Ferntree Gully
Belgrave
Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
2 Tuesday, 13 December, 2016
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Serena’s memor y GEMBROOK MP Brad Battin has praised the Emerald Primary School, the Emerald Secondary College and wider community as it continues to come to terms with the tragic death of a local student. Addressing the Victorian Parliament late last month, Mr Battin launched into a passionate speech, explaining the grief being felt in the community after Grade 2 student Serena Lay passed away after a car accident on the Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald, on Tuesday, 22 November. The two-car collision occurred on that afternoon, with Victoria Police saying a car travelling west crossed to the other side of the road and collided with an eastbound car. Serena’s mother Tess, her sister Galaxy and brother Aaron were also injured. Presently, it’s believed the surviving family members are all out of hospital and receiving much-needed support. Aaron is a Year 7 student at Emerald Secondary College, with Galaxy completing Grade 5 at Emerald Primary school. Since the accident, numerous fundraising activities and widespread community support have been forthcoming; particularly from parents, students and staff involved with the two schools. Mr Battin told his parliamentary colleagues he was overwhelmed at the level of community support on display. “Today, I rise to grieve for my electorate, particularly the community of Emerald and the surrounding areas of Emerald,” he said. Mr Battin described Serena’s passing as “one of the worst tragedies that I have witnessed during my time in Parliament”. “It is something that my community is going to have a very difficult time recovering from,” he said. Mr Battin heaped praise on Emerald Primary School principal, Mark Carver, and Emerald Secondary College principal, Jodie Doble, who he described as incredible community leaders. Meanwhile, Mr Carver told the ‘Mail’ it had been an enormously difficult time, one which the school is
continuing to manage. He said the school had considered cancelling the school’s Special Friends and Grandparents’ Day, which had been scheduled for the day after the accident. Though the school persisted and the day proved to be a healing tool. “The one good thing that has come from this is to see the great side of our community,” he said. “The Special Friends and Grandparents’ Day was a blessing in disguise, it proved to be a great way to help students understand what had happened. “We also held a sausage sizzle, accepted donations and held a raffle to raise money for the family.” In the school newsletter, Mr Carver wrote it was crucial for parents to monitor the welfare of their children. “It is important for parents and teachers to support children to understand and manage this tragedy,” he wrote. “When children hear of sudden and tragic news, they may become upset, depending on how close they were to the situation, how their parents manage and discuss sad news, and if they have experienced loss or trauma in the past. “I encourage the Emerald Primary School community to find strength and comfort in one another in order to support our children through this very difficult time.” Mr Carver said the Education Department had provided counselling services, with the school also having access to a chaplain and psychologist. Also encouraging a helping-hand is local Sarah Cole, who is assisting in the co-ordination of ongoing fundraising efforts for the Lay family. So far this has netted an incredible $17,000, which will go towards helping the family cover medical costs. The funds have come from direct donations and the Emerald Twilight Market, which held a fund-raising sausage sizzle on Friday, 2 December. Ms Cole said they were particularly encouraging further donations from local business, both financial and through items they could use for auction or prizes in raffles. “The support we’ve had from the community so far has been nothing
Art celebrates golden milestone THE Sherbrook Art Society recently achieved a magnificent milestone, celebrating its 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, members celebrated with a glimpse of the gallery’s historic past, as well as high tea, costumes and antique piano. President of the Art Society, Eve Clements, paid tribute to the founding members and their efforts to set up the society for future generations. Pictured is Jeffrey Murphy (past Picture: ROB CAREW president of five years) and current president Eve Clements. 162969 short of amazing,” she said. “We’re very appreciative of the efforts.” Among the upcoming fund-raisers will be a flower and plant sale to be held on Wednesday, 21 December, at
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