Mail - Upper Yarra Star Mail - 31st August 2021

Upper Yarra

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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Calling for change to help refugees

Suzi’s family still searching for answers

Art making public spaces welcoming

The friends helping us through

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Home care cuts

By Mikayla van Loon and Renee Wood

Precious time Healesville children have been beating the lockdown lows by going on adventures for treasure.

A local family has been creating ’treasure hunts’ and posting the maps online for others to follow while on their daily exercise.

Read the full story on page 7

Marlon, Trevor, Scout, Finlay Schneider and Madeline Ruffino have been seeking out trails for families to follow on daily treasure hunts. 248738 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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

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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 take action to 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 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.”

Afghanistan refugee Zaki Haidara works actively pushing for the Federal Government to change visa policies and, inset, Healesville’s RAR Iain Gillespie and Gela de Brugiere have a great relationship with Zaki after meeting eight years ago.

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

“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 during this time.

“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 look to 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 https://www.facebook.com/HealesvilleRAR

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE? TALK TO A DOCTOR There’s a lot of talk out there about the COVID-19 vaccine.

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IN BRIEF Stolen four wheel buggy

Vaccines ramp up

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.

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.

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.

Police are appealing for information regarding a stolen buggy.

It’s believed the burglary occurred between the 24th and 25th August 2021, at an address in Wandin East. A red and white 2019 Polaris RZR570 was stolen from the address.

If you have any information regarding the offence, please contact DSC HARVEY at Yarra Ranges CIU on 97392401, or call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

Arrest over crime spree A 37 year old Croydon man has been remanded in custody after being arrested by Yarra Ranges CIU at a residential address in Croydon yesterday (Tuesday) morning.

It is alleged the male was responsible for a series of offences on commercial premises throughout the Eastern suburbs between May and August this year.

The male had been charged with theft and burglary charges relating to incidents in Lilydale, Boronia, Knoxfied, Rowville, Ferntree Gully, Bayswater, Mount Waverley, Mooroolbark, Nunawading and Croydon.

The male reappeared at the Ringwood Magistrates Court on the 26th August.

Loaned generators After the recent storms in the Dandenongs, a number of generators were loaned to residents from the Kalorama Relief Centre by the SES (some were privately owned). If you still have a generator and would like to return it or still require it please contact Olinda Police Station on 9751 1241.

Council makes ‘difficult decision’ to cut care services From page 1 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 do 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 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 broad-

er 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. ouncil 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.”

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Still an ‘absolute mystery’ 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 suspicious 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.”

By Jed Lanyon National Missing Persons Week has brought attention to a 34-year-old Healesville 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

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 in top three for community service award

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

Picture: SUPPLIED cause 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 innova-

tive 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

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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 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.

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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 be-

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Census reaches out to veterans to collect essential data

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.

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 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 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 the Census question is to identify Australia’s veteran community and enable better delivery of services and support.

“The Department of Veteran Affairs and others who provide services to veteran communities identified veterans as a vulnerable 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.”

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 website, or by calling 1800 512 441.

A second chance for loved horses The Victorian Government is supporting horse welfare organisations across the state to boost care, rehabilitation and rehoming services for the much-loved animals.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas announced a $55,000 Equine Rehabilitation Grant for important education and training programs, and to rehabilitate more horses.

The funding will be used to increase community awareness of horse welfare through specialised sessions and workshops. It will also help to recruit and train representatives from Project Hope that will support horse owners across Victoria to provide the best care possible, and rehabilitate 12 horses.

“We are proud to support equine rehabilitation and rehoming services, and recognise the important role these organisations play in providing care to horses in need,” Ms Thomas said.

The Equine Rehabilitation Grants are funded through the Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) Grants Program and will provide $1 million over three years to not-for-profit equine rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming organisations to improve horse welfare outcomes.

“These grants will provide better animal welfare outcomes and more education and training, while rehabilitating more horses to give animals a second chance at life,” Ms Thomas said.

Round 1 of the grants offered $340,000 for the purchase of equipment or professional services, facility upgrades or the expansion of services offered by a horse care organisation.

