Roses brought joy and smiles to the residents of Donwood Community Aged Care. (Sigrid Petersen Photography)
Roses dazzle residents
A simple act of kindness bloomed into a global sensation when TikTok influencer Samuel Weidenhofer surprised Montrose’s Little Flower Shoppe florist Chloe with a request for
1000 roses. Intended for local nursing home residents, Chloe offered them at cost, deeply touching Samuel. Read the full story on page 10
Election pitches
By Chelsea Szabo
Upgrading urban recreation reserves continues to be the focus for the Liberals with a second sporting pavilion being pledged funding should a Coalition government be successful in the May election.
A $5 million commitment to the Lilydale Recreation Reserve was announced by incumbent Casey MP Aaron Violi at the end of March but fellow candidates have described this as both “nothing short of pork barrelling (sic)” and only “around 50 per cent of the capital required”.
But the pledge was welcomed by the two clubs who utilise the facility, with both presidents saying they were tired of Lilydale’s upgrade being pushed down the list, as well as the “empty promises”.
Unable to field either a women’s cricket or football team because of a lack of suitable facilities, cricket club president Steve Oxley said it inevitably hurts the growth of the cricket club when they are faced with “all our local competitors getting new club rooms”.
In response to the pledge, candidates for Labor, the Greens and Independents acknowledged the importance of infrastructure upgrades across the Casey electorate but indicated that the project would have to be well-considered, as well as finding better solutions to advocate for project funding in the long-term to sustain local governments and its infrastructure priorities.
This announcement comes after Mr Violi pledged money for the upgrade of the Mooroolbark Heights Reserve in December.
Turn to page 5 for more
Readers have their say
Healthcare and access to emergency services remains a top priority for residents in the Yarra Ranges as noted by a resounding number of respondents to the Star Mail federal election survey. The Yarra Valley and Upper Yarra led this discussion, calling for closer-to-home access to urgent or emergency care, urging candidates and any future government to consider Healesville as the most viable option for such a service.
This comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a re-elected Labor Govern-
ment would fund a further 50 urgent care clinics, including 12 in Victoria, and flagged the potential for one to be located in Lilydale.
“I’m sure the people in Lilydale would have been happy to hear that, but it ignored the fact that the vast proportion of people in the rural areas of the Yarra Ranges Council have much less access to health services than the people in Lilydale,“ Services for Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG) chairperson Jane Judd said.
Turn to pages 4 and 6 for more
PM pushes pay rise plan
By Tess Ikonomou, AAP
Anthony Albanese believes wages for low-paid workers can rise without the need for sideby-side productivity gains, after backing an above-inflation boost for three million people.
The Australian Labor Party, which is trying to retain government at the 3 May election, has made a submission to the Fair Work Commission’s 2025 minimum wage review.
It wants the commission to deliver an “economically sustainable real wage” increase to the minimum hourly rate of $24.10 when it hands down its decision in May-June.
The prime minister visited a childcare centre in the eastern Melbourne suburb Croydon South, in the marginal seat of Deakin held by Liberal MP Michael Sukkar, on Wednesday 2 April.
Mr Albanese was asked about Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock’s statement on Tuesday that there can’t be wage rises without productivity growth, and whether that put Labor offside with the central bank.
“That’s not right. There has been wages growth and productivity growth has, has been lost,” he said.
“We want high wages and we want to get productivity up.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he supported a wage rise and the work of the industrial umpire, but said family incomes had fallen.
“It seems (the prime minister’s) trying to exploit his record on wages ... the actual fact is real wages have gone backwards under this government,” he said.
Workplace Minister Murray Watt said Labor isn’t putting a percentage on its asked-for pay rise, saying that was a decision for the commission.
“We’ve seen the Fair Work Commission award slightly higher than inflation wage rises for the lowest paid (in the past),” he told Sky News.
Labor is looking to sandbag seats in Victoria after Mr Albanese arrived in the key battleground state on Tuesday afternoon, with more than 12 out of 38 seats potentially up for grabs.
The prime minister faces a challenge as voters increasingly turn away from the unpopular state Labor government.
Mr Albanese has sought to capitalise on the popularity of Labor premiers in Western Australia and South Australia, but Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan was absent from his press conference in Melbourne.
While there’s attention on the battles between Labor and Liberal candidates in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, the government must also con-
tend with the Greens gunning for inner-city seats.
Bob Hawke’s old seat of Wills is being contested by former Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam, who hopes to benefit from well-off progressive voters in the electorate and large Muslim communities angry over Labor’s position on the Israel-Gaza war
Mr Albanese has tried to reinforce cost-of-living relief handed out to households by his government, including tax cuts and cheaper energy bills.
The cost of living is the most important issue for voters at this election, and Mr Dutton has jumped on dissatisfaction by targeting mortgage-belt seats.
VCAT rules in favour of Wandin Park Estate development
By Callum Ludwig
A decision has been reached in the VCAT case between Wandin Park Estate and Yarra Ranges Council.
VCAT members Alison Slattery and Phil West ultimately ruled in favour of Wandin Park Estate, paving the way for amended plans to be passed.
William Anker, the son of John Anker who owned Wandin Park Estate and was the applicant in the case, said they will now be just getting everything ticked off and up to scratch to have the venue up and running as it should have been 12 months to two years ago.
“It’s been an extremely painful process to be honest, there’s been a lot of stress and heartache, a lot of money, I think we’re probably up to about $450,000 we’ve spent on legal fees and consultants in the past 12-18 months,” he said.
“It’s just a ridiculous process we had to go this way, it’s disappointing that we can’t have a round table meeting with the council in person and try and discuss these things,”
“I could fill a town hall I reckon with the amount of people that are frustrated with them, we can’t communicate with them properly, there’s no face to face meetings, like this decision, when they knocked us back on the planning permit, it was made without them even doing a site visit.”
Yarra Ranges Council were contacted for comment.
Wandin Park Estate has hosted equestrian and other events since 1981 and weddings since 2016 and VCAT member Dalia Cook previously clarifying the existing use rights of the venue as a function centre, this hearing weighed up the amenity impact on the landscape of new buildings such as the marquee and kitchen, light spill concerns, noise impact of site use and liquor sale and any traffic and parking issues. Wandin Park Estate engaged experts to provide evidence in this regard while an inspection of the site with all parties present was conducted. The experts were Andrew Partos of Hansen Partnership (Landscape Evidence), Darren Tardio of Enfield Acous-
tics (Acoustic evidence) and Deborah Donald of O’Brien Traffic (Traffic and parking evidence).
Council argued the application was ‘inconsistent with the existing and preferred landscape qualities, character, aesthetics and amenity of the site and surrounding area’ and did demonstrate that amenity would not be ‘further damaged’ by the use of the site as proposed. A Neighbouring property owner Richard Kean, whose residence is approximately 685 metres to the southwest of the marquee site, also held concerns about the ‘sale and consumption of liquor in addition to the existing uses on site, given the noise, impacts on landscape, visual bulk and light spill that might ensue.’
In the decision, Ms Slattery and Mr West said they do not believe that the built form proposed will detract from the character of the area.
“We find that the extent of the built form is reasonable and allows for landscaping to soften its impact. The siting of built form and setback from the Victoria Road frontage allows for canopy trees and lower order planting to soften the appearance of the building,” the decision reads.
“We agree with Mr Partos from Hansen Partnership that the views to the marquee are most readily available from Victoria Road at the entrance to the site, and are limited in that the distance to the view point is greater than 400 metres,”
“Further, we are satisfied that the views from Mr Kean’s property at the frontage will provide some views to the marquee. However, we note that from within the dwelling, which is set well back into the site, views have not been demonstrated as being unreasonable.”
At night, the lighting in the marquee and kitchen area during a function is still visible but the view from most residences exposed to the light will be small.
The acoustic impact of the marquee’s use, with Enfield’s evidence, including actual field measurements, was considered next.
Ms Slattery and Mr West said they are satisfied that Mr Tardio’s recommendation of a music noise limiting device set up and the Venue and Patron Management Plan (‘VMP’) will enable the
music noise levels to be controlled to the determined Noise Protocol noise limits.
“Enfield conducted a series of measurements at several locations close by to the proposed venue site during December 2023 and March 2024. Testing was undertaken when music was being played at the marquee (December 2023) as well as targeted testing using pink noise without music (March 2024),” the decision reads.
“Theresultsindicatedthatthemusicnoisewas audible but not measurable in Ross and Gruyere Roads, whilst music noise was measured at 45-47 dB(A) Leq near residences in Victoria Road. The music noise levels in Victoria Road where at or exceeded the music noise limit of 45 dB(A) Leq.”
In order to meet a reasonable music noise level with the marquee of 91 dB(A), Enfield recommended Wandin Park Estate could install a permanent in-house sound system with a software loclable noise limiter that would ensure users couldn’t raise the volume, and that DJ’s and performers be not permitted to use any amplification devices other than the in-house system.
In his statement, Mr Kean said whilst the daylight activities generally have limited impact on local residents, they have incurred some inconvenience from traffic, music and pedestrian noise during the day and night.
“This ranges from the sounds of dawn hot air balloon filling, general loud speaker announcements and music-particularly early morning music blasting from the event organisers as they set
up for events,” he said.
“We have never, ever complained about any of the activities and inconveniences experienced until now. On balance we believe Wandin Park does a good job and we have been willing to put up with the inconvenience we get,”
“Our greatest concern with the marquee has been the level of noise we have experienced. The music is loud, clearly penetrating our house till late at night. Based on our actual experience to date, the plan to use the marquee 3 days a week will create considerable disturbance for not only us but many locals, at a level well beyond that expected to be reasonably tolerated in a rural area.”
The main concerns for traffic and parking were to come from traffic and parking impacts on local roads and potential road noise within the venue car park. O’Brien Traffic observed traffic and parking movements at 140-person wedding held in the marquee and a 75-person wedding held in the Woolshed on another section of the property.
O’Brien’s only recommendation for the carpark plan was to amend it so that the proposed dead-end aisles are connected to a roadway at both ends and for a southern exit to be included to help prevent reversing traffic in parking aisles. O’Briend also recommended that the Council ‘undertake a review of the layout and signage’ of four intersections in the vicinity of Wandin Park Estate to address safety concerns due to layout issues and ‘substandard’ signage and line marking.
Ms Slattery and Mr West said they are satisfied that the inclusion of the requirements within the Venue Management Plan (VMP) to be enshrined via permit condition will serve to limit any other unreasonable impacts on the amenity of the surrounding area.
“The VMP also includes positive requirements for procedures to manage noise, patron behaviour, and car parking which we find will similarly limit unreasonable impacts on surrounding properties,” the decision reads.
“For the reasons given above, the decision of the responsible authority is set aside. A permit is granted subject to conditions.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reads a book to children as Federal Labor candidate for Deakin, Matt Gregg looks on during a visit to Goodstart Early Learning in Croydon South. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
An amended permit has been approved for Wandin Park Estate. (File: 442250)
Arson investigation
By Chelsea Szabo and Mikayla Van Loon
A pair of “deliberate, coordinated, and highly dangerous” arson attacks causing over $25 million in damage in Kilsyth and Bayswater remain under investigation.
Knox Crime Investigation Unit detectives are now appealing for information on the two deliberately lit factory fires.
Detective inspector Glen Cruse told media on Wednesday the police believe the two attacks are connected.
“We’re confident the fires are linked because of the methodology of the offending, the timing of the morning, the proximity of timing between the fires, the fact that there’s familial links between the businesses,” the detective inspector said.
The first fire occurred at Paramount Blinds on Melrich Road, Bayswater, and the second at Dollar Curtains and Blinds on Canterbury Road, Kilsyth.
The fires occurred just over a week apart, at 4am on 23 December 2024 and 3am on 1 January 2025.
“In both incidents, it is believed a group of unknown male offenders gained access to the premises, brought petrol inside, and deliberately set the buildings alight,” Detective inspector Cruse said.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police are seeking any information from the public on the four vehicles that were seen around the time of the attacks. These are:
A blue, 2012 Toyota Camry sedan seen travelling inbound on Eastlink at approximately 3.30am and captured on CCTV at the Bayswater premises on 23 December. It was later seen on Mountain Highway in Bayswater. Found by police on 17 January, it had been abandoned for three days in Jubilee Park, Frankston.
A white, 2017 Mitsubishi Eclipse wagon captured on CCTV at 3am at the Kilsyth factory on 1 January. It was found burnt out on Deals
Road, Clayton South on 29 January.
A white, 2016 Toyota Prado four-wheel drive captured on CCTV at 3am at the Kilsyth factory on 1 January. Found burnt out at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong on 3 January.
An “older model white van” seen entering the Greaves Reserve with the 2016 Toyota Prado.
Detective inspector Cruse said as well as the costs of these fires, many employees have been impacted and people could have been killed.
“It’s not just the owners that are affected by the fires,” he said.
“There’s over 100 employees that are employed between both businesses that are affected”.
“There is a deliberate disregard for the safety of anyone that may have been located within those factories”.
If you have information on these attacks, contact the Knox Crime Investigation Unit on (03) 9881 7999.
Fire engulfs Glenbrae Equestrian Centre
A raging fire has burnt down horse stables at an equestrian centre in Wandin North.
Emergency services responded to reports of a structure fire at the Glenbrae Equestrian Centre at 10.30pm and fought throughout the night to contain the blaze.
Despite losing the stables, emergency services went into asset protection, protecting the arena and the house.
“Emergency services responded to a barn fire in Wandin North on 1 April,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“It is believed the blaze started at a property on Victoria Road about 11pm.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
“An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. No persons or animals were injured during the incident.”
A fundraiser for the equestrian centre was posted onto GoFundMe on 2 April to
assist with replacing the lost equipment, which can be found at: gofundme.com/f/ glenbrae-equestrian-centre-agistees
“Unfortunately all our hay, feed, tack, rugs etc was in the stables at the time Please any donations would help to try and replace at least some of our things.
“The donations will be split across all our lovely agistees, if money is not doable anything secondhand will help,” the GoFundMe page reads.
Four arrested after car evades police
Police arrested four people, including a Croydon woman, after a vehicle bearing false plates evaded police in Melbourne’s southeast on Tuesday 1 April.
Investigators were told a suspicious vehicle was seen on Fernlea Avenue in Rowville.
Officers first spotted a Black Audi A3 bearing false registration plates on Stud Road Wheelers Hill about 3.40am.
Police attempted to intercept the Audi on Ferntree Gully Road.
With the assistance of the Air Wing, officers followed the vehicle along Ferntree Gully Road through Wheelers Hill and Hampton Park.
Police successfully deployed stop sticks on Belgrave-Hallam Road the Audi coming to a stop in Willow Drive Hampton Park.
All four occupants ran inside an address.
A search of the vehicle revealed drugs and weapons.
Officers set up a cordon and entered the premises where a 22-year-old Hampton Park man, a 30-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman both from Berwick and a 32-year-old woman from Croydon were arrested a short time later.
No one was injured during the incident and all vehicles sustained moderate damage.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au.
School holiday road safety reminder
As school holidays begin, drivers are being urged by police to stay cautious in areas with children and pedestrians.
