Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 29th March 2022

Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Upwey family publishes children’s book

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

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

Mail Historic tram rolls in to The Basin PAGE 7

A Star News Group Publication

PROPERTY GUIDE Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

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Blooming bulbs

Will and Christine from Hancock’s Daffodils.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

The owners of Hancock’s Daffodils will feature in the southern hemisphere’s largest horticultural event, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

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

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

Throughout September, Hancock’s Daffodils is open to the public, with a free display of what the farm has to offer.

Hancock’s Daffodils also sells directly to people through a catalog, while also having a stall featuring an honesty box outside their property.

“This year we’ve got lovely, clean bulbs. We’ve been working hard and cleaning up the bulbs so they look really nice,” Will Ashburner said.

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

Read more on page 11

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“I called my friends at Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary to see if they could come and help take her out. Jesse from Strong Hearts came immediately. I spoke with the farmer and he thankfully agreed to surrender her.

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mal Justice Foundation and an Animal Justice Party candidate, said she responded to reports from locals and visited the farm.

“I went there straight away and saw she was in a very poor condition needing urgent treatment,” she said.

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The death of an emancipated cow from a Cockatoo farm has raised questions from advocates as to whether there is enough protection for livestock within Victoria.

The cow — known as Strawberry — was discovered by the local Cockatoo community in poor condition and struggling to stand in a paddock.

Leah Folloni, a volunteer for Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary, board member of the Ani-

FERNTREE GULLY 9758 9288 1158 Burwood Hwy (towards Belgrave)

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By Parker McKenzie

NEWS

Donation drive for floods

By Parker McKenzie A Melbourne-based charity has partnered with Officeworks to help supply free books for children impacted by the floods in New South Wales and Queensland.

123Read2Me founder Melinda Shelley said the charity has 10,000 books ready to ship to those who need them in Queensland and New South Wales.

“We reached out to Lismore library and they’re very excited to have the books because they can give them out for free, so the kids have them before they get their library systems up and running again.” she said.

17 Officeworks locations — including the Ferntree Gully store — will trial book donation boxes where locals can donate second hand books for those impacted by the floods.

Ms Shelley said Officeworks found her charity first and reached out to make the idea a reality.

“Our values and priorities align, it’s about children and empowering them through education,” she said.

“They see that they can actually help and support us in the work we’re doing. That means we can reach more children, because there’s three quarters of a million children living in poverty in Australia.”

123Read2Me provides children in low socioeconomic communities with free children’s books. These can be second-hand or new books purchased with monetary donations.

The total value of books donated to date is over $5 million.

Ms Shelley said the charity started in Frankston North, the third most disadvantaged community in Victoria.

“Every second child is vulnerable or weak and struggling to put food on the table. Children’s Books are a luxury and yet children grow out of their books, so we just started

123Read2Me founder Melinda Shelley with the donation box being trialed at Officeworks. collecting them,” she said.

“I started going to op shops and buying five books for two bucks, and then placed a free book box out in the front. Then we started having boxes outside fish and chip shops, kinders, childcare centres and schools because there are so many children who don’t have access to books.”

Other donation boxes are located at the Chil-

Picture: 123READ2ME

dren’s House of Early Learning in Boronia and Bendigo Community Bank in Ferntree Gully.

Ms Shelley said there are volunteering opportunities with 123Read2Me if people wish to help out in other ways.

“It’s a bit of a hike from Ferntree Gully but our temporary warehouse is in Heatherton, people can come on Thursdays or Saturdays to volunteer and kids are welcome to come

and help sort books,” “One of our big problems is finding a permanent home. We need a 500 to 600 square metre warehouse, so if anyone’s got one empty sitting around and you want to be the hero, we’d certainly love to talk to you.”

People interested in volunteering or anyone seeking further information can visit https://123read2me.org.au

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

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

Until 8.30pm 1 Apr

Camberwell to Box Hill

From 8.30pm 1 Apr to 3 Apr

Camberwell to Ringwood

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

Closed at the level crossing

Union Road, Surrey Hills

Until 6am 4 Apr

Closed at the level crossing

Monash Freeway

In Mar and Apr

Lanes and ramps closed between Warrigal Road and EastLink

From Apr to late May

Freeway closed between Warrigal Road and EastLink

Princes Freeway

Nights in Mar and Apr

Freeway closed between Princes Highway and Cardinia Road

Bulleen Road, Bulleen

From Apr to late May

Lanes closed between Greenaway Street and the Eastern Freeway

Thompsons Road, Bulleen

From Apr to late May

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

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Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert

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

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

Upgrades needed

By Parker McKenzie Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling is asking the State Government to install traffic lights and upgrade the Burwood Highway and McMahons Road intersection in Ferntree Gully, regardless of the result of the next state election.

On Friday 18 March, The Victorian Liberal Party committed to upgrading and signalising the intersection if elected in the November state election. They previously made the same commitment in 2018.

Leader of the Opposition Matthew Guy said the intersection upgrade would ensure local people using it would remain safe.

“Today’s commitment to install traffic lights at the Burwood Highway and McMahons Road-Clyde Street intersection will deliver safer roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in Ferntree Gully,” Mr Guy said.

“Only the Liberals and Nationals will keep local communities safe by making the right investments in our road networks.”

Mr Wakeling, who has raised the issue 41 times in parliament, said the State Government should commit to the upgrades regardless of the result of the November election and start the project before November.

“My constituents have asked if the Andrews Government will follow the lead of Liberal Party by finally listening to their needs and committing funding in this year’s state budget,” Mr Wakeling said.

“Residents have waited too long to this. We want the government to follow our lead and commit to fixing this issue.”

Mr Wakeling’s electorate of Ferntree Gully is being abolished at the next federal election, with parts of the suburb — including the in-

Liberal Leader Matthew Guy and Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling reiterated their commitment to upgrading the intersection if they form government in November.

Picture: SUPPLIED tersection at the centre of the commitment — being absorbed into the Bayswater electorate.

Current Bayswater Labor MP Jackson Taylor said his campaign to deliver traffic lights at the intersection has received hundreds of signatures so far.

“It’s clear locals are over the talk fest and empty promises by others,” Mr Taylor said.

“They want action and my petition will be directly presented to the Minister to show the depth of support from locals.”

The Victorian state election will be held on 26 November 2022. With the changes to electoral boundaries, Mr Wakeling may run in the Bayswater seat currently held by Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor said if the commitment by the Liberal Party was “yet another promise based

on the outcome of an election.”

“I am absolutely committed to making sure with community support, with their voice, that we will get this done,” he said.

“Others have promised this for many years and no action. Zero. As the Labor Member for Bayswater and member of the State Government, I’ve been out listening to locals across the community around their concerns at this intersection and it’s clear, they want to see it get done.”

Mr Wakeling said the State Government shouldn’t wait until the election to ensure the lights are installed as soon as possible.

“They should just come out now, like we announced, and say we’re going to match it and we’re going to build it.” Mr Wakeling said.

Death of cow raises welfare concerns From page 1 The cow was transported in a float to the Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary headquarters, where “thousands of maggots were also found in her mouth as a result of prolonged and laboured breathing through her mouth.”

Ms Folloni said they knew the prognosis was slim.

“She was immediately given the strongest antibiotics possible, strong pain medication, IV fluids, an oxygen concentrator and rugged up,” she said.

“Unfortunately her body was too far gone, and she later had to be put to sleep.”

