Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 31st August 2021

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

Lilydale

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Council cuts back aged care services

Family grows a business in lockdown

Pantry brings community together

Celebrating Book Week in a virtual world

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Baby in big hurry

By Taylah Eastwell

Jenae Petersen holds baby Bonnie for the first time and shares a laugh of relief with husband Paul after a speedy trip to the hospital.

Pictures: ENG PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN look at me and just said ‘Angliss? Follow us’,” she said.

By this stage, Ms Petersen’s mind was preoccupied, but being pulled over by police while in the pointy-end of labour during the Covid-19 pandemic where the pair were not meant to be outside of their 5km radius made an incredibly stressful situation all the more intense. But the two Mooroolbark officers were quick to act, with Senior Constable David Grey and Con-

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stable Jason Lloyd-Sanderson jumping back in their police car and escorting the couple - at a slight speed - through Kilsyth, The Basin and Ferntree Gully until they reached the Angliss.

“There were no questions asked, they just took off and said follow us,” Ms Petersen said.

“My husband is happy he got his Fast and Furious moment down Forest Road,” she laughed.

Husband Paul said he probably passed

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a total of five other cars for the whole trip.

“We pulled up straight outside the door where my second support person was waiting and she grabbed the wheelchair after seeing how full on I was,” Ms Petersen said.

While Paul moved the car from the ambulance park, the two police officers picked up Ms Petersen’s bags and walked her in to the elevator before saying their goodbyes and good-lucks.

Once up in the maternity ward, Ms Petersen made it onto the bed before Paul caught up with her after parking the car.

“He helped me onto the bed and I literally rolled on my side and she was head out. The nurses were saying ‘you can relax, you’re here, you made it to hospital, just relax’. Her head came out and with a little push during my next contraction she was here,” Ms Petersen said.

After arriving at the hospital with the police escort, it only took Bonnie seven minutes to enter the world - with Ms Petersen only in the birthing room for mere minutes.

Continued page 6

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The relieved couple welcomed their first girl, Bonnie.

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Many minds wonder what happens if you are pulled over while speeding to the hospital in labour, but for little Bonnie Petersen and her parents, that exact question will prompt one of the greatest 21st birthday stories imaginable.

When Jenae Petersen’s waters broke around 11.25pm on Saturday 14 August, her husband Paul knew he didn’t have time to waste. Ms Petersen had a history of short labours with their two young sons, and Paul wasn’t taking any chances on a last minute roadside birth.

After the couple frantically called Ms Petersen’s sister-in-law to come and watch their boys, they piled into the car and left their Mooroolbark home for the Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully.

“When my waters broke that was the first sign of labour and that was when the contractions started between four and five minutes apart,” Ms Petersen said.

“I went into labour pretty much straight away. We got into the car and realised we needed petrol, so we chucked some petrol in but by the time we got from Manchester Road to just before the basketball stadiums on Liverpool Road I had completely changed. I couldn’t talk, I was in full blown labour, so my husband started speeding,” she said.

The distressed couple were doing their best to make it to the hospital, with little Bonnie in a rush to enter the world, when they noticed the dreaded blue and red flashing lights in their rear-view mirror.

“We saw the coppers chuck a u-turn behind us. We kept going, not as fast, but they pulled us over and my husband jumped out and said ‘my wife is in labour I’ve got to get her to hospital’,” Ms Petersen explained.

“They shone their torch in and had one

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Beams are lifted into place using heavy cranes, while (right) Mooroolbark’s original station building was removed to be restored and relocated to Tarrawarra.

Pictures: LXRP

Crossing works ramp up

By Mikayla van Loon There will be some major changes to the way people can travel on the Lilydale train line as works once again ramp up on the Level Crossing Removal projects for the completion deadline at the end of October.

A 45 day construction blitz is expected to start on 10 September, causing a number of disruptions on both the train line and surrounding roads in Lilydale and Mooroolbark.

“We know the next few months are going to be disruptive to train passengers, road users and the community and we’d like to thank them for their patience while our teams work to remove these dangerous and congested level crossings,” Level Crossings program director Steve Brown said.

Buses will replace trains from 10 Septem-

ber on the Lilydale line, with passengers able to board replacement buses at Lilydale and Mooroolbark stations to then catch a train at Ringwood.

Lilydale train station will also close to passengers from 10 September to 24 October while the new station is built for passengers to begin using on 25 October.

Road closures will occur on two major arterial roads in Lilydale and Mooroolbark.

Manchester Road in Mooroolbark will be closed at times during September and October, with a 13 day closure in October.

From 10 to 14 September and then again from 4 to 17 October, Manchester Road between Brice Avenue and Winyard Drive will be closed.

The east-bound lane on Brice Avenue will also be closed throughout September and Oc-

tober, although road users will still be able to use the west-bound lane and are advised to use Charles Street and Bathurst Street.

Maroondah Highway and John Street in Lilydale will close at the level crossing from 9pm 10 September until 6am 9 October.

Changes at the station car parks in Lilydale and Mooroolbark will continue throughout the year until early 2022.

While these disruptions will be unpleasant, works on the level crossings have been moving steadily with around 650 crew working on the projects.

The next few months will be filled with activity and progress across both stations and commuters will be able to see a noticeable difference in the building works.

“We’ve made excellent progress to date and we look forward to continuing to shape these

rail bridges and new stations, which will benefit the community for years to come with better safety, eased congestion and more open space at both locations,” Mr Brown said.

The new stations will include modern facilities, as well as open spaces and walking and cycling connections.

Part of the design feature of the new stations means they will produce 45 per cent less carbon and use 70 per cent less water, as well as using concrete that has a high percentage of recycled material.

To date, the Level Crossing Removal Authority has lifted 28 beams into place at Manchester Road, with 56 required to build the rail bridge.

While at Lilydale, 28 of the 36 beams have been lifted in place, with the rest to be installed while buses replace trains.

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IN BRIEF Fatal car crash A man has tragically died after crashing into a tree in Montrose over the weekend.

The 53-year-old man was driving along Old Coach Road when his grey Ford sedan left the road and collided with a tree near the intersection of Mt Dandenong Tourist Road on Sunday 29 August. He died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam footage of the vehicle being driven in the area prior to the incident at 4.10pm.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Senior Constable Franklin at Knox Highway Patrol on 9881 7900/9881 7000 or via Crimestoppers at 1800 333 000.

Man arrested for theft

Clients and staff will be affected by Yarra Ranges Council’s decision to move out of home care services.

Picture: PIXABAY

Council cuts to care

By Mikayla van Loon and Renee Wood Yarra Ranges Council has opted to remove itself from offering some aged care services, leaving 35 staff members at risk of losing employment and 1500 residents in need of finding a new provider.

The decision was made at the 24 August council meeting, with the release of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety findings affecting council’s decision.

Under the reforms, the Commonwealth Home Support Program, which currently helps to fund the council’s services, would cease to exist and would transform into an aged care system that relies on a competitive market.

This aims to give the client more choice and control over their service provider and hopes to boost competition between services to ensure the best quality care is given to clients.

Councillors described it as a “head over heart” decision, with Mayor Fiona McAllister saying it felt as though the council had been “backed into a corner.”

Yarra Ranges Council believes it would face financial strain with the introduction of the new model and wouldn’t be able to compete in a market among private providers with no government funding, as a new national pricing framework is also to be introduced.

“Tonight’s decision is probably one of the most difficult I’ve had to make so far as a Councillor but I also know I have to make a decision that’s right for not only our community but for the council and make a strategic decision and one with my mind not my heart,” Councillor Catherine Burnett-Wake said.

“Acting now ensures seamless transition, whilst ensuring our community members and our workers are supported.”

Up to 35 council staff will be affected by these changes, with the council stating there could be options of redeployment through-

out the organisation, but many staff could be made redundant.

Australian Services Union secretary Lisa Darmanin believes the decision will be bad for the community and workers.

“Council’s decision will push already low paid workers into insecure work where their wages and conditions will also be reduced,” Ms Lisa Darmanin said.

“The ASU’s experience is community members who rely on outsourced in-home aged care services experience reduced continuity of care.”

By making the decision, domestic assistance, personal care, respite care, social support for individuals, home modifications, property maintenance and Home and Community Care for Younger People will no longer be delivered by council after June 2022.

“I want to make it very clear that no services will be withdrawn from the community but the provider of some services will change and others will continue to be delivered by the council,” Councillor Jim Child said.

Yarra Ranges Council will continue to provide meals on wheels, transport, social support groups and healthy and active aging programs.

Council sought legal advice on the decision to exit in home care and believes other local government providers will be doing the same.

However, Councillor Tim Heenan couldn’t understand why council did not consider Home Care Packages as a viable option.

“I really think we should have received more of the story in past opportunities from the councils that have decided to stay with it and have provided those Home Care Packages to see whether we could do that,” he said.

“These are our residents and the more and more that we do these sorts of things, the more and more it appears to our ratepayers, our residents and our community that we are focusing on the corporate situation and not what we do really well as a local government.”

The Australian Services Union is also concerned over a lack of community consultation.

“Council did not consult the broader Yarra Ranges community before making this decision, and service users were informed of the changes rather than asked what was best for them,” Ms Darmanin said.

Council acknowledged no client or broader community consultation was conducted.

This is despite the issue being deliberated since last year, following the motion being deferred at the December 2020 meetings to await more clarity from the findings.

Money will also come into question, with $1.2 million put towards these services annually to be redirected.

Council is looking to disperse the funds to support the remaining services and to provide a watchdog service to ensure residents are receiving the best care from new providers.

All Councillors agreed the council needed to assume the role of advocate for its clients, to avoid a similar recurrence happening as 2017 NDIS transition which left hundreds of residents without a provider for nine months.

Cr Heenan and Councillor Len Cox were worried about the impact this transition would have on the community, leaving the most vulnerable with potentially more expensive services, limited client to staff ratios and without personalised support.

“For a very long time Yarra Ranges Council has been at one with a lot of its residents and has been doing a lot of work that loved ones and families can’t do,” Cr Heenan said.

“We say that only some of the actual decisions will change and nothing will disappear but it will be out of our control and as time goes on, my concern is the same level of support will not be there.”

Council will now look to develop a communication and transition plan for clients and staff and develop information programs to support residents switching to new providers.

A Croydon man is in custody after a string of offences alleged to have been committed across the outer-east.

The 37-year-old was arrested at a residential address on 24 August in relation to numerous offences on commercial properties spanning from May to August this year, including thefts, stealing cars and burglaries.