Motorists are being reminded to remain alert and extra vigilant around built-up areas, particularly where children, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users might be present. Those travelling with passengers should ensure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a properly fastened seatbelt or child restraint, avoid distractions, and take regular breaks on long trips to manage fatigue.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir said there is an increased road trauma risk this month, with school holidays, Easter and Anzac Day long weekends meaning there will be lots of people moving and travelling across the state, and the end of daylight savings also impacting the conditions.
“Last year’s road trauma insights are just a stark reminder that it doesn’t matter whether you are driving close to home on familiar local roads, or travelling further away, the risk of road trauma is always present,” he said.
In addition to the school holidays commencing, police are also reminding all road users to consider the end of daylight savings in Victoria, which came into effect on Sunday.
The changeover from daylight savings means it will start to remain darker for longer periods, with drivers being urged to adjust their driving accordingly, including switching on headlights to help see and be seen.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads during April, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
Luckily no horses were inside the stables at the time of the fire. (Wandin Fire Brigade)
Calls for urgent care clinic
By Dongyun Kwon
The Yarra Valley community would like to have an urgent care clinic in Healesville.
Star Mail conducted a federal election survey over the last few weeks.
One of the five main issues Star Mail readers pointed out in the survey was health services.
In another question, about 54 per cent of the survey respondents chose they would like to see federal funding for local hospitals increase.
Especially, the readers of Mountain Views and Upper Yarra papers raised the need for urgent care and emergency services in the Yarra Valley, despite an urgent care clinic being flagged for Lilydale in early March.
The majority of the respondents indicated Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health (Healesville Hospital) would be a good spot to have an urgent care service.
A Chum Creek resident said she had to go down to Maroondah Hospital for a 20-minute treatment.
“Let’s say something minor that you don’t need to be ambulanced for but that you still need attention, happens to me, at this point, I’ve got to go down to (Maroondah Hospital), I can’t stop in Healesville, there’s not much in Lilydale,” she said.
“I’ve had a couple of experiences. Recently, I’ve gone to Maroondah for relatively simple things, but the whole thing has taken four or five hours.
“You get down there, and you wait an hour and a half to be seen, and then you might be lucky and get a 20-minute treatment, and then you’re now in peak hour, you need another hour and a half to go home.
“It’s just too far to go for something relatively short. It’s just a waste of time.”
She is advocating for Healesville Hospital to be a place for urgent care.
“I like having it in Healesville because Healesville Hospital is 15 minutes from here,”
the Chum Creek resident said.
“There are also a lot of tourists who can sprain an ankle or do something minor.
“And if you tell them to go down the line. They don’t even know where they’re going, whereas (if we have one) in Healesville, they can be guided there.”
A Woori Yallock resident also said the nearest hospital with emergency care is far away from his town.
“There were plans for hospital facilities at the old Warburton Sanitarium building, but that never went anywhere,” he said.
“MywifeandIhavehadtocalltheambulance over the years. The last episode was (when) the ambulance had to go all the way to Maroondah (Hospital) for my wife at 10 o’clock at night.
“She sat in the waiting till six in the morning before they did anything. It was a little frustrating.”
The Woori Yallock resident said although the Warburton plan would be a good opportunity,
he still thinks Healesville Hospital could be a good place to have an urgent care clinic.
Last month, the Labor Government announced an election promise to open 50 urgent care clinics across Australia including 12 in Victoria during the 2025-26 financial year.
On Sunday 2 March, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said four in five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a bulk-billed urgent care clinic, once all of the 50 clinics are open.
“This announcement of 50 additional urgent care clinics if we are re-elected will provide the urgent care people need,” he said.
The government has released a list of target areas, in which Lilydale is one, but the final sites would be decided independently.
Services for Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG), formerly called Save Healesville Hospital Action Group, was founded in 2012 with the aim of reviving more services at the hospital.
The group has been advocating for establish-
ing an urgent care service in Healesville Hospital, as the closest hospital equipped with the service, Maroondah Hospital, is about 50 minutes away from the town.
SHHAG chairperson Jane Judd said the Healesville Hospital would be the best place for an urgent care clinic.
“It’s a perfect site because they have a GP clinic on site, so there are actually medical professionals up there, seven days a week. They have pathology services, X-ray services, an operating theatre, highly skilled nurses, 19 beds and palliative care beds designated for caring for people at the end of life,” she said.
“It’sco-locatedonthesitewithMondaLodge, so it’s the natural home of an urgent care centre.
“We were very excited that the Casey electorate has been earmarked for an urgent care centre, if the Albanese government gets re-elected. For us, the issue is where it needs to be, and initially, there was a suggestion that Lilydale might be a good location.
“I’m sure the people in Lilydale would have been happy to hear that, but it ignored the fact that the vast proportion of people in the rural areas of the Yarra Ranges Council have much less access to health services than the people in Lilydale. Lilydale has Yarra Ranges Health, and Inspire Community Health, is close to the emergency department at Maroondah, and is closer to the other urgent care centres down the line towards Boronia and Kilsyth, so they have options that we don’t have.
“If you are sitting in Marysville, Toolangi, Warburton, Healesville and the surrounds, you have to travel a very long way if you have a child that’s injured themselves, or you’ve injured yourself falling off your bike.”
Yarra Ranges councillors will discuss this issue in the next meeting, which will be covered by Star Mail in the next edition.
Star Mail will also reach out to the federal election candidates for Casey asking their thoughts on the issue.
Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health could be the good site to have an urgent care clinic for the Yarra Valley community. (File: 179027)
Libs promise reserve work
By Chelsea Szabo
For the second time, the Liberals have promised to fund a much-needed upgrade to Lilydale Recreation Reserve’s sporting facilities and build a community space, if elected.
On 31 March, federal member for Casey Aaron Violi said if he and his party gets a majority in the upcoming election, they will invest $5 million into upgrading the reserve.
As there are currently no change rooms for women, no air conditioning and structural issues with the pavilion, Lilydale Cricket Club president Steve Oxley said this is welcome news.
“We’re pretty excited as a cricket club. Since the 1850s this club has been going and I think our rooms may look like they were built in the 1850s really,” he said with a chuckle.
He said it inevitably hurts the growth of the cricket club when they are faced with “all our local competitors getting new club rooms”.
Though he said the club has been communicating with Yarra Ranges Council for 10 years about the issue and getting updates, funding has not come through.
“We’re seeing club rooms be built around us, which is so frustrating,” he said.
“I’m sick of the empty promises and the broken promises.”
The Liberal Party pledged $1 million to the reserve in the lead up to the 2022 federal election and though Mr Violi was elected for Casey, the Liberals did not form a majority, a condition of the funding.
Mr Violi said improving these facilities will help create a “community hub” and encourage more people to participate in local sports.
“I’ve heard from locals, community groups and Lilydale sporting clubs that we need a place for community to come together. Lilydale clubs have seen exciting growth in women’s sport, but their facilities are holding them back,” he said.
As well as upgraded sporting facilities, Lilydale Football Netball Club president Anthony Simmons is particularly keen to see Lilydale have this community hub.
Part of the Lilydale Township Action Group, he said the consensus is “there’s no community building in Lilydale that’s there as a centre.”
“There is no community heart in Lilydale”, he said.
“We’re the centre, allegedly, of the Shire of Yarra Ranges. We’ve got council offices, but we have no community hub.
“This is not just about new rooms. This is about actually utilising that precinct to its maximum and putting a community centre there, not just for community sport, but for other community volunteer organisations to utilise as well.”
If the funding does not eventuate, Mr Simmons said the council will not be able to fund a project of this magnitude on their own.
Yarra Ranges Council’s planning and sustainable futures director Kath McClusky told Star Mail
since funding has been delivered to other higher priority projects such as the Don Road Recreation Pavilion, the Lilydale Recreation Reserve is now their “top priority” and they will seek Federal support for the upgrades.
“We will advocate to all candidates and MPs, develop concepts and costings, and engage with clubs and the community to strengthen funding requests. We seek bipartisan support and matched funding commitments,” she said.
The council said its Community Heart in Lilydale (CHIL) project highlighted a “strong need” for a community space.
“We are working on early site plans and will engage the community in further discussions. This need is recognised at a Federal level.”
Labor candidate for Casey Naomi Oakley told Star Mail the $5 million promised by Aaron Violi and similar pledges, do not cover the cost of upgrades.
“The grants he has promised are usually around 50 per cent of the capital required and the additional 50 per cent has to be stumped up by the council. This puts financial pressure on the council resources and the services and programs they have prioritised,” she said.
“Lilydale may well need this significant grant, and, they might be a priority, but there are many
significant sporting clubs in the Yarra Valley that are desperate for capital funding.
“My approach is to advocate to Government at all levels for significantly increase [sic] funding for Yarra ranges infrastructure projects. I would work with Yarra Ranges Council and community groups to identify the electorates priority needs.”
Other candidates vying for the Casey seat have also weighed in on the recreation reserve and Aaron Violi’s pledge.
Independent candidate Claire Ferres Miles told Star Mail the pledge is “nothing short of pork barrelling [sic]”, a term used to describe parties allocating public money to projects for their own electoral interests.
“Pork barrelling of marginal seats is not about investing in strategic priorities for the Casey community. These one-off election announcements are pet projects chosen by political parties, announced to photograph the cutting of ribbons.
“They bypass the council’s long-term infrastructure priorities which are based on a robust assessment of community needs,” she said.
“A better solution is to increase federal funding for local councils, with an increase in Federal Assistance Grants (FAG) from 0.5 per cent to one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue.”
She said this would ensure funding is “strate-
gic” and “responds directly to priority community needs”. Greens candidate Dr Merran Blair said her party would support upgrades to the reserve.
“I am firmly committed to investing in our community and want local governments to have the resources they need to provide and maintain safe and inclusive community infrastructure. If elected, I will consider the proposal closely, and fight to make sure that our community is heard in Canberra.”
“I’m especially keen to ensure the sporting facilities across Casey encourage women, First Nations people and disabled people to participate in sport. Lilydale Recreation Reserve is a fantastic facility that we should support,” she said.
Lilydale Cricket Club president Steve Oxley said the lack of female change rooms is the primary reason why the club has no women’s team.
“I think without female change rooms, without female facilities, it’s very hard to attract a ladies cricket club,” he said.
“We’ve had a lot of interest. We’ve got ladies that would like to coach, but when they see the facilities, they walk away because there are better opportunities for ladies locally.”
“Every one of our competitors locally has a ladies cricket side, and that is frustrating.”
Funding for dangerous crash sites in Wandin and Yellingbo
By Oliver Winn
People living in Wandin East, Wandin North and Yellingbo will have a safer driving experience with new funding designated to improve five dangerous crash sites in the Casey electorate.
The Federal Government’s Black Spot Program will fund $3.97 million to install safety features, such as kerb and channel installations, high-friction overlay and road humps.
State Liberal member for Evelyn Bridget Vallence said she’s been advocating for safer roads in the Yarra Valley for years and that it’s been a long time coming.
“Since 2021, I’ve called on the government twelve times in Parliament to fix Clegg Road and Wellington Road, Queens Road, Hunter Road and Beenak Road due to regular accidents and some tragic fatalities,” she said.
“It’s good to see, finally, that vital funds have been allocated to upgrade these notoriously dangerous roads and intersections to make them safer for motorists and pedestrians.”
The safety upgrades being installed are as follows: Queens Road and Wandin East Road will have $1.99 million spent on installing a compact roundabout with raised safety platforms on all four approach legs, along with improved signage and line marking.
While Clegg Road and Wellington Road will
see new road humps, kerb and channel installations, a splitter island and pavement upgrades totalling at $1.43 million. Beenak Road and Queens Road will see its intersection realigned to a staggered T-intersection on Beenak Road.
On Macclesfield Road (between Giles Road and 931 Macclesfield Road) $189,660 will go towards applying a high-friction overlay at two bends, improving grip and reducing skidding risks.
Lastly, $359,000 will go into Beenak Road
and Hunter Road to install road humps on the approaches to the intersection, slowing vehicles and reducing collision risks.
Senator Lisa Darmanin said every road user will see the difference this investment will make for the communities.
“Safe roads don’t just save lives—they also give communities peace of mind. Whether it’s parents driving their kids to school, workers commuting, or emergency services responding to calls, these improvements will benefit everyone who travels through the area,” senator Lisa Darmanin said.
But Ms Vallence said the Federal Government should’ve acted earlier in delivering this funding.
“I understand accidents happen at the intersection of Clegg and Wellington Roads every 6 weeks on average, so this funding is overdue.” She was critical of the State Labor Government for taking too long to deliver the works, as while the funding comes from the Federal Government, the works are undertaken on a state level.
“Hunter Road, as an example, has been identified as a Black Spot for over a decade, but despite the intersection with Beenak Road being next to Wandin Yallock Primary School, it’s taken a close election for funding to be announced, and even with that the details about when these projects will be delivered for our community is not clear.”
No timeframe was provided for when these works were expected to be completed.
Federal MP for Casey Aaron Violi speaking at the Lilydale Recreation Reserve (Supplied)
The Black Spot Program will provide funding to improve five known crash sites in Casey. (File: 325200)
Readers’ election concerns
By Callum Ludwig
With Saturday 3 May announced as the date for the 2025 Federal election, the Star News Group closed its Federal Election Survey to peruse the views of its readership across its publications around the country.
Here’s an overview of what readers of the Star Mail papers (Ranges Trader, Ferntree Gully Belgrave, Mt Evelyn, Lilydale, Upper Yarra and Mountains Views) had to say in the lead up to election day.
Mountain Views readers made up the majority of the 114 respondents (28.9 per cent), followed by Lilydale (26.3 per cent), Ranges Trader (20.20 per cent), Upper Yarra (16.7 per cent), Ferntree Gully Belgrave (6.1 per cent) and Mt Evelyn (1.8 per cent).
Of the respondents, 61-75 year olds were the most prevalent (61.4 per cent of the total), with 41-60 year olds (22.8 per cent), Over 76 (11.4 per cent), 26-40 year olds (4.4 per cent). No one under the age of 26 responded to the Star Mail survey.
When asked for their least and most important political issues, local readers had varying and even conflicting opinions:
The top five most common ‘extremely important issues’ were Health Services, Inflation (Cost of Living), National Roads and Rail Infrastructure, Climate Change Policies and Electricity Prices.
The issues most commonly deemed ‘least important’ were Broadband Internet Access, Water Infrastructure, Immigration and Border Control, Climate Change Policies and Electricity Prices.
On the topic of energy and the environment, 50.9 per cent of all readers said they want to prioritise reducing carbon emissions, while the remaining 49.1 per cent favoured whatever results in the cheapest electricity prices. A small majority of respondents (58.8 per cent) said they do not support nuclear energy in Australia, but when asked if they would support a nuclear plant in
their area, only 33.3 per cent said yes. Respondents most want to see federal funding for local hospitals increase (54.4 per cent) over local infrastructure projects (19.3 per cent),
defence (7.9 per cent), local national highways (6.1 per cent). 12.3 per cent had ‘other’ areas in mind for federal funding.
58.8 per cent of respondents wanted to re-
duce immigration, with 35.5 per cent wanting to keep it the same and 8.8 per cent in favour of boosting it.
At the time of taking the survey, the majority (55.3 per cent) of respondents indicated they were likely to vote for a major party candidate (Labor or Coalition), while 29.8 per cent indicated they would vote for an Independent candidate and 14.9 per cent for a minor party.
