Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 20th July 2021

Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Plea for more help after storm

Lockdown hits Hills again

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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021

Mail

A Star News Group Publication

Ranges stars in draft mix SPORT

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Claws come out

By Taylah Eastwell

Knox resident and cat owner Ashlley Morgan-Shae (centre) holding Harry, with other Knox locals calling on council to reconsider a 24-hour cat curfew.

October 1, after which a first offence will attract a $91 fine. Further offences may attract fines of up to $550.

Mr Dixon currently looks after a cat that has moved homes five times in its life and has concerns about how he would cope.

“This would drive him nuts, he won’t get any sun. He’s already an anxious cat because he has had to move houses so many times.

This is the longest he’s been on one property so he’s only just starting to get used to his routine and surroundings, it would just be cruel to rip that from him,” he said.

“The language of the council is that you can leave cats on your property, but they just can’t

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leave. The practicality of that is like trying to herd cats. It’s a very popular saying for a reason, because it’s just not possible,” he said.

Council promotes the use of cat enclosures and cat proof fencing as effective cat containment measures.

“They are very agile creatures, you can’t fence them up because they’ll just jump the fence. Council have suggested building an enclosure which to me just sounds like putting them in the cage,” Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon said he does not know why the overnight curfew was not sufficient.

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Creator of the petition, Andrew Dixon, said he only found out about the new laws through his housemate, who saw the item on the news.

“That’s probably why I reacted so badly, because of the nature of the way in which I found out,” Mr Dixon said.

“It made me feel very stressed just because of the practicality of the changes and what that would mean to myself and current cat owners having to jump through all these hoops just to avoid a fine for an animal that is, more or less, acting as it has done for thousands of years,” he said.

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It will soon be illegal for cat owners to let their felines roam outside their property boundaries in Knox, with council set to impose a new 24-hour cat curfew.

From 1 October residents will be required to confine their cats to their premises at all times after a motion was passed at council’s 28 June meeting.

Knox City Council mayor and councillor Lisa Cooper said the 24-hour cat curfew is designed to protect cats and local wildlife.

“Much like the rules for dogs and other pets, cats won’t be allowed to roam freely from their owners’ property,” she said.

“When allowed to roam, cats are at a much higher risk of illness and injury.

“Keeping cats within their owners’ property also protects wildlife and prevents them causing nuisance for neighbours and their pets,”she said.

There are currently over 6,500 registered cats residing in the Knox area. According to the council it deals with over 600 cat-related jobs each year.

The new law comes after Knox trialed a curfew last year requiring cats to be confined between sunset and sunrise.

According to the council, feedback was sought throughout the trial which revealed more than 86% of respondents supported a curfew, with a “greater preference for a 24hour curfew over a night-time curfew”.

“Almost half of the more than 720 respondents were cat owners,” the council website states.

But many in the community object, with a recent Change.org petition receiving over 2,500 signatures and many furious at the consultation process.

NEWS

Drive-through testing hub

By Taylah Eastwell Mooroolbark is now home to the only drivethrough Covid-19 testing facility in the Yarra Ranges.

DHHS announced on Wednesday 14 July that the all-new site would be established at a former netball facility in Wyuna Walk, Mooroolbark.

A DHHS spokesperson said the Wyuna Walk testing site is a relocation of a testing site formally located at Boronia Train Station which was recently decommissioned.

“The Wyuna Walk site aims to provide a convenient and safe drive-through testing option for this community. There are currently no

active cases in the area, but we encourage all Victorian residents, regardless of where they live, to come forward for testing even if they have the mildest of symptoms,” the spokesperson said.

The site will operate between 8am and 8pm each day and will be under strict infection control standards.

The community centre will be cordoned off to the general public while the testing clinic is in operation.

Other testing facilities in the area include EACH Lilydale in Lakeview Drive, which is open from 9am-3.15pm each day and EACH Ringwood, which has an estimated wait time of 30 minutes to get tested.

Testing facilities are also set up at EACH Ferntree Gully, located on Francis Crescent, Eastern Health Living and Learning Centre in Healesville, EACH on Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald and EACH Yarra Junction at 268 Warburton Highway.

For information on clinic opening times visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/whereget-tested-covid-19.

A drive-through Covid-19 testing facility has been established in Mooroolbark.

Claws out over curfew From page 1 “Well fed and well looked after cats do not even bother the local wildlife and the ones that do, tend to be nocturnal hunters which renders a daytime curfew moot,” he wrote on the petition.

According to council data, the population of Knox in 2020 was 165,147.

Fellow Knox resident Glenyce Barton did some calculations, alerting other residents that if just 720 gave feedback, that equates to 0.44% of the community.

“Almost half of those were cat owners, that’s less than 0.22% of total residents,” Ms Barton wrote on the petition.

Knox cat owner and wildlife protector Ashlley Morgan-Shae said she and her cat, Harry, chose to live in Knox over the Yarra Ranges due to the Ranges having a 24-hour cat curfew since October 2014.

“Harry is our fur family and we wanted him to stay healthy and enjoy his life,” Ms Morgan-Shae said, “We did not know all our neighbours until we got Harry and he befriended people,” she said.

“Cats are social animals and cannot use Knox’s dog parks. He follows the sun as it moves around the garden. He needs to keep warm,” she said.

“Harry needs to climb trees to keep active for his joints. Many properties in Knox do not have fences. He greets neighbours and children. Sometimes he comes shopping with me to buy his dinner, or to a cafe to sit on the seat waiting,” she said.

Ms Morgan-Shae says Harry doesn’t cope well being cooped up indoors.

“Being half Siamese, he cries loudly, scratches the doors and windows until he bleeds, gets very depressed not understanding being imprisoned and not being able to be in the sun with his nextdoor cat mate,” she said.

She would ideally like the council to reconsider the consultation process.

Council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan 2017-2021 states that council “regularly receives complaints from residents regarding nuisance cat issues”.

“In response to this council has offered a cat trap hire service to residents to assist them in the management of feral and nuisance cats,” it reads.

The animal management plan proposes to address the issue of feral and nuisance cats by a curfew requiring cats to be contained between sunset and sunrise, however it was decided at councils 28 June meeting that a full 24-hour restriction would be imposed instead.

Cat owners are invited to provide feedback on what guidance council can offer to support them with the change.

Consultation will commence in July. For more information visit knox.vic.gov.au/ haveyoursay.

More information and resources for cat owners is available at knox.vic.gov. au/cats.

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NEWS

Worry over loose horses

By Gabriella Payne Residents in the Gembrook area are growing concerned about a couple of equine escape artists that have been found wandering the roads freely on multiple occasions.

For over a year now locals have discovered the two horses in question, a chestnut and a bay, out and about in the Gembrook area – particularly along Mount Eirene Road and even venturing down to Bessie Creek Road, which is a 100km/h zone.

Despite various people sharing their concerns for the horses’ safety in the local Facebook noticeboard, their owner has failed to publicly comment on the situation, and locals are growing more and more concerned that a serious accident could lie just around the corner.

On Saturday 3 July, Brodee Leigh Breukel posted a photo of the two horses in the community group, after she rounded a bend on Mount Eirene Road on Friday night and discovered the pair standing there in the pouring rain.

In her post, Ms Breukel wrote that these horses were “still out” and asked anyone if they knew where they were from, but the alleged owner did not respond.

Ms Breukel later told the Star Mail she had made the post as she was worried for both the horses’ safety and that of oncoming traffic.

“We came across them at 1am and nearly hit them as it was on a corner,” Ms Breukel said. “(Luckily) we didn’t, as we were going pretty slow, but it was a fright – especially in the dark.”

Ms Breukel said that this wasn’t the first time someone had posted about the runaway horses in the noticeboard, and looking back through the archives, it seems these horses have been causing concern since 1 January 2020 – over a year and a half ago.

Like the concerned posters before her, Ms Breukel said that she wasn’t raising this issue to cause embarrassment for the owner, but more wanted to prevent anyone from getting hurt in the future, as both the curvy, winding roads they had been found on in the past were filled with plenty of blind corners.

“I think the owner just needs to take more care,” she said, adding that, “the other night they were out for around seven hours I think.”

The Star Mail tried reaching out to the person believed to be the horses’ owner, but had not heard back before the time of publication.

Many residents in the neighbourhood group shared Ms Breukel’s sentiments, and offered to help the owner with any assistance they may need to keep their horses securely fenced in on their property in future – before it’s too late.

A photo of the two runaway horses, taken by Ms Breukel on Friday 2 July 2021, after she rounded a corner in her car and found them in the middle of the road.

Picture: SUPPLIED, FACEBOOK

Smith calls time on his career in politics

By Jed Lanyon and Mikayla van Loon

Casey MP Tony Smith is retiring from politics.

Picture: JESSE GRAHAM

Federal MP Tony Smith will not be contesting his long held seat of Casey after announcing he will be stepping away from politics at the end of his current term.

Mr Smith will step away after serving for 20 years, marking the end of an era as the longest serving member for Casey having been re-elected on six occasions.

“After a great deal of thought and consideration, I have decided that this term as a member of the House of Representatives will be my last,” Mr Smith said in a statement.

“I love our parliament and serving the Australian people. I am honoured that the Liberal Party and the electors of Casey voted to give me this privilege for two decades,” he said.

“However, I believe now is a good time to give the Liberal Party and the people of Casey the opportunity for renewal.

“I also believe the time is now right for me to pursue other endeavours following the conclusion of this forty-sixth Parliament.”

Mr Smith said by announcing his decision now, it gives the Liberal party time to choose a candidate to run in the next election.

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence posted on social media to thank Mr Smith for his dedication to the local community and for being a mentor over the years.

“Tony’s outstanding contributions to our community and his ability to deliver local projects and services, and support local organisations and businesses, will be remembered well.”

“I’ve known Tony since I was 18 years old, and he’s been a true friend and mentor - well before I entered politics, and now as State MP.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison also took to social media to send his best wishes to a “great mate”.

“Tony has served as the Member for Casey for more than twenty years, where he performed a wide variety of roles in both Government and Opposition,” Mr Morrison said in a statement.

“However, it has been in his role as Speaker that Tony has certainly made his mark.

