Night evacuation
By Mikayla van Loon
Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the night on Saturday as a bushfire in Montrose threatened nearby houses, spread out of control and forced residents to evacuate.
Initial reporting on Sunday morning by CFA Incident Controller Bernard Barbetti was that one house had been lost, one had been damaged, and about 33 hectares had burned. This was later updated on Sunday afternoon at a community meeting that the fire had burned 40 hectares, with one house lost and two houses damaged.
Mr Barbetti told the ABC on Sunday that an unexpected burst of wind caused the fire to double in size at the Dr Ken Leversha Reserve at around midnight.
“[The fire] made a significant run about midnight last night. We had a downburst. We thought we had the fire under control but it moved the fire north,” he said.
Residents were awoken to the flames reaching above the trees and were told to get out. Some stayed to water their homes and protect as much as they could, with firefighters also positioned in streets under the most imminent threat, including Actoal Drive.
At 12.51am on Sunday, the situation became dire, with an emergency take shelter now warning issued, making it too late to leave.
“There is increased fire activity on the western side, near Jeanette Maree Court, and on the eastern side, near Ruby Road. There is also (a) significant ember attack on the northern edge,” the warning read.
“This fire is threatening homes and lives. It is too late to leave the area safely so you must take shelter now. You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.”
An emergency relief hub was set up at the Kilsyth Sports Centre at Pinks Reserve for around 25 residents who had to flee their properties, with the need for it to remain open ceasing at around 4.30pm on Sunday.
“As usual we’re seeing our community come together and helping each other out, in particular
Sunday’s rain proved helpful, stopping the spread of the fire enough to provide some relief to firefighters.
can’t see that happening with the conditions today,” Mr Barbetti said.
“We will provide updates when we have them and our thoughts are with our residents at this distressing time.”
“There was some concern that it may spot over and get over into the Dandenong Ranges, but I
“I’m fairly confident the fire won’t spread much beyond its current area.
Continued page 7
the Montrose Township Group are doing some exceptional work,” Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said.
The night sky was lit by the threatening blaze as an unexpected wind shift saw the fire jump containment lines. (Warrandyte CFA)
The fire loomed over Montrose residents late into Saturday night. (Supplied)
Boronia CFA firefighters were called in for asset protection. (Boronia CFA)
Parking framework is set
By Chelsea Szabo
A Parking Management Framework was approved by Yarra Ranges Council at Tuesday’s meeting which promises to provide a clear decision-making structure for parking decisions in the Yarra Ranges.
According to the framework, parking areas across the region will see more restriction and infrastructure if they are surveyed by the council to have 85 per cent of parking spaces occupied at peak times.
Conversely, the council will consider easing parking restrictions in an area if 15 per cent of spaces are occupied at these times.
Once this need for change is established, the area will be investigated by the council’s Traffic and Transport Team and a plan will be reviewed by stakeholders, tweaked and implemented.
Deputy mayor Richard Higgins said with the 19,000 tourists expected to come through the area in the next 10 years, the region needs this framework.
“I would love to be sitting here and saying we didn’t need this, I really would councillors, but the reality is we have a lot of people coming to our shire or council area…we’re getting influx of tourists”.
The deputy mayor also said the council will continue to work with local businesses and “make sure everything is right”.
“It’s not about making money, it’s about getting it right so that there’s parking for everyone,” he said.
The type of parking used in different areas will depend on a hierarchy of parking management controls which begins with unrestricted parking, and progresses up to the highest level, paid parking.
According to the framework, “all parking areas will start as unrestricted and appropriate restrictions will only be added if necessary to provide overall benefit to the community and visitors”.
A draft of the framework was released for community input from 14 August last year till 8 September, and several updates have been made to the framework based on the 108 community feedback submissions.
Mooroolbark, followed by Lilydale received the most respondents, with one submission highlighting the lack of unrestricted parking in
Starting 3 May, Warburton is set to have paid parking as part of the council’s Paid Parking
Lilydale and the safety issues it creates.
“Businesses operating in Lilydale have workers needing to constantly move their vehicles. Please take into account the safety of staff and workers that are going to be required to park at a distance and getting back to their vehicles alone at night. The crime rate is extremely high and this needs to be a factor,” they said.
The Parking Management Framework addresses trader and resident parking permits and states the plan created by the Traffic and Transport Team for specific areas “could include the need for resident or trader parking permits if it is considered appropriate”.
“Trader permits would only be considered
appropriate where there is a high proportion of properties which have no possibility for on-site parking to be constructed or utilised and a dedicated area is provided within Council managed land,” it states.
Warburton is set to be the first town in the Yarra Ranges to test the highest tier of the Parking Management Control hierarchy, with many residents concerned about the impact paid parking will have on local business.
Starting 3 May, four different areas in Warburton will have parking fees as part of the council’s Visitor Paid Parking Pilot Project, the highest charge sitting at $6 per hour for visitors parked outside Warburton Water World and one hour
free then $6 per hour on Warburton Highway. Permits will be made available for Yarra Ranges residents from 17 March.
The parking framework states these paid parking fees will be “reviewed regularly” to ensure parking spaces are filled to around 85 per cent, with community members being notified.
“If occupancy is regularly above 85 per cent, fees will rise; if below, fees will drop.”
Community members will also be able to request changes to parking restrictions which will go through a process of verification, identifying causes and a decision on whether the change is necessary.
Yarra Ranges Council put advocacy items to MAV, ALGA
By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council have finalised what issues of state and national significance in the shire can be put forward for consideration at the upcoming Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council and Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly respectively.
The next State Council meeting, one of two each year, will be held on 16 May and the National General Assembly will take place from 24 to 27 June.
Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister proposed an amendment to the motion following the submission of Yarra Ranges resident Wendy Wright to add a new advocacy point about clarifying what cost the new Emergency Services Levy (replacing the Fire Services Levy) will have on ratepayers.
Cr McAllister said there are a number of issues put forward, and whilst she’s never overly confident that they will deliver action, it does mean that the voice ofthe community can be heard at a state level and national level.
“The issues that we raise are diverse, and some do get resolved in partnership with our fellow councils around Victoria, and you’ll see in the report in front of us, certainly the one around the new levy, but there’s everything from issues that we struggle with on a regular basis,” She said.
“There is also a motion this time around actually asking for greater transparency from the MAV, and what they actually do with our motions and the actions that they take, and the results that they deliver,”
“I know they certainly do raise these issues, but they get put up for a reason, because they’re things that matter to our community, and we
Yarra Ranges Council have put forward motions for the upcoming State Council and National General Assembly. (File: 379657)
need either answers or action.”
The following are motions Yarra Ranges Council are putting to MAV alongside Ms Wright’s submission:
• Improved communications with Local Government on resolution timeframes for locally reported road hazards and issues
• Improved clarity on Small Second Dwellings in the State Planning Scheme
• Local Government Financial Sustainability Framework
• Financial viability and workforce planning of Maternal & Child Health as State co-funded services
• Consideration be given to flexibility measures and alternatives for Victorian glass recycling services
• Improved transparency of MAV advocacy arising from motions passed at State Council For the ALGA, Yarra Ranges Council wants to
advocate for National Tertiary Education Partnership Planning.
Cr McAllister said the National Congress (ALGA) is a trickier one.
“The ALGA is the coming together of all local governments from across Australia, we’re an eclectic bunch tackling many similar issues in our community, financial sustainability is pretty much number one, but everything that’s delivered is supporting local community, and sometimes finding common ground is not as easy as it would seem,” she said.
“But you’ll notice that we do have one motion up around National Tertiary Education Partnership Planning, which was a great idea suggested in terms of supporting, I was going to say consolidated, a partnership approach with it, tertiary education providers locally and community to support tertiary education,”
“So it could be a bright idea that gets picked up, probably will get support, but again, this gives us an opportunity to have a voice nationally to progress issues that matter for our community.”
Yarra Ranges Council’s motion also proposed outcomes they’d like to see as a result of their advocacy to the MAV and the ALGA:
MAV work with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to create an issue resolution portal that can communicate with Councils on hazard resolution done by VicRoads MAVworkwiththeDTPclarifyplanninglegislation on small second dwellings and tiny homes, such as through the state planning scheme
MAV pursue recommendation 8 of the Local Government Funding and Services Inquiry to establish a financial sustainability framework in conjunction with the local government sector
Conduct a review of the Local Government Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Service due to the change in the employment market follow-
ing the Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Health Sector) Single Interest Employer Enterprise Agreement 2024-28 being adopted.
MAV advocate to the Victorian Government to improve the flexibility of the state’s glass recycling service, expand the Container Deposit Scheme to include glass bottles and invest in greater recycling infrastructure
MAV provide regular reporting and updates to member councils on their advocacy and outcomes
The ALGA facilitate a national conversation about strategic satellite university campuses or tertiary learning hubs in available outer urban and regional areas.
Billanook Ward Councillor Tim Heenan said it can be a real struggle to understand the state government and their announcements can be left to council staff to try and figure out where to go with it.
“We understand where we can go most of the time, but when we’re getting continual statements coming out every week or every month in the last few months and not understanding where we stand,” he said.
“I look at the one on small second dwellings, by God, we need some more dwellings in Yarra Ranges, we’ve got people that are homeless or people that are on teetering on the borderline of becoming homeless,”
“These statements get said as a throwaway line by the state government and we’ve got to pick up the burden and the ratepayers pick up the burden…it does depend on getting more money coming into Yarra Ranges Council, you cannot burden the ratepayers with what state government expects us to do.”
Pilot Project. (Unsplash)
NEWS IN BRIEF
Kindness thanked
By Mikayla van Loon
The families impacted by a devastating double house fire in Lilydale have sent out their heartfelt thanks to the emergency service personnel, neighbours and local community for their support.
The Mont Vue homes were engulfed by fire last Tuesday evening, seeing the fire start in one property and spread through the roof of the adjoining unit.
One resident was injured in the blaze, requiring transport to hospital, but all remaining residents were evacuated safely.
Unfortunately, both units experienced extensive damage.
“Both houses will now be unsalvageable, and we have lost so much. We were able to go in and save some items, but a lot has gone,” one resident said.
It took 13 CFA crews, who were paged to the Mont Vue address, to bring the fire under control on Tuesday 11 March at around 7.30pm.
“Crews worked hard to minimise the spread of the fire by using both internal and external firefighting tactics under trying circumstances,” Lilydale CFA posted to social media.
“Thankfully, the occupants were able to get out of the units before we arrived and crews were able to save two pets from one of the residences, well over an hour after ignition.
“Crews were able to prevent further damage to the neighbouring unit and were aided by closed internal doors which helped to slow the spread.”
Ambulance Victoria paramedics also responded providing treatment to evacuated residents.
“Paramedics treated a man in his 50s at the scene for upper and lower body injuries,” a spokesperson said.
“He was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.”
Flames and smoke billowing from the unit complex drew onlookers from their homes as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
The residents said they were extremely grateful for the support, generosity and kindness of others in such a difficult time.
“I just wanted to reach out and thank everybody involved with helping my family and my neighbours’ family,” one resident said.
“I wish I had every name remembered and could give everyone something, but everyone was beyond fantastic. To the nurses who came to my neighbour’s aid, the nice lady who gave us water, and to the lady who was able to make my mum a tea and bring a biscuit for my brother, the couple who looked after my siblings and dog. You all (plus many more) made us believe in community and how amazing everyone is.
“A massive thank you to the CFA for their
heroism and their courage. All (the) officers were comforting and amazing.”
Lilydale CFA also thanked their supporting brigades in Montrose, Mount Evelyn, Wandin, Coldstream, Bayswater and Yellingbo for their timely response and contributions to the effort.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. We hope that you’re able to get the support you need to get back on your feet after such a devastating event.”
The incident was deemed under control at 8.08pm and declared safe at 9.33pm.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Alleged road rage
Police are investigating a road rage incident that occurred on Canterbury Road, Bayswater North on Friday 7 March.
It’s understood that a black BMW X3 SUV and a blue Mazda 3 were stopped in traffic heading towards Montrose. The rear passenger of the BMW exited their vehicle and used a metal pole to smash the front windscreen of the Mazda. Both vehicles then used the gravel shoulder of the Canterbury Road between Dorset and Colchester Roads to move past the traffic.
If you have any information about the incident, please contact Mooroolbark Police Station on 9725 9999.
Reminder of driveway safety
RACV is calling on motorists to remain vigilant about driveway safety, and to maintain the success of 2024 and prevent the injury or death of children in driveways.
The Coroners Court of Victoria did not record the death of a child in a driveway last year – a welcome change after 13 children aged between one and 10 lost their lives in driveway tragedies between 2020 and 2023.
RACV head of policy James Williams said that operating a vehicle in a driveway requires the same level of mindfulness and risk mitigation as driving on the road.
“We have seen a substantial improvement in reversing camera technology in recent years, and motorists understand the need to check for children and other obstacles when reversing down driveways,” Mr Williams said.
RACV advises motorists to follow these driveway safety measures:
• Always look for children before starting the vehicle.
• Always look for children when entering a driveway.
• Do not over-rely on a vehicle’s cameras and sensors to detect children.
• Ensure children are actively supervised and kept well away from moving vehicles.
• Educate family members and visitors about the risks of driveway incidents.
• Encourage children to play in safe areas away from driveways.
“While new safety technology in our cars is recommended for all motorists, we shouldn’t become over-reliant on cameras and sensors,” Mr Williams said.
“The best way to prevent accidents is to keep children away from driveways and ensure they play in a safe area, far from moving cars.”
For more information on driveway safety, visit the driveway safety page of the Kidsafe website.
Operation Arid response
Police detected close to 5000 traffic offences during a major road safety blitz over the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria.
Operation Arid saw police targeting high-risk driving behaviour across the state over four days, in an effort to drive down road trauma.
Speeding offences made up almost half of all detections, with 75 percent of drivers caught speeding between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit.
Police conducted 69,166 preliminary breath tests, with one in every 455 motorists tested caught drink driving.
A further 197 drivers returned a positive roadside drug test, with 4,266 roadside drug tests conducted.
The Mont Vue units were engulfed in flame. (Social media)
Two Mont Vue units were completely destroyed by fire on Tuesday 11 March. (Lilydale CFA)
Residents from surrounding streets were drawn outside to watch the blaze. (Social media)
NEWS Crises hitting egg industry
By Chelsea Szabo
Bird flu has been making headlines as locals and those across Victoria are met with empty egg shelves, but issues other than influenza are affecting the struggling industry, according to those in the trade.
John, farmhand at Coldstream’s Farm Fresh Yarra Valley Produce said farmers have struggled to make ends meet in the industry, leading to the next generation passing it up.
“That’s our biggest problem at the moment, youth do not want to take on the industry, and the industry is getting old, so it was a matter of time before the crunch came, and we haven’t even scratched the surface yet.”
He said egg producers in the area have dwindled significantly in the last 20 years from more than 18 to about half a dozen.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) egg group president Meg Parkinson said there are “plenty” of young people getting into the industry, but to succeed they need experience.
“You need to understand finance and all those things as well. It’s not just farming,” she said.
The president said smaller farms “don’t last” because people do not understand the challenges of running an egg farm, and after a couple of years, they go out of business or sell to someone else.
“[Egg farms] are getting bigger, so that smaller ones are being covered up or being included in the bigger ones.”
In 2023, the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry mandated all farms change their caged infrastructure to allow for more space per bird, along with other new requirements.
The guidelines vary depending on when their caged systems were built, but egg farmers with cages constructed from 2015 to mid-2022 have till 2036 to ensure they comply, meaning farmers have to invest in new infrastructure, putting pressure on the industry.
Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have taken things
a step further than the welfare guidelines and announced they will no longer sell caged eggs in 2025, the date of which is uncertain.
A Woolworths spokesperson told the ABC that demand for caged eggs has continued to fall in recent years.
“At the beginning of 2024, sales of caged eggs were less than 10 per cent of all eggs sold at Woolworths,” they said.
Australia-wide, free range eggs make up 57.4 percent of grocery egg sales, according to Australian Eggs, a figure that has risen significantly in the last 15 years.
Coldstream farmhand John said the mandates are not good for consumers.
