Mail - Mt Evelyn Star Mail - 29th March 2022

Mount Evelyn

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

Mail

Fundraiser for the Vic Kangaroo Alliance

Diversity week celebrated with special story time

A push for Yarra Ranges’ areas to be ‘peri-regional’

Enjoying the art of singing in Mt Evelyn

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A Star News Group Publication

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A+ for NAPLAN

By Callum Ludwig Primary schools in the Yarra Ranges have excelled in 2021’s NAPLAN, with Gladesville Primary School and Coldstream Primary School celebrating their results.

Grade three and fives of Coldstream PS in 2021 had the highest percentage of aboveaverage scores in reading, with 94 per cent of grade three and 100 per cent of fives achieving the feat, while Gladesville PS had 89 percent of its students above-average in numeracy - also the best in the state.

Coldstream PS Principal Phillippa Adgemis and Gladesville PS Principal Nicki wood both said they are thrilled with such a great result.

“We are absolutely delighted to be one of the top schools in the state, particularly as a smaller state school,” said Ms Wood “This really lets the kids know that if you work and focus hard enough, you can achieve anything you want. For me it’s not only a celebration of state education but a celebration of the fact that if you put in and give kids the good basics, they’ve got the world open to them,” said Ms Adgemis Both schools are a part of a Small Schools Alliance in the local area, including Pembroke PS, Lilydale PS, Yarra Glen PS and Wandin Yallock PS. Continued page 2

Shelby is all smiles when it comes to numeracy. 273719

Kilsyth students Zoe, Joe, Max, Abigail, Bawi and Shelby are extreme proud of their results from Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS 2021 NAPLAN. 273719

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Drivers give generously

By Renee Wood Lilydale SES has thanked the community for supporting its tin rattle fundraiser held at the corner of Maroondah Highway and Anderson Street Lilydale on Sunday 20 March.

Unit Controller Shaun Caulfield said it was a success thanks to very generous donations ranging from $50 notes to gold and silver coins – all valuable in supporting the volunteer run service.

“We were very thankful to the community for their support, it’s an ongoing issue for us to continue to fundraise,” Mr Caulfield said.

Lilydale SES holds several fundraising events throughout the year in order to purchase, maintain and upgrade vehicles.

Currently the crew is raising donations to replace a 14 year old Nissan Patrol service vehicle, which comes at a cost of around $100,000 once fitted out.

The brigade also applies for state funding opportunities to help cover the costs.

Mr Caulfield said the grants can help with two thirds of the total if successful, while the brigade aims to raise $35,000 to add to the tally.

“We’re not assured of getting that grant funding, so we put in a bid and hope that we’re successful and we’ve had good success previously but have been knocked back,” he said.

“So to be able to have such a genuine response from the community is very beneficial.”

Drivers will see SES members at the intersection for another tin rattle fundraiser on

Lilydale SES members welcomed donations from drivers during their tin rattle fundraiser on Sunday 20 March.

Melbourne Cup Day in November, something they’ve been doing for 25 years.

“Every three years were replacing one of our vehicles, and essentially that’s to make sure its not just safe for members to operate, but also

Lucas and Kobi outside the wonderfully decorated reading pod area.

reliable and fit for task.”

The next fundraiser on the calendar for Lilydale will be its annual Mother’s Day flower road stall which is held on Victoria Road, Chirnside Park.

Picture: SUPPLIED

“We’ve been doing that for about 10 years now and we get a great response.

“That’s another avenue to make sure we can maintain our fleet so when the community calls us we can respond.”

Coldstream students Lucas, Zoe and Kobi enjoying the reading pod.

Coldstream and Gladesville Primarys top of the class From page 1 The alliance has provided a new lease of life for the schools, with staff able to consult each other for a broader range of ideas, and conducting Professional Learning Community Investigations to test ideas and highlight their benefits.

Ms Adgemis said the alliance has lifted the quality of Coldstream PS’s teaching exponentially.

“It’s been enormous and has built the leadership capacity of their teachers on our team. None of them thought they could be leaders and now they all are in their own areas,” she said.

In recent years, Coldstream PS fashioned a colourful reading pod from a $25,000 grant to utilise a large container they had and give students an inviting place dedicated to reading.

Ms Adgemis said there has been a big focus on reading at Coldstream Primary School.

“I’m always writing in the newsletter on the fact that reading is really important for the whole family, for spending quality bonding time reading with your kids and creating that nice, warm relationship because it’s a pretty fast world out there.”

Ms Wood said the maths specialist at Gladesville PS Keylie Groen was largely to credit for the fantastic numeracy results.

“Keylie has an absolute total passion for mathematics and her love of maths is infec2 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

Students like Zoe can enjoy a swing and a book in the reading pod.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS tious. The children love maths, they’re thriving in maths, and they’ll have a go at maths,” she said.

Ms Groen, who is also a leader in the Small Schools Alliance, said Gladesville PS has created a shift in attitude towards maths from

students, staff and parents alike.

“Parents can remember feeling overwhelmed when they participated in maths, there is a real stigma around numeracy.

“We worked hard to find out how students feel about numeracy and because there slots of generational anxiety passed down about maths.”

Ms Adgemis said she hopes the success of the students remains consistent and they can continue to be proud of their efforts.

“When I told them their results, their jaws dropped...They now know they can be successful, and hopefully now think they could be really successful if they put their minds to it,” she said.

“I just hope this isn’t a flash in the pan and we can keep building because I want the kids to have the efficacy of knowing they’re successful and they can do whatever they want with choices.”

On Friday 25 March, Coldstream students also proved their leadership skills and reading ability as they lead the launch of the new Melba Walk in Coldstream, with First Nations students having the opportunity to read out the Welcome to Country and schools captains hosting the event.

Gladesville recently hosted their major event for the year the Show N Shine and Twilight Market, where they raised over $5600 to support the school’s digital technology and wellbeing programs. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Bus improvements Proposed upgrades to the Yarra Valley Bus network will see an overhaul of the services, dropping the four routes down to two.

The State Government is looking to update and simplify the timetables to improve the frequency of routes, make more popular shopping and school stops easier.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, “We are proposing improvements to bus services through the Yarra Valley – making them more frequent and accessible, and providing bus users with direct access to schools, shopping centres, and ongoing transport options at the newly upgraded Lilydale Station.”

Route 685 Healesville to Lilydale will merge with Route 686 Healesville – Badgers Creek and extend to Healesville Sanctuary and Badger Creek, meaning residents no longer need to transfer buses to get to Lilydale. The changes will allow services to run every 40 minutes

on weekdays and Saturday, and every 60 minutes on Sunday to ensure residents have more travel choices than ever before.

Route 684 Melbourne to Eildon via Healesville will terminate at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, with passengers visiting the city able to transfer at the new, elevated Lilydale Station.

As part of the station upgrade, the recent relocation of the bus interchange will also make transfers easier and more accessible.

The government said the removal of Route 687 Healesville – Chum Creek will redirect resources to where they are needed most.

Commuters are encouraged to have their say on the changes through an online survey which is open for three weeks.

Two in-person information sessions will also be held on the proposed changes, which will be held at Coles Supermarket, 251 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, on Thursday 31

March from 10:30am to 12:30pm and Thursday 5 April from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

As improvements to the Yarra Valley bus network get underway, works are continuing at Lilydale Station following the removal of the Maroondah Highway Level Crossing last year as part of the Labor Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project.

The final changes to the Yarra Valley bus network will be introduced in late 2022 as part of Victoria’s Bus Plan to improve the bus network to better meet demand, improve accessibility and performance, and deliver value for money.

The community can access information and submit feedback through the online survey until Friday 8 April at www.ptv.vic.gov.au/ yarravalley.

Ms Shing said, “I would encourage people to have their say about these proposed changes so we can deliver exactly what is needed.”

Charity walk for Vic Kangaroo Alliance

By Callum Ludwig Leanne Kelly and Tamsin Ramone are doing a 40km walk from Lilydale to Warburton on the trail to raise money for the Victorian Kangaroo Alliance.

The Victorian Kangaroo Alliance was founded by their sister Alyssa Wormald and other concerned locals, as Save the Kinley Kangas in July 2020, following the outcry over the proposed culling of a mob of kangaroos in the developing Kinley Estate.

Ms Wormald, who now operates as the secretary of the community-led group, said she was very touched by her sister’s gesture.

“They do these long walks as fundraisers for different organisations and charities,” she said.

“Now, they are running one for the organisation I founded because they share my concerns about the kangaroo situation.

They are keen to support which is really lovely.”

After a year, the Kinley mob was relocated and the STKK was rebranded as the Victorian Kangaroo Alliance(VKA) to extend its focus on protecting kangaroos state-wide.

Ms Wormald said she is receiving reports from across Victoria from concerned residents who are noticing a reduction in kangaroos.

“I’ve seen it myself. I’ve done quite a bit of driving out in the country recently, about 20 hours. I saw one dead kangaroo, no live ones,” she said.

“The community is really distressed. most people love kangaroos. I would love to see more people speaking out for kangaroos before it’s too late.”

The ‘2020 Statewide Abundance of Kangaroos in Victoria’ survey prepared by the Department of Environment, Land and Water Planning estimated there are 34,600 Eastern Grey Kangaroos in the Yarra Ranges, up

A days work for Highway Patrol Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol have released details of drivers caught in a single shift on Monday 21 March.

At 2.33pm in Lilydale a 21-year-old male driver was caught drug driving and was to be charged with priors.

He will face Court where it is expected he will lose his licence for a minimum of 12 months.

A 59-year-old female driver also tested positive for drugs at 3.36pm in Chirnside Park.

She was also to be charged with priors and faces a similar sentence in Court.

An 18-year-old female driver rolled her vehicle after striking a parked car on Liverpool Road in Kilsyth.

The driver told police she had been looking at her phone before the incident happened.

She received minor injuries and was taken to hospital where a blood sample for obtained for analysis.

She received a $545 penalty notice and four points for using her phone and faces a further $545 penalty notice and six-month licence suspension pending the results of the blood analysis.

The driver told police she had received her probationary licence earlier that day

Impound report

A VKA rally in Gisbourne in December 2021.

Picture: KIM WORMALD

A rally by the VKA protesting for Nike to stand up against the use of kangaroo skins.

Picture: MATT HRKAC approximately 42 per cent from 14,500 in the 2018 report.

There was aslo a drop from 12,200 in the neighboring Nillumbik shire to 5100 over the same period, with popular hunting grounds in the area including Kangaroo Ground and Christmas Hills.

However, research and comparison from Mjadwesch R 2011 Nomination to List the Large Macropods as Threatened Species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 MESS Bathurst states a comparison to a Dawson 1995 suggests eastern Grey Kangaroos can only achieve a population growth rate of 10 percent per year in favourable conditions.