Jesse Rogers from Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary said there are countless other stories like Strawberry the cow.

“If you have an animal that needs help that you are unable to provide, as a rescue we are not here to judge you and we are always grateful when you contact us sooner than later so we can actually give them a fighting chance. We are always here to help,” she said.

“Every one of the animals that were

Volunteers from Strong Hearts Animal Sanctuary with Strawberry the cow.

Picture: SUPPLIED brought to our attention and saved was thanks to concerned members if the public, so please, if you see something, say something.”

Animals farmed for food are currently exempt from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and are instead only covered by industry codes of practice.

Ms Folloni said there have been numerous recent incidents involving farm animals, with cows becoming stuck in the mud and unable to move for so long they had to be put down, starved calves unable to survive even with treatment and sheep dying with respiratory issues.

“If you come across an animal who needs help, make sure you document everything with videos and photos and report it immediately to your local council, DWELP, or a rescue group may be able to get in contact with the owner and get the animal the help they need,” she said.

“We are constantly frustrated by the continued lack of action by authorities and would really like to see an independent office developed to investigate cruelty and have more power to prosecute.”

RSPCA Victoria was contacted for comment.

Fire Danger Period lifting The Fire Danger Period for Knox City Council and Yarra Ranges Council will be lifted as of 1am Monday 4 April 2022.

Cardinia Shire Council lifted its Fire Danger Period on Monday 28 March.

If you burn off after the conclusion of the Fire Danger Period, you should 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.

Multiple offenses A 30-year-old man was stopped while driving on a suspended license on Burwood Highway in Knoxfield.

Police said checks revealed he was previously stopped for driving while banned on two other occasions in the past three months.

His work vehicle was immediately impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1325, meaning he has now lost his own vehicle on two occasions and a vehicle belonging to someone else.

The man will appear before the magistrate.

Boronia drug drivers In a single shift on Monday 21 March, Highway Patrol Members stopped multiple drug drivers, including two from Boronia.

At 5.13pm, a 37-year-old man was stopped by police and tested positive for drugs. He received a $545 penalty notice and a six-month loss of license.

At 7.34pm, a 28-year-old man also tested positive for drugs and received a $545 and a six-month loss of license.

Road resealing Cardinia Shire Council has announced works will begin to seal Station road, Heroes Avenue and Anzac Street in Gembrook as a part of the Better Local Roads Sealing the Hills program.

The program will seal close to 110 kilometres across 16 unsealed roads throughout Cardinia Shire over the next eight years.

The works will include the construction of pavements, kerb channels, and traffic calming devices, drainage works, signage and line marking.

The program is funded through $150 million from the Australia Government’s sealing roads in the Dandenong Ranges and surrounds program and co-funded by Cardinia Shire Council in partnership with landowners through a special charge scheme.

The works are expected to be completed by the middle of 2022. Station Street and Innes Road in Gembrook will also be sealed, but are being tendered separately with works are expected to commence by mid-2022.

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NEWS

Kids book a family effort

By Parker McKenzie A young author from Upwey has published her first book with the help of her grandmother, with a launch event in Ferntree Gully commemorating the occasion.

Judy Rankin and her 15-year-old granddaughter Shayla Gray have written the children’s fantasy book The Land of Giant Pineapples, inspired by the local area and their own family.

Ms Rankin and Ms Gray said behind the fantasy setting, the book explores community issues.

“The things behind it are about reconciliation and environmental issues, but I like to think it’s a book that can be read for fun,” Ms Rankin said.

“You don’t have to worry about all the deeper meanings behind it but they’re there.”

“Kids whatever age could read it and see as a fantasy book, and then when they’re older and understand the true meaning is kind of teaching them while they are still young about big issues.” Ms Gray said.

The book focuses on an 11-year-old girl whose sister Willow goes missing after noticing something strange happening at a nearby pineapple plantation. While searching for her, she discovers an Aboriginal wizard living in an abandoned house.

“The main character was named after me and Willows is my sister’s name,” Ms Gray said.

“In reality, she’s younger but in the book we made her older.”

The launch has been postponed for two

Judy Rankin and Shayla Gray will host a book launch for Land of the Giant Pineapples at Ferntree Gully Library. years because of Covid, however, with restrictions lifted the pair will finally be able to celebrate their efforts with friends and family.

Ms Rankin said she has published two previous books; however, this is her first children’s

book and the pair are looking forward to the book launch on Wednesday 30 March.

“The book launch for us is a bit of a celebration,” she said.

“The more people that are here to help us

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

celebrate the better. Have a bit of fun and not take ourselves too seriously.”

The book launch will be held at 4pm at Ferntree Gully Library, located at 1010 Burwood Highway.

Big cheers for Casey volunteer award recipients

By Parker McKenzie

Picture: ON FILE

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Jill D’A’Vard with current Monbulk Historical Society president Armin Richter.

Tony Smith has named his final Casey Volunteer and Community Awards recipients for 2022, with CFA brigades and a former president of the Monbulk Historical Society rewarded for their community work.

Casey MP Tony Smith, who is retiring from politics following the 2022 federal election, said he’s had the privilege of recognising nearly 300 individuals and 50 local groups with awards 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.

Jill A’Vard received a Casey Volunteer and Community Award for her work with Monbulk Historical Society.

Ms A’Vard said she was ecstatic after be-

ing nominated by the Society and winning the award.

“I’ve been part of the Monbulk community for a long time and I have been on lots of committees,” she said.

“I just love the history of Monbulk, so that’s why the Monbulk Historical Society has been a big part of my life since I joined in 1989.”

CFA brigades from Olinda, Sassafras and Ferny Creek and Kalorama-Mt Dandenong were also awarded Volunteer and Community Awards.

Mr Smith said he wishes the recipients all the best for their fantastic work for the remainder of 2022 and future years.

“Each year it is a privilege to be able to acknowledge volunteers and groups for their commitment and dedication to our local community,” he said.

“Their many thousands of hours of volunteering each year are so vital to our local community.”

The Star Mail is published by Paul Thomas for Star News Group Pty Ltd ABN 98 238 557 339. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For terms and conditions please visit www.mailcommunity.com.au Print Post Number PP33445700014.

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NEWS

Peri petition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picture: ON FILE ing and community group representatives.

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

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

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

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

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

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NEWS

Farewell Emerald’s Lorna

By Parker McKenzie When Lorna Dugmore passed away, she took a wealth of knowledge about Emerald with her.

Born in 1931, Mrs Dugmore was one of 360 people living in Emerald during the census the same year. Her father ran the first garage and taxi service in Emerald and she spent most of her life living in the township.

Her son Rodney Dugmore, who still lives in Emerald, said his mother lived in the township throughout the Second World War. “She’d been pretty vocal in the fact that a lot of history has been lost through development,” he said.

“She went to Emerald State School as I did, and sadly that was demolished with what mum saw as very little consultation with the public.”

For Lorna, life in Emerald was different from the way it is today. She would ride around in the side of her father’s motorbike without a helmet and even crashed into the bush, where she “Held her hand over her eye as it was bleeding heavily and not wanting to let go as she thought her eye would fall out” and dive off the top of the old tower at Emerald lake, until she nearly drowned and promised to never do it again.

Mr Dugmore said his mother saw the township change over the years in several different ways.

“The Puffing Billy was an integral part of transport and bringing freight and goods to Emerald,” he said.

