Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 1st April 2025 by Star News Group

Beans of success

By Dongyun Kwon

The annual Ron Goding Award was given to Montesanto Coffee Roasters owner Mario Morales by the Rotary Club of Healesville. Mario, who was born and raised in Costa Rica, has brought his home country’s coffee into the town.

Costa Rica is known for its coffee industry which produces high-quality coffee beans.

“People in Melbourne love coffee, and the coffee culture here is massive, even bigger than in Costa Rica,” the award recipient said.

“There was already a lot of coffee. I wanted to bring a unique type of coffee bean into a very big coffee culture.”

The Costa Rican coffee roastery was originally opened up at the west end of Healesville in 2023.

The shop then moved to the east end in August last year and reopened in October after renovation.

“I believe that even though Healesville is a tourist town, I don’t feel I could make it without the local support,” Mario said.

“I think any business in Healesville has to cater to the locals because they’re the ones always there, looking after and supporting you.

“I’m very thankful for the community. I obviously do get tourists, but I try to focus on the locals.”

Turn to page 13 to read more

Powering up hope

By Callum Ludwig

Sometimes, it can be surprising how far a story can spread.

The story of Yarra Junction resident Alice Underwood and her mother’s battle to get access to electricity for their home spread far, so far in fact, a retired electrician living in Queensland named Richard Lukoszek came across it and decided to do something about it.

“This is where I came across your article and it gave me an insight into the long frustrating battle

the family had been going through over the last 10 years. I subsequently spoke to Energy Victoria, and they confirmed there was no plan to extend the line and that power would never reach them,”

Mr Lukoszek said.

“I felt the family’s frustration and knew this would be a very long, frustrating and fruitless endeavour, your article confirmed what I already knew that a lot of people in comfortable public office roles, wake up every morning, go to work with absolutely no intension to fulfilling their mandate

to make everyday citizens lives a little better than it was the day before,”

“It was then and there that I was hooked and decided that this family would not be without power another year.”

Mr Lukoszek received a notification in November 2024 from Change.org about Alice’s story and said his first reaction was disbelief, given he was raised in Melbourne and knew first-hand how the city had spread along with all normal city services such as water, sewage, power, communi-

cations and public transport.

Alice said she was really amazed and really grateful when she heard about Mr Lukozszek’s offer.

“I’m just blown away by people’s kindness and Richard is a lovely guy and I hope it all works out,” she said.

“It’s a long way to travel, all the way down here, from Queensland, he’s doing so much effort to try and help me.”

Turn to page 5 for more

Healesville Rotary Club’s Ron Goding Award winner Mario Morales. (Stewart Chambers: 466890)

Cost-of-living the talking point

By Callum Ludwig

The final Federal Budget before the upcoming election set for May this year has been released.

Previously promised Medicare and health investments, Future Made in Australia funding and the expansion of the Help to Buy scheme have cropped up, but there are other more sur prising announcements made by the Labor Government on Tuesday 25 March.

From an economic standpoint, a deficit of $27.6 billion is forecast this financial year, net debt will rise to $556 billion and Commonwealth gross debt is expected to rise to $940 billion (33.7 per cent of GDP). It is forecast to surpass $1 tril lion in the 2025/26 financial year

It is mixed news for other key economic in dicators:

Economic growth is expected to rise to 1.5 per cent, still below the target rate of two to three per cent but consumer price index (CPI) infla tion is expected to fall to 2.5 per cent.

The unemployment rate is expected to rise to 4.25 per cent but for those in work, wages are expected to grow by 3 per cent.

Our material living standards are expected to rise with real household disposable income ex pected to grow by 2 per cent, above an originally forecast 1.25 per cent.

Migration will take a hit, with the net number of migrants to fall to 225,000 by 2026/27, down from 435,000 as recently as 2023/24.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said this Budget is all about helping with the cost of living, strength ening Medicare and building Australia’s future in the face of some pretty substantial global eco nomic uncertainty.

“Global uncertainty casts a shadow over the world’s economy and also over the Budget and that’s what makes the progress that Australians have made so remarkable,” he said.

“Together as Australians, we’ve got inflation down, wages and incomes are up, unemploy ment is low, we’ve got the debt down, interest rates have started to be cut, and now growth is rebounding solidly as well, with a bigger and bigger role for the private sector, which is espe cially welcome,”

“This Budget is really a platform for prosper ity in a new world of uncertainty, it recognises that cost‑of‑living pressures are front of mind for many Australians, and that’s why it’s front and centre in the Budget.”

One of the standout cost‑of‑living measures announced in the budget was in new tax cuts, with the current 16 per cent tax rate, which ap plies to taxable income between $18,201 and $45,000, to reduce to 15 per cent from 1 July 2026 and then to 14 per cent exactly one year later.

For a worker on average earnings, this will equate to a new cut of $268 in 2026–27 and $536 per year from 2027–28 which combined with the revised stage three tax cuts introduced in 2024‑ 25 will result in a tax cut of $1922 in 2026–27 and $2190 per year from 2027–28.

Across all taxpayers, the average new annu al tax cut is expected to amount to $2548, about $50 per week.

Opposition Treasurer Angus Taylor said this

is a Budget for an election, not one for our coun try’s future prosperity.

“Labor’s cruel hoax tax changes in 2026‑27 fail to restore the standard of living you have lost after three years of Labor,” he said.

“The Coalition will not support these tax changes that do nothing to address the collapse in living standards under Labor, seventy cents a day, in a year’s time, is not going to help address the financial stress Australian families are cur rently under, this is an election bribe by a weak Prime Minister,”

“The Coalition will show leadership and take the necessary decisions to get our economy and our country back on track.”

Other cost of living measures include:

Households and eligible small businesses will also be receiving a further $150 (two $75 payments) off their energy bills in the next six months.

The maximum costs of medicines listed in the Pharmeaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will also be reduced from $31.60 to $25 per script.

Thegovernmentwillseektopasslegislationto cut outstanding Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and other student debts by 20 per cent and raise the compulsory repayment threshold to $67,000 in 2025–26, up from $54,435.

To help address wage suppression, which the government believes is occurring in industries like child care, hairdressing and construction, non‑compete clauses for anyone earning under $175,000 will be banned to make it easier for workers to move to a competing business or start their own.

Rebates for women’s health are expanding, with the rebate for inserting an IUD to increase from $91 to $215, from $61 to $134 for removal and a new rebate for menopause health assess ments. There will also be new medications for menopause, contraceptives and endometriosis added to the PBS.

Three days of subsidised childcare will be made available to all families earning under $533,000, whereas previously, parents had to study, work or be looking for work for 16 hours a

week to access subsidies. One popular policy not to return is the in creased instant asset write‑off, which will reduce back to $1000 from $20,000 as of July.

On the housing front, the government has matched a Coalition pledge to ban all overseas citizens from buying existing homes in Austra lia that don’t seek to add to the housing stock or boost availability for two years. The ban will cost $5.7 million to put in place and an $8.9 million audit will also be carried out on the land‑bank ing by foreign buyers.

There is a boost for another group of home‑buyers, however, with the expansion of the Help to Buy scheme, targeted at first‑time home buyers, with the scheme now accessible to single people earning up to $100,000 and couples earn ing up to $160,000. The government will cover up to 40 per cent of the cost (for new builds, up to 30 per cent for existing homes), which the buyers can buy out over time, and the price cap on eligi ble properties to be increased, up to $950,000 in Melbourne.

Cheaper power bills pledge as Dutton spurs gas supply

By Dominic Giannini, AAP

Peter Dutton promises to slash power bills, per manent migration and government spending in his pitch to become a “steady hand” prime minister.

Ruling out offering any further income tax breaks and promising to repeal Labor’s tax cuts, the opposition leader has set the stage for the federal election to be fought on which party can better address hip‑pocket pain.

In his response to the federal budget, Mr Dut‑ ton promised to bring down power bills by pump ing more gas into the energy grid and set up a do mestic reserve for the east coast to protect against international price spikes.

“The only way to drive down power prices quickly is to ramp up domestic gas production,” he told parliament on Thursday night.

“Across the economy, it’s costing more to grow food, produce goods, and deliver services and those costs are passed on to Australian consum ers.”

Gas will be added to the capacity investment scheme, which underwrites funds in renewable energy projects such as wind, solar and batteries, and $1 billion will be earmarked for a gas infra

structure fund to pay for pipelines and storage.

The opposition will also forgo $6 billion to slash the fuel excise by 25 cents a litre, making it about $14 cheaper for a tank for the average mo‑ torist, Mr Dutton said.

Nationals leader David Littleproud flagged ex‑ tending the excise cut.

“We’ll review this at the end of 12 months and if there’s pain, we’ll take the necessary measures,” he said.

The coalition will set a target of 400,000 ap‑ prentices and provide small and medium busi‑ nesses with $12,000 for the first two years to help them bring on more trainees.

Mr Dutton further pledged $50 million across four years for food charities to expand their ser‑ vices, including school breakfast programs, and $400 million for mental health.

Responding to the opposition leader’s speech, Labor frontbencher Jason Clare said the govern‑ ment had already secured six times more gas than Mr Dutton flagged would be in the reserve.

“To be frank, this is just a distraction from his nuclear policy, which is now about as popular as a fart in an elevator,” Mr Clare said.

Mr Dutton put $46 billion of Labor’s measures on the chopping block to make up the cash and

cut spending to lower inflation, including a hous‑ ing investment fund, renewable energy fund and critical mineral tax credits.

More than 40,000 public servants would be axed to save a projected $7 billion, but frontline services would not be affected, he said.

Mr Clare chided Mr Dutton for failing to detail where hundreds of billions of dollars would come from to pay for his nuclear power plants.

“He’ll cut, and you’ll pay, and you deserve to

know before you vote what he’s going to cut,” he said.

“It was all aggro and no answers.”

Mr Dutton also made community safety a fo cal point of his speech, saying he would toughen bail laws for domestic violence offenders and work with states and territories to introduce uni form knife laws.

The coalition spent the final parliament sitting day before a federal election peppering the gov ernment with questions about cost of living and delayed tax cuts.

Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor pledged to re peal legislated tax cuts that would save taxpayers up to $268 in 2026/27 and up to $536 every finan cial year after as Mr Dutton called it “a shameless election vote‑buying exercise”.

Labor’s “so‑called tax cut top‑up is simply a tax cut cop out”, Mr Dutton said, ruling out alter‑ native income tax cuts at this election as being too expensive for a budget in deficit.

“I would love to introduce tax reform and tax cuts but the Labor Party has racked up what we now see in the budget papers of about $1.2 trillion of debt,” he told ABC TV after his speech.

“We have to be realistic and understand the constraints that we have.”

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down the 2025/26 Federal budget. (Lukas Coch/AAP)

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton delivers his 2025-26 Budget Reply Speech at Parliament House on Thursday 27 March. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Federal election: Casey a battleground

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Mikayla van Loon

Australia could be set to elect a minority federal government, according to political expert Dr Zareh Ghazarian.

The head-of-politics at Monash University predicts a “very tight electoral race” for the 3 May election, with neither the Labor Government or Coalition opposition certain to govern in their own right.

“Labor can’t afford to lose seats as it won government with a very slim majority in 2022.

“Losing a couple of electorates may mean Anthony Albanese becomes a one-term prime minister.”

On the other hand, the Coalition – despite a “bit of bounce” in the polls – is coming from “too far back to claw back all of the seats”.

Cost-of-living will continue to be the main focus during the election campaign, along with energy, health care, education and infrastructure, Dr Ghazarian says.

“The key difference between the major parties is how they are going to address cost-ofliving.”

In recent days, Labor has unveiled a round of tax cuts from next year and electricity subsidies. In contrast, the Coalition has pledged

fuel excise cuts.

“Cost-of-living has been something people have been talking about.

“It has been dominating the headlines and hasn’t gone away with talk of inflation, interest rates and housing affordability.”

Dr Ghazarian predicts the marginal seat of Casey will be a battleground of sorts and is one the Liberals would be looking to hold as a sign of confidence for the party.

“One of the most interesting things about Casey electorally is the margin that’s on. I think it’s under two per cent, Anthony Green’s calculator suggests it’s 1.4 per cent so it makes Casey one of the most marginal seats that the Coalition holds, and one of the most marginal seats in Victoria,” he said.

“So Casey is going to be a real battleground electorate, where I would expect a lot of attention to be placed by the major party’s leaders and candidates of all sorts.”

At the 2022 election, the Liberal Party’s primary vote fell by around nine per cent, arguably making it one of its “lowest ebbs”.

“I’m not sure if the Liberal Party will perform as badly as they did in 2022 so any increase in their primary vote, initially towards the Liberal Party, would make this a much eas-

ier seat for the party to hold on to.”

The outer east of Melbourne as a whole will be a focal point for the Liberal Party in particular because Dr Ghazarian said much of its “core constituency” has turned away and its “losing ground”.

“The Liberal Party has a lot of work to do to reconnect with voters that, for whatever reason, turned away from it at the 2022 election.”

Since the creation of the Casey electorate in 1969, Labor has held the seat only twice for a single term each.

Dr Ghazarian views this election as “make or break” for the Liberal Party and overall confidence in its ability to govern.

“If the Liberal Party can’t hold on to Casey, it’s going to have a really difficult time to win government,” he said.

“If it loses seats like Casey, it’s a signal to the Liberal Party that there are some serious concerns that voters have about the direction of the party.

“But assuming that is the case that the Liberal Party loses, they can’t afford to lose the seat, because if they lose the seat, then they just drift further away from winning the number of seats they need to claw back and be competitive and have a chance to win in government.”

IN BRIEF

Information wanted: Criminal damage in Yarra Junction Police are seeking witnesses for an incident that occurred in the carpark behind the Yarra Junction Medical Centre between 9:30 am and 11 am on Monday 24 March.

A blue 2022 Chevrolet LTZ utility was (legally) parked in the disabled parking bay directly behind the Centre and while parked there, an unknown person has keyed along the passenger side of the vehicle, leaving a significant scratch from the front panel to the rear panel.

If you witnessed any suspicious behaviour or believe you have information that may lead to identifying a suspect for this damage, please contact Warburton Police on 59662006 or email warburton.uni@police.vic.gov.au McMahons Creek planned burn complete Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) advise that lighting of the McMahons Creek - Road 1 planned burn, located at 1km E of McMahons Creek, is now complete – the burn is now being patrolled by fire agency crews as it continues to spreads inside the control lines.

You can expect to see flames and smoke while the burn is being patrolled.

Crews will also complete safety checks, including dealing with any hazardous trees that may pose a risk to public safety.

Access may be restricted where planned burning is being carried out – this can include forests, parks, national parks, state government and council reserves and along roadsides.

Once these checks have been carried out the burn will be declared safe and the area will be re-opened.

Please note that for some burns, vegetation may continue to smoulder until suitable rain falls - therefore it may take some time for burns in some locations to be declared safe.

Note that some burns are carried out in stages, with part of the burn completed, and crews returning later to carry out further work within the burn area. If so, you will receive notifications when the burn is once again scheduled to be carried out.

Gas leak in Healesville

CFA responded to a HAZMAT incident about 7.35am on Monday 31 March on 377 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.

Crews arrived to a gas leak and got to work isolating the cause.

CFA had four vehicles on scene.

The incident was declared under control at 9.13am and safe at 9.26am.

Casey will be a battleground according to The head-of-politics at Monash University Dr Zareh Ghazarian. (Unsplash)

Alice is now in ‘wonderland’

By Callum Ludwig

The story of Yarra Junction resident Alice Underwood and her mother’s battle to get access to electricity for their home spread far.