The man has been charged with two burglaries, theft of a motor vehicle and theft in Lilydale and an attempted burglary in Boronia where he later evaded police. The offender was also charged with a burglary, attempted burglary and theft of a car in Knoxfield and a further attempted burglary in Ferntree Gully. He is also alleged to have committed a burglary in Bayswater alongside a further car theft. Officers also charged the man with an arson offence alleged to have occurred in Mooroolbark and possessing a controlled weapon in Croydon.

The man appeared at Ringwood Magistrates Court on the 26 August.

Factory raids Factories, including one in Kilsyth, have been raided by police as part of a major crime bust.

Hume Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested 12 people and seized around 7000 cannabis plants as part of a 10-month long investigation known as Operation Crawl.

The cannabis plants weighed more than five tonnes and were allegedly being cultivated across 11 factory style set ups, with their street value estimated to be worth up to $12 million. The factories were located right across the state, including Campbellfield, Braeside, Kilsyth, Carrum Downs, Seaford, Ravenhall, Truganina and Derrimut.

Police also suspect the factories were set up to steal electricity from the grid, with hundreds of thousands of dollars of electricity theft believed to be disrupted.

Hume CIU Detective Sergeant Joseph Hartwig said this was a significant operation which took dedication from Hume’s Crime Investigation Unit.

“Police will be alleging those arrested are a part of a significant organised crime syndicate, seeking to profit off the most vulnerable in our community,” he said.

“We know the flow on effect of illicit drugs causes devastation throughout the community – with drug-fueled driving, family violence and assaults.”

A further two arrests on Monday 23 August brought the total arrest tally to 12 in the 10 month period.

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Eleanor (Linny) with one of the larger succulent options for sale. 248727

Luca (Lukie) shows off his handy work. 248727

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Family growing business Getting outside and into the garden has been a wonderful escape from the four walls of the family home for one Lilydale family.

They’ve even been able to turn it into a successful business.

Miranda Dalton and her four children, Linny, Lexi, Lukie and Link needed a break during the major lockdown last year and decided to get planting.

Having lost her job and her kids being bored at home, Ms Dalton came up with a plan to grow and propagate succulents to sell to locals and started Foursucculent Sake.

“I was going through a bit of a plant phase and [the kids] wanted to get involved. The kids bought the pots and they started off with 20 pots, so five pots each,” Ms Dalton said.

“That’s all we were going to do. They were going to buy five pots each and then they were going to sell those pots for $10.

“We just we’re gonna do that for that one off but it was popular and lots of people liked the idea.”

Seeing how many people came past the stand and how many people responded to buying plants as gifts, Ms Dalton and her kids

Linny, Lexi, Link and Lukie have learnt to work together and are proud of what they have been able to achieve.

Picture: SUPPLIED have been selling succulents ever since.

Throughout last year, orders were piling up and the kids were flat out propagating, planting and potting succulents.

“I had a lady, a nurse from Maroondah hospital last year, in the ward with all Covid patients and she bought a heap of pots to put on the bedside table for people in the hospital,” Ms Dalton said.

But having gone through six lockdowns, Ms Dalton has found people are not as enthused

by small business ventures and the orders have reduced.

“Now, I think it just seems different. Everybody’s lost their enthusiasm. I think at the start of the lockdown a year ago, it was a new found freedom. People were happy to wander around and look at it in a positive way of all these extra things they could do.

“But I think now everybody’s just got to a point where enough is enough. So I’m finding that we’re not as busy.”

Nevertheless, Foursucculent Sake was never about making a profit, even if it has been a nice bonus, but rather about allowing Ms Dalton’s children to focus on something other than a screen and it even turned into a handson learning experience.

“It’s given us and it’s given the kids something to focus on. And they saved up enough money and bought a trampoline, which has been a lifesaver, that’s something that they did.

So they get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

“If they want to buy something, they’ve got to pay back into it. They know that they have to in order to buy something they’ve got to invest money back in.”

Ms Dalton said by selling plants, her children have learnt to communicate about which

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task each of them is doing, how to divide profits between each of them and has taught them the value of money.

“It’s exciting that they can be responsible for something and they understand how the process works. You’ve got to put in some effort, you can’t just get things for free.

“So they need to make some effort and they need to nurture the stuff.”

Finding purpose during lockdown for both her children and herself was something she strived for but all the added extras of learning, community engagement, getting outside and spending time together were bonuses.

“I guess it gave us that opportunity to go outside every single day. And it gave us a bit of a purpose. I don’t think we’ve been bored the whole time, really, I mean, we’ve constantly had things to do.

“I just wanted to share some fun things with others and I wanted to be creative. And I was happy to get them outside, even if it was cold, just for some fresh air and get them out of the house.”

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Simone Ritchie and Pat Natoli are the masterminds behind the Montrose arm of Food is Free. 248918 Pictures: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

An abundance of lemons have been left by local residents. 248918

Fresh and free flowers from Pat’s job are ready to brighten someone’s home. 248918

Packing the local pantry

By Mikayla van Loon Having followed the Food is Free movement and community pantries that had been set up elsewhere in the eastern suburbs, Pat Natoli and partner Simone Ritchie, started a small pantry outside their house in Montrose.

In just two months, the pair have gone from placing a few canned items in one cabinet to having bread deliveries, flowers and multiple cabinets full of non-perishable items.

“We started off with just putting out some cans and some rice and pasta, and we thought ‘we’ll see what happens’ and then it really took off,” Simone said.

“I think it has taken off during lockdown because more people are out walking and things like that. So a few of the local parents in the area saw it and because their kids are at home and they are at home, they had a bit more time, they got their kids involved.”

The pantry now gets bi-weekly deliveries of leftover bread from Kilsyth Bakers Delight and

people have been leaving fresh produce that has been grown in their own gardens which they may have an abundance of.

Pat had been wanting to do something like this for a long time but having been renting until they bought this house meant they didn’t want to start a Food is Free pantry if it wasn’t going to be permanent.

While Covid-19 wasn’t the reason behind setting up the Montrose arm of Food is Free, it was certainly a driver in wanting to engage the community and do something nice for the area.

“It’s a bit of a tough time, we’re in a bit of a tough time and I was donating or giving away my flowers that weren’t being used and I just thought that it was a nice little amalgamation of both of them just to help out a bit,” Pat said.

“It’s not like it’s not a big NGO or anything, but it makes a difference in your immediate vicinity.”

Seeing a gap in community projects, Pat wanted to create something that could grow

into a community initiative.

“Montrose doesn’t have a community garden, really. We’ve got the people’s garden but it’s an established thing and people don’t really go there to meet up or do anything as a community sort of thing. So I saw the opportunity to be able to start something,” he said.

And that’s exactly what it has become - a community project that has grown beyond just leaving and taking food.

Children have been making signs and packaging up seeds for people to take home.

“A local mum got her daughter to create little seed packets and drew pictures on them,” Simone said.

“Then Pat had the idea of doing a ‘spot the gnome’ game as well, to get the kids involved. So we bought some gnomes and then dropped them off at local kids houses and they’ve painted them and we move them every week.”

Now the pantry has expanded into a book library, where people can swap books or pick

More getting jabs as availability widens

By Jed Lanyon and Mikayla van Loon Every Victorian aged 16 years and over is now eligible to access a coronavirus vaccine at state-run vaccination centres from 25 August, under an expansion of the state vaccine program in a bid to reach the goal of one million doses over five weeks.

The change means that anyone aged 18 to 59 will be eligible to receive either Pfizer or AstraZeneca – with people aged 16 to 17 able to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Those aged 60 and over will continue to receive AstraZeneca.

Currently, 52 per cent of Outer East residents aged over 16 have received their first vaccination dose, while 35 per cent are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19 according to Federal Health Department figures from 22 August.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Fiona McAllister recently met with Deputy Premier James Merlino on a range of issues, one of which was vaccine accessibility across the region.

“That’s something that has gone through council and our vaccination numbers for the Yarra Valley are lower than average and that’s no surprise when you hear the stories of people having to travel to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre to get their vaccine,” she said, speaking to Star Mail.

“Not everybody has the luxury of time or even to literally get out there when they are homeschooling or spending time on public transport.

“Understandably, we want people to be able to get vaccinated closer to home and to make sure our vaccination numbers go up quickly.”

The announcement came with news of three new drive-through vaccination sites in Broadmeadows, Springvale and Werribee, joining a Melton site.

Star Mail took to the streets of Lilydale to ask young residents what their thoughts are about now being able to access the Pfizer vaccine and how they feel about having to travel through the region to get the jab.

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

Victorian’s aged over 16 are now eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine at state-run centres.

Picture: UNSPLASH Many of the young people Star Mail spoke to said they would travel wherever necessary to get their vaccination and were pleased more Pfizer doses had opened up to their age group.

Rebecca, 25 and her partner Lachlan, 28, tried all day on Wednesday 25 August to book Lachlan an appointment.

“We have been trying online all day to get Lach booked in and just haven’t had any luck.

We have even got through on a couple of occasions and then it comes up saying that he’s still ineligible,” Rebecca said.

“I think they were saying earlier it crashed so I think there’s a lot of people who were pretty keen to do it,” Lachlan said.

“People seem to think that Pfizer, for whatever reason, is a lot better than the other one and so they’re pretty happy to be hooking into it.”

As a healthcare worker, Rebecca has already been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine but Lachlan has been ineligible until now.

Lachlan said even though he might have to travel into a state vaccination centre, he would do what it takes to get back to normal.

“I think we sort of think that if we can do that to help things get back to normal quicker then we’re happy to do it,” he said.

Amber, 26, is in a similar position. She has received her first Pfizer vaccination but her partner has been ineligible.

“I’m pretty happy about it, pretty pleased.

My partner has been waiting for ages to be eligible,” Amber said.

“I’ve been eligible for a while just from my line of work but she’s been waiting for a long time. So it’s good to see that it’s available for more young people.”

Amber said she not only hopes but thinks people will travel into the city or elsewhere for their vaccination.

“I think at this point everyone’s just super over being in lockdown. You’re probably going to do the travel to get out of it but everyone’s got a different outlook on the vaccination as well I guess,” she said.

Over the next four weeks, there will be over 830,000 appointments for Covid-19 vaccines at more than 55 state run centres operating across Victoria – this includes 450,000 first dose appointments for the Pfizer vaccine.

With this new expansion, the number of Victorians eligible to receive Pfizer has increased by two million.