“She would often get me to drive up there and look back at Emerald and say we used to think we could put a flying fox from dad’s garage across our property and the valley, “They used to have to navigate that at night with lanterns and on horseback; she found so many things had changed. She agreed development was good, but what price in terms of the community?”

Her son Rodney said she would be remembered as a community-minded person.

Lorna Dugmore worked pumping gas and as a recognised mobile hairdresser, and told her son about cooking rabbits and leaving a bowl on the table for the lead bullet used to hunt their dinner.

Mr Dugmore said Emerald’s history was being lost to time and he hopes for a greater focus on retaining information, buildings and items of historical significance.

“At the museum, there are photos of women in rowboats with their partners, rowing them around the lake at the Country Club,” he said.

“Like my mother, once it’s gone, it’s gone.

They tried to capture a little bit of that period and what people were doing in the 20s and 30s, trying to grow and develop Emerald, “At no time would they have even though they were going to lose the state school and the old fire station.”

Lorna was a garage sale enthusiast, a watercolor artist and often taught other locals how to spin wool from her sheep.

He said his mother would be remembered as a community-minded person, who helped the Emerald Museum with historical information, the local op shop and the women’s auxiliary church.

“That came from my grandmother as well, who was a life member down at the William Angliss hospital,” Mr Dugmore said.

“It’s fortunate and very pleasing for me that it was where she passed away, in the hospital that my grandmother spent so much time at and my mom was very much a supportive part of.”

Lorna Dugmore’s funeral took place on Friday 25 March.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

She lived in Emerald throughout the Second World War.

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NEWS

Ride and dine tram style

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

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

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

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

The W-class trams were in use in Melbourne between 1923 and 1956 and there are currently 13 still operating in Victoria. The one relocated to the Acorn Bar and Restaurant came from the Newport “tram graveyard”, before it was rescued.

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

“When you step into the train, it still has all

the original inside,” Mr Eastwood said.

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

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

Manager Lisa Clarke said the installation went well, aside from one minor incident.

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

“The plan is that we’re going to do it up and it’s going to be where people can eat. We’re looking at maybe November or December for opening it.”

A total of 752 W-class trams were built, with some being sent as far away as San Francisco and Copenhagen. The trams were slowly

The tram arrives at the Acorn Bar and Restaurant. phased out of use from the early 1990s. Mr Eastwood said he plans to attach an information board to help educate people about the history of the tram.

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

The W-class tram was built in 1944.

Pictures: LYNETTE HAYHURST

Cockatoo Film and Food Festival to connect community

By Parker McKenzie Connecting Cockatoo Communities will be holding a Food and Film Festival on 9 April to highlight and celebrate local foods.

Funded by Vic Health, the Cockatoo Food and Film Festival will have cooking demonstrations, nutrition presentations, children’s entertainment and a movie screening to educate locals about healthy eating practices that are practical and budget-friendly. A Connecting Cockatoo spokeswoman said the festival is being held to bring people together and reconnect them with local food networks.

“It’s very exciting to be able to shine a light on Cockatoo as well,” she said.

“Fingers crossed, we’re hoping for really nice weather for our outdoor movie. If there is wet weather we will have to move into the pavilion, but it will go ahead.”

The event will run from 3pm until 9pm will at the Mountain Road Recreation Reserve in Cockatoo, with a movie screening of Ratatouille at 6.45pm.

Meal boxes from Cockatoo IGA and grazing boxes from the Chieftans can be pre-ordered for the event, or otherwise, attendees can buy

food from local food trucks in attendance.

Local businesses like orchards and nurseries, expert academics and practitioners from Monash University and the Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food will be present at the festival.

The spokeswoman said entry to the event is free and will feature children’s entertainment such as a jumping castle and balloon animals for a gold coin donation.

“There’s been a lot of excitement throughout the community and a lot of local businesses have jumped on board,” she said.

“Everyone’s keen and asking already is this going to become a yearly thing?

“A huge thanks to our sponsors Casey Cardina Library, Key Permaculture, Cockatoo IGA, St Luke’s and Aligned Leisure and of course Vic Health for funding this event.”

While the event is free, attendees are required to reserve a ticket for free at www. cockatoosfoodandfilmfest.eventbrite.com.

More information and timetables for events and entertainment can be found on the Cockatoo Food and Film Fest Facebook event page.

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

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

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

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

12540809-JW13-22

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

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

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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NEWS

Beauty with a purpose

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I would really like to embrace the oppor-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picture: JAKE U PHOTOGRAPHY

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

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

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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 8 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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OPINION

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

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

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

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

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

Telecommunications – calling for improve-

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Jim Child

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

·

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

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

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

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

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

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

CARTOON

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

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

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

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

Picture: AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’SLAUREATE FOUNDATION name a few.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Seth Lukas Hynes

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

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

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

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

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

Opening the second half was ‘Soldiers of

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X Marks The Spot

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 9

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NEWS

Breeding buds and bulbs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We are certainly an established business and well known for breeding daffodils and

The Ashburners with their stall outside the property, which features an honesty box. having a huge range. There’s not such a lot of people doing that sort of thing these days.”

Ms Ashburner said when you plant a bulb, they will be identical but you breed other varieties by cross pollinating flowers.

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

box outside their property.

“This year we’ve got lovely, clean bulbs.

We’ve been working hard and cleaning up the bulbs so they look really nice,” Will Ashburner said.

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

“We’ve got threats to the business too about suburbia encroaching upon us too, making it

Will Ashburner with some Nerine Fothergilli Majors. more difficult to farm,” Mr Ashburner noted.

“Look at how much traffic there is nowadays.”

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

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

Tesselaar Tulip Festival wins bronze at tourism awards

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tesselaar Tulip Festival won the gold award at the Victorian Tourism Awards.

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

Pictures: SUPPLIED

to customers across Victoria.

“Victorians developed a real love affair with our own backyard during COVID, from regional to metro destinations. Seeing these

destinations and businesses recognised on a national stage shows we’re not alone in this sentiment,” she said.

“We congratulate all our Gold, Silver, and

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

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

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

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

“It’s been very challenging with Covid time. It’s usually an annual award and competition, but they had to extend it over two years,” she said.

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

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

HENDERSON, WA

OUR FUTURE. MADE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD. Australia’s Defence Industries are talented Aussies and private businesses working together to supply our Defence Force.

At the same time, creating thousands of local jobs. To get involved, search Defence Industries Careers.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

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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 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

Farm visits in the Yarra Valley

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

• • • • • •

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

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

12542432-AI13-22

To find out more, visit economicplan.gov.au

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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 better but there’s also a sense of anxiety as restrictions ease.”

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 joint-agency visits were a proactive way to reduce deaths and injuries on farms.

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

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

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

“As restrictions are regularly changing, it’s important COVID-19 protocols on farms are updated to reflect the current health advice,” he said.

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

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

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

“A number of compliance issues were identified in the field and the Labour Hire Authority will continue our investigations into these,” said Mr Dargavel.

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

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

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

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“

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.

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NEWS

Stepping up for Oxfam

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We were living at Kalorama and my children went to kindergarten at Mount Dandenong Kindergarten. One of the mothers there said I’m turning 40 next year, let’s do something fun,” she said.

“This looks like fun; it’s a 100km thing. Let’s get a team together and we all thought it looked fabulous. Without knowing much about it, we just thought it would be a good idea and put

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

Since 1999, 93,000 Australians have contributed to raising more than $96 million to aid people in developing countries through Oxfam Trailwalker. Teams of four must complete the 100km walk in 48 hours and raise a minimum of $1600 per team.

