Mail - Upper Yarra Star Mail - 19th January 2021

Upper Yarra

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

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Swamp rat recovery

High wire history

The art of the horse

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PAGES 8-9

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PROPERTY GUIDE

Sanders takes to the sand Upper Yarra motocross champion Daniel ’Chucky’ Sanders has just completed the 2021 Dakar Rally, known as the “world’s toughest and biggest race”.

Head to Page 7 to learn more about how Sanders went

Picture: RALLYZONE KTM MEDIA LIBRARY

Crowd concerns Warburton residents have again expressed their frustrations about overcrowding in town as scores of visitors flock to the new Warburton Water World.

The new water play park has quickly proven to be a popular destination for families on hot summer days but some locals are concerned about parking infrastructure being stretched thin due to the high demand.

With international travel, and in some cases interstate travel restricted, the Yarra Valley has experienced an influx of tourists. The high demand at the town’s water world has seen visitors struggle to find a car park, with some resorting to parking on private land and creating a raft of road safety issues.

The park’s popularity sees heavy traffic in town on warmer days with residents taking

to social media following the weekend of 9-10 January to vent about the chaotic traffic conditions.

Near the Water World park is the Warburton Motel whose owner, Richard Stanwix, told Star Mail the increased traffic and pedestrian numbers were a “recipe for disaster”.

“The water park is a fantastic addition to the town, it’s the most popular thing since sliced bread,” he said.

“But council built the water park without thinking of parking and traffic management requirements.”

Mr Stanwix’s business overlooks Woods Point Road where he has a view of cars passing the new park, only to perform an illegal threepoint turn to turn around to find parking space on the roadside.

“Because there’s so much traffic, they can’t

perform a three-point turn. It ends up being a six or seven-point turn where they are perpendicular to the double white lines.

“The through traffic gets so annoyed by the people just stopping without putting on an indicator that as soon as they see a clearing in traffic, they accelerate out of the area.

“It’s a grave concern with kids zipping across that road, it’s a nightmare waiting to happen.”

Mr Stanwix said on multiple occasions cars would park on the motel’s property and block its entrance. He is forced to contact Warburton Police Station about the issues regularly.

“We asked VicRoads to install a ‘no standing’ sign to help provide visibility for guests exiting the motel and people have been parking in complete violation of those signs.”

Yarra Ranges Council’s Director of Environ-

ment and Infrastructure Mark Varmalis said, “We’ve been pleased with the huge success of the Warburton Water World, with positive feedback coming in from community members and visitors alike since its opening in September”.

“Last weekend saw big crowds out at Warburton Water World. While we’re excited that people are enjoying the new park, there has been some reports of people doing the wrong thing when it comes to driving, parking, crossing roads and social distancing.

“We are currently liaising with local land managers and owners to find some additional overflow car parking nearby for busy warm days.

“On-site traffic management, which was introduced on the weekend, will continue on warm days, encouraging people to park safely in other locations.

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By Jed Lanyon

NEWS

Crowding concerns From page 1 “We’ll also be working to enhance wayfinding signage to Warburton Water World in coming weeks and months, making it easier for people to get to the park if they’ve had to park a bit further away.

“Our Safer Communities Team will also have officers out in Warburton, reminding visitors that parking safely and legally is key when visiting the region.”

Mr Varmalis said further upgrades are set to take place later this year and will include formalising the car park and footpath network, widening the road for access to the car park and other improvements to the general area.

“I would encourage all visitors to Warburton Water World to plan their trip with a backup in mind, so they can head elsewhere if they arrive to a full car park - or return later in the day.“ Councillor Jim Child echoed this view posting to social media advising visitors to enjoy other Warburton attractions if they see the car park is at full capacity.

The popularity of the park has led to council extending the opening hours as the water jets will stay on until 9.30pm on days that exceed 35 degrees.

“This means that you can plan a trip to the park in the late afternoon to enjoy the water without the crowds,” Mr Varmalis said.

Traffic issues have been a recurring sign for residents as tourists flocked to Warburton’s Redwood Forest when Covid-19 restrictions eased in June last year. Severe overcrowding forced Parks Victoria and Victoria Police to act in closing the park for several months with the park finally reopening in mid-December.

Videos circulated online of cars lining both sides of Cement Creek and Woods Point roads at the entrance of the forest after the 200 or so

The entrance of Waburton Water World on Wednesday 13 January. parking spaces were filled. The park was closed in the interest of public safety during the pandemic.

At the time, Yarra Ranges councillor Jim Child described some of the behaviour in the forests as ‘disgusting’, while some locals took to social media angered by visitors who had left litter scattered in the area and in some cases toilet paper and faeces as there are no amenities in the area.

Mr Stanwix said it was common to see rubbish in Warburton after weekends of high visitation.

“After a busy weekend the town is left with exploding rubbish bins, filthy public toilets and a host of negative impacts from council not thinking through the increased volume of people.

“Build it and they will come, and they did.

But build it and be ready when they come, they are not.”

What the locals are saying on social media: Jacqueline Frost - Times will change people will move on and crowds will settle down.

Hopefully many will remember the pleasure Warburton gave them during this difficult time and come back when it passes. It will always be an asset to Warburton both as a tourist destination and a place for our children and grandchildren to enjoy, as well as meeting place for parents who need this connection. Yes it has its challenges at the moment but they will pass.

Leonie Shalders - There is plenty of parking at the water park, when the car park provided is at capacity the park is busy! People could just go somewhere else if it’s already full instead of overcrowding the park, parking dangerously and going in anyway.

Jenny Scammell - Great idea, but unfortunately the lack of parking is an accident waiting to happen!

Margy Lob - The Water Park is fantastic, but

Picture: JED LANYON (the) major issue has to be the parking and maybe have someone there to control the volume of people. Everyone is parking just anywhere they can and this is becoming a dangerous issue with the amount of traffic that is within this area. Tourism is great for our town but safety has to be paramount.

Louise Keether Verdugo - I’m looking forward to the end of the holidays and the caravan park is empty and tourists are gone. Maybe then we can get back to enjoying our little paradise again. Mind you even with all the tourists I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Vicky Tait - I nearly hit someone today crossing the road with two kids in tow. She just jumped out in front of me, lucky I was going less than 40km/h. People are parking very dangerously both there and at Redwoods. How long before there is tragedy?

NEW YEAR NEW CAREER NOW RECRUITING FOR OVER 3000 POLICE SCAN FOR POLICE CAREERS 12476797-NG04-21

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IN BRIEF High angle rescue

Chef is spared jail A Yarra Glen man who sexually assaulted his 16-year-old apprentice before asking her help in concealing the crime from his wife has been spared jail.

Graeme Walter, 34, was sentenced to a community-based order on Thursday 14 January after pleading guilty in the County Court to two charges of sexual penetration of a 16 or 17-year-old child under his care, supervision or authority.

Walter was arrested in March last year over the incident which occurred in June 2019 at Two Buoys Tapas and Wine Bar in Dromana, where he headed the kitchen at the time. The court heard that one night after other colleagues had left, Walter and his apprentice stayed on drinking “tequila shots” for an hour or so.

County Court judge Kevin Doyle said “the victim was feeling completely drunk” at the time.

“When the two of you were alone, you tried to kiss her but she pushed you away,” Judge Doyle said.

The court heard that the pair then walked down the back hallway to leave the restaurant but both went into the bathroom where he re-

moved his pants and also pulled down the victim’s pants and underwear.

The pair both vomited in the bathroom after the incident.

Walter drove the girl home after the attack, telling her he “should not have done what he did because of his wife and family”. He asked the girl to wash his clothing to avoid questions from his wife, and the girl agreed.

The father-of-three, who grew up in Healesville, will be a registered sex offender for the next 15 years in a move that cuts his hospitality career short. The court heard he hopes to begin a career as a drill operator in the mining industry.

The court was read victim impact statements from the girl’s mother and father. Her father claimed his relationship with his daughter has “disintegrated” following the incident.

The girl’s mother said her daughter’s sleeping patterns had changed, her mood was lower and she had been “sobbing and hitting her head on the wall”. It was this change in the victim’s behaviour that prompted her mother to ask questions about what occurred that night.

A psychologist’s report read out in court detailed Walter’s “problems with alcohol and drugs over a number of years”, having first

used alcohol and cannabis at age 16.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Doyle said he was satisfied that a period of imprisonment would weigh heavily on Walter, who had separated from his wife as a result of the incident and spends time with his children on weekends.

“You feel deep shame and anger towards yourself for the terrible decisions you have made. You say you feel guilty and sad,” Judge Doyle said.

“Your admissions and the plea have spared the witnesses from having to give evidence, most importantly the victim does not have to relive these events. I am satisfied your plea is also an indication of remorse.“ The judge took into account character references from Walter’s family and friends, his solid work history, the fact he had no prior convictions, and said he “appears to be a committed father“.

According to Judge Doyle, had Walter pleaded not guilty, he would have been sentenced to 15 months’ jail. His charges carried a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

Walter must engage in programs for mental health, drug and alcohol abuse as part of the order.

Marshall is the cutest critter around

where it’s needed most Please donate now 1 3 S A LV O S S A LV O S . O R G . A U mailcommunity.com.au

Learner yet to learn A 22 year old Lilydale man was detected travelling 109km/h in a 50km/h zone on his motorcycle on Station Street, Coldstream on 13 January.

He failed a subsequent drug test and will have a future date in the Magistrates’ Court.

The learner rider will lose his rider permit and car license for a period of at least 12 months and will face a six month loss of license for the drug driving charge.

The 30 day impound of the motorcycle will cost the rider $1017.

The state government is bringing a series of Covid-safe concerts to Victoria this month in order to support the music industry, and a Yarra Valley is on the list.

The ‘2021 Sounds Better Together’ concert series will kick off on Saturday 23 January, with Jimmy Barnes, the Teskey Brothers and Vika & Kinda set to perform at Rochford Wines.

The concert will run at reduced capacity with social distancing ticketing allocation, zoned areas, extensive cleaning, additional facilities to reduce crowding, hand sanitiser stations throughout the venue and an onsite Covid-Safe Officer.

Tickets are available from noon AEDT Tuesday 19 January.

Rainfall Report 2020 was one of the wettest years in recent decades according to Coldstream rain monitor Peter Stuart.

Mr Stuart recorded 986ml in 2020, the third wettest year since his records commenced in January 1998.

In 2010 Mr Stuart recorded 1008.5ml and 1199.0ml in 2011.

In 2019 Coldstream received 688.5ml and in 2018 687.0ml In December Mr Stuart recorded 50.0ml compared with 98.0 ml in 2018 and 12.0ml in 2019.

Marshall the Native Swamp Rat. tant it is to protect native rodent species who are much more likely to be quietly living in your backyard than running across your kitchen floor.

Visitors to Healesville Sanctuary can see wildlife like Marshall receiving care at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, where operating and treatment rooms are visible to the public through glass walls.

“We want to give guests the chance to re-

ally see how muc h care we give wildlife, and get a better understanding of what threats they face,” said Ms Williamson.