DELWP’s growth figures in the Yarra Ranges from 2018 to 2020 are twice as large as the previous research suggests is possible.

Ms Wormald said the commercialisation of kangaroo hunting has furthered the reduction of kangaroos in the state.

“The issue begins with the authority to control wildlife permits. If someone has trouble with kangaroos on their property, the government can provide a permit for

them to a certain number of kangaroos. Like at Kinley, property owners tend to be left with few alternatives to a permit,” she said.

“Then a commercial harvesting trial was run in 2018 to prevent waste of kangaroo bodies and skins. The trial showed it had massively increased the killing, likely increased waste, was risking sustainability and was rife with corruption, lawlessness and an inability to properly regulate.”

Despite this, the Kangaroo Harvesting Program still came into force in 2019 to operate as a full-scale commercial industry.

Yarra Ranges residents have also shared their distaste for the lack of protection afforded to kangaroos, with one woman recounting to the VKA her horror at being stuck driving behind a shooter on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd with approximately 20 headless and eviscerated kangaroos dangling off it.

Lilydale resident Susan White has also been conducting solo protests in the city regarding the issue and said she has seen shocking acts of cruelty inflicted upon the animals.

“I feel it is greatly important that the public is fully aware of what is happening here, the joeys bludgeoned to death, mobs wiped out, the cross-contamination with diseased feral pigs, the international outrage,” she said.

Anyone who wishes to donate to the GoFundMe page for the walk can do so here: https://gofund.me/6a5e1e40

A 57-year-old male driver was observed driving an unregistered vehicle and displaying false number plates on Exeter Road in Croydon North on Friday 25 March.

The male was found to be unlicenced, after a period of disqualification, and returned a positive result for illicit drugs.

His vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $879 and he will be charged with all offences.

He faces another lengthy licence loss if convicted.

Fire danger period ends The Yarra Ranges fire danger period will lift as of next week with the CFA releasing a list of local council areas as part of the notification.

From Monday 4 April at 1am the fire danger period will be removed.

Other council areas include Manningham, Maroondah and Knox.

Storm recovery sessions Insurance Council of Australia and recovery officers from Yarra Ranges Council are hosting virtual one-on-one consultations for Yarra Ranges residents affected by the 2021 June storms.

The video or phone consultations can be booked between Thursday 31 March from 9am to 8pm. If residents are unavailable, alternative dates can be made via the booking process.

Sessions will offer support for financial loss and impacts to business, insurance and rebuilding, and loss of documents and tenancy issues.

The virtual video or phone consultations are available in 30-minute blocks. Support people can attend the meeting if requested.

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NEWS

The group stretched with some singing and dancing between books.

Pictures: CALLUM LUDWIG

All eyes were on Johanna Skelton and interpreter Nancy during storytime.

Hearing diverse stories

By Callum Ludwig Mooroolbark Library has hosted two inclusive storytime sessions on Tuesday 22 March to celebrate cultural diversity week which runs from 19 to 27 March 2022.

The storytimes were read page-by-page in English, and then in Hindi or Hakha Chin to the groups which ran at 10am and 11am respectively.

Team Leader for Supported Playgroups and Early Years Community Support at Yarra Ranges Council Rakhi Khanna said the storytime pilot program will hopefully become a regular event to support diversity and inclusion.

“This event is great for strengthening the community and making everyone feel welcome, no matter where they come from,” she said.

“We hope this is something the libraries are able to offer on an ongoing basis, past the three sessions we are hosting in the next week.”

Hakha Chin is a dialect from Myanmar in South East Asia. The Hakha Chin-speaking

The members of Hakha Chin who came to storytime.

Picture: SUPPLIED group is already part of one of Ms Khanna’s supported playgroups, which provides an avenue for families to bring their kids together and encourage the use of the Hakha Chin language and involvement with culture.

Ms Khanna said storytime at the library has been a great start for the Hakha Chin group.

“Libraries are one of those great commu-

and doesn’t speak any English,” she said.

“When a migrant community is moving into Australia, they feel a need to fit in this society and think maybe I can just talk the language that might make me a bit more Aussie.

These programs and events are important for acknowledging and celebrating diversity.”

Deputy Mayor of Yarra Ranges Council Johanna Skelton had the opportunity to read In English for the Hakha Chin group and was grateful to have done so, Ms Skelton said the event demonstrated an important role of the Council in representing the community.

“These events and services are important for these communities as it is their council and their rates going towards recognising and servicing their needs,” she said.

“It’s an important role for Council to look at what services and representation is lacking for our residents. We have to be the ones that see our local communities as a whole rather than distinct groups.”

nity resources, which in Myanmar they don’t have access to. They often don’t even know it’s a free service or resource available in their community,” she said.

“By offering these programs and making it open to the families or the community it keeps them connected the great power that comes from their home language and with their roots and culture.”

The Hindi and Hakha Chin groups had the opportunity to listen to I’m Australian Too by Australian author Mem Fox, a book all about celebrating what culturally diverse groups in Australia all bring to the community. They also got to join in on some singing and dancing.

Ms Khanna said there is often shame associated with not speaking English from immigrant groups, which can result in cautious parents overly prioritising their child learning English.

“Parents are really reluctant and feel a bit shameful if their child walks into a playgroup

Tails wagging for Animal Aid’s Adventure Dog challenge

By Callum Ludwig The fourth annual Adventure Dog event from Animal Aid in Coldstream is set to challenge pups and their people in a muddy obstacle course.

Taking place on Sunday 3 April at Wandin Park Equestrian Centre, participants will run through jelly, mud, coloured chalk, and through ball and foam pits.

Animal Aid Communications and Engagement Manager Elle Ammann said the event is a great bonding experience for dog and owner.

“It emphasises the dog-human connection and gives people a great thing to do with their pets in the community. It strengthens their relationships,” she said.

“It gets dogs out of the backyard and in-

volved in all the great engagement stuff they love.”

Events like Adventure Dog help fundraise for Animal Aid, which receives no government funding to operate, astonishing considering they require over $500,000 a year to keep the doors open. Adventure Dog raises over $50,000 each year for about 6000 animals each year. This year’s fundraising will be contributing to the construction of new dog kennels at Animal Aid. Ms Ammann said cat owners will have their own event at Animal Aid to look forward to.

“We have Mad Catter’s Tea Party, which is high tea with cats and their owners. It’s the exact opposite to Adventure Do,” she said.

“It’s those of us who are less inclined to get muddy.”

Brandy getting used to the water before Adventure Dog on Sunday 3 April.

Adventure Dog will also have an event village, with a bar, food trucks, a band, and a foam pit all onsite to provide food and fun for the whole family.

Freya bounding through the pond at Coldstream Animal Aid in search of a treat.

Pictures: CALLUM LUDWIG

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Praising volunteers A number of volunteers, both individuals and groups, were recognised by Federal MP Tony Smith in the 2021 Casey Volunteer and Community Awards.

Receiving the honour of a special recognition certificate was Lilydale’s Hannah Harris for her dedication and service to the SES and the Army Reserve.

During the 2019/20 bushfires, Hannah developed considerable expertise in radio telecommunications that resulted in her receiving an Army ‘Commanders Award for Excellence’.

Tony Smith congratulated all the award recipients and said it was a honour part of his time as MP to see the talent, commitment and passion of many local volunteers.

“Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of recognising nearly 300 individuals and 50 local groups across the Casey electorate for their inspirational commitment and dedication to our local community,” he said.

“We are extremely fortunate to have so many outstanding people working in and for our community who deserve recognition for their hard work, energy and passion to support others; often caring for those most in need.”

Individuals recognised as part of the awards were: Chris Clifton of Mount Evelyn, nominated by Coldstream Primary School Gary Burgess of Chirnside Park, nominated

by Caladenia Dementia Care.

Jason Leitch of Mount Evelyn, nominated by Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery Maria Vassilopoulos of Coldstream, nominated by First Impressions Clothing Exchange John Sumner, Stuart Fraser and Geoff Dawson of Mount Evelyn, as well as Jim Brown of Wandin North were nominated by Mount Evelyn RSL

· · · · ·

Lilydale Historical Society president Sue Thompson was recognised by the group with a nomination in the 2021 awards. 200586 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Cooper of Montrose, nominated by · Chelsey Montrose Recreation Reserve Committee Thompson of Kilsyth, nominated by · Sue Lilydale Historical Society

Mount Evelyn RSL’s vice president John Sumner was recognised after being nominated by the club in the 2021 Casey Volunteer and Community Awards.

Picture: KATE BAKER

Farm inspections bolster health and safety in the valley WorkSafe, Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Labour Hire Authority visited 59 horticulture businesses around the Yarra Valley after an online safety information session in February.

Representatives from each agency were on the ground for three days to help growers comply with workplace health and safety requirements, COVID-19 employer obligations and duties of labour hire hosts.

WorkSafe inspectors issued 21 improvement notices to nine duty holders. Common safety issues included a lack of rollover protection on quad bikes, improper guarding and a lack of seatbelts in farm vehicles.

WorkSafe Regional Operations Director Eastern Region, Kevin Hayes said the jointagency visits were a proactive way to reduce deaths and injuries on farms.

“There were eight deaths in the agriculture sector last year,” Mr Hayes said.

“By making sure farm workers are staying safe, especially during harvest time, we can help prevent further tragedies from occurring.”

Mr Hayes said the majority of horticulture businesses inspected were found to have COVID-Safe plans, but some had not been updated as required.

“As restrictions are regularly changing, it’s

important COVID-19 protocols on farms are updated to reflect the current health advice,” he said.

The Labour Hire Authority took an educational approach as it reviewed the working conditions of labour hire staff and checked they were being provided through a licenced agency.

Licensing Commissioner, Steve Dargavel said inspectors were well received by growers, providers and workers.

“We thank everyone for their cooperation with our efforts to help ensure the Yarra Valley region is a safe and fair place to work.”

“A number of compliance issues were

identified in the field and the Labour Hire Authority will continue our investigations into these,” said Mr Dargavel.

The Labour Hire Authority encourages growers to use the free Follow my providers tool to track any changes to the licence status of their providers.

For more on-farm health and safety support, employers are encouraged to check out WorkSafe’s OHS Essentials program. It provides businesses with free, expert OHS advice tailored to each workplace.

A link to the horticulture safety webinar can be found here: Keeping safe in horticulture - YouTube.

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Peri petition

By Callum Ludwig Yarra Ranges Council is partnering with Mornington Peninsula Council to request the State Government to reevaluate their status as metropolitan/peri-urban regions.

They want to create a new category; periregional, allowing access to regional funding for projects in the eastern areas of the shire like the Upper Yarra, and continue to maintain green wedge protections provided for urban areas.

Mayor of Yarra Ranges Council Jim Child said a peri-regional status would better recognise the mixed metropolitan and regional makeup of the Yarra Ranges.

