The New Free Press - Wednesday, July 13, 2016 - Page 3
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$1.4m Gully tender
■ Knox Council has awarded a $1.48 million tender to Etheredge Mintern Pty Ltd for reconstruction of Ashton Rd, Kingston St and Mountain Gate Drive, Fern-tree Gully. Moved by Cr Karin Orpen, and seconded by Cr Joe Cossari, the motion authorises the Knox Council Chief Executive Officer to formalise the contract.
Marvellous memories of Up Hill and Down Dale Belgrave’s Baba the Montrose brickworks
● Inspect the Montrose Brickworks Flora Reserve Photo: Yarra Ranges Council in collaboration with the Lilydale Historical Society and the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum.
■ Montrose Brickworks Flora Reserve is described as one of those hidden jewels of the Yarra Ranges Shire In its previous life the reserve served as a hub for the construction industry, which is a far cry from the flora park of today. In 1904 the site became home to the Darby Firebrick Company, which was owned and established by local businessman David Mitchell, father of Dame Nellie Melba. The Montrose Brick industry boomed and in 1920 Clarence ‘Clarrie’ Button purchased the brickworks, which was churning out 16,000 bricks per day. The brickworks was brought to a halt by World War II when many of the workers went to war, leaving Clarrie with no choice but to sell the business to Rimington’s Nursery in 1945. The site was used to make flower pots until the 1960s. If you visit the site located on the corner of Montrose and Cambridge Rds, Montrose, you will find no signs of the factories that once stood there. The bushland is crawling with paths, ferns, grasses and tall trees, taking visitors away from the urban suburbs with only a distant whir of passing cars.
Desi in the media
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Full steam ahead for Belgrave hub Local Briefs Selling
■ A former drainage reserve in Ferntree Gully is to be sold by Knox Council to the adjoining owner at 10 Blucher St, for $45,000, plus GST, plus all Council’s costs in relation to this sale.
Worth $1 mil. ■ Streetscape works worth almost $1 million have been completed for Mountain Gate. Knox Council approved $921,989 for the project. The Council has been addressing defects with cthe ontractor along with reconciliation of variations. The contractor is completing outstanding minor works with the supply and installation of additional seat furniture, the June 28 meeting of Council was told.
Yoga in Belgrave ■ Ananda Hot Yoga in Bayview Rd, Belgrave has a special introductory offer for those wishing to try yoga. An advertisement apears in this week’s issue of The New Free Press with details.
■ Yarra Ranges Council says it is full steam ahead for a new multi-purpose community hub in Belgrave following last Thursday’s official contract signing. Council CEO Glenn Patterson with Inspiro CEO Karyn McPeake signed the agreement, formally marking the partnership between Yarra Ranges Council and Inspiro. The $9.3 million Belgrave Community Hub will provide a one-stop shop for essential community health services that complement the valuable work provided by GPs in the local area. The project will help respond to a high demand in the Belgrave area for allied health, family and children services and dental services. It will also provide purpose built accommodation for visiting specialist services such as mental health and public dental services and services for people experiencing family violence.
$250,000 commitment along with the use of their land on which the hub car park will be built.” Cr Callanan said the project would provide upgraded facilities to accommodate a large number of community services that were currently operating out of unsuitable buildings, including Inspiro and the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service. Council’s Maternal and Child Health, Youth and Aged and Disability services will also be available at the hub.
● At Thursday’s signing of the Belgrave hub contract: at back (from left) Mayor Cr Jason Callanan with Linda Hancock; at front (from left) Yarra Ranges CEO CEO Glenn Patterson with Inspiro CEO Karyn McPeake. Yarra Ranges and $1.72 million deliver outcomes for Mayor Cr Jason from the State. the community,” Cr Callanan said the “The Belgrave Callanan said. project was the result Community Hub is a “Yarra Ranges of extensive lobbying fantastic example of Council is also proud efforts by Council to Council, the commu- to have committed subsecure funding includ- nity, State and Federal stantial funds of $3.58 ing $3.83 mil- Governments and lo- million, and we also lion from the Federal cal service providers thank our project partGovernment and working together to ner Inspiro for their
Free reader ads
■ Convert your unwanted goods into cash with a free reader classified ad in The New Free Press. You can lodge a free ad on the form published on Page 14 of this issue.
Wanted for Kilsyth assault ■ Mooroolbark Policeare investigating an assault and criminal damage which occurred in Kilsyth last month. Investigators have been told a 29-year-old Ringwood woman was leaving a shopping complex on Mt Dandenong Rd about 10.45 am on Tuesday, June 28. As she drove out of the car park, a man walked behind her car and punched the tailgate several times. The 29-year-old parked her car and approached the man on Mt Dandenong Rd in an attempt to get his details. It is alleged the man then punched the woman to the face
● Police want to speak with this man
several times before walking off. The offender is perceived to be Cauasian, 50-60 years old, approximately 183cm tall with a weathered face. He was wearing a navy blue rain jacket, dark pants, a beanie, a white runner on his left foot and a grey moon boot on his right. Police have released a computer generated image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquires. Anyone who recognises the man or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au
● Belgrave’s Babi Desi as seen on radio station 3AW’s website ■ A visit to Belgrave, by radio station 3AW Drive program host Tom Elliott’s producer, continues to attract attention by website users. Producer Alyssa Allen visited Belgrave for the weekly Your Town segment and met with town wizard Bai Desi. Maureen Miller, volunteer at Belgrave Op Shop and Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service, told 3AW that Baba Desiis an icon in the town. "A lot of tourists come and want their photo with him," Ms Miller said. "He sometimes sits down with people and has a little talk with them. He's just a presence in the town."
Jack recalls John
■ There were a number of people welcoming oure discuss last week about Free Press founders John and Nell Bennett. ■ Former Hills printer Jack Russell, now living at Yea, recalled John Bennett as active in local politics, and tagging Bennett as a ‘red ragger’. Local legend has it that Bennett had been a member of the Communist Party. ■ Reader ‘Carmel’, now of Boronia, formerly of Ferny Creek, Cockatoo and Ferntree Gully, phoned to congratulate The New Free Press on its local news coverage. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet”, Carmel.
It’s mountainous
■ The Knox City Council Minutes for its June 28 meeting total 324 pages. Cr Karin Orpen told the meeting that part of the Ferntree Gully Structure Plan is for a pedestrian and cycle shared overpass that will help combat the parking issues at the 1000 Steps and be the missing link in the Lilydale to Belgrave cycle route. Cr Orpen saidthe Coalition Government committed $300,000 if re-elected towards addressing the parking at the 1000 Steps.
Billabong works
■ The New Free Press reports this week (Page 5) on works at Spadoni’s Billabong at Yering, near Yarra Glen. Yarra Ranges Shire last week issued a news release. Melbourne Water issued a statement back in April, saying works were underway, and would take four weeks.
● Spadoni’s Reserve, Yering