Healesville Sanctuary re-opened to visitors in October under the latest changing of coronavirus restrictions by the Victorian Government. Daily visitor numbers are capped and all tickets must be pre purchased online. For more information, visit: www.zoo.org.au

William Matthews Funerals

PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN OWNED & INDEPENDENT

244 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville, 3777 General Enquiries Tel: 5957 3700 Email: enquiries@mailcommunity.com.au Distribution Enquiries Tel: 1300 654 910 Advertising Group Advertising Manager – Tracey Aitken Email: advertising@mailcommunity.com.au Editorial Editor – Garry Howe Email: editor@mailcommunity.com.au Classifieds Advertising Phone: 1300 666 808 Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au Deadlines: Display Advertising: 4PM Wednesday Trades: 4PM Thursday Classifieds: 4PM Friday Sports Results: 9AM Monday Managing Director: Paul Thomas

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In times of crisis, you can give

Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol was conducting a preliminary alcohol and drug testing site on Dorset Road, Crowydon on 30 December when a Holden Commodore sedan failed to enter the testing site when signalled to do so.

Passing within metres of a police officer waving drivers in, the highway patrol’s cameras and number plate scanning technology captured the driver’s number plate and the incident from the front to the rear.

Following an investigation, a 22 year old South Morang male was charged with failing to stop on direction of police.

His car was impounded and will be making an appearance in the Magistrates’ Court.

Concert at Rochford

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While his invasive rat cousins are considered pests, ‘Marshall’ the baby native swamp rat is as precious as he looks.

Veterinarians at Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre have been nursing the baby native swamp rat back to health after he survived a dog attack that killed his mother.

The pup, nicknamed ‘Marshall’ after his native habitat, weighed just 10 grams and had only just opened his eyes when he was brought into the sanctuary suffering from dehydration and a wound on his side from his encounter with a dog.

During the past nine days, he has doubled his weight to a healthy 20 grams and is recovering well. Vets hope to release him back into the wild once he reaches 60 grams and can fend for himself.

“When he first came in, I was giving him milk five or six times a day,” said veterinary nurse Melissa Williamson. “Now he’s a little older, he’s getting milk a couple of times a day and has started to eat seeds and shoots.”

Native swamp rats, also known as velvet furred rats, are smaller than invasive species, with shorter snouts, rounder bodies and shorter tails. As their name suggests, they prefer to live in swampy and marshy areas where they can make tunnels through dense grass.

There are more than 60 native species of rodent in Australia, which are vulnerable to non-native predators such as cats and dogs.

Healesville Sanctuary stresses how impor-

Fail to stop

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By Taylah Eastwell

Emergency services attended a high angle rescue at Seven Acre Rock on 9 January to rescue a 20 year old male, who had fallen over the edge and plummeted about 50 metres and was luckily perched on a tree.

Police and ambulance crews attended, as well as Upper Yarra SES, Little Yarra, Wandin, Monbulk and Dandenong CFA teams and more.

The patient was lifted to safety and literally walked away without serious injury.

Before you decide call Bill, Narelle, or Melanie Matthews & Micah

9739 6868 www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au

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Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

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THE LOWDOWN Q&A

with lawyer Ben Watson

The Star Mail caught up with Lilydale-based lawyer, BEN WATSON for a Q&A. Ben is a criminal defence lawyer and volunteer organiser of the Mr Perfect Men’s Health monthly community BBQ. What got you interested in a career in law?

I was at a crossroads when I finished an Advanced Diploma of Justice at Chisholm, between becoming a lawyer or joining Victoria Police. I had completed some work experience at the Frankston Magistrates Court, I was watching the local lawyers such as James Dowsley and Will Parker skilfully represent their clients and tell their story and I was really attracted to the ability to advocate for disadvantaged members of the community. I enjoy being able to represent young clients and assist in their path to a better life through making contact with drug and alcohol services, housing support and mental health supports.

It was through the support of my teachers at Chisholm that I decided to apply at Deakin University in a law degree and was accepted in 2014.

What was your most memorable moment?

Why? In April 2020, I instructed a Barrister in a Court of Appeal matter, it was my first hearing in the Supreme Court and due to COVID-19 was conducted online. Whilst the appeal was unsuccessful, the experience gained was immense and it was quite a large case for someone in their first years of practice.

What would your last meal be?

My mother’s curried sausages, it brings me back to coming home from footy training as a junior when it was freezing cold, there is nothing better.

What do you love most about the Yarra Ranges?

The amount of parklands and trails, as a cyclist I love riding on all the different paths. The air

THREE … easy at-home school holiday activities

1

2 Ben Watson. is fresh and the people are always lovely. There are so many great cafes and restaurants in Lilydale and surrounds.

What event, past, present, or future, would you like to witness?

I really would have liked to witness Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I have a dream’ speech in Washington in 1963, there has been no speech since which has had such a large impact on civil rights internationally.

Tell us about your most interesting day at work recently?

It’s a difficult question, as every day is interesting and you never know which case will come across your desk next!

Which six guests, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?

Barack Obama, Anthony Bourdain, Jerry Seinfeld, Quentin Tarantino, Miles Davis, Muhammad Ali. What has been the proudest moment of your career to date?

I had one particular client that came to our offices before Christmas one year, the client had an intervention order placed against him and was unsure of the conditions. He was of the belief that he could not see his daughter for Christmas and this was extremely distressing.

I was able to explain both the law and conditions to him and essentially advised that he could see his daughter for Christmas. There were tears of happiness that afternoon and it was extremely fulfilling to use the law to provide some positivity to his life.

3

Hold a cupcake decorating competition.

A cupcake or cookie decorating competition is the perfect way to keep the kids amused for a few hours and sort afternoon tea.

Get the kids involved in baking a batch of cupcakes or cookies, then set them loose with a rainbow of icing colours, bowls of sprinkles and lollies.

Enjoy a movie marathon.

A rainy day is the perfect time to organise a movie marathon.

Perhaps choose a movie series such as Spy Kids or movies with a theme, such as space, nature or comedy. Turn the idea into an event by creating invitations for everyone attending. Give every family member something fun to do - smaller children make great ushers and popcorn sellers, and the ‘projectionist’ can man the remote and pick the first film.

Organise a bug hunt in the backyard.

Get the kids searching around flowers, bushes and the bases of trees. Turning over small or medium-sized rocks will also usually yield some creepy crawlies.

Once they’ve found a bug, place some clean dirt in the bottom of a container and pick him up with a spoon or tweezers, then place him carefully in the container.

EVERY TEST HELPS US KEEP DOING THE THINGS WE LOVE Every test keeps us on top of this virus.

And keeps us doing the things we love.

So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.

For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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Greyhound death concern

By Jed Lanyon A greyhound welfare group is calling on Greyhound Racing Victoria to make significant changes to the sport following the death of a greyhound at Healesville’s race track.

Greyhound, Notorious Jiggs, finished second in Race 10 on Friday 8 January but was euthanised after an incident in the catching pen, the area that stops the dogs at the end of the race.

According to the steward’s report, the greyhound was found to have a fractured right humerus and right elbow and a suspected right scapula fracture.

The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) said the greyhound’s death undermines the racing industry’s claims that the track is safe.

The Healesville greyhound racing track is the only straight track in Victoria. The greyhound welfare group says the racing industry bills straight tracks as a safe and exciting form of racing, compared to standard curved tracks, where deaths and injuries are frequent at the track turns.

According to CPG, the Healesville track recorded 318 injuries last year, the sixth-worst track in Victoria.

Greyhound Racing Victoria did not respond to Star Mail’s request for comment.

CPG said that greyhound racing was inherently dangerous and there were no such things as safe tracks.

“Straight tracks are safer than curved tracks, but there is no safe form of greyhound racing,” said Dennis Anderson, national president of CPG. “The death of Notorious Jiggs shows that a greyhound can be killed at any part of a racing track. The catching pens have killed many greyhounds as the racing industry hasn’t created a safe way to stop the dogs, which are often running at speeds of more than 60km/h,” he said.

The CPG said their analysis of stewards reports showed that 20 greyhounds were killed in the catching pens last year, among the total of 204 greyhounds that were killed racing last year.

“It’s been a shocking start to the year for greyhounds. Seven greyhounds have died in the first eight days of 2021, including five in Victoria, with more than 240 injured,” Mr Anderson said.

He said Victoria was Australia’s most lethal state with 72 greyhounds killed racing on the tracks.

The straight racetrack in Healesville.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

“Overwhelming” response pierces through for Jacinta

By Taylah Eastwell A Woori Yallock businesswoman is “overwhelmed” by the response she received from locals suffering with mental health after coming out publicly about her experience with bipolar disorder.

The Star Mail published an article in September last year on 21-year-old Jacinta Haggar, who owns Emire Body Piercing and Tattooing, where Ms Haggar went public with her own battles with mental illness and explained how she caters to the needs of customers with anxiety and autism in her shop.

Having been diagnosed at age 18, Ms Haggar said in September that she “would have appreciated a story from a local” going through a similar experience, saying “it would have made me feel a lot less alone”.

It appears Ms Haggar’s honesty had exactly that affect on locals, with many people calling her shop, stopping by and leaving her comments on social media after the article went to print.

“Since the article came out the response got really overwhelming, there were people calling my shop, people messaging me telling me it was fantastic and so refreshing to read in the newspaper especially being so local,” Ms Haggar said.

“I had so many people message me on TikTok saying it was really brave, saying they are not brave enough to ever say the things I said and thanking me for bringing awareness to mental illness.

Ms Haggar said she “had no idea” there was such a huge mental health community mailcommunity.com.au

Jacinta Haggar. in the Yarra Valley, believing many with bipolar disorder opt to suffer in silence due to the stigma.

“Because of the way TV and society has thrown around the word ‘bipolar’, it’s become a slur to describe a crazy girlfriend. If your

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS girlfriend is messaging you because you’re at the pub with the boys, all of a sudden she’s ‘bipolar’,” she said.

Ms Haggar unfortunately took the good with the bad, copping some negative abuse from a person she describes as a “competi-

tor” after the article came out.

“I knew there was a chance or consequence. I did not think it was really going to happen due to the fact its 2020 and I thought there was a little bit more progression,” she said.

The positive comments by far outweighed the negative, with Ms Haggar even getting a visit from Yarra Ranges Council.

“The council came and visited me after the article and said, what is something we can do to improve ourselves. I said they need to do a bipolar support group because the closest one is two hours away from here,” she said.

Ms Haggar floated the idea of running a support group in a council building one night a week, “where everyone can just meet up and talk about living with bipolar”.

“I remember when I was first diagnosed as soon as the psych said it I broke down in tears thinking every bad scenario, thinking no ones going to love me, how can I ever be normal. Coming out was literally me dropping all of my guards and walls and just admitting something that took me years to reconcile with,” she said.

Ms Haggar would love to run her own support group in order to help others who may be struggling with their own minds.

In the mean time, her advice is clear.

“Seek your help. There are Facebook groups for people with bipolar. Find your community. Be open with your family. My biggest regret was keeping it so hidden and faking it so well. Do not hide your mental illness and play it out like your fine. Majority of people are understanding,” she said.

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NEWS

New play space at CIRE A new playground at Cire’s Mount Evelyn Children’s Service is part of an exciting Cire hat trick underway to maximise creative early years learning opportunities in the Yarra Ranges.