“Both Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Ranges have some urban townships and areas, with urban issues such as high housing prices, but we also have communities that share regional issues, such as slow internet speeds, poor public transport and socio-economic disadvantage compared to our neighbours,” he said.

“Importantly, a significant amount of funding opportunities and programs provide eligibility based on this classification and we’ve only had access to urban funding programs to deliver regional objectives and projects.”

Residing in the metropolitan area has raised a lot of issues in recent times for Yarra Ranges residents, with outrage and uproar from communities in outer areas of the shire who had to adhere to metropolitan Covid-19 restrictions in towns like Warburton and Healesville.

Cr Child said the Yarra Ranges is deserving of more support for their contribution to the state economy.

“While initiatives and occasional funding access exist to assist Interface Councils (Councils ringing around Melbourne’s metropolitan edge), many other programs that would ben-

efit our regional communities are out of reach for us while we remain classified strictly as a metropolitan Council,” he said.

“This also impacts community groups and organisations who may deliver services to our more regional areas, but would be unable to access regional funding programs due to our classification.”

In February 2022, Star Mail published a story on the struggles faced by Yarra Junction Medical Centre (YJMC) due to their classification as a regional centre under the Modified Monash Model, the second-ranking in the model. If the clinic was based in Millgrove or on Settlement Rd which runs adjacent to the Warburton Highway, they would be classed as the fifth ranking; a small rural town clinic.

As a result, the medical centre is not considered a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) for GP’s searching for a position despite being over an hour and a half away from Melbourne’s CBD and often are too far to travel for many doctors.

Importantly, the clinic is not eligible as a location for doctors trained overseas to fulfill 10 years working at a rural practice once operating in Australia.

In the past 12 months, YJMC has gone from seven full-time doctors to only three part-timers and is unable to meet the needs of people in the area they have served for the past 40 years. They are also the only medical centre capable of providing emergency treatment in the area, with Lilydale the next closest location.

The Yarra Ranges Council had stepped in to try and assist, attempting to contact State Government ministers and Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, as well as providing data to support YJMC’s case. If they are successful in having the Yarra Ranges recognised as a peri-regional area, it hopefully will result in a change of fortunes for YJMC and other organisations in the area.

Victorian Government announces deer control High-priority waterways, national parks and reserves in the Yarra Ranges will be targeted for deer control as a part of Victoria’s first region-specific deer control plan.

Knox, Cardinia, Nillumbik, Manningham and Whittlesea council areas will also be targeted.

The plan sets out a long-term, coordinated approach to reduce the threat feral deer pose to the environment, farming, public safety and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today launched the Peri-urban Deer Control Plan, setting out a long-term coordinated approach to control feral deer numbers in the outskirts of eastern and northern Melbourne.

“We’re taking action to safely control Victoria’s feral deer population and reduce the significant negative impacts they have on our wildlife and biodiversity,” she said.

“We’ve worked with local communities and experts to develop a strong plan which not only protects our environment from the impacts of feral deer, but also increases public safety.”

In addition, $250,000 of grants will be available to local councils and land managers to undertake safe control activities including sustainable hunting.

Feral deer cause a significant threat to native plants, wildlife habitat and water quality, as well as damaging community assets and sites of Aboriginal cultural significance. They also pose a risk to public safety, causing a rising number of traffic accidents.

The plan was developed in collaboration with Traditional Owners, land managers, local governments and conservation, hunt-

The Victorian Government has announced Peri-urban Deer Control Plan to control feral deer populations.

Picture: ON FILE ing and community group representatives.

It supports the Victorian Deer Control Strategy as part of the Victorian Government’s long-term plan to protect Victoria’s natural environment, Biodiversity 2037.

The Victorian Government has invested $18 million to reduce the impacts of deer, a key part of the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan. It complements the Government’s expansion of the areas deer can be recreationally hunted and legislative changes allowing hunters to harvest wild deer for personal use.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas highlighted the role of hunters in sustainable deer control.

“Deer hunters have an important role to play in curbing the devastating impact of wild deer on our environment, which this plan will address.”

For more information visit: environment.vic.gov.au/invasive-plants-and-animals/deer-control-program/peri-urbandeer-control-plan

12540396-NG13-22

Beechworth Bakery Healesville | 316 Maroondah Hwy

Open 7am - 5pm every day (even over Easter) mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 7

NEWS

Beauty with a purpose

By Parker McKenzie A Miss World Australia contestant from Montrose hosted a fundraiser in Upwey for disadvantaged children, as she prepares to travel to Queensland in April to represent Victoria in the competition.

Lily Rose Munivrana’s Hollywood Glamour Luncheon at the Upwey RSL on Sunday 27 March supported and fundraised for Variety the Children’s Charity.

Ms Minivrana, one of five Victorian finalists for the Miss World Australia pageant, said being able to support a children’s charity through the event was a great moment for her.

“We’ve been through so much in the last few years, being able to give to the children and support them mentally, physically and emotionally is important,” she said.

“A lot of my friends and family who are coming to the event hadn’t heard of the charity before, so it feels really great to be able to support a charity and spread awareness.”

The 2020 Miss World Australia competition was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2021 competition was postponed until 2022.

60 guests enjoyed a two-course meal and a runway show to raise funds for the charity supporting sick and disadvantaged children.

Ms Minivrana said she completed her schooling online last year and has trained as a dancer.

“I have done modelling for the last few years and travelled and worked in America, and I’ve done Fashion Week in LA,” she said.

“I would really like to embrace the oppor-

tunity to be able to do more charity events and work with more fundraiser organizations and underprivileged children.”

The red carpet event was sponsored by Young Designer Gallery and featured several high-profile guests, including Neighbours actor and producer James Mason and a performance by Maddie Edwards, daughter of Australian Singer Lisa Edwards.

Ms Minivrana said Miss World Australia represents beauty with a purpose and the event wasn’t possible without the support of Upwey RSL, “who give in so many ways to our community.”

“It is my hope and my goal that one day I will have a forum where I can educate and share the importance of making a real difference in the lives of children worldwide,” she said.

“If I can raise funds and create awareness for the need of kindness, goodness and support, I can make a dent somewhere with truly helping a child gain a happier life.”

The finals for Miss World Australia will be held in Queensland at the end of April at the Versace Hotel on the Gold Coast.

Miss World Australia Victorian Finalist Lily Rose and Logie Nominated Neighbours Actor James Mason at the event.

Picture: JAKE U PHOTOGRAPHY

VICTORIAN HOMEBUYER FUND It could be the key to owning your own home sooner.

To make owning your own home more affordable, the Victorian Government has introduced the Homebuyer Fund.

If you have a 5% deposit, the Victorian Government will contribute up to 25% of the purchase price, in exchange for an equivalent share in the property. This can help you reduce your mortgage.

Find out if you’re eligible at vic.gov.au/homebuyer

Stamp duty and other costs are payable in addition to the deposit. Eligibility and lending criteria apply with selected banks and restrictions and obligations apply after purchase.

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.

12540807-SG13-22

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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NEWS

Pump track input sought

By Renee Wood

12541412-HC12-22

The community’s being invited to help design a pump track for the former Coldstream Station site, which forms part of the master plan for the area which was adopted in October 2021.

Yarra Ranges Council is seeking feedback on the design, with the track to be made up of a circuit of rollers, banked turns and ‘features designed to be ridden by riders “pumping” to generate momentum’.

Bikes, scooters, skateboards and wheelchairs riders will be able to use the circuit to practice their skills, improve balance and speed.

Locals, bike enthusiasts and trail users can submit their ideas and designs to the council, with some already uploaded online.

James G has published his idea on the council’s website asking for more advanced designs.

“Pump tracks are great for beginner riders, but poorly built ones lack options for more advanced riders,” he wrote.

“I’d love to see a set of dirt jumps or some more challenging sections of trail built locally.

Larger jumps can be be safe if built correct.”

However local residents have raised concerns around the flooding of the streets and potential lure of vandals.

Grah published their response on funding needed for Station Street Drainage.

“Maybe the money that is for this proposed pump track, can be put to better used, by instead, getting Storm Water drainage installed along Station Street to stop our properties flooding and having to lose our valuable assets,” they wrote.

“Also, is there going to be sufficient lighting, surveillance equipment or some police presence at this facility? The location is fairly private, and if there is lack of these options, it would provide a great incentive for vandalism or suspect behaviour. We don’t want that

ADVERTISEMENT

The pump track forms part of the master plan for the Coldstream station site connecting to the Yarra Valley Trail. 253933 in our area.”

State and Federal funding has been put forward for the million dollar project which spans 2.7ha, that will also see timed public toilets, picnic shelter, chairs and tables, landscaping and a larger 30 space car park.

Some $40,000 of the funding will be going towards lighting for security lighting to car park, shelter and toilet area and additional security measures (potentially including cameras) will be considered.

Ryrie Ward Councillor, Fiona McAllister,

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said the project is a wonderful opportunity to deliver community benefits.

“Two of the major objectives in our Council Plan include building connected and healthy communities and building quality infrastructure and liveable places, which this project strongly aligns with,” Cr McAllister said.

“One thing that our community has made abundantly clear to us during the pandemic is just how highly they value local open space, so to be able to transform and activate an unused Coldstream Station into a place that can

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

be used and enjoyed by all ages and abilities is really exciting.

The pump track will also connect with the Yarra Valley Trail.

“I strongly encourage the Coldstream community to share their ideas on what features and designs they would like to see for this new pump track,” she said.

Feedback closes Wednesday 13 April - for more information visit https://shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/coldstream-station-masterplan

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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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www.lilydalemitsubishi.com.au Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 9

NEWS

Decade of blissful singing

By Mikayla van Loon For people living with disability, the art of singing can bring so much joy, something that was first discovered 14 years ago when an all abilities karaoke night started in Mount Evelyn.

Every fortnight since the beginning, those with disabilities of all kinds and their carers have come together on a Monday night to live out their moment singing glory.

The idea sprouted from two friends, Irene Stewart and Julie Cuffe, who had a love of karaoke themselves and wanted to share that experience with others.

“So with a lot of help from a lot of people, Julie put it together. She purchased all the equipment and it started with her daughter and one other person. That was maybe 14 years ago and it’s been growing,” Irene said.

When Julie died four years ago, Irene said one of her last wishes was that the karaoke continue, so it has since been renamed to Julie’s Karaoke as a legacy to be remembered.

“She was very adamant and I was too, something so good shouldn’t stop just because the person does because there’s so many people that need it,” she said.

Although Covid-19 did have an impact on people returning each fortnight, Irene said the last one they held on 14 March had 16 people attend but she would love to see more people.

“We could have up to 26 and each of them has a carer. We try to make it a function for people that have a support worker because a lot of them are profoundly disabled but they love the music.”

Irene said seeing the joy it brings to these people’s lives, it is the highlight of her fortnight.

“The people are just so genuinely happy.

