Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 11th February 2025

Doing it for the kids

By Afraa Koori

The new Worrell Reserve Skate Park and Youth Plaza has officially opened, following funding support from the State Government and Cardinia Shire.

The grand opening on 7 February was met with celebration from the local community.

Among the special attendees were Cardinia Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Kowarzik, State Member for Monbulk, Daniela De Martino MP, and former Ranges Ward Councillor, Jeff Springfield. Also present were Howard Winter and Kris Strong, chairman and secretary of the Worrell Recreation Reserve Community Asset Committee.

The newly completed skate park and youth plaza features professionally designed ramps, grind rails, and various obstacles aimed at challenging skaters and bikers of all skill levels. In addition, the plaza offers ample space for relaxation and socialising, with a basketball court adding to its appeal.

Read more on page 7

Hollows a hoot

By Tanya Steele

An environmental group in Knox is seeing early signs of success in its efforts to support the powerful owl population, as artificial hollows designed for the species begin attracting a variety of local wildlife.

The 3D-printed hollows, custom-designed for Victoria’s apex predator, have recently drawn several curious visitors, sparking excitement among local citizen scientists.

Rown Jennion, President of Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve, expressed his enthusiasm

and said that the group has been tracking the appearance of multiple species exploring the newly installed hollows since their introduction in August 2024.

“We’re excited to see and share that native wildlife are interested,” Mr Jennion said.

“They’re showing they’re keen on hollows, looking for them, and this is part of the process for the artificial hollows to be naturalised.”

Mr Jennion said that as different species visit, the hollows begin to take on a more natural look and feel, making them even more appealing to local fauna.

Dr Kylie Soanes, a researcher in urban ecology and conservation science at Melbourne University, said that the 3D hollow project was a collaboration between scientists and designers.

“My job is about finding ways to make cities better places for nature and native wildlife,” Dr Soanes said.

“We’re trying to pack as much biodiversity into urban spaces as we can, which benefits both wildlife and people.”

With urban areas presenting significant challenges for native wildlife, especially the lack of tree hollows, Dr Soanes emphasised the impor-

tance of innovative solutions as for species like the powerful owl, creating a suitable artificial hollow is no easy feat.

Dr Soanes said that designing a nest box large enough to accommodate the owl while ensuring it doesn’t damage the tree or pose risks to people was a delicate and complex process.

As more species explore the hollows, hopes are rising for the future of the powerful owl and other local fauna, thanks to this innovative environmental project.

Read more on page 6

Sage from Boronia enjoying the new skate park at Worrell Reserve Skate Park and Youth Plaza. (Stewart Chambers: 457681)

Servo approval disappoints

By Mikayla van Loon

“Disappointed but not unexpected” was how the main objector to a service station proposal for Mount Evelyn described a recent state tribunal decision to approve the build.

The plans for 41 Monbulk Road were refused by Yarra Ranges councillors in March last year but were overturned by Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) members Alison Slattery and Phil West on 29 January.

It will now see a service station, including car wash, dog wash, and convenience shop with drive through built at the former garden centre site, with conditions placed on the permit to be fulfilled by landowner Peregrine Corporation.

Monbulk Road resident Nic Sanders, who led the 194 objectors and community petition last year and was a key respondent in the VCAT hearing, opposed the application because of the proximity to Mount Evelyn Primary School and the 24/7 operating hours of the servo.

“The community does not want this servo at this location next to our primary school on Monbulk Road,” he told Star Mail in March 2024.

Mr Sanders’ objection was founded in the possible health risks to students from petrol vapour, the increased traffic and therefore, risk to students, parents and teachers at peak times, the noise and site impacts on other properties, including his own.

Mount Evelyn Primary School assistant principal Helen Basham also raised similar concerns in her submission to VCAT.

Most notably the location of the school’s sensory play area which would line the boundary of the fuel bowsers.

“Having a petrol station right next to the school will be unsightly and ruin the natural look of the space too. It will generate increased noise on a daily basis and will totally change the feel and usage of the outdoor learning/nature play space we have developed for our students,” she said in her submission.

“Car washing, door slamming, delivery trucks, moving vehicles, cars and trucks being started, noise from the car wash – vacuuming and hosing cars, dogs barking at the dog wash and increasing in lighting will all create constant distractions.

“It will compromise student learning in the outdoor learning space, the classrooms beside the space and students using the space during play times and at other times throughout the day.”

Ms Slattery and Mr West said in the report that “the proposal must meet the requirements of the Environment Protection Regulations” which the applicant has said would occur through the installation of a 2.6 metre high noise barrier, with other barriers of different heights on adjacent boundaries.

“The permit conditions require that the noise levels from the proposed facility be measured for compliance with the requirements of the EP Regulations, soon after the facility starts operating.”

In terms of the environmental and health impacts of a petrol station being in such close range to a school, the EPA itself “had no objection to the proposed service station development and did not request specific conditions regarding air emissions in a planning permit”.

Given the intent of the applicant to install

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vapour recovery equipment, despite not being a requirement in Victoria, Ms Slattery and Mr West were “satisfied” the “service station will not result in air emissions or odours that are at a level contrary to the requirements” in regulations.

Ms Basham also raised concerns about the increased traffic movement in an already congested and “chaotic” area, especially at school pick-up and drop-off time, with students walking past the service station.

The report noted several investigations of the traffic movements around 41 Monbulk Road, prepared by both Traffix Group for the applicant and SALT traffic engineer Jarrod Wicks on behalf of Mr Sanders.

It was also identified that “The Department of Transport indicated that it had no objection to the approval of the service station subject to the construction of left and right turn lanes into the site from Monbulk Road, approval of a temporary bus stop during the construction of the turning lanes on Monbulk Road, and the Department’s approval of the final design plans for the site and

approaches to the site”.

According to a Traffix Group’s analysis of the “evening peak” between 4pm and 5pm, 957 vehicles were seen on Monbulk Road. Their estimated number of vehicles using the service station was 140, equating to 70 vehicles in and 70 vehicles out.

“Traffix Group concluded that the operation of the service station will not have a detrimental impact on the operation Monbulk Road,” the report reads.

Ms Slattery and Mr West also looked at the matter of what was allowed under the Industrial 3 Zone, which also contained a bushfire management and environmental significance overlay.

Yarra Ranges Council submitted that “proposed use does not strike an appropriate balance” between the residential and the school.

The VCAT members were “satisfied that the use of the site for a service station with retail component and ancillary services is appropriate in this location”.

In granting the permit, Ms Slattery and Mr West imposed conditions that plans must include

the location of a 10,000 litre static water tank and a 5000 litre rainwater tank; noise barriers; a minimum of 85 per cent indigenous plant species in the plan schedule; a minimum two canopy trees; and signage must be clearly visible “directing patrons to consider neighbours and leave the premises as quietly as possible”.

While the petrol station, control building, convenience shop, automatic car wash, and dog wash may operate 24 hours, seven days a week, time restraints have been placed on certain aspects.

The drive through can operate between 6am and 10pm, Monday to Sunday; the manual car wash 7am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday; vacuums 7am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday; waste collection 7am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday; and fuel deliveries 7am to 7pm, Monday to Sunday.

Conceding the decision, Mr Sanders said he would now prepare for the impacts of the service station at his property.

“That’s it now, we start organising our property to reduce any noise and sight views over the fence,” he said.

Melanoma diagnoses spark reminder

Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart program is reminding Victorians to stay vigilant about sun protection this summer, as data shows melanoma diagnoses are on the rise, with people living in regional areas and men more likely to be diagnosed.

According to Cancer Council Victoria’s annual Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR), 3182 Victorians (1860 males and 1320 females) were diagnosed with melanoma in 2023, up from 2884 new cases in 2022.

1205 of these new cases came out of regional Victoria, where people are 54 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than Victorians living in major cities.

HeadofSunSmartatCancerCouncilVictoria Emma Glassenbury said exposure to the sun’s UV radiation accounts for most melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, capable of spreading to vital organs like the brain, lungs and liver.

“The good news is melanoma is one of the

most preventable cancers, yet it remains the fifth most common in Victoria, accounting for 8 per cent of all new cancer diagnoses in 2023,” she saud.

“We think the Victorian rise in reported melanoma detection may be partially explained by growing and aging population in Victoria and fewer cases during Covid-19, so we are seeing larger numbers of melanoma now with a 10 per cent rise in cases between 2022-2023.”

The latest VCR report showed the rate of melanoma among Victorians aged 25-49 has declined by 52 per cent since 1997 — coinciding with a generation of Victorians who grew up with iconic SunSmart ‘slip slop slap’ messaging from the 1980s, now expanded to include slide (on sunglasses) and seek (shade).

Ms Glassenbury said that while numbers reported by VCR were compelling, they were just the tip of the iceberg, and did not capture the 164,737 treatments for other forms of skin can-

cer in Victoria in 2023.

“While less deadly than melanoma, treatment of basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas often still involve confronting surgical procedures and place a significant financial burden on the Victorian health system,” she said.

“It’s encouraging to see skin cancer prevention through the SunSmart program listed as a priority in the Victorian Government’s Victorian Cancer Plan. Government funding for programs and campaigns that promote sun safety and early skin cancer detection—especially for priority populations —is a vital and important investment that saves lives and reduces the eventual costs on the health system.”

Visit sunsmart.com.au to learn more or download the SunSmart Global UV App.

Acting Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt urged Victorians to take the risk of sun damage seriously when outdoors this summer.

The former Mt Evelyn Garden and Produce site will be transformed into service station after VCAT approved the proposal. (Stewart Chambers: 458138)

Intruder ‘terrifies’ his own mother

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Narre Warren man who smashed his way into his mother’s family home with a sledgehammer and threatened to kill her over a money dispute has faced sentence.

The 25-year-old father defied bail, community corrections and family violence intervention orders as he repeatedly hammered the Wantirna home’s rear glass and security doors about 3.39am on 1 December 2023.

According to a prosecution summary at the Victorian County Court, the mother – who was home with the man’s two younger brothers – was awoken by smashing glass.

She was terrified to discover her son with a sledgehammer at the back door, and locked herself in her bedroom, the prosecution alleged.

The intruder kicked in his mother’s bedroom door with steel-capped boots and raised the sledgehammer as if he would hit her, the summary stated.

“Put the money in my account. It is two weeks before Christmas. I will kill you,” he allegedly said.

“I’ll burn the f***ing house down next time.”

He left and the mother transferred the demand-

ed $492 into his account.

She told police she was “petrified” of the man.

“If he gets hold of me he will kill me.

“I feel like my kids are going to be taken from me because I cannot protect them against (him).”

On the man’s arrest at his home that day, police discovered an imitation gun in his bedroom. He denied he’d been at his mother’s house.

He later pleaded guilty in court to aggravated burglary, property damage, threatening to kill, assault with a weapon, possessing an imitation gun and contravening a family violence intervention order.

In sentencing on 3 February, Judge Scott Johns said the “terrifying episode” must be denounced.

It was all the more serious due to being family violence and in breach of court orders, he said.

In her victim impact statement, the mother said she thought it might have been her and her sons’ “last moments on Earth” during the attack.

Since then, the family were reluctant to leave their house.

One of the boys stated his stomach dropped seeing his mother “shaking with absolute fear” on the night.

Judge Johns noted that the man, now 26, was in a “far more stable situation” now with “reasonable” rehabilitation prospects.

The accused man had a difficult childhood, with ADHD, trouble fitting in at school and early drug and alcohol use.

Methamphetamine had been taken as an illicit self-medication for ADHD – which was not an uncommon submission at court, Judge Johns said.

After his arrest, the man spent a “salutary” firsttime in remand of six months, and then complied “to a large extent” with CISP bail conditions.

During that time, he’d been medicated while abstaining from illicit drugs.

However despite this “very positive step”, his victims remained in fear, the judge noted.

The man was jailed for 197 days – already served in pre-sentence custody – and put on a 30-month community correction order.

The CCO includes 150 hours of unpaid work, as well as supervision and treatment.

He remains subject to a family violence intervention order.

Star Mail has chosen not to name the man, in order to avoid identifying the victims.

Police warning amid rise in road trauma

Victoria Police is issuing an urgent warning to motorists following a horror start to the year on the state’s roads, with a significant rise in road trauma in regional areas.

There have been 38 lives lost in the first 37 days of the year – a 35 per cent increase on 28 lives lost recorded at the same time last year.

It is also significantly higher than the fiveyear average of 27 for the same period.

Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir said police are appalled at the terrible loss of life in January – the increase in regional fatalities is of particular concern to them.

“Last year we saw a significant rise in road trauma involving motorcyclists, and worryingly that trend has continued into this year,” he said.

“Early indications suggest driver behaviour and driver error is largely contributing to these fatalities. Many people are quick to blame road conditions and other factors, but the simple fact is many of the deaths are occurring close to where people live on roads known to them, complacency is a real issue. We know a visible police presence deters poor or careless driving, and while we will make every effort to be highly visible and enforcing across the state, we can’t just enforce our way out of this.”

January recorded 36 fatalities, which is the highest number of lives lost for the month since 2001 when there were 44 fatalities during January.

