Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 29th March 2022

Mountain Views

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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Volunteers honoured in Casey Electorate

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

Still no answers for suspended Healesville Playgroup

Fundraiser for the Vic Kangaroo Alliance

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A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

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Coldstream Primary Students Lucas, Zoe and Kobi enjoying the reading pod.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Lucas and Kobi outside the wonderfully decorated reading area.

Top of the class

By Callum Ludwig

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Coldstream Primary School has scored exceptionally in the 2021 NAPLAN testing.

Grade three and five from the school in 2021 had the highest percentages of aboveaverage scores in reading, with 94 per cent of grade threes and 100 per cent of grade fives achieving the feat.

Principal Phillippa Adgemis said she is

thrilled with such a great result.

“This really lets the kids know that if you work and focus hard enough, you can achieve anything you want,” she said.

“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.”

Coldstream PS recently fashioned a colourful reading pod from a $25,000 grant and

a large container.

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

“If you don’t have high-quality texts, then you’re not showing that you’ve got the value for reading, and we do. The reading pod also shows the school places reading as a priority,” she said.

“I’m always writing in the newsletter that reading is really important for the whole family, for spending quality bonding time reading

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with your kids and creating that nice, warm relationship because it’s a pretty fast world out there.”

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

“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.

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Congrats to volunteers of recognising nearly 300 individuals and 50 local groups for these significant Casey awards and recipients over the past seven years.

“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,” he said.

Other Casey Volunteer & Community Awards Recipients for 2021 include: Special recognitions: Leonie Turner of Hoddles Creek Susan Hotton of Yarra Junction Hannah Harris of Lilydale Volunteer Chris Clifton of Mt Evelyn Gary Burgess of Chirnside Park Jason Leitch of Mt Evelyn Maria Vassilopoulos of Coldstream Luke Labatlus of Yarra Junction Jill A’Vard of Monbulk Jess Vander Reyden of Wandin North John Sumner of Mt Evelyn Stuart Fraser of Mt Evelyn Lesley Porter of Chum Creek Chelsey Cooper of Montrose Jim Brown of Wandin North Geoff Dawson of Mt Evelyn Sue Thompson of Kilsyth Kevin McDonagh of Healesville Groups Yarra Ranges Community Support Register Sassafras and Ferny Creek CFA Olinda CFA Kalorama-Mt Dandenong CFA Mont De Lancey Gardening Group Yarra Ranges Heritage Network

By Renee Wood Two HICCI volunteers have been honoured with a Special Recognition Certificate for the 2021 Casey Volunteer Awards.

John Robinson and Marilyn King have been recognised for their service to HICCI’s weekly community dinner held on Tuesday nights – Dinner at Darrons.

Ms King was part of starting the community meal in 2005 when she heard of another soup kitchen style event happening in Yarra Junction.

“It took about eight months to get it moving but I was determined to get it going,” Ms King said.

Through support from other church members, HICCI, the Salvation Army and various local businesses, the community meal was up and running.

Fast forward 17 years and the vital weekly dinner is still operating, with Ms King and Mr Robinson known as two welcoming, friendly faces to many regulars and new people a like.

“I’m in a position where I can go each week and I just love it, you get something that you’re really passionate about so you want to keep contributing.”

Ms King said Mr Robinson is her partner in crime and has been a fabulous support over the years.

“He looks after and welcomes everyone every night and tells a couple of jokes to get everyone in a good more and he’s just been fabulous to volunteer with.”

The special recognition came at a shock to the both of them but it was nice to receive the acknowledgement.

“It’s a big team effort, I can’t do it without HICCI, we can’t do it without the volunteers and we can’t do it without people’s generosity.

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Marilyn King receiving the award from MP Tony Smith and Alison Gomers from HICCI. “It’s a small thing but we really feel that we’ve made a difference in some people’s lives.

“I just thank god every week that we never run out of food, we’ve really been blessed.”

Mr Robinson has also been honoured for the award in regards to his service to the Rotary Club of Healesville for 20 years.

MP Tony Smith said he’s had the priviledge

New breathing apparatus machine to help local CFA

By Callum Ludwig Hillcrest CFA in Woori Yallock has completed the installation of a containment fill station(CFS), a machine that compresses the air for breathing apparatus(BA) used by firefighters.

Breathing apparatus use is an important part of brigade training and firefighting, and the new machine will help support the Hillcrest brigade and neighbouring brigades to have more efficient access to refills.

Hillcrest CFA Captain Colin Dickson said previously brigades in the area had to contact Bayswater’s brigade in order to fill up.

“Our nearest support was having to get the Bayswater’s Mobile Bay filling unit to come up to see us or to send someone down to get ours filled up,” he said “Since we had it installed and operating in late-December 2021, we’ve filled 62 cylinders from ours, to Healesville’s, Lilydale’s and Yellingbo’s.”

Hillcrest has trained 20 of their brigade members on how to operate the machine, and has reached out to neighbouring brigades to train their members too.

Mr Dickson said it is also an inclusive opportunity for non-operative members of the brigade.

“It’s a nice inclusive thing for somebody who might have been responsible for cutting the grass at the station who can now get called upon and really feel part of the firefighting process,” he said.

“Being able to get more members involved will be a real benefit for the entire Yarra Valley group of brigades.”

The CFS can fill up to three cylinders at a time to an incredible 300 Bar in 12 minutes, or 25 Bar a minute. A Bar is about 14 times one PSI (pound per square inch), the measurement used for the amount of air in car tires. This means breathing apparatus cylinders can be filled up quickly and efficiently so stocks of air are always available.

Mr Dickson said the machine will help make training and operation at Hillcrest much more efficient, particularly as there will be no downtime in waiting to fill up cylinders.

“Each person who’s breathing apparatus qualified has an obligation to go through a cylinder once every six months just to keep our skills up to date as a minimum. We will able to keep tour skills up to date in a more convenient manner,” he said.

“On the other hand, it also means that after we’ve been to a fire, where we’ve used BA, we’re actually now able to have brigades get themselves back to full operational status very quickly.”

The project to install the machine cost about $80,000 raised over the years since the brigade moved into Hillcrest in 2013. Their next plans are to raise funds for a mobile BA support vehicle, which could take out up to 24 cylinders to the scene of a fire, allowing firefighters up to 12 hours of air ready to go.

The Hillcrest CFA’s new CFS can hold up to three cylinders at once.

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IN BRIEF

Peri-regional push

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 benefit 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.

Upgrades for Yarra Valley Bus Network

Yarra Ranges CIU have arrested an 18 year old Healesville man in relation to an alleged assault that occurred at about 3.15am on Sunday 20th March on Badger Creek Rd, Healesville.