“Without cages, egg prices are just going to keep rising because free range birds don’t lay as
many eggs as what caged eggs do,” he said.
“As the chicken runs around and burns off energy, she doesn’t put it towards laying an egg.”
He said the same phase-out was done in New Zealand and now egg prices have soared.
“Not everyone can afford $15 a dozen, those who want to, sure, those who can’t, can’t.”
The VFF egg group president said not only the mandates, but immigration is a factor affecting the egg industry, even before the 2024 bird flu outbreaks.
“[Egg farms] were expanding because there’s more immigration, and the immigrants come from countries that eat a lot of eggs, so the demand was increasing anyway.”
She said though the time it will take to replace
Protect your business and your workers
If your horticulture business pays another company to provide contract staff, you’re probably using labour hire services.
Under Victorian law, companies generally require a labour hire licence to supply workers to plant, pick, pack, sort, label, grade, thin, prune or spray plants for horticulture businesses.
If you use an unlicensed labour hire provider, it could cost you – fines of over $630,000, loss of contracts, workers, your reputation, even your business. Protect your business and your workers
For tools and tips to protect your business when engaging a labour hire provider, visit labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au/hosts
the infected birds is about six months, research papers have predicted it will take until 2028 for the industry to catch up to the extra demand from immigration, depending on the government’s policies.
Conspiracy theories about the existence of bird flu have also emerged amid Victoria’s rush to quarantine infected farms in Euroa.
One theory said there is no bird flu, and it is an excuse for egg producers to cull many of their birds without outcry and get their farms ready to comply with the new mandates.
The VFF egg group president did not agree with the idea that the bird flu is a hoax.
“When you look at what it costs [egg farmers who cull their birds because of avian influenza], there’s no way that they do that. They can usually just cull their birds anyway, if they want to.”
The free range industry has grown significantly in the last 15 years. (Thomas Iversen on Unsplash: 465161)
Local supermarkets and grocers are struggling to provide enough eggs for customers. (Chelsea Szabo: 465165)
NEWS
Media transparency issue
By Mikayla Van Loon
A local news title has been caught up in an Independent versus Coalition transparency argument after a complaint was filed against the publisher for not disclosing its funders.
Gazette News, publisher of digital news outlet
The Eastern Melburnian among four others, was the subject of an Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) complaint filed by Victorian Senator Jane Hume on Tuesday.
The Liberal Senator claimed the news outlet was backed by Climate 200, the leading supporter of many of the independent candidates running for seats in the Federal election, telling Guardian Australia it was a “highly sophisticated domestic disinformation campaign”.
AddressingtheNationalPressClubonWednesday 12 March, Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court denied links to Gazette News.
“I don’t know a lot about Gazette. There’s no connection between Climate 200 and Gazette,” he said.
“I have met the founder of it before and I knew she was starting a business (it) sounds like a really interesting development in media.”
Gazette News founder and chief executive officer Anna Saulwick also denied “ties to any political group”, stating it was an independent news organisation.
“We don’t accept any funding from political organisations, and our editorial decisions are made entirely independently of our funders,” she said.
Ms Saulwick told Guardian Australia that the publication’s three major backers included Matt Doran, James Taylor and Mark Rawson.
AEC disclosures show that Mr Doran donated $100,000 to Climate 200 in the 2021-22 financial year and a further $128,800 in 2023-24.
Mr Taylor also donated $91,539 directly to independent ACT Senator David Pocock in the 2022-23 financial year, and the same amount the following year, alongside a $50,000 donation to Climate 200.
Ms Saulwick said with “relatively few philanthropists” in such a small country as Australia, she was pleased to have the backing of “people whose values align with our mission”.
The Gazette’s outlets covering eastern Melbourne, Gippsland and the Western region of Victoria, as well as New South Wales’ mid north coast and Sydney’s north shore, have not shied away from providing coverage of these regions’ independent candidates nor providing critical commentary of the Coalition’s nuclear policy.
A Gazette News report this week investigates the fallout of a potential nuclear leak in the Latrobe
Valley. The only political voice in that story is Casey Independent candidate Claire Ferres Miles, who is backed by Climate 200.
But the pre-election coverage was also dotted with articles on other candidates from various political backgrounds.
Star Mail contacted Senator Hume’s office for comment but was supplied comments from an interview between ABC Radio Sydney Mornings host Hamish MacDonald and Senator James Paterson from Wednesday 12 March.
“When the Teals ran at the last election, they promised they would do politics differently. They said integrity was one of their top priorities and that they would fight for transparency,” the shadow home affairs minister told the ABC.
“And yet, it now emerges that Teal donors are funding pro-Teal fake newspapers covering the geographic areas which just happened to be seats the Teals are targeting at the next election.”
Senator Paterson said the Coalition had written to the AEC asking them to investigate what they believed “constitutes electoral expenditure”.
“If it is electoral expenditure, as in otherwise, it’s motivated to influence the outcome of an election, it needs to be declared, and it hasn’t been de-
clared, and it is not being transparently disclosed to the electorate. Voters have a right to know,” he said.
Calling the Teal candidate coverage “uniformly positive”, Senator Paterson questioned the coincidence of the Liberal, National and Labor MPs coverage being “more critical”.
Ms Saulwick said the Gazette ensures all candidates are given coverage across its platforms.
“Our coverage includes all candidates in a race, ensuring that the public has access to balanced and comprehensive election reporting, not just coverage of major parties or frontrunners,” she told Star Mail.
“We think this is a strength, and an important contribution to the media landscape.”
This is the second time in the last month Senator Hume has questioned the integrity of the independent movement, after she questioned AEC Acting Commissioner Jeff Pope in Senate Estimates on Monday 24 February.
She claimed that four companies linked to Teal candidates were not correctly registered as electoral vehicles and were accepting donations without being added to the transparency register. Mr Pope confirmed the AEC had started to look into it.
“Not only has the AEC said that these candidates may be subject to significant fines if they are found to be in contravention of the Act, but donors may also be subject to penalties,” Mr Pope said.
Weighing in on the discussion, Nationals leader David Littleproud called Gazette News “the Teals’ ‘fake online news site’”.
“Regional media outlets and newspapers are the backbone of our regional communities,” Mr Littleproud said.
“A key funder of Gazette News falsely claims the outlet provides journalism to communities where local news has ‘declined or disappeared’. This just happens to be in their target seats.”
But Ms Saulwick retorted stating that “there will always be politicians who don’t like scrutiny and are willing to make false claims to damage those who scrutinise them”.
“Two thirds of Aussie media is owned by just four entities, and local and independent news outlets are disappearing or downsizing everywhere you look.
“We believe that expanding access to independent reporting is critical, and we want to contribute to media diversity in Australia by offering digital news, by locals and for locals.”
Journalism integrity under threat from easy ‘news sites’
By Mikayla van Loon
Revelations that a digital news publication might have affiliate links with Climate 200 has brought about a reminder of the necessity of truly independent news particularly in regional areas.
Country Press Australia, the largest association of independent newspapers, president Andrew Schreyer has echoed calls from politicians for the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to conduct a swift but thorough investigation into Gazette News.
The publisher was this week the subject of an AEC complaint first lodged by Coalition party members, led by Victorian Senator Jane Hume, after two key funders of the social enterprise news outlet were identified as having also donated to the Climate 200 independent candidate movement.
Mr Schreyer said the ease in which news websites could be established posed a risk to the integrity of journalism.
“It’s all too easy now to set up a ‘news’ website that publishes political propaganda dressed up as journalism and amplified through social media campaigns,” he said.
“Such sites are a threat to the integrity of our political advertising regulations and to the public trust in truly independent news publishers who are reporting objectively and holding the powerful to account.”
Gazette News’ philosophy on its website states it is “stepping in where local news has diminished or hasn’t made the leap to digital”.
Mr Schreyer said to the more than 240-strong membership publications within the CPA, the claim that local news had declined or disap-
Country Press Australia president Andrew Schreyer has welcomed the Australian Electoral Commission’s look at digital news publication Gazette News. (Supplied)
peared was misleading and wrong.
Concerns were also raised through the membership that the level of trust readers had for local papers was being compromised following the recent emergence of a number of online publications produced by Gazette News in areas where existing publications had built trust.
These include Star News Group’s Pakenham Gazette and Star Mail, with The Gippsland Monitor and The Eastern Melburnian setting up a digital presence in these regions.
“Most of our Country Press Australia member newspapers have news websites and a history dating back well over 100 years. In addition, many local radio and television services across
rural and regional Australia have a proud history of supporting and serving local communities,” Mr Schreyer said.
“Independently owned place based public interest journalism providers such as our member newspapers work hard to earn the respect and trust of the communities they serve.”
Nationals Leader David Littleproud has been outspoken and critical of what he has said is just “the Teal movement creating their own newspaper” as a way to “propagate and to promote” their agenda.
“I’ve got no problems, they’ve got every right to be able to do this. We’ve got a free society, free speech. But you should be upfront and you should declare it,” Mr Littleproud said in an interview with 2CC host Stephen Cenatiempo.
“You shouldn’t mask it by saying this is an independent paper. It actually tears away at what our journalistic integrity in this country should be.”
Both Gazette News and Climate 200 have denied the alignment, and therefore, any external influence in publication’s content.
But Mr Littleproud said for regional news outlets who “are on their knees”, this undermines their role and their ability to stay afloat.
“Therearestillpapersgoing.AndIcantellyou the papers that have contacted my office about this, they’re really concerned. They’re fighting (for) revenue as it is at the moment. They’re struggling to keep their journalists on,” he said.
“They are a source of truth we should trust and we should protect the Fourth Estate even though it mightn’t be convenient for politicians from time to time. But it is an important part of our democratic process.
“And if we don’t have an independent process on that and protecting that by political parties, using their millions to come in and to muscle them out, then we’re going to be a poorer society and a poorer democracy for it. So I’m just saying to the Teal movement, you lectured us before the last election about integrity, but just understand you are coming to regional areas.
“You are destroying journalism for your own political gain without declaring it. You’ve got every right to run a paper but declare it as a political movement rather than masking it.”
Mr Schreyer thanked Mr Littleproud for his strong representation and advocacy of local, rural and regional newspapers.
As members of the Australian Press Council, Mr Schreyer said CPA publications are required to abide by a code of ethics that stresses the importance of fairness and balance in their reporting, and for journalists to not be influenced by outside influences or organisations.
“The revelation that Gazette News online publications are funded by top teal donors damages the reputation of independent regional, rural and local mastheads,” he said.
“Consumers of content produced by Gazette News publications need to be made aware of their funding sources and view their content through that lens.
“Balanced, independent and professionally produced public interest journalism such as that produced by our members is the democratic infrastructure that holds communities together.”
Mr Schreyer is also the general manager of the Warragul and Drouin Gazette.
The AEC investigation and review will decide if funding should have been disclosed.
Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court addressing the National Press Club of Australia on Wednesday 12 March, where he denied links to Gazette News. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
Recovery plan nears end
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
The Yarra Ranges Municipal Recovery Plan (MRPv3) is nearing its conclusion as the council wraps up its recovery efforts from the devastating storms of 2021 and the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the recovery work officially completed by June 2024, the focus has now shifted to integrating community support into everyday operations.
On Tuesday 11 March, during the council meeting, Yarra Ranges councillors gathered to discuss the lessons learned throughout the recovery process and identify areas for improvement in future disaster responses.
Councillor Fiona McAllister, who served as mayor during the 2021 storms, acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by the community, stating that closing the recovery plan felt premature given the ongoing recovery.
She said the importance of keeping recovery documents accessible so the community can reflect on both the successes and areas that need improvement.
Given Yarra Ranges’ vulnerability to natural disasters, the lessons learned from the 2021 storms are seen as crucial for future preparedness.
Various local and state organisations, including the Department of Education and Training, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, the Country Fire Authority (CFA), and community groups such as Anglicare and EACH, played significant roles in the recovery effort.
Councillor Richard Higgins reflected on the chaos in the aftermath, with many in the region enduring extended power outages and service disruptions. Despite these hardships, he highlighted the efforts of volunteers and emergency services in aiding the recovery.
Councillor Tim Heenan also noted the prolonged uncertainty faced by residents as they
awaited repairs, acknowledging the human toll of the recovery process.
Councillor Jeff Marriott commented on the valuable documentation created through the MRPv3, which offers insights that could assist
other councils facing similar challenges.
As the recovery plan enters its final phase, the council aims to apply the lessons learned to enhance future disaster response capabilities, ensuring that the community is better prepared
for potential future events.
“The recovery continues, while the plan may be closing, our commitment to supporting the community and learning from each experience will never end,” Cr McAllister said.
Yarra Ranges Recovery Plan nears completion as the community continues its healing journey. (379657)
40ha and house lost in fire
From page 1
“But it’s a long, unburnt area. There are a lot of dead trees.”
Despite seeing around 11mm of rain fall throughout Sunday this was not enough to douse the fire but potentially helped reduce some smaller spotfires.
Deputy Incident Controller Mike Willmott said on Sunday afternoon that the all agency response, including CFA, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters, as well as four helicopters and heavy machinery, helped contain the fire.
“They were all assisting and working as one to stop this fire from claiming more people’s residences,” he said.
“On this fire we (had) three CFA strike teams, with about 100 firefighters and they will be scaled back to one strike team overnight (Sunday) and then they’ll be back online again tomorrow.”
Mr Willmott said the hope would be that the fire remains within the containment lines and could be declared safe on Monday or Tuesday but until that time the fire could not be called ‘under control’.
“We believe there is no further threat to the community from this fire, however, it is still not over,” he said.
A concern from Montrose residents, voiced at the community meeting, was that the warning messages sent out via the VicEmergency app did not match the unfolding situation, with some residents identifying that they went door knocking to warn neighbours, especially the elderly, that they had mere minutes to get out.
Mr Willmott said the difference between this fire claiming property and the Grampians bushfire early this year claiming none, was the suburban interface and the proximity to houses.
The dry conditions and the heat of Saturday where a warning for the rest of the east and the state, with warm weather to continue throughout the week.
“With just a slight breeze this fire became much more significant in the middle of the night and many CFA brigades and volunteers worked a very long 12+ hour shift to help protect lives and property,” Warrandyte CFA posted to social media.
“While this fire was not in our patch - it’s a very
good example how fires can behave with the current dry conditions.”
Fire crews first responded to reports of a smoke column at around 1.43pm on Saturday 15 March near Sheffield Road in Montrose. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Paid Parking in Warburton Pilot Project from 3 May 2025 - July 2026
Yarra Ranges Council is introducing paid parking for visitors in Warburton on weekends and public holidays from 9am – 5pm at:
• Warburton Water World - $6 per hour
• Thomas Avenue - $3.50 per hour
• Warburton Highway by the shops - first hour free then $6 per hour
• Station Road - $3.50 per hour
Yarra Ranges residents: Apply for a free parking permit to park without charge. Register up to 3 vehicles per property. Required documents include proof of residency and vehicle ownership.
How to Apply:
• Online at www.epermits-yarraranges.orikan.tech/ssp
• In person at our Community Links
• Phone 1300 456 050
Visit us at our information and permit application sessions being held at:
• Wednesday 26 March, 12pm-4pm at Warburton Art Centre
• Friday 28 March, 1pm - 5pm at Warburton Art Centre
• Tuesday 1 April, 3pm-7pm at Redwoods Centre, Warburton
• Thursday 3 April, 6pm-8pm at Koha Cafe, Warburton
• Sunday 6 April, 12pm-4pm at Warburton Art Centre
Yarra Ranges Council
The fire could be seen from residential streets. (Supplied)
The fire threatened properties, with one house reportedly burned and another damaged. (Boronia CFA)
Trees were lit up by fire. (Warrandyte CFA)
Firefighters were on the ground throughout the night as flames exceeded the height of the trees. (Warrandyte CFA)
The bushfire jumped containment lines just before 1am on Sunday forcing a take shelter warning for those who had not left. (Chris Thiele)
Dig deep for period dignity
By Mikayla van Loon
Share the Dignity, the leading charity and advocate for ensuring every woman and girl has access to period products, is in the midst of its March Dignity Drive.
