Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 7th September 2021

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

Lilydale

Mail

Concerns over new station design

Mt Evelyn honours Afghanistan troops

Mooroolbark student films showcased

Montrose Football club signs new coach

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

PAGE 13

PAGE 18

A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

12509696-SN35-21

WIN a $1000 SHOPPING SPREE

SCAN QR CODE

mailcommunity.com.au/competitions

Playground joy for kids Seeing children stretch their legs, roam free and make friends with other children at the playground was exactly the kind of good news content Star Mail needed this week. We headed to Lillydale Lake to ask parents how they felt about being able to return to playgrounds and the response can be summed up in one word, “excited.”

Read the full story on page 7

Bethany took the first opportunity to take her children, Will and Annabelle, to Lillydale Lake on Friday, to meet up with Nanna Sam and play on the swings.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Kangaroos saved A much-loved mob of kangaroos landlocked at the future site of Kinley Estate have finally been relocated after a year-long community fight.

The developer of the estate, Intrapac Property’s CEO Max Shifman recently confirmed 60 kangaroos had been translocated to an undisclosed location, ending over 12-months of anguish and uncertainty by concerned

WHEN ALL SCHEDULED SERVICES ARE COMPLETED AT A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP

Conditions apply

We can service your whole families car - all makes and models

animals but the current regulatory environment does not provide any other viable choice.

Following the outcry we’ve spent the last 12 months working collaboratively and constructively with government to design a translocation trial to save the Kinley kangaroos,” he said.

A dedicated group of professionals were quick to form a group to advocate for saving the roos last July, known as Save the Kinley

Kangas, having offered their expertise free of charge to the developer.

Member of Save the Kinley Kangas, Alyssa Wormald said the group had a “team of preeminent macropod experts who did a huge amount of pro bono work with the developer to make a proposal” for the safe relocation of the kangaroos.

Continued page 3

LILYDALE MITSUBISHI 56-70 MAIN STREET, LILYDALE PHONE 9735 5800 LMCT9987

At

LADIES FASHIONS

AUSSIE HOUSE PAINTERS Only at 122 Main St. Croydon www.ronaldking.com.au | 9723 3673

12495365-JW21-21

op Sh

community members.

The kangaroos were originally planned to be culled to make way for the all-new suburb until outcry from the community saw the killings halted and alternatives discussed.

“There is an impassioned community out there who didn’t want to see these kangaroos killed”, Mr Shifman said.

“We always wanted to avoid harming these

12497602-NG23-21

By Taylah Eastwell

We are painting in your area right now

Ph Peter 0431 295 414 12495346-HC21-21

NEWS

Pfizer blitz for students

By Renee Wood A priority Pfizer vaccination program for senior secondary students has begun to prepare for upcoming exam schedules.

The State Government announced the program last week to ensure year 12s and 11s who are taking senior VCE subjects will have had one dose by the GAT exam now marked for October 5.

The blitz will run from Tuesday 7 September until Sunday 19 September at state-run clinics, with 50,000 bookings created across Victoria to meet the demand.

Pop up school hubs will be established at Greater Dandenong, Hume, Melton, Moreland and Wyndam secondary schools but there was yet to be any pop ups announced for the Yarra Ranges at the time of print.

State Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish said it’s critical a state hub is available and easily accessible for Yarra Ranges students.

“The government needs to ensure it is a quick and seamless process for VCE students getting their vaccination,” Ms McLeish said.

“Our senior students have done it so tough over the last two years, they need every opportunity to finish off their senior schooling in the best way possible.”

Year twelves were invited to book an appointment from Monday 6 September, while Year 11 students sitting unit three and unit four exams can call and book from Wednesday 8 September.

Schools will assist students and parents on making bookings for Pfizer vaccinations, with the DHHS assisting educators through the program.

Jabs for teachers and examiners will also be part of the two week blitz.

An Education advocacy group #VCEWhatsThePlanDan welcomed the announcement

A Pfizer vaccination blitz will run from Tuesday 7 September until Sunday 19 September for Year 12 students and Year 11s doing VCE subjects.

Picture: UNSPLASH but is concerned there’s little planning beyond the GAT. “Students in the Yarra Ranges, just like students across the state, deserve clarity on what they can expect in the coming weeks,” #VCEWhatsThePlanDan spokesperson Assoc. Professor Caroline Dowling said.

“If we do not return to Covid-zero by exam time – and we all know that is looking unlikely

– what measures is the government planning in order to address risks and allow these students to finish their schooling.

“Exams must go ahead, we owe this to the students who have placed their faith in the education system and continued with their studies despite the remarkable challenges.”

While no face to face learning will return in term three, Premier Daniel Andrews said

a plan for term four will be announced this week.

“We have some weeks of study and school holidays between now and the beginning of term four. We will take a little bit more time to finalise the work’s that being done and we will have more to say about what term four will look like for all of our students next week (week starting 6 September),” Mr Andrews said.

FEVER OR COVID FEVER? The only way to be sure is with a test at the first sign of any symptom.

For testing locations, visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne 12511475-HC37-21

2 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

IN BRIEF Car parts stolen

Colour concerns

By Mikayla van Loon

Artist impression of Lilydale’s community gathering space with the yellow and orange colour palette.

Picture: LXRA meetings and online surveys over the past two years.

“Community consultation overwhelmingly supported the inclusion of an informal gathering space at the new Lilydale Station, with more than 500 pieces of feedback received,” LXRA program director Steve Brown said.

Ms McCarthy said if the community had been consulted in this design process, she would have no problem with the choice of colour but she doesn’t believe this was the case.

“We’re part of the Stakeholder Liaison Group, and we haven’t had any input into the colour, it was just presented ‘this is a colour’,” she said.

“We did object in the strongest terms for quite a few months, and they did, revisit it, they did do the right thing and revisited the issue of the colour but came back that this was the colour of choice.”

The Stakeholder Liaison Group was formed at the beginning of the project to communicate with LXRA throughout the level crossing removal project and be the link between the community and the project.LXRA said it has

worked closely with its Urban Design Advisory Panel and other key stakeholders including the local council, in the selection of the open space colours.

According to LXRA, the colours were chosen because of the feedback received about creating a bright and modern space, which used the stone and red-rusty tones in a contemporary way.

“The open space colours reflect tones of the Coldstream stone used in the station cladding and the red-rusty look of the bridge architectural screening, with three different versions of this colour scheme presented to our Stakeholder Liaison Group, which includes members of the community. The final vibrant colour scheme reflects feedback from this group,” Mr Brown said.

Apart from this, Ms McCarthy and Mr Millsteed said the level crossing and new station is looking brilliant and the LXRA have been well ahead of schedule in completing the project which is to their credit. To share your thoughts on the colour scheme, head to the Lilydale Level Crossing Updates Facebook page.

Kinley development kangaroos rehomed From page 1 “As far as we were aware it was progressing well. The proposal was in its final stage of approval when the developer just cut contact with us. We never found out what happened to it, they never provided an explanation or had any further contact with our experts who had been working with them collaboratively up until that point,” Ms Wormald said.

Mr Shifman said Intrapac were “initially open to working with the Save the Kinley Kangas wildlife rescue group, however, Intrapac Property was advised by the authorities that Save the Kinley Kanga’s proposal would not be approved for a variety of reasons”.

“The withdrawal of the original relocation site in particular, unrealistic expectations about how the relocation could work, and their ongoing media and personal attacks meant that it was no longer fruitful to continue working with that group,” Mr Shifman said.

Mr Shifman instead enlisted the help of a specialist team who have devised a pilot study to test the science underpinning cur-

rently policy around translocating kangaroos. According to Mr Shifman’s statement, the study includes veterinary health testing at the time of relocation and ongoing monitoring over a two year period to understand survival rate and movement patterns.

“We would like to reiterate that relocation of the Kinley kangaroos required approval from the relevant regulators and therefore, there was no other option but to move forward with an alternative proposal that would see the roos moved. We have successfully achieved something that no one else in Victoria has achieved,” he said.

The push for a study has worried Save the Kinley Kangas, the group now concerned that if the translocation is not done safely and humanely it may have devastating results for future translocation pleas.

“We know it is safe and humane when done by experts. We are concerned that if it is considered not successful the outcome will be one that doesn’t facilitate further relocations,” Ms Wormald said.

In response, Mr Shifman said “Intrapac

12442924-LB10-20

The Star Mail is published by Paul Thomas for Star News Group Pty Ltd ABN 98 238 557 339. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For terms and conditions please visit www.mailcommunity.com.au Print Post Number PP33445700014.

mailcommunity.com.au

Harriet Shing MP LABOR MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIA REGION

216 Commercial Road, Morwell VIC 3840 P: 1300 103 199 E: harriet.shing@parliament.vic.gov.au harrietshingmp @ShingvWorld Authorised฀by฀H฀Shing,฀216฀Commercial฀Rd,฀Morwell.฀Funded฀from฀Parliamentary฀budget.

Car hits tree in Kilsyth A woman was taken to hospital after her car hit a fallen tree on Liverpool Road in Kilsyth on Friday 3 September.

After some wild winds the night before, the tree had fallen across the road, causing a hazard.

The women, in her 60s, was assessed by paramedics who arrived on scene around 5.30am.

She was taken to Maroondah Hospital as a precaution. She was said to be in a stable condition with minor injuries.