A 22 year old male sustained significant head injuries as a result of the alleged assault.

The alleged offender has been remanded in custody until the 20th April.

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information about the offence is urged to contact Yarra Ranges CIU on 97392401, or make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

Fire Danger Period to end in Yarra Ranges The Fire Danger Period for Knox City Council, Manningham Council, Maroondah City Council and Yarra Ranges Council will be lifted as of 1am Monday 4 April 2022.

If you burn off after the conclusion of the Fire Danger Period, please be mindful that the vegetation is still dry, and it is easy to lose control of your small burn-off.

You can refer to the CFA brochure ‘Are you burning off safely?’ to ensure your burn remains safe and legal. Take care and make sure you have water available at all times and never leave your burn-off unattended.

Your local CFA Brigade can provide you with advice on how to safely burn-off, and how to best prepare yourself and your property for the next fire season.

Before lighting a burn-off, CFA urges residents to always notify their neighbours and register their burn either online via firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling the Burn-Off Notification Line on 1800 668 511.

Always check and adhere to your council’s local laws and regulations before burning off.

Coldstream low sensory vax clinic EACH will be running a low-sensory Covid-19 vaccination clinic in Coldstream from Thursday 31 March to Friday 1 April.

The clinic will operate from Coldstream Community Centre, 12 Kelso Street, Coldstream and will run from 11:30am to 5pm on Weekdays, and from 10am to 3:30pm on Saturdays.

Pfizer, Novavax and booster (Pfizer) vaccines will be available. Make a booking by calling EACH on 1300 097 151 or email vaccinationcallcentre@each.com.au For more information about these clinics visit https://www.each.com.au/covid-19-vaccination-clinics/ 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.”

Black spur closed for five days The Department of Transport has advised of upcoming road improvement works for the Black Spur, Maroondah Highway around Narbethong.

Works are scheduled from Monday 28 March to Friday 1 April. During this time, the road will be closed.

Motorists traveling between Healesville to Narbethong and beyond are advised to use a detour that will take them through Alexandra via the Goulburn Valley Highway.

This detour will significantly add to travel times so please plan ahead for the delay.

For more information contact Regional Roads Victoria on 133 778

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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.

Healesville man arrested following alleged assault

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NEWS

NAPLAN writing success

By Callum Ludwig Primary schools in the Yarra Ranges have excelled in 2021’s NAPLAN, including Wesburn Primary School and Warburton Primary School.

Both primary schools grade three and five had some of the highest percentages of aboveaverage scores in writing, with 75 per cent of students achieving the feat for Wesburn and 78 per cent for Warburton.

Wesburn Primary School Principal Anne Stenhouse said she is extremely proud of everyone who helped the students achieve such a great result.

“I’m really excited and really proud of the student’s and staff’s hard work, but also parents who had a lot of input because it’s happened in the time of remote and flexible learning,” she said.

Warburton Primary School Principal Barbara Darling was equally proud.

“The whole school community is delighted with the results and for our students and teachers. The school community has worked together really well to support the students learning over the last tough couple of years and the results show the positive effects,” she said.

Ms Stenhouse said there has been a big focus on literacy development at Wesburn Primary School.

“We’ve consistently done weekly profes-

Grade four students at Wesburn PS are already proud of their 2021 NAPLAN results and are working hard to keep improving for next year. sional learning and coaching for the teachers on all aspects of literacy. We have dedicated time for students to solely focus on practicing their writing,” she said.

“The implementation of intervention programs PreLit and MultiLit have also improved reading, spelling and writing.”

A common theme among both schools was not focusing too hard on NAPLAN practice testing, but rather ensuring the students were confident in their own abilities.

“If you chose to have students practicing for NAPLAN all the time then you’re not actually teaching and you need to be teaching. NA-

PLAN is just a different way of being assessed to how students normally are,” Ms Stenhouse said.

“In terms of the student outcome on NAPLAN, we believe as long as we’re providing quality teaching and teaching children the strategies they need, performing on NAPLAN shouldn’t be a problem,” Ms Darling said.

Both principals said the great results gave the students a sense of achievement.

“It encourages them to continue to do just as well and keep working hard. They see it as a really important and relevant skill for their lives,” Ms Stenhouse said.

“We do a lot of independent goal setting with our students. It really boosts their learning when they set a goal and achieve it. It builds their confidence and they set the next goal and work towards achieving it,” Ms Darling said.

It’s exciting times for the schools and Wesburn Primary School is excited for their Colour Fun Run later in the year, where the students take great joy in throwing coloured powder over their beloved principal Ms Stenhouse.

Warburton Primary School have just opened their bush tucker garden and yarning circle and the students are excited to use the ingredients in their thriving sustainable Harvest Cafe, and will be furthering their students experience with First Nations culture by performing in a Wakakirri Story-Dance festival later in the year.

Coldstream Primary School gets an A+ from testing

By Callum Ludwig Coldstream Primary School has scored exceptionally in the 2021 NAPLAN testing.

Grade three and five from the school in 2021 had the highest percentages of aboveaverage scores in reading, with 94 per cent of grade threes and 100 per cent of grade fives achieving the feat.

Principal Phillippa Adgemis said she is thrilled with such a great result.

“This really lets the kids know that if you work and focus hard enough, you can achieve anything you want,” she said.

“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.”

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.

“If you don’t have high-quality texts, then you’re not showing that you’ve got the value for reading, and we do. The reading pod also shows the school places reading as a priority,” she said.

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PS. 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

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“I’m always writing in the newsletter 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.”

Coldstream PS is a part of a Small Schools Alliance in the local area, consisting of Coldstream PS, Gladesville PS, Pembroke PS, Lilydale PS, Yarra Glen PS and Wandin Yallock

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

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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.”

Coldstream PS has been part of an education precinct in the area over the last six years that has provided seamless transition and fluidity between services in the area. The precinct includes the Maternal Health Care Center, a playgroup held at the primary school, Coldstream Pre School, Coldstream Library and Lyrebird College.

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

“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 are even getting to show 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.

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Valley farm inspections 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

tified 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.

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 iden-

Victorian Government announces regional 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, hunting 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-urban-deercontrol-plan

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

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Savouring one last bite Yarra Valley Pasta is closing its doors after serving the community for 25 years.

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 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

Lisa Giffard is closing Yarra Valley Pasta to spend more time with her family. 273784 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS 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 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

Some pasta sauce products and dried pastas will still be available at some independent grocers. 273784

The store’s last day will be Friday 1 April. 273784 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.”