Provisional police analysis suggests almost two-thirds or 23 of the 37 fatal collisions occurred within 20km of the deceased’s residence.

Of those 23 people, 11 lived in regional areas while the remaining 12 resided in metropolitan and suburban locations.

Police are concerned about a significant rise in motorcycle fatalities, with 10 rider deaths this year – seven of which occurred on regional roads.

Provisional analysis of this year’s fatalities

suggests that driver behaviour and driving errors, including excessive or inappropriate speed, unsafe overtaking, illegal u-turns, failing to stop or give way, fatigue and distraction have been major contributing factors in these fatal collisions.

Police intelligence shows road conditions are not contributing to the significant rise in road trauma this year.

Victoria Police is determined to avoid a repeat of January and is urging motorists to take extra care in the weeks ahead to try and curb the rising road trauma trend.

Police will be highly visible and enforcing across the state, with a major focus on high-risk regional areas as well as motorcyclist safety.

Ass Commr Weir said all road users need to realise this is a problem that requires immediate attention, due care and commitment – it’s up to all of us to be more alert and prioritise safety when getting behind the wheel.

“Now is not the time to be complacent – if we can’t turnaround this rising road trauma trend, then we can expect to see this spike continue into the remainder of 2025,” he said.

A statewide road policing operation will be launched early in March to coincide with the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.

Power out across hills and Victoria

In what Ausnet has described as a ‘challenging’ weekend there were around 50,000 customer outages across Victoria, with some residents in Ferntree Gully still without power Monday morning.

As more weather systems crossed the state over the weekend, Sunday 9 February saw nearly 5,000 homes in Ferntree Gully, Sassafras, Boronia, The Basin, Ferny Creek, Upwey and more drop power overnight.

Around 1,000 homes remained without power as the working week started, with two major repair jobs in progress in Ferntree Gully and Maffra on Monday.

“There are lots of single customers off which are largely blown fuses from lightning strikes,” an Ausnet spokesperson said.

In Ferntree Gully, Ausnet confirmed that 333 homes remained without power as of Monday morning.

“We have a crew there repairing a damaged cable that was hit by lightning, there is no restoration time at the moment,” an Ausnet spokesperson said.

“Since Friday at 2.30 pm we have had approx 50,000 customer outages on the network,” they said.

Suspicious truck fire in Silvan Police are investigating a suspicious truck fire in Silvan on Friday 7 February.

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire at a Parker Road business property about 12.30am.

Officers discovered a truck had been significantly damaged by fire and the windows of a second truck had been smashed.

A spokesperson from police media said investigators believe that offenders also damaged a gate on the property.

“There were no reported injuries,” they said.

The investigation remains ongoing. Gas leak in Upwey

Residents in the surrounds of The Highway and Mast Gully Road in Upwey were advised via Vic Emergency to stay indoors on Wednesday 5 February after reports of a gas leak emerged in the mid-afternoon.

Hills residents posted to social media about smells of burning plastic and the air smelling ‘funny’ in the afternoon that day.

Vic Emergency advised via their app and social media that residents should keep windows and doors closed and to stay informed about a chemical hazard in the Upwey vicinity.

A CFA spokesperson said three CFA units responded to reports of a gas leak on the Highway in Upwey at around 2.13pm.

“Units responded from Belgrave and Upwey and crews discovered a natural gas leak,” they said.

“Power and gas company were called to the scene to assist.”

The CFA spokesperson said a community warning was issued and evacuations were not required.

“The incident was deemed under control at 2.59pm,” they said.

A spokesperson from Multinet Gas confirmed the leak on Friday 7 February and said the leak was due to damage to the main line.

“Multinet were on scene to fix the damage and later assisted residents with relights to their residence into the evening,” they said.

Road trauma is on the rise. (File)

Bridging gender health gap

By Mikayla van Loon

Community health organisation EACH has been chosen to deliver the State Government’s newest initiative to provide better health outcomes for women.

Announcing a free virtual women’s health clinic on Wednesday 5 February, the telehealth and online clinic will offer more access to services like endometriosis and pelvic pain care, menstrual health, cervical screening, menopause care, breast health care and abortion.

EACH chief executive officer Natalie Sullivan said the organisation was thrilled to establish the first statewide service of this kind.

“We’ve seen many barriers that restrict women, girls and gender-diverse people from getting the health care they need: geography, cost, caring responsibilities, and cultural stigma or shame,” she said.

“This virtual clinic addresses this gender health gap by providing free, remote, culturally-safe care.”

Expected to launch by the middle of the year, specialists will be able to provide free, expert medical advice, treatment and care for a range of women’s health needs.

“Our clinical team is made up of specialist nurses, GPs, and allied health professionals — who all have extensive experience working in women’s health and sexual health, and providing care for people in our community who are more at risk of poorer health outcomes,” Ms Sullivan said.

The aim of the virtual clinic is to reduce barriers to care, especially for women in regional and remote Victoria where access to services like contraception and abortion is hard due to distance from major towns.

Ms Sullivan said dedicated women’s health services locally or virtually have an incredible impact on changing the trajectory of someone’s life.

“Our clinical team sees first-hand through our

Endometriosis and Pain Clinic how life changing these services are for women and the impact it has on not only their health, but all aspects of their lives,” she said.

The clinic will be able to provide an initial health assessment and some treatment. Some patients may also be connected to a GP or be re-

ferred to a relevant health practitioner as close to home as possible.

Triaging of initial needs will also enable the clinic to make further referrals for mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, and family violence community support services.

“We’re excited to be leading this important

initiative and look forward to helping more Victorians through the virtual clinic,” Ms Sullivan said.

The initiative has been welcomed and commended by leading Monash University Professor Danielle Mazza AM, chief investigator and director of the SPHERE Centre and member of the national and Victorian Women’s Health Advisory Council.

“I applaud the government’s commitment to improving access for Victorian women to essential women’s health services,” she said.

“The addition of an online clinical service dedicated to women’s health, together with the mobile clinic already funded and underway, provides even more avenues for women to receive care, navigation advice and referral into existing and new services.”

This newest service announcement comes after the Labor Government’s landmark women’s pain inquiry which has been followed by a suite of measures aiming to close the gap in health access for women.

It includes the Mobile Women’s Health Clinic van operated by BreastScreen Victoria which has begun hitting the road making free healthcare more accessible for all women and girls in rural and regional parts of Victoria.

Both the mobile and virtual clinics are part of the $153 million women’s health package transforming the way women’s healthcare is delivered in Victoria.

“We know the gender health gap is real, especially for women living in regional or remote areas of Victoria – that is why we’re establishing this virtual women’s clinic to help breakdown the barriers to care,” health minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.

“Abortion care is healthcare, and while we have already made abortion more accessible, we know there is more to do – because Victorian women deserve to have a choice, no matter where they live.”

EACH chief executive officer Natalie Sullivan said the organisation was thrilled to be able to deliver better health outcomes for women. (Stewart Chambers: 295412)

Billions needed for species

By Callum Ludwig

A new study from Griffith University’s Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, with WWFAustralia and the University of Queensland, has estimated that preventing the extinction of 99 of Australia’s 110 priority species would cost $15.6 billion per year for 30 years.

The Australian Government has a commitment to reverse the decline of the 110 animals on the priority species list, including the Leadbeater’s Possum found in the Yarra Ranges, but researchers are calling for ‘increased funding to combat threats such as habitat destruction, invasive species and climate change.’

Lead author Dr Michelle Ward said while the annual $15.6 billion could prevent the imminent extinction of many threatened species, there were some species, including many frogs, which were found to be non-recoverable, largely due to climate change.

“Species such as Mountain-top Nursery Frog and Swan Galaxias were found to be of real concern and need active ex-situ conservation,” Dr Ward said.

“The cost to reverse the decline of priority species and undo damage done by habitat loss, disease and other threats was estimated at $103.7 billion annually, while getting them off the threatened list entirely would require $157.7 billion per year.”

Australia’s conservation record is poor with over 100 endemic (native and restricted to a certain place or ecosystem) species having gone extinct in the past three centuries.

Dr Romola Stewart, a co-author and WWF-Australia’s Head of Evaluation and Science, said the paper highlighted the true cost of ineffective nature laws and inadequate species funding.

“Australia’s ever-growing list of threatened species is a direct result of decades of underspending,” she said.

“Turning this tragedy around will take a dramatic increase in action and investment. This is achievable for a wealthy nation like Australia,”

“If we fail to put our wildlife and wild places on a path to recovery, our economy and environment will suffer, and we will see more species silently slide towards extinction.”

While the expenditure is large, the cost of saving these species could be further justified through broader benefits of conservation investment, with the study suggesting that there would be ‘co-benefits to 43 per cent of all other threatened species and improved ecosystem services essential for human wellbeing.’

Dr Ward said the natural world is undergoing profound change.

“Biodiversity loss and ecosystems collapse is ranked by the World Economic Forum as the second most significant global risk over the next decade, with 50 per cent of the global economy dependent on nature,” she said.

“ThereismeritintheAustralianGovernment’s commitment, but urgent action is needed.”

As well as the Leadbeater’s Possum, the Eltham Copper Butterfly and Growling Grass Frog which can be found in the Yarra Ranges are on the priority species list.

President of the Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum group Steve Meacher said this paper, coming alongside the Prime Minister’s announcement that he is dropping the Nature Positive laws, highlights the bipartisan political neglect of the environment that we have suffered for far too long.

“The Commonwealth boasts a policy of Zero Extinctions but has currently committed less than one-thousandth (0.08 per cent) of the amount required to halt the extinction of priority species,” he said.

“$15.6 billion per year may sound like a lot of money but is actually close to the amount currently being given to subsidise fossil fuel industries that are only making the environmental cri-

State responds to ‘cut’

By Corey Everitt

The State Government countered a claim they cut funding to Gembrook’s Halls Outdoor Education by explaining that it is a routine shift of subsidies which are reviewed each year.

Eastern Victoria MP Renee Heath has sponsored a petition calling for the reversal of a “$200,000 cut” to the education outlet which is the only Victorian provider of Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership.

A spokesperson for the State Government explained that this “cut” is a routine shift in funding for student places that is reviewed across the industry each year.

“In 2025 a greater proportion of the Victorian Training Guarantee will go to TAFEs – in particular regional TAFEs - so people can get skilled up for in-demand jobs near where they live,” a State Government spokesperson said.

“More homes mean more opportunity – the 2025 prioritised training will include residential housing construction courses, creating a

sis worse,”

“It should also be considered alongside such commitments as the AUKUS agreement and the Stage 3 Tax cuts. The paper states that the cost of halting extinction is one per cent of GDP, Australian households spend around 2.2 per cent on alcohol.”

The study ‘The estimated cost of preventing extinction and progressing recovery for Austra-

lia’s priority threatened species’ has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Mr Meacher said the paper reports that habitat restoration was the key action required by most priority species.

“One of the most cost-effective actions that could be taken in the immediate future would be to create a new national park covering the forests of the Central Highlands, this would restore and protect habitat for Leadbeater’s Possum and many other species that share the tall wet forests,” “It would also protect the source of Melbourne’s drinking water and provide sequestration of carbon, our forests being the most carbon-dense on the planet and it would ensure that the forests persist for the recreation and enjoyment of future generations.”

The Australian and Victorian Governments partnered up to announce a ‘National recovery plan for Leadbeater’s possum’ which came into effect in March 2024. A ‘National Recovery Plan for the Southern Bell Frog’ (Growling Grass Frog) was implemented in 2012 and there is no specific national recovery plan for the Eltham Copper Butterfly.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said Labor is investing more in the environment than any government in Australian history.

“This includes projects like restoring koala habitat, tackling invasive pests including yellow crazy ants and feral cats, and supporting local groups doing work on the ground to care for native plants and animals. But that’s not the only thing we are doing to protect nature,” she said.

“We’ve protected an extra 70 million hectares of Australia’s ocean and bush – an area bigger than Germany and Italy combined, we’ve doubled funding for national parks, we’ve rescued the Murray Darling Basin Plan, and we’ve approved enough renewable energy to power more than 8 million homes, just to name a few.”

My Aged Care and Care Finder information sessions

Book now to learn about My Aged Care and how Care Finder can help eligible seniors access services like cleaning, shopping, and personal care!

Session 1:

pipeline of skilled tradespeople to build more homes for Victorians.”

Halls Outdoor Education was informed in December 2024 that their subsidised student places will not remain in 2025, when the Department of Education informs placements to all providers.

These contracts for Registered Training Organisations (RTO) are determined every calendar year as the State Government responds to changes in the labour market and subsidises places for priority industries.

In 2025, the State Government has shifted its funding toward courses in the construction industry and renewable energy, as well as places in foundational literacy and numeracy to ease more in learning a trade.

Many RTOs, including Halls Outdoor Education, have had subsidies withdrawn for student placements in 2025.

Overall, the funding has shifted in 2025 to more regional RTOs to assist smaller communities and Aboriginal organisations.

If you or someone you know needs support to stay safe and independent, these sessions will help get you started. The sessions are free, include refreshments, and offer an opportunity to speak directly to an expert. Bookings are required for catering purposes.