Tony has been an outstanding Speaker, in the true Westminster tradition.

“Tony Smith’s intellect, temperament, dry wit, staying above the fray and respect for the Parliament as an institution, has earned him respect, far and wide.

“Many Speakers can get caught in the crossfire of parliamentary debate. Instead, his actions have elevated debate and demonstrated the great strength of parliamentary democracy.

“On the last two occasions Tony Smith

was elected Speaker, he enjoyed the universal support of the Parliament, a remarkable achievement.”

Mr Smith gained election as Speaker of the House in 2015 following the resignation of Bronwyn Bishop. Since overtaking the role, he was held in high regard from both sides of politics for his fairness and was returned to the role unopposed on three occasions, becoming the first to do so since the inaugural Speaker, Frederick Holder.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Mr Smith would be greatly missed.

“Authoritative and respected, he is a commanding presence in our Parliament and universally regarded as the most effective Speaker in decades.

“His sharp wit has often brought a lighter moment to what is usually a trying and tense environment,” he said.

Mr Smith recently delivered on several election promises with the completion of the Seville War Memorial and the Wandin Sports Pavilion upgrade, as well as delivering $1 million for much needed upgrades at Esther Park in Mooroolbark.

His legacy across the Division of Casey will be felt long after his retirement from politics as a ten year, $150 million infrastructure project to seal hundreds of kilometres of unsealed dirt roads will transform local roads, halving the cost placed on residents.

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MAIL 3

NEWS

Council storm plea

By Taylah Eastwell

Storm damage remains at Kalorama oval.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Yarra Ranges Council is calling on a number of senior government officials to deliver extra funding, resources and support to residents of storm-ravaged communities across the shire.

An urgent motion was called at council’s Tuesday 13 July meeting by Streeton Ward councillor Cathrine Burnett-Wake requesting that council write to those in authority to explain the magnitude of the storm damage and clean up required across the Yarra Ranges.

The motion was passed unanimously, with council also vowing to request a review of eligibility for private property owners in bushfire prone areas, such as the Dandenongs, to ob-

tain assistance with tree and debris clean-up efforts.

The passed motion will also see council request additional funding be provided to enable council to support and facilitate further storm-related recovery programs. It is hoped the correspondence may help to secure a commitment and timeline for additional funding and resources, including further support from the Australian Defence Force, to assist with clean-up before the summer bushfire season hits.

To date, federal and state governments have jointly provided $55.5 million to Bushfire Recovery Victoria, the agency leading the poststorm clean up.

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The funds are to assist residents whose homes, businesses and sheds were destroyed to have their properties cleaned up. For residents who did not suffer property damage, there is currently no assistance on offer to clean up trees and debris that pose significant fire risks if not addressed.

The state government also announced on July 1 that $8.2 million would be provided to 10 councils across the state that were significantly affected by floods and storms in June.

While Yarra Ranges Council will receive a portion of this funding, no public announcements have yet been made as to how the funds will be shared.

Council estimates post-storm clean-up and recovery will cost around $60 million not including drainage repairs, road works or cleaning up private properties. According to Council’s 13 July meeting agenda, it is expected that cleaning up private land settings could see this estimate run well into the “hundreds of millions”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cathrine BurnettWake said council has not yet received any “solid assurance of a funding amount”, arguing the tentative figures mentioned so far are a “tiny fraction” of what is needed.

“While we are grateful for the support received and commitments made to date; it is clear that an enormous shortfall remains,” Cr Burnett-Wake said.

“If Council were to fund the storm recovery over the next three years, we would need at least an additional $20 million in each year to cover the expense. To raise $20 million per year through rates, as a percentage of our current rate base, would equate to a 15.2% rise in rates in year one, with similar large rises accumulating in following years.

“Clearly this is not only outrageous, but impossible, due to rate capping. If we are not provided with sufficient assistance, there is every possibility that Council will be forced into debts that will impact the rates, services and infrastructure for years to come,” she said.

The Star Mail understands the federal government established a Disaster Recovery Fund in 2018 to reduce the financial burden on the states and territories in the aftermath of natural disasters.

“Under these arrangements, the Victorian government determines what assistance is available to individuals and communities, and what they are able to request federal funding for - which covers up to 75% of costs, with the implication that the state would fund the remaining 25%,” Ms Cr Burnett-Wake explained.

“To be clear, the Victorian state government is the gatekeeper to these federal funds. Anything we get must be either requested by them, or provided by them, in addition to the federal scheme,” she said.

Mayor Fiona McAllister said the last minute motion was “very worthy of being accepted as urgent business”.

Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan agreed, telling fellow councillors “we have to go all out”.

“The task before us up in the Dandenongs and in other areas is going to be quite challenging,” Mr Heenan said.

But Cr-Burnett Wake said we do not simply need cash.

“We need direct help for our severely affected communities. We need qualified disasterrecovery personnel, and we need them now, not after a prolonged hiring process.

“For the last four weeks we have had numerous Victorian Government Miniisters along with high-ranking Public Officials come and see first-hand how bad the situation is. I have met number of them. All remarked on how terrible it is, and how surprised and shocked they were with what they saw and heard … and that help will come.

“Although we are hearing from the state they will continue to work with council and community and to identify further programs and support. To date, what this support and these programs might look like is absent, as are timeframes. Feedback from community members to me is they feel abandoned,” Cr Burnett-Wake said.

“Our community and Council deserve a response, and certainty, from the state government on the degree to which it will assist us with a viable pathway out of this disaster. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

‘Get your fill in the Hills’

By Taylah Eastwell The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association (EDRA) has been working behind the scenes to boost post-lockdown tourism and local shopping in the Hills.

After receiving a state government grant, the business group has developed an all-new website, an A2 visitor map and a number of shop local videos showcasing village businesses.

The nine shop local videos were recently showcased in a screening at the Cameo Cinema, Belgrave, and will soon feature on EDRA’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

EDRA’s Membership Manager Lynne Trensky said the campaign, titled ‘Get Your Fill in the Hills’, was all about “helping businesses get used to the new norm” after coming out of restrictions.

“We decided to do a campaign around supporting shop local and supporting our business community. The other idea was to relaunch the website, which has now been done, and create a new A2 map,” Ms Trensky said.

On top of the grant from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, EDRA also receives yearly funding from Cardinia Shire Council, which also went towards the campaign.

Ms Trensky said 39 business advertised on the map, which will soon be available in a number of participating shopfronts and other key Hills destinations such as markets and real estate agents.

“In the eastern Dandenong Ranges there is 20 small villages. Not all of them have a village presence but we are really trying to extend our reach to support and promote all of the villages,” she said.

Ms Trensky said the association was in “desperate” need of a revamped visitor map for the region after an Emerald, Cockatoo and Gem-

The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association has developed a new website, visitor map and shop local campaign to boost post-lockdown tourism. brook map proved to be a “huge success” a few years ago.

“In Emerald and Gembrook we’ve just had so much growth in business and hospitality. We’ve had lots of cafe’s pop up, more gift shops, more clothing shops, visitation on the

weekends has grown significantly. It’s really time we had a better map for the region,” she said.

“I think through promotion and getting our message out there, people have started coming up here and especially with more shops on

offer, we are attracting more visitation.

Long term, EDRA hopes the new website can become a go-to-place for holidaymakers to “find out everything to do in the Eastern Dandenong Ranges” as a way of boosting Hills tourism.

The shop local videos were created as a reminder to people to reap the benefits of supporting and shopping local in the everchanging Covid-19 landscape. They feature local business owners speaking about why shopping local is so important.

“I think, in the restrictions, people actually found out what is local. Everyone was on socials, we encouraged businesses who weren’t to get on social media and people took the initiative to find out more about what businesses were local. That has stayed to a degree, but it doesn’t mean it’s always going to stay that way,” Ms Trensky said.

“We would love to get a bit more destination branding, so when people are up here in Puffing Billy country they know we need to support all of these villages, because none of them are large enough on their own. It’s a bit like Mt Dandenong, Olinda and Sassafras, because we are also smaller we need to collaboratively work with people to spend time in all of the villages, not just one,” she said.

EDRA has also made up some car bumper stickers reminding motorists to shop locally, and will soon have a competition on offer.

“We’re going to be running a seven week online consumer competition where we ask people each week to tell us why they shop local. Those who like and share the page can go into the draw to win a $30.00 gift voucher each week, which will go straight back into a local business,” Ms Trensky said.

Check out the new website and download the new map at https://easterndandenongranges.com.au/. Follow EDRA on socials to see the shop local videos.

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The Puffing Billy Toy Library loans a range of toys.

New home for toy library

By Melissa Grant The Puffing Billy Toy Library has a beautiful new home.

The toy library is now operating out of the Hills Hub in Emerald, having relocated from their temporary home at the Children’s Centre at St Marks.

The toy library’s Karli Lycett-King says the Hills Hub is the place to be.

“There are toilets, tea and coffee making facilities, a lounge area with children’s toys, and even an art gallery upstairs. Not to mention being next door to Emerald library, a playpark, as well as across the road from some fantastic cafes,” she said.

Joining a toy library has numerous benefits including testing toys before you buy, avoiding clutter, saving money and reducing hard rubbish.

The Puffing Billy Toy Library was closed last year during the pandemic, but moved locations when restrictions eased.

Since then, they’ve been tidying and organising the toys in their new location.

Saturday borrowing sessions resumed in early March, prior to the snap lockdown.

Karli says the toy library has a Covid safe plan that involves quarantining toys, limiting visitor numbers and additional cleaning and sanitising requirements.

There is a huge range of toys suitable from birth to the teenage years, including blocks, jigsaws, board games, farmyards, outdoor toys, fancy dress costumes, puppets and balance bikes.

There’s different memberships, depending on how many toys you want to borrow and how much time you can volunteer.

Prices start from $50 a year. Gift memberships are available.

They also offer party packs for hire that include tables, chairs, plates, cups and large games.

More information can be found at www.puffingbillytoylibrary.com.au

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MAIL 5

NEWS

Helping our furry friends

By Taylah Eastwell Two Hills wildlife shelters have been overwhelmed by the number of animals requiring support since the June 9 storms.