By mid 2021, Cire Children’s Services will boast inclusive new playgrounds at each of its three centres at Mount Evelyn, Yarra Junction and Chirnside Park.

An outdoor playspace was completed in 2019 at Yarra Junction, and Chirnside Park has recently received a grant for new equipment to be installed early this year. The Mount Evelyn playground was completed and opened just before Christmas.

Cire Children’s Services has also received funding to develop butterfly habitats at each of the three sites to enhance and further beautify the upgrades outdoor learning spaces.

The playgrounds have been funded through the Department of Education’s Building Blocks and former Inclusive Kindergartens Programs, with Mount Evelyn and Yarra Junction receiving approximately $100,000 each. Chirnside Park was allocated almost $50,000 in the most recent announcement.

In the meantime, the Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Program has awarded almost $5000 to each site for the butterfly habitat projects.

Executive Manager of Cire Children’s Services, Diletta Lanciana said the focus of the new playgrounds is inclusiveness and accessibility to greatly enhance what Cire already offer young learners.

“Play is critical at so many levels to a child’s development and learning. The more play opportunities our young learners have, the greater they progress and develop the confidence, skills and curiosity to help successfully navigate their world,” Ms Lanciana said.

“Play helps provide them with the building blocks and foundations to be the best they can be.

Children enjoying the new playground with Assistant Director of Cire’s Mt Evelyn children’s centre, Anna Smith.

The children themselves have played a large part in the upgrades, having brainstormed about what they needed with a focus on creating inclusive, engaging and interactive outdoor spaces. The children had to prioritise and negotiate their needs to keep within budget.

New equipment across the sites includes sensory equipment, cubby houses, slides, outdoor musical instruments, and blackboards.

The Junior Landcare and Biodiversity project includes the development of habitats featuring native plants that attract butterflies, and the purchase of chrysalis kits so the chil-

dren can witness and learn about the life cycle of a butterfly.

The kits will enable the children to follow the growth of butterflies then once fully developed, release them into the habitat. As part of the project, the children will explore which plants need to be planted in the habitat and measure their growth, and research the butterfly chrysalides to see how long they take to hatch. They will also count how many butterflies visit the habitat.

Ms Diletta said the project is a wonderfully engaging way to assist children with science,

Cire Children’s Services in Mt Evelyn recently opened its new playground. technology, engineering and mathematics. It will also help create an outdoor space where children and their families can spend quiet time and enjoy our natural environment.

Once the project is underway, the children will be able to proudly call themselves lepidopterologists and may even learn how to spell the tongue-twisting name of those who study and collect butterflies.

Cire Children’s Services is one of the core operations of Cire Services Inc., one of the largest not-for-profits in the Yarra Ranges and unique to the region.

PLANNING ON TRAVELLING INTERSTATE ?

ALL VICTORIANS RE-ENTERING VICTORIA WILL NEED A PERMIT

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), all Victorians travelling interstate must apply for a permit to re-enter Victoria.

Do not travel to a red zone.

To find out whether your destination is in a red, orange, or green zone, visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne

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Sanders debuts in Dakar

By Taylah Eastwell When the time came for Daniel Sanders to pick his subjects at the end of Year 10, he told his teachers at Upper Yarra Secondary College he wanted to be a professional motorbike rider.

With no dirt-bike racing classes on offer, they told him he best consider a back-up.

But Sanders was determined – and that determination is what saw the Three Bridge’s local place fourth overall and number one in the ‘Rookie’ category in his first attempt at “the world’s toughest and biggest race”, the 2021 Dakar Rally.

The Dakar is a 12-day off-road endurance event through the sand dunes and rocky terrain of Saudi Arabia. Competitors complete one stage each day, navigating their way with just a roadbook on their handlebars while riding at speed for over 450kms each day.

The Star Mail caught up with Daniel’s mum, Pauline, to see how he was tracking during the race.

“His aim was to win number one ‘Rookie’ and get in the top 10,” she said.

“There are no arrows or markers out on the course, you have to navigate by a roadbook and it just scrolls through turning points. So they not only have to go fast, but have to navigate and go in the right direction as well,” Mrs Sanders explained.

“He sounds so refreshed. He says it is his favourite race he has ever done and he has raced in Europe, America and home in Australia. He says he is getting more comfortable and faster and navigating is easier every day,” she said.

Daniel raced for the Red Bull KTM Factory Team alongside world champion and fellow Australian, Toby Price, as well as Matthias Walkner and Sam Sunderland.

“This time last year I never would have thought Daniel would have been doing it, he was wanting to do it later on. But because his off-road career stopped with Covid, there was no racing in Australia, KTM approached him looking for a new junior,” Mrs Sanders said.

“He wasn’t doing his other racing so he thought he may as well give it a try and there was no pressure, if he liked it he liked it, but he loves it unfortunately,” she laughed.

Mrs Sanders said her son has been overseas since September, having only thrown his leg over a rally bike and learnt to read a rally road book four months ago. Sanders competed in a 4-day Andalucia Rally event in October in order to qualify for the Dakar.

Sanders positioned third in the Dakar prologue event, which saw him begin out near the front of the pack for stage one of the rally on January 3.

Having missed a navigation note in the roadbook, Sanders lost some time in the first day after receiving a time penalty for speeding in reduced zones. He quickly made that time up in stage two, sitting in the top three for the mailcommunity.com.au

most part of the race and placing ninth overall – with an average speed of 120km/ph.

By stage three, Sanders finished eighth overall. He took well to the terrain in stage four, bringing the bike home into second place for the day after 850km of racing.

By stage six, Sanders pushed hard to make up some time in the sand – finishing third overall and only missing out on first place by 52 seconds.

A small crash on day seven after 400km’s of racing left Sanders in need of a few stitches after a decent cut to the mouth.

“It looks like he’s been in a fight with Mike Tyson, he’s got a black eye and a swollen lip but looks a bit better after a few stitches,” his mum said.

“It’s just a cut lip and a couple stitches, you can get that in football. He’s been very lucky compared to some of the other riders,” she said.

When asked how she copes knowing her son is riding at high-speed in one of the world’s most dangerous races, Mrs Sanders said she likes to remain positive.

“I’ve always been very confident with Daniel’s racing. A lot of friends say ‘how do you cope’, but I know he has got great control. I don’t think you could cope very well if you didn’t think positive,” she said.

With stages seven and eight being marathon stages, mechanics were not available, with Sanders facing the challenge of keeping up his top ten position while nursing his bike in order to bring it home safely to the mechanics ahead of stage nine.

In an Instagram post, Sanders said he came across injured team mate Toby Price 150km into the ninth race, after an accident that cut Price’s Dakar dreams short.

“As I stopped the chopper was just landing,

I quickly checked on him then tried to charge on. It was hard to get back into the groove after seeing the big guy down injured and also for me after just having a crash that could have finished my race earlier,” he said.

According to Sanders, he was also in a “decent crash” in stage nine after losing traction in the rocks.

“I lost all my water in my hydration and broke the tip of the gear lever,” the post read.

After a solid race in stage 10, Sanders jumped from eighth overall into sixth place, slotting happily into fourth position at the end of stage 11 and maintaining that position throughout the last day of racing to place fourth overall for the rally.

“I’ve dedicated the last five months for this race and I’m ecstatic with the result and couldn’t be happier,” Sanders wrote on Instagram.

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

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MAIL 7

HISTORY

Tough climb to the top

By Nick Anchen

Des Morrish atop the high lead logging system.

Picture: COURTESY THE UPPER YARRA MUSEUM

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By Jed Lanyon Healesville’s Grand Hotel has fitted out the pub’s exterior with several posters in a bid to lift community spirit.

Pedestrians and drivers passing the iconic hotel can easily spot the signage, which has been created by locals to share messages of support for those doing it tough.

Healesville resident and pub-goer Kersten Gentle said the idea came from her daughter Nikita, who pitched the idea to the business owners of the hotel.

“We recognised how community minded Lisa and Tom are and my daughter said, ‘why don’t we do some posters to brighten up the place as people are walking’ and the response from people has been amazing,” Ms Gentle said.

“This town has gone through a lot in the past and I know that if the community comes together now, we will make sure that everyone gets through this. And that’s what these posters are about; making sure that everyone comes through the other end of this pandemic.”

Business owner Lisa McKay-Campbell invites locals to design their own A2 posters to display across the pub as they enlist the services of Breen Printing to create their positive posters. Relatives of Ms McKay-Campbell, who were in Mallacoota at the time of the recent bushfires were involved in a similar feat paying respects to the nation’s firefighters.

The idea initially started as a home-schooling art class activity but is now open for people of all ages with time to spare in isolation.

“One of the biggest problems with the pandemic is the effect on people’s mental health, so if these posters can put a smile on someone’s face then the Grand is doing a good job ...

To me this is the perfect canvas for our town,” Ms Gentle said.

Ms McKay-Campbell said that some of her

Business owners Tom and Lisa with kids Levi and Maeve. 208350 customers would share that the brief interaction with the hotel’s staff would be the only human contact they receive for the day.

The Grand Hotel is now operating a drivethrough takeaway meal service for locals looking for a restaurant quality meal without having to leave the comfort of their car.

“It’s something that we would never had or-

dinarily done ... It’s the only thing we can really do,” Ms McKay-Campbell said.

“You drive through the bottle shop and they pass it to you through the car window. You can literally come through in your pyjamas.”

As part of their takeaway menu, the hotel has also started cooking regular Sunday roasts for customers.

Picture: STEWART W CHAMBERS Those keen to have their artwork displayed can drop off the poster to the Grand Hotel’s bottle shop or contact: grandcommunityspirit@gmail.com.

To place an order at the Grand Hotel, view the menu at https://healesvillegrandhotel. com.au/ and call 0404 406 172.

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Tuesday, 12 May, 2020

Born in Warburton on 28 January 1920, the late Des Morrish was an old-time timberman – a breed of tough bushmen who lived out in the rough bush settlements such as Federal Mill. Des spent his entire working life in the timber industry, and even when interviewed by myself in his 94th year in 2012, Des loved nothing more than explaining the techniques of the high lead logging system, and reminiscing about the old days of climbing the mighty Mountain Ash, high up in the mountain ranges above Warburton.

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY I was born and bred in Warburton, and at the age of 16 I first went out into the timber industry. I got a job as a sawdust boy, wheeling sawdust, at a little sawmill on Crooked Creek called the White Slaves mill, where I was paid £2/0/6 per week. This mill was eight miles out from Warburton towards McMahon’s Creek, and I used to ride my bike there and back every day.

This was the only job a 16 year old was allowed to do – they wouldn’t let you anywhere near the saws at that age, but then when I turned 17 I progressed through the mill, doing different jobs, such as working on the ‘little bench’, where we cut broom handles, pickets and so on.

“One time we logged a patch of Silvertop poles, and they had a terribly rough bark on them, like pine bark. My job was to take the bark off with a crow bar and chop the ends off to make them square. Alec Isaacs was the benchman and Bill Partridge was pulling off, and as I could pull the bark off, they cut them up on the saw bench. It was a stinking hot day, and the sweat was pouring out of me. Then the boss, Bill Downey, walked past and said to me, ‘Just as well you’ve got a good easy job today Des!’ The sawmill had a little tramway which ran 1½ miles down to the main road, where the timber went into Warby by lorry. There were two bridges along this tramway, where most of the bush had been cut out, but there were still a few trees we were cutting just before Christmas 1938. We had a few fires going in the clearing, just burning the heads off these trees, and one of these fires got away and burnt the two tramway bridges out.