How to book

To book, please contact our Ageing Well team: Phone: 1300 787 624 Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au

Delivered in partnership with COTA Victoria Wintringham, Monash Health and Care Connect

Thursday 27 March, 11am–2pm

Cardinia Civic Centre, 20 Siding Avenue, Officer

Session 2:

Wednesday 28 May, 1–3.30pm

Koo Wee Rup

Senior Citizens Centre, 1A Icke Rd, Koo Wee Rup

Sessions are flexible –Choose to attend one, both or part of a session.

The Leadbeater’s Possum is one of the 110 priority species in Australia. (Zoos Victoria)

James Wallbank, Anthony Hall, Liesel Male, Josh Murray and Renee Heath MP (Supplied)

Artificial hollows offer hope

By Tanya Steele

An environmental group in Knox is seeing glimmers of possibility for the future of an iconic bird species as artificial hollows created to attract powerful owls begin to see other local fauna visit the human created habitats for the first time.

Custom designed for Victoria’s apex predator the Powerful Owl, the 3D-printed bird hollows have recently had several curious visitors investigating the newly installed spaces – much to the joy of citizen scientists in the area.

Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve President Rown Jennion said it’s been exciting to see and the group’s social media page has been logging the appearance of several species checking out the hollows since they were installed in August of 2024.

“We’re excited to see and share that native wildlife are interested,” he said.

“They’re showing that they’re keen on hollows, that they’re looking for hollows.”

Part of the process for the artificial hollows to be naturalised Mr Jennion said the hollows start to look and smell more natural once the different species go in and check them out.

Researcher in urban ecology and conservation science at Melbourne University Doctor Kylie Soanes said that the 3D hollow was a collaboration between designers and scientists

“My job is all about finding ways that we can make cities better places for nature and native wildlife, so trying to cram as much biodiversity into our city spaces as possible, because it’s great for biodiversity and it’s great for people as well,” she said.

“Obviously, there are heaps of challenges to native wildlife surviving in cities, and one really big one is the lack of homes, the lack of tree hollows that so many of our native species depend on.”

For a bird like the Powerful Owl, creating an artificial hollow is not a simple exercise and Dr

Soanes said that designing a nest box that was large enough to can fit safely into a tree without damaging it or posing a risk to people was really tricky.

“At one point, people were just recycling wheelie bins and cutting a hole in them and hoping that maybe owls would go into them,” she said.

Dr Soanes said that at the University of Melbourne, she was able to work with architects and designers who are part of the deep Design Lab there to brainstorm a potential solution.

Powerful owls need a large but particular kind of space to be able to safely get in and out of and to allow for owlets to climb out and emerge - creating a challenge for the team.

Dr Soanes said that with the help of PhD student Dr Dan Parker who came up with the design of the hollow, the team were able to then print the habitats that now reside in Koolunga and other locations across Melbourne.

“What’s so exciting to me, I could never have imagined structures like this being built with all of those fantastic shapes that fit directly into the tree,” she said.

“It’s got a little shelf because, for a powerful owl, it’s not as simple as flying neatly into a hole that’s in a tree – they sort of have to land on it to be able to climb inside.”

The University of Melbourne also has a hollow installed on site which Dr Soanes said has been visited by ringtail possums and what they think are possibly Rainbow lorikeets who are now nesting in it.

In other parts of Victoria, the same concept has been used to create more lightweight artificial hollows for smaller and endangered species like possums, parrots and other mammals.

Koolunga Native Reserve has had powerful owls visit the area which is what has made the site so appealing for the project.

“Powerful owls, being a really big bird, have a huge, huge home range and they can cover

incredible distances in a night,” said Dr Soanes.

“So just getting the owl and the hollow in the same place is the first hard step, which is why Koolunga is such a great site for us to test this out because we know there are owls there,” she said.

“We just need one to come and have a looksee.”

Mr Jennion said the group originally started the journey several years ago when they were doing bird surveys in their reserve.

Of about 50 different bird species, the reserve had around 25 to 30 that needed hollows to breed in.

“So quite a large demand from our native wildlife for natural hollows,” said Mr Jennion.

“With all of the suburban development where we live, the roads, the shops, all the things that we live in and enjoy, has come at the cost of reduced habitat for our wildlife,” he said.

Ocwr time the group has installed a number of different types of bird boxes to suit different species in the area.

“We started with kookaburras and ducks because they were both species that were easy, easier for volunteers to try and support,” said Mr Jennion.

Following recommended designs for hollows from Birdlife Australia, Mr Jennion said the entrance is really important in terms of trying to attract the target species.

“But what you find is that other species will ignore that and will try and use it – some are opportunistic and try and take over,” he said.

“I designed one follow for Eastern rosellas, which have a smaller entrance and the slightly bigger Crimson rosellas shouldn’t have been able to fit in, but we had a young one that was just small enough to get in and breed and win one year.”

“So nature will choose - you need to leave it up to the animals.”

Collecting the information from visitors to the artificial hollows will pave the way for research in the future.

“It’s one thing to have a fantastic creative idea. The next step is actually testing how well it works and learning for the future,” said Dr Soanes.

Mr Jennion said his group would love to put more nesting boxes in different parts of Knox, where they have confirmed sightings of the owls.

“It is dependent on receiving grants,” he said.

As breeding season approaches the Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve will continue to monitor the large hollows in the hopes that the Powerful Owl will settle into them.

The Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve installed the large 3D printed hollows in August 2024 and they have since attracted a host of smaller critters in February this year. (Facebook).

Emerald’s new skate spot

By Afraa Kori

Worrell Reserve Skate Park and Youth Plaza is officially open, thanks to State Government and Cardinia Shire funding.

Communities celebrated the completion of the new Worrell Reserve Skate Park and Youth Plaza at the grand opening on 7 February.

Special attendees include Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Jack Kowarzik, State Member for Monbulk, Daniela De Martino MP and former Ranges Ward Councillor Jeff Springfield. As well as chairman and secretary for Worrell Recreation Reserve Community Asset Committee, Howard Winter and Kris Strong.

This event marks the official opening of the Worrell Reserve Skate Park and Youth Plaza, featuring expertly designed ramps, grind rails, and various obstacles to challenge and inspire skaters and bikers of every skill level. In addition to the action-packed features, the Youth Plaza offers plenty of space for lounging and socialising and a basketball court, making it a central hub for young people in the area. The project highlights the collaborative efforts of Cardinia Shire Council, the Victorian Government, and community advocacy from local residents.

The new skate park was designed with valuable input from the community, ensuring that it meets the needs of all users, from beginners to seasoned pros.

Those involved include the visionary community members of Emerald Village Association who wanted to see a place for kids and skate enthusiasts, to the Worrell Reserve Committee, Cardinia Shire Council, all the designers and builders.

State Member for Monbulk, Daniela De Martino MP said the project has been a true testament to the power of community advocacy and collaboration

“Young people need a place to go, a place where you connect and find a community. This is a huge tick for our future generation,” she said.

“I’m really proud as a state government that we invested a million into this and Cardinia Shire thank you for your investment.

“This is going to be a place for local skaters. It’s not just for young people, it’s also for people young at heart. It’s good for everyone to get out!

“When I was watching the Olympics, skateboarding was beyond impressive. We may have future Olympians doing their thing here and that’s a fantastic thing!”

Emerald Skate Park also got the seal of approval from Renton Millar, a former World Cup Vert Points Champion and the first ever Australian Bowlriding Champion.

Renton said this is already a destination skate park, attracting skaters from across Australia and soon to draw internationals.

“With this built, you end up having pro skaters from the area. If you wanted something in the skate park, this would be it!”

“People come from all over Victoria and if travelling skaters come from interstate, they would definitely come and visit this.”

Mayor of Cardinia Shire, Jack Kowarzik is delighted to see the community members ready to embrace the thrill of skating, scootering and BMX biking in the new space.

To Book

Officially opened!

Locals testing the space. Kris.

Kris thanks the community.

Local children with mayor Jack and Daniela De Martino MP. (Afraa Kori)

The tour.

Jack and Daniela.

Jack, Renton and Daniela.

The grand opening. David, Steve, John and Renton.

This is how deep the ground is. Kris and Howard.

Empowering women

By Tanya Steele

Women in Belgrave had the opportunity to learn life-saving self-defence techniques designed to empower and build confidence at the Belgrave South Scout Hall this week.

Taekwondo and self-defence were on the menu for local women at the two specialised workshops provided at a small cost.

Hosted by Mothers of the Hills (MotHs) and thanks to grant funding, President Belinda Young said the group was determined to help women feel safe, connected and confident to exercise and socialise in the community.

“Mums around Australia, but especially here in Victoria were shaken by the disappearance of Ballarat mum, Samantha Murphy while on her run in February last year,” she said.

“We suddenly felt vulnerable and questioned whether it was safe for us to exercise in our community – shutting ourselves away to avoid potential danger however only causes isolation.”

Led by David, a qualified Taekwondo instructor the participants were taught a range of practical self-defence skills and learned simple yet effective self-defence moves tailored for real-world situations.

The class also covered key topics such as situational awareness, how to react in threatening scenarios, and confidence-building tips to stay safe in everyday life.

Attendee Janet from Boronia said she came along because she wanted to feel safe in her community.

“There are people who are invading people’s space and hurting innocent people,” she said.

Clare from Emerald said the course content drew her in because she wanted to feel more confident.

“I want to have better situational awareness and feel like I could protect my kids,” she said.

Belgrave Mum Natalie said she wants to be a good mum to her daughter and be able to protect

her in various situations.

“Whether we’re at the football on a train platform – it’s having more knowledge and skills to add to the repertoire,” she said.

“I loved the hands-on approach so we could test it. If we weren’t doing it quite right, we were corrected and got the chance to do it more than once.”

Janet and Clare said they gained some vital techniques.

“It was outstanding - we learned such simple things that you can use straight away,” she said.

“There were very practical techniques that we could take away today,” said Clare.

Ms Young said MotHs is grateful for the grant funding they received for the courses.

“We are especially grateful to David and Jo from Upwey Taekwondo for facilitating them,” she said.

Ms Young said the group learned were invaluable at the Wednesday session.

“One day after the anniversary of Samantha’s disappearance, Samantha was well and truly in our hearts and thoughts today,” said Ms Young.

Melba Highway landslip repair works

We’re completing critical landslip repairs on the Melba Highway in Dixons Creek, between Healesville-Kinglake Road and north of Hunts Lane.

Melba Highway will be closed to traffic and detours will be in place from 17 February to late March.

Labour Day long weekend

By Chris Tanti, CEO of the Leukaemia Foundation

The Leukaemia Foundation’s muchloved national fundraising campaign, the World’s Greatest Shave, is back for its 27th year encouraging people to shave, cut or colour their hair to raise critical funds for the 150,000 Australians living with blood cancer.

As the Leukaemia Foundation’s biggest fundraising event of the year, the call for participation in the World’s Greatest Shave has never been more urgent, with new data revealing blood cancer is on track to become Australia’s most common and deadly cancer within a decade – unless we act now.

It might surprise readers to learn that blood cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia. And yet, you cannot prevent blood cancer, nor can you screen for it or make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of being diagnosed – it’s Australia’s silent and hidden cancer crisis.

With around 1 in 12 Australians projected to receive a blood cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, it is essential, now more than ever, that Australia invests more funding into blood cancer research focused on early detection and prevention, while continuing to bolster support services for patients and their loved ones.

Everyday Australians, like you and me, can do their part by signing up to the World’s Greatest Shave to shave, cut or colour their hair to support the growing number of people living with blood cancer.

We urge the Australian community to sign up, or donate directly, to the World’s Greatest Shave today by visiting worldsgreatestshave.com or calling 1800 500 088.

Melba Highway will open in both directions for the Labour Day long weekend from Friday 7 March until Tuesday 11 March with reduced speed limits.

Please support local businesses which remain open during works and are accessible by travelling via Yarra Glen.

Scan the QR code or find out more at transport.vic.gov.au/melbahighway

Led by David, a qualified Taekwondo instructor the participants were taught a range of practical self-defence skills. (Supplied)

The class also covered key topics such as situational awareness, how to react in threatening scenarios, and confidence-building tips to stay safe in everyday life. (Supplied)

Nominate an everyday hero

By Tanya Steele

Nominations are officially open for the 2025 Westfield Local Heroes program with Australians encouraged to nominate everyday heroes whose work has a positive impact on their local community or environment.

Now in its eighth year, vital assistance is on the table as Knox locals are invited to nominate special people in their community as part of an international program designed to support local charities.

The program is run by Scentre Group, who are owners of Westfield destinations in Australia and New Zealand and last year’s winner in Knox Westfield was Gayle Dye from Share Space Inc.

“It was exciting. There was no other word for it,” Ms Dye said.

“I did not think I was going to win, the other two finalists, what they do is amazing as well.”

Ms Dye said her organisation had been fundraising for some time to purchase a new van and winning helped pull them over the line - making the purchase possible.

Share Space Inc. is a family-run food relief and community support charity founded in Rowville in 2020 which continues to make a meaningful impact in the Knox community, providing essential aid to those in need.