Monbulk’s Wild Paws Wildlife Shelter and Selby’s Amaroo Wildlife Shelter have been inundated with over 40 animals requiring care after suffering injuries or becoming orphaned during the superstorm.

With both shelters run and self-funded by tireless volunteers, food bills were racking up high with all the extra mouths to feed.

Wild Paws Wildlife Shelter owner Nell Pedzik described the storm as “apocalyptic for the area”.

“I’ve lived here for nearly 25 years and I’ve never seen a storm come through like that one,” she said.

“It felt like a localised natural disaster, I just remember seeing all the old growth trees and hollows and thinking about all the birds and possums and all the animals trying to get out of the area who were displaced or hit on roads,” she said.

Ms Pedzik said winter is meant to be the “quiet time of year, but it definitely doesn’t feel that way”.

Her Monbulk shelter is spread across 22-acres of bushy forest, making it the perfect place for orphaned animals to grow up and be released when the time comes.

“I’ve had somewhere close to 40 come in, wombats, possums, sugar gliders, a little pygmy possum, and a couple of animals that we’ve released already. I’m taking anything we get calls about,” she said.

When word got out about the two shelters being overrun, Donalea Patman, founder of For The Love of Wildlife, was eager to help – using her platform to call for help and set up a Go Fund Me. “I put the focus on Wild Paws and Amaroo because these girls are at the coalface and they basically have no support. While there was so much money raised after the bushfires these

Nell Pedzik, owner of Wild Paws Wildlife Shelter cuddles a wombat in her care. guys were kind of forgotten because they are just small operators,” Ms Patman said.

“We had a gentleman by the name of Barry who heard the girls needed a quad bike and donated his,” she said.

The quad bike was delivered by Barry on Saturday 10 July.

Ms Pedzik said the donation of the quad bike was a game-changer in helping her care for the animals.

“It’s a massive help, mine had stopped working and it was important for me because I’m on a steep hill and needed to be able to get food and hay to animals down there. I was bringing food and water up and down on a kayak, which was getting very exhausting. I desperately need it for the wombats because I’ve been cutting branches and dragging them up the hill,” she said.

Barry delivers the quad bike to Nell at Wild Paws Wildlife Shelter on Saturday 10 July.

Amaroo wildlife shelter was also donated a generator and radios for the girls to share from Bell Real Estate Olinda. The two shelters also received a number of new pouches for young wildlife.

Money raised through the Go Fund Me also saw a baby wombat undergo a critical surgery to her leg, leaving Ms Pedzik feeling extremely grateful to the generous community members who donated.

The wombat, named Emma after her rescuer, was found in the pouch of her mum who had been hit by a car.

After she was cut out and placed at Wild Paws, Ms Pedzik noticed Emma was dragging her leg and took her for x-rays which revealed “quite a bad break”.

“I began to organise an orthopedic surgeon to do surgery which isn’t that common in wild-

life. She’s was on pain relief until her surgery to keep her comfortable and had her surgery today (Wednesday 14 July) and it was successful, which is great news,” she said.

The shelters are now raising money for ongoing care of wombats, who are expected to stay at Wild Paws for up to two years, as well as a new wombat enclosure for all the new arrivals.

Ms Patman said “wildlife shelters at coalface always seem to be severely under-resourced and as a community we need to consider them when we have extreme weather events or disasters. We always focus on humans, but we need to consider wildlife.”

Find the Go Fund Me at https:// au.gofundme.com/f/wombat-enclosure-fororphaned-wombats?qid=cbd90f0398388f98aa 2dcf9358e3ed49

Upwey community unites for storm relief

By Taylah Eastwell The village of Upwey may be quaint, but the community there has huge heart.

After the storm, local groups including Upwey Men’s Shed, Upwey Community Group and Soupee joined forces to run an emergency relief hub at the Upwey Township Hall.

Generous members of the community donated funds and staple items to the men’s shed to ensure no one in the village went without, including food and much sought after batteries during the power outages.

The donations and offers of help were forwarded to the Belgrave Community Hub for distribution to residents of the wider mountain community.

Upwey Men’s Shed president Gerran Wright said “the local community has been fantastic and it is heartwarming to see the assistance received” at the relief centre.

Having now closed the centre, the men’s shed donated a cheque to Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief, using leftover funds donated by locals.

The funds were originally to be used by the men’s shed to assist people directly affected by the disastrous storms to cook food and provide a warm and welcoming venue at the relief centre. But in another act of community spirit, the food was generously donated

by Upwey IGA and Upwey Village bakery, and cooking done by members of the men’s shed, so the funds weren’t used.

“Upwey Men’s Shed thought the best way to use the funds was to donate them to the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service who guaranteed the money will get to those in need,” Mr Wright said.

Mr Wright presented the cheque to John from Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief on 9 July.

The men’s shed welcomes all newcomers to attend their regular meetings at the Upwey Township Hall every Monday and Wednesday morning, and the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month.

The group aims to build a community workshop in Upwey where members can work on individual and group projects of benefit to the community and to members.

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Upwey Men’s Shed president Gerran Wright presents the cheque to John from Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief.

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NEWS

Lockdown hits once again

By Taylah Eastwell For the fifth time in 18 months Victoria has entered a lockdown, with students returning to home learning and non-essential businesses forced to close.

The snap lockdown saw iconic tourist destination Puffing Billy Railway close its doors yet again from Friday 16 July.

Those with tickets booked for the weekend were contacted to discuss alternative options.

“We thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to reopening soon,” the tourist railway wrote on Facebook.

Owner of Emerald uniform store C-ME, Nicole Roberts, described the news of a fifth lockdown as “pretty scary”.

Having opened in December last year, in between lockdowns, the new Emerald clothing store has had no choice but to learn to operate with the constantly looming uncertainty.

“We have had a lot of great support from the locals but whenever there is a lockdown we don’t really get the foot traffic of people coming in to buy pants or work boots anymore.

“It’s a flow on effect because sporting clubs shut down and everyone we do uniforms for, they’re all in lockdown too, so they don’t really need anything at those times,” Ms Roberts said.

The uniform store supplies workwear and logo printing for businesses, hospitality, catering companies and local sporting teams.

Ms Roberts said people had enjoyed having a uniform shop in the Hills.

“A lot of people have come in not just to get uniforms but even tradies that need a high vis, they’ve said they are just so glad we are up here so they don’t have to go down the mountain.

Even through they go down for work they just want to get back up here out of the traffic,” she said.

But speaking to the Star Mail on Friday, Ms

The sight of a closed shop sign has become all too familiar across the Hills in the last 18 months as Covid-19 lockdowns continue.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Roberts said things had become “very quiet again”.

“We had been looking at taking on a parttimer but have to keep putting that off because of these lockdowns. We don’t want to start training someone and then we’ve got no work for them,” she said.

She is hopeful the state or federal government will provide businesses with sup-

port if the lockdown is extended further.

“If we don’t get another grant it’s going to make it hard because we’ve still got rent and other bills and not having trade coming through the door makes it hard. Everyone else is also feeling insecure about what’s going to happen so they’re holding off on ordering things as well. “You just get to the stage where it’s like ‘here we go again’. We will just keep

pushing through and hope to swim and not sink,” Ms Roberts said.

Kallista Primary School principal Chris Finighan said for the most part, students are used to lockdowns now.

“I think they at least understand the routines so there is a little bit more familiarity, which helps them to be more secure. That’s the positive side of it,” Ms Finighan said.

“But I have to say, on the negative side of things, it’s complicated for people because all families have different circumstances. If families have enough support or have friends and family that can support them, they might be OK, whereas others not so much. It’s really about different strokes for different folks,” she said.

Ms Finighan said students began remote learning on Friday morning (16 July).

“Our skills are better and the school has been able to adapt and learn so hopefully that’s helping kids to still engage with learning at home. Twice a day they can get on Webex with their teacher and that’s really helpful for them to see each other’s faces and connect,” she said.

“The kids are learning some pretty tough life lessons. Some will be building up their resilience and ability to bounce back but others are struggling. I think we’ve all got adrenaline fatigue. I really like that Yarra Ranges Council has been promoting the Be Kind stuff because we do all need to slow down and be kind in these times,” she said.

Ms Finighan said there is much teamwork going on behind the scenes with teachers and integration aids, as well as inter-school teamwork with primary schools across the Hills helping each other adapt.

“The schools up here all share things and really help each other, as do the teachers, there is a lot of teamwork going on. We have to be hopeful, flexible and creative,” she said.

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Payments are available to help you stay home.

For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12503648-LB30-21

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MAIL 7

REVIEW

The Valiants have persevered to make a name for themselves in the Melbourne music scene, despite the challenges of 2021.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

The band are keen to take to the stage and play some live music for everyone on Thursday night.

Enthusiasm drives Valiants

By Gabriella Payne The live music industry has arguably been one of the hardest hit over the past year, with gigs being cancelled left, right and centre due to the ever-changing Covid situation – but one up-and-coming local band rode the waves of uncertainty and are now looking forward to coming out the other side with a bang.

The Valiants, a young indie-rock band from Cockatoo, launched their debut single at Fitzroy live music venue The Workers Club on Thursday 15 July.

Speaking to Star News Group before the

gig, the band said they couldn’t wait to take to the stage.

“It’s going to be a great time,” guitarist Billie Peeters said.

The band, named after the car, is made up of five friends all aged in their late teens to early 20s – including Jakeb Sullivan, William (Billie) Peeters, Magnus Bock, Antonio Zaki and Oliver Winn.

Although a fairly new group, the five-piece band have been working hard to make a name for themselves in the music industry since jumping into the scene at the beginning of the year, and have done a lot of ground work in anticipation of their debut, despite the constant

threat of Covid restrictions.

“I think people who have been in the industry longer than us have been more negatively impacted than us [by the Covid situation], but it definitely affects our practicing together and us trying to get a hold in the Melbourne music scene,” lead singer Jakeb Sullivan said, adding that it wasn’t until February this year that the band had been able to start gigging.

Billie agreed, and said although the last 12 months had proved challenging, it also provided them with a valuable opportunity to hone in on their unique sound and shape their debut single, Fall Out.