Every Woolworths supermarket across the Yarra Ranges, from Seville to Lilydale to Monbulk, is partnering with Share the Dignity to collect donations.
But it’s volunteers like the Yarra Ranges’ Leanne Thompson who see the end result, delivering the products to other local charities.
“You get to select a charity (that has partnered with Share the Dignity) which is the best bit, because you get to go and deliver the items that you know are going to be received and shared with those that need them most,” she said.
In the Yarra Ranges, two charities have requested over 300 products and nationwide there’s over 155,000 charities requesting products.
Signing up to volunteer in October last year, Ms Thompson said it was a desire to help but also knowing that some women and girls would have to go without that led her to wanting to support the cause.
“(It was) the need and to see that women have been struggling with equality, and knowing that there’s a real need for products is mind blowing,” she said.
“People are struggling to buy essential things, or living in circumstances where they can’t afford those essential products that they need during menstruation. That I thought, yeah, this is a great cause to support.”
The Bloody Big Survey, conducted by Share the Dignity in 2024, highlighted the hardships faced by everyday Australians, quantified in alarming statistics, finding 64 per cent of respondents have had difficulty purchasing period products due to cost.
In the Yarra Ranges, the survey showed that 65 per cent of respondents found it difficult to buy products, nearly 13 per cent felt like they hadn’t been educated about menstruation and the percentage ranged from 41 to 65 for those who missed out on school, sport, socialising and work.
“Our mission has always been to ensure that no one has to go without period products, but the reality is that demand is growing faster than we can meet it,” Share the Dignity founder and
managing director Rochelle Courtenay said.
Celebrating 10 years of the charity and all the incredible support for trying to end period poverty, Ms Courtenay said the cost of living was adding a huge burden to many lives.
“We’ve accomplished so much over the last 10 years and I’m so proud of the work that we’ve done, but there is still so much more to do,” Ms Courtenay said.
“The cost-of-living crisis has placed immense pressure on vulnerable Australians, and we must
rally together to ensure no one has to face period poverty alone.
“No woman, girl or person who menstruates should have to experience the indignity of having to substitute period products.”
Aiming to collect at least 200,000 period products across the country, Ms Thompson said “every little bit helps”, even if it is just one or two items.
Throughout March as well, any period product purchased from Woolworths, they will donate five cents to Share the Dignity, adding to the over $3 million already donated since the partnership started in 2019.
Ms Thompson said, otherwise, volunteering for the charity was extremely rewarding and well worth it.
“It doesn’t take a lot of time and it’s really great. Volunteering as always you get more back than you give.
“You give to your local community, and it helps to build networks. I’ve met people just in the last six months, through charities and deliveries that I would never have met or even known existed in the local area if I hadn’t got involved with Share the Dignity.
“So getting involved is a really wonderful way to be part of the community.”
With a daughter of her own and as a woman, Ms Thompson said the thought of women and girls having to make do with other items, or feel embarrassed at school, or choosing between a meal and a period product was hard to comprehend but encouraged her even more to volunteer.
“I’ve just been fortunate that I’ve been able to take this for granted…and just want to ensure that every woman out there feels loved and protected and cared for,” she said.
“I feel privileged to be a part of such a wonderful network supporting women and ensuring there’s equality for women.”
Share the Dignity is supported by Woolworths for its Dignity Drives. Pictured: Sheroes Helen and Jackie, with Share the Dignity founder Rochelle Courtenay. (Supplied)
NEWS Lilydale RSL Marching On
By Mikayla van Loon
True to their word, Lilydale RSL sub-branch members have joined one of their own in raising funds and supporting veterans in the March On Challenge.
Marking her fourth year undertaking the challenge, Nita Mcdougall inspired both RSL president Bill Dobson and vice president Terry Hickey to join her on the virtual Kokoda Trail.
“She’s set the example for next year because she’s inspired us to do something bigger,” Mr Dobson told Star Mail last year.
Teaming up under the Lilydale RSL banner, the hope is for more funds to be raised for veteran support organisation Solider On.
“Members of Lilydale RSL have formed a team this March to walk or run 96km - symbolising the length of the Kokoda track - in honour of our veterans and their families, support the team to take on the challenge and raise vital funds to help prevent veteran suicide,” Mr Dobson said.
Ms Mcdougall committed to the extra challenge of walking 400km this March but having walked 406km last year, she’ knows it’s possible.
As of Friday 14 March, Ms Mcdougall had walked a total of 172km and plans to walk the full length of the Warburton Trail one day next week, as well as some early morning laps around Lillydale Lake.
Solider On is the leading mental health support and veteran suicide prevention organisation in Australia, advocating for better outcomes for veterans of all ages but primarily younger vets and their families.
“Lilydale RSL are asking everyone to support the younger veterans as they have a 42 per cent higher rate of committing suicide than the general public, the statistics on their mental health is alarming,” Mr Dobson said.
For Australia’s older veterans, there’s pensions and supports in place, but younger veterans make up the majority of outstanding Department of Veterans Affairs support claims, according to findings in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The three March On participants and Casey MP Aaron Violi, who is a Lilydale RSL member, all met at Lillydale Lake on Wednesday 12 March, to walk some laps of the Lake and build up their kilometres while raising awareness of the cause in the local community.
“I was pleased to join Lilydale RSL president Bill, Terry and Nita for a lap of Lillydale Lake to raise awareness for veteran suicide, such an im-
portant issue that sadly impacts too many Australian families,” Mr Violi said.
“The men and women of the ADF serve our nation with honour and bravery. As a member of Lilydale RSL, but also as our Federal MP, I wanted to support Nita and the RSL as they walk throughout March to raise funds for mental health servic-
es and programs to support our veterans.”
With just two weeks left to complete the challenge, the walkers will be getting their steps up any way they can before they all gather on the last day of March for a celebration.
“Everyone is welcome to a sausage sizzle out the front of the RSL on 31 March at 12 noon, Nita
our inspirational walker will cross the chequered flag to complete her 400 kilometres completed during the month of March,” Mr Dobson said. Help support the Lilydale RSL’s mission by going to marchonchallenge.org.au/fundraisers/lilydalerslwalkers or to find out more about Solider On, visit soldieron.org.au
Aunty Dot named one of six trailblazing Victorian women
By Dongyun Kwon
A Healesville woman, who devoted her life to First Nations people and culture, was selected as one of six Victorian women to be represented in a public artwork.
Between November and December last year, the Victorian Government conducted a vote to decide which women’s stories should become the subject of six new public artworks in Victoria.
The late Aunty Dorothy ‘Dot’ Peters AM, a widely loved and respected Yarra Yarra woman who spent most of her childhood in the Healesville region, has been listed to be one of the six after the vote participated by more than 10,000 Victorians.
The public artwork for Aunty Dot will be built in Knox City.
Aunty Dot’s son Dr Andrew Peters said it’s certainly a wonderful honour to have her selected.
“There have been so many wonderful Aboriginal women who have shaped our world in many positive ways, so it’s certainly a massive honour for her to be recognised,” he said.
“Mum did some work with Knox years ago and with some community groups down here.
“I live (in Knox) now, so it’s a great opportunity for my boys, Mum’s grandsons, to be able to see it up close.”
Aunty Dot and Healesville RSL worked together to take a service to officially recognise First Nations peoples’ contributions to the armed forces, which has turned into an annual event held at the Shrine of Remembrance, at-
tracting the spotlight nationally.
Aunty Dot was also passionate about ensuring First Nations cultural practices and knowledge were protected, celebrated and passed down through generations.
“Much of what Mum learnt was probably considered women’s business such as her basket coiling,” Dr Peters said.
“While I was very aware of her knowledge, I didn’t learn any specific practices like this
from her.”
The Yarra Yarra woman was also an Aboriginal educator at Healesville Primary School and wrote a dreaming story about how Badger Creek got its smooth rocks and clear water.
“She started (the role at Healesville Primary School) in 1980 when I was in Grade 6 there, and it certainly was ahead of its time in terms of Aboriginal education,” Dr Peters said.
“(The dreaming story) was called Bunjil
of Badger Creek. It was based on stories her grandmother used to tell her.”
A Knox City Council spokesperson said the proposed site for the project will be chosen as part of the cultural engagement process with Aunty Dot’s family, Wurundjeri elders, aunties and local First Nations organisations.
“Aunty Dot was a much-loved elder in Melbourne’s east who was actively involved in local community organisations such as Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation and Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place,” they said.
“Some of the Peters family lives in Knox, including Aunty Dot’s son, Dr Andrew Peters, who was among several First Nations locals who worked with the council to develop our Reconciliation Action Plan.”
The Victorian Government has been investing $1.2 million to deliver six new pieces of art across the state, adding to the six delivered last year, through its Women’s Public Art Program. Less than two per cent of statues across Victoria are of women and many of these are women with their husbands, partners or other men.
Women minister Natalie Hutchins said women’s achievements have always been there but they’ve just never been seen.
“We’re changing this in Victoria, recognising another six trailblazing Victorian women through our nation-leading Women’s Public Art program,” she said.
For more information on the 2025 Victorian Women’s Public Art Program, visit vic.gov.au/ victorian-womens-public-art-program
The public artwork for the late Aunty Dorothy ‘Dot’ Peters AM will be built in Knox City. (Jesse Graham: 198623)
Lilydale RSL member Nita Mcdougall, president Bill Dobson and vice president Terry Hickey were joined by Casey MP Aaron Violi as they walked laps of Lillydale Lake for March On. (Mikayla van Loon: 465714)
Historic tour for historians
Historical Society’s members were treated to an informative
Star Mail
and
of Mont De Lancey’s
this month.
Hearing of the Sebires, the early settler family who built the homestead in the 1880s, wondering the grounds, chatting to blacksmiths and getting a view of the 1920s weatherboard chapel, was all part of the experience.
A great day was had by all.
Adventure Dog returns to Wandin Park with extras
By Dongyun Kwon
Adventure Dog is back to Wandin Park Estate on Sunday 6 April with an inaugural program for dog lovers who won’t be able to participate.
Adventure Dog is an annual event where participants and their four-legged teammates take on a five-kilometre course packed with mud, water crossings, and obstacles, designed to test endurance, teamwork, and a sense of adventure while raising funds for Animal Aid and the homeless dogs in its care.
Animal Aid communications and engagement manager Elle Ammann said the Animal Aid crew is aiming to raise $90,000.
“At the moment, we’re at $25,000. We’re still hoping for a lot more participants, and we do have some sponsorship funds coming in soon, but there’s lots of opportunity if you do want to donate to this event, or if you find someone else that you would like to support,” she said.
“Every dollar that’s raised from this event will go directly to our welfare program, so it’s helping to feed desex care for animals that come through us because they’ve been surrendered or found lost in the community.
“It’s going to be a five-kilometre course with 25 obstacles. There’s still going to be foam, mud, jumping over logs and crawling under nets.”
Last year, Animal Aid faced an unexpected challenge, a last-minute location change, and had to find another venue.
The original event venue Wandin Park Estate failed to get a relevant permit to run the event.
Dramatically, Animal Aid succeeded in finding another venue Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve and Showground to get Adventure Dog off the ground.
“It was very tricky. It was Thursday before Easter Friday when we found it out, so we had four days with no information and had to try and make every plan we could without the council office or without anyone being in the office like usual,” Ms Ammann said.
“We were really proud with how we pulled it off, but also how well our community also got involved. They were really supportive of the last-minute change. As much as it was very un-
expected and very tricky, It was a heart-warming experience to see everyone come together to make it happen.
“We still had 950 participants. We still raised $91,000. It was a very successful event.”
This year, Animal Aid is introducing a new program for virtual participants.
Animal Aid welfare vet director Dr Adele Scannell and her dog Rusty have been chosen as virtual trailblazers.
They will represent virtual participants, who won’t be able to make it on the day, carrying their stories and spirit through every muddy obstacle.
“We’re going to try to make it as involved as possible. I’ll let people know all along the way about what Rusty and I are doing,” Dr Scannell said.
“We’re doing some training down by the riv-
er. So we go for walks several times a week, doing some runs and training.”
The four-year-old Australian kelpie came to the Animal Aid shelter about two and a half years ago.
Dr Scannell said Rusty was very skinny when he first came to the shelter.
“I took him home to look after him, and the whole family fell in love with him,” she said.
The duo participated in the Adventure Dog last year.
“It was lots of fun. I didn’t realise how much fun it would be,” Dr Scannell said.
“Rusty found some of the challenges a little bit overwhelming, and he did not like the foam.
“It was great to see all the people and all the dogs having fun and getting together.”
For more information, please visit the following website, animalaid.org.au/adventure-dog
Dr Adele Scannell and Rusty looking forward to participating in Adventure Dog 2025. (Dongyun Kwon: 465914)
The virtual trailblazers will represent virtual participants, who won’t be able to make it on the day, carrying their stories and spirit through every muddy obstacle. (465914)
Dr Adele Scannell and her dog Rusty have been chosen as virtual trailblazers. (465914)
Croydon
tour
Historic Homestead earlier
photographer Stewart Chambers captured these moments as the members enjoyed
delighted at the sites of the Wandin North property.
Tony from the Croydon Historical Society rings the Bell Tower. (Stewart Chambers: 464069)
The Croydon Historical Society members on a tour of the Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead. (464069)
Members gathering in the Mont De Lancey gardens. (464069)
The Croydon Historical Society enjoying and admiring the chapel. (464069)
President of the Croydon Historical Society Geoff Arnott, alongside fellow members, doing a tour of Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead. (464069)
It was a wonderful outing for the Croydon Historical Society in Wandin. (464069)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Exhibition for interaction
By Dongyun Kwon
Yering Station is hosting an exhibition to commemorate the fifth anniversary of a Yarra Valley sculptor’s death.
INTERACTION, an exhibition of artworks created by Ernst Fries, marked its launch at the Yering Station Cellar Door on Sunday 16 March.
The title of the exhibition was named after his twosculptureswiththesamenametoinviteviewer interaction and interpretation on Fries’ artworks.
The sculptor’s daughter, Reggie Clark, said her father was a local in the Yarra Valley for 35 years and passed away in 2020.
“He was a sculptor all my life. He worked mainly in stainless steel, and he often incorporated other materials like glass or granite with it,” she said. There are three sculptures, with which viewers can interact physically through the light sensors, in the cellar door.
“When you go past the sensors, the lights turn on,” Clark said.
One of the physically interactive artworks is called Welcoming Home.
“It welcomes you home. The front door is slightly open, and the light is on when you come near it,” the daughter said.
Although Fries was a sculptor, he did some paintings in 1977, which are on display at the exhibition as well.
“I don’t know what inspired him (to do paintings at the time), it might have been other artists,” Clark said.
“They are the only (paintings) he did.”
Another three sculptures are being exhibited outside of the cellar door; Observing, Winter On The Bay, and Epicormic Growth.
Clark is passionate about contributing to local arts as an administrator but not as an artist.
She ran Art at Linden Gate as a director until
she retired in 2020 and has been involved in Yarra Valley Arts for many years to support local artists.
Clark said her passion for arts was inspired by her father but she didn’t get a chance to see his working process first-hand.
“Painter parents would be doing their work with (their children) or around them,” she said.
“My father (who was a sculptor) had a studio and we were not allowed in there. He was working with dangerous materials, welding, acid, and metal, which are not good for little children.
“That is one reason why most of the family aren’t artists or aren’t creative because the art was done over there and we saw the finished piece.”
INTERACTION runs from 16 March to 27 April.
Art lovers are welcome to see all of Fries’ available works online as well, ernstfriessculpture. com
Yering Station Art Gallery curator Dr Ewen Jarvis said the exhibition is about the interaction of humans and the landscape which encapsulates and pays tribute to Ernst’s life.
“Many of the sculptures that are indoors have an architectural feel. They represent living spaces, but they’re very much living spaces that are in contact with nature. And this was very close to the heart of what Ernst did,” he said.
“A lot of his work was to bring the built environment into an interconnection with nature, and this is also what he did with his home and studio, which he built in Yarra Glen.
“The outdoor sculptures are a little bit different, but they definitely have paid their respects to nature in different ways.