So far, a retired electrician living in Queensland came across it and decided to do something about it.

Richard Lukoszek received a notification in November 2024 from Change.org about Alice’s story and said his first reaction was disbelief, given he was raised in Melbourne and knew first-hand how the city had spread along with all normal city services such as water, sewage, power, communications and public transport.

“This is where I came across your article and it gave me an insight into the long frustrating battle the family had been going through over the last 10 years. I subsequently spoke to Energy Victoria, and they confirmed there was no plan to extend the line and that power would never reach them,” he said.

“It was then and there that I was hooked and decided that this family would not be without power another year.”

Mr Lukoszek has CEC (Clean Energy Council) accreditation, 45 years of experience in mining and heavy industry and spent the last 13 years in the renewable industry designing and installing off-grid battery storage systems, domestic and commercial solar systems and large-scale solar farms in New South Wales and Queensland

Mr Lukoszek said it took a few weeks to track Lisa (Alice’s support worker) down through Linked In but he sent her a connection request

and she accepted.

“When we spoke, I could feel a sense of relief yet disbelief in her voice, so I asked if I was to come to Victoria, could she arrange for me to meet the family,” he said.

“She did, and after a lot of tears and hugging, I mapped out a plan for them; after Christmas, I finished my trip to South Australia and back to Queenslan,d then got busy ordering parts and arranging deliveries,

“We are now at the stage that everything has either arrived or will be by early April, I have a family reunion the first three weeks of April and then the plan is to load up my trailer and drive to Victoria to make a start, I expect it to take three weeks and after that, the Underwood power issue will be just a part of their history.”

Mostly used in remote locations with little to no chance of every gettin connection to the energy grid, Mr Lukoszek has already put together the battery cabinet and inverter structure for the system, with the ground-mount, batteries and panel structure to be done onsite when he arrives in May.

Alice said she was really amazed and really grateful when she heard about Mr Lukozszek’s offer.

“I’m just blown away by people’s kindness and Richard is a lovely guy and I hope it all works out,” she said.

“It’s a long way to travel, all the way down here, from Queensland, he’s doing so much effort to try and help me.”

Despite the ‘last power pole’ on their street being only 500 metres from their home, Alice and her mother had been quoted between $83,300 and $98,800 by Ausnet to extend the electricity infrastructure to their home, an unaffordable sum on Alice’s disability pension and her mother’s age pension.

Alice’s support worker Lisa said the offer was like they’d found an angel.

“He’s just the loveliest man and he is committed to getting electricity on this property for

Alice,” she said.

“I had to take her little iPad home and charge it at my house and bring it back in the morning, and it’s little things we have to do like that just so she can have her iPad charged, that we take for granted.”

In more positive news, Alice’s fundraiser last year raised $2800 and helped fund restumping for the house which had previously been on a severe slope.

Mr Lukoszek said this is a life-changing moment for the family.

“Because nothing has really changed at their home, I am constantly sending progress up-

dates about orders, deliveries and the structure I’m building in my garage for them,” he said.

“Once we turn it on the first time will be a very emotional moment, this will enable them to really start thinking about the house as up until then, not having power was a showstopper in getting any other work done,”

“We all just take it for granted but I have seen from other work I’ve done just how much change to people’s lives hinged on having access to electricity, it facilitates a lifestyle change but to this lovely family just having a fridge is life-changing.”

Warburton

Yarra

Yarra Ranges Council

Paid Parking in Warburton Pilot Project from 3 May 2025 - July 2026

May 2025 - 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

Council is paid visitors in and from – at: $6

• Thomas Avenue - $3.50 per hour

• Highway - first then per

• 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 vehicles property. documents include proof of residency and vehicle ownership.

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

• 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

Scan the QR code to apply for your permit

Scan the QR code to apply for your permit For more information www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/paidparking

Alice Underwood at ‘the last power pole’ on the road she lives on in Yarra Junction. (File: 437180)

‘Balanced budget’, says Yarra Ranges Council

By Mikayla van Loon

The “tightening of purse strings” and the constraints of revenue raising for local governments was yet again an underlying theme of Yarra Ranges Council’s 2025-26 draft budget.

Total revenue budgeted for this financial year is $258 million and a total spend of $242.8 million, with $58.3 million of that set aside for the capital works program.

Although displaying a $15.2 million surplus, the council has allowed for a $2.5 million underlying operating deficit, with corporate services director Vince Lombardi saying this made the council’s finances “sustainable”.

“We’re not showing great surpluses. So it’s not like council’s swimming in cash. We’re still in deficit. We’ve still got a way to go in really keeping it in the black,” he said.

Some of the key funding features of this budget include $17.9 million for 39 road resurfacing and sealing projects across the Yarra Ranges; $3.9 million for drainage works as part of the forecasted six year plan; $7.7 million on renewal and improvement works for recreational, leisure and community facilities and buildings; and $13.9 million for parks, open space and streetscapes.

In total $26 million has been allocated to asset renewal projects across the shire.

But Mr Lombardi said this was only a portion of the overall need being attended to.

“Maintenance of assets and upkeep of the asset portfolio here is tipping $2 billion,” he said.

“This year, we’re sustainable. But when you look at projects, it gets harder and harder. So there is that harder conversation with those funding streams drying up, that we’re going to be doing less.

“We’re only going to be attending to the bare minimum renewal gap. We’ll only be doing small projects that we can do, that we can fund, as opposed to that partnership, whether it be state or federal, which we’ve seen in the recent years,

which has really helped us.”

Advocacy for improved government funding has been discussed both in the council chamber and on a broader scale at a parliamentary inquiry in September 2024.

“We’re continually seeing cost shifts from the state and federal government. Who picks it up, we ultimately do, and our ratepayers do and at some stage you’ve got to draw the line,” Cr Child said.

“We’re in this space of advocacy, to really talk to governments and say, ‘well, let’s look at a solid revenue stream to local government’, just one per cent so we can actually say, ‘well, we know we’ve got this coming in’.

“We can provide our 120 services, and then we’ve got some confidence to actually deliver our asset renewal programmes and capital expenditure.

“That’s the type of structure we’d love to be working in, whereas at the moment, what we’re dealing with is two election cycles, state and federal government, three and four years, we’ve got to watch for the low hanging fruit. What’s coming out? What’s the political scene look like?”

This was just one of many factors both Cr Child and Mr Lombardi said were contributing to an ever tightening budget.

“We’re such a big municipality 2500 square kilometres, and we’re a metropolitan municipality. It’s a huge distance, and when you look at that combined, in parallel with other municipalities, it’s that tiering of distance, and that’s a huge impact on our budget process as well,” Cr Child said.

Mr Lombardi also added the increasing insurance costs, as well as the “burden” of handling the emergency services volunteer fund levy as “a mechanism or a vehicle for state government”, which may require additional resources.

“We’re all going through bill stress at home and that is magnified for the council 10 times. We don’t have the luxury of going out and selecting an insurer. We’re in a captive market,” Mr Lom-

bardi said.

“Our insurance costs are going up well above the rate cap, so it’s really balancing that cost, which is going up, and maintaining that service level to the community.”

Cr Child said, aside from the funding constraints, he felt the lead up to this draft budget was the most engaged the council had been with the community.

“This has probably been the best engagement process with the community prior to us getting to this stage,” he said.

“We’ve learned over a number of years that we should do this, go out to the people, and we did

that with pop ups, the community panel, getting that feedback, to get into this position.”

Calling this budget one where “we’re living within our means”, Cr Child did say he believed it was a “balanced budget”.

“But each time we get to this budget process… it never gets easy because the purse strings are being tightened all the time.”

Community consultation will be open until 27 April, before submissions are heard in the council chamber in early May. Submissions and commentary on the draft budget can be made via shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/council-budget-2025-26

Three per cent rate cap in draft 2025-26 budget

By Mikayla van Loon

While attention was drawn to the Federal Government’s budget this week, Yarra Ranges Council was also releasing its draft 2025-26 budget on the same night, ready for community consultation.

The biggest talking point for the councillors on Tuesday 25 March was the rate increase in line with the State Government’s imposed rate cap.

But applying the three per cent maximum rate increase caused debate among councillors and a submission opposing the draft budget because of it.

Wandin North resident and former Billanook ward candidate Wendy Wright said it “seems unconscionable” that the council would apply the rate increase when “we all need to tighten our belts”.

“Councils like the rest of the community, need to be tightening their belts, not putting more pressure on those already hurting,” she said.

“This means finding savings and going without things that are nice to have.”

Ms Wright said the budget should outline options for service reductions and a cost benefit analysis of not increasing the rates, so the community can decide in a more informed capacity.

“I really want those bike trails but if somebody said to me, you can have the bike trails, or you hold the rates as they are, I’d say, I’m sorry, we have to keep the rates as they are,” Ms Wright said.

Mayor Jim Child said, in a meeting with Star Mail, with external revenue sources becoming more constrained, the three per cent rate increase was a way for the council to live within its means and continue to deliver its 120 services, alongside its capital expenditure program.

“There’s those competing things that we have to deal with, cost of living, all those things, and we’re dealing with that as well, as a council and delivering those 120 services that we have to,” he said.

“We tried, we unpacked it as much as we could, but to still give quality in those services

that we provide, we have to do it within the parameters of the three per cent.

“To not do that, we’d have to look very seriously at what services are going to be affected by not being in the parameters of the three per cent so that was some real serious discussion that we had to have.”

The rate increase was met with challenge from Councillor Mitch Mazzarella at the Tuesday council meeting, where he stated he “opposed any rate increases”.

“The community can’t afford it. It just can’t. And on our customer satisfaction survey last year, 59 per cent of residents said they would prefer service cuts to keep council rates the same or to lower them,” he said.

“Only 21 per cent of the people said that they wanted a rate increase.”

Cr Fiona McAllister also drew attention to the fact that five per cent rates goes towards community recovery after a natural disaster.

“The increasing emergencies that we face in Yarra Ranges…costs us millions of dollars every time and that is one aspect of a reduction of funding from other levels of government,” she said.

“We are just not getting the money in scenarios like fires and floods and storms that we used to, the frequency has increased, and we’re not getting the financial support, and we are one of the most disaster prone councils in Australia.”

This was also a point of contention for Cr Mazzarella who said the council had actually “slashed” its spending on emergency management and funnelled it into community strengthening.

“From two years ago, we were spending $13 million in the budget to now just two so in the most as one of the second most disaster prone councils in Australia, a week or so off a massive bush fire in Montrose, we’re now spending more on what we’re calling community strengthening than emergency management.

“And I’m not discounting the importance by any means of community strengthening programs, but I don’t think that they deserve more

The Yarra Ranges Council chamber was full of debate as councillors discussed the need for a rate increase. (Supplied)

funding than emergency management.

“I can’t justify to my communities and to the people of the Yarra Ranges, the council asking for even more money, raising the rates again and again, if these services are not efficient or they’re spent in the wrong places.”

Overwhelmingly, however, the councillors each agreed that only the community’s involvement and feedback would provide the council with a clear picture of whether it had put money in the right places.

“I’d just like to encourage the members of the public to actually get hold of the budget. Have a look at it properly, ask the questions and see what it actually contains,” Cr Richard Higgins said.

“We’re never going to get this right in every aspect. That’s why it goes out to the community, to let us know what’s right, whether we want a bike

path or whether you don’t want a bike path.

“So it’s really important that people pay attention and get involved. And that’s the true way we’re going to get a proper representation.”

Waste service charges will also increase, as set by the State Government, by 7.3 per cent, a cost per household of around $50-65.

The emergency services volunteer fund levy will also be applied to ratepayers from 1 July. This will be collected by the council on behalf of the State Government but does not provide additional funds to the council.

Yarra Ranges Council prepare draft 2025-26 budget in constrained financial circumstances. (Unsplash)

Proposed budget funding revealed for towns

By Dongyun Kwon

Yarra Ranges Council proposed the 2025-26 draft budget at the latest council meeting and is calling for community members’ feedback.

Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister commented on the draft budget during the council meeting.

Cr McAllister said she is looking forward to hearing the community’s voice regarding it.

“I completely agree we have to spend the money in the best way we can for our community,” she said.

“Whilst I’m sure this budget is not perfect, I know there have been more intense and more conversations about this budget than probably any other budgets we’ve ever had, even during Covid, which was the trickiest time to think about impacts on communities … We’ve had a higher level of community engagement in the budget than we’ve ever had at my time on council, which is fairly long, and there has been a lot of community interest in terms of this document and getting it right.

“So let’s see what comes in. But again, there is a big, messy context that sits behind it in the fact that we are just not getting the money we used to in scenarios like fires, floods and storms that we used to, the frequency has increased, and we’re not getting the financial support, and we are one of the most disaster-prone councils in Australia.”

The following are the draft budget allocations for each town in the Yarra Valley.

In Yering:

$100,000 will go towards the renewal of the existing trail at Spadonis Reserve.

In Coldstream:

Over $2 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of Victoria Road from Kingsburgh Lane to Flowerfield Drive while $554,000 has been put for rehabilitation of the same road between Switchback Road to Kingsburgh Lane.

Station Street will have a drainage with $469,000 of investment.

In Yarra Glen:

Rehabilitation of the existing footpath on Miriam Drive will cost $25,000.

Design and construction of a footpath on Yarra Street between Bell Street and Yarraview Road will cost $198,000.

In Healesville: George Road and Lalors Road will get a new easement drainage through a $314,000 investment.

$400,000 will go towards the construction of drainage upgrades between 1 Hazford Street and the creek.

$9000 will be invested for park signage upgrades in the town.

Don Road Community Pavilion will be redeveloped with a $300,000 budget allocation.

“We know that the Don (Road) Reserve, as a top priority, was sitting there for ages. All of a sudden we get the money from a government grant,” Yarra Ranges mayor Jim Child said.

“We know the prioritisation changes, so the next one sits there, but for how long. We can’t progress that project any further, but there’s an expectation out there in the community. ‘Well,

you’ve done all the work, you’re ready to go, let’s get started’.

“But we can’t do that with our income stream that we’ve got.”

$369,000 has been allocated for the rehabilitation of existing footpaths on Badger Creek Road and $18,000 for Cornish Road.

$87,000 will go towards the design and construction of a missing footpath link on Newgrove Road and Crowley Road between Harker Street and Lalors Lane.

Green Street’s open space will be improved through $250,000 of investment.

$453,000 has been allocated for the improvements to the dog off-leash area at Coro-

nation Park.

Yarra Ranges Council will keep supporting to improve Aboriginal health and wellbeing by providing a range of support to Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation to establish the Healesville Belonging Place, an integrated Aboriginal health facility. The council will also keep working on Yarra Valley Trail in the following years.

Over $2.7 million has been allocated for Stage 1 and $3.9 million for Stage 2A of over 40km of trail to link Lilydale, Yarra Glen, Healesville and join into the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail throughout the two financial years.

Breaking down the Yarra Ranges draft budget

By Oliver Winn

The Yarra Ranges Council has released its draft budget for 2025-2026 and is now open to community consultation until 27 April before finalising the budget in time for the start of the financial year.

The Upper Yarra region had plenty of major projects outlined in the draft budget this year, which are listed below.

In Warburton:

$2.5 million will go towards the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination (WMBD) trail, the funding of which is split between borrowings and Federal and State government grants.

72 per cent of the WMBD funds are sourced from borrowings and the remaining 28 per cent from Federal and State government grants.

Whereas the $2.1 million slotted for the Ngurrak barring/RidgeWalk is solely funded by grants.