Approximately 1.7 million Victorians aged 16 to 59 have already been vaccinated across general practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community pharmacy and state vaccination centres.

The expansion follows the supply of an additional 175,000 doses of Pfizer from the Commonwealth, recently received from overseas.

Anyone aged 18 to 39 who has a current booking for AstraZeneca from Wednesday 25 August who would prefer to receive Pfizer, will not need to cancel or change their booking – they will be offered Pfizer upon arrival for their appointment, unless they would prefer to receive AstraZeneca.

up a lucky dip.

“We put them in the stand and now it’s become a bit of a swap and all that there’s lots of kids books in there now and especially with the libraries shut, I’ve had a number of kids sort of come by and use it as a little library,” Simone said.

The Food is Free movement is all about building community, being generous and giving and receiving.

“I think the main thing that we have sort of started or been stressing to the community is it’s not a charity. It’s not for the needy. It’s just like a pantry for anyone who forgot something or wants to try something different,” With the help of Naomi Walsh from Food is Free Ringwood East, Simone and Pat have plans to expand the pantry even further, by potentially partnering with Second Bite.

Anyone interested in providing food or getting involved in Food is Free can reach out to Simone and Pat through their social media channels or pop by the Montrose Food is Free.

Baby in a big hurry From page 1 “We made the phonecall to my second support person, who was my photographer, twelve minutes before her birth time when we were still on Burwood Highway. Her birth summary paperwork says I was in labour stages two and three for five minutes,” she said.

Bonnie was born at 12.35am on 15 August.

“I always said to my husband my biggest fear was birthing on the side of the road or in the car, I didn’t want to and I was scared it would happen during the day and I’d be alone. I’m so glad it happened in the middle of the night and he was there.

Ms Petersen spoke to Senior Constable Grey the following day to say thank you and had her call returned by him shortly afterwards.

“He said he knew something was up as soon as Paul opened the door when they pulled us over because you don’t get out of the car when police pull you over,” she said.

“He has got kids himself and he knew sometimes you just have to do what you have to do,” she said.

But the two officers were left shocked at just how quickly Bonnie entered the world, telling Ms Petersen they thought she was “easily an hour off”.

“I wouldn’t have made it to the hospital without them. We can’t praise them enough,” she said.

A spokesperson from Mooroolbark Police confirmed the officers escorted a driver after intercepting him for driving quickly as the wife had a history of short labours. mailcommunity.com.au

THE LOWDOWN Q&A Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I was a TV reporter with WIN News in Shepparton for the past 3.5 years.

What are you most passionate about?

The environment and sustainability.

Did you always want to become a journalist?

No, I first studied fashion styling.

Following this, I realised I had a passion to write and then my desire grew to become a journalist.

What do you love about being a journalist?

Learning everyday and meeting some very inspiring people who are making an impact.

What would your last meal be?

Seafood of any kind.

What was your most memorable moment?

I got married in the Yarra Valley in April, definitely a dream come true and very fortunate it could finally go ahead.

What was your favourite subject in school?

Drama and art, certainly was a tie between the two.

What event past or present would you like to witness?

Elvis Presley or Johnny Cash live in concert.

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

Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Audrey Hepburn, Johnny Cash, June Carter and my husband Daniel.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I’m somewhat addicted to American Dad at the moment, the alien Roger really makes me giggle.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

Vintage and op shop obsessed.

Have you had a pet that has made an impact on your life?

Yes, and she’s still making an impact on my life. Fifi, a 12-year-old pomeranian.

THREE … ways to increase your super

with Star Mail editor Renee Wood

Renee Wood, Star Mail editor. 246836

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

1

Make extra contributions Your employer is required to pay money into your super fund at a rate of 9.5 per cent of your salary but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your own contributions.

You can contribute up to $25,000 in concessional contributions (pre-tax contributions like what your employer pays and salary sacrifice). You can also contribute another $100,000 a year in nonconcessional contributions.

2

Consider upping your level of risk Switching from a balanced portfolio to one with a little more risk offers the potential for higher returns. It’s important to remember that a higher return does carry a higher level of risk so be sure to consider your situation.

This is usually better for people who are still a long way from retirement.

3

Consolidate your super While this won’t change the amount being contributed to your super, it will stop you losing money from your balance. Having multiple super accounts can mean you’re paying multiple sets of fees which will eat away at your retirement balance. Consolidating these accounts means you will only be paying one set of fees.

Loud and adventurous.

What is your favourite colour and why?

I can’t choose just one - blue, pink and green.

Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert?

It depends on what day. Extrovert on a Friday, introvert on a Sunday.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

Pumpkin lasagne.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

New Orleans.

What were you like as a kid?

Mountainview Retirement Village ELECTRICITY

EP POLE 5 x Ca

500mm max. high retaining wall

IN

2.42

17

2.7 RL 173.83

RL 171.95

RL 172.69

2 x Mp

PORCH RL 173.83

RL 174.59

V1 7

17

MAILBOXES PORCH

RL 174.59

PORCH

TELECOM PIT TO BE RELOCATED

PROPOSED CROSSOVER

RAMP UP

6 x Ca 5 x G'RR'

PORCH

500mm max. high retaining wall

1:10

1:8 RAMP UP

117 711.7 .774

T2. Fraxinus excelsior to be removed

T3. Ilex aquifolium to be removed

TPIT

RL 173.50 RL 173.00

RL 173.83

2.3 1 2.3 3

7

3 x Bs'HP'

RL 173.83

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V17 78 2.67 17 2.84 17 17 17 2.8 22..667 7 7 17 3.03

7 x Pm

1800h TIMBER PALING FENCE

1000mm max. high retaining wall

RL 174.59

2 x Pm

5 x Ac'L'

7 x Pm

34.24 m

175

17

TITLE BOUNDARY 100° 02' 20"

Exposed aggregate concrete driveway

1000mm max. high retaining wall

T1. Pinus radiata to be removed

NEIGHBOURS RESIDENCE

5 x Ac'L' 7 x Sa

2.06

4

1500mm max. high retaining wall

17

5

17

176

IN 172 V1 .0 7 2 171.9 2 1.94

17

8 x Ac'L' 12 x Sa

176

17 4.03

Warburton

Plant Schedule

1 x Ca

RL 174.69

DW

1 x Sa

3.92

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2 x Ca

RL 173.93

17

17

T5. Prunus cerasifera to be removed

2 x Mp

RL 173.93

IRE

3.78

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RL 174.69

2 x Mp

E BO

RL 171.97

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STORE 2

STORE 1

Mulched garden bed

Coloured concrete road pavement

Timber decking

STORE 6

RL 171.21

AJD

RL 170.70

PORCH

9.20

RL 171.43

1:100 A1

0

DATE:

02.11.2018

2

3

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16 1 x Ap 8 x Ca

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3 x Mp 2 x Dt

metres

2 x Bs'HP' 1 x Sa

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2 x Mp 3 x Ca 7 x Po

DESCRIPTION

BY

12.11.18

Client review

JD

B

16.11.18

Client review

JD

C

19.11.18

Existing vegetation detail

JD

© This drawing is protected by Copyright and remains the property of Davidson Design Studio Pty Ltd. These drawings are to be used solely for the purpose nominated in the drawing title and are not to be used for any other application to the contrary or for any purpose unless specifically approved in writing by the landscape architect.

1 xG'RR' 12 x Ca 3 x Mp

2 x Sa 1 x G'RR' 2 x Bs'HP' 4 x Po

DECK

DECK

2 x G'RR'

3 x Dt 9 x Mp 3 x G'RR' 1 x Ap 2 x Sa 7 x Ca 7 x Po 7 x Sa

T10. Syzygium smithii to be removed

DECK

2 x Mp

3 x Sa 1 x Li'T'

16

DATE

A

2 x G'RR' 2 x Po

TITLE BOUNDARY 280° 02' 20" 49.74 m

166

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2 x Sa 6 x Ca 1 x Li'T'

6 x Sa 3 x Gg 5 x Ca

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ELECTRICITY

3 x Ca POLE

3 x Ca

5

Scale 1:100 @ A1

SHEET:

2 x G'RR'

T12. Kunzea ericoides

4 x Po

1 x Li'T' 1 x Sa 1 x G'RR'

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2 x G'RR' 6 x Ca

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1 x G'RR' 2 x Mp 11 x Po

9.03

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RL 172.07

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Pittosporum undulatum

PAPER SIZE:

Yarra Ranges Council

REFERENCE:

4 x Af 1 x Pm 3 x Mp

RL 171.31

RL 171.31

0

MUNICIPALITY:

3 x Ca

RL 172.07

3 x Cg

16

5 Upper Blackwood Ave, Warburton

RL 168.95

RL 169.50

PORCH

RL 171.66

RL 171.19

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MAILBOXES

16 7.57

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0.9 2 x Mp

RL 170.76

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23 x Af

167

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ADDRESS:

17

PROPOSED CROSSOVER

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1:8 RAMP UP

6 x Ca 5 x G'RR'

8 x G'RR'

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CONCRETE FOOTPATH

RL 170.00

RL 171.20 1:10 RAMP UP

RL 171.97

2 x Mp

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9

RL 170.76

RL 171.21

RL 171.97

RL 171.97

2 x Mp

10,000L RAINWATER TANK UNDER DECK ACCESSED BY CFA

6 x Vh 5 x Sa

UNDER DECK STORAGE

VISITOR CARPARK 13 x Ca

Note - Proposed trees are shown at 75% mature canopy size and proposed shrubs are shown at 80% mature spread.

Timber bollards

UNDER DECK STORAGE

6 x Mp

15 x Ca 1 x Cc'FP'

1 x Sa

20 x G'RR' 1 x Ca

STORE 5

RL 170.49

8 x Vh 7 x Sa

COMMUNAL STORE UNDER DECK

T8. Prunus cerasifera to be removed

STORE 3

STORE 8

STORE 4

8.89

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DECK

STORE 7

16

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2 x Ca

16 8.83 IN 16 V168.7 9 16 8.68 8.69

Pre-cast or stone steppers

1 x Sa

16 7.52 IN 16 V1 7.