“The lockdown provided us with the opportunity for creativity and development, because we started doing recordings during that time,” Billie said.

“We did them separately, so Jake would start recording at home, then we would put things over the top and we made a bunch of demos during that time that came together well.”

Influenced by bands like The Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes, The Valiants’ debut single, Fall Out, is a catchy driving track that got The Workers Club grooving last Thursday night, and the five friends said that they are looking forward to releasing more music in the coming year.

Making young people’s voices count in world of news Kid Reporter: The Secret To Breaking News, written by Saffron Howden and Dhana Quinn and published by NewSouth Publishing in 2021, is a delightful book suitable for readers of all ages – not just young people, but anyone who’s interested in knowing what journalists do, how they do it, and why it matters.

Written in simple, straightforward, precise and honest words, the book teaches us how to be the change we want to see in the world.

The most important message is perhaps this: “For too long news has been for adults only.

But what happens in the world affects you too. We think it’s about time young people were more involved in making the news.”

The book is divided into four parts. Part One explains how to turn natural curiosity into essential journalism skills such as critical thinking, news detecting, interviewing and fact-checking. Part Four contains a step-by-step guide to setting up a newspa-

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN per, podcast and TV-style news program in a school environment.

Indeed, in this era of citizen journalism, where everyone thinks they should play an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analysing and disseminating news and information, these skills are fundamental. So are the journalistic code of ethics of being truthful, respectful, fair, balanced, in-

dependent and responsible.

Why aren’t these skills and standards more widely acknowledged? Not just young people, but adults also need to understand and identify their own points of view, as well as other people’s perspectives and opinions.

Part Two and Part Three of the book briefly but matter-of-factly discuss how to be a “news detective”. While it may seem easy to tell the difference between advertising and news – think of Peter Weir’s 1998 masterpiece The Truman Show – it can be difficult to distinguish between perspective and opinion, and between opinion and fact.

We all know a news story needs to answer the six basic questions of Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. But to tell the difference between “fake news” and real news requires one simple question – “Who said what and why?”

In the authors’ words: “Information in-

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cludes any and all details about a situation, person, thing or event. But someone has to create that information... You have to find out who created it, try to understand why it was produced, and identify the target – who the creator wants to reach with the information.”

It takes a book written for all aspiring reporters to shout out such a simple message, that “information is produced to inform, influence, distract, persuade, entertain, sell, or even insult and be mean”. More crucially: “News is a truthful telling of the facts that is meant to inform the audience, not to convince or sell something.”

So, don’t just let others such as Peter Greste, Mark Scott, Margaret Simons and Annabel Crabb tell you how important Kid Reporter is as a book. Find a copy in your local library and read it with your kids, so you, too, can change the world.

Visit our website to arrange your tour

Year 7 2023 Scholarships

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YARRA RANGES STORM RECOVERY

Storm branch collection Yarra Ranges Council would like to thank the community for its patience as they work through the clean-up of the significant amount of tree debris left after the 9 June storm.

Over 600km of roads in the Yarra Ranges were impacted by the storm, so needless to say, there is a lot of work to be done.

While council is facing its own challenges in terms of clearing trees from roads and roadsides, they also acknowledge the significant challenges facing its residents who have their own debris to clear from their yards.

The volume of material that has been left in residents’ yards is a lot more than what can be disposed of with council’s fortnightly green waste collection, and burning off is not an option either given the current weather conditions coupled with the green tree material, as the smoke created would have a negative impact on the health of the community.

So, to help residents with disposing of bulky tree branches from their properties, council has initiated a Special Storm Event Tree Branch Collection.

To find out when their local collection begins, residents can visit yarraranges.vic.gov. au/stormcollection, or call council on 1300 368 333.

Council is asking residents to neatly stack branches in a safe place outside of their property. These branches can be up to 250mm wide and between 2-3m in length (think the width of a football and what could fit in a standard trailer).

Council is organising contractors to pick up the branches, which will then be mulched with some made available for community members to pick up from designated locations around the municipality.

This will also help residents reduce fuel

loads on their properties before the fire season, and of course help them with tidying their yard.

The priority in non-urban locations continues to be the clearing of roads and roadsides for community safety, so the collection of

branches from private properties in these areas will be left until last.

Council, government agencies and other services will continue to assess the damage and impact from the storm across the municipality, with council focused on both the imme-

diate needs and the longer-term support that will be required to help its residents and businesses recover.

For more information, please visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/stormcollection or call Council on 1300 368 333.

Special Storm Event Tree Branch Collection Collection dates have now been set for the Special Storm Event Tree Branch Collection across the Yarra Ranges municipality.

The Yarra Ranges has been split into three zones for collection, dates for Zones 2 and 3 are now available after Zone 1 was announced last week.

To double check which zone you’re in and your date of collection, please visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ stormcollection.

Residents of the Dandenongs are asked to leave their bulky branch material in a safe spot outside of your property by Branches can be up to 250mm wide and 2-3m in length (think the width of a football and what could fit in a standard trailer).

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Sunday 15 August

MAIL 9

NEWS

The different brigades working together.

Firefighters performing first aid on some of the rescued dummies.

One casualty saved!

Brigades band together

By Gabriella Payne Firefighters often find themselves in highstress situations, working hard to save properties and lives in dangerous situations - and to prepare for this, it’s always good to practice.

The Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade decided to do just that last Wednesday 7 July on a mass scale, bringing together the Cockatoo Rural Fire Brigade, the Pakenham Brigade, Pakenham Upper CFA, Officer Fire Brigade, Toomuc Fire Brigade and the Beaconsfield Brigade in an expansive training exercise that aimed to hone their skills in an emergency situation.

Ian Pinney, the captain of the Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade who organised the whole event, said that it had been a very successful evening and a great way to bring a range of fire brigades in the Cardinia area together to work with one another.

“I thought it was a good exercise and a great opportunity to work in a collaborative approach with the other brigades,” Mr Pinney said.

“I prepared the whole night as a live incident, so not many people knew what was going on apart from a close few.”

Mr Pinney said that firefighters on the night were sent a message about the ‘fire’, which they then had to react to, organising and delegating tasks between one another to perform at their

best and successfully save the ‘people’ (dummies) inside the smoke-filled Igloo building in the Upper Beaconsfield Recreation Reserve.

The thick smoke in the Igloo building simulated a structure fire environment that allowed the firefighters to perform search and rescue functions with specialist breathing apparatus to help locate the missing casualties (dummies), that were then triaged by members with first aid training outside.

Mr Pinney said that over 65 firefighters from seven different brigades were present on the night, and the Cardinia firefighters were also joined by four members of the Edithvale Fire Brigade, who brought along and showcased their newly refurbished Mobile Communications Vehicle (MCV) - one of only two if its kind in Victoria.

The bi-annual training event went down without a hitch, and Mr Pinney said that it had been a fantastic learning opportunity for everyone involved, with even some new recruits getting involved.

“The message is that it’s important that we do these things because it provides us with invaluable training opportunities,” Mr Pinney said.

“They prepare us for large scale events when they do occur and they allow us to do it without the level of intensity that you would find in a real environment.”

Firefighters from across Cardinia came together last Wednesday to complete a multi-brigade training exercise in Upper Beaconsfield.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Yarra Ranges mount buy and employ local campaign

By Jed Lanyon Yarra Ranges Council has launched a new campaign urging residents to buy, employ and enjoy locally as part of its recovery from the pandemic and last month’s storms and flooding.

The initiative asks locals to buy from local businesses within their own communities, while Yarra Ranges business owners will soon be able to employ local residents more easily through the Yarra Ranges JobLink - an online employment portal for those who want to live and work locally.

The portal will be free for both employers and jobseekers to sign up, and will help connect prospective employees with local employers.

The campaign wishes for residents to enjoy their own backyard in the Yarra Ranges’ best offerings when looking to unwind, whether it’s visiting one of the 22 galleries on offer within the municipality or just getting a haircut from one of over 400 hairdressers across the region.

Council has partnered with local training organisations, Box Hill Institute Lilydale and Cire Training, to deliver the Hospitality Jump Start for Jobs program.

This series of face-to-face training courses will help local people learn essential skills for working in our hospitality businesses, and help our local businesses find and employ people with the skills they need.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Fiona McAllister said 10 MAIL

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providing training locally will benefit many people in the community, from young people to older adults taking up training.

“Hospitality and tourism businesses are at the heart of our Yarra Ranges lifestyle and economy. Our cafes, restaurants, vineyards, gardens and other attractions draw thousands of visitors to the hills and valleys, and makes our region such a vibrant place to live,” she said.

“Having local training providers means

that community members can learn skills locally, then put their hands up for jobs locally and put those skills to the test.”

These two short courses in Kitchen Skills and Front of House Skills, are free for unemployed or under-employed locals.

Both include certificate level components - such as a Responsible Service of Alcohol that are often a requirement for hospitality employment and can cost upwards of hundreds of dollars.

Coldstream resident, Shirley Poulter attended a Kitchen Skills course at Box Hill Institute, Lilydale.

“I think these courses are important, particularly for the younger people, or people who have had to change career due to Covid or other circumstances,” she said.

As well as skills training by experienced teachers, the courses aim to give participants the confidence they need to jump start their career in the hospitality industry.

Samantha Turner from Lilydale, was interested in the Kitchen Skills course in the hopes of turning one of her passions into professional skills.

“I did this course because I wanted to learn more about the hospitality industry. I love cooking. Sweets mainly I wanted to learn more about knife skills and learn to prep and stuff.”

Working with the Skills and Jobs Centre at Box Hill Institute, local businesses can then be matched with the graduates of these courses.

Melinda Davis, from the Skills and Jobs Centre, said that they are able to connect local people to local jobs.

“Hospitality employers in the Yarra Ranges are desperately seeking staff for their businesses and cannot fill the roles, there is a major shortage of people for the jobs. There is a real opportunity for local people considering work in hospitality to undertake one of the Kitchen Skills Programs and learn valuable skills to help with confidence and to connect with employers looking for staff,” she said. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

The Patch gets a leafy donation

By Taylah Eastwell

Vinnies Kilsyth volunteers Sam Offenbaume, Eddie Buzinskas and Jill Faulkner showcase some of the winter items Vinnies stores are seeking. 243622 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Vinnies clothes call

By Taylah Eastwell Every day, volunteers and staff members of the St Vincent de Paul Society see the human faces behind homelessness statistics.