HICCI encourages locals to reach out this Easter

By Renee Wood Hicci has welcomed a generous donation of Easter eggs from regular supporter, James, who often provides goods to the organisation.

Executive Officer Alison Gomers said HICCI’s grateful for James’ supported, which is felt across the holidays and throughout the year.

“James has been a very regular donor for HiICCI over the years. He has also gone to the hassle of ordering menus for local families,” Ms Gomers said.

“He’s done things like movie tickets, bowling, anything – he’s very generous.”

Ms Gomers said HICCI appreciates the many items that are donated to help local residents.

“Fresh produce and things like that are brought in throughout the year are all equally appreciated.”

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contact with Hicci and expects more people are in need of a helping hand due to financial challenges from the pandemic.

“The storm, the pandemic, working hours restricted and now the price of petrol – it’s just layer upon layer that’s starting to take its toll.

“We know it’s getting harder and harder and we do have resources to support people in Healesville, Yarra Glen and surrounding areas.

“We just want people to know they are very welcome and they are encouraged to ring and have a chat with the team.”

Resources can be provided for material aid, assistance with fuel and food vouchers, supply of staples and fresh groceries and limited bill assistance.

Residents don’t have to be on a concession but must live in the Healesville, Yarra Glen and surrounds to qualify for assistance.

Dinner for Darron’s weekly dinners are also open to more people, which are held Tuesday nights, served at 5.30pm.

HICCI’s reception Ros with the giant Easter egg donations.

Picture: HICCI mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Parents without answers

By Tyler Wright and Renee Wood Healesville parents are still looking for answers following the indefinite suspension on a local playgroup run by Eastern Health.

Every Friday, families would meet at 6 Vimy Ridge, Healesville from 10am-12pm, where parents and children could build connections while also gaining help for further medical referrals.

In early 2020, meetings were suspended due to the pandemic, but locals were left in the dark late last year when group gatherings were cancelled ‘indefinitely’.

In a statement sent to Star Mail December 2021, Eastern Health cited “changing restrictions” and department health protocols - such as temperature checking - as the primary reason for the closure of the group.

However, with no lockdowns or restrictions planned in the near future, and the continuation of other playgroups (also run by Eastern Health), locals are left frustrated and are missing the services the group provided.

Healesville mother of two Kristy Baglin initially joined the group with her son in 2017, and has struggled since its indefinite suspension.

“We miss the social interaction, and it’s hard trying to find different things for my son to do with other children, which can be difficult unless you want to travel,” she said.

“Petrol prices are so high, you don’t want to go to Lilydale to join something.

“It’s quite isolating, and after being isolated for the past two years – it’s kind of enough.”

After expressing her concerns to Eastern Health in December via a complaints email, Baglin received a response assuring her Healesville Hospital’s senior staff had been made aware of her feedback.

Despite this, and other submitted complaints from other group members, Eastern

Healesville parents are still left with no answers as to when the Healesville Playgroup run by Eastern Health will return.

Health is still yet to provide further information on the Healesville meeting’s continual suspension.

“At first I was just like ‘oh, they’re passing it on and I’ll hear something soon - and then that didn’t happen,” Ms Baglin said.

“It’s just deflating, you just feel a bit defeated.”

In the past four months, Baglin has joined other community gatherings, but has not been able to receive support like she did from Eastern Health group coordinator Michelle, who

Picture: ON FILE

was able to refer her to a physiotherapist.

Despite the suspension, the Healesville Playgroup is still listed on the Eastern Health website as a current ‘supported playgroup’ with no mention of a pause in the service. Star Mail contacted Eastern Health for comment.

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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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NEWS

Pump track input sought

By Renee Wood 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

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,

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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NEWS

Grant for cultural garden

By Callum Ludwig The Tourism Network Yarra Valley business group has given their $1000 donation to Cire Community School in Yarra Junction.

Cire is using the funds to build an Aboriginal kitchen garden for the students to utilise on campus as part of their hands-on learning.

Principal of Yarra Junction Cire Community School Tyson McNamara said the existing garden and proposed indigenous garden provides unique learning opportunities for students.

“We have found one of the really good ways of engaging students is through the garden by getting out there getting their hands dirty, and being able to see the benefit of their hard work by actually producing food growing crops,” he said.

“From there, we have a commercial kitchen with a chef, where the students learn how to cook the food up, and they feed their community with it.”

The garden will not only provide fresh produce but provide an opportunity for the students to learn and relay information about the history of the First Nations people in the Yarra Valley.

Mr McNamara and committee member from Tourism Network Yarra Valley business group Cath Allan said learning about the history of Aboriginal culture in the Yarra Valley is incredibly important for students.

“At the school, we use the eight ways of learning, which is an Aboriginal thought process they used to teach their young children and have found it’s a really great way of supporting students. So many of our students have never been exposed to First Nations culture,” Mr McNamara said.

“In a way, the garden and its produce is essentially teaching students history lessons. It is teaching them respect for our culture out here and an understanding of the people and coun-

Cath Allan, Johnny, Tyson McNamara, Roxy and Zahra among the garden at Cire Community School.

Picture: CALLUM LUDWIG

“They do all the landscaping, the woodwork. They decide what to grow, when they grow it, they purchase all the mulch and soil,” he said.

“Our principles are authentic hands-on learning. If we can teach our students something by getting them out of the classroom and doing something, then that’s the way we do it.

Ms Allan said opportunities like what is provided at Cire schools encourage students to go on to careers in what they love, particularly

in the strong tourism, hospitality, agricultural and horticultural sector of the Yarra Valley.

“What we want is for local kids to find an interest in a love of tourism and hospitality.

They may learn how to start cooking here and discover a bit of a passion,” she said.

“We want to teach these kids to find an interest in something first which can then flow on to them finding careers and jobs and hopefully keeping it local out here and supporting the businesses running our local community.”

try that has come before us,” Ms Allan said.

The eight ways of learning is an interconnected method and practice of teaching, consisting of story sharing, learning maps, nonverbal communication, symbols and images, land links, non-linear thinking, deconstruct and reconstruct and community Links.

Mr McNamara said the existing garden at the school and the proposed Aboriginal garden have been designed, constructed and maintained by the students.

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 9

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Wear a mask when required.

Keep windows and doors open.

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Get your third dose now, to protect yourself and everyone you love.

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12542425-AV13-22

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NEWS

Stepping up for 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 approximately 42 per cent from 14,500 in the 2018 report.

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

Picture: MATT HRKAC

A VKA rally in Gisbourne in December 2021.

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

Picture: KIM WORMALD 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

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.