The Program provides grants to not-forprofit and community organisations aiming to improve responsible animal ownership and provide better animal welfare services to companion animals and the community.

For more information on the program, visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au.

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The park in Yarra Junction. Artwork by: Lucy Hawkins, Artwork photographer: Suzanne Phoenix, Superimposed image designer: Jennifer Trott Picture: MARILYN HOGBEN

Story Lane in Warburton. Artwork by: Chelsea Gallop, Artwork photographer: Suzanne Phoenix, Superimposed image designer: Jennifer Trott Picture: LINDY SCHNEIDER

Beyond the studio

By Jed Lanyon A local art project is aiming to promote awareness about making public spaces in the Yarra Ranges more welcoming for women.

A recent report from Women’s Health East found that women are more likely to feel unsafe in public spaces and as though urban spaces are not designed with them in mind.

In response, The Beyond the Studio project invited local women to help identify public open spaces they believe would benefit from having displays of women’s artwork. The result gave artists a platform to superimpose their work to help reinvent many well-known Yarra Ranges locations.

For many years, Marilyn Hogben felt the little park situated in a main street of Yarra Junction was not a safe space to sit or even walk past.

Although she acknowledged that Yarra Ranges Council has recently done a “makeover” of this public space by painting its walls and planting more greenery, she felt that the addition of female-commissioned artwork would make this space an even more inviting place for all Yarra Ranges community members, and help increase the amount of people using this space, as well as making it more welcoming and safe.

Lucy Hawkins, a Healesville painter, shares three generations of women through her artwork - her mother, herself, and her baby daughter.

She described the ease of painting her daughter as the sky and trees reflected off

her face that day. She shared her struggles in painting both herself and her mother’s portrait and said that she stayed up all night trying to mirror the reflection she saw of herself.

“But I like it. My husband calls it ‘The Warrior’. He thinks it shows the survivor in me,” she said.

Lucy believes it’s projects like this that keep important conversations going around the importance of more visibility needed for women artists and how “this is our space too”.

Warburton photographer Suzanne Phoenix was commissioned to take photographs for the project inbetween lockdowns.

They are all collaborative artworks. They couldn’t have been made by one person alone,” she said.

“I really enjoyed meeting the artists in their homes and work environments… I do think it’s a good message and we managed to achieve that and pulled it together during a pretty challenging time.”

Ms Phoenix said she would like to see the murals and artwork come to life.

“I think they’re all possible. Some are easier than others, but all are possible, it just takes some investment into them.”

Warburton resident Lindy Schneider shared a photograph of the regularly walked Story Lane in her town of Warburton and described the space as ‘blank’. She imagined how this laneway would make an amazing permanent outdoor gallery space.

Chelsea Gallop is a Mt Evelyn based artist who describes her art as a way of connecting

people with nature, themselves and always finds the hidden details in things that sometimes get overlooked.

Chelsea shared how she gets to spread positivity through each piece she makes, and mentions how she has had so many messages about the confidence her pieces have given people.

It’s little pieces of herself she gets to share with the world and pass on something unique and beautiful as a reminder that the person receiving her pieces are also beautiful and unique.

Chelsea said that this is why it’s such a vital part of life to be exposed to art daily, to be a part of a community that promotes women artists and showcases pieces of our souls for the world to see. Every woman can walk by feeling empowered, safe and encouraged.

Women’s Health East health promotion officer Georgina Nix said, “It has been a privilege working on what we have found to be such a timely and valuable project for the Yarra Ranges Community.

“There has been such a great response from the Beyond the Studio project; hearing the positive impact on women’s sense of belonging and pride should these artworks become a reality.

“Continually, this project has helped continue important conversations around women’s safety and increasing women artist’s visibility and recognition. Thank you to everyone that contributed to this project, it would not have been possible without you.”

For more information about the project, visit: whe.org.au mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Eva and Harvey Watson on their seventh day treasure hunting.

Picture: HANNAH WATSON

Finlay searches high and low with his treasure map. 248738

Picture: STEWERT CHAMBERS

Pot of gold to beat blues

By Renee Wood Healesville families are escaping the lockdown lows through their daily exercise, exercising their bodies and minds by joining a treasure hunt.