Ms Friguglietti said the team was rapt with their performance.

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

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

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

Oxfam is a confederation of 21 independent charitable organisations around the world. The Trailwalker event has seen 250,000 people take part worldwide and has helped raise more than $190 million for their goal of alleviating global poverty.

Ms Friguglietti said this year’s Trailwalker will be her ninth in total, and the event has helped her learn to think about others instead of herself because of the focus on teamwork throughout the event. “Women overseas can walk 10 to 15km to a well, and that’s just to get a drink of water and some water for them to wash

Picture: SUPPLIED

their children in,” she said.

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

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

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

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

The event began in 1981 as a military training exercise.

If a disability worker does something that doesn’t feel right,

The Victorian Disability Worker Commission can deal with your concerns about a disability worker’s behaviour or quality of their work. Our complaints service is confidential, and we can take action if something isn’t right.

Because people with disability deserve to feel safe.

12542593-SN13-22

we’re here for you.

So if you have concerns about a disability worker, contact us.

• • •

Visit vdwc.vic.gov.au/complaints Call 1800 497 132 Mail us at: Level 20, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Through in-language interpreters

•

• •

Meet us face to face Via the National Relay Service, including for Auslan interpreters: call 1300 555 727 or SMS 0423 677 767

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

14 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

mailcommunity.com.au

SHOP LOCAL BELGRAVE

Serving with rustic charm

By Elle Cecil At Rustic Cafe in Belgrave, you’ll find great coffee, delicious cakes and treats, a vibrant menu, wonderful staff and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Soon to be celebrating its first birthday, Rustic Cafe has survived three lockdowns and is now flourishing in the face of adversity.

Driven by a passion for providing great food, delicious coffee and fantastic customer

service, the team takes pride in the community feel of the cafe and welcomes regular customers, many of whom are known by their name and their order, every day.

“Our service is unique as we offer a community cafe feel where strangers become friends, families’ children interact and everybody has a crack at the daily crossword,” says cafe owner and chef Matthew Collins.

Following its mantra of ‘elevated simplicity,’

the cafe staff is made up of a group of experienced and passionate hospitality professionals.

Matt has over 25 years of experience as a chef and loved designing the brunch menu to expose local produce and provide customers with the freshest, most delicious product possible.

Baristas Renee and Chloe are local girls with the magic touch, producing perfect coffee and

great banter with customers every time.

On-site treat creator Darlene produces the best home baked treats in the hills, bringing back classic treats from your youth with a fresh spin, including an apple rhubarb crumble, lemon slice and decadent chocolate brownie.

Rustic Cafe is located at 1652 Burwood Highway, Belgrave. For more information, search ‘Rustic Cafe Belgrave’ on Facebook.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 3pm.

Under New Management

Live Music Sundays Poker Night Mondays Trivia Nights

Dr John Gyorki Belgrave Surgi Centre Shop 1 / 1651 Burwood Hwy Belgrave

7pm – Late

Tuesday - Parma Night Wednesday - Cocktail Night Thursday - Steak Night

Enter via Ramp/Walkway toward the upper carpark

$15 $25

- Seniors Meals all week 12532669-SG07-22

Serving the community since 1986 General Practice: Specialising in • Offering Full Body Surgical Office Procedures: Skin Checks • Removal Of Skin Lesions • Health Assessment & Skin Cancers • Management Plans • Upper Eyelid Reduction • Practice Nurse • Vasectomy • Onsite Pathology • Nail Surgery Collection • Removal Of Benign Anal • Immunisations Conditions-Hemorrhoids/ Fissures/Fistulae NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

Live AFL Games

We use locally sourced produce to support local businesses.

Open 7 Days a week – for Lunch & Dinner 12pm – Late

BULK BILLING IS AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS WHO HAVE ESTABLISHED ON-GOING CARE AND HOLD A FULL PENSION OR VETERANS, AFFAIRS CARD ONLY

1645 Burwood Highway, Belgrave | 9754 2222

To book an appointment, call 9754 7555

Book your next event at the Belgrave Private Bistro Dining Room

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

|

12542455-DL13-22

12539406-AI13-22

3pm- 6pm

MAIL 15

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 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

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

Picture: ON FILE 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 elec-

tion 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.

SNIPPETS

With Knox City Council introducing changes that restrict cats to residents’ properties from 10 April, they are hosting an online information session with RSPCA animal behaviourist Jade Currie.

The session will give advice in regards to creating a comfortable environment for your cat, environmental enrichment activities for mental and physical stimulation, low-cost options to keep our cat entertained at home and addressing common behavioural problems encountered when cats adjust to a new routine.

ed

Publish

y

Tuesda

MAIL SNIPPETS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HILLS The session will be held on Tuesday 5 April from 7pm to 8pm. Residents can register to attend at www.rspcavictoria.weteachme.com/

classes/1040982-helping-cats-thrive-at-home Invitation to Sherbrooke U3A End of Term One Lunch and Guest Speaker.

Monday 4 April at Upwey Seniors Community Centre, 6 Mahony Street (in the car park behind Upwey shops). Bring a plate to share at 12 noon. Guest Speaker: Cheryl Adam, author of Out of Eden and Lillian’s Eden to launch her new book Africa’s Eden. All welcome.

Shaping the Yarra Ranges roadshow Yarra Ranges Council is hosting a series of pop-up community engagement sessions across several locations in the Yarra Ranges.

Community members are invited to come along to learn about and provide feedback on local Council projects.

These roadshow engagement sessions are also a great way to stay up to date on the latest news, upcoming events and opportunities.

The roadshow will be in Belgrave on 31 March 10.30am to 1pm at the Belgrave Library Community Room.

The RidgeWalk team will be providing information about ‘what’s next’ for the Ridgewalk project.

Members of the Economic Development team will also be in attendance.

Where to pick up a FREE printed copy of your...

AVONSLEIGH Avonsleigh News & General Store 445 Belgrave Gembrook Road BELGRAVE Belgrave Newsagency 1704 Burwood Highway BELGRAVE Woolworths Supermarket 1629 Burwood Highway BELGRAVE IGA 151 Belgrave-Hallam Road BELGRAVE Chandler & Co Real Estate 1689 Burwood Hwy BELGRAVE First National Real Estate 1 Bayview Road BELGRAVE SOUTH Belgrave South Motors 138 Belgrave-Hallam Rd BORONIA Boronia Mall Newsagent Corner Floriston Road & Chandler Road COCKATOO Ranges First National Shop 2, 24 McBride Street COCKATOO IGA Cockatoo 34 McBride Street EMERALD Kaye Charles RE 12a Kilvington Drive EMERALD Ritchies SUPA IGA 342 Belgrave-Gembrook Road EMERALD Emerald Village Newsagency 4 Kilvington Drive EMERALD Woolworths Supermarket Belgrave Gembrook Road EMERALD Auto Plus More Petrol Station 365 Main Street EMERALD Shell Service Station 336 Main Street EMERALD Barry Plant Real Estate 1/ 321 Main Street EMERALD Bell Real Estate 313 Main Street