“There is a broad range of works from different periods of his creative output. This is, in a way, helping to tell the story of Ernst Fries and his creative work over time. So it’s not a specific theme. It’s a more general theme with his creative life.”
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Don’t miss out on low maintenance retirement living, enjoy spacious, modern villas with private courtyard gardens and 24/7 emergency call systems.
Dr Ewen Jarvis (left) and Reggie Clark with Interaction, one of the Fries’ sculptures. (Dongyun Kwon: 465518)
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
MLMC makes a difference
Mount Lilydale Mercy College (MLMC) has a proud history of shaping and enriching young lives in a nurturing environment. From its beginnings, MLMC has embodied a distinct Mercy spirit which deepens respect for each individual.
This spirit lies at the heart of our College’s Catholic identity and an education at MLMC ensures students are immersed in a culture that highlights our values of compassion, justice, respect, courage, service, and hospitality. We believe these values will help guide our students to be the best version of themselves.
“It is our task to develop the God-given talents in every child who enters our College to ensure they leave us with the resilience and confidence to fulfil their potential,” Principal Mr Philip Morison said.
“We want MLMC graduates to live their best lives and be the difference in the lives of those around them.”
Recent research, based on the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey data, found that people who attended a Catholic school are likely to see lifelong benefits in employment status, general health and life satisfaction. The research also showed that Catholic school alumni are more likely to make a difference by working in an industry or roles that directly benefits the public and were more likely to donate to charitable causes. At MLMC, students are provided with multiple opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, whether through volunteering for Catherine’s Cafe, an initiative that provides free meals for our local community members, to raising funds for charitable organisations including Project Compassion, Catholic Care, the Yellow Ribbon Program and the Leukaemia Foundation. Each of these interactions enables MLMC students to experience how they can impact the lives of others and the world. We warmly invite families to tour our College and discover how a Catholic Mercy education can be the difference for your child.
MLMC student Riley raised over $2000 for the Leukemia Foundation to shave off his locks. (Supplied)
CAPTURING THE YARRA RANGES Considering the concerns
By Callum Ludwig
While CCTV can play an important role in improving community safety and the investigation of crime, it’s not without its concerns.
Invasion of privacy, data collection and misuse are the main issues raised when cameras are installed and there are discussions to be had about what could constitute overreach.
Members of the My Place Yarra Valley group (MPYV), a community group that started up in the Yarra Ranges in opposition to the local council adopting the concept of ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’, are sceptical of global and local governance, 5G mobile connectivity and CCTV and digital surveillance.
Founder of MPYV Belinda Modesti said an extensive CCTV network can lead to increased government monitoring, raising concerns about misuse, overreach, and the potential for authoritarian control thus infringing on our right to privacy.
“If CCTV networks are linked to facial recognition and other AI technologies, they can be used for mass tracking and monitoring, leading to a ‘Big Brother’ society,” she said.
“I also have concerns about constitutional breaches such as freedom of expression given it may discourage protests, activism or even casual conversations in the public domain.”
“I have no issue with small businesses using CCTV as an added protection for personal property but I do have major concerns about these devices being used by governments on a large scale.”
A number of posts in the MPYV Facebook group express concerns about digital surveillance and they have also encouraged members concerned about ‘personal biometric data’ being captured through CCTV as part of a previous ‘STAND UP - WAKE UP - PUSH BACK’ email series to send ‘withdrawal of consent’ letters to local and state governments.
Ms Modesti said she thinks CCTV is not stopping crimes like carjackings and home invasions given criminals do not fear the camera, often hiding their faces with masks.
“These [cameras] were used purely to enforce [pandemic] restrictions despite claiming to be used for managing public health,” she said.
“Furthermore CCTV is reactive not preventive, I would rather see funding go into looking at the root cause of the problem – supporting a better police force that answers to the people, not the government, which would prioritise community safety, public accountability, and human rights over political agendas or state control.”
Ms Modesti refers to CCTV cameras as ‘SMART’ (Surveillance, Monitoring, Analysis, Reporting, Technology) systems and that they were rolled out during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, though the cameras in the Yarra Ranges were pledged between 2013-2019,
Let’s think about how to get prepared to prevent possible problems with the reinstatement of the CCTV network. (Unsplash)
with most, if not all, installed prior to 2020.
Ms Modesti said she would not support an increase in SMART technology, as it doesn’t protect the innocent and it certainly doesn’t prevent crime.
“Effective crime prevention strategies should focus on community policing, social programs, better lighting, and increased public presence, engaging communities and addressing root causes of crime (such as poverty and substance abuse) tend to be more effective than surveillance alone,” she said.
“In recent years, there has been a shift by our police force that penalises individuals for menial misdemeanours involving themselves in enforcing low-level offenses that don’t pose a direct threat to public safety, this needs to change,”
“The current system of policing where police spend more time penalising citizens for petty offenses, simply shifts the focus away from crime
prevention, turning policing into a revenue-generating mechanism (e.g., fines, asset seizures) rather than a mechanism for improving safety and justice for all.”
Ms Modesti also expressed concern that if CCTV cameras are storing personal information and are hacked, that this information could sold on the dark web, used for identity theft or blackmail, exploited by cybercriminals for fraud, stalking, or harassment or manipulated or altered to frame individuals. In 2024, Bunnings was found to have breached privacy laws by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for using facial recognition technology without gaining proper consent through CCTV cameras in its stores.
Ms Modesti said surveillance infrastructure is implemented, it can be misused by future governments.
“A Government today that is, transparent and upholds civil liberties may eventually be replaced
by one that seeks to abuse these systems for control, surveillance, and suppression, this must be considered by everyone,” she said.
“Complacency and apathy will result in destroying our inalienable rights, complacency today paves the way for injustice tomorrow,”
“A ‘smart city’ designed for safety, convenience and efficiency could be exploited for total surveillance of every citizen’s movements, interactions, and behaviors, potentially used to silence critics or control public opinion.”
There are a number of guidelines and laws regarding the use of surveillance technology, collection of biometric data and cameras in Victoria and Australia:
The Office of the Victorian Information Commisioner (OVIC) has Guiding Principles for Surveillance, which are based on the protections in the Victorian Privacy and Data Protection Act and Information Privacy Principles, should be used by any Victorian public sector organisation, including government departments or facilities and councils.
Another MPYV member Sally Clinton said her concerns with CCTV are twofold and community safety and crime prevention should not be used as the excuse to increase population surveillance.
“Firstly nobody has the right to film me go about my day doing normal activities, my life is not a reality TV show whereby I give consent to being filmed walking down the street, driving my car, going grocery shopping or even using the local toilet block,” she said.
“Secondly, what happens to the data that is captured and stored from all the cameras on our street corners, who owns them and who has access to the data, these are important questions which nobody seems to be asking.”
According to the OAIC, the Australia Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles cover Australian Government agencies, organisations with an annual turnover of more than $3 million and some other organisations including private health service providers such as private hospitals and gyms and private educational facilities such as child care centres and private schools.
Healesville resident and owner of The Mare Coffee Company James Lee said he’s not against CCTV, having it in his own cafe, but has concerns about its effectiveness.
“There’s no police in town from Friday to Sunday, I like that there’s concern about the rate of crime in town but without proper policing, not even a car cruising around, I don’t think cameras will do what people want them to,” he said.
“I also don’t want to be photographed or have videos taken of me every time I’m out on the street and we have to ask, when does your sense of security need to override my social liberty to be anonymous in my own town.”
Star Mail will be speaking with a researcher in this space next week.
Let’s think about this prior to putting the CCTV back in
By Dongyun Kwon
As part of the Capturing the Yarra Ranges campaign, I want to share my story with the local community as a foreigner who grew up in a different environment that most of our readers didn’t experience.
I was born and grew up in South Korea. In my country, the CCTV network was rolled out probably when I was still a primary school student or before.
In a few years, it became very big, and cameras were installed literally everywhere including public and private spaces, and cars.
In 2013, legislation was introduced that all new cars must be equipped with CCTV cameras, which we call ‘black box’ in Korea.
It was to use the footage to find out the cause of accidents or to track criminal offenders who might have been captured by the black boxes on the nearby roads at the time.
I remembered that I read a text in my textbook that was talking about the issue of privacy breach in early middle school or late primary school which was between 2009 and 2011 (I’m not sure).
What I still remember about the text, because it was really shocking to me, was that a Korean was exposed to CCTV cameras at least
24 times a day on average (I might be wrong with the number).
I looked up the number again to write this column and found out the number increased to 98 times for people in their 30s and 40s per day on average in 2021.
Please don’t get my column wrong.
I’m a big advocate for Capturing the Yarra Ranges which we are currently doing to raise awareness of the need for a better CCTV network to make our community safer.
I still strongly think there are many positive aspects of having stronger CCTV cameras across Yarra Ranges.
For example, in my country, it is common for people to leave their personal belongings, like tablet PCs, laptops, or wallets, unattended to possess the table in a cafe or a restaurant while they are going to make an order at the register or toilet.
Nobody would touch your stuff on the table, rather, they would take it as a sign of the spot being taken.
I don’t know if it stems from our CCTV system, culture, or strong justice system.
But I can confidently say that the CCTV cameras also contribute to this.
However, I’d like to emphasise that we also need to think about how to get prepared to prevent possible problems.
Back in the years when I was a student, the tuition centres installed CCTV cameras in the classrooms to observe whether the students were studying (again, I’m not sure if they still continue to do this).
A new trend has been going on that families with a baby install a camera in the baby’s room to check the safety of the baby in South Korea.
I mean it’s all for a good purpose, but could it be justified to watch students through the cameras, and what would happen if the computer that has all the footage got hacked and all the
footage got stolen by someone who wants to use it for a negative purpose?
With the appearance of social media, there is a high number of footage with peoples’ faces streaming on the internet without permission by them.
I find it scary, and it sometimes makes me think ‘Where’s my privacy? Am I living in South Korea, a democratic country, or North Korea where a dictator surveils people?’.
Again, what I’m trying to say is not to oppose the reinstatement of the CCTV network in Yarra Ranges because I deeply feel the need for a stronger surveillance system for the safety of Yarra Ranges, especially on the main streets of each township.
And I totally believe the well-operating CCTV system managed by a responsible authority would be the first step to make our community safer.
But I hope the Yarra Ranges community won’t make the same mistake that my country did by taking the side effects into account. That is the only reason I’m sharing my experience with you.
I cannot wait to see the reinstatement of the CCTV network with the detailed plans to prevent possible problems.
CAPTURING THE YARRA RANGES Candidates support CCTV
By Tanya Steele and Mikayla van Loon
Strategy, funding, sustainability, long term maintenance and who exactly is responsible? Week four of the Star Mail campaign continues to explore and determine the value of CCTV in the Yarra Ranges.
With the Federal election yet to be called , candidates for Casey were approached by Star Mail to offer their thoughts on the system.
All four supported the idea of reestablishing the network, in some form or another, with varying ideas from each candidate on how they would approach the issue.
Greens Candidate Merran Blair said she would support reestablishment of the network, supporting a whole system approach which includes other crime prevention strategies, while Labor Candidate Naomi Oakley said she would commit to ‘advocate strongly’ for the necessary funding to maintain the effectiveness of Casey’s community CCTV systems.
Community Independent Claire Ferres Mile supported ‘strategic investment’ in Casey, alongside current Member for Casey Liberal Aaron Violi who said the Liberal Party is committed to bringing back the original programme which funded the cameras.
The network originally promised to keep the community safe and deter crime in the Yarra Ranges and was funded by an election promise by former Casey MP Tony Smith across three election periods.
After final funding was received in 2019, the Star Mail has since heard stories from township groups, police and community advocates of what has now become a run down, disconnected and in many cases, unusable system.
Mr Violi said he’s heard a lot in the last two and a half years from community members about their concerns around crime, all across the electorate, but in areas like Healesville, the new traders group were advocating really strongly, with some break-ins there.
“It’s come through loud and clear, and the cameras when they were announced previously, were very popular and did make a difference,” he said.
Mr Violi is currently running a petition to reinstate the Safer Communities Program, which aims to improve community safety and address crime through funding.
“I’ve been engaging with the local police and the local council and traders to try and find a solution based on the feedback from the previous funding commitments,” said Mr Violi.
“One of the challenges is sustaining the ongoing funding, and also who’s going to ultimately take responsibility for the maintenance, acknowledging that all technologies have a shelf life and they only last so long.”
Independent Claire Ferres Miles said she supports strategic investment for Casey, which is well considered, strategic and developed in collaboration across all three levels of government.
Greens Candidate Merran Blair said she would support re-establishing the CCTV network and ensuring that funding is allocated for its maintenance.
“It is important to also consider our broader crime prevention strategies and assess the potential benefits of the network,” she said.
“This will help make sure the system is not relied upon to prevent crime and can be used to support the community in as many ways as possible.”
“For example, making sure we have other measures in place to minimise crime and keep our streets safe whilst supporting the safety of our communities.”
“If we don’t take a holistic approach, CCTV would just be a band aid solution.”
Labor Candidate Naomi Oakley said she is committed to advocating strongly for the necessary funding to maintain the effectiveness of Casey’s community CCTV systems and as a former police member of 12 years, she appreciates the role CCTV cameras play in both community safety and policing.
“I put keeping the community safe at the top of my priority list,” she said.
With rising cost of living across the Yarra Ranges, traders and township groups see the value of the networks but are struggling to be responsible for the upkeep of them.
This has created a need for the system to be thoroughly reviewed and reworked, with a clear plan for ongoing funding and maintenance
laid down.
Member for Casey Aaron Violi said the Liberal Party has committed to the Safer communities program, which the current government cut.
“The cameras were funded originally through the Safer Communities program – we’ve committed to bringing that programme back around specific announcements for our community,” he said.
“I’ll continue to work with the Coalition and also with local council, traders and the local police, and make sure that if we do make a commitment, it’s an ongoing, sustainable programme moving into the future.”
Ms Ferres Miles said the CCTV network in Casey is a prime example of a ‘sugar hit’ of Federal funding, good for a headline but the reality is there was no plan to operate, maintain nor update the system after they were first installed.
“From an investment of $1.2 million, it is appalling that we now have CCTV cameras across the electorate that are broken, turned off, not connected to police, old technology and unusable - what a waste of public money.”
For the Greens, Ms Blair put forward an interesting suggestion to utilise the network for other things such as bushfire detection.
“Residents of Casey face significant risk from climate change and early detection of bushfires within our native forests is also important for
keeping residents safe,” she said.
“This is something else that should be considered.”
Ms Oakley for Labor said securing one-off funding isn’t enough and she would take several steps to approach the issue.
“I would convene a meeting of the interested parties, Yarra Ranges Council, Police and the appropriate State and Federal departments to seek a sustainable longer term plan for our CCTV assets,” she said.
“That longer term plan should not simply be about a longer term funding source, but include a review of how we integrate our use of cameras with other actions we can take to encourage safety awareness.”
Liberal’s Mr Violi also said the biggest opportunity going forward is to make sure there’s an ongoing sustainable model around who maintains and has responsibility for maintenance.
“The police would maintain responsibility for monitoring the cameras,” he said.
“I think there’s also a legitimate concern some members of the community have around their privacy and around their security.”
“You want to make sure that the maintenance of those cameras, but also the access to the footage is only through Victoria Police with really stringent requirements.”
Ms Ferres Miles said asking township groups to pay for CCTV insurance and asking the Council and police to find money to pay for operations and maintenance is not fair.
“It is beholden on all elected representatives to be stewards of public money - to be making decisions for the long term not for a headline to buy votes.
Ms Blair said someone needs to take responsibility for its ongoing maintenance and a business case needs to be established.
“Once we can establish a business case for the benefit of the system we may have a better idea of who might be best placed to take on the responsibility of its long term upkeep,” she said.
Ms Oakley said her plan would include ensuring communities are proactive and she would encourage closer connections between the Police and the community
“I would also encourage and promote the local CCTV register, that enables local private and business owners to register their private CCTV systems. This will aid Police in their investigations,” she said.