“We’ve got 62 volunteers and we are 100 per cent volunteer run, we help around 750 people per month,” said Ms Dye.

The Westfield Local Heroes program recognises and celebrates individuals and organisations dedicated to their communities and environment by shining a spotlight on them and their work.

This year, Westfield will award $20,000 to one Westfield Local Hero at each Westfield destination in support of the organisation or group they represent.

Two finalists for each centre will also receive a $5,000 grant for their organisation or group. A

total of 126 grants are available to recipients, the program providing vital support to local organisations so they can continue helping their community.

Scentre Group National Community Manager, Pam Wilson said the Westfield Local Heroes pro

Make the most of your food scraps.

gram is a testament to the remarkable individuals who dedicate themselves to making a difference, and the power of community spirit.

“We’re thrilled to announce that nominations

cohort of recipients who are creating positive change within their community,” she said.

“The grants empower local heroes to continue their vital work, creating ripple effects of positive change in their communities. We’re excited to celebrate these inspiring individuals within our communities and welcome them as Westfield Local Hero alumni.

Nominating someone is easy and it can have a significant and long-lasting impact on the lives of thousands.”

Since its inception in 2018, the Westfield local heroes program has contributed more than $8.6 million in grants to 865 community organisations. (Westfield Local Heroes grants are provided in Australian and New Zealand dollars).

Share Space Inc. continues to grow and expand and Ms Dye said they are currently trying to help up to 1000 people a month and provide a range of new home help services in 2025.

“It’s called Share space services, and it’s going to be a free service via referral, so people can get their lawns mowed for free, or help decluttering their house,” said Ms Dye.

Once nominations close on 13 March, a panel of representatives from destination teams and local community partners select three finalists for each Westfield destination, with the community then invited to vote for their 2025 Westfield local hero.

Nominations for Westfield local heroes close on March 13 this year. The community vote will be held between 19 August and 8 September to determine the Westfield Local Heroes at each centre, with the grant recipients announced in October.

For more information and to nominate your Westfield Local Heroes, visit www.westfield.com. au/local-heroes

“Westfield has been amazing,” said Ms Dye.

When you separate your food scraps into your green bin along with garden clippings, they can be recycled into compost, instead of ending up in landfill.

The compost made from your food scraps and garden clippings can be used on farms and community gardens across Victoria to help grow food again.

Over 60% of Cardinia Shire residents are sorting their food and garden scraps into their green bin. Using your bin correctly means more high-quality compost for our parks and gardens. Find out more: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/greenbin

“They support you and the important thing with the Westfield grant is that they spotlight smaller charities – people working on the ground.”

Mother of four and founder of the charity Share Space Gayle Dye was selected to receive a $20,000 grant towards her charity.(On File).

Yellingbo steps back in time

By Tanya Steele

The annual medieval fair at Camelot Castle saw travellers from near and far pay a single gold coin to enter a world of reenactment and fantasy for a day in Yellingbo.

Yellingbo CFA, in collaboration with Woori Community House, Woori Yallock Bendigo Bank, and Camelot Castle, invited the community along to the unique, family-friendly experience on Sunday 9 February February.

Historical reenactment groups along with fantastical live action role players (LARPers) set up tents for the day and entertained crowds as they stepped back in time at the castle grounds, supported by regular everyday heroes, CFA from Yellingbo and Hoddles Creek.

Yellingbo CFA host the fair every second year and the event serves as the main fundraiser for their brigade and Junior Leader Coordinator from Hoddles Creek CFA Kristen Couzens said funds go towards stocking important equipment for Yellingbo.

“Yellingbo kindly invited the Hoddles Creek Juniors to come and run some children’s actives and offered them the opportunity to raise funds for their own activities,” she said.

“Our juniors helped Yellingbo members at the community education tent while also running the fire house and dunk bucket challenge.”

Volunteers stepping up for the dunk bucket challenge included Captains of neighbouring brigades, group officers and junior leaders, making it a fun collaboration for CFA across the region.

The event featured a bustling medieval marketplace showcasing local crafts and goods from the Upper Yarra Valley and people enjoyed the medieval-themed activity areas, Punch ‘n Judy puppet shows, face painting and live demonstrations.

CFA kept a sausage sizzle going as LARP groups from Swordcraft, Leongatha medieval village, Jomsviking, Baron of Krae Glas and more entertained crowds.

The day was a wonderful opportunity for the community to enjoy a unique medieval experience and support local initiatives.

Hoddles Creek CFA Junior Leader Coordinator Kristen Couzens cops a dunk from the kids. (Supplied)

From left: Marnie, Amy and Riva enjoy the day with treasure hunts and lucky dips from the Woori Community House. (Tanya Steele: 458473)

Fathma from Jomsvikings Australia displays her costume. (Tanya Steele: 458458)

Live Action Role Play (LARP) often has complex costuming and backstories attached to a person character.(Tanya Steele:458458)

The LARP group Swordcraft hosts events all over Australia fighting with authentic-looking foam weapons and real steel armour, chain maille, leather, and costumes. (Tanya Steele: 458473)

Real and fantasy heroes practice firefighting at the fair. (Supplied)

Katia with dragon Kaida and Ferrisen came from Gippsland and Noble Park to participate in the Swordcraft LARP display. (Tanya Steele: 458473)

The Barony of Krae Glass putting on live demonstrations and enjoying the day. (Tanya Steele: 458458)

The medieval theme brought groups from all over Melbourne and beyond. (Tanya Steele: 458473)

Traditional Punch and Judy Shows by the fountain got the kids up and curious. (Tanya Steele: 458473)

Yarra Junction CFA 2nd Lt. Jeff Rowan joins in the fun. (Supplied)

A fight to the death! Live action role players (LARPers) from Swordcraft groups all over Melbourne display their talent. (Tanya Steele: 458458)

Demonstrating the strength of old world weaponry. (Tanya Steele: 458458)

Medic John and his 14th century display. (Tanya Steele: 458458)

Student art on display

By Tanya Steele

Local art students have had the chance to see their hard work exhibited at the Sherbrooke Art Gallery, celebrating with an official opening on 25 January.

Oil and Watercolour students from 2024 were invited to submit work for the exhibition which was opened at the gallery last week.

Sherbrooke Art Society member Walburga Menk said at the opening comments that the work being exhibited was of a very high standard.

“Sherbrooke Art Society is very fortunate to have such good teachers and the results speak for themselves,” she said.

The exhibited students were those who attended classes with Phillip Wills who teaches oils and It Hao Pheh who teaches watercolours.

At the opening teacher Phillip Wills gave the audience some background as to how the Society first started 60 years ago.

“He also acknowledged the importance of the Society’s home about to turn 100,” said Ms Menk.

“Both the society and the building have survived because of the dedication of members who donate their time to the running of the gallery, and also importantly the upkeep of the building,: she said.

The gallery had the main gallery floor restumped last year and will require more serious work on the roof in the near future.

Mr Wills also spoke about the work his students have submitted and said the more advanced students were given the task of painting works by the old masters including Caravaggio, Frederick Mccubbin, Rembrandt as well as new masters such as Richard Schmidt.

The exhibition includes four copies of Caravaggio’s ‘Basket of Fruit’, one copy of ‘Young Sick Bacchus’ and four copies of McCubbin’s ‘Lost 1907’, all expertly painted by students.

Oils student Mr Azzopardi said Phillip Wills, their teacher structured the classes to facilitate drawing out the artist within each of them and give students the confidence to express it.

“Phillip has been extremely patient and meticulous about teaching us techniques used by the old masters such as learning the beautiful art of glazing in the painting ‘Basket of Fruit’ by Michelangelo Caravaggio or using impasto mediums and texture techniques in ‘Lost’ by Fredrick McCubbin,” he said.

“These are skillsets that will remain with us for good and provide us with a wider scope of application in paintings yet to come.”

Mr Azzopardi said classes have been highly rewarding on both personal and artistic levels.

“We have learned that the power of observa-

The Queensland Fruit Fly lifecycle generally takes 28 days to complete (longer in cooler conditions and shorter when it is warmer).

QFF females prefer to lay eggs in newly ripening fruit, just when fruit starts to change from small, hard & green to large, soft & colourful.

THE QFF LIFECYCLE & management techniques

QFF is best managed using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach based on where weaknesses in the QFF lifecycle exist.

tion of the subject matter is equally as important as the painting itself,” he said.

“We have been trained to look objectively before we put paint to canvas and this has in itself urged an inner developmental process of the true self.”

The student exhibit will run until February 23 at the Sherbrooke Art Gallery at 62 Monbulk Rd, Belgrave and is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11am – 3pm.

Pheromone traps can catch male QFF before they mate. Protein traps target female QFF before they are ready to lay eggs. Food based bait droplets on leaves are sought after by hungry QFF. Exclusion netting stops female QFF reaching fruit to lay eggs. Harvesting fruit stops QFF larvae reaching the soil or organic matter on the ground where they pupate (change from a larvae to a fly). Removing unmanaged fruit hosts prevents any QFF risk at all!

Phillip Wills with students from his Monday class, from left: Phillip Wills, Agnes Kaczmrek, Walburga Menk, Gael Tan and Hans de Boer. (Supplied)

Teacher Phillip Wills and student Rosemary James with her mastercopy painting of a Caravaggio ceiling fresco.

Student Mark Azzopardi working on a Frederick McCubbin mastercopy of ‘Lost’.

SHOP LOCAL MONBULK

A unique treasure in town

Monbulk Jewellers stands out as a rare gem situated at the heart of the town.

Founded three decades ago by fine artist, gem expert, and jewellery designer Kenneth S Hunt (Ken) and his wife Helen, the shop has been supported by a dedicated team including their daughters Rachel and Jess. Jenny Hopkins, the initial assistant, remains an integral part of this family enterprise.

Throughout the years, Monbulk Jewellers has flourished, attracting patrons who appreciate exquisite jewellery, gemstones, and high-quality fine art. The store specializes in Australian gems and jewellery, serving both locals and tourists with friendly service, diverse product offerings, and comprehensive jewellery services.

Their on-site master jeweller, Mgrdic Gelgec (Michael), adept with both gold and silver, handles quality repairs, remodelling, and custom jewellery creations. The shop proudly presents a unique handmade jewellery collection ’Unique by Monbulk Jewellers’ where Ken sources gemstones and designs, and Michael skilfully crafts these designs into stunning pieces.

Monbulk Jewellers invites you to admire their creations, displayed proudly in the shop’s front window and inside. The business takes pride in its growth and deeply values the support of the local community over the past three decades.

Don’t miss the chance to visit Monbulk Jewellers at 102 Main Road, Monbulk. Operating hours are 9am - 5pm Monday – Friday, and 9am - 2pm on Saturdays. For further details, contact 0490 316 050, email ken@masterstouch.com.au, or explore their website at monbulkjewellers. com.au.

Come see the team at Monbulk Jewellers. Picture: ON FILE

SHOP LOCAL MONBULK

Refresh your home today

As we embrace these final weeks of summer, there’s a special warmth in the air that goes beyond the season’s heat. It’s a perfect time to reflect on the incredible community spirit that makes our town so special.

A Year of Gratitude

Last year, when Michael underwent hip replacement surgery, your overwhelming support during the temporary store closure touched our hearts deeply. The countless well-wishes, helping hands, and patience shown during his recovery period demonstrated the true essence of our community’s character. Now fully recovered, Michael is back at his post, more energetic than ever and eager to serve you with the same dedication you’ve shown him.

Beat the Heat with Fresh Linens

As these warm summer nights continue, ensure your comfort with our state-of-the-art wet clean system for your bedding and garments. Our eco-friendly approach keeps your items fresh and clean without harsh chemicals or residue. From lightweight summer sheets to delicate garments, we provide top-quality care with the friendly service you’ve come to expect – always free of charge.

Curtain Care for Cooler Days

While summer’s still with us, it’s the perfect time to refresh those dusty curtains and drapes. Our professional cleaning service will have them looking their best, helping you maintain a fresh, clean home environment as we gradually transition toward autumn.

Trading Hours

We’re here to serve you:

Monday to Friday: 7am to 4pm

Saturday: 8.30am to 1pm

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of our wonderful community. We look forward to serving you soon.

Owner of Monbulk’s Neat N Clean Dry Cleaners, Michael. (File: 256152)

60 years of historical body

By Ray Peace

Knox

Historical

Society is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025.

Current president, Ray Peace, who has been a member for twenty of those years, said the society started because local residents realised how much of their local history was being lost.

“Howard McComb, member of a long-standing local family, first came up with the idea,” Ray said.

“He started collecting as much of the area’s history as could.”

Howard gave a speech to the Bayswater Progress Association on 16 April 1964 at the old Bayswater Progress Hall, on Station Street, on the subject of early public maps of the district.

The upshot was a public meeting on 14 May 1965 at the same venue to form a Shire of Knox Historical Society.

CARTOON

The Society collected material related to the heritage of the municipality of Knox, including the former Shire of Ferntree Gully, the Shire of Berwick, and local Indigenous history.

Early meetings were held in members’ houses for years.

A public campaign was mounted in 1966 to save Millers homestead, which was acquired by the City of Knox in 1971.