My mate was Jack Cameron, who was one of the best workers I ever met. He and I were given the job of replacing the bridges just after Christmas, and so we went out on the 6th and 7th of January, and we cut up some timber and rebuilt the bridges, but we couldn’t do any more until the mill started up to cut the wooden rails for them.

BLACK FRIDAY BUSHFIRES We usually got about a 60 or 70 inch annual rainfall in Warburton, but in 1938 there was a terrible drought, when we only had about 16 inches for the year. Then on Friday 13 January 1939, six days after we’d done the bridge job, the Black Friday bushfires came through and burned the bridges out as if they had never been there. All the fish in Crooked Creek were dead and were belly-up, although we weren’t sure whether it was the heat that killed them, or whether they were killed by the charcoal contaminating the water.

I was in the Warburton fire brigade at the time, and Max Sparkes was the Captain. I lived next door to Max, and on Thursday the 12th I said to him, ‘I’m not going into work tomorrow, there’s a bad day coming up.’ On the morning of the 13th, Harry Martyr, Max and I were on the Dodge fire truck. It was our only truck and it didn’t carry water, so we could only pump water from a river or dam. We went up to the aqueduct which used to run between the O’Shanassey and Silvan Reservoirs, although what we thought we were going to do there I don’t know. It was extremely hot, so Harry and I went for a swim in the channel.

Then the fire came down from the north west, from the direction of Mount Donna

Buang and Mount Ben Cairn. The noise was incredible – it sounded just like a thousand tornadoes, and then the wind changed and it took the fire down through Parbury’s Creek, where the golf course is now. It sizzled down the hill and crossed the Yarra River, then raced up the other side of the valley, and within seconds Mount Little Joe and all the southern side of Warburton was ablaze. So we went back down into the town, and the truck was wanted everywhere at once – Big Pat’s Creek, East Warburton, McMahons Creek – as there were fires everywhere.

But Max said, “This fire truck is here to protect the township of Warburton, and it remains in town. If we take it out in the bush it will get burnt, and we’ll get burnt, and we’ll lose the town as well.“ All the shops were built next to one another, and many of them were built ten or twelve feet off the ground, so they could easily have gone up and the whole town could have burnt down. We were there to put the spot fires out, and we spent all day driving around the outskirts of town, putting out these spot fires as best we could. There wasn’t much panic in town, and the townsfolk were very good.

The shopkeepers brought out with crates of drinks and sandwiches and everybody pulled together well.

It rained on the Sunday, so we thought we’d go out to check things out at Matlock.

But when we got to the McVeigh’s pub and drove past the ‘goose neck’, a big sharp bend in the road, the most incredible scene confronted us. There were all these big, full sized trees just ripped completely out of the ground and strewn all over the place, all with great clumps of dirt still attached to their roots.

They had been literally sucked out of the ground by the wind, and it was as if a giant had come along and strewn a box of matches everywhere. You could have walked for miles on tree trunks without touching the ground.

This was thought to have been caused by the updraft of the wind as it rose up to get more oxygen, which was estimated at well over 200 mph! So of course we couldn’t get through, and we went back to Warby.

We found out later it had been carnage up at Matlock. At Jimmy Fitzpatrick’s sawmill, 15 men and 12 horses lost their lives in the fire. Only one man survived, George Sellars.

He’d found a bare patch of ground and he got blankets off his bed and two 4 gallon drums of water, and he kept tipping water over his blankets, and that was how he remained alive.

On the other side of the road, Victor Yelland’s old sawmill had been bought by a bloke named Henderson, and he’d built a little brick house. When the fire came, big Ted Silver had 11 men and one lady – the cook – inside this brick house. The lady panicked and rushed out into the flames, and her body was never found. The men said they couldn’t bare the heat any longer, and they should pray to the Lord for help.

Ted said “I’ve never prayed to the Lord in all my life, and I’m not going to be a hypocrite and ask for help now.“ Then he said, “If you listen to me, I think I can save your lives. We’re going to stop in this house as long as we possibly can. Drop to the floor and fill your lungs – the best air you’re going to get is from near the floor. Once the big fire’s gone, we’ll get out and run down to the water supply, where it will be green and we can find some water. If the heat gets too much, drop to the ground and dig through the ashes and dirt and put your mouth in there and get some air into your lungs.“ The men did as he said, and they all survived.

The fire truck from Woods Point came up to Matlock, and when the blokes got there they found most of the charred bodies lying up near the sawdust heap. Jimmy Fitzpatrick’s two boys were found dead inside the mill’s water tank, where they’d either boiled or suffocated. They got some coffins and put the bodies inside, then loaded them onto a tray-bodied truck and took them to Mansfield. mailcommunity.com.au

HISTORY Woods Point had a bad time of it, too. Doug Ross had the bakery, and on the day of the fire he’d put a batch of bread in the oven, but hadn’t yet fired it. The heat of the fire was so intense that it baked the bread, and this was all the townsfolk had in the end. The amazing thing was that the whole of the goldfields from Walhalla through Aberfeldie to Woods Point had been denuded of most of the trees over the years, as firewood was in such high demand. It had become almost a man-made desert. And yet despite this, the fire still came through and ravaged the place, such was its intensity. And they talk today about containment lines!

Ted Silver, the man who saved so many in the Matlock fires, was a big, tall, long-armed bugger. In 1940 he went to war, and was awarded a medal for bravery. He lived in Don Valley, near the Launching Place Hotel, and he used to get in there and get too much beer in him and make a nuisance of himself. One day in 1953 he was causing trouble, and a man named Barton stood up and objected. Big Ted gave him a hell of a hiding, but some time later this fellow came back looking for Silver, and he shot him dead, along with another man.

In 2009, we had a five day remembrance at the old Church of England in Warburton for the 70th anniversary of the Black Friday bushfires. There were a few of the old timers in the place, and each of us gave spoke of our memories from the fires. Old Norm Golding, then 101 years of age, spoke about what he did that day. Norm ran a bus service between Powelltown and Lilydale, and on Black Friday he was on the road beyond Powelltown, when he came across three little girls. The fire was coming, so he grabbed them and put them in the railway tunnel to keep them safe from the fires. When Norm had finished saying this, a lady in the congregation stood up and said, “I was one of those little girls that you picked up and put in the tunnel.“ Norm looked at her and said, “Lady, you were well worth saving!“ Her name was Leslie Forrest, (nee Bramich), and it turned out that I used to play tennis with her mum and dad, so the whole thing was very touching.

TANJIL BREN All the timber was cut out already – the fire just finished it off – so Bill moved the operations to his new sawmill at Tanjil Bren. On the Sunday afternoon, we all piled into Bill’s car for the long drive up to the mill, which was an eight mile walk into the bush from the road.

War was declared on 3 September 1939, on a Sunday night, and as we had no communications at the sawmill, it was a full week before we arrived back at Warburton and found out about it.

FEDERAL TIMBER PRODUCTS In 1940 I took a job with FTP, Federal Timber Products, who owned Federal Mill. I worked there all through the 1940s until the mill closed in 1950. The mill was connected to La La siding at Warburton by a 20 mile-long tram line, a distance later reduced to 17 miles once the company put a few shortcuts in. We had a drum saw which we used to cut barrel staves, and these went on the tram, which was driven either by Watti Clinch and George Bullen. At La La the timber was loaded onto Victorian Railways trains and railed off to Yarraville where it was made into barrels.

I lived at Warby, as did most of the mill workers, and I used to walk the 17 miles to and from the mill each week, which took me about five hours. Work started at half past seven in the morning, and we worked eight hour days, plus Saturday mornings. And all this for just £3 per week! At Federal, you could please yourself whether you batched in one of the huts or stayed at the boarding house. I preferred to batch. When I knocked off work in the afternoon, I was often so buggered that I’d have a wash, cook myself some tea, and I’d be ready for bed.

We had to work until quarter to one on Saturdays, which was no good if you wanted to play football on the Saturday afternoon. The mill engine driver, Barry Milkins, was a real character.

He was a returned man from the WWI, and was a very learned, well-cultured man, and he was our boxing instructor at the mill. Barry would put the mill clock forward, just a few minutes each night, so that by Saturday it might be up to an hour fast. This meant we’d end up knocking off at quarter to twelve, and we had time to run the seventeen miles home, down the tramway to Warburton. I played football for Yarra Rovers, which had men from East Warburton and Big Pat’s Creek, and if we were playing away it was two shillings for your bus fare.

One Friday night, one of the blokes came in from the boarding house and went into the engine room and put the clock on again, so it was mailcommunity.com.au

The aftermath of the Black Friday fires at Ada River. over an hour fast. When the whistle blew on the Saturday morning, it was so early that the mill manager, Wally Hudson, was still in bed! So on the Monday night he called a meeting and he said, ‘Right you blokes. From now on, I’ll blow the whistle every morning at starting time, and you won’t get away early on the Saturday.’ We called a strike over this, which lasted for sixteen week. We stayed at the mill through the week during this strike, and we were supported by all the other mill workers in the district, with a two shilling per week levy imposed on every man, enabling us to survive. As a result of this strike, we all ended up getting the five day working week out of it.

The conditions were pretty hard, with the rain and mud in winter, and sometimes snow, too. We were working at a fair altitude, as the big Mountain Ash trees only grew above about 2500 to about 2700 ft. We logged an area of thousands of acres around the Federal Mill, many miles around the boundary. The Ada River was the boundary between our area and the Victorian Hardwood Company’s area, which was based at Powelltown. Snakes were common in the bush, but I never had much trouble with them, as I always just let them get away. I never knew of anyone getting bitten in my time, either.

The blokes were good to work with, and there were some highly skilled timbermen amongst them. Fred Newcombe was the head faller, and he was a highly skilled man with a long-handled axe. When he was scarfing a tree, he’d never overcut once – every strike with the axe would result in a cut the exact width of the blade, he never missed. You could run your hand down where he’d cut and it was smooth, just as if it had been planed. He was a beautiful axeman, old Fred.

Felling trees could be dangerous at times.

When you were driving wedges in, the steel would become so thin around the edges, perhaps a few thousandths thick, and sometimes a piece about the size of a five cent piece could break off and shoot out between the wedge and the hammer like a bullet. One time this happened to me. The piece hit my hand, and passed clean through and out the other side, knocking my hand clean off the hammer. I was lucky. On several occasions blokes copped it in the guts, when the metal piece went through their intestines, and this killed a few men over the years. If we were a long way from the mill, it would take a while to move an injured man out of the bush. They’d go to the mill on the tramline, but this may have been many miles, depending where we were working at the time, and the tractors were not built for speed.

When the Coroner examined one of these unfortunate fellows, he was convinced that the man had been shot.

THE WASHINGTON WINCH The FTP had one of the four 80 ton Washington winches which were brought out from America, and I was the operator. The Washington had a vertical boiler operating under very high boiler pressure, and two massive water tanks on the back and a big stack of firewood next to it. It had twin auto-positive injectors, they worked beautifully, and she was a great steamer, too. The winch pulled itself around between the different logging sites.