The Star Mail campaign for CCTV network in the Yarra Ranges will carry on for two more weeks, exploring other takes on the issue as the community continues to call for upgrades and accountability.
Current member for Casey and Liberal MP Aaron Violi has an online petition callin go for the reinstatement of the Safer Communities Program. (465967)
Dr Merran Blair for Greens said she she would support reestablishment of the network. (465967)
For Labor, Naomi Oakley said she advocate strongly for funding. (465967).
Community Independent Claire Ferres Mile supported strategic investment in Casey (On File: 465967)
Fun at Wandin family day
By Oliver Winn
After initially being postponed due to the heat, the Rotary Club of Wandin’s Free Family Fun Day took place on 10 March, delivering unbridled joy at no cost for everyone.
Fully funded by a grant from the Bendigo Community Bank Wandin-Seville, the event saw people of all ages partake in activities such as billy carts, tug of war, face painting and much more.
The Mt Evelyn IGA supplied the food for the event, the Wandin Cricket, Football and Netball Club hosted a number of activities and the Wandin CFA challenged the kids in tug of war.
Have a look at some pictures of the event taken by rotarian Garry Byrne.
The event took place at the Wandin North Oval.
The face painting stall proved popular among the kids. (Garry Byrne)
There was free coffee, soft drink and other beverages on offer.
Adults playing tug of war.
Kids take on the adults in tug of war.
Kids tackled house fires with the CFA.
Sausage sizzle was provided free of cost.
Wandin Cricket, Football and Netball club hosted fun activities.
New play spaces for kids
New playspaces have opened across the region, with State Government representatives travelling out to celebrate renewed and upgraded spaces.
Through January and February, council and the State Government opened play spaces in Millgrove, Lilydale, Mount Evelyn, Badger Creek and Upwey.
Yarra Ranges mayor Jim Child said the new spaces had already been embraced by young people and their families.
“Playspaces are some of the most important projects we undertake at Council,” Cr Child said.
“These are spaces where people meet friends, exercise and play. They’re where we make memories with people we love, and where young people form their first attachments to their neighbourhood and the wider community.
“I’m so proud of these new spaces, which include renewed play equipment, spaces accessible for different ages and abilities, new equipment and improvements to what was already there.
“We’ve had resoundingly positive feedback from community members, from the moment fences came down – families are enjoying the spaces and kids are loving the equipment, which is the best measure of success for us.
“I’m extremely grateful to the State Government for the support of the Growing Suburbs Fund, which provided significant funding to all of these playspace projects.”
The updated playspaces can be found at:
• Bluegum Reserve, Badger Creek
• Queen Road Reserve, Lilydale
• Morrison Reserve, Mount Evelyn
• Wright Avenue, Upwey
Cr Child encouraged community members to visit the new spaces.
“We can be creatures of habit, visiting our nearest or most local playspace when it’s time to go out with the family, or meet our friends,” he said.
“With these new playspaces opening, I’d en-
courage our community members to travel a bit further afield to check out these new spaces – to go on the flying foxes at Morrison Reserve, visit the Lillydale Lake water play area, or just experi-
ence the ambience of a new park.
“These spaces are for everyone, and with the warm weather there’s no better time to visit some local businesses, pack a picnic, and head out to
what might be your new favourite playspace.” Visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/myneighbourhood to see your closest playspaces, and what other projects can be found near you.
Updated playgrounds can be found at Badger Creek, Lilydale, Mount Evelyn and Upwey. (Unsplash)
Living well but gluten-free
By Tanya Steele
No bread, pasta, vegemite or pizza, ever again - or at least, not in quite the way I remember it. Don’t even get me started on ramen because I may weep a little.
Coeliac awareness week has kicked off across the country from 13 to 20 March, giving the gluten intolerant amongst you (including Star Mail journalist Tanya Steele) the chance to highlight the challenges of living with the autoimmune disease.
To be short about it, no, Coeliacs cannot ‘cheat’ and have an occasional cheese toastie no matter how good they are – we beg you to please take it seriously because it has big effects on our health.
Often confusing for many, Coeliac disease affects thousands of Australians and around 80 percent of them remain undiagnosed.
The condition is triggered by gluten, which in turn damages the small intestine and causes systemic inflammation and it can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.
Shortly after my diagnosis in 2020 (yes – lockdown and a new diet regime, thanks universe!) over a phone call with a friend, I began to realise just how challenging coeliac disease was going to be.
I had been feeling very tired and run down and after a bit of back and forth with my GP and some blood tests, they had pointed to coeliac disease as a possible cause.
“A coeliac diet? That’s really hard,” said my friend.
My stomach dropped, Tatiana was vegan, and she was saying this was hard?
According to Coeliac Australia, Coeliac disease presents differently in each person, making diagnosis challenging.
“Some individuals experience classic digestive symptoms, while others have neurological, skin, or even fertility issues. Some experience no obvious symptoms at all but still suffer internal damage,” reads the Coeliac Australia website.
Symptoms in adults include ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, flatulence/gas, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, steatorrhea (fatty, floaty poo).
There are also effects like prolonged fatigue, weakness and lethargy, along with iron deficiency anaemia and/or other vitamin and mineral deficiencies, unexplained weight loss, mouth ulcers and skin rashes.
Children suffer with the disease as well, with symptoms like faltering growth or failure to thrive, persistent bloating and stomach pain, chronic
diarrhoea and/or constipation, irritability and behavioural issues, unexpected weight loss, prolonged fatigue and weak tooth enamel or dental defects.
A friend has a son living with the disease, and she said overall he is pretty amazing about it all, and people are pretty good about being accommodating.
“It has taken time to get the school to come onboard,” she said.
“He very rarely complains about feeling left out but I know he worries about being different.”
“Or not getting an invite to something because it is too hard to cater for him.”
“As a parent you have to spend a lot of time and effort to make him feel included.”
One thing that was challenging is that you have to keep eating gluten until testing, eliminating or restricting gluten can make test results inaccurate. This means all your symptoms are still presentnot fun!
Getting diagnosed is incredibly important because the disease can cause the malabsorption of nutrients and increase the risk of other serious conditions, including osteoporosis, liver disease, infertility, and certain cancers.
This basically means your body is not getting what it needs, and after an endoscopy and official diagnosis, I eliminated gluten entirely from my diet.
It’s not easy at first, there is a lot of learning around how and what you can eat. I would stay away from substitute gluten-free products to begin with – it can be disheartening.
Instead, stay focused on the positives, what you can eat and what you enjoy.
The Coeliac Australia website states that the gluten-free diet is not for everyone and is not a ‘healthier’ way to eat (although the diet can certainly be healthy if managed well).
“There are nutritional risks associated with following a restrictive diet which must be carefully managed. A gluten-free diet is only recommended
for those with coeliac disease or another medical need.” the website reads.
Gluten is in wheat, barley, rye and oats, although some coeliacs can safely eat oats. I had a few consults with a dietician to make sure I was on the right track, and I need annual check-ups and check-ins with my GP and gastroenterologist to monitor the condition.
Support from family and friends is very important.
Iftheyareinformedandaware,servingupcommunal meals means your friends with the disease can relax in your company instead of bringing a gluten-free protein bar as dinner to your barbecie.
Having a separate toaster and a clearly defined area for the ‘normal’ toaster, my family eat mostly the same as me with substitutions for some meals. Properly cleaning kitchen utensils and pots and pans is very important - any traces of gluten can cause a reaction.
Learning to read food labels and going out for dinner is a whole different learning process, but doable. Some really yummy places cater for gluten-free diets, but a sneaky take away can be challenging.
I have found the Coeliac Australia website, online social media groups and fellow Coeliacs in the community to be great support after my diagnosis. It can get you down sometimes, but I try to focus on the fact that I have more energy and spend less time around porcelain.
Coeliac Australia recommend diagnosis as soon as possible, without proper diagnosis and a strict gluten-free diet, coeliac disease can lead to severe long-term health complications.
The disease is a lifelong diagnosis; if gluten is reintroduced to the diet, relapse will occur, this Coeliac Awareness Week offers opportunities for everyone, and conversation helps bring coeliac disease into the spotlight.
Today’s plights and blights and what we can do about it
By Maria Millers
Even without the disturbing images of the killing fields of overseas wars, local news can be equally unsettling.
From extreme weather events to images of young offenders armed with machetes breaking into homes to the illegal dumping of waste, all played out on our screens this week.
While not as severe as first anticipated exTropical Cyclone Alfred still created havoc with strong winds bringing down trees, flooding and damaging homes and leaving thousands without power.
The argument continues whether these increasingly severe weather events are part of a natural cycle of climate change or are they being made worse by human activity?
What the Alfred cyclone in Brisbane did remind us was how we must respect nature.
English Romantic poet William Wordsworth writing against a background of revolution, industrialisation and social upheavals (not very dissimilar to today) saw nature as a sanctuary from the dehumanising effects of all this: offering the individual a spiritual and morally grounding experience during a time of upheaval.
The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—
Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon; The winds that will be howling at all hours, And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers; For this, for everything, we are out of tune; From The World is Too Much with Us The aftermath of COVID is still with us and our young are bearing the brunt of most of its lingering legacy: interrupted education, isolation, dependence on social media.
For many particularly those from broken or dysfunctional homes there has been the frustration of unrealised ambitions often leading to antisocial behaviour of drugs and violence
WOORILLA WORDS
fuelled by social media.
All normality of youth has been upturned and lost opportunities deferred or delayed.
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run
A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes
This week we saw a reintroduction of bail laws for young offenders.
The nightly reporting of children sometimes as young as 12 wielding machetes and terrorising people in their homes mostly to steal cars has made the community feel frightened and unsafe.
But a lawyer speaking on talk back radio this week who has represented many of these children urged people before supporting the new measures to visit a magistrate court and hear the stories of these offenders. He sees remanding more children as only an easy band-aid solution to a complex problem.
And when there are problems with our youth we should all be prepared to take responsibility.
Parents, teachers, law enforcers must help them find their way in a world that seems both overwhelming and indifferent.
Surely we can move away from the ‘lock them up and throw away the key mentality’ and address this lost generation’s problems with positive programs.
Reconnecting with nature could be one. Wired minds, disconnected hearts, We’re glued to screens, but still, we’re apart.
Every post, every like, every share, Still leaves us feeling cold, unaware.
Chasing approval in an endless race,
But we can’t escape this empty space.
Disaffected youth, lost in the noise, Yearning for meaning, but finding only void.
The Disconnect anonymous
Finally this week we were confronted with the ugly images of illegal dumping of household hard rubbish and other waste in the bush, on empty land, in waterways and on roadsides.
The amount of waste our consumer society generates has become a major problem.
From industrial and medical hazardous waste to the everyday household food and packaging.
A good question to ask is why do we have so much waste?
Why people dump rubbish in the way reported this week could be sheer laziness or the inconvenience of making the effort to take unwanted items to a council tip, where fees charged are high.
Council attempts at providing dedicated bins and drop off centres have only been partially successful.
Perhaps this is the ultimate in a breakdown in community pride and disrespect for the natural environment.
The three examples may seem to have no connection but perhaps they do.
Perhaps they show how we are increasingly becoming disconnected from nature and from each other, and how we have embraced consumerism as a way of life.
To some it is becoming clear that our way of living has to change.
But this will be rejected by many and make others uncomfortable.
Our economic system has undeniably brought many positive things but now we are reaching the point of The Law of Diminishing Returns across all human activity.
What brought benefits in the past no longer does so as we face serious environmental, climate and social problems.
Economics expert and bestselling author Ulrike Herrmann argues that she sees no other way to solving today’s problems than the need for industrialised countries to check global growth.
Our throwaway society has to become a circular economy.
The industrialised countries must therefore bid farewell to our current obsessive consumerism. and strive for a circular economy in which only what can be recycled is consumed.
This cannot be achieved without personal commitment to giving up certain elements of lifestyle and some central planning.
This of course will be ferociously resisted.
But as she suggests, we may have it forced on us by some future environmental disaster.
When there is talk of falling standards of living perhaps we should begin to define standard of living in terms other than consumerism.
And once again reconnecting with nature is a step forward for a better future.
Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things captures the calming and restorative power of nature, highlighting the need to protect it.
Berry suggests that we should cherish and protect the natural world, which offers peace amid modern-day worries.
And we should reconnect our lost generation of youth with the restorative power that nature offers us all and mostly for free.
When despair for the world grows in me And I wake in the night at the least sound In fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake Rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
Who do not tax their lives with forethought Of grief.
I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
Waiting with their light.
For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Family support and separate food prep areas are important - my daughter has labelled my toaster with love. (Tanya Steele: 466017)
FEDERALELECTIONSURVEY
What issues matter most this Federal Election in suburban Australia?
As one of the largest publishers of independent community news in Victoria, Star News Group is conducting this simple survey to gauge community sentiment around the forthcoming federal election.
Please take 5 minutes to have your say and be part of this important conversation. The results of the survey will help us gauge the appetite of readers toward the forthcoming Federal Election and we will share results with our readers.
1. What do you see as the single most important issue in the upcoming federal election?
2. Please select the top 5 of the following issues that are "Extremely Important" to you:
Electricity Prices
Climate Change Policies
Inflation (Cost of Living)
Health Services
Immigration and border control
National roads and rail infrastructure
Water infrastructure
Broadband interenet access
Please specify:
3. Please select the top 5 of the following issues that are "Least Important" to you:
Electricity Prices Climate Change Policies
Inflation (Cost of Living)
Health Services
Immigration and border control
National roads and rail infrastructure
Water infrastructure
Broadband interenet access
Please specify:
4. Which is more important to you? Cheapest electricity possible Reducing carbon emissions
5. Do you support nuclear energy in Australia?
Yes No
6. Would you support a nuclear plant in your local area? Yes No
7. Where would you most like to see a local increase in federal funding, and why?
Local hospitals Local national highways
Local infrastructure project Defence
Other
You can either fill in the survey below and email in or complete the survey online (Simply scan the QR code below) First Name: Last Name: Daytime Contact Phone No:
Once completed, please scan or photograph your completed survey and email to:
8. Regarding immigration policy, do you believe the next government should:
Increase immigration
Reduce Immigration
Keep it about the same
9. At this point are you more likely to vote for:
A major party (Labor or Coalition)
A minor party
An independent
10. On a scale of 1 to 5, (5 the highest), how significant do you think the influence of social media is on public discourse and political decisionmaking in Australia?
1 2 3 4 5 Why?
11. On a scale of 1 to 5, (5 the highest), how concerned are you about global security currently? 1 2 3 4 5 Why?
12. On a scale of 1 to 5, (5 the highest), how concerned are you about housing affordability in your region?
1 2 3 4 5
13. In your opinion, how important is improved national road and transport infrastructure in your region?
1 2 3 4 5
14. What specific infrastructure projects do you believe should be prioritised in your region?
15. Are there any other local or regional issues that you feel are not getting enough attention in the federal election campaign? Please share your thoughts.
16. What age group do you fall into?
Historic Flame Tree
The Illawarra Flame Tree or Currajong (Brachychiton acerifolius), on the west side of Wray Crescent, is an icon of Mt Evelyn.
Believed to be over 100 years old, it stood in the front garden of the house attached to Mt Evelyn’s original general store.
The business became the old IGA supermarket and expanded onto the house site, with the tree in front. The late Alf Knowles remembered the tree as a sapling, small enough to jump over, when he was a boy.
Mr Knowles was born in 1918 and came to Mt Evelyn when he was four, which seems to date the tree to the early 1920s.
Two more Flame Trees were planted on the opposite side of Wray Crescent, one on the Station House corner, the other at the carpark entrance between the Station House and St John Ambulance building.
This seems to have been in the 1990s.
One of the trees was removed after being vandalised. The other was narrowly saved from removal when the traffic lights were installed in Wray Crescent.
Black Bag filled with thrillers
Looking back
Karen Phillips
Mount Evelyn History Group editor
When the old supermarket was due for demolition in 2000, the news that the planned redevelopment might involve cutting down the original Flame Tree was greeted with dismay.
After MEEPPA campaigned to save the tree, and a petition was presented, the community’s voice was heeded.
