 2025.

Barefoot bowls will continue weekly on Fridays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm for another five weeks.

Booking are preferred for larger groups to secure a rink (0406 497 141) otherwise just roll on up with your flat shoes and fun face.

New members are always welcome for both social and competitive bowls and will help the club grow even more.

Stay up to date with club activities and news on the Yarra Junction Bowling Club Facebook page as the website has been discontinued.

Bowlers from all over head to Warburton

By Garry Lewis

The Warburton Bowls Club Tradge Woods Triples Tournament was held last Saturday in very warm conditions. Players came from as far as Cobram on the Murray River to participate in two Bowl Triples of four rounds of 10 ends each.

A delicious breakfast and lunch were provided throughout the day, with special thanks to all the Club Volunteers who assisted during the day and help make the day a wonderful success and a massive thank you to the Woods Family once again for sponsoring the event!

After some high standard and exciting bowling, a team from Mitcham Bowls Club won overall. Congratulations to the team of Geoff Hill, Stephen Milsted and Dennis Burke.

The Weekend Warburton 1 side is currently

holding onto 5th place on the ladder, and they look forward to regrouping against top side, Ferntree Gully 1, at home this Saturday.

Warburton 2 is currently in 4th place on the ladder and plays Eastwood Golf 1 away this Saturday. 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, currently in 2nd place on the ladder, play Mooroolbark 2 at home on January 21.

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

The Annual Pink Ribbon Day Triples Tournament, sponsored by Professionals Real Estate, will

now be held on Sunday February 2 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 is necessary. Female and Male Entries accepted of all abilities, including Beginners. Entries in by January 23. Interested people or teams of 3 are encouraged to contact Michelle at 0437 566 238 for further details or put their names down on the list at the Club.

Intra Club Competitions have continued over the break resulting in several close contests. Finals are just about to commence.

Social Bowls continues to be played on Mondays from 12 midday with everyone including new and beginning players encouraged to attend. Come along and give Bowls a try.

2025 in full swing

By Anita Prowse

Back in to the swing of things for 2025 though riders had plenty to keep themselves going over the Christmas break.

Shirley Heights Equestrian Centre held a great Training Weekend on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 December with Dressage on the Saturday and a great show jumping course for Freshmans on the Sunday, a great weekend with lots of fun had.

UYPC have the Annual Australia Day Freshmans on 26 January, everyone is welcome, entries are on the day and all proceeds go towards the Wesburn Park equestrian area’s Grounds Funding, so everyone come along and buy some food or coffee from the clubrooms so we can continue to make improvements to the club’s lovely grounds.

UYARC’s annual Dressage In The Valley competition will be run on Sunday 2 March 2025, a little earlier in the year this time around, so pop it in your diary and come join the fun. Happy 2025 Riding everyone.

Riders have jumped back into action

Daniel Sanders claims three wins in Saudi Arabia

2025 marks new opportunities for us all and there might be no one embodying that more so far this ear than the Yarra Valley’s own Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders.

The Three Bridges local is once again taking on the sands of Saudi Arabia for the starting event of this year’s World Rally-Raid Championship, the Dakar Rally and has carried on his fine form from his Rallye Du Maroc win in October. Sanders has gone out and won all of the first three stages of the race; the prologue, Stage One and the marathon 967km Stage Two to open up a commanding overall lead. Sanders finished 12 seconds in front of both World Rally-Raid Championship winner Ross Branch and prodigious young Spanish talent Edgar Canet in the prologue.

Sanders did his chances no harm with an outstanding performance in Stage One in Bisha where he extended his lead to two minutes and 22 seconds ahead of second-best overall racer Ricky Brabec and created a remarkable 25-minute gap between himself and the tenth-placed rider.

Starting seventh of all riders ahead of the demanding Stage Two did nothing to stop Sanders, as he stormed home for a third consecutive stage victory and a commanding 12-minute and 36-second lead over American Skyler Howes.

Speaking after Stage Two, Sanders said it wasn’t too bad, pretty hard in the soft dunes, it was very tough for a lot of us.

“When opening, you didn’t know if it was going to be a soft dune or a hard dune. It was pretty tough. The dust kind of ruined it a lot. It would have been cool to have a bit of a wetter area, compared to last year in the dunes where it was pretty even,” he said.

“But everyone was bunched up fighting in the dust for the opening bonuses. It was a bit tough on that side, but overall the body feels good and I don’t feel tired at all, I just saved a

lot of energy ready for next week.