12540256-SG12-22

Or, read the full digital edition as it appears in print now!

Read it now Scan the QR CODE

OR VISIT: yarrarangeskids.com.au/digital-editions mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 11

NEWS

Connecting UY mums

By Renee Wood

Mums in the Upper Yarra are encouraged to connect with the local Facebook group.

An Upper Yarra resident is looking to bring mums and bubs together to connect parents and build friendships within the local community.

Kat Owen recently moved back to the area during the Covid-19 lockdown and said it has been a challenging time to meet others going through a similar time in their lives.

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“I had a baby four months ago and I’ve just been feeling a bit isolated. I moved back to the area during Covid and so during all the lock downs and stuff I hadn’t really met anyone while I was pregnant,” Ms Owen said.

Ms Owen has used social media as the tool to bring everyone together and has created a Facebook group named ‘Mums & Bubs of 3799 & 3797’.

It’s hoped mums who have given birth this year or last will join to share and build relationships with other residents nearby.

There are other playgroups within the area, but Ms Owen felt creating bonds with other parents who have children at similar ages would help to have a similar focus for members.

“The activities that we might want to do together, or at least the focus, is similar, I imagine if the age range of the kids is a bit broader some could be running and some are not moving at all.

“It’s just really important to have connections with people that are going through very similar things like your baby’s injections and progressions.”

The group is also highlighted for parents in the postcodes 3799 and 3797.

“I really wanted to limit the group to this upper part of the Upper Yarra Valley, so that the core of it could be up here, so we can enjoy the local environment and cafes, without the expectation to have to travel down the line.

“Constraining it to those postcodes, or the towns that are immediately adjacent to that, I think helps to build that sense of community.”

The Facebook group is the start of what’s to come, as Ms Owen plans to have regular meet ups and has also spoken to the Yarra Ranges Council in hopes of supporting a picnic and potential promotional material for the group.

In the meantime, those interested can join the Facebook group named Mums and Bubs 3799 and 3797 on https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1717864058556566/

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Pop up roadshow Pop up community engagement sessions have been booked for Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction to discuss various council projects.

The community was invited to attend the session at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall on Saturday 26 March from 1pm to 4pm to discuss the Yarra Valley Trail.

The Yarra Valley Trails team was in attendence to provide feedback on how Yarra Glen will connect to the trail network.

The engagement session for Yarra Junction will be this Friday 1 April from 9:30am-12pm at the Yarra Centre focusing on the Youth Advisory Group.

The Youth Services team will be in attendance to share information about the group and how you can get involved.

Both pop ups are part of a series of engagement sessions to help residents stay up to date on the latest news, upcoming events and opportunities.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

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NEWS

Zak Mills Goodwin on the podium after winning gold.

Picture: VIC DOWNHILL

Zak Mills Goodwin celebrating his first place finish with a shoey.

Picture: AIDAN MCCORRY

Locals make the podium ·

Mills-Goodwin awarded gold in open was supported by a large group of generous · Zak sponsors: skate, Slaney awarded silver in open street · Community Bank Warburton and Yarra · Julian Junction - Sponsorship of $3000 luge, Everett awarded gold in women’s · Yarra Ranges Council - Awarded grant of · Ahria $10,000 skate.

Posters and prize money are set to be dis- · Victorian Skateboard Association - Awarded grant of $5000 tributed over the coming week.

Organisers are set to start working towards · 88 Wheel Co - Provided prizes for Women’s skate & masters. a new event with Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort and hoping to have something to deliver by · Matilda Bay Brewery- Who sponsored the the end of spring/start of summer. The event event with a whole free keg of beer.

Tails wagging at Animal Aid for Adventure Dog

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 involved 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.”

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. mailcommunity.com.au

Retreat Hotel - Who gave us a space · Alpine for tech inspection, riders meeting and a space to get together each evening.

Brewing - For providing the event · Burnley staff with tons of free beers and being a great place to work.

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The Yarra Ranges Downhill Festival 2022 was a huge success, with riders coming from near and far to tear down Mt Donna Buang on skateboards and luges.

The two-day event proved to be a substantial improvement over the 2020 edition and those prior, delivering a full track and full protection even in wet and wild conditions.

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

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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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.

“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 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.”

12540011-JC13-22

Farmers urged to improve security to deter thieves

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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

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

Learning on the journey

By Mikayla van Loon Yarra Valley Schools have taken part in the National Ride2School Day on Friday 25 March to encourage students to hop on the bike and enjoy the benefits.

St Richard’s Primary school deputy principal and wellbeing leader Rudy Vail said the school started taking part in the event three years ago because it fit with the school’s other health and wellbeing programs.

“It was an excellent opportunity for us to try to encourage children to ride to school where possible,” he said.

“To have this one day of the year as a real focus where we let the school community know the significance of a healthy lifestyle and you could achieve that by riding to school. We encourage students to ride to school on that day with the hope that in the long term we’d have kids riding more often.”

Mr Vail said although the wellbeing benefits are a focus for the school, it is also about teaching the children road safety and responsibility.

“The health benefits are a really big, important thing but that responsibility is also a really significant part.

“We encouraged parents, if their kids are going to ride to school, make sure they’re familiar with how to get to school and all of the major crossings, so there’s that aspect of road safety that we’re trying to encourage them to be aware of.”

By taking part in the Ride2School day Mr Vail said it allowed the students to have a sense of independence.

“If we can get some of the older children every once in a while riding to school that would be great for their own independence and for their own learning.”

With the outbreak of the pandemic, Mr Vail said he has noticed some students retreat to using technology, and rightly so when they

St Richard’s Primary School students Logan, Darcy, Sam and April enjoyed riding to school on Friday 25 March when the school celebrates National Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Ride2School Day. 270914 couldn’t do much else, but he hopes Ride2School will reactivate the desire to be outside.

“A lot of them have been locked down and isolated and they haven’t been outside playing and they haven’t been outside riding bikes.

“We’ve noticed that probably people are spending more time indoors and on technology. Part of our total wellbeing program is not only the physical side but the mental side and we teach

that through such aspects of meditation.”

St Richard’s Primary School made a whole day of the Ride2School initiative, starting at Elizabeth Bridge Reserve where students got to meet before being guided to the school grounds ready to start the day.

Throughout the day each year level had a designated time to ride around the school to encourage that extra physical activity.

Mr Vail said for some students riding to school can be daunting but it can be a great way to gain confidence, independence and share in some fun with friends.

“Some children don’t want to miss out or they don’t want to not be a part of the Ride2School day because all their mates are going but when they actually get on a bike and they have some fun, that really ignites a new passion.”