The northern section of the new building (now Treasure Corner Op Shop) was set far enough back on the block to allow the tree to be retained.
Another three Flame Trees were added to the
CARTOON
streetscape, making a total of five in Wray Crescent.
The planting scheme was extended with three more near the roundabout at the top of York Road (the garden in front of Subway), which were in place by 2019.
The street trees are all on public land, whereas the original tree is on private property.
The smallest of the Flame Trees in Wray Crescent, on the site of the previously vandalised tree, came into bloom in February 2022.
The blossoms were salmon-pink, much lighter than the flame-red of the two older trees.
But someone had it in for poor little ‘Pinky’ from the first.
Even before it flowered, its main trunk had been broken off.
The tree has since been plucked out, root and branch.
Flame trees have become a popular landscaping choice.
They are also featured in the planting around the Council offices in Lilydale.
Book Fest PASSION FOR PROSE
WITH CHRISTINE SUN
A book town, according to the International Organisation of Book Towns, is “a small rural town or village in which secondhand and antiquarian bookshops are concerned”.
The concept was first initiated in the town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales in 1961, and the international organisation was formally registered in the Netherlands in 2001.
As book towns are typically established in places of historical interest and/or scenic beauty, they offer “exemplary models of sustainable rural development and tourism”.
They help to strengthen the rural economy, and to maintain regional cultural heritage and raise national and even international public awareness about it.
Clunes, about 36 kilometres north of Ballarat, launched its first “Booktown for a Day” event in 2007, and formally gained its “International Book Town” status in 2012.
This year, the Clunes Booktown Festival will take place on March 22-23, offering “a rich and immersive experience for book lovers and rookie readers of all ages” as promised by its official website.
The event will feature author talks and panels on a wide range of contemporary topics, workshops on writing and other art forms, and more than 100 book stalls showcasing tens of thousands of secondhand, new and collectible books.
Also available are street performances, live music, local food and drink, and a special Historical Walking Tour of the town.
There are the Kids Village and a Hay Bale Maze for the young and the youngat-heart.
Then there is the screening of the iconic dystopian film Mad Max (1979), part of which was actually shot in Clunes.
Black Bag is a taut, brilliantly-written espionage thriller from director Stephen Soderbergh.
George (Michael Fassbender), a British intelligence agent, must investigate his wife, fellow agent Kathryn (Cate Blanchett), after their department suspects a rat.
Black Bag’s political Macguffin of a software weapon falling into the wrong hands is secondary to the fascinating web of intrigue between its characters.
Soderbergh is widely known as an actor’s director, and much of Black Bag plays out through tense, scintillating verbal battles that lay secrets bare and push relationships and loyalty to the breaking point.
The dialogue handily treads that fine line of being complex and interesting without being complicated.
Resentment, infidelity and deception bubble beneath the refined surface, the latter shown through some beautiful cinematography, and Marisa Abela is the stand-out supporting actor as Clarissa, a kind young woman with an unstable, merciless edge.
Fassbender and Blanchett convey a calm, confident precision together, and are the pinnacles of a very hot cast; it’s refreshing to see a film in which older actors of around the same age (Blanchett is 55 and Fassbender is 47) get to be sexy, instead of the old-and-young pairing so common in Hollywood.
Black Bag is a short, focused, sexy and cleverly-written thriller driven by exceptional dialogue and performances, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.
The 1812 Theatre
The Thrill of Love
A divorcee with a young chid to care for, Ruth works in the land of nightclubs where there’s more than just a drink on offer.
The girls work hard, play hard and dream f a movie-star life.
Local stage entertainment Kemp’s curtain call
Then she meets the wealthy, womanising David, a racing driver with whom she becomes obsessed.
Fame comes – but not in the way she imagines.
Why does their relationship end in murder?
|Why does she plead guilty but offer no defence?
Why does she show no remorse?
And who is she trying to protect?
Amanda Whittington’s play The thrill of Love tells the true story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain, and takes a fresh look at the woman behind the headlines.
• Season: 3 April – 3 May.
CPP Community Theatre
Macbeth
Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, is a brave Scottish general in King Duncan’s army.
However, soon upon hearing the witch’s prophecy that he would become King of Scotland he becomes tyrannical.
With his wife’s help and encouragement, he kills King Duncan, but this fills him with deep regret and guilt.
Plagued by insecurities and the witch’s prophecy that Banquo’s descendants would be kings, he keeps spies on all the noblemen and arranges for Banquo and his son to be murdered, although he hides this from his wife.
Banquo’s ghosts haunts him, and he suffers
from insomnia and insanity.
He seeks out the witches again, who still confirm the prophecy, and he goes on a murderess rampage.
He mourns his wife’s death and contemplates killing himself too, as Malcolm’s army approaches him.
However, Macduff challenges him and he decides to die fighting.
• Season: 4 – 12 April.
The Round Theatre
The Music Man
Fast-talking travelling salesman ‘Professor’ Harold Hill comes to River City, Iowa, a town hesitant of letting strangers in, especially ones trying to sell something!
Harold calls himself a music professor, selling band instruments and uniforms, and the idea of starting a boy’s band with the local youth.
River City families order instruments and uniforms, and in return, Harold begins to teach the boys his revolutionary ‘Think System’.
Full of heart and humour this lively performance will have you tapping your toes and cheering for love, redemption and the joy of music.
• Season: 21 – 30 March.
• Bookings: 9262 8555.
As usual, it is the author talks that attract this reviewer’s eyeballs. Prominent authors Helen Garner and Kate Grenville will discuss their latest books, and renowned ABC journalist Heart
Ewart will highlight some of her favourite Aussie road trips.
Meanwhile, there are many interesting panels, such as “Shipwrecks, Pirates, and Oceanic Memories” and “Cosy Crime: Plot, Puzzles and Characters Minus the Gore”.
There are academics discussing Irish literature, history, film and dance, and experts tackling the complex relationship between media and big businesses.
Other panels explore the art and craft of storytelling. Topics include writing on country and across disciplines, the tropes and hopes of romantasy, unmasking neurodiversity, celebrating ageing, writing about music, and humour writing – just to name a few.
The special “Sustainability in a Changing Climate” panel will feature Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis.
Finally, some of the workshops cover topics such as writing intergenerational trauma, how to compose authentic nonfiction, new perspectives on Australian history, pitching do’s and don’ts, and pathways to children’s publishing.
Particularly worth noting is the “Making Medicine from your Garden” workshop – think of spiced elderberry syrup and summer berry ice cream!
Ticketing information and details about the Clunes Booktown Festival can be found on the event’s website clunesbooktown.org.au
Black Bag
Starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender M 4/5
Aust-first VCPA survey
Political leaders across Victoria are being asked their views on the importance of local newspapers and their ongoing sustainability as part of an Australia-first research project.
The Victorian Country Press Association has engaged Deakin University researchers to examine the impact of the state government’s decision in 2022 to introduce the equivalent of a page of public awareness notices each week in most newspapers across rural and regional Victoria. The move attempted to provide some surety to the business model supporting local news in a challenging digital environment.
The Victorian government is the only state government in Australia to make this guaranteed commitment. The federal government has pledged a minimum $3 million of its advertising budget to support local newspapers as part of its new $153.5 million framework to support public interest journalism in Australia.
VCPA executive officer Peter Kennedy said the research project would survey political leaders at local, state and national levels across Victoria as well as local news proprietors.
Professor Kristy Hess said government public
messaging was an important area to research because it differed from election advertising spending as it provided awareness about a range of issues from road safety to bushfire awareness, new infrastructure projects, and health messaging.
She said it was the first-time politicians had been surveyed about their perceptions of, and role in, supporting public interest journalism.
“Government and media are often uneasy bedfellows and tend to keep ‘distance’ from each other, when actually they share a symbiotic relationship,” Professor Hess said.
“Any form of government advertising should not buy favours of the press but it has been an important, unspoken revenue source for local newspapers for decades. A lot of this spend has shifted towards social media in recent years.”
Dr Alison McAdam said all tiers of government would be approached to be involved in the survey.
“We know some local governments, for example, produce their own publications rather than spend money advertising in a newspaper, so we want to understand that further,” she said.
Family fun at Repower day
By Mikayla van Loon
Monbulk is preparing to host a first-of-its-kind event for the Yarra Ranges this weekend bringing all things electrification and sustainability to the fore, alongside some wonderful entertainment.
The partnering community organisations of Repower the Dandenongs, MADCOW, Healesville CoRE, Yarra Ranges Council and Community Bank Monbulk are just days away from the Repower Festival and Switched On Family Day on Sunday 23 March.
With a lineup of incredible speakers, experts, an EV display, the Illuminati Street Performers, eclectic go karts and live music, the combined festivals are meant to both educate and entertain.
“It’s about a fun day out where you can learn and so we’re trying to provide education in a non threatening, non political way, with a genuine desire to help people save money through reducing their electricity bills,” Repower The Dandenongs president Neil Evenden said.
“The key message is, ‘why wouldn’t you come?’ You get a free day out with your family where you can actually learn stuff that’ll save you money. It’s a bit of a no-brainer.
“We’ve got food vendors, we’ve got musicians, we’ve got two live stages. We’ve got activities in the school yard. We’ve got activities around the car park. We’ve got activities inside, a kids’ colouring corner.”
Switched On Family Day coordinator Richard Mitchell said too that the collaborative nature of the event was all about encouraging
Where to pick up your FREE Star Mail
CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar3 Meadowgate Drive
CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Caltex Safeway239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK EG Fuelco Service StationChirnside Park Shopping Cr Little
Chipping Drive, 241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Chirnside Park Country Club 68 Kingswood Drive
CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar158 Nangathan Way
CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar11 The Mall
KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketChuringa SC, Russo Place
KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketCanterbury Road Kilsyth
KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette Unit 7/87 Colchester Road
LILYDALE Aaron Violi MP Office 110 Main Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC33-45 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC51-59 Anderson Street
LILYDALE Woolworths SupermarketMarketplace, 33 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale VillageCastella Street & Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre7 Hardy Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre1 Jarlo Drive
LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station473 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale346 Main Street
LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths31 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE BP Service Station87 Warburton Highway
LILYDALE Shell Service Station469 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE 7 - Eleven LilydaleCnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road
LILYDALE Coles Express469 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe251 Main Street
LILYDALE Round Bird Can't Fly170 Main Street
LILYDALE The Lilydale General110 Beresford Road
LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery96 Main Street
LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe178 Main Street
LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe222 Main Street
LILYDALE Gracious GraceCastella Street
LILYDALE Melba Coffee House33-45 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies7/75 Cave Hill Road
LILYDALE Point of View CafeLilydale Lakeside - Jarlo Drive
LILYDALE Freda's Cafe2 Clarke Street
LILYDALE Barry Plant Real Estate88 Main Street
LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate164 Main Street
LILYDALE Hello Harry245 Main Street
LILYDALE Noel Jones Real Estate 281 Main Street
LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate111-113 Main Street
LILYDALE Grubs Up1 Industrial Park Drive
LILYDALE Mc Donalds RestaurantMaroondah Highway
LILYDALE Olinda Creek HotelMaroondah Hwy
LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy
LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street
MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road
MONTROSE IGA Supermarket Mt Dandenong Road
MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road
MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road
MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road
people to explore Monbulk, enjoy the entertainment and engage in community.
“By bringing the Family Fun Day and collaborating is to bring more of the community in a passive way to come and have some fun and then break into looking at new technology, new alternatives,” he said.
“So it gives that added bonus, and an added benefit to coming down, have a bit of fun, and then you can go and learn about what you can do, what’s happening in the community through the Repower Festival.”
Drawing the attention of Rewiring Australia managing director Kate Minter, who will be making the trek from Sydney to speak at the event, Mr Evenden said it is a way of both sharing the important work of such a large organisation committed to electrification but also a sign of how community events can make a difference in contributing to the conservation.
“It’s a real statement of support for us and perhaps people don’t realise the significance, because there’s not a lot of awareness about what Rewiring Australia is doing,” he said.
Ms Minter joins a list of local professionals and experts, like Andrew Goy from Goycon, Daniel Wurm and Tim Forcey speaking throughout the day on a range of topics like sustainable home building, home energy efficiency and resilience.
Stalls providing direct information on products, rebates and the best solution to electrifying a home will also be available in the Repower Marketplace.
• To find out more and to see the full program, visit repowerfestival.au
MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street
MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent
MOUNT EVELYN Red Robyn Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road
MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent
MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road
MOUNT EVELYN Bendigo Bank 2/35-39 Wray Cres
MONTROSE IGA Supermarket916 Mt Dandenong Road
MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket15 Brice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK Bendigo BankUnit 19/66 - 74 Brice Ave
MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar38 Bellara Dive
MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart108 Hayrick Lane
MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark103 Cardigan Road
MOOROOLBARK Coles Express2 Cambridge Road
MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real EstateBrice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK L J HookerBrice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road
MOOROOLBARK Mc Donalds RestaurantManchester Road
MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road
MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale138 York Road
WANDIN NORTH Wandin Newsagency Shop 2 /18 Union Road
An Australian-first survey will invite political leaders to share their views on the importance of local newspapers like the Star Mail.
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
ACROSS
1 Even-tempered (7)
5 Herbaceous plant (7)
9 Dividing screen (9)
10 Wanderer (5)
11 Contributes (6)
12 Heavenly (8)
14 Soldiers (6)
15 Average (4)
19 Sporting side (4)
20 Oral (6)
24 Rapturous (8)
25 Limited (6)
27 Size (5)
28 Conglomeration of fabric scraps (9)
29 Stableman (7)
30 Depict (7) DOWN
1 Verve (6)
2 Unready, green (6)
3 Irritated skin bubbles (8)
4 Arrange (4)
5 Mild cranial trauma (10)
6 Custodian (6)
7 Plant yielding fragrant oil (8)
8 Having impaired vision (arch) (8)
13 Devotee (10)
16 Intensity (8)
17 Masters of music (8)
18 Decode (8)
21 Friends character, – Green (6)
22 Diligence (6)
23 Every seven days (6)
26 Pace (4)
No. 261 No. 229
BREATHTAKING VIEWS, STYLISH LIVING & LOCATION
BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND STYLISH LIVING
NESTLED in one of Emerald’s most coveted locations, this exceptional property offers the perfect balance of convenience and serenity. Just a short stroll from schools, cafes, transport, sporting facilities & all conveniences you’ll enjoy every moment of this great location while coming home to a private retreat that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle.
At the heart of this home lies its stunning backyard—a true sanctuary with uninterrupted views of Emerald’s picturesque landscape. Overlooking the scenic Pepi’s Land and offering front-row seats to the historic Puffing Billy steam train as it chugs past, this outdoor haven is designed for both relaxation and entertainment. Whether you’re cooling off in the pool, unwinding on the deck, or hosting gatherings in the covered alfresco area, every moment spent here is special.
Set on over six acres, this property is a dream for horse lovers and animal enthusiasts alike. Thoughtfully designed facilities include three stables, five paddocks, and a floodlit
arena, all supported by with ample water to ensure effortless care for your animals.
Inside, the home radiates warmth and sophistication, with an inviting open-plan living area enhanced by stylish plantation shutters. The beautifully updated kitchen offers ample storage, sleek stone benchtops, and breathtaking backyard views, making it a delightful space to cook and connect.
The master suite is a private retreat, complete with a walk-in robe and a newly renovated ensuite, while the additional bedrooms are tucked away in their own wing, serviced by a spacious main bathroom. Designed for both comfort and functionality, this home effortlessly blends contemporary living with country charm.
This is more than just a property—it’s a lifestyle. A rare opportunity to own a piece of Emerald’s beauty, where nature, history, and modern living come together in perfect harmony.
Don’t just take our word for it — come and experience it for yourself!
SMALL ACREAGE PARADISE IN PRIME SPOT
POSITIONED to please this beautiful small acreage hobby farm is the ideal place to start the relaxed country lifestyle, situated on approx. 4.5 acres of rolling pastures, there is loads of space for the growing family to spread out and enjoy.