“The rest of the guys will be starting back and I’ll have to open the next stage, so it’s just how it’s worked these first few days. It was good to get the stage win, but it was on me to decide whether I wanted today or not, but I’m committed and ready to take on the challenge tomorrow”.

Daniel Sanders’ perfect start to the 2025 Dakar Rally came to an end during Stage Three, with a technical fault costing the Three Bridges local some time.

Sanders finished 17th on the stage but retained his overall position in first place, still six minutes and 51 seconds ahead of second-place Skyler Howes.

Posting to his Facebook page, Sanders said he opened the stage and managed to maintain a pretty good time, however, his GPS stopped working.

“I had no compass, speed or kilometres so I had to follow some other riders, who then took a wrong turn and cost me time,” he said.

“I have been awarded some additional time for the GPS fault, but I will start back in the group tomorrow.”

Sanders picked up another stage win to extend his overall lead to 13 minutes and 26 seconds in Stage Four of the 2025 Dakar Rally.

Two minutes and 33 seconds behind Tosha Schareina at kilometre 383 of the 415km stage, Daniel Sanders surged to claim the stage as the Australian finished with 15 seconds in hand over the Spaniard.

Interviewed after the stage, Sanders said he got lost a fair bit before that and then I was catching back up to Nacho and Tosha and then got into the dust there.

“I don’t know, it was alright for me. I just tried to follow the lines and just check the road book and make sure everything’s good. But I know this area and it can be tricky so you just gotta focus and be good with it all. A little bit of cat and mouse at the end, trying to slow

down, Tosha was leading and he stopped for two minutes so then I opened the mirror,” he said.

“I knew it was a good chance to extend the overall lead after I lost so much time yesterday, which was out of my control. So yeah, it was important to get that lead back. And then now tomorrow, the pressure’s back on to try and not lose too much and open really well. But this area is definitely going to be hard, and the navigation’s tricky,”

“I just focused on myself and I did the same in Morocco and the guys made mistakes behind so it’s good when you can just focus on what you’re doing and not looking at other lines and making sure because you’re 100 per cent focused on the road book and then I’m sure they’ll be following the lines a little bit but hopefully no mistakes and no big ones.”

In Stage Five, Sanders lead out the pack of racers in a 428km special and remained well clear on top of the standings at its conclusion.

While only finishing 12th on the stage, none of his closest overall competitors made inroads in chasing down his lead with Tosha Schareina still seven minutes and two seconds behind.

In a post on his Facebook page, Sanders said he opened the stage and had a good day collecting time bonuses.

“I was able to widen my overall lead on my closest pursuers,” he said.

“Tomorrow we have a much-deserved rest day.”

On Saturday 11 January, Sanders’ Dakar charge continued with a steady performance in Stage Six. Sander’s day started with the positive news that the speed penalties placed on him were overturned, extending his overall lead to over 15 minutes.

Sanders said in a post on his Facebook page that Stage Six was a long day of 605km of special with all types of terrain.

“I placed 9th today, 5 minutes behind the fastest time of the day which will put me in a good starting spot for tomorrow,”

“I still hold the virtual lead by 11 minutes. Keen to start back for stage 7 tomorrow and make up some time!”

In Stage Seven, Sanders ramped things up again to take his fifth stage win of this Dakar Rally, mirroring the achievement of KTM teammate Toby Price when he went on to win in 2016.

Sanders finished the stage three minutes and 36 seconds ahead of Edgar Canet and with an overall lead of 15 minutes and 33 seconds over Tosha Schareina.

In an interview following the stage, Sanders said it was pretty fast, very fast.

“Technical at the start, we had a lot of rain. But it was only at the start, so it was a pretty wet line to see in front and just had us kind of correct and not follow the mistakes with the navigation,” he said.

“The speed was good, head was good, so it was a much better day.”

Daniel Sanders of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing races during Stage Two of the 2025 Dakar Rally. (Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool)

Daniel Sanders in action during the prologue of the 2025 Dakar Rally. (Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool)

Daniel Sanders tackling Stage One of the 2025 Dakar Rally. (Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool)

Hamer makes a solid 53

By Chris Handasyde

1st XI Healesville 9/211 defeated Wantirna Sth 4/157 (written by Josh Handasyde)

Wantirna South won the toss and sent Healesville into bat at Don Road Oval. Healesville’s two most reliable batsmen Nick Zinghini and Tom Handasyde fell cheaply and the score was 2/22. Josh Handasyde 23 and Ash Hamer 53 got the innings back on track. Great hitting from Luke Chandler 30 and Grant Braden 45 not out (off 25 balls) as well as a run a ball 15 not out from Denzel Parsons boosted the Bloods’ score to 6/211 off 40 overs. Wantirna South only lost 4 wickets but never looked like chasing the score down finishing on 4/157.