The Yarra Ranges has recorded six active Covid-19 cases across the shire in the last week.

According to the Victorian government’s case numbers by local government area, four postcodes in the region have been identified as having active cases.

These postcodes include 3140 with one case, 3797 with one case, 3116 with three cases and and 3138 with one case.

The main areas affected in these postcodes include Lilydale, Yarra Junction, Chirnside Park and Mooroolbark.

While an active case being identified in these areas is concerning after being free from Covid-19 cases for much of the year, it does not mean they were infected in the local area or in that postcode.

The Department of Health uses the residential address of an active case to provide this data.

All active cases should be at home isolating until they receive a negative test result.

To find out more information or to view the data, go to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov. au/victorian-coronavirus-covid-19-data or if you are worried, call the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

Property assembled a team of Australia’s preeminent macropod researchers, veterinarians and wildlife experts. Alyssa Wormald and STKK’s statements are based simply on us not using the groups that they put forward.”

Regardless, Ms Wormald said the group was “thrilled that the community raised their voice and were able to stop a killing”.

“That is a huge success for which the community should be proud,” she said.

Ms Wormald said a few kangaroos had still been sighted at the development and she hopes they are reunited with the rest of the mob. Residents are also concerned about the fate of a deer, affectionately known as Sam, who had lived with the roos for quite some time. Mr Shifman said he was “happy to be able to invest in this pilot study to ensure that our development activities meet the gold standard for wildlife welfare, and hopefully create a platform for future successful relocations”.

“We take our environmental responsibilities as developers seriously,” he said.

William Matthews Funerals 12477005-JW03-21

DELIVERING FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES & FAMILIES AS WE GROW.

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

A 27-year-old male was observed driving with no headlights on at night in Lilydale on Saturday 4 September.

He was found to be unlicensed and returned a positive result for illicit drugs. He will be charged on summons with all offences.

Active Covid-19 cases

ADVERTISEMENT PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN OWNED & INDEPENDENT

Police presence on roads

45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS Large Chapel Pre Paid Funerals Available

12474992-LB50-20

As construction of Lilydale’s new train station gets underway, final designs have been released, leaving some community members baffled by the choice of paint colours.

The proposed design of the community space, which will utilise the area under the rail bridge, incorporates bright orange and yellow as the feature palette. Stakeholder Liaison Group committee members Lachlan Millsteed and Maria McCarthy told Star Mail that this colour choice does not suit Lilydale.

“To me, it doesn’t represent Lilydale. The hue of colour that they’ve chosen, I feel is too strong and of all the colour palettes that we could choose from the orange and the yellow, just doesn’t look right,” Ms McCarthy said.

Instead Mr Millsteed and Ms McCarthy would have liked to see the colours of the Yarra Ranges, being muted blues and greens, be used in the final design, to really tie in with the rest of the shire’s signage.

“They haven’t picked any of those colours up to reflect what the area looks like,” Ms McCarthy said.

“If you go to Ringwood, they’ve got some really nice blues and some greens and some softer muted colours but ours is extremely bright and to me it looks like it’s still going to be a construction zone because everywhere down there is all orange, so that orange is going to be there permanently.”

Mr Millsteed said often the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) would give blase responses as to why these colours were chosen.

The LXRA said concept designs of the new Lilydale Station were shared with the community through information sessions, pop-ups,

Three men have been arrested over a string of car part thefts and attempted thefts at railway stations across Melbourne’s South East, including in the Yarra Ranges and Knox.

Victoria Police allege 49 incidents involving 70 thefts from motor vehicles and five attempted thefts occurred between 5 May to 24 August 2021.

Ten local government areas were targeted including one incident in Yarra Ranges and three in Knox.

The cars were targeted for parts to on sell, with police confirming exhaust parts were stolen. A 20-year-old Cranbourne North man has been charged with 32 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle.

A 24-year-old Noble Park man has been charged with 21 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle.

A 21-year-old Cranbourne man has been charged with 37 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle.

All three men were bailed to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

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

9739 6868 www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

N.F.D.A Member |

MAIL 3

NEWS

Afghan troops honoured

By Mikayla van Loon Tuesday 31 August marked the end of the two decade long involvement of Australian troops in Afghanistan and the Mount Evelyn RSL couldn’t let such a momentous day slip by without recognition.

RSL president Matthew Crymble and local Afghanistan veteran Shane Bear visited the Mount Evelyn cenotaph to lay a wreath in honour of all Australian men and women who served in Afghanistan over the last 20 years.

“I think it’s very important that we acknowledge all of our veterans and in particular, in recent days what’s happening in Afghanistan the withdrawal and all the rest of it,” Mr Crymble said.

“I appreciate a lot of our Afghan veterans may be feeling sad about that and concerned, and Mount Evelyn RSL, myself included, just wanted to acknowledge our Afghan veterans, and let them know that we support them and we’re very proud of them.”

Mr Bear served in the Australian Defence Force for five years in total, completing one tour in Afghanistan in 2012 with the 8/9 RAR Infantry Battalion.

For Mr Bear, a day like 31 August allowed him to reflect on his time serving in the army and on all the people who continue to suffer from the trauma of war.

“I’m a long time removed from it. I can separate myself a bit and I was lucky no one that I was there with, we lost or had any really bad injuries but I know so many people there that did,” he said.

“So I think it’s important to always remember and never forget what people have done in the past but also what we’re doing now as well.

“It’s not just what happened over there, people come back physically healthy but they don’t necessarily come back in a good mental state and it still affects them after that so it’s

Mount Evelyn RSL president Matthew Crymble and Afghanistan veteran Shane Bear honoured all service men and women by laying a wreath at the Mount Evelyn cenotaph.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON important to remember and support them and do everything we can.”

Watching the country return to such turmoil now that Australian and American troops have pulled out of Afghanistan, Mr Bear said is difficult but he needs to focus on what he was able to achieve during his tour.

“There’s so much going on over there. You don’t know anything except for what we see but for me I just try to focus on my time there and what I did.

“I’m happy and I’m proud of what I did and what the people I was there with did when we went over there and obviously they’re going through a lot now but it’s disappointing probably to say the least.”

Leaving Afghanistan in a similar fashion to Australia’s Vietnam veterans, Mount Evelyn RSL is conscious of not letting history repeat itself and has put a call out to the general public to welcome back our defence personnel with open arms.

“I think the Vietnam veterans were trailblazers in that sense, they didn’t have the support,” Mr Crymble said.

“Our younger veterans now have the support of the Vietnam veterans, because they don’t want them to experience the same ill feelings that they received after returning from Vietnam. So I think the support will be better and I can only hope it is.”

Having returned from his tour almost 10 years ago, Mr Bear is confident that his fellow veterans and service members will be given the support they need.

“I can only speak from my experience, me personally, it’s been really good, I’ve been really supported.

“Anyone who has ever asked me about it is really thankful and always asking questions and interested in supporting me so I think for me personally the thanks has been there and the support has been there.”

Almost 39,000 Australian military service personnel served in Afghanistan, 41 of those men and women didn’t make it home to their families and many more have been left with physical and mental scars.

Mr Bear was one of the lucky ones, he made it home and has been able to start a family with his partner and build a new life for himself.

As Australia’s troops return to home soil, many of whom may return to the local area, Mount Evelyn RSL is ready and waiting to help anyone who may need it.

“We want to throw our support behind efforts to assist veterans of the war in Afghanistan and their families at this time and if the Mount Evelyn RSL can be of assistance please contact us, we are there for you,” Mr Crymble said.

The RSL upholds a legacy of supporting returned soldiers and has access to an array of services to help anyone who might be struggling. There are also a number of services including Beyond Blue, Lifeline and Open Arms.

Works continue near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing level crossings and continuing works on North East Link.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Lilydale Line

Until 24 Oct

Mooroolbark Station closed

From 8.30pm 10 Sep to 24 Oct

Ringwood to Lilydale Lilydale Station closed

Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes Bulleen Road

At times in Sep

Lanes closed

Greensborough Road

At times in Sep

Lanes closed between Lower Plenty and Watsonia roads

Eastern Freeway

Some nights in Sep

Lanes closed

Manchester Road, Mooroolbark

10 to 14 Sep 9pm to 6am each night, 23 to 30 Sep 4 to 17 Oct

Closed between Winyard Drive and Mount View Parade

Maroondah Highway, Lilydale

10 Sep to 9 Oct

Closed at the level crossing

John Street, Lilydale

10 Sep to 9 Oct

Closed between William Street East and William Street West

Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark

10 Sep to 24 Oct

Closed eastbound between Manchester Road and George Street

MTIA6462

These works are progressing with strict COVIDSafe Plans in place. The health and safety of our workforce and community remains our top priority. For more information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

12510751-JW37-21

4 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Police were called to the Lilydale Coles car park where a demonstration took place on Tuesday 31 August.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Lockdown protest

By Mikayla van Loon Police were called to a demonstration on Anderson Street in Lilydale about 9.15am on Tuesday 31 August.

Witnesses said it appeared to be an anti-mask or anti-lockdown protest staged in the Coles car park, with many of those involved not wearing masks and disobeying current Covid-19 restrictions.

Lilydale police senior sergeant Ray White said this demonstration coincided with other demonstrations held at various locations on the same day.

He could not, however, confirm the locations of where these other demonstrations were held.

Multiple police vehicles and uniform members attended the incident, with a number of people being spoken to at about 11am. The group disbanded and left the site without incident.