Currently set up to suit the horse enthusiast with multiple paddocks and shelters plus 3 stables and holding yards plus a large barn with mezzanine floor. The country style home is warm, homely and inviting offering 2 good sized bedrooms plus a family/lounge area with gas heating and multiple split systems throughout the home. The kitchen is well appointed and has plenty of bench and cupboard space including a separate meals/dining area. Venture outside and enjoy family gatherings all year round with covered verandahs and entertaining it’s the perfect spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning views and picturesque back drop.
A sensational property in an exceptional location backing onto the Warburton trail and just a short walk to local schools, shops and transport it’s a great place for the family to call home.
MODERN MAGIC IN THE HEART OF TOWN
PERFECTLY positioned on a sealed road and just a short stroll to the shops, transport, schools, sporting facilities & many eateries this beautifully presented light filled home is ideal for first home buyers, investors & for those who appreciate an excellent location! Offering a split level design, the home offers 3 bedrooms all with built in robes, ducted heating, split system heating & cooling plus a cosy coonara wood fire. Boasting a brand new kitchen with ceasar stone benches and
a beautiful new bathroom you can be sure you will love every moment of living here. With high ceilings & 4 x Velux skylights the home is drenched in natural light creating a bright & inviting atmosphere. Nestled on ¼ acre approx. with dual road access, the property is fully fenced, has all services connected & offers a double carport & garden shed for storage. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to secure a beautifully updated home in a prime location!
HOME FOCUS
“WHISPERING GUMS” – A RARE ESTATE
WELCOME to Whispering Gums, a magnificent 12-acre property where luxurious living and equestrian facilities come together in perfect harmony. This sprawling dual-occupancy property offers the ultimate in lifestyle, comfort, and functionality, making it the ideal retreat for families, hobby farmers, and horse enthusiasts alike. Set within the tranquil hills of Macclesfield, this property is an oasis of calm, surrounded by lush gardens, breathtaking views, and modern conveniences.
Main Residence:
As you arrive at Whispering Gums, the property greets you with a sweeping horseshoe driveway leading up to the main residence. There is an attached double carport and a threecar carport, large enough to accommodate caravans, and/or horse float.
Step inside the home to discover an openplan lounge, dining & kitchen which is bathed in natural light from the large windows. With a split system and woodfire heater, this living space offers year-round comfort and an inviting atmosphere. From here, you have access to an east facing large deck, perfect for entertaining with stunning views of the Warburton Ranges.
The kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring an island bench, plenty of storage & a 900mm Free Standing Belling electric oven with 8 burners gas stove top. Complete with generous pantry, designated fridge recess & dishwasher.
The master bedroom located towards the front of the home offers a peaceful parents retreat with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, creating a private sanctuary. Additionally, a second lounge area provides a relaxed space for quiet moments. Down the hallway, you’ll find 5 further bedrooms with built in robes. One of these bedrooms has an ensuite. The family bathroom/laundry provides access to the back veranda, landscape gardens & secured pool area with an in ground heated pool.
Second Residence:
The second home offers its own charm, with an undercover front verandah welcoming you inside. The spacious lounge area features both a split system and a woodfire. The open-plan kitchen/dining area is equipped with a gas stovetop & 600mm electric oven, ample bench space, and generous storage. The adjoining conservatory/sun lounge provides a peaceful retreat, perfect for enjoying the natural light and surrounding beauty.
This home includes master bedroom and two additional bedrooms, all with floor to ceiling built-in robes. There is a family bathroom and a well-appointed laundry with access to backyard and washing line, this has an additional shower and separate toilet.
Sustainable Living and Modern Features:
Both homes are equipped with solar panels for energy efficiency and have outside blockout pull-down blinds for added comfort and privacy. Both properties have individual large gas bottles which are owned by the property. The property is fully fenced with secure, dog-friendly areas, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners. Access to the property is by an electric gate with remotes and separate keypads.
Equestrian & Outdoor Living:
A highlight of the property is the brand-new in-ground salt-chlorinated fibreglass pool
(completed in 2024), with an electric heater and pool blanket, surrounded by secure pool fencing. The stable block offers exceptional facilities, featuring three stables, a tack room, and a pony stable. Sliding doors at both the front and rear, water taps inside and out, and a wash bay & saw dust bay, which complete the equestrian facilities.
All weather 70 x 30 floodlit arena made by Kevin Jones of Kaybee Excavations with Seymour sand, is fully fenced & gated, offering the perfect space for training or leisure riding. There is also a 20m round yard and 4 grass holding yards. There are 12 Paddocks, 4 paddocks with shelters, all have access to water. There is a large Dam suitable for canoeing & a partially cleared bush block with small natural spring. Property has large facilities for poultry if so desired. At present the foaling stable is used
to house peafowl but can easily be converted back.
For those seeking a creative space, the carpeted studio/games room with exposed brick walls, power, and a woodfire provides an inspiring environment for relaxation or hobbies with an adjoining double carport.
The workroom/garage with concrete flooring, power, and a roller door is ideal for any project or storage needs.
Gardens & Orchard:
There is plenty of water storage on property with 7 large water tanks holding roughly 150 thousand Liters between them.
For the green thumb, there is a veggie garden, complete with a garden shed, potting shed. The orchard, approximately eight years old, boasts a rich variety of fruit trees, including pomegranate, guava, mandarin, pear, plum, orange, peach, lemon, lime, and apple—the
perfect setting for an abundance of fresh produce.
Whispering Gums offers a rare opportunity to enjoy a lifestyle that blends luxury, sustainability, and practicality, all set within 12 acres of idyllic Macclesfield land. Whether you’re seeking a multi-generational home, a hobby farm, or an equestrian retreat, this property is a perfect match for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
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.
Stunning4-BedroomHomeinEmerald. NestledbesideWrightsForest &offeringdirectaccesstolocalwalkingtracks,thisrecentlyupdated 4-bedroom,2-bathroomhomecombinesmodernlivingwithnaturalserenity.Seton aspacious 2925sqmblock,thepropertyhasa private,expansiveoutdoorspacewhilebeingclosetoamenities. Inside,thelight-filledopen-planlivingareafeaturessoaringceilings,floatingfloors&alargeskylight. Theheartofthehomeisthestunningkitchenwitha spaciousisland,modernappliances &a walkinpantry.Themastersuiteoffersprivacywitha walk-inrobe,ensuite& directverandahaccess.3 bedroomsallwithbuiltinrobes,A separateoffice &studyareacatertowork-from-homeneeds. Thelargeshed &leparkingspaceprovidestorage &roomforrecreationalvehicles.Withits generousyard &tranquillocation,thishomeofferstheperfectbalanceofcomfort &privacy.
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.Thehomecomprisesof3 carpeted bedrooms,allfittedwithbuiltinrobes.A centralbathroomwith aseparatetoiletaddstothehome’s functionality.Recentlypainted& newcarpetsthroughout,thishomeismoveinready.Thefully fencedbackgardenoffers aprivateoutdoorarea,perfectforkids& petstoplay. Idealforfirsthomebuyers,downsizersorinvestors.
SamanthaScott M 0438680032
CharmingFamilyRetreatona Spacious847sqmBlock
TuckedawayinCockatoo,thisbeautifullyupdated3-bedroomhomeoffersspace,style& comfort. Stepinsidetothelight-filledopen-planliving/dining/kitchenarea,wherefloatingfloorscreatea seamless &stylishflow.Thekitchen,featuringa largeislandbenchwithstonecountertops,dishwasher &freestanding900mmovenwithgascooktop.Thedoublefarmhousesinkoverlooksthedeck& backyard,makingiteasytokeepaneyeonthekids.Theloungeoffersyear-roundcomfortwitha woodfireheater &s/s,whiledoorsopenontothebackdeck.Downthehall,themasterbedroom withBIR,ceilingfan &a brand-newelectricfireplace.Twoadditionalbedrooms &themodernfamily bathroomcompletetheinterior.Outside,thespaciousdeckstepsdownto afullyfencedbackyard, perfectforkids &pets. Awoodshed,2 gardensheds& singlecarport.
AaronDay M 0407365994
BrennanMileto M 0422996451
SpaciousFamilyRetreatwithDualLiving& StunningOutdoorSpaces. Setonnearly¾ ofanacreinClematis,thispropertyoffersspace,comfort &versatility.Inviting youintotheopen-planlounge/kitchen/diningarea,featuringwoodflooring,exposedbeams& woodfireheater,thisspaceconnectstoanoutdoorentertainingarea.Thekitchenfeatureslarge bench,dishwasher &pantry.Thegroundfloorwith abedroomwithdoubleBIR.Theupdated familybathroomincludes aseparatetoilet.Upstairs,themastersuitewithWIR,ensuite &s/s.A third bedroomwithBIR&aversatileplayroom/office.A secondself-containedhome,featuringanopenplankitchen/dining/loungeareawitha s/s.Thekitchenwith alargeislandbench,integratedoven &gascooktop. 2bedroomswithBIR ¢ralbathroomwith aseparatetoilet. Astudio/shedwith concretefloor &power,includesa theatreroom,bedroom,bathroom& kitchenette.
6AzaleaCrescentEmerald
9NaughtonStreetCockatoo
$670,000 -$730,000
CARDINIA VIEWS IN SOUGHT AFTER LOCATION
NESTLED in the highly sought-after suburb of Belgrave South, within an easy walk to Belgrave South Primary School, local shops and public transport, this family sized, three bedroom, two bathroom home offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and Cardinia s kitchen and separate dining area, this home is ideal for family gatherings and entertaining on a large scale with its timber decking that provides the perfect setting to unwind whilst enjoying a fully fenced rear yard that is ideal for children and pets alike.
Two living zones, sitting side by side, create a space for everyone and offer that extra bit of privacy you have been looking for.
Freshly painted, the home has been well maintained and also boasts new carpets throughout. Gas ducted heating works efficiently to create great temperature control all year round and for an added bonus, there are solar panels that will help relieve the everyday costs of living expenses.
Outside, the 1061m2 block gives an opportunity to enjoy space and security whilst a single garage under roofline plus a separate double garage and a sealed driveway is ideal for those that need extra storage options.
Positioned in a prime location, this property offers a peaceful retreat and beautiful views over Cardinia Reservoir whilst being conveniently close to everything you need including great access to both Wellington Road, Burwood Hwy and more.
Whether you’re looking for your first home or a forever family home, this property is sure to impress.
Don’t miss your chance to secure this gem in Belgrave South – contact us today to arrange an inspection!
FAMILY SPACE IN A GREAT LOCATION
A great home in picturesque and colourful setting with plenty of space for the growing family, offering 3 bedrooms all with built in robes. Spacious living and lounge areas have ample space for the big family to enjoy. The kitchen is open and has plenty of bench and cupboard space plus a separate meals/ dining area. Outside there is loads of room for the kids and pets to explore and enjoy and with just over 3300 sqm you can let your imagination run wild with ideas. The wide shady verandah’s surrounding the home are the ideal spot for outdoor entertaining all year round, sit back relax and admire the outlook and established gardens. A large lock up garage and workshop area with plenty of extra room for trailers, boats and caravans. A great property on a superb block and just a short stroll to public transport, with the Yarra river just a short walk down the road.
CharmingCabinintheForest –onover6 acres
Nestledattheendofa quiet,nothroughroad,thispicturesquecabinofferstheultimateinprivacy andserenity.Setwithina lushMountainAshforestsettingonjustover 6acresofland,Pheasant Creekmeanderingthroughtheproperty,it´stheperfectretreatforthoselookingtoescapethe hustleandbustleofeverydaylife.Thecozy3 bedroom,1 bathroomhomeinvitesyoutounwindand relax,perfectfor apeacefulweekendgetaway.Backingontostateforestyetonly ashortstrollinto thetownshipofWarburton.
Ifyouwouldlikemoredetailsonthesecommercial opportunities,callourRentalDepartmenton0359662530.
PicturesqueAcreagewithGloriousViews EnjoytheglorioussurroundsandfantasticYarraValleyviewsatthisbeautifulproperty,situatedon
luxuriousmainbathroomandensuiteinthemain bedroom.Thekitchenisstunning,lightandbrightwithqualityappliancesandfixturesthroughout. Immerseyourselfintheoutdoorswithestablishedgardensandloadsofspacetoenjoy. 795Gembrook-LaunchingPlaceRd,HoddlesCreek
CharmingCabinintheForest –onover6 acres
Nestledattheendofa quiet,nothroughroad,thispicturesquecabinofferstheultimateinprivacy andserenity.Setwithina lushMountainAshforestsettingonjustover 6acresofland,Pheasant Creekmeanderingthroughtheproperty,it´stheperfectretreatforthoselookingtoescapethe hustleandbustleofeverydaylife.Thecozy3 bedroom,1 bathroomhomeinvitesyoutounwindand relax,perfectfor apeacefulweekendgetaway.Backingontostateforestyetonly ashortstrollinto thetownshipofWarburton.
RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068
PicturesqueAcreagewithGloriousViews EnjoytheglorioussurroundsandfantasticYarraValleyviewsatthisbeautifulproperty,situatedon
Ifyouwouldlikemoredetailsonthesecommercial opportunities,callourRentalDepartmenton0359662530.
Inspiro and AccessHC Are Coming Together
From 1 May 2025, Access Health and Community (AccessHC) and Inspiro will come together as one community health organisation. What Does This Mean for You? We are here for you.
• The same trusted teams delivering your care.
• Your services will continue as usual at the same locations.
• Individual support will be provided if there are changes to your arrangements (e.g., through NDIS or Home Care Packages). If this happens, we will contact you directly, and there will be no interruptions to your services. Health Records Transfer
As part of this transition, Inspiro’s health records will be securely transferred to AccessHC in line with the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). This ensures continuity of care and compliance with privacy laws.
If you would like to have your records sent to a different health provider or to yourself, you can request this by contacting: Privacy Officer
Inspiro
17 Clarke St Lilydale VIC 3140 hello@inspiro.org.au
If you do not wish to have your records transferred to AccessHC as part of this process, unfortunately this will mean you will no longer
be able to receive services at Inspiro sites. All requests relating to records must be made within 21 days of this notice.
Why Are We Merging?
By joining forces, we can:
• Combine resources and expertise to strengthen services across Melbourne’s East, North, Northeast, and the Yarra Ranges.
• Better meet the growing needs of our communities.
• Ensure services remain strong and sustainable for the future.
Our Commitment to You
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SPORT Grand finals to continue
By Les Hutchings
Kilsyth Third XI played Yarra Junction Second XI at Seville Reserve, North Oval in the John Springett Shield Grand Final (Premier 2 Section). Kilsyth won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat with the temperature reaching a top of 33c at Seville.
The Redbacks lost their first wicket with the score on 17 after 6.1 overs (caught behind by Rylan Bomford, bowled Jordan Poynton). Another quick wicket in the next over (lbw bowled Charlie Young), saw Kilsyth now 2/18 off 7.4 overs. Then, a third-wicket partnership of 44 between opener Anthony Cook and Mark Unternahrer steadied the situation. However, in the 25th over, Cook was caught at backward square leg by Tyler Reed off the bowling of spinner Anthony Davis for a wellmade 36 off 63 balls (4 fours). At that stage, Kilsyth were 3/62 with Unternahrer batting well on 19 not out. By teatime, the Redbacks had progressed to 3/86 off 42 overs with Unternahrer on 32 not out and Andrew Woolhouse 8 not out.