6 45 167.34 7.3 5

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2 x Ca

9.24

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DECK

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16 9.57

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1 x Sa

16

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2 x Mp

1 x Mp

COMMUNAL GARDEN

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40.23 m

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1 x Sa

17

UNDA

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° 32

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2 x Ca

T6. Bedfordia arborescens

T4. Acacia melanoxylon

1 x Ap 3 x G'RR'

1 x Bs'HP' 3 x Po

6 x Ca 2 x Mp 2 x Bs'HP' 3 x Po

3 x Mp

50% DEVELOPMENT SOLD Landscape Architecture and Urban Design PO Box 7071 Beaumaris VIC 3193 www.davidsondesignstudio.com.au

03 9515 0159 office@davidsondesignstudio.com.au

97 x Mp

3 x Dt 6 x Po 10 x Ca 5 x Sa

3 x Po

3 x Cg

3 x Dt 3 x Po 18 x Ca 1 x Ap 5 x Sa 2 x Sa

11-13 Upper Blackwood Ave

7 x Dt 2 x Po

3 x Dt 1 x Li'T' 5 x Ca

Existing lawn embankment

4 x Sa 2 x Bs'HP' 8 x Ca 5 x Mp 1 x G'RR' 5 x Po

1200h post and wire fence 1 x Bs'HP'

2

2

If you are wanting to downsize your current home and upgrade to a beautifully located unit in our retirement village. Our aim at Mountainview Retirement Village is to fulfill your retirement dreams, by taking away the daily stress of looking after your property, and instead of replacing this with a lifestyle of your dreams. At Mountainview Retirement Village we offer you nature wherever you look Mountains, The Yarra River, clean air and birdlife to share your morning cuppa with. Mountainview Retirement Village is a small boutique development of only eight 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom units.

Don’t be disappointed -act now to secure your future dream in this truly amazing development. A number of units have already been sold. Completion date late 2021.

For further information and to arrange inspection contact: Keith King (03) 9259 2106 I keith.king@adventcare.org.au 12506688-CG32-21

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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MAIL 7

NEWS

Thank you I walked through the Star Mail doors just over two years ago as a journalism and law student, in my final year of university, confused about which path to take.

What did they mean I had to choose one? I’d done both for the last five years.

On the last day of my internship, I gathered up the courage to walk into the editor’s office and told him I didn’t want to leave. I’d fallen in love with chasing news and story-telling, and I’ve loved every minute of it from that day on.

Writing this goodbye feels a lot like that last day of my internship, but the time has come to try the other side.

Working at the local newspaper has been an incredibly rewarding experience and something that I will cherish forever.

It has opened my eyes and mind to an array of knowledge that I wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to through telling the many stories of the Yarra Ranges.

It’s been so fulfilling to share your stories, celebrate your successes and provide a voice for change on the issues that matter most. Thank you to everyone who invited me into their homes, groups, workplaces, stations and clubs and trusted me to with your opinions, wins and losses.

I’ve had a blast.

The papers will be left in the very capable hands of Renee Wood and Mikayla Van Loon. I encourage you to continue sharing your story tips to editor@mailcommunity. com.au.

Send in your beautiful photos, dob in your neighbours when they’re doing something great for the community and show them why the Yarra Ranges is one of the best places to call home.

All the best, Taylah

‘Absolute mystery’

By Jed Lanyon National Missing Persons Week has brought attention to a 34-year-old Yarra Ranges mystery.

On the night of Saturday 7 February 1987, 16-year-old Healesville resident Suzanne ‘Suzi’ Lawrance failed to return home after leaving a 21st birthday party at the Memo Hall.

That weekend was the last time Suzi would be seen as she disappeared without a trace as local residents last sighted her walking through Queen’s Park.

The cold case was covered in depth by the Australian True Crime Podcast, where co-host Emily Webb spoke to Suzi’s family and friends about her disappearance.

Having covered Aussie true crime through her podcast for five years, Ms Webb shared what stuck out about this particular case.

“I think what is interesting with Suzi’s disappearance is that not much is known. Back in 1987 things were different, Healesville was a different place, probably. It wouldn’t have been the tourist mecca that it is now.

“What intrigued me was there was this absolute mystery and getting to know Liz (Suzi’s mother) I guess I felt like it would be really hard not knowing what had happened to your child.

“There’s just a lot of stuff that wasn’t clear.

At first people thought she might have run away and Liz had spoken to local police who were investigating it at the time. The thought back then with a lot of missing persons was ‘We’ll get them back. They’ll come back’.

“I think the intriguing thing is just the lack of progress over the years with this case and it’s just sad for a family that doesn’t know and for her friends who would like to know what happened to her.”

While some of Suzi’s friends and family believe that she wouldn’t have run away, there was no evidence to suggest that anything sus-

picious had taken place.

“There were a few things in Suzi’s life at the time - She had just returned to school at Healesville High after being involved in a pretty bad car accident the year before and had been quite badly injured,” Ms Webb said.

“She didn’t take any money with her, she didn’t have any resources to go missing.”

34 years on from her disappearance, Suzi would be 51, and her family remain without closure.

Speaking to Star Mail, Suzi’s brother Tony Lawrance shared the experience of having Suzie’s case brought up again through National Missing Persons Week.

“It’s obviously a very emotional experience,

I suppose this isn’t the first time, we’ve done it many times and it does bring a lot of stuff back up. Suzi’s never been forgotten and I suppose it just highlights it again after mum had done it many times.”

Mr Lawrance recently started posting on local community Facebook noticeboards and even created his own page, “Search for Suzi”.

“A lot of her school friends have been on there and we’ve made contact with them again, which has been interesting. Obviously it brings it all back to the surface again.”

He explained what it would mean to have an answer for Suzi’s disappearance and shared what he believes happened all those years ago.

For me, personally it’s about closure now.

I don’t believe she’s still alive, I think she was met with foul play soon after she went missing. But it’d be about the closure for me and for my mum who’s nearly 80 now. She’s only got a bit of time left really and we’d like to find an answer before she passes.

Mr Lawrance urged local residents who have any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to come forward and share it to Crime Stoppers.

He revealed that his efforts on social media lead to a recent Crime Stoppers report about a potential sighting of Suzi on the day following the birthday party in Main Street Healesville.

“We’ve always encouraged people to come forward with any information… We’ve had a couple people ring Crime Stoppers and there is information coming out recently that the police can go and investigate truly.

“One girl said she spotted Suzi the next day, and she’s only told me that 35 years later, on Main Street Healesville in front of the post office. That’s gone back to Crime Stoppers so it’ll be interesting to see if they make anything out of it.”

If you have information that may assist police to locate Suzanne please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Cire Training award finalist Subscribe to any of the

Star Mail Digital Editions for

FREE Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

Mail New Aussies welcomed

Sanders relives rally

Brown’s AFLW debut

Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

Mail New Aussies welcomed

Sanders relives rally

Brown’s AFLW debut

PAGE 3

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SPORT

A Star News Group Publication

PAGE 8

PROPERTY GUIDE Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

PROPERTY GUIDE Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

Back to school!

12477081-JW03-21

A Star News Group Publication

SPORT

12477081-JW03-21

PAGE 3

Mail

School students across Victoria made their return to school following summer holidays, while 2021’s preps got their first taste of primary school life. Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy conducted a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony for Badger Creek Primary School students and staff.

See page 7 for more back to school excitment.

Back to school!

School students across Victoria made their return to school following summer holidays, while 2021’s preps got their first taste of primary school life. Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy

By Jed Lanyon

Centre in the lead up to Christmas. Many locals far and wide were able to keep up their Christmas tradition in getting a family photo with ‘The Real Santa’ who they had grown to love.

The unlikely tandem tallied upwards of $30,000 from their family Christmas photos and then selected four charities to each receive

$8400 to help make the lives of children better.

The four recipients of the funds included: Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, A Better Life For Foster Kids, HeartKids and Chum Creek’s Good Life Farm. The organisations shared how the funds had already been put to good use.

Backpacks 4 Vic Kids CEO and founder Sally Beard told Star Mail the donation came as a “delightful surprise”.

“We’re very, very grateful on behalf of the children, whose lives that it will impact,” she said. “We have absolutely put that money to good use.”

Ms Beard shared that the $8400 donation from Branded is aiding 112 children in need with care packs filled with toiletries, spare changes of clothes, a toy and more.

Continued page 2 12477022-SN06-21

It’s February, but Santa Claus’ gifts keep on coming for several charity organisations who benefited from a partnership between Saint Nick and Seville’s Branded Burger Bar. The burger bar came to the rescue when they partnered with Santa, who had seen his role replaced at Chirnside Park Shopping

Scan this QR code to subscribe Or visit mailcommunity.com.au/subscribe 8 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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A worthy brand

Cire Training has demonstrated its excellence in the adult learning space after being named one of three finalists across the state in the 2021 Victorian Community Training Provider of the Year Awards.

The achievement highlights Cire Training’s leading reputation for excellence as a registered training organisation (RTO) and its innovative and inclusive programs designed to enhance the employment pathways of people throughout the Yarra Ranges and beyond.

The 2021 awards focus on service delivery in the previous calendar year so particularly acknowledge how Cire successfully pivoted to support its learners in the new Covid environment, transitioning from face-to-face learning to online delivery almost overnight.

The online platform continues to keep learners engaged and connected virtually when necessary due to lockdowns and restrictions.

Cire’s CEO Gus Seremetis commended the Cire Training team for its continued excellence in service delivery, innovative approaches and ability to rise to unprecedented challenges in order to support and empower all learners.

“Last year was particularly significant because it highlighted Training’s tireless work and level of expertise in supporting learners and providing a level of stability during very uncertain times,” she said.

“We are proud of our quality and innovative approaches to upskilling people to enhance their employment pathways, and the positive difference this makes at so many levels and well beyond the classroom.”

Cire Training was named the Victorian Community Training Provider of the Year in 2019 and was a finalist last year.

The awards are the most prestigious event on the Victorian Department of Education and Training’s TAFE and training calendar, showcasing the ‘best of the best’ in the sector as well as highlighting how Vocational Education and Training (VET) makes

Cire Training’s Senior Manager Nina Bekker and Laura Shortis, Executive Manager Cire Training and Hubs are excited about the nomination.

Picture: SUPPLIED a powerful and enduring difference to individuals and communities.

The RTO is one of the core operations of Cire Services, one of the largest not for profits in the Yarra Ranges and uniquely ‘local’.

The other core operations are Cire Community School for at-risk youth, Cire Children’s Services and Cire Community Hubs.

Cire Training’s senior manager, Nina Bekker described the short listing as a wonderful acknowledgement of the extra hours, hard work and support that teachers, trainers and support staff offered local learners in 2020.

“Fingers, toes and everything crossed for October 16 when winners will be announced!”