12542558-SN13-22

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Contact Carer Gateway today and get free group support, respite care, counselling, financial support, coaching and skills courses.

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MAIL 17

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

·

·

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

·

·

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.

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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

18 MAIL

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. mailcommunity.com.au

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.

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MAIL 19

LETTERS The Editor, Mountain Views Star Mail Recently I have been hearing considerable criticism from local residents about the roadworks being carrieWd out in Smith St, Healesville. The complaints relate mainly to the inadequate width of the road, and the restrictive shape of the parking spaces. Allow me to relate my experience with the current situation of these roadworks.

Last Friday, 18th March, at about 5.30 pm, I

COMMUNITY DIARY was driving along Smith Street at about 30-35 kms per hour.

Another car approached me from ahead, and in order to make room for both cars I moved my car to the left hand side of the road. This manoeuvre required me to take the car off the bitumen into a rut between the bitumen and the concrete gutter that had been laid during these roadworks. This caused the steering wheel to be wrenched out of my hands and the front wheel crashed into the sharp concrete edging.

The outcome was that the front tyre was

slashed and the rim of the wheel was damaged beyond repair. The total cost to me for a new tyre, wheel rim and wheel alignment will be $940.

This situation is unacceptable. The council and the company constructing the paving must take responsibility for leaving the road in such a dangerous condition.

I am sure that I am not the only person who has had trouble negotiating Smith Street.

Keith Wade, Healesville

Come and taste the hand-made goodies Launch Fresh are hosting their monthly homemade goodies stall on the first Saturday of next month, Saturday 2 April.

The stalls operate from 8am to 1pm at the Launch Fresh site, 2080 Warburton Hwy Launching Place.

All goods made by members and friends, if possible with ingredients grown by members and friends and at bargain prices. All proceeds to Hoddles Creek Red Cross branch.

Hand-made goodies include: jams, marmalades, chutneys, lemon but-

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· · ·

ter, cordial, and more cakes, biscuits and other yummy sweet things knitted/crocheted baby clothes, jumpers, scarves, rugs, beanies and toys aprons, book bags and more.

School hols: clay class Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre is hosting events during the school holidays for children.

The class ‘Clay Character & Nature Mobile’ will be running on Thursday 21 April to connect children with nature by creating a clay character.

The kids will then look for fallen nature to form into a hanging decoration.

Suitable for children aged 3-8 years, the class is free and all materials will be provided.

DETAILS Thursday 21st April 9:30am-10:30am Venue: Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre, 12/14 Anzac Ave, Yarra Glen 3775 Registration link: https://www.trybooking. com/BYEEN

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LENSCAPE

Woori open day, market On Saturday 2 April Woori Community House will be holding an Open Day and Twilight Market. The event will consist of market stalls, music, and Woori Community House class taster sessions.

The market will be held in the carpark at 1385 Healesville Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock, and local businesses and creatives with stalls will be trading from 3:30 to 6:30pm.

To submit a stall holder application, enquire at info@wooricommhouse.org. au, or contact 5964 6857.

Desert Heart Exhibition in Warburton

Star Mail photographer Gary Sissons was surprised to capture a rare Helmeted Honeyeater in Yellingbo.

Coldstream Post Office Cnr Killara Road and Maroondah Highway Coldstream Supermarket Cnr Killara Road and Maroondah Highway Coldstream Roadrunners Roadhouse Cafe 629 Maroondah Highway Healesville Real Estate Yarra Valley 299 Maroondah Highway Healesville BP Ultimate 66 Maroondah Highway Healesville McKenzie's Tourist Services 13 Old Lilydale Road Healesville Newsagent 195 Maroondah Highway Healesville IGA Supermarket 199 Maroondah Highway Healesville SW Hollis Butcher 209 Maroondah Highway Healesville Sanctuary House Resort Motel 326 Badger Creek Road Healesville Shell Service Station Cnr Harker Street and Maroondah Highway Healesville Coles Supermarket 251 Maroondah Highway Healesville Caltex 370 Maroondah Highway Healesville First National/Mark Gunther 189 Maroondah Highway Healesville Beechworth Bakery 316 Maroondah Highway Launching Place Charlie's Milk Bar 2 Centella Place Launching Place General Store 2200 Warburton Highway Launching Place Caltex Log Cabin Service Station 2000 Warburton Highway Lilydale Shell Service Station 469 Maroondah Highway Lilydale United Petrol Service Station 473 Maroondah Highway

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Lilydale 7-Eleven Lilydale Cnr Maroondah Highway 7 Cave Hill Road Lilydale Lilydale Village News Agents Lilydale Village Lilydale Coles Supermarket Lilydale Village Lilydale Lilydale Village Lilydale Village Lilydale Lilydale Aged Care 475 Swansea Road Lilydale BP Service Station 87 Warburton Highway Lilydale Eastern Laundries 2/4 Williams Street East Millgrove Newsagency Shop 5/ 3043 Warburton Highway Millgrove Millgrove Licensed Grocers 3039 Warburton Highway Millgrove Millgrove Village Bakery 4/3039 Warburton Highway Seville Woolworths Seville 568 Warburton Highway Seville Woolworths Caltex Service Station 568 Warburton Highway Seville Post Office 634-638 Warburton Highway Wandin North Fast Fuel Wandin 389-391 Warburton Highway Wandin North IGA X-Press Wandin North Plus Liquor 388 Warburton Highway Wandin North Landmark Harcourts Wandin Real Estate 1/362 Warburton Highway Wandin North Wandin Newsagency Shop 18/2 Union Road Warburton IGA Supermarket 3465 Warburton Highway Warburton K G Thomas Ply Ltd Insurance 1/3395 Warburton Highway Warburton The Valley Bakery Warburton 3415 Warburton Highway

The Warburton Water Wheel is hosting a Desert Heart Exhibition from Thursday 24 March to Tuesday 12 April. Open from 10am to 5pm for the Open Studios weekend from Saturday 26- Sunday 27 March, the exhibition features the photography of Richard Timbury and ceramics by Sam McCarthy.

The artists themselves will be present over the Open Studios weekend, and visitors can speak with them about the exhibition. The gallery of works looks to encompass Australian desert landscapes.