2nd XI Healesville 39 defeated by Yarra Junction 151 (written by Michael Davern)

First game of the year for 2025 and the 2nd XI went across the Yarra to take on Yarra Junction, losing the toss and out to bowl first. With Beau Hawkins (1/26) striking early taking a wicket in the third over, Healesville got off to a good start. Premdeep Singh (2/36) was next to cause some disruption to Junction’s batting efforts getting two wickets in an over to slow down the run rate also with Sam Keith (1/10) snagging a wicket of his own from the other end bringing their score to 4/58 in the 12th over and Healesville were well on top. After a bit of a partnership had formed, Riley Cameron (2/21) and Michael Davern (4/29) bowled together in partnership taking wickets to break the scoring

run and to finish Yarra Junction’s innings getting them all out for 151 in the 35th over. After a good session in the field keeping a good standard, with Mark Powell taking 4 catches himself behind the stumps, Healesville had put themselves in a good position to take the win. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case with a wicket falling in the very first ball of their innings and Healesville were off to a horror start that kept going. Despite a fighting effort from Ben Mackey (8) fighting off a barrage of short balls and Ben Wallace (17*) who has been showing great patience with the bat the last few rounds, Healesville came undone and were bowled out for 39 runs in the 19th over. Healesville take on Eastfield away next week looking to put this game behind them and get back on the road to finals cricket.

3rd XI Healesville 147 defeated by Kilsyth 2/149

Batting first Healesville got off to a fast start with Adam Keath scoring his 25 with five boundaries and a six. Tyler Braden provided support with 19 but constant wickets hampered a big score. Aman Singh 18 and Summer Caldicott 15* got Healesville through to 147. Kilsyth has some strong hitters and they chased the runs in 23 overs.

4th XI - Healesville 109 defeated by Lusatia Park 6/198

Playing on a hard and fast Coldstream Primary School oval, Lusatia Park batted first and got off to a fast start. Healesville were fielding a very young team with five players 13 or younger. After 18 overs, Lusatia Park were 1/125 but the young Healesville

Warburton golfers return

By Ron Hottes

The V.V.V’s: The Monday girls did not formally play during the Christmas/New Year period. The Club expects them to be back, with healthy numbers from next week.

Wednesday 8 January, Stroke and M. McGrann bag-day qualifier:

The first qualifier for 2025 is that promising young man, Ross Machar, who took home the top B-Grade voucher with a superb Nett 67. The runner-up in this Grade was Ross’s mate, Laurie Doyle, as he posted a Nett 67 also, to lose in a tight countback. In A-grade, Liam Kay won by scoring a fine Nett 68. The evergreen Paul Kennedy was close up behind Liam, posting a Nett 69. The ball rundown, in both grades, reached down to Nett 71 only. NTP winners on this day were as follows: Allan ‘Old Man River’ Hubbard (3rd), Rob Ferguson (5th), P.K. (9th), Alan Johnson (12th) and Shane ‘Bomber’ Campbell (15th).

Twilight: Reporting on one Twilight round was missed, but in the most recent round, Paul Osbourne proved impossible to beat with a solid 21 points over the Back Nine. The runner-up to Ossie was Glen Patrick, posting a 20-point result.

The three NTPs went home with Steven

players fought it out and restricted Lusatia Park to 73 runs in the next 18 overs which was a fantastic effort. Max Ferris 1/16 off 6 overs was the best bowler with great support from Mika Kerst 1/28, Taylor Caldicott 1/32 and Harry Thomas 0/35 all bowling

six overs in the

XI - Healesville had the bye

Christmas came early for Upper Yarra

Barnes (12th), Dazza Ward (14th) and Peter Fox (15th) (We are now past the halfway point of this Twilight season, heading rapidly to the iconic Shootout in April).

Saturday 11 January, Canadian Foursomes Stroke:

This rarely-played comp is a fun, paired event, so the winning combinations always are the twosome that mesh the best on the day. Clearly the father/son combo of Lee and Brendan-Creedy meshed brilliantly together for the full 18 holes to return a stunning Nett 67.5. A little birdie tells me that Junior was the strength in that win. The runner-up pairing consisted of Roger Mataele and Sammy Dennis, another proven combo over many Club events. Their result of 67.62 only failed to take top prize by a hair’s breadth of .12 (I bet that result gave the retiring Captain a nightmare to work out). There was no ball rundown. Among the NTP winners was a double win to Merilyn McDonald (3rd and 12th). This multi-talented lady is the first female golfer to achieve this feat in living memory (Apologies to the President if she has done that in her long and illustrious career). The three other NTP winners were Noel Cross (5th), Sam Dennis (9th) and Kevin Smith (15th). Great to have you back on the course, Kevin.