Whether it be in their stores, during a faceto-face visit or at any one of their support programs, Vinnies are on the frontline, helping those who need it most.

But now, the organisation that has been helping Australians for over 100 years is asking a favour in return.

After a particularly busy lead up to winter, Vinnies stores across the state are desperately seeking donations of warm winter clothing.

Vinnies outer east area manager Evelyn Banavas said the stores find it harder to get donations in winter than summer.

“It’s a given that we really need winter clothing. Things like jackets, jumpers, knitwear, blouses, anything warm is the main criteria.

Winter shoes, scarves and beanies, nice boots, those sorts of things tend to get a bit forgotten as well,” Ms Banavas said.

With stores in Lilydale, Warburton, Ringwood, and Kilsyth, Ms Banavas encouraged locals to consider emptying out their wardrobes and donating any items that weren’t often worn.

“The thing with winter is most people layer, you tend to wear things underneath jumpers but your jumpers don’t get worn as often, so they sit in the wardrobe for a long time, so

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IN THE RANGES we’re encouraging people them down to our stores,” she said.

“It’s one way the community can help others because the funds raised from selling items goes to programs that help people in need that may need fuel costs covered, electricity and utility costs paid, or other rent and accommodation costs,” she said.

“The money goes into the local community, directly out to people in need and we have our own welfare group that goes out and helps those in need,” she said.

Ms Banavas said in the outer east areas, such as Warburton, items such as blankets and other camping equipment would be handy for tourists and campers that visit the township.

“A general rule is, if you would give it to a friend, you could give it to Vinnies,” she said.

All Vinnies stores across the Yarra Ranges

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SLEEPING ROUGH

are calling for donations following Covid-19 lockdowns which meant people were not buying as much new seasonal clothing, resulting in less people clearing out their wardrobes.

Regional areas also generally experience lower temperatures to the inner-city, making the demand for warmer clothes higher in the outer-east.

Vinnies Victoria’s executive general manager of commercial services, Jeff Antcliff, said VInnies “rely wholeheartedly on the generosity of thoughtful Victorians who want to see their quality pre-loved goods go on to live new lives”.

“We know that our local communities love to help each other out, so we hope that our regional friends can find the time to go through their wardrobes and bring any cosy winter clothes they are no longer using into their nearest Vinnies Shop during opening hours,” he said.

“All profits of Vinnies Shops go back into their local communities to fund our welfare services that help people experiencing homelessness or who are struggling to put food on their tables or pay their rent, utility and medical bills. Every cent spent in a Vinnies Shop supports our good works for people in need, “he said.

Ms Banavas said the Kilsyth Vinnies store is always looking for volunteers. Anyone interested is encouraged to pop into the shop and make their interest known.

The Patch Primary School recently received a generous donation of native plants, just in time for Schools Tree Day at the end of this month.

Yarra Valley Water donated over $1000 worth of native plants to the local school as a thank you for student and staff patience while a sewerage pump station was built near the school grounds.

Schools Tree Day is celebrated on Friday 30 July, where more than 3,000 students across the country will participate in environmental activities to boost knowledge about the world around us.

The pump station formed part of a Yarra Valley Water upgrade which will see 20 kilometres of pipe constructed to expand the Dandenong Ranges sewerage system.

The pump station is expected to enable around 4,500 properties to connect to a modern sewerage system, eliminating the need for septic tanks.

Through reducing septic tanks, the new system will also help protect the local environment by stopping sewerage from poorly maintained tanks ending up in waterways.

According to Yarra Valley Water, many septic tank systems do not meet current standards and can be difficult to maintain, and some customers may be unaware their tank is leaking.

Yarra Valley Water managing director Pat McCafferty said it had been fantastic to work with The Patch Primary on the project.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the school community for their support and patience while we built the pump station in this strategically chosen location.”

“We’re really pleased that the native plants we’re providing will allow the pump station to blend with the beautiful natural environment of the Dandenong Ranges,” he said.

Mr McCafferty said the pump station is vital to the overall project because it will allow sewage to travel seamlessly over the hill and into the sewerage network.

Customers with properties suitable to continue onsite wastewater treatment will be able to choose whether they retain a septic system or connect voluntarily to the new network.

Yarra Valley Water will notify customers when they can connect to the new sewerage system. For more information about the Yarra Valley Water Community Sewerage Program visit yvw.com.au/csp.

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MAIL 11

OPINION

Boundaries are shifting You may already be aware the Electoral Boundaries Commission has released their proposed draft for the State electoral redivision to come into effect in 2022. The proposal includes the removal of the Gembrook electorate creating a seat of Berwick and a seat of Pakenham and merging the northern communities of Gembrook with the Monbulk electorate.

I am very grateful for being your member for the Gembrook electorate for the last 10 years. During which, my community responsibility extended as far as Warburton and took in the beautiful Hills area all the way down to the growth corridor.

State of

Affairs Brad Battin

Gembrook MP

Over this time, I am proud to acknowledge that we have worked together to deliver the renovations and expansion of the Emerald Community Centre, assisted in the rebuild

Children need strong roots Focal Point Sending mixed messages If you are a Baby Boomer reading this, you built your own foundation on top of the ‘Silent’ Generation, upon which your Gen X children are in turn building.

Your dad may have just returned from a war, or had arrived by boat from Britain or Europe. Those early ‘boat’ people had to work hard, and many of the ‘re-pats’ couldn’t cope with re-entering society as it had become.

Then the Boomers and their children started to build a life based on the belief that they could do anything and become anybody.

Sadly competitive greed started to spread like a cancer to feed a ‘Me first,-get out of my way while I climb’ culture.

Karl Marx said that ‘Religion was the opium of the people’. (Which therefore, was no threat).

The new opioid, which is now our greatest threat, is affluence.

Many years ago Gandhi prophesied that if we didn’t watch out we could end up with commerce without ethics, and in many ways he was right.

Back in ’04, I wrote in these papers about corruption in banks, bad behavior being openly displayed on TV shows, and a real shift in morals.

By ’08, we had our own real life gangster shows like underbelly.

What messages, therefore, were we sending our children? MIXED. They’re just doing what we did In a manhood group that I led for sixteen years as an adjunct to my counselling, I met many fatherless, directionless, angry Gen X men. Yes they had fathers but they were never there for them.

Whenever I started to talk about fathers it was like throwing a match into petrol.

Many of these men had no, or poor role models and no tools in the tool box for life.

What hope did they have of modelling for their children?

Absent father syndrome used to be caused by wars, or socio/ecnomical disasters like the Great Depression, but for a number of years now it is has been absentia due to relationship break downs.

Children need roots As a consequence many children are being uprooted, through those family breakdowns, as many parents are going through relationship changes.

One day dad goes and another so called dad arrives and the child is left to adjust. Or mum moves to another area with her new lover and the children find themselves having to adjust to new teachers, new ‘friends’, with little or no time to adjust to a new family. Mum or dad might be moving to exciting new pastures, but most times it is traumatic for their children.

Many children therefore have been growing up in boundary-less confusion, hence taking what they can get for themselves by fair means or foul - floundering without good role models.

The movie and gaming world has not helped, with violence on their phone screens, gambling in their faces without respite, and unfettered explicit porn that any child can access.

Need we wonder where the flood of domestic violence was bred?

We need to value our children When a number of mums brought their children to Jesus one day to be blessed, his disciples tried to send them away (They thought they were a nuisance) but Jesus rebuked them, and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, for these are the ones who make up my Kingdom’.

HIGHLY VALUED. (Of course He meant children of a wide age group – even you and me) (Feedback, questions or need for support can be fielded to my email, csrsmokey@gmail. com) Graeme Dawson, Chaplain to Community

Gunpowder Milkshake Starring Karen Gillan, Lena Headey and Chloe Coleman

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the Victorian Liberal Party to run for the seat of Berwick in November 2022.

There will be some readers of this article that will be from Emerald or suburbs that are not in the proposed boundaries of Berwick or Pakenham, until the boundaries are finalised in 2022, I will continue to represent you in parliament.

I look forward to continuing to provide assistance and representation for you and the community in the state parliament. Please feel free to contact my office anytime via 5953 0216 or email me via brad.battin@parliament.vic. gov.au.

CARTOON

Graeme Dawson

Better Than Black Widow Gunpowder Milkshake is a funny, grisly and incredibly stylish thriller about Sam (Karen Gillan), an elite assassin, who reunites with her long-lost mother Scarlet (Lena Headey) and a group of heavily-armed librarians to protect a little girl from the mob.

Gillan is a magnetic action lead, and it’s fun to watch Sam warm to and depend on Emily (Chloe Coleman), the girl she swore to protect. A dark secret looms between them, and the plot deftly balances power and confidence with an ever-worsening situation.

The cinematography and score are dripping with noir style, and this film’s world is reminiscent of John Wick, with dapper killers and ornate customs. The action is brutal, well-shot and frequently funny, with the highlight being a hilarious slapstick battle between a partiallyparalysed Sam and a trio of thugs doped up on laughing gas. Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett and Carla Gugino all have moments to shine as the badass gun-toting librarians.

of Emerald Primary School and the upgrade of the Clematis Fire Station. I will continue to make sure the STEM centre that Emerald Secondary College desperately needs is at the forefront of what our community needs.

My role in being the voice of the community has not changed, I will continue to represent and be your voice in parliament and work in the community I love.

I have grown up and lived most of my life in Berwick and I am now raising a family as part of this community.

I want to inform you that if the proposed boundaries are adopted, I will nominate with

Gunpowder Milkshake muddies its driving conflict with two different antagonistic groups, which blur together somewhat, and Scarlet reenters Sam’s life with bizarre abruptness. Even so, Sam and Scarlet have a deeply satisfying arc of growing close again under adversity.

It’s heartening to find a blood-soaked action movie that commits to themes of family, forgiveness and even mercy without being contradictory (and Gunpowder Milkshake surpasses similarly-themed Black Widow in many ways).