World War II was on, and I joined the Royal Australian Engineers in 1941, although I never had the chance to serve overseas. The Federal Company badly needed a skilled Washington winch driver, and the wooden barrels we produced were used for packaging glucose – essential for the War effort. The Company wrote to Southern Command requesting my release back to the mill, so it was out of the Army and back into the bush for me.

Once I was married in 1944, I sometimes left Warby late on the Sunday night after stop-

Pictures: COURTESY THE UPPER YARRA MUSEUM

Des Morrish high climbing on a Mountain Ash. ping for tea at home, and I’d start walking up the tramline at night. I never bothered with a lantern, as I knew the way so well. I’d arrive at the winch site just in time to fire her up for the day’s work. It took about five hours to raise working steam pressure in her.

THE HIGH LEAD LOGGING SYSTEM Jack Corbett was a French Canadian timberman who came out to Australia in 1928. He taught the men high climbing techniques, as well as the innovation of the High Lead logging system, a system that was only a viable proposition in big mountain ash forests. He became the bush manager for the FTP, and he was a good bloke all right. Jack really made a name for himself at Federal Mill by putting a water tank way up on top of four tall trees, one of which later blew over, and this tank provided terrific water pressure for the mill.

There were two completely different operations out in the bush. The FTP company used the High Lead system. Corbett also taught Ezard, another prominent sawmiller, who used the High Lead system over on the Thompson Valley near Erica.

The High Lead system allowed you to log a selected area for anything up to two years. We did about seven or eight different sites in my time there. Then a tramline would be built to a point near the winch, where logs were loaded and taken to the mill to be cut up. All this was operated by one winch, the Washington. We walked through the bush trying to find suitable areas for high lead operations, bearing in mind the quality and quantity of the trees, and most importantly, the availability of a water source for the steam winch.

The high lead method involved cutting what were called Spar Trees, and it was my job to select suitable trees. I’d wear spurs on my feet and put a rope around the outside of the trunk, which was often up to 15 foot in diameter. On the rough bark at the base of the tree you were all right, but once you reached the smooth bark higher up, you had to make sure you drove your spurs right in and both feet were level. If your spurs came loose and you slid down the trunk, the rope would get shorter and you’d end up jammed tight against the tree. When I’d climbed near the top of the tree,

which was sometimes over 250 feet up, I’d cut the top off. Before I did this, I’d drive my axe into the trunk to stop it swinging around and cutting you, and then I’d get right in behind the trunk and ride it from side to side. The trunk would swing 20 to 25 feet backwards and forwards, so you really had to hang on! That was the thrill for about nine or ten hours of work.

You were on your own, and there was no safety whatsoever – if you slipped, you were a goner.

The view from the top of the tall trees was breathtaking. You could see for many miles in all directions. One thing I recall was looking out toward the Noojee railway, which was about 10 or 15 miles away as the crow flies. You could see the train going along between Noojee and Nayook, and although it was too far away to hear it chugging up the hill, every now and then a white plume of steam would come up, and about ten seconds later, you’d hear the howling steam whistle.

Once I cut the head off the spar tree, I’d rig it with wire ropes, one of which transported logs through the air under steam power, via an elaborate series of wire ropes attached to specially selected trees. By the time we’d finished, the tree was fully supported and could withstand enormous pressure, and we could swing off the spar tree 360 degrees for up to a mile and a half around.

A CLOSE SHAVE I had an accident once when I was cutting the top off a 280 ft high tree. Jack Corbett was on the ground and one of the wire ropes, known as a ‘tail rope’ snapped. I knew what was going to happen – that the rope would come up and run through the tail rope block quicker than what it could turn in the sheave, then it would spring back at me. And I knew if the rope hit me, I was a goner. So I quickly climbed out and laid full length on the guy rope, and then the wire wrapped itself around the trunk several times and locked itself, just where my head had been.

On the ground, Jack was frightened, because he also knew what would happen, and he yelled out, ‘You all right up there Des?’ ‘Yeah, I’m all right’, I said. ‘You better come down and have a cup of tea’, he said. That was the only close call I ever had, and it wasn’t even my fault!

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

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MAIL 9

NEWS

Equine art

By Jed Lanyon YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub has launched into 2021 with a new exhibition highlighting the works of 13 local artists.

The exhibition, HORSE, showcases everything equine as horses make home to many of the Yarra Ranges sprawling paddocks and farmland.

YAVA CEO Kate Baker said horses have long held a powerful presence in artwork.

“It’s about horses having such a strong and pivotal kind of presence in great works of art but also an important symbol within the Yarra Valley,” she said.

“It’s one of those animals that you will see a lot and whether people ride them, have them on their properties or even have an emotional connection, they can impact people in a lot of powerful ways.”

“We have a range of different genres and different mediums. And different levels of focus and different approaches as to how each artist sees the horse.

“I hope that it will resonate with (visitors’) experience or notion of the horse and also that it will open their minds and hearts to different interpretations.”

YAVA’s gallery is full of a variety of art ranging from charcoal graphite sketches, oil and pastel works to 3D felt artworks, sculptures and more.

The exhibition is described as a playful and spirited one, celebrating the role the majestic animal has played across cultures and in the artists’ personal experience.

Artists in the exhibition include: Agnes Szetey, Amanda Lithgow, Cathie Berry, Di King, Kate Taylor, Kerryl Shirley, Khoi Bui, Savaad Felich, Julie Ricketts, Wilani Van Wyk-Smit and Mary Newham.

Ms Szetey and Ms King are both longtime Healesville residents and hope Yarra Ranges locals and travellers from Melbourne enjoy the variety of artists on display.

“They (visitors) can appreciate the different and diverse types of styles that each artist has,” Ms King said.

“Those who want to learn to paint can see the quality of the work on the walls and join YAVA and be a part of this beautiful art space in our community.

“They (local residents) can appreciate that we have this gallery out here and that they don’t have to go into the city and suburbs ...

This is a great place to come and visit.”

Redwood to remain closed

By Taylah Eastwell There is no reopening date in mind for Warburton’s iconic Redwood Bridge, with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) soon to undertake an assessment of structural damage caused by fallen trees late last year.

The iconic bridge was damaged by trees brought down during a storm in September last year, not long after a period of closure while important works were carried out midyear.

DEWLP engaged an engineer to carry out an initial assessment of the bridge in October to assess the extent of the damage and recommend any necessary repairs.

DELWP Port Phillip Regional Manager Stephen Chapple said the engineers determined a Level Three assessment was required, which is set to take place next week.

“Following an initial assessment of Red-

wood Bridge, DELWP has engaged engineers to carry out a comprehensive investigation into how it was impacted by the fallen trees, including its condition, load carrying capacity, structural integrity and whether any of the cables were stretched by the fallen trees,” Mr Chapple said.

Mr Chapple said DELWP is unable to provide an estimate of how long the bridge will be closed until it knows whether the bridge requires minor work or more substantial repairs.

“This assessment will begin in the next week and is expected to be completed over the coming months,” he said.

“We understand the value of the bridge to the Warburton community and its visitors, the role it plays in recreation opportunities in the area, and the community’s frustration that it remains closed. But safety is our number one priority, so until the necessary repairs have been properly identified, carried out, and the bridge is deemed safe, it cannot be reopened.

Local artists Julie Ricketts, Denise Smith, Agnes Szetey, Di King, Amanda Lithgow and Khoi But 225736 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

OPINION

Not as good as the first Wonder Woman 1984 Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine and Pedro Pascal Rated M Wonder Woman 1984 is a fun, engaging superhero movie, but suffers from an imbalance of theme over plot.

In 1984, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) must prevent businessman Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) from unleashing chaos with an ancient artefact that grants wishes.

Gadot is elegant and commanding as ever, and has a touching dynamic with Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, who is brought back from the dead by the aforementioned artefact. Steve serves Diana’s poignant character arc about accepting loss and letting go.

Pascal provides the film’s surprising emotional core. Lord’s desire to grant wishes to everyone in the world is a clever spin on the televangelism and excess of the eighties, and Lord’s physical deterioration and his devotion to his son give him considerable depth beyond being a transparent Trump caricature.

The first act swiftly establishes the key players and artefact, but the pacing drags through 10 MAIL

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Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

the middle, and a couple of big convenient plot-points come out of nowhere. The action sequences convey an all-important sense of struggle from Diana, but are poorly-shot and have some glaring effects issues, and the big mid-movie chase has almost no impact on the plot. The conclusion features a tense escalation of chaos, but the Cold War backdrop is rushed and underdeveloped.

Wonder Woman 1984 is a charming, compelling superhero adventure, but stumbles on the finer narrative details.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Platypus vulnerable The platypus has been added to Victoria’s threatened species list and classed as vulnerable, prompting the Victorian Government to take action to try and protect the Australian icon. $250,000 will go immediately towards restoration works at key habitat sites while a further $50,000 will be used to develop a long-term action plan to ensure the future of the unique mammal.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio will in March convene a state-wide forum of experts to help support existing platypus conservation work as well as identifying new opportunities.

“The platypus is one of our most loved species, known the world over as a symbol of Australia’s unique wildlife - that’s why we need to act quickly to address increasing pressure on its habitat and ensure the best outcome for this wonderful creature,” she said.

The Platypus Management Plan will

guide longer term investment in research and monitoring, habitat protection and restoration and population augmentation including re-populating suitable rivers and creeks and enhancing genetic diversity through translocation, according to the State Government.

Many platypus populations in Victoria intersect with Melbourne’s peri-urban areas where population growth and urban sprawl has impacted on the waterways they rely on for habitat. Prolonged drought in rural areas has also had an impact on their numbers.

In 2019 the Victorian Government announced a ban on opera house yabby nets and other closed freshwater crayfish traps to prevent accidental platypus drownings.

In a bid to protect the state’s unique biodiversity more than $580,000 in grants will be shared between 13 projects for iconic species including the Spotted Tree Frog, the Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, and the Orange-bellied Parrot. mailcommunity.com.au

OPINION

A water safety reminder We tend to think that drownings don’t happen locally, yet 40 residents in the Outer Eastern suburbs have drowned in the past 10 years, with 17 drowning in local pools and waterways. The warmer weather sees many of us flock to cool off in local pools and in the Yarra River swimming holes. During the holidays we camp at Lake Eildon, or on the Goulburn or Murray Rivers and visit the beach. It’s no wonder that swimming is Australia’s largest participation sport - yet tragically there is a 98 per cent likelihood of one or more residents living in the Outer East drowning in any given year.

Life Saving Victoria reported 34 people drowned in Victoria in 2019/20 yet many of these drownings may have been avoided if practicing water safety.

Water safety has become more important

The state of

affairs Cindy McLeish MP Member for Eildon than ever this past year as Covid-19 restrictions prevented people from attending swimming lessons. Life Saving Victoria estimated 145,000 swimming lessons in Victoria were missed each week. I know many parents in the area were concerned for their children when organised swimming lessons were cancelled,

as lessons are some kid’s only opportunity to learn to swim properly, build confidence in the water and learn about water safety. Unfortunately, those important lessons have been missed, putting children at higher risk around the water this summer.