On Monday night, I put a dance song on, The Time Warp, and everybody was up there singing. So it’s a group thing and that’s what makes it happy.”

The group meets fortnightly Monday nights at Mt Evelyn Pizza and Bar on York Road.

The all abilities karaoke night was started in Mount Evelyn 14 years ago and is still enjoyed by many participants.

Pictures: SUPPLIED The happiness felt has kept people coming back for 10, 11, 12 or sometimes 13 years and Irene puts that down to being in “a non intrusive, comfortable, secure environment [where] they’re not frightened. They’re just their natural genuine self.”

From that, Irene said comes a confidence and social interaction some of these people might not get elsewhere and that’s why some

travel from Gembrook, Healesville, Dandenong and Blackburn just to be there on a Monday night.

The group meets fortnightly on a Monday night at Mt Evelyn Pizza and Bar on York Road from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

A donation of $10 covers new equipment, CDs, microphones, door prizes and little gifts on special occasions.

Some members have been coming to the fortnightly event for more than a decade.

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NEWS

Savouring one last bite YARRA VALLEY PASTA is closing its doors after 25 years serving the community.

The business has had many facets over the years, but making home cooked meals and quality food has always been at the heart of the operation.

By Renee Wood

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Lisa Giffard is closing Yarra Valley Pasta to spend more time with her family. 273784 their own permanent position as a staple over the years.

Ms Giffard said the spinach and ricotta remains forever popular, while others were created, like the smoked trout and goats cheese, after working closely with chefs for one of the first Yarra Valley wine programs.

“It was different, no one had ever really done anything like that before and that’s when we said let’s have the confidence to do something a little bit different.

“We also had a beautiful prawn macadamia nut and chili ravioli, which was another chef Ross from Ricky’s Bikkies.”

Ms Giffard said the business started to grow when wholesaling began and larger machinery was brought in to meet the demand and create high quality snap frozen products.

“We had to figure out how we could do what this small batch was at home into a commercial batch. So in the end, we were doing anywhere between 120 and 150 kilos in a batch, so that was significant.”

The shop also known on a national stage after winning a champion pasta award at the Sydney Royal Show and other Australian Food Awards.

Although the accolades and high praise from top chefs are of plenty, Ms Giffard said it’s being part of the special moments for local customers that are more valuable and changing the menu from meat and three veg to Italian home recipes.

“We believed in what we have done and backed ourselves, so I think that’s possibly been part of the success of the brand.”

But now all good things must come to an end and Ms Giffard has announced Yarra Valley Pasta will be closing its doors after 25 years in the business.

Ms Giffard said spending more time with family is one of the main drivers in the decision, while considering another direction for her passion for pasta.

“I knew that I needed to reinvent things and I also knew that in order to do that, I had to dig

really deep and I just don’t feel with everything else that’s going on that I have it at the moment.

“I want to find the passion that I had in the start, and the last two years have thrown so many things at me that I just need to sit back and have a think.”

Ms Giffard said she is noticing a wider shift in the hospitality industry as others start to think and press the reset button on their careers and lifestyles following an industry shake up from the pandemic.

“They want simplicity, they want to spend time with their families because most of them are doing crazy double shifts on the weekends.”

Ms Giffard believes reinvention is the key in carrying forward for many, something she is looking forward to for herself.

The last day of operating for the shop will be Friday 1 April and Ms Giffard thanks staff and loyal customers for supporting Yarra Valley Pasta over the past two decades.

“For everybody out there that has enjoyed it - enjoy the memory.”

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There are many businesses that have helped to form the Yarra Valley as a hospitality rich haven and Yarra Valley Pasta is one that’s been instrumental in raising the region’s profile as a must see and taste place to stop by.

Yarra Valley Pasta opened its doors in May 1997, with Maria Colaneri – known to many as Mary – sharing her talent in creating traditional Italian pasta.

Lisa Giffard, (formerly Lisa Colaneri), joined her mother at the Maroondah Highway business in Healesville and said it opened at a time when the region was making a name for itself as a top food and wine contender.

“Back then the valley was just really emerging, lots of talented winemakers and a lot of big companies had come in like Domain Chandon and we had BRL Hardy, the the De Bortolis had set up,” Ms Giffard said.

“There was a whole different vibe in the valley and people were looking for something to eat in Healesville.”

Ms Giffard described how labour intensive and fast paced it was, making all of the products handmade on small pasta machines and then selling the fresh goods immediately.

“I remember the little stove with a pot of sauce being made and no sooner had that been tubbed off and sold - and Mum said I’m got to go and do it all again tomorrow. So it was really very well received.”

A cafe and catering were also part of the business early on, running for six years.

Ms Giffard recalls the ever-changing menu, writing the daily offering on butcher’s paper on the wall for passerbys or regulars to pop in and taste.

“We’d just write up the menu - a couple of cakes, we’d make a lemon tart or an Italian Sicilian apple cake and beautiful coffee - back then it was $2.20 and people used to freak out.”

As the local hospitality sector started to cement its position at the table, Yarra Valley Pasta was there every step of the way - working with local food festivals and wineries on antipasto platers, pasta and more.

The iconic provedore Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder was one of the first to stock its goods, as Melburnian’s palates engaged with the growing flavours bursting out of the Yarra Valley.

“That was a really great start for our product getting a little bit more well known out there, because Healesville wasn’t the place that people came to visit because there wasn’t a lot here.”

“Back then a lot of the other food producers were all just trying so hard to establish ourselves in business, and some of the wineries, so everyone worked really, really well together to make that happen and to put us all on the map.”

The flavours that have swirled through the business have been tried and tested traditional mixes but also experiments have demanded

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 11

ACROSS THE VALLEY

12 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

By Parker McKenzie Tesselaar Tulip Festival has taken out a Bronze award at the Australian Tourism Awards in the Major Festivals and Events category.

The festival also won gold at the Victorian Tourism Award earlier in 2022, with both awards being received for the 2019 Tulip Festival.

Tesselaar’s Mel Rankin-Smith accepted the award on the Sunshine Coast and said it was an honour to win gold at the Victorian awards and a bronze in the Australian awards after Covid-19 cancelled the 2020 awards.

“We have about 70 to 90 casuals that come on board, it’s a whole army of people from the car park attendants right through to customer service, baristas, cleaners and management,” she said.

“So it’s very much a team effort and an award for everyone involved.”

The Victorian Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Felicia Mariani said it was thrilling to see the tourism sector getting back to delivering world class experiences to customers across Victoria.

“Victorians developed a real love affair with our own backyard during COVID, from regional to metro destinations. Seeing these destinations and businesses recognised on a national stage shows we’re not alone in this sentiment,” she said.

“We congratulate all our Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, but also, all of our Victorian finalists that made it to this level of competing on the national stage. Thank you for continuing to rise to the challenge and create unforgettable moments for visitors as they explore our wonderful state. I can’t wait to see what we achieve in 2022.”

Tesselaar previously won gold in Victoria and silver in the Australian Tourism Awards.

Tesselaar will be hosting several festivals in the coming weeks and months, with KaBloom festival starting on April 2.

Ms Rankin-Smith said everyone at Tesselaar is ready to welcome visitors back.

Tesselaar Tulip Festival won the bronze award at the Australian Tourism Awards.

Picture: SUPPLIED “It’s been very challenging with Covid time.

It’s usually an annual award and competition, but they had to extend it over two years,” she said.

“It’s been two and a half years since we’ve actually had an event. We’ve got one starting next week, so hoping it’s going to be well patronage and popular, especially given it’s an outdoor event.”

For more information about KaBloom festival, visit www.kabloom.com.au.

Historical tram arrives at restaurant in The Basin

By Parker McKenzie

12539754-AV11-22

CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar 3 Meadowgate Drive CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket 239-241 Maroondah Highway CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar 158 Nangathan Way CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar 11 The Mall KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Churinga SC, Russo Place KILSYTH Kilsyth News & Lotto 520 - 528 Mt Dandenong Road KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette87 Colchester Road KILSYTH Woolworths Supermarket Canterbury Road Kilsyth KILSYTH TSG Tobacco Churinga Shopping Centre Mt Dandenong Road LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC 33-45 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC 51-59 Anderson Street LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale Village Castella Street & Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre 7 Hardy Street LILYDALE Eastern Laundries. 2/4 Williams Street East LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre 1 Jarlo Drive LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station 473 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale 346 Main Street LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths 31 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE BP Service Station 87 Warburton Highway LILYDALE Shell Service Station 469 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE 7 - Eleven Lilydale Cnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road LILYDALE Coles Express 469 Maroondah Highway LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe 251 Main Street LILYDALE Round Bird Can’t Fly 170 Main Street LILYDALE The Lilydale General 110 Beresford Road LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery 96 Main Street LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe 178 Main Street LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe 222 Main Street LILYDALE Gracious Grace Castella Street LILYDALE Melba Coffee House 33-45 Hutchinson Street LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies 7/75 Cave Hill Road LILYDALE The Mustard Tree Cafe 3/28 John Street LILYDALE Freda’s Cafe 2 Clarke Street LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate 164 Main Street LILYDALE Stockdale & Leggo Real Estate 281 Main Street LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate 111-113 Main Street LILYDALE Grubs Up 1 Industrial Park Drive LILYDALE Olinda Creek Hotel Maroondah Hwy LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road MONTROSE IGA Supermarket 916 Mt Dandenong Road MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent MOUNT EVELYN Red Robin Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale 138 York Road MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket 15 Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar 38 Bellara Dive MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart 108 Hayrick Lane MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark 103 Cardigan Road MOOROOLBARK Coles Express 2 Cambridge Road MOOROOLBARK Mooroolbark Coin Laundrette28 Manchester Road MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real Estate Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK L J Hooker Brice Avenue MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road

Bronzed up Tesselaar

A vintage W-class tram will be the newest addition to the Acorn Bar and Grill, with the 1944 electric tram set to become an outdoor dining area.

Owner Tony Eastwood said because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has taken him two years to have the tram delivered.

“I finally got delivery yesterday on a low loader,” he said.

“I had to bring in two cranes to get it into position.”

The W-class trams were in use in Melbourne between 1923 and 1956 and there are currently 13 still operating in Victoria.

The one relocated to the Acorn Bar and Restaurant came from the Newport “tram graveyard”, before it was rescued.

Mr Eastwood said the tram will be turned into an undercover dining area while maintaining its historical value.

“When you step into the train, it still has all the original inside,” Mr Eastwood said.

“It has the original ads for things like Violet Crumble they used to run in those days. You’re sucked back into the history of a really iconic tram that was running on the Melbourne circuit for years.”

The idea to turn the tram into an outdoor dining area started during the period of Covid-19 restrictions where indoor dining was prohibited or limited.

The tram arrives at the Acorn Bar and Restaurant.