- Seth Lukas Hynes

1812 Theatre takes on Agatha Christie classic The 1812 Theatre’s choice for the winter season was Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.

1812 Theatre had a wonderful stage set in the foyer/living room of a guest house on a remote island off the coast of England.

Twelve guests arrive having received an invitation from their host who nobody knows. They are all unknown to each other, but they do have one thing in common.

The maid, Mrs Rogers was given a good characterisation by Kate Deavin. A good performance.

Her husband, Mr Rogers, who welcomed the guests as they arrived and was the butler come servant, was played very well by Robbie Yates, who also worked well with Deavin.

John Mills the director also had a cameo role which was well done and his direction really made the evening.

The soldier of fortune, Phillip Lombard was given a great performance by Conor Quinn who really caught the feel of such a character.

The secretary, employed by the mysterious unknown, Vera Claythorne was performed by Camille Alexander. A positive and wonderful portrayal of such a personage, showing the emotions of a woman in dire straits.

Anthony Marston was an immoral and restless character. Played by Thomas O’Hare who gave a great interpretation of the character.

Kemp’s curtain call William Blore, the ex-policeman and now a private investigator was portrayed by Tim Byron. Another well done performance projecting well and handling the character as envisaged.

Emily Brent was an elderly pious spinster who lived by the good book and expected others to do the same. Mel Eccleston captured the role with aplomb, projecting well and captured the role with finesse.

Sir Lawrence the retired criminal judge was well presented by Roger Paul. Paul has a great stage presence and captured the role as it should be played.

Steve Saul was Cr Armstrong, a Harley Street specialist with a dark background.

Saul presented well and gave the role the professionalism called for.

General McKenzie, a pompous hero from WWI was played by Scott Wallace Baker who caught all the finer nuances of such a character. Well played.

Overall a great evening of theatre although a couple of voices were a little quiet and could have been raised a little. mailcommunity.com.au

SHOP LOCAL EMERALD

Trustworthy and reliable Alexander Neil & Associates is an accounting and taxation firm established in Emerald over 30 years ago.

The founders Giovanna (Jov) Busacca FIPA FFA, Alexander (Alex) Laghi CPA and Emanuele (Neil) Busacca CPA have worked tirelessly to build this business into the accomplished accounting practice it is today.

Accountancy firm Alexander Neil and Associates offers a broad range of accounting services including, but not limited to, taxation and GST, business advice and bookkeeping. Over its duration, the business has built up a reputation for being trustworthy and reliable, within the community, both immediate and surrounding.

Alexander Neil and Associates has established a broad network of professionals including financial planners, lenders and professional brokers to augment the services they can offer to clients.

Employing sound business practices and integrity in their approach, the team has also maintained a good rapport with their peers in the surrounding district. All partners and employees endeavour to keep their practice knowledge current by attending ongoing conferences and professional developments. It is important to the whole team to provide clients with the best service and advice possible.

With seven professional accountants, two book keepers and three admin and support staff, Alexander Neil and Associates is able to offer sound, experienced advice and personalised customer service.

A dedicated bookkeeping service (in-house and mobile) is also offered for the accounts and business management needs of clients.

Advancements in accounting programs, online services (e.g., cloud-based accounting), continuous changes in tax law, together with the ATO business portal, other ATO/gov-

The Laughing Fox Café

The team at Alexander Neil & Associates, Emanuele, Giovanna and Alessandro. 242936 ernment platform services, (e.g., Single Touch Payroll) and audit review capacity, the demands on business operators and professionals are constantly evolving. The team at Alexander Neil and Associates are always updating their professional knowledge as well as keeping abreast of accounting software, to ensure

ALEXANDER NEIL and Associates Pty Ltd

ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS CONSULTANTS

Full Menu Available Daily until 6pm Or call in just for Drinks!

Accounting • Management & Financial Accounting • GST Consulting • Business Consulting • Book Keeping Services

Our irresistible

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• Cakes, Cookies & Ice Cream • Great Jumbo Coffee • Vegan & Gluten Free Available Also see our ‘SPECIALS BOARD’ * Licensed Bar

what is required, seek the advice of a professional accountant.

Contact Alexander Neil and Associates, Lower Ground Floor Office 1, 333 Belgrave Gembrook Rd, Emerald. Phone 5968 6062.

Appointments are available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

AN

Find our user friendly App ‘Laughing Fox Cafe’ in the App Store or Google Play Makes ordering simple

Breakfast, Lunch & Afternoon Tea • Angus Beef Burgers • Vegan Burgers • Foxy French Toast • Dine in or Takeaway

they are proficient with the changing business environment and the various online platforms that are readily available.

With this in mind, Alexander Neil and Associates stresses the need for taxpayers to keep their books and accounts in good order and be aware of their tax obligations. If unsure of

Taxation • Individual Tax Returns • Company Tax Returns • Superannuation Fund Returns • Business Tax Returns • Trust Tax Returns

BEEF & MUSHR OOM M ore variet ies coming soon

We work jointly with our clients to achieve financial outcomes.

13 Kilvington Drive, Emerald

0422 668 260

Lower Ground Floor, Office 1/333 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald Vic 3782 P: 03 5968 6062 F: 03 5968 6247 E: reception@alexneil.com.au

facebook.com/thelaughingfoxcafe

12503934-HC30-21

12503386-NG30-21

‘Beautiful Clothing Affordable Prices’ Kiki + Finch is a boutique located in the heart of Emerald that offers a handpicked selection of affordable women's clothing, shoes and accessories as well as locally-made giftware. With a relaxed atmosphere and stock changing weekly, Kiki + Finch offers a delightful shopping experience for localshoppers as well as those visiting our beautiful town.

354 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald hello@kikiandfinch.com.au • www.kikiandfinch.com.au

Set in the Dandenong Ranges village of Emerald, The Railway Dog Tavern takes its name from a legend of the hills, Jerry the Railway Dog. Jerry’s life was one of adventure, he would spend his days riding and chasing another local legend “Puffing Billy”.

Come and enjoy local wines, beers and spirits with some fine foods (including pizza). Enjoy an afternoon of live music while taking in the views of the hills we call home.

Craft Beer – from the finest Craft Brewers Local wines from the Yarra Valley and beyond Monday/Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday/Thursday 9:30 - 3:00 Friday 9:30 - 5:00 Saturday 9:30 - 3:00 Sunday 10:00 - 2:00

The Railway Dog 5/329 Belgrave - Gembrook Road Emerald

0444 512 871 - 0413 656 749 Open wed 12pm – 10pm • Thurs – Sat 12pm – 11pm • Sun 12pm – 10pm 12503389-CG30-21

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 20 July, 2021

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MAIL 13

With our Price Estimator tool, realestateview.com.au is the trusted source for house value estimates & property data.

25 Station Street, Armadale, VIC 3143 2 beds

1 bath

1 car

300 sqm

$940,000 - $970,000

VISIT US TODAY

12504740-JW30-21

14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

SUNSETS, SPACE, SERENITY AND SIZE EVERYTHING comes together at this property to present a fabulous family home that offers zoned living for growing families, with several large living spaces, both indoors and out.

The family/dining room is large enough to take your longest table and seat at least 25 people.

The deck is in prime position to take in pink sunsets through the treed outlook, enjoy a relaxing drink in the spa after a long day’s work, you have earned it.

The connectivity between inside and out is fluid and it creates a very inviting lifestyle in a wonderful part of The Dandenong Ranges all year round.

Featuring: Four bedrooms, the main with WIR and spacious ensuite Three bedrooms all with BIRs serviced by ‘as new’ bathroom with soaking tub.

A central chef’s kitchen with 900mm Omega stove, dishwasher and plenty of prep space Formal lounge and casual meals, a huge family/dining, fireplace, both with french doors on to the deck.

Study Wet bar, laundry, and a powder room Ducted heating, split-system, ceiling fans

· · · · · · ·

· Huge deck with cafe blinds and inbuilt spa

The allotment of just over half an acre offers a U-shaped driveway for plenty of off-street parking, a double remote garage, a fully fenced rear yard and established gardens.

Menzies Creek township is blessed to have a Puffing Billy station, you will enjoy

hearing the toot, a sound loved by all the locals, you can walk to the nearby Steiner School, the local preschool and playgroup, the local primary school, and the bus stop to Belgrave and beyond.

The team at Ranges First National is proud to show this fabulous home and welcome the buyers to a great community. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 10 Ash Grove, MENZIES CREEK Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $950,000 - $1,045,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin: 0429 684 522, Emily Hudson: 0418 570 474, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL - 9754 6111

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 20 July, 2021

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MAIL 15

Ranges MORTGAGEE IN POSSESSION

BELGRAVE 2 MINTER STREET APPROX 1/4 ACRE! WALk TO BELGRAVE

ZONED LIVING FOR FAMILIES

$349,000

What a find!! - your chance to build a BRAND-NEW home in Belgrave STCA! This fabulous parcel of land is privately located in Minter Street – vacant land is a rarity these days.

Positioned at the end of a no-through road, not only are you close to Belgrave Township and rail connections to the CBD, but you also have the Belgrave Pool, Tennis, Football, Cricket clubs, Borthwick and Belgrave Lake Park, a variety of schools and the Cameo Cinema all close by. The location is perfect!

Jim Conder 0408 597 558

9754 6111 rangesfn.com.au 16 MAIL

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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021

$950,000-$1,045,000 4A 2B 2C 1E

Everything comes together at this 1/2 acre property to present a fabulous home that offers zoned living with fluid connectivity between inside and out. Features include a spacious ensuite, ‘as new’ family bathroom with soaking tub, central chef’s kitchen with 900mm Omega stove, fireplace, French doors, study, wet bar, powder room, DH, deck with café blinds and inbuilt spa, U-shaped driveway, plenty of off-street parking, double remote garage, fully fenced rear yard and established gardens.

Emily Hudson 0418 570 474

PRIVATE 2 ACRE ALLOTMENT

$845,000-$915,000 4A 2B 2C

Showcasing a sensational Fasham Johnson design, this contemporary home infuses every space with natural light and valley vistas from atop its private 1,814sqm approx. allotment.