For the remaining questions, respondents were asked to indicate their thoughts on a few topics on a scale from one to five, with a five being the highest. Respondents were asked how significant social media’s influence is on public discourse and political decision-making in Australia, how important improved national road and transport infrastructure is to them and how concerned they are about global security and housing affordability in their region.
Respondents were particularly passionate about all of these issues, with ‘five’ emerging as the dominant response in every category (in the order previously listed) accounting for 40.4 per cent, 40.4 per cent, 41.2 per cent and 46.5 per cent of the vote.
Social media having a significant impact was a pretty widely shared view with 26.3 per cent of respondents picking ‘four’ as their answer, 20.2 per cent selecting ‘three’, 8.8 per cent selecting ‘two’ and only 4.3 per cent selecting the lowest option of ‘one’.
Improved national road and transport infrastructure was similarly valued with respondent choices also scaling down from ‘five’; 26.3 per cent voted ‘four’, 15.8 per cent for ‘three’, 9.6 per cent for ‘two’ and 7.9 per cent for ‘one.’. 28.1 per cent picked ‘four’ as a representation of their global security concerns, 13.2 per cent chose ‘three’, 9.6 per cent selected ‘two’ and 7.9 per cent selected ‘one’. 21.9 per cent of respondents rated their concern for housing affordability in their region as a ‘four’, 14.9 per cent at ‘three’, 9.6 per cent at ‘two’ and 7 per cent at ‘one’.
What’s on the mind of Star Mail readers before we head to the polls in May. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)
Candidates field questions
By Callum Ludwig
Four of the candidates for the electorate of Casey put themselves under the microscope of local voters in Tecoma exactly four weeks from election day.
Held in the Tecoma Uniting Church on Saturday 5 April, Minister Matt Cutler opened the event to a full house before handing over to Foothills Community Care chief executive Stephen Barrington to MC the day.
Labor candidate Naomi Oakley, Independent candidate Claire Ferres-Miles, Greens candidate Dr Merran Blair and incumbent Liberal MP Aaron Violi attended.
Mr Violi and Ms Ferres-Miles live within the electorate, in Lilydale and Upwey respectively, while Dr Blair lives just outside in Emerald and Ms Oakley left the electorate in the last 12 months due to costs.
After some lighthearted introductory questions to settle everyone in, the candidates were then asked to identify the three biggest issues in Casey they have identified.
All four named the cost of living and/or doing business as the first issue put forward to them while they each had a couple of shared or differing views as to what else matters most.
Mr Violi went first and also identified housing availability and affordability, particularly due to the limits large parts of the electorate face due to Green Wedge zoning, and communications infrastructure as key concerns to address as getting ‘foundations right for the future.’
Dr Blair was next and said putting ‘systems in place’ to tax big corporations which could be used to help alleviate the cost of living pressures (inciting a cheer from the audience), climate change and protecting wildlife and the environment were key issues for Casey.
Ms Ferres-Miles picked out housing and climate change as her additional issues to bring to the table, also making the distinction to address a concern that spanned the cost of living, housing and climate change; the insurance industry, citing
an unnamed local farmer whose insurance premiums rose from ‘$5000 to $25,000 in three years’.
Ms Oakley picked the particular costs of health, housing and education, as well as improving communications in the region, sticking to emissions reductions targets and renewable energy use nationwide.
Next candidates were asked to make three suggestions to help address the cost of living crisis.
Discussion
Ms Oakley went first and named a number of Labor policies which are targeted at the cost of living, including the Help to Buy Scheme, $10 million
in funding for social and affordable housing and Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) investment, while leaning on her previous lived experience as a renter and sole parent to make clear she doesn’t ‘live in a bubble’.
Ms Ferres-Miles made three suggestions for a supermarket ombudsman to help crack down on price gouging and anti-competitive practices in the industry, investment in renewable energy batteries for homes and businesses to help give residents ‘control’ of their energy costs and insurance industry reform to assist the under-and-uninsured Casey constituents.
Dr Blair wants to crack down on illegal price gouging in supermarkets, reduce stamp duty on insurance, add dental and mental health care to Medicare and crack down on the profiteering of the big banks, including through a ‘mortgage keeper product’ for owner-occupiers which would limit the interest rates a bank can charge mortgages for primary homes to only one per cent above the cash rate.
Mr Violi used his background in the food industry to also take aim at the major supermarkets by introducing grocery divestiture powers to break up the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths if needed and hurt them by impacting ‘their market share’, as well as investing in infrastructure and housing and ensure people are able to insure their assets. On climate and energy policy
Ms Oakley identified Labor’s efforts to reduce ‘feral animals and weeds’, increase land protection, reduce emissions and hit a target of 82 per cent of Australia’s energy grid being run on renewable energy.
plete lack of emergency department in the Casey electorate with Warburton Hospital remaining closed and Healesville Hospital’s emergency department having been closed, sharing a story she was told in Hoddles Creek by a resident who was told by emergency responders to drive her husband, who was having a stroke, to hospital herself and on the way was told Maroondah Hospital was on bypass and she had to keep going to Box Hill Hospital. Ms Ferres-Miles also identified the need to increase bulk-billing rates in Casey and approved of adding dental and mental health to Medicare.
Dr Blair wants to triple the Medicare rebate for GPs, increase emergency care clinics across the country, add dental and mental health to Medicare, increase access to Allied Health services and incentivise training for mental health professionals.
Mr Violi pointed to the Coalition’s pledges to invest $400 million into youth mental health, to reinstate the 20 subsidised mental healthcare sessions which Labor cut to 10 and to deliver an Urgent Care Clinic in Healesville.
Questions from the crowd wrapped up the event.
Q&A
Mr Violi was asked why Opposition Leader Peter Dutton allegedly removed LGBTQIA+ flags from the offices of Headspace Melton ahead of a press conference and after initially refusing to answer something that ‘wasn’t a question’, he later said media reports ‘are not always factual’ and he was not involved in the national campaign.
Ms Ferres-Miles expressed her disappointment in the current Labor government’s efforts (approving new coal and gas projects), the lack of royalties Australia receives for our gas, putting forward a no-nuclear stance and aiming for large-scale investment in solar, wind and batteries, getting many claps of approval from the audience.
Dr Blair similarly disproved of the 25 coal and gas projects approved under Labor, praised the innovation into microgrids and virtual power plants in improving energy resilience which the crowd also enjoyed and called for subsidies to electrify Australian homes, rather than relying on gas.
Mr Violi faced a tough crowd when putting forward his idea to address the ‘three key pillars’ of energy, being price, reliability and the journey to net zero by 2050. Mr Violi said the Coalition want a ‘balanced transition’ from a coal, gas and renewable system to a nuclear, gas and renewable systems. The mention of nuclear energy was heavily booed, with laughs from the crowd after Mr Violi said there would be no nuclear power plant in the Yarra Valley and further boos when attempting to identify the potential for nuclear energy to use existing transmission lines and create zero emissions.
On healthcare and mental health
Ms Oakley again identified Labor policies to improve bulk billing and invest in Medicare and the PBS, and was unclear on their policy for mental health but said through her experience working with people experiencing mental healths concerns that she would campaign for more to be done, particularly for those on the NDIS.
Ms Ferres-Miles’ major concern was the com-
On a question about salmon farms, Ms Oakley, Ms Ferres-Miles and Dr Blair expressed they were opposed to negative impacts of the industry and Mr Violi emphasised that agriculture neds to be supported to operate sustainably.
On their thoughts on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Ms Oakley said she was devastated by the loss of life, Ms Ferres-Miles said the actions of Israel are not proportionate, Dr Blair wants Australia to speak out louder against Israel and Mr Violi supports a two-state solution.
Mr Violi was asked by an impressive young attendee where nuclear waste would be stored, and he identified similar facilities such as the one in Lucas Heights (New South Wales) where Australia’s only nuclear reactor is, would be developed.
A question about abortion was put forward, sparking a hostile reaction from large portion of the crowd and Ms Oakley, Ms Ferres-Miles and Dr Blair all supported a woman’s right to choose and Mr Violi said it was a state issue and that we should ‘protect all people’.
When asked whether they would keep showcasing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at their press conferences, all four candidates said they would.
The last questions was to Dr Blair and Ms Ferres-Miles about whether they would help the Coaltion form government, with Dr Blair firmly against it and Ms Ferres-Miles saying it was dependent on policy, but that she would currently edge towards Labor.
More ‘Meet the Candidates’ events in Casey are set to be held before election day on Saturday 3 May.
L-R: Labor’s Naomi Oakley, Independent Claire Ferres-Miles, Greens’ Merran Blair and Liberals’ Aaron Violi. (Tanya Steele: 470335)
The crowd quickly filled the Tecoma Uniting Church. (470335)
Terrifying toilet discovery
By Oliver Winn
A Dixons Creek couple received quite the scare on Sunday 30 March after discovering a snake in their toilet.
Mr and Ms Steele returned home from a school fate, when Ms Steele needed to go to the toilet.
But upon opening the toilet lid, Ms Steele was given a rude awakening - a 70cm copperhead snake was lying on the toilet seat.
“My wife was desperate to go to the toilet, so she came inside very quickly and lifted up the lid and lo and behold, there’s a snake lying on the toilet seat.”
“So she went away and I took a photograph of my photographs and I tried to decide what I was going to do with it. So I raced off to grab a garden rake and I was only gone about a minute and the snake disappeared.”
Scared the snake could be anywhere in the house, the couple frantically searched around, giving the rooms “the best spring clean they’ve ever had”.
But they quickly realised the snake was still hiding out inside the toilet, which prompted them to call a snake catcher.
“Shortly thereafter the snake catcher came and he lifted the lid and in the course of doing that, the snake fell into the toilet bowl,” Mr Steele said.
“It was pretty easy for him then to catch the snake.”
“He had a pair of tongs and he caught the snake and put it in a bucket,” he said.
Mr Steele suspects the snake must’ve made its way through the septic tank, up the pipe leading to his house, and eventually the toilet.
Having completed earth works around his septic tank recently, he theorised that the works must’ve disturbed the snake.
While it’s not common for snakes to be found inside of toilets in Australia, it does happen, and the snake catcher who responded to Mr Steele’s
request said it’s a “possibility” to be aware of.
“Because my wife won’t sit back on that toilet, and the snake catcher suggested that we should continue to check the toilet, because you never know, you might find another one of them,” he said.
“The problem is, you just never know where snakes are, and that’s an issue.”
In February, Ambulance Victoria (AV) said 129 snakebites had been recorded over the summer.
AV emergency management director Dale Armstrong said of these cases, 125 people were transported to hospital.
“With hot weather continuing, the snakes are out, which means we need to be vigilant,” Mr Armstrong said.
Though summer has ended, snakes such as the lowland copperhead stay active until late April before seeking shelter over the winter.
Mr Steele suspects the snake came up through the house’s septic system. (Supplied)
A snake catcher was called to the Dixons Creek property and retrieved the snake. (Supplied)
Influencer takes shop viral
By Tanya Steele
The power of a digital story has skyrocketed the struggles of a Montrose business into the social media spotlight, as an influencer spent time connecting with the community and touched the hearts of millions of people worldwide.
A little kindness can go a long way and a local florist and nursing home had their day sprinkled with a surprise dose of generosity from a social media influencer last week.
Influencer Samuel Weidenhofer has seven million followers on TikTok and walked into the Little Flower Shoppe in Montrose, surprising owner Chloe with a request for 1000 roses.
“I could do 50 or 100,” said Chloe.
“What it’s for?” she said in the viral reel, which has since been viewed 1.8 million times on TikTok.
Samuel explained on the video that it was for local nursing home residents and Chloe immediately offered to do the roses at cost. Samuel then handed over $1000 in cashstunning the local Montrose shop owner.
“I immediately just offered to do them at cost, because that’s just what we do, that’s just one of our core values. “ said Chloe.
The duo then went along to the local Donwood Community Aged Care home in Croydon and handed out flowers to the residents there.
Chief executive officer Natasha Wilkinson said it was a welcome surprise when the two came to the nursing home, along with some of Chloe’s staff and said they would like to give a rose to all of our residents.
“ We were like, they will love this — anything special like that is just amazing,” she said.
Talking with the residents, Chloe and Samuel spent a number of hours chatting with people, giving out roses and hearing about Chloe’s shop.
“You don’t see much in the clip but he spent a long time with us,” said Chloe.
“I think people can sometimes think kindness like this is for that person’s benefit – but it’s just not, this world needs to have more kindness,” said Natasha.
“It needs to have more people coming around and taking time just to be with people and enjoy seeing someone get a smile on their face – it’s very infectious,” she said.
After the surprise visit, the influencer posted the video online and things began to pick up from there.
Choe said she is a little older than some of her staff and didn’t immediately understand the ramifications of going viral in this way.
“I thought, maybe this will generate some business and everything like that. But I just genuinely had no idea where it would spiral from there.”
Over the next few days, the post took off on social media and Chloe said her business socials were flooded with messages of support.
“It just had gone crazy, and then it went viral, which my very cool employees explained to me was a very big deal,” she said.
The TikTok star has also begun a GoFundMe page to support the business and it has al-
ready raised over $13,000 in a number of days.
The flower shop has been a florist location in Montrose for over 40 years and Chloe said it’s a landmark in Montrose.
“It’s had so many amazing florists in it over those years,” she said.
After a year of roadworks in the area recently finished Chloe said that her shop’s struggles have not been the only ones and she wants to utilise her new found platform to highlight the
way businesses have been struggling in the area.
“It’s been all we have been consumed with for this whole year,” she said.
“It’s beautiful that I’m getting this Go-
FundMe. It will give me a cash injection into my business. That means I can give it another shot. But it’s really important to me that everybody knows that it’s not just us – everybody in Montrose, they’re all struggling.”
Road blitz continues with trio of new projects in suburbs
The Federal Government says it is building Victoria’s future, announcing three more projects in the $1.2 billion Road Blitz to “upgrade roads, cut congestion and improve safety” in Melbourne’s growing suburbs.
Melbourne’s outer suburbs are some of the fastest growing in Australia.
“We’re giving Victorians the infrastructure they deserve after being short-changed by the former Coalition government,” Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King said.
“We’re fixing roads right across the state; we’ve doubled our road maintenance funding to local councils, reinstated road maintenance indexation that was scrapped under the former government and are investing heavily in our regions and cities.
“We’re fixing these notorious choke points and planning future road improvements to cater for our growing suburbs.”
These projects will help commuters get home sooner and safer, so they are spending less time on the road and more time with their families, the government said.
In partnership with the State Government, three projects will share in $38.5 million to help fix some of Melbourne’s most notorious roads, including:
$25 million for planning and development at the Five-Ways intersection, Warrandyte South;
$10 million to plan for upgrades to the High Street Road and Mowbray Drive intersection, Wantirna South;
$3.5 million towards planning work to upgrade the Maroondah Highway and Yarra Road intersection, Croydon North.
“We’re investing $25 million towards planning and development work to help fix the notorious ‘Five-Ways’ intersection at RingwoodWarrandyte Road, Croydon Road, Husseys Lane and Brumbys Road in Warrandyte South.
