Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 19th October 2021

Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Giant wombat arrives in Selby

Mt Ev Pavilion brick fundraiser

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Tuesday, 19 October, 2021

Mail Sassafras residents fed up with deers

Water tanks to become public art

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A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

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Upwey High School’s Thompson Reserve will partly become car parking for commuters during the construction of Belgrave’s station car park.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

This space, looking back to Upwey Tecoma Football Netball Club, will be concreted and used in the future for netball, hockey or soccer. 254123

Car park battle As plans move forward to build the new station car park in Belgrave, relocating commuter parking to Upwey has been a contentious issue.

Land owned by the State government and used by Upwey High School to the left of the football oval at Upwey Recreation Reserve is the proposed site for a 172 space car park, which has now been approved.

Although noted as a temporary solution to

the parking problem while Belgrave station is under construction, it would be a permanent fixture in the reserve to the benefit of the high school.

Councillor Catherine Burnett-Wake said works at this site also include the redevelopment of the oval for Upwey High School and Upwey Primary School.

“It should be noted that the car park proposed is temporary in nature and will only be

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operational during the construction of the Belgrave railway station car park,” she said.

“After it’s decommissioned, it will be converted to other uses attached to the schools.

Netball, hockey and soccer courts have been proposed for future use.”

During the building phase 15 trees will be removed, including indigenous stringybark and blackwoods, as well as exotic trees like loquat and liquidambar.

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Robert Shepherd spoke on behalf of the 27 objectors who submitted concerns relating to the negative impact on the community and the lack of communication between the applicant, VicTrack, and the community.

“The supporting submissions of this proposal cite the net community benefit. The high school and VicTrack will clearly benefit from this proposal,” he said.

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By Mikayla van Loon

RUNNY NOSE OR COVID? 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

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Tuesday, 19 October, 2021

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IN BRIEF

Striking for climate Climate change is an undeniable problem for the students who took part in the national climate strike on Friday 15 October, including a group from the Dandenong Ranges.

The newly created Belgrave arm of School Strike 4 Climate hosted an online event to continue conversations around the impact of fossil fuels and the funding of a future rather than gas.

Belgrave organiser Mandela Russell said the Naarm or city online event was mainly about connecting with others who are passionate about saving their futures, talking about the upcoming elections and to follow on from discussions held at the 21 May strike.

“It’s following our mission for School Strike to get rid of any unsustainable energy exports and creations by 2030 and to create a just job transition for all people in the coal industries and the fossil fuel industries and their communities, as well as reduce Australia’s carbon footprint,” she said.

The Dandenong Ranges group only formed in September but were still able to gather a

dozen people online, while the Naarm event had 400 people RSVP. “I think it’s a lot harder to get people to online events with Covid and just the interest around it because I think some of the buzz is lost when it becomes an online event instead of an in person march but we’re just really grateful to have people coming and to meet some new people I guess in the community and young people.”

Mandela said because the Naarm events throughout the day placed a large focus on activism in the political space like voting and reaching out to MPs, she wanted the local event to be a social space for people.

“We created a Kahoot about the local environment and our mission as a group and what we want to do and some of the Indigenous history of the area, as well as some discussion rooms about the political landscape today and the different solutions we see for issues in our community,” she said.

Mandela and her team in the Dandenong Ranges have big plans to spread their message

when Covid-19 restrictions end.

“We want to work with local businesses, first of all, in signing a pledge for School Strike but we want to work with local businesses and also work with local schools, in creating educational talks and educational groups,” she said.

Other items on the to-do list include moving into the creative realm to host market stalls, live music events and potentially events with guest speakers like Jane Goodall, to raise money and awareness.

Mandela said many of the young people in the Hills have similar concerns for their futures and were already a part of other climate action groups but nothing was exclusively available for students and young people.

“I think because of everything that’s happened with the storms and seeing everything that’s happened with bushfires, I think we know firsthand what it can be like and what climate change can do for our futures, as students and as the next generation.

“And I just think we have big plans and this is definitely not the last people have heard of us.”

Freedom on the horizon for metro areas

By Mikayla van Loon Metropolitan Melbourne is set to be released from lockdown should the vaccination target be reached by Thursday 21 October at 11.59pm.

With the first dose vaccination rate at almost 90 per cent, Victoria will hit a significant milestone on the Roadmap, with 70 per cent of Victorians 16 years and over having received both their vaccine doses by Friday.

“This is an amazing achievement. Some time ago we asked Victorians to get vaccinated and they have, in record numbers and record time, done exactly what we asked them to do,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.

“I could not be more proud of our community coming forward, making these decisions to protect themselves to protect the people they love and to protect all of us against this global pandemic, to allow us to change the rules to open up, to normalise this, to get our freedoms back.”

Key Roadmap items include no more curfew or kilometre travel limit but Melbourne residents are still not allowed to travel into regional Victoria and must continue wearing masks indoors and outdoors.

Up to 10 people, including dependents, per day will be able to visit homes in both regional and metropolitan Melbourne.

Outdoor cafes, cinemas, and physical recreation facilities like pools will open with up to 50 people per venue but are subject to density limits and only for those fully vaccinated.

Indoor settings like restaurants and cafes will be able to reopen with up to 20 people indoors with density limits and only if all at-

Takeaway coffees might be a thing of the past as cafes are allowed to slowly open their doors to customers on Friday 22 October but masks will remain for some time. Siobhan and Megan Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS from Posie Project Montrose. 251070

The SES were out in full force once again over the weekend of 15, 16 and 17 October, as flood waters rose and trees fell throughout the Yarra Ranges.

Lilydale SES had received a total of 76 requests for assistance by 6pm on Saturday 16 October and Healesville SES had received 26.

Crews from Emerald SES were out all night responding to calls of trees and powerlines down on Friday 15 October.

Mount Dandenong Tourist Road between Browns Road and Five Ways was closed for some time with fallen trees and large rocks on the road. VicRoads were onsite to assess the damage.

VicRoads also attended calls to debris washed onto Belgrave/Gembrook Road between Avonsleigh and Cockatoo.

Flood waters also closed roads including Melba Highway between St Huberts Road and McIntyre Lane.

The Yarra River at Yarra Glen reached 4.35 metres on Sunday afternoon, meaning it was above the minor flood level of 4.10 metres. The river was expected to reach its peak of a moderate flood level on Monday.

Floodplains when entering Healesville from Coldstream were at very high levels on Monday 18 October, with more rain expected throughout the week.

Driver caught on multiple offences tendees – including workers – are fully vaccinated.

The work from home order still remains and anyone on the authorised workers list is required to have had at least one dose of the vaccine in order to work on site.

Religious gatherings, weddings and funerals will be able to take place with up to 50 people outdoors and 20 people indoors subject to density limits and only if all attendees are fully vaccinated.

“The rate at which Victorians have been getting vaccinated is nothing short of incredible, but if we want to ensure our health system isn’t overwhelmed and our hospitalisation rates aren’t too high as we open up, we need to keep that momentum going. Today is the day to book that vaccine appointment,” health minister Martin Foley said.

Covid-19 cases have been slowly rising in

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A speeding driver has alerted police to a number of offences after being caught by Highway Patrol units last week.

The 38-year-old male was detected speeding at 105 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on Wellington Road in Belgrave South.

Apart from speeding, the driver of the vehicle was found to have a licence that was previously disqualified, an unregistered vehicle, false plates and tested positive for illicit drugs.

Highway Patrol impounded the vehicle to the cost of $1,030 and the driver will face court on all charges.

School zones With school resuming across the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shires little people will be back walking and riding to and from school again.

Please take extra care on the roads, adhere to the 40km/h speed zones and slow down around kids and bicycles.

DELIVERING FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES & FAMILIES AS WE GROW. Harriet Shing MP

James Merlino MP

LABOR MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIA REGION

STATE MEMBER FOR MONBULK

216 Commercial Road, Morwell VIC 3840 P: 1300 103 199 E: harriet.shing@parliament.vic.gov.au harrietshingmp @ShingvWorld

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the east, equating to six per cent of the total cases recorded in the 24 hours prior to Monday 18 October.

In those 24 hours, the Yarra Ranges Shire recorded 20 new cases, while Maroondah recorded 15 and Knox recorded 20.

The 20 new cases for the Yarra Ranges are from the following postcodes 3140 - 5 3116 - 1 3138 - 3 3137 - 1 3766 - 2 3139 - 2 3777 - 3 3787 - 3 This brings the total number of active cases to 230 in the Yarra Ranges, 202 in Maroondah and 318 in Knox.

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Floods and fallen trees

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By Mikayla van Loon

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Tuesday, 19 October, 2021

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Vet savings Cardinia Shire Council, the National Desexing Network and local veterinary clinics have joined forces to offer residents in need a subsidised desexing program for cats.

Cardinia Shire residents on pensions or low incomes will pay just $50 to desex their cats.

The subsidy is funded by a Victorian Government Animal Welfare Fund grant.

The program is managed by the National Desexing Network and residents who need support should phone the network on 1300 368 992 to find out if they are eligible. If eligible, you will be issued a desexing voucher before booking an appointment at one of the following participating vet clinics: Our Vet, Pakenham

·

Car park battle lost

· Gembrook Vet Clinic · Emerald Vet Clinic

Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen encouraged residents in need to take advantage of this proactive program.

“This initiative helps the whole community as it helps reduce cat nuisance issues and predation on native wildlife,” he said.

“Desexing not only helps to ensure fewer unwanted animals, but research shows that desexed animals can live longer and healthier lives.”

Dr Joy Verrinder, Strategic Director of the National Desexing Network, urged residents to get their male and female cats desexed between two and four months of age, as male

Cat desexing has now been subsidised for eligible Cardinia residents. cats are less likely to fight, roam and spray and female cats can become pregnant from just four months old and can breed continuously after that.

“We thank the local veterinary clinics for helping with this community service,” said Dr Verrinder.

Before we can do the thing we want to do, there’s something we all need to do first.

Book your COVID-19 vaccination.

Visit Australia.gov.au or call 1800 020 080.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

From page 1 “Though the community, including many families that attend the school, are supportive of the school seeking to improve the facilities for its students, there is no net benefit for the wider community.”

One of the major objections from local residents was the traffic modelling that was undertaken by engineering and construction consultant GHD during Covid-19.

GHD conducted the traffic surveys in February and used 2020 data of the Mast Gully Road and Burwood Highway intersection to compare traffic volumes.

“Traffic volumes on Burwood Highway at this intersection on the day of the survey totalled 19,262 which indicates that observed were close to the 2020 peak daily flow and not impacted by COVID-19,” the report stated.

Mr Shepherd said the current Belgrave station car park is only a fifth full on any given day, with more people working from home and he doesn’t believe this has been taken into consideration.

He also said the report does not consider the potential use of Upper Ferntree Gully and Ferntree Gully train stations.

This area is also used as a flood plain for the nearby Ferny Creek, soaking up excess water during the winter months.

“The plan for 5000 square meters of paved car park and increased water shedding from the ... will put at least half a million liters of additional rainwater into the creek each month during winter, and summer storms can add almost this much in a single day,” Mr Shepherd said.