The society started its own newsletter in 1969.

Early KHS members included Tony Scollary, Graham Hansen, and Chris Boddy.

“Graham has since retired, but Chris is still an active member,” Ray said.

“They did an incredible job. Without them, much of the early history of Knox would have been lost.”

The society moved to ‘Ambleside’ homestead, gifted to the City of Knox in 1975 following the

death of Oliver David, in 1977.

Still at the same location almost fifty years later, the homestead and museum now receives over one thousand visitors a year, including tour groups, hundreds of school children, and residents of local retirement homes.

KHS members will be attending a formal sixtieth anniversary function later in the year.

‘Ambleside’ homestead and museum, at 3 Olivebank Road, Ferntree Gully, is open to the public between 10am and 1pm on Thursday and Friday, and between 1pm and 4pm on Sunday.

For details, phone: 9758 6722 or email: khs@ relics.com

Wally Tew, mayor of the City of Knox, at the opening of ‘Ambleside’ museum in 1977. (Supplied)

Fast-paced, action-packed

Book review of Traitor’s Gate by Jeffrey Archer Traitor’s Gate is the sixth book in the William Warwick series by renowned English novelist Jeffrey Archer.

Initially, this reviewer found it difficult to delve into the story due to a lack of knowledge of the heroes and villains in the previous titles.

It felt like sitting down to watch a movie when it is already halfway through.

Yet, the story quickly proves its worth as a meticulously researched and skilfully executed showpiece.

The complex and formidable procedures in which the Crown Jewels are transferred between the Tower of London and Parliament are well explained.

It helps to explain the great lengths that master criminal Miles Faulkner goes to in his determination to revenge against Chief Superintendent Warwick and his team.

Faulkner is as intimidating a character as his lawyer Booth Watson is slithery and slimy.

It makes Faulkner’s ex-wife Christina a bit stereotypically shallow in comparison.

Indeed, assuming all the relevant characters are already well developed in the previous titles, there is very little illustration of their personalities and characteristics in the book.

In contrast, Warwick’s children Peter and Artemisia stand out with their little school project, which fits in the grand scheme of things in the story flawlessly.

Hour, the “immediate period post-offence when arrest and forensic opportunities are at their maximum” according to the We Are London website.

The author effortlessly presents everything that happens at once, leaping from one character to the next with just enough probing to reveal their perspectives while maintaining the breathless pacing. Especially near the end of the book, it feels more like watching a thrilling movie than reading a book.

It all makes this reviewer want to read the whole William Warwick series from the start and even to explore the author’s other books.

This is perhaps the best result any story can achieve.

With that said, it is interesting that Traitor’s Gate, published in September 2023, is set in 1997 when Tony Blair was elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The Round Theatre

Todd McKenney – New Show Announced

After the first show sold out in record time, The Round is excited to announce a second show for Todd McKenney at The Round.

Peter and Me is a high-energy tribute to Todd’s idol Peter Allen.

Local entertainment news Kemp’s curtain call

This fun-filled musical journey features Allen’s greatest hits, from I Go To Rio to Tenterfield Saddler.

Button up your Hawaiian shirt for some fabulously fun nostalgia.

Season: Saturday 3 May at 7.30pm.

Underground Cabaret

The Round 2025 Underground Cabaret Season is set to dazzle when The Round Studio transforms into a decadent speakeasy.

Drew Downing and Band will get the party stared with rock and roll hits, jazz standards and 90s bangers.

Season: Friday 14 March at 8pm.

The Music Man – Nova Theatre

The hit revival of The Music Man was a Broadway smash.

Now hit is coming to The Round.

With eight shows to choose from; there’s a time to suit every musical lover.

Season opens Friday 21 March at 7.30pm.

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre

Moon Over Buffalo

Fast paced with an abundance of mishaps Moon Over Buffalo will prove to be as delightfully funny as Suite Surrender.

With gorgeous 1950s gowns, this screwball comedy is in the old tradition of farces… set in 1953 Buffalo NY – definitely OFF OFF BROAD-

WAY- where two mature -aged actors, who are married to each other have one last chance to make it big big in Hollywood if only their play goes off well in front of Hollywood Mega Director, Frank Capra…

Get a good belly laugh with slamming doors, aplenty, backstage shenanigans and larger than life personalities that inhabit the world of theatre.

Season opens on 13 March.

Bookings: lilydaleatc.com or 88736 1777 on Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays.

Eltham Little Theatre

Diary of Anne Frank

January 27th marked the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation.

The over-riding sentiment was simply never, ever again.

Sadly, such horrors have reoccurred.

We can change this.

Let us heed the words of those who suffered for simply being different and ensure these atrocities never happen again.

“I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart.” Anne Frank.

Season: 21 February – 8 March.

Jojo, daughter of Warwick’s best mate Inspector Ross Hogan, also helps to explain Hogan’s personal circumstances.

Particularly outstanding is the depiction of the numerous happenings throughout the Golden

Does this mean there will be many more books forthcoming to chronicle Warwick’s brilliant career, even after An Eye for an Eye, the latest in the series?

This reviewer certainly hopes so.

Joker 2 is a better musical

Emilia Perez

Starring Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez

Rated MA15+

2.75/5

Emilia Perez is a dull, flat musical that has garnered inexplicable awards acclaim.

In Mexico, cartel boss Emilia Perez (Karla Sofía Gascón) enlists the help of a lawyer named Rita (Zoe Saldaña) to help her undergo gender-affirming surgery and gain a new life.

The pacing is slow and slack, drifting along until an abrupt and implausibly tragic conclusion, and Rita is just a middleman despite being the primary focus.

Scenes of Emilia with her wife Jessi (Selena Gomez) are too fleeting for their tense reconnection later on to carry much impact, Epifania (Adriana Paz) is introduced in the third act and contributes almost nothing to the plot, and the cartel crimes Emilia committed pre-transition, which confirm her as an unrelatable monster, are established halfway through the two-hourplus film.

Emilia Perez isn’t that bad on the surface –Saldaña and Gascón deliver compelling performances, and there are some poignant, touching moments – but Mexican and trans viewers found the film simplistic and insulting.

French writer-director Jacques Audiard

even admitted to doing almost no research, and described Spanish as the language ‘of underdeveloped nations, the poor and migrants.’ Emilia Perez somehow won Best Picture, Musical/Comedy at the Golden Globes, but I’d say it’s not even the best musical of 2024: that would be the bright, fun and well-staged Wicked, and even the rough, sordid Joker: Folie a Deux has better music. Emilia Perez’s musical numbers often feature breathy half-singing, indistinct melody and static staging (and that “from penis to vagina” song has been deservedly mocked to hell and back).

Available to stream on Netflix, Emilia Perez is unsatisfying and poorly-structured as a musical and drama, and at the risk of jinxing it, I will be so disappointed if this wins Best Picture at the Oscars.

Valentine’s Day in focus

By Maria Millers

This Friday is Valentine’s Day, traditionally a celebration of romantic love with its origins in paganism with Christian associations.

But like other festivals it has now been relegated to filling a consumer vacuum between Christmas and Easter.

Undoubtedly, even in these times of hardship for some, there will still be the usual overspending on gifts and flowers, albeit be a last minute bunch grabbed from the servo or supermarket.

Traditionally associated with romance, roses today have become a cliched and superficial Valentine’s Day gift symbolizing the commercialization of love, stripped of genuine emotion.

Approximately 40 per cent to 50 per cent of fresh-cut flowers sold in Australia are imported, with a significant portion arriving around Valentine’s Day.

For instance, up to 10 million roses are flown into the country during this period.

And while there is nothing wrong with celebrating romantic love, be it often so fleeting, today as we face a world riven with problems should we perhaps divert our thoughts to a different kind of love: a compassionate love or Agape as the Greeks called it.

Agape is different from romantic love (eros) and familial love (storge); it focuses on love that transcends personal desires or emotions and seeks the well-being of others.

A love that goes beyond personal gain or emotional attachments, given freely without expecting anything in return and can include strangers and even enemies.

Agape can involve empathy which focuses on understanding another person’s feelings or at least acknowledges the validity of those feelings.

But this kind of approach is missing from our individualistic way of thinking.

Perhaps that is why we are now enacting laws against what is called ‘hate speech.’

While the most recent cases have targeted Jewish people we must not forget that others like Middle Eastern and African migrants and of course our own Indigenous have also been the focus of many attacks.

There is a love that gives with open hands,

Not counting what it loses, but what it gives.

It doesn’t seek to take, but simply stands—

A beacon where the soul, unchained, can live.

Agape’s Embrace author unknown It’s of course harder to feel empathy when you are struggling with family, mortgage payments as well as high grocery, medical and utility bills.

As well the media, particularly social media, constantly highlighting crimes while politicians vie with each other to capitalise on public fears.

With an election just around the corner there are many issues we should be discussing.

Regrettably, we are not a culture that engages in weighty conversations over coffee or a pint. Sport is allowable but anything else is viewed with suspicion.

And yet, many have found it distressing to view day in day out images from countries in turmoil and particularly seeing the suffering of children, yet feel constrained in expressing their feelings.

We see heart-wrenching pictures of the plight faced by millions of displaced individuals around the world, the loss of home, security, and a sense of belonging.

Similarly, we are troubled by laws hastily enacted in response to community fears with possible unintended consequences seemingly left unexplored or addressed.

So while we pride ourselves in living in a vibrant democracy, we forget that this requires before anything else an informed electorate and one that hopefully can look beyond narrow personal gains, engage in difficult discussions and be prepared to question our representatives.

Poetry has always been a medium for capturing the spirit of the times, and today is no different.

Poems can offer a glimpse into the complexities and realities of our world and help bridge gaps between different groups and generations. It invites readers to step into others’ shoes, fos-

WOORILLA WORDS

tering empathy and understanding in an increasingly divided world.

Through poetry, we can find solace, understanding, and inspiration as we navigate the everchanging landscape of our world today.

Among the many Australian poets there has been a growing number of indigenous poets: Ellen van Neerven, Ali Corgy Eckermann, Allison Whittaker, Charmaine Papertalk Green, Evelyn Aaluen to name a few, all prepared to speak about injustices as they see or live them.

Though not an Australian poem, lya Kaminsky’s ‘We Lived Happily during the War’ is a complex and conflicted exploration of life in America during a period in which the country was waging wars overseas.

The sentiments expressed are just as relevant to the Australian experience.

Kaminsky uses the contrast between domestic comfort and foreign suffering to reflect on feelings of guilt in living in relative peace while others suffer, suggesting that people in affluent countries can afford to ignore horrors elsewhere.

But perhaps at a cost.

We Lived Happily During the War

And when they bombed other people’s houses, we protested but not enough, we opposed them but not  enough. I was in my bed, around my bed America  was falling: invisible house by invisible house by invisible house.

I took a chair outside and watched the sun.

In the sixth month of a disastrous reign in the house of money

in the street of money in the city of money in the country of money, our great country of money, we (forgive us)

lived happily during the war.

All of what I’ve written should not blunt your romantic impulse towards a loved one.

It is just reminder that the wonderful feelings felt towards a loved one should not be orchestrated by commercial imperatives but be freely expressed at any time whether with flowers or a well chosen gift.

And nor should we forget to acknowledge the other kinds of love that enrich our lives and our society.

British poet Carole Ann Duffy, you may remember, cheekily suggested that an onion with its layers of skin and lingering scent was a far better representation of a lasting relationship than a rose.

But while for many roses will still be the symbolic gift of romantic love and undoubtedly received with great pleasure the last word goes to the inimitable Dorothy Parker

One Perfect Rose

A single flow’r he sent me, since we met.

All tenderly his messenger he chose;

Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet--

One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret;

“My fragile leaves,” it said, “his heart enclose.”

Love long has taken for his amulet

One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet

One perfect limousine, do you suppose?

Ah no, it’s always just my luck to get

One perfect rose.

Hello Yarra Valley gardeners!

Welcome to the February 2025 Queensland fruit fly update. QFF detections have slowly increased for the season to date. However, I am pleased to report that many gardeners and fruit growers are taking the clean up and management options seriously. If we continue to stop the spread, QFF will not take hold in the Yarra Valley, and less fruit will be impacted. I am also pleased to report that in some QFF cases from last season, no further QFF have been detected this season so far. Early detection and rapid response with dedicated people doing the work makes a difference for the whole community. There will always be a QFF risk, it is how we manage our production areas that counts. We need to work together.

Tips for concerned home gardeners

Keep the fruit in your garden picked regularly. Don’t let it fall. Check your fruit during the ripening phase.

Store your harvest in the fridge. Process what you pick. Treat scraps (freeze, boil or microwave) before composting or placing in FOGO bins.

Don’t carry risk fruit from a QFF area into the Yarra Valley or into your home. Don’t share fruit if you suspect it is infested.

Exclusion netting or fine mesh nets can be placed over good fruit and sealed up to stop the fruit fly from laying eggs.

Talk to neighbours about QFF risk and check host plants near your home.