The other finalists for the Victorian Community Training Provider of the Year Award are Wellsprings for Women and the Williamstown Community and Education Centre. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Reaching out to refugees

By Renee Wood While the crisis in Afghanistan unfolds under the Taliban’s rule, groups are coming together to discuss how they can help refugees.

Yarra Ranges’ residents joined a zoom meeting held by Healesville’s Rural Australians for Refugees to hear from Afghanistan refugee Zaki Haidari.

“We haven’t slept for a single night. We’re here physically but our hearts and our mind, everything is back in our country,” Mr Haidari said.

“I can’t rest, I can’t work. I’m broken emotionally. My sisters and my brothers are at the airport trying to get away from the Taliban, because Kabul is surrounded by the Taliban, they cannot get out.”

The group’s founder, Iain Gillespie, invited Mr Haidari to speak to provide insight on how Australians and the Government can support refugees and asylum seekers.

The pair met in 2013, when the past Journalist interviewed Mr Haidari, a 17 year old asylum seeker who just arrived in Australia.

“I’m very proud to say that we became so close that I now called Zaki son and he calls me dad,” Mr Gillespie said.

Mr Haidari also calls another group member his Australian Mum, Gela de Brugiere, with Mr Haidari here without any family after his father and oldest brother were murdered by the Taliban before he arrived in the country.

“The group that my family was hiding from for the last 10 years, they are just outside of my house. At any given moment, they could just get in and we know what they will do to my family,” Mr Haidari said.

“And not just my family is in that situation, a lot of Hazaras are in that situation.”

The Hazaras are Shiite Muslims who have been persecuted against and murdered by the Taliban for their beliefs.

Afghanistan refugee Zaki Haidara is pushing for a change to visa policies and, inset, Healesville RAR’s Iain Gillespie and Gela de Brugiere with Zaki.

“We left Afghanistan, we feared this day would come and it’s here today. Taliban are hunting Hazaras everywhere they go to genocide them.”

Mr Haidari encouraged the group to reach out to local Afghanistan refugees.

“In a time like this we go through a lot and if we get a call from a friend saying that they’re

thinking of you and if there are any ways they can help, it means a lot. So I would encourage you to reach out to your friends, that’s the least you can do.”

Mr Haidari is one of 5000 Hazaras in Australia on a temporary visa and he’s actively pushing the Federal Government to change its policies.

“Afghan refugees have been in Australia for over 10 years. They’re on a temporary visa, they can’t call Australia their permanent home, and that limits them from bringing their families here. Not only that, but also, it stops them to live in Australia, permanently.”

“Australia should acknowledge that it’s not safe for Hazaras to go back to Afghanistan under the Taliban regime and provide permanent protection for Hazaras living in Australia.”

Mr Haidari shared an online petition with the group calling for Prime Minister Scott Morrison ‘to take urgent concrete steps to support the Afghan people.’

The Healesville RAR will now take action through the petition and contact local MPs. “We need to see some change happening, we need to do something about it now while it’s raw and it’s fresh,” RAR chairperson Jeanette McRae said. “They need permanent protection, a lot of people have been in limbo for so long and it’s just been really difficult for them to get work. It’s really difficult for them to, in some cases, get education.”

Mr Haidara’s family luckily left Kabul airport before the suicide bombings occurred on August 26, but still remain trapped in the city facing danger.

RAR Healesville welcomes new members and can be contacted through its facebook page www.facebook.com/HealesvilleRAR

In times of crisis, you can give

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

12505731-SN31-21

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

|

MAIL 9

BOOK WEEK

Shelby and Cooper read their favourite books during Book Week, while, right, Gladesville student Ollie takes reading to new levels, finding ways to make it interesting.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Enjoying a look at books Book Week was a little bit different for students at Gladesville Primary School in Kilsyth and Rolling Hills Primary School in Mooroolbark, not being able to dress up or go to book readings in person.

But they still made the most of it, joining online sessions, completing daily activities and getting to explore this year’s theme ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’.

Gladesville’s Literacy leader Adam Mitchell said even though students couldn’t be together last week nor did the school do its normal dress up day, it really put the focus on the books themselves.

“It is about the passion for literacy,” Mr Mitchell said.

“It is a shame we’re not all together but it is putting the books at the forefront which is what it is all about.”

Those in Grade 5 and 6 were particularly

Rolling Hills Prep student Addison picked Goodnight World as her favourite book.

10 MAIL

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

lucky and were able to sit in on a special talk with Parks Victoria about their new book.

Other students enjoyed being able to read their favourite books at home, finding comfortable spots to read.

Rolling Hill’s Literacy Leader Claire Cripps said the Preps loved getting to explore the characters in their favourite books.

“Book Week is a great opportunity to celebrate books, and Australian authors and illustrators. CBCA awards promote children’s books of high literary and artistic quality – we can be confident when selecting a book with the CBCA sticker on it that our children are reading quality books that address themes such as friendship, fairness, diversity and inclusion as well as indigenous perspectives,” Ms Cripps said.

Book Week celebrates the importance of reading and brings Australian literacy into focus.

Marley shows off his Book Week activity drawing.

Shelby and Cooper tune into one of the at-home reading sessions online.

Fabian and Sebastian found that reading together can be fun, especially about a pug named Pig.

Macy picked the colourful adventure of Groovicorns as her favourite book for Book Week.

Max lounges in his bean bag and is in ultimate comfort tuning in for the days book reading.

Ivy loves that her favourite book’s title has her name in it. mailcommunity.com.au

SHOP LOCAL MOOROOLBARK

Providing top service Gig and a Bit Computers is a locally-owned and operated business servicing the Mooroolbark and surrounding areas.

Offering servicing and sales, Gig and a Bit has been repairing and selling to the local community for 21 years, after opening in July 2000. This long standing local business sells new desktop and notebook computer systems, from custom built desktops for home or business through to gaming systems. Computer parts, accessories, inks and toners are also all available.

Servicing both residential and commercial clients, including a range of small to medium sized businesses, Gig and a Bit provides total IT support from managing networks and servers through to setting up office PCs. “We can offer a personalised service. The majority of all new computer sales are accompanied by a ‘data transfer’ service. You order a new computer from us, bring in your old computer and we can transfer all your documents, photos and emails across to your new computer.,” explains business owner Michael Penrose.

“You take your new computer home already configured ready to go. You can’t get that service at large retail outlets.

Gig and a Bit’s trusted presence in the community gives customers confidence in their ability to repair computers.

Offering competitive prices on all products and services, shop local and save now at Gig and a Bit Computers. Visit the store at 22a Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark, during opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm.

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mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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MAIL 11

OPINION

Reaching out to each other Things are tough for many at the moment and I know that many people are struggling, from the ongoing impact of the storm, the pandemic and lockdown, remote learning, remote working, uncertainty for many businesses and not knowing when things will get better.

We know that the single most important thing that helps communities recover from disaster – storm, pandemic or otherwise – is connection.

I feel lucky to live in such a wonderful community, who I know care for each other greatly and have shown this in spades over the last year. During times like these, it can feel like a connection is hard to make.

Reaching out to people you know, people who live nearby or someone you haven’t seen in a while, can make the world of difference to the both of you and if you can, small gestures like a regular coffee or a takeaway meal is a great way to connect wit and support local businesses afloat and the locals who work for them. For those doing it tough, please know that support is out there. We have incredible local groups, such as HICCI, Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Services and countless others providing essentials.

If you’re not sure where you can go for help, please give us a call on 1300 368 333 and we’ll connect you to local agencies.

While we’re in the midst of the current COVID-19 outbreak, we’re still working behind-thescenes on our recovery from the June storms.

The cost of clean-up from the storms is likely to be in excess of $65 million, with hundreds of tonnes of tree debris collected, thousands of

From my

desk Fiona McAllister

Mayor of Yarra Ranges tree and drainage requests being actioned by our teams and branches still being collected around Yarra Ranges.

We’ve written to the Prime Minister, asking the Federal Government to assist with the storm recovery clean-up costs and business support measures, while we continue this work. Some of our other priorities are advocating for better telecommunications infrastructure across the region – something we’re all the more aware of after the storms, asking the State Government to reclassify our rural areas as Regional Victoria for COVID-19 restrictions and working to make it easier to get vaccinated locally.

We’re continuing to push for outcomes on these critical challenges and will keep you updated on any progress we make.

We know there’s a lot of fatigue in the community, as the pandemic continues, restrictions stay with us and energy levels get lower.

So take the time to check in on and look after your mental health and reach out for help and support if you need it.

Stay safe and take care.

CARTOON

Sweet Girl has little taste Sweet Girl is a generic, poorly-made thriller whose daring twist can’t quite save it.

After his wife dies from cancer, Ray Cooper (Jason Momoa) and his daughter Rachel (Isabela Merced) seek vengeance on the corporation that withheld lifesaving medication.

Momoa and Merced are a solid duo, with Momoa conveying rare pathos and Merced delivering an engaging combination of resolve and reluctance. Lex Scott Davis is bland as FBI Agent Meeker, and is the worst victim of the film’s contrived, utilitarian dialogue. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is amusing as an amiable, very casual assassin, but his light persona clashes with the film’s gruff solemnity.

The plot is driven by a half-baked conspiracy narrative, and progresses with little direction or urgency, dragging its feet through the first two acts before rushing the climax.

The fight sequences are marred by quick cuts and shaky-cam, and the film has very poor audio mixing, with dramatic music frequently 12 MAIL

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

obscuring the dialogue. Strangely enough, this is the second film of 2021 to feature a Fight Club-esque twist (the first being Major Grom: Plague Doctor). Sweet Girl’s twist has some intriguing implications on conscience and responsibility, but may violently turn some viewers away.

Sweet Girl is an inept, boring thriller, and is available for streaming on Netflix.

Perfect writing brings Nine Perfect Strangers together To review Liane Moriarty’s books is difficult, not just because the New York Times bestseller’s writing is nearly perfect. It’s also because she’s a perfect writer in the eyes of many readers in Australia and overseas.

Furthermore, it feels strange to review Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers (2018) when the novel’s adaptation as a streaming television miniseries happens to have premiered this month. As all eyes focus on Australian actresses Nicole Kidman, Asher Keddie and Samara Weaving, it seems hard to divert anyone’s attention back to plain words on paper.

But words matter, functioning as windows to the souls of a novel’s characters. In the case of those seeking “total transformation” promised by the health and wellness resort Tranquillum House in Nine Perfect Strangers, the character building process is lengthy but rewarding, revealing how they perceive others as well as themselves.