“This dramatically increases the risk of flooding to the bowls club, which already has a history of flooding and to residential properties downstream of the stormwater outlet.”

Councillor Johanna Skelton said while yes, the proposal has been approved by the planning department, there are still items that need to be provided to the council to meet its satisfaction.

“Melbourne water will still need to sign off and look at the flooding assessment and they’ll need to do further assessments,” she said.

Issues around hooning, safety, security and the change in zoning from education space to public space were also concerns raised by Mr Shepherd.

Cr Burnett-Wake tried to alleviate those concerns by stating that CCTV cameras would be installed and all surrounding pathways and fencing that are proposed for the design would be temporary, until the car park is decommissioned.

“This is a beloved space and in fact, it’s one that I use with my family on a regular basis,” she said.

“I note there are concerns that this location may not have been considered enough. However, I want to let residents know that this application has been considered, due process has been followed.”

As much as it was about the lack of communication with residents as stakeholders and the safety concerns, Mr Shepherd said it is also about another green, open, recreational space being developed.

“Local residents and the wider community will no longer be able to freely use the reserves they do now and will have to compete with other groups for half of the currently available recreation space,” he said.

Mr Shepard said Thompson Reserve is used by people of all ages and abilities and with “decades of community use it has developed a firm place in the hearts and minds of residents and locals.”

Yarra Ranges Council voted unanimously to approve the recommendation at the 12 October council meeting.

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A large truck and crane was needed to help lift the full size diprotodon into the Selby Community House play space.

Pictures: ALEX LOWES

The diprotodon was imagined as a plant-waste-eating, soil excavating and habitat making landscaping machine by Stephen Mushin.

Giant wombat moves in

By Mikayla van Loon After 10 years of having a neglected playspace in Selby, the final piece of the redevelopment has been installed creating the Wombalana Adventure Space.

A funny looking creature from the Pleistocene epoch that looks similar to a giant wombat but is known as a diprotodon, has taken up residence in Selby.

As a permanent feature in the Selby Community House playground, house manager Anna Reid hopes it will be a draw card to the area.

It’s taken 18 months of working with industrial designer Stephen Mushin and RB Landscapes to not only get the diprotodon to Selby but to recreate an environmentally focused playspace.

“Between the two of them, they’ve created a masterpiece of the most beautiful, natural gar-

den, children’s play space, a place where the community can come together which didn’t really exist or doesn’t exist in this area,” Ms Reid said.

“We’re one of the oldest community houses in the area. We’ve got a very strong environmental focus that’s been around for over 40 years.

“It ties in all of the things that Selby Community House holds dear which is all about nature and preserving the environment.”

Richard Bellemo and the team from RB Landscapes redeveloped the space using large boulders, vertical and horizontal logs, giant ferns, meandering pathways and stepping stones to create an other-worldly garden space inspired from the natural world.

Diprotodons used to roam what would have been the Dandenong Ranges over 50,000 years ago and with the return of one to Selby, it will be the only true to size replica of the mega-

fauna in Australia and perhaps the world.

“Wombalana is a magical wilderness. A journey tens of thousands of years back in time – perhaps even before humans inhabited the land we now call Australia,” Mr Mushin said.

Made from all recycled industrial materials by fabricator and sculptor Sam Deal, Ms Reid said it is a bit quirky but she hopes it will allow the children’s imaginations to run wild.

“It’s incredible to think that something like this existed here and it walked through this area,” she said.

“The concept is something that’s never been done before. It’s otherworldly, it creates creativity with children, it sparks interest in all ages, it’s not just children, it could be any age that’s fascinated by this.

“We’re really pushing the bar and trying to be creative and different but also create something that we’re really proud of and it’s a real

nod to our incredible nature and history of the area.”

The children lucky enough to be at Selby Primary School and the Selby kindergarten on Wednesday 13 October were able to watch as the diprotodon was lifted into position and installed and were perhaps the first to give it a test run.

Ms Reid said this was very much a soft launch of the diprotodon ready for the real unveiling at Selby Fest on 4 December where she would like to see everyone exploring the garden and taking selfies with the curious creature.

A naming competition for the diprotodon, which will be announced shortly, will also be awarded at Selby Fest.

Stephen recently designed Terra Wonder Adventure Playspace at CERES environmental park – including a 500:1 scale mechanical millipede as big as a bus! www.ceres.org.au

Youth Parli approve Bill for reconciliation in schools

By Mikayla van Loon The Victorian Youth Parliament has just finished up for another year but a team of six young people from the Yarra Ranges haven’t quite finished campaigning for their Bill.

Gunai-Monaro woman Chloe Baulch and her team put forward the Mandatory Reconciliation Action Plans in Schools Bill to help bridge the gap between First Nations Peoples and non-First Nations Peoples.

“A Reconciliation Action Plan is basically a set out document that is used in any organisation, so that can be schools, workplaces, really anyone can set one up for their business,” she said.

“And it’s just a structure that’s set out to implement, help and also make First Nations Australians or anyone really just feel comfortable and welcomed in the environment that they’re in.”

While there are set guidelines for what needs to be included in a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Ms Baulch said schools can adapt RAP’s to suit its individual needs and cohort.

“One thing they say is optional but in the RAP my team has created, if it was a school that was having a RAP, we believe that cultural connection to the land should be involved within the school.

“My team believes that having something where it acknowledges the land that we’re on, so for instance, for myself out in the Yarra mailcommunity.com.au

Oonah Yarra Ranges Council Youth argued their case against Tarneit Senior College in the Youth Parliament.

Picture: SUPPLIED Ranges on Wurundjeri land, all the schools out this way would have to have something to say, ‘we acknowledge that were on the Wurundjeri land’.

“And they would need to have it written or just said at the start of each session like you would in an acknowledgement of country.”

The majority of the Youth Parliament voted in favour of this Bill and it will now be placed in the hands of youth minister Ros Spence.

But for Ms Baulch and her team, the role they want to play in getting this Bill mandated by the State government is far from over.

“The really wonderful thing that I’ve seen from my other team members was as soon as

we had finished the program, they all turned around and said, ‘we don’t want this to be the end’.

“So one of the ladies who was helping us from the Yarra Ranges Council, she actually said, ‘Okay, let’s just keep advocating this topic and trying to set up meetings’.”

Every Thursday evening the team meets with a representative from an organisation they believe will be able to help further their advocacy or who would be interested in learning more about an RAP. “We had a meeting last week with Reconciliation Australia and they were really helpful with giving us tips and where to go from there and then they’ve set us up with a

couple of ministers and people to talk to,” Ms Baulch said.

“So hopefully with us talking to them, they can get an understanding of why we want it before they actually read our Bill [in parliament].

“Hopefully it helps get them on the yes side of it so that it can become approved and then compulsory.”

Only 22 primary and secondary schools have already implemented an RAP in Victoria and Ms Baulch said she would like to think even if the Bill doesn’t get passed in parliament, that schools will begin adding it to the curriculum because of the advocacy work her team hopes to do.

Ms Baulch said schools like Mount Lilydale Mercy College have already reached out to herself and the team to talk about how the school can use the information provided in the RAP to address the upcoming compulsory teaching of cultural connection to the land in science.

“Having these RAP’s isn’t trying to tell anyone ‘you need to have indigenous people at your school’,” Ms Baulch said.

“It’s just to make people feel more accepted and welcomed and even for the non Indigenous students just to learn about the culture and actually have that mandatory for them to actually learn.”

To learn more about RAP’s and how to set one up, go to https://www.narragunnawali. org.au/raps/what-is-a-rap.

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Building the foundation

By Mikayla van Loon For members of a sports club, whether a new or a lifelong member, being recognised for your contribution is an honour.

That’s why the Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub (MESCH) committee is selling ‘foundation bricks’ for the building of the new pavilion at Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve.

MESCH vice president Mal Darke said the bricks are a great way of celebrating the various sports clubs and their members in Mount Evelyn but also a way of fundraising.

“The people and families that have had a contribution to the club over any period of time but also those people that have been part of the club for a long time, can have their name memorialised on the wall of the new club rooms as a founding member,” he said.

“So it gives that opportunity for people who, in the past, have contributed and also those people that are going to be part of the club moving forward for the next 10, 20 or 30 years, can have their name as a memorial on the wall in the club room for all their family and friends to see for years to come.”

Mr Darke said applications have also been received from the families of some club members who have died so they can be remembered for the next 50 or more years as the building stands in the reserve.

The bricks are $500 each but Mr Darke said he understands this may be too expensive for some people, so they have come up with ways to ensure everyone who wants a brick gets one.

“We also offer payment plans for people so they can pay them off over whatever period of time suits them because we don’t want anyone to miss out.

“And you can have up to two families on the brick, so you might want to go halves with someone.”

The bricks will be placed in prime position

for everyone to see - the foyer area outside the club rooms.

“So they’re going to be put on a wall or maybe two walls, depending on how many we sell, in that foyer area. They’ll be quite prominent and people will be able to see them as they walk in,” Mr Darke said.

So far around 60 bricks have been sold through the application process but Mr Darke said he hopes over 100 will sell in total. “[The delays have] really impacted our ability to sell these bricks because people are reluctant to commit financially, when they haven’t seen any progress.

“So the delays are really impacting sales, as have the Covid restrictions, not being able to sell them face to face and catch up with people down at the clubs at home games and stuff like that.”

Mr Darke said community organisations, charities and not-for-profits that have supported and been a part of the Mount Evelyn sports clubs are invited to make an application for a brick.

“Fundraising aside, it’s just a really nice way to acknowledge people that have been part of the club, who have contributed to that club and where it is now, to help put the club on the pathway to where it is.

“While we get going to have shiny new club rooms and great facilities for the community, we need to acknowledge the people that made the club what it is.”

On Friday 15 October, MESCH was advised Yarra Ranges Council had received the necessary planning approval and permit from the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning to start demolition and construction of the Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub. To apply for a brick, go to https:// mesch3796.com.au/, click the tab ‘Buy a Brick’ and fill out the application form.

Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub vice president Mal Darke and president Bryan McCarthy are raising funds and asking people to be founding members of the Mount Evelyn pavilion by purchasing a foundation brick. 253180 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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The deer can been seen mostly at night but do appear in the mornings and afternoons.

The deer have taken up residence in one of the backyards of one the houses.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Deary me it’s dangerous

By Mikayla van Loon The feral deer problem in the Dandenong Ranges is not uncommon but for residents living in Sassafras they are battling deer of a different kind - domestic deer.

Around four weeks ago, Russell Oldham who lives on Gwenneth Crescent, received a call from his neighbours John Petersen and Gregg Brotherston, who said a herd of deer had run past their house.

“Every night for the last week I’ve gone down to the paddock and there are at least five deer, between five and eight deer in the paddock,” Mr Oldham said.

A nearby property on Florence Avenue that was recently sold, had housed 12 deer for many years in one of the paddocks for farming purposes.

Since the house has been sold, Mr Oldham and Mr Petersen said deer have been seen roaming the streets in Sassafras, which they suspect are the 12 from the Florence Avenue property.

Each night the deer run through Mr Oldham’s property, jumping his hedge to get to the nearby paddock.