Picture: LYNETTE HAYHURST Manager Lisa Clarke said the installation went well, aside from one minor incident.

“There was a little bit of an issue with the truck getting stuck at the top of the driveway,” she said.

“The plan is that we’re going to do it up and it’s going to be where people can eat.

We’re looking at maybe November or December for opening it.”

A total of 752 W-class trams were built, with some being sent as far away as San Francisco and Copenhagen. The trams were slowly phased out of use from the early 1990s. Mr Eastwood said he plans to attach an information board to help educate people about the history of the tram.

The Acorn Bar and Restaurant is located at 375 Forest Road, the Basin. mailcommunity.com.au

ACROSS THE VALLEY

Breeding bulbs and buds

By Tyler Wright Owners of Hancock’s Daffodils Will and Christine Ashburner will feature in this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show — the southern hemisphere’s largest horticultural event.

The couple will present their collection of flowers in the Pavillion area by the lake from Wednesday 30 March to Sunday 3 April.

Presented by Scotts Osmocote, the festival is returning to the Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building after a two-year-long hiatus due to the pandemic.

The coveted show is part of a long tradition for the Menzie’s Creek family-run business, having been founded by Harry Brown in 1917.

“We’ve been doing it for over 20 years, and our predecessors were doing it before that,” Ms Ashburner said.

“It’s a fantastic show in a great venue and it’s always nice this time of year; the gardens in Autumn.”

On display at the International Flower and Garden Show will be floral and landscape designs, accompanied by talks from industry experts and hands-on workshops. This will give the Ashburners and their team the chance to share their multitude of flowers, not limited to only daffodils.

What is special about this farm, Christine said, is the “hundreds and hundreds” of flower varieties they grow, appealing to home gardeners who are “slightly on the fanatical side.”

“We just like to take a big range of varieties of daffodils, but other things too; tulips, lots of spring bulbs,” she said.

“We are certainly an established business and well known for breeding daffodils and having a huge range. There’s not such a lot of people doing that sort of thing these days.”

Ms Ashburner said when you plant a bulb, they will be identical but you breed other vari-

Will and Christine Ashburner with Colchicums. eties by cross pollinating flowers.

Throughout September, Hancock’s Daffodils is open to the public, with a free display of what the farm has to offer. Hancock’s Daffodils also sells directly to people through a catalog, while also having a stall featuring an honesty box outside their property.

“This year we’ve got lovely, clean bulbs. We’ve been working hard and cleaning up the bulbs so

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS they look really nice,” Will Ashburner said.

But owning 35 acres of land — and making a profit from it — doesn’t come without challenges.

“We’ve got threats to the business too about suburbia encroaching upon us too, making it more difficult to farm,” Mr Ashburner noted.

“Look at how much traffic there is nowadays.”

Will Ashburner with some Nerine Fothergilli Majors.

You can find the daffodil farm, and Will and Christine Ashburner, at 2 Jacksons Hill Road in Menzies Creek.

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show begins on Wednesday 30 March and ends on Sunday 3 April, with shows running between 9am and 5pm.

Works continue near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 58 already gone. We’re also continuing works to prepare for major construction on North East Link.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Belgrave and Lilydale lines

Until 8.30pm 1 Apr

Camberwell to Box Hill

From 8.30pm 1 Apr to 3 Apr

Camberwell to Ringwood

Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes Until 6am 4 Apr

Closed at the level crossing

Union Road, Surrey Hills

Until 6am 4 Apr

Closed at the level crossing

Bulleen Road, Bulleen

From Apr to late May

Lanes closed between Greenaway Street and the Eastern Freeway

Thompsons Road, Bulleen

From Apr to late May

Lanes closed at times between Kampman Street and the Eastern Freeway entry ramp

MTIA7172

Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert

12537284-AI13-22

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

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 13

NEWS

Stepping up for Oxfam

By Parker McKenzie

Owner Dionni Ring wished good luck to Katerina Volny, Sue Filmer, Judy Friguglietti and Kathryn Eames.

Picture: SUPPLIED

A Sassafras-based team has completed the Oxfam Trailwalker in 24 hours and 14 minutes, raising $3190 for the charity event.

The Tea Leaves Anytime! team was sponsored by Tea Leaves of Sassafras, a retail and wholesale tea and teapot company, as they joined 822 other trail walkers on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 March.

AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMIC PLAN We’re taking the next step to keep our economy strong.

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Keeping taxes low, because money in your pocket eases the cost of living Infrastructure projects like Snowy Hydro 2.0 and the Inland Rail are creating jobs Skilling the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow Committing to making more goods in Australia to help secure our supply chain Delivering affordable and reliable energy to our homes and businesses Backing Australian businesses to modernise and innovate for our future

Australia’s Economic Plan has helped us through the last two years. There are 260,000 more people in work than before COVID. Australia has performed better than major advanced economies through the pandemic. That’s why we’re taking the next step.

12542436-HC13-22

To find out more, visit economicplan.gov.au

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

Tea Leaves of Sassafras owner Dionni Ring said the team will need a good cup of tea after the walk, which took them through Upper Ferntree Gully, Olinda, Mt Evelyn, Lilydale, Croydon, Donvale and finished in Heidelberg.

“Tea Leaves has been part of the Sassafras community for 28 years and we’ve always supported groups like the CFA and community events, so when our manager Kath asked if we’d consider sponsoring her team, we said yes,” Ms Ring said.

“I think we get the easy part of the deal, the team has to walk 100km from Endeavour Hills to Heidelberg via Olinda and Lilydale.”

The team started from the Police Paddocks in Endeavour Hills and finished at Heidelberg Park, finishing 77th out of 209 teams.

Tea Leaves Anytime! is made up of Dandenong Ranges locals Kathryn Eames, Katerina Volny and team leader Judy Friguglietti. Sue Filmer rounds out the team in her first appearance at an Oxfam Melbourne Trailwalker event.

Ms Friguglietti said she first became involved through a connection at her children’s kindergarten 12 years ago.

“We were living at Kalorama and my children went to kindergarten at Mount Dandenong Kindergarten.

One of the mothers there said I’m turning 40 next year, let’s do something fun,” she said.

“This looks like fun; it’s a 100km thing.

Let’s get a team together and we all thought it looked fabulous.

Without knowing much about it, we just thought it would be a good idea and put ourselves out there.”

Since 1999, 93,000 Australians have contributed to raising more than $96 million to aid people in developing countries through Oxfam Trailwalker.

Teams of four must complete the 100km walk in 48 hours and raise a minimum of $1600 per team.

Ms Friguglietti said the team was rapt with their performance.

“We had perfect weather and while the Thousand Steps and the route to Olinda over the hills was tough, we had excellent support from our families and the enthusiastic Oxfam volunteers on the trail.” she said.

The event raised over $900,000, with 720 people completing the course.

The fastest team completed the course in 13 hours and 50 minutes, with the average time taken being 28 hours and 26 mins.

Oxfam is a confederation of 21 independent charitable organisations around the world.

The Trailwalker event has seen 250,000 people take part worldwide and has helped raise more than $190 million for their goal of alleviating global poverty.

Ms Friguglietti said this year’s Trailwalker will be her ninth in total, and the event has helped her learn to think about others instead of herself because of the focus on teamwork throughout the event.

“Women overseas can walk 10 to 15km to a well, and that’s just to get a drink of water and some water for them to wash their children in,” she said.

“It really brings it all into perspective, it’s even helping pay for a pump that might be able to irrigate crops for an entire village.”

Ms Friguglietti said while they usually train for three months to prepare, in 2022 the team has trained for a month with invaluable support from friends and family.

“All the support creates a ripple effect for the event, where you have such an amazing groundswell of support,” she said.

Oxfam’s Trailwalker event is one of the first charity endurance events, with the aim of raising money to tackle poverty around the world.

The event began in 1981 as a military training exercise. mailcommunity.com.au

YARRA RANGES ADVOCACY PROJECT

Child, ‘It would save lives’

By Tyler Wright and Renee Wood Yarra Ranges Council is advocating for better telecommunications services ahead of the Federal election.

Mobile connectivity, NBN and broadband strength and emergency resilience have been raised as key areas that need addressing.

Mayor Jim Child said families and businesses rely on a good mobile and broadband network to operate, during both daily life and while in emergency situations.

“At the moment, those particular areas are letting us down,” Cr Child said.

Throughout the municipality several areas have been exposed as blackspots which need better infrastructure in order to ensure connectivity.

A survey of mobile connection was conducted, visiting 24,000 sites across the municipality and the Dandenong Ranges, East Warburton, Steel’s Creek, Hoddle’s Creek and Fernshaw are areas of concern.

“We saw about 25 per cent of those sites were experiencing difficulty,” he said.

Sassafras resident Belinda Young runs the local group Mums of the Hills and said the area is isolated, making residents more dependent on telecommunications.

“Our aim is to get information out on where people can go - resources they can access. If there are showers available or food drop offs all those kinds of things we do to try and help locals be directed to the right place,” she said.

“When we’re unable to do that, we’ve got our hands tied around our back basically.

“People miss out on access to showers, to Wifi and charging stations for several days or even longer, to the point where things have been restored by they time they found

Yarra Ranges Council is advocating for better telecommunications this Federal Election.

Pictures: ON FILE out they had access to it.”

Increasing weak NBN signals is also on the telecommunications agenda, with businesses and residents suffering from the lack of strong connectivity.

Fixed wireless, fibre to the node and satellite mediums are all currently installed however, Cr Child said fibre to the premises would be the best fit to reduce disadvantages throughout the municipality.

“That’s the key outcome, to deliver that strong connection to the business premises, to the residents and have a good strong NBN and also broadband connectivity.”

David Hockley of Phazed Electrics in Millgrove, said he’s accustomed to his area losing power which affects mobile and internet connection, and once it does he may as well be in the “sahara desert”.

“My business is dead,” he said.

“No one can call me to say that they’ve even got a problem. Last time I had to drive to Chirnside Park to get reception, and any message that people could put through I couldn’t respond or call them back in any case because their phones were dead. “ The recent council storm survey has also shown that the number of reported internet and power outages have increased by 31 and 41 per cent respectively after the June 2021 storm event.

Mr Hockley said any Federal Government action to improve telecommunications in the Yarra Ranges needs to be clearly thought out.

“As long as the funding is actually put in the right areas and allocated to the right places, it could be a benefit. A major benefit,” he said.

Better mobile connections is a high priority for council. 155332 In its election campaign, council is further pushing for upgrades to emergency services to build resilience and ensure services are available through power outages.

“We had mobile towers that failed because they weren’t powered, we had telephone exchanges that failed because they weren’t powered.

“We’ve found out that probably 98 per cent of our communities and people rely on communications through telecommunications to actually get the information that they need in times of disaster,” Cr Child said.

“Its towards extending the longevity of the towers, so that if there is an incident, they can prolong the length of time it runs out, for example.