Perhaps the quote from American comedian and author George Carlin at the start of the novel offers a clue: “Just when I discovered the meaning of life, they changed it.” Every time we think we understand each character’s mindset and why they behave the way they are, Moriarty offers a surprising plot twist and our self-righteous assumptions are thrown out the window.

Moriarty leads us down the multiple memory lanes, slowly divulging the life-changing moments in each character’s past and the curious circumstances forcing those choices and decisions that they now regret.

They now seek “to be transformed, to be someone else, to be someone better” – to leave Tranquillum House feeling “happier, healthier, lighter, freer” as described by their host, the mysterious Masha.

As Masha employs a series of “unconventional methods” to invigorate their tired bodies and minds, these characters realise they’re

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN not just “perfect strangers” to each other but also to themselves. Indeed, part of the pleasure of reading Nine Perfect Strangers is to see how some of the characters are shocked to realise who they truly are.

The journey of self-discovery is particularly thrilling when some other characters turn out to be far from whom they are thought to be.

As the group dynamics change, each has to deal with their own demons in their struggles to survive. All we can do as readers is to go through the mental and emotional rollercoasters while hoping everything will be alright in the end.

It’s often said that easy reading is damn hard writing. In this sense, Nine Perfect Strangers is a perfect example of a writer knowing exactly what her goals are and how they should be achieved.

The writing is witty and full of compassion, fluent and sometimes fierce, and often tedious in a highly realistic way.

We see ourselves in these characters, who are much, much more than the nine words listed on the novel’s cover – shame, guilt, loss, grief, privilege, insecurity, addiction, identity, and love. We ourselves are much more than these.

Kindly read the novel before watching the streaming television miniseries. You’d be surprised by their different approaches to helping you “know thyself”.

Theatre lockdown wrap up Yarra Valley Opera Festival Australian Contemporary Opera is disappointed to announce that the Yarra Valley Opera Festival is not going to be possible this year.

As hard as ACO tried, there are just too many obstacles to overcome, including funding uncertainty, regional travel restrictions and interstate border closures, all affecting the planning and capacity to rehearse and deliver in October.

1812 Theatre Ferntree Gully’s 1812 Theatre regrets to inform its audiences that the forthcoming play A Flea in Her Ear has been postponed until 2022.

The Basin Theatre The Basin Theatre’s production of Anna Zeigler’s Photograph 51 was expected to return on Thursday 2 September until Sunday 12 September but due to Covid-19 restrictions, this has been pushed to the

Kemp’s curtain call end of September.

The season will now run from Thursday 23 September to Sunday 10 October all being well.

Photograph 51 takes us back to 1950s London, where the discovery of the DNA double helix structure would unlock the ‘secrets of life’ and Rosalind Franklin’s contribution would be overlooked for decades.

This delicate play puts her back in the picture and shines a light on the challenges she faced as a woman in a male dominated field and the price she paid. mailcommunity.com.au

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mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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MAIL 13

NEWS

COUNCIL BRIEFS

Reading brings joy

By Mikayla van Loon Now more than ever, finding ways to connect with people has been imperative to social, mental and emotional health.

And according to Japara House’s Book Club founder and organiser Hilary Milsome, there’s no better way to do that than by sharing deep conversations about books.

The first book club meeting was held online on Monday 23 August and Ms Milsome said it was a great hit with all seven of the inaugural members.

Although hoping to have deep, interesting and passionate conversations about books and their storylines, Ms Milsome said it’s not going to be a place where they aim to solve the world’s problems.

“We’re talking about something that diverts our interest away from the things that might stress us out, and give us something to talk about completely different, completely removed, and hopefully to share,” she said.

“I think the need is more for people to be able to socialise.”

At the moment, Ms Milsome said being able to turn off from the outside world and get lost in a good book provides people with an outlet to forget about the troubles of the world.

Having a book club to then discuss what someone has learnt gives people the much needed social interaction they might be needing at a time like this.

“I think reading too can be a social thing. If you continue to read as you get older, then you continue to have the opportunity to join a book club and have social interaction, which is really important as you get older,” Ms Milsome said.

“If you don’t have social interaction and you don’t have mental stimulation, you’re sitting in front of a TV watching Days of Our Lives and it’s not good for brain health.”

Noticing an influx of people that came to Japara House during the week it was able to open to the public between lockdown five and six, Ms Milsome said she thinks people were really looking for social connection outside of their homes.

“We got a sense that people were very, very keen to socialise and to have contact with other people,” she said.

Japara House has never had a book club before and wanting to join a book club herself, Ms Milsome suggested it as another option for people to get involved in and build relationships.

Hilary Milsome organised Japara House’s first book club. 248734 “We’ve got a lot of other social groups, such as guitar and philosophy and craft groups. But we didn’t have a book club.

“I thought that was sort of a niche that not everyone’s crafty, and not musical. So I thought it was another way of engaging people, and especially with Covid, reading was a thing that people can do at home, not having to go out.

“So it seemed like a good opportunity to bring people with those kinds of interests together.”

While having a common interest in reading, Ms Milsome said each person who attended the first meeting had really diverse interests, from reading biographies to fantasy.

“The one in particular who loves autobiographies and biographies said it has got her interested in her family background.

“Her statement was, she loved reading autobiographies because it taught her a lot about life. And it made her ask questions about life.

And it made her look at ways other people had dealt with circumstances in their life.”

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Hoping to create some of those conversations each month, the book club plans to meet on the third Monday of every month, the next on being 20 September.

For next month, the club has decided to go with the theme ‘Australia’ so that people can choose any book from any genre that has a connection to Australia.

The 18 October meeting will focus on the book Anxious People by Fredrick Beckman, giving people time to borrow it from the library.

Ms Milsome wants to make this book club accessible to everyone and doesn’t want people to have to purchase each book each month.

The book club will round out the year online and hope to meet in person starting in January next year.

“So starting a book club online, in Book Week just seemed like a really good idea.

We can engage people now so that when we do open the door, we’re ready to just hit the ground running with that social interaction that people can have.”

Census question’s aim to help veterans

By Mikayla van Loon The Census comes around once every five years and has done so ever since 1961.

It has become an important part of society, to learn about the economic, social and cultural make-up of Australia.

Not only that, Census data is used to inform important decisions about transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan local services for individuals, families and communities.

“The Census is the largest statistical activity undertaken in Australia. It provides a snapshot of who we are, and how we are changing,” an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) spokesperson said.

“Not only is it important data for right now, but it also provides a historical data set.”

While the Census is now overdue, it is not too late to complete it and contribute to an informed community, which can plan for now and into the future.

The 2021 Census includes questions on long-term health conditions and Australian Defence Force service, which have never been included before.

These two new elements are of particular concern to the Yarra Ranges, having a potentially large population of veterans that are not known to community groups, as well as issues having been raised about insufficient health services across the shire.

Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson has 14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

The Australian Census only happens once every five years and provides us with important insights into our vast communities.

Picture: UNSPLASH previously said that not being able to access data around veterans and where they are located has limited RSL sub-branches from being able to offer much needed support to veterans.

“So our problem is, it is very hard to contact people if we just don’t have that information,” Mr Dobson said.

The aim of this new Census question is to identify Australia’s veteran community, to enable better delivery of services and support for veterans.

“The Department of Veteran Affairs and others who provide services to veteran communities identified veterans as a vulner-

able group with the potential to experience homelessness, and to have specific health and care needs,” the ABS spokesperson said.

“While records exist for current Australian Defence Force service, they are not consistently maintained for previous service, and limited historical data on service personnel is available.”

This Census will also be necessary in understanding how Covid-19 has affected the population Australia wide.

“This Census will be the first major data insight that will show us some of the ways that Covid-19 has impacted the Australian population.

“The data will provide much needed information on how the pandemic has changed life in Australia, including the health, social and economic impacts on Australian households.

“Census data will also show us how Covid-19 has changed the living and working arrangements of people in Australia.”

As of 8am on Monday 23 August a total of 8,762,036 households in Australia had completed their Census, of those 2,285,414 Victorian households had completed their Census.

For those who haven’t completed the Census yet, you can still go online and complete it by selecting the ‘Get a Census Number’ option.

You can also request a paper form from the Census website, or by calling us on 1800 512 441.

Future of netball facility At the 24 August council meeting, Kilsyth resident and Lilydale Historical Society president Sue Thompson submitted a question relating to the old McDermott Avenue netball facility.

This facility was closed in 2015 after relocating to Pinks Reserve in Kilsyth.

Since then, the open space has been used by local residents as recreational and exercise space, particularly during the last 18 months of Covid-19 lockdowns.

Ms Thompson was curious about what Yarra Ranges Council had planned for the site and what residents could expect to see happen with the space.

Director of Environment and Infrastructure Mark Varmalis said the council had initially intended on selling the site and had planned utilising the funds generated to put towards the new facility.

“This, however, did not progress at the time as further information emerged, identifying a need to undertake a review of the council’s recreation and open space strategy to consider any sale of land across the municipality in the overall context of recreational needs,” Mr Varmalis said. “A review of the recreational and open space strategy is currently progressing with updated demographic and development data identifying the need for open space in the Mooroolbark area to meet current and future projections. The council’s recreation and active living team have initiated a master plan process for the McDermott Avenue site which is seeking initial community input for the future of the site.

“As this continues to be developed, further reporting to council will occur to seek a direction for the future of the site.”

The site is being used as a Covid-19 drivethrough testing site which has previously raised concerns with local residents.

Men’s Health Network update Brian Mier from Yarra Ranges Men’s Health Network provided an update on the current state of men’s health support in the shire.

Using men’s health data collected in 2010 by the Department of Health, Mr Mier spoke of how men make up many of the deaths related to major health and situational concerns like heart disease, alcohol consumption, lung disease and road traffic accidents.

“So when you think about that, that means men are making up the victims of an awful lot of health related issues, be they physical related issues, be they mental health related issues,” Mr Mier said.

Mr Mier believes the council’s 2025 plan discards violence against men by only stating ‘prevent violence against women and their children’ and argues it should read something like ‘prevent violence in our community.’

Having witnessed male to male violence himself, Mr Mier said he thinks men are “being denied recognition and support” in the Yarra Ranges. He would like to see the sociology and psychology of men, women and children studied to ensure services can work together in a proactive manner.

The submission made by Mr Mier requested the council change the wording in its 2025 plan and encouraged Yarra Ranges Council to become a leader in the area of men’s health.