No arrests were made and uniform officers at Lilydale police station are still investigating the matter.

Peri Dix and Stephen Duke have been helping young people re-engage with learning, particularly during lockdowns.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Risk of learning disengagement

By Mikayla van Loon Any student trying to complete school at home would be struggling to find motivation and remain engaged.

But for students who were already struggling with this before lockdowns became a part of life, it has only made it harder to stay positive.

The Cire Community School, which has three campuses across Mount Evelyn, Yarra Junction and Berwick, provides a hands-on learning experience for young people who are at risk of disengaging at school.

Mount Evelyn campus principal Stephen Duke said this disengagement could present in a number of ways and be related to education, employment or social connectedness.

Mr Duke said some of this comes from financial difficulties, trauma or a lack of social connectedness.

Of the 226 students that attend Cire Community School some but not all would have experienced some kind of trauma in their lifetime, from family violence to neglect.

“So that’s developmental trauma which is trauma that hasn’t happened recently but trauma that has occurred in those early years of development, which is incredibly important for the way a young person sees themselves and their narrative,” Mr Duke said.

Mental health is also a huge barrier for students trying to learn, which can be exacerbated by the potential use of drugs or other substances, which Mr Duke said is just a cover for what is really going on underneath.

“It’s a behaviour that young people can start to do to try to cope with the pain and suffering they’ve been part of,” he said. mailcommunity.com.au

For these students it has been hard enough going through each of their own battles with learning, let alone adding a global pandemic into the mix as well.

The school’s executive manager for education Peri Dix said teachers have pulled together some great online learning resources but the challenge has been engaging students.

“Getting them engaged and getting them online, making sure that we, hopefully come into contact with each of them every day, whether it’s via online classrooms or those students that don’t come online, we phone, to make sure we’re touching base with them, just to make sure they’re all right, that’s been a real difficulty,” Ms Dix said.

Mr Duke said for these students it’s not even just about keeping them motivated to learn but about making sure their social skills remain intact, which can be tough when students are isolated at home for a number of weeks.

“The social emotional well being of the students, their mental health, these are young people and young people all crave that social interaction with their peers,” Ms Dix said.

“But I think our students require that even more so, to keep that even keel, to know that they’re there with a group of people who support them and who have positive regard for them and losing that can be really tough for some of the kids.”

Without social connectedness, mental health and wellbeing is a huge concern for these young people and young people all over.

“Ultimately, you know we’re talking about making sure young people stay alive. We are driven by the academics to keep them moving

forward and having a sense of purpose but really we’re also driven by making sure these kids are safe and well,” Mr Duke said.

Having witnessed the return to on-campus learning a number of times now, Mr Duke and Ms Dix said initially students are quite excited to be back but the following few days the reality of school hits them.

“Those next few days were quite hard with them trying to then work out their social setting, where they sit in the pecking order, how do I connect and work through problems and conflict,” Mr Duke said.

“Sometimes we’ve got kids that are coming in from where conflict hasn’t been great in the home over that period of time and the way that they treated each other hasn’t been respectful, and then they come in here, an environment we’re trying to keep super safe and super respectful.”

While motivation to keep learning and keep moving forward in studies is low at the moment, Mr Duke said the fear of finishing school and not having anywhere to go is quite real for Year 12 students.

“I feel like people are less ready. I was talking to a few people the other day that have fear about finishing here and part of the lockdown is also them feeling that way about themselves and lack of self confidence.”

Cire Community School currently has places available at the Yarra Junction campus for Year 5 and 6, with enrollments open for all campuses for 2022.

For students struggling with engagement, Mr Duke suggested contacting the Integrated Youth Health Hub for mental health and wellbeing support.

Two arrested after crash

By Mikayla van Loon Police have arrested two men and seized firearms after a stolen car crashed at Chirnside Park.

Emergency services were called to reports a car had crashed into a tree off Ramset Drive about 11.10pm on 31 August.

Officers arrived and discovered the red Toyota Camry unattended. The vehicle was allegedly stolen from Noble Park on 27 August.

It was also allegedly involved in a road rage incident on Manchester Road at Mooroolbark where a firearm was produced about 10.10pm.

Lilydale Senior Sergeant Ray White said he was quite concerned about a weapon being used on the male driver of the vehicle.

“A gentleman attended Mooroolbark police station and provided a statement,” he said.

“Any incident where firearms are produced is a concern and where firearms are pointed at a civilian are even more of a concern.”

Canine units searched the area and two men were arrested nearby without incident, meaning police nor the individuals involved were injured during the arrest.

Senior Sergeant White said using a dog to track the whereabouts of the two men is very common in those types of occurrences and the canine unit is often the “first point of call” to track the location of offenders possessing firearms.

Senior Sergeant White couldn’t confirm how far away the men got before being located by police.

Upon arrest, officers located two firearms in the possession of one of the men.

A 27-year-old Ringwood man and a 27-yearold Launching Place man are currently assisting investigators with their enquiries.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who may have seen the vehicle, particularly in the Lilydale area, or has information that could assist police with their enquiries to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

|

MAIL 5

$

1000

SHOPPING SPREE

Bounce into Spring with the chance to

WIN a $1000 Woolworth’s gift card!

But, you must be in it to win it!

Scan the QR Code for more details or go to mailcommunity.com.au/competitions NOW! Entries close Noon Tuesday September 28, 2021 Spring into action and invite your friends to enter too!

12508436-AV35-21

6 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Zali, Indi and mum Lauren were happy to be back playing on the play equipment after what seemed like a really long time.

William laughed and smiled as his mum Rachael pushed him on the rope swing for the first time in weeks.

Pictures: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Swinging back into play

By Mikayla van Loon Taking your children to a playground seems like a simple activity that should be enjoyed by all but it has become quite a luxury in recent weeks and months, one that has been greatly missed.

Parents and their children were delighted to be back at parks and playgrounds across the Yarra Ranges as soon as they could on Friday 3 September.

For many parents, playgrounds provide a sense of escape, not only for their little ones but for them too.

Being kept inside during the lockdown has been tough, especially coming up with new

and inventive ways to keep children entertained.

Making the most of the sunny morning on Friday, Alana said even though her house has quite a large backyard, heading to the playground was about changing the scenery for her son and daughter.

“It’s just a change of scenery for them. They need to not be stuck at home all the time,” she said.

Her son’s school even gave students a screen free day to encourage them to get outside as much as they could.

Not only was it about getting to do something different for a change, instead of just

making pillow forts, Alana said it gave her children a chance to see other people and faces.

“It’s nice that they’ve got each other to play with and still do it but they kind of get over each other as well, so this fosters something new for them to do together or they can go and play by themselves rather than the same old stuff,” Alana said.

For Gemma, she really tried throughout the closure of parks to allow her daughter to play in a more natural environment and said she was lucky to live somewhere that had so much open space to do so.

“It’s a relief. It’s really nice. We still got out and about but you just have to answer ques-

tions all the time about why they can’t play on the playground but we still played on rocks and got out,” she said.

Lauren, mum of Zali and Indi, said not having much of a backyard made it even harder for her daughters to be stuck at home and playgrounds reopening was a godsend.

“It’s so good, it’s a lifesaver. Both the kids have just been going stir crazy at home so it’s good to be able to get out and enjoy the sun,” she said.

“It’s been tough, especially not having kinder and stuff for the older one. So, it’s a bit of a stretch but it’s good to have a little bit of relief, we’re definitely enjoying it.”

CFA works near completion but donations still needed

By Renee Wood Coldstream CFA’s new site is only a matter of weeks away from completion, allowing the brigade to move in before the fire danger period begins.

Captain Sean Bethell said the team’s looking forward to relocating to 7 Killara road by early October.

“Quite a few of them (members) have been waiting a long time for this to start and now it has started and nearing completion, everyone’s quite excited to finally get that move happening,” Cpt Bethell said.

“At that same time we will start doing our pre-summer training for bushfire season.”

The build began in March this year and it’s been a long time coming with the current station built in 1963.

“We’ll have better capability of responding the appropriate trucks to the appropriate calls because it will be a three bay station so we can actually take any of the four trucks,” he said.

“Currently, we have four vehicles in the station and all our turnout gear is down the side of the trucks, which is very poor in the way of health and safety.”

A large training room is also part of the $1.5 million dollar build but the volunteer run brigade is still looking to raise almost $45 thousand dollars for the project.

This will help fund the replacement of a pumper, a rear shed, solar power, CCTV, IT systems and washing equipment.

Captain Sean Bethell said the team’s normal source of fundraising has been hit hard due to the pandemic.

“We usually do intersection collections a couple of times of the year and we haven’t been able to do that for probably close to two years now because of the Covid lockdown.”

The Brigade’s currently a gofundme page mailcommunity.com.au

Captain Sean Bethell is looking forward to being in the new site before the fire danger period begins. accepting donations, encouraging locals to be part of supporting volunteers and their vital service they provide.

“You don’t have to dig deep to find $500, even two dollars helps. Many two dollar donations go a long way.”

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

For more information visit https://www. gofundme.com/f/coldstream-fire-stationbuilding-fund Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

|

MAIL 7

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

with Coldstream CFA Captain Sean Bethell

SEAN BETHELL is the Coldstream CFA Captain and has dedicated his life to being a volunteer firefighter for many years. He’s looking forward to seeing the new site open up and the area growing.