I encourage all those around rivers and strong currents to take extra precaution, be aware of their surroundings and ever-changing conditions including submerged logs, undertows, tides and water levels which can be hidden by murky and rapid water.

Although the number of drownings has decreased since 2018/19, we have seen a 22 per cent spike in 15 to 24-year-olds fall victim to drowning. Males made up 76 per cent of drownings in the past year and are almost four times more likely to drown than females,

with men aged 65-years plus at highest risk followed by men aged between 25 to 44-yearsold. Swimming, rock fishing and accidental water entry were all major causes of drowning yet could be prevented with adequate water safety actions.

It is important to know water safety whether it be swimming between the red and yellow flags at the beach, never swimming alone, check weather and water conditions, avoid alcohol and drugs around water and always wear a life jacket when out on the water and when rock fishing. We are halfway through enjoying the summer season, make sure you continue to enjoy it by looking out for your mates, swimming responsibly and knowing water safety. When it’s hot, be careful out there!

vices include support coordination for NDIS participants, domestic assistance, personal care, assistance with community participation, counselling, cooking courses, mental health peer support and much more. For more information visit: https://yvsc.com.au/

ing Club invites locals to take part in their upcoming come and try day on Sunday 17 January 6.30-8.30. $5 per person.

COMMUNITY DIARY in Melba Park, Lilydale. Free event with food and drink including vegetarian options. Children and pets welcome. More information: https://bit.ly/3nHcICH

Back to Basics

Men’s health barbecue Mr Perfect men’s mental health community barbecue will be taking place on the last Sunday of every month from 10.30am to 12.30pm

Catprint Theatre Company presents a one act play, written and directed by Claire Bamford.

Back to Basics features students jockeying for the lead role in Warburton High School’s annual musical performance. 22-23 January 7.30pm and 24 January 2pm. For more information, contact 1300 368 333

Ephemeral Art Play

NDIS support

Come and try day

Yarra Valley Support Coordination is a new registered NDIS provider in Healesville. Ser-

Enjoy a fun evening on the green with the bar open and music playing. Yarra Junction Bowl-

LETTERS

Yarra Junction Bowling Club is hosting barefoot bowls every Friday evening from 6.30pm.

The bar will be open, as well as music and a sausage sizzle. $5 per person with equipment supplied.

Reach out Is there a free or low-cost community event you’d like to share with our readers? Send an email to editor@mailcommunity.com.au by 5pm on Wednesdays for inclusion in the following week’s edition.

CARTOON

We were wrong On the 18 December 2020, the Star Mail ran a front page article about local wineries being 90% Chinese owned. It failed to identify the name of the supposed expert who came up with this outrageous figure.

Fact check: 10 out of the 160 Yarra Valley wineries are owned by Chinese. Actual percentage thus being 16%.

Much is being said about boycotting these wineries. With a lie such as that included in the article, people could well stop coming here.

Consequently, the other 150 wineries could be harmed by any boycott.

The issue began in London’s Daily Mail which suggested Australians were boycotting Chinese owned wineries. Even that article stated there were 41 wineries throughout ALL of Australia in Chinese hands.

I am not acting as a Chinese apologist here, but I do want to see the Mail held to account.

Misreporting could cost our local economy dearly, as if Covid hasn’t done enough damage

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Co-create artworks with the community at Coronation Park, Healesville. Artworks will be created onsite February to March 2021. For more information contact FoodPatchArt@ gmail.com

Barefoot bowls

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Editor’s note: The Mail accepts that the 90 per cent figure was inaccurate. The error was made in the editorial checking process. The correct figure according to Wine Yarra Valley is that 4-5 per cent of Yarra Valley wine industry businesses are Chinese owned. The Mail stands by the source of the article, who only agreed to speak publicly if their name and the identity of their employer was withheld for fear of further staff harassment. The article did not mention boycotting Yarra Valley wineries but sought to highlight the awful abuse being directed at local staff.

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to our region.

Geoff Cooper, Healesville

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

|

MAIL 11

AUSTRALIA DAY

An Aussie favourite The humble Aussie lamington, this fine Australian culinary icon that consists of sponge cake dipped in chocolate and liberally sprinkled with fine desiccated coconut is as an Australia Day treat.

Like a good Victorian beer with the cricket, Lamingtons on Australia Day is an Australian ritual, and when you bite into the little square shaped sponge cake it’s easy to see why they are so popular.

Exactly who whipped together the first recipe is still up for debate, with both Toowoomba and Ipswich and New Zealand claiming to be the lamington’s birthplace.

Of course, for all these so-called claims are stories of how this Australian icon came to be.

One such story suggests lamingtons were created through an accident at work by a maidservant to Lord Lamington, the thoroughly British eighth Governor of Queensland.

It tells the story of a maid who accidentally dropped sponge cake into some melted chocolate and, to avoid food waste and messy fingers when the cake was being eaten, it was dipped in coconut - an error turned into a dessert that Lord Lamington from Brisbane loved.

Another story suggests that Lord Lamington had unexpected guests but the cupboard was bare except for a stale sponge cake.

The chef had to improvise and coated the cake in chocolate and rolled it in coconut to disguise its staleness.

In any case, no matter who really invented

it or where and when, today, it’s one of Australia’s national dishes, and in 2006, The National Trust of Queensland named it a “Heritage Icon” - there’s even a National Lamington Day on 21 July.

Though there may be an official date to eat a lamington what better way to spend Australia Day than with a cheeky lamington on the side.

This Australia Day, Beechworth Bakery will host a lamington sale where customers can buy three lamingtons and receive another three free.

Beechworth Bakery is located at 316 Maroondah Highway, Healesville and is open every day, except Christmas, from 6.30am to 5.30pm.

Enjoy a delicious lamington this Australia Day fresh from Beechworth Bakery.

n 2021

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Buy 3 Lamingtons or Dame Ednas* and receive another

3 FREE

12476770-SN04-21

12 MAIL

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Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

AUSTRALIA DAY

Yarra Ranges 2020 Mayor’s Achievement Award recipient Dick Leith.

Yarra Ranges 2020 Australia Day award winners.

Locals to be recognised Yarra Ranges Council will present its Australia Day Awards for 2021 after residents were encouraged to nominate fellow Yarra Ranges locals who contribute to their community.

Yarra Ranges Council CEO, Tammi Rose, said the awards were a chance for community members to be formally recognised and celebrated for their efforts.

“There are so many people in the Yarra Ranges who give back so much to their community,” Ms Rose said.

“These people could be volunteering at your local sporting club or community group, dedicating their time to benefit others, or simply just making the Yarra Ranges an even bet-

ter place to live.”

“Despite this new COVID way of living there’s still so much good going on in our community, and in many instances these people are really lending a hand to some of our most vulnerable residents in these times.

The awards include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year (under 26 years of age), Environmental Achiever of the Year, Ken McIntosh Memorial Award (Young Environmental Achiever), Community Group of the Year, Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ian De La Rue Award for Community.

Star Mail will feature each of the award winners in next week’s edition.

The 2020 Young Citizen of the Year, Jayden Crozier.

Bridget

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Happy Australia Day VALLENCE MP www.BridgetVallence.com.au Authorised by Bridget Vallence MP. 143 Main Street, Lilydale VIC 3140.

Funded from Parliamentary Budget.

Contact Cindy Shop 10, 38-40 Bell Street, Yarra Glen PO Box 128, Yarra Glen VIC 3775 03 9730 1066 Cindy.McLeish@parliament.vic.gov.au

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mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

|

MAIL 13

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 012

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.

easy

5

3 8 8 1 5 6 2 6 5 9 1 9 7 4 8 6 2 2 1 9 7 4 2 6 6 4 5 8 1 4 5 medium

6 3 7 8 2 7 5 1 6 8

QUICK CROSSWORD 4 5 6 7

ACROSS Crustaceans (5) Daydreamers; jailbreakers (9) Climbing (7) Southern US state (7) Opera introductions (9) One part in 10 (5) Shakes (7) Juices (7) Bliss (7) Clear gemstone (7) Sword (5) Rash; hasty (9) Go back over (7) Foggier (7) Distributes (9) Stairs (5)

1 4 9 10 11 12 13 15 17 19 22 24 26 27 28 29

8 14 16 17 18 20 21 23 25

No. 012

Enthusiastic; impatient (5) Roughened (9) Synthetic material (7) Country on the Iberian peninsula (5) Large strips (7) Parachuters (9) Express regret (9) Made certain (7) Normal; mean (7) Painters (e.g.) (7) Abandons (7) Units of computer memory (5) Pressure increasers (5)

DOWN Traditions (7) Schools (9) Saliva (7)

1 2 3

DECODER

No. 012

5 8

1 3 9 9 4 8 6 3 5 4

6 5

hard

1

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

A T 16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once.

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

H

Today’s Aim: 30 words: Good 45 words: Very good 58 words: Excellent

N

E

A

I

G N

R

D

4 LETTERS ASKS DACE DENY ERSE FARM GAPS GEAR HERD ITEM PYRE SACK STAN VATS WERE

adhering, aged, ager, anger, danger, daring, darning, deign, deraign, ding, dirge, drag, earning, egad, ending, engird, gain, gained, gainer, gander, garden, gear, ginned, gird, grad, grade, grain, grained, grand, grannie, grid, grin, grind, grinned, handing, hang, hanger, HARDENING, haring, heading, hearing, herding, hinge, hinged, nearing, neigh, nigh, rage, raged, rang, range, ranged, reading, regain, reign, rending, ridge, ring, ringed

5 9 4 3 7 2 1 6 8

9 3 1 7 2 4 6 5 8

6 8 2 1 3 5 7 4 9

5 7 4 6 9 8 1 2 3

2 4 6 8 5 7 9 3 1

3 1 7 9 6 2 4 8 5

8 9 5 3 4 1 2 7 6

7 6 9 4 8 3 5 1 2

1 2 3 5 7 9 8 6 4

4 5 8 2 1 6 3 9 7

1 8 2 9 4 6 5 3 7

3 7 6 1 8 5 9 4 2

8 1 3 4 5 9 7 2 6

7 2 5 6 1 8 4 9 3

6 4 9 2 3 7 8 5 1

9 5 1 8 6 3 2 7 4

4 3 7 5 2 1 6 8 9

2 6 8 7 9 4 3 1 5

1 8 9 2 6 7 5 4 3

3 6 4 1 9 5 2 7 8

7 2 5 8 4 3 1 6 9

8 4 7 9 3 2 6 1 5

5 3 6 7 1 8 9 2 4

9 1 2 6 5 4 8 3 7

4 9 3 5 2 6 7 8 1

6 7 1 3 8 9 4 5 2

2 5 8 4 7 1 3 9 6

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

4

15

hard

3

14

medium

2

3 LETTERS ADA ASS ATE BIN DYE EGO ELI ELL ELM ERA ETA EVA FOR GEE HER HOI IBA IMF LOP OHM PLC TEL TIE YET

U I C V F O K NM L P J E

easy

1

B G ZQXWR H Y S DA T

7 4 6 2 4 9 7 1 8 7 4 4 2 7 8 6 2 8 6 3 8 5 9 1 6

WORDFIT

5 LETTERS ABASH ADAMS ADAPT AIDER ALONE APART ASPIC BEIGE CARTS CURIA DALES DEEDS ENTER ERWIN ESTER EVENT FEMUR GALAS GRIMM HURST

No. 012

IRATE IRENE LEVEL LEVER LISLE MIAMI OVARY PAPER PAYEE PLATO PRISM PSALM RAGES RESET RINDS SAMBA SAUTE SHANK SLICE STALK STEED

STEWS TAMPA TELLS THULE TORUS VERDI VIBES VISAS WARTY 6 LETTERS GAELIC NAILED ORMOLU RESALE

7 LETTERS ILLEGAL LAYERED LENIENT MONDAYS SURVEYS TERMITE 8 LETTERS AMPUTATE APERITIF FILAMENT UNDERSEA

22-01-21

This week’s crossword proudly sponsored by

The Heritage Family

HERITAGE & HERITAGE FUNERALS Lilydale 9739 7799 Healesville 5962 1600 HERITAGE PIONEERS CHAPEL 1414 Healesville/Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock 5964 6500 Head Office: 733 Boronia Road, Wantirna 9800 3000 info@ heritagefunerals.com.au www.heritagefunerals.com.au 1157336-CB40-14

14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

A WARBURTON DELIGHT COME and be delighted by the warm welcome this home has on offer, truly a place to call home.