Warburton Shell Service Station 3458 Warburton Highway Warburton Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 3371 Warburton Highway Warburton Bell Real Estate 3407 Warburton Highway Wesburn Local Fuel 2835 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Foodworks Woori Yellock 1/1585 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Newsagency & Tattslotto Shop 4/ 1585 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Hillcrest Little Store Great Food 1745 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Shell Service Station Foodies 1700 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Australia Post LPO Shop 11 / 1585 Warburton Highway, The Centre Yarra Glen Ritchies IGA Shop 1/38 Bell Street Yarra Glen Caltex Petrol Station 66 Bell Street Yarra Glen Newsagent 32 Bell Street Yarra Glen United Garage 6 Bell Street Yarra Junction Woolworths Supermarket 82-84 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Bottle O 2440 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Bell Real Estate 2457 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Newsagency 2454 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 2460 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Yarra Junction Community Link 2442-2444 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Gladysdale Bakehouse 2568 Warburton Hwy Yellingbo Central Store 1942 Healesville-Kooweerup Road

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 074

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

5 3 8

6 9

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

medium

2 8

8 3 7 9 2 4 3

4 6 9

QUICK CROSSWORD 2 3

ACROSS Conclude (3,2) Aquatic home (9) Chocolate tree (5) Artifice (9) Animal that gives birth to live young (6) One who exaggerates a danger (8) Teaching tool (10) Exclamation of surprise (3) Born (3) Extremely angry (10) Reveres (8) Fisher (6) Backtracking (9) Yens (5) Self-indulgence (9) 10th US president, John — (5)

1 4 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 19 23 24 26 27 28 29

4 5 6 7 8 13 16 18 19 20 21 22 25

No. 074

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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”.

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Today’s Aim: 16 words: Good 24 words: Very good 33 words: Excellent

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4 LETTERS CAMP EARL GEED KISS KNIT OWNS PAST RAGS SAGS SWAP TENT USED WAYS WRAP

5 LETTERS ABORT ALLOT AMISS APART ARENA ASIDE AVAIL BACKS CASTE COLIC CRANE DRAWN DRIPS EDGED EERIE ENTRY ERASE FAUNA FETID GAMUT

No. 074

GEARS GENIE GLARE HANDY HASTE HEDGE KORAN LURED MARIA MEATS PLEAS PRISM RAFTS SCARF SEWER SHARP SIREN SLEET STAIR STEER STEPS

SWEPT TAMES TEENS TIRES USING WAFTS WHENS WHIRR YOURE 6 LETTERS NEEDLE PSEUDO REHASH RESIDE

7 LETTERS FLASHER LEAFIER MAIMING MONGREL RINSING WARFARE 8 LETTERS APPEARED INTEREST TOMORROW TORTILLA

adieu, adult, altitude, alum, amulet, audit, auld, datum, dilute, dual, duel, duet, etui, ileum, latitude, laud, lieu, lute, maul, mauled, mule, mutate, mutated, mute, muted, mutilate, MUTILATED, mutt, taut, tedium, tumid, ultimate, utile

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WORDFIT

01-04-22

This week’s crossword proudly sponsored by

The Heritage Family

HERITAGE & HERITAGE FUNERALS Lilydale 9739 7799 Healesville 5962 1600 HERITAGE PIONEERS CHAPEL 1414 Healesville/Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock 5964 6500 Head Office: 733 Boronia Road, Wantirna 9800 3000 info@ heritagefunerals.com.au www.heritagefunerals.com.au 1157336-CB40-14

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MAIL 21

SOUNDS OF NATURE NESTLED at the end of a private driveway, this character 3-bedroom home awaits. Upon your arrival you are greeted by an orchestra of birdlife and native wildlife, all set on approx. 3 stunning acres of Australian bushland.

Walking through the front door you are greeted to an abundance of natural light, high cathedral ceilings, wood fire to keep things warm throughout the winter and evaporative cooling for the summer. The master bedroom features a stylish ensuite and WIR, while the remaining 2 bedrooms are quite spacious, with BIR’s to both and are serviced by a beautiful family bathroom.

Showcasing Hybrid timber floors in the dining area which flow through into a well-equipped modern kitchen, featuring Caesarstone bench tops, glass splashbacks and quality fittings.

Walking out from the dining area onto the huge undercover entertaining deck, where you can sit, relax and listen to the creek that flows through the property or entertain your family & friends.

Completing this package is a double carport plus an additional barn style garage with concrete floor and power. This property is a great place where you can enjoy the privacy you have been searching for. Only with an inspection, can you truly appreciate this property. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 67 Deering Ave, BADGER CREEK Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 6 garage Price: $1,000,000 to $1,100,000 Contact: Gary Lucas, 0407 595 113, gary@markgunther.com.au, MARK GUNTHER FIRST NATIONAL, 5962 3030

22 MAIL

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HOME FOCUS

Auction April 9 at 1pm

3 Nigel Court, Badger Creek

Very Peri is a bold and rich combination of red and purple.

Pictures: COVET HOUSE

COLOUR OF THE YEAR

BY ELLE CECIL PANTONE’S 2022 Colour of the Year has recently been announced: Pantone 173938, a lively blend of red and blue, also known as Very Peri. A rich purple, Very Peri’s “courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity,” according to Pantone.

“As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted and beloved blue family, encompassing the qualities of the blues,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute.

“At the same time, with its violet red undertone, Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions.”

The Pantone Colour Institute highlights the best seasonal colours, forecasts colour trends around the world, advises companies on colours best suited to products and branding, and ultimately decides on its Colour of the Year after heavy deliberations.

Spacious family living * 4,044m2 allotment, fully fenced Pantone’s Colour of the Year has been announced as Very Peri.

Requiring thorough consideration and analysis of top trends and fashions, Pantone’s expert judges have been scouring the world for 23 years to decide on the Colour of the Year. Finding beautiful colours in weird and wonderful places, Pantone influences the development of businesses, branding and products.

For more information on the Colour of the Year and the Pantone Colour Institute, visit www.pantone.com. ●

Seville East

$750,000 - $820,000

* Large family home, large living areas * Ample car accommodation * Quiet no though road location * Close proximity to schools and public transport

3 2 5 4 Inspection Open Homes realestateyv.com.au

Stuart Aldridge

299 Maroondah Highway Healesville

0402 464 511

12541133-AV12-22

24 Cairncroft Avenue Launching Place

Spread Out & Enjoy

Family living, half an acre and a pool!

Located on a huge 1825 square metre block of land this home boasts 3 or 4 bedrooms depending on your needs.

Offering a rural backdrop, the yard has room for all the toys, kids & pets. A spacious driveway leads to a huge garage which will be the envy of all tradies. A timber kitchen overlooks the light filled living room offering low maintenance hybrid flooring & r/c air conditioner. All bedrooms have robes and the downstairs rumpus room could become an awesome master bedroom if required. Outside you have loads of covered entertaining area all ready for you to enjoy all year round. Something for everyone here, call Tony 0419 870 513 to inspect.