FERNTREE GULLY Upper Ferntree Gully Newsagents, 1202 Burwood Highway FERNTREE GULLY Glenfern Road Milk Bar , 83 Glenfern Road FERNTREE GULLY Coles Supermarket Mountain Gate SC Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Woolworths Supermarket Mountain Gate SC Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Mountain Gate Newsagency & Lotto Mountain Gate SC 9b Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Ferntree Gully Authorized Newsagency Shp 2/69 Station Street FERNTREE GULLY Shell Service Station 1140 Burwood Highway FERNY CREEK Ferny Creek & Post Office 195 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road GEMBROOK Gembrook Post Office& Newsagent 72 Main Street GEMBROOK IGA Supermarket 83/85 Main Street KALLISTA Kallista Cellars 85 Monbulk Road KALLISTA Kallista Real Estate 76a Monbulk road KALORAMA Post Office 1209 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road MONBULK Best Repairs & Accessories Monbulk - 26 Main Road MONBULK Food Express 128 Main Road MONBULK Woolworths Supermarket Main Road & Moores Road

Mail

MONBULK Monbulk Newsagency & Officesmart 76 Main Street OLINDA Monbulk Bowling Club, 11 Moores Road OLINDA Olinda Cellars Shop 7/540 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road OLINDA Ranges at Olinda 5 Old Main Road OLINDA IGA Supermarket 1526 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road OLINDA Bell Real Estate 11 Main Road SASSAFRAS Sassafras General Store 391 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road SILVAN Shell Princi Motors, 275 - 277 Monbulk Road TECOMA BP Service Station 1524 Burwood Highway TECOMA Bon Ton General Store 1537 Burwood Highway TECOMA O’Brien Real Estate 1567 Burwood Highway TECOMA McDonald’s Restaurant 1529 Burwood Highway THE PATCH The Patch Store and Post office 16 The Patch Road TREMONT Caltex Service Station 100 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road UPWEY Newsagent 18 Main Street UPWEY IGA Supermarket 62-64 Main Street UPWEY Yarra Ranges Shire Council 40 Main Street

Get our Digital Editions, Free News Updates, Breaking News and Competitions delivered to your email inbox.

16 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

12542627-SG13-22

Cat information session with RSPCA behaviorist

mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Station works commence Construction has commenced to build an additional 470 car spaces at Belgrave Station, as part of the Victorian Government’s Car Parks for Commuters program.

Contracts have been awarded and work shortly commencing at Upper Ferntree Gully, with construction to be completed over the next year.

Belgrave Station’s existing car park will be closed throughout construction.

Commuters who usually park at Belgrave Station are advised to use a new car park constructed at Upwey high school, which is within walking distance to Upwey station.

Alongside car park works, Belgrave station’s revamp will include CCTV and lighting for safety, a public announcement system, 16 new accessible parking spaces and an undercover pick up and drop off area.

Monbulk MP James Merlino and Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll visited Belgrave Station and the temporary car park at Upwey high school to announce the start of construction.

“The new car park will considerably increase the parking available in Belgrave’s town centre, taking commuters off surrounding streets and making it much easier for shoppers, traders and visitors to find somewhere to park,” Merlino said.

“While there will be some disruption as these works are carried out, once the car parks are complete people driving to Belgrave, Yarraman, Upper Ferntree Gully, Nar Nar Goon and Drouin stations will find it much easier to con-

Monbulk MP James Merlino MP and Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll alongside VicTrack representatives and construction workers.

Picture: SUPPLIED nect to public transport and get to where they need to go.”

New secure Parkiteer bike storage facilities

will also be installed at Upper Ferntree Gully and Yarraman. The projects will also plant around 14,000 new trees, shrubs and grasses

across the four sites.

For more information on the Car Parks for Commuters program visit carparks.vic.gov.au

KNOW YOUR LOCAL TRADESPERSON

Light the way sustainably Specialising in renewable energy sources, MTCO Electrical is a family-owned and family-run electrical contracting company that has been proudly servicing Monbulk and surrounding areas in the renewable energy sector since 2010.

As well as providing solar systems for homes and businesses, MTCO Electrical can assist with solar battery storage, generator changeover switches, auto start generator systems and providing innovative solutions to counteract the ever-increasing power outage events around the area.

With staff passionate about renewable energy and ensuring a sustainable future for the planet, MTCO Electrical is not just about profit. Driven by bringing change to the world for a better future for their kids, the team is proud to offer solar energy as a great alternative to protect our Earth.

“We can’t simply keep digging resources out of the ground and lighting it on fire to make our power - it is not sustainable and it is pol-

luting our planet,” says Ewen Williams, owner of MTCO Electrical.

“The price of electricity is only going one direction and it certainly isn’t down. It is especially lucrative for businesses to consider loading their roof up with solar - they generally have a large roof footprint, allowing for a lot of panels… they also use most of their power during the day while the sun is out.”

“Combine these two factors with very high bills and they stand to save a lot of money while helping to contribute to the fight against global warming,” Ewen says.

MTCO Electrical takes care of all stages of a job, from design to installation, commissioning to after sales servicing. While most larger companies offer packages that best suit the company’s agenda by subcontracting each stage of the job, MTCO Electrical likes to get to know its customers and learn exactly how they use their power, and what the customer wants to achieve through their interaction with the business.

When you implement MTCO Electrical’s expert services, the entire job will be followed

MTCO Electrical

MTCO Electrical, located in Monbulk, offers friendly service and is always there to help. through from designing the layout and setup, installing the system, turning it on and then providing maintenance and servicing from the same friendly faces.

SPECIALIST IN GUTTER CLEANING

Specialist in Residential, Commercial, battery and off grid Solar Systems Local Business - Located in the Hills GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES AVAILABLE TO YOU NOW!

25yrs Experience

$1,400.00 OFF upfront cost of SOLAR SYSTEM $1,400.00 INTEREST FREE LOAN available $3,500.00 OFF Price of Battery $3,500.00 Rebate for small businesses

• Tiled roof repairs & leaks • Re-bed & Re-pointing of roofs

Energy Independence - Reduced power bills through solar, battery and generator back up

mailcommunity.com.au

Call Matt for your FREE no obligation quote or friendly advice.

12538901-SN13-22

Call: Ewen - 0474 070 178 for Friendly Advice or to book your FREE Energy Audit FAST & FREE – NO OBLIGATION TO BUY Email: info@mtcoelectrical.com

MTCO Electrical is located in Monbulk.

For more information, visit mtcoelectrical. com.au, email info@mtcoelectrical.com or phone 0474 070 178.