A local family has been luring out remote learning pirates by drawing maps that lead to a lollies chest and story book, creating different trails each day.

Madeline Ruffino and her three children, Finlay, Scout and Marlon Schneider, wanted to do something special for locals during a diffi-

cult time for all.

“We thought that it would be a great idea to just get all of their friends in on a treasure hunt, to feel like they can do it together, even though they’re separate,” Madeline said.

It’s the second treasure hunt they’ve produced this year in Healesville.

“My friends are struggling with homeschooling…so I just wanted to give them something during the day to get them out, like we do daily.

“I thought, if it could help us, it might be able to help them as well.”

Sum 86 children have been joining the daily hunt to search for the pot of gold since.

Healesville resident Hannah Watson and her family are part of the hunt.

“In the last week I have been to places that I didn’t know existed in Healesville. Really beautiful places breathe taking scenery and lovely walks.” Hannah said.

But for the families, there’s no denying the biggest treasure of all - the opportunity to imagine there’s no pandemic.

“It’s something to look forward to; I mean with the playground closing there’s nothing for

them to do,” Hannah said.

“It takes a normal walk that you would take your children on and it just adds excitement and fun to it, which is what the kids need at this time, something exciting to brighten up their day.”

Innocent Bystander is also sponsoring all of the children for this challenge, offering them all a kid’s meal voucher for when restaurants open again.

“It’s fantastic and they’re all about community there,” Madeline said.

STILL OPERATING THROUGH COVID ESSENTIAL WORK

HEATING & COOLING ELECTRICAL

Millgrove Art Attack What does life in Millgrove look like right now? Warburton artist and photographer Suzanne Phoenix is asking people of Millgrove, and anyone who can exercise there in their 5km zone, to show the world what they love about it.

Right now you can submit photographs and words, for the local poets, that will be turned into a stunning mobile projection lightshow.

“While being in lockdown for over 200 days I walked and photographed Millgrove in detail and there is always something unique, beautiful and interesting to capture,” Ms Phoenix said.

“I’m really looking forward to creating this unusual mobile projection event with the local community. I want to celebrate both the past and the present.”

“I feel lucky to be working alongside the Little Projection Company who are Australia’s pre-eminent mobile projection specialists who have presented work at Australia’s biggest light festivals, collaborated with dozens of artists and communities, and pioneered mobile projection arts practice.”

Once restrictions allow, several photo walks will take place guided by Ms Phoenix. Local residents will be encouraged to mailcommunity.com.au

see the town of Millgrove through their own unique lens. These will be open to anyone from anywhere, especially those with a passion for street photography. No previous experience is needed.

Award winning photographer and videographer Ian Bickerstaff will be creating a short film of the project.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to document this exciting art project which will incorporate such strong community participation by the residents of Millgrove,” Mr Bickerstaff said.

Maureen Halit, president of Millgrove Residents Action Group said, “MRAG is very excited about this awesome project, because everyone in Millgrove can get involved and will be able to share their special connection with our township.”

The projection lightshow event will occur on a Saturday night once restrictions are eased, tentatively booked for 13 November currently.

This is one of 14 Art Attack projects funded by Yarra Ranges Council.

For more information about the project, visit: https://suzannephoenix.com/millgrove or contact suzannephoenixphotography@gmail.com

HOT WATER REPAIRS OVEN & HOB REPAIRS Servicing HEALESVILLE & the YARRA VALLEY

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Illustration by Tamzen Hayes

0437 256 507 glenn@airconpower.com.au Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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NEWS

IN BRIEF Future of McDermott Avenue netball facility

The Greater Yarra Valley and Ranges hub will implement large and small scale renewable energy projects throughout the region.

A local led spark

By Renee Wood The Greater Yarra Valley and Ranges is one of seven regions coming together to ignite community led renewable energy projects.

The State Government invested $3.73 million dollars into establishing ‘Community Power Hubs’ across Victoria to explore clean energy solutions for home and towns to accelerate the state’s future targets.

Healesville Core President Jeff Barlow is the executive officer of the region’s hub and said it will work closely with Como Energy, a specialist in rolling out renewable projects, on investigating small and large scale options that can be implemented locally.