After the break, the score advanced to 94 in the 46th over when the fourth wicket fell, Woolhouse lbw to Davis for 13 off 63 balls (1 four). Kilsyth then lost a clump of wickets, 5/105, 6/105, 7/106 and 8/106, including Mark Unternahrer, who had batted very well for 45 off 137 balls (7 fours), before being bowled by Jordan Poynton, who took two wickets off consecutive balls to be on a hattrick. Mark Wells and Trent Potter put on 16 for the ninth wicket before Wells was caught behind off the bowling of Anthony Davis for 14 off 19 balls (2 fours). Kilsyth were now 9/122 and then all out for 122 off 58.1 overs in a disappointing batting performance. The Redbacks lost their last 7 wickets for only 26 runs. For Yarra Junction, the wicket takers were Jordan Poynton, 5/56 off 18.2 overs (4 maidens), Anthony Davis 4/30 off 19 overs (4 maidens), and Charlie Young 1/7 off 4 overs (1 maiden). Their other bowlers also bowled well with Tyler Reed yielding only 16 runs off his 9 overs (2 maidens), Captain Glen Poynton 0/2 off 6 overs (4 maidens), and Jaiden Leiver 0/3 off 2 overs. Wicketkeeper Rylan Bomford took three
good catches. Yarra Junction had to bat 21 overs until stumps and after being 4/18 off the first 13 overs, finished on 4/29. Opening bowlers Dylan Smith, 3/12 off 8 overs (3 maidens), and Max Wills 1/4 off 5 overs (2 maidens), did the damage. The other bowlers used were Mark Unternahrer, 0/2 off 3 overs (2 maidens), Justin Smith 0/2 off 3 overs (2 maidens), and Matthew Burgess 0/2 off 2 overs (1 maiden). There were three excellent catches taken, giving good support to the bowlers. Firstly, Dylan Smith took a brilliant diving catch at square leg, Captain Robert Hutchings then snared a running catch
at wide mid-off and wicketkeeper Anthony Cook took a nice catch behind the stumps. With rain overnight and in the morning, the match did not get underway until 2.03pm on Sunday afternoon and was called off for the day at 3.20pm due to the incessant rain. Resuming at 4/29, Yarra Junction progressed to 6/61 when stumps were drawn on Day 2 after an additional 24.2 overs were bowled. The first batsman out was Jordan Poynton, caught behind by Anthony Cook off the bowling of Mark Wells for 13 off 61 balls with the score then 5/46. It soon became 6/52 when Jaiden Lever was caught by Russell Hutchings at cover off Dylan Smith’s
bowling for 16 off 99 balls (1 four). For Kilsyth, the main bowlers on Day 2 were Dylan Smith, who, to that point, had captured 4/20 off 20 overs (9 maidens), and Mark Wells 1/5 off 9.2 consecutive overs. The match will continue next Saturday. The District 1 C Grade Fourth XI Grand Final against Chirnside Park Fourth XI was cancelled on Saturday due to the RDCA’s heat policy, and abandoned on Sunday without a ball being bowled due to the wet weather. Thus, the D. J. Strachan Shield Grand Final will be played next weekend on Saturday and Sunday (reserve days).
Lilydale Tennis Club boys through to singles grand final
By Joanna Campe
With one team representing Lilydale in the finals this season, the boys were keen to play well and make the grand final next weekend.
Junior Open Singles Doubles 3 v East Croydon-Kilsyth
At the end of the standard season, Lilydale finished on top of the ladder with East Croydon finishing in fourth place.
With the finals, all registered players get to participate so for Lilydale it was Adam Paladino, Ari Marappan, Alex Paladino, Ryan Taylor and Joshua Jamieson. East Croydon-Kilsyth was represented by Riley McDonald and Sarah Nimbs. In an unfortunate turn of events their third player was not available to play. This meant that the win was guaranteed for Lilydale before a ball was hit. This was disappointing, however, all the sets were played in good spirits. Lilydale gained match play practice for the following week’s grand final and East Croydon teamed up with Lilydale to play some “mixed team” doubles matches to ensure
that everyone got to play on the day.
It was a strong start for Lilydale winning both the live singles 6-1, 6-3. In the first “mixed team” doubles it was Ryan from Lilydale who teamed up with Riley from East Croydon to take on Ari and Adam from Lilydale. A social yet competitive match was played with Lilydale winning the set 6-3. In the second “mixed team” doubles it was Alex who teamed up with Sarah from East Croydon. Good rallies were played in a friendly and sometimes chatty match.
Lilydale progress to the grand final up against Upwey South – who finished second on the ladder after the regular season. A fitting grand final! Result: 6-1, 6-0, 6-0, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0
Lilydale Tennis club welcomes all players of any age and ability. For information on how to join Lilydale Tennis Club please visit play.tennis. com.au/lilydaletennisclub.
For all coaching enquires (Juniors and Adults) please contact Andrew at Pro Touch Tennis Academy at ptta.com.au/contact.
Falcons win section final in close tussle over Croydon
By Roland Smith
Supporters gathered at the Mitcham Bowls Club to witness the Lilydale and Croydon Bowls Clubs fight it out for the Eastern Ranges Section Final. The weather was warm and humid and the grass green was playing truly. The format of the game was that there were three rinks of eight bowlers that would contest 63 ends with the highest overall total winning the day.
On rink one there was Mario La Morticella’s team of Gino De Vincentiis, Peter Leaumont and Margaret Conley. Croydon kicked off by winning the first two ends only to see scores at 3 a piece after 4 ends. At the conclusion of the twelfth end, Croydon led 10 shots to 9. We certainly had a close game on our hands with each player on both sides punching it out with some excellent
bowls. After 16 ends Croydon was in the ascendency with the score line 13 – 11 their way. From there Lilydale went into another gear conceding only one end. Mario, especially, unloaded some bombs with his yellow bowls to help win the rink 18 shots to 14
The Lilydale side on rink 3 consisted of Marie McKeown, Dennis Hehir, Bev Jones and Gail Wright. In a blink of an eye, Croydon raced to a 10 to zip lead after only 4 ends. The Lilydale supporters were barracking so hard for Marie’s side. They responded by winning no less than 8 of the next 9 ends to draw level with Croydon 11 – 11. What a superb effort! Croydon came back to win that rink 20 – 15. But well done to Marie’s team. Each one of you can hold your head up high. Finally, hats off to Judy Schuler’s team of Mike
Rich, Donna Watson and Bev Ralph. On the one hand, while Judy and Bev were well-seasoned performers on the greens, Mike and Donna were playing in their very first year of pennant. The combination of experience and newcomers to bowls proved to be a strong combination. They won 16 of the allotted 21 ends! They kept the ‘big board’ ticking over in favour of the Lilydale Falcons, winning by 17 shots at the end.
The final Big Board after 63 ends was Lilydale Falcons 59 to the Croydon Pirates 43. Well done to the 12 Lilydale players. Each one of you deserves to soak up the jubilation of winning the Section Final!
The Lilydale Bowls Club invites everyone to come to 5 Hardy Street, Lilydale to try bowls and make new friends.
Lilydale Bowls Club was crowned Section Finals winners. (Supplied)
L-R: Ari, Ryan, Adam, Josh, Alex, Riley and Sarah. (Supplied)
Dylan Smith picked up figures of 4/20. (Supplied)
Anthony Cook made 36 and took two catches. (Supplied)
Mark Unternahrer steadied the Kilsyth innings with his knock of 45. (Supplied)
Mt Evelyn survive weather
By Christopher Anderson
Week two of finals actions provided the virtual mixed bag for cricketers over the weekend. Scorching heat on Saturday forcing the abandonment of play for the lower grades, whilst Sunday saw wintery conditions severely hampering the prospect of play for most.
For the Community Bank – Mt Evelyn 1st XI, the indifferent weather forecast made for tricky planning for captain Troy Hancock. With the team the lower ranked for their Preliminary Final clash against Warrandyte, the Mounters knew that forcing a result would be necessary, which is particularly hard when you are unsure of how much game time will be afforded you in their pursuit of victory. With a full day’s play a certainty for Saturday, Hancock elected to bat first in a move to secure early runs and dictate the pace of the game. Although some reckless strokeplay cost some early wickets, with the score quickly slipping to 4/57, the run rate always remained high. Opener Adam Smith has gone from strength to strength this season, and his assured approach has given the Mt Evelyn batting order some much-needed structure. Smith was able to ensure the scoreboard continued to tick over, but was relatively risk-free in his approach. Smith’s strong driving was a cornerstone to his innings as he picked off runs continuously on a slow Warrandyte Reserve. Smith would find a reliable alley in Daniel Fraser, and the pair were able to progress the score with minimal fuss, regaining some composure, as the innings was in danger of imploding under the pressure of forcing the game along. An even paced 57-run partnership allowed the Mounters to regain some control of the contest and how the remainder of their innings would progress. Although the pair would fall desperately short of deserved half-centuries, their contributions would set a platform for the remaining batsmen to chase a healthy total in quick time.
Campbell Mole would be the main beneficiary of the earlier work of his teammates, and a run-aball 43, and the help of the tail would see the team approach a score of 200. Declaration would be taken out of their hands as the team would be dismissed for 192, but Hancock would be well pleased at the scoring rate, and it gave his team some 38 overs to bowl on day one to make some serious inroads into the Warrandyte batting line up. Fast bowler, Caleb Hrabe would give the visitors the ideal start taking early wickets. With wickets prime value, his sustained effort in bowling 15 overs in stifling conditions to take 3/33, really gave his team a lift. However, some assured batting by the Bloods over the closing overs, saw them only lose three wickets and leave the contest in the lap of the weather as the Mounters would need some significant time on Sunday to bowl their opponents out. A tame draw would not be enough.
For most of Sunday morning, play of any form looked a remote possibility, let alone enough to force a result. Things looked grim for the visitors as play didn’t look at all possible for a long time. The skies parted enough for a start to be contemplated, and after an early tea adjournment, the action was able to be resumed. The question would
be for how long. Unperturbed, the calculation was simple for the Mounters, take seven wickets post haste. Jake Blackwell, Mt Evelyn’s most consistent cricketers post-Christmas, had the Mounters buzzing straight up with an early strike, but the hosts would continue to make things tough for the visitors. When Darcy Fraser had the dangerous Brady Poole caught at midwicket with the score on 5/105, the game began to swing in the Mounters’ favour. Fraser and Blackwell would battle on gamely, and when most would call for a change the moment the game drifted, Hancock would hold his nerve, and his bowlers would respond. The pair would bowl unchanged for the entirety of the second day’s play. Five wickets would fall for the addition of 31 runs and the visitors would find themselves on the brink of a remarkable victory with just one wicket to claim and plenty of time on the clock.
This game was not going to end without Mother Nature throwing another twist into the equation.
Upon taking the ninth wicket, the heavens opened once again, and this time it looked as if the Mounters’ pursuit of victory would be cruelled by the hand of fate. Much credit must go to the approach of both teams and the officials in charge, that a return to the cricket field remained a possibility. With the briefest window left, the visitors would be given a last-gasp opportunity to claim what they
were after, and when Blackwell trapped Luke Killey at the crease, and umpire Rod Jenkins saw no reason to turn down the appeal, Mt Evelyn’s players and supporters alike embraced in joy as their team would secure an unlikely position in the Grand Final. A reward for persistence and positivity.
The 1st XI will now take on a strong South Warrandyte lineup who brutally swept them aside in the final round of the season. For the Hawks, it will be their third home Grand Final in as many seasons. Will they be able to overcome their demons? For the Mounters, winning form is good form, but can they keep the intensity and energy up for a third consecutive weekend? This final promises to be a classic with high scoring on the cards.
The Lilydale Tyres 5th XI were left to wait another week in their quest for glory. Their Grand Final against Montrose was curtailed by heat on the Saturday, rain on the Sunday, but ultimately it would be the misfortune of their opponents and their battle with a bushfire in their backyard that curtailed any action from happening. Gratitude must go to those who fought the fires late into the evening and a sobering reality that cricket is just a game, and that we all can meet again in a week’s time, in better conditions, to ensure that a fitting scene is set for the final game of the season.
Not to be outshone by their more experienced club members, the Mt Evelyn Under 14s capped off a remarkable season by capturing a thrilling twowicket victory against Yarra Junction. After being completely outclassed by the Eagles in the Qualifying Final and then squeaking through a tied game in the Preliminary Final against Yarra Glen/Kilsyth, questions were asked about how much resilience this team had left. Those who wear maroon should not be questioned! In a classic contest, fitting of a Grand Final, both teams would go tooth and nail in their quest for the ultimate prize. Yarra Junction would bat first, and it would be an old-fashioned arm wrestle. The Eagles would bat out their overs for a score of 6/100. A score that would have both teams pleased with their efforts. Both teams had an even contribution with bat and ball. Mt Evelyn’s innings would proceed in a similar fashion. For the whole journey, the run rate was kept at that that was required, with Harry and Ben Dunstone’s mid innings contributions proving vital. The pair would put the Mounters in a strong position, but there was still plenty of work to be done. The tail would wobble, but the cool heads of Toby Kenins and Jacob Glover would remain calm, and the pair would guide their team to victory in the final over of the game. Back-to-back flags for the Mt Evelyn Cricket Club Under 14s.
Pointon retains national title as athletes rack up PBs
By Jamie Strudley
The 2024-25 Track and Field season is nearing the end but this does not mean our Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes stop chasing PBs. Thursday night, the club had seven athletes competing at the final round of the Vic Milers season with all seven recording either a PB or season best. The standout performance came from Daniel Gibbs, breaking the Mens 40+ club record over 1500m running 4.45.14. Vic Milers results are:
Women
• 800m: Zoe Clarke 2:20.57; Brienna Coffey 2:25.13;
• 1500m: Olivia Twining 4:41.29; Brigitte Rice 4:51.64;
Men
• 800m: Craig Hewitson 2:31.32;
• 1500m: Blake Saloyedoff 4:42.43; Daniel Gibbs 4:45.14;
A Yarra Ranges Athletics athlete retained his Australian Open Mens Laser Run Championship title on Saturday evening. Mitch Pointin, competing on his home track at Mt Evelyn stormed away from his competition to win by 45 seconds. Laser Run is part of the Modern Pentathlon suite of events, but is also a stand-
alone event with the World Championships to be held in South Africa later this year. The event involves running up to 3km broken up into 5 x 600m runs and 4 shoots. Other Yarra Ranges club athletes competing also won National medals. Jasper Loch won the Men U15 event. Team mate Ryker Beekof finished in third place
to claim the bronze medal. The championships were hosted by the Yarra Ranges Athletics club. The event organisers were delighted with the event they presented.
“It showcased all that our venue has to offer and provided all athletes with a world-class competition,” they said.
Athletes from throughout the country attended as well as competitors from New Zealand and Germany.
The club had several athletes competing at the Victorian Masters Championships over the weekend. Results are:
• Lauren Nankervis(W30) Javelin 18.93m (1st); Long Jump 3.92m (0.5) (1st);
• Candice Revuelta (W40) 60m 09.54 (1.1) (2nd); 100m 15.50 (-0.7) (2nd); 200m 33.24 (1.2) (2nd);
• Carolyn Rosenbrock (W60) 3000m Walk 17:21.14 (1st);
• Ash Almond (M30) 1500m Walk 11:52.67 (1st); Discus 28.17m (1st); Hammer 25.38m (1st); Javelin 51.02m (1st);
• Shot Put 9.28m (1st); Weight Throw 8.56m (1st);
• Pete Willmott (M55) 60m 09.41 (0.8) (5th);
100m 15.28 (1.2) (8th); 200m 32.84 (3.7) (P); 800m 3:00.03 (6th);
• Discus 22.28m (3rd); Hammer 18.12m (4th); Javelin 29.07m (3rd); Shot Put 8.07m (5th) Our Little Athletics competition continued on Saturday with our penultimate round of the season. Great to see so many athletes chasing more PBs. Next Saturday is the final round of competition, the last opportunity to get a PB. Training for our little athletes 5-12yo takes place on Tuesdays from 4-5pm with event-specific training (where possible) for those competing at State 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 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.
Ash Almond competing in the Javelin competition. (Supplied)
Mt Evelyn Cricket Club’s U14s side have been crowned premiers. (Supplied)Man of the Match in the U14s Grand Final Ben Dunstone.
They
FOOTY TIPSTERS
Q&A
Sam Failla
1. What made you barrack for the AFL team you follow today?
Carlton, my older cousin
2. What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend?
Sitting around a fire having a drink and chilling with friends
3. Do you enjoy what you do for a living?
Love it
4. What’s your favourite type of cuisine?
Italian
5. What are 3 words that describe you best?
Stubborn, Honest, Generous
6. When you were little, what did you think you were going to be?
Farmer
7. Who would you like to have dinner with and why (could be anyone, dead or alive)?
Dad, so we could chat again
8. What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Invest in property as soon as possible