“As Melbourne’s population continues to grow, we are investing in critical projects that will create better journeys for motorists,” Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said.
“We are getting on delivering vital road upgrades across wider Melbourne that will provide safer and faster journeys for motorists.
“After ten years of neglect from the Federal Liberal Government, it’s great to have a partner in Canberra that can find Victoria on a map and help deliver critical projects that people rely on every day.”
The upgrade will cut congestion and boost safety for the 8000 vehicles that drive through it every day – helping to prevent collisions, with the area reporting five crashes between 2020 and 2024, the government said.
Further south, $10 million will go towards planning for upgrades to the High Street Road and Mowbray Drive intersection in Wantirna South to identify ways to ease congestion and reduce travel times as the area grows.
The funding will go towards early development of a new signalised T-intersection to enhance the safety of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists turning into High Street while improving connectivity to the Blind Creek Trail for the local community.
In Croydon North, $3.5 million will develop a business case to improve the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Yarra Road.
Federal Member for Aston Mary Doyle said
as a local who drives through this intersection regularly, she knows building traffic signals will potentially save the lives of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
With five schools in the vicinity, Yarra Road can be significantly congested during drop off and pick up hours. This project will explore ways to ease congestion, improve safety and pedestrian accessibility, including on Kent Avenue.
“Planning improvements at this intersection will improve road safety, ease congestion and make it easier for pedestrians in Croydon North to get across the road,” Federal Labor candidate for Deakin Matt Gregg said.
Federal Labor candidate for Menzies Gabriel Ng said the Five-Ways intersection has been the site of a number of accidents and near misses.
These projects are part of the Albanese and Allan Labor Government’s joint $1.2 billion Road Blitz, with contributions of $1 billion from the Australian Government in the 202526 Budget, and $200 million from the Victorian Government.
Samuel is a well known TikTok influencer, generating millions of views with acts of kindness. (Sigrid Petersen Photography).
A rose for all, Sam gives out the flowers. (Sigrid Petersen Photography).
The residents were delighted (Sigrid Petersen Photography).
EASTER 2025 Easter fun at Blue Lotus
The Blue Lotus Water Garden’s Easter egg hunt takes place in the fairy garden with the Easter Bunny and other storybook characters. Great fun for the little ones with children searching for artificial eggs and then swapping what they find with the Easter Bunny for four hen size chocolate eggs. Plenty of photo opportunities. Each egg hunt runs approximately 30 minutes.
SESSIONS: 10.30am and 11.15am each day over Easter.
COST: Egg Hunt Ticket - Child (0-15 years) $9. Must be booked online.
CONDITIONS: All children must be accompanied by an adult with a paid garden ticket.
Good Friday - 18 April 2025
• 10.30am and 11:15am - Eggcellent Egg Hunts with the Easter Bunny and Friends (online ticket required)
• 12pm - Fairy Story in Fairy Garden
• 11am – 3pm Face Painting (additional fees apply)
Easter Saturday – 19 April 2025
• 10.30am and 11.15am - Eggcellent Egg Hunts with the Easter Bunny and Friends (online ticket required)
• 1pm - Storybook Pantomime with Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and their friends. The fun and interactive show runs for approximately 30 minutes in Frog Hollow.
• 11am – 3pm Face Painting (additional fees apply)
Easter Sunday – 20 April 2025
• 10.30am and 11.15am - Eggcellent Egg Hunts with the Easter Bunny and Friends (online ticket required) • 1pm - Storybook Pantomime with Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and their friends. The fun and interactive show runs for approximately 30 minutes in Frog Hollow.
• 11am – 3pm Face Painting (additional fees apply)
Easter Monday – 21 April 2025
• 10.30am and 11.15am - Eggcellent Egg Hunts with the Easter Bunny and Friends (online ticket required)
• 12pm - Fairy Story in Fairy Garden
• 11am – 3pm Face Painting (additional fees apply)
TICKET PRICES
• Adult $22
• Senior/Pensioner $19.50
• Child – Egg Hunt (Only available online, children aged 0-15 years must be accompanied by adult with paid garden ticket) $9
• Child – Garden Entry Only (children aged 0-15 years, accompanied by adult with paid garden ticket) $FREE
ONLINE BOOKINGS: Blue Lotus recommend visitors book online to avoid disappointment. Child egg hunt tickets are only available online. You can book tickets at bluelotus.com.au Booking fees apply.
OPEN TIMES: Gates will open at 10am and close at 5pm over Easter.
FIND US: Blue Lotus Water Garden, 2628 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction, Victoria Ph (03) 5967 2061 Web bluelotus.com.au
Don’t miss the Easter Bunny’s egg hunt at the Blue Lotus Water Gardens. (Supplied)The Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland will be putting on a special show too.
Tuesday 22nd of April 2025 - 11am to 3pm
NEWS CFA marks 80 years in Vic
By Oliver Winn
CFAs all over the state celebrated 80 years of fighting fires and supporting Victorians on 2 April, with brigades throughout the Yarra Ranges taking a moment to reflect on its history within the community.
Lilydale CFA’s history goes far beyond the establishment of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in 1945, as far back as 1887 when it was called the Lilydale Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Lilydale CFA first lieutenant Ron Haines said the brigade was then officially registered as a part of the Country Fire Brigade Board (CFBB) in 1905, before the CFA formed in 1945.
Ex-captain at Lilydale CFA, Frank Whelan, joined the Lilydale CFA in 1961 and is still a firefighter to this day.
Through the stories Mr Haines and Mr Whelan told of fighting some of Victoria’s biggest fires, they both outline the invaluable role the CFA played in protecting the community.
Mr Haines said he vividly remembers the Ash Wednesday fires, where he fought the wild Warburton fire and protected the lives of evacuated residents hiding inside of a pipeline at the Upper Yarra Reservoir.
“We took our tanker to Warburton right up to Reefton and I remember going right up [to the dam] where a lot of the residents evacuated,” Mr Haines said.
“I vividly remember, they all got in the big pipeline up in the tunnel at the Upper Yarra Reservoir, and when I got up there I couldn’t believe how many people were in the tunnel.”
Mr Whelan said Mr Haines’ efforts “basically saved the day”, as he was in charge of a number of tankers that joined together to protect the residents sheltering in the dam tunnel.
Out of the eight main Ash Wednesday bushfires that wreaked havoc on Victoria, the Warburton fire was one of the two where no one died.
“They looked after those people until the fire had passed and it was safe again,” Mr Whelan said.
Montrose CFA volunteer and lifelong resident Eddie Tichelaar joined the Montrose CFA as a junior member when he was only 14 years old in 1977.
He said Montrose CFA was formed in 1938, but the brigade was “severely hampered” at the time of the 1939 Black Friday bushfires due to a lack of resources.
In 1962, the first lieutenant, Ted Adams acquired Montrose CFA’s first siren from the back of a police motorbike, and fashioned it to the top of a pine tree in his backyard.
Mr Tichelaar said the fire station built in 1984 is the same one used to this day.
The CFA’s establishment brought together many small rural fire brigades who were around before the official formation in 1945.
Now, 52,000 members proudly serve over 1200 CFAs all over Victoria.
Yarra Ranges students meet for council youth summit
Yarra Ranges school students posed questions and reflected on the future at Council’s youth summit hosted in Lilydale on Thursday, 20 March.
Fifty students from six schools attended the event and gave feedback, shared ideas, and learned about the role of local government in their community.
The day concluded with a Q and A panel with Mayor, Jim Child, and Councillors Richard Higgins and Peter McIlwain, with students having the opportunity to pose questions.
Cr Child said that the Youth Summit was the best youth consultation he had been part of and was grateful for the chance to hear so many young voices.
“It was wonderful to hear such creative ideas as well as thoughtful criticism from students. They used their unique experience as young people in the Yarra Ranges to advocate for is-
sues that impact them,” he said.
“Students spoke with passion about public transport challenges, the need for easier access to healthcare, more music venues, lowering the voting age, and more inclusive spaces.”
Teachers took photos of their students sit-
ting in the Council chambers, while Cr Child said, “It’s inspiring to think that these students could end up back here in these very chambers as Councillors.”
Students provided feedback on the developing Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the
Council Plan 2025-2029 by ranking proposed actions from most important to least, then sharing a youth perspective on proposed projects.
The students also took part in an engaging where they explored the complex roles and responsibilities of local, state, and federal government.
To reflect on the day, students were asked to share their big picture hopes for the Yarra Ranges looking 25 years into the future.
Students shared feedback such as:
“More community festivals and markets.”,
“More safe spaces to hang out or participate in sport during the day and night.”,
“More education on Indigenous culture in all schools.”
For more information and to have your say on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the Council Plan and other projects, visit shaping. yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Yarra Ranges school students attended the Council’s youth summit hosted in Lilydale on Thursday, 20 March. (Supplied)
Lilydale Fire Brigade’s tanker had a crew of four, led by lieutenant Ron Haines. (History of the Lilydale Fire Brigade 125 years book)
Volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Old Hereford Road in Mount Evelyn just days before the Ash Wednesday fires.
It’s a symphony of colour
As the seasons shift to autumn and winter, the Yarra Valley adopts shades of every colour, from its sunrises to its leaves, dazzling with its beauty.
Woori Yallock resident and photographer Tracey Frazer captures the delight of the region in these transition of season photos.
While the Yarra Valley can be blanketed in cold temperatures during these months, the beauty of a frosty morning and glowing sunrise has a certain charm.
(Tracey Frazer)
COMMUNITY COURSE GUIDE
Lots ahead for the House
Lilydale Community House is pleased to be holding a number of workshops and talks during Term 2. Alongside their usual activities throughout the week, we will also have a lot of new ones.
They have workshops in Floristry, a two-day workshop in Traditional Weaving, and how to build a worm farm, facilitated by Bunnings Lilydale. Talks include Bone Health and Nutrition for Individuals over 50 with an experienced dietitian, and an overview of a free Mental Health and Wellbeing service in the Yarra Ranges for people over 26. Additionally, they are pleased to be facilitating alongside the Lilydale and District Historical Society a Walk Back in Time with a member of the Society who will talk about significant buildings, landmarks and events in the Lilydale area while walking around the town.
At the beginning of June, LCH will be holding a clothing swap where people can bring clothes along to give away and maybe pick up new ones. This term sees the return of new Mixed Media classes, and the Linedancing classes, due to popularity, will be extended an extra half hour.
All the information for classes, events and other activities go to the website at: lilydalech.org.au or you can book over the phone on 7036 6813.
Get creative with paint and draw classes.
Read Write Now
Mountain District Learning Centre 13-15 The Avenue, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 (03) 9758 7859 | office@mdlc.org.au | www.mdlc.org.au
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Term 2, 2025 - Adult Education Classes
Boost your literacy, numeracy, and digital skills in a supportive, fun, and personalized learning environment! Gain practical skills that fit your needs and interests.
Wednesday and Thursday 5.30pm – 8.00pm (MDLC Office)
English Conversation Groups
Is English your second language? Do you want to improve your speaking and listening skills? Join our group where you can practice English and gain confidence in real-life conversations.
Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday Boronia, Bayswater, Rowville, and Croydon Libraries
Digital Essentials
Take your digital skills to the next level with our hands-on program! Learn to navigate technology, master various devices, and connect with others in meaningful ways.
English for Living and Working in Australia
Build your English skills for everyday life and work with our confidence-boosting class. Get practical language support tailored to your needs.
Wednesday 9.30am – 3.30pm (Boronia Library) or Thursday 9.30am – 3.30pm (Boronia Library)
Health and Financial Wellbeing
Learn how small changes can improve your mental health and financial wellbeing. Join our course to discover simple, practical ways to feel more confident and in control.
Friday 12.00pm – 1.30pm (Boronia Library)
Tuesday 10.00am – 12.00pm (Belgrave Library), or Tuesday 1.00pm – 3.00 (MDLC), or Wednesday 1.00pm – 3.00pm (MDLC) Brainworks
Term 2 2025 – 22 April to 4 July
Some of our courses incur a small fee. For more information and enrolments, contact the office on (03) 9758 7859
Keep your mind sharp and improve your thinking skills with this fun and engaging course! Build focus, stay mentally active, and enjoy brain-boosting activities.
Monday 11.00am – 12.30pm (Bayswater Library), or Wednesday 12.00pm – 1.30pm (Knox Library), or Friday 10.30am – 12.00pm (Boronia Library)
Learn Local Endorsed Courses
Learn Local Courses are funded by Learn Local. We require proof of Australian or New Zealand citizenship, or Asylum seekers valid visa. Where applicable, concession card holders and pensioners pay only $50.00 tuition fee per year, regardless of the number of courses. Materials and resources fees are not subject to concessions.
Lilydale Community House
We offer a variety of classes, workshops and social activities at low cost or no cost
Here are some of our activities for TERM 2, 2025
MONDAYS
Paint, Draw, Create, Explore 10.30–12.30pm Gold coin donation Soup & Stories 11am–1pm FREE Qi Gong & Tai Chi
6.30-8pm. $15 a session, pay on the night.
TUESDAYS
Table Tennis
1-3pm. Gold coin donation Beginners Linedancing 4.00-5.30pm $10 a session. Beginners Guitar 6-7pm. $220 for the Term.
Mixed Media
10am-12pm June 3, 10, 17, 24 Cost: $100
WEDNESDAYS
Mindfulness Meditation 6.30-7.30pm $50 for the Term.
THURSDAYS
Step & Connect Women’s Social Walks Group leaves the House 9.30am sharp. Return for a cuppa. FREE Cooking for One May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. 11am-1pm $50 for 5 weeks. The Singing Circle 1.30-3.00pm. $10 per session. Pay on the day.
FRIDAYS Yin Yoga
9.30-10.30am. $12 a session, or $100 for 10 week Term Exercise for Older Adults Fridays 11–11.45am. $10 a session.
SATURDAYS
Mosaics
May 10, 17, 24, 31, 9am-12pm $100
WORKSHOPS & TALKS
WORKSHOP on Floristry
Monday April 28, 1-3pm. Cost: $25
WORKSHOP with Bunnings How to build a worm farm
Thursday 1 May, 10.30am-12.30pm. FREE WORKSHOP - Tradtional Weaving Monday May 5, 12, 1-4pm Cost: $80
WORKSHOP Bone Health & Nutrition for Individuals over 50
Tuesday May 13, 10am-12pm Cost: FREE
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Lilydale Walk Back in Time
With the Lilydale Historical Society
Tuesday May 6, 10-12pm Cost: $10
Mental Health
An overview of Mental Health & Wellbeing
Local which provides free, accessible support for adults aged 26 and over in the Yarra Ranges.
Tuesday 27 May 10.30-11.30am FREE
CLOTHES SWAP
Monday June 2, 1-3pm
Join us for a clothes swap, bring your unwanted clothing to give away and pick up some new ones.