“We’re interested here in Victoria in utilizing their professional expertise, both within renewable energy and also legally as well, to provide us with the advice that we need to run

similar sorts of programs here in our region,” Mr Barlow said.

“For example, medium sized solar farms, bulk buys for households and businesses with things like solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, maybe reverse cycle air conditioners.…

“Perhaps solar car parks where you have a car park with solar panels on top to provide shading… with electric vehicle charging points as well.”

The funding will support four jobs within the hub’s steering group, that will develop and deliver locally owned projects, while working closely with smaller established groups, including Healesville CoRE, Yarra Glenergy, Clean Energy Nillumbik, Yarra Valley ECOSS, Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association, Bunyip Renewable Action Group, and Eastern Climate Action Melbourne.

Residents will also have the opportunity to

work with the hub on public and private initiatives.

“This idea that we’re a trusted organization, and that we can do the hard work for the community.

“A lot of people think that they want to put solar on their rooftops, but they just don’t know where to start. They don’t know who to go to, they don’t know who installers are and there aren’t a lot of installers in our region.”

The seven regions and Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio came together online to officially launch the Community Power Hubs on Saturday August 28.

“So many excellent ideas come out of our regions, and the Community Power Hubs make these ideas happen - creating jobs, cutting bills and helping us halve our emissions by 2030,” Lily D’Ambrosio said.

High-risk bushfire days set to soar The number of high-risk bushfire days could nearly double across the Yarra Ranges by the end of the century, according to new climate research by CFA and international research bodies.

The research, published this month in the International Journal of Wildland Fire, found that under different emissions scenarios both mean and extreme fire danger are expected to increase in Victoria.

Statewide, research modelling indicates a 10–20 per cent increase in extreme Forest Fire Danger Index, with the greatest change projected in the north-west region.

However, the greatest relative change in the number of ‘Very High’ days per year will be in central and eastern parts of the state where there is a projected doubling and tripling, respectively in the number of ‘Very High’ days.

The Yarra Ranges features on the edge the CFA’s central Victoria region, which encompasses Melbourne. Historically this region has seen an average of 12.5 ‘Very High’ fire risk days each year but that could extend to 22.5 by the end of the century.

Report co-author, CFA Manager Research and Development Dr Sarah Harris, said scenarios used in the research show increased temperature, caused by human-induced climate change, to be the main driver of heightened fire danger.

“Changes in temperature, humidity and rainfall during spring and early summer mean the fire season will continue to start earlier and run longer. As a flow-on effect, springtime opportunities for prescribed burning could reduce,” she said.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said he was proud of CFA’s robust research program, which he said brought further understanding of the impacts of climate change in the context of firefighting.

“As firefighters, we see the effects of these longer and more severe fire seasons and it’s important that we turn our minds towards 8 MAIL

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

what firefighting looks like in the not-toodistant future,” he said.

“CFA is undertaking work to identify challenges brought on by climate change and increased fire risk, and ways to solve them through adaptation and mitigation.”

“CFA also proudly works to reduce our own greenhouse emissions, through initiatives such as increasing our use of rooftop solar and the number of hybrid vehicles in the fleet.”

CFA Manager Research and Development Sarah Harris and co-authored the research with researchers Scott Clark (School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University), Timothy Brown (Desert Research Institute in Nevada, USA), Graham Mills (Monash University) and John T. Abatzoglou (School of Engineering, University of California).

The research was funded through Safer Together, a Victorian approach to reducing the risks of bushfire through fire and land agencies such as CFA, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Parks Victoria working

together with communities, combining indepth local knowledge with the latest science and technology to reduce bushfire risk on both public and private land.

Forest Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said partnerships with community and agencies such as CFA and FRV help ensure we are unified in emergency preparedness and response to keep the community and environment safe.

“We know that Victoria is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world. Climate change is increasing the risk bushfires pose to our communities, our critical infrastructure and our environment,” he said.

“That’s why our strategic approach to managing bushfire risk is based on the best evidence available, such as this research.