The deer are destroying gardens, eating the fruit off fruit trees, eroding the embankments onto the roads and leaving scat or poo which is then being eaten by residents’ dogs, making them quite sick.

But the biggest concern residents have is the traffic hazard they cause when on the roads late at night, particularly on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road.

Alex Prisco, who lives on Kenneth Avenue, said the most telling thing they had become an issue for her was when she encountered them driving home from work.

“I come home late at night because I do a shift that finishes at 10 o’clock and I came down The Crescent and at the top of The Crescent, all of a sudden, there’s a herd of deer in front of my car, not just one because I’ve seen lots coming up Mountain Highway, but there’s literally a herd,” she said.

While the roads are quiet because of the pandemic, Ms Prisco worries that when people return to work and are out at night, it won’t be long before an accident happens.

Mr Petersen said he has contacted VicRoads, who have told him the responsibility falls on the Yarra Ranges Council as these roads are

Residents John Petersen, Gregg Brotherston, Matthew Batt, Russell Oldham, Alex Prisco, Raya Batt and Carol Soloff are fed up with deer in their gardens and on their roads with no solution in sight.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON under its jurisdiction.

Having submitted a number of requests to the council and to DELWP, the residents have been left with no solution to their problem.

Although the residents have no real proof that these deer are farmed animals, they have never had any issues with deer before and find it hard to believe it is just a coincidence that after a property was sold four weeks ago that’s when the issues started.

“In terms of the council they should have a record of the registered number of animals on the property, because that’s a bylaw,” Mr Petersen said.

“If there are now no animals on the site, surely they can investigate records of where the animals went or how they disposed of them or sold them or what they did with them.

And clearly if the gate has been left open or the fence has been cut they should be able to investigate it.”

Mr Oldham said Yarra Ranges Council makes a distinction between all livestock including cows, sheep and goats but not deer.

He, Mr Petersen and Ms Prisco believe that if these were cows or sheep, something would have been done by now.

“The onus is not on us to carry out an investigation on behalf of the council. I understand they have between a $60 and $70 million salaries budget each year and there are certain things that they should be doing in terms of frontline services,” Mr Petersen said.

“The onus is on them to carry out the investigation, under their legislation. We’re hearing a lot about their policies, programs and strategies and deer but there does not appear to be a frontline service for dealing with a dozen or 13 deer on the roads.”

The residents do not want to see these deer culled if it can be avoided but would rather see them sedated and moved to another farm out

of regional suburbia.

Ms Prisco said if the deer been abandoned on the property the RSPCA could have stepped in under welfare.

“Had it been some poor little thing, suffering somewhere, I mean they are suffering, they’re lost, they don’t know where to go,” she said.

A dozen deer, Mr Oldham said may not seem like a huge issue but as they breed, the population will grow and he does not want to see them injured or killed on the roads.

“What we really want is an authority to take the responsibility and facilitate doing the best, the kindest thing for these deer because it’s not their fault, absolutely not their fault and just to make sure our neighborhood is protected as well.”

Yarra Ranges Council have been contacted for comment about this story.

Builder appointed for Belgrave car park project Belgrave residents will benefit from a new multi-level car park at Belgrave Station with Australian construction company ADCO appointed to undertake the works.

The new car park will be delivered under the Labor government’s Car Parks for Commuters program and includes 470 extra car parking spaces to boost total parking capacity at Belgrave Station to at least 640 spaces.

“This is an exciting next step in delivering the much-needed new car park at Belgrave Station, making it easier for locals and visitors to get to where they need to go,” Monbulk MP James Merlino said.

“The new car park will benefit the whole community, by freeing up more parking for mailcommunity.com.au

shoppers and traders and making the station precinct safer by separating pedestrians from buses and cars.”

The car park will include CCTV and lighting for safety, lifts, a public announcement system, 16 new accessible parking spaces and an undercover pick up and drop off area.

Along with the additional parking, the project will deliver a widened access road to the car park, a priority exit lane and priority signals for buses at the roundabout, and improved pedestrian safety.

Extensive community and stakeholder engagement informed the design of the car park, which balances the requirement for

additional car parking and improved vehicle and pedestrian access, with the need to protect the character of the area and local community values.

The new car park will be built on the site of the current commuter car park. Early works to build the car park are expected to begin next month and efforts will be made to minimise impacts on station users, local businesses and residents while works are underway.

While construction of the car park takes place there will be no commuter car parking available at Belgrave Station. To manage this impact, alternative temporary parking will be provided near Upwey Station – sub-

ject to planning approvals.

The current bus interchange at the station will also be temporarily relocated to the nearby Belgrave-Gembrook Road.

Extensive communications will be undertaken with station users and the local community ahead of major construction starting.

Since 2014 almost 10,000 parking spaces have been delivered at metropolitan and regional stations across the state, and the Labor Government is now delivering 11,000 more new and upgraded spaces under the Car Parks for Commuters program.

For more information visit victrack.com. au/Belgrave.

Tuesday, 19 October, 2021

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MAIL 7

OPINION

How our yearnings are affecting us Having been locked down for a world record time, we have been seriously looking for relief, so my head has been buzzing with this title for a few weeks now: ‘YEARNINGS.’ Granted some of our yearnings have been met and we have a measure of relief, but the length of time that we have been locked down is far longer than most thought we could have survived, if we had been asked if we could do it ahead of time.

So, many of us have been rendered ‘Eleanor Rigbys’, living in a dream to come true that we yearn for, Sadly we can’t even ‘pick up rice where the wedding has been’ as we are even left to dream that we might see a wedding this year.

I think that the four Liverpudlians must have had a prophetic insight to ’20 & ’21.

Without yearning for o/seas flights, caravaning around Australia and for those who can afford them, cruises - most of us are simply left to yearn for family gatherings, real weddings, the ability to farewell our deceased loved ones properly, and see our kids back in school full time.

And yes we can answer the question; ‘where ‘do’ all those lonely people come from ? - Victoria.

And poor old Father McKenzie is still writing sermons that no one will hear: in fact yours truly was supposed to deliver one on

Focal Point Graeme Dawson the 1st of August.

So, many of us feel, and it is most often true, that nobody visits therefore nobody cares.

Well, straight off the top I say “God cares” but most times He does His best work through a human door knock, with a ready meal or some flowers or whatever will lift spirits. And although Peter, Paul and Mary said that the ‘Answer was blowing in the wind’, the real answer, as I said, needs to be in the form of tangible flesh and blood.

Humor aside, the depth of loneliness in our community is having devastating effects. Calls to Triple 0 recently went up from 2000 to 3000 per day.

Many of the calls were from lonely and fearful people who really did not need that level of service. The 000 line has now got diversion lines for the cases that are not life threatening.

Other organizations can take them from there.

I often write about our created human need for relationships with other humans – companionship is vital.

The great Apostle James, brother of Jesus, wrote a broad letter to the churches scattered around the then known world, and although brother to Jesus, was he was humble in claiming that he was but a servant of his brother.

Can ‘we’ consider being humble enough to be a servant, so-to-speak, to some of the loneliest and shut in ones, and also as an antidote for dealing with our own trials? Because it follows that testing produces perseverance and that in its self leads to endurance and maturity.

And remember ‘he/she ain’t heavy, they are my brother or sister’ (Excuse my pollution of the great line).

Pertaining to what we have just said about being there for others in the human form, James was also famous for saying that faith without works was dead.

We also quote him saying, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

Father McKenzie and I might have our mouths closed for now, but we won’t stop caring.

(Feedback and need for care can be fielded to my email - csrsmokey@gmail.com) Graeme Dawson, Chaplain to Community

CARTOON

Wedding vow taken brutally literally Till Death Starring Megan Fox, Eoin Mackey and Callan Mulvey Rated MA15+ The directorial debut of S.K Dale, Till Death is a lean, enthralling and darkly funny thriller.

Emma Webster (Megan Fox) must survive a home invasion after waking up handcuffed to her dead husband Mark (Eoin Mackey).

Till Death is extremely well-paced: the first act steadily establishes Emma and Mark’s rocky relationship through subtle acts of secrecy, manipulation and boundary-pushing from Mark, and the second act keeps us on our toes as Mark’s abusive posthumous plan unfolds and the burglars begin hunting Emma.

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physical fatigue and important objects, making Emma’s struggle all the more immersive.

The friction between the burglar brothers – the fiercely-driven Bobby (Callan Mulvey) and the moral, more reserved Jimmy (Jack Roth) – pro-

vides another compelling layer of drama.

While Fox has some wooden moments, she has an engaging tenacious presence. The film derives some morbid amusement from Emma’s situation, as she drags her husband’s literal dead weight through the house, and has some clever symbolism of Emma taking what she needs from her past to survive and discarding the rest.

The only weak link in the film is Bobby. He’s an intimidating, layered antagonist, but his past connection to Emma is underdeveloped and rather redundant (save for a cool bit of call-back in the climax).

Till Death is one of the best-directed thrillers of 2021, and is available for streaming on Netflix.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Hard to swallow PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN Dead Letters, journalist Michael Brissenden’s second novel, is a hard-to-swallow thriller about politics, corruption and crime. It is one of the most difficult books this reviewer has ever read, perhaps because those who try so hard to suspend their disbelief often end up missing out on all the fun of reading a story.

There is no doubt that Dead Letters is a convincingly complex and captivating story, with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security murdered in cold blood by Page 5. The police are under intense pressure to hunt down the killer(s), but everyone involved turns out to have a long-concealed dark side.

Worse, a federal election is coming up and the incumbent prime minister is desperate. With unemployment rising and house prices plummeting, consumption growth is weaker than ever and all economic trends are rapidly slowing. Voters have simply stopped listening, and no amount of campaign on national security can help the government survive.

As the prime minister and his chief of staff conveniently blame the aforementioned murder on terrorism, Sidney Allen, a veteran of Afghanistan now working with Australian Federal Police, suspects something else. The details are intriguing, circling around Sydney’s underground gangs, right-wing “patriots”, brothels, police misconducts, and power struggles among local community leaders and politicians. Everybody wants a lion’s share. It is every man for himself.

Then arrives a seemingly irrelevant sideline, a journalist named Zephyr Wilde whose mother was murdered some 20 years ago.

While a common technique to tackle crime writing is to delve into the lovehate relations between politicians, cops and reporters, this subplot in Dead Letters remains necessarily puzzling, with Zephyr’s mother sending her one letter each year from the grave. It is both frustrating and delightful that the puzzle is only solved at the very end of the book.

Brissenden’s background as a political reporter and foreign correspondent contributes a great deal to his capacity to create a compelling read. From the seedy streets of Sydney to the corridors of power in Canberra, the cynicism is obvious, that only money can buy status, influence and control.

Meanwhile, the story makes it clear that whether it is money laundering or collaborating with mobs, the rule is not to send everyone down. This “lesson” is well illustrated by a certain important character in the book: “You don’t f**k with the arrangement. You don’t threaten to throw everyone under a bus and not expect consequences. Politicians, lawyers, cops – it’s not f**king Sesame Street.”

This reviewer would recommend that readers enjoy the story without trying to explore how the author’s profession could have influenced his portrayal of politicians, the media and the police.

