Ferntree Gully Belgrave
Final results in for the class of 2021
Loved Sassafras teachers say goodbye
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PAGE 2
Tuesday, 21 December, 2021
Mail Disaster towers to be installed
Upwey’s main street shines bright for the holidays
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
12496493-NG22-21
The giving spirit By Parker McKenzie
Habitat for Humanity are helping clear Cheryll Roach’s property. their 3pm finishing time fast approaches. Rod Brooks is the volunteer supervisor for Habitat for Humanity at Mrs Roach’s house and he is hard at work as they power through the last hour of a long day. “When you hear that story, which I’m sure you have, it touches your heart,” he said. “You just think how hard is it to do some-
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backward and forwards,” he said. “They’re helping people rather than helping the programs or putting money into an account somewhere and never really seeing where it goes. Not saying there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just that personal connection to people.” Continued page 3
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thing that blesses her and helps her along the way.” Mr Brooks believes for a lot of the volunteers – and himself – days like today are some of the best in their lives. “The good thing about it is that they’re working with the people in need, not necessarily side by side right, but Cheryll’s been
Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE
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For most people, 2021 has been both difficult and challenging. For Cheryll Roach, it has been a year of tragedy and heartache. “When my dad moved in with us in April, my husband and I frantically rushed around to get the place ready for him because he had his left leg amputated,” she said. “At the start of June my husband wasn’t feeling well, and on the 21st of July he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.” After Dale Roach was told he had three to 12 months to live, he passed away on the 11th of August. “I’m so overwhelmed by everything, trying to get things tidied up, just with everything that has happened,” Mrs Roach said. “It’s hard to ask for help sometimes. We were affected by the storms and as you can see a few trees came down.” On a 31 degree Friday afternoon in Cockatoo, four volunteers are helping Mrs Roach remove fallen trees from the June storm, stack firewood and burn off any potential fuel for the coming bushfire season. “Otherwise we would have been good. My husband and I would have tried to manage but I’ve gone from full-time work to being a single parent now,” Mrs Roach said. “I’m just absolutely overwhelmed and so thankful. I just want to repay them back for the help.” The volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Victoria are more than happy to help and don’t ask for any repayment. Six volunteers arrived at Mrs Roach’s house at around 8.30pm. The four remaining by 2pm continue to busily split wood, wheelbarrow foliage to the fire and carry logs away even as