QFF Detections @ FEB 6th 2025 Yarra Valley and surrounds

Coldstream, Lilydale, Silvan, Mt Evelyn, Gruyere, Wandin North, Yarra Glen, Kinglake, Kilsyth, Bayswater, Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park, Hoddles Creek.

Suspect QFF are also being reported in Croydon, Warrandyte, Donvale, Montmorency, Park Orchards, Templestowe, and other inner Melbourne locations. New cases are in Frankston.

If you think you’ve found QFF, take a clear photograph and send to qff@agribusiness-yarravalley.com, or text 0490381999.

Freeze, boil or microwave suspect fruit. Do not compost untreated fruit. If you can’t treat fruit, please seal it In a bag, double bag it, and place in the regularly collected rubbish.

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 Liquid part of blood (6)

4 Roma is its capital (6)

10 Part of flower’s calyx (5)

11 Banishment (9)

12 Fine ceramic material (9)

13 Designer, Calvin – (5)

14 Give up (6)

15 Immediate (4)

19 Mode of travel (4)

20 Reduce to very low temperature (6)

24 Handling (5)

25 Books of memoranda (9)

27 Area of England, historically the ‘Middle Saxons’ (9)

28 Perch (5)

29 Teutonic (6)

30 Essay on a theme (6)

DOWN

1 Document for travel (8)

2 Seeming (8)

3 People of Malta (7)

5 Detective (7)

6 Wait around idly (6)

7 Intending (6)

8 Scottish island (4)

9 Filmmaker, – Kubrick (7)

16 Testimony (7)

17 Poisonous (8)

18 Internet pages (7)

19 Insignia of royalty (7)

21 Comeback (7)

22 A spice (6)

23 Auction participant (6)

26 Written words (4)

PROPERTY

SPACIOUS AND STYLISH COUNTRY LIVING

SPACIOUS AND STYLISH COUNTRY LIVING

TUCKED away on 1,432sqm of fully fenced land, this newly renovated 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom gem offers the perfect mix of modern comfort and country charm all just a short stroll to local shops and the primary school.

Step up onto the wrap-around verandah and into a light-filled open-plan living space, where a woodfire heater spreads warmth throughout the home, assisted by gas ducted heating and a split system. Skylights flood the space with natural light, and one even opens for a refreshing breeze.

The heart of the home is the stunning entertainer’s kitchen, designed for those who love to cook, host and entertain. A huge stone island bench, gas stovetop, endless bench space making meal prep effortless, and storage galore make it as functional as it is stylish. Sliding doors open to a large undercover deck, where you can relax and soak in views of the expansive backyard. Down the hall, the master bedroom features triple built-in robes, while two additional bedrooms offer double built-in robes. A central family bathroom, separate toilet, and laundry with backyard access (plus a convenient doggy door!) complete the layout. Outside, you’ll find a 6m x 7m powered shed with a concrete floor, perfect for storage or a workshop. The 1.5kW solar system adds to the homes efficiency, while the sprawling yard provides plenty of space for kids and pets to run free. A gated entry and ample off-street parking complete this picture-perfect property. With modern updates, plenty of space, and a fantastic location, this home is the perfect place to start your next chapter.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office.

HOME FOCUS

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

NESTLED on an expansive acre approx. of lush greenery, this beautifully renovated home is a true gem that seamlessly blends modern elegance with serene natural surroundings.

Elevated to take full advantage of its picturesque setting, the property is a haven for those seeking a tranquil retreat that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality.

A standout feature of this home is the fabulous full-length wraparound deck, covered for year-round enjoyment, this space is a true entertainer’s dream. Imagine hosting family gatherings, celebrating milestones, or simply unwinding with a glass of wine while taking in the stunning treed vistas.

Inside, the beautiful renovations shine through, from the open-plan lounge with fireplace and split system to the separate dining and kitchen area all flooded with natural light, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Modern finishes and a neutral colour palette enhance the sense of space, while the large windows have gorgeous sheers which frame the outdoor beauty, ensuring the connection to nature is never lost.

The kitchen is a chef’s delight, equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, Fisher and Paykell induction cooking, stone bench tops on the generous island bench with waterfall ends, soft close drawers, so whether you’re preparing a quick meal or experimenting with a new recipe, this space makes every culinary endeavor a pleasure.

The 3 bedrooms offer comfort, and each designed with relaxation in mind, master with ensuite, plus additional fabulous walk-in shower and toilet.

Beyond the home itself, the acre block provides endless opportunities, especially with the sealed driveway, 6m x 10m garage and workshop, great for a tradesman or just for multiple storage options, and with the rear street access off Eveline Road the possibilities are endless.

The location of this property provides easy access to Selby Primary school, doctors, the Minak reserve, tennis courts and is a 5-minute drive into Belgrave Central. For those who dream of a home that offers both sophistication and serenity, this elevated acre property with its stunning renovations and breathtaking vistas is an opportunity not to be missed.

Your dream lifestyle awaits.

HOME ESSENTIALS

HOME FOCUS

MAGNIFICENT 3 ACRE “MURRINDINDI” WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS

MAGNIFICENT 3-acre “Murrindindi” is the trifecta of investments. An exquisite ecofriendly family residence, postcard-worthy views of the Yarra Valley, and an esteemed Ridge Road location, this is an offering of unparalleled calibre.

This showcase residence with meticulously landscaped gardens and double-glazed windows, solar power, 15,000L rain storage, and heat pump hot water system blends substance and style to perfection. On the entry level, the beautiful bedrooms, including the main bedroom with deck access, luxurious dual sink ensuite, and dressing room, are generously proportioned. One of the rooms would make the ideal work from home space and the family bathroom features a deep soaking tub. For versatility, the lower level bedroom with ensuite enjoys separate access via a spectacular paved patio, making it an ideal short-term rental or teenage retreat. The heart of this stellar home comprises a formal lounge and dining area with quality carpet and a custom bar with granite benchtops. The neighbouring meals area features a gas fire and the gourmet kitchen boasts granite benchtops and high-end appliances including Neff wall ovens and Miele induction cooktop and dishwasher. The rich timber floors and island with inviting seating anchor this space while the walk-in pantry affords plenty of storage. From here, step out to the sprawling extra-height covered deck that soaks up the uninterrupted vista views.

Added features including a double garage with in-house access, security shutters and camera, gas ducted heating, split system heating/cooling units, semi-circular sealed drive, attic and under-house storage, and more. Outside, access to an additional drive with carport, garage, and recreational vehicle access is an immense value-add inclusion.

This one-of-a-kind property offers an incredible Dandenong Ranges lifestyle, so don’t delay, join us for a tour today.

• 12,392sqm (approx.) property with vista views to Mount Donna Buang

• Magnificent family residence with attached double garage, landscaped gardens, cellar, double-glazed windows, cost-saving solar, heat pump hot water system, 15,000L rain storage, grey water system, and worm farm septic

• Gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances and granite benchtops

• Main bedroom with ensuite, powder room, dressing room, and deck access

Secondary drive with carport, garage, and recreational vehicle parking.

HOME FOCUS

MURDOCH REALTY - THE NEW BENCHMARK IN REAL ESTATE

A new family owned and operated real estate agency has opened in Healesville servicing Melbourne’s Yarra Valley and outer east. The licensee of this new agency, Tasma Murdoch, is a highly experienced real estate agent with an extensive background in property law, property development and construction.

Whilst Tasma has lived in the Yarra Valley for over 10 years, most of her business operations have been in Sydney where she has flown in and out of. Her most recent project was in Sydney where she was the exclusive selling agent for an institutional real estate fund manager and Aware Super. This project was a finalist in the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Awards for Excellence and Tasma achieved $51 million in sales, selling the project out by completion.

Prior to becoming a real estate agent, Tasma had a long and highly successful career as a conveyancing paralegal acting on behalf of developers delivering large scale projects throughout Queensland and Sydney as well as acting for clients buying and selling prestigious real estate in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

This unique background sets Tasma apart from other agents. She has a deep understanding of the entire process of planning, construction and sales and marketing for properties and is trained to deliver the service standards that corporate and institutional clients demand. For buyers, this translates into a smoother transaction with an agent they inevitably trust.

Tasma’s husband, Nick Murdoch, is also in the property industry developing and building residential housing. Tasma has worked with Nick over the years to establish this business and acted as a real estate agent on various transactions with him.

Most recently this has included buying two small sites for residential housing in Healesville which Murdoch Realty will bring to the market in 2026.

However, whilst working interstate, navigating border closures and being absent from family during the Covid pandemic led Tasma and her husband to decide to move their respective businesses from Sydney and open them in their local area. In January of this year Tasma opened an office for her agency in Healesville and is joined by her daughters, Talisha Murdoch and Roshai Murdoch.

Talisha has grown up in the Yarra Valley, having attended primary and high school in the area. She has continued her education attending university to obtain a science degree whilst concurrently obtaining her Certificate IV in Real Estate. Talisha has several years’ experience in sales having worked in the cellar door of Rochford Winery following completion

of a WSET Level 2 Award in Wines.

Roshai’s enormous talent for writing ultimately led to a Bachelor of Journalism and a successful, decade long career in radio and television. Roshai has vast experience working in high pressure environments and her communication, marketing and interpersonal skills are exceptional. Her career culminated in being appointed the first female Melbourne Bureau Chief for Sky News at the age of 29.

Tasma and her daughters believe professionalism, honesty, trust and exceptional personal service are key for Murdoch Realty’s success. The agency specialises in residential sales with a focus on houses, apartments and land.

Murdoch Realty’s new office is located behind Healesville’s Main Street at 6 Taber Lane.

Murdoch Realty team - Talisha Murdoch, Tasma Murdoch and Roshai Murdoch.

Murdoch Realty’s new office is located behind Healesville’s Main Street at 6 Taber Lane.

DUAL LIVING IN THIS IMMACULATE HOME

IMMACULATE and homely are the first 2 words that come to mind when you view this home. Here is your chance to find your new property.

The Owners Top Five ‘We Love’ about this Home.

1. Walks to the lake

2. The trees and the gardens

3. Views and entertaining on the deck

4. Kids running, playing, hiding outside

5. 23 years of wonderful memories

Only leaving to downsize, this residence has been well loved and maintained and offers a comfortable, welcoming, family home on a useable ½ acre with the added bonus of a self-contained unit for extended family, it would also make the perfect work from home space, with separate access – keeping the main house private.

Featuring:

• Formal tiled entry and front porch, an ideal spot for a wine, catching the last of the sun at the end of the day.

4 bedrooms, the main with BIR’s and modern ensuite

2 separate living spaces, one with open fire, deck access and views of the nearby rolling hills

• The country chic kitchen is central, stylish and well appointed

• If soaking in a tub is a necessity, you are going to appreciate this deep tub in the bathroom, contemporary with a terrazzo style tiles and white cabinetry

Ducted heating, wood fire and open fireplace Unit:

1 bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry and living space, deck access and pretty garden outlook.

Outdoors:

• On just over ½ an acre of well-established gardens, lush lawns, established European trees, double remote garage, workshop, garden shedding, fencing, tiered areas, plenty of room for the children and furkids. The location is great, not far from Emerald Township, (or Monbulk for that matter) with its bus connections, walks and rides, schools, shops and cafes and restaurants.

BEAUTIFULLYRENOVATEDHOME

Nestledonanexpansiveacreoflushgreenery,thisbeautifullyrenovatedhome seamlesslyblendsmodernelegancewithserenenaturalsurroundings.Elevatedtotake fulladvantageofitspicturesquesetting,thepropertyis ahavenforthoseseekinga tranquilretreatthatdoesn’tcompromiseonstyleorfunctionality.Thestandoutfeatures arethefull-lengthcoveredwraparounddeck,open-planloungewithfireplace,chef’s kitchenwithtop-of-the-lineappliances,sealeddriveway,largegarageandworkshop

JanBrewster 0409558805

DUALLIVINGINTHISIMMACULATEHOME

VIEWSANDAMPLEPARKINGON1/2ACRE

Thiscomfortable,welcominghomehasbeenwelllovedandmaintainedbythecurrent ownersfor23yearsandoffers auseable ½acrewitha bonusofa self-contained 1 bedroomunitwithseparateaccess-makingitidealforextendedfamilyorwork-fromhomespace.Otherfeaturesinclude 2livingspacesonewithanOFP, acountrychic kitchen,GDH,modernensuite,well-establishedgardens,lushlawnsforplay,old-growth trees,remotedoublegarage,workshop,gardenshedding,fencingandtieredareas.

MickDolphin 0429684522

“WELCOMETOTHENEIGHBOURHOOD”

“Congratulationsandwewelcomethislovelycoupletotheneighbourhood!”

Salesarereallypickingupandwehave alotofBuyersthathaveeithermissedouton a propertyorareseriouslylookingtopurchaseintheseareas,butweneedmoreproperties tosell!SocontactusnowtoarrangeyourFREEno-obligationappraisalandtogetan insightintothecurrentmarket

MickDolphin 0429684522

AlisonBarkley 0494175410

AUCTIONat7pmThur.13/02/25onsite.