Yarra Ranges Council corporate services director Vince Lombardi said the council is advocating to State and Federal governments for the funding they need to maintain these large projects.

“We want our community to enjoy it. But how do we then make that awareness that we need to maintain these assets to the State and Federal Government,” he said.

“We’re contributing nationally. How do we raise that awareness and that advocacy through our budget? Because it’s not fair always charging that back to our community. So that’s probably the underlying message that you probably don’t

see in the document.”

Yarra Ranges Council chief financial officer Liam Routledge said the revenue generated by the Warburton Visitor Paid Parking Pilot was predicted to be around $1.5 million.

“There’s a cost to serve that as well. If you look at the net we’re actually getting from that, it does serve more the behavioural than a massive revenue drive, whereas it’s really cost recovery,” Mr Routledge said.

Mr Lombardi said council needed to make sure the drive in tourism was sustainable for Warburton.

“One responsibility that council has is activating the area, you look at the Warburton Mountain Bikes, it’s a great activation, but we need to also make that it’s self-sustaining for all the visitations that are coming through.”

The Yarra Valley Trail Stage 1 will cost $2 million, with council sourcing 41 per cent through grants and 59 per cent through borrowings.

The Yarra Valley Trail Stage 2A will cost $1.95 million but will be fully funded through grants, putting the total cost for the Yarra Valley Trail at $3.95 million.

Renewal for an existing section of the Warburton Rail Trail will cost $150,000.

$36,300 will go towards rehabilitating two existing footpaths on Riverside Drive and Upper Blackwood Avenue.

There’ll be new footpath missing links constructed on Riverside Drive/Horners Road, which will cost $109,500.

In Wandin North:

$175,235 for five existing footpaths will be rehabilitated, which includes Keith Court, Galera Court, Sirocco Court, Farrar Way and Mayo Court.

In Seville:

The installation of easement draining on Lanning Crescent will cost $100,000, which will prevent flooding in heavy rainfall events.

$3.8 million will go towards redeveloping the Seville Recreation Reserve Community pavilion.

Existing footpaths will be rehabilitated on Ashley Court, Belair Close and Ducol Court at a cost of $96,559.

In Yarra Junction: $2 million will go towards the Yarra Valley Trail, Stage 1 - this includes over 40km of trail linking Lilydale, Yarra Glen, Healesville and joins into the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail.

Peppercorn Place’s existing footpath will be rehabilitated at a cost of $32,190.

Yarra Ranges Council is calling for community members’ feedback for its 2025-26 draft budget. (File: 406135)

The Warburton Mountain Bike Destination trail will cost $2.5 million. (File)

*Children under 16 years of age receive free admission to Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo on weekends, Victorian public holidays and Victorian Government school holidays.

Infrastructure top priority

By Mikayla van Loon

Drainage, road rehabilitation and footpath construction are the highlights for the urban area in the Yarra Ranges Council’s proposed budget for 2025-26.

This matched much of the feedback provided to the council in a pre-budget drafting engagement process, where it was determined that roads and traffic, parks and open space, and community facilities were the top priorities in infrastructure.

New drainage works and improvement projects will total $3.6 million this year, with Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Montrose and Mount Evelyn all cited for funding.

These include Chapel Street Lilydale ($386,000), Morrison Reserve Mount Evelyn ($300,000), Stuart Reserve Lilydale to reduce flooding at Wilson Lane ($300,000), design of Lilydale Tennis Court Upgrade ($80,000), three stage design of Edinburgh Road Lilydale ($50,000), 65 Kerr Crescent Montrose ($140,000), Cobden Crescent Lilydale ($400,000) and 26A Wandana Crescent Mooroolbark ($40,000).

A forecasted value of $50,000 has been budgeted for drainage renewal works on Summit Road Lilydale in the 2026-27 year.

Kingswood Drive Chirnside Park ($50,000), Summit Road Lilydale ($236,000) and Windsor Park Rise Mooroolbark ($215,000) will all see new footpaths, while rehabilitation works have been proposed for Edward Road Chirnside Park, Glen Innes Close Wonga Park, and MacGregor Court, Everton Road, Ellen Road and Irvine Street in Mount Evelyn.

Liverpool Road Kilsyth and Richards Road Montrose have been flagged for new footpath construction in the 2026-27 year.

Budgeting for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Edward Road and Paynes Road, Chirnside Park has seen $737,000 put towards the project this year.

This is in addition to $975,000 for a road renewal project along Edward Road, between Switchback Road and Paynes Road. A further $2.2 million has been forecasted for renewal works between Paynes Road and 415 Edward Road in 2026-27.

$1.2 million has also been cited for road renewal along Cambridge Road Mooroolbark.

Playspaces and reserves also received attention in this year’s capital expenditure program.

Bimbadeen Reserve, Kemp Reserve and Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve have each been budgeted $258,000 for playspace improvements.

Replacement of the existing fence at Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve’s sports facilities was funded $75,000.

The commencement of masterplan works at McDermott Avenue Reserve has seen $350,000 allocated this year, with a further $300,000 for next financial year, for open space improvements.

Site improvement works will also continue at 150 Cambridge Road with $300,000 allocated for 2025-26.

The Lillydale Lake masterplan will also get underway, supported by a State Government grant, and funds from the council’s public open space fund, with an equal value of $1,076,400

proposed for the next two financial years.

The pre-draft budget community consultation process did see the most engagement from the urban area, with 91 responses received.

Within this, there was heightened commentary, as summarised by the council, around pools and aquatic centres.

“Pools and Aquatic Centres received 53 comments from a total of 364. 25 people specifically mentioned Kilsyth pool. 13 people referred to other aquatic centres including Monbulk and Lilydale pools,” the engagement report states.

“38 people, out of the total 172 individual contributors mentioned pools and/or aquatic facilities.”

Plenty for tourism in draft budget

By Tanya Steele

Drains, roads, infrastructure and more are proposed in the budget draft for the Yarra Ranges that was recently released, with a number of plans proposed for the Hills area.

Submissions from the public are open to residents until 27 April, with a hearing of submissions to councillors scheduled for a special meeting on 6 May and the final budget will be considered in June.

In the tourism sector, Yarra Ranges Council corporate services director Vince Lombardi said Yarra Ranges is a tourist Mecca, both state and nationally.

“So we’re building Ngurrak barring, we’ve got the Walk on Country and we’re doing the Warburton Mountain Bike Trail,’ he said.

ngurrak barring Ridgewalk has a budget set for $2.1 million, continuing its planned 39km trail through the Dandenong Ranges that will establish new spaces for education, cultural expression and social gathering.

Locals may have noticed the recent addition of artworks in both Birdsland and Grants Picnic Ground which are part of the project.

With a total forecast spend of $46.2 million on infrastructure the draft budget will include a road sealing program priced at $3.2 million with a $1.3 million slice included for Belgrave Heights.

The Belgrave Rail Trail is set to have audit findings implemented to ensure compliance with shared path guidelines – the $230,400 in funds budgeted includes a TAC Grant.

The Safer Local Roads program meant that the council has received $2,340,000 from the State Government for the delivery of traffic safety improvements on local roads, but the projects are subject to the Department of Transport and

Planning approval and proposed projects will include traffic safety improvements on Main Street in Upwey.

The Upwey township also has $50,000 bookmarked for upgrading the main street car parking, footpaths, street furniture, roadside and street tree planting. The extent of work is mainly a section of Main Street between Morris Road and Mahony Street which includes both roundabouts.

Footpaths are on the agenda with renewals planned across the Shire, Best Street and the Belgrave Rail Trail in Belgrave, Sophia Grove in Tecoma, along with Emberson Street, Monbulk Road in Kallista and Kallista-Emerald Road.

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said they’ve heard the community as far as the drainage issues are concerned.

“We’ve got a very large component of assets out there, which we have to maintain and there’s also asset renewal as well,” he said.

“The community has told us that, yes, they want us to keep that body of work going.”

In total across the Yarra Ranges, $3.9 million will be expended on drainage projects with several works planned across the Dandenongs.

Arbor Avenue in Belgrave has work proposed to address flooding and erosion issues with a price tag of $330,000 listed, works on Dalkeith Crescent, and the construction of drainage upgrades to mitigate flooding is also planned in Main Street, Upwey. Ridge Road in Mount Dandenong has works listed for drainage at 105 and 107 Ridge Road and drainage improvement works for outlet discharge are listed for William Ricketts Sanctuary - Observatory Road. There are also plans for the design and construction of drainage along an existing table drain located at 19-21 Hunter Street, Monbulk.

The only funds put towards pools and aquatic centres this year, however, was $1.2 million for minor works and a forecasted amount of $595,000 for electrification works at Monbulk Aquatic Centre. Councillors now put the draft budget to the community for consultation and feedback.

“Now it’s open for the public. Really when it’s all said and done, it’s the public’s budget. The public has to pay for it, and the public has a right to give a comment to us on whether it’s good or whether it’s not so good,” Cr Len Cox said.

“So it’s going to be out to the public to look at it, anybody and everybody has the right to then communicate with the council.”

Yarra Ranges Council has opened it’s draft budget for submissions. (On File).

In sports, the Belgrave Oval is pencilled in for some lighting work, while the Upwey Recreation Reserve main oval has a total of $725,000 in funds allocated for rehab and synthetic surface renewal.

For buildings in the Ranges, a public toilet renewal in Sassafras is planned, along with improvements to the Kallista Community House and Cedar Court Road Group in Monbulk

In the environmental sector, the council plans to continue the Ribbons of Green and Gardens for Wildlife programs, which help residents

transform their properties to support biodiversity.

There are also plans to expand the grant-funded program to protect the platypus in the Monbulk Creek catchment and develop a progressive Green Wedge management plan to support appropriate outcomes in the Green Wedge areas. Residents can find out more draft budget details and have their say at: shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/council-budget-2025-26

McDermott Avenue Reserve was among proposed funded projects for 2025-26 with the commencement of masterplan works. (Chelsea Szabo: 462406)

Coalition’s Gazette News complaint dismissed by AEC

By Mikayla Van Loon

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has dismissed claims made by the Coalition that a local news outlet was just a Teal funded publication designed to “propagate and promote”.

Liberal Senator Jane Hume formally submitted a complaint against Gazette News to the AEC on Tuesday 11 March after suggesting the news publication was funded by Climate 200.

In a statement on Thursday 27 March, the AEC said it had considered Gazette News’ content and published material, finding that it did not fall into “electoral matter, therefore there are no authorisation requirements”.

“It should also be noted that electoral matter is defined by the Electoral Act to exclude the reporting of news, presenting of current affairs, or any genuine editorial content in news media,” the statement said.

“Additionally, there is no evidence at this stage that this organisation has incurred electoral expenditure that would require it to register as a financial disclosure entity with the AEC.”

Gazette founder and chief executive officer

Anna Saulwick welcomed the AEC’s decision and said Gazette’s journalists could return to focusing on what they do best.

“This was always a nasty, false political stunt, and the AEC’s decision confirms it,” she said.

“Some politicians are willing to try to intimidate independent media into silence, but we won’t be backing down from asking tough questions or serving our local communities.”

The AEC complaint and investigation was sparked after it came to light that three major backers of the news publication included Matt Doran, James Taylor and Mark Rawson, who have been known to make financial contributions to Climate 200, according to AEC disclosures.

When posed a question about the relationship between Climate 200 and Gazette News at the National Press Club, Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court denied any links.

Coalition members were quick to comment, however, in the days following Senator Hume’s complaint, with Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal Senator James Paterson calling Gazette News “the Teals’ ‘fake

Police catch ‘criminal koala’ in Yarra Junction

By Oliver Winn

Police made a “koality arrest” when responding to a burglary in progress in Yarra Junction last night.

The resident’s barking dog notified her of someone trying to break into her Peppercorn Place address, so she called triple zero and members from the Mooroolbark Police responded to the job, ready to catch the fugitive. Arriving on the scene, the police searched the perimeter for any signs of a break-in and were lead to the backdoor.

But instead of a balaclava-donning burglar, police found a furry koala on the dog’s bed, who the police suspect to be named Blinky Bill.

Mooroolbark Senior Sergeant Melanie Woods said the resident was very relieved that the koala was cooperating and moving on, albeit quite slowly as it climbed over the fence.

“They [police] asked the owner if they owned a pet koala and they said they didn’t and then they have been able to essentially identify the koala as being the offender.”

“But hopefully it doesn’t re-offend.”

The marsupial was released without charge, though it’s unknown if Coco the dog wishes to issue a formal complaint.

online news site’” and “pro-Teal fake newspapers” respectively.

Senator Paterson also questioned the coincidence of the Liberal, National and Labor MPs coverage being “more critical”, while Teal candidate coverage seemed “uniformly positive”.

But at the time 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”.

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.

But the pre-election coverage was also dotted with articles on other candidates from various political backgrounds.

Senator Hume was contacted for comment.

Liberal Senator Jane Hume lodged a complaint with the AEC against Gazette News, which has now been dismissed. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

A Yarra Junction resident dialled triple zero after she suspected someone was trying to break in. (Supplied)

EVERY CUP COUNTS

Coffee for Wildlife supports projects that empower people to live in harmony with forests and wildlife.

Euthanasia deemed ‘most humane thing to do’

By Oliver Winn

Well intentioned but damaging efforts to save an injured wombat in Warburton had no effect as it was put down on Monday 24 March, leaving a wildlife shelter operator upset at the unnecessary pain the wombat endured.

Waratah Wildlife Shelter operator Raewyn Jeganathan heard about the injured wombat wandering around busy roads, looking disorientated and confused, with large infected wounds on its back.

From the photos she saw at the time, Ms Jeganathan suspected the wombat to have sepsis, and said to locals who’d seen the wombat she may have to “put the wombat to sleep” if it was beyond saving.

But instead of notifying her, a couple of community members had attempted to treat the animal with antiseptic - in the end, it only prolonged the wombat’s suffering, as a few weeks later Ms Jeganathan had to make the heart breaking, but humane, decision to euthanise the wombat.

“I went out and had a look and assessed the wombat, and as soon as I got down close to it, I could smell it, the wounds were horribly infected and smelt like something that had been dead for weeks,” she said.

A lack of awareness of how wild animals should be treated leads to people giving well intentioned, but damaging care, as the same care given to domestic animals doesn’t apply to wild animals.

Ms Jeganathan said she wishes some members of the public would place trust in wildlife rescuers rather than “shopping around for advice that’s more palatable” and attempting to save it themselves.

“If your dog had an infection like that, you could take it to the vet and have it on IV antibiotics and manage it, whereas if you try and do that with a wombat, they won’t eat and they’ll die of stress.”

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 states that people encountering severely injured wildlife must call a registered veterinarian or authorised wildlife rehabilitator, who will administer euthanasia if necessary.

Only authorised animal shelters can provide rehabilitation for wildlife - anyone who attempts to care and take wildlife without the authority to do so, can face fines up to $7,773 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

But people can legally transport injured animals to a wildlife shelter or vet.

Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to infection damages its own organs and requires immediate and intensive medical treatmentantiseptic only kills microorganisms on the surface and simply can’t address the internal

organ failure caused by sepsis.

Ms Jeganathan said the natural world is inherently tough so animals need to be operating at their peak to survive.

“You may put an animal through all this treatment and associated stress and suffering, to then release it and find that it can no longer survive and function in the wild like it once could because it’s just not tough anymore.”

Wild animals are biologically programmed to survive and keep themselves alive, even if they’re in complete agony.

Ms Jeganathan said this is what most people can’t comprehend, and so when people saw the wombat still eating and walking, they interpreted it as improving health.