TALKING CAFE
Wednesdays at 2pm @ Monty’s Cafe in Marketplace, Lilydale
7 Hardy Street Lilydale
7036 6813
Lilydale Community House’s line dancing classes are back by popular demand and with extended time. (Supplied)
Where to pick up your FREE Star Mail
CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar3 Meadowgate Drive
CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Caltex Safeway239-241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK EG Fuelco Service StationChirnside Park Shopping Cr Little
Chipping Drive, 241 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway
CHIRNSIDE PARK Chirnside Park Country Club 68 Kingswood Drive
CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar158 Nangathan Way
CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar11 The Mall
KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketChuringa SC, Russo Place
KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketCanterbury Road Kilsyth
KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette Unit 7/87 Colchester Road
LILYDALE Aaron Violi MP Office 110 Main Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC33-45 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC51-59 Anderson Street
LILYDALE Woolworths SupermarketMarketplace, 33 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale VillageCastella Street & Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre7 Hardy Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre1 Jarlo Drive
LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station473 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale346 Main Street
LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths31 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE BP Service Station87 Warburton Highway
LILYDALE Shell Service Station469 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE 7 - Eleven LilydaleCnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road
LILYDALE Coles Express469 Maroondah Highway
LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe251 Main Street
LILYDALE Round Bird Can't Fly170 Main Street
LILYDALE The Lilydale General110 Beresford Road
LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery96 Main Street
LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe178 Main Street
LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe222 Main Street
LILYDALE Gracious GraceCastella Street
LILYDALE Melba Coffee House33-45 Hutchinson Street
LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies7/75 Cave Hill Road
LILYDALE Point of View CafeLilydale Lakeside - Jarlo Drive
LILYDALE Freda's Cafe2 Clarke Street
LILYDALE Barry Plant Real Estate88 Main Street
LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate164 Main Street
LILYDALE Hello Harry245 Main Street
LILYDALE Noel Jones Real Estate 281 Main Street
LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate111-113 Main Street
LILYDALE Grubs Up1 Industrial Park Drive
LILYDALE Mc Donalds RestaurantMaroondah Highway
LILYDALE Olinda Creek HotelMaroondah Hwy
LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy
LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street
MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road
MONTROSE IGA Supermarket Mt Dandenong Road
MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road
MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road
MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road
MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street
MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent
MOUNT EVELYN Red Robyn Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road
MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent
MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road
MOUNT EVELYN Bendigo Bank 2/35-39 Wray Cres
MONTROSE IGA Supermarket916 Mt Dandenong Road
MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket15 Brice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK Bendigo BankUnit 19/66 - 74 Brice Ave
MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar38 Bellara Dive
MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart108 Hayrick Lane
MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark103 Cardigan Road
MOOROOLBARK Coles Express2 Cambridge Road
MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real EstateBrice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK L J HookerBrice Avenue
MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road
MOOROOLBARK Mc Donalds RestaurantManchester Road
MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road
MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale138 York Road
WANDIN NORTH Wandin Newsagency Shop 2 /18 Union Road
OPINION Autumn joys
For many of us autumn is the best season of the year, the foliage of our deciduous trees turning on a full colour display, the days crisp and sunny.
It’s also school holidays and a time to spend with family and friends enjoying this wonderful time of the year.
But as Les Murray wrote in The Dream of Wearing Short Pants Forever: Instead, we are cowed by property, by the need to earn, by the law, by despair, by newsprint, by bank balances, by police, by advertising, by clock time.
This sense of being overwhelmed is felt by many of us and put so concisely by an anonymous poet online.
we are all just one small disaster away from sinking, and sometimes you only realise when you’re gasping for air
This is hardly surprising considering the news we are bombarded with daily across our screens and papers: local, national and international.
Confronting images from war zones and devastating natural disasters: earthquake in Myanmar, the Queensland floods and so on are unsettling.
Add the uncertainty of how the interconnected world economy will respond to the tariffs rolled out by the Trump administration and how this could impact on our lives.
All this against the background of the election campaign with the daily activities of politicians on the hustings in full display.
Then there are the ongoing domestic problems: the still high interest rates and cost of living pressures impacting even on those who have good jobs.
The cost of education is a deterrent to many from pursuing a chosen career path.
Regular visits to a GP are curtailed as clinics cut back on bulk billing.
A visit to a dentist is out of reach for many. Even more worrying is the falling standard of nutrition particularly for growing children.
We all now realize that the accepted dream of home ownership may be permanently out of reach for some.
That fundamental human right of shelter has become a battleground … Even shelter in the form of renting is out of reach for many and has led to young people moving back home or tragically ending up homeless with nowhere to go.
In Home Poet David Malouf captures how home is more than a physical space it is also an emotional anchor.
The house is a place we come back to, and always with surprise to find how far we have come.
This sense of being overwhelmed and at the same time feeling powerless and insignificant manifests in various ways.
From physical and mental illnesses to antisocial behaviour such as the domestic and public violence we see and fear.
Nor is it confined to adults but seen in the many problems with our youth.
From ‘school refuseniks’ to out of control behaviour and crimes.
The often over sensationalized and out of context reporting makes many, particularly the elderly, feel unsafe.
Emily Dickinson captures this sense of being engulfed by overwhelming internal and external forces, symbolized by the ‘funeral procession’ in her brain.
And then a Plank in Reason, broke, And I dropped down, and down—
And hit a World, at every plunge, And Finished knowing—then—”
The often quoted but misunderstood phrase, ‘Australia, the Lucky Country’ was the title of Donald Horne’s 1964 book in which contrary to popular belief he wasn’t praising Australia but critiquing it: ‘Australia is a Lucky Country run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck,’ he wrote.
WOORILLA WORDS
After all hasn’t Australia punched way above its weight in lots of fields: science, technology medicine, arts and sport?
From medical breakthroughs such as penicillin, cervical cancer vaccine, Cochlear implants to WiFi, the Black Box flight recorder and Google Maps to literature, film, music and sport.
Not bad for a nation of 27 million.
But despite these achievements there is still a lingering sense that our politicians of all persuasions lack vision for our nation and have a tendency to avoid the hard decisions.
We are a safe country with strong institutions and an electoral system widely regarded as one of the strongest and fairest in the world—but like anything, it’s not perfect.
Its strength lies in a highly trusted Electoral Commission that runs our Federal elections backed by compulsory voting, and a preferential system for the House of Representatives and proportional representation for the Senate.
However, the laws around political donations and lobbying are weak with no caps on donations and transparency laws are in need strengthening.
Moreover disclosures are delayed and so can be hidden till well after an election, giving powerful individuals and industries an unfair influence. As we have seen this week both leaders have chosen to appear with podcasters, influencers ahead of traditional media.
Perhaps it’s a recognition that there are new voices challenging the Luck Myth and are pushing for something better.
These include First Nations activists, youth climate action, queer and migrant led movements. They bring new voices to areas long neglected. In essence they are looking for strong and brave leadership.
One of the standout lines about leadership for a new generation was from Amanda Gorman’s poem about hope, healing and leading with unity and strength, performed at President Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.
From The Hill We Climb
Yes there are many problems we face that need a brave commitment.
From someone who is prepared to stand up for principle and the good of the country and put forward visionary policies.
This however takes real courage and leadership and brings us back to Donald Horne’s criticisms so many years ago.
When that happens then we can call ourselves The Lucky Country in the literal sense of the phrase.
Many famous poets have written about feeling overwhelmed by the events and emotions around them, capturing the sense of being inundated by life’s challenges, struggles, or the pace of the world.
These poets offer profound insights into the experience of being overwhelmed by external events, using their unique voices to navigate complex or emotional landscapes.
For those who are feeling the weight of events and the relentless pace and stresses of modern life poet Robert Gray reminds us how we have been conditioned to neglect the recuperative powers of nature.
In fact, he was pointing out that Australia had benefited from its location, resources and the post war boom, but had not earned its success through innovation, creativity, or leadership.
Instead, it had coasted on complacency, conservatism, and colonial privilege.
A bit harsh many would say. And do we still deserve Donald Horne’s harsh assessment?
The city is a jungle of iron and stone, we have been taught to look away from the world of leaves and soil, the whole machinery of work and time pressing down on the veins of the land.”
From Flame Tree by Robeart Gray So on the next sunny autumn day head out into nature whether in your small garden, a walk along your street or to your nearest park or reserve.
Desex cats to stop cycle
If you’ve recently found yourself with a new kitten - courtesy of a neighbour, a friend, Gumtree, or a mysterious meow under your house, you’re not alone.
The feline distribution system is alive and well, andcatshaveafunnywayofchoosingtheirpeople.
However your kitten arrived, we’re thrilled for you.
At Animal Aid, we don’t judge how a cat joins your life - we just want to help you give them the best future possible.
That starts with desexing.
Unplanned litters are one of the biggest reasons shelters like ours stay full.
We know most people don’t intend to contribute to the issue.
It’s just that without the behind-the-scenes view, it’s hard to grasp how serious and widespread it really is.
That’s where we come in - every time the community waits too long, we’re the ones caring for mums and kittens who shouldn’t have had to struggle.
aid Animal
Mark Menze Animal Aid CEO
Desexing your cat helps stop that cycle.
It prevents future litters and improves your cat’s health and behaviour.
Microchipping and registration also make sure your pet is safe and always finds their way home.
If you’ve been chosen by the feline distribution system, welcome to the club.
Now let’s work together to keep the system kind and sustainable - for every cat.
Call us a call on 8756 1300 if you are interested in making an appointment to give your cat or kitten the best future.
The thrilling chase continues in Marney’s new book
Published in June 2023, Some Shall Break is the second instalment in Australian author Ellie Marney’s “None Shall Sleep Sequence”.
The story takes place three months after the explosive events at the end of None Shall Sleep.
It brings Emma and Travis, both in their late teens, back to work as partners in the FBI hunt for a new serial killer in Pittsburgh.
When all evidence points back to Daniel Huxton, the serial killer from whom Emma escaped three years earlier, all parties involved in the new case realise they have a copycat on the loose.
Emma is forced to revisit her past traumas, memories so horrific and painful that they might finally break her.
Yet she is determined no one else should suffer from what she did.
So returns Simon, one of the country’s most infamous serial killers.
The highly intelligent and manipulative
PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN
20-year-old has been assisting the FBI with insights on the psychological profiles of mass murderers.
But, for this particular case, what terrible price does Emma have to pay? And what kind of impact will it have on her relationship with Travis?
This much anticipated story is full of breathtaking tension and chilling suspense.
Once again the FBI and their associated law enforcement departments have underestimat-
A good video game movie
A Minecraft Movie captures the feel and style of the source game like few other video game adaptations, but fails to craft an engaging movie even as it mines gold with our nostalgia. After stumbling into a fantastical realm made entirely of cubes, a group of friends team up with a legendary crafter named Steve (Jack Black) to save the realm from an evil conqueror.
Like The Super Mario Bros Movie (a 2023 video game movie that made over a billion dollars globally), A Minecraft Movie is upbeat, colourful and will amuse young viewers and nostalgic older players alike, and features several exciting action set-pieces.
However, the awkward humour is sledgehammer-blunt, and the characters are barelywritten or obnoxious (in Jason Momoa’s case, both).
Momoa’s character, washed-up video game champion Garrett Garrison, is also a dated stereotype.
A Minecraft Movie recreates the aesthetics and rules of Minecraft extremely faithfully, but since the game is so whimsical and farremoved from our reality – gravity is more of
a suggestion, you can build giant structures effortlessly and, of course, everything is cubes –a fully-animated adaptation would have been a better choice.
With the “Overworld” being so stylised, especially after the mostly redundant first-act set-up in our world, nothing around the actors feels real – much like the new Snow White movie – and the events therefore carry little weight (despite some surprisingly dark action beats).
A Minecraft Movie is the opposite of the 2008 Max Payne film, which was a decent neonoir crime thriller but a poor adaptation of the Max Payne games.
Both a successful adaptation and a blunt, shallow and superficially fun film, A Minecraft Movie is playing in most Victorian cinemas.
ed the young people they work with – not just Emma, Travis and Simon, but also a wild card that no one sees coming.
Meanwhile, we cannot help but admire the author’s deliberate omission of details about Emma’s past in None Shall Sleep.
Without that careful arrangement, Some Shall Break would not have been such a powerful and profound exploration of complex themes such as trauma, guilt, survival, and the purpose of life.
Also present are the themes of love and loyalty, which are delicately investigated in the connection between Emma and Travis, as well as in the relationship between Simon and his twin sister Kristin.
Emma is a survivor in every imaginable sense, but this does not and should not require her to be emotionally and psychologically indestructible.
The author treads cautiously while illustrating Emma’s state of mind, showcasing her resilience and determination but also highlighting
the vital importance of seeking professional help and understanding the fact that victims of violent and/or sexual crimes are never at fault for the harm that befell them.
The following sentiment from Emma is particularly outstanding: “There’s a seemingly bottomless reserve of these grasping, hungry men. These pathetic, selfish men, who feel entitled to take what they want with no regard for anyone else, and without consequences. She knows them so well, and she doesn’t want to anymore. Doesn’t want to listen to their bullshit. Doesn’t care about their psychology and their monologues, their histories or excuses... She just wants them gone.”
The book’s ending is explosive, an absolute cliffhanger that makes the third and final instalment in the “None Shall Sleep Sequence” urgently necessary.
A closure will mean a final showdown between Emma and Travis and their archenemy Simon!
Highly recommended.
Local theatres
Burrinja Theatre
Pandemonium - Jimeoin
Direct from a sell-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, don’t miss Jimeoin’s hilarious new show 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 thank 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 life hack or two.
• Season: Friday 11 April at 7.30pm.
Karralyka Theatre
Trash Test Dummies Circus
Winners of the best Children’s presentation at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2015 and 2016 and runners up for Children’s Choice Award Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016, the Trash Test Dummies are full of laughs as they are surprises.
This family adventure takes the humble household wheelie bin to new heights.
• Season: Thursday 10 April. Times: 11am and 2pm.
The Round Theatre
Broadway Baby – A Transformational Theatrical Experience
Get ready for an unforgettable evening as powerhouse performer Clare Elizabeth Dea returns with her most dazzling and daring show yet!
Joined by the incomparable Suzanne Andrews on piano and two sizzling cabaret dancers, The Hot Daddies, Clare brings glitz, grit, and authenticity to this one-night only spectacle.
Follow the hilariously flawed and chocolate-obsessed diva Ruby Red as she navigates the highs and lowsofmotherhood,addiction,andlifeinthespotlight. From show-stopping Broadway hits to side splitting self-help parodies, Clare masterfully blend comedy, music and raw storytelling, serving up Liza Minelliworthy pizzazz with a dash of Brene Brown-inspired vulnerability.
• Season: Sunday 13 April at 8pm.
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
ACROSS
1 Beachgoer’s two-piece (6)
4 Masses of bees (6)
10 Cavalry weapon (5)
11 Banishment (9)
12 Root out (9)
13 Popular garden figure (5)
14 Sufficient (6)
15 Brink (4)
19 Actor, – Gosling (4)
20 Family head (6)
24 Hand digit (5)
25 Blend (9)
27 A continuous expanse of land (9)
28 BeautyandtheBeast heroine (5)
29 Bears (6)
30 Brigand (6) DOWN
1 Follower of a particular religion (8)
2 Australian animal (8)
3 Requiring (7)
5 Argue (7)
6 Very large, horned, planteating animals (abbr) (6)
7 Season (6)
8 Roman garment (4)
9 Goes regularly to (an event, etc.) (7)
16 Executive group in government (7)
17 Exhaustive (8)
18 Sharpest vertical angle (8)
19 Reconstruct (7)
21 A branch of mathematics (7)
22 Adhesive (6)
23 Central Asian fruit (6)
26 Ballet skirt (4)
HIDDEN GEM WITH CHARM AND CHARACTER PROPERTY
HIDDEN GEM – PRIME LOCATION WITH CHARM AND CHARACTER
THIS Cape Cod designed home is set on a private 1-acre near flat block in a quiet, sealed road - the perfect combination of space, practicality, and modern comfort—tailor-made for tradies, car enthusiasts, those needing serious storage or just those looking for a peaceful place to live.