Family home set privately on this half acre (approx.) allotment with lots of parking, shedding and outdoor entertaining with a super the inground pool. Inside the home 3 bedrooms and the master having the luxury of an ensuite. The large living brings everyone together and from here there is convenient access to the pool area. The living continues with a rumpus room that could be perfect as another bedroom, large work from home space or just allow the kids to have their own kiddie zone. The kitchen is a fantastic space with plenty of cupboards, bench space, dish washer and even room for the dining table. Great family home which is close to schools, public transport, walking tracks.

Contact: Tony Fanfulla 0419 870 513 Inspection: By Appointment

Contact: Rebecca Doolan 0401 832 068 Inspection: Sat 1-1.30pm (Photo ID Required)

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

5966 2530

3407 Warburton Hwy, Warburton

$840,000 - $870,000

5967 1277

2457 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

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BLINDS & SECURITY DOORS

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1202250-KC42-15

Healesville Blinds

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Proprietor ProprietorChris ChrisBurley Burley

5962 4060 0409 889 507 0409 889 507

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Ricky Prest: yr.landscaping@hotmail.com

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C1074785-KK7-13

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Jake Harris 0402 913 197 Email: info@harrisandcopainting.com.au www.harrisandcopainting.com.au

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BER KELLY฀฀฀’฀S฀฀฀F฀ ENCIN฀฀฀G฀ ฀฀฀&฀ T฀IM

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STEVENS GLASS

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Showroom open Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm (8 - 12 Saturdays)

• Household & Shopfront Glass Repairs • Insurance Work • Commercial & Domestic Glazing • Mirrors

• Frameless/Semi-frameless shower screens • Frameless balustrading • Splashbacks • Cut to size while you wait

Phone: 9726 6488

Carpenter

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Jason 1300 644 698

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Boxes and packaging material for sale Local, country and metro All Household Maintenance Available

Phone Dean 5962 1090 Mobile: 0412 086 471

Call your local Glass Supplier Ph/Fax: 5962 2888 Mobile: 0418 102 370 Prop. DAVID DUNCAN 24HRS - 7DAYS 16 HUNTER ROAD, HEALESVILLE All major credit cards accepted

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TERMITE CONTROL SPECIALIST

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

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1129931-RC16-14

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RIDGELINE GLASS & GLAZING • Domestic/Commercial Glazing/Repairs • Manufacture of Frameless/Semiframeless & Fully Framed Shower Screens • Double Glazing & Laminated Glass • Glass cut to size - Pick up or Delivery • Insurance Work Handled • Free Quotes or just some advice • New Colours and Styles in Splashbacks • Qualified Tradesman

12345326-PB14-17

J.L. Hutt Electrical

12438941-CG04-20

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12368209-HM42-17

*BO 3PCFSUT

C1084033-JO31-13

section of Network Classifieds.

0408 538 121

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2214155v11

Employment

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1118763-RC07-14

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1194040-KC32-15

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12409424-CG04-19

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12358958-PB30-17

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0488 097 005

12454729-SG29-20

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Trades & Services

Announcements

Ph: 0400 627 644

V Deaths

Pensioner discounts available

THOMP, Theresia Adriana Elizabeth

Contactless Quotes & Services Available!

UÊ/ÀiiÊ- >« }Ê UÊ i`} } UÊ-ÌÕ «Ê,i Û> UÊ Õ ÞÊ+Õ> wi`Ê « Þi` UÊ Õ ÞÊ ÃÕÀi`ÊUÊ ÀiiÊ+Õ Ìià GIPPSLAND UÊ ««Ã > `Ê V> Êv À UÊ/ÀiiÊ,i Û> ÊUÊ/ÀiiÊ*ÀÕ } ÊÊÊ ÛiÀÊÓÇÊÞi>ÀÃ

Contact us 1300 301 678 ÜÜÜ°ÌÀii >Ã °V °>Õ Leak detection & repair Valleys replaced Pensioner discount

T. White Tree Removal

Rebedding & pointing Skylight resealing Written guarantee

Call Chris 0412 099 142 23 years in roofing leaks

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Employment

V Positions Vacant

Casual/Part Time Cook Ferngully Lodge is seeking a casual/part time cook to join our Kitchen staff.

Full job description available on request.

Hours are from Monday to Friday 9.00am to 3.00pm with some weekends. Days vary depending on time of the year.

Applicants must be able to work in a team environment and adapt to change.

Working with children card essential and level 1 food handling certificate.

Please email your resume and application to: admin@ferngullylodge.com.au

Formerly of Yarra Junction.

Late of Neerim.

17.12.1923 – 19.03.2022 Aged 98 years.

Loving wife of John (dec.).

Much loved mother of Peter, Erwin, Leon, Betty and Ingrid (dec.).

Loved Oma to many.

A happy life well lived.

Mum you will be sadly missed.

12542370-AV13-22

Over 20 years experience in all aspects of Roof Tiling.

• Roofing Repairs • Leak Detection • Re-Bed and Point • Roof Restoration • Re-Roofs • Extensions Call Ross now for a no Obligation free quote.

Personalised and Professional Service Guaranteed

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12449547-FA21-20

C1047556-KG35-12

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Truck Driver/ Yardsman

Ph Tim 0435 543 096

section of Network Classifieds.

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.

5962 4841

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9735 3700

Mobile 0419 131 958 SERVICING ALL AREAS BOB WALLACE AND SONS

FIREWOOD

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Split & Dry Undercover Redgum and Bushwood Redgum pickup or delivery Weights and measures approved.

Provider of work cover and human services Credit card available LumbaJack

Sell it local

12492429-HC18-21

• Septic Tanks • Treatment Plants • Grease Traps • EPA Licence • Portable Toilets

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Call our helpful classified team between 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri for FREE advice!

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO LEASE

on gt lin el W

Pis tol Clu bB rea k

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.

V Pets & Services

CAMPER TRAILER As is.

Where is. Good tyres. $500ono. 40 Graceburn Ave Healesville. 5962 1389.

RED E TRIKE. As new. $1000 or nearest offer.

Phone: 5962 1389 V Massage Therapists ADVERTISERS in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

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

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

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

Employment V Medical/Nursing

ad Ro

LILYDALE PINEHILL CARAVAN PARK HANDYMAN on gt lin el W

Full time - Grounds Person - Lilydale Immediate start.

Manual car licence required.

Experience in Handyman / Grounds maintenance/ Gardening / Cleaning.

ad Ro

Email resume to: admin@wescombegroup.com.au

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.

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.