What is something people don’t know about you?

Most people would not be aware that I grew up in Coldstream so I know the area very well.

I have lived in the area for 46 years and have enjoyed watching people grow up in the area.

Tell us about your role as Captain in the CFA Captain has a large responsibility with ensuring the safety of the members of the Coldstream Fire Brigade. To ensure we are able to respond to emergencies anywhere in the area.

What has been your most memorable moment in the CFA? Why? Most memorable moment would be going to the first deployment to NSW in 1996.

We were sitting around the table Christmas day having lunch when the call came in for crews to take Coldstream Tanker 2 to Bulga, North-West of Sydney. When we left Coldstream it was pouring rain and then we were in Sydney, lights and sirens going through the main city with police escort and 40 degree heat - a large contrast from what we left in Melbourne.

What do you love most about living in the Yarra Ranges?

The sense of community and this has shown during the last 18 months. The community has held it together to keep Covid at check within the shire. We all just look out for each other, instead of what is best for one person.

I love the open space of the country feel in the outer areas of Coldstream and surrounding towns.

How are you keeping sane during lockdowns?

I work hard from home as a purchasing man-

Coldstream CFA Captain Sean Bethell has lived in the area for 46 years and still enjoys the country air. ager for an inverter manufacturer, this keeps me busy during the week. I am lucky to be able to do my role from home. Also with the added increase in work looking after the fire brigade with our management team and building committee for the new Fire station, there isn’t much time to sit back and relax. I believe in

about 6 to 10 weeks this will become easier as we move into the new building.

What are some of your hobbies?

I am into computer games and during the summer I have been getting back into cricket.

I play for the Coldstream Crocs, which I have been fortunate to have played in three grand finals and won two of them, first in 2016 and second in 2021. And of course Fire Brigade as a volunteer.

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

At the moment the official opening of the new Coldstream fire station.

Other than that I would like to see the land around the Coldstream Food works be developed as housing to increase the possible intake of volunteer firefighters.

Who do you admire the most?

I would say my father, Robert, he has been with the CFA 59 years and was Captain for 23 years and saw the brigade through Ash Wednesday fires in 1983 as captain.

Favourite book or movie you recommend?

I have many favourite movies, it is probably easier to say I love a good comedy or action movie.

What is an important issue in the region you think needs exposure?

I think this is more a local issue and will not agree with everyone. That Coldstream has not seen any increase in development.

The estate has been at the point of being stagnant for many years, the Shire needs to look at opening small pieces of land for development each 10 years, even just 50 houses.

Coldstream schools, sporting, kinder, fire brigade, and any other volunteer groups struggle to get active members, the only way this can change is families moving once the kids grow up or new families coming in with new housing.

THREE … things to do during lockdown Victoria’s Lockdown six is sadly continuing but there are still ways you can entertain yourself and the family at home. Here are three ideas to keep you busy over the next few weeks.

1

Plant some seeds for spring It’s the perfect time to start planting some seeds for the upcoming season. Looking after a seedling can be very rewarding for yourself or the kids, as it grows daily to then later produce fruit or flowers.

2

Cook up a storm Search your cook books or the internet for one of the trickiest recipes you can find and put your skills to the test. You’ll enjoy learning new ways to make something delicious, or you’ll at least have fun making a mess experimenting.

3

Exercise your brain Find a short online course in something that you’ve always been interested in. There are many free short courses or online blogs and forums teaching ‘how tos’ across many areas.

In times of crisis, you can give

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

12505731-SN31-21

8 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

OPINION

Results achieved The past 18 months have been extremely challenging for students in our local area, however despite the challenges of the pandemic, Victorian kids have recorded the nation’s highest NAPLAN results and huge improvements on previous years.

Victoria has achieved some truly extraordinary results and we should be exceptionally proud of our students and their teachers and educators.

Victoria has not only maintained our ranking as the top performing jurisdiction in the primary sector, where we were the highest performing jurisdiction on seven out of the ten measures, we have actually improved our results since 2019.

Highlights include significant improvements across the board for students in Reading, particularly for students in Years 3, 5 and 7.

Victorian Year 5 students who began Prep when the Education State reforms commenced in 2016 achieved the strongest results across all domains in the country. This is a phenomenal achievement given how much

The state of

affairs James Merlino MP Member for Monbulk harder Victorian schools were hit by the consequences of the pandemic than schools in other jurisdictions.

However, these phenomenal results are more than statistics – they represent thousands of Victorian kids who will be afforded better opportunities through education, no matter where they live or what their background.

The Victorian Government has made major investments to support student learning and wellbeing throughout the coronavirus pan-

demic, including $250 million to deploy more than 6,400 tutors across Victorian schools and a $28.5 million boost to ensure students receive the health and wellbeing support they need.

The $200 million Schools Mental Health Fund will support Victorian kids to help them succeed at school and through life, guided by an evidence-based range of mental health and wellbeing programs to be released this year.

I would like to congratulate schools in the Yarra Ranges– amongst all the challenges of the past year, your hard work has paid off – and we’re so proud of all our students, teachers, principals and their families.

We’re so proud to be building a world-class education system that gives every student the opportunity to shine – and I want to thank every educator, principal, family and school community across Victoria for helping us get here.

As always, if my office can be of any assistance during this difficult time, please do not hesitate to reach out.

China in the eyes of Australian journalists A review of The Beijing Bureau by Trevor Watson and Melissa Roberts (eds.) by Christine Yunn-Yu Sun China is arguably the biggest story of the 21st century.

Presently Australia’s biggest trading partner, everything it does seems to have considerable impact on us. Managing our relations with China is as pivotal a task for our government as accommodating our biggest ally, the United States.

As suggested by Trevor Watson and Melissa Roberts, editors of The Beijing Bureau: 25 Australian correspondents reporting China’s rise (2021), if Australia is to get China right, then we “must have an understanding of China delivered by journalists able to view the Middle Kingdom through a prism of Australian priorities, standards and values – and from an Australian perspective”.

With Australia now being the only major power in the world not to have journalists on the ground in China, it may seem difficult to comprehend the mindset of our powerful and complicated northern neighbour. However, it does not and should not stop us from wanting to know more, about what happened, is happening and will happen in that country.

The Beijing Bureau arrives at a good time as Australia struggles to walk a fine line between

CARTOON

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN America as a superpower and its formidable Chinese counterpart. The journalists collected in this book offer valuable insights into the making of China from the 1970s up to the present day.

These journalists share their hard-won knowledge of China and bittersweet stories of life as a correspondent. Among them are household names such as Chris Buckley, Helene Chung, Stan Grant, Jane Hutcheon, Hamish McDonald, Stephen McDonell, Uli Schmetzer and Mark Smith, just to name a few.

It’s exciting to read the first Australian journalists in China in 1973, soon after the Whitlam Government shifted its formal recognition from Chiang Kai-Shek’s Nationalists in Taiwan to Mao Zedong’s communist regime as the le-

gitimate government of all of China.

While a section of the book is dedicated to coverage of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, there’s also in-depth and detailed analysis of the treatment of Uyghurs of Xinjiang and the legacy of democracy movement in Hong Kong.

Equally informative is Part Four, where eight journalists from renowned Australian and international news organisations explain how China managed to alleviate millions from poverty while rising as a global economic powerhouse in merely two decades.

In the words of Ali Moore: “In the early 1990s there was a clear, if unspoken, pact with the people: to get rich is glorious, as long as it’s accompanied by unquestioning loyalty to the Party.” That, and Richard McGregor’s quote – “The Party is like God. He is everywhere. You just can’t see him” – shed ample light on how Beijing maintains control of the hearts and minds of nearly 1.4 billion people.

The Beijing Bureau is an essential and entertaining read for all who care about Australia China relations. Not only because it chronicles the history of Australian journalism in China, but it also enhances our understanding of that country, the lives of its people, its government and culture, and what its ambition means to Australia and the world.

Oxygen is breath of fresh air

Oxygen is a deeply compelling French sci-fi thriller that makes outstanding use of a tiny setting.

Elizabeth (Melanie Laurent) wakes up in a cryosleep pod with finite air and no memory of who she is. Oxygen offers very tactile suspense, highlighting the claustrophobic setting, the grounding effect of pain, the web of wires connected to Elizabeth’s body, and above all her breathing, which keeps her alive in the short term but may doom her in the long-term.

Much of the film is shown through close-up shots of Laurent’s face; a performance can soar or crash under these conditions, but Laurent is utterly and unwaveringly convincing, conveying despair, tenacity and dry humour.

The oxygen levels (and the obtuse AI managing the pod) form a stressful ticking clock, but the narrative draws you in further with intriguing clues about Elizabeth’s life and the world beyond the pod (although Elizabeth’s past experimentation on animals is somewhat vague).

Oxygen handles its big revelations with finesse, steadily building from light sci-fi to more exotic, disturbing concepts. The film’s themes of identity, selfdoubt and fabrication, and Robin Coudert’s deep, flowing electronic score, are reminiscent of Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 classic Solaris.

Oxygen joins Rear Window, Buried and The Guilty as another enthralling single-location thriller, and is available for streaming on Netflix.

Production paused until Feb Kemp’s curtain call Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre has just announced that their production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder originally scheduled for September has now, thanks to Covid-19 moved to February opening Thursday 10 and closing Saturday 26.