But ultimately, the wombat was acting on its instincts, and Ms Jeganathan said the ethical thing to do is recognise when an animal has a low chance of survival, and then contact wildlife rescuers to assess the situation.

“The whole thing’s really frustrating because we could have done something about this couple a weeks ago,” she said.

Council upgrades pavilion with solar and battery system

Yarra Ranges Council has installed a new solar and battery system at Wandin North Pavilion to enhance energy resilience, as part of the federally funded Preparing Australian Communities Grant.

The existing 7.7kW solar and 13.5kWh battery system has been expanded to a powerful 32.54kW solar and 120kWh battery system that strengthens the Pavilion’s role as a critical community asset, particularly in times of emergency.

The Pavilion can now serve as a Community Emergency Hub, offering a reliable source of

power during grid outages and the upgraded system ensures essential loads can be powered via battery backup and solar energy, with the added flexibility of a generator plug-in point if needed.

Beyond emergency resilience, the solar and battery expansion brings long-term financial and environmental benefits.

Tenant clubs, including the Wandin Football and Netball Club and Wandin Cricket Club, will see electricity cost savings of up to 40-50&percnt;, thanks to the additional renew-

able energy capacity.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child welcomed the upgrade, highlighting the positive impact for the local community.

“This investment is a win-win for our community. Not only does it provide energy security during emergencies, but it also delivers significant cost savings and supports our transition to a more sustainable future,” Cr Child said.

“By reducing reliance on the grid and cutting emissions, we’re making our facilities more resil-

ient and more affordable for local sports clubs.”

“We know how vital our community facilities are, especially in times of crisis. This upgrade ensures Wandin North Pavilion remains a safe and functional space when it’s needed most.”

This project is part of the Preparing Australian Communities initiative and the Resilient Buildings Project, which focuses on installing solar panels, batteries, LED lighting, and generator plug-in points at key locations across the region.

When wombats are found wandering in urban spaces, it often means it’s already suffering from some sort of injury or infection. (File)

Roaster’s sip of success

By Dongyun Kwon

A coffee roastery owner won the Healesville Rotary Club’s Ron Goding Award on Monday 24 March.

The award perpetuates the memory of the late Ron Goding, a charter member and former president of the Rotary Club, who applied the highest ethical standards and led by example in his business as well as in the Rotary Club activities.

The annually presented award was given to Montesanto Coffee Roasters owner Mario Morales this time.

He said he felt humble.

“I felt I’ve got a lot of support from the community,” he said.

“Seeing so many people appreciate what you’ve done makes you feel good about all the hard work that you put in.”

Mario, who was born and raised in Costa Rica, has brought his home country’s coffee into the town.

Costa Rica is known for its coffee industry which produces high-quality coffee beans.

“People in Melbourne love coffee, and the coffee culture here is massive, even bigger than in Costa Rica,” the award recipient said.

“There was already a lot of coffee. I wanted to bring a unique type of coffee bean into a very big coffee culture.”

Mario’s journey in Australia began with his love story.

He met Sonya Turner, whose family have lived in Healesville for 30 years, in the United States in 2002.

In 2009, they dramatically reconnected in

Costa Rica, when Sonya taught English at an academy which was owned by Mario’s best mate.

The Costa Rican man decided to take the Australian woman to coffee shops to show the Costa Rican coffee.

While experiencing different types of Costa Rican coffee, their relationship grew as a couple.

“When I met my wife, she wasn’t used to drinking coffee,” Mario said.

“In Costa Rica, you have coffee in the afternoon, so we started having coffee in the afternoon with cakes, and she really liked it. She loved the flavour and the style.

“We always had that dream of bringing that atmosphere to Australia.”

The following year, the couple got married and moved to Chum Creek.

Mario helped his father-in-law Brian Turner with his pressure washer factory in Bayswater for more than a decade before he finally realised his dream of opening up a Costa Rican coffee roastery in 2023.

The shop was originally opened up at the west end of Healesville and then moved to the east end in August last year and reopened in October after renovation.

“I believe that even though Healesville is a tourist town, I don’t feel I could make it without the local support,” Mario said.

“I think any business in Healesville has to cater to the locals because they’re the ones always there, looking after and supporting you.

“I’m very thankful for the community. I obviously do get tourists, but I try to focus on the locals.”

Other than coffee, Mario has been involved in various community activities, including

sports and chess clubs.

He volunteers with national disaster relief organizations, using his mechanical skills to help on the ground.

He recently joined a local rubbish clean-up group No Reason 4 Rubbish.

He has begun involvement in the local Traders Group, which helps promote local businesses.

Mario hosts chess games and tournaments, and is looking to make them more formal.

Prestigious award for article on dismissed doctor dispute

By Dongyun Kwon

An article about the dismissal of a doctor at the Healesville District Hospital was named one of the winners of the 2024 Victorian Community History Awards.

The author of A Community in Crisis: Dr Deery and the Healesville Hospital Dispute, 1961-62, Phillip Deery, received the History Article Award on Monday 24 March.

Mr Deery said he felt honoured and thrilled to have won the award.

“I really enjoyed writing it,” he said.

“That’s also perhaps part of the reason why it won. It came together very nicely and seamlessly.”

His article concerns a dispute at the local hospital which became a major conflict in Healesville from 1960 to 1961.

The dismissal of Dr Arthur Deery and the hard-fought campaign for his reinstatement caused a corrosion of trust and the destruction of friendships in this otherwise tight community.

Dr Arthur Deery, born Arturo Deutsch in Hungary in 1906 to the working class Jewish parents, was a medical practitioner trained in Italy, who fled the rising tide of anti-Semitism in Europe to arrive in Australia, rather accidentally, in 1940.

“Dr Deery, no relative of mine, was in the firing line of this (conflict). He was the brunt of many of the hostilities, tensions and conflicts within the hospital,” Mr Deery said.

“It was the allegation that he had performed illegal abortions, that was the trigger for his dismissal.

“He denied that but he didn’t have any right of appeal, so there wasn’t an opportunity for him to present alternative evidence in his defence.”

The article suggests that this case represents a striking example of how nascent Cold War paranoia was expressed in small communities and, in microcosm, how political passions, social activism and deep divisions could be generated by a local issue.

The town split between ardent supporters of hospital reform and of Dr Deery, predominantly women, and a conservative old guard determined to use aspersions of communist infiltration and the murky support of Santamaria’s National Civic Council to maintain their grip on the hospital.

The author said his article suggested the conflict in Healesville became like a domestic microcosm of the Cold War.

“The

at a local

level. The article, in essence, concerns both the circumstances of his dismissal, the mobilisation in support of Dr Deery, and the allegations that it was all part of a communist plot,”

Mr Deery said.

“Eventually, through all of this, there were big public meetings, quite fiery and robust yelling, and everything. Police were coming in, surrounding the hall and so on. It’s quite traumatic. Eventually, a board of inquiry was set up by the Victorian Parliament, and that went into the allegation.

“To a large extent, but not completely exonerated, Dr Deery returned to work under certain circumstances.

“Eventually, he left Healesville and set up practice in Mooroolbark. Many of his old Healesville patients would drive all day to see him, which indicated how he was regarded.”

The author worked on this article throughout 2022 and 2023.

The article was finally published in December 2023.

Mr Deery said sharing the same surname was the biggest trigger for him to work on this story.

“It started probably about 30 years ago when someone said, ‘Are you related to Dr Deery?’,” he said.

“That was the first of many occasions when people said, ‘Oh, you connected to Dr Deery of Healesville’, because about 30 years ago, that dispute was still well remembered, it’s not now.

“That was the germ, and I thought I should write that up one day.”

Presented by Public Record Office Victoria with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, the Victorian Community History Awards celebrate historians and community groups committed to preserving and sharing stories of the past.

The judges said Phillip Deery is arguably Australia’s foremost historian of the Cold War years.

“He has a knack for using biography to elucidate the bigger sweep of history, based on deep research into often arcane archives that he deploys with a light but masterful touch,” they said.

“This sharply observed, well-written and deeply researched article stands as a model of good local history writing, deftly demonstrating the way national and international issues were experienced locally.”

A glass-blown toucan award was given to Mario because toucans are Costa Rica’s key ambassadors for ecotourism and conservation. (Stewart Chambers: 466890)

Cold War ripped very small

Royal Historical Society of Victoria president Richard Broome AM (left) presenting award to Phillip Deery. (Claryssa Humennyj-Jameson, ISKA PHOTOGRAPHY)

CAPTURING THE YARRA RANGES

CCTV funding ‘not possible’

By Mikayla van Loon

This week, Star Mail brings you the sixth and final week of the Capturing the Yarra Ranges campaign which sought to better understand the current CCTV network and what solutions were possible to reinstate this community infrastructure.

From discussions with police, community groups, experts, State politicians and Federal candidates, the identified path forward was for the council to take on the responsibility.

Star Mail posed this to Yarra Ranges Council with a list of 12 questions to be answered regarding its initial involvement when funding was Federally allocated, whether it had undertaken a cost analysis, engaged with the community and whether a CCTV network was a priority for the municipality.

A public statement was issued in reply.

Yarra Ranges Council chief executive officer Tammi Rose was attributed to the response and said it was not possible for the council to fund the CCTV network.

“In a financially constrained environment and during a cost of living crisis, the high cost of maintaining and replacing public CCTV cameras would mean either a reduction of services elsewhere, or ratepayers would find the increased cost reflected in their rates,” she said.

“We see either option as unacceptable.”

Despite being asked, Ms Rose did not comment on how the community had been engaged in the discussion and whether or not council managed CCTV had been put to residents as an option.

Star Mail is, however, aware of community discussions held between local Victoria Police mem-

bers and the Yarra Ranges Township Group Network, and Casey Liberal candidate Aaron Violi.

The council’s community engagement policy does state it will seek “local experience, information and evidence…to make an informed decision”.

In conducting pre-draft budget engagement sessions and questionnaires with the community, people were asked to rank council services by priority.

Under connected and healthy communities, the top two priorities were firstly, community services and secondly, community safety.

Yarra Ranges Council’s community safety services include animal management, school crossings, emergency management and local laws and regulatory compliance.

Within the health and safety responsibilities of Victorian councils, community safety can include CCTV security cameras.

“Council does not manage public CCTV cameras and does not have the resources to do so,” Ms Rose said.

Yarra Ranges Council is one of few which does not operate a CCTV network, as Star Mail has investigated and presented in this edition.

Ms Rose said it was the financial burden of maintaining and operating the camera network, and the lack of funding for this purpose, which has seen the cameras become unusable.

“Under the arrangement at the time, township groups were to be responsible for maintaining these cameras, and Victoria Police would have access to footage for investigative purposes,” she said.

“Unfortunately, the reality is that maintaining many CCTV cameras is extremely expensive,

more than township groups – comprised of volunteers, locals and business owners - should be expected to shoulder.

“We understand that the impact of this is that cameras fall into disrepair and no longer serve their purpose as a crime deterrent or investigation tool for police.”

Star Mail did ask whether the council had undertaken a cost study of the associated costs of operation and infrastructure. An answer was not given.

Instead Ms Rose said the council hoped for a

Federal Government solution.

“It is unfortunate that the Federal Government of the time did not allocate ongoing funding to maintain or replace cameras as needed,” she said.

“We are hopeful that the Federal Government may find funding streams available to maintain and improve these cameras, to remove this cost burden from township groups, or find an arrangement with Victoria Police to allocate funding for these pieces of policing infrastructure.”

There was no mention of the council advocating for this on behalf of the community, however.

‘It’d be a shame to lose it’: Police weigh in

By Mikayla van Loon

When Star Mail set out on this six week campaign, the premise was to provide a solution, instead all we can offer is a proposal, one that begins with funding from the Federal Government and ends with Yarra Ranges Council managing the system.

But with no one financially committed to upgrading the CCTV network, nor a clear path forward, this vital infrastructure will essentially cease to exist, most likely sooner rather than later.

Mooroolbark Police Sergeant Cal Cunningham told Star Mail at the beginning of this campaign that come the end of this financial year, both the Yarra Ranges Safety Camera Network group and its little remaining funding would conclude.

“The way these camera systems are, they’re all owned technically, by the local groups. So when they were originally installed there were some cost savings in the installs, and for a period of time, the group that set up the cameras, the Yarra Ranges Camera Network, had some leftover funding they could put towards maintenance,” he said.

“So as of this financial year, the funds will have been used up for what maintenance money is left.”

The way Sgt Cunningham presented it, there

were three possible paths forward.

“We’re reliant on either these systems being replaced with new Federal Government funding, or the council looking at investing and taking over the systems and then providing maintenance and funding for that, or relying on these groups to fundraise themselves,” he said.

“It’d be a shame to lose it. There’s already been money spent on it, so then to let it fall and go to waste would be a shame.”

As a State Government entity, Victoria Police would be unable to manage any funds or grants to operate the CCTV system despite being the primary beneficiary of the cameras.

“The community doesn’t necessarily always see the benefits of the cameras and what they’re doing, and makes it hard for the police because we probably see the most benefit,” he said.

“The difficulty for police is we can’t get involved in the money or funding side of things, we have to stay away from that.”

Sgt Cunningham did, however, point to the fact that under a council’s responsibilities, CCTV cameras was something it could provide.

“We would like the council to get more involved because it makes sense. The council covers all the areas where these cameras are, and Yarra Ranges is not the only area that has these community cameras, other council areas have similar systems and the ones that have been the

most successful and work properly are the ones that are council run,” he said.

“Part of the council’s responsibility is safety and this would be a massive tool.”

Other council areas which operate and manage CCTV networks also instate their own privacy policies, which follow the Australian Privacy Act, to ensure access to footage is limited to police and the council.

Sgt Cunningham said, as it stands, police are the only ones able to access footage.

“Access to the footage, even though they’re community based cameras, it’s restricted to police who currently have access to it. If the council were to take over, then it’d be police and council.”

While “funding is a big thing” and the key driver at the moment, Sgt Cunningham said there were other options police would like to investigate to add to community safety and crime prevention in the Yarra Ranges.

“If we’re going to move forward and get new funding we’ve come with new ideas to make the cameras work better for everyone,” he said.

“So one of the concepts is a mobile trailer that has a camera setup like a portable light tower and they can be used for all types of things. There might be community events where there’s a lot of setup involved and keeping that safe and again, that could feed back to the police station as a security but also at events you’ve got kids who may

go missing, to have those cameras is invaluable.

“So an example of that, there was an event in Mooroolbark a while back at Hookey Park, and a person with a disability went missing and with the working cameras we were able to track where that person went and find them and reunite them.

“Another idea of these trailer concepts, if we get new funding, would be we could target hot spots. If we’ve got an area where crimes are happening a lot but police can’t be everywhere at once we could set up the mobile cameras which will hopefully then prevent that area from being targeted by offenders.

“Even if there’s no crime going on, there’s nothing wrong in that area, we can still set up a trailer and move it around to keep criminals guessing.”

Neighbouring council area, Cardinia Shire, acts as an example of this, deploying a mobile CCTV camera to hot spots where required.

“Victoria Police and Council work together to deploy the mobile CCTV units in different locations within the Cardinia Shire to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. These units aim to reduce crime and improve public perceptions of safety,” Cardinia Shire Council’s website reads.

That aside, the ask from both township and traders groups, as well as police, is first and foremost, a funding commitment.