“It would save lives.”

Strengthen our local network “Over 98% of Yarra Ranges residents have told us they rely on the internet for emergency service information. But our telecommunications network is failing us.”

12542271-DL13-22

- Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child.

mailcommunity.com.au

“

We need better mobile and broadband services – during emergencies, and every day. We’re calling on the Federal Government to urgently strengthen our local network.

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 15

NEWS

Recovery still continues The results of Yarra Ranges Council’s second pandemic and storm survey are in and have revealed responders are more optimistic compared to the first round survey.

The first survey was released in September 2021 and received 789 responses. The second survey, conducted in January 2022, focuses on how more than 400 residents felt about employment, housing, mental health services and the effects of the pandemic and the June 2021 weather event.

The results showed minor improvements in mental health, although the fallout from these events is still being felt by the community.

16 per cent of people who responded said they have not felt socially connected during the Covid-19 pandemic, a reduction of six per cent compared to September 2021.

17 per cent of people still felt the pandemic was impacting their mental health, a reduction of four per cent. Hardship arising from the pandemic was down by three per cent.

42 per cent of people felt insecure about returning to daily activities, an increase of 13 per cent since the last survey, which was completed during Covid-19 restrictions.

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said the report highlighted the ongoing stress and strain caused by COVID. “The last survey had a particular focus on the impact of the June storms due to its proximity of the event and the continued impact of COVID restrictions,” Mayor Child said.

“This survey was undertaken six months after the storms and during a period where restrictions were easing. It’s a different type of response that we are seeing, which is that people are recovering and feeling slightly better but there’s also a sense of anxiety as restrictions ease.”

Six months on from the June storm event, the survey found there has been a reduction in dangerous trees on private property, green

Yarra Ranges Council has released the results of their second storm and pandemic survey. waste, people requiring temporary accommodation and a decrease in anxiety or trauma related to the storm.

Power outages have increased 41 per cent, internet outages 31 per cent and trees down in streets 18 per cent.

Mayor Child said the report highlighted that residents had moved into the rebuild and redover phase from the June storms.

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Back to school!

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

See page 7 for more back to school excitment.

Back to school!

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

By Jed Lanyon

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

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

$8400 to help make the lives of children better.

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

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

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

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

Continued page 2 12477022-SN06-21

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

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ter but there’s also a sense of anxiety as restrictions ease, Findings like this highlight the importance of different organisations working together and I’m particularly encouraged by some of the latest work in this space such as the Insurance Council events, Art Attack programs and collaboration with Inspiro, Windamere and EACH.”

Farmers urged to improve security to deter thieves

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New Aussies welcomed

“The last survey had a particular focus on the impact of the June storms due to its proximity of the event and the continued impact of COVID restrictions,” Mayor Child said.

“This survey was undertaken six months after the storms and during a period where restrictions were easing. It’s a different type of response that we are seeing, which is that people are recovering and feeling slightly bet-

Picture: ON FILE

Farmers are being urged to improve the security on their properties to deter potential thieves from stealing valuable livestock, machinery or tools.

Crime Stoppers Victoria has launched a campaign in partnership with Victoria Police, the Shut Out Farm Crime campaign as theft from farms remains a widespread issue in Victoria.

New Crime Statistics Agency data shows livestock theft across the state rose 12.6 per cent in the year to December 2021, costing hard-working communities more than $2.7 million.

Diesel theft has also risen with the value of fuel stolen jumping 20 per cent.

Victorian sheep farmer Daniel Buckingham said the rise of fuel theft is particularly concerning to him given the surging cost and explains how thieves can often carry out the crime without the victim realising.

“When someone’s taken 30, or 60, litres out of a 400-litre tank you’re probably not going to take too much notice of it. I think it’s going to be an increasing problem,” Mr Buckingham said.

Inspector Karl Curran, from Victoria Police’s Farm Crime Coordination Unit, said rises in crime recorded in the farming and rural sectors was a concern but also reflected recent campaigns with Crime Stoppers encouraging increased reporting to police.

“These campaigns have highlighted the historical under-reporting issues we have within the sector,’’ Inspector Curran said.

Inspector Curran said the Crime Statistics Agency data reinforced the need for rural communities to remain vigilant in preventing farm crime.

“We will work with the community to address their concerns and meet their ex-

pectations by fully investigating all crimes that are reported to us,’’ he said.

Crime Stoppers Victoria CEO Stella Smith said despite the prevalence of farm crime, victims remain hesitant to contact authorities, allowing criminals to get away with offending.

“Not speaking up allows criminals to get away with offending and it affects farmers economically. If they don’t have money to spend in the local community, that impacts local traders as well,” Ms Smith said.

To further protect properties, farmers will be offered free farm gate security signs, and stickers displaying information about how to report information.

These helpful resources will be available at select agricultural events across Victoria throughout the year.

Inspector Curran said there were simple ways of safeguarding properties including tagging livestock, locking gates and sheds, securing tools and equipment and where possible locking fuel bowsers and storage tanks.

Placing sensor lights around sheds and yards was also recommended along with doing regular stock headcounts so thefts were identified as soon as possible, getting CCTV and installing warning signs provided through police and Crime Stoppers to deter thieves.

“The farm gate signs we have provided have proved incredibly popular and we’re pleased to be able to offer even more free to farmers as well as new warning stickers through our partnership with Crime Stoppers,’’ Inspector Curran said.

“They’re simple measures but can go a long way to discouraging farm crime and its devastating effects on local communities.” mailcommunity.com.au

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MAIL 17

OPINION

Election lesson for Libs

By Parker McKenzie An election defeat in November would mark 12 years in the political wilderness for the Victorian Liberal Party. Their failure to connect with the majority of Victorian voters should be a catalyst for a change in their approach, proven by South Australian Labor’s success from opposition last weekend.

The Victorian Liberal Party’s modus operandi throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has been simple: when the opportunity to attack the State Government presents itself, grasp it with both hands.

Whether it has been over the handling of lockdowns, restrictions, pandemic bills or masks, Liberal MPs have gone on the offensive in an attempt to chip away at the majority support for Mr Andrews and his three-term Labor government.

This mentality hasn’t relaxed since Kew MP Tim Smith torpedoed his position in the Liberal Party — and likely his political career — when he crashed his car through a fence while intoxicated. Mr Smith often served as the Liberal Party’s attack-dog-in-chief, whose colleagues watched on with little to say as he launched his extraordinary attacks on the State Government time and time again.

Despite the barrage against targets of varying legitimacy, when Mr Guy returned as leader of the opposition he promoted the controversial Kew MP to the position of Shadow Attorney-General. Even with Mr Smith out of the party room, the mentality has remained among Liberal MPs as we head towards the November election.

In 22 media releases published on a local Liberal MPs website since January 2021, 21 took aim at the State Labor Government in some way, using language like “they’ve failed vulnerable children when they promised to be caring for them,” and “WorkSafe must take

The Victorian Liberal Party’s history of going on the offensive isn’t likely to win more votes.

Picture: ON FILE real action and prosecute members of the Andrews Labor Government.” The lone media release without direct criticism of the government instead focused on a union with close ties to the Labor Party.

Mr Guy said he has learned from his previous defeat to Mr Andrews in 2018, where his party focused on street gangs and tough-oncrime rhetoric. When questioned on a previous focus on “ethnic gangs” during the last state election by The Guardian, Mr Guy chose instead to place the blame on the Labor Party for the rhetoric, saying he and his Liberal party colleagues never targeted Melbourne’s African diaspora or referred to “African gangs” in any campaign literature or speeches, arguing it was the Labor Party which created the narrative.

While technically true in that Mr Guy never uttered the words “African gangs” on record,

he did say there is an “issue with Sudanese gangs,” and argued the State Government was standing by and “allowing Melbourne to become the Johannesburg of the South Pacific” while one federal colleague — current Minister for Defence Peter Dutton — ratcheted up the rhetoric by claiming people in Melbourne were scared to eat out at restaurants because of a fear of African gangs.

An internal Liberal Party review of the election rout found the focus on a scare campaign failed to connect with voters and was largely to blame for failing to gain ground from opposition. Mr Guy has chosen to continue with the same attack-first mentality which has seen the Liberal Party become the loudest voice in the room, yet with little to say towards the direction of Victoria’s future.

If the Liberal leader is hoping for any modicum of success in the November state election, he would be wise to learn from the startling defeat of his South Australia counterparts.

In the maiden speech of the newly minted premier-elect of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas said the Liberal Party was an adversary, but not his enemy.

This mentality has been prevalent in his realpolitik throughout the first term Liberal government’s handling of the pandemic. Instead of attacking their Liberal adversaries, SA Labor supported the Liberal government’s policy towards Covid-19. When times were hard, they offered both support for the health agenda and a reasonable, measured and calm alternative to the government of the day.

Compared with Mr Guy and his predecessor Michael O’Brien’s record of being in opposition, Mr Malinauskas looked a reasonable alternative for people who may appreciate the government’s handling of the pandemic until the borders opened and the omicron wave began.

SA Labor exploited this by running a campaign on a select few issues like ambulance ramping, relatively free from the pageantry and political point-scoring common within the Victorian opposition until an election was in sight.

In comparison, Mr Guy’s handling of his party’s disapproval of a controversial pandemic bill in 2021 won him few new admirers throughout the state, as he struggled to wrangle in Liberal MPs and colleagues who felt necessary to champion the cause of people erecting gallows in front of parliament.

It’s become quite clear, although maybe not to the Victorian Liberals, that most Australians don’t want a political climate where battle lines are drawn at the earliest opportunity. The rejection of the mentality prevalent among the opposition in Victoria highlights the benefit of a strategy built around intelligent bipartisanship and campaigning on a few key issues which matter to constituents.

At times the Liberal Party of Victoria seems to have taken to slinging mud at the wall and seeing what sticks, which in turn has created a perception of constant criticism without merit. When genuine questions need to be asked of the sitting government — and there has been several — the Liberal Party fails to cut through with their messaging because of this perception.

Their strategy might connect with a minority who have a deeply held resentment towards Mr Andrews and his State Government, but largely Victorians seemingly want a steady hand to guide the state through uncertain times.

If Mr Guy and his colleagues hope to win over the average Victorian come November, they need to prove they can work with those across the aisle for the betterment of the state and not just go on the offensive.

The Autumn Edition of your favourite family magazine is out now...

Pick up a printed copy of Yarra Ranges Kids Today Magazine from outlets everywhere.

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OPINION

Federal campaign Our region has been significantly impacted by the events of the last two years, including Covid-19 and the June 2021 storm and flood event.

At Council, we’ve been gauging community health and wellbeing by regularly engaging with our communities, and they’ve told us that social connection, emergency preparedness, business support, mental health and wellbeing are their biggest concerns.

