The New Free Press - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - Page 3
www.NewFreePress.com.au
Squad picks
New Dandenongs book launched at The Basin
■ Young cricketers have been selected in the Victorian Under-19 Country and Metro trial squads for the 2016-17 season. Selections include: AngusAdamson, Dixon’s Creek; Mitch Barnewell, Ben Rolfs and James Cummane, Eltham; Sam Beer, Rowville; Mark Butler, Mooroolbark;Tom Humphries, Lysterfield; and RoryTattersall, Croydon
● Nick Anchen
■ Local author Nick Anchen launched his latest book, The Dandenong Ranges, at Meryl Williams’s Rainy Day Books, The Basin, on Friday (July 1). Anchen has been prolific with his publications, particularly about subjects involving the Mountain District. His books to date have included Puffing Billy Railway, Kyeema DC-2 disaster, Cuckoo Restaurant, Tesselaar Tulip Farm, Sherbrooke Forest, the Superb Lyrebird, and others. Some of his works have included wildlife photography of 'Mr. Lyrebird', Alex Maisey. Friday night’s function was held was held at the Mountain Hwy store.
$384,290 package for CEO
● Stuart Lloyd ■ Police want to locate Stuart Lloyd, 39, after he failed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court. Lloyd is known to frequent the eastern suburbs and Melbourne. Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Balloon
● Christine Fyffe ■ Evelyn MLA Christine Fyffe has told State Parliament that the level crossing removal at Mooroolbark will have problems. “It is my understanding that the railway line at this crossing will not be able to be put underground, because of engineering issues with pre-existing pipes that cannot be moved. This means that the cost of this removal is likely to balloon out.
■ A new $384,290 package for Yarra Ranges Shire CEO Glenn Patterson is due to come into effect next week. Mr Patterson’s new weekly pay packet of $6503.92 comes into effect on Thursday next week (July 14). The package comprises a cash component of $338,204, a vehicle worth $12,746 annually, and superannuation totalling $33,340. The Yarra Ranges Council voted in February this year to reappoint Mr Patterson, effective from next week. Mr Patterson was appointed CEO of Yarra Ranges Shire in 2008, following time at Baw Baw Council in a similar position. He has 25 years senior management experience with a number of metropolitan and rural councils and was first appointed a CEO at the Colac Otway Shire in 1998. He also spent a period as the Chief Executive of a Melbourne-based property development group. This led to him owning and operating a property related business on the Mornington Peninsula. Mr Patterson is a board member of Yarra Ranges Tourism and Procurement Australia and a member of the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Development Association Committee. Mr Patterson has a business degree, a Master of Business and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Program.
Tribunal rejects Yarra Ranges Council permit
● Glenn Patterson
■ A planning decision by Yarra Ranges Shire Council has been set aside by the Victorian Civil andAdministrative Tribunal Member Geoffrey Rundell. The Tribunal altered conditions on the planning permit given to Michael Ryan for a six-lot subdivision at 215-219 Monbulk Rd, Silvan. The Tribunal has also given permission for vegetation removal, including one Silver Wattle and a group of four Water Gums (Kannooka). Yarra Ranges Shire Council determined last November to refuse to grant a planning permit for the proposed development. Mr Rundell inspected the site on June 16, unaccompanied by the parties. Mr Rundell had heard that Silvan had been listed as a place for “least change”. “In my view, the development is a sensible response to the site’s features and conext,” Mr Rundell said.
Clerical error: change to permit ■ A permit for a Ferntree Gully development is to be altered after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found there had been a clerical error in the original paperwork. VCAT member Graeme David last week determined that Double Bay Developments should have an amended decision for the permit for a development at 58 Holme Rd, Ferntree Gully. The ‘responsible authority’ is the Knox City Council.
The permit allows for a double-story dwelling to the rear of the existing dwelling. The surrounding area is mainly res-
Locals salute 70-year tradition
● The Dandenong Ranges, a new book, was launched at Rainy Day Books last Friday Another launch function was held at the Belgrave Book Barn on Saturday morning (July 2). Nick and his young family live in Ferntree Gully.
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idential containing a mix of single-storey detached dwellings with some limited twostorey and mediumdensity developments/
Knox Council had refused the application on grounds relating to neighbourhood character, planning policy and residential code issues. Objectors expressed concerns relating to the scale of the development, including visibility from the property and potential impacts on drainage and wetness within the property. Mr David said, on balance, he found that the proposal provided a reasonable planning outcome.
● The front-page of last week’s final issue of the Free Press Leader ■ Dandenong Ranges residents flooded social media with tributes to theFree Press Leader, after the final edition went to press last Wednesday (June 29). Some of the tributes at the Lost Dandenongs page on Facebook included: ■ Barb Smith: “Have had a lot of history with this paper, such a shame to see it end. My wonderful mum Margo Coward was a fantastic writer for this paper and she is saddened by its shutting down. For many years it was a part of her life and in turn part of our families as well. Sad to see the old girl go out of print. Shut the presses, let's go home.” ■ Kay Thornton: “I worked at Knox News, which was a Leader paper in the 70s - I did reception, classifieds, illustrations and picked up the lunches!” ■ Jill Yates: “Remember delivering the Free Press on my bike back in the mid 70s in the Sassafras area along with my brother.” ■ Mike Kyval: “Started by John Bennett and his wife, were a thorn in the side of Shire of Sherbrooke, and kept us well informed, I worked there two nights a week after school with Lofty, Ron Bromley and Ron Pike.” ■ Sue McNabb: “I'm going to miss it.” ■ Judy Friguglietti: “Thanks Leader, really enjoyed catching up on all the local happenings and very much admired your support for community. It's a sad day when we lose a local paper.” ■ Jennifer Downs-Brew: “Oh no! I have always loved my Free Press. End of an era.” ■ Karen Murphy: “This is sad...I used to help my brother with his delivery round in South Belgrave.” ■ Tim Heenan: “I am deeply saddened at the loss of yet another local paper ... We are not the wiser in letting print media go the way it is going. In recent times I have seen the true value of all our local papers in Yarra Ranges. It's a huge community with 55 townships and suburbs. There are always many local stories to be told.” ■ Cathie Newell: “Will miss being able to access local news and ads.” ■ Meaghan Renkin: “This is the first I have heard. It's the only paper I read. Very disappointed.” ■ Lida Ploeg-Van Horick: “An icon no more. Thanks for all your good work and reporting.” ■ Annette Pascoe: “My 89-year-old mother with no internet is going to miss the community news ... and I still enjoy reading the paper for real estate and community noticeboard.” ■ Betsy Hanham: “Local papers are the only way that we can see what is going on locally.” ■ Anita Dealy-Agosti: “A real shame to lose as it is part of the fabric of our community, thanks for your your hard work through the years.” ■ Robyn Schimmy: “Oh no. I read it religiously every week. I find it great for local news. That's very sad indeed.” ■ Michelle Watt: “The first paper I did the layout for way back in 1986. I think it was 12 pages then.” ■ Terry R Barca: “I remember when The Free Press was an actual newspaper and located in Belgrave. They did two articles on me in my various guises and working life everything changes I guess.”