Mountain Views
Tuesday, 2 November, 2021
Tourism operators welcome visitors back
Wild weather lashes the region
Local history advocate honoured
A call to action against Indian Mynas
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
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Yarra Valley screams Halloween Yarra Valley residents have embraced the spooky holiday and toured homes across the region that were decorated for Halloween. Families have enjoyed the opportunity to dress up and roam the front lawns of those tricker treating. For more turn to page 8
All aboard the ‘ghost train’ for trick or treating in Coldstream. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Workers wanted By Renee Wood Farmers are facing yet another summer harvest with a labour shortage as the Covid-19 pandemic still causes issues for international seasonal workers. Yarra Valley Agriculture’s Kylie Ammerlaan said in the past mostly backpackers have serviced the Yarra Valley. “At the moment we’re quite limited by the
fact that we don’t have those people waiting around the Valley anymore,” Ms Ammerlaan said. Yarra Valley Cherries is one of many producers who have relied on backpackers but Packing Shed Manager Robyn Hall said they’ve heard from very little in the past two years. “We normally have a lot of backpackers contacting us mid year in the hope of finding
DAVID MCKEE
themselves a farm job for the harvest season, but these last two years I have been very lucky to have maybe a couple of backpackers make contact with us,” Ms Hall said. And for those still in the country, Victoria hasn’t been the most ideal place to visit. “They’ve been unable to make it to Victoria before the harvest time, and then they run the risk if they’re in Victoria for the harvest, of trying to get back out to follow the harvest trail up
the East Cost.” Last season there was some crop losses reported in the area to Yarra Valley Agriculture due to not enough seasonal workers to pick the produce. Yarra Valley Cherries thankfully secured picking contractors but this upcoming season is one they will need all hands on deck for with a harvest expected of around 100 tonnes. Continued page 3
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