By Callum Ludwig

A number of local sporting clubs received an early Christmas present just before the end of 2024 with the announcement of the latest recipients of funding through the Victorian Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program.

The Upper Yarra was no exception, with the Upper Yarra Pony Club, Yarra Junction Cricket Club and Powelltown Cricket Club all successful with their applications.

Upper Yarra Pony Club President Anita Prowse said their grant was obtained for uniforms, the jumpers, for riders as they are increasingly hard to find companies who make them with a shoulder sash these days, therefore incredibly expensive.

“The grant will alleviate cost issues for members allowing them to all be dressed in the proper uniform and have a sense of belonging,” she said.

“It will be a continual issue but a big relief for our members this year.”

The Yarra Junction and Powelltown Cricket Clubs each received funding to put towards onground uniforms and equipment and were contacted for comment.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said this is a major boost for clubs across the state.

“We’re making sure clubs have the skills and equipment they need to thrive, and get more people involved,” she said.

“We want our local sporting clubs to be backing the next generation of local champions – and these grants provide them the chance to do just that.”

More than $1.2 million was distributed to 740 different clubs across the state, for a total of 875 grants. Grants were available to help local clubs to purchase uniforms and equipment, upskill volunteers, coaches and officials, and improve their accessibility and engagement with local communities.

Overall, 25 different clubs throughout the Outer East of Melbourne were successful in applying for the grants across a range of sports including cricket, tennis, equestrian, football, soccer, basketball, inline hockey, netball, martial arts and more. Organisations that received a grant through categories 1, 2 or 3 of the 2023-24 Sporting Club Grants Program were ineligible to apply for categories 1, 2 and 3 in 2024-25.

heat. Healesville’s batting lacked some power but a fine innings from Ryder Hudson 17, Brad Reid 15, Max Ferris 21 and back for his first game this year Tojo Nolan 19* saw Healesville reach 109. 5th

At this stage, RDCA’s Junior T20 games tonight will go ahead. (File)

Warburton golfers will be hoping for more pleasant weather to return. (File)

The Upper Yarra Pony Club were one recipient of the latest round of the Victorian Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program. (File)

Strong batting performaces

By David Marshall

With the holiday break behind them, Wandin Cricket Club returned to action with the second half of the season underway. As teams jostle for crucial ladder positions in the run to the finals, every match counts. This weekend saw some thrilling performances, with Wandin sides showing plenty of fight. Here’s how the action unfolded:

1st XI: A Magnificent Start to 2024

In a one-day clash against ladder leaders Ainslie Park, Wandin’s 1st XI delivered a statement victory to solidify their position in the top four. Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the team got off to a dream start, reducing Ainslie Park to 2/19 with early breakthroughs from Dan Trembath (1/30) and Joel Galvin (2/44). Ainslie steadied with a 50run partnership, but tight bowling and sharp fielding kept the scoring under control. Jarrod Dobson (2/49) provided the breakthrough to break the partnership, and with Rory Vallence (1/27) bowling the perfect line and length being the most economical bowler of the day we were in control for most of the day. David Marshall chipped in with a wicket towards the end to help restrict Ainslie Park to 206—a competitive but chasable target on a quick Wandin Oval.

Wandin’s response with the bat was outstanding. Bryce Edwards and Jamie Atkinson once again showed why they’re one of the best opening pairs in the competition, putting on a 96-run partnership. Bryce fell for a classy 45 off 52 balls, but the platform was set. Tim Thorne (53*) played the perfect supporting role, rotating the strike and keeping the momentum going. The innings, however, belonged to Jamie Atkinson, who played a near-perfect knock. Jamie anchored the chase with a magnificent 99 off 115 balls, heartbreakingly falling just one run short of a well-deserved century. Wandin passed the target with ease, finishing 3 down and with overs to spare.

This result not only marks a fantastic start to the year but also solidifies the 1st XI’s position in the top four. With the only blemish being a drop-off in concentration in the heat of the last couple of bowling overs, improvements in bowling consistency and fielding discipline were evident, setting the tone for a strong finish to the season.

2nd XI: A Tough Day Despite a Standout Knock

The 2nd XI faced Warrandyte in a top-ofthe-table clash, a critical match for maintaining momentum in the competition. Winning the toss and batting first, Wandin had a shaky start, losing two of the top three batsmen for ducks. Captain Julian Polido (28) tried to stabilize the innings, but at 3/36, the team was under pressure. A crucial 40-run partnership between Jackson Kneebone (29) and Leigh Howes (71*) offered some hope, but steady wickets kept halting the momentum.