The Australia described in Dead Letters is very similar to ours, but ultimately it is not. Instead, why not enjoy this page-tuner and go down the rabbit hole of crime solving? The thrill is in the chase.and there are plenty of twists and turns ahead. Perhaps you, too, can guess the villain(s) and save the day. mailcommunity.com.au

THE LOWDOWN Q&A What is something people don’t know about you?

There is not much more to tell, I do have a serious addiction to M & M’s, I can’t open a packet without eating them all.

Why and when did you join Foothills Community Care?

I had always been looking for some kind of community work but the very long hours we worked in catering didn’t enable me to share my time. It was only after we sold the business, I found Foothills.

What do you enjoy most about cooking a meal each week for those who might be lonely or homeless?

Just knowing in a small way, I might have made a difference to someone’s day What have you learnt about people, whether those who volunteer or those who come for a meal, since you started?

I have probably learnt more about myself, how lucky I am, to have Family, Friends and good health. No matter how your struggle, there is always someone nearby doing it much tougher.

What do you love most about the Ferntree Gully community?

Everyone is there for the same reason doing their bit to help others.

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

Bob Hawke once famously quoted that no child will live in poverty, whether he meant this as policy or dream it would be great to see.

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

All our guests deserve an invite, but probably our older guests, usually when you delve into their story, they have had a very interesting life living through wars, depression and a massive change in how we live today compared to 50 or 60 years ago.

with Alan Deans

THREE … facts about volunteering

1

Volunteering Australia estimate that nearly 6 million people volunteer through an organisation each year in Australia, meaning one third of people aged 15 years and over do some sort of volunteer work to benefit others. Volunteers across the country contributed 596.2 million hours to the community in 2019.

2

Volunteering in Victoria equates to 32.1 per cent of the population, the second highest behind Tasmania.

3

The rate of volunteering has been declining over time, with organisations noticing a drop from 36.2 per cent in 2010 to 28.8 per cent in 2019 for people aged 18 years and over. The decline is most evident for women.

Alan Deans volunteers every week at Foothills Community Care to cook the meals that feed over 100 people.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON Who do you admire the most?

Stephen Barrington deserves all our admiration at Foothills, he works tirelessly to ensure those that need assistance, physically, mentally or financially in our community are looked after.

What are some of your hobbies?

A Squash and Racquetball tragic, I started squash when I was about 15 and have played at least twice a week since. My body is failing

now so I have switched over to Racquetball, it’s a bit easier on the body but I am still too competitive to slow down or stop.

What is your favorite book and/or film?

My favorite book is Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, I have read it twice and would read it again if I could remember who I lent it to.

It’s a novel that reads like an autobiography, big read at 936 pages, it would make a great movie.

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

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MAIL 9

NEWS

Public art project

By Renee Wood Water tanks in the Yarra Ranges Shire will soon play a significant role in honouring local First Nations history and culture in the region.

The Yarra Ranges council has launched a public art project that will see seven tanks located on the Country of Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations decorated to build local indigenous pride and connect the community to Country.

Indigenous Advisory Committee Chair Lea Jones said the committee worked with council on the project to improve visibility of indigenous culture.

“We saw this as a great opportunity to showcase some of our talented artists out there and to also showcase our culture and our history,” Lea Jones said.

The idea stemmed from the regional silo art trail and hopes to inform visitors and local residents as conversation drivers.

“I think it will really elicit some conversations with people. Some of them can be viewed while going on walks, especially in the reserves, and hopefully it will strum up conversation between walkers and they’ll start becoming a little bit more aware of Australia’s history because it belongs to all of us.”

There’s currently an expressions of interest open for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who’d like to submit a design to be part of creating the works.

“They can exercise their creative juices and come up with something that is really synonymous with the region. We want them to think about the region where it is, we want them to tell a story as well.”

Each tank has a budget of $15,000 to cover the cost of artist fees, site preparation, materials, supplies and heights equipment.

Research was conducted to decide what sites would be best for the public art, looking

The water tank located at Spadonis Reserve, Yering has been chosen part of the art project.

Picture: YARRA RANGES COUNCIL into the proximity to local community, visitor accessibility, graffiti risks, safety for the artists and connection to Country.

“We had a look at all of the water tanks in the shire and then we started whittling them down, looking at all of the logistics of high traffic areas and things like that.”

The following sites have been chosen: Spadonis Reserve, Yering (Ryrie Ward) Kalorama Recreation Reserve, Kalorama x 2 tanks (Chandler Ward)

· ·

· Killara Rd, Gruyere x 2 tanks (Ryrie Ward) Creek Rd, Reefton (O’Shannassay · McMahons Ward) Lloyd Reserve, Gladysdale · Ernest (O’Shannassay Ward) The artist EOI closes on November 5 and the first round of artworks are expected to be completed by June 2022 and following rounds will continue into 2022 and 2023.

For more information visit https://shaping. yarraranges.vic.gov.au/watertank-art

YAVA steps up to mentor young adults

By Renee Wood Several young adults are taking part in a mentoring program with YAVA Gallery, part of a Yarra Ranges Council Covid-19 recovery funding.

YAVA created the Arts Management Mentorship Program to help young people aged 18-25 gain vital work skills and boost their CVs after missing out on hands on experiences due to lockdowns.

“Some of them are at uni, or some of them may have finished school and they’re not able to go onto that next step,” Kate Baker Yarra Valley Arts CEO said.

“They don’t have their usual social networks available to them and we thought how can we provide an opportunity locally to develop real skills that are transferable to any industry.”

The program has been designed with structured and integrated learning, while also gaining hands on experience.

So far, five online mentoring meetings have been held, with different hosts discussing their areas of expertise.

“The mentors are either artists or business leaders, maybe they’re people who have specific skills. We have done a project management session with them, we’ve done a session on grants.”

Gembrook uni student Ari Smith is a participant and said she’s grateful it was able to start online.

“They’re teaching us employment skills, skills that we’re going to need in the workplace that are relevant to the gallery, but they are going to be completely transferable. For instance, one of them is how to plan a project and then execute it, which is going to be important in almost any industry,” Ari Smith said.

The program is also the perfect fit for the student who’s an aspiring curator.

“This opportunity is a big stepping stone because I want to be a curator and I know that the industry is quite competitive, and that you need a bit of experience to actually get into a role - it is beyond just education.”

Ms Baker said they are also learning practical skills and are delivering content for social media after putting the mentees through a 10 MAIL

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Join online food forum The Cardinia Community Food Forum will be held online on Tuesday 9 November as part of Cardinia Shire Council’s commitment to a healthy, delicious, sustainable and fair food system.

The 2021 theme is: “our actions are our future: food systems caring for country, a healthy community, farms and food enterprises”.

To celebrate the International Year of Fruit and Vegetables, the forum will be hosted by well-known fresh produce expert Thanh Truong the Fruit Nerd and will feature keynote speaker, passionate advocate for nutrition and food systems transformation, medical doctor and CEO of VicHealth, Dr Sandro Demaio.

The online forum will include a range of speakers, news updates and panel discussions with Monash University Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, as well as young food leaders, young farmers, and local social enterprises of The Lime Box Cafe, Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Urban Farm, Cockatoo Community House Sustainable Food Project and The Community Grocer.

“Cardinia is blessed with fertile farmland, innovative famers and food businesses as well as a diversity of food cultures, skills and knowledge,” says Cardinia Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Owen.

“The theme of this year’s forum is ‘our actions are our future’. That comes down to the food we eat, how it’s grown and produced and how far it travels to get to our table.

“We also want to draw attention to, and celebrate, the projects young people are leading and their role in continuing to build a resilient food system in a really challenging environment.

“Our young people are taking on the responsibility and stewardship of our food system, so we need to support them to help deliver on our aspirations for a healthy, delicious, sustainable and fair food system for all,” the Mayor explains.

The annual forum is organised by Cardinia Food Circles, a collective impact project based on the knowledge that individual actions and efforts are limited, however when we work collectively towards a common goal, we maximise our impact. The project includes a whole-of-community response that involves our schools, farms, businesses, organisations, residents and local government working together towards a shared vision.

The online forum is FREE and open to the public. Visit https://cardiniafoodforum.eventbrite.com to register your place. Ticket numbers are limited.

For more information about the Cardinia Food Circles Project and Cardinia Shire’s Community Food Strategy, visit Council’s website at www.cardinia.vic. gov.au/foodforum or call the Customer Support team on 1300 787 624 or email mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au

The participants in the mentorship program have been working on content to promote Clare James’ Hideaway exhibition during the lockdown. video storytelling smartphone course.

“They are driving their own education as much as anything else, we want them to come up with ideas and practical projects.

“For instance we’ve currently given them a challenge for Clare James’ Hideaway exhibition, so during lockdown we put them through a course and now they will come up with ideas about how can we help promote Clare’s exhibition online.”

Once restrictions ease and the gallery reopens, the participants will work in the gallery with staff, volunteers and visitors.

“In the gallery they’re going to be dealing

with volunteers, Covid practices and they are going to have to come up with solutions.

“I’ve given them the challenge of finding ways to attract 18 to 30 year olds into the gallery, so that’s about learning what’s important to people and that will apply in whatever career they finally decide to spend their time in.”

It’s currently a pilot project but if successful Yarra Valley Arts will look to find other funding streams to see it continue into future years.

“We want to make sure that we can make it successful, it’s important that we are learning what’s going to work best with them,” Ms Baker said.

Thanh Truong, aka ‘The Fruit Nerd’ (a fresh produce expert), will be hosting this year’s forum. mailcommunity.com.au

ENROLMENTS

Setting foundations There’s a reason the Australian Curriculum calls it ‘Foundation’ - the first year of primary schooling sets the stage for lifelong learning and the development of academic and social skills needed for future success.

In the space of just one year, children begin to read and write words, add and subtract numbers, throw and catch a ball, and share and communicate with others. Heritage College Knox understands that children do not learn these things by exposure alone, but through highly skilled, empathetic teachers who understand not just what children need to learn, but how and why. Heritage College provides Prep students with a supportive and caring classroom where every child feels safe to take those first fundamental steps in their school journey.

A fundamental responsibility of primary education is to ensure students acquire the literacy and numeracy skills to find success in school and thrive in modern society. By offering a strong early literacy program, the College opens up a world of potential, opportunity, creativity and imagination for its students.

The Heritage College approach to reading and spelling in the early years draws on best practice from research with an emphasis on oral language, quality literature, phonics and phonemic awareness, letter formation and fine motor development.

The College uses the Little Learners Love Literacy program to deliver evidence-based systematic phonics instruction through engaging multisensory activities. Research has shown that students taught using a structured synthetic phonics approach develop better word reading, spelling and reading comprehension skills.

Prep students at Heritage College Knox are engaged in at least 10 hours of literacy instruc-

Heritage College Knox strives to provide the best opportunity for all students. 253993 tion per week, with literacy blocks that include rich texts and specific lessons targeting the “Big Six” of literacy: explicit instruction in oral language, phonemic awareness, systematic synthetic phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.