“We have a 365-day approach to fuel management, more mechanical treatment and increasing capacity to contain bushfires at first attack. We are also prioritising empowering Traditional Owners to lead self-determined cultural fire practices on country.”

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 currently being used as a Covid-19 drive through testing site which has previously raised concerns with local residents.

Yarra Ranges 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.

Mr Mier 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.

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 ongoing conversations with the State and Federal Governments to seek financial assistance. 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. A revised budget is being prepared to adapt to the financial impacts of the storm, and will be released in early 2022. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

ADVERTORIAL

Switching on Monash grid 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.

“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.

Miss Spelt’s Organics Miss Spelt’s Organics is the largest organic health food retailer in the Yarra Valley, making healthy eating and living that little bit easier. Carrying a large range of organic fresh fruit and vegetables, health food, allergy-free products, supplements, all natural personal care, chemical-free household and eco-friendly products, Miss Spelt’s is the one-stop-organic shop for the health conscious individual. Miss Spelt’s was founded in 2012 and has been under Michelle Collins and Dilan Samathilake’s ownership from September 2018. Currently Miss Spelt’s is an established health food store with a vast variety of products, knowledgeable staff and great prices.

The newest addition was the bulk food and zero waste section of the store which quickly became the talk of the town when it opened in September 2020.

Offering 400 plus organic and conventional flours, seeds, grains, legumes, dried fruit, nuts, confectionery, oils, and more, which are encouraged to be collected in reusable containers brought from home for a five per cent discount. “Our intention was to allow the community to shop plastic-free and locally to reduce carbon emissions from having to travel further.

Buying in bulk allows you to buy exactly how much you need, saving money and reducing waste,” Michelle and Dilan said.

Miss Spelt’s Organics is changing the way people shop, making a big difference to the environment and people’s wellbeing one product at a time.

Miss Spelt’s Organics staff have more than 20 years combined experience in health food retailing and have qualifications in herbal medicine, naturopathy and nutrition.

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By Mikayla van Loon

“HE WHO HAS HEALTH, HAS HOPE; AND HE WHO HAS HOPE, HAS EVERYTHING” - Thomas Carlyle

Your Local Health Food Store Royal Life Savings says close supervision is the best way to protect a child from drowning.

Timely reminder on safety 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 mailcommunity.com.au

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 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/staysafe-active/locations/water-safety-at-home 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.

• Certified Organic Fruit and Veggies • 400+ Bulk foods • Bread Making Ingredients and Equipment • Herbs, Supplements and Superfoods • Gluten-Free, Vegan and Allergy Free Food • Eco-Friendly Products and much more Open Monday - Wednesday 9am - 5pm, Thursday and Friday 9am - 6pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 3.30pm 250 - 252 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777 info@missspelts.com.au | orders@missspelts.com.au

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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.

Perfect writing brings Nine Perfect Strangers together PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN 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 mem-

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 10 MAIL

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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.

ory 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 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

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

When I was in my early 20s I lived in London for four years. I backpacked around many countries and even spent a few months living out of a van while driving around Europe with my mates. I went to Oktoberfest in Munich three times!

What are you most passionate about?

My family and friends. In these times of Covid, just making sure that loved ones are happy and that we take every chance to be together that we can – the opportunities to catch up have been few and far between over the past couple of years, unfortunately.

Did you always want to become a journalist?

Yes, I have wanted to be a journalist since I was 7 years old and saw Ray Martin on the TV and thought he had a cool job.

What would your last meal be?

A really good pub chicken kiev. One of those ones that when you cut into it, the butter and garlic oozes everywhere...

What was your most memorable moment?

Having a baby is up there.

Watching the sun rise over Anzac Cove at Gallipoli on the 85th anniversary of the landings there was a moving experience. Seeing the cliffs emerge as daylight broke showed just what a futile task our soldiers faced.

What event past or present would you like to witness?

I would love to have been in London in the 1960s. And to have seen The Beatles perform at The Cavern in Liverpool.

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

It’s more than six people, but I think I’d like to invite departed loved ones like my Dad and grandparents etc and just have one last really good shindig with the rest of my family and close friends. It would be great fun.

with Star Mail editorial co-ordinator Kathryn Roberts

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I love a British murder mystery to read or watch. Midsomer Murders is my guilty pleasure. And I love the Shetland series of books by Ann Cleeves.