Storm recovery update Yarra Ranges Council provided its first storm recovery update at the 24 August council meeting and introduced the new director of recovery Jane Sinnamon.

The council is now the lead agency in the recovery stage and is being assisted by Bushfire Recovery Victoria.

The longer-term needs of impacted communities is now the focus for the council while it continues on-the-ground work such as debris collection.

Meetings with the community were held in June and July and issues raised by community members will continue to inform how the council responds to the storm recovery.

The cost of rehabilitation, restoration and recovery has been estimated at $65 million on public land and could be up to $160 million on private property. The council is not in a position to bear the financial burden of these recovery efforts and is in conversations with State and Federal Governments.

State government funding of $8.2 million will be shared across the 10 council areas which were impacted by the storms, with Yarra Ranges expected to receive $3.5 million. mailcommunity.com.au

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 044

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

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

6 4

6

1 5 2

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

3 8 6

QUICK CROSSWORD 3

ACROSS Cries out (8) Baltic country (6) Erect (5) Place in new arrangement (9) Slavic language (7) Musician (7) Enslave (9) Unadorned (4) Sulk (4) Assertion (9) Relating to the stars (7) Second thoughts (7) Guesser (9) Examine (5) Oppose (6) Initiations (8)

1 5 10 11 12 13 14 17 19 20 24 25 27 28 29 30

4 6 7 8 9 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 26

No. 044

Spirit to stimulate appetite (8) Legal counsel right (7) Antenna (6) Clear of blame (9) Warned (7) Chatterbox (6) Sickens (9) Explosive (1.1.1.)

Broken down (8) French bacteriologist (7) Elf (6) European country (7) Missing digits (7) Fastens (6) Religious (5)

DOWN Otic membrane (7) Winds (5)

1 2

DECODER

No. 044

9 3

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

6 3

4 2 6 3

4

5

7

8

9

O N 18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

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

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

L

B

Today’s Aim: 11 words: Good 17 words: Very good

U

N

Y

D

2 5 9 1 8 6 4 7 3

9 5 6 8 7 4 3 1 2

2 3 8 5 6 1 9 4 7

A

I

I

4 LETTERS AWES BROW CLOD DARE DEED ILLS ISLE MAPS MESS ROLE SAGS SAPS STAB TEXT

5 LETTERS AGILE ANNEX ARENA AROMA ATONE AWAKE BLOCS CAUSE CEASE CEDAR CLASH DEPOT DOGMA DRAGS EDITS EMAIL EVOKE EXPEL GOOSE HEIRS

No. 044

INERT LAMER LEDGE MAKER OCTAL OKING OPERA PASTA PEONS PIERS RAISE RESET RESIN RIVAL ROMPS ROOST SCRAM SHELL SIXTH SLAMS SMUTS

START STEAM SUGAR SWEPT TENET TENTS TOOTH TYRES WEARY 6 LETTERS EASELS MYSELF SALAMI TREBLE

7 LETTERS BEFALLS LIGHTER OVERALL RASHEST UNICORN WARHEAD 8 LETTERS CAROUSES MARITIME SCRATCHY TELEGRAM

audibly, auld, badly, bald, band, bandy, baud, bind, bland, blind, build, daily, daub, dial, dual, duly, idly, INAUDIBLY, inlaid, lady, laid, land, laud

1 4 7 3 2 9 8 5 6

4 8 9 6 1 2 7 3 5

5 7 2 9 8 3 1 6 4

3 6 1 4 5 7 2 9 8

8 1 4 7 9 5 6 2 3

6 2 5 1 3 8 4 7 9

7 9 3 2 4 6 5 8 1

7 8 4 9 3 5 2 1 6

3 1 6 7 4 2 9 8 5

5 2 8 6 7 9 1 3 4

4 6 7 8 1 3 5 2 9

9 3 1 2 5 4 7 6 8

6 4 3 5 2 7 8 9 1

8 7 5 3 9 1 6 4 2

1 9 2 4 6 8 3 5 7

8 9 2 1 5 6 3 7 4

1 5 3 7 2 4 8 9 6

6 4 7 3 8 9 1 2 5

3 1 6 5 9 7 4 8 2

5 7 4 8 1 2 6 3 9

9 2 8 6 4 3 5 1 7

4 3 5 2 7 8 9 6 1

2 8 9 4 6 1 7 5 3

7 6 1 9 3 5 2 4 8

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

10 11 12 13

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

23 words: Excellent

hard

6

17

medium

2

16

easy

1

15

4 8 6 9 4 7 8 1 4 6 9 7 5 6 5 7 1 8

14

7 7 3

3 LETTERS ADO ALE ART BOW CHI EBB EEL ERR EWE ILL ITS LIP MEG OFF PAS PEA RAN RIG RIP SAC SEE TNT UTE VAT

G R UH EWL Q J TMV I

5

D C Z B X F S A Y P KON

8

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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MAIL 15

NEWS

16 MAIL

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

By Mikayla van Loon Monash University has designed a set of interactive resources which are aimed at supporting the uptake of microgrids across the state.

The university received nearly $2 million in Federal government funding in July to assess the feasibility of six communities, including the Yarra Ranges local government area, implementing a microgrid.

The Yarra Ranges microgrid project will aim to virtually connect one business and approximately 20 homes within the selected location including renewable generation and energy storage, to understand how they can reduce emissions, improve energy reliability and reduce energy costs.

Since then, Monash University has received funding from the Victorian government’s Microgrid Demonstration Initiative to establish the Microgrid Electricity Market Operator (MEMO) ‘toolbox’.

The toolbox comprises a step-by-step journey on how to develop a microgrid – from planning to operations – to help guide precincts, businesses and communities through the process.

Aiming to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy use by 2030, Yarra Ranges Council has welcomed the initiative.

“Monash University’s MEMO toolbox provides resources to increase understanding of how local microgrids can assist communities and businesses transition towards renewable energy and build local resilience,” Yarra Ranges Council Director, Environment and Infrastructure Mark Varmalis said.

“It also allows knowledge-sharing more broadly to benefit other local government areas.”

Monash was the first Australian university to commit to an energy reduction target through an initiative to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

Having already connected 20 buildings at Monash’s Clayton campus, the university’s microgrid journey is advanced and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President Peter Marshall AM said he hopes this breaks down barriers for others wanting to implement something similar.

Microgrids use one or more kinds of energy sources like solar panels to supply power to the grid.

“Using our own operations, lived experience, research and development, and education capability, this toolbox is the first step in showcasing the role microgrids can play in helping to achieve net zero, and addresses barriers to the broader implementation of microgrids,” he said.

Energy, Environment and Climate Change minister Lily D’Ambrosio said projects like microgrids work towards improving the agility, resilience, and reliability of Victoria’s electricity system.

“These exciting projects are important for our future, helping us tackle climate change and reach our ambitious emissions reduction targets,” she said.

A microgrid is a self-sufficient energy system that works in small scale communities like a university campus, hospital complex, business centre or neighbourhood.

They utilise one or more kinds of energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines or generators that produce the microgrids power.

Reminder on pool safety as weather warms up

12511175-BL36-21

CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar 3 Meadowgate Drive CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar 158 Nangathan Way CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar 11 The Mall KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Churinga SC, Russo Place KILSYTH Coles Supermarket 520-526 Mt Dandenong Road KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette87 Colchester Road KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Canterbury Road Kilsyth KILSYTH TSG Tobacco Churinga Shopping Centre Mt Dandenong Road LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC 33-45 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC 51-59 Anderson Street LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale Village Castella Street & Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre 7 Hardy Street LILYDALE Eastern Laundries. 2/4 Williams Street East LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre 1 Jarlo Drive LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station 473 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale 346 Main Street LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths 31 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE BP Service Station 87 Warburton Highway LILYDALE Shell Service Station 469 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE 7 - Eleven Lilydale Cnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road LILYDALE Coles Express 469 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe 251 Main Street LILYDALE Round Bird Can’t Fly 170 Main Street LILYDALE The Lilydale General 110 Beresford Road LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery 96 Main Street LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe 178 Main Street LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe 222 Main Street LILYDALE Gracious Grace Castella Street LILYDALE Melba Coffee House 33-45 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies 7/75 Cave Hill Road LILYDALE The Mustard Tree Cafe 3/28 John Street LILYDALE Freda’s Cafe 2 Clarke Street LILYDALE Barry Plant Real Estate 88 Main Street LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate 164 Main Street LILYDALE Stockdale & Leggo Real Estate 281 Main Street LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate 111-113 Main Street LILYDALE Grubs Up 1 Industrial Park Drive LILYDALE Olinda Creek Hotel Maroondah Hwy LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road MONTROSE IGA Supermarket 916 Mt Dandenong Road MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent MOUNT EVELYN Red Robyn Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale 138 York Road MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket 15 Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar 38 Bellara Dive MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart 108 Hayrick Lane MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark 103 Cardigan Road MOOROOLBARK Coles Express 2 Cambridge Road MOOROOLBARK Mooroolbark Coin Laundrette28 Manchester Road MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real Estate Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK L J Hooker Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road

Microgrids in planning

Royal Life Saving is asking all Australians with swimming pools to use the weeks before summer to check their pool fencing to protect young children from drowning.

In the past decade, more than half of all children aged 0-4 who drowned in Australia lost their lives in a backyard swimming pool.

Children who drowned often gained access to the pool area through a fence or gate which had fallen into disrepair or a gate which had been deliberately propped open.

Families are understandably under a lot of pressure with lockdowns in place in many parts of Australia.

The demands of constant supervision are exhausting. But close supervision is the best way to protect a child from drowning.

Royal Life Saving research shows any distractions, such as using mobile phones or doing household chores, while children are near water increases their risk of drowning.

A pool fence in good repair can give you precious minutes when a determined toddler unexpectedly wanders off towards the pool.

Almost 40 per cent of child drowning happens over the summer months which

Royal Life Savings says close supervision is the best way to protect a child from drowning. is why now is the time to get your backyard swimming pool prepared.

Adults can access a free home pool safety checklist to make sure their pool area is safe and secure at royallifesaving.com.au/ stay-safe-active/locations/water-safety-athome The group wants all Australians to have fun in the water and stay safe this summer.

Please take the time to do a backyard pool safety check – your actions today could save a child’s life. mailcommunity.com.au

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Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer Yarra Ranges Shire Council and can be either hand delivered to the mailbox outside 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale, emailed to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic. 3140.

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.

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All submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Act. Copies of submissions (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) will be made available at the Council meeting when submissions are considered.