12540852-JC13-22

By Elle Cecil

0407 657 484

MATT KEYS Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 17

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

Numbered by tens (7) Ordinary; unromantic (of writing) (7) Entertainer (4) Shaky (10) Went into (7) Continuing (7) Fruit (plural) (8) Digestion (10) Responded (8) Inconsistent (7) Stuck (7) Pipe (7) Contrary to law (7) Rubber (6) Illness (4)

DOWN Pitch tents (6)

1

DECODER

No. 074

9 2 5 7 5

1 7

7 2 9 3 8

5

4 2 hard

9

2 3

6

2 1

4

9

1

4

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

K N

3 LETTERS ALL ARE AVO IMP INN INS IRE ITS NAP NEE ORE OWL PEA PEN PIE PIS PRO RED RUN SAC TEE UGH UPS WEE

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

T U I OV C E F X Y RWZ 5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

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

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

A

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

8 6 3 5 2 9 1 4 7

4 8 3 5 6 2 1 7 9

5 7 6 9 1 8 4 2 3

33 words: Excellent

T

E

I

L

2 5 7 1 9 6 8 3 4

1 4 9 8 2 3 6 5 7

6 3 8 7 5 4 9 1 2

8 6 4 3 7 5 2 9 1

3 9 5 2 4 1 7 8 6

7 2 1 6 8 9 3 4 5

7 9 2 3 4 1 8 6 5

1 4 5 7 6 8 9 3 2

9 8 1 4 5 3 7 2 6

2 5 6 9 1 7 3 8 4

3 7 4 6 8 2 5 9 1

4 1 7 8 9 6 2 5 3

6 2 9 1 3 5 4 7 8

5 3 8 2 7 4 6 1 9

5 6 2 7 8 4 3 9 1

4 1 8 2 3 9 6 5 7

9 7 3 5 1 6 4 8 2

6 3 4 1 9 7 8 2 5

8 9 5 4 2 3 7 1 6

7 2 1 8 6 5 9 3 4

2 5 6 3 7 8 1 4 9

3 4 9 6 5 1 2 7 8

1 8 7 9 4 2 5 6 3

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

D

U T

M

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

9 1 2 4 3 7 5 6 8

hard

4

medium

3

easy

2

9

1

6

7 2

15

9

14

8 2

9

3

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

5 4 1

3 6

2

GD L S HQA B P J MKN

2 8 3

8

WORDFIT

01-04-22

William Matthews Funerals FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

24 HOUR SERVICE ALL AREAS

9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 18 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

12410397-ACM06-19

mailcommunity.com.au

ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED FAMILY OASIS THIS architecturally designed residence is the complete package affording compelling family comfort and convenient location near endless amenities. Twenty-one years young and only offered to the market for the 2nd time, this is a magnificent moment not to be missed.

From the landscaped front garden with sealed driveway, remote double garage, and striking portico double-door entry this stylish home emanates a sense of elegance.

The wide foyer with sweeping central staircase introduces the gleaming polished floorboards.

The corridor flows past the flexible split level formal living area/home office awash with greenery views and offering access to the wrap-around covered deck.

At the heart of the home, gable windows steal the show with an open plan dining area, family room, and a quality kitchen including gas cooktop, peninsula seating, and walk-in pantry. This area seamlessly links with the undercover alfresco entertaining area and landscaped garden.

With 3 beautiful bedrooms on this level, including one that could be utilised as another living area, there is ample space for growing families.

The ground floor bathroom and luxury soaker tub is an opulent inclusion. The

upper level is a restorative parents’ retreat with private balcony, wall-to-wall wardrobes, and spa tub ensuite with river rock floors and dual sink vanity.

Outside, the near-flat landscaped gardens feel miles away from busy life with complete privacy and every activity catered for. With a fabulous firepit area in picture perfect surroundings, and 2 garden sheds, this property suits discerning buyers with an eye for design.

Utterly inspiring and offering unparalleled comfort, this property is a spectacular opportunity to secure someplace truly special. Centrally located near both Upwey and Tecoma’s schools, shops and public transport inspection will definitely impress.

Architecturally designed and built for a stylish and seamless flow throughout Wide foyer with sweeping central staircase and stunning polished timber floors Flexible split-level formal living area with

· · ·

· · ·

wool carpet and access to the covered patio Open plan kitchen with walk-in pantry overlooking the family room and dining area with glorious gable windows Beautiful bedrooms including upper-level parents’ retreat with private balcony and luxury spa tub ensuite Exquisite landscaped gardens with firepit area, 2 garden sheds, and vehicular access down side of property framed by lush privacy hedging. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 22 Oakland Avenue, UPWEY Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,250,000 - $1,350,000 Contact: Sam Adamson, 0421 023 760 And Daniel Steen, 0434 979 142, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 9754 6888

SUBURBAN, COUNTRY & LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES ACROSS THE REGION mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

|

MAIL 19

HOME FOCUS

SENSATIONAL VIEWS SUNRISE over Monbulk township, in all its Autumn glory, is a spectacular backdrop for a home that blends lifestyle and livability.

Naturally balanced with soft pastel colour tones that are stylish and so inviting. The ever popular split-level design sits between terraced, leafy gardens (1,330 sqm) and the endless treetop views.

Entry into the mudroom/laundry from the concrete drive framed by tree ferns and landscaped retaining walls provides practicality and a smart start into this very comfortable home.

The bright layout offers 3 bedrooms,

ensuite-effect bath, and ample storage on the main level, accompanied by modern, open plan living on the lower floor.

Limewashed exposed beam vaulted ceilings, lounge with warm wood fire, generous meals area, and large kitchen with wall oven and peninsula bench seating, create a perfect accompaniment to the covered deck with sensational outlooks.

Additional highlights of this home include gas ducted heating, wall air conditioning unit, massive under-house storage, and abundant floor to ceiling windows that saturate this home in natural light. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 183 Olinda-Monbulk Road, MONBULK Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Price: $700,000 - $775,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Grant Skipsey, 0418 528 102, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111

FAMILY HOME, HUGE SHED ON HALF ACRE THIS 3-bedroom home with plenty of space indoors and out to entertain in style is sure to pique your interest.

Featuring: 3 good sized bedrooms Luxury bathroom with soaking tub Central well-appointed kitchen with stainless steel appliances Three-sided verandah Vaulted ceilings, wood fire, ducted heating, spilt system in lounge Home hobbyists / handyman / tinkerers / car enthusiasts will be impressed by the large shed / garage / workshop with sealed access also a carport.

Parking for 6 vehicles, caravan, or boat The half acre allotment is on two titles and is fully fenced, perfect for children and pets.

This awesome property is withing walking distance to all that Cockatoo township has to offer, you are sure to enjoy exploring your new neighbourhood. ●

· · · · · · · ·

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 12-14 Steane Street, COCKATOO Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 8 garage Price: $780,000 - $858,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin, 0429 684 522 and Emily Hudson, 0418 570 474 RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111 20 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

mailcommunity.com.au

Ranges EXCELLENT vALUE

COCKATOO 14 HAyLOCk AvENUE IDEAL START, FABuLOuS ALLOTMENT

AMAZING LOCATION ON JUST UNDER 1/2 ACRE

$650,000 - $715,000 3A 1B 2C

This neat and tidy brick veneer home is sure to interest those looking for a good, honest home with scope to put your own personal stamp on it. Set on the high side of the road, you’ll find a very usable, sunny backyard with a productive food garden. Entertain all year round on the covered rear deck or cook up a storm on the 900mm Blanko S/S stove. The location is close to town where you’ll find, cafes, pizza, bakery, Chieftains Smoke House IGA, Primary school, pre-school, childcare centres, vet, medical centre & so much more!

Emily Hudson 0418 570 474

9754 6111 rangesfn.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

$1,350,000-$1,450,000 5A 2B 2C

Situated in a quiet court only a short stroll to Narre Warren North Shops and only a few minutes drive to Fountain Gate Shopping Centre & the M1 Freeway. This large clinker brick family home set on approximately 1908sqm (just under 1/2acre) features a flexible floorplan with multiple living areas including a fantastic sized rumpus room with a bar, in-ground pool, circular sealed driveway, garden shed and a double garage which has been converted into a studio but can be easily reversed back to a two-car garage.