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

My beautiful boy Norman. We got him as a four-month-old puppy and he is now 11 years old and still going strong. I have spent more time with him over the past decade than any

other living creature, including my partner!

Norman is one of the loves of my life and has given me unwavering loyalty and unconditional love – and lots of slobbery kisses. He proves that dogs really are the best people.

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

I make a mean soup.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Somewhere with a swim-up cocktail bar in the pool.

THREE … ways to keep the kids entertained

1

Build a fort Some of the best childhood memories are made inside a homemade fort. All you need is some sheets, pillows, and a couch and you’ll have the kids entertained for hours as they create another world.

2

Grow a garden Depending on how old your child is, creating a low-maintenance garden they can care for is a good way to teach responsibility and give them something to do. Choose something low maintenance like herbs or flowers and give them the task to water it every day and make sure it’s thriving. There are plenty of gardening tools and gloves available made especially for little green thumbs, so you can let them garden knowing they’ll be safe.

3

Mess-free painting Add a few squirts of paint into a large sealable plastic bag and then stick the bag to the window with sticky tape. It’s an easy way for your little one to have fun with paint without any of the mess!

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

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COMMUNITY

Star Mail editor Renee Wood is a big dog lover too - here are her pups Fifi (left) and family dog Blinky (right), what cuties!

Lawson and Lacey are the closest of friends.

Mates helping us through

By Gabriella Payne They say dogs are a man’s best friend, and throughout all of the difficulties of the past 18 months, many of us have come to realise just how true this is.

Through thick and thin, our doggy companions have been by our sides, getting us through the hard times and snuggling up for a cuddle when we’re feeling down.

They get us out and walking in the morning, and never fail to put a smile on our faces with their goofy antics.

On Thursday 26 August, it was International Dog Day and to celebrate, we thought we’d pay homage to some of our furry four-legged friends.

From big chonky doggos to little tiny fluffballs and every pup in between, we’re grateful for the canine companions in our lives - so here’s to many more p-awesome adventures to come!

Shelley McGregor shared this beautiful photo with us of her husband Marc and their big, 7 month old puppy, Major. Adorable!

Little Pippa is pretty famous around the Star News Group office, and you can see why! Thanks to our editor Garry Howe for sharing this snap.

Little Layla cuddling up on the couch - the best way to spend lockdown!

Kelly Price shared this photo of her daughter Jessica with their beautiful border collie puppy, Beau. Gorgeous!

Kathryn Roberts’ gorgeous old boy Norman with her daughter, aka Norm’s ‘sister’, Alice.

Here’s Layton McCann’s pup Cruiser doing a nice big morning stretch!

A trio of fun! These are Narelle Williamson’s gorgeous doggos Billy (left), Pat (centre) and Harvey (right).

Journalist Gabriella Payne can’t get a moment to herself when her lovable pup Max is around!

12 MAIL

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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ENROLMENTS

Wellbeing high priority

Ranges TEC students develop trad skills through hands-on service projects. team of teachers and learning assistants. The student wellbeing team partners with students and parents to create valuable and successful senior school experiences.

Families are invited to contact the school for a personal conversation about how Ranges TEC can serve their student through applied learning.

For further information, contact Ranges TEC, Lilydale by phoning 9738 7100.

Numeracy and literacy skills are developed in real-world experiences.

12509126-SN36-21

Student wellbeing is a key-value at Ranges TEC, a senior secondary school for Years 10-12.

Ranges TEC celebrates students and their contribution to our community.

Through hands-on service projects, students develop their trade skills in the context of personal development and community engagement. This year, students have worked with the aged care industry, local primary schools, and community houses through integrated project management and teamwork.

Such community projects give purpose to learning at school.

Students also engage in hands-on learning at Ranges TEC. Classes are delivered in the trade context, with trade professionals so schooling sets students up for careers in building and construction, electrotechnology, engineering, furniture making, horticulture and hospitality.