Yarra Ranges Council has said it is financially unable to manage and operate a community CCTV network. (Stewart Chambers: 379657)

CAPTURING THE YARRA RANGES

CCTV in 55 out of 79 councils

By Callum Ludwig

Regularly maintained CCTV networks are not a rarity, with councils around the state operating both extensive and small-scale networks of cameras to service their community.

55 of Victoria’s 79 councils have policies outlining their use of CCTV in public spaces and the Star Mail reached out to councils near and far to find out more about their CCTV setups and see what might work for the Yarra Ranges.

Close to home, all of the Knox, Maroondah and Cardinia LGAs operate some form of camera surveillance.

Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Jack Kowarzik said the presence of CCTV across their Shire supports their community to feel safer and enjoy community spaces with greater peace of mind.

“The safety of our community is very important to Council, that is why we take a collaborative approach with Victoria Police and other agencies towards addressing safety in the Shire and supporting local crime prevention through various methods including the use of CCTV cameras,” he said.

Cardinia Shire Council continuously funds the operation of their cameras has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Victoria Police regarding them. They have also worked with police to install two Mobile CCTV Trailers (MCTs) in areas of the Shire identified as experiencing an increase in criminal activity or public disorder, which are entirely managed by Victoria Police.

Knox City Council confirmed they have a public safety CCTV system in Boronia that is monitored and managed by Victoria Police.

“This aims to create a safer environment for our community and reduce crime through deterrence and detection,” a Knox City Council spokesperson said.

“This is maintained through our capital works program.”

Maroondah City Council were contacted for comment.

Mornington Peninsula Shire, which Yarra Ranges Council has drawn their own ‘peri-urban’ comparisons to in recent years, has 44 CCTV systems in their LGA.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh said they receive no funding from

the state or federal government or any other third party for this.

“We are committed to the ongoing maintenance of the existing CCTV systems but have had to cap our annual expenditure on them, it is worth noting Council does not access or use any of the data produced by the CCTV systems, it is solely for the use by Victoria Police,” he said.

“We continue to regularly receive requests for installation of CCTV systems but we cannot support further installation of CCTV systems unless requested by Victoria Police and where the installation and lifecycle maintenance costs are met by external parties,”

“This is yet another example of cost-shifting from the State Government to local councils. While the public rightly expects safety infrastructure like CCTV, the financial responsibility continues to fall on councils without appropriate funding support.”

As expected, the City of Melbourne has extensive CCTV capabilities through its Safe City Camera Program with 238 cameras and a mobile CCTV van, operated by trained security contractors and monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In 2024-25 alone, over $13 million was spent in the city on public safety, including funding for street lighting, security, daily patrol programs, an additional eight cameras on Lygon Street and an 12-month trial expansion of the Safe City Camera Program on Albert Street, East Melbourne.

For more information, including Safe City Camera locations in the City of Melbourne for interested visitors from the Yarra Ranges, visit: melbourne.vic.gov.au/safe-city-cameras.

The City of Melbourne, Whitehorse City Council, Hume City Council, East Gippsland Shire Council and Horsham Rural City Council were all included in a 2018 audit by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office which looked at bth corporate and public safety CCTV systems used by these councils and found, at the time, that there were no ‘instances of inappropriate use of surveillance systems or footage’ but all of them could have improved their security measures to protect the cameras themselves.

Whitehorse City Council Mayor Andrew Davenport said CCTV can help to improve public safety and protect community buildings and facilities and that they work collab-

oratively with Victoria Police to ensure CCTV footage is available to them.

“The three public locations in Whitehorse with CCTV systems are Mitcham’s Britannia Mall, Box Hill Mall and Box Hill Gardens. These cameras were funded by grants from the State Government. Council now has the ongoing ownership and maintenance responsibilities for this equipment. This footage is only accessible by Victoria Police,” he said.

“Several of Council’s facilities have internally focussed CCTV systems: our Aqualink sites, Box Hill Town Hall, other sports and arts facilities, customer service centres and our recycling and waste centre. This footage is kept and accessed in accordance with legislative requirements and then deleted.”

The City of Yarra is one of the only councils in the state to openly state that it does not operate surveillance systems, including CCTV

cameras, in public spaces.

On their website, the City of Yarra said the evidence on the effectiveness of CCTV for crime prevention is inconclusive.

“We view CCTV as a standard police operational tool and that the installation and management of such systems should be the responsibility of the Victorian Government,” it reads.

“Instead, we apply Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles, which aim to deter criminal behaviour through optimising physical environments in order to lessen the opportunity for crime. Examples include lighting and clear sightlines to ensure visibility.”

Expert weighs in on CCTV’s ability to solve crime

By Oliver Winn

Though the role CCTV plays in deterring criminals has been well documented, there’s little research into CCTV’s effectiveness in helping police solve crime in Australia.

But, the literature available shows CCTV does help in solving property damage, theft and burglary incidents in quieter areas, such as the towns across the Yarra Ranges.

Research manager at the Australian Institute of Criminology Anthony Morgan co-authored the research article ‘Does CCTV Help Police Solve Crime’ and said police were more likely to request footage for incidents from locations where other forms of surveillance were less likely to be available.

“There’s an argument to be made that police will be more likely to draw upon CCTV footage because there’s a lack of other potential witnesses,” he said.

But whether it helps police actually solve crime is harder to determine, due to a lack of research and the many factors influencing police investigations.

Despite this, Mr Morgan said a companion piece published alongside his other article showed police highly valued CCTV footage.

“We know that nine in 10 investigators reported using the footage when it was available… and two-thirds said they were able to use it for the reason that they’d actually requested the footage.”

“So from that point of view, absolutely we can say police definitely benefit or perceive a benefit in having access to CCTV footage,” Mr Morgan said.

Townships across the Yarra Ranges are quieter than those closer to the city, especially at night, resulting in less passive witnesses around to assist in investigations.

But, the state of CCTV networks among these

towns have gone downhill due to township community groups bearing the onus to maintain these cameras, some of which have disbanded.

As crime in the Yarra Ranges increases alongside the rest of the state, calls for a properly maintained CCTV network grows.

Mr Morgan’s article highlights how CCTV helps solve property damage incidents, with an eight per cent increase in clearance rates when police had access to footage.

For assault offences, CCTV wasn’t observed to increase clearance rates for incidents which took place during the day and until 12 am.

This is due to many factors, such as assault victims usually knowing their offender and investigators mostly relying on witness and victim reports.

But, CCTV greatly benefited police when investigating assault incidents occurring between midnight and 6 am, with a 28 percentage point increase in clearance rates.

Mr Morgan’s article also highlighted the importance of a well maintained CCTV network, as it’s crucial police can quickly access the footage they need.

“If the reason for installing the cameras is to monitor and collect evidence for the potential investigations that might occur as a consequence of the crime, then you need to have the resourcing and the capability to be able to provide that footage to police in a timely way,” Mr Morgan said.

But if a camera network isn’t well maintained, then cooperation between the police and the CCTV operator isn’t as efficient and can result in longer wait times to access footage.

The article also states the most frequently reported problem with CCTV footage was due to poor image quality, showing how older models of CCTV cameras with lower resolution recordings can impede on investigator’s efforts to solve crime.

CCTV networks run by Victorian councils in public spaces are not uncommon. (Unsplash)

From crisis to connection

By Chelsea Szabo

LinC Yarra Valley has been helping people doing it tough for over 32 years, impacting about 2000 people each week by connecting those in need with a network of programs run by church and community volunteers.

On Friday, LinC held their first Supporters’ Tour, which saw those who contribute to LinC’s work gather in the Yarra Junction Family Centre to understand how LinC is helping people in practical ways.

Supporters heard that through their social supermarkets, crisis support and playgroup, LinC volunteers delivered $2.4 million dollars of value to the community last financial year.

LinC president pastor Daniel Matteo explained faith is at the heart of what the not-for-profit does.

Quoting the Gospel of Matthew, he said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”.

“So we want to follow that, that model of service and self-sacrifice,” he said.

“Whether you’re somebody that is a believer or not a believer, when most people think of Jesus of Nazareth, you have this idea of safety and security and warmth and and our goal is to make sure that every site that we have projects that atmosphere.”

Formerly known as fresh food programs, LinC runs six social supermarkets from Warburton to Lilydale, and is one way the organisation helps combat loneliness in the community.

Helen Cole currently collects food for her childrens’ families and has been volunteering for 20 years in Yarra Junction.

She started volunteering “to be socialised, to come out and meet other people”.

According to Helen, the reason people come to LinC’s social supermarkets is 50 per cent for the

COMMUNITY DIARY

WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

Two events combine once again

Healesville Homegrown Food Fair and Community Voices in the Park will be held on Sunday 6 April.

The day kicks off with Healesville Homegrown Food Fair at 11am which will have a Welcome to Country, a guided river walk, plant sales, free pizza and more.

Belgravia Leisure, Community Bank Healesville, Healesville Community Emergency Hub, Healesville Connect, Healesville CoRE, Heales-

food and 50 per cent for the social connection.

“You get to meet people. I’ve probably met three or four people here today that I’ve spoke to and that’s part of being, you know, out in community,” she said.

LinC have seen a major increase in demand for their food outreach, with the Yarra Junction social supermarket seeing the number of people it did in 2023 more than quadruple.

“About a year and a half ago, there were about 60 people coming through this programme and recently we had 350 people coming through. So there’s a massive increase in need,” LinC general manager Julie Szabo said.

The move to call the programs social supermarkets aligns with the international best practice model for food outreach and also marks the move toward calling participants customers rather than clients.

“We’re moving from a handout mentality to em-

ville CFA, Healesville Living and Learning Centre, Healesville Environment Watch Inc will hold stalls onsite, which already have attended the fair multiple times.

HICCI will attend this year and Yarra Ranges Council’s Community Roadshow will return after a successful event last year.

Yarra Valley Estate co-owner Louise Ward will be the guest presenter of the event, speaking about her adventure of Edible Forest.

From 12pm, Community Voices in the Park will add a festive vibe with music, poetry and storytelling performances.

Forest Fire Management

Victoria warns air quality to be impacted by

planned burns

With calm autumn conditions across much of the state, communities can expect to see smoke in the air as a mix of planned burns, private burns under CFA’s permit system and agricultural burns take place over the coming weeks.

When air quality is impacted by smoke, everyone – and especially those with a heart or lung condition, people with diabetes, pregnant

powering people through our programs,” Julie said.

“Rather than just being given a box of food, they have the dignity to choose their own food.”

The environment also allows those who work for Mental Health Support Local, a collaborator with LinC, to talk with customers who may need help.

As supporters stood among boxes of fresh food lined up on trestle tables, part of why LinC organised the Supporters’ Tour, to foster collaboration between supporters, was realised.

Members of the community brainstormed how to fix problems with food supply and storage and asked federal MP Aaron Violi about governmental support.

LinC treasurer and social supermarket team leader Mark Knoll asked whether the government wouldconsidertaxincentivesforfarmersdonating food to charities.

“In some countries in the world, when you read

women, infants and children – should minimise the time spent in smoky conditions when practical to do so.

For tips on looking after your health when there is smoke, visit: epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/airwatch

Hundreds of permits have been issued for private and agricultural burns, while Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), together with the CFA (Country Fire Authority) are ramping up activity through our Joint Fuel Management Program as conditions allow.

While current conditions are ideal for burning in some areas, including around Greater Melbourne and Lorne, in Gippsland and North East Victoria, on some days weather patterns may cause smoke to linger overnight and through to early morning in some places.

Winter uniforms next on school saving bonus shopping list

The Victorian Government’s School Saving Bonus is providing cost of living relief to hundreds of thousands of families.

about donations to charities and food service organisations, [farmers] get not tax relief, they get tax credit.AndSwitzerlandandmanyEuropeancountriesarenowgivingthose[to]farmerstotryandget that food as a tax credit,” he said.

“It’s cheaper for the farm today to dump it, and we’ve got to change that mindset.”

Referencing the inquiry into food security in Victoria, whose final report was tabled in November last year, Mr Violi said this idea was recommended by the committee but “hasn’t been taken up yet.”

“That was one of the recommendations, because for many farmers, they’re happy to give the food away, but it’s a cost to get it from the farm to a distribution centre,” he said.

As well as a tour of the Yarra Junction social supermarket, supporters were shown through LinC Play, a playgroup on every Friday morning for two hours during school term.

Loneliness was a key talking point at the Supporters Tour and LinC Play is another way the network of church and community members provide a space for isolated people to make connections. Specifically, this playgroup in the Upper Yarra Family Centre playroom aims to provide a safe place where young families can connect intergenerationally with their community.

Supporters also heard about how much of their monetary donations are channeled into helping the area.

“Over 95 per cent of our grants and donations go back to the community,” said Julie.

“However, this is actually an area that we really need an increase in our funding.”

To find out more about what LinC offers or to donate, call 0472 644 476 or visit lincyarravalley. org.au.

But for families who haven’t had a chance to use their bonus, time is running out to buy uniforms or textbooks.

While most families have drawn on their School Saving Bonus in part or in full, around 30 per cent of bonuses remain untouched – ready to be used by families ahead of winter.

The next few months are the last chance to use the $400 School Saving Bonus to purchase uniforms or textbooks, either through approved suppliers or at second-hand uniform and textbook shops run by schools.

Any money unspent by 30 June will automatically transfer to a family’s school account, with parents able to use these remaining funds on school activities like camps, sports or excursions.

Non-government school families who have a healthcare or concession card are also eligible to receive the bonus.

These schools decide how to allocate the bonus to best accommodate their families and students.

For more information about the School Saving Bonus, visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.

LinC treasurer Mark Knoll explaining the social supermarket program to LinC supporters (Chelsea Szabo: 468901)

Passing of Kathy Wal mourned

By Oliver Winn

The much-loved president of the Yarra Junction Community Market (YJCM), Kathy Wal, passed away in January.

Ms Wal and her husband, John Wal, became stall holders at the market roughly five years ago, where they immediately established close ties with the others.

A post on the YJCM Facebook page commemorated Ms Wal’s contribution to the market and the lasting impact she had on those she knew.

“This week we lost Kathy who was the president and a long time stallholder,” the post stated.

“But most of all she was a friend.”

On Sunday 26 January, the market still went ahead, with a table full of tributes in place of the spot where her stall was usually held.

The table included her favourite flower and candles, and also had a book for people to write messages, which was then given to her husband.

“This is a huge blow for our market family and the community and Kathy will be sorely missed, but we know she is now out of pain and flying high,” the post reads.

Driven by a want to improve the markets, Mr Wal said she took on the role as president despite having no experience prior in a leadership position.

“She thought she had to take it on to try to improve the market to what it was,” he said.

With the help of other stall holders, Ms Wal developed the YJCM to what it is today.

“She was very devoted to what she was doing,” Mr Wal said.

Just before her passing, Ms Wal and the YJCM committee donated $2000 to Little Yarra CFA, Yellingbo CFA, Hoddles Creek CFA, Reefton CFA and the Benwerren Retreat.

On behalf of the CFAs that received the grant, Little Yarra CFA community safety officer Jodi Hobbs said they were all extremely grateful for the donation.

“We were just so grateful to receive the mon-

ey donated to us as we are a very small brigade that is often overlooked for funding.”

“Their contribution will not only help support the CFA to keep our community safe but also support Benwerren to provide time out for women & children in need. These donations also ensure that the CFA has the necessary resources to effectively respond to local emergencies.”

“Please support our local Yarra Junction

Community Market as they support us to support you all,” Ms Hobbs said.

It’s just one display of kindness and support among many, as Ms Wal was known for giving her time and energy to checking in on all members of the community.

Despite being very sick at the time and confined to a wheelchair, Mr Wal said Ms Wal was determined to accompany the CFA brigades as they received their grants.