Featuring a highly functional floorplan that includes a gas log fire, timber ceilings, paved BBQ area, open lawns, WIR to master, BIR’s to 3 of the well-proportioned bedrooms, split system air conditioning, kids cubby house, store shed and double carport. All in a quiet made, no through road, yet very close to the Belgrave township and all its amenities.

Grant Skipsey 0418 528 102

MENZIES CREEk 10 ASH GROVE SUNSETS, SPACE, SERENITY AND SIZE

Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522

CALMING ATMOSPHERE

BELGRAVE 13-15 BENNETT AVENUE IT’S GOT THE WOW FACTOR!

We put you first

SELBY 24 BATESLEIGH ROAD JUST MOMENTS FROM BELGRAVE

$1,070,000-$1,169,000 4A 3B 2C 1E

This contemporary home is set within a private allotment that leads down to a flowing creek accessed via terraced lawn areas and a small boardwalk. Inside you will love the beautiful polished floorboards, cathedral ceilings, highlight windows, new kitchen, ample storage, Coonara style fireplace, private courtyard & balcony. Downstairs has a large versatile area which has a kitchenette, bathroom with shower & toilet, plus a separate workshop & cellar, sealed driveway, double carport and a large entertaining area.

Jan Brewster 0409 558 805

“We Put You First”

1 Bayview Rd, Belgrave Shop 2, 24 McBride Street, Cockatoo mailcommunity.com.au

15 Daveys Lane Hoddles Creek

$660,000 - $720,000

2735 Gem Launch Pl Road Gembrook

Secluded Bush Retreat!

Enjoy the Lifestyle & Work From Home!

Set on 11.5 acres of natural bush less than 20 minutes from the Gembrook township, this gem with loads of potential sits privately between the ferns. Featuring open plan family, kitchen, and dining room with timber floors, you will certainly feel relaxed with large windows overlooking a landscape rich in native fauna and wildlife. The additional living room is situated at the end of the hallway with access directly to the main bathroom. The home features 2 good size bedrooms plus 2 extra storage rooms which provide the opportunity to create another bedroom to accommodate the larger family.

Outside, the home also features a single carport, chicken coops, machinery storage and plenty of space for the entire family to indulge in outdoor activities, no matter what their interests are!

Bathed in sunlight, this charming home on almost 2 acres has wide welcoming Merbau steps, front bullnose verandah, 2 living areas, both with wood heaters, 3 good sized robed bedrooms & master with walk-in robe updated ensuite.

The stunning kitchen has black cabinetry & white stone benchtops giving it a country contemporary feel with new appliances. Features of the home include high ceilings, casement windows, ceiling roses, split system cooling, & there is a fabulous undercover entertaining deck for spending time with family and friends. Outside the landscaped gardens are low maintenance & there is a massive 18 x 10m shed with a thick concrete floor designed to handle the heaviest of equipment. This property offers privacy and a quality lifestyle away from the pressures of busy life and will appeal to many - so ditch the factory and work from home.

Contact: Bethany Day 0438 884 968 Aaron Day 0407 365 994

Lot 1 Orchard Road Gembrook

Contact: Richard Birtchnell 0438 747 357

Asking $2,000,000

142 Emerald Monbulk Road Emerald

$685,000 - $750,000

Land Opportunity!

Obvious Former Glory!

Here’s your opportunity to purchase substantial acreage close to town!

In an outstanding Emerald location is this once glorious brick home on a flat block, almost ¾ acre. Entering the home you can see its former glory with high ceilings, beautiful dark parquetry floors, exposed brick walls, and a large living/ dining and lounge area with wood heater. An impressive feature servery window also features between the dining/ living area and kitchen with built-in bench and cupboards making entertaining a grand affair. There are 3 bedrooms, the master with ensuite, and main bathroom servicing the remaining 2 bedrooms; plenty of room for the whole family.

Outside there is an undercover entertaining area plus a 2 car carport which could easily become another room in the home (STCA). Additionally, a 4 car garage with concrete floor and 3 phase power is situated at the rear of the home next to the undercover entertaining area.

The property is over 39 acres of fertile land with gorgeous views of green rolling hills and a small dam, close to sporting facilities, The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail, and the Gembrook township.

This stunning piece of Residential Land is the place you will want to build your forever home (STCA)!

Inquire today!

Contact: Bethany Day 0438 844 968 Grant Day 0417 565 745

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

$1,080,000 - $1,185,000

Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032 Declan Palmer 0427 062 148

5968 6222

311-313 Main St, Emerald Tuesday, 20 July, 2021

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MAIL 17

Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

$1,600,000 - $1,760,000

106 Mt Morton Road, Belgrave Heights

INSPIRING ARCHITECTURE WITH CITY VIEWS

3A 2B 2C

Originally designed by architects Max May and George Hatzisavas, and inspired by a mix of Japanese aesthetics and Frank Lloyd Wrights “Fallingwater” this inspiring steel, glass and brick home set on just over one acre has been recently redesigned and renovated to a superb standard, resulting in one of the most intriguing and sophisticated residences in the area.

This family friendly Hills property is sure to impress on every level!

Glenn Chandler

Sharyn Chandler

M 0418 410 689 | E glenn@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

FOR SALE

14 Belmont Avenue, UPWEY SPECTACULAR VIEWS OVER GLENFERN VALLEY!

$800,000 - $880,000 4A 2B 2C

AUCTION

36 Warrabel Road, FERNTREE GULLY

$680,000 to $740,000

OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY WITH INFINITE POTENTIAL

4A 3B 1C

Ideally positioned only a short walk from the Upweys eclectic shopping village, local schools and train station, this unique mid-century home boasts sweeping views of the expansive Glenfern Valley and contains a versatile, spacious floorplan to suit all of your family needs.

Filled with an abundance of natural light that streams through floor to ceiling windows, the mesmerizing views can be seen from almost every room. Picture perfect in every way, this gorgeous property will set hearts racing! An inspection is a must!

An exceptional opportunity awaits at this large family home perfectly situated for convenience and investment prospects. Close to amenities, public transport, schools, and the Dandenong Ranges, this property is ideal for renovators looking for a place to call home. Set on an enviable street with an elevated outlook, the possibilities for renovating this versatile residence or further developing the site’s outstanding potential (STCA) create boundless options for both families and investors alike.

Sharyn Chandler

Suzie Branelly

M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0490 506 910 | E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

9754 6888 1689 Burwood Highway, Belgrave VIC 3160 www.chandlerandco.com.au of fice@chandlerandco.com.au 18 MAIL

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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 038

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

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

4 9

9 1

3 6

3 2

DOWN

Alternative to vinyl records (3) Supplier of goods to retailers (11) 19th-century art movement (7) Particulars (7) Contend (8) Mercury (6) Unhinged (3) Restored (11) Peculiarity (11) Pouch (3) African country (6) Prank (8) Mountaineer (7) Products of a calculator (7) Recommendations (11) Finish (3)

3 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 19 20 21 24 25 26 27

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 15 16 18 19 20 22 23

Christian holiday (9) Traumatised (7) Performing (5) Made easy (10) Cycle (4) Power cells (9) Win (7) Hazards (5) City in North Carolina, US (10) Sustainable (energy) (9) Fell; lessened (9) Moving (on wheels) (7) Act of Parliament (7) Snot (5) Cars (5) Naughty child (4)

DECODER

No. 038

9 5

6

4

7

2

5

3

9

7

2 3

5 3 2

ACROSS 1

No. 038

8

3 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

6 7

5 8

hard

5 9

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

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

F W 23

24

25

26

2

3

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5

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11

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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”.

I

L

Today’s Aim: 21 words: Good 31 words: Very good

2 3 8 1 7 9 4 6 5

2 6 8 4 1 5 7 9 3

4 9 5 3 6 7 8 1 2

42 words: Excellent

U

A

E B

8 3 2 1 4 6 9 7 5

9 7 6 5 2 3 1 4 8

1 5 4 9 7 8 2 3 6

5 8 7 6 3 1 4 2 9

3 4 1 2 8 9 5 6 7

6 2 9 7 5 4 3 8 1

4 6 9 5 3 8 2 7 1

5 7 1 2 4 6 8 3 9

6 2 3 7 1 4 9 5 8

8 5 4 6 9 3 7 1 2

9 1 7 8 5 2 3 4 6

3 9 6 4 8 5 1 2 7

1 4 5 9 2 7 6 8 3

7 8 2 3 6 1 5 9 4

9 1 5 2 3 6 7 8 4

2 7 4 1 8 9 6 5 3

3 6 8 7 5 4 1 9 2

4 8 3 9 1 7 2 6 5

1 5 7 8 6 2 3 4 9

6 9 2 5 4 3 8 7 1

8 4 1 6 2 5 9 3 7

7 3 6 4 9 1 5 2 8

5 2 9 3 7 8 4 1 6

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

F

U

T

4 LETTERS ALTO ARTS BETS CHIC DABS DYES ESKY GATE LADE ONTO PAYS SENT SKIT TALC

5 LETTERS ABIDE ALONE ARENA ARENT ATONE BEEFY BERET BRUTE CHIEF CLEAT CRAVE CRUDE DATUM DEEDS DELVE DRAMA DREAD ENEMY ENSUE ESSAY

No. 038

EVENT EXPEL GASES HERBS LADED LEDGE LENDS LUCID MAYBE NURSE OBEYS ORDER PASTA PETER PIXIE RAISE REACH REEDS RISES SCRAM SEEDY

SEEMS SORRY SUPER TABOO TEASE TENSE TERSE TOTEM URINE 6 LETTERS ARABLE ERECTS MEAGRE RESORT

7 LETTERS ATTRACT BANDIER COLLECT SWEETEN TEETHES TWISTER 8 LETTERS INVENTOR RETRIEVE ROPEABLE UNFAIRER

abet, able, albeit, bale, bate, beat, beau, BEAUTIFUL, befit, belt, beta, bile, bite, bleat, blue, etui, fable, fate, fauteuil, feat, felt, file, filet, flea, flue, flute, futile, late, leaf, left, lief, lieu, life, lite, lute, table, tale, teal, tile, tube, tubule, utile

7 1 3 8 9 2 6 5 4

hard

1

medium

22

easy

21

8 6

20

4

19

9 1

5

18

2

4

17

9 6 8 5

3

16

3

2

15

8

1

14

8 7

3 2 6 4 7

3 LETTERS ALE ANT ARE AXE BRA DAB EAR END EVE FBI GAS GEE HER MAD OFF OWE PAN RAN ROE RUE RUM TAX UTE WET

C U Z S V T L A Y NX I O

5

4 1

D EMP J QGK R H B FW

9 2

WORDFIT

23-07-21

William Matthews Funerals FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

24 HOUR SERVICE ALL AREAS

9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

12410397-ACM06-19

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MAIL 19

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SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME WITNISH STREET AND VICTORIA STREET (CRESCENT ROAD TO WITNISH STREET), YARRA JUNCTION - ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS In accordance with Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989, notice is hereby given that the Yarra Ranges Shire Council at its meeting of 13 July 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Witnish Street and Victoria Street (Crescent Road to Witnish Street), Yarra Junction road improvement works, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the provision by Council of road improvements carried out under Part 1A of the Act. The special charge is intended to be declared in respect of those properties shown within the designated area for this special charge scheme as outlined by heavy lines on the plan below, being properties that have abuttal to or gain primary access via, Witnish Street and Victoria Street (Crescent Road to Witnish Street), Yarra Junction.