The play Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is a 2014 Tony Award winning musical directed by Alan Burrows. After his mother’s funeral, middle class Englishman Mority Navarro learns an incredible secret - he is the “son of the daughter of the grandson of nephew of the second Earl of Highhurst”, making him an aristocrat - if he can just find a way to prevent the eight earls preceding him from inheriting the earldom first. An Edwardian style, operatic farce.

Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution is still scheduled to begin on Thursday November 25, 2021.

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

|

MAIL 9

NEWS

New Flexibus commute More passengers across Melbourne will be able to access on-demand bus services, thanks to the expansion of the FlexiRide trial giving commuters more flexible and convenient travel options.

Residents in Chirnside Park, Lilydale, Mooroolbark, and Croydon will benefit from FlexiRide services connecting them to Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, Lilydale Railway Station, Lilydale Shopping Precinct, Mooroolbark Station and Croydon Station.

“Bus passengers will be able to access ondemand services thanks to the trial of FlexiRide – creating a more efficient and reliable journey for the community,” member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said.

The trial will replace TeleBus Area 1, 2, 3 and 4 services, as well as Route 676.

FlexiRide services do not have a fixed route.

Passengers will be able to book a seat via the FlexiRide app or phone, be directed to their closest bus stop - either a physical or virtual stop - and be picked up and transported to dedicated hubs.

The FlexiRide app provides users with realtime information so passengers know exactly when their service is arriving. It also provides information on other available transport options in the area.

“Improving our public transport network means more people can choose to leave their cars at home knowing they can catch a reliable bus service,” member for the Eastern Metropolitan region Sonja Terpstra said.

The extension of FlexiRide follows its current trial in Rowville, connecting locals to Stud Park Shopping Centre and Ferntree Gully Railway Station.

Since its launch in December 2020, patronage for the on-demand service has increased significantly.

“The current success of the FlexiRide trial in Rowville has shown the convenience and ease

A new FlexiRide system will replace some services on the TeleBus routes in the local area. of which passengers are able to use the service,” public transport minister Ben Carroll said.

Bookings can be made in advance or cancelled, with home pickups and drop-offs also available for customers with accessibility requirements.

Locals can book the on-demand services

Star Mail Digital Editions for

By Taylah Eastwell

FREE Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

Mail Sanders relives rally

Brown’s AFLW debut

Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

Mail New Aussies welcomed

Sanders relives rally

Brown’s AFLW debut

PAGE 3

PAGE 8

SPORT

A Star News Group Publication

PAGE 8

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

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

Back to school!

12477081-JW03-21

A Star News Group Publication

SPORT

12477081-JW03-21

PAGE 3

Mail

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

See page 7 for more back to school excitment.

Back to school!

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

By Jed Lanyon

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

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

$8400 to help make the lives of children better.

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

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

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

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

Continued page 2 12477022-SN06-21

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

Or visit mailcommunity.com.au/subscribe 10 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

12481673-SN07-21

A worthy brand

Scan this QR code to subscribe

Passengers can access information on these changes from September 3 via the PTV website.

FlexiRide is an initiative of the Victorian Bus Plan, improving the State’s bus network to better meet demand, improve accessibility and performance, and deliver value for money.

Local lawyer puts hat in ring for Casey seat

Subscribe to any of the

New Aussies welcomed

via the FlexiRide app which can be downloaded for free on IOS and Android, or by calling 8710 6377.

The 12-month trial of FlexiRide in Lilydale launches October 4. FlexiRide will operate from 6am to 8pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays.

Picture: SUPPLIED

A prominent Ringwood lawyer has put his hand up for the newly-vacated seat of Casey.

Grant Hutchinson, of Hutchinson Legal, is bidding to succeed longstanding MP Tony Smith as the candidate for the outereastern seat.

Speaking to Yarra Valley FM recently, Mr Hutcinson expressed his concerns over telecommunications issues in the Dandenongs.

“There are easements over land that allow for steps to be taken to allow power to be put underground, but we need political will,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“There are telecommunications blackspots throughout and we need to address that. The first role of government is to ensure the citizens can enjoy safety, can enjoy living in their homes and people shouldn’t be exposed to unnecessary risk and not being connected is such a risk,” he said on air.

Mr Hutchinson has raised a number of issues on local radio channels, such as infrastructure, bushfire preparedness, small business and aged care, and it can only be assumed these will form some of his agenda if he were to win the seat.

“With the bushfire season coming up at Christmas, what are we doing to clean up all these trees that have fallen?,” he said on air.

The Croydon Hills man was heard saying that in order to maintain safety in the Dandenongs and fire-prone communities “local council, state and federal government need to work together to achieve better connectivity”.

Hutchinson has served on the board for Donwood Aged Care and established ElderCare Legal at his law firm to assist in-

Grant Hutchinson, founder of Hutchinson Legal is running for the seat of Casey. dividuals and families with issues affecting the aged including the transition to a retirement home, elder abuse claims and powers of attorney.

As reported in WA Today, Mr Hutchinson will run against barrister and City of Melbourne councillor Roshena Campbell,business executive Aaron Violi, management consultant Andrew Asten, Hills based environment activist Donalea Patman and prominent oncologist columnist Ranjana Srivastava. mailcommunity.com.au

MEDICALLY SPEAKING

The caring family dentists A visit to the dentist can be a challenging thing to do, but the team at Evergreen Dental Care is committed to giving you the best patient experience possible by providing a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere, high quality care, and supporting you throughout your dental experience.

Evergreen Dental Care is a family owned dental practice established by husband and wife team, Dr Baz and Dr Nirosha. They were both born and raised in Victoria and completed their dental degrees with honours from the University of Adelaide more than 10 years ago.

Baz and Nirosha have fallen in love with the Yarra Valley and are delighted to call this beautiful part of the world home.

Dr Baz is the principal dentist at Evergreen Dental Care. He is an enthusiastic and passionate family dentist who will go that extra mile to understand the human being attached to the teeth he is treating!

His gentle, caring and non-judgemental nature will support you through every step of your journey to dental health. He obtained his fellowship and membership to the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (MRACDS/FRACDS) and has a particular interest in dental implants, wisdom tooth extraction and invisible braces. In addition to his commitment to ongoing training, he has supervised and mentored several dentists over the years at one of Australia’s largest dental service providers.

Dr Nirosha is a gentle soul and understands the importance of empathy, patience and building trusting relationships when treating her patients. Through further education, Nirosha has obtained her membership to the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (MRACDS) and a Fellowship of the International College of Continuing Dental Education

Stef, Dr Baz Ghosh, Stella, Francis, Dr Nirosh Ghosh and Ollie the dog. 241390 in GP Orthodontics (FICCDE). Nirosha has a particular interest in fixed braces and childhood facial development.

Evergreen Dental Care offers a range of comprehensive dental services including general, family and children’s dentistry, anxious patients, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, wisdom tooth extractions, orthodontics and Invisalign. The practice also participates in the Child Dental Benefit Schedule with eligible children being able to receive $1013 of general

and restorative dental treatment, with Medicare bulk billing available.

Take advantage of their great New Patient Offer including a comprehensive dental examination, oral cancer screening, all required dental x-rays including a panoramic OPG scan, digital photographs and a personalised treatment plan for just $99. Include a professional dental clean, polish and remineralising treatment for $199. If you are part of a health fund the new patient offer will be $0 with no gap payment. Evergreen

Dental Care accepts all major health funds and are preferred providers for NIB and CBHS. Payment plans are also available through Zip Money and Afterpay.

Evergreen Dental Care is located at 3/362 Warburton Highway, Wandin North and is open 6 days a week with late night and weekend appointments available. Get in touch with the friendly team on 5929 3011 or book an appointment online at www.evergreendentalcare.com.au.

NOW OPEN Call Call allus uson on5929 59293011 3011ororbook bookanan appointment online online today appointment todayatat www.evergreendentalcare.com.au www.evergreendentalcare.com.au New Patient Offer $99 or $0/ gap free with all major health funds Comprehensive dental examination Oral cancer screening All required dental x-rays including a panoramic OPG scan Digital photographs Personalised treatment plan

3/362 Warburton Highway Wandin North, VIC, 3139 mailcommunity.com.au

12511848-BL37-21

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram at evergreen.dentalcare www.evergreendentalcare.com.au admin@evergreendentalcare.com.au 12512066-AV37-21

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

|

MAIL 11

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

25 Station Street, Armadale, VIC 3143 2 beds

1 bath

1 car

300 sqm

$940,000 - $970,000

VISIT US TODAY

12504740-JW30-21

12 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Improving the system

Getting it right takes a lot of input from the team.

Victorians are being invited to have their say about the local mental health services they want to see as the Labor government delivers a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

The development of new Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services is at the heart of the mental health reform - allowing Victorians to get the care they need much sooner, and closer to their families and communities.

The new services will act as a “front door” to the reformed mental health system – connecting Victorians to the care they need in their own community, and focusing on prevention and early intervention for adults who are experiencing mental illness or psychological distress as well as treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.

“Community care is at the heart of our mental health reform – and we want to hear from the community to help us create fit-for-purpose local mental health and wellbeing services that deliver for Victorians,” Mental Health minister James Merlino said.

“These new local services will transform the way we deliver treatment, care and support for Victorians with mental illness and psychological distress – giving them easy-to-access local services and support within their community.”

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System recommended 50 to 60 new Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services be established across Victoria by the end of 2026.