Leigh Howes, however, was the standout, playing a brilliant unbeaten knock of 71. Supported by a late cameo from Jason Kneebone, who smashed 32 off 21 balls, Leigh guided the team to 179. While it was a respectable total, it was always going to be a challenge to defend on a small ground.

Wandin started well with the ball, as Hamish Lamont (3/25) struck twice early to leave Warrandyte at 2/32. However, a 90-run partnership swung the game in the opposition’s favor. Dave Thorne (1/32) and Jason Kneebone (1/34) chipped in with wickets, but Warrandyte chased down the target comfortably. Despite the loss, Wandin remains atop the ladder, and with key players returning, they are well-positioned to bounce back and maintain their dominance.

3rd XI: Narrow Loss but Bright Signs

The 3rd XI took on top-of-the-ladder Croydon North in what turned out to be a thriller. Batting first, Wandin got off to a dream start. Tom Chrisfield (44) was the first wicket to fall with the score at 65, setting a solid foundation. Tyler Seeger (59*) and Gordo Gosland (54*) then combined for a match-defining partnership of 80+ runs before both retired. Contribu-

tions from Myles Rayner (34) and a late flourish from young gun Jed Leckie (18) pushed Wandin to an impressive total of 249. Croydon North, however, showed why they are the competition leaders. Their openers laid a strong foundation, not losing a wicket until the score was 125. With both retiring, Wandin clawed back into the game. The father-son duo of Tom (2/32) and Blake Chrisfield (2/40) bowled beautifully to keep Wandin in the hunt, supported by an electric direct-hit runout from Jed Leckie. Jye Aitkin chipped in with a late wicket (1/5), but Croydon North edged past Wandin’s total in the final over. While the result didn’t go Wandin’s way, the performance showed the team’s poten-

tial to compete with the best. With two wins in recent weeks and consistent improvement, the 3rd XI looks poised to make a late-season charge toward finals.

Looking Ahead

The first round of the new year brought a mix of results but plenty of positives for Wandin Cricket Club. The 1st XI continues to strengthen its position in the top four, the 2nd XI remains atop the ladder despite a challenging day, and the 3rd XI’s fight against top opposition signals a team on the rise. With finals looming, every match counts, and the club is ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

Two games abandoned

Back to cricket after the Christmas break, the Lusatia Park 1st XI ventured to Wonga Park to play the home side.

Lusatia Park were sent in and didn’t get off to a great start losing the first two wickets with only 19 on the board. Lochie and Andy then added 57 when Andy fell and only 6 runs later Lochie went for 31. Adam was the only one offering any real resistance with the next four wickets adding 76 to the total until Adam Dunn went for a gutsy 39. The 9th wicket fell eight runs later but with still seven overs to face, Lusatia Park needed to to try and push the total to at least 200 to defend a reasonable target. With some lusty hitting and a bit of luck, Matty and Terry got the side to 203 thanks to a fine cameo from Matty with 22 off 22 including three fours and a 6. Playing the top side and defending a modest target, Lusatia Park had to bowl at their best. They picked up the first two wickets for only 20 runs but unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. With a couple of dropped catches which may have changed the game somewhat, Wong Park’s third-wicket partnership took them past Lusatia Park’s score with five overs to spare. A great batting performance from T.Parker with 107 n.o.off only 114 balls and their captain D.Keane 64 n.o.

The Lusatia Park 2nd XI were sent into bat against Chirnside Park. Mick Dwyer top-scoring with 31 out of the team’s total of 163 after 40 overs. The game was abandoned 13 overs into the seconf innings due to lightning and rain.

The Lusatia Park 3rd XI had a great win against Healesville away scoring 6/198 from their 36 overs thanks to a fantastic second wicket partnership of 119 between Corey Winter-Annette and Ben Hubbard, Corey 51 retired off only 37 balls with eight fours and two sixes and Ben 30. Lee Philpot also made a great contribution with 51 retired off only 36 with 10 fours. Healesville could only manage 109 in their run chase with Lusatia Park’s main wicket takers Tayte Hubbard with 3/22 and Lee Philpot 3/25.

Sunday’s Women’s game v St Andrews was abandoned due to lightning and heavy rain.

Tyler Seeger after his half-century for the 3rd XI. (Supplied)

Lusatia Park’s Women’s XI were washed out. (Supplied)