A copy of the intent to levy is available for inspection at Council’s Community Links located at 2442 - 2444 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction or at 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale (enter via the Coles carpark). during office hours until 11 August 2021.

In accordance with Section 223 of the Act, any person wishing to make a submission on the proposal must do so in writing to the undersigned by 11 August 2021. Submissions should be addressed to :-

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SPECIAL CHARGE SCHEME HEATH ROAD, GRANDVIEW ROAD AND HUON ROAD, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS In accordance with Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989, notice is hereby given that the Yarra Ranges Shire Council at its meeting of 13 July 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Heath Road, Grandview Road and Huon Road, Belgrave Heights - road improvement works, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the provision

by Council of road improvements carried out under Part 1A of the Act. The special charge is intended to be declared in respect of those properties shown within the designated area for this special charge scheme as outlined by heavy lines on the plan below, being properties that have abuttal to or gain primary access via, Heath Road, Grandview Road and Huon Road, Belgrave Heights.

A copy of the intent to levy is available for inspection at Council’s Community Links located at 40 Main Street, Upwey or at 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale (enter via the Coles carpark). during office hours until 11 August 2021.

In accordance with Section 223 of the Act, any person wishing to make a submission on the proposal must do so in writing to the undersigned by 11 August 2021. Submissions should be addressed to :Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer Yarra Ranges Shire Council at either: 15 Anderson Street (P O Box 105), Lilydale, Vic. 3140, or mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.

Any person making a submission is entitled to request in the submission that the person wishes to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.

Any person making a submission is entitled to request in the submission that the person wishes to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.

Any person requesting to appear in person or to be represented by a person specified in his or her submission will be notified of the day, time and place of the meeting of the Council or of a committee determined by the Council to hear submissions.

Any person requesting to appear in person or to be represented by a person specified in his or her submission will be notified of the day, time and place of the meeting of the Council or of a committee determined by the Council to hear submissions.

All submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Act.

All submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Act.

Submitters should be aware that copies of their submissions will be made available (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) at the Council meeting held when their submission is considered.

Submitters should be aware that copies of their submissions will be made available (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) at the Council meeting held when their submission is considered.

It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting to be held on 14 September 2021, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.

It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting to be held on 14 September 2021, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.

Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer

Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer

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DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

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MAIL 21

SPORT

Tennis club basks in light Cockatoo tennis lovers can now train and play longer into the night, with recent court lighting upgrades at the club officially complete.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing visited the Cockatoo Tennis club on Wednesday 14 July to officially flick the switch on the lighting upgrades, made possible through a $66,000 investment from the state government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Prior to the upgrades, club members had been struggling with dim lighting and also had an increase in demand for after-hours tennis, with the club at the centre of all things tennis in the region.

The new 250 lux LED lighting has been installed on the two northern tennis courts at the club, opening up the facility to night training and twilight tennis competitions.

The lighting upgrades are a boon for the club who are looking to extend their summer night competition schedule and development programs.

These investments aim to provide highquality and accessible places for Victorians to reap the benefits of sport and active recreation participation, and also aim to stimulate local economies and fast-track recovery by improv-

ing the health, wellbeing and social outcomes for local community members.

Ms Shing acknowledged the Cardinia Shire Council for its commitment and financial contribution to the project.

“With tennis booming in the region, Cockatoo Tennis Club deserves facilities that help even more locals hit the courts all times of the day,“ Ms Shing said.

“The new court lighting provides a real incentive for participants to ramp up their training, development and competition play, and also for social players to join in the fun,“ she said.

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit sport.vic.gov.au

Cardinia Shire mayor Brett Owen joined Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing, Cockatoo Tennis Club’s Andrew Welsh and councillors Collin Ross and Jeff Springfield to mark the completion of the installation of four new LED lights at Cockatoo Tennis Club on 14 July.

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Mount Evelyn hub step closer after builder appointed

By Mikayla van Loon The Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub is on track to being built after Yarra Ranges councillors approved a preferred tender application at the 13 July council meeting.

Five prequalified suppliers from the Department of Treasury and Finance Construction Supplier Register were asked to submit tenders by 18 May. Melbcon’s $3.8 million submission was the evaluation panel’s recommended tender from those five applications.

Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub (MESCH) president Bryan McCarthy said this was an exciting step to getting the building finished.

“We’re really pleased that a builder has been appointed, that allows us now to get on with getting the building built,” Mr McCarthy said.

“We’re looking forward to working with the contractor to get the details right, what the design will look like in real life and fitting it out with all the stuff we need for the building and then getting the handover in probably 12 months time.”

The process of getting to this stage took six years after the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve Master Plan was finalised in 2015, with Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan saying this project had been a long time coming.

“I remember having conversations with

Melbcon has been appointed as the builder of the new sports and community hub in Mount Evelyn.

Picture: SUPPLIED the football club back in 2005 and we said, ‘oh we should be able to get a pavilion in the next couple of years’,” he said.

“Well 16 years later, it’s great that it has come to this. It’s gone through a fairly rigorous process as have a lot of our sporting facilities in getting new builds.”

Speaking to the motion, Cr Heenan urged his fellow councillors to appoint Melbcon as the preferred builder and to get the project started as soon as possible.

“The sooner they get started the sooner they get finished and Mt Evelyn Football Netball Club, together with the cricket club, have a brand new facility for the next three, four, five decades,” Cr Heenan said.

Chandler Ward councillor and deputy mayor David Eastham also supported the motion, congratulating Cr Heenan and the

community on their perseverance and input to the project.

“I would just like to take my hat off first of all to councillor Heenan, as you mentioned since ‘05 that initial conversation, I definitely wasn’t sitting around the table as a councillor back then,” Cr Eastham said.

“I take my hat off to yourself, to the community members both from the respective sporting clubs but also some of the community groups as well associated with that reserve such as the environmental group for all the hard work that they’ve put in, it’s great to see.”

Cr Eastham was pleased the successful builder was local to the area and the council was supporting the local economy.

MESCH will liaise with Melbcon to get progress reports to keep the clubs and com-

munity up to date, as well as ensure they can supply the necessary appliances and equipment for the fitout.

Mr McCarthy said part of the consultation process with the builder will surround the safety of the players during construction and to ensure construction is not disturbed by games and training sessions.

“It’s not a big site that they are working on, so we have to all work together to make sure everyone can do what they need to do and do it in a speedy way and a positive way.”

Cr Eastham said he looks forward to the day it is opened to the public and seeing the impact it will have on the community.

“I’m looking forward to seeing this being another jewel in the crown for the Yarra Ranges, we do have a couple of nice, amazing pavilions and I think this will be another one that will be sitting somewhere up the top,” Cr Eastham said.

The current building will be demolished in the first week of August and MESCH will be hosting a ‘last drinks’ on Saturday 31 July from 7pm.

All past club members are welcome to join the building commemorations and reminisce about Mount Evelyn’s sporting history.

“It’s to share memories of the existing building and to celebrate the start of the new building and the new lease of life of the recreation reserve and the clubs having a new building to work in and operate from.”

Strong season puts Ranges players in AFLW Draft mix

By Jed Lanyon

Georgia Campbell is one of the Ranges players who could be selected at next week’s draft.

Picture: JED LANYON 22 MAIL

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Tuesday, 20 July, 2021

As the upcoming AFLW Draft draws closer, there are several Eastern Ranges prospects who could see their names called out on 27 July.

After a strong season where the club made a preliminary final and had many players featured in Vic Metro’s Under 19 Girls squad, there are a few players who could make a strong case for draft selection.

All-Australian ruck Georgia Campbell is eligible to be selected as a father-daughter candidate for Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, where her father Adrian played 30 and two games respectively.

Campbell put in an impressive 2021 season averaging 20 hitouts and kicking eight goals across nine games. Her impact at ground level and athleticism were a high-

light during the 2021 NAB League season.

Tough midfielder Olivia Meagher played just three games with the Ranges this season.

Meagher opted to join Collingwood’s VFLW team, where they were set to play off in the grand final over the weekend before the latest lockdown postponed the game.

Meagher, who played for Upper Ferntree Gully as a junior, averaged 18.7 disposals and five tackles in her three games with the Ranges.

Campbell and Meagher were both offered invitations to the AFLW Draft Combine along with Keeley Sherar, Cadhla Schmidli. Both Schmidli and Sherar featured in the Vic Metro Under 19s team.

Other senior players to keep an eye on include: Jorja Livingstone, Izzy Khoury, Matilda Hardy, Bridget Deed, El Chaston, and Ruby O’Dwyer. mailcommunity.com.au

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FIXTURES - ROUND 19 Friday, July 23 ...................................................Port Adelaide vs Collingwood Saturday July 24.............................................................Sydney vs Fremantle Saturday July 24...........................................................Hawthorn vs Brisbane Saturday July 24..................................................................Essendon vs GWS Saturday July 24............................................. Gold Coast Suns vs Melbourne

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