Set in the gorgeous location of Surrey Road you’ll love the convenience of being close to the Yarra River, shops, transport and the aqueduct trail.

Positioned to take in the breathtaking surroundings with Mount Little Joe as your permanent backdrop and from every window there is a stunning picturesque aspect.

Comprising 3 bedrooms, bathroom and 2 toilets, with an abundance of natural light, a open plan modern kitchen with appliances to match.

The dining area has large windows to really bring the treed surroundings to life, an additional sitting room/study with once again plenty of light.

The mains gas ducted heating throughout is very cosy in the cooler months and convenient, also the luxury of a wood fire and the benefit of split system airconditioning for those long summer days.

Outside is an entertainer’s delight with expansive decking at the front and back of the home which really adds to the expended living space.

You could never grow tired of the views that wrap around you whilst outdoors.

The yard is fully fenced so perfect for the dog and the children, ample parking, single carport and a fabulous garage, complete with power, concrete floor and a mezzanine floor this is an absolute ripper.

Overall a real treat that certainly needs to be inspected to be admired. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 2 Surrey Road, WARBURTON Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 garage Price: $600,000 - $650,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Rebecca Doolan, 0401 832 068, BELL REAL ESTATE, WARBURTON, 5966 2530

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

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MAIL 15

5/1 Crescent Rd Yarra Junction $595,000 - $630,000 Rural feel in the heart of town This stunning townhouse will suit those looking for perfection and excellence, offering exceptional presentation throughout this craftsman built home is simply faultless, with 3 large bedrooms all with built in robes and an ensuite in the main bedroom, spacious family/living areas with polished floorboards and fresh wool carpet throughout, ducted heating and a split system, beautiful open plan kitchen with quality appliances and with plenty of bench and cupboard space. Entertain all year round in style with a covered entertaining area perfect for the cool summer days and nights, stunning landscaped gardens with an array of plants and shrubs and pathways meandering through the low maintenance yard, presented to perfection and ideally located just minutes stroll to the bus stop, schools, shops and the ever popular walking trail, the perfect home in the perfect location.

Contact: David Carroll 0419 539 320 Inspection: Sat 10:30-11:00am (Photo ID Required)

Millgrove

$400,000 - $440,000

A solid investment in bricks and mortar Be smart and be quick to get into this ideal starter! On a lovely low maintenance, block of land is this home with loads of potential to turn into a dream or perfectly fine to live in and enjoy as is. The home has 3 BIG bedrooms and the main living is open plan in design with a large kitchen and dining area. There is split system heating and cooling in the master, gas wall furnace in the living and also coming with the property is a large full powered generator just in case of a power outage in the area! If its car accommodation you are after, then this won’t disappoint with 3 carports and a single garage.

Contact: Samantha Price 0438 795 190

4 Anthony Grove Woori Yallock $530,000 - $560,000 GREAT VIEWS, GREAT VALUE AND LOCATION Perched above and enjoying fantastic views this property is conveniently positioned just a short stroll to local shops, schools, transport and the walking trail, the home offers 3 bedrooms all with built in robes and a good size open plan kitchen with a separate meals area, sit back relax and admire the great views from the large living/lounge room, outside offers a large deck perfectly positioned to enjoy the ever changing valley views and surrounds it’s the perfect place to call home in the perfect convenient location.

Contact: David Carroll 0419 539 320 Inspection: Sat 11:30am - 12:00pm (Photo ID Required)

Michael Robinson 0418 505 635 34 years

Peter Robinson 0419 543 341 35 years

Sam Price 0438 795 190 9 years

Tony Fanfulla 0419 870 513 18 years

bellrealestate.com.au 16 MAIL

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Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

David Carroll 0419 539 320 15 years

Rebecca Doolan 0401 832 068 4 years

Leah Bannerman 0448 924 266 4 years

Clare Morse Marketing Manager 14 years

5966 2530

3407 Warburton Hwy, Warburton

Jenni Milne Licensed Agent 19 years

Carly James Property Manager

Michelle Karanikich Property Manager

Nicky McDonald Property Management

Julianne Spendlove Administration

5967 1277

2457 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction mailcommunity.com.au

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Telstra plans to upgrade an existing telecommunications facility located at 27 Boundary Road, Lilydale, VIC 3140 RFNSA Number: 3140009

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Healesville Blinds

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Healesville-Kinglake Road In early 2021, a speed limit of 80km/h will come into effect on Healesville-Kinglake Road, between Brock Spur Track in Dixons Creek and Spraggs Road in Toolangi.

The Healesville-Kinglake Road is a key tourist route. It is a narrow, winding, tree-lined road and in the past five years has seen five crashes, including one fatality. With all these factors taken into consideration, a safer travel speed of 80km/h will be introduced on this road.

Please contact Regional Roads Victoria for more information by calling 133 778 or by email: ner.enquiries@roads.vic.gov.au.

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We’re listening. Call 133 778 or visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au 12478967-JW04-21

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

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NEWS

Avoid failure According to statistics* “20% of businesses fail in their first year and around 60% will go bust within their first three years”. The article I cites a number of reasons why businesses fail, but often leadership mistakes can be the underlying cause.

Here are 5 common mistakes made by business leaders that I believe may contribute: 1. “It is quicker and easier to do it myself”.

Whilst the business leader may be able to do something quicker or more efficiently than someone else, this robs team members of the opportunity to learn this skill/ activity. In addition, it takes time and effort away from other (potentially more important) things the leader could be focused on.

Delegating a task to someone else conveys trust and mitigates the risk of single points of failure within the business.

2. “No need to praise or assess staff, they are paid to do their job”.

“Fairness and accuracy of informal feedback” was noted by the Corporate Leadership Council as the primary reason companies can achieve a productivity increase >25%. From staff surveys I have done in the past, lack of clear objectives and little/no feedback was a very frequent common dissatisfier. As a result, good staff leave and the ability to retain expertise is compromised.

3. “I don’t need to write stuff down, it’s all in my head”.

I have heard this innumerable times when talking to some business owners about business strategies and business plans and it is simply an excuse. Magic happens when you try to transfer thoughts to paper as not only do you become increasingly clear yourself on what you are trying to achieve, you have a more reliable mechanism of sharing your thoughts, ideas and plans with someone else.

Get hard rubbish ready Residents are being encouraged to check the date of their upcoming annual hard waste collection (Jan-March 2021), to make the most of the service and help discourage illegal waste dumping in their area.

Each area of Yarra Ranges will have a week-long collection period between January and March where metals, e-waste and other hard rubbish items are collected from the kerbside, saving residents from arranging their own disposal and additional costs.

Houses in the same suburb or even on the same street may have their collection on different weeks, so residents are being encouraged to check the collection date for their property on the Council website.

Council is asking residents to wait until the Sunday prior to their collection week before putting waste on the nature strip to help keep the area tidy and discourage illegal waste disposal.

With some Victorian households using time during the Covid-19 lockdown to clean-up around the home, the team is also encouraging residents to check what can be collected before putting waste outside.

Household garbage, building material, gas bottles, asbestos and paint are some of the items that can’t be taken.

Batteries are also not accepted, but can be taken to the Coldstream Waste Transfer Station year-round without a fee.

A detailed list of what can and cannot be collected can be found at yarraranges.vic. gov.au/hardwaste Mattresses, e-waste, bundled branches and metals taken in the hard waste collection will be sorted for recycling, while other items will be sent to landfill.

Residents may wish to consider offering usable items for free through social media outlets or contacting local charities to find out if they can donate suitable items before

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH 4. “To increase my income I need to find more leads” Whilst this may well be true in some cases, it is not the most efficient way of increasing revenue. There are many other simpler, more efficient strategies which should be considered first, e.g. when was the last time you raised prices or reduced your supplier costs? What about trying to sell more to existing clients or find more efficient ways of converting prospects when you meet them?

Finding new leads and converting them to customers takes time and effort, try to find ways to raise more cash from the existing customers you already have.

5. “Outsourcing is wasteful and unreliable” It is well worth looking at the tasks you do and ask yourself whether you really are the best person to be doing these. A simple example is bookkeeping. Many business owners believe that by entering all the financial data themselves they will be better understand their company financials but simply entering the data in by hand does nothing to further this. Better to spend the time understanding the associated financial reports. Good bookkeepers will cost somewhere around $60 to $80 per hour and may be able to enter all your financial data (plus do your BAS and/or PAYG) in just a few hours per month. * https://fundsquire.com.au/businessstartup-statistics-australia/) - Ian Ash is the Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions - www.ombs.com.au

General Notices V

disposing of them in hard waste.

Hard waste should be placed where weekly household bins are collected from.

Properties with a shared collection point should separate and label their hard waste piles with their address.

Each property can put out 3 cubic metres of hard waste, up to 20 bundles of branches wrapped in non-plastic string (up to 1.5 metres long and 200mm wide) and unlimited metals under the size guidelines.

The hard waste pile can include up to 10 pieces of timber (not fencing), electronic equipment and glass.

Glass put out for collection, including shower screens and mirrors, must be wrapped and clearly marked.

Metals and whitegoods can be up to a maximum length of 1.5 metres and 50kg for each item, with fridges needing to have their doors removed for safety reasons.

These requirements ensure the crews can safely lift and place the waste items in collection vehicles.

The contractors will collect items with multiple trucks throughout the week for different types of waste items.

If items have not been collected by the end of the week, residents are asked to contact Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333 or report the missed collection online before the Friday of the following week.

Employment V

Public Notices and Event

Funeral Services

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V

Positions Vacant

FORD Tractor w/ Slashers. $10,000 ono. Good condition. Phone 0421 102 832.

WARD Fred

In early 2021, a speed limit of 80km/h will come into effect on Lake Mountain Road.

Private Cremation.

Lake Mountain Road is a narrow, winding road, lined with trees that has seen a total of 11 crashes in the last five years. This road is largely used by people visiting the Lake Mountain Ski Resort and is also popular with motorcyclists in summer, with all these factors taken into consideration, a safer travel speed of 80km/h is being introduced on this road.