At Heritage College Knox, students are also immersed in specialist and general studies from the first year of school, including music, art, sport, science, history, geography, library, Bible study and Auslan (Australian Sign Language). In the Prep year at Heritage, Auslan

signing is embedded throughout every area of the curriculum. Across all subject areas there is a careful balance between explicit instruction and play-based learning.

In the afternoons, Prep students at Heritage College participate in Exploring Time, a play-based learning format that develops fine and gross motor skills, scientific inquiry, dramatic play, interpersonal skills, digital and design technology skills, and creativity.

An intentionally curated, developmentally appropriate learning environment fosters a

love of learning and discovery to promote independence, resilience, and problem-solving strategies.

Heritage College Knox strives to provide the best opportunity for all students to reach their potential through individualised, play-based, evidence-led learning in the early primary years.

With the right start to learning in Prep, all students can move on to Year 1 and beyond with confidence and a genuine love of school and learning.

Enrol now for 2022 View our Prep Tour on our website: monbulkps.vic.edu.au ‘Step into Prep’ enhanced transition support program for 2022 confirmed and prospective enrolments begins Fri 12th November.

Successful transition has never been more important, and our new Step into Prep Program provides children with enhanced transition support, including Prep Teacher visits to Kinder.

Monbulk Primary School is a welcoming learning community with a whole school approach to learning and social and emotional development.

Step into Prep Sessions are for enrolled and potential 2022 Prep students. Sessions are held every Friday from 9.15am, from Nov 12th – Dec 3rd, culminating in the statewide Transition Day on Tues 7th Dec. Our virtual tour and enrolment information is available on our website.

Contact: 1 Main Road, Monbulk Ph: 9756 6481 monbulk.ps@education.vic.gov.au 12517135-NG43-21

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ENROLMENTS

A fluffy helper for support At Monbulk Primary School we are preparing for our children to finally return onsite after extended lockdowns. We understand that many children and parents will have mixed feelings about returning to school, which is to be expected.

To help children adjust to this transition we are planning carefully to ensure children feel safe, confident and happy.

Teachers will help children settle in by establishing classroom routines and expectations, including listening together, concentrating, and taking turns. We provide children with formal and informal opportunities to talk about how they’re feeling, and opportunities to play together to re-establish friendships and relationships with their peers. At lunch time, children are given structured activities to look forward to such as Lego Club, and a quiet space to withdraw to.

And then, of course, we have Billy our Wellbeing dog, ready and willing to provide pats, cuddles and lots of laughs to children teachers and parents alike.

Billy is a two year old Groodle (Golden Retriever x poodle) who spends time with the children in the classroom helping them with their work, listening to them read, stealing their toys, or being a fluffy pillow to relax on. At break times he enjoys being walked and cuddled by children, and trying to not chase the balls in a game of dodge ball. During remote learning Billy has also been helping our onsite supervision students feel happy and relaxed at school.

Having Billy at Monbulk Primary School has proved extremely helpful for children feeling nervous, scared or worried. He doesn’t judge anyone, and always has a happy smile and waggly tail for whomever he meets. Sometimes children might feel anxious about leav-

ing their parent to come into class, and Billy helps them walk in. For other students who don’t have a dog at home they learn to become confident in approaching and petting dogs safely. He is often ‘borrowed’ by students to walk him around the yard, where he gets many cuddles and drive-by pats in the midst of a game of tiggy.

There are several ways we can all help children through this transition. It’s important to give children space and time to talk about their feelings, acknowledge their feelings and reassure them that these emotions are normal. It’s helpful to explain what to expect in the routines of the day, and that parents, carers and teachers are here to help them. At

Monbulk Primary School we know this will be a tricky time as we return back to a normal routine which isn’t quite normal. However as we work together I am confident we will help our children have a positive transition back to school.

- Estelle Alder, Principal

Follow the yellow brick road to Emerald Community House!

Join our Yoga classes and stretch it out. Develop Your Writing Skills with Maria Millers or fill in your IT gaps with our Computer Classes.

Looking for some fun? Join our Cooking Class for people with disabilities and share your skills or acquire new ones.

Chill out by joining our free Wellbeing Group.

Why not put in your expression of interest for our new 2022 desktop publishing course, ceramics course or renewable energy course? Our new Dig In Community Grocery shelves are being stocked and will also support our market stall holders.

325 MACCLESFIELD ROAD, MONBULK WWW.MDCS.VIC.EDU.AU MDCS@MDCS.VIC.EDU.AU

A CHRIST-CENTRED SCHOOL COMMUNITY, DEVELOPING THE GOD GIVEN GIFTS OF EACH CHILD IN A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT.

12517992-HC43-21

Now is a good time to think about getting back into the swing of things. We are shaking off winter blues and Covid obstacles with our sleeves rolled up.

The new Children’s Hobby Garden will grow with your kids in our fully government subsidized Childcare programs. Our qualified staff will take care or your kids and teach them about growing things while you take care of business or leisure. https://www.emeraldcommunityhouse.org.au/ call 5968 3881 (M,W,F) or email emhouse@iinet.net.au

E D U C AT I O N F O R L I F E 12513681-HC40-21

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ENROLMENTS

Encouraging students Mountain District Christian School offers Prep to Year 12 education, plus an Early Years program.

They are located at 325 Macclesfield Road, Monbulk and are happy to give you a school tour at your convenience.

Please contact us on 9756 7244 or mdcs@ mdcs.vic.edu.au Mountain District Christian School’s approach to education at Mountain District Christian School is based on a holistic view of the child, as understood from the Bible. They see the education they provide as going beyond the basic schooling process, seeking to prepare children for life in God’s world. Mountain District Christian School’s aim to foster discernment in their students and give them guidance to make wise choices.

It is their goal to nurture the whole person, viewing each child as unique and gifted; called to live, learn and grow in community.

The students benefit from smaller class sizes and receive significant personal attention as they are known and nurtured by their staff team.

“I’m so thankful to the teachers and children for accepting and nurturing our child… I really appreciate the love you all have towards the students. Thank you!”

- MDCS parent Mountain District Christian School is located in a unique natural environment, a short drive

from the Monbulk township.

Their students are encouraged to engage with their surroundings through their Nature Trail, Sensory Garden and Outdoor Education program as they learn about stewardship of their world.

They celebrate the Faithfulness, Excellence and Success of all their students and encourage diligence in academic areas.

The Secondary School students are well prepared for future pathways as they offer a range of VCE subjects as well as VET connections with Ranges TEC. The aim is to support their VCE students to be prepared for future study or to be work-ready, with a specific focus on leadership

Students are encouraged to engage with their surroundings through their Nature Trail, Sensory Garden and Outdoor Education program as they learn about stewardship of their world. and work-experience in their senior school years.

There’s no doubt that 2020 and 2021 have been extremely challenging years for us all.

During this time, the team at Mountain District Christian School have focussed on maintaining community and supporting the academic outcomes of their students.

The teaching staff have gone above and beyond with creating online classes, facilitating small-group teaching and encouraging

We are leaders in boys’ education

Enrol now for 2022, 2023 and beyond

Our broad and innovative curriculum and co-curriculum cater for the needs of all our students academically, physically and emotionally. Boys participate in an extensive sport and outdoor education programs and foster partnerships with local sporting groups and organisations.

A new and exciting Science, STEM, Digital Technology and Year 7 Learning Space is due to open in 2022, in addition to a new Arts and Senior School Precinct.

5 Brenock Park Drive, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 p (03) 9756 3112 e enrolments@stjosephs.com.au

social engagement.

The bus drivers have been delivering learning packs to their students, their Learning Assistants have been onsite providing support, and the Chaplain has been available for pastoral-care.

Mountain District Christian School look forward to meeting you and giving you a tour of their beautiful school. Have a look at what they’ve been up to on Facebook @MountainDistrictChristianSchool and get in touch.

stjosephs.com.au

Join us at one of our Enrolment Events:

Principal's Tours

Open Days

Grade 4, 5 and 6 'Taster' Days

Virtual Tours with the Principal

Enrolment Enquiry, Meet and Chat

Visit our website to register or contact our Enrolments Office 12517751-SN43-21

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ENROLMENTS

A unique place to belong WHAT’S ON AT JAPARA Welcome to Japara Neighbourhood House, the heart of Kilsyth. The wonderful thing about community is it allows us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals. That’s why we are your gathering place to connect, learn and share.Let’s get together to continue creating a place for all of us to thrive and belong.

NEW WEBSITE Japara has a fresh new website and we welcome you to visit us at japarahouse.com.au to view our courses, services and events.

CELEBRATING CHILDREN’S WEEK Song and Dance, 25 October 2021 Monday 10-11am, free event via Trybooking Link: trybooking.com/events/ landing?eid=810395&> Join us in celebrating Children’s Week by tuning into our song and dance session. We plan on getting together to sing and dance with the kids We’ll be taking to the internet and Zoom our way through singing and dancing.

Meet our Friends Day, 29 October 2021 Join Japara and meet our friends at Glen Park Community house for a free morning tea, individually boxed hamper for the children and their guardian to enjoy in a Covid-safe outdoor picnic and then we will make our way to the social enterprise garden plot to plant a seedling and explain to the children how to nurture the plant to get the best results.

Just like we have to do with friendships.

Only seven family spots available. Bookings are essential!

ONLINE CLASSES Book Club - Monday - monthly Join the avid readers of Japara to discuss books and their themes once a month via Zoom until we can get together face to face. All welcome!

Laura and Nicole welcome you to Japara. 243179 Mindfulness for beginners, 25 November-16 December 2021.

Thursday evenings, $105 for four sessions - online until face to face is available Mindfulness meditation, Chi Kung, Mandala drawing and developing your inner re-

sources through relaxing the body, calming the mind and exploring your creativity. Past participants welcome!

FEATURE CLASS Beeswax cloths, 30 November 2021 - one session.

Tuesday 7-8pm, $30 per person (including materials).

Learn to make beeswax cloths for food wrapping instead of plastic wrap, great for you and great for the environment. *Depending on restrictions.

Scone time - monthly get together Join us for Devonshire tea each month so we can get together and enjoy each other’s company. Delicious scones and a cuppa can warm the hearts of many.

Christmas Lunch - December to be advised We are planning to get together for a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings of the festive season. A date is in the planning so be sure to follow our Facebook page or check our website for further details at japarahouse.com.au ELIZABETH BRIDGE HOUSE Clean up of the gardens continue with thanks to Valley Care. A new community gardening group is forming. Over the coming months you will see some of the garden beds at the front being moved, planted out with flowers and herbs and being used as a community project with a local student. Contact the house or follow our Facebook page for further exciting announcements.

EARLY YEARS CHILDCARE Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-2pm, $13 per hour for one child | CSS approved service with flexible booking times.

Welcome back to Playgroup, Japara has missed our little ones. Are you interested in joining a playgroup or starting one up of your own? Term 4 free when you return, Tuesday, 9.30am-11.30am Japara cannot wait to have all of our groups back with us, not to mention meeting our new members. Let’s get back together soon!

25th October 10 am - 11 am Join Japara and Stage Creation online for a FREE song and dance session. Lets get together online an enjoy friendships. All welcome.

For bookings: email info@japarahouse.com.au or Like our Facebook Page to receive the Zoom link.