Idealforthosewhoprioritizeprivacy,thisexceptionalacreageof5.16Haisnestledat theendof aquiet,no-throughroad.Blendingclassicarchitecturewithsensitiveland managementtogetherasone.Thisone-of-a-kindpropertycreatesa harmoniousliving experience.Withitstimelessdesign,thischerishedhomeissettoprovidelastingcomfort foryearstocomeandstandsasthehighlightofthisserenenaturalretreat.Don’tmissout onyourchanceat asliceofparadise.

AnthonyIorlano 0494142438

DaveStewart 0411655611

HOME FOCUS

THE PERFECT FAMILY ESCAPE

TUCKED away in the heart of Gembrook, this spacious and versatile family home offers the best of both worlds, a peaceful country-style living with the convenience of shops, cafes, and schools just a short stroll away. Set on a generous 1001sqm block, this property has everything you need for a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle.

Step inside through the undercover entry into a warm and inviting lounge, where timber floors and a split system provide year-round comfort. The open-plan kitchen and dining area is designed for effortless family living, featuring a gas cooktop, electric oven, large pantry, and plenty of bench space for meal prep and entertaining. Down the hall, you’ll find a beautifully updated main bathroom with a separate toilet, a large laundry, and a dedicated study/work-from-home space ideal for modern living. The master bedroom with built-in robes is positioned at the front of the home, offering a quiet retreat.

Upstairs, two additional carpeted bedrooms with built-in robes provide plenty of space for the kids, along with a fantastic playroom/teen retreat that opens onto a private back deck, the perfect spot to unwind and take in the views of the lush backyard.

Outside, the huge 10m x 7m shed is a standout feature, complete with plumbing, roof beams, a generator plug, rear roller door and even a wood fire heater, a dream space for tradies, hobbyists, or those in need of extra storage. Plus, the 6.6kW solar system helps keep energy costs down.

The fully fenced backyard is a paradise for kids and pets, featuring a raised sandpit and plenty of open space to run, play, and explore. Also, a second shed with a concrete floor and power.

This is the perfect opportunity to secure a spacious, family-friendly home in a prime location. Don’t miss your chance, homes like this don’t last long.

Call to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office.

HOME ESSENTIALS

FamilySanctuaryon5372sqmwithPool,HugeShed& DualAccommodation Potential!

On5372sqm,this4BR,3-bathroompropertyoffers aperfectblendofspace &comfort.Welcoming youintoa sunkenlounge,idealforrelaxation& entertaining.ThemasterretreatwithBIR,office nook,s/sheating/cooling& ensuite. 3additionalbedrooms,allwithBIR &servicedbya central bathroom.Theopen-planmodernkitchen/dining,offeringamplebenchspace,generousstorage& gascooktop.An11.28kWsolarsystem,thehomealsohasGDHthroughout.Acrosstheundercover breezeway aselfcontainedunit,anidealretreatforguestsorfamily.Thisflowsseamlesslytothedeck &fencedsolar-heatedpool &spa.Outside,A highbay16m x9mshedwithconcretefloor,power& dual3.2mrollerdoors,singlegarage,doublegarage,3-carcarport &26,000-litrewatertank.

DoubleStorey 3BedHome,EntertainersDream!

ThisCharmingdoublestoreyhomeinOlinda,seton aspacious1124sqmblock,combinescomfort withelegance.Thepropertyfeaturesaninvitingundercoververandahthatleadstotheentryway. Inside,thereare3 carpetedbedroomswithBIR,themasterwithensuite.Themainleveloffersan expansiveopen-planlounge,dining,kitchenarea.Solidtimberflooring,largewindows&awood heater,complementedbyGDHthroughoutaswellasductedS/Stothebedrooms.Theentertainer’s kitchenincludesbeautifultimberbenchtops,abundanceofstorage &qualitystainlesssteeloven& dishwasher.Stepdirectlyfromthekitchenontothedeck.A staircaseleadsdownto alargerumpus/ theatreroomwithstylishfloatingtimberflooring,gaslogfire.Largebi-foldglassdoorsopenouttoan additionaloutdoorarea.Thehomealsoofferspracticalunder-housestorage.

Over35AcresofPrimeGembrookLandjust ashortstrolltotown! InvestheretoenjoythecharminglifestyleGembrookhastoofferwiththecafes,restaurants,walking trails,freshair& thePuffingBillyRail!The3 bedroom,2 bathroomsolidbrickhomeispositionedwell backfromtheroad& hasanidealviewinglocationforthePuffingBillyRailwayLine.TheMaster bedroomhasanensuite,whilstthefurther2 bedroomsareservicedbythefamilybathroom.There is alargekitchen,withspaceforyourdiningtable, &thekitchenflowstotheloungeroom.Thereis also ahandymudroomtotherearofthehomewithit’sowntoilet.Externallyis agreatshedwithtwo openbays,& anenclosedshedwith 3phasepower.Thereisalsoa singlecarporttotherearofthe homewithconcretefloor &a light,aswellasa furthershedtotherearofthehome.

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451 3 A 2 B 10 C

LowMaintenanceHomeintheHeartofCockatoo!

Positionedon a325sqmblock,just ashortwalktoCockatoo’stowncentre& localprimaryschool. Thepropertyisaccessedvia asealed,shareddrivewaywith adedicatedparkingspace.Steponto theundercoverfrontverandah &intothecarpetedlounge,completewitha splitsystemforyear roundcomfort.Theopen-plankitchen &diningareafeaturesdurabletiledflooring,anintegrated oven,dishwasher,amplestorage &directaccesstooutside.Thehomecomprisesof 3carpeted bedrooms,allfittedwithbuiltinrobes. Acentralbathroomwith aseparatetoiletaddstothehome’s functionality.Recentlypainted& newcarpetsthroughout,thishomeismoveinready.Thefully fencedbackgardenoffers aprivateoutdoorarea,perfectforkids& petstoplay. Idealforfirsthomebuyers,downsizersorinvestors.

PREMIUM FAMILY LIVING IN A QUIET LOCATION

Nestled in a sought-after, serene location, this beautifully renovated family home offers expansive living across two levels, with space for everyone.

Featuring 5 spacious bedrooms and 2 modern bathrooms, this property is perfect for large families or those seeking extra room to grow.

The heart of the home boasts generous living spaces, while the well-appointed kitchen is perfect for entertaining.

The double garage provides ample parking, with an additional huge workshop area for hobbyists or those needing extra storage.

There’s plenty of space for off-street parking, making this home incredibly convenient.

This home offers the ultimate blend of comfort, space, and peace. Call now for more details.

A gutsy win for Monbulk

By Jack Rollings

Round 13 of the Saturday Pennant season delivered perfect bowling conditions, with temperatures settling in the mid-twenties.

It’s been a season of ups and downs for Monbulk 1, hovering near the relegation zone for much of the year. But a recent surge in form has seen them not only steer clear of danger but also sneak into contention for a finals berth. Against a stacked Ringwood lineup featuring regional champions, representative players, and top-tier club coaches, Monbulk knew they had to bring their A-game.

Smith’s Team Holds Firm Under Pressure

Brian Smith’s squad got off to a flyer, notching up ten ends early on. A massive 6-shot blitz on the sixth end put them firmly in control, and they managed to keep Ringwood in check forthe rest of the encounter. When the visitors mounted a late surge, Monbulk responded with a clutch 4-shot play to seal the victory.

Final scoreboard read: Monbulk 23, Ringwood 16.

Markham’s Team Deliver Last-End Heroics

Eric Markham’s side had a tough outing, trailing for most of the match and only securing seven winning ends. Heading into the final end, they were staring down the barrel of a 10- shot deficit, with Ringwood threatening Monbulk’s overall scoreboard lead. But in a dramatic turn of events, Markham’s rink pulled off a stunning 7-shot play—a game-changer that secured Monbulk the overall win, despite a narrow 21-24 rink defeat. French’s Team Struggles Against Ringwood’s Fightback

Tony French’s team started strong, taking six ends and building a handy 6-shot lead by the halfway mark. However, Ringwood shifted into overdrive in the second half, winning every end from that point on and securing a crucial 5-shot play on the seventeenth end. Despite Monbulk’s valiant efforts to limit the damage,

the visitors took control and claimed the rink 2413.

Bras’ Team Brilliance Seals the Victory Jim Bras’ team delivered a standout performance, dominating with thirteen ends won. They piled on the pressure with three 3s, two 4s, and a huge 6, establishing an unassailable lead early on. Facing high-quality opposition, Monbulk finished in commanding fashion, clinching a 33-16 rink win that proved crucial in securing the overall points.

Finals Hopes Still Alive

With just one round remaining, Monbulk stands resolute in fifth place on the ladder, comfortably avoiding relegation. Their finals dreams are still alive, hinging on a couple of top contenders stumbling next week. Regardless of the outcome, Monbulk has shown they can compete with the elite and will aim to conclude the season on a high note. The final showdown sees Monbulk facing off against Ferntree Gully, a team ranked second on the ladder, but with just one more victory than Monbulk this season. This match is pivotal, with a finals spot at stake.

Monbulk 2’s Tough Trip to Keysborough Monbulk 2 made the long trip to Keysborough, grumbling about the long journey. Facing a team below them on the ladder, this round was a prime opportunity for Monbulk to break into the top four, provided they could secure a strong win. However, Keysborough had other plans. Peter Koomen’s team played solidly, maintaining the lead throughout. Despite winning fewer ends, they picked up a 3 and two 4s to stay ahead, ultimately winning the rink 18-16, marking Monbulk’s only rink victory of the day. Peter Lee’s team started slowly, falling behind by 11 shots before they got on the scoreboard. They then rallied with a 6-shot burst over three ends, sparking hope. However, Keysborough dominated the next six ends, including a few big multiples, building a massive 21-shot margin. Monbulk traded blows in the final stretch but couldn’t close the gap, losing the rink 9-33.

Case Broekhof’s team had a strong start, leading through the first third. Then, Keysborough hit their stride, doubling Monbulk’s score in the next third. Monbulk fought back in the final stretch, but Keysborough closed out the match by securing the final four ends, leading to a 13-28 defeat for Monbulk.

Norma Clerke’s team had a day they might want to forget. Last time they faced Keysborough it resulted in a good win. This time, on the Keysborough turf, they were hammered. Monbulk won only six ends and Keysborough’s wins included nine 3s. Monbulk lost the rink 8 shots to 35.

Overall, Monbulk 2 suffered a heavy defeat, losing to Keysborough 48-112, with only one winning rink. They remain fifth on the ladder with one round to go. Finals are now beyond reach, but they are still at risk of relegation, with lower teams facing each other and Monbulk up against third-placed Dandenong Club. The positive is that the match will be on Monbulk’s home ground—an important game no doubt.

Mark Johnston plays over the weekend. (Supplied)

SPORT

Multiple club records met

By Jamie Strudley

Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes enjoyed perfect conditions over the weekend as they continued their preparations for upcoming championships.

Our Little Athletics competition was flat out on Saturday morning. Athletes got to choose the events they wanted to do, as practice for next weekend’s Eastern Region Track and Field Championships, to be held on our track in Mt Evelyn. Fantastic performances and PB’s will have athletes confident of more PB’s at next weekend’s championships.

Our seniors had a busy week. Thursday night saw three club athletes travel to Aberfeldie for the Vic Milers competition which included the Victorian Open Mile Championship.

Olivia Twining was a convincing winner of the Women’s B race breaking the club record in the process. Her time of 5 mins 2.94 broke the previous club record by over six seconds. Zoe Clarke finished 8th in the women’s C Race, breaking the club Under 16 record in the process with her time of 5 min 22.00.

Craig Hewitson continued his great form with a solid run over 800m, finishing 7th with a time of 2.33.77. Great to see the return to the track from Mia Strudley, running a solid 800 in 2.34.46, we look forward to seeing her back in YRA colours soon.

The final round of the AVSL competition was held on Saturday afternoon at Casey Fields. Some outstanding performances from our team to finish 7th on the day with some other teams fielding big numbers and playing their powerplay. Our Senior team will finish the AVSL season in 5th place.

Records continued to tumble though. Erin Taylor broke the women’s U20 100m hurdle record with her time of 21.07. The record had stood since 2017.

Oliver Duncan broke his 110m hurdle record for the second consecutive week, this time also breaking the 20 second barrier with a time of 19.88 seconds.

Anne-Marie Ebbels broke her own Women 50+ Javelin record, throwing the spear 15.83m. AVSL round 10 results are below.