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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 29 September 2021. Submissions should be addressed to:

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.

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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, Menzies Road, Menzies Creek.

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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 24 August 2021 has resolved of its intention to declare a special charge for the Menzies Road, Menzies Creek - 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.

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MAIL 17

NEWS

Valley projects tendered

By Jed Lanyon Yarra Ranges Council accepted the tenders for several community infrastructure projects at their 24 August meeting that will see improvements to sporting clubs and the tourism industry.

Lilydale Road Upgrades to Lilydale Road in Healesville are one step closer as Yarra Ranges Council accepted the tender for the road improvement works at their 24 August meeting.

Mayor Fiona McAllister was strong in her advocacy for the project.

“Councillors, Lilydale Road, I’m sure we’ve all driven up it from many a time, is a pretty crappy road,” she said.

Recently, business owners and local stakeholders pushed to see the road upgraded, but Cr McAllister said the conversations started many years before that campaign.

“Most people travelling, certainly from Yarra Glen into Healesville, come up that way.

It’s a bus route and yes, increasingly it has become a very different type of business community with very successful larger businesses, a busy church, a number of wineries, all sorts of things popping up and the tourist visitation in that part of town is huge.

“So we started with a road that really needed a bit of love and we’ve been trying to find a way to make that happen and we have funding from the Federal Government. Because of that we’re able to not only improve the road, but also improve the experience of that precinct with a bit of seating, some improved drainage and certainly most importantly, better parking.

“For those of you who have been there on busy days whether it’s when church services are at the Liberty or simply on the weekends or warm summer nights, parking is atrocious So i’m thrilled to have this coming before us... It’s

Lilydale Road, Healesville is set for an upgrade.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

a great project that’s needed on so many levels and the fact that it’s funded through federal grants is wonderful.”

The bustling road is now home to some Yarra Valley tourist hotspots including: the soon-to-be upgraded Four Pillars gin distillery, Payton and Jones Winery and No.7 Healesville.

The project will see road widening to formalise on-street parking on both sides of the road, kerb and channel works with associated drainage, new shared paths on both sides of the road, raised pedestrian crossings to improve safety, streetscape works, including tree planting, installation of benches, bins, bike racks and water fountains and minor improvement to the arterial roads intersecting with Lilydale Road – Maroondah Highway and Healesville-Kinglake Road.

Millgrove Sporting Pavillion Another tender for a major infrastructure project was approved as the Millgrove Sporting Pavillion is set for the construction of a new building.

The construction of a new building will see

a new facility that will optimise the use of the existing recreation space, sporting fields and other public facilities, and provide a central meeting and social space for the community.

The new building will be a modern facility which fits in with the surrounding setting of the reserve and is physically and functionally aligned to the playing fields.

O’Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child, said the project was “a long time coming”.

The Millgrove Sports Pavilion project has been on the books for some time with great community support,” he said. “The cricket and also the soccer fraternity have supported this project over a number of years and if you’ve ever seen the existing pavilion that sits there on the Millgrove Reserve, you’ll probably see why it sits at the top spot on our asset renewal at the moment or pretty close to the top position.

It’s a project that’s really required, it’ll be so well received from the primary school kids, the pre school kids who are in close proximity but above all those two sporting clubs.

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PROPOSED ROAD DISCONTINUANCE Yarra Ranges Shire Council (“Council”), acting under Section 206 (1) and Clause 3 of Schedule 10 to the Local Government Act 1989 (“the Act”), proposes to discontinue the unused (end) portion of Ida Grove shown in bold and hatched on the plan below (“proposal”) and transfer the land to the abutting property owner at 13 Ida Grove, Olinda.

Further information on the proposal can be obtained from Melissa Lee, telephone 1300 368 333.

A person may make a submission on the proposal. Submissions must be submitted in writing no later than 29 September 2021.

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

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

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

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

Employment

Submissions should be addressed to Public Submission, The Chief Executive Officer, Yarra Ranges Shire Council and can be either hand delivered to the mailbox outside 61-65 Anderson Street, Lilydale, emailed to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 105, Lilydale Vic. 3140.

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Submitters will be informed in writing of the day, time and place of the meeting of Council or of a committee determined by the Council where submissions will be heard.

Following consideration of submissions Council may resolve to discontinue the road as proposed, discontinue a part of the road or not discontinue the road.

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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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Seville Oval upgrades Seville Football Club’s home ground, infamously nicknamed ‘The Chip’ for it’s uneven surface, is set to be flattened as Yarra Ranges Council awarded the tender to a construction business.

The ground at Seville Recreation Reserve is situated on a large slope, meaning football and cricket players are either running up or downhill when in action.

The redevelopment of the sports field will optimise its use, improve the playing surface and provide for modern drainage and irrigation systems to improve the ongoing maintenance within and around the oval.

Seville’s oval recently had light towers installed, but due to the uneven ground levels, some light towers are five to six metres taller than those on the opposite end of the ground.

Both the football and cricket teams had struggled to convince their league to host finals at the venue.

Council Eastham said the “Level Seville” project was one of passion from local community members.

“This was one of the first projects the community reached out to me about during my campaign and it is definitely something that the local community in Seville are extremely passionate about.”

Councillor Richard Higgins made a “tonguein-cheek” comment against the ground’s redevelopment, having played on the surface during his local football career.

“I’ve actually played on the ground, the potato chip. I actually find it very hard to see why we’re removing it from our oval. I think it’s got a lot of character for the area and it actually defines Seville football oval.

“I just wish I could be young enough to play on it when it’s actually levelled. It’s a great outcome for the community and I won’t be opposing the motion.”

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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SPORT

Lilydale’s seniors are hopeful they won’t be relegated from division one.

The Falcons finished second from the bottom in the disrupted 2021 season. 242580

Pictures: ROB CAREW

Relegation may be reality

By Mikayla van Loon When it gets to the end of a football season, relegation is just a part of playing the game.

But for Lilydale Football Club’s seniors, who finished the shortened season off second from the bottom, potentially being relegated seems like an unfair way to end the year.

Head coach Luke McCormick said initially the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) were planning on relegating two teams but it could end up being only one or none at all.

“As far as we understand we won’t be relegated and given the year that it has been, it would be pretty harsh if they did but at the same time, it’s out of our control and we’re still not 100 per cent sure what the league is going to do,” he said.

Understanding that relegation is a possibility for the Falcons, McCormick said the

team is looking to 2022 with an ‘it is what it is’ attitude but he is hopeful the team will be able to prove themselves in division one next season.

“Ultimately, in the second half of this year, we were still competitive at times. Yes there were some big losses to the top sides because there is a big gap between the top half and the bottom half of division one but we still beat Montrose and we were still being competitive,” McCormick said.

“What we’ve been able to do and one big positive of lockdown or the season having its breaks was that we were able to do some sessions and focus on game sense and simulation and teaching the boys how to play at that level.”

McCormick coached a number of the younger team members at Eastern Ranges, including young gun Beau Mitchener, who has

just signed on as playing assistant.

“He’s got a great footy brain and he always looked like he wanted to get involved in the coaching side of things down the track and I just thought ‘why not’.

“I started my coaching journey as a playing assistant as many have and the earlier you can do that, you can have a stronger connection with the players on the ground or from coach to player when you do have players that are part of the coaching group when they’re out on the ground.”

The Falcons are also hoping to bring on another integral player as a playing assistant for the 2022 season but nothing has been confirmed as yet.

Many senior players have already resigned for next year, with McCormick saying there is the possibility of a few more experienced guys also coming onboard.

“But even if that doesn’t all happen, because it doesn’t always happen that way, I think these young guys, with the experience they got this year and then with another preseason under their belt, are going to step up to division one.”

While the club is keeping sign ons close to the chest, McCormick is confident that this young side will be ready to play division one football should the league keep the fixture as is.

“There’s nothing for me to tell in terms of sign ons from outside the club because obviously the season was still going until now.

“What I’ve experienced in the second half of the year being around the footy club is they are, yes young but all very excited, they are keen to learn, they’re looking forward to next year and from that point of view, I think we’ve got a good chance of doing well in division one.”

Smaller basketballs to enhance skills of junior players A focus on better shooting and handling skills for Victorian junior basketball players has led Basketball Victoria to introduce Size 5 Basketballs for our Under-12 competitions.

Following months of in-depth research and a recommendation paper from our High-Performance Head Coaches, Basketball Victoria is pleased to introduce Size 5 Basketballs to our Under-12 operated competitions and programs starting from September 2021.

This change is in the players’ best interest as the smaller ball helps improve shooting skills at an earlier age. The Size 5 Ball will allow Under-12 players to develop correct techniques with an appropriately sized ball before transitioning to larger basketballs in older age groups.

In-game performances, training sessions, external case studies and a number of interviews formed the basis of a recommendation paper, which was approved by our Board in July.

The Size 5 Basketball will be introduced to the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) for the 2021/2022 season as well as Junior Country Basketball League (CBL), Country Championships, Metropolitan and Country Jamborees as well as Skills Days and other High Performance related programs from January 2022.

Players will continue to use a Size 6 Basketball (under-14 boys/under-14 girls and older) as well as the Size 7 Basketball (under-16 boys and older) in Basketball Victoria competitions.

“We want to enable Victorian players to develop exceptional shooting skills so they can take their talents to the highest level across Australia and the world,” General Manager – High Performance and Pathway mailcommunity.com.au

Grant Wallace said. “A Size 5 Basketball for under-12 competitions will enable players to hone their technique and become better shooters throughout the rest of their time in basketball.

“We also believe the policy will enhance enjoyment of the game and in turn allow for better player retention.

“Adopting the Size 5 Basketball will improve our sport across the board and make Victorians even better at higher levels of competition throughout their careers.

“I’d like to congratulate Basketball Victoria’s High Performance coaches – Zoe Carr, Ash Arnott, Jenni Screen and Nathan Cooper-Brown – for completing this

ground-breaking paper and helping propel Victorian basketball to even greater heights.”

The recommendation paper cites several case studies overseas that show a positive correlation in both performance and enjoyment with appropriately sized equipment including the International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching (2019).

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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MAIL 19

Excellence in Aged Care

We believe it is the right of every Australian to have affordable access to high quality residential aged care services within a homely, safe, supportive and nurturing environment that is able to meet the individual needs, goals, preferences and care requirements of our residents.

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We recognise and value the resident’s family and/or other representatives in partnering with care, ensuring where relevant communication is strong in developing relationships.

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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