We recently endorsed our Federal Election Advocacy Agenda at a public Council meeting, outlining funding commitments we’d love to see from both the incumbent Government and opposition for projects in the Yarra Ranges.

These projects, listed below, would deliver strong social, economic and environmental benefits to our communities, if delivered by a future Federal Government.

These projects include: Roads for Agribusiness - $150 million to seal roads surrounding local agribusinesses to boost productivity and protect produce from contamination and damage during transport, while enhancing road safety and supporting tourism. This proposal follows the $150m Roads for the Community initiative, which is helping seal roads around residential areas in Yarra Ranges.

Telecommunications – calling for improve-

·

Jim Child

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people accessing mental health services, and expanded support for headspace services Ridges and Rivers - $5 million to enable full delivery of Stage One of the proposed Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, and $4.9 million to construct section 2A of the Yarra Valley Trail, running parallel to the tourist railway and connecting Yarra Glen Station to Tarrawarra Road.

Oonah Belonging Place – Yarra Ranges Council supports Oonah’s request for $10-15 million to construct a facility that enhances Aboriginal health and wellbeing across Melbourne’s east.

This is an opportunity for the Commonwealth to fund the delivery of once-in-a-generation projects to support our communities for decades to come, while ensuring the Yarra Ranges can bounce back from one of the most difficult periods in its history.

I look forward to conversations with all of our candidates for the Federal Election, and putting forward Council’s position on these vital projects.

For more information on our Advocacy, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/fedelection Cr Jim Child, Mayor of Yarra Ranges

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ments to mobile connectivity in five key areas that have been identified as having low or no mobile service quality, including the Dandenong Ranges, Hoddles Creek, East Warburton, Steels Creek and Fernshaw.

Council is also calling for upgrades to NBN broadband services in key areas with slow broadband service. These initiatives will be essential to strengthen telecommunications network resilience during power outages and emergencies.

Solar on Community Facilities program ($500,000 per year over four years) – an emissions reduction initiative that also delivers cost savings directly to community groups, enabling them to divert funds away from bills and into their core programs.

Mental health – an extension of funding for the Lilydale Youth Hub to support young

·

Introducing the Aus Children’s Laureate The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation (ACLF) recently named Melbourne-based author and illustrator Gabrielle Wang as the 2022-2023 Australian Children’s Laureate.

According to ACLF website, the Children’s Laureate “is appointed on a biennial basis and must be an Australian author and/or illustrator of children’s and/or youth literature, who is making a significant contribution to the children’s literature canon of this country”.

Since 2012, some of Australia’s best artists have been appointed as Children’s Laureates to help promote the value and importance of reading in the lives of children and young adults. These include Alison Lester, Boori Monty Pryor, Jackie French, Leigh Hobbs, Morris Gleitzman, and Ursula Dubosarsky.

For her two-year term as Children’s Laureate, Wang’s theme – Imagine a Story – encourages people of all ages to exercise their imaginations by reading, writing and drawing.

“Your imagination is very important. Reading, writing and drawing stories can keep your imagination active,” says Wang. “Imagination is like a muscle – if you don’t use it, you can easily lose it. So I’ll be reminding all the children, teachers and parents to keep imagining, reading, and immersing themselves in stories.”

Wang is also passionate about diverse storytelling. Her maternal great-grandfather was 18 when he arrived in the Victorian gold fields from China in 1853, and her father came from Shanghai during the Second World War.

CARTOON

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN “Australia is such a culturally diverse country, so I believe it’s important for novels and picture books to reflect this. We all deserve the opportunity to tell our own unique stories.”

“Reading these books helps the reader see the world through the eyes of someone who is of a different culture or skin colour to their own. Seeing through their eyes, feeling their emotions, their fears and joys – this is what reading can do. We all need to feel like we belong, to feel proud of who we are,” says Wang.

To date, Wang’s 20 published books have enjoyed combined sales of over 170,000 copies.

Among these are The Garden of Empress Cassia (2002), The Pearl of Tiger Bay (2004), The Lion Drummer (2008), A Ghost in My Suitcase (2009), Little Paradise (2010), The Race for the Chinese Zodiac (2010), The Wishbird (2013), The Beast of Hushing Wood (2017), and Ting Ting the Ghosthunter (2018) – just to

Picture: AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’SLAUREATE FOUNDATION name a few.

Meanwhile, Wang is the creator of two popular characters – Poppy and Pearlie – for the highly successful Our Australian Girl series.

The Eastern Regional Libraries (ERL) have an excellent collection of these books.

In 2017, this reviewer had the pleasure of reviewing two of Wang’s books. The Beast of Hushing Wood is a beautifully illustrated fantasy tale for children aged 8-13, while Little Paradise, tenderly written for young adult readers, is a fictional account of Wang’s mother’s life story, especially her experience of living in Melbourne and Shanghai during the Second World War. Readers are invited to visit both ACLF’s and Wang’s websites to discover more inspiration about the transformational power of reading, imagination and storytelling.

X Starring Mia Goth, Martin Henderson and Jenna Ortega Rated R18+ X marks writer-director Ti West as a master of character-rich, slow-burning yet gut-wrenching horror.

In 1979 Texas, a film crew rent an elderly couple’s guest house to shoot a pornographic movie, only to end up hunted by them.

X is superbly paced, taking care to build its well-rounded characters and keep us on edge with eerie details. Mia Goth delivers an astounding performance that I can’t go into too much detail on at risk of spoiling the film, except to say that she acts under near-seamless facial prosthetics. As the situation goes brutally downhill for the film crew, the plot contains several deadly surprises, and yet the deranged elderly antagonists remain faintly tragic.

X nails (pun intended) the hedonistic atmosphere of seventies America, and despite the lurid sex scenes, the primary theme is youth: the porn actors want to enjoy their youth for as long as it lasts, and the old killers are devoted to each other, miss their youth and lash out at any reminder.

X is extremely graphic but never gratuitous, with every drop of blood serving the plot and tone. This may be a strange comparison, but X reminds me of Hot Fuzz: both films have incredibly tight screenplays, in which every single plotpoint returns in a clever and impactful way later on. X is a slasher movie in the vein of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but admirably avoids some of the genre’s dated cliches, such as the virginal girl being the only survivor. X is also morbidly funny, much like South Korean director Park Chan-wook’s film Sympathy for Mr Vengeance: depictions of extreme despair can sometimes loop around to become funny.

Excruciatingly suspenseful and outstandingly written and structured, X is playing in select Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

An amusing afternoon Saturday 19 March one of Melbourne’s best autumn days particularly at Sassafras where at The Knowe an afternoon of music and song dating from the Victorian and Edwardian era was had.

On arrival one could come early and have a picnic lunch with bubbly at the bar. Many people took advantage of such a pleasant day and enjoyed the picnic.

The weather was perfect for such an outdoor setting with the audience sitting under a 100-year-old oak tree.

The singers for ‘Come into the Garden Maud’ were dressed in the style suiting the occasion. The men in suits and the ladies in all white dresses down to the feet. There were three men and four ladies. One man could not make it so there was a fill in bringing the men to four for some songs but the stand in did not take the applause at the end.

There were 28 songs, beautifully rendered by the company with some amusing scenes, particularly the number ‘His Lordship Winked at the Counsel’. A very amusing number with the judge in full regalia and typically G & S doing a little dance number during the performance.

Opening the second half was ‘Soldiers of

mailcommunity.com.au

X Marks The Spot

Kemp’s curtain call the Queen’ which became a theme song for the Boer War. Another amusing song was ‘I Want to Sing in Opera’. A young lady came out with a bonnet and a bucket in her hand singing the title song. A delightful rendition and the acting was highly amusing.

Another fun song was ‘There are Fairies in the Bottom of My Garden’ and as the singer moved into the song two fairies appeared.

Both had the obligatory wings and long pink dresses, but one was bearded, and the other was another male. Quite amusing and added to the afternoon.

A wonderful afternoon of entertainment bringing back many memories of times past with good voices and wonderful presentations.

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 19

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 070

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

3

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

6 8 1 1 7 9 3

6 5 9 4 1

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

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

27

4

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

No. 070

DOWN

System without private property (9) Tie-on labels (4) Extension (3) Group of islands (11) Outlines (8) Orb (6) Falsehoods (4) Gives (7) From Stockholm, say (7) Sulk (4) Uniform (6) Material for floors (8) Anarchy (11) Qld city, Mount — (3) Masculine (4) Food (9)

1

2 medium

7

QUICK CROSSWORD

Surgeons’ instruments (8) Calms (8) Wattle (6) Made greater (9) Primary (4) Handsome nursery plant (6) Oral (6) Counter (7) Bankrupt (9) Bestowed (7) Definite (8) Still (8) Zigzag (6) Affirmation (6) Art of dwarfing shrubs or trees (6) Book ID (1,1,1,1)

DECODER

No. 070

hard

3 2 6

4 2 5 1

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

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

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

3 3 8

M G 16

6 4

15

2

3 LETTERS ADO ADS ARE ECO EGO EMU EYE FOR GAR GOT HOT IDE MBA MIR ODE ONE OUT OVA RAT TEA TIE TOE TVS ZED

26

I O T UNQC S X H V E D 5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once.

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

E

I

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Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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4 LETTERS APSE BIDE CASA FAIR FRED HANS INTO ISPY LOAM ORBS RACE SAIL SARK SKIM

5 LETTERS ABASE ACRES ADORE ADORN AGAPE AGATE ALIAS ALIVE ALLEN ANGEL APPLE AVAIL BRING CASEY CEDAR COCOA CORSE COSTA DRESS ELIDE

No. 070

ELUDE ERRED EVITA FACTS GENII HEARD IBIZA ISSUE LAPUP LEONE LOSER LOTUS MACRO NURSE OMEGA OWNER PANIC PESTS PRIOR RALPH RIVEN

SAUDI SEEDS SIREN SNEAK SOLAR STEPS STUDY SUPER TRUER 6 LETTERS CENTER GERALD METALS SEEMED

7 LETTERS BREAKER LOCATED PUERILE RAUCOUS SUPREMO WARRIOR 8 LETTERS PASSABLE PROCURES SIDESTEP SORCERER

COMPETING, cope, coping, epic, incept, inept, mope, moping, open, opine, optic, opting, pectin, pent, peon, picot, pigeon, pigment, pimento, pine, ping, pint, pinto, pitmen, piton, poem, poet, poetic, point, tempi, tempo, tope, topic, toping

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WORDFIT

04-03-22

William Matthews Funerals FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

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Yarra Ranges Shire Council (“Council”) gives notice under section 115 of the Local Government Act 2020 (“Act”) of its intention to enter into a lease with Baxter Business Pty Ltd (trading as Cleanaway), in respect of part of the land at 540 Wellington Road, Lysterfield, as shown hatched on the plan below, (“the land”) for the continued use of a waste transfer station. Council’s proposal would extend the current lease by an additional two (2) years.