Women

· 100m: Ashleigh Rooke 14.43 (-1.4); Lily Messom 15.64 (-3.7); Erin Taylor 15.65 (-2.5); Kathi Hewitson 17.85 (-3.7);

· 400m: Ashleigh Rooke 71.77;

· 1500m: Emilie Garside 8:11.01;

· 100m Hurdles: Erin Taylor 21.07 (-1.6);

· 2000m Walk: Carolyn Rosenbrock 11:19.0h; Emilie Garside 12:57.0h;

· Discus: Meg Sparkes 29.55m; Hayley Wilkins 26.27m;

· Hammer: Sarah Ebbels 33.96m; Anne-Marie Ebbels 29.42m; Camden Hewitson 27.85m; Kathi Hewitson 23.58m;

· Javelin: Hayley Wilkins 33.39m; Ashleigh Rooke 23.75m; Anne-Marie Ebbels 15.83m; Kathi Hewitson 9.12m;

· Long Jump: Erin Taylor 3.97m; Ashleigh Rooke

3.79m; Lily Messom 3.13m; · Shot Put: Hayley Wilkins 8.44m; Meg Sparkes 6.53m; Men

· 100m: Oliver Duncan 12.52 (-3.3); Blake Saloyedoff 13.63 (-3.1); Daniel Gibbs 14.03 (-3.6); Joseph Johnston 14.17 (-3.6); Craig Hewitson 14.45 (-3.3); Ilikimi Tove 16.01 (-3.0);

· 400m: Blake Saloyedoff 59.36; Oliver Duncan 59.56; Daniel Gibbs 60.86; Craig Hewitson 63.56;

· Joseph Johnston 67.72; Ilikimi Tove 79.69;

· 1500m: Ky Harris 4:36.66; Daniel Gibbs 4:48.43; Blake Saloyedoff 4:51.08;

· 110m Hurdles: Oliver Duncan 19.88 (-1.8);

· Hammer: Dale Bullen 25.14m; Ash Almond 17.64m;

· Javelin: Ash Almond 52.41m; Dale Bullen 39.35m; Ilikimi Tove 27.59m; Craig Hewitson 14.14m;

· Long Jump: Daniel Gibbs 4.80m; Blake Saloyedoff 4.74m; Ash Almond 4.08m; Craig Hewitson 3.97m; Ilikimi Tove 3.96m;

· Officials: Carolyn Rosenbrock. There will be no Saturday morning competition as we host the region (EMR) Track and Field Championships.

Training for our little athletes five-12yo takes place on Tuesdays from 4-5pm with event specific training (where possible) for those competing

at Region championships. All registered and trial members are welcome. Please check our website for more training session details.

Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability. New members and anyone interested in trialling are always welcome.

Go to www.lavic.com.au or www.athsvic.org. au or email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about membership, events and registration.

For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!

Golfers put bodies and shots on the line for round two

By David Waters

Round two of the Eastern Suburbs +55 Senior Pennant was held at the Box Hill Golf Club on Friday 7 February. The players and managers expected another very warm day. Similar if not quite as hot as the week before. Mild conditions greeted the players, overcast and almost misty. Did the heavier atmosphere affect the golf? No. The joking and banter in the groups lightened the day as it always does. The new pennant competitors were welcomed in filling the void of those no longer capable of the early starts or long days.

As the veteran players passed along it was interesting to see a variety of knee braces and other bandages, just a sign of wearing out. New parts aren’t easily obtained, and so we persevere. The use of carts, painkillers before playing and a few drinks afterwards help us enjoy our play time.

Apart from the repartee and story telling we have other highlights. Leigh Simons of Churchill/Waverley was putting on the 18th green. His battery driven buggy engaged auto and drove into a bunker. On the same green another player saw his push buggy run away to the road 40 metres away. Both groups had

a chuckle at the owner’s expense. Luckily no damage.

Gardiners Creek runs through the Box Hill course. It causes hearts to beat faster and increase blood pressure at the thought of crossing to the green or tree lined fairway. A few players succumbed and plopped the ball in the creek for a drink. One Joe Sykes, the Box Hill team manager, bounced over the creek. He called loudly “oh no” on the first tee only for his ball to land hard and jump the water. With another shot he dropped into the creek but bounced out, much to the dismay of his opponent. Joe went on to win 4 up with 3 to play. A lot of lucky shots were played and some that were very good too. Duffers aren’t commented on but the thousands ‘do we exaggerate?’ of putts touch the cup and slide past are talked about for ages. In every case the complaint is I can’t read the greens for speed or borrow. That’s what makes our golf so entertaining. It was topsy-turvy not only with our weekto-week conditions. The results and therefore, the ladders are unpredictable. Teams that were demolished in the first round came back to dismantle the opposition this week. The

competition is fairly even currently, with a few matches finishing early at 6 up 5 to play. Many of the matches went the full distance and entered into the last hole one up or square. Results below.

Gold g roup

Heritage 6 def Yering Meadows 2, Box Hill 4 ½ def Churchill/Waverley 3 ½, Eastwood 7 def

Gardiners Run 1

Green group

Eastwood 7 ½ def Gardiners Run ½, Heritage 4 ½ def Yering Meadows 3 ½, Box Hill 5 ½ def Churchill/Waverley 2 ½.

Olivia Twining during her one mile win at Vic Milers on Thursday 6 February. (Supplied)

Tim Treeby blasts out of the bunker on the 2nd.

Phil Lumsden from Eastwood came from the bunker, nearly in the water needing three more putts to win the hole. (Supplied)

The race for finals in reach

With five of their six teams in the race for finals action, it’s go time for the Mt Evelyn Cricket Club in what could be an auspicious finish to the 2024/25 season.

The clash between the Community Bank – Mt Evelyn 1st XI and the Seville Burras seemed to be in fast forward from the opening ball. Mt Evelyn captain Troy Hancock won the toss and had no hesitations batting in excellent conditions.

Opener Jesse Fraser got the Mounters off to a flyer with a quick fire 33 off 30 balls, which was littered with three fours and three sixes, whilst partner Adam Smith continued his solid form at the top of the order. Unfortunately for the home team, the assault was all too brief, and the pair fell in quick succession opening the door for the Burras to regain some footing in the contest.

Whilst the runs continued to flow, so too did the wickets and with the score on 5/115 approaching the tea interval, the innings could’ve gone either way with the home team in danger of being bundled out for a score short of 200. Jake Blackwell was the steadying hand before tea scoring an impressive half century, but he inexplicably threw his wicket away upon the resumption of play after the tea break leaving some work to do for the lower order. Hancock was joined by his predecessor, Daniel Fraser, and the pair proceeded to keep their team from falling apart in the only way they know how…fast forward. Hancock blasted his way to 64 off 49 balls featuring six fours and three sixes, whilst Fraser would bat through with the tail, scoring 67 valuable runs with four fours and five sixes. Eventually, Seville would bowl the Mounters out for 259, and with the rapid pace of play, they would be given a healthy 15 overs for the remainder of the day to knock off a decent chunk of the runs.

Sensing a big moment in their season, the Mounters struck swiftly as speedster Caleb Hrabe captured a wicket with the first ball of the innings, and with two more to his name through an excellent opening spell, he would have the Burras scrambling at 3/36 when stumps were pulled. The late wickets leave the contest in an intriguing position. Runs will always flow at Gary Martin Oval, so the visitors will know they are only couple of healthy partnerships away from making a significant dent in the chase, whilst if the Mounters can capture quick wickets, it will leave a fair bit of work to do for the lower order of Seville’s batting line up.

The Professionals Outer East 2nd XI have been humming on the back an allround game where they are experiencing success, and more importantly consistency, with both bat and ball. In a closely run race in the David Beatty Shield, each week presents a new challenger, and the Seville Burra’s season has followed a similar trajectory as they look to feature in finals action also. Seville won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat and would ensue would be an excellent contest between bat and ball, and two teams in solid form. The Mounters would bat out their allotted overs, but by no means was it a dominant display with the bat. Several times throughout the day, it looked as though the visitors would throw away a score of significance as there were plenty of starts early in the innings, and tidy partnerships, but never really threatened to bust the game open. With the score teetering at 5/104, it looked as though they may have missed their chance.

Nothing beats experience when the pressure is on, and some wise heads ensured that the Mt Evelyn innings would plough on. Brad Jones added some scoring spark to the innings with a brilliant 63 to ignite the run home for the Mounters, whilst captain Shane Laird and veteran Ian Hawkey would keep the innings moving forward, guiding the team to a final total of 241. This contest is also well poised for an exciting finish as the chase is a challenging one, but by no means an extreme one, and both teams will be well satisfied with their efforts on day one. The Mounters will be looking for another allround bowling performance to clinch another moral boosting win heading into finals.

The Rhead Group 3rd XI have had a tough time of it since the break leaving their season on the brink as they are left needing to win their last two games, by healthy margins, to sneak back into the top four. Under the split innings format, captain Graeme Foster won the toss, and looked to heap pressure on the Warrandyte bats, electing to bowl first. Warrandyte would cautiously approach the start of their innings as the Mt Evelyn bowlers would turn up the pressure. To the Bloods credit, they would hold firm, and despite a quick pair of wickets with the score just beyond 50, they would navigate their way through the first half of their innings with little difficulty reaching 2/139.

This placed the pressure well and truly back on the home side with the win imperative for their season to continue beyond February. When inform opener Kaydn Newport fell with the score on 36, anything could’ve been on the cards for the struggling bats. Mainstay Dickie Hearn would role up his sleeves, and would be well supported by the returning Alex Brisbane-Flynn, and the pair would combine for the most impressive, and most important, partnership of the season. The pair would not only show some fortitude in defence, but they showed plenty of scoring intent. Most importantly they would keep their wickets intact for the remainder of the day. With the right balance of defence and attack, their unbeaten partnership of 128 saw the score balloon to 1/164 when stumps were drawn. Hearn would be rewarded for a consistent season as he will resume at 75 not out, whilst Brisbane-Flynn looked as if he had spent no time away from the game as he looked assured scoring an unbeaten 46. If the pair can continue on and help the side towards a total approaching 250, or even 300, the Mounters could find themselves on the road to a season saving, moral boosting, victory.

The Hop Hen Brewing 4th XI have had to earn everything they’ve got this season and have managed to give themselves an opportunity to play finals as they embark in a tough run home. This week’s opponents, Ainslie Park, have been atop the tree for the majority of the season, and offered the Mounters a contest in which they could prove themselves finals worthy, and ready.

Ainslie Park would win the toss, and put the Mounters in on the batter friendly ‘Postage Stamp’, in a bid to manage their chase what ever that may present. As is the way, the runs flowed freely off the Mt Evelyn bats which was punctuated with a string of useful contributions. Connor Hartman (58 not out) and Flynn Orchard (51 not

out) would be the standouts in a solid effort with the bat leading to a score of 8/252. Unfortunately for the Mounters, the Ainslie Park bats flexed their muscles and made short work of what looked like a challenging chase. At no time did they look under pressure, and walked away with a six wicket victory, with plenty of overs in hand. Although they remain in the box seat to feature in finals action, the Mounters will be made to earn it.

The Mt Evelyn 5th XI suffered their second defeat of the season last round, both to Kilsyth, and entered their Round 14 clash against the third placed Templeton with a point to prove. So it was no surprise that upon winning the toss, captain Jason Dunstone, took the opportunity to put a score on the board to assert their dominance. Templeton would have none of it, and at times the Mounters would looked as if they would break the innings open, but they would be reeled in by untimely wickets. Dunstone (27), Leighton Joyce (30) and Craig Kenins (25) would all make useful contributions at the top of the order, but none could kick on exposing the middle to late order of the batting lineup. Templeton would run through the Mounters’ middle order as they would capture 8 wickets for just 24 runs to reign in the innings. Young guns Ezra Joyce and Harry Dunstone ensured there would be no blushes of not batting out the overs as they would see the visitors to 144.

After missing a golden opportunity with the bat, the Mounters wouldn’t let it slip with the ball as they dominated their defence from the opening over. Regular wickets would fall, and with half the Taipans batting line up back on the shed with the score teetering at 5/37, the Mounters showed why they have occupied the top end of the ladder for most of the season. Templeton would show their fight in the back end of the innings to ensure the Mounters would have to earn

their victory, but the early damage was too much to overcome as they were eventually bowled out for 117, 27 runs short of their target. Harry Dunstone would complete a handy day with both bat and ball as he captured 2/20, whilst Mark Kuhne has been a handy addition to the team as he took 2/13. The Mounters will now use the remaining three rounds to fine tune their game in the lead up to finals.

The Flowtec 6th XI found themselves on the end of another honourable loss, this time to the hand of Mooroolbark. Although only posting two victories for the season, at no stage have the team been disgraced, and once again this was the case in this Round 14 clash. Mt Evelyn elected to bat first, and the ever reliable and experienced opening pair of Gary Scott and Andrew Frid got the batting effort off to a customary solid start. The only blot in the book early was the unfortunate exit of Scott, succumbing to injury after he scored 26. Frid would bat on and secure yet another unbeaten half century to again highlight his importance to the young team. The Mt Evelyn middle order would struggle to add any significant contributions to the scoreboard, but they would valiantly fight on. Finn Blanksby would add some much needed beef to the back end of the innings as his quick fire unbeaten 28 boosted the final score to 7/157.

Taking wickets has been a significant challenge for the Mounters this season, so when they reduced the visitors to 4/36, there was a glimmer of hope that a third victory for the season was a real possibility. A game saving partnership of 85 between Evan Mack and Shane Donovan had the Barkers within reach of victory, and despite another flurry of wickets, the visitors would claim a two wicket victory. Blanksby would complete a great all round game capturing 2/9 giving his team an early chance which they almost took.

Hatrick hero Chase Missen who captured a memorable hatrick for the Mt Evelyn U16s vs Yarra Glen. (Supplied)