“She used to go around and talk to all the stall holders, and instead of it taking her five or 10 minutes, it would take her over an hour to walk around the market,” Mr Wal said.

Mr Wal said Ms Wal always treated the market as more than just a place to trade.

“She had an old saying: ‘The market isn’t a market, it’s a family.’”

Driving back in time to raise awareness of prostate cancer

Australia’s most unique motorsport event, the Rob Roy Revival, combining a competition hill climb and vintage festival, drove home a lifesaving message to Australian men: get checked for prostate cancer.

Organised by the MG Car Club Victoria, the Rob Roy Revival Festival, held at Christmas Hills on 29 and 30 March, encouraged revivalists to “drive back in time” and experience the glitz and glamour of the 1950s and 1960s.

This year, a portion of the proceeds from the Rob Roy Revival have been donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), the country’s leading organisation for prostate cancer support, research and advocacy.

PCFA, the event’s official charity, had an information booth at the event on Sunday.

MG Car Club secretary Tony Lupton said the festival was a huge success.

“Around 850 spectators attended the 2025 Revival, over 320 of them in classic cars, to watch the 80 competitors compete in the 11 classes,” Mr Lupton said.

“The Rob Roy Revival also raised $3,000 for our partner charity the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

“Our event patron, champion driver John Bowe AM, is also a Prostate Cancer Foundation champion, and we were delighted to help the foundation raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research.”

Darren Visser, driving his Bates Cycles Cyclo 500, was the outright winner of the Rob Roy Revival for the second year running with an aggregate time of 48.99 seconds.

Added attractions included jazz and rock music, displays of an Observed Section Trial by the Austin 7 Club and many people taking the opportunity to dress up in their best period clothing.

This year, Mr Lupton and other members of the MG Car Club Victoria want to drive home a lifesaving message to Australian men: get checked for prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer impacts a lot of blokes in our community, and we know that early detection saves lives,” he said.

“Through this event, we hope to raise vital awareness about prostate cancer, risk factors and the importance of getting tested.”

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diag-

nosed cancer in Australia.

The estimated risk of a man being diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime is one in five.

Event patron John Bowe AM, an Australian motorsport legend and Hall of Fame inductee, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020.

This year, he’s going full throttle to make sure Australian men get checked for prostate cancer and said he owes his life to a simple PSA test.

“A PSA test is just a tiny prick of a needle, and

you’re on your way. It’s dead simple. It’s very easy, so go and do it,” Mr Bowe shared.

“I’m proud to support Roy Rob Revival and, in turn, help raise awareness about prostate cancer.”

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia chief executive officer Anne Savage thanked all involved for their support.

“Awareness levels of prostate cancer in Victoria, and Australia more broadly, are still low, and many men fear getting tested for prostate cancer,

unaware that the primary screening test is just a simple blood test,” Ms Savage said.

“We know that community awareness is key to combatting prostate cancer, which makes this partnership a powerful strategy in our fight against the disease.

“Together, we will continue to strive for zero deaths in our lifetime.”

To get involved in Rob Roy Revival, visit: robroyrevival.mgcc.com.au

Despite being quite sick, Ms Wal still insisted on attending the donation to the CFA brigades. (Supplied)

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia volunteers at the event. (Supplied)

Repowering the future

The first annual Repower Festival and its counterpart Switched On Family Day was a huge success, seeing the Yarra Ranges community both learn and have fun while doing so.

Boasting an incredible line up of speakers, displays and market stalls, the festival was a one-stop-shop for all things sustainability and electrification.

“What a fantastic day making sustainability fun! Great to see families in our community turn out in their hundreds to learn about how to get off fossil fuels, save money on power bills, and become more resilient for climate change,” Repower the Dandenongs posted.

“This is the first of hopefully many more events.” Thanks to photographers Cathy Ronalds and Paul Bianco for capturing the day and the energy.

Millgrove's spectacular lighting event on again in 2025

Millgrove is going to be lit up again for a unique lighting event combined with theatrical and music performances on Saturday 12 April.

Last years event was a sellout, with around 350 people enjoying guided tours through lit up areas of Millgrove.

Although it's a free event, booking through Humanitix is essential to secure a ticket, as each tour is expected to be fully booked soon.

MRAG president Maureen Halit said “the event is about connecting the community through positive experiences and seeing Millgrove in a new light, pun intended.

“Wearesoexcitedaboutwhatthefutureholdsas we start to implement Millgrove’s Community Plan 2025 and encourage residents to be engaged with the process.”

The creative skills of local companies The Dreaming Space and Artbox will be creating the artistic event with acting support from The Misfit Theatre Group.

Last year's event was well received, with attendees lauding the light displays, soundscapes and acting montages.

MRAG vice president Phil Pomaroff said there'll be virtual tours, telling the unique stories of its local legends.

“This year the tour groups will be taking a virtual walk to local Platts Falls and along the way will bump into local legends from four time periods, starting at 1900 up until current times and will discover unique stories about them,” said Mr Pomaroff.

“Millgrove Residents Action Group has been planning this event for many months and we are very fortunate to have received grants from the Yarra Ranges Council for their Partnership Program 2023-2027 and from the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank, Bendigo Bank, to enable participants to enjoy it all at no cost.”

Bookings can be made for one of seven tours that commence every half an hour from 6.00 PM, numbers are limited to 50 in each tour and will start from the Millgrove Community Building, next to the soccer pitch and Millwarra Primary school.

Further details can be found on MRAGs Facebook page or on posters around the township.

People had to work for their smoothie, using bikes to power the blender.

Arthur testing the bike and blend station. (Paul Bianco)

Yarra Ranges Council Energy Resilient Communities Officer Caitlin O’Shea.

Stalls were set up showing exactly what the region and beyond has to offer.

Live performers were dotted around the festival, keeping people entertained.

The e-bike display.

The colouring corner.

Informed conversations were being had right throughout the day.

The Millgrove Residents Action Group annual light show will take place on 12 April. (Supplied)

SENIORS LIVING

Vibrant retirement living

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

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

What sets Lilydale Valley Views apart is the commitment to offering a comprehensive retirement experience. Picture a heated indoor swimming pool and spa, providing residents with an

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

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

Yet, the true magic lies in the residents themselves. A wonderful group of people with a wide range of interests, they form the beating heart of our community. The warmth and genuine sense of camaraderie that have flourished over the years are truly heartwarming. Newcomers quick-

ly find themselves embraced by the community, invited to various activities and social occasions, allowing them to tailor their level of engagement.

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

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

As a testament to our commitment to excel-

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

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

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

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

Meet and mingle with friends in the community centre.

Enjoy some quite time with a book from the extensive library collection.

Compelling journey of love, loss and identity

By Dongyun Kwon

Healesville-based poet and playwright Beata Taylor is excited to bring her show into her hometown.

The play Same But Different is a trilogy written by the Healesville resident in poetry form.

“There are three different stories but the poetry is fundamentally the same,” Taylor said.

“It’s just that there are different contexts for each of the stories where the poetry is used in different ways.

“The themes of love, loss and identity are the same in each of the trilogy.”

While writing, Taylor aimed to communicate with more people via the play.

She is encouraging the audience to find their own way into the themes and the stories.

“So I’ve tried to make it as universal as possible, but on the other hand, there is a lot of emotion in the stories. It is quite an intimate kind of play,” the playwright said.

Same But Different was performed at La Mama Theatre in 2023, which drew a great deal of attention.

After the great success of the previous performances in the city, the playwright is looking forward to showing the play in Healesville.

“All the cast and crew are the same who will perform here, except for one character who couldn’t make it,” Taylor said.

“I’m very excited (to bring it to The Memo) because I’m imagining the audience will be filled with familiar faces, people that I know, people that are supporting me.

“To share a part of my life with them is really special.”

Same But Different will be performed once on Friday 11 April and twice on the next day. “Friday night after the show, everybody in-

Mont De Lancey welcomes ﬁrst artist in residence

By Mikayla van Loon

Mont De Lancey has embarked on a new and exciting venture with a local watercolour artist to activate and enliven its gallery space.

Mount Evelyn’s Donna Legg has joined the historic homestead as the first artist in residence, welcomed officially into the fold in early March.

The idea sprang from Donna’s involvement and help in coordinating an exhibition for the Mount Evelyn Art Collective in October last year.

“People came from everywhere. We had tour groups too that came in. People were happy just popping in and staying a bit longer than they probably thought they would,” Mont De Lancey president Jill Sebire said.

“It’s good for the community and for Mont De Lancey. Then we realised this was probably a good idea to have an artist in residence and now that is what Donna is. She’s our artist in residence, she’s excited, we’re doubly excited.”

Slightly apprehensive about undertaking the role and the commitment, it took Donna a while to agree but has been so pleased with the amount of encouragement since she took the leap.

“I was not sure I could handle anything else, because I was obviously so busy at home and with everything else I juggle but I thought about it, and the girls of Mont De Lancey and my family, my friends, everyone have been very encouraging and said I can do it,” Donna said.

“I like to put my whole heart into whatever I do. So I wanted to make sure I could do it before I said yes.

“Everything’s just been falling into place. It just feels like it’s meant to be. The group here at Mont De Lancy, everyone’s fantastic from Jill and the team to the blacksmiths and the woodturners. They’re just so welcoming. It’s just such a great community. It’s so good to be a part of and it actually feels like I’ve been here forever.”

In just the few weeks that Donna has been showcasing her art and taking up residence in the Ray Oliver Gallery space, she said the engagement has been wonderful.

“The amount of people that walk past, and they just come in, and they just love looking around. The conversations that it creates. It’s just been fun. It’s been enjoyable,” she said. An added bonus for Donna is

volved (in the play) will be available on stage to answer any questions from the audience,” the playwright said.

Same But Different is coming to Healesville on 11 and 12 April. (Darren Gill)

ing a permanent exhibition, especially because “art is such a nice, happy thing that makes you feel good”. Mont De Lancey is located at 71 Wellington Road, Wandin North and is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Donna Legg has joined Mont De Lancey as its first artist in residence, something Jill Sebire said has been a win-win for everyone. (Stewart Chambers: 468222)

Sharing is showing caring

The need for donations has spiked during the cost-of-living crisis as more and more families doing it tough turn to community charity.

While the need for charity grows, the number of donations to volunteer organisations drops.

At Easter time, we see people make the conscious effort to put their hand in their pocket and give back.

The Royal Children’s Hospital rely heavily on donations, many generously taking part during their Good Friday Appeal.

Similarly, local charities rely on community kindness, funds and time dedicate to volunteering.

I know this can be a real challenge at the best of times.

People are finding it hard to give as we are all feeling the financial pinch.

The state of

affairs

Cindy McLeish MP Member for Eildon

Despite the struggles, we know the smallest donation can make a positive difference.

Each year I donate Easter hampers to all the kindergartens in my electorate to raffle.

A lucky family wins the hamper, with all proceeds going to the kindergarten to put towards new equipment, maintenance or projects.

Delivering the hampers is one of my favourite

The third and last instalment in Australian author Ellie Marney’s “None Shall Sleep Sequence” was recently published.

It is time to review these awesome crime thrillers.

Excellent thriller series PASSION FOR PROSE

Published in September 2020, None Shall Sleep is set in 1982 in Virginia, where Emma and Travis, both in their late teens, are recruited by the FBI Behavioural Science unit to conduct interviews with convicted juvenile killers for information on cold cases.

This arrangement makes sense due to their unique experiences – Emma is the sole survivor of a brutal serial killer three years earlier, while Travis’ father was a US Marshal murdered by the country’s most infamous juvenile serial killer.

An additional rationale is that juvenile killers tend to clam up against adult detectives and psychiatrists but are more likely to communicate to other teens.

However, when Emma and Travis are called to provide insight and advice on an active case, they must turn to Simon, the incarcerated teenage sociopath and killer of Travis’ father. Highly intelligent and manipulative, Simon agrees to help, but quickly develops a fascination with Emma.

He also has a long game to play, while the killer out there continues to wreak havoc.

It is easy for adult readers and fans of psychological crime thrillers to enlist works such as Silence of the Lambs and Mindhunter in their criticism of the book.

Indeed, in the story, Emma and Travis often struggle against the prevalent adult stereotype that teenagers are naval-gazers incapable of working as independent, effective and efficient professionals.

This constant tension is highlighted in the book as a flaw in the FBI system. More importantly, it alerts Emma and Travis to their own

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

mindset and work while helping to strengthen their friendship and mutual support.

As a novel targeting readers in their late teens – something else that adult readers tend to forget – the story is intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking as it explains the complex and challenging investigation process and the intricate nature of forensic science and psychoanalysis.

Meanwhile, instead of detailing and/or sensationalising the gory details of past and present crimes, the author trusts us to utilise our own imagination.

Our attention is then drawn to the emotional and psychological transformations that the criminals and their investigators are experiencing.

This helps to build reader empathy for the characters and their struggles, especially in the case of the teenage protagonists.

Both Emma and Travis are realistic and relatable characters, whose dynamic relationship serves as the story’s backbone while easily escaping those romance tropes that can so effortlessly bog down any ordinary story.

Another outstanding character is Simon, whose sophistication and efficacy reminds us of Dr Hannibal Lecter but seems even more terrifying as a 19-year-old.

This reviewer looks forward to reading more interaction between him and Emma.

times of year and is a fun, effective way to give back to the community.

We are lucky enough to have some incredible, hardworking volunteer organisations in the Yarra Ranges supporting those in the Yarra Valley and Upper Yarra.

These organisations are in need of non-perishable foods, material aids and financial support donations.

LinC National, based in the Upper Yarra Valley, provide much needed support to vulnerable people.

They have found cost-of-living has significantly impacted the number of people walking through their door. In the past 18 months, there has been an increase from 60 people per week, to a whopping 350 people utilising the Yarra Junction Fresh Start Program.

This is at only one of their five sites.

Healesville Inter-Church Community Care Inc. (HICCI) also continues to do a terrific job across Healesville and Yarra Glen, providing services for community meals, emergency relief and transport, outreach services, and interest-free loans for those in need.

HICCI have reported general donations have dropped by a third to $37,380 compared to last year’s total of $57,772.

This is indicative of how hard people are doing it in the community.

This Easter, I encourage everyone to take the time to volunteer at an organisation or give to those doing it tough via LinC or HICCI.

A small amount goes a long way.

Working together and supporting each other, we can continue to make the Yarra Ranges a great place to live.

Happy Easter!

Karralyka Theatre

Fleetwood Mac

Bloom pays band tribute Kemp’s curtain call

This world-class performance, led by the incredible Bloom, known as the voice of a generation, brings together a star-studded band and the exquisite strings of the Melbourne Pops Orchestra to create an unparalleled tribute to Fleetwood Mac’s music.

In a performance endorsed by former Fleetwood Mac co-manage Dennis Dunstan, the evening will showcase the entire Rumours album, performed note-for-note alongside the band’s greatest hits.

This masterful production promises to captivatefansofallagesandcelebratethelegacyofone of the most beloved bands in music history.

Season: Saturday 4 April at 8pm to 19pm.

Burrinja Theatre

Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks

Ross Wilson is hitting the road with his all-star band The Peaceniks to celebrate over 50 years of hits including all the Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock favourites you’d expect along with the latest offering from an almost six-decade tracks from his latest EP on Bloodlines Records. She’s Struck on Facebook, All The Time, and everything between.

Season: Sunday 6 April at 4pm.

Jimeoin – Pandemonium

A night spent with this comedy legend is not [only funny but full of handy tips.