Rebedding & pointing Skylight resealing Written guarantee

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Submitters will be informed in writing of the day, time and place of the meeting of the Council or of a committee determined by the Council where submissions will be heard. Submitters should be aware that submissions are required to be available for public inspection.

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DAWSONS

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A person may make a submission on the proposal. Submissions must be submitted by no later than Thursday 28th April 2022.

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2. Under the lease, Baxter Business will be permitted to continue to use the land for a recycling and recovery centre, including sales, solid and putrescible waste transfer station, depot for waste bin hire and storage of waste bins. Further information regarding the proposal, can be obtained by contacting Michelle Danks, telephone 1300 368 333.

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The principal terms of the lease will be: 1. The addition of one further term of two(2) years, extending the lease until 31/5/27.

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MAIL 21

NEWS

Get on board with game

By Parker McKenzie

Jenni Ivins with the board game she designed, highlighting the Macedon Ranges. many voices as possible in this project so that is the game means a lot to everybody.” she said.

She said people can also include quirkily stories about the locations, which will be included on the GO-TO cards.

“Connecting communities through Facebook conversations are about life in the shire,

General Notices Public Notices and Event

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE VODAFONE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT LILYDALE INCLUDING 5G 3966 Wandin: 50 Crombie Road, Lilydale VIC 3140 (RFNSA 3139010) The proposed facility consists of the addition of new equipment and associated works, including 5G, as follows: r Removal of existing Vodafone antennas and equipment r Installation of three (3) panel antennas, 2.7m long, on a new headframe r Installation of three (3) panel antennas, 0.8m long, on the new headframe r Installation of ancillary equipment including fifteen (15) remote radio units, antenna mounts and cabling 1. Vodafone regards the proposed installations as Low-Impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”), based on the description above.

2. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact Vanessa Wan at Axicom, 02 9495 9000, community@axicom.com.au or Level 1, 110 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 by Wednesday 13 April 2022. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3139010.

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Massage Therapists

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ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

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

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DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

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

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

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

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ask questions and prompt deeper conversations.” The board game will be published in the Star Mail newspapers in late May or early April.

Anyone interested in participating can join the Connecting Communities Yarra Ranges Shire Facebook page or email the photos directly to Jenni@MindDrawing.net.

Employment

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Local professionals in our

what is valued or unique; talking about our histories, treasures and activities we value, helping people to get to know their area better,” Ms Ivins said.

“This is happening in the Connecting Communities group and in the many township groups, in which I have been welcomed so I can

12423634-SN31-19

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Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

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Truck Driver/ Yardsman Full time position, experience preferred, including customer service. Medium rigid drivers licence essential. Double vaccinated essential.

Phone Ivan 5967 1237.

ISAN Timber and Hardware PTY LTD, Wesburn.

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• 8th Rego • Front Kitchen • 3 Way Fridge • Electric Brakes • Awning and Full annex.

• $9300 ono.

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After the success of two board games published within other newspapers, Star Mail readers will have the opportunity to contribute to a Yarra Ranges-based board game before its launch.

Jenni Ivins has designed two board games for Star News Group — the owner of this publication — and is seeking photos for use in her third table-top game.

Ms Ivins said the board game will feature people’s photos of their favourite locations throughout the Yarra Ranges.

“Things that people like about the Shire that make it special, hidden secrets, and things that people don’t know about,” she said.

“Then they will be put into on the back of what are called GO-TO cards, they’re going to measure four centimetres by six centimetres.”

The board game will be published in the Star Mail newspapers and online in PDF format, with a board, the GO-TO cards and a rule set. Ms Ivins said she has received positive feedback from the other two games.

“Many people told me that they learned a lot about the Shire, particularly which towns are in the Shire. That one seems to be a big one across both areas where I’ve done it before,” she said.

“People have been learning about places they can take their families to or just things to explore.”

A Part Together, Ms Ivins boardgame about Cardinia Shire which was published in the Pakenham Gazette, won the Best Community Campaign Award at the 2021 Country Press Awards.

Ms Ivins said she hopes people can reach out to those in hard-to-reach places to receive the best images from all around the Yarra Ranges.

“We want is people from all demographics that we want all people, young people, all nationalities, cultures, we want to capture as

Phone 0414 613 430

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SPORT

Lilydale back on the winning list

By Murray Howlett

Pro Futsal Mt Evelyn is running junior programs throughout the school term.

Picture: SUPPLIED

The fourth round of the Metro Golf Croquet Autumn Shield was played at Ringwood on Thursday 24 March.

Lilydale defeated Mornington White in a closely fought match. The games were tied three each with Lilydale winning by one hoop, 37 to 36.

The highlight of the day was Craig McCracken and Drew Pawley both winning their singles games. The other player representing Lilydale was Ray Ogle.

Next weeks game is against the ladder leader Ivanhoe at their home court.

In other news Lilydale was able to beat Ringwood in the Annual Port Cup competition.

Futsal for schools

By Parker Mckenzie and Mikayla Van Loon Pro Futsal Mount Evelyn will be launching a new competition for school children, with free “come and play” sessions available for firsttime participants.

Centre manager Terval Atanasov said with the State Government now recognising futsal as its own sport instead of a variant of football, he wants children to come and give the game a go.

“Hopefully, we can teach the kids a little bit and then have that as a pathway for them to either just come and enjoy futsal at a community level, or if they want to sort of take it a bit further revisiting that player development,” he said.

“They can come back on a Monday night while we run a junior competition. We have 10 or so clubs that come and play here who train once a week, play games on a Monday, and it’s

just the next step up.”

The new player sessions run from 4.30pm to 5.30pm on a Friday, where they can practice skills and participate in fun-filled coaching sessions.

Through their affiliation with Football Victoria, Pro Futsal Mount Evelyn has been running school programs as well.

Mr Atanasov said futsal can be included as a part of school PE programs and schools are welcome to reach out to them for sessions and coaching.

“We have the ability to run school programs and to facilitate tournaments here for all the local schools,” he said.

“We’re happy to go and be part of those coaching programs whether it’s here or in the schools.”

The centre currently has 32 junior teams competing on a Monday night, with older

teens playing in social competitions throughout the week.

Mr Atanasov said there are benefits for both players and parents in playing futsal compared to other sports.

“It’s usually the same time every week. It’s inside so the weather doesn’t matter,” he said.

“It’s nice inside the centre and parents can get a coffee while your kids play.”

Pro Futsal Mt Evelyn runs an over 35s competition on a Wednesday night, which Mr Atanasov said “has been a bit of a hit.”

“It’s not as competitive as all the rest of it. Its people that just want to get out do it for fitness, do it for fun and for the social aspect,” he said.

“We find a lot of parents on the nights that their kids’ play would like to participate, they’re here already.”

Pro Futsal Mount Evelyn is located at 19-23 Hereford Road, Mt Evelyn.

Barkers’ men run riot with a hat-trick success

By Peter Stephenson It was a beautiful sunny day at Esther Park as Barkers Soccer Club(third) hosted Brandon Park (sixth) in round two of Men’s State 2 South-East competition.

Barkers were seeking to build on the previous week’s 3-1 win over Old Scotch, while Brandon Park had surprisingly dropped points at Monbulk Rangers in a come-from-behind 2-2 draw.

Barkers had last beaten BP in 2013, which was the same year Brechan Adams scored a hat-trick against Croydon. No male Barker had done so since.

BP had the first chance after four minutes when a Barkers clearance fell to a forward, but he shot wide. Then in a sign of things to come, Sean Perrin sent the ball out to Maxim Solovyev on the left wing. He crossed for Geordie Scott, who deftly touched the ball into the corner of the net for the opening goal – a lovely move with an equally tasty finish.

On seven minutes, Nick Andrejic crossed low from the left. Liam Seaye latched onto the ball but hit his shot at Christian Morales in the visitors’ goal. Then Barkers took a short corner on the left, which was crossed to the far post.

Perrin headed wide, but was flagged offside in any case. This was almost one-way traffic, and soon Steve Nittoli robbed a defender, passed the ball out to Solovyev on the left, and received the ball back. He had two bites of the cherry but Morales was equal to them both.

Inevitably, Barkers’ pressure told once more. On the quarter hour, the lively Seaye again robbed his opponent, and under pressure on the right, managed to find Solovyev in the centre. Solovyev managed to squeeze the ball past the onrushing Morales into the net.

There was some consultation between the ofmailcommunity.com.au

Geordie Scott scored the first goal for Barkers in a spectacular display for the club in the second round of the season.

Pictures: MICK ASHWORTH

Steve Nittoli challenged a Brandon Park player for the ball.

ficials as to whether there was a foul, but the goal was given and, as with last week, Barkers had an early 2-0 lead.

BP eventually found their rhythm and on 23 minutes, Jordan Carlse Horn played a onetwo with a teammate which left him with only keeper Mark Naumowicz to beat, and he slotted the ball into the far corner of the net to make it 2-1 Barkers.

This emboldened the visitors, and they sent a free-kick from the right side of midfield to the far post. A forward headed towards goal, but Naumowicz turned the ball round his post.

Just after the half hour, BP had a throw-in on the left which was worked to the six-yard box, where a forward swivelled and shot wide. Having survived this 15 minute spell, Barkers now took complete control of the game.

Eight minutes before the break, Solovyev burst through a square BP defence and slid the

Scott to become the first man to score five in a game since 1967. However, Barkers’ coach Paul Burrows substituted Scott on 73 minutes to avoid aggravating a niggle.

With five minutes to go and BP in disarray, Solovyev scored Barkers’ sixth goal. Then with a minute to go, a cross from the right found Solovyev at the far post, who scored his own hat-trick. Full time – Mooroolbark 7 Brandon Park 1.

This was heady stuff from the Barkers. Preseason results were abysmal, but the season proper is often the opposite. Scott and Solovyev worked extremely well together, as did the rest of the side in this remarkable display.

Remarkable, because in some quarters, BP were touted as favourites for this league before a ball was kicked. Barkers go top while BP drops to nineth. Next week the Barkers have their first away game, at third placed Knox City.

ball to Scott who was in support. Scott had a relatively easy task to stroke the ball home for 3-1. Then five minutes before half-time, Perrin again found Solovyev on the left. He crossed, but the ensuing shot was blocked. Half-time Mooroolbark 3 Brandon Park 1.

Barkers began the second half where they had left off. On 51 minutes Seaye hit a freekick on the left to Scott. He floated the ball over for Brett Tronconi, who headed over. Two minutes later the ball was passed to Solovyev on the right. He crossed for Scott, who headed home for 4-1. This was the first Barker men’s hat-trick for nearly nine years and richly deserved.

Eleven minutes later, a ball in for the left found Scott, who tucked the ball home for 5-1. This was the first time a male Barker had scored four in a game since 2012, also against Brandon Park. There were still 25 minutes for

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 23

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