Emily Hudson 0418 570 474

LARGE HOME, STUDIO & SHED

$720,000-$775,000 3A 1B

Sunrise over Monbulk Township, in all its Autumn glory, is a spectacular backdrop for this ever-popular split-level design of terraced, leafy landscaped gardens & endless treetop views. Features soft pastel colour tones, limewashed exposed beam vaulted ceilings, modern open plan living, wood fire, large kitchen with peninsula bench seating, GDH, A/C, abundant floor to ceiling windows, mudroom/laundry entry, ample storage, concrete drive, massive under-house storage and more on a generous 1330sqm block.

Grant Skipsey 0418 528 102

NARRE WARREN NTH 10-12 TOM JONES CRT LARGE CLINKER BRICK CLASSIC

Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522

SENSATIONAL vIEWS

MONBuLK 183 OLINDA-MONBULk ROAD THE HAMPTON LOOK

We put you first

BELGRAVE 5 OLD RESERvOIR ROAD WALK TO BELGRAVE LAKE OR BELGRAVE CENTRAL

$850,000-$890,000 5A 2B 4C

Sitting on the high side with views over Belgrave Lake, sits this fabulous home on a 1106 sqm block. Featuring an open plan design that flows beautifully from the large kitchen to the family/dining area, lounge and out onto the wrap-around deck boasting gorgeous treetop views. Other features include an ensuite & ensuite effect with a corner spa, top and lower decks, bamboo flooring, GDH, wood fire, refrigerated cooling, NBN, terraced back yard, solar panels to grid, ample off-street parking & an easy walk to the bus stop.

Jan Brewster 0409 558 805

“We Put You First”

1 Bayview Rd, Belgrave Shop 2, 24 McBride Street, Cockatoo Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 21

Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

21 Greenville Street, MOOROOLBARK

$890,000 - $950,000 4A 2B 5C

OUTSTANDING INVESTMENT

Beautifully cared for and sitting on a large, sun filled block of 861m2, this original, pristine home is ripe for renovation or perfect for subdivision (STCA). With location being a huge plus, this block is situated near the end of a no through road that is bordered by Kiloran Park, Mooroolbark Hts Tennis Club and Kilsyth Indoor Pool giving you hours of recreational fun at your very front door!

FOR SALE

66 Kaola Street, BELGRAVE

$950,000 - $1,045,000 4A 2B 1C

ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY IN LIFESTYLE LOCALE

Step out of the square and into the sublime curves of this architectural residence situated only a stroll from Belgrave’s bustling township and convenient transport. Framed by picturesque views this is bespoke design at its best. From the arched roofline and quality deck entry your curiosity will be piqued with what to expect inside. The interior certainly does not disappoint, boasting sky-high ceilings and louvered clerestory windows in the central entry hall that capture natural light.

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

Glenn Chandler

Daniel Steen

M 0418 410 689 | E glenn@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0434 979 142 | E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au

FOR SALE

87 Hume Street, UPWEY

$795,000 - $870,000

MODERN STYLE IN MAGNIFICENT LIFESTYLE LOCATION

3A 2B 2C

This warm and welcoming home awaits its new owners from its private and peaceful location overlooking lush local treetops. The inviting interior boasts a bank of windows and doors leading out to the open and covered decking from the single-level living area. At its heart, the kitchen with custom island, stylish shaker cabinets, and freestanding cooker is flanked by the generous lounge with brick feature wall and dining area with vaulted ceilings.

FOR SALE

2 Kookaburra Dell, UPWEY

$860,000 - $920,000

CONVENIENT, PRACTICAL & CLOSE TO EVERYTHING!

3A 2B 1C

This brick veneer home has been tastefully updated and along with its sleek, stylish updates, presents as a charming hills home. There are three well sized bedrooms, with the master suite having access to its own ensuite. Living space has been well catered for with a large L-shaped lounge and dining area plus a separate TV room. The kitchen is beautiful with its modern design, great storage and extended bench space and is certainly one of the major highlights of the home.

Sam Adamson M 0421 023 760 | E sam@chadlerandco.com.au

Daniel Steen

Glenn Chandler

M 0434 979 142 | E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0418 410 689 | E glenn@chandlerandco.com.au

9754 6888 1689 Burwood Highway, Belgrave VIC 3160 www.chandlerandco.com.au of fice@chandlerandco.com.au 22 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

mailcommunity.com.au

Contact the team who keep breaking records in Emerald

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5968 6222 311-313 Main St, Emerald Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 23

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

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EXCAVATIONS CONCRETE * LANDSCAPING * PLANT HIRE

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V Asphalting • Driveways • Car Parks • Pathways, Tennis Courts, Draining, School Yards, Machine or Hand Laid Asphalt Repairs • Commercial & Domestic • Free Quotes • Timber & Brick Edging

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A.G & E. WILLIAMS

PLUMBING CONTRACTORS

Excavators 3 to 20 ton * Bobcats & Tippers * Mini Digger * Augers * Compactors

Lic No. 29938

All types earthworks * Driveways *Site Cuts * Drainage & Retaining Walls Demolition & Rubbish Removal * Blocks Cleared & trees Felled * Firebreaks All types Rock & Concrete Drives, Slabs & Pathways Licensed Operators * Fully Insured * Free Quotes * All Areas www.klplant.com.au A/H 9754 8424 Call Ken

General Plumbing Gas Fitting Hot & Cold Water Roof & Spouting Pumps & Tanks Farm Water Boring & Trenching Sewerage Connections Septics & Sand Filters

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Phone Steve Ph: 5968 2508 Mobile: 0417 723 745

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• Excavator 5 Tonne and 15 Tonne • Bobcat Hire • Tip Truck Hire • All Types of Excavation Work • Holes Augered • Site Cuts • Driveways • Blocks Levelled and Shaped • Retaining Walls • Trenching • Free Quotes • No Jobs Too Big or Too Small

Phone: 1300 666 808

Alan 5968 5191 Mob 0418 176 159

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General Classifieds

Service

Licence No 21425 Maintenance, Bathroom Renovations, Gas Fitting, Dishwashers, Spouting, Replace gas & electric hot water service, General Plumbing.

12424506-ACM33-19

For all your plumbing needs phone Nick on 0413 422 842

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TREE SERVICES

• LARGE TREE SPECIALISTS • HEDGE TRIMMING EXPERTS • STUMP GRINDING • MULCH AVAILABLE • CONSULTING ARBORIST

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Real Estate

section of Network Classifieds.

9720 5111

Specialising in Antique Restoration Recovery & Repairs to all types of furniture

FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS.

C1024520-KG18-12

Plumbing & Gas Fitting, Excavator Hire, Water Renewals, Metal Roof & Gutters, Hot Water Unit Repair & Replacement, All Sanitary & Stormwater Drainage, Septic, Sewer & Treatment Plants, Pumps & Rain Water Tanks.

Richard - 0419 502 949 Simon - 0417 399 750

Plumbing Contractor Reg No. 15348

FREE FABRIC PROTECTION *FREE QUOTE, PICK UP & DELIVERY Luke Wilson Mob: 0402 020 554 Ph: 03 5964 2166 12378576-DJ07-18

Motoring section of Network Classifieds.

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

V Wanted

WANTED TO BUY • Free appraisals and • Unwanted coin or advice given. banknote collections.

• Good service and prices paid.

• Emerald based licensed • Valuation service available. secondhand dealer.

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• Medals, Tokens and Militaria.

COIN COLLECT AND TRADE www.coincollectandtrade.com • sales@coincollectandtrade.com

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• Domestic • Commercial • Installation & Maintenance • Sewerage Connections • Septic Tanks & Stormwater Drains • Drain Blockages • Burst Pipes • LPG to Natural Gas Conversions • Hot Water Service Repairs & Renewals • Spouting, Roofing Repairs & Installation

V Pets & Services

For appointments call Chris 0438 582 575

C683684-SJ2-9

5968 3334 or 0408 335 077 IAN WOODHOUSE

ADVERTISERS in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

V Upholsterers

• No Fuss • No Mess • No Stress

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30 MIN FUN TIME "Visit You". Mature, blonde, D-cup. Monday-Saturday, 9am - 8pm. Call Yvonne on 0491 609 933.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

5 SHERIFF ROAD, EMERALD

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

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO LEASE 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.

Local professionals in our

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on gt lin el W

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ad Ro 12521726-SG46-21

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

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Call Chris 0412 099 142 23 years in roofing leaks

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

www.southerncrossrr.com.au

YARRA VALLEY SEPTIC TANK CLEANING

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.

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

Rubbish Removal & Demolition • Rubbish Removal • Green Waste Removal • House Clean Outs • Backyard Clean-ups • Demolition Strip Outs

Find local work in the

MV1629 12542613-SN13-22

Leak detection & repair Valleys replaced Pensioner discount

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 25

SPORT

Junior comp

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The centre currently has 32 junior teams competing on a Monday night, with older teens playing in social competitions throughout the week.

Pro Futsal Mt Evelyn is running junior programs throughout the school term. Picture: SUPPLIED Mr Atanasov said there are benefits for both players and parents in playing futsal compared to other sports.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Monbulk and Cockatoo teams competed in the final.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Monbulk brave in final On Saturday Monbulk 3, who finished third on the ladder and who had won their way into the Grand Final by defeating the second-placed Yarra Junction, played Cockatoo 1 who had finished first in a high-quality match at Monbulk.

Monbulk started the game well and after 5 ends had an overall lead of 2 shots. Alan Brooke’s rink was in good touch with Darren Ward leading well led by 3 shots. They then lost the next 3 ends to trail by 1 shot, but took back the lead on the 10th end and after the 11th end led by 2 shots. However, they dropped two multiples of 3 on the 13th and 14th ends to fall behind by 5 shots. They

finished with a bang picking up 3 shots on the last end, but went down by 2 shots, 11 to 13.

Mike Harris’ rink was just 1 shot down after 5 ends with Yvonne Cowling putting in some excellent shots. The Cockatoo rink led by Scrooge Blythman then played some excellent shots to take the game away from Monbulk as they won the next 9 ends to open up a lead of 21 shots. Mike Harris put in some top shots but was unable to overcome his opponents eventually going down by 20 shots, 5 to 25.

This meant Cockatoo won the Grand final by 22 shots, 38 to 16.

REGISTER NOW

AUSKICK 2022 www.playhq.com/afl/register Registration queries, please email aflauskick@afl.com.au

2022 SEASON DETAILS 22 APRIL -29 APRIL Friday nights 4.30 - 5.30pm Monbulk Recreation Reserve Ages: 5- 12 years Cost: $91

Brian at monbulkauskick@gmail.com 12541955-SG13-22

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The voucher can be used for registration and membership fees or uniform costs. Picture: ON FILE

Rebates for sporting clubs Parents in the Dandenong Ranges with children playing at local sports clubs can now apply for a $200 rebate from the Victorian Government to help cover the costs of helping kids stay active.

Local sporting clubs and organisations can register as a Get Active Lids Voucher activity provider and redeem the vouchers for parents.

The Victorian Government has provided $21 million for the program. I previous rounds of the voucher, families would pay registration for the sport upfront and then be reimbursed.

Now registered activity providers will lodge the voucher codes and are credited with the costs of registration or membership fees.

The vouchers can also be used for costs of uniforms and equipment. Clubs, associations and organisations must be registered to redeem the vouchers and must be affiliated with a recognised State Sporting Association

or governing body.

More than 33,000 vouchers have been claimed across the first three rounds of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program, which is open to children aged up to 18-years-old who are named on a valid commonwealth health care card or pensioner concession card and named on a valid Medicare card at the time of the application.

Special consideration is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants and international students up to 18-years-old at the time of the application.

Applications are now open and close at 5pm on 31 May. Families can continue to claim reimbursement for expenses already incurred.

For more information, visit www.getactive. vic.gov.au/vouchers/apply-for-vouchers mailcommunity.com.au

12542211-SG13-22

Mail TIP-STARS They are successful in local business... but what do our Tip-Stars know about Footy?

Follow them every week and give them the feedback they deserve...

6

10

13

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Mick Dolphin & Emily Hudson

Barry Cripps

Ken Hunt

Brendan Cox

Bill Matthews

Healesville Toyota

Monbulk Jewellers

Monbulk Bowling Club

William Matthews Funerals

Ranges First National

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Phone: 9739 6868

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Ashleigh Skillern

Chris Lord

Cindy McLeish MP

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Yarra Glen Auto

Andrew McMath Real Estate

State Member for Eildon

Clint Rose Motors

Member for Eastern Victoria Region

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Phone: 5962 3144

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Authorised by H Shing, 216 Commercial Rd, Morwell. Funded from Parliamentary budget.

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FIXTURES - ROUND 3 Thursday, March 31 ..........................................Western Bulldogs vs Sydney Friday, April 1 ...........................................................Melbourne vs Essendon Friday, April 1 .........................................................Adelaide vs Port Adelaide Saturday, April 2 ..................................................... GWS vs Gold Coast Suns Saturday, April 2 ......................................................Collingwood vs Geelong

Saturday, April 2 ............................................. Brisbane vs North Melbourne Sunday, April 3 .............................................................. Carlton vs Hawthorn Sunday, April 3 ............................................................. St Kilda vs Richmond Sunday, April 3 ....................................................... West Coast vs Fremantle

ADVERTISEMENT

Your voice for the Yarra Valley

Free Pickup Available

Cindy MCLEISH MP STATE MEMBER FOR EILDON

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It might be my toy, but I take its care seriously.

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Clint Rose Motors 5962 3144 10, 38-40 Bell Street, Yarra Glen. www.CindyMcLeish.com.au Authorised by Cindy McLeish MP, Shop Funded from Parliamentary Budget.

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mailcommunity.com.au

5 Hunter Road, Healesvile VIC 3777

For everything your car needs.

Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

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MAIL 27

See us at our

Lilydale Showroom or visit one of our dealers throughout Victoria

Olbia is Australia’s premium heat bank heater, Heat bank allows the heater to stay hot even when the fire has gone out.

Euro Fireplaces, Yarra Valley 119 Beresford rd Lilydale, VIC 3140 03 9739 4682

See our full range of heaters eurofireplaces.com.au Give us a call 1300 733 705

Opening Hours Tues - Fri 10:00-4:00 Sat 10:00-2:00

Salzburg

Milano Milano is one of Europe’s most popular heaters for small homes.

Milano will produce instant heat after lighting.

Brunner Designed and manufactured in Germany, Brunner are leaders in large inbuilt woodheating systems, and you can save on inbuilt costs with assembly of these kits done in a day.

28 MAIL

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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022

12542290-CG13-22

Australia’s most advanced Pellet Heater with wifi component, near zero emissions, 90% efficiency, the Future of wood heating.

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