29th October 10 am Japara families will Visit Glen Park Community house for Gardening.

We will learn how friendship and growing plants are similar.

Enjoy a free morning tea from the Glen Park Café and a gift bag to take home. Limited spots, bookings essential.

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ENROLMENTS

Little Yarra has established reputation as one of the most successful Steiner Schools in Australia. 253410

Grow at Little Yarra Steiner will best serve this generation as they move forward into the world and how do we help them develop those qualities in themselves?

How do we work with what children inherently bring, rather than only pushing them into what we think they should become? This certainly doesn’t mean letting children do only what they want, but in fact working with them in a very structured way that helps to develop those qualities that will stand them in good stead - like resilience, persistence, creativity (in thought and action), empathy, a sense of social awareness and responsibility to name a few.

There are many differences that make Steiner education a leading educational system. One of those is how we prepare children for academic learning. There are a number of physiological, socio-emotional and other developmental factors that are taken into consideration in determining a child’s readiness to begin academic learning. In Steiner schools, children in the Prep year are still part of the Preschool, where they are engaged in a largely play based programme. Here children imitate what they see and experience in their surroundings, including how their teachers interact with them and each other.

Little Yarra Steiner School’s brand new purpose built preschool building accommodates playgroup, 3 year old kinder and 2 mixed age kinder and prep groups, fostering a home-like environment supporting children’s first steps from home to school.

Steiner schools have developed the view that education is indeed an art in and of itself.

Little Yarra has established reputation as one of the most successful Steiner Schools in Australia. The school is proud to deliver an education that is more relevant than ever for the challenges facing the world today.

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As you walk into the Little Yarra Steiner School, you are immediately immersed in a peaceful and nurturing environment enhanced by the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains.

Located on 60 acres bordering the Little Yarra River, the school and kindergarten occupy 18 acres and the rest is used for organic/bio-dynamic farming, orchards and revegetated wetlands and habitat.

Education today has the difficult task of preparing children and adolescents for a future that no one knows will look like. So we ask; what are the qualities and capacities that

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ENROLMENTS

Students thrive remotely St Paul’s Primary School in Monbulk has flipped learning and the students have thrived. At St Paul’s the Remote and Flexible Learning program has not held any students back, and the students have demonstrated courage, resilience, independence and selfbelief as the classroom moved from school to home.

Principal Michael Watt explained that the school was already very ‘tech savvy’ and that a number of structures were already in place to assist with remote and flexible learning.

“St Paul’s is very open and welcoming. We already work closely with parents, with strong communication channels, and remote and flexible learning has strengthened our relationship with the families - we work in partnership closer than we ever have”.

St Paul’s uses the Seesaw application to collect a digital portfolio of student learning.

Stephenie Peels, Deputy Principal, says, “Seesaw allows teachers to create online activities for students to complete. These activities include video, images and text. Students also upload their own independent activities and the teachers can comment immediately. The communication travels regularly back and forth from home to school, suiting the analogy of the Seesaw”.

The school believes strongly in a foundation of Student Wellbeing to support learning.

With teachers and parents working so closely together throughout the remote and flexible period the school has been able to support all students across all year levels.

“Not only have we used Seesaw to support and monitor student learning, but our teachers and support staff have also run Google Meet video conferences. The Google Meets allow for live teaching as a whole class, small

groups or individual instruction, as well as provide opportunities for student connection,” Stephenie explained.

As Principal Michael has facilitated Google Meets and Community Activities on Fridays to give the students something to look forward to at the end of the week. Students have been invited to join together online for a magic show, trivia sessions, a footy clinic, a disco and the “Principal’s Pop Quiz”. “These activities are all about giving students opportunity to connect with other students right across the school. We have had a lot of fun as we get together live on Google Meet.”

St Paul’s promotes a strong partnership between students, teachers and parents, based on mutual respect and understanding. During remote and flexible learning this has stood out around the community. There is a commitment to Child Safety and a belief that all children have a right to feel safe and be safe at all times. St Paul’s deliver the curriculum, but at St Paul’s they teach every child.

For more information and a series of online tours, visit www.spmonbulk.catholic.edu.au To learn more about St Paul’s call the office on 9756 7201 today.

Michael Watt, Principal, St. Paul’s Catholic Primary School.

REACH YOUR PEAK AT

ST PAUL'S PRIMARY SCHOOL "Monbulk's Hidden Gem"

TAKE OUR ONLINE TOUR DOZENS OF VIDEOS SHOWCASING OUR AMAZING SCHOOL

Meet our Principal - Mr Michael Watt Hear from our dedicated & talented teachers Get to know some of our students Gain some insights from our current parents Learn about our curriculum opportunities Tips for a smooth start to school for your child! and much, much more!

VISIT US AT:

or search for St Paul's Primary School Monbulk and follow the links to our online tour

Got a QR Scanner?

TAKE OUR ONLINE TOUR TODAY: ENROLMENTS.SPMONBULK.CATHOLIC.EDU.AU

TAKE OUR ONLINE TOUR TODAY: ENROLMENTS.SPMONBULK.CATHOLIC.EDU.AU

REACH YOUR PEAK | MONBULK'S HIDDEN GEM | FUN, FRIENDLY & NURTURING COMMUNITY | SMALL CLASS SIZES

Get to know us from home today!

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SHOP LOCAL EMERALD

Better days ahead for Dog The Railway Dog in Emerald has ridden the rollercoaster in 2020/21. Since opening in December 2020, the venue was welcomed with open arms to the Emerald community along with the multitude of lockdowns. Adaption has been the key to keeping the vibe alive, in this last extended period the crew have added many new services to their business, the latest one being takeaway cocktails.

Made onsite using only quality ingredients the latest addition to “The Dog” has taken off with a bang. Offering a standard range of four cocktails including, Margarita, Mojito, Cosmo-

politan and Love Potion, the cocktails are premixed and ready for pick up or local delivery.

As the interest in the idea grows in the area, the bar’s resident mixologist Kate not only mixes the four varieties, but also offers a custom order service. As we move closer to a time when things open up and we are back celebrating with friends and family, party packs will be made available. Summer and all its celebrations are just around the corner.

Along with the cocktails the team is always adding something different. Recently they

The Laughing Fox Café

Pre orders accepted for Bread Loafs Our irresistible

• Vegan Burgers • Dine in or Takeaway

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

GOURMET PIES

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Breakfast, Lunch & Afternoon Tea

Plus many more !

Railway Dog will be once again offering weekly live music shows. Some of Melbourne’s best have played the venue and will be keen to get back on stage to rock the hills once again.

Along with live music Thursday nights The Railway Dog has become one of the hottest tickets in town with their open mic nights which are attracting some amazing talent.

Currently opening for takeaways from Thursday-Saturday until the full re-opening when the Railway Dog will open WednesdaySunday.

WE NOW USE LAURENT BAKERY BREADS

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

• Angus Beef Burgers • Foxy French Toast

added beer growlers to their repertoire. The growler allows you to enjoy tap beer at home, simply bring it in or buy one filled with one of the five beers on tap or refreshing apple cider.

The pizza menu is always under review also.

Recent additions have been the ever-popular pub classic Chicken Parmigiana in the form of a pizza. The next addition will be a Kransky pizza, add this to the Nacho pizza on offer, and you’ll get an idea that these are not just your basic recipes.

As we head back towards opening up, The

Available Now

BEEF & MUSHR OOM M ore variet ies coming soon

13 Kilvington Drive, Emerald

0422 668 260 facebook.com/thelaughingfoxcafe 12516453-AV43-21

AN

COCKTAILS AVAILABLE FOR TAKEAWAY

ALEXANDER NEIL and Associates Pty Ltd

ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS CONSULTANTS

Mixed by our resident mixologist Kate, choose from Mojito, Margarita, Love Potion or Cosmopolitan.

Available for pick up or local delivery.

Custom orders available by request.

Accounting • Management & Financial Accounting • GST Consulting • Business Consulting • Book Keeping Services Taxation • Individual Tax Returns • Company Tax Returns • Superannuation Fund Returns • Business Tax Returns • Trust Tax Returns We work jointly with our clients to achieve financial outcomes.

12507198-NG34-21

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

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The Railway Dog 5/329 Belgrave - Gembrook Road Emerald

0444 512 871 - 0413 656 749 12515891-BL43-21

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NEWS

Covid safe settings for senior VCE exams The public health team is making important changes to the management of school exposures and students who become primary close contacts – ensuring Year 12s can sit their VCE exams with confidence, while keeping the broader community safe.

These changes have been made possible by the efforts of every single Victorian who has stepped up to get vaccinated – particularly final year students themselves, with more than 80 per cent of 17-18 year-olds already at least single-dosed, giving the public health team the confidence to enable students to complete their exams.

“Our final year students have shown incredible resilience throughout the pandemic on top of trying to finish their schooling – it’s only right that we ensure as many students as possible sit their exams and finish the year strongly,” education minister James Merlino said.

“While these changes will allow students

who are close contacts into schools for exams, we’re taking every precaution to make sure all other VCE students and our hardworking school staff are kept safe.”

VCE students who become primary close contacts will now have permission to attend their exams, while otherwise complying with the isolation orders that apply – which will be 14 days for unvaccinated students, or seven days for those who are fully vaccinated.

These students will be able to sit exams in dedicated rooms with separate entrances either by themselves or safely distanced from other students who are also primary close contacts, depending on capacity. They will be supervised by staff wearing face shields and enhanced PPE in safely ventilated rooms that are cleaned between each use.

Each student who is a primary close contact will need to be tested every 48 hours in their first week after exposure, then again on day 13 – with regular testing the key to ensur-

ing any potential virus is picked up early and contact tracing can begin to prevent further spread at exam sites or in the community.

The process for students who test positive for coronavirus will not change – they cannot attend school or their VCE exams, and they will receive a Derived Examination Score for any assessments they are forced to miss, with the Consideration of Educational Disadvantage process also taking their situation into account.

All VCE exam rooms will keep a registration of students and a seating plan that can be accessed for easy contact tracing, helping to keep the number of students and staff forced to isolate minimal.

Alongside work to ensure every VCE student can sit their exams safely, the Department of Education and Training is working with the Department of Health to minimise the disruption to learning for all other students in the event of a confirmed case at a

primary or secondary school.

When there is a confirmed case, the school will generally be closed for an initial 24 hours while cleaning of any affected areas takes place, and while Department of Education staff work with school leaders to identify primary close contacts – who will then be contacted by the Department of Health for the standard contact tracing process.

Meanwhile, all other students will be able to return to onsite learning – generally the next day, unless there are further cases immediately associated with a school, in which case further contact tracing may be required.

In addition to a trial of rapid home testing for school communities, the Department of Health is working with the Department of Education and Training on an additional, wider trial of the use of rapid antigen testing in school settings as part of the suite of Covid safe measures for schools.

Get moving this October

By Gabriella Payne October is mental health awareness month and in a bid to get the message out there, residents throughout the Cardinia Shire are being encouraged to lace up their shoes and get moving and talking about the importance of overall wellbeing.