Creating community care starts within local communities – and Victorians are invited to share their thoughts on local services and the design of the treatment, care and support through the Engage Victoria website at engage.vic. gov.au.

To build a new mental health and wellbeing system from the ground up that meets the needs of all Victorians, the Victorian Budget 2021/22 invested a record $3.8 billion in mental health and wellbeing services and support.

The Victorian Budget 2021/22 included $263.8 million to start work on the first 20 of the new local services across Victoria, with six fast-tracked facilities to open in Benalla, Brimbank, Frankston, Greater Geelong, the Latrobe Valley and Whittlesea next year.

MEPS students work on editing the final version of their film.

Festival for films

By Mikayla van Loon Mooroolbark East Primary School hosted its seventh annual movie festival last week, showcasing the talents of its senior school students in a night of movie mayhem.

After six months of curating, directing and acting in their own films, 120 students from Grades 3 to 6 were finally able to present their final cut films to family and friends on Wednesday 1 September.

Grade 3 teacher and MEPS Movie Festival coordinator Peter Johnson said putting together a film with a storyline is both rewarding and challenging on a number of levels for students.

“The kids, initially, find it very challenging to try to not only visually communicate but they’ve also got to speak at the same time and they’ve got to try to give the impression that they are in the story,” he said.

Mr Johnson goes by the philosophy that “it’s very easy to make a bad movie but it’s very hard to make a good one” and so this project requires planning and vision from students to produce a strong narrative.

“What I tried to do was to get the kids to put together a project in which they could learn co-operative skills and learn problem solving skills.

“And also just learn the craft of being able to operate a camera and being able to use the camera to communicate their ideas clearly to an audience.”

Many of the films focused on school life but the ones that stood out were the ones that had clear direction from the start.

“Those who had a very strong narrative from the beginning to the end they’re the ones that were the most successful,” Mr Johnson said.

“The other thing which is really good is

Mooroolbark East Primary School students from Grade 3 6 act, direct and produce their films ready for the Mepflix movie night.

Pictures: SUPPLIED when you come across a student made movie, which just seems very innovative and just so unusual and unique in its composition.

“They’re the ones which really make things like the movie festival quite worthwhile.”

Although having to take the movie festival completely online for the second year running, Mr Johnson said he has received some great feedback from parents, meaning it was a hit.

“The only other thing I’ve got to go on is by the views and the likes and based upon all that it was a great success considering the limitations that we all unfortunately had this year.”

Seeing how much the students enjoy learning to use the camera equipment and have complete control over their films is exactly why Mr Johnson brought this in as an extracurricular activity.

“Aside from the fact that I find this sort of stuff really interesting, it makes for a really good extra curricular project for students,” he said.

“The main thing which I’ve tried to do is create something really unique, something which very few schools do.”

It also gives students confidence in their capabilities, to try something new and seeing themselves on the big screen is always a huge motivator.

“The thing which stands out to them most is their own appearance in these things, they love to see themselves in action.

“Sometimes, initially, they might find it a bit embarrassing but eventually, once they get used to the idea of it, they actually find it quite a novelty.”

A reminder to stay fire safe throughout the spring season CFA is reminding Victorians that home fire risks remain prevalent and urged communities to continue practising fire safe behaviour around the house despite winter ending.

Firefighters recommend keeping this front of mind by completing a Home Fire Safety Checklist which reinforces fire safe behaviour in the kitchen, bedrooms and living areas, and offers tips for clothes and laundry, electrical appliances and smoke alarm maintenance.

On average, there are more than 3000 house fires in Victoria each year and most can be prevented by taking simple precautions.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said even though spring will present some warmer weather, house fires can happen at any time and the community must ensure their heaters, chimneys and electrical appliances are safe to use.

“While the coldest months of the year are behind us, there may still be times when people are using heating devices such as gas heaters or open fireplaces and we want to ensure they do so safely,” he said.

“The kitchen is the most common area of fire ignition so remember to never leave cooking unattended and keep tea towels away from the stove top.

“Clothes dryers are also a fire risk – make sure to regularly clean the lint filter and let mailcommunity.com.au

the necessary precautions inside their home year-round.

If a fire does start inside your home, make sure you have a home fire escape plan. Get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000).

Visit the CFA website to use the Home Fire Safety Checklist, or to learn more about smoke alarms, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/silenceisdeadly.

Top home fire safety tips CFA recommend interconnected smoke alarms are installed in all bedrooms, hallways and living areas of your home.

Check chimneys, flues and fire boxes for cracks, rust and debris.

Check electric blankets for kinks in the wiring.

Make sure heaters are off before going to bed or going out.

Never leave cooking unattended.

Clean the lint filter in your dryer (and continue to do this after every use).

Check appliances for visibly frayed or damaged wiring.

Complete the Home Fire Safety Checklist to see if you’ve done everything you can to protect you and your family.

Prepare a home fire escape plan and practice escaping quickly and safely.

·

The CFA is urging locals to maintain their fire safety as we exit winter. the dryer complete its cool down cycle before stopping.”

CFA also recommends interconnected smoke alarms are installed in all bedrooms, hallways and living areas of your home.

“Just this year, our firefighters have responded to many significant – and even fatal – house fires across the state,” he said.

“Many of these incidents were preventable and we want people to ensure they are taking

· · · · · · · ·

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

|

MAIL 13

NEWS

14 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

A sleepy koala spotted amongst the gum leaves.

Pictures: SUZANNE BURVILLE

Bugs, birds, bush blitz

By Mikayla van Loon

12511175-BL36-21

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

If you are needing something to do during lockdown and want to make those walks a little more interesting or if you’ve ever had an interest in science and the environment then this one is for you.

Yarra Ranges residents are invited to become citizen scientists for the month of September to help log the vast array of flora and fauna the shire has on offer.

A competition between eight local councils, including the Yarra Ranges, Greater Dandenong, Casey, Monash, Kingston, Knox, Frankston, and Cardinia, is aiming to get people out and about to take photos of the various species of plants and animals in their own backyards or wherever a walk takes them.

Yarra Ranges Council’s environmental volunteer support officer Jen Ellison said it is a great way for each of the regions to learn more about local plants and animals.

“It’s a really, really great way of learning a little bit more about your local nature, there might even be things that you’ve got in your garden that you don’t know you’ve got,” Ms Ellison said.

This aligns with the council’s biodiversity strategy which is currently being worked on and will help form a bigger picture of what needs to be conserved in the future.

“It really helps us look at all of our reserves in the Yarra Ranges region, and see, what do we have in our region, what flora and fauna have we got? What do we want more of? What do we need to protect?

“And so it’s a really fantastic way of helping us get more data and understanding about our local nature.”

By involving the community, a broader area can be covered, more so than what Ms Ellison’s team could do on their own.

“We have a lot of wildlife in the Yarra Ranges so there’s no way for us to know what’s out there,” she said.

“But this is a great way of citizens getting out there and showing us pictures, showing us what sort of potentially rare species we do have.”

This project will also help contribute to an understanding of the biodiversity that is thriving in its natural habitat and what might have

A butterfly perches on the tip of a leaf before taking flight. changed throughout the years.

Ms Ellison is already aware of some really exciting discoveries, with one family trying to snap a photo of a koala.

“We don’t have many koalas in the Yarra Ranges. So if we can get some amazing features like that, then that’s fantastic.”

While those discoveries are wonderful, Ms Ellison said she really hopes this inspires a curiosity in children to learn about the world around them and be fascinated by Australia’s native species, not just zoo animals like elephants and tigers.

“I really hope it gets kids curious. I think that’s what’s really great, I hope they want to lift up some bark and look for the bugs underneath. I hope they’re looking in their trees to hear bird noises.”

This is all being hosted through the application iNaturalist, where people can take photos and upload their observations.

To find out more, head to https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/Biodiversity-Blitz-2021 mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Acacia Verticillata (Prickly Moses). 249503

Acacia Leprosa (Scarlet Blaze). 249503

Ferntree Gully Quarry Recreation Reserve. 248851

Wattle day bright delight

By Renee Wood It’s a plant that draws out a big grin on many onlookers as the humble bright wattle grows strong roadside, in the bush and in home gardens.

There’s a reason it’s so prolific, with over a 1000 species blooming throughout the country - the largest genus of plant in Australia.

Growing everywhere, it’s seen as a ‘unifying symbol of Australians’ and in turn has been given it’s very own national day on September first.

National Wattle Day was proclaimed by the Governor-General of Australia in 1992 and Karwarra Native Botanical Gardens’ leading gardener Aaron Roberts has provided Star Mail with some insight into the popular native.

“Acacias do vary from tall trees, large shrubs, down to the smallest shrubs and ground covers,” he said.

“There’s quite a few indigenous to Victoria, the ones that we use in our indigenous plantings is Acacia verticillata, which is commonly called prickly moses.

“And going back in time Acacias have been widely used for food and medicine and making tools by indigenous people for 1000s of years in Australia.”

Low prickly shrubs provide habitat for wildlife, while the seeds are eaten by birds and insects, they’re also a team player in the soil.

“Another lesser known fact about acacias is that the roots actually fix nitrogen out of the Earth’s atmosphere and so then they make nitrogen more accessible in the soil for themselves and other plants.

“They’re definitely a really good one to have obviously out in the bush, but in the home garden as well for those benefits.”

Acacias are typically known to bloom from late winter through spring but Aaron said you can find one that shines in every season.