Relax and entertain
This property is made for entertaining
• Freshly Updated oversized rear deck –French doors open on to an oversized rear deck with new decking boards perfect for entertaining or just unwinding after a long day,
• Red brick paved patio – French doors open to a second entertaining space
• Relatively flat, mostly cleared 1-acre block –easy to maintain
Plenty of space for work and leisure!
Massive shedding and secure parking
Great spaces to suit all sorts of requirements
• 15m x 12m shed with two roller doors, concrete flooring, power, water and rear lane access – ideal for a workshop or vehicle storage
Attached 3-car garage with rear roller door for extra accessibility
Plenty of room for trailers, boats, caravans or multiple vehicles
Style, comfort and convenience
• Delightful Cape Cod Style home with 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Generous master suite with large ensuite including a spa bath and shower, and walk in robe
• Wood heating and split system for year-round comfort
• Kitchen features double drawer dishwasher, gas hotplates, electric oven, walk-in pantry, and provision for a plumbed-in fridge
Main bathroom with a charming claw-foot bath
Located in the heart of Gembrook, just minutes from cafes, shops, and nature reserves, this is the ideal property for those who need space to work from home, store, and play—all while enjoying a peaceful lifestyle.
Opportunities like this don’t last! Call Alison Barkley on 0494 175 410 to inspect.
HOME ESSENTIALS
GORGEOUS RESIDENCE ON OVER QUARTER ACRE
GROWING families with great taste will be enamoured with this impressive family home.
Stylish, spacious, and smartly capitalising on its 1,326sqm (approx.) landscape, you will feel at home with just one step in the door. Framed by outdoor entertaining spaces, the upper level is bursting with appeal. The open plan dining area and gourmet kitchen with textural tile flooring, striking benchtops, soft close draws, island seating, dark cabinetry, and high-calibre appliances including dual 600mm wall ovens, Fisher & Paykel double draw dishwasher and a 900mm induction cooktop serves as the heart of this spectacular home. The light-filled and expansive living area with terrazzo-style tile flooring, and study nook resides on the lower level to enjoy its own equally impressive outdoor space.
Magnificent bedrooms and bathrooms are also on offer. The parents’ retreat main bedroom boasts a sitting area, walk-in robe, and luxurious ensuite. The family bedrooms
HOME ESSENTIALS
share a spa-like bathroom with soaking tub and rainfall shower.
With further features including a generous laundry with butcherblock benchtops, drying cupboard and bonus guest WC, a double garage with in-house and deck/rear access, a sealed driveway with plenty of space to park a caravan or boat, and established veggie beds, this property promises to impress inside and out. Situated within easy reach of Tecoma and Belgrave townships and train stations, a wonderful lifestyle awaits. Join us for a tour today.
• Over quarter-acre (approx.) property with sealed drive and double garage
Magnificent kitchen with island seating and impressive appliances
Generous lounge with tile flooring and study nook
Idyllic parents’ retreat with sitting area, walkin robe, and luxe ensuite
Several spectacular outdoor entertaining areas.
Address: 16 Frame Avenue, TECOMA Description: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $1,000,000 - $1,100,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Daniel Steen 0434 979 142, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 9754 6888
9WYNNLEAPLACE,LILYDALE
4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car
$1,250,000-$1,300,000 FAMILYFRIENDLYINWONDERFULWYNNLEA
NestledintheprestigiousWynnleaEstateinLilydale,thisbrandnew4bedroom,2bathroomfamily homeoffersmodernlivinginaserenesetting.Thoughtfullydesignedwithcomfortandfunctionalityin mind,thehomeboastsspaciousinteriorscomplementedbyhighqualityfinishes. Attheheartofthehomeisanopenplanlivingareathatseamlesslyconnectstotheoutdoors,with largeslidingdoorsframingthealfrescoareaandgenerousgardenwithhillsideviews.Thestylish kitchen,withstonebenches,Westinghouseappliancesandmodernfixtures,ensuresablendof eleganceandpracticality.Aseparatemediaroomprovidesaversatilespace-perfectformovie nights,aquietretreatforparentsoraplayspaceforchildren.
ClosetoLilydale’sshops,schoolsandtransport,thepropertybalancessuburbancharmandmodern amenities,providingamixofmodernconvenienceandpeacefulliving.Thisismorethanjustahouse -it’saplaceforyourfamilytocallhome.
RichardGoldsmith0407348172 BenHudson0424288954
LJHooker–Mooroolbark 97267711
HOME FOCUS
IMPRESSIVE HOME WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS
POSITIONED in one of Gembrook’s most sought-after locations, this exceptional 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers a harmonious blend of modern luxury, peaceful living, and unbeatable convenience. Set on an expansive 4939sqm block, this property is just a short walk to the vibrant Gembrook township, offering the perfect balance of privacy and accessibility. Electric front gates open to the driveway that leads to the home, where a large front deck awaits, providing panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valley - ideal setting for outdoor entertaining or simply relaxing and soaking in the beauty of nature.
Step inside to discover a thoughtfully designed home that radiates both style and functionality. The entryway, complete with abundant storage cupboards, immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. The carpeted master suite is a true retreat, featuring a split system for climate control, and an impressively spacious ensuite. This private sanctuary with a freestanding bath for the ultimate relaxation, underfloor heating to ensure warmth during colder months, a heated towel rail for added comfort, and an expansive walk-in wardrobe. A second bedroom, also carpeted and with builtin robes, provides a serene and comfortable space for family or guests.
The open-plan dining, and lounge area is the heart of the home, seamlessly blending style and practicality. Polished timber flooring flows throughout this expansive space, while large bay windows flood the area with natural light and offer stunning views over the property. The room’s woodfire and additional split system ensure comfort throughout the seasons, and a brick feature wall adds an element of warmth and sophistication. The home is also equipped with hydronic heating throughout, creating a warm and efficient environment. Double-glazed windows throughout the home enhance energy efficiency, providing superior insulation and a peaceful atmosphere.
Adjacent to the main living area is a formal lounge room, offering a more intimate space for relaxation or entertaining. The gourmet kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring a vast expanse of stone benchtops, a large pantry, a 900mm gas stove, dishwasher, and copious amounts of storage - everything you need for easy cooking and entertaining.
The home’s thoughtfully designed layout continues with two additional carpeted bedrooms, each with built-in robes, providing ample accommodation for family members or visitors. The central family bathroom with a freestanding bath, underfloor heating, a heated towel rail, and a separate toilet for convenience. The practical laundry offers additional storage and a seamless connection to the home’s living spaces.
Outside, the property is fully fenced, offering privacy and a secure environment for children and pets. There are two single garages, providing plenty of storage and space for vehicles. A large workshop/shed, featuring
a concrete floor and power, presents endless possibilities for hobbies, DIY projects, or additional storage needs. With a 6kW solar system, this home is as energy efficient as it is beautiful, reducing power costs and minimizing its environmental footprint. For green thumbs, the property offers two hot houses and an established vegetable patch, making it the ideal setting for growing your own fresh produce. A fenced chicken area adds further charm, allowing you to enjoy fresh eggs straight from your backyard. Ample off-street parking is available, ensuring plenty of room for visitors, trailers, or additional vehicles.
This extraordinary property offers not only a beautiful and functional home but a complete lifestyle package. Whether you’re enjoying the views from your front deck, tending to your garden, or simply relaxing inside this exceptional residence, this home offers the perfect combination of comfort, luxury, and natural beauty, all just moments from the heart of Gembrook.
This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today.
Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office.
SpaciousFamilyHomewithModernComforts &OutdoorAppeal. This4BR,2-bathroomhome,situatedona 3,319sqmblockinEmerald,offersa perfectblend ofpracticality,& family-friendlyfeatures. Ahorseshoedrivewaywelcomesyou,leadingtoan undercoververandah.Stepthroughthefrontdoorintothelight-filledloungeroomwithtiledflooring, splitsystem& cleverlyrecessedstudynook.Adjacenttotheloungeisthemastersuite,featuringa WIR& privateensuite,with asecondbedroomalsowith aWIR.Downthehallway,you’llfindtwo additionalbedrooms,eachwithBIR& servicedby acentralbathroom.Theheartofthehomeisthe open-plankitchen/diningareawitha largeislandbench,generousbenchspace,cornerpantry, integratedoven&gascooktop.Fromhereenjoydirectaccesstothefullyfencedbackyard,perfect forchildren& pets.Thepropertyalsoincludes adoublegarage& plentyofoff-streetparking.
AaronDay M 0407365994
BrennanMileto M 0422996451
CharmingFamilyRetreatona Spacious847sqmBlock
TuckedawayinCockatoo,thisbeautifullyupdated3-bedroomhomeoffersspace,style& comfort. Stepinsidetothelight-filledopen-planliving/dining/kitchenarea,wherefloatingfloorscreatea seamless &stylishflow.Thekitchen,featuringa largeislandbenchwithstonecountertops,dishwasher &freestanding900mmovenwithgascooktop.Thedoublefarmhousesinkoverlooksthedeck& backyard,makingiteasytokeepaneyeonthekids.Theloungeoffersyear-roundcomfortwitha woodfireheater &s/s,whiledoorsopenontothebackdeck.Downthehall,themasterbedroom withBIR,ceilingfan &a brand-newelectricfireplace.Twoadditionalbedrooms& themodernfamily bathroomcompletetheinterior.Outside,thespaciousdeckstepsdownto afullyfencedbackyard, perfectforkids &pets. Awoodshed,2 gardensheds& singlecarport.
AaronDay M 0407365994
BrennanMileto M 0422996451 3 A 1 B 1 C
BeautifullyRenovated5 BedroomFamilyHome +BungalowonanAcre! Situatedonjustover 1acreofflatland,thisstunninghomewithwraparoundverandahhasallthe creaturecomforts.Featuring along,centralhallway &9ftceilingsthroughout.Fromthespacious laundry,tothelargeopenloungewithanelectricfireplace.Meanderingdownthehallyouwillfind 5stylishbedrooms,theMasterwithFrenchdoorsopeningontotherearverandah,a largewalkthroughrobe& ensuite.Thefamilybathroomisgenerousinsize, &offers abath, &shower.Addto this aseparatediningroomwithFrenchdoorstotheverandah.Thekitcheniswell-appointedwitha hugeislandbenchwithstonetop,newfreestanding900mmgas/electricstove,D/W,& WIP. Outside,hasa 2BRbungalowwithlounge& kitchenette,thepropertyisfullyfenced.Addtothisa workshopwithconcretefloor &power.
SamanthaScott M 0438680032
“WhisperingGums” –A RareDual-OccupancyEstateon12AcresofTranquil MacclesfieldLand Thisstunning12-acrepropertyblendsluxurylivingwithequestrianfacilitiesinMacclesfield.The mainresidencefeaturesa spaciousopen-planlounge,dining,andkitchenwitha chef’sdream kitchenandstunningWarburtonRangesviews.Itincludes6 bedrooms, amastersuitewith awalk-in wardrobeandensuite,and aheatedin-groundpool.Thesecondresidenceoffersa lounge,open kitchen/dining,3 bedrooms,anda conservatory.Bothhomeshavesolarpanels,blockoutblinds, andsecurepet-friendlyareas.Equestrianamenitiesincludestables,a floodlitarena,paddocks,a dam,andpoultryfacilities.Thepropertyalsooffers astudio,garage,veggiegarden,orchard,and extensivewaterstorage.Perfectforfamilies,hobbyfarmers,andhorseenthusiasts.
INSPIRING AND UNIQUE FAMILY HOME ON THE FOREST’S EDGE
ARCHITECTURALLY designed to capture plenty of natural light and views of the surrounding forest from every window, this enchanting, multi-level family home boasts striking, elevated ceilings, magnificent hardwood Sydney Blue Gum floorboards and a unique, open floorplan.
Be greeted on arrival by a soaring, glass foyer that leads to an almost mezzanine style main living zone, incorporating not only a lovely sitting / TV area and dining space, but also the spacious kitchen with large island bench and 900mm Westinghouse oven. Hardwood timber floors have been carried throughout to provide not only a durable surface but to also give a sophisticated finish to this mid-century inspired home.
Large and light-filled, the lower-level lounge is complimented by a gas log fireplace that has been built into the beautiful original brick mantelpiece – Perfect for colder nights watching a good movie or chatting late into the night with friends. Electric central heating and cooling runs throughout and multiple spilt systems have been added for that instant, all weather temperature control.
There are four bedrooms, the master suite with full ensuite and private balcony, creating space and privacy for all family sizes while a large walk in storage area could even be converted to a small study nook for extra convenience.
With the popular Sherbrooke Forest walking trails at your back door, allowing your own private access to the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, you can simply open your doors and take in the fresh mountain air and harmonious sounds of birdlife, providing you with hours of enjoyment, time and time again.
A sealed driveway, dual parking bay is ideal when you want to leave your cars at home and take a walk to the eateries at the end of your road or, wander into Belgrave Main Street where you can enjoy a movie, grab a drink or jump on a train to anywhere!
An inspiring, creative and truly unique design, this home is no doubt capture your heart.
SharynChandler
LIFESTYLE LIVING ON A GRAND SCALE
A beautiful property with an impressive street appeal boasting plenty of space inside and out, set on just over 3/4 of and acre.
This property is sure to please the growing family with something for everyone.
The classic homestead style home offers 4 big bedrooms plus an ensuite and walk in robe in the main bedroom.
The open plan kitchen area has loads of bench and cupboard space plus a separate meals/dining area.
Expansive lounge/living and family rooms ideally zoned to give the whole family plenty of space to spread out. Head outside and enjoy and explore the outdoors with big wide open spaces all round - it’s a kids and pets paradise.
Covered veranda’s front and rear plus a separate covered entertaining area offer year round outdoor entertaining.
A large garage and workshop provide plenty of car accommodation and with established gardens all round, this is an impressive property from every aspect.
A great property designed with family space in mind and set in the glorious and semi rural surrounds of East Warburton - yet only a short drive to the Warburton township and public transport just a short walk down the road.
4BedroomHomeinDesirableClarkeAvenueLocation
Nestledinthesought-afterClarkeAvenue,thisdelightful4 bedroom,1 bathroomhomeoffersa fantasticopportunitytocreateyourdreamlivingspace.Seton aspacious,flat922sqmallotment,this propertyboastsincrediblepotentialwithroomforimprovementwhilestillprovidinga comfortable andfunctionallayout.Thelargekitchenandmealsareaareidealforfamilygatherings,offering amplespaceforcookinganddining.Themainbathroomisneatandtidy,andthegenerouslysized laundryaddspracticalitytothehome.Outside,thelow-maintenanceyardiscomplementedbya doublecarport,providingplentyofoff-streetparkingandconvenience.Locatedonthesunnyside oftown,thishomeisperfectforthoselookingfor apeacefulyetaffordableoptionin afantastic location.
RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068
GrandScale
Abeautifulpropertywithanimpressivestreetappealboastingplentyofspaceinsideandout, setonjustover3/4ofandacre.Theclassichomesteadstylehomeoffers 4bigbedroomsplusan ensuiteandwalkinrobeinthemainbedroom.Theopenplankitchenareahasloadsofbench andcupboardspaceplus aseparatemeals/diningarea.Expansivelounge/livingandfamilyrooms ideallyzonedtogivethewholefamilyplentyofspacetospreadout.Headoutsideandenjoyand exploretheoutdoorswithbigwideopenspacesallround.Coveredveranda’sfrontandrearplus aseparatecoveredentertainingareaofferyearroundoutdoorentertaining.A largegarageand workshopprovideplentyofcaraccommodationandwithestablishedgardensallround,thisisan impressivepropertyfromeveryaspect.
“BRITANNIARIDGECARAVANPARK”over 8Acres,30Cabins,Lt.YarraRiver Ifyou’relookinga newlifestyleandmaybe acareerchangethiscouldbejusttheproperty. Establishedcaravanparkwith amainfamilyhomeorManagersresidenceof4 bedrooms,“Britannia Ridge”issetonover8 acresofruralandpicturesquesurroundingsandbacksontotheLittleYarra River.Thelocationissuperb,inadditiontothemainhomewhichincludesanofficearea,the propertyconsistsof aseparatedouble2 bedroompartlyrenovatedhomeandover30portable/ mobilehomes.Thereisa largelockupshed,amenitiesblock,excellentwaterstorage,and acurrent CouncilCertificateofRegistrationof aCaravanParkwith51-100sites.Therearecurrentlyapprox.20 occupiedunitswithmostrequiringsomeupdatingandrenovations,theyvaryinsizeandconditionso ifyou’reupfora challengethisisa greatopportunitytocapitalizeonfuturepotential.
FamilyComfortWithConvenienceandViews Agreatfamilyhomein aconvenientandpicturesquelocationwithfantasticeverchangingviews toadmireallyearround!Thehomeisspacious,neatandverywellpresentedoffering3 goodsize bedroomsallwithbuiltinrobesplusanensuiteandwalkinrobeinthemainbedroom.Thekitchenis spaciousandwellappointed,withamplebenchandcupboardspaceplus aseparatemeals/dining area.Sitback,admireandenjoythepicturesqueviewsfromthemainliving/familyroom.Venture outsideandentertainallyearroundwitha covereddeckarea- it’stheidealspottorelaxandenjoy thecolourfulvistaandestablishedgardenswithanarrayofshrubsandtrees.A greatfamilyhomein aconvenientlocation,situatedjust ashortstrolltolocalschools,shopsandtransport.
25ClarkeAvenue,Warburton $630,000 -$670,000
OPPORTUNITY TO COMBINE YOUR HOME AND WORK
ONCE the Selby General Store this local landmark property has been renovated, updated and refurbished, ready to be a residence, a new business opportunity, or both – so it offers a great opportunity to provide some extra service to the local community.
The property includes:
• 1275 m2 allotment
• 2 bedrooms
• Central contemporary bathroom, plus a second toilet Living space
Laundry
• Kitchen -900mm stove, dishwasher and S/S benches
• Cool room
• Retail area comprising of open plan space
• Ducted heating, split system
There are some lovely character features including high ceilings, strapping and some pressed metal ceilings.
You may like to investigate opening that new business opportunity you’ve been thinking of, tearooms, art studio, micro-brewery, tapas bar, physio, wellness studio, craft studio – the options are endless and subject to council approval.
I’m sure the locals would love to see the Selby General Store sign go up again.
If you’ve got the vision, we’ve got the property, so please contact Mick Dolphin on 0429 684 522 or Anthony Iorlano on 0494 142 438 to arrange your inspection today.
NOTHINGTODO!MOVEINREADY!
Escapethecityandembracea serenelifestyleintheheartoftheDandenongRanges ‘Fernbrook’isa fullyrenovated,modernhomeon2,213sqmnestledamongthegum treesjustminutesfromCockatoo’scharmingtownship.Thehomefeaturesanopen-plan kitchenwithCaesarstonebenches, awood fireplace/pizzaovencombo,GDH,spacious outdoorlivingwitha tree-topdeck,firepit& landscapedgardens.Also adoublecarport, woodshed &under-housestorage.Surroundedbystunningwalks& TymonRoadReserve
AnthonyIorlano 0494142438
MickDolphin 0429684522
CHARMINGHOMEON1289SQM
Thischarminghomeofferstheperfectblendofcomfort,spaceandconvenience.Ideal foranyoneseekinga peacefulretreatwithmodernlivingamenities.Featuresinclude 2 livingareas,a Potbelly fireplace,GDH,S/System,secondlivingzonedownstairswitha 4thbedroom/teenager’sretreat/dedicatedhomeofficeoption.Outdoorsincludean entertainingdeck,a fullyfencedyard,a largeunder-houseworkshop/storageareaanda storageunitgreatforwoodorbikes.SituatedwithinwalkingdistancetovibrantBelgrave
JanBrewster 0409558805
AMODERNFAMILYHAVENWITHSPACE
Setonanexpansive2,419m²blockin aquietstreet,thispropertycombinesmodern comforts,spaciousliving& endlessoutdoorfun.Features aluxuriousmainbedroom retreat,study,centralkitchenwitha Europeanlaundry,hydronicheating,gasfire,dbl glazing, amassivecovereddeckwitha built-inpizzaoven,mains-connectedBBQ outdoorsink &toilet,adventureplaygroundfeaturinga drycreekbed,slides,climbing wall &trampolinearea,electricgates,3-cargarage,4-carcarport &a
MickDolphin 0429684522
AnthonyIorlano 0494142438 RURALOUTLOOKON2/3ACRE
Multi-generationallivingand flexibilitycomestotheforehere.Featuresincludethe masterwithrenovatedensuiteanda WIR, arenovatedkitchenincludinganopenplan familyroom,separatelounge,sunroomandanundercoverdeck.Completelyseparate downstairsoffers alargecentrallivingroom,a bedroomwithWIR,anoffice,a fully equippedkitchenanditsownverandahanddecking.Thepropertyalsoincludesmultiple splitsystems, agas fireheater,GDHand3 sheds.Ruraloutlookin aquietpartofEmerald.
MickDolphin 0429684522
AnthonyIorlano 0494142438
Where every hoop counts
By John Thompson
On Monday 31 March, the Lilydale Division 1 team travelled to Kew.
The Lilydale team consisted of craig McCracken and Murray Howlett. The first game was the doubles and this game was extremely tight with neither side able to get a break and after the twelfth hoop, the scores were 6 hoops a piece so the thirteenth hoop had to be played to decide the winner. This hoop was also hard fought with a lot of clearing of the opponents balls until Lilydale were able to seize an opportunity to run the hoop and win 7 hoops to Kew 6 hoops.
Murray Howlett played in the first singles game. The Kew player got off to a good start and had a slight lead, Murray fought back but unfortunately just could not bridge the gap and Kew won 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
Craig McCracken played in the next singles game. This game was almost a copy of the last with Craig just not able to get on level terms with his Kew opponent. Kew 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
At the break the scores were Kew 2 games 20 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 17 hoops. With 2 games to play, Lilydale had to win both games to win the day. Craig McCracken played in the next singles. The Kew player soon had a good lead in the game as Craig was struggling to run his hoops when the opportunity arose.
Kew winning 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops. Murray Howlett played in the last game. This was a very close game with both players trading hoops. The score was 6 hoops each after the twelfth hoop so the thirteenth hoop had to be played to decide the winner.
Murray was first to the hoop and set up well and from there was able to run the hoop and win the game 7 hoops to Kew 6 hoops. The final score in what was a very hard fought encounter was Kew 3 games 33 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 27 hoops.
This week, the Lilydale Division 2 team hosted the Sandringham team. This week’s Lilydale team was Alan Jones, Kerri McCracken and Mick Crawley. Alan Jones and Mick Crawley played in the doubles.
Lilydale got off to a good start and were able to control most of the game and built a comfortable lead and win 7 hoops to Sandringham 4 hoops. Kerri McCracken played in the first singles.
The game was even to start with but Kerri eventually was able to get a break and go onto win 7 hoops to Sandringham 4 hoops. Alan Jones played in the next game.
This game was very close but Alan was able to get away late in the game to take the win 7 hoops to Sandringham 5 hoops. At the bread,k the scores were Lilydale 3 games 21 hoops to Sandringham 0 games 13 hoops. With 2 games to play, Lilydale had won the day. Mick Crawley played in the next singles game.
The Sandringham player started well and was able to build a decent lead. Mick fought back late but the gap was just a bit too much. Sandringham 7 hoops Lilydale 5 hoops.
Kerri McCracken played in the last game. This game was a close affair with both players not giving an inch until late in the game Kerri was able to get a slight break and win 7 hoops to Sandringham 5 hoops. The final scores were Lilydale 4 games 33 hoops to Sandringham 1 game 25 hoops.
On Thursday, the Lilydale handicap team hosted the team from Sandringham. Both of these teams are on the same amount of tests and are first and second on the ladder, just separated by games and hoops won, so the winner will be on top of the ladder at the end of the day.
This week’s team for Lilydale was Murray Howlett, Mick Crawley, Drew Pawley and Mark Edgell.
Lilydale won the toss and Drew Pawley played in the first game. Drew was starting with a one hoop disadvantage. Drew got off to a solid start and had made up his disadvantage on the first hoop. From there on he played a very steady game running and clearing his opponent’s balls whilst building a good lead to go on and win 7 hoops to Sandringham 4 hoops. Mick Crawley and Mark Edgell played in the first doubles game.
The Sandringham team had a one hoop disadvantage in this game. Lilydale started well
but the Sandringham team had soon made up ground and were back on level terms with Lilydale.
A couple of bad decisions and missed hoops by Lilydale gave Sandringham the ascendancy and they went on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
Both of the first two games were extraordinarily long, with the doubles going for over two hours. Mick Crawley was playing in the next singles, Mick was starting with a one hoop disadvantage.
Sandringham ran the first couple of hoops but Mick clawed his way back and got on level terms and then was able to get a break and win 7 hoops to Sandringham 5 hoops. Murray Howlett and Mark Edgell played in the next doubles. Sandringham were starting with a one hoop advantage in this game.
This game was tight all the way with both teams going hoop for hoop and after the twelfth hoop the score was six all so the thirteenth hoop had to be played to decide the winner.
Neither team setup well and there was a lot of negative play until finally Sandringham were able to run the hoop and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops, the difference in the end was the one hoop start that Sandringham had due to handicaps.
Due to the games all going for so long there was no lunch break it was just grab a drink and something to eat when you could. The scores at this point were Lilydale 2 games 25 hoops to Sandringham 2 games 23 hoops, with two games to play.
Drew Pawley played in the last singles game. Sandringham were starting with a one hoop disadvantage.Sandringham made up their disadvantage on the first hoop, and from there, it was back to a level play game.
The game was close but marred with a number of mistakes from both sides. Sandringham in the end was able to go on and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops. This gave Sandringham the lead by one game but Lilydale were ahead by 1 hoop with a doubles game to be played.
Murray Howlett and Mick Crawley played in the last game. Lilydale had a 2 hoop disadvantage while Sandringham had a 1 hoop advantage, Lilydale certainly had their job cutout for them.
Lilydale started strongly, then Sandringham settled into the game, but the more experienced Lilydale team were able to get the ascendency and go on to win in another tight game 7 hoops to Sandringham 5 hoops.
This gave Lilydale not only the win on the day but top spot on the ladder. The final scores were Lilydale 3 games 38 hoops to Sandringham 3 games 35 hoops. This match was what you would expect and hope for from the two top teams, a close, tough day which started at 10.30am and did not finish until 5pm. Lilydale’s motto is ‘Every Hoop Counts’ and it was certainly the case in this match.
Drew Pawley about to clear an opponent’s ball. (Supplied)
Mick Crawley about to run a hoop.
Barkerettes stun South Yarra
By Peter Stephenson
A mild Friday evening at Esther Park saw the State 2 Barkerettes host State 1 side South Yarra (SY) in a bid to reach the fourth round of the Nike FC Cup for only the second time.
The first 10 minutes saw an open game, with both defences looking a little uncertain, but with no clear chances for either side. The first threat came from Barkers when Barkers won the ball in the attacking half, and Gracie Touliatos found Emily Stokes on the right wing. An inviting cross saw Amy D’Ortenzio mistime her jump. However, the play that began that move set the pattern for the game, as Barkers applied relentless pressure on SY whenever they had the ball. Barkers continued to have the upper hand, and on 20 minutes, Stokes broke on the right and cut in, but was tackled. Then a low cross from the left saw Charlotte McCullough just beaten to the ball – SY were living dangerously. A few minutes later came the first real chance. A corner from the right from Laelah Gundry saw D’Ortenzio volley just over from 10 yards.
SY didn’t offer the threat you’d expect from a State 1 side, but on 25 minutes, Barkers lost the ball in their own penalty area, and an angled shot was comfortably held by Ash Fraraccio. Barkers went straight up the field and Stokes crossed for Eleanor Ridley, who had two bites of the cherry, but the ball was cleared. SY replied when a throwin from the left led to a smart turn and a shot wide. The game, which was already frantic, was now slowly becoming more physical. A Barker was barged off the ball on 33 minutes. D’Ortenzio’s free-kick cleared the wall, but was slightly too high and landed on top of the net. Going into the break, SY hit a low shot wide, then Gundry sent a corner from the right to the near post, but D’Ortenzio’s header was wide. Half-time 0-0, with Barkers on top, but failing to break the deadlock. Five minutes into the second half, a sweeping move from back to front saw a thunderous shot
from Stokes, which the away keeper did well to turn round her bear post. Then Barkers got a helping hand. A careless back pass all the way from the attacking half, was seized on by McCullough. She raced clear, kept her head and rounded the keeper before placing the ball into the empty net for the opening goal – 1-0 Barkers.
Within a minute, though, Fraraccio was called on in a goalmouth scramble at the other end and grabbed the ball. Then Gundry brought the ball out of defence and ran the length of the field to cross, but the keeper gathered after spilling the ball. More Barkers pressure saw SY cough up the ball for Stokes to hit a long shot just wide. SY now began to vent their frustration on Barkers, but the referee was letting a lot go until on 72 minutes, a clumsy challenge saw McCullough go down in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot.
D’Ortenzio hit the ball to the keeper’s left and she got a hand to the ball, but it wasn’t enough to stop it going into the net to double Barkers’ lead at 2-0.
A minute later, SY almost pulled one back, but Fraraccio came off best in a one-on-one. Further chances fell to Gundry and Alifya Loka before SY mounted a late rally to try to salvage the game, to no avail. Full-time 2-0 and Barkers advance to round 4 to host Avondale, of the Victorian Premier League. This performance ranks up with the very best of the Barkerettes – the first time they have beaten a side in a higher league. As coach Mark Brown said after the game, Barkers applied pressure on SY for 90 minutes, never allowing them to settle. The win was fully deserved, and now the intriguing challenge of Avondale awaits.
On Saturday, Knoxfield’s Egan Lee Reserve was bathed in sunshine for the local derby, as Barkers (2nd) visited Knox (3rd) in the State 2SE’s match of the day. Barkers, though they had won their opening two games, were still some way from having a fully fit squad, and made two changes to the side that beat Peninsula 1-0, with Sean Baeko and Ryan Smith coming in for Chris
Potter and Christian Sapardanis. Barkers began brightly without testing Matthew Krstina in goal. However, the first chance came on 8 minutes at the other end, as Leo McLeod had a shot beaten away by Vladi Velikin in the Barkers goal. Three minutes later, Barkers lost the ball, and although Anton Nardella went to ground, he kept the ball and found McLeod, whose shot was blocked. Knox were giving the Barkers defence plenty of work, but this was a cagey opening with both defences well-organised. Then on 21 minutes, a through ball found Nardella, who placed his shot wide of Velikin, but the keeper somehow got a hand to the ball to brilliantly tip it wide. Next, Sean Brimmer played a one-two with Nardella on the right, before cutting in and shooting wide of the far post. Again McLeod had a shot which warmed Velikin’s hands as Barkers gave the ball away regularly and were penned in their own half. Knox won a number of free kicks which were cleared, before Barkers finally broke out on the half hour. James Barber played a long ball for Marcus Watson to chase, Watson lobbed the ball over his marker, and Krstina raced out to punch clear. Then Barkers won a free kick on the right. Ross Clark sent a lovely ball to the far post, where Sean Perrin headed dangerously across goal in Barkers’ best chance so far. Perrin then did well to repel an attack by Nardella, but a shot from McLeod forced a superb tip wide from Velikin. The corner from Yianni Kourelis was played to the edge of the penalty area, from where Brimmer hit a first-time shot which skimmed past the far post. Barkers replied with Harry Rushton and Barber combining to set up Tristan Walker on the right wing, who fed Clark to go on a jinking run to win a corner. Then Christian Porcaro sent Anthony Di Crea down the left, Porcaro collected the ball back on the overlap and cut in, but Knox cleared. The half ended with Knox again applying pressure, and Barkers could consider themselves fortunate to go in at the break with the score still at 0-0. The second
half began with Knox cashing in on their first half dominance. A throw from the right found McLeod on the edge of the box, and he curled a beauty with the outside of his boot beyond Velikin into the corner of the net to finally give Knox the lead. Five minutes later, a Knox corner on the left was cleared. The ball was sent back in to the far post to McLeod, who beat one man before slotting home from close range for his and Knox’s second – 2-0 Knox. McLeod could do no wrong, and just before the hour, a corner from the right saw a super leap and he headed just wide. Barkers tried to fight back on 62 minutes when Watson played in from the left for Clark, who was pulled down. Watson’s free kick was driven in towards goal, but Krstina gathered at the second attempt. The game was now more even and open. On 69 minutes, Knox’s Nardella crossed from the right for Peter Koskos to hit a first-time shot over. Then a quick clearance from Velikin saw Watson give chase and win a free-kick. However, the free-kick was driven into the wall and cleared. On 77 minutes Barkers almost halved the deficit – a quick throw-in on the right from Barber found Watson, who ran on and shot, hitting the post. The rebound fell to substitute Caleb Haberle, whose shot was blocked. The Barber and Clark set up Walker, who hit a first-time pass to Watson, who headed wide. With time running out, a long throw on the left from Perrin was headed on by Haberle, and Watson and Barber had shots blocked. Full time: Knox 2-0 Mooroolbark. In the end Knox, and especially McLeod, were too strong for Barkers on the day. A poor first half was partly redeemed in the second, but Barkers offered too little too late. On his return, Smith showed his character by playing most of the second half in obvious discomfort, and this young side has plenty of room for improvement. Next in a run of 3 away games is Berwick City. The reserves conceded two early goals and struggled to break down the Knox defence, eventually going down 0-3.
Big win for Lilydale Eagles’ reserves, tight loss for firsts
By Callum Ludwig
The Lilydale Eagles kickstarted their 2025 campaign in the Victorian Churches Football Association (VCFA) Men’s Premier League 2 Division with two matches at home under Friday night lights against One FC.
The Reserves were first up with a mixture of youth and ‘experience’ aiming to guide them to glory this season.
The first half was a cagey affair, with the Eagles dominating possession but failing to pull the trigger at the right moments and test the One FC keeper.
Mark Vanderkolk was breezing past opponents in the centre of the park, to the frustration of the One FC captain, but he appears to still be allergic to taking a shot when the opportunity presents.
Marcus Salvitti returned from his very shortlived retirement to be a terrier in the middle of the park, cracking into tackles and complaining to the ref as per usual.
Jimmy ‘Clap’ Davies Mcintyre did not don the gloves despite a trial during preseason, instead managing to both play and provide a running commentary on the game from the right wing or the bench.
Despite some work on them in pre-season, Lilydale’s attacking set pieces continued to be a point of frustration as a number of corners and free kicks were delivered that were about as threatening as a wet sponge. There was one exception however, with James ‘Becks’ Laine marauding up for a corner from centre back only to glance his header wide and uphold his reputation for avoiding scoring at all costs.
At halftime, the score remained 0-0 and the Eagles were looking to shake off their stale start in the second half.
However, it didn’t seem to go to plan early on for the boys in red as One FC started to gain some ascendancy in the tie, forcing the Eagles into errors, which gave up chances.
First, a scramble on the edge of the box saw a One FC player sweetly strike a half-volley on goal that took a fingertip diving effort from Callum Ludwig to take past the post and leave the Reserves glad that the decision was made not to leave Jimmy in goal.
Shortly after, a One FC players was slotted through in goal and knocked an effort pash an onrushing Callum that appeared destined for back of the net if not for a desperate goal line clearance from Tarin Cooper to keep scores level.
Seemingly buoyed by their defensive efforts, Lilydale got back on top. The ball was played into the feet of last-minute new recruit Lucas Cordedda on the right wing, who fed Tarin with a neat outside-of-the-boot pass. Tarin fired in either a low shot or cross which beat the keeper and looked likely to score but striker Byron Loveless lived up to his name and showed no love for his teammate and threw a boot at it himself, even claiming the goal to the referee. Regardless, the Eagles were up and about.
From there, the floodgates opened and Lilydale were dominant and it wasn’t long before Lucas made it 2-0, scoring at the near post before bagging a brace not long after, played through and converting with a shot down the centre of the goal.
From there, it was party time for the Eagles,
with Nick Seeger joining the fun with a longrange effort from left back that flew into the top corner, managing more attacking output from a short stint in defence despite spending large periods of the game positioned in attack.
Final score Lilydale Eagles Reserves 4-0 One FC Reserves.
The firsts were up next, looking to start their season on a high and initially had some bright moments, with wingers Christian ‘Flik’ LinderMark and Jake ‘Digga’ Dioguardi finding some joy cutting in from the flanks and playing the ball across the box.
Despite this, the Eagles were again struggling to get any meaningful efforts on target and test the One FC keeper, other than forcing him into one save at his near post.
One FC started to grow into the game, retaining more of the ball in their defensive half and looking to play long balls over the Eagles’ defence while sitting in defensively to protect their goal. Lilydale for the most part, dealt with these well, whether it was defenders Kaiden Deany-
Smith, Braden Zammit, Solomon Hranglung, Lachlan Hamling and Leo Blair coming across or keeper Callum Ludwig sweeping up.
Late in the half, however, the Eagles gave the ball away to put the One FC striker clean through on goal with Callum unable to keep it out as he tucked a simple finish into the bottom corner to put the Eagles on the back foot.
Reflecting their frustration, the Eagles seemed to lose their shape a bit and resorted to trying to play long passes to create attacking opportunities with no luck.
The Eagles went into the halftime break looking to regain control, create more space in the middle of the park and find clear-cut scoring opportunities.
It was a similar tale early in the half though, with the Eagles unable to convert their possession into chances despite some neat play in build-up and One FC continuing to soak up pressure and try to counterattack.
Gilbert Harries got to a cleared cross and struck a vicious volley on goal but it was straight at the keeper and he was able to deal with.
Bailey Hone was the next to get a dangerous shot off, cutting in from the left to fire one that went just wide of the far post.
The clock continued to tick without a breakthrough for the Eagles and a call was heard from the bench that there was only 30 seconds left, believed to have been from the ‘Easter Bunny’ who had been entertaining the juniors before the game, and Lilydale started to try and attack with urgency.
This turned out to be quite the false alarm, with much closer to 10 minutes still left to play, but the frantic push forward saw the Eagles create their best chance of the game, with a whipped cross into the box taking a deflection that was just enough to put playing-coach Daniel ‘Dicko’ Dickson off balance and send his header away from the open goal and out for a goal kick.
Time trickled down and the full time whistle was blown. Final score Lilydale Eagles 0-1 One FC.
The two Eagles sides take on Gideon’s Warriors away on Saturday 12 April.
One win and one loss for Lilydale Eagles as they started their season. (File)
Good start for Mustangs
By Geoff ‘Joffa’ Newstead
Saturday saw the opening round of the EFNL 2025 season with a new look Mooroolbark hosting Norwood at the Heights Reserve. The Mustangs have appointed Ben Wheat as Senior Coach while also welcoming a number of new players to the club.
The Reserves set the scene with a solid 25-point win in perfect Autumn weather. The Seniors came out full of running and showed the benefits of a long, hard pre-season. The Mustangs held a 4 goal advantage at the first change and were never headed.
Team leaders Kane Noonan and Cayden Maki continued their fine form from last season gathering numerous possessions, while Jett Hartman was unpassable at half back, taking many strong marks and repelling Norwood’s attacking moves. Tall forwards Josh Neal and Ethan Wright showed
that they’ll be great assets, as will new ruck man, Robbie Swan. Other debutants, Connor Riley, Jak Ryan and Patrick Downie also fitted in well and added dash and strength at ground level. Overall it was a great team effort and the margin would have been even greater with a bit more accuracy in front of goal. Next week, the Mustangs take on North Ringwood before a break over Easter. Final Score: Mooroolbark 12 – 22 – 94 d Norwood 3 – 8 –
26 Best Players: Hartman, Maki, Noonan, Dobie, Downie, Gebert Goals: Neal 2, Gebert 2, Dobie, Peacock, Maki, Noonan, Wright, Ryan, Crossley, Oliver.
Other Mustang scores:
• Reserves : Mooroolbark 7 – 7 – 49 d Norwood 3 – 6 – 24
• Veterans Women : Mooroolbark 12 – 13 – 85 d Blackburn 0 – 1 – 1
• Veterans Men : Mooroolbark 23 – 10 – 154 d Chirnside Park 3 – 4 - 22
Coldstream seniors win, reserves lose in season opener
By Hannah Chappell
Round 1 kicked off this week with Coldstream Senior and Reserves Football teams making the trip to Fairpark Reserve to take on Fairpark.
After both teams suffered losses in the previous round, they were determined to bounce back and secure a win.
The Reserves were first up, facing off in a tough contest.
Despite a determined effort and plenty of resilience, Coldstream ultimately came up short against a well-structured Fairpark side.
The team fought hard but couldn’t quite get over the line.
Sean Calcaterra was named our Reserves Player of the Match for his standout performance.
Next, Coldstream Seniors took to the field, with the exciting return of Mitch Edmonds and Dale Jordison strengthening the side.
From the first bounce, it was clear Coldstream were ready to make their mark.
The game got off to an exciting start, with both teams coming out with intensity.
Coldstream quickly gained the upper hand, thanks to quick ball movement and strong defensive pressure.
The midfield battle was fierce, and Darcy Carrigan was everywhere, winning clearances, providing run and carry, and kicking three crucial goals to keep his side in front.
Fairpark responded with some strong play, but Coldstream’s pressure across the ground was relentless.
Mitch Edmonds, back in action, played a key role in the forward line, kicking two vital goals to help extend Coldstream’s lead.
As the game progressed, Darcy Fritsch was in outstanding form, adding four goals to his tally.
His strong marking and clinical finishing proved to be a constant threat in the forward half, pushing Coldstream further ahead and leaving Fairpark with little time to regroup.
Bailey Grant was dominant on the wing, using his pace and endurance to take control of the play.
His ability to cover plenty of ground and deliver precise passes to set up forward entries was a crucial factor in Coldstream’s success.
Grant’s performance earned him the Senior
Wandin decimate rivals Mt Evelyn as season kicks off
Wandin’s began their 2025 AFL Outer East campaign with their traditional season opener against local rival Mt Evelyn.
Wandin got off to the best start possible, kicking 48 points to Mt Evelyn’s meagre 7 in the first quarter.
Every time Mt Evelyn attempted to regain control, Wandin’s pressure was too much for them to handle.
By the second quarter, Wandin had doubled their score to 90 while Mt Evelyn struggled to break past 17.
The match’s trajectory only continued the same path Wandin had set at the start, with Wandin putting up another 57 points compared to Mt Evelyn’s 10, leaving the total scores for the teams at 147 to 26, respectively by the end of the third quarter.
By the fourth, Wandin had managed a brilliant score line of 175 points, while
Mt Evelyn could only manage 34. Aaron Mullett and Joel Garner’s efforts in the forward line particularly stood out in the dominant display.
Top Dogs on the day were Mullett, Garner, Cody Hirst, Brodie Atkins and Patty Bruzzese.
Mt Evelyn will be significantly better than the result suggests but Wandin have set a standard early in the year.
Men’s Best on Ground award, with his impressive two-goal performance and all-around contribution proving pivotal to Coldstream’s victory.
Senior Scores:
• Coldstream: 15.7 97
• Fairpark: 8.10 58
• Goal Kickers: D Fritsch 4, D Carrigan 3, B Grant 2, M Edmonds 2, A Chandler 1, J Lehmann 1, J Sherriff 1, D Versteegen 1
Reserves Scores:
• Coldstream: 3.15 33
Wandin’s win over Mt Evelyn sets a strong standard for Wandin early on into the season.
(File: 283158)
• Fairpark: 7. 6 48
• Goal Kickers: B Duke 1, S Kollosche 1, D White 1 Netball Scores:
• Grey Team 43 defeated Vermont 30
• Black Team 39 defeated Glen Waverley 28
• Blue Team 34 defeated Montrose 24
• Pink Team 28 defeated Waverley 21
• Green Team 25 defeated Montrose 19
Seniors celebrating win. (Supplied)
L-R: Mooroolbark debutants Connor Riley, Patrick Downie, Josh Neal, Robert Swan, Ethan Wright and Jak Ryan. (Supplied)
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Q&A Ashleigh Skillern
1. What made you barrack for the AFL team you follow today?
Richmond Tigers because there is no other team with a great theme song, best players and just generally a great club.
2. What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend?
Camping
3. Do you enjoy what you do for a living?
Yep love it
4. What’s your favourite type of cuisine?
Good Steak
5. What are 3 words that describe you best Large, Loud and Funny
6. When you were little, what did you think you were going to be?
Rich lol
7. Who would you like to have dinner with and why (could be anyone, dead or alive)?
Michelle Pfeiffer as she has had an interesting life and she is also my hall pass
8. What advice would you offer to your younger self? Work hard, play hard