Due to Covid Restrictions to attend Fred’s service, it is essential to RSVP

by TUESDAY (19.01.2021) to: fredsfuneralservice@ gmail.com

Please contact Regional Roads Victoria for more information by calling 133 778 or by email: ner.enquiries@roads.vic.gov.au.

To view this service via livestreaming, please go to the link below: www.vividstream.com. au/fred-ward

We’re listening. Call 133 778 or visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au 12479008-NG04-21

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FREE CLASSIFIEDS • Available in the For Sale or Wanted Classifications only.

• 4 lines of copy • Ad will run for 2 weeks • 1 item per advertisement • Item must be priced under $100 • Private party only – household and personal items • No animals, automotive or plants • Ads must be submitted via email to sales@networkclassifieds.com.au 12477681-CG03-21

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Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

Massage Therapists

ADVERTISERS in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

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Heritage and Heritage Phone: 5964 6500

Pets & Services

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

12423634-SN31-19

For Sale

Community Engagement, Market & Events Coordinator Yarra Valley ECOSS is an environmental organisation currently seeking for a Coordinator to engage with our community and to organise a weekly market & occasional events. This will involve working with community volunteers, all abilities groups and indigenous organisations. Applicants must have experience in managing events, knowledge of relevant policies and excellent computer and communication skills. The position is 11 hours per week (2 days per week) for 12 months.

Applicants should refer to the Position Description on www.ecoss.org.au and in the application, address the selection criteria. Applications must be sent to the ECOSS Secretary at jarh.butler@gmail.com by 5pm on February 2.

Crops for Community Coordinator Yarra Valley ECOSS is an environmental organisation implementing a new self-sustainable enterprise called Crops for Community. This initiative marries the ECOSS community garden and all-abilities program with the weekly market enabling educational opportunities and greater food security in the Yarra Valley. The position will involve working with volunteers and groups with disabilities. Applicants must have horticultural and marketing skills and will be required to liaise with other community organisations. Excellent computer and communication skills are essential.

Want to place an ad but not sure where to start?

Call our helpful classified team between 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri for FREE advice!

The position is 22 hours per week (4 days per week) for 12 months.

Applicants should refer to the Position Description on www.ecoss.org.au and in the application address the selection criteria. Applications must be sent to the ECOSS Secretary at jarh.butler@gmail.com by 5pm on February 2.

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General Classifieds V

12478997-DL04-21

The Funeral Service to Celebrate the Life of Fred Ward will be held at the Heritage Pioneers Chapel, 1416 Healesville Koo Wee Rup Rd, Woori Yallock on Wednesday, 20th of January 2021 at 2.00 pm.

Lake Mountain Road Safer Speed Limit

Farm Vehicles /Machinery

Employment

Buy & Sell in our

Motoring

section of Network Classifieds.

section of Network Classifieds.

HICCI Volunteer Transport Position HICCI is a network of Christian Churches in the Healesville, Yarra Glen and surrounding areas providing practical support for local people in times of difficulty. We are seeking to fill a new position in our Volunteer Social Transport Program 6 hours/1 day per week. The position involves attending to day to day tasks of coordinating transport for clients with our volunteers. Computer skills, initiative, ability to work as part of a team, attention to detail and a strong empathy to client’s needs are essential.

Call or visit us online! networkclassifieds.com.au

Find it in the Position Description available from the HICCI office, 231 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville, P: 5911 6000 or E: president@hicci.org.au Applications close 31 January 2021.

Professional Services

12479341-CG04-21

section of Network Classifieds.

General Classifieds section of Network Classifieds.

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SPORT

Golfers in good form

Johnny Gates, John Byrne and David Ockwell ready to bowl against Croydon.

Grand final berth A successful week for the Warburton Bowls Club saw all Pennant sides winning including the Warburton 3 6-a-side weekend team reaching the Grand Final of the Spring Season.

Unfortunately, Donvale 7 forfeited the semi final against Warburton 3 6-a-side team who now play Bennettswood 3 at home in the grand final this coming Saturday.

The Midweek Warburton 1 side hosting Heathmont 2, won two rinks and lost one to win overall, 77 to 43. Rink scores were S. Lord 39/7; G. Walsh 14/21 and P. Woods 24/15. They play Mooroolbark 2 at home this week.

The Weekend Warburton 1 side played a strong Vermont South 1 side at home in damp conditions. Following a very tight contest, Warburton 1 held on to win 83 shots to 76.

Rink scores were as follows: A. Donohue 18/16; P. Caneva 21/20; J. Van Der Zweep 26/20 and P. Woods 18/20. They play Mooroolbark 1 away this week.

Playing away the Warburton 2 Weekend side won well against Boronia 3 on an excellent grass green, 80 shots to 60. Fortunately, the rain kept away while the game was in progress. Rink scores were G. Wynd 19/13; T. Heyward 23/13; P. Summers 18/19 and S. Freestone 20/15. They play Monbulk 2 at home this week.

The Wednesday Night Barefoot Bowls Triples Competition commences on 27 January from 6.45pm.

This year the Warburton Bowls Club is celebrating its centenary. Past Players and families are invited to attend the Club on Saturday 13 March from 1pm to watch the club’s top team in action against Mooroolbark 1. A social evening will be held in the Clubrooms after the game.

Any interested people who are looking to take up the game of Bowls are encouraged to contact the club via: 0438184428, visiting the club’s Facebook Page or www.warburtonbowls. bowls.com.au - Garry Lewis mailcommunity.com.au

The Warburton 3 team.

Yarra Junction The pennant season is underway again and Yarra Junction Bowling Club enjoyed a successful return to the green. After a bye in Round 5 the weekend Pennant side played well for a strong (116-59) win against Croydon this week. Playing at home on a wet surface and under threatening skies, Yarra Junction won all rinks to secure 18 valuable points.

The 12-a-side midweek Pennant side also enjoyed home success, winning two of the three rinks against a strong Bayswater side to secure a good (75-50 shot) win. Meanwhile the six-a-side midweek side sat out a bye, having already qualified for a home semi-final.

The festive break saw the eventual completion of the annual 100up competition. Started

in July last year, this has to be the longest tournament ever to be completed in the history of the Club. Rounds were completed sporadically as Covid-19 restrictions allowed and the finals were eventually held in December. The club congratulated David Ockwell on becoming the new champion.

The first Barefoot Bowls night, scheduled for Friday evening was unfortunately washed out by the thunderstorms but the forecast for next week is much better so the club looks forward to hosting newcomers.

Yarra Junction Bowling Club held the first ladies only ‘This Girl Can’ event on Sunday evening and approximately 30 ladies of all ages supported the event, enjoying a beautiful evening on the green with the general consensus being: ‘Let’s do this again’.

Entries are now open to local community groups, sporting clubs and businesses to join in the Yarra Junction Bowling Club 2021 Community Cup. This will be held on Friday evenings starting on 26 February. Please contact Ian on 0419 685 425 for details.

- Ian MacGregor Healesville Healesville played at home this week under grey skies and really needed to win against Croydon. Healesville got off to a good start and led comfortably by the half time break.

After the break Croydon could not pull back the lead Healesville had gained and went down to Healesville 93 to 45.

Adrian Beales, Steve Graham, Bob Brown, Rob Broadhurst 26-12. Alan Phillips, Mark Hoffman, Gerry Gomes, Barry Parker 27-9 Rod Zunnerberg, Rita Featherstone, Gayanne Hutt, Gerda Otto 25-11 Mark Ward, Robyn Turville, Robert Ayres, Chris Hawting, 15-13 An excellent win by all which puts Healesville in the middle of the pack and look forward to playing Ferntree Gully away this week.

- Ian Milgate

Healesville Social Golf Club Chris Handasyde (5) is continuing his good form by winning the day with a 38 Stableford on countback to Greg Hay (22) also with 38 points.

Third was Tony Druit (12) with 36 points.

Handasyde also managed to hit 3 of the nearest to pins leaving the last one to be hit by Tony Druit. The Secret Holes (6,9,10,14) was won by Grant Handasysde with a score of 9.

- Ian Hradsky Warburton Golf Club Golf is back in full-swing at Warburton as the names of reliable performers will begin to appear regularly in the winning results each week.

Steve Wyatt, a consistent Master’s Pennant performer is just warming up for the season as his 37 points won him the A-Grade voucher But Geoff Fall’s 42 points, the best score on the day, saw him declared the B-Grade winner, although just the winner from new member, Alan McDonald, who also amassed a 42, and had to be satisfied with the runner-up prize.

Twilight - With these sorts of scores in abundance, you can only claim a ball if you scored 36+ nearest to pins (NTP) were won by Andrew McMath (3rd), Barry Maltman (9th), ‘Old Man River’ Hubbard, (2nd shot on the 10th, of course) Neil Leckenby (12th) and Peter Fox (15th).

With ideal weather to play in and a course looking as good as ever, the Twilight Back-Nine was at the mercy of Jeff Gill who took full toll to accrue 22 impressive points for the win.

This beat the runner-up score by 3, as Roger Mataele grabbed that prize with 19 points. The ball rundown reached 17. NTP winners were Luke Patrick (10th), Danny Fox (12th) and ‘Noons’ (15th).

PAR - Many golfers would say that PAR is not their preferred choice when spending 4+ hours on their favourite course. It is, to many, unforgiving. With this in mind, Simon Spencely very much deserved the winner’s voucher with his excellent +3. Senior Spencely recorded the best score on the day, just edging out Lee Creedy, who snared the runner-up prize with a +2, to continue his red-hot streak. Balls only got down to +1. NTP’s went to Ken White (3rd), Geoff Fall (5th), ‘Johnno’ (9th), Gerry Hadfield (12th) and to Rob Scott (15th).

Over the Christmas break, Vicki Hottes and Deb Hamment accrued 77 points to win the vouchers on Russian Stableford on 16 December.

Shaun Nicholl and Neil “The Flying Scotsman“ Leckenby were the runner-up just 2 points behind. Flynn Cousens had the best individual score with 40 points. NTP winners were Ross Machar (3rd), Roger Mataele (6th), ‘The Flying Scot’ (9th) Flynn Cousens (12th) and to Deb Hamment (15th).

- Ron Hottes

Pony club Seville Pony Club hosted Christmas celebrations to see out a year that was filled with interruptions for equestrian sports.

The event saw awards handed out to club members and doubled as a celebration for pony club coach Rachael Edwards who was recently named as the Coach of the Year for Pony Club Victoria and Pony Club Australia.

Members were even treated to a surprise visit from Santa, who was aided by Seville Fire Brigade.

Seville Pony Club members enjoying their Christmas break-up celebrations.

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

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MAIL 19

ING 2021 W Y URY UAR X LU JAN W E N G 8TH IN PEN

O

Sedgewick House Opening at Holmwood Aged Care

Renowned for providing compassionate care with that local country community touch.

The new Luxurious Sedgewick House offers private self-contained units with maximum of 14 residents Sedgewick House includes: Generous residential rooms with private ensuite overlooking gardens and greenery Light filled lounge and dining area Internal & external courtyard Exclusive membership to Club Sedgewick

Holmwood Aged Care in the heart of Healesville Call now on 5962 4321 17-23 Lalors Road, Healesville | www.holmwood.com.au

12477035-JW04-21

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Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

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