Mayur Meshram, a passionate community member and ambassador for the Mental Health Foundation of Australia, said that now more than ever, it was important to check in with one another and make sure we are looking after ourselves, both mentally and physically.

PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN OWNED & INDEPENDENT

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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.

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Tuesda

The Mental Health Foundation of Australia are encouraging locals to get moving this month for mental health awareness. 253138 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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Publish

“Victorians have been under lockdown for a long time now, and many of us have struggled during this time,” Mr Meshram said.

“With October being mental health awareness month, it’s the perfect chance to come together [in a Covid safe way], share stories of our own experiences or perhaps help people see the light or at least address that there are deeper roots to the way we feel.”

Having set up a ‘team Cardinia’ walk for mental health page with a number of other community members, Mr Meshram hopes to see lots of locals get out and about this month and show their support for people who may be struggling right now.

“The Mental Health Foundation of Australia are encouraging communities to still get active, reach out and continue to step up to spread awareness,” he said.

“It’s about getting people energised, starting conversations and helping support the cause in whatever way we can.”

Mr Meshram said that the initiative hoped to get “some endorphins and discussions” going in the local community, and hopefully provide people with the opportunity to let their guard down after a difficult couple of years.

“This is a great opportunity to use exercise as a vehicle to talk more deeply,” he said.

“If people can show their support by either signing up to the MHFA’s team Cardinia page, donating to the foundation or just getting up and exercising, then we’ll be moving in the right direction.”

To take part in team Cardinia’s MHFA campaign, head to https://www.walkformentalhealth.com.au/t/teamcardinia

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HILLS LIFESTYLE ON OVER 1/3 ACRE SHERBROOKE Forest is your neighbour when you call this property home, a wonderful location, near to both Belgrave and Tecoma townships, a choice of schools, excellent eateries, community events and shops.

The residence will not disappoint with two spacious separate living spaces, both with French doors to the veranda, one with wood fire. The master suite is zoned for privacy and features a walk-in robe and updated ensuite with a walk-in shower and custom timber dual vanity. The three further bedrooms all have built-in robes and utilise the family bathroom with another chic vanity, bath, shower and separate WC. The large kitchen has an abundance of cabinetry for storage, Caesar stone benchtops and quality St George appliances.

Throughout the home, you will notice nice period features, polished floorboards, high ceilings, corbels, arches, picture rails, ornate cornice and fretwork. For comfort throughout the seasons, ducted heating and evaporative cooling.

With summer fast approaching the rear deck will become a third living space, for BBQ’s, get-togethers, it’s like being in

the treetops, such a special outlook to share with family and friends. You’ll hear kookaburras laughing, king parrots and rainbow lorikeets might fly by for a visit.

The allotment of just over 1400m2 has gorgeous established gardens with bursts of colour, there are veggie boxes, also a variety of fruit trees.

The property is accessed by a sealed driveway, there is plenty of off-street parking, is gated and offers a double remote garage, under house storage, laundry and workshop.

The allotment is fenced, so it’s great for kids and four-legged friends. Water tanks hold 13,000 litres to run the washing machine and keep the gardens watered. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 91 Terrys Avenue, TECOMA Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $985,000 - $1,078,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin, 0429 684 522 and Emily Hudson, 0418 570 474, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111

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HOME FOCUS

LOG CABIN IN THE TREETOPS THIS modern log cabin in the treetops is the perfect hills hideaway.

Wake up overlooking the bush and fernery in one of the 3 bedrooms, all with carpet, 2 have robes and all showcase large windows to take in your peaceful surrounds.

Stylish bathroom with bath and separate toilet, open plan family room with wood heater adjoin the dining area and kitchen with dishwasher and gas cooktop.

Other features include a sealed driveway with room for up to 4 cars, a garden shed, the potential to make under home storage/ workshop, low maintenance native garden, a terraced back yard, fenced boundaries, ducted heating, a split system and a security system.

The property is only a short walk to Cockatoo Recreation Reserve, walk to town and public transport is nearby. The property is currently tenanted at $510pw until the 12th March 2022.

Call Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 or Emily Hudson 0418 570 474 to find out more. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 35A Mountain Road, COCKATOO Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Price: $670,000 - $737,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin, 0429 684 522 and Emily Hudson, 0418 570 474, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111 20 MAIL

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19 Paradise Avenue, Clematis

20 Majestic Drive, Emerald

2 Wright Road, Avonsleigh

Character and charm on over 1/2 acre!

ALL THE WRIGHT STUFF ON 3/4 ACRE

TICKING ALL THE WRIGHT BOXES ON OVER 6.4AC

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $1,050,000 - $1,150,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Denise McKay 0479 184 147 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $890,000 - $970,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,300,000 - $1,400,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

17 Charman Avenue, Emerald

191 Ure Road, Gembrook

6 Wong Hee Road, Emerald

$1,000,000 - $1,100,000

SUNSET VIEWS ON OVER 4.6 ACRES

DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE – OVER ONE ACRE!

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GUIDE $770,000 - $830,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Gayle Barrot 0408 195 767 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,000,000 - $1,100,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,100,000 - $1,200,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Brittany Barry 0412 861 094 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

14 Ash Grove, Menzies Creek

15/11 Westlands Road, Emerald

10/11 Westlands Road, Emerald

Your country escape on 1,191m2!

LOW MAINTENANCE LIVING IN THE HEART OF TOWN

FULLY RENOVATED LIFESTYLE UNIT

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GUIDE $745,000-$795,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Brittany Barry 0412 861 094 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $500,000 - $550,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Lana Maher 0408 535 075 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $510,000-$560,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

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126 Fielder Road Cockatoo

$1,250,000 - $1,350,000

As Rare as Hen’s Teeth – Small Acreage + Character Home!

This spacious character home sits proudly on a stunning 5 acres of clear, flat land with high ceilings and dado panelling. Other features include 4 generous robed bedrooms, the huge Master with walk in robe and ensuite. For living there is a formal lounge with open fire place and access to the front verandah through French doors. There is a large open plan, well-appointed kitchen and dining area with a pot belly for the ultimate old style cooking experience. Outside there are paddocks with water for horses, plus smaller paddocks for domestic animals. Additionally, there is 100+ year old bungalow and a barn with 6 bays and power connected, plus a centre mezzanine for storage and carport!

29 Seaview Road Cockatoo

Asking $395,000

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

Lot 1 Orchard Road Gembrook

Asking $2,000,000

Ready To Build!

Land Opportunity!

This elevated, corner block of vacant land in Cockatoo with mains water connected and all services available, plus established circular driveway is ready to go!

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

Set on almost 1/2 acre, plans have been approved to build your very own gorgeous story book home with delightful dormer windows and elevated rear deck, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, carport, 2 sheds and bunker.

Opportunities like this do not present often and with all the hard work done with council all that is left to do is watch your dreams become a reality! So if you’re in the market for a brand new home, contact the listing agent before you miss out.

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

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

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

Inquire today!

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

5968 6222

311-313 Main St, Emerald mailcommunity.com.au

Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

10 Martin Street, BELGRAVE BIG FAMILY HOME WITH VERSATILITY!

$770,000 - $799,000 6A 1B 2C

FOR SALE

$600,000 - $660,000

13 Edward Street, BELGRAVE

3A 1B 2C

TONS OF POTENTIAL IN TOP LIFESTYLE LOCATION

What an opportunity to secure a huge family home in the middle of Belgrave at an affordable price. This fabulous split-level home provides 4 to 6 bedrooms, study nook, 2 living zones plus a bonus under house space that is ready to transform to a man cave or workshop. The room combo is very flexible as 2 bedrooms could alternatively be used as private study or transform into wir and ensuite (STCA).

Situated in a top lifestyle location and tenanted until mid 2022, this property is a superb investment for savvy buyers. With loads of potential and a sought-after position steps from Belgrave Pool, Borthwick Park, and bustling Belgrave township and train station, this intriguing property boasts a very bright future indeed. The main floor of this inviting home offers a flexible layout and fabulous treetop views. The lounge and dining area are enriched with timber accents and a leadlight feature window for a custom touch.

Brad Conder

Brad Conder

M 0422 639 115 | E brad@chandlerandco.com.au|

M 0422 639 115 | E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

FOR SALE

89 Alexander Avenue UPWEY AN ENTERTAINERS’ OASIS

$795,000 - $870,000 3A 2B 2C

This entertainers’ oasis has arrived just in time for summer, making it effortless to imagine living here. Situated within walking distance of bus transport and Upwey’s township, train station and schools this property is primed to become the go-to place for get-togethers with family and friends. From the covered porch entry and welcoming foyer, this residence is ready to make a lasting impression.

FOR SALES

4 Ferndell Court, BELGRAVE

$795,000 - $865,000

SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME IN A PERFECT GARDEN SETTING

4A 3B 1C

A stunning example of mid-century design is here on display, ready and waiting for its lucky new family to love and enjoy. Boasting four bedrooms, two of which have their own ensuites, home office and three bathrooms in total, this versatile floorplan allows for work from home options, larger families or just that extra bit of space you have been looking for.

Set amidst a beautiful 1/3 of an acre garden setting in a quiet court location, you will be in absolute heaven as you enjoy the peace and tranquillity that this perfect location brings.

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

Sam Adamson

Belinda Duivenvoorden

M 0421 023 760 | E sam@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0409 991 173 | E belinda@chandlerandco.com.au

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

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PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 051

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

8

5

7

7

1 5 4

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5

3 2 1 7 6 9 5

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

28 29

9

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Brightness (10) Painting of a person (8) Fisher (6) Garrulous (9) Sugary coating for a cake (5) Scottish clan (9) Arab state (5)

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Reading or copying machine (7) Work restaurant (7) Places (4) Unbelievable (10) Drinking vessel (7) Cravat (7) Chosen (8) Exercises (10) Alacrity (8) — Monroe (7) River barrier (7) Reprieve (7) The essential constituent of bone, teeth and shell (7) Mythical monster (6) Unkind (4)

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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”.

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Today’s Aim: 18 words: Good 27 words: Very good

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3 LETTERS ALE AVO BAN BOA CHI DAM EKE ERA EVE FIR GAG GET GUY ICE ILL LEE NIP OKS ONE PER REV SEC SHE SOD TEE WAR 4 LETTERS ABET CLAN EARL ELSE GAYS GEAR GEED GELD GERM GIVE GNAT HYMN RIDE RISE SEWS

STUD TANK WOKE 5 LETTERS ABUSE ADMIT ADORE ALLAH ALPHA AMISS ARROW BRAGS COMET DENIM DIGIT EASED EASES EDGED ENEMA ENSUE

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FORUM GIRTH HEEDS HELMS HOURS KARAT LADLE LEAVE LIVID LOUSE NEARS OLIVE POLKA RIVAL SCOOT SEEMS SLEEK SPARS SPASM SPATE SPUDS

STERN STICK TASTE TENET THREE UNIFY URINE 6 LETTERS STEREO UNSAFE 7 LETTERS ERASURE EVASIVE

FATIGUE HOLIDAY LUNCHES TASSELS 8 LETTERS EVERMORE GARGOYLE MISTRESS SAFARIED 10 LETTERS BRASSIERES VENTILATED

after, daft, deaf, deafen, deafer, defeat, defer, deft, defter, draftee, engraft, ENGRAFTED, fade, fang, fanged, fare, fared, fate, fated, fear, feared, feat, feed, feet, fend, fender, fern, fete, feted, free, freed, fret, graft, grafted, raft, rafted, reef

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37 words: Excellent

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WORDFIT

22-10-21

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Tuesday, 19 October, 2021

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MAIL 25

OPINION

Council values our history and future Yarra Ranges Council draft council plan for 2021-25 titled Safer, Stronger, Together should be adopted later this month.