Students learning in an area that is relevant to their interests and career goals are highly engaged and able to produce high-quality outcomes.

The emphasis on employability skills at Ranges TEC ensures students are well prepared for their trade future. Employability skills, in addition to literacy and numeracy, are taught in an integrated model supporting trade classes, community projects, and key life skills.

At Ranges TEC, students are known to the school community. They are on individual pathway plans and supported by a dedicated

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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MAIL 13

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14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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NEWS

Lilydale Road, Healesville is set for an upgrade.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

‘The Chip’ at Seville Recreation Reserve.

Picture: ROB CAREW

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

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.

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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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 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

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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MAIL 15

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 5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

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

O N 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

Today’s Aim: 11 words: Good 17 words: Very good 23 words: Excellent

B

U

N

Y

D 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

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

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

4

18

hard

3

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

WORDFIT

03-09-21

This week’s crossword proudly sponsored by

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

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MAIL 17

General Notices

General Classifieds V Deaths

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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.

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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.

Any person making a submission may request in the submission they wish to appear in person, or to be represented by 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.

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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.

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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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YARRA VALLEY SEPTIC TANK CLEANING

The funeral service for David was held and livestreamed on Thursday (26th August) at the Nielsen Funeral Chapel, Warragul followed by burial at the Gulwarra Heights Cemetery, Warragul.

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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PIKE David Alan 11.12.1944 - 20.08.2021 Passed away peacefully due to a sudden aggressive cancer.

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Loved and admired Grandpa of 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

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MENZIES ROAD, MENZIES CREEK – ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS In accordance with Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989, notice is hereby given that the Yarra Ranges Shire Council at its meeting of 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.

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

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.

V Pets & Services

A copy of the proposal to levy is available online by searching Council’s website for the Agenda of the 24 August 2021 Council meeting.

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

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:

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

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

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

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

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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.

It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting to be held on 26 October 2021, or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.

AdventCare is a ‘not for profit’ organisation offering aged care that embraces Christian values. We are seeking applications from Personal Care Attendants for our Yarra Ranges Facility in Warburton, who are looking for casual and permanent work.

On offer: • Immediate start • Salary sacrifice The successful applicant/s will have: • Certificate III in Aged Care or higher • Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills • Experience in residential aged care • Positions subject to a successful Police Check • Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination Please email yarra.ranges@adventcare.org.au or call (03) 5966 4400 for a position description or if you have any queries.

12511220-DL36-21

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

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SPORT

Zambora Lou hits bullseye in feature

By Peter Quilty Zambora Lou ‘hit the target’ as the inaugural overall winner of exciting innovation The Arrow (350m)at Healesville on Sunday 29 August.

Trained at Pearcedale by Jason Thompson, Zambora Lou (pictured above – rug 3) shocked Utah Ghost in Match 2, clocking a flying 19.039sec to be the fastest match race winner by .001sec.

Utah Ghost had been proving a ‘poltergeist’ to his rivals at Healesville, recently claiming the Victorian Straight Track Championship, and was TAB’s $2.80 favourite to win The Arrow.

A winner of 25 races from 55 starts, including four from six over 350m at Healesville, Zambora Lou ($6.90) landed connections a $20,000 first prize as the overall winner and $2500 for claiming the head-to-head match race.

And the next ‘string to his bow’ could well be back-to-back Group 2 Healesville Cup (350m) wins, with the heats commencing next Sunday.

The $50,000 to-the-winner final, on September 12, is the climax to the 10-week Healesville Festival of Racing highlighted by six features races and around $800,000 in prize money.

Prior to Zambora Lou’s head-to-head with Utah Ghost, quietly confident handler Luke Thompson issued some prophetic words: “His box manners can be a bit scratchy, but he’s going as good as last year when he won the Healesville Cup… We think he can get down in the 18.90s.”

And Luke, Jason Thompson’s son, wasn’t far off the mark! It’s worth noting that Zambora Lou set an 18.968sec PB in a heat of last year’s G3 Healesville Cup before taking out the final in 18.976sec.