Jimeoin will teach you how to make your bed with very little effort, how to park your partner and get away with it and how to talk dirty in a nice way… you’ll come out the other side having laughed yourself stupid and maybe with a a life hack or tow.

Season: Friday 11 April at 7.30pm.

Gemco Theatre

Take Ten

Ten by Ten minute plays.

Every year hundreds of amazing authors submit their ten minute plays and only the top ten are performed and published. Were are the top ten plays for 2025.

• Pauline Hosking: Men -OP-Pause

• Pauline Hosking: Suzie’s Birthday

• Jennifer Beasley: Nightmare to Build

• Karl Lee: The Actor

• Parker Stroud: The Butterfly

• Lanka Schirmer: Home

• Gerard Lewis: Fitzgerald

• Yvette Stubbs: The Audition

• Kate Reynolds: Disconnect

• Charles LaBorde 50/50

• Tim Lehnert: The Pub Optimizer

• Season: 2 May from 8pm to 11pm.

• 19 Kilvington Drive, Emerald.

Production Schedule

• Auditions: Monday 5 May and Saturday 19 May.

• Rehearsals begin Monday 12 May.

• Regular Rehearsals: Mondays 7pm – 9pm and Saturdays 1pm – 5pm.

• Performance Dates: 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 July.

• OneActPlayFestival:tobedecidedinconsultation with the Committee and Cast.

Beekeeper is Better film

A Working Man Starring Jason Statham, David Harbour and Arianna Rivas

The latest collaboration between director David Ayer and action star Jason Statham, A Working Man follows Levon Cade (Statham), a commando turned construction worker, who resolves to rescue his boss’s daughter Jenny (Arianna Rivas) from human traffickers.

Statham is a gruff action dynamo as always, but shows more warmth than usual as a loving father and loyal protector of his boss’s family.

Co-written by Ayer and Sylvester Stallone and based on the novel Levon’s Trade by Chuck Dixon, the screenplay features engaging dialogue and dashes of wry humour, and the set-pieces are full of variety, culminating in a haunted house Gatsby party vibe for the thrilling climax.

A Working Man’s action is less stylised and more grounded than in The Beekeeper, Ayer and Statham’s previous film together, but still viscerally satisfying.

A Working Man has too many ineffectual minor antagonists, the main villains are broadlysketched Russian gangsters, and Jenny, the whole

focus of Levon’s crusade, fades into the background.

The film also drags in the middle, with Levon initiating a drug trade to get close to a suspect.

A Working Man would make a fun double-feature with The Beekeeper.

Both films complement one another, and not just in their shared star, director and burly vibe: The Beekeeper has the wilder action, and A Working Man has a much better script.

A punchy, well-written and modestly successful second lightning-strike for Ayer and Statham,

A Working Man is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

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 Medicinal allotment (6)

4 Propagates (8)

9 Extrinsic (5)

10 Malformed (9)

11 Spiritual (5)

12 Beatles song, –Wood (9)

13 Band member (8)

15 Buy back (6)

16 Gruff (6)

18 Region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea (8)

23 Lasting (9)

24 Dance (5)

26 Pathological self-admirer (9)

27 Ancient (5)

28 Sapling (8)

29 Land surrounded by water (6)

DOWN

1 Division into two contrasted aspects (7)

2 Issue (5)

3 Non-specific (7)

5 Haunt (6)

6 Attain (7)

7 Pleasure (9)

8 Word with same meaning (7)

10 Japanese comic (5)

14 'Back to – –' (6,3)

16 Coniferous tree (7)

17 Labour (7)

19 A native people of Central America (5)

20 Traditions (7)

21 Examined (7)

22 Gentle and kind (6)

25 The press, collectively (5)

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

A DIVINE OPPORTUNITY – MODERN LUXURY IN A SERENE COUNTRY SETTING

WELCOME to your dream home, a 6-yearold residence offering all the comforts and luxuries of modern living, nestled in the tranquil beauty of a country setting. Positioned on a quiet no-through road, yet only a short stroll to the local patisserie and baker, this property is perfect for those who desire a tree change without compromising on the quality of their home.

This spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home sits on an expansive 1600sqm (approx.) fully fenced block, providing a safe and secure space for children to play and furry friends to roam. With everything ready for you to move in and enjoy, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!

Step inside and be greeted by a master suite that feels like a sanctuary. Featuring a grand his and hers walk-in robe, a full ensuite, and a cozy ornamental fireplace - this retreat is the perfect place to unwind. Three additional well-sized bedrooms, all with built-in robes and ceiling fans, offer ample space for the whole family.

The heart of the home is the stunning kitchen, designed to impress with a 4-meterlong island bench and a sleek gully layout that any chef will love. Equipped with high-quality

appliances, generous bench space, and plenty of cabinetry, it’s ideal for family meals and entertaining guests. Adjacent to the kitchen, even the laundry is grand providing fantastic storage space and convenience.

The open-plan living area seamlessly connects the kitchen and dining spaces, complete with a split system and wood fire for year-round comfort. The separate kids’ lounge adds an extra layer of versatility and functionality, making this home an entertainer’s dream.

Step outside onto the back verandah, which overlooks the backyard and offers a magnificent bush backdrop. It’s the perfect setting for outdoor entertaining, whether you’re relaxing around the fire pit or watching the kids play in the cubby house. The lowmaintenance yard ensures you can enjoy your time without the hassle of excessive upkeep.

Additional features include internal access to the double garage, providing ease and convenience. Located close to schools and public transport, this home offers the best of both worlds – a peaceful country lifestyle with modern amenities just a short drive away.

Don’t let this incredible opportunity slip by. This home is a must-inspect and will not last long on the market!

HOMES OFFERING NORTHERLY

ASPECT AND VALLEY VIEWS

THE developer, Westrock, and their building partner, Parkridge Homes, are building a boutique turnkey development at Wynnlea in Lilydale – with all houses completed and fully landscaped before they go on the market.

Westrock’s sales partner, LJ Hooker Mooroolbark, launched Stage 1 in late 2023, and all 16 houses in that stage were constructed and sold by the end of 2024. All are now fully occupied, with a good mix of young families and older downsizers already forming a friendly community.

Stage 2, a rolling development of 20 house packages was made available toward the end of 2024, and we have already sold 6 of the first 10 properties to come to the market. As the builders continue working through the development, we expect one or two new houses to become available every month.

Purchasers have noted how spacious the development is, with open land to one side and the Warburton Trail to the other, and views of the hills and out the valley, coupled with

good set-backs on each property, to ensure that everything feels open and welcoming. Every house is individually designed, with all featuring 4 bedrooms, plus at least 2 bathrooms & 2 living areas, and a double garage. Prices currently range between $1,175,000 and $1,350,000.

LJ Hooker Mooroolbark have noted that, “Westrock are raising the standard for boutique developments - by combining a peaceful location, the security of a fully financed builder, and oversight of every design and build, they are creating more than a housing development – it’s a carefully crafted community where every home feels natural, spacious, and seamlessly connected.”

The sales team from LJ Hooker Mooroolbark are on-site every Saturday afternoon from 1.00-1.30, and private inspections are available by appointment. Call LJ Hooker Mooroolbark 9726 7711; Richard Goldsmith: 0407 348 172 and Ben Hudson: 0424 288 954.

12WYNNLEAPLACE,LILYDALE

4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car

$1,200,000-$1,250,000

HIGH

SIDEOFLIFE

Tucked away in this quiet cul-de-sac, with valley & northern aspect, this spacious brand new home with double garage offers formal entry, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, study, media/theatre room, open plan living with impressive kitchen/pantry opening to an al fresco entertaining area, central heating & cooling, quality floor coverings, blinds & downlights, landscaped & fenced -all ready to move in now!

Inspect by appointment or at open on Saturday.

RichardGoldsmith0407348172

BenHudson0424288954

LJHooker–Mooroolbark 97267711

FOUR BEDROOM FAMILY HOME IN GREAT LOCATION

LOCATED within an easy walk to Upwey’s main street, schools and public transport, and with the beautiful Dandenong Ranges not far from your doorstep, this perfectly presented, brick veneer home boasts four spacious bedrooms, updated modern bathroom and two light filled lounge areas.

Raked timber lined ceilings with exposed beams look down on an open plan, split level design allowing for both privacy for all four bedrooms and excellent living space whilst oversized windows allow colourful views to the garden from every angle. For size and space, the kitchen, complete with dishwasher, connects easily to the oversized laundry area, making it the ideal butlers pantry and storage room.

A charming wood fire provides a comforting heat that can be enjoyed on those colder winters days whilst the addition of split system heating/cooling is ideal for quick and convenient temperature control no matter what the weather.

Outdoor entertaining has never looked so good with a large timber decking that can host the largest of gatherings and that gives direct access to the peaceful rear yard. Another tiered space has also been created for a fire pit area or secondary outdoor dining which is the ideal spot to take in your native garden setting.

A double brick garage with workshop is perfect for off street, secure parking, or just leave the cars at home and walk to the nearby train station.

The overall setting of this well maintained Hills property is simply beautiful and you will discover that the location is second to none. If you have been looking for your next family home, your search could now be over.

A FANTASTIC SOLID HOME IN A QUIET LOCATION

NESTLED in a peaceful setting, this beautiful property feels like you’re miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Situated on a near half-acre block (approx. 1998m²), this solid brick veneer home offers a serene lifestyle surrounded by nature.

Featuring four spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms, the master suite comes complete with an ensuite for added convenience. The fourth bedroom, which is separate from the others, is perfect for use as a home office or teenage retreat.

The property provides ample parking with a double garage, ideal for tradie storage, as well as a double carport. There’s also plenty off street parking space for trailers, caravans or boats.

Entertain guests or simply unwind in the great outdoor seating area, while enjoying the comfort of two living zones - one with a cosy Coonara wood heater. The home is equipped with both split system cooling and ducted heating, ensuring year-round comfort.

This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a private and peaceful lifestyle in a convenient, yet secluded location.

Address: 2 Two Bays Crescent, SELBY Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $795,000 - $870,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 97546888

HOME FOCUS

A HOME DESIGNED TO EMBRACE SPACE AND NATURE

STANDING proudly at the top of a fully sealed driveway on 3,688m² of lush, landscaped grounds, this architecturally designed, multilevel home is more than just a residence - it’s a sanctuary, meticulously crafted for warmth, connection, and the simple joys of life.

Bathed in golden sunlight through expansive windows, every space feels effortlessly linked to the vibrant gardens outside, where nature weaves its magic into daily living - so much so, you may never need to flick on a light.

Step inside, and you’ll find three distinct living areas, each warmed by its own crackling wood fire heater and illuminated by the everchanging dance of natural light. The formal dining area, embraced by garden views, flows seamlessly into the grand open-plan kitchen -a place where culinary magic comes to life. With granite benchtops, an electric oven and stovetop, an integrated dishwasher, and a walk-in pantry, this kitchen is both a chef’s delight and the heart of the home, overlooking the main family room and the manicured garden oasis beyond.

The upper level is reserved for the luxurious master retreat, accessed via a private parents’ living space that overlooks the downstairs area and showcases stunning cedar-panelled cathedral ceilings. This dreamy escape features a spacious his-and-hers walk-through robe and an ensuite fit for relaxation, complete with a spa bath, shower, and double vanity. Three additional bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned, offering comfort and privacy for family and guests alike. Reverse-cycle heating and cooling ensure year-round comfort, while a powerful 10.5kW solar system enhances energy efficiency, keeping power bills delightfully low.

An Outdoor Wonderland

Step beyond the home, and the enchantment continues. The gardens, a whimsical blend of cottage charm and native beauty, are designed to be mostly self-sustaining, bursting with color and life through every season. A large, paved entertaining area invites long lunches under the sun and moonlit gatherings under the stars. Just beyond, an expansive open space is perfect for backyard cricket, children’s adventures, or quiet moments soaking in the fresh country air.

For those with a green thumb, a thriving vegetable garden offers a bountiful harvest, adding to the home’s self-sufficient charm. Unparalleled shedding and space for every vehicle

For car enthusiasts, hobbyists, or those running a home business, this property delivers unmatched practicality. A huge 4-car

parking, while a second rear entrance allows seamless access for trailers, boats, trucks, or caravans - an absolute dream for those needing

off-street storage. With every detail thoughtfully

to blend comfort, space, and the beauty of nature, this is more than a home - it’s a lifestyle waiting to be embraced. Be quick to inspect, as opportunities like this are as rare as they are magical.

FAMILY COMFORT WITH CONVENIENCE AND VIEWS

A great family home in a convenient and picturesque location with fantastic everchanging views to admire all year round.

The home is spacious, neat and very well presented offering 3 good size bedrooms all with built-in robes plus an ensuite and walk in robe in the main bedroom.

The kitchen is spacious and well appointed, with ample bench and cupboard space plus a separate meals/dining area.

Sit back, admire and enjoy the picturesque views from the main living/family room. Venture outside and entertain all year round with a covered deck area - it’s the ideal spot to relax and enjoy the colourful vista and established gardens with an array of shrubs and trees.

A great family home in a convenient location, situated just a short stroll to local schools, shops and transport.

ADivineOpportunity– ModernLuxuryin aSereneCountrySetting Welcometoyourdreamhome,a 6-year-oldresidenceofferingallthecomfortsandluxuries ofmodernliving,nestledinthetranquilbeautyof acountrysetting.Thisspacious4-bedroom, 2-bathroomhomesitsonanexpansive1600sqm(approx.)fullyfencedblock.Stepinsideandbe greetedbya mastersuitethatfeelslikea sanctuary.Featuringa grandhisandherswalk-inrobe,a fullensuite,anda cozyornamentalfireplace.Threeadditionalwell-sizedbedrooms,allwithbuilt-in robesandceilingfans,offeramplespaceforthewholefamily.Theheartofthehomeisthestunning kitchen,designedtoimpresswitha 4-meter-longislandbenchand asleekgullylayoutthatany chefwilllove.Stepoutsideontothebackverandah,whichoverlooksthebackyardandoffersa magnificentbushbackdrop.Ideallylocated,thishomeoffersthebestofbothworlds!

MagicalRetreatonOver 1Acre,AdjoiningtheYarraRiver

Nestledamidstmajesticredwoodsandgumtrees,thisbreathtaking3 bedroomhomeoffers aunique blendofrusticcharm,modernstyle,andtranquilliving.Thestylishandmodernkitchenisa dream foranychef,completewitha gascooktop,dishwasher,andplentyofroomforentertaining.The diningroomfeaturesstunninglargewindowsthatinvitetheoutsidein,capturingthebeautyofthe gardenandcreatinga sereneatmosphere.Threegenerouslysizedbedroomsoneincludingbuilt-in robesand astudynookinthethirdbedroom,offeringaflexiblespaceforworkorleisure.Theneat, originalbathroomboasts aclassicclawfootbath.Outside,theimpressive ¾verandahoverlooksthe establishedgardens,providingtheperfectspotforrelaxationorentertaining.Thepropertyspans over 1and1/4acres(5059sq.m)ofland. Adamcompletesthetranquil,privatesetting.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

Getlostandimmerseyourselfinruralparadisewiththissensationallargeacreageproperty!Situated onjustunder43acresapprox,borderingHoddlesCreek,YellingboandCardiniabroadacerageand offeringtheultimateescapeinprivateruralliving.Forthehorseenthusiastyouarespoiltforfacilities withmultiplepaddocks,roundyardand averyimpressive,coveredstadiumsize,arenaallowing allyearroundriding.A hugeproBMXtrackperfectforthemotocrossstarormountainbikerinthe family.A massivelockupgarage/shedandcanopythatwillsuitlargetrucks,primemovers,trailers andheavymachinery.Thehomeisjusta fewyearsoldandhasplentyofspaceforthegrowing familyoffering 4bedrooms,plus amainlivingandfamilyroomideallysituatedlookingouttothe sprawlingandpicturesqueacreage.Anenviablelifestylewithsomethingforeveryone!