From a heritage perspective, it is wonderful the draft plan now incorporates the Value of History Statement which has been endorsed by state and national heritage organisations, museums and many historical societies.

Yarra Ranges is arguably the first municipality to do so. What will it mean to our community?

The Statement is short: Value of History We acknowledge that history shapes our identities, engages us as citizens, creates inclusive communities, is part of our economic wellbeing, teaches us to think critically and creatively, inspires leaders and is the foundation of our future generations.

When the Statement was released it was an inspiration to me because it summed up the importance of our history - First People’s and European– past, present and future.

I approached the Yarra Ranges Heritage Network (YRHN) which represents all heritage groups in Yarra Ranges and the representatives unanimously agreed to endorse the Statement and allow me to make a presentation on their behalf to the council.

Below is part of what I said to the councillors on November 26, 2019.

Everyone is different and special. Our identities have been moulded by our parents, siblings, where we were born, where we lived, where we went to school, our jobs, our husbands, wives and children.

Looking

back Sue Thompson

Lilydale and District Historical Society president In turn, we draw on these life stories, our personal histories when we participate in activities in the communities we live in – be it sports, schools, social organisations etc. We join them and become part of their story and in turn we help influence and shape these groups when we become involved in fundraising, working bees, serving on the committees or simply selling hot dogs at the canteen on sports days.

This involvement adds to our knowledge and understanding of our community, what it is, and who we are. We have become engaged citizens and in even just a small way, have helped shape and support our community to make it a better place for all of us. This is the value of history.

You may ask how does history foster economic growth? Often heritage groups are accused of trying to stop development and progress. History is not about stopping development, it is about setting that project or development into its community context. History tells us about the past. For example, why is Melba Park located where it is?

Emerald theatre

By Peter Kemp

There are similar examples in every town in this municipality. Answering these questions lets us see what happened in the past and then make the judgement: do we keep it; do we still need it or can we put a modern interpretation on to it. We can put it into its context and through interpretation link the past, present and future together to provide a sense of identity in our community, a sense of place.

Through the council’s various projects you are not just building and planning for today, you are building for the future. The decisions you take today will be your lasting legacy to our community and will become part of our community’s history.

I concluded by making two requests: 1. The Value of History statement inserted in the council’s own Vision statement.

2. All council projects, big and small be referred to the local heritage group for its input so each project is put into its community context. Officers may reject the group’s suggestions but at least they can make informed decisions based on sound knowledge of place.

This procedure at the planning stages may save hours of angst and controversy later.

It is pleasing to see both the above requests have been implemented by council and staff.

Download the complete Value of History Statement at https://lilydalehistorical.com. au/news-events-lilydale-district-historicalsociety-inc/ Contact Sue Thompson, Lilydale & District Historical Society. Phone: 0475 319 884, email: info@lilydalehistorical.com.au website: lilydalehistorical.com.au

In the town of Emerald in Kilvington Drive one finds The Gem, Gemco Players Community Theatre.

Back in 1980 a recent arrival from England, David Greenaway was interested in forming a theatre group, so he called a meeting of like-minded people and the theatre was born that night. The name comes from the town in the area, Gembrook, Emerald, Menzies Creek and Cockatoo.

Like many other theatres the rehearsals were held in private homes and in small halls in Emerald and Clematis. Of course, this meant carrying all that was needed to take to the halls in the area for the actual performances. In the years since 1980 has performed to over 45,000 people certainly showing that the hills originally were bereft of entertainment.

A small hall, initially the Tecoma Uniting Church, was made into a permanent home. Again like many other community theatres, the members volunteered to bring the old hall into a theatre. This space proved so efficient that saw an expansion of youth groups, so much so that the company outgrew their theatre.

So David and his cohorts set to and built the theatre that has today. Today Gemco has had over 1899 young people involved in its youth and children programs and Gemco has raised over $29,000 for groups within the community and beyond. Gemco also has hosted the 6th – 13th Dandenong Ranges One Act Play Festivals, a friendly but competitive event between groups from all over the state.

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SPORT

Outer East’s new umpire

By Nick Creely The Outer East Football Netball League has announced the appointment of AFL umpire, John Howorth, to the role of Head of Umpiring for 2022.

Howorth, who has umpired 42 AFL games, will be employed in a part-time capacity alongside operations coordinator Sebastian Mueller-Schmuki to help develop and grow umpiring within the region, focusing specifically on coaching and fast tracking the development of all umpires, including fitness and match day techniques.

Howorth said the opportunity to work with the Outer East was exciting.

“I see this as a great opportunity to work with a highly motivated and dedicated group with outstanding group culture and aspire towards having a positive impact on the Yarra Ranges Umpires Association and the Outer East competitions over a number of years,” he said.

“My passion for umpiring the game also extends to the coaching side of things, with a specific focus towards motivating, mentoring and developing young umpires, and I cannot wait to get started.”

Howorth has extensive experience umpiring at a community sport level, with previous experience with the Bendigo Umpires Association and Northern Territory Football League

The Outer East has made a key appointment in its umpiring department. 238292 Picture: ROB CAREW holding him in good stead. He is also one of eight people in the world currently undertaking a degree in Masters in Sports Officiating.

After beginning his umpiring career in Bendigo in 2006, where he remained until 2013, Howorth moved to the VFL and umpired the TAC

Cup (now NAB League) grand final in 2016, as well as both the VFL and AFLW grand finals in 2018. He then made his AFL debut in a game between St Kilda and Adelaide in round 6 of the 2019 season.

Outer East region general manager Aaron Bailey said the league was thrilled to welcome Howorth, and believes with his extensive experience he will provide a great benefit for football in the region.

“A key focus for us coming out of Covid has been to invest and focus on umpiring, to both grow the number of participants who see umpiring as a pathway in our game, but to continue to improve and develop the match day standards and performance of our group,” he said.

“This is a significant appointment for our league, that will benefit all competitions.”

Peter Dixon, president of the Yarra Ranges Umpires Association, believes this is the most significant appointment for umpires in the region for many years.

“John is an exceptional individual with great passion and experience, and I am personally looking forward to working with him and his coaching panel to help them deliver positive outcomes to umpiring in our region,” Dixon said.

“Our team across all age groups and all disciplines will benefit greatly with John at the helm.”

Sport concussions research

Aquatic centres are one of the categories able to get funding from the Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Picture: UNSPLASH

State funding for local sport upgrades The Victorian Government is helping communities build and transform sports facilities, including female friendly change rooms, to encourage more participation and healthier lifestyles across the state.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced on Thursday 14 October that applications are now open for the 2021-22 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

“Investing in new and upgraded facilities means community clubs can support more players and host more events safely as we progressively re-open,” she said.

The fund will invest up to $27 million for new and improved sports facilities across Victoria, with a focus on providing facilities to encourage participation among women and girls.

“We’re creating a level playing field and urge councils and sporting organisations to think creatively about how they can support their communities with innovative and inclusive facilities.”

As sporting clubs, leagues and associations chart their path to reopening, the Government investment in infrastructure will help stimulate local economies while mailcommunity.com.au

encouraging people to stay active and healthy.

The Fund supports projects across five dedicated streams: Indoor Stadiums/ Aquatic Centres, Female Friendly Facilities, Community Sports Lighting, Community Facilities, and Planning.

The grant amount available to develop female friendly facilities has increased to up to $800,000 to support more women and girls getting involved in community sport.

The planning stream will support councils in developing projects to meet the changing needs of their communities. These grants are part of $1.1 billion invested by the Government in community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014.

A report by KPMG commissioned by Sport and Recreation Victoria last year put an annual value of $7 billion on the economic, social and health benefits of community sport and active recreation infrastructure in Victoria.

Clubs are advised to contact their local council to help with the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund application process. For more information or to apply online, visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Research comparing the brain health of retired athletes from collision and non-collision sports will be part of a comprehensive and collaborative concussion project being led by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

The AIS has welcomed $340,000 in Australian Government funding for The Concussion and Brain Health project 2021-24, which will contribute to the evidence and understanding of sport-related concussion and continue to prioritise the health of Australian sport participants.

The Concussion and Brain Health project will begin this year and be delivered by 2024, comprising two major components.

The AIS will work with medical experts and researchers to update the Concussion in Sport Australia: Position Statement, a concussion management resource launched in 2019 and endorsed by more than 50 leading medical and sporting organisations.

Additionally, the AIS is collaborating with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), University of Newcastle and University of Canberra on a research program that will assess the brain health of retired elite level athletes.

AIS Chief Medical Officer Dr David Hughes said the project would improve the understanding of long-term brain health of retired elite athletes, in both collision and non-collision sports.

“This project will evaluate several domains of brain health in retired elite athletes including neuropsychological assessment, brain imaging, objective somatosensory assessment and potential involvement in a brain donor program,” Dr Hughes said.

“Associate Professor Andrew Gardner of HMRI and the University of Newcastle has been leading one of the largest and most comprehensive brain health research programs for retired athletes in the world, involving in-person evaluations of more than 150 retired elite level collision sport players. The AIS, HMRI, The University of Newcastle and University of Canberra are combining to take this further, recruiting a control group of retired non-collision elite athletes.

“We are aiming to collect data on the brain health of more than 40 retired athletes from non-collision sports every year. This study is available to former elite level men and women athletes who were not involved in contact or collision sport.”

The AIS launched the Concussion in Sport Australia: Position Statement is a collaboration with the Australian Medical Association, Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, and Sports Medicine Australia. It will be updated by the start of 2023 and will address the latest evidence on concussion in female athletes, concussion in para-athletes, potential implications for long-term brain health and the utility of specific physiotherapy-guided rehabilitation in the management of concussion.

“This has proved to be a wonderful resource for sport, but we need to ensure it is continually updated to reflect the latest evidence and research, with enhanced educational tools that are easily accessible to all in Australian sport,” Dr Hughes said. “We want all Australians to be able to safely enjoy the many physical and mental health benefits sport can provide.”

The Australian Institute of Sport is delivering a major project to examine concussions in Australian sport.

Picture: ON FILE Tuesday, 19 October, 2021

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MAIL 27

Excellence in Aged Care

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

Our residents always come first.

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

We treat our residents as individuals and promote individual choice and decision making.

We take great pride in the professional quality of our work and have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in what we do.

Call our friendly community engagement manager, Amanda on 1300 428 886 for more information or arrange a personal tour.

Clovelly Cottage 16 Stewart Street, Boronia VIC. 3155

Permanent and respite available now.

1300 428 886

www.autumnagedcare.com.au 12483754-SN17-21

28 MAIL

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Tuesday, 19 October, 2021

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