“If you had a big enough garden, you could have an Acacia that flowered in each month of the year, they’re not just confined to now.

“There is an Acacia that grows in all climates and growth in all soil, so there is one suitable for everyone’s garden. There’s no excuse not to have a wattle in your garden because they are iconically Australian.”

Iconically so, it’s where our Australian green and gold homage bloomed from, thanks to the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) our national floral emblem.

The flowers are predominately yellow but there is one special lady that has a crimson tone.

“If you want one that really grabs your attention and one your neighbour probably mailcommunity.com.au

Watts river Healesville. 248849 won’t have in their garden, it’s the Acacia Scarlet blaze with a bright red flower - it is certainly something special.”

Aaron’s best tip for green thumbs looking to plant the Australian icon is to do your research.

“Purely because they can grow from tall trees down to sort of the smallest shrubs and ground covers so it depends on what you want it for.”

To get some ideas, visitors are welcomed to Karwarra (when lockdown ends) to see a collection of native plantings.

“The ones that are flowering now are Acacia boormanii which is the ‘Snowy River wattle’ that’s a large shrub. Very much bright yellow flowers and dense fine foliage, another good for the habitat plant.”

“It’s worthwhile coming to Karwarra almost each month of the year to see which plants are in flower and what’s really out and about.

“It gives you a good picture as to how they will perform in your garden, so you can take away your ideas to implement at your place.

“We also collect some rare and threatened species as well. It’s our job to keep those in cultivation and keep them alive, that’s our main aim up here and we hope to see everyone back as soon as possible.”

Leading Gardener Aaron Roberts with Acacia Leprosa (Scarlet Blaze) and Acacia Boormanii (Snowy River Wattle). 249503 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

|

MAIL 15

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 045

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

2

8

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

7 9 2 3 6 8 3

9

5 7

medium

5

9

3 2

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

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Constable (9) Matures (4) Eggs (3) Booking (11) Pseudonyms (3-5) Project (6) Wildcat (4) Teased (7) Expresses disapproval (7) Tract (4) Come back (6) NY theatre district (8) Bases (11) Bedridden (3) Artist, — Ono (4) Adorn with glitter (9)

1 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 25 26 28 29 30 31

No. 045

Punctually (8) Studying (8) Grain (6) Be naughty (9) Benchmark (4) Ushered (6) Did wrong (6) Axe (7) Infamous (9) Gatecrash (7) Surfing (the web) (8) Colour (4,4) Sly (6) Hit (6) R&R spot (3,3) 27 Wound with a knife (4)

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 22 23 24

DECODER

No. 045

5 1 4

9 5 4 9 8 9 2 5 1

6 hard

6 3

9

3 2 7

7 3

1 5 7 9

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

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

4

Q J

6

21

22

23

24

25

26

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”.

N

Today’s Aim: 20 words: Good 30 words: Very good

2 5 1 4 7 6 8 3 9

1 7 2 3 9 6 4 5 8

5 9 3 4 1 8 7 6 2

40 words: Excellent

I

T

E

B

9 4 1 6 8 7 3 2 5

8 3 7 1 5 2 6 9 4

6 2 5 9 3 4 8 7 1

3 8 6 5 2 1 9 4 7

7 5 9 8 4 3 2 1 6

2 1 4 7 6 9 5 8 3

3 4 9 8 2 5 1 6 7

6 8 7 9 3 1 4 5 2

8 7 2 1 5 9 6 4 3

4 9 6 3 8 2 5 7 1

5 1 3 6 4 7 2 9 8

1 6 8 7 9 4 3 2 5

9 2 4 5 1 3 7 8 6

7 3 5 2 6 8 9 1 4

8 9 2 4 5 7 3 6 1

5 3 7 6 8 1 2 9 4

6 1 4 3 9 2 5 8 7

3 5 9 8 1 4 6 7 2

2 6 8 5 7 9 4 1 3

7 4 1 2 6 3 9 5 8

4 8 5 1 2 6 7 3 9

1 7 3 9 4 5 8 2 6

9 2 6 7 3 8 1 4 5

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

A

Y R

G

3 LETTERS ACE ADO ADS AGE ALE ARE ATE AXE BOA COO DIE DOE EEL ERA EWE HER NIP ODE OLD RAM RUM SAC SAT TEE TEN VIP 4 LETTERS ARTS BABE CAPE DYES FAME GATE HERO INNS LADS ONCE ONES RIDE ROOK SARI SECT

SOME TALC VAST 5 LETTERS ADULT ALLAH ALONE ASSET AWAIT CAMPS DELTA DEPTH EDICT ENSUE ERODE FELTS GASES GASPS HEELS IDEAL

No. 045

IDIOM IDLER INLET LADEN LINER MANOR METRE MULTI NAMES NOSED PLIED PLODS POLIO RADIO SAVER SEEMS SLIDE SMITE SOLAR SORRY STEAL

STONE TEASE TERSE TILDE VEILS VILLA YESES 6 LETTERS ELEVEN ENTITY 7 LETTERS ERRATIC EXPANSE

FALSITY LATTICE ORDERED TYPESET 8 LETTERS CHASTISE DIABETIC STOCKADE TIRELESS 10 LETTERS HENCEFORTH PRINCESSES

airy, angry, baying, betray, BETRAYING, binary, brainy, bray, braying, briny, byre, byte, entry, eying, gaiety, gantry, gayer, gentry, grainy, grey, gyrate, gyre, nary, nearby, rainy, raying, retying, tangy, teary, tiny, tray, trey, trying, tying, tyre, yarn, yean, year, yearn, yeti

4 6 8 2 7 5 1 3 9

hard

1

medium

20

easy

19

8 9

18

1

17

8 1 2

16

6

15

2 9

4

C UD Y E BWKN R GX H

7

3

T S Z L F I VMAO PQ J

8

7

2

14

3

1

WORDFIT

10-09-21

William Matthews Funerals FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

24 HOUR SERVICE ALL AREAS

9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 16 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

12410397-ACM06-19

mailcommunity.com.au

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

www.networkclassifieds.com.au

Place your ad in print and online

V Deadline

V Trades Business Profile

V Tree Lopping/Surgery FULLY INSURED

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

Grow your business with

(include your name, address and phone number)

We accept payment by: VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS/BANK TRANSFER

0473 326 333

TRADES & SERVICES

(1.5% credit card processing fee applies.)

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...

General Classifieds

DIN TREE SERVICE N A W • TREES PRUNED, LOPPED, FELLED

Be cool this summer

AND REMOVED • WOODCHIPPING AND STUMPGRINDING • QUALIFIED ARBORIST FREE • PROMPT RELIABLE SERVICE

Pensioner Discounts • Air Conditioning Get ready • Split Systems for Summer!!

• Evaporative Evaporative Cooler & Split Cooling System Service Specials

QUOTES

12499475-CG25-21

30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

FULLY INSURED

V Air Conditioning

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

“Wandin Tree Service has been using community classifieds for the past 20 years. The Trade Directory adverts allows us to focus on specific local areas to provide a prompt, value for money service at affordable DGYHUWLVLQJ UDWHV ´ ă -LP

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

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

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

12423634-SN31-19

12493755-SN19-21

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week.

Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise. Start building your brand today and be seen every week in Network Classifieds Trades and Services.

12499475-CG25-21

• TREES PRUNED, LOPPED, FELLED AND REMOVED • WOODCHIPPING AND STUMPGRINDING • QUALIFIED ARBORIST FREE • PROMPT RELIABLE SERVICE QUOTES • EXCELLENT RATES

Phone: 1300 666 808

Deadline for all classifications is 4pm Friday.

30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

DIN TREE SERVICE WAN

• EXCELLENT RATES

Employment

0473 326 333

V Positions Vacant

V Positions Vacant

Apprentice Mechanic

Truck & Dog Driver

See website for details REC 17042 PIC 38148 AU 06212 12461776-LB38-20

Call 1300 666 808 9870 7059 www.fairbairns.com.au

฀

V Pest Control

V Tree Lopping/Surgery

฀ ฀

1129931-RC16-14

12345326-PB14-17

TERMITE CONTROL SPECIALIST

rangerpestcontrol.com.au Free termite quotes - Family owned business ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

Call Steve 0417 192 009

฀

฀ Insured

฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀

DAWSONS $20 MILLION INSURANCE

• LARGE TREE SPECIALISTS • HEDGE TRIMMING EXPERTS • STUMP GRINDING • MULCH AVAILABLE • CONSULTING ARBORIST

฀

฀

TREE SERVICES

฀

Call for a free quote

0488 097 005

V Electricians

12496966-LB23-21

฀

฀

12358958-PB30-17

Small Job Specialist ฀ ฀฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

12506651-DL32-21

V Positions Vacant

V Builders & Building Services

฀

Casual. Exp. preferred.

Full-time work, some long Required for Sat/Sun distance, for the right work. Truck greasing and person. Vic Roads check. maintenance.

Based in Healesville.