Amazingly, Zambora Lou’s winning time in The Arrow head-to-head was a ‘whisker’ quicker than Ferdinand Boy who comfortably won Match 3, defeating Mr. America (also

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Callen’s column Ian Callen

Zambora Lou was crowned the inaugural overall winner The Arrow (350m). trained by Thompson) in 19.040sec.

Prepared at Lara by David Geall, dual country cups winner Ferdinand Boy notched his 27th win from 47 starts, including three from four over this track/distance.

Ferdinand Boy ($3.60) earned $5000 as The Arrow runner-up and Geall has made it well known the Healesville Cup is on his racing agenda.

Hadouken ($11.80), prepared at Avalon

by Jessica Sharp, earned $2000 as The Arrow third place getter. He defeated Smart As Jack in Match 1, semaphoring 19.133sec. It was his 10th win from 30 starts, including five of his past eight.

And Dream Wizard, trained at Devon Meadows by Sean Lithgow, snared Match 4 over We-

blec Blazer in 19.298sec. He registered his 23rd win from 59 starts.

Meanwhile, the inaugural $10,000 to-thewinner Highway 31 Maiden Challenge final (300m) was taken out in meritorious style by Aston Merit.

Prepared at Avalon by Jessica Sharp, the superbly bred Aston Merit (Apr ’19 KC And All x Secret Spell) defeated a field of serious young talent.

A star in the making, Aston Merit ($4.40) clocked a sizzling 16.40sec – only three lengths off the 300 metre track record set by Matt’s Entity on August 18 2013.

Incredibly, Aston Merit improved more than five lengths on his race debut – a 16.72sec heat win last Tuesday.

Smaller basketballs to help 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

Playing on the island

Australia and the world,” General Manager – High Performance and Pathway 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).

Unfortunately our “short sharp” lockdown is proving to be the opposite and there’s been no golf.

Not even an allowance for exercise or practice and nor are we able to be out on the course by yourself. After all there’s open fairways and clean fresh safe air to breathe?

It has been a very frustrating time for all of us who play and enjoy the game.

Even those who are trying to complete a golf column each week So I’m left with little choice but to relate an experience I had at this very hole, earlier in the year.

It had been a wonderful winter afternoon the sun was out all day, the air may have been crisp but there was only the slightest breeze.

I was on the course with Jim Duffy, members may remember him, as he played a couple of RACV events (St Patrick’s day and the Donna Buang Challenge) We’d started play late in the afternoon and by the time we’d finished the front nine, light was fading fast.

Nevertheless we decided to play on and get as many holes in as we could… before adjourning to the bar, for a “Pint of Furphy” or two.

Having completed the 11th, we turned toward the 12th Tee Block which is somewhat sheltered by a group of large shrubs. It’s only when you walk around them, that the fairway is revealed.

The green is across a gully and it’s protected by cavernous bunkers, one sitting to the front right, another to the left side and over the very back.

The trip to the elevated green is 265 metres over a wide fairway, which narrows on the up slope giving the appearance that the green is supported by neck and shoulders!

It’s possible to carry the green, if you are a better than average hitter but you need accuracy. I have seen Ryan Akker land it safely but mere mortals aim their shots toward the neck, the area between the two front bunkers.

When you walk onto the dance floor for the first time you might be surprised, it’s a large putting surface with the high side behind the front right trap. You need to be careful on approach however, too short and your ball will be the sand or it may run back down the neck towards the gully.

When Jim and I arrived at the Tee that evening, I doubt many other golfers would have been on course as late. It was now dead calm and the light, almost gone, forcing us to peer across the gully.

We were barely able to make out the pin position because of the backdrop Mt Lebanon and a range that runs to Chum Creek and further up to Toolangi was so dark that the street and household lights were almost dominating the scene.

But down on the gully floor we found something magical. It appeared from the 17th fairway burn, through the tree line on the left, a thin white sheet of mist had spread out across the fairway, disappearing into the bushland on the right.

A sheet of white hovered less than a metre above the grass, this mystic sea of white, created the illusion that our destination had become an the “island green” Jim and I just stood there in silence absorbing the scene. With out saying anything, we turned calling it a day, not wanting to disturb the vista.

Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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Tuesday, 31 August, 2021

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