Call or visit us online! networkclassifieds.com.au

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

12423634-SN31-19

General Notices

12521726-SG46-21

V Professional

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL 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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Any person making a submission may request in the submission that they wish to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.

Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer and sent to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to the following address:

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.

Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer

www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

mailcommunity.com.au

MV1629 12542613-SN13-22

Public Submission The Chief Executive Officer PO Box 105 Lilydale VIC 3140

Buy & Sell in the

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CALL: 1300 666 808 Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 25

SPORT

Warburton Bowls Club report.

Picture: ON FILE

Pensioners snatch title

By Garry Lewis Jasmine puts her boot into this kick. 273981

Reece takes a specky on Connor. 273981

Getting schools back into footy

By Callum Ludwig Millwarra Primary School has welcomed AFL Victoria to both campuses to kick off their two week footy clinic program.

Game Development Officer at AFL Victoria Cooper Chesney said kids are loving the program, while also reconnecting them with the game.

“They have a lot of fun just getting out there having a kick. I think they like being able to run around and play sport and all the friendships and mates you make when you play sport,” he said.

“It’s been pretty important to get kids engaged with playing sport again after Covid, and create pathways for them to get involved with local sports like footy.”

Millwarra Primary School has been busy trying to encourage kids to get active and participate in local sport after Covid, having previously taken students kayaking at Lilydale Lake with the help of Olympians and reached out to the local tennis club to organise clinics at the school.

Principal Rod Barnard said sports clinics and opportunities are really important for keeping students interested in sports.

“Unless they’ve got real interest when they go into secondary school, kids often have less willingness to get into those activities,” he said.

“Some kids are better team sports, others at individual sports, they’ve got to find their niche and find out what’s the best for them.”

Mr Branard has been involved with the Warburton-Millgrove Football Netball Club for over 15 years and has been the president of the club for the last five.

AFL Victoria Game Development Officer Cooper Chesney talks through kicking the footy with Kayla and Jasmine.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS He said it’s important to do something positive about getting kids involved and encouraging them to try something new.

“We know that even just getting kids back involved in the school has been an effort. Kids have become comfortable being at home,” he said.

“I love to see kids taking a risk to get out of their comfort zone and do things that they really want to do. We want to be sure they get a

good balance in life.”

AFL Victoria has also recently been hosting a Footy For Fun program targeted at getting girls into footy and encouraging them to join up with their local club in order to continue the development of the rapidly-growing women’s game.

The two-week-long programs are free for schools, organised by the schools after contacting AFL Victoria.

All the results from Warburton Golf Club

By Ron Hottes Wednesday 23 March Stableford: Sorry, Mario, it wasn’t another PAR event.

You had to put up with a Stableford round, and somebody who put up with that better than anyone else in the field, was our newlyappointed and popular Captain, Ray-Gilmore. “Happy” accrued a solid 37 points to grab the daily voucher - fine work, Captain.

The runner up position was filled by Ian “Junior” Garside, with a creditable 36 points - well done, Garsy. Balls actually extended all the way down to 31.

There were only 4 NTP winners as the challenging 15th hole remained unchallenged again. Merilyn-McDonald snared the third, Mario De Vincentis the fifth, Hatty scored on the nineth and Shaggy-Kempton 26 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

took out the prize for the 12th.

Twilight: In the final home and away round before this week’s Shootout, 15 players were vying for a coveted spot in the Top-Ten. One of those not in the running for one of the topten positions, Sam-Dennis, was still pleased to walk away with the number one voucher, with an impressive-21 points. He still only won that prize in a tight count back, because Peter-Fox also scored 21 points. This assured Foxy of a definite spot in the Top-Ten. Balls went down to 18 only, NTP winners were Sam-Dennis, (1st), the incomparable KimKennedy, (3rd) and to Jim-Stewart, (9th).

The final 10 qualifiers were in order, Jeff and Andy-Gill, Jason and Sean-Kennedy, Peter and Danny-Fox, Paul-Osbourn, NeilLeckenby, Wayne-Kempton, David-Hatt and

Simon-Spenceley. There was a “dead-set” draw for 10th position between David and Simon, so the Match-Committee decided to play the shootout with 11 starters. A full report on the Shootout will be in next week’s edition, good luck to all starters.

Saturday 26 March Stableford: Lee-Creedy had a good day, recording an impressive 38 points to take home the A-Grade voucher. Glen-Patrick had 36 points, which was good enough to earn him the B-Grade prize (his playing partner, brother Steve, reckons his handicap of 27 is way too generous). New President Nursey grabbed the runner up voucher, also with a 36. (Bagel will be proud) Balls extended to 32! NTP’s were won by Wayne-Kempton, (3rd), ex-Captain Cross, (5th), Trevor-Porter, (9th and 12th) and to Bruno-Kennedy, (15th).

The Wednesday Night Barefoot Bowls Triples Competition concluded last Wednesday with all teams participating in an exciting finals series. Several close games occurred throughout the sudden death knockout series.

The Top 8 overall winner were the ‘Pensioners’ who defeated a valiant ‘Burra Boys’ team in the Grand Final.

The Bottom 4 overall winner was the ‘Sheep Assist’ team who defeated the ‘Bowls to the Walls’ team in the Grand Final.

Thank you to all the teams who participated in the competition as the club looks forward to a full season commencing later in the year!

The Club is extremely proud of the efforts of the ‘odd couple’, Adam Donohue and Rod ‘Bear’ McKail who were runner-up to the Croydon combination of Zac Woning and Ryan Drummond in the Eastern Region Men’s Pairs Championship Final on Sunday at Mitcham.

They performed admirably and fought the game out well against very talented opposition.

New players, including beginners snf experienced, are always welcome to join this small but progressive club. Social Bowls continues to be played every Monday from 12 midday. All welcome!

That’s a wrap for Eagles

By Ian McGregor The Pennant season is over for Yarra Junction Bowling Club and despite a difficult start to the season, when we were sometimes unable to field a full side due to Covid problems, the 2021-22 season can be considered a successful one.

The Eagles fielded three Pennant sides and all finished the season strongly to win places in the finals. On-field success, increasing membership and enthusiasm around the club all bode well for an exciting 2022-23 season.

Yarra Junction Bowling Club singles championships have now been played and congratulations are due to Ladies’ champion Fida Rees and runner-up Elly Byrne, and to Mens’ champion Adrian Holmes and runner-up Brian Luckhurst.

This Friday (1 st April) sees the final Barefoot Bowls session for this season, and Yarra Junction Bowling Club would like to thank everyone that has joined us on Friday evenings since Christmas and made the evenings such fun.

The season has come to a close for Yarra Junction Bowls Club.

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