Collin 0407 307 432 Collin 0407 307 432

V Roofing A Grade Electrical Contractor

• No Fuss • No Mess • No Stress

☎

24 HOUR SERVICE ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀

Roof Restoration Specialists

฀ ฀ ฀

đŏ ((ŏ(! 'ŏ.!, %./ŏđŏ ++"ŏ /$%*#ŏđŏ ++"ŏ %*0%*# đŏ (!4%ġ,+%*0%*#ŏđŏ % #!ŏ0%(!ŏ.!ġ ! %*# đŏ ((!5ŏ $ *#%*#ŏđŏ 100!.ŏ (! *%*#ŏ".+)ŏĸāĂĀ đŏ ((ŏ05,!/ŏ+"ŏ.++ü*#ŏ * ŏ .,!*0.5

Jason 1300 644 698

The Re-Roof Man

SJC HOME MAINTENANCE ‘Your Local’ Qualified Tradesman

www.sjchomemaintenance.com.au

mailcommunity.com.au

All types of Roofs 12456635-CG32-20

House & Property Maintenance No job too small Quality work at a great price, Fully insured

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀

Paul 0418 570 231 Lic. 25035

paulnobes@live.com.au

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

10 year Guarantee.

Call now for a FREE quote: 0405 817 173

V Handy Persons

Call Mick 0424 414 495

One call, We do it all!

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

Call the team today 0421 574 444 www.transformedtreeservices.com.au

12481756-DL07-21

฀

9720 5111

12386568-ACM19-18

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

12462305-LB39-20

12447720-LB18-20

J.L. Hutt Electrical

Call Chris 0412 099 142 23 years in roofing leaks

12402861-RA44-18

Ph: 9761 4092 info@kallistaelectrical.com

Rebedding & pointing Skylight resealing Written guarantee

Leak detection & repair Valleys replaced Pensioner discount

12438941-CG04-20

For all your electrical work including: Extensions Safety Switches Faults Repairs Farm Work Commercial and Domestic

12440513-DV06-20

“Servicing the hills for over 30 years”

Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

Advertise with us and get better results

CALL:

฀

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

฀ |

MAIL 17

SPORT

Gary bids for greatness

By Mikayla van Loon Montrose Football Club will be welcoming AFL royalty to its coaching team for 2022, with the announcement that Gary Ayres will fill the position of senior coach.

The legend of the game started his AFL career at 17 with the Hawthorn Football Club in 1978 and went on to play in five premierships in the ‘80s and early ‘90s.

He was the recipient of two Norm Smith medals and captained the Hawks in his final two years with the team.

Making the transition from player to coach, Ayres jumped on as the coach of Geelong in 1995 and then Adelaide in 2000, before taking up the role of senior coach at VFL club Port Melbourne.

Parting ways with Port Melbourne earlier this year, Ayres said he wanted to remain a senior coach at some level but it was about finding the right fit.

“It was a case of just trying to make the decision in my own mind as to the best fit for me.

What I could possibly offer the football club, where I saw them now and clearly where we would like to see ourselves in the future,” Ayres told Star Mail.

Living in Mount Evelyn for eight years now, seeing the list of players signed on at Montrose and with the club having a clear goal of wanting to get Montrose back into Premier Division, Ayres said these were all deciding factors for coming on as senior coach.

For Ayres, he’s not worried about the adjustment from VFL coach to local football coach but said there may be times where he has to temper his expectations.

“Clearly, there is some sort of difference, although with the way I believe a standalone VFL club operates, there’s probably not that much difference in relation to what [local] clubs do to operate,” he said.

“Everyone that I know, and being involved in footy for a long time, we’re all chasing that one thing, and that’s to be successful.

“It’s really about the culture. It’s really about the emergence of young talents and trying to nurture that.”

Ayres has started speaking with the team and coaches, just reaching out to introduce himself and say hello.

These, for him, are important foundations for building a good chance at success next year and he plans on spending the next few weeks understanding who has what role both on and off the field.

“Getting an understanding of how the football club operates, I think that’s really, really important. That’s why I probably call it a real fact finding mission I’m on at the moment.

“The players have always been, in my mind anyway, the most valuable assets any organisation can have.”

Although not a true indication of what Montrose Football Club could achieve, Ayres was confident 2021 showed potential to be a real contender in the competition.

“There’s certainly some growth there but they had a really good run with injuries and were able to have most of their better players playing.

“So I think we need to improve our depth and certainly that depth needs to come from our junior program, those that are showing some sort of talent, and we would hopefully get them to blossom into really, really good players.”

Ayres’ aims for the side seem quite simple: lay good foundations, get better at football and win some of those smaller margin losses but he believes that is the key to success and eventually making it to Premier Division.

“I guess the long term goal is to hopefully get back into Premier Division but we know a lot of things will have to happen before that,” he said.

“It’s about the growth that we can have as a club and we would like to make the club a destination club and you need to have respect within the community, you need to engage the community, you need to become very credible, and that players want to come to the club because they see that it’s a good fit for them.”

Having always loved being involved in football and having a passion for the game ever since he started playing, Ayres just wants to see his players enjoy some of the success he had.

“I’ve always been one to roll my sleeves up and certainly try and get in and make, I guess, a difference in how you can help young men and the overriding thing for me is to see young men achieve some of the successes that I achieved in my time as a player and a coach.”

Hawthorn great Gary Ayres has signed on as senior head coach of Montrose Football Club for 2022.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Lockdown forces local competitions to pull the pin

By Nick Creely It was inevitable, but now it’s official.

There will be no more local football and netball in 2021, with the latest lockdown extension until at least the 23rd of September dispelling all hopes that a finals series could be possible, with leagues now set to turn their attentions to 2022, and hopefully no more disruptions after two Covid-riddled seasons.

After no competitions in 2020, and just half a season in 2021, it’s a bitter blow for sport-starved communities.

On Thursday 2 September, the Metropolitan Melbourne leagues - Eastern Football Netball League, Essendon District, Northern Football League, Southern Football League, Riddell District, VAFA, Western Region and South Metro Juniors issued a joint statement to get the ball rolling, confirming that they have mutually agreed to end all 2021 competitions.

“This decision is an extremely difficult one and has not been made lightly,” the statement read.

“All leagues have been working diligently in the hope of enabling the remaining games in the 2021 season to be played.

“However, it is now apparent this will not be possible in the current environment.”

The Metro leagues said it was now time to focus on a return to play next year.

“All leagues are committed to working closely with their member clubs, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to manage the associated issues related to the cancellation of 18 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

all 2021 competitions and working towards a return to play next season,” the statement read.

“We wish to take this opportunity to thank all clubs, players, parents, volunteers, officials, umpires and league partners for your patience, support and cooperation throughout the 2021 season.

“We urge all associated with our respective communities to heed the advice and regulations in place by order of the State Government.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring our community remains safe and healthy so we can all return to football and netball next season.”

The AFL Outer East announced on Friday morning that its senior and junior competitions are cancelled for 2021, informing clubs on Thursday night.

“While we understand this is an extremely disappointing decision, which was not made lightly, Outer East has exhausted all avenues possible in the hope of enabling the remain-

ing games in the 2021 season to be played,” the league said.

“Across September, we will be releasing and announcing our players awards for season 2021 to recognise the achievements of players across our various competitions.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all clubs, players, parents, volunteers, officials, umpires and league partners for your patience, support, and cooperation throughout the 2021 season.”

The AFL has also announced that the VFL season will officially be called off.

Despite trying valiantly to find a way to navigate a finals series, ongoing lockdown and state border closures have made it impossible for football to find a way through.

Footscray has been recognised as the 2021 minor premiers, but there will be no premier or Liston Medal awarded.

“The 2021 season saw multiple schedule changes, several match cancellations, postponements and weeks of hiatus for many clubs, and all clubs, players, officials and umpires should be congratulated for their relentless pursuit to play matches,” AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter said.

“All levels of the game across Australia have been impacted by the health pandemic this year and it has been another challenging year for everyone connected to football.

“Footy clubs are the heartbeat of many local communities and the identity of our clubs and our league will not be defined by the outcome of the 2020 and 2021 season. mailcommunity.com.au

REV IT UP

Trust tyres to Treadworx Treadworx is a family owned and operated tyre, wheel and suspension business located in Lilydale offering an extensive range of products and services.

The Treadworx team is dedicated to friendly and honest customer service and providing expert advice while guaranteeing a job done to the highest standards through the use of modern precision equipment, quality products and over 15 years’ industry experience.

While specialising in 4x4 tyres, suspension and wheel alignments, Treadworx also accommodates any vehicle from a wheelbarrow through to a large 4WD. “We are Melbourne’s leading Maxxis tyre dealer and an authorised Fulcrum suspension dealer. However, we also offer a multitude of other brands to accommodate all our customer’s needs,” said Nathan Hawkless.

“By offering an extensive range of products and services and with our experienced and knowledgeable staff, Treadworx has earned a reputation for high quality products, premium service and highly competitive prices.”

Treadworx is situated at 25 Industrial Park Drive, Lilydale, 9739 5185.

Nic works on a car.

The Treadworx team Nathan, Michelle and Nic. 238804

ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS Licensed RWC Tester Repairs to all make and models

Roadworthy Inspections From only $99

TEL 9739 7233 easternrangesmotors.com.au office@easternrangesmotors.com.au ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS FACTORY 35b, 70-72 CAVEHILL RD, LILYDALE 3140

Retain your new car warranty

2 Industrial Park Drive, Lilydale CALL: 9739 7220

12508911-NG37-21

12508915-AV37-21

TYRES - WHEELS - SUSPENSION 9739 5185 | 25 Industrial Park Drive | LILYDALE mailcommunity.com.au

12508919-JW37-21

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

|

MAIL 19

12509534-CG37-21

20 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au