DavidCarroll

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

13EdwardStreet,Wesburn

FAMILY HOME ON A FLAT SUNNY BLOCK

TUCKED away in a sunny, flat location, 35 Mahony St offers a spacious and solid family home set on a generous 1104m² (approx.) block. This impressive property features four large bedrooms, providing ample room for the entire family. The master bedroom comes complete with an ensuite, while the other bedrooms are bright and well-sized, each equipped with ceiling fans for year-round comfort.

The home boasts two recently updated bathrooms, offering modern finishes that combine both style and practicality. The heart of the home is the open-plan living space, where bi-fold doors open up to an expansive entertaining area and a flat, sunlit backyardideal for outdoor living and relaxation.

For those who enjoy cooking, the kitchen is complemented by a butler’s pantry, offering plenty of storage and workspace. The home is equipped with both ducted heating and a Coonara wood fire for warmth, while a split system provides cooling in the warmer months, ensuring a comfortable environment no matter the season.

Additional features include a large shed, perfect for storage or as a workshop, and plenty of off-street parking, with space to accommodate a caravan or boat. The property is ideally located close to the town centre, with easy access to all essential amenities, making it a perfect choice for families looking for both space and convenience.

This solid family home offers the perfect combination of modern living and outdoor space, all in a highly sought-after location. Don’t miss your chance to make 35 Mahony St your forever home.

Awards handed out to Little Athletics community

By Jamie Strudley

Yarra Ranges athletics would like to thank the wonderful families and athletes who have contributed to the 2024/25 Summer Track and Field season.

Special mentions Cameron Yorke and Mark Peel for being our competition directors over the summer season.

There are many others who have spent countless hours to make the season such a success.

This year 315 athletes registered.

On Saturday we presented out end of season awards to our Little Athletics community.

Our main award winners:

Don Cruise award: Byron Stark.

Petra Sank award: Andre’ Johanson. Rob Belli award: Zoe Clarke.

Presidents Award - Flynn Mullens and Hayley Corrigan.

The Family Thank you: The Peels and The Dunlop’s. Distinguished Service Awards: Uli Homann and Jane Pointon.

7 year service awards: Lexi Aders, Tori Kincaid, Caitlyn Pointon, Mitch Pointon, Xander Sommers, Chloe Head, Koby Stephens, Harlem Willis.

10 year service awards: Wilbur Davidson-Tuck and Finn Rossthorn.

Sprint Athlete of the year: Ivy Ingle and Koby Stephens.

Hurdles Athlete of the year: Brookley Horsburgh and Kristian Sultana.

Distance Athlete of the year: Brienna Coffey and James Crome-Smith.

Jumps Athlete of the yea: Mackenzie Graham and Brock Peel.

Throws Athlete of the year: Shania Tove and Wilbur

Davidson-Tuck.

Walks Athlete of the year: Tillie Sommers and Xander Sommers.

Multi-Class Athlete of the year: Matilda Bugden.

Thank you to to the huge team of volunteers who help each week to make athletics happen.

Programming, announcing, communications, equipment, coaches, starters, results, timing, team managers and canteen helpers.

Well done to our age group leaders and ALL parents who have timed/raked/measured/spiked/cleaned/setup/packed-up and many numerous tasks that are required to run athletics for our athletes on a weekly basis.

Thank you also to the YRA committee members for investing so much time into our club.

Congratulations to our U17 athletes who have graduated, Stephanie van Bemmel, Sasha Maggs, Keira Taylor, Wilbur Davidson-Tuck, Andre’ Johanson and James Crome-Smith.

While many of us head into the Cross Country season starting Saturday 26 at Lilydale lake, we look forward to seeing our Track and Field athletes back in October for another exciting season of Little Athletics.

Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.

New members and anyone interested in trialling are always welcome. Training open to all on Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm.

Go to lavic.com.au or 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.

Andre Johanson won the Don Cruise award. (Supplied)

Players get their silverware

By Garry Lewis

A good crowd attended the recent Warburton Bowls Club Presentation Evening at the clubrooms.

A big thank you to all the members, families and friends who came along to support the trophy recipients as the 2024/ 25 Pennant Season ended.

Congratulations to the following trophy recipients.

2024 Winter Intra Club Competitions: Singles 21 Up Winner: Greg Walsh. Winter Pairs: Fred Wagenaar and Michelle Foord.

2024/25 Summer Season Intra Club Competitions:

George Saker 100 Up: Steve Freestone. President’s Handicap: Aimee Dostie. Minor Champion: John Bodin. Club Pairs Champions: Chris Lord and Steven Lord.

Ladies’ Singles Champion: Aimee Dostie. Runner up: Jade Muratore. Men’s Singles Champion: Christopher Lord. Runner up: Terry Heyward.

The Match Committee awarded the Most Improved Bowler Award to Terry Heyward following his wonderful season of bowling.

In recognition of his continued outstanding contribution towards the club, Rodney McKail was awarded the Best Club Person Award.

In preparation for the 2025/26 Season, the Club’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 14 April 7pm at the Clubrooms.

All members are strongly encouraged to put their hands up to assist the club in the forthcom-

Merilyn Macdonald wins again at Warburton Golf Club

By Ron Hottes

The V.V.V’s:

Well, dear loyal readers, Merilyn Macdonald must absolutely love the Monday morning comp.

Not only does she score very consistently, but she wins just as consistently - and collects vouchers consistently.

Merilyn’s 18 points this week did just thatcollecting another winning voucher to spend.

Tricia Eldridge took home the runners up prize with a well constructed 15 points.

Once again, there were no NTPs.

Wed. March 27th: Stableford:

The Senior part of the Garside brothers, Phil, had a day out on this day, to easily account for the rest of the large field, including junior Garside. This eclipsed the field by 3 points, because our runner up was Neil “Mr. Scotland” Leckenby, who could also be proud of his score with 38 points. Balls reached down to 33.

4 NTPs went home as follows: Glenn Forbes (3rd), Ross Machar (9th), Mario DeVincentis (12th) and to Clint Toohey for a terrific tee-shot on the demanding 15th.

TWILIGHT:

The Twilight Home & Away season is now done and dusted.

But firstly, to the 26th Twilight results:

The winner, with a strong 22 points, was Ric Downing; but ironically, Ric was NOT in the running for the Shootout.

But, Ossie, also known as Paul Osbourne, was runner up to Ric, and his 20 points clearly entrenched him in the Top 10 shootout list.

Three NTP winners on the night were David “Pup” Lever (10th), Luke Patrick (12th) and Shane “Bomber” Campbell (15th).

10 Shootout qualifiers:

Top Ten, in order of finishing were Angus Hall, Paul Osbourne, Manny Humphris, Troy Veenker, Luke Patrick, Matt Maloney, George Brown, Georgie Houniet, Clint Toohey and last qualifier, Deborah Hamment.

Three points that make this a unique Shootout group.

There are no less than 8 players, out of the 10, who are facing the starter for the first time.

Never before have we had 2 of our Lady members also facing the starter.

The last one facing the starter, who needs a mention, is 13-year-old Manny, the youngest ever qualifier in Shootout history.

Although the legendary Kim Kennedy was

only 14 when she qualified many years ago.

A full report, listing results, photos and anecdotes from this iconic event, will be included in next week’s edition.

Sat. March 29th: Stableford:

After the Twilight excitement had died down a strong field of members played on Saturday for a Stableford round.

Keeping the interest going, Paul Kennedy won the A Grade voucher by posting a fine 43 point result.

This was Paul’s best result for a while.

The A Grade runner up was Geoff Fall, with 39 solid points.

Roger Mataele won the B-Grade prize with an equally impressive 43 points.

The runner up to Roger was young tyro, Dane Cerveri, with 41 points, which certainly showed up his father’s round.

Balls reached down to 37 in A Grade, and to 35 in B Grade.

We had only 4 NTP winners on the day, because Hatty grabbed two of them.

Noel Cross won one on the 1st, Simon Cameron grabbed one on the 3rd and finally, David Lever won the 15th.

Our B Grade Dick Leith Matchplay champion is Chris Leighton.

The C Grade Matchplay champion is Scott Atkinson, to go with his overall C-Grade title.

Yerringberg Horse Trials were on last weekend at Shirley Heights EC in Gladysdale.

This week’s

Horse Talk

By Anita Prowse

This weekend saw Yerringberg Horse Trials run at Shirley Heights EC in Gladysdale. Northern Metro Zone did an amazing job of running this huge event and we thank all the dedicated committee and helpers that keep these events available to us all.

Winners were: EA CCN3* Lily Wickenden on EA Berlin, CCN2* Kylah Brewer on Princess Keikilani, CNN1* Ethan Hieght on Superclass,

EV95 Chrissy Sanders on Willinga Park

EV80 DivA Leah Radwell on Thrum, EV80 DivB Tahlia Purcell on Yalambis Oscar De La Ru Renta, EV65 Kylie Pedder on Superclass TAE, Pony Club Grade 1 Shanae Reid on Spark Up Trouble, Grade 2 Jordan Sharp on Caradoc Ego Z, Grade 3 Mikayla Dickinson on Co-Pilot Ted,

Grade 4 Ellie Casey on Ballantrae Firefly. Congratulations everyone and see you all again next year.

year. The popular Bingo Nights will continue on Wednesday April 2 and 9.

Doors open at 6.30pm with a 7pm start and tickets are $10 per person. Social Bowls continues to be played on Mon-

days from 12 midday with everyone including new and beginning players encouraged to attend. Come along and give bowls a try.

L-R: Aimee Dostie, Tony Van Meurs: Aimee receiving her Ladies’ Club Champion Award from Club President, Tony Van Meurs.

L-R: C-Grade Ladies Champion Merilyn McDonald with runner-up Trish Eldridge. (Supplied)

Chilli,

(Supplied)

Croquet club in fine form

By John Thomson

On Monday 24 March, Lilydale hosted the Ringwood Croquet Club in what was expected to be a very close game with Ringwood in second place on the ladder and Lilydale third. Craig McCracken and Murray Howlett made up the Lilydale team.

In the doubles, Craig and Murray played extremely well, they could not do a thing wrong, running hoops clearing the opponent’s balls, it all came together for them.

Lilydale 7 hoops to Ringwood 1 hoop.

Murray Howlett played in the first singles game. Murray kept up his good form and controlled most of the game, winning 7 hoops to Ringwood 3 hoops.

Craig McCracken played in the next singles game.

Craig was a bit sluggish getting away and the Ringwood player had built up a lead and was able to hold that lead winning 7 hoops to Lilydale 2 hoops.

At the break, the scores were Lilydale 2 games 16 hoops to Ringwood 1 game 11 hoops. With 2 games to play the final result was still up in the air.

Craig McCracken played in the first singles after lunch. Craig had obviously reflected on his previous game and came out and took control from the start.

The Ringwood player was trying to get back into the game but Craig had built up a lead and was able to hold it, winning 7 hoops to Ringwood 3 hoops.

The last game promised to be a great game with the best players from both clubs going head to head.

The Ringwood player got off to a very good start and had the first three hoops on the board before Murray Howlett got off the mark. Murray fought back and evened the score at six hoops each so the thirteenth hoop had to be played to decide the winner. Ringwood was first to the hoop, both players set up well, unfortunately the Ringwood player madethe wrong tactical decision which let Lilydale in to run the hoop winning 7 hoops to Ringwood 6 hoops.

The final score was Lilydale 4 games 30 hoops to Ringwood 1 game 20 hoops.

Lilydale thought that this win would put them into second spot on the ladder, but due to Kew beating top team Monash, Lilydale have rocketed to top spot in Division 1.

The Lilydale Division 2 team played at Monash this week.

Lilydale’s team comprised of Alan Jones, Mick Crawley and Kerri McCracken.

Mick Crawley and Kerri McCracken played in the doubles. This game was closely fought with both teams going hoop for hoop until Lilydale managed to pull away by a couple of hoops and went on to win 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops.

Alan Jones played in the first singles. Again, this was a close-fought game with both players running consecutive hoops until late in the game when Alan was able to get ahead by a couple of hoops and win 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops.

Mick Crawley played in the next singles game. This game was almost a carbon copy of the first two games with play being even until Lilydale was able to sneak way and win 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops.

At the lunch break the scores were Lilydale 3 games 21 hoops to Monash 0 games 15 hoops.

Lilydale had won the day with two games to play. Kerri McCracken played in the first game after lunch.

The Monash player got off to a good start and was able to build up a handy break and then maintain the break to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops. Alan Jones played in the last game. Monash started well and was able to build a good lead, Lilydale fought back but it was all a bit late as Monash went onto win 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.

The final score was Lilydale 3 games 29 hoops to Monash 2 games 29 hoops. This win keeps Lilydale in top spot on the ladder.

On Thursday, this week’s handicap team travelled to the bayside suburb of Sandring-

ham.

The Lilydale team this week was Murray Howlett, Mick Crawley, Kerri McCracken and Murray McLean.

Murray McLean played in the first singles game.

The Sandringham player was starting with a one hoop disadvantage.

It was not long before the Sandringham player had made up his one hoop disadvantage and from then on, it was a level play game and the more experienced Sandringham player was able to control most of the game and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.

In the first doubles game, Mick Crawley and Kerri McCracken paired up. Mick and Kerri always seem to combine well.

The Sandringham pair were starting with a one hoop advantage.

Lilydale started strongly and the combined experience of the Lilydale team was the main difference in this game as they went on to have a comfortable win 7 hoops to Sandringham 2 hoops.

Kerri McCracken played in the next singles. Kerri was starting with a one hoop disadvantage.

Kerri’s good form continued into this game and although it was a little bit closer than the doubles, she was able to have a good win 7 hoops to Sandringham 4 hoops.

Mick Crawley and Murray McLean played in the next doubles.

Lilydale were starting with a one hoop disadvantage.

Sandringham started well on the other hand, Lilydale were struggling with some tactical decisions and also their hoop running with Sandringham winning 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops.

At the lunch break, the scores were Lilydale 2 games 21 hoops to Sandringham 2 games 20 hoops. With two games to play the final result will be decided by which team comes out after the break with the best focus.

Mick Crawley played in the first game after lunch.

Neither player had an advantage or disadvantage in this game, so it was a straight shoot out between the two players.

Mick got away first and put hoop pressure on his opponent from the start. Mick kept up his good play throughout the game, winning 7 hoops to Sandringham 3 hoops. This win gave

Lilydale the edge but it would be the last doubles game that would decide the day.

The two Murrays, Howlett and McLean paired up for this game. Lilydale were starting with a one hoop disadvantage while the Sandringham team had a one hoop advantage. Because of the handicaps, the game was close, but the two Murrays were slowly working their way into the game and evening up the score and were eventually able to get a small break and go on to win 7 hoops to Sandringham 5 hoops.

The final scores in a close day were Lilydale 4 games 35 hoops to Sandringham 2 games 28 hoops.

Lilydale are second on the ladder and next week they take on the top team in what promises to be one hell of a game.

Lilydale Croquet Club results.

They are successful in local business... but what do our Tip-Stars know about Footy? Follow them every week and give them the feedback they deserve...