JULY 25, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Dyeing to try henna
(Shawn Smits)
Waves of people can expect to have a “hands on” experience of Indian culture at the next henna workshop in Melton. The popular workshop, at Darlingsford Barn this Friday (July 28), will teach the history, cultural background, design and application of the artform. Henna artist Supreet kaur Tuteja has lived in Melton for 20 years and leads workshops around the state in henna as well as rangoli – an art form using coloured powders to create patterns. She said she relished the opportunity to share her culture. “It’s very important because Australia is such a multicultural community,” Ms Tuteja said. The nature of henna has changed over time, Ms Tuteja said. “It marks celebration now, but it used to be done authentically for weddings only for women … to symbolise a new start in your life. “It’s not only restricted to the Indian community, it’s a sign of festivity. “The art is now also worn by kids and men as well.” Two sessions will be held on July 28, at 5.15pm and 6.30pm, and are open to people 15 years and older. Details: bit.ly/2ugpnE9 SUPREET KAUR TUTEJA AND KOMAL BHANOT
Esther Lauaki
Melton: bargain location By Esther Lauaki Melton continues to be one of Melbourne’s most affordable suburbs, where home buyers can still buy for under $400,000, according to the latest figures. New Real Estate Institute of Victoria data shows the median house price in Melton’s south was $342,500 for the year to June 30, while the median in Melton West was about $397,000. REIV acting president Richard Simpson said despite Melton West’s 14.1 per cent growth in
the most recent quarter, property there was still priced well below the metropolitan median of $822,000 (up 2.9 per cent). Jason Ryder, of Ryder Professional in Melton, said the performance of the housing market across the municipality in recent months had been “quite spectacular”. But he said that home buyers could still pick up a three- or four-bedroom home for under $400,000, which was a rarity in other parts of the state. The REIV data highlighted one of the top
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‘bargains’ in the state – a property in Carberry Drive, Kurunjang which went for $362,000 before auction earlier this month. “As the other suburbs have increased in their median ranges quite significantly, so has Melton,” Mr Ryder said. “The value of properties in Kurunjang are very similar to those in Melton West and the growth rate is also comparable. “There are parts of Kurunjang that have premier larger properties so that can lift the median in that suburb a bit … if we are
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comparing similar homes then both areas are performing similarly.” Mr Simpson said the 14.1 per cent growth in Melton West’s property market was the result of population increases, record low interest rates and strong buyer demand. “It’s certainly a sellers’ market at present with strong competition for homes … particularly in Melbourne’s more affordable areas,” he said. House prices in regional Victoria rose strongly for the second consecutive quarter, up